Self Released | 09-15-17
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. What I wasn’t expecting however is a demo which steps right in line with some of the better death metal of the year. Fantastic job.
Self Released | 08-01-17
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.” With all of these in place, Ashen Chalice dives into the sometimes uneven world of raw bedroom black metal.
Iron Bonehead Productions | 7-14-17
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 since there isn’t much left of the world after they are done playing.
Self Released | 7-7-17
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 on this record since the band also crafts a fine groove with all of these unpleasant elements.
Blood Harvest | 6-9-17
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 perfect for anyone seeking an extended stay in the catacombs of the dammed.
Self Released | 6-29-17
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 be from a forthcoming debut. Whatever it is and whatever you want tocall it, the clouds and winds are just right for some hellish storms.
Cirsium Kollektivet | 6-25-17
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 that this is not really a release but the ravings of a wild animal and all of the doors are now locked. Continue reading
Iron Bonehead | 06 – 09 – 17
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 a sure bet in the gambling parlor of the underworld. Continue reading
Self Released | 6-11-17
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 genre. Doom and sludge do not interest me as much and aside from this personal preference, there are a few which break through my prejudice. If a band sounds like it was birthed in the bathroom of a shitty dive bar, I am there with outstretched hands.
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Self Released | 6-7-17
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. While this sounds bizarre and niche, the crawling otherworldly sounds of Cosmic Void Ritual make this short demo / EP more than worth the trip through the astral plane.
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