(With the month of June now behind us, Daniel Barkasi returns to NCS with a collection of eight albums released in that month which have drawn his favor.)
No, we’re not about to break out into the chorus of “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Though to be completely transparent, I do enjoy the cheesiness of Bon Jovi. But we’re not talking about New Jersey hair rockers today, beyond this brief mention.
June has been a strange month that we mostly would like to forget. We endured a family tragedy that still has me rattled – things are settling, but loss hurts deeply and tends to linger. Always keep love at the forefront of everything you do, because nobody knows what awaits tomorrow. Words to live by from this rando. I know, I know – we’re about to go over a bunch of extreme metal and we’re talkin’ ‘bout love. Sorry, Van Halen – who also rules.
The fun part of June was the football tournaments. Not gridiron ‘Merican football, but the real kind. You know, the one that’s actually played with one’s feet. Ah, how I love international footie. It’s the purest form of the game. It’s not about money or sponsorships (mostly, from the player perspective at least), but about love of the game and representing one’s nation positively.
As a follower of Italy (aka the Azzurri), it wasn’t exactly a great showing, but that wonder goal by Mattia Zaccagni to qualify for the knockout stage being artfully reminiscent of Alessandro Del Piero’s goal in the World Cup semi-final back in 2006? Blissful. A great tournament, and congrats to the champions Spain, who dazzled like no other.
The Copa America has been interesting, to say the least, with the horrid pitch conditions, awful organization, and a lot of less than stellar matches. Argentina earned the win, but the absolute cluster of a crowd mess marred the finale of a tournament that many will want to forget.
With all of my brain droppings out of the way, the summer months can sometimes dry up when it comes to top-notch releases. With that said, June had some incredibly strong albums, with some of the year’s best thus far amongst the inclusions. Not bad for the horrid heatwave that has me worshiping at the altar of central air conditioning. I’m extremely pumped for this edition, so for those who haven’t left, let’s enjoy this sizzling summer platter of searing metalness.
Withering Surface – Exit Plan
Release Date: June 7, 2024
The melodic death metal band who are the Rodney Dangerfield of metal is doubtlessly Night in Gales, having been one of the most consistent and highest of quality acts that not nearly enough know about. If we’d want to mention another band who similarly hasn’t gotten the attention they’ve earned, it’s Denmark’s Withering Surface.
Their first record Scarlet Silhouettes dropped when the style was catching on fast, itself being a rousing example of the early biting melodeath sound, but didn’t get the buzz of their Gothenburg brethren. Ultimately disbanding in 2005 after four full-lengths, they returned with the surprisingly progressive and sometimes thrashy Meet Your Maker in 2020.
Now we’ve arrived at Exit Plan – with hopes that this record certainly isn’t a realization of such a plot. Their sixth harkens back to more of their earlier melodic death roots while also being a diverse and intricate piece that stands tall amongst their contemporaries.
Spinning harmonies and pinpoint fretboard work highlight the exquisitely varied title track that begins proceedings after a short intro. Meanwhile, “Where Dreamers Die” offers a punchy affair that isn’t without the expected melodious moments. Others like “Not the Destination” and “The Oracle” offer a less pace-laden, mid-tempo approach that works decisively to move a bit out of the old comfort zone. Not to worry, however – Withering Surface bring plenty of fervor with the standout “I Finally Lost (All Faith in Humanity),” the gooey twin harmonies of “Finish What You Started,” and the engrossing closing salvo “Mindreader.”
There’s plenty to love in the melodic death realm these days, and those who dig a little deeper will find the gems, which is true for most genres under the metal umbrella. Withering Surface have made an emphatic statement with Exit Plan, explicitly showcasing that they’ve got plenty in the tank and tons of quality music in them to serenade us with. Don’t overlook this one.
Houle – Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire
Release Date: June 7, 2024
France gets a lot of things right – from architecture, cuisine, and how to stage a definitive protest against injustice. Up in that list is black metal, from which some of the most poignant and wholly unique forms have emerged. Houle is the latest discovery that yours truly happened to stumble upon. Narratively focused on nautical themes – more specifically France’s Finistère region and the Iroise Sea – the band’s bombastic stylings crash together fittingly like a wave onto an old fishing vessel.
More specifically, their debut full-length Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire is the subject at hand, and what a mighty tale it is. Houle conjure a mixture of gripping atmosphere and delectable melodic tendencies, all exploding forth with uncontrollable energy. “La Danse du Rocher” ebbs and flows with a deft touch, transitioning between grand moments of tremolo-driven ferocity and toned-down pieces that give a sense of place.
Vocalist Adsagsona is an absolute revelation, providing a range from gritty snarls to piercing high-register screams, and wonderfully pronounced cleans that are emotive as they are powerful. Every member plays their part admirably, yet their cohesive formation as an all-encompassing and focused unit puts Houle on another level. In all reality, the entire album is a non-stop highlight, but entries like the quick hitting “Mère Nocturne” and the nightmarish pacing of “Sur les Braises du Foyer” are memorable examples to call out.
Wrapping up is the gargantuan yarn that is “Née des Embruns.” If there’s a song that exemplifies the band’s impressive songwriting acumen and ability to showcase how engrossing black metal can be, this is the one to bask in. Altogether, Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire is an esteemed accomplishment that needs to be heard. If this album is any indication, Houle are a band whose potential is as vast as the depths of the sea.
Widertod – Anemoia
Release Date: June 7, 2024
Continuing on the black metal pathway, we have another debut album, this time from Germany’s Widertod. If melodic black metal that carries significant density amongst chilling somberness is what one seeks, then don’t sit on the spirited outburst that is Anemoia.
Evident from the first note of “Apollo” is the fact that Widertod hold nothing back, emotions laid bare. Chilling, robust screams fill the air amongst a thick rhythm section and melancholic guitars that reminds one of Auðn or Afsky. There’s a sizable bite to the band’s compositions that give that edge this writer adores in the best examples of black metal, but it’s way more than quick tremolos and high-pitched screams.
“Endzeit” contains weeping violin pieces that mesh blissfully within the composition, achieving a level of despair that many bands can’t quite grasp. Comparatively, the piano work in “Chat Noir” provides a similar effect from a different purview. “Sakrament” adds a higher degree of sandpaper while carefully balancing with stirring interludes. “Rote Erde” takes a darker turn via moody leads and a measured pacing, with the title track closer containing a tension-filled build that firmly grips the listener tightly.
In a year that has thus far boasted an impressive amount of newcomers with veteran prowess, Widertod stand firmly towards the top of that impressive class. The songwriting chops are potent, the instrumentation splendid, and the crucial aura required for this subgenre of black metal is amongst the established elite. Anemoia is indeed that enveloping and impactful.
Apes – Penitence
Release Date: June 14, 2024
The bleak blackened grind troupe from Quebec, Apes have been around for over a decade, and their second full-length Penitence is admittedly the first time their tunes have graced my ear holes. We were not prepared for the take-no-prisoners aural violence that was awaiting.
You want it loud, immensely heavy, with zero qualms about stomping one to smithereens? Apes will tear you apart like an angry Chimpanzee. Seriously, don’t ever think about getting one as a pet. They can shred you without warning, as does Penitence.
“Coffin” sets the mood immediately with monstrous palm-muted crunch and a noxious affront that’s deliciously vile. “Shadow Walker” escalates the intensity further with pulsating fury and precision, standing out as one of the more directly destructive tracks on offer. Other entries like “Echoes” switch the tempo in moments, while showcasing the group’s black metal influences in the forefront.
Taken as a whole, Penitence is absolutely a sprint more than a marathon; a slightly over 24 minute rampage that annihilates and makes an exit as quickly as it arrived. The runtime suits Apes’ grimy approach to the grind, leaving a mighty impression amongst the wreckage left in its wake. Best to stay out of their way and enjoy the chaos.
Les Chants du Hasard – Livre Quart
Release Date: June 21, 2024
As Monty Python is famous for saying, “And now for something completely different.” If anyone read my end of year list, an album from Hasard was high on said list; quite simply being one of the most frightening recordings we’ve come across. Which brings us to Les Chants du Hasard, which is the main vehicle for the enigmatic creator Hazard. The formation of which, to quote the man himself, came “following a vision of a crawling and ugly opera.” Livre Quart is his fourth full-length for this project, which takes the mesmerizing grandiosity of classical music and merges it with the most frightening aesthetic aspects of black metal.
To preface, there’s no guitars present on Livre Quart. Don’t expect loads of distortion or anything of the like. This is 100% classical music taken to vast extremes. To say that this will breed the darkest of manifestations that one’s psyche can conjure is the best description that came to mind, though it may not do deserved justice.
There’s profound beauty in darkness, and Hazard taps into that thought while letting it run wild. His searing blackened roars twisted with Laura’s Soprano and Christian’s Ténor to form an exquisitely gnarled combination, ultimately being the lifeblood of this symphonic bombast. The bleakly whimsical arrangements remind somewhat of Goblin’s soundtrack work for Suspiria in mood, though obviously very different musically, this being a full-on operatic soundscape instead of the creepy progressive stylization that Goblin represented in said film. However, the sensory reaction is similar.
Find a clear, cool evening, light a few candles, put on some good noise-canceling headphones, and soak in Livre Quart. Our affinity for classical music has been ever-present since first experiencing Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner in childhood, and what is put forth by Les Chants du Hasard’s latest Livre Quart offers the project’s most consummate gaze into that world. It brings all of the power and heaviness of the black metal feeling that we seek in a foreboding, cinematic soundtrack for the caliginous recesses of humanity.
Inherits the Void – Scars of Yesteryears
Release Date: June 21, 2024
Having quickly turned a few heads from the start, Antoine Scholtès’ solo project Inherits the Void is churning out new material at a regular clip. One EP and three full-lengths since being born in 2020 is a volume many couldn’t manage, let alone with increases in quality and focus with each subsequent forward step. Last year’s The Impending Fall of the Stars executed all of the best characteristics of atmospheric black metal while utilizing those key elements within the exercise of highly astute compositional skill. A year and five months later provides the followup Scars of Yesteryears – a work that may launch Inherits the Void into the stratosphere.
The differences between The Impending Fall of the Stars and Scars of Yesteryears aren’t stark or drastic, but nest within the finer details. The latter feels incrementally tighter, a little more ambitious, with a tad uptick in immersion. Not to say that The Impending Fall of the Stars wasn’t any of those mentioned aspects – it was all that and much more. Scars of Yesteryears takes the next logical step when others may have nestled into purely comfortable territory.
“Celestial Antler” and “The Orchard of Grief” launch this record with nimble aptitude, crafting thick layers of atmosphere and fretboard work more scorching than a supernova. The music is inviting while containing many layers, making this a record that’s easy to get hooked on, but will give more with further investment. Notable variances are certainly present – take “The Meander’s Gate,” emitting melodic death metal adjacent harmonies accompanied by refined atmospheric overtures. Then jump to tremolos galore, whipping around like a solar storm in “L’effigie du déclin” to provide immense vitality and a serious punch.
There’s plenty to be said for exemplary levels of dexterity within a chosen stylistic direction. Inherits the Void do atmospheric black metal better than the large majority of their peers, and they (thankfully) keep coming back to give us further proof. Every song sparkles like a star in the sky – yup, another space reference – and Scars of Yesteryears shines the spotlight on Scholtès’ consistently impressive writing aptitude. We can only hope he continues with his tireless work ethic and crafts something new every year for as long as he desires.
Zvijer – Zvjerovanje
Release Date: June 21, 2024
With a focus on Balkan folklore and sharp-edged black metal, Zvijer are coming at us with their third album Zvjerovanje – translating to “Faith in the Beast” according to the band. This slab of fierceness elevates Zvijer to the next evolutionary rung in their black metal journey.
Raw without pretentiousness, their latest is larger in scope than previous works. On the same token, it’s also a more mature and concentrated effort that leaves the listener with a cutting selection of to-the-point black metal to embrace. Tending to gravitate towards longer compositions, Zvijer manages to not fall into the dreaded trap of repetitiveness.
Examples like “The Beast Reigns Deservedly” and “Sve Ikone Izblijediše” flow organically with a couple of twists within each, changing tempos when it serves the song’s ethos. Agile and crisp guitar passages dominate “Slomljen Prije Početka,” cemented with vocalist Knjaz’s unmistakable delivery. His deep bellows, howls, and screams have a standout inflection that aids Zvijer in providing their own flavor.
The best facets of this record lie within both its ability to be a hair different than other similar artists, and the sheer enjoyability factor. Zvjerovanje moves very fast for a nearly 50 minute run-time, with each song briskly rattling by despite each being between six and seven minutes per. Those who savor well-constructed aggressive black metal should give Zvijer a go. Chances are, a good time will be had.
Commander – Angstridden
Release Date: June 27, 2024
We close with a sizable concrete slab of early ’90s style death metal, courtesy of Commander. Delving nearly equally into the Bolt Thrower side of grittiness and the measured heft of Entombed, these Germans simply get it. Having had a few breaks in their career to date, too, it’s nice to see that they’re back in ravishing form via their fourth full-length Angstridden.
Commander display a mastery of concocting the right mixture of thrashy, meaty riffage and to-the-point song structure. “Astrayed” for example wails away blissfully in the UK approach, with slow piercing leads and crushing rhythms trading off for maximum effect. “Deviate from Out Vision,” “Worlds Upon Worlds” and “Scorched Earth” meanwhile emit elements of the Swedish style of overwhelming heaviness. The guitar tandem of Nick Kolar – who is also the vocalist – and Steffen Augstein are a tight duo who trade off with seemingly frightening ease, showcasing they have the recipe for quality death metal down pat.
Concurrently, the closer ties into Asphyx-adjacent death doom with the ten-plus minute “No Compulsion to Live.” This piece marches tensely, offering numerous gripping moments and a few changeups – the addition of coarse clean vocals wasn’t expected, but worked well enough – and the stretched-out track offers a glimpse into the band’s versatility.
The death metal purists will absolutely find plenty to sink their teeth deeply into with Angstridden. Taking a trip to the early days of European death metal – the classic varieties for this dude’s money – is always welcome, as long as it’s done well and gives us plenty of well-executed riff worship. Commander certainly embraces the riff, and for this our ears are undoubtedly pleased.