A recent purchase inspired me to start a new feature on this blog, this is that feature. You know that feeling when you dig through bins at a record store and come across something that is so appealing, an overwhelming urge to buy it takes over? Well how about when you've never actually heard the record that just caught your eye? I did this recently, and I like the idea so much that I'm going to do it every month.
While digging through the metal section of Princeton Record Exchange I stumbled on the above record. After much disappointment, so many shitty back on black repressings, this record caught my eye. The cover photo is just beautiful, the way the sun shines through the trees and reflects on the the water is stunning. With a "non metal" cover such as this, I was expecting it to be either ambient black metal or really trippy stoner. The band name and album title were intriguing as well, Orthodox "Amanecer en Puerta Oscura". I tried to use my very limited knowledge of Spanish to translate the title and came up with "Sunrise at a Dark Gate", which could be way off.
Curious enough, I put the record in my stack. Hey if I decided I didn't want it I can always put it back! This is actually something I do ALL the time. I pick up everything that looks interesting and then end up putting back two thirds of it. A fellow record nerd once told me that he does this "for fear of someone else taking it before I decide if I really want it", could not say it better myself. While I was looking through a different section, with this record sitting on the top of my stack, a guy that works at the store asked me if I was gonna buy it. After a short discussion about the album, he convinced me to buy it by saying "This is some weird shit; like doom/jazz".
"Amanecer en Puerta Oscura" is much like the store clerk described. Very rooted in doom metal, but also extremely influenced by free jazz. This is whacked out, avant garde music. Some songs on the album have little to no metal influence, most notably the opener " Con Sangre De Quien Te Ofenda". While songs such as "Mesto, Rigido E Ceremoniale" are full on doom metal monsters. Orthodox's music is very clearly influenced by traditional Andalusian music and culture. The use of traditional instruments, notably Spanish guitar, really give the music an aura of Seville. All told, this album is certainly not for everyone. Those who are into experimental/avant garde/progressive music will find much to enjoy, as well as those into doom metal and jazz. That said, to truly appreciate this piece you will have to be interested in all of those genres. For me this is a great album, and a wonderful find. Top it off with the fact that the wax is brown, of which only 300 exist, and I'm 1 for 1 with "Hey This Looks Cool!".
While digging through the metal section of Princeton Record Exchange I stumbled on the above record. After much disappointment, so many shitty back on black repressings, this record caught my eye. The cover photo is just beautiful, the way the sun shines through the trees and reflects on the the water is stunning. With a "non metal" cover such as this, I was expecting it to be either ambient black metal or really trippy stoner. The band name and album title were intriguing as well, Orthodox "Amanecer en Puerta Oscura". I tried to use my very limited knowledge of Spanish to translate the title and came up with "Sunrise at a Dark Gate", which could be way off.
Curious enough, I put the record in my stack. Hey if I decided I didn't want it I can always put it back! This is actually something I do ALL the time. I pick up everything that looks interesting and then end up putting back two thirds of it. A fellow record nerd once told me that he does this "for fear of someone else taking it before I decide if I really want it", could not say it better myself. While I was looking through a different section, with this record sitting on the top of my stack, a guy that works at the store asked me if I was gonna buy it. After a short discussion about the album, he convinced me to buy it by saying "This is some weird shit; like doom/jazz".
"Amanecer en Puerta Oscura" is much like the store clerk described. Very rooted in doom metal, but also extremely influenced by free jazz. This is whacked out, avant garde music. Some songs on the album have little to no metal influence, most notably the opener " Con Sangre De Quien Te Ofenda". While songs such as "Mesto, Rigido E Ceremoniale" are full on doom metal monsters. Orthodox's music is very clearly influenced by traditional Andalusian music and culture. The use of traditional instruments, notably Spanish guitar, really give the music an aura of Seville. All told, this album is certainly not for everyone. Those who are into experimental/avant garde/progressive music will find much to enjoy, as well as those into doom metal and jazz. That said, to truly appreciate this piece you will have to be interested in all of those genres. For me this is a great album, and a wonderful find. Top it off with the fact that the wax is brown, of which only 300 exist, and I'm 1 for 1 with "Hey This Looks Cool!".
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