Spektr - The art to disappear (2016)

Spektr is another french entity (a duo more precisely) that is pushing the boundaries of black metal. Their new album, The art to disappear, still largely instrumental, but not completely like their previous (excellent!) album Cypher was. But anyway since they're not into "pop" song format (like black metal often is!) this doesn't really matters. The guitars reminds Mayhem at it's most industrial / experimental (the kind of melodies and the sound of Grand declaration of war especially). There are noise / industrial elements bringing a cold, bleak and noisy feel,  and also some heaviness with dub beats (here when I write "dub" think Scorn). There's also a little jazzy touch with some drums patterns, but fewer jazz element than in Cyper. The atmosphere and the aggressive blast beats parts makes this a black metal album, but with a lot of room for experimenting and noise / industrial sounds. It has a different feel than Cypher (it's more brutal and industrial), but still is very Spektr and excellent. We already have a strong challenger for most interesting and best black metal album for 2016.

The Bandcamp page

Spektr - cypher (2013)

Spektr is a french black metal duo, another excellent french black metal band daring to experiment and excelling at it! last year they released their third full lenght calld cypher (with Agonia records, a label very strong on black metal of experimental varieties). Cypher is all about developping the mysterious side of black metal darkness (if you're looking for some brutal raw assault, look elswhere), by means of mostly instrumental tracks with industrial elements (some subtle noise or also free / fusion jazz sampling, like the evil hidden side of Miles Davis Bitches brew) it creates some fascinating black metal sonic travels. A record that lures you and let you sink deeply into it. A unique experience and one of the best and most original black metal album of last year (while being a lot more than just black metal). The more I listen to it, the more I think it's really a superb masterpiece.

try it on BC.

death, trash, black, a selection of albums released in 2013

This is my last "end of year list" post for 2013. This time it's my selection of death, thrash or black metal albums. I give it in no specific order.

 - Wormlust - Feral Wisdom              review & interview

- Tribulation - Formulas of Death    review

- Lantern - Below                             review & interview

- Noisem - Agony Defined                  review & interview

- Power Trip - Manifest Decimation         review

- Dead Peasants - Demo I                      review 

- Spektr - Cypher                                   review

- Rorcal - Vilagvege                              review

- Culte des ghoules - Henbane                review

- Vastum - Patricidal Lust                       review