Fleshdriver – Leech [US, Death] (2020)

Redefining Darkness | 7-31-20

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

Of Antler And Oak – Midsummer [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Realm of Sleep Records | 6-21-20

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 is a creation of J. Browne who uses various avatars to create music from the woozy melodies from Of Oak and Ash to the raw noise of Hermit Of The Black Wood. Even though most of the tapes are already sold out, the limited quantity of these releases fits the aesthetic of an intimate spellcaster doing cantrips in the woods. Midsummer is Browne’s dedication to the solstice and the pagan overtones are as narcotic and dreamy as the music itself.

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

Self Released | 6-22-20

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

The Shakespearean Frog – Toilet Soap is Perfectly Pure [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 6-23-20

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 comfy synth, to the tendency to go into a jaunty rhythm, The Shakespearean Frog is less a dungeon synth artist and more a Idyllic Victorian Countryside Synth artist but that later makes little sense. What does make sense is the third release from this melodic prankster is even more fascinating when taken into account their whole existence in this world.

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

Self Released | 6-20-20

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

Medhelan – Nocturnal Wanderings [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Lighten Up Sounds | 7-11-20

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 magical musings of dungeon synth. While there is only one long preview track available, the scope of nature ambient and melodic dungeon synth stretches like a wooded canopy across a glowing night sky. This is dungeon synth from an old wizard who has once again dedicated to open their spellbook for us.

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

Desert Wasteland Productions | 6-22-20

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

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

Self Released | 6-23-20

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

Puro Odio – Puro Odio [Spain, Black / Punk] (2020)

Sentient Ruin Laboratories | 7-10-20

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 to follow in tow. For the most part it works and even if it doesn’t, it still is pretty fun. Enter Puro Odio, a Basque based act that probably doesn’t wear shirts as they have no need since everything is fucking hot. With the right amount of darkness and sneering disdain for life, Puro Odio continues my love affair with the anarchistic occult.

Nuovaerav – Arcadia [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Faberglade Records | 6-21-20

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 a new artist for me but just from the few opening tracks, it already fits within the comforting world of Faberglade and while missing this series purchase by a day, I shall try again for the fall.