Off the radar metal album recommendations

trieffiewiles · 10-25-2009

There are various band recommendation threads here catering to other subcultures, so I thought, why not a (real) metal one? I am going to try and stick with either strong releases that haven't gotten as much attention, or extremely unusual/experimental acts whose risk taking is done gracefully and actually pays off. Any other metalhead who thinks of a band or album they think belongs in such a thread, have at it, write about them here.

My first pick is newer Irish black metal band, a somewhat usual beast, called Altar of Plagues, their album being White Tombs. Generally long songs with different sections within them, progressing slowly, changes not occuring quite so suddenly as is the case with bands like Arcturus, Shining, or Opeth- back when they were actually decent. Some songs have long and expansive ambient intros done mainly through tinkering around with reverb and the like, nothing operatic like Emperor, while others immediately leap into the violence. As with many Irish bands stretching across genres (U2, This Burning Effigy, The Cranberries, etc.) there is an emotional quality that is at once deeply vulnerable, youthful, and yet stormy, and in this case very much defiant, which comes through even in a style aiming at sounding primordial and inhumanly abrasive, which I believe they succeed at as well. Definitely melancholy metal, though in black in sound, more akin to Agalloch than Mayhem, both great in their own respective ways.

Without delving into technical descriptions, Altar of Plagues are like meeting place between traditionally styled black metal like Gorgoroth and such, and bands with a doomier, experimental edge like Neurosis, Khanate, and Buried at Sea. Very recommended. Enough talk, a few examples.

Viva June · 10-26-2009

I quite like this. Thanks for the recommendation.

Myrkr is another great band from Ireland. Their debut, Black Illumination, is one of my favourite records this year. Not as progressive as Altar of Plagues; in fact the music itself is rather lacklustre, but the vocals are perfect (a throaty rasp in the style of Portal) and the whole thing sounds like it was recorded in the murky depths of some Irish peabog brimming with the preserved bodies of Celtic sacrificial victims.

It is nowhere near as good as the new Arckanum, though. That album continues to tear my head off everytime I listen to it. Absolutely perfect black metal.

unknown · 10-29-2009

the first time I listened to White Tomb I hated it...but then it grew on me and became one of my favorites for the year As for Arckanum, ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ is way better than Antikosmos, imo. if any of you are looking for a good metal forum, I co-moderate the General Metal Discussion forum and its subforums at: General Metal Discussion - Ultimate Metal Forum there are guys there who literally spend all of their money on music, patches and everything else.

trieffiewiles · 11-01-2009

Indeed I have looked at the metal forum there, I like it a lot. Many good recommendations. How about another one?

Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects - Sol Niger Within is one of the crazier albums out there. One long track divided into a multitude of movements which turn from metal to jazz to ambient to classical, and from thence back to metal once again. Even if you don't like metal generally, if you like amazing and creative musicianship, particularly in the guitar and drums' arena, then you ought to listen through a few of the Youtubes here, especially the 2nd one.

trieffiewiles · 02-11-2010

An older black metal band that didn't ever get much attention, one of my favorites before they lost Cadaveria.

(don't know what the reason is for the akira accompaniment, but oh well.)

unknown · 11-01-2009

Farsot - IIII

Borgne - IV (I'm noticing a trend...highly recommended to fans of darkspace and other space-y black metal bands)

Nucleus Torn (anything. this is a phenomenal band. an amazing combination of neofolk with dark progressive metal)

In The Woods... - Heart of the Ages (CLASSIC. highly recommended for fans of Agalloch, Ulver and other bands of that sort)

Lantlos (a really outstanding post metal band)

King of Junk · 02-25-2021

Hybernoid were an interesting 90's band, sort of in a similar vein to My Dying Bride, but with a more "alternative", almost shoegaze-y style. Very doomy, ethereal, apocalyptic... Later developed into a sort of industrial metal thing. This is my favorite song, though it always leaves me feeling morose. Good music for solitary walks before dawn:

Anyway, the debut album was reissued not too long ago, and it looks like the band has finally started to gain wider recognition as a forgotten 90's sleeper, which I am glad to see.

Master's Hammer are very well-known and well-regarded among metal fans, but I think they're unique enough to warrant a mention for anyone who might not be familiar. Early black metal in a similar vein to Mercyful Fate/King Diamond. Very theatrical and slightly unhinged:

The breakdown at 2:45 is my single most favorite moment in the Master's Hammer discography.

Grimalkin · 03-28-2021

I've been in to metal since about 2004, when I borrowed a Nightwish cd from the library. My taste has expanded since then, and my latest fixation is on a German band, Lord of the Lost. They have been getting increased attention since their video "Morgana" and have a new studio album coming out this July.
Here is a video from the album Thornstar:

waffles · 04-24-2021

New Portal coming out in May!

waffles · 05-27-2021

New Portal unleashed tomorrow (the 28th)!

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