2025 is rolling along at a disturbingly brisk pace, and because of this (and through no fault of our own), we find ourselves a few months behind with our Record(s) o’ the Month pieces. February had a collection of big-time releases, and no matter what we selected, some quality albums would get unfairly shafted. As always, we used our proprietary blend of democratic voting and top-down dictatorial edicts to arrive at the big winners. This is the violence forever inherent in the AMG system, and it’s worked for us so far.1 Embrace it.
Should it come as any surprise that the Finnish warriors in Havukruunu claimed the throne for February by laying waste to all pretenders and false prophets? They’ve been ruling the Bathorycore roost with an iron fist for years, and on Tavastland, they keep the swords sharp and shields stout. As before, the burly Viking metal sound references Bathory, Immortal, and Moonsorrow at their best, as Havukruunu march across muddy fields of battle in blood-spattered armor. This is martial music to be spun with axe in hand and glory in thine heart. Epic, sweeping soundscapes unfold with a vintage black metal energy, propelling robust tales of heroes and conquests. War chants join pounding drums and scathing riffs, and you’ll feel like He-Manowar by the end of the first song. As a loincloth-clad and oiled-up Doc Grier proudly proclaimed, “Not only does Tavastland continue to show a band that never disappoints—and continues to get better—but it’s one of their best-produced records.” Get this or be cast off Crom’s Mountain.
Runner(s) up:
Grima // Nightside – From Russia with love comes the atmospheric black/folk sounds of Grima once again. On Nightside, the accordion is still the law, and urgency and aggression are at a premium. Traces of grand symphonic doom flit around the edges as Grima plays with a sweeping tapestry of sound, keeping the atmosphere at the forefront. The writing is sharp and slick, and the folk elements are used adroitly to accent and offset the heaviness. As a well-impressed Carcharodon gushed, “Grima’s songwriting continues to progress, and Nightside feels like the most nuanced and best-paced outing to date.” Accordions never lie.
Maud the Moth // The Distaff – Putting genre labels on Maud the Moth feels futile, but the project of vocalist Amaya López-Carromero references darkwave, post-rock, and prog as The Distaff weaves its odd and unique spellcraft. Through twists and turns, López-Carromero is the guiding light, leading the listener through myriad moods and emotions, always enchanting, beguiling. The Distaff may not qualify as a metal album, but it lurks outside the genre, waiting to strike the unwary. It left a stunned Dolphin Whisperer gasping, ” Without a peer, Maud the Moth threatens to fly freely at the top of its own constructed throne.” Leave the lights on and let the right one fly in.
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