“I really think guys only need two pairs of shoes. A nice pair of black shoes and a pair of Chuck Taylors.”

‘Sup stinkers? It’s time for another Tag Dive! It’s the more-or-less weekly column where I, the ever-incredible Reliquary Tower, shovel through the depths of Bandcamp in much the same way as one might a dumpster, except I’m not looking for a beautiful set of China plates that just needs to be glued back together. I’m looking for bangers. Last week they were bountiful, so today is shoegaze part 2. I’m guessing you’ll have probably heard of at least a couple of today’s bands, but maybe you haven’t heard these particular tracks!

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Holy Fawn – DEATH SPELLS

When I went to see Deafheaven the first time, I had never heard of Holy Fawn. I stood there, right in front of the stage, and watched the band set up, no ideas or expectations for how they would sound. What I saw and heard absolutely blew my mind. The tremolo-picked, ethereal guitars piqued my interest and I was shortly thereafter BLASTED with so much sound that when the bass and second guitar cut out again, I felt myself inadvertently lurch forwards about two inches. It was like a chain was attached to my sternum and someone yanked it. That experience alone would be enough to cement “Dark Stone” as my favorite Holy Fawn song, but there is, of course, the fact that it rules. The ethereal guitars contrasted with the pounding distortion at the beginning, the haunting lyrics, and Ryan’s absolute banshee screams at the end are all fantastic. I’m very excited for whenever I get to see them live again.

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Alcest – Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde

Last year’s Les Chants de ’Aurore was one of my top 10 albums (though in retrospect, I think I’d swap where I put that one and where I put the new Blood Incantation), and still one I listen to regularly. But Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde —and I’d have to listen to it and Les Chants back to back—might still be my favorite Alcest record. There’s something about it that’s always felt a little eerie and mysterious to me. I like that feeling. If you haven’t made it back this far in Alcest’s catalogue, you’re missing out. It’s very much worth 41 minutes of your time, and if you’re new to the band, it’s a pretty good jumping in point.

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Marunata – Réminiscence

More sad lad French stuff! This one feels a little more post-y than the rest of today’s tracks. There are times where this album feels a little dungeon synthy, which is always a welcome flavor for me, and I promise I’m not just saying that because the album cover reminds me of Enchantment of the Ring. Something about this record feels sort of autumnal to me, so I’m excited for the chance to take a walk sometime in the upcoming fall and listen to it again (and probably the rest of Marunata’s discography).

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And thus concludes this week’s offerings! I’ll see you little pisspots next week with another tray of tidbits!