Genune - Infinite Presence

Labels: Consouling Sounds

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 17 May 2025

Tracklist:

1. The Sun Will Always Shine

2. Little Fountains

3. Stay a Little Longer

4. Infinite Presence

5. To Not Grow Old

6. I Want You Here

The dust has barely settled following Download Festival (I wasn't there) but it's impossible to escape all of the articles about anonymous/masked bands. I like intrigue and mystery as much as the next music fan, though I also like to look deeper; seeking out bands that deserve more of the spotlight. I vow to get better at this and tonight's review was chosen by the heart and not the usual schedule. 

Genune are a black metal quintet from Bacău/Cluj-Napoca, Romania and might only be the fourth band from the country alongside Bastos, Siculicidium and Void Forger that I've featured here. Genune started life in 2012 with their self-titled demo. It was followed by a further demo called Inner Depths, as well as two full-length albums called Cern sol and Inert & Unerring. Following the release of their third album, Genune are due to play their first live show at Romania's Dark Bombastic Evening festival alongside the likes of A Swarm Of The Sun and Year Of No Light, amongst many others in August.

I purchased a black metal album (a complete blind buy) from my local record store over the weekend, though it’s probably on the other end of the spectrum compared to this album from Genune. After the initial heaviness that opens ‘The Sun Will Always Shine’, you’re greeted with clean vocals and shoegazey instrumentation. To be fair, the band do describe themselves as more of an atmospheric/post-black metal band. 

That said, they do furious black metal really well, without any hint of parody. It both punctuates and integrates itself with the band’s melodic approach brilliantly during what is a lengthy opener. It’s already noticeable that Genune prefer expansive dynamics over instant gratification and it’s a joy to hear as piano adorns the ending alongside angular guitar riffs, and percussion.

The band’s metallic tones are even more prevalent on ‘Little Fountains’, alongside an uplifting mood that’s created by their instrumentation as a whole. Black metal can be uplifting and emotive, as Genune proves here. Instrumental for nearly three minutes, when the vocals do kick in, they do nothing to ruin the mood. After a brief period of abrasiveness, you’re plunged into silence before yet more exquisite musicianship.

A foreboding atmosphere drifts over you during ’Stay a Little Longer’, in what is Genune’s heaviest song on Infinite Presence so far. Really expansive and expressive music has been my go to this year so far, and that could cover all manner of bands or genres I know but maybe my tastes are changing again. With instant gratification comes a rush but only a short one. It’s much better to saver these memories.

The album’s title-track ‘Infinite Presence’ is acoustic, which catches you off guard slightly. It is loverly though and soothes the soul with it’s gentle melody. The sound of the fingers sliding up and down the strings/frets somehow adds to the feel as well. That brief moment of calm is quickly dispensed with as Genune launches into penultimate song ’To Not Grow Old’. Thankfully though, it’s not all fire and brimstone as the quintet adds in classy melodic passages complete with gothic-style clean singing. It’s also the first time (at least to these ears) that Genune makes use of electronica, which by the way is used perfectly.

Album closer ‘I Want Your Here’ is also it’s longest song and it continues the affair (or relationship with) metallic black metal. Containing all of the elements that make this album so listenable, it grows with every bar. Easily the most majestic piece of this record, that may well usher in a new era when it comes to Romanian heavy music. People have compared the band to Deafheaven et al but they’re so much more than that.

With my attention being constantly drawn to so many different bands and releases, I get overwhelmed. Spending precious moments discovering and listening to bands out of nowhere (like Genune) is more than worth it though. Infinite Presence is brilliant and if it hits you like it hit me, please check out their back-catalogue too.

You can stream and purchase the album on all formats from Genune below:-

Physical copies can also be purchased from Consouling Sounds here - https://store.consouling.be/collections/new/consouling-sounds

Genune - https://www.facebook.com/genunebm

Consouling Sounds - https://www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

Dromos - Dromos

Labels: Dry Cough Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 13 Dec 2024

Tracklist: 

1. Caveat Emptor

2. Memorial Moss

December last year saw the release of the debut EP from UK funeral doom band Dromos, via Dry Cough Records. Dromos is made up of four experienced musicians with international roots, plying their trade in a corner of the doom metal genre that's synonymous with the UK while also being underrepresented in favour of other forms of extreme music. As festival season kicks off, don't forgot that darker/colder nights are approaching and with them come the likes of Dromos.

This self-titled EP features two songs, one of which is an instrumental. ‘Caveat Emptor’ opens in slow-building fashion with low riffs, feedback, down-tempo percussion and deep vocal bellows. All of those ingredients form the basis for Dromos and their funeral doom, but there’s more to their sound than that. Clean (almost chant-like) vocals present themselves alongside the subtle murmuring of death metal’s influence. Those more up-tempo moments reveal more about their individual experience as musicians but as we know, music constantly shifts, moving in cycles. 

If we didn’t have those shifts and cycles, musicians would just stay in their lane, forever producing the same thing (I could name a few very established bands doing that to this day). Doing so doesn’t harbour creativity and variation though, which is why listening to Dromos excites me as instrumental closer ‘Memorial Moss’ weaves a melodic path through acrid darkness. It’s sound is full of warmth and filled with old-school textures,  though those aforementioned textures are reimagined, not rehashed.

As a debut this EP is outstanding. It’s always great to hear a new band hitting the ground running (or more appropriately, crawling), even if it’s made up of experienced hands. I’m looking forward to what may come from Dromos in the future.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-

Tape copies can be purchased from Dry Cough Records here - https://www.drycoughrecords.com/product/dromos-dromos-cassette

Dromos - https://www.facebook.com/dromosdoom

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

Sinema - After The Flatline

Labels: Ds//fp records/Ephyra Recordings/Home To Heart/Self Versed Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/CDr/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 29 Nov 2023

Tracklist:

1. Stutter

2. ...and You Already Forgot

3. Hard To Get By

4. Speak Your Mind

5. I Can't See Through The Mirror

So there's a whole wave of bands coming through, being championed by labels that include Silverback Gorilla Records, Wax Vessel, ds//fp, Zegema Beach Records and a whole bunch I'm forgetting. The latter two have both had a hand in releasing After The Flatline by Texan emocore band Sinema. Following it's initial digital release in late 2023 via Ephyra Recordings, a 2024 tape pressing followed via Self Versed Records (alongside a repress earlier this year), as well as a super limited CDr release via both Ds//fp records and Home To Heart. 

ZBR has now swooped in with a vinyl pressing of the band's debut EP, which is crazy considering Sinema's members are still in school but then again not that surprising given that they recently appeared at ZBR Fest in Chicago. If you're struggling to keep up with the amount of stellar releases in 2025 so far, look away now.

Self-control is both a wonderful thing but also a brutal mistress. As I alluded to above, there are so many incredible bodies of music being released this year that it’s hard to keep up with and hard to resist hitting that order button on. I know because last month I received twelve releases I had ordered and I’m still awaiting another twelve. Enough of the trumpet blowing though and on with the show. Hearing Sinema for the first time takes me right back to first hearing bands like Underoath, Funeral For A Friend and Silverstein on opener ‘Stutter’.

It’s so full of energy and emotion. Music filled with both introspection and belligerent heaviness, while nostalgic clean singing rubs shoulders with piercing post-hardcore/emo-violence screams. ‘… and You Already Forgot’ features beautifully played guitar, that’s sensitive to Sinema’s calm approach before they switch things up again. It really feels like we’re going full-circle and though I might be rocking up late to the party, it’s welcomed.

I was so mesmerised by what I was hearing that I didn’t even realise it had progressed into ‘Hard To Get By’. Sinema’s flair for art/math-rock additions alongside their already amazing post-hardcore is hard to ignore in truth. Sometimes, we all need to just take some time away from reality, to unload and even compartmentalise what’s going on around us. This song and this realise helps us do that.

‘Speak Your Mind’ is a reminder that freedom of expression is vital and needed. I’ve not always been the best at speaking mine when it counts, but I’m getting older and bolder now. That may or may not have anything to do with this actual song though, which is filled with a mix of genuine rage and heart-on-the-sleeve honesty. Closing with ‘I Can’t See Through The Mirror’, Sinema push forth their most urgent and honest performance on this EP. Everything before was just as heartfelt but the shorter song length gives it a bit more of an edge.

Before hitting play on this, I was thinking it was going more abrasive and instant. Don’t know why I thought that. Sinema has shown that the emocore era isn’t dead and is in fact growing new roots with new bands. This is nothing short of excellent. Please don’t assume, just listen. 

You can stream and download the EP via ZBR below:-

At this point I need to mention that Sinema recently changed their name to I Promised The World, for reasons outside of their control. You can find them on Instagram at - @ipromisedtheworld.

digital and physical copies are available from the links below:-

Ephyra Recordings - https://4ephyra.bandcamp.com/album/4e022-after-the-flatline

Home To Heart - https://www.hometoheartrecords.com/product/sinema-after-the-flatline-cd

Ds//fp records - https://www.facebook.com/dsfprecords

Ephyra Recordings Instagram - @4ephyra

Home To Heart Instagram - @hometoheartrecords

Self Versed Records Instagram - @self_versed_records

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Кальк (Kalk) - Кальк (Kalk)

Labels: Hardcore For The Losers/JanML Records/Maya Von Lobeck/MarderschadenDIY/Polar Summer/Tadzio Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 09 Mar 2017

Tracklist:

1. Напалм

2. Черный Пес, Темный Лес

3. Привет, Героиня

4. Панк-рок Еще Дышит

5. Пыльная Звезда

6. Шлюха Из Бутово

7. Завтра Было Вчера

8. Метаморфоза

9. Зефир

10. В Радуге Столько Красивых Цветов, А Ты Выбираешь Говно

11. Отпуск В Панаме

It's taken what seems like an age but I'm revisiting my Polar Summer review series again. The Russian label has released (and continues to release) music by many obscure but exciting bands from across Europe and further afield. I'm trying to these reviews in order of release and this evening I've focusing on the label's 11th, which was the self-titled album from Germany's self-proclaimed feminist synthie screamo punks Кальк (Kalk). Their name nor their song-titles are in German and I wouldn't like to guess where they're from. This album came out in March 2017.

I own a copy of Кальк’s 2020 follow-up to this record, which is how I first heard them. Going back to their first album is a treat and opener ‘Напалм’ definitely sits in the punkier/noisier screamo camp, where simple and very effective percussion is joined by low bass/guitar riffs, really pissed off vocals and synths that completely change the tone of their sound, in a really unexpected way. They’re use is upbeat and they really fit with the music.

Кальк’’s songs aren’t long here and ‘Черный Пес, Темный Лес’ flies by in a wall of melody and rabid emoviolence, which in turn is drenched in feedback. I was in need of a midweek pick-me-up and man have I found it. ‘Привет, Героиня’ goes properly hard right from the off. The way everything is layered, especially with the addition of the synths keeps it from sounding disjointed or cheesy. I sometimes wince when I read about or listen to bands that use synths in their music but I can get behind their use here.

My fixation with the “s” word stops now, as ‘Панк-рок Еще Дышит’ starts with some warningly familiar melodic guitar before Кальк up the ante. They may not be spitting razors or blasting their way through this album but sometimes it’s better when a band does their own thing. This is unique. There’s a slight mid-tempo feel to ‘Пыльная Звезда’ yet that’s probably due to the punk vibe that flows through it. 

Before what seems like a blink of the eye, it’s onto the album’s second half and the sub one-minute song ‘Шлюха Из Бутово’, which is amongst it’s fastest and heaviest. It leads into ‘Завтра Было Вчера’ pretty much instantly and the mood shifts again, as even with the slightly jovial synths, the undertones are more unnerving. 

That said, the digital-esque opening salvo on ‘Метаморфоза’ continues throughout it’s entirety, allowing some light to permeate through the intensity that governs much of this release. ‘Зефир’ pokes hilarious fun at traditional matrimony and even includes some semi-clean vocals! I’m all for digs at society’s conservative/religious populous, so this song made me smile.

Penultimate number ‘В Радуге Столько Красивых Цветов, А Ты Выбираешь Говно’ drags everything back in a more furious direction. The occasionally chunkier riffs work great alongside the stomping tempos/drumming towards the end. Ending with ‘Отпуск В Панаме’, Кальк go from gentle guitar to pure post-hardcore brilliance in a split second and round out their self-titled record in epic form. 

People are often too scared to approach a band or a record that’s new to them. While Кальк are not new to me, their debut LP was. I’m here to tell you that you shouldn’t be afraid and that you should embrace that which you have not heard before. This album was released over eight years ago now but it still leaves an indelible mark. All I ask is that you give it a go.

You can stream and purchase the album both digitally, and (still!) on vinyl via Кальк's bandcamp page below:-

Кальк - https://www.facebook.com/kalknoise

Copies can also be purchased from the labels below:-

Hardcore For The Losers - https://hardcoreforthelosers.bandcamp.com/merch

MarderschadenDIY - https://marderschadendiy.tumblr.com/

Hardcore For The Losers - https://www.facebook.com/HardcoreForTheLosers

JanML Records - https://www.facebook.com/JanmlRecords

MarderschadenDIY - https://www.facebook.com/marderschadenDIY

Polar Summer - https://polarxsummer.bandcamp.com

Tadzio Records - https://www.facebook.com/tadziorecords/

Häxkapell - Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp

Labels: Nordvis Produktion

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 17 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Satans rötter

2. Metamorfos

3. Urgravens grepp är hårt och kallt

4. Hem

5. Vindar från förr

6. Den sanna modern talar

Swedish black metal project Häxkapell released their second full-length in January via Nordvis Produktion, also of Sweden. The band revolves around founding member Oraklet, who is joined by contributors JM on drums and IPU on violin, viola and additional vocal duties. This album follows Häxkapell's debut album Eldhymner, which was released in 2021.

It was Fortress Festival in Scarborough (North Yorkshire) this past weekend and I regret not going. The fact that a black metal festival held in a Northern seaside town exists and it’s not held in the depth of winter is brilliant. Before you say it, I am aware that Fortress Festival has been going for sometime now. In fact, it would be the perfect UK festival to host Häxkapell one day, if the band ever were to play live.

Their latest album Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp begins with ‘Satans rötter’, which is filled with choral shanty-like vocals, exquisitely played melodic instrumentation and crushing black metal. It’s layered with introspection and gentle ambience, which breaks up the extremity beautifully. I’ve often overlooked the folkier end of black metal previously and I don’t know why. Maybe my musical palette is changing again because this is really enjoyable so far.

There’s no such build-up on ‘Metamorfos’ as Häxkapell just launch straight into some scathing black metal complete with metallic guitar riffs. The production, mixing and mastering cannot be ignored either, as it gives this album the space and soundstage it deserves. None of that hissing, feedback-laden BM here. It’s fantastic to listen to.

‘Urgravens grepp är hårt och kallt’ moves in a slightly more unnerving direction thanks to it’s slower-ish tempo, but there’s always a defined pace that’s prevalent in this form or black metal and it’s more than welcome. The strings provided by IPU here fit perfectly, as does JM’s pummelling drum work. Oraklet’s vocal and guitar delivery is epic, just as it is throughout the whole album.

The sounds of the landscapes and land-dwellers of old are brought to the forefront on ‘Hem’, with it’s traditional/acoustic musicianship and gently sung vocals. It offers a bit of calm before the storm to follow. I call it a storm, but it’s one that’s slow to build as ‘Vindar från förr’ initially takes the form of another mid-paced folk laden hymn. It does contain flourishes of more chaotic heaviness at times though.

Closing the album with the eleven+ minute epic ‘Den sanna modern talar’ sees the band delving deeper into their musical arsenal, providing a barrage of cold black metal alongside warming layers of strings once again. It’s just the ending I was hoping for, as it shows off how expansive Häxkapell can be. This album provides an exciting glimpse into the current Swedish black metal community, while also showing that Nordvis know what they’re doing (not that there was ever any doubt!).

You can stream and purchase the album on all formats below:-

You can also buy copies directly from Nordvis here - https://www.nordvis.com.

Häxkapell Instagram - @haxkapell

Nordvis Produktion - https://www.facebook.com/nordvis