Alright, now we’re all back from vacation and capable of writing once again. Since we didn’t have anything for you last week, this edition contains all the music I listened to last week and the week before.
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Year of No Light - Consolamentum
Much like the cover suggests, Year of No Light makes a sound that is LARGE and DARK. As a sort of modern doom and post-metal band, this type of sound isn’t a massive shock to the system, but the execution sets it apart. Unlike some less experienced outfits, Year of No Light contentedly dictates the slow pace of the record with a confidence and command rarely witnessed. Between all the darkness and weight, the band slips in elements of post-metal and shoegaze that add just enough brightness, keeping the project svelte and agile despite its heft.
Great Metal from this Week
Not much going on from a quantity standpoint this month. Thankfully the quality is enough to save July from being a total loss.
Drawn & Quartered - Congregation Pestilence: If you’ve been missing out on some classic death metal then Congregation Pestilence brings the riffs you crave. Blistering drums, obscene vocal performances and some serious riffage make this a must listen death metal performance.
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter - The Divine Horsemen: If the album cover wasn’t already an indication, the music on The Divine Horsemen is completely unhinged. Dashing from tribal-styled chants to power metal and death metal in the span of minutes, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter thoroughly disorients the listener in an extremely satisfying fashion.
Check out tracks from these artists and more on our Fresh Kills playlist.
Non-Metal AOTW
Half-Waif - Mythopoetics
Half-Waif has always impressed me with her excellent command of tone and lyrical execution but it wasn’t until Mythopoetics that her brilliance shone in a way that felt tailored to my taste. Her voice is clearer and more desperate than it has ever been, lending an emotional heft to every track. To add to this, the lyrics, particularly on “Orange Blossoms” are more touching and immediately relatable than anything she has previously recorded.
Runners-up
Vince Staples - Vince Staples: Vince Staples is going to go down as one of the most under-appreciated rappers of our generation. While this self-titled record isn’t the best piece of material that he’s released, it’s still an impressive gem in the crown of one of the most impressive rappers in the game.
Drug Store Romeos - The world within our bedrooms: Hazy guitar tones and dreamy vocals make this relaxing album the perfect companion for a rainy day of window-gazing.
Tkay Maidza - Last Year Was Weird, Vol.3: If you appreciate the rap stylings of other women in the game but could use some weirder beats, then Tkay Maidza has you covered. Be sure to check out “Kim” and “Syrup.”
Turnstile - TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION: It’s just really really good, really really fast punk music. It rocks, go listen to it.
Things to Look Forward to
Lots of exciting stuff on the horizon, so make sure to add some of these albums to your weekly playlists. I promise people still release good music from time to time.
Speaking of releasing good music, Open Ocean NYC has a live album (I know right, LIVE MUSIC!) from Wild Yaks that is well-situated to become your ideal summer companion. The beachy, joyous record delivers a concentrated dose of sunshine right into your spirit. Odd as it may be for a metal newsletter to recommend something with that vibe, we could all use some levity and joy these days, and Wild Yaks knows how to bring it.
https://wildwildyaks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.openocean.nyc/products/665839-wild-yaks-live-at-rippers
Metal Albums - Many thanks to To The Teeth for alerting me to almost all of these, subscribe to their newsletter too!
Powerwolf - Call of the Wild
Vouna - Atropos
Mesa - Collapse
Downcaste - Pre-Apocalypse
Old Man Gloom / Zozobra - Zozoburn
Non-Metal Albums
Clairo - Sing
Pop Smoke - Faith
Wavves - Hideaway
Jodi - Blue Heron
Yves Tumor - The Asymptotical World