LOCRIAN - 'Territories' CD (BloodLust! / Small Doses)
André Foisy and Terence Hannum have spent the last several years honing the Locrian sound. They've taken elements from noise, power electronics, drone, and black metal to come up with a truly unique sound reflecting the sprawling urban decay surrounding them in Chicago. For this release, Locrian has pulled out all the stops and fleshed out the band with the help of Mark Solotroff (Bloodyminded), Blake Judd (Nachtmystium), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) and Andrew Scherer (Velnias). The results of this massive collaborative effort are apparent from the moment the album starts. The textures run darker and deeper; the vocals - sometimes three layers deep - seem to be conjured from the decrepit muck of a failed civilisation; the feedback takes on a more pronounced presence; and the big band allows for full-on black metal assaults that burst out of the tortured drones Locrian have come to be known for. "Territories" may well be the most fully realised form of Locrian's dystopic vision. Digipak.
Reissue of Velnias' 2008 album. The music of Illinois based blackened doom outfit Velnias can be best described as a combination of sorrowful black metal with a very doomy atmosphere, combined with elements of folk. With three lengthy songs, the emphasis has been laid upon a musical foundation of progressive yet feral riffs, intertwining with delicate passages that only make the heavier parts that much more potent. Combined with lyrical content based upon the premise that the human race is insignificant compared to the grand power and prestige of nature this is a debut album that should not be dismissed! File next to Opeth, Agalloch or Wolves In The Throne Room. Ltd x 400 copies on black vinyl.
