Yersinia Pestis - Finis Gloriae Mundi

Artist: Yersinia Pestis

Album: Finis Gloriae Mundi

Label: Vanguard Productions (VP-15)

Limitation: Unknown

Country: US

Genre: Melodic Black Metal

Year: 2014

The disease Yersinia Pestis, (also known as the Black Death), was responsible for the annihilation of almost one-third of the European population during the sixth century. The band Yersinia Pestis, while not quite as deadly, definitely live up to the sinister connotations of their historical namesake. One of the current batch of stellar new releases from prolific upstart label Vanguard Productions, this New Hampshire group has an excellent pedigree, containing members of Clothbodies' favorites Morthylla, Dhampyr and Aerugo. Their fierce brand of orthodox black metal is reminiscent of legendary Swedish heroes such as Dissection, with soaring guitar leads, crisp production and melodic tremolo riffs that burrow into your subconscious, all while remaining true to their own unique vision. With Vanguard Productions making their mark releasing exceptional albums from bands as varied as Intolerant, Thestral, Dumal and neo-folk act Solarthrone, Finis Gloriae Mundi is an excellent place to start exploring their burgeoning catalog.

"The End Of The Glory Of This World"

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Nocnitsa - Reveling Of Foul Spirits

Artist: Nocnitsa

Album: Reveling Of Foul Spirits

Label: Blutige Magie (BLUT-003)

Limitation: 200 Copies

Country: US

Genre:  Black Metal

Year: 2014

Initially knowing nothing about this obscure US horde, I picked up this cassette based solely on the merits of label Blutige Magie (home to the mighty Gath Smane and Clementine Vulgate) who, in my mind, can do no wrong. I was not disappointed in the least. Apparently the band's first recording in almost six years, this is near perfect, hateful black metal art that is truly a diamond in the rough among today's climate of pretenders and the current disappointing tendency for every other band to sound like a poor-man's Bone Awl. Oh no - this is icy, weakness-scorning, misanthropic, played in the old way, black fucking metal. Definitely refreshing and highly recommended, I can only hope it's not another six years before we hear from these maniacs again.

As of this writing, extremely limited copies are still available from the always reliable Analog Worship.

"Blood intoxicates them whose eyes glow with wildness..."

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Moon - Clavicula Nox

Artist: Moon

Album: Clavicula Nox

Label: Schattenkult Produktionen (SKP-065)

Limitation: 300 Hand-numbered Copies

Country: Australia

Genre: Ambient/Depressive Black Metal

Year: 2014

A new album by Australia's Moon, released on the mighty SchattenKult Produktionen (formerly Selbstmord Kommando Produktionen), is cause for jubilation. And what an album it is - Clocking in at nearly 80 minutes of some of the best repetitive, hypnotic, trance-inducing black metal this side of early Xasthur, Clavicula Nox is possibly Miasmyr's defining statement to date. Best ingested as a whole, these lengthy summonings positively drip with eerie atmospherics and are extraordinarily easy to find yourself transfixed in the haze of otherworldly reverie they induce. As an added bonus, the tape edition contains two extra tracks not included on other formats. 

As of this writing, cassettes are currently still available directly from the label, although Moon releases tend to sell-out rather quickly and fetch relatively high collector's prices.

"A heresy to existence, the contraction of life..."

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