Sonance "Like Ghosts"

From time to time, when i think that nowadays nothing can surprise me anymore in terms of heavy music, one of these precious gems surface and as my ears are flooded with such great music i silently whisper a sincere: "Holy shit...".

This happened today when i discovered Sonance, a atmospheric/experimental sludge/doom collective hailing from Bristol while checking my blog roll. Their first release only features two tracks, around 20 minutes each, no titles just "Side A" and "Side B". The fact that these guys came from England really got my attention since there are few acts there that practice this kind of music, and most of them are quite impressive. And after a first audition to this... well, I guess i was right.

"Side A" begins with this hiss coming out of violins giving the motto for this thick cacophony wall of sludge that sounds pretty much like Hell. Massive riffs are hammered repeatedly through our brain as the voices behind it scream and yell. Suddenly the whole music tempo changes and morphs into what it seems a more post-rock/instrumental register, very low, it moves at a very slow pace until it morphs again into a more aggressive beast. There's layers and layers of rich and diverse elements that intertwine harmoniously between each other and work perfectly together, and that voice that speaks "like ghosts.." around at minute 7:45... leaves me speechless. I can see there's a clear Neurosis influence in Sonance's sound but i can also throw in names like Kayo Dot or even Godspeed You! Black Emperor. "Side B" goes to a more drone/atmospheric territories before it unveils these massive layers of sludge metal. This was the factor that hooked me up instantly, the whole atmosphere that lies within Sonance's music.  making this release (and band) the best music i've heard this year.

Sonance's ability and creativity to shape and shift their music into different directions without becoming dull or boring, even in the most still parts, is impressive. It really shows the level of maturity that this band holds. Creating this way, from beginning to end, an atmosphere that binds us as we dissect every note with great pleasure. This way it won't take long until Sonance will become a name present in every lover of this genre's mouth.

After this amazing sample i look forward to hear more from this amazing band. If you dig sludge, doom or drone or any of the subgenres, and if you don't listen to this, you don't know what you're missing. Really. What a brilliant release. Sonance, i bow before you.

Meanwhile head over to their Bandcamp and listen/download (name your price) this excellent release. Like always, donations are appreciated. Absolutely fucking highly recommended. 

like ghosts we wander

Cursed Altar "Demo"

Here is a project that has it all to become the next big thing in that exclusive circle of bands that include acts like Deafheaven, Castevet, Ash Borer, etc, etc... Cursed Altar is an atmospheric Black Metal one-man-project hailing from North Carolina. With this Demo, that you can download for FREE at the artist Bandcamp, we get two beautiful tracks of the most well crafted Atmospheric Black Metal, with some Post Rock influences, it creates an atmosphere that reveals the great potential of Cursed Altar. In my modest opinion the only thing needed here is a voice, a harsh shrieking banshee voice and Boom! We have a winner. Loved this, can't wait for more to come.

listen & download

This Will Destroy You "Tunnel Blanket"

"Tunnel Blanket" delivers the epic-in-scope soundscapes that followers of its makers’ previous recordings are accustomed to, but presents them in new lights – where once the sun shone down bright upon immediate tropes and traits, now their work is better suited to distant starlight, casting changeable shadows across vistas of inspired, ambitious amplification. This is not an album to pick through in search of bold hooks and instant melodies. It is an ever-shifting, always moving work, which seems to evolve before the listener – spidery guitar lines feeling their way forth like vines scrambling up trunks in time-lapse photography. An amazing and unique album is what i think. These guys have picked post rock and added some dreamy ambient layers to it and the result is this superb piece of sound. The opening track "Little Smoke" and the track "Communal Blood", are just mind-blowing. They start as calm sea, like a mirror, and then just turn into a fuckin' tsunami of sound in slow motion. Another favorite of mine from last year. Buy it here, in vinyl, cassette or CD. Highly Recommended!

listen | blanket of sounds

Braveyoung "We Are Lonely Animals"

Do you remember the band Giant? That played that sludgy post metal in the likes of Mouth Of The Architect? And even released a nice album called "Song" some years ago? Well, Giant has changed its skin.. they are now known as Braveyoung, and like their name, their sound changed drastically too. But it's still intense i can assure you that. North Carolina’s Braveyoung are a post instrumental rock band and this is their first full length entitled "We Are Lonely Animals". The band now offers some hypnotic and introspective instrumental tracks that will immerse you into some cold, foggy and lonely landscapes. This was one of my favorite Non Metal Albums of 2011. Absolutely recommended for fans of Explosions In The Sky, This Will Destroy You, Mono, etc. Buy it here.

listen | narrow lights in the distance

Balcony View

This is a request that arrived from one of my fellow Vicious Circle (check out blogroll) blog brother and head of Slays For Days Distro, Mr. rasputin.

Balcony View is the solo project of Chance Bridges from Alabama. This self titled record is his first release and is thematically based around the concept of an oncoming storm. In fact, the album was recorded prior to and during one of the biggest storms in Alabama of the past few years, and the intensity of that night is reflected in the music. The kind of music that Balcony View present us is very introspective, it feels almost that the listener is side by side with the artist in his room, and looking outside the window, a storm is starting to form...

The first track "Resonance" is a minimalist, acoustic track that serves almost like as an intro to this release, next we get "Old Ghosts" that softly lashes us with some warm sonic waves, i pretty like the post rock chords on the last minutes of this song, really a nice touch. After it comes "Skyscraper", that uses the same formula as the previous song, although with some more distortion on the guitar. "Cold Wind" is another soft song, featuring a low voice, so low i can barely hear what he is saying. Feels like he is whispering, almost as afraid to wake up in this numbness cloak built by successive warm guitar layers. Honestly i don't know if the voice really adds anything special to this song, or if it downgrades, when compared to the rest of the alignment. At last, the final apotheosis, "The Coming Storm (And Its Aftermath)" with almost 15 minutes long is the culmination of what we previously heard. A long dreamy song that builds imaginary devastated landscapes in our head. Balcony View's release is a pleasant release, although not memorable, its a recommended album if you wish to travel without moving your feet. What i liked the most about this release was its crescendo feeling, just like an oncoming storm. But always in a controlled way. Like watching a destructive storm from afar. For fans of Barn Owl, The Gentleman Losers, Human Bell, Fear Falls Burning. In lack of artwork from the artist, i took the pleasure to make one myself. Support by grabbing it here

less is more

Asbestoscape

Another gem that was very well hidden, waiting for the first rain drops to fall in the lights of the night. Asbestoscape is a one-man project that offers dark, haunting, electronic post-rock instrumentals. Some might call it ambient, but it’s too guitar-driven. Some might call it trip hop, but it’s too ambient. Asbestoscape’s soulful, beautiful and melancholy blend of styles, is almost impossible to classify but If i had to so, i would describe it as apocalyptic post-rock. However, this album doesn’t totally conform to the conventions of the post rock genre, it has some really strong shoegaze and drone influences. It doesn’t meander off from the main melodic themes, or start quietly and build slowly. Instead, the approach here is to launch into a groove that digs deep into your psyche, then pile on subtle textures, working toward a cathartic climax. Asbestoscape offers the perfect soundtrack for wandering lost alone in the city at night..

listen | dark city lights

Encircling Sea

Encircling Sea, banda vinda da Oceânia, mais propriamente de Melbourne, Austrália. "Écru" é o segundo álbum da banda, lançado no ano passado. Consiste numa faixa épica com cerca de meia-hora de duração, "Écru" é um misto de Sludge, Black Metal, Post Rock(!), que moldam com uma forte carga emocional esta faixa. O gatefold deste LP é simplesmente lindo e podem adquiri-lo aqui.

band's blog | sink or swim