Phantom Winter – Into Dark Science

Author: Meredith Schmiedeskamp

Band: Phantom Winter
Album: Into Dark Science
Genre: Post-Metal / Doom
Label: Golden Antenna Records
Release Date: March 2, 2018
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes
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Phantom Winter are known for creating dark and noiseful songs described as “Winterdoom” since their first album back in 2015. Following the tradition of „Cvlt“ and „Sundown Pleasures“, their third record „Into Dark Science“ is build on a sociocritical background and is difficult to conceive without looking at the linernotes and quotes from (feminist) writers and thinkers. On the musical side, the material is really demanding and doesn’t feature an overwhelming punch-in-the-stomach piece like “Bombing The Witches” from “Sundown Pleasures”. Blast-beats are appearing more frequently and the screams are scratching on the edge of edurability. Nonetheless, „Into Dark Science“ is very powerful and wipes out every inch of blooming flowers in spring.

May 9, 2018 Add Comment

UR – Grey Wanderer

Author: Meredith Schmiedeskamp

Band: UR
Album: Grey Wanderer
Genre: Sludge / Doom Metal
Label: Droneburg Records
Release Date: November 1, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes
Social: Facebook
Website: –

The Grey Wanderer’s journey leads through barren deserts, rifts and mountains. From time to time he can rest and meditate amidst the landscape’s panorama, but traveling across the wilderness always means to overcome obstacles. The music of UR is deep, mainly slow and vibrating. Like walking through wasteland and climbing on rocks, it won’t work without patience and the will to inner contemplation. Cloaked in Sludge/Doom Metal, this guys from Leipzig are drawing their own vision of an atmosphere mentioned above. The postish-clean guitars and rare, but haunting growls complete a sonic experience, that really engrosses.

March 4, 2018 Add Comment

Krane – Pleonexia

Author: Meredith Schmiedeskamp

Band: Krane
Album: Pleonexia
Genre: Post-Rock/-Metal
Label: Czar Of Crickets Productions
Release Date: October 27, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Live: ADTicket
Website: kraneband.ch

With “Pleonexia” Krane from Switzerland have created an instrumental concept-work about conflicts, which are always proceeding on our planet. Although there are no lyrics, the most tracks contain social criticism in form of concise quotes from speakers like Louis Farrakhan, Robert Oppenheimer and Serdar Somuncu. Musically, Krane are playing their Post-Rock in an atmospheric, but heavy way. The guitars are shimmering as they should do in this genre, but the way of drumming is worthy of discussion. Either the drums keep quiet, or toms and snare are overused and stressful intonated. Less could be more in this case.

January 11, 2018 Add Comment

Atrox – Monocle

Author: Meredith Schmiedeskamp

Band: Atrox
Album: Monocle
Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Dark Essence Records
Release Date: September 8, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, YouTube
Live: –

Atrox from Trondheim, Norway have been founded back in 1990 and changed their musical style in various ways since then. The new record called “Monocle” isn’t that easy to catch. Founded on modern Metal riffing with progressive rhythmic patterns and many electronics, they create detailed and demanding songs. On top of this, Atrox‘ vocals are very versatile, performed by Rune Folgerø (also known from Manes), who unites characteristics of Mike Patton (Faith No More), Messiah Marcolin (ex-Candlemass) and Warrel Dane (RIP, ex-Nevermore, Sanctuary). Exciting, eclectic and exhausting.

December 20, 2017 Add Comment

The Moth – Hysteria

Author: Meredith Schmiedeskamp

Band: The Moth
Album: Hysteria
Genre: Doom Metal, Sludge, Stoner Rock
Label: This Charming Man Records
Release Date: November 10, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Live: –

The loudspeakers are shaking from the first second of this album, the likeable trio from Hamburg has recorded this year. Although the Stoner/Sludge scene offers an enormous variety of bands these days, The Moth are really one of a kind. Between the driving rhythms and punching fuzz-riffs, there’s frequently a place for memorable two-voiced vocal lines and fragments of melodies. Check out the utter dark in „Blackness“ and the lighter, but not less heavy side in „Loose“ or „Fail“, but don’t be surprised, when your windows break and the neighbors collapse.

November 6, 2017 Add Comment

Wolves In The Throne Room – Thrice Woven

Author: Meredith Schmiedeskamp

Band: Wolves In The Throne Room
Album: Thrice Woven
Genre: Black Metal, Ambient
Label: Artemisia Records
Release Date: September 22, 2017
Listen & Buy: JPC, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp
Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter
Live: ADTicket
Website: wittr.com

Awoken from their ambient meditation, Wolves In The Throne Room are opening to their roots again. Under waves of mist, „Thrice Woven“ unites the Black Metal hypnosis and cautious acoustic guitars and ritual chants. Especially „The Old Ones Are With Us“ and „Angrboda“ are breathing the natural spirit of the Weaver brothers’ music. At some points the drums could be less dead-sounding and the keys may be a bit too loud here and there, but nevertheless all Black Metal enthusiasts from the Pacific Northwest, should listen to „Thrice Woven“.

October 31, 2017 Add Comment