Black

Ashen Chalice – Spells Of Eternal Sleep Guide Us Towards The Casket [Croatia, Raw Black] (2017)

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Self Released | 08-01-17

Ashen Chalice perhaps has the trifecta of cool titles which hover around the newest release. First off all the project name is super cool. Second of all the album title is entrancing in its wording. Third and perhaps most important is the Bandcamp tagline of “May Nature Guide You On Your Path Towards Self Destruction.” With all of these in place, Ashen Chalice dives into the sometimes uneven world of raw bedroom black metal.

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Akatharsia – No Generation Without Corruption [US, Raw Black / Punk] (2017)

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Self Released | 7-7-17

I was hesitant on putting the raw black tag on this record since I wasn’t sure. Do not get me wrong or misunderstand, the world of Akatharsia is built from bricks of noise and discomfort as their debut record constructs a citadel of torment and unease. I was hesitant on putting the raw black tag on this record since the band also crafts a fine groove with all of these unpleasant elements.

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Animo Aeger – Ab​-​Fakt [Germany, Black] (2017)

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Cirsium Kollektivet | 6-25-17

By any means necessary. The German outfit known as Amino Aeger may not be a household name but it only takes a few minutes into their work for it to make an impression. Sure this all falls under the realm of black metal but by the first minute of the Ab​-​Fakt EP, the listener realizes that this is not really a release but the ravings of a wild animal and all of the doors are now locked. Continue reading

SunSpell / Suadade – From the Mist… We Are but Dust [US / Canada, Black] (2017)

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Iron Bonehead | 06 – 09 – 17

Reviewing an Iron Bonehead release feels like cheating since this label is legendary for being consistent with their output. Not only does this label find and support great acts, but their status only grows with each release. This is why a split from two up and coming artists isn’t much of a find but rather a sure bet in the gambling parlor of the underworld. Continue reading

Defecrator / Ritual Genocide – Anti-Human Deathcult/Death Exalted [US, Death / Black] (2017)

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Black Plague Records | 2-20-17

I mentioned before, somewhere on this blog about my love for splits and ultimately the reason why I cover so few. Even though splits are a fantastic way to experience multiple bands and cover a wade expanse of underground, splits are unwieldy when it comes to titling. Multiple bands combined with multiple titles and artwork lead to a cataloging nightmare when it comes to organization. The Defecrator / Ritual Genocide split is no different as it has two titles and is going to be difficult to neatly pack away. Perhaps this is how it is meant to be as it is beyond human with its sound and does not really belong, safe, anywhere. Continue reading

Ühtceare – La Inexorable Amargura En La Existencia [Argentina, Black] (2017)

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Self Released | 05-15-17

I usually joke about finding bands that are nowhere to be found on the internet. When I found the La Inexorable Amargura En La Existencia demo, I thought I struck gold and could retire early. Here was a fantastic Argentinian atmospheric black metal demo that had two mentions on Facebook and no Metal Archives entry. If band discovery was investment stock, this has the potential to be gigantic.

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Abyssus / Death Courier / DreamLongDead / Slaughtered Priest – 7″ Split [Greece, Death / Thrash / Black] (2017)

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Screaming Victims Distro | 3-25-17

Holy shit. Alright so reviewing splits is sometimes difficult as the titles are long, the bands are from different places, and sometimes the styles presented are too many to discuss in a short period of time. This split is different for many reason. First of all, every band is from this 7″ split is from Greece which makes it easier, second and probably most importantly all of this music fucking rips.

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Nekrokult – Desecration of Blood [Brazil, Black / Thrash] (2017)

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Self Released | 4-26-17

Black thrash! Black thrash! Well, sort of. Black thrash is a strange genre where the sound can be a straight mix of music or just music that is wielding a broken bottle and radiates riffs. Nekrokult is like that and by the sound of their first full length (?) it sounds like this band is riding winged demon horses right into the grave.

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Ockultist – Present Day Neglect [Sweden, Black / Sludge] (2017)

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Self Released | 4-15-17

That is quite a sound. I have not been shy regarding my opinion on stoner doom and sludge as I feel the field is flooded with similar sounding bands and ideas. This is not unlike other styles such as black and death metal though stoner doom feels tired and worn unless completely onboard for the sound. This is why a band like Ockultist is intriguing as the shackeling between stoner sludge and black vocals works so well I am wondering why this hasn’t been more of a thing.

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Mouthgate – Fungal [US, Black / Experimental] (2017)

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Self Released | 2-28-17

Enter the vaults of the odd with a band and album title that is way beyond any metal aesthetic you are used to. Coming from New York City comes a band that is experimental but is too weird to have any sort of pretension about their work. Caught somewhere between a hangover migraine and a lost Lovecraft story comes Mouthgate and they are here to ruin your fucking day.

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