Ólafur Arnalds - ...and they have escaped the weight of darkness

Ólafur Arnalds - ...and they have escaped the weight of darkness

Genre: Modern Classical

Country: Iceland

Tracklist:

01. Þú ert sólin

02. Þú ert jörðin

03. Tunglið

04.  Loftið verður skyndilega kalt

05. Kjurrt

06. Gleypa okkur

07. Hægt, kemur ljósið

08. Undan hulu

09. Þau hafa sloppið undan þunga myrkursins

Some useless text: Ólafur Arnalds is probably the most known of so called modern classical composers. He has immersed himself completely in a world of delicate symphonic compositions generating near weightless orchestral pieces. An important member of Erased Tapes label team, one of the best labels in the world. This sentence quite reflects my excitement about this artist and the modern classical genre itself. "...and they have escaped the weight of darkness" is an outstanding record. I would advice it to every single listener, not depending on his personal taste preferences. Very gentle, intimate melodies, each of them is very touching and goes right through your heart. Very calm and peaceful, but uplifting at the same time, especially the closing track, that sound quite like an anthem of this life. Try this, if you still haven't, don't waste time.

Last.fm Release Page | Ólafur Arnalds on Facebook | Website

Drudkh - Microcosmos

Drudkh - Microcosmos

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal

Country: Ukraine

Tracklist: 

01. Days That Passed

02. Distant Cries of Cranes 

03. Decadence

 04. Ars Poetica

05. Everything Unsaid Before 

 06. Widow's Grief

Some useless text: Ukrainian black metal scene is really honored all over the world. Most of people, who state themselves as black metal fans, should have heard of Kroda, Astrofaes, for example, and of course of Drudkh, as this band is quite a leader of Ukrainian black metal. That statement can be proved at least with the fact, that they are the most famous worldwide band, comparing to other Ukrainian black metal bands.

Microcosmos is their seventh studio album, and it contains an excellent material, almost a quintessence of atmoblack. Mindblowing and unforgettable riffage, unusual for black metal drumming make this album really outstanding, exiting the narrow genre frameworks. The power in music, that can be touched.

Last.fm Release Page | Official Myspace

Alcest - Écailles de Lune

Alcest - Écailles de Lune

Genre: Post-Black Metal/Post-Rock/Shoegaze

Country: France

Tracklist:

01. Écailles de Lune - Part 1

02. Écailles de Lune - Part 2

03. Percées de lumière

04. Abysses

05. Solar Song

06. Sur l'océan couleur de fer

Some useless text: if all black metal was like this, it wouldn't have been black metal (c). Starting with some solid black metal material, the discography of french band Alcest continues with evolution to quite another music genre. Some call it post-black metal, but it takes the least from black metal. Melancholic, romantic, beautiful, these three words can fully describe what this album is. It actually follows the direction, started on previous release, Souvenirs d'un autre Monde. In fact, Alcest is the first band, which comes to my mind associating with romance in music. This true masterpiece would be good for any genre lover.

Last.fm Release Page | Alcest on Facebook | Website

Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here

Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here

Genre: Progressive Rock/Atmospheric/Post-Rock

Country: United Kingdom

Tracklist: 

01. Thin Air

02. Summernight Horizon

03. Dreaming Light

04. Everything 

05. Angels Walk Among Us

06. Presence

07. A Simple Mistake 

08. Get Off, Get Out

09. Universal 

10. Hindsight

Some useless text: somehow this Anathema album seems to be the best in their discography, personally for me, of course. This statement will surely be objected by fans of early Anathema period or even middle-period albums. They all are good, more or less. But We're Here Because We're Here sounds pretty much like a quintessence of everything done before. This album draws some kind of line, symbolizing the 20-years period of band existence. We're Here Because We're Here contains a lot of outstanding pieces, such as a perfect opener Thin Air, touching and literally breathtaking Dreaming Light and Angels Walk Among Us, impressive and epic A Simple Mistake and a great outro track Hindsight. Can you imagine an album with no filler? This is it. Atmospheric, just as an album cover, gentle and easily recognized Anathema style here is slightly touched by post-rock, as a tribute to modern musical trends. Some kind of sonic perfection in 10 tracks.

Last.fm Album Page | Anathema on Facebook | Website

Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind

Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind

Genre: Post-Rock/Instrumental/Epic

Country: Japan

Tracklist:

01. Ashes In The Snow

02. Burial at Sea 

03. Silent Flight, Sleeping Dawn

04. Pure As Snow (Trails of the Winter Storm) 

05. Follow The Map

06. The Battle To Heaven 

07. Everlasting Light

Some useless text: I think post-rock is definitely a leader among emotionally fulfilled and evocative genres. For some people it's just a beautiful instrumental music, but I'm pretty sure that no other music can touch your heart, as post-rock does. "Hymn to Immortal Wind" by Japanese band Mono is one of the best post-rock albums I've ever heard. I wanted to say the best, but nothing is perfect, I'm pretty sure the best album is yet to be written. I cannot explain why it touches more than other albums, probably the best explanation would be shapes, that are created by this music in mind. They are childhood memories, flying, landscapes, clouds. Listening to this album is like living one short life within these 7 tracks. Perfect epicness and song structures that are almost close to classical compositions. I think, this is the music to be played when the last day of humanity comes.

Last.fm Album Page  | Mono on Facebook | Website

So, the First Message With a Standard Title?

A new music blog in the ocean of same-looking blogs. Is it really needed? Personally I suppose it is. First of all because I sometimes have some spare time, that I want to dedicate to such kind of activity. It doesn't matter, will it be widespread or will it stay lesser known, if at least one person will find it interesting - it will be worthy doing this.
So, the concept of this blog will be posting albums, which I consider to be outstanding in music, and needed to be heard. Of cause, everything depends on personal taste, but there are things, which are definitely great, even if your taste differs from what it is. I hope all albums posted here will fit take a very special place in your world.
Starting right now, don't be worried.