Post metal. Best genre of the last 20 years. Fact.
I love post metal. Bands like ISIS, Cult of Luna, Rosetta, If These Trees Could Talk, God Is An Astronaut, and Mouth of the Architect are some of my favourite musical acts of the last twenty years. Savage. This means I thoroughly enjoy trawling through Bandcamp looking for bands to add my list. This is what I came up with.
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1Jambinai
These folks tore up ArcTanGent this year apparently. Hailing from South Korea, they combine traditional instrumentation and sounds with a decidedly chunky post metal vibe. Their most recent album, a Hermitage, was released last February and it is a beauty. It has its fair share of thudding post metal riffs but also explores ambiance and more frantic expositions too.
2Ex Eye
Like Jimbinai, New York’s Ex Eye don’t just trade in straightforward post metal. They also incorporate saxophone, some really break neck speed passages, and some very black metal esque sequences. Their sound is engrossing and overwhelming like some kind of fantasy world that is equally inviting and unnerving. Their self titled debut record is out now via Relapse.
3Partholon
With Ireland’s Partholon we head into more traditional post metal territory. Drawing heavily on the dichotomy between beauty and brutality that Cult of Luna are masters of straddling, this quartet are heavy on the emotional heft. Also, you have to see them live. Their singer Howard will eye fuck the shit out of you. Terrifying. They’ve released one EP so far (it’s called Follow Me Through Body), but keep an eye on the horizon for more music very soon. They’ve assured me it will be exultant.
4God Alone.
Another Irish inclusion here. That’s because Irish metal is absolutely fucking mental good. However, it is largely ignored in its home country and so does not seem to get a springboard to tackle mainland Europe. Which is a pity. God Alone. are absolutely savage and nuanced in their own right. When you consider that most of them are not yet 18 (I think) they become an even more impressive proposition. Listen to their debut EP Intivim now.
5Sannhet
Brooklyn’s Sannhet straddle that lovely middle ground between destructive and soaring. Pairings of thundering bass and triumphant guitar with driving drums make the group a formidable and engrossing endeavour. Contrast is the key here. And who doesn’t love some contrast. Their third album So Numb is out now.
6Taken By Floods
Taken by Floods is the one man project of Londoner Simon Bryant. I think he used to be involved a lot with more electronic music and was a DJ. Then he came to his senses and decided to get involved with something with a bit more gravity and substance. That was a joke. Kind of a joke. Also, check out that riff once ‘Beckon The Tides’ breaks. It’s mega.
7Spotlights
Now then. New York’s Spotlights might be a slightly controversial inclusion in this list as one could claim the sound they mine is closer to metalgaze. But! Listen to that chunky ISIS inspired riff that leads out ‘Learn To Breathe’. Not to mention the numerous, condensed explorations into some pretty hefty post metal riffage. Let’s not be picky. They’re class. Their new album Seismic is out October 6th via Ipecac Recordings.
8Chalk Hands
Again we have a band that are not strictly post metal in the form of Brighton’s Chalk Hands. These lads combine post metal, post rock, post hardcore, and seem to be rather intrigued by post genres. The result is a visceral but dynamic sound that pummels and caresses in equal measure. Their debut EP is called Burrows & Other Hideouts and, while only two tracks, is exceptional.
