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Listening Notes: The Ultimate Vol. 1

I am losing my mind. I'm furious with my own sentimental and idealistic nature, which causes so many of my plans to fail over the slightest hitch or minor adjustment—whether from internal friction or external forces. Therefore, I am trying to dump every single commentary I have—regardless of quality or quantity—into one place titled Listening Notes: The Ultimate . So, instead of just six or ten, I am going for way more than that to not getting overwhelmed in categorising. Even if it means dealing with a whole new headache when trying to format it all on this blog. 1. Abhorrent Contagion – Invoking the Plagves ov Olde (2023) 65/100 The noise crafted by Abhorrent Contagion sounds more brutal than Abase , even though the rumbling drums get buried underneath. This could easily pass as black/death metal if it were executed in a more conventional and serious manner. Highlight: - 2. B 301 – Contando los días (2020) 70/100 Hailing from Mexico, B 301 serves up instrumental indie rock...
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Rapid Log: 001

 I am again experimenting with a different format for the sake of time efficiency in clearing my personal playlist queue, even though it feels somewhat unsatisfying to leave behind such brief and concise remarks. First off, I’ll be tackling some other metal releases. Is anyone seeing this? What are your thoughts? The Prophet – Chronos (2019) Genre: Melodic Death Metal Score: 75/100 There is no need to compromise much on melody here, even if all that’s on my mind is melodic death/doom metal. The piano closing the title track, in particular, was the highlight for me. Tracklist:  One for All  The Vision   Chronos Related link: Metal Archives Sallow Moth (USA) – The Larval Hope (2020) Genre: Progressive Death Metal Score: 65/100 Chaotic and influenced by hardcore/deathcore. Tracklist:   Noxious Revival  Death Mutation vs Metallurgic Summonings  The Larval Hope (Piercer of Spells)  Temporal Trespass  Ancient Grudge  Glimpse the Unthink...
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Listening Notes: Mixed Batch Vol. 2

I find myself once again in a state of exhaustion and despair after seeing music group members posting mainstream, up-to-date tracks—stuff I rarely consume anymore unless it’s from Bandcamp, and even then, usually only if it's free. So, I’ve finally gathered seven scattered notes into one package as follows. Aamir - Within All This Silence (2010) 75% The 20 tracks from Aamir feel long, but there are moments where you feel like a movie character going through the motions or taking action. From a power perspective, it’s far from metal in my eyes, which is likely why this genre is so frequently used for soundtracks. It’s not just about raw strength, but about what effectively triggers the adrenaline. Highlights: Solitude of Man , Steps Upon Steps, Clear As Day And Night, Mechanical Hearts Pt. 2 Ähnliche Künstler / Wolf Biermann Explosion - Frauen um die Dreißig (2024) 55% Two German alternative artists here present contrasting styles. Ähnliche Künstler is more...
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Listening Notes: Special Emo & Core Vol. 3

The third volume of emo & core is filled with punk rock and -core releases, but unfortunately, I don't have many words to respond to each section. What’s inside? Check them out! ...But the Shadows Have Foes - Look With Pity Upon the Sallow Face of God, For We Have Built Hells Beyond His Imagining (2025) 70% The long title reminds me of Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean , but ...But the Shadows Have Foes  is a blackened crust band. I initially mistook them for post-black metal or emo because the album cover is just an image of a seashore. They’ve used sequential Roman numerals since their debut, and this album contains tracks 44 through 50. Since it's outside my typical taste, I mostly sat in silence amidst the hardcore punk drumming and guitar roar, despite the black metal flavor. Only " XLVII: A Million Odious, Invisible Machines " managed to bring a slight touch of emotional guitar to my ears, but the most striking title was "L: Nothing Durabl...
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Listening Notes: This is Metal Vol. 2

 It turns out that metal remains the genre most easily accepted by my ears, having accompanied me for exactly 10 years now. So, I’ll continue my review of metal releases, even though there are other genres waiting in the queue. Haissem - Demonotone (2020) 70% Haissem ’s monstrous intimidation felt brief and fleeting. You know that SpongeBob expression when he's being "scared" by the Flying Dutchman—the one immortalized as a meme? That’s me. I found myself focusing only on the bass lines instead of the melodies, which seemed concentrated on " The Shadowhunt ," not to mention the relentless drumming throughout. Oh, is this perhaps the meaning of " de monotone "? Highlight: The Shadowhunt Mad Essence - Black Area 1.0 (2022) 70% Looking for Eastern European alternative/nu-metal or Rapcore? Mad Essence might be a candidate. Think Slipknot , Limp Bizkit , and Linkin Park with industrial influences. That's enough to describe their...
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Listening Notes: This is Metal

I’m weary of explaining that metal has dozens of primary subgenres, distinguished mainly by tempo, guitar style, and vocals. Yet, the stereotypes—that metal is nothing but indecipherable screaming, creepiness, and Satanism—will likely endure forever. Not to mention the metalheads themselves, who often look down on traditional styles, clean vocals, or the antithesis of speed found in doom metal and its derivatives. Personally, I get annoyed when posers or those "more-metal-than-thou" types are the loudest in the room. Because of this, I feel the unity of metalheads across these subgenres only truly echoes in songs or events with massive budgets, like Wacken Open Air , where they can afford to look diverse. Here, I’ll try to comment on six releases from across those various subgenres. Amertume - Vie Minuscule (2023) 70% I’m not entirely sure what to say about Amertume . Old-school death metal with a black metal edge? Perhaps. The impact feels a bit lacking, except...
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