2017

Angel Morgue – Angel Morgue [US, Death] (2017)

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Self Released | 2-16-17

Yes to everything about this. From the sound to the name to the album cover, Angel Morgue fills a very order for people seeking cavernous death metal which wouldn’t be welcomed in any places of worship. The aesthetic which drips from this band in trails of slime is notable as their self titled EP debut hammers away at the bells of hell.

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Mort aux Gueux – Beuverie, Musique du Diable et Misère Crasse [Canada, Black] (2017)

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Self Released | 2-3-17

I feel I am going to have a good handle on some of the darker works in various languages. From what I can surmise, Mort aux Gueux means “Death to the Beggers (?)” and the album title starts out with “Music of the Devil” and then gets really patchy from there. It could have something to do with misery or mother Earth. Whether or not I would actually do well in France or the French Canadian territories is one thing, the tone and theme of Mort aux Gueux is quite another.

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Funeral Chant – Funeral Chant (US, Black / Death) (2017)

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Self Released | 2-3-17

Funeral Chant is already experiencing a small queue of interest from the internet and this can be directly related to the feature from Cvlt Nation. Aside from that however, the interest for Funeral Chant and the growing popularity for this bay area black death act seems to be catching like fire die to other reason. Perhaps this is an example of a quality record that is gaining popularity through its own merit. I am still skeptical.

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Sulphuris Oblivio – Dawn Before Sunset [Brazil, Ritual / Psych / Black] (2017)

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Hammer of Damnation | 1-31-17

Well this is it. A band that is honest to goodness trying to stay hidden and not get their music heard. I have spoken many times about various bands obscuring identities and opting out of most social media which is interesting given the glut of digital culture. Sulphuris Oblivio is not creating a new step rather just entering into an area which has existed for many decades which is just plain weirdness. Somewhere between tribal music, krautrock, dungeon synth, fever dreamt rock and roll, and black metal lies a band who is trying their best not to be liked.

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Imperceptum – The Eternal Path to Nothingness [Germany, Black / Funeral Doom] (2017)

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Self Released | 2-1-17

I believe that it is in the interest of most metal to capture a theme or feeling. whether simple or complex abstract or concrete, most heavy metal intends to fill the listener with a focus. The second album from German black / doom outfit Imperceptum does an admirable job at wrapping in the various emotions of existential obliteration. While this sounds like a very niche focus, the sound of stars collapsing and ceasing to be apart of the material world seems to be a destination for this particular band.

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Vomit Kult – Demonic Art [Unknown, Raw Black] (2017)

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Self Released | 1-29-17

Well, fucking fantastic guys, I literally have nothing to go on regarding where you are from since there is no trace of you anywhere on the internet. It is funny that people lament the death of research in the internet age and yet there are still bands that toe the line of known. Perhaps that is where they want to be, right on the cusp of existence.

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Myotis Occultus – Of Weeping Spells & Wounded Shrines [US, Raw Black] (2017)

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Self Released | 1-27-17

In the world of underground and lesser known heavy metal, newness is a relative term. To some the Arizona based one man act Myotis Occultus could be new with the weight of raw black metal making its first introductions. To others, the songs on the Of Weeping Spells & Wounded Shrines demo are just a recollection of past works that have been spread out on singles and demos released in 2016. If it sounds like I am complaining, I am not as Myotis Occultus was a mystery to me until today. Perhaps every once in awhile one needs new introductions as there will be more people coming in at various times.

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Ose – Rituum [US, Black] (2017)

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Self Released | 1-30-17

I love the tag of NCBM as if I am missing some big North Carolina black metal scene. Ha. Wait. I am not am I? Please tell me if I am and I will be down there in less than 10 hours. Rituum just came out and by the looks of it, I am the one of the few that showed up super early to this party. With no Metal Archives and a Facebook page that hasn’t been updated in years, I can safely wonder if Ose actually exists. If they do not then I have this near amazing demo to show for my efforts.

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Noctis – Gamaliel [US. Black / Noise] (2017)

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Self Released | 01-26-17

One song releases are difficult to assess in terms of potential. For the most part single and 1 track demos are made by the dozen but hardly ever covered due to their insubstantial nature. there just isn’t that much one can do with 1 track that is even less than 5 minutes. what one can do is look at past works and compare the single track to surmise where the music could potentially travel. If one was doing that for Noctis, the answer would be the depths of chaos.

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Hypnosinosis – Delirium [Chile, Black / Death] (2017)

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Self Released | 1-20-17

I believe it to be this blog’s quest and motivation to find lesser known metal, throughout the year. A large goal and benchmark I have been working towards is finding bands before they have a Metal Archives page or below a certain number of listeners or just online presence. This isn’t some contest to find the most obscure band rather recalibrate my journey through the wretched halls of lesser known heavy metal. Though this search does not turn up gems everyday, if one is patient they will find something truly horrid. Hypnosinosis is one of the winners for January.

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