Godhole " Self Titled Double EP"

Holy fucking shit. Think of Mind Eraser. Think of His Hero Is Gone. Think of Full of Hell. Think of Man Is the Bastard. You're getting there? Good. Godhole play fucking brutal powerviolence with some hints of black metal and crust from Edinburgh, Scotland. Perfect soundtrack to those days where everything seems to just fail... or not.

Godhole

Sonance "Blackflower"

I must begin by saying that the hardest part for me here was thinking on how could I begin this review. I could start in so many ways... but I guess I'll just open my chest out for you and try to explain in some words the impact this new album, "Blackflower", from UK's atmospheric sludge band Sonance had (ands still has) on me.

I clearly remember the day when Ben (Sonance) messaged me saying they had a new album out. I was stoked. Mostly because their debut album "Like Ghosts" left some deep scars on me. "Like Ghosts" was a beautiful beast, an amazing chimera that left me in complete awe and my expectations on a sequel to their work, clearly left me very anxious. Mostly because I didn't know what to expect from them. What really overwhelms me is the perfect timing how, no matter how low or high you might be, how that specific album or music can really touch so deep into you that leaves goosebumps all over your body. This was my case. At this point, due to several aspects in my life being happening at the same time, I was struggling inside, trying not to breakdown. Until "Blackflower" showed up. 

The first thing I noticed was the number of songs, five. Unlike "Like Ghosts" where we had only two colossal tracks. This raised even more the bar for my curiosity. The songs I got from Ben were in no particular order, so I started by listening to "Belgium". Outside my window, the day was cold and gray, and rain poured endlessly and as the first notes started to pour down into my soul that was already with slits it almost shattered into one thousand pieces.

I was absolutely carried away by the gentle power and melody embodied in the guitar notes that embraced by the warmness and caressing string arrangement, completely hit down inside of me and mirrored exactly what I was feeling at that point. So it was hard to keep my posture. The atmosphere in "Belgium" is smooth and beautiful. It feels almost like, for those who have the sensitivity to it, as looking into this beautiful painting. It sparkles these thin, warm rays of light, soft and melancholic notes that create this cozy and warm feeling inside. At the same time I immediately realized and thought to myself: "These blokes did it again." 

But this album is not all about melancholy, sadness and other related and inherent feelings. No. 

What I really enjoy about Sonance, besides their brilliant knack in creating and performing music like this, is their ability to balance the heaviness of genres like sludge and doom, that is basically the core here, with the melody pulled out from the most post-rock, atmospheric side of metal. What I'm trying to say is that aren't many bands making this type of formula nowadays. I can remember bands like Mouth of The Architect or even Rosetta for example. But Sonance are absolute brilliant in taking all of these influences and shaping them into the music we can find in "Blackflower". 

The main track of the album is "Belgium/Blackflower", a 15 minute maelstrom that just like a misty morning, begins by slowly unveiling the light within. It features the same notes as the instrumental "Belgium" but here it acquires another shape, more complex, more structured. We're just simply carried by it along its slow, gentle notes that oscillate building up into this crescendo where layers of instruments are added almost every single minute, the guitar, the drum, the bass, the strings until they're all in line and everything collapses into this fierce curtain of decibels, pulling us from that warm and cozy initial landscape where we started from, to this crushing, dark storm. Within the realm of sludge, where we are now, I dare say that the main influence here, soundwise, are Neurosis. It's inevitable not thinking of them, if you have well trained ears, when you hear the whole set of guitars, drum and bass all perfectly aligned together marching and crushing, pointing at the same direction. The vocals are relentless as they spew all that despair and rage as expected in this kind of record, on top of that wall of decibels creating this thick mass of sludge metal. 

Another of my favorites is "Attachment". Once again Sonance, pulls off those amazing feelings of sadness, solitude and melancholy. This time all wrapped up into layers of drone guitar. No drum or any kind of beat marks its presence here. There's just no need. It all evolves into this crescendo of strings, where anguished screams can be heard from very far away, culminating into this climax that give way to "Conical". The pummeling and almost industrial beat marks the rhythm, crushing our eardrums with these slabs of thick and ugly sludgy riffs. It feels like we're inside of some kind of bestial mechanism that moves at a very sluggish pace, crushing everything and everyone in its path. 

And the best way to close the way is nothing more than with "Tearce". A more introspective and atmospheric track. No vocals, no drums, no rage. Just a haunting wall of atmosphere. A side of Sonance that they seem quite to appreciate, as we heard it too on the Side B of "Like Ghosts". This band truly nurtures a feeling for experimentation as they're not afraid to try new things. And the thing is that works really well into their sound. This track is quite drone almost making me think of some The Angelic Process or Nadja track. 

Once again the band outdid themselves with "Blackflower". An amazing album that joins the best of two worlds, the melody and heaviness. This formula isn't new, it's true. But the real secret lies on how you blend them and how is the final result. The gentle and the beast. Smiles and tears. The Yin and Yang. The tracks are simply beautiful, they fit all perfectly in this record and I love them all as an only son. I must also underline that this album was all produced by Sonance themselves. So to them I take my hat off. Stellar job lads. 

I truly hope this gets a physical format soon, I know it will. To seek more information about Sonance, just head over to their Facebook page. Sonance will perform also on Temples Festival later this year, so it's another reason for you to not miss them live. In the meantime, stream or download this amazing album on the link below and support the band by giving any donation, buy merch. They truly deserve it.

Blackflower

Sonance "BLACKFLOWER"

If with their debut album these blokes from Bristol totally blew my mind, now with their new album "BLACKFLOWER", Sonance have totally devastated me, inside and out. Saying that this album is "Wooa... Fucking Beautiful!!" doesn't make it justice... "BLACKFLOWER" It's pure fucking amazing. Sonance have raised their bar and released, all by themselves, a fantastic album.

More words about this fantastic new album coming soon here on Forever Cursed.

Until then, do yourselves a huge favor and listen to this album immediately. Spread it out. Now!

BLACKFLOWER

Woudloper "Woudloper"

Black metal from Utrecht, Netherlands. Now, I've really, really enjoyed this band. It's really the type of thing I'm really into. A very raw, evil and powerful blend of black metal with some hints of filthy doom pouring down all over. I would like to give you some soundwise comparisons for this band but right now I just can't recall any... but fans of the modern faction of black metal bands, like Ash Borer, Paramnesia, Unru and Cepheide will probably enjoy this band a lot. Two great tracks here, simply called "I" and "II" with all instruments placed just perfectly creating a very unique and distinctive atmosphere. Once again, nothing big in terms of sound production, nothing polished at sight. Just simply pure and passionate black metal. Follow the band's moves on Facebook and keep an eye for the tape that is coming out by the hand of Breathe Plastic Records. Support the underground.

Woudloper

Haxan's Halloween Mixtape IV

And yes! 

Another horrific mixtape is unleashed here on Forever Cursed. This time I've decided to put it out a little bit earlier this year, in order for you guys to fully warm up for the whole Halloween spirit that is going to happen in the next couple of days. This time I got a little carried away and compiled over 25 songs (almost two hours) of the most dreadful tunes within' the genres of death, black, doom and punk, that are meant to be played under the glowing moon on Samhain. You can also burn it into a CD and play it at your own Halloween's party.. or share it with your friends, feel free to do whatever you want with this. 

Hope you guys enjoy it and play it fucking loud, please.

Trick or Treat?

Urzeit/Akatharsia "Split"

Today I bring you a split that introduces two of the most recent and interesting super-bands, or if you prefer, side-projects, within the USBM scene, that only by carrying the elements that form them, that's enough to get some attention and respect. I'm speaking of Urzeit, formed by members of Mizmor/Hell, Ash Borer/Triumvir Foul, a band formed back in 2013 that to date, have released two excellent Demos (of which I proudly have copies of) and on the other side of the split, we have Akatharsia, a band formed by members of equally known bands like Negative Standards, Fell Voices and one ex-member from doomsters Lycus.

With a line up as powerful as this and with a strongly rooted background in black metal and doom, Urzeit offer in this split, in my modest opinion, one of the best songs ever crafted by the band to date. The sound pulls back the style within the first demo, however the sound here is.. let's say "wider", all instruments are completely decipherable and yet they seem to be played in some kind of deep catacomb due to that "live" sound that ranges from all of them. In this specific track the rhythm unfolds at a slower pace than the one that the band has accustomed us, yet it doesn't sound less threatening. It is filled with blackness all over. The loose low notes that come out from the bass conspire perfectly with the drums that, on its hand, never stops setting the pace going, whether is slow paced, speeding up until it bursts out in a blastbeat wall and returns to its initial pace.

The guitar looses some of that raw black style heard in the previous demos but here, it acquires a different aura. An aura within the spectrum of black metal that seems to drink even more from the doom influences. But still those tremolo picking notes just make my delight as they are thrown into the atmosphere. And truth be told, it seems to me that some of the riffs heard here, are very alike the ones I can hear in "Erdboden Gleichmachen" from the first Demo. Ahead.. the vocals. The fucking vocals. It is simply daunting. Nightmarish howls that make us our blood freeze in horror followed by vile growls that we never thought the human voice could ever reach, the voice is definitely one the highlights here. So creepy that it gives me goosebumps. In overall, Urzeit's side to this split, begins to unfold at a slower pace and swings through some slow-to-mid-to-blasts, wrapping us in a cold and dark atmosphere towards decadence and oblivion...

Akatharsia, on the other side,  unleashes three tracks of their visceral raw black/punk metal in the style that follows the Demo released earlier this April. Three tracks of that vicious raw black metal where, black metal and punk flow consistently as they walk hand in hand, ending up by reminding me Hoax, if you seek comparisons in terms of sound. Incendiary beats, riffs that seem to go far more into punk than black metal territories and the most corrosive style of vocals that you can hear, effectively gather into this circle that doesn't close before ending with an exclusive sonic torture brought here as a wall of noise and feedback. 

A split whose interest turns out to be triggered by the bands represented here where each band brings very good tracks in their luggage, I personally prefer Urzeit but that's just me and my personal tastes talking, not wanting in any way to neglect the quality of Akatharsia. I know it will surely also appeal to fans of the genre. A release not to be missed. 

Follow the links below in order to hear/order this split release.

Urzeit | Akatharsia

Bands You Should Be Hearing Pt.IV

Another round of good music being made out there.

First is the new full-length from black metal band Vaiya. Described as "an aggressive ritual banishment of the darkest aspects of the ego. A progression upward toward the light and away from that which drags us down. Told through three thirteen minute tracks, "Remnant Light" seeks to exalt the journey toward bliss and repel the darkness that aims to destroy true being." I probably couldn't have said it better. With three tracks having each one 13 minutes exactly, "Remnant Light" is a wonderful incursion through light and the true genuine forces of Nature. Really great sound, great production and great atmosphere in general. I consider this to be Vaiya's best release to date. Recommended for fans of bands like Nhor, Wolves In The Throne Room or Woman Is The Earth. To good to let it slip by. 

Remnant Light

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Deuil, is a four piece hailing from Belgium that play a corrosive blend of sludge, black metal and doom that results in this sort of contemporary blackened sludge that you can easily connect with bands like Rorcal for example. These guys have a new release coming out and judging by the sample that you can already listen, the track "Deny...", you can tell it's going to be fucking brutal. Their previous release caught my attention but I'm really way more excited with this new release. And that artwork... man.. no words to describe it. Keep an eye out for this one. Follow their moves on Facebook.

Deny Everything

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Now this one is quite oldie.. I think. And somehow I slept on it. Until I found it again and when I listened to the whole thing again.. it just felt like a kick in my head. Ghede are a two-piece strange black metal/punk band based out of Brooklyn and they play that kind of filthy, grainy, abrasive metal punk with some hints of black metal that I love so much. Have no idea if the band is still active or not, but no matter what their state is at least they vomited this fucking demented release.

Purity Is Weakness

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Next is probably one of my favorite releases of this year. Oh... Is it too soon to state this already? Conjuring four tracks of some of the most vile and obscure black metal I've heard, Skáphe's Demo simply doesn't follow any kind of guidelines or the traditional canons of black metal as we know it. In order for you to understand this a little bit better, I could throw in some similar artists, but in the case of Skáphe... forget it. This is a beast of one kind, an unholy chimera that casts four intoxicating spells that drives us to the most forgotten and obscure pits of insanity. With a great artwork by H.V. Lyngdal (Wormlust) this is one of those releases where the sound really matches the imagery created for the cover. Enter, if you dare.

And once again, such release like this only had to come out from one of the best labels out there: Fallen Empire. These  guys have been unstoppable this year. This is the second re-press of the sold out tape. I'm still waiting for some copies to cross the Ocean... so I'm going to grab this one for sure. You should do the same.

Skáphe

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Now for a more conventional but also unholy act....

Another fine release that made it's appearance at the beginning of this year, was the debut of LVTHN. Some of the most alert ones may already know this band, if not... keep on reading. So, LVTHN is this new "mystery" black metal band coming from Belgium that quickly caught everyone's attention with their debut Demo. No wonder they did. With only two tracks, these guys deliver some fine guitar work, sick vocals and some really obscure and raw black metal just the way we like it. Look forward to see what the future will bring for LVTHN. Get the tape or 7'' in a store near you. Now.

LVTHN

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Another great debut that caught my eye and ears, comes from Austin, TX. "Petals" from the band Funeralbloom. Funeralbloom plays a more accessible type of post-black metal. Fusing elements of post-rock with black metal, I can also hear some kind of a gloomy post-punk vibe in the middle there.. like we can hear in the opening track "Black Shoes". With "Petals", the band really put out a very good-all-above-the-average release, that I truly believe it will caught more eyes and ears upon them in a very near future. Any comparison to that well known post-black metal band that puts pink on the cover of their album that some people listen but they don't admit it, is absolutely unnecessary here. This is Funeralbloom and they have a very specific sound of their own. Everyone loves/hates comparisons. Just open your fucking mind, listen to the music and take your own conclusions. Check them out. Cassettes available through Broken World Media.

Funeralbloom

Bands You Should Be Hearing Pt.III

Yet again, some suggestions that might interest you.

Forhekset allé is a one man atmospheric-post-gaze-black metal act from Copenhagen, Denmark. The whole formula used by Forhekset allé on this EP is quite interesting. The whole mix between black metal, post-rock, shoegaze and electronic elements delivers some very intriguing and innovative music in the metal realm. I believe the best term to describe "VINTERBÆST" is indeed "experimental". This EP left me very curious on how a full-length would be from this artist.

VINTERBÆST

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Of Spire & Throne, a very well known band from here. I've been posting the work of these fine Scottish gentlemen since day one, and it's curious to witness their growth every time they send new material out. This year the band introduces us to "Toll of the Wound" their latest full-length album that came out by the hand of Broken Limbs Recordings. Once again, the trio unleashes three crushing songs that will smash our skulls with the most loathsome sludge doom to which the band has got us used to. Heavy, filthy dragged riffs covered with the cavernous vocals of Ali Lauder. One thing you'll probably notice, if you haven't heard this yet or at least with enough attention, is that, soundwise, the first track "Legacy" has a slight different kind of production than the other two songs. that was precisely the first thing I noticed when I heard the album. This happened because they were recorded by two different people with a with an range of five months between them although "Toll of the Wound" was mastered by James Plotkin. Two songs of the most minimalist sludge doom sliced by a instrumental all wrapped up in a very good sound mastering. You like your doom slow and sluggish? Then this is for you. Buy it here. Support these lads.

Of Spire & Throne

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Offerstigen, a very curious band from Sweden. What do these guys play? Low-fi Black metal? Ritualistic Doom? I don't know and it's hard for me to describe their sound or even compare it to some band that already exists. They sound a lot different from the stuff I'm used to hear. And you know what? I like it. The despairing screams that range from afar from the rest of the instruments, the whole gloomy atmosphere that the band manages to pass with this release is really unique. Check them out.

Offerstigen

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Outer Gods the destructive atmospheric drone duo from Atlanta are back. Delivering two massive tracks of 22 minutes long each, that work as chapters for this noisy and corrosive wall of noise that we face in "Through This Unending Chasm". I do not listen a lot to this genre nowadays but once I press "Play" I get in such an entrancing state that is hard for me to get out this dark, labyrinthine well of drone and dark ambient. The first chapter deliver a more harsh and massive wall of distortion while the second chapter is more about creating a very haunting and creepy atmosphere. Approved!

Outer Gods

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Pornography, from Nashville, Tennessee. I almost forgot how good this band is. And at this point I don't understand how these guys aren't in some well known labels out there. I kinda imagine this band in Gilead Media, Iron Lung or even Deathwish. Pornography's sound is also very unique and is something that separates them from the rest herd. Slow, punishing, minimalist riffs that are thrown with precision into the mind of the listener causing nothing but discomfort. The tracks here, "Hex" and "Golden Sunshine" are very good but still, not enough. I want more from this band. And I'm sure you do too. So please... check the rest of the discography from this band. You can thank me later.

PRNGRPHY

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Finally, Recitation, an occult doom band from Copenhagen, Denmark. Introducing his first self titled EP. Apparently this was all written, performed, recorded and mixed by J. S. Jarlstrøm. Holy shit dude. The result is three heavy, primitive and slow impenetrable doom tracks. At a first listen it might not grow on you (it didn't grew on me at first ) so, it's going to take some few plays for you to probably get into Recitation's obscure version of doom. Of course that, soundwise speaking, there are some edges that needed to be trimmed so let's see what the future will bring for Recitation. Horns up!

Recitation

Bands You Should Be Hearing Pt.II

First, and to start in a good way, I bring you the putrid sonic attack by Wørsen. A primitive, raw black metal punk band from Florida. This "Rehearsal" tape was released on Primal Vomit Records and the band seems to be writing new stuff at this point. Here we get, basically, six tracks of filthy, disgusting  and raw-to-the-bone style of black metal that will please fans of bands like Black Apparition, Raw Moon, Ancestors, etc. Check'em out.

Wørsen

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Next is a young band from Zurich, Switzerland, Æsop, with their debut EP "Weltengänger". Entirely recorded and produced by the band itself, "Weltengänger", contains three tracks that together, result in a total of 20 minutes length. Although it was all crafted under a very DIY spirit, the result is really astonishing. The sound is great, all the instruments are perfectly combined, the vocals and the songs are really good and interesting. Æsop's sound drinks from atmospheric sludge to post metal with some hints of black metal in the middle. Fans of bands like Year Of No Light (back from when they used vocals), Rorcal or Kehlvin for example, should keep an eye on them. A very solid and strong EP by Æsop. Look forward to hear what the future will bring.

Aesop

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Now it's a band I've talked about some time ago, Grue. This time Grue, delivers "Rake" EP although I recommend you to look back into their stuff and hear the album "Casualty of the Psychic Wars". I'm glad to hear that the band continues their style of ravenous and epic black metal, specially here on the "Rake" EP where the band unleashes two incendiary tracks: "All Mortal Greatness Is But Disease" and "Rake", burning down every little sparkle of hope and life. Soundwise, Grue's sound is very accessible, reaching out not only the usual avid black metal fundamentalist kind of fans but also the usual heavy music fan that seeks new bands and that, once in a while, likes to dig in deep inside the black metal specter. The drum seems a little bit low in the mix, nevertheless you can still feel that it's there. The big highlight for me is indeed the vocals. It's really different from what we usual get from the most standard black metal bands out there, not the usual style of harsh or grim kind of vocals, and that's why it stands out. It's clear yet filled with hate and powerful. Very good stuff, check them out.

Grue

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Next is Naught, a doom metal band from Iceland. Now, we're all used to think about black metal when we relate "Iceland" and "metal". This time, we get to see another side of the cold and desolate landscapes of Iceland. Naught presents us with "Tómhyggjublús", a beast formed by three sluggish, mournful, despairing songs that clock around 7 to 11 minutes long, all filled with this draining negative energy. These guys play really slow... so slow that you can almost see your beard growing along the playing of "Tómhyggjublús". And that's how doom is meant to be: fucking slow and evil. Check them out.

Naught

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Yith, a black metal project from the U.S. that seems to already have a solid cult around it, as every tape that is released is already sold out. Soundwise, Yith blends the best of two worlds: black metal and doom. And you can see the justification for all the adoration around this band: Yith's tracks are really above the average, speaking of a an unknown band, that probably many of you out there never heard about before. Yith sound here is perfect. It really matches that artwork and it's suitable for those cold, foggy Winter days. A very interesting release for you to discover. 

Yith

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For the last, but not the least, I present you Hedge Fund from Boston, MA (Somerville). Hedge Fund play this brute and noisy hardcore punk in the style of bands like Mind Eraser, Rival Mob or Full Of Hell, so that you can get the picture. "Apeiron" was all self recorded and released in cassette that, I think is still available. When Hedge Fund aren't busting heads with their brutal "mongocore" hardcore, they're fucking up with our brain making up some noisy and violent sort of power electronics as heard on the tracks "We Have Transgressed" and "Of The Crooked Timber". I think it works rather well here. I mean, it's the fusion of these two that makes "Apeiron" one hell of a good release. So what the hell are you still waiting? Go and buy the tape Goddamn it!!!

Hedge Fund

                     

Bands You Should Be Hearing Pt.I

I've realized that my inbox is flooded at this point with requests, and as much as I would like to, it's hard to filter most of the stuff there. I really would love to take some decent time to listen to all of the music people kindly send me, but I find that to be a very, almost, impossible task to do it in the very little spare time that I have. I know you guys would love a deep and full review of all your releases... but in the end it all comes down to use Forever Cursed as the messenger, the vehicle to your message out there, I just light the way and people will do the rest. So, without further bullshit, excuses, bla-bla-bla, here are some of releases/bands that caught my attention in the past few months.

I became aware of the Pennsylvania duo Capa since the "Shallow Towers"release, at this point many of you probably know them too. The band plays a more contemporary, avant-garde and technical style of black metal. I look at Capa's sound and I interpret it as "progressive metal with black metal influences" and not as simply "black metal" because it's not. Although I'm not the most avid fan of this style of over polished kind of production, "The Droves" turned out a very interesting listen and it's one of those releases that you will put on repeat for the next couple of hours or even days. The whole production behind it is very keen and the songs are pretty solid. Like I said, the percentage of black metal influence is strong on this one, although after lifting up Capa's cloak (Fact: "Capa" in portuguese means "cloak") and after dissecting their sound, it I also found some "djenty" and post-metal riffs that are thrown in the middle of the tracks. In the end the result is this very tragic, almost theatrical, if you look at it through this point of view, style of metal. What a nice surprise. Check them out below.

The Droves | Alternative DL Link

This next band crashed in a very mysterious and simple email with the just the Bandcamp link in it. The band is Home Is Gone (No, it's not a His Hero Is Gone covers band) from New York and they introduce us to "Triptych", that's right: a three song release that consist of this blasting, furious, industrial sounding black metal sound. Almost as a bastard child between Genghis Tron and Liturgy (wait..) and the result is, at least, interesting. Check them out below.

Home Is Gone

From Finland, Maze of Roots, a doom duo releasing their fifth Demo, well they've released two Demos last month, simply called "Chapter One" (or was it supposed to be Three?) and "Chapter Two", two chapters of what it seems a trilogy. Maze of Roots plays a very bleak, depressing, anguished and traditional style of doom metal, following the Finnish heritage of doom bands like Umbra Nihil and Majesty for example. I must confess I wasn't very impressed with their first Demos, I really didn't like the vocals at all but maybe it was just me back then. Here, Maze of Roots, successfully created some very nice tracks filled with a very gloomy and melancholic atmosphere. (Sorry I took so long Joel)

Chapter I | Chapter II

Next is Cepheide, a brand new band, formed this year, coming from France. The band describes their sound as raw cascadian black metal in the vein of bands like Ash Borer or Fell Voices. Indeed Cepheide's style of black metal drinks up in a insatiable way, the influence of the Cascadia style of bands. It's good to see bands like this coming out of Europe, the truth is that there aren't many bands playing this style here. So it's always good to witness the rise of bands Cepheide. In "De Silence et de Suie" (that was created under a very DIY spirit by the band itself) expect four great tracks of passionate, uncompromised, energetic and raw black metal. A great release by Cepheide. Bravo!

Cepheide

Idre, a trio from Oklahoma who quote names like Neurosis, Ennio Morricone, Swans, OM, and Khanate when describing their music. Interesting, no? It immediately makes me just go out and press "Play" as I forget what I was doing. This self titled album consists of 2 songs spanning over 40 minutes. The first track "Factorie" last almost half-hour and its melancholic tone reminds me a lot of the style of Across Tundras. The more we dig in, the more weird it gets, as more entangled we get in those slow and atmospheric layers. In the second track "Witch Trial" I really get the OM influence. The sound is Ok, I get their thing here but I'm not a big fan of the vocals. These guys are trying to do something different here but I believe that they still didn't reached it.. yet. I wasn't too excited with this released. Please Idre, prove me I was so wrong in a very near future. Take your own conclusions below. A CD and LP versions will be available later this summer.

Idre

Oh yes! Filthy, nasty, sickening sludge doom from Keeper. From what I've seen so far, these guys are escalating quickly with their "MMXIV" Demo. Formed by ex-Tiger Lily (whom I've talked about here on the blog some time ago) member, Keeper is the answer to every sludge/doom aficionado. You dig Thou? You dig Hell? You dig The Abominable Iron Sloth? You dig Old Witch? Then this band is for you. Just one word to describe this release: Crushing! Support these dudes. Tape out now on Grimoire Cassette Cvlture.

Keeper

The Last Three Winters "Dyatlov Pass Incident"

The Last Three Winters, are an unknown band coming from Russia and at this point, I'm not even sure if they're still active. Now, I've stumbled across this band and this specific EP some time ago, and still once in a while I once again stumble on them and it's almost impossible to press "Stop" as I revisit "Dyatlov Pass Incident". This EP, judging by the title and cover of it, inspired by the Dyatlov Pass Incident, a gruesome episode that took place in the Ural mountains back in 1959, until today it remains a mystery. You can google about it and you will find a lot of information about this, I strongly recommend you doing a little research, a little bit of knowledge won't do you any harm...

Now, speaking of The Last Three Winters, this band plays a fusion of black metal, ambient, I don't know exactly how can I describe it. This EP features only two tracks simply called "Dyatlov Pass Incident I" and "Dyatlov Pass Incident II". The first one is a more caustic, ravenous black metal track that, sound-wise, I find it to be very similar to the last Leucosis album. Basically it consists of repetitive riffs and shrieking, inhuman howling screams that leads us immediately to the place where all those gruesome murders happened. The second track consists of a very calm and strange instrumental track where the guitar notes soon give way to some kind of a Buddhist chants that on its hand, give way to an eerie and haunting chant that closes the track.

Was the Dyatlov Pass Incident real? Was it a hoax to cover up something that went wrong? I'll let you take your own conclusions.

As a bonus, I have also included the self titled EP (released back in 2012) that pulls off some more post-metal/atmospheric/post-rock landscapes, if you wish to hear more about this band. Really worth a listen.

Dyatlov Pass Incident I Last Three Winters EP

Void Wraith "Ø"

Another cool and very worthy of your attention is this release from Seattle's Void Wraith. A brand new and unsigned act, releasing this year their first EP simply entitled "Ø". Void Wraith play a mix of black and death metal all cloaked in a very obscure kind of production. Almost as if it was recorded live in one take. And that's what I really enjoy the most here: the whole sound. Although the music isn't groundbreaking or bring anything new to what we already know, the quality tracks are quite good and acceptable. One one hand, these guys can throw some really catchy riffs while on the other they absolutely shred everything with powerful blastbeats and those vocals... really gnarly! Although at some points it seems to get a little bit muffled in the whole mix. But screw that detail. Void Wraith's sound really brings to my mind bands like Barghest or Mutillation Rites. In the end, "Ø", is a very good bestial assault performed by this new band. 

"Ø" is available as "name your price" although it's also available on cassette, just contact the band via Bandcamp or go to one of their shows if interested. Check them out.

Void Wraith

Qualm "Passive"

"Passive" is the full-length debut of dutch band Qualm. Qualm play this sloppy, filthy and drunken kind of punk/hardcore (can we call it mongo-core?) that will please for sure, fans of that demented faction of punk/hardcore bands like Hoax, Bleak Bulge (whom I've talked about also here on FC), Hoarders or the majority of bands featured on the Youth Attack catalog. Qualm don't follow any kind of guidelines. Expect those classic and basic punk drum beats, chomping bass lines, lots of feedback as some crude and catchy riffs from the guitars and the gnarly growls from Kevin (the mind behind Svarvit, a harsh noise/electronics project that some of you out there may know). The recording is quite good, not as harsh or inaudible unlike many other releases of gender that consist on one huge wall of feedback with a voice growling from behind. Here we can distinguish ever single instrument perfectly. "Passive" will not let you passive at all, instead it will make you want to move like a fucking mongoloid across the dance-floor, mosh or start a fight. No pain, just fun. Very cool release. You can buy tape here. Follow them on Facebook. 

Keep qualm and mosh

Moon "Clavicula Nox"

To my surprise, today I discovered this release brought by one of my favorite black metal acts, the australian one man band, Moon. Don't know if there's going to be a physical edition of this yet, there isn't much information about it floating around. I only know that the last three tracks featured here, are the same tracks that appear on the Moon/Xerbitter split. On "Clavicula Nox" Miasmyr gifts us with it's mystical and unique atmospheric black metal, filled with mesmerizing notes that intoxicate the air like, for example, "Oration As Vessel Of The Void", one of Moon's most amazing tracks featured here. It's on the Bandcamp as "name your price" but as you know, the continuous support for great artists like Moon is never enough. Highly recommended.

Clavicula Nox

Vuimago "Vurahva"

Raw and primitive black metal coming from the Netherlands. Vuimago's "Vurahva" introduces a very abrasive and thick wall of noise coming out from the harsh guitar sound, that cuts through a very primitive and DIY kind of production. The vocals are just out of this world as the drum makes its appearance in a very camouflaged way in the midst of the recording. According to the info on Bandcamp, "Vurahva" was recorded on the 29th of January 2011 and mixed and mastered during August 2014. All material improvised and recorded in one take. "Vurahva" will be released on cassette at the end of 2014 by Nebular Carcoma Records. Powerful and good stuff.

Vuimago

Vermin Womb "Permanence"

Vermin Womb, a name that will be on everyone's mouthes very, very soon. This is the brand new project formed by Ethan Lee McCarthy (you may know him from Primitive Man and formerly of Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire).

Soundwise, Vermin Womb isn't very different from Primitive Man, we have the same chaotic sludgy grind metal covered with layers and layers of filth. It's almost as if Vermin Womb was that little brother from Primitive Man. While Primitive man is big, dirty and mean beast that before destroying anything, likes to torture it first. Vermin Womb is that sick, demented and impatient little brother that blasts us into thousand pieces with just one blow. This is that type of sound that, for those who grew up listening to the whole Debello Recordings bands (remember that??) will definitely love.

The whole album has over 17 minutes length with just a total of 6 tracks. It grabs you by the neck and gives us no rest. When I thought that nothing could ever sound as hateful as Primitive Man, boom! I get this. Pure fucking evil. All of you interested in getting the handsome milky clear vinyl, you can buy it here. In the meantime, feel the apocalypse right here.

A download link of the album is also available, courtesy of the unstoppable Throatruiner Records. Support these guys.

Maggots.. fucking maggots all over.

Bleak update: Batilda, Rudjevit and Milumet

Time for just a quick update. Here are some new discoveries I made through one of the music related forums I visit and that I want to share with you guys.

First is Batilda, a very low-fi, very raw black metal project that, according to the info on Bandcamp, comes from Texas, USA. His offering consists of three tracks (all separated through Bandcamp) that I found to be quite interesting. Although Batilda's sound isn't reinventing the wheel here, I truly love this kind of sound. And honestly, Batilda's tracks are very, very good. Harsh, raw black metal filled with melancholy with that kind of very DIY kind of recording. Very, very good. 

Batilda

Next is Rudjevit, another project coming also from Texas. My guts tell me that this project is somehow connected with Batilda, maybe same member(s), the sound is very similar in all of its aspects. I don't know, I'm just shooting in the dark here. Neverhless, Rudjevit is another great surprise. Once again, I really enjoyed the tracks (although they're few) the whole raw atmosphere around it.

Rudjevit

And finally, the third and last bleak offering: Milumet. Delivering a good, yet short, dose of old school black metal in a very raw, low-fi kind of production. Fans of the genre will specially love this band as well, I hope.

Milumet

Three unknown and underground bands with a thing in common: their sound. Raw and uncompromised black metal. Get into them.

Prison of Mirrors "Until We Find The Hive"

Prison of Mirrors, a U.S one man black metal project by Nick Brandt, left some good impressions with the release of his self titled album back in 2011. This year he's back with "Until We Find The Hive", a remarkable work that reflects a huge evolution from what we've heard before in Prison of Mirrors. This new album shows us a more intense and consistent sound that we can hear on tracks like "Staring Into The Middle Distance" and "To Keep Away The Vultures" that have that black metal ferocity of bands like Ash Borer, while tracks like "Until We Find The Hive" and "Spilled By Savages" are way more atmospheric and seem to fit into a style pretty much à la Wolves in The Throne Room. A very cohesive, and at the same time, eclectic album that will definitely surprise the most skeptical of black metal aficionados. An album not to be missed by fans of the genre.

Until We Find The Hive

Schönesende "Escape from Evil"

Schönesende, although the name suggests it might come from Germany, Austria or another german-speaking country, is a one man black metal act hailing from the UK. "Escape from Evil" is his first Demo although (from what I've read in the band's Facebook wall) it seems that a full-length album is coming out very soon. Featuring one track only, that clocks almost 12 minutes length, "Escape from Evil" is a very solid track, well played, well produced, with a very solid concept around it, introducing that polished post black metal sound that fits in the same bag of the new contemporary breed of european black metal acts such as Unru, Sun Worship or Paramnesia. If you're familiar to all of these bands, then I must strongly suggest you to check Schönesende out. And keep your eyes open for what the future will bring, hopefully, soon. Follow the band here for updates and check the Demo below,

Escape From Evil

Woman Is The Earth "Depths"

In this year so far, we have been gifted with a great amount of awesome releases. Within the black metal spectrum, we were gifted with great offerings from bands like Woods Of Desolation, Thantifaxath, The Great Old Ones and Sun Worship, just to name a few of my favorites so far.

However, among this hall of releases coming from widely known bands, there's always room for one more gem coming from the underground to shine. And that gem is precisely the band that I'll talk about next: Woman Is The Earth. Presenting us, this year with their second full-length entitled "Depths".

Woman Is The Earth is a black metal band formed by brothers Jon (drums), Andy (vocals, guitar,bass ) and Jarrod (guitar). This project, based out of the Black Hills of South Dakota, started back in 2007 and since then, the band has put out three releases: "Of Dirt" demo in 2009, their first full-length "This Place That Contains My Spirit" in 2012 and this year’s "Depths". Woman Is The Earth has always kept a low profile, playing live occasionally in their hometown and in the surrounding areas. Another aspect of Woman Is The Earth is the solid DIY atittude they put out in everything they create. Whether by masterizing or producing their own music, these boys put all of their blood, sweat and tears on everything they do. “Depths” is no exception. It was entirely produced and mastererd by the band itself. Featuring three tracks only, it delivers roughly 24 minutes of great atmospheric and passionate black metal.

The band caught my attention through their first full-length "This Place That Contains My Spirit" that although, soundwise speaking, had some rough edges that needed to be trimmed, the quality presented back then already reflected great talent, both in song-writing as in the performance itself. But here, the major factor that stands out in "Depths" is really this new sound presented. We witness a huge leap from what the band has made before. I assume that “Depths” is the band’s shout-out from the underground, where they have been lurking all these years, proving that they deserve a spotlight within the actual USBM scene.

However beware all trve fans of black metal. Do not expect to find here and 666 inverted crosses drenched in goat’s blood and unlimited devotion to the Great Horned One... no. Woman Is the Earth is one of those black metal bands in a totally different strain which separates them from the rest of the black herd. The atmosphere felt here leads us to a complete devotion to Nature and all living elements surrounding it, fauna and flora framed in a more esoteric almost surreal scenario.



"Crown & Bone / Dreamer" begins with a short atmospheric intro and it doesn’t take long until we are blasted by the black metal barriage lead by the harsh vocals of Andy followed by his crew, completely ripping off the whole atmosphere in the most powerful way as the continuously progressive riffs give shape to this whole melancholic and bleak atmosphere.

Soundwise, I can’t help noticing this brutal evolution that, in conjunction with the production, result in a very professional sound quality, having in mind that this was all created under a very tight DIY ethic by the band. Not being picky (but I am) I just wished that the drums could be a little bit higher but at the same time, it appeals to me as it is , the guitars and bass are perfect and the vocal treatment is the icing on the top of this cake. If you seek some comparisons, after a first audition it immedeatly reminded me the last Woods Of Desolation, although it’s clear that Wolves In The Throne Room is a strong reference in WITE’s sound.

But back to the track.

Intentionally or not, I find this track to be divided in two acts (the title of the track ends up by suggesting that too). In the first part we have "Crown & Bone", that progresses to the 6:47 mark and from there the darkness strikes down upon us in "Dreamer", creating a daunting atmosphere filled with those beautiful mesmerizing details created by the guitar.

Right in the middle of "Depths" we are gifted with the beautiful instrumental "Lifted". It’s one of those kind of instrumental songs that leads in our head to the deepest and ancient woods where we take refuge in complete solitude. In search of an insight or simply admire nature and their children.

The album closes with "Child of Sky", another colossal track where it opens with a chorus of voices setting the tone for the voracious guitars and relentless drums. Once again , we are carried away by this wonderful melancholy soaked with atmospheric black metal, blasting furious blastbeats through layers of melodic and progressive riffs.

In overall, "Depths" it is an excellent record that marks a notable evolution from Woman Is The Earth. Specially when the entire album was created from scratch by the band and what they have achieved here is in fact a brilliant record to be taken into account within the albums released this year. Undoubtedly one of the best kept secrets within the current USBM, that are now seeking a place in the Sun. Great songs, impeccably played, excellent production. Negative aspects of this one? To me, I just have to point out the little amount of tracks presented. I just wanted more, more, more from these guys.

If you’d like to order the CD, just throw an email to the band directly at: womanistheearthband@gmail.com although you can also get it from Init Records.

A vinyl release of "Depths" is also planned to be released in a near future through Init Records, so if you're a vinyl lover, keep an eye open. In the meantime you can buy/stream "Depths" on the link below.

Depths