Forever Cursed Best Of 2014 - The Haxan's Choices

Here we are again.

Personally, it was just another fucking year, just like the last 4 or 5 last years. Time seems to fly. As a matter of fact, it flies so fast that I barely have time to slow down, and look back.. well, some things aren't worth looking back, so... 2014 was all about work, dedicate time to family, friends, buying new music and just enjoying it and most of all, always learning. Music has always been there for me, in good and bad times. It's that safe harbor where I go so many times to be in total solitude and just let my spirit feast with all that magic essence that pours down through every note. I've learned so much through music, whether it's metal or not. Along the years it has also molded me into what I am today, my personal tastes and character.

And once again 2014 proved to be a great year, at least... in the field of heavy music, although so many good albums were also released in another fields of music. Did I enjoyed YOB? Yes I did! Did I liked the new Blut Aus Nord? At first I was a bit sceptic with the sound of it, but the more I listened to it, the more it grew on me, so yes. Did I loved Sinmara? Oh fuck yes! You know what I feel about Icelandic black metal and this band is no exception. The releases I'm about t show you are mostly releases that I've been emerged into mostly this year, so I hope to help you find some new and interesting music that may grab and sweep you from your shoes as well.

I had to make a Top 21, it may sound silly, but I wasn't expecting one of these specific releases would come out so soon. I was counting for it only in the beginning of next year, but since I've heard it in advance... it immediately climbed its own way to the top and I really didn't want to cut out one of the releases I already had figured for my own personal Top. Enjoy.

#21

Towers "II"

Towers are a Portland duo whose demolishing sound basically consists on just a bass and drum. And the apocalyptic visions they can cause with just that, is absolutely crushing. I really loved the whole sound of this album. The whole depth and atmosphere. Killer. 

Listen

#20

Profetus "As All Seasons Die"

Profetus from Finland return with a majestic tribute to the real funeral doom sound. Crushingly heavy, an authentic mournful ode to sadness, grief and pain. Perfect to hear in those cold Winter days in total solitude. 

Listen

#19

Wrekmeister Harmonies "Then It All Came Down"

One of the most emotionally crushing releases of this year, "Then It All Came Down" features J.R. Robinson joined by members of Indian, Corrections House, Twilight, Yakuza, Anatomy of Habit, Come, Mind Over Mirrors, Bloodiest, as well as Wrest (Leviathan) and Ryley Walker. With such collaboration the result is at sight: an amazing introspective journey into our soul.

Listen

#18

11 Paranoias "Stealing Fire from Heaven"

New supergroup featuring members from Ramesses, Bong and Satan's Wrath. "Stealing Fire from Heaven" gathers the right amount of psychedelic doom I just need to hear sometimes. A very smokey and trippy journey indeed with the right dose of heaviness imbued.

Listen 

#17

Harassor "Into Unknown Depths"

"Into Unknown Depths" marks the return of blood thirsty barbarians Harassor. The vicious blend of black metal, punk, death metal is just fucking killer. You won't get two songs alike in this album which proves the heterogeneity and the ability of Harassor to shift the direction of the songs without never losing fucking control. Fucking killer I said!!

Listen

#16

Nuclearhammer "Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer"
Probably one of the most underrated blackened death metal that came out this year. Canada's Nuclearhammer really hits the nail on this. You just need to look into that artwork to realize that this album will bring total bestial and cosmic devastation.

Listen

#15

Nux Vomica "Nux Vomica"
Another one straight out of Portland. Nux Vomica perfect blend of post metal, crust, doom results in the most amazing atmosphere. To prove that, "Reeling" is simply one of the best tracks I've heard this year. Epic.

Listen

#14

Sun Worship "Elder Giants"
I've been following the moves of Germany's Sun Worship since day one, and so far they haven't disappointed me. 2014 is marked by their full-length "Elder Giants" a brilliant, passionate and relentless album that sweeps me away every time I play it. Brilliant.

Listen

#13

Kriegsmaschine "Enemy of Man"
Another great album that passed under the radar of many. Kriegsmaschine "Enemy Of Man", one of the most brilliant black metal albums that came out this year. If you love the dissonant atmospheres of bands like Deathspell Omega or the cold atmopshere of Mgla (who shares a member in this band, in case you didn't know) I strongly recommend you "Enemy Of Man". Perfect.

Listen

#12

Laster "De Verste Verte Is Hier"
After a very well received Demo, Dutch black metal band Laster return with a brilliant album that provides perfect freezing cold atmosphere, perfect for those cold and rainy Winter days. I really love the passion that is behind every riff, every blastbeat and the vocals that just slay me.

Listen

#11

Walk Through Fire "Hope Is Misery"
Desolation. Despair. Depression. These are all words that come to my mind whenever I hear "Hope Is Misery". Many of you out there aren't familiar with this band from Sweden. Their minimalist approach to their sludge doom is just one one of the most heavy I've heard this year. I'm a sucker for this kind of sound and "Hope Is Misery" proved to be a very unpleasant (in a very sadistic way) company.

Listen

#10

Spectral Lore "III"
We all know that, when it comes to black metal, Greece hides many secrets. One of them is precisely Spectral Lore. Don't know why I don't see this name floating more around. "III" quickly grew on me and proved to be one fantastic journey into the realms of atmospheric black metal. The fury of those blastbeats that walk hand in hand with some beautiful melodies. A very beautiful album that, if you don't know yet, then you must discover.

Listen

#9

Funereal Presence "The Archer Takes Aim"
One of the most played here on the Haxan's den. Funereal Presence "The Archer Takes Aim", an album with a very unique and distinctive atmosphere, brought to us by the mind of Negative Plane's Bestial Devotion. It's one of those albums I will never grow tired of hearing. Excellent.

Listen

#8

Skáphe "Skáphe"
One of this year's surprise, brought by the hand of Fallen Empire. Skáphe, a mysterious band involved in a very dense and intoxicating mist, handing us a sample of a very original black metal filled with claustrophobic atmospheres. Addictive.

Listen

#7

Funerary "Starless Aeon"
"Starless Aeon", the debut album of Funerary. I was amazed by this debut, Funerary's funeral doom approach is quite memorable and I just get the riffs of "Beneath The Black Veil" stuck in my head for hours. This track is just remarkably beautiful and it strikes me on the inside like no other. "Starless Aeon" is a very emotional, mournful and introspective journey into the cosmic valley of doom.

Listen

#6

Thantifaxath "Sacred White Noise"
The artwork doesn't reveal much on what is the story here. But as soon as we fall into the downward spiral of "Sacred White Noise" we soon realize that we're pulled into a maze of twisted riffs that don't obey any conventional black metal guideline. It's just Thantifaxath doing the best they can do. And it's just amazing.

Listen

#5

Swallowed "Lunarterial"
It only took one audition to this album to realize that I was in front of my favorite death metal album for 2014. It took a while to get here but finally did. Finland's Swallowed unleash the most lunatic and deranged death metal I've heard. Like a crossbreed between Teitanblood and Cultes Des Ghoules. Can you imagine that? The result is at sight: "Lunarterial". Fucking Awesome.

Listen

#4

Rotting Sky "Sedation"
Rotting Sky is a side project from Tim Messing from Nux Vomica. As Rotting Sky, Tim brings us an excellent formula that mixes black metal, doom with drone, noisy atmospheres. "Sedation" is simply hypnotic and I just want to listen to it in repeat forever.

Listen

#3

Fórn "The Departure of Consciousness"
With was with great pleasure that I was aware the Fórn were going to release their first full-length this year. I really loved their EP (featured here last year) and I was looking forward to hear "The Departure of Consciousness". All my expectations were exceeded when I finally heard the full album. Crushing, devastating and beautiful harmonies from these young doomsters. Just fucking stellar.

Listen

#2

Thou "Heathen"
Well.. it's fucking Thou! What else is to be said about one of the most heavy bands to walk this Earth nowadays. A very ambitious album that proved to us that this band has no match. I really how this album brings back that initial Thou sound and song structure mixed with their most recent material. Excellent.

Listen

#1

Sonance "Blackflower"
Finally, the cherry on top of the cake. An album that caught me by surprise and just climbed its way all by himself to my heart. I really loved what Sonance had brought with "Like Ghosts" but to me, "Blackflower" has just raised the bar. Slightly different from their previous but still you get it's Sonance. The whole melody that evolves us and leads us into the most catastrophic of scenarios is just heartbreaking. With "Blackflower", Sonance have accomplished something that is very rare nowadays. Try to figure what that is.

Listen

Besides these releases, I've been a lot this year into a lot of stuff, but I feel I must enhance Northward "IJsgang", sadly the last breath of this great band. Australia's Total Control with "Typical System", a very great record that successfully pulls that early 80's punk spirit and blends it with the most contemporary post punk as well, an album filled with great and eclectic songs. Vaniish "Memory Work", probably the best post-punk album that came out this year. Brilliant. Vorde "Vorde", another Fallen Empire release, saw many folks complaining about the vocals on this one, but I think it totally gives a different aura to Vorde's black metal sound. An album that intrigued me a lot at first, but the more I listen to it, the more it grows on me.

That was it for now. Wish you all the best. Let's raise our chalices up high and wish for a better year of MMXV. Hail! 

†H†

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

Best Underrated Releases of 2012 Pt.II

As promised, here is Part.II of what i think that are some of the best underrated music released last year, that may have passed under the radar of many good people out there.

Some of the bands featured here may come as no surprise for some of you, but my sense tells me that there's one or two more bands that you might haven't heard yet. At least with the right time and attention. With this compilation i invite you all to discover these releases, that for me are absolutely awesome. Like i always say, if you enjoy what you hear, dig in deeper. Buy the album, support the artists. You won't regret it.

Note: 
Since this second half is so heavy, i had to cut it in two parts.
So you have to download the two parts below, ok?

Enjoy.

Side A | Side B


Setlist

1. GGUW - Untitled (taken from the EP "Gegen Gravitation und Willensfreiheit")
2. Kaevum - Tornekransens Fall (taken from the album "Natur")
3. Szron - Becoming A Shadow (taken from the album "Death Camp Earth")
4. Esoterica - Idololatriae (taken from the EP "Idololatriae")
5. Urkaos - III (taken from the album "I")
6. Nettlecarrier - The Boiling Blood (taken from the album "Nettlecarrier ") 
7. Morgirion - Purification Through Fire (taken from the album "Infinite Retribution upon Paradise") 
8. Esoterica - Knell (taken from the EP "Knell") 
9. Alchemyst - Okkvltista (taken from the album "Nekromanteion") 
10. Nethervoid - Empty Field Eloquence (taken from the album "In Swarms of Godless Wrath") 
11. Vassafor - Rites of Ascension (taken from the album "Obsidian Codex") 
12. Spectral Lore - All Devouring Earth (taken from the album "Sentinel") 
13. The Water Witch - Winter's Burden (taken from the album "The Heavens in Traction") 
14. Omega Centauri - I Am (taken from the album "Universum Infinitum") 
15. Dommedagssalme - Passage (taken from the album "Chasm") 
16. Elysian Blaze - The Temple Is Falling (taken from the album "Blood Geometry")
17. Vaura - The Column's Vein (taken from the album "Selenelion")

Hoax "LP"

"After a relentless string of EP’s and tours, this release marks a new standard in DIY hardcore punk. Taking their pummeling, mid-tempo sound and expanding it into something far sicker and hideous, they have leveled the horizon with a brand new series of anthems. Masterfully engineered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air studios, this huge collaborative effort features contributions from 14 of the underground’s finest artists: Cali DeWitt, Mark McCoy, Matt Adis, Shaun Fillley, Sugi, Heather Benjamin, Sam Ryser, Emma Kohlmann, Guillem El Muro, Alex Heir, Colin Swanson-White, Jaybo Gardner, and Tony Pasquarosa and an introduction by Pharmakon. This LP comes housed in a full-color, double-scored folder enclosing 6 double-sided poster sized inserts."

Hoax are a band that at this point need no kind of introduction. This new latest LP introduces an even more rotten, distorted and vicious-as-fuck kind of sound into Hoax music. The download link was kindly given by the band itself. Get into it, drink beer like there's no tomorrow, start a fight, get nuts, end up in jail. Hoax!

Hoax

Ash Borer "Bloodlands" Review

At this point everyone knows already Ash Borer recognized as one of the foremost exponents of the Cascadian black metal scene. After a split with their fellow Fell Voices, a Demo and their latest  full-length", Cold Of Ages" released last year by the hand of Profound Lore Records, Ash Borer are at this point completely rooted in the USBM generating a large cult around them and on every release they put out. 

The first aspect i felt after hearing this new release was that, to me, "Bloodlands" feels almost like a sequel of "Cold Of Ages" due to the sound and song structure on it. Almost if the tracks featured here are, well.. leftovers isn't a very pretty word, but were built in the creative process of "Cold Of Ages". Many people i've talked to, said that they were a little bit disappointed with last year's "Cold Of Ages", I on the other hand must belong in that small minority that absolutely loved it. It's sounds precisely like... Ash Borer. Many people probably felt they sell-out because of that album being released by Profound Lore, i don't know. That chaotic whirlwind of cold and rough shaped riffs along with that blasting drum buried deep in the mix and those haunting blood-freezing screams all ensnared in the midst of this desolate and gelid scenario, was in fact, still there.

In all their releases, the band always had a tendency to evolve in order to create something more atmospheric, and that is not an exception here on "Bloodlands". The opening track "Oblivion's Spring", starts with some repetitive isolated guitar notes earlier accompanied by a keyboard in the background, as another layer of guitar notes is added into this mix, creating an atmosphere shrouded in mystery. This is just a short introduction that is immediately pulled under our feet as a storm of sharp riffs and savage blastbeats falls upon us as the shrieking screams circle through the middle of this vortex which plagues us, absorbing us in such a way, that we hardly realize the 15 minutes that this track lasts. Going from chaotically accelerated rhythms to mid-paced sections extinguishing slowly to the sound of the same notes that opened it now distorted by a twisted atmosphere like the howl of the cold Winter wind that carries the ashes of what once was beautiful.

To help you to understand the effect of this track imagine this: as the first notes echo, imagine yourself in the middle of a beautiful garden in the midst of Spring when suddenly, without warning, the sky turns black and a terrible storm falls upon us, with very strong and cold winds destroying everything. Leaving nothing but wrecks and smithereens on the floor. "Oblivion's Spring" is a obscure hymn to despair, loneliness and madness. As something dark and macabre that was hidden behind something as seemingly naive and beautiful... That's how i visually imagine "Oblivion's Spring" in my head.

Right after this turbulent start we enter "Dirge/Purgation", which I'm going to face as two tracks merged into one, being "Dirge" a beautiful instrumental interlude served as intro for "Purgation" that has kind of a doom-ish touch. It begins with very slow beats as the dragged sound of the guitars mourn along a path at least, painful. The voice barely cuts through as it's very caught up in the mix. As if the instruments were in a determined room and the voice is one or two room below.

Now under a much more dynamic rhythm, "Purgation" is a track that kind of hypnotizes us, leading us into a state of trance due to the those repetitive guitar notes that very rarely and occasionally, break into other territories ranging from increasingly fast to slow rhythms that seem to belong to a more doom-ish territory due to the decadent and gloomy sound that it emits. I definitely feel that Ash Borer were trying something different with this track here. Experiencing something new into a more atmospheric  territories, trying to create new dynamics to their tracks without losing the seal "Ash Borer" in it. Looking back to "Bloodlands" it's another great and unique milestone into Ash Borer's career, a record that makes me come back repeatedly never getting tired of hearing it.

In the meantime you can order it here at the Gilead Media store, it also will be available on Psychic Violence store but only after the european tour ends, along with some other goodies like the Ruin Lust LP for example. Stay tuned.

Enter the  Bloodlands

Cape of Bats "Olcott Rites"

Latest release from these black horror punk metal aficionados. Expect nothing but true cold and noisy black punk metal.  Sharp your fangs below.

Bat wings

Lusitania "Third Cassette"

One of my latest discoveries that turned out quite addictive, was this release from Lusitania, a black metal band shrouded in mystery. The few info I've read about them is that they come from Tempe, Arizona. This release, "Third Cassette" consists of seven movements, simply entitled from "I" to "VII", where the band presents us a stripped and raw black metal sound with heavy walls of guitar distortion swirling around rough drum blasts layered with harsh vocal shrieks. In "Third Cassette", the tracks are quite consistent and interesting, and every track is more powerful and haunting than the previous one.

I'm also a little bit intrigued by the name of the band, Lusitania. Only because it's somehow related to me and where i'm from: Portugal. Lusitania was an ancient Roman province including approximately all of modern Portugal and part of modern Spain. It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people (an Indo-European people). Romans first came to the territory around the mid 2nd century BC and war with Lusitanian tribes followed, from 155 to 139 BC. In 27 BC, the province was created. So i would not be surprised if there's some Lusitanian blood among the band members. Ok, so after this little History lesson, Lusitania‘s "Third Cassette" is available from Holy Page in both digital format and searing orange cassette tape (almost sold out). Very good release.

Lusitanian blood

Kr Grauwacke "Slag Heap"

"Slag Heap", is the very first full-length from the frosted Minnesota experimental black metal band Kr Grauwacke. Offering us four tracks of minimal raw black metal with some ambient interludes. Beginning with "(After) Caledonia", an ambient intro that draws some rough almost industrial atmosphere. As if something mechanical is pounding from the inside of an old and creepy abandoned factory or in this case, some old mine. "AVM I VIII IX VIII" kicks in with the sound of tremolo picking notes creating a whole haunting environment that surrounds us and increases even more due to the howling on the background, as if it's coming from a very deep and narrow mine shaft, echoing in all of its dark and cold tunnels. "Under the Knout", a 12 minute long track that exhales a claustrophobic atmosphere, where strange sounds come from these several places, all at the same time, making it a very harsh and noisy track. "Roots of Madness" takes us back to Kr Grauwacke raw and incisive black metal that reminds me a lot of Ash Borer's latest effort. Barriers of hypnotizing guitar riffs that draw rough melodies as the haunted howls cry in the background. If i could describe this release i guess the word that sums it up is: Haunting. If you enjoy raw and creepy atmospheric black metal, then i strongly recommend this one for you. Check it out on the link below.

Something down there

Blut der Nacht "Sargnagel"

Portland's Blut Der Nacht latest sonic assault "Sargnagel" offers us three malevolent tracks blessed with the mark, and blood, of the Beast in each one of them. In the 10 minutes that "Sargnagel" lasts, it is clear that it's even more raw and loud than the one presented on their "Demo MMXI". Quoting the words found on Fallen Empire Bandcamp:

"With 3 songs totaling just over 10 minutes, Blut Der Nacht strips down the sound from their first demo, resulting in a recording that is even more raw and blown out. This may very well be their last recording, only time will tell for now."

It really sucks if BDN will cease their activity, since they are currently one of the solid projects on the USBM scene, although they haven't many releases out, everything that comes out of their hand is just remarkable (besides BDN, i'm speaking of Wylve and The Rain in Endless Fall for example). Rumor or not, let's wait and see what the future will bring, in the meantime you better grab this awesome release in vinyl. Limited to 300 copies on black vinyl you can buy it here and if you're from Europe, you can grab this here.

Coffin Nail

Altarnihil "Terminal" Demo

Altarnihil are a two-piece depressive black metal band from Iowa presenting their first demo entitled "Terminal" which features four tracks of some of the most raw, low-fi, ugly and cold black metal made. The recording presented here in this demo is very, very raw. Almost if it was recorded live in some deep dark basement and recorded by some old tape recorder that only gives Altarnihil's sound an even more despicable character. The tracks on "Terminal" demo are very minimalist, stripped down of any kind of ambition. The track "Eternal Suspension" is clearly my favorite, it's crosses the borders of raw black metal and steps into a more drone/doom territory making this track one of the most haunting tracks presented here. If you're into the kind of black metal that is totally devoid of any type of emotion, then I would suggest you this band. You can grab it for free on the band's Bandcamp, check out the link below.

altars ov suicide

Extinction "Down Below the Fog"

It's precisely 4 a.m right now. I'm still up doing some freelance work because it isn't this stupid blog that it's going to put food on the table you know?

And what better tunes to play while i'm doing cute stuff? How about some grim, nasty, creepy and haunting black of the blackest metal?

Extinction is pure evil, the black essence, your darkest thoughts, it's fear impersonated. "Down Below the Fog" brings eight tracks of unrestrained, discordant, obscure black metal. A thick, raw production creates a disturbing atmosphere that clings to every facet, drawing it down. Guitars whip up violent hypnotic vortexes of noise that expand endlessly, and Vuel’s distinctive bestial vocals complete a truly occult experience. Meanwhile a mysterious figure sits next to me as he sharpens his scythe...

Grimness comes to life

Tukaaria "Raw to the Rapine"

I've been into this a lot lately, and the more i hear it, the more it grows on me. For the first time ever on CD format, the vicious mind-bending black metal psychosis from mysterious California enigma Tukaaria is finally available. With material only available on limited cassette format, realized by the Rhinocervs horde, this CD version of “Raw To The Rapine” (re-mastered by Colin Marston, giving the Tukaaria material the best sound quality this demented form of black metal has ever seen) is presented in a lavishly designed DVD-sized digipack that comes with a 4-panel insert and is limited to barely 500 units.

Filled with hypnotic riffs and a ghostly voice, Tukaaria presents us with some serious disturbed, psychotic and haunting visions, charged with some thick blackness that penetrates deep into our bones. It's the rawness that lie on the core of Tukaaria's music that makes this album a real gem in the USBM scene.

Beside the tracks found on  “Raw To The Rapine” tape, it also features the Tukaaria material found on the awesome split with Odz Manouk and the material found on the split with Black Twilight Circle horde Volahn. This is some of the most intriguing and fascinating black metal of our time and a superb piece of the best USBM ever made so be sure to grab it here. Recommended!

the night falls

Gaunt "Demo"

Rawish and woeful, Gaunt comes forth with no ado about anything. With their ascension, there are no trumpets being sounded, no parade, no build-up. They literally emerge out of darkness as they surface victorious. Presenting 3 grim and bestial tracks of hypnotic black metal from the South East of England filled with twisted waves of repetition with underlying melody. Absolutely brilliant. Only 100 copies made, almost gone. Email eyeheartdoom@yahoo.co.uk for copies and trades. For more info go here. A big thanks to SVN OKKLT from bringing this dark gem into the tenuous light of day.

Note: Some of the words above were taken from the Halifaxcollect blog where you can also read a small interview with one of Gaunt's members, i'm too lazy for being inspired today.

listen | of beast and man

Ash Pool "Cremation is Irreversible"

Ash Pool mark their return again, this time with a two song EP with the curious title of "Cremation is Irreversible". If you know this band very well, then you already know what to expect here: some of the most incredibly loud, noisy, lo-fi, raw black metal. I was listening to the tape rip on my iPod and as this started it scared the shit out of me, especially due to the volume i was listening, that is one only: loud!

Basically the tracks are divided as two acts, "Cremation is Irreversible - pt I" that starts with this almost ritualistic chanting before it blasts into trillions of sharp needles right into your ear drum causing almost sudden deafening. Although it's loud and raw, Ash Pool's sound on this EP is clear enough for we to distinguish the sharp wall of riffs that goes on into this frenetic rollercoaster of punk infused black metal. The second act, "Cremation is Irreversible - pt II", is the tail of this ouroboros snake. It's connected to the previous track and it ends precisely where the first track begins. Get it? An authentic vicious circle of rawness and conceptual black metal at its finest. Loved the sound of this EP and just can't wait for Ash Pool's future releases.

Meanwhile i'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

The tape is sold out over at BSD, but if you're lucky maybe you'll find one floating around on sites like Discogs. In the meantime enjoy this rip.

listen | an antithesis of death

Guidelines "Guidelines" EP

Here is a cool request i received some days ago (by the way, to all you guys who have sent me material, you have not fallen into oblivion) on my mailbox. Guidelines are a hardcore/punk/screamo band from New Jersey presenting their new self titled EP that consists on 4 tracks of new and fresh material.

The sound of Guidelines distinguishes itself within the genre and that is precisely what caught my attention for this release. Their sound just doesn't conform to any schema or skeleton. The voice is very abrasive and could almost fit into any subgenre of black metal, but beyond that there are all over the EP, constant explosions and unexpected riffs that throw us against the wall with their sound waves in which the band outline their design, all of that transpires simple but honest and emotional raw screamo. In fact, despite being a genre that by now it doesn't say much to me, this EP did not fail to impress me. Guidelines are a young band who give their heart and soul in what they do and that is evident in their music. We must continue to respect and admire this new generation of artists who follow the guidelines of those classic icons within the genre. An EP that certainly cannot to be missed by fans of the genre.

listen | fuck the guidelines

Tardigrada "Widrstand" Demo

Tardigrada are a atmospheric black metal band from Switzerland and holds in its current line-up Kryptos (vocals, guitars and lyrics), Threnos (guitars) and H.A.T.T. (drums). "Widrstand" is their debut demo and i must say already at this point that this is one of the best Demos i've had the pleasure to hear this year.

I surrender and deliver my soul to Tardigrada. They create music that pierces my body, reap my soul and elevates it to the heavens, to the level of the Norse gods. This is absolutely amazing and genuine music. It feels always like the first time, everytime i hear this wonderful Demo. Tardigrada's sound is full of genuine and raw emotions that inspire sadness, shapes it, with those thin, sharp and cold riffs, and spits it out through an incorporeal storm of raw energy through Kryptos desperate screams. It starts with "Uftakt" a beautiful, deep and dreamy atmospheric instrumental intro that is totally overshadowed by the following track "Hoffnungslos",  this track absolutely swipes me away. Its atmosphere is painted in shades of grey and charged with melancholic sadness but at the same time it holds an almost poetic side to it, as if they were always connected together. It's this attraction to sadness and depression that draws us closer and closer to the edge, as we are under the spell of Tardigrada. The title track "Widrstand" follows it's ancestor and continues that ravishing storm of negative energy, as Kryptos screams tear through the icy thin wall of the guitars and the drums unloads all of its fury upon us mere mortals. The end arrives at the sound of "Einsamkeit", the epitome, the compendium, the end. Only tears. No life. No salvation. No ascension. Just loneliness. Tardigrada's music seems simple but the way they craft it is absolutely beautiful and filled with emotion. I will never get tired of asserting that this is one of the Demos of the year. 

Tardigrada "Widrstand" Demo tape is available at Fallen Empire, few copies left, so hurry. Follow the band here. Highly Recommended. 

listen | in loneliness

Noose "Death and Hatred to All"

Rhode Island's Noose deliver, with this first Demo, a wave of primal and raw as fuck black metal. Five tracks of the most blistering and demented black metal with some punk influences. If you're into this kind of stuff be sure to not miss this one. And if you're feeling gloomy, be sure to visit them at their website.

listen | kill em all

Severe "Severe"

Another cool newness is this self-titled by Belgian band Severe, brought to my attention through my pals PTD171 and Luxury_Cannibal over at Perception Through Dissonance. Severe play this really abrasive and raw sounding black punk metal. Do not confuse them with the roll of latest blackened hardcore crust wave, these guys have nothing to do with that.. these are true grim punkers with their hands dirty with blood. Delivering 5 tracks of the most pure and filthy caustic black punk metal made here in the old Europa, Severe present us some really good tracks and i look forward to hear most of this band in the future. Recommended for fans of acts like Black Monolith or even Hexis. Check them out below and stay out of drugs kids.

listen | broken statues

KR Grauwacke "Corpse Flower"

Raw black metallers from up north Minnesota. Very raw. Described as "nondescript in person, unforgettable in performance". KR Grauwacke is raw black metal, and with this "Corpse Flower" demo they gift us with a strange but interesting content. Great structures, suicidal and agonizing vocals, ambient black metal with lots of noisy and raw riffs. The form of organization in the instruments, composition and texture perfectly balanced in order for we to appreciate. A good demo with great style, there is no need to seek objects adjacent or comparions, just let flow the music. I think this tape is completely sold out, but if anyone find a legit link where people can grab this, please leave it in the comments below. 

listen | rotten petals on your corpse