In the last 10 years I think some of the most original music is coming from the black metal scene. The term Cascadian Black Metal, has been used to define some of this extremely broad variety of black metal. Mainly with bands like Wolves in the Throne Room, Alter Of Plagues, Skagos, Addaura and of course Ash Borer from Northern California. I know a lot of the bands don’t like such a pigeon holed description. The reason I mention it though is, they like the aforementioned do their own thing.
Ash Borer have that distinctive deep earthy atmospheric sound. But yet there is no ready-made hackneyed formula to their music. Since 2009 with the 24 minute debut cassette release of 150 copies, their music has had a unique style and substance. At times the sound is something you’d imagine coming out of Mordor in Middle-earth. A dying barren land covered in withered mosses, tangled stabbing brambles and thorns. The name alone is from an infesting beetle.
Now in 2011 there is the release of a full-length Ash Borer cassette on Psychic Violence Records and an LP edition of it this summer on Pesanta Urfolk. Three large powerful tracks at times tapping into a primitive power. Melding aggression, anger and desolate ambience, they are one of the most inspiring bands out there. They are doing a tour of the east coast in July with Ruin Lust (click here for dates).
Take a listen to
My Curse Was Raised In the Darkness Against A Doomsday Silence
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Green_Destroyed
August 5, 2011 at 9:02 pm
AMAZING band, astounding album. Already a favorite album of mine, the demo and split w/ Fell Voices too. I’m even wearing an Ash Borer t-shirt right now…
raven
May 24, 2011 at 11:35 am
pretty legit to see this review about a friends band. I moved 7 hours away from Arcata and they are even more popular here! its intense. they are awesome dudes.
SeanFitz
May 24, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Thanks Raven, I play their stuff a few times a week at the moment!