Antiversum - Cosmos Comedenti

By Bryan Camphire. The time has come for Antiversum to rear their ugly head once again on Invictus Productions. They're here to deliver their debut long player, Cosmos Comedenti (Cosmos Eater in Latin). The title is full of portent

By Bryan Camphire.


The time has come for Antiversum to rear their ugly head once again on Invictus Productions. They're here to deliver their debut long player, Cosmos Comedenti (Cosmos Eater in Latin). The title is full of portent: we've got some nihilistic music on our hands. Glistening obsidian adorns the cover, confirming any and all suspicions: this is oppressively heavy material of elemental depredation.

Antiversum adopts a sound that is well-defined and make it their own. You'd be forgiven for comparing them to Portal; the influence is palpable. However, Antiversum is no mere simulacrum of the gods. The band stands tall because they write great songs. Would Portal exist if not for Morbid Angel? Asking such questions is only useful in illuminating how pathways have been paved for new ideas over time. When all is said and done, solid songwriting is what's tantamount to transcending one's influences. Cosmos Comedenti is an expertly crafted work that continuously beckons the listener back for more.

The first minute of the record sounds like gathering gloom on a hopeless night. This is before Antiversum have even struck a note. "Antinova" is the name of the tune in question. It's a made up word, perhaps referring to some kind of cosmic increase of darkness. How fitting for a record about eating the universe.

Antiversum comes ripping through space like a nemesis to heavenly bodies all and sundry. A churning rhythm locks into place, throwing all equilibrium out of orbit. Ghostly whispers enshroud the atmosphere in a thick putrid all-encompassing fog. Stars blink out. Fear sets in. Unwholesome melodies smear the senses. "Antinova" winds down and things get stranger still. Guitars scratch through the black, opening up the landscape like a wound. This gaping maw murmurs forth a remembrance: This is not a dream.

Cosmos Cemedenti clocks at thirty eight minutes with four tracks. It's a succinct offering, one that sticks with you long after the music stops. Invictus Productions have put out some of the darkest metal to be heard this year. The first proper full length by Antiversum is a formidable addition to the roster of this fiendish imprint.

Short and to the point 2

By Steven Leslie. Now this is how you combine ambient/atmospheric music with black metal. Titaan appeared out of nowhere earlier this year and dropped easily one of the most impressive debut albums I have heard in years.

By Steven Leslie.


Now this is how you combine ambient/atmospheric music with black metal. Titaan appeared out of nowhere earlier this year and dropped easily one of the most impressive debut albums I have heard in years. What is most impressive is the organic way in which Titaan’s sole member Lalartu is able to organically weave in dark ambient sections and even silence in between absolutely feral blasts of black metal, both building suspense and heightening the intensity of the album’s ferocious moments. This is one that you will want to listen to as a whole and truly immerse yourself in as it careens between utterly oppressive aural onslaughts and engrossing atmospheric sections. The multi-layered vocals also deserve a mention as they blur the line between brutal death grunts and savage blackened shrieks. If you like your occult black metal to take you on a spiritual journey into the heart of darkness, look no further.

Cover art by Morkh

Released in late 2015, Serpents Athirst Heralding Ceremonial Mass Obliteration is another gem of black/death metal out of Sri Lanka. Following in the footsteps of the mighty Genocide Shrines, but bringing enough of their own flavor to the mix, this is one fans of rabid and vicious metal will not want to miss. Eschewing the cavernous death metal sound that is so prolific right now in favor of something far more visceral and intense, Serpents Athirst have made a bold statement with this three-song assault. Utilizing razor sharp riffs that will rend flesh from bone and an absolutely filthy vocal assault puts many black and death metal vocalist’s to shame Heralding will leave you battered, broken and terrified in just under 12 minutes. Can’t wait to hear a full length from these hellraisers.

Artwork by Boris Haimov

Israel isn’t exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think of Luciferian black metal, but that is going to change if Mortuus Umbra has their way. Released towards the tail end of 2015, this excellent EP has sadly slipped under most people’s radars despite its undeniable quality. Catechism manages to achieve the same dissonant and enveloping atmosphere Deathspell Omega are masters of without ever entering into copycat territory. Add to that some truly memorable riffs, expressive and varied screams and an excellent production job, hitting that perfect balance that Watain did on albums like Sworn to the Dark, and you have an occult black metal release that is more than worthy of your dollars and your time.

Artwork by Noir Soufre

This is Virvel av Morkerhatet’s first release since their 2010 debut, but it was definitely worth the six-year wait. Virvel aren’t afraid to show off their technical proficiency on this slab of forward thinking black metal. In fact, it is their ability to utilize various time signatures and angular riffs to create an alien atmosphere that really helps this Ukrainian band stand apart from the overpopulated black metal scene. Even more impressive is the band’s ability to balance their precise riffs with quality songwriting, easily avoiding the technical wankery trap bands this proficient often fall into. This is one that will give you a lot of replay value, as there is lots of variety and nuance to discover as you delve deeper and deeper into it’s 50 minute run time. Not quite as a much of a mind-fuck as Dodheimsgard’s latest, but just as engrossing, give this one a shot if you prefer your black metal shooting for the stars as opposed to the basement.

The Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda albums of 2014

By Kevin Page. I always complete my Best Of list by the beginning of December. But that means there are sometimes a few releases that come out late in the month I can't get to. It also means you probably won't see them on many other lists either.

By Kevin Page.

I always complete my Best Of list by the beginning of December. But that means there are sometimes a few releases that come out late in the month I can't get to. It also means you probably won't see them on many other lists either. Besides all that, there are always albums that just slip through the cracks. Sometimes I overlook an album or it doesn't click with me until much later. In that spirit, here's 4 metal albums you may not see mentioned all that much but definitely need to check out (and one non metal album that's just too good to pass up).

Cover art by Misanthropic-Art

Hollow Dominion is the 4th album from Czech Republic's, Destroying Divinity. Blistering death that almost treads into the brutal death metal realm at times, but mixes things up a bit with some doomy sections and sweeping melodic solos. Definitely not what I was expecting when I initially hit the play button on the first song. They bounce back and forth between these styles without feeling disjointed. It creates an interesting mix that not many bands do (or can pull off).

Art by Zbigniew Bielak

There's no messing around here. Straight up filthy black death from these Irishman on their debut album. ZOM hold nothing back on Flesh Assimilation. The production is a swirling mass of chaos. The vocals reverberate from toxic hellfire. Admittedly when this came out last month I was basically at my saturation point of albums for the year, so it didn't do much for me.. But I would put it on from time to time and the raw energy just won me over. It also helps that they have a plethora of memorable riffs in there, where most bands of this ilk do not.

Artwork by Mark Riddick

If you've been listening to extreme metal for more than 5 minutes over the past 20 years, chances are you heard the name Varathron before. For the most part they have been unfairly overlooked by fellow Greek countrymates Septicflesh and Rotting Christ. Untrodden Corridors of Hades (their 5th full length) is tasteful melodic mid paced black metal with a rock solid production. There's no pretense to try and be the most evil and brutal band on the block. This is a confident and seasoned band that knows its place. The soulful guitarwork shines and helps to infuse the whole experience with such a dark and occult vibe, that other bands only wish they could capture.

Cover painting by Santiago Caruso

I'll be honest with ya right up front: this record is gonna demand more of your time than anything else we've discussed so far. Equal parts progressive, black thrash and death metal, the Australian power trio, StarGazer, has really come up with something unique. A Merging to the Boundless is the bands 3rd full length album and also features members of Cauldron Black Ram and Mourning Congregation. It's by no means straight forward.   I don't even want to list what bands they sound like if you put them all in a blender, as that would do them a disservice. Just go in expecting a musical journey. You'll thank me later.

Artwork by Ariel Zucker-Brull

Hailing from Paris, France, Perturbator, is the brainchild of electronic music artist, James Kent. Dangerous Days isn't something that's even remotely in my wheelhouse, but it just scratches an itch I didn't know I had. If you are a child of the 80's or just love movies/shows like Blade Runner, Total Recall, Terminator or Knight Rider and thought, wouldn't it be cool to get naked and dance, then this is for you! It's not metal but its metal enough for metal fans to enjoy. Clothing optional.

Mad Max's Wheels of Steel #4

Written by Maxim Björky.

The inconsistent nature of this article is something I’m hoping to change but amid changing my employment, shuffling my living situations, and booking my sure-to-be comical trip to MDF –think Ernest goes to Baltimore—it’s been a rough go. Hope everyone had fun arguing about how Hallmark might rebrand Columbus Day, now let’s get our hands dirty with some fetid death metal demos that I think will earn your affection.


Deathcult is probably best known as having just been joined by Bölzer frontdude Okoi Thierry Jones. They're probably close to third in the pecking order behind the vaunted Kiwi outfit Witchrist, whom he likewise recently joined up with. While Deathcult might not rip the plane of temporal existence like Bölzer, they do crush skulls and bring the riff, which, as I recall, were among the reasons we all got into these death metal shenanigans in the first place. Likewise, if Bölzer’s knuckles simply don’t drag low enough for you, rest assured, this Swiss outfit veers much closer to Blasphemy and Bestial Warlust. Nothing much to dissect or mull over. Just spin it and maybe try to track down a tape. Sounds like they're a hot commodity. These guys also have a recent EP out on Me Saco Un Ojo Records with Jones actually on vocal duty in the studio; it’s not yet on Bandcamp as far as I can tell, so keep your brainshell on a swivel for that.

[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]

This band is cool because early Bathory can never be replicated but modern production allows us to create the same unfiltered aggression while allowing the instruments to actually, ya know, be heard. Now this may sound like a dozen other bands I've written about (Bewitcher, Antichrist, Infiltrator, Hedlok, et al), but their rippin’ jams are also applicable to fans of more visible touring acts like Witchaven. Nor does it end there. There’s also an obvious 70s punk vibe going on somewhere under the surface, though the obligatory cover of “Necromansy” at the end of this demo makes me want to renege on giving them even that nuance. I swear there’s more to it than just Bathory worship and if you think there isn’t, have another beer and gaze longingly at a picture of Glenn Danzig.

[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]

Let’s just keep rolling with these roman numerals. Now for my favorite part of the program where some semantically OCD doofus aspiring scholar of musical historiography will tell me this is black metal and doesn't fit the theme of this week’s WoS but I arrogantly beg to differ. Though this band displays many landmarks borne by contemporary adherents of the second wave, there’s plenty of death metal flexing goin on. Sure these guys would be perfect on a bill with Mgła and Svartidauði but they could just as easily share the stage with Malthusian on Demilich's Reunion Tour (now wouldn't that be neat!).

See you guys same time next time!

[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]

Stop...Demo Time!

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Bölzer - Soma

By Kevin Page. I still remember my introduction to Bölzer. End of April 2013, I was listening to some band on Soundcloud (don't even remember 'who' at this point) and suddenly (by random) something caught my attention. It was this vicious yet hypnotic death metal with a sound all their own. 'Bölzer' it says at the top of my screen, never heard of them, must be a new band.

By Kevin Page.

Artwork by Alexander L. Brown

I still remember my introduction to Bölzer. End of April 2013, I was listening to some band on Soundcloud (don't even remember 'who' at this point) and suddenly (by random) something caught my attention. It was this vicious yet hypnotic death metal with a sound all their own. 'Bölzer' it says at the top of my screen, never heard of them, must be a new band. Little did I know that within a few months short time they would take the underground by storm.

Bölzer at MDF 2014. Photo by Metal Chris

Hailing from Switzerland, those living in Europe have much better chance of seeing the band perform live than we do over on this side of the pond. But due to such an overwhelming reaction to their initial EP, Bölzer have played on this side of the world at Noctis Fest (Canada, September 2013) and Maryland Deathfest (U.S.A. 2014). Heck, they were even good enough to play TWICE at MDF. Mighty impressive for a band that had 6 recorded songs to their name. And if you have been living under a rock, this band is a two piece. And yes they perform live as a two piece and are able to flawlessly recreate their recorded sound.

So now that you are up to speed let's talk about the new EP, titled Soma. This is the follow up to last years brilliant EP Aura, and contains 2 songs totaling 18 minutes. According to the band, this features two "odes to the goddess Luna" and the "tonal and conceptual qualities will contrast the themes of the spiritual birth and phallic solar worship offered on Aura".

Bölzer at MDF 2014. Photo by Metal Chris

Steppes
Right from the get go the main riff carves it's way into your brain. It's instantly recognizable as Bölzer and stylistically the same as before. The middle section features spoken words that are placed just far enough in the background that you can't really figure out what's being said, which just adds to the mysterious nature of the song. Then another infectious galloping riff carries the remainder of the song until they venture back to the main theme to close it out. Another winner in their catalog.

Labyrinthian Graves
Now Bölzer is no stranger to epic length numbers. "The Great Unifier" off their last EP clocked in at over 10 minutes. This beauty clocks in at over 12. There's no shortage of hooks and moments that just send a chill down your spine. This is a band that simply gets it. Melodic without being pussified, memorable without being repetitive and nothing that artificially pads the length of the song. This is meat all the way through until the last 3 minutes, which serve as an atmospheric outro, but it works so beautifully. It's a perfectly paced roller coaster, so having the proper ending simply magnifies everything that comes before it.

Bölzer at MDF 2014. Photo by Metal Chris

In general, everyone (myself included) goes apeshit crazy over "the riffs", but the drumming doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves. It's frenzied and controlled, tribal and precise. If this was your standard death metal drumming, the riffs would have far less impact. The guitar and drums joined together accentuate one another in a blissful harmony. You are also probably wondering, is this better than the previous EP? I'd say no, simply because there's nothing like your first experience with a band (especially this one). But it has met the lofty expectations they have set in such a short amount of time. If you haven't jumped on the Bölzer train yet, you better as this thing shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

"Labyrinthian Graves" plus the rest of their first set at MDF 2014.

Label spotlight: Invictus Productions

Irish label Invictus Productions has been on Bandcamp for a while now, but I'm quite behind in keeping track, and updating the Metal Labels On Bandcamp page. There are many interesting things on the Invuctus page, here I'd like to feature two albums from 2011, both originally put out by US labels with Invictus handling the European end of the deal. It also happens to be two albums the mighty Autothrall had good things to say about, so I'll him do the talking. First up is the unusual black metal of Negative Plane - Stained Glass Revelations (Ajna Offensive).

Cover art by Jessica Corso

Deep, dark tremolo guitar lines and chords are infused with spikes of frivolous, shaking melody while the bass surges ever low, downward a spiral of arcane hostility in "Lamentations and Ashes" or "Angels Veiled of Bone", but capable of busting out sheer misanthropy through thundering rhythms reminiscent of early Bathory or Hellhammer/Celtic Frost. But above it all, Nameless Void's harrowing, vocal barks reek of the breath of ancients, the poetry of the dead, and add this timeless, mesmerizing environment of ever sinking into the depths of something far older than time itself. (Full review).

[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]

Next up is an album I have wanted to see on Bandcamp for quite some time, Antediluvian - Through The Cervix Of Hawaah (Profound Lore) The esteemed Full Metal Attorney called it "a dark, alien form of death metal". Autothrall has many more words for you.

Cover art by Haasiophis

I've on occasion used the term 'cavern core' to describe this modern sort of crushingly guttural old school exaltation, but I'll be frank: no subterranean space could contain Antediluvian for very long. This is copious, lurching and primordial death metal which resonates as much at a faster pace as it does at the snail-like, expected speed, and the Canadians are also mindful of the actual presence of 'riffs' [...] It's highly unnerving, and that word more than any other best sums up this recording. Certainly, Antediluvian offer one of the most bowel rupturing, uncomfortable brands of experimental death metal out there. (Full review).

[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]