Lapageria Rosea & Macáes - "Pureza Y Chaos"

A split release of black metal varieties from Argentina and Chile thanks to Macáes and Lapageria Rosea, respectively. A very post-rock and shoegaze vibe is employed throughout the entire release, more so on the Macáes offerings, and the hybrid works pretty well despite the Macáes efforts being the least well produced of the two.

The real stand out moments on this split are from Lapageria Rosea, who deliver the most expertly executed post black metal offerings I've heard in a month or two. The melody and guitar work are absolutely beautiful, the vocals are deep and gurgly, layered at times, and rest within the mix so comfortably that they almost become another instrument themselves - as should be the case for this type of outing. Nice electronic elements employed at just the right moments, the whole is super emotive for both but especially so for Lapageria Rosea.

Highly recommended for the last 3 tracks alone, but the 6 together are a nice experience to be certain.

Lapageria Rosea & Macáes - "Pureza Y Chaos"

- DCKR

Autumn, Leaves, Scars - "The Story Of A Life"

Depressive post-ish black metal and sort of blackened shoegaze influenced gothic rock. Or something. Some nice melodies and everything is played & put together well. If any of those buzz words get ya hot under the collar, you'll enjoy this.

Autumn, Leaves, Scars - "The Story Of A Life"

- DCKR

Nagaarum - "Oort"

Over the last year or so I've really noticed a lot of black metal and related sounds coming out of the peculiar land known as Hungary. It seems, at least from a distance, like an unlikely place for a thriving black metal scene. Nevertheless, there is quite a bit of it going on. Additionally, the black metal scene in Hungary seems to be largely dominated by artists working with their interpretation of the blueprint for this sound, often coloring well outside the lines and liberally cross pollinating black metal with other genres and sounds - often more experimental things.

Nagaarum is one such band from Hungary. Psychedelic and doom laden black metal, a one man outfit it seems, Nagaarum crafts a pretty complex and in depth imagining of the black metal sound. Sticking its fingers in sort of gothic and post rock pies at times, there is a lot of genuine musicality going on here while keeping true to the finer points of black metal. I guess you could call it a sort of psychedelic post space black metal, if you wanted to. There's a lot of progression and ebb & flow through out the album, and the songs on their own. A whole listening experience, "Oort" is definitely an album that will either speak to you very directly and intimately or leave you scratching your chin wondering what the hell you just heard.

Oldschool style website that's still cool to experience, go cop this one from the "releases" page.

Nagaarum - "Oort"

- DCKR

La Ville des Rêves - "Demo"

Single track demo from La Ville des Rêves out of Sioux Falls, SD, of all places, with some really wonderful shoegaze influenced post black metal. Swirling and sailing guitars of lush atmosphere and melancholic mood. Great musicality on this one, whereas so many artists attempting this sound go overboard in places or entirely miss the point. Epic, emotional, deep, dark - with just a hint of silver lining.

La Ville des Rêves - "Demo"

- DCKR

Loss Of Self - "Demo"

Seems like everyone is coming out of the woodwork with a black metal hybrid of one sort or another. I ain't mad. This time around it's straight up black metal and straight up post rock. It's better than that description makes it sound, though. Think of your favorite post rock outfit and rub blackness and distortion and mold all over it. That's what you get with this short & sweet effort from Loss Of Self.

Loss Of Self - "Demo"

- DCKR