Suffering so you don't have to!
It’s that time of the week again, when we look at our inbox and feel infinite mercy for the little guy. When we say: enough with the clout-chasing, let’s talk about those who took the time to send us a respectful, well-written email. Even if we don’t reply directly, consider this our thoughtful response to your submission. This week, I have to admit, I’m pleasantly surprised by the quality of material we’ve received. So, let’s dive in!
My only previous experience with Chilean Metal has revolved around the country’s formidable Death Metal scene, which has spawned killer bands like Melektaus, Godagainst, Atomic Aggressor, and many others. Chilean Doom—specifically, in this case, one of my admitted blind spots, the “Epic” formulation of the style—had completely escaped my attention, at least until this album caught my eye.
When I got Barathrum’s Überkill and read that this was a Finnish Black Metal band, all alarms went off at MER HQ. Panic and anxiety ensued! We called our contact in intelligence to run a background check on the band. Luckily, nothing sketchy came up! So, I could proceed with reviewing what many call the first Black Metal band from the land of a thousand lakes. Join me, and let’s uncover some hidden history!
We keep giving chances to bands just starting their promising careers in this ruthless, kill-or-be-killed arena we call the Metal scene. I won’t sit here and pretend I knew who Aberrator was, or that I saw the album title Beckoning Tribulation and thought, “This is the next big thing!” But when I saw that beautiful and tasteful cover art, I thought: “Alright, that does it—this should at least be fun!” So, here we are, ready to taste another heavy meal.
Alright, people, this isn’t going to be our usual review because Melted Bodies is a band so strange and out-of-pocket (in the best way!) that I’m still trying to wrap my head around The Inevitable Fork. Like, what even is that album title? What does it mean? If you think the band is as bizarre as its album art suggests, let me tell you—yes, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. I’ll elaborate a bit to guide you through this journey into the depths of absurdity.
Stargazer scholar
Norway’s 1349 has been consistent in proving that maintaining the unholy spirit of Black Metal doesn’t require stagnation. Starting out as self-professed adherents of a more traditionalist approach, the band has since explored Dark Ambient and Thrash, all without compromising its blackened credentials. While some of its work has been divisive—particularly the more experimental, droning side, which received mixed reactions from the genre’s more conservative audience—the band has pressed on with unfaltering zeal and grim determination. At this point in 1349‘s career, one thing is certain: the new opus is dark, uncompromising, and extreme. Its final form, however, remains to be seen, so let’s discover The Wolf and the King together.
Let’s face it: Post/Black Metal has won the extreme music war. It doesn’t matter where I go; there are at least 20 Post/Black bands making everything around them a valley of tears and sorrow. That brings me to today’s guest, Hell is Other People. With a name clearly inspired by Huis Clos, I couldn’t let it pass! I love my Black Metal existentialist, and that’s what Moirae seemed to promise. Rarely have I been this interested in finding no way out of a painful situation, but that’s what extreme music does to the soul! Anyway, it’s judgment time!
Sunday is here! Which means it’s time for another 400-500 words to make the Metal world a bit fairer. We’re shining a light on releases that you’ve personally sent us or that deserve some love in this cold, heartless world. This week won’t be as rancid and tvre as usual, since we’re focusing on bands building their hype, but who don’t necessarily sound like they’re gargling hot sauce in a tunnel. For once, we’re expecting a certain level of production quality, but don’t get too used to it—it won’t become a trend.
Pegah
“There are certain sores in life that, like a canker, gnaw at the soul in solitude and diminish it. Since generally it is the custom to attribute these incredible sufferings to the realm of rare and singular accidents and happenings, it is not possible to speak about them to others“.
― Sadegh Hedayat, The Blind Owl
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Blood Incantation is one of Death Metal’s underground darlings and that its first two albums are already modern classics of space Metal. However, the band pulled an “Ulver move” with Timewave Zero, alienating much of its fanbase. Even after what many would call a misstep, I remained optimistic about what Absolute Elsewhere could offer. Now that the band had gotten all that intense psychedelia out of its system, could it return to something more familiar for us Metalheads, or would it fully embrace the path of Ulver? Let’s find out.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 