Nothing : " the Great Dismal"

 The first song is the kind of atmospheric wandering you might expect from your average shoe gaze band. Nothing is 4 albums in now and have proven they are not your average shoe gaze band so " Say Less" meets my expectations. This is the second time I have heard this song and it connects with me more here. "April Haha" has the woozy My Bloody Valentine and the breathy vocals , but also a great deal of driving groove. The drums sound great on this album. The production so far is dialed in. The is more of an indie rock jangle to "Catch a Fade".  The vocals have purpose and are not an after thought. Eventually the song gain fuzzed out heft while mainintaing the more light hearted mood. 

"Famine Asylum " coasts in a pleasing manner , but feels a little more like filler than the previous couple of songs. I am givng this one the first listen with head phones rather than just the lap top speakers like I normally do , and it's a good choice as I suspect this bass is thumping more. But not as much as it thumps going into "Bernie Sanders" . It is hard to say which way their thought are leaning towards Bernie Sanders, But I am fine without knowing either way. When it comes to Bernie at this point he is a done deal so I really doesn't matter. "In Blueberry Memories" is not as compelling as the Bernie tune. They do punch their accents harder than what you expect from a shoegazey band. 

"Blue Mecca" is even breezier than the first song. It is on a narcotic cloud. The drums help ground it a little. There are some great guitar tones on it though. They wait untildig out their grungier side until "Just a Story". I like where this song goes sonically. "Ask the Rust " has some of this grunge sound but not as much as the previous song. Overall this album has some really strong song, this album is not as adventurous as their last , but steps back into more of the shoe gaze thing, but that is not getting a complaint from me I will give this album a 9.5 

Gothtober - Bestial Mouths : "RESURRECTEDINBLACK"

 

It has been awhile since I checked this project out. The production and the range of what they do sonically has greatly improved. The second song is more dark wave. The manic vibrato of her voice is likea possessed goat. She can sing in a lower more chanted voice as well, it works best when the two are traded off as a dynamic as I am not sure I could take an entire album of jsut the goat vocal. She reins the vibrato into more of a Rozz Williams level on "Dry as Dust". The song has a snake like bass line and creepy enough groove to really win me over. 'Our Souls Take" is more of an atmospheric interlude than a song. They take some of that mood and carry it over into "Within". It has enough groove and purpose with the vocals to make it a song. 

'The Loss" is more droning . I think for the kind of shadowy hypnosis they are trying to induce here , this certainly works. As far a songs that hook you in and find you thinking " Now this is the song I really need to hear right now" is something I can not hear someone saying unless they are on a ton of drugs. I do think this album could be one that you leave playing in the background. "Industrial Waste' invokes a sound that brings old Swans to mind. A very early industrial pound to it. It works of a one dimensional; throb ,but that is the whole point of this sound., 

Things get more melodic on "Siren Calls". It makes me think of what might happen if Diamanda Galas jammed with Switchblade Symphony. I like that it opens new doors of sound and takes the darkness of this album in another direction, not painting in the same shade of black. A more driving industrial pulse pushes the last song ahead. This works as it is great to hear the dynamic range of this album. I will round this up to a 9.5 as it will likely grow on me. If you like your goth tinged with industrial this is for you.

MÖRK GRYNING : "Hinsides Vrede"

 When the first acutal song blasts into play from the Swedish band's first album in 15 years , it confirms my fears and soldifies why I do not cover as much black metal . It is more of the same. Yes they do break it up with a melodic passage , but they are not doing anything at least in the first song that I have not heard Dissection or Watain do better. Blistering fast though to their credit not running on blast beats alone they storm the gates on "Existence in a Dream" . Are they good at what they do ? Yes. so if you like very meat and potaties melodic Swedish black metal then it is what you see is what you get here. They melodic sections they do employ are predictable and part of the formula, though at least they are making some attempt to write songs. There is marginally more to hook you into the second song, but they are going to the well one to many times already when it come to the pace of the third song. 

The vocals are more of a discernable rasp, very mid range. " A Glimpse of Sky" is the first song I connect with it has more folk vocal elements and changes tempo. This is not to say it does not build in tensity or is not aggressive, you can have those things and still write a quality song like this. So these guys could still redeem themselves with me and the snarling attack at the onset was more of a 'Oh, were are a black metal band this is what is expected of us " sort of thing.  While I do want melody I think the concept of having an acoustic guitar interlude on your album to prove you can play, is a bit overdone . Why not just work that into a song ? Instead it's the quiet before the storm . Then another jack hammer fucking. Much like sex if that is all you do , they get numb to it and it loses it's effectiveness. 

The more melodic direction of "Without Crown" was needed as the songs were beginning to run together for me and all sound the same. They go into Dead Can Dance like atmosphere going into "Black Spirit" which I am hoping they carry into the song not just blast off and leave it behind. While it does not happen in the way I would prefer , it is a better song than of of those of this album.  I will give this one a 7.5, if you are a fan of the band you will like it. Not going to win over any new fans though. 

Gothtober - Otzi : "Storm"

 

The first song is more in the Siouxsie like vein while the second song has a chorus that reminds me of "I Melt With You" by Modern English. The thrid song finds them falling back into the more punk side of post-punk. Even when they use these sounds more effectivly on "Scorpio" the main verse is kind of  color by numbers, though things like the sax onb the chorus and some of the more interesting guitar licks balance things out. Even if it's a synth making the sax sound it works. The more manic punk side of this still works when thye aexperiment enough with it. "Ballad of Oiwa" has a more dynamic sounds that plays to the benefit of their singer's voice and makes it one of the album's best songs. 

After the previous song , going into a more punk sound feels like a step backwards for the band. They have show us they are capable of more making this feel like filler. Sadly after showing so much potential they begin to settle for just playing dark punk with songs like "Eight Cups" and Outer Bounds". The lyrics to the latter being more interesting of the two songs. Then they slow things down on "15 Stars" and allow mood to develop. As it simmers I can hear where the drummer is not yet committing to the beat so hope they don't fuck this up by picking up the tempo. They kind of split the difference as the guitar keeps doing it's thing and the drums build a marching tension before going into the color by numbers disco beat. The drummer is this band's weak link. 

The go into more ofa hypnotic funeral march leading into the title track that closes the album., This brooding pulse is well layered and show a distinct difference in what is goth vs what is post punk. This song is what the band need more of as it plays to their strengths rather than exposing their weaknesses . I will give this album an 8 ,as there are a couple of great ones , many good songs, and a few filler. If you are a fan of the band you will be happy. If you like a blend of goth and punk, then this is worth your time. 

Ilsa : "Preyer"

 

The sludge masters who are personal favorites of mine are back. Even though we are 6 albums in they have changed things up a bit. This time they are using Satanic murderer Shaun Sellars as their inspiration. Though this is not a concept album. The theme is anti-christian. They hit you with a might chug on the first song. There is also a doomy riff thrown into the mix. They seem even angrier this time around. The guitar playing is more nuanced this time around rather than just slapping you with a wall of sound. In doing so this has made it more metal in the sense you caan hear how it has descended from classic metal bands. The chant of "Judas hung himself" winks at DI's "Richard Hung Himself" so the punk influence is still there ,just not as prominent. I think the riff to "Moonflower" is even heavier. Perhaps a touch of Slayer to the drumming. The descends into more of a doomy passage before building back up. 

"Shibboleth" charges at you with a more manic punk energy. Ate there Lovecraft references? Well I do not know I can not understand the lyrics as well to this one. "Mother of God' kind of stomps it's way out of this previous song. There is more of a death metal feel to "Scavengers" . Think old Death here. Despite the thicker fuzzed out bass that opens the song, "Widdershins" . The title track has more drive , but is also less death metal. I am not 100 percent on board for this death metal direction they are flirting with. I can hear the death metal influence on the title track, but it still feels true to who they are . "Lady Diamond" is certainly more death metal, if not totally with the higher screamed vocal being what keeps it from totally commiting .They are proficent at death metal, but death metal can tend to be monochromatic . 

"Behind the Veil" is some where inbetween the sludge they used to play and their more death metal direction. The guitar solos are a very tangible area of improvemnet and much more metal. The last song is more on the sludge side . I will round this up to a 9.I am not sure I like it as much as "Corpse Fortress", itsi a more straight forward album. 

Gothtober - grasshopper : "SCUTTLE"

 

Often post-punk is just Joy Division influenced indie rock and not dark enough for me. That is not the problem here. The first song is darker and more melodic. The vocals are more sung that the starker more Ian Curtis narrative that follows on the next two song that are sonically simlar, the second song being taunter in tension that the more deliberate "Leonidas" . I like where the vocals end up approaching the second half of the song with a more sung waver in his baritone. The drumming is not as strong on "the Hand on the Knife" which defaults into what you would typically expect from post punk these days. 

"Backwards" is more dynamic. The song benefits from the more melodic turn which allow the mood to grow more depressive. The band benefits from having vocals that are not just a monotone narration, but uses melodies that are not afraid to waver from the drone of the guitar. They are really good at blending a post punk starkness with melody. The song "GRIN" is a good example of this. It is fitting that "October" has a more gothy tone to it. Not fully Bauhaus, but darker and more elegant. This proves they are in fact influenced by goth and not just post punk. 

"Hymn" continues to lean on the dark side , but it is not as an impressive display of song writing. A lonely plodding bass line opens the last song. The vocals are more plainitve , reminding me a little of Rope Sect. I will give this album an 8. It's pretty solid and there are some songs that really shine. The production is bare bones, but has a great deal of clarity in the mix. 

7.2

Algiers : "There is No Year"

 

I liked the first album these guys released . They are leaning more into the gospel thing. The darker post punk feel of their early work is gone. There are more electronic elements. Midway into the album there was nothing heavy , so I stopped expecting it. It is much more accessible and almost pop. The first song might even be pop as it is not too far removed to what the Weeknd does. The second song is a little more organic , but finds them going to the well twice and I am not as impressed this time around. The lyrics are super politcal, but much like Rage Against the Machine, they are saying a lot while saying nothing. This is not Bad Religion or The Dead Kennedys who do politics better. The vocals hooks being more poppy works. I mean lets face it pop music typically has well thought out singing. Not talking about Cardi B here. 

"Hour of the Furnace" might prove prophetic when it came to this year's riots. But they do not invoke that kind of anger. It is more introspective.Then at this point in the album I have accepted this is not post punk, put a pop album. "Chaka" could be Michael Jackson. That doesn't mean I do not like it. I do. It is darker and more experimental than most pop, putting this next Shabazz Palaces. The guitar is minimal and sits back in the mix when it there. I guess the drummer did not have to show up to the studio or is just playing an electric kit. There are things like saxophones that adds some flair and bit of organic flavoring. There is more of an old school gospel meets soul mix on "Wait For Sound" . The accompaniment is fairly minimal . Some low synths. His voice has improved . He doesn't belt til his voice cracks. So far this is the first song that feels like filler to me. 

"Repeating Night" has a little more groove to it, but is still pretty sparse. His vocal melody is less hooky . Guitar comes in though tonally it has more in common with Depeche Mode. We are back to a more Michael Jackson place on "Nothing Bloomed" . A darker more power ballad like version of Michael Jackson which when you think about it is the Weeknd. "Void" is the first song that remembers they were once into punk. I am not sure they are really feeling it the song doesn't together until the vocals smooth out. I will round this up to a 9, as there only two songs that do not feel as inspired and some of the stronger ones are pretty strong,. I think they did what they set out to accomplish.