Temple Of Void – Of Terror and the Supernatural [US, Death] (2014)

Saw Her Ghost | 9-30-14

Guys and girls, it is the season of really bloody death. While great death metal happens all year and without season, I always look for horror themed death and doom to compliment the prismatic decay of autumn. While Temple of the void fits into that classification, the band’s music is different than the slash and grind bands of labels like Razorback Records. There is much death in Of Terror and the Supernatural but far from masked killers and renegade witches. Whatever is actually being offered in Temple of Void’s debut is perfect when paired with the crisp chill of an encroaching darkness and cold.

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.

Sinmara – Aphotic Womb [Iceland, Black] (2014)

Terratur Possessions | 8-28 – 14

Let it be known that either Iceland is slowly creeping into greater prominence or I just keep stumbling on related Icelandic black metal. Regardless of its true intentions, Sinmara is the fourth Icelandic black released covered on this site. I know that number does not seem incredibly high but when contrasted against the countries 93 registered bands on the Metal Archives and a total population of 310,000, four fantastic releases seems more and more significant.

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.

Mare Cognitum – Phobos Monolith [US, Atmospheric Black] (2014)

I, Voidhanger Records | 11-3-14

Part of me finds the cover for Mare Cognitum’s third full length odd, while the other half is convincing the former that it is all part of a new realm of black metal. Mare Cognitum is a one man black metal outfit who seems to be entirely obsessed with the darkness that dwells in space. I have been familiar and friendly with Mare Cognitum since his 2011 debut The Sea Which Has Become Known. It has been a few years and I am pleased to realize that his new album, Phobos Monolith, is perhaps the best work from the creator and probably one of the more enjoyable atmospheric black metal records of the year.

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.

Obscure Burial – Epiphany [Finland, Black/Death] (2014)

Self Released | 9-15-14

Okay before we begin there is a hurdle to this demo. Not surprisingly the hurdle is the sound production. It is right there. I am making mention of it right away. You are going to have to get over the fact that the demo sounds like a really good live show recording off of a VHS tape. I only make mention of this because the music which is behind this uneven mix is absolutely ground shaking.

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.

Sivyi Yar – From the Dead Villages’ Darkness [Russia, Black] (2014)

9-20-14 | Avantgarde Music

You know what? I feel Russia is a wonderful country for the mining of out of the way dark and bleak black metal. I say this now while listening to From the Dead Villages’ Darkness, the fourth full length from a one man outfit by the name of Сивый Яр (Sivyi Yar). Eastern Europe and Russia is a minefield of black metal which sometimes ranges from the heathenish, to the nationalistic, to downright national socialist. Finding an amazing record with decent studio production is a treat. Finding that amazing record without political or cultural undertones (or at least ones that do not take center stage) is a gem.

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.

Myopic / Torrid Husk – Crawling Mountain Apogee (2014)

Grimoire Records | 10-7-14

One of the more interesting records labels I discovered this year has been Baltimore based Grimoire Records. Already, this label has put out an impressive selection of unconventional black and doom metal. I have previously reviewed the Cavern EP, a wonderful album from Torrid Husk, and an EP from Dweller in the Valley, which is already making rounds on other blogs. Once again, Grimoire Records has impressed me, as Crawling Mountain Apogee, a split between Torrid Husk and Myopic, continues to fortify the foundation of a non traditional metal empire.

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.

Vesicant – Edict MMXIV [New Zealand, Black / Death] (2014)

Self Released | 6-6-14

Though heavy metal is filled with wonderful examples of artwork, some of the most memorable are ones whose artwork illustrates the music. Vesicant’s artwork for their debut demo depicts a skull or desiccated head obscured by high contrast and shadow. Though Vesicant’s demo Edict MMXIV is under 10 minutes, I can not think of a better cover image to convey horror inflicted by dark shadows.

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.

Gateway – Aeternae [Belgium, Sludge Doom] (2014)

Self Released | 9-10-14

Oh Holy, God, listen to that tone. That is the sound of the world unraveling internally. Sludge doom is an already effective style which capitalizes on the fact listeners are seeking the heaviest style of music. Add to that a menacing album cover and some unique vocals and one is ready for a harrowing good time in the shell of a burnt out planet. That is right, heavy metal can become cosmically impossible in metaphor.

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.

Cemetery Filth – Screams from the Catacombs [US, Death] (2014)

White Ship Records | 7-11-14

Name? Check. Album title? Check. Lyrical themes dealing with graveyards? Check. Sometimes not being surprised when encountering a record is pleasing. Just from a cursory glance at the debut EP from Cemetery Filth one knows they will not be encountering any operatic solos or progressive melodies. In fact, there will probably be more than one reference to the gloom of the undead. Screams from the Catacombs works in the same way formula fiction succeeds as the band is given a task of creating a mood, and they do just that, if not far better.

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.

John Gallow – Violet Dreams [US, Doom] (2014)

I, Voidhanger Records | 7-2-14

As much as I chastise doom’s tendency to sometimes only meet bare requirements for sound, there are other attributes which are completely intoxicating. The opening tracks of John Gallow’s debut Violet Dreams rips a traditional Sabbath tone which melts the recesses of once cold dead hearts. John Gallow maybe doing everything which has been done for decades in the style of psychedelic doom but good goddamn does this rise above the rest.

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.