Label Spotlight: Vanguard Productions

Describing itself as a Vinland Label & Distro Vanguard Productions is a recently formed entity specializing in cassettes. Vanguard has released twelve tapes in it's short existence ranging from raw black metal to power electronics to neofolk and everywhere in between. In my spotlight of the label I will be taking a closer look at the two tapes from Vanguard that made the largest impact on me.

I have to preface this examination with a warning, while Vanguard Productions is an apolitical label it does not apologize for the political stance taken by it's supporters. Neither of the two projects highlighted in this spotlight have any sort of political stance however it is important that you understand the context of the work. Personally, I believe examining art of all forms and ideology regardless of ones personal belief system is important. That being said, this blog holds no political affiliation whatsoever and without diverging into a political discussion my own beliefs hinge on acceptance. This is neither here nor there, what is important is the music contained in the two tapes highlighted below. Intolerant is a scathingly raw black metal band and Solarthrone is a martial neofolk project.

Intolerant - Snow Stained With the Blood of Traitors

Blisteringly raw black metal is Intolerant's method of annihilation. Grating production and martial, anthemic riffs give the tape an immediately powerful impression. After a short introduction "Resistance to Modern Way" fiercely charges forward, displaying stomping odes to hatred and sorrow. The music contained brings to mind Slavic pioneers of the more atmospheric and introspective forms of black metal like Hate Forest and Drudkh or some of the bands in the infamous Russian BBH. The same majesty is contained in utilization of relentless torrential riffing. Stomping punk aggression is also a key element on Snow, less reliant on punk than say Akitsa but still charged with that same hateful grit. The use of keyboards is a key element to Intolerant's music, utilized to add a layer of sorrowful mysticism to the buzzing whirlwind of the tape. The tasteful usage of something so easily overdone like keys shows the true strength of musicians Warspirit and Discipline. While raw production can easily become a weakness for many bands, relying to heavily on the reverb drenched distortion to cover up inadequacies; Intolerant uses rawness differently. Riffs are still clear in all their triumph and sorrow, the drums, while not necessarily inventive, are aggressive and provide a solid backbone, and the vocals are completely audible and brutish in their execution. 

Intolerant, while not reinventing the wheel by any stretch of the imagination, succeed in creating some of the most interesting raw black metal I've heard in ages. Combining harsh production, expansive atmospheric riffs, and punk aggression makes the tape a cacophonous tumult. Sold out from the label the tape is available from distros like Dungeon Tapes and Primal Vomit Records. It was also recently made available on CD through the always brilliant Prison Tatt Records or directly from the label. This tape combines all my favorite aspects of black metal and comes with the highest possible recommendation.

Solarthrone - The Light We Follow

The Light We Follow shows Vanguard at it's most introspective and reflective through the entity Solarthrone. A one man neofolk project that makes use of expansive keyboard (also used to make a flute like sound), softly strummed acoustic guitar, chimes, simplistic drumming, and either chanted or stoically recited vocals. While simplistic the atmosphere created is dreamlike, flowing forward through hazy repetition. Obvious stylistic allusions to neofolk luminaries like Death in June or Sol Invictus exist but Solarthrone never relies on a strict framework. The tracks are divided between more straightforward folk influenced tracks and more subtle ambient work. "The Knoll" is one of the more ambient tracks and consists of delicate keys and the sound of thunder crashing. This simplicity is used to maximum effect again on "Moral," whispered vocals, the soft patting of drums, and airy keys envelop the listener in a misty warmth. Solarthrone writes songs to get lost in. The final opus of the tape is "To Lift the Cosmic Veil" and as the title suggests it is a journey into the far reaches of the cosmos. A beautiful strummed guitar finds itself traveling with hushed vocals, seeming to move forwards toward the joys and sorrows of unknown realms. The entire tape has a warm and somber feel, mystic and yet still grounded in stark reality.

Solarthrone perfectly exemplifies the other side of Vanguard's output. A work deeply rooted in both the esoteric and the physical. The hazy mountain range that adorns the tape is the perfect representation of the music inside, reaching towards some unknown but deeply rooted in the majesty of earth itself. The tape is available from directly from Vanguard Productions. 

This is merely a simple look at Vanguard Productions, an access point if you will. These two tapes stood out for me as the two finest works of the overall brilliant label. Along with Intolerant and Solarthrone Vanguard's rosters boasts exciting projects like Equinox, Thestral, and Bacchanal among others. I encourage you to dive into the world of Vanguard Productions, harshness and splendor awaits those who do.

Review: Barren Harvest - Subtle Cruelties (Handmade Birds)

Barren Harvest is a collaborative project between Lenny Smith and Jessica Way, both boasting an impressive history in bands such as Atriarch and Worm Ouroboros. While both of their other bands reside at least somewhat in the realm of doom, Barren Harvest is a completely different sort of project. This record is delicate, ethereal, leaving space for the listener to breathe and take in the music. What the two create is a somber dream-like experience, focusing heavily on atmosphere through the use of synth, autoharp, acoustic guitar, and the interplay of their two very distinct voices.

The album starts with "The Bleeding" a perfect opener and representative of what is to come. Beginning with a droning passage that is accompanied by the beautiful guitar work of Jessica Way. Her playing is delicate yet very self-assured, simplistic in structure but carrying with it tons of emotional weight.  Way's guitar is joined by her gorgeous singing soon interplaying with Smith's deep, haunting voice. Vocal duties are shared by the two, exchanging verses of the lyrical poetry on each song, using their voices as instruments. The vocals work along side the simple instrumentation perfectly, giving both chances to shine and present themselves to the listener. Taking nods from dark folk and ethereal music luminaries like Death in June and Dead Can Dance, Barren Harvest create a sound of their own by combining the two. While comparisons can be made to these artists what these two create is something new, seemingly ushering in a new era of dark folk music. One of swirling dream-like synths combined with intricate guitar work.

The album works to slowly and quietly subdue, taking it's time to lodge is haunting melodies in the listener's brain. The album feels as though it was meticulously crafted by the two musicians, both pouring themselves into the project. Every note strummed or sung is deliberate. Working from a seemingly simplistic structure, what they fabricate is anything but. The track "Reveal" exemplifies this, voices cascade in and out, clashing with one another in beautiful harmony while eerie synth and strums of an electric guitar maintain a repetitive backing. Creating something complex out of minimalism. The conceptual structure of the album is also interesting and forces the listener to attempt to understand the member's intentions. The album is divided into two sorts of tracks, the meat of the album is broken up by tracks with the title "Memoriam" these range from ten seconds to nearly seven minutes. The "Memoriam" tracks are less melodic and more ethereal, some consisting of only whispered vocals, some of droning synth, some a combination of both. These juxtaposed against the more straightforward folk tracks creates the perfect contrast of abstraction and accessibility.

What Barren Harvest have achieved through Subtle Cruelties is a true triumph. A somber soundtrack to the changing of the seasons. Rooted in nature, one can hear the crunch of autumns leaves, the whisper of the winter wind, the cold rain of spring, and the birds chirping as summer rears it's head. This album comes highly recommended for any fans of dark/neofolk and for metal fans seeking something more contemplative that still contains a brooding atmosphere. Subtle Cruelties was released by Handmade Birds in a beautiful gatefold CD and LP designed by the prolific Kevin Gan Yuen of Sutekh Hexen and Viraloptic, it can be purchased here.