Monday, December 30, 2013

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Inquisition - Magnificent Glorification Of Lucifer


Artist: Inquisition
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.

LISTEN

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.

LISTEN

Lake Of Blood - Omnipotens Tyrannus



Artist: Lake Of Blood
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.

Forgotten Spell - 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. 

LISTEN

Roman Cross - Make Graves The Home Of Men



Artist: Roman Cross
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...