Dewinged
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03.15.24 Deweekly: March 15th to March 21st03.08.24 Deweekly: March 8th to March 14th
03.04.24 Deweekly: March 1st to March 7th03.01.24 Deweekly: February 23th to February 29t
02.16.24 Deweekly: February 16th to February 22n02.09.24 Deweekly: February 9th to February 15th
02.02.24 Deweekly: February 2nd to February 8th01.30.24 10 Albums of 1950
01.26.24 Deweekly: January 26th to February 1st01.23.24 10 Albums of 1965
01.19.24 Deweekly: January 19th to 25th01.12.24 Deweekly: January 12th to 18th ♦
01.10.24 10 albums of 196401.04.24 Deweekly: January 1st to 10th ♦
12.27.23 Dewi's 2023: A Year in Review ♦12.26.23 10 albums of 1963
12.21.23 10 albums of 196212.18.23 10 albums of 1961 ♦
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Deweekly: February 2nd to February 8th

Hello February...! Ok I have no idea what to write here anymore. So what's this? Deweekly is a list where I go through 25 releases of the week, I hear them, I rate them and I write some nonsense about them that no one really reads. This week seemed a bit dry but... is it really? Let's find out!
1Plantoid
Terrapath

Bella Union // Progressive Rock

The first release that has caught my attention this week has been this jazzy prog band from Bristol, and one of the reasons is that the album was released under the auspice of Bella Union, which is known for releasing heaps of quality and they hardly miss. They didn't miss with Plantoid either. These guys can PLAY, but it's not their instrumental prowess what captivated me, but the ethereal and lush vocals of their singer, Chloe. Not entirely sold on the instrumental side of it, but the songs where Chloe's voice is on top are just wonderful.

Highlight: Modulator

https://plantoidworld.bandcamp.com/album/terrapath
2Big Scenic Nowhere
The Waydown

Heavy Psych Sounds // Stoner Rock / Desert Rock

Bob Balch has been extremely busy. Just last week we were listening to his sludge covers album of Slayer songs (Slower) and now here we are with another one of his projects. BSN is his stint with members of Yawning Man and Mos Generator. It's the first time I hear this band but this is their third release already. There are a couple of songs I wasn't a fan of but half of this hits a sweet spot between Fu Manchu and Yawning Man so any fan of those two bands should check it.

Highlight: The Waydown

https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/big-scenic-nowhere-the-waydown
3Necrowretch
Swords of Dajjal

************** ALBUM OF THE WEEK ************************

Season of mist Underground Activists // Black Metal

Where the hell did this album come from? Apart from France I mean. I've seen this band labelled as death metal but this sounds like black metal to me. Really impressive record from this four-piece, the drumming in particular is mindblowing. Vox shreds, guitars spit out as many riffs as epic and melodic passages and the production is top notch. Hell of an album.

Highlight: The Fifth Door

https://necrowretch.bandcamp.com/album/swords-of-dajjal
4The Last Dinner Party
Prelude to Ecstasy

Universal // Pop Rock

Friday was busy so I had to push a couple of albums to the weekend. This one... hm... It's hard to argue against the industry plant argument when you have such a perfectly looking band doing such perfectly polished music that sounds like the juice of every succesful indie artist since Florence + The Machine. On the other hand, the material included on this debut album from the London quintet is fairly enjoyable, it's well performed and there's little I can say againt the quality of the recording. The album though, it lets you see through its shortcomings, with some songs being empty husks without a soul and just existing because they have to. Divisive, to say the least.

Highlight: Sinner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pETz4IMmeDU&ab_channel=TLDPVEVO
5Ches Smith
Laugh Ash

Pyroclastic Records // Electronic / Jazz / Experimental

You may know Ches Smith for his contributions on the drum kit for bands like Secret Chiefs 3 or Xiu Xiu. On this "Laugh Ash" he steps outside of the kit to push buttons and fuck around with friends. That'd be the abridged version of what this album is about. In depth, this album is quite a trip through different subgenres of electronic music and jazz pushing its limits with some risky ideas and some that didn't work for me but they may work for other people. The tracks featuring Shara Lunon on vocals were the highlights for me.

Highlight: Sweatered Webs (Hey Mom)

https://chessmithpyroclastic.bandcamp.com/album/laugh-ash
6meth.
Shame

Prosthetic Records // Sludge / Grindcore / Noisecore

It's really a shame that this band don't go a step beyond the dissonant, chaotic brutality that reigns on this record, introducing moments of respite or balancing it out with a bit more of murky melodies on the background. Hesperus said it well on the review thread, bands like this or Altarage that somehow refuse to step out of the maesltrom of their sound end up with a slab of monotony that doesn't really take you anywhere. And it's a shame because there are great ideas encapsulated on this record that could be just... more.

Highlight: Blush

https://methil.bandcamp.com/album/shame
7Jacob Anderskov
I Sang

April Records // Jazz / Choral

Danish pianist Jacob Anderskov recovers and adapts songs from the tradional Danish "music book" used in schools. It's sang in the local language, but some of the interpretations are very impactful, especially the ones using a whole chorus. Singers Soffie Viemose and Jakob Munck , who also plays tuba and trombone on this record, also contribute with their voices and Munck's sounds like an alternate universe's Tom Waits. Great production and immaculate performances. Great album for a rainy day (like today).

Highlight: Se nu stiger solen

https://jacobanderskov.bandcamp.com/album/i-sang
8Obsidian Tongue
The Stone Heart

Self released // Atmospheric Black Metal

A little EP that showcases new music from the Portland duo. This is their first release since their 2020 full length "Volume Two" and as I haven't heard anything from the band before I can't really say how this compares to their old material. This EP includes three songs, one of them instrumental and it's atmoblack by the book with a couple of surprises. It definitely left me wanting for some more.

Highlight: The Stone Heart

https://obsidiantongue.bandcamp.com/album/the-stone-heart-ep
9Kyros
Mannequin

White Star Records // Progressive Rock / Pop Rock

Well this was a curveball. I've read comparisons from Yes, to Ulver and then to Frost and I can only say that the only one I would consider more or less accurate, would be the last one. This sounds nothing like Ulver or Yes. It's progressive rock with a strong virtuoso flare and 80s pop songwriting, also a LOT of synths. The vocals have some moments but they turned me off for the most part. Most of the songs have some cool grooves that will undoubtedly make your head bop but something about the more commercial sound of this band doesn't really click with me. You check it out and let's see what you think.

Highlight: Illusions Inside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQGbHdn_SJ0&ab_channel=KYROS
10Manu Delago
Snow From Yesterday

One Little Independent // New Age / Ambient / Experimental

Manu Delago, who you may know as the man who was behind the beats in Bjork's "Biophilia" and from that moment also one of the pillars of the Icelandic queen's live performances, returns with a solo album in collaboration with vocal ensemble Mad About Lemon. If you're a fan of the wonderful sound of the hangdrum, and believe me, I am, you'll be very satisfied with this record. The ensemble performances are also very fitting and that's all I will say about this because Sunnyvale has promised to review it and I won't spill more beans. If you need something chill for the week, make this your best option.

Highlight: Modern People

https://manudelago.bandcamp.com/album/snow-from-yesterday
11Solbrud
IIII

Vendetta Records // Atmospheric Black Metal

New release from the cascadian BM crew from Denmark with new member David Hernan on vocals. The concept is interesting. Every member contributed with a set of songs individually making it a four part album or four mini-albums in one package. The execution is debatable. Consider that this endeavour makes up for an hour and a half of atmoblack metal that sustains itself on very little surprises. Lethargic is a good descriptor, and to be honest at the time of writing this I still have to listen to the last two tracks. It's exhausting.

Highlight: (so far) Nar Solen Brydes Del III...

https://solbrud.bandcamp.com/album/iiii
12KMFDM
Let Go

Metropolis Records // Industrial

This was entertaining. I'm pretty late to this band so I lack the background to fully grasp if this album is an improvement of sorts, the same thing they've done, revolutionary, a debacle... I don't know. I'd leave it to fellow staffer insomniac to clarify this in his glowing review, so go read that instead!

Highlight: Next Move

https://kmfdm.bandcamp.com/album/let-go
13J Mascis
What Do We Do Now

Sub Pop // Indie Rock

I have no idea why did I even check this. I've never been a fan of Dinosaur Jr, never listened to a full album by them but somehow the singles dragged me to give this album a chance. It's a good jam. The songs are simple and effective, the album flows well and never felt the need to skip any track but at the same time I doubt I'll ever go back to it.

Highlight: You Just Don't Understand Me

https://jmascis.bandcamp.com/album/what-do-we-do-now
14Ariel Kalma, Jeremiah Chiu & Marta Sofia Honer
The Closest Thing to Silence

International Anthem // Ambient / Space Age Pop

This was a lovely little thing and I can't really explain why. Alien sounds entangled with earthly sounds to create music that fits a pub in the Blade Runner universe as well as background music in a Space Station shopping mall. Relaxing, beautifully produced but also elusive to the ear.

Highlight: (Ummm not that kind of album really)

https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/the-closest-thing-to-silence
15Persefone
Lingua Ignota: Part I

Napalm Records // Progressive Metal

The mighty Persefone seem to be on a constant downfall since losing their previous vocalist and even this not so brief showcase of the qualities of the new screamer can convince the skeptics of otherwise. I personally never been too attached to this band so i could listen to it from some relative distance. It's not a bad collection of songs, all in all, pretty serviceable prog metal that would have probably fared better if it was released under a different name.

Highlight: The Equable

https://persefone.bandcamp.com/album/lingua-ignota-part-i
16Morcolac
Drawbridge To Citadel Of No More Dawn

Duskstone / Black Metal

Third album from the Italian vampiric black metal stalwarts led by... he he, Sadomaster. It actually blurries the line between EP and LP since it's 30 minutes but I have added it to DB as an long play becasuse, why not. Morcolac's blend of black metal relies heavily on melody and oozes cheesy and glorious synths without abusing the always tempting blast beat solution. As a result, their music has a goth rock shin that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Highlight: memorialmoon Narrates the Morbose

https://dusktone.bandcamp.com/album/drawbridge-to-citadel-of-no-more-dawn
17Britti
Hello, I'm Britti.

Easy Eye Sound // Soul / Country / r&b

Debut album of the New Orleans singer songwriter Britti. Co-written and produced by Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys, this album is a beautiful tribute to the soul of the 60s, with influences of Motown and a mid-section that puts that on pause to focus on Dolly Parton. The interesting thing here is that Britti handles both styles with impressive ease, and her lukewarm voice fills the space with melodies that repeat themselves trying to make their home into your psyche. Promising debut.

Highlight: So tired

https://britti.bandcamp.com/album/hello-im-britti
18Transit Method
Othervoid

Brutal Panda Records // Punk / Prog / Alt Rock

What a crazy blend of styles these guys from Texas have achieved on this new album, their fifth full length, I believe. The cover art is hardly an indicative of the sound of the band. I went in blind expecting death metal and was greeted by a punk rock anthem. And from there it's just the most random salad of genres I've heard in a while. Surprisingly, it works really well.

Highlight: Into Your Mind

https://transitmethod.bandcamp.com/album/othervoid
19Gaspar Poet
In The Deep

South of Disco // Ambient / Vaporwave / Glitch

New album from our fellow sputter Osmark. This was such a nice soundtrack accompanying me on my way home yesterday. The city lights at night from the train with this being infused straight into my ears became quite a memorable experience. Great album for reading science fiction or just letting yourself go in bed with eyes closed to impossible cities beyond your imagination. Review terminator pizzamachine was also kind enough to write it up so go read his thoughts too!

Highlight: IDT005 / ITD007

https://gasparpoet.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-deep
20Baratro
The Sweet Smell Of Unrest

Improved Sequence Records // Noise Rock / Post hardcore

Fans of Unsane, rejoice, cause Dave Curran is back with another project that sounds... like Unsane. Well maybe it doesn't sound as gritty and savage like Unsane but it comes close, the DNA is definitely there. Anyway, this is a very solid recording, noise rock with hardcore leanings packaged with amazing cover art and god the orange vinyl edition looks so good.

Highlight: Don't Look At Me, I'm Hideous

https://baratro.bandcamp.com/album/the-sweet-smell-of-unrest
21Vera Sola
Peacemaker

City Slang // Folk / Singer Songwriter

Second album of the Americana singer songwriter. This album blends her folk roots with chamber music instrumentation to create quite a lovely album. The album is produced nicely and it's a pleasure on headphones and the songwriting is engaging. Vera's singing is kinda quirky sometimes but it works wonders with her style. Good album if you're into a folk kick.

Highlight: Get Wise

https://verasola.bandcamp.com/album/peacemaker
22Fullmoon Rite
Draped In The Shade Of Luciferian Light

Fullmoon Rite Records // Melodic Black Metal

One man black metal project from Germany that aims to reproduce the glory of the Norwegian second wave faithfully. If you're a fan of black metal without too many flourishes and that doesn't get lost in experiments this is your album. It's raw, it's evil and it has a weird high frequency somewhere that just kills part of ears. Oh, and there's clean singing, and it's good!

Highlight: Fullmooon Rite (Invocation of the Beast)

https://fullmoonrite.bandcamp.com/album/draped-in-the-shade-of-luciferian-light
23Mean Mistreater
Razor Wire

Self released // Hard Rock / Heavy Metal

I was already craving somethign like this. If you remember that Bloodstar album last year (I know you don't), this is more or less on the same vein. Early Motley Crue mixed with Warlock, Leatherwolf and a lot of NWOBHM influence. I still prefer Bloodstar by a mile, but this band is definitely promising.

Highlight: Bleeding the Night

https://meanmistreater.bandcamp.com/album/razor-wire
24Kim Krans
MIRRORMIRROR

Echo Magic // Indie Pop / Ambient Pop

This album was very well hidden, and I didn't realize about it until the very last day of the week. Well I'm glad I did because it's a really interesting record from this Californian artist. The album is built on esotherics, poetry and rites that repeat while the song builds on top of them. Kim's singing is nothing spectacular but it carries the album with ease letting the different arrangements and electronic beats fill the space. She reminds me of someone but for the life of me can't remember of who right now.

Highlight: Dead Stars

https://kimkrans.bandcamp.com/album/mirrormirror
25James Jonathan Clancy
Sprecato

Maple Death Records // Psychedelic / Ambient / Folk

Last minute rec by someone (our someone not just like anyone), and it's a very sweet album but in all honesty and partly to an intense Chelsea Wolfe session that kept me busy during the writing process for her last album's review, I couldn't give this album the time and attention it deserved. from the little I grasped: folk with ambient synths and jazz instrumentation signed by the owner of Maple Death Records himself.

Highlight: Precipice

https://mapledeathrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sprecato
26Necrowretch
Swords of Dajjal

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Top 10 of the week

1. Necrowretch - Swords of Daijal
2. Manu Delago - Snow From Yesterday
3. Transit Method - Othervoid
4. Plantoid - Terrapath
5. Kim Krans - MirrorMirror
6. Mean Mistreater - Razor Wire
7. Britti - Hello, I'm Britti
8. Jacob Anderskov - I sang
9. Gaspar Poet - In The Deep
10. Morcolac - Drawbridge to Citadel of No More Dawn

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