Act of Impalement "Hyperborean Altar"

Act of Impalement are a relatively new band coming from Nashville, U.S. They play this interesting fusion of sludge, doom, crust and punk. "Hyperborean Altar" features a total of seven (very good) tracks where the band manages to balance perfectly the gloomier side of sludge/doom with the fury of punk/crust moving, even at some points, into darker territories of black metal. Their sound has a really evil and occult vibe floating around it that I like a lot. Like for example, in the opening track "Necromancer's Theme". It sounds really obscure and nefarious as the voice dwells in the midst of this filthy and foggy barrage of sludgy riffs, summoning the most evil of the necromancers. The tracks dwell from slow, to mid-paced, to fast, giving them an interesting rhythm not boring the listener at all. Act of Impalement know what they do and how to do it. Although nothing ground-breaking here, I've really enjoyed this release. It turned out a very pleasant listening from the beginning to the end. Although there are many bands out there getting into this style, I really like the most occult side of Act of Impalement, maybe there lies their secret to success? The answer lies in the future. In the meantime, check them out. Good stuff.

Hyperborean altar

Occultation "Three and Seven"

Debut album of the NY "occult doom rock" band Occultation. One of the most interesting albums of the year, in my personal opinion. I've read, on some well known music related websites, some great reviews about this album but for me it just took one look at the cover in order to check it out. Besides that, it features on its formation Nameless Void from Negative Plane who have launched an amazing album (featured on my Best Of 2011 List), but before i knew this fact, as i heard this wonderful album, there was a voice inside my head whispering "Thisssss ssssssound familiarrrrrr.... Negative Planeeeeeee...." i swear it's true. You will figure that out, if you are familiar with Negative Plane, as soon as you hear this album. Well, with a name like this, Occultation, it all moves around... yes, the occult. And that's fine by me. Because that's the main reason I'm into this "religion", since very young i've always been attracted by the whole imagery around it. And that is precisely what fuels this band, it breathes and exhales occult. The environment of this album is indeed bizarre, each track is named as if they serve to carry out certain specific rituals. The music has this ritualistic retro atmosphere and the voice is just amazing, many of you might hate it, i personally love it. Every single detail on this album is just delicious, beginning with that guitar sound, the drum, those bells, that creepy sounding keyboard... simply amazing. This is for sure one of the best albums for the year. Try and give it a listen. Buy it here or here. Highly recommended!

listen | bewitched

Katechon "Demo" Tape

Here is another sweet find i made on Bandcamp a few weeks ago. Katechon, come from Trondheim, Norway. This is their Demo Tape that features three tracks of this awesome moldy Death Metal with some Thrash, Crust and Black influences. Besides that typical Demo sound, the songs have this occult and dark hidden face that will unfold along the music, although the Demo is short, it's pure concentrated goodness. These guys are preparing their first 7'' that, as they promise, it will be darker and more twisted than this Demo Tape. I really hope so, 'cause that's exactly the sort of things i like. Follow them thru their Facebook. Check them out below.

listen & download