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| Art by William David Pollard. |
Rising Beast Recordings is based out of Los Angeles and run by James L. Brown. He may be most well known for being the guitarist of L.A. Black Metal band Harassor along with Pete on vocals and Andor on drums. A band I have had the pleasure of seeing many times as they are part of my local scene. The label seems to serve as a place for James to experiment with other genres of music he also enjoys. The three bands, other than Harassor, that are on the label are Moonknight, Dargar, and Attakkr along with some self-titled music. All different in their own way despite being from the same person.
First we start with Moonknight. Moonknight is best described as Atmospheric Black Metal. With three full lengths, two E.P.’s and two splits this is the band with the most material. The first album Toplov is very raw. Burzum-esque riffing, with distorted vocals. But with the second album, Ligeia, the production is a little less raw on most songs. The sound is full and the atmospheres even more present. Song lengths increase allowing him to do more in each song, the song "Thyrsgreiden" being a perfect example of this. That album even ends with an ambient track. With 2014’s Death Card it is a perfect mix of all that has come before. The production is not too raw and not too clean. It’s the sweet spot in between that gives great atmosphere but allows for everything to be heard. Even with shorter song length nothing is lost, they are leaner and meaner if you will. This is top notch Atmospheric Black Metal. Fans of Burzum, Striborg, and ColdWorld will not be let down.
[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]
[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]
Next up is Dargar. This sees James teaming up with Harassor singer Pete Majors doing guitar and vocals with James doing drum programming. Dargar are a Blackened Noise band. Harsh guitars over cold electronic drumming with gurgling distorted shrieks. The sound is ugly and violent at times. Other times slow and dark. Songs are disjointed and unnerving. At no time does this feel like safe listening. Can’t tell what the lyrics are, and I’m not sure I want to know. All of this adds up to a great listening experience for me. At the time of this writing I am on a big Noise/Dark Ambient kick, so this was just what I was looking for. While Moonknight’s atmospheres are expansive at times. Dargar’s atmosphere is claustrophobic, intense, and unsettling. Best heard with headphones in total darkness.
[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]
Then there is Attakkr. Best described as Ambient Drone. Three albums all recorded in 2006 but not released until 2013. Even though they are divided into three albums all the songs could really make up one album. These are songs to get lost in. At times it reminds me of Boris when they get drony. A song like Heavenly Bodies (from Blade of Ithiel) is aptly titled. As it makes me feel as though I am ascending into the sky. The song Amalantrah (from Zantetsuken) even having clean vocals and sounding like some lost Shoegaze track from the early 90’s. Never overly harsh with just the right balance of dark and dreamyness added to the mix.
[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]
[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]
There's also his self-titled material. The first being a Drone/Noise album Isle of the Dead. This one featuring another member of Harassor drummer Andor Kappen doing vocals on "Twilight of the Beast". At first listen I wondered why this had not fallen under the Attakkr name. But there are enough differences that I assume he felt the separation was needed. The cool part is each track really stands on it’s own. Drone runs through each, but the songs are all very different from each other. Like the Drone into Sludge of Psychometry or the shoegazy drone of The Hollow.
[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]
The other self-titled album may be the oddest of the bunch. It’s a two track Theremin album. Now I won’t pretend to love it. But I do love his willingness to experiment and try something new. It’s an interesting listen to say the least. Trippy, psychedelic, and a bit creepy all at the same time.
The thing that is impressive about this label is the variety found within. Now that is not too uncommon for a label. But the fact that it is primarily being done by one man is what really sets it apart and makes it more impressive to me. Many artists have tried to express themselves outside of their comfort zone. Some fail, some succeed. I count James L. Brown among the successes.
