One of many greatest "OK what the fuck" moments for me in 2023 was after I threw on Anti-God Hand's album Blight Yr for the primary time. Introduced with redolent synths and a completely sick riff, the album continued to unfold into this hulking beast of boisterous, busy, and good slab of distinctive black steel (god I like hiding alliterations in these posts, don't decide me). I saved going again to it repeatedly because the yr went on, slowly unveiling the layers of heavy steel, thrash, noise, ambient, and virulent, livid black steel it was composed of.
Naturally then, I reached out to Will Ballantyne to get a visitor record happening the weblog and I used to be not disillusioned. Whereas I agree with Will that nothing on this record is simply too surprising, there are a number of extraordinarily underrated albums (like Kaldeket) on it and some that I wasn't conscious of myself. Which means that in the event you dive deep into this record, you'll for certain discover one or perhaps even two treasures you in any other case wouldn't have, and that makes all of it value it.
Oh and I additionally get to let you know once more to take heed to Blight Yr. Take heed to it! Over to you Will.
Nothing on this record will shock anybody who is aware of me however I hope somebody who hasn’t heard any of these items will discover one thing to love right here. Clearly goes with out saying that there’s 1,000,000 issues I want I may placed on right here however these are the issues that fully knocked me flat and left a long-lasting affect. Technically there’s three EPs on right here however I don’t trouble differentiating.
7038634357 – Neo Seven
“Sq. Coronary heart” might be my most listened to track of the yr, completely attractive, the video is drop useless lovely. I urge anybody unfamiliar with the prolonged 703 universe to drop in and embrace it.
Behold the Arctopus – Interstellar Overtrove
Been a BTA obsessive since I heard Skullgrid after I was 15. This one is jawdropping. My straight up favorite report of the yr, I can take heed to it nonstop. It’s so harmonically lovely it’s arduous for me to place it into phrases. I like the e-drums and guitar solos. Prog Is Again (by no means left).
Horrendous – Ontological Mysterium
This could’ve made my record only for the ascending arpeggios within the first monitor alone however the entire thing is ridiculously good. Their preparations are so unbelievably tight and sick and easy sounding. I might like to see them play this dwell, I think about it guidelines. For some motive I consider it as Blood Mountain for grownups. Like I stated Prog Is Again.
Kaldeket – Déraciné
Kaldeket is solely unstoppable. Each melody will get caught in my head and I like the relentless counterpoint and bright-eyed preparations. Additionally once they play dwell they’ve like 6 folks on stage with headlamps and computer systems. So sick.
King Imaginative and prescient Extremely – Shook World
Anyone occupied with experimental music owes it to themselves to test this out. I’ve by no means heard a KVU challenge that didn’t depart me profoundly moved and this one isn’t any completely different. Actually particular music to me.
Kostnatění – Úpal
Heard this one late within the yr however the guitar taking part in is completely magnificent. Such unimaginable use of open strings and prolonged method. Extremely advisable, extraordinarily inspiring compositionally and technically.
Krallice – Porous Resonance Abyss/Mass Cathexis 2
Maybe dishonest to make use of one area for 2 albums however actually something Krallice may have launched would have ended up on my favs of the yr. The evil brutal vocoder in monitor 4 on MC2 simply devastates me. I like every part they do maybe not surprisingly.
ronja – For Annette
Staggeringly lovely report, not far more to say. Delicate and assured and profound.
Tomb Mildew – The Enduring Spirit
Don’t have something to say about TM that hasn’t been stated extra thoughtfully by different folks, however I’m simply so glad they dropped this report this yr. Complete barnburner, I find it irresistible entrance to again, it makes me really feel like operating via a brick wall and in addition telling my associates how a lot I care about them. S Tier, A+, 10/10 (Prog Is Again).
Trhä – av◊ëlajnt◊ë£ hinnem nihre
I’m a late joiner of the Trha cult however holy cow this report knocked me flat. Such sick guitar riffs. Very dextrous and delightful. The galloping triplet breakdown on the finish of monitor 2 particularly I’ve listened to time and again. Actually inspiring stuff to me.