Has it been over a year since The Oracle released an official release? As I sit in my darkened hollow I have to cast my mind back. As I pour through the entity’s releases it sure becomes apparent. So when the news dropped that a release was on its way that a split would be issued with Reign A.D. a U.K. act Cloaked in as much mysticism as that of the aforementioned act I knew I had to speak with the entity behind The Oracle.
Fortress Festival announce the Headlining performance from Icelandic black metal act Misþyrmingwill be another UK exclusive for 2024 as a second stage headliner
Nottingham’s neurotic hardcore duo Rogue Limb unleash their unhinged debut album Actus Reus
Right the outset of Hoarder I’m already making a prediction that this album is going to be blistering wave of unappareled aggression and what I will say that so far I’m being proved correct but what I also like are the tempos and subtle weave of guitar parts just before Shatter Them unleashes wave upon wave of musical influences that you really feel has been really honed in on.
The album lead single Sirenhead perfectly encapsulates the overall aesthetic and style of the debut, but with a nice late noughties element. I am yet to see Rogue Limb live (Looking at you Tap n Tumbler Nov 18) but can imagine this being a particular live favourite, this is then complemented by the maniacal and murky soundscapes of The Wound
The album continues with Fuckboy which would be a great track to really annoy neighbours with but knowing mine I would have to turn it up, this is followed by the groove laden Doomscroller which for me is the debuts’ crowning glory as although it has that groove, its lyrical content is bleak – sidenote I also included this track on the latest edition of The Boneyard which you can find here
Hands down the albums most furious offering comes in the from Light Pillar which continues to reinforce my earlier prediction and serving as a great aperitif to the formidable nature of Squatter.
Finally the album concludes with An Echo which gives me time to appreciate and reflect on this debut overall, the duo chose to not to release a Demo or EP before this and I have to say that it was a wise choice as it has really given them the creative freedom to really form a musical identity and concentrate of the musicianship for and incredibly strong and brutal debut.
As I sit in my Lair, my feet in a bowl of hot water sniffling due to a retched cold that has come on since my recent trip to Wales. As the candle flames flicker to match my shivering the wind howls through and the rain lashing down I sit in heavy robes and blankets.
As I sit in my desolate lair the cold of the earth travels up from the cobbles beneath one’s feet. I sit and ponder on just what I have coming up next to review.
Ghül today stand at the highest peaks of middle-earth to unveil the first offering Thangorodrim from their upcoming album Hell of Iron which feature guest vocals from abduction’s overlord A/V
As I stand facing out from the Ogof I inhabited during my last review of Pembrokeshire blackened legend Revenant Marquis and his final album “All The Pleasures Of Heaven” I ready myself to leave inhaling that coastal air and stare out at the grey sky, blackened ocean on this cool grey Autumn day.