Countess - Ancient Lies and Battle Cries

Countess is a long-lived Dutch band, sporting a brand of black metal highly reminiscent of Bathory or Venom. 2014 saw the release of their latest album, Ancient Lies and Battle Cries. This full-length takes on the black/heavy metal traits typical of the band and develops the epic themes - already extant in previous releases - to a whole new level. At some points, the classic heavy metal elements of the band are paramount. Just listen closely to "Pray for the Cult", which could easily figure in some Manowar tribute compilation. The compositions are rather rock'n'rollish and the orchestrations are delightfully simple, almost tacky. If you look for clean, "pretty" music with a lot of sophistication and finesse, Countess isn't your thing. But if you're into good old heavy metal/first wave of black metal cult, this album definitely has a place in your shelf.   

Black Crucifixion - Heroes End Up On Gallows (Official Video)

Finnish veterans Black Crucifixion have issued an official video for the track "Heroes End Up On Gallows", from their latest album Coronation of King Darkness. It's pretty cool, I must say!

Sólstafir - Ótta

Iceland's Sólstafir have brought upon the world a premier track from their upcoming album, Ótta, due out in the 29th of August. I'm not even going to comment on whether this is metal or not (seemingly the main focus of many critics, the same happening with Alcest or Lantlôs). This is a great track, bringing them closer to those ethereal soundscapes typical of their brilliant fellow countrymen Sigur Rós. A special note goes for the banjo line, one more proof that banjo and rock/metal go well together, even in the farthest fringes of the genre (just remember Taake's "Myr").

 

Tashaki Miyaki - I Came

You know one of the reasons why it's fun to be running a thematically ambiguous blog is that you start to doubt your own ability to post a song named "I Came" without thinking about the myriad of different ways to ruin it with some overtly and offensivelly pornographic satanic black metal of one sort or the other.

There's a place for anything, I suppose. Childish innuendo aside, Tashaki Miyaki do seem to enjoy their loaded (eheh) lyricism here and there.

Childish innuendo really aside, this song is great. Upbeat, catchy, fuzzy rock with a warm 90's throwback and a dream-pop feel. Dug through their bandcamp and can't find the album that this song belongs to, maybe none at all, but I will be checking this band out further in the future. Check them out and check out their facebook page while you're at it.

Boris - Noise (streaming)

I'm really not sure what I'm feeling right now, this album is way weird. I'll get back to you on that, let me just say that the song Heavy Rain hits you like a cement train, out of the fucking blue - you'd think you'd notice the tracks under your feet? And then it jumps to Taiko No Baka, this twee-noise-pop interlude starkly contrasting with the previous wall of sound. I don't know, man.

This will asking for some looped listening. Fitting that Boris would send out a mature album like that, they do have the statute to demand some attention from the listener.

Though so far, the album, it's not something too noteworthy for me. 

Anyway, thought I could share. The album is streaming for a limited time on NPR, through this link.