Vyrion – Geo [Australia, Progressive / Black]

Self Released | 7-4-14

At this moment, unbeknownst to most people, there is something interesting happening in Australia. Plumbing the depths of lesser known heavy metal brings to light some wonderful acts and extraordinary albums which have gone may have been all together forgotten or never heard. Vyrion has been around since the late 00’s with their first release in 2011. I speak with surprise that there hasn’t been more of a commotion as Vyrion’s competency in making forceful black metal is astounding with Geo, the band’s second record, a continuation in a mid-fi progressive odyssey.

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.

Slaughtbbath / Hades Archer [Chile, Black] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 5-9-14

South American black and death metal is ferocious to the point of being scary. The continent had developments of black and death metal much like the same from the Europe and America but did it with a raw sensibility with less concern about genre distinction. Even this split between two Chilean black metal artists sounds like a cross between black, death, and some sort of exploding swine monster. There is no wispy atmosphere from here on out, only bowels of the underworld where flesh is consumed nightly.

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.

Infestus – The Reflecting Void [Germany, Black] (2014)

Debemur Morti Productions | 4-25-14

I must say — out of most Bandcamp pages, Debemur Morti Productions’ design is exquisite with subtle greys and hints of sepia. I would also say the same about the design for The Reflecting Void which is the fourth full length for German act Infestus. I mention the design because, from what I can tell, one man is responsible for everything that is heard in The Reflecting Void. I have already made mention for my penchant for one man metal acts as the emotional catharsis and isolated scope can lend itself to brilliant records. Infestus is no different as The Reflecting Void is full of terror which never ceases to be entertaining to experience.

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.

Serpents Lair – Demo MMXIV [Denmark, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 5-2-14

Another day, another black metal demo with a decent groove and a potential for greater success. I think I would grow tired of this sort of thing if it were not for it being absolutely entertaining. From what I can tell, Seprents Throne is a two piece from Denmark with a 2 song demo which is being offered in digital form for a modest sum. It is partially lo-fi and deliberately comes with an air of being obscured from any clear information. While the aesthetics are not novel, Serpents Throne does make itself known among the other demos by a focused and effective sound which sounds like it is delivered from the mouth of a hydra.

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.

Black Monolith – Passenger [US, Black / Crust] (2014)

All Black Recording Company | 4-29-14

Trust me, I literally have no idea what is happening in this album art. I would say that the lithograph inspired artwork illustrates the relationship between Black Monolith’s influences but this is wrong. This US based crust act fuses together the styles of hardcore and black metal but that would mean both figures on the cover should be rotting and shriveled. I think this is true unless the nude women is black metal. What in the hell is going on at that campfire? What is that pyramid?

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.

Thantifaxath – Sacred White Noise [Canada, Black] (2014)

Dark Descent | 4-15-14

Adding to the very long line of bands with zero information comes the Canadian enigma Thantifaxath. Aside from a near unpronounceable name, the band has made a conscious effort to keep all information regarding identity, contact, or general inquiry at a minimum. The band members wear hoods on stage, may or may not be apart of another slightly well known metal band, and are probably never available for interviews. I would have gotten long tired of these antics if it were not for the fact that sometimes a lack of information allows records to be independent of connections. All of a sudden there appears this amazing black metal record which rips and scars the earth with smoldering ash.

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.

Persekutor – Arctic Cross [Romania, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 3-22-14

So once I figure out Persekutor, I am going to let everyone else know. I promise. If the odd album cover wasn’t enough indication, Romania’s Persekutor comes with a bit of raised eyebrows and speculation. From a series of interviews surround the band’s last EP Power Frost, this black metal act comes with either an aura of self aware parody or such a unique backstory it borders on surreal. I am in no position to make any judgments rather any answer is a unique experience in the world of ice obsessed Romanian lo fi 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.

Gravehill – Death Curse [US, Death / Thrash / Black] (2014)

Dark Descent Records | 4-1-14

Despite Gravehill’s rotting exterior, the band seems to be made up of musicians who are having a blast doing exactly what they are doing. This attitude adds to a fun atmosphere when a band seems be laughing louder than the screams of its audience. From sunny California comes Gravehill, bastard metal who seem to have no primary loyalty aside from playing as fast and menacing as possible. It is the sound of evil and it rips like a motorcycle engine.

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.

LVTHN – Adversarialism [Belgium, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 1-1-14

I have decided to start tagging record labels as I feel it is important to support ones which put out consistent material. LVTHN is a darkhorse as their existence was unknown to many before a few days ago when the very well liked Fallen Empire put up their debut demo for stream. If one needed any more reason to pay attention to lesser known releases, the two song demo for LVTHN serves as a reminder in the form of a punch to the face.

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.