Black

VERIKYYNELEET – Ilman Kuolemaa [Finland, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 8-21-20

I would like to think of this site as a place that we all find new music that is scattered among Bandcamp. VERIKYYNELEET is not new and their debut on I, Voidhanger Records is not the typical self release on 10 cassettes that is normally seen on this site. It is okay since VERIKYYNELEET has spent a considerable amount of time in the shadows of the 00’s making raw depressive black metal demos. 2019 saw the first release in more than 10 years with Melacholic and Ilman Kuolemaa is the proper debut for the artist. For as long as this record took to be made, it feels like there is a lifetime’s work build into the very structure of the music. Harsh and abrasive, Ilman Kuolemaa breathes catharsis as a depressive black metal offering that feels like it needed to be made rather than wanted.

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Μνήμα – Νεκρώσιμος Ακολουθία [Greece, Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released 6-21-20

“One million voices,Whispering in my ears, Pulling me in to Eternal Silence.” I enjoy this whole production. From the blown out rendition of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Slaying Holofernes to the near incomprehensible logo, Μνήμα really goes out on the weird ledge and brings all of the caustic terror with it. While this act has been around for a few years, Νεκρώσιμος Ακολουθία is a perfect production and primer in the world of noisy necrotic spells. Occultism reigns supreme but it is clouded by demons and the amassing dead.

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Forbidden Tomb – Demo I [Indonesia, Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-18-20

This is the sound I love. This is also the album cover I am inherently drawn to. Forbidden Tomb is a new(?) one member (?) black metal act from Jakarta which sounds lie it could have been unearthed out of any place among the world. Its cold and desolate sound throws itself on the altar of bands like Judas Iscariot with a presentation that is as visceral and astringent as the albums in which it worships.

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Bergtrollets Gravferd – Bergtrollets Gravferd [Sweden, Experimental] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-18-20

I would like everyone to be aware before entering into this record that looks like raw black that you are stepping into a world of dark ambient, post punk, blackwave, and noisy goth. Things are about to get weird and spooky in the realm of abstract bats and conceptual castles. Welcome Bergtrollets Gravferd, a new outfit that has just released this tape today and I feel I am staring at a non euclidean building and its giving me anxiety. I will be honest in saying I do not know what this demo is trying to be but I believe it is operating on a parallel time frame from a intrademension.

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Torture Tomb – Killing to See How It Feels [US, Death Metal] (2020)

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Transylvanian Tapes | 6-6-20

First of all I would like to give this band 10 points for their name as it is really cool. Second of all I would like to give this band 5 points for artwork. Last of all, I will be scattering points here and there for riffs that are scattered throughout this EP. Torture Tomb is listed as “Blackened Death Metal,” so I will throw that out there despite not really hearing black at all in this new EP. Genres though do not matter when you are being flung against the wall by encroaching zombies. Embrace the undead.

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Moon – Saturn Exerzitium [Australia, Black] (2020)

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Self released | 6-14-20

So this is an interesting place to start with Moon. While some would think this is a new hot demo from a fresh artist, the entity known as moon has been operating for .. more than 10 years. The Saturn Exerzitium demo is the first release in 5 years following a 2015 full length. The Saturn Exerzitium demo is also a change in pace for the artist as it presents two lengthy instrumental black tracks that despite the lack of vocals presents a world full of horror and cold. While instrumental black usually never retains my interest, the landscapes of misery and toil are vivid in the world on Moon with a complete picture painted by the artist. I do not know if I would approach the other material but for now this is incredibly entertaining.

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Kyriss – Olden Ruins & Miry Depths [Germany, Atmospheric Black / Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-9-20

Kyriss, known also as Kyriss the Perverse, was a Keeper of Secrets, a Greater Daemon of Slaanesh, who was active during the Horus Heresy in the early years of the 31st Millennium. Alongside the infamous Bloodthirster Ka’Bandha, a Greater Daemon of the Blood God Khorne, Kyriss served as one of two daemon overlords or “generals” who helped orchestrate the Signus Campaign, in a coordinated effort to lure the Blood Angels Space Marine Legion to the Signus Sector and corrupt them to the worship of the Ruinous Powers.

I am not assuming the band’s name is after this Warhammer 40K lore but I am going to pretend it is since it is pretty cool to read. Now with the potential context of deep fantasy lore in front let us move to the music with is something you would NOT expect given the potential fantasy component. Within the world of Olden Ruins & Miry Depths, lies atmospheric black that is twisted and forgotten to the point of being fossilized. Here among the scarred landscape of where once tall trees stood, is the toiling of witches and oppressive synths. I love this so much and I believe it is the polarization of potential aesthetics that is fueling the greatness.

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Opium Grave – .​.​.​and the rest is silence [Australia, Black / Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-5-20

This is good. This is weird. This is not for everyone. I believe the perfection in this release is its unbalanced quality. Opium Grave is an Australian one member black metal project that surrounds themselves with a matter or weird artifacts. Coming into the short demo is like walking into a curio shop and being greeted by hanging skulls and strange bottles. There are a lot of things that do not make sense but the low synth and distorted vocal samples are enough to pique interest with the crashing harsh dissonance to cement that curiosity in place.

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Clavus – Rebus Paranormalibus [Switzerland, Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-2-20

I believe this is the the sound of vampires at least vampires who have been locked away in rotting mansion for the past century. Clavus is Swiss act who presents black metal akin to a box of bats that is wrapped in moldy linens. All of this sublimates in an experience which is hypnotic in its execution and absolutely devilish for people who enjoy this type of sound. This release also comes on limited CDR for anyone interested in fleshing out their underground CD collection. I sort of wish this was on tape but I can only expect so much from a lonely vampire.

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Gravesend – Preparations for Human Disposal [US, Black / Grind] (2020)

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Stygian Black Hand | 6-5-20

Gravesend maybe releasing at an opportune time as the world descends into bleaker futures. Preparations for Human Disposal is the debut (?) demo (?) for Brooklyn based black/grind/death(?) outfit that channels centuries of urban misery into a 14 minute release that is boiling with rage and riffs. The band’s Instagram sports photos of structural decay which is fitting as the music sounds like demolished buildings and the stress or claustrophobia. This is a ruinous release that could be a personal totem for uncertain times. Whatever you use it for, the force and effectiveness of the music comes at the listener like a cinder block dropped off of a burned out building.

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