Showing posts with label atmospheric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atmospheric. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

March album of the month Dynfari's 'Vegferð tímans'

O black metal atmosférico está cada vez mais forte e o novíssimo álbum dos Islandeses Dynfari chamado ‘Vegferð tímans’ (diretamente traduzido para “Viagem temporal”) vem confirmar isso mesmo. Os Nórdicos são sábios experientes quando se trata de melodias obscuras. É algo que lhes está nas veias, como se tivessem um gene hereditariamente preparado para este tipo de música melancólica e fria. A verdade é que o clima dominado maioritariamente por chuvas, ventos e pela formação de gelo obriga a uma adaptação mais rigorosa do Homem. Se essa adaptação não modifica a nossa maneira de ser, então algo de muito errado se passa. É apenas normal que um ambiente assim, em junção com as paisagens montanhosas, florestais e de campos de areias, seja propício a um sentimento de união com a natureza e a um estado de alma melancólico.

A ideia de “viagem temporal” é aquela à qual comumente chamamos morte. Este é o tema do álbum - o fim de um ciclo, a inevitabilidade da morte e a escuridão final. O que torna este trabalho tão mágico é o fato da viagem, que nos envolve ao longo dos 56 minutos, poder ser lida de várias maneiras. E como tal, eu tirei o meu próprio significado. O início leva-nos numa jornada que celebra a vida, mas que exalta a irreversibilidade da morte (primeiras quatro faixas). O meio é a queda, ou seja, a morte em si e o momento em que o ciclo da vida se encerra (quinta faixa). O fim é a viagem da alma, desde que sai do corpo, até à escuridão (últimas três faixas). No entanto, fiz outra leitura deste magnífico trabalho. Uma vez que os Dynfari são uma força fortemente influenciada pelo misticismo das florestas, pude relacionar a “viagem temporal” com a união do Homem à natureza.

Para melhorar, o tema do álbum está num perfeito casamento com as paisagens sonoras criadas pelos músicos brilhantes que compõem a banda. Todos os elementos do som estão interligados não podendo ser dissociados uns dos outros. Por exemplo: as melodias estão em harmonia com o tema; as atmosferas exaltam a celebração da vida e o luto da morte de forma detalhada; tal como o ciclo da vida, o álbum deve ser encarado como um ciclo com início e fim, portanto deve ser ouvido como um todo e não só pelas partes que o formam.

No fundo, por detrás do tema principal, há todo um conceito de unificação e como tal não nos podemos limitar ao que ouvimos pela primeira vez. Este é daqueles “petardos” que à medida que o vamos ouvindo descobrimos mais detalhes que o tornam fantástico. À primeira vista pode parecer um trabalho simples de black metal atmosférico, mas assim não é. A complexidade da mistura do black metal com atmosferas melancólicas e assombrosas é bem presente. A dificuldade reside em recriar a energia diabólica do black metal sem o estragar com melodias enfadonhas e ao mesmo tempo não deixar o elemento da beleza atmosférica desvanecer nessa energia negra do black metal. Por isso este tipo de música extrema torna-se uma faca de dois gumes, na qual facilmente nos cortamos. Mas os Dynfari manejam muito bem esta faca e criaram o equilíbrio ideal entre os dois géneros.

A fusão está bem conseguida, a qualidade do som não podia ser melhor, a produção está cinco estrelas, o conceito é brutal, as batidas estão muito fortes, cheias de espírito e paixão. Ou seja, não há comentários construtivos, muito menos negativos, em relação ao álbum. É sem dúvida um dos meus preferidos do black metal atmosférico de 2015. E a meu ver, está muito perto da perfeição. Álbum do mês de Março, sem dúvida!


One melee with the words, ideas and its paradoxes... albuns that are news, the reviews at "HeavyHardMetalmania.net", always with its watermark,  Pedro Ribeiro, with love for beer... sorry, music from an early age, he studied piano and singing from 7 to 14 years,  then, devoted himself to the study of the guitar for 5 years. "The wisdom is found in the extremes, all extreme Metal here!"


Dynfari
1.Ljósid 03:10
2.Oreida 05:10
3.Sandkorn (í stundaglasi tímans) 05:13
4.Hafsjór 08:03
5.Fall Hinna XCII og 2,57885161 01:01
6.Vegferd I - Ab Terra 12:19
7.Vegferd II - Ad Astra 11:22
8.Vegferd III - Myrkrid 09:27

Friday, February 13, 2015

Selvans' 'Clangore Plenilunio' EP

I would like to start with paying my homage to Jonny, Selvans drummer, who tragically died the June last year in a motor bike accident. Today is the release of the black metallers Selvans’ debut EP entitled ‘Clangores Plenilunio’ and a turning page moment for the band.

Selvans is a black metal entity hailing from the lands of Italy. When listening to these dark metallers one can easily capture a different sonority. You can count on good Folkloristic black metal with an atmospheric feeling to it brought by the keys. The band was born following the demise of Draugr and aims to praise Italic lands essence, through the recreation of the cults and the folklore of various ethnic groups that have dwelt in Italy from age to age – “Ancestral Italic melodies meld with atmospheric, sinistre and evocative metal tunes to create a hymn to that ancient spirituality”.

The line-up on ‘Clangores Plenilunio’ includes Selvans Haruspex on vocals, keyboars and traditional instruments, Sethlans Fulguriator on guitar and Draugr co-founders Stolas on bass and Jonny on drums. The Ep marks the last ever appearance of Jonny, who recorded all drum tracks and most of the vocals before his death, and in whose honour the EP is being released.

‘Clangores Plenilunio’ brings the feeling of the good 90’s Norwegian black metal but with a theatrical touch. Is hard to find resemblances when you listen to the band’s work and that’s maybe because of the unique soundscapes. The band quotes: “For all those who miss the dramatic, theatrical passages of Arcturus’ ‘La masquerade infernale’. Italy folklore is well represented by the music of the EP and the atmosphere embraces you and takes you through the beutiful lands of the country and its ancient spirituality. There are many particularities throughout the 5 track work. Ranging from Asian folk, Italian folk, profound atmospheres, tremolo picking and blast beats to well constructed symphonies you will find a vast and sinister EP.

If you’re looking for a complex concept of black metal based on ancient traditions I highly reccomend ‘Clangore Plenilunio’ EP. This is also a good piece for those who like black metal in general and folk metal. Check out the mystics’ Selvans and Rock on \m/.

One melee with the words, ideas and its paradoxes... albuns that are news, the reviews at "HeavyHardMetalmania.net", always with its watermark,  Pedro Ribeiro, with love for beer... sorry, music from an early age, he studied piano and singing from 7 to 14 years,  then, devoted himself to the study of the guitar for 5 years. "The wisdom is found in the extremes, all extreme Metal here!"


Tracklist:

01 - Lupercale
02 - Clangores Plenilunio
03 - Prologue
04 - ... In The Woods
05 - Epilogue






Thursday, February 12, 2015

Projekt NӦIR's 'Ský'


Hails my friendly bastards! I´m sitting in my sofa with my Laptop and my headphones. I’ve drank my hot coffee, so I´m warm, concentrated and ready to assault these lines. What better feeling than listening to ice-cold melodies on a brumous day? I could not hope for better weather, nor better music. Post black metal and hot coffee, my newest combo!

I bring you the latest project of Mário Rodrigues, the portuguese metalhead from the band Karbonsoul and owner of Fatsound.Productions. ‘Ský’ is the name of Projekt Nӧir’s debut EP, singed with Icelandic words by the voice of Jóhann Ӧrn (vocalist of the band Dynfari) and with José Gonçalves playing drums (Empire). The project was born in the midst of 2014’s fall when 4 inspirational tracks rampaged out from the dusk.

The cosily melancholic sounds couldn´t represent the darkest feelings in better fashion. That was the main idea from the start. Mario wanted to explore darker and colder atmospheres with obscure textures and enlightened melodies and he nailed it…

If you know the portuguese metal scene, you know that we aren’t masters of black metal and we aren’t also used to explore atmospherical metal. Our country doesn’t offer the cold and dark environment like the northern countrys and our traditions and habits, when it comes to music, are also very different. Places like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland are normaly those that come to mind when talking about black metal or atmospherical metal. But that’s changing. Nowadays there isn’t a particular place for the birth of metal and Projekt Nӧir is the perfect example. 

With the help of Jóhann, Mário was able to brings us the most remote and dangerous soundscapes. The portuguese guitarist managed to create an ambiance that’s difficult to engineer even for those who are used to it. The combination of the harsh and demonic voice of Jóhann with the tremolo picking, nature sounds, the zen-like meditational flourish and all the other nuances, provides a feeling of vastness and sorrow to the listener.

I think that Mário has done a great job. His skills not only as a musician, but also as a producer made this EP even stronger. Of course without the awesome voice of Dynfari’s singer the project would be incomplete. The icelandic lyrics are a gain. He went a step further and achieved his goal – "The world is darker... but the sky is brighter"

Officialy released on the next 14th, in mp3 format for you to listen and enjoy!

R.I.P and Rock on \m/


One melee with the words, ideas and its paradoxes... albuns that are news, the reviews at "HeavyHardMetalmania.net", always with its watermark,  Pedro Ribeiro, with love for beer... sorry, music from an early age, he studied piano and singing from 7 to 14 years,  then, devoted himself to the study of the guitar for 5 years. "The wisdom is found in the extremes, all extreme Metal here!"



Tracklist:

01 - Ský
02 - Sjálfsmynd dauõleikans
03 - Í regni elds og brennisteins
04 - Á vit tilgangs





Friday, January 16, 2015

Code's masterpiece - 'MUT'

What about a travel through an inert timeline? I don’t often get the ephemeral sensation that life evokes, but when I do I hide in “music’s cozy womb”. There are a few “pearls” from time to stopping the clock, transforming your thoughts, releasing your mind from all the craps and giving life to a meaningful contemplation of the void. That’s a unique feeling right there – the permanence with your own being and the consciousness of music as a vehicle carrying us into the depths of total darkness. Those “pearls”, those sweet, addictive and endless “pearls” are the monumental tracks of Code’s latest album ‘MUT’.

There’s much to say about Code but above all their music “speaks” for itself. It’s extremely difficult to faithfully express a musical masterpiece in words, especially when a great variety of feelings assault you but it’s precisely therein that lies the rewarding experience of listening and reviewing such a bloodcurdling piece.

With a complex and an extensive sonority ranging from an epic ‘Tool’-like surreal voyage to a ‘Opeth’-like hallucinogenic progressiveness, ‘MUT’ represents the band’s dynamism in an unique way. However don’t expect to hear marked influences… Code made it with no reference points. You can only count with a free from conventions and limitations work that’s ambitious, intimate and emotional.

This blend of introspective soundscapes contemplating bitter melodies and chaotic deconstructed structures shows the group’s dexterity when it comes to the composition of beautiful yet frightening tunes.

If you expect something really strong with powerful riffs, fast drumming and deep harsh vocals you can stop right there and go back to your usual daily genre. There’s almost nothing about metal in Code’s ‘MUT’. It is, in exchange, all about atmosphere and the cosiness of gloomy noises… and no better way to deal with it except an avantgarde and experimental style like the prog post rock.

Demonstrating their hugeness with forces such as ‘undertone’, a calm but rich song, ‘affliction’, a much more tenebrous tune and ‘numb, an author’, a catchy and potent beat, the quintet exceeded their foundations and created a work that any good music lover should have.

'MUT' was recorded in the famed Brighton Electric Studios (The Cure, Foals, Nick Cave, Royal Blood) with the engineer and producer Paul 'Win' Winstanley. Artwork and layout by Austrian designer Thomas Neulinger. Street date - 27/02/2015


One melee with the words, ideas and its paradoxes... albuns that are news, the reviews at "HeavyHardMetalmania.net", always with its watermark,  Pedro Ribeiro, with love for beer... sorry, music from an early age, he studied piano and singing from 7 to 14 years,  then, devoted himself to the study of the guitar for 5 years. "The wisdom is found in the extremes, all extreme Metal here!"


01 - on blinding larks (3:22)
02 - undertone (3:38)
03 - dialogue (5:24)
04 - affliction (3:26)
05 - contours (4:17)
06 - inland sea (4:13)
07 - cocoon (3:24)
08 - numb, an author (3:26)
09 - the bloom in the beast (4:36)

Aort - Guitars
Andras - Guitars
LORDt - Drums
Syhr - Bass
Waian - Vocals