Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.7.2, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Tape Wyrm ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [ISPUTINAW - THE ELMS ARMS [CANADA, DARK AMBIENT / DRONE / DUNGEON SYNTH] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4638) - As you enter the thicket and climb the branches, the wind whispers, the stars flicker in the night sky, and the sun’s light reflects off of the moon. The nearby lake is patient and calm while the tributaries are alive and flowing. Isputinaw’s debut demo from 2021 is a portal to a scene of naturalistic - [Olde Bard - Jewels Of The Spidercrown [US, Heavy / Black] (2024)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4644) - I swear to god that I was trying to start reviewing black metal again away from dungeon synth and ended up with a Grime Stone release. This is okay though as this label has been a source of wonderful pleasant sounding music and also what amounts to a basket of rats. Jewels Of The Spidercrown - [Bokkerijders - Silver Dust and Swords Of Gold [Belgium, Black / Thrash] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4626) - All hail rock and roll. Well, parts of this. Bokkerijders is a black metal band with only one demo released in 2022. Silver Dust and Swords Of Gold is probably a demo but it was released two days ago and their Metal Archives page hasn't been updated. This feels like a demo or even EP - [Dungeon Synth Compendium #4](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4608) - Into the Dungeon: D&D, OSR, DS, And Other Acronyms Originally printed in CANDLE II (2022) /// Music has always been important to me when playing a tabletop Role Playing Game (RPG). I can understand if this sentiment is not universal, but it always seemed odd to me as a player if the organizer didn't play - [Dungeon Synth Compendium #3](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4590) - I've done 191 "official" releases but like most people, I have secret projects across the diaspora of Bandcamp. Ni'ilok is responding to me through text and discord about their releases. I then ask why if they have so many releases there would be a need for secret ones. To this question they send me back - [Dungeon Synth Compendium #1](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4501) - The Weirding Ways of Windkey Tapes Over the past many years, I have written numerous things about Evergreen. From reviewing releases from Fableglade Records to the projects of Fogweaver, Snowspire, and Keys to Oneieria there are many points where I have something to talk about. I feel I shy away from new releases for - [Dungeon Synth Compendium #2](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4539) - Theatre of Mystery It is 2017 and I'm trying to figure out this puzzle. To remain in this dungeon synth scene that I have invested time and written articles about, I had to be one of the people who got these tapes. I also hate puzzles and to purchase these mystery tapes I have - [enchantedwoods333 / October 32nd - Fairies Are Real [US, Dungeon Synth / Black Metal] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4585) - If nothing else I can always count on Grimestone for making weird music. enchantedwoods333 and October 32nd are two artists who do not have many things around the internet regarding any further information. Faeries Are Real is the only release from Grimstone which makes this one instance the only place where these two artists exist. - [Elvenverse - Skeletronomicon IV: The Quest for Daelgron [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4582) - "Quest music and OST's from a host of fully-imagined adventure games from the late 80's/Early 90s." Yes, this is everything I love. Dungeon synth and CRPG music have many things in common and the idea of creating fictionalized OSTs for games that could have existed has been done in the past and it is always - [Nahadoth - Walking Tunes of the Valley Mourners [US, Dungeon Synth] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4578) - As per usual, this is tagged as dungeon synth but it really is something else entirely. Adam Matlock is the creator of project that around the mid to late 2010's people would recognize including Conqueror's Mourn, Pendragon, and of course Nahadoth. Matlock's project include a penchant for esoteric instruments and handdrawn album designs and packaging. - [Abjectress - Cryptic Incantations (Demo I) [US, Black] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4575) - Praise Oblivion Abjectress is a project by Lolth, a black metal and sometimes synth musician who also runs a label called Cult of Oblivion. Cult of Oblivion is new and Cryptic Incantations seems to be the first demo from the entity. You can only stream on of the songs and if you wanted to hear - [Enchanted Mail - I [Dungeon Synth / Noise] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4572) - Allow the noise to wash over me. Ithildin Tape Production has existed since 2022 as a repository for many projects made by US based musician Elminster. Enchanted Mail could be another Elminster project but at this moment it is going to take dedicated research as the roster and releases from Ithildin are many. I am - [EL SANTO - El Enmascarado de Plata [US, Dungeon Synth] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4567) - El Santo is the name of a seemingly one off project from the musician Grimdor. Grimdor makes music under many names and Dark Sorcery Records seems to be a haven for all of the strange magic they do. This releases is inspired and dedicated to Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta, known professionally as El Santo, who was - [Antediluvian - Vengeance Marches in Sacred Flames​.​.​. [Sweden, Black / Death] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4564) - This is a Swedish act with the same name as the Canadian Antediluvian on NWN. Bands can do whatever they want but I feel the market for black / death with the name Antediluvian is already crowded. Vengeance Marches in Sacred Flames​.​.​. is the debut demo from the act which has yet to have any - [DEMO MMXXIII](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4547) - DEMO MMXXIII by Abhorrent Execration France // Death // Self Released This is fucking gross. Abhorrent Execration has two demos from 2023. DEMO MMXXIII is the first from April with Death​.​.​. Doom​.​.​. Despair​.​.​. from June. They both have black and red covers which are like a honey trap for people looking for disgusting things. Everything - [Atra - Death Coven [Australia, Raw Black] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4534) - Eternally stoned. I once again got you ere under false pretenses. This record is a 2023 reissue of a 2010 album originally on the Portuguese label Discipline Productions. Atra is an Australian act which is apart of a circle of musicians known as Order of the Black Serpent. That circle is comprised of members from - [Weird Naïve Magic (Andrew Werdna)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3743) - By Andrew Werdna (Dungeon Synth Blog) I: Beginnings I first discovered dungeon synth around 2005. I was a teenager in full-on black metal edgelord elitist mode, rejecting pretty much all the music I had previously enjoyed. Interestingly, Emperor's first demo and EP were my introduction to black metal, where Mortiis was still the bassist and - [Dare To Believe (Comfy Synth Archives)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3779) - By The Comfy Synth Archives I began with dungeon synth when I bought my first Burzum vinyl-record when I was nine. It was the 2-disc compilation of Burzum / Aske, released by Misanthropy Records, in 1995. At that age, I had no idea what neither Dark Ambient nor Black Metal was. It was the cover-artwork - [A Very Delicate Time (Erang)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3806) - By Erang The First time I heard the term “Dungeon Synth” was on Andrew's Dungeon Synth Blog in 2011, he created the term and gave a definition to it. The term "Dungeon Synth" was inspired by him by the name "Dark Dungeon Music" of Mortiis label. Andrew was the first one to describe what Dungeon - [Dark Stone Corridors (LT)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3876) - By Lord Tetrarch (Dungeons Deep Records) The movie Legend inspired me so much as a child, and it rolled over into my influences as an adult. I still mentally tap into that aesthetic when I think about dark medieval times. Tangerine Dream's score in the film contrasts the images of damp dark stone corridors set - [The Visceral Madness Condition - Amb​à​scia [Italy, Sludge Doom] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4445) - It is my intention to start branching out from raw black and death reviews but we will see how this goes. I enjoy sludge despite the genre being saturated by tropes regarding sound and subject matter. I also say the same thing about other genres but I usually can listen to similar raw death for - [Extispex / Maeglin - Built in Sanguine Eclipse [US, Dungeon Synth / Raw Black] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4448) - I have a suspicion that most of the releases from Witchcult Records are from the same circle of artists and / or have album covers all done by one artist. There is a symmetry in each of the J-Card designs that dates back to 2019 and it is glorious. Built in Sanguine Eclipse is different - [Lazer Throne - Citadel Of The Elder Star [US, Dungeon Synth / Synthwave] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4451) - First up: amazing cover. Visually outside of everything this cover is perhaps the thing which got me to listen to the record out of a sea of terrible artwork. Secondly, the genre for Lazer Throne's debut record is perfunctory. Yes this there are elements of dungeon synth and the visual and aural styles point towards - [Fathomage - Autumn's Dawn, Winter's Darkness [Australia, Epic Black / Dungeon Synth] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4482) - For anyone curious, the cover for this record is "Multnomah Falls" by Albert Bierstadt. The use of canonical western art in black metal album covers is wild and hilarious especially given that I would like to know what Bierstadt, and maybe the rest of the Hudson River School painters, would think about their work being - [Mithrandir - Towards the Spires of Dol Guldur [Finland, Black] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4479) - I seem to be finding more raw black adjacent material through dungeon synth searches than the more general new metal release searches. This is fine with me as I get to come across raw Finnish black debut is completely into Tolkien. Mithrandir is mostly a fantasy based project though I suspect some of the non - [Astarot - Journey from Melancholy Landscape II [Mexico, Dark Ambient] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4471) - Journey from Melancholy Landscape II is a "compilation of Dark Ambient / NeoFolk / Neoclassical tracks from 2017-2021." This is the second volume of ambient tracks with the first being a 2017 collection of ambient tracks from 2012-2016. It is a strange thing to only have a relationship with one style of music from an - [NACHZEHRER - Eternal Deities of the Black Hordes [US, Raw Black] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4465) - There are a lot of things I have to qualify about this release. The self released tag is only because MA lists it as an independent release. The Bandcamp comes from a Virginia based label called Planetary King Records which seems to be defunct. The main MA page lists Eternal Deities of the Black Hordes, - [Sigils of Ruin - Demo I [Indonesia, Death / Doom] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4460) - I usually like to find albums that only a few people know about since I get to be really excited about sharing things. I think Sigils of Ruin already came enjoyed by at least 10 people. Indonesian death has been on the rise for the past couple of years and the style of riff heavy - [Trüciciel - Promo MMXXIII [Poland, Black / Punk] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4454) - I am grateful for this release using the naming convention of Roman Numerals being including int he pantheon of underground metal adopting the very familiar naming sequence. Similar to conceptual and minimal art using "Untitled" there is something comforting about a promo being named after the year. Trüciciel is from Poland and the demo/promo for - [8bitdkhd - Now, See Me [Australia, Noise] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4441) - This might not really be heavy metal. This might not really be anything. From a previous release last year, 8bitdkhd described the 2022 release, Psychward Burt Newton (Jan​-​July) as follows Artist/drone discovers that is possible to record themselves. Proceeds to buy the cheapest audio to computer interface and record whatever nonsense occurred to them in - [Celestial Rot - A Chain Around Eternity's Throat [??, Raw Black] (2023)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4438) - This is a great way to wake up in 2023. Celestial Rot is connected to The Ensemble of Black Magic, a label (?) which hosts projects by dark ambient and raw black acts with awesome names like Phantom Staircase, Bleak Exit, and Isolated Aster Wizard. Celestial Rot is perhaps one of the most harsh acts - [Lugburz - Behind the Black Gates of Abyss [Spain, Neoclassical Darkwave] (2003)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4432) - One of the few attested names to be recorded from the Black Speech, Lugbúrz was the name used by the servants of Sauron for his Dark Tower in Mordor, more commonly known by its Elvish name of Barad-dûr. The term was generally used by the Orcs in Sauron's service not only for the Dark Tower - [Midnight Syndicate - Dungeons & Dragons [US, Neoclassical Darkwave] (2003)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4429) - The history of Midnight Syndicate and the resulting official licensed soundtrack to the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons is long and dense and utterly fascinating. Midnight Syndicate is an act which was designed to provide cinematic background music for thematic activities such as haunted houses, games, and other festivities. Midnight Syndicate was production music - [Corvus Neblus - Strahd's Possession [Greece, Dungeon Synth] (1999-2001)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4422) - Oh yes, this is where the cool people live. At the moment, The Dungeons and Dragon module The Curse of Strahd is one of the most famous campaigns made possible by the collaboration between a famous adventure setting originally published in 1983, multiple campaigns and associated novels, and perhaps most importantly, robust community support in - [Vinterriket - ...Gjennom Tеkete Skogen [Germany, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (2000)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4417) - DS1e / DS2e -- An adventure into dungeon synth of the 1990's and 2000's as it grew out of ambient, neoclassical, darkwave, medieval, and underground metal. Presented as retrospective album reviews and given edition numbers like RPG rulebooks. At the moment, the entire work of German dark ambient / dungeon synth project Vinterriket is cataloged - [Arden - III [France, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (2000)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4412) - DS1e / DS2e -- An adventure into dungeon synth of the 1990's and 2000's as it grew out of ambient, neoclassical, darkwave, medieval, and underground metal. Presented as retrospective album reviews and given edition numbers like RPG rulebooks. I really wanted to put the genre of "Neoclassical" for this release but everything listed is either - [Necrophorus – Sadness & Somnolence [Sweden, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (1991)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4401) - DS1e / DS2e -- An adventure into dungeon synth of the 1990's and 2000's as it grew out of ambient, neoclassical, darkwave, medieval, and underground metal. Presented as retrospective album reviews and given edition numbers like RPG rulebooks. Necrophorus is the name of a project led by composer Peter Andersson. Andersson is known for a - [Nailwalker - The Gutted Trout of Dear Life [US, Post Black / Crust] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4315) - If anything can be said about this group from Texas, is they are unexpected. While the cover for the band's third release and first EP for 2022 looks like dark hardcore / crust, only part of that remains true. Nailwalker carefully weaves together elements of chaotic crust with more introspective and abstract post black which - [SHROUDED INFINITY - THROUGH CAVERNS UNKNOWN [US, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4323) - Here we go. I guess the caps are just from the Bandcamp page, but I feel for this band, I will leave it all as exclamatory. It is unsurprising Shrouded Infinity is getting accolades. Despite this two piece having their debut EP released through Transylvanian Recordings, the power and efficacy of rhythm heavy death metal - [Dødskvad - Krønike II [Norway, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4256) - Horses gallop into the maw of battle... therein lies Dødskvad. I hesitate to compare this to the two most over-compared bands in death metal, but to my ears, Krønike II blends Bolt Thrower and Timeghoul. Of the former, we have the chunky riffs and bass-heavy production - plus a warfare-hardened aesthetic. From Timeghoul, it's all - [Pale Shroud - In Sight O the Bog [UK, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4262) - Oh frequency illusion, have heart! Bands with "shroud" in their name keep popping up in raw black metaldom. For us today, it's In Sight O the Bog - the second demo from the anonymous Pale Shroud. In my raw black metal listenings, there exists the "Paysage threshold" of emotional resonance - a moment like in - [Corroder - Tombs of Terror [Norway, Thrash] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4268) - Corroder is when thrash metal rediscovers its punk roots. This is mad, this is pissed, this is angry. Tombs of Terror is five tracks that takes the three-chords-and-the-truth aesthetic of punk rock and rolls with all the punches and glass bottles one can take. It's like Morbid Saint had a really bad day (and decided - [Strix - Obscurent Nos Tenebrae [Italy, Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4397) - If there is anything that can be said about Strix, outside of having a cool name, is their longevity. Formed in the mid 00's this black metal duo has weathered over a decade of existence with one full length, one EP, two demos, and now two splits. Strix releases are nothing but glacial and one - [MURGRIND - The Power of Yourself [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4391) - If Murgrind is good at anything it is rolling out the carpet for their releases. Murgrind is the creation of Sven Strack who has also created other dungeon synth projects such as Draped in Shadows, Haryon, Arath, and runs the label Uralte Herrschaft Productions. Murgrind's 2013 record Journey Through The Mountain was an important artifact - [Burgfried - Geistertum [Germany, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4387) - "BURGFRIEDs 2nd strike of Primitive Franconian Black Metal. Dedicated to the chivalric specters that roam the Upper Franconian valleys & hillsides." I love this line which is on the Bandcamp for Burgfried's Geistertum. It is near absurd but is unique enough to be evocative. The images of ghost knights roaming the hills of the French - [Tales Under The Oak - Swamp Kingdom [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4384) - I do not think I was aware of this magical kingdom until today. Tales Under the Oak is a German act who in a year's time has crafted two amazing releases which seem to weave a tale of mystical lore. Swamp Kingdom is the 2022 release which follows The Toad King in 2021. Both releases - [Offernat - All Colours Retract [Denmark, Sludge] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4381) - Part of the reason why I first picked up this EP was the cover as it was so non descript and without any trace of bandname, release title, or anything. It is as if this release just materialized and we have to deal with its existence. Offernat is a Danish sludge / post metal (?) - [SCUMSLAUGHT - Knives and Amphetamines [France, Thrash] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4371) - Baptized In Piss. I think when I opened up my email and saw the name SCUMSLAUGHT, I was immediately sold to whatever style of music these three were selling. Whatever it was, it was going to come with the force of a toppling building. Knives and Amphetamines is the debut EP following a 2020 demo - [檳榔袋鼠 Betelnut Kangaroo - 天地頌 [Taiwan, Ambient] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4376) - Complete the treasure map and solve its accompanying puzzle before Season 1 ends to find the hidden treasure TCX001, a private album on BC exclusively available to these treasure hunters.. Absolutely charming. I wrote about a compilation from The Tidal Charm earlier this year mostly because I fell in love with it and if it - [Middle Ages - Reclaiming the Throne [International, Dungeon Synth] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4366) - This whole thing comes with a paragraph of explanation. Reclaiming the Throne is a reissue / compilation of demoscene tracks that were ripped from a website in the 1990's and put onto a tape. The tape gained a following and was known as "Caduceus - Middle Ages." It wasn't until 2020, that the true nature - [Astral Coroner - Leaching the Ancient Void [US/ Canada, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4359) - This is my everything. Deathgrind obsessed with topics such as aliens, skinwalkers, and quantum suicide. If this was a book, it would already be on my shelf but here we are and these topics comes through a death ray aimed at the listeners chest. Astral Coroner is from both the US and Canada with no - [L A N D S R A A D - Fate; The Inevitability Thereof [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4362) - Last year, I raved about L A N D S R A A D and their debut The Golden Path. This release kicked off a potential long series of Dune inspired dungeon synth which not only showed excellency in terms of composition and production but also a new avenue in terms of thematic source material. - [Sinistrum - Trichotomy of Death [US, Death / Thrash] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4355) - Hell Yes. Thrashing Death! I would like to thank Sinistrum for allowing me to research the history of death metal originating from Elizabethtown Kentucky. Without this band, I would not have found the other related bands including Sarcoma and Abominant which seems to make up the foundation for 1990's Elizabethtown death metal. Trichotomy of Death - [Kryatjurr of Desert Ahd - Unbearable Nightmares of Heat and Desertification [Australia, Raw Atmospheric Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4351) - I have spent a considerable amount of time searching for the meaning of "Kryatjurr" and looking up any references to the name. What I have surmised is I know less about this Australian project than when I started. Obscurity seems to be a veil for Kryatjurr of Desert Ahd as this black ambient project comes - [Kvad - Cold & Dark, As Life [Norway, Atmospheric / Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4348) - It is difficult to type the phrase Norwegian black metal" and not have it anchor to a certain time period. For better or worse this county and style elicits certain images which is a shame for bands and artists who are just making music for the void. Kvad is related to another Norwegian black metal - [Collapsed Skull - Eternity Maze [US, Punk / Hardcore] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4343) - This is the type of kickstart I need everyday. All I need is coffee and a swift kick to the jaw. Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of this release is the non sequitur samples that are thrown in to segment the power violence which spills out of its speakers. Collapsed Skull has a good - [SENTENCED 2 DIE - NO REASON TO LIVE [US, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4339) - I feel whenever I go to Maggot Stomp, they are going to have a specific sound. Usually when I go to Maggot Stomp, I know I am going to be generally pleased and possibly amazed by most of the things they have to offer. Sentenced 2 Die might have the funniest / odd way of - [Various - Black Steel from the Heart of the World [Finland, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4330) - "Local scenes have always been crucial nuclei of the Black Metal underground. Separated from their contexts many of the most important releases we know would not have emerged the way they eventually did. Mutual inspiration, reciprocal challenging, the creative flux of ideas and at times decades long personal ties of comradeship form invaluable dynamics – - [Alhistja - Alhistja [Netherlands, Black / Punk] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4327) - I don't think I have ever been so surprised by a guitar riff than in the middle of "TERINGFRIEDUS." Perhaps that is follows a sinister laugh from the guttural pit of vocals or that the song abruptly ends following this bright implosion of melody. There are many things wonderful and wild about this Dutch black - [Thermokarst - Thermokarst [Canada, Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4311) - Oh hey, I know this one! A thermokarst is an irregular, pitted surface of marsh and bog that occurs near and around permafrost. I knew bumming around in Alaska during my early 20s would pay dividends in underground black metal cred. Well, Thermokarst (capital-T, don't be confused) is a group based out of British Columbia - [Brånd - Wo draht da Weg? [Austria, Experimental Black / Punk] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4308) - This is positively bizarre black / punk from Austria. Wo draht da Weg? is a completely out-there EP in five tracks. Though raw black metal on paper, the vocals completely eschew the typical harshness of either black metal or punk. There's baritone prostrations to whatever god of Faust might be listening at the moment. Perhaps - [Deathless Void - DEMO MMXXI [Netherlands, Death / Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4302) - Well this is it. A release which has all of the the parts that are cool and interesting. Iron Bonehead vinyl / tape. Death / Black. Netherlands. Cryptic album cover. Even with three or two of these, I would be interested but all four makes for an exciting time. Deathless Void is a new entry - [Zwarte Dood - Waanzin [Belgium, Raw Black / Doom / Dark Ambient] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4298) - Zwarte Dood is one-man raw black metal group that plays an absolutely harrowing mix of raw black and doom metal. Waanzin is the act's third demo - though it's remarkably different from the others. Waanzin is one twenty-minute long track that starts in a ghoulish dark ambient aesthetic before evolving into positively catastrophic metal with - [Rose Cross - Rosicrucian Song [US, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4295) - Pull out your copies of Foucault's Pendulum. Rose Cross is a raw black metal-cum-punk band from Florida that plays three tracks exploring the arcane. In contrast to the more rapid-fire black / punk of bands like Bone Awl or Raspberry Bulbs, Rose Cross is a bit more mid-tempo. "Ceremonies for Ancient Knowledge" is nearly ritualistic, - [Dripping Decay - Watching You Rot [US, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4292) - Never discount the end of the year. It's tempting to call it quits in mid-November, but there's always something that could come out day-of that shakes it up. Dripping Decay is from Portland, OR - a region that's developed one hell of a death metal pedigree these last few years. The Watching You Rot demo - [Void Column - Quiescence [Canada, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4286) - Ha! Another Void Column. I know just what to do with you - snatch it from Kap before he can write it up first. All hail death and grime, indeed. Quiescence is Void Column's second demo, and it's a three-headed beast from front to back. This is an ugly, ugly album, with a maw that - [Vast Night - The Mountain's Shadow Demo [UK, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4281) - The Mountain's Shadow Demo is the first release from solo artist Vast Night, who claims to have worked on the demo for two years. Nice! Congratulations on your first release. Now what is it? Well, this demo is six tracks of raw black metal with a bit of an "atmospheric" black metal sound. But that - [Vintlechkeit - Is Vidder... [Norway, Black / Ambient / Drone] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4278) - It's been a weird week in the Chesapeake Bay. While we had a lovely month of suitably winter weather (with not a few days getting down in the single digits at night), we've been slapped in the face by weather that sadly can no longer be called "unseasonable". And next week it'll only be weirder, - [Blood Ouroboros - Demo MMXXII [USA, Black / Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4273) - This is one of the coolest demos I've heard in the last few years - and that superlative isn't for its own sake. Blood Ouroboros put out their first equally-awesome demo in 2020, which captured the attention of not a few extreme metallers who like their guitar leads at that curious superposition of melody. Two - [Blood Upon Thorns - The Sanguinarian Oath [US, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4265) - Here's three tracks in eight-and-a-half minutes (great Dismemberment Plan song!) from Blood Upon Thorns, a one-man death metal act based out of Tennessee. Making up superlatives would be silly: this is no-frills, straightforward death metal that hits hard. With a slightly brutal death metal aesthetic in the percussive vocal delivery, Blood Upon Thorns produces exactly - [Contortion - Lapidation of the Synod [US, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4259) - Contortion and my cat at 5AM have one thing in common: they start with a minute of screaming. Lapidation of the Synod (Wiktionary tells me the first word means "the act of stoning") is a two-track demo (three if you count the screaming... you should) of deep, deep pummeling death metal. Hey, it's the first - [Deliriant Nerve - Uncontrollable Ascension [US, Grind] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4253) - In December 2021, I saw my first show since COVID-19 at Comet Ping Pong in north Washington, DC. Though I went for Caveman Cult, I left with a hell of an impression from a combative grindcore band named Deliriant Nerve. Birthed from the region's incredibly strong extreme metal and punk scenes, Deliriant Nerve is a - [Penny Coffin - ΤΕΦΡΑ / ΣΚΕΛΕΤΙΚΟ ΣΚΟΤΑΔΙ [Scotland / Greece, Death / Doom] (2021 / 2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4250) - ΤΕΦΡΑ / ΣΚΕΛΕΤΙΚΟ ΣΚΟΤΑΔΙ is kind of a compilation, kind of bonus material: it comprises Penny Coffin's first two demos, but the second demo just so happened to be concurrently self-released by the band when this release was issued. Dry Cough Records thoroughly impressed me last year with incredible releases from Vaticinal Rites (my non-LP - [Begravement - The Anaphylaxis Demo [USA, Death / Thrash] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4245) - Ah, I've now hit that point in my life where I look upon ye band photos and despair, for I cover musicians ten years younger than me who have far better taste than I had at their age... and have been in more bands than I've been in now. To quote a famous extreme pop - [Dracoempericon - Dracoempericon [Australia, Death / Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4240) - Kap started off the year with reminding us that vegetables are a decent addition to one's diet, and exercise will occasionally benefit your body and mind. I'm going to kick off my first post of the year with one of those albums that I'm pretty sure all 40 listeners on YouTube are people I know - [Pungent Shroud - Demo Collection [US, Black / Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4236) - This is funny since it feels like both of my worlds are closing in on each other. Weregnome Records is a dungeon synth label who fervently features outsider and weirdo synth records to the delight of everyone. Over the past few months, the label has been branching out showcasing a more diverse selection of strange. - [Mharasiidr - En Uggles Blick [Denmark, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4233) - i wonder if I could capture the essence of ugliness in a sound. Mharasiidr is from Denmark and for the debut EP, this project has decided to smear the world with black gashes. With a ferocious typhoon wall of raw black, En Uggles Blick embraces atonality, dissonance, and also the inclusion of two musicians who - [Profane Ruination - Profane Ruination [US, Death / Doom] (2002)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4228) - I would like my demo as raw as possible while still being safe to consume. Profane Ruination comes from a very complex tree of Tennessee based death/black/grind/void music and this venture seems to be the start of something sinister. At only three songs for its debut, Profane Ruination makes an opening statement which is full - [Faceless Entity - The Great Anguish of Rapture [Netherlands, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4225) - We do not have much to go on at this point. All we have from the Netherlands based Faceless entity is one track from their new full length, a previous release, and a bunch of images and thematics that seem really fucking cool. From just the sound profile of the preview track "Decaying Banners of - [Deadyellow / BOBAK - Unbound [US, Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4222) - There is something rotten in the state of New Jersey. I do not know where Bobak calls home but I am going to assume it is near an overpass in the northeast section of the United States. Both bands Deadyellow and Bobak had under reviewed full length debuts in 2021 and this followup EP might - [Phlegmesis - Sewer Pop [US, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4219) - Somewhere in Massachusetts is a festering wound. This wound is spreading to various projects all centered around the vague notion of death and maybe drugs. Joey Cinz participates and leads various projects such as Morgued, Inhalement, Cacophonia and Phlegmesis which all more or less strive for the same thing which is the gross unease in - [Vessel Of Iniquity - Graveyard of Dead Gods [UK, Black / Death / Noise] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4211) - Back in 2017, I wrote about the debut from UK project Vessel Of Iniquity. The self titled debut came out on various labels and I believe I wrote about the Xenoglossy Productions version. I was blindsided by the force and reckless abandoning of the sound. Graveyard of Dead Gods and Architecture of Existence are two - [Extinguished - Vomitous Manifestations [Finland, Death] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4206) - As of writing this review, Extinguished is without a Metal Archives page. I am sure this will change though it seems like the band is just getting together and going through some sort of metal customs area. Extinguished comes by the way of a confluence of Finnish black / death bands namely Obscure Burial, Sickness, - [Phenocryst - Explosions [Portugal, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4203) - Blood Harvest is a pretty well known label for many and also the source of some great releases in 2021. In fact many of you already know the mode and operation of this label and can probably guess this new release is going to sound gross. Explosions is the debut EP for this Portuguese death - [Favorite Albums of 2015](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1641) - Providentia by Awe Triumvir Foul by Triumvir Foul Revenant by CREEPING Unorthodox Equilibrium by Shroud of the Heretic Prehistory by Ecferus Near Death Revelations by Blaze of Perdition Halfvergaan Ontwaakt by Wederganger They Became the Falling Ash by Ethereal Shroud With Hunger Undying by Ur Draugr Hjørungavågr by Utstøtt Escapism by Genevieve Ilmasaari by Ashtar - [Favorite Demos & EPs of 2015](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1619) - Le Triomphe du Charnier (digital) by Funeste Venefixion - Defixio by Iron Bonehead Productions Demo 2015 by Horns Of Domination Veiled - Omniscient Veil by Iron Bonehead Productions Metsänkulkija by Kalmankantaja Assign the Rebels by Kutná Hora Swarþ - Veneficivm by Iron Bonehead Productions Deluge by Lubbert Das Possession - 1585-1646 by Iron Bonehead Productions - [Favorite Albums of 2017](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2499) - No Generation Without Corruption by Akatharsia Chaos Ascension by Left Cross De Arte Tragoediae Divinae by Totalitarian Mûspellzheimr - Nidhöggr by Amor Fati Productions The Eternal Path to Nothingness by Imperceptum Luna de Sangre by Mammon IRWELL by Cold Fell Umbra by Almyrkvi Funeral Chant by Funeral Chant Time Lurker by time lurker Fungal by - [Smoke - Ralvurahvavuimago [Netherlands, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4180) - /// This is where we are going to have to clarify a few things. Ralvurahvavuimago by the Dutch black metal project Smoke was released on tape in 2012. You might have missed it. The Throat is a Dutch label that not only releases new works but unearths obscure releases from the past that you might - [Albionic Hermeticism - Brittonic Ways [France, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4159) - The Hermetic Order of Ytene is a collective of black metal and experimental music bands based out of the UK and France. Naturally, their lyrical themes primarily explore esotericism with a distinctly UK volkisch bent. As far as can be told, the primary creator behind most of these projects goes by the pseudonym "O.W.G.A." - - [Kjedsomhet - Reh. MMXXII - Horrors Of The Dungeon [Italy, Raw Black] (2022)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4176) - We are going to start the year off right with some exercise, better eating, and horrid sounds from the dungeon. Kjedsomhet is an Italian black metal project that might be one person or a group of musicians working at a very quick pace. Since November 2021, this project has released four full lengths, two EPs, - [Memorandum - Menhirs... Affres [Canada, Funeral Doom] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4156) - Did you find that Tardus Mortem album too long? Well, time for some funeral doom! That's not a joke (for real this time). Memorandum is funeral doom metal, but it's the most bite-sized funeral doom out there. Menhirs... Affres is a two-track release in under 30 minutes that fits right in with Worship and Ahab. - [Tardus Mortem - Armageddon [Denmark, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4152) - Well y'all, we've got just half a month left in the year. And since the holidays are fast approaching, you know what that means - more time to read Internet blogs about dungeon synth and metal. Yeah, your true family! Let's top off the start of the end with Tardus Mortem, an utterly bizarre death - [Occulsed - Crepitation of Phlegethon [USA, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4149) - We all have our heuristics in pre-judging music, and one of mine is "does the album art evoke Zdzisław Beksiński". If the answer is "yes", then there's a baseline 20 percent chance that I'm going to enjoy it regardless of anything else. Yeah, I'm basic, so what? It's not like I'm only into drip coffee - [θoʊθ - Ruins of Gubla [?, Death / Doom / Sludge] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4145) - Let's see if I can get through this review without using the word "goobly". The enigmatic θoʊθ (purported to be an ancient name for the god Toth) plays "ancient death metal" with a Phoenician and Babylonian lyrical bent. "Ancient' is certainly a good self-descriptor: there's no lack of dust on this production. Note that I - [Perdizione - Descend Without Fortune [USA, Black / Punk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4141) - A Xeroxed photo of a hanging as the album art? Tell me, is this black metal or a Controlled Bleeding demo from 1984? Oh, it's black metal - and oh boy is it spooky. This year, there's a plethora of black metal and punk rock hybrids that are immensely unsettling. Not that the hybrid has - [ꙂꙨѮŮӜŮѮꙨꙂ - ŶᾦϚӾѺᾦѺӾϚᾦŶ [Iceland, Experimental Black / Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4137) - Alright, I'll be frank: I hate the aesthetic here. Esoteric letter-dumps make me think of hard drive failures, not occultism. Anyone can use alt codes! But if this demo were judged on cover alone, then it would be a mistake; this is some serious experimental shit. When people hear the phrase "Icelandic black metal", they'll - [Exsanguinated - Millions of Tortured Souls [USA, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4134) - New York death metal's brutal, pummeling aesthetic comes to the forefront on Exsanguinated's first-ever release. This two-track demo recalls the hollow horror in the production of Immolation and Morpheus Descends, but with a spacious (though I wouldn't say cavernous) approach to death metal songwriting that's distinctly contemporary death metal. "Demon Infested Tomb" is like Pan.Thy.Monium - [Vaticinal Rites - Vaticinal Rites [UK, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4130) - A little birdie told me (read: one of my fellow death metal nerds and I exchanged links on Discord) about how there's a hell of an underground death metal scene in the UK right now - especially in Leeds and London. Well, I guess there's always been a hell of a scene in London: and - [Weathered Crest - Blossoming Of The Paths [Austria, Raw Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4125) - Somewhere in the dark forests (?) of Austria lies a hovel in which a creature stirs. This creature has bene apart of projects like Brånd and Kinga and is the work of Vritra. While also running the label that releases work from all of these projects, Vritra seems to be at the center of a - [Winter Lantern / Possession Cult - Split [US, Raw Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4115) - Both Winter Lantern and Possession Cult are from the US and both of them seem to be drawn together by an shared interest in vampyric blood letting. The tag of vampyric black metal may seem obvious or even too niche for mention but its combination produces, mostly, raw black metal that has thrown itself to - [Revolted Excrescence - Ritual Violence [US, Death / Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4093) - Dirty, filthy, destructive death metal demo that sounds like it's straight out of the Midwest USA in 1991. The production is grating (and took me a second to get used to), but at the end I felt like I listened a modern band that gets as close to the sound of Necrovore and Rottrevore as - [Thecodontion / Vessel of Iniquity - The Permian-Triassic Extinction Event [Italy / UK, Death / Black / Noise] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4101) - The Permian-Triassic boundary is a great mystery of geological science: an event in which over 83 percent of all genera died. This period separates the Paleozoic Era from the Mesozoic Era - two of the great eras in our planet's history. If you were a 6-year-old obsessed with dinosaurs like I was (or a 29-year-old - [Sovnya - Sovnya [US, Raw Black / Punk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4110) - I fist would like to give a special thanks to whoever designed the cover for Sovnya's self titled debut as I feel it is a magnet for anyone who seeks out visual low fidelity. The raw cover is similar to other raw black metal but its use of mostly white and light blue is unique - [Void Column - The Chasmic Death [Canada, Death / Doom] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4090) - All hail death and grime. Void Column is from Canada and from the very stark design and name of this release, The Chasmic Death is a frank and heavy opening statement for the band's vision for the future. Blending the best aspects of death and doom adorned with a cover that could be of any - [Grinning Death's Head - Cataclysm [US, Black / Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4043) - We're on fire now. "Cataclysm" is a two-song EP of black metal plus some crust punk influences and cool use of underpinning synths. Grinning Death's Head has two LPs so far, both apparently about "misanthropy" and "anarchy" according to Ye Olde Archives. Jason Wood is the only member of this band, hailing from Georgia. Fittingly, - [Omnikinetic - Dragon Hymns [US, Black / Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4046) - Omnikinetic is a prolific one-man extreme metal project from Portland, Oregon headed by VXR. He first came to my attention last year with the release of several war metal-adjacent EPs and demos that excited my ears in a year that was fairly lacking in that genre. "Kinesis" and "Submerged" both had some serious firepower in - [Gramarye - Spellbound in Black Majesty [US, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4067) - Gramarye is a new band on the scene from Minneapolis, Minnesota - a land that rivals much of North America in its cold winters. Given that Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are pretty darn far inland, it's no wonder they get some extreme temperatures on both sides of the equation. (See also: Fairbanks, Alaska - where - [Perilaxe Occlusion - Raytraces of Death [US, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4072) - This is one of those releases I can't believe exists. Perilaxe Occlusion is a death metal band out of Canada that's centered around 3D rendering techniques, computer modeling, and optics. The "Raytraces of Death" demo appears soon to blow up (so long as it's not my disk drive, ha ha !), getting multiple physical releases - [Eternal Sword - The Cursed Land [?, Raw Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4079) - I've listened to this release five times. I still don't know what to write. Not that it's bad - in fact far from it. This is one of the best demos I've heard this year regardless of genre. "The Cursed Land" is the (thus far known) first demo from the anonymous Eternal Sword, released on - [Sxuperion - Auscultating Astral Monuments [US, Black / Death / Ambient] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4055) - Sxuperion landed on my digital doorstep with last year's "Omniscient Pulse". I reductively described it to friends as "Darkspace but death metal". In retrospect, that's unfair; Matthew Schott certainly has some of Tobias Möckl's proclivity for dark ambient and sci-fi samples, but there's far more to the Sxuperion project. The project began as something akin - [Bleeding Shroud - DEMO I [US, Raw Black / Neofolk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4061) - This came out today and I think I am the only one that listened to it thus far. This is noisy and offensive and it is wonderful. It is difficult sometimes to explain to people the aesthetic of things like this. Bleeding Shroud is a dungeon synth, black metal, and neofolk project with all of - [Cruel Master - Repeat Offender [US, Black / Punk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4030) - Black / Punk hybrids often fall into a trap. The inherit rawness of the fusion's forebears in Ildjarn plus the contemporary sounds of Bone Awl (et al.) have inspired lots of bands to record the harshest sound they can make with sticks-and-stones instrumentation. Which is fine, there's absolutely a base for that - in addition - [Fossilization - He Whose Name Was Long Forgotten [Brazil, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4034) - More EPs! It's a thing, y'know. This debut demo from the Brazilians of Fossilization is an excellent death EP with doom undertones and a crunchy, bassy production. I'm always going to be into a layered guitar aesthetic in death metal (quick, in how many reviews can I put "aesthetic" until Kaptain Carbon calls me out - [Kerasfóra - Denn Die Todten Reiten Schnell [Chile, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4052) - As of this moment when typing this, there is no information for this band. I am sure things will change in the future but at this moment in time, Kerasfóra has one streaming track and the blackness of space around it. Even purchasing the album as of this moment only allows access to the preview - [Leprophiliac / Concilio Cadavérico - La Carne Se Desprende De Los Huesos [Spain / Mexico, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4027) - Ah death metal - how art thee in the year of our Bandcamp 2021? Apparently pretty good. Life After Death brings us by a commodius vicus of bloodecay recirculation to a split between two hispanohablante death metal bands. Leprophiliac is from Spain; Concilio Cadavérico, Mexico. Leprophiliac's two tracks feature that old-school pseudo death-doom, especially on - [Torturers' Lobby - Again [US, Black / Punk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4037) - Upon reviewing my list of so-far-listened releases in the first half of 2021, I noticed that I had missed writing on one of my favorite demos so far. Torturers' Lobby is certainly an evocative name for a band - let alone a photo of a half-decapitated (strangled, perhaps?) dove. The group comes from the hot - [Ancient Tome - Final Tome [US, Black / Doom] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4021) - I sure hope that the 2027 release date is not a typo and stays up on the Bandcamp forever. I can safely say this is the best black / doom release of the late 2020's. the combination of black and doom metal has come with a sense of wild abandonment when it comes to expectation - [Effluence - Ballistic Bloodspray [US, Brutal Death / Grind / Noise] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3997) - I can't imagine a better title to this EP: this is a ballistic spray of blood. No question. The Czech deathgrind band Contrastic notably merged totally non-metal instruments into their self-titled LP (the one with The Little Mermaid on the cover); but if they were the fun one in the family, then Effluence is like - [Trhä - lhum jolhduc [?, Raw Black / Dark Folk / Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4001) - Another release where I know next to nothing about anything. Trhä is an enigma. Searching the name of course only gives me Bandcamp and Metal Archives. But what's more, searching the informational blurbs also gives me nothing. Whether that means it's a conlang or a more obscure, less-spoken language is something up to debate. It - [Batholith - Alpine Tomb [US, Death / Doom] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3973) - A batholith is an igneous rock formation that extends deep into the earth, like Half Dome at Yosemite. Neat! What's not neat is dying on a mountain. This is precisely the concept behind "Alpine Tomb" from Batholith, the Connecticut duo's debut LP after last year's EP. This 40-ish minute album describes the slow, harrowing process - [Mephitic Grave - Into the Atrium of Inhuman Morbidity [Hungary, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3985) - Originally formed as Mothrot, Mephitic Grave is a Hungarian death metal band - a scene I admit to having next to no experience with. This is their first release, landing on the California label Carbonized Records. Here we've got something that sounds like a lost Finnish or Dutch death/doom LP from 1992. "Intro the Atrium..." - [Fōr - The Life Feeding Flame [?, Black / Death / Doom] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3981) - Ah, another entry in the "dissolving" extreme metal tag. What does that mean anyway? I use "dissolving" to describe that kind of caustic black, death, or doom with hollow vocals, percussion that's stilted or curiously laborious, and guitars with a precipitated limestone crust. Allegorically, it's the "I'm being dipped in the acid pools at Yellowstone" - [Arna - Dragged to a Lunar Grave [Spain, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3976) - 2020 and 2021 have been the dual years of wampyric black metal. There's been a significant uptick in bands releasing short LPs or demos themed around erotic death, moonlit nights, and star-crossed romance (and often, all three at the same time). They're evocative themes and ones that have rightly been a constant presence in the - [Æumbra - Æumbra [US, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3990) - A search for "Æumbra metal" reveals exactly nine results, none of which tell me much about this band. From what I can tell, they're a fresh US black metal act with at least one member. I don't believe we're at the point of deep fakes for raw black metal. This demo features 21 minutes of - [Natürgeist - Reinvigorated Terror [US, Raw Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3994) - Morris Kolontyrsky is a busy man. The member of Blood Incantation/Black Curse/Spectral Voice/etc./et seq./ad inf. now has a raw black metal project to add to this repertoire in the way of Natürgeist. The "Reinvigorated Terror" EP is a new two-track demo of the layered extreme metal that characterized 2020's Black Curse LP (which was one - [Brainspoon - Monstrous Chains [Finland, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3964) - Ah, this one almost passed me by. If Ye Olde Metal Archives are to go by, then Brainspoon has been around for almost a full decade with two EPs and two demos to their name. "Monstrous Chains" is the second emo - three tracks demo of monstrous Finndeath with slight crossover elements. Dirty and sloppy, - [deathandserenity. - Endless [US, Post Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/4008) - The tags for deathandserentiy.'s third release includes an umbrella of styles including DSBM, skramz, and raw black metal. This all sounds wonderful and is something I have been waiting for. The history of screamo is separate from black metal and aside from a few crossovers, the overlap between the two remains on opposite ends of - [Ritual Laceration - Putrid Womb [US, Black / Death / Noise] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3952) - Ritual Laceration's "I" demo was one of my favorites of 2019, so hearing that this "dual bass bestial black metal" group had another one out was an insta-sell for someone who likes to blend his death metal with noise and whey protein. And wow, this is noisy. The first demo was a strong delivery of - [Mortuary Spawn - Spawned From the Mortuary [UK, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3949) - UK death metal has always had a strong history and its current scene is continuing a legacy that has already been written in blood. When I first heard the name Mortuary Spawn and saw the cover art for their debut EP, I had a feeling it would be craved by a certain fan of heavy - [Human - Delicacies of Extinction [US, Death / Hardcore Punk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3935) - "Death metal made by hardcore kids" is a bit of a pejorative nowadays, but it's also a pretty good descriptor for a select group of bands. It's worth mentioning that "deathcore" may technically be an accurate tag, although whether it's responsible to call it so might be more questionable. Human is a three-piece from the - [Vorvadoss / Magic Find - Moondrawn, Foul​-​Crescent Rapture [US / Australia, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3929) - When I found Attic Shrines, I knew I wanted to highlight this tape label. Lucky for me, there was only one release this year which makes it easy to frame in terms of releases since this is the best Attic Shrines release in 2021. I have always had an interest in drone/noise/ritual ambient and find - [Skadalv - Demo II [US, Raw Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3926) - In an effort to get focus on the the most horrid of black and death metal, I seek music that could come from the astral plane. Skadalv is from the US and with only two demos from the past few years, this act only has a few sold out cassette demos to their name. With - [La Ballade des Rats - Rattus Furax [France, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3916) - We are going to mention this album, which is the second full length from La Ballade des Rats came out last year in May. The band though decided to tag this as a 2021 release on Bandcamp so who am I to argue? It is okay since we get to include La Ballade des Rats - [źmiarćvieły - čornaje połymia [?, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3912) - Caligari always comes through in terms of pulling me back into a world of rot and despair. At this time of writing this review, this band has no Metal Archives entry, nor any other Bandcamp page, nor anything on the internet about its existence. This band exists only as an ugly six minute black metal - [KNIFE WRAITH - Into the Undercity Dungeons [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3908) - Listen, I understand this is hard to look at. It is nauseating and I feel this is the perfect place to start. Knife Wraith is a German artist whose love and devotion to old Dungeons and Dragons modules as well as the 8-bit sounds of yesteryear collide in a stereoscopic dream of nostalgia and idiosyncratic - [Effluvium - Symphony No. 2 [US, Dungeon Synth / Experimental] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3905) - I do not think Effuvium ever intended to make dungeon synth but got caught running around with contemporary classical and noise music to really care what time curfew was. Symphony #1 is dedicated to Dimitri Shostakovich with a quote the feels like it is attributed to the Russian pianist but is another false flag in - [Howling Nightwinds - Demo II [Austrilia, Raw Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3902) - I absolutely love that most of these songs just start out with the listeners falling down a hill marred with jagged rocks. Howling Nightwinds is new and with two demos full of raw violence that doesn't seem to care about proper etiquette. In the span of around 15 minutes, Howling Nightwinds makes a grand declaration - [Wizard Tower Studios - Beyond the Lost Realm [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3899) - "Our hope lies on a solitary hero - who's destiny is unclear even to the wisest mystiks. Through the forests they must go, beyond the Lost Realm..." This is the line that could be on the back of an adventure RPG Nintendo box somewhere in the late 80's. Everything about this release is amazing, from - [Uranium - An Exacting Punishment [US, Black / Death / Industrial] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3896) - Yes, I am unsure about that band name as well at the logo. there are many things which make me wary to approach this US band first and foremost should be the rusty chains which drag behind this behemoth of a record. I say I am wary to approach this since the music and general - [Ithildin - A Long​-​Expected Party [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3891) - I was floored by this release. I was amazed by this release despite it dealing with one of the most common topics for dungeon synth. Tolkien and dungeon synth have been companions since some of the first iterations as the lore surrounding the collected works of the author have been interwoven in the fabric of - [Antikythaera - Untitled [?, Atmospheric Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3887) - At this moment, I enjoy the aesthetic. Untitled release from a black metal act that has no country listed nor is there anything on the internet regarding this release. Anonymity does not substitute for quality but an already interesting release is certainly helped by a lack of information. It feels this release skirts the definition - [Land Spirit - Through The Eternal Woodland [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3884) - "Dungeon Synth exploring the strange history of Vikings in the UK. Nazis fuck off." I often love the frankness of Bandcamp introductions as Land Spirit both paints a delicate picture of the music while still telling fascists to fuck off. Through The Eternal Woodland is the third release for Land Spirit just in 2021 and - [Lamerak - Lamerak [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3827) - this is once again a Cups release meaning it was released in the twilight hours of 2020 which I am now considering mentioning in 2021. Lamerak comes from the very new and capable Voices of Anuir which was originally a podcast that expanded to a tape label. Lamerak is actually the first tape release for - [Apoxupon - Nameless and Formless [US, Dark Ambient / Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3870) - This one is a special release since it connects many dots for me. Apoxupon is the work of an artist who is also the creator of of Mystic Timbre Records which was home to some fantastic dungeon synth of 2020 as well as a catalog of left field synth projects. Nameless and Formless is the - [Sulmata - Jad, Otrov i Tuga [Croatia, Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3867) - This has everything I could possibly love in a 20 minute offering. Self released raw black debut demo which has all of its tracks on one side. There is little I can offer in the way of translation for the bandname but the demo name translates, quite nicely, to "Misery, Poison and Sorrow." It is - [Oublieth - Mornelance [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3864) - Another Cusp Record! Mornelance was released independently in the twilight hours of 2020 which would then be picked up by the very great and very reliable Out of Seaosn for tape release. January was the first time many people got to hear the work of Oublieth and their solemn worship of classic dungeon synth. Mornelance - [An Old Sad Ghost - Der Letzte Koenig | Der Erste Koenig [Austria, Dungeon Synth] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3844) - This is a 2021 review of a 2020 tape release of a 2019 release by the Austrian artist An Old Sad Ghost. It is without a proper year which is why it feels so at home drifting in the passages of time and space. I remember An Old Sad Ghost's contributions to the Dungeon Synth - [Sprites Of The Wood - Old Souls [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3859) - This is a Tape Release of a 2020 album by Canadian artist Sprites of the Wood. This tape release came with the latest batch of Neverwood Records releases which is making the early part of 2021 something special. 2020 was a busy time for Sprites of the Wood. From January to December of 2020, Sprites - [Thorgnyr - Elven Rites [Iceland, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3853) - Yes! This review comes with no Bandcamp, yet, since the artist was kind enough to send me the record before its release in a few weeks. This, of course, is the smallest brag but I do appreciate being given access to a magical world from an artist I had missed in the past few years. - [Sepulchral Cult - Immurement, Spirits and Graveyard Chants [Poland, Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3850) - Yes. This is where I want to be today. I do not car how many times the riff rotten death metal with illegible logo and monochrome cover is done, I will probably listen to it. This is not to take away from the weight of Sepulchral Cult's debut rather to put up front I will - [Tütsen - The Safety of Prosperity [US, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3847) - The tape release from v was one of the most darling packages I have every received. "Magical tufts of pink and blue fluff (not edible), Three crown jewels. One commemorative miniature crown." Obviously these things are no magical nor jewels rather very budget knick knacks but the idea and even execution is enough to provide - [Bestial Putrefaction - Gore Drenched Barbarism [Canada, Black / Death] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3841) - HOLY SHIT. End of review. Most of my reviews are done in the morning with my morning coffee which is why I feel I gravitate to some of the more repellent sounds perhaps as a way to jumpstart my day. Bestial Putrefaction is a new entity with a 2021 demo and now another release which - [Vaelastrasz - Shadows Of The Eastern Kingdoms [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3838) - Another Cusp record which was released on the 29th of December in 2020. Shadows of the Eastern Kingdoms was apart of the final 2020 drop from Gondolin Records, a label I have praised many times before. Vaelastrasz has been a name in dungeon synth before 2018 but the release of The Plagueland Chronicles solidified the - [Black Mass Pervertor - Sodomiittien seura [Black / Punk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3835) - Writting about this review is a reminder to myself to finish my black/punk -- punk/black primer. I love this sound and the more I explore in the rotted afterparty of the fusion between black and punk, the more I find the sound as varied as something like death metal. Black Mass Pervertor leans towards a - [The Orb Weaver - The Orb Weaver [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3832) - Yes. A 2021 record I can safely assume is apart of this year. I have talked before about Neverwood Records being a fine merchant of a wide variety of Dungeon Synth. the Orb Weaver is but another chapter in the continuing story of Neverwood with a record of forest based drone that is a near - [Chanterelle - Earthly Delights [US, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3823) - I recently received another tape from Neverwood Records and I paused to think that this tape label was one of the more recent outfits to take over my life. With an exceptional catalog, Neverwood Records seems to offer an endless supply of intriguing DS which a range of sounds. Chanterelle's Earthly Delights embraces the quiet - [Spear of Tetua - Scorn [Croatia, Black / Post Punk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3820) - Even though I have a problem with artists calling a two song 11 minute release an EP, it is their prerogative so I can not complain. Scorn, as a release, is fleshed out enough to be considered an EP despite a demo being a better fit. Also the act's 2020 demo was 18 minutes. All - [Siegecraft - Noble Infantry [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3814) - I am currently going through my holiday purchases and trying to catalog all of the dungeon synth that was released in the waning hours of 2020. though it is 2021 and most of this material lies on the cusp of years, I am going to make a special designation for material released in December of - [Wyndcrawler - Obsidian Swords For The Heavendwellers [US, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3803) - This is wonderful. Stench Ov Death is a Washington based tape label that seems to specialize in black metal and dark ambient. Wyndcrawler is a dark ambient act which invokes the spirits of old and new in a record that is textural and understated. Obsidian Swords For The Heavendwellers ( cool album name) is a - [Sewermeister - Subterranean Ceremony [?, Raw Black Metal] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3800) - Well, this is certainly wonderful with morning coffee. there are some releases which feel like they shouldn't exist or at least try their very best to be repellent to the mind and ear. Subterranean Ceremony is one one of them and I hope it stays on Bandcamp throughout the year as these types of releases - [Ferhðfriðende - Deruenta [UK, Dungeon Synth / Folk] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3795) - For purposes of actual cataloging, this was released in the final days of 2020. For purposes of talking about new dungeon synth, I am considering this a 2021 release. Ferhðfriðende is one part (or a separate entity) of Fyrngeflita, a UK based dungeon synth folk project that is dedicated to trees. Both Fyrngeflita and Ferhðfriðende - [Porcha - III [Russia, Raw Black / Dark Ambient] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3792) - as we head into the new year, I would like to thank everyone who followed this site throughout 2020. I would also like to thanks acts like Porcha for putting out these types of releases, as this is the sound in which I created this blog for. Somewhere in the catacombs of eternity lies a - [Dosanjos - Heterogeneous Hieratic Areopagus [Brazil, Black / Death / Noise] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3786) - Welcome the new year. Welcome horror and dismay. Dosanjos does not have a Metal Archives nor can I really find any information related to the band which leads me to beleive they are just demons from Brazil that vomit forth noise. I am fine with this. Heterogeneous Hieratic Areopagus is not an easy listen and - [Marsyas Zskin - Flight of Icarus [Greece, Dungeon Synth] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3776) - As we turn our hearts and minds to 2021, I think I can speak for most that we are collectively excited for new experiences in the coming year. Most of all we are excited for new releases from a handful of excellent labels. Realm and Ritual is preparing for a dazzling year and one of - [Ninthalor - Through The Forest Deep [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3770) - It would be wonderful if this was a 2021 release. It is okay. By now, I have talked a lot about Neverwood Records as being a gem in the area of high quality dungeon synth. Through The Forest Deep is the debut EP from an artist who I am anticipating having a stellar debut full - [A Good Mage - A Good Mage Is Hard to Find [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3759) - I talked about Neverwood Records before with the release of Covered Brides' debut. Neverwood is still new with 2020 being their inaugural release in October of 2020. With only months of existence, this Us label has managed to put out dazzling releases that are both comfy as well as alienating and cold. A Good Mage - [Nighthaunter - Phantasmal Journeys into the Morbid Past [UK, Raw Black] (2021)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3762) - Welcome to 2021. As this site develops into a dungeon synth haven, I want to make sure I dig into the grave soil for some truly horrid black and death metal demos. Phantasmal Journeys into the Morbid Past is the first demo from a UK project that could be a solo venture or a group - [Lord Lovidicus - Midsummer [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3721) - This was released back in August of 2020 but I am finally writing about it since Dungeons Deep released a tape version in December of 2020. Lord Lovidicus was one of my first real dungeon synth infatuations. This artist taught me me the symphonic heights this genre could travel with releases like The Book of - [Merkury - Spatial Illusions [US, Dungeon Synth, Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3739) - I would like to mention for the purposes of academic history, this record was self released in December of 2019. Feberglade Records included this release in the Winter 2020 bundle along with other fantastic releases. Spatial Illusions is dungeon synth yet their aesthetic, just visually, put this release in another dimension entirely. Torn between the - [Warm Smial - Carols for the Hearth in Winter [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3736) - I am writing this on December 29th which is still in the afterglow of the holidays but not underneath its oppression. I think as the years goes by, comfy synth is going to be more pronounced at the end of the year just for its ability to evoke warm emotions and a paralyzing sense of - [トレイル GUIDE - Reflection [US, Dungeon Synth / Field Recordings] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3732) - Listen, I get it. The use of Japanese on a tape release usually leads to assumptions that it is vaporwave or some sort of hip electronic that you probably will not get. If this release had a fantasy aesthetic to it, it probably would have been a little bit more popular. Reflection is a meditation - [Grandpas House Near the Sea - Sunny Weekend​/​Mourning Weekend [France, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3728) - For as rudimentary as comfy synth can seem, the micro genre within an already micro genre has the ability to evoke powerful emotions. Its sense of nostalgia and sentimentality is not unlike the whole of dungeon synth just without the fantastic framework. Sunny Weekend​ and ​Mourning Weekend were two EPs released by Ancient Void Music, - [Etoile Filante - Traité sur le Monde et la Lumière [France, Black / Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/402) - I am not going to lie, Traité sur le Monde et la Lumière, the debut EP from French act Etoile Filante is weird. I am going to say this again, em>Traité sur le Monde et la Lumière is weird. It takes 4 minutes into the four song EP to get to any sort of metal - [Hell / Mizmor - Hell ::: Mizmor [US, Black/Doom](2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/442) - Yikes! From Oregon comes a split which is sure to rip the head off of whatever stands in your way. Hell and Mizmor are two sludge doom acts who has chosen to combine effort in order to finally extinguish the sun for all eternity. The self titled split for the two is split evenly between - [Nechbeyth - Coerce Creed [Singapore, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/480) - Yes, absolutely. Your first experience with the Singapore band Nechbeyth should most definitely be this short EP. This is not to say the band's debut album Blood.Axis.Domination lacks in quality rather Nechbeyth's brand of dissonant and structureless chaos is best experience either in short bits or with a licensed counselor who can guide you through - [Persekutor - Arctic Cross [Romania, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/421) - So once I figure out Persekutor, I am going to let everyone else know. I promise. If the odd album cover wasn't enough indication, Romania's Persekutor comes with a bit of raised eyebrows and speculation. From a series of interviews surround the band's last EP Power Frost, this black metal act comes with either an - [Sutekh Hexen - Become [US, Black / Noise] (2012)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/514) - For some reason I always thought Sutekh Hexen was associated with the southern California label / black metal cult Black Twilight Circle. Sutekh Hexen, from Oakland California, has been quoted in interviews referencing some of the Crepúsculo Negro bands but there seems to be no association. I need to draw a map to help navigate - [Act of Impalement - Echoes of Wrath [US, Death / Doom / Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/486) - 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 - [Heron - Sacrafice [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/538) - 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 - [Falls of Rauros / Panopticon [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/575) - Splits are an amazing way to get acquainted with old bands as they work on new material or discover new bands. The very nature of their design is joint advertising and trying to get as much music to as many different people. Birdrune Recordings has decided to make it their lot in life by surrounding - [Slaughtbbath / Hades Archer [Chile, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/607) - South American black and death metal is ferocious to the point of being scary. The continent had developments of black and death metal much like the same from the Europe and America but did it with a raw sensibility with less concern about genre distinction. Even this split between two Chilean black metal artists sounds - [Barghest - The Virtuous Purge [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/676) - Jesus fuck. So the promotion pictures of Barghest proudly show the members pointing assault rifles at the viewer. This band, from the deepest parts of the Southern United States, seems to be bred for disdain and humid violence. It is funny that the band shares their name with a low level RPG monster as Barghest, - [Gnosis of the Witch - Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/694) - Alright. So this is what is happening now. I see. Might as well go to the ground and cover my head for the ensuing storm. It was nice knowing all of you. If there is anything I can count on Iron Bonehead doing, it is unearthing this album that should have remained undiscovered. Not because - [Nolti Nan Gana Nan Nolta - Death by the Venomhammer [UK, Black / Thrash] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/787) - Yes. Yes. Yes. This is another band I am going to sort of muffle when I try to say their whole name. Thank the gods the band sometimes go by their shorter acronym NNGNN which still sound like you are muddling words. Regardless of any pronunciation, Nolti Nan Gana Nan Nolta is a British black - [Ellorsith - 1959 [ Scotland, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/862) - Have you heard any theories surrounding the Dyatlov Pass incident? Maybe? Maybe not? If you haven't heard anything about this unsolved mystery, which left nine Russian hikers dead in the depths of the Ural mountains, do not feel bad. Neither did I until this Scottish black death outfit told me all about it. I enjoy - [Nekrofilth - Acid Brain [US, Death / Thrash / Punk] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/975) - 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 - [The Temple - As Once Was [Greece, Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1043) - 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 - [Mannveira - Von Er Eitur [Iceland, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1055) - Goddamn it. This would have gone perfectly with the mysterious crop of Icelandic black metal bands that suddenly appeared in the fields of 2014. Sinmara, Naðr, 〇, and Svartidauði were all dazzling and varying black metal projects which were as surprising as they were consistent. Mannveira's Von Er Eiturwas released earlier in the year but - [Addaura - ...and the Lamps Expire [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1118) - 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 - [Fhoi Myore / Wyrms - Les Limbes Pourpres / Mehxôhorr - Les IV Dimensions Cosmogoniques [France, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1184) - If the album cover and even title for the Fhoi Myore / Wyrms split, this experience is going to be intense. As said previous times, splits are a great way to experience new bands and even new experiences. Les Limbes Pourpres / Mehxôhorr - Les IV Dimensions Cosmogoniques sees two French underground black metal bands - [Rotting Casket - Simply Rotten Death [Netherlands, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1194) - As of this moment, the lyrical themes for this Dutch death metal bands are not available. I am going to take a guess that Rotting Casket and their debut EP Simply Rotten Death is going to have somewhat to do with dying. I maybe completely wrong but judging by the artwork and general atmosphere, I - [Distances - Forage & Reproduce [US, Atmospheric Sludge / Hardcore] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1267) - 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 - [Cavern - Tales of Ruin [US, Sludge/Rock] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/106) - Alright, there are a couple of reasons how I ran across this. First of all Grimorie Records is a Baltimore based metal label which specializes in, well, a lot of things. The second reason is that this brightly colored illustration depicts a crying nun and, well, that is eye catching to say the least. I - [Torrid Husk - Caesious [US, Black Metal] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/111) - I just discussed Grimoire records being at the weird middle of different styles and now this record is here. Torrid Husk is not at the center of different genres rather a clean and neat package of black metal with only slight modifications. The funniest part about searching out lesser known metal bands is running into - [Nefaria / Sylvan Frost [US, Black Metal / Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/128) - I feel my journey into lesser known metal is going to unearth some awesome and strange examples of artwork. Example -- this fucking pencil drawing used on the cassette of the Nefaria / Sylvan Frost split. Perhaps the best part about this cover is the total disregard of any sort of graphic assistance. Nope, I - [Wildernessking - The Devil Within [South Africa, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/219) - The amount of metal coming out of Africa is minimal at best. The majority of African metal either comes from the northern countries (Algeria, Egypt, Libya) or South Africa. Wildernessking is from South Africa and by all intents and purposes fits within a very large family of atmospheric black metal with varying relations to post - [Heresiarch - Wælwulf [New Zealand, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/215) - From the arms of Dark Descent Records to the equally loving hands of Iron Bonehead comes the maelstrom called Heresiarch and their second EP Wælwulf. Heresiarch was loosely related to follow New Zealand acts Diocletian and Witchchrist but since then their lineup possesses no connections. The band is free of ties and responsibility and possess - [One Master - Live in the House of Quiet [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/248) - Well, then. We have One Master. From the not so horrid lands of Boston, One Master is a traditional first/second wave black metal band with their eyes focused on the occult. In fact, the cover for their 2006 full length The Quiet Eye of Eternity looks like the last image one sees before ritual sacrifice. - [Suma - You're Such a Disappointment [Sweden, Stoner Doom] (2005 - 2012)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/287) - I feel compilations are important as they could potential be an introduction to a little known band. Suma is a Swedish stoner doom act who spent the bulk of the 00's making splits with other psych, doom, and sludge acts of similar fame. This is to say relativity obscure. For all of the time Suma - [Skelethal - Deathmanicvs Revelation [France, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/305) - Hooray French death! It should be noted that this band has two releases in 2014. One is this EP and the other is a reissue of the band's 2012 demos packaged together with Swedish death act Inisans. That other release is being handled by Caligari Records while Deathmanicvs Revelation is headed up by our trustworthy - [Plagüe - Unholy Offerings [US, Black / Thrash] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/302) - It is about that time when things completely break down and chaos ensues. Plagüe is a California based black thrash act who has yet to find a label to call home. Unholy Offerings is the band's first somewhat official release following two demos of near evil. Though this EP probably will not be considered anything - [Aphonic Threnody / Ennui - Immortal in Death [International / Georgia, Funeral Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/334) - I mean, why would't a funeral doom album have a cover with a casket and the lying dead? Seriously. This can't be the first time this has been thought of. Splits are hard enough to categorize but it makes even more difficult when one band has three countries attached. Ennui is from Georgia, thankfully, while - [False Prophet - Second Death [US, Thrash / Death] (1991)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/351) - I feel that I sometimes overstate my adoration for the internet and its ability to uncover lost artifacts covered by the winds of time. False Prophet was a death/thrash act from the US who self released one record before being buried in the early 90's. The Second Death lay untouched until a few years ago - [葬尸湖 (Zuriaake) - 孤雁 (Gu Yan) [China, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1280) - A few years ago, I wrote an article on Chinese depressive and atmospheric black metal specifically centered around the label Pest Productions. The label had a treasure trove of wonderful bands from China and also surrounding areas. 葬尸湖 (Zuriaake), 黎明的幻象 (The Illusion of Dawn) , Культура Курения (Smoking Culture), 阴暗之泉 (Dark Fount), and 墓 (Tomb) - [Shaidar Logoth - Chapter II: The Ritualist [US, Black/Drone] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1345) - Well, okay. This is something interesting. Shaidar Logoth seems to be the side project for Adam Clemans current front man for the Profound Lore act Wolvhammer and onetime vocalist for Veil of Maya and Steven Henningsgard who already collaborated with the singer for Iron Thrones. Though all bands involved are under the extreme metal umbrella, - [Vacivus - Rite of Ascension [United Kingdom, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1395) - UKDM! UKDM! UKDM! Alright, United Kingdom Death Metal isn't really a thing. In fact, I tried to get a tag going on this site but there were just not enough bands to warrant it. There is death metal from the United Kingdom and a lot of it is really good. In the second age of - [Arche - Undercurrents [Finland, Funeral Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1435) - Hooray. A band that is not on the Metal Archives so I have no idea what this is or how it is related to anything. It also appears that this Finnish funeral doom band has either just started or is hiding in the thick of obscurity. Undercurrents is probably the first EP from the Finnish - [Barghest - Into Weeping Firmament [US, Black / Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1494) - Hot damn, its another release by the wonderfully disturbed act named Barghest. It is always wonderful to see acts which show tremendous promise in the past only to continue doing exactly what they are capable of. I believe I made many mentions of the band's name and related Dungeons and Dragons imagery as being a - [葬尸湖 ( Zuriaake) - 孤雁 (Gu Yan) [China, Atmospheric Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1547) - I know with Zuriaake there are few certainties. Throughout my explorations of East Asian heavy metal, that strange and wonderful things can be found at a moments notice. Finding Pest Productions was a treasure trove of mostly Chinese depressive and atmospheric black metal. Pest Productions got some undue notice last year as being the label - [Slidhr - Spit of the Apostate [Ireland, Black / Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1578) - "In Norse mythology, Slid(h)r is a river in Hel, the land of the dead." Amazing. Despite Slidhr having work which goes back a few years, 2015 saw thew name of this Irish band appear continuous with the lineup for the NYC festival Dissocative Visions. It was this show which saw the likes of Predatory Light, - [决裂 (Rupture) - Death to Peace [China, Death / Thrash] (2014) [Reissue]](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1714) - The Compilation/Reissue section of this site is important to lesser known heavy to the point that I feel bad for not reviewing more off year releases. This goes especially true for albums that saw a very limited release in their initial year and are now seeing another limited release by a marginally larger label. If - [Hairst - Bròn [Scotland, Black / Ambient] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1721) - Sometimes hitting an aesthetic is a wonderful thing. Hairst is a Scottish one man black metal act whose demos and EPs are being celebrated by the very few. All of the covers for this artist are black and white or lightly destaturated. The music is a shrilly approach to making bedroom black metal complete with - [明日の叙景 - 過誤の鳥 [Japan, Post Black / Hardcore] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1749) - Post black is difficult to discuss because no one can really agree on what it is. Supposedly an extension on black metal it has come to be an umbrella term for blackgaze, atmospheric black with heavy post rock elements, and just straight up experimental black. If one was to really pin down the style with - [Sanctuaire - Le Sang sur l'Acier [Canada, Black / Ambient] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1845) - I feel that putting Ambient and Atmospheric on top of an album as a description can be akin to pushing it in certain direction that may not be appropriate. Le Sang sur l'Acier is not ambient in the same way as lets say Darkspace but it is not atmospheric in the same way as the - [Ancient Meat Revived - A Tribute To Cold Meat Industry [Black / Death / Ambient] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1930) - As the story goes, Cold Meat Industry was a Swedish label founded in 1987 which specilized in some of the more obscure fringe genres of heavy metal including ambient, martial music, industrial, power electronics, and various iterations of noise. Cold Meat is interesting because this loose affiliation with heavy metal because while never being a - [Owls Woods Graves - Owls Woods Graves [Poland, Black / Punk] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1959) - Perhaps one of my favorite styles of music is the bending of one until it shows the stress of another. Black metal and punk rock are not that far from each other in terms of residence though whenever hardcore is infused with the style, it comes across more as black metal with a hardcore punk - [Papa Necrose - Culto a Morte [Brazil, Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1980) - Death! Death! Death! Papa Necrose is not on Metal Archives as of yet so finding any relevant information is difficult save for their Facebook page. This is odd since the sound and style of this Brazilian death metal band is 10/10 across the board in terms of crushing entertainment. Firmly rooted in the old school - [Vomit Kult - Demonic Art [Unknown, Raw Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2094) - Self Released | 1-29-17 Well, fucking fantastic guys, I literally have nothing to go on regarding where you are from since there is no trace of you anywhere on the internet. It is funny that people lament the death of research in the internet age and yet there are still bands that toe the line - [Angel Morgue - Angel Morgue [US, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2122) - Yes to everything about this. From the sound to the name to the album cover, Angel Morgue fills a very order for people seeking cavernous death metal which wouldn't be welcomed in any places of worship. The aesthetic which drips from this band in trails of slime is notable as their self titled EP debut - [Nornír - Urd [Germany, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2129) - Hopefully you are ready to run becasue whatever is chasing you is getting closer. From the not so ice bitten lands of Germany comes a band that is less innovative as they are aged in experience. With a decent sized EP to follow their 2015 demo, Nornír steps onto the stage to offer entertaining black - [Muka - Sveta Stoka [Croatia, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2143) - Thanks to Muka for breaking a pretty nice streak of black and white album covers. It is okay, since the cover for Muka's newest EP comes drenched in pale yellows and cold greys as it really frames a record that is both uninviting and entrancing. I do not know if my translation is correct but - [Repulsive - The Flesh Domain [UK, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2152) - March comes in like a unholy desiccated lion and out like a thunderclap. I think I got that right. Repulsive is difficult to search for as they share a similar sounding name with a classic and pioneering death metal band. If you do manage to find this UK based Swede worship band, then you are - [Rotten Tomb - Necropolis [Chile, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2216) - I must have made mention of Chile at one point. For the last year or so, the influx of great death and black metal from Chile and also surrounding South American countries has been staggering. Already this year we had a fantastic demo from Hypnosinosis with Putrid Coffin a close memory in 2016. While metal - [Defecrator / Ritual Genocide - Anti-Human Deathcult/Death Exalted [US, Death / Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2227) - I mentioned before, somewhere on this blog about my love for splits and ultimately the reason why I cover so few. Even though splits are a fantastic way to experience multiple bands and cover a wade expanse of underground, splits are unwieldy when it comes to titling. Multiple bands combined with multiple titles and artwork - [SunSpell / Suadade - From the Mist... We Are but Dust [US / Canada, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2240) - Reviewing an Iron Bonehead release feels like cheating since this label is legendary for being consistent with their output. Not only does this label find and support great acts, but their status only grows with each release. This is why a split from two up and coming artists isn't much of a find but rather - [Atavisma - On the Ruins of a Fallen Empire [ France, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2254) - Well, it seems like this band has all of the boxes ticked. From album art to album name, the debut EP from this French death/doom oufit shows a band willing to mold themselves in the eyes of the listeners. This is not to say Atavisma conforms to any trends rather their brand of music is - [Apologoethia - Pillars [Spain, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2365) - Listening to records is important .. obviously. I base my initial searches based on album art so I find the visual compenet to be just as important. Though the artwork for Pillars initially grabbed my attention, it wasn't until after diving into this Spanish act's music that I found my judgement wrong. Here I thought - [Faruln - Faruln [Sweden, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2371) - I find it amusing and comforting that the Banedcamp header is the famous still from The Seventh Seal which is a movie that has become known for its vintage depiction o death and mortal pondering. This maybe a perfect place to start for black metal and in fact, is probably one of the more honest - [Agonic Death - Under the Mark of the Devil [Chile, Death / Thrash] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2408) - Let us be entirely honest and say this is not from 2017. Back in September of 2016, 100 tapes of Under the Mark of the Devil EP were released probably to a small group of people. In 2017, the band put out the Ep again with different art to the protest of no one. Actual - [Barshasketh / Outre - Sein / Zeit [New Zealand / Poland, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2415) - Before beginning, I want to acknowledge the cover art/layout for this split as being one of the coolest covers of the year. Though I am confused who did the cover since the Metal Archives has the personal sort of mixed up, the artwork looks similar to Fenomeno Design which did Barshasketh's 2015 album. I know - [Sørgelig - Forever Lost [Greece, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2464) - There are sometimes a great record comes out at the very end of the year and other a great record comes out in June and I just completely missed it. There will never be a time when I can be certain I heard most or even half of the lesser known metal this year even - [No Funeral - Mankind is Carrion, Fit for Nothing [US, Sludge / Doom] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2470) - Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal. Lyrical themes: Drug addiction, Nihilism, Depression, Death, Misanthropy. You already know what you are getting into just by the summary of this release. Even looking at the band photos, one can assume most things about this sound. I have been more than honest about my stance on sludge and doom as a - [Another Dead One - Tomb of a Thousand Sorrows [US, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2473) - This is perhaps my sixth review today trying to not only get up to a certain number but review all of the material that is being released at the end of the year. While most of the lists have been published and writers have gone home to celebrate another year of releases, the backwaters of - [Benthik Zone - Causa Modicum Temporis Spatium [Portugal, Atmospheric Black / Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2503) - After a short rest following end of the year festivities, this is the first Tape Wyrm review of 2018. I thought it would be fitting to celebrate the passing of the new year with a record that sounds like the collapsing of worlds and the coming of an age of darkness. From a very Latin - [Human Agony - Goring Christ [Canada, Black / Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2524) - The fact I can't listen to more than one song from this EP is hilarious as it is infuriating. The mail order distro which is attached to this band, Blud Auk also has its samples on Soundcloud. It seems to be my fate finding really awesome music that sails international waters in terms of formats - [RUTSA / POHJAMUTA / CICUTOXIN - Cold Case [Finland, Sludge / Punk / Noise] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2527) - ...and here we are in some far flung corner of the world with a three way split of things that may or may not be metal. I do not think it matters as it is 100% effective. I adore not only the quest for weird and caustic thing but also when there is a breakdown - [Lord Rot / VHS - Split [Scotland / Canada, Death / Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2537) - I do not know why this makes sense but it does. The split between Lord Rot and VHS allows one to experience two different types of horror. This is why I have constantly praised the ideas of split as you are allowed the opportunity to come into a release that is curated by more than - [Mortuus Umbra - Omnipraesent [Israel, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2557) - Mortuus Umbra is from Israel which is not that much of a unique factor though the western Asia is on the lower end of metal exports. Looking at statistics for the county, there are around 250 metal bands in Israel which contains a bevy of genres and even more diversity in quality. Judging by this - [Ordeals / Daethorn - Split [US / France, Death / Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2578) - "Whatever goes to Hell...stays in Hell." What a great fucking way to start a split of rotting death. The Ordeals / Daethorn split is more a promotional tape to showcase talent represented by both BLOOD HARVEST RECORDS and HELTER SKELTER PRODUCTIONS. The Bandcamp is presented in true underground fashion with one track being three songs - [Gestank - Rathymns [Sweden, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2583) - ""Gestank returns with even darker atmosphere and a thinner production than on the previous recordings. Enjoy or don't !" -- I have been laughing about this for the past few weeks as it is clear this is not meant for enjoyment. I mean, I enjoy it but it is nice to know no one cares. - [Cryptworm - Verminosis [UK, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2594) - All hail Bulldozer Death! This is my personal tag for music that sounds like an unmanageable amount of gravesoil pushed onto a listener at once which slowly becomes their demise. This is what Cryptworm sounds like and it is as fun as it is intimidating. Following their well received 2017 demo, released on Goatpryaer, Cryptworm - [Dauþuz - Des Zwerges Fluch [Germany, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2644) - Alright we have to talk about it. Lyrical themes: Historical mining. In all of my years spent in heavy meta, this is perhaps the first mining centered metal band I have come across. In fact, looking through the Metal Archives for other bands which share the aesthetic, Dauþuz is one of five and the second - [Cruor Vexillum - Cruor Vexillum [New Zealand, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2679) - So from rumors, conjecture, and pure speculation, the work of Cruor Vexillum is from "VK" who also may be the spirit behind bands like Diocletian, Temple Nightside, Vassafor, and maybe Irkallian Oracle. I do not know and maybe other people don't as well. Actually knowing is sort of second to music which is grim and - [Męka - Ending My Life to Destroy Yours [US, Blackened Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2752) - I actually am at a lose to what the genres are. I can usually either pick them out or go somewhere else to confirm. That is more difficult when the band has zero internet presence outside a few reviews and their music is a maelstrom of genres and chaos. Enter Męka whoese special character is - [Father Moon - 2 [Canada, Doom] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2767) - This is not usually the type of music featured on this site. I do not think this type of music is really featured anywhere. I do not know what this is. It is weird and I love it. Father Moon is a Canadian act which seems to take its cues from Nightfall era Candlemass but - [Sadomagickal Seducer - Testicular Torture [Canada, Black / Doom / Punk] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2782) - Alright to be completely honest, this EP came out in 2018. It was released sometime in March of last year independently. This is a cassette rerelease by Hellhammered Media. By the looks of it, this band had some recognition upon their initial release but that doesn't matter since I am writing about this again. Why? - [CREMATORY STENCH - Grotesque Deformities [US, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2792) - There will be a day when I am not immedtially drawn to a BW photocopied cover that is blown out with one color (most likely red). there will be a time when I am not ecstatic when a band embraces an aesthetic and goes for a name, album, and song titles that oscillates between Lovecraft, - [Ghriéving - Chimére de Hypnos [Venezuela, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2833) - Vigor Deconstruct is a new label which seems to be what is left after the dissolving of the venerated label Fallen Empire. From few Facebook posts, Vigor Deconstruct seems to be taking up the mantle, and remaining roster, and being the aesthetic torchbearer and dealers of obscure madness. Many things are uncertain but adie from - [Grim Existence - Expansion of Reality [UK, Death / Hardcore] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2846) - Worship bleak existence. This is the second EP from a UK outfit that has taken their time between releases but in reality doesn't give a shit what you think. The realm of hardcore punk and death metal have a weird little scene when forced in the same jail cell. Grim Existence seems to be coasting - [Gravkväde / Deadlife - Grav​|​Rafn [Sweden, Black / Doom] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2888) - This is not new as this split was released in June and is seeing a 12" release from Death Kvlt Productions. Gravkväde wouldn't be considered obscure nor I would guess no one would consider them mainstream as their 2018 full length was supported by Avantgarde Music but if that means nothing to you then here - [Wormreign - Wormreign [Canada, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2916) - Good morning, it is time to wake up and run straight into that opposing wall. Wormreign comes to us from Canada and with an album cover that is to be expected but most certainly welcome. What is surprising about this debut EP is the tenacious nature of the music and also the energy in which - [Glemsel - Unavngivet [Denmark, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2941) - This EP was tagged under the genre of "atmospheric black," though I feel we are going to collectively move past any assumptions regarding sound. Glemsel is a trio from Denmark whose first statement in this heavy metal world comes by way of Unavngivet -- a powerful release full of spite, longing, and heavy textures. Unavngivet - [Sepulchral Voices - Evil Crusaders [Belgium, Black / Thrash] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3010) - The Bandcamp for this band states "We are Sepulchral voices and we're back from the grave" but this should be taken as aesthetic rather than insinuating they are an old band. This is confusing as there is an older band named Sepulchral Voice that plays death thrash. This is not them rather Sepulchral Voices who - [Mulla - هل تحتاج إلى [Iraq, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3112) - Well, this certainly comes with a cautious approach. Metal from non western countries is not uncommon. Black metal from non western countries is a little bit more rare but not unheard. Heavy metal from the middle east is even more of a rarity and black metal from Iraq with lyrical themes about Islam. the only - [Anatomia / Pazuzu - Indwelling Morbidity [Japan / Costa Rica, Death / Doom] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3217) - So I am going with the current Bandcamp on this release and who is supporting it. Anatomia is fairly well known with a 2017 full length from Nuclear War Now but Pazuzu is a bit more obscure. This split was self released but then is also tagged as coming out from Cain Records and now - [Profane Oath - Unholy Hymns [Italy, Black / Thrash] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3256) - The more I spend time with this record, the more I love it. Profane Oath follows a very familar template when it comes to their approach to heavy metal. Surrendering to the style of black / thrash, Profane Oath has bought into the sounds, image, and general lifestyle of black/thrash with an EP that could - [Torture Tomb - Killing to See How It Feels [US, Death Metal] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3324) - 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 - [Saccular - Excrescence Odium [US, Brutal Death / Grind] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3368) - 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 - [Brahdr'uhz / Lugubris / Cendres de Haine - 666 Fuck You [Switzerland, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3477) - Well, here we are. It is 2020 and I am writing about a split entitled 666 Fuck You. The embrace of aesthetics is a strange thing as something that seems overwrought and oppressive could work towards its ultimate success. The Swiss trio of Brahdr'uhz, Lugubris, and Cendres de Haine is a Swiss trio of acts - [Demon Goat - Messenger of Doom [US, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3600) - I want you to forget a few things. I want you to forget the tags on this Bandcamp page. I want you to forget the fact that this creator played in Khemmis for a spell. I want you to forget the fact that Demon Goat has a dizzying amount of releases since 2016. I want - [Covered Bridges - Covered Bridges [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3718) - this is apart of my quest to write reviews on what feels like a lot of tapes that were recently purchased. It is difficult to say know when you stumble on a wonderful comfy synth release with a tape as well as a record label you did not know existed. Neverwood Records is based in - [Criecziel - Caverns Under the Wetland [Spain, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3712) - I would like to spend the remaining days of 2020 reflecting on dungeon synth and how I fell back into the scene. If not for the fact the world turned upside down and things were put into flux, I do not think I would have time or desire to page through daily dungeon synth releases. - [Gatewatcher - Memories Lost and Planes Forgotten [Croatia, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3708) - This is the second release that was given to me by the very wonderful label Realm and Ritual. Today we have the fourth release from Croatian artist Gatewatcher, who also lends their talents to the projects Lone Adventurer and Ashen Chalice. Gatewatcher as a project is entirely dedicated to the lore of Magic's the Gathering - [Fogweaver - Vedurnan [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3704) - Fogwever has been an experience this year. Not only was 2020's Spellwind a complete surprise earlier this year, the tape version from Faberglade Records was something of both joy to see being sold and anguish when I missed out on it. I have come to terms with the fact this artist is popular and limited - [Gravkväde - Grav | Ruin [Sweden, Black / Funeral Doom] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3701) - Going to be real honest in saying, it took me forever to spell this band's name. Perhaps it was the crushing weight of emotion which comes with this release. The below link to the Bandcamp page goes to the Transylvanian Tapes site which is producing the 2021 tape run for this 2020 release. Funeral Doom - [~*Faerie Cross Grotto*~ - Crystal Majesty [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3697) - "For my love of places often forgotten." I do not know why I am so drawn to that phrase. Perhaps it sums up my love for this music in an invocation for the gods of hazy escapism and memory. Crystal Majesty is ~*Faerie Cross Grotto*~ 's debut release and by the sound of the first - [Morgued - Demo [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3665) - This demo is really only a little over 7 minutes though I feel it is just long enough to make its point. Morgued is dedicated to the splatter sounds of old death metal and while that isn't new territory for a lot of bands, this Boston based two piece comes with the trajectory of a - [Vultures Ov Veles - Demo 2020 [US, Raw Black / Noise] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3690) - All I want in life is to listen to ear shattering noises at 8:46 in the morning with a cup of black coffee and an overcast sky. I have no idea who Vultures Ov Veles is or why they decided to add anxious noise into their already caustic black metal but this declaration of ruin - [Funerary Decent - Tombreach [US, Black / Doom] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3683) - It has been a little bit since I reviewed something that was not dungeon synth but I feel the return to something heavier is fitting that it is so gloomy. Tombreach, the first demo since 2016, marks the return of the Maryland based two piece in a time of great uncertainty and dread. "Unprofessionally recorded, - [Old Wizard - Old Wizard [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3686) - At this moment, I am just going to assume that fantastic dungeon synth is going to be released throughout the year and there will be no stopping point between the end of the year and the beginning of the next. It is okay, this just means that no matter where you are in the year, - [Arthel - Ancient Magic of the Forest [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3679) - This is wonderful. I have always enjoyed the nature of comfy synth even though the niche genre in the larger dungeon synth scene feels like boom that already has passed. Arthel is not a comfy synth artist though the music retains the same brightness and aesthetics just with a few key differences. First and perhaps - [Vale Minstrel - Garden of Spells [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3673) - This is the second Vale Minstrel release this year and this is the second time I wrote a review on the artist. There is something magical and comforting about the work of Vale Minstrel and their attempt to weave enchantments in mi-fi regal dungeon synth. Vale Minstrel teams up once again with Silvana Massa whose - [Fog Castle/Foglord/Fogweaver - In the Kingdom of Fog [US, Dungeon Synth]](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3668) - Yes, I will admit I chuckled a little at the combination of all of these artists. The split between three Fog based dungeon synth artists all from the United States under a split also about Fog lends itself to humorous overlap between aesthetics. I would be laughing more if not for the fact that one - [Nameless King - Downfall Of Drangleic [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3662) - Downfall of Drangleic comes in a group of four new releases from Gondolin Records. I have talked before and even expressed my undying loyalty to a label that not only showcases quality artists but frames each releases with visual cohesion. I know what a Gondolin Record release looks like as I know what a Realm - [Various Artists - The Reliquary of Terror [International, Dungeon Synth] (2020 )](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3659) - This is fun. I feel it necessary to highlight the fantastic design for the Reliquary of Terror as I am a fan and practitioner of mimicking distressed media covers. This release boasts a pulp book cover and the flair which surrounds this releases is truly outstanding. the design is the first thing which greats the - [Malfet - Alban Arthan [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3655) - At this point, I do not have to introduce Dungeon Deep Records as this US(?) label has been one of the more consistent and professional tape labels for dungeon synth in recent memory with a catalog of stellar releases that not only build upon the style's pas but lay the groundwork for its future. Malfet - [Hammer Crime - MMXX [Canada, Black / Thrash / Punk] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3651) - Hammer Crime is strange and wonderful all at once. Resting at a confluence of black, thrash, punk, and groove metal, this Canadian band makes a demo that really just is an ugly brick thrown into your window. Now will I say all of this is refined and perfect? Absolutely not. Is it effective in its - [Amok Weg - Amok Weg [Spain, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3647) - Amok Weg was something I found just paging through the new pages of dungeon synth releases. It was not on the new and notable page and was somewhat buried under albums with physical releases. Maybe it this had a tape release people would be excited. I know I would. Amok Weg is from Spain which - [Dust Drinker - Sky Burial [US, Ritual Ambient / Noise] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3644) - This fits in both camps for this blog and possibly neither. I do not know if this album is correctly tagged as ritual ambient but the Bandcamp used the tag "ritual" and I am going to run with it. Ritual ambient has been an interest for me partially due to its nebulous nature. Caught between - [DIM - Compendium III [Canada, Dungeon Synth / Medieval] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3641) - I can remember in 2017 when the first Compendium was released and I was flabbergasted at the quality of the work. DIM was truly monumental in its craft for medieval folk and fantasy ambient. I almost feel silly forgetting about this artist until someone told me about the third compendium and the addition of tapes - [Taurwen - A Wind Blows from the Mountain of Death [Turkey, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3636) - I usually do not like to include geographical location when discussing dungeon synth at least in the fact of it being novel. Dungeon Synth, I feel transcends regional locations to a place far away from wherever one would be born. Taurwen's distinction of being from Turkey is a fact but is heighted by their claim - [Gorephilia - In the Eye of Nothing [Finland, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3633) - It is difficult not to get excited about this sort of thing. Death metal has been through its trails and tribulations for years with subtle niches and styles for any discerning listener. In fact, if one would like to hear a spectrum of death from the very bloody to the more abstract, they need not - [ElixiR - Le conte des trois faunes [France, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3629) - I was surprised to ElixiR in the new release feed as I thought this project was disbanded. This is entirely my fault as I was misremembering an incident in 2017 regarding artwork and the Bandcamp for this page being deleted for a brief moment before being brought online. This seems like ancient history as I - [Diabhal - M M X X [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3626) - All hail the bulldozer. When discussing death metal from the last few years, there is a certain strain of hip rough edge death metal that relies mostly on riffs and gross looking album covers. This is wonderful death metal but has become apart of an aesthetic that bands can easily subscribe. Diabhal eschews this tradition - [Geldurum - Medieval Campfire Tales [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3622) - "Gather around and have a moment of peace." First of all, if you enjoy the sound of this record and would like a Name Your Price copy, you can head on over to the artists Bandcamp to support. If you would like a copy of one of the better dungeon synth / medieval ambient records, - [Alkilith - Tales of The Wandering Mage [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3618) - Release Date/Info: Pre-order October 16th on the Realm and Ritual bandcamp. Limited to 30 cassette copies. this is one of the first prerelease tapes I get to review which is an exciting step in getting ahead of the limited release tapes that always seem to elude me. Alkilith is a US based composer who has - [FOREST HERMIT - DEMO II: BIDDING SUMMER FAREWELL AT MINERS RUN [US, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3615) - "Another demo recorded in one take in the woods. Forest ambient bidding farewell to Summer, released on the Autumn Equinox." When one talks about forest ambient, the usual connotation goes to sound rather than process. If forest ambient is going to be considered a way of making music, it will be wholly interesting and perhaps - [NECROTUM - May The Dead Rise [Romania, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3612) - I am writing about the cassette release of Necrotum's May The Dead Rise. It is limited to 100 tapes and can be purchased for 6 Euro plus whatever shipping. If you are not interested in picking up this tape, then you can travel over to the band's page to pick up the digital for 4 - [Villein - Splendor Solis [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3606) - Villein's debut was a surprise back in the halcyon days of June 2020. Not only was this a competent dungeon synth release swathed in lush layers but it was also somewhat overlooked by the larger community. This is funny since there was a 25 edition tape that accompanied the release which was sold out in - [Orcus - Altar of Necropolis [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3609) - I am including the link to the Realm ad Ritual release for this album even though the edition of tapes sold out. Altar of Necropolis was self released in May of this year but has since been picked up by the wonderful Realm and Ritual label. Orcus is a UK based artist who seems to - [Wistful Gardens - Hives Of The Hinterlands [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3603) - "Buy Digital Discography $7.25 CAD or more (75% OFF)". I have mentioned many times when talking to freinds who couldn care less, that Realm of Sleeps visual direction is perhaps one of its strongest selling points. Let us not forget that Realm of Sleep offers amazing lofi fantasy synth which inhabits the space between sleeping - [Mystiska Skogen - Den Förtrollade Gläntan [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3597) - I feel it is a special time and an album can also make one fall in love with the artwork. Alessia Brusco (Skogens Rymd Art) provided the cover for Mystiska Skogen's second release Den Förtrollade Gläntan and its mystic dreamscapes of woodlands is so fitting to the musical dreamscapes, it is almost as if the - [Deathvoid - Terrace [Switzerland, Noise / Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3594) - There are often times when the noise tag for an record comes as a cosmetic aesthetic. the addition of noise in production can add a certain raw edge to music that is already feral in sound. There are often times when the noise tag is apart of a genre and has surrendered its sound the - [Lone Adventurer - The Eternal Quest [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3591) - This was one of the tapes I picked up from the UK based label Vicious Mockery. Aside from the intimate melancholy of the sparse electric piano, there were a few things which drew me to the tape which include the edition of 25 and the almost handmade quality of the tapes. I feel production in - [Deathevn - Deathevn [Poland, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3588) - This is a striking and exhilarating demo from a new Polish band that I most certainly shared to make a joke regarding the name. Deathevn is the work of Warped Blasphemer who also lends his talents to Dagorath, Nurt Ognia, and Xarzebaal. Detheven was said to be created in three days and the immediacy of - [Månskensdvärgar - :I: [?, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3584) - I have my guesses where this composer is from but I could be wrong. It is not like it matters as a location is sometimes omitted by an artist if it is not relevant. Månskensdvärgar is "an acoustic journey through the moonlit root kingdoms and fog-covered moss fields of the northern dwarves of old folklore." - [Töxik Death - Sepulchral Demons [Norway, Thrash / Death / Punk] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3581) - The tags for this record are black / thrash / death / punk and to what percentage is anyone's guess. Töxik Death care little for being balanced or even correct as the band's second full length does more for their thesis of destruction than any previous release. Reviewing a band with a larger history is - [Xard - Dreams of the Strange Tower [US, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3578) - Somewhere between the realm of waking and sleep likes Xard and their dreams of the strange tower. Somewhere between the sound of dungeon synth and the haunting of dark ambient is Xard and their dreams of the strange tower. Xard is an odd entity as it the debut for the composer who goes by the - [Veriluola - Demo [Finland, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3575) - Yes. Yes. Yes. The stars align and we are given a rough black metal record from a band that has yet to have a Metal Archives page or a second supporter on Bandcamp. These are the moments where I feel I have found something that will be of interest to a lot of people and - [Village of Dorlech - Seeds of Change [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3572) - "Plant based Dungeon Synth." I love these types of descriptions. I love these types of descriptions as selling points rather than invented genres. Actually, who knows, maybe horticulture inspired dungeon synth will be a thing in a few years. Seeds of Change is dedicated to the quiet ambiance of plants growing which is nurtured by - [Affliction Vector - Death Comes Supreme [Netherlands, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3569) - There is something about artwork depicting Jesus getting run through by demons. This description and accompanying artwork might be ostentatious but it is fitting to Death Comes Supreme, a grand declaration of bestial noise. The Bandcamp page sports names like Mayhem, Voivod, and Bolt Thrower which are three different styles but all fall under one - [Ontrothon, Saga of the Ancient Glass - Ontrothon, Saga of the Ancient Glass [Greece, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3566) - It is interesting and delightful to run across a dungeon synth project from a prominent metal musician. Ontrothon, Saga of the Ancient Glass is the side project for Spectral Lore, the almost renown Grecian atmospheric black metal project whose last few releases have been met with praise. Spectral Lore is not unfamiliar with the concept - [Evaporated Sores - Ulcerous Dimensions [US, Death / Noise] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3563) - If I was going to guess where this act originates, It would be "different places" as the two members from the few bands listed on the Bandcamp profile hail from Mississippi as well as Oregon. We are going to assume Evaporated Sores is a digital project though I could be wrong as the sound is - [Snuggle Oscar - Sunday Snoozin' [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3560) - I feel the more I listen to comfy synth, the less critical I am of its presence. This helps when the music being released is of decent quality and elicits a certain aesthetic. The aesthetic of comforting and warm synth music that is inviting to all listeners. Snuggle Oscar is perhaps one of the most - [Charnel Ascension - Spectral Dances Towards The Coffin [US, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3557) - "Charnel Ascension is a member of The GraveLight Order along with Mortevexis, Slaves To The Enchanted Fog, Vampyric Bvrial and others." With this being kinda local to me, I often wonder if I pass the basement or abandoned church that houses these record labels. Spectral Dances Towards The Coffin is the debut demo for the - [Villein - Kreis [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3554) - Even though the 30 copies of this July release have already been sold out, I feel am stumbling into a gem of a record that has yet to be hared with the amount of people it deserves. Villein is a UK artist who balances traditional dungeon synth with neoclassical new age with something that sounds - [Disrupted - Pure Death [Sweden, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3551) - There is a long and detailed history of Swedish death as a sound as it has come to influence and sway the actions of many new bands. The atmosphere if ripping chainsaw guitars and the grinding d misery of mid tempo death is something that is retained in the hearts of devout followers. Disrupted loves - [Scenic Railway - Scenic Railway [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3548) - Train Synth. Ha, I joke but seriously. I have been holding the entire comfy synth scene at bay until I had a chance to wrap my head around it but it was Scenic Railway and its embrace of everything lo fi that made me realize this genre is perhaps to nebulous for one genre. In - [The World is Burning and I'm Just Sitting Here Making Grindcore Songs - The End of the World [US, Grind / Noise] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3545) - At some points, I wonder where music stops and where weird art projects begin. The World is Burning and I'm Just Sitting Here Making Grindcore Songs is most certainly a bedroom art / music project with irreverence a weapon that is wielded around with abandon. The End of the World is a remix / re - [moss witch - spells from the ground and the dirt [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3542) - "hand-dubbed, low quality small run of 5 tapes. a portion of proceeds will be donated to mutual aid funds. includes a bonus track. only shipping within the united states for now. really sorry about that - if you order from somewhere else, I'll refund the money." Everything about this is charming. Moss Witch most certainly - [Sulfure - Neurotisme [Canada, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3539) - I am excited beyond belief for this demo. Not only is it blistering black metal from Canada but it is also the debut demo from a elf released entity. These are all things which this site strives to showcase and Neurotisme could be the embodiment of this mission as it gallops on spectral horses to - [Maiden Hair - Yonder [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3536) - One would think this Maiden Hair release would be something along the lines of traditional dungeon synth what with the cover and the grim looking Bandcamp page. One would not expect wild Yamaha PSS-270 sounds to assail them from vintage treetops. Maiden Hair for all its subterfuge is a near irreverent composer more along the - [Ascended Master - What Was .​.​. And What Shall Be Again [US, Death /Thrash] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3533) - Fuck yes. Even though it took me a few seconds to decide where to jump, once falling inside this record became an absolute joy. Ascended Master is an Ohio based death/thrash act that worships at the altar of the old masters while making a blistering demo that is nothing short of fun and excitement. It - [Poodle Knight - Brave The Darkness [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3530) - Stop it Crypt Hop. Stop trying being a thing. If you keep trying, you are going to end up making a decent release. I have been wary of a new tag that has been affixed to releases Crypt Hop is the purported marriage between hip hop beats and the morose atmosphere of dungeon synth. For - [Dysylumn - Cosmogonie [France, Progressive Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3527) - O first want to pay special recognition to the artwork of Karmazid who graces the cover of this release. Karmazid has also done work for Andavald, Bewitcher, Chevalier, Draghkar, LVTHN, Malokarpatan, Urfaust, and a whole host of other acts with their distinct style occultist imagery. Perhaps this is what brought me into the page for - [Hole Dweller - flies the coop II [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3523) - I was away for Hole Dweller's debut and this fact still pains me to this day. Though I missed this stellar debut from the Us artist, I have been singing the praises of this year's followup Returns to Roost as a striking continuation of progressive dungeon synth. Flies the coop II is the second installment - [OTDHR - REHEARSAL II [France, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3520) - I am not usually down with unfinished products. I understand raw black metal (and to some extent other genres) has an aesthetic that embraces unfinished work as it simultaneously showcases potential while celebrating unpolished atmospheres. OTDHR's sound was enough to grab interest and this 9 minute rehearsal showed enough talent that I start to wonder - [SCRIBA ÆTERNITATIS - Forgotten Chronicles [Canada, Dungeon Synth / Neocloassical] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3517) - I feel the Neoclassical tag differentiates dungeons synth from a style that is one that is ornate in its very structure. SCRIBA ÆTERNITATIS is born of a different family than other dungeon synth composers as their melodies and melodrama make up the very essence of the records. Forgotten Chronicles is less an album than it - [Flesh Megalith - Flesh Megalith [Australia, Death / Doom] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3514) - Tags: metal, cavernousdeathmetal, doommetal, Australia. I feel everyone can remember a tie when cavern death was rampant and both good and generic releases were flooding bandcamp with labels devoting their roster to bands and albums with slimy sounding names. Flesh Megalith could have been apart of that wave and perhaps if it would have been - [Uilos - I: Dark Night Of The Soul [Canada, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3511) - "Named for star-like flowers found growing on graves around the Gate Of Silver during the journey into Gondolin, the project's inaugural volume threads 37 minutes of mystic, mournful instrumentals into a shimmering saga of hidden hermits, enticing dragons, and headless knights." Even though I am writing this review, I would like to highlight successful attempts - [Telluric Effluvium - Dissolution of the Threefold Self [US, Funeral Doom] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3508) - I could probably count the number of funeral doom records reviewed on this site in the entirely of its existence. To be short, funeral doom is not a popular style despite its robust history as an extreme metal genre. This is for various reasons but mainly one might struggle to find an audience that is - [Hasufel - Lamentations Of The Foul High Priest [US, Ritual Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3505) - Ritual Ambient is something I have always admired even if I do not actively seek it out. Ritual ambient is a specter that sometimes crosses my path and am forced to confront. So Called Hell is a newish US based tape label that specializes in, according to their Bandcamp Page, lower path sounds. Dungeon Synth - [STAGNATER - THE GUILLOTINE DEMO [US, Grind / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3502) - It has been a minute since I checked in on Transylvanian Tapes and much to my surprise and abject horror, this label has a slab of new releases that are certain to inspire terror. Stagnater is a Boston based grind act that follows the genre's cure on song length but manages to condense fierce death/grind - [Svart Solace - East Of The Tower Mill [US, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3498) - It is comforting to see a DS release without a tape option since I know that I did not miss out on it. I just joke since I would most certainly be upset when i missed out on the tape release of this record. Svart Solace is an ambient composer that has found their way - [Ænigmatum - Adorned in Wrath [US, Black / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3495) - Before wandering into this release expecting blistering black / death, allow me to explain all of these noodles. Ænigmatum is a Us based band that does play a variety of black / death but it leans more inteo blackened death. I do not like to differentiate between the two that much but for this instance - [Vegard - From The Crypt of The Elders Volume One [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3492) - "Limited edition VHS style cassette with numbered membership card. Comes with an A3 poster and signed A4 card. Limited to 100 copies." -- SOLD OUT. this is delightful. Aside from physical copies of Ds records selling out in matter of minutes, I appreciate the fact there are black metal bands still making DS side projects. - [Thermokarst - Demo [Canada, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3489) - Reverence is a power toxin when making music. Having a goal or style one wants to recreate and call their home is an easy direction for bands as it gives them a goal. Thermokarst is dedicated to the sound of second wave black metal even dedicating their opening track to a familiar phrase. But this - [Little Spells - The Forest Twigs Are My Wands [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3486) - Regardless if this dungeon synth is your style, one has to admit it is popular and perhaps one of the defining milestones of the the last few years in terms of sound. Comfy / mountain / village / nature / quiet / small / tiny or any other adjective to showcase the docile qualities of - [Celestial Sanctuary - Mass Extinction [UK, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3483) - Right now I am going to be talking to the three of you that recognize that this demo was released late year year and is thus not apart of 2020. I know and you know but for the rest of us that missed this short slab of looming riff worship. Aside from having one of - [Eternal Abyss - MMXX [Chile, Traditional Doom] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3075) - I enjoy traditional doom. I also enjoy rough and raw production. the combination of the two is not something that is usually seen including a release of a traditional doom demo but here we are in 2020. Eternal Abyss offers themselves to the council of bands like Trouble, Pagan Altar, Pentagram, and even Candlemass. The - [Bespin Moons - A Binding Force [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3078) - I passed over this release two or three times since I did not initially pick up on its entire vibe. From what I saw, I thought Bespin Moons was a synthwave record wrongly tagged as dungeon synth. To my surprise not only was it dungeon synth, and fantastic dungeon synth at that, but this was - [Abduction - Cyclopean Thunderbolt [UK, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3137) - I remember being absolutely smitten with Abduction's 2019 All Pain as All Pain as Penance a cathartic dive into noisy black metal. Now, without much preamble comes a blinding demo with perhaps the coolest name all year. Cyclopean Thunderbolt is a mess of ruminating atmosphere and a production that sounds like a witch loosely chained - [Sørgelig - Sørgelig [Greece, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3081) - Phew, try to hold on. Sørgelig has been building up momentum for a few years with bleak looking demos and albums that look perfect for cassette tapes. the self titled EP comes quickly after a 2019 full length and by the time 12 minute EP begins, it feels like you are running to catch up - [Ænigmatum - Adorned in Wrath [US, Black / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3156) - There is something about the palette of grey, black and blue that makes a cover so enticing. Even before listening to the newest demo from Ænigmatum, one knows what they are in for. Rather than a blistering black-white-red palette of black/death, one is treated to the twisting catacombs of an alien landscapes where walls breathe - [Grimwin’s Forge - Grimwin's Forge III [US, Dungeon Noise] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3166) - Dungeon noise was a foreseeable branch to come out of the great modern DS wave of the mid 10's. When one has a group of bedroom producers, experimentation is a natural progression on any genre and noise/dark ambient/harsh experimentation in a genre whose roots go back to black metal was a logical step. Dungeon noise - [Hallucination / Arapaima - Death Ambient [US, Dark Ambient / Noise] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3444) - This is certainly something. Dark Ambient is less interesting to me than dungeon synth for various reasons. Dark ambient is also a bigger genre with longer history but still with the same amount of audience. Dark Ambient is hard to approach due to its nebulous nature which matches its nebulous sound. Moonworshipper records has been - [Darken Wood - VI [US, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3480) - It is sometimes amusing to go back through a catalog and see that I bought something from an artist and never checked back to see what they were doing. Darken Wood's debut was released in 2017 to positive reception including myself. That was around the same time i took a hiatus from keeping up to - [Keys of Orthanc - Unfinished Conquests [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3474) - "While working on a new Lord of the Rings themed black metal album, "Unfinished Conquest" is a Dungeon Synth ode to all heroes who marched to, fought and died on glorious quests and adventures." I enjoy when dungeon synth comes out of an intense desire to wade into the knee deep waters of atmosphere. Dungeon - [ABREACTION - Puer Aeternity [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3471) - This is so funny and amazing and only for a few people to enjoy. I do not know where to start. Perhaps the comedic nihilism with the label name or the fact the cover looks like a shirt or the fact this demo? is so arrogant in its raw disgust that it's imperfections are at - [Barbarian King - Barbarian King [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3468) - Barbarian King could be considered in a league of its own when it comes to dungeon synth. Yes, this release is a fantasy bedroom production yet unlike the majority of dungeon synth, its scope is so much larger than the limits of its production. The sweeping melodies and narrative paths of this 2020 debut owes - [Question - Reflections of the Void [Mexico, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3465) - Bright psychedelic covers be dammed, this is some decent stuff. Question was a surprise a few years ago with the release of their 2018 self titled EP. The twisting death metal sound which sounded like non euclidean staircases was a surprise and part and parcel for Caligari Records. Reflections of the Void brings back this - [Húrin - Lord of Waters [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3462) - I do listen to many releases that are sent to my email. I usually listen to more dungeon synth than metal but that is only because there are less dungeon synth promo rings emailing me everyday. Most of the time is when the artist sends me a message and I get to listen to an - [AstralSide - Vacío Final [Chile, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3459) - I have tagged this release as raw black though I feel it is just black metal fueled with crude oil rather than anything refined. Vacío Final is the second demo this year by Chilean project AstralSlide and continues the act's short legacy in making black metal that feels and tastes like acrid smoke. Brazen, arrogant, - [lookfar - beyond the edge of the world [US, Ambient / Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3456) - The capitalization is intentional as I usually try to respect artists use or misuse of lettering. lookfar is weird and perhaps does not fit into the regular scheme of dungeon synth. If you know me or have read any of my dungeon synth reviews, you are aware I love experimental dungeon synth and also when - [Autolith - Caustic Light [US, Sludge / Crust] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3453) - Autolith has a lot going for them which sort of balances out their sound. Sludge / crust is not something I initially seek out but the band's dedicated to bleak aesthetics including album name, album cover, and record label name is all something that made we wander in only to be hit by a wave - [Exire - Across Rivers of Yore [US, Neofolk / Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3450) - This is not the weirdest thing I have covered on here but it is close. While dungeon synth is oddly connected to black metal by obscure stone path, the realm of neofolk lies even further by twisted overgrown trail. The similarities between all of these genres is still the sense of melancholy and loss which - [Cruel Master - Demo IX [US, Black / Death / Punk] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3447) - First off, let me preface this demo review with the aesthetic of home entry and stalker killings is not something I am completely on board with. I usually just write off weird metal aesthetics as idiosyncratic escapism but that is is something about a knife wielding maniac entering into windows that unnerves me. With all - [Forbidden Tomb - The Prospector [Indonesia, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3441) - This is a record that bathes in its aesthetic. Raw black thrives on consistency in both its sound and style. From font to covers to general presentation, raw black aims to offer listeners the equivalent to unprocessed ore instead of anything refined. Int hat state people find meaning in its meaning and purity. Forbidden Tomb - [Sunken Grove - Binding Branches [Wales, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3438) - Even though it is 2020, I do believe we are still getting records that define the mythology of dungeon synth. Binding Branches is the second EP from Welsh composer Sunken Grove. The tone and timbre of this release is so quiet and contemplative that it is immediately makes its way into the minds and hearts - [Sarin Bath - Sarin Bath [Canada, Black / Sludge] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3434) - With a name and cover like Sarin Bath, one is going to have ready themselves for distilled emotion in the form of black tar. Similar to bands like Thou and to a lesser extent Couch, Sarin Bath delivers a torrent of raw blackened sludge which unlike the two bands listed, comes without any filter of - [Olshanoe - Канун [Russia, Dungeon Synth / Neoclassical] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3431) - This release is actually from late 2019 but now is seeing a wider distribution via a Russian tape label called Shum Derevyev Records. I am not familiar of the other releases on this label save for the fact that if they are the same quality as Olshanoe, then I can be eternally excited. Olshanoe is - [IIIXK - Demo 2020 [Russia, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3428) - I have unfairly been critical to Russian black for a while due to various circumstances. I feel this is because black metal, for me, has been cast aside for other forms of heavy metal. This does not mean I ignore interesting releases, especially when it rains down in heavy drops of blood. IIIXK is a - [The Sorcerer - Memories of the Old Academy [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3425) - The Sorcerer is a project which continues to remind me why I enjoy this genre. Memories of the Old Academy is the fourth release in 2020 dedicated to the general magic and lore of fantasy. Adorned with artwork from 90's CCG and festooned with rich escapist tropes, The Sorcerer is a wild embrace of the - [Eternal Rot - Putridarium [UK / Poland, Doom / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3422) - Let the filth rain. If the stark black and white near cartoon cover was not enough indication, Eternal Rot's second release is going to be akin to reading a horror comic with black and white gore strewn among its pages. Eternal Rot is a cross country collaboration between Polish and English musicians who have found - [Execration Chamber - Cathedral Of Unbeing [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3419) - I would like to mention that the name and album title of this release sounds like an angular death metal demo rather than a dungeon synth release. It helps that Execration Chamber presents a suffocating brand of dungeon synth and Cathedral of Unbeing is an existential wasteland of dying thoughts and feelings. If dungeon synth - [Vampyric - Where Light No Longer Reaches [US, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3413) - I am going to give it to Vampyric, this whole production works very well. Admittedly, I might be a fan of raw black and also when an artist throws themselves into a sound. Where No Light Reaches submerges itself int he raw black demo sound with dark themes and harsh sounds. The dense yet approachable - [Dream Division - The Devil Rides Out [UK, Dungeon Synth / Synthwave] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3410) - "A collection of cues and soundscapes composed as an audio companion to the Dennis Wheatley Novel 'THE DEVIL RIDES OUT" Oh this is absolutely dreamy. The Devil Rides Out is a 1934 novel about black magic and the occult which was later turned into a 1968 film by Hammer Film Productions. the legacy of pulp - [Diabolic Oath - MMXIX [US, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3406) - 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 - [Quest Master - The Twelve Castles [Australia, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3403) - Quest Master is new to me and I believe that is because it came in the dark period when I was not checking into new DS releases. This is a shame since The Twelve Castles seems to be the third release from a magical lo fi world that I very much want to be apart - [Puro Odio - Puro Odio [Spain, Black / Punk] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3355) - I havent checked in with Sentient Ruin Laboratories in a bit but did so once a freind told me about a scorching black punk release that just came out. If you know anything about me is my uncontrollable obsession with the mixture of black punk as it leads with an attitude and expects the rest - [Ages of Blood - Pagan Medieval Aristocracy [Argentina, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3399) - I love Death Kvlt and I love they gather bands that fit a certain aesthetic. I cant help but chuckle at the fact that Ages of Blood is pre ordering their demo on vinyl and the fact it is already sold out. Everyone must be aware that this is going to be a stellar debut - [Sea Of Voices & Shy Guy 64 - REDREAM ESILICON METAGRAPHICS [ザタイピング ! オブザデッド] [](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3396) - "Projecting a psychedelic medieval dungeon exploration in music: monsters, beasts and foes are around the corner. Powerful and mysterious forces decide the fate of Gaia and the world. Time is convoluted." If the title did not tip you off, this is going to be non traditional dungeon synth. I will give everyone a chance to - [TOSS - Черный Поток Семени Ада [Russia, Black / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3393) - One of the reasons I am so hesitant about Russian based releases is there sometimes cryptic existence which is buried in their insular social media. Add to this the already cryptic nature of occult based black death and you have a hilarious investigation trying to figure out even the band name. I THINK the band's - [Silent Cabin - Echoes [Finland, Dungeon Synth / Drone] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3390) - You know the story. Obscure bedroom artist. Stellar quiet minimal sound. Handmade and handnumbered edition of 20 copies which have all sold out. By now I should brace myself not to be upset when this happens rather relish in the fact that those 20 people are apart of a collective that has supported a DS - [VERIKYYNELEET - Ilman Kuolemaa [Finland, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3387) - I would like to think of this site as a place that we all find new music that is scattered among Bandcamp. VERIKYYNELEET is not new and their debut on I, Voidhanger Records is not the typical self release on 10 cassettes that is normally seen on this site. It is okay since VERIKYYNELEET has - [Ranseur - Elves, The Primordial [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3383) - 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 - [Fleshdriver - Leech [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3380) - 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 - [Of Antler And Oak - Midsummer [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3377) - This review is going to encompass all of the Realm of Sleep catalog even though I am focusing on just one release. I might not like every releases from this label (which is really just one artist) but I support the idea of using a tape label as a hub for creativity. Realm of Sleep - [Phthisis - Embodiment of Decay [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3374) - 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 - [The Shakespearean Frog - Toilet Soap is Perfectly Pure [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3371) - I would like toi note that I am baffled by these releases since there are a lot of forces that are at odds with each other. I truly believe that some of the magic with The Shakespearean Frog is its surreal ambiance of idiosyncratic charm. From the obsession with soap, to the melodious sounds of - [Medhelan - Nocturnal Wanderings [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3365) - Medhelan was one of my first DS cassettes and Lighten /up Sounds was one of my first tape labels that I began acquiring dungeon synth material. the release and promotion for Nocturnal Wanderings, the first proper release since 2016, marked a special occasion for me to reminisce about a time when I first heard the - [Ataudes - Merecemos La Extincion [Death / Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3361) - 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 - [Fogweaver / Erreth-Akbe - The Immanent Grove [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3358) - 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 - [Nuovaerav - Arcadia [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3352) - Imagine my complete anguish when I learned that the Faberglade Summer Tape Batch was sold out in a day. This is okay since more people seem to be clued into this mystical series of releases from a very wonderful label. Additionally, the Summer batch came with Fogweaver's Spellwind which is a fantastic release. Nuovaerav is - [Μνήμα - Νεκρώσιμος Ακολουθία [Greece, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3349) - "One million voices,Whispering in my ears, Pulling me in to Eternal Silence." I enjoy this whole production. From the blown out rendition of Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes to the near incomprehensible logo, Μνήμα really goes out on the weird ledge and brings all of the caustic terror with it. While this act has been - [Zundmarazkhulshilkîn - Izremabrusây ra Shâkalmamakhhul [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3346) - "Izremabrusây ra Shâkalmamakhhul translates from the dwarvish as Flotsam and Jetsam, the title of the ninth chapter in the Two Towers. It also describes the manner of tracks that feature on this album. Although I have fit them into a narrative most started life as one-offs, pieces that drifted here from elsewhere, either tracks for - [Forbidden Tomb - Demo I [Indonesia, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3343) - This is the sound I love. This is also the album cover I am inherently drawn to. Forbidden Tomb is a new(?) one member (?) black metal act from Jakarta which sounds lie it could have been unearthed out of any place among the world. Its cold and desolate sound throws itself on the altar - [Vale Minstrel - Warden of the Vale [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3340) - 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 - [Bergtrollets Gravferd - Bergtrollets Gravferd [Sweden, Experimental] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3337) - I would like everyone to be aware before entering into this record that looks like raw black that you are stepping into a world of dark ambient, post punk, blackwave, and noisy goth. Things are about to get weird and spooky in the realm of abstract bats and conceptual castles. Welcome Bergtrollets Gravferd, a new - [Longmoan - Longmoan [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3334) - "$2 from every cassette sold will go to the NAACP legal defense fund." I enjoy conscientious pledges like this even when its from a sub niche tape release in an already obscured genre. Welcome Longmoan, a 16 bit themed DS release that is styled after a Sega game that never existed. CRPG music and video - [OČI VLKA - Demo [Czech Republic, Black / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3331) - Another day, another Caligari demo that is mind boggling and soul shredding. I wont bore people about my infatuation and uneasy crush on Caligari records save this label has been consistent in its dealings of death and dismemberment for years. Today we have a genre bending trip into the cold and unforgiving Czech wilderness which - [Amn - Lands of Intrigue [UK, Electronic / Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3327) - This release once against comes from Mystic Timbre, a place that I recently stumbled on and have not yet left. This label has been a boon for not only traditional dungeon synth but for progressive and left field electronic. The best is when the two combine and Amn's Land of Intrigue is a perfect marriage - [Enbarr - Sage [Algeria, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3320) - Sometimes a cover says it all. Having paged through many dungeon synth and other self released records, if one has a mastery of a cover, it usually is an good indication of the music that would follow after. This is not always the case but it at least gives me hope that the music will - [Moon - Saturn Exerzitium [Australia, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3317) - So this is an interesting place to start with Moon. While some would think this is a new hot demo from a fresh artist, the entity known as moon has been operating for .. more than 10 years. The Saturn Exerzitium demo is the first release in 5 years following a 2015 full length. The - [Titan - I [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3314) - "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 - [Maim - From the Womb to the Tomb [Sweden, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3311) - Oh man. Here comes the ruckus. Maim is a Swedish band that perhaps goes straight for one of the most obivous worships and that is the deep history of nasty death metal From the Womb to the Tomb may lack points in album titles but makes up extra credit with a release full of ripping - [Ancient Sword - Ars Antiqua [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3308) - "Ancient Sword is the solo project from Dysangelium of black/death metal band Necromorbid and it rises from the antique land of Tuscany... where the gloomy atmospheres of dark ambient and dungeon synth music are melded in a classical and dramatic manner to achieve and recall the glorious splendor of the medieval and Renaissance art." I - [Pharmacist - Forensic Pathology Jurisprudence [Japan, Death / Grind] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3305) - Holy shit this is messy. I love it. First of all that logo is so nasty I want it on a shirt or at least a backpatch with the album art. Pharmacist's name and album title is almost as weird as the choice of music since nothing really fits together but in its haphazard chaos, - [Cynfyd - Ever So Long Ago [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3302) - I feel I know who this is or atelast the universe from where this came. I saw this release yesterday but then on other social media outlets that I have it narrowed down to a few suspects. Investigations aside, the release of Ever So Long Ago marks the debut for the Cynfyd project which begins - [Kyriss - Olden Ruins & Miry Depths [Germany, Atmospheric Black / Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3299) - Kyriss, known also as Kyriss the Perverse, was a Keeper of Secrets, a Greater Daemon of Slaanesh, who was active during the Horus Heresy in the early years of the 31st Millennium. Alongside the infamous Bloodthirster Ka'Bandha, a Greater Daemon of the Blood God Khorne, Kyriss served as one of two daemon overlords or "generals" - [Winterblood - Luftschloss [Italy, Dungeon Synth / Drone] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3296) - This is not the most recent Winterblood release and not even the first one I have reviewed. I wish I could begin this review by starting at the beginning but it seems like there is much to digest. Winterblood is a "polar ambient" outfit that crafted glacially slow landscapes that are intriguing and immersive. Luftschloss - [Crypt Walk - Rot Gut Prophecies [US, Grind / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3293) - I love this so much. It is so nasty and possibly out of the realm of heavy metal but it doesn't matter one bit. Welcome Crypt Walk, a grind / death (?) three piece that wants nothing more than to dump cinder blocks on you from the top of an abandoned warehouse. Rot Gut Prophecies - [ESTOC - Chapter I [Finland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3290) - So a few things. this was late 2019 record that was fairly popular but now with the batch release from Dungeon Deep Records it has skyrocketed in popularity leading to it selling out of its tape quantity in probably a day. this is both wonderful and frustrating but also expected with this type of dungeon - [Meurtrières - Meurtrières [France, Heavy] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3287) - If you take a look at the whole of the records offered on this site it is half gross black/death and half dorky ass dungeon synth. Heavy/trad does not really fit into the scheme of this site. This is not for any other reason than there are more qualified people to discuss the recent trad - [Archana - Boreal Worcs [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3283) - I am going to give it to Mystic Timbre for always being there to interest me and incite me with some forest themed magic. I have talked before about Mystic Timbre as a dealer of arcane wonders with both Archana and Alloch Nathir. Boreal Worcs is a new (and upcoming) release set for Fall that - [Opium Grave - .​.​.​and the rest is silence [Australia, Black / Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3280) - This is good. This is weird. This is not for everyone. I believe the perfection in this release is its unbalanced quality. Opium Grave is an Australian one member black metal project that surrounds themselves with a matter or weird artifacts. Coming into the short demo is like walking into a curio shop and being - [Rivière de Corps - Tout est chaos [France, Industrial / Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3277) - Add this to the weird pile. This is not dungeon synth though I found it while searching for dungeon synth. I blame this label for opening there door and like a lost child I wander in and am now fascinated by the sounds of bedroom industrial / darkwave with some surreal covers. Though this stretches - [Cenobite - Soul Torn Apart [Russia, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3274) - I think this is one of the few times I am 100% with the music even if I have some criticisms about the aesthetic. I do not think Soul Torn Apart fails in its aesthetic rather I feel a band devoted to Hellraiser could be more arcane with its song titles. I only mention this - [Sophia - death bows his head and gently weeps​.​. [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3271) - This is the second release I have encountered with the tag "funeral synth" though I feel the project Sophia might fit into more styles that just one. death bows his head and gently weeps​.​. (all lowercase) is a short demo of of ultimate despair. In fact the emotion on this record is boiling to the - [Clavus - Rebus Paranormalibus [Switzerland, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3268) - I believe this is the the sound of vampires at least vampires who have been locked away in rotting mansion for the past century. Clavus is Swiss act who presents black metal akin to a box of bats that is wrapped in moldy linens. All of this sublimates in an experience which is hypnotic in - [Haudh - Grave Tales [US, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3265) - Well, this is certainly bleak. I do not know if anyone was suppose to listen to this or if this is music made for ghosts. Haudh is a Us based artist who has tagged Grave Tales as "Funeral Synth." While I do not think we are quite there for that tag to be relevant, searching - [Gravesend - Preparations for Human Disposal [US, Black / Grind] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3262) - Gravesend maybe releasing at an opportune time as the world descends into bleaker futures. Preparations for Human Disposal is the debut (?) demo (?) for Brooklyn based black/grind/death(?) outfit that channels centuries of urban misery into a 14 minute release that is boiling with rage and riffs. The band's Instagram sports photos of structural decay - [Mari Lwyd - Future King [Wales, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3259) - Even though I have been seeing Gondolin Record releases in the recent past, I feel it is time to fully recognize this label as something unique. Gondolin Records is a label based in Denmark that unearths dungeon synth of the last 10 years as well as presents newer lesser known acts. The most important aspect - [Burzygóry - Burzygóry [Finland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3253) - Bookmarked for greatness. I am going to precede this review with the fact I dislike the cover for Burzygóry as well as the name. I do not know what it is amaboutt both of them but they are repellent and I do not think I would have listened to this had I not been intrigued - [Winterstorm. - Demo II MMXX [Ecuador, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3250) - Even though the Bandcamp page for this demo lists this as "raw black" and even "lo-fi black" I am going to lean towards this being less noisy that maybe what people are expecting. Yes, there is a dissonant production with the instrumentation flung up against the shredded vocals. For as primitive as the recording however, - [Ethereal Kingdom - Oath of Battle [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3247) - I am currently writing a dungeon synth digest with all of my current favorites. Since I keep reviewing a new one each day, I keep finding wonderful releases this delaying the article. Ethereal Kingdom will have to be the one that starts my next digest. This is wonderful. This is sweet. This is a record - [KRAAPIDES NAHKA - MANIFESTATION I [Canada, Raw Black / Punk / Dark Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3244) - From the cold lands of neverwhere, comes a cassette filled with icy black punk / dark ambient. Black / punk has always been a favorite of mine though the tone and style has always been scathing and alive. KRAAPIDES NAHKA takes the same idea of black / punk and buries it in a winter forest - [Fen Walker - Sojourns in the Realm of the Undermoon [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3240) - Fen Walker was an artist that I missed during my sabbatical from dungeon synth. 2019's The Totem Wilds Call Thy Name was an intense journey into the lands that lay beyond dungeon synth which was more like a psychedelic walkabout than a record. The sharp synths and progressive nature of Fen Walker's music fits the - [Black Candle Wax - Crematorium [US, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3236) - Here is a release that is actively trying to get you not to listen to it. I love the cult aesthetic on some of these releases. From having a tape only exclusive, to only releasing a title-less sample, to even pricing your sample at the mythical 666$, Black Candle Wax takes no qualms in saying - [Upyr - Journals Of Twilight's Wanderer [Serbia, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3232) - This is delightful. When searching around for dungeon synth, different styles emerge which can sometimes be grouped together. Before the alignment chart, I used to group all courtly styles of dungeon synth together under the heading of THE CASTLE for their penchant for stately styles of synth. Upyr would most certainly fit into the court - [Karst - Genesis of Nervous Decay [US, Death/Doom/Grind] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3229) - "A portion of the profits from this EP will be donated to Mental Health America of Los Angeles in an effort to aid those suffering from anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, and all struggles of mental health." The small piece of text which accompanies this release is wholesome and shines a soft light on an - [Tusen Vindar Kallar - Norrvindarna kallar | [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3226) - I believe I found this searching for black metal Bandcamp releases. What a nice surprise. Tusen Vindar Kallar (no idea what it means) is a Swedish composer who throws their sound back to the cold mornings of the 1990's with a release which bows to the icy altars of bands like Depressive Silence and Lamentation. - [Enucleacion - Adelanto Demo 2020 [Chile, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3223) - This is absolutely 100% rotten. If the eye gouging yellow bordered Bandcamp gore profile picture is not enough to indicate this is the realm of dripping violence, then I do not know what will keep you safe. Since this band is not on Metal Archives yet, we are just sort of shooting from the hip - [Octobeast - Voyage of Doom [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3220) - This is wonderful and something that comes as a surprise. Octobeast has already released a fairly well received record in April and now returns with another record of epic sea faring synth. There has been a small wave of creature based synth or should I say dinosaur themed synth that I thought this was going - [bomBARDed - OST V [US, Soundtrack / Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3214) - There really inst a good genre for this since this is not truly dungeon synth. If I would throw out a few genres I would have to put them with caveats. This is Video Game Music but its not from a video game. This is a soundtrack but it is not from a movie. This - [Dkharmakhaoz - Proclamation ov the Black Suns [Belarus, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3211) - At this moment of writing, Dkharmakhaoz does not have a Metal Archives page and there is only one track available for streaming. The full album is not suppose to release for another few months and already I can feel the wave of hype building. This certainly comes with the support of Iron Bonehead as the - [Nifheldhur - Of Wolf and Battle [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3208) - "Nifheldhur is a project born back in 1996 and dispersed over time. 24 years later, it comes back to life, to pay homage to shields and swords, in a concept of 4 acts, divided into the melodies of a single track ......" I enjoy the flavor of this release. It also helps when the music - [LVA - ΑΣ ΑΡΧΙΣΕΙ Η ΤΕΛΕΤΗ [Italy, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3205) - This release comes to us from Ascension Records which is based in Mexico with an Italian black metal act who seems to have figured out their visual identity. The cover for ΑΣ ΑΡΧΙΣΕΙ Η ΤΕΛΕΤΗ is a grand departure from the bands 2017 debut. Instead of a large white logo, the cover for ΑΣ ΑΡΧΙΣΕΙ - [Elador - The Last Journey [Russia, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3202) - It is sort of charming the new Elador comes with the frank apology of being inactive due to school and service in the Army. I always like it when dungeon synth drops its veil of secrecy and reveals very real people with real lives playing apart in this elaborate escapism. Back in 2015, Elador released - [Drycholaeth - Bestial Psychosis [US, Black / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3199) - LEt us all go through this together. If you release a demo late into the year and/or it was so limited that it never made a mark on the internet, then you get to release it again and I get to include it in the current year for end of the year lists. Now that - [Snowspire - A Spire Enshrouded [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3196) - When the term winter synth first started to be used, I thought it was a needless exercise in dividing up an already niche genre. This coincided with the term forest synth or forest ambient. While I think the division of sound in a small genre is sort of micromanaging a sound, devoting oneself to the - [Foul Light - Blood Of Venomous Curses [Slovakia, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3193) - I feel moments like these are reasons why I search for Bandcamp releases everyday as I feel I am starting to develop an attraction to certain aesthetics. Blood of Venomous Curses has an aesthetic that is not rooted in gore, evil, or anything immediate rather ancient misanthropy. With nothing to precede this release, Foul Light - [Treasure Seeker - Quest for the Secrets Beyond Time [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3190) - This release is good. This release is real good. This release is also visually unremarkable compared to the sea of other dungeon synth records. Classical painting, medieval font, centered on a flat frame is something that is almost part and parcel for this genre. I do not mean to disparage the formula as I feel - [Afsky - Ofte jeg drømmer mig død [Denmark, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3187) - "Tags: black metal, depressive, black metal, depressive blackmetal." The previous line is not something I initially seek out though I feel atmospheric black is getting back to normal in terms of its output. For a little bit there was a glut of wood themed black metal that was almost indistinguishable from the next. Depressive black - [Polar Keep - Polar Keep [US?, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3184) - Skaventhrone is a label that is presumably based in New Zeland ans also presumably the landing zone for a bunch of fringe dungeon synth, noise, and ambient musicians. Looking through past releases, I noticed a few familiar names and a bunch more I did not. Polar Keep is the debut release from one of the - [Profane Congregation - Apocalyptic Visions [Finland, Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3181) - Full disclosure: This 25 minute full length was released in 2016 on Astral Temple with a tape run of 100 copies. This current distribution is a CD run at 500 copies on Morbid Chapel records. I do not know where to put this as sometimes I bump up the years for releases that never saw - [Flowermage - Lily of the Valley [?, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3178) - I had to put my headphones on for this one and I suggest you do the same. Swallowed Key productions is an odd label. With an array of releases in 2019, it has quietly established itself as a dealer in weirdo oddities ranging from noise to drone to ambient dungeon synth that I am almost - [Ritual Mass - Abhorred in the Eyes of God [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3175) - I have said it before, and Ill say it again -- If any record label could have a blind subscription where I would pay X amount of money to be sent new tapes monthly, I think Caligari would be the my first choice. Over the years, this label has consistently dredged up some of the - [Candlekeep - The Death of the Gatekeeper [France, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3172) - I am not going to say that it is perfect, but I am beginning to hone the craft of picking out records based on their cover. Not in terms of quality but sound as a noisy record can be distinguished from a more melodic one. I knew what Candelkeep was going to sound like before - [Axis of Light - Axis of Light [UK, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3169) - I remember first hearing Axis of Light on the Fallen Empire/SVN OKKLT compilation in 2013. Incidentally that was my first exposure to the type of raw black that I still appreciate today. The first three songs on that compilation were a shredding combination of Axis of Light, Witch in Her Tomb, and Death Fortress. Almost - [Vexev - Abyssus Abyssum Invocat [France, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3163) - I know the tag for this record states it is raw black but I would be more comfortable putting it in the mid tier of black metal. This is not to take away from the bare nature of Vexev's music rather their production is neither claustrophobic nor oppressive rather they have an entire empty cathedral - [Lord Orots - Mors Solum Initium [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3159) - I am going to give it to Lord Orots. This is quite alright. It takes a lot of confidence to put yourself in a cloak and a Halloween mask on the cover of your 25 edition tape. It takes a lot of confidence and trust in your audience to ignore any criticism and just go - [Walther - Songs from Windhelm [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3153) - I have no idea of the title of this release is in relation to the location in Skyrim, but I am going to guess it is. I have no idea since the rest of track titles are in German and do not directly point to video games for inspiration. This is all okay since Walther - [Maniac - Managed [US, Grind / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3150) - "Recorded in isolation..by choice." Aside from the color palette of the cover, I enjoy the whole vibe of Maniac. This demo(?) is perhaps the living essence of not giving a fuck and that feeling firing like artillery shells. When Managled gets going, one is given the experience of 90's style death just caffeinated and forced - [Runecaster - The Scarlet Kingdom [UK(?), Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3140) - I think it was listening to the track "Scrying at The Clear Fountain," that I went from mildly pleased with The Scarlet Kingdom to purchasing the tape and getting really excited over this act. Imagine my surprise to learn that this is the second tape this year for Runecaster as it continues the jaunty synthscapes - [Celestial Conjuration - Demo II [Australia, Black / Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3147) - I did it! I found a release that is almost 50/50 split between dungeon synth and black metal which will go great on this site since that is what I do. Celestial Conjuration was found through dungeon synth channels though by all rights, this is an atmospheric black record that is draped in the heavy - [Amargor - Cilicis fragmenten el que queda d'un [Raw Black, Spain] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3144) - I think I enjoy the overall texture of this record. That sounds weird but as a whole, Cilicis fragmenten el que queda d'unis a grinding experience powered by raw emotion and even more raw production. This project also comes with the tag of depressive black but in reality when you are this far into the - [Feral Light - Life Vapor [US, Black / Rock] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3118) - This was tagged as "Black 'n' Roll" in both Bandcamp and Metal Archives but I am just going to tag it as rock until further notice. I have no idea what constitutes Black 'n' Roll but I feel it should be more of a cohesive sound than influences of hard rock. Feral Life is strange - [AMON OBEL - The Night​-​fearer's Funeral [Luxembourg, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3134) - I want you to be prepped for ambient noise and a sense of windy unease. AMON OBEL has made a dungeon synth record dedicated and based around the lore of Tolkien. That in of itself is not unique nor even a surprise in a genre steeped in fantasy. What is unique and striking about The - [Antiquary - Celestial Fire / Le Palais Noir [Spain, Black/Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3131) - Even though the Bandcamp page is sort of a mess, these two releases constitute the 2020 output from Spain's Antiquary. Both of them are short demos with a total running time of no more than 20 minutes. Within those 20 minutes however, the listener is treated to a whirlwind experience of black / death leaning - [Execration Chamber - White Flames Fading in Spectral Aura [Poland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3128) - Dungeon synth is dark and sometimes I forget where the genre came from. Dungeon synth in 2020 is whatever the creator wants it to be with an array of styles from the light and airy to the dark and slightly damp. Execration Chamber pays tribute t the spirits of old with a release of plodding - [Pyre - Chained to Ossuaries [Russia, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3125) - Before we begin, this is a full length scheduled to come out on Memenoto Mori on April 27th, which was a few days ago. There is no current option to purchase, support, or even own a digital copy of this sample (?). This makes it a little frustrating since this release is crispy and rotting - [Synthosaurus - Gigantic Throne [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3122) - I am going to preload this review by saying I feel the goofiness of this record is way over the top. This is even accounting for the other Synthosaurus record has a T. Rex playing a synth on the cover. Dungeon synth is not far from comedy but Synthosaurus not only rips the veil of - [Avdypet - Kapittel I [Norway, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3115) - Hello, this is wonderful. Avdypet is brand new but but the sounds of the first release, this act has sidestepped, and maybe leaped, over the acceptable bog of lo-fi experimentation and now is trotting through the woods of deep production. Kapittel I sounds established and from its cover to the track lengths and just air - [Old Tower - The Last Eidolon [Netherlands, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3109) - Old Tower was one of dungeon synth's biggest success stories. From the 2017 release of The Rise of the Specter to the 2017 Bandcamp article, which for a time feature the album cover as its main graphic, to the 2018 release of Stellary Wisdom on Profound Lore, Old Tower seemed to propel from the basement - [Bythos - Womb of Zero [Finland, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3106) - This was waiting to be found. TERRATUR POSSESSIONS is not going to be some hidden gem label as they have released some important records not least many of Icelandic black albums that took up the mid 00's. I do not know how I got here but this was just released and I was here anyway - [Shau - Voyager [New Zealand, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3103) - This is lovely. Often times, space synth can sound different than dungeon synth as its theme transforms the music into a sci fi landscape of far out sounds. Shau's Voyaer is dungeon synth at its core with a constellation of other influences ranging from new age to ambient to kosmische musik. The most fascinating part - [Writhing Shadows - Demo [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3100) - Its funny that the idea of knuckledragging death has become a term or idea of affection that the dumber and ruder the riffs are the better quality the music. I do not know what lies on the otherside of kuckledragging death but for now, we are going to roll with the hairy punches and embrace - [The Shakespearean Frog - Handkerchief Soap [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3097) - Comfy Synth was a small micro genre in an already micro genre and consisted of artists embracing a light yet intimate sound for their releases. The aesthetic was pointed to a pastoral/cottage setting and invoked scenes of nurture and and comfort. Most of it was less than average production put out at the same rate - [Nekrovault - Totenzug: Festering Peregrination [Germany, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3094) - I believe it was one of my online friends who said they loved this 30 seconds in by the sound of dragging chains. There is sometimes a moment when you know you will love a record. It calls to you with open arms of the right aesthetic, band photos, and song titles. I have joked - [Slime Golem - The Short But Touching Tale Of Slime Golem [Greece, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3090) - "You Have Summoned The Slime Golem! (Master in awe of his creation)" is perhaps one of the greatest song titles in the history of music and if not that then it is a wonderful introduction to the tone of Slime Golem. Slime Golem comes from a Greek label called Wyrm Lodge which is a bunch - [VIL - VIL [Argentina, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3087) - So unless I am mistaken, the bands name means Vile in Spanish which sounds pretty apt for a band that is seething venom. This self titled EP is the debut for VIL and comes with a slap to the face by a hand that is also holding broken glass. While the music is the standard - [Delmak-O - Cerulean Tomb [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3084) - I feel this might not be dungeon synth but rather a floating moon caught in the orbit of the sound. Cerulean Tomb shares many aspects of dungeon synth in terms of production, fantastic storytelling, and the aesthetic approach but that is where the similarities end. Influenced by space travel and the spirits of Komische musik, - [Temple of the Fractured Light - Rainbow Rituals of the Spiritual Sojourner [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3072) - Yes. Yes to everything about this. While I do not think Temple of the Fractured Light is entirely there, this artist is on the correct existential road to something super fucking weird and amazing. I noticed Temple of the Fractured Light before with its garish and occult psychedelic influenced covers. Rainbow Rituals of the Spiritual - [Augrimmer - Pantaleimon Speaks / Lynx [Germany, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3069) - I love that artwork. What a fantastic cover. Augrimmer has been around for a while, in fact, the band has been releasing music for a decade and has been an actual band since the late 90's. This single/demo represents my first experience with them and by all accounts, Augrimmer has the formula for a chilly - [The Nameless King - Downfall of Drangleic [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3065) - "Drangleic is the kingdom where the events of Dark Souls II take place. The protagonist will have to venture into this treacherous land in order to find a cure for their curse. Like Boletaria in Demon's Souls and Lordran in Dark Souls, Drangleic was once a powerful and prosperous land which fell into decadence and - [Narcömancer - Narcömancer [Portugal, Black / Punk / Speed] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3062) - Bring me that black/speed/punk. I honestly love union between the ferocity of punk/speed with the ominous aesthetic of black metal. The result is something that is foreboding but also fun and exciting. Narcömancer is a new entity from Portugal whose demo (?) has yet to be registered most places. For now we are given 4 - [Sunken Grove - Precious Solitude [Wales, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3059) - I feel if we are going to take away anything from dungeon synth, it is the resurgence of hand drawn covers. Precious Solitude is the first offering from a Welsh (?) composer who is using this time to make a very quiet introduction. The cover is indicative of a release that is teeming with intimate - [Chaotian - Festering Excarnation [Denmark, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3056) - I enjoy how death metal is continuing to be ill and rude even after its slight bump in popularity a few years back. the fact that people are still making gross sounding sewer sludge that has run off from outer world is warm and endearing to my soul. Festering Excarnation is a compilation of two - [Sidereal Fortress - The Hermit's Hole [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3053) - Probally one of the most interesting aspects about this record is the Angelo Branduardi cover which nestles itself within a magical record of dungeon synth. Angelo Branduardi is an Italian folk singer who saw moderate success in the 1970's but has since developed a following among woodfolk and like minded people. The instrumental cover of - [Dekagram - Through The Dark [Norway, Atmospheric Raw Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3050) - Raw atmospheric black or atmospheric raw black could both fit into this aesthetic. While Dekagram sounds ominous and cryptic, it is a unit of measurement equal to 10 grams. That in of itself may have significance but this is perhaps the first black metal act to embrace units of measurement to project their aura. Through - [Anhifohr - Condemned To Endless Sacrifice [US, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3043) - I feel this EP warrants a little patience. I say this because the whole of Condemned to Endless Sacrifice is ultimately worth the time it takes to get used to the sound. This EP is noisy and rough with its production to the point of abuse. Once one gets past the intro and the intro - [Werendia - Folkvandringen [Sweden, Atmospheric Black / Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3046) - Well, here it is. Years of searching through dungeon synth I am starting to stumble on the mixture between it and its parent genre of black metal. This is not the first black metal / dungeon synth combination ever made nor even one in recent memory. There has been a dizzying array of experimentation either - [Nan Morlith - Âdhûn & Fangorn [Ireland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3039) - It is fun when I find artists from a few years. Nan Morlith contributed a song for the Dungeon Synth Compilation I curated in 2017. "Of Mim, Last of the Petty Dwarves" was a playful synthscape of Tolkien lore and deep escapism and initally got me interested in this Irish artist. Âdhûn & Fangorn is - [Deconsecration - Demo [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3036) - Even before I saw this release was from Caligari, I was into it. The art, the name, and the sound all point to one thing which is dripping death metal. From a very short history, this style of rotting death is on the downswing after its surge in popularity a few years ago with bands - [Various Artists - The Longing Soundtrack [ Various, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3033) - The Longing is a recent video game which has garnered a bit of attention from major reviewers. Currently on Steam, it is an idle exploration game based on a character who spends 400 days underground. What is interesting about this whole affair is the soundtrack which is a smattering of dungeon synth artists who contributed - [Vazio - Eterno Aeon Obscuro [Brazil, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3030) - Lyrical themes:Void, Dark Spiritualism, Occultism, Draconian Kaballah, Mysticism, Death. I really appreciate it when a band goes all out there for an aesthetic. Vazio is going for an aesthetic and Eterno Aeon Obscuro is the debut record which will set a stage for a focused debut. I say focused since the work of Vazio, up - [Utred - Citadel ◊ Forest ◊ Sovereign [Russia, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3027) - This is a compilation collecting the early work from Russian artist Utred. The span of material in this compilation ranges from 2016 into 2017 with various unrleeased material. I remeber when Firest was released in 2016 and I became aquaninted with Utred. Now as we enter into 2020, Gondolin Records has collected a majority of - [HECATOMB - Horrid Invocations [Austrailia, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3023) - If you have not seen the band's profile picture on Bandcamp, take a gander at a raw and grainy photo which completly fits the music. Somewhere out in the woods are two figures weilding rusty tools in your face. There are about a 12 Hecatombs so it is difficult to parse through all of the - [Kobold - The Village In The Frozen mountains [Italy?, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3019) - I can remember Kobold's first release on HDK in 2017 as the weirdo OSR dungeon synth release on a seemingly experimental Italian label. Now as HDK enters into the 50's in terms of release number, my view on this label has not swayed as it is an anomaly of outsider music and niche interest groups. - [Witch Ward - Sacrificial Monolith [US, Punk / Metal] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3016) - It is true that Witch Ward only has one preview track available. it is true that preview track is 9\around 90 seconds. It is true there are better descriptions out there than just "punk/metal." It is true, there is a lot of uncertainty about this release that could give moments of pause. This, however, is - [Dungeontroll - Into the Castle of the Forbidden Twilight [ ? , Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3013) - I am usually wary of releases that look like this. It is not from anything particular rather I thought this was going to be a black metal record tagged as dungeon synth. This is funny since the rest of Dungeontroll's music and their respected covers look like Dungeon Synth. This does not. Into the Castle - [The Harbinger - The Consecrated Barrow [US, Dungeon Synth] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3007) - This review is going to encompass the three released by The Harbinger from August 27th of 2019 to September 10th of 2019. The three releases which spanned those few weeks make up the entirty of work from The Harbinger. It is strange to highlight such a limited collection of work but the three releases from - [Amnutseba - Emanatism [France, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3004) - Welcome Oblivion. One of my colleagues gave this full length to me and asked if I remembered this band from a few years back. I have to be honest in saying that my recollection of Amnutseba is relegated to foggy fragments of angular and ruinous black/death. I do not remember much and looking at old - [Skogsgudinnan - Skogsgudinnan [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/3001) - Sometimes finding small and pleasant things gives me the reason to go searching everyday. Skogsgudinnan is a US based artist who has produced 10 tracks of quiet and humble dungeon synth / new age that is seemingly for anyone who wants to listen. Without fanfare or bluster, this artist has quietly placed something in a - [Molder - Vanished Cadavers [US, Death / Thrash] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2998) - It feels like ages ago when we were swimming in rotting death that was squirming with riffs. Sure we still have it but things have changed. Molder is here to remind us of the fun we had a few years ago with a debut that breathes a festive atmosphere and if your idea of a - [Goblin Priest - Dank Vision Sewer Crawl [US, Dungeon Synth / Chiptune] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2995) - This is probably the weirdest release I have written about and it is wonderful. Back when I was writing about dungeon synth heavily, there was a small niche of creators experimenting with chiptune music and combining it into a CRPG aesthetic. This was music that sounded like the soundtrack to video games that never existed - [Spitgrave - Purge [Portugal(?), Black / Death / Thrash(?)] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2991) - Miasma of Barbarity is a Portuguese label that puts out really gross things. Spitgrave was the first thing i found from this label and despite its odd looking logo, was two tracks of blistering death/thrash that was like a sledgehammer of riffs in a darken closet. I have put lots of question marks on this - [The IXth Key - Upon My Frozen Land [France, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2988) - The IXth Key is a project based in Secret Corridor Records. Secret Corridor is less a label and more of a universe with different projects ostensibly all by the same person who goes by "S". The IXth Key is one entity along with Spectral Castle, Medieval Secrets, Winter Pathways, Forgotten Passage, Royaume des Brumes, Secret - [Pagan Moon - Deathlike Journeys [US, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2985) - Sometimes aesthetic is enough to get you to a place with talent taking up the slack. Pagan Moon leans heavily on the second wave / bedroom / DS / raw / spooky / anti christian aesthetic with a new demo that looks and feels like a black metal demo but is intimately effective through sheer - [Archana - Rites [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2982) - Archana is the second release from Mystic Timbre I have reviewed and comes since the first, Alloch Nathir, was a wonderful journey into forest synth. Before I get into this current release, I want to make special mention to the rest of Mystic Timbre's catalog as it is a free form menagerie of electronic, progressive, - [Qual - An Unfathomable Darkness [US, Punk / Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2979) - It is difficult sometimes to parse out where black metal and punk rock meet since its middle is a battleground of trashed vocals and even more trashed riffs. At some point the genres meet in a riotous demolition of sound making it hard to distinguish between the two. Qual fits into this nebulous category as - [Disrotter - Plague [US, Death / Grind] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2973) - It is funny to think of heavy metal being topical at any point but the title of this demo as well as the Bandcamp message of "Confusion blinding the panic is rising. Disruption commencing this chaos ascension" gives the music a sharper edge not to mention the dissolving human artwork on the front. The interesting - [Umbria - The Sleeping Wizard [Spain, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2976) - There will come a time when my daily search of dungeon synth will either lead to suboptimal releases or things that came out during the period when I stopped looking at daily releases. There will come a time when things will slow down and I will not be mystified by a wonderful release from a - [Alloch Nathir - The Emerald Grotto [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2970) - The tag of "forest synth" most often times refers to a variety of dungeon synth which is either inspired by the sounds of the forest, has forest ambient on top of the music, or both. Forest synth is also wild in its interpretation where one can have experimental ambient or more structured fantasy synth. Alloch - [Beelzebud - Beelzebud [Singapore, Black / Doom] (2015/2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2967) - Special note that this 3 song full length from Beelzebud was released in 2015 but as most stories go, its distribution probably never left Singapore. This is okay since now we are going to get a second chance at this unltra bleak black doom record with a band whose name sounds like lame ass stoner - [Fogweaver - Spellwind [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2964) - Spellwind was a February release from Us based Fogweaver which was a followup to a self titled debut in 2019. Both releases were greeted with acclaim and praise from the small community of fans most certainly for their somberness and mystical qualities. Spellwind is also the second release inspired and dedicated to Ursula K. Le - [Hexenfluch - Aradia [Germany?, Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2961) - I know little about Hexenfluch other than the outfit maybe from Germany and the name may mean Heathen's Curse. Other than those sparse scraps of knowledge, the only thing I have to hold on is a 10 minute preview track which is both boiling with supernatural energy and swirling with chaotic possession. This tape release - [Fratricide - Horrible Deformities [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2948) - This is perhaps one of the starkest examples of a demo whose music is the best thing about the presentation as the logo, band name, and album artwork fail to live up to the experience of the music. It is not that Fratricide has a terrible presentation rather the music goes beyond the confides presented - [Hole Dweller - Returns to Roost [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2945) - One of the more interesting things about ducking out of a scene for a bit and then coming back is seeing the notable releases you might have missed. Last year, us based Hole Dweller released Flies The Coop to bizarre acclaim among internet fans. The release was packed with comforting synth showered with lo fi - [Erreth-Akbe - If Not a Happy Ending, a True Joy [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2952) - I would like to thank Fableglade Records for breaking a streak of not purchasing dungeon synth tapes. Soemthing that always speaks to me is things released in series and the Spring Batch of fantasy synthscape tapes from this label was enough to get me back into the habit. It also helps that the first in - [Fen Walker - The Totem Wilds Call Thy Name [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2958) - It is odd and wonderful to see a dungeon synth record, which came out a few weeks ago and still with a massive amount of Bandcamp support. Fen Walker is a Us based dungeon synth artist whose second record continues on the progressive path of the debut Hail! O' Barrow Lands! . I have already - [Throat Breach -Humiliating Distortion [US, Death / Grind] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2955) - Desert Wasteland is fast becoming one of my favorite labels this year and the number of releases is still pretty low. With only 3 releases thus far into Spring 2020, the quality and veracity of these releases has been something to behold. Fleshrot, Wombcage, and Throat Breach have all huddled together to offer a strain - [Forlorn Kingdom - Northern Spirits Call From Afar [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2938) - Dungeon Synth has an air of mystery and sheltered presence. The act of uncovering recordings from the past seems to be part and parcel for a bedroom genre shrouded in cloaks and daggers. Northern Spirits Call From Afar is a rerelease of music made between 2013-2019 and limited to a handful of private cassettes. The - [Altar of Rot - Altar of Rot [US, Black / Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2935) - "Black Metal combining the first and second waves with some primitive thrash influence. Destroy your fucking mind." I love the description for this album since it is most certainly not what is advertised. Yes, the Altar of Rot debut has black, death, and thrash influences somewhere close to the second wave but it is nowhere - [Ulk - This Divine Shelter [Netherlands, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2932) - Note: This is perhaps going to be the start of me getting back into dungeon synth. I have written about this genre for many years on various sites and got really involved with the scene. For the past few years I have strayed away from the sound but with the current climate and the fact - [Impetuous Burial [US, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2929) - Yes. Is really gross death metal still going on? Well, i guess that is the thing about rotting death, is that even if it is slightly hip with bands like Blood Incantation and Tomb Mold, that its presence is eternal regardless of what mortals think of it. Enter Impetuous Burial and a demo that sounds - [Ukcheansalawit - Tekipuk [Canada, Atmospheric Black] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2925) - From the cold gloomy lands of Canada comes a slightly atmospheric black metal release with...you guessed it....a black and white tree on the cover. Outside of this very obvious joke, Ukcheansalawit (ûkcheânsâlâwit) debut demo has everything going right to be a memorable exploration of black metal themed after indigenous cultures. While most of these summations - [Spirit Possession - 2020 Demo [US, Black / Punk] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2922) - Sometimes there is a release which comes along that affirms your dedication to an aesthetic. Spirit Possession has everything I could possibly hope for in a release -- raw black / punk, blistering attitude, near zero internet presence. All of these combine into an 11 minute release which feels like clenched teeth and an image - [Miserable Creature - Miserable Creature [ Australia, Death] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2919) - It should be noted that all proceeds for this cassette release will be going to the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) Bushfire Emergency Fund. Despite the monetary contributions from this new death metal act, I can appreciate the sentiment, especially given the band being from Australia. This cover is everything I love about - [Empyreal Forest - Divinations [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2913) - I have had a long sordid history with dungeon synth which is both weird and amazing. I do not think I have covered any dungeon synth on this site since the first Erang record which sent me head first into the genre. At this moment I do not wish to cover the genre as extensively - [Mental Casket - Demo 2019 [Poland, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2908) - With a name like Mental Casket, one is going to except a certain level of grime that hopefully covers a coffin in a basement. This is it. It is all here. With a dedication to Florida style death and less of a concern for actually cropping their cover, the debut demo from Mental Casket comes - [Hexerei - Oath [?, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2904) - I am going to be honest in saying finding this demo was happenstance as I was saw the German translation for Sorcery was Hexerei. Hexerei actually is more akin to witchery / witchcraft but Sorcery is one of the easiest connections. I may have been searching for it when seeing a German Magic the Gathering - [Rothadás - Rothadás [Hungary, Death / Doom] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2901) - Unsurprising, Rothadás translates to "Rot" in the native tongue or maybe something like putrefaction or putrescence. whatever the case, it is gross and the sound of this new demo (?) is nothing but the warm smell of death. Rothadás is new to the point of not having any reliable points of information. I know there - [Skravl - Fire Besværgelser mod Menneskeheden [Denmark, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2895) - The Danish translation for the album title is something to the akin of "Four Problems against Mankind." This isn't a reference to any book or literary work so it is a mystery until I learn Danish. This semi cryptic beginning is an overture to a black metal release that is wrought with tension and obscurity. - [Void Wraith - I [US, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2892) - Cool Name. Cool Art. Cool Sound. This is a good start to a one song demo preview for an album releasing in a month. Usually I do not care too much about singles but Void Wraith's first impression is immense and potential for a full album of haunted ice makes my soul shiver. Whether or - [CIVEROUS - Raw Demo [US, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2885) - I feel that this is an artifact that may get reworked into something else. Perhaps the raw aesthetic is a destination rather than a product. Despite having the name raw in the title and also one track of a supposedly cassette rip, the music for Civerous' demo is pretty well produced in terms of clarity. - [Dodenbezweerder - Zwarte Sluiers [Netherlands, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2881) - While I do not think this will go away, I am always hesitant about reviewing things that do not have a Metal Archives page since they could be lost to the wind and everything I loved just lives in memories. It has happened before so I will be specific about what I like regarding this - [Gwoid - Gwoid VI - Aurora Borealis [Germany, Atmospheric / Raw Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2870) - I wrote about Gwoid earlier int he year with the January release of Gwoid V. This release was tagged under "Raw Black" as the demo was filled with a spectral cloud. v took me by surprise as it is still rooted in the camp of bedroom black metal but the newest release travels towards the - [Trest - Ordalium [Germany, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2851) - I drafted this review to remind myself to listen to the whole album when it was released. Caligari Records has always been reliable in finding music that is demanding existentially. In fact, if there was some sort of blind subscription service when I received tapes in the mail, I am sure I would never be - [o.T.s - Untitled [Switzerland, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2875) - Another day, another band that does not seem to exist outside fo this one page. All information I have regarding o.T.s is from the Bandcamp page which could be pulled down at any moment. For record keeping purposes I will say this demo is noisy, raw, and full of deadly venom as it rips across - [White Death - III [US, Atmospheric Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2866) - If anyone has reads this site for any amount of time, the inclusion of atmospheric black usually comes with some degrees of lofi production. White Death, compared to other raw atmospheric black is relatively clean yet the slime and grime of whatever dirt from outside still lingers on its production. White Death is a bedroom - [Himelvaruwe - Het ondenkbare [Netherlands, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2854) - Do not let the cover fool you. This is not woozy new age though both have a penchant for mystical soundscapes. I reviewed Himelvaruwe in 2017 with the demo CCIII. I was pleased and surprised there was so much activity between that demo and this as the operator T.J seems to work the best in - [Witches Hex - Rituals Under The Red Moon [Canada, Raw Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2840) - I feel that the tag Raw Black is less a genre and more of a sign post for interested parties. Rituals Under the Red Moon is black metal just fed through a filter of noise and chaos. One can still hear the riffs and structure just now with rough edges which bleed like static. I - [Sněť - Promo [Czech Republic, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2836) - It takes a certain cover for me to assume that everything, musically, inside will line up with my interests. While this is not a guarantee on quality, the craft of an aesthetic is a good indication on the care the band will have on the music. Sněť's promo / demo pays close attention to crafting - [Tenebro - Demo [Italy, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2830) - Allow the reverberations of instinct to take over. I think this is from Italy since the tag indicates it is "Horror Glorifying Death Metal from Fulci's Land." This demo comes by the way of Desert Wasteland which also released Astriferous' demo. If that Costa Rican massacre was any indication then Tenebro is going to be - [Hexivoid - Disdain From A Burning Cosmos [UK, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2827) - Alright, lets get fucking weird. It takes a special album to break my visual obsession with black and white JCard covers that feature rotting corpses. It also takes a special album that is going to rip my attention away from rotting death metal that sounds like it shoveled from the floor of an abattoir. This - [Rotted - Pestilent Tomb [US, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2821) - There is a joke among the ten people on the internet that listen to this music about caveman death and specifically heavy death metal with large riffs and a primal instinct and possibly a low reading level. The inspiration for these bands isn't really clear though if you start at Rottrevore, Grave, and Obituary and - [Torso - Demonic Vomiting [UK, Death / Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2818) - This is so fucking gross. I do not even know where this band is from or if they are from 2019 or if there is any black metal in this tornado of filth that is devastating everything in front of it. Demonic Vomiting may only interest the few who can stomach gross imagery but what - [Witchbones - Entropy Rite [US, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2815) - I am not 100% certain how this projects name is presented as the Metal Archives has a space between Witch and Bones. I will go with what Bandcamp says but what I am certain about it that this demo is ugly as fuck. I am also not certain where this project is headed as the - [Astriferous - Raise High the Scepter of Indulgence [Costa Rica, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2810) - I make jokes about being married to a genre and upon seeing the cover for Raise High the Scepter of Indulgence and seeing the genre tags, I immediately sent it to 3 friends. I am fully aware that not all grimy death metal that emphasizes riffs and attitudes is going to be good rather grimy - [Thanamagus - Incorporeal Passage [US, Death] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2804) - It is important to realize that demos were once demonstrations of talent that were circulated by record labels and eventually fans of unpolished heavy metal. the spectacle of talent despite production limitations and the promise of potential is what makes demos so exciting. Today, the idea of demo could just be a permanent state for - [Sanity Control - Demo 2019 [Poland, Thrash] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2795) - I believe I have made my opinions on thrash known and its troublesome history past 1990. I do not think this demo from Poland is going to change any grand designs for thrash and its current history nor is it going to be the linchpin in reestablishing the genre into the underground. What Sanity Control - [Vile Spirit - Promo 2019 [UK, Punk / Metal] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2789) - I do not even know where to put this so Ill just throw it on the counter and let anyone pick it up if they want to. I have to say I love the color red as I feel it works really well for any album covers. The front of this promo is an example - [Gwoid - Gwoid V - Oiwei Fuat In d'Nacht [Germany, Raw Black / Noise] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2786) - This is wild. This is also something I am starting to really enjoy despite all its attempts to repel listeners. Gwoid is one person raw black / power electronics outfit who has released 4 serialized self titled demos in 2018. Gwoid V is the first for 2019 which alludes to a year full of harrowing - [Defacement - Deviant [Netherlands, Death / Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2778) - And so this break a nice running streak of black and white covers. It is okay. This is completely worth it. It is nice to get surprised and even knocked down by a sound. Defacement seems to be the new band created by members of a black metal outfit called Deathcrush. While I only listened - [Porcha - Demo [Russia, Raw Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2770) - I am sometimes hesitant to put the "raw" in from of black metal when describing music as it often comes down to a subjective judgmental what is processed and what is not. I believe we can all agree which side this Porcha demo falls. If someone disagrees with me, I would love to see something - [Heinous - Demo [Belgium, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2774) - another day, another black and white demo. Jokes aside, this shit rules and it took me a little bit to crack into the depths in which this Belgian act offers. We are also right at the beginning of a career which seems to offer swirling black metal which far from produced is still easily to - [Skrawl - Nil [US, Black / Punk] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2763) - Hello again Knife vision. I see you are looking particularly grim and vile today. It was only a week ago I stumbled on the Arnor demo and a whole page of interesting looking things. Now it is time for Skrawl and but the opening crash of black punk, this is something I can sign up - [Vomit Spell - Demo [Germany, Death / Grindcore] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2759) - What a name. I love everything about it. I love the artwork and the fact it is a bandcamp demo that will later have a cassette release. I love the energy and the fact that I was clued into the release by the creator via email. Vomit Spell is a newish act from Germany that - [Arnor - All Eyes to the Frontline [US, Black] (2019)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2755) - I do not really know. I do not know about a lot of things. I do not know why I missed these Knife Vision releases seeing they have been out since 2014. I do not know where Arnor is from but I am going to guess the US. I do not know what the rest - [Miscarriage - Imminent Horror [International, Sludge / Doom] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2749) - I was initially repulsed by the email i got titled "Miscarriage" but later still repulsed when I finally listened to this record. This email I got from the creators stands as the only evidence this band exists outside of a Facebook page, Bandcamp, and perhaps some awful hovel in the middle of Hell. If you - [Grave Infestation - Infesticide [Canada, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2746) - In 2019, I want to amass a collection of gross sounding death metal. Thank you 2019 for giving me my first of this year's collection. If you ever want to hear what blood stained concrete sounds and tastes like, allow Grave Infestation to overtake your beating heart. Wild guitar solos, ridiculous soundclips, and a band - [Favorite Releases of 2018](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2733) - Demos / EPs / Splits / ETC Demo I | MMXVIII by Aucun Demo by NYREDOLK Ripped to Death Demo by Cremate Ritual Death 10" by Ritual Death Haunter / Crawl MMXVIII by Haunter I by Temple Ash Surging Throng of Evil's Might by Superstition The Devouring God by Enscelados Occultess Unknown by Seclusion The - [Rotten Tomb - Live for the Death [Chile, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2728) - It is sort of late for a great 2018 death metal record and it is never really a good time for a live album but here we are. This sort of lackadaisical approach to actually releasing a record seems to be the marching orders for Rotten Tomb who has the look, sound, and feel of - [Templar - KNIGHTS OF NUCLEAR HELL DECIBEL FUCKING THE CHARRED REMAINS OF THE CHRIST [Finland, Black / Thrash / Punk] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2708) - Trust me. I do not know either. I think I was taken by the absurd album cover and then forced to sit in some dingy basement that smelled like rubber and cigarette smoke. Templar is wild and they trade in a lot of things in exchange for fireworks. Some of those things include sound quality, - [Gallery of Shame - Absolute Silence [Canada, Raw Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2720) - There are few things in this world which get me interested like a one track demo that sounds like broken glass and looks like photocopied misery. Gallery of Shame barely exists with the only way of acquiring a cassette is to write and email to what I assume is the creator. I do not think - [Dødknell - K.I.L.L [Australia, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2717) - YES. YES. YES. Few times does a sound make me want to whip a bottle across a crowded bar as a mating call for violence. Dødknell makes me forget about my inhibitions and also my threshold for pain as with these riffs I feel I can take on the world and everyone who has a - [Voidsphere - To Await | To Expect [International, Black / Atmospheric] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2714) - I feel that yesterday I didn't even know what the ПРАВА Коллектив was and now I see it connected to a handful of really cool releases. The Prava Kollektivis a group of unknown musicians making spacey black metal in conjunction with Fallen Empire Records. Just this month there has been hot releases by Arkhtinn and - [Warp Chamber - Abdication of the Mind [US, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2711) - Warp Chamber's demo was actually released in the early part of 2018 much to the knowledge of no one. In fact social media pages got creative when linking soundclips leaving 12 hours of Warp Engine drone to stand in for the band. Only few knew about Warp Chamber until Redefining Darkness welcomed the band into - [Depraver - Suffering in a Coffin [US, Black / Death / Thrash] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2705) - I actually have no idea what the genre is for this as the band's Metal Archive page says black / thrash but all I hear is old school death. It doesn't matter once you are inside a coffin and presumably suffering. Depraver is a relatively new band that has two EPs which are only serrated - [Lathliss - Demo [US, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2701) - Now this is a demo. It is difficult to describe what makes one bedroom black metal demo different than another since to some it all sounds the same. I do not think it even has to do with the quality of the recording as there are some boring raw black demos as there are exciting - [VerdensAske - To Abide in Ancient Abysses [Germany, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2698) - Got it. No Metal Archives page as of yet. Debut demo with two songs and a running time of 17 ish minutes. Nothing else I can find except for the initials of the band members. They are from Germany and that is about it. Its a good thing VerdensAske plays decent mid range black metal - [Haunter / Crawl - Haunter / Crawl [US, Black / Sludge] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2694) - Welcome to the horror show with two bands from Texas making music that sounds like the crawling chaos of mental collapse. Both bands, Haunter and Crawl have spent the bulk of the last few years releasing impressive collaborations and splits with LVTHN and Sovereign. This recent split is to commemorate the tour both bands are - [Psyche - Een pathologie van de geneesheer [Netherlands, Black / Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2690) - From the very rough dutch translation the title reads something like Pathology from the Physician or Physician's Pathology. Furthur translating Psyche's songs titles reveals a litany of similar themed words such as "Insane," "Bestial," "Mercury (?)" and "Cranial." I am not here to hack my way through Dutch translations rather put into context the debut - [Svabhavat - Black Mirror Reflection [US, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2687) - I love not knowing what to make of things. It also helps when the band doesn't have any information as of yet to guide my judgments. I guess we are going to have to evaluate the merits of Svabhavat on its own. What I can ascertain is a visceral yet refined approach to black metal - [Blosse - Solemne Tenebris [UK, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2683) - Well, here it is. A band that yet again does not have any information aside from the baseline blurbs provided by Death Kvlt Productions. At some point I am relieved when I find bands without information since I can get to talking about the music and atmosphere rather than any local scenes. I know that - [Negativa - 03 [Spain, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2675) - I probably will not get to hear this. Maybe. The idea of physical exclusive music is appealing in an age where one can hear anything they please for free. when I said appealing, I also mean frustrating for people who enjoy reviewing records. Still though the exclusive album from Negativa, which comes on 100 tapes, - [Azath - Demo 2018 [US, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2672) - Malazan themed death metal? I have to know these musicians in some fashion. Yep. The world is not that strange. Malazan Book of the Fallen is a popular fantasy series consisting of 10 main books and dozens of related novels. I am not here to geek about fantasy literature rather put into context that as - [Disgusted Geist - Reign of Enthrallment [US, Death / Doom] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2641) - Check. Check. Check. This band has everything I look for in a potential match including a badass name, grimy looking album art, and a tone which carries clout in the tomb stalking world of death metal. At this point in my existence the presence of bands like Disgusted Geist immediately draws my attention since they - [Seclusion - Occultess Unknown [US, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2648) - Oh man, things are about to get dirty and by dirty I mean we are all going to be covered in grave soil and coffin dust. Seclusion is a pretty new band from the lands of Texas and by their unassuming debut, this act is aiming low to subterranean levels with a sound that feels - [Constrained Ferocity - Dusk Of Humanity [Russia, Death / Grind] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2662) - It looks like there is little information regarding this act so we are just going to start making things up about this act which seemed to come from nowhere. I believe it was the cover which got me in ensnaring my attention. The underground comic violence cast in blue shades was something that could only - [Temple Ash - I [US, Raw Black / Noise] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2659) - Who is ready for the abyss? I hope you are serious because we are going into the depths of madness. Temple Ash is a new band with, unsurprisingly, little information regarding members, location, and day to day functions. What we are given instead is a short deceleration of warfare on our philosophies, a bitchin cover, - [Svartmálm - Svartmálm [Faroe Islands, Atmospheric Black / Doom] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2655) - I think I just wanted to type in the place Faroe Islands which the description of atmospheric black / doom once in my life. Svartmálm certainly comes from a place not known for its metal and is one of 14 metal bands registered in the history of the Faroe Islands. It is not like this - [Slidhr - The Futile Fires of Man [Ireland, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2638) - I wrote about this band way back in 2015 with their 2015 EP which turns out was not their first nor their last record. I remember being impressed with the ferocity and sound this Irish band brought to their recording. In 2018 I have learned new things, mainly this band shares many past and current - [Act of Impalement - Perdition Cult [US, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2611) - Holy shit, this thing is not going to be released until late August. Why am I so excited for this record despite the fact there is only one song for preview. What is it about death metal riffs which makes me wait on the front steps until the doors open? I usually balk at the - [Oxygen Destroyer - Bestial Manifestations of Malevolence and Death [US, Death / Thrash] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2622) - We are going to be honest and say that from the surface and on paper, Oxygen Destroyer looks goofy. With a gimmick surrounding kaiju films and some beer drinking promo pictures on their Metal Archives page, this band looks to be funny if not disposable. Lucky for everyone involved, Oxygen Destroyer has thrown themselves onto - [Nex Carnis - Obscure Visions of Dark [Iran, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2615) - A quick note before we begin. This album was released in 2015 by the Italian label Nightbreaker Productions at about 1000 copies. While re-releasing albums is not a new phenomenon, the fact this album is being re-released independently is odd. Perhaps the band was unhappy with the initial run or 2018 ft more into their - [Changeling - II [US, Atmospheric Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2628) - This is the second full length release for Changeling as of yet unsupported by a label. In 201, there is less of a need for label support outside the desire for more resources. Though I can see this band being at the attention of many more interested in winding atmospheric black, finding Changeling's second album - [U​.​N​.​C​.​U​.​L​.​T - אוּסִיפְרְטְנְסְמַאֶל קַנְטְבְס אַדְרַמַלַס אוֹסְטִיבְם [Brazil, Black / Death / Avant] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2605) - Technically, the full name for this release is "Uma Nulificação Catalizadora Ultrapassa os Limites Transcedentais - Ucifrtnsmael Cantvs Adramalas Ostivm : Anti​-​estrutual Formulas Da Genesis Do Anti​-​Mundo" just in case it is easier to do an internet search. Actually searching "אוּסִיפְרְטְנְסְמַאֶל קַנְטְבְס אַדְרַמַלַס אוֹסְטִיבְם" will most certainly bring you to this album as it stands - [Lightpath - Children of the Void [Italy, Death / Doom] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2625) - I think I can count the number of doom albums on this site with relative ease as I could probably use two hands. Doom is not a genre I travel into or at least have patience to surround myself with. This does not mean there are not good records being made and great bands making - [Mylingar - Döda Drömmar [Sweden, Death / Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2618) - Sure, the entire album could be terrible. It is a possibility. Döda Drömmar actually releases in a few days and all we are hearing from this debut full length is one horrid sounding track. While it is entirely possible that the rest of the album could be boring and uninspired the raw filth which exudes - [Blood Sacrifice - The Horned Goddess [Canada, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2608) - At the moment, this Blood Sacrifice hasn't been added to the Metal Archives which makes finding information sort of difficult. I am sure they will be added later but for now the sound of bestial torment which comes in the shape of a tornado is still but a mystery. According to the tape label which - [Enscelados - The Devouring God [International, Black / Ambient] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2600) - Souls are drowned in the ever-rotating continuum / Alas, for they knew not of the end... / Tears are shed for whom the devouring god awaits / Ululating for eons, those who went... / Rites will be held for him once again / Never will they know, for all will remain unraveled... I do not - [Aseroe - Aseroe [Unknown, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2590) - Well, here it is. Perhaps the weirdest thing I have heard all month. This band also comes with the distinction of be indistinct since their origin is up in the air with only the information that their band consists of Hungarian and Greek members. Whether or not they reside in Europe or the Us or - [Fortress Of The Olden Days - Night Of Sacrifice [Germany, Raw / Atmospheric Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2586) - I do not think I am completely on board with the artist name for this German project or even the song titles which make up a large part of the aesthetic. From something that looks like it could be dungeon synth to an aesthetic which looks moody in its disposition. Night of Sacrifice, the debut - [Olm - Ruin of Scepter - Chasm [US, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2575) - I am always on the lookout for cool black metal despite falling had over heels for recent rotting death. Finding Olm was special as it allowed me to embrace the hatred and anger associated with black metal without any pretense. Finding Olm was fantastic as it seems to be the prototypical subject matter for black - [Altar of Gore - Demo [US, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2572) - Aww yeah here it is. Demo name - Check. Release type - check. Tone - Check. Band name - triple check. I have to admit that I am reviewing this based on the preview track as the actual demo comes out in 6 days from writting this article. There is a possibility that the rest - [Burial Stone - Lost History [US, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2567) - Alright this is what I am fucking talking about. Death metal which has the sentiments of a caveman hunting on the unforgiving landscape where death and life are locked in an inseparable embrace. All of the information regarding Burial Stone indicate this is death metal from New Jersey without any serious mention of the doom - [Dearth - Of Martyrdom and Polluted Faith [US, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2563) - There is a point where I consider a rerelease of an obscure demo to be apart of the current year. Things released late in December of the past year or even things that went generally without any sort of attention usually gets grouped into the current year since no one is really going to care. - [Golgothan Remains - Perverse Offerings To The Void [Australia, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2560) - I usually enjoy finding Bandcamp pages with little to no discussion so I can be one of the first to write a review. This is my bizarre sense of accomplishment. While seeing the massive amount of discussion on still unsigned debut from Golgothan Remains was sort of a let down, the fact we have a - [Sixes - Methistopheles [US, Sludge / Doom] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2554) - It can certainly happen. I enjoy sludge / doom at times in between bought of raw death and black metal. It takes a certain record though to break the spell of things I usually enjoy. I have little reason to stop on Sixes in my daily search through new releases seeking out xeroxed black metal - [Alkymist - Spellcraft Ceremony [Canada, Black / Doom] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2550) - One of the more confusing things about this project is it sharing a name with a progressive sludge band from Denmark. Though this is not the first time two bands have shared the same name, the fact both of them are unsigned and relatively on equal levels in terms of popularity makes it confusing at - [Superstition - Surging Throng of Evil's Might [US, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2547) - there are sometimes inklings of things one is going to enjoy. Seeing the color used in Superstition's logo and artwork wasn't the reason for enjoying this demo rather an inkling that t was going to be intriguing. Perhaps it is because that warm sickly grey was a gateway into a certain aesthetic. Perhaps I am - [Misrule - Forced to Suffer [US, Death / Grind] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2544) - This single came via a colleague with the comment of "Sentient Ruin refuses to stop." For the past couple of years, this US label has been the source of some of the weirdest and more horrifying forms of music with their roster being obscure black / death and their distribution net unearthing even more arcane - [Cist - The Frozen Casket [Russia, Death / Thrash] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2541) - I do not think I have so thoroughly entertained with music while being baffled by the name of the record label. Camo Pants Records is either a goofy name with no meaning or some hidden tongue and cheek reference to death metal fashion. I think I spend so much time discussing this aspect as Cist' - [Kwestia Kwasu - Kwas Topi Czas [Poland, Black / Experimental] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2534) - I feel the best way to start this review is to reiterate the description from the label and their confusion and excitement is all I need "Here we are..., I don't even know how to describe the music of these sociophobic polish junkies. Imagine a underproduced blend of blackened '70's Punk and dirty Ska with - [Evil Priest - Black Seeds​.​.​.​of Creation [Peru, Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2530) - I feel at this point I could run quarterly feature going over all of the new Caligari material and still be pretty happy. I try not to hover too much on certain labels like Fallen Empire and Vrasubatlat as constant coverage would make me seem like a fanboy despite the fact thier output being above - [Висельник - Despair [Russia, Raw Black / Ambient] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2521) - I think changing the tag of DSBM to Black / Ambient is better for longevity purposes. Depressive Suicidal Black Metal sometimes drops the Suicidal portion of the name and even though some bands do bask in the macabre of self harm, they do so often without the tag of DSBM. At this point DSBM has - [Wojtek - Slaved In Eternal Obeisance To Gravelords Of Old [US, Black / Punk] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2518) - there are a lot of things I enjoy about Wojtek. I love the fact they lay music in a way that is feverish and maniacal. I love the fact their aesthetic clings to a crossover between occult black and anarchopunk. I love the fact all of the song titles and album cover could be slight - [ABYSSAL VACUUM - MMXVII [France, Black / Death] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2515) - Well, that is it. Janaury is offficially over with perhaps the coolest looking release of the month. Add to this the forcoming coverage by No Clean Singing and the fact this band has no Metal Archives page, and yhou have the [potential for a hype explosion that will be celebrated by a small group of - [Khragkh - Šlach Anihilacyi [Belarus, Black] (2013) [REISSUE]](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2510) - I am going to start tagging tape reissues rather than try to cram them into the current year. Acts like Khragkh are current working black metal bands who are having their demos released by DIY labels like Exit Fetish Tapes. This does not mean Šlach Anihilacyi can slide into 2018 as a release as the - [Dead Void - The Looming Spectre [Denmark, Death / Doom] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2507) - From their Bandcamp page, Death Void states "Recorded (mostly live) in October 2017. Cassette release will be available to order after we return from The Abyss Underground Festival." It is as if we caught this band going out of the door and had little time for us being in their place. Add to this a - [Cultum Interitum - Sorgspell [Poland, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2496) - Sorgspell is an ambitious demo from a band that seems to have everything checked and ready to go. This is not uncommon though some bands choose to enter causally with a debut demo. For a debut demo released in the twilight of 2017, Cultum Interitum is ready to go when everyone else is going to - [CAVURN - Rehearsal [US, Death / Doom] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2492) - If one hasn't noticed by now, the last few reviews for this year are things that I initially missed. These things are still under the radar for the greater scope of heavy metal but still fit into the strange idea of Tape Wyrm material. Cavurn is an unsigned/independent death doom band from Washington whose demo/rehearsal - [Karcist - Inner Sanctum Immolation [US, Blackened Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2467) - Blackened death is a strange genre to play and even to seek out. While it sounds similar to the black/death style, there is a maddening difference between the two to the point that when seeking one out will lead to dissatisfaction with the other. This is what I find so interesting when bands like Karcist - [The Clearing Path - Watershed Between Earth and Firmament [Italy, Black / Progressive] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2444) - I was halfway through reviewing this project's 2015 debut before realizing it was released in 2015. Because of this, I can now see the scope of The Clearing Path as not just an atmospheric black metal act with more interesting aesthetic rather a black metal project that starts on earth and ascends to the stars. - [Mal Du Siècle - Dark Ceremonies Under A Cursed Moon [Spain, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2452) - Aesthetic is important when it coems to releasing metal records and Mal Du Siècle has thrown its lot in with one specific style. If the slightly lo-f production was not the biggrest tip off, then the distressed tape cover that looks right out of a photocopier should be a big indication that it is the - [Hexagon - I [Sweden, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2457) - The landscape of death metal is being changed or at least has always been changing. What once was old school went into cavernous and now is moving into slimy grime. Tagging this as death is sometimes confusing for anyone following the developments of the genre so saying the phrase Swedish old school maybe a little - [Morta - The Descent of Innanna [Spain, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2461) - Lowfidelity or lo-fi is an interesting aesthetic to embrace since for the most part it is a concious desicsion one employs on their sound. My vierw on lo-fi has always been positive as I feel it can enhance an already raw record to the point of being sublime. OPther times it xould muddy the sound - [Mûspellzheimr - Nidhöggr [Denmark, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2477) - Holy shit, how in the world did I miss this. Not only is the album cover fantastic and everything I dreamed of but the sound is swirling black metal madness. Add to this the fact I am completely in the dark to what the name and album title means which means this is my new - [Attrition - Demo I [Canada, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2480) - This demo was released in November of 2017. I am reviewing this in addition to the Barbarian single which was released in December of 2017. All four songs consist a body of work that is around 16 minutes. I know all of you war metal fans need to keep your dates and facts straight which - [Vessel Of Iniquity - Vessel Of Iniquity [UK, Black / Noise] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2427) - Something I always enjoyed about this time of the year was the complete lack of caring by labels and bands for end of the year lists. December is usually a dead zone for larger labels and bands as most of the year lists are being generated. there are some who do not care about frivolous - [Erlkonig - Demo 2017 [US, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2421) - I saw Erlkonig this year at a local festival in the woods. The band is comprised of most of members of Genevieve plus a smattering of other local Baltimore metal musicians. I now feel weird since I not only know these guys but their music is really fantastic leading me to assure people Im not - [Favorite Releases of 2016](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2047) - VT-X || Rotten Limbs in Dreams of Blood by Uškumgallu Spektral Hatchery by Spektral Hatchery Heilig Land by Iskandr Into a Pyramid of Doom by INTO COFFIN Sokea Idiootti by OKSENNUS dread by Yith A World That Has To Be Opposed by Vidargängr Hosanna by Flesh of the Stars Opening the Abyss by AD BACULUM - [Nefast MCMLXXIX - Demo [Chile, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2441) - At this point, we can still consider this 2017 despite the fact the Bandcamp comes from a label rereleasing this demo in 2018. Rereleases are strange especially since you can already find this demo on the internet. Regardless, Oratorium is a label that seems to be gathering up Chilean acts for presentation and celebration. Nefast - [Husk - Fangs [Italy, Black] (2018)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2435) - within the deadzone of album releases, there are moments when future records are released almost in their entirety 2 months early. Welcome Husk, a one man black metal project probably from the UK but not entirely sure (Actually Italy). Fangs is limited to 15 copies and is scheduled to release in February of 2018. What - [Eofor - Demo 15 [UK, Raw Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2431) - Good lord, I do not even know if I should be listening to this. No Metal Archives. No Facebook. IU am actually just guessing at the country as the only information seems to be repsresnation from a local faction called Legion Blotan which represents a slew of raw black and death acts. The things about - [Void Terror - Soul Harvest [US, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2282) - Just the fact I cant find a Metal Archives link to this band tells me that Soul Harvest is most likely self releases and not under the umbrella of a label. This is okay as recent years have shown us that self released and independently supported albums can be just as blistering and paint peeling - [Left Cross - Chaos Ascension [US, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2403) - Oh my. I think I would have stumbled on this eventually due to the album cover but Left Cross is a name I have an eye on due to their addition to the Blood of the Wolf Fest in Spring of 2018. Blood of the Wolf has become a fast way of learning about new - [Gaping Maw - Their Sigil was Etched in the Face of the Stars [US, Electronics / Dark Ambient] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2400) - I do not know if I am seeing more electronic based dark music or whether or not I am drawn to it like opium smoke. Gaping Maw is a reconfiguration of an already obscure industrial black/sludge act called Witches Heart. By the look of the Bandcamp discography page, Witches Heart seems to have wrangled an - [Wilt - Buried Amplification [US, Noise / Electronics] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2396) - Before we begin, let us state for the record this release is technically 2010. From the Bandcamp: "Original cassette only available at the Heavy Focus festival in April 2010. Limited to 5 hand numbered copies." The one video from Heavy Focus Festival is so bizarre and flabbergasting, the whole thing sort of makes sense. Buried - [Illuminated Manuscripts / Deathvoid [Switzerland / Estonia, Raw Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2393) - This is a weird split. weird not in a grotesque or horrible way but more in a creeping sense of uncanny atmosphere. Xenoglossy Productions is a newish label from Italy representing a slew of underground European acts. One of their missions is to hammer out a visual style to unite all of these releases under - [Skrik - I [Russia, Black / Hardcore] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2390) - No Metal Archives Page. No Facebook page. No additional information about this project. Fuck it, I can call this whatever I want since no one seems to be correcting me. With the additional picture of two figures in non metal looking raincoats, the first (?) demo (?) from Skrik poses a lot of questions which - [Voces Magicae - Atavisms [UK, Black / Ambient] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2387) - there is a lot of weird shit to discuss with this record. Just by the Bandcamp alone, we have a set of polyhedral dice, strong allusions to ancient magic, and an album cover that looks like a grind record which even has two purple strips on the edges. I do not know why these things - [Mammon - Luna de Sangre [US, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2378) - I need to ease up on my pre judgements surrounding atmospheric black metal. For a style that has a ton of directions, I feel I have been jaded to a legion of albums with trees on the cover and a fawning for post rock melodies. Mammon is tagged at atmospheric black on Bandcamp yet does - [Katepheia - Tsalal I [Russia, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2382) - I have had a problem with a lot of depressive and atmospheric black only in that there is always a lot to choose from. With this comes the dulling of what is suppose to be the linchpin of the music which is emotional resonance. When you can 50 bands doing the same thing all releasing - [Phantasmagorum - Glare [Russia, Black / Doom] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2375) - Album art is important not only as an initial invitation but also as a showcase for music. Though I can not find any information on the artist "P. Seliverstov" since the band itself has no information, it is going to remain a mystery. The cover for Glance however is entrancing and artfully skilled at pulling - [Krÿs - Hexen [Germany, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2368) - Krÿs is from Germany and I do not think the band's name has any easy translation into English. The name Hexen is already known enough not to be mysterious and most of the song titles do not hold any deep level of esoteric meaning. For the most part this demo is a pretty transparent package - [Pestivomous - The Last Wound [Chile, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2275) - Pestivomous' The Last Wound is technically a demo and a rehearsal which is odd because it sounds like a complete studio production. I am certainly not doubting this a rehearsal rather it is surprising to get such a full sound out of something as off of the cuff as a practice tape. what this project - [Vaabnet - Den ed du har svoret [Denmark, Black / Punk] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2320) - I think it was the cover art for Den ed du har svoret which initially drew my eye with its runic and esoteric markings. It was most certainly the combination of depressive black metal and raw punk rock that kept me locked in the world of misery and strife. Vaabnet is one of of a - [Himelvaruwe - CCIII [Netherlands, Raw Black / Ambient] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2221) - Yes. this is the weird shit I come to the internet for. From the very fitting grainy cover to the fact that since its release back in May, I have heard very little of this project proves that this is a great find. to be honest, I started this review months ago and let it - [Sickdeer - The Wretched of the Earth [US, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2157) - I am going to be completely honest and say my attraction to Sickdeer comes from they are local to my area and I am scheduled to see a few shows with them as a support. Finding local music is fantastic as you can both enjoy music, support music, and possibly drink beers with the creators - [Graveflowers - The Hyacinth Garden [US, Raw Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2298) - This release first came to me via Path of Silence who is heading up the limited physical release. Path of Silence is well known in my other life as a dungeon synth label who cryptically releases weirdo and outsider music to a handful of fanatics. The label has released black metal before with Bruid's Cogadh - [Luceran Lycan Haunt - Arcane Arts Bleach The Skulls Of Forbidden [US, Raw Black / Noise] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2316) - Well, this it is. I think I have finally lost my mind as the first reaction to all of the tags was unbridled excitement at the possibility of diving into a pool of raw noise and black metal with overt occult themes. Over the course of 2017, I have gravitated towards more power electronics, and - [DSKNT - PhSPHR Entropy [Switzerland, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2312) - Alright. Fine. Im interested. when I can not find any information on the band or album and it comes steeped in mystery and occult sensibilities, I am embarrassingly in love with it. It certainly helps when the music is a swirling void of focused chaos and well planned ruin. This is where we are with - [Almyrkvi - Umbra [Iceland, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2360) - For the sake of brevity, I decided to just put "black" as the genre as a full explanation would be too long for the post. It only takes a couple of minutes into the opener "Vaporous Flame" to realize that Almyrkvi's debut operates on a different level than most atmospheric black metal as well as - [I I / Lihhamon - Miasmal Coronation [Germany, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2357) - If the swirling and cacophonous introduction of "Indoctrination of Deaths Command" is not enough to get you in the mood for complete obliteration, then I do not know what to tell you. Miasmal Coronation is a split with two new and relatively unknown black / death outfits from Germany. with an embrace of war themes - [Holokauston - Yersinia Pestis [India, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2348) - "Yersinia pestis (formerly Pasteurella pestis) is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped coccobacillus, non mobile with no spores. It is a facultative anaerobic organism that can infect humans via the oriental rat flea. It causes the disease plague, which takes three main forms: pneumonic, septicemic, and bubonic plagues. All three forms were responsible for a number of high-mortality - [Xenotaph - Media Morte in Vita Sumus [US, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2342) - It is strange to talk about music in terms of temperature but since being shared and sharing this band with others, the description and atmosphere of coldness reaching the point of ice is an apt description. Xenotaph is a west coast black metal project supported by the ritualistic Transylvanian Tapes. Media Morte in Vita Sumus - [Taphos - Premonition Promo MMXVII [Denmark, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2337) - Taphos almost feels well known and well liked among friends I probably do not have. Perhaps it is the sound of grimy death metal with a tone that looms in empty warrens and caves. Perhaps it is the fact their logo looks similar to bands like Grave Miasma. Perhaps it is because there is so - [Malakhim - Demo I [Sweden, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2326) - At thius moment, it appears everything is working in this band's favor. Not only does this Swedish act have a bit of a following for a debut demo but everything from the aesthetic, to sound, to just general presence seems to be working together. This is probably why this demo is making its rounds in - [Antichrist Siege Machine - Morbid Triumph [US, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2308) - It seems that I am late with this release as Decibel already picked up the stream for it as well as being out for a couple of months. I should have been more aware as I praised the shit out of their demo in 2016. I should have been more on top of this as - [Cult of Extinction - Black Nuclear Magick Attack [Germany, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2304) - I do not review a lot of war / bestial black for a few reasons. Firstly the pummeling sounds of Blasphemy worship can become overwhelming when not ready for the sound. Given that even high profile acts like Teitanblood and Revenge can become endless cascades of torment, bestial black or war metal is directed at - [Ignis Umbrae - La Sombra del Fuego [Chile, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2295) - Vestigia Flamæ is a newish label that actually has a few other releases which are extremely current including Theurgia's Genómasis and Saturnus' Impetum Chaos. I only mention the label since those other two releases were not only of interest but also have been released within the last few months. This time period seems to be - [Putrid Evocation - Live Exhumations [Chile, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2290) - Add this to the growing scene of Chilean bands that seem to be coming out of nowhere. Even though I am tagging this as a demo, Live Exhumations is technically a live album and the fact that I do not have a "Live" tag means that live albums are not really a popular medium for - [WADJ - WADJ [Canada, Black / Noise / Ambient] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2287) - Let us be completely honest and say that WADJ is not going to be on any end of the year list. This release is here just out of weirdness and absurd obsession. There is little hope in saying that it is going to change any face of extreme metal and will most likely survive out - [Kapala - Infest Cesspool [India, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2278) - Noise is something that I am stopping using as a genre for things that are not strictly noise. While it is easy to gain interest for people, bands that use noise as atmosphere and things that are strictly within the noise genre are very different. With that said, I have no idea where Kapala falls - [Vorus - Chamber of Laments [Romania, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2271) - I do not think I have reviewed many releases from Romania. This does not mean the Country does not have an active metal community and even if it isn't as flourishing as let's say the UK or US, I am still open for rotten things to come out of a country known for its vampires. - [Ashen Chalice - Spells Of Eternal Sleep Guide Us Towards The Casket [Croatia, Raw Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2268) - Ashen Chalice perhaps has the trifecta of cool titles which hover around the newest release. First off all the project name is super cool. Second of all the album title is entrancing in its wording. Third and perhaps most important is the Bandcamp tagline of "May Nature Guide You On Your Path Towards Self Destruction." - [Vesicant - Shadows of Cleansing Iron [New Zealand, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2262) - I swear to Christ, I found these guys before I noticed they were on Iron Bonehead. Despite my best intentions in digging out disgusting black / death, Iron Bonehead seems to be doing the same with more attuned ears to filth and grime. Whatever the case or whoever first stumbled on this band s irrelevant - [Akatharsia - No Generation Without Corruption [US, Raw Black / Punk] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2259) - I was hesitant on putting the raw black tag on this record since I wasn't sure. Do not get me wrong or misunderstand, the world of Akatharsia is built from bricks of noise and discomfort as their debut record constructs a citadel of torment and unease. I was hesitant on putting the raw black tag - [Obscure Burial - Imago Mortis [Finland, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2250) - Well, fuck. It was only recently that I discarded the category of "Single" for this site as bands usually do not release singles. Here we are with a single from Obscure Burial and me looking fucking stupid. I guess a single could work in the same fashion of a demo though this one seems to - [Animo Aeger - Ab​-​Fakt [Germany, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2246) - By any means necessary. The German outfit known as Amino Aeger may not be a household name but it only takes a few minutes into their work for it to make an impression. Sure this all falls under the realm of black metal but by the first minute of the Ab​-​Fakt EP, the listener realizes - [BLK OPS / KRVSHR [US, Sludge / Doom / Hardcore] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2235) - I think I have made mention of my aversion to doom. My hesitance for the genre doesn't come from my disdain of the sound rather the glut of bands who play in the formula of the style. This isn't an anomaly in metal as I gravitate towards anything black or death which plays in the - [Cosmic Void Ritual - Gateways Through Septic Flesh [US, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2231) - This is it. My everything. Few times is there a corning of an aesthetic that works so perfectly that it is staggering to thing how a band arrived at it. Not only does the Us based Cosmic Void Ritual worship the idea mystic astronomy and Lovecraftian entities but the devotion to surgical autopsy of aliens. - [Chorazos - Demo [US, Raw Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2224) - Album art is important ad it seems that the cover for this demo is the same image used on LVTHN's 2013 demo. The image depicts a woodblock goat which does not seem to have a source material or if it did, it has been lost in a sea of appropriations. Albums covers to stickers, to - [Ühtceare - La Inexorable Amargura En La Existencia [Argentina, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2210) - I usually joke about finding bands that are nowhere to be found on the internet. When I found the La Inexorable Amargura En La Existencia demo, I thought I struck gold and could retire early. Here was a fantastic Argentinian atmospheric black metal demo that had two mentions on Facebook and no Metal Archives entry. - [Draghkar - World Unraveled [US, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2206) - I am so late on this one. This release came out in February and was given to me by an acquaintance. Reviewing things from people I know personally is odd since I feel the need to either be brutally honest or exceedingly positive. From the few albums on this site that are from acquaintances, they - [Totalitarian - De Arte Tragoediae Divinae [Italy, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2202) - All hail the gloom of tomorrow! It seems odd for an underground band to begin their career with a full length. In a genre full of demos, splits, and EPs, starting with a 56 minute record feels novel in a style where most do not reach that length with their longest releases. Totalitarian is different - [Ockultist - Present Day Neglect [Sweden, Black / Sludge] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2185) - That is quite a sound. I have not been shy regarding my opinion on stoner doom and sludge as I feel the field is flooded with similar sounding bands and ideas. This is not unlike other styles such as black and death metal though stoner doom feels tired and worn unless completely onboard for the - [Abyssus / Death Courier / DreamLongDead / Slaughtered Priest - 7" Split [Greece, Death / Thrash / Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2194) - Holy shit. Alright so reviewing splits is sometimes difficult as the titles are long, the bands are from different places, and sometimes the styles presented are too many to discuss in a short period of time. This split is different for many reason. First of all, every band is from this 7" split is from - [Nekrokult - Desecration of Blood [Brazil, Black / Thrash] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2188) - Black thrash! Black thrash! Well, sort of. Black thrash is a strange genre where the sound can be a straight mix of music or just music that is wielding a broken bottle and radiates riffs. Nekrokult is like that and by the sound of their first full length (?) it sounds like this band is - [Mouthgate - Fungal [US, Black / Experimental] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2182) - Enter the vaults of the odd with a band and album title that is way beyond any metal aesthetic you are used to. Coming from New York City comes a band that is experimental but is too weird to have any sort of pretension about their work. Caught somewhere between a hangover migraine and a - [Blood of Sokar - Blood of Sokar [US, Black/Doom] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2177) - I get pretty enthusiastic about black/doom as it is a style which sounds transcendental when done right but whose chemistry is tough to master. Add to this the fact that there really isn't a defined recipe for black doom as black/death or even black/thrash rather when combined it could sound as melodic or as harrowing - [Jera - Jera [US, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2172) - I think at one point, I will do an article or feature of local Baltimore / DC metal bands that I inadvertently have contacts through or at least see at multiple shows. Jera was something that I have see really early in their career with even a live show without a singer. This first demo - [Sores - Demo I [Greece, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2169) - Since we are not keeping track, this recommendation was totally stolen from a friend who also scours the internet for cool black and death demos. I would have found this eventually but it is good to have more eyes lest we all miss something. I say this all now since the debut demo from Greek - [Ashen Chalice - Ritual Under The Blackened Moon [Croatia, Dark Ambient / Noise / Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2149) - Ashen Chalice is more like a journey than a destination. Finding a Croatian black noise project that isn't even listed on the Metal Archives is sometimes as exciting as listening to whatever was put to proverbial tape. The aesthetic of Ritual Under The Blackened Moon toes the line between dead serious and tongue in cheek - [Cold Fell - Irwell [UK, Atmospheric Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2139) - This is the second "atmospheric black metal" record I have reviewed this week and it is only Tuesday. I would like to say I am not opposed to the style whatsoever rather I find that atmospheric black metal is very easy to imitate but very difficult to make interesting. Uk based band Cold Fell doesn't - [Myotis Occultus - Of Weeping Spells & Wounded Shrines [US, Raw Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2090) - In the world of underground and lesser known heavy metal, newness is a relative term. To some the Arizona based one man act Myotis Occultus could be new with the weight of raw black metal making its first introductions. To others, the songs on the Of Weeping Spells & Wounded Shrines demo are just a - [Mort aux Gueux - Beuverie, Musique du Diable et Misère Crasse [Canada, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2119) - I feel I am going to have a good handle on some of the darker works in various languages. From what I can surmise, Mort aux Gueux means "Death to the Beggers (?)" and the album title starts out with "Music of the Devil" and then gets really patchy from there. It could have something - [Time Lurker - Time Lurker [France, Atmospheric Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2133) - This review takes some projection as this whole album will not be out until June but all of its material is already available as of late 2016. I have some sympathy for bands who put out material late in the year when the years are turning. I am pretty neutral on rereleases on wider distribution. - [Cioran - Bestiale battito divino [Italy, Black / Punk] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2126) - Oh fuck, this is goddamn gross. Already from the support from Caligari Records, I knew that Italian act Cioran would be horrid sounding. Named after the turn of the century Romanian philosopher who espoused pessimism and misery, Cioran has constructed an anthem of decay. With the tags of hardcore punk sitting next to black metal, - [Funeral Chant - Funeral Chant (US, Black / Death) (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2113) - Funeral Chant is already experiencing a small queue of interest from the internet and this can be directly related to the feature from Cvlt Nation. Aside from that however, the interest for Funeral Chant and the growing popularity for this bay area black death act seems to be catching like fire die to other reason. - [Sulphuris Oblivio - Dawn Before Sunset [Brazil, Ritual / Psych / Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2109) - Well this is it. A band that is honest to goodness trying to stay hidden and not get their music heard. I have spoken many times about various bands obscuring identities and opting out of most social media which is interesting given the glut of digital culture. Sulphuris Oblivio is not creating a new step - [Imperceptum - The Eternal Path to Nothingness [Germany, Black / Funeral Doom] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2103) - I believe that it is in the interest of most metal to capture a theme or feeling. whether simple or complex abstract or concrete, most heavy metal intends to fill the listener with a focus. The second album from German black / doom outfit Imperceptum does an admirable job at wrapping in the various emotions - [Beneath the Storm - Temples of Doom [Slovenia, Funeral Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/76) - Self Released | 5-17-13 Note: This record was originally self released but And is now being distributed by Dutch cassette label Breathe Plastic. Funeral cheap nfl jerseys doom is easy to look and assess from a distance. From this distance, Slovenian one man act Beneath the Storm seems like just another doom act obsessed with - [Run After To - Run After To / Gjinn And Djinn [Italy, Doom / Traditional] (1985)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/51) - Shadow Kingdom Records | 1-7-14 One of my resolutions this year was to keep an eye out for any potential traditional doom that would be worthy of year end lists. This is to make up for the fact I missed out on Atlantean Kodex until an embarrassing date but to also Android pay attention to - [Amaranthine Lament - Spirit Geist [UK, Black Metal / Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/39) - Amaranthine Lament is a one man ambient black metal project from the UK who has been spending all of this time making either disaffected second wave black metal with heavy electronic overtones or disaffected electronic with black metal overtones. One of them. Spirit Geist is the third demo which continues the pursuit of black metal - [[Article] In Defense of Elistism](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/34) - Introduction Elitism can be defined as the belief that certain persons, classes, or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority. This superiority could be connected to social status, wealth, or knowledge. Over these two years, I have become increasingly interested in the concept of elitism and how it relates to music. While - [Ose - Rituum [US, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2086) - 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 - [Noctis - Gamaliel [US. Black / Noise] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2082) - 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 - [Hypnosinosis - Delirium [Chile, Black / Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2078) - I believe it to be this blog's quest and motivation to find lesser known metal, throughout the year. A large goal and benchmark I have been working towards is finding bands before they have a Metal Archives page or below a certain number of listeners or just online presence. This isn't some contest to find - [Tome Of The Unreplenished - Cosmoprism [Cyprus, Ritual Ambient / Noise] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2070) - Back in 2015, Tome Of The Unreplenished sounded different. It isn't that much of a change but the Cypriot born now British band's debut was much more geared towards atmospheric black metal that frayed at the edges of concrete. Cosmoprism: The Theurgy - Act I shatters all bonds with the material world and travels towards - [Grave Plague - The Infected Crypts [US, Death] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2067) - 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 - [Svangur Kvöl - Wreck Of The World [Australia, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2064) - Coming across a band like Svangur Kvöl happens completely by chance. A debut album by a what could be a one person black metal self released project can be hard to keep track of. I think it was the cover and the fact that this album has been made into atleast 6 tapes, which drew - [Altars of Ash and Bone - I [Unknown, Raw Black / Noise] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2056) - Happy 2017 everyone. Though it is only 10 days into the year, this is a good of time as any to start digging into lesser known releases for the year. First up is a band that I legitimately can not find any information regarding aside from their Bandcamp page. You know the drill. Pull the - [W - Winterwomb [Russia, Black] (2017)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2060) - No matter how hard I try, there is always something I miss. 2016 was a great time for heavy metal as well as the year that W released three albums and 1 EP. I do not know why I am just learning about this but let us use the dawn of 2017 to get acquainted - [Convulsing - Errata [Australia, Black / Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2026) - Convulsing was a surprise this year for many reasons. First of all it came out of nowhere and second of all, this is the first release from an otherwise unknown solo artist from Australia. With a lot of things working against Convulsing, the artists debut is a furious take on black / death with both - [Mortals Path - Mortals Path [Germany, Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1989) - All Hail the sound of tombs cracking from a force wishing to resurrect. Mortal's Path is from Germany and this group of newcomers does its very best to slide right into the death metal party. From their jagged logo to the black and white cover, Mortals Path tries its very hardest to just be a - [Sulphurous - Demo XVI [ Denmark, Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2040) - Yes. Yes. Yes. Sulphurous has been around for a few years but this is another example of a band who is taking their time. With their third demo released in September of this year, the Denmark based death metal band has three releases to their name with a 7 inch reprint of their most recent - [Brainshock - Rehearsal [Norway, Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2037) - Things like this are why I started this blog. I do not do many rehearsals and in fact many rehearsals that are out there are released under the that banner just for the raw credibility as being as far from professional as possible. Brainshock's Rehearsal is really a practice as you can hear chatter between - [East Sherman - Desertification [US, Black / Crust] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2030) - The intersection between black metal and hardcore punk can be a visceral one. Since the two styles are intertwined at the roots, the exploration of the grey era between punk and metal is a minefield with large craters in the ground with festering water collecting near the bottom. East Sherman is a self proclaimed Vegan - [A.S.M. - DEMO 2016 [US, Black / Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2021) - 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 - [Maltheist - Maltheist [US, Death / Grind] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2017) - 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 - [Obscure Evil - Void Fumes [Peru, Black / Thrash] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2007) - A couple of friends and I have contests to see who can mine the best music out of the field of brand new releases. I feel that checking back to Caligari records every so often is cheating since this label has been known to already have a good system which finds the most vile and - [Commander - Apocalypse Vengeance [Canada, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2004) - Replication is flattery when a band is completely honest about their intentions. Mikey Witchfucker, the one man central command for this Canadian outfit has already listed bands like Blasphemy and Beherit as major sources of information. With a demo that doesn't even reach the 10 minute mark, let us see how crazy we can get. - [Black Citadel - Ancestral Shadows [US, Raw Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/2001) - 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 - [Burial Ground - End of the World [Russia, Black / Speed] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1998) - So even though this particular demo only runs three tracks, I would like to talk about Burial Ground's body of work as we start to wind down in 2016. Burial Ground is interesting for the sheer volume of work that is put out. Looking at all of the demos which are available for 2016, an - [Spektral Hatchery - Spektral Hatchery [US, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1977) - The Pacific Northewest is always a place where I like to keep my ear out for up and coming bands. Since the fall out of the Cascadian wave which sort of overtook this area, there have been great developments in black metal which do not rely on album covers with trees and waterfalls. Spektral Hatchery - [Tomb Mold - The Moulting [Canada, Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1970) - Tomb Mold has been damn near suprising everyone this year. When I say everyone, I mean the 50 people who are listening to Tomb Mold. Perhaps you can be apart of this great club of disgusting death metal with a new demo that continues the descent into sightless crypts. For a band with only two - [Labyrinthique - Demo MMXVI [Canada, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1967) - What I know about Labyrinthique is they are from Canada and they have a Facebook and a Wordpress website that is all in French. That is about it. For whatever lack of information is revolving around this Quebec based black metal band is made up for in a demo of unequaled frenzy. I love heavy - [Merdam Boten - Jeux de Morts [France, Raw Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1952) - I have a running joke with some of my friends on which of us can find the most inaccessible band with little information available on the internet. I think I win at least for today. I do not know a lot about this band but what I can tell you about this release is that - [Malleus - Storm of Witchcraft [US, Black / Death / Punk] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1947) - 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, - [Vreemdeling - Demo [Netherlands, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1933) - Image is important in metal. while it is not a paramount aspect in music, it certainly helps an act stand out among the thousands of peers which all resides on the same Bandcamp page. There are sometimes when a lack of accessibility and information can be that edge which gets an act noticed. Take Vreemdeling - [Predatory Light - Predatory Light [US, Black / Doom] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1920) - Predatory Light, as an independent entity, has been a bit of a mystery. I believe I first encountered this Northwestern US black metal band on the 2015 Vorde split put together by the very wonderful Psychic Violence records. In fact, the last release from Predatory Light was that split over a year ago. Sometimes bands - [Oksennus - Sokea Idiootti [Finland, Death / Avant] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1937) - Well, this is it, the time when I finally lose my mind and go howling into the night surrounded by demons and trees. Now I know "Oksennus" is Finnish for "vomit". I do not know if I wanted to know this but this record beckons one to face certain realities. I do not know if - [Death Fortress - Deathless March of the Unyielding [US, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1788) - Death Fortress will always have a special place in my heart. I not only discovered them on a cassette mix but through that same compilation, I found the wonderful Fallen Empire. "Master-Deceiver" which was provided on the SVN OKKLT mix was a harrowing introduction to a grinding black metal band from New Jersey. Now more - [Kvesta - Ibex Arrival [Norway, Black / Thrash] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1909) - Fuck yeah! Black / Thrash! Fuck Yeah! There are few things which would deter this record from being great once the image and sound was locked in place. Even though the band and album title are not lock step with an immediate sinister image, the members which make up Kvesta have everything they need with - [True Love - Meditating Through Illusion [US, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1905) - True Love is a misleading name which ranks up there with Happy Days and Lifelover for metal band names. Atleast the cover for Meditating Through Illusion isn't misleading at the stark black and white composition of the tape cover partially conveys the horror which is contained within. The first thing one is going to notice - [9 Beds - Tegeneria​-​Sessions [Sweden, Avant / Black / Doom] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1915) - Congratulations, you have traveled far enough to find the weird section of heavy metal. Not any of those other things were good enough for you so you have to come and listen to an album that has no information and could be made by devils. 9 Beds isn't a band that is easily found on - [Charred Hanging Victim - Charred Hanging Victim [US, Raw Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1891) - "Birthed From Sorrow. Life Is Shit." This is the slogan which appears on Charred Hanging Victim's Bandcamp page. I made mention of it since it is the only information regarding this band. No Metal Archives page, No Facebook, No Discogs, just these four tracks of unadulterated fury and despair. This stuff may not be for - [Snorri - Putrid Black Fucking Metal Of Death [Australia, Black / Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1888) - Signal Rex is a recent discovery in terms of record labels. This outfit based in Portugal seems to have a pretty good grasp on a new outcropping of black and death bands which are by most measurements, fucking disgusting. Australian madmen, Snorri waves the banner for Signal Rex with their apt demo entitled Putrid Black - [Dagger Lust - Aggramica [US, Black / Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1883) - Hype! Hype! Hype! Ever since the 2015 release of Uškumgallu, I have been enthralled by the work of Portland based collective Vrasubatlat. To be quick, a guy from Ash Borer is teaming up with other musicians from the area and making dark noise released in demos and full lengths. If one were to recall the - [Celestial Grave - Burial Ground Trance [Finland, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1877) - Cool name. Check. Cool album title. Check. Iron Bonehead check. Finland. Check. Demo. Check. Cryptic artwork. Check. Well it looks like we got everything we need ladies and gentleman. Sometimes a release already comes with so much to like about it, it is amazing how much it grows beyond expectations. Celestial Grave already has at - [Void Omina - Dying Light [US, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1873) - 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 - [Cloak - Cloak [US, Black / Rock] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1867) - Cloak is special to me. I first encountered the band at Blood of the Wolf Festival in the middle of three days of death, black, and everything between bands in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Cloak fit the bill with their harsh vocals but stood out in not only their instrumentation but just the way they carried - [Iskandr - Heilig Land [Netherlands, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1858) - I love it when band names are autocorrected in search engines so finding them is even more of an adventure. No worries as I think myself and Iskandr have already met, or atleast have been introduced between friends. Iskandr is a tortured soul from the Netherlands who also does duties in Lubbert Das and Turia - [Inculcator - Void Abecedary [UK, Black / Thrash] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1863) - Ohhhh goodness, my head. It is swirling with madness and chaos. Inculcator is a black / thrash project which looks like it falls in line with the Voivod / Vektor mission of space based thrash. Once you learn that Inculcator is a one man side project for the one man band Abyssal, things become clearer. - [Prisoner Of War - Rot [New Zealand, Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1814) - Paging through new metal releases, there is a certain through process behind what to discard and what to put to the side for furthur investigation. Seeing the tags "New Zealand," "Death," and "Iron Bonehead" together made for an interesting proposals which was immediately followed by a fulfillment of all expectations. If the gross cover was - [Haunter - Thrinodίa [US, Black / Death / Progressive] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1848) - 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 - [L.O.R.E. - Demo [US, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1830) - 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 - [Fyrnask - Fórn [Germany, Black / Avant] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1851) - Black metal? Yes. Rituals? Yes. Angular structures? Yes. Artsy album cover? Of course. A sensing grip of fear and dread? Hell yes! when finding something like one realizes how well put together all of the elements they enjoy being made into one album.On Bandcamp, this album comes wityh the tag of "Cascadian" which maybe fitting - [Draped Urn - Degenerate [Brazil, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1841) - Wow. Careful now. Don't burn yourself on how new this is. Put it down. It is too hot. This release is almost 24 hours old and as of right now it has no other points of contact other than the few bits of information. All we have to go on is that Draped Urn is - [Messa - Belfry [Italy, Doom] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1835) - Doom can be so hot and accessible. Usually my searches through Bandcamp trawl on on the bottom of the ocean floor looking for new black and death albums with the occasional doom thrown in for good measure. Belfry, the debut album from Italian traditional/stoner doom outfit Messa, has come on the wings of no previous - [Into Coffin - Into a Pyramid of Doom [Germany, Black / Death / Doom] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1779) - Look. At. That. Fucking. Cover. There is a certain feeling one gets when they find a style that clicks with their personality. Into a Pyramid of Doom has everything from occultic obsessions to comic book styled horror. I do not know exactly what it is about Lovecratian monsters looming over Ancient Egypt, but I know - [Artifact of Skulls - III: Luciferian Blasphemy [US, Black / Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1799) - There are sometimes when great things just fall into one's lap. There are other times when it descends from a tree, with the intent of killing, when you are least expecting. Artifact of Skulls is a black/death/war outfit from somewhere deep within the United States that has been on a 2016 tour of wanton destruction - [Isolert - No Hope, No Light​.​.​.​Only Death [Greece, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1817) - Yeah I know, I am not that enthusiastic about the artwork either. It is not the digital painting depicting a hanging corpse in the middle of a grim forest is bad rather it doesn't really match the precision of the band's grey logo. I feel comfortable point this out, at the beginning of the review, - [Vidargängr - A World That Has To Be Opposed [Germany, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1822) - Oh Lord, listen to that sound. If the cover art by fellow German metal musician Alexander Kavtea was not enough indication, A World That Has To Be Opposed is really about that one violent push back against, well, everything. situated in violent brushstrokes, the entire cover plus logo, is painted giving the design a raw - [Utzalu - Drowning in Sanguine Screams [US, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1811) - This demo is recommended in the hopes that people eventually stumble upon the nest that is Vrasubatlat. Vrasubatlat is the nucleus of "R" and his many connected black, death, punk, and mixed bands including Urzeit, Uškumgallu, Serum Dreg, Triumvir Foul, Dagger Lust, and finally Ash Borer. R and collected company have put out 8 releases - [Putrid Coffin - Under the Cementery [Chile, Death / Thrash] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1767) - I want you to marvel at that album title because it speaks wonders and volumes. Putrid Coffin is having the time of their lives and everything is fair game. I do not even know how to say "cementery" without laughing. If this is all fun and fucking games to you then, the sound of ripping - [Eichenwald - Eichenwald [US, Black / Ambient] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1772) - I have made jokes in the past about black metal's obsession with nature sounds and landscape arrangements. This sort of joke never gets old as long as bands keep putting in field music into their records. Case in point, Eichenwald's debut demo/album opens with an honest to goodness, all hands on deck, wind/rainscape that extends - [Ad Baculum - Opening the Abyss [Brazil, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1763) - Oh Lord look at that cover. I wonder if Gustave Dore knew his legacy would be enshrined in the work of so many heavy metal album covers. What is on the cover of Ad Baculum's third cover is a picture of "The Suicides" from Dore's extensive illustration of Dante's Divine Comedy. What was meant to - [Fuath - I [Scotland, Atmospheric Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1758) - Andy Marshall is a busy person. In 2014, his project Saor broke out of the relative thicket of atmospheric black metal and gave a larger audience something to hope for in that style of music. Saor's Aura was a wonderful record which did not do so much new things int he style rather just do - [Ripper - Experiment Of Existence [Chile, Death / Thrash] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1755) - All hail the era of new cool death. Finding good bands with cool sounds that also has an unflappable sense of style can be difficult. This goes especially true in the style of death, thrash, and death/ thrash. Death is currently undergoing a renaissance embracing a cavernous sound and occult outlook. Thrash, in general, has - [Kalmankantaja - Waldeinsamkeit [Finland, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1740) - Even though it is has only been a year since the release of Muinainen, it still feels like ages since Kalmankantaja put out a release. This feeling is due to the fact that in 2014, the Finnish one piece released four full lengths which were all pretty decent and racked with horror. Let us not - [LVTHN - Eradication of Nescience [Belgium, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1743) - "It seems some citizens were so impatient for our new offering that it got leaked. As the leaked version is an unfinished version, we adjudged to release the final version officially at bandcamp as a 'name your price' download. This way, everyone is able to attain it there and give us some backing would they - [Wederganger - Gelderse Drek [Netherlands, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/972) - I believe, more than anything, it was the aesthetic which drove me into the rotting arms of this Danish black metal band. Though this band's demo only comes in two songs, the combination of decent black metal, low baritone crooning, and shrill banshee vocals was enough to sit down and listen to whatever they were - [Khanus - Rites of Fire [Finland, Death / Avant] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1737) - I maybe way off base but this is fucking weird. Wait, that is not way off base. This is fucking weird. I hesitate stepping into this because this is so weird that it is bordering on exhilarating and terrifying. Khanus is from Finland and that is about the extent of my own knowledge as all - [Funerary Descent - Winds Of Dissonance [US, Black / Doom] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1734) - Listen to the howls and grief which ripples in sheets of frigid wind. Funerary Descent is from Baltimore Maryland which has been somewhat of an interest for me as I live close and am always interested in ground level heavy metal which I could possibly go travel and see in a small club. The black - [Sacrocurse - Destroying Chapels [Mexicio, Black/Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1694) - In my various years of reviewing heavy metal records, few times have I ever been unnerved like I was when hearing the opening recorded shrills of Sacrocurse's Destroying Chapels. The shlocky prerecorded screams of victims quickly drops into a brief 13 minute EP of madness and despair. Sarcocurse is being sponsored by Iron Bonehead for - [Obduktio - Obduktio [Finland, Death] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1718) - Look at that cover. Its so gross. I usually am turned off by covers with such a disregard for color scheme but Obduktio seems different. I could say the same thing about silly sound clips before songs but again, this death metal act is a unique case. By halfway through this release, you are going - [Nyciene - Nyciene [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1687) - I am introducing a new tag call 2015/2016 which indicates a cusp period of time where music released in the late part of the previous year could be eligible for discussion in the current year and its relation to the year. December 24th is a hell of a time to release a record and while - [Flesh of the Stars - Hosanna [US, Stoner Doom] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1706) - I do not cover a lot of doom. I think I cover even less stoner doom. This is not becasue I feel the style is without merit rather the imagery does not grab me as much as black and death metal. It takes a certain angle on stoner doom to grab not just me but - [Holyarrow - Oath of Allegiance [China, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1690) - It is difficult to discuss Holyarrow or at least partially be intrigued by Holyarrow without mentioning that the project is a Chinese one man outfit. Regional identity does play a part in initial impressions especially when the region is not know for its extreme metal exports. China has already been somewhat discussed with black metal - [Cruda Sorte - Nekrolog [Germany, Black] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1682) - Cruda Sorte is a German band with an Italian name. "Cruel Destiny is the moniker for this black metal band which seems to have come out of nowhere expect for the fact they have already had one full length and demos reaching back into 2006. Maybe out of nowhere but when the opening sounds of - [OLDBLACK - Spiritual Prison [US, Black / Death / Noise] (2016)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1675) - I have noticed that I do not cover a lot of stoner doom on this site mainly because that sort of aesthetic does not interest me. This does not mean there are not great stoner doom bands out there rather other things are more attractive. If I were to look at things which excited me - [Favorite Demos of 2014](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1064) - Starting Tape Wyrm this past year has taught me many important things. First and foremost, it has shown me that amazing and decent music is being released at all hours and days of the year. With that said, most of this music will be either forgotten or appreciated by only a few. There is no - [Triumvir Foul - Triumvir Foul [US, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1614) - There is no reason to wait until January to do a top 10, all of the ood albums come out before November. Ack! This is why I need to stave off best of the year lists until well after the year. I have been discussing the cabal of evil formulated by a few guys from - [Sunsunmoon - Pagans in Medieval Times [UK, Black / Ambient] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1607) - Doing end of the year planning can be disheartening because I know quality releases do not care about months and schedules. Take Sunsunmoon, a British black metal band which oozes as much charm as it does synth. This demo came out in October and it just surfaced on a larger radar. We are entering into - [Turia - Dor [Netherlands, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1603) - I can say with certainty I have loved everything the Dutch label Haeresis Noviomagi has released. I can say this since it has only been two cassettes. they have been really good cassettes though. the last Haeresis Noviomagi cassette was Lubbert Das, a particularly mind melting black metal which seemed to be dedicated to an - [Luminous Vault - Communion [US, Death / Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1596) - I find genres funny sometimes. Not in the sense that they are useless rather they can be a wonderful tool once people find the right way to speak. Luminous Vault is listed under death / black rather than black / death since this US based act shares more in common with slow plodding death than - [Awe - Providentia [Greece, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1599) - Look at all this room I have to stretch my legs. Oh goodness. Look at this space I have for intros, interludes, and outros. Holy shit. Whenever I see track lengths which range in the 10, 15, and 20 minute lengths I immediately look to see if it is stoner doom. If it is not - [Lubbert Das - Deluge [Netherlands, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1581) - "Meester snyt die keye ras / Myne name Is lubbert Das" is the inscription on a 1494 painting by by Hieronymus Bosch called "The Extraction of the Stone of Madness or The Cure of Folly." Lubbert Das is a comical fool in Dutch literature and is depicted as a patient having the stone of madness - [Genevieve - Escapism [US, Black / Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1563) - Ugh. This album is totally going to clash with the rest of this site and the grey/black album art aesthetic. Sure. Why not just pick the brightest colors for this release which sort of adds to the chaotic madness which lies at the very heart of this record? Fucking go for it. Genevieve is from - [Grave Ritual - Morbid Throne [US, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1569) - So in the the mid 90's this band from Alabam was known as Metahole Infection and played a particulary splatteryly variety odf death metal. It should be noted that the music from MEtahole Infection and Grave Ritual is not that different aside from some new atmopshere, slower tempo and perhaps a new drummer. What is - [Venefixion - Defixio [France, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1566) - Oh my goodness. either I am slowly becoming an Iron Bonehead fanboy raving about multiple demos just this year or there is a palatable stream of good material being unearthed by this label. Both may be true. I also maybe a sucker for hilarious blasphemy in artwork and Defixio, the debut from Venefixion has an - [Havukruunu - Havulinnaan [Finland, Pagan Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1556) - I will give you 10$ if you can spell both the name and album name without mixing up the letters. The band's name translates or means coniferous crown which is an imagery which is fitting to a dense brand of nature conscious black metal. If you have ever been traveling through the wilderness of Finland - [Horns Of Domination - Demo 2015 [Germany, Black / Death / Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1553) - Horns of Domination is a three piece combo from Germany who seems to have bucked that silly trend of having a bassist in their band. With two guitarists and a drummer, the band has appeared as an unsigned entity now with one self titled demo to their name. I have seen this before. Additionally, with - [Dysylumn - Conceptarium [France, Progressive Black / Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1536) - This is the power of advertising to different audiences. Conceptarium was self released at the beginning of September with a polished sci fi cover and a shining font choice. The original cover certainly fit the atmosphere for this cosmic black death outfit. The cassette cover produced by MITHRA! Infrastructure / Infrasound however is flatter and - [Veiled - Omniscient Veil [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1539) - I am going to take you back to a time when a band called Gnosis of the Witch tore up the universe with their second EP Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar. This was back in the halcyon days of mid 2014. I only bring this up because Veiled is Gnosis up the Witch just...well...shrouded in a different - [Shrine of Insanabilis - Disciples of the Void [Germany, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1532) - That is it. I officially want to just slow down 2015 in terms of decent black metal releases until deal with everything that is on my desk. If you have kept up at all with Fallen Empire, Dark Descent, Iron Bonehead, and Hells Headbangers, the amount of good music that one has to get through - [Blood Incantation - Interdimensional Extinction [US, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1520) - Oh cool, another space based black metal that fits along side of...wait....death metal? ARE THOSE FUCKING SKULLS FLOATING AROUND SATURN? Blood Incarnation comes via Dark Descent whose label and short history is more than enough to vouch for this Colorado three piece. Death metal has been exciting in the past 10 years and Interdimensional Extinction - [Nechochwen - Heart of Akamon [US, Black / Folk] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1515) - Nechochwen is interesting for many reasons. First of all it takes a little bit just to pronounce their name correctly. Secondly, they are a black metal band who have whole heatedly thrown themselves into the plights and history of Native American lore. Thirdly, they take a folk approach to their music with acoustic instrumentals, war - [Best of January 2014](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/141) - We have had our first silent month of Tape Wyrm, which was devoted to finding lesser known yet interesting metal from a variety of places. While most of these articles and reviews will focus on cassette based underground black and death metal, there will be other things such as splits, EPs, compilations, and full length - [Svartidauði - III​.​XX​.​MMX [Iceland, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/845) - 2014 is shaping up to be the year of Icelandic black metal. With fantastic releases from Naðra and 〇 already confirmed, a mysterious release appears from Svartidauði as if plucked from the ether. Svartidauði has already had reasonable praise for their 2012 debut Flesh Cathedral as well as a handful of demos. In fact, the - [Pharaoh - Negative Everything [US, Sludge] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1008) - There are two bands from the United States with the name Pharaoh and both of them are so different, they would be great together on a split or a double headlining show. One Pharaoh is a power metal band whose latest album broke through with crossover success. The other Pharaoh is a dirge ridden caravan - [Hermóðr - Himlen mörknar [Sweden, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1361) - I believe this is the first single that has been reviewed on the site. Singles are still utilized across the rock and pop spectrum but it is sort of odd with black metal. This especially is true when it comes from a self released source from an already obscure artist. The fact that this single - [Thurm - Thurm [Germany, Black / Hardcore] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1504) - Oh Dear. Germany's Thurm lies on the border between many different genres and directions. While there is certainly different pulls towards screamo, black metal, hardcore, and noise, all of these coalesce into a big cartoon ball of fighting which eventually drops off a comically large cliff. The subsequent tumble and hellish aftermath is where Thurm - [Human Bodies - Demo MMXV [US, Black / Punk] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1507) - Oh this is horrible -- in the best way possible. From an area that isn't super well known for caustic black metal infused with punk comes a demo which has been out for a few months lying in wait for unsuspecting passerbys. I am wondering how I missed this the first time around but the - [Creeping - Revenant [New Zealand, Black/Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1511) - It was only after admiring the cover for Creeping that I soon stumbled into a weird and tangled web of New Zealand based extreme metal. Creeping's cover was made by handyman Jamie Saint Merat who not only plays drums for Ulcerate but also did design/sound for a bunch of related bands including Abystic Ritual and - [Human Serpent - Inhumane Minimalism [Greece, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1500) - It is fitting that Inhumane Minimalism, the second record from Grecian black metal duo Human Serpent begins with almost no fanfare. In fact, "The World In Coffins" starts almost immediately almost with disdain that you were not already listening. This immediacy is a corner stoner of a record which wastes little time getting down to - [Kutná Hora - Assign the Rebels [Israel, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1497) - I want you to take a deep breathe and count to three. By the time you exhale, you will already be surrounded in a deluge of drum blasts and snaking guitar riffs. If anything it is interesting about Kutná Hora and the fact they are Israeli is the possibility of there being a silent but - [Wederganger - Halfvergaan Ontwaakt [Netherlands, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1474) - Let us remember that Werderganger means "one who walks again" which is a reference to the undead as well as amazing beyond words. I only get excited regarding band's names when they are so apropos to the band's music. I first heard Werderganger last year with the demo Gelderse Drek. At just 2 songs totaling - [Skialykon - Vestigio [Italy, Black / Ambient] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1487) - Calling Skialykon atmospheric black metal is a bit misleading for anyone familiar with the term. When one uses the term "atmospheric," the usual path leads to soaring tremolo guitars and songs about nature and transcendental themes. I guess Skialykon has its fair share of nature themes and tremelo but this one man project seems different. - [Lluvia - Eternidad Solemne [Mexico, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1484) - Back in the waning days of Autumn 2013, Lluvia released his debut Premonición de guerra. This caused a flurry of excitement at least with people like me who already had their top 10s organized and ready to go for the incoming end of the year celebration. Premonición de guerra was raw, hypnotic, and frankly more - [Shroud of the Heretic - Unorthodox Equilibrium [US, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1462) - I believe my only complaint regarding west coast death metal act Shroud of the Heretic and their 2014 full length Revelations in Alchemy was the cover. Given the cavernous nature and the occult themes which run like imps through that record, I personally felt the white cover did not match the aesthetic of the record. - [One Master - Reclusive Blasphemy [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1451) - I knew this day would come. Back int he early years of Tape Wyrm I stumbled on the live release "Live in the House of Quiet." I even ended the review with a lamentation reiterating that "it is sort of sad I never got to know One Master during a year with a full length - [Pale Chalice - Negate the Infinite and Miraculous [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1458) - There are a lot of things to process regarding Pale Chalice. First of all is the band's love for a thesaurus when constructing album and song titles. Approaching the band's debut Negate the Infinite and Miraculous could possibly come with an audible sigh looking through each of the song titles. This sort of density which - [Kalmankantaja - Muinainen [Finland, DSBM] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1443) - I mentioned my frustration at just discovering Kalmankantaja this year despite the fact this Finish depressive black metal band put out 4 records in 2014 with all of them being released from August to November of the same year. Here was a prolific heavy metal act, whose name means "Death Bringer," that was releasing a - [Brånd - Demo 2015 [Austria, Raw Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1432) - Woah. My goodness. There are many things that weigh n the 2015 demo by Brånd. First of all is the realization that a raw black demo from austria made it way through so many obstacles to be appreciated by a modicum of people. Secondly come from the fact that Brånd's music is cosmetically inaccessible from - [Nevoa - The Absence of Void [Portugal, Atmospheric Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1426) - For the most part, location and place of origin is only cosmetic when evaluating music. Sure it is interesting to highlight certain scenes and possible movements based on region and good records from places with other good records is something of note. I would be lying if I said that the fact that this atmospheric - [Possession - 1585-1646 [Belgium, Black/Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1417) - Oh that's cool. What is that? Is that a child being sacrificed by moonlight among a group of armored and robed deviants. Amazing. Is that a bell tolling over the sound of rumbling thunder for an intro? You had me at thunder. There are sometimes when an album cover can tell a story a thousand - [Blaze of Perdition - Near Death Revelations [Poland, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1414) - Well, look at that. A black metal band from Poland who writes angular and dense music revolving around themes such as death and spirituality. It also looks like their album cover is a particularly artsy illustration which could probably come from an obscure occult manuscript. Well, it seems like Blaze of Perdition has everything in - [Uškumgallu - Uškumgallu [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1402) - Just what in the Sam Hill is going on in Portland..specifically with two guys from Ash Borer running around making a bunch of noise and releasing cassette demos with abandon. These two gentleman have been responsible for the release of some really decent black, death, and black/death demos int he past couple of years. Urzeit, - [Funeste - MMXV [Canada, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1392) - There is a joke here about not being able to spell Funeste without "Fun." It works but I feel that it doesn't make much sense as much as I want it to. Though listening to this recent Canadian black metal demo is quite enjoyable, "Fun" would not be the first which comes to mind. Perhaps - [Ashtar - Ilmasaari [Switzerland, Black / Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1389) - Ashtar is cloaked in myteryy and misery. This is partially, if not mostly die to the fact that their debut Ilmasaari is the only thing the Swiss duo has released. Additionally the band is supported by the record label Czar of Crickets who have a roster full of near obscure Swiss metal acts. Add to - [False - Untitled [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1386) - 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 - [Akitsa - Grands tyrans [Canada, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1381) - There is a certainly which comes with Akista. One knows before they get into the record that things will most likely come with little refinement and most likely sound like a brick being dropped down the middle of an empty stairwell. This is what Akitsa is and probably will ever be. With all of that - [Scorched - Scorched [US, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1374) - 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 - [Mefitic - Woes of Moral Devotion [Italy, Black / Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1370) - Mefitic is from Italy and has not had the largest reception following a handful of demos and EPs. In fact, Woes of Mortal Devotion is the band’s debut LP following almost 10 years of existence. Whether or not the band was taking their time crafting the perfect debut or just busy with other projects is - [Nachash - Conjuring The Red Death Eclipse [Norway, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1364) - Oh man. This is not the Norwegian black you are thinking of. This is something so much cooler. This is atmospheric but not in the way normally attributed to this genre. This is something which is dark but with a completely different attitude. Conjuring The Red Death Eclipse maybe the first release from a band - [Abjvration - The Unquenchable Pyre [France, Death / Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1349) - Of course. Another Caligari Records release. I will not go into how much I adore this label save for the mention that this cassette heavy label specializes in unearthing some of the more forward thinking and disturbed black/death/doom acts of recent memory. Imagine my lack of surprise when I heard yet another above average doom - [Majesty In Ruin - All Light Shall Fade [US, Traditional Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1353) - If you are at all familiar with this site, traditional and doom do not make it on here with any sort of frequency. This isn't because it is disliked rather black and death are given more of a spotlight. Shadow Kingdom records is a label which is dedicated to both unearthing lost gems of traditional - [Bloodlust - Cultus Diaboli [Australia, Black / Thrash] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1311) - Hell Yes. Hell Yes. Hell Yes. If the sound of Australian black/thrash does not get you excited, you need to spend more time drinking with demons by sacrificial fires. One should do this as the sound of blackened thrash may seem simple enough yet its stylistic theme is subtle in its presentation. Not only is - [Akhlys - The Dreaming I [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1340) - It shouldn't be a surprise that US based black metal project Akhlys has some sort of ground swell with its second record The Dreaming I. First of all, the project's creator Naas Alcameth also made waves last year with Season of Mist act Nightbringer and their 2014 record Ego Dominus Tuus. If one was left - [Nocternity - Harps Of The Ancient Temples [Greece, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1337) - Wow, ok. This seems to be a record that takes a lot of breathe and explanation before the music even starts. Let us see if we can cover everything. Nocternity is a Greek black metal project helmed by a musician named Khal Drogo. While that name is well known now, the fictional character from George - [Negative Vortex - Tomb Absolute [US, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1292) - Oh got it. This is what the end of reality looks like. Negative Vortex is an American / Brazilian death combo which has little information save for a few snippets on Caligari Records and a few other blogs like CVLT Nation. What is known about Tomb Absolute is that all of the light adjectives such - [Sulphur Aeon - Gateway To The Antisphere [Germany, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1325) - Holy Gods in the void beyond space, look at that cover. Few times does artwork move me to tears as Sulphur Aeon's cover for Gateway to the Antisphere. Ola Larsson, who did the band's previous records as well as Disma's Towards the Megalith and Death Fortress' Among the Ranks of the Unconquerable, provides Sulphur Aeon - [Kafirun - Glorification of Holy Death [Canada, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1260) - Part of the reason why I enjoy writing these reviews is finding interesting music which may or may not be flying out of others range. Glorification of Holy Death was released in March of this year and has yet to make any sort of large dent. Sure popularity is relative but Kafirun's angular take on - [Eternal Valley - Ascend To The Unknown [US, Black / Ambient] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1316) - Sometimes one knows they are going to enjoy a record. A one man black metal project who self releases black metal records about cosmic themes and obliteration? Yep, this should be simple. Eternal Valley was already halfway in the door just by glancing at previous records and album artwork. The deal was sealed however at - [Crom Dubh - Heimweh [UK, Atmospheric Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1299) - Crom Dubh is interesting for a variety of reasons. First of all this 4 piece is interesting for their addition into the UK extreme metal scene whose both black and death production has been fantastic in the last couple of years. Second of all, Crom Dubh's debut Heimweh is worthy of note specifically for the - [The Slow Death - Ark [Australia, Death/Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1252) - Before traveling into The Slow Death's third full length release, one has to note the band members and their billion projects. Because this is Australia, bands like Mournful Congregation, Temple Nightside, Murkrat, and Nazxul dot the resumes of the band members involved. Brett Campbell from Pallbearer slides in an the American guest who has been - [Morgon - Black Light of Liberation [Germany, Black / Melodic Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1289) - I feel with a looser definitions on what constitutes "new music," one can find a wider array of material. Example being a well crafted black/melodic death full length from Germany's Morgon. It was easy to miss this full length since it was self released in 2014 and has only been lightly reissued by small distributors - [Seme Konj - The Promise of Coffins [Slovenia, Black / Noise] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1284) - For the most part, I really enjoy reviewing new material specifically things that are in the current year. As I have found with lesser known and underground metal releases, dates are sort of flexible when it comes to when an audience will hear it. Take for example and their debut The Promise of Coffins. This - [Abstracter - Wound Empire [US, Sludge / Crust] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1169) - Abstracter is strange for many reasons. First of all, this California based plays a cross between sludge, drone, doom, black, and noise. Second of all, the lyrical and thematic position for this band seems to be between artsy experimentalism and more traditional head splitting heavy metal. This trait is exemplified by the band's clean font - [Varen - Varen [Belgium, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1258) - My sweet lord, what a powerful opening. The first track of Varen's self titled EP and debut release is a moody sundclip of moans and flies buzzing. This short introduction leads into "Hic Incipit Pestis" ( Here begins the plague) which is particularly fitting seeing as this Belgian duo is more than capable of making - [Swarþ - Veneficivm [Unknown, Black / Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1242) - "There is no contact address, no credits nor pictures of the band." Recently there have been conversations about the use of anonymity in heavy metal whether for protection, enhancement, or downright hype. Though anonymity can certainly divorce the music from its creator leaving a dark entity removed, it can also be used as a silly - [Ecferus - Prehistory [US, Ambient / Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1245) - Ecferus comes with a lot of discussion even before the music begins. Prehistory is the debut from a one person black metal bedroom project which is particularly interested and dedicated to anthropology and primitive mythology. Prehistory was released by a small label who also was responsible in distributing 2014's Woven Within by the very decent - [Siberian Hell Sounds - ⍲⍕⍎⍱ [Australia, Grindcore / Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1239) - Ugly. This is ugly. In fact, "ugly" is the first and maybe only word which came to mind after hearing Australia's Siberian Hell Sounds. In fact, before even hearing the music, a particularly grim suicide picture adorns the cover of the release. the band also comes with Lyrical themes of Violence, Anger, and Machinery. If - [Spectral Voice - Necrotic Doom [US, Death / Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1230) - Sometimes one just needs the sound of pummeling death/doom to get them through the week. Spectral Voice represents a small piece in a yet to be recognized Colorado metal scene. Spectral Voice is connected to a series of death and doom bands including Abysmal Dimensions and Blood Incantation. While there are of course other bands - [A Forest Of Stars - Beware the Sword You Cannot See [UK, Psychedelic Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1233) - Would you look at that cover? I literally have zero idea what is happening between the dragons, beasts, and goddamn robots. A Forest of Stars comes with a mountain of expectations with their name, album title, and general style of "psychedelic" black metal. It would be easier if this band was just disciples of post - [Ghost Bath - Moonlover [International, DSBM] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1224) - One of the most surprising development of this year was the proverbial explosion of Chinese depressive black metal act Ghost Bath. Last year, this site reviewed their debut Funeral which was a soul wrenching experience full of piano and pained cries. Though I shouldn't be surprised at the potential this band had on a larger - [Crypt Sermon - Out of the Garden [US, Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1219) - 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 - [Death Karma - The History of Death & Burial Rituals Part I [Czech Republic, Black/Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1181) - Even before listening to Death Karma, there is a lot to process. First of all are the members which already inhabit the semi popular Czech act Cult of Fire and Lykathea Aflame. Secondaly, the concept for Death Karma's debut record, The History of Death & Burial Rituals Part I, also gives reason for more attention - [Ur Draugr - The Wretched Ascetic [Australia, Black/Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1203) - From this moment forward, the visual style of pop surrealism as seen in the work of Jeff Christensen should always be used to compliment the sound of complex black / death. I cant imagine how we have gotten to this moment without it these two walking hand and hand. Though my raving of artwork is - [Ethereal Shroud - They Became the Falling Ash [UK, DSBM / Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1211) - Ethereal Shroud was one of Tape Wyrm's first reviews back in the early years of 2014. The 2014 cassette release of 2013's Absolution|Emptiness was a fantastic step into the worlds of sorrow and desolation from a relativity unknown artist. Despite me raving about this project to everyone I knew, Ethereal Shroud has been still hidden - [Utstøtt - Hjørungavågr [US, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1207) - 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 - [מזמור / Dross [US, Black / Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1114) - In previous reviews I made mention that splits are a wonderful way to experience new acts, labels, and scenes that may be centered around a location. Last year, I came across a wonderfully horrid act מזמור (or Mizmor) on a split with fellow Oregon project Hell. Though מזמור means "psalm" in Hebrew, the meditation from - [Swamp Witch - The Slithering Bog [US, Sludge / Doom] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1121) - 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 - [Misþyrming - Söngvar elds og óreiðu [Iceland, Black] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1175) - Seeing the near sneak attack of hype which has surround this record has been not only surprising but exhilarating to be apart of. Not only has Fallen empire, as a label, been reliable over these past years but Iceland has slowly crept up in terms of black metal export. Misþyrming would already be a welcome - [Amenaza - Demo MMXV [US, Doom / Hardcore] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1144) - Hardcore has always been something that is no stranger tot his blog. Though the flirtation between metal and hardcore has been done by others in the past, its variation and sound could range from the absolute terrible to the sublime. Amenaza is from Kansas and though its body is undoubtly hardcore, old traditional doom metal - [Devouring Star - Through Lung and Heart [Finland, Black / Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1160) - Devouring Star's 2014 demo was one of the first releases for Tape Wyrm. It was also one of the first releases which strengthened my interest in lesser known metal. Here was a cassette demo pressed about 200 times and released through two underground labels. Somewhere and somehow this Finish band raked in praise for the - [Árstíðir lífsins - Aldaföðr ok munka dróttinn [International, Black / Pagan] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1150) - Most of my discussion surrounding Iceland has been from a small group of black metal musicians making horrid and exciting music which sounds like the erupting of ancient volcanoes. Árstíðir lífsins is different. For one, this project spans countries with two of its members residing in Germany and the other in Iceland. Secondly the band - [Moon - Moon [Australia, Black] (2008)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1147) - Listen, I do not know what the protocol is about older demos being re-released but suffice to say, Australian black metal project Moon has just re-released its first demo which actually came out in 2008. For this site, older material usually passed up in favor of current releases and I was really confused on where - [Alucarda - Raw Howls [Denmark, Doom / Punk] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1131) - For anyone not familiar, Alucarda is the name of a Mexican horror film which sees two Catholic orphans which unwittingly summon Satan by way of roving gypsies. The two girls become possessed who then wreak demonic havoc on the convent. The reason why this is important is because the cultish legacy of the film inspired - [Ghoulgotha - The Deathmass Cloak [US, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1124) - 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 - [Desolate Shrine - The Heart of the Netherworld [Finland, Death] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1102) - It takes a large album to have a 4 minute introduction. One must have an enormous sound to justify near 5 minutes of preamble. Despite Desolate Shrine existing for a few years, this Finnish project is swooping into 2015 on the wings of much anticipation and hype. Perhaps it is becasue of the growing appreciation - [Kalmankantaja - Metsänkulkija [Finland, DSBM] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1105) - I wish I could express the level of frustration which came after learning that Kalmankantaja had four albums released in 2014. Here was a haunting depressive black metal band, whose name means "death bearer," that released all this great material without anyone telling me. While I am slightly joking, the fact that Kalmankantaja has gone - [Bewitcher - Midnight Hunters [US, Black / Speed] (2015)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1108) - 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 - [Erang - Within The Land Of My Imagination I Am The Only God [France, Dark Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1058) - This maybe perhaps one of the furthest explorations outside of what is considered heavy metal. Erang's music has no instances of harsh tonality or dark vocals as there are none. What the French project does is create soundtracks to worlds that exist on within the memory of its creator. A project that seems hinged on - [Nihill - Verderf [Netherlands, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1046) - Holy god. alright. For the past few years I have sung the praises of Dodecahedron, a dutch angular blach metal band who came out with one stellar record in 2012 and haven't been heard from since. The vocalist for Dodcahedron, Michiel Eikenaar, was in an earlier band Nihill who have been releasing material since 2007. - [StarGazer - A Merging to the Boundless [Australia, Black / Avant] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1036) - StarGazer has a really weird history and presence. The band began in the mid 90's but saw their first release decades later. The members of this collective also share duties in other bands including Mournful Congregation. 2010's A Greet Work of Ages found its way on many end of the year lists with a large - [The Hyle - Demo [Denmark, Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1027) - Occult doom is a niche style of music that got a lot of hype a few years back after the breakout success of bands like Ghost and Blood Ceremony, who threw back to other bands like Coven and Black Widow. Though the style is undoubtedly steeped in retro worship and heavy costumes, it is undeniable - [Ekranoplan - Demo [Germany, Sludge / Crust] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1024) - 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 - [Xatatax - Demo 2014 [US, Doom/Thrash/Crust] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/997) - 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 - [Death Fortress - Among the Ranks of the Unconquerable [US, Black] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1011) - 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 - [Terra Deep / Hyperborean Skies - Mariposa [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/989) - 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 - [Saðr - Unascended Master [US, Dark Ambient] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1003) - 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 - [Aquilus - Griseus [Australia, Symphonic Black] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/1000) - The difference between symphonic black and atmospheric black maybe small to some but large to others. For the most part, atmospheric black metal has been the preferred style for musicians as it can work with varying levels of production. Symphonic or neoclassical black metal has had less of recent history only becasue it weighs down - [Execration - Morbid Dimensions [Norway, Death] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/982) - While I am sure experimental death has existed outside of 2014, this year in general seems more fertile with music that not only evokes horror but is capable of twisting tentacles in odd directions. Though any band deserves to be evaluated on their own merits, Execration's slides in nicely alongside similar trouble makers Morbus Chron, - [Sedna - Sedna [Italy, Sludge / Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/978) - Sedna comes all the way from Italy on a very tiny and very new record label called Drown Within Records. I say tiny becasue there are two other bands present with much difference between the rosters. I only make mention of the record label as Sedna does not seem like a band who is finding - [Heavydeath - They Had No Names [Sweden, Death / Doom] (2104)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/985) - I believe this is the deciding factor. My favorite demo from 2014 is going to be from Swedish band Heavydeath. I know this seems a little early to claim but Heavydeath has had so many good demos, all released in a year, that the competition is slowly being eradicated. I was ecstatic when I found - [Space Witch - Space Witch [UK, Sludge / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/961) - 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 - [Swallowed - Lunarterial [Finland, Death/Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/958) - Please welcome your new friend, unbridled madness. Swallowed's cover for Lunarterial is nothing short of madness inducing with its asymmetrical depiction of a looming four eyed demon and a figure reeling in terror. I have always been a fan of album covers that seem to illustrate the music. If one was expecting Swallowed to be - [Begrime Exemious - Primeval Satellite [Canada, Black/Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/943) - Yes. Yes. Yes? Yes! Let us get something perfectly clear. Metal comes in many varieties from the very dense and intellectual to the straight emotional and explosive. While I am sure Primeval Satellite has its heady qualities, this new EP from Canada has similar qualities to a case of beer sitting in a bath of - [13th Moon - Abhorrence of Light [Spain, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/950) - Here comes the atmosphere — it rains down in torrents of dark water. Finding 13th Moon was part of my concentrated effort to try and gather all of the stray releases of this year before the end. I had heard rumors of an evil entity emanating from Spain, but I never believed it to be - [Adversary - Adversary [UK, Black] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/947) - I have made it once of my prime directives to find as much cool stuff from 2014 before the year closes out. I know I will still be finding really good black and death demos for the next few years but at least, for now, I am frantically searching for as much as I can - [Aureole - Alunar [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/938) - I count my blessings each day that I stumble across a label like Fallen Empire. Here is a label that has consistently been proven to put out, if at the very least, interesting black metal. Additionally, the releases from Fallen Empire are usually either lesser known or completely new talent. Take for example Markov Soroka, - [Temple Of Void - Of Terror and the Supernatural [US, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/921) - Guys and girls, it is the season of really bloody death. While great death metal happens all year and without season, I always look for horror themed death and doom to compliment the prismatic decay of autumn. While Temple of the void fits into that classification, the band's music is different than the slash and - [Sinmara - Aphotic Womb [Iceland, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/928) - Let it be known that either Iceland is slowly creeping into greater prominence or I just keep stumbling on related Icelandic black metal. Regardless of its true intentions, Sinmara is the fourth Icelandic black released covered on this site. I know that number does not seem incredibly high but when contrasted against the countries 93 - [Mare Cognitum - Phobos Monolith [US, Atmospheric Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/925) - Part of me finds the cover for Mare Cognitum's third full length odd, while the other half is convincing the former that it is all part of a new realm of black metal. Mare Cognitum is a one man black metal outfit who seems to be entirely obsessed with the darkness that dwells in space. - [Obscure Burial - Epiphany [Finland, Black/Death] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/880) - Okay before we begin there is a hurdle to this demo. Not surprisingly the hurdle is the sound production. It is right there. I am making mention of it right away. You are going to have to get over the fact that the demo sounds like a really good live show recording off of a - [ Sivyi Yar - From the Dead Villages' Darkness [Russia, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/894) - You know what? I feel Russia is a wonderful country for the mining of out of the way dark and bleak black metal. I say this now while listening to From the Dead Villages' Darkness, the fourth full length from a one man outfit by the name of Сивый Яр (Sivyi Yar). Eastern Europe and - [Ethereal Shroud - Absolution|Emptiness [UK, DSBM] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/131) - Note: This album was released October 13th of 2013 but is now being released as a cassette from US based Grimoire Cassette Cvlture. It is perhaps fitting the bandcamp page for Ethereal Shroud is cast in an almost illegible greyscale. the text is near illegible and there is not much information regarding the record. Because - [Thantifaxath - Sacred White Noise [Canada, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/375) - Adding to the very long line of bands with zero information comes the Canadian enigma Thantifaxath. Aside from a near unpronounceable name, the band has made a conscious effort to keep all information regarding identity, contact, or general inquiry at a minimum. The band members wear hoods on stage, may or may not be apart - [ Ill Omen - Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence [Australia, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/709) - Listening to a lot of black metal can be taxing. The main reason is that a lot of things sound the same given similar production and aesthetic direction. Dark album covers, layered production, titles which evoke terror can become homogeneous after awhile. Ill Omen's second full length is similar to a lot of other things - [Naðra - Eitur [Iceland, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/819) - 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 - [Myopic / Torrid Husk - Crawling Mountain Apogee (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/897) - One of the more interesting records labels I discovered this year has been Baltimore based Grimoire Records. Already, this label has put out an impressive selection of unconventional black and doom metal. I have previously reviewed the Cavern EP, a wonderful album from Torrid Husk, and an EP from Dweller in the Valley, which is - [Gateway - Aeternae [Belgium, Sludge Doom] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/877) - Oh Holy, God, listen to that tone. That is the sound of the world unraveling internally. Sludge doom is an already effective style which capitalizes on the fact listeners are seeking the heaviest style of music. Add to that a menacing album cover and some unique vocals and one is ready for a harrowing good - [Vesicant - Edict MMXIV [New Zealand, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/858) - Though heavy metal is filled with wonderful examples of artwork, some of the most memorable are ones whose artwork illustrates the music. Vesicant's artwork for their debut demo depicts a skull or desiccated head obscured by high contrast and shadow. Though Vesicant's demo Edict MMXIV is under 10 minutes, I can not think of a - [Sempiternal Dusk - Sempiternal Dusk [US, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/890) - Hey Pacific Northwest, you guys are getting really scary as of recent. Whether or not the areas surrounding Portland are growing in prominence, or I just keep hearing related side projects, Sempiternal Dusk comes on dark wings and spreads over small villages with gigantic fangs. This album sort of came out of nowhere, but since - [John Gallow - Violet Dreams [US, Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/870) - As much as I chastise doom's tendency to sometimes only meet bare requirements for sound, there are other attributes which are completely intoxicating. The opening tracks of John Gallow's debut Violet Dreams rips a traditional Sabbath tone which melts the recesses of once cold dead hearts. John Gallow maybe doing everything which has been done - [Khthoniik Cerviiks - Heptaedrone [Germany, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/830) - If one thing I am thankful for with Heptaedrone, it is the minute long introduction which precedes the actual music. Not only does the introduction set the mood with atmosphere and sound effects but it also gives a brief pause before the world comes collapsing in on itself. Take whatever you can get because there - [Cemetery Filth - Screams from the Catacombs [US, Death] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/874) - 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 - [Darkspace - Darkspace III I [Switzerland, Black / Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/866) - This is how the universe collapses. Darkspace is similar to Dead Congregation, as they are both relatively well known metal bands that have legacies attached to their records. Darkspace's legacy is rooted in their interesting exploration of ambient black metal, as well as one of their guitarist's work in the seminal side project Paysage D' - [Bastard Sapling - Instinct Is Forever [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/851) - I encountered Bastard Sapling by chance at one of the side events during last year’s Maryland Deathfest. Tucked away in a basement was this unorthodox black metal band shrieking towards the low hanging ceiling and bathed in stable blue light. Out of all of the shows and types of metal seen that weekend, here was - [Arath - Ungedul [Germany, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/854) - While comparing black metal to Dungeons and Dragons seems like an easy thing to do, there are times when I find it most fitting. In the early days of published adventures, things like The Tomb of Horrors and Temple of Elemental Evil were less about dynamic roleplay and more grinding dungeon crawls. This is what - [White Suns - Totem [US, Noise /Experimental] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/841) - It is important to realize that Totem, the 8th release from New York based White Suns shares little in common with heavy metal. In fact, experimental noise or avant terror is more fitting as this band seems less concerned with playing music that scaring the daylights out of its listeners. I have come to respect - [〇 - Null & Void [Iceland, Doom / Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/826) - Oh goodness golly. what are the chances I would stumble on two interesting Icelandic metal albums in the same month? What are the chances that I would stumble on on two great Icelandic metal records from the same label who only has three acts signed? The odds are getting astronomically slim. I believe I should - [Merda Mundi - VI - Khaos [Belgium, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/814) - 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 - [As We Draw - Mirages [France, Sludge / Hardcore]](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/811) - Before we begin, it is important to note that As We Draw is not like many things on this site. Sure, this French band has elements of atmospheric sludge and could draw their lineage to bands like Neurosis but other than that things get blurry. As We Draw fits into the disputed territories which lie - [Endlichkeit - Endlichkeit III–V [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/798) - This truly is a style that is very personal and dear to my heart. Raw black metal, released on cassette, titled sequentially, and perhaps made by one person. This music is usually densely layered and has little concern for being accessible to anyone outside a narrow audience. It is a style which is easily lampooned - [Fórn - The Departure of Consciousness [US, Sludge Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/771) - We need to get this done as Fórn's debut is nearing a month old. While many bands slip past notice, The Departure of Consciousness is so heavy, it is near impossible not to notice its presence. Sludge doom can take many directions whether it be stoner, hardcore, or just downright anguish. There are other times - [Crown of Asteria - Sol [US, Black / Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/802) - 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 - [Petrychor - Makrokosmos [US, Black / Ambient] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/781) - 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 - [Mortals - Cursed to See the Future [US, Black / Sludge] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/744) - Relapse Records was one of the first large record labels that got me into many bands. I think many other people can claim this as well, as the label has been operating since the early 90's. Though Relapse releases a variety of different material, for the past couple of years there has been a focus - [Kvlthammer - Kvlthammer [US, Black / Speed / Punk] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/747) - Alright. I like every single thing about this band aside fromt he name. The artwork. The style. the fact that is pretty much a self released. Everything except for the name. Shit, if it was "Culthammer," I would be fine but the use of KVLT just makes me cranky. Perhaps it is all apart of - [Ad Infinitum - Woven Within [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/758) - Atmospheric black metal can be instantly engaging. Unlike its stylistic cousins, atmospheric black metal has a dramatic sound and aesthetic that most people could see themselves enjoying. This has lead to a flooded market of bedroom productions stacked high to the ceiling. While it is daunting that this musical style is so popular, certain music - [Keeper - M M X I V [US, Black / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/751) - Yes. Yes. Yes. Certain times, one needs to be reminded the capabilities which heavy metal can reach. After a while of listening to heavy music, certain things lack the punch needed to become fully awake. Keeper is like drinking day old cold coffee or punching yourself in the leg to keep awake during a long - [Dying Sun - Transcendence [US, Post Metal] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/755) - I use the word "post metal" with very specific definition. Post metal, as I have come to understand it, represents two branches of music. One is instrumental metal and the other is an artistic extension of elongated sludge. Dying Sun is apart of the later with their release Transcendence apart of a fraternal order of - [Sadhus, The Smoking Community - Sadhus, The Smoking Community [Greece, Stoner Sludge] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/741) - First of all, I hope I got the grammar right for this band name. It could be Sadhus: the Smoking Community or Sadhus...The Smoking Community. Regardless of what is sounds like when said out loud is second to the fact about what it implies. If the album cover depicting figures in animal masks being engulfed - [Coffinborn - Beneath the Cemetery [Hungary, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/737) - When one listens to a lot of metal, there are certain things which becomes common. One is death and the other is evil. there maybe other things like motocycles, dragons, and Lovecraft in there but death and evil covers a wide base. If a band wanted to fill out their entire release with images of - [Athanatos - Unholy Union [Chile, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/726) - Demos are a fantastic display of talent and potential for a limited amount of time. Rather than devoting attention to a full release, a listener can cycle through a catalog of up and coming bands before their introductory debut. I believe this is the reason why so many people get excited for demos especially ones - [Hexis - Abalam [Denmark, Black / Hardcore] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/698) - This is how one meets their demise -- through a concentrated burst of terror and deconstruction. Abalam, the full length debut from Danish death squad Hexis, has been out for a few months. In fact, Hexis released Abalam close to the beginning of the year. Since then, the band has released a split with Primitive - [Terminal Death - Terminal Death [US, Death] (1985)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/715) - History is a funny sort of thing. After decades of settlement, narratives usually make easy easy passages of understanding. Death metal, as a genre, is simple to start with American innovators such as Possessed and Death which took off the chaotic torment of thrash acts like Slayer, Kreator, and Venom. Starting death metal at these - [Wrought Iron - Rejoice and Transcend [US, Black / Death / Grind] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/701) - By any means necessary. Grimoire Records has already shown themselves to be a label who has sympathies for non traditional extreme metal. Though the label sports a number of black, death, and doom bands, the tendency for most of the music they support is to go in different yet interesting directions. Wrought Iron is from - [Saor - Aura [Scotland, Black / Folk] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/679) - Black metal is interesting for many reason. while the style can be taken in wild directions, the sound can also stay in the relative middle as be enhanced with nuance and subtlety. I do not know if tin whistles constitute subtlety but for now we are going to assume it is apart of slight nuance. - [Hiverna - II. Macabre [Canada, Folk / Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/669) - 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 - [Judd Madden - Everything In Waves [Austrailia, Stoner Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/666) - 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 - [Woman is the Earth - Depths [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/591) - I think I made mention before, in fact numerous times, that this band's name confuses the hell out of me. In a style dominated by dark ruminations, Woman is the Earth does not sound like a black metal band, rather a possible eco-feminist power violence trio. I promise this is the last time I am - [Vyrion - Geo [Australia, Progressive / Black]](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/685) - 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 - [Skáphe - Skáphe [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/578) - I feel blessed to have a reliable record label which I can walk into an album blind and know that it will be of high quality or, at the very least, interesting. Much like a majority of the Fallen Empire roster, Skáphe is a complete mystery aside from a 35 minute tape release. With little - [Heavydeath - Demo II - III [Sweden, Death / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/636) - I think I found Caligari Records as well as Heavydeath as the same time. It was a wonderful afternoon / early morning. Caligari Records is a spectacular label / distributor which specializes in lesser known cassettes of a particularly rotting variety. Heavydeath is a band made up of members of Runemagick and Necrocurse who specialize - [Ritual Chamber - The Pits of Tentacled Screams [US, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/645) - Yeah, turn that shit up. No, seriously. Turn it up. I can't hear what is going on. What sort of horrors can come from a mysterious project whose demo has been slung to the far corners of hell by Nuclear War Now? Well, once the volume is properly adjusted, the audience can get acquainted with - [Dead Congregation - Promulgation of the Fall [Greece, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/648) - Let us get something out of the way. Dead Congregation is really good as well as sort of important. 2008's Graves of the Archangels was a giant leap for death metal in its slow climb up to contemporary prominence. I am not saying anything at this moment but Dead Congregation was one of the first - [Bland Vargar - Perpetual Return [Italy, Atmospheric Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/633) - Woooosh. I love it. I love it all. Bland Vagar is an Italian black metal band who concerns themselves with wolves. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. The band is listed under a production company called Razed Soul productions but the tape comes to us from our good ol' friends Caligari Records. I have already gushed about - [Spectral Lore - III [Greece, Black / Ambient] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/625) - Well, this is it. This is how the world ends. With an 80 minute ambient black metal record. Spectral Lore is a Greek black metal act who has had a wonderful couple of years. Not only was the 2012 record Sentinel highly reviewed but this project was apart of some fine splits including the cosmic - [Infestus - The Reflecting Void [Germany, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/621) - I must say -- out of most Bandcamp pages, Debemur Morti Productions' design is exquisite with subtle greys and hints of sepia. I would also say the same about the design for The Reflecting Void which is the fourth full length for German act Infestus. I mention the design because, from what I can tell, - [Fange - Poisse [France, Sludge / Noise] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/503) - Yes. Yes. Yes. This is what I like to hear. Fange is a three piece French act who plays impossibly loud sludge to the point of becoming a noisy act of violence. Sludge has always been very confrontational by design though Fange has decided take the angst and misanthropy which nurtured the style and make - [Dweller in the Valley - Younger Dryas [US, Black / Death / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/596) - There is something positive to be said about an unconventional in heavy metal. Younger Dryas, the first EP from US based black metal act Dweller in the Valley, starts with singing bowls and throat singing and ends with the same thing. What follows between is a highly responsive style of mid fi black metal whose - [Serpents Lair - Demo MMXIV [Denmark, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/572) - Another day, another black metal demo with a decent groove and a potential for greater success. I think I would grow tired of this sort of thing if it were not for it being absolutely entertaining. From what I can tell, Seprents Throne is a two piece from Denmark with a 2 song demo which - [Gatecreeper - Gatecreeper [US, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/559) - Hands down on of the coolest album covers this year as it perfectly illustrates the type of otherworldly terror which Gatecreeper has unleashed. I am a big fan of album art especially when the visal side complements or echoes the music inside. I am also a huge fan of any band, which may make light - [Ifing - Against This Weald [US, Black / Folk] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/562) - I think we may have found a contender for best atmopheric / synth arrangements in black metal for the year. Last year, this honor went to Utah based act Caladan Brood while this year looks like the time for Ifing. Yes, I know that word looks like I left off half of the word but - [Triumvir Foul - An Oath of Blood and Fire [US, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/517) - 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 - [Qrixkuor - Consecration of the Temple [UK, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/549) - 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 - [Black Monolith - Passenger [US, Black / Crust] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/541) - Trust me, I literally have no idea what is happening in this album art. I would say that the lithograph inspired artwork illustrates the relationship between Black Monolith's influences but this is wrong. This US based crust act fuses together the styles of hardcore and black metal but that would mean both figures on the - [Catapult The Dead - All Is Sorrow [US, Atmospheric Sludge] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/529) - 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 - [Verberis - Vastitas [New Zealand, Black/Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/456) - 16 minutes is not a lot of time for introductions. I mean what can this short span of time really communicate about ones' intentions and plans for the future? With so much new music being released everyday, what can 16 minutes do in the face of hundreds of other demos? New Zealand's Verberis has chosen - [Sun Worship - Elder Giants [Germany, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/198) - This right here is the reason that randomly searching the internet for music is one of the better hobbies outside shipbuilding. Sun Worship is an unsigned German black metal band with a release on what seems to be the a start up distribution called View from the Coffin. The surprise with Sun Worship and their - [Urzeit - Der zweite Drei [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/240) - I think I would have thought this were a German group if not for catching a few passing mentions of Ash Borer. Urzeit is from Portland, Oregon and contain one of the members in the half atmospheric half second wave black metal act Ash Borer as well as the sludge doom act Hell. Because it - [Eos - L'Avalé [Canada / Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/251) - I have not been shy about my adoration for Fallen Empire. Ever since stumbling across the two cassette compilation from SVN-OKKLT, which showcased some fantastic underground black metal including Death Fortress, Witch in Her Tomb, Axis of Light, and Eos, I have been a fan and activley camped out in front of the office doors. - [Devouring Star - Demo [Finland, Black / Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/290) - Again, I feel that "dates" are sort of up in the air when it comes to demos. Finish black/death act technically self released their demo in December of 2013 but the 2014 pressing by Sarlacc productions feels like an official date. In demo-land, things are hazy and ambiguous but I have a feeling I want - [Ritual Decay - The Conquering Darkness [US, Black / Death / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/312) - Holy shit, who knew Caligari Records was releasing such wonderful music? The possibility for exceptional black, death, and doom is very real and just hidden under large rocks in Tennessee. Ritual Decay is a doom influenced black / death act with no ties to established bands nor any preceding qualifications. In fact their resume maybe - [Plebeian Grandstand - Lowgazers [France, Black / Hardcore / Noise] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/338) - Goddamn it, I love Throatruiner. Since finding this French label a few years ago, my appreciation for the bastard offspring between black, hardcore, sludge, and noise has grown exponentially. What I didn't understand at the time has now transformed into an appreciation for genre-less heavy music and a recognition for the freedom it promotes. Plebeian - [Shroud Of The Heretic - Revelations In Alchemy [US, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/320) - Jesus, almighty, this is some cavernous death. Shroud of the Heretic is a Portland based death metal act who has yet to see proper representation from a label. I know I mentioned this before but I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of some unsigned metal. By all intents and purposes, the production and - [Heavydeath - Demo I [Sweden, Death / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/414) - I have already raved about Caligari Records. Not only does this label dedicate their existence to underground black, death, and doom but the quality of material they release is fantastic. Take this demo from the Swedish group Heavydeath, with members from both Necrocurse and Runemagick. If not for Caligari records I would not be aware - [LVTHN - Adversarialism [Belgium, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/431) - I have decided to start tagging record labels as I feel it is important to support ones which put out consistent material. LVTHN is a darkhorse as their existence was unknown to many before a few days ago when the very well liked Fallen Empire put up their debut demo for stream. If one needed - [Yith - Yith [US, Black / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/439) - Hands down, one of the most eerie covers of the year. Who would have guessed the combination of black and white pencil and white eyed specters could be so unnerving? Yith has spent most of its time releasing demos in sequential order. There is nothing which separates the fourth demo from the previous three aside - [Ghost Bath - Funeral [China, DSBM] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/489) - Jesus fuck. Alright, well I have already stated my immense interest in Chinese atmospheric black metal even to the point of tracking down the man behind Pest Productions. However, It has been awhile since I checked back into new releases. Before this review, I found some assorted splits such as the Happy Days / Kanashimi - [Schafott - Satan's Throne [Germany, Black / Thrash] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/477) - I try to only review releases from 2014 which gets difficult when the secondary cassette market reprints albums from years prior. Finding first run cassette releases is sometimes difficult. According the liner notes for Satan's Throne by German act Schafott, the demo was recorded 2 years prior with no explanation what happened in those 2 - [Demon Eye - Leave The Light [US, Stoner Doom / NWOBHM] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/393) - Okay, I can get down with this sound. Demon Eye proudly states their name was taken from a lesser known Deep Purple song of the same name. I feel the band is proud of this as Demon Eye seems infatuated with he dark side of the late 60's and early 70's. In fact, the stoner - [Gravehill - Death Curse [US, Death / Thrash / Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/453) - Despite Gravehill's rotting exterior, the band seems to be made up of musicians who are having a blast doing exactly what they are doing. This attitude adds to a fun atmosphere when a band seems be laughing louder than the screams of its audience. From sunny California comes Gravehill, bastard metal who seem to have - [Warlock 666 - Pactum Satanicum [Russia, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/417) - There are sometimes when a complete jump into the abyss is the only thing which makes sense. When style and themes can guide entire projects it becomes easy to slip into a bottomless well of image. Warlock 666 is a Russian band who has made it their goal in life to sound otherworldly and make - [Lizzard Wizzard - Lizzard Wizzard [Australia, Stoner Doom] (2013)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/396) - I usually like to focus on music from the current calendar year but something about Lizzard Wizzard spoke to me. I do not know what it was. Maybe it is the cassette package which comes with a d20, doob tube, and patch in addition to a green cassette. Maybe it is because the band seems - [Ggu:ll - Waan ​:​ Hoon [Netherlands, Sludge / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/372) - Yep, Here is a time when I do not know whether to be more confused by the album title or the band name. I can take solace in the fact since there is literally zero information about this Dutch sludge doom band, I will never know how to pronounce this band name. Confusion is apart - [Nuclearhammer - Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer [Canada, Black/Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/378) - Well, here we go. I guess it is time to clean up everything with one sweep of destruction. Goodbye world and universe and may you enjoy the aftermath of chaotic nothingness with the sweet sounds of Nuclearhammer. If you ever wanted to remind yourself that yes there is music which abandons all the tenets of - [Slomatics - Estron [Ireland, Stoner Doom] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/358) - There is something completely comforting about Slomatics. Perhaps it is the album cover influenced by vintage pulp sci-fi. Perhaps it is the thundering riffs or the droning atmosphere. Perhaps, even still, it is the levity in which the band seems to sport despite their music being caught in an avalanche of riffs. Whatever it is, - [Moloch - Verwüstung [Ukraine, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/326) - How on earth did I miss out on Moloch? I ask this question because of my intense interest in solitary black metal. I find the style interesting because if left up to ones devices, certain individuals will run so much further than with others with assistance. Moloch was created 10 years ago and has had - [Barrowlands - Thane [US, Black / Progressive] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/331) - Barrowlands is a relatively unknown Pacific Northwest act who seems to be taking a stab going at a style of black metal which has been well traveled in the past. Progressive and atmopsheric black metal is something that others have done many times. Include the fact these guys are from the pacific northwest and images - [Black Magic - Wizard's Spell [NWOBHM / Traditional] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/361) - Alright, so before we begin, Black Magic is a total throwback act. There is no mistaking the band's love fore early 80's occult based traditional metal which gestated in the period before extreme metal. With that said, the "black/thrash" tag which this band has been filed makes sense but only in historical context. This is - [Ethereal Riffian - Aeonian [Ukraine, Stoner / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/243) - Lets us get this out of the way. Ethereal Riffian is sort of a silly name unless you can shrug it off as stoner humor. From the now popular country of Ukraine comes Ethereal Riffian which wants nothing more than to add to the universe unearthed by bands like Sleep and Ufomammut. The band is - [Grey Widow - I [UK, Sludge / Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/293) - I am going to have to make a special note on which albums are being self released in 2014. The reason for this interest is that the divide between label representation and independent status could be in name only. While certain labels possess resources not available to every band, the possibility of reaching people is - [SwampHög - Pearls For Swine [US, Sludge/Doom] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/202) - Swamphog has made their Bandcamp distinct from other possible iterations of the same name by being the first attach "666" to the address. Make no mistake, this Swamphog is here for evil and the possibility of Satan. This will be my third review for a Grimoire release in 2014. Though I just found this label - [Cemetery Fog - Shadows from the Cemetery [Finland, Black / Death / Doom] (2013)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/212) - I usually like to focus on music from the current calendar year but then again, cassette demos are usually timeless. Back in the early days of 2013, there was this Finnish band, who couldn't decide on whether or not they wanted to be death metal, or doom metal, or black metal. So this Finnish band, - [Daggers - It's Not Jazz, It's Blues [Belgium, Hardcore / Metal] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/222) - I would like to point out that the album cover for It's Not Jazz, It's Blues by Belgium based Daggers ruins a nice black and white aesthetic which I have been trying to maintain. In fact, I dislike this cover immensely. It makes me uneasy, anxious and, quite frankly, ruins my day. I feel this - [Lie in Ruins - Towards Divine Death [Finland, Death] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/122) - This is an exercse in precision. Lie in Ruins is a Finnish death metal act with a release on Dark Descent Records. This is similar to Corpsessed, which is another Finnish death metal act also with a recent release from Dark Descent. In fact these two bands live less than an hour away from each - [Woods of Desolation - As The Stars [Australia, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/125) - Woods of Desolation came to my attention with the 2011 release of Torn Beyond Reason. This was also the time when I was really into atmospheric black metal and was collecting bands which starting with W. Torn Beyond Reason as it turns out was a fantastic combination of depressive black metal and filled with entertaining - [Corpsessed - Abysmal Thresholds [Finland, Death] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/119) - I sort of get the introduction to Corpsessed's debut Abysmal Thresholds. The thundering entrence to the album acts as sort of fanfare following two well reviewed EPs. It is an archway that could be thought of as, well, an abysmal threshold. Corpsessed begs its listener to fall backwards into Lovecraftian death where only madness and - [ Lvcifyre - Svn Eater [UK, Black/Death] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/61) - It takes Lvcifyre's second record, Svn Eater 4 whole minutes to work up to the full tempo heard in the rest of the album. This UK band seems to be taking their time establishing themselves which is fitting as Svn Eater has been somewhat discussed and hyped since late 2013. The partial success in this - [ Morgirion - None Left To Worship [US, Black] (2014)](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/90) - That is totally a hand drawn cassette cover which has been photocopied. I know it. I love it. There is nothing much more to say about this cover as it fits perfectly the music inside. Morgirion is a Connecticut based black metal band who has already has a decently produced full length on 2012 called - [Innsmouth - Consumed by Elder Sign [Australia, Death] (2014) ](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/archives/101) - The day bands stop writing about HP Lovecraft will be the day the seas boil and the soil turns to dust. I am sure there is more of a Lovecraftian way to phrase that sentence but that is what you are getting. All manner of bands have used the 20th century horror writer as a ## Pages - [Article](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/article) - dcasdcasdcasdcasdc - [Sample Page](https://tapewyrmmetal.com/sample-page) - This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! 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