US

Diabolic Oath – MMXIX [US, Black] (2019)

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Sentient Ruin | 6-26-20

So the way I found this record was first finding the band’s 2019 demo and being upset that such a great sound went missed int he year it was released. I was then shown a dark light which led me to the band’s 2020 full length from Sentient Ruin which is now allowing me to drown in a sea of ghosts. Diabolic Oath is the extension of Shroud of the Heretic, an Oregon based death metal act that has their noses in grimoires. Diabolic Path continues that obsession with a sound that is both polished but ragged with rough edges. Black, death, and doom swirl around this release much like its cover in a declaration of spectral malice.

Ranseur – Elves, The Primordial [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-28-20

I can remember the releases from Ranseur in the mid 00’s right around when dungeon noise was causing rifts among the DS scene. Ranseur was not noise rather a primitive approach to an already bare style. I still have my tape of Obsidian Throne which I got through the primitive tape label Path of Silence which made everything more exciting. I do not know how to frame this release as I do not think Elves, The Primordial is for everyone even those who are into dungeon synth. what I feel about Elves, The Primordial is that if you are already subscribed to the idea of experimentation that it might be the perfect place to start for an artist that is the living embodiment of the hermit character and this newest release is a basket of strange mushrooms they picked from the forest. Whimsical and melodious these wandering sketches are approachable and showcase the artists love for the music without the hurdles of raw lo fidelity. Elves, The Primordial makes me remember Ransuer and appreciate hearing this type of music once again.

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Fleshdriver – Leech [US, Death] (2020)

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Redefining Darkness | 7-31-20

Full support for a new (old) sound of death metal/ As much as I appreciate and laud the grime ridden sound of basement death metal, something different is always appreciated. From the lands of Florida comes an unabashed Swedeath Dismember era style death and for all of its worship succeeds in a demo that is gross, rude, and incredibly fun to listen to. 100% devoted to the Boss HM2 sound, Leech may not be breaking new ground but this familiar trail is something that works more often times than it realistically should.

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Phthisis – Embodiment of Decay [US, Death] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-22-20

This is rotten. Well, I guess that is the point. Phthisis is named after the deity of rot and decay and has even put that deception as the demo title. Along with a cover that exudes rot and a sound that sounds slimey, this act is ready to be disciples of doom smoked death metal riffs that is as dark and dank as the basement in which all of this stuff is created. I love this sound and despite the band not really breaking any new ground, Embodiment of Decay is a fantastic demo from a competent set of individuals who may or may not be skeletons playing in a band.

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Saccular – Excrescence Odium [US, Brutal Death / Grind] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-20-20

These genres are usually something I do not seek out on my own. Brutal death has its history and style which has grown to be something that is for certain people. I am not one of them. This does not mean I do not enjoy the face first dive into gross subject matter rather to do so has to be done with some tact and reservation. I cant believe I’m talking about tact with this style of music but Excrescence Odium circumvents the ordinarily sexual pathology of brutal deaths history with a half of a split that explores the outer body experience of abstract torment. The music on this split is less a collection of songs rather sheets of slime that drown the listener and while I propped up the high concept notion of the music, the Bandcamp picture is still the creator on a hood with an axe. This is goregrind that doesn’t chop at the lowest hanging fruit but rather twists and deforms itself into something unrecognizable and wonderful.

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Ataudes – Merecemos La Extincion [Death / Black] (2020)

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Desert Wasteland Productions | 6-22-20

I do not think i have reviewed a DWP release in a while. Fleshrot at the beginning of the year was an exciting way to begin the year but now looking at the catalog of material which has been released these past months, it seems like I have much more to digest. If you are familar with DWP material, this digestion is going to be like chewing concrete as this New Mexican label specializes in horrid radioactive death that has little rhyme or reason to exist other than pure destruction. Ataudes is an Argentina duo that brings the force of black/death powered by crude oil in what sounds like a machine of torment. Black smoke pours from this machine and it is all wonderful.

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Fogweaver / Erreth-Akbe – The Immanent Grove [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-23-20

It was through Faberglade Records that I first heard Erreth-Akbe and their release If Not a Happy Ending, a True Joy. It was also through Faberglade records I saw Fogweaver’s latest release Spellwind was being included in the bundle i missed out on. It was today I saw the two artist collaborating on a split that might not excite the majority of the population but for some of us who have been following these small labels, it is a welcome surprise. Both artists bring a sense of magic and melody to a split that showcases each side as a competent composer of wonder. The Bandcamp has dedications to each other as if this meeting was the congregation of two wizards sharing spells in the forest. Maybe it was. For now we are left with a split that is instantly accessible for both veterans to small labels and new people who just wandered into this grove by happenstance.

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Vale Minstrel – Warden of the Vale [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-18-20

I do not want to be critical but I feel the only thing I dislike about this release is the logo as it does not truly capture the magic which floats around this release like magical pollen. Vale Minstrel has tagged this release with “JRPG” among other things. The more I think about it the more I am inclined to believe this music would be perfect for a cozy new gen RPG set in some distant land. Warden of the Vales full dedication to fantasy themes is evident with music that is both immersive and competent.

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Torture Tomb – Killing to See How It Feels [US, Death Metal] (2020)

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Transylvanian Tapes | 6-6-20

First of all I would like to give this band 10 points for their name as it is really cool. Second of all I would like to give this band 5 points for artwork. Last of all, I will be scattering points here and there for riffs that are scattered throughout this EP. Torture Tomb is listed as “Blackened Death Metal,” so I will throw that out there despite not really hearing black at all in this new EP. Genres though do not matter when you are being flung against the wall by encroaching zombies. Embrace the undead.

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Titan – I [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Dungeon Deep Records | 6-10-20

“Titan brings us a unique brand of medieval synth music driven by a style reminiscent of old school PS1 style video game soundtrack.” I am currently having a fight with someone whether or not this music is PS1 or PS2 era. This seems to be the most important thing to deal with right now. Dungeon Deep Records has continued to be a force in the DS world bringing new and old ambient to a market that is ravenous for this sound. Titan’s 2019 release made a mild noise upon its release but now with the tape release, which I hopefully can still get, the world of PS1 or PS2 era soundtracks come into full force and with sharp polygons.

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