Century Media US Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Denver, Colorado based progressive death metal auteurs Blood Incantation have become renowned for their overarching science fiction themes and cosmic reimagining of genre motifs, with 2019's sophomore triumph Hidden History Of The Human Race garnering immense acclaim and exposure. Unexpectedly, their 2022 follow up would rip a page right from the book of Tangerine Dream with Timewave Zero being made up entirely of ambient synth-laden pieces designed to serve as a soundtrack to passing through the stars. With this unpredictable penchant and clear lack of genre boundaries illuminated, anticipation was rife to see if the band would have the balls and brains to marry both opposing sonic guises and that's precisely what Absolute Elsewhere delivers. Named after the mid-70s prog collective (who once featured King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford), and even featuring Tangerine Dream's Thorsten Quaesching, the album is made up of two tracks, both broken into three segments each, that weave hallucinogenic death metal with synthwave prog, Krautrock, and euphoric alien ambience to conjure a uniquely transcendental listening experience. This ain't your granddaddy's prog rock, nor is it your daddy's death metal, but in a sense, it's kind of both.

Review: Departing Roadrunner Records for the more fitting label home of Century Media, Portland, Oregon's Unto Others (FKA Idle Hands) have consistently been referred to in the music press as the likely torch bearers of the goth-metal revival, with many even heralding them as the 21st century successors to The Sisters Of Mercy or Type O Negative. While their macabre 2019 debut Mana and the more abrasive sophomore effort Strength both provided glimpses of this perceived greatness, it's with their highly anticipated third full-length Never, Neverland the band truly seize the mantle and rise to the weighted pressure. Tapping producer Tom Dalgety (The Cult, Ghost) has proved a stroke of genius, as his experience and melodious sonic penchants allow for glossy synthwave to pulse beneath gloomy, gothic, lovelorn death-rock bangers as accessible and instantaneous as they are menacing. Dust off your black shades and leather jacket, it's cool to be a sad, verbose goth with a deep voice again.