29.04.15 | ISRATHOUM - ANTRU KALD (EP)![]() ![]()
Daemon Worship Productions, 30.04.15
I would, personally, have saved money for the next full length album. I'm kind of an “album-person” you see. Spending meters
of perfectly good shelf space on physical editions of releases with less than 25 minutes of playing time is something I'd
rather not indulge in. But that's just me. And it wouldn't have been particularly fair judging music based on that kind of
criteria. |
29.04.15 | SWARÞ - OMINES PESTILENTIAE (Compilation)![]() ![]()
Daemon Worship Productions, 30.04.15
As mentioned the last time, Iron Bonehead released this collection of the band's first three releases, consisting
of two demos and an EP, on vinyl a mere year ago. Now the time is evidently ripe for the CD version. Remastered, even. |
28.04.15 | KOMMANDANT - THE ARCHITECTS OF EXTERMINATION![]() ![]()
ATMF, 27.04.15
The Americans' black metal doesn't sound directly inspired by the Norwegian scene. It has a warmer, more furry character,
especially when the pace increases. The tempo don't give a distinct sense of speed, but rather a rumbling effect. In
mid-tempo, the production becomes somewhat airier, and the various components come more to “sight”. The drums occasionally
have a rather distinct feel. Drummer David Swanson (eks-Nachtmystium et al.) has a very varied
touch. The drums are partly phonetically placed in the mix. Some stroke drown a bit, whilst other firm and rhythmical
impacts are spearheading the soundscape, conjuring up images of marching hordes or
slave ship drummers of ancient galleys. The guitars
(Jim Bresnahan and Marcus) creates fairly twisted, slightly claustrophobic moods, while vocalist
Marcus Matthew Kolar (ex-Sarcophagus et al.) wring inhuman low frequency sounds from the throat. The
guy can at times remind of Attila.
Reason thunders in its volcano |
27.04.15 | GRÁ / GNOSIS OF THE WITCH (Split 7")![]() ![]()
Iron Bonehead, 27.04.15
Grá offers the song Valitus ja kaipuu on the A side. The song lasts for about six
minutes and stems from their first EP, Helfärd, released in 2010. The original Swedish title was
Klagan och längtan, but we now find it as a live recording under Finnish moniker with the same meaning,
which roughly translates to “Moaning and longing”. The song has good drive, nice dark sound and a despondent mood.
|
27.04.15 | SEAGRAVE - STABWOUND![]() ![]()
Art of Propaganda, 27.04.15
Seagrave is a solo project from Austrian J.J. (Harakiri for the Sky,
Karg). |
27.04.15 | NOROT - NATHRACH![]() ![]()
Naturmacht Productions, 26.04.15
Black metal is something deeper, something opposing, something spiritual. As with art in general, black metal should
have a naturally inherent ability to arouse emotions. Be it disgust or sadistic pleasure. |
27.04.15 | THROES - DISASSOCTATION![]() ![]()
Rain Without End Productions, 26.04.15
The result is furious death metal with black elements and a whiff of technical nature, as well as a somewhat discordant
touch of Deathspell Omega, a bit of rawness à la Anaal Nathrakh, and a moderate touch of core. Everything
done in a brutally and unpleasant manner. Uncomfortable sampler pop up at times and contribute to the misery. |
26.04.15 | GLITTERTIND - BLÅNE FOR BLÅNE![]() ![]()
Name Music & Publishing, 27.04.15
I have a very good, hell indeed outright nostalgic relation to Glittertind's Evige Asatro
(2003). I'm not entirely sure of how the album was received by foreigner, though. Torbjørn
performed folk metal in a partly milder and more tender, and partly more rocking fashion than other bands revelling
in Scandinavian folklore. The music contained less of the typical black/pagan/viking-approach. Folk-songs were rather
mixed with cleaner “classic” metal, a slightly rocked feel and the occasional ballad. Performed with somewhat naive
character, but also with authentic enthusiasm and soul! The album hit a spot deep within my steel-heart where it tugged
at my heartstrings.
Djevelsvart is more alternatively in expression than its predecessors. We're fortunately not talking about contemporary art music, but rather a progressively touch and a pinch of jazz, perhaps. Gone are the cheerful drinking ballads. This is more melancholic, and a bit focused on prospects of art.
Blåne for blåne |
26.04.15 | EREB ALTOR - NATTRAMN![]() ![]()
Cyclone Empire, 24.04.15
The Isole-members Ragnar and Mats established Ereb Altor
in 2003 to give vent to other and different musical and creative sides of theirs. Sides they at first explored through the
band Forlorn, not to be confused with the Norwegian band by the same name. Along with drummer Tord
and new bassist Mikael, their fifth album offers on more epic viking/doom with black metal influences.
|
24.04.15 | CELTACHOR - NUADA OF THE SILVER ARM![]() ![]()
Trollzorn Records, 24.04.15
It may seem natural to compare them with other Celtic-inspired bands like Cruachan and Primordial,
but the expression is too dissimilar to defend a comparison, despite some common folk elements.
|
23.04.15 | MORTHUS - INTO OBLIVION (EP)![]() ![]()
Independent, 22.10.14
The quartet has been in Nautilus Studio and recorded four tracks totalling just over 18 minutes.
Low dynamic range notwithstanding, the sound is good, fittingly dark and forceful. |
23.04.15 | DEMONICAL - BLACK FLESH REDEMPTION (EP)![]() ![]()
Agonia Records, 24.04.15
Demonical was started by former Centinex members in 2006, in the wake of the band's dissolution
in the spring of that year. Centinex was by the way revitalized in January last year, and they released the album
Redeeming Filth in November. |
23.04.15 | SVARTIDAUÐI - THE SYNTHESIS OF WHORE AND BEAST (EP)![]() ![]()
Daemon Worship Productions og
Terratur Possessions, 01.04.15
The original version had three tracks, but this version has carved away
The Deconstruction of Whore and Beast, a sort of noise-remix of the two Svartidauði-tracks,
made by electronics/noise artist AMFJ.
|
22.04.15 | GRUESOME - SAVAGE LAND![]() ![]()
Relapse Records, 21.04.15
Gruesome apparently shares name with a 10-15 year lod Norwegian “demo-band” with amongst others two
members of Kampfar. what does one not come across on the internet. |
21.04.15 | CRIMSON SKY - TRANSCENDENTAL TRIP![]() ![]()
Metal Scrap Records, 16.04.15
The band plays gothic death/doom with all the components thereof, and the result is rather versatile, pretty
enjoyable and a touch familiar. |
20.04.15 | MARE INFINITUM - ALIEN MONOLITH GOD![]() ![]()
Solitude Productions, 21.04.15
Mare Infinitum overwhelmed me with their rock solid début in 2011, and I would realy like to take
the time to spin their sophomore album at least ten times, but four or five times is going to have to be sufficient
this time.
|
16.04.15 | SIXFORNINE - SIXFORNINE![]() ![]()
No Regrets Records, 01.04.2015
SiXforNinE consisted of three musicians, guitarist, drummer and bassist, as they went into
DevasoundZ Studios to record their début. It ended with the sound engineer, Fotis Benardo
taking the role of lead singer. Does the name sound familiar? I'm hopeless with names myself, but I'm sure (Hells)
bells are ringing in a few minds, as this is the former percussionist in Septicflesh, now in Necromantia
amongst others. And he can certainly sing!
|
16.04.15 | ДРЁМ - 2![]() ![]()
Solitude Productions, 06.04.15
Their first sign of life, a demo, got the title 1, and their second release, a full length album,
thus carries the name 2. Some make it easier for musical “completists” than others. Four songs
from barely 11 to about 17 minutes totalling 55 minutes makes up 2. As this probably tells you,
this is funeral doom.
|
16.04.15 | INFERNAL WAR - AXIOM![]() ![]()
Agonia Records, 17.04.15
One of the first thing that struck me when the music attacked me was that here was something completely wrong with
the sound. The band offers a brutal sonic attacks against the sense of hearing, and the ears demanded a few minutes
to adapt and steel themselves. There is definitely silence no more now that the Poles again offers the opportunity
to bang our heads and form moshpits.
|
15.04.15 | NOCTERNITY - HARPS OF THE ANCIENT TEMPLES![]() ![]()
Iron Bonehead, 17.04.15
Nocternity's history stretches back to 1997, but the years have flown by between the last album
and this one. There's been some Splits, EPs and other shortish stuff, though. I'm not really acquainted with this
band, even if I have heard their last album, Onyx from 2003. (When first writing this, I had
actually forgotten that I'd heard that one). |
15.04.15 | EMBRACE OF THORNS - DARKNESS IMPENETRABLE![]() ![]()
Nuclear War Now! Productions, 13.04.15
In the wake of Autopsy's career, the rings in the water has spread far outwards. The outermost ring has
an enormous circumference, and has hit countries on several continents as well as numerous peripheral corners. |
15.04.15 | BLIZZEN - TIME MACHINE (EP)![]() ![]()
High Roller Records, 17.04.15
On this EP these four Germans presents just over 20 minutes of lively metal of the frisky and rather energetic sort.
The music has a good mood, and it can be tempting to characterize it as happy-metal, but it would easily lead to
misconceptions. The songs have decent speed and punch, and are not too merry. Think party rock in a metal clothing,
think AC/DC, cheerful Sabbath/Ozzy songs (like Evil Woman), very early
Helloween, Metallica's version of Helpless and so on. There you have the atmosphere and some
of the band's musical inspirations. (I also get some sensations of the lesser-known Swiss band Poltergeist
and their Behind My Mask without similarities being especially significant).
|
13.04.15 | SATANIC WARMASTER - FIMBULWINTER![]() ![]()
Hells Headbangers/
Werewolf Records, 07.04.15
The first thing a connoisseur (or knower) will take note of is the production on Fimbulwinter
. Those of you who nourish an explicit satanic delight in Satanic Warmaster's tendency
to insist on simple and necrotic productions and who do not want it any other way, please take a seat. |
13.04.15 | THE GROTESQUERY - CURSE OF THE SKINLESS BRIDE![]() ![]()
Cyclone Empire, 10.04.15
The crew, consisting of one American, one Norwegian and two Swedes, have been stable throughout the six years the
band has existed. The début Tales of the Coffin Born impressed a lot, but the sequel disappointed
me a little, as some of the raging and foaming brutality that made their début so formidable had vanished. It may as
well be said straight away, Curse Of The Skinless Bride follows in the path of its predecessor.
|
10.04.15 | ETHER - HYMNS OF FAILURE (Dobbel-CD)![]() ![]()
Sepulchral Productions, 07.04.15
Scythrawl is the man behind the one-man band Ether, which allegedly plays
depressive black metal. However, he has misunderstood the concept a bit. Depressive music should please the listener,
not make him depressed. This is Ether's sophomore album.
|
09.04.15 | DEAD SUMMER SOCIETY - MANY YEARS OF LONGING![]() ![]()
Rain Without End Productions, 22.03.15
Mist created the band in 2010 and collaborated with singer Trismegistus on material for
the first album, released in 2012. During the writing of this sequel, he has worked with other people. Unfortunately
I haven't got any details to share on this matter.
|
09.04.15 | DÉLÉTÈRE (Demo-Compilation & Debut-Album).![]() ![]()
Sepulchral Productions, 07.04.15
It's extremely nice to see that the this killer scene of the French part of Canada is in motion again, for it is pretty
much exactly one year since I last wrote about an album of Québécois Black Metal. |
08.04.15 | INFESTING SWARM - DESOLATION ROAD![]() ![]()
Art of Propaganda, 30.03.15
The band was founded by guitarist Tobias in 2007. With four members a self-titled demo consisting of
black/death metal was released in 2011. After a few years and some changes in line-up and musical direction,
Infesting Swarm débuts as a quintet with a version of black/doom reminiscent of blackened death/doom.
|
06.04.15 | MALTHUSIAN - BELOW THE HENGIFORM (EP)![]() ![]()
Invictus Productions, 06.04.15
None of the four members of Malthusian is newcomers, although their experience varies. A couple
of the guys come from well-established groups like Mourning Beloveth and Altar of Plagues, which
basically is promising for somewhat quality-conscious and critical souls.
|
05.04.15 | SULPHUR AEON - GATEWAY TO THE ANTISPHERE![]() ![]()
Ván Records (vinyl) &
Imperium Productions (CD, Digital), 03.04.15
Gateway to the Antisphere is not quite as dark as its predecessor. The sound is somewhat brighter
and airier, despite Simon Werner being the producer for both albums. (Simon was incidentally also
studio technician for
Andsolis début). |
04.04.15 | PREGIERZ - BLOOD SANCTIONS (Double 7" EP)![]() ![]()
Blood Harvest, 30.03.15
The intro above may perhaps not provide the highest expectations of uniqueness and quality. The label that has
picked up this band are among those who point out of that they are “Always on the hunt for the most savage sounds
in the metal underground”. To sound as blatant and cacophonous as possible should never be the primary goal of
music. One would quickly end up with underdeveloped, barbaric piles of similar sounding crap on Impaled
Northern Moonforests low level. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying metal should be all sophisticated, but
savagery alone is not enough to sink a ship, only enough to plague a saint. |
03.04.15 | AUTUMNIA - TWO FACES OF AUTUMN (Dobbel Re-utgivelse)![]() ![]()
Solitude Productions, 03.03.15
|
03.04.15 | ABHOR - RITUALE STRAMONIUM![]() ![]()
Moribund, 31.03.2015
I've always dug the organ part in Helloween's Dr. Stein. There is something diabolical about
this instrument that has led to countless movies and cartoons beeing equipped with ancient castles and ditto
madmen who play their infernal preludes before or after their evil actions, whether it involves devouring their
victims or wiping out the earth. The organ's infamous tones have been heard several times in metal-related
contexts, but hardly to the extent that Abhor presents.
|
03.04.15 | PREDATORY LIGHT - MMXIV (EP)![]() ![]()
Pesanta Urfolk, 30.03.15
It starts out calmly. Some tens of seconds with atmospheric guitars leads on to dark and heavy doom-landscapes before
the pace increases. It alters between frenetic tempo and musical moorlands, with a clammy hand of threatening insane
dissatisfaction constantly resting over it. The mind wander toward Iceland, but Predatory Light
doesn't blends in quite as much uttering madness as say Misþyrming does. The Americans got a bit more ordinary
nature, and although my memory is to insufficient to come up with examples, I have heard similar stuff before.
|
02.04.15 | IRREVERSIBLE MECHANISM - INFINITE FIELDS![]() ![]()
Blood Music, 31.03.15
After an intro of the orchestral and epic kind, complete with a-chorus, guest-drummer Lyle Cooper totally
hauls ass. He's occasionally got a hellish pace, and he vary decently. Guitarist Vladislav Nekrash
has a typical technical style, but also plays some properly vital tunes. Vocalist and bassist Yaroslav
Korotkin growl with a deep, otherworldly feel, and his bass fits well in the mix productionwise. The music's
got certain similarities with the last album from Allegaeon. |
02.04.15 | THURISAZ - THE PULSE OF MOURNING![]() ![]()
Sleaszy Rider Records, 31.03.15
Thurisaz has always been melodic, but this must be one of the most gentle releases from the Belgian
act. Only the first few minutes of ...for a Change, the albums shortest song* and the start
of One Final Step has the capability to show some teeth on the album. (*If I overlook the
interlude Enslaved Dreams).
|
02.04.15 | AKROTHEISM / SEPTUAGINT - SPHINX: THE GREAT ENIGMA OF TIMES (Split)![]() ![]()
Forever Plagued Records, 30.03.15
We start of with a quick presentation. |