Substack: https://monumentsinruin.substack.com
First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been joining me for this adventure. Time is a valuable thing for us all and to know you are out there reading and enjoying these weekly articles is no small thing for me.
My hope is that we can continue to share and discuss the amazing creatives actively pushing their art into the beyond for us to enjoy. This is only a small sampling of such works.
New Album Releases May 1
Candarian - Trepanación / Memento Mori / Me Saco Un Ojo
death metal metal underground death metal underground metal
Kicking things of with a touch of Costa Rican brutality. The album cover perfectly matches the torturous aggression contained within. Low fi, guttural groans and vicious attack. All of the essential vitamins a growing death metal fan needs in their daily diet. Not for the faint of heart.
The Great Observer - Loss of Transcendence / BlackSeed
black metal death metal metal Spain
The first thing to take note of is this killer logo lurking over a rad album cover. Both created by illustrator and tattoo artist Claudio. After diving in, their thrash style attack and harsh vocals sealed the deal, for me. This is a straight forward blackened death metal attack. Less upfront blast beats than a typical death metal album and that sits well with me. Feels a little more old school and that is something that gets a few more volume points from my stereo!
Stalemate of Wills - Existence Denied / FFTC Records
metal doom metal riffs sludge metal stoner metal Pittsburgh
Clearly this is the week the release gnarly metal. Another monster landing on the list. This one is more low tempo and chugs along. Choppy, aggressive vocals that feel more screaming than grumbled. Really dig that as it feels more natural and angst soaked. The sludgy riffs really soar with the slower vibe too. Bigger, heavier and feels like an ocean of anger washing over the ears. Well done and one of my favorites of the week.
Cognizance - In Light, No Shape / Willowtip Records
death metal metal tech metal technical death metal progressive-death-metal tech-death Leeds
Contrary to what this particular blog is currently showcasing, this is not an attempt to be death metal exclusive. This album blends a touch of strange underbelly into it. Flirting with mellow moments that merge in and out. The work steps straight forward with high octane blast beats and grumbling, cookie monster vocals. They take things in a really neat direction when least expected. Very fun listening adventure.
Lets take a moment to once again admire some masterful artwork by Jef Whitehead.
Hrob - Brána Chladu / Memento Mori / Night Terrors
death doom metal death metal doom death metal doom metal metal Bratislava
Buy the ticket, take the ride. Lets go all in on death metal this week. I have no clue how to pronounce Bratislava, Slovakia but I know when an album is firing on all cylinders and this is it. The initial vibe is hyper fast but that shifts as the rollercoaster changes gears and begins a creeping descent into darker passages. Standard cookie monster vocals haunt the lister throughout the listeners bleak and frigid travels into the abyss.
Speaking of all in, let us take another moment in admiration of some beautifully executed artwork by Jan Vlášek.
New Video Drops April 25-May 1
Coilguns - Peace Trader (official video)
This is a solid noise rock jammer. I really dig the video style with the mix of grainy analog fx and digital quality. Letting the lyrics flow across the screen but still presented as an actual music video. The tune sounds big and would likely rip in a live setting!
Armored Saint - Hit a Moonshot (Official Video)
Metal legends return with a straight forward representation of what they do best. Killer vocals are showcased in full and step forward over a heavy metal sound bed. Meanwhile the video lands a punch or two for extra impact.
ALUNAH - La Pucelle (official video) // HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records
Was very excited to see a new tune from this band land in the email blasts. Solid, heavy stoner jams that are easy to crank up and enjoy. Clean vocal representation and a video packed with classic, heartbreaking B&W clips from the 1928 film The Passion of Joan of Arc captivated me from start to finish.
A.A. WILLIAMS - Poison (Official Music Video)
This tune caught me a bit by surprise. Already familiar with previous work, this tune is a step in a new direction. Not too far to throw it totally off course but it is a softer and more palatable style. Looking forward to hearing the remainder of the album to hear what is in store for us.
Grain Of Pain - If Morning Never Comes (feat. Kirsten Jørgensen) [Animated Lyric Video
Though I try not to pack these posts full of lyric videos and reserve the spot for film and concepts delivered, this is well done and the red and black animated sequence fits the slow and somber darkness of the tune very well. This felt more like watching a dimly lit puppet show and it resonated with me.
…is this the end?