Doom] (2015)

A.L.N. / Cloisterfolk Records | 2-1-15

In previous reviews I made mention that splits are a wonderful way to experience new acts, labels, and scenes that may be centered around a location. Last year, I came across a wonderfully horrid act מזמור (or Mizmor) on a split with fellow Oregon project Hell. Though מזמור means “psalm” in Hebrew, the meditation from this one man project is hinged on terror, dissonance, and the almighty worship of chaos. מזמור is the work of one member, A.L.N, who also plays in Urzeit with members of Ash Borer, and coincidentally provides live drums for Hell. Walking into מזמור is like hitting your head on a branch that is just one part of a larger tree of horrible black noise and doom. מזמור seems to have kept its music under a big blanket of obscurity for these past couple of years and is now teaming up with Dross, an Arizona based black metal group with only two rare cassette demos to their name. I adore these types of things.

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.

Fhoi Myore / Wyrms – Les Limbes Pourpres / Mehxôhorr – Les IV Dimensions Cosmogoniques [France, Black] (2015)

Ossuaire Records | 3-1-15

If the album cover and even title for the Fhoi Myore / Wyrms split, this experience is going to be intense. As said previous times, splits are a great way to experience new bands and even new experiences. Les Limbes Pourpres / Mehxôhorr – Les IV Dimensions Cosmogoniques sees two French underground black metal bands joining forces to present some of the most emotionally bare and rotting black metal in recent times. If the cover is any indication it will consist of ghoulish nude orcs and horrid looking bats.

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.

Misþyrming – Söngvar elds og óreiðu [Iceland, Black] (2015)

Fallen Empire Records / Terratur Possessions | 2-7-15

Seeing the near sneak attack of hype which has surround this record has been not only surprising but exhilarating to be apart of. Not only has Fallen empire, as a label, been reliable over these past years but Iceland has slowly crept up in terms of black metal export. Misþyrming would already be a welcome addition to others who like the same thing but the fact that Söngvar elds og óreiðu is getting the level of praise and attention it is, is nothing short of fantastic. What better way to celebrate 2015 with a record of eternal darkness?

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.

Amenaza – Demo MMXV [US, Doom / Hardcore] (2015)

Self Released | 1-26-15

Hardcore has always been something that is no stranger tot his blog. Though the flirtation between metal and hardcore has been done by others in the past, its variation and sound could range from the absolute terrible to the sublime. Amenaza is from Kansas and though its body is undoubtly hardcore, old traditional doom metal runs through its veins. Amenaza’s flagship demo sets sail attempting to bring slow motion devastation to what ever shore is breached.

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.

Devouring Star – Through Lung and Heart [Finland, Black / Death] (2015)

Daemon Worship Productions | 2-1-15

Devouring Star’s 2014 demo was one of the first releases for Tape Wyrm. It was also one of the first releases which strengthened my interest in lesser known metal. Here was a cassette demo pressed about 200 times and released through two underground labels. Somewhere and somehow this Finish band raked in praise for the demo and anticipation for their first release by Daemon Worship. In a world where black/death can get hyped by its fans, Devouring Star is an act in which you can safely shake with excitement. This shaking can also lead to convulsions.

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.

Swamp Witch – The Slithering Bog [US, Sludge / Doom] (2015)

Self Released | 2-20-15

Listen to the sounds of occult doom. Be smothered by the assurance that your body will eventually creep under slimy bog waters to serve food for horrible monsters. These are my thoughts regarding Swamp Witch, a west coast based doom act who have blown their minds on psychedelic sludge. Somewhere beyond stoner doom lies a more chilly place — a location where mausoleums lie submerged under inky 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.

Moon – Moon [Australia, Black] (2008)

Self Released | 1-20-15

Listen, I do not know what the protocol is about older demos being re-released but suffice to say, Australian black metal project Moon has just re-released its first demo which actually came out in 2008. For this site, older material usually passed up in favor of current releases and I was really confused on where to put this. I think if it was not for the absolute stunning performance on Moon, I would have left this in the 2008 bin. If you are cool with it, I would like to rewrite history and consider this a fine and stellar 2015 release.

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.

Addaura – …and the Lamps Expire [US, Black] (2015)

Self Released | 1-19-15

Atmospheric black metal experienced a partial renaissance and partial burn out in the mid 00’s. I say both because the dreamy style which was pioneered by 90’s black metal bands and made famous by others a decade later saw relative stardom in non metal blogs and publications. Wolves in the Throne Room, Agalloch, Skagos, and a tent full of other bands quickly made a handful of albums which ranged from the not so decent to the pretty good. Part of my discontent for atmospheric black, as well as the post rock template which is infused to its core, was how easy it was to connect to feelings of beauty. The twinkling guitars and contrast between soft and harsh sections over long tracks made it easy for wonder and profound contemplation. It is going to take a really good atmospheric black metal release to begin to break this hard shell of indifference.

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.

Alucarda – Raw Howls [Denmark, Doom / Punk] (2015)

Caligari Records 1-12-15

For anyone not familiar, Alucarda is the name of a Mexican horror film which sees two Catholic orphans which unwittingly summon Satan by way of roving gypsies. The two girls become possessed who then wreak demonic havoc on the convent. The reason why this is important is because the cultish legacy of the film inspired the Dutch doom punk to mimic the general atmosphere of a convent overrun by the Satanically possessed. Alucarda comes by the way of Caligari Records who has already shown themselves as lovers and archivists of both underground heavy music as well as bands who adore horror imagery. Though Alucarda lies on the outside of conventional heavy metal covered on Tape Wyrm, the band’s dedication to the dark arts as well as wild imagery is more than enough to make their debut, Raw Howls, a drug induced motorcycle ride into the depths of psychedelic madnes

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.

Ghoulgotha – The Deathmass Cloak [US, Death] (2015)

Dark Descent Records | 1-13-15

I think I was excited for Ghoulgotha before even hearing the record. First of all, this US death/doom act has one of the coolest names which evokes both hilarity and elaborate imagery. Secondly, their debut is supported by the very venerable Dark Descent Records. Thirdly, The Deathmass Cloak sounds like an artifact in Magic the Gathering. This record has to be absolutely terrible for me not to like it. I am glad my expectations were met with style.

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.