FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: April 12th, 2024 Feat. Necrot, Corvus Corone, Heavy Temple, and Exist

On the very occasional Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s crumbling gates, stuffed to the brim with sustenance. 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 choice cuts 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! 
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On the docket for today, April 12th, 2024
Necrot, Corvus Corone, Heavy Temple, and Exist ​

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Necrot - Lifeless Birth
(Tankcrimes)

Yeah. I don't anticipate that you are expecting me to report anything to the contrary, but Necrot have this whole death metal thing down to a science. Lifeless Birth gets in and gets the job done with absolutely zero excess. In comparison to prior efforts, this is a little more melodic in the guitar department--check out "Winds of Hell" in particular. There is an added emphasis on earworms that burrow long after the tracks are over, and as an outspoken fan of catchy songwriting in the OSDM space, these are the moments that put a big grin on my face. That said, they haven't let up on the aggression in the slightest--Lifeless Birth is markedly mean. This album reads as confident and precise, and will surely sit comfortably in many a year end list. 

Find it here!

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Corvus Corone - The Finality of Winter
(Syrup Moose Records)

With a runtime stretching over the 1.5 hour mark, The Finality of Winter is a commitment unto itself. And if you have the time and enjoy drinking deep of funereal waters, the time is well spent indeed. This album is a slow burn in the absolute very best sense, and Corvus Corone demonstrates the power of calmly and sparsely developing a motif rather than piling on layers of oppressive texture. The doom elements aren't as intense or heavy as you might find in most examples of the style--this is primarily lightfooted, minimalistic, and often ambient. Airy, even, with ample cleans. I very much enjoy the use of bells throughout to enhance the somber vibe, as well as the harrowing harsh vocals. An album built for contemplation and revisitation, if e'er there was.

Find it here!

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Heavy Temple - Garden of Heathens
(Magnetic Eye Records)

On this strong follow-up to 2021's excellent Lupi Amoris, Heavy Temple present psych doom with a swirling stoner atmosphere and a comforting retro vibe. With that said, they seem to be making a deliberate effort to avoid being trapped within a specific formula--every track here varies quite significantly, with everything from doom to desert rock to even a little thrashy swagger. One does not get bored listening to Heavy Temple. I'm drawn to the quirky and atonal soloing, which often fits unexpectedly. My favorite track herein is the grand "Snake Oil and Other Remedies," but you'll want to listen to this album in full for, well, the full effect.
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Find it here!

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Exist - Hijacking the Zeitgeist
(Prosthetic Records)

I've listened to this album like five times already and I still don't have a good grasp on it. That's a good thing, and potentially a great thing. Nominally progressive technical death metal, Hijacking the Zeitgeist seems intent on proving its multifaceted aesthetic while still maintaining concise and fiery songwriting. The melodicism often feels outdone by the technicality, but that feels intentional--some tracks seem jarring by design, creating a sensation that I can best describe as off-balance. This in a complimentary sense, I hasten to add. All told, I recommend checking this one out, and will certainly be spending more time with it myself.

​Find it here!

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