The Temple – As Once Was [Greece, Doom] (2015)

Self Released | 1-1-15

As the year comes to a close, so comes a slew of records scheduled for 2015 release but actually in full late 2014. This is going to be hellish for classifying. It wouldn’t really matter if these records were not worth noting. Instead of a really boring EP from a Greek traditional metal band, As Once Was has to be something of particular interest and thus really hard to discuss at the end of the year. Goddamn it.

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.

Ekranoplan – Demo [Germany, Sludge / Crust] (2014)

Yehonala Tapes | 11-8-14

Whenever a release starts out with a clenched fist feeling, one knows it is going to be a good release. Ekranoplan supposedly has members of the funeral doom metal band Ahab in it but I can not find any relevant information regarding this project. All evidence of Ekranoplan is in the form of a 5 song demo which is aptly titled Demo. I do not think I need any further introduction.

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.

Terra Deep / Hyperborean Skies – Mariposa [US, Black] (2014)

Manicidic Black / Mysterious Stranger | 11-30-14

I have stated before that one of the best ways to look for new bands is through splits. Usually splits will showcase two or even three bands you may or may not be aware of. Sometimes, splits will showcase a couple of bands as well as a new label. Mysterious Stranger lives up to its name as a new label that has one release to their name, which is this one. What Mysterious Stranger lacks in experience they make up for in potential. If future releases are as interesting as the Mariposa split, then I would be more than willing to start collecting libraries of their cassettes.

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.

Saðr – Unascended Master [US, Dark Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 11-21-14

This maybe one of the strangest and unconventional releases of the year. I only say that since Saðr (Sathr) is borderline heavy metal with more devotion to experimental electronic and avant garde music. If it were not for the tortured cries fo what sounds like wood ghouls deep within an overgrown forest, I would reconsider Unascended Master‘s place on a metal blog. While the album lacks any heavy distortion, the looming death makes up for any absence of traditional sound.

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.

Xatatax – Demo 2014 [US, Doom/Thrash/Crust] (2014)

Self Released | 7-12-14

When a band has their first single release titled “Barf at the Moon,” one can make a couple of guesses at what the band’s body of work will contain. Xatatax may have a couple of surprises here and there but audiences can safely bet on further releases being similar to a house party which is both collapsing as well as engulfed in flames. The band’s name is a palindrome which is fitting as their music is both filthy forwards and back.

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.

Space Witch – Space Witch [UK, Sludge / Doom] (2014)

Self Released | 7-3-14

I mean, come on. Why not? Space Witch’s debut full length begins with a shlocky sci fi clip of a maniacal overlord wishing destruction on earth. Afterwards, a slow deluge of stoner doom floods the landscape while effects dance in the air. By looking at the tracklist, Space Witch’s self titled release has two songs both coming in at 30 minutes. It does not take a genius to figure out what the next hour will be and smell like. With all of that said, this British band manages to make the best of expectations and give its listeners a wild ride through mind melting cosmic space.

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.

Merda Mundi – VI – Khaos [Belgium, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 7-6-14

It is difficult not to be repulsed by Merda Mundu. This Belgium black metal project takes its name from a Latin translation meaning “shit of the world” and the project’s Bandcamp proudly exclaims songs and albums as “musical excrement.” This, combined with punishing mid fi black metal makes for dynamic terror which has the potential to scare the living. Whatever creator Déhà seems to be doing though is all for a purpose. Whether that purpose is covering the whole world in a mixture of beauty and defilement is a conversation for later.

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.

Naðra – Eitur [Iceland, Black] (2014)

Vánagandr | 4-01-14

Na…..something….ra. I am taking a wild guess that it sounds sort of like Na-th-ra but in a more nuanced and chilly tone. Naðra comes as the confluence between three as of yet discovered metal bands from Iceland. If Carpe Noctem, Dysthymia, and Abacination come as blanks in ones metal knowledge, then Naðra can possibly your 4th Icelandic metal band you just found out about today. If I seem joking about Iceland’s metal climate it is only because it, as a country, as a far lower amount of metal bands than others. While this may seem obvious due to size, the actual product of heavy metal in Iceland is nothing short of fierce and ferocious.

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.