Spectral Voice – Necrotic Doom [US, Death / Doom] (2015)

Self Released | 1-15-15

Sometimes one just needs the sound of pummeling death/doom to get them through the week. Spectral Voice represents a small piece in a yet to be recognized Colorado metal scene. Spectral Voice is connected to a series of death and doom bands including Abysmal Dimensions and Blood Incantation. While there are of course other bands from Colorado, this small blanket of misery is what is currently most interesting. Perhaps this is the first experience, for many, with Rocky Mountain Death.

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.

Rotting Casket – Simply Rotten Death [Netherlands, Death] (2015)

Self Released | 2-14-15

As of this moment, the lyrical themes for this Dutch death metal bands are not available. I am going to take a guess that Rotting Casket and their debut EP Simply Rotten Death is going to have somewhat to do with dying. I maybe completely wrong but judging by the artwork and general atmosphere, I feel we are stepping into a world of rot and horror. I apologize if this record is filled with optimistic hope.

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.

Ghoulgotha – The Deathmass Cloak [US, Death] (2015)

Dark Descent Records | 1-13-15

I think I was excited for Ghoulgotha before even hearing the record. First of all, this US death/doom act has one of the coolest names which evokes both hilarity and elaborate imagery. Secondly, their debut is supported by the very venerable Dark Descent Records. Thirdly, The Deathmass Cloak sounds like an artifact in Magic the Gathering. This record has to be absolutely terrible for me not to like it. I am glad my expectations were met with style.

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.

Execration – Morbid Dimensions [Norway, Death] (2014)

Duplicate Records | 10-9-14

While I am sure experimental death has existed outside of 2014, this year in general seems more fertile with music that not only evokes horror but is capable of twisting tentacles in odd directions. Though any band deserves to be evaluated on their own merits, Execration’s slides in nicely alongside similar trouble makers Morbus Chron, Horrendous, and Tribulation. Morbid Dimensions may not know which style to run with but the frantic indecisiveness is something which gives the album a charming appeal.

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.

Heavydeath – They Had No Names [Sweden, Death / Doom] (2104)

Caligari Records | 11-21-14

I believe this is the deciding factor. My favorite demo from 2014 is going to be from Swedish band Heavydeath. I know this seems a little early to claim but Heavydeath has had so many good demos, all released in a year, that the competition is slowly being eradicated. I was ecstatic when I found not only Caligari Records but also Heavydeath’s first demo. It has now been a couple of months since and this band has not ceased to release a steady stream of demos. Heavydeath begs me to make sure I have all of my demos lined up and ready to listen to as this death/doom band is one of the better metal acts to come out of left field in 2014.

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.

Nekrofilth – Acid Brain [US, Death / Thrash / Punk] (2014)

Self Released | 10-6-14

There will be no fucks given from this point on. In fact, I may even cut this review short so I can dropkick my computer monitor. If Nekrofilth had a banner waving of them, it would undoubtedly have some sort of vulgar phrase and maybe a crudely drawn penis. Maybe it would be on fire and flinging shit all over you and your date. Maybe it will set your car on fire. Who gives a fuck? Stop crying.

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.

Temple Of Void – Of Terror and the Supernatural [US, Death] (2014)

Saw Her Ghost | 9-30-14

Guys and girls, it is the season of really bloody death. While great death metal happens all year and without season, I always look for horror themed death and doom to compliment the prismatic decay of autumn. While Temple of the void fits into that classification, the band’s music is different than the slash and grind bands of labels like Razorback Records. There is much death in Of Terror and the Supernatural but far from masked killers and renegade witches. Whatever is actually being offered in Temple of Void’s debut is perfect when paired with the crisp chill of an encroaching darkness and cold.

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.

Cemetery Filth – Screams from the Catacombs [US, Death] (2014)

White Ship Records | 7-11-14

Name? Check. Album title? Check. Lyrical themes dealing with graveyards? Check. Sometimes not being surprised when encountering a record is pleasing. Just from a cursory glance at the debut EP from Cemetery Filth one knows they will not be encountering any operatic solos or progressive melodies. In fact, there will probably be more than one reference to the gloom of the undead. Screams from the Catacombs works in the same way formula fiction succeeds as the band is given a task of creating a mood, and they do just that, if not far better.

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.

Coffinborn – Beneath the Cemetery [Hungary, Death] (2014)

Xtreem Music | 7-15-14

When one listens to a lot of metal, there are certain things which becomes common. One is death and the other is evil. there maybe other things like motocycles, dragons, and Lovecraft in there but death and evil covers a wide base. If a band wanted to fill out their entire release with images of rot and decay, they could do so. A lot of bands have. This does not mean, however, it would be any good. Merely getting down the aesthetic is only part of the charm of good heavy metal. Coffinborn, from head to Hungarian toe, is about rot and decay. The band’s album cover, promo photography, and entire existence has been geared towards prying open a cement sarcophagus with a crowbar. It sure is a good thing the music is top notch otherwise this whole thing would be sort of silly.

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.

Wrought Iron – Rejoice and Transcend [US, Black / Death / Grind] (2014)

Grimoire Records | 6-24-14

By any means necessary. Grimoire Records has already shown themselves to be a label who has sympathies for non traditional extreme metal. Though the label sports a number of black, death, and doom bands, the tendency for most of the music they support is to go in different yet interesting directions. Wrought Iron is from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, which isn’t a place known for a legacy in heavy metal. From the brief amount of time I spent there, I have to assume that this western Pennsylvania hub is a gate to nowhere: filled with high hills, overcast clouds, and abandoned factories. Wait. Hold on. This may be perfect.

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.