Crown of Asteria has been crafting metal-tinged naturalistic soundscapes since 2011. Ever prolific, CoA has released more than 25 genre-defying albums since that time, experimenting with varied instrumentation, field recordings, self-built percussion, and a range of vocal styles from guttural growls, to blackened shrieks, to choral chants. CoA contributes one 18-minute opus to this split release entitled “Claw of the Firemaker,” an unnerving blackened doom track that ebbs into a monophonic ode to the natural world.
The name Nodus Tollens comes from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows and is a realization that one’s life doesn’t make sense anymore, that the plot to one’s own story has been lost. This particular brand of sorrow is present throughout NT’s two long-form tracks, “Morir de Fam” and “Vulpes Pilum Mutat.” Lone member Cicatrix entwines mid-tempo DSBM guitar with relentless percussion and shrieked vocals to speak to a life that can no longer be recognized. NT is adept at combining raw black metal with dreamy post-rock textures, creating a swirling crescendo of longing beauty.
Crown of Asteria/Nodus Tollens will be available for pre-order through the Realm and Ritual Bandcamp on Friday, February 14th. Limited to 30 forest-green cassettes, orders start shipping on February 22nd.
realmandritual.bandcamp.com/album/crown-of-asteria-nodus-tollens
credits
releases February 22, 2020
released February 22, 2020
CoA-M
Nodus Tollens is Cicatrix
with Marisa Kaye Janke - Viola on “Vulpes Pilum Mutat”
Artwork: Jeri Mize
Nodus Tollens tracks mastered by Dan Dolby