Skip to main content

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 intentional and conventional, in the vein of an independent singer-songwriter. On the other hand, Wolf Biermann Explosion leans heavily into a masculine, DIY comedy vibe filled with spoken word. The two also collaborated on the instrumental series "Größte Hits Vol. 1-5" and "Ihr könnt ja gar nix." Overall, it feels like a musical representation of the "men vs. women" DIY project meme.

Highlight: Ähnliche Künstler - Der Lover

Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper (2017)

100%
This is the essential funeral doom metal album I listened to during the pandemic era.

It is profoundly dark and depressive. While it might seem to lack the hyperbole of DSBM, Bell Witch succeeds in drowning the soul for 83 minutes in utter hopelessness. It gives the impression that life is truly futile and will continue to spiral in misery, regardless of what I do.

Mirror Reaper paved the way for other releases that eventually shifted my perception of dark themes like death and suffering. Even Quranic verses began to feel more terrifying—not out of mere fear, but because I felt like the very person described in those verses. Broken, perished, losing, cursed... That is me.

Highlight: Mirror Reaper

Bob Warley & The Haters - (2014)

70%
While reggae usually breathes happiness—whether from life or the influence of marijuana—Bob Warley is the antithesis. This Italian unit feels like hip-hop fans who took a wrong turn, featuring lyrics about murder, tumors, and criminal arrests. It looks like a joke on paper, but there’s no humor to be found here.

The music maintains a relaxed groove typical of the genre, topped with a deep Italian male voice. It’s clear from the name that this project is for Bob Marley fans seeking themes other than ganja euphoria. I didn't want to linger here for long, despite the decent musical quality.

Highlight: -

Carlos Ferreira - Hibrido (2018)

75%
Cinematic soundtracks have become a genre capable of halting my activities, like reading or watching films. Several tracks on this Carlos Ferreira's album are perfect examples. It feels better to savor emotional audio in silence, head bowed, rather than while looking at images or sentences about life. The emotional power stays focused on the music, not on visuals or words.

Highlights: Surmenage, Segunda Tentativa de Ser Invisível, Doppelgänger

Carlos Ferreira - A Glimpse of Hope (2019)

75%
The title of this album is a coincidence, sharing the name of a track by The Abyss Inside Us from a previous session. However, the essence contained within doesn't actually give me a "glimpse of hope" for anything, though the texture of the flow is tolerable and never feels abrasive. Is it suitable for the despondent? Perhaps only as a sleep aid, though I’ve never actually suggested it to anyone.

Split Personality - Fields of Lie (2013)

70%
Split Personality (or S.P.) from Ukraine adds symphonic and folk elements, making them more accurately described as symphonic/progressive metal, as heard on "Forgotten Knights" and "St. Steel." Growled vocals make an appearance, but not to the extent of reaching a melodic death aura. While it has potential for my ears, I didn't find any tracks I wanted to keep.

Highlight: -
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Terima kasih telah berkomentar. Usahakan untuk menjaga sopan santun.

Popular posts from this blog

Breakcore: Subheroine - End. (2025)

77 / 100 End. is Subheroine ’s most immersive and emotionally textured work yet ... Is being a week late enough to make a new release feel cold and stale? Maybe it’s the effect of our fast-paced modern world and the FOMO trend. Who knows. Whatever. Alright then, let’s welcome a new breakcore/drum & bass album (though it runs under 30 minutes) from Subheroine : End. ! End. by SUBHEROINE Released just on November 7 via Japan’s veteran breakcore label, Lost Frog Productions , End . delivers a noticeably more atmospheric vibe this time. So, tagging it as atmospheric drum & bass makes perfect sense, while the “depressive” tag seems to apply only to the cover art. But is that really the case? As always, there are surprises when reviewing music—those unexpected moments that make certain tracks sound more intriguing than expected. The most prominent depressive elements appear in the sampled voice of an anime girl sounding shocked or weakened in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Electronica/IDM: 4T Thieves - Humanoid (2018)

70 / 100 Humanoid is a compact and tastefully crafted slice of IDM-leaning electronica that blends futuristic elements without overwhelming the listener. I opened my December with an electronica release by 4T Thieves , an EP titled Humanoid , which came out back in February 2018. A brief profile and the project’s track record can be found on RYM or Last.fm , and it’s clear that this act has been active since the 90s, although only arriving on Bandcamp around 2018. Humanoid by 4T Thieves As the name suggests, Humanoid presents a modern environment tinged with a futuristic sci-fi atmosphere, supported by drum work leaning toward IDM and prominent synth/bass that paints the image of a future city gate on “ Elemental .” This is followed by “ Codex ,” which is given a special dose of classic IDM-style glitch effects , and the rest continues into “ The Looking Glass ,” which gives off a nighttime-shadow feel through its slightly dark synth melodies. “Band...
Post a Comment
Read more

Soundtrack: Dragica Kahlina - Ava Chapter 1 OST (2022)

78 / 100 A compelling dark ambient soundtrack , best enjoyed by fans of atmospheric and cosmic soundscapes rather than traditional game OST seekers. Ava is a mobile puzzle game inspired by tarot cards , developed by Stardust LLC . It was released in four chapters, rolled out periodically between February 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. While there’s a claim that the game won an award, it was never explained exactly where or what it won. For the soundtrack of Chapter 1, Stardust LLC collaborated with local, Zurich-based artist Dragica Kahlina . Ava Chapter 1 OST by Dragica Kahlina Although the game came out in 2020, Kahlina only uploaded the OST two years later on Bandcamp , using cover art from Level 11: The Crown that features Ava herself. The atmosphere of darkness and cosmic vastness is strongly felt throughout the eleven tracks, built primarily on dark ambient foundations and layered with various sounds: echoing stick-like noises...
Post a Comment
Read more