Category: Synthwave

10 Vampyric Black Metal Bands You Need To Hear

7/15/2022

Guest Post by: Ria Wigley

1. Old Nick
If there’s one thing that defines the microgenre of Vampyric Black Metal other than lyrics and imagery about vampires, it is flamboyant, dare I say CAMP riffs, a big focus on atmospheric synths, and absurd song titles. No band exemplifies this better than Old Nick. In fact, the 16-bit inspired keyboard sounds were almost too silly for me to really enjoy this band upon first listen, but after giving it more time I quickly grew to love it. There is an inherent silliness to the obsessive adherence to a particular aesthetic that most vampire media portray, even when it still manages to be coldly sinister and atmospheric at the same time, and Old Nick is the perfect musical representation of that. If you were hoping for second wave worship with some more gothic elements...well this isn’t that, it’s much better. Plus, who doesn’t love song titles like "Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood" or "Spooky Wicker Basket 1994 (Yes, a witch!)"

Recommended album: A New Generation of Vampiric Conspiracies

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FRESH MEAT FRIDAY - Feb. 4th, 2022, Feat. Golgothan, Titanosaur, Iōhannēs, and Krystal Swords

2/3/2022

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On (occasional) 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, Feb. 4th, 2022: Golgothan, Titanosaur, Iōhannēs, and Krystal Swords

Golgothan - Leech
(Lacerated Enemy Records)

If the promo utters the phrase "brutal death metal" and evokes the name of the almighty Aborted, there's an excellent chance I will enjoy what lurks inside. Case in point. This is a blaring and putrid affair, coated in gore and slime, yet gloriously boisterous in its presentation. The grooves are pythonian, the percussion is like unto a jackhammer, the belligerent attitude is present without feeling cringy, and the vocals are delightfully maniacal in their range. This is some seriously competent stuff--check out "Lard is My Shepard," "Gravy Train," or "Parent Organism" for particularly prime examples of what this crew can muster. I haven't heard many people hyping 'em up, which is an absolute shame--Leech is my go-to gym playlist these days, and I doubt it will leave rotation anytime soon. This is a killer album, and deserves a little time in the bandcamp day limelight.

Find it on bandcamp here!

Titanosaur - Absence of Universe
(The Swamp Records)

Here's a fact: NY's one-man outfit Titanosaur keeps getting better and better. Absence of Universe is a culmination of potential, and here, a mighty formula hath been struck with stellar results. The Titanosaur approach overtly draws from the gruffly hard-rockin' appeal of Monster Magnet, Red Fang, and Motorhead, and yet this project delivers a sense of individuality through wry self awareness, notably pounding riffage, and thick application of late cretaceous groove. Axemanship aside, the rough 'n' ready vocals are a strong suit, and if you enjoy the gravelly aesthetic, there's a whole lot to love. Absence of Universe constitutes some really impressive stuff, delivering heft and earworms in equal measure. Titanosaur will inevitably gain some new fans off the back of the mighty beast. There's nothin' subtle about it, and that's what makes it so damn enjoyable.

Find it on bandcamp here!

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10 Vampyric Black Metal Bands You Need To Hear

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY - Feb. 4th, 2022, Feat. Golgothan, Titanosaur, Iōhannēs, and Krystal Swords

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