#aforestofstars — Public Fediverse posts

A Forest Of Stars
04.12.2026 Berlin / ORWOhaus

Amon Amarth
07.11.2026 Berlin / Velodrom (Berlin)

Ankor
16.12.2026 Berlin / Lido (Berlin)

Anyx
16.09.2026 Berlin / Galiläakirche

ASP
26.09.2026 Berlin / Huxleys - Neue Welt (Berlin)

BEAST IN BLACK
05.11.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

BEHEMOTH & DIMMU BORGIR
23.10.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

Beltez
07.05.2027 Berlin / Neue Zukunft

Bodo Wartke
16.09.2026 Berlin / Admiralspalast

#AForestOfStars #ASP #Admiralspalast #AmonAmarth #Ankor #Anyx #BEASTINBLACK #BEHEMOTHDIMMUBORGIR #Beltez #Berlin #BodoWartke #ColumbiahalleBerlin #CorvusCorax #Galilaakirche #HuxleysNeueWeltBerlin #LidoBerlin #NeueZukunft #ORWOhaus #PassionskircheKreuzbergBerlin #VelodromBerlin #SteelFeed

A Forest Of Stars
04.12.2026 Berlin / ORWOhaus

Amon Amarth
07.11.2026 Berlin / Velodrom (Berlin)

Ankor
16.12.2026 Berlin / Lido (Berlin)

Anyx
16.09.2026 Berlin / Galiläakirche

ASP
26.09.2026 Berlin / Huxleys - Neue Welt (Berlin)

BEAST IN BLACK
05.11.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

BEHEMOTH & DIMMU BORGIR
23.10.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

Beltez
07.05.2027 Berlin / Neue Zukunft

Bodo Wartke
16.09.2026 Berlin / Admiralspalast

#AForestOfStars #ASP #Admiralspalast #AmonAmarth #Ankor #Anyx #BEASTINBLACK #BEHEMOTHDIMMUBORGIR #Beltez #Berlin #BodoWartke #ColumbiahalleBerlin #CorvusCorax #Galilaakirche #HuxleysNeueWeltBerlin #LidoBerlin #NeueZukunft #ORWOhaus #PassionskircheKreuzbergBerlin #VelodromBerlin #SteelFeed

A Forest Of Stars
04.12.2026 Berlin / ORWOhaus

Amon Amarth
07.11.2026 Berlin / Velodrom (Berlin)

Ankor
16.12.2026 Berlin / Lido (Berlin)

Anyx
16.09.2026 Berlin / Galiläakirche

ASP
26.09.2026 Berlin / Huxleys - Neue Welt (Berlin)

BEAST IN BLACK
05.11.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

BEHEMOTH & DIMMU BORGIR
23.10.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

Beltez
07.05.2027 Berlin / Neue Zukunft

Bodo Wartke
16.09.2026 Berlin / Admiralspalast

#AForestOfStars #ASP #Admiralspalast #AmonAmarth #Ankor #Anyx #BEASTINBLACK #BEHEMOTHDIMMUBORGIR #Beltez #Berlin #BodoWartke #ColumbiahalleBerlin #CorvusCorax #Galilaakirche #HuxleysNeueWeltBerlin #LidoBerlin #NeueZukunft #ORWOhaus #PassionskircheKreuzbergBerlin #VelodromBerlin #SteelFeed

A Forest Of Stars
04.12.2026 Berlin / ORWOhaus

Amon Amarth
07.11.2026 Berlin / Velodrom (Berlin)

Ankor
16.12.2026 Berlin / Lido (Berlin)

Anyx
16.09.2026 Berlin / Galiläakirche

ASP
26.09.2026 Berlin / Huxleys - Neue Welt (Berlin)

BEAST IN BLACK
05.11.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

BEHEMOTH & DIMMU BORGIR
23.10.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

Beltez
07.05.2027 Berlin / Neue Zukunft

Bodo Wartke
16.09.2026 Berlin / Admiralspalast

#AForestOfStars #ASP #Admiralspalast #AmonAmarth #Ankor #Anyx #BEASTINBLACK #BEHEMOTHDIMMUBORGIR #Beltez #Berlin #BodoWartke #ColumbiahalleBerlin #CorvusCorax #Galilaakirche #HuxleysNeueWeltBerlin #LidoBerlin #NeueZukunft #ORWOhaus #PassionskircheKreuzbergBerlin #VelodromBerlin #SteelFeed

A Forest Of Stars
04.12.2026 Berlin / ORWOhaus

Amon Amarth
07.11.2026 Berlin / Velodrom (Berlin)

Ankor
16.12.2026 Berlin / Lido (Berlin)

Anyx
16.09.2026 Berlin / Galiläakirche

ASP
26.09.2026 Berlin / Huxleys - Neue Welt (Berlin)

BEAST IN BLACK
05.11.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

BEHEMOTH & DIMMU BORGIR
23.10.2026 Berlin / Columbiahalle (Berlin)

Beltez
07.05.2027 Berlin / Neue Zukunft

Bodo Wartke
16.09.2026 Berlin / Admiralspalast

#AForestOfStars #ASP #Admiralspalast #AmonAmarth #Ankor #Anyx #BEASTINBLACK #BEHEMOTHDIMMUBORGIR #Beltez #Berlin #BodoWartke #ColumbiahalleBerlin #CorvusCorax #Galilaakirche #HuxleysNeueWeltBerlin #LidoBerlin #NeueZukunft #ORWOhaus #PassionskircheKreuzbergBerlin #VelodromBerlin #SteelFeed

Wow. Wasn’t May just the other day? It seems like it to me! The fifth month of our Lord bestowed much quality material on us, and there were at least 4 key releases that garnered strong, fanboying support from the AMG peanut gallery located deep in the recesses of the Skull Pit. Funny thing about that gallery – they’re all tasteless hacks, but they’re OUR tasteless hacks, so we try to honor their likes.

Panopticon finally completed their massive Laurentian Trilogy with the release of Det hjemsøkte hjertet [out May 8th from Nordvis Productions (Bandcamp)], and the concluding installment has been received very positively by the metalsphere and elite intelligentsia alike. While we’re definitely not part of that elite metal intelligentsia ourselves, we have to agree with their positive buzz this time. This is a deeply introspective and nostalgic work of atmospheric folked blackness, written as a reflection of things remembered and things lost as the final curtain closes on a life. The material feels cathartic and delivers a long-building release. As Thus Spoke beautifully summed up, “A more perfect way to end things could not exist. My heart clings longingly to the place evoked by Det hjemsøkte hjertet‘s consuming atmosphere and touching humanity.” Moods 4 sale!1

Runner(s) Up:

Draconian // In Somnolent Ruin [May 8th, 2026 | Napalm Records | Bandcamp] — Sweden’s eternal Gothic doom crew Draconian have been at the crying game for a long, long time. Some of the names and faces have changed over the years, but the core sound and formula remains much the same. On eighth album In Somnolent Ruin, their doom edge is still sharp and ready to cut holes in your heart as only well-executed Goth-doom can. Unhurried and loaded down with bittersweet, exquisitely sad vocals from returning original singer Lisa Johansson, and anchored by the death roars of Anders Jacobsson, the Draconian experience still plucks heartstrings as it shakes the spinal cord. Perhaps most surprising is just how good the songwriting is across the entire album. It’s no surprise Kenstrosity spelled it out as “A love letter to Draconian’s storied past and a celebration of their modern era, refined to staggering excellence.” Taste the tears!

A Forest of Stars // Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface [May 8th, 2026 | Prophecy Productions | Bandcamp] — Britain’s avant-garde prog metal weirdos A Forest of Stars never did things the easy way. They blend genres with little regard to what should and shouldn’t go together, and somehow things usually work for them. With doom as a central tenet, the oddly named Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface unrolls a lengthy tapestry of sounds and styles for the patient listener. Long song lengths are kept lively by creative, dynamic writing and often unhinged vocal performances. A wild ride awaits the daring listener. As Grymm elegantly concluded, “A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me.” Get this Forest package!

Wow. Wasn’t May just the other day? It seems like it to me! The fifth month of our Lord bestowed much quality material on us, and there were at least 4 key releases that garnered strong, fanboying support from the AMG peanut gallery located deep in the recesses of the Skull Pit. Funny thing about that gallery – they’re all tasteless hacks, but they’re OUR tasteless hacks, so we try to honor their likes.

Panopticon finally completed their massive Laurentian Trilogy with the release of Det hjemsøkte hjertet [out May 8th from Nordvis Productions (Bandcamp)], and the concluding installment has been received very positively by the metalsphere and elite intelligentsia alike. While we’re definitely not part of that elite metal intelligentsia ourselves, we have to agree with their positive buzz this time. This is a deeply introspective and nostalgic work of atmospheric folked blackness, written as a reflection of things remembered and things lost as the final curtain closes on a life. The material feels cathartic and delivers a long-building release. As Thus Spoke beautifully summed up, “A more perfect way to end things could not exist. My heart clings longingly to the place evoked by Det hjemsøkte hjertet‘s consuming atmosphere and touching humanity.” Moods 4 sale!1

Runner(s) Up:

Draconian // In Somnolent Ruin [May 8th, 2026 | Napalm Records | Bandcamp] — Sweden’s eternal Gothic doom crew Draconian have been at the crying game for a long, long time. Some of the names and faces have changed over the years, but the core sound and formula remains much the same. On eighth album In Somnolent Ruin, their doom edge is still sharp and ready to cut holes in your heart as only well-executed Goth-doom can. Unhurried and loaded down with bittersweet, exquisitely sad vocals from returning original singer Lisa Johansson, and anchored by the death roars of Anders Jacobsson, the Draconian experience still plucks heartstrings as it shakes the spinal cord. Perhaps most surprising is just how good the songwriting is across the entire album. It’s no surprise Kenstrosity spelled it out as “A love letter to Draconian’s storied past and a celebration of their modern era, refined to staggering excellence.” Taste the tears!

A Forest of Stars // Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface [May 8th, 2026 | Prophecy Productions | Bandcamp] — Britain’s avant-garde prog metal weirdos A Forest of Stars never did things the easy way. They blend genres with little regard to what should and shouldn’t go together, and somehow things usually work for them. With doom as a central tenet, the oddly named Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface unrolls a lengthy tapestry of sounds and styles for the patient listener. Long song lengths are kept lively by creative, dynamic writing and often unhinged vocal performances. A wild ride awaits the daring listener. As Grymm elegantly concluded, “A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me.” Get this Forest package!

Wow. Wasn’t May just the other day? It seems like it to me! The fifth month of our Lord bestowed much quality material on us, and there were at least 4 key releases that garnered strong, fanboying support from the AMG peanut gallery located deep in the recesses of the Skull Pit. Funny thing about that gallery – they’re all tasteless hacks, but they’re OUR tasteless hacks, so we try to honor their likes.

Panopticon finally completed their massive Laurentian Trilogy with the release of Det hjemsøkte hjertet [out May 8th from Nordvis Productions (Bandcamp)], and the concluding installment has been received very positively by the metalsphere and elite intelligentsia alike. While we’re definitely not part of that elite metal intelligentsia ourselves, we have to agree with their positive buzz this time. This is a deeply introspective and nostalgic work of atmospheric folked blackness, written as a reflection of things remembered and things lost as the final curtain closes on a life. The material feels cathartic and delivers a long-building release. As Thus Spoke beautifully summed up, “A more perfect way to end things could not exist. My heart clings longingly to the place evoked by Det hjemsøkte hjertet‘s consuming atmosphere and touching humanity.” Moods 4 sale!1

Runner(s) Up:

Draconian // In Somnolent Ruin [May 8th, 2026 | Napalm Records | Bandcamp] — Sweden’s eternal Gothic doom crew Draconian have been at the crying game for a long, long time. Some of the names and faces have changed over the years, but the core sound and formula remains much the same. On eighth album In Somnolent Ruin, their doom edge is still sharp and ready to cut holes in your heart as only well-executed Goth-doom can. Unhurried and loaded down with bittersweet, exquisitely sad vocals from returning original singer Lisa Johansson, and anchored by the death roars of Anders Jacobsson, the Draconian experience still plucks heartstrings as it shakes the spinal cord. Perhaps most surprising is just how good the songwriting is across the entire album. It’s no surprise Kenstrosity spelled it out as “A love letter to Draconian’s storied past and a celebration of their modern era, refined to staggering excellence.” Taste the tears!

A Forest of Stars // Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface [May 8th, 2026 | Prophecy Productions | Bandcamp] — Britain’s avant-garde prog metal weirdos A Forest of Stars never did things the easy way. They blend genres with little regard to what should and shouldn’t go together, and somehow things usually work for them. With doom as a central tenet, the oddly named Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface unrolls a lengthy tapestry of sounds and styles for the patient listener. Long song lengths are kept lively by creative, dynamic writing and often unhinged vocal performances. A wild ride awaits the daring listener. As Grymm elegantly concluded, “A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me.” Get this Forest package!

Wow. Wasn’t May just the other day? It seems like it to me! The fifth month of our Lord bestowed much quality material on us, and there were at least 4 key releases that garnered strong, fanboying support from the AMG peanut gallery located deep in the recesses of the Skull Pit. Funny thing about that gallery – they’re all tasteless hacks, but they’re OUR tasteless hacks, so we try to honor their likes.

Panopticon finally completed their massive Laurentian Trilogy with the release of Det hjemsøkte hjertet [out May 8th from Nordvis Productions (Bandcamp)], and the concluding installment has been received very positively by the metalsphere and elite intelligentsia alike. While we’re definitely not part of that elite metal intelligentsia ourselves, we have to agree with their positive buzz this time. This is a deeply introspective and nostalgic work of atmospheric folked blackness, written as a reflection of things remembered and things lost as the final curtain closes on a life. The material feels cathartic and delivers a long-building release. As Thus Spoke beautifully summed up, “A more perfect way to end things could not exist. My heart clings longingly to the place evoked by Det hjemsøkte hjertet‘s consuming atmosphere and touching humanity.” Moods 4 sale!1

Runner(s) Up:

Draconian // In Somnolent Ruin [May 8th, 2026 | Napalm Records | Bandcamp] — Sweden’s eternal Gothic doom crew Draconian have been at the crying game for a long, long time. Some of the names and faces have changed over the years, but the core sound and formula remains much the same. On eighth album In Somnolent Ruin, their doom edge is still sharp and ready to cut holes in your heart as only well-executed Goth-doom can. Unhurried and loaded down with bittersweet, exquisitely sad vocals from returning original singer Lisa Johansson, and anchored by the death roars of Anders Jacobsson, the Draconian experience still plucks heartstrings as it shakes the spinal cord. Perhaps most surprising is just how good the songwriting is across the entire album. It’s no surprise Kenstrosity spelled it out as “A love letter to Draconian’s storied past and a celebration of their modern era, refined to staggering excellence.” Taste the tears!

A Forest of Stars // Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface [May 8th, 2026 | Prophecy Productions | Bandcamp] — Britain’s avant-garde prog metal weirdos A Forest of Stars never did things the easy way. They blend genres with little regard to what should and shouldn’t go together, and somehow things usually work for them. With doom as a central tenet, the oddly named Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface unrolls a lengthy tapestry of sounds and styles for the patient listener. Long song lengths are kept lively by creative, dynamic writing and often unhinged vocal performances. A wild ride awaits the daring listener. As Grymm elegantly concluded, “A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me.” Get this Forest package!

Wow. Wasn’t May just the other day? It seems like it to me! The fifth month of our Lord bestowed much quality material on us, and there were at least 4 key releases that garnered strong, fanboying support from the AMG peanut gallery located deep in the recesses of the Skull Pit. Funny thing about that gallery – they’re all tasteless hacks, but they’re OUR tasteless hacks, so we try to honor their likes.

Panopticon finally completed their massive Laurentian Trilogy with the release of Det hjemsøkte hjertet [out May 8th from Nordvis Productions (Bandcamp)], and the concluding installment has been received very positively by the metalsphere and elite intelligentsia alike. While we’re definitely not part of that elite metal intelligentsia ourselves, we have to agree with their positive buzz this time. This is a deeply introspective and nostalgic work of atmospheric folked blackness, written as a reflection of things remembered and things lost as the final curtain closes on a life. The material feels cathartic and delivers a long-building release. As Thus Spoke beautifully summed up, “A more perfect way to end things could not exist. My heart clings longingly to the place evoked by Det hjemsøkte hjertet‘s consuming atmosphere and touching humanity.” Moods 4 sale!1

Runner(s) Up:

Draconian // In Somnolent Ruin [May 8th, 2026 | Napalm Records | Bandcamp] — Sweden’s eternal Gothic doom crew Draconian have been at the crying game for a long, long time. Some of the names and faces have changed over the years, but the core sound and formula remains much the same. On eighth album In Somnolent Ruin, their doom edge is still sharp and ready to cut holes in your heart as only well-executed Goth-doom can. Unhurried and loaded down with bittersweet, exquisitely sad vocals from returning original singer Lisa Johansson, and anchored by the death roars of Anders Jacobsson, the Draconian experience still plucks heartstrings as it shakes the spinal cord. Perhaps most surprising is just how good the songwriting is across the entire album. It’s no surprise Kenstrosity spelled it out as “A love letter to Draconian’s storied past and a celebration of their modern era, refined to staggering excellence.” Taste the tears!

A Forest of Stars // Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface [May 8th, 2026 | Prophecy Productions | Bandcamp] — Britain’s avant-garde prog metal weirdos A Forest of Stars never did things the easy way. They blend genres with little regard to what should and shouldn’t go together, and somehow things usually work for them. With doom as a central tenet, the oddly named Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface unrolls a lengthy tapestry of sounds and styles for the patient listener. Long song lengths are kept lively by creative, dynamic writing and often unhinged vocal performances. A wild ride awaits the daring listener. As Grymm elegantly concluded, “A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me.” Get this Forest package!

Critique requires work. This is a truth understood by the AMG reviewer, Hegel, and Labor of the Negative. An international black metal project, Labor of the Negative derives its name from Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, which posits said labor as a cognitive antidote to romantic truths found via intuition. Not content to let Hegel be the only George Friedrich they cite, the band references The Triumph of Time and Disillusion, a Händel oratorio, for the title of their debut. Arriving via I, Voidhanger Records—the perfect home for Labor of the Negative’s heady brand of avant-garde black metal—the album draws philosophical inspiration from more than Hegel: Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and especially Durkheim (as we’ll see).1 But I’ll be sticking with Hegel, letting his infamous dialectic—thesis, antithesis, synthesis—guide my analysis and evaluation of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned.

But first, some context. Boasting members from Portugal, the UK, Norway, and Egypt, Labor of the Negative cross-reference genre luminaries in assembling their own bizarre bricolage. Claiming roots in the avant-garde black metal of Virus, Arcturus, and Dødheimsgard, guitarist S. and drummer T.Z. lay a foundation of trem riffs and blast beasts, phaser-drenched disso-melodies and double-bass-fueled tom-work. Thankfully, bassist J.H. doesn’t get lost in the mix, especially in making pulsating shifts from menacing to jazzy gears. In these softer sections, brass instrumentation (presumably from guest musician S.L.) takes the spotlight, giving this otherwise chaotic album a counterbalancing sultriness.2 The artsiness of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned, however, primarily stems from the deranged vocals of M., who screams, howls, shouts, grunts, and coughs. M.’s performance, wielding the human voice as an abrasively multifaceted instrument, reminds me of how A Forest of Stars and Portal similarly embrace alienating vocals. Not as alienating as one might expect is the production, feeling legibly claustrophobic during the black metal maelstroms and organically spacious during the jazzy reprieves. The guitars do get a little buried at times, and snare pops occasionally prickle the ear. Nevertheless, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned succeeds at sounding like sculpted estrangement.

Turning now to my Hegelian thesis means turning to The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned as a whole. Holistically, the album provides a mostly enjoyable experience, considering its subgenre. At 7 tracks in 34 minutes, Labor of the Negative smartly chose to make their debut a concise burst of avant-garde black metal. Six successive “Epoché”s structure The Triumph of Time, each being of similar, digestible lengths (4–6 minutes). An instrumental interlude (“151 – The Eternal Present and the Endless Dream”) breaks up the procession of epochs with feedbacky noise and variegated drumming. The album consistently ebbs and flows between scathing black metal and soothing jazz breaks that open (“Epoché II”), close (“Epoché IV”), and bridge (“Epoché III”) the madness. While this interplay keeps the album sonically dynamic, it also becomes a bit formulaic.

This holistic predictability leads us to my antithesis. When pressed upon, none of the individual tracks on The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned stand out. Pre-release single “Epoché III” comes closest, with its eerie guitar shimmers and adventurous key changes. But ultimately, the album feels less like a sequencing of memorable songs and more like a collection of cool moments: the squealing brass solo in opener “Epoché I” comes to mind, as does the concluding drumroll of “Epoché VI.” One might think that diving into The Triumph of Time’s concept can clarify how the parts contribute to the whole. Alas, my exploration of the lyrics created more confusion. According to my research, “Epoché IV” twice cites Durkheim to convey crises of belonging and aimlessness. How this relates to a succession of epochs, or a fourth epoch in particular, I am unsure.3

Synthesizing the good album experience and the disappointing songwriting, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned ultimately landed for me as a mixed affair. While I never truly disliked any time I spent with Labor of the Negative’s debut, I also never found myself desiring to further unpack this album that, seemingly, invites unpacking. Fans of avant-garde black metal, however, should give The Triumph of Time a go. M.’s maniacal vocals strike me as a worthy intervention into the genre, as does T.Z.’s dexterous drumming. With more ears, perhaps the fruit of this international collective’s labor might positively reveal itself.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

Critique requires work. This is a truth understood by the AMG reviewer, Hegel, and Labor of the Negative. An international black metal project, Labor of the Negative derives its name from Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, which posits said labor as a cognitive antidote to romantic truths found via intuition. Not content to let Hegel be the only George Friedrich they cite, the band references The Triumph of Time and Disillusion, a Händel oratorio, for the title of their debut. Arriving via I, Voidhanger Records—the perfect home for Labor of the Negative’s heady brand of avant-garde black metal—the album draws philosophical inspiration from more than Hegel: Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and especially Durkheim (as we’ll see).1 But I’ll be sticking with Hegel, letting his infamous dialectic—thesis, antithesis, synthesis—guide my analysis and evaluation of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned.

But first, some context. Boasting members from Portugal, the UK, Norway, and Egypt, Labor of the Negative cross-reference genre luminaries in assembling their own bizarre bricolage. Claiming roots in the avant-garde black metal of Virus, Arcturus, and Dødheimsgard, guitarist S. and drummer T.Z. lay a foundation of trem riffs and blast beasts, phaser-drenched disso-melodies and double-bass-fueled tom-work. Thankfully, bassist J.H. doesn’t get lost in the mix, especially in making pulsating shifts from menacing to jazzy gears. In these softer sections, brass instrumentation (presumably from guest musician S.L.) takes the spotlight, giving this otherwise chaotic album a counterbalancing sultriness.2 The artsiness of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned, however, primarily stems from the deranged vocals of M., who screams, howls, shouts, grunts, and coughs. M.’s performance, wielding the human voice as an abrasively multifaceted instrument, reminds me of how A Forest of Stars and Portal similarly embrace alienating vocals. Not as alienating as one might expect is the production, feeling legibly claustrophobic during the black metal maelstroms and organically spacious during the jazzy reprieves. The guitars do get a little buried at times, and snare pops occasionally prickle the ear. Nevertheless, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned succeeds at sounding like sculpted estrangement.

Turning now to my Hegelian thesis means turning to The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned as a whole. Holistically, the album provides a mostly enjoyable experience, considering its subgenre. At 7 tracks in 34 minutes, Labor of the Negative smartly chose to make their debut a concise burst of avant-garde black metal. Six successive “Epoché”s structure The Triumph of Time, each being of similar, digestible lengths (4–6 minutes). An instrumental interlude (“151 – The Eternal Present and the Endless Dream”) breaks up the procession of epochs with feedbacky noise and variegated drumming. The album consistently ebbs and flows between scathing black metal and soothing jazz breaks that open (“Epoché II”), close (“Epoché IV”), and bridge (“Epoché III”) the madness. While this interplay keeps the album sonically dynamic, it also becomes a bit formulaic.

This holistic predictability leads us to my antithesis. When pressed upon, none of the individual tracks on The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned stand out. Pre-release single “Epoché III” comes closest, with its eerie guitar shimmers and adventurous key changes. But ultimately, the album feels less like a sequencing of memorable songs and more like a collection of cool moments: the squealing brass solo in opener “Epoché I” comes to mind, as does the concluding drumroll of “Epoché VI.” One might think that diving into The Triumph of Time’s concept can clarify how the parts contribute to the whole. Alas, my exploration of the lyrics created more confusion. According to my research, “Epoché IV” twice cites Durkheim to convey crises of belonging and aimlessness. How this relates to a succession of epochs, or a fourth epoch in particular, I am unsure.3

Synthesizing the good album experience and the disappointing songwriting, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned ultimately landed for me as a mixed affair. While I never truly disliked any time I spent with Labor of the Negative’s debut, I also never found myself desiring to further unpack this album that, seemingly, invites unpacking. Fans of avant-garde black metal, however, should give The Triumph of Time a go. M.’s maniacal vocals strike me as a worthy intervention into the genre, as does T.Z.’s dexterous drumming. With more ears, perhaps the fruit of this international collective’s labor might positively reveal itself.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

Critique requires work. This is a truth understood by the AMG reviewer, Hegel, and Labor of the Negative. An international black metal project, Labor of the Negative derives its name from Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, which posits said labor as a cognitive antidote to romantic truths found via intuition. Not content to let Hegel be the only George Friedrich they cite, the band references The Triumph of Time and Disillusion, a Händel oratorio, for the title of their debut. Arriving via I, Voidhanger Records—the perfect home for Labor of the Negative’s heady brand of avant-garde black metal—the album draws philosophical inspiration from more than Hegel: Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and especially Durkheim (as we’ll see).1 But I’ll be sticking with Hegel, letting his infamous dialectic—thesis, antithesis, synthesis—guide my analysis and evaluation of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned.

But first, some context. Boasting members from Portugal, the UK, Norway, and Egypt, Labor of the Negative cross-reference genre luminaries in assembling their own bizarre bricolage. Claiming roots in the avant-garde black metal of Virus, Arcturus, and Dødheimsgard, guitarist S. and drummer T.Z. lay a foundation of trem riffs and blast beasts, phaser-drenched disso-melodies and double-bass-fueled tom-work. Thankfully, bassist J.H. doesn’t get lost in the mix, especially in making pulsating shifts from menacing to jazzy gears. In these softer sections, brass instrumentation (presumably from guest musician S.L.) takes the spotlight, giving this otherwise chaotic album a counterbalancing sultriness.2 The artsiness of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned, however, primarily stems from the deranged vocals of M., who screams, howls, shouts, grunts, and coughs. M.’s performance, wielding the human voice as an abrasively multifaceted instrument, reminds me of how A Forest of Stars and Portal similarly embrace alienating vocals. Not as alienating as one might expect is the production, feeling legibly claustrophobic during the black metal maelstroms and organically spacious during the jazzy reprieves. The guitars do get a little buried at times, and snare pops occasionally prickle the ear. Nevertheless, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned succeeds at sounding like sculpted estrangement.

Turning now to my Hegelian thesis means turning to The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned as a whole. Holistically, the album provides a mostly enjoyable experience, considering its subgenre. At 7 tracks in 34 minutes, Labor of the Negative smartly chose to make their debut a concise burst of avant-garde black metal. Six successive “Epoché”s structure The Triumph of Time, each being of similar, digestible lengths (4–6 minutes). An instrumental interlude (“151 – The Eternal Present and the Endless Dream”) breaks up the procession of epochs with feedbacky noise and variegated drumming. The album consistently ebbs and flows between scathing black metal and soothing jazz breaks that open (“Epoché II”), close (“Epoché IV”), and bridge (“Epoché III”) the madness. While this interplay keeps the album sonically dynamic, it also becomes a bit formulaic.

This holistic predictability leads us to my antithesis. When pressed upon, none of the individual tracks on The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned stand out. Pre-release single “Epoché III” comes closest, with its eerie guitar shimmers and adventurous key changes. But ultimately, the album feels less like a sequencing of memorable songs and more like a collection of cool moments: the squealing brass solo in opener “Epoché I” comes to mind, as does the concluding drumroll of “Epoché VI.” One might think that diving into The Triumph of Time’s concept can clarify how the parts contribute to the whole. Alas, my exploration of the lyrics created more confusion. According to my research, “Epoché IV” twice cites Durkheim to convey crises of belonging and aimlessness. How this relates to a succession of epochs, or a fourth epoch in particular, I am unsure.3

Synthesizing the good album experience and the disappointing songwriting, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned ultimately landed for me as a mixed affair. While I never truly disliked any time I spent with Labor of the Negative’s debut, I also never found myself desiring to further unpack this album that, seemingly, invites unpacking. Fans of avant-garde black metal, however, should give The Triumph of Time a go. M.’s maniacal vocals strike me as a worthy intervention into the genre, as does T.Z.’s dexterous drumming. With more ears, perhaps the fruit of this international collective’s labor might positively reveal itself.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

Critique requires work. This is a truth understood by the AMG reviewer, Hegel, and Labor of the Negative. An international black metal project, Labor of the Negative derives its name from Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, which posits said labor as a cognitive antidote to romantic truths found via intuition. Not content to let Hegel be the only George Friedrich they cite, the band references The Triumph of Time and Disillusion, a Händel oratorio, for the title of their debut. Arriving via I, Voidhanger Records—the perfect home for Labor of the Negative’s heady brand of avant-garde black metal—the album draws philosophical inspiration from more than Hegel: Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and especially Durkheim (as we’ll see).1 But I’ll be sticking with Hegel, letting his infamous dialectic—thesis, antithesis, synthesis—guide my analysis and evaluation of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned.

But first, some context. Boasting members from Portugal, the UK, Norway, and Egypt, Labor of the Negative cross-reference genre luminaries in assembling their own bizarre bricolage. Claiming roots in the avant-garde black metal of Virus, Arcturus, and Dødheimsgard, guitarist S. and drummer T.Z. lay a foundation of trem riffs and blast beasts, phaser-drenched disso-melodies and double-bass-fueled tom-work. Thankfully, bassist J.H. doesn’t get lost in the mix, especially in making pulsating shifts from menacing to jazzy gears. In these softer sections, brass instrumentation (presumably from guest musician S.L.) takes the spotlight, giving this otherwise chaotic album a counterbalancing sultriness.2 The artsiness of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned, however, primarily stems from the deranged vocals of M., who screams, howls, shouts, grunts, and coughs. M.’s performance, wielding the human voice as an abrasively multifaceted instrument, reminds me of how A Forest of Stars and Portal similarly embrace alienating vocals. Not as alienating as one might expect is the production, feeling legibly claustrophobic during the black metal maelstroms and organically spacious during the jazzy reprieves. The guitars do get a little buried at times, and snare pops occasionally prickle the ear. Nevertheless, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned succeeds at sounding like sculpted estrangement.

Turning now to my Hegelian thesis means turning to The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned as a whole. Holistically, the album provides a mostly enjoyable experience, considering its subgenre. At 7 tracks in 34 minutes, Labor of the Negative smartly chose to make their debut a concise burst of avant-garde black metal. Six successive “Epoché”s structure The Triumph of Time, each being of similar, digestible lengths (4–6 minutes). An instrumental interlude (“151 – The Eternal Present and the Endless Dream”) breaks up the procession of epochs with feedbacky noise and variegated drumming. The album consistently ebbs and flows between scathing black metal and soothing jazz breaks that open (“Epoché II”), close (“Epoché IV”), and bridge (“Epoché III”) the madness. While this interplay keeps the album sonically dynamic, it also becomes a bit formulaic.

This holistic predictability leads us to my antithesis. When pressed upon, none of the individual tracks on The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned stand out. Pre-release single “Epoché III” comes closest, with its eerie guitar shimmers and adventurous key changes. But ultimately, the album feels less like a sequencing of memorable songs and more like a collection of cool moments: the squealing brass solo in opener “Epoché I” comes to mind, as does the concluding drumroll of “Epoché VI.” One might think that diving into The Triumph of Time’s concept can clarify how the parts contribute to the whole. Alas, my exploration of the lyrics created more confusion. According to my research, “Epoché IV” twice cites Durkheim to convey crises of belonging and aimlessness. How this relates to a succession of epochs, or a fourth epoch in particular, I am unsure.3

Synthesizing the good album experience and the disappointing songwriting, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned ultimately landed for me as a mixed affair. While I never truly disliked any time I spent with Labor of the Negative’s debut, I also never found myself desiring to further unpack this album that, seemingly, invites unpacking. Fans of avant-garde black metal, however, should give The Triumph of Time a go. M.’s maniacal vocals strike me as a worthy intervention into the genre, as does T.Z.’s dexterous drumming. With more ears, perhaps the fruit of this international collective’s labor might positively reveal itself.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

Critique requires work. This is a truth understood by the AMG reviewer, Hegel, and Labor of the Negative. An international black metal project, Labor of the Negative derives its name from Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, which posits said labor as a cognitive antidote to romantic truths found via intuition. Not content to let Hegel be the only George Friedrich they cite, the band references The Triumph of Time and Disillusion, a Händel oratorio, for the title of their debut. Arriving via I, Voidhanger Records—the perfect home for Labor of the Negative’s heady brand of avant-garde black metal—the album draws philosophical inspiration from more than Hegel: Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and especially Durkheim (as we’ll see).1 But I’ll be sticking with Hegel, letting his infamous dialectic—thesis, antithesis, synthesis—guide my analysis and evaluation of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned.

But first, some context. Boasting members from Portugal, the UK, Norway, and Egypt, Labor of the Negative cross-reference genre luminaries in assembling their own bizarre bricolage. Claiming roots in the avant-garde black metal of Virus, Arcturus, and Dødheimsgard, guitarist S. and drummer T.Z. lay a foundation of trem riffs and blast beasts, phaser-drenched disso-melodies and double-bass-fueled tom-work. Thankfully, bassist J.H. doesn’t get lost in the mix, especially in making pulsating shifts from menacing to jazzy gears. In these softer sections, brass instrumentation (presumably from guest musician S.L.) takes the spotlight, giving this otherwise chaotic album a counterbalancing sultriness.2 The artsiness of The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned, however, primarily stems from the deranged vocals of M., who screams, howls, shouts, grunts, and coughs. M.’s performance, wielding the human voice as an abrasively multifaceted instrument, reminds me of how A Forest of Stars and Portal similarly embrace alienating vocals. Not as alienating as one might expect is the production, feeling legibly claustrophobic during the black metal maelstroms and organically spacious during the jazzy reprieves. The guitars do get a little buried at times, and snare pops occasionally prickle the ear. Nevertheless, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned succeeds at sounding like sculpted estrangement.

Turning now to my Hegelian thesis means turning to The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned as a whole. Holistically, the album provides a mostly enjoyable experience, considering its subgenre. At 7 tracks in 34 minutes, Labor of the Negative smartly chose to make their debut a concise burst of avant-garde black metal. Six successive “Epoché”s structure The Triumph of Time, each being of similar, digestible lengths (4–6 minutes). An instrumental interlude (“151 – The Eternal Present and the Endless Dream”) breaks up the procession of epochs with feedbacky noise and variegated drumming. The album consistently ebbs and flows between scathing black metal and soothing jazz breaks that open (“Epoché II”), close (“Epoché IV”), and bridge (“Epoché III”) the madness. While this interplay keeps the album sonically dynamic, it also becomes a bit formulaic.

This holistic predictability leads us to my antithesis. When pressed upon, none of the individual tracks on The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned stand out. Pre-release single “Epoché III” comes closest, with its eerie guitar shimmers and adventurous key changes. But ultimately, the album feels less like a sequencing of memorable songs and more like a collection of cool moments: the squealing brass solo in opener “Epoché I” comes to mind, as does the concluding drumroll of “Epoché VI.” One might think that diving into The Triumph of Time’s concept can clarify how the parts contribute to the whole. Alas, my exploration of the lyrics created more confusion. According to my research, “Epoché IV” twice cites Durkheim to convey crises of belonging and aimlessness. How this relates to a succession of epochs, or a fourth epoch in particular, I am unsure.3

Synthesizing the good album experience and the disappointing songwriting, The Triumph of Time and the Disillusioned ultimately landed for me as a mixed affair. While I never truly disliked any time I spent with Labor of the Negative’s debut, I also never found myself desiring to further unpack this album that, seemingly, invites unpacking. Fans of avant-garde black metal, however, should give The Triumph of Time a go. M.’s maniacal vocals strike me as a worthy intervention into the genre, as does T.Z.’s dexterous drumming. With more ears, perhaps the fruit of this international collective’s labor might positively reveal itself.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

A Forest of Stars: Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface

Le black-metal mène à tout, à condition d’en sortir. Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, le nouvel album de A Forest of Stars, le prouve de façon spectaculaire.

#AForestOfStars #avantGarde #blackMetal #GrandeBretagne #rockProgressif

https://wp.me/ppneF-bOg

This is fine for both #BlackMetalMonday and tomorrow's #ProgTuesday, because it's allegedly #ProgressiveBlackMetal, but what do I know about proper genre-ing:

#AForestOfStars: Stack Overflow In Corpse Pile Interface

https://album.link/i/1870195362

FFO #Agrypnie #Defacement #Drown

This is fine for both #BlackMetalMonday and tomorrow's #ProgTuesday, because it's allegedly #ProgressiveBlackMetal, but what do I know about proper genre-ing:

#AForestOfStars: Stack Overflow In Corpse Pile Interface

https://album.link/i/1870195362

FFO #Agrypnie #Defacement #Drown

This is fine for both #BlackMetalMonday and tomorrow's #ProgTuesday, because it's allegedly #ProgressiveBlackMetal, but what do I know about proper genre-ing:

#AForestOfStars: Stack Overflow In Corpse Pile Interface

https://album.link/i/1870195362

FFO #Agrypnie #Defacement #Drown

This is fine for both #BlackMetalMonday and tomorrow's #ProgTuesday, because it's allegedly #ProgressiveBlackMetal, but what do I know about proper genre-ing:

#AForestOfStars: Stack Overflow In Corpse Pile Interface

https://album.link/i/1870195362

FFO #Agrypnie #Defacement #Drown

This is fine for both #BlackMetalMonday and tomorrow's #ProgTuesday, because it's allegedly #ProgressiveBlackMetal, but what do I know about proper genre-ing:

#AForestOfStars: Stack Overflow In Corpse Pile Interface

https://album.link/i/1870195362

FFO #Agrypnie #Defacement #Drown

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/60060/ A Forest Of Stars – Stack Overflow In Corpse Pile Interface #AForestOfStars #albumrecensie #Amusement #AscensionOfTheClowns #BE #België #Belgium #Entertainment #LupusLounge #Music #Muziek #ProphecyProductions #review #RootsCircleUsurpers #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #StreetLevelVertigo #ZwareMetalen

A FOREST OF STARS (Regne Unit) presenta nou àlbum: "Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface" #AForestOfStars #AvantGarde #ProgressiveBlackMetal #Maig2026 #RegneUnit #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

A FOREST OF STARS (Regne Unit) presenta nou àlbum: "Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface" #AForestOfStars #AvantGarde #ProgressiveBlackMetal #Maig2026 #RegneUnit #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have…
#NewsBeep #News #Music #2026 #4.0 #AForestofStars #AU #Australia #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #Entertainment #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #review #reviews #StackOverflowinCorpsePileInterface #voices
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/656550/

A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have…
#NewsBeep #News #Music #2026 #4.0 #AForestofStars #AU #Australia #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #Entertainment #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #review #reviews #StackOverflowinCorpsePileInterface #voices
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/656550/

https://www.europesays.com/ie/473737/ A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review #2026 #40 #AForestOfStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #Éire #Entertainment #IE #Ireland #May26 #Music #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #Review #Reviews #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #voices

A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Music #2026 #4.0 #AForestofStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #Entertainment #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #review #reviews #StackOverflowinCorpsePileInterface #Voices
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/629629/

A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Music #2026 #4.0 #AForestofStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #Entertainment #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #review #reviews #StackOverflowinCorpsePileInterface #Voices
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/629629/

A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have…
#NewsBeep #News #Music #2026 #4.0 #AForestofStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #Entertainment #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #review #Reviews #StackOverflowinCorpsePileInterface #UK #UnitedKingdom #voices
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/571725/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/944629/ A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review #2026 #40 #AForestOfStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #Entertainment #May26 #music #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #Review #Reviews #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #UK #UnitedKingdom #voices

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.

I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.

And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.

Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.

I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.

Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.

I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.

And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.

Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.

I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.

Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.

I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.

And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.

Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.

I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.

Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.

I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.

And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.

Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.

I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.

Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026

There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.

I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.

And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.

Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.

I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.

Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026

New post: Gig Review: StrangeForms Festival 2026 Day 2 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (19th April 2026) https://moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2026/04/gig-review-strangeforms-festival-2026-day-2-brudenell-social-club-leeds-19th-april-2026/ #AForestOfStars #Cowboyy #Darkher #KowloonWalledCity

New post: Gig Review: StrangeForms Festival 2026 Day 2 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (19th April 2026) https://moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2026/04/gig-review-strangeforms-festival-2026-day-2-brudenell-social-club-leeds-19th-april-2026/ #AForestOfStars #Cowboyy #Darkher #KowloonWalledCity

New post: Gig Review: StrangeForms Festival 2026 Day 2 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (19th April 2026) https://moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2026/04/gig-review-strangeforms-festival-2026-day-2-brudenell-social-club-leeds-19th-april-2026/ #AForestOfStars #Cowboyy #Darkher #KowloonWalledCity

https://www.europesays.com/uk/68900/ AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Exterior Palnet – Haragma II #2025 #AForestOfStars #AngryMetalGuy'sUnsignedBandRodeo #AngryMetalGuy’sUnsignedBandRodeo2025 #BlackMetal #CroatianMetal #Dödheimsgard #Doldrum #Entertainment #ExteriorPalnet #HaragmaII #IndependentRelease #Jan25 #Krallice #music #ProgressiveBlackMetal #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #TheMarsVolta #UK #UnitedKingdom #Voivod

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Exterior Palnet – Haragma II

By Dolphin Whisperer

“AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö” is a time-honored tradition to showcase the most underground of the underground—the unsigned and unpromoted. This collective review treatment continues to exist to unite our writers in boot or bolster of the bands who remind us that, for better or worse, the metal underground exists as an important part of the global metal scene. The Rodeö rides on.”

Another year, another chance for the Rodeö to lasso a lurking but worthy buck. We do dirty business here at Angry Metal Guy and Sons, LLC, sifting promo after promo to catch a whiff of glory. But we do it all for the love of music, a love of exploration, and a love of dealing in the currency of informed and accurate opinions. Just ask the wise and appreciative minds of the powerful minds at Rolling Stone—they agree 12 we’re putting in the time!

But enough about us. You want to hear about Exterior Palnet, right? Don’t worry, they know that the word planet exists. These Croatian oddballs prefer to use a related and wholly untraceable word instead. And in that essence, Haragma II, their sophomore release, follows a musical path of likely patchwork influence and cross-genre reverence. Trv to black metal roots, a frosty trem and low-clack blast persists. Yet in tempo-fluid runs, Exterior Palnet finds a progressive, thrashy, and unpredictable attitude that sets their attack galaxies away from their frosty Norwegian forebears. So buckle up and prepare for extreme forces as you wrestle with the words our Cow Folk have for you today. And, if I’ve timed this right, this is the named debut of ascended n00b Owlswald (formerly 87).3 He’s a hoot. – Dolphin Whisperer

Exterior Palnet // Haragma II [January 24th, 2025]

El Cruevo: Exterior Palnet caused a ruckus in the AMG.com break room. “early Dødheimsgard plus [redacted shit-head black metal]4 wrapped in a [redacted shit-head thrash metal] package!” cried one individual. “[The band] is firing on all cylinders!” another gushed. When I was done cleaning their excrement off the ceilings, I learned that neither was wrong; Haragma II offers an avant-garde take on black metal executed with pummeling leads that sometimes wander into thrashy territory. But neither description clarified the reality that Exterior Palnet evoke the sadly-inactive A Forest of Stars; bolstered with additional pace and power, but weakened by a lack of dynamism and curiosity. Although the music has the sinister, inescapable feel of a spider’s web, it’s simply not very memorable or enjoyable. There are solid riffs, sure. And a warped, beastly attitude. Ordinarily these might fuse into something compelling. But I find myself drifting in and out while listening to Haragma II. For a record playing with such dissonance, heaviness and speed, the fact that it barely holds my attention rings the death knell. Now that my time with it is over, I have no interest whatsoever in returning. 2.0/5.0

Dolphin Whipserer: Yes, it will take more than one listen of Haragma II to settle into its particular brand of dreamy chaos. In a reckless manner, Exterior Palnet scatters crumbs of its mission about with twangy, swaggering groove that belies an incessant rhythmic trickery. Playing its hand first with the blasting and beguiling “Haragma” and “Zaphnath-Paaneah” feels like a sleight in the wake of the grandiose and wailing “Behind the Veil.” But understanding how it’s sudden hi-hat shuffle and endless bending mania can feel both natural and striking is key to unlocking the HII universe. Much like the early blackened scrawl of an early DHG—also informed by the progressive, narrative drama of the classic A Umbra Omega—a tangible mysticism lurks around every barked and battered word that escapes through Tomislav Hrastovec’s mic. Whether it’s the Hebrew prayer recital that closes “Beyond the Veil,” the surrealistic depiction of seasonless erosion of “Exoskeleton,” the elemental chant that guides the conclusion of “Haragma,” a shroud of existential disaster carves HII’s every edge—I’d suggest reading along with its words, which are all fully available on the Bandcamp page.5 The world we live in is bizarre, and Exterior Palnet does their very best to make sense of its senselessness through long dissonant resolves, whiplash pneumatic propulsions, and scraggly Voivodian bass drives. And yet, as “Heracleidae” stumbles to the total journey’s conclusion, a heroic melody casts a light of hope. Anecdotal, densely packed, and passing like the flash of a forgotten moment, Haragma II wears a brand of drama that drills shrill melody against swerving tempos in hopes to find a straight line. For some of us, the search is the answer. 3.5/5.0

Icebreg: Exterior Palnet are a tough nut to crack. Their music is dense and mechanical, rarely giving the listener an aural handhold. At first blush Haragma II presents as an unyielding barrage of dissonance layered on top of polyrhythm, sporting stream-of-consciousness style cavernous vocals. Amidst the scaling, wailing guitars and humming synths rages the beating heart of Exterior Palnet; a drummer6 who’s clearly read the mathcore brief. The undisputed star of this show, stuttering hi-hat rhythms and bursts of tom patterns reminiscent of Thomas Pridgen-era The Mars Volta live alongside monolithic blastbeats and wall-of-sound cymbal crashes. But exemplary performances don’t always translate into approachability, and Haragma II will rebuff all but the most determined musical excavators. Like staring into a Magic Eye puzzle, cycling chord structures and melodies appear in “Haragma” and “Exoskeletons,” but only after patient, focused listens. And while eleven-minute epic “Behind The Veil” revels in its noisy climax and grindy bookend riffs, it weights down the middle of an album that already suffers from potential fatigue issues. A break in the chaos appears in the twilight minutes of “Heracleidae,” and while my ears are thankful for the change in texture, the band’s performance doesn’t seem as tight as the rest of the album, making the section seem more mistake than intention. Exterior Palnet unflinchingly adhere to their style of blackened mathcore,7 and execute it well, but the lack of sonic relief here makes it a tough listen for this reviewer. 2.5/5.0

Alekihnes Gun: The “No Regerts” style named Exterior Palnet have descended from space. One look at the cover is an excellent setup for expectations; with its Voivod by way of Refrigerator Art décor, it’s clear something herky and jerky is on the horizon. Exterior Palnet manage to slide between an assembly of treble heavy riffs and melodies which inevitably walk back into more straightforward pummeling. Album centerpiece “Behind the Veil” is the real test for listener appreciation, clocking in at a whopping eleven minutes and managing to make each minute count with an assembly of moments ranging from mood setting sustained plucking scales to proper tremelos over blast beats. Haragma II doesn’t want for a glut of such moments, though the entirety of the album sounds more like a collection via stream of consciousness more than a series of cohesive songs. This is partially the fault of the mix, where the drums are produced so heavily as to drown out some of the clarity of the riffs on display, and the bass is reduced to an atonal rumble rather than function as support for the chord progressions. There’s a really fun atmosphere on display here and whiffs of excellence to be found across the album, if they can tighten the screws on the song writing a bit and get a mix to serve the overall presentation. 2.5/5

Thyme: Exterior Palnet‘s sophomore album, Haragma II, was slightly off-putting on the first listen, but it’s grown on me like some feral space rash. Riffs pinball in every direction, ranging from chaotically dissonant (“Haragma”) to pensively inquisitive (“Zaphnath-Paaneah”) as if tip-toeing through blackened tulips and sparking like schizophrenic flashbangs, recalling the experimental instrumentality of acts like Krallice, DsO, and early Dødheimsgard. It wasn’t until the twangy swing of “Behind the Veil” kicked in, however, that Exterior Palnet‘s claws really dug in. An eleven-minute odyssey and the album highlight, “Behind the Veil,” displays all the tricks in Exterior Palnet‘s bag. Bruno Čavara’s guitars crash and splash against each other in sprays of dissonant mist as he expertly ushers us across tremolodic waters and rifferous wastelands. With emotionally restless desperation, Tomislav Hrastovec’s tortured shouts and screams pair perfectly with Čavara’s intricate guitars and session bassist Vedran Rao Brlečić’s punchy low-end work. While no drummer was credited, programmed or not,8 the drums sound lush and vibrant, keeping the serpentine instrumentation in check, which is no small feat. My biggest gripe with Haragma II lies in the mix, which I find too loud. I know this is black metal, but there are so many interesting things happening here that I think the mix robs the listener, especially the casual ones, of experiencing the material’s full complexity. Ultimately, Exterior Palnet has released an album worthy of your time, and I hope you check it out. 3.0/5.0

Owlswald: My relationship with black metal is complicated. No longer drawn to the forthright tremolo and low-fi discords of old, I now find the genre’s more avant-garde forms satiating. This leads me to believe Croatia’s Exterior Palnet should be right up my alley, as they deliver a chaotic yet grounded sound that both captivates and overwhelms me in equal measure. Haragma II’s strength lies in its ability to generate a palpable sense of unease and restlessness through swarms of dissonant guitars, anguished cries and shifting tempos. Whether conjuring Deathspell Omega anxiety and agitation through its swirling and undulating soundscape (“Heracleidae”) or transmuting its frenetic energy via taut blasts and fills (“Exoskeletons,” “Zaphnath-Paaneah”), Haragama II is all about keeping the listener off-kilter. Despite its often exhausting intensity, Exterior Palnet offers brief but welcome respites, including the Doldrum-esque groovy syncopations within “Haragma” or the unexpected shoegaze-tinged textures ending “Behind the Veil.” Still, Haragma II’s songwriting would benefit from greater balance, as it currently prioritizes pandemonium through a loud, upfront mix. Exterior Palnet reach their peak when atmosphere, groove and prevailing intensity are in equilibrium. Haragma II proves there is still room for growth. Good.

#2025 #AForestOfStars #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo2025 #BlackMetal #CroatianMetal #Dödheimsgard #Doldrum #ExteriorPalnet #HaragmaII #IndependentRelease #Jan25 #Krallice #ProgressiveBlackMetal #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #TheMarsVolta #Voivod

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Exterior Palnet – Haragma II

By Dolphin Whisperer

“AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö” is a time-honored tradition to showcase the most underground of the underground—the unsigned and unpromoted. This collective review treatment continues to exist to unite our writers in boot or bolster of the bands who remind us that, for better or worse, the metal underground exists as an important part of the global metal scene. The Rodeö rides on.”

Another year, another chance for the Rodeö to lasso a lurking but worthy buck. We do dirty business here at Angry Metal Guy and Sons, LLC, sifting promo after promo to catch a whiff of glory. But we do it all for the love of music, a love of exploration, and a love of dealing in the currency of informed and accurate opinions. Just ask the wise and appreciative minds of the powerful minds at Rolling Stone—they agree 12 we’re putting in the time!

But enough about us. You want to hear about Exterior Palnet, right? Don’t worry, they know that the word planet exists. These Croatian oddballs prefer to use a related and wholly untraceable word instead. And in that essence, Haragma II, their sophomore release, follows a musical path of likely patchwork influence and cross-genre reverence. Trv to black metal roots, a frosty trem and low-clack blast persists. Yet in tempo-fluid runs, Exterior Palnet finds a progressive, thrashy, and unpredictable attitude that sets their attack galaxies away from their frosty Norwegian forebears. So buckle up and prepare for extreme forces as you wrestle with the words our Cow Folk have for you today. And, if I’ve timed this right, this is the named debut of ascended n00b Owlswald (formerly 87).3 He’s a hoot. – Dolphin Whisperer

Exterior Palnet // Haragma II [January 24th, 2025]

El Cruevo: Exterior Palnet caused a ruckus in the AMG.com break room. “early Dødheimsgard plus [redacted shit-head black metal]4 wrapped in a [redacted shit-head thrash metal] package!” cried one individual. “[The band] is firing on all cylinders!” another gushed. When I was done cleaning their excrement off the ceilings, I learned that neither was wrong; Haragma II offers an avant-garde take on black metal executed with pummeling leads that sometimes wander into thrashy territory. But neither description clarified the reality that Exterior Palnet evoke the sadly-inactive A Forest of Stars; bolstered with additional pace and power, but weakened by a lack of dynamism and curiosity. Although the music has the sinister, inescapable feel of a spider’s web, it’s simply not very memorable or enjoyable. There are solid riffs, sure. And a warped, beastly attitude. Ordinarily these might fuse into something compelling. But I find myself drifting in and out while listening to Haragma II. For a record playing with such dissonance, heaviness and speed, the fact that it barely holds my attention rings the death knell. Now that my time with it is over, I have no interest whatsoever in returning. 2.0/5.0

Dolphin Whipserer: Yes, it will take more than one listen of Haragma II to settle into its particular brand of dreamy chaos. In a reckless manner, Exterior Palnet scatters crumbs of its mission about with twangy, swaggering groove that belies an incessant rhythmic trickery. Playing its hand first with the blasting and beguiling “Haragma” and “Zaphnath-Paaneah” feels like a sleight in the wake of the grandiose and wailing “Behind the Veil.” But understanding how it’s sudden hi-hat shuffle and endless bending mania can feel both natural and striking is key to unlocking the HII universe. Much like the early blackened scrawl of an early DHG—also informed by the progressive, narrative drama of the classic A Umbra Omega—a tangible mysticism lurks around every barked and battered word that escapes through Tomislav Hrastovec’s mic. Whether it’s the Hebrew prayer recital that closes “Beyond the Veil,” the surrealistic depiction of seasonless erosion of “Exoskeleton,” the elemental chant that guides the conclusion of “Haragma,” a shroud of existential disaster carves HII’s every edge—I’d suggest reading along with its words, which are all fully available on the Bandcamp page.5 The world we live in is bizarre, and Exterior Palnet does their very best to make sense of its senselessness through long dissonant resolves, whiplash pneumatic propulsions, and scraggly Voivodian bass drives. And yet, as “Heracleidae” stumbles to the total journey’s conclusion, a heroic melody casts a light of hope. Anecdotal, densely packed, and passing like the flash of a forgotten moment, Haragma II wears a brand of drama that drills shrill melody against swerving tempos in hopes to find a straight line. For some of us, the search is the answer. 3.5/5.0

Icebreg: Exterior Palnet are a tough nut to crack. Their music is dense and mechanical, rarely giving the listener an aural handhold. At first blush Haragma II presents as an unyielding barrage of dissonance layered on top of polyrhythm, sporting stream-of-consciousness style cavernous vocals. Amidst the scaling, wailing guitars and humming synths rages the beating heart of Exterior Palnet; a drummer6 who’s clearly read the mathcore brief. The undisputed star of this show, stuttering hi-hat rhythms and bursts of tom patterns reminiscent of Thomas Pridgen-era The Mars Volta live alongside monolithic blastbeats and wall-of-sound cymbal crashes. But exemplary performances don’t always translate into approachability, and Haragma II will rebuff all but the most determined musical excavators. Like staring into a Magic Eye puzzle, cycling chord structures and melodies appear in “Haragma” and “Exoskeletons,” but only after patient, focused listens. And while eleven-minute epic “Behind The Veil” revels in its noisy climax and grindy bookend riffs, it weights down the middle of an album that already suffers from potential fatigue issues. A break in the chaos appears in the twilight minutes of “Heracleidae,” and while my ears are thankful for the change in texture, the band’s performance doesn’t seem as tight as the rest of the album, making the section seem more mistake than intention. Exterior Palnet unflinchingly adhere to their style of blackened mathcore,7 and execute it well, but the lack of sonic relief here makes it a tough listen for this reviewer. 2.5/5.0

Alekihnes Gun: The “No Regerts” style named Exterior Palnet have descended from space. One look at the cover is an excellent setup for expectations; with its Voivod by way of Refrigerator Art décor, it’s clear something herky and jerky is on the horizon. Exterior Palnet manage to slide between an assembly of treble heavy riffs and melodies which inevitably walk back into more straightforward pummeling. Album centerpiece “Behind the Veil” is the real test for listener appreciation, clocking in at a whopping eleven minutes and managing to make each minute count with an assembly of moments ranging from mood setting sustained plucking scales to proper tremelos over blast beats. Haragma II doesn’t want for a glut of such moments, though the entirety of the album sounds more like a collection via stream of consciousness more than a series of cohesive songs. This is partially the fault of the mix, where the drums are produced so heavily as to drown out some of the clarity of the riffs on display, and the bass is reduced to an atonal rumble rather than function as support for the chord progressions. There’s a really fun atmosphere on display here and whiffs of excellence to be found across the album, if they can tighten the screws on the song writing a bit and get a mix to serve the overall presentation. 2.5/5

Thyme: Exterior Palnet‘s sophomore album, Haragma II, was slightly off-putting on the first listen, but it’s grown on me like some feral space rash. Riffs pinball in every direction, ranging from chaotically dissonant (“Haragma”) to pensively inquisitive (“Zaphnath-Paaneah”) as if tip-toeing through blackened tulips and sparking like schizophrenic flashbangs, recalling the experimental instrumentality of acts like Krallice, DsO, and early Dødheimsgard. It wasn’t until the twangy swing of “Behind the Veil” kicked in, however, that Exterior Palnet‘s claws really dug in. An eleven-minute odyssey and the album highlight, “Behind the Veil,” displays all the tricks in Exterior Palnet‘s bag. Bruno Čavara’s guitars crash and splash against each other in sprays of dissonant mist as he expertly ushers us across tremolodic waters and rifferous wastelands. With emotionally restless desperation, Tomislav Hrastovec’s tortured shouts and screams pair perfectly with Čavara’s intricate guitars and session bassist Vedran Rao Brlečić’s punchy low-end work. While no drummer was credited, programmed or not,8 the drums sound lush and vibrant, keeping the serpentine instrumentation in check, which is no small feat. My biggest gripe with Haragma II lies in the mix, which I find too loud. I know this is black metal, but there are so many interesting things happening here that I think the mix robs the listener, especially the casual ones, of experiencing the material’s full complexity. Ultimately, Exterior Palnet has released an album worthy of your time, and I hope you check it out. 3.0/5.0

Owlswald: My relationship with black metal is complicated. No longer drawn to the forthright tremolo and low-fi discords of old, I now find the genre’s more avant-garde forms satiating. This leads me to believe Croatia’s Exterior Palnet should be right up my alley, as they deliver a chaotic yet grounded sound that both captivates and overwhelms me in equal measure. Haragma II’s strength lies in its ability to generate a palpable sense of unease and restlessness through swarms of dissonant guitars, anguished cries and shifting tempos. Whether conjuring Deathspell Omega anxiety and agitation through its swirling and undulating soundscape (“Heracleidae”) or transmuting its frenetic energy via taut blasts and fills (“Exoskeletons,” “Zaphnath-Paaneah”), Haragama II is all about keeping the listener off-kilter. Despite its often exhausting intensity, Exterior Palnet offers brief but welcome respites, including the Doldrum-esque groovy syncopations within “Haragma” or the unexpected shoegaze-tinged textures ending “Behind the Veil.” Still, Haragma II’s songwriting would benefit from greater balance, as it currently prioritizes pandemonium through a loud, upfront mix. Exterior Palnet reach their peak when atmosphere, groove and prevailing intensity are in equilibrium. Haragma II proves there is still room for growth. Good.

#2025 #AForestOfStars #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo2025 #BlackMetal #CroatianMetal #Dödheimsgard #Doldrum #ExteriorPalnet #HaragmaII #IndependentRelease #Jan25 #Krallice #ProgressiveBlackMetal #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #TheMarsVolta #Voivod

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Exterior Palnet – Haragma II

By Dolphin Whisperer

“AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö” is a time-honored tradition to showcase the most underground of the underground—the unsigned and unpromoted. This collective review treatment continues to exist to unite our writers in boot or bolster of the bands who remind us that, for better or worse, the metal underground exists as an important part of the global metal scene. The Rodeö rides on.”

Another year, another chance for the Rodeö to lasso a lurking but worthy buck. We do dirty business here at Angry Metal Guy and Sons, LLC, sifting promo after promo to catch a whiff of glory. But we do it all for the love of music, a love of exploration, and a love of dealing in the currency of informed and accurate opinions. Just ask the wise and appreciative minds of the powerful minds at Rolling Stone—they agree 12 we’re putting in the time!

But enough about us. You want to hear about Exterior Palnet, right? Don’t worry, they know that the word planet exists. These Croatian oddballs prefer to use a related and wholly untraceable word instead. And in that essence, Haragma II, their sophomore release, follows a musical path of likely patchwork influence and cross-genre reverence. Trv to black metal roots, a frosty trem and low-clack blast persists. Yet in tempo-fluid runs, Exterior Palnet finds a progressive, thrashy, and unpredictable attitude that sets their attack galaxies away from their frosty Norwegian forebears. So buckle up and prepare for extreme forces as you wrestle with the words our Cow Folk have for you today. And, if I’ve timed this right, this is the named debut of ascended n00b Owlswald (formerly 87).3 He’s a hoot. – Dolphin Whisperer

Exterior Palnet // Haragma II [January 24th, 2025]

El Cruevo: Exterior Palnet caused a ruckus in the AMG.com break room. “early Dødheimsgard plus [redacted shit-head black metal]4 wrapped in a [redacted shit-head thrash metal] package!” cried one individual. “[The band] is firing on all cylinders!” another gushed. When I was done cleaning their excrement off the ceilings, I learned that neither was wrong; Haragma II offers an avant-garde take on black metal executed with pummeling leads that sometimes wander into thrashy territory. But neither description clarified the reality that Exterior Palnet evoke the sadly-inactive A Forest of Stars; bolstered with additional pace and power, but weakened by a lack of dynamism and curiosity. Although the music has the sinister, inescapable feel of a spider’s web, it’s simply not very memorable or enjoyable. There are solid riffs, sure. And a warped, beastly attitude. Ordinarily these might fuse into something compelling. But I find myself drifting in and out while listening to Haragma II. For a record playing with such dissonance, heaviness and speed, the fact that it barely holds my attention rings the death knell. Now that my time with it is over, I have no interest whatsoever in returning. 2.0/5.0

Dolphin Whipserer: Yes, it will take more than one listen of Haragma II to settle into its particular brand of dreamy chaos. In a reckless manner, Exterior Palnet scatters crumbs of its mission about with twangy, swaggering groove that belies an incessant rhythmic trickery. Playing its hand first with the blasting and beguiling “Haragma” and “Zaphnath-Paaneah” feels like a sleight in the wake of the grandiose and wailing “Behind the Veil.” But understanding how it’s sudden hi-hat shuffle and endless bending mania can feel both natural and striking is key to unlocking the HII universe. Much like the early blackened scrawl of an early DHG—also informed by the progressive, narrative drama of the classic A Umbra Omega—a tangible mysticism lurks around every barked and battered word that escapes through Tomislav Hrastovec’s mic. Whether it’s the Hebrew prayer recital that closes “Beyond the Veil,” the surrealistic depiction of seasonless erosion of “Exoskeleton,” the elemental chant that guides the conclusion of “Haragma,” a shroud of existential disaster carves HII’s every edge—I’d suggest reading along with its words, which are all fully available on the Bandcamp page.5 The world we live in is bizarre, and Exterior Palnet does their very best to make sense of its senselessness through long dissonant resolves, whiplash pneumatic propulsions, and scraggly Voivodian bass drives. And yet, as “Heracleidae” stumbles to the total journey’s conclusion, a heroic melody casts a light of hope. Anecdotal, densely packed, and passing like the flash of a forgotten moment, Haragma II wears a brand of drama that drills shrill melody against swerving tempos in hopes to find a straight line. For some of us, the search is the answer. 3.5/5.0

Icebreg: Exterior Palnet are a tough nut to crack. Their music is dense and mechanical, rarely giving the listener an aural handhold. At first blush Haragma II presents as an unyielding barrage of dissonance layered on top of polyrhythm, sporting stream-of-consciousness style cavernous vocals. Amidst the scaling, wailing guitars and humming synths rages the beating heart of Exterior Palnet; a drummer6 who’s clearly read the mathcore brief. The undisputed star of this show, stuttering hi-hat rhythms and bursts of tom patterns reminiscent of Thomas Pridgen-era The Mars Volta live alongside monolithic blastbeats and wall-of-sound cymbal crashes. But exemplary performances don’t always translate into approachability, and Haragma II will rebuff all but the most determined musical excavators. Like staring into a Magic Eye puzzle, cycling chord structures and melodies appear in “Haragma” and “Exoskeletons,” but only after patient, focused listens. And while eleven-minute epic “Behind The Veil” revels in its noisy climax and grindy bookend riffs, it weights down the middle of an album that already suffers from potential fatigue issues. A break in the chaos appears in the twilight minutes of “Heracleidae,” and while my ears are thankful for the change in texture, the band’s performance doesn’t seem as tight as the rest of the album, making the section seem more mistake than intention. Exterior Palnet unflinchingly adhere to their style of blackened mathcore,7 and execute it well, but the lack of sonic relief here makes it a tough listen for this reviewer. 2.5/5.0

Alekihnes Gun: The “No Regerts” style named Exterior Palnet have descended from space. One look at the cover is an excellent setup for expectations; with its Voivod by way of Refrigerator Art décor, it’s clear something herky and jerky is on the horizon. Exterior Palnet manage to slide between an assembly of treble heavy riffs and melodies which inevitably walk back into more straightforward pummeling. Album centerpiece “Behind the Veil” is the real test for listener appreciation, clocking in at a whopping eleven minutes and managing to make each minute count with an assembly of moments ranging from mood setting sustained plucking scales to proper tremelos over blast beats. Haragma II doesn’t want for a glut of such moments, though the entirety of the album sounds more like a collection via stream of consciousness more than a series of cohesive songs. This is partially the fault of the mix, where the drums are produced so heavily as to drown out some of the clarity of the riffs on display, and the bass is reduced to an atonal rumble rather than function as support for the chord progressions. There’s a really fun atmosphere on display here and whiffs of excellence to be found across the album, if they can tighten the screws on the song writing a bit and get a mix to serve the overall presentation. 2.5/5

Thyme: Exterior Palnet‘s sophomore album, Haragma II, was slightly off-putting on the first listen, but it’s grown on me like some feral space rash. Riffs pinball in every direction, ranging from chaotically dissonant (“Haragma”) to pensively inquisitive (“Zaphnath-Paaneah”) as if tip-toeing through blackened tulips and sparking like schizophrenic flashbangs, recalling the experimental instrumentality of acts like Krallice, DsO, and early Dødheimsgard. It wasn’t until the twangy swing of “Behind the Veil” kicked in, however, that Exterior Palnet‘s claws really dug in. An eleven-minute odyssey and the album highlight, “Behind the Veil,” displays all the tricks in Exterior Palnet‘s bag. Bruno Čavara’s guitars crash and splash against each other in sprays of dissonant mist as he expertly ushers us across tremolodic waters and rifferous wastelands. With emotionally restless desperation, Tomislav Hrastovec’s tortured shouts and screams pair perfectly with Čavara’s intricate guitars and session bassist Vedran Rao Brlečić’s punchy low-end work. While no drummer was credited, programmed or not,8 the drums sound lush and vibrant, keeping the serpentine instrumentation in check, which is no small feat. My biggest gripe with Haragma II lies in the mix, which I find too loud. I know this is black metal, but there are so many interesting things happening here that I think the mix robs the listener, especially the casual ones, of experiencing the material’s full complexity. Ultimately, Exterior Palnet has released an album worthy of your time, and I hope you check it out. 3.0/5.0

Owlswald: My relationship with black metal is complicated. No longer drawn to the forthright tremolo and low-fi discords of old, I now find the genre’s more avant-garde forms satiating. This leads me to believe Croatia’s Exterior Palnet should be right up my alley, as they deliver a chaotic yet grounded sound that both captivates and overwhelms me in equal measure. Haragma II’s strength lies in its ability to generate a palpable sense of unease and restlessness through swarms of dissonant guitars, anguished cries and shifting tempos. Whether conjuring Deathspell Omega anxiety and agitation through its swirling and undulating soundscape (“Heracleidae”) or transmuting its frenetic energy via taut blasts and fills (“Exoskeletons,” “Zaphnath-Paaneah”), Haragama II is all about keeping the listener off-kilter. Despite its often exhausting intensity, Exterior Palnet offers brief but welcome respites, including the Doldrum-esque groovy syncopations within “Haragma” or the unexpected shoegaze-tinged textures ending “Behind the Veil.” Still, Haragma II’s songwriting would benefit from greater balance, as it currently prioritizes pandemonium through a loud, upfront mix. Exterior Palnet reach their peak when atmosphere, groove and prevailing intensity are in equilibrium. Haragma II proves there is still room for growth. Good.

#2025 #AForestOfStars #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo2025 #BlackMetal #CroatianMetal #Dödheimsgard #Doldrum #ExteriorPalnet #HaragmaII #IndependentRelease #Jan25 #Krallice #ProgressiveBlackMetal #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #TheMarsVolta #Voivod

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Exterior Palnet – Haragma II

By Dolphin Whisperer

“AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö” is a time-honored tradition to showcase the most underground of the underground—the unsigned and unpromoted. This collective review treatment continues to exist to unite our writers in boot or bolster of the bands who remind us that, for better or worse, the metal underground exists as an important part of the global metal scene. The Rodeö rides on.”

Another year, another chance for the Rodeö to lasso a lurking but worthy buck. We do dirty business here at Angry Metal Guy and Sons, LLC, sifting promo after promo to catch a whiff of glory. But we do it all for the love of music, a love of exploration, and a love of dealing in the currency of informed and accurate opinions. Just ask the wise and appreciative minds of the powerful minds at Rolling Stone—they agree 12 we’re putting in the time!

But enough about us. You want to hear about Exterior Palnet, right? Don’t worry, they know that the word planet exists. These Croatian oddballs prefer to use a related and wholly untraceable word instead. And in that essence, Haragma II, their sophomore release, follows a musical path of likely patchwork influence and cross-genre reverence. Trv to black metal roots, a frosty trem and low-clack blast persists. Yet in tempo-fluid runs, Exterior Palnet finds a progressive, thrashy, and unpredictable attitude that sets their attack galaxies away from their frosty Norwegian forebears. So buckle up and prepare for extreme forces as you wrestle with the words our Cow Folk have for you today. And, if I’ve timed this right, this is the named debut of ascended n00b Owlswald (formerly 87).3 He’s a hoot. – Dolphin Whisperer

Exterior Palnet // Haragma II [January 24th, 2025]

El Cruevo: Exterior Palnet caused a ruckus in the AMG.com break room. “early Dødheimsgard plus [redacted shit-head black metal]4 wrapped in a [redacted shit-head thrash metal] package!” cried one individual. “[The band] is firing on all cylinders!” another gushed. When I was done cleaning their excrement off the ceilings, I learned that neither was wrong; Haragma II offers an avant-garde take on black metal executed with pummeling leads that sometimes wander into thrashy territory. But neither description clarified the reality that Exterior Palnet evoke the sadly-inactive A Forest of Stars; bolstered with additional pace and power, but weakened by a lack of dynamism and curiosity. Although the music has the sinister, inescapable feel of a spider’s web, it’s simply not very memorable or enjoyable. There are solid riffs, sure. And a warped, beastly attitude. Ordinarily these might fuse into something compelling. But I find myself drifting in and out while listening to Haragma II. For a record playing with such dissonance, heaviness and speed, the fact that it barely holds my attention rings the death knell. Now that my time with it is over, I have no interest whatsoever in returning. 2.0/5.0

Dolphin Whipserer: Yes, it will take more than one listen of Haragma II to settle into its particular brand of dreamy chaos. In a reckless manner, Exterior Palnet scatters crumbs of its mission about with twangy, swaggering groove that belies an incessant rhythmic trickery. Playing its hand first with the blasting and beguiling “Haragma” and “Zaphnath-Paaneah” feels like a sleight in the wake of the grandiose and wailing “Behind the Veil.” But understanding how it’s sudden hi-hat shuffle and endless bending mania can feel both natural and striking is key to unlocking the HII universe. Much like the early blackened scrawl of an early DHG—also informed by the progressive, narrative drama of the classic A Umbra Omega—a tangible mysticism lurks around every barked and battered word that escapes through Tomislav Hrastovec’s mic. Whether it’s the Hebrew prayer recital that closes “Beyond the Veil,” the surrealistic depiction of seasonless erosion of “Exoskeleton,” the elemental chant that guides the conclusion of “Haragma,” a shroud of existential disaster carves HII’s every edge—I’d suggest reading along with its words, which are all fully available on the Bandcamp page.5 The world we live in is bizarre, and Exterior Palnet does their very best to make sense of its senselessness through long dissonant resolves, whiplash pneumatic propulsions, and scraggly Voivodian bass drives. And yet, as “Heracleidae” stumbles to the total journey’s conclusion, a heroic melody casts a light of hope. Anecdotal, densely packed, and passing like the flash of a forgotten moment, Haragma II wears a brand of drama that drills shrill melody against swerving tempos in hopes to find a straight line. For some of us, the search is the answer. 3.5/5.0

Icebreg: Exterior Palnet are a tough nut to crack. Their music is dense and mechanical, rarely giving the listener an aural handhold. At first blush Haragma II presents as an unyielding barrage of dissonance layered on top of polyrhythm, sporting stream-of-consciousness style cavernous vocals. Amidst the scaling, wailing guitars and humming synths rages the beating heart of Exterior Palnet; a drummer6 who’s clearly read the mathcore brief. The undisputed star of this show, stuttering hi-hat rhythms and bursts of tom patterns reminiscent of Thomas Pridgen-era The Mars Volta live alongside monolithic blastbeats and wall-of-sound cymbal crashes. But exemplary performances don’t always translate into approachability, and Haragma II will rebuff all but the most determined musical excavators. Like staring into a Magic Eye puzzle, cycling chord structures and melodies appear in “Haragma” and “Exoskeletons,” but only after patient, focused listens. And while eleven-minute epic “Behind The Veil” revels in its noisy climax and grindy bookend riffs, it weights down the middle of an album that already suffers from potential fatigue issues. A break in the chaos appears in the twilight minutes of “Heracleidae,” and while my ears are thankful for the change in texture, the band’s performance doesn’t seem as tight as the rest of the album, making the section seem more mistake than intention. Exterior Palnet unflinchingly adhere to their style of blackened mathcore,7 and execute it well, but the lack of sonic relief here makes it a tough listen for this reviewer. 2.5/5.0

Alekihnes Gun: The “No Regerts” style named Exterior Palnet have descended from space. One look at the cover is an excellent setup for expectations; with its Voivod by way of Refrigerator Art décor, it’s clear something herky and jerky is on the horizon. Exterior Palnet manage to slide between an assembly of treble heavy riffs and melodies which inevitably walk back into more straightforward pummeling. Album centerpiece “Behind the Veil” is the real test for listener appreciation, clocking in at a whopping eleven minutes and managing to make each minute count with an assembly of moments ranging from mood setting sustained plucking scales to proper tremelos over blast beats. Haragma II doesn’t want for a glut of such moments, though the entirety of the album sounds more like a collection via stream of consciousness more than a series of cohesive songs. This is partially the fault of the mix, where the drums are produced so heavily as to drown out some of the clarity of the riffs on display, and the bass is reduced to an atonal rumble rather than function as support for the chord progressions. There’s a really fun atmosphere on display here and whiffs of excellence to be found across the album, if they can tighten the screws on the song writing a bit and get a mix to serve the overall presentation. 2.5/5

Thyme: Exterior Palnet‘s sophomore album, Haragma II, was slightly off-putting on the first listen, but it’s grown on me like some feral space rash. Riffs pinball in every direction, ranging from chaotically dissonant (“Haragma”) to pensively inquisitive (“Zaphnath-Paaneah”) as if tip-toeing through blackened tulips and sparking like schizophrenic flashbangs, recalling the experimental instrumentality of acts like Krallice, DsO, and early Dødheimsgard. It wasn’t until the twangy swing of “Behind the Veil” kicked in, however, that Exterior Palnet‘s claws really dug in. An eleven-minute odyssey and the album highlight, “Behind the Veil,” displays all the tricks in Exterior Palnet‘s bag. Bruno Čavara’s guitars crash and splash against each other in sprays of dissonant mist as he expertly ushers us across tremolodic waters and rifferous wastelands. With emotionally restless desperation, Tomislav Hrastovec’s tortured shouts and screams pair perfectly with Čavara’s intricate guitars and session bassist Vedran Rao Brlečić’s punchy low-end work. While no drummer was credited, programmed or not,8 the drums sound lush and vibrant, keeping the serpentine instrumentation in check, which is no small feat. My biggest gripe with Haragma II lies in the mix, which I find too loud. I know this is black metal, but there are so many interesting things happening here that I think the mix robs the listener, especially the casual ones, of experiencing the material’s full complexity. Ultimately, Exterior Palnet has released an album worthy of your time, and I hope you check it out. 3.0/5.0

Owlswald: My relationship with black metal is complicated. No longer drawn to the forthright tremolo and low-fi discords of old, I now find the genre’s more avant-garde forms satiating. This leads me to believe Croatia’s Exterior Palnet should be right up my alley, as they deliver a chaotic yet grounded sound that both captivates and overwhelms me in equal measure. Haragma II’s strength lies in its ability to generate a palpable sense of unease and restlessness through swarms of dissonant guitars, anguished cries and shifting tempos. Whether conjuring Deathspell Omega anxiety and agitation through its swirling and undulating soundscape (“Heracleidae”) or transmuting its frenetic energy via taut blasts and fills (“Exoskeletons,” “Zaphnath-Paaneah”), Haragama II is all about keeping the listener off-kilter. Despite its often exhausting intensity, Exterior Palnet offers brief but welcome respites, including the Doldrum-esque groovy syncopations within “Haragma” or the unexpected shoegaze-tinged textures ending “Behind the Veil.” Still, Haragma II’s songwriting would benefit from greater balance, as it currently prioritizes pandemonium through a loud, upfront mix. Exterior Palnet reach their peak when atmosphere, groove and prevailing intensity are in equilibrium. Haragma II proves there is still room for growth. Good.

#2025 #AForestOfStars #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo #AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo2025 #BlackMetal #CroatianMetal #Dödheimsgard #Doldrum #ExteriorPalnet #HaragmaII #IndependentRelease #Jan25 #Krallice #ProgressiveBlackMetal #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #TheMarsVolta #Voivod

Victorian Metal.

Zum driften und hinweg gleiten... Irgendwie emotional, wahnsinnig und doch verträumt. Und gar nicht mal so heftig.

#vitctorianmetal #aforestofstars

A Forest Of Stars - Decomposing Deity Dance Hall
https://invidious.snopyta.org/watch?v=9wkY1SUzXPk

Victorian Metal.

Zum driften und hinweg gleiten... Irgendwie emotional, wahnsinnig und doch verträumt. Und gar nicht mal so heftig.

#vitctorianmetal #aforestofstars

A Forest Of Stars - Decomposing Deity Dance Hall
https://invidious.snopyta.org/watch?v=9wkY1SUzXPk

Victorian Metal.

Zum driften und hinweg gleiten... Irgendwie emotional, wahnsinnig und doch verträumt. Und gar nicht mal so heftig.

#vitctorianmetal #aforestofstars

A Forest Of Stars - Decomposing Deity Dance Hall
https://invidious.snopyta.org/watch?v=9wkY1SUzXPk

Seele baumeln lassen... Im Dunkeln und ohne weitere äußere Beeinflussung.
Etwas Post/Victorian Black Metal.

#aforestofstars

A Forest of Stars - Starfire's Memory
https://invidious.snopyta.org/watch?v=StqlBOIs_M0&local=true

Aujourd'hui sur Blog à part – A Forest of Stars: Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes

Je vous présente aujourd’hui Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes, signé A Forest of Stars, formation anglaise de black-metal théâtral victorien et décadent.

https://alias.erdorin.org/a-forest-of-stars-grave-mounds-and-grave-mistakes/

#AForestofStars #black-metal #folk-metal #Grande-Bretagne #rockcinématique