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Greetings and salutations! September has rolled round and the Bizarre One is again at it once more. It would appear that the time is correct for an additional version of the Precious Gems Collection sequence! It’s been a scorching minute since I’ve completed one in every of these and I’ve acquired fairly the distinctive choice for you this time spherical! No matter what number of years go by, I maintain discovering new and new music that surprises me in every kind of how and I understand simply what number of obscure artists are on the market that deserve much more consideration and reward for the distinctive music they bring about to the world. So with out additional ado, let’s dive in!
The first band I’d like to spotlight are fairly well-known within the steel sphere – the Finnish people steel legends Turisas! I’ve talked about them many instances already and would fortunately do a full weblog on them, however alas 4 albums are simply not sufficient. These guys have simply cemented themselves among the many true deities of people steel, and the way might they not? Their self-titled “battle metal” sound is extremely epic, huge and engrossing. With a mixture of grand symphonic components and genuine people instrumentation, juxtaposed by some banging riffs and the fantastic mixture of fierce growls and delightful baritone melodies by Warlord Mathias Nygård, they’re some of the pumping and fascinating bands within the style, equally adept at getting a celebration began and immersing you in an period gone. Standouts are undoubtedly their second album The Varangian Way, detailing the trail of the Varangian Norsemen as they sailed all the way in which all the way down to Constantinople and established relations with the Byzantine Empire, and their third album Stand Up and Fight, that includes tales from each historical past and mythology juxtaposed with extremely grand songs recorded with a full symphony orchestra. Every album is a licensed banger although. There’s nothing fairly like Turisas in all of steel and it’s such a disgrace that they haven’t launched something in over a dozen years now. Here’s to hoping we will don the purple and black facepaint once more and quest on with the Varangian guard as soon as extra!
Continuing with the people steel wave, I’ve to say Scottish one man powerhouse Saor. A darkish and atmospheric black steel undertaking that blends conventional Scottish people instrumentation, this band is like no different! His music can create this extremely vivid environment of the highlands – darkish, chilly and brooding, but additionally huge, uplifting and delightful. It has that basic enveloping wall of sound typical of black steel, nevertheless it additionally has lots of enchanting melodies which can be stuffed with magic and marvel. To high it off, the lyrics are these extremely emotional tales, retelling tales from each the historical past and mythology of his homeland. I don’t want a DNA take a look at to know that I’m 0% Scottish, however when the Saor’s hovering bagpipes hit, I turn into ten billion p.c Scottish!
Switching gears, let’s get heavy! One of essentially the most distinctive phenomenons in steel is the temporary however vibrant profession of German technicians Necrophagist! This band got here out of nowhere and dropped a few of the biggest technical dying steel ever made. They have all of the heaviness and unfiltered brutality the style is thought for, however additionally they function a few of the most insanely superior and technically subtle musicianship ever heard. They put any virtuosos from the classical or jazz faculties to disgrace. The songs are visceral and aggressive whereas nonetheless that includes lots of infectious melody, they’re insanely complicated but nonetheless extremely catchy. And regardless of all of this mastery, the band dropped solely two albums earlier than promptly dipping out of existence all the way in which again in 2004. Since then, many bands (together with ones that includes former members) have been impressed by them and have carried on that mantle, however to at the present time, they continue to be on the zenith of technical dying steel and nothing else compares!
In the same vein, we’ve got to say the otherworldly outputs of fellow tech dying masters Nocturnus! Formed within the birthplace of dying steel – Tampa, Florida – these lads determined to forgo the normal horror themes of the style and as a substitute go for tales of the occult and epic science fiction world about aliens and the cosmos. Their musicianship mirrored this too with very chaotic and technically superior riffage and tune constructions, incorporating quite a lot of keyboards and samples to essentially give it that distinctly alien sound. And they have been doing all this all the way in which again in 1990! It’s loopy to suppose how early within the historical past of dying steel these guys appeared and but they have been already boldly evolving it in each sound and material. Unfortunately, they solely lasted for 3 albums earlier than disbanding. To at the present time, there actually isn’t any higher area dying steel than them!
However, there’s a silver lining to this categorized story! Almost all former members have reformed below the identify Nocturnus AD and in the previous few years have launched two new information in very a lot the identical fashion as earlier than, so it appears this area lacking will proceed! The reality continues to be on the market!
Right, in any case that heaviness, let’s chill for a bit. For an entire tonal whiplash, let’s let unfastened and occasion, a Ninja Sex Party! Indeed within the final one in every of these collections I dipped my toes into YouTuber music for the primary time and that is one other a kind of! I additionally did the comedy weblog earlier within the yr, however NSP undoubtedly deserve a spot all to themselves! This dynamic duo are among the many premier web music acts and have been creating comedic music for the world vast internet to get pleasure from longer than most. With upbeat disco-pop tunes and completely ridiculous lyrics, all often set to the backdrop of much more ridiculous movies. With ninjas and unicorns and stuff! Their songs are unironically catchy and insanely enjoyable. They will constantly make you snort but additionally make you wanna stand up and dance! The rise of the web would’ve been the identical with out them and no one does like they do!
If you’d prefer to see them in a much less absurd gentle, do take a look at their sequence of canopy albums referred to as Under the Covers! Playing their very own renditions of in style tracks throughout a variety of genres, that is the place the duo actually showcase their wonderful musical capabilities and fronthero Danny’s voice specifically shines significantly effectively, exhibiting not simply his unbelievable melodic supply, however his insane versatility in adapting to every kind of various sounds!
While we’re on the subject of ridiculousness, latest instances have confirmed that music will be extremely subtle and superior, whereas additionally being an entire joke. For proof of this, look no additional than the enigmatic musical mayhem of Nuclear Power Trio. Three (and typically extra) nameless musicians, all dressed and masked as much as seem like well-known world leaders, performing mindbending instrumental tracks with hilarious titles parodying present occasions and in style songs in the identical breath. Their sound is a chaotic mixture of progressive rock, jazz, digital and extra that may by no means be contained in a single style class and every instrument is performed on the absolute peak of attainable complexity and method. Those bass strains and guitar solos specifically are so scrumptious, they shake the world nearly as a lot because the information coming from the individuals these guys gown as. Regardless, the songs aren’t simply wild shredfests to flex their abilities however are actually catchy and fascinating. Using memes to deliver subtle music to the plenty, there actually is nothing like these guys on the market!
But if NPT are too….sane for you, effectively we will go additional. For the daring sufficient, there may be the opposite nameless web band that shatters the ceilings of musical ability – Clown Core. While some mix genres in elegant and sleek vogue, these guys shove grindcore, free jazz, prog, synth and circus music right into a blender, put in on max energy till it blows up after which serve the ensuing concoction. An web meme band by and thru, their tune titles, clown costumes and imagery are downright preposterous, and but there may be a lot greater than shock worth right here. Many of their lyrics maintain hidden that means, nevertheless it’s the music the place they shine. These two repeatedly flex their skills to play a few of the most complicated, uncommon, experimental and mindbending issues possible and blend stylistics in an open songwriting fashion that no one can replicate. They can go from braincrushing chaos to soothing melody within the blink of a watch and their albums are like a whirlwind of tones and feelings. It’s like, you’re listening to a few seconds of layered noise on quite a lot of devices, you hear a synth melody that seems like a Casio falling down the steps and the abruptly you hear a facemelting drum riff in a time signature by no means utilized in recorded historical past adopted by essentially the most stunning saxophone solo you’ve ever heard. This is the way you get this bizarre scenario the place should you open their YouTube feedback, some are having fun with them at face worth, laughing on the two foolish clowns and their ridiculous tune titles, however on the similar time you get the seasoned musicians with their jaws on the ground, gushing about how tough what their taking part in is and the way impressed they’re. I don’t suppose another band has achieved this. Their music actually isn’t for everybody, however for these daring and loopy sufficient, there’s actually nothing else prefer it. It’s becoming that their identify seems like a style, as a result of you’ll be able to actually solely describe them as or evaluate them to themselves. Clown Core!
Right, now that we’ve got our brainwaves tuned to the proper frequency, the remainder of this weblog might be devoted to an odd subset of bands I’ve come throughout that I wish to spotlight. This is “bands worshiping giant versions of weird animals”. Sounds outlandish, I do know, however you’ll see what I imply. First on the checklist is the band that sort of kickstarted this concept for me – the Irish riff lords Ten Ton Slug. You might already see the place that is going. All of those guys’ lyrics and imagery facilities round big slug creatures and esoteric themes regarding mythology and the occult deriving from that. It’s actually distinctive and fascinating. Despite the odd look, musically these lads are tremendous approachable and enjoyable! They play a gradual and groovy sludge steel fashion, stuffed with superior riffage and hovering solos worthy of any Acid Bath album. They have been working for years to refine this riff heavy fashion and all of it got here collectively of their first album Colossal Oppressor in 2024. Each tune follows their recognizable fashion but stays memorable and stands out from the remainder. Not to say how catchy they’re. Worship the Ooze, for it bears items!
Much the identical will be mentioned of King Kraken from Cardiff, Wales. They nonetheless, as you might need guessed, sing the praises of the mighty Kraken, terror of the seas! Excellent riffage, epic solos and a terrific rock ‘n’ spirit, that and way more await, together with huge lyricism in regards to the nice sea lord and numerous different legendary matters. Fun and academic! Plus they’ve a a lot bigger catalogue than the remainder in right here, so this story has a number of chapters and every is extra partaking than the final!
To full the trifecta of groove/sludge bands from the isles, attempt the loopy occasion animals Robot Death Monkey! These wild males from Edinburgh, Scotland don’t precisely match the theme, however they worship big issues of a unique selection so it really works out. Their lyrics and imagery are way more comedic and ridiculous, becoming with different stuff on this weblog. Sound sensible, additionally they herald some completely wonderful riffage and tight catchy tunes that simply immediately drill themselves in your head. Plus they’ve a number of instrumental tracks in contrast to the earlier bands, so they simply let the vibes and the riffs do all of the speaking. And the vibes are immaculate!
Let’s transfer out of the smoke and into the hearth! For a unique sound however with the identical monster worship, we go to Bulgarian dying steel machines Maltworm! They’re right here to indoctrinate us all into the Kvlt of the titular Maltworm and they’re going to accomplish that with some completely pounding heavy riffs and a fantastic mix of pace and grooviness. Their songs additionally consistently shift between darkish murky tunes of the nice worm’s doing and foolish occasion tunes about having a very good time. So don’t fear, no Kool-Aid chugging crucial, simply are available in and have a blast! The Global Worming is underway and it is advisable to be an element!
In the same vein, we’ve got one other Bulgarian dying steel band, specifically the scorching Scolos! They are right here to inform us all in regards to the big centipede referred to as the Arthro-God! No humorous enterprise right here, it’s all relentless darkness and macabre imagery, symbolizing the brand new age to return! It might be dense, esoteric and unyielding. But don’t fear, with some stable dying steel instrumentation and mosh worthy heaviness, even on this dreary environment the nice instances are assured!
To put the cherry on high, it has turn into a convention throughout these compilation blogs that I embody some dungeon synth and regardless that I created the coveted dungeon synth weblog earlier this yr, that doesn’t imply I’m not gonna maintain doing that! And to tie this into the large creature worship, I wish to dedicate this part to dino synth and it’s foremost wrongdoer – Diplodocus! Taking the same old traits of dungeon synth like hovering keyboard melodies, dense environment and sonic signature influenced by each black steel and video video games, this wacky undertaking ushered in dino synth by together with samples of big prehistoric creatures from outdated movies and tv and makes use of outdated timey results and manufacturing to create a novel environment, like really strolling by the jungles of Earth from millennia in the past. A gentle drum beat can be used throughout the board, feeling just like the heavy steps of an approaching colossal dinosaur! It’s the hallmark of dungeon synth that it’s in a position to seize the vibe of any particular aesthetic or thought completely and Diplodocus does precisely that on this particular area of interest! These unbelievable items really create the environment of time immemorial, a prehistoric period the place big creatures dominated the Earth and I haven’t discovered the rest that may immerse you in such a world so effectively. It’s loopy to suppose that these large beasts walked the identical lands we stroll as we speak! Also, dinosaurs are actually cool! That’s only a truth, simply ask any child.
Right, I believe that’ll do it for now. I believe this assortment got here out particularly chaotic and wild, however that’s simply the sort of factor I count on! It’s actually attention-grabbing the sorts of music you could find whenever you step out of the mainstream and discover boldly within the fringes of the sonic realm. I actually am removed from essentially the most daring explorer, however I do know my method round and my curiosity has led me to numerous fascinating discoveries. From genuine and epic people steel sagas to superlative dying steel excellence. From dancing ninjas to virtuoso politicians and harsh jazz clowns. And a complete slew of various bands singing the praises of big slugs, krakens, dragons, worms, centipedes, dinosaurs and a lot extra! Having the braveness to step out of your consolation zone and discover onward is a completely enlightening and rewarding expertise, in music and in life itself. So give it a go, you gained’t remorse it! And should you do, then maintain going, you simply haven’t discovered the proper factor but! I’d prefer to see what lies past and I hope you do too. So journey forth and discover! Let me know what you discover alongside the way in which. Take care and see you once more quickly!