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.

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)

rresmini · 11-04-2009

on a black metal angle: Nihill - krach. Which I notice was released Stateside a couple years late by HydraHead Records. Haven't given the new Nihill many spins; but, upon initial listens I prefer krach. It seems to be more varied in attack.
Slagmaur - skrekk lich kunstler
A Forest of Stars is interesting, experimental black metal.
For twisted-up tech metal Samo - plexzero, Ulcerate - everything is fire, and the Atka/Shimetsu split on ecocentric records.
doom metal: the Dolorian cds on AvantGarde/Wounded Love Records.
not exactly metal, but, heavy nonetheless: Dial's release on Robotic Empire. Reminds me of early Swans in that it's tightly wound, rhythmic and heavy. Female vocalist. She brings to mind how the late Dawn Crosby could sound at her most unhinged.

unknown · 11-06-2009

Found this great band the other night, Dreams of the Drowned. They're like a more furious and intense Ved Buens Ende. Really off the wall, progressive and forward thinking black metal. Their album can be downloaded for free from their last.fm page: Dreams of the Drowned â€“ Discover music, videos, concerts, pictures at Last.fm

rresmini · 11-07-2009

very familiar with the Dreams of the Drowned project. myspace "friends."

you may be interested in this: http://www.myspace.com/starlingraid
this is similar, maybe a bit more cinematic.

and, thinking of cinematic, a preview track from the upcoming new Kayo Dot: http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/thevolume/2009/10/listen-now-new-music-from-kayo-dot-exclusively-on-the-volume/

Dr. Valzer · 11-18-2009

Some excellent recommendations here. Thank you.

waffles · 02-10-2010

Maybe not so off the radar

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