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This is a new Finnish band (two members of
Nekrokrist SS) who produce raw ‘n savage black metal with a
depressive suicidal bent. For as raw a style & production (I like!),
there is more melody than you would think buried within the cold
music. The vocalist shreds his throat with caustic, scathing yells
and tortured screams. This comes recommended by me! - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Gloom-112520547145950/
http://spreadevil.net/
This Michigan band features Bindrune owner
Marty Rytkonen (also of the great Worm Gear ‘zine!). TGD play brutal
yet at times moody death metal with a dark aura enveloping it all.
The riffs are massive & the growling vocals superb. Think of a mix
of early ‘90s US dm, heavy doses of early ‘90s Swedish bands (Grave,
Dismember) and Brit influence (Benediction, Bolt Thrower). Solid
debut album. - Dale
https://wearethegloriousdead.bandcamp.com/ http://bindrunerecordings.com/
Gravedäncer from Brazil are total early to mid
‘80s metal worship and I love it! Think of early Venom & Sodom mixed
with Grim Reaper, Judas Priest, Satan, Angel Witch, Saxon etc… It is
malevolent ripping dark heavy metal that is catchy as hell, and
filled with memorable songs and smoking guitar fills & solos. It is
a throwback but a fun, well done throwback. - Dale
https://www.instagram.com/gravedancer_rippingmetal
https://helldprod.bandcamp.com/
 
This is the solo project of drummer Yianni
Tranxidis (GOG, ex-Black Mass, ex-Garroted), he enlisted some
musicians from those bands and the vocalist of Morgued. The result
is 3 songs & 17 minutes of good classic death metal that draws
influences from old bands out of the Canadian, US and Swedish scenes
to my ear. The vocals superbly growl out of some haunting horrific
lyrics over some killer songs and equally matched musicianship.
- Dale
https://grotesqueries.bandcamp.com/
http://www.caligarirecords.com/
I have to admit surprisingly to never having
heard of this French band despite them having been around 16 years
now. From the band name thought they might be a joke band yet to my
surprise they play simple, but enjoyably harsh and evil second wave
(with dashes of the first) black metal. It reminds me of a little of
a raunchier, rougher crazed style similar to mixing Immortal on
“Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism” with early Burzum. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/hatsbarnofficial
https://www.osmoseproductions.com/
  
It is interesting how a good yet simple
rhythmic black metal riff elongated by playing it at a slow to
moderate pace, for most of or an entire song can create such a
flowing atmosphere to paint an audio picture upon. This German band
do just that, by using a measured songwriting hand to just gradually
change the pacing of these epic length songs, slightly up or down,
manipulate the listeners emotions beautifully. Well done. -
Dale
https://www.facebook.com/haexenzijrkell https://amorfatiproductions.bandcamp.com/
Heavy Temple play some memorable and
charismatic doom that has a psychedelic stoner vibe ala bands like
Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Soundgarden, Orange Goblin and a little
foundational Black Sabbath of course. It is very moody music, in a
good way, while still being heavy yet slightly rocking at times. My
only minor complaint is I enjoyed High Priestess’ vocals on here and
they are very sparsely used. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/HeavyTemple/
https://magneticeyerecords.bandcamp.com/
Hell Strike hails from the northwest US and
produces some really solid dark and gloomy yet heavy death metal in
the old school traditions. The band features members of Ritual
Necromancy, Bloodsoaked, Ascended Dead, Funebrarum, VoidCeremony and
more. Check it out if you like that those old sounds similar to
bands like The Chasm, Sadistic Intent and the like. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Hell-Strike
https://chaos-records.bandcamp.com/
  
A Swedish one man band with hidden identity.
At 27 minutes this is a little too short to be called album. I do
kind of love that they made the cover like an old cut ‘n paste UG
flyer. Hinsides play very caustic olden demo tape days style tinny
and low-fi raw black metal. But despite how raw it is there is some
good work in the energetic and creative songwriting with some great
cold rhythms and riffing. The vocals are those of a possessed
demon! - Dale
https://www.shadowrecords.se/
https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/
This is the third full length release from Washington's Hisemtuks Himi.N. The songs on the new release continue the bands established melodic black metal style. The guitars are played flawlessly with some fast paced skillful passages and songwriting. Usually I am not a fan of keyboards in the newer bands, but Nathen does a great job of creating and executing some well done keyboard passages. ‘Witch Of The Night’ is a masterpiece of melodic black metal, if you are a fan of this genre, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy today. - Patrick
https://plaguedemonrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://hisemtukshimin.bandcamp.com/
Heavy, dank and gloomy death metal from Chile
is what Hnagash is all about. The vocals are very early days dm
style hissy dark roiling growls that are decipherable and have a
hint of that gruff thrash voice in there. This some great old school
creeping death metal that should please fans of the early works of
Autopsy, Morbid Angel, Possessed, Pestilence, Asphyx, Massacre and
the like. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Hnagash
https://personal-records.bandcamp.com/
  
This band features two members that are
currently or previously were in the Australian bands Nocturnal
Graves and Denouncement Pyre. Hunters Moon produces a mix of old
Scandinavian second wave black metal and harsh darkened Aussie death
metal. The riffing on here is massive and the songwriting and
playing are smooth and impressive. - Dale
https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
I,Misanthrope is the creative creation of
Chris Waters who plays in the band Puke and does drum programming
for Moribundus Christus. The music that is presented is a mix of
dark industrial and noise. It is an interesting blend of industrial,
electronic music, noise and dark metal that create a unique and
creative musical journey. Check it out. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/imisanthropeofficial
https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/
Well, far out doom metal from fucking
Malaysia, sweet! These two songs were recorded live, and it sounds
like it, I mean that in a good way, it has a raw edge & it is heavy
as lead. There is almost no vocals on these songs, the music is
stripped down and simple, but the crushing classic doom rumble (with
a small tinge of stoner fuzz) is satisfying for me. It is a cool mix
of Saint Vitus, Electric Wizard, Sleep and lots of Black Sabbath.
Only for real diehard doom fans IMO. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/iblissband666
https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/unholy
 
You get eight tracks of heavy mid paced death
metal that is crushing and intense. The musicians do speed to a
faster pace at times and show off their aggressive side. The vocals
are deep death metal growls that are powerful in their delivery and
some gruff growls and screams are used in a few of the songs. This
is a really promising debut that features some excellent
musicianship in both the performance and delivery. - Patrick
intolerancedeathmetal.bandcamp.com/
https://godzovwar.com/
http://www.memento-mori.es/
Irae is a one man band that is a prolific band
deeply entrenched in Portugal’s UG black metal scene. That man
Vulturius is also in a number of other bands like Decayed, Morte
Incandescente, Cunnilingus + more. Irae tends to stay in the
mid-tempo range and this only enhances the gloomy and brooding evil
aura that encompasses their music. There are bouts where they speed
and his 2nd wave black metal side comes to violently
play. The emotive & distinctive rasping vocals on here are great.
Recommended. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/IRAE666/
https://signalrex.bandcamp.com/
 
Just finished reviewing a split of Greek bm
bands, by random coincidence up next is Karma Violens is also from
Greece. These guys are very different though, playing more modern
really riff-y dark deathrash metal. I like some of the haunting
background accents. If I am being honest this is a little over
produced for my tastes, and the riffing at times borders on
metalcore, which I dislike. These guys are talented and the music
well put together in it’s own clean, antiseptic and non-organic way.
- Dale
https://www.facebook.com/karmaviolens/
https://karmaviolens.bandcamp.com/
Coming out of Oregon's black metal scene is
the solo project playing raw, satanic black metal. This is the debut
album featuring nine tracks of cold and destructive black metal. For
the most part the music is in mid paced range, and that is played
with a lot of talent. Things do speed up for a faster more
aggressive pace throughout. The vocals are a mix of a whispering
type of vocals with some harsh black metal screams and chants on
this recording. Kirth Roth plays an interesting and original style
of black metal. - Patrick
https://kirthroth.bandcamp.com/
https://bchrecords.storenvy.com/
  
As I covered in a past K.A. review I bought
this bands debut album on cassette way back in 1993!! Which despite
there being a 12 year period of dormancy, this album is their second
full-length 28 years later! Sad to hear Chad Bailey passed away (he
helped write the title track of this album). But his fellow members
including brother Pat Bailey have carried on the tradition of the
band, staying true to their roots and creating great old school
death metal with this heavy pounding album. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/killingaddiction
https://www.facebook.com/xtreemmusic666/
As you know I don’t review a ton of hardcore
punk stuff. But when it is good, fast and/or heavy I am there for
it. Kings play speedy and memorable hardcore with infectious mean
sounding choruses. There is even some ripping metal riffs and brief
guitar fills. The vocals are fucking top shelf hc vocals from hell.
I think fans of the metal parts of earlier Biohazard mixed with
stuff like Madball, Cro-Mags, DRI, Sick Of It All etc… will dig
this. - Dale
https://kingsneverdieofficial.com/
http://metalville-shop.de/
This Slovakian band is made up of members of
Malokarpatan, Remmirath and Algor. If you worship early ‘90s black
metal that was a mix of first and second wave bm and the earlier
works of bands like Necromantia, Mortuary Drape, Root, Master’s
Hammer (especially them!) and can not get enough then you need to
get your claws on this album as soon as possible. - Dale
https://krolok.bandcamp.com/
https://www.osmoseproductions.com/
  
This Finnish bands third album has nods to
both old school and newer school death metal. Within the brutality
are large doses of melodic guitar fills and emotive sections. They
do ride the line IMO of too much melody, but only occasionally do
they go very far over it. This may be too melodious for the brutal
dm fans and too heavy for the melodo fanatics, but if you like both
then this is likely for you. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/lantern666
https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/
I am a long time admirer of the Swedish band
Sorhin who date back to 1993 and still exist today apparently
despite lying dormant for many years. I mention them because one
half of that duo Mikael Österberg is behind this one man band. The
sweeping black metal music of Lifvsleda invokes the feelings in me
as a listener of an alternating duality of seething evil & gloomy
melancholy. Österberg’s rasping vocals are in superbly malicious,
dripping with black metal supremacy! - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/lifvsleda
https://www.noevdia.com/
This is band is the brainchild of Mike
Eisenhauer of Evil Incarnate. The songs themselves while busy at
times, they are extremely catchy almost to the point of
semi-commercial sounding. Yet it is hard to say that because
production is brutal & the riffing is crushingly heavy as fuck! Plus
the vocals while decipherable feature gruff, nasally yelling and
growling. It is accessible deathrash yet extreme – a nice balance.
- Dale
https://www.facebook.com/LUNAINSANGUINEMoriginal/ https://lunainsanguinem.bandcamp.com
 
The Swedish Malakhim produce dark and evil,
rather old school sounding black death metal. There is some solid
guitar work going on here, which gives off a sinister aura. The band
features guitarist Andreas Nilsson from the long running band
Naglfar (he also played guitar on the Ancient demo way back in
1993!). This is worth your time if you love old malevolent black &
death sounds. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Malakhimofficial/
https://ironbonehead.de/
Malformed is a young new Finnish band with a demo under their belts, they’ve gotten the attention of Denmark’s Rotten Productions, to spread their filth further into the UG scene. They produce extremely heavy & brutal death metal with some technical flourishes, and the odd tasty yet slightly manic guitar solos. The vocals are obscured and shady death growling with gurgling accents, and the combination works well. I think fans of Cryptopsy, Demilich, Gorguts and the like will dig this. A good young band to keep an eye upon. - Dale
https://malformeddm.bandcamp.com/
https://extremelyrottenprod.com/
 
'Merciless Storm' is the latest EP from this Finnish band. This release contains four tracks of violent, uncompromising, and chaotic blackened death metal. The music is straight forward and effective. These guys have been releasing music since 2012, but they only had one demo and an EP in their first 8 years. They seem to be picking up steam as of late with a mini-album three years ago and now this EP. Fans of filthy old school death with bm touches should check this out. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/MaliciousFin
https://invictusproductions.net/
This demo from the Swedish cult band Malign
was originally released on cassette (limited to 300 copies) and
never re-released again until now. I wonder if the band resisted it
for some time? Because this is some killer freezing 1st
and 2nd wave mix black metal that has that great early
‘90s evil, raw and eerie sound to the music / recording tath I have
always worshipped. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Malignofficial/
https://www.shadowrecords.se/
  
Mantiel create brooding, dismal and evil black
metal drenched in a freezing atmosphere. I enjoy the ominously
sinister toad croaking bm rasping vocals, they are really good and
morbid sounding. The music reminds me of a mix of the early works of
Burzum & Immortal. Despite the gloomy and creeping extended intro to
start their side of the split. Wampyric Rites turn up the raucous
speed & aggression with a cold bm assault, before returning on the
following track with another slower atmospheric piece, and a lengthy
cold synth outro. Solid split vinyl. - Dale
https://infernaprofundusrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.ipr666shop.com/
This Italian one woman project is really
interesting. It is epic and dark sounding heavy metal doom of the
old school variety. Sort of like a cool mix of the cleaner viking-era
Bathory mixed with stripped down version of doomy heavy metal like
Death SS, Paul Chain, Omen (slower parts), Chastain (ditto)… The
vocals are clean, heavily layered which mostly works, sometimes not,
but mostly well done & enjoyable. - Dale
https://www.martheband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/
The lyrics throughout all their releases, this
Californian band focuses on the horrors, gas attacks, death and
destruction wrought across the entrenched battlefields of World War
I. This is the WWI metallic soundtrack that is a wall of audio
barbarity, and annihilation. Which should please fans of bands like
Order From Chaos, Impiety, Marduk (“Panzer Division Marduk”), War,
Axis Of Advance. Four albums already and I have only discovered them
now, somehow. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/minenwerfer
https://www.osmoseproductions.com/
 
This new Canadian band has a grandiose concept
album idea and has been working on it for five years. This EP is
songs “II”, “IV” & “VI” from that album, but not presented in that
order, kinda strange. How about the music though? Miscreation plays
some excellent semi-technical OSDM that shows a high level of skill
and thoughtful song construction. Jessy Leduc puts in a solid &
intense growling vocal performance. - Dale
https://miscreationofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MiscreationOfficial
Poland’s Monasterium on their 3rd album
present some solid classic doom metal in the vein of Solitude
Aeturnus, Solstice & Candlemass. Some old school heavy metal
sequences pop up reminding me of Iron Maiden or old King Diamond
musically. The vocals must be good for this style and they are here
too, also reflecting the style / bands above. Recommended for doom
hounds like me, but if you only dabble or like a few bands in this
sub-genre you can find better. - Dale
https://ninerecords.bandcamp.com/
http://shop.nine-records.com/
 
This is a two label release of this Finnish
bands second album. The triumvirate mix old black metal, more akin
to the later end of the first wave of black metal, with doom
elements. The sinister atmosphere Moon Oracle creates is very
immersive; you can feel the evil and impending kismet close in on
you. For me, this stripped down ritualistic music is fantastic. This
will appeal to devotees of the early to mid ‘90s works of Mortuary
Drape, Necromantia, Ancient Rites, Master’s Hammer, Root, Mystifier
and the like. - Dale
https://moonoracle.bandcamp.com/
http://www.bestialburst.com/
https://signalrex.com/
Previously this Swedish band had only released
two single song digital downloads (both on this 5 song EP). So this
is their physical media debut. It is some stripped down blackened
deathrash that sounds like it came right out of the late ‘80s. It is
raw and heavy yet at other times polished especially those killer
solos. I love the whispery evil growling vocals that are very clear
and decipherable. This just fucking rips! - Dale
https://morbidbreath-se.bandcamp.com/
https://redefiningdarknessrecords.bandcamp.com/
  
The Italian horde Morbus Grave plays
primordial death metal. Like the early days when death metal bands
had some thrash remnants yet were clearly doing something new &
different. The excellent stripped down, but driving heavy material
on here really brings feelings of reminiscence and enjoyment to an
old tape trading goat like me. Wroshippers of Possessed, Slaughter,
Repulsion, Impetigo, Autopsy, Massacre, Nunslaughter and the like.
This is for you. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/MorbusGrave
https://chaos-records.bandcamp.com/
Some heavy and flowing death doom metal out of
Italy that possesses a lot of old school influences. It is heavy yet
also very emotive, dripping with an aura of melancholy. There are a
lot of traditional metal touches in the guitars with some fills and
poignant leads. The vocals are great growls that remind me to the
vox of the early works of like Grave, Benediction, Paradise Lost
etc… and are accented by dark Type O like spoken voices. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/morticularex
http://www.immortalsouls.sk/
This is the second full length release from
Chile's Mortify. It is a great journey through 12 tracks of fast
paced old school death metal mixed with some heavier mid paced
patterns to give each song a identity of their own. All musicians
are skilled on their respective instruments, so the music is very
well delivered. Mortify have a crafted a great album of OSDM that
manages to make a unique and memorable mark on the UG scene. -
Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/MortifyDeathMetal
https://chaos-records.bandcamp.com/
 
Můra is a new entity from the Czech Republic
and features members of The Tower & Sekeromlat. They produce a
massive, murky wall of death doom metal that reeks of an evil and
oppressive aura that permeates the music. Which is slow moving,
torturous and those imposing elongated roiling growls follow suit in
a most sinister fashion. Two songs here that clock in at 20 minutes
and leave me wanting more soon. - Dale
https://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/
http://www.caligarirecords.com/
This is the solo band of Greg Edwards, who
released a string of albums with his original one man project
(melodic tinged black metal) Necronoclast via Moribund Recs from
2007-11. Mycelium is a very different band though as the music is
brutal, headbanging and lyrically mushroom fixated dm that pays
homage to the early to mid ‘90s death metal bands from New York,
Florida, Finland & Sweden. It is far from original, but it is also
well done, showcasing this mans talent and the music rips! -
Dale
https://www.facebook.com/myceliumband
https://bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com/
 
What a crazy world this is sometimes. Here I
am from Canada and having grown up there in this time period and
being knowledgeable about Canadian bands. Yet I am discovering this
band from Canada through a Swedish label as they have re-released
their 1974 & 1975 albums. It is some pretty amazing ‘70s style
classic hard rock, extreme metal fans might hate, but I dig it!
- Dale
https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/space-rangers
https://www.shadowrecords.se
This is interesting, as Nightside from Finland
were around from 1996 to 2001ish. They released a demo, a couple EPs
and an album in that last year, and then disbanded shortly
afterward. Now they return 20 years later! This new 3 song demo, now
released by PTF is harsh. The music is cold and hateful sounding 2nd
wave black metal backed with haunting synth, picking up where their
album left off all those years ago. Second wave bm diehards who can
not get enough will like this. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Nightsideblackmetal/
https://shop.purity-through-fire.com/
  
‘Berserker’ is Niohoggr's 2018 debut album,
originally only a digital release, but is now getting a cd press.
The music is created & performed by the mastermind Memphist. The
guitars are played with a mix of fast and ripping guitar chords that
does slow to a mid paced range at times. All the instruments are
played with intensity and good writing ability. The vocals are raw
black metal screeches and screams. This is a massive debut filled
with some great music. - Patrick
https://niohoggr.bandcamp.com/music
https://bchrecords.storenvy.com/
The music on this release is delivered with
fast frenzied guitars that are primitive and aggressive attacking
pace. They do slow to a more mid pace range at times, which results
in each song giving a nice mix of an extreme and more controlled
pace. The vocals are grim raw bm screams with some good demonic
growls. Niohoggr with this recording has crafted a release of dark
atmospheres and destructive black metal hymns which is sure to
please all fans of extreme black metal. - Patrick
https://niohoggr.bandcamp.com/music
https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/
This Seattle band composes really heavy &
pulverizing riffed (think Bolt Thrower or Grave) dark death metal
that is slow to mid paced and very doom influenced. The vocals are
deep, obscured kinda whispery growls that further their gloomy
suffocating aura well. I will keep an eye on these guys, damn good
shit. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/norothovcascadia
https://www.caligarirecords.com/
Northern Crown
presents their third album of epic heavy metal doom. The music is
classy and skillfully performed, the highlights for me being moody
guitar & top notch smooth vocals from F. Serafine. Some influences I
hear are Candlemass, Isole, Spirit Adrift, While Heaven Wept, My
Dying Bride, Mirror Of Deception. There could be a little less synth
and more heavy parts, by my tastes, otherwise a quality album. -
Dale
https://www.facebook.com/NorthernCrownDoom/
https://music.northerncrownband.com/
What an absolute killer split line-up here! It
is well known how much I worship Nunslaughter and think they are
Satan’s gift to death metal. The Nun 3 tracks on here superb classic
Nunslaughter! Now Blood I tape traded for their stuff in the early
‘90s and liked them a lot back then. Blood is also a veteran UG band
that has stuck to their roots and still play excellent gut wrenching
metal of death, the way it is supposed to be done! Get this!! -
Dale
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/
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