Crawl - Mine Maille Shone Not The Light of Death (2012)

Demo / Live, Self-released /Independent

August 1st, 2012

Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal
Region: USA

Not long after I listened to Crawl's demo I purchased the cassette release that follows it titled Mine Maille Shone Not The Light of Death. As I mentioned in that previous post this Texas experiment in tortured ambient doom has found a more unique avenue to express the weight of defeat and uncaring isolation through a simple ceremonial set up of drums, bass and vocals (and here a didgeridoo), and with Mine Maile... Crawl capture this desolate expression more intensely live.

"The recordings herein serve as an interpretation of failure. They are not intended as a gift to the spiritual inner, but merely as a gateway to the tunnels of depression brought unto the underwhelmed. 

These tracks have been released onto tape in order to properly express the beaten and downtrodden aspects of aural imprisonment."

This is how the author wishes to express this records goal and perspective. The three tracks here do a good job at instilling those feelings of swirling around a frigid and dark drain, droning agony filling your consciousness. Instead of shorter dissonant doom spells, on Mine Maille... Crawl is reveling in a slow, blunt bludgeoning from the out set, swamped in rust and archaic ritual odours. However the change is a shift away from the heavily distorted machine-like pace and sound in order to find other paths to grow from.

That is not to say this element is completely gone, but this tape seems more focused elsewhere. The first blow comes in the form of "Breath of the Dying", a ten minute descent marking the start of that different approach for Crawl. This kind of sonic force does well this way if tailored properly — again it's not funeral doom but it's also not the dual bass stoner rockfall of Horse Latitudes either. Crawl desires to meddle in more chilling, martial horrors. After a quiet build that brings the anxiety up with tribal thumps, feeback announces the journey has commenced. With this track it is the closest the record sounds to anything on the first demo (track two would be a good example).

You'll get an intoxicating dose of tone all the way through the opening song from the thick humming and growling that takes heavy swings in the pitch black atmosphere. A solid and slow groove is carved out in the tolls of a girthy bass tone and enormous, hammering percussion in harmony with one another. The way the track flows gives more insight into the title. It progresses to a point of feedback resembling a flat-line and kick/snare drops, and then becomes cold with only the beat that slows drastically like a dying heart in the cold of night.

(Unmarked black cassette)

"Summon Greater Bonespirit" is a pretty substantial track despite what it might sound like. This is where the didgeridoo is utilized to surprisingly great effect, much like a siren in the middle of a either a raging fire or torrential downpour as thunder rolls ominously above. The combination works well, drawing you into Crawls hex from a different position. Those blasts oscillate occasionally as if off kilter sometimes (foreshadowing), the atmosphere only disturbed by eerie whispers in the right channel at around the four minute mark — and suddenly you're shocked from this fade by an augmented howl from the didgeridoo. Digitized, industrialized. Much more 'noise' oriented for that brief section, a very clever use of that instrument in my opinion especially for doom — blending a little death industrial in there.

By now it's easier to recognize that this heap of sludge has been experimenting more even within it's own forming niche, in "Frozen Horror" the ambient side comes out for four minutes but does not expand much. It consists of a chime or bell that has been distorted and morphed, and flexes over the course of the track sounding like something out of a horror film. The dragging samples are the final sounds on the tape.

As a live recording it sounds fucking crisp: bass and drums while pounded ferociously are not distorted or muddy, sharp cymbals, though the vocals are a little too far back. The style though may lend to being a little more buried: frenzied screaming like the angered caws of a raven fighting over a cadaver. It's a cryptic release and feels more like an interlude or teaser of what is to come than a proper or thirst-quenching record but what is hear is not replicated elsewhere too often, if at all.

If you're into the heavy and obscure there's no reason not to check this 19 minute live ritual out, it's free and crushing so I recommend you do. The changes do nothing but make the project more intriguing. Below you can get a taste of Crawl's recent pulverizing ceremony.

Also if you like what you hear you can grab a copy of the limited cassette over at Crawl's big cartel store in both regular and limited edition, and at Murder/Suicide Incidents, or a digital copy on their bandcamp page. I was informed he was going to update the store with more merch in the near future so check back if later if shit's not up. Follow on facebook for show and future release information.



DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)

Crawl - Demo (2011)

Demo, Self-released / Unsigned
July 11th, 2011

Genre: Noise/Sludge/Doom Metal
Region: USA

The album cover is simple, the moniker evoking some kind of Nails copycat riding on the blackened sludge wave. Don't be fooled though. Crawl is very deserving of the title, a new Khanate-esque mutant that fans of patient, surgical heaviness will want to take note of. Crawl is one guy with a bass and drums making bone-scraping sludge in Texas unlike much out there right now. I don't remember how I came across this whether by random search or through email request but I found the link today and popped this demo on, resulting in me being surprised and subsequently squashed.

This demo is only 15 minute long over five tracks but these four minute chunks of cold sludge drag in the best way possible. Each untitled song is like a glacier collapsing on top of you, suffocating and biting with every lead-weighted strike of the bass strings, distorted and sterile almost taking on an industrial feel — the breaths of silence adding an abrupt ambiance and heightening the creepy atmosphere. All this makes four minutes feel like it's swollen to ten from the raw stomping Crawl dish out.

Very loud, machine-like rhythms through fuzz and feedback, the percussion blending with the slams of the bass into a blurry and menacing bombardment; in the slower moments its more martial. The most straight forward track is probably the first one, which breaks into a more normal gait in the middle but is book-ended by savage eruptions. 'II" and the following tracks make use of silence more before delving into the down-tuned churn that I'm very much loving. It gets really blown out sometimes which embellishes the heaviness sometimes.

Both that and "III" are songs that bend slow, plodding riffs and the rising static distortion while shaking bass lines are left to grow and rattle the soundscape apart. "IV" takes the approach of oldschool swans on "Coward" with gravel bass jerks to a halt with the drums, eventually becoming far noisier than those early influences.

Crawl have some unreal industrial heaviness on very simple terms and I suggest you give this demo a listen. They kind of give off a power-electronics/death industrial feeling but in a different context.

Crawl offers this frigid record for free on bandcamp so throw him a few dollars if you want and you can check their store for physical copies. A second record Mine Maille Shone Not The Light of Death (a live recording) is pressed on limited tapes over at Murder/Suicide Incidents, which I'm sure I'll be reviewing soon. Follow the blog. Big recommendation especially for lovers of harsh heaviness like Swans, Khanate, and Whitehorse and shit.


DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)

New Lows - Demo (2007)

Demo, Independent
2007

Genre: Hardcore
Region: USA

I did enjoy Harvest of the Carcass, I really did, but I felt that the professional production dampened the potential lethality of the songs — which were admittedly a little disappointing having heard this gem before it. They felt a little bland. For comparison on what I mean you should really check out their 2007 demo right here. I really hate to be that guy who says "their early shit is way better than their new shit" but in this case it really is true.

The four tracks on this album completely obliterate, put to shame that whole album in my opinion. Every riff and slam on this short demo is fine tuned to absolute brutality. A large part of it in my opinion is due to the gritty and harsh production making it incredibly loud, crushing and guttural — the amount of distortion and feedback amps it up even further.

The vocal duties are also far more powerful. You can virtually taste the hatred and malice spit forth, anger only matched by something like Kiss It Goodbye. It feels and sounds as if the guy's vocal chords are about to explode and tear right out of his throat. The drumming is not particularly notable on its own but when combined with the aforementioned aspects it really ties the whole record together, crashing down with incomprehensible force.

From the opening track it is abundantly clear these guys aren't fucking around. They aren't innovating to be sure but holy fuck this is the essence of pissed off hardcore done so right. Tightly written and violently executed: it's short, simple and truly barbaric with an ugly and evil guitar tone to carry the riffs into unknown levels of sheer power.

When they're not racing forth with unwavering speed in good old punk fashion, the slow moments will collapse on top of you with such force that it will leave you speechless; it's like being crushed beneath and torn apart by some ferocious wild animal. There is no way you won't thrash and headbang uncontrollably when they settle into a thick groovy breakdown like those heard on Lucifer Crucified or Lowest Depths. These two tracks alone make the album fantastically intense you'll ask why Harvest of the Carcass didn't hit such heights; it honestly is a little disappointing returning to it once you run through this sonic evisceration.

Get this now. It demands to be played multiple times on the highest volume possible. Some absolutely fantastic hardcore. The only complaint one could make is that it's too short but I'd much rather a short and exquisite record then a long and bland one. I'm not sure if this is available on its own but it is also coupled with their selftitled re-released EP which has a few other excellent tracks. It can be found on the Deathwish Inc. store.


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Sound Asleep - Demo (2009)

Demo, Independent / Self-released
2009

Genre: Doom Metal
Region: Canada

Sound Asleep are a three piece from Toronto that deliver crushing, plunging dark grooves of doom as deep and cold as ocean trenches. Brace yourself for something massive.

Three gargantuan songs leaving gaping craters and swaths of scorched land in their wake. The first track is an intro that is unsettling and cold, while the other two are 13 and 17 minute behemoths of unbearable weight. The guitar and bass riffs here are relentlessly powerful as are the monstrous vocals with the strong, plodding pummeling of drums driving you further into the ground. This demo has such a wicked growl to it with moments of twangy, crooked dissonance, creaking strings, and mounting feedback buried underneath the rumbling. Each track crawls but without meandering or becoming boring — it's just straight, uncompromising oppressive doom. It commands your attention. Rolling over you like a boulder, smashing down on you like a collapsing tower made of granite. It's grooves are addicting and the tone is vicious.

Highly recommended guys. This is fantastic and they put it up for free. How this band is virtually unknown and only has one release to their name is beyond my comprehension but since they're playing some shows soon hopefully I can get some news on what they're up to, grab a copy of this, and experience their destruction first hand. Follow them on facebook and myspace.

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ZOM - Demo (2011)

Demo, Invictus Productions
December 29th, 2011

Genre: Black/Death Metal
Region: Ireland

Coming from the depths of Ireland is a new death metal act by the name of ZOM, and what a great demo they've unleashed. It treads the oldschool ground that Beherit, Archgoat, Morbid Angel, early Death, and Possessed once tread but with a few twists to keep it fresh and gripping.

ZOM's demo contains echoing rasps over thrashy blackened riffs moving at a frantic pace which flip to powerfully groovy, dark hooks that break up the former expertly. Each track ends with a spiraling, foreboding sample that heightens the grim atmosphere and prepares you for another volley of delicious orthodox death metal

Fans of the oldschool and stuff like Katharsis, Ritual Necromancy, Grave Ritual, etc. will be interested in this. The tape released by Invictus Productions is completely sold out but can be heard over here.

DOWNLOAD (Zippyshare)

Obolus - Demo (2011)

Demo, Sunyata Recordings
November 11th, 2011

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Region: USA

A very short but promising 2 track demo from this young band.

Obolus play a familiar style of atmospheric black metal and very well too, something akin to Ash Borer and Fell Voices but in a very distilled format. The tracks here barely reach the 4 minute mark but manage to embody all the sorrow and intensity that a 15-20 minute track would. Bleak and melancholic, a very simple and effective formula on display.

You can listen to this demo over at their bandcamp page. They also have a new full length called "Desolation" coming out soon, a new track was sent up for streaming at Cvlt Nation not long ago (download it here) so keep your eyes peeled for news on that as it will surely be an interesting release. You can pick this up over here or at Sunyata Recordings when it's pressed on cassette later this year.

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Mutilation Rites - Demo (2011)

Demo, Independent
January 1st, 2011

Genre: Black Metal
Region: USA

Another band I slept on this year. Been hearing word from Gilead Media that they're pressing their upcoming record "I Am Legion" and the band just signed to Prosthetic Records not long ago. I almost missed this one and would've regretted it. Mutilation Rites walk the fine line between atmospheric black metal and the more raw Barghest black metal with a few hints of death in there. In this short three track demo they harmonize it all very well.

Filled with a ton of blackened riffs that dip into melodic and dissonant territory with an ugly vocal presence over top of it all. The album starts with the 7 minute "White Death" which starts off slowly with a thick bass line behind a heavy sustained melody, eventually plummeting into furious powerchords and hammering drum kicks ending on a slightly slower note. "Pariah" is 30 seconds shorter but quickly follows with fervid tremolo riffs that only let up for a gallop here and there or a brief section of feedback, crashing drums and bouncy bass lines. Around the 4 minute mark it becomes a little melodious before slowing down into death metal territory with noisy feedback underneath.

The final track "Negative Space" is the shortest and easily my favorite, beginning with catchy death riffs and then into more mid-paced tremolo goodness. From about the 1:00-2:20 minute mark the leads are even more wickedly lively. The best section starts at 3:20ish after a short pause for a percussive build up: evil, cacophonous chords build up the atmosphere adeptly with echoing rasps and screams below the mounting disarray. It's a fucking brilliant way to end an already impressive demo.

Excellent blackened madness sure to quench your thirst for all sides the genre has to offer. This will leave you wanting more guaranteed. Recommended especially for fans of Barghest, False, Taake, and Thantifaxath. Listen to this at their bandcamp page.

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Bell Witch - Demo (2011)

Demo, Unknown/Independent
October 3rd,  2011

Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal
Region: USA

If you enjoyed Atriarch's debut then you will want to check this out. Seattle based two piece Bell Witch put this first demo of theirs up completely free, and it is a creaking tower of crushing doom no doubt. Like Atriarch the vocals move between droning cleans and rasping yells/growls, the drumming is precise and deliberate while the bass is the focal point here; growling, droning and fuzzed out.

The intro track "Behind the Mask" is a particularly haunting, slow melody on bass under a excerpt/sample (don't know the source film "Masque of the Red Death", thank you †HAXAN† from Forever Cursed for the link) that is equally foreboding and gives you a good sense of the direction the rest of the demo is heading. "I Wait" and "Mayknow" make up the core of the album.

"I Wait" hits just over 11 minutes with mostly harsh vocals over huge bass grooves leading to a sick pay off near the end. "Mayknow" is the longer track, starting off very melodic with an operatic/clean passage that then dips into brilliant, sluggish grooves and harsh gowls. Both have an occasional well-placed solo mid-way through adding to the sludgy atmosphere. The demo closes with "The Moment" which (much like the intro) does a great job of sealing it all up with a few melancholic riffs.

Paced well, very heavy, raw, hypnotic, and haunting. Bell Witch's first demo is a colossal slab of quality droning doom and I definitely recommend giving them a listen (especially for fans of Thou, Anhedonist, Aldebaran, Loss, Ensorcelor, A Storm of Light, etc.). You can hear it and download it in full here or below.

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Aethyrvorous - Aethyrvorous (2009)

Demo, Self-released/Independent
2009



Genre: Death Metal
Region: Australia

I've heard rumors of this bands demise but I don't know if they're accurate. It would be a shame if true because there's some excellent material to be heard here.

It's clear Aethyrvorous draws influence from the likes of old school monsters of death Incantation, fitting in well with the new wave of giants such as Witchrist, Impetuous Ritual, Ignivomous, Vasaeleth, Antediluvian, Mitochondrion, etc. Of course what this means is large amounts of churning, cavernous, dirty death metal with the stench of the occult permeating every dark riff. A very strong demo and maybe their only release.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)