Siberian Hell Sounds – ⍲⍕⍎⍱ [Australia, Grindcore / Black] (2015)

Self Released | 3-9-15

Ugly. This is ugly. In fact, “ugly” is the first and maybe only word which came to mind after hearing Australia’s Siberian Hell Sounds. In fact, before even hearing the music, a particularly grim suicide picture adorns the cover of the release. the band also comes with Lyrical themes of Violence, Anger, and Machinery. If you were thinking this was going to be anything else than a mortal trainwreck, then you are sorely mistaken. Luckily for everyone still here, Siberian Hell Sounds gives its audience something — and that something is relentless riffs.

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.

Spectral Voice – Necrotic Doom [US, Death / Doom] (2015)

Self Released | 1-15-15

Sometimes one just needs the sound of pummeling death/doom to get them through the week. Spectral Voice represents a small piece in a yet to be recognized Colorado metal scene. Spectral Voice is connected to a series of death and doom bands including Abysmal Dimensions and Blood Incantation. While there are of course other bands from Colorado, this small blanket of misery is what is currently most interesting. Perhaps this is the first experience, for many, with Rocky Mountain Death.

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.

A Forest Of Stars – Beware the Sword You Cannot See [UK, Psychedelic Black] (2015)

Lupus Lounge | 2-27-15

Would you look at that cover? I literally have zero idea what is happening between the dragons, beasts, and goddamn robots. A Forest of Stars comes with a mountain of expectations with their name, album title, and general style of “psychedelic” black metal. It would be easier if this band was just disciples of post rock and made long black metal landscapes which had crescendos and piano interludes. The fact that this British band has so much more weird shit in their album is cause for pause, praise, and possibly alarm.

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.

Ghost Bath – Moonlover [International, DSBM] (2015)

Northern Silence | 3-17-15

One of the most surprising development of this year was the proverbial explosion of Chinese depressive black metal act Ghost Bath. Last year, this site reviewed their debut Funeral which was a soul wrenching experience full of piano and pained cries. Though I shouldn’t be surprised at the potential this band had on a larger audience, it is still exciting to see the project get tossed around between larger sites and blogs. Moonlover is the band’s second release in a short time and continues the focus of emotionally scared black metal which is incredibly sensitive regarding mortality.

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.

Crypt Sermon – Out of the Garden [US, Doom] (2015)

Dark Descent Records | 2-24-15

This is perhaps the easiest review I have done in recently memory. This isn’t even due to Crypt Sermon being more than decent. The reason Crypt Sermon and their debut Out of the Garden is so easy to write about is due to not only its loyalty to a retro style but also the band’s dedication to Christian imagery. There is also the kick ass album cover. Let us not forget. Regardless of anything that can be said about the band, it is important to note how effective and decent their debut is. If you have forgotten what being embraced int he warm arms of traditional doom feels like let Crypt Sermon be your shepherd.

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.

Death Karma – The History of Death & Burial Rituals Part I [Czech Republic, Black/Death] (2015)

Iron Bonehead Productions | 2-13-15

Even before listening to Death Karma, there is a lot to process. First of all are the members which already inhabit the semi popular Czech act Cult of Fire and Lykathea Aflame. Secondaly, the concept for Death Karma’s debut record, The History of Death & Burial Rituals Part I, also gives reason for more attention even before beginning the first track. Instead of easing into the world of black/death, the act has decided to dedicate themselves to a global tour of burial rituals from Slovakia to China. This would already be an interesting prompt for a metal record but the addition of Death Karma’s unorthodox approach to the black/death sound makes it near spectacular.

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.

Rotting Casket – Simply Rotten Death [Netherlands, Death] (2015)

Self Released | 2-14-15

As of this moment, the lyrical themes for this Dutch death metal bands are not available. I am going to take a guess that Rotting Casket and their debut EP Simply Rotten Death is going to have somewhat to do with dying. I maybe completely wrong but judging by the artwork and general atmosphere, I feel we are stepping into a world of rot and horror. I apologize if this record is filled with optimistic hope.

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.

Ur Draugr – The Wretched Ascetic [Australia, Black/Death] (2015)

Self Released | 1-5-15

From this moment forward, the visual style of pop surrealism as seen in the work of Jeff Christensen should always be used to compliment the sound of complex black / death. I cant imagine how we have gotten to this moment without it these two walking hand and hand. Though my raving of artwork is to be expected, it is enhanced when I feel the visual compliments the music perfectly. Ur Draugr is a lesser known band from Australia who has taken it upon themselves to release a stellar EP by their own hard working hands.

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.

Ethereal Shroud – They Became the Falling Ash [UK, DSBM / Doom] (2015)

Self Released | 2-21-15

Ethereal Shroud was one of Tape Wyrm’s first reviews back in the early years of 2014. The 2014 cassette release of 2013’s Absolution|Emptiness was a fantastic step into the worlds of sorrow and desolation from a relativity unknown artist. Despite me raving about this project to everyone I knew, Ethereal Shroud has been still hidden from the greater public. Perhaps this will be the year that a dark cloud blots out the sun.

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.

Utstøtt – Hjørungavågr [US, Black] (2015)

Celestial Oak Productions | 2-20-15

Utstøtt is not shy about its influences. On its Bandcamp page, the lines “A one man Epic Black Metal band from Oregon in the styling of Summoning, Windir, and Caladan Brood” greet any potential listener. If you are familiar with at least two of those bands, one can safely assume Hjørungavågr, the debut album from this one man project, will probably contain music similar to its influences. I mean, the cover is already stepping in line to be similar visually with Summoning and Caladan Brood. This should be easy to assess right? Though Utstøtt is very open about its influences, I feel Hjørungavågr is sold short if thought of as a third rate clone of previous bands.

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.