Generally tragic Doom Metal, misanthropic Sludge Metal, or lonely Drone Metal/Post-Metal inspire feelings of sadness or dullness, the kind of depression that feels unforgiving & heavy-hitting.

jesu on the other hand hits that spot of melancholy & sentimentality, a certain feeling that’s isolating, but weirdly inspiring.

I listened to it a lot during snowfall earlier this year, walking alone in the snow, holding childhood memories of playing in the snow which was my favorite thing to do, & waking back up to the silent winter wonderland that was empty.

It hit me with a certain sadness of longing, yet, it was a reminder of the love that still exists in this world, it told me “Life sucks now, but think of what it can be when you work for a better future.” & it struck me with such an ethereal feeling, the life of suffe-ring, the bad gaps I remembered, but the reassuring feeling that happiness can return.

\-

Another mention goes to The Angelic Process.

Weighing Souls with Sand by The Angelic Process is the deepest exploration of death itself in Metal.

Death was explored as a subject of theatrical tragedy in Doom Metal, an exploitation of shock in Extreme Metal, & The Angelic Process digs deep into the transcendental ideas of passing on into the afterlife.

The unimaginable idea of how big the infinity of spiritual plane could be, the sheer heaviness of it, but also the feeling that transcends beyond sadness or happiness, there is the hurt of grief, yet there is the promise of peace in a world where your body can no longer be physically harmed.

\-

People regard Deafheaven as overrated Hipster Black Metal, & I can’t help but somewhat agree they’re a overhyped Blackgaze group that while I enjoy, I don’t think is deserving of 10/10s.

People also acted like Deafheaven was revolutionary for its time, but jesu in 2004 I feel was more evolutionary & came first.

jesu is just, a really fucking good combination of Drone Metal & Shoegaze, it doesn’t sacrifice heaviness but it also doesn’t sacrifice the ethereal melodies, it hits that right realm of feeling as heavy as Heaven despite Heaven being a place of peace.

What songs/albums make you feel like you are shedding tears of joy?