Veil of Stuff feat. BLOOD INCANTATION, OTTONE PESANTE, SENYAWA and THE VERGE

Here we go! For the final time this year let me round up the last four albums which I reviewed over on VeilofSound.com!

BLOOD INCANTATION - Absolute Elsewhere (3CD + Blu Ray artbook) (2024)

[MY REVIEW ON VEIL OF SOUND.COM ]

Ok, I've not only written a Veil of Sound review about this, but also covered the four discs artbook edition, which adds surround mixes, a documentary, the Ambient soundtrack to it plus Blood Incantation's last EP to the actual album, here on my site.

Meanwhile "Absolute Elsewhere" has already climbed to the top of many album of the year rankings, not only in exclusively Metal-specific publications. And I still have my own end of the year list to write, which won't happen before January, because there are still so many releases to consider. Anyway, there's not much too add to the conversation at this point from me I guess. If you haven't given this a listen yet... What are you waiting for?

OTTONE PESANTE - Scrolls Of War (Gold & Silver vinyl LP) (2024)

[MY REVIEW ON VEIL OF SOUND.COM ]

The last band I saw live this year is not only a unique experience on stage, but also delivered one of the best and most original Metal albums of 2024. If you ever had the idea that trading heavy guitars and bass for trumpet and trombone would be a childish idea; well, Ottone Pesante's Brass Metal certainly has grown up. "Scrolls Of War" is the first concept album (of three) dedicated to the relationship of brass instruments and war in human history, a big idea which requires a great sound.

And this masterpiece delivers just that with a stunning mixture of Black, Death and Doom Metal with Neoclassical influences, Jazzcore and Post Rock. The vocal guest appearance of Lili Refrain for sure doesn't hurt either. I can't wait to hear how the trio will continue this trilogy!

SENYAWA - Vajranala (2LP / etching on side D) (2024)
[MY REVIEW ON VEIL OF SOUND.COM ]

Even though I know that everything Senyawa does can expected to be great, it took me a respectable while to finally order the Indonesian duo's new album. It's just a fucking expensive import. But while I still would have prefered a cheaper source to get "Vajranala" I must admit that it at least comes in a quite beautiful package, including a great etching on the last side and a booklet giving us English translations of the lyrics and documenting the background of this amazing Experimental Spritual Drone album, which also works as the soundtrack to the building of a Buddhist artifact in central Java.

Musically Wukir Suryadi and Rully Shabara keep perfectiong their completely stand-alone sound of self-made instruments and a versatile vocal delivery not from this Earth, and with "Vajranala" they brought us yet another masterpiece from another plain of existence.

THE VERGE - The Verge (LP) (2024)
[MY REVIEW ON VEIL OF SOUND.COM ]

Last but not least (and actually the first of these VoS reviews) Is It Jazz? Records brought us this amazing, very Norwegian Jazz Fusion album. Between smooth spiritial saxophone tones over wild Mahavishnu Orchestra rhythms and various forms of mental bad-assery and gripping atmosphere to Causa Sui style Psychedelic Rock with brass licks, The Verge leave no stone unturned, yet still pull off a very natural and coherent debut. Fantastic stuff!