Writhing Shadows – Demo [US, Death] (2020)

Self Released | 4-20-20

Its funny that the idea of knuckledragging death has become a term or idea of affection that the dumber and ruder the riffs are the better quality the music. I do not know what lies on the otherside of kuckledragging death but for now, we are going to roll with the hairy punches and embrace the primitive or death metal with zero table manners since at the end of the day, the riffs on Writhing Shadows are obscene and the experience is rude and fascinating.

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.

Sørgelig – Sørgelig [Greece, Black] (2020)

Self Released | 3-27-20

Phew, try to hold on. Sørgelig has been building up momentum for a few years with bleak looking demos and albums that look perfect for cassette tapes. the self titled EP comes quickly after a 2019 full length and by the time 12 minute EP begins, it feels like you are running to catch up with its fervor and forward momentum. With blistering black metal which is thrown at you like kitchen knives, Sørgelig rides the line between keeping their shit together and almost completely fucking losing it. there is little time for atmosphere when everything is collapsing around you.

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.

Eternal Abyss – MMXX [Chile, Traditional Doom] (2020)

Self Released | 4-16-20

I enjoy traditional doom. I also enjoy rough and raw production. the combination of the two is not something that is usually seen including a release of a traditional doom demo but here we are in 2020. Eternal Abyss offers themselves to the council of bands like Trouble, Pagan Altar, Pentagram, and even Candlemass. The only difference is, Eternal Abyss is running their hearts and souls through the filter of bedroom production with a demo that has all of the energy distant and flat. This, surprisingly, works int he bands favor with a charming demo of potential and personality which reaches to the proverbial skies of projection. With a cover that looks like a black metal demo, Eternal Abyss rides the undercurrent of home production with a sound that is exciting and fresh.

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.

Augrimmer – Pantaleimon Speaks / Lynx [Germany, Black] (2020)

Self Released | 4-5-20

I love that artwork. What a fantastic cover. Augrimmer has been around for a while, in fact, the band has been releasing music for a decade and has been an actual band since the late 90’s. This single/demo represents my first experience with them and by all accounts, Augrimmer has the formula for a chilly black metal record down to a science. With the two shortish songs on this release, Augrimmer swoops like a specter chasing its quarry through dense woods. The adherence to black metal is just as impressive as the bands ability to make the whole spectacle fun and polished. Whether or not Pantaleimon Speaks / Lynx is a herald to s forthcoming release, we will not know until later. For now, enjoy these two songs as you run through the woods with a feeling of dread coming from above you.

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.

Narcömancer – Narcömancer [Portugal, Black / Punk / Speed] (2020)

Self Released | 4-13-20

Bring me that black/speed/punk. I honestly love union between the ferocity of punk/speed with the ominous aesthetic of black metal. The result is something that is foreboding but also fun and exciting. Narcömancer is a new entity from Portugal whose demo (?) has yet to be registered most places. For now we are given 4 tracks of Motörhead influenced satanic worship. While Narcömancer doesn’t stray to far from other bands like Speedwolf or Midnight, it is all a party and you are never invited but expected to show up.

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.

Chaotian – Festering Excarnation [Denmark, Death] (2020)

Extremely Rotten Productions | 3-20-19

I enjoy how death metal is continuing to be ill and rude even after its slight bump in popularity a few years back. the fact that people are still making gross sounding sewer sludge that has run off from outer world is warm and endearing to my soul. Festering Excarnation is a compilation of two demos that were released in 2018 and 2019. I do not think either of these saw a tape release nor a wide audience. Festering Excarnation comes with the benefit of awesome art fitting of the sound and also a tape release from Extremely Rotten Productions. We will consider this the start for this band and open our arms to welcome the filth.

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.

Dekagram – Through The Dark [Norway, Atmospheric Raw Black] (2020)

Poisonous Sorcery | 4-13-20

Raw atmospheric black or atmospheric raw black could both fit into this aesthetic. While Dekagram sounds ominous and cryptic, it is a unit of measurement equal to 10 grams. That in of itself may have significance but this is perhaps the first black metal act to embrace units of measurement to project their aura. Through the Dark is a compilation of two demos, one of them being a 2018 release and the other, I believe, being new. Whatever the case, the listener is given the experience of 43 minutes of atmospheric freefall not into the soft embrace of pine trees but rather an belfry on top of the most desolate looking church. This compilation is icy, moody, and above all else effective in its efforts to cast the world in darkness.

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.

Deconsecration – Demo [US, Death] (2020)

Caligari Records | 6-12-20

Even before I saw this release was from Caligari, I was into it. The art, the name, and the sound all point to one thing which is dripping death metal. From a very short history, this style of rotting death is on the downswing after its surge in popularity a few years ago with bands like Blood Incantation and Tomb Mold. This does not mean there still isn’t great death that smells like loam and caskets rather if you have trampled this far out into the woods, you are going to be here for this anyway so here is your shovel. Lets get digging.

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.

HECATOMB – Horrid Invocations [Austrailia, Death] (2020)

Self Released | 3-27-20

If you have not seen the band’s profile picture on Bandcamp, take a gander at a raw and grainy photo which completly fits the music. Somewhere out in the woods are two figures weilding rusty tools in your face. There are about a 12 Hecatombs so it is difficult to parse through all of the different bands but if you ever get lost travel towards the sound of ripping steel and animals going into a frenzy. In this short debut demo, the listener is given a glimpse of chaos which has perpetual motion and a force which tears through the countryside. Through blown out production and an air of raviging terror, Hecatomb has made a demo that is one of the most powerful statements this year. To what they are declaring, I do not know, but I am frightened and enthralled.

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.

Witch Ward – Sacrificial Monolith [US, Punk / Metal] (2020)

Caligari Records | 5-1-20

It is true that Witch Ward only has one preview track available. it is true that preview track is 9\around 90 seconds. It is true there are better descriptions out there than just “punk/metal.” It is true, there is a lot of uncertainty about this release that could give moments of pause. This, however, is alleviated seeing it is from Caligari, which is one of the top labels in the trade of absolutely vile material. Through that 90 second preview track, one is exposed to a blistering world of raw insanity that reeks of body odor, stale beer, and grave soil. I will patiently away the release of the whole record but I can already tell its going to be a party in Hell.

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.