Disso…In This Economy?
[Insert grievances about life and world affairs here, one more for good measure, and include current trending topic joke.] But do you actually care about such things, dear reader? Of course not! Time is money and who has enough of either to constantly dedicate themselves to honest and continuous readership of undeniably witty introductions to incredibly niche music articles? You are here for the dissonant delicacies, not the dominance of my narrative voice in these gatherings of the newest and most intriguing atonal releases you have likely been sleeping on. Oh great, I’ve gone and done it anyway. Overlong intro completed and you have yet again been tricked into reading it. [Sonuva… ~Roldy]
Petrale – Goat At Sunset (February 1)
First up is a bit of a strange one, admittedly. Petraleis a one-man black metal project based out of Croatia that has released, at minimum, one full LP every year since 2017, with last year being the only exception. An impressive output for such an intriguing project that I was completely unaware of previously. It can, and rightfully should, instill some level of trepidation when looking at such a packed list of releases over a short period. However, on Goat at Sunset, what I found was nothing but wall-to-wall gripping, progressive, yet dissonant black metal. Similarities to last year’s Top 10 favorite of mine, Exterior Palnet, immediately hooked me with funky basslines and jazzy moments sprinkled in to keep it fresh and surprising throughout.
ANGR – The Darkness of Primordial Nonexistence (March 30)
Now, on the other side of the disso coin is the Russian/Belarusian duo ANGR, who focus their skill into a truly daunting listen. Where Goat At Sunset was full of twists and experiments, The Darkness of Primordial Nonexistence is more akin to a cinderblock to the temple. It’s constantly punishing and straightforward, similar to acts such as Devouring Star and Desolate Shrine; however, ANGR feel somehow meaner and more visceral. This is likely due to the near throat-croak of vocalist Corpse and a marathon-level ability of multi-instrumentalist S. to push each track to its maximum level of discontent without tripping over the edge into unlistenable territory. Search not for such things as riffs, catchy choruses, or even clarity, as you will come away disappointed. Rather, let the darkness find you and your experience will be one of bleak bliss.
Auzawandils – Laste Eclipse Ouer Golgothas Pytt (May 27)
Stop me if you have heard this one before, but Philadelphia’s Alex Poole is an absolute beast who is constantly pushing himself to craft black metal bleakness in his own design and will. If you are unfamiliar with his large Poole (Booooo!) of projects, then you are truly missing out on creativity and craftsmanship so needed in today’s impossibly crowded metal scene. From his work in Martröð and Skáphe to Lithotome and many, many others, his ability to create off-putting, yet completely engaging extreme metal is an experience to behold first-hand. Dense, swirling, and always punishing through its off-kilter guitar “riffs,” rasping howls, and complexity in composition. His newest auditory nightmare made reality is no different, but it shows his constant growth and unwillingness to compromise in the very visions that keep his underground stance forever solid.
Aoecist – Singularity (May 1)
Another returning project to these parts, one-man wizard Aoecist can be a bit of a tough sell due to prior work focusing on microtonal production and performance. After a debut EP and split with fellow dissonant/experimental projects Sleep Paralysis and Light Dweller last year, Alan Brucke returns with what I feel is his true breakout performance. Stepping away from the pure microtonal approach, he introduces Singularity with a moody atmospheric piece before the punishment arrives. But instead, you are exposed to growth in ideas and execution. Darker and more personal this time around, as well as another wild pairing with Sleep Paralysis on the final track, Brucke is reaching out and above those nestled densely around him and emerging as a true underground powerhouse.
Dysgnostic – End Whispers (July 10)
Let us finish this wrap-up with something that is technical, yet still engaging and head-inflating. Formerly known as Defilementory, this Danish quartet bring an impressive level of musicianship to their craft, but never delve into wankery or head-in-own-assness. Instead, Dysgnostic‘s brand of tech death is closer to that of Ulcerate and Gorguts while still maintaining a level of nasty groove. Their debut from 2022 entitled Scar Echoes was an attention-demanding slab of dissonant death metal goodness and the sophomore follow-up is shaping up to perhaps be even better. Also, they are a Transcending Obscurity act and currently both albums are a whopping $1. So yes, even in this economy, I will always have your back.
