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 on "Naufrage," and there’s a hint of melody in "Rémission." As for production quality, it’s fairly standard—no noise or raw textures to speak of.

Highlight: Naufrage

Blackning - Awakening Rage (2023)

85%

Oh, thrash metal!? Yes, Brazil’s Blackning can hit incredibly hard, even if "Violate" leans toward melodic death/thrash metal. The grittier vocals effectively represent the fury of this album. It seems like it would suit fans of Slayer, Sodom, and Sepultura, given that I don't have many other concrete references.

Highlights: Mostly all tracks

Blazon Stone - Down in the Dark (2017)

75%

Blazon Stone draws inspiration from Running Wild, the patriarchs of the pirate-themed speed/power metal scene, even though Alestorm is more widely recognized as "pirate metal" today.

This album doesn't seem to feature the historical themes of their first two releases; it's pure pirate fantasy. Musically, they are energetic, with heavy metal influences surfacing in "Hanged Drawn and Quartered," "Watery Graves," and "Rock Out!" However, after my latest listen, the closer "Captain of the Wild" left me feeling a bit bored despite its speed.

Highlights: Into Victory, Down in the Dark, Eagle Warriors, Merciless Pirate King, Bloody Inquisition

Bleed Someone Dry - The World is Falling in Tragedy (2008)

70%

Bleed Someone Dry fills the metallic hardcore or groove metal/metalcore slot this time. You can tell by the prominent bass lines, which indicate solid production quality. For some reason, I’m getting vibes of Sepultura’s "Roots Bloody Roots" and Pantera here. Nothing more to it.

Highlight: -

Crestfallen - Crestfallen (Demo) (2022)

30%

It’s a demo—DIY, and black metal at that. The guitar and drum sounds feel limited and rudimentary, though they aren't completely swallowed by noise. Hopefully, there will be a better-produced version from this New York-based Crestfallen in the future.

Highlight: -

Exogenesis - Hymn to the Cosmos (2020)

65%

Yes, cosmic. While not particularly atmospheric, Exogenesis plays at a more relaxed pace to evoke a sense of contemplation regarding the vast universe. It might need a different approach to really click with my ears.

Highlight: Hymn V

Abated Mass of Flesh - Live and Completely Raw (2020)

60%

I’ve included this live recording from Abated Mass of Flesh as a bonus. The brutality is lacking, and the vocals—a mix of growls and raspy screams typical of deathcore—are quite raw, true to the title. I actually think the guitar echo helps form a natural atmosphere.

Highlight: -