New Spins: 18th January 2021

Welcome to my first new spins of 2021, a quick run through of three newer records I've been enjoying recently. This week we cover sludge, drone and black metal all with some unique twists to them.

Alexander - I

I actually missed this one when it came out in October last year, and it seems I am not alone as I can't remember it appearing on any end of year lists I read. It's surprising considering how intriguing this drone album is. Featuring Kyle McDonald from Zaum, one of the best bands to combine heavy sounds with thematic middle-eastern music, this is a drone metal album that in many places doesn't really sound like one. I is 35 minutes long split into two tracks, and combines Earth style minimalist guitar drones, dark spacey electronics, cavernous black metal vocals and hypnotic jazz percussion. There is an incredible otherworldly ambience to this album, with the elements all finding space to thrive on their own and affect one another in quite a confrontational way. As much as this record is hypnotic in places it is also very disconcerting, and it makes for a truly fascinating listen.

Find it on Bandcamp here

Xathrites - Hope Is A Mental Illness

This black metal duo hail from Iraq and/or Egypt, and their particularly melodic style of DSBM often harks back to the early days of blackgaze. Having not released an album for seven years, Hope Is A Mental Illness is a stunning piece of melancholic rage that really explores the dichotomy that mental struggles often bring. The vocals on this record are quite amazing; tortured and grim, emotive and distant, passionate and despondent. There is a polished feeling to the production but it doesn't feel clinical, there is still plenty of grit to Xathrites sound. I've not always been a fan of piano and strings being so heavily incorporated in this style, but Xathrites actually do it superbly well. If like me you're not a particular fan of the direction that Deafheaven have gone in with their last album, and want something with a little less outward hatred than Xasthur, then Xathrites are definitely worth checking out with this new album.

Find it on Bandcamp here

Thou & Emma Ruth Rundle - The Helm Of Sorrow

May Our Chambers Be Full was my third favourite album of last year, and as a collaboration it took both these artists to heights they could not have achieved individually. As much as The Helm Of Sorrow is being marketed as a 'companion' EP  to the album, it seems to me that these are the songs which didn't quite make the cut for the album. That's not to say these songs aren't pretty wonderful, and after spending several weeks spinning May Our Chambers Be Full almost constantly, it is nice to have some fresh material with the same components. Their Cranberries cover is quite interesting too; thankfully they didn't choose Zombie (no-one needs another cover that takes away from the original subject matter), and hearing a chorus that was so iconic in the UK in the late 90s screamed out with throat shredding fervour is brilliantly jarring. 

Find it on Bandcamp here