Tag: Post-Metal

Heretoir – Solastalgia

Metalcatto

It’s hard to get people’s attention in this era of pathetic short attention spans. It’s even harder to stand out as a German Post/Black Metal band, since so many of them already offer outstanding quality music. But Heretoir has a nerdy trick up its sleeve. It’s not every day I get an album with a freaking Phorusrhacos on the cover—especially one that looks so sombre (like they weren’t terrifying enough already). Now, I’m sure Solastalgia is going to offer uplifting and hopeful tunes, right? One can dream… or just show despair. Both are valid in the Metalsphere.

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Oskoreien – Hollow Fangs

Metalcatto

It’s been a while since we’ve had some Post-Black Metal in our hands. You know how it goes with these types of albums: they either end up on a best-of-the-year list or fade into oblivion. There’s rarely anything in between. However, Oskoreien is a band that, despite having few releases, has been around for a while, which is why I approached Hollow Fangs with a decent amount of respect—and even a little hope. Besides, I kind of dig that dragon artwork (no, the dragon doesn’t look goofy—it’s art!). Now, let’s start throwing down.

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Releases that almost fell through the cracks

Metalcatto

Lately, I’ve felt in control of the mess release dates can become. However, great albums from the underground still escape my grasp here and there. In an attempt to do justice to bands that we were either too late or too busy to explore deeply, we’re back with this section where we try to make this unjust world a little fairer in our own low-budget way. Let’s check out this unique bunch, ok?

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Karg – Marodeur

I’ve been hearing whispers about Karg for a while. It’s another band that can proudly join the whole German/Austrian Post/Black Metal scene. It’s been dominating this small niche for at least the last ten years. So yeah, I do feel kind of guilty that it took me this long to give the project a proper chance. Marodeur has a serious name, a serious cover art—so you obviously expect serious music. The kind of album that reminds you of those small mistakes you thought you’d let go, but still haunt you at night. Uplifting stuff, right? Let’s start!

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Rýr – Disloged

Instrumental Metal is something that many noobs dream of having. All your friends who hate “screaming” claim to want something like this—only to never listen to it anyway. That’s the reality of the game: people hate growling until it’s not there. However, that doesn’t take away from the merits of a band like Rýr, whose approach on Disloged makes me think of a less brutal Cult of Luna—yet still heavier than Pelican (let’s be honest, anything is heavier than Pelican). But enough mixed signals—let’s dig into what this album is all about.

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Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

Few bands elicit as many passionate discussions as Deafheaven. They stand as the ultimate hipster black metal band – that distinctly warm Californian/edgy interpretation of the traditionally depressive Nordic formula. To these ears, it’s crafted exactly one perfect 5.0/5.0 album (Sunbather). However, ever since New Bermuda, I’ve gradually fallen out of love with its evolving sound. This isn’t to say its subsequent work was bad – it simply never recaptured those genre-defining heights that initially made them so revolutionary. So it was with minimal expectations that I approached Lonely People With Power a title so quintessentially Deafheaven it almost hurts), steeling myself primarily against disappointment.

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Decline of the I – Wilhelm

I hate being late, but what can I do when all the bands want to release something cool on Valentine’s Day? (so much for being evil music!) Having said that, Decline of the I is probably the last thing you want to put on to set the mood. Wilhelm is an album with layers and horrors that aren’t for that kind of atmosphere (unless you’re reading this carefully, in which case you love anything disturbing and strange). I’ll do my best to even try to define what the album is going for, because this is a wild animal, and I’m not sure we can tame it. But how about we try!

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Zéro Absolu – La Saignée

When I open my magic mailbox, I start salivating because this promo had everything a snob wanted. French? Check! Post/Black Metal? Check! Band members with no names but initials instead? Check! But most importantly, has the band been embroiled in drama as intense as the album? Probably. So here we are, ready to dive into Zéro Absolu and its album La Saignée. It’s basically a French supergroup, so of course, our expectations can’t be realistic.

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Beneath a Steel Sky – Cleave

It’s been a good week for releases and the Catto life, which is why we need to end it with something urban, decadent, and utterly depressing. Too much joy can spoil the soul, and Beneath a Steel Sky‘s album Cleave delivers the perfect antidote. This release promises to delve into your most painful memories and craft art from them. With my love for crushing Post-Metal—almost rivaling my affection for Finnish Death/Doom—let’s dive into this urban wasteland.

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