Bandcamp Picks of the Week 8/31/16
Bandcamp Picks of the Week is here again to clue you in on two stellar records to check out.
Savage Void – EP II
Genre: Synthwave
Favorite Tracks: “Nite Club,” “Shangri-La,” “Dark Room”
I admittedly ignore a lot of what goes on in the world of electronic releases on Bandcamp, mostly because there’s such a massive flux of music available under the genre tag that actively sifting for the good stuff can get exhausting. Luckily, Savage Void happened to float to the top of my Bandcamp recommendations and I was able to give it a listen. This is moody, atmospheric electronic that’s mostly pitch-perfect for lonely, gothic bedroom dance parties (although “Night Calling” is corny as Hell and Savage Void should be ashamed for including it). For the most part, this EP is a delight because it manages to emulate the bravado and swagger of the 80s without aggressively shoving an overdose of synthesizers in your ears or making the listener feel like they’re listening to reject tracks from Miami Vice, the problem so much of this nostalgia-based EDM runs into. For a fun, dance-y night all by yourself, look no further than this.
Seven Sisters of Sleep – OPIUM MORALS
Genre: Doom Metal, Sludge Metal
Favorite Tracks: “Ghost Plains,” “Moths,” “Sunday Mass Grave,” “White Braid”
The best doom metal albums should feel like a long, slow kick in the teeth, the kind of blow that hits your jaw and reverberates all the way down your spine. Getting all the elements just right to really deliver the perfect blow for an entire album can be impossible for some bands to handle. Yet somehow Baltimore doom masters Seven Sisters of Sleep managed to strap on their Doc Martens and deliver this absolutely devastating record. A lot of the pleasure in listening to this album rests in Tim McAlrey’s vocals, which are strained and gritty without ever devolving into a monotonous death metal growl. The band also falls into that perfect sweet spot, serving up layer after layer of heavy riffs without ever getting too technical or show-y. If you’re in need of a great doom fix, look no further than right here.
Carter Moon
Carter Moon grew up in the desolate Evangelic capital of the world and responded by developing a taste in counter culture, which eventually bloomed into a love for filmmaking and screenwriting. Carter has average opinions on most things, but will defend them adamantly and loudly until no one else wants to bother speaking up. He runs Crossfader's podcast, IN THE CROSSHAIRS.
