In another new feature we have decided to try out, the staff are going to share some words on their Bandcamp Friday pick-ups. For this month, since it was a spontaneous idea on the last Bandcamp Friday, I’ll just tell you about my picks. While we are definitely upset by the changes being made by the new ownership, especially the mass layoffs and anti-union activity, the site is still currently the best one for artists and small labels. Keep your eyes on the in-development site Ampwall though. For now, here are our Bandcamp Friday pick-ups from February 2nd, 2024.
Hayduke X
My Bandcamp Friday featured a five album drop from my Transylvanian Recordings drop, all of which rule in their own way, though my favorite at the moment is the new Crushing The Scepter. I loved their last one and I love this one too. I also added three fundraising compilations which are collecting funds for different types of aid in Palestine and a nasty sludge album recommended by a social media friend. I also pre-ordered the newest Food Desert Recordings comp, which is raising money for Safelight, an organization “that provides support for survivors of interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.” Finally, Transylvanian Recording also released a pre-order for Liminal by Leaving and my Avantgarde Music subscription dropped in pre-orders for Severoth and Funeral Oration albums. The latter is incredible (the joys of also getting advance promos means I’ve heard the whole thing), but I haven’t heard the former yet. All in all, a pretty stellar day for new music hitting my feed. I haven’t listened to it all yet, especially the comps, but I can say everything I’ve heard is well worth checking out. I’m writing about these in the order they show up in my account.
2/2/2024 – Crushing the Scepter – Inhumed – Blackened Funeral Doom – Transylvanian Recordings – USA
Stunningly heavy, this album is pure nastiness! I highly, highly recommend.
1/5/2024 – Various Artists – Black Metal Against Blackout – Black Metal (and others) – Independent Release organized by Black Stag Rising – Various
I haven’t listened to this one yet, but it features 41 tracks from different artists, about half of whom I recognize (and 100% of those are awesome). This comp is raising funds for eSIMS to enable communication in the face of the ongoing genocidal violence in Palestine.
1/5/2024 – Various Artists – LEFT/FOLK VI: The World As It Is – Neofolk – Independent Release organized by LEFT/FOLK – Various
Another that I haven’t listened to yet, and in this case I don’t know any of the artists. It is, however, a fundraiser for ANERA, which provides aid for refugees in Palestine and Lebanon.
1/18/2024 – Various Artists – A HOMELAND DENIED: A Compilation for the Palestinian Liberation – Hardcore and more – Independent Release organized by Hardcore 4 Gaza Initiative – Various
This massive offering has 121 tracks by various hardcore, metalcore, and grindcore artists, among other styles. In addition to wanting to support the cause, with funds going to MECA for Peace, the comp features tracks from a variety of friends and favorites, including Racetraitor, Move, Cloud Rat, Terminal Nation, Coma Regalia, Thou, .gif from god, and Malevich. I’ve been listening to this for the last two days and am currently on track 115 as I write this. There are a small number of tracks that don’t speak to me much (probably based on my genre preferences), but the comp is essentially banger after banger.
2/1/2024 – Askel – Cycles of Ruin – Sludge Metal – Independent Release – Finland
Very nasty sludge which I came across on social media, probably in the Obscure Music Delivery Facebook group. I love this kind of horrible, anguished approach to the genre. Downright ugly.
2/2/2024 – Fellbeast – Blessed By Darkness In Shadows We Dwell – Black Metal – Transylvanian Recordings – USA
Doom-laden black metal with dungeon synth elements. The mixture is very well done.
2/2/2024 – Smoking Mirror – Live For The Blade – Death/Thrash – Transylvanian Recordings – USA
Through his work with Body Void (live), Keeper, and Hellish Form, Jacob Lee is very much on my radar as a musician. In Smoking Mirror, he joins three other talented musicians for this throwback to an earlier time. This sounds like it comes from that time in the early 90s when certain thrash metal bands were transitioning towards death metal, and it absolutely rips!!!
2/2/2024 – Arlone – Reign At Dawn – Dark Ambient – Transylvanian Recordings – USA
Bleak and entrancing. I don’t listen to this style much, but I’ll come back to this one.
2/2/2024 – Deselect – Deselect – Hardcore Punk – Transylvanian Recordings – USA
Burn it all down!
3/24/2024 (Pre-Order) – Leaving – Liminal – Doom/Shoegaze – Transylvanian Recordings – USA
I have yet to check this out, as it came with my subscription and only has a couple of tracks streaming. I’m intrigued. There is a vinyl option.
3/22/2024 (Pre-Order) – Funeral Oration – Antropomorte – Black Metal – Avantgarde Music – Italy
As I stated in my opening paragraph, I have already had the opportunity to check out this promo and really dig the album. Keep your eyes on this one. From my A.M. subscription.
3/22/2024 (Pre-Order) – Severoth – By the way of light – Black Metal – Avantgarde Music – Ukraine
I haven’t caught up to this one, another pre-order from my Avantgarde Music subscription, but will check it out soon. The label tends to put out consistently solid or better content.
Biography: Hayduke X has been writing for MoshPitNation since June of 2016. He is also a contributor to The Metal Wanderlust. Prior to joining the MoshPitNation team, Hayduke published reviews on his own blog Rage and Frustration. In addition, he has DJ’ed an online metal radio show of the same name as his blog, written for TOmetal.com, done interviews for Metal Rules, and collaborated with The Art of B Productions to create video interviews with a wide variety of bands.
