Vyrion – Geo [Australia, Progressive / Black]

Self Released | 7-4-14

At this moment, unbeknownst to most people, there is something interesting happening in Australia. Plumbing the depths of lesser known heavy metal brings to light some wonderful acts and extraordinary albums which have gone may have been all together forgotten or never heard. Vyrion has been around since the late 00’s with their first release in 2011. I speak with surprise that there hasn’t been more of a commotion as Vyrion’s competency in making forceful black metal is astounding with Geo, the band’s second record, a continuation in a mid-fi progressive odyssey.

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.

Skáphe – Skáphe [US, Black] (2014)

Fallen Empire | 6-6-14

I feel blessed to have a reliable record label which I can walk into an album blind and know that it will be of high quality or, at the very least, interesting. Much like a majority of the Fallen Empire roster, Skáphe is a complete mystery aside from a 35 minute tape release. With little information besides a general region and a full length stretched out across four songs, listening to these types of releases is akin to navigating a dark room which maybe endless in its own dimensions. We have reached the very end of existence and beyond us is a starless abyss.

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.

Dead Congregation – Promulgation of the Fall [Greece, Death] (2014)

Martyrdoom Productions | 5-9-14

Let us get something out of the way. Dead Congregation is really good as well as sort of important. 2008’s Graves of the Archangels was a giant leap for death metal in its slow climb up to contemporary prominence. I am not saying anything at this moment but Dead Congregation was one of the first newer bands to receive its high profile in the contemporary death metal scene. 2008 was a long time ago and 6 years later, death metal has shaped out to be something of fanatic interest. Promulgation of the Fall comes at a different time as there are brilliant death metal records coming out on a more consistent basis. If Dead Congregation can secure another fantastic release, it would do wonders for their reputation. It would also cast the world in further gloom.

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.

Bland Vargar – Perpetual Return [Italy, Atmospheric Black] (2014)

Razed Soul Productions | 4-11-14

Woooosh. I love it. I love it all. Bland Vagar is an Italian black metal band who concerns themselves with wolves. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. The band is listed under a production company called Razed Soul productions but the tape comes to us from our good ol’ friends Caligari Records. I have already gushed about my fascination with the quality of Caligari releases and Bland Vargar is no different. Somewhere in the afterglow of woodsy black metal is still the spark of greenish darkness — one that clasps hard around the throat.

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.

Spectral Lore – III [Greece, Black / Ambient] (2014)

I, Voidhanger Records | 5-2-14

Well, this is it. This is how the world ends. With an 80 minute ambient black metal record. Spectral Lore is a Greek black metal act who has had a wonderful couple of years. Not only was the 2012 record Sentinel highly reviewed but this project was apart of some fine splits including the cosmic hour long collaboration with Mare Cognitum. III is a conceptual continuation of numeric releases which pick up after the 2007 release II. Sentinel saw a break in this formation but the creator, Ayloss, saw it necessary to return stark and mysterious album titles. If one needed any further indication to the amount of detail which is put into this record, please make yourself comfortable for the next 87 minutes.

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.

Infestus – The Reflecting Void [Germany, Black] (2014)

Debemur Morti Productions | 4-25-14

I must say — out of most Bandcamp pages, Debemur Morti Productions’ design is exquisite with subtle greys and hints of sepia. I would also say the same about the design for The Reflecting Void which is the fourth full length for German act Infestus. I mention the design because, from what I can tell, one man is responsible for everything that is heard in The Reflecting Void. I have already made mention for my penchant for one man metal acts as the emotional catharsis and isolated scope can lend itself to brilliant records. Infestus is no different as The Reflecting Void is full of terror which never ceases to be entertaining to experience.

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.

Woman is the Earth – Depths [US, Black] (2014)

Init Records | 4-1-14

I think I made mention before, in fact numerous times, that this band’s name confuses the hell out of me. In a style dominated by dark ruminations, Woman is the Earth does not sound like a black metal band, rather a possible eco-feminist power violence trio. I promise this is the last time I am bringing up the name as the the band’s music soon silences all questions and offers a brilliant and dazzling exploration into atmospheric 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.

Ifing – Against This Weald [US, Black / Folk] (2014)

Blood Music | 5-6-14

I think we may have found a contender for best atmopheric / synth arrangements in black metal for the year. Last year, this honor went to Utah based act Caladan Brood while this year looks like the time for Ifing. Yes, I know that word looks like I left off half of the word but it belongs to a Michigan based duo who have come out of and from the middle of nowhere to bring a black metal record which has atmosphere stacked in reserves. What is that? The first 4 minutes is all woozy synthscape? I love it already.

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.

Black Monolith – Passenger [US, Black / Crust] (2014)

All Black Recording Company | 4-29-14

Trust me, I literally have no idea what is happening in this album art. I would say that the lithograph inspired artwork illustrates the relationship between Black Monolith’s influences but this is wrong. This US based crust act fuses together the styles of hardcore and black metal but that would mean both figures on the cover should be rotting and shriveled. I think this is true unless the nude women is black metal. What in the hell is going on at that campfire? What is that pyramid?

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.

Thantifaxath – Sacred White Noise [Canada, Black] (2014)

Dark Descent | 4-15-14

Adding to the very long line of bands with zero information comes the Canadian enigma Thantifaxath. Aside from a near unpronounceable name, the band has made a conscious effort to keep all information regarding identity, contact, or general inquiry at a minimum. The band members wear hoods on stage, may or may not be apart of another slightly well known metal band, and are probably never available for interviews. I would have gotten long tired of these antics if it were not for the fact that sometimes a lack of information allows records to be independent of connections. All of a sudden there appears this amazing black metal record which rips and scars the earth with smoldering ash.

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.