Back to BandCamp is The Great Thurible of Darkness' weekly spotlight on indie releases.
Hallowed Hands - Hallowed Hands
(http://bluebedroomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hallowed-hands)
Anyone up for video game-themed black metal?
Hallowed Hands debut is charmingly atypical. A weirdly listenable mix of solid depressive black metal with touches of classic video game music held together by an ominous gaming theme, Hallowed Hands are one of those bands that keep you wondering if their whole shtick is just a sick joke or if they're really into this bizarre concoction they're serving you. If the whole thing is a joke, it's a good one. If not, it's still enjoyable DSBM with great riffs and a fun gimmick to keep you interested.
Recommended.
BARUS - EP
(http://ladlo.bandcamp.com/album/ep)
French death metallers BARUS deliver crunchy riffs and wonky time signatures on their debut EP, along with a few surprises. This is progressive death metal you can bob your head to, but it also has a mystical quality: the EP is littered with chanted invocations and biblical references, as well as acoustic interludes soaked in dread. There are even a few near sing-along moments evocative of Opeth, and vocalist Keithan plays crooner and growler with equal mastery. May the French ever curse us with such delightful death.
Recommended.
Battle Path - Ambedo
(https://battlepath.bandcamp.com/album/ambedo)
Tennessee's Battle Path play woodlands doom metal with atmospheric black metal frills. On Ambedo, they wander through synth-infused post-metal soundscapes with lumbering chugs, only occasionally interrupted by black metal ferocity. This is doom metal of the melancholy variety: more dedicated to building morose atmospheres than memorable riffs. And that's fine. Battle Path inject just enough aggression to keep Ambedo interesting, while still giving keyboardist Christopher Davis space and time to build haunting melodies and ominous echoes. The band also avoids the cardinal vice of atmospheric metal: lack of variety. Every track brings a new twist on the band's atmospheric doom/black formula.
Highly Recommended.
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