Nachtmystium - Addicts: Black Meddle Part II

There are two basic ways of listening to music: “fuck it, it’s good/bad”, and marinating. The latter is how a younger version of myself resolved to listen to all music forever, taking time and peeling back layer after layer of thoughtfully erected sound. I was a music snob. I still am to a degree, but I’ve since realized that life is short, I don’t always have time for marinating, and I can just trust my taste in the moment.

I suspect Blake Judd had a similar moment sometime around the making of his band’s Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. 1, which, for all the hemming and hawing about its relationship to black metal, is just a damn good collection of songs. (Ed. note: We don’t all agree. See here.) Here was a guy who grew up with heavy metal blinders on, started expanding his palette, and extended that to his band – successfully.

For the most part, that continues on Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. 2 (Century Media, 2010). The psychedelic element is still present, but things have evolved further with a four-on-the-floor dance feel in the rhythm section of certain songs. Synths are more prominent on this album, often as a lead instrument. That’s the big difference between this and Assassins: on most of these songs, the guitar is a texture, not the focus. Vocals come to the foreground as well (more on that later). There are hardly any riffs in sight.

And that’s totally fine with me. If people cringe about the murmurs of a “Wax Trax meets Darkthrone” vibe, they should crank “No Funeral” and “Blood Trance Fusion” and ask themselves if they still care. “Addicts” is another fantastically moody anthem whose chorus should be screamed by a roomful of people for full effect. Sanford Parker’s production is nothing short of stunning. The carefully layered guitars and synths come off clean but not overly-polished, a totally appropriate accommodation for the songwriting evolution. Ultimately, Blake Judd is shifting Nachtmystium from a black metal band to a big rock band with blackened roots. His heroes in Pink Floyd made a similar metamorphosis from art rock band to big rock band with artsy roots. The thing that carried them there? Songs with lyrics that put a lump in your throat.

Here’s where Addicts comes up short. Unfortunately, Judd isn’t a nuanced lyricist, and it shows with the de-emphasized guitar work. He delivers a loosely woven cautionary tale of drug abuse that could soundtrack an addict’s hitting bottom in any number of after-school specials. Perhaps it’s informed by actual experience, but it’s very outside-looking-in (I’m assuming), and it’s not convincing. “Fucked-up/strung-out” – you don’t say. I’m not saying it’s insincere; it’s just heavy-handed and doesn’t match the quality of the music. I’m surprised more reviews of Addicts aren’t evaluating its theme. It is such an explicit aspect of the record, from the cover art to the clear and present vocals. Kudos to Judd all the same for not hiding behind lyrical ambiguities.

Addicts‘ merits more than outweigh these concerns. This is a significant album for Nachtmystium, and the surrounding fanfare does factor into my assessment. You can hear the responsibility they’ve placed into making this release their moment. They were striving for a marinating listen, and they came close, but those heights require something more. For now, I say fuck it, it’s good.

(Taken from here)

FNT release of this album, maybe one of the better ones in 2010. I know, we're late with this one, but hey, I bet some of you guys don't got it yet. Enjoy!

[ Myspace | Century Media | 2010 | Black Metal | VBR]

Tracklist

1. Cry For Help (01:33)
2. High On Hate (03:36)
3. Nightfall (03:21)
4. No Funeral (05:39)
5. Then Fires (05:44)
6. Addicts (04:24)
7. The End Is Eternal (07:03)
8. Blood Trance Fusion (03:30)
9. Ruined Life Continuum (04:41)
10. Every Last Drop (08:30)

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48:01

Mediafire

Urfaust - Einsiedler

The Einsiedler EP from Urfaust displays the latest refinements the Dutch duo have made to their unique approach to black metal. While the two songs on Einsiedler are very similar to the band’s work on recent releases like last year’s Drei Rituale jenseits des Kosmos, Urfaust’s style seems to be less and less identifiable with black metal, instead moving toward more of an abstract, ambient-based approach. Fortunately, this evolution serves to broaden rather than dull the impact of the band’s music.

The two tracks on Einsiedler are rather curiously named for the two members of the band. The lengthier ‘IX: der Einsiedler’ is very much in the vein of the tracks on Drei Rituale…. Guitars and keyboards provide a dense background, while Willem’s typical bizarre wailings give the song a haunting, melancholic atmosphere.

The second track ‘Verderber’ is a bit of a departure, in that it is driven by a very basic, stripped-down, repeated guitar motif, which is supplemented by Willem’s usual unintelligible shrieking. Both tracks are simple yet effective, and while this EP sounds on the whole calmer and less disturbed than Urfaust’s last EP, I found the music to be no less enjoyable.

There’s not much else to say except that Urfaust fans will not be disappointed by this release, and while it’s perhaps not a great starting point for someone who hasn’t heard the band before, it’s definitely one of their most ‘accessible’ releases.

(Taken from here)

Latest EP from Urfaust released in 2009. This release is including scans of the booklet, cover and back in high quality. Enjoy!

[ Myspace | Van23 Records | 2009 | Black Metal | CBR@320 ]

Tracklist

01. IX - Der Einsiedler (12:07)

02. Verderber (06:50)

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18:57

Mediafire

A Forest of Stars - Opportunistic Thieves of Spring

Experimental black metal is A Forest of Stars’ M.O. on “Opportunistic Thieves of Spring.” Long compositions are wrapped around a hodgepodge of musical ideas that ranges from peaceful violin solos to mind-numbing brutality, all usually within the span of a few minutes. This premise was put to solid effects on debut album “The Corpse of Rebirth” and “Opportunistic Thieves of Spring” continues in this direction. The band’s sophomore effort is tighter and more fluid, which is surprising considering it is longer than their first record. The lines between black metal and progressive/experimental are blurred even further, signifying an unpredictable sound that can shift gears at a moment’s notice.

With the majority of the songs over the ten-minute mark, there is no rush in getting to the aggressive sections. The band seems content with sticking to calm passages for extended periods of time with little recourse. Ambience plays a role in the later tracks, which is the main offense against “Opportunistic Thieves of Spring.” While it can be used to enhance a mood or build towards a rousing finish, A Forest of Stars uses ambience to pad out the song lengths. This is most evident in “Starfire's Memory”; a wonderful song that should have ended five minutes earlier than it did. The overindulgent instrumental outro isn’t poorly performed, but seems unnecessary after the band seemed to end things on a strong note before going into the outro.

The rest of the album avoids this pratfall by switching between soft and heavy moments with relative ease. The shifts are sudden, keeping things moving at a steady clip. The momentum is always at a peak position, avoiding long stretches of tedious songwriting. Closer “Delay's Progression” is the perfect representation of this motif. An early synth piece leads into female whispers and acoustic guitars before maintaining a mid-tempo pace built upon lush violin lines and vocoder work. The blast beats and tremolo riffs don’t come in until the last third, making their appearance more effective.

Black metal is a small part of the album, as opener “Sorrow's Impetus” is the only track fully immersed in this sound. The other songs are craftier in their approach, keeping it to short bursts evenly spread out. This is a brilliant decision on the part of A Forest of Stars, as it keeps the intensity given off by the black metal onslaught from getting dull or repetitive, as can be the case with many bands in the genre. When the album picks up and things start to get crazy, a refresh feeling sweeps through.

Beneath the murkiness lies vivid beauty that peers out of the shadows at select moments to show a different side of the band. The majestic violin solo that begins “Thunder's Cannonade” is masterfully executed, while the backwoods acoustic feel of “Raven's Eye View” is highly unique. The cabaret/saloon piano on “Summertide’s Approach” is also another noteworthy oddity in an album stacked to the brim with them. The lyrics have a haunting beauty to them, with sharp imagery and poetic quips like “Soul starved bodies crushed, throats stuffed with my falling angels” and “She cleanses these gutters with her utmost purity. Onrushing dark leaves your false light lonely.”

The release of “Opportunistic Thieves of Spring” was quite low-key, a shame since this is a thrilling black metal album that deserves way more attention than it has been receiving. Some have said that A Forest of Stars is the UK’s answer to Wolves in the Throne Room, but other than both bands having lengthy epics, the two really don’t have much in common. A Forest of Stars is its own entity, one that is easily recognizable among the crop of bands in the genre. When you hear a song from A Forest of Stars, you are hearing something distinct and fresh; a twist on an ancient formula. When the dust settles at the end of 2010, “Opportunistic Thieves of Spring” could be the sleeper hit of the year.

(more here)

Great to be here again! Computer was crashed, now he is alive again and now I'll spent you a great and brand new release. Enjoy it!

A Forest of Stars - Opportunistic Thieves of Spring

(Transcendental Creations / 2010 / Psychedelic Black Metal/Experimental / VBR2 202 kbp/s)

Tracklist
01. Sorrow’s Impetus 13:02
02. Raven’s Eye View 9:24
03. Summertide’s Approach 13:29
04. Thunder’s Cannonade 8:02
05. Starfire’s Memory 11:51
06. Delay’s Progression 16:29

Mediafire

Menace Ruine - Union of Irreconcilables

Menace Ruine came together in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in autumn 2006, when they began composing the songs that would form their debut recording, In Vulva Infernum.

While the debut album Cult Of Ruins, took its starting point in fast black metal and noise, the follow-up, The Die is Cast stays true to the metal sound. The tempo has been slowed down, and could be described as heavy down-tempo drone with martial rhythms.

(from Last.fm)

The new Menace Ruine for everyone who's interested in drone, black metal and dark folk or not. Enjoy it!

Menace Ruine - Union of Irreconcilables

(Aurora Borealis / 2010 / Avantgarde Drone/Black Metal/Dark Folk / 256 kbp/s)

Tracklist
01. ...Collapse 9:01
02. The Upper Hand 6:22
03. Not Only A Break In The Clouds But A Permanent Clearing Of The Sky 10:48
04. Corrido De Perdition 3:06
05. There Will be Blood 5:55
06. Nothing Above Or Below 8:49
07. Primal Waters In Bed 15:39

Mediafire | RGhost

Kakophonus - Ater

Hailing from the dark bavarian forest, Kakophonus was formed in ca. 2002 and released some highly acclaimed and lofi underground releases on their own. It is not easy to construate a fluid band biography, due to the fact that there is little known about this black metal outfit.
They startet with orthodox black metal, nowadays their sound is forged with influences from funeral doom and even drone and dark ambient found their way into the hateful sound.
Their songs deal with predominantly martial topics, death, roman history.

Discography:

Demo I Cassette (Lost), 2002
Demo II Cassette (lost), 2003
Pure War, 2005
Ater, 2007

Members:

Count K.: Bass, Drum Programming, Vocals
H. Moerser: Vocals, Lyrics, Bass

(Taken from Last.fm)

This is true underground doomish black metal from the dark forests of bavaria. 23 minutes full of raw produced and recorded material. We bring you the album Ater. Maybe there will be more. Digg it folks!

[ Self-Released / 2007 / Black Metal / CBR ]

Tracklist

01. Black Frost (04:41)

02. Black Iron (01:54)

03. Black Chaos (03:52)

04. Black Blood (02:38)

05. Black Maximum (04:13)

06. Black Stone (05:42)

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23:02

Sendspace

Cobalt - War Metal

Ever since their inception in the late nineties, Colorado’s (sometimes controversial) Cobalt have slowly, and slyly, made a reputation within the underground black metal scene, more or less amongst the “war metal” sphere of the scene…

Their debut album (which followed their awesome “Hammerfight” EP), aptly titled “War Metal” (released on Displeased Records) showed Cobalt’s creative prowess within the genre by offering a shape-shifting dose of war metal brutality and black metal rawness that made them one of the more unique and underrated acts within the scene.

With the band’s surging new epic, “Eater of Birds”, Cobalt are pretty much destined to set a new standard as Cobalt have taken an immense leap forward, tenfold, from their debut. But that’s just only scratching the surface…

Recorded at Flatline Audio and produced by Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage) “Eater of Birds” not only embraces the band’s vicious take on chaotic brutal avant-garde black/war metal and blackthrash, but take things to a new artistic level in every possible manner. By incorporating the epic crushing monolithicism of Neurosis and Swans, and taking blackened war metal to new unconventional brutally warped levels, amongst ritualistic shaman-like rhythms and pulsations, through its 70-plus minute pillage, “Eater of Birds” is an unforgettable audial scourge through vast bizarre landscapes and ocean-like terrain.

And speaking of Swans, “Eater of Birds” features a guest appearance by none other than Jarboe on the tracks “Invincible Sun” and a moving appearance on “Androids, Automatons, And Nihilists”, her first official foray into extreme metal.

(Taken from Last.fm)

We're missing some black metal here these days so I thought I'm going to put up the first album from Cobalt, some war metal never sucks! Enjoy.

[ Displeased Records / 2005 / Black Metal / CBR@320 ]

Tracklist

01. Hammerfight (04:44)

02. Angelfangs (06:25)

03. Raise the Hammer of War (04:56)

04. World on its Knees (04:34)

05. Summoning of Napalm Mists (05:23)

06. Lunar Warface (05:10)

07. Empire of the Moth (08:39)

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39:54

Weakling - Dead as Dreams

Grim, trance-like black metal from San Francisco. Features a member of genius instrumental math-metallers
and Drag City recording artists, The Fucking Champs as well as The Gault and Asunder. - tUMULt Records

The band had one long play, ‘Dead as Dreams’ released by Tumult in 2000 (a year after it was recorded) and two demos, both released in 1998 and (both) with no vocals

(Taken from Last.fm)

As the character of Norwegian black metal continues to metamorphose, many enthusiasts of the image and sound that originated in Scandinavia are turning their disappointed attention to the rapidly growing and improving US scene. Tumult's release of Bay Area group Weakling's debut (and final) opus is undoubtedly leading the charge.

Transcending the image of corpsepaint and empty Satanic rhetoric that has become so banal and quotidian in its overuse, Weakling captures the essence of what black metal was about while simultaneously giving it an original flavor.

The band's musical exercises in never-ending nihilistic hatred (5 songs, 76 minutes) certainly borrow from many pioneering black metal outfits, the most obvious of which are Burzum, Emperor, and Immortal. Despite drawing influence from these oft-copied bands, Weakling is unarguably unique in their style. Track two, "Dead as Dreams," is a perfect example.

The song fades in with a looping guitar tone, leading to a deeply emotive melodic section whose painfully melancholic notes are heavily soaked in scratchy reverb. Then, three minutes later, the dark riffing and vocal agony begins. Throughout the track, Weakling present multi-layered music played by bass, drums, keyboards, and two guitars which play different melodies. The layering takes a pause occasionally to make way for a fuzzy keyboard interlude - a sort of soothing lull - as if you have briefly entered the eye of Weakling's hurricane, only to be launched back in as the buzzsaw guitars kick in again, and the blast beat reaches its most intense point.

After exploring cavernous passages, the song ends with three minutes of guitar feedback, which is looped for the last minute as it slowly fades out, releasing you from the 20 minutes of depressive evil which you have been listening to, leaving you with a crushed yet soothingly sober spirit.

The music tugs at your heart throughout, not in a cheesy doom way, but rather in a melancholically majestic black metal way. At the forefront of the similarity to Burzum are the vocals of (singer/guitarist) J. Gossard, who is one of the worst vocalists of any genre, ever. Imagine what Varg Vikerenes sounds like on the first three Burzum albums, but then think of what it would sound like if he used more range and variety, and if his voice cracked every now and again. Vikernes style conveys strong misanthropic and alien feeling. Gossard's are this but also send forth morbid vibes of self-loathing and utter despair. Whereas the vocals strike you as atrocious even for black metal standards, as you get a feel for the album you realize that in fact they give Weakling so much of their mood altering, demented power, ironically making Gossard's vocals brilliant in the end.

Weakling also draws heavy influence from cult duo The Swans (especially circa Soundtracks for the Blind); the name Weakling itself having been inspired by a Swans' song. If you're at all familiar with this band you'll understand what kind of depressive feel is borrowed on Dead as Dreams.

From the unearthly trance-like drumming to the churning black metal passages peppered with agonizing doom crawls and psychadelic noise, listening to Dead as Dreams is indeed a plunge into the abyss. The best black metal album of the year. Buy or cry.

(Taken from here)

One of the most popular and best usbm bands. They only released this album and some demos in 1998, what is in fact very sad. If you haven't heard of them before just try some. You will like it.

[ tUMULt Records / 2000 / Black Metal / CBR@192 ]

Tracklist

01. Cut their Grain and place Fire therein (10:28)

02. Dead as Dreams (20:39)

03. This Entire Fucking Battlefield (14:47)

04. No one can be called as a Man while he'll die (13:11)

05. Disasters in the Sun (17:04)

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76:11

A Forest of Stars - The Corpse Of Rebirth

A Forest Of Stars is not your average run-of-the-mill Black metal band. Coming from the UK, they have that typical British attitude with them of class, high-tea, bowler hats and walking-canes. Ok, that's probably stereotyping and generalizing too much, but if I'd have to give it a place in history I'd place it in the nineteenth century, in a scene similar to that described in for example "The Picture Of Dorian Gray", by Oscar Wilde. Take that and morph it into Black metal and you'll probably get A Forest Of Stars.

Mister Curse (vocals), Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts (violin, flute and vocals), The Gentleman (synths, pianoforte and drums) and Mr T.S. Kettleburner (guitars, bass, vocals), as they call themselves, have crafted a fine piece of not-so-ordinary Black metal. "The Corpse Of Rebirth", their first full-length, is chockfull with top-notch, sophisticated music. The violin dominates the mood with its sad, weeping sound while the howling and despaired vocals give the sound an extra melancholic touch. That's not where it stops though, not at all. During the song "Female" they do not sound melancholic at all, but instead evoke a very evil and malicious atmosphere and in the song "Earth And Matter" the drums suddenly become the main focus of the sound and the mood shifts to a ritualistic and entrancing ambience. The last song, "Microcosm", is just plain beautiful. These are the strengths of this album, the experimental approach combined with great songwriting, enhanced by a good production.

As for references, it is impossible to pinpoint it down to one or two bands, as it definitely has its own sound and it wouldn't surprise me if the members rarely listen to Black metal themselves. Fans of Deinonychus, Bethlehem and the Peaceville Death/Doom trio will probably like this. As will everyone that likes his Black metal the experimentation/Avant-garde way. Do keep in mind the sound has a heavy violin-focus, if that instrument puts you off you may want to look somewhere else.

All in all "The Corpse Of Rebirth" contains five tracks which together span over an hour, a very extensive and detailed booklet (so I'm told, I only have the promo copy unfortunately), great Black metal with unique and interesting twists: sounds like one hell of a deal to me.

(Taken from here)

I remember myself sitting on the train to munich on christmas eve when I listenned to this for the first time with all my senses going just for the sound. I was so overwhelmed that I just had to text my mate who recommended me this one that he probably made my christmas go over the top. Very good record, the future sound of black metal maybe? Enjoy!

Myspace

[ Transcendental Creations / 2008 / Black Metal / VBR ]

Tracklist

01. God (16:26)

02. Female (13:56)

03. Male (13:04)

04. Earth and Matter (09:40)

05. Microcosm (10:27)

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60:03

Mediafire

Aderlating - Devotional Hymns

Aderlating is a side project of the man behind Gnaw their Tongues.
Live the band consists of Mories: noises/voices/drums and Erik (mowlawner) on noises and voices.
In 2009 the band played a gig (almost) every month including the Roadburn Festival (Tilburg, Holland) and the APEX III fest in New York City (nov 2009).

The debut album titled “The nectar of perversity springs from the well of repression” came out (on Shadowgraph records) in february of 2009 and is limited at 200 copies.


The full lenght is just out on Shadowgraph Records. This material differs from the first full lenght. The new material is darker, harsher and more bombastic: ranging from choir led blastbeats to low rumbling demon evocation. Also ‘live’ drums are incorporated a lot more.

(Taken from Last.fm)

So here it is. The second unholy full length album of Mories sideproject Aderlating. Enjoy!

Myspace

[ Shadowgraph / 2010 / Drone/Noise / CBR@320 ]

Tracklist

01. And thou shall breath Sulfur as last Breath (08:42)

02. Travel the Fog as Death is reaping the Lands (10:57)

03. The shallow Waters of the Styx (07:43)

04. The ravenous Bloodlust of fallen Angels (10:17)

05. Devotional Hymns (12:10)

06. Possession (10:52)

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60:44

Mediafire

Song II (If you got CRC-Errors)

Aderlating - The Nectar Of Perversity Springs From The Well Of Repression

A quick glance at this, the first release from the strangely named Aderlating, will reveal some very telling clues, the record is called The Nectar Of Perversity Springs From The Well Of Repression, the cover features a terrified figure, clad only in a bit of cloth, cowering from the darkness, and on the other side some sort of ritual that involves a naked woman with burning candles inserted in her ass, laying on an altar in front of mysterious cloaked figures. The songs are titled things like "Cut Off My Penis In Praise Of Black Satan", "Rope, Pig's Blood, Dead Flesh And Two Candles", "Death Knell" and "Doodstorm", so even before we get to the caustic gritty blackened filth on the disc, we're feeling a pretty heavy Gnaw Their Tongues vibe, which makes perfect sense as Aderlating is in fact another project by Gnaw mastermind Mories.

It's a little unclear what differentiates this from a proper Gnaw Their Tongues release, there's plenty of harsh black noise, rumbling mysterious drones, buried riffage and mysterious chanting, creepy almost choral sounding voices, pounding percussion, harsh hissing feedback, crumbling distortion, buzzing black metal guitars smeared into blurred buzzscapes, howling harsh vocals buried in the mix, static, whir, glitch, all doused in effects and buried under layer after layer of distorted noise and noisy distorted. Hell, even sounds like we're describing a GTT record. Fuck it, anyone into Gnaw Their Tongues, you're gonna want this, it could essentially be the new GTT record, the only difference we can hear really, is that it's a little more harsh, a little less orchestral, where GTT employed all sort of almost cabaret like sounds, Aderlating is a much more furiously aggressive and abrasive beast, but even amidst all the white noise and grinding feedback drenched distortion, there lurks all sorts of sonic mystery, be it buried melodies, haunting disembodied voices or fucked up fragmented loops. Needless to say, we dig it. Heavy and harsh and droney and dark and just what we needed to tide us over until the next Gnaw Their Tongues record...

Another project from Mories (Gnaw Their Tongues, De Magia Veterum) which is going into a rougher direction then his main project. A lot of noisy soundscapes and samples mixed with raw black metal parts and atmospheric dark ambient tunes. If you're into harsh, dark and noise blasting black metal / ambient you shoudl grab this record and enjoy.

Myspace

[ Shadowgraph / 2009 / Drone/Noise / VBR ]

Tracklist

01. Death Knell (07:30)

02. A Circle drawn with Chalk on Wood (11:40)

03. Rope, Pig's Blood, Dead Flesh and two Candles (04:44)

04. Doodstorm (06:51)

05. The Nectar of perversity springs from the Well of Repression (04:54)

06. Cut off my Penis in praise of black Satari (08:16)

07. Geest (05:57)

08. Bleak Bliss (02:32)

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52:25

Mediafire

Altar of Plagues - Tides

Irish act Altar of Plagues was formed in 2006. Terms that are most frequently used to describe their sound include black metal, ambient and progressive or post metal, though it seems no one description can sum up the acts massive sound. The act themselves consider black metal to be the genre to which they are most attached, but on the contrary they have also been quoted to take influence from acts as diverse as Emperor, Bjork, and Arvo Pärt

The bands untraditional aesthetic and approach to their music has led to Altar of Plagues appealing to a wide variety of listeners and this may be seen by the diverse range of acts Altar of Plagues have toured with, including Isis and Mayhem, as well as having appeared at festivals that focus on ‘extreme’ metal and festivals that encourage experimentation and diversity.

Following the release of only one demo and an EP, Altar of Plagues signed to Canadian label, Profound Lore Records. In 2009 the act released “White Tomb”, an album that was described by a number of critics as one of 2009’s best and most exciting releases (and was featured in Decibel Magazines Best of 2009 list). Last year saw the band tour extensively throughout Europe, and now 2010 is proving to be an even more promising year for the act, with a forthcoming E.P, “Tides”, on Roadburn Records as well as receiving an invitation to perform at the renowned Roadburn Festival, more extensive touring and just recently, signing to Candlelight Records in Europe.

(Read all on Last.fm)

Myspace

[ Burning World Records / 2010 / Black-Metal / Doom / CBR@320 ]

Tracklist

01. Atlantic Light (15:16)
02. The Weight of All (19:46)

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35:02

Mediafire

Negură Bunget - Virstele Pamintului

Rising from the spirituality of immortal lands, Negură Bunget began their journey through the universe of Black Metal in early 1995. The debut demo, From Transilvanian Forests, was recorded in November 1995, and released under the band’s original name, Wiccan Rede.

Once their conceptual perspective shifted towards the exploration of the universe and spirituality of their ancestors, the band’s name changed to Negură Bunget. The new approach became clearly evident on the debut album, Zirnindu-sa, released by the newly founded Romanian label Bestial Records (late 1996).

December 1998 brought Negură Bunget’s second release, Sala Molksa, a mini-album also released by Bestial Records. The 4 tracks unveil a much more straight-forward sound, complex, aggressive, atmospheric, fast - The Music of Transilvanian Spirituality.

Maiastru sfetnic is the third opus of Negură Bunget. The album was released by Bestial Records in 1999 in a special digipak format (designed and handmade by Negură Bunget). More than 56 minutes, yet only 6 epic tracks, united in haunts, evilness, descent, atmospheres, speed and aggression… displaying the band’s vision on how a Black Metal-based world should have looked like.

(Read all at Last.fm)

Myspace

[Code 666 / 2010 / Black Metal / CBR@320 ]

Tracklist

01. Pămînt (06:58)
02. Dacia Hiperboreană (08:52)
03. Umbra (03:31)
04. Ochiul Inimii (08:04)
05. Chei de Rouă (05:51)
06. Ţara de Dincolo de Negură (05:54)
07. Jar (04:29)
08. Arborele Lumii (07:37)
09. Întoarcerea Amurgului (08:21)

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59:41

Mediafire

Urfaust & Circle Of Ouroborus - Auerauege Raa Verduistering

Urfaust is a band from the Netherlands. They play avant-garde black metal utilizing dark, nearly operatic clean vocals with a germanic folk touch, and dark ambient elements (especially on “Verräterischer, Nichtswürdiger Geist”). Currently the band has released two full-length albums: “Geist ist Teufel” and “Verräterischer, Nichtswürdiger Geist”, as well as two split EPs: “Auerauge Raa Verduistering” with Circle of Ouroborus from Finland, and a self-titled split with The Ruins of Beverast. In July 2008 Urfaust released their EP “Drei Rituale Jenseits des Kosmos” on Debemur Morti Productions. The split 7” with Joyless (Nor) was released by Ván Records from Germany, as well as their mini album “Einsiedler”.

(Taken from here)

Circle of Ouroborus is an experimental black metal band from Finland, formed by Antti Klemi and Rauta in 2004. The band’s sound is characterized by lo-fi production, unusual use of clean vocals and sometimes entirely acoustic releases that have very little in common with black metal. Sadness and nature themes seem to be prevalent in their music. While particular influences on their work seem unclear there seems to be an obvious influence of Joy Division, as they covered this band’s classic “She’s Lost Control” on their debut album. They’ve released numerous demos and three full-length albums, as well as splits with Urfaust and Nuit Noire.

The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol that depicts a serpent swallowing its own tail and forming a circle. It has been used to represent many things, but it most generally symbolizes the ideas of cyclic existence or infinity.

(Taken from here)

After putting on their newest split I thought about adding the one I discovered them. Urfaust is missing on the blog, too so this just fits in perfectly! Enjoy!

Urfaust

Circle Of Ouroborus

[ Ahdistuksen Aihio Productions / 2006 / Black Metal / VBR ]

Tracklist

Urfaust:
1. Verächtung Wird Einen Messertragenden Schatten 2:42
2. Der Halbtoten Dichters Schein-Existenz 5:13
3. Zur Winter-Wanderschaft Verflucht 6:44
4. Dämmert, Gelähmt und Mit Scheinbar Erloschenem Geist 10:32
Circle of Ouroborus:
5. Dream of Death 4:33
6. Mouldering Leaves 3:53
7. Dimicatio 3:11
8. Eyes of the Flames 3:00
9. Congregation of Sorrow 4:09
10. In the Forest of the Horned God 2:57

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46:54

Mediafire

Circle Of Ouroborus & Crooked Necks - Ruins Of Resurrection

Circle of Ouroborus is an experimental black metal band from Finland, formed by Antti Klemi and Rauta in 2004. The band’s sound is characterized by lo-fi production, unusual use of clean vocals and sometimes entirely acoustic releases that have very little in common with black metal. Sadness and nature themes seem to be prevalent in their music. While particular influences on their work seem unclear there seems to be an obvious influence of Joy Division, as they covered this band’s classic “She’s Lost Control” on their debut album. They’ve released numerous demos and three full-length albums, as well as splits with Urfaust and Nuit Noire.

The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol that depicts a serpent swallowing its own tail and forming a circle. It has been used to represent many things, but it most generally symbolizes the ideas of cyclic existence or infinity.

(From here)

Lots of changes to update everyone with.

First off, we've decided to changed our name from "Frail" to "Crooked Necks". This change was decided upon for several reasons, with the main one being the sheer amount of other bands that use the name Frail (in some form or fashion). We feel this is a natural, albeit necessary change for us although our vision will remain intact.

Also, we've completed work on the full-length. The title is "Alright is exactly what it isn't" and is planned for release in early '10 on Sunbox (a new and very interesting label that will debuting releases early next year). We've updated the page with a new track from the release. Check it out and feel free to let us know any opinions, etc.

Finally, the split release with Circle of Ouroborus will be released in the coming months. It was delayed due to our recent changes as we wanted the release the reflect this. We have also nearly completed work on the material for an upcoming EP and will begin writing and recording material for a upcoming split with IMPLODES in the coming weeks as well.

More updates soon...

(From here)

Well yeah, at first sorry, I haven't found much about Crooked Necks on the net so far. This split is sweat, mostly the Circle Of Ouroborus stuff is amazing. I discovered them through another split they recorded together with Urfaust. It could be described as a mixture of lo-fi production meeting black metal and a good cup of post-punkish influences with mostly clear vocals. It's hard to describe, but the music is really awesome! Enjoy!

Circle Of Ouroborus

Crooked Necks

[ Cocainacopia / 2010 / Black Metal / VBR ]

Tracklist

Circle Of Ouroborus:
1. Ideals In Rust 03:22
2. Rhythm Of The Spring 02:57
3. The Resurrection 03:54
4. Gate Of Unlight 03:53
5. Rebirth 01:38
6. When The Divine Eye Sleeps 06:01
Crooked Necks:
7. Poisoning The Seed 04:55
8. Time Of Disaster 03:44
9. Ruining You 05:22
10. It Bleeds From My Mouth 03:13
11. Nothing Was Ever There 06:03

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45:02

Mediafire

Alcest - Tristesse Hivernale

This demo has brilliance written all over it. If you just get over the sometimes inaudible production, you'd hear some awesome Black Metal. It's paced, the drums are in held back and they add to the rhythm only and the tremelo riffing is very catchy. I can compare them to Angantyr, who also makes underground, raw Black Metal with a melodic, 'saddening' theme.

All four tracks of this demo are very strong. The riffs vary a lot within a track. There's even a solo in the last track - La Mort Plane Sur Ces Contrées. The vocals are regular Black Metal vocals but they're very well done. No cheesiness here and no long, boring passages. Acoustic breakdowns occur on a few occsions on this album but I'm perfectly Ok with that because they're executed with a lot of perfection. Most underground Black Metallers are not much more than Darkthrone worshippers but I'm certain these guys can put the old masters to shame. This is probably some of the finest kvlt French Black Metal I've ever heard. And it's very hard to find, as well.

Overall, this is HIGHLY reccomended to anyone who possesses any interest in Black Metal.

Seems like I'm searching a little bit down in the archives tonight. This is the first release from Alcest put out on tape only back on 2001. The production, if you at least could call it a production, is very raw and so is the music. If you compare this to the first cd-r release Le Secret there are miles between the sound of Alcest. Here you get served some raw black metal - and that's as likeable as his blackened shoegaze stuff from these days. And no, the release isn't crappy it's just the "production".

Myspace

[ Drakkar Productions / 2001 / Black Metal / CBR@256 ]

Tracklist

01. Tristesse Hivernale (03:52)

02. La Forêt De Cristal (04:39)

03. En Mémoire Aux Valeureux Guerriers (05:25)

04. La Mort Plane Sur Ces Contrées Glacées (07:34)

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21:32

Mediafire

Triptykon - Eparistera Daimones

Triptykon is the most recent musical project of Thomas Gabriel Fischer, founding member of the pioneering heavy metal bands Hellhammer, Celtic Frost and Apollyon Sun. Fischer announced his departure from Celtic Frost in May 2008 and shortly afterwards revealed that his new project would be entitled Triptykon. Fischer commented: “Triptykon will sound as close to Celtic Frost as is humanly possible, and the album I am working on will feature all the material I envisioned for the successor to Celtic Frost’s Monotheist. I desire the album to be a darker, heavier, and slightly more experimental development of Monotheist.” The first audio sample, for the song “Crucifixus” can be heard on the band’s official Myspace page.

On August 5, 2009, Triptykon issued a press release indicating that the recording of their debut album, Eparistera Daimones, would commence in the middle of August and continue through November, with a release in the spring of 2010.

(Taken from Last.fm)

I know guys we're a bit late on this new release but for fucks sake I don't care bout that. Enjoy some really good progressive black metal - you won't be disappointed.

Myspace

[ Caroline Third Party / 2010 / Black Metal / CBR@192 ]

Tracklist

01. Goetia (10:57)

02. Abyss within my Soul (09:24)

03. In Shrouds Decayed (06:54)

04. Shrine (01:43)
05. A Thousand Lies (05:27)
06. Descendent (07:39)
07. Myopic Empire (05:45)
08. My Pain (05:18)
09. The Prolonging (19:17)
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72:24

Mediafire

Coldworld - Melancholie²

ColdWorld was created in Germany in the year 2005 by G.B., the only member.

ColdWorld’s first demo, “The Stars Are Dead Now”, was released via Ancient Dreams Prod. and limited to 100 copies. “Melancholie²”, ColdWorld’s debut album, was released in April 2008 via Cold Dimensions.

ColdWorld combines melodic Black Metal with influences from Ambient / Electronic and a breath of classical music. The centre stage takes the music with its sweeping melodies and icy atmosphere. ColdWorld’s music is music that forces fine-tuned listening and allows the listener submerge his/herself within a very special, cold world. ColdWorld leaves behind conventional, traditional Black Metal and brings forth new possibilities when it comes to song-writing and interpretation.

(Taken from Last.fm)

Myspace

[ Cold Dimensions / 2008 / Atmospheric Black Metal / CBR@320 ]

Tracklist

01. Dream of a Dead Sun (07:29)

02. Tortured by Solitude (06:08)

03. Winterreise (04:01)

04. Schmerzens Schreie (05:40)

05. Red Snow (08:28)

06. Stille (01:18)

07. Hymn to Eternal Frost (05:52)

08. My Dead Bride (02:39)

09. Escape (07:32)

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49:07

Mediafire

Coldworld - The Stars are dead now

ColdWorld was created in Germany in the year 2005 by G.B., the only member.

ColdWorld’s first demo, “The Stars Are Dead Now”, was released via Ancient Dreams Prod. and limited to 100 copies. “Melancholie²”, ColdWorld’s debut album, was released in April 2008 via Cold Dimensions.

ColdWorld combines melodic Black Metal with influences from Ambient / Electronic and a breath of classical music. The centre stage takes the music with its sweeping melodies and icy atmosphere. ColdWorld’s music is music that forces fine-tuned listening and allows the listener submerge his/herself within a very special, cold world. ColdWorld leaves behind conventional, traditional Black Metal and brings forth new possibilities when it comes to song-writing and interpretation.

No Politics - Just Music!

(Taken from Last.fm)

This is a very sweet black metal project from Germany. He just released the Demo and Melancholie² so far, but for this year another full length is planned. I'll upload Melancholie² as soon as possible, too. Enjoy!

Myspace

[ Ancient Dreams Productions / 2005 / Ambient & Atmospheric Black Metal / CBR@320kb/s ]

Tracklist

01. This Empty Life (07:22)

02. Hate (04:00)

03. Cancer (03:38)

04. Suicide (05:15)

05. The old Ghost in the Well (07:47)

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28:04

Mediafire

Alcest - Écailles de lune (128kb/s Web-Rip)

Formed in 1999 by French black metal multi-instrumentalist Neige (who also worked with Peste Noire, Mortifera, and Amesoeurs), Alcest was originally conceived as a solo project. It would eventually take on the form of a full band as Hegnor (also of Peste Noire) and Arguth joined the fray and released a four-track demo entitled Tristesse Hivernale in 1999. This demo was a more straightforward black metal affair, much different from what would happen next. After that released, Alcest returned to a one-member format, with Neige moving away from the metal overtones of the three-piece and embracing a more atmospheric approach to his work. The 2005 EP release, Le Secret, was more in tune with the project`s ultimate goal, which was to put to ear, as it were, Neige`s fascination with an “otherworld” — of sorts — that had held a fascination for him beginning in his childhood. In 2007, Neige released the first full-length Alcest recording, Souvenirs D`un Autre Monde (Memories of Another World, for those keeping up in English), which was released on Prophecy Productions, and was a critical success. 2007 also saw a split-EP release with Angmar.

(Taken from Last.fm)

This was out today and I thought I'm going to share my upload for metalarea.com with you guys. It's just a 128kb/s web-rip of the new Alcest album but it's the real one and no fake. I will leave this post on the blog until the VBR or v0 rip comes around. For anyone who doesn't want to wait anymore, enjoy your sunday with Alcest.

Myspace 

Tracklist

01.Écailles de lune [part i]
02.Écailles de lune [part ii]
03.Percées de Lumière
04.Abysses
05.Solar Song
06.Sur l'Océan Couleur de Fer

Mediafire

Ikuinen Kaamos - Fall Of Icons

Ikuinen Kaamos are a metal band from Joensuu, Finland. Formed in 1997, they released four demos in the years 1997 - 2004 which are mainly directed to the underground black metal scene. The bands current style begins to take shape in the later demos as Ikuinen Kaamos start to soak up influences from death, doom and progressive metal.

In 2005, Ikuinen Kaamos signed a record deal with the Dutch label Descent Productions and as a result, release their debut album “The Forlorn” in 2006. It is an ambitious release that captures the passion and creativity of Ikuinen Kaamos. The lyrical concept is based upon the story of an old man who murdered his wife and child decades ago, and who now struggles with faith and guilt. Spiraling riffs and progressive rhythms alternating from high-speed passages to acoustic interludes merge with a sepulchral voice to drown the listener deeper and deeper into a timeless emotional abyss. “The Forlorn” is a unique album that captivates from the beginning to the end.

In 2007, Ikuinen Kaamos record their sophomore album which is due to be released in January 2008. After repeated delays in releasing the album, their old label informs the band of their eventual inability to release it due to financial issues. Fed up and tired of letting their impatient fans wait for new musical outputs, the band decides to release three songs from the album as a free downloadable EP entitled “Closure”. It incorporates more progressive elements while maintaining the utterly melancholic atmosphere for which Ikuinen Kaamos are known for. The EP introduces clean vocals which support a wider range of extreme vocals in their lament.

(more on Last.fm)

Myspace

Tracklist
1. Indoctrination Of The Lost
2. Statues
3. In Ruins
4. Condemned
5. Apart

Mediafire