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CheapSweets Pick 'n' Mix - Best of 2022
What is it?
Remnants of the Vessel, first full album from Los Angeles experimental doomsters Faetooth (Jenna - Bass and vocals, Ash - Guitar and vocals, Ari - Guitar and vocals, Rah - Drums, plus guest cellist Ari Bone).
What is it like?
Fairy Doom Metal. What does that mean? It's an album that is by turns etherial, moody, and absolutely crushing. The guitars and bass have a great sludgy, fuzzy tone, the drumming (much like the album as a whole) ranges from subtle to brutal as the songs demand, and there is a real mix of vocal styles that work fantastically well together. Oh, and there's some great cello on some of the tracks. More cello in doom metal, please :)
It draws from myth and folklore, it's fae, witchy, and deeply melancholic, and it's easily one of my favourite albums of 2022.
You might like this if you are a fan of:
Thou, Sleep, My Dying Bride, Messa, Mrs. Piss...
Lyrics such as:
Futile is the work of men
Metal, stone, and words will all bend
On thy knees now
We fall with what we build
Don't just take my word for it:
Spin magazine ranked it their (joint) best album of 2022!
Also highly rated by A Spooky Mansion from Toilet Ov Hell
Standout tracks:
Echolalia, La Sorciere, Saturn Devouring His Son
Where can I find it?
Youtube;
Bandcamp;
Physical releases from DuneAltar;
And, Spotify;
And of course, if you are in the LA area you might get to see them live (in which case, colour me jealous :D )
The Marching Fire
13th Sky
I've learned over the years that I'm terribly picky about my goth rock, death rock, and post-punk in general. I have a small selection of bands I love dearly, yet outside of that I struggle to find new material that appeals to me within the genre.
Well 13th Sky have easily joined my small selection. This is a beautiful blend of dark influences that roars like a punk album, but remains catchy and melodic like the best goth rock. It's fast, fiery, melancholic and scathing.
The guitarwork is superb, clearly pulling from classic deathrock, Sisters of Mercy jangles, and even what sounds like horror punk and surf rock on some tracks. The vocal work is blessedly it's own thing, no Andrew Eldritch try hard here. I would equate it to a deeper Mat McNerney of Grave Pleasures with almost a touch of Michale Graves.
The rhythm section is energetic, catchy, and foot-tappingly good. The drumming is upbeat and reminiscent of the finest punk batteries. The bass lurks in the background, taking center stage when evoking that classic goth rock sound, such as on Solace. And the synths are tastefully utilized, creating atmospheres and filling out the overall sound while never being overdone.
You can pick up this Los Angeles, California based band's material from their Bandcamp page.