US

Ose – Rituum [US, Black] (2017)

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Self Released | 1-30-17

I love the tag of NCBM as if I am missing some big North Carolina black metal scene. Ha. Wait. I am not am I? Please tell me if I am and I will be down there in less than 10 hours. Rituum just came out and by the looks of it, I am the one of the few that showed up super early to this party. With no Metal Archives and a Facebook page that hasn’t been updated in years, I can safely wonder if Ose actually exists. If they do not then I have this near amazing demo to show for my efforts.

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Noctis – Gamaliel [US. Black / Noise] (2017)

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Self Released | 01-26-17

One song releases are difficult to assess in terms of potential. For the most part single and 1 track demos are made by the dozen but hardly ever covered due to their insubstantial nature. there just isn’t that much one can do with 1 track that is even less than 5 minutes. what one can do is look at past works and compare the single track to surmise where the music could potentially travel. If one was doing that for Noctis, the answer would be the depths of chaos.

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Grave Plague – The Infected Crypts [US, Death] (2017)

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Self Released | 01-13-17

It is interesting that the label / distribution company made mention of the innumerable old school death metal acts as of late when introducing US based Grave Plague. It is almost as if the novelty of playing old school death metal has been noted and is starting to turn sour. If you would have told me I would get tired of kick ass riffs and colorful imagery like grave plagues and infected crypts, I would have called you crazy. Listen, I understand there could be some people who would tire of relentless music that sounds like heavy tombstones thrown into the hillside but I am not at that point yet.

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Maltheist – Maltheist [US, Death / Grind] (2016)

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Nailbat Tapes | 11-12-16

Nailbat Tapes | 11-12-16

I am actually getting sort of mad at the West Coast for having such a gnarly scene of disgusting black and death metal. Out of left field comes another act with little information a loud bite. Where are all of these bands coming from? Do they all Maltheist is from Portland Oregon and their 11 track demo has the consistency of gasoline igniting in a glass bottle.

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A.S.M. – DEMO 2016 [US, Black / Death] (2016)

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Self Released | 9 -27-16

Self Released | 9 -27-16

I get incredulous when things like this pass me by or atleast someone else clues me into its existence. Add to this the fact this band is in the same state as me and the fact that they have an unmistakable album cover plus being a demo and I start to wonder how many other things I have missed out on.

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Black Citadel – Ancestral Shadows [US, Raw Black] (2016)

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Les Fleurs du Mal Productions | 10-13-16

Les Fleurs du Mal Productions | 10-13-16

In chaos, there is rest. Black Citadel is a US based black metal band and I usually spend my time here introducing the information related to the band or perhaps the lack there of. Black Citadel is one of those bands where the music takes up most of the talking points. Ancestral Shadows is the second release this year for the band which is strapped together with a two song EP released earlier this year. We are just going to assume this is the debut demo for a band that has a lot of mystery attached to its name.

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Malleus – Storm of Witchcraft [US, Black / Death / Punk] (2016)

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Self Released | 9-25-16

Self Released | 9-25-16

There are about six different bands with the name Malleus perhaps because the name, meaning hammer, provokes imagery of forceful dread. While it is also the name of a bone inside ones ears, I? feel bands have chosen to name for the infamous witch hunting book, Malleus Maleficarum, as their patron saint. To Be honest, I couldn’t think of a better name to accompany a raw and filthy tribute of first wave black metal.

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Void Omina – Dying Light [US, Black] (2016)

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Self Released | 6-20-16

Self Released | 6-20-16

Black metal being played in 2016 is nothing new. In fact,I feel this blog wouldn’t exist if it were not for this fact. Void Omina plays black metal and are from the United States. Again, this is nothing new. In fact, there is nothing really remarkable about Void Omina, on the surface, that would separate them from everything else. Besides a brightly colored album art with space things, this is just black metal played with fierce precision from five guys from Oakland California. Maybe that is why it is receiving a substantial following from people.

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Haunter – Thrinodίa [US, Black / Death / Progressive] (2016)

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Self Released | 5-30-16

Self Released | 5-30-16

There are sometimes when an album or even a band can baffle you to the point of taking a while to process. There are sometimes when a band’s sound is so untraceable that it develops a type of charm in its mystery. This is what the Texas based band Haunter is doing. This is what Haunter is doing. While the style of cryptic black/death has been well explored, this Texas based band is riding through the cavernous sound on a rickety progressive rollercoaster. Unlike even other bands who do the same thing, Haunter’s dedication or addiction to lo-fi production and destruction makes this release a treat or complete fucking puzzle for some people.

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L.O.R.E. – Demo [US, Black] (2016)

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Self Released | 5-8-16

Self Released | 5-8-16

I make jokes about the black metal stock market in that you feel good when you find a band before everyone else does. The joke goes that you can buy low and then sell at a profit. I obviously have a very limited knowledge of stock trading but I feel pretty confident on finding out of the way black metal. I know nothing about L.O.R.E other than their Bandcamp Page and a few tags on Facebook. This is all surprising because their demo which appeared out of nowhere looks like it is designated for greatness.

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