Black Spikes : "Ydos"

 

Here is the sophomore full-length from this Lithuanian metal band, which falls somewhere between a more atmospheric take on metalcore; some more mainstream elements in their grooves come closer to nu-metal. Most reviews are my first listen through an album; this is my second pass through, which was needed to give it my full attention, as there is a great deal going on here. The more atmospheric parts are likea less folky Myrkur. But the punch and crunch seem to be the main objective of this band, which for a metal band makes sense.

There is a great deal of bounce to "MELAS"; it is more intense than the first song. There are electronic elements in play, and at times, it makes me think what it might sound like if Yolandi sang for Spiritbox. The vocals are sometimes phrased in a more rapped fashion.One thing this means is that is very relevant to today's musical climate.  "Mara" finds this falling in a more staccato groove but still aligns with what I said previously. They are very consistent, and within a few songs we shall learn if this is due to being stuck in a formula, but at this point in the album it still works, though all the screams sound the same. There is a blast beat at one point in the song, so people will start referring to it as black metal since they wear makeup. Their drum is on point. 

By the time we get to "Zelvar," I've figured out they are singing in their native tongue. They have also established their sound and are flipping around the varied elements to switch up the songs; the sing-song atmospheric vocals contrast the djent-like crunch and screamed vocals. "Revana" finds the angular crunch leading into a hip-hop groove. The Spiritbox vibes are back again, at times more surreal. "Apatija" is where things start to run together and I have to go back once again and pay closer attention. The chanted choir-like vocals lead into the slower crunch of guitar that builds.. "Aurea" finds them really taking the dynamic shifts to extremes, but it works well.

"Senas Demonas" is one of the heavier riffs of the album and one of the more accessible songs to mainstream metal audiences. "Dulkes" is very intentional in it's heaviness.. This is balanced out with some groove. Overall I really enjoyed this album I will give it a 9.5 and see how it grows on me. It drops on Napalam Records.August 28th.,   

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ERDVE: "Epigrama"

 

This is not our first ride with this hard-hitting Lithuanian band. There is less of a sludge-ridden ugliness and more of a syncopated hardcore groove not unlike how Harms Way drops it when it's hot. The first track is as heavy as you could want it when it comes to this sort of thing. The second song offers more melody from the guitar, which is a smart move rather than jsut committing to beating you in the ears. What this band has going against it is not unlike a problem that a band like Meshuggah faces. Their vocalist barks the same in every song, so it places all the weight on the guitars. 

To combat this, the guitar tries to employ different melodies to add an atmospheric texture to "Ydos" while not restraining their hardcore tendencies. There are some great guitar texture on this album that leads to ambient-minded riffs balancing out the weight of their attack, though the vocals keep the songs from being catchy. The electronic touches help, but they could stand to experiment even more. 'Svertas" also carries some extra depth in the ghostly echo it creates, but this gets plowed by the chug of the crunching wave of guitar. 

The hypnotic ringing to "Raukles" is darker, but they fall in behind it turned up to 11, and it kills the moment. The last song does carry a more djent-like groove. It also has more space, rather than just crashing against you with its sheer density. This is heavy and has more depth than your average sludge album that sets out just to crush you, but the previous album caught me more, so I will give this one an 8.5, Out on Season of Mist 

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