Black

Tome Of The Unreplenished – Cosmoprism [Cyprus, Ritual Ambient / Noise] (2017)

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I, Voidhanger Records | 2-3-17

Back in 2015, Tome Of The Unreplenished sounded different. It isn’t that much of a change but the Cypriot born now British band’s debut was much more geared towards atmospheric black metal that frayed at the edges of concrete. Cosmoprism: The Theurgy – Act I shatters all bonds with the material world and travels towards the celestial nothingness with an EP that attempts to fathom the unknowable and reign in the horror of the indescribable. This, of course, will not be done in 4/4 time or with any sort of musical structure.

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Svangur Kvöl – Wreck Of The World [Australia, Black] (2017)

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Coming across a band like Svangur Kvöl happens completely by chance. A debut album by a what could be a one person black metal self released project can be hard to keep track of. I think it was the cover and the fact that this album has been made into atleast 6 tapes, which drew my attention. Now that I have it, I am mesmerized by the call of the weird frontier.

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Altars of Ash and Bone – I [Unknown, Raw Black / Noise] (2017)

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Self Released

Self Released

Happy 2017 everyone. Though it is only 10 days into the year, this is a good of time as any to start digging into lesser known releases for the year. First up is a band that I legitimately can not find any information regarding aside from their Bandcamp page. You know the drill. Pull the blankets your to your face.

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East Sherman – Desertification [US, Black / Crust] (2016)

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Self Released | 12-8-16

Self Released | 12-8-16

The intersection between black metal and hardcore punk can be a visceral one. Since the two styles are intertwined at the roots, the exploration of the grey era between punk and metal is a minefield with large craters in the ground with festering water collecting near the bottom. East Sherman is a self proclaimed Vegan Blackened Hardcore outfit out of the Pacific Northwest and Desertification is the band’s loudest debut aside from all those other splits.

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Black Citadel – Ancestral Shadows [US, Raw Black] (2016)

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Les Fleurs du Mal Productions | 10-13-16

Les Fleurs du Mal Productions | 10-13-16

In chaos, there is rest. Black Citadel is a US based black metal band and I usually spend my time here introducing the information related to the band or perhaps the lack there of. Black Citadel is one of those bands where the music takes up most of the talking points. Ancestral Shadows is the second release this year for the band which is strapped together with a two song EP released earlier this year. We are just going to assume this is the debut demo for a band that has a lot of mystery attached to its name.

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Labyrinthique – Demo MMXVI [Canada, Black] (2016)

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Self Released | 10-17-16

Self Released | 10-17-16

What I know about Labyrinthique is they are from Canada and they have a Facebook and a WordPress website that is all in French. That is about it. For whatever lack of information is revolving around this Quebec based black metal band is made up for in a demo of unequaled frenzy. I love heavy metal and I love finding new music that seems to be new to everyone.

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Owls Woods Graves – Owls Woods Graves [Poland, Black / Punk] (2016)

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Malignant Voices | 9-30-16

Malignant Voices | 9-30-16

Perhaps one of my favorite styles of music is the bending of one until it shows the stress of another. Black metal and punk rock are not that far from each other in terms of residence though whenever hardcore is infused with the style, it comes across more as black metal with a hardcore punk exterior. Owls Woods Graves is different than what one would normally think of as crust or even black hardcore. The debut EP from this Polish outfit sees a punk band that lost their way in the wilderness and made shelters in empty tombs.

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Merdam Boten – Jeux de Morts [France, Raw Black] (2016)

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Self Released } 9-29-16

Self Released } 9-29-16

I have a running joke with some of my friends on which of us can find the most inaccessible band with little information available on the internet. I think I win at least for today. I do not know a lot about this band but what I can tell you about this release is that it is from France, made by two people, and is frightening as hell.

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Malleus – Storm of Witchcraft [US, Black / Death / Punk] (2016)

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Self Released | 9-25-16

Self Released | 9-25-16

There are about six different bands with the name Malleus perhaps because the name, meaning hammer, provokes imagery of forceful dread. While it is also the name of a bone inside ones ears, I? feel bands have chosen to name for the infamous witch hunting book, Malleus Maleficarum, as their patron saint. To Be honest, I couldn’t think of a better name to accompany a raw and filthy tribute of first wave black metal.

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Vreemdeling – Demo [Netherlands, Black] (2016)

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The Throat | 9-15-16

The Throat | 9-15-16

Image is important in metal. while it is not a paramount aspect in music, it certainly helps an act stand out among the thousands of peers which all resides on the same Bandcamp page. There are sometimes when a lack of accessibility and information can be that edge which gets an act noticed. Take Vreemdeling whose lack of information and song titles and clear production has coalesced into a demo which is so repellent it makes me what to stay here longer.

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