Greetings,Decibel readers!
It’s a week for reflection, experimentation and exploring, as today’s new releases show a wealth of creative minds taking their sounds in all different directions. Although black metal and death metal are now long-established styles of extremity, there’s still room for maneuver for bands willing to be bold while still retaining what makes those styles compelling and exciting (and without simply “breaking new ground“).
Check it out.
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Astriferous – Atavistic Unraveling
The Costa Rica-based outfit’s followup to 2023’s nightmarishPulsations from the Black Orbsees them further hone and perfect their atmospheric take on terrifying death metal. Astriferous plays their music like an orchestra from hell, filling the gallery with towering guitars, devastating rhythms, and ground-quaking vocals. There’s touches of dissonant vibes present on this album, but the band is so good at keeping the music in a certain groove that the sound avoids some of the pitfalls of similar bands. Pay attention for some moments that recallForulas-eraMorbid AngelandClose to a World Below-eraImmolation that peek out from behind the curtain.
Stream:Apple Music
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Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering, Elysian Blaze, Panegyrist, and Maerund – Sunthema
An absolutely stacked split of four amazing bands. Although I’m most familiar withPanegyrist and can readily vouch for them, there’s a lot to discover in the death metal of Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering; the melodic atmosphere of Elysian Blaze; and the epic, death-rock-tinged chaos of Maerund.
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Mortiis – Ghosts of Europa
The long-storied artist returns with a reflective and moody album that has one foot in 80s post-punk, and another in 90s electronica. Think of it asPure Moods for goth kids. But don’t get me wrong, there’s still moments that recall the ancient days of Mortiss’ dungeon-synth past, like “Transcending Morpheus,” and moments where things pick up like the dance-able “Tundra, Heart of Hell.”
Stream:Apple Music
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THÆTAS – The Irredeemable Age
I really like what these guys are doing. Although THÆTAS definitely makes brutal death metal and delivers all the goods in that way, they’re bold enough to experiment with eerie soundscapes and unexpected flourishes that set them apart from the endless hordes of palm-muted gurglers. Think ofDying Fetus andMisery Index in collaboration withImmolationandDemilich.
Stream:Apple Music
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Vafurlogi – Gneisti af eldi Guðs
Melodic, entrancing black metal from Iceland. Definitely essential listening for anyone looking for a though-provoking take on the sound, one that strongly recalls Memoria Vetusta-styleBlut Aus Nord and perhaps bits ofWindirand latter-day Enslaved.
Stream:Apple Music