Experimental For Metalheads
As a metalhead, I'm very proud of my ability to fully enjoy other genres outside of metal. I know far too many "purist"-types that think if it ain't metal, it's shit. This is not me. If anything, going outside the box for a while makes metal all-the-sweeter to come back to. So, I'm going to focus here on one of the hardest to understand, yet most rewarding root-genres there is: Experimental. As a root, this genre holds within the likes of the many "waves" (like new wave in the 80s, vaporwave, synthwave, futurewave, and the like), ambient, various types of electronic music, and the most confusing (yet rewarding, as stated) one of all - noise (especially harsh noise). I'm going to list a few recommendatons this time around that I feel are a good way to dip one's toes into the experimental pool.
*Prurient - Frozen Niagra Falls
This one is a great starter, as it is not too unfamiliar with some of its tones and textures being close to mainstream industrial (NIN, for example), soundtrack scores (anyone who watches movies at all has heard these, consequently), and even some metal-esque vibes within the music's more intense moments. Prurient uses pieces of most of the sub-genres of experimental, save for free-jazz. We get soothing ambient, staticky noise backdrops, blatant electronic pieces, and a nice feeling of familiar alternative (but the darker of the style). The parts that resemble metal give off a blackened sort of mood, especially when the noise mixes with the more straight-forward of the tonal melodies. It's a mood thing, and I think with desire to understand, a metalhead could find themselves interested in many forms of experimental from a few listens of this one album. This one's the key, if you ask me!
*Pharmakon - any release, really...
A maniacal chick who seemingly stabalizes herself through this intense-as-extreme-metal NOISE palette, this is a surefire next step from Prurient's nearly tame (by comparison) soundscapes, which will feel a bit shocking and offputting at first, yet her demonic black metal-esque screams and horridly unclassifiable cries of torment will sit comfortably with the iron stomachs of black and death metal fans. Most of the "music" to be found is merely within the recurring rhythms the static and blaring fuzz visits here and there. Notation can be found, yet one has to search, which is another key: noise (and experimental in general) is a journey. Most just are not willing.
*Trepaneringsritualen - Martyrium
Commonly dubbed "death industrial", this ritualistic and cold practitioner of cold and otherworldly electronic surrealism will come to the appeal of the uninitiated much quicker than a lot of similar artists like Trepaneringsritualen that also incorporate the noise element, as their chanty vocals provide a familiarity with music in a more traditional sense, yet it's off-kilter and nightmarishly dark vibe will give the willing an almost black metal feeling. This is unforgiving stuff, yet oddly familiar from first listener - perhaps from watching horror movies with similar sonic 'scapes in the scores.
*T.O.M.B. - UAG
Also giving a black metal feeling while having no black metal in a literal sense, T.O.M.B. can be oddly and ironically serene in their soundtracky delivery, but not as an exclusive stance. There's plenty offsetting and disturbing content to take in, yet this ride can feel sparse and bleak, leaving our naturally apprehensive minds to wander, with T.O.M.B. almost subliminally guiding our minds to the death chambers and terrifying places it wanders to.
I'll continue this series with more variation in future updates. These releases, if given the adequate and active listening time they deserve, will surely give the newcomer to such things much to stew upon until next time...
10/05/15
TTSNSN
*Prurient - Frozen Niagra Falls
This one is a great starter, as it is not too unfamiliar with some of its tones and textures being close to mainstream industrial (NIN, for example), soundtrack scores (anyone who watches movies at all has heard these, consequently), and even some metal-esque vibes within the music's more intense moments. Prurient uses pieces of most of the sub-genres of experimental, save for free-jazz. We get soothing ambient, staticky noise backdrops, blatant electronic pieces, and a nice feeling of familiar alternative (but the darker of the style). The parts that resemble metal give off a blackened sort of mood, especially when the noise mixes with the more straight-forward of the tonal melodies. It's a mood thing, and I think with desire to understand, a metalhead could find themselves interested in many forms of experimental from a few listens of this one album. This one's the key, if you ask me!
*Pharmakon - any release, really...
A maniacal chick who seemingly stabalizes herself through this intense-as-extreme-metal NOISE palette, this is a surefire next step from Prurient's nearly tame (by comparison) soundscapes, which will feel a bit shocking and offputting at first, yet her demonic black metal-esque screams and horridly unclassifiable cries of torment will sit comfortably with the iron stomachs of black and death metal fans. Most of the "music" to be found is merely within the recurring rhythms the static and blaring fuzz visits here and there. Notation can be found, yet one has to search, which is another key: noise (and experimental in general) is a journey. Most just are not willing.
*Trepaneringsritualen - Martyrium
Commonly dubbed "death industrial", this ritualistic and cold practitioner of cold and otherworldly electronic surrealism will come to the appeal of the uninitiated much quicker than a lot of similar artists like Trepaneringsritualen that also incorporate the noise element, as their chanty vocals provide a familiarity with music in a more traditional sense, yet it's off-kilter and nightmarishly dark vibe will give the willing an almost black metal feeling. This is unforgiving stuff, yet oddly familiar from first listener - perhaps from watching horror movies with similar sonic 'scapes in the scores.
*T.O.M.B. - UAG
Also giving a black metal feeling while having no black metal in a literal sense, T.O.M.B. can be oddly and ironically serene in their soundtracky delivery, but not as an exclusive stance. There's plenty offsetting and disturbing content to take in, yet this ride can feel sparse and bleak, leaving our naturally apprehensive minds to wander, with T.O.M.B. almost subliminally guiding our minds to the death chambers and terrifying places it wanders to.
I'll continue this series with more variation in future updates. These releases, if given the adequate and active listening time they deserve, will surely give the newcomer to such things much to stew upon until next time...
10/05/15
TTSNSN