RECOMMENDED

Drycholaeth – Bestial Psychosis [US, Black / Death] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 12-5-19

LEt us all go through this together. If you release a demo late into the year and/or it was so limited that it never made a mark on the internet, then you get to release it again and I get to include it in the current year for end of the year lists. Now that we have that out of the way, welcome ruin and rot. Much like what the Bandcamp page said, this demo is for fans of Grave and Morbid Angel but I am going to go a step further and say it is for fans of Grave and Morbid Angel and haunted unfinished basements. Drycholaeth (Old Welsh? for Spectral?) is a imposing presence which emanates weirdness and ferocity at a lo fi length. I am glad I didn’t catch this late last year since I would be frantically calling everyone I knew.

Continue reading

Foul Light – Blood Of Venomous Curses [Slovakia, Raw Black] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 5-13-20

I feel moments like these are reasons why I search for Bandcamp releases everyday as I feel I am starting to develop an attraction to certain aesthetics. Blood of Venomous Curses has an aesthetic that is not rooted in gore, evil, or anything immediate rather ancient misanthropy. With nothing to precede this release, Foul Light comes out of darkness with the force of a rain that feels like needles against skin. The shock of Foul Light, coning out of nowhere and with the aesthetics desired by a niche of fans, is something that is jarring and wonderful all at once. If you are only going to listen to one raw black demo this Spring to grate against your existence, make it this one.

Continue reading

Afsky – Ofte jeg drømmer mig død [Denmark, Black] (2020)

Standard

Vendetta Records | 5-12-20

“Tags: black metal, depressive, black metal, depressive blackmetal.” The previous line is not something I initially seek out though I feel atmospheric black is getting back to normal in terms of its output. For a little bit there was a glut of wood themed black metal that was almost indistinguishable from the next. Depressive black can be the same way which is why Afsky is intriguing for its cover depicting the social realist artist H. A. Brendekilde and his most famous painting Udslidt or Worn Out or The Martyr(1889). The use of fine art on covers is nothing new but not only does this painting circumvent the typical artists pillaged for covers but it also transcends the thematic trappings of depressive black with not a noose or suicidal imagery in sight. This is all talking about the visual components to a record that is stunning in its approach and is something that has the potential to be a crossover success among black metal fans and people interested but turned off by its pageantry.

Ritual Mass – Abhorred in the Eyes of God [US, Death] (2020)

Standard

Caligari Records | 6-19-20

I have said it before, and Ill say it again — If any record label could have a blind subscription where I would pay X amount of money to be sent new tapes monthly, I think Caligari would be the my first choice. Over the years, this label has consistently dredged up some of the grossest and sustainably death/black/? in recent memory. They have become so consistent that sharing Caligari links to friends sort of becomes expected as the hyperlink is usually a signpost to something vile and riffy. Ritual Mass is no different with a makeover of their 2019 EP in resdesigned tape artwork and presentation. I know this came out in 2019 but most of us are hearing it for the first time so we are just going to let that slide down some slimy catacomb where devils devour the dead.

Continue reading

Axis of Light – Axis of Light [UK, Black] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 6-1-20

I remember first hearing Axis of Light on the Fallen Empire/SVN OKKLT compilation in 2013. Incidentally that was my first exposure to the type of raw black that I still appreciate today. The first three songs on that compilation were a shredding combination of Axis of Light, Witch in Her Tomb, and Death Fortress. Almost ten years old, Fallen Empire and the rest of its roster has moved on to other things with some of them being tremendous. Axis of Light’s newest EP gives me the same type of feeling I had in 2013 even though it is a new decade and we have both seen so much. With only one song shared, the harsh veil of noise is still present though with melodic and almost post black (?) hooks hiding in the back. The band’s page is directing all proceeds to charity and all signs are pointing to a great EP that is going to cast a net of nostalgic noise.

Continue reading

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

Standard

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.

Continue reading

Celestial Conjuration – Demo II [Australia, Black / Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 5-3-20

I did it! I found a release that is almost 50/50 split between dungeon synth and black metal which will go great on this site since that is what I do. Celestial Conjuration was found through dungeon synth channels though by all rights, this is an atmospheric black record that is draped in the heavy cloaked of astral synth. In fact, one of the tags for this record is “astral depression” which I never knew I needed until now. Yes, this record is far from produced and perhaps only speaks to like 4 people who will enjoy it but those four people (myself included) are on a shamanistic journey of absolute melancholy.

Continue reading

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

Standard

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.

Continue reading

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

Standard

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.

Continue reading

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

Standard

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.

Continue reading