Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: Part 2

Let’s keep reviewing our greatest omissions of the year. Some of these are older than MER Industries itself, so you can’t blame us too much for missing them. However, I suspect that they’re are going to end up on a few end-of-the-year lists, so it would be criminal to let them slip by without glory—even if this moment of honor feels insignificant. Alright, so here’s part two of our redemption rounds. If your favorite album is missing, relax—there will be more parts.

Hulder – Verses in Oath: Let’s return to earlier this year and remember what a classic Verses in Oath is. I mean that in terms of its sound and atmosphere. It’s a love letter to bands like Satyricon and Taake, but applied to a more nature-driven theme. Its greatest charm (and also my biggest complaint) is how claustrophobic this thing sounds. Was it recorded in a tunnel? It certainly makes you feel like you’re lost in a rainy forest, surrounded by ravens just waiting for you to take the wrong step and fall. I fear this album might go underrated for a long time, which is why I wanted to revisit it before the year slips away.

Spectral Voice – Sparagmos: Back when the year started and Sparagmos came out, many were already declaring it the album of the year. Honestly, I had a hard time getting into it given how dense and inaccessible it was. And yet, I kept pushing until this harrowing and terrifying piece of art finally clicked. The balance between its disgusting, primitive production style and the fear plus aggression it exudes makes the album truly feel like being violently possessed by forces beyond our control. There’s nothing but relief once Sparagmos is done with you. Just be prepared—this is a mountain you might not have the energy to climb every day.

Völva – Desires Profane: With a name and cover art that would probably get banned in twenty countries, Desires Profane gathered significant attention when it was released. However, at first, I didn’t quite get all the fuss. I mean, it’s brutal, competent Black Metal that reminded me of Darkthrone if the band embraced clean production. However, the themes explored in this album (yes, it spits on Christianity, but not in the way you’d usually expect) and its willingness to tackle Black Metal in a truly subversive way set it apart. Besides, this album just breathes hostility and fury. It’s a storm of rage that the whole Metal family can digest!

Part two is done now! But the battle isn’t over. In fact, it’ll never be over (I still have to find the other album with mutant baby art). Tune in tomorrow—or maybe the day after—for another list of missing albums that will make you scream, “How could they even miss that?” To which I’d reply, “Easy—look at this mailbox and despair!”