Suffering so you don't have to!
What? Are you surprised that MER Industries is covering such a mainstream band? You’ll dare to call us not Metal anymore. As if we care. What we do care about is giving even the most commercial band a fair chance. I’m sure those of you with a love for anything Gothic will know Lacuna Coil needs no introduction and that despite my skepticism for Sleepless Empire, I’m willing to suspend my prejudices for a few hours while I analyze another album from a now ancient band.
As we approach the end of the year, it’s almost time to annihilate whatever remains in the filter, so we can start the new year full of promises and dreams completely out of touch with reality. However, before I do that, there’s still some time to explore what the underground has left to offer this year. In this case, we return to this blog’s guilty pleasure: Death/Doom. Harkane‘s Argo claims to be inspired by The Argonautica, the most boring-interesting Greek epic I’ve ever read. Let’s hope it delivers more action!
Stargazer Scholar
Numerous subgenres of Metal have been squeezed to the very last drop of their former originality—exhausted, recycled, and overdone. Weirdly enough, despite its obvious overpopulation problem, Atmospheric Black Metal is not one of those genres. Before you object, dear reader, think of all the outstanding and unique artists this movement has spawned. Consider the legendary dungeon synth escapades of the mighty Summoning and its glorious followers; recall the dreamy medieval charm of the mysterious Obsequiae; and remember the swelling soundscapes of Saor. Italy’s Eard remains a well-hidden but no less precious gem in this constellation of curiosities—a gem yearning to be discovered.
Elased
VdB 141 is the astronomical designation for the distinctive Ghost Nebula in the constellation Cepheus.IC 1805, on the other hand, refers to the Heart Nebula in the neighboring constellation Cassiopeia. These two codes form the title of the intro to this album and at the same time explain the enigmatic name of the band, Ghostheart Nebula. In its musical vision, the band merges the two nebulae into a mystical collision of almost impenetrable soundscapes. It may seem an ambitious undertaking, but the name and the idiosyncratic symbol could hardly be more fitting. No one has ever captured the essence of void, loneliness, hopelessness, farewell, and loss in such astronomical dimensions of darkness, weightless spacelessness, and disembodiment.
It’s starting to get cold where I live (despite my mansion being on a volcano—those Lamborghinis need a lot of heat to stay beautiful). What better way to embrace the slow but inevitable descent into darkness than with some Death/Doom from Invernoir, a project that blends the melancholy of Novembre and My Dying Bride with the fury of Décembre Noir? These bands always risk falling into clichés and well-worn tropes, but can Aimin’ for Oblivion manage to become unforgettable (see what I did there? Hehe…)?
The Gods of violence have been kind to me this time! We’ve been given this promo, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than by writing something snobbish about it! Fleshgod Apocalypse needs no introduction. Love them or hate them, no other band does it like they do. It’s also a band willing to take big risks. Ever since Oracles—which, by the way, is one of the best Tech Death albums ever; go get it!—the band has constantly evolved. Since King, the band has embraced its Italian-ness (that’s not a word!) more and more. And though I think Veleno was underrated, you never know what to expect from this band. Opera is ambitious, as its name indicates, but can it join the other great Italian works? Let’s go!
It’s time for something more idiosyncratic! At first glance, you might think there’s nothing too strange about Forgotten Tomb, but the more you delve into its work, the more you realize how little MeloBlack has been mixed with Doom Metal. “That’s a killer combo!” you might say, and that’s exactly what Nightfloating is about. But does it work, or does it float over our heads? (I’m so getting fired after that joke.) Forgive my poor comedic timing and stay with us!
I know you think you’re tough! That you’re a creature from the depths of Hell. That you’ve rarely seen the light of day, blah blah… But for once, drop the act, because we’re about to overdose on sugar while reviewing Attractive Chaos‘s album Tame & Conquer, which promises to be more uplifting than reels of hamsters eating veggies. The promo even included a Shakespeare quote! What could be more uplifting than quoting the greatest tragic writer of his time? Okay, fine! He did write comedies too, but enough digressions. Let’s have some hope for once!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 