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Notes in Despair, But This is Post-Rock

 When I was feeling despondent and overwhelmed by the prospect of writing reviews, the idea came to me to condense my words into even shorter notes. As it happens, I’ve selected a list of ten post-rock releases that aren't too tedious, providing moments of genuine entertainment as I worked through them.

Here is the list:

A Sea of Dead Trees - Athenia (2019)

70%

A Sea of Dead Trees are contemporaries of Mogwai from Glasgow, UK. In this album, they made the right move by placing "A Straw House in a Field of Flame" as a vocal-driven emotional hook; there are also spoken word segments in the 14-minute title track that I’m still considering for my playlist. The tempo used is fairly common—alto-crescendo throughout—without reaching a definitive climax for me.

Highlights: A Straw House in a Field of Flame, Athenia

Chikoi the Maid - Leaving Reality (2022)

75%

Chikoi the Maid is quite influenced by alternative metal/hard rock here, which adds weight to every beat, giving it a modern feel. The path levels out a bit on "Rose," which sits in the middle of the album, but picks up again afterward. Despite the density, I only really felt it "clicked" when "Statement" started playing.

Highlights: Mostly all tracks

Exxasens - Satellites (2013)

80%

Exxasens vividly tells the story of a satellite launch into space, and although the crescendo format is very commonly used, I didn't find this album tedious. In fact, it felt like a joyful moment of reconnecting with post-rock that has stayed with me until now.

 Highlights: All except "The Launching"

Hiroe - Wield (2025)

80%

Musically, Hiroe is quite literal according to each track title. Calm, abrasive like waves, then chaotic but with captivating rhythmic points leading into a coarse roar, and closed emotionally. Essentially, this band has truly grown and succeeded in harnessing their potential in a real, solid way.

Highlights: Mostly all tracks

Interstice - Void (2023)

80%

I can finally properly appreciate this post-rock/metal offering from Interstice (Norway). The drums and guitars are paced and heavy, with "Lightbringer" serving as a sort of interlude with a modern picking style that keeps it feeling fresh, even though I first tried it three years ago. Unfortunately, the Void EP has disappeared from their official Bandcamp page.

Highlights: All tracks (Tokamak, Lightbringer, Tereshkova Station)

The Last Sighs of the Wind - Thunder in Everyone of Us (2012)

80%

The Last Sighs of the Wind is the most essential post-rock band in my life, thanks to their only album, We Are Trees. This EP itself came later, but the rainy atmosphere of both the cover and the content was enough to fulfill the expectations I had 7-8 years ago for nature-themed music.

Highlights: All tracks

Lights & Motion - The World I Remember (2022)

80%

I think the cinematic post-rock style of Lights & Motion is beyond doubt. This band was part of my "first wave" via the album Dear Avalanche eight years ago, and this album is no different. I added 12 songs to my favorites playlist immediately after one listen, though that feeling faded slightly by the time I wrote this comment. So, it doesn't mean it's perfect, but I’m still reluctant to filter them out because the light still glows after the first three tracks. Strange, isn't it?

Highlights: Mostly all tracks

Lotus - Post-rock Set (2010)

70%

Philadelphia’s Lotus sits on the edge of the genre with a live album that is more dominant in psychedelic rock, but without a strong synth aroma—except for "Obscene Strategies"—later shrinking on "Seneca" and "Marisol." The strongest post-rock feel is found in "A Three-Legged Workhorse." However, I also appreciate several other tracks.

Highlights: A Three-Legged Workhorse, Destroyer, In an Outline

Release the Long Ships - Niche (2013)

75%

The debut album from Release the Long Ships and also one of the early post-rock releases I tried. Well, there are some dark spots in the vein of black metal, as the person behind this project also plays in that scene. Very Agalloch-esque. Niche is similar to the following album; many tracks deserve more appreciation, despite some "tainted" moments that don't sound as good to my ears now.

Highlights: Niche; Your Goddess, Our Terraformer; Like Father Like Son, Kanchendzonga, The Glorious Life and Death of Laika

There's A Light - Khartoum (2012)

70%

There's A Light's first attempt is marked by electronic influences, speech samples, and an alternative rock vibe with the use of vocals. Well, it could be a good stepping stone if you want to try post-rock that is conventionally approachable, much like Oh Hiroshima.

Highlights: Unity, We Choose to Go to the Moon

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