Crom Dubh – Heimweh [UK, Atmospheric Black] (2015)

Ván Records | 3-29-15

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 band’s employment of the atmospheric style which is smooth and well oiled. Heimweh comes on the wings of a few other silent demos and EP releases and is even now shining bright on a lonely hill waiting for more people to show up. Though audience is relative, Crom Dubh’s relative obscurity is surprising given the sound which could be appealing to a wide spectrum of listeners. Perhaps Heimweh will be the time which the sky cracks open and pours ink black water over this land.

葬尸湖 (Zuriaake) – 孤雁 (Gu Yan) [China, Black] (2015)

Pest Productions | 3-28-15

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) were some of the bands that came with gloomy album covers with characters scrawled on the front. China, and also Pest Productions has grown in recent months specifically with the weird identity mixup related to US black metal act Ghost Bath. Whatever intentions and misconceptions are related to Ghost Bath and its creators is moot as China is still an interesting place for horrid sounding black metal. If you are new to Chinese black metal, why not start with a release that you probably can not ever get.

Morgon – Black Light of Liberation [Germany, Black / Melodic Death] (2014)

Self Released | 4-13-14

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 most recently by Obscure Abhorrence Records. While Morgon’s story is not unlike dozens if not hundreds of metal bands, sometimes decent music goes unheard. This is a really good example.

Seme Konj – The Promise of Coffins [Slovenia, Black / Noise] (2014)

Self Released | 4-7-14

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 release is unmistakably a 2014 record coming out in the early months of Spring. The Promise of Coffins went unheard by the majority of the world until this year seeing a tape / cd release by Glossolalia Records. Make no mistake, Seme Konj will probably be only heard by a few more people but suffice to say that many more people will reveal in chaos.

Abstracter – Wound Empire [US, Sludge / Crust] (2015)

Vendetta Records | 2-15-15

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 logo as well as their scrawled enigma that looks like tangled roots and rusted barbed wire. This band seems to be able to go many places which is important especially when burrowing far beneath the earth.

Varen – Varen [Belgium, Black] (2015)

Self Released | 3-16-15

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 music which sounds like the decaying of flesh and the last breathe of masses dying in agony. I could be wrong though, it maybe a little brighter than that. Probably not.

The Slow Death – Ark [Australia, Death/Doom] (2015)

Chaos Records | 3-16-15

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 working with the band since 2012. This all seems really odd considering the Slow Death has never been a high profile band seeing their first two releases gone independent and their third being released under a Mexican extreme metal label Chaos Records. I am just going to sit here sitting on my hands and listening to time slowly unravel.

Swarþ – Veneficivm [Unknown, Black / Death] (2015)

Iron Bonehead | 2-27-15

“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 promotional tool. Swarþ (sort of pronounced SwarTH) is an entity which has existed since 2013 without name, country, or any real information. Their releases come without titles and were released by the British label Exitium Productions, In fact, the labels first release was Swarþ’s demo. Despite the layer of anonymity being only so deep, the veil of silence which accompanies Swarþ is certainly enough to chuckle but never enough to detract from the music.

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

Self Released | 4-7-15

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

Ecferus – Prehistory [US, Ambient / Black] (2015)

Fragile Branch Recordings | 2-6-16

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 and capable Ad Infinitum. The release also comes wrapped in one of the more intriguing covers by illustrator Rose Proctor. Even if Prehistory was terrible, I would be a little bit entertained. The fact that the music is as good as it surrounding ceremony is fantastic.