Sulphur Aeon – Gateway To The Antisphere [Germany, Death] (2015)

Imperium Productions | 4-3-13

Holy Gods in the void beyond space, look at that cover. Few times does artwork move me to tears as Sulphur Aeon’s cover for Gateway to the Antisphere. Ola Larsson, who did the band’s previous records as well as Disma’s Towards the Megalith and Death Fortress’ Among the Ranks of the Unconquerable, provides Sulphur Aeon with a unique view into the otherworldly which just by history, should fit the band’s music perfectly.

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.

Kafirun – Glorification of Holy Death [Canada, Black] (2015)

Self Released | 3-3-15

Part of the reason why I enjoy writing these reviews is finding interesting music which may or may not be flying out of others range. Glorification of Holy Death was released in March of this year and has yet to make any sort of large dent. Sure popularity is relative but Kafirun’s angular take on black metal is interesting enough that it could be enjoyed by a large section of listeners — at least the ones who are left after the culling.

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.

Negative Vortex – Tomb Absolute [US, Death] (2015)

Caligari Records | 3-18-15

Oh got it. This is what the end of reality looks like. Negative Vortex is an American / Brazilian death combo which has little information save for a few snippets on Caligari Records and a few other blogs like CVLT Nation. What is known about Tomb Absolute is that all of the light adjectives such as punishing, pulverizing, and chaotic are apt for this 25 minute demo which is really just a whirlwind of insanity.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Crom Dubh – Heimweh [UK, Atmospheric Black] (2015)

Ván Records | 3-29-15

Crom Dubh is interesting for a variety of reasons. First of all this 4 piece is interesting for their addition into the UK extreme metal scene whose both black and death production has been fantastic in the last couple of years. Second of all, Crom Dubh’s debut Heimweh is worthy of note specifically for the band’s employment of the atmospheric style which is smooth and well oiled. Heimweh comes on the wings of a few other silent demos and EP releases and is even now shining bright on a lonely hill waiting for more people to show up. Though audience is relative, Crom Dubh’s relative obscurity is surprising given the sound which could be appealing to a wide spectrum of listeners. Perhaps Heimweh will be the time which the sky cracks open and pours ink black water over this land.

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.

葬尸湖 (Zuriaake) – 孤雁 (Gu Yan) [China, Black] (2015)

Pest Productions | 3-28-15

A few years ago, I wrote an article on Chinese depressive and atmospheric black metal specifically centered around the label Pest Productions. The label had a treasure trove of wonderful bands from China and also surrounding areas. 葬尸湖 (Zuriaake), 黎明的幻象 (The Illusion of Dawn) , Культура Курения (Smoking Culture), 阴暗之泉 (Dark Fount), and 墓 (Tomb) were some of the bands that came with gloomy album covers with characters scrawled on the front. China, and also Pest Productions has grown in recent months specifically with the weird identity mixup related to US black metal act Ghost Bath. Whatever intentions and misconceptions are related to Ghost Bath and its creators is moot as China is still an interesting place for horrid sounding black metal. If you are new to Chinese black metal, why not start with a release that you probably can not ever get.

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.

Abstracter – Wound Empire [US, Sludge / Crust] (2015)

Vendetta Records | 2-15-15

Abstracter is strange for many reasons. First of all, this California based plays a cross between sludge, drone, doom, black, and noise. Second of all, the lyrical and thematic position for this band seems to be between artsy experimentalism and more traditional head splitting heavy metal. This trait is exemplified by the band’s clean font logo as well as their scrawled enigma that looks like tangled roots and rusted barbed wire. This band seems to be able to go many places which is important especially when burrowing far beneath the earth.

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.

Varen – Varen [Belgium, Black] (2015)

Self Released | 3-16-15

My sweet lord, what a powerful opening. The first track of Varen’s self titled EP and debut release is a moody sundclip of moans and flies buzzing. This short introduction leads into “Hic Incipit Pestis” ( Here begins the plague) which is particularly fitting seeing as this Belgian duo is more than capable of making music which sounds like the decaying of flesh and the last breathe of masses dying in agony. I could be wrong though, it maybe a little brighter than that. Probably not.

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.

Distances – Forage & Reproduce [US, Atmospheric Sludge / Hardcore] (2015)

Self Released | 4-7-15

I think I was initially drawn to Distances becasue of their placement within a sea of other styles of metal. Atmospheric sludge and post metal is not a style that is heavily explored compared to other genres. In fact when it is done it usually falls into the post metal camp which is even sometimes another name for instrumental metal. There have been a few bands recently that have explored to the very primal roots of atmospheric sludge. While that name sounds like it is made up to describe a sound that doesn’t exist, I can think of nothing elese that would caputre the feeling of drowning in jet black waters.

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.