Hell - III

Admittedly, I am new to the Hell phenomenon. I was late on the boat for a number of reasons including the seemingly generic moniker. Respected members of the blog-sphere and close friends have been calling this band genius since Hell - I came out. To their credit, it was not hyperbole. I have wanted to purchase the back catalog, but it always seems something else comes up that I end up buying instead. This time, however, I jumped when I saw my chance. Pesanta put up the remaining copies of the Stella Natura test pressings, and I ordered without hesitation. I was very lucky that I did, as they sold out shortly thereafter.



At first listen I am completely blown away. The songs themselves are simple yet complex. Containing melodies that wrap themselves around your brain and refuse to let go. The space between notes is empty and void and necessary. When the heavy kicks in it crushes and melts your face simultaneously. This is perfection, I think. Everything I wan't and everything I need from music is here, revealing itself in widescreen, high definition analog. Darkness and beauty enmesh themselves in unwavering unity. My soul is raptured by total night.

When the cassette came up, I purchased that as well, obviously. Between the two copies, I must have listened to this album 60 or 70 times in two weeks. It holds up, believe me. I remain completely, in all senses of the phrase, blown away.



You can pick this up on cassette right now at Eternal Warfare. The vinyl release is forthcoming from Pesanta Urfolk records, so keep your eyes peeled. Do not miss this. You have been warned.

Dressed in Streams-Self Titled

                                                        Written By Todd


I first heard about this release from a random Facebook post from fellow bloggers, Hammer Smashed Sound. The post basically stated how much they loved this tape and that they were planning to wear it out. This immediately caught my attention, as they have excellent taste. So, I picked up a copy from Colloquial Sound Recordings. What i got was nothing short of extraordinary.

Ayr - Circling

 Written by: Nick

From Charlotte, North Carolina I bring you a band who now holds the "on hold" status. This is Ayr's first EP entitled Circling. It came out in 2010 and I've had it for awhile. I almost did a "versus" style review back when I did the Circle of Eyes review but for whatever reason (laziness), I didn't do it. Why a versus style review? I think because at the time I got the same kind of stirring emotion from the albums. I bought them right around the same time and mistakenly thought one was the other on more than one occasion. Now that I've listened to Circle of Eyes a thousand times and this about 500 times...I don't know how the hell I ever got the two confused. 

Monads - Intellectus Iudicat Veritatem

Written by: Nick

What defines a demo? Typically it's a small low quality sample of band. Their first offering, generally pretty DIY and often times a place of confusion where a band is trying to find and define their stylistic approach. Apparently, a demo for this newly founded (2011) Belgian five-piece consists of nearly an hour of well-defined, high quality and downright outstanding funeral doom.

Meth Drinker - Meth Drinker

 Written by: Nick

Get angry. Meth labs are on the rise. They stink up your apartment complex and neighborhoods, people are naming countless bands after this manufactured drug, its even giving a newly revised outlook on the term 'black tooth grin.' It's leaving sexy women ugly as fuck and ravaging our communities.By the previous line I of course mean, Meth Drinker is doing that. 

Fire in the Cave-Self Titled EP

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.

No Pleasure in Life - Happiness is Not an Option

 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

 

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

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

 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

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"

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"

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

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.