Deafheaven - Roads to Judah

Deafheaven - Roads to Judah
Deathwish Iinc.




There have been a few bands emerging out there mixing black metal with other styles. We've seen a lot of black metal mixed with crusty d-beat and hardcore, but Deafheaven fall more in line with the bands attempting to merge elements of post rock with the nihilistic fervor of the black metal sound. I have to say, these guys do it better than most. Roads to Judah perfectly eclipses the lines blurring the two genres and establishes itself as a listening experience both tranquil and emotionally punishing.

At times one can get lost in the soaring beauty of this release, and at others have your heart wrenched out and stuffed in your ears by the scathing, bleak, barren wasteland of metallic fury. The vocals are particularly seething with pain and anguish; Deafheaven have delivered a truly memorable album here.

Get on this if you like Wolves in the Throne Room, Alcest or Lantlos.


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Bear Claw - Refuse This Gift

Bear Claw - Refuse This Gift
Sickroom Records




Like their past works, this recent release by these Shellac-inspired, Chicago area rockers is once again recorded by the great Steve Albini himself. While more rhythmically dramatic than energetic, the intensity and momentum sway to a fro within each track, letting the narrative yells of the vocalist counter with its own complimentary tangent of raw attitude. As a two-bass and drums outfit, the structured low end is also craftily mutilated several times though each song.

With an almost sludgy, grunge-tinged feel at times, this is not your typical post-rock group, as they meld the hypnotic drone of their sound with constantly emphatic percussions, half-melodic rock chants and time signatures that will keep you guessing. Fans of Fugazi and Trail of Dead may take an interest in these guys.

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