Blackened Slugs

Fire in the Cave-Self Titled EP

2012-03-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

Written by Todd

Hailing from Orlando, FL, Fire in the Cave have just released their debut EP on Bandcamp. This is definitely one of the more interesting debuts I've heard in a while. Genre bending is the phrase that comes to mind. Elements of sludge, doom, black metal permeate the EP, all with a very southern feel about it.

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No Pleasure in Life - Happiness is Not an Option

2012-03-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Jacksonville, Florida's No Pleasure in Life really don't need a description other than their name. It says it all, depressed as they come, and if that's not enough just drop down to the album title, Happiness is Not an Option. Pretty gloomy shit if you ask me. I'd be pretty depressed if those tits were what I saw as well.

Solstorm - Solstorm

2012-03-02T23:58:00.000-08:00

Sludge and black metal share a common characteristic. It is named chaos, and it should permeate. Control has no real place in these bleak, unhallowed spaces. I want dark, bleak blackness. I want to break commandments, spit on the cross and run through the streets with blood pouring for my frothing teeth. I have no interest in hearing, only feeling is real. The screams mean nothing without a sweaty hands around your throat. This album, sadly does not fulfill this dark need.

Ødelegger / Hekate

2012-03-02T23:04:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Today's offering comes in the form of a 7" split (surprise) from German acts, Ødelegger and Hekate. This particular split was released just a couple months ago (January 2012) through Deathstrike Records and crams the ugly spiked fist of black metal down our throats. The split itself is untitled and contains three songs from each band and one hell of an angry vibe throughout.

Andramelech - S.U.M.M.U.S L.U.X

2012-03-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

That image is far brighter than the one on the actual tape....oh well. Here's an oldie but a recent discovery for myself. Andramelech come from Mexico and released this demo tape, S.U.M.M.U.S L.U.X in 2008. I'm not sure where these guys are today. This was their last album according to Metal Archives but they're apparently still 'active.'

Alkerdeel - Morinde

2012-02-29T20:44:00.002-08:00

Written by: Nick

Hey look, a release from 2012. Alkerdeel, coming from Belgium and sharing members with doomers, Serpentcult, have just recently released their debut full-length and latest in genre-defying angst, Morinde. This album is a belligerent mix of sludge, doom and black metal. They've had a few prior efforts I've not had the opportunity to check out quite yet but this is a great starting point. This one comes from ConSouling Sounds.

Instinct / Myrrdin - Split 7"

2012-02-28T21:22:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Here's another 7" for your ears, or eyes since I don't have tracks for you to listen to this time. This one comes from two, one-man projects from the U.K. Chamber Dark / Pagan Bloody Altar comes to us from the ever-evil, Legion Blotan. It comes encased between some black and white, ritualistic artwork that is mildly disturbing (more intriguing than anything) compliments of Milovan Novakovic.

Monarque / Evil Wrath - Split 7"

2012-02-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Had the day off yesterday thanks to Todd doing his Woods of Desolation review which was awesome. So, for my day back I grabbed the first 7" I had sitting around which ended up being this split between Monarque and Evil Wrath. Let me say, as I'm sure some of you know, how funny things sound when you forget to change the speed on your turntable.

Woods of Desolation-Torn Beyond Reason

2012-02-26T10:45:00.001-08:00

A band mate of mine turned me onto this band a few months ago. I'm so glad he did. This is exactly the type of Black Metal that really peaks my interest. Woods of Desolation's newest release, Torn Beyond Reason (which has actually been out for a year now) is astoundingly beautiful.

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Palace of Worms - Lifting the Veil

2012-02-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Palace of Worms, a one man band from San Francisco, California features Balan on everything. Balan is also a member of funeral doom/black metal combo, Ordo Obsidium. This was released in 2010 but deserves a spot here on the Slug. I picked it up awhile back from Flenser, listened to it once and put it away. My ears weren't fond of what they heard at that time. After ordering a copy of Ordo Obsidium's Orbis Tertius, thoroughly enjoying it, and doing some research via Metal Archives while I should have been working I discovered Balan is a shared member. That night, I threw Palace of Worms in the walkman for another shot and realized my ears had been faulty the night of my first listen.
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Blut - Ritual and Ceremony

2012-02-24T21:52:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Another one of my recent, random purchases from Analog Worship was this tape, Ritual and Ceremony by Blut. It's from 2010 and they have since released more material but, I don't have that material so we're going with this. They apparently spew their brand of hate out from the UK. Having been engrossed in BBC lately, it was coincidental that this satisfied my particular mood.

Panphage - Nordlandets Dödsande

2012-02-23T20:24:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

If you haven't noticed, I'm on a way bigger black metal kick than doom or sludge. Apologies to the doom-heads and sludge-mongers out there, send me something new and maybe I'll review it. Today we have Nordlandets Dödsande by Panphage. You may remember, assuming you read the interview with Monarque/ Les Productions Hérétiques (which is where I picked the tape up from), Monarque had mentioned a band he was really into at the time, that band being, Panphage.

Axis of Light - By the Hands of the Consuming Fire

2012-02-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

You know that feeling of getting the shit slapped out of you by someone that's so pissed off that they're glowing red and smoking from the ears? Sadly, I do, but it's not always a bad thing. Axis of Light come out of the gates of Hell with an unmatched ferocity. They're a group of skeletons, riding on the back of flame-engulfed mares and they're about to rape, pillage and burn the fuck out of everything you know and love.

Swallowed - Self Titled EP

2012-02-21T20:23:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Finnish doom/death/x-genre amalgamation, Swallowed, released their self-titled EP awhile back via Emptiness Productions. It reached some particular heights for some people, and claimed a review spot on Cvlt Nation with its heavily pummeling riffs and downright uncomfortable sound.

Ephemer - Guerre et Glorie

2012-02-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Welcome back to Quebecois Black Metal! Ephemer hail from Canada and feature members from Forteresse, and Csejthe and were co-released by Spectre Sinistre Records and Les Productions Hérétiques. That's all you need to know to know it's good, really. It could be the music, or it could be the lack of heat in my apartment but something feels frigid.

Eucharist - Tenebrous Summoning

2012-02-19T21:06:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

I recently purchased this tape through Analog Worship with a handful of others and immediately felt I needed to review it. This highly DIY effort, including printer paper J-Card comes from an Australian group and was released via Adverse Order Music. I don't know anything other than that on the band as far as location, personnel, etc, but I do know that this lo-fi gem is truly worthy of the $5 you'll spend to get it.

Interview with Locrian & Mamiffer on their new release "Bless Them That Curse You"

2012-02-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

Interview conducted by Todd

Recently I reviewed the excellent collaboration between Locrian and Mamiffer. Bless Them That Curse You is easily one of my favorite new releases this year and I can't wait to get my hands on the tape and vinyl releases. I was super excited when I was told I would get to send interview questions in regards this project. I had an unexpected surprise when I received the interview back. Members of both groups participated in answering my questions. So, before I post the interview, I just wanted to say thank you to André, Terrence and Steven of Locrian and to Faith of Mamiffer for taking time out of their very busy schedules to participate in this interview.

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Ensorcelor Interview

2012-02-19T13:15:00.000-08:00

Interview conducted by Nick

Having been a huge fan of Ensorcelor since initially hearing them right around the start of the blog at the end of June, beginning of July last year, I had been wanting to interview them for awhile. I was able to shoot Mike a couple emails full of questions in regards to the workings of Ensorcelor, his label, Media Tree Recordings, as well as his solo project, Æsahættr. Here's how things went:

Hellige - Demo

2012-02-17T22:16:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Despicable. Absolutely despicable. Hellige seem to be a little known band, and admittedly, I had no idea who they were until yesterday. Luckily, they have their freshly released (2-9-12) demo up for free on their Bandcamp and a link to their Facebook as well, since the search tool on Facebook is terrible.

Wylve - Self Titled Demo

2012-02-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Here's the second of Fallen Empire Records Valentine's Day tape releases, Wylve's self titled demo. As with The Rain in Endless Fall, Wylve has a kick ass logo. Note - both BandCamps may seem like one track, but they're the full demo recorded as one solid chunk.

The Rain in Endless Fall - Weald of Instrospection [Demo]

2012-02-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Coming up this Valentine's Day, Fallen Empire Records will be releasing a couple new tapes. One of these tapes will be the demo from The Rain in Endless Fall, the other, a demo by Wylve. Break out those paypal accounts, short the woman/man on their fancy dinner and pick these two tapes up because they're both outstanding.

Obolus - Lament

2012-02-10T22:11:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Just the other day, Flenser released a few albums for free download. One of the top releases that piqued my curiosity was the release of five new tracks by Obolus. I recently did a review on their two track demo, Here, so I was infinitely curious to hear what their latest offering, Lament, had to give us.

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Thantifaxath - Demo 2011

2012-02-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

I first heard of Thantifaxath quite awhile ago via my friend Mike, and now, under his label Media Tree Recordings he has released this demo properly to vinyl. He did a screen-printed version as well as a red version, they're both amazing. Originally this was released through Dark Descent on tape and I was lucky enough to pick it up while it was still available. Get the vinyl while you still can, it's in very limited quantities.
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Rituals--Rituals

2012-02-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

I've been excited for this release since a buddy of mine recommended it so highly. I pre-ordered the vinyl, but got an unexpected surprise when the band and Cvlt Nation decided to stream it on their website as well as offered a free download of the album. I jumped all over it.

Rituals' self-titled debut is an extremely heavy affair. Doom and sorrow filled, it's exactly what you would want out of a debut album from a band such as this.

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Locrian/Mammifer--Bless Them That Curse You

2012-02-05T09:38:00.000-08:00

As with any Locrian release, I'm always extremely excited to hear anything new these guys are planning to drop. I was especially excited to hear about this collaborative release with Mammifer. My mind ran wild with the possibilities of what this could be. I was extremely thrilled with the outcome.

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Sun Worship - Self Titled

2012-02-04T15:46:00.000-08:00

German Black Metal act, Sun Worship, sent us the two tracks off of their self titled demo (released September 2011) awhile back and I'm just now getting a chance to review it.

Initial thoughts, Krallice. However, do you find Krallice to be a bit too lengthy, the vocals not really up your alley? I do, and luckily Sun Worship don't follow that code. Their vocals are quite different, more intense and agonizing. Their songs are shorter, not as drawn out and well...agonizing to listen to. Don't get me wrong, Krallice has some immensely talented individuals but as a whole, they're not really my thing.
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Insidious Omen - To Cast the Last Shadow

2012-02-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

This isn't new, however, it is excellent. Emerging from the vastness of Canada along with many other amazing acts (Thantifaxath, Monarque, Ensorcelor, etc), Insidious Omen bring to the blood-soaked altar something truly tortured, dark and worthy of a few words.

Released by Tour De Garde, To Cast the Last Shadow, is a vile four-track slab of sickening vocals reminiscent of the helpless screams and cracked throats of the hapless victims of a nuclear explosion. Gas-masked instrumentalists play fully adorned in Haz-Mat suits as the dripping sinew of these organic wastes stagger about devoid of any chance of survival. They shriek, vomit, and lunge for anything to stop the insanity of seeing their own flesh boil, burst, and disintegrate from their bones. There is no hope, from the moment the music started, there never was.
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Cara Neir - Stagnant Perceptions

2012-02-01T01:45:00.000-08:00

written by Mark R. Upson

Somewhere, in the dead of night and dark of basement, there is a scene police detective, hard at work, calling bullshit on anything he/she perceives to be hipster bullshit. Right now, he/she has preemptively called in enforcement's from the anti-cascadian task force and the FTT (Far To Technical) tactical division. They are plotting to take Cara Neir down where they stand, as terrorists to the norm. But they have underestimated Cara Neir's position within the Matrix and failed to send corpsepainted agents. Cara Neir have already penetrated the system. They will find you if you don't find them. Its the music that drives them. It is the music that brought them here.

Dirt Lynch - Long Over Due [Demo 2011]

2012-01-31T17:53:00.000-08:00

Written by: Nick

Filthy as fuck, low-fi as hell, DIY like no tomorrow, angry as a sex deprived teenager, violent as the murder of Elizabeth Short, and as ugly as that fat chick you try to keep under wraps. Dirt Lynch is fucking disgusting and like swine to slop, I'm basking in it.
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War Iron - The Faceless Sea

2012-01-30T12:56:00.000-08:00

War Iron, from Belfast, Northern Ireland released their album, The Faceless Sea, back in 2010 but it has found it's way to a proper housing on vinyl via local (to them) label Punkerama Records here, now, in 2012.

Vesicus - Magi: Within the Sigil of Kia

2012-01-23T02:07:00.000-08:00

Gruel - Gruel

2012-01-23T01:44:00.000-08:00

There is nothing wrong with your stereo. Do not attempt to adjust the volume or fast forward. What you are experiencing is the very long, the very heavy. The mind wanders, seemingly, to the endless abyss that can only be found, with Gruel. Do not be alarmed by the time. Here, it exists only as a figment of the imagination. As you bang your head, and think to yourself "Hey, that was a pretty damn good song", only to look at the time, and find that there are still 9 minutes left in the song. Be warned, this is not an album for the faint of heart, or attention span, for that matter.
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Blut Aus Nord--777-The Desanctification

2012-01-21T15:55:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna start this review off by saying that I'm angry. I'm officially extremely angry at myself for having never listened to this band until now. As many years as I've listened to Black Metal, and I've heard the name, I've never listened to them. I feel extremely stupid.

Now that I have that out of the way, let's get to the good stuff.

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Demonic Death Judge - The Descent

2012-01-20T16:16:00.000-08:00

DDJ is back with their follow up to the psychedelic mind-fuckery that was Kneel. These Finnish psych-sludge/doom titans know their way around their preferred instruments and effects and showcase their knowledge well in eight tracks clocking in at just under an hour on The Descent.
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Misery - Miseria Aeternia

2012-01-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

Misery are a French blackened funeral drone act. For some reason, this album, Miseria Aeternia instantly reminds me of Jack the Ripper. Y'know, legendary prostitute disfiguring guy from Whitechapel before Whitechapel stole and pissed on the name. Confused? You should be.

I can imagine myself as the ripper, decked out in a multi-piece suit with a cane, pocket watch and bowler hat, prowling through the streets of London looking for ripe whores I can entice with a few coins long enough to disembowel them in some shadowed street corner.
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Interview - Les Productions Hérétiques

2012-01-16T21:18:00.000-08:00

For all the tape and black metal fans out there, Les Productions Hérétiques is a Quebec label that should be paid attention to. They've released a number of outstanding releases including Monarque, Ephemer, Ziel Bevrijd, and Sorcier des Glaces to name a few. All of these releases have been outstanding and continuously played between my tape deck at home, walkman, and in-car tape deck.

I was able to do some email correspondences and develop a little interview with the label main-man behind the label, and solo artist, Monarque. Here's how it went:

Nuklearenpest - Monuments [demo]

2012-01-16T15:35:00.000-08:00

Nuklearenpest, the Anti-Zionist black metal act from New Jersey that has quickly become an obsession of mine is back with some more material. You may remember them from my interview with them, or perhaps from countless mentions throughout various reviews. At any rate, they've released yet another demo, this one is entitled Monuments
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By the Malice of Evil... Death Comes Vol. 1

2012-01-15T19:21:00.001-08:00

Here we have a 3-way split between you guessed it, three, Finnish powerhouses. One of the few things that wasn't in "3's" on this album was the amount of labels that released it and that ended up being five. This is a split for the drugged.

First on the list bringing us (wait for it) three songs is Demonic Death Judge. These guys have recently released their follow up album to Kneel entitled The Descent (which will be reviewed soon). DDJ bring forth a slab of entrancing psychedelic sludge/doom. With or without the aid of mind-altering substances these Finnish lords of the Doom-trip can make you feel like you're reaching new plateaus. The musicianship in this band is ridiculous, these three tracks only give you a small helping of what they're actually capable of. The spaced-out (not in the physical sense) vocals add to the bent-mind effect and overall sound of stonery. Magical riffs and effects galore can send you sailing through splendid worlds of acid laced gum drops and black-tar coated trees. There's something grand about this band despite the moniker.
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Iron Witch - Single Malt

2012-01-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

So, I had a bunch of shit written for this review and decided to scrap it all. I ended up writing more about Eyehategod than anything and realized how shitty it was to write line after line of a review for one band, based off of another band. Eyehategod rules, there's no doubt about that, and there's definite, undeniable similarities here but fuck that, Iron Witch are their own entity and they're one to be reckoned with.

Swamp Witch - Gnosis

2012-01-13T02:10:00.000-08:00

If this is what a Swamp Witch actually sounded like, that bitch would be feared. Children would cry out in abject horror at the thought of her creeping through their windows. She'd crush all in her path. No creeping, she would stomp a path over villagers, drooling and foaming at the maw. She'd spit bile and disease. Crush your bones to dust with her bare hands. This is Swamp Witch. You have been warned.
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Lycus - MMXI

2012-01-12T23:24:00.000-08:00

The end is nigh. All signs point towards the demise of the human race. Not in ten years. Now. Its 2012 and it is ripe. Doom and black metal, not unlike politicians and religious demagogues, have seen a huge surge from the events unfolding before our very eyes. We are leeches. We destroy and consume. We need a soundtrack for where it all ends. Lycus has arrived. The doom has cometh.
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Circle of Eyes - Self Titled

2012-01-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

Do you like to be tortured? In a good way?

Do you like undertones of black metal? Perhaps ambiance, or drone?

Do you like eyes, or ever wonder what a Circle of Eyes may look like?

Have you ever woke up from a tumble down a flight of stairs in a dank cellar stuffed with necrotic corpses and a suspended chandelier that was continually breaking only to find halo of ever-gazing eyes like a Beholder from D&D (yeah, suck on that reference) floating above your pasty, balding, blood-covered head?

If you said yes to any of these things then check out: Circle of Eyes!
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Obolus Demo 2011

2012-01-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

Why...the fuck....is this...so short? Two songs...not nearly long enough.

Panopticon - Social Disservices

2012-01-09T01:12:00.000-08:00

I have never truly seen the clouds obscure the sun as I have seen this day. Panopticon has put forth an articulate vision of hopelessness and dispair. This pain and personal hardship explored throughout Austin Lunn's latest masterpiece, Social Disservices, is visceral and intense as watching a loved one slip away before your eyes. Panopticon provides an utterly complete and overarching manifesto on the failings of system that destroys those it is in place to protect. Based around the interactions of the aforementioned Lunn with the government system he saw shun and destroy countless souls, nothing gets in the way of his voice on Social Disservices. Everything about this record is centered around the emotions experienced by Lunn.

Nachzehrer - Pestilence Hungers in the Shadows

2012-01-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Nachzehrer, a pretty confusing mythical creature that's somewhat a vampire and somewhat a zombie but not really either...more of an undead that feeds on the dead....I don't know...click that first link and go read the Wikipedia.

On the 'flip-side,' Nachzehrer are a black metal band hailing from Boston, Massachusetts (USA). They combine some excitingly hostile black metal with a turbulent thrashers mark. Again, they're straying from the commonly seen "overkill" in lengthy songs sticking to an average five minutes.

Is that blood on the ceiling?

Nachzehrer play extremely fast, not like this guy fast, but fast. The vocals are frightening, imagine an actual undead feeder ravenously searching the fields behind your quaint little home, growling and prowling, haunting and hunting like mutant carrion birds. Once they find a suitable meal they devour everything they can from the bones, snapping ligaments and flesh and gargling the sinew in their spiked apertures. That particular scenario would make the album title, Pestilence Hungers in the Shadows all the more worthy.

Dare I say, these guys are what Goatwhore should have been had they not signed to We Sign Anything Blade Records. Not that I don't like Goatwhore but come on, take the polish out of your music and use it on your spiked armbands or your fancy boots.

Nachzehrer had previously released a demo entitled Black Thrash Ritual (fitting) in 2010 via Reaper's Grave whom I can't find anything on, at least not quickly. PHitS was split released via Demon's Gate Records and Tombs in the Valley Productions. It's looking to be either sold out or very close to being sold out which sucks but hopefully it'll get picked up and re-released or pressed onto some virgin-blood stained wax with bits of ground up crucifixes and chewed-up corpses in for texture on the D-side.

Reverb Nation
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Tombs in the Valley Productions
Demon's Gate Records

Burial Hex--In Psychic Defense

2012-01-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

I truly never know what to expect with each Burial Hex release, but I'm always excited to hear about anything new. So when this release popped up, seemingly out of nowhere, I was pleased to say the least. Clay Ruby is consistently changing up his sound. After last years absolutely mind blowing release, "Book of Delusions", I've been craving any new sounds from this project.

"In Psychic Defense" certainly does not disappoint. A tad more subdued than the last release, but definitely overflowing with creativity. This release is one long 20 minute or so track. If you pick up the vinyl release, the track is on one side of the LP, while the flip side is simply blank. The track starts off rather unexpectedly. A very simple electronic beat permeates the background. The first half of the track is filled with an almost Joy Division like quality. Lyrics like "A world without end" keep you honed in on this beautifully simple section.

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Otesanek/Loss/Orthadox/Mournful Congregation - Four Burials

2012-01-04T01:17:00.000-08:00

Dante's Inferno offered us a tour through Hell and all its horrifying wonders. The torturing, the whipping, the burning, ect. Its all very brutal and repetitive. Satan seems to like that kind of thing. This also adequately describes Four Burials. Its bludgeoning, melancholic, dirging, violent and repetitive, as funeral doom goes. This is by no means a bad thing.
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Mortum - The Rites of Depopulation

2012-01-03T22:31:00.000-08:00

Ahhh yes...I feel the low-fi grit flowing back into my arteries clogging them with their porous shards and I must say, despite my failure-inevitable heart, it feels splendid.

I apparently have an affinity for New Jersey's black metal scene, or we're just popular there and they're the only ones that like us, either way, we have Mortum, allies with Nuklearenpest whom we interviewed and whom I'll also be reviewing their new demo soon. Mortum have released a demo and an EP prior to this full-length and their split with Nuklearenpest. They've had a number of line-up changes but have now settled into a three-piece that seems to be working wonders.

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Easy Listening--Year End List--Todd

2011-12-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

These are my top ten for this year, in no particular order. I have listened to the crap out of all of these
albums, and all of them just keep getting better with every listen, hence why they're here.

Liturgy--Aesthetica--Thrill Jockey

There was an absolute ton of controversy around this album this year, mainly due to a rather outlandish manifesto written by frontman Hunter-Hunt Hendrix on the subject of Black Metal, causing for some pretty nasty debate across the interwebs. The "definition" of true black metal was talked about endlessly, to no real conclusion. Regardless, this was one of my most listened to records this year. It was truly unlike any black metal album I've heard. Production values were amazing, not to mention the borderline "happy vibe" of this record. No matter your opinion of Hunter's views, this record still rips.

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Updated Contact Information

2011-12-29T20:41:00.001-08:00

Contact

If you have material to review, questions, concerns, suggestions, etc please contact me at blackenedslugs@gmail.com. We enjoy interacting with fans and bands alike so feel free.

BEFORE SUBMITTING PLEASE READ BELOW:

What we're looking for to do reviews: 
We want your pissed-off, filthy, unnerving, and downright unpleasant SLUDGE, NON-TRADITIONAL DOOM, and BLACK METAL.

What we're NOT looking for:
Although we respect the majority of genres, we want to keep the integrity of Blackened Slugs alive. With that being said, we do NOT want submissions from bands that are more Post-"Genre-X," than they are the actual genre. We do NOT want CLEAN SINGING, quite honestly, it feels like what I would imagine seeing my grandparents naked would feel like. In other words, not a good thing. Whispering vocals, chanting vocals, etc are fine, it's thesinging singing we do NOT want.

Also, we completely respect the roots of the genres we review and listen to but, we are NOT looking for Traditional Doom acts.

If you're questioning whether or not you or your band fit the bill, LOOK at what we review and decide from there.

We are not totally against these things, but they are NOT what we want to review for Blackened Slugs. If you'd still like us to review something for you or if you'd like for our blog-partner to review your material we would like to direct you to Blood or Love. Blood or Love is an underground music webzine with no specific genre requirements. We share writing staff so if you're looking for a specific writer, they can be requested. Just fill out the contact form and Sarah or one of the other writers WILL get back to you.

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Thank you all for your support and interest. Without the fans we'd be talking to no one, and without the bands we'd have nothing to talk about.

And as always, if you like any of the bands we review, SUPPORT THEM! Without fan support, chances are lessened that there will be a second, third, fourth album.

Immolith - StormDragon

2011-12-29T16:37:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember my interview with the New Jersey black metal onslaught known as Nuklearenpest, others, probably not. (not that it could go any more than those two ways) Here's another black metal outfit hailing from the New Jersey area, Immolith. They'll be releasing their newest album, StormDragon on, oddly enough, Valentine's Day next year (Feb. 14, 2012) via Metalhit.com, a place I've honestly never heard of until I approached Immolith about doing a review for them. It seems Metalhit.com has a varied assortment of bands to choose from so, check them out when you get a free moment in your busy daily routines.

The year after Summit: 2011's best albums. - Mark

2011-12-27T04:47:00.000-08:00

At the end of 2010 I heard, for the very first time, an album and band that has come to redefine my view on music. The band was Thou. The album Summit. Everything about that album was vital. Not only did I discover Thou, but a plethora of bands (And awesome people like Nick) as I branched out. Its been an incredible year for black metal and sludge. So, without further bullshit, here is my top 10 albums of 2011.
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Redrighthand - They Sang and Chanted for Hours, then the Locked in Hundreds Set Themselves Ablaze.

2011-12-26T21:49:00.000-08:00

Is this perhaps the longest album title out there? Probably not. As a matter of fact I just searched for "longest album title" and Fiona Apple took the cake with "When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing 'Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right" That's a long ass title...I didn't even read it all because I'm not that interested even though it would seem that I was that interested considering I took the time to look it up....but I'm not.

Instead I'm sitting here realizing my misanthropic tendencies aren't going away anytime soon as I repeatedly get pestered with messages to go out and "get drunk" and the only thing I can think of is how I hate people and their "need" to be inebriated on a daily basis, or their "need" for constant social interaction. I decided what better way to take out my anxieties towards mankind than with a completely claustrophobic album that sounds like the writhing ever-present anger slopping murkily around within the deepest crevices of my bowels.

Two paragraphs in and I haven't even touched on the band.
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Rambling and Year End List 2011 - Nick

2011-12-23T00:59:00.000-08:00

The end of the year is almost here and what a 'year' it has been. I didn't start Blackened Slugs until July 1st of this year, and pretty much the only reason I did was to give myself something to do while I sat around healing from my first ever surgery. With the help of my close friend and neighbor, Joe, we scoured the internet day in and day out looking for music we both enjoyed. We discovered a ton of shitty bands and a few really awesome bands. On top of that, it helped to rekindle my love of writing. I'm not a vocal person and highly introverted by nature but Blackened Slugs turned into a huge outlet for me. I've always been passionate about music, but I've never understood or been able to hear all the finite details of it. If you haven't noticed by my reviews I tend to just write about how the music makes me feel or what it brings to my imagination rather than deconstructing songs bit by bit, instrument by instrument, etc. It works for me, and people seem to dig it too.

I've met some really awesome people in this short travel and heard more music than I thought I could in 5 months time. The page-views have increased tenfold (literally comparing some months to others). We broke 60 fans which may not seem like a lot, but it's more than I ever anticipated and I managed to get a hold of two writers that are both talented in their own unique regard (Todd - Technical, Mark - Maniacally outrageous). Luckily, I've become good friends with both of these gentlemen. I've met and kept in contact with a few labels that are run by truly genuine people. I met an artist who was kind enough to lend his time and talent toward creating a kick-ass superhero-esque Slug Stamp. It's really humbling and awesome to sit here and reflect on the amount of things that have happened since July. At the time of writing this, the page is sitting at over 5,500 views.

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Hell - II

2011-12-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

The horror! Oh, the horror! Hell II is here! Squealing, gurgling, growling, grunting, gastrointestinal-juice-projecting! If you weren't skull-fucked enough by Hell I, then strap your bulbous ass down in an electric chair and flip the switch to get those stagnant bodily fluids flowing once more. Gog, the ultimate enemies of God's people. Metnal (redirected to Xibalba, and no, not that crap-ass band), the place of fear to the Mayans, ruled by the Mayan Death Gods. Trucid, random sources lead me to believe this is to kill, or more precisely, "to slice the throat" or massacre and Umbilicus(cut the cord!). These are the titles of the four tracks of disturbed blackened doom/drone that will undoubtedly permeate the mind and body leaving the most pleasant yet unsettling feeling within you.

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Scroll - Self Titled Tape

2011-12-22T11:22:00.000-08:00

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://scroll.bandcamp.com/album/scroll"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Scroll by Scroll&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Scroll, a one-man band from Washington deliver us some noisy, atmospheric black metal on this self titled, five track tape.

It was recorded in a 1971 Airstream on a farm in Shelton, Washington over this past summer and ironically enough, the first image that came to mind was having some deranged musician handcuffing me to the small table/bed hybrid in an Airstream filled with amps. I imagine he'd plug in with the most menacing of grins, do some wrist stretches, and then start to trem-pick like a madman on a binge of uppers.
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Ziel Bevrijd - Self Titled Tape

2011-12-20T22:46:00.000-08:00

Having recently purchased a heap of items from Fallen Empire Records after his return from Messe des Morts, I've been overwhelmed with the magnitude of items I have to listen to. In preparation for our "Year End Lists" I figured I'd go through that mound of delectable black metal tapes and pull out any that were released in 2011 to see if they would make the grade to be accepted into The Slugs first round of "Year Ends." (ZB video at bottom)

One of the first ones I discovered was Ziel Bevrijd, which was also one of the first ones I listened to upon receiving possibly one of the best packages of the year. Something about the ocean has always fascinated me even though I'll be the first to admit it freaks me the fuck out. I hate the ocean but become easily entranced by its mystery. The cover of this self titled tape of course has the bad ass logo that you see above, but it also has a ship that appears to be taking on a rocky path, possibly visiting Captain Haggatha in his sea-grave (or slavery, depending what Cthulhu had in mind for him). Because of this, this tape instantly intrigued me.

Ghost Empire - Self Titled 2010

2011-12-18T19:35:00.000-08:00

Fuzzzzzzzzz fuzzzzzzzzzz fuzzzzzz swirls and voice overs and fuzzzzzzzzzz. Like that sweater your grandma buys you every holiday that makes you itch like crazy, Ghost Empire's 2010 self titled album is one fuzzy son of a bitch.

It's definitely doomy and sludgy as label, Nojoy Records (although they're on Absurd Creature the same label that released the Gottesmorder EP, Nojoy is run by a member(s) of Gottesmorder), described them but there is more than your typical sludge going on. Sure there are the heavy as a smoker's lungs riffage and scream/yell vocals and feedback mountain ranges pushing your ear-holes to the limit but then there are also some samples fit into the mix, some echoing speech and some electronics a la Batillus (thought I reviewed their album on here but apparently I didn't).

There are eight tracks on this album and they sound even more interesting in headphones, sweeping back and forth from ear to ear giving a nice unsettling feel.
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Bosse-de-nage - ii

2011-12-14T23:45:00.000-08:00

Beautiful, sprawling, majestic post-black metal. Awe inspiring and always forward thinking. No, that's not quite right. Thinking metal sums it up nicely. Bosse-de-nage   have created a genuine thought-provoking piece.

With the wrong ears, Bosse-de-nage  could be contemptuously lumped with the shoe-gaze metal scene. Half listened to, and thrown in the pile on top of Liturgy, a serious mistake would have been made. Not listening with a serious ear, and an absolute attention to detail, could yield terrible and unforeseeable endings. If the tortured screams are to be believed. Which I believe the are.

The other similarity Bosse-de-nage  hold with Liturgy is they both come from cites with affluent hipster populations. This fact, at least in a general sense has not contributed to the flourishing, so to speak, of black metal from these lands.The other act, which immediately comes to mind is the now-defunct Ludicra (also from San Francisco). An act which excused itself so members could pursue more nefarious, classic rock-leaning interests in Hammers of Misfortune. Is it possible that Bosse-de-nage could follow in these footsteps, and possibly become the REO Speedwagon to Hammer of Misfortunes Journey? I think not.

Seeking information on Bosse-de-nage   proves a fruitless endevour. From what I can ascertain, the music speaks for itself in volume. Lyrics to this album were found, however. They revealed a fascination with the taboos and everyday anxieties of man.
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Nefarious Dusk - Demo 2011

2011-12-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

Nefarious Dusk is a one-man band from the UK with all instrumentation and lyrics done by Hellfire. As our second actual physical copy from a band, I'm already quasi-excited.

There are only two tracks on here which is understandable when you're doing all the work yourself but also disappointing when you want more to write a review off of. Demos will be demos though.

The first track Shadows of Dawn is pretty straight forward
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Úlfarr - Demo 2011

2011-12-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

Úlfarr is a three-piece consisting of Hellfire(bass, vocals), Chironex(guitar, vocals), and Esox Lucius(drums). Although Hellfire did all the lyrics and istrumentation on this 2011 demo. The other two members joined pretty recently to form a full band.(Bandcamp player at the bottom, drop down there and press play to listen while you read)

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The Howling Wind - Into the Cryosphere

2011-12-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

Into the Cryosphere is an incredible frosty black/doom mixture by two-piece Ryan Lipynsky (Thralldom, Unearthly Trance) and Tim Call (Aldebaran, Hail) under
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Locrian--The Clearing

2011-12-09T09:44:00.001-08:00

Locrian's "The Clearing" is another record that has been on my highly anticipated release list this year. I finally got this gem in the mail yesterday, and my turntable is very pleased. I first found out about Locrian after the release of their brilliant last LP, "The Crystal World". I've been hooked ever since and there definitely seems to be no signs of this slowing down.

The album starts off with one of the more accessible tracks I've heard by this band, "Chalk Point". The track is based on a repeating phrase that starts off simply. Layer upon layer is built, bringing it to a fantastic climax. Chanted vocals round out this piece, giving a very nice lulling effect. There's nothing disturbing about this track, but it definitely puts you in the frame of mind for what's to come on the record.

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Monkeypriest - The Psalm

2011-12-07T01:29:00.000-08:00

In my humble estimation, a real Monkeypriest would keep it simple. No white collared, traditional preacher bullshit. Sermons are for the weak, pathetic humans. Monkeypriest gets to the fucking point. Real quick. Monkeypriest lashes out and pounds his fists in fierce uninson, demanding your undivided attention and subservience. Monkeypriest illustrates the ills of man by flinging his own shit all over the blood stained walls. Human-blood stained walls.
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Pyramids/Horseback--A Throne Without A King

2011-12-06T21:29:00.001-08:00

To say that I was excited for this release would definitely be an understatement. Ever since first hearing Horseback last year, I have gone out of my way to find every release by them. So, when this went up for pre-order on Hydra Head, I jumped all over it. After what seemed like an eternity, it finally showed up today. All I can say is, I'm floored.

I should clarify the format of this album before I start rattling on about it. The album is unique in that each band has an individual track on a 7" included, which starts the album. Then the LP is a collaborative piece in 4 parts, which share the title of the album.

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Rorcal and Solar Flare Team Up

2011-12-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Just got word of this via email earlier today. Remember Rorcal? The band with the epic track Heliogabalus that clocked in around an hour and ten minutes. Well, they teamed up with Solar Flare and created yet another epic monument of doom.

Here's the details from the label:
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Blasphemophager - The III Command of the Absolute Chaos

2011-12-05T23:45:00.000-08:00

So, i'm listening to the new Blasphemophagher, The III Command Of The Absolute Chaos. Its full frontal Black/Death/Thrash assault is skullfucking me quite nicely. Entering the Expanding Plasma comes on, and suddenly, metal face! My lips curl out into a rabid snarl, eyebrows lower towards the middle, and my entire face gives the proverbial fuck yes! Must find goats, or virgins. Or virgin goats. A sacrifice is needed. THE UNCLEAN GODS OF CHAOS MUST BE FED! Am I right?!Read more »

Grime - S/T

2011-12-02T01:08:00.000-08:00

Yes. Fuck Yes. Like an unholy pairing of Grief and the Abominable Iron Sloth. Together, they form the hideous, shrieking, balls-swinging-like-a-motherfucker, murderous beast that is Grime. Grime despises the human race. And the sun. Always the sun. Hiding, ready to rape and kill at a moments notice (They need a label).

Grime is a, scratch that, the Sludge band from Triste, Italy. It is composed of Chris on pounding massive drums, Lorenzo on distorted heavy, heavy guitar, Paulo holding down the core with his immense bass and, of course, Marco on gargling-on-glass-and-chewing-tobacco vocals and backing guitars. It can not be underestimated how well they work in tandem. And the songs, the songs.

With the first song, "The Journey," Grime heaves a wrecking ball riff, relentlessly assaulting your neck, causing violent, lurching headbanging. You will not escape. Nor will you want to. Life is shit. We are shit. Embrace it. Love it. Beat the fuck out of it.
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Graad - S/T review

2011-12-02T00:14:00.000-08:00

Too many bands attach drone to the musical tag they are most associated with. Its a term and addendum to sound used far too often. Its somewhat of a misnomer in this case. The band in this case is Graad, the one man Bolognese black metal band.

Helmed by Boulevard Pasteur in every aspect. Graad's riffs are excellent. The drums are competent. The noise aspect is downplayed, but effective. The vocals are blackened howls befitting any band in the upper echelon of black metals finest. I have to wonder if this should be a full band. I suppose that touring as a black metal band = Less Cvlt. Fair enough.

Graad's songs themselves come together very well. The intro, while unnecessary, conveys the usual bleak atmosphere you come to expect. Holwing winds and whatnot. OK.
Which leads us to Faust. Beginning with a bleak howl to the anti-gods, we're starting off well. Segue into a riff that would not be out of place on a Drudkh album (I love me some Drudkh). The drums speed up, so does the riff, and the howling. Graad is feeling it. The howling, oh the howling. Ending with some beautiful, stand alone picking. Not bad.
The third track is where Graad excels. Every Night We Set Fires leads off with what can only be described as a Tragedy riff. Nice. I respect that. It returns throughout the song, adding guitars that rise triumphantly towards the Dissection scorched heavens. Very. Satisfying.
Track 4 is untitled. It shows them attempting drone. While not by any means bad, it simply feels like an interlude. Until, the sample comes in, that is. The cyclical riff, the pounding drums, the claustrophobia.
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Bell Witch -- Demo 2011

2011-11-30T20:52:00.001-08:00

First off, I wanted to say hello out there. I'm glad to be on board with Nick to try to bring you a look at some interesting extreme/experimental music.

Bell Witch are a 2 piece that hail from Seattle. They are made up of members of Samothrace, Sod Hauler and Lathe. I had not realized when listening to the demo that there was no guitar on this record until after I had finished listening to it, it's all
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Reviews

2011-11-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

If your band falls into the categories of Black Metal, Doom, or Sludge and you want a review done, send us your material!

Get in contact with us via email for the address:

blackenedslugs@gmail.com

Nuklearenpest Interview

2011-11-27T20:10:00.000-08:00

This interview comes from New Jersey band, Nuklearenpest. Two gentlemen releasing some of the finest in underground Black Metal out there today. They hold an Anti-Zionistic ideology that should not to be confused with NSBM. Being the first release from Fallen Empire Records and having released a number of demos and splits between Horizon Productions and Dullest Records, it's time the world is given a proper introduction to a band who is well thought-out and highly promising.

BS: You’ve already explained elsewhere before, and you’ve even made an image to help further explain the bands ideology. Could you elaborate on the Anti-Zionistic stance the band holds? How widespread is this movement, and how are you personally tied to Anti-Zionism?

Moloch - Possession

2011-11-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Moloch has EYEHATEGOD written all over them. The second you put on this album it’s an instant reminder of all the classic EHG albums that await your daily listening regime. Moloch slop out feedback to all the awaiting piggies so they can snort it up and let it soak their unquenchable thirst for more ear and glass splitting delights.

Possession is definitely a sludge album, filled with the aforementioned feedback, heavy bass lines and some punk-like splurges. The samples are chaotic, ranting nonsense, screaming, horrific in nature and coated in the wailings of amplifiers. It feels like having a dulled adrenaline

Gilead Media Festival

2011-11-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

Re-posted from Gilead Blog:

"GILEAD MEDIA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012

Happy morning! Here's an "official announcement" for you on this fine Saturday...

GILEAD MEDIA MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Saturday April 28th & Sunday April 29th at the Time Community Theater. Oshkosh, WI.

Set right in downtown Oshkosh, on the same block as records, coffee, food, comics, and midwestern small-town hospitality. More info coming soon, including line-up and other fun info.

For six years I've been delivering you records from my home in the middle of Wisconsin. In 2012 you will follow that path back here and together we will share our love for these bands."

False - Untitled

2011-11-17T21:40:00.000-08:00

False, a band that’s nearly impossible to find any information about. Much like obscure black-drone band, Hell, they’ve decided to use a moniker that’s so generic that it develops millions of search engine results. The resurfacing popularity of analog formats lends to this, wanting to develop a time reminiscent of the tape-trading days that I’ve only heard about, in which the only way you could hear some bands was through trading of tapes.

False’s Untitled debut, brought to us by Gilead Media and Howling Mine Records, is a two track gem sitting in the depths of your throat, choking you Read more »

Drear - We Will Use Your Blood for Fertilizer / Promo 2007 Review

2011-11-15T19:26:00.000-08:00

First of all - I owe a massive apology to these gentlemen for having put off this review for what seems like years, and actually is in the case of the promo…but I wasn’t here then. Anyhow, this is a two-for-one deal, Drear’s Promo from 2007 as well as their album We Will Use Your Blood for Fertilizer, both of which can be found on the band’s Band Camp page and both of which I’ve combined together in the review.
Drear make me think of wandering down a long corridor. The only things to be seen are flickering lights and Read more »

Hell - I

2011-11-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

All the typical things of a black drone album come to mind with Hell, haunting, evil, chills, anger and greatness. But, the fact of the matter is that unlike a lot of the same ‘ol thing repackaged, “I” is actually addicting and memorable. Like a version of Dragged into Sunlight, but at the same time totally unique to their own. Walls of thick guitar work crush Read more »

Dragged Into Sunlight Interview

2011-11-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

First thing to bring the page back is this, an interview with Dragged Into Sunlight. I had done this back in September with high expectations for my ability to grasp web development with literally no understanding of the trade. Well, considering the fact I'm posting again on blogspot, not the domain, things didn't go as planned, and thanks to a nudge from an informed friend, its due time this interview pops up and gets read.

Dragged Into Sunlight, the mysterious band out of the UK deliver slab after raunchy, heart-stopping slab of some of the finest in blackened Read more »

Update 11-14-11

2011-11-14T19:19:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Thanks a ton to everyone who has been so supportive and to everyone who has stuck around even though my postings are sporadic and definitely behind date.

The news is, I'm going to put the development of the domain-name site on hold for a bit, I'll still be working and trying to edit and build it, but for now, to keep up to date and to keep interest in the site, I'll be posting on this blog once again for the time being.

As always, if you have questions, feedback, suggestions, anything, shoot me an email and lets spread the word on all these amazing bands and artists!

Aseethe - Reverent Burden

2011-09-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something I wrote while listening to this album, long I know, if you just want the goods to the actual boring ass review, skip to the bottom just above the links.

General Aseethe’s jaw cracked as he called out to sound the war-call. A loud waning cry bellowed forth from an instrument hollowed out of conjoined femurs sending chills through the spines of the weak and blood through the veins of the brave. Aseethe’s troops dredged forth from the depths of the ocean. Their wet clothes stuck to their skeletal figures, ripped and torn from the current of the ocean that had been their home since their final battle.

The war had been raging on for a decade. The opposing forces had defeated Aseethe’s army in an extremely bloody and ultimately self-defeating battle. The city’s troops had discarded the bodies of the men in Aseethe’s army into the ocean, bidding them good riddance as they washed the blood from their boots with the water. Unbeknownst to them, they had disposed of the bodies in an ocean territory known by the previous settlers of their land as a place to give life to the dead. They had not heeded the warning of those people whom they slaughtered out of greed and desire.
The civilians heard many unsettling sounds beyond the barriers of their city in the following years; harsh noises filled their ears to the point of deafness. Aseethe’s army had risen once more from the olive-green ocean and set up camp a distance away from the city where they had been for quite some time. Their skin had mostly been eaten away by sea-life, leaving the tougher tissues and tendons to dangle from their pocked bones.

Slowly they made their way to the city to exact their revenge, Read more »

Monarch News 8-30-2011

2011-08-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

I feel like a complete fanboy due to the amount of Monarch posts here, but I guess there's no denying that.

Some of you may remember the omitted section of my review of Sabbat Noir, well, I wasn't sure if I was allowed to reveal the information I had acquired beforehand so I nixed the idea and omitted the section, as a bit of a mysterious end to lure you back.

Here's some news straight from the band, it's even going to be in quotes, fancy. Read more »

Haggatha - II

2011-08-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here we have the second album from Haggatha. Awesome name, and an even more awesome sound. It could be describe as sludge, but I'd like to describe the first images that popped in my mind upon listening to this album. (Bandcamp located at the bottom of this, I recommend listening while reading.)

So, please, if you will, imagine...

Your name is Captain Haggatha, you're the captain of a pirate ship in the middle of the ocean, seizing Read more »

Vowels - Hooves, Leaves & the Death

2011-08-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

My second attempt to do this...had a really good review wrote and it froze and deleted it...

Round 2

Vowels play a unique and experimental blend of black-inspired metal. They hail from the northern part of Italy and believe their new EP, "Hooves, Leaves & the Death," to be a "new beginning" for the band.

The track, "Not Unlike a Falling Leaf" is an instrumental piece that ranges from tremolo guitars and a violin to a nice stringed-instrumental, and even dipping into a soundscape that reminds me of the original The Matrix soundtrack. It's 7:25 in length and showcases a bit of the Read more »

Fallen Empire Records

2011-08-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

I recently made my first personal order from this gentleman, and I'm more than pleased. Really nice guy running it and incredibly fast shipping. Placed the remainder of my order on Friday, and by today, Tuesday, I already had it.

Fallen Empire specializes in bringing overseas/imported albums to the states and they do it at a very reasonable price. Shipping is cheap, service is great, not a single complaint in my book
Read more »

Monarch! - Sabbat Noir

2011-08-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

Sugar and spice and everything nice. That's what girls are made of right? Nope...they're equipped with the Mind of Satan at hand, inverting every cross in their path, setting fire to any number of things,and speaking in this weird hypnotic, reverberating voice. It's really quite chilling(and fun to watch!...on YouTube...sadly).

Monarch! are from France (Bayonne/St. Augustine), and are the epitome of slow. You could go smoke a cigarette and drink a pot of coffee, come back, and the same note will still be ringing. The amp worship in this band is insane. Read more »

Mhönos - Rotomagus Ritualis [Live Album]

2011-07-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

Frater Stéphane had contacted me before about his solo album, Miserere, under the moniker Mhönos, and at the same time had included this live album of Mhönos as a complete band. I could have reviewed this at the time I reviewed the other but a couple things occurred to me...

1. The blog literally had about three viewers, and I felt they deserved more attention, so my plan was to wait it out a bit until I had more readers, and then review it.

2. I wanted the solo album to sink in with me so that I could prepare for Mhönos as a fully equipped troop and hopefully give it a better, more detailed review than before.

If you haven't checked out the previous review on Miserere, the solo album, check that out too, both of these are excellent, unique albums.

Rotomagus Ritualis follows in the same vein as Miserere, bringing us a good combination of drone, throat chanting/yelling, tribal-like drumming, and a dreary, black atmosphere. Read more »

Artist?

2011-07-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

So, I need some kind of logo drawn up. I'm fairly poor, therefore I can't offer much in way of payment other than doing reviews or promoting you as an artist for your work. But, if anyone is an adept artist that would be willing to tackle my idea for a logo/top banner, please send me an email. This page seems like its missing something, and I think that's a bad ass logo.

blackenedslugs@gmail.com

Thank you all for your support!

Nick - Blackened Slugs

Ensorcelor - Crucifuge

2011-07-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

Crucifuge by the band Ensorcelor (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

I have to admit an epic failure on my part. I've been saying I was going to review this for quite awhile now and for some reason I caught a case of the "I'll just do this quick first, then that" and never finished the "then that" portion of my idea.

Procrastination aside, Ensorcelor is one of my favorite bands. They're on a regular rotation between their release Urarctica Begins in the cassette deck of my car, and Crucifuge is frequented on the ol' turntable, and never leaves the playlist on my mp3 player.
Read more »

Rorcal - Heliogabalus

2011-07-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

Note the shape they're in.

After seeing my review on Gottesmorder, Rorcal got in touch with me about doing a review. In the email they included a link to the album and one to a YouTube video, Bruno's description sounded promising, and obviously they have a good taste in Blog reading, and music, so I sat down to check them out.

For the past hour and ten minutes, I've listened to one song by these 5 gentlemen from Geneva (Switzerland). That's right, one song. Read more »

Dirge - Elysian Magnetic Fields

2011-07-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

Here we have Dirge's fifth album, Elysian Magnetic Fields. I had never heard of this French band until I was contacted to do a review, and the description of the band I was provided with in an email from their promoter did not spark an interest in me.

Reluctantly, I went to the link they had provided for a Press Page, and downloaded the album from them in order to see if I wanted to support the band or not. My apprehension came back as a slap in the face.

Elysian Magnetic Fields is seriously layered to the maximum with a mix of Postcore and Sludge. There are so many things going Read more »

Gottesmorder EP

2011-07-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

Gottesmorder, a band with a name I can only assume I'm pronouncing correctly, have just dropped a new EP that is more than worthy of a review. Cvlt Nation did a pretty good review on this recently, I recommend dropping by and checking them out, but only after you have thoroughly read my review, picked it apart, and moved on with life.

Three gentlemen from Italy, putting forth a two song EP that clocks in just over 25 minutes. This music literally feels thick and heavy, but at no point does it ever sound muddied or "too much," if there is such a thing. These guys take Black Metal, Doom, and Post-Rock and slap it all together for one hell of a sound. I can see this being taken for a sludgy "Cascadian" Black Metal band, although, they're definitely a bit out of the actual Range to be considered that.

Take Wolves in the Throne Room, easy example, give them a nature abortion, and shoot them up with some black tar, and you might have at least a mental image of what this will sound like.
Read more »

BATTLE PATH - STORM & STRESS

2011-07-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that's right. These guys get all caps in their title. You know why? I'll tell ya, I know you're wondering.

These guys fractured my skull, sharpened the fragments, built spears and then went around and impaled everyone that came near them in the Murfreesboro and Nashville areas, all while playing their instruments.

Impressive? I thought so, not what just happened so much as the band themselves.

So, here's Chase, Todd, Casey, Adam, and Nathan, just 5 dudes...3 of which were in Under the Earth together, and started Battle Path as a side project, blaring out some jams for us. After the demise of UtE, Battle Path became a primary focus. They've been together about two years now. Formerly known as Black Majesty, they changed their name to Battle Path due to another band already being named Black Majesty, and have since put together one hell of an album, Storm & Stress.

These UNSIGNED (cough cough) gentlemen deliver us 8 tracks of head nodding, body flailing goodness. I've bobbed my head through every one of my three listens thus far and despite the cramping sensation, I just can't stop. They're labeled Experimental, Doom, Ambient on their Facebook, but who the fuck likes labels these days? Genre labels are Read more »

Quick Post: Battle Path

2011-07-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

I'll be doing a review on these guys sometime this week, but having literally just found them and been pretty impressed, here's something to check out until then:

Facebook Page

Band Camp <---go check this out and buy it for a fair price.That old Dinosaur

Review will be up soon....I have a lot I need to review...

Storm & Stress by Battle Path
Player from their Band Camp page.

Cascadian Black Metal

2011-07-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

I'm fairly certain everyone is familiar with this genre. It developed from the Cascade Range of Pacific Northwest of the US, according to last.fm, and is spreading like wildfire. Well, the Black Metal from that region anyway. A lot of long-winded Black Metal bands will be labeled as Cascadia no doubt, hell I'm gonna do it too. So, here will be a bunch of Long-Winded Cascadian Black Metal.

The book "Hideous Gnosis" discusses the transcendence of Black Metal from it's Norwegian roots (from the second wave of BM) dealing with Satanism and other topics, to what American Black Metal has grown into today, a more spiritual, natural evolution.

I've not finished the book yet, but it's an intriguing read if you can get past the dialect of a Black Metal Philosopher. Word upon word had to be looked up to understand what was going on and I'd like to think I'm fairly well off in reading ability. Read more »

Mutilation Rites, Batillus, and Racebannon

2011-07-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

So last night, in Indianapolis, at a little music shop called Vibes Music (which is pretty awesome, first time being, and I think I'll be making regular trips there from now on, awesome collection) Coffinworm, Mutilation Rites, Batillus, and Racebannon put on a show. The title excludes Coffinworm because I had to skip out before I got to see them. Huge disappointment, but I know they're awesome live already, and work at 8 in the morning isn't fun.

Anyhow, the show was amazing(ly hot), with fine technical(problems) amp work and just an overall electric show.

Mutilation Rites started off the evening, well, attempted to a number of times. Guitarist/Vocalist George for this New York Black Metal with some chunks of sludgeness, was repeatedly shocked by Read more »

The Osedax - Delayed Response

2011-07-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

Upon doing a little research, rumors have it that one member of this band is formerly of Psyopus, and another from The MOD Flanders Conspiracy though I don't know the full story on that. I honestly only know Psyopus whom I used to be obsessed with when I thought weird techy-metal was the greatest thing on earth and then Auggie left or whatever happened there, and "Odd Senses" came out, and well that's where it ended for me. (no offense to Mr. Horn)

Anyway, this four man band from McLean, Virginia trudge through eight sludgy, doomed out, and at times hypnotic tracks on their album "Delayed Response."

The album title, along with track titles like, "White Noise Transmission," and "Primary Signal," make me think of yet another epic worldly takeover via technology. Artificial Intelligence has gotten out of hand...Robotics shouldn't know we taste like bacon, Read more »

Distro News 7-16-11

2011-07-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

After working out some details, I've decided to start up a distribution center for the music I cover and enjoy on here. This isn't going to be huge as I am a poor son of a bitch, but I will feature some albums for sale. Hopefully vinyl, but this first batch is CD.

I've not received the package yet, as I just put the order in a few hours ago, but the two albums I'll be featuring (in limited numbers) are:

Grey Daturas - Return to Disruption (instrumental band, this is their last album, definitely worth checking these guys out if you're a fan of the things I've posted thus far)

Monarch - Sortilege (This is only one song, but if you're a fan of Monarch, it's totally worth the money. This is a track left over from the Sabbat Noir album)

If any of you are interested in picking up one of these, or both (you know you want to) send me an email, BlackenedSlugs@gmail.com and I'll get back to you once they get here and I get it all situated.

I am within the United States, therefore shipping will be significantly cheaper than ordering from out of the states and probably (haven't looked into it honestly) significantly higher outside of the US.

Blackened Slugs News

2011-07-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

I've decided against pigeon holing my blog to just Blackened Sludge/Doom. However, 90% of the stuff I cover will still be in this vein as I'm going to review and promote what I like to hear, and that's mostly Blackened Sludge/Doom.

There are too many good bands out there to deny them due to a restriction I put on myself. As I discussed with my friend and neighbor earlier, people are dicks. I know for a fact, because I've run review type things before, that some jack ass will stop in some day and be all in a fuss over some band I promote that they don't feel is black enough or sludge enough or doom enough to be considered in the realm. First off, fuck those elitist assholes. Secondly, it is a personal choice. Like I said, lot of good bands deserve attention from all different genres, so I'm going to cover them as well, but first and foremost it's Blackened Sludge/Doom. I'm a huge fan of Grindcore, and Sludge, and Black Metal whether its a mixture, or straight forward.

If you've stopped through and like what you've seen so far, please, keep coming back. I appreciate it, and it really isn't going to change that drastically.

More news in the next post about Distro.

Do something with yourself

2011-07-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

The Osedax from Virginia.

Ramesses, a bit torn on considering them Blackened, but whatever, they kick ass. From the UK.

Mourning Dawn, good stuff.

And now I'm going to take a nap. Enjoy.

Mhönos

2011-07-11T17:59:00.001-07:00

Here we have it folks, the first review of the site.

Mhönos started out as a one-man-band hailing from Rouen, France. The first album, and one which will be discussed, is entitled, "Miserere Nostri."

This whole album was done by Frater Stéphane, the founder of the group and recorded via a portable studio set up (later mastered in a professional studio). Strangely, or awesomely, however you want to look at it, this whole album was recorded in a small chapel, The Chapel of Sainte Croix,(or "Holy Cross" in English) Read more »