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

Pest Productions | 10-15-15

I know with Zuriaake there are few certainties. Throughout my explorations of East Asian heavy metal, that strange and wonderful things can be found at a moments notice. Finding Pest Productions was a treasure trove of mostly Chinese depressive and atmospheric black metal. Pest Productions got some undue notice last year as being the label which hosted Ghost Bath’s 2014 record Funeral. The fallout regarding Ghost Bath’s regional identiy sort of took away the spotlight to some other great bands that were from China and making black metal. Zuriaake was one of them and at the time, this 3 piece had not made a full length since 2007. Things are different now.

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.

Skialykon – Vestigio [Italy, Black / Ambient] (2015)

Naturmacht Productions | 7-26-15

Calling Skialykon atmospheric black metal is a bit misleading for anyone familiar with the term. When one uses the term “atmospheric,” the usual path leads to soaring tremolo guitars and songs about nature and transcendental themes. I guess Skialykon has its fair share of nature themes and tremelo but this one man project seems different. Whether or not it is the moody synth or the slow plodding vocals trails which lead into dark patches of brambles, Vestigio becomes something much different than its siblings. Skialykon soon resembles the ugly child of the atmospheric family.

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.

Nevoa – The Absence of Void [Portugal, Atmospheric Black] (2015)

Altare Productions | 6-29-15

For the most part, location and place of origin is only cosmetic when evaluating music. Sure it is interesting to highlight certain scenes and possible movements based on region and good records from places with other good records is something of note. I would be lying if I said that the fact that this atmospheric black metal record was rom Portugal did not give a reason for a second glance. This is not because Portugal is lacking in heavy metal bands rather that their metal bands seem to be operating at normal capacity with the majority still unheard. This country is about to explode.

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.

Shaidar Logoth – Chapter II: The Ritualist [US, Black/Drone] (2015)

Self Released | 3-1-15

Well, okay. This is something interesting. Shaidar Logoth seems to be the side project for Adam Clemans current front man for the Profound Lore act Wolvhammer and onetime vocalist for Veil of Maya and Steven Henningsgard who already collaborated with the singer for Iron Thrones. Though all bands involved are under the extreme metal umbrella, the work for Shaidar Logoth is something different. Chapter II: The Ritualist continues the band’s near silent lamentation of noise, despair, and complete obliteration of the self.

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.

Akhlys – The Dreaming I [US, Black] (2015)

Debemur Morti Productions | 4-20-15

It shouldn’t be a surprise that US based black metal project Akhlys has some sort of ground swell with its second record The Dreaming I. First of all, the project’s creator Naas Alcameth also made waves last year with Season of Mist act Nightbringer and their 2014 record Ego Dominus Tuus. If one was left with any burning questions after Nightbringer’s record came to a close, Akhlys is here for an afterparty in the voids where nightmares and dreams spill into one.

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.

Ecferus – Prehistory [US, Ambient / Black] (2015)

Fragile Branch Recordings | 2-6-16

Ecferus comes with a lot of discussion even before the music begins. Prehistory is the debut from a one person black metal bedroom project which is particularly interested and dedicated to anthropology and primitive mythology. Prehistory was released by a small label who also was responsible in distributing 2014’s Woven Within by the very decent and capable Ad Infinitum. The release also comes wrapped in one of the more intriguing covers by illustrator Rose Proctor. Even if Prehistory was terrible, I would be a little bit entertained. The fact that the music is as good as it surrounding ceremony is fantastic.

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.