Allochiria–Throes
Genre: Post Metal, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, Ambient
FFO: Neurosis, Isis, Agalloch
Greek quintet Allochiria doesn’t just breathe life into the Post Metal movement with their sophomore effort; they violently resuscitate it.
Throes features brilliant soundscapes and build-ups reminiscent of acts such as Pelican, Neuorisis, or Isis but don’t waste a single second horrifying the audience with their blackened, aggressive take on the genre.
Fange–Pourissior
Genre: Death Metal, Crust Punk, Noise Rock, Sludge Metal
FFO: Entombed, Full Of Hell, The Body
French quartet Fange return with a pummeling sophomore effort blending the classic Death Metal style of early Entombed with a blackened, crusty twist.
Horsebeach–Beauty & Sadness
Genre: Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Guitar Pop
FFO: Kurt Vile, Mac DeMarco, Hoops
The third effort from Manchester multi-instrumentalist Ryan Kennedy explores the pains of emotional turmoil basking in the influence and aesthetic of Japanese literature.
Kennedy sports his heart on his sleeve throughout these ten intimate tracks alternating between jangley guitar pop and soothing keyboard-driven soundscapes.
Life on Venus–Encounters
Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Dream Pop, Shoegazing
FFO: Slowdive, Pity Sex, Nothing
Russian quintet Life on Venus channel exceptional songwriting as well as lush, dreamy soundscapes with their debut LP.
Encounters balances melds crushing walls of sounds akin to the stylings of Kevin Shields with well-written, pop tunes similar to the likes of Nothing, Pity Sex, and other trending Shoegaze/Alt-Rock acts.
Planning for Burial–Below the House
Genre: Post Rock, Slowcore, Shoegazing, Drone, Ambient
FFO: Swans, Have A Nice Life, The Body
At the dawn of each Winter, there is joy and brightness in the air with a fast approaching Holiday season. Once the brightness has faded, and the new year has begun, there is a sorrowful emptiness winter brings.
Below the House is a sonic exploration of the solitude that point of winter brings.
The record is a massive melting pot of genres ranging from Shoegazing, Post Metal, Goth Rock, Black Metal, Slowcore, and more. The third offering from Wikes Barre-based Thom Wasluck is a bizarre, rough pill to swallow but a beautiful piece of art that deserves a front to back listen from any open-minded lover of music.