"6 Bands You May Not Know, But Should" - February 6th, 2020 Edition

1. Feral Vision (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Album: Symbols for the Other World EP (Independent)

Release Date: February 1st, 2020

Genre: Thrash

Contemporaries: Holy Moses, Sodom, Nervosa, Power Trip

Relatively new on the block, Chicago’s Feral Vision have offered up their debut EP, Symbols for the Other World, and the already strong metal scene of The Windy City has instantly become stronger. Laid down, recorded, and mixed with a punchy brashness that fits perfectly with the music, this EP is everything that thrash is supposed to sound like: pacey, loud, aggressive, and absolutely mosh-inducing. Minus the short intro, every original composition on this four-track EP is killer. Summation? Feral Vision show incredible promise, so keep an eye – and more importantly, an ear – on them! Rating: 9.5 / 10

2. Vananidr (Stockholm, Sweden, EUR)

Album: Damnation (Purity Through Fire)

Release Date: January 24th, 2020

Genre: Melodic Black

Contemporaries: The Noctambulant, Oubliette, Arctos, Tragic Death

Prolific in their short existence, Vananidr officially formed in 2018, but the January 24th, 2020, release of Damnation marks the third full-length already to drop from the Stockholm-based trio. Although the hallmarks of black metal are abundant and predominant throughout this seven-track offering, Vananidr also heavily employ elements of doom, atmospheric, and pagan metal in their sweeping compositions – and the outcome is an album that is as captivating as it is enigmatic. Hard to define, but easy to enjoy, Vananidr’s Damnation is one that should not be passed by. Don’t skip “Distilled”, “Damnation”, or “Tides of Blood”. Rating: 8.75 / 10

3. Ironflame (Martins Ferry, Ohio, USA)

Album: Blood Red Victory (Divebomb Records)

Release Date: February 7th, 2020

Genre: Power/NWOTHM

Contemporaries: Hammerfall, Holy Grail, Visigoth, Twisted Tower Dire

Ohio’s Ironflame bring the vintage vibes in volumes with their third full-length, Blood Red Victory. Powerful vocals, harmonies, riffs, and rhythms converge on this tasty eight-track ripper, and the respect shown by Ironflame to the old guard of metal history is palpable and pointed. Although time and hindsight has classified the themes of battle, conquest, and knights in bloody armor as cliched, schlocky, or tacky, sometimes they just fucking work, and on Blood Red Victory, well, they just fucking work! Truly, get past the clichés and realize that there is some seriously good music here, people. Rating: 9 / 10

4. Thoren (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

Album: Gwarth II (Drylands Records)

Release Date: February 7th, 2020

Genre: Instrumental Progressive/Technical Death

Contemporaries: Behold the Arctopus, Dark Matter Secret, Bangladeafy, Coma Cluster Void

Instrumental progressive death metal is a rather broad term that barely comes close to describing Detroit’s Thoren, but for the sake of narrowing down the sound of this anomalous three piece, it will suffice. Eccentric, divergent, and dissonant, Thoren’s latest full-length, Gwarth II, is like a soundtrack to chaos. Listening to this album feels like being thrown into the irregular gears of some great, autonomous machine from which there is no escape. Just when you think you know what’s coming next, you’re heaved and pulled somewhere else entirely different. Overall, this is some weird, funky shit that is not for the faint of heart or the simplistic of rhythm, for upon Gwarth II, standard “four-four” time signatures simply don’t exist. Rating: 8.25 / 10

5. Karg (Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria, EUR)

Album: Traktat (AOP Records)

Release Date: February 7th, 2020

Genre: Atmospheric/Post Black

Contemporaries: Vukari, Sleeping Ancient, Tombs, L’Homme Absurde, Harakiri for the Sky

Not an act that can be witnessed live very often, Austria’s Karg is the brainchild of one multi-instrumentalist, V. Wahntraum (better known for his part in Harakiri for the Sky). After dabbling in live performing for some years, V. elected to give it up in 2014, instead opting to focus solely on composing and recording studio albums under the Karg moniker. Fast forward to 2020 and Karg have returned with Traktat, their seventh full-length (and fourth in the last six years), and have also returned to playing live, touring to support this latest work. Enthralling, epic, entrancing…all these adjectives and more fully apply to this emotionally stirring effort. You can seriously lose yourself in this one. Get on it. Rating: 9.5 / 10

6. Warped Cross (Zschopau, Germany, EUR)

Album: Rumbling Chapel (MDD Records/Black Sunset)

Release Date: February 7th, 2020

Genre: Sludge/Doom/Stoner

Contemporaries: Candlemass, Weedeater, Pinewalker, Goatess, Doomraiser

Rumbling Chapel by Warped Cross is the second full-length effort from the German sludge/doom quartet. Although a trifle raw, this album is sludgy and fuzzy enough to nearly cover up the inadequacies in production. Nearly. Still, Rumbling Chapel is a solid album, no bones about it, with plenty of voluminous riffage that thunders like an eighteen-wheeler on rough pavement and satisfies like a high-powered imperial stout on a cold winter’s eve. A good listen all around, so spark one up and enjoy! Recommended tracks include “Cold Rain Shiver”, “Infinite Fuss”, and “Thickets”. Rating: 8.75 / 10

Hope you've enjoyed this round of acts that you may have overlooked in these busy times! Please be sure to visit the bands on the web if you've liked what you've read and heard, and stay metal always. Nunc Dimmitis. \m/

"6 Bands You May Not Know, But Should" - January 26th, 2020 Edition

1. Black Despair (Kyoto, Japan, ASIA)

Album: Death of the Sun (Cosmic Frequency Records)

Release Date: January 5th, 2020

Genre: Melodic/Progressive Death

Contemporaries: At the Gates, Be’lakor, Wolfheart, Abeyance

Digitally released in late 2019, and with physical copies officially distributed on January 5th of 2020, Death of the Sun from Kyoto, Japan’s Black Despair is seventy-four-minutes’ worth of exuberant, melodic death metal. Containing fourteen tracks, many of which that clock in at well over five minutes each, Black Despair’s Death of the Sun is a surfeit of riffs, high-reaching solos, dynamics, and musical exploration. Often progressive and always cumbrous, Death of the Sun is a satisfying listen overall, if not a tad exhaustive (seventy-four minutes is a LONG listen). Highlights include “Dead Star”, “One Word, One Miracle”, “Cage”, and “The Sheltering Sky – Axeman 2”. Rating: 8.5 / 10

2. Horned Almighty (Aarhus, Denmark, EUR)

Album: To Fathom the Master’s Grand Design (Scarlet Records)

Release Date: January 17th, 2020

Genre: Modern Black

Contemporaries: Carpathian Forest, 1349, Dark Funeral, Gorgoroth

Not at all inexperienced, but still somewhat obscure, Denmark’s Horned Almighty have been chanting Satan’s praises since the early 2000’s, and have returned with their sixth full-length effort, To Fathom the Master’s Grand Design. Sweeping, sinister, and utterly merciless, To Fathom the Master’s Grand Design is eight crushing black metal anthems aiming to tear at the very fabric of space and time. Exceptionally produced and adroitly executed, Horned Almighty’s To Fathom the Master’s Grand Design may have just ushered forth a new era in the band’s own history via this impressive release. Don’t skip “Apocalyptic Wrath”, “Antagonism Eternal”, or “The Great Death”. Rating: 9 / 10

3. Aethyrick (Finland, EUR)

Album: Gnosis (The Sinister Flame)

Release Date: January 24th, 2020

Genre: Atmospheric Black

Contemporaries: Summoning, Obsequiae, Drudkh, Macabre Omen

Finland’s Aethyrick burst onto the international landscape with their 2018 debut full-length, Praxis, and although they’ve continued to shun the social media platforms of the world, their fanbase has continued to grow ever since. Returning in early 2020 with their sophomore album, Gnosis, Aethyrick continue to prove why they are one of today’s driving forces of atmospheric black metal. Ethereal and supernal, bitter and bleak, Aethyrick’s Gnosis is seven tracks worth of epic, soaring black metal in all its dark splendor and abstruseness. Some of the finest cuts include “Will Embodied”, “Oneiric Portals”, “Your Mysteries”, and “Golden Suffering”. If you’ve yet to hear Aethyrick, don’t sit on your ass, press that play button NOW! Rating: 9.5 / 10

4. Doomraiser (Rome, Italy, EUR)

Album: The Dark Side of Old Europa (Time to Kill Records)

Release Date: January 24th, 2020

Genre: Melodic Doom

Contemporaries: Candlemass, Hex A.D., Orodruin, Grand Magus

Rome’s Doomraiser have been chug-chug-chugging along since 2003, slowly and appropriately building their fanbase like their sludgy, fuzzy riffs and rhythms seem to call for. Adopting the self-proclaimed mantra of “Slower, Harder, Drunker”, Doomraiser return to bring the dream-like doom on The Dark Side of Old Europa, their first full-length to drop in five years. Hypnotically entrancing, The Dark Side of Old Europa presents eight original compositions that will put your head in the clouds and your neck on a swivel. Crammed with riffs and great vocals, Doomraiser’s The Dark Side of Old Europa is a keen album, if not a little drudging by the finish. Don’t miss the tracks “Chimera”, “The Dark Side of Old Europa”, or “Häxan”. Rating: 8.25 / 10

5. Sometimes We Make Music (Stavanger, Norway, EUR)

Album: Trail of the Fallen (Independent)

Release Date: January 22nd, 2020

Genre: Symphonic Folk

Contemporaries: Ensiferum, Suidakra, Equilibrium, Moonsorrow

Sometimes We Make Music, or SWMM for short, began their quest to make symphonically charged folk metal in 2013, but after putting out their first EP in the same year, they seemed to go into hibernation for some years. But here in 2020, they have reemerged with their independently released debut full-length effort, Trail of the Fallen. Norway’s tenderfoots SWMM have put out an album that certainly will turn some new fans’ heads their way, for Trail of the Fallen is some remarkably addictive material from beginning to end. Sporting clear production and a clear vision of their own sound, SWMM’s Trail of the Fallen is a stunning debut. Be sure to check out “By the Might of the Crow”, “Famine”, “Hymn of the Lost Lord”, and “The Return”. Rating: 9 / 10

6. Coffin Curse (Santiago, Chile, SA)

Album: Ceased to Be (Memento Mori)

Release Date: January 27th, 2020

Genre: Traditional Death

Contemporaries: Entombed A.D., Cannibal Corpse, Gatecreeper, Tomb Mold

Formed in 2012, Santiago, Chile’s Coffin Curse have spent the past seven plus years honing and sharpening their sound, releasing a spate of demos, EP’s, comps and splits to keep their name out there, and building up enough material to release their debut full-length, Ceased to Be. Officially out on January 27th, 2020, Ceased to Be contains eight tracks of putrefied death metal that exude the stench of a thousand disinterred graves. Raw, punishing, and rancorous, Coffin Curse’s Ceased to Be is a staunchly solid debut from this South American duo. Highlights include “Where Sickness Thrives”, “Chopped Clean Off”, and “Feeding on Perpetual Disgrace”. Rating: 8.5 / 10

That's it for this edition of "6 Bands"! Hope you have enjoyed the artists, and if so, please make sure to visit them through the provided links and drop them some much-needed love! Stay metal always, Nunc Dimmitis. \m/

"6 Bands You May Not Know, But Should" - January 16th, 2020 Edition

1. L’Homme Absurde (Moscow, Russia)

Album: Belong (Independent)

Release Date: January 17th, 2020

Genre: Atmospheric/Post Black

Contemporaries: White Ward, Sleeping Ancient, Karg, Tombs

Moscow’s L’Homme Absurde have been quite prolific in their brief lifespan. The independently released Belong represents L’Homme Absurde’s third full-length release in only five years of existence; and the Russian quartet have summarily hit all the marks on this eight-song effort. Captivating and fascinating, Belong is gorgeously atmospheric and melodic while simultaneously as coarse and piercing as a cold winter’s wind. Expertly produced and sonically gratifying, L’Homme Absurde’s Belong is strikingly spellbinding. Don’t miss out. Rating: 9 / 10

2. Frogg (Stamford, CT, USA)

Album: A Reptilian Dystopia EP (Independent)

Release Date: January 17th, 2020

Genre: Technical/Progressive Death

Contemporaries: Obscura, Equipoise, Caecus, Aronious, Sutrah

Blasting off from their Stamford, Connecticut launching pad, newcomers Frogg may be wet behind the ears, so to speak, but if their sound, production, and talent were all attributes in a role-playing game, they would all be completely maxed out. A Reptilian Dystopia is some masterful shit, ladies and not-so-gentlemen. Dynamic, potent, and elaborate, Frogg’s debut EP is one that should put this (assumedly) one-man project squarely on the international metal map. All four songs are wholly pleasurable, so just sit back, press play on track one, and let this supreme EP rip until its resplendent end! Rating: 9.75 / 10

3. Haunt (Fresno, CA, USA)

Album: Mind Freeze (Shadow Kingdom Records)

Release Date: January 10th, 2020

Genre: NWOTHM

Contemporaries: Night Demon, Skull Fist, Cauldron, Enforcer

The New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal has been building for the past few years, and with the recent influx of acts fully buying into the influences of traditional, old-school metal, the wave shows no signs of breaking anytime soon. To wit, Fresno, California’s Haunt have been quite busy in their four years of known existence, putting out three full-length albums since 2018. The latest, Mind Freeze, features another nine original compositions from the California quartet that are replete with 80’s nostalgia and persuasion. Although the gimmick stales a bit by the end of the album, Haunt’s Mind Freeze is still a fun listen regardless. Some of the choicest cuts include “Light the Beacon”, “Hearts on Fire”, “Fight or Flight”, and “Have No Fear”. Rating: 8.25 / 10

4. Rat King (Seattle, WA, USA)

Album: Vicious Inhumanity (Within the Mind Records)

Release Date: January 17th, 2020

Genre: Experimental Sludge and Grindcore

Contemporaries: Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Pig Destroyer, Like Rats, These Beasts

After four years of rumination and metamorphization, Seattle’s Rat King have returned with their second full-length, Vicious Inhumanity, and although the trio’s earlier works saw them tagged with a stoner sound, on this latest effort, nothing could be further from the truth. While still “experimental” in their particular, peculiar blending of sludge and grind – and touches of Latin influence, as well – Rat King seem to have shed the psychedelic, stoner leanings in preference of a rawer, more rough-hewn approach, and the end result are nine tracks of sludge-grind splendiferousness. Upon first listen, don’t miss “Matanza”, “Soledad”, “In Quiet Sleep”, or “Chanchito”, but honestly, the whole album is damn fine. Pretty damn fine, indeed. Rating: 8.75 / 10

5. Macabre Demise (Landshut, Germany, EUR)

Album: Awakening (Rebirth the Metal Productions)

Release Date: January 17th, 2020

Genre: Deathgrind

Contemporaries: Skinless, Aborted, Benighted, Limbsplitter

The one-man band that is Germany’s Macabre Demise have been going at it now for over a decade, yet they are still relatively unknown on the international stage; but their latest release, Awakening, might finally break this solid solo act. Brutal, punitive, and accomplished, Macabre Demise’s Awakening is smartly produced, well thought-out, and crafted and composed with a polish that only years of experience can achieve. An admirable and august effort, all around. Rating: 8.75 / 10

6. War Dogs (Elche, Spain, EUR)

Album: Die by My Sword (Fighter Records)

Release Date: January 9th, 2020

Genre: Speed/Power

Contemporaries: Blizzard Hunter, Witchunter, Ambush, Toxikull

Fresh on the Spanish metal scene, War Dogs are bringing speed sensibilities back to power metal on their debut full-length, Die by My Sword. Newcomers, yes, but this quintet have a sound that is experienced, albeit a scant raw and unrefined. Still, given time, this act could really blow some minds, as they possess oodles of promise and potential. Strong vocals, riffs, and rhythms abound and rise to the fore on this ten-track release, even if the mixing and production need some cleaning up. Finer details aside, though, War Dogs’ Die by My Sword is a strong start to be sure, and definitely worth your time for a listen or two. Rating: 8 / 10

That wraps up this first edition of “6 Bands” for the new year, thank you for reading, and of course, please be sure to visit the bands on the web if you’ve enjoyed anything you’ve read or heard here today. Until next time, stay metal, always! \m/