Nine Circles

Australian post-metal / doom stalwarts Hawkmoth just released their second album Godless Summit via Black Bow Records and is the first part in a planned two part opus. In a matter of just four tracks this album goes from lonely and desolate landscapes to crushing emotional heaviness and back again with ease but it’s the restraint the band shows throughout that really pushes Godless Summit past its predecessor, Calamitas. It would’ve been easy to relent and just explode into a cacophony of doom in several places throughout but they keep it together and consistent for an intense yet even listen. The band, collectively, sent us their best of 2017 list so let’s get to it.

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Hawkmoth’s Best of 2017

Squalus – S/T: Dual fuzzed out bass guitars evidently makes for awesome grinding sludge. And for extra points, it’s a concept album about sharks.

Boris – Dear: Their heaviest release for a long time. Masterfully turning drone and doom into a surreal art project.

Do Make Say Think – Stubborn Persistent Illusions: Emotionally unconstrained and free spirited instrumental post rock that holds you to every moment. This album effortlessly swings between mysterious ambient soundscapes and soaring multi layered crescendos, which in description sounds like every other post rock record but this example is utterly unique and brilliant.

Dead Cross – S/T: This is schizophrenic hardcore. Mike Patton and Dave Lombardo prove that 50 year olds can rule the genre. It’s pummeling and aggressive but also quirky and catchy.

Harlott – Extinction: Pure unadulterated thrash Metal. Bay Area thrash is alive & kicking in these guys from east Melbourne.

Bare Bones – Bad Habits: A punk rock, hard rocking kick to the face. catchy back-beats and gravel-throated screams.

Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper: One 83 minute track of slow atmospheric doom. It’s dark, it’s sinister, it’s beautiful. All done with only bass, drums and vocals.

Aversions Crown – Xenocide: Blast beats, heavy break downs, tech riffing & alien themed content. A Sci-Fi horror for your ears.

Max Richter – Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works: Classical compositions that lure you into the realms of Virginia Woolf’s novels. Here, we hear a lot of desolate ambience with touches of electronics and spoken word. This at times can be an incredibly chilling listen, though as a whole it brings a very cathartic response.

Elder – Reflections of a Floating World: Epic and soaring stoner metal with hints of prog. The outro riff on album opener “Sanctuary” is worth the buying price alone.

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Many thanks to Hawkmoth for sending us their picks from this year! For more information, and to stay up to date with the band, visit their Facebook page. Check out the stream immediately below for Godless Summit and be sure to pick up a copy at Black Bow Records.