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.

Aquilus – Griseus [Australia, Symphonic Black] (2014)

Blood Music | 12-21-14

The difference between symphonic black and atmospheric black maybe small to some but large to others. For the most part, atmospheric black metal has been the preferred style for musicians as it can work with varying levels of production. Symphonic or neoclassical black metal has had less of recent history only becasue it weighs down a band into a certain sound. I only make mention of this history as it seems symphonic/ neoclassical black is the more antiqued style. This is important because when returning to the sound, a well crafted record could bring back all of these warm and strange emotions.

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.

Mare Cognitum – Phobos Monolith [US, Atmospheric Black] (2014)

I, Voidhanger Records | 11-3-14

Part of me finds the cover for Mare Cognitum’s third full length odd, while the other half is convincing the former that it is all part of a new realm of black metal. Mare Cognitum is a one man black metal outfit who seems to be entirely obsessed with the darkness that dwells in space. I have been familiar and friendly with Mare Cognitum since his 2011 debut The Sea Which Has Become Known. It has been a few years and I am pleased to realize that his new album, Phobos Monolith, is perhaps the best work from the creator and probably one of the more enjoyable atmospheric black metal records of the year.

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.

Crown of Asteria – Sol [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 8-11-14

Before I start this review, I must state that atmospheric black metal is something that is used by a lot of people. Because of this, its potency is less compared to black/thrash or death/doom. This is frustrating as decent atmospheric black metal bands get lost in the dissing array of records and bands. Additionally, atmospheric black metals preoccupation with nature, space, and non traditional heavy metal themes become the new norm. Crown of Asteria does not make itself known because it breaks any conventions on black ambient and atmospheric black metal rather because it invests itself so fully into music that Sol seems to be a reasonable end to a style experiment started over a decade ago.

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.

Petrychor – Makrokosmos [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 7-10-14

Scouring Bandcamp has its benefits. While there is the inevitable burnt feeling when encountering the 100th atmospheric or second wave black metal record, there can be deep feeling of gratitutde with records which break formation. This is not to say all left field metal records are good rather they benefit from uniqueness when compared to the heavy metal norm. There is an expected loss of traditional harshness when traveling so far away from the expected but sometimes one can find something truly interesting with the right sense of adventure. Makrokosmos is the second true full length record from Petrychor and offers something that is truly cosmic and transcendental. I do not think it is anything you are expecting.

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.

Bland Vargar – Perpetual Return [Italy, Atmospheric Black] (2014)

Razed Soul Productions | 4-11-14

Woooosh. I love it. I love it all. Bland Vagar is an Italian black metal band who concerns themselves with wolves. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. The band is listed under a production company called Razed Soul productions but the tape comes to us from our good ol’ friends Caligari Records. I have already gushed about my fascination with the quality of Caligari releases and Bland Vargar is no different. Somewhere in the afterglow of woodsy black metal is still the spark of greenish darkness — one that clasps hard around the throat.

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.

Falls of Rauros / Panopticon [US, Black] (2014)

Bindrune Recordings |2-15-14

Splits are an amazing way to get acquainted with old bands as they work on new material or discover new bands. The very nature of their design is joint advertising and trying to get as much music to as many different people. Birdrune Recordings has decided to make it their lot in life by surrounding themselves with rustic based extreme metal from all over the United States and beyond. Birdrune only seems to be providing temporary housing for Panopticon and this arranged courtship with Falls of Rauros seems to be for a brief moment in time. Whatever is contained on here is a flirtation between two stellar black metal bands who will be in different places within the months time. Enjoy it while you can.

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.

Ifing – Against This Weald [US, Black / Folk] (2014)

Blood Music | 5-6-14

I think we may have found a contender for best atmopheric / synth arrangements in black metal for the year. Last year, this honor went to Utah based act Caladan Brood while this year looks like the time for Ifing. Yes, I know that word looks like I left off half of the word but it belongs to a Michigan based duo who have come out of and from the middle of nowhere to bring a black metal record which has atmosphere stacked in reserves. What is that? The first 4 minutes is all woozy synthscape? I love it already.

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.

Eos – L’Avalé [Canada / Black] (2014)

Fallen Empire | 3-14-14

I have not been shy about my adoration for Fallen Empire. Ever since stumbling across the two cassette compilation from SVN-OKKLT, which showcased some fantastic underground black metal including Death Fortress, Witch in Her Tomb, Axis of Light, and Eos, I have been a fan and activley camped out in front of the office doors. Since that compilation, Fallen Empire has released a tremendous amount of material that included the full length from Death Fortress, the massively underrated Premonicion De Guerra by Lluvia, and now a demo from Eos. 2014 seems to be a good year for the Quebec based Eos. What little information is available for this act only adds to the mystery, as their debut demo L’Avalé is one of the better black metal releases of the year.

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.

Wildernessking – The Devil Within [South Africa, Black] (2014)

Grimoire Cassette Cvlture | 3-14-14

The amount of metal coming out of Africa is minimal at best. The majority of African metal either comes from the northern countries (Algeria, Egypt, Libya) or South Africa. Wildernessking is from South Africa and by all intents and purposes fits within a very large family of atmospheric black metal with varying relations to post rock. The band’s debut album The Writing of Gods In the Sand impressed and surprised a handful of blogs and critics. Despite African metal being an easy prompt for review, Wildernessking survives on its own merit with their 2014 EP The Devil Within proving to be of similar caliber.

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.