Black / Doom

Phantasmagorum – Glare [Russia, Black / Doom] (2017)

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Self Released | 11-29-17

Album art is important not only as an initial invitation but also as a showcase for music. Though I can not find any information on the artist “P. Seliverstov” since the band itself has no information, it is going to remain a mystery. The cover for Glance however is entrancing and artfully skilled at pulling the listener into a world of gloomy mastery.

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Predatory Light – Predatory Light [US, Black / Doom] (2016)

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Invictus Productions | 9-23-16

Invictus Productions | 9-23-16

Predatory Light, as an independent entity, has been a bit of a mystery. I believe I first encountered this Northwestern US black metal band on the 2015 Vorde split put together by the very wonderful Psychic Violence records. In fact, the last release from Predatory Light was that split over a year ago. Sometimes bands take their time in making records and by the opening atmosphere of this band’s self titled debut, it was well worth the wait.

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Funerary Descent – Winds Of Dissonance [US, Black / Doom] (2016)

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Self Released | 2-3-16

Self Released | 2-3-16

Listen to the howls and grief which ripples in sheets of frigid wind. Funerary Descent is from Baltimore Maryland which has been somewhat of an interest for me as I live close and am always interested in ground level heavy metal which I could possibly go travel and see in a small club. The black / doom combination is also something of note as it is note a style which has been explored. Funerary Descent took a little bit to release their second demo with their first one in 2013. By how effective Winds of Dissonance sounds, I only hope for a speedy production for another release. Far be it from me to tell a band what to do but this sound could bum a lot more people out with the right timing and luck. I know I will be here crawling along this swamp floor awaiting slow cold death.

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Creeping – Revenant [New Zealand, Black/Doom] (2015)

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Iron Bonehead | 8-28-15

Iron Bonehead | 8-28-15

It was only after admiring the cover for Creeping that I soon stumbled into a weird and tangled web of New Zealand based extreme metal. Creeping’s cover was made by handyman Jamie Saint Merat who not only plays drums for Ulcerate but also did design/sound for a bunch of related bands including Abystic Ritual and The House of Capricorn. Those two bands are sort of the two parts which make up Creeping. If a voucher from Iron Bonehead is not assurance for this band’s third full length is not enough, then put your trust in New Zealand’s ability to make no nonsense darkness.

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Ashtar – Ilmasaari [Switzerland, Black / Doom] (2015)

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Czar of Crickets Productions | 4-18-15

Czar of Crickets Productions | 4-18-15

Ashtar is cloaked in myteryy and misery. This is partially, if not mostly die to the fact that their debut Ilmasaari is the only thing the Swiss duo has released. Additionally the band is supported by the record label Czar of Crickets who have a roster full of near obscure Swiss metal acts. Add to this Czar of Crickets operates on a year to two year release schedule and one has a record which comes with mystery. These pieces of information are compounded by the fact that Ashtar is a fully competent black/doom act whose album is capable of almost cosmic things.

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Yith – Yith [US, Black / Doom] (2014)

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Self Released | 3-28-14

Self Released | 3-28-14

Hands down, one of the most eerie covers of the year. Who would have guessed the combination of black and white pencil and white eyed specters could be so unnerving? Yith has spent most of its time releasing demos in sequential order. There is nothing which separates the fourth demo from the previous three aside from the self title. Right now maybe the perfect opportunity to allow Yith to come and darken your heart.

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