Album

Crom Dubh – Heimweh [UK, Atmospheric Black] (2015)

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Ván Records | 3-29-15

Ván Records | 3-29-15

Crom Dubh is interesting for a variety of reasons. First of all this 4 piece is interesting for their addition into the UK extreme metal scene whose both black and death production has been fantastic in the last couple of years. Second of all, Crom Dubh’s debut Heimweh is worthy of note specifically for the band’s employment of the atmospheric style which is smooth and well oiled. Heimweh comes on the wings of a few other silent demos and EP releases and is even now shining bright on a lonely hill waiting for more people to show up. Though audience is relative, Crom Dubh’s relative obscurity is surprising given the sound which could be appealing to a wide spectrum of listeners. Perhaps Heimweh will be the time which the sky cracks open and pours ink black water over this land.

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Morgon – Black Light of Liberation [Germany, Black / Melodic Death] (2014)

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Self Released | 4-13-14

Self Released | 4-13-14

I feel with a looser definitions on what constitutes “new music,” one can find a wider array of material. Example being a well crafted black/melodic death full length from Germany’s Morgon. It was easy to miss this full length since it was self released in 2014 and has only been lightly reissued by small distributors most recently by Obscure Abhorrence Records. While Morgon’s story is not unlike dozens if not hundreds of metal bands, sometimes decent music goes unheard. This is a really good example.

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Seme Konj – The Promise of Coffins [Slovenia, Black / Noise] (2014)

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Self Released | 2014

Self Released | 4-7-14

For the most part, I really enjoy reviewing new material specifically things that are in the current year. As I have found with lesser known and underground metal releases, dates are sort of flexible when it comes to when an audience will hear it. Take for example and their debut The Promise of Coffins. This release is unmistakably a 2014 record coming out in the early months of Spring. The Promise of Coffins went unheard by the majority of the world until this year seeing a tape / cd release by Glossolalia Records. Make no mistake, Seme Konj will probably be only heard by a few more people but suffice to say that many more people will reveal in chaos.

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Abstracter – Wound Empire [US, Sludge / Crust] (2015)

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Vendetta Records | 2-15-15

Vendetta Records | 2-15-15

Abstracter is strange for many reasons. First of all, this California based plays a cross between sludge, drone, doom, black, and noise. Second of all, the lyrical and thematic position for this band seems to be between artsy experimentalism and more traditional head splitting heavy metal. This trait is exemplified by the band’s clean font logo as well as their scrawled enigma that looks like tangled roots and rusted barbed wire. This band seems to be able to go many places which is important especially when burrowing far beneath the earth.

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Varen – Varen [Belgium, Black] (2015)

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Self Released | 3-16-15

Self Released | 3-16-15

My sweet lord, what a powerful opening. The first track of Varen’s self titled EP and debut release is a moody sundclip of moans and flies buzzing. This short introduction leads into “Hic Incipit Pestis” ( Here begins the plague) which is particularly fitting seeing as this Belgian duo is more than capable of making music which sounds like the decaying of flesh and the last breathe of masses dying in agony. I could be wrong though, it maybe a little brighter than that. Probably not.

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The Slow Death – Ark [Australia, Death/Doom] (2015)

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Chaos Records | 3-16-15

Chaos Records | 3-16-15

Before traveling into The Slow Death’s third full length release, one has to note the band members and their billion projects. Because this is Australia, bands like Mournful Congregation, Temple Nightside, Murkrat, and Nazxul dot the resumes of the band members involved. Brett Campbell from Pallbearer slides in an the American guest who has been working with the band since 2012. This all seems really odd considering the Slow Death has never been a high profile band seeing their first two releases gone independent and their third being released under a Mexican extreme metal label Chaos Records. I am just going to sit here sitting on my hands and listening to time slowly unravel.

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Ecferus – Prehistory [US, Ambient / Black] (2015)

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Fragile Branch Recordings | 2-6-16

Fragile Branch Recordings | 2-6-16

Ecferus comes with a lot of discussion even before the music begins. Prehistory is the debut from a one person black metal bedroom project which is particularly interested and dedicated to anthropology and primitive mythology. Prehistory was released by a small label who also was responsible in distributing 2014’s Woven Within by the very decent and capable Ad Infinitum. The release also comes wrapped in one of the more intriguing covers by illustrator Rose Proctor. Even if Prehistory was terrible, I would be a little bit entertained. The fact that the music is as good as it surrounding ceremony is fantastic.

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A Forest Of Stars – Beware the Sword You Cannot See [UK, Psychedelic Black] (2015)

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Lupus Lounge | 2-27-15

Lupus Lounge | 2-27-15

Would you look at that cover? I literally have zero idea what is happening between the dragons, beasts, and goddamn robots. A Forest of Stars comes with a mountain of expectations with their name, album title, and general style of “psychedelic” black metal. It would be easier if this band was just disciples of post rock and made long black metal landscapes which had crescendos and piano interludes. The fact that this British band has so much more weird shit in their album is cause for pause, praise, and possibly alarm.

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Ghost Bath – Moonlover [International, DSBM] (2015)

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Northern Silence | 3-17-15

Northern Silence | 3-17-15

One of the most surprising development of this year was the proverbial explosion of Chinese depressive black metal act Ghost Bath. Last year, this site reviewed their debut Funeral which was a soul wrenching experience full of piano and pained cries. Though I shouldn’t be surprised at the potential this band had on a larger audience, it is still exciting to see the project get tossed around between larger sites and blogs. Moonlover is the band’s second release in a short time and continues the focus of emotionally scared black metal which is incredibly sensitive regarding mortality.

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Crypt Sermon – Out of the Garden [US, Doom] (2015)

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Dark Descent Records | 2-24-15

Dark Descent Records | 2-24-15

This is perhaps the easiest review I have done in recently memory. This isn’t even due to Crypt Sermon being more than decent. The reason Crypt Sermon and their debut Out of the Garden is so easy to write about is due to not only its loyalty to a retro style but also the band’s dedication to Christian imagery. There is also the kick ass album cover. Let us not forget. Regardless of anything that can be said about the band, it is important to note how effective and decent their debut is. If you have forgotten what being embraced int he warm arms of traditional doom feels like let Crypt Sermon be your shepherd.

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