False – Untitled [US, Black] (2015)

Gilead Media | 6-16-15

Oh my goodness. There are so many jokes that could be made about a metal band whoese name is False. I feel if this US black metal act wasn’t so wrought with tension and terror, there could be more jokes made at their expense. False is 6 piece from Minnesota who do not title their records rather just leave them Untitled. While this could be seen as pretentious, the band’s music once again allows them to skirt major criticism. Also the music splits the ground asunder.

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.

Scorched – Scorched [US, Death] (2015)

Unspeakable Axe Records | 6-2-15

Oh, Jesus. Look at that album art. It is so silly and awesome.

Scorched does not have a metal archives page as of yet. This is okay since the band has already has a substantial amount of press in Decibel, No Clean Singing, and other blogs regarding their debut self titled demo. Death metal has been growing for the past 10 years with newer bands building on the initial flowing of a traditional death metal sound. There have been few bands in recent memory which sound like they could have been released in 1992. For the most part, newer death is a mix of old, new, and mixtures which make a horrid and gruesome wall. Scorched, from logo, album title, to presentation, sounds like it could have been released in 1992. For all I know this Delaware based band could be time travelers sent forward to release their record in 2015. If not for the sheer excitement and entertainment contained in this demo, I would be be more wary. For now, it is just full of old fun riffs and festering ghouls and I have no complaints.

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.

Distances – Forage & Reproduce [US, Atmospheric Sludge / Hardcore] (2015)

Self Released | 4-7-15

I think I was initially drawn to Distances becasue of their placement within a sea of other styles of metal. Atmospheric sludge and post metal is not a style that is heavily explored compared to other genres. In fact when it is done it usually falls into the post metal camp which is even sometimes another name for instrumental metal. There have been a few bands recently that have explored to the very primal roots of atmospheric sludge. While that name sounds like it is made up to describe a sound that doesn’t exist, I can think of nothing elese that would caputre the feeling of drowning in jet black waters.

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.

Crypt Sermon – Out of the Garden [US, Doom] (2015)

Dark Descent Records | 2-24-15

This is perhaps the easiest review I have done in recently memory. This isn’t even due to Crypt Sermon being more than decent. The reason Crypt Sermon and their debut Out of the Garden is so easy to write about is due to not only its loyalty to a retro style but also the band’s dedication to Christian imagery. There is also the kick ass album cover. Let us not forget. Regardless of anything that can be said about the band, it is important to note how effective and decent their debut is. If you have forgotten what being embraced int he warm arms of traditional doom feels like let Crypt Sermon be your shepherd.

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.

Utstøtt – Hjørungavågr [US, Black] (2015)

Celestial Oak Productions | 2-20-15

Utstøtt is not shy about its influences. On its Bandcamp page, the lines “A one man Epic Black Metal band from Oregon in the styling of Summoning, Windir, and Caladan Brood” greet any potential listener. If you are familiar with at least two of those bands, one can safely assume Hjørungavågr, the debut album from this one man project, will probably contain music similar to its influences. I mean, the cover is already stepping in line to be similar visually with Summoning and Caladan Brood. This should be easy to assess right? Though Utstøtt is very open about its influences, I feel Hjørungavågr is sold short if thought of as a third rate clone of previous bands.

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.

Swamp Witch – The Slithering Bog [US, Sludge / Doom] (2015)

Self Released | 2-20-15

Listen to the sounds of occult doom. Be smothered by the assurance that your body will eventually creep under slimy bog waters to serve food for horrible monsters. These are my thoughts regarding Swamp Witch, a west coast based doom act who have blown their minds on psychedelic sludge. Somewhere beyond stoner doom lies a more chilly place — a location where mausoleums lie submerged under inky black waters.

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.

Addaura – …and the Lamps Expire [US, Black] (2015)

Self Released | 1-19-15

Atmospheric black metal experienced a partial renaissance and partial burn out in the mid 00’s. I say both because the dreamy style which was pioneered by 90’s black metal bands and made famous by others a decade later saw relative stardom in non metal blogs and publications. Wolves in the Throne Room, Agalloch, Skagos, and a tent full of other bands quickly made a handful of albums which ranged from the not so decent to the pretty good. Part of my discontent for atmospheric black, as well as the post rock template which is infused to its core, was how easy it was to connect to feelings of beauty. The twinkling guitars and contrast between soft and harsh sections over long tracks made it easy for wonder and profound contemplation. It is going to take a really good atmospheric black metal release to begin to break this hard shell of indifference.

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.

Ghoulgotha – The Deathmass Cloak [US, Death] (2015)

Dark Descent Records | 1-13-15

I think I was excited for Ghoulgotha before even hearing the record. First of all, this US death/doom act has one of the coolest names which evokes both hilarity and elaborate imagery. Secondly, their debut is supported by the very venerable Dark Descent Records. Thirdly, The Deathmass Cloak sounds like an artifact in Magic the Gathering. This record has to be absolutely terrible for me not to like it. I am glad my expectations were met with style.

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.

Bewitcher – Midnight Hunters [US, Black / Speed] (2015)

Heretic Fire Records | 1-5-15

Until black speed becomes overblown and well worn, most practitioners of this style will always be greeted with open leather arms. While the style is steeped in the constructed nostalgia of 80’s speed and black metal, to pull off this sound correctly, a band must have not only the skills to play really fast but also attitude which will instigate a bar brawl. Bewitcher is still at the demo level but three releases in, this US based band is building a congregation which is ready to worship at the altar of engine grease.

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.

Death Fortress – Among the Ranks of the Unconquerable [US, Black] (2014)

Fallen Empire | 11-15-14

Death Fortress was one the first real gems that I mined from Fallen Empire records. The short track “Master-Deceiver” appeared on the SVN OKKLT tape compilation along side other great acts like Axis of Light, Eos, and Witch in Her Tomb. Aside from having a really cool name, Death Fortress always had an air of stoic underground black metal, complete with black and white covers and lyrical themes centering
around domination. This was a project whose music felt natural and unforced as it already had all of this genre’s power guiding their every move. Among the Ranks of the Unconquerable is the debut full length coming out of a sea of demos, EPs, and compilation appearances. For a band that seems to strive for this cosmic domination, Among the Ranks of the Unconquerable is a fantastic opening
move.

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.