Weregoat - Unholy Exaltation of Fullmoon Perversity (2011)

EP, Parasitic Records
November 30th, 2011

Genre: Black/Death Metal
Region: USA

Ready for some filthy bestial blackened death metal? Weregoat's EP is exactly what you want from the genre.

Themed around lycanthropy and satanic rituals Unholy Exaltation of Fullmoon Perversity is fantastically ugly, sullen and feral. Right from the opening of cathedral organs and the piercing wail of the lead guitar you know it's going to be a disturbing whirlwind of ancient chaos, unending in it's brutal assault. The riffs are simple but well crafted, slogging into you with uninterrupted malice while occasional penetrating screeches and solos rear their heads amongst the frantic pinging drums and animalistic vocals; a hideous growl laced in reverb.

The attack is straight forward and unrelenting, almost always a frenetic pace with a few slower, cataclysmic grooves to break up the chaotic battery (Invoke the Black Oblivion for example) with most tracks opening or ending in some frightening noises and samples.

It's unfortunate I missed this one last year but in case you guys did as well here it is. Torturous and rotten, a well executed piece of blackened death metal. Pick this rotten release up in vinyl form at Parasitic Records or on cd over at Dark Descent Records.

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Wildernessking - The Writing of Gods in the Sand (2012)

Full Length, Antithetic Records
January 23rd, 2012

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Region: South Africa

Can't say that much "cascadian" themed black metal has flowed out of South Africa but Wildernessking have adapted that style with a few differences from their North American counterparts. The occasional long brooding riffs are there, winding from furious speeds to slower, warm melodic passages that linger and a great venomous vocal style from the bassist splitting through the atmosphere. However this record is much more complex. The album soars triumphantly with more progressive instrumentals, not necessarily resting on mournful or cold aesthetics but looking towards cosmic themes and breaking through the trappings of the genre.

In other moments their spin on the more traditional elements championed by the genre is refreshing — one thing that helps here is that unlike a lot of their peers they manage to keep every track under 10 minutes long, showing off the ability to edit themselves while managing to have the album feeling huge, atmospheric. While I do love me some 20 minute epics without a doubt (and often prefer them) it's nice to see that, like Obolus for instance, Wildernessking manage to break from this and still provide just as much passionate writing.

Every instrument is clear too. Not only do the guitars have a wonderful biting tone, the bass pushes past everything rather than being relegated under everything else and the drumming (which is a more notable aspect here) is dynamic, tight, powerful; capable of blasting as well as more subtle, gentle touches. The feeling that something grand is being constructed before you in each song is immediately felt.

This is some great black metal I think you guys should check out. It's hard to believe this is their first record. If you want a cd copy you can get one from the Antithetic Records store, or you can listen to the record on bandcamp; and if you want to contribute to the upcoming vinyl press then go to the fundraising page and pay what you want. I would suggest doing so.

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Narrows - Painted (2012)

Full Length, Deathwish Inc.
February 28th, 2012

Genre: Metalcore/Hardcore
Region: USA/UK

"New Distances" was a great first release from Narrows and being composed of the talented members from Botch, Unbroken, These Arms Are Snakes, Tropics, etc. there's no question as to why. I've been waiting for their next release eagerly and now Painted has appeared. Despite the off-putting cover art the music within is outstanding, a worthy sequel.

Potent and thick rhythms on bass and guitar heaped with twang, dissonance and feedback draped with infuriated, hoarse yells make each track high energy — most last to about the 2-3 minute mark and manage to stay dynamic. One track ("Greenland") is a behemoth 8 minute powerhouse injected with 3 minutes of cycling noise/feedback, bare drums and violent roars, only to collapse into slower (but still loud) chunky procession with a lot of reverb on the lead; not unlike "Gypsy Kids" on New Distances. The writing is as solid as ever, nothing runs too long and the production is sharp. There are some seriously addictive grooves that demand the volume be cranked to let that bass growl shake the foundations, especially on that last track.

Much thanks to The Elementary Revolt for getting on top of this one first. Highly recommended, don't judge from the cover guys. Narrows set out another win in the hardcore arena with Painted. You can pick this up soon from Deathwish Inc. as well as their other releases.


-link removed on request-

Skagos - Anarchic (2012)

Full Length, Self-released
June 21st, 2012

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Region: Canada

The frozen earth lays still, dead but ever dreaming…
Dreams spurred by the morrowind, chilled by snows of yesteryear.

The follow-up to the soul crushingly beautiful, visceral masterpiece "Ást" has long been in the wind — presumed dead (by me at least). A bit of news this morning from the hard working guys at Hammer Smashed Sound and The Flenser reveals however that the members of Skagos have decided to put the first side of this lurking work of genius up on bandcamp for streaming. The plan is to raise money to get Anarchic pressed in physical form for a true release date and I for one desperately want this to happen. All they're asking is a mere $2.50 to download Side A: a 23 minute hypnotic raw journey through the mist shrouded dark undergrowth of the cascadian wilderness, delivering a huge dose of sorrow and longing. This is easily worth the measly amount charged and it's only the first side which has me greatly anticipating what is locked away in Side B.

If you haven't heard Ást yet, go listen to it (and download it for free). It's a highly praised yet little known gem which doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend all readers who enjoy it to support these guys so we can get this glorious album to finally see the light of day. They are committed to releasing this themselves which means what you donate will go straight towards just that, and if you honestly can't afford it the guys even suggest just ripping it from the stream. I believe however that once you listen to this sample you'd be fooling yourself if you said it wasn't worth the money.

SUPPORT/LISTEN (Bandcamp)

Undergang - Til Døden Os Skiller (2012)

Full Length, Xtreem Music
February 1st, 2012

Genre: Death Metal
Region: Denmark

It's the new Undergang, building on a previous demo and it fucking demolishes all in it's path. Raw, uncompromising, heavy, ugly, violent, hacking it's way through your brain — you couldn't ask for a more mighty display.

I shouldn't have to say much here in order for a death metal fan to snap this up without question. I will thank JGD again, as well as Haxan of Forever Cursed and JT over at Coffinpslams for getting it out there for me to pass along. I recommend picking this crusty stack of old school greatness over at Xtreem Music ASAP.

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Vilipend - Love Left To Rot... (2009)

EP, Independent / Self-released
March 2nd, 2009

Genre: Metalcore/Hardcore
Region: Canada

Gotta thank A389 Recordings for making me aware of this group. Vilipend come to you from the great white north known as Canada bringing a seething mass of chaotic and angry metalcore in the form of 5 tracks on Love Left To Rot.

Chaos and general pissed negativity are the focus here with a smattering of bouncy, gritty, sometimes angular, sometimes melodic riffs and bass lines with a few massive slams expertly placed for maximum force; cracking your skull wide open. Mangled frantic vocals are laid over top of this, furious in their lyrical utterance of distaste and bitterness, with precise percussive clattering sitting comfortably behind it all. Rare moments of quiet/clean riffing are careful interspersed between the high energy, scratchy and strident rhythms; sometimes just leaving the bass to rumble along.

Vilipend know how write and slam down riffs with cacophonous impact. For those of you who enjoy Curl Up And Die, Botch, Narrows, Kiss It Goodbye, Deadguy — you know, all that hard hitting chaotic hardcore/metalcore — this is for you. They put this one up for free and they have a new 7" out too which is pretty fucking sweet. I suggest you check it out as well as their live album.

DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
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Abyssal - Denouement (2012)

Full Length, Independent / Self-released
January 2nd, 2012

Genre: Technical Death Metal/Black Metal
Region: UK

I suggest you wander over to The Living Doorway and thank JGD for unearthing this contorted beauty. Do it.

Abyssal are channeling Ulcerate and Deathspell Omega through an old school lens with Denouement, laying down a shadowy atmosphere with hints of brutal technicality and frightening dissonance without blatantly copying the aforementioned acts.

Twisted, obscure riffs are laced with a ashen atmosphere — at times technical like Gorguts with some taps and bends, occasionally peppered with chunky brutality, and at other moments more drawn out chords or temolos resembling atmospheric black metal; maybe even Blut Aus Nord or Ascension. The drumming is clear and rapid fire though a little out of place sometimes, not quite reaching Ulcerate's unmatched power and grace. The vocals are a mix of putrid roars and slithering whispered rasps hiding behind the instrumental disarray. It's all very seamless too, creative and filthy with quite a few surprises while managing to conjure some hugely addictive hooks amongst the seemingly haphazard blistering fury.

Definitely find time for this one if you enjoy bizarre death and black metal. Not only do these guys craft some disturbing black/death metal but they're kind enough to put this up for free on bandcamp for your listening/downloading pleasure. If you feel so inclined you can also pick up a physical copy over at their store to support them.

DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)

Timeghoul - 1992-1994 Discography (2012)

Compilation, Dark Descent Records
February 1st, 2012

Genre: Death Metal
Region: USA

A gem of a band buried long ago. Timeghoul's two demos were released in the early '90's and then they split up, but the gentlemen over at Dark Descent Records were cool enough to re-release them in the form of this compilation.

I'm not going to write much about this as others have done far better then I could in describing it. This is some truly excellent and unique old school death metal with a few spacey twists, taking slices of Death and Atheist and blending their astral bleakness into it to create a dark, terrifying, cavernous atmosphere all their own. This shit rips a hole in time, space and surely your face with sharp, creeping, scorching riffs, tight quirky drumming, deep and fast growls — all powerful and uncompromising.

Highly recommended old school echoing horror. I urge you to make your way over to Dark Descent Records and pick this terrific chunk of forgotten death metal before you miss out. Mine's on its way as I write this.

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Momentum - Whetting Occam's Razor (2011)

Genre: Dark Hardcore

Region: UK

This is some incredibly powerful, dark hardcore from 4 members of Light Bearer.

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Young and In The Way - Amen (2010)

Full Length, A389 Recordings / Swarm of Nails
June 17th, 2010

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Crust
Region: USA

Since I've already posted their other albums I figured this one should be up here too.

Young and In The Way's first full release Amen compared to their more recent releases displays how far they've come. This album has several tracks that eventually were reworked into I Am Not What I Am and here they sound just slightly different in terms of vocals, production, writing, pacing, etc. "Earth" eventually turns into "Love and Terror Laid the Stone", "Worrier" becomes "The Chaotic and Bloody World Around Us", and the second half of "White Light" is put into "Leaving Nothing But the Absence of Everything" — the first half is slow and sludgy with a nice build to this point.

The rest of the tracks are unique to this release, blasted through their signature style of blackened crusty hardcore with relentless vitriol. The first track is an instrumental and very chunky, followed by Dark Seed which has some wicked gallops and slow chords, and Eye of Providence is full of twangy dissonant riffage. The final track (opening with rainfall) almost hits atmospheric sludge territory. It's 13 minutes with slower chords bringing a melancholic atmosphere swelling up reverb and sparse amounts of vocals until the midway point. It quiets down after this before hitting some crushing powerchords, thick bass lines and  launching into a reverby tremolo riff finale.

Amen is an excellent record showing off early on how much Young and In The Way are capable of in terms of blending genres, keeping everything tight and powerful. A389 Recordings just repressed this and I Am Not What I Am as one double LP (in black or black/white split) so pick it up while you still can, or listen to it and get other copies on their bandcamp.

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