Eternal Eclipse - Depraved Civilization - (2010) and Extinction and Isolation (2010)

Genre: Raw Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal from Cascadia

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I record black metal on a Tascam 4-track and this stuff was only available on cassette up until a few days ago. So here I am, putting it up here and I also made a myspace which can be accessed through the "Info" link. Add me if you want. "Depraved Civilization" was recorded in January '10 and was the first thing I've ever recorded. "Extinction and Isolation" is just one song that I recorded a couple weeks ago.

Velvet Cacoon - P aa Opal Poere Pr. 33 - (2009)

Genre: Ambient Black Metal

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I'm spending some time at the coast. This album has a nautical feel to it. P aa Opal Poere Pr. 33 was Velvet Cacoon's last black metal release before members went on to form Clair Cassis (which is now also split up). Expect a more watered down, bass heavy, doomish sound from this album while compared to Genevieve.

Leech - Against Leviathain! - (2007)

Genre: Cascadian Black Metal

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I got this and Leech's first demo at a show about a month ago. 35 minutes of nature inspired music from one of Cascadia's better bands. This demo is comprised of two tracks with 3 bonus tracks, two of which are live songs, and the last being a speech.

Gnome - Under The Black Moon - (1996)

Genre: Ambient Black Metal

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I suppose I'm posting again now. Especially now that I'm predominantly listening to black metal again. Hello black metal, it's me. Sorry for betraying you.

Gnome is a mysterious one man black metal band from Japan. Two demos and a split were released in the bands career. Under the Black Moon is arguably the strongest release.

Two tracks span 25 minutes in this demo, the first being a black metal song called "La Foret", and the second is an ambient song titled "La Mer". The songs are long but not in any way boring and the production gives an atmosphere that makes me wish there was more recorded material from this project.

Top Surprise - Everything Must Go - (2010)

Genre: Noise Pop/Shitgaze

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More great noise pop from Pug Records. I'm really liking everything that's coming out by this young label.

This is a great mix between 90's bands, and newer noise pop stuff. Check it out!

William Shatner - The Transformed Man - (1968)

Genre: Pop/Spoken Word

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I think I'm going crazy.

David Liebe Hart and Adam Papagan - Public Access - (2008)

Genre: Outsider/Pop

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This is all I've been listening to for the past week or so. David Liebe Hart is a puppeteer, failed comedian, Christian Scientist, and believer in aliens. You'll hear songs about his failed comedy career, how he was abducted by aliens, and whatever else he can go on a rant about. Highlights for me are "I remember", "Tim Heidecker Lied To Me", and the 13 minute "Story Of David Liebe Hart"

Statue + Cowboy - 3 Songs by Statue + Cowboy (demo) - 2010

Genre: Noise Pop/Shoegaze

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Okay, so I've been recording lately, and this is an early result of what I've been doing. It's something like a noisier Beat Happening or Black Tambourine, but I take influence from bands like that, black metal, and everything in between. Expect to hear songs about longing, distance, and nostalgia.

So please take a listen, and if you like it and have a blog or something feel free to post this.

Abner Jay - The True Story of Abner Jay

Genre: Blues/Folk

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This album was getting around the blogosphere a few months ago, but a few months ago I didn't have a blog...

Abner Jay was a traveling one man band active throughout the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and he's the only blues musician I really listen to much. His individual take on songwriting will take you through topics such as depression, drug use, and war.

Black Tambourine - Complete Recordings - (1989-1991)

Genre: Shoegaze/Twee

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It seems as though me and my good friend at Five Songs have had this album on repeat for the past week or so.

Black Tambourine has a unique sound that is somewhere between shoegaze, punk, and twee pop that manages to be dreamy and yet keep somewhat raw production values.

Their musical career was short. These songs are all they recorded and they only played a few shows in the early 90s.

Xasthur - Portal of Sorrow - (2010)

Genre: Ambient/Depressive Black Metal

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I'm going to go ahead and say this album is somewhat average. Nothing blew me away here and it's not a necessary listen, however by no means is it a "bad" album. The tracks "This Abyss Holds the Mirror" and "Hiver De Glace" did stand out to me. Despite not being overly impressed by this album I thought I would share this though since I made an earlier post about the addition of Marissa Nadler to Xasthur in this album.

According to Scott Conner's blog this is the last Xasthur album that will be released. I honestly don't have a problem with that. He's been doing the same thing for years now, and I think branching out of the black metal genre will prove to be an interesting listen.

This album prominently features a non-black metal artist, Marissa Nadler. Her ethereal vocals add a haunting, dreamy atmosphere to the music. She was definitely a good choice to add on this album. I'm not sure how much I would like it if she wasn't on it, but then again I've never been a huge Xasthur fan in the first place.

Coloração Desbotada – Eu, eu mesmo e os vários beijos cafeinados - (2010)

Genre: lo-fi/Shoegaze/noise pop

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PUG Records

I saw this over at Bolachas the other day and thought it would be good based on the genre description. So I'm relaying it to you. There doesn't seem to be much info on this band, but they play a good low fidelity shoegaze. Their record label is new as well, and you can order the tape of this album there.

Teenage Jesus and the Jerks - Everything - (1976-79)

Genre: No Wave/Post-Punk

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Teenage Jesus and the Jerks is a No Wave band fronted by New York punk figure Lydia Lunch. They were central to the No Wave, and Post Punk movements of the late 70's and set the ground work for noise rock as well.

Teenage Jesus and the Jerks released a number of singles and EPs during their career and this album is a compilation of all these releases. This is a must listen for anyone who wants to educate themselves in the No Wave movement, or just wants a good avant-garde listen. "I Woke Up Dreaming" is probably my favorite track on this compilation.

The Clientele - It's Art, Dad - (2005)

Genre: Lo-Fi/Dream Pop

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It's been getting rainy in Oregon, and something melancholic hits the spot at the moment. "It's Art, Dad" is a compilation album from the London based band The Clientele. It features early recordings they did from 1991-1996.

The production is reverb rich with subtle vocals that blend together wonderfully. Pay close attention to the song "Sweeten Your Eyes" and zone out to it for a while..

Vision Éternel - Abondance de périls - (2010)

Genre: Shoegaze/Ambient

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Abridged Pause Recordings

I'm going to bring you once again some perfect night time music. This is the newest release from Vision Éternel. Abondance de périls is a short concept album, that offers blissful and introspective soundscapes.

At 13 minutes, I wish this ep would be a bit longer, so I'm looking forward to future releases from this band.

Grouper - Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill - (2008)

Genre: Shoegaze/Ambient

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I listened to this and thought of you as I tried to fall asleep.

Beat Happening - Beat Happening (1985)

Genre: Lo-Fi/Twee/Post-Punk

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I feel I have some explaining to do for you few readers. I have a somewhat bi-polar music taste. Sure all winter I'll listen to a lot of black metal, but as spring approaches the majority of the music I listen to changes.

So this is Beat Happening's first album, they're one of my three favorite bands. Give it a try.

Alcest - Ecailles de Lune - (2010)

Genre: Shoegaze/Post-Rock/Black Metal

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New Alcest. Enough said.

Of course, highly recommended.

Alcest/Les Discrets - Split - (2009)

Genre: Shoegaze/Black Metal/Post-Rock

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I'll be gone for the weekend, so I figured I would leave you with a serious post and something to download.

Both Alcest and Les Discrets have new full lengths coming out next month, so here's the split of theirs that came out last November. Alcest brings a bit of black metal influence back in this as opposed to Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde, with unclean vocals back in the mix. Les Discrets have a good post-rock sound and is the project of a member of Amesoeurs. I'm looking forward to hearing more of their material when the full length comes out.

Final Placement - "Shine" - Endless Guitar Solo

i feel like i could listen to this for hours on end.

Final Placement Endless Guitar Solo from sharity world on Vimeo.

Hakenkreuz Nocturna - Eternal Introspective Winter - (2006)

Genre: Cold Depressive Black Metal

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Monotonous, and atmospheric, Eternal Introspective Winter is the first and only full length album from Italy's Hakenkreuz Nocturna.

I think my favorite thing about this album is that it reminds me of an atmospheric Transilvanian Hunger. The production values are pretty raw (always a plus), the guitar play pretty simple but effective melodies that still manage to show emotion, the vocals are quite grim, and the drums make good use of fast/blast beats, and slow passages.

There isn't one bad song on this album, an overall solid release. It's too bad this band has broken up.

Burzum - Belus - (2010)

Genre: Ambient Black Metal

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It's finally here. Belus is here. I literally got this about 20 minutes ago and as I'm writing this I'm just getting done with the third track "Glemselens Elv", so I don't have much to say yet. The first real song is a new version of the first track off of Daudi Baldr. The vocals are a little bit different from previous albums as it is only natural that a voice changes with age, but the vocals have never been the focus of this music.

As Varg has stated in interviews, this album definitely has a Hvis Lysett Tar Oss/Filosofem feel to it, but it is in no way a copy of either one. As I'm now half way through the 4th track I'm becoming more and more pleased with this album. Burzum is back and with a new unique sound, and so far it's everything I've hoped for.

Because of the respect I hold for Varg I urge everyone to pre-order Belus here.

This Could Be Interesting...

Xasthur and Marissa Nadler collaboration. We'll have the atmospheric black metal of Xasthur with the ethereal vocals of the folksie Marissa Nadler. I'm looking forward to hearing this intriguing collaboration whenever it comes out.

Anyone want to share their thoughts on this?

Article

Strid - End of Life - (1993)

Genre: Depressive Black Metal

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Far ahead of their time, Strid can be considered the pioneers of the depressive black metal sub-genre. They've released 3 songs in total. First this tape, with one 11 minute song entitled End of Life, and a two song EP simply called Strid.

This is recommended of you're curious about the beginnings of the ever growing depressive black metal genre.

Ildjarn - Forest Poetry - (1996)

Genre: Raw Black Metal

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Ildjarn, in my opinion, is one of the more respectful bands from Norwegian scene in the early 90's. A one man band, Ildjarn plays a very raw, minimalist style of black metal. This album in particular is very raw to the point that it's unlistenable to most, and most of the songs sound quite similar, but in this case it just makes the album as a whole stand out more.

Ildjarn recorded until 1997, and officially ended in 2005. The main motivation for ending the band is that his 4-track broke.

Through The Pain - Time Heals Nothing - (2009)

Genre: Depressive Black Metal

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This is the first full length from Through The Pain. Here we have four tracks of slow, depressing black metal that at times is somehow hopeful. Dwell In Agony and Absence of Will are the two tracks that stand out.

A great debut full length for fans of depressive black metal.

Velvet Cacoon - Genevieve - (2004)

Genre: Ambient Black Metal

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55 minutes of trance educing droned out ambient black metal. Portland's Velvet Cacoon is one of the most notorious controversial black metal bands in the modern scene, but blah blah blah, we've heard it all a million times. They're one of my favorite bands and this album in particular is one that originally sparked my interest in black metal.

Guitar noise will drone on and on as the drums pound on the down beats while Josh, sounding like Gollum, will whisper strange incantations.

I highly recommend this one if you don't already have it. In my opinion, the best ambient black metal album of last decade.

Recording and other things

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. I attend a university and midterms are coming up, so I haven't had much time to post things.

In other news, not too long ago I received a 4-track recorder from my uncle. I've been recording while I can and when I finish another song or two I'll be sure to post my stuff on here.

Alcest - Tristesse Hivernale - (2001)

Genre: Black Metal

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Everyone should be familiar with Alcest. Here is the first demo before it was a solo project and involved members of Peste Noire. This one definitely has a more "black metal" sound than later releases.

Grouper/Roy Montgomery - Split - (2010)

Genre: Ambient/Shoegaze

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Here's a new split with one of my favorites, Portland's very own Grouper and New Zealand guitarist Roy Montgomery. The Roy Montgomery side starts the split with one 18 minute track of ambient guitar that makes you feel like you're going through a journey (in a good way), it's worth a listen, but in my opinion comes nowhere close to what Grouper has to offer on this split. Then again I may be a bit biased given I have this split and am posting it solely for the Grouper material, and the fact that Grouper is one of my favorite bands.

The first Grouper track "Hollow Press" starts off with windy white noise, then about half way through faint keys and Liz Harris' dreamy vocals enter. It then flows seamlessly into the next song "Vessel". This is a much more stripped down Grouper than we're used to hearing. Instead of dreamy acoustic guitar, or more ambiance as heard in earlier albums, we have instead a single, reverb drenched Wurlitzer keyboard, and voice. "Hold The Way" follows up with the same instrumentation as before, and once again flows seamlessly into the last track "Pulse". Keeping the same theme as "Hold The Way", it eventually is drowned out in windy white noise.

Amesoeurs - Ruines Humaines - (2006)

Genre: Black Metal/Post-Rock

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We all should be familiar with Neige (Alcest, early Peste Noir, ect.). Here is another Neige project formed in 2004. This is Amesoeurs first release, a 3 song EP. I came out in 2006. You'll hear a very melodic black metal sound on this EP with post-rock, and even some post-punk influences. The last track is noteworthy for it's mostly an acoustic arrangement and female vocals.

Korium/Trist(Cze) - Split- (2007)

Genre: Raw/Atmospheric Black Metal (Korium) - Depressive/Atmospheric Black Metal (Trist)

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First off I'm mostly just posting this two song split for the Trist track. So, this starts off with the Korium track called Drowned in the Lake of Marble Crosses. This is raw atmospheric black metal with a much heavier sound than what you'll hear on the Trist song. The vocals are lower growls, and the guitar provides some alright riffs throughout its 13 minute length. Overall, nothing really blew me away on this one.

Now, as just mentioned the Trist song is why I'm posting this. It's titled Snění, which translates to "Dreams" or "Dreaming" in Czech, and this alone is a good description of the song. It's very dreamy, the guitar drones on and on throughout in a way that reminds me somewhat of the song "To Here Knows When" by My Bloody Valentine at times. The screams are painful, and the drums and guitars monotonous. Although Trist is put into the "Depressive" black metal category the riffs here are contemplative and in a way, uplifting.

This is highly recommended for the beautiful song Snění by Trist.

Draugadróttinn- Where The Sea Gives Up Its Dead - 2010

Genre: Black Metal/Shoegaze
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Here's a nice gem I came across tonight. This is what seems to be the first and only release so far from Draugadróttinn, a one man band from Montana, USA. There are 4 droney songs of fuzzy guitar, super distorted vocals, and the occasional acoustic thrown in. There's a definite Alcest and Drudkh influence here and I would highly recommend this to any fan of that sound. I hope to see more from this project in the future.

Burzum - Dauði Baldrs - 1997

Genre: Dark Ambient
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This is Burzum's most underrated album. It's one of my favourites and I feel obligated to post it.

Self-Inflicted Violence - Fell Into The Veil Of Darkness and Extinction (Compilation)- 2009

Genre: Depressive Black Metal/Shoegaze/Post-Rock
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Great compilation of two demos from the UK's Self-Inflicted Violence. They released a full length in December '09, but these demos are a much better listen.

Greetings

This is where I'll be posting music, and other relevant things.