New Spins: 15th March 2021

I had a lot of fun listening to and writing about all three of this week's releases. If you ever need a reminder of just how much creativity is still out there in heavy music, then these three records are the perfect listen.

Agvirre & Dead Cosmonauts - Eye Of Mirrors (split)

It's always cool when bands choose to do something unique with their splits, and this certainly does that with both bands bravely exploring new areas of their styles. With their track The Letting Go, Agvirre take their post-Deafheaven style of blackgaze into territory with even more influence from indie rock and grunge. The chord patterns fly around like the Manics on speed, the violins chime through like Los Campesinos finally started caring about Henry Rollins, and the melodies pulsate with the delicious drama of The Smiths. All of this is wrapped in a startlingly ferocious string of blast beats, tremolo chords and passionate screams, and it might be the best and most unique track Agvirre have produced so far.

Spacey post-doom band Dead Cosmonauts do something entirely different, taking on the task of transforming the end credits theme from Blade Runner into a heavy, bristling piece of psychedelic sludge. They do it with absolute aplomb, combining skilful performances with a beautifully crafted atmosphere that evokes the emotion of Vanegelis's original synth piece while turning some of the opaque melodies into riffs that are brimming with energy. It's brilliant to listen to even if you aren't familiar with the original (it's been a while since I last watched Blade Runner so I had to remind myself), and it doesn't come across in any way gimmicky or contrived.

Check out Eye Of Mirrors on Bandcamp via Do It Thissen records, with all proceeds going to Mind.

Koldovstvo - Ni Tsarya, Ni Boga

In the tradition of keeping things in black metal somewhat mysterious, the member(s?) of Koldovstvo remain completely anonymous. Their music has an element of detachment to it, feeling sonically in line with the familiar sounds of DSBM, but with some folk-esque melodies and an element of outward aggression that appears to constantly be striving to reach through the dense layers of reverb. This a record best listened to loud, where all the details and nuances in the melodies and vocals can really come forth. There is a lot to this record which is hidden behind a cloudy veil, and the closer you can get to the cloth the more you can decipher. A thoroughly engrossing record which never quite lets you in fully, but allows you to see just enough to keep you coming back.

Check out Koldovsto on Bandcamp

Pupil Slicer - Mirrors

Pupil Slicer have been around the UK underground scene for a little while, and their quick rise to prominence after signing with Prosthetic is undoubtedly deserved. Mirrors is definitely a mathcore record at it's heart, but with heavy elements from metalcore and deathcore along with a propensity for dark and disturbing tones, it becomes an extremely engaging album. The heaviness and brutality often reminds me more of bands like Ion Dissonance or Car Bomb than some of the more melodically inclined mathcore acts, although the influence of Dillinger and Converge is clearly evident too. There's also moments where Pupil Slicer find their uniqueness, particularly in some of the more atmospheric or grandiose tracks such as Wounds Upon My Skin or the semi-title track Mirrors Are More Fun Than Television. As debut albums go in this genre Mirrors is a bit of a stunner, and the heaps of praise it has ben receiving from all corners is a true recognition of that.

Check out Pupil Slicer on Bandcamp