The Round Up Tapes is generally a “hey, I liked this and maybe you will, too,” kind of deal, but sometimes I get sent albums that I may not have come across otherwise – the world of music is huge, of course, and hearing everything is nigh on impossible. With that in mind here are three debut records that were sent my way recently that I enjoyed and perhaps you will too. They all encompass metal in various ways – whether it’s the more straightforward black metal of Bleakwood, or the melancholy of Dawnwalker or the doomed passages from STAHV – but all of the music featured here is passionate and worth your time.
Starting life under a different moniker, Stephen Trepak’s Annexia is the sound of movement, closure and despair. Trepak’s (also of Human Future) foray into doomed electronica takes steps towards black metal, sludge and post-metal all while encompassing an atmosphere that speaks of change and acceptance. Leaving behind the past is a huge upheaval, but on Egress, Annexia try to come to terms with the fact that that past cannot be changed and instead we must embrace it and move forwards. “An Introduction, Of Sorts,” welcomes the future on soft flowing and intricate horns that gently push for space between the rhythm and call to mind Ulver, in their latter incarnation – an inflection that is carried throughout the record and lends it an epic and melancholy cohesion.
South African metal may not be super familiar to fans of the genre, but the continent plays host to a great many interesting metal bands, so much so that Wildernessking member Keenan Nathan Oakes collected together six of the best, and current, metal bands South Africa has to offer in a compilation entitled Secret Ceremonies. This is Volume I of what will hopefully be a long running series and a collection of incredibly different sounds – from the gorgeous instrumental post-rock of Strage, to the cold harshness of Nihil, and everything in between. South Africa is a interesting place, and its music follows suit. Each song heard here is exclusive to the release and while it’s only available digitally for the time being, it will be released on vinyl later this year.
Ahhh, the good ol’d end of year list. It’s time, once again, to write down a whole heap of records that I thought were super good. But not before I reflect on 2014 as a whole. Let’s see. I lost my job – boo-urns. I found a really cool new job – hooray! I turned thirty – yikes! I heard some excellent music, I met some incredible people, I saw great live performances and I got to visit America with the money I gained from being made redundant.
Gilead Fest was honestly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I spent the weekend with my best friend and his lovely lady, and some of the most passionate, dedicated and downright amazing people I have ever had the privilege to meet. There are too many to mention, but for everyone who made that weekend so damn memorable, I thank you. I can’t wait to come back.
Usually I get super introspective at this time of year and this list is preambled with a whole load of shit that happened but I’m trying this new thing where I look forward and not back. So 2015, I am ready for you. I move house on January 2nd, my job is really interesting and there’s a career in there if I want it. Writing is going well and I’m already planning some really exciting things for the first few months of the year – visiting new places, putting on bands and seeing the release of a new Caïna record. It’s busy, but I’m enjoying life quite a lot right now, something I would not have believed if you said this to me at this point last year.
As is customary, here’s a picture of something really metal lest you all think I’ve gone soft in my old age.
It’s been a heck of an organisational struggle, but I’m crazy pleased to announce that the second Bleak Metal show will feature the mighty Year Of No Light along with the wonderful chaps of The Mire and Pet Slimmers Of The Year on November 1st at London’s Black Heart.
Yes, Year Of No Light will be playing Damnation Festival the day after, but if you want to see them perform a full headline set then this is not to be missed. It’s been well over two years since these Frenchmen graced our shores so their set at The Black Heart promises to be very special indeed.
The Mire have also been away from the London stage for over two years now and with production on their new full length really ramping up, their live show is sure to be an intense and heavy experience.
Tickets cost £8 (no booking fee) in advance, or the event will be £10 on the door. I recommend buying in advance, because a) it’s cheaper, b) you’re halfway to a pint with what you save, c) it might sell out and you don’t want to be that guy stood outside hoping to hear some music filtering down the stairs.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT TICKETS ARE NOW ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR.
Please keep your email receipt as we’ll ask to see it for proof of purchase on the door, and if you’re buying a few tickets for yourself and a mate or two, please all turn up at the same time!
Note that The Black Heart is an 18+ venue. If you buy a ticket and can’t get in, you won’t be entitled to a refund because it’s your own bloody fault.
I don’t have many pictures of Russian Circles because I ended up smoking for most of the time and chatting at the bar. The deafheaven pictures would have been better but some very tall people stood in front of me and I was too busy trying to juggle a paper cup full of Jameson Whiskey as well as dealing with my phone. I apologise to deafheaven for these photographs. Sorry dudes.
It’s nearly the middle of the year. And what better way to celebrate than with a nice list of brilliant albums that have come out already. There’s probably better ways to celebrate this passage of time, but it’s a Sunday and I can’t be bothered. I could easily have expanded this list to a top twenty. But that seemed like a lot of effort.
This list will be alphabetical, for the sake of fairness. And also because it’s too hard to choose a number one. Sorry.
