Some cool records from 2024, in no particular order.
Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
What was previewed on 2022’s Timewave Zero – Blood Incantation’s foray into immersive synths and ambience – has been fully realized and integrated with death metal on Absolute Elsewhere. The transitions from metal into atmospheric interludes that hearken back to 1970s prog rock are not only seamless, but essential to the songs. The two tracks, divided into three parts each, never meander into indulgence. Instead, the synths pull us into an almost new-age exploration of humanity and the cosmos.
Buñuel – Mansuetude
Mansuetude, meaning gentleness, is an interesting choice of title for this record. The easiest descriptor to use is the well-worn noise rock, but this record is its own animal, at times buttery smooth and at others like pavement removing skin. Eugene S. Robinson’s lyrics and vocal delivery are their own instrument, feeding into the dissonant, angular guitar and bass. Foreboding, oppressive, and multifaceted, this one’s sure to appeal to fans of Eugene’s former band, Oxbow, as well as The Jesus Lizard.
Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose
Crypt Sermon follow up their excellent 2019 release The Ruins of Fading Light with an even more polished work, The Stygian Rose. Theatrical, epic, doomy, anthemic – it has all of these traits in spades and is just a fun listen all the way through.
Harvestman – Triptych
Steve Von Till’s creative productivity continued into 2024 with a three part release under his Harvestman moniker, the individual volumes of which were respectively released on the dates of the Pink, Buck, and Hunter Moons. A thoroughly psychedelic tribute to the primal and mystical qualities of nature and its significance to old world cultures, these explorations fit perfectly with the rest of the Harvestman catalog and feature contributions from Al Cisneros, The Bug, Dave French, and others.
Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja
Oranssi Pazuzu’s latest is loaded with serpentine groove and off-kilter menace, corralling the listener into corners dark and otherworldly. There’s a bit more accessibility here relative to earlier releases; this time around the tracks are infused with a more electronic approach, some shimmering piano, and readily-graspable beats. But the psychedelic, black-metal inspired sound they are known for remains intact. And in the end, what we get is atmosphere; that unseen push into formless voids and dimensions beyond description.
Melvins – Tarantula Heart
According to the band, Tarantula Heart is their most unconventionally created album, being the result of some jam session output rearranged and assembled into finished songs. Opener Pain Equals Funny, clocking in at over 19 minutes, comes in with a somewhat classic pop/rock feel until the five minute mark, where it jogs into a more traditional Melvins riff that would sound at home on 1999’s The Maggot, and then later morphs into an atmospheric interlude that winds its way back into a heavy rock riff that closes out the song. The remaining tracks each stick to their own style, some heavier and others light and bouncy. The album features additional drummer Roy Mayorga, and is another quality release from the Melvins.
God Bullies – As Above So Below
Midwest noise rock veterans God Bullies (now consisting mostly of members of the band Thrall) have put forth a mighty opus entitled As Above So Below that explores themes of wayward subcultures and human self-destruction. This fits perfectly alongside classic AmRep noise rock records – though this time released on Reptilian Records. The grooves are big and filthy, with hooks that feel more like right hooks. Check it out.
Gigan – Anomolous Abstractigate Infinitessimus
Gigan emerged to release Anomolous Abstractigate Infinitessimus, their first album since 2017. This is a Gigan album in every sense – long song titles steeped in references to deep space and mystical phenomena, and the music exhibiting that barely-contained-chaos level of insane riffage and drumming.
High on Fire – Cometh the Storm
High on Fire’s first full length record since 2018 is a banger.
Fu Manchu – The Return of Tomorrow
San Clemente’s foursome always delivers the goods when it comes to heavy riffs and memorable songs about sci-fi, cars, skateboarding, and other bits of high-energy culture. I wrote earlier about their latest album.