DSBM

Ghost Bath – Moonlover [International, DSBM] (2015)

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Northern Silence | 3-17-15

Northern Silence | 3-17-15

One of the most surprising development of this year was the proverbial explosion of Chinese depressive black metal act Ghost Bath. Last year, this site reviewed their debut Funeral which was a soul wrenching experience full of piano and pained cries. Though I shouldn’t be surprised at the potential this band had on a larger audience, it is still exciting to see the project get tossed around between larger sites and blogs. Moonlover is the band’s second release in a short time and continues the focus of emotionally scared black metal which is incredibly sensitive regarding mortality.

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Ethereal Shroud – They Became the Falling Ash [UK, DSBM / Doom] (2015)

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Self Released | 2-21-15

Self Released | 2-21-15

Ethereal Shroud was one of Tape Wyrm’s first reviews back in the early years of 2014. The 2014 cassette release of 2013’s Absolution|Emptiness was a fantastic step into the worlds of sorrow and desolation from a relativity unknown artist. Despite me raving about this project to everyone I knew, Ethereal Shroud has been still hidden from the greater public. Perhaps this will be the year that a dark cloud blots out the sun.

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Kalmankantaja – Metsänkulkija [Finland, DSBM] (2015)

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Self Released | 1-13-15

Self Released | 1-13-15

I wish I could express the level of frustration which came after learning that Kalmankantaja had four albums released in 2014. Here was a haunting depressive black metal band, whose name means “death bearer,” that released all this great material without anyone telling me. While I am slightly joking, the fact that Kalmankantaja has gone this long with out proper attention is a near tragedy since there has been an audience for atmospheric dread for decades.

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Ghost Bath – Funeral [China, DSBM] (2014)

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Self Released | 2-14-14

Self Released | 2-14-14

Jesus fuck. Alright, well I have already stated my immense interest in Chinese atmospheric black metal even to the point of tracking down the man behind Pest Productions. However, It has been awhile since I checked back into new releases. Before this review, I found some assorted splits such as the Happy Days / Kanashimi release The Great Depression II which suggested a larger Asian Depressive Suicidal Black Metal (DSBM) scene or at least a push happening in Japan. Ghost Bath is the first band I found which has caused enough reason for pause. Whether or not it is the complete veil of despair or the horrific vocals, but Ghost Bath shakes its listeners to their mortal coil.

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Ethereal Shroud – Absolution|Emptiness [UK, DSBM] (2014)

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Grimoire Cassette Cvlture | 1-14-14

Grimoire Cassette Cvlture | 1-14-14

Note: This album was released October 13th of 2013 but is now being released as a cassette from US based Grimoire Cassette Cvlture.

It is perhaps fitting the bandcamp page for Ethereal Shroud is cast in an almost illegible greyscale. the text is near illegible and there is not much information regarding the record. Because the creator goes by “Anonymous” and everything is released for free without much fanfare, Absolution|Emptiness comes cast in a fog of obscurity. This, of course, is the correct atmosphere one strives for when releasing depressive black metal. It is almost as it is cast in an abstract veil. Alright, fine … cast in an ethereal shroud. There.

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