Album

Vexev – Abyssus Abyssum Invocat [France, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-6-20

I know the tag for this record states it is raw black but I would be more comfortable putting it in the mid tier of black metal. This is not to take away from the bare nature of Vexev’s music rather their production is neither claustrophobic nor oppressive rather they have an entire empty cathedral to play in and it is through this space that their music swoops and dives like phantoms rising out of the walls. Abyssus Abyssum Invocat is the band’s deb ut full length and first release which is surprising given the genre. With no demo, EP or rehearsal to precede this, Vexev makes their first declaration and by all accounts it is loud enough to gain attention.

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Pyre – Chained to Ossuaries [Russia, Death] (2020)

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Memento Mori | 4-27-20

Before we begin, this is a full length scheduled to come out on Memenoto Mori on April 27th, which was a few days ago. There is no current option to purchase, support, or even own a digital copy of this sample (?). This makes it a little frustrating since this release is crispy and rotting at the same time. Russian death is not unheard of rather is exists dwarfed by other underground genres coming from the country — nameley black metal. This is why when Pyre presents a slick old school worship in the same vein as Massacre or Pestilence, it is going to hit harder than normal. This is what I want from my death metal, something that comes with the force of a rusty tire iron.

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Bythos – Womb of Zero [Finland, Black] (2020)

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TERRATUR POSSESSIONS | 4-24-20

This was waiting to be found. TERRATUR POSSESSIONS is not going to be some hidden gem label as they have released some important records not least many of Icelandic black albums that took up the mid 00’s. I do not know how I got here but this was just released and I was here anyway so here we go. Bythos is a new entity with not much in the way of information but that is the main aesthetic for many bands. Production wise, Womb of Zero is on the higher end with swirling melodies that never dissolve into noise. These melodies are anchored by harsh vocals which, for as strange as it sounds, are accessible for the gravely quality. Bythos for all of its Luciferian orthodox motif is a black metal album that potential crossover appeal as solid listenable black metal record supported by a label with a few years of experience to their name.

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Nekrovault – Totenzug: Festering Peregrination [Germany, Death] (2020)

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Ván Records | 3-27-20

I believe it was one of my online friends who said they loved this 30 seconds in by the sound of dragging chains. There is sometimes a moment when you know you will love a record. It calls to you with open arms of the right aesthetic, band photos, and song titles. I have joked about the decline of basement death which came at the decline of cavern death. this is all funny until there is a constant stream of great cavern/basement death records being released. Nekrovault is not just another festering slab of riffs and attitude rather they are one of the more effective slab of riffs and attitude in recent memory and makes me want to worship at the festering altar of chaos.

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Vazio – Eterno Aeon Obscuro [Brazil, Black] (2020)

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Black Heart Records | 4-13-20

Lyrical themes:Void, Dark Spiritualism, Occultism, Draconian Kaballah, Mysticism, Death. I really appreciate it when a band goes all out there for an aesthetic. Vazio is going for an aesthetic and Eterno Aeon Obscuro is the debut record which will set a stage for a focused debut. I say focused since the work of Vazio, up until this point have been on splits where the complimentary band has not been complimentary in terms of theme and direction. Vazio seems to big for a split and a full size debut with large ceilings seems to be a perfect place for this style of music.

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Amnutseba – Emanatism [France, Black] (2020)

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Iron Bonehead Productions | 3-27-20

Welcome Oblivion. One of my colleagues gave this full length to me and asked if I remembered this band from a few years back. I have to be honest in saying that my recollection of Amnutseba is relegated to foggy fragments of angular and ruinous black/death. I do not remember much and looking at old demos I am even more confused since I partially remember the cover for Demo II. This could be a phantom band which is a specter sent to haunt me. In any case, Emanatism is certainly able to make an imprint on the psyche as the far out surreal qualities of this record are terrifying and will live in nightmares for many years to come.

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Molder – Vanished Cadavers [US, Death / Thrash] (2020)

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Rotted Life | 5-20-20

It feels like ages ago when we were swimming in rotting death that was squirming with riffs. Sure we still have it but things have changed. Molder is here to remind us of the fun we had a few years ago with a debut that breathes a festive atmosphere and if your idea of a party is gravedigging and being spooky, you are in the right place. Vanished Cadavers comes after a very long line of demos, splits, and live records. Much like someone gathering up momentum before pouncing, Molder finally springs into action with teeth bared and arms flailing. While this sounds like it is going to be a vicious experience, there is an air of levity with a record of death / thrash that is enjoyable and perfect for a party you will eventually have when you can see people.

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Beelzebud – Beelzebud [Singapore, Black / Doom] (2015/2020)

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Cyclopean Eye Productions | 3-25-20

Special note that this 3 song full length from Beelzebud was released in 2015 but as most stories go, its distribution probably never left Singapore. This is okay since now we are going to get a second chance at this unltra bleak black doom record with a band whose name sounds like lame ass stoner doom. Listen, I get it, stoner doom plays at an aesthetic and weed themed band names are part and parcel for the genre. Beelzebud does play stoner doom though in a burned out shell of black metal similar to bands like Cough where the groovy vibes have long since dried and what are left are gnarled roots. Beelzebud also possesses the ability to make 10, 15, 25 minute tracks interesting though their protracted torture of rough production and gang vocals. Whether or not this release is actually 2020 or 2015, it seems to not matter as much as the weight of the hammer upon your head.

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Hexenfluch – Aradia [Germany?, Black] (2020)

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Narbentage Produktionen | 4-12-20

I know little about Hexenfluch other than the outfit maybe from Germany and the name may mean Heathen’s Curse. Other than those sparse scraps of knowledge, the only thing I have to hold on is a 10 minute preview track which is both boiling with supernatural energy and swirling with chaotic possession. This tape release is just one of many arcane offerings from Narbentage Produktionen which seems to deal music much in the same way a wood witch deals in poisonous plants and trinkets. Come for blistering black metal but know there is no giving it back.

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Throat Breach -Humiliating Distortion [US, Death / Grind] (2020)

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Desert Wasteland | 4-3-20

Desert Wasteland is fast becoming one of my favorite labels this year and the number of releases is still pretty low. With only 3 releases thus far into Spring 2020, the quality and veracity of these releases has been something to behold. Fleshrot, Wombcage, and Throat Breach have all huddled together to offer a strain of death metal that is both ruinous, rusted, and visceral. Coming after the boom of basement style death metal, Throat Breach presents an album that is both schizophrenic in its mixture of death and grind but also post apocalyptic in its style which is perfect for rusted or burned out structures. This is music for tomorrow in ruins.

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