FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: Oct. 9th, 2020 Feat. Coastlands, Yatra, Legendarium, Slow Draw, & Dangerous Times for the Dead

On (most) Fridays, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s crumbling gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. Today is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be--and have been--listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so! 

On the docket for today, Oct. 9th, 2020:
 Coastlands, Yatra, Legendarium, Slow Draw & Dangerous Times for the Dead

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Coastlands - Death
(Translation Loss Records) 

​The common concern with instrumental music is that an album will inevitably run out of things to say, and thus become... boring. That certainly isn't the case with the latest from Coastlands, an impressive post-metal/post-hardcore outfit from Portland OR. Death is a welcoming yet harrowing ride--similar, in ways, to Insect Ark's album from early this year, albeit a little more varied in the atmosphere department. In that sense, the constant shifting approach of Russian Circles might be a more apt comparison.. This is music designed to envelope the audience and carry them away on the emotive and sonic current, and it does so with apparent ease. If you're looking for an immersive album, this week's offering doesn't get better than Death.

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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Yatra - All Is Lost
(Grimoire Records)

Yatra is, dear readers, as Yatra 
does. For those of you not in the know, Yatra does good doom at a rate that is becoming a tad alarming--indeed, this is their second full-length of the year. This crew is characterized by an utterly sasquatchian tone and a penchant for throat-mangling vocal delivery, and All Is Lost is another feather in their increasingly flamboyant cap. That said, I do take minor issue with the monotony--by the back half, I found myself wishing for a little additional intrigue to shake things up. The established formula works well, but sometimes formulas become traps, and I'm excited to see Yatra branch outward and upward with their next release (which should be out in a couple months, assuming they keep up at the same impressive rate.)

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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Legendarium - ​Reign in Repose
(Independently Released)

Legendarium plays good ol' heavy metal with a healthy tinge of jubilant punky bounce--i.e. exactly what the doctor ordered after a long week. Reign in Repose is a highly melodic affair, with an emphasis on fun riffage, triumphant solos, and narrative cohesion. Check out album opener "Breaking the Seal" for a prime example of what these guys can do.
While this is definitely their strongest showing yet, Legendarium is still a lil' rough around the edges. As an aestheitc on it's own, the rawness works. However, the reedy vocals likely won't be for everyone--they don't always meld with the instrumentation, which contributes both to the punky vibe and a general sense of weightlessness. However, Reign in Repose is a massive step forward.

Find it on bandcamp here!

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Slow Draw - Quiet Joy
(Independently Released)

The (virtual) liner notes for Quiet Joy indicate that this latest EP from one-man ambient drone project Slow Draw is "for those looking for some head-space to help clear your mind." I'll be damned if that's a far better (and more succinct!) description than I could ever give. As I've written before, Slow Draw nails that perfect balance of spareness and subtle intrigue--and perhaps here moreso than ever before. There is a simply delightful simplicity at play. And yet, while there is ample time and space for the mind to wander across the expanse of these four tracks, there is also inevitably some small detail or effect that serves to ground each respective song. If you're looking to de-clutter your thoughts, I can frankly think of no better soundtrack. 

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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BONUS TRACK RELEASE!
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And lastly, if you're in the mood on this fine Friday for some capital-M Metal, Dangerous Times For The Dead have ye covered with their boisterous  and fun-lovin' self-titled single. Exuding a spirit reminiscent of, well, basically any of your favorite 80's personalities, it's not a particularly inventive track, but clearly isn't aiming for lofty heights so much as providing a rollickin' good time. I mean, look at that glorious cover art. Dangerous Times For The Dead is a potent metal brew with a hooky-ass chorus, some delicious axemanship, and a full-throttle Danzig-esque  momentum that just won't quite. In other words: absolutely worth your while as you careen into the weekend.

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Check it out here!

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