Avant-Garde – Page 3 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Azure Emote – Cryptic Aura

Metalcatto

Azure Emote’s Cryptic Aura is what happens when you combine Monstrosity with Eluveitie and Sirenia. If that sounds bizarre to you, you’re not alone. I wasn’t sure what to expect from such an eclectic group of musicians. To be honest, I had little time to overthink it—just got back from vacation, still in a food coma—but I figured this was a worthy shot to give a band some exposure. Whether that turns out good or bad remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: it’ll be honest. Even money can’t change our strong opinions at MER!

Völur & Cares – Breathless Spirit

Metalcatto

I’ve seen it all in my short life—from bands trashing venues for fun to false nuclear armageddons. Not much surprises me anymore. And yet, the world still has some strange tricks up its sleeve. This is where Völur & Cares step in. The band claims to be an Experimental Doom act, but to me, Breathless Spirit is pure Avant-Garde Metal. I mean, how else do you describe a Metal album with no guitars—just bass, violin, and drums—centered on an epic Icelandic saga? It’s full-on weirdness, and we’re diving straight in.

In The Woods…-Otra

It’s nothing new to say that In the Woods… is a band that has not only defied genre conventions but also done its own thing regardless of the times. Whether that worked or not is a subject for great discussion. However, I’m going to take the safe (chicken!) route and say that the band’s first three albums are classics—and then things changed (see, nobody’s hurt yet!). So, Otra is trying to get every Black/Prog/Avant-Garde Metalhead on board for once, and that’s a Herculean task. Is it even possible?

Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar

Enough procrastinating! It’s time to finish what we started a few days ago by giving our “expert” opinion on Imperial Triumphant’s Goldstar. We even made a top to celebrate this occasion. If that doesn’t tell you how pumped I am for this release, then I don’t know what else to do for you. No need for long intros—we all know Imperial Triumphant is one of the most Avant-Garde bands of the last ten years. Not many can compete with the level of urban horror these guys conjure up, but as a huge fan, I’m nervous! Can you blame me?

Gotta Rank ‘Em All: Every Imperial Triumphant Album Ranked

Metalcatto

The people have spoken, and we started a new section, filled with hunger and ambition—but let’s see how it goes. Imperial Triumphant is the definition of a band of rich kids that went to art school. Nothing wrong with that, because I’m a huge fan! In fact, IT is New York’s response to French Avant-Garde/Black Metal hegemony, and as much as I love that scene (despite its controversies), who the fudge wants to be ruled by the French? Let’s start this countdown as a celebration of the upcoming release Goldstar.

Cross Bringer – Healismus Aeternus

Ixone

Do you ever stumble across an album that makes you wonder what you’re actually listening to? Cross Bringer got me into that exact situation with its latest effort, Healismus Aeternus. Given that it’s an international band, I expected the music to be a blend of different sounds and atmospheres, as it is generally the case with such projects. That, along with the genre and sound description raising a few question marks, made me go into this album with a healthy dose of skepticism. However, I was, albeit unexpectedly, pleasantly surprised.

Sleep Paralysis – Sleep Paralysis

It’s time to reach for that battery acid left in the garage and take a few sips (notice I said sips). Sleep Paralysis is here to replicate that near-death experience in the weirdest ways possible, of course. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what Sleep Paralysis is about, but your humble servant would be satisfied if this wacky thing is at least entertaining. That’s usually the case with anything Avant-Garde, but as the genre suggests, you never really know what you’re getting into.

Am I in Trouble? – Spectrum

Two thoughts crossed my mind when I got the promo for Am I in Trouble? – Spectrum. First: “Oh wow! There’s so much color here that there’s no way this is just a Black Metal album”. Second: “That’s one of the weirdest band names I’ve ever heard”. For an extreme Metal band, the name feels a bit… problematic (ooof, I know I’m getting punched for that one). And I’ve received promos with band names I can’t even post here! But I was intrigued, because I love albums that subvert expectations, and at least in its presentation, Spectrum was doing just that. But was it more than just a striking look? Let’s find out.

Best Avant-Garde Albums of 2024

Metalcatto

Happy New Year, kids! I can’t think of a better way to start the year than by wrapping up our 2024 Catto Awards (yes, I think I’ll name them that way). Avant-Garde Metal is probably the hardest genre to define. It can be everything and nothing at the same time. However, I’d briefly sum it up as the Metal subgenre that makes us all say, “What the fudge? Is this Metal or a college art project?” Anyway, let’s finish this.

Stargazer Scholar’s top 10 albums of 2024

Stargazer Scholar

While I would insist that some aspects of music are quantifiable and (oh! the horror) objective, art is not a competition, and the massive undertaking of compiling a year-end list should be all about fun and discovering new bands together. Right?

Right…