The Experimental Edition of Reviews 8/28/2010

Akronia- Macbeth Obession-CD (Cynic Labs)

Do you remember those fringe bands on Cold Meat, Malignant and Cold Spring that would cross the boundaries of Noise, Death Industrial, Occult Ambient and Dark Industrial bands like Sanctum, Sephiroth, Yen Pox, Diamonda Galas, Schloss Tegal , Swans etc. This is what Akronia is all about mix of Male and Female tortured and pained vocal to the point of almost chaos and then just pulled back. This is the work of the dammed I tell you. Akronia is majestic, noisy, blistering, caustic and down right intriguing all at the same time. I almost feel like a spell is being put over me listening to this aural soundscape. The Bestial and Heavenly go hand in hand here. There are some very harsh moment with Akronia. I would really love to see this band live esp with a video backdrop. This is old school CMI or Tesco realm stuff. I really miss bands like this only really Malignant has kept true to this madness of a direction over the years. GET THIS NOW!!!!


http://www.myspace.com/AKRONIA

SUB LUNA "Awake!" CD (Eclipse/ Cyclic Law)

Wow full on powerful Neo Folk from project members of Karjalan Sissit . This as all the Folk elements that you want . Its a mix of several projects Of the wand and the moon, Steve von till , Tenhi and Ostara to name a few. Really love the acoustic guitars, Accordions, Organs , Simple Drumming and the spoken sung approach to it all. I reminds me of all the amazing bands from Tesco , World Serpent and Punch over the years... Sub Luna is a powerful force in deed going on here and with each song this duo drags you into there world of meloncoly songs and songs of love and loss . These are songs for the greatest of poets and madmen. "Awake" has such a full production and sound were many Neofolk bands sound so thin. Cyclic law has even started a new imprint called Eclipse for Neofolk/ Folk music because of Sub Luna. I want to call this a more rock and roll Blood Axis or an upbeat Nick Cave but neither is truly correct but it get the listeners in the right direction and that is all I'm trying to do here. Do yourself the favor and if you like the bands and sounds I speak of do not pass on this period..

http://cycliclaw.com/

The Dead of Night- Inert-CDR ( Invisible Eye Productions)

The Dead of night is a Neoclassic/ Dark Ambient project in the same way Elend and 3rd and the mortal were but there are no metallic overtone on this band at all. There is a very delicate sound and over all style going on here. Its more Drifts and electronic / minimalist as the tracks go on with Beautiful Classically trained female vocals going on here. Inert seems to drag in places as it does just get a bit too Keyboard orchestra and this is where the issue lies for me right now. There are moments of brilliants esp the dark and more spacial sound but its just the delivery right now that is holding The Dead of Night from the next levels of success. Then again I'm just a reviewer you can still check them out and rave to you friends I listened to them yrs before you did. I hope there is a bit more to another album if it comes to be.

http://www.myspace.com/nightdead

Glaukom synod- the unspeakable horror-CDR (Visceral Circuitry Recs)

What comes to mind when I hear this the more pissed off moments of bands like Skinny Puppy, KMFDM and Laibach mixed with the more rhythmn moments of bands like Meat Beat Manifestio, Nitzer ebb and Ministry ... There is a crazy electro Bpm level going on here but Glaukom Synod is also so very pissed off at the style of music there doing comes across as nightmarish. This is really one of the true electro Industrial acts I can say I'm enjoying. Imagine Tub Ring or Mr Bungle going fully electro. This is the extremity I thought bands like Ulver and Nordvargr were going to take but didn't .. There are guitars at time but in almost sound more like a good synths making the guitar sounds.. I don't know much about this band but I know enough to say check it out if you like bands like Terrorfakt ...

http://www.myspace.com/glaukomsynod

Mystified - Passing Through the Outer Gates (First Fallen Star)

As I start my journey with Mystified this is part of FFS (Eulogy Series) and this is stated from the label as "The Eulogy Series challenges musicians to create the soundtrack to nothing less than their own death, transition, and afterlife, as they see it in their own mind and in accordance with their personal beliefs - a task found by many to be emotionally monumental and intensely difficult!" Start of this is Dark Ambient with some orchestral and electronic elements. Mystified reminds me of many bands that have come through the Hypnos and Dark Vinyl rosters where they mix the Dark with the very Electro Industrial elements and lush strings and ethno sounds. If your a fan of Robert Rich, Steve Roach, Lustmord , Vidna Obmana. Passing though the outer gates sounds like a theatre piece come to life in a very epic ballet . And funny I use Hypnos as a reference as Mystified as worked with them.. You have to love the amazing artwork done by Fredrick owner of the mighty Cyclic law in the A5 Digibook format. The music is as thought provoking as hypnotic in its over all approach. First Fallen Star Eulogy series is limited to 500 copies so don't miss out on this . This is just very good release all around...

Update The artwork was not done by Fredrick of Cyclic law it was Mastered by him so the sound is stellar for that reason. The Artwork was Done by Eclipse Media worked off a painting by Founding member of Mystified....

http://www.firstfallenstar.com/

Two new digital releases Halloween 2010

Two new digital releases coming from Fossil Dungeon/The Doorway to Music
Halloween 10/31/2010




Black Depths Grey Waves- Nightmare of the Black Hearted

This is the 3rd title for Black Occult Industrial force. Over the past releases Black depths have covered the more Minimal Black sounds this one is a full on Noise/ Industrial Fest. These 3 tracks/ 40 + minutes are for those that love MZ412, Valefor, Schloss Tegal etc..

Clint Listing-XXOO

Clint Listing (Ex As All Die, When Joy Becomes Saddness and currently in Black Depths Grey Waves and 4yrs of Suffering) has completed his 2nd solo release in late 2009.This is a much darker more Industrial Drone/Doom less jazzy ambient release then his debut “ My Father, My Keeper"

GOTO
http://thedoorwayto.com/

New Reviews 8/20/2010

Haeresiarchs of Dis-Denuntiatus Cinis-CD (Moribund Cult)

Where the hell this this band come from this Orchestral, Black, Prog , Jazzy and Tech metal all at the same time with Chanting and Choirs of vocals going on over the Back screams and cries of torment. I almost want to say this band took something from And Oceans and Oxiplegatz in the arranging and stylistic way that this album has been put together . I really think something One man units are the way to go as they seem to add a lot of interesting turns. and with Haeresiarchs of Dis we have this and a very strong love of Later Emperor or even current Ihsahn material. Moribund just keeps building its arsenal of bands that out shine the next and let the rest of musical world go on as they have there core of fan and it grows by word of mouth and just the great live shows many of there bands have. I don't know where else to go with this band as they are so genre defining and original I would just say listen and sit in awe because clearly I am..

http://moribundcult.com/

ENCOFFINATION- Ritual Ascension Beyond Flesh- CD (Self Made God)

Oh my I'm on my very knees thanking Self Made God for Encoffination this is Funeral inspired Death/ Doom Metal. If you like the Doomy parts of Bands like Incantation, Disenbowlment, Dusk and Thergothon then this is right up your alley.This is also very much slow and low Death metal force so bassy and guttural it makes me want to weep there are a few bands that come to mind one of them is Womb as this is very much in that style. Encoffination at times just sounds like a wall of Bass noise and I love it. This is the kind of Cut yourself and die slowly Doom I would hear in the 90's .. I hope this band gets a chance as the market for this is very small and being on a Eastern European label makes it all the harder. Man you have to love the samples and hugely effected vocals... Loving this really loving this..

www.selfmadegod.com

Wolfshade- When Above- CD ( Wraith Productions)

Wolfshade is a very unusual sound force. They most remind me of the Dark Metal genre so bands like Bethlehem, Deinonychus and Shining to name a few There so many prog and avant guitar movements on this release you can feel the sorrow in the arrangements and the vocals sound like the man is being tortured to the end of his very life. Wolfshade also has this very unnerving Goth element that is intertwined within to an almost perfect level. A times they have this Opeth or Katatonia vibe to the music that is created I guess you can call it melancholy if you like. The Clean guitar and warm bass tones with the whispered vocals are just down right haunting. I again don't really know anything of Wolfshade other then I need to hear more now... Fantastic release..

http://www.wraithproductions.net/

Valdur-Raven God Amongst Us-CD ( Bloody Mountain Records)

Black Metal is what it is and this my friends is Black Fucking Metal. Fast, Loud and Pissed off . Valdur does what it wants and tells you what to listen to . The most brilliant part of all of this is they are a Heathen Black metal band they speak of the old world thought when the world was still honest and just not the plague the 21st century has spilled upon us. The Bombastic nature of this album is what makes it all the more impressive sounding to the listener. Valdur has a very strong viking metal sound to all the do through out this tracks of Raven God Amongst us and finally to all that say that need a label to back them this was released on Sxuperion's own label Bloody Mountain. So talk about a stellar DIY release there you have it...

http://bloodymountainrecords.com

Kommandant-Kontakt-CD (Planet Metal)

Ah Kommandant is back for more of there Industrial Thrashing Black metal and for one I'm all for it. This band always reminds me if Strapping Young lad and Fear Factory became Black metal. I know its an odd combo but its what I hear. There is a melody and madness to all that Kommandant creates. I hear moments of Marduk and Dark Funeral a lot as well . Kontakt is another great release of chaotic sounds that are here to twist and turn the listener in every direction. I don't know much about Planet Metal other then they do have some brutal metallic releases and I hope to see where Kommandant goes next.

www.myspace.com/planetmetal

October Tide- A thin Shell-CD (Candlelight Records)

What we have here is Katatonia Guitars and Some friends working on an Atmospheric Doom metal album that has a lot in common with Early Katatonia, Opeth and Edge of Sanity to what I'm hearing and one hell of a release in its own right. I love the Clean and Crushing melodies that are going on all at the same time here. The vocals are always guttural and powerful its the music that lays all the emotion into what is going to show us where the tracks will ebb and flow.. If your a fan of Dan Swano his production and recording then this is going to floor you as it really reminds me of " Spectral Sorrow" by Edge of Sanity.. Melodic Death metal as I said touched by Doom. Black and Post Metal sounds. This October Tide release sounds like an army of musician taking you all on at once. I really was not impressed before now by the band they had moments but this is truly stellar. A must listen by this reviewer...

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Limbonic Art- Phantasmagoria-CD (Candlelight Records)

I have been listening to and really respecting the project for over 15 yrs now and with each release the band a duo has made some of the most interesting and creative Symphonic Black metal out there.. Well with this release the duo is no more and its all on Daemons shoulders now . With this Phantasmagoria huge symphonic elements are in the background more now and with that a more Thrashing Black sound has come to be. The strings are still there but its more in the way bands like Old man child or Mayhem have been using them now .. I really do like the new direction but its not fully Limbonic Art anymore either. Daemon should have just started a new project under a new name as this is going to confuse the fans and diehards out there that L.A. have .. The vocals are a bit more dark and rough and less Black metal this time out. There are still moments where the old Limbonic Art shines . I almost hear a Judas Priest element to the music this time out which never heard before. This will be a major judgement call for most of you so proceed with caution is all I say.

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Woe- Quietly Undramatically-CD (Candlelight Records)

Woe is a project behind one man and other helping him. Chris Grigg and Chris is Woe let me tell you there could not be a better name for this Blackened/Doom force. There are elements of Thrash and Classic metal through out this album as well but at the core of all of this Woe is Blackened Hatred mixed with a Doom metal love. Woe as a band loves the 90's thrash, doom and Black metal sounds as this is where it all comes together if you could have members of Testament, Mayhem and Disenbowlment all in one project it would be call Woe. I love the screaching vocals that come through all of the blistering metallic guitars , mid and blast tempo rhythms.. There is a strong melody going on here as well but always more subtle then right in you face. Woe is a band that will take you of a journey to the pit of bleakness and back and for that I really want to hear more...

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Krieg - The Isolationist-CD (Candlelight Records)

Several yrs out of focus Imperial as been working with nil and Twilight and Doom project March into the sea and now he have firmly come home to his madness his sickness know as Krieg and this is very much a Krieg filled with recording budget and sounds that are meant to be heard.. The vocals are full of venom and can be clearly heard which I really like this time out the music is much more in " Black House " side of where Krieg has been before. He does have members of Noctuary and Woe working with him on this album line up and the talent is there from sure not to mention Mr Parker of Twilight and Nachtmystium behind the board mixing and recording this and adding Synth elements. I know Imperial will bitch about this but I will tell you hands down this is the most accomplished work of Krieg so far and the most adventurous as I can hear. There are many Industrial and Avant elements going here as well. Krieg is really is Black metal there are no trend, no excuses they just record what they want and let the rest of the world decide and have no sorrow for doing this at all. The Isolationist is a mindfuck of a journey never forget this and I know you will not. Glad to see a major push on a good label again..

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

New Reviews 8/8/2010

Masakari- The Prophet Feeds-CD (Southern Lord)

I sure I will be one of the few but their leftist slant really pisses me off They come off holier then thou. So right off the bat this band leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. Though I will say the band musically is some very strong Crust/Doom material and have a lot in common . If you like you Punk fast, noise and full of piss and vinegar then Masakari will very much impress you but this is one of those bands like Green Day and The White Flag that just spew fresh out of Southern Cali College bullshit to the world. The music is really damn good I just wish I could past all the Pinko, Vegan and liberal shit they ramble on... Ok I'm going to leave it at this they would make an amazing instrumental band lol.

http://southernlord.com/



Heretic Soul- Born into this Plague-CD (Rotting Corpse Records)

Brutastic Blistering Death metal with a bit of Hardcore element through into the mix for good measure. I know its always funny when I say that Death metal can be catchy but here is another great example of this the break downs that happen make you want to thrash out and jump around and are infectious. Heretic Soul are one of those Bands that like to mix the Old and the New into a hybrid of sound and it really works well with the heavy rhythmic beats and the buzzsaw guitars and the hardcore/death vocal style. Bands like Heretic Soul always remind me of if Sick of it all or Hatebreed became a death metal band. Solid release from this newcomer on the scene and come on there from Turkey thats just cool by itself. Middle eastern extreme metal..

http://www.rottingcorpserecords.com/



Year of no light - Ausserwelt-CD (Conspiracy Records)

God holy hell this band is crushingly doomy , atmospheric and bombastic. I think I'm in love with more Post Metal music folks. This has a lot to do with bands like Mogwai, Alcest, Isis, Old Dead Tree and Wolves in the throne room just for there mix of Post Rock, Black metal and Experimental Doom. Year of no light have a few release under their belt but this band keeps Impressing me more and more after the next release. They is so music positive and negative energy going on in this release you don't know if to have hope or un due sorrow. There is a strong later Anathema vibe to this release as well. The layers on Ausserwelt are so many I just don't know where to being this band is just so damn magical and mysterious in style and sound you clearly don't want to be torn away from what they are creating. I will say this in closing This may be The Year of no light if they get a proper push this band could be area big...

http://www.conspiracyrecords.com




Drudkh-Estrangement -CD (Underground Activists - Season of Mist)

A re issue from 2005 and Drudkh are no less mystical and forest black metal in style then ever. This is one of my favorite releases by Drudkh by far as its the most Nature based and Folk sounding of the more raw black metal elements they create. They Invoke all that bands like Ulver, Graveland and Falkenbach have tried to do over the years with a even breathe taking progressive sound mixed in to it all. This is for those cold heathen nights when all you have is a tankard of Ale , Candlelight and wonderful tale to read about.. My most primitive on elements come out strong on releases of this level. Season of Mist sublabel needs to get more of this great heathen and very under rated bands out to the world. Fantastic release... Just Fantastic..

http://season-of-mist.com/



NOCTIS IMPERIUM-NIHIL- CD (Abyss Records)

Ah black metal done the way it should be powerful with a touch of Avant and Death metal thrown in for good measure this South American Blackened force has Nick Barker (Dimmu, Cof, Lockup , Old Mans Child and now Testament) playing drums for them that is kick ass in its self and this band is very much love in with the Dimmu/ Old Mans Child sound of Epic Black metal and do any amazing job at making it sound fresh and inspired with is not an easy task in 2010. NIHIL is just an Ep up a few upcoming and older tracks and if its going to sound this good as a prelude to what is to come then Noctis Imperium you have nothing but a bright future in the extreme metal scene.

http://officialabyssrecords.com



RiotGod- S/t-CD (Metalville)

So what happens when Monster Magnets old Rhythm section goes out on its own with a Singer known as Sunshine . We have a mix of Early Sound Garden, Monster Magnet and a band called Led Zep lol. There is such a 70's rock vibe to this but then the trippy space rock elements of the Magnet come into very much the Spine of God vibe to this review the vocals of sunshine are very chris cornell/ Robert Plant and work well with the heavy back beat of all that is going on here this. Is good old heavy area rock they would be great with Kiss, Cheap Trick or more modern bands like Nickelback or Shinedown live. They have a lot in common with the bluesy elements that Shinedown do as well this is just more I hate to say it retro but in a very good way. The guitar playing is so proto metal I love it. I think fans of Rainbow and Deep purple would really like this to with the more bass tone overall on the music. RiotGod is very impressive to say the least. I hope they can take this to the next level with a proper label in North America . I could very much see a label like Tee pee or Subpop pick this up as they have a very Grunge element. If you remember Skin Yard or Gruntruck this is right were they have there sound.. RiotGod You have won me over..

http://metalville.de/

Nightmare of the Black Hearted Album completed looking for Label Home ....

Black Depths Grey Waves Press Kit 2010

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Track Listing....

1. The hunt for greater truth....

2. 3^rd candle for the fallen....

3. Final key to pure thought....

.. ..

This is the 3^rd title for Black Occult Industrial force. Over the past releases Black depths have cover the more Minimals Black sounds this one is a full on Noise/ Industrial Fest. These 3 tracks/ 40 + minutes are for those that love MZ412, Valefor, Schloss Tegal etc.. The last 2 released on Absolute Zero Media and distroed by Malignant Records, Tesco USA, Autumn Wind Productions, Fossil Dungeon and many other....

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Black Depths Grey Waves are....

Clint Listing (Ex As All Die, When Joy Becomes Saddness, Broken Hands Brilliant Minds)....

Saint ov Gravediggers (Ordo Tyrannis, Grim Pig)....

.. ..

If you are interested in releasing this material please contact us full digital album kit available for labels....

@....

blackdepths@thedoorwayto.com....

http://blackdepths.thedoorwayto.com/....

SARGEIST set release date for long-awaited new album, reveal track listing + album cover!!!

Today, MORIBUND RECORDS confirms November 9th, 2010 as the release date for SARGEIST's long-awaited new album, Let the Devil In. Dedicated MORIBUND terrorists right from the start, SARGEIST's last full-length album was 2005's critically acclaimed Disciple of the Heinous Path, preceded by their classic Satanic Black Devotiondebut in 2003. Featuring vocalist Torog and drummer Horns of cult Finnish horde BEHEXEN as well as the six-string sorcery of HORNA mastermind Shatraug, here on their third album SARGEIST display that black metalled orthodoxy need not spell creative death, that occult mysticism is still ripe for exploration if the words match the deeds – and especially if you have the songs to back them up. One anthem to the horned one after another, Let the Devil In masterfully balances raw, bloodcurdling passion with poised, steely-eyed professionalism: a new classic of traditional black metal is born!

Says Shatraug regarding the imminent release of Let the Devil In, "The forthcoming SARGEIST album took us more than five years to make. After two albums, the standard we had raised was needed to be met with a liturgy surpassing the previous works, and for that reason alone, it took such a long time to complete the new work.Finally, when everything started to fall in place, it didn't take long. Lyrically, Let the Devil In is a continuation of the heinous path we had chosen - that of black magic, necromancy, and worship of Satan. The result is definitely the strongest of SARGEIST yet, taking all the assets of our past with a new Satanic illumination."

The cover and track listing are below:

I - Empire of Suffering
II - A Spell to Awaken the Temple
III - From the Black Coffin Lair
IV - Burning Voice of Adoration
V - Nocturnal Revelation
VI - Discovering the Enshrouded Eye
VII - Let the Devil In
VIII - Sanguine Rituals
IX - Twilight Breath of Satan
X - As Darkness Tears the World Apart

In other SARGEIST news, the band will have a split 7" with DROWNING THE LIGHT released by MORIBUND on September 29th, 2010. For more info, consult www.moribundcult.com