Etoile Filante – Traité sur le Monde et la Lumière [France, Black / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 3-21-14

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 instrumentation. Though ambiance and introduction are usually used by metal bands, Etoile Filante concerns itself with sci fi clips and a preoccupation with synthscapes. Though space has been explored in black metal, this is probably the first time I have heard it so cosmic, wondrous, and bright. If one likes Darkspace, it is time to meet their younger and oddly dressed brother.

Ggu:ll – Waan : Hoon [Netherlands, Sludge / Doom] (2014)

Tartarus | 4-4-14

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 of the charm for Ggu:ll as the band has proven, to a very small audience, they are capable musicians with a near unsearchable band name.

Nuclearhammer – Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer [Canada, Black/Death] (2014)

Nuclear War Now! Productions |6-1-14

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 structure and consonance then let Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer be a gentle reminder of a place which exists in utter abandon.

Slomatics – Estron [Ireland, Stoner Doom] (2014)

Head of Crom Records | 2-3-14

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, Slomatics have descended through the ages to cast the world in hazy yet enjoyable style of cosmic doom.

Moloch – Verwüstung [Ukraine, Black] (2014)

Human To Dust | 2-2-14

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 11 full lengths, 8 demos, 36 splits, 10 splits and a handful of compilations and box sets. This is addition to a bevy of guest sessions and cover design for European metal bands. Moloch is a machine and Verwüstung is the 12th full length from a creator who seems to need little sleep.

Barrowlands – Thane [US, Black / Progressive] (2014)

Self Released | 3-11-14

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 of Agalloch, Wolves in the Throne Room, Alda, and Ash Borer quickly comes to mind. To play in the similar style which experienced brief popularity a few years ago is commendable as the style is conceptually sound albeit without much surprise. I set Barrowlands up for a lot as “Cascadian black metal” feels like a boom town which now lies emptier than before. Bands who continue the sound do so at a cost, which sometimes yields a greater triumph when successful.

False Prophet – Second Death [US, Thrash / Death] (1991)

Blood Harvest | 1-14-14

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 when Heaven and Hell records, archivists in forgotten heavy metal, re-released the debut along with the Sign of the Cross demo. Blood Harvest is heading up the vinyl reissue complete with enhanced and over the top artwork. This celebration for False Prophet seems fitting given the caliber of music which was almost entirely forgotten.

Black Magic – Wizard’s Spell [NWOBHM / Traditional] (2014)

High Roller Records | 1-17-14

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 what music sounded like when speed mixed with heavy metal and people started to get turned on to darkness. I am stopping everything as Black Magic has currently gone unnoticed for a few months. This is an injustice as it is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable records of the year. Quick, grab your denim jackets and high top sneakers, we have a time trip to get to.

Shroud Of The Heretic – Revelations In Alchemy [US, Death] (2014)

Blood Harvest | 3-10-14

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 presentation of Revelations In Alchemy, the band’s debut, is to the caliber of some of death metal’s most profiled acts. There is no need for comparisons save for Shroud Of The Heretic being a fantastic plummet into the depths of occult death with an odd choice in color choice for their cover. Greys, blacks, browns? Fuck you, how about white and green?

Plebeian Grandstand – Lowgazers [France, Black / Hardcore / Noise] (2014)

Throatruiner Records | 3-31-14

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 Grandstand is a testament to the heights and depths a band can reach when throwing off the shackles of expectation. There is only one goal for Lowgazers, and that is pure annihilation.