FRESH MEAT FRIDAY - March 19th, 2021, Feat. Clouds Taste Satanic, Seraph In Travail, Egor Lappo, and The Noctambulant

On (increasingly frequent!) Fridays, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s crumbling gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance. Today is the day we must offload all this week's new and noteworthy 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 listening to today at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so! 

​On the docket for today, March 19th, 2021:
Clouds Taste Satanic, Seraph In Travail, Egor Lappo, and The Noctambulant

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Clouds Taste Satanic - Cloud Covered
​(​Independently Released)

The world's singlemost prolific (and consistently good!) instrumental post-doomsters are back in business after a remarkably short break--if ye recall, their singles series dropped, like, um, a month ago. On Cloud Covered, Clouds Taste Satanic deliver ten potent covers of tracks that have had a distinct influence on their craft. This, notably, does not disqualify bands and songs outside of the arena of doom and gloom. As such, tracks by unexpected acts such as Elton John, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Flaming Lips, and Cheap Trick make appearances. By virtue of their intrinsic riff-centric sound, these covers are significantly heftier than the originals, but even with a lack of vocals their spirit shines through across the board. A masterclass in how to deliver a cover album that simultaneously pays homage and feel like a fresh endeavor. If you like these guys--or stoner/doom in general--don't pass this one up.

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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Seraph In Travail -​ A Black Death Incense
​(​Independently Released)

​If we're being honest, symphonic blackened death metal is not typically a genre into which we slumbering scribes venture. However, in the midst of extremity, one occasionally craves a lil' melodic effervescence. If you're looking to sample, "Dead Scream Kill" serves as a prime example of what this outfit can do when they are firing on all cylinders. There's a blackened bite, a gothic atmosphere, some death-laden aggression, and, above it all,  a fun-loving sense of melodicism.

Plagued by less than vibrant production, however, the symphonic elements on this album lack the spit and polish (and hence the epic quality) that one might expect. Bottom line? Seraph In Travail could use a little  refinement, but if you're in the mood for some death with a bit o' flair, A Black Death Incense is a solid choice.

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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​Egor Lappo - Transvoicer
​​(Independently Released)

You know what our good ol' Fresh Meat Friday has been missing over the
course of the past year or so? Something proggy.
Hence, it's time to break out the big guns: a cosmic progressive metal album. Enter Egor Lappo's third full length. 

​Unabashedly wearing rock opera influences on its sleeve, Trancevoicer is a saga that nominally sounds like Ghost by way of Rush by way of Devin Townsend. I'm frankly inclined to agree. Epic narrative and composition, pop-informed choruses, extensive guitar solos, and the general glow of the astral backdrop await. All the while, the songwriting thrives on bright synths and cheery vocal hooks. If you're the type to throw on a pair of headphones, kick back, and sink into to an expansive story, Transvoicer will undoubtedly sit quite well.

Find it on bandcamp here!

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​The Noctumbulant - Hellrazor
​(Independently Released)

Here's a fun formula for your careful and well-tempered consideration: melodic black metal fury + black n' roll attitude. Y'know, the good stuff. On their latest, Jacksonville's 
The Noctumbulant deliver a vicious-yet-delightful romp. The title track in particular, is one helluva ride through blackened hook-laden environs, with a earwormy chorus and a wonderful sense of forward momentum. As crudely sharp as a serrated knife wrapped in barbed wire, this crew knows how to write an engaging tune. Various interludes and intros break up the constant onslaught, resulting in a tidy little package that can easily be thrown on repeat.

​Final verdict? Hellrazor ​is most certainly worth yer while! I eagerly await a full album of this stuff.

Find it on bandcamp here!

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