NO STONES UNTURNED: 2024 Halftime Roundup (Part I)

After a much-needed vacation, I have returned with a monolithic spree of No Stones Unturned installments to talk about a handful of releases from the first six months of 2024. This is Part I of III.

Jul 15, 2024

Release date: April 19th, 2024
Genre: Black/Death Metal
Country: United States
Label: Profound Lore Records

Besieging onslaught that is much in the style of Profane Order and Revenge.

The “Vengeance of Eternal Fire” charges forth with incendiary intent, scorching the earth under their warpath black. The weapon is much refined: balanced in its innate desire for bombardment and a heaviness that can be likened to the dropping of guillotines. Black tar spews forth from the mouthpiece of the infernal outfit, joined in unison with the unrelenting battery barrages and guitars that scream mortar fire.

Forsooth, there can be no survivors in the wakes of Antichrist Siege Machine.

Complete aural holocaust. Total sonic genocide.

2. Gjendød - Livskramper

Release date: June 28th, 2024
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway
Label: Osmose Productions

One of the more recent finds from my part, Gjendød greets my ears as a melodic, more tranquil façade, only to quickly drop it and reveal itself with a raw, lycanthropic, old-school aggression that I have not found prominent in the later generations of black metal, specifically those of the band’s peers.

Second-wave worshipping isn’t new, and many have fallen victim to the fatal flaw of being merely carbon copies of their favorites, save for Gjendød, who also injects their own identity into the music: culminating in a conscientiously well-crafted album that not only is faithful to the roots it grew from but also able to stand firmly on its own.

3. Departure Chandelier - Satan Soldier of Fortune

Release date: January 12th, 2024
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Canada/United States
Label: Occult Antiquities

Departure Chandelier is one of those bands who suffers from more or less an accursed “heard of, but never given a spin for thought” existence. At first sight, the trio does seem to focus on a conspicuously niche topic (which, to be fair, isn’t new at all - see also: WWI-themed bands). By nature, this means a considerable number of listeners would - more likely than not - never consciously pick their music up.

But should they do, they will be greeted with a piercing rawness that is signature of Canadian black metal, fused with a liberal use of synths. While on paper this does seem insubstantial, “Satan Soldier Of Fortune” is highly condensed with the few elements chosen for it: Departure Chandelier - in spite of their barebone approach - indeed manages to deliver a proper, dignified musical work.

4. Vrykolakas - Nocturnal Dominion of Death

Release date: April 21st, 2024
Genre: Death Metal
Country: Singapore
Label: Satanath Records

It’s not just the Westerners who did OSDM back then and continue the tradition till this day.

The Singaporean veterans of Vrykolakas have a formidable track record under their belt, spanning across more than thirty years; and their latest offering Nocturnal Dominion Of Death is yet another addition to their monolithic discography. Once again built upon crushing riffs and bludgeoning drums, Nocturnal Dominion of Death is neither flashy nor innovative - but it doesn’t have to be, anyway. That said, there are moments where the guitarwork subtly captures the listeners’ attention with a riff that can sound rather outstanding among the average OSDM composition.

Brutally blunt, unapologetically straightforward. Entirely enjoyable.

5. Hamferð - Men Guðs hond er sterk

Release date: March 22nd, 2024
Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal
Country: Faroe Islands
Label: Metal Blade Records

“God’s hand is strong”, but the Faroese outfit’s this year release packs more punch. The 43-minute album encapsulates utter despair as well as a solemn semblance of faith and hope - much apt to the concept it follows: an accident of a whaling crew that took place some 100-plus years ago.

One particular element in “Men Guðs hond er sterk” that I find spectacular is how the guitar is written and shaped in the whole composition: at times calming and serene, at times leaving listeners awash as if each massive, low-tuned chord is itself a tidal wave.

Find solace in tragedy.

6. Malignancy - "... Discontinued"

Release date: June 14th, 2024
Genre: Brutal Technical Death Metal
Country: United States
Label: Willowtip Records

Malignancy represents a facet of brutal death metal that over the years has been imitated and copied by countless bands, but never successfully replicated.

The brain-worming sensation found in riffage takes much finesse and compositional savviness to achieve, and the New York colossus shows us just how it can be done in this latest death metal masterclass.

From beginning to end, "... Discontinued" is undoubtedly unrelenting and high-octane in its pace, but not in the sense that it desensitizes every pair of ears and block of brain with sheer brutality: the composition swings dynamically between extreme technicality and classic death metal groove, making for a interesting listening experience overall.

Last-century brutality gets the modern treatment, still wipes the floor with the bulk of their contemporary peers then sends them home on stretchers.

7. Chapel Of Disease - Echoes Of Light

Release date: February 9th, 2024
Genre: Progressive Death Metal/Hard Rock
Country: Germany
Label: Ván Records

The mere initial designation of “progressive death metal/hard rock” barely scrapes the surface of what the German group’s latest release truly is - as a matter of fact, I would doubt if it can even appropriately and accurately describe what it sounds like.

“Echoes of Light” is a highly intriguing musical work, with metal only being a glimmering element, present when there is harsh vocals coming up. Beyond that, the album’s primary ingredients include prog rock of an olden time with hints of dream pop and goth aesthetics, built on lush chords and sensual solos that come across as - for a lack of better expression - erotic, partly owed to the warm, bright tone dialed for the particular effect in mind. Synths also come into play every so often throughout the runtime, adding to the already-borderline-psychedelic atmosphere.

Apparently this album is what some would consider to fall into the category of “post-metal”. Personally, I’d call it sonic pornography. Because that’s what it is.