2024

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    Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja (2024)

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    There is ‘normal’ experimental/weird music, and there is Oranssi Pazuzu weird, which is 100x more intense than the latter. Unleashing their sixth full-length release with “Muuntautuja”, the band goes down into the depths of hell and delivers seven unnerving tracks that are both intense and insane. Anybody familiar with the band would not expect anything less, and for nearly 45 minutes, they manage to push the boundaries of aural assaults with their music, creating one truly chaotic and ravaging release.

    In no time, the band immediately grabs the listener with their hypnotic opener “Bioalkemisti”, a track that slowly lures them into the band’s madness. The hellish vocals and crafty samples work wonders until the deranged guitar work unleashes its magic. With the album title track we get an interesting ‘drum and bass’ core aligned with crazy samples and electronics to create a very bleak soundscape. If the listener is not smitten already, “Voitelu” and its creepy subtle keyboards allows the band to further expand the atmospheric madness of this release.

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    Cemetery Skyline - Nordic Gothic (2024)

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    Unleashing one of the catchiest and most engaging releases of 2024, today we have Gothic Rock supergroup Cemetery Skyline and their debut release “Nordic Gothic”. Featuring a line-up with Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity), Markus Vanhala (Omnium Gatherum), Santeri Kallio (Amorphis), Victor Brandt (Dimmu Borgir) and Vesa Ranta (Sentenced), this outfit delivers a very refreshing synthwave-infused 80’s/90’s music unlike anything you have ever heard before. For fans of Depeche Mode, Lacrimas Profundere, End of Green, etc. this release features ten bangers that will be stuck in your head for days.

    The release starts with the bombastic “Torn Away” and its dramatic synths that create a very dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Mikael Stanne’s deeper clean vocals have a certain Ville Valo-esque undertones, but as soon as the chorus section hits, Stanne’s trademark sound appears. Keeping things super lively, “In Darkness” delivers some crunchy Markus Vanhala riffs alongside crafty drumming from Vesa Ranta, the band is showcased having endless fun creating some superbly catchy melodies, and some epic vocal arrangements.

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    1394 - The Wolf and the King (2024)

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    Feeling like getting hit by a bag of bricks to the face? Well, that is exactly how “The Wolkf and the King” feels thanks to its incisive rawness and pummeling aggression. 1349 returns after five years with their best release to date. Featuring eight tracks and nearly 40 minutes of music, this release reminds the listener that Black Metal is powerful and visceral, as the band keeps their sound raw and crushing while still delivering tons of stylistic and technical nuances. If you like uncompromising and pummeling music, this is the release for you.

    Opening with the crushing “The God Devourer”, we get massive drums, courtesy of none other than Frost (Satyricon), and Ravn’s signature fierce snarl. The riffing immediately fills the air with piercing precision and the throbbing bass guitar line masterfully adds to the mix. The band’s sound is raw and piercing, with pieces like “Ash of Ages”, “Shadow Point”, and “Inferior Pathways” always focusing on brutality amongst crafty tempo changes and interesting rhythms that quickly make the band stand out.

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    Whispering Void - At the Sound of the Heart (2024)

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    Creating a very unique and intoxicating vibe, today we have Norwegian supergroup Whispering Void and their debut release “At the Sound of the Heart”. Featuring members Lindy-Fay Hella and Kristian "Gaahl" Eivind Espedal on vocals,Ronny "Valgard" Stavestrand on guitars and multi-instrumentalist Iver Sandøy handling the rest, this collective delivers eight magical tracks filled with dark/folk rock influences paired with lush vocal arrangements and enriched instrumentation. Think of Tenhi meets Hexvessel, this release is a gratifying aural experience.

    Opening with the sultry “Vinden Vier”, Lindy-Fay Hella instantly shines as this enigmatic track delivers waves of crafty string instruments alongside dreamy atmospherics and a very hypnotic pace. On “Vi Finnes” the band steps it up a notch with a solemn Gaahl being added to the vocal mix, amongst crafty percussion and a very hypnotic atmosphere. One of the best tracks in this release has to be the eponymous third song, which features some eerie vocal arrangements with a nice Post-Rock-ish vibe, creating a very unique and enveloping vibe.

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    Horna - Nyx (Hymnejä yölle) (2024)

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    Never fucking around, Horna returns for their 30th anniversary with the crushing “Nyx”. Featuring six tracks and over 45 minutes of neck breaking Black Metal, the band clearly shows why they are the kings of the genre thanks to their punishing sound and firm grasp of the genre. With their usual no holds barred attitude, this release punishes the listener with a barrage of piercing guitar work and furious drumming.

    Opening with the blistering first hymn, Shatraug and company unleashed all hell with sinister guitar riffs and Spellgoth’s signature harsh vocals. The band’s ability to inflict the listener with raw aggression, is more punishing thanks to how refined and masterfully executed their music is, as hymns “II” and “III” showcase. The sinister aural created by tracks like “IV” is still one of the band’s best features, as it delivers their message with much more finesse and style than any other band of the genre.

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    The Mist From The Mountains - Portal - The Gathering of Storms (2024)

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    Delivering waves of highly melancholic and melodic Black Metal, today we have Finland’s The Mist From The Mountains and their sophomore full-length release “Portal - The Gathering of Storms”. Perfectly balancing aggression with melody and some folkiness, this album features six tracks and over 56 minutes of lush and crafty music. For fans of 90’s melodic/symphonic Black Metal, this release has tons of familiar elements, perfectly upgraded with the band’s unique spin.

    Opening with the (old) Empyrium-esque “And So Flew the Death Crow”, this track sets a very melancholic mood with weeping guitars and a doomy pace. There is a certain Folkish edge to the band’s sound that enriches the experience, while still delivering some heavier onslaughts. The catchiness continues to the brilliant “The Seer of Ages” and its lush vocal arrangements and engaging riffing. There is a certain Borknagar-epicness to this track, but with the band’s own signature style that we loved.

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    Soror Dolorosa - Mond (2024)

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    Unleashing the most intoxicating and catchy release of 2024, today we have France’s Soror Dolorosa and their latest opus “Mond”. Featuring nine tracks and nearly 50 minutes of sultry Post-Punk/Cold Wave/Gothic/Dark Rock music, this band will hypnotize listeners with their uniquely enthralling sound. For fans of outfits like Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode and Joy Division, this is one release you don’t want to miss.

    Led by Andy Julia, this release immediately sets a very engaging tone with the magical “Tear it Up” and its crafty beats that surround the deep and mysterious vocals. There is just a certain magic on how the band creates a very dark and enveloping world that as songs like “You’re Giving Me”, “Red Love”, and “Souls Collide” unleash their sultriness and atmospheric brilliance. However, it is the vocals that tie everything together alongside dramatic tempo changes.

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    Oceans of Slumber - Where Gods Fear to Speak (2024)

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    Constantly improving with each release, Oceans of Slumber continue their storied career with the masterful “Where Gods Fear to Speak”. This release perfectly showcases the band’s unique style with Progressive Metal/Rock elements paired with the soulful vocals of Cammie Gilbert. Clocking in at over 50 minutes, the ten tracks in this release showcase the different facets of the band’s wide ranging influences, from Death/Black Metal to more playful and experimental styles.

    Opening with the album title track, we get a solid mixture of sultry female vocals, crafty drumming, and diverse tempos. The opener even features some hectic and heavy passages with harsh vocals and intense drumming. The heaviness continues with “Run from the Light” and ““Don’t Come Back from Hell Empty Handed”” with their hypnotic interludes alongside faster paced proggy sections. The drumming of Dobber Beverly is quite diverse, changing tempos very effectively to intricately make transitions during songs.

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