July was a weaker month on the whole for both metal and non-metal releases. The middle of the year tends to slow down a little bit after most outlets finish their “best of the year so far” lists. As a result, this list is a bit shorter than usual but there’s plenty to love about what we received this July.
King Woman - Celestial Blues
I’ve already spent quite a bit of time discussing this album, but it deserves every bit of hype I’ve been giving it. Whether you’re interested in the compelling way that this record unpacks a religious upbringing through the use of that upbringing’s primary antagonist or are interested in it’s stellar use of sound, this album is sure to satisfy. It’s one of the best doom projects I’ve heard in recent memory, and you should take the time to enjoy it. If you’re interested in hearing more of my thoughts on the record, check out my review of Celestial Bluesat Mxdwn.
Powerwolf - Call of the Wild
Power metal doesn’t always hit, but when it does it can easily become one of the most compelling genres of metal. Sure, Powerwolf isn’t going to rip your mind open with earth-shaking concepts or even a new take on how metal should be made. What they will do is open up a hole in your wall when you jump up shouting about how you’re ready to go to war against the forces of hell. It’s the anime opener of metal and it’s very good at what it does.
Luminous Veil - Vespers for the Loom and Lain
Despite the very independent nature of this band, they’ve managed to pull together a piece of black metal that feels fully thought out and extremely well-produced. Each track is exceptionally balanced, containing both emotional heft and headbanging ferocity. It’s easily one of the most exciting black metal projects to come out in 2021.
Year of No Light - Consolamentum
At this point I can’t tell if atmoblack is having a moment or if I just really like atmoblack. Regardless, this is a band that knows how to do the genre right. They blend the elements of black metal and post-rock with incredible confidence, using synths to temper the rippling guitars and bone-crushing drums. And thanks to this confidence, the calm sections never feel tacked-on or less considered than the brain melting heavy bits. Oh - it’s also name your price on bandcamp so get after it.
(NAME YOUR PRICE ALBUM)
Old Man Gloom + Zozobra - Zozoburn
More often than not, live albums are kind of a waste of space. They mostly exist to satiate the appetites of fans who weren’t able to attend a live show during a band’s most recent tour. However, Zozoburn showcases new collaborations that were worth capturing. The rawer nature of the live recording makes all the tracks even more thrilling and guttural than they are in the studio. You can feel the whole album crackling with the energy of the crowd even when they aren’t cheering. It’s a life album experience worth enjoying, making it a rare gem indeed.
Lantlôs - Wildhund
Lantlôs has long been a favorite blackgaze band of mine and this album sees them on a similar path to their contemporaries Deafheaven. Wildhund is a much more approachable experience than Melting Sun and .neon, but that doesn’t mean it’s toothless. The drums are at the best they’ve ever been and the clarity of the new production adds several new layers of compelling material to each song. It’s hard to say whether or not this is their best, but it’s certainly the best place to start.