Licho – Ciuciubabka (Pagan)

Born from members of bands such as Koniec pola, -S-, Wędrowcy-Tułacze-Zbiegi, and Gruzja, Licho has quite the pedigree! With this project, however, the members steer away from black metal and into a very unique and dark psychedelic post-punk aesthetic. The result is simply astounding. Guitars full of effects, hypnotic rhythms, Sprechgesang-ish vocal delivery, and droning harmonies will conspire to suck you into a dark vortex. This album got a lot of spins from me, and I hope you too!

---

Deadeye – Deadeye (Dox)

Hammond, guitar, and drums. You know the drill. This is going to be some wild, untamed fusion jazz! The collaboration of Reinier Baas, Jonas Burgwinkel, and Kit Downes culminates in a very special blend of influences on Deadeye’s self-titled debut. I wouldn’t be so surprised if some mentioned resemblances to John Zorn musically, but there’s more to it than that. The band takes you to incredible highs with their high-energy delivery, and mournful lows with their softer tracks. It’s a memorable jazz album!

---

Pyrithe – Monuments to Impermanence (Gilead Media)

What hasn’t been said already a thousand times regarding Pyrithe’s latest? Jaw-dropping, monumental, immensely heavy… these are all truths here. Pyrithe’s progressive, experimental sludge metal takes the genre in new ways, and that’s always fascinating.

---

Balungan – Kudu Bisa Kudu (Cuneiform)

It’s not the first time I write about a band blending Gamelan with Western music, but this Indonesian experimental outfit merges it with what sounds like Zeuhl: with its frequent rhythmic changes, bite-sized melodic motives and overall eclectic character, Kudu Bisa Kudu is something any and all of you readers should listen to!