Two releases through the feed this week, both betting on patience. ZØRZA dropped Twilight of the Golden Star yesterday (26 June). Russian Circles announced Nine for late August with Empath as the opening teaser. Forty-four minutes and forty-nine seconds between the two of them, both demanding the same posture: headphones, low light, no skipping.
ZØRZA — Twilight of the Golden Star (feat. Harakiri for the Sky & Karg)
Poland · Grodzisk Wielkopolski · Black Metal, post-black Featured track: Twilight of the Golden Star
Released 26 June. Forty-four minutes. The headline detail is the guest credits: Harakiri for the Sky and Karg both appear on the title track, which puts this firmly inside the Austrian-leaning post-black / blackgaze / DSBM constellation. ZØRZA’s two earlier records already established their formula. This is the next step, with collaborators that the cluster’s hardcore listeners will immediately recognise.
“I own both previous albums on CD so I was really looking forward to this new release. As usual the quality of their compositions is stellar and the guitar work is out of this world. Death III is my favourite and Death II on their previous album as well, so it all feels a continuum of outstanding melodies and total immersion. Very highly recommended.”
Russian Circles — Empath (from Nine)
United States · Chicago, Illinois · Post-Metal, instrumental Featured track: Empath
Russian Circles’ ninth full-length, Nine (you cannot accuse them of overthinking the title) lands 28 August on the band’s Bandcamp. Empath is the opening single, four minutes fifty-seven. The Chicago trio’s run since Enter (2006) has been one of the most consistent in instrumental post-metal. Pre-order is open. The supporter quote is the entire reaction in one line.
“Pre-ordered before I even heard one second of it. They never miss.”
Got a Bandcamp release I should hear next week? Email info@metalheadrock.com with the URL.