IN ROTATION: Our most played albums in August 2020

PROUA METALLIST’S AUGUST IN ROTATION LIST

August 2020 has slipped away into the void and here in the Southern Hemisphere that means that we are also saying farewell to winter, my favourite time of year (trust me if you lived here you may also dread the impending summer months). So with this in mind, I can safely assume that the musical choices I made this month reflect my deep appreciation for the comfort provided by August’s wintery weather.

Spectral Wound – Infernal Decadence
Les Fleurs du Mal Productions – 2018

“Infernal Decadence” is the second album from Montreal’s black metal maestros Spectral Wound. This album is just over 30 minutes of spine-tingling modern black metal that will leave you in a cold sweat.

Kalliomäki – Uuden Kuun Aika I&II
Symbolic Records Finland – 2020

Kalliomäki’s stirring 2020 release “Uuden Kuun Aika I&II” has been on high rotation in my house over the past month. This is the second full-length release from the Finnish pagan/ folk metal band, however with this release the band have more fully embraced an authentic pagan sound. It’s evocative, impassioned and entirely absorbing, with powerful chanting (yoiking?), and ritualistic ambience dominated by the band’s signature folk instrument, a hand made electric lyre.

Sarastus – The Deceased Dwell in Darkness
Independent – 2019

Finnish black metal duo Sarastus released this heavy hitting EP almost a year and a half ago but I am still coming back to it. “The Deceased Dwell in Darkness” is truly high quality contemporary black metal at it’s best. It’s brutal, bleak and brimming with themes of nature and the occult, but also offers elegant melodies.

Eldamar – The Force of the Ancient Land
Independent – 2016

Mesmerising ambient black metal from Norway. The 2016 debut album from Eldamar offers contemplative, breathtaking synth paired with dark raw atmospheric black metal undertones.

The Elder Flame – Kingdom of Harth
Independent – 2019

The Elder Flame is a one-man fantasy black metal project from the United Kingdom that I stumbled across last month. I have to admit that although the EP is very raw it really hits me in my giant medieval/ fantasy soft spot. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on this artist and I look forward to any future offerings.