Vattnet Viskar is releasing a new album titled Settler on 6/16 via Century Media Records and the cover is pretty not black metal at all, though neither is the music. It reminds me of a punkier Deafheaven that relies more on riffs than a building atmosphere. The title track is streaming below and you'll see exactly what I mean.
I whole-heartedly encourage anyone doubtful of this new wave of semi-joyous black metal to sit through this track and keep an open mind. It's really damn good!
If you're wondering about the artwork, Stereogum gives a good explanation.
"The image was created by the visual artist Josh Graham (best known for his work with Neurosis), based on an old photograph of Christa McAuliffe, the schoolteacher who was chosen by NASA to travel into outer space on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 — and who died when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after launch."
…and now I'm sad.
