Crown of Asteria – Sol [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 8-11-14

Before I start this review, I must state that atmospheric black metal is something that is used by a lot of people. Because of this, its potency is less compared to black/thrash or death/doom. This is frustrating as decent atmospheric black metal bands get lost in the dissing array of records and bands. Additionally, atmospheric black metals preoccupation with nature, space, and non traditional heavy metal themes become the new norm. Crown of Asteria does not make itself known because it breaks any conventions on black ambient and atmospheric black metal rather because it invests itself so fully into music that Sol seems to be a reasonable end to a style experiment started over a decade ago.

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.

Petrychor – Makrokosmos [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 7-10-14

Scouring Bandcamp has its benefits. While there is the inevitable burnt feeling when encountering the 100th atmospheric or second wave black metal record, there can be deep feeling of gratitutde with records which break formation. This is not to say all left field metal records are good rather they benefit from uniqueness when compared to the heavy metal norm. There is an expected loss of traditional harshness when traveling so far away from the expected but sometimes one can find something truly interesting with the right sense of adventure. Makrokosmos is the second true full length record from Petrychor and offers something that is truly cosmic and transcendental. I do not think it is anything you are expecting.

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.

Hiverna – II. Macabre [Canada, Folk / Black] (2014)

Self Released | 6-6-14

Yes. Please file this away under “amazing album art.” Hiverna is a black folk outfit from the highlands of Canada. If the trollish figure on the cover drawn by Olivier Villoingt was not enough indication, the band has made it their lot in life to catalog the dark elements of folk metal. If you have come for snarling monsters which most likely reside in the deep part of the woods, then you have certainly come to right place.

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.

Judd Madden – Everything In Waves [Austrailia, Stoner Doom] (2014)

Self Released | 6-6-14

I have been privy to Judd Madden for a couple of years. Somewhere and somehow, I ran across these beautifully illustrated doom albums, for free, on Bandcamp. After some interviews and correspondence, I learned Judd Madden was the name of the creator and one man instrumental bedroom doom project. Along with all instruments, Madden illustrated each cover for records which seem to possess deep conceptual bearings. In the short span of 4 years, Madden has made 7 full lengths and is showing little signs of slowing until the lower half of the earth is cast in a perpetual red haze of slow decay.

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.

Vyrion – Geo [Australia, Progressive / Black]

Self Released | 7-4-14

At this moment, unbeknownst to most people, there is something interesting happening in Australia. Plumbing the depths of lesser known heavy metal brings to light some wonderful acts and extraordinary albums which have gone may have been all together forgotten or never heard. Vyrion has been around since the late 00’s with their first release in 2011. I speak with surprise that there hasn’t been more of a commotion as Vyrion’s competency in making forceful black metal is astounding with Geo, the band’s second record, a continuation in a mid-fi progressive odyssey.

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.

Heron – Sacrafice [US, Black] (2014)

Self Released | 2-25-14

Heron has a short legacy of putting out really short releases. Inf act, Sacrifice, the band’s third release comes at 10 minutes with a digital bonus track which puts it up to around 15. Do not get too excited. Length is not really an issue for demos, EPs, and splits as it merely introduces the band in the briefest way possible. Heron is interesting because it does not take that long for the band to be done speaking. Though some black metal can take 5 to ten minutes with a song, Heron is done by three. This brevity is not due to any lack of talent rather the band has merely said everything they wish to say.

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.

Act of Impalement – Echoes of Wrath [US, Death / Doom / Black] (2014)

Self Released | 4-2-14

Sometimes releases are way too short. Actually most EPs and demos are way too short but that is sort of the point right? Act of Impalement’s 4th release follows three other short demos and EPs with their debut demo only 7 minutes long. Echoes of Wrath is at a healthy 11 minutes but I wonder what a full length release would bring. I only bring up length as Act of Implement’s potential in hitting an interesting mix of black, death, and doom is so entertaining, I wonder what the band would do given enough time, money, and a nurtured obsession with death by stake.

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.

Qrixkuor – Consecration of the Temple [UK, Death] (2014)

Self Released | 4-26-14

Oh man, here comes a flood of occult death. Qrixkuor is the name of a bird from a philosophical magic text written by Kenneth Grant. Grant’s work on the Thelemite religion continues the tradition popularized by Aleister Crowley. All of this is pretext to Qrixkuor, who may or may not have gone one step further in their image of obscured occultism. Ancient orders and mystic cults may now come with the cavernous sounds of echoing 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.

Catapult The Dead – All Is Sorrow [US, Atmospheric Sludge] (2014)

Self Released | 4-20-14

When I saw the release date and the genre I thought I had this record figured. This will be a stroll down the stoner sludge trail with fleeting references to wizards or space dragons. However, whatever I just listened to is something different. From band name to album art to music style, Catapult the Dead is odd. This US atmospheric sludge act sits in a strange spot which skirts easy understanding. This is not groovy sludge with lax views on recreational drugs. I thought 4/20 was a day to you know … do something else besides sitting in limbo tortured by the pains of being.

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.

Triumvir Foul – An Oath of Blood and Fire [US, Death] (2014)

Self Released |4-13-14

Yes. Alright who is ready for some West Coast American death? I just hope you do not want too much information about this group as I have very little. I can promise little aside from menacing joy. From what I can gather, Triumvir Foul is a Portland two piece who has made it their goal in life to worship at the church of OSDM. Armed with influences and a penchant for shredding, this band plans to make its mark with the blood of whoever just got run over by the bulldozer. When madness and destruction are the sermons, devotion becomes a hellish experience.

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.