Falls of Rauros’ Believe In No Coming Shore was arguably the best mid-tempo-ish black metal release of the year, and on it, the Portland, Maine-based band pull out memorable melodic riff after memorable melodic riff in a succession that should make the forest-dwelling black metal bands from the other Portland green with envy. Moreover, as a band that draws inspiration from nature (and Tolkien!), they successfully nail an organic sound like no other: Everything’s a little muted, and it’s melancholic in a way fit for a late-autumn camping trip. But it’s also undeniably bright sounding, with quirky, clear bass and guitar tones and muffled drums that you don’t hear in this type of stuff very often. The album’s centerpiece, “Waxen Voices,” is one of the best songs of the year … and it may not even be the best song on the album. –Wyatt [LISTEN]