Nocte's January 2014
Some pretty decent stuff released early in the year. |
| 1 |  | Bong
Stoner Rock
Far from what the title suggests, Bong's 2014 release is its own entity reviving the
joylessness sounds of funeral doom inspired drone. 3.9/5 |
| 2 |  | Grand Magus
Triumph and Power
The Hunt was going to be hard to match, as it stands Triumph and Power didn't -
but it still stands strongly in the band's catalog. 3.5/4 |
| 3 |  | Skindred
Kill The Power
Yeah it may get a little wub-wubie in places the catchy verses of this rather
distinct act make this a favorite if only you let it. 3.6/5 |
| 4 |  | Sunn O)))
La Reh 012
Solid drone from a notable group of the genre. If you're not into it, this isn't exactly
going to change your mind. 3.3/5 |
| 5 |  | Woods Of Desolation
As The Stars
It's solid musically, but the production does irk me (even if others don't mind).
Slightly underwhelming despite receiving this last year as a part of a promo pack.
3.3/5 |
| 6 |  | Alcest
Shelter
It's a nice change in terms of branching out the act's sound but I can't help the
fact that there 'should' have been a bm influence. 3.2/5 |
| 7 |  | Within Temptation
Hydra
It might be a little weird to put this on the same list as Alcest, Bong et cetera, but
Within Temptation's 2014 offering is a little stronger than the band's back catalog.
Full of featured artists, it's something to check out regardless. 3.8/5 |
| 8 |  | Lethe
When Dreams Become Nightmares
Dream pop, black metal, doom, electronica, experimental --- There's probably
another 4-5 tags that could be added to this amalgamation of soundscapes. If I
had to choose between the new Alcest and this, this would come out nine times of
ten. 3.9/5 |
| 9 |  | Lizardia
Lizardia
Straight and true stoner/desert rock, reminds me of a primitive Monster Magnet. 3.3/5 |
| 10 |  | Miserable Failure
Hope
Four tracks, four minutes. Review to come soon. 3.5/5 |
| 11 |  | Ethereal Riffian
Aeonian
Slightly over-hyped here but stands strong as it is. 3.5/5 |
| 12 |  | Ea
A Etilla
If you like your doom albums long and single tracked, this is what the start of 2014
offers you. 4/5 |
| 13 | | Dying Sun
Transcendance
Slightly longer than it should be, this sludgy blackened post metal suffers from
being too drawn out. A shorter release would bring a better score. 3/5 |
| 14 |  | Murmur
Murmur
It's dark and atmospheric, exactly how it should be. The progressive flair helps too.
3.8/5 |
| 15 |  | Lvcifyre
Svn Eater
There's still some death metal to come this year. This is one example of a genre still
relevant in today's music scene. 3.5/5 |
| 16 | | In My Shiver
Delicate Poison
Winding atmospheric black metal and accessible do go together sometimes, a quiet
release. 3.8/5 |
| 17 | | Epitimia
(Un)reality
Technically doesn't release until the 15th Feb, but the label has it available on the
bandcamp page. Hypnotic Dirge do manage to sign some great black metal acts
from time to time. This is on my end of year watch list, simply because I'm a sucker
for this kind of metal. 4.2/5 |
| 18 | | EMYN MUIL
Túrin Turambar Dagnir Glaurunga
More Summoning sounding bands? It's not a bad thing to have Tolkein's books
influencing metal acts, I for one love it. 3.5/5 |
| 19 | | Perversity
Infamy Divine
More straight-forward death metal with a hint of old-school influence. Infamy Divine
trudges along in the mud and filth with a couple of cliches. Very passable. 3.2/5 |
| 20 |  | A Place For Your Recs
Album |
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