Woods of Desolation – As The Stars [Australia, Black] (2014)

Northern Silence Productions | 1-14-14

Woods of Desolation came to my attention with the 2011 release of Torn Beyond Reason. This was also the time when I was really into atmospheric black metal and was collecting bands which starting with W. Torn Beyond Reason as it turns out was a fantastic combination of depressive black metal and filled with entertaining atmosphere. The band was also related, loosely, to other Australian black metal acts such as Austere, Germ, and Temple Nightside. As the Stars is the project’s third release which reinvents its sound while still being as emotionally threatening as before.

Best of January 2014

We have had our first silent month of Tape Wyrm, which was devoted to finding lesser known yet interesting metal from a variety of places. While most of these articles and reviews will focus on cassette based underground black and death metal, there will be other things such as splits, EPs, compilations, and full length releases from bands encompassing a myriad of styles. It all isn’t doom and gloom. Well, most of it, but not all of it. As of right now, it is just me hoping that I can do articles, reviews, and highlight reels such as this one. Perhaps in the future, Tape Wyrm can acquire more writers who will work for Magic bulk commons. Perhaps junk rares if they make an impressive mark. If not, then it will just be me, huddled around a tape player, passing the time deciphering xeroxed and hand drawn album covers. Either way it will be absolutely fantastic. These are the records that were released in January that have been the most entertaining.

Nefaria / Sylvan Frost [US, Black Metal / Ambient] (2014)

Self Released | 1-31-14

I feel my journey into lesser known metal is going to unearth some awesome and strange examples of artwork. Example — this fucking pencil drawing used on the cassette of the Nefaria / Sylvan Frost split. Perhaps the best part about this cover is the total disregard of any sort of graphic assistance. Nope, I am going to hand write the names. Fuck you guys and your use of “computers.” From a design perspective this is both insulting and completely charming. Who in the world is this meant for? The answer is everyone as this cassette has been famously xeroxed for anyone who got a chance to purchase it.

Ethereal Shroud – Absolution|Emptiness [UK, DSBM] (2014)

Grimoire Cassette Cvlture | 1-14-14

Note: This album was released October 13th of 2013 but is now being released as a cassette from US based Grimoire Cassette Cvlture.

It is perhaps fitting the bandcamp page for Ethereal Shroud is cast in an almost illegible greyscale. the text is near illegible and there is not much information regarding the record. Because the creator goes by “Anonymous” and everything is released for free without much fanfare, Absolution|Emptiness comes cast in a fog of obscurity. This, of course, is the correct atmosphere one strives for when releasing depressive black metal. It is almost as it is cast in an abstract veil. Alright, fine … cast in an ethereal shroud. There.

Cavern – Tales of Ruin [US, Sludge/Rock] (2014)

Grimorie Records | 3-4-14

Alright, there are a couple of reasons how I ran across this. First of all Grimorie Records is a Baltimore based metal label which specializes in, well, a lot of things. The second reason is that this brightly colored illustration depicts a crying nun and, well, that is eye catching to say the least. I am already writing about a black metal band from Grimorie but Cavern’s Tales of Ruin was just too disaffecting to pass up. I am also a sucker for sludge.

Innsmouth – Consumed by Elder Sign [Australia, Death] (2014)

Abysmal Sounds | 1-18-14

The day bands stop writing about HP Lovecraft will be the day the seas boil and the soil turns to dust. I am sure there is more of a Lovecraftian way to phrase that sentence but that is what you are getting. All manner of bands have used the 20th century horror writer as a starting point in heavy metal. While some accent their work with Lovecraft references, other are entirely consumed with madness. Welcome to Innsmouth, home of the Esoteric Oder of Dagon and the Australian death metal band of the same name.

Morgirion – None Left To Worship [US, Black] (2014)

NoVisible Scars | 1-3-14

That is totally a hand drawn cassette cover which has been photocopied. I know it. I love it. There is nothing much more to say about this cover as it fits perfectly the music inside. Morgirion is a Connecticut based black metal band who has already has a decently produced full length on 2012 called Infinite Retribution Upon Paradise. It was good. It is actually right here and for as much as you want to pay for it. None Left To Worship is a live album or live recording of four new songs. Whatever evenly paced production was present in the first record has been told to fuck off leaving water damaged wreckage with an echo of vile hatred. Imagine all of the damages.

Lvcifyre – Svn Eater [UK, Black/Death] (2014)

Dark Descent | 1-27-14

It takes Lvcifyre’s second record, Svn Eater 4 whole minutes to work up to the full tempo heard in the rest of the album. This UK band seems to be taking their time establishing themselves which is fitting as Svn Eater has been somewhat discussed and hyped since late 2013. The partial success in this anticipation rests with Dark Descent being a reliable dealer of particularly grim heavy metal. It also helps as the cover depicts a foreboding landscape of ruin and and destruction. Dark Descent has had a history aof spectacular releases including last year’s sleeping hit Temple Nightside. This year maybe the time for Lvcifyre.

Beneath the Storm – Temples of Doom [Slovenia, Funeral Doom] (2014)

Self Released | 5-17-13

Note: This record was originally self released but And is now being distributed by Dutch cassette label Breathe Plastic.

Funeral cheap nfl jerseys doom is easy to look and assess from a distance. From this distance, Slovenian one man act Beneath the Storm seems like just another doom act obsessed with turning a few riffs into ten minute songs. At its very core, Temples of Doom is just riffing into the netherworld while soundclips run on top of it. In fact, it would probably be easy to imagine a live show with one guy standing baked in dry ice while the preamp loudly blares introductions. It is difficult however to wholesale nfl jerseys express how simple Temples of Doom is yet incredibly effective.

Run After To – Run After To / Gjinn And Djinn [Italy, Doom / Traditional] (1985)

Shadow Kingdom Records | 1-7-14

One of my resolutions this year was to keep an eye out for any potential traditional doom that would be worthy of year end lists. This is to make up for the fact I missed out on Atlantean Kodex until an embarrassing date but to also Android pay attention to a style which sometimes get pressed between power metal and stoner doom. Traditional metal and traditional doom is a relic from the past yet when it is played right it can split worlds apart. No more, things are going to be different. 2014 will be the year of doom…from the late 80’s.