This week in the vast expanse of post-metal, the genre’s boundaries are once again being pushed and blurred. ALCEST have unveiled “L’Envol,” a mesmerizing single from their forthcoming album “Les Chants de l’Aurore”, OFFRET returns with “Затмение,” marking a bold step forward in their post-black metal odyssey, Belgium’s HIPPOTRAKTOR announces their sophomore effort, ‘Stasis,’ DEFYING from Poland teases “Wadera,” and AMENRA gears up for a North American tour, promising to deliver their intense emotional and sonic landscapes across the continent. Browse the full set of this week’s headlines below.
ALCEST drops “L’Envol,” a new single off their upcoming album “Les Chants de l’Aurore,” set for release on June 21, 2024, via Nuclear Blast.
The video, crafted by Yoann Lossel who also handled the album art, is now live. “L’Envol” spans 8 minutes, offering a multi-layered auditory journey, characteristic of Alcest’s immersive sound.
The 2024 tour kicks off in Zagreb on October 21, winding through Europe, including stops in Athens, Istanbul, Zurich, and Paris, before heading to the UK and Ireland, concluding in Dublin on December 14.
OFFRET releases “Затмение”.
Russian post-black metal outfit Offret has unveiled their latest offering, “Затмение.” This marks the band’s second full-length release, following a decade-long journey in the metal scene. Released on February 21, 2023, via War Productions, Void Wanderer Productions, Dead Red Queen Records, and Onism Productions, the album presents a unique sonic journey characterized by atmospheric elements and dark synths.
Introducing “Thorns” by GUILTLESS, a project born from a love of experimental rock, noise rock, early industrial, sludge, and doom.
The band features Billy Graves (Generation Of Vipers, A Storm Of Light) on drums, Dan Hawkins (A Storm Of Light) on guitar and noise, Sacha Dunable (Intronaut) on bass, and Josh Graham (A Storm Of Light, Battle Of Mice, Neurosis’ former visual artist) on guitar, vocals, and noise.
“Thorns” presents a stripped-down, visceral reaction to modern life, delivering angular yet straightforward, self-aware, surreal, and occasionally sarcastic compositions. The EP dives into themes of human singularity, impending catastrophe, and the surreal return to proto-human society.
SELBST, the Latin American post black metal band, unveils their highly anticipated third album, “Despondency Chord Progressions,” set to release on April 19, 2024.
This movingly dynamic album sees the band deepening their sound with beautifully flowing arrangements, impassioned melodies, and intricate musicality. Sole-composer N’s lyrics explore themes of self-contempt and reflection, offering a personal journey into the depths of loneliness and insignificance.
HIPPOTRAKTOR, the Belgian progressive post-metal outfit, is making waves with the announcement of their sophomore album, ‘Stasis,’ set for a June 7th release on Pelagic Records.
Elevating their sound, the five-piece band blends intricate instrumentals with Stefan De Graef’s (Psychonaut) compelling vocals, embarking on a more narrative-driven journey compared to their debut, ‘Meridian.’
‘Stasis’ unfolds across seven tracks, showcasing a blend of Meshuggah’s polyrhythmic intensity and Gojira’s atmospheric depth, enriched by the full-band collaboration. The lead single, ‘Silver Tongue,’ captures the essence of the album’s thematic exploration of human nature and the dichotomy of life’s virtues and vices through a mix of melodic harmony and aggressive post-metal elements.
The album narrates a tale of introspection and human nature, as the protagonist navigates a realm of conflicting morals, embodying a struggle against the stasis of self-centered existence. ‘Silver Tongue’ itself is described by Chiaran Verheyden as a sonic depiction of decay, starting with a deceptive perfection that soon unravels into complexity.
Polish post-metal ensemble DEFYING has unveiled details about their forthcoming album, “Wadera,” set to release on February 23, 2024.
Known for their eclectic blend of post-metal, progressive metal, sludge, black metal, and ambient influences, Defying has garnered attention with their previous releases, including “Nexus Artificial” (2014) and “The Splinter of Light We Misread” (2016).
“Wadera” marks Defying’s third studio album and promises to captivate listeners with its immersive storytelling and atmospheric soundscapes. Recorded and produced by Tomasz Semeniuk in 2022, the album was mixed and mastered by Filip Hałucha at Heinrich House Studio, known for their work with acclaimed acts such as Azarath, Behemoth, Entropia, and Obscure Sphinx. The album’s cover artwork, crafted by Paweł Siemaszko, sets the tone for the dark narrative that unfolds throughout the record.
Inspired by the Polish horror film “The Wolf” (1983) and the short story “Wadera” (1977) by Jerzy Gierałtowski, “Wadera” explores themes of revenge from beyond the grave, infused with elements of dark romanticism. The album features guest appearances by Tymon Urbańczyk, providing ambient music on select tracks, and Natalia Semeniuk, contributing vocals to key compositions.
Belgian post-metal band AMENRA is set to embark on a North American tour alongside Primitive Man and Slow Crush.
The tour will commence on May 3rd in San Diego, CA, at Brick By Brick, and traverse through various cities in the Southwest, Northwest, and Canada, including Los Angeles, Mesa, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Salt Lake City, Englewood, Dallas, and Austin. Pre-sales for tickets begin today, February 15th.
View this post on Instagram
Germany’s Exile On Mainstream Records marks its first release of 2024 with a split LP featuring CROWSKIN and BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS, available today.</4>
The album, containing four tracks, showcases the bands’ shared penchant for slow, cathartic riff layering and dark emotionalism. CROWSKIN contributes three German-language songs on the A-side, while BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS delivers the sprawling, over fifteen-minute track “Monocelestial Chords” on the B-side.
Recorded in Rostock, the split captures the distinctive yet complementary styles of both bands. CROWSKIN, a doom/sludge quintet formed in 2004, aims for maximum catharsis, drawing from the DIY hardcore underground scene, while BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS, also established in 2004, presents post-metal darkness with hypnotic loops and heavy instrumentation. The split is available on 12” vinyl and digitally.
Subscribe to our Newsletter for featured stories alerts and more:
Want to keep the beat going?
IDIOTEQ is a one-man DIY operation, tirelessly spotlighting the local cultural scenes and independent bands that often go unreported elsewhere. Born in the early 00s, this platform has been committed to giving hard-working artists the high-quality coverage they truly deserve.
No ads, no distractions—just pure inspiration and a genuine focus on independent artists and their stories.
Please consider helping keep IDIOTEQ ad-free and in tune with the indie scene by donating today.
DONATE via PayPal 𝗈𝗋 SUPPORT via Patreon
100% of the funds collected go toward maintaining and improving this magazine. Every contribution, however big or small, is super valuable.
Your support ensures that we continue to be a place where you can discover, learn, and get inspired, without any advertising noise. Thank you for being a part of this musical journey.
