OCEANLORD

“Kingdom Cold” CD & LP

(Magnetic Eye Records)

Oceanlord plays some really poignant doom metal, but it also has this heavy stoner metal vibe running through it, but not the usual stoner thing. No, it is more of an introspective, somber atmospheric rich twist to it. The vocalist is good and follows the feel of the music really well, reflecting it back with affecting strong voice. This is not the kind of doomy music I usually listen to, but it is also quite good and worth giving a try.  - Dale

https://oceanlord.bandcamp.com/   https://en.merhq.net/   

 

OLDE

“Pilgrimage" LP

(Seeing Red Records (North America) & Sludgelord Records (Europe))

Olde hail from my homeland of Canada and play heavy doomy sludge metal that resonates in your chest like a locomotive passing by in audio slow motion. Some influences I hear are bands like The Melvins, Eyehategod, High on Fire, Crowbar and the like. Speaking of old goats, I am old enough to remember Doug McLarty of Olde’s band Catharsis who released a demo tape back in 1993!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/SludgelordRecords/    https://olde-ca.bandcamp.com/   

 

 

 

OLD GHOUL

“Old Ghoul” 12'' EP

(Helter Skelter Productions & Regain Records)

This is the solo band of Chad Davis, who does a number of mostly one man bands such as The Sabbathian, Anu, Olde etc… I have heard none of those bands, but his other band Hour Of 13, I have a few releases from and very much enjoy. Old Ghoul is some really enjoyable solid psychedelic tinged ‘70s style heavy metal doom, in the vein of early Pentagram or maybe stuff like Pagan Altar, Witchfinder General or Witchcraft. This EP conveys some great emotion and atmosphere along with some nice guitar work.   - Dale

https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/   https://www.helterskelterproductions.se/   

 

OREAMNOS

“The Granite Wall” CD

(Bloody Mountain Records)

Just imagine, if you will, Celtic Frost in their prime time traveled to the early ‘90s to try their hand at fitting into the death metal scene. The music these two men create is a massive, atmospheric wall of sinister barbarity that you can still bang your head to. This album has an eerie electricity to it, I find quite infectious. The vocals on here are these echo-y, slowed down and undefined cavernous gurgling growls, which produce a deliciously haunting aura. A great different spin on old classic elements.   - Dale

https://bloodymountainrecords.bandcamp.com   http://www.bloodymountainrecords.com   

 

 

 

PERVERSION

“Dies Irae” CD, LP & Tape

(Hells Headbangers)

Perversion hails from the USA though you could write they are from Australia, Germany or Brazil. Any uneducated listener on Perversion would not know the difference. They have the production & influence of those old bands down to a proverbial ‘T’ with their speedy, grimy and scathing Death/Thrash/Black Metal sounds. Think of old bands like Sextrash, Vulcano, Vomitor, Gospel Of The Horns plus the early works of Destruction, Sodom, Sepultura. That is Perversion & they do this style very well.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/perversion.is.death   https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com   

 

PHANTOM FIRE

“Return Of The Goat" 7" EP & Cassette EP

(Edged Circle Productions)

Phantom Fire is a new band from Norway. They play an interesting mix of old school traditional heavy metal and thrash, but with an black metal influenced varnish of black blood covering everything. Basically it is very first wave of black metal influenced by bands like Venom, Bathory, early Sodom, Infernal Majesty, Mortuary Drape etc… Only two killer songs here, but a full length is supposed to be on the way later this year.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/PhantomFireOfficial/    https://edgedcircleproductions.com/   

 

PHARAOH

“The Powers That Be" CD & LP

(Cruz Del Sur Music)

This band features Chris Black (Professor Black, Superchrist, Dawnbringer) whose career I have been following and enjoying for a long time. Pharaoh play power metal in the tradition of Helstar, Jag Panzer, Iced Earth, early Sanctuary etc… Their sound and style is very old school, they have a knack for writing catchy and memorable songs all performed by very talented musicians. Some great vocals too.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/PharaohOfficial    https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/   

 

 

 

PHARMACIST

“Flourishing Extremities on Unspoiled Mental Grounds” LP & Tape

(Hells Headbangers Records)

This is this Japanese bands 2nd album since their formation in 2020 (with a flurry of split EPs sandwiched in between). Pharmacist plays killer death metal with grind elements that follow in the tradition of Pathologist and the first three albums of Carcass. The song construction like Carcass is powerful and quite varied even within a single song. The LP is not coming out ‘til late 2022, but the cassette version is out now. Great album.  - Dale

https://pharmacistgore.bandcamp.com/    http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/   

 

 

PHENOCRYST

“Explosions” MCD, 12'' MLP & Tape

(Blood Harvest Records)

Phenocryst from Portugal grace us with their debut recording. The band may be new, but the members are also in bands like Summon, Sepulcros, Concilium & Necrobode. You get five tracks dirty, brutal & dark death metal with great suffocating doomy touches. The whispery growling vocals are massive. OSDM wonderfully influenced by the classic bands from the Sweden and the US.  - Dale

https://phenocryst.bandcamp.com/    https://www.bloodharvest.se/   

 

PREDICTOR

Thus Spoke Death” CD EP

(Iron Bonehead Records / Knekelput Recordings)

Coming out of Germany's ancient black metal scene is a new band with their debut EP. It features five songs of grim black metal that is devastating in it's delivery. Lord Noctifier handles the guitars and also handles the vocals, which are grim demonic gruff growls & screams. The drums are a mix of hyperspeed blast beats and heavier mid paced beats. Great debut release that should please fans of early 90's bm.  - Patrick

https://www.facebook.com/TheTruePredictor/    https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/  

 

 

PRIMORDIAL SERPENT

Spawn Of Eternal Hellfire" CD, Cassette & 12" LP

(Masters Of Kaos Productions)

Primordial Serpent is a solo project coming out of Canada's black metal scene. This is their newest full length featuring seven songs.The music is rooted in the old school black metal realm. For the most part the music is played with raw and fast guitar intensity. Their is some very well performed guitar passages with a mix fast and some slower mid paced guitar patterns.The vocals are raw gruff grim bm screams and growls, both vocal styles are equally intense. Primordial Serpent plays a great style of old school black metal that worth investigating.   - Patrick

https://primordialserpent.bandcamp.com    https://theblackwitch056.wixsite.com/mastersofkaos/  

 

PROFANATIC LUST

“Cvlt Ov The Old Ones" CD

(Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records)

This is the Brazilian bands debut EP. It starts off with sounds of a fire burning and screams, and then the music kicks in with raw fast guitars played with intensity. The vocals are grim screams and some demonic growls. “Asmodeus” is up next, it is played with some very well written mid paced and faster guitar passages. Track three is raw and nasty, filled with pounding fast drums. The vocals are harsh and grim screechy bm screams that really fit the song. This is a great debut of raw, nasty old school style black metal.  - Patrick

https://profanaticlust.bandcamp.com/    https://bchrecords.storenvy.com/  

 

PROGOAT

"Antichristus Mortem Cultus” CD

(Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records / Plague Demon Records)

Progoat is a solo project out of the US black metal scene with his 2nd full length release. You get 11 tracks of lo-fi bestial black metal. Most tracks are played in the mid paced range with some samples and industrial elements mixed into a few songs. The vocals are a mix of demonic gruff growls and some black metal screams. If you are a fan of early Beherit and early 90's black metal then pick up a copy today. - Patrick

progoat.bandcamp.com    bchrecords.storenvy.com    plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com  

 

 

PUSTILENCE

"The Birth Of The Beginning Before The Inception Of The End" CD EP

(Personal Records)

Pustilence is a new band out of Australia with their first release. They play old school American style death metal, but they do so with this incredible energy to the music, which features a lot of twists and turns in the songwriting. It is interesting and dynamic death metal music you can easily headbang to! Get it.  - Dale

https://pustilenceaus.bandcamp.com/releases    http://www.personal-records.com/  

 

RANK AND VILE

“Worship” Vinyl LP & Cassette

(Modern Grievance Records)

This Oregon band comes from that states hairy armpits and have managed to produce their debut album. Which is filled with some ripping and raging death metal grind insanity. It is also filled with with hints of hardcore tempos and structuring bubbling underneath it’s seedy underbelly. These guys produce monstrous music, fueled by massive waves of violent riffing and some unrelenting, punishing drum work. I was not sure I would like this when I gave it a spin, but it won me over and knocked my ass down.   - Dale

https://rankandvile.bandcamp.com/    https://moderngrievance.bandcamp.com/  

 

 

RAVENOUS DEATH

“Visions From the Netherworld” CD

(Memento Mori Records)

Ravenous Death produces gargantuan, grimy and crushingly guttural Mexican death metal that takes no prisoners. The vocals are shadowy evil growls that sometimes feature a cool croaking underbelly, and other times screeching demon shrieks – great vocals. I would say fanatics of brutal, dark death metal in the vein of bands like Grave, Vomitory, Malevolent Creation, Dismember, Immolation and the like should take note.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/RavenousDeathOfficial/   http://www.memento-mori.es/  

 

REAPING FLESH

“Abyss Of Existence" CD & Cassette

(Redefining Darkness Records)

This five song EP is the debut of the Italian band Reaping Flesh. It consists of five songs of straight forward death metal. The guitars are fast and frenzied guitar passages showing skill and intensity. The guitarist does create some very memorable and well thought out sequences even adding some well performed solo's. The drumming is lightning fast  and feature a commanding excellent delivery. The vocals are old school powerful death metal growls that fit their style perfectly. Some great old school death metal that you should pick up a copy of today.  - Patrick

https://www.instagram.com/reapingfleshdm/    https://www.redefiningdarkness.com/  

 

 

REVOLTING

“The Shadow At The Worlds End” CD, LP & MC

(Transcending Obscurity)

This is main man Rogga Johansson of Paganizer (among many other bands he is in!) return with one of his longest running bands Revolting with it’s 7th full-length album. This is really a great quality album. Think of some of the very best early Swedish death metal bands (Nihilist, Dismember, Grave etc…) brutality mixed with the superb melody of early to mid ‘90s Edge of Sanity.  - Dale

https://revoltingdeath.bandcamp.com/    https://transcendingobscurity.aisamerch.com/  

 

REVULSION

“Self Titled" CD & LP

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

Finnish death metal that is not what you might immediately expect when thinking about where they come from. They play early to mid ‘90s style American death metal ala Broken Hope, Baphomet, Suffocation, Skinless, Dying Fetus etc… It is well done though, brutal and pretty memorable material. If you like those bands you will probably dig this.  - Dale

https://revulsiondeath.bandcamp.com/    https://tometal.com/ 

 

REVERENCE TO PAROXYSM

“Lux Morte Me” CD & LP

(Saco Un Ojo Records / Dark Descent Records)

Mexico’s R.T.P. is a relatively new band presenting their debut album. The band features great UG veteran Antimo Buonnano (Disgorge, Demonized etc…) on guitar/vocals. They play a fantastic brand of ugly, crushingly heavy death metal with seriously dark and doomy overtones. It is a deadly cocktail of old school dm influences from the US, UK, and Finland (ala early Autopsy, Incantation, Bolt Thrower, Rippikoulu, Abhorrence etc…). They fit in perfectly next to newer bands like Funebrarum, Undergang, Krypts, Disma, Phrenelith. I love this style.   - Dale

www.mesacounojo.com    www.facebook.com/reverencetoparoxysm    www.darkdescentrecords.com   

 

 

RÖKKR

“Rökkr” CD

(Chaos Records)

This is a one man band from Kyle House (Decrepisy, Serpents Of Dawn). The music is heavily influenced by the final two Bathory “Nordaland” albums along with a nearly constant driving & pounding hypnotically catchy backbone. The vocals are kind of husky shouted yell / growls that do the job, but are probably the weakest part of Rökkr’s sound. It is different though and an infectious listen.  - Dale

https://chaos-records.bandcamp.com/    https://www.chaos-records.com/   

 

ROTHADÁS

“Kopár Hant Az Alvilág Felé” 12” LP

(Me Saco Un Ojo Records)

Rothadás hail from Hungary and this is their debut album, following a previous demo a couple years back. The music is a massive wall of overpowering and all encompassing dark death and heavy on the doom metal. It produces a sickeningly wonderful rumble that you will feel reverberating through your chest like a jackhammer set to slow motion. This is a pretty killer debut.  - Dale

https://rothadasdeathdoom.bandcamp.com/    https://www.mesacounojo.com/  

 

ROTHEADS

“Slither In Slime” CD

(Memento Mori Records)

Rotheads hail from Romania. I was trying to think of other Romanian bands I know off the top of the dome, and the only name that came to mind was Negura Bunget. But Rotheads are quite different from them, they play dark and grimy death metal especially in the old Finnish style ala Convulse, Rippikoulu, Abhorrence and mix it with US death doom like Cianide and for sure early Autopsy. A lot of bands are playing this style now and I can never get enough of it – well done here.  - Dale

https://rotheads.bandcamp.com/    http://www.memento-mori.es/   

 

 

RÜNDGARD

“Stronghold of Majestic Ruins” MCD & MLP

(Signal Rex)

Ründgard hail from Chile and is a one man band (Lord Valtgryftåk who is also in the bands 13th Temple, Gryftigæn, Mantiel, Pyreficativm, Winterstorm). This 24+ minute mini-album is great integration of the atmospheric bands of the first wave of black metal with the raw cold evil of the second wave of bm. I would say the atmospheric side wins out, but not by a lot as it is fairly even mix. It is an impressive work for one man.  - Dale

https://signalrex.bandcamp.com/    https://signalrex.com/store/  

 

SACRENOIR

“TComme Des Revenants Parmi Les Ruines” CD

(Sepulchral Productions)

If you read a lot of my reviews here on this site, you know I worship second wave black metal and simply can not get enough of it. Enter the Canadian band Sacrenoir who produce a commanding and surprisingly heavy take on this great 2nd wave bm style, and impressively so. The vocals here are excellent as well with razor sharp spiting acid rasping alongside and a minor growled undertone. This is the bands debut album, and it is an impressive one for those that love early ‘90s Scandinavian black metal as much as I do.  - Dale

https://sepulchralproductions.bandcamp.com/   https://www.sepulchralproductions.com/   

 

 

 

SACRILEGA

“The Arcana Spear CD, LP & Tape

(Blood Harvest Records)

Sacrilega from California play some impressive harsh black/death metal at lightning speeds. The vocals feature a good performance that marries the bm rasp and gruff screeching dark thrash yells. The drums are awesome, blinding speed yet so precise and commanding courtesy of Paulus Kressman (Rites Of Thy Degringolade & Warmach), so no surprise at the high quality. Be sure to check it out.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/SacrilegaDeathMetal/   https://www.bloodharvest.se/   

 

SARPA

“Mauta Tala” CD EP

(Self Release)

The musical style here is hard to pin down, it is partly rooted in plodding dark death metal, but the style is vaguely shape shifting, encompassing all metal. Most of all this EP is more of a flowing musical current, it is metallic yet propelled along by brooding, obscured atmospherics, seemingly with almost no beginning or end. It definitely lends itself to repeated loop listening. This one man band has morphed it’s influences, and experiences to create something of a unique interesting sound.  - Dale

https://sarpa6.bandcamp.com/   https://www.facebook.com/sarpahorde/  

 

SATANIC COMMAND

“Cult Of The Beast's Blood" CD

(Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records / Plague Demon Records)

Brazil's Satanic Command’s debut full-length is 6 songs of old school, hateful black metal that is devastating and intense. The music is primitive and well executed with a mix of mid paced and some faster guitar passages that are played with skill and a great writing ability. The vocals are a mix of grim, raw black metal screams & shrieks that fit the music perfectly. If you are a fan of old school satanic black metal then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of ‘Cult Of The Beast's Blood’ today.  - Patrick

voidofapep.bandcamp.com    https://plaguedemon.storenvy.com    https://bchrecords.storenvy.com  

 

 

SEDIMENTUM

“Suppuration Morphogénésiaque” CD & LP

(Me Saco Un Ojo & Memento Mori)

This is the debut album of this young Canadian band. They play a mix of barely controlled chaos war metal ala Angelcorpse mixed with, and this is my fave part, good yet too sparsely used doomy death metal sequences ala early Autopsy or Funebrarum. Good stuff, but for me could be even better if they let that doomy tinged brutal death side flourish and take over more of their sound. A promising debut though.  - Dale

facebook.com/SEDIMENTUM    mesacounojo.bandcamp.com    https://www.memento-mori.es/   

 

SEPTAGE

Septisk Eradikasyon” 7” EP & CD EP

(Me Saco Un Ojo & Dark Descent Records)

Septage is a new band from Denmark that plays dirty, grimy, grinding death metal sickness. There is a lot of indecipherable growling; bullfrog belching growls and other myriad of sewer vocal emanations. It’s hard for me not to draw comparisons to the first two Carcass albums, but also I hear influences like Repulsion, Impetigo, Autopsy, Ghoul, Exhumed and the like. It is very well done. Me Saco is doing the 7” and Dark Descent the CD FYI. Check it out kids.  - Dale

www.facebook.com/sepdeath    mesacounojo.bandcamp.com    www.darkdescentrecords.com   

 

SHADU-NAR-MATTARU

“Temples Of Twilight” Digital Download EP

(Self Release)

Regular CA readers know I am a huge supporter of this prolific Canadian duo horde. With less than two months since their full-length album they are back with a 21+ minute EP. It features a deliciously classic darkly toned deathrash metal style filled with killer riffs and guitar work, combined with great memorable entirely discernable sing-a-long lyrics delivered through charismatic gruff hollers and growls. Highly recommended!  - Dale

Shadu Youtube Channel    Shadu Bandcamp    Shadu Facebook    Shadu Spotify      

 

 

SHED THE SKIN

Thaumogenesis” CD & LP

(Hells Headbangers)

This is already Shed’s 4th album - time fly’s by! If you do not know by now this band features members of Incantation, Ringworm, Crucified Mortals etc… The recording and production on this album kills, a step up from the last album. Shed just keeps getting better at crafting crushing death metal songs that are a speedy, memorable variety of extremity. The succinct & poignant guitar solos are great. The deep roiling guttural yet understandable growling vocals of Ash Thomas is a real strength for the band.  - Dale

https://shed-the-skin.bandcamp.com/   https://www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers.com  

 

SIELUHAASKA

“Kun Aurinkoni Kuoli" CD EP

(Purity Through Fire Records)

“Kun Aurinkoni Kuoli” is the debut ep from Finland's solo act Sieluhaaska, featuring four songs. Main man Saasta goes more for a cold mid paced black metal style, instead of the more aggressive Finnish style. The music is well composed with razor sharp guitars that are played with intensity. He even adds in some melodic passages into the mix to keep the listeners attention. The vocals are traditional bm screams and some shrieks. This is a great release of quality black metal, so definitely give this a listen.  - Patrick

https://sieluhaaska.bandcamp.com/    https://shop.purity-through-fire.com/  

 

 

SLOW

“Abîmes I” Digipack CD, Color Vinyl LP

(code666 Records)

I am a fan of funeral doom, since the beginning really with the first releases from bands like Skepticism, Thergothon, Shape Of Despair etc… Yet, I would not call myself a diehard follower of this sub-genre. Which may explain why SLOW’s 7th album, is the first time I am hearing them. They play classic, glacial, melancholic, depressive and introspective crushing funeral doom in it’s finest form. If you love or even just like this style, you should get this four song, forty-four minute slab ASAP.   - Dale

https://slowdooom.bandcamp.com/    https://www.code666.net/  

 

SMOULDER

“Dream Quest Ends” CD EP & 12” EP

(Cruz Del Sur Music)

This is listed as an EP, you get 2 exclusive songs, but you also get a Manilla Road cover and three demo versions of previously released songs for a total of 35+ minutes of music. This release features more of the great classic heavy metal epic doom Smoulder displayed on their killer debut album. The vocals of Sarah are fantastic, infectious to listen to & a perfect fit for the music.  - Dale

https://smoulder.bandcamp.com/    https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/  

 

 

SOLUÇÃO FINAL

“Covid 666 - Velhos todos com o caralho" Cassette EP

(Abutre Rex)

This Portuguese band is interesting they black metal infused with pissed off punk rock or punk mixed with bm, whichever way you view it. It is some really mean aggressive and dark sounding music that raw & loose, but not too loose. I have to confess being a bit of a purist with both genres, so I am surprised how much I liked this and well they pulled off that balance.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/abutrerex/    https://abutrerecords.bandcamp.com/ 

 

SOLUS GRIEF

With A Last Exhale” CD & LP

(Purity Through Fire)

This is the first recording/album of this new one man Norwegian black metal band. The introspective yet ominous element of Solus Grief is strong on here, yet it is not all synth or that sort of thing, there is a lot of free flowing, sprawling guitar work and affecting emotive drums. All of which, delivers grim and potent payload of atmosphere, that blankets the entirety of the album. This is a strong debut worth looking into.  - Dale

https://solusgrief.bandcamp.com/    https://shop.purity-through-fire.com   

 

SOULGRINDER

“Issue # 10"

*84 pages* *Pro-printed* *Center Stapled*

The great Soulgrinder fanzine returns, celebrating 10 years of existence! Fuck yes! Every issue looks superb with great horrific artwork, sick killer page borders and lots of UG support ads. This ish has interviews (some good questions) with bands like Dissentience, Gorgon, Paganfire, and Day Of Doom. There is also articles / bios, tons of music, and even old horror movie stuff. If you still love printed fanzines, then get this!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/soulgrinder.zine    http://soulgrinderzine.blogspot.com/  

 

 

SPILL YOUR GUTS

“The Wrath It Takes” LP

(PermaCityPunk Records / Trepanation Recordings / Graboid Of The Ground Records)

This band is an interesting make up of two members from Canada, one from Russia and one from Scotland. The record labels are from all over the world too. S.Y.G. produces high energy, violent and caustic in your face hardcore. I do not listen to a ton of hardcore, I am selective with hardcore and this is how I like it fast paint stripping music with lots of attitude.  - Dale

spillyourguts.bandcamp.com/    PermaCityPunk    https://trepanationrecordings.bandcamp.com/    www.facebook.com/GraboidOfTheGroundRecords/  

 

STARGAZER

“Gloat / Borne” LP

(Nuclear War Now! Productions)

This is a compilation release of this cult band from Australia. It features their ’96 demo & ‘97 7” EP. The demo is very raw & dark, but hints at the advanced nature of the band musically and lyrically, which would be further realized in the future. The EP has a cleaner production but same as the demo. A great tribute release honour a cornerstone band of the Aussie UG!  - Dale

https://stargazeraustralia.bandcamp.com/    http://www.nwnprod.com/  

 

 

STARLIGHT RITUAL

“Sealed In Starlight” CD & LP

(Temple of Mystery Records)

This is the debut album from this Canadian band. They play extremely well done, memorable old school heavy metal. I am a huge Dio fan, it is clear these Quebecers are also, as I hear elements of his work musically and vocally from his days in Rainbow and his awesome Dio band. They have other varied influences from that classic time period as well for sure. Starlight Ritual is a talented group of musicians who write good songs. Check them out.  - Dale

https://starlightritual.bandcamp.com/    https://templeofmystery.bandcamp.com/ 

 

STATIC ABYSS

“Aborted From Reality” CD & LP

(Peaceville Records)

I raved over this bands amazing debut album. This duo of course features Chris Reifert of Autopsy infamy, and noted recording engineer Greg Wilkinson (who is also now in Autopsy plus Deathgrave etc…). I did not expect a new album already! Like the first album, there is a lot of the supreme Autopsy classic “Mental Funeral’ classic style. This time it is a little more stripped down, extra doomy and emotive, not as superlative as the debut, but largely much of the same on display here once again here, still making it a must have by my tastes.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/staticabyss   http://www.peaceville.com  

 

 

TEMPLE NIGHTSIDE

“Pillars of Damnation" CD & LP

(Iron Bonehead Records)

Aussie band Temple Nightside are not very technical, a bit stripped down, but the band creates an all encompassing atmosphere that permeates with audio evil, darkness and ultra heavy fucking death metal goodness. The obscure sounding, rumbling, roiling growls create this fantastic wake that springs up then quickly melts into the background. I enjoyed this album an awful lot.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/templenightsidenecromancy    https://ironbonehead.de/    

 

THIRD STORM

“The Locust Mantra” CD

(Chaos Records)

This Swede band, believe it or not, started out in 1986 as young teenagers, before burning out two years later. Only one member of that original band stayed in the UG metal scene, which is vocalist Heval Bozarslan (long time vocalist of Sarcasm). He decided to revive Third Storm a few years back. They play a first wave bm style with tendrils of heavy metal, thrash and death metal snaking through it all. Heval’s vocals are really cool, they are whispery hissing shouts, evil sounding and cool, also different than most vocalists.   - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/thirdstorm   https://www.chaos-records.com/   

 

THULSA DOOM

“A Fate Worse Than Death” CD & LP

(Invictus Productions)

Bursting out of dungeons of Italy is Thulsa Doom with their debut album. It is pure old school gloomy, primitive death metal from the early days, when death metal was rearing it’s grim head with thrash metal remnants of blood trailing behind it. The bio absolutely nails it when it says this could be the lost recording Morbid Angel made between ‘Abominations of Desolation’ & ‘Altars of Madness’! Thulsa Doom keeps the old ways alive!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/ThulsaDoomDeath   https://invictusproductions.net/   

 

 

TOMBSTALKER

“Age of Darkness” 12'' EP & Cassette

(Boris Records)

I haven’t had any releases for a while from Boris Records, good to hear they are still going strong. Tombstalker from Kentucky has been around since 2009, but the last five or six years has been sparse for the band. So it is good to have this new twenty minute EP out. Tombstalker make some tasty thrashy black/death metal with a nice dark necro atmospheric feel to it. At times, the music has quite memorable rhythms and interesting songwriting. Give it a go.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/tombstalkerband   https://boris-records.com

 

TROGLODYTE

“The Hierarchical Ecological Succession: Welcome To The Food Chain” Digital Album

(Blood Blast Distribution)

Apparently Blood Blast is a promotional digital music arm of Nuclear Blast helping out non-label bands from what I can tell. Interesting… Onward to the band itself, they play brutal death metal that lyrically centers on old Bigfoot movies and features members of Origin, Unmerciful & Torn The Fuck Apart. If you dig stuff like Cannibal Corpse, Cattle Decapitation, Deicide, Suffocation and similar bands, this is a quality example of that style/sound.  - Dale

https://troglodyte.bandcamp.com/   https://www.facebook.com/troglodyteband   

 

TYRANT

“Hereafter” CD, LP & Cassette

(Shadow Kingdom Records)

Yes this is the reformed Tyrant from Los Angeles that formed in the late ‘70s and put out a two albums on Metal Blade in the mid ‘80s. This is some very solid classic early to mid ‘80s heavy metal madness. Did I mention they now have one of metals greatest vocalists Rob Lowe? He was only in bands like Solitude Aeturnus & Candlemass for a combined 25 years! He is amazing & you should get this posthaste!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/TYRANT-172515856798/    https://www.shadowkingdomrecords.com/  

 

 

UNDERGANG

“Aldrig i Livet" CD. LP & MC

(Dark Descent Records & Me Saco Un Ojo Records)

Denmark’s Undergang bring forth through backed up sewers their fifth album of dirty, soiled and guttural old school US dm like the early works of Repulsion, Autopsy, Impetigo, Incantation, Rottrevore, Funebrarum mixed with Finnish dark ‘n grimy dm bands like Rippikoulu, Convulse, Krypts etc… It is garbled, it is filthy, and it is a brutal gurgling cesspit of wonderful evil death metal sickness!!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/undergang    www.darkdescentrecords.com/    www.mesacounojo.com/  

 

UNHUMAN DISEASE

“Into Satan's Kingdom + Bonus” CD

(Moribund Records)

This album reminds me to the earlier days of the second wave of black metal. There is a real flow and an underlining melody, but it is evil and freezing cold. It also reminds me of those days of purposeful raw recordings which helped as this raw aura helped bm sound more sinister & dangerous. This Oklahoman band  capture this evil well and some influences I hear are ‘Deathcrush’ era Mayhem, Satanic Warmaster, Horna, Bahimiron, Abazagorath.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/unhumandiseaseofficial/   http://www.moribundcult.com/  

 

 

URTIDEN

“Iron Age Nomad Axe” Demo / Promo Cassette EP

(Self Release)

This is another one man band from my long time contact Mikael Holm (Aggressive Mutilator, Hang The Lord & Blixtnedslag). Urtiden is a darkened heavy metal band that is old school metal with some catchy hook laden, middle paced songs. The singing is a clear voice with shadowy, whispered undertones, great vocals that fit the music superbly. I find this three track demo to be a very infectious and satisfying listen.  - Dale

https://urtiden.bandcamp.com/releases    mikael-holm@hotmail.com  

 

VALDRIN

“Throne Of The Lunar Soul” CD, LP & Cassette

(Blood Harvest Records)

Black metal from Ohio, though they sound more like a Euro band to me, I thought they were until I checked the bio. This is my introduction to them, but they are not a new band, this is Valdrin’s fourth album already. This is good black metal that is well crafted, quite heavy on introspective, atmospheric moods, all crafted in a black metal style. It can be aggressive at times. I like this quite a bit, but for my tastes they rely a little too much on synth, it is too high in the mix. The vocals are great rasping bm yells with interesting phrasing / timing.   - Dale

hhttps://www.facebook.com/valdrinausadjur    https://www.bloodharvest.se/  

 

 

VALRAVN

“The Awakening” CD & LP

<(Primitive Reaction)

This is the Finnish bands second full-length album. It sees them playing harsh yet musical black metal. Which draws upon their homeland’s deeply storied bm UG scene, while injecting their own nuances in the songwriting. It is coarse, but also has a lot of harmonic threads and emotive stirring within the icy evil hatred. I have not heard their debut album, but this sophomore effort shows a lot of promise and skill that belies their level of experience.   - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/ValravnFin/   https://www.primitivereaction.com/   

 

VAYRON

“Demo 2022” Cassette

(Visceral Circuitry Records)

This may be a new band from France, but their music goes straight to the granite foundation of their style. Vayron play brutal, punishing death metal that is quite active & teeming with cruel energy. The vocals are classic growls that ride the line nicely between garbled/clear-ish, striking an enjoyable balance. They mix up the songwriting well and managed to inject some emotion into their sound. This should please fans of Floridian dm like the early works of Morbid Angel, Deicide, Monstrosity, Brutality and the like. Good debut demo.  - Dale

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083192049526   https://visceralcircuitryrecs.bandcamp.com 

 

 

VENUSIAN DEATH CELL

“Created Creature” Full-length Demo CDR

(Self Release)

The veteran one man band from Ireland returns with his 38th release!! As I have said before, what David lacks in talent on his instruments / songwriting, he makes up for with perseverance & dedication to UG metal. This disc seems to have more distortion & feedback than usual and honestly it helps fill in the songs a bit more. I have always dug David’s voice and vocals. If you love super raw, primitive and DIY (in every aspect) bands you may want to give VDC a try.  - Dale

https://youtu.be/u4_1kJDSY6k    davidvora10@hotmail.com   

 

VERMINEUX

“1337" CD & Cassette

(Purity Through Fire)

A good one man band makes you forget it is a one man band. Spectre (also one half of the duo behind the band Minenwerfer) from Sacramento, California does just that. He combines raw second wave black metal with more epic flowing bm style and spouts out some good evil rasping vocals with lyrics about medieval history.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/vermineux    http://www.purity-through-fire.com/ 

 

VIVISEKTIO

“Uusi normaali” LP

(Svart Records)

Vivisektio is a band from Finland that formed in 1983! They reformed about a decade ago and these old bastards have been going strong since. They play extremely fast, ripping and pissed off hardcore punk music. This is some great stuff with good songs and a wicked attitude. This chick on vocals is great, damn she shreds it up!! Check these fuckers out if you love harsh, lightning fast, spiked fist to the face punk rock.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/svartrecords   http://www.svartrecords.com/en  

 

VIVISECT

“Barbaric Death" Cassette EP

(Nihilistic Holocaust Records)

Having just started in 2019, Vivisect is a relatively new band coming out of New Jersey and this 4 song, 20+ minute EP is essentially their discography so far across a few releases. Their music is not new though, it is old school stripped down dank, heavy and obscure sounding death metal that tends to keep things in the mid-pace and got my head nodding with solid brutish songwriting. Love the whispery growling vocals too. This is recommended for OSDM fanatics.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/VivisectNJ   https://nihilisticholocaustrecs.bandcamp.com/music  

 

 

VORGFANG / UNHOLY CRAFT

“Ulf's Keptr” Split Album CD & LP

(Purity Through Fire)

I do not know much about either of these Norwegian bands. Well, save for both are one man bands, and Unholy Craft is Peregrinus, who also does the band Solus Grief I reviewed recently. Vorgfang is good raw, freezing cold and hateful (at times tuneful) 2nd wave bm with great biting acidic rasp vocals. U.C. play a more atmospheric Burzum-ish style with echo-y yelled vocals, that are intense in their own way, other than that quite similar in some ways to Vorgfang. It is a perfect match for this 8 song, 43 minute split album. I thought this would be good, but it exceeded my expectations.   - Dale

https://1unholycraft.bandcamp.com/   https://www.purity-through-fire.com  

 

WAR ORPHAN

Unite" Album

(Stay Gold Records)

I am by no means a huge hardcore guy, who follows that scene really closely. But I have generally been into hardcore for a very long time, since the late ‘80s, really. I like aggressive, in-your-face hardcore with attitude. Which is exactly what War Orphan brings in spades! I would say fans of bands like Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front, Madball, Earth Crisis, Strife, Cro-Mags, Slapshot and bands like of that style, should give War Orphan a listen for certain.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/warorphanmusic    https://warorphan.bandcamp.com/   

 

WARCOE

“The Giant's Dream” CD & LP

(Helter Skelter Productions & Regain Records)

This is the debut album of this Italian triumvirate, and Helter Skelter just keeps finding classic doom metal gems, left and right. Warcoe is doom of the oldest school variety, Black Sabbath worship and let me tell you they do it well. This is heavy, emotive music with atmosphere, which I find a real joy to listen to. The bio refreshingly just straight up admits this is Sab worship, and you should hear the killer vocals of Stefano Fiorelli, as the bio states he is ‘70s Ozzy reborn!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/warcoeband   https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/   

 

 

WOLFTOWER

“Crownless King Of The Dismal Dark Empire” 12'' EP

(Inferna Profundus Records)

This Finnish one man band has only been around for a just over two years now. Yet they have already released two demos, two splits and now five EPs. The recording on here is great for such hateful, 2nd wave black metal, it is clear yet has this far off sound to it that only makes it sound more evil and sinister. There is a lot of background synth, but it never over powers the music. This EP definitely takes me back to a lot of great bm from the early to mid ‘90s that possessed me then, and possesses me now.  - Dale

https://www.ipr666shop.com/   https://www.facebook.com/ipr666   

 

WORMHOLE

“The Weakest Among Us" CD & LP

(Lacerated Enemy Records)

Baltimore’s Wormhole combines brutality with extreme technicality to create an explosive, intricately crafted & played slamming death metal grind LP. The vocals in contrast to the pin point finesse of the playing are indecipherable vomitous, guttural growls that I honestly loved. Great new band, check them out!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/wormholemetal/    https://laceratedenemy.bigcartel.com   

 

WRAITH

“Undo The Chains” CD & LP

(Redefining Darkness Records)

Wraith play straight up ripping thrash metal in the early to mid ‘80s tradition and they do it to the fucking hilt! The songs are really heavy yet have a catchy hook element to them and you can headbang to the roaring riffs. The music and vocals have a slight shadowy dark edge to them, adding a little touch of danger to the proceedings. If you love old classic thrash from the eighties and can not get enough then have I got a band for you.  - Dale

https://wraith-us.bandcamp.com/    https://shop.redefiningdarkness.com/   

 

 

YELLOWTOOTH

“The Burning Illusion" CD

(Orchestrated Misery Recordings)

This Indiana band is a trio of veteran UG musicians having done time in bands like Invasion, Skullview, Sea Of Tranquility & Chronic Disorder. They play an unconventional mix of heavy metal with large doses of sludge and doom and a southern groove vibe. Some influences coming to mind are later COC, Orange Goblin, Kyuss, Down along with traditional heavy metal. It is interesting and well done; if you dig the styles above you should check this out.  - Dale

https://yellowtooth.bandcamp.com/    https://www.facebook.com/OrchestratedMiseryRecordings   

 

ZİFİR

“Demoniac Ethics” CD & LP

(Duplicate Records)

Out on Duplicate Records (ran by Einar from Inferno, ex-Beyond Dawn, Dawnrazor fanzine), this is this Turkish bands 4th album now. The music is very good early ‘90s freezing black metal with some atmospheric and ceremonial hypnotic elements mixed in. An evil duality of wintry violence & gloomy ambience.  - Dale

https://www.zifirofficial.com    http://www.duplicate-records.com/