It seems we’ve finally reached the first submission list from the deep web. However, there are still one or two lists more left. Hence, our suffering/joy continues. This week, we bring you some albums and EPs that show you how diverse and strange Metal can be. You know the drill: give them love or hate, but give these bands something! Let’s start!
Starspawn of Cthulhu – Alienum: We’ve had Lovecraft Death and Black Metal for decades now, but how about Lovecraft Doom Metal? I haven’t heard much about that! Well, Alienum sounds like Fvneral Fvkk but about the existential horrors of the universe and in Italian. Despite its production limitations, it has a truly sinister and melancholic atmosphere that makes it stand out. It’s almost gothic in essence. Also, it’s refreshing how direct it is! No 10-minute-long three-riff songs. I think Starspawn of Cthulhu hasn’t peaked yet, but Alienum is promising. Click here!
Slaughterssword – Beyond Death: Have you ever wondered what would happen if you mixed a classic Heavy Metal band with decadent Death Metal vocals? You don’t have to imagine it because that’s what Beyond Death sounds like. It’s direct and easy to follow, sometimes even too direct for my taste, and the production sounds vintage, like a cassette, but it’s certainly interesting and entertaining. For those who complained that Death Metal has become overly complicated, Beyond Death offers songs written the old-fashioned way. Click here!
Xo.eN – Dalej…: I had to think a bit if this fit the blog, but then I remembered I’m the absolute dictator here. It’s Polish Goth Rock with clean production and extremely sentimental synths. You have to be in the right mindset to get into Dalej…, as in get in touch with your dead feelings, you wimp. It feels emotional and vulnerable, even if the formula is a familiar one or some of the musical ideas a bit corny. Don’t ask me about the lyrical themes because nobody at MER speaks Polish that well, but we assume it’s about sadness, depression, or just general tough things about life itself. Anyway, click here!
Aftermath – No Time to Waste: Tell me something, do you miss old Lamb of God or even old Slipknot? (That’s ok, we accept sinners at MER.) If that’s the case, then Aftermath has something that could interest you. I won’t lie to you, it gets rather weird in some moments, but in essence, it has that angry attitude that those more mainstream bands managed to capture. Yes, it can feel like Bro Metal too, but I think that if you want something accessible that doesn’t require hours of your undivided attention (let’s face it, nothing in your life gets enough attention anyway), No Time to Waste honors its title well. Click here!
There you have it! Four projects from all over the place. I must say this week’s selection surprised me in the production department. Maybe the worst days are gone and the next batch of bands will also have a decent level of engineering…or perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself and forgetting that we’re suffering here, so you don’t have to. Until next time, kids!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 