Best of 2013 - Part I: The Demo/EPs

Man, 2013 was indeed another great year for heavy music. Am I right? 

Along these 12 months we've witnessed great releases coming out throughout the most diverse fields of metal music. I've gathered some releases that to me, gave me a lot of pleasure listening to and was absolutely overwhelmed by. Here you will find such diverse music coming from very different genres, from black metal to electronic ambient music, to death metal to post punk. I'm quite sure that are dozens of great, amazing underground releases out there that deserve to be on the spotlight, but this year was extremely busy for me and I didn't manage to respond all request & stuff. I'll try and justify why I've chosen the releases you will see featured below.

Besides all of the great music coming out, now (and more than ever) it's great to see that many people out there are really into tapes and vinyl again. Although the prices can't please every pocket and the postage/shipping increase between U.S/Canada/Europe is now more insane than ever. But it's good to see that at least some U.S labels are finding ways to keep their european clients satisfied by distributing most of their releases through European labels/distros. It's also nice to see some of the albums getting shape in the most diverse formats, pleasing all the metal music nerds like me, out there.

On the web, I'm sad to see that some of my bloggers-in-arms, like JT from Coffinpsalms and Sanakan from Equivoke have fell into the ground. I totally understand you dudes, that idea has crossed my mind way many times. My man Brett from Annihilate Next Week is still twitching from time to time and last but not the least, the slow dawning return of one of the most charismatic metal related blogs out there, like a phoenix coming out of the ashes, The Living Doorway from my pal, JGD. Good to see you back man.

Ok, so this first part is dedicated to the best Demos and EP's launched this year. This is a selection of my favorite that i've heard. I'm pretty sure I've slept on many others out there, but... Hey! I have a life. Said this, I hope you discover new music and enjoy them as much as i do. Thank you so much for staying on that side of the screen for all of this time. Thank you for your patience. You guys are the best. Thanks for believing in underground metal blogs. Wish you guys all the best. Enjoy the music.

10. Kêres "Old Blood for a New Moon" EP 

Great obscure black metal from Finland. The previous Kêres Demos are really good, but this time with "Old Blood for a New Moon" Kêres presents us a more clear and polished sound without never losing that mystical aura around it. I really enjoy this EP, besides the tracks being simple they're quite dark and the result is a very cohesive release from one of the best hidden gems from Finland. Get it from Ahdistuksen Aihio Productions.

9. Ostots "Arantzen Putzuan" Demo 

Great Raw Black Metal coming from the Basque Country. Here is a band that I believe might be new to many of you out there. I mean, the sound practiced by Ostots is not easy to please the generic black metal fan. Watching where the band started and where it stands now, Ostots have evolved a lot. Growing better and better, release upon release. I had great expectations with it's new Demo "Arantzen Putzuan" and it sure didn't disappointed me. Great tracks featuring the most pure raw black metal. Distributed by Fallow Field, Bubonic Productions also had a few copies, but at this point, I believe the tape is sold out.

8. Witch In Her Tomb "Maleficus Maleficarum" EP 

Raw, rabid and gnarly black metal from Illinois, U.S. It's true that Witch In Her Tomb have already a small cult around them. A proof of that is, whenever their physical releases come out, they fly in a blink of an eye. After a very well received Demo, with "Maleficus Maleficarum" WIHT proves us that they're one the best underground black metal gems in the U.S. actually.

7. Sun Worship "Surpass Eclipse" EP 

Great and epic black metal from Germany. Sun Worship are quickly rising and gaining a strong reputation release after release. "Surpass Eclipse" features two tracks of some of the most amazing black metal I've heard this year. Great construction of tracks, well played and very powerful. In the meantime I absolutely recommend you to check out their latest split with Unru, another great and aspiring band from Germany. You buy from Sun Worship here.

6. Hope Drone "Hope Drone" EP 

Remarkable and solid post black metal from Australia. I was totally blown' away by the quality of this EP. I can see a very shiny future for these boys. Fans of Ash Borer, Alda and other contemporary post black metal acts, take note. I've talked about this release when it came out. You can read it here. Buy it here.

5. מזמור "Untitled Winter" EP

Mizmor, the side project of A.L.N from the monster sludge/doom band Hell. With "Untitled Winter" EP, Mizmor gave me, and I hope to a lot of good folks out there, the perfect soundtrack for this Winter. A bleaking and heavy blend of amazing tunes that embody the best of two of my favorite music genres, doom and black metal. An amazing introspective trip. This release is currently sold out. Meanwhile check it out here.

4. Crypt Lurker "Baneful Magic, Death Worship and Necromancy Rites Archaic" EP

Evil crushing death/doom from the UK. Embodying the old spirit of British doom, Crypt Lurker are one of the heaviest bands out there right now. Released by the hand of Ulthar Records, do yourself a favor and grab one copy of this monolithic release here.

3. Malthusian "MMXIII" Demo 

Another great evil, obscure and hallucinogenic black death act, this time from Ireland. Malthusian are a new name on the scene to keep in mind. Their powerful blend of black and death metal is clearly one of the most asphyxiating and solid I've had the pleasure to hear this year. Released by Invictus Productions this Demo is sold out (and i own one... haha!), but you might get lucky and find some copies floating around although it's planned to come out as vinyl in a near future.

2. Fórn "Fórn" EP 

Crushing, vicious, heavy-as-fuck sludge doom from Boston. Now this is exactly the kind of sludge doom Haxan digs. Filthy riffs that march at the sound of putrid beats commanded by the most caustic style of vocals. Great, great stuff. I don't grow tired of hearing this. Sadly, only few physical copies were made and sold at their gigs. Look forward to hear more of this band. Check them out here.

1. Bölzer "Aura" EP 

Bölzer, fucking Bölzer. A band that, at this point, doesn't need any kind of introduction. The Swiss band that crushed everyone on their path, conquering a legion of fans with just one single song. Those riffs, those motherfucking riffs in "Entranced by the Wolfshook" are truly out of this World, they sound like the fucking lightnings of Zeus falling on our heads. I believe this must've been one of the most played EP's here at the Haxan's den. Amazing. If at this point you don't know or haven't heard this band... dude, you're clearly doing it wrong. Amazing band, amazing sound, amazing EP. The ancient Gods are pleased. Bring on a full-length. You can buy it at Iron Bonehead although there are several distros and Discogs sellers selling this beauty out here.

Download the compilation HERE and taste a few of what I've chosen back there.

That's all for now. Keep an eye out for the best Albums of 2013. Coming soon.

Bands You Should Be Hearing PT.II

Hello. Today i bring a handful of new music that i've discovered recently. I'm not going to write a whole testament on each release, just a couple words. Sorry, but I'm not feeling very inspired today. Besides, you're all here for the music, right? So let's get to it.

First is Boreas, a black metal act from Kansas City. Boreas (who took their name from the Greek God of North Wind or Winter) play this low-fi, harsh, nihilistic style of black metal. Nothing ground-breaking to be honest but when it comes to their music, I just dig the whole sound on this Demo and the tracks are really good too. The Gods are pleased.

Boreas

Kato, a blackened sludge act that blend the furious side of hardcore with the monolithic heaviness of sludge metal, are indeed a band that every fan of the genre should put their ears upon. Introducing three tracks in this Demo, the amazing instrumental "Yet His Shadow Still Looms" and two furious songs "And All Of The Rats Gather" and "Dust Of Earth". The quality is really, really good here and i can see a great future for this band as long as they keep this pace. Good.

Kato

From Portugal, another great and promising young band, Mother Abyss. The band plays this very heavy, heavy post-sludge-metal that will please all the fans from bands like Cult of Luna, Generation Of Vipers, Isis or Mouth Of The Architect. I really didn't payed much attention to this but after a really decent listen, i was blown' away by its quality. Really, really good. You can stream two tracks (no free download) or if you're willing to get a copy, head over to their Facebook.

Mother Abyss

Next, Tutti I Colori Del Buio. A fresh new act from Italy, presenting their first Demo filled with four tracks of heavy hardcore à la APMD and Trap Them. If you dig the most vicious and rabid side of hardcore, then don't sleep on this one.

TICDB

Another great band and album i was introduced to some time ago, due to one of the members of the band itself, is Curse This Ocean. Now, the name may sound that there's some kind of post-hardcore, emocore, screamo band here... but let's not judge the heart through the face. If indeed you think this way, I can assure you, you're totally wrong. Curse This Ocean simply deliver some of the best new hardcore on the scene. I mean, i love this album. The tracks are awesome, catchy, memorable as they are heavy and filled with (dark) emotions . All layered with a superb production. "Lightbringer" is one of those albums that i like to visit at least, once a week. I can tell that there's a heavy influence of bands like (and you're gonna see what I mean when you hear it) Converge and Cursed for example here. Fuck.. I would dare say that i even enjoyed this album a lot more than the latest Converge (I know i'm gonna get crucified for just saying this). Only because Curse This Ocean's "Lightbringer" is fresh and as just as good and sure deserves a whole lot more ears and eyes upon them. Trust me. A very eclectic album, with very great and different moments. Truly one of my favorite albums of the genre for 2013. Check it out, you will love it and please, get this album here.

Lightbringer

That's all for now, i could get more bands but let's leave it for another day. Enjoy these releases, support & shit. Stay tuned. †

Fleshpress "Tearing Skyholes"

Now that we are at the edge of closing another great year for heavy music, I was caught by surprise by this new album from Fleshpress. Their previous "Acid Mouth Strangulation" didn't hit me the way I expected from Mikko Aspa and his crew. I found it really odd and after very listens it still didn't grew on me the way i wanted. But since everything they put out holds a surprise inside, I really don't know what to expect with "Tearing Skyholes" where they seem to explore even more, and deep down inside, the most experimental and psychedelic side of their sound. It's even more stripped down, reminding me acts like Switchblade or the slower, atmospheric parts of Terra Tenebrosa. Just listen for your self and take your own conclusions. Buy it here.

Tearing Skyholes

Haxan's Halloween Mixtape III

As a tradition here on Forever Cursed, i leave you with the third Halloween Mixtape curated by Häxan. Have fun, get wasted. don't drink and drive. Me? Well, I'm about to enter a Hellraiser movie marathon. Enjoy.

Hell... oh... Win!

tracklist:

1 - Intro 

2 - Zombie Society - Nasum 

3 - Witch's Hole - Ablach 

4 - Ghouls of the Endless Night - Bastard Priest 

5 - Nightghoul Of The Graveyards - Drawn And Quartered 

6 - A Ghoul Rising From The Grave - A Transylvanian Funeral 

7 - She is Clenched in the Teeth of Zombies - The Last Surrealist 

8 - Witch-Storm - Bal-Sagoth 

9 - Werewolves On Wheels - Dishammer 

10 - A Night With No Mercy - Muert 

11 - Forest Samhain - Moon 

12 - Infernal Dance of the Wicked - Teitanblood 

13 - Night Of The Deathcult - Hooded Menace 

14 - Pakt - Detritivore 

15 - Cold - Troum 

16 - At Night - Seirom 

17 - Dance With Me - T.S.O.L. 

18 - Werewolf - The Frantics 

19 - Sleeping With The Witch - Dax Riggs 

20 - Beneath the Mask - Bell Witch

Nomadic Rituals "Holy Giants"

Nomadic Rituals are a recent doom/sludge metal band coming from Belfast, Northern Ireland. This 3-piece, bring in their luggage a fucking heavy debut album entitled "Holy Giants" and holy crap... this sounds exactly like music for giants. The tracks are heavy as fuck, proving us that once in a while there are great sludge/doom acts coming from northern Europe. Specifically from Ireland, where the scene appears to be very small when it comes to this genre. Shit... I can only think of names like the disgusting Wreck of the Hesperus, De Novissimis and another recent case, Tome. So, Nomadic Rituals, we all welcome you. Please smash our skulls with your powerful sludge/doom sledgehammer.

The production of "Holy Giants" is excellent, very professional and the sound speaks for it self. Just adjust the volume up when you play "Don't Fuck with Giants"... the ground will shake as slow and heavy riffs strike from above nailing us down to the ground. Almost as if they're being played in slow motion. As we all know, when it comes to doom/sludge, the tracks don't evolve too much, and here in "Holy Rituals" there's no exception. Everything here is about weight, as the music is played 90% of the time, very, very slow. A very great album for you to discover. Buy it, stream it, download it. Just play it loud. Recommended for fans of Zoroaster, Abest, Bädr Vogu, etc.

Don't fuck with Giants

Scroll "Scroll Demo"

Now this particular release isn't new. Some of you may already be familiar with it but for those who aren't, keep on reading. Scroll is a one man black metal band from Seattle and this is its first self-titled Demo released back in 2011. It was released as a tape with a very awesome DIY hand-made pouch. For those who grabbed it, lucky you. Scroll's Demo features 5 tracks giving us a total of 30 minutes of very well performed, very good, intense and memorable black metal music. I was really astonished by the quality of this. It's really, really good. I personally love the sound of it. It's very dense, almost as we're involved with this cold tremolo picking blanket in the middle of this grim whirlwind of blastbeats.     I guess the best way to describe Scroll's sound is that it sounds pretty much "cascadian". Very Ash borer-esque or Fell Voices-esque, if you know what i mean. Nevertheless it has a soul of it's own and it's not just another copy-cat band. The barrage of the tremolo picking notes spewing from the guitar melts perfectly with the fury of the drum, creating this thick wall of noisy and impenetrable black metal. I just hope this project hasn't died yet and the man behind it can surprise us with something new soon. You hear that Jesse??

Whispers within the forest

Nefaria "Demo II"

I bumped into this band the other day, Nefaria, a raw black metal band from Portland. Nefaria play this insane, primitive and noisy style of black metal that brings to my mind bands like Black Cilice, Invertebrate, Ostots, just so you can get the picture here. Nefaria's sound swings between the depressive and most raw side of black metal although at some points there might be some parts we can consider slightly atmospheric, slightly... As the first track "Dragged Through Dirt, Gravel, and Broken Glass" begins, the riffs are spilled on the floor as blood coming out from a fresh knife wound. But the most demented and tenebrous part arrives with the introduction of this ill keyboard. Absolutely insane. There are great riffs throughout this Demo, as heard in "As a Dying and Never Repeated Echo" and "Supreme Intellect Through Scorched Earth" for example, making this a must-have for fans of the genre. I find this Demo is really good indeed, but like i said, only real fans of the genre will give true credit to it. Support the artist, buy the tape.

As a Dying and Never Repeated Echo

THOU "Call No Man Happy Until He Is Dead"

While i dream about the next Thou album, that I'm pretty sure it will crush everything and everyone, here is something that caught me a little by surprise. Thou like you never heard before. As said on the Bandcamp site, this was recorded before Brian aka "The Jeff Walker of sludge/doom" joined forces with the band. And I'm glad he did. No offense, i just enjoy a LOT of his style of vocals and i think it suits Thou's sound just fine, giving the band an unique touch. I'm sure a lot of you out there agree with me. In the meantime enjoy these early-days tracks by Thou. Cool!

Call No Man Happy Until He Is Dead

Afterwalker "Afterwalker"

While browsing my playlist, trying to organize it and stuff, I was face to face with this very nice release from Afterwalker, the solo project of D.P.Pearce of Kigo. To be honest with you guys, I've never heard of him or Kigo. But it doesn't matter. D.P.Pearce is the whole master-mind here and he basically does everything: the guitars, bass, synth, vocals, recording and mixing. The result is quite interesting. Very mesmerizing and mysterious atmospheric black metal, so don't be scared and run off when you first hear "Callus", the first track, entirely played acoustically even featuring some piano too. My favorite tracks here are "Left to Burn" and "The Dweller", i really dig the atmosphere of these tracks. The whole balance between that evil and more melodic side of black metal on "Left to Burn" is just perfect, very Drudkh-esque but played in a more raw and harsh way. While "The Dweller", reminds me a bit of Tardigrada, that i personally love. I just think that D.P. should bet more on this type of sound and tracks. Really good stuff. The Demo is available as "name your price" on the artist Bandcamp. Worth a listen for sure.

Moongazing

Sangus Legio "Vengeful Brutality"

Hello boys and girls. Today i bring some rotten, putrid, new evil stuff. You can still see and smell the fresh blood on this one...

Sangus Legio are, as described by themselves, a misanthropic black thrash unit, coming from Providence, RI, formed by members of Paindriver, Haxen, Sin of Angels, Nachzehrer & I, Destroyer. Quoting names as Sarcofago, Impaled Nazarene, Nifelheim and Driller Killer as their main influences, is not difficult to guess what to expect here: three tracks of the most fast, vicious-as-fuck, straight-hate, killer black punk metal assault.

Man... the only thing that comes to my mind every time i hear "Vengeful Brutality" are: rivers of beer, loud motorbikes and worshiping Satan. Shit. This is really good stuff. If you get the chance, please don't miss this band live. I, personally, will be glad with a full-length soon. The Army of Lucifer is recruiting... join the Army now!

Legions of doom