Keeper – M M X I V [US, Black / Doom] (2014)

Self Released | 7-15-14

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 drive. It is a shock to the system which is much needed and feel alive and ready. Holy shit, what in the world is that sound? It feels like the ground is flooding with Hell.

Sadhus, The Smoking Community – Sadhus, The Smoking Community [Greece, Stoner Sludge] (2014)

Self Released | 7-15-14

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 in a psychedelic whirpool was not enough for you, wait until the scuttling sound of stoned doom obliterates the sky. As strange as this band’s name is, their vision for a scorched earth under hazed clouds is pretty clear.

Coffinborn – Beneath the Cemetery [Hungary, Death] (2014)

Xtreem Music | 7-15-14

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 rot and decay, they could do so. A lot of bands have. This does not mean, however, it would be any good. Merely getting down the aesthetic is only part of the charm of good heavy metal. Coffinborn, from head to Hungarian toe, is about rot and decay. The band’s album cover, promo photography, and entire existence has been geared towards prying open a cement sarcophagus with a crowbar. It sure is a good thing the music is top notch otherwise this whole thing would be sort of silly.

Athanatos – Unholy Union [Chile, Black / Death] (2014)

Iron Bonehead | 6-13-14

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 that offer a chance at something unorthodox. Athanatos comes with little information other than a 17 minute demo. The band’s sound may start out traditional but ends somewhere south of depraved. I am thankful for demos as some records need to come in shorter running time lest the threads of mental stability be lost forever.

Ill Omen – Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence [Australia, Black] (2014)

Nuclear War Now Productions | 6-30-14

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 which have also came out and to be quite honest does not have any immediate hooks which separate it from the rest of black metal releases. With that said, Enthroning the Bonds of Abhorrence does excel in subtlety with a record which is not only captivating to listen to but striking in its declaration of a no nonsense approach to black metal.

Hexis – Abalam [Denmark, Black / Hardcore] (2014)

Halo of Flies | 1-11-14

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 Man and been spreading dark clouds of pestilence over parts of Europe. I did not want this year to go by without acknowledging a record which has the ability to make fields of crops spoil with disease.

Terminal Death – Terminal Death [US, Death] (1985)

Shadow Kingdom | 7-1-14

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 bands is easy but gets tricky when other things are unearthed. I am not going to say that Terminal Death, an American death metal band operating at the same time as Possessed and Death, are unrecognized innovators of the style rather they are just an artifact which was been long forgotten. Shadow Kingdom is a record label which specializes in newer traditional and doom act but also has made a name form themselves resurrecting long neglected gems. If there was an award for most surprising band that never made it to the upper echelon of remembered metal bands, Terminal Death has my vote for the next few years.

Wrought Iron – Rejoice and Transcend [US, Black / Death / Grind] (2014)

Grimoire Records | 6-24-14

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 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, which isn’t a place known for a legacy in heavy metal. From the brief amount of time I spent there, I have to assume that this western Pennsylvania hub is a gate to nowhere: filled with high hills, overcast clouds, and abandoned factories. Wait. Hold on. This may be perfect.

Saor – Aura [Scotland, Black / Folk] (2014)

Northern Silence Productions | 6-2-14

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. Aura is the second record from Scottish based Saor. “Saor” in old Irish has a loose meaning of “free man.” What ever is about to transpire, there is a strong sentiment of unchained spirits.

Gnosis of the Witch – Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar [US, Black] (2014)

Iron Bonehead Productions | 6-14-14

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 said things are terrible, rather the world can only hold so much darkness and evil at one time that the very fabric of order might begin to fray. The planet is not ready for Gnosis of the Witch.