Ural Umbo - Ural Umbo

*Year : 2010

*Country : Switzerland & USA

*Genre : Experimental, Dark Ambient, Doom, Noise

Tracklist : 

1. The Lights Would Stop Flickering
2. Theme Of The Paranormal Feedback
3. Förlåta Jag
4. Voices From The Room Below
5. Don’t Eat Carrots, My Little Ghost Horse
6. Stumbling Upon Blood And Mercury
7. Pendulum Impact Test
8. Among The Bones
9. Mathieu 2004-2009

*******

Total playing time : 46.47

Comment:

later... (impressive CD)

Myspace

Download here

Felis Catus - Answers to Human Hypocrisy

*Year : 2011

*Country : Italy

*Genre : Black Metal/Dark Ambient

Tracklist : 

1. Babylon Returns 

2. Apocatastasis 

3. Bohémien Bizarre

4. Through The Centuries

5. Wine and Roses

6. Somewhere

7. Ophis ( Felix Culpa )

8. Jakob Lorber

9. Night Gaunts

10. Cupio Dissolvi 

11. Commemoration

12. La Bàs

*******

Total playing time : 49.04

Comment:

later...

No Myspace

Download here

Schattenheer - Schattenheer

*Year : 2005

*Country : Germany

*Genre : Black Metal

Tracklist : 

1. Vorwärts , in den kalten Schatten des Todes 

2. Tote Augen , kalte Augen 

3. Am Abgrund 

4. Wenn sich die schwarzen Tore öffnen 

5. Unter Wurzel und Stein 

6. Legion des Blutes

*******

Total playing time : 40.52

Comment:

I just rediscovered a nice CD I had totally forgotten in my CD-rack. This is Black Metal quiet similar to Lunar Aurora and Ewiges Reich with ambient soundscapes which install a dark and poisonous atmosphere. Very dark and repetitive waves of riffs immediately invade this CD as a veil of shadow that falls on a desolate landscape. In this world of ash and night the only human presence comes from hate-weeping vocals, which sometimes ends in Lightly-speaking blurred passages. A not necessarily inovative Black Metal but a very efficient and talented result that will please all fans of Cold (and a bit too seriously) Black Metal .

Schattenheer in 3 words: Classic, Cold, Atmospheres

Myspace

Download Here

Ghost - Opus Eponymous

*Year : 2010

*Country : Sweden

*Genre : Psyche Doom Hard Rock

Tracklist : 

1. Deus Culpa
2. Con Clavi Con Dio
3. Ritual
4. Elizabeth
5. Stand By Him
6. Satan Prayer
7. Death Knell
8. Prime Mover
9. Genesis

*******

Total playing time : 34.41

Comment:

Everything begins with a calm and pious organ intro. Then we are rapidly thrown back decades in sixties-seventies Psychedelic Hard Rock / Doom both occult and overvitaminized. Ghost’s general concept is retro, with the exception of a smooth production (but not insipid). Ghost is orchestrated by awesome clean and limpid vocals which are perfectly controlled. The choruses of each song is ultra catchy. Combined with the vocals you end up with titles that are instantly etched on your mind. Over the flow of riffs a malefic, thick, Transylvanian and opiate/opioid mist pours out from your speakers.
There isn’t a least note to balk, it would stuff me with this music until indigestion. But unfortunately (my single reproach) the album is too short.

It took only one album to Ghost to rise in the Pantheon of indisputable masterpieces.
For the anecdote, although band’s members are anonymous, we already suppose to know that the Ghost singer, Tobias, also plays in the Death Thrash band Repugnant (vocals and lead guitar).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Opus Eponymous in 3 words: Retro, (Oc)cult, Catchy

Myspace

Sthg here

Krallice - Diotima

*Year : 2011

*Year : 2011

*Country :USA

*Genre : Black Metal

Tracklist : 

1. - 

2. Inhume 

3. The Clearing 

4. Diotima 

5. Litany Of Regrets 

6. Telluric Rings 

7. Dust and Light 

*******

Total playing time : 1.08.58

Comment:

Here is the brand new album of the renowned band Krallice. Diotima by its title refers to the german poet and philosopher Friedrich Hölderlin (Diotima is the name of the beloved woman/muse of Friedrich)... While the Black Metal scene overflows with  bands which plagiarize each others, Krallice is one of those Black Metal bands who produce something different, new and more interesting. A dense and savage sound illustrated by a wall of sound embellished with tremolo-picked and buzz-ridden guitars, blast beat drumming and  irreproachable vocals. It's also important to mention the post metal influences which give some air to this instense Black Metal. In line with the previous album, Diotima is the logical continuation of this references band's work. A new step for this high quality band.

Diotima in 3 words: Existentialism, Cultured, Fuzzy

Myspace

Download here

Indian - Guiltless

*Year : 2011

*Country :USA

*Genre : Sludge/Doom

Tracklist : 

1. No Grace
2. The Fate Before Fate
3. Guiltless
4. Guilty
5. The End Of Truth
6. Supplicants
7. Banality

*******

Total playing time : 40.55

Comment:

My last great discovery (thanks Doomantia). Indian plays essentialy apocalyptic Sludge with Doom and Drone elements (even some Black Metal influences in the vicious and insane vocals). A substantial share of noise, slow and deep drums, and colossal riffs assail you from the first seconds of listening. the result is heavy and sick sometimes in the vein of Cough. A beautiful uglyness which needs concentration to appreciate it entierly. I'm tempted to say: phenomenal stuff...

For fans of: Dragged into Sunlight, Cough,...
The Second Wind in 3 words: Apocalyptic, HATRED!, Crushing

Myspace (you can listen to the whole album on stereogum)

Download here

TriORE - Three Hours

*Year : 2009

*Country : Germany + Sweden

*Genre : Neofolk

Tracklist : 

1 The First Three Hours 

2 Victory Rising 

3 After Summer We Fall 

4 The Missing Hour 

5 Another Love, Another Hate
6 No Tears Are Shed For You And Me
7 Pleasures & Tortures
8 Fires Burn, Like Fires Do
9 Let Us Meet In The Trenches
10 There's A Smell To Life That Dies
11 Europa's Dream
12 The Last Three Hours

*******

Total playing time : 41.19

Comment:

Let's start by saying that the band name (Triore) is actually a synthesis of the band names of the two members: Triarii and Ordo Rosarius Equilibro. Triarii brings a martial side mixed with choirs, while O.R.E. offers us a superb eloquence and beautiful melodies. A concentrate of beauty and purity that can only seduce the listener.

Myspace

Download here

LIK - The Second Wind

*Year : 2011

*Country :Sweden

*Genre : Black Metal & Rustic Rock

Tracklist : 

1. The Other Realm
2. Death Breeder
3. Ed Ånger
4. The Delusionist
5. Insjunken
6. A Filthy Ride
7. Kallad till Bortgång
8. The Second Wind

*******

Total playing time : 51.54

Comment:

Pretty well-known band (due to its link with Armagedda), Lik (or Lekamen Illusionen Kallet) offers us a Black/Folk/Punk/Rock more "energic" and festive than Besvärtade Strofer. No blastbeats, wild raw and unhealthy black metal, but more of beautiful clean guitars, slow accompanying drums and poetically spoken black metal vocals with hints of Doom/Gothic. Lik is one of those talented enough bands to produce at once a simple, atmospheric and brilliant music. A nice mix between Burzum (minimalistic music), Darkthrone (for the "punk" influence of "Death Breeder") and Peste Noire (catchy riffs). A band which's mature enough to take its influences from multiple genres. For open-minded (Black) Metal fans
The Second Wind in 3 words: Nature, Melancholy, Philosophy

Myspace

Download here
 

Infestus - E X | I S T

*Year : 2011

*Country :Germany

*Genre : Black Metal

Tracklist : 

1. Akoasma
2. Down Spiral Depersonification
3. Darkness Blazing In The Flame Of Fire
4. Torn Observer
5. Mirror Mind Reality
6. Der Blick hinaus
7. Descend Direction Void

*******

Total playing time : 51.54

Comment:

Infestus attracts listener's mind in this album with "Der Blick hinaus”, an ambient introduction with calming notes, clean guitars and tranquilizing drum. And little by little we fall in an intense Black Metal burning your ears with great facilities. In addition to a most effective Black Metal haunted by Mournful screams ans suffocating guitats, we also find some nice piano notes adding more depth to this very good album. ExIst = Mental molestation and horrifying visions.
Exist in 3 words: Deprevation, Darkness, Scalding

Website

Download here

Pombagira - Baron Citadel

*Year : 2010

*Country : UK

*Genre : Sludge/Doom

Tracklist : 

1. Causeway Charred 

2. Baron Citadel 

3. Seals of Grace 

4. Corporeal Altar 

*******

Total playing time : 1.10.37

Comment:

This Vodoo rite combines a crushing doom, with sick sludge, and drone elements on an esoteric and psychedelic background. Sometimes explosive, other times monolithic, monotonous and hypnotic, the music gives you mind-blowing sensations.
I also advice you to make a quick research about the religious name of the band (Pombagira is a godess)
For fans of: Sunn o))) (with accelerated riffs), Sleep, Om
Baron Citadel in 3 words: Monolithic, Vodoo, Occult

 

Myspace

Download here

Stonehelm - Stonhelm

*Year : 2010

*Country : USA

*Genre : Stoner Doom

Tracklist : 

1. Hyborian tales
2. Towers of black
3. Vualt dweller (13)
4. Zombie apocalypse 420
5. Scumbag
6. Acid blur (Green tab)
7. Deep space Doom
8. So high we hail (Lord in green)

*******

Total playing time : 54.33

Comment:

Psychedelic plains, mythology and psychotropic substances, that's an interesting cocktail! Everything starts with a sample of Conan,  from that moment begins a hyperborean trip accompanied by a distant and sententious voice. The comparison with Electric Wizard is inevitable, but the band still has its own identity and you certainly won't hear every day such a good Stoner. This reissue consists of:  Monolithic Groove, smoky riffs, foggy voice (and red eyes).

Myspace

Download here

Mühr - Shepherd​/​Blood

*Year : 2010

*Country : Netherland

*Genre : Atmospheric Doom

Tracklist : 

1. Sheperd

2. Blood

*******

Total playing time : 24.13

Comment:

Only two tracks but high quality tracks. Shepherd opens slowly, as if you witnessed the awakening of one of those elder gods slumbering in the depths of the Himalayan Mountains. The vocals are realy clean, almost whispered. And Slowly a musical mass seems increasingly to emerge. A mysterious and dreamy atmosphere. In fact, you just need to observe the cover to visualize the music of Mühr
Demo in 3 words: Hypnotic, Icy, Desert

Website (if you want to listen to two tracks)

Download here

Clair Cassis - Clair Cassis

*Year : 2010

*Country : USA

*Genre : Ambient/trippy Black Metal

Tracklist : 

1. Ambercandle 

2. The Feathered Fog 

3. Kir Royale 

4. Our Overwintering in the Ivories 

5. Pearls & Pinesmoke 

6. Noctilucent Petrichor

7. Hazelhearted in the Seaparlour

*******

Total playing time : 33.27

Comment:

Descended directly from Velvet Cacoon, similarities are inevitable. Indeed, Clear Cassis is the new name of Velvet Cacoon. That said, this new album is much less "sizzling and rough" (due to a cleaner instrumentation) that Genevieve (Velvet Cacoon). But their music still is noisy and aggressive. Note the excellent and pronounced bass lines, the "Cacoonian" fuzzy guitars interspersed with acoustic guitars and recessed vocals. A More Accessible Version of Velvet Cacoon

Highlight: Pearls & Pinesmoke

Clair Cassis in 3 words: Foggy, Dreamy, Fuzzy

Myspace 

Download here

Blue Aside - The Orange Tree

*Year : 2010

*Country : USA

*Genre : Progressive Doom/Stoner

Tracklist : 

1. The Traveler Of Time And Space
2. Otis’ Sun
3. Orange Eyes
4. Black Rays
5. The Inevitable Journey

*******

Total playing time : 35.56

Comment:

A great unexpected surprise. The main particularity of the band is the changing between angelic harmonious vocals which suddenly get a dark death metal grunt disturbing the fairy tale. The whole is mostly played in a down-tempo sometimes reaching to a psychedelic space rock crescendo. You will find yourself lost in their translation of the world. A really pleasant spatial trip.
For fans of: Porcupine Tree

Myspace

Download here

 

 

Black Pyramid - Black Pyramid

*Year : 2009

*Country : USA

*Genre : Doom/Stoner

Tracklist : 

1. ...And the Gods Made War
2. Visions of Gehenna
3. Mirror Messiah
4. No Life King
5. Celephais
6. Twilight Grave

7. The Worm Ouroboros

8. Cauldron Born

9. Wintermute

*******

Total playing time : 48.58

Comment:

Black Pyramid crushes the competition without a care. The guitars sound Powerful, crunchy, fuzzy with superb mass molasses riffs, crazy jamming, sabbathian vocal style mixed with southern style. A perfect balance between heaviness and melody, a huge atmosphere.

I won’t describe this gem more, nothing’s better than listen to it by yourself. Buy this necessary CD (in an Ecopack, please), a classic in the doom scene. Killer!

For fans of: Sleep, Generator Operator, Orchid, High On Fire, Cathedral, Electric Wizard, ...

Black Pyramid in 3 words: Almost Perfect Album

Myspace

Download here

Black Math Horseman - Wyllt

*Year : 2009

*Country : USA

*Genre : Atmospheric Doom (According the label: Ambient post-doom/alchemic psych-rock)

Tracklist : 

1. Tyrant
2. Deerslayer
3. A Barren Cause
4. Origin of Savagery
5. Torment of the Metals
6. Bird of All Faiths and None/ Bell from Madrone

*******

Total playing time : 37.55

Comment:

Imposing sound, a ghostly female voice by Sera Timms (singer and bassist), Stoner Doom riffs tinged with space-rock, there are also 70's rock influences and ethereal passages near to the post-rock/metal (in like Isis). The singing of Sera floats over this soaring and intoxicating music and gives the music a feeling of never seen. This music gives the impression of swimming in a primordial ocean, lost in the waves of the viscous fluid without knowing where is the surface and and the sea bed. I finally would note that Wyllt has been produced by the ex-bass player of Kyuss (another quality proof)
For fans of: Worm Ouroboros
Wyllt in 3 words: haunting, immersive, psychedelic

Myspace

Download here

Sun of the Blind - Skullreader

*Year : 2009

*Country : Switzerland

*Genre : Ambient Black Metal

Tracklist : 

1. Cursed Universe
2. Lord of Mind
3. Fire and Thirst
4. Ornaments
5. Vanitas

*******

Total playing time : 44.39

Comment:

I've already writte a review in french on SoM (here is the link, it's the second review) but I'll still post a brief comment for the non-francophones.
Sun of the blind is the one man band of Zharahal, the great co-guitar player and vocalist of the peerless Darkspace. It's a conceptual album, which evokes the journey of a tortured soul wandering on the burning and scattered  pathways along the borders of the Elysee (the last resting place of souls among the ancient Greeks). Concerning the music, Skullreader is: Atmospheric synthesizers flirting with sizzling guitars and vocals cleverly put in the background to transform the Black Metal vocals into a sort of distant scream sounding like far murmurs which carries the mind of the listener deeper into this musical odyssey.
A desert universe made of dark and ethereal atmospheres.

Skullreader in 3 words: Oninirc Introspective Journey

  

Myspace

Download here 

All Pigs Must Die - All Pigs Must Die

*Year : 2010

*Country : USA

*Genre :Sludge/Hardcore

Tracklist : 

1. Hungry wolf, easy prey
2. Sermon for the end
3. Die ignorant
4. Noxchi assault
5. Death in my wake

*******

Total playing time : 19.52

Comment:

It is first interesting to know that All Pigs Must Die is made up of members of well-known bands as Converge and the Hope Conspiracy. The band's name refers directly to Death in June (which released an album with the same name), but the two bands are musically totally different. I also would note that the name of the band reminded me the "family" of Charles Manson (especially S. Atkins, who wrote “Pigs” with human blood on the door of Polansky’s house after the murders). Sorry for the digression...

So what does it sound like? The vocals are aggressive / angry, there is a profusion of heavy riffs, and the technical, devastating and overwhelming drum supports this raw and powerful music. The production is also remarkable.
All Pigs Must Die in 3 words: Sonic Storm of Violence

Myspace

Download here

Thy Catafalque - Róka Hasa Rádió

*Year : 2009

*Country : Hungary

*Genre : Avant-Garde Metal

Tracklist : 

1. Szervetlen
2. Molekularis Gepezetek
3. Köd Utanam
4. Ürhajok Makon
5. Piroshatu
6. Esölampas
7. Kabocak, Bodobacsok
8. Öszi Varazslok
9. Feher Berek

*******

Total playing time : 1.08.10

Comment:

An unusual sound universe, halfway between the extreme side of Black Metal, the oniric, folk and spatial visions, and another more industrial sounds. Unable to place Thy Catafalque in a tangible world or in any era, this music is a trip elsewhere. Many different vocal styles, an incredible mixture of genres, instruments, atmospheres, ... A rich, very rich album, abundantly progressive with a no limit imagination. An unique personality. The last time an avant-garde music struck me so much was the discovery of Arcturus...
For fans of: The Shining (the good one, from Norway)

Myspace

Download here