AN NCS PREMIERE: HAINTGROVE — “KINGDOMS IN THE THICKET”

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Sep 182026
 

(written by Islander)

Once again, and for the third time since mid-June, we’re connecting you to the powerful music and words of the Texas-based black metal band Haintgrove.

The first occasion concerned the project’s debut single, “Starless Passage“, which served as the opening chapter to a larger concept centered on the experiences of enslaved Africans in the colonial South, a concept that approaches the subject “through atmosphere, landscape, memory, and emotional perspective”.

The second occasion, in August, was our premiere of Haintgrove’s second single, “I Dream in a Tongue I Cannot Speak“, along with a beautiful yet desolate video that Haintgrove filmed along the coast of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

And now we’re premiering a third song, “Kingdoms in the Thicket“, which sheds more light on Haintgrove’s inspirations, and specifically the role that the Lowcountry plays in those inspirations. Continue reading »

AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: HAINTGROVE — “I DREAM IN A TONGUE I CANNOT SPEAK”

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Aug 212026
 

(written by Islander)

On Juneteenth (June 19) Texas-based Haintgrove released “Starless Passage“, the project’s debut single and first track from a forthcoming album. I paid attention in part because I’m originally from Texas and spent nearly half my life there before moving to the Pacific Northwest, but mainly because of the song’s inspiration and lyrical themes, which Haintgrove described as follows:

“Starless Passage” serves as the opening chapter of a larger concept centered on the experiences of enslaved Africans in the colonial South. Rather than presenting history as a straightforward narrative, the project approaches it through atmosphere, landscape, memory, and emotional perspective. Coastal shorelines, flooded forests, forgotten crossings, and the natural world itself play a central role in the music’s identity.

The song proved to be quite impressive — and I’ll re-share my thoughts about it before we reach the end of this article, but the main subject is a second single from Haintgrove that we’re premiering today (along with a captivating video), a song called “I Dream in a Tongue I Cannot Speak“. Continue reading »

OVERFLOWING STREAMS: AZIMUT, ONUS VITAE, HAINTGROVE, FLEHMEN POSITION, APHONIC THRENODY, CABINET, STAIN, MAGEFA

 Album Reviews, Exceptions to the Rule, Metal News, RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC, SHORT BUT SWEET  No Responses »
Jun 202026
 

(written by Islander)

Just like this same time last week, I’m feeling overwhelmed by the volume of new music I want to recommend, and just like last week I’m resorting to some shortcuts so as to pack more into this column. It’s usually called SEEN AND HEARD, but you’ll probably understand why I change the title on Saturdays like this one.

I suppose it’s up for debate whether I’m really doing a favor to bands when the collection is this large. Maybe if I just focused on the usual four or six selections, more people would listen to all of it. Maybe most listeners won’t make it to the end or will skip over some of the music. But if I leave out something, it’s guaranteed that no one will find their way to it through their visits here. (Of course, I’m not vain enough to believe that coming here is the only way anyone discovers music.)

There’s probably no right answer, only doing what feels right in the moment. So, off we go…. Continue reading »