(Daniel Barkasi is back, with another monthly selection of new albums and reviews, this time focusing on what January provided.)
It’s been a bit! My last musings at NCS was my overly indulgent 25 For 24! year-end debacle, and since the turn of the new year, unless you’ve been living in a cave (you have my envy if you have – any room for two people and a shitload of animals?), the world has further descended into the toilet. I could write a thesis on all of the wild things that have happened since the turn of the calendar, and most are no doubt aware of these happenings.
Admittedly, I’m a well-established pessimist. I like to say that I’m a realist, but that often leans toward looking at the dire side of things rather than the hopeful. I see chaos, injustice, greed, and sheer stupidity, but struggle to see any light trying to crack through the toxic dump of slime that often gets spewed upon us at the speed and power of a high-pressure hose.
Like we’ve spoken about previously, what we do here is a wonderful distraction from the nightmare that society can be (and often is). I also like getting a little personal in this space. Maybe it’s selfishly therapeutic; a hope that maybe my own struggles can help someone, humanize my monthly musings – who knows?
My struggles with anxiety and depression have been noted, and they’ve been quite unkind in recent times. I’m sure plenty have struggled much more than I. The point of this rambling is to emphasize that we are not alone. No matter how bad it gets, our little community has our collective backs. Those with true hate in their hearts are not welcome, even though the music we gravitate toward embraces those emotions – I’d say in a healthy and productive manner.
In times like these, the small victories and accomplishments matter all the more. Sticking close together, supporting others, is where the light can start to shine. Take some time for yourself. Do something you love. Doesn’t have to be grandiose or extravagant – just something that gets those endorphins flowing and gives you a sliver of joy. Maybe we can provide some of that for you! Or possibly in my case, bemusement on what this blowhard is going on about.
Before we get to what the three of you who are still here came for, a little format change to call out: we’re reducing the number of albums featured from eight to six. That’s happening for a few reasons; mainly time commitment and a desire to make this column a hair tighter and not such a long, arduous read. With that concept in mind, yeah, shut up and get to it.
The month of January admittedly started slowly as far as top-level new release fare concerned. Last year, we were pummeled with a number of incredible new releases relatively quickly. It’s been more of a trickle in month one, but proceedings started ramping up toward the middle of the month, and for certain carrying over into February. Regardless, we’ve got some phenomenal new releases from a wide-reaching palette of artists, and hopefully there will at least be an album that you hadn’t come across that tickles that happy part of your brain. Stay safe, folks.
Faithxtractor – Loathing and the Noose
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Hard to believe that Faithxtractor has been going for two decades now, but that’s what it feels like to be old. Ash Thomas’ project began as a hard-hitting death metal beast in its earlier years, but has dived into vastly more ambitious waters in more recent times. Contempt for a Failed Dimension was an album that was a personal late bloomer, and ended up being one of the more virulent, riff-heavy releases of 2023. Loathing and the Noose follows, proving to continue that prolific spirit with new influences deftly woven into the expected crunchy, death metal assault.
Opening salvo “Noose of Being” dabbles into the death/doom realm with spectacular results; focused and crushing, the varying tempos shine new light onto Faithxtractor’s already intriguing structure. “The Loathing” is a more quick hit, full-on death metal chaos that bleeds immeasurable energy, while the next entry “Fever Dream Litanies” allows a smidgeon more breathing room amongst gripping blackened guitar passages. Pieces such as “Flooded Tombs” further embrace the doom, even edging into the funeral variety before a quick-hitting finish that works gloriously, whereas “Caveats” personifies the murky atmosphere that’s prevalent throughout the record.
Truth be told, Faithxtractor never sits still here, much to the music’s benefit – Loathing and the Noose takes the listener for a raw, inspired, and violent ride that nobody with an ounce of taste will want to exit. This record is the project’s most diverse and infectious to date, taking those aforementioned added influences and incorporating them so precisely that the resultant equates to a deliciously fresh banquet of unrelenting sound that’s the crowning achievement in an already accomplished discography.
Pale – Our Hearts in Your Heaven
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Pale are no strangers to NCS, but a lot has transpired since the Japanese post-black band’s 2018 self-titled EP. A nearly full lineup purge occurred in 2023, with only guitarist Hirofusa Watanabe remaining amongst three new faces. The fruits of the band’s labor arrive in the form of the eclectic Our Hearts in Your Heaven; Pale’s first full-length, and a bold expansion of their core post-black metal sound.
True that when one strips down Pale’s sonic approach to its bare parts, the aforementioned post-black sensibilities are the prevailing ethos of their soundscapes, but there’s much more to absorb than simply that. Unnerving electronics, wild cadence shifts, and stylistic left turns are abundant and oftentimes unexpected. Yet, these elements are all unique draws that result in a surprisingly coherent and engaging experience.
Opening track “Euphoria” is an explosive onslaught of nasty riffs and bleak atmospheres, coupled with the snarling rasps and guttural growls of the versatile vocalist Niik, all while emanating an unnerving presence. Tracks such as “Coral” begin energetically and slowly transition to more ethereal sounds and subtleties, while the lengthy opus “Almost Transparent Blue” is a largely emotive, at times indie-rock inspired jaunt, that twists their black metal bits together seamlessly to fit with the overarching soulful feel that Pale is aiming for.
Abandon all expectations and preconceived notions, for Pale doesn’t abide by a script and definitively doesn’t fit the mold of a typical post-black affair. Instead, Our Hearts in Your Heaven exudes a freeing, against the grain attitude, while crafting sometimes off-the-cuff, immersive music that has a ton to offer over its nearly 46 minute runtime. Pale’s first album is heavy, intricate, bombastic, and overflowing with heart, and while it may take a few spins to fully sink in, giving the required time investment is without doubt worthwhile. Japan is giving us heavy music that is amongst the most creative and distinctive out there, and Pale is a shining example of that admirable fearlessness.
Veil of Conspiracy – Shape of Grief
Release Date: January 10, 2024
Next, we go all the way into the realm of doom via Veil of Conspiracy’s third release, Shape of Grief. The Roman natives have never been shy of emphasizing their progressive rock/metal influences, leaning into complex and moving compositions that remind one of fellow Italian stalwarts (and a personal all-time favorite) Novembre, while also embracing mournful atmospheres of the gothic spectrum.
Shape of Grief provides a smattering of everything sound-wse one would hope for from a band of their ilk, but what elevates the five-piece is their astute songwriting. Overall structurally complex while also delicately reflective, the multiplicity of the group’s craftsmanship is always in sync and filled with purpose. Pieces such as “Nothing in this Sorrow” effuse a delicate melodic sense while simultaneously hammering the listener with crushing harshness and depth, with many layers to peel back in order to fully feel the disconsolate anguish that Veil of Conspiracy portrays. “Burden” leans into the death metal shade at times, while “Distant Waves” exudes a Katatonia-esque feeling of morose helplessness.
Especially captivating is debuting vocalist Nicola Belotti, whose soothing (gasp) clean singing parallels that of Carmelo Orlando, whilst his growls are contrastingly deep and penetrating. His dynamic performance is integral to Veil of Conspiracy’s growth and maturation, ultimately helping propel their ascent to a higher echelon.
Doom connoisseurs will find much to sink their teeth into by way of Shape of Grief, boasting a something for every dreary palate sort of presentation, while also representing a sizable leap forward in Veil of Conspiracy’s sonic journey. A prime example of forward-thinking, cerebral-yet-impassioned doom of the highest order, which we’re fully invested in and have had a difficult time pulling ourselves away from. The present and future of Veil of Conspiracy is as bright (or dark) as a downtrodden doom act can aspire to be, further establishing themselves as an important piece of a burgeoning and underrated Italian doom scene.
Apex Terror – Starless
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Somewhat hopping back to post-black stylings, but with a heaping helping of chilling second-wave sharpness, we have Ukraine’s Apex Terror. An appetizing combination, to be sure, but there’s more than meets the eye within the quartet’s debut full-length Starless.
A hint of black ‘n’ roll via the galloping guitar segments of “Waiting for the Sun” gives a solid opening groove, as the song dials up the sinister vibes via chilling leads and a pulsating low end, all with just enough post in the mixture to keep everything on the unpredictable side. Furthering the variance is “And the Tide Will Swallow Us Whole,” where the post-black ambience takes a stronger foothold, while also shredding forward with fervent purpose. What wasn’t expected was the clean-sung chorus, delving into more ethereal and melodic directions; a detour that while certainly not expected, adds a fine contrast. The bridge mid-song also is a standout moment, helping propel toward a dizzyingly satisfying conclusion.
If you want thumping yet occasionally hypnotic intrigues, “Criminal Origins” has you covered, while “Stand by Me” stands tall as an incisive entry with neatly composed melodic undertones. Closer “Without You I Am Nothing” greets the ear with swaths of synths, leading into a mid-paced blackened romp that knows when to kick into gear and when to ease off the accelerator to provide the listener a layered, gripping finale.
Apex Terror have conjured a crisp, smart slab of black metal that envelopes a multitude of styles and thoughts in a slick, impactful package. While a bit raw at times, Starless is a hugely enjoyable, finely tuned showcase of a band with a high ceiling and an abundance of instrumental skill and a knack for penning songs that stick in one’s ear.
Beneath a Steel Sky – Cleave
Release Date: January 24, 2025
This edition of the column could be a home building technique tutorial, because it has a lot of posts. Post-metal, post-frame buildings… we’ve officially bottomed out. Ignoring that latest poor attempt at humor, we’re traversing to a very different take on the broad post spectrum that’s been covered so far this month. Newcomers Beneath a Steel Sky play an airy, celestial, melancholic style, reminding these ears of Pelican and Russian Circles in a fair amount of instrumental ways, with the occasional hat tip of Cult of Luna’s overwhelming wall of sound, and Caspian in the lighter moments. Their full-length entry into the fray is Cleave, and it slices its way into one’s psyche with graceful meticulousness.
The echoing strings that begin the album via the intro track set a beauteous while stingingly harsh tonality, serving as a fitting lead into the somber “Vanguard” and its dual clean/harsh vocal tradeoffs and spellbinding guitar work. Beneath a Steel Sky crafts an aura with their music that’s reflective, poignant, and uncompromising, but doesn’t beat you over the head with it, instead airing for an openness that’s soothing. Selections such as “Everyone You’ve Ever Known” are weighty in a delicate atmosphere, building to a powerful and merciless crescendo in a familiar post structure that’s executed superbly. Some tracks creep slowly like the careful build of “Quetzalcoatlus,” where others largely stick to a minimalistic dreamlike state such as “The Infinite Silence that Follows the Absolute Truth” before steamrolling the listener with the finish. “The Becoming” completes the record in a dazzling, heartfelt manner – the singing is sublime and the semblance is difficult to top.
Compositionally, the trademark buildup to an explosive conclusion that earmarks most post-metal is ever-present and isn’t anything revolutionary, but Beneath a Steel Sky pulls it off with staggering affluence, while also managing to forge their own identity with their atmosphere building. A record to kick back and take in, Cleave is a work that’ll leave an imprint that won’t easily be forgotten. This will be in my regular rotation for quite some time.
Void of Hope – Proof of Existence
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Another fresh act completes this month, but the members of said newbie band are ones many here will be quite familiar with. A trio featuring Tommi Tuhkala of Ondfødt, Outlaw, Arctora, and others; fellow Ondfødt member Owe Inborr (also of Dispyt), and Moonlight Sorcery’s Erkka Raiskio — the pedigree is without doubt there. Their introduction is Proof of Existenc;, a coarse, aggressive slab of black metal with a depressive tinge, cultivating a rage-filled mood that’s also morose and candid.
“Gift of Life” begins with swells of synths and keys, expanding into a mid-paced blackened stomp that’s grandiose and instantly catchy. The vocal howls and screams are vibrant and gut-wrenching, radiating with gravitas and fierce intensity. Following is “Proof of Life” to continue the gritty-yet-epic undertones. Plenty of subtle detail is present on each piece of Proof of Existence – none more so than the twisted tale that is “The Hollow Hymn,” itself an 11+ minute sojourn containing plenty of mood shifts and smashing classic black metal throughout. If a direct, roaring slice of black metal goodness is in need, “T.E.T.L.” has that ground covered with what’s the paciest entry on offer.
At the center, Void of Hope has created an excellent black metal record with varying shades and plenty of nuance for those who dig deep enough. These three know their craft, and have joined forces to deliver an album in Proof of Existence that’ll satiate that black metal craving in your belly. We’ll be having multiple servings of this platter, please and thank you.
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