Gatecreeper – Gatecreeper [US, Death] (2014)

Goatprayer Records | 4-29-14

Hands down on of the coolest album covers this year as it perfectly illustrates the type of otherworldly terror which Gatecreeper has unleashed. I am a big fan of album art especially when the visal side complements or echoes the music inside. I am also a huge fan of any band, which may make light references to Magic the Gathering cards. It is time search for a basic land card or a Gate card, reveal it, put it into your hand, shuffle your library, and prepare to be consumed.

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.

Heron – Sacrafice [US, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 2-25-14

Heron has a short legacy of putting out really short releases. Inf act, Sacrifice, the band’s third release comes at 10 minutes with a digital bonus track which puts it up to around 15. Do not get too excited. Length is not really an issue for demos, EPs, and splits as it merely introduces the band in the briefest way possible. Heron is interesting because it does not take that long for the band to be done speaking. Though some black metal can take 5 to ten minutes with a song, Heron is done by three. This brevity is not due to any lack of talent rather the band has merely said everything they wish to say.

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.

Act of Impalement – Echoes of Wrath [US, Death / Doom / Black] (2014)

Self Released | 4-2-14

Sometimes releases are way too short. Actually most EPs and demos are way too short but that is sort of the point right? Act of Impalement’s 4th release follows three other short demos and EPs with their debut demo only 7 minutes long. Echoes of Wrath is at a healthy 11 minutes but I wonder what a full length release would bring. I only bring up length as Act of Implement’s potential in hitting an interesting mix of black, death, and doom is so entertaining, I wonder what the band would do given enough time, money, and a nurtured obsession with death by stake.

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.

Qrixkuor – Consecration of the Temple [UK, Death] (2014)

Self Released | 4-26-14

Oh man, here comes a flood of occult death. Qrixkuor is the name of a bird from a philosophical magic text written by Kenneth Grant. Grant’s work on the Thelemite religion continues the tradition popularized by Aleister Crowley. All of this is pretext to Qrixkuor, who may or may not have gone one step further in their image of obscured occultism. Ancient orders and mystic cults may now come with the cavernous sounds of echoing death.

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.

Sutekh Hexen – Become [US, Black / Noise] (2012)

Sentient Ruin | 5-20-14

For some reason I always thought Sutekh Hexen was associated with the southern California label / black metal cult Black Twilight Circle. Sutekh Hexen, from Oakland California, has been quoted in interviews referencing some of the Crepúsculo Negro bands but there seems to be no association. I need to draw a map to help navigate the strange and wild world of west coast USBM. It is all pretty raw and most of it is amazing.

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.

Triumvir Foul – An Oath of Blood and Fire [US, Death] (2014)

Self Released |4-13-14

Yes. Alright who is ready for some West Coast American death? I just hope you do not want too much information about this group as I have very little. I can promise little aside from menacing joy. From what I can gather, Triumvir Foul is a Portland two piece who has made it their goal in life to worship at the church of OSDM. Armed with influences and a penchant for shredding, this band plans to make its mark with the blood of whoever just got run over by the bulldozer. When madness and destruction are the sermons, devotion becomes a hellish 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.

Schafott – Satan’s Throne [Germany, Black / Thrash] (2014)

MetalPunxRex | 1-25-14

I try to only review releases from 2014 which gets difficult when the secondary cassette market reprints albums from years prior. Finding first run cassette releases is sometimes difficult. According the liner notes for Satan’s Throne by German act Schafott, the demo was recorded 2 years prior with no explanation what happened in those 2 years and now. I am asking no questions as it seems that the band’s demeanor is slightly drunk and looking for a fight.

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.

Persekutor – Arctic Cross [Romania, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 3-22-14

So once I figure out Persekutor, I am going to let everyone else know. I promise. If the odd album cover wasn’t enough indication, Romania’s Persekutor comes with a bit of raised eyebrows and speculation. From a series of interviews surround the band’s last EP Power Frost, this black metal act comes with either an aura of self aware parody or such a unique backstory it borders on surreal. I am in no position to make any judgments rather any answer is a unique experience in the world of ice obsessed Romanian lo fi 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.

Nechbeyth – Coerce Creed [Singapore, Black / Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 1-13-14

Yes, absolutely. Your first experience with the Singapore band Nechbeyth should most definitely be this short EP. This is not to say the band’s debut album Blood.Axis.Domination lacks in quality rather Nechbeyth’s brand of dissonant and structureless chaos is best experience either in short bits or with a licensed counselor who can guide you through the more difficult parts.

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.

Hell / Mizmor – Hell ::: Mizmor [US, Black/Doom](2014)

Self Released | 1-13-14

Yikes! From Oregon comes a split which is sure to rip the head off of whatever stands in your way. Hell and Mizmor are two sludge doom acts who has chosen to combine effort in order to finally extinguish the sun for all eternity. The self titled split for the two is split evenly between 15 minute tracks which for doom based genres is almost expected. through 30 minutes the listener is given treat of doom, gloom, and merciless forlorn in a land now shrouded in eternal 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.