Fjordhammer Friday (13th November 2020)

Friday 13th 2020...After This Year, We Aren't Even Scared Of You

All because the Knights Templars got accused of that dreaded crime of heresy we have this accursed day once or multiple times a year. Alas! In 2020 we don't even care anymore, we're over it. Anyway, I've been feeling particularly inspired by some of the more progressive bands in the metal scene. Not the political ones, like the genuine modern progressive metal bands. The weird time signatures, crazy rhythms and groove laden syncopated riffs have really got me going. Incorporating various different style in the sphere of metal, prog has something for everyone. Connecting with my former self when I was younger, listening to bands like Opeth, Ozric Tentacles and Porcupine Tree to Animals As Leaders, TesseracT and The Contortionist. Whilst I tend to lean towards the heavier orientated modern progressive metal (8 strings and syncopated chugs), but because of Opeth moving away from death metal to a more 70s rooted prog rock sound, I'm open to a lot on the prog world. The building of epically long songs always gains admiration from me, because of the layers upon layers of complexity alongside the musical knowledge and ability required to write these songs is phenomenal (I know, I've tried). So, without any further ado, let's get into the weird world that is Progressive Metal. 

Just so you know, I refuse to use the word Djent, it's cringe. 

Aviations (🇺🇸)

Location: Boston, Massachusetts 

Record Label(s): Independent

All I can say is stunning melodies and ethereal vocals accompanied by heavy riffs in all the right places. I'm blown away by how meticulously crafted this band's music is. Definitely something for everyone to enjoy with these guys.

Bandcamp
Facebook

Spotlight On - Nineties Nine Ties

Release The Blackness (🇮🇹)

Location: Avellino, Campania

Record Label(s): Cult of Parthenope

A hearty dose of death metal influence prog metal! Aggressive and laden with all the grooves available in Italy. Whilst focusing more on the rhythmic elements of the riffs, when this band drops the sub bass chugging riffs in it feels heavier than gravity.

Bandcamp

Facebook

Spotlight On - Ancestral Inheritance

The Last Bear Ender (🇳🇱)

Location: Somewhere In The Netherlands

Record Label(s): Independent

These picks wouldn't be complete without a crazy instrumental act somewhere. The Last Bear Ender is the crazy industrial riffing project of Wilrik (a.k.a "The Riffcrusher"). Packing in some certified crushing riffs alongside the techno elements of industrial, it is an instrumental project not to be messed with. Seriously, if this guy can end bears, he'll make light work of you. 

Bandcamp

Spotlight On - Bearzerker

Pathogen (🇺🇸)

Location: Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Record Label(s): Independent

Old fashioned and brutal modern progressive metal. Riffs and rhythms going all over the place accompanied by the diverse vocal range of Kenny Stroh. Pathogen takes me back to when I first started getting into this stuff, After The Burial springs to mind. 

Bandcamp

Facebook

Spotlight On - Null Space

🔊THIS WEEK'S HEADLINER🔊

Absence Of Truth (🇺🇸)

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Record Label(s): Independent

The fact that this is just one man blew me away, packing all his multi-instrumental talents into one place with precision and true artistry. Hard hitting riffs and catchy melodic hooks, this is definitely one to watch!

Bandcamp

Facebook

Spotlight On - Void

That wraps up a mind bending and inception inducing Fjordhammer Friday! I hope you enjoyed this journey through the world of the more modern progressive metal scene, I will so some old school prog later down the line, so don't worry! As always, have an awesome weekend 🤘