Mortals – Cursed to See the Future [US, Black / Sludge] (2014)

Relapse Records | 7-8-14

Relapse Records was one of the first large record labels that got me into many bands. I think many other people can claim this as well, as the label has been operating since the early 90’s. Though Relapse releases a variety of different material, for the past couple of years there has been a focus on sludge / doom / crust and some vault surfing, with extensive reissues of older albums. To be quite honest, Relapse is larger than any other label covered on Tape Wyrm. If it were not for the complete enjoyment with Cursed to See the Future I do not think Mortals would make it here. Thank the gods for violent rock and roll.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Ad Infinitum – Woven Within [US, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 2-11-14

Atmospheric black metal can be instantly engaging. Unlike its stylistic cousins, atmospheric black metal has a dramatic sound and aesthetic that most people could see themselves enjoying. This has lead to a flooded market of bedroom productions stacked high to the ceiling. While it is daunting that this musical style is so popular, certain music shines through these pillars of demos and self released digital EPs. For music to do this however, it must be highly engaging and powerful. Ad Infinitum is the work of one man from Kentucky with no discernible connection to any other metal project. I know I just made mention of all those bedroom black metal releases but Woven Within is something demands its own attention, even if you are not already a fan of deep astral black metal.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Dying Sun – Transcendence [US, Post Metal] (2014)

Self Released | 1-7-14

I use the word “post metal” with very specific definition. Post metal, as I have come to understand it, represents two branches of music. One is instrumental metal and the other is an artistic extension of elongated sludge. Dying Sun is apart of the later with their release Transcendence apart of a fraternal order of music which celebrates the slow crawl of catharsis. Transcendence was released earlier this year but is seeing a tape distribution from the very lovely Grimoire Cassette Cvlture. By Tape, vinyl, digital, or 8 track Dying Sun’s release is demanding to be experienced by those who are willing to listen.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Sadhus, The Smoking Community – Sadhus, The Smoking Community [Greece, Stoner Sludge] (2014)

Self Released | 7-15-14

First of all, I hope I got the grammar right for this band name. It could be Sadhus: the Smoking Community or Sadhus…The Smoking Community. Regardless of what is sounds like when said out loud is second to the fact about what it implies. If the album cover depicting figures in animal masks being engulfed in a psychedelic whirpool was not enough for you, wait until the scuttling sound of stoned doom obliterates the sky. As strange as this band’s name is, their vision for a scorched earth under hazed clouds is pretty clear.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Ill Omen – Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence [Australia, Black] (2014)

Nuclear War Now Productions | 6-30-14

Listening to a lot of black metal can be taxing. The main reason is that a lot of things sound the same given similar production and aesthetic direction. Dark album covers, layered production, titles which evoke terror can become homogeneous after awhile. Ill Omen’s second full length is similar to a lot of other things which have also came out and to be quite honest does not have any immediate hooks which separate it from the rest of black metal releases. With that said, Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence does excel in subtlety with a record which is not only captivating to listen to but striking in its declaration of a no nonsense approach to black metal.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Hexis – Abalam [Denmark, Black / Hardcore] (2014)

Halo of Flies | 1-11-14

This is how one meets their demise — through a concentrated burst of terror and deconstruction. Abalam, the full length debut from Danish death squad Hexis, has been out for a few months. In fact, Hexis released Abalam close to the beginning of the year. Since then, the band has released a split with Primitive Man and been spreading dark clouds of pestilence over parts of Europe. I did not want this year to go by without acknowledging a record which has the ability to make fields of crops spoil with disease.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Wrought Iron – Rejoice and Transcend [US, Black / Death / Grind] (2014)

Grimoire Records | 6-24-14

By any means necessary. Grimoire Records has already shown themselves to be a label who has sympathies for non traditional extreme metal. Though the label sports a number of black, death, and doom bands, the tendency for most of the music they support is to go in different yet interesting directions. Wrought Iron is from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, which isn’t a place known for a legacy in heavy metal. From the brief amount of time I spent there, I have to assume that this western Pennsylvania hub is a gate to nowhere: filled with high hills, overcast clouds, and abandoned factories. Wait. Hold on. This may be perfect.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Saor – Aura [Scotland, Black / Folk] (2014)

Northern Silence Productions | 6-2-14

Black metal is interesting for many reason. while the style can be taken in wild directions, the sound can also stay in the relative middle as be enhanced with nuance and subtlety. I do not know if tin whistles constitute subtlety but for now we are going to assume it is apart of slight nuance. Aura is the second record from Scottish based Saor. “Saor” in old Irish has a loose meaning of “free man.” What ever is about to transpire, there is a strong sentiment of unchained spirits.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Hiverna – II. Macabre [Canada, Folk / Black] (2014)

Self Released | 6-6-14

Yes. Please file this away under “amazing album art.” Hiverna is a black folk outfit from the highlands of Canada. If the trollish figure on the cover drawn by Olivier Villoingt was not enough indication, the band has made it their lot in life to catalog the dark elements of folk metal. If you have come for snarling monsters which most likely reside in the deep part of the woods, then you have certainly come to right place.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Judd Madden – Everything In Waves [Austrailia, Stoner Doom] (2014)

Self Released | 6-6-14

I have been privy to Judd Madden for a couple of years. Somewhere and somehow, I ran across these beautifully illustrated doom albums, for free, on Bandcamp. After some interviews and correspondence, I learned Judd Madden was the name of the creator and one man instrumental bedroom doom project. Along with all instruments, Madden illustrated each cover for records which seem to possess deep conceptual bearings. In the short span of 4 years, Madden has made 7 full lengths and is showing little signs of slowing until the lower half of the earth is cast in a perpetual red haze of slow decay.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.