Altar of Plagues & Cobalt

[Vittra]

Pulling this from "Notable Releases to Come 2009 Edition" and making this it's own thread, as Cobalt and especially Altar of Plagues deserves it. The rest below is just a copy/paste.

Absolute must-hears of 2009 (A more serious take, unlike my selective, silly recent recommendations). Expect unique and refreshing experiences below.

Fans of Wolves in the Throne Room, Nachmystium, Mogwai, and old Isis take note. This has absolutely crushed everything in 2009 for me so far, which is impressive considering how much has come out so far, and what is yet to come. This has easily been one of the best years in metal for awhile, and those taking a step back from Metal may want to return at some point this year. Anyways...

Take Wolves in the Throne Room and add Irish blood... remove some of the hypnotic element prevalent in the music, and replace said element with the melancholy of shoegaze as well as the haunting, crushing atmosphere of doom, and what you have the brilliance that is Altar of Plagues.

White Tomb - Full Length download
http://www.myspace.com/altarofplagues (Only samples of full songs, I urge downloading the full-length above)

Dubbed the "War Metal" genre under it's father's banner, Black Metal, the debut by the band Cobalt was aptly named. In 2007 they released another album, Eater of Birds, which has received incredibly high praise, and they aimed (and succeeeded) in carrying this reputation into 2009 with Gin.

Gin - Full Length download
http://www.myspace.com/stinktown666

 

[Demilich]

I've listened to the Altar of Plagues album once and it does sound like something with the potential to end up on a lot of year-end lists. Needs more attention 'round here!

 

[Thanatopsis123]

I listened to the first track of that Altar of Plagues. Not as interesting as either WIITR nor Nachtmystium.

 

[einride]

excellent, i'm going to very likely buy altar of plagues

man can't it be the 25th already

 

[Ellestin]

A bit wary of things that click right away, but Altar of Plagues sound bunny. Cobalt, of course, barely need my assent to kick asses. The new album stands up to Eater of Birds effortlessly, being more of a grower.

 

[Vittra]

The beauty of "White Tomb" is that it for many it will click immediately, but still has far more to offer and grows with each subsequent listen.

To those that do not like it (Thanaopsis! ), it may be worth giving the full album a listen before discounting it. I assume you listened to the actual first track, and not the small sample from myspace that begins around midway through?

 

[lurch70]

AOP sounds intriguing. Downloading!

 

[Tranquillian]

I really like White Tomb so far.
One full spin and then I'll decide if I shall buy it.

Gin hasn't clicked with me fully yet.

 

[Thanatopsis123]

To those that do not like it (Thanaopsis! ), it may be worth giving the full album a listen before discounting it. I assume you listened to the actual first track, and not the small sample from myspace that begins around midway through?

Yeah, I listened to the whole, actual first track. I'm not saying I didn't like it. I just expected more after I read the "Wolves in the Throne Room, Nachmystium, Mogwai, and old Isis take note" bit.

I'm listening to the second track now and it's pretty good. I'm not being blown away, but maybe it'll grow on me enough to force me into buying a metal album this year.

 

[Ars Magna]

I was talking with AOP some time ago. They sent me their demo for release consideration. I wasn't sold on some of the vocals and sat on it too long. When I finally contacted them to say I'd like to release their album they had signed with Profound Lore.

A great move for them and a lesson learned for me.

I have yet to hear the album but I did enjoy said demo/ep quite a bit.

 

[MajestikMøøse]

I'm really digging the Altar of Plagues, I haven't checked out the Cobalt yet.

 

[Dev]

Altar of Plagues sounds decent enough. Agalloch (not really but I feel something), WITTR, menacing post-rock vibe.. it's all there. Hoping it clicks.Thanks for the reco :Smokin:

 

[Ellestin]

The new Cobalt is AOTY so far for me. A punishing gale of searing punches to the stomach.

 

[Conspicuously Absent]

Cobalt is really rocking my socks, gotta give altar of plagues a chance...

 

[Thanatopsis123]

Well, after not exactly being wowed by Altar of Plagues I didn't bother with Cobalt until just now. Cobalt is definitely doing a lot more for me!

 

[Reign in Acai]

This is USBM I can get behind!

 

[J.]

Fans of Wolves in the Throne Room, Nachmystium, Mogwai, and old Isis take note.

Take Wolves in the Throne Room and add Irish blood... remove some of the hypnotic element prevalent in the music, and replace said element with the melancholy of shoegaze

 

[Vittra]

Worry less about what I described and more about actually listening to it, J.

 

[MajestikMøøse]

In contrast to most of the others I'm not really digging the Cobalt, but the Altar of Plagues I'm finding pretty damn awesome.

 

[einride]

In contrast to most of the others I'm not really digging the Cobalt, but the Altar of Plagues I'm finding pretty damn awesome.

yeah in accordance with my "if the cover art and description doesn't interest me within my internet attention span of about 2 seconds i'm not even going to bother trying" policy, i did not even listen to cobalt but altar of plagues is fucking great, so great in fact that i bought the t-shirt, oh man