What Are We Listening To? - Feb 7th, 2020

On this new weekly post, the writers and editors at PMMetalGuide are going to highlight our nine most listened to albums over the last 7 days and briefly discuss our feelings on them. We hope to not repeat any albums, but if that happens to be the case, the album must be pretty damn good. Here is "What Are We Listening To? -  Feb 7th, 2020"

What Sam Has Been Listening To

Frontierer - Orange Mathematics 

World-rending mathcore from one of the genre’s finest modern outfits that makes me want to shred my larynx with poorly delivered mid growls. I’ve been a huge fan of their second album Unloved since it released a few years ago, so it was nice to find out that their debut is equally strong if not stronger. 

Spring Awakening Original Soundtrack - Duncan Sheik and Steven Sader

I generally dislike broadway soundtracks, but I’ve been preparing for a production of Spring Awakening by listening to this and there are some truly standout moments. Sheik has a phenomenal ear for crafting engaging chord progressions with punchy vocal melodies. 

Caspian - On Circles 

I find a great deal of instrumental post-rock and post-metal boring, but the Massachusetts outfit manages to adeptly pair the melodiousness of the former with the intensity of the latter to achieve the stunning climaxes they’re known for. Spacious guitar and synthesizer textures float over pummeling rhythm sections to create an early 2020 highlight. 

The Austerity Program - Black Madonna

The writers at PMMetalGuide are huge fans of their 2019 album Bible Songs 1, so I was thrilled when I spotted a used cd copy of this in the bargain bin at my local record store. Animalistic, drum machine-led grooves weave delectable noise rock tapestries and it’s incredibly interesting to hear the band sound so “youthful.”

Yellow Swans - Going Places 

I’m used to the “harsher” brands of noise music forgoing conventional melody in favor of gruesome atonality, so it’s a real treat to hear a band imbue their static-fueled compositions with a sense of wistful tunefulness. This was the duo’s last release before breaking up and you can really feel the uncertainty of finality all over.

Poppy - I Disagree 

This album has no business being so good. In the hands of less capable songwriters and producers, an unholy convergence of pop and nu-metal would surely be horrible. This collection of tunes successfully blends the best tropes of both genres to make for some killer hooks and the metanarrative of Poppy continues to provide some rich subtext.

Raphael Weinroth-Browne - Worlds Within 

I didn’t think reverb-laden solo cello music could be made sonically engaging for 40 whole minutes, but I’ll be damned if the Leprous cellist doesn’t do so with his debut. This is way out of my comfort zone so here’s the ludicrously positive Angry Metal Guy review that turned me on to it: Raphael Weinroth-Browne - Worlds Within Review

Duster - Duster

Slowcore is one of those peculiar microgenres where all of the style’s prominent bands executed its essence with great degrees of variance. Duster was a unique and defining band 22 years ago and their absence has somehow strengthened their songcraft. It’s great to fall into these 4 note progressions which chronicle human despondency.

Uboa - The Origin of My Depression

I somehow missed this gem of an album last year (despite a high-profile Anthony Fantano review) and I’m proud to have finally discovered it. This record leverages bone-chilling ambiance and tasteful noise pastiches to craft an aural equivalence akin to castration. I haven’t been this uncomfortable listening to music in quite some time.

What Adam Has Been Listening To

Wasted Struggle - Agenda of Fear

Hungarian hardcore group Wasted Struggle has released one of the landmark punk albums of the year. A brutal barrage of instrumentation that melds early 2000s-era metalcore and sporadic flurries of Plebeian Grandstand-esque noise creates an engaging, discordant, but short jaunt of heavy music. 

Bohren & der Club of Gore - Patchouli Blue

Ambient jazz has not before been my jam, but Bohren & der Club of Gore’s most recent album has changed my opinion on that. Extremely reserved and calculated, the slow-paced saxophone driven release is as serene as it is somewhat unnerving. A sense of unease rests over the entire project, even though the melodies played are truly beautiful. It is a great jazz album to start off the year with.  

Dawn of Solace - Waves

The “solo” project of the man behind Wolfheart, Tuomas Saukkonen, Dawn of Solace’s 14-year break between albums was well worth the wait, as Waves is a phenomenal display of melodic doom metal that becomes more and more addicting with every listen. Its hooky lyrics, guitar leads and enough prog campiness to kill a full-sized cow make for a fantastic album.

Konvent - Puritan Masochism

Danish all-female death/doom group Konvent have blasted onto the scene with this debut album, and the community is eating it up. While somewhat derivative and less interesting than many other artists in the genre, the band has created a heavy, polished, and well-executed release that is sure to keep critics happy for months. 

Ainsoph - Ω – V

I wrote a glowing review for Ainsoph, which was released yesterday, but I must once again state how mesmerizing this album is. An alluring affair that rewards again and again, Ω – V is one of the best albums so far this year, and I’m sure this Dutch trio are going to breakout from this surprise release.

Higher Power - 27 Miles Underwater

Alternative metal is dead, right? Wrong. Higher Power’s Deftones worship is as iconic now as it was 20 years ago. While slightly more alternative rock and hardcore punk is embedded in their sound, the UK five-piece uses enough tropes and hooky riffs to spice up the sound while also honoring their roots with expertise. 

Snorlax - II

One-man Australian blackened death metal band Snorlax is a force to be reckoned with. While perhaps sharing the name of the iconic Pokemon, Brendan Auld’s performance on II is far from sharing its laziness. With pummeling instrumentation and even more visceral vocals, this album is gratifying upon every listen. Although relatively short, this release cements itself as the gold standard for death metal this year. 

Sea - Impermanence

The debut album from the Boston-based sludge/post-metal band Sea is truly breathtaking. With the most immaculate production of the year, expansive soundscapes, and depressing guitar riffs, the performance of a local band is such a strong start to the new year and new decade of the genre.

Nero di Marte - Immoto

If you took Maudlin of the Well, wrapped it in a spicy Italian meatball, and added a dash of progressive death metal, you would have yourself Nero di Marte. A puzzling listen, Immoto is filled with anxiety, passion, and experimentality. Even though the album drags toward the back half, I have a feeling it isn’t leaving anyone's rotation anytime soon.