Death Karma – The History of Death & Burial Rituals Part I [Czech Republic, Black/Death] (2015)

Iron Bonehead Productions | 2-13-15

Even before listening to Death Karma, there is a lot to process. First of all are the members which already inhabit the semi popular Czech act Cult of Fire and Lykathea Aflame. Secondaly, the concept for Death Karma’s debut record, The History of Death & Burial Rituals Part I, also gives reason for more attention even before beginning the first track. Instead of easing into the world of black/death, the act has decided to dedicate themselves to a global tour of burial rituals from Slovakia to China. This would already be an interesting prompt for a metal record but the addition of Death Karma’s unorthodox approach to the black/death sound makes it near spectacular.

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.

Khthoniik Cerviiks – Heptaedrone [Germany, Black / Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 8-12-14

If one thing I am thankful for with Heptaedrone, it is the minute long introduction which precedes the actual music. Not only does the introduction set the mood with atmosphere and sound effects but it also gives a brief pause before the world comes collapsing in on itself. Take whatever you can get because there will be no room to breathe for the next 43 minutes.

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.

Athanatos – Unholy Union [Chile, Black / Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 6-13-14

Demos are a fantastic display of talent and potential for a limited amount of time. Rather than devoting attention to a full release, a listener can cycle through a catalog of up and coming bands before their introductory debut. I believe this is the reason why so many people get excited for demos especially ones that offer a chance at something unorthodox. Athanatos comes with little information other than a 17 minute demo. The band’s sound may start out traditional but ends somewhere south of depraved. I am thankful for demos as some records need to come in shorter running time lest the threads of mental stability be lost forever.

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.

Gnosis of the Witch – Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar [US, Black] (2014)

Iron Bonehead Productions | 6-14-14

Alright. So this is what is happening now. I see. Might as well go to the ground and cover my head for the ensuing storm. It was nice knowing all of you. If there is anything I can count on Iron Bonehead doing, it is unearthing this album that should have remained undiscovered. Not because said things are terrible, rather the world can only hold so much darkness and evil at one time that the very fabric of order might begin to fray. The planet is not ready for Gnosis of the Witch.

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.

Slaughtbbath / Hades Archer [Chile, Black] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 5-9-14

South American black and death metal is ferocious to the point of being scary. The continent had developments of black and death metal much like the same from the Europe and America but did it with a raw sensibility with less concern about genre distinction. Even this split between two Chilean black metal artists sounds like a cross between black, death, and some sort of exploding swine monster. There is no wispy atmosphere from here on out, only bowels of the underworld where flesh is consumed nightly.

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.

Nechbeyth – Coerce Creed [Singapore, Black / Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 1-13-14

Yes, absolutely. Your first experience with the Singapore band Nechbeyth should most definitely be this short EP. This is not to say the band’s debut album Blood.Axis.Domination lacks in quality rather Nechbeyth’s brand of dissonant and structureless chaos is best experience either in short bits or with a licensed counselor who can guide you through the more difficult parts.

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.

Verberis – Vastitas [New Zealand, Black/Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 4-3-14

16 minutes is not a lot of time for introductions. I mean what can this short span of time really communicate about ones’ intentions and plans for the future? With so much new music being released everyday, what can 16 minutes do in the face of hundreds of other demos? New Zealand’s Verberis has chosen to take this brief opportunity to make their sound memorable by hypnotizing their audience and showing them a world where black / death can be slightly psychedelic or at least mind erasing. This isn’t usually how I feel when listening to black / death but I will take it as a sign that things, for a little bit, are going to be from the land of strange.

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.

Skelethal – Deathmanicvs Revelation [France, Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 3-4-14

Hooray French death! It should be noted that this band has two releases in 2014. One is this EP and the other is a reissue of the band’s 2012 demos packaged together with Swedish death act Inisans. That other release is being handled by Caligari Records while Deathmanicvs Revelation is headed up by our trustworthy friend Iron Bonehead. Enough time spent hopping around lesser known labels will reveal a network of filth, evil, and interconnected madness. By Hook or crook, Skelethal is entering in through your front door.

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.

Heresiarch – Wælwulf [New Zealand, Black / Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 3-14-14

From the arms of Dark Descent Records to the equally loving hands of Iron Bonehead comes the maelstrom called Heresiarch and their second EP Wælwulf. Heresiarch was loosely related to follow New Zealand acts Diocletian and Witchchrist but since then their lineup possesses no connections. The band is free of ties and responsibility and possess a freedom to make primitive black noise. I understand sometimes people use the term “madness” and “barbaric” to describe metal music but it is important to realize what near lawlessness would sound like. It certainly would have the atmosphere yet be entirely without grooves or points for orientation.

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.