Darkspace – Darkspace III I [Switzerland, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Avantgarde Music | 9-6-14

This is how the universe collapses. Darkspace is similar to Dead Congregation, as they are both relatively well known metal bands that have legacies attached to their records. Darkspace’s legacy is rooted in their interesting exploration of ambient black metal, as well as one of their guitarist’s work in the seminal side project Paysage D’ Hiver. It also helps that the band has an air of mystery, with their releases becoming increasingly more sparse. Darkspace’s previous record Darkspace III was released in 2008, and for the past four odd years fans have been awaiting the arrival of whatever the fourth installment would be called. In thematic fashion, the band’s announcement of their new record came in cryptic transmissions, with the full album being released almost immediately. I think I would have been happy with anything but this is something else entirely.

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.

Ellorsith – 1959 [ Scotland, Black / Death] (2014)

Calligari Records |9-1-14

Have you heard any theories surrounding the Dyatlov Pass incident? Maybe? Maybe not? If you haven’t heard anything about this unsolved mystery, which left nine Russian hikers dead in the depths of the Ural mountains, do not feel bad. Neither did I until this Scottish black death outfit told me all about it. I enjoy when a fantastic release also leads me to do research on one of the more bizarre mysteries that has conspiracy undertones. Think of this as an obscure history lesson with underground extreme 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.

Svartidauði – III.XX.MMX [Iceland, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 8-29-14

2014 is shaping up to be the year of Icelandic black metal. With fantastic releases from Naðra and 〇 already confirmed, a mysterious release appears from Svartidauði as if plucked from the ether. Svartidauði has already had reasonable praise for their 2012 debut Flesh Cathedral as well as a handful of demos. In fact, the band released an already decent EP earlier this year entitled The Synthesis of Whore and Beast. That being said, their new album,III.XX.MMX, may not be the most traditional introduction for this band but its uniqueness is nothing short of apocalyptic.

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.

Merda Mundi – VI – Khaos [Belgium, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 7-6-14

It is difficult not to be repulsed by Merda Mundu. This Belgium black metal project takes its name from a Latin translation meaning “shit of the world” and the project’s Bandcamp proudly exclaims songs and albums as “musical excrement.” This, combined with punishing mid fi black metal makes for dynamic terror which has the potential to scare the living. Whatever creator Déhà seems to be doing though is all for a purpose. Whether that purpose is covering the whole world in a mixture of beauty and defilement is a conversation for later.

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.

As We Draw – Mirages [France, Sludge / Hardcore]

Throatruiner Records | 10-4-14

Before we begin, it is important to note that As We Draw is not like many things on this site. Sure, this French band has elements of atmospheric sludge and could draw their lineage to bands like Neurosis but other than that things get blurry. As We Draw fits into the disputed territories which lie in the middle of metal, hardcore, and heavy experimental music. In these borderlands are things which sort of resemble traditional genres but have long gone feral. Mirages may have been a sweet record at one point but is now rabid and out for blood.

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.

Crown of Asteria – Sol [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 8-11-14

Before I start this review, I must state that atmospheric black metal is something that is used by a lot of people. Because of this, its potency is less compared to black/thrash or death/doom. This is frustrating as decent atmospheric black metal bands get lost in the dissing array of records and bands. Additionally, atmospheric black metals preoccupation with nature, space, and non traditional heavy metal themes become the new norm. Crown of Asteria does not make itself known because it breaks any conventions on black ambient and atmospheric black metal rather because it invests itself so fully into music that Sol seems to be a reasonable end to a style experiment started over a decade ago.

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.

Endlichkeit – Endlichkeit III–V [US, Black] (2014)

Fallen Empire Records |9-9-14

This truly is a style that is very personal and dear to my heart. Raw black metal, released on cassette, titled sequentially, and perhaps made by one person. This music is usually densely layered and has little concern for being accessible to anyone outside a narrow audience. It is a style which is easily lampooned for its inaccessibility, acquired taste, and similar imagery in album art. It is also a style which is as refreshing and cleansing as bathing in a natural waterfall in Autumn.

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.

Nolti Nan Gana Nan Nolta – Death by the Venomhammer [UK, Black / Thrash] (2014)

Self Released | 8-1-14

Yes. Yes. Yes. This is another band I am going to sort of muffle when I try to say their whole name. Thank the gods the band sometimes go by their shorter acronym NNGNN which still sound like you are muddling words. Regardless of any pronunciation, Nolti Nan Gana Nan Nolta is a British black thrash whose dedication to the sound of Celtic Frost, Abigail, and Bathory, could come off as worship if the band was not so capable of making a solid debut EP. If one enjoys riffs, attitudes, and a release with the name “Venomhammer” in the title, then Nolti Nan Gana Nan Nolta will be the best thing you hear this week.

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.

Petrychor – Makrokosmos [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 7-10-14

Scouring Bandcamp has its benefits. While there is the inevitable burnt feeling when encountering the 100th atmospheric or second wave black metal record, there can be deep feeling of gratitutde with records which break formation. This is not to say all left field metal records are good rather they benefit from uniqueness when compared to the heavy metal norm. There is an expected loss of traditional harshness when traveling so far away from the expected but sometimes one can find something truly interesting with the right sense of adventure. Makrokosmos is the second true full length record from Petrychor and offers something that is truly cosmic and transcendental. I do not think it is anything you are expecting.

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.

Ill Omen – Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence [Australia, Black] (2014)

Nuclear War Now Productions | 6-30-14

Listening to a lot of black metal can be taxing. The main reason is that a lot of things sound the same given similar production and aesthetic direction. Dark album covers, layered production, titles which evoke terror can become homogeneous after awhile. Ill Omen’s second full length is similar to a lot of other things which have also came out and to be quite honest does not have any immediate hooks which separate it from the rest of black metal releases. With that said, Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence does excel in subtlety with a record which is not only captivating to listen to but striking in its declaration of a no nonsense approach to 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.