Written by: The Administrator
When presented with a new release from British Columbia's MEGAFAUNA, there are few guarantees. Sonically, thematically, emotionally, a whole lot is variable by design. A true sense of experimentation permeates the project, and beyond aesthetic clues surrounding the visuals, you're never entirely sure what you're going to get. However! If there is one unifying factor of every MEGAFAUNA release, it is the immutable and established fact that I love them all very much. There's a standard of high quality maintained across the discography, whether it lurks within the dread and anxiety of Venator, or the layered and dynamic I Owe This Land a Body, or the haunted funhouse dance party vibe of the "Ghoulish Haunt" single, or the slowburningly ominous Nosferatu soundtrack. I could go on. In any case, I walk away from a listening session feeling like the music has made made a genuine impact on an emotional level. In short, MEGAFAUNA has been doing intriguing things since inception, and I have very much enjoyed the project's eclectic output. And, needless to say, I'm always ready and excited to check out new stuff from the MEGAFAUNA camp when the opportunity arises. This heavily redacted latest EP, the four track cnʁʁԍuϝ λԍɑʁ ɑʁმnwԍuϝ, will be officially released tomorrow, April 20th. We're pleased to premiere it here a day early for your listening pleasure and/or discomfort. Give it a listen below, and, as always, we'll meet you on the other side!
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Written by: The Administrator
If this all looks very familiar, it's because it is. About a month ago, we slumbering scribes premiered the title track and lead single to Hellscape, the forthcoming third and (presumably?) final Through Mists album of 2024. Today, we're back with the whole damn thing. In said premiere, I said the track "wouldn't go amiss as a soundtrack looping through the busted speakers of a funhouse deep in the bowels of Tartarus," and closed by stating that "I can only imagine that demons frolic to music like this." As it turns out, this description also applies to the album at large. This is an abrasive yet exciting ride, chock full o' weird noises and oddities. Hellscape is hellishly fun, but is also a supremely weird and disconcerting listen. Which, in a sense, makes it even more fun. If you are aware of the Through Mists playbook, you have an inkling of what to expect. If this is your first exposure, prepare thyself accordingly. In that spirit: Hellscape will be released on Dec. 6th, but you can listen to in full a day early. Get a head start on that release day listening marathon below! As always, we'll catch you on the other side. 
Written by: The Administrator
Here at ye olde Sleeping Village, we like to talk about Negative Bliss. Of the four tracks contained within the cathartic confines of their forthcoming debut EP, I've publicly discussed three: "The Good Life" was premiered, "Sun Stain"reviewed, and "The Lighthouse" got a little micro-review over on Twitter. If it's not apparent that I thoroughly enjoy what these genre-blending dads are doing, hopefully this writeup serve as yet another nail in the coffin that represents my desire to have Negative Bliss heard by as many people as possible. For the unfamiliar, Negative Bliss sit somewhere at the moody dynamic intersection of post-metal, hardcore, doom, and sludge. The sonic spectrum is quite expansive, and thus it is almost more useful to talk about the band in terms of their sheer emotional weight. This is profoundly emotive stuff, basking in gloomy somber grief, hazy melancholy, coiled frustration, and the eventual calm that dwells at the heart of acceptance. Everything Hurts and I'm Dying is thematically centered around the assorted coping mechanisms one develops to deal with life's inevitable traumas, be it grief, loss, entropy, or disillusionment. Hell, the title alone should serve as clear indication that we're openly dealing with some real-life shit here. Negative Bliss have carved themselves a corner that feels profoundly relatable. There's a certain comfort that comes from witnessing others dealing with the same old bullshit. Hearing these guys find a creative outlet through which to process trauma provides me with a vicarious sense of fulfillment. We slumbering scribes are honored to premiere Everything Hurts and I'm Dying here today, a couple of days prior to the Nov. 1st release date! But before I scare you away with ceaseless blathering, please check out the Ampwall embed below. We'll meet you on the other side! 
Written by: The Administrator
We slumbering scribes are honored to premiere here today a sonically eclectic charity compilation benefiting a Gazan family. In the words of Basil Elzeenaty: "amidst the chaos, we yearn for a helping hand to provide sustenance, essential medical aid, and the means to secure shelter." Purchasing Love Songs is a direct way to provide assistance. This 11 track compilation was compiled and curated by Ben Serna-Grey of Mother Anxiety, and is currently available for pre-order on bandcamp for an exceptionally fair $1. It will be released in full tomorrow, July 26th, but if the meantime you can listen to it in full below! We'll talk more about the music itself shortly, but first, let's talk about the cause itself. Whereas many charity projects I've encountered are vague when it comes to where exactly the money goes, 100% of the funds raised go towards supporting Dr. Basil's campaign through Operation Olive Branch to help safely evacuate his family (parents, 4 sisters, and 2 brothers) from Gaza. More info about the campaign can be found via Gofundme--I encourage you to read Basil's story in full. At the time of writing, €36,603 has been raised of €55,000 goal, and if this compilation can narrow that gap by any amount, it has been a worthwhile endeavor. In the midst of genocide it is far too easy to lose sense of the victims on an individual basis, and understanding the impact of the charity on a personal level reinforces the importance of fundraising. Supporting directly and/or purchasing the compilation is a very concrete and tangible way to assist Gazans in dire need of security and basic human amenities. Additionally, Ben will generously send a free Mother Anxiety patch and some stickers (while supplies last) to anyone who donates at least $5 to any Operation Olive Branch campaign and shows proof. Without further ado: listen to Love Songs below! As always, we'll meet ye on the other side. 
Written by: The Administrator
Much has been said 'round these parts about the prolificity of Through Mists, so much so that I'm using the word "prolificity." I won't belabor that particular point. In short, one never needs to wait long for the one-man extreme metal band to drop another release, and this latest, Branches, follows up April's Prolific EP, which I enjoyed quite a bit. Needless to say, we're excited to premiere Branches here today prior to its official release tomorrow, July 12th. Branches consists of five tracks built on the shoulders of Through Mists' trademark blend of blistering and progressive death/black/sludge metal. While instantly recognizable from a sonic perspective, this latest outing notably leans into more melodic and technical flourishes, lending a sense of individuality from track to track. This is a quality that only continues to blossom across the discography at large, and at this stage in the game, I feel like the balance struck results in some of the most engaging and interesting Through Mists tracks to date. As always, we slumbering scribes invite ye to listen below! We'll be waiting on the other side of the virtual fold. 
Written by: The Administrator
A quick stroll through the archives will indicate that we slumbering and ink-splattered scribes are no strangers to hosting a good ol' Through Mists premiere. Back in 2022 we dropped a couple if 'em back-to-back, writing about the both the overtly referential "Awaken The Sleeping Village" and the epic bird-centric concept album "Mindless Automations." Since then, Through Mists has proven prolific to an intimidating degree, releasing a frankly astounding six(!) albums in 2023. Of these, I was a particular fan of Starkiller, which embraced an aggressive yet proggy sonic palette and a distinctly mythical lyrical direction. Perhaps the best album from the project to date, in my opinion. Time moves on, and the Through Mists machine churns ever onward, albeit with a slightly longer timeframe separating the old and new material. And so here we are, with a new Through Mists release on the cusp of official droppage. The appropriately entitled Prolific--a four track EP--will be available tomorrow, April 25th. In the hours preceding, we are honored to host a premiere of the EP in full here in our less-than hallowed halls. Give it a listen below! As always, we'll meet ye on the other side to discuss. 
Written by: The Administrator
Those of you with an uncanny memory may recall that, towards the end of my recent review of Megafauna's eerie and excellent Venator, I made mention of a premiere. Here we are, folks. Venator will officially be released this Friday, April 19th, via Syrup Moose Records, but if you're unwilling to wait, we invite you to listen to it in full below. Of course, some preparation is called for If you're invested in full experience, I highly recommend hiking into the deepest darkest forest you can reasonably find. Walk until you find a dilapidated shack, or perhaps a large pile of bones that look suspiciously familiar. Set up camp. Wait for dark, and then wait for your flashlight battery to die. Make peace with the fact that there is almost certainly something in the woods, and i̵̲̾͑̏t̷̜̝̳̏ ̸̼͝i̴͉̥̲̗͋̊s̵̨̬̹͙͓͕̿̈̉̔̌͠ ̵̡̭̜̩͌̈́̽͛̌̚ͅͅw̶̧̹̮̯̌̈ą̴̹̼̮̼̖́̆̑͆̓͝t̵̨̨͇̺̂̇̇̅͆̋͜͠c̶̢̧̻̞̈́̓͝ḥ̶̢͐̉̄̓̓̋i̷̦͈̠̎̇̊͂̔͠n̵̼͛g̴̨̮͉̲̠͆. Check out Venator below, and, as always, we'll meet you on the other side. Much to the chagrin of pretty much everyone, I'm not done waxing poetic just yet. 
Written by: The Administrator
No doubt about it: Through Mists' rampant release schedule has reached a new rate of impressive. Indeed, our eagle-eyed readers will note that our latest track premiere, published a few weeks back, was...also a Through Mists release, the slumber-obliterating "Awaken the Sleeping Village." This newest album, Mindless Automations, offers a conceptual tragic narrative with the trademark progressive inclinations and sharp bite we've only come to expect. The story follows a worse-for-wear protagonist who, after having been driven from his flock, consistently endures vicious attacks. As a lover of A. creative concept albums, B. kickass underground music, and C. bird violence, this album certainly grabbed my attention. I hope it similarly grabs you. Without further ado, then: check out Mindless Automations in full below! It is officially available now, so if you like what you hear, check it out and grab yerself a copy. As always, we'll meet ye on the other side to discuss (and, of course, wipe up the blood. 
In what must come as a bit of a shock, I enjoy (and indeed seek out) music that feels fresh, and unusual, and patently weird. Given this proclivity, a premiere request from Euphoriadic Studios hitting the inbox inevitably bodes well. I'm comfortable stating that today's artist in question offers a potent blend wholly unlike anything I've ever heard before, and that alone is enough to get the ol' heart a-pounding. Listening to a bat eating her wings by New Jersey's own short term memory loss is a jarring and electrifying experience. Needless to say, we are excited and honored to present said experience to our unexpecting readership.
But. Before I vomit forth a grotesque collection of adjectives and scare you all away, please give a bat eating her wings a well-deserved listen below. As always, we'll meet ye on the other side! |
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