Grave Ritual – Morbid Throne [US, Death] (2015)

Dark Descent | 10-30-15

So in the the mid 90’s this band from Alabam was known as Metahole Infection and played a particulary splatteryly variety odf death metal. It should be noted that the music from MEtahole Infection and Grave Ritual is not that different aside from some new atmopshere, slower tempo and perhaps a new drummer. What is important to realize is that framing and presentation can make a world of difference as Grave Ritual’s dedication to less bloody and more forbodding themes puts their music on the right track for success.

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.

Venefixion – Defixio [France, Death] (2015)

Iron Bonehead | 10-18-15

Oh my goodness. either I am slowly becoming an Iron Bonehead fanboy raving about multiple demos just this year or there is a palatable stream of good material being unearthed by this label. Both may be true. I also maybe a sucker for hilarious blasphemy in artwork and Defixio, the debut from Venefixion has an oddly comedic spin to their artwork. Come towards the skeleton bearing a crucifix.

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.

Dysylumn – Conceptarium [France, Progressive Black / Death] (2015)

Self Released | 9-1-15

This is the power of advertising to different audiences. Conceptarium was self released at the beginning of September with a polished sci fi cover and a shining font choice. The original cover certainly fit the atmosphere for this cosmic black death outfit. The cassette cover produced by MITHRA! Infrastructure / Infrasound however is flatter and with only a black/white balance, the astral themes appear more occult. It is funny how the same music can have two different covers and sound somewhat different. I prefer the cassette occult.

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.

Blood Incantation – Interdimensional Extinction [US, Death] (2015)

Dark Descent | 9-3-15

Oh cool, another space based black metal that fits along side of…wait….death metal? ARE THOSE FUCKING SKULLS FLOATING AROUND SATURN? Blood Incarnation comes via Dark Descent whose label and short history is more than enough to vouch for this Colorado three piece. Death metal has been exciting in the past 10 years and Interdimensional Extinction expands on the styles diversity at least in terms of atmosphere and thematics.

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.

Shroud of the Heretic – Unorthodox Equilibrium [US, Death] (2015)

Iron Bonehead | 7-30-15

I believe my only complaint regarding west coast death metal act Shroud of the Heretic and their 2014 full length Revelations in Alchemy was the cover. Given the cavernous nature and the occult themes which run like imps through that record, I personally felt the white cover did not match the aesthetic of the record. It is a small complaint but something which stuck with me considering how much I enjoyed the record. Imagine my surprise when the band’s new record, Unorthodox Equilibrium comes with a gorgeous cover with a bunch of symbolism that I probably have no business trying to figure out. It is this type of alignment which makes great music shine when a pleasing album cover and competent death metal dances under arcane mysticism.

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.

Vacivus – Rite of Ascension [United Kingdom, Death] (2015)

Goatprayer Records | 7-3-15

UKDM! UKDM! UKDM! Alright, United Kingdom Death Metal isn’t really a thing. In fact, I tried to get a tag going on this site but there were just not enough bands to warrant it. There is death metal from the United Kingdom and a lot of it is really good. In the second age of death metal, there are a few truths and one of them is that good music can be almost anywhere and most likely fucking dangerous.

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.

Scorched – Scorched [US, Death] (2015)

Unspeakable Axe Records | 6-2-15

Oh, Jesus. Look at that album art. It is so silly and awesome.

Scorched does not have a metal archives page as of yet. This is okay since the band has already has a substantial amount of press in Decibel, No Clean Singing, and other blogs regarding their debut self titled demo. Death metal has been growing for the past 10 years with newer bands building on the initial flowing of a traditional death metal sound. There have been few bands in recent memory which sound like they could have been released in 1992. For the most part, newer death is a mix of old, new, and mixtures which make a horrid and gruesome wall. Scorched, from logo, album title, to presentation, sounds like it could have been released in 1992. For all I know this Delaware based band could be time travelers sent forward to release their record in 2015. If not for the sheer excitement and entertainment contained in this demo, I would be be more wary. For now, it is just full of old fun riffs and festering ghouls and I have no complaints.

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.

Abjvration – The Unquenchable Pyre [France, Death / Doom] (2015)

Caligari Records | 4-15-15

Of course. Another Caligari Records release. I will not go into how much I adore this label save for the mention that this cassette heavy label specializes in unearthing some of the more forward thinking and disturbed black/death/doom acts of recent memory. Imagine my lack of surprise when I heard yet another above average doom act with dripping tendrils of misery.

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.

Sulphur Aeon – Gateway To The Antisphere [Germany, Death] (2015)

Imperium Productions | 4-3-13

Holy Gods in the void beyond space, look at that cover. Few times does artwork move me to tears as Sulphur Aeon’s cover for Gateway to the Antisphere. Ola Larsson, who did the band’s previous records as well as Disma’s Towards the Megalith and Death Fortress’ Among the Ranks of the Unconquerable, provides Sulphur Aeon with a unique view into the otherworldly which just by history, should fit the band’s music perfectly.

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.

The Slow Death – Ark [Australia, Death/Doom] (2015)

Chaos Records | 3-16-15

Before traveling into The Slow Death’s third full length release, one has to note the band members and their billion projects. Because this is Australia, bands like Mournful Congregation, Temple Nightside, Murkrat, and Nazxul dot the resumes of the band members involved. Brett Campbell from Pallbearer slides in an the American guest who has been working with the band since 2012. This all seems really odd considering the Slow Death has never been a high profile band seeing their first two releases gone independent and their third being released under a Mexican extreme metal label Chaos Records. I am just going to sit here sitting on my hands and listening to time slowly unravel.

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.