Human Bodies – Demo MMXV [US, Black / Punk] (2015)

Self Released | 7-14-15

Oh this is horrible — in the best way possible. From an area that isn’t super well known for caustic black metal infused with punk comes a demo which has been out for a few months lying in wait for unsuspecting passerbys. I am wondering how I missed this the first time around but the subsequent playing made me never forget the violent images and sounds. Human Bodies is terrifying from the fact their pictures have them in masks to the guttural deathcry on this short 12 minutes.

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.

Human Serpent – Inhumane Minimalism [Greece, Black] (2015)

Self Mutilation Services | 6-16-15

It is fitting that Inhumane Minimalism, the second record from Grecian black metal duo Human Serpent begins with almost no fanfare. In fact, “The World In Coffins” starts almost immediately almost with disdain that you were not already listening. This immediacy is a corner stoner of a record which wastes little time getting down to business. This business maybe a systematic and visceral dissection of hope and happiness.

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.

Lluvia – Eternidad Solemne [Mexico, Black] (2015)

Fallen Empire | 8-17-15

Back in the waning days of Autumn 2013, Lluvia released his debut Premonición de guerra. This caused a flurry of excitement at least with people like me who already had their top 10s organized and ready to go for the incoming end of the year celebration. Premonición de guerra was raw, hypnotic, and frankly more deserving of attention that what it got in the last month before the new year. Eternidad Solemne has fixed this by descending upon the world in the middle of 2015. Additionally, the singles and previews from this record came out in the early Spring. There should be adequate time to fully process this record. Let us hope that this is enough time. There are no more excuses.

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.

Wederganger – Halfvergaan Ontwaakt [Netherlands, Black] (2015)

Self Released | 7-24-15

Let us remember that Werderganger means “one who walks again” which is a reference to the undead as well as amazing beyond words. I only get excited regarding band’s names when they are so apropos to the band’s music. I first heard Werderganger last year with the demo Gelderse Drek. At just 2 songs totaling 11 minutes, Gelderse Drek was a frustratingly interesting exploration of traditional black metal vocals contrasted with a melancholic baritone voice. My reccomendation for Gelderse Drek came with the plea that this band had to make more music lest I would uncoil mentally. Halfvergaan Ontwaakt has come in the night as a savior which may also be a further unraveling into darkness.

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.

Pale Chalice – Negate the Infinite and Miraculous [US, Black] (2015)

Gilead Media | 6-17-15

There are a lot of things to process regarding Pale Chalice. First of all is the band’s love for a thesaurus when constructing album and song titles. Approaching the band’s debut Negate the Infinite and Miraculous could possibly come with an audible sigh looking through each of the song titles. This sort of density which comes attached to black metal can be exhilarating as much as it can be exhausting. The fact that Pale Chalice exceeds expectations, to the degree they do, is a marvel given they were already starting out out with a handicap. Negate the Infinite and Miraculous is a furious black metal exploration which approach the subject matter from various and dangerous angles.

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.

One Master – Reclusive Blasphemy [US, Black] (2015)

Eternal Death | 7-21-15

I knew this day would come. Back int he early years of Tape Wyrm I stumbled on the live release “Live in the House of Quiet.” I even ended the review with a lamentation reiterating that “it is sort of sad I never got to know One Master during a year with a full length but this live record is more than enough to keep scanning the radio waves for a program from the realms of the abyss.” This sort of thought is with me a lot when reviewing lesser known metal. I can not count the cumber of demos and EPs from bands who I wish would come back for a full length. One Master did come back, and it is fucking horrifying.

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.

Brånd – Demo 2015 [Austria, Raw Black] (2015)

Voidland Shelter | 7-15-15

Woah. My goodness. There are many things that weigh n the 2015 demo by Brånd. First of all is the realization that a raw black demo from austria made it way through so many obstacles to be appreciated by a modicum of people. Secondly come from the fact that Brånd’s music is cosmetically inaccessible from its photocopied cassette cover to its low fidelity which sounds like a swirling cloud of noise. If one is familiar with black metal as a style, it takes only a few second to realize more things which are happening beneath the surface. I still do not know how this demo made it so high on the Bandcamp list but I am guessing it has something to do with its veiled accessibility.

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.

Blaze of Perdition – Near Death Revelations [Poland, Black] (2015)

Agonia Records | 6-26-15

Well, look at that. A black metal band from Poland who writes angular and dense music revolving around themes such as death and spirituality. It also looks like their album cover is a particularly artsy illustration which could probably come from an obscure occult manuscript. Well, it seems like Blaze of Perdition has everything in order and there is really nothing to worry about. These guys got everything covered.

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.

Uškumgallu – Uškumgallu [US, Black] (2015)

Vrasubatlat | 6-12-15

Just what in the Sam Hill is going on in Portland..specifically with two guys from Ash Borer running around making a bunch of noise and releasing cassette demos with abandon. These two gentleman have been responsible for the release of some really decent black, death, and black/death demos int he past couple of years. Urzeit, Triumvir Foul, Serum Dreg, and now the near unpronounceable Uškumgallu is added to the duo’s idiosyncratic list. The interesting part about all of this is that despite Ash Borer being somewhat of a high profile name in the atmospheric black metal crowd and having their last full length sponsored by Profound Lore, these demos come and go without much of any fanfare or even mention. To what end do these two weirdos from the midwest strive for? Whatever it is, I would like to know as I have completely fallen under the spell of un-publicized black metal.

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.

False – Untitled [US, Black] (2015)

Gilead Media | 6-16-15

Oh my goodness. There are so many jokes that could be made about a metal band whoese name is False. I feel if this US black metal act wasn’t so wrought with tension and terror, there could be more jokes made at their expense. False is 6 piece from Minnesota who do not title their records rather just leave them Untitled. While this could be seen as pretentious, the band’s music once again allows them to skirt major criticism. Also the music splits the ground asunder.

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.