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Rapid Log: 011

Ah ... the next queue has finally arrived, even though I wanted to make it longer or return to the Listening Notes format. But still, it feels draining and would only end in another dead end. So, this time there are only five releases, with the main focus on sludge metal . Canopy - 2015 (2015) Genre: sludge metal Production: 9/10 Composition: 8.5/10 Tracklist: 1. Life is just terrible 7.5/10 2. Hexed 7/10 3. Cosmic void 8.5/10 OVERALL: 80/100 Lähdön Aika - Alku (2019) Genre: post-metal Production: 8/10 Composition: 7/10 Tracklist: 1. Huomisen toivo 7/10 2. Matkalla 7.5/10 3. Kuka sinä olet 7/10 4. Rauha 6.5/10 5. Pelko 6.5/10 6. Ainoa tie 7/10 OVERALL: 70/100 Moanaa - Embers (2021) Genre: sludge/post-metal Production: 10/10 Composition: 9/10 Tracklist: 1. Nothing 7.5/10 2. Lie 7.5/10 3. Triad 8.5/10 4. Inflexion 10/10 5. Expire 7.5/10 6. Embers 7.5/10 OVERALL: 80+/100 Verdun - The Cosmic Escape of Admiral Masuka (2011) Genre: sludge metal Production: 8.5/10 Composition: 8...
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The Flashcards: Stumbleine - Echo Chamber (2016)

Genre: electronica/atmospheric downtempo/chillwave Echo Chamber resonates with slow electronic music, something like chillwave with the addition of chopped-up female vocal samples to enhance that atmospheric, room-filling vibe—similar to vaporwave, just without the pitch-shifting. The beats on tracks like "Monochrome," "Crestfallen," and "Shatners Bassoon" feel the most dynamic, which brings a slight hint of dislike from me, but still, it's worth appreciating and recommended for chilling out and relaxation! Tracklist: 1. Comatose 2. Mute City 3. Drink Bleach 4. Some unique snowflake 5. Bowery 6. Monochrome 7. Crestfallen 8. Shatners Bassoon 9. Jools & Jops 10. Emulator OVERALL: 80/100
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The Flashcards: Instanzia - Ghosts (2010)

Genre: melodic power metal Ghosts is the only release put out by the Canadian band Instanzia . At first glance, the vocals sound a bit like Tommy Reinxeed , while the music itself I still can't specifically compare to any particular band. However, the keyboards already provide enough atmosphere and melody—like on the intro to " Omen "—and the tight double-bass drumming manages to console me over my disappointment with Warkings , who should have been more energetic. Bottom line, this band is recommended for fans of Dreamtale , Insania Stockholm , Power Quest , and Reinxeed . Tracklist: 1. Omen 2. Ghosts of the Past 3. Power of the Mind 4. Charming Deceiver 5. Heavenly Hell 6. A Genius Who Believes 7. The Key 8. The Desert Fox OVERALL: 80/100
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The Flashcards: 11th Hour - Carnaval des Animaux (2024)

Genre: modern classical , orchestra, soundtrack 11th Hour is one of those doujin music projects that arranges songs from the Touhou Project , and this album's title is inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns ' 1886 work Le carnaval des animaux . "Overture" opens in a classical orchestral style, followed by "le régalec" and "le moineau de nuit," which deliver that signature RPG game soundtrack feel. "La tortue" comes across as more spirited, while "le chat" leans more emotional. "Le mouton" is the heaviest of the bunch, with a symphonic rock/metal style typical of this doujin circle, and "la grenouille" closes things out with a more progressive and jazzy blend. Naturally, I still lean toward my personal preference for emotional tracks like "le chat" and the two RPG-sounding ones mentioned above. Overall, 11th Hour demonstrates impressive skill with great production, and it's definitely worth a lis...
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The Flashcards: Neurosis - Enemy of the Sun (1994)

Genre: atmospheric/experimental sludge metal , post-metal Neurosis 's experimental expansion shows a more refined and concrete blend. The atmosphere they create even feels closer to gothic metal —or personally, I'd call it symphonic sludge metal —through the organ on " Lost ," and the combination of synth, violin, and dark piano on " Raze the Stray ." The interlude "Burning Flesh in Year of Pig" contains noise that bleeds into the following tracks. Tribal music brings a new surprise on the 15-minute track " Cleanse ," though unfortunately it isn't fused with their sludge style. I'm starting to applaud this second sludge release from Neurosis , and I'm hoping for a clearer manifestation of symphonic sludge metal. Lol. Tracklist: 1. Lost 2. Raze the Stray 3. Burning Flesh In Year of Pig 4. Cold Ascending 5. Lexicon 6. Enemy of the Sun 7. The Time of the Beasts 8. Cleanse 9. Takeahnase (Demo Version) 10. Cleanse II (Live in Ob...
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The Flashcards: Neurosis - Souls at Zero (1992)

Genre: atmospheric sludge metal , post-metal Neurosis 's third album marks a major shift in their sound, later recognized as the starting point of post-metal. The structures are no longer conventional, focusing instead on long, instrumental-driven emotional character in the vein of post-rock , with influences from post-hardcore and sludge metal —particularly in the guitar and vocal departments. Other elements like experimental and jazz are also incorporated, such as piano on the title track and trumpet on " Sterile Vision ," offering an aesthetic that was clearly fresh for its time. Yeah, Neurosis are indeed pioneers worthy of respect, though personally, I haven't found full satisfaction with this album yet. Tracklist: 1. To Crawl Under One's Skin 2. Souls At Zero 3. Zero 4. Flight 5. The Web 6. Sterile Vision 7. A Chronology For Survival 8. Stripped 9. Takeahnase 10. Empty OVERALL: 75/100
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The Flashcards: A Periodic - An Initial Sign of Life and Being (2017)

Genre: post-rock An Initial Sign of Life and Being is a demo from the Belgian band A Periodic , hailing from Antwerp . Despite being a demo, the production quality is already solid. The texture is tight, but the guitar distortion isn't particularly heavy, nor does it come across as cinematic or melancholic. The somewhat rough synth work adds flavor to "[Interlude]" and "...and the demons you hide within"—perhaps serving as an extra emphasis on the darker side of the human character theme they're exploring, beyond just having a heart, mind, and soul. Yeah, I'm a bit unsure which bands to compare them to, but they might appeal to fans of Russian Circles , If These Trees Could Talk , Hiroe , RLYR , and the like. Tracklist: 1. The heart 2. The mind 3. The soul 4. [Interlude] 5. ...and the demons you hide within OVERALL: 75/100
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