The Metal Scholar's Weekly Listening List (28th April 2020)

Tunes To Beat The Lockdown Blues

As I mentioned in The Miscellaneous Goings On Of Tom, I've been trying to combat the irritability with in me recently. It has been quite hard the last couple of days but it hasn't stopped me finding some epic tunes to beat the lockdown blues! With the extension of the lockdown and the uncertainty that the future may hold, as I have said before, now is the time to just lose yourself in albums and attempt to let this whole thing blow over you. One positive from the last couple of days is that Mayhem, Norwegian black metal legends, have bravely announced a tour set to hit the UK in October, which I have a ticket for, has given me something to look forward to. I'm hoping the live industry can get back to normal operations as soon as possible, I know I'd be devastated to see my favourite venues close down because of this. That is why I want to get behind the Music Venues Trust campaign #saveourvenues. 556 grassroots music venues are at risk of closing permanently as government support was limited and has been exhausted. With some this could mean the devastation of local scenes as local, up and coming artists will lose the opportunities to connect with fans in a meaningful and impactful way. It is very much a once they are gone, they are gone situation here in the UK. With music being one of the three main lifebloods (TV and reading being the other) of our current entertainment during lockdown and beyond the current situation it is vital that we save our venues and keep the UK music industry pull through in these challenging and uncertain times. For more information and to pledge your support see the campaign's website here. Now on with this week's lists!

Singles Of The Week

I. Avertia (🇳🇴) - De Villeste Makter (Vrak records), Black Metal 

II. Aversio Humanitatis (🇪🇸) - The Weaver Of Tendons (Eitrin Records), Black Metal

III. Embodiment (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿) - Outbreak (Independent), Technical Death Metal

IV. Malist (🇷🇺) - Tempest Of Sorrow (Northern Silence Productions), Black Metal

V. Warbringer (🇺🇸) - Notre Dame (King Of Fools) (Napalm Records), Thrash Metal

VI. Rebel Wizard (🇦🇺) - Not Rain But The Wizards Tears (Prosthetic Records), Black Metal

VII. The Acacia Strain (🇺🇸) - Crossgates (Rise Records), Deathcore

VIII. Sinister  (🇳🇱) - Apostles Of The Weak (Massacre Records), Death Metal

IX. Graveir (🇦🇺) - Charnel Bacchanalia (Impure Sounds), Black Metal

X. Distant (🇳🇱), A Wake In Providence (🇺🇸), Abyss Above (🇸🇰), Left To Suffer (🇺🇸), To The Grave (🇦🇺), Signs Of The Swarm (🇺🇸) - Argent Debt (Unique Leader Records), Deathcore

Albums Of The Week

I.  Embodiment (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿) - Palingenesis (Independent), Technical Death Metal
II. Malevolence (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿) - The Other Side (MLVLTD Records), Hardcore/Sludge

III.  Graveir (🇦🇺) - King of the Silent World (Impure Sounds), Black Metal

IV. Moonsorrow (🇫🇮) - Jumalten Aika (Century Media Records), Folk Black Metal

V. Bersærk (🇩🇰) - Mulm (Osmium Records), Stoner Metal

Throwback Of The Week

This week's throwback is a black metal classic, one of the most recognised black metal records ever and one that I'm hopefully going to see parts of live. With a turbulent past behind the album and a multitude of controversy, for me this album is unforgettable. This week's throwback is;

Mayhem (🇳🇴) - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (Deathlike Silence), Black Metal

Weekly Listening Playlist