Burzygóry – Burzygóry [Finland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Standard

Naturmacht Productions | 5-28-20

Bookmarked for greatness. I am going to precede this review with the fact I dislike the cover for Burzygóry as well as the name. I do not know what it is amaboutt both of them but they are repellent and I do not think I would have listened to this had I not been intrigued by the label. With all of that out of the way, I am glad i did listen. Burzygóry is thew work of Zannibal who is one third of the folk/black act Marrasmieli. In true fashion of dungeon synth, Zannibal sets out to create familiar and alien landscapes with the mastery of someone who has been doing this for years. Burzygóry is not only refined but it is effective at its settlement in the colony of dungeon synth.

Continue reading

Profane Congregation – Apocalyptic Visions [Finland, Raw Black] (2020)

Standard

Morbid Chapel Records | 5-11-20

Full disclosure: This 25 minute full length was released in 2016 on Astral Temple with a tape run of 100 copies. This current distribution is a CD run at 500 copies on Morbid Chapel records. I do not know where to put this as sometimes I bump up the years for releases that never saw the light of day until the next calendar year with a larger distribution. This is a 2016 record but I am sure everyone is hearing it in 2020. If this sort of thing does not bother you and you are just here for longform shredding raw black that swirls like specters around graven monuments, then Apocalyptic Visions is for you. I know it is for me but I just dont know when it is.

Continue reading

Bythos – Womb of Zero [Finland, Black] (2020)

Standard

TERRATUR POSSESSIONS | 4-24-20

This was waiting to be found. TERRATUR POSSESSIONS is not going to be some hidden gem label as they have released some important records not least many of Icelandic black albums that took up the mid 00’s. I do not know how I got here but this was just released and I was here anyway so here we go. Bythos is a new entity with not much in the way of information but that is the main aesthetic for many bands. Production wise, Womb of Zero is on the higher end with swirling melodies that never dissolve into noise. These melodies are anchored by harsh vocals which, for as strange as it sounds, are accessible for the gravely quality. Bythos for all of its Luciferian orthodox motif is a black metal album that potential crossover appeal as solid listenable black metal record supported by a label with a few years of experience to their name.

Continue reading

Obscure Burial – Imago Mortis [Finland, Death] (2017)

Standard

Self Released | 6-29-17

Well, fuck. It was only recently that I discarded the category of “Single” for this site as bands usually do not release singles. Here we are with a single from Obscure Burial and me looking fucking stupid. I guess a single could work in the same fashion of a demo though this one seems to be from a forthcoming debut. Whatever it is and whatever you want tocall it, the clouds and winds are just right for some hellish storms.

Continue reading

Celestial Grave – Burial Ground Trance [Finland, Black] (2016)

Standard
Iron Bonehead | 7-7-11

Iron Bonehead | 7-7-11

Cool name. Check. Cool album title. Check. Iron Bonehead check. Finland. Check. Demo. Check. Cryptic artwork. Check. Well it looks like we got everything we need ladies and gentleman. Sometimes a release already comes with so much to like about it, it is amazing how much it grows beyond expectations. Celestial Grave already has at least 50 fans just on paper but this Finnish duo’s demo is so impressive that it may have the ability to capture the tortured imaginations of so much more.

Continue reading

Kalmankantaja – Waldeinsamkeit [Finland, Black] (2016)

Standard

a2315333598_10

Even though it is has only been a year since the release of Muinainen, it still feels like ages since Kalmankantaja put out a release. This feeling is due to the fact that in 2014, the Finnish one piece released four full lengths which were all pretty decent and racked with horror. Let us not forget the five splits and one EP also released in 2015. Perhaps 2016 is the year for ten demos from a a band that does not seem to be running out of grief to spill onto a record.

Continue reading

Khanus – Rites of Fire [Finland, Death / Avant] (2016)

Standard
Self Released | 2-11-16

Self Released | 2-11-16

I maybe way off base but this is fucking weird. Wait, that is not way off base. This is fucking weird. I hesitate stepping into this because this is so weird that it is bordering on exhilarating and terrifying. Khanus is from Finland and that is about the extent of my own knowledge as all searching on the internet brings people to the Bandcamp page. As of writing this review, there is only a Facebook and Bandcamp associated with the band. Sure this lack of inforamtion is not a stretch in terms of underground metal but by just listening to this short EP, it sounds like the band and has the world to say.

Continue reading

Kalmankantaja – Muinainen [Finland, DSBM] (2015)

Standard
War Against Yourself Records | 5-13-15

War Against Yourself Records | 5-13-15

I mentioned my frustration at just discovering Kalmankantaja this year despite the fact this Finish depressive black metal band put out 4 records in 2014 with all of them being released from August to November of the same year. Here was a prolific heavy metal act, whose name means “Death Bringer,” that was releasing a billion records without my knowledge. I was furious. Perhaps it is more telling that he band does all their music in their native tongue and has album names which battle with the band name as to be which can more more confusing when spelled out. This was everything I desired in a black metal band.

Continue reading

Arche – Undercurrents [Finland, Funeral Doom] (2015)

Standard
Self Released | 7-11-15

Self Released | 7-11-15

Hooray. A band that is not on the Metal Archives so I have no idea what this is or how it is related to anything. It also appears that this Finnish funeral doom band has either just started or is hiding in the thick of obscurity. Undercurrents is probably the first EP from the Finnish three piece which makes the most use from the lack of members. All that is needed is a fresh view on doom and the weight of eternity at your side.

Continue reading

Devouring Star – Through Lung and Heart [Finland, Black / Death] (2015)

Standard
Daemon Worship Productions | 2-1-15

Daemon Worship Productions | 2-1-15

Devouring Star’s 2014 demo was one of the first releases for Tape Wyrm. It was also one of the first releases which strengthened my interest in lesser known metal. Here was a cassette demo pressed about 200 times and released through two underground labels. Somewhere and somehow this Finish band raked in praise for the demo and anticipation for their first release by Daemon Worship. In a world where black/death can get hyped by its fans, Devouring Star is an act in which you can safely shake with excitement. This shaking can also lead to convulsions.

Continue reading