29. Season of Arrows - Season of Arrows

LABEL
The Path Less Traveled
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
83%

An ice cold album with female vocals with an occult doom metal atmosphere? Yes that whats the first opus from the american band Season of Arrows delivers. Its a quite dark and dreamy album that mixes from a lot of metal sub-genres with an emphasis on weight and magic.

Its a great album for those how like their music quite slow, mystic and melodic in a weird beyond the other side way. A excellent choice for those how are searching for more female fronted doom bands like Castle and Jex Thoth.

28. Swampborn - Alleged Escape

LABEL
Self-released
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
88%

Now its time for some, what they call Post-Black Metal from Russia. Yeah its innovative in some ways in the structure, but in the foundation its still BM, melodic such.

But is it worth to pick one's ear up for? Yeah, it has a lot of great melodies that really brings the feeling of solitude and isolation together with a nagging feeling of madness and post-traumatic stress. It may be a little bit uneven, but it has a lot of great moments especially in the first track "Augoeides", which are defiantly worth your precious time!

Honourable Mentions: Planet of Zeus, Archspire, Pet The Preacher

Planet of Zeus - Vigilante (Stoner Metal)

Archspire - The Lucid Collective (Death Metal)

Pet The Preacher - The Cave & the Sunlight (Stoner Metal)

27. Liber Necris - Negative Creator

LABEL
Venn Records
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
75%

Negative Creator are a short but pleasant blast beating experience that balances perfectly between BM and DM. Its fast, technical and mildly heavy.

It has the darkness and atmosphere from BM together with the technicality and brutality of today's DM. Its dark and gloomy and has some more intricate parts that are defiantly worth your time. It is a quite varied EP overall, easy to take in and enjoy, but maybe not the most memorable EP you ever have heard, but hey! Give it a shoot!!!

26. Pilgrim - II: Void Worship

LABEL
Metal Blade
AVDIO
Metal Blade
GRADE
82%

Today's release offers up some magical powers inform of the occult fantasy doom metal band Pilgrim from the states. It is a massively heavy record that delivers both in spellbinding atmosphere and riffs that are the work of an evil wizard.

It is a record that takes your places, beyond foggy mountain tops, down to a sorceress dungeon where wicked alchemy goes on. It delivers in all the departments, and the song "The Paladin" is an instant classic. A must for fans of doom, heavy music or magical themes. 

Honourable Mentions: Gravehill, Vanhelga, Frijgard

Gravehill - Death Curse (Death-, Black-, Thrash Metal)

Vanhelga - Längtan (Black Metal)

Frijgard - Bellum Aeternum Est (Black Metal)

25. Herder - Gods

LABEL
Reflections Records
AVDIO
Vice
GRADE
90%

This is how real fucking sludge should sound, drawling, dirty and grinding. But Herder adds an extra dimension to their music with some good ol' stoner rockin metal which makes it an catchy rectum-kicking-experience.

This is the soundtrack to the apocalypse with humanity gone insane festering on each other and forming cults worshiping the fall of men. Its catchier than a zombie virus in a insane asylum and more bleak then death himself and a must for everyone, whatever you like BM, DM or Sludge!!! 

24. Serpent Warning - Serpent Warning

LABEL
I Hate
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
87%

Here we have some classic old doom in the vain of masters like Candlemass and Cathedral. There are no unnecessary bullshit and fuss here, just the essentials and the massive heavy end-of-the-world atmosphere that characterize the genre.

The album are a blueprint how a true doom metal record should sound with its chanting clean vocals and foggy occult atmosphere. Its a release that must be heard by any fans of the genres or just listeners that like atmospheric occult music in general

23. Pyrrhon - The Mother of Virtues

LABEL
Relapse Records
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
92%

Ohh this album are like an uncontrollable beast, it takes unpredictable twist and turns for every second that goes on, and you never know where its going next. Its technical and experimental death metal on a high level this gang of Americans delivers.

Its both brutal and mind-smashing, my brain goes fucking apeshit when I listen to it, and I cherish every millisecond of it, I can't get enough of this artwork. For that is what is, its pure fucking art, you may not get it everything, but it tingles a sensation somewhere. Do I have to say its fucking brilliant?!?

22. Autumn's Dawn - Autumn's Dawn

LABEL
Eisenwald Tonschmiede
AVDIO
Eisenwald
GRADE
90%

Wan't a atmospheric experience that takes you to the deepest god forsaken parts of your mind and the darkest most repressed memories, then this angst oozing EP is for you.

It both has the melodies and the atmosphere of a forgotten dying forest as the mood of a twisted mind in delusion. Its an most enjoyable experience to step in to, its both bizarre sometimes, but also so beautiful and fragile. a release that must be perceived. 

21. Vredehammer - Vinteroffer

LABEL
Indie Recordings
AVDIO
ReverbNation
GRADE
88%

It may be a little bit plastic and not that old at all, but it ain't that bad actually, to be honest its hellish good!!! It has great grim rhythms that all have the sound Norwegian metal has today, with a hybrid of classical black-, death- and thrash metal riffs with some hints of progressive stuff.

As always are the songs on Norwegian the highlights on the album. Its an album that is easy to get in to, but it may not have that much depth. But are you searching for something cold, well played, with good songs from the northern hemisphere, then you can't go wrong with this release.

20. Vendetta Inc. - Bristle with Rage

LABEL
Self-released
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
89%

Wow!!! This fucking EP blow my fucking mind and splattered it on a concrete wall the first time I heard it!!! Now after an untold numbers of listening to the EP I have a more nuanced picture of the release, but it is still a hell of a great opus!!!

It has this great groove to it that speaks right to the reptile brain. Every song is catchy as hell and just wants me to kick, scream and start a mob. Its easy as fuck to take in, so its perfect if your in a haste for something new and violent that kicks elephant balls.

19. Patria - Individualism

LABEL
Indie Recordings
AVDIO
YouTube
GRADE
90%

Today's band Patria offers up a more modern type of "black metal" that is basically BM with a more melodic progressive twist. And it ain't that bad actually, rather the opposite!!!

It all feels new and alive in some twisted way like rotten roots that finds new ways to grow. The album is adventurous and takes on new paths without getting lost in mediocre oblivion. It has an unstoppable creativity which makes the whole album interesting the whole way. Furthermore is the album catchy as pest in the medieval times and must be listened to at least once!!!

18. Inconcessus Lux Lucis - Disintegration: Psalms of Veneration for the Nefarious Elite

LABEL
Nomos Dei Productions
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
88%

With one of the lengthiest album titles in the history delivers the UK black metal band Inconcessus Lux Lucis a great debut album that is both melodic and illuminating for the mind.

The album always rides on the excellent carnal melodies without compromising the genuine BM atmosphere. Its an solid release that is exciting to explore for both the ears and mind without making it an pompous cake of bombastic overload. Its melodic BM done the right way with a meaning and a purpose. 

Honourable Mentions: Aronious, Bergrizen, Morgon

 Aronious - Truth in Perception

Morgon - Black Light of Liberation

Bergrizen - Scherbengericht

17. The Drip - A Presentation of Gruesome Poetics

LABEL
Relapse Records
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
86%

Today's review will be just as the release, short, fast and straight to the fucking point.

The Drip plays some good fucking grindcore that packs a massive weight to it. Its like a concrete slab right in your neck. Or like a rusty iron rod through your ears. Yeah its that fucking great. Dirty and heavy as a obese prostitute in the gutter, and a must for everyone who appreciate grindcore, punk or crust!!!

16. Slaughterer - Possessing Violence

LABEL
Self-released
AVDIO
Official Website
GRADE
77%

Do you want a death/thrash metal album that sounds like it was produced in the late eighties/early nineties?!? Then this release are for you!!!

The album are raw, merciless and doesn't make any excuses for its existences. Its just straight to the point without any bullshitting and that's the way it always should be. Take a trip back to memorie lane before any of those fucking -core genres existed. 

15. Miasmal - Cursed Redeemer

LABEL
Century Media
AVDIO
Official Website
GRADE
87%

Today we have another great death metal album from Sweden. Miasmal together with Vampire are probably the two greatest DM bands Sweden has to offer at the moment, and that says a fucking lot!!!

Its everything you want. Its dark, sinister and twisted. It has great song structures and a complexity that still manage to stay old school in a way. Maybe contradictory, but hey!!
Its a great fucking album that the quality really shines through on every track, both in the musicians, the production and the whole apocalyptic feeling of the album. 

Honourable Mentions: Macabre Demise, The Seer, Dopelord

Dopelord - Black Arts, Riff Worship & Weed Cult

Macabre Demise - Walk This Death

The Seer - Prologue

14. Wormreich - Wormcult Revelations

LABEL
Moribund Records
AVDIO
ReverbNation
GRADE
90%

Another day, another review of chaos and destruction, today in the form of the american black metal band Wormreich and their latest EP. And what a excellent release it is, it has everything to offer that I demand from a BM record. Diabolical song structures, a grim atmosphere and songs that touch you on a deeper level.

This release is a good example of that the genre is still vital and produces material that is competent and brings small new elements to the genre without changing the structure. 

13. Sights of War - Annihilate to Survive

LABEL
HSP Productions
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
87%

Today's release are of the more punkish kind with influences of both black metal and heavy metal. But how does this chaos odorous concoction sound like? Pretty much what you think it would sound, its primitive, catchy and has the ability to start a mosh pit of genocide.

The punk elements are obvious the dominant part of the record and that's great, it brings the feeling of destruction and endless beer drinking. Best served with a jug of the finest moonshine and a post-stress syndrome. 

12. Paramnesia - Paramnesia

LABEL
Les Acteurs de l'Ombre
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
89%

Today we are going to take about the massive behemoth that is the eponymous full-length release from Paramnesia. The Opus is an epic beast to get through with its lengthy two tracks.

The two tracks tales a dreadful tale filled with atmosphere and depth that take you to places far beyond. Its an grand black metal that do almost everything right, smoldering riff, agonizing vocals and an atmosphere that aren't this earth.

Honourable Mentions: Dead In The Manger, Harakiri For The Sky, Zombie Attack

Dead In The Manger - Transience

Harakiri For The Sky - Aokigahara

Zombie Attack - Through the Circles of Hell

11. Wort - Not Your Cup of Tea

LABEL
When Planets Collide
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
84%

With the somewhat silly name "Not your cup of tea" delivers the UK band Wort an quite tasty EP that's defiantly my blood cup of tea!!! The EP offers up some great slamming sludge/doom hybrid that is both catchy and heavy as a led pipe (Fire Flute).

Its ass-kickin and loads a massive weight to its sound. Its short, intense and makes me wanting more, just like a great EP should. 

10. Funest - Desecrating Obscurity

LABEL
Memento Mori
AVDIO
Youtube
GRADE
87%

Are you in the mood for some old school death metal that are as dark as a coal miners rectum? Then you can't go wrong with this release. Its dark, rotting and vile, just as it should be with low tuned guitars and a voice darker than the deepest abyss.

Its both kind of catchy and brutal at the sametime, and always stays on the dirty old school path. Its an album that all fans of old school DM should enjoy!!!

9. The Great Old Ones - Tekeli-Li

LABEL
Les Acteurs de l'Ombre
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
88%

The Lovecraftian post-black metal band The Great Old Ones are back once again with their second full-length release. The music are much like the albums cover, like an modern artwork that takes unexpected turns, not hindered by any boundaries and has almost a life on its own.

Its both beautiful and mind numbing sometimes, just like Lovecraft's works. It paints this big unworldly landscapes with the music that takes you in, and trust me, you want to stay there.

8. Thantifaxath - Sacred White Noise

LABEL
Dark Descent Records
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
95%

Todays band are none other the mysterious band Thantifaxath from Canada. But it ain't just the members that are mysterious, the music itself are all like a piece of cryptical art that you have to listen to many times to get the whole experience.

The music hides so much inside, its both magical and depressing, mind boggling and hypnotic. It takes you between worlds, to distant dreadful places and into the mind. Its an album that most certainly are progressive but at the same time true to the formula. I can't recommend this black and white piece enough!!!

7. Valdrin - Beyond the Forest

LABEL
Blast Head Records
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
93%

Todays release brings me pleasant memories of an old Emperor with its fast melodic guitars and the bombastic keyboard in the background, which take just enough space, it never takes over hand and are just there for the atmosphere.

All track are like a masterpiece on their own. Every song are constructed like a madman's symphony. Its fast and sharp with shitloads of nightsky atmosphere that are haunting to the withering bones.

Honourable Mentions: Âmon Sethis, Question, Infest

Âmon Sethis - The Final Struggle

Infest - Infest Cold Blood War

Question - Doomed Passages

6. Erebus Enthroned - Temple Under Hell

LABEL
Séance Records
AVDIO
ReverbNation
GRADE
89%

Do you want an album with a thick atmosphere that reeks of burning feathers and sulphur. And have a bright burning flame inside that devours and creates uncontrollable great magik in form of music, then this is the album for you.

The album creates the feeling of a live ceremony in an excellent way, it has this abyssal deep atmosphere to it and a heat that penetrates the ear lobes with full force. This is an album that grows on you. Give it a shot!!!

5. Satyress - Dark Fortunes

LABEL
Self-released
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
85%

Todays release are yet another one of those female fronted occult metal bands that have been popping up the latest years. Don't get me wrong, I fucking love most of those bands, and Satyress ain't any exception.

The band are heavy on the doom metal side with massive dark doom riffs that echos and brings an thick heaviness to the album. Together with the beautiful possessed like vocals from Jamie LaRose which creates an pitch dark album for a wicked night. 

4. Dismemberment - Embrace the Dark

LABEL
Tridroid Records
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
86%

With a name that oozes death metal comes the blackened thrash metal attack Dismemberment right at you!!! Their first full-length release consists of an devilish intensity and a kind of catchiness to it. It constantly have the adrenaline pumping at a steady thrashing pace with some black metal tones interrupting with some blast beats.

Its an album that are easy as fuck to take in with its bite size songs and catchy driving forward thrash riffs that are so familiar, but I can't get tired of this stuff. 

Honourable Mentions: Fragarak, Bokluk, Daemonheim

Fragarak - Crypts of Dissimulation

Bokluk - Taphonomy

Daemonheim - Tidian

3. Nux Vomica - Nux Vomica

LABEL
Relapse Records
AVDIO
Myspace
GRADE
78%

Todays release offers up three massive tracks of crust and death metal with a lot of experimental lusts. Its three big potions to take in at a first listening with a lot of things going on together with all the social criticism in the lyrics (which I don't give a fuck about, I'm more about pestilence and famine to all).

Its like a big loaf of whole wheat bread, it takes some time to get through and it doesn't taste that good all of the times, but you know its good for you. Its an album which would appeal to both listeners of crust, DM, BM and people who just want to listen to something different. 

2. Inhuman Remnants - Inattentional Blindness

LABEL
Eschatonic Records
AVDIO
Bandcamp
GRADE
84%

Today we are going to wallow in sticky and veil death metal from down under. The latest EP from the band Inhuman Remnants provides just that, filthy parasite infested death metal with an foul aftertaste of rotten flesh. And its a fucking GOREgeous feist!!!

If you want a quick fix for your death metal urges and want to feel the maggots crawling beneath your skin, then Inattentional Blindness are dead right for you!!!

1. Human Fate - Part 1 Reissue

LABEL
Dooweet Records
AVDIO
Myspace
GRADE
89%

Lets widen our views a bit with the first review of the month. The release in question is the french experimental metal group Human Fate and their update first opus. Its an album that stuck to me like world spreading diseases. I got really hooked on the middle eastern and balkan folk music you could find on this intellectual album.

Every song are like a rare delicacy to my ears with a smooth aftertaste of brilliance. Both in the song construction and execution. Maybe not for everybody, but are you a little bit adventurous with your music, give it a shoot.