RECOMMENDED

Uškumgallu – Uškumgallu [US, Black] (2015)

Standard
Vrasubatlat | 6-12-15

Vrasubatlat | 6-12-15

Just what in the Sam Hill is going on in Portland..specifically with two guys from Ash Borer running around making a bunch of noise and releasing cassette demos with abandon. These two gentleman have been responsible for the release of some really decent black, death, and black/death demos int he past couple of years. Urzeit, Triumvir Foul, Serum Dreg, and now the near unpronounceable Uškumgallu is added to the duo’s idiosyncratic list. The interesting part about all of this is that despite Ash Borer being somewhat of a high profile name in the atmospheric black metal crowd and having their last full length sponsored by Profound Lore, these demos come and go without much of any fanfare or even mention. To what end do these two weirdos from the midwest strive for? Whatever it is, I would like to know as I have completely fallen under the spell of un-publicized black metal.

Continue reading

Funeste – MMXV [Canada, Black] (2015)

Standard
Self Released | 5-15-15

Self Released | 5-15-15

There is a joke here about not being able to spell Funeste without “Fun.” It works but I feel that it doesn’t make much sense as much as I want it to. Though listening to this recent Canadian black metal demo is quite enjoyable, “Fun” would not be the first which comes to mind. Perhaps “seething,” “wretched” or “hallow with bitter remorse,” would be the first descriptions I would reach for. MMXV is the very expected title from a black metal demo which does more than its fair share of introducing a band’s potential to a greater audience. Hello. This is your ultimate destruction.

Continue reading

Ashtar – Ilmasaari [Switzerland, Black / Doom] (2015)

Standard
Czar of Crickets Productions | 4-18-15

Czar of Crickets Productions | 4-18-15

Ashtar is cloaked in myteryy and misery. This is partially, if not mostly die to the fact that their debut Ilmasaari is the only thing the Swiss duo has released. Additionally the band is supported by the record label Czar of Crickets who have a roster full of near obscure Swiss metal acts. Add to this Czar of Crickets operates on a year to two year release schedule and one has a record which comes with mystery. These pieces of information are compounded by the fact that Ashtar is a fully competent black/doom act whose album is capable of almost cosmic things.

Continue reading

Scorched – Scorched [US, Death] (2015)

Standard
Unspeakable Axe Records | 6-2-15

Unspeakable Axe Records | 6-2-15

Oh, Jesus. Look at that album art. It is so silly and awesome.

Scorched does not have a metal archives page as of yet. This is okay since the band has already has a substantial amount of press in Decibel, No Clean Singing, and other blogs regarding their debut self titled demo. Death metal has been growing for the past 10 years with newer bands building on the initial flowing of a traditional death metal sound. There have been few bands in recent memory which sound like they could have been released in 1992. For the most part, newer death is a mix of old, new, and mixtures which make a horrid and gruesome wall. Scorched, from logo, album title, to presentation, sounds like it could have been released in 1992. For all I know this Delaware based band could be time travelers sent forward to release their record in 2015. If not for the sheer excitement and entertainment contained in this demo, I would be be more wary. For now, it is just full of old fun riffs and festering ghouls and I have no complaints.

Continue reading

Mefitic – Woes of Moral Devotion [Italy, Black / Death] (2015)

Standard

Nuclear War Now! Productions | 4-30-15

Nuclear War Now! Productions | 4-30-15

Mefitic is from Italy and has not had the largest reception following a handful of demos and EPs. In fact, Woes of Mortal Devotion is the band’s debut LP following almost 10 years of existence. Whether or not the band was taking their time crafting the perfect debut or just busy with other projects is secondary to the fact that Woes of Moral Devotion is a horrifying introduction to a band which has spent their time channeling raw darkness.

Continue reading

Nachash – Conjuring The Red Death Eclipse [Norway, Black] (2015)

Standard
Unborn Productions | 2-10-15

Unborn Productions | 2-10-15

Oh man. This is not the Norwegian black you are thinking of. This is something so much cooler. This is atmospheric but not in the way normally attributed to this genre. This is something which is dark but with a completely different attitude. Conjuring The Red Death Eclipse maybe the first release from a band who has still yet time to spread its horrible wings but good goddamn will it be amazing when its fully grown.

Continue reading

Abjvration – The Unquenchable Pyre [France, Death / Doom] (2015)

Standard
Caligari Records | 4-15-15

Caligari Records | 4-15-15

Of course. Another Caligari Records release. I will not go into how much I adore this label save for the mention that this cassette heavy label specializes in unearthing some of the more forward thinking and disturbed black/death/doom acts of recent memory. Imagine my lack of surprise when I heard yet another above average doom act with dripping tendrils of misery.

Continue reading

Nocternity – Harps Of The Ancient Temples [Greece, Black] (2015)

Standard
Necroshrine Records | 2-16-15

Necroshrine Records | 2-16-15

Wow, ok. This seems to be a record that takes a lot of breathe and explanation before the music even starts. Let us see if we can cover everything. Nocternity is a Greek black metal project helmed by a musician named Khal Drogo. While that name is well known now, the fictional character from George R.R. Martin’s Song of Fire and Ice was less known in the early 2000’s when Nocternity was releasing music. The last full length release for Nocternity was in 2003 with Onyx which was bridged by various EPs and splits. Harps of the Ancient Temples was planned as a third release much earlier but was eventually mired in production difficulty and various recordings. The third full length from Nocertnity is advertised as “black metal from a lost time, from a time far, far way, from a time that is literally ancient.” Though the early 2000’s do feel very ancient in terms of black metal, Nocternity has a romance for something much older.

Continue reading

Bloodlust – Cultus Diaboli [Australia, Black / Thrash] (2015)

Standard
Self Released | 3-20-15

Self Released | 3-20-15

Hell Yes. Hell Yes. Hell Yes. If the sound of Australian black/thrash does not get you excited, you need to spend more time drinking with demons by sacrificial fires. One should do this as the sound of blackened thrash may seem simple enough yet its stylistic theme is subtle in its presentation. Not only is the music designed to be fun and entertaining but it is specifically created to shred ones soul. By means of guitar solo, double drum kick, or just full frontal assault, Bloodlust is not leaving until a limb has been removed.

Continue reading

Eternal Valley – Ascend To The Unknown [US, Black / Ambient] (2015)

Standard
Self Released | 3-18-15

Self Released | 3-18-15

Sometimes one knows they are going to enjoy a record. A one man black metal project who self releases black metal records about cosmic themes and obliteration? Yep, this should be simple. Eternal Valley was already halfway in the door just by glancing at previous records and album artwork. The deal was sealed however at the oozing synth which washed over the album’s opener “Path To An Astral Existence.” Sometimes riding on convention allows like minded people to flock in droves to a star which just about to collapse and die.

Continue reading