Moonknight - Senmorta

Artist: Moonknight

Album: Senmorta

Label: Rising Beast Recordings (RBR-019)

Limitation: 100 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: US

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal/Thrash

Year: 2013

Demo number three from Harassor member James Brown III's highly regarded atmospheric black metal project. While there is a noticeable thrash influence this time around, the Moonknight sound thankfully remains intact. Featuring live drums from Andorkappen, aka Lord Time. Recommended.

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L'Acephale - Decollate

Artist: L'Acephale

Album: Decollate

Label: Black Horizons (BH-75)

Limitation: 200 Copies

Country: US

Genre: Experimental Black Metal/Ambient

Year: 2013

The latest beautifully packaged demo from Set Sothis Nox La's mighty L'Acephale project, containing two original compositions and three covers. An excellent introduction to one of the Pacific Northwest's best-kept secrets. Full stream and review at the mandatory Inarguable blog.

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Sejr - Demo

Artist: Sejr

Album: Sejr

Label: Posh Isolation (Posh Isolation 112)

Limitation: 125 Copies

Country: Denmark

Genre: Raw Black Metal/Punk

Year: 2013

Seven songs. Nine minutes. Concise and driving punk-influenced black metal on the great Posh Isolation imprint. Summoned by members of the post-punk phenomenon, Iceage.

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Urzeit - Demo

Artist: Urzeit

Album: Urzeit

Label: Psychic Violence (PV-XI)

Limitation: 125 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: US

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2013

One of the year's best debuts. Stomping, aggressive and primal black metal from the Pacific Northwest, featuring members of Mizmor and Ash Borer. Currently sold out from the label but there are a few remaining copies available at Caligari Records.

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Inquisition - Magnificent Glorification Of Lucifer

Artist: Inquisition

Album: Magnificent Glorification Of Lucifer

Label: Sylphorium Records

Limitation: Unknown

Country: Columbia

Genre: Orthodox Black Metal

Year: 2004

Licensed from No Colours Records, Inquisition's 3rd album is a masterpiece of the form, and predates their move to the US. Nothing short of masters of the genre doing what they do best. As with all Inquisition records, this comes highly recommended.

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Svartrit - I

Artist: Svartrit

Album: I

Label: Bubonic Productions (BBP-030)

Limitation: 100 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: Sweden

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2010

Swedish for 'Black Rite,' Svartrit is one of the leading names in Scandinavian black metal today. The two men behind this epic horde are deeply entrenched in the underground, playing in many stellar bands highly worth seeking out (Grav, Grifteskymfning, Hadanfard, Kaos Sacramentum, Urkaos, Beketh Nexehmu, etc.), and also involved in running the mighty Ancient Records. This is their first full length and one of THE best albums of 2010. Long sold out vinyl version on Ancient. Ignore at your own risk.

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Lake Of Blood - Omnipotens Tyrannus

Artist: Lake Of Blood

Album: Omnipotens Tyrannus 

Label: Cult Of Melancholia

Limitation: Unknown

Country: US

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2013

With seven songs reaching nearly eighty minutes, the long awaited Omnipotens Tyrannus finds Lake Of Blood coming into their own in grand style. Where previous album As Time And Tide Erodes Stone was a serviceable, if ultimately forgettable piece of west coast black metal, this new album is another beast completely. Ambitious, labyrinthine and progressive (in the good way), this tape-only LP will make many year end lists, mine included. Bonus points for featuring a guest appearance from Wrest on vokills. Pick this up while it's still available from Cult Of Melancholia.

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Forgotten Spell - Opening The Skies Of Sulphuric Paradise

Artist: Forgotten Spell

Album: Opening The Skies Of Sulphuric Paradise

Label: Parasyte Curse (PC-17)

Limitation: 150 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: Germany

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2011

One of THE most underrated bands recording on one of THE most underrated labels (Parasyte Curse, home of Durazis), Forgotten Spell is one of a very few young Germanic bands that can do no wrong. Off kilter and chaotic, but strangely beautiful tremolo riffs coupled with amazingly unique song structures and an obviously high level of musicianship have made this album/band one of my favorites of the last few years. Also worth tracking down is their previous album, Desecrated, Decayed And Still Holy. Highest Possible Recommendation. 

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Roman Cross - Make Graves The Home Of Men

Artist: Roman Cross

Album: Make Graves The Home Of Men

Label: Yoke Of Christ

Limitation: Unknown

Country: US

Genre: Raw Black Metal

Year: 2009

Perhaps best known for their splits with Circle Of Ouroborus, this slab of hypnotic, driving and repetitive black metal is brought to us from from the mighty Roman Cross out of NYC. Featuring one half of the highly touted Asymmetry, and boasting connections to the exponentially rising Cosmic Church, this one is definitely worth tracking down. Tape edition on the elusive Yoke Of Christ imprint. These roots run deep...

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Dross - II

Artist: Dross

Album: II

Label: Tagobella (TAGO 23)

Limitation: 50 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: US

Genre: Experimental Black Metal

Year: 2013

Excellent experimental black metal from Phoenix, Arizona. A few copies are still available via their label, Tagobella. Recommended.

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Stillborn Fawn - Abature

Artist: Stillborn Fawn

Album: Abature

Label: Bleak Environment (013)

Limitation: Unknown

Country: US

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2012

Second demo of primitive and violent black metal from this Denver, Colorado horde, released on the sorely missed Bleak Environment imprint. Recommended for fans of label-mates Xothist and Vocivus.

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Wulkanaz - Kwetwan Jah Dreuzaz

Artist: Wulkanaz

Album: Kwetwan Jah Dreuzaz

Label: Aetergap Productions (AEP-003)

Limitation: 300 Copies

Country: Sweden

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2010

The first mind-expanding ritual offering from one of the most promising new names in black metal. Wulkanaz is the solo project of Kumulonimbus, member of the mighty Tomhet. Highest possible recommendation. 

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The Haunting Presence

Artist: The Haunting Presence

Album: The Haunting Presence

Label: Shaman Of Horrors Offerings (SOH-01)

Limitation: Unknown

Country: US

Genre: Death/Black Metal

Year: 2011

Two song offering of Crepusculo Negro affiliated blackened metal of death. Vinyl version pressed by Hells Headbangers Records. 

"Recorded in smoke and darkness, May 2011."

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Asymmetry - Ashes Into Wood

Artist: Asymmetry

Album: Ashes Into Wood

Label: Kuunpalvelus

Limitation: Unknown

Country: US/Finland

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2012

Amazing international collaboration between Sandess of Roman Cross and Vandra of Cosmic Church. Highly recommended.

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Leviathan - Demos Two Thousand

Artist: Leviathan

Album: Demos Two Thousand

Label: Oaken Throne / Blood, Fire, Death

Limitation: 500 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: US

Genre: Black Metal/Ambient

Year: 2005

A collection of early demos (Shadows Of No Light & Misanthropicnecroblasphemy) from the USBM torch-bearer. Released by Blood, Fire, Death in cooperation with the venerable Oaken Throne zine.

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Hail - Blood Revenge Of Death

Artist: Hail

Album: Blood Revenge Of Death (HV 007)

Label: Hyden Venet

Limitation: 100 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: US

Genre: Experimental Black Metal

Year: 2012

One of the Pacific Northwest's most unheard and underrated bands, featuring Set Sothis Nox La of L'Acephale. Copies still available directly from the band. Highest possible recommendation.

***UPDATE*** Copies available now through Grey Sun Records.

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Likfard

Artist: Likfard

Album: Likfard

Label: Aetergap Productions (AEP 008)

Limitation: Unknown

Country: Sweden

Genre: Black Metal

Year: 2011

Swedish blasphemy on the always excellent Aetergap Productions, home to Wulkanaz and the mighty Panphage. Recommended. 

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Odz Manouk/Tukaaria

Artist: Odz Manouk/Tukaaria

Album: Odz Manouk/Tukaaria

Label: Rhinocervs (RH-06)

Limitation: 100 Copies

Country: US

Genre: Raw Black Metal

Year: 2011

One of the greatest black metal splits of all time. Period. 

***UPDATE*** Vinyl version now available via Final Agony Records.

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Ormgard - Ormblot

Artist: Ormgard

Album: Ormblot

Label: Scythe Of Death Productions (SDP 13)

Limitation: 300 Copies

Country: Sweden

Genre: Black Metal/Ambient

Year: 2011

Demo number two of phenomenal anti-cosmic black metal from Scythe Of Death label head, Orm. For fans of Myling, Domgard and the mighty Wod. Vinyl repress available on Final Agony Records.

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Xothist

Artist: Xothist

Album: Xothist

Label: Bleak Environment

Limitation: 46 Copies

Country: US

Genre: Black Metal/Dark Ambient

Year: 2011

Highly sought-after and darkly mechanical black metal from a member of the inimitable Tollund Men. Originally released on the sadly defunct Bleak Environment, now remastered for vinyl by Fallen Empire. Highest possible recommendation.

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Raspberry Bulbs - Deformed Worship

Artist: Raspberry Bulbs

Album: Deformed Worship

Label: Seedstock Records

Limitation: 250 Copies

Country: US

Genre: Black Metal/Punk

Year: 2013

Latest full-length of steamrolling anthems by He Who Crushes Teeth, formerly one half of the mighty Bone Awl. Also available on LP via Blackest Ever Black.

"What faces cease, when another - not ready - is filling me underneath"

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Hell - Hell III

Artist: Hell

Album: Hell III

Label: Eternal Warfare (322-34)

Limitation: 300 Copies

Country: US

Genre: Doom/Drone Metal

Year: 2012

On tour now. Third album by the undisputed (in my opinion) champions of the current doom scene. Essential listening for anyone who loves heavy music. Vinyl version is in the works from the always excellent Pesanta Urfolk.

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Deseraph - Black Rites Of The Serpent

Artist: Deseraph

Album: Black Rites Of The Serpent

Label: Hills Of Hate Productions

Limitation: Unknown

Country: US

Genre: Raw Black Metal

Year: 2012

Second demo of harrowing and raw black metal from West Virginia, summoned on analog tape by Obscuerrot of the elusive Appalachian Winter and one other. Released by the band's own label, Hills of Hate Productions, in the year twelve. No contact.

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