2024 – OTHER WORLD

"This is a mauling, punishing reminder that pain finds us all, and it depends on what we do with it in the end." (Meat Mead Metal)

In the sixth instalment of our traditional retrospective series, we turn to OTHER WORLD and the August 2024 release of their second album, "Tenebrous". Across five epic and punishing tracks, the U.S. Black Metal ensemble – comprising members of BLACK SALVATION and PILLORIAN – provides a haunting interplay between chaos and the beauty in darkness. Please do revisit earlier episodes in the series, spotlighting 2024 releases from WAIDELOTTE, PESTILENGTH, SELBST, INSECT ARK, and MODERN RITES.

"… this album deserves to be heard by all Black Metal fans!" (Ave Noctum)

Throughout "Tenebrous", OTHER WORLD bare their teeth, striking a perfect balance between aggression and atmosphere as they stay close to the roots of Black Metal while daring to venture beyond. "Tenebrous" is an introspective, emotive and abyssal record – a hard-hitting representation of being locked away from the light, with only anxiety, loss, and grief for company.

The band's mix of light and darkness stems from the different musical inspirations which fuel composer Christopher, as he told Metalegion zine in a wide-ranging interview:

"Limiting what can inspire you in Art, specifically music, defeats the purpose. I don't listen to a lot of Metal when I know I will start writing for something. I tend to listen to more emotional tunes when I get into it, I guess you could say. Examples would be CLOAKROOM, SUBROSA, AUTHOR & PUNISHER, and a great French band called LES DISCRETS."

There is a notable lyrical theme running throughout the album, connecting album opener, 'From Innocence', to the closing track, 'To Decay', as vocalist Stephen Parker further explains in said interview:

"I wrote these pieces to include a sense of 'hollowness,' to convey the gap inside ourselves left by anxiety, grief, and traumas. That's also true for the themes on the rest of the record. While we live in a shit world with unlimited amounts of anxieties assaulting our brains at all times, there are moments of overwhelming hopefulness."

Listen to the full album below, on our YouTube channel and via all streaming platforms:

Christopher also shared the band's plans for 2025 and his top 10 releases of 2024:

"I am pleased to say that the writing process for a full-length is in the works and with many great ideas flowing I believe that this next one will be something special. "Tenebrous" was our debut full-length as a full band, and with its success, we are ready to take a little extra time to make something unique and move forward with the next big thing. More details to come in the coming months."

01. ORANSSI PAZUZU "Muuntautuja"
This album is unbelievably chilling, psychedelic, and captivating. There is so much going on, between different styles of vocals and edgy transitions, it's absolutely my number one choice for 2024.

02. KNOLL "As Spoken"
Grind, Death Metal, Black Metal, avant-garde, you name it. This album has it all!

03. CLOVEN "A Chance Encounter of Flesh and Nail"

04. SELBST "Despondency Chord Progressions"
I have been a SELBST fan long before we were ever label mates, so it goes without saying that this album was going to be at the top of the list for 2024. This album is such beautiful work, with the amazing drumming of Jonathan Heredia (AVERSIO HUMANITATIS). Between the clean vocals and well incorporated solos, as always, SELBST has wowed many fans.

05. PESTILENGTH "Solar Clorex"

06. ANTICHRIST SIEGE MACHINE "Vengeance of Eternal Fire"
As with their previous albums, the music is bestial, heavy, just so brutal. But this one is a bit cleaned up, and full of energy. This album brings you straight to hell, with blast beats for almost the entire duration of this album with a breath of fresh air at pivotal moments of slower and heavy drums and guitar remind you that there is still so much going on here besides the blasts.

07. MODERN RITES "Endless"
08. AARA "Eiger"
09. ULCERATE "Cutting the Throat of God"
10. DIIV "Frog In Boiling Water"
This is not at all a Metal album, but as a huge fan of shoegaze and post rock, I really wanted to include this in my top 10 list of 2024, as this album is such a magnificent release compared to their earlier releases. All members for the first time took part in the writing of it which makes it stand out. Its lyrics are almost political, and they don't stray from the melancholic soundscapes that will definitely resonate with fans of SLOWDIVE, MY BLOODY VALENTINE and RIDE. This album is a 10/10 for me.