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

1. Dismalimerence (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Album: Tome: 1

Release Date: June 26th, 2020 (Transcending Records)

Genre: Atmospheric/Post Black

Contemporaries: Vukari, L’Homme Absurde, Fluisteraars, Sleeping Ancient, Gloosh

Making a name for themselves lately in the Chicago metal underground are Dismalimerence, whose debut full-length Tome: 1 is available now from Transcending Records. Ethereal, introspective, chilling, and alluring, this collection of eight spellbinding tunes ranges from sprawling, epic compositions to short, creatively charged bursts, but across all of Tome: 1, one thing that never changes is the overwhelming exploration of atmospheric dynamics and their interplays with modern, melodic black metal. Overall, Tome: 1 is a stunningly satisfying debut from Dismalimerence, and this act is certainly one to keep an eye and an ear on as they move forward!

2. Inexorum (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)

Album: Moonlit Navigation

Release Date: June 26th, 2020 (Gilead Media)

Genre: Melodic Blackened Death

Contemporaries: Wolfheart, Aspherium, Battlesword, Abeyance, Everdying

Only two years formed and already becoming prolific, Minnesota’s Inexorum craft a unique blend of death and black metals with a folky melodicism to excellent effect on their sophomore full-length, Moonlit Navigation, out now via Gilead Media. Never wholly death or black or melodic or folk, the music of Inexorum exists in all four of these realms simultaneously, and it is wonderful to behold. Moonlit Navigation’s choicest cuts include the title-track, “Moonlit Navigation”, the punishing-yet-pleasing “Chains of Loss”, and the swirling mellifluousness of “Signal Fires” (Hated One’s fave). This is one of those albums that seems to get better every time you listen to it, so get on it posthaste!

3. Sickening Horror (Athens, Greece, EUR)

Album: Chaos Revamped

Release Date: June 29th, 2020 (Pathologically Explicit Records)

Genre: Technical/Progressive Death

Contemporaries: Demilich, Roman Ring, Sutrah, Shadow in the Darkness

Taking their sweet time between almost every release since their inception way back in 2002, Greece’s technical/progressive death mainstays Sickening Horror have returned with their fourth full-length, Chaos Revamped. Although prolific isn’t a word most would use to describe this death quartet from Athens, the music they put out is quality, and that’s what counts. Nothing about this album screams that it is overly special in any way, but then again, nothing about this album screams that it is overly underwhelming, either. To summate, Chaos Revamped by Sickening Horror is simply a good listen. ‘Nuff said.

4. Enshadowed (Athens, Greece, EUR)

Album: Stare into the Abyss

Release Date: June 30th, 2020 (Odium Records)

Genre: Modern Black

Contemporaries: Empire of the Moon, Katavasia, Aegrus, Avslut

Not new, no, but still underground is the psychedelically spun black metal of another Athens act, Enshadowed. Originally formed in 1998, this Greek trio has always embraced the methodology of mesmerizing their audiences with a swirling cauldron of melodic mayhem, and on their fourth full-length (and first album in seven years), Stare into the Abyss, this approach has been taken to the absolute hilt. With plenty of sweeping, hypnotic blasts full of tuneful black metal, Enshadowed have indeed invoked the abyss for all to stare into and despair... Not a bad way to spend a warm, summer’s evening, eh?

5. Torrefy (Victoria, British Columbia, CAN)

Album: Life is Bad

Release Date: July 1st, 2020 (Independent)

Genre: Blackened Thrash/Speed

Contemporaries: Dismemberment, Black Pestilence, Beyond Deth, Primeval Mass

Reaching for the heavens are Victoria, British Columbia’s Torrefy, who’s third full studio effort, Life is Bad, has just been independently released. A little overambitious in scope and execution, unfortunately, Torrefy’s Life is Bad suffers from “Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be a Bad Thing” in that while, yes, even blackened thrash acts are allowed the room to experiment with longer compositions, but including seven thrash tracks that are longer than six minutes all on the same album? Hmmm... seeing as most thrash albums are full of three-to-five minute long songs, with maybe one or two longer cuts sprinkled in for effect, attempting to listen to over an hour’s worth of epically long thrash tracks can be a little unnerving - especially when just the opener is over nine minutes. Still, Torrefy show a lot of promise. Next time, though, it would be nice to see them reign it in a little more, as the modern attention span of most people can only be measured in nanoseconds, and extremely long blackened thrash song after extremely blackened long thrash song can often cause brains to tune out; and that's a pity because there's some real talent here. A solid - if still lengthy - album.

6. Ignea (Kyiv, Ukraine, EUR)

Album: The Realms of Fire and Death

Release Date: July 3rd, 2020 (Kadabra Music)

Genre: Progressive/Melodic Metal

Contemporaries: BTBAM, Isle of the Cross, Apotheus, Black Passage

Hailing from Ukraine, Ignea are one sweet surprise. Amorphous and groovy in dynamics and delivery, digitally charged, and filled to the brim with the beautifully unpretentious cleans and viciously potent growls of vocalist Helle Bogdanova is the Kyiv quintet’s sophomore full-length, The Realms of Fire and Death. Well-known in their own corner of the globe, but still relatively unheard of here in North America, the release of The Realms of Fire and Death should change all of that, and quickly, for this album is nothing but astounding song after astounding song. Possessing all the qualities that major labels look for, Hated One promises that the strength of The Realms of Fire and Death will be the catalyst to Ignea's soon-to-be meteoric rise.

Thank you for reading, for listening, for supporting this site and the bands, and for staying safe, healthy, and most importantly, metal! \m/

"Six Bands You May Not Know, But Should" June 30th, 2020 Edition

1. Valdrin (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA)

Album: Effigy of Nightmares

Release Date: June 12th, 2020 (Blood Harvest Records)

Genre: Melodic Black

Contemporaries: Naglfar, Dark Fortress, Hecate Enthroned, Vananidr

Returning with their hauntingly canorous methodology for a third full-length effort, Cincinnati’s Valdrin weave a monstrous web of old-school echo together with a modern melodicism, dissonance, and clarity of production to fantastic effect upon Effigy of Nightmares. Chillingly cold in structure but surprisingly warm in execution and delivery, Valdrin’s Effigy of Nightmares is six ominous arrangements laid out brilliantly, both in order and in effect. The strongest numbers? The first single, “Red Burning Candles of Hatred”, and the epic closer, “Down the Oubliette of Maelstrom”.

2. The Rite (Denmark/Italy, EUR)

Album: Liturgy of the Black

Release Date: June 19th, 2020 (Iron Bonehead Productions)

Genre: Modern Black

Contemporaries: Venom A.D., Denial of God, Funerary Bell, Master’s Hammer

First blasting upon the scene in 2018 with their debut EP, The Brocken Fires, the international black metal collaboration known as The Rite blew many a mind with their back-to-basics, almost doom-like approach to the black metal genre. And now, here amidst the plague and social upheaval that is the month of June in the year 2020 of the Common Era, The Rite have offered up their inaugural full-length mass, Liturgy of the Black, for all to devour and consume. Infernally dark and devilishly decadent, Liturgy of the Black is a stunning release worthy of all praise and adulation, and is unequivocally one of the best releases of the year, in any genre.

3. Serocs (Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEXICO)

Album: Vore EP

Release Date: June 26th, 2020 (Everlasting Spew Records)

Genre: Extreme Technical Death

Contemporaries: Cryptopsy, Soreption, Unfathomable Ruination, Carrion Vael

Prolific and punishing, Mexico’s Serocs aren’t the newest act on the block by any stretch, but since becoming an internationally dispersed venture in 2012, not only has the quantity of releases from this extreme technical terror increased exponentially, so too has the quality of each subsequent release. Still building renown, though, Serocs should get another big boost of listeners on the strength of their latest EP, Vore, out now via Everlasting Spew Records. Containing five wickedly sinister new cuts and a couple demo versions of some pre-2012 material, this mini-LP is chock full of killer music from start to finish. Don’t sleep on this sensational EP!

4. VoidCeremony (Ramona, California, USA)

Album: Entropic Reflections Continuum: Dimensional Unravel

Release Date: June 26th, 2020 (20 Buck Spin)

Genre: Progressive/Blackened Death

Contemporaries: Obscura, Gigan, Warforged, Xoth

Ramona, California’s VoidCeremony have been honing their progressively blackened and discordant craft since 2013, but until now, only EP’s had been issued from this eclectic quartet. All that changed this past weekend, however, with the official release of Entropic Reflections Continuum: Dimensional Unravel – VoidCeremony’s debut full-length – on 20 Buck Spin. Part Obscura/Beyond Creation, part Gigan, and all uniquely its own, the music of Entropic Releflections Continuum is remarkably hypnotizing, addictive, and receives full marks for individuality and creativeness.

5. Pessimist (Weil am Rhein, Germany, EUR)

Album: Holdout

Release Date: June 26th, 2020 (MDD Records)

Genre: Classic Thrash

Contemporaries: Kreator, Havok, Warbringer, Destruction

Classically executed German thrash metal: Just saying those words automatically invokes visions of legends like Kreator and Destruction, of course, but remember when an up-and-coming act named Pessimist was also vying for their own position in the pantheon of German thrash gods? Hated One Metal Reviews remembers... and so it is then that the long-awaited return of one of thrash metal’s greatest prospects has come to pass! That’s right, ladies and germs, Pessimist is back! Featuring an all new lineup built around original vocalist Michael “TZ” Schweitzer, Pessimist’s first release in seven years, Holdout, is now available worldwide from MDD Records; and the wait has been well worth it. Featuring nine ripping new cuts, Holdout is without a doubt one of the standout thrash releases of 2020. Welcome back, Pessimist!

6. Varus (Bamberg, Germany, EUR)

Album: A New Dawn

Release Date: June 27th, 2020 (Independent)

Genre: Folk/Symphonic Death

Contemporaries: Ensiferum, Moonsorrow, Suidakra, Sometimes We Make Music

Following the Ensiferum playbook step by step is Bamberg, Germany’s folk/symphonic death metal newcomers, Varus, whose sophomore full-length, A New Dawn, just dropped independently over this past weekend. Remarkably similar to their obvious main influence, Varus set themselves apart from their idol by infusing elements of their own Germanic heritage into their titles, lyrics, and dress. Hell, even their name is a reference to the Roman general whose defeat in the Teutoburg Forest at the hands of the Germanic tribes prompted Rome to never again attempt to conquer the “barbaric hordes” of what is now modern day central and northern Germany. Musically, though, Varus compliments that of their idols nicely, and is another solid addition to the rolls of symphonic folk metal’s finest. A good listen overall.

Thank you for reading, listening, and supporting these phenomenal artists in any way you can, and stay metal. Always. \m/

"Six Bands You May Not Know, But Should" June 17th, 2020 Edition

1. Undesiccated (Virginia, USA)

Album: Tseh’-Makh EP

Release Date: May 17th, 2020 (Independent)

Genre: Grindcore

Contemporaries: Wvrm, G.R.I.D., Chopping Mall, Escuela Grind

Setting grindcore blasts to imagery of and lyrics about the local flora of your home region is an unusual concept to say the least, but Undesiccated thought that the idea was worth a go. Since early 2019, this enigmatic grind trio has been releasing efforts that pay homage to the native (and sometimes invasive) vegetation and verdure of Virginia. But while grindcore’s subject matter normally tackles everything from politics to the perverse, Undesiccated have done away with such traditions by blending a little nature into the mix instead, and truth be told, it’s not half bad! Besides, nobody can really tell what most grind vocalists are barking about anyway, right? So, if you’re looking for some grindcore that’s a little outside of the box, Undesiccated’s discography – including the recently released Tseh’-Makh EP – is ready and waiting for you!

2. Close the Hatch (Dayton, Ohio, USA)

Album: Modern Witchcraft

Release Date: May 22nd, 2020 (Independent)

Genre: Melodic Doom/Post-Metal

Contemporaries: Huntsmen, Loviatar, Marrowfields, Death the Leveller

Ohio’s Close the Hatch seek to follow in the footsteps of such great acts as Huntsmen and Loviatar in creating melodious, thought-provoking doom metal with touches of post that tingles the spine and entrances the soul. Active in the Dayton scene since 2013, Close the Hatch recently released their fourth independent full-length, Modern Witchcraft, and if this album doesn’t get this act some sniffs from some labels, someone ought to report it as a crime. Well-written, no-nonsense tunage, all around.

3. Féleth (Alta, Norway, EUR)

Album: Depravity

Release Date: May 22nd, 2020 (DeadPop Records)

Genre: Melodic Death

Contemporaries: Kalmah, Burn Down Eden, Voices of Ruin, The Eldritch Grimoire

Striking out into the plague-riddled night upon their debut full-length crusade are Norway’s Féleth, whose album Depravity just dropped recently on DeadPop Records. Pacey, cumbrous, and with just enough melodic riffage and vocals interspersed to keep you satisfied, the production on Depravity is killer in the speakers. Even flirting with progressive at times, Féleth have displayed some excellent instincts on this fantastic first full-length. Dig it, dig it now!

4. October Falls (Helsinki, Finland, EUR)

Album: A Fall of an Epoch

Release Date: May 30th, 2020 (Purity Through Fire)

Genre: Atmospheric/Folk Black

Contemporaries: Fen, Gloosh, Fellwarden, Blaze of Sorrow

Helsinki’s October Falls have mostly ditched the neofolk on their latest effort, A Fall of an Epoch, in favor of a more purely atmospheric black metal bent. Don’t be mistaken, though, there are still some folky elements to be heard, but overall, the five lengthy compositions that make up A Fall of an Epoch are riding the fresh wave of airiness and ethereality that has so thoroughly swept through the black metal world. While unfortunately rather thin in the production and light in the speakers, the music contained within these tracks is still enjoyable and admirable nonetheless, so give October Falls’ newer atmospherics a listen by pressing play below!

5. Sorge (Washington, District of Columbia, USA)

Album: Sorge EP

Release Date: June 5th, 2020 (Independent)

Genre: Stoner/Psychedelic Doom

Contemporaries: Yob, Windhand, Monolord, Acid King

Bringing pounds and pounds of stony, psychedelic wavelengths upon their virgin EP release are Washington, D.C.’s newest of newcomers, Sorge (pronounced “sor-guh”). Fresh out of the conceptual womb and still green around the gills, this stunning, self-titled debut yawps loud and clear from the rooftops of the world that Sorge are another new force to be reckoned with in the stoner/psychedelic doom community. Fuzzy in both riffage and vision, Sorge by the band of the same name is one hell of a “how do you do?”, so go ahead and turn yourself on by tuning in to the press play dial below, and drop out of reality for a while courtesy of Sorge!

6. Ulthar (Oakland, California, USA)

Album: Providence

Release Date: June 12th, 2020 (20 Buck Spin)

Genre: Modern Black/Blackened Death

Contemporaries: Suffering Hour, Yaldabaoth, Predatory Light, Raptvre

Half black metal, half blackened death, and all evil are Oakland, California’s Ulthar, whose one foot in and one foot out approach is back for another full-length go-around with 20 Buck Spin. However, if their 2018 debut with the growing label (Cosmovore) failed to commence your acquaintance with this up-and-coming act, then the recently dropped Providence finally just might. Rough, raw, and rancorous, Providence is eight tracks worth of what equates to an audible flogging, complete with the delicious dissonance of a cat-o’-nine-tails’ thwaps against bare flesh. Totally fucking ruthless, and totally fucking worth a listen!

That wraps yet another installment of “Six Bands” from Hated One Metal Reviews! Thank you so much for reading, for listening, for checking out the bands, and for continuing to stay metal even whilst weathering a plague or two. Your continued support of the international metal community has been nothing short of spectacular. Keep that shit up. \m/