Black

Dysylumn – Cosmogonie [France, Progressive Black] (2020)

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Signal Rex | 10-3-20

O first want to pay special recognition to the artwork of Karmazid who graces the cover of this release. Karmazid has also done work for Andavald, Bewitcher, Chevalier, Draghkar, LVTHN, Malokarpatan, Urfaust, and a whole host of other acts with their distinct style occultist imagery. Perhaps this is what brought me into the page for Dysylumn’s third full length Cosmogonie. To be fair with the lyrical themes tagged as Psychology, Hallucination, Space and a sound which is akin to climbing on the ceiling of an abandoned castle, I would have made my way here eventually but having artwork that fits the mood is fantastic. Cosmogonie is being released by both Signal Rex and Egregor Records and for now you only get a song but I am sure all of this is enough to keep you in this unhallowed place until the fateful hour.

OTDHR – REHEARSAL II [France, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 9-13-20

I am not usually down with unfinished products. I understand raw black metal (and to some extent other genres) has an aesthetic that embraces unfinished work as it simultaneously showcases potential while celebrating unpolished atmospheres. OTDHR’s sound was enough to grab interest and this 9 minute rehearsal showed enough talent that I start to wonder what a full length would sound like. Some bands never move out of the demo and rehearsal realm content to keep exploring unrefined landscapes. OTDHR is different in the fact their angular approach to black / doom could be exquisite with the right framing. Rehearsal II (Previous one was a year ago) projects a band that is brimming with angst and airs a sense of mystery through 9 minutes of near sonic misery. Perhaps this will be a story of a band that climbs out of rehearsals and makes a demo (or full length) that amazes everyone. Even without that future, OTDHR is a rare find of a band that warrants putting up their practice recordings as they are interesting enough to sit and listen.

Thermokarst – Demo [Canada, Black] (2020)

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FOOD FOR DOGS PRODUCTIONS | 8-3-20

Reverence is a power toxin when making music. Having a goal or style one wants to recreate and call their home is an easy direction for bands as it gives them a goal. Thermokarst is dedicated to the sound of second wave black metal even dedicating their opening track to a familiar phrase. But this is where expectations end as aside from treading familiar ground, Thermokarst debut demo goes beyond the call of worship and offers something much more fierce and caustic. Three tracks of blistering black metal that is balanced and unhinged is excatly what most people desire. Thermokarst offers abandon in darkness and though the band breathes raw smoke, they seem fully competent on what they are doing and how to handle axes.

Brahdr’uhz / Lugubris / Cendres de Haine – 666 Fuck You [Switzerland, Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-30-20

Well, here we are. It is 2020 and I am writing about a split entitled 666 Fuck You. The embrace of aesthetics is a strange thing as something that seems overwrought and oppressive could work towards its ultimate success. The Swiss trio of Brahdr’uhz, Lugubris, and Cendres de Haine is a Swiss trio of acts that is perhaps apart of the same scene or just a connected group of musicians. There seems to be no common origin point for all three so we are just going to assume that the glue which holds all of these bands together is raw noise and a tendency to be dramatic with their darkness. The 666 Fuck You split is a showcase of three bands and an above average take on raw black as the sound is fierce and grating while always be entertaining. All Together you have 45 minutes of raw Swiss black mwetal that you might not even know that you needed until this very moment. Embrace aesthetics and fuck the world.

AstralSide – Vacío Final [Chile, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-20-20

I have tagged this release as raw black though I feel it is just black metal fueled with crude oil rather than anything refined. Vacío Final is the second demo this year by Chilean project AstralSlide and continues the act’s short legacy in making black metal that feels and tastes like acrid smoke. Brazen, arrogant, and unsympathetic, Vacío Final is a demo that cares little about the thoughts and feelings of others and will gladly swing around an unpolished demo just at a dangerous speed. This is something only a few people will enjoy but I feel it will be clawed at with insane fervor.

Forbidden Tomb – The Prospector [Indonesia, Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-10-20

This is a record that bathes in its aesthetic. Raw black thrives on consistency in both its sound and style. From font to covers to general presentation, raw black aims to offer listeners the equivalent to unprocessed ore instead of anything refined. Int hat state people find meaning in its meaning and purity. Forbidden Tomb has its flaws outside of the superficial recording style. The Prospector could be more fierce and there is room to move around outside of the morbid graveyard in terms of lyrics. With that said, Forbidden Tomb is a wonderfully adequate raw black record that feels cold and uninviting. Perfect for those looking to be disturbed.

Sarin Bath – Sarin Bath [Canada, Black / Sludge] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-20-20

With a name and cover like Sarin Bath, one is going to have ready themselves for distilled emotion in the form of black tar. Similar to bands like Thou and to a lesser extent Couch, Sarin Bath delivers a torrent of raw blackened sludge which unlike the two bands listed, comes without any filter of production. This is just the listener and the band in a room together and one of them is waving a knife. It may take a bit but after a some time spent in the depths of madness, this whole affair becomes oddly desirable.

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IIIXK – Demo 2020 [Russia, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-9-20

I have unfairly been critical to Russian black for a while due to various circumstances. I feel this is because black metal, for me, has been cast aside for other forms of heavy metal. This does not mean I ignore interesting releases, especially when it rains down in heavy drops of blood. IIIXK is a brand new act and the Demo 2020 is the introduction to a world carved with angst and a penchant for noise. Rather than surrendering to raw black, IIIXK manages to dance around dissonance with a release that echoes with sonic disdain.

Vampyric – Where Light No Longer Reaches [US, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-6-20

I am going to give it to Vampyric, this whole production works very well. Admittedly, I might be a fan of raw black and also when an artist throws themselves into a sound. Where No Light Reaches submerges itself int he raw black demo sound with dark themes and harsh sounds. The dense yet approachable tone of the music is surprisingly accessible which dances hand and hand with songs about satanic rituals and lycanthropic transformations. This looks like a goofy black metal demo but after allowing it into your heart is a well constructed demo that is running around the woods in a cloak.

Ages of Blood – Pagan Medieval Aristocracy [Argentina, Black] (2020)

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Death Kvlt Productions | 7-2-20

I love Death Kvlt and I love they gather bands that fit a certain aesthetic. I cant help but chuckle at the fact that Ages of Blood is pre ordering their demo on vinyl and the fact it is already sold out. Everyone must be aware that this is going to be a stellar debut from an artist that I had not heard about before today. Pagan Medieval Aristocracy fits a mood and that mood is a fog-ridden clearing in the woods with the spire of an abandoned castle in the back. In these two songs with two book-ending instrumentals, there is a sense of assurance that this music is going to find an audience and a home in peoples hearts. I say this because I feel it has found a home in my heart and for all its weird eccentricities with melody, I can see this being discussed throughout the year and hopefully beyond.

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