Xasthur Appreciation Thread

Just thought it would be necessary to applaud the greatest one-man band ever made and an absolute genius in music, Malefic's now defunct band, Xasthur!

The man who makes the absolute darkest music, and if you live atmosphere in music, you will love him.. Just a shame he doesn't make music anymore. It's amazing if you go and look up Xasthur's discography, he has so much music written.. all from his one head, he's never had another member in his band, besides the first couple of years of Xasthur. Anyway.. here's a favorite of mine.. The ending is absolutely amazing.

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Permalink Reply by House Atlantic on July 9, 2011 at 17:22

I'm not sure how to stay happy when I listen to Xasthur. I guess that means he's good at what he's doing, making real emotional music.

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Permalink Reply by Phalanx Titan on July 9, 2011 at 21:53

I can't say that Xasthur is the best ambient BM artist out there, but he's certainly effective at what he does and his importance in the USBM scene is undeniable.

I've always found Xasthur's discography a bit patchy, but I really enjoy "To Violate The Oblivious" (as far as one can be said to "enjoy" incredibly depressive music, anyway). Although lately, I think "All Reflections Drained" might be my favourite of Xasthur's work - his most interesting and experimental album in my opinion, and it totally succeeds in what it sets out to do.

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Permalink Reply by ADreamOfWolves on July 11, 2011 at 0:26

All Reflections Drained off of All Reflections Drained is without a doubt, Xasthur's darkest song made.
Good lord...

And I'd agree with you that All Reflections Drained is his most experimental album, Malefic doesn't have many vocals in his songs off of that record, to some people's dismay. But, it is defiantly a dark album and a great one, not my favorite though. Subliminal Genocide might be my favorite, though To Violate The Oblivious is also a great one.

Would you agree? What do you think is his darkest song?

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Permalink Reply by Phalanx Titan on July 11, 2011 at 1:55

I actually really like "All Reflections Drained" having less/subtler vocals. I mean, Malefic's vocals are usually very unsettling and distinctive, but I don't think they belong within this album's atmosphere as much.

"All Reflections Drained" is barely even BM anymore - it's more a sort of bizarre, organic-sounding ambient music, and the hazy instrumentation speaks for itself most of the time. Maze of Oppression is probably my favourite track from the album - love its use of piano.

It's hard to say what his darkest song is...I think it depends how you define "dark". Prison of Mirrors is certainly one of his most haunting tracks, though.