March Music Roundup
Delayed, because I'm, well, lazy. Listening is easy. Taking the time to think about it and then write about it less so. It's more valuable for me if I do, but it's not free. I've got a vast collection of other things I'm not properly attending to as well.
The Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit [2008]
Mentioned on Two Promotors, One Pod by Gav. Not something that I'd generally care very much about as a style - what I'd broadly categorise as "indie", but that feels a little bit unfair to these guys. Not because there's tragedy in their story (which there most certainly is) but more because I came away feeling a bit moved by it. And that's pretty much never happened with "indie" music before and certainly wasn't something I was expecting here. I think it's probably fairer to refer to it as "poetry with a band". Weirdly moving, fragile, and disturbing in about equal measure.
I loved 2023's Polar Veil, so was pleased to see more coming out last year with Nocturne.
This is another one of those bands that seems unfairly constrained by any label you might give them. It's clearly black metal, but it's almost progressive black metal? Which feels dirty to even say. But whilst the black metal church is broad (and not primarily constructed from flammable materials) this band and this record broadens it still further.
The result is that it's a fun listen - beautiful and introspective, and then suddenly spiky guitars, a scream, but then back to poetry and the warmth of melody.
I'd struggle to recommend it to most people because it's so eclectic in its own right. But I do wholeheartedly recommend it. Definitely worth your time.
Isle of Bliss by Hanging Garden
Are we seeing the rise of "melodic black metal"? In fairness I'm just some chump in Manchester with too many half-hobbies to be able to dedicate enough time to the history and progress of metal to know for certain if this is a new thing or not, but I'm pleased to say that the algorithms are feeding me a plentiful supply of satisfyingly melodic black metal recently.
This is accomplished, inspirational stuff. The kind of thing that when I imagine myself seeing through my half-hobby of trying to write a metal album - maybe this is what I hope pops out of the other side.
If only I had the time, dedication, vision, and indeed talent to be able to pull off such a feat.
Until then, at least other people are realising my dream and I get to live it vicariously. And I'll drink to that.
An Undying Love For The World by Neurosis
Literally came out of nowhere and holy shit was this needed! One of the greatest post-metal bands in the world, Neurosis, on hiatus since losing their frontman to a (rightfully) self-imposed cancellation, join up with the frontman (Aaron Turner) from my actual favourite post-metal band in the world, the long-defunct, ISIS.
"The sons of Soong have joined together, and together we will crush the federation". Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Lost for words with this one. Blown away from its opening manifesto call, to the gorgeous First Red Rays, all the way to the masterpiece that is Last Light.
I've only scratched the surface with this and I feel like I've got it on all the time. It's one of those records that I can put on and drown out the world without any real focus - it's just a great collection of noises - or an album that I can put on and focus on every single thing that's happening and get lost it. I could dedicate the whole of March to this record and probably still wouldn't really know anything about it.
Strong Album of the Year contender. Incredible.
Melodic death metal from Germany, and it reaks of competence! As soon as this records starts you know it means business.
I wonder who gets to decide on the genre label a band uses. I mean, mostly it's obvious, and generally it doesn't matter all that much. But the preface "melodic" usually, in my experience, denotes "these guys mean business".
This is well-written, well-performed, well-produced and well-worth your time.
It's like a heavier version of Soilwork.
The Spiral Labyrinth by SolNegre [2023]
Spanish melodic doom. Again with the "melodic" tag - and rightfully earned!
This is one of those records that I feel a bit sad about - because it's so beautifully done and yet the niche is so small that the staggering level of musicianship will never get real recognition. I suppose they had the option of play pop covers and weddings and good on them for saying "fuck everything about that". This is real music and there's real depth of emotion in the whole thing, top to bottom.
I ought to listen to this more than I currently do.