Obscure Evil – Void Fumes [Peru, Black / Thrash] (2016)

Caligari Records | 11-18-16

A couple of friends and I have contests to see who can mine the best music out of the field of brand new releases. I feel that checking back to Caligari records every so often is cheating since this label has been known to already have a good system which finds the most vile and fiery bands from across the globe. Enter Obscure Evil whose previous 2016 demo was enough to take notice but the band’s new EP is something to behold.

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.

Spektral Hatchery – Spektral Hatchery [US, Black] (2016)

Self Released | 10-23-16

The Pacific Northewest is always a place where I like to keep my ear out for up and coming bands. Since the fall out of the Cascadian wave which sort of overtook this area, there have been great developments in black metal which do not rely on album covers with trees and waterfalls. Spektral Hatchery is another wonderful band out of Washington which explores the atmosphere of black metal in hypnotic dissonance.

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.

Labyrinthique – Demo MMXVI [Canada, Black] (2016)

Self Released | 10-17-16

What I know about Labyrinthique is they are from Canada and they have a Facebook and a WordPress website that is all in French. That is about it. For whatever lack of information is revolving around this Quebec based black metal band is made up for in a demo of unequaled frenzy. I love heavy metal and I love finding new music that seems to be new to everyone.

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.

Merdam Boten – Jeux de Morts [France, Raw Black] (2016)

Self Released } 9-29-16

I have a running joke with some of my friends on which of us can find the most inaccessible band with little information available on the internet. I think I win at least for today. I do not know a lot about this band but what I can tell you about this release is that it is from France, made by two people, and is frightening as 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.

Malleus – Storm of Witchcraft [US, Black / Death / Punk] (2016)

Self Released | 9-25-16

There are about six different bands with the name Malleus perhaps because the name, meaning hammer, provokes imagery of forceful dread. While it is also the name of a bone inside ones ears, I? feel bands have chosen to name for the infamous witch hunting book, Malleus Maleficarum, as their patron saint. To Be honest, I couldn’t think of a better name to accompany a raw and filthy tribute of first wave 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.

Oksennus – Sokea Idiootti [Finland, Death / Avant] (2016)

Caligari Records | 9-11-16

Well, this is it, the time when I finally lose my mind and go howling into the night surrounded by demons and trees. Now I know “Oksennus” is Finnish for “vomit”. I do not know if I wanted to know this but this record beckons one to face certain realities. I do not know if I would even have ran into this mental patient of a record had it not been for Caligari Records. The record label, as said many times in the past, has been an archaeologist of wonderfully horrid music for some years. Because of that however, Oksennus followed me home and now wont stop eating the garbage.

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.

Vreemdeling – Demo [Netherlands, Black] (2016)

The Throat | 9-15-16

Image is important in metal. while it is not a paramount aspect in music, it certainly helps an act stand out among the thousands of peers which all resides on the same Bandcamp page. There are sometimes when a lack of accessibility and information can be that edge which gets an act noticed. Take Vreemdeling whose lack of information and song titles and clear production has coalesced into a demo which is so repellent it makes me what to stay here longer.

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.

Kvesta – Ibex Arrival [Norway, Black / Thrash] (2016)

Polypus Records | 8-20-16

Fuck yeah! Black / Thrash! Fuck Yeah! There are few things which would deter this record from being great once the image and sound was locked in place. Even though the band and album title are not lock step with an immediate sinister image, the members which make up Kvesta have everything they need with a blazing full length which sounds like the dark one peeling away on a loud motorcycle. If you want an album which will make you stand a few feet taller, It is time to worship the Ibex.

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.

Dagger Lust – Aggramica [US, Black / Death] (2016)

Vrasubatlat | 7-10-16

Hype! Hype! Hype! Ever since the 2015 release of Uškumgallu, I have been enthralled by the work of Portland based collective Vrasubatlat. To be quick, a guy from Ash Borer is teaming up with other musicians from the area and making dark noise released in demos and full lengths. If one were to recall the Triumvir Foul LP that was priased by myself and others at the end of last year, that could be your starting point to a misery laden universe of hate and turmoil.

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.

Celestial Grave – Burial Ground Trance [Finland, Black] (2016)

Iron Bonehead | 7-7-11

Cool name. Check. Cool album title. Check. Iron Bonehead check. Finland. Check. Demo. Check. Cryptic artwork. Check. Well it looks like we got everything we need ladies and gentleman. Sometimes a release already comes with so much to like about it, it is amazing how much it grows beyond expectations. Celestial Grave already has at least 50 fans just on paper but this Finnish duo’s demo is so impressive that it may have the ability to capture the tortured imaginations of so much more.

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.