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White Ward (experimental/post-black from Ukraine. FFO: if modern Ulver would make old fashioned Ulver)
These guys were always special. Itās not just adding a saxophone to their wildly creative black metal - that would be relatively easy, I guess. They manage to make it sound natural, not like an add-on. Like you couldnāt really imagine what they would sound like without the sax, or the plucky bass. This is not jazzy black metal or atmospheric black with jazz elements, itās totally itās own thing. Of course knowing that they are releasing this new, incredible opus while living in the middle of war-torn Odessa makes their story even more urgent and intense: if ever a group had a reason to make life-affirming musicā¦
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Krallice (avant-garde black from the USA. FFO: Liturgy, Yellow Eyes, Thantifaxath)
Someone told me this week that itās just too hard to keep up with Krallice. Their music is challenging and difficult to wrap your head around, and with the pace they release albums it can feel like homework. Well. It actually does at times. But itās also pure wealth to get so much from a band that can do so much and is always interesting and worth all that time and effort. Iām extra happy this time, because the new record comes from the Krallice corner I love most: thick synths, very melodic, totally compelling.
Thereās always something coming out right after I sent the newsletter. Last week it was a new Tomb Mold demo. And Iām sorry but if just the name Tomb Mold isnāt enough to do something to your spine and joints, you are obliged to listen to it. Itās not long, but itās good.