Pervert The Church

Lykantrop- Winds of War

2012-02-17T12:11:00.003-08:00

Suit up, polish your boots and arm yourself with a blade and a rife. Let your Totenkopf emblem shine for tonight we set the world aflame.

Pallbearer - Sorrow and Extinction (2012)

2012-02-16T07:12:00.006-08:00

Genre: Doom

Country: USA

Of course this will rule, but you better get it before the link goes down (hopefully it doesn't). Also, you're welcome. I would link where you can buy it (because it's something i want to start doing because you fuckers need to support these bands) but Profound Lore is down right now, but i will update later.

doooooooooooooooom

Sutekh Hexen - Larvae (2012)

2012-02-15T13:11:00.002-08:00

Genre: Noise, Drone, Black Metal

Country: United States

For those that have been waiting patiently for a worthwhile metal release in the formative stages of the new year, this is it. The Californian duo-turned-trio has returned with their second full-length release, a much anticipated followup to last year's Luciform. The abrasive black metal fury the group is known for has been almost entirely scrapped in favor of more gentle textures and a greater focus on the manipulation of tapes and other recorded sounds. The album's fifteen minute long closer drones hard with some melancholic acoustic guitar and gentle buzzing before bursting into more familiar aggressive territory. Larvae only clocks in at about thirty minutes overall, but it's certainly an enjoyable half hour, showcasing some interesting ideas along with a fair amount of restraint and versatility.

Download

Sista Sekunden - Skyll inte på oss (2007)

2012-02-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

Genre: Hardcore
Country: Sweden

Formed in April of 2005, Sista Sekunden play hardcore with strong straightforward punk undertones. Lyrically they focus more on the positive aspects of life and in response their music is very vibrant yet it doesn't come off as cheesy or hokey at all. I really like this album (and the follow-up) and overall they play some awesome catchy shit.

Download

Demonical - Death Infernal (2011)

2012-02-07T21:12:00.000-08:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Sweden

Old-school death metal is the flavor of the day again and for once in my life I have no problem jumping on the bandwagon. Subjectively my favorite and objectively the best, other forms of death metal are fine and dandy but where the true meat and potatoes of the genre lie are in its roots. Over the past few years the amount of bands paying homage to the great death metal acts of the 90's has grown significantly, and not from just one location, but all over the world. From Italy’s Sunlight Studio worshiping Undead Creep to America’s unholy Vasaleth, the crusty guitar tone of old-school death metal is once again ringing into the night.

Formed in 2006 by members of previous Swedish death metal outfit Centinex, Demonical like their contemporaries Entrails have been involved in the Swedish death metal scene since the early nineties, taking second fiddle to like In Flames and Entombed but now once again getting the chance to shine thanks to the renewed interest in death metal that values composition over mindless brutality and lawless technical wankery. Playing in the style that their country is known for, Demonical’s Swedish death metal Armageddon doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary but it doesn’t need to; the Swedes have never been known for originality in their death metal and while Demonical is no different, the great quality of their third album Death Infernal earns them their get of jail free card.

Taking the best elements of their famous forebears, Death Infernal is an absolutely killer record, an amalgamation of all Swedish extreme metals best features. With the spirit of Sunlight Studio driving every chunky riff, every harmonized lead, Death Infernal’s close to pristine/slight fuzzed out guitar tone is the perfect fit to their music, adding a layer of authenticity that makes the album all the more enjoyable. Striking the perfect balance between melody and brutality, songs like “Ravenous” and the blistering opener “The Arrival of Armageddon” show the band at their most intense, throwing down slick tremolo picked guitar lines against mile a minute hardcore beats and Sverker "Widda" Widgren indomitable growl. One of their more harmonious tracks, “March For Victory” still contains the same intensity but redirects it, adding melodic elements that make eerily similar to Amon Amarth’s more epic moments. If there was something a bit atypical about Death Infernal it’s the extensive use of choruses; Demonical surely don’t stick to any verse/chorus formulas, continuing with death metal’s inherently bizarre song structuring, but as tracks “Through Hellfire” and “Slain Warriors” will show, the band decision to include that particular element really works in their favor, adding a sense of accessibility to even their heaviest tracks.

With the old-school vibe strongly resonating throughout each song of the record, Death Infernal is an excellent record but not because of the fact it so closely follows a sound that has long since passed; it’s a record that succeeds on its own merit, filled with great songwriting that just happens to harken back to death metal during its more fruitful years. Along with Entrails, Undead Creep, Engraved and many other up and coming bands out there, Demonical is helping secure Swedish death metals place in this death metal revival, strongly reaffirming the countries statues as a premiere country in the creation of excellent death metal.

Download

Conan - Horseback Battle Hammer (2010)

2012-02-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Genre: Doom/Sludge

Country: UK

I'll start off by saying the tone on this record fucking rules. It's thick, fuzzy, distorted, suffocating, loud, crushing. Essentially, it rules. Couple that with downtuned, doomy, sludgy as fuck riffs and some strange vocals and you've got an EP that is more than worth a few listens. I know it doesn't really sound like Godflesh but i still get this Godfleshy vibe from it, which i'm guessing is probably good thing. Just listen. Its good as hell.

TO CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES, TO SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU, AND TO HEAR THE LAMENTATIONS OF THE WOMEN.

Rhinocervs - RH-12 (2012)

2012-01-29T09:48:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal

Country: USA

I'll be quite honest, nothing the Rhinocervs/BTC/Crepusculo Negro conglomerate has put out yet has really been anything special. For the most part, the bands on the labels are poor to average at best. Regardless, the cover art for this is cool, and RH-11 was interesting enough for me to want to see where this goes. Maybe they'll get a spark of inspiration.

RHINBTCCREPS

Swallow The Sun - Emerald Forest And The Blackbird (2012)

2012-01-25T15:05:00.001-08:00

Genre: Death/Doom Metal
Country: Finland

Hoping they don't stray too far away from their core sound, yet again I hope they don't re-hash it for a fifth time. Can't win with these things.

Download

Absum/Odz Manouk - Rotting Esophagus (2011)

2012-01-25T11:16:00.000-08:00

Genre: Funeral Doom/Black Metal

Country: United States

I'm kind of tired of seeing labels release seven inch vinyl and cassettes with one five-minute track from two bands and calling it a split. However, while this falls under that category, I think it's some of the strongest material I've heard the Rhinocervs or Crepusculo Negro camps put out. Both Absum and Odz Manouk put forth a really impressive track. Absum delivers a wonderfully murky, droning funeral doom track with some abyssal vocals while Odz Manouk (probably the most talented BTC act) lays down a grim, medium-paced black metal jam. One of the few releases from the Black Twilight Circle I strongly recommend.

Download

Encoffination - O Hell, Shine In Thy Whited Sepulchres (2011)

2012-01-21T19:54:00.000-08:00

Genre: Death/Doom
Country: United States

The mutilated offspring offered up by two of death metal's finest musicians in recent years, Encoffination's O'Hell, Shine In Thy Whited Sepulchres is the band's second effort, and an album that further drags death/doom metal into the underworld of hopelessness and despair. Coming but a year after their debut Ritual Ascension Beyond Flesh, vocalist/guitarist/bassist Ghoat (also of Father Befouled) and drummer Elektrokutioner (Father Befouled, Decrepitpah, etc...) have created their finest album yet, one that thrives on death and transports you into a realm of fear and solitude.

Steeped in an atmosphere that will make your hair stand on end, it's actually the day job of Ghoat that stands as the central inspiration for this chilling concept album about the rituals of dying and death; aside from his time spent in a myriad of other death metal projects, Ghoat's work as funeral home director is the biggest influence on the album, and the largest reason the band can so flawlessly create such morbid music. Taking the true death he touches everyday and incorporating it into the songwriting process of Encoffination's music, the palpable stench of the deceased lingers throughout the entirety of O'Hell..., the odour Ghoat and Elektrokutioner have worked so meticulously to realize. Artistically, O'Hell, Shine In Thy Whited Sepulchres is a complete success, fulfilling the ambitions of Encoffination completely and adding a great deal to the album's overall success.

In the process of creating their perfect atmosphere, the deathly duo have in many ways replicated the musical approach of Ritual Ascension Beyond Flesh, this time refining their super slow death/doom metal into its most effective form. Where the former album was indeed slow, O'Hell redefines the word; moving at a pace that sounds like other dooms band slowed down, the down tempo of O'Hell gives the chance for every filth ridden riff that Ghoat creates to ring off into oblivion, their lives snuffed out long before another is born anew. The production while still dirty as ever has been cleaned every so slightly, giving the guitars density and making Elektrokutioner's drumming all the more weighty. In songs like "Rites of Ceremonial Embalm’ment" and "Annunciation of the Viscera" the addition of haunting church bells goes along perfectly with the trudging powerchords and downtuned tremolo riffs, as does the subtle organ backdrop of "Ritual Until Blood"; it's small additions such as these that not only mesh so perfectly with the other instruments but help the album reach that sought after despondent atmosphere.

Even at their own admission, Encoffination has stated that on O,Hell Shien In Thy Whited Sepulchres is not for everyone; this state rings as true as the group's everlasting guitar riffs, but for those who do enjoy intensely slow music and particularly death/doom this album is nothing but an (un)pleasant treat. As a group who is dedicated to following their twisted vision without absolutely no compromise, the sense of honesty that carries itself along with the abhorrent waft of death makes this album special, and easily the best thing this duo has yet to do in their career. With talks of a new album already on the horizon for a 2012 release, the tangible honesty along with the band's extreme approach to creating terrifying music with no doubt create another fantastic release with hordes pale faced basement dwelling fans to eat it up.

There is Only Death In The Void

Convulse – World Without God (1992)

2012-01-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Finland

Pretty much these guys told their brothers in Sweden that they were much better at playing death metal. Album dominates everything I love about Finnish dm. Mmmmmmmmmm...

Snatch it!!!

The Beyond - OST (1981)

2012-01-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

Genre: Horror/OST

Country: Italy

The Golden Age of Italian Horror is probably my favorite time period in film history. I wouldn't really say that Italian horror is an acquired taste, but it most certainly isn't for everyone. Then again if you don't like perfect atmosphere, awesome soundtracks, and tons of sleazy gore then you probably like gay films like 500 Days of Summer and suck at movies so it doesn't really matter.

The soundtracks to these films are most certainly one of the greatest parts, and the two best composers of the day were Fabio Frizzi and the legendary prog group Goblin. While i think City of the Living Dead is Frizzi's best work, the Beyond is another awesome addition to his proggy and atmospheric brand of synth rock, or whatever it is. If you like the idea of Rush being fronted by an undead preist of Satan, then these soundtracks are for you.

zombie rock

Persistence in Mourning / Koufar - Split (2009)

2012-01-17T20:43:00.000-08:00

Genre: Power Electronics/Doom

Country: United States

This shit is cool. Download it.

Do as Angel commands you.

Decrepitaph - Profane Docterines Unburied (2011)

2012-01-14T18:09:00.000-08:00

Genre: Death/Doom Metal
Country: United States

Download

Archagathus - Canadian Horse (2011)

2012-01-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Genre: Grindcore/Mince

Country: Canada

I have not listened to this. I'm not even sure if i want to listen to it. All i know is this is the best album art i have ever seen and i will not let it go unposted on this blog. I mean, this band has released splits with Agathocles (but who fucking hasn't) so it might be good. It's got the guy from Dhamer on vocals so i guess i'll listen and update on the quality. For now just bask in the glory that is the Canadian Horse.

horsesax

Riistetyt - Valtion vankina (1983)

2012-01-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

Genre: Hardcore/D-Beat

Country: Finland

Well, kids, here's one from the vault - an early hardcore/d-beat gem out of Finland. They get things going with a Varukers cover, and then tear the joint down with an additional 21 numbers. Great riffs and grooves with some gritty production. Valtion vankina is one of the premiere albums out the Scandinavian scene of the eighties. Don't miss it.

Download

Shyy/... - The Path Towards Forgetfulness (2012)

2012-01-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal/Shoegaze
Country: Unite States

Along with Alcest, this split has started the year off quite well as far as shoegaze influenced black metal goes. Shyy may be the more well known presence here but for me ... steals the show, putting forth an excellent display of the two perfectly juxtaposed genres. Between melancholic cleans, jangling clean guitar lines that ring into the night and overall great composition, you can't really go wrong picking this up.

Download

Dagda Mor - The Border of Light (1997)

2012-01-08T10:26:00.000-08:00

Genre: Death Industrial
Country: Germany

.................................................................

http://www.mediafire.com/?dizmjmzityt

Wilds Forlorn - We, The Damned (2012)

2012-01-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: Netherlands

One of my favorite atmospheric black metal bands. This guy has always used to superb ambiance to back his unique brand of atmospheric black metal and even though I haven't gotten the chance to hear this yet, I have complete confidence it rules.

Download

Fresh To Death

2012-01-04T12:56:00.000-08:00

Alcest - Les Voyages De L'Âme (2012)

2012-01-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal/Shoegaze
Country: France

Hoping the music will be as good as the art.

Download

Band Of The Week: Arctique Circles

2012-01-02T10:41:00.001-08:00

It is now my intention to introduce a new weekly segment to Pervert The Church to help bring to light some incredible bands that fly under the radar. So unique I know. Once a week i'll pop in with an artist that I feel needs to be heard whether new or old. Let me introduce you to this talented group entitled Arctique Circles. This duo's music materializes around a shoegaze core with ambient, drone and post metal influences seeping through. The album "Golden Gloom" is available off bandcamp and I urge to to give them a spin.

http://arctiquecircles.bandcamp.com/releases

Guyana Punch Line - Maximum Smashism (1999)

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

Genre: Screamo, Power Violence, Hardcore Punk
Country: U.S

Twenty one minutes of tasty hard-hitting jams.

Download

Ostrov - Demo 2011

2011-12-30T21:23:00.000-08:00

Genre: Sludge

Country: USA

I'll admit that I didn't catch a lot of demos this year. With that being said, I'd can definitely say that this is one of my favorites of 2011. This two piece creates a pretty interesting noise with big layered guitars, loud drums and hollow sounding vocals. This demo is like a Mammoth just trudging across the tundra mile after mile. Don't let the patchy sound and delay pedals fool you, this act is something to pay attention to.

camp

Wizard's Top 20 Metal Albums of 2011

2011-12-30T06:30:00.000-08:00

Looking back on 2011, I somewhat get the feeling that heavy metal ran a parallel line with my life in a year filled with ups and downs. To be short on the life story and a reason for my absence around the internet world, a majority of my time was spent pooling my assets together so that my new family could have a decent home to live in. This certainly came with a rollercoaster of surprises that will mark 2011 in my mind as one of the best/ worst years of my life. The good you ask? Buying a house, getting engaged, watching my child grow and prosper, living on my own for the first time ever...you know, the stuff that makes you a truly responsible adult. The bad? Buying a house from a moonlighting home-builder (let’s just say the guy wouldn’t even qualify as a janitor), the death of my Opa and dealing with the family turmoil, my future mother-in-law falling off my porch and breaking her hip while my Opa lay on his death bed (dealing with two sufferings is enough for me) and getting engaged (the old ball and chain hahahaha just kidding) And like my life, 2011 was plagued by a lack of standalone efforts as the genre continues to collapse into an abysmal hole of suckage from bands that gain notoriety for watering down masterpieces. However, looking back on the great from this year, I find myself discovering more and more gems that will certainly be overlooked in favour of all this revival horseshit that is becoming as trendy as pretending that Kanye West writes great music (we all know he’s a gay fish!). The “gems” presented on this list are bands that continue to push boundaries in directions that have simply never been done before (#1 especially). The rest of the list consists of bands who seem to have found ways to continue recreating the wheel within their little niches. I present to you what I personally find to be the best metal of 2011. Enjoy!!!

PS Please note my lack of love for Opeth and Wolves in the Throne Room that I usually adore with each release. They finally faultered and allowed more room on this list for some up and coming bands to be recognized.

1. Flourishing – The Sum of All Fossils

This one came out of nowhere and I mean NOWHERE. I hadn’t a clue these guys have been going for ten years, let alone releasing an E.P. as good as this monster. Needless to say, this is the future of death metal and I can’t find a single band as unique as this roaming around the pulverizing death metal catacombs. What sets this so high above all are the magnificent sludgy riffs that unfold into stunning sections of near post-metal-esque peaks and valleys. To boot, the Godflesh-ian industrial atmosphere that covers each song in a layer of soot further drives the uniqueness home. I mean come on, what topped your list this year? Hopefully nothing but this!

2. Immolation – Providence E.P.

As Immolation have proved again and again, they will always be the reigning kings of death metal. Providence is a further refinement of they’re latest and greatest album to date Majesty and Decay as they up the production values and channel their distinct, atonal rage into a more palatable form. Also, Robert Vigna is still one of the greatest guitarists of all time and you probably should have been aborted before birth if you don’t believe it.

3. Esoteric – Paragon of Dissonance

Funeral doom or doom for that matter has been hit and miss for me in 2011. Maybe it’s the fact that doom doesn’t interest me as much as most metal does or maybe I’ve grown tired of the sub-genre. Not even the anticipated releases by Loss and Mournful Congregation could keep me awake for a song or three (sorry, the albums bored me to death). However, Esoteric continue releasing time-shifting funeral doom that injects a healthy dose of white-washed melody over chord progressions that never feels repeated or dragged through the mud. If you enjoyed The Maniacal Vale, Paragon will no doubt end up on your best-of list for 2011.

4. KEN Mode – Venerable

Good riddance to metalcore and its shallow songwriting style that consists of recycled ideas and blundering breakdowns. Thank the lord we have bands like KEN Mode who throw a good helping of noise into an otherwise stale, binary chug of sounds. Venerable twists and mutates into unforeseen territory that adds life to a sub-genre well on its way down the inevitable shitter. Canadian music hasn’t sounded this ripe since?

5. Negative Plane - Stained Glass Revelations

Without a doubt, this is the best US black metal release of 2011, bar none. They play in a vein similar to Arizmenda mixed with Emperor’s gloriously sophisticated operatic styling’s but what they do best is keep it raw without ever having to plagiarize the old Norwegian tactics and without having to resort to the old snare-bass-snare throughout the entire album. This thing just crushes any conventional methods of old school black metal while putting a fresh spin on the redundantly oversaturated lo-fi garage black metal bands still kicking around today. Essential in every sense of the word.

6. Tombs – Path of Totality

I’ve been hyping these guys for years and it’s nice to see Tombs get the recognition they deserve (voted #1 in Decibel Magazine for AOTY). Whether you think Decibel is a credible metal mag or not, that doesn’t matter since Tombs takes their blackened sludgy hardcore to the next level. The songs are catchier and delivered with a more furious passion than on Winter Hours that is simply unmatched in their realm of skull-crushing music.

7. Brutal Truth – End Time

You have to hand it to Brutal Truth for their time honoured approach to grind; these guys seem to know how to fuck you up while breathing new life into the grind genre with each release. End Time is even noisier than Evolution Through Revolution while the dynamics and song structures stick close to their zany grind home. You don’t like grind if you don’t like Brutal Truth, period!

8. Ash Borer – Ash Borer

Atmospheric black metal for the most part has become the new oversaturated sub-genre and I wasn’t totally impressed with Ash Borer to begin with until I heard this. While I wasn’t exactly moved by their 2009 demo or split side with Fell Voices (the latter do this style better) due to their lack of urgency that the best atmospheric bm bands accomplish quite well, I was enthralled to hear a more cohesive full length that brought all of their potential strengths together. If you haven’t a problem with a cold frost nipping your behind, this album should give a good case of frost bite on ass.

9. Indian – Guiltless

I will be quite honest, death/ doom metal is a hit and miss with me and I absolutely loath bands that can’t seem to hit the gas pedal a wee bit and turn up the tempo to help a songs momentum. Let’s face it, I don’t like watching a swinging pendulum and if you’re in the same boat as myself, I advise you to check out Indian’s debut album for Relapse Records. This is a ferocious album from start to finish with a perfect crunch to the guitars and a vocal delivery that would make most black metal frontmen bow in shame.

10. Cianide – Gods of Death

Chicago old-school death metallers Cianide should feel like they’re riding high because this is their finest output to date of their 23 year career. How many bands make it to this age alone and how many of them are putting out quality of this calibre still? The answer is not many. The name of Gods of Death's game; crushingly doomy riffs are executed in a straight linear manner in a mid-tempo fashion. No fat or frills to be found on here, only jaw fracturing blows to the head!

11. Batillus – Furnace

Furnace is another one of those records that struck a deep chord with me. Batillus know how to bust-balls in the vein of a potent death/ doom concoction. The songs themselves are expansive but every riff is just so devastating I could care less what kind of epic, post-metal adventure this band tries to put together. This is what doom, death, and post-metal should sound like.

12. Gridlink- Orphan

Why people still talk about Discordance Axis back catalogue is beyond me when half of the band is putting out music that would fit nicely onto any of their full lengths. Orphan is Gridlink’s sophomore album and it fucking grinds by at whopping twelve and a bit minutes. I would almost say this is a more condensed version of Discordance Axis but where the hell was the fat to trim on that band?

13. Blut Aus Nord – 777 - Sect(s)

Let it be known that France’s best black metal band are totally in their own realm amongst the legion of dedicated purveyors of everything black. Heck, even Deathspell Omega do their own thing and pretty much anything else that seems to leech from the country of crapes and most-recognized landmarks in the world. But D.O. haven’t released anything this year, leaving Blut Aus Nord to steal the spotlight and come up with the first part of their new trilogy. I should include 777 - The Desanctification on here as well seeing as it was released as the second part in the trilogy, but I found they gave up their polyrhythmic, atonal sound in favour of a more organized industrial drone (which most certainly pissed off a lot of fans). Either or, this is Blut Aus Nord through and through.

14. Whitehorse – Progression

Whitehorse was so underrated coming into 2011 that the fart I let out five minutes ago probably had a more populated impact than Progression. What I love about these guys is they take their bloody time in demonstration over five tracks how to do noisy doom right! And I mean this stuff is loud as fuck and slow as a molasses crawl.

15. Wold – Freemasonry

I’ve heard these guys compared to the sound of a dog taking a shit before but I will tell you straight up, Wold rule for all the right reasons to love noisy blackened static. The injected subtleties throughout their chaos are immense if you give them the time they need to sink in. I promise you this, you will be rewarded for enduring this nightmare of clash and clang or you will piss your little panties and cry for mama.

16. Antediluvian - Through the Cervix of Hawaah

If Antediluvian had to prove anything in 2011, it was that they could follow up their two awesome demos with a proper full length. Signing onto Profound Lore Records was a great start, but upping the production values on Through the Cervix of Hawaah was what really makes this cultish, blackened death metal ooze with slow-grinding intensity. In the same vein as Incantation/ Portal so give this a spin if you consider yourself a death metal connoisseur.

17. Agoraphobic Nosebleed/ Despise You - And On and On…

I can’t exactly say that power-violence is my thing but both bands featured on this impressive split will tear you a new one. Equal parts grind to crust punk, Despise You give you a number through a bunch of short nose-bleeders while grinding freaks Agoraphobic Nosebleed deliver the longer knockout at the end of the disc.

18. Leviathan – True Traitor, True Whore

True Traitor, True Whore was a bit of a surprise for me as in I shouldn’t have read the amount of bogus reviews before the album’s release. The surprise came when I got my copy in the mail and was treated to what I would consider a Leviathan album, not this pretentious kraut-rock dirge that the fags at Pitchfork had me anticipating. Wrest doesn’t really change up much as the black metal is still vicious and most likely fuelled by revenge to the one who put his reputation on edge. Whatever the cause was for Wrest to unearth Leviathan again, I’m damn happy he could channel his anger into a fine piece of black metal art.

19. Krallice – Diotima

I’ve heard alot of people say this is Krallice’s finest hour, condensing their ideas into more streamlined songs while retaining the pitch-perfect strings of tremolo notes that form 99% of their songs. If you like Krallice, you will revel in this disc. If you don’t, fuck off and who asked you anyway?

20. Morne – Asylum

Boston, MA’s Morne dropped their sophomore at a time when I needed to hear music like this. Just when I was beginning to give up on progressive sludge/ crust that shattered the post-metal parameters Isis once carved into stone, Asylum lifted itself out of my speakers and gave me the old one-two knockout. Fusing the mentioned sub-genres into vast plains of subtle changes and time-expansive heaviness, Morne’s vision of seeing Celestial clouds might turn them into thunderheads that rage for years to come.

Guilty Pleasure of the Year:

Morbid Angel - Illud Divinum Insanus

What the fuck did you morons expect? Did you really have confidence in an album that was repeatedly pre-interviewed with words and phrases used such as “Disco” and “more electronics?” said by David Vincent? I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re illiterate but to think that Morbid Angel were going back to their roots is just downright retarded. I like this album for what it is, FUN!!! Don’t make anything else out of it!

Best Soundtrack of the Year:

Drive Soundtrack (by Cliff Martinez)

Besides being the best movie of 2011 (and no, your other #1 favourites are wrong when put up against this gem), the soundtrack was the icing on the cake. Formerly a drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the 80s, Martinez would go on to do scoring for movies such as Narc, Traffic, and other noir films. Capping off the amazing ambience of this disc are the first five songs on this disc that range from 80s pop to current electronic pop with a flair. Simply put, the emotion captured on each song/ track represents a crucial point in the movie, giving this film a type of poignant touch that might have suffered a bit without the soundtrack.

Honourable Mentions:

Arizmenda – Without Circumference Nor Center
Astral Rebirth – the Axis of the Utter Black Ocean
The Atlas Moth – An Ache for the Distance
Baring Teeth – Atophy
Corrupted – Garten Der Unbewusstheit
Deafheaven – Roads to Judah
Desolate Shrine - Tenebrous Towers
Disma – Towards the Megalith (grew off me fast and not as good as the hype behind it)
Epheles – Je Suis Autrefois
Gigan - Quasi-Hallucinogenic Sonic Landscapes
Leucosis – Pulling Down the Sky
Mitochondrion – Parasignosis
Mournful Congregation – The Book of Kings
Panopticon – Social Disservices
Reclusa – the Anticonscience
Today is the Day – Pain is A Warning
Ulcerate – The Destroyers of All
Ulver – War of Roses (Technically not metal but once were so it counts)
Unkind – Harhakuvat
Vastum – Carnal Law
Verwüstung - Beyond The Watercolor Sunset, We Feel New Life
Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage
Wormrot – Dirge
Wormrot – Noise E.P.

Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles - Brick City Ghosts (2011)

2011-12-29T12:25:00.000-08:00

Genre: Post-Rock, Ambient, Darkwave
Country: U.S

Probably the most depressing record i've heard all year. This ensemble of New Jersey musicians create a harrowing instrumental record recalling Godspeed You! Black Emperor in terms of depth and emotion. The band uses the violin, cello, piano, harp and bells in addition to the standard fare to create deeply emotional music.

http://www.multiupload.com/KGS719TM46

Pornstar Of The Month (December 2011)

2011-12-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

It has been far too long since my last Pornstar of the Month segment but I am back with a vengeance and a supercharged libido to all things pornography. Now, to kick off this most wondrous of returns I would like to turn your attentions to the half Viatnamese half French actress Tia Tanaka. She has a smoking body, has a innocent yet oh so sexy face, and curves that will curdle your strudel. She's magic on the screen and should be able to brighten anybody's days with her half Asian hotness. If you're looking to break away from the Skyrim for a bit and attempting to do some one on one cardio with your hand then go to pornmd and type in this babe. You won't regret it.

http://www.tube8.com/hardcore/tia-tanaka-fucked-tia-tanaka-stuffed-petite/408592/

Prosanctus Inferi - Red Streams of Flesh (2011)

2011-12-25T09:30:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black/Death Metal
Country: United States

Probably one of my favorite blackened death metal crews, I haven't listened to this EP nearly enough as I should have so I'm posting it in hopes it will somehow boost my ambitions to do so. I've really heard good things about this from fairly reliable sources (the guys from Slays For Days, etc...) and apparently these guys have honed their destructive black/death style without loosing any of its filth-ridden goodness, a move that seems to me that can only result in another high quality release. Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or y'know... something to that effect.

BENT IN GENUFLECTION

Burial - Loss Of Life (1991)

2011-12-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

Genre: Progressive Death Metal
Country: United States

Another gem from the classic Florida death metal scene. This Sarasota death metal group opts for a more technical approach, borrowing elements from their patriots in Atheist and Death. Zazzy bass lines, catchy riffs, complex rhythms and high pitch screams make for an enjoyable listen.

Download

The Birth of Mr Sinister

2011-12-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

Hello, I am Mr Sinister. I am new to the blog. Or am I? During my stay here it is my intention to be as offensive as possible, make you uncomfortable with my homoerotic behavior and sporadic postings of questionable material, engage in off topic conversations and be a lively force to be reckoned with. It is also my intent to contribute quality music to this blog, from Christian electro pop to Nazi field recordings.

M8l8th/Nezhegol - Wotan Jugend (2011)

2011-12-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Russian Federation

That's right everyone, M8l8th are not a defunct act. Even Nezhegol's (Russian: Нежеголь) side is decent if you're down for some pagan black metal and don't mind clean vox.

Download

Acephalix - Interminable Night (2011)

2011-12-14T21:47:00.000-08:00

Genre: Crust/Death Metal
Country: United States

A compilation that comprises of Acephalix's Interminable Night and Flesh Torn In Twilight demos, Interminable Night showcases how Acephalix successfully shifted from crusty metal to crusty death metal. Really great shit here.

REBIRTH INTO PERVERSION

Cruciamentum - Engulfed in Desolation (2011)

2011-12-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

Genre: Old School Death Metal

Country: United Kingdom

Guess what leaked? And you silly people already made your end of the year lists. Haven't listened yet but i'm pretty sure its gonna fucking slay.

desolation

Father Befouled/Demonic Rage - Split (2011)

2011-12-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: United States/Chile

Absolutely great split from two phenomenal bands. Chances are you've already heard Father Befouled so you know what to expect here; ear pillaging tremolo riffs, vomited gutturals and a weighty production that will drag your soul down to hell. (where it belongs!) Demonic Rage's side is horribly under-produced but they make up for it with sheer satanic will, providing distant vocals amongst a cacophony of blastbeats and malevolent guitars.

SATAN HARD M/

Spite Extreme Wing - Magnifcat (2003)

2011-12-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Italy

As this year has proven to be unremarkable in terms of black metal releases I've found myself digging deeper into some of my favorite albums of yore and once again bringing myself to my knees in honor of their excellence. One such release is Spite Extreme Wing's Magnificat, which compiles tracks from their '99 and Arcano Incanto demos as well as 5 new tracks recorded from 2001 - 2002. Now while Spite Extreme Wing was always a consistent band and one of my favorite black metal groups in general, I have always had particular respect for this release as it really demonstrates how tight these guys were even during their formative years. These guys have always written incredibly dense songs and here it is no different; Spite Extreme Wing's songwriting is near flawless here, layering cold but melodic riffage over Fog's tumultuous drumming and Argento's necro as shit vocals. They also make pretty interesting use of clean interludes, sparing us from the cheese and building upon the song's already epic structuring. As far as straightforward black metal goes, it really doesn't get any better than this.

RENEWED THIRST FOR BLOOD

Cruentus - In Myself (1996)

2011-12-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Italy

Cruentus were an odd beast; I'd be hesitant to call them full blown progressive death metal yet at the same time their sound was far more expansive than most other death metal groups during the 90's. When it comes to the band's more "straightforward" death metal sections I can't help but think early Morbid Angel; the group just has a certain way of writing and arranging riffs in ways that seem scattered but together create totally enthralling passages. They also have a strong ear for melody but they don't let it dominate their work, letting the parts that should be heavy stay that way and unveiling the more harmonic moments during the sections where they let their progressive influences reign free. I guess another point of interest would be that the band includes a fair share of clean vocals and while that may turn some people off it actually works quite well in the band's favor as their lead singer has a great voice. Overall I'd say that Cruentus were easily one of the more original and most underrated bands to come from the great death boom on the 90's and should certainly be remembered and celebrated for their unique approach to the genre.

KNEEL DOWN AND WORSHIP

Nameless Coyote - Devoured By The Swirling Night (2011)

2011-12-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

Genre: Shoegaze/Black Metal
Country: United States

Having a blog is pretty fucking cool. A place to freely post anything of your choosing, at anytime you please can be pretty gratifying. Another cool aspect though is being able to help support friends - which leads me to Nameless Coyote, a one-man shoegaze/black metal band from San Fransisco. Although I'm unsure of his real name, the man behind the magic Foxblood (as I know him from Sputnikmusic) has actually put together quite a fine piece of work with Nameless Coyote. While it obviously draws inspiration from "blackgaze" luminaries Alcest, at times the project whether intentionally or not also reminds me of lesser known "blackgaze" projects such as Dernier Martyr and Onryo which is pretty cool because those bands are some of the more original projects I've come across in this genre.

As much as I would love to play favorites and post any little thing submitted to PtC, when it comes to Devoured By The Swirling Night there is actually some really great work to be had here which definitely justifies its posting; While "Untitled" features dreamy, soft-spoken vocals floating atop ethereal melodies, the title track (and my personal favorite) perfectly juxtaposes keyboard driven atmospheric black metal (don't let the word "KEYBOARDS" scare you away, everything here is perfectly balanced and tastefully done)with classic shoegaze harmonies and amazing ambiance. Overall this demo or EP or whatever it is impressed me greatly and is definitely recommended to anyone sick of the mostly shite shoegaze/black metal hybrids that pollute the interwebs these days.

Download free at Bandcamp

Elders of the Apocalypse - The Law of Iron (2011)

2011-12-04T15:46:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black/Thrash/Death

Country: USA

I fucking love sword and sorcery themed metal. Most of it is too cheesy for anyone to take seriously (Bal-Sagoth, etc.) and that's partly why I like it. Still, it's a niche genre. Thus, when i saw the album cover to EotA, of course i listened to it immediately.

I was surprised to get something completely different from what i expected, but equally as awesome. The overall fantasy theme is still there (there are tons of samples including the famous "lamentations of the women" Arnold line) but this record is a pure, destructive, evil, thrashy black death fuck. I think it stops blasting maybe once for about 3 seconds, maybe, and with songs that average out to about a minute that's even less time than you think. Still there are riffs and death and magic everywhere so if you want some good, quick black/death up your ass get on it now. Plus boobs.

Magic Tits

Flourishing – The Sum of All Fossils (2011)

2011-12-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

Genre: Sludge/ Death Metal
Country: United States

It’s been some time since I’ve posted around these premises. I’m working on my best-of-metal for 2011 right now and to tide you over for the time being, I present to you the best death metal of 2011 – hands down, bar none, un-fucking-touchable. I love a little diversity in my music and if you’re down with inching out of your damn elitist OSDM skin for a moment or two, give this a shot. I own this in physical form but good luck getting your hands on it – sold out most places.

Sludgy Death Metal ftw

Skyrim

2011-12-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

like holy shit

Fyrnask - Bluostar (2011)

2011-11-30T16:19:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Germany

One of the more original and quality black metal releases I've come across this year, Fyrnask's Bluostar boasts quality riffing and musicianship with some interesting song structures and cool ritualistic ambient passages. So definitely pick this one up. A beard will shoot out of your eye sockets. Guaranteed.

Bluostar Kvlt

Gyibaaw - Ancestral War Hymns (2009)

2011-11-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black/Death Metal
Country: Canada

To combat the melodic faggotry of my last post, Gyibaaw is a pretty vicious little number from Canada who like their contemporaries Mitochondrion, Portal and Antediluvian delve deep into blackened death metal. Unbashedly chaotic, Ancestral War Hynms often times feels like its exploding into seven different directions at once but at close inspection you can really have nothing but respect for these Canadian metallers as the composition and overall songwriting is much more intricate than one can tell at first glace. Overall this is superb debut and I expect great things from this blackened death crew.

Download

Exhumation - Seas of Eternal Silence (1997)

2011-11-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Country: Greece

Generally I'm not very into overly melodic death metal but Exhumation exhibits the perfect balance between epic melodies and death metal's average bestiality. The production is great and heavily adheres to that classic "old-school" sound while musically the band fleshes out melodic motifs amidst more traditionally styled death metal riffs. What probably makes this a melodeath album that stands above the rest is how successfully the band incorporates harmonized licks and subtle keyboard embellishments without ever coming off as lame or cheesy as most bands tend to do. Anyway, this is a great album so check it out before satan rapes you.

Download

Bhang Khang - 2011 Demo

2011-11-26T11:11:00.001-08:00

Genre: Black Metal/Powerviolence/Sludge
Country: United States

As recent years have seen a boom in punk and hardcore influenced black metal it was really only a matter of time before grim face-painted warriors of darkness began to dabble in one of hardcore's most aggressive forms, powerviolence. This is where the United States based Bhang Khang come in - formed just this year, the group to date has only a single demo to their name but their extremely tight performance coupled with obvious compositional talent easily makes it one of the best [demos] released this year. While powerviolence and black metal play a much more prevalent role in Bhang Khang's sound the band does occasionally slow it down for a heavy, trudging sludge breakdown, adding even more depth to Bhang Khang's sonic stew. The juxtaposition of the band's central genres is displayed rather cleverly in a diverse array of ways here, sometimes showing the two existing within a single riff and other times with a more clear-cut separation. Overall they are balanced quite nicely, and with sludge's slow paced, bass laced crawl breaking up the blinding speed of PV and BM, the album avoids a certain monotony while also lending towards its overall longevity. In only a ten minute span a listen to Bhang Khang's 2011 Demo is definitely a bang worth its buck and should definitely be explored by anyone who listens to hardcore, black metal and/or fancies a combination of the two.

Download

Burzum - From The Depths Of Darkness (2011)

2011-11-24T12:11:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway

Personally, I thought this could have been a hell of a lot worse than it turned out to be, but some may find these re-recordings a desecration of the originals. The production is more full and the instruments have more body, but the tone is still awash with treble and has a tangible sense of rawness to it. Vocally, the wails are long gone and have since been replaced with more run-of-the-mill rasps but it's still good. "Key to the Gate" is just as awesome now as it was in 1993. I just wish that "War" was re-recorded because that is hands down my favorite Burzum track.

Download

Mournful Congregation- The Book of Kings (2011)

2011-11-20T06:18:00.000-08:00

Genre: Doom Metal
Country: Australia

Doom metal is having a fantastic year this year so here's one of the best of 'em.

Download

Black Silence - Into The Lightless Depths (2007)

2011-11-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Australia

Really great, straightforward, black metal from the land down under. The musicianship is actually really solid and I really enjoy the guitar in particular, it's cold, melodic and basically everything I love when it comes to freezing cold black metal riffage.

Download

Rhinocervs - Odour Of Dust And Rot (2011)

2011-11-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

Country: United States
Genre: Black Metal/Funeral Doom

Rules.

Download.

ANNOUNCEMENT

2011-11-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

If you haven't noticed already, PtC is obviously going through some big changes and one of the biggest (and best in my opinion) are the recently created forums. If you check the top left of the page you'll see a link to the now fully functioning forum section of the site where we have started some threads to get some metal discussion going. We plan on really starting to heavily focus on that new aspect of the blog, so please, do your part, sign-up and lets have fun discussing the best genre of music to ever exist!

Also this post goes out to thanks, first to Crysis who is responsible for the unbelievably sexy new look we have now. Second I'd like to thank Hyperion for constructing such a great forum in literally no time at all. Third I need to thank all of you for your continued patronage to this site, without all you followers we would never be able to keep this is up (TWO YEARS AND GOING STRONG!) and make advancements such as this. So thank you and we here at Pervert the Church hope to continue bringing you only best music out there. Thanks!!

lester freamon natural police

2011-11-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

late 2011 hxc

Genre: Screamo

Country: USA

Natural Police is a painful 9-minute screamo tape from an awesome local band I recently discovered. This ep will knock you in the face cos that's how it rolls yo.

Digital

Tape

Axis of Advance - Strike (2001)

2011-11-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black/Death
Country: Canada

Raised from the ashes of Sacramentary Abolishment, Axis of Advance were a blackened death metal band that was formed in 1998 but didn't release their first album Strike until 2001. The wait must have been well spent though as Strike is a phenomenal record; musically these guys are pretty even balance of black metal and death metal, generally going the speedy approach but that doesn't stop them from slowing it down at times and incorporating a nice groove into the music. From a guitar point of view i really love this album as it switches around from simpler and straightforward black metal-esque tremolo picked lines but also has some AWESOME death metal based riffs. Also the band isn't afraid to inject some melody at times which gives the album some nice variety and is certainly a distinguishing factor when it comes to blackened death metal. Anyway this shit fucking rules and I can't recommend it enough.

Seriously fucking listen to this

Order From Chaos - An Ending In Fire (1998)

2011-11-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black/Death
Country: United States

Part of me is surprised these guys don't have more of a following; being around since the early 90's Order From Chaos was one of the premiere black/death bands and besides being a great band in their own right, were the beginning of a family tree that sprouted other great acts such as Revenge, Conqueror etc... as well as the more well known Angelcorpse. Anyway, this is their final album together and it is easily their best; better production (although still murky enough to please all extreme metal fans) here the band instrumentally is at their best, letting loose tons of grinding riffs and great passages that keep the album interesting throughout. I wish I could do better at describing it but well... I just can't at the moment, but trust me when I say it is DEFINITELY an album to check out and an underrated classic within the black/death metal genre.

Download

The New (Newer) Look of PtC

2011-11-08T19:33:00.000-08:00

I've labored long and hard for no pay over this (not really it took me like 2 hours and I get paid via sexual favors from Hyperion) so you better like it.

There will likely be small tweaks going on over the next several days but you get the gist of it.

Blut Aus Nord - 777 - The Desanctification (2011)

2011-11-08T16:36:00.000-08:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: France

Sect(s) wore off me more than any other black metal album I've heard this year, but these French guys who clearly don't know German that well are back to hopefully tear it up.

Sehr gut!

Austrasian Goat/Neige Mort - Austrasian Goat/Neige Mort (2011)

2011-11-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

Genre: Funeral Doom/Black Metal
Country: France

I have not listened to this yet but considering how fucking awesome Austrasian Goat I am very excited. If I remember correctly I listened to Neige Mort not too long ago and while they were not mindblowing they were certainly competent enough to be enjoyable.

Download

IRE WRITES SYNS.. NOT TRAGEDIES

2011-11-07T20:59:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce you all to IRE, a good friend of mine who has an immaculate taste in music and will no doubt provide you all with some quality music. In fact here's some quality music the man created himself!

1300 Miles of Sound

Mournful Congregation - The Book of Kings (2011)

2011-11-06T18:56:00.001-08:00

Genre: Funeral Doom
Country: Australia

Yes, you know what to expect here. Awesome release by these funeral doom legends, one that definitely upholds the high standards we have set for them.

Download

Mausoleum - Back From the Funeral (2011)

2011-10-31T16:23:00.001-07:00

Genre: Death Metal

Country: USA

Happy Halloween you fuckers, for any of you who need a soundtrack to the night, Mausoleum have got you covered. Currently signed to Razorback Recordings (who if you're not familiar with plug some awesome bands) they offer a nice dirty piece of old school death metal with a little bit of doom here and there for good measure. Admittedly the drums sound like shit but there's plenty of riffs and gore and zombies to make up for that. Enjoy.

Changed the link, no pw needed now, sorry about that.

FUNERALS AND DOOM

Interment - Where Death Will Increase (1991)

2011-10-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Sweden

Interment's 1991 demo is probably my favorite release by the band, and it is a pummeling onslaught of old-school Sweden that should be in any death metal fan's collection.

Download

Addaura

2011-10-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

A band I very much enjoy, here are some samples posted on youtube of the upcoming Addaura album.

Funerus - Reduced to Sludge (2011)

2011-10-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

Genre: Death Metal

Country: USA

It's been a while since I've thrown up a post here, mostly due to me working on my own blog (it's down there in the friends blogs as The Gloom Archives, check it out if you haven't) but i would never forget about you guys. And here's something i think you'll like. Funerus was started by the wife of Incantation founder John McEntee, Jill McEntee. They started way back in 1990 but broke up for a while before getting back together WITH John McEntee contributing alongside his wife. As you can guess, this is pretty damn good, plus the artwork fucking rules. Safe to say you need to get this now.

take that craig

Sick/Tired - Highlife (2010)

2011-10-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

Genre: Powerviolence/Thrashcore
Country: United States

Featuring members of Weekend Nachos and the legendary hardcore band MK-Ultra, Sick/Tired I guess could be considered a "supergroup" although I highly doubt even the band would refer to themselves as that. Anyway this is the only release from the band so far but it's a lot a fun and I definitely recommend checking it out for anyone who is into either of the aforementioned bands or powerviolence in general.

Warm Beers Make Me Pute

Circle of Ouroborus - Eleven Fingers (2011)

2011-10-18T10:23:00.001-07:00

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Finland

Circle of Ouroborus' new full-length showcases more of their signature experimental black metal sound with traces of goth, industrial, and post-punk. The album boasts mesmerizing atmosphere with droning, melancholic vocals punctuated with embittered shrieks. This might not be immediately accessible for those that aren't fans of the three aforementioned genres, but it comes highly recommended by myself as one of the more standout black metal releases of the year.

Loadown

War Hungry - War Hungry (2011)

2011-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Genre: metallic hardcore/thrash metal
Country: United States

Coming from my home state of Pennsylvania, War Hungry is an excellent Wilkes Barre based hardcore/crossover band. If you're someone that's looking for some truly heavy riffs, this is definitely the place to look. It kind of reminds me of a darker Corrosion of Conformity. They have this whole hardcore side of them but then they do this heavy bluesy riff stuff with clean vocals that rock hard too. The musicianship is all top-notch and the band also makes their extra gritty production work for them. Anywasy this is just fucking fantastic, definitely a great start for this band.

Download

Callisto - True Nature Unfolds (2004)

2011-10-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge Metal
Country: Finland

Sounding similarly to Cult of Luna's self-titled more than anything with pretty female vocals and some nice saxophone, cello, and glockenspiel thrown in here and there, Callisto do bring some cool heavy riffs and grooves and great drumming. Vocals switch around from hardcore screams and lows but they are effective. I'd check them out if you're fond of Cult of Luna, Pelican, and Isis' early work, as they are sonically similar to this. Fun fact: this was produced by Nasum's frontman., the late Mieszko Talarczyk. Check the song "Masonic" out in the Youtube link. It displays effectively what the band did; post-metal riffs and drumming with a great groove twist near the first minute mark that will make your head nod.

Youtube link: meh quality but good enough

True Nature Unfolds

Sorcery- Bloodchilling Tales (1991)

2011-10-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Sweden

A sort of lost classic of Swedish death metal that is everything I love about this style, complete with some excellent, vicious vocals. Oh, there's some riffs too.

Download

Panopticion - "Social Disservices" Preview

2011-10-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

this kinda fucking sounds epic as shit

Sample HURR

Sepsism - Distorting the Mortal Visage (2009)

2011-10-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Country: United States
Aside from Beheaded, Defaced Creation, and Demonic Sacrifice, I generally really wouldn't consider myself a brutal death metal fan; not to say that it isn't a wonderful death metal sub-genre, with a wealth of great and excellent bands, it's just that it never really clicked with me. Sepsism may be the band that changes this. Formed in 1990 the Californian based band have been going at it for twenty-one fucking years, a true feat for any musical act. What's more impressive that it was only as recently as 2009 that Sepsism put out an album that still rested on the bands old-time laurels of delivering an unparalleled brutality and technicality, while exuding an air of relevance that has always kept the band in the eye of the underground.

What has always been most impressive to me about this album was honestly the fucking RIFFS! While undeniably heavy and almost redundantly "brutal", Sepsism's guitarist Leon Morrision has a certain way of really driving home those slam riffs, making them almost impossibly catchy within their utterly devastating outpouring. Fernando Avila's bellow is so fucking deep it causes the very Earth to tremor. These are the strong gutturals that kinda make you want shit your pants they're so fuckking low. He also has some more mid-ranged vocals which are pretty tight but definitely overshadowed by his more powerful shit-inducing lower range.

Honestly the drums are pretty standard here, a fair combination of blast-beats and slower "slam" based beats that are hardly groundbreaking but a certainly sufficient enough as to not bog down the quality of the album. The bass has few moments to shine but honestly who gives a flying fuck motherfucker, seriously guys, this has the FUCKING RIFFS.

Download

Wigrid – Hoffnungstod (2002)

2011-10-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Germany

Burzum-worship bands typically do nothing for me, so I was quite surprised when I listened to Hoffnungstod. I mean, this is actually good. That said, it is Burzum right down to the roots, with a ton of melancholic riffs and wailing vocals. Hell, even the album art is appropriated from Theodore Kittelsen, who is a damn good artist (one of my personal favorites) and also the one who Varg snatched the covers from for Hvis Lyset Tar Oss and Filosofem.

Download

Nerlich - Defabricated Process (2007)

2011-10-04T16:21:00.000-07:00

Genre: OSDM
Country: Finland

This has probably been reblogged a thousand times but it's good enough that it deserves a spot on PtC. Fucking Finland and their awesome ass death metal.

Vodka Rules

Ash Pool - Together They Serve To Define The Process (2011)

2011-10-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

Genre: Raw Black Metal
Country: United States

"New" demo from Ash Pool that was recorded in between World Turns On Its Hinge and Saturns Slave so at least you know it won't suck copious amounts of dick like their last LP.

Download

Astral Rebirth - The Axis of the Utter Black Ocean (Demo) (2001)

2011-10-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Mexico

Whoa, did Walknut move to Mexico and reform under a different name? Anyway, this is a pretty solid demo from a band that is showing quite a bit of promise. Anyone that's been searching for some more stuff in the vein of Graveforests and Their Shadows should check this out pronto.

lets do er

Enslaved - Thorn EP (2011)

2011-09-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway

Did you hate Enslaved's new record? Hate their new progressive sound? Good, because this sounds absolutely nothing like either of those. Actually, i really don't know what to think of this, it's just fucking weird. It's got weird production, the songs are extremely ambient, almost droning, the keyboards are gloomy and grainy. It's like a throwback but not at the same time, I don't know this is fucking weird download it yourself and see what i mean.

wat

Iron Witch - Single Malt (2011)

2011-09-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

Genre: Sludge/Doom
Country: United States

Fuck my life for not being able to update recently (thanks to a faulty laptop which I have been unable to get fixed) but i just had to find a way to post this piece of sludgy brilliance. Dirty as fuck, these guys combine a great Sabbath vibe with slightly rawer edge than many of their contemporaries, making Single Malt a truly worthwhile listen.

Iron Witch Bandcamp (name your price)

Gorephilia - Ascend to Chaos (2011)

2011-09-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

Genre: Old School Death Metal
Country: Finland

One of my favorite little releases from this year, this is more Finnish goodness slathered in dirty grime and doomy evilness. I don't know what's in the water up there in Finland but they sure do know how to make the best dm.

Also, these guys are in the ranks of Dark Descent Records which if you haven't already, you should really check out. They've got some killer shit, especially from this year.

GORETEXXXXX

Absu - Abzu (2011)

2011-09-21T15:44:00.001-07:00

Genre: Black Metal Thrash Attack
Country: USA

GON HAVE RIFFS GON THRASH HARD M/

Fixxxxxd

Taake - Noregs Vaapen (2011)

2011-09-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway

Hey cool new Taake record leaked let's hope it's good

Download

Morbus Chron - Sleepers in the Rift (2011)

2011-09-14T19:21:00.001-07:00

Genre: OSDM
Country: Sweden

Holy shit did you know these guys had a new record coming out? Cause i didnt. I'll update and let you know if it's any good but Creepy Creeping Creeps rules plus this artwork is fucking awesome so yea it better rule.

CREEPS

Entrails - The Tomb Awaits (2011)

2011-09-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Sweden

One of my more anticipated albums for this year. Hopefully it's as good as that art is, 'cause it rules.

death

Circle of Ouroborus/Crooked Necks - Ruins of Resurrection (2010)

2011-09-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

(image coming soon)

Genre: Post-Punk/Shoegaze/Death Rock/Black Metal
Country: Finland/United States

Much thanks to Grimlin of The Celestial Manifest and Slays for Days for getting me into Finland's truly strange and mysterious post-punk/black metal force Circle of Ouroborus, because that led me to checking out this relatively unknown but great split.

Continuing to perform their weird brand of post-punk influenced black metal, Circle of Ouroborus once again proves to be a truly unique and creative force, pitting the lo-fi murkiness of black metal with out of key yet somehow haunting and memorable vocals, and eerie post-punk melodies.

Formerly known as Frail, Crooked Necks used to play black metal deeply influenced by by post-punk but now pretty much play the complete opposite. Opting for a more jangly, almost indie inspired sound, Crooked Neck are easily one of the better "post-black metal" bands around these days. Featuring heartwarming melodies and seemingly distant black metal shrieks, Crooked Necks side is ultimately a very impressive affair, not only holding their own against the larger CoO but in their own right proving to be a force to be reckoned with. They're coming out with their debut full-length Alright Is Exactly What It Isn't later this year and needless to say, I am eagerly awaiting its release.

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Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage (2011)

2011-09-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: United States

Man a couple of highly anticipated albums have leaked this week so here's another hopefully it's a step up from Black Cascade if not then idk

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The Axis Of Perdition - Tenements (Of The Anointed Flesh) (2011)

2011-08-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: United Kingdom

Do you like Deathspell Omega? Of course you do, everybody does. Well this is that band who, along with Blut Aus Nord and a few others, were already playing the twisted, unnerving style of black metal which DsO are incorrectly accredited of creating (they were still masturbating over Transilvanian Hunger at the time). So if I hear any of you potheads complaining that this sounds like a DsO rip-off you will fucking die. Anyway whilst this admittedly doesn't reach the heights of Paracletus or 777 - Sect(s), it's still worth a listen if you liked either of those albums.

Grab

Demolition Hammer - Epidemic Of Violence (1992)

2011-08-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Genre: Thrash Metal/Death Metal
Country: USA

Yes, it's thrash. No, it doesn't suck; the vocals are hateful, the drumming is crushing, and the riffs are so fucking heavy it shits on most death metal albums that were around at the time.

Holy Satan listen to 'dem riffs

Corrupted - Garten der Unbewusstheit (2011)

2011-08-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

Genre: Sludge/Doom

Country: Japan

Corrupted return with their first full-length album since 2005's El Mundo Frio. And, boy, is it awesome. Not like any of us expected anything less, though.

Get grushed.

The Mausoleums - Blackened Fawns Cleanse the Earth with Fire (2008)

2011-08-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

Genre:Psychedelic Rock/Noise Rock/Drone/Raw Black Metal/Folk/Shoegaze
Country: United States

This is honestly one of the most ridiculous fucking things I've ever listened to but I love every moment of it. Highly recommended for fans of filthy music.

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A Tribute to Crysis: The Metalest

2011-08-22T15:19:00.001-07:00

Genre: Metal
Country: Metalville

In honor of the forgotten metalest of them all, i salute you Crysis. You are the true metal keep it m/

Fucking m/

Bacchus - Bacchus (2011)

2011-08-20T02:24:00.000-07:00

Genre: Crust Punk/Hardcore
Country: ???

This is some mighty interesting stuff. Definitely worth a listen though.

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Panopticon/Wheels Within Wheels - II

2011-08-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

Although I somewhat fear that overexertion may one day be his downfall, for now Austin Lundr seems to be a true powerhouse in terms of extreme metal songwriting; from the now defunct Plainwords, to his death/doom project Seidr to his most well known band Panopticon, Lundr has not delivered not one truly bad album yet. What makes this consistency all the more impressive is the rate at which he produces such quality works -- it's only ever a few months between some kind release from at least one project he's involved in. Being his first Panopticon record since "compilation" effort On The Subject of Morality, this split (shared with former collaborator Wheels Within Wheels) sees Lundr fully exploring the vast world of shoegaze influenced black metal that he before had only explored the borders of.

Wrought with the full magnitude of Panopticion's seemingly effortless mastercraft, it may be easy to think that Wheels Within Wheels get lost in the shuffle; arguably a less recognized presence (which is no strike against their quality), Wheels Within Wheels once again provides an incredibly strong opposing force to Lundr's main creation.

Where On The Subject of Morality had only skimmed the surface of black metal with touches of shoegaze and post-rock (Lundr had even openly discussed his intent to incorporate more Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Sunny Day Real Estate influences) Panopticon/Wheels Within Wheels II is Lundr passionately giving shoegaze and post-rock a hearty embrace. In a way it's almost surreal to believe Panopticon has taken this route; from listening to his distinctive first release and the even more distinct sophomore album Collapse, one would probably have never thought that this project would adopt a sound that is now being referred to as "post-black metal".

With the closest reference point probably being Alcest's Ecailles De Lune, Panopticon/Wheels Within Wheels II often shows the Kentucky based project delving even further into pure shoegaze territory than its French contemporaries. Enveloping you with layers upon layers of dream-soaked melodies, Panopticon creates that perfect atmosphere-- intense, heartfelt and bloody consuming, Lundr at times amazingly resurrects Britain's once bolstering alternative scene from the grave, using the same sincere approach to inflict just as much inner turmoil as those great bands once did.

Using black metal's repetitious nature in its most efficient ways, Panopticon projects waves of these heavenly melodies, repeatedly breaking and battering your skull until embedding into its very foundation. Despite the overall feeling of shoegaze, Lundr does still hint back to former glories; for the first time since his days in Anagnorisis Lundr uses clean vocals to offset his monstrous growls, though now with more melancholy and less obvious Mikael Akerfeldt worship. In his second track "From Bergen to Jotunheim Forest" he even throws down dirty with a folk interlude fitting of his Collapse era sound. Most impressive however is just how well composed this set of songs is; where one may think due to his constant release schedule quality may be sacrificed in haste, it is clear that Lundr attacks each approach with the same high standards, never releasing material that he is not completely confident in.

Wheels Within Wheels have a bit more to prove on this release than Panopticon; with a solid set of songs and Lundr's exposure to the masses at a peak, this split could very well break the band into a higher stream of recognition. Luckily for them, they certainly deliver -- composing two atmospheric black metal songs with strong post-metal touches, Wheels Within Wheels have a way of writing tracks that seem to build naturally but are still consciously structured in their most effective forms.

Supplemented by a buzz-saw production a la Ulver's Nattens Madrigal, although they lack the symphonic elements, the grandiosity of melodies conjured by Wheels Within Wheels is on similar level of bands like Arcana Coelestia or The Howling Void. Layer upon layer, the melodies create a thick and fulfilling atmosphere that if in the right setting, you could definitely lose yourself to.

A complete success from every angle, Panopticon and Wheels Within Wheels' sophomore split is the work of two hardworking bands pulling their own weight. Both born of that hardworking Kentucky persona, these two bands attack black metal with a similar passion that does nothing but exploit the strengths within their music. Taking his creativity to it's furthest (as of yet) Lundr has once again provided a unique and refreshing listening experience and Wheels Within Wheels prove that they can go head-on against black metal's best hordes. Whichever you way to look it, this collaboration is one of the highest in caliber, as this split with definitely a provide a landmark within both bands hopefully long-running discographies.
OMG

Dopamine - Dying Away in the Deep Fall

2011-08-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

Genre: Post-rock/Black Metal
Country: China

You know that combination of post-rock and black metal so many bands have attempted? Well, this now defunct band from China has done it better than pretty much anyone.

Posty

Diabolical Masquerade - Nightwork (1998)

2011-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: Sweden

Admittedly most of the music i listened to way back when i was first discovering the more extreme forms of metal was pretty bad. And by pretty bad i mean complete shit. However, there were a few gems that i still listen to to this day, and this little album right here is one of those gems. Diabolical Masquerade was started by Katatonia guitarist Anders Nystrom, who wanted to explore more extreme music than Katatonia was doing at the time, and was quickly joined by none other than Dan Swano himself (if you don't want to download this by now you should probably kill yourself). Their first few albums, while still good, don't hold a candle to Nightwork, which is far and away the best thing they ever did. If you love the old 70's and 80's campy, atmospheric horror movies like i do, then this album is perfect for you. It contains just the right amount serious musicianship with an I-don't-give-a-fuck attitide to be completely awesome without being pretentious. Chock full or eerie atmospheres and kick ass riffs, you need to hear this album, even you super kvlt motherfuckers out there should at least give it a try.

Dan Motherfucking Swano

Charts and Maps - Dead Horse (2011)

2011-08-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

Genre: Jazz/Post-Rock/Math Rock
Country: United States

I'll let the band do the talking on this one:

Download

Last Days - These Places Are Now Ruins (2007)

2011-08-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

Genre: Post-Rock/Ambient
Country: The United States

This album is beautiful.

Download

Deep Mountains - Deep Mountains (2010)

2011-08-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: China

This EP by Chinese atmospheric black metal band Deep Mountains (Chinese 深山) flew so far under the radar I can't even begin to describe how overlooked this thing is. Exquisite slow-paced, melancholic atmospheric black metal that has those sort of droning, captivating melodies that could capture your attention forever, plus excellent vocals to boot. Give this shit a listen NAO.

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Deceased - Surreal Overdose (2011)

2011-08-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

Country: United States
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal

Deceased have returned and it seems are still one of the most consistent bands to grace extreme metal ever; with Surreal Overdose the classic group continues to produce some of the most infectious death/thrash around, with bombastic melodies, great instrumental prowess and ripping vocals. Fuck yes.

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Ceremonium - Into the Autumn Shade (1995)

2011-07-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

Genre: Death/Doom
Country: USA

Here's another healthy slab of death/doom to kick you in the dick for a while.

Dick Kickin'

Execration - Odes of the Occult (2011)

2011-07-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Norway

Awesome Norwegian death metal from this. Expect a better review later, I'm in a bit of a rush but this album is too good to go unposted!

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Mayhem - Live In Leipzig (1993)

2011-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway

Basically one of the best live albums ever.

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Asphyx - The Rack (1991)

2011-07-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

Genre: Death/Doom
Country: Denmark

SUP GUYS. It's been quite a while since i've posted here, and i don't really care enough to tell you why, but regardless, here's some good shit to listen to. I've been digging a bunch of death/doom bands lately and this record (as well as their next) kicks ass. Plus it's got Martin van Drunen as a vocalist and his vocals rule so get this if you haven't already which you probably should have.

DOOOOOOOOOOM

Morgue - Eroded Thoughts (1993)

2011-07-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Genre: Old School Death Metal
Country: United States

Excellent OSDM from Chicago that would be comparable to a more technically adept Autopsy while still retaining that heavy filth factor. Need I say more?

FiltyFuckingFilth

Azarath - Blasphemer's Malediction (2011)

2011-07-26T15:21:00.001-07:00

Country: Poland
Genre: Blackened Death Metal

Pretty fucking killer new black/death metal album from these Polish titans. This is recommended.
**EDIT/UPDATE

After a few more thorough listens, this album has so far definitely has earned a spot in my top albums of the year, and definitely deserves a better summary. In a super aggressive blackened death metal style somewhat comparable to a band like Weapon, Azarath (who have been around since 1998) have really created a special album with Blasphemer's Malediction. With a certain emphasis definitely placed on the more deathy side of Azarath's playing, Blasphemer's Malediction is a goldmine of crushing headbang inducing riffery. There still is some pretty obvious black metal vibes though with a lot of melancholy-filled atmospheric chord formations and tremolo picked sections. Despite all positive aspects of the guitar's rhythm side, where guitarist Bartłomiej "Bart" Szudek (ex-Cenotaph) really shines is in his lead playing; going for both intense shred licks ("Supreme Reign of Tiamat") and even some melodic, more atmospheric formations ("Under the Will of the Lord") his playing is both diverse, tasteful and a huge element to what makes this album enjoyable.

The vocals (courtesy of also bassist/singer Necrosodom) are harsh and phglemy, taking a middle stance inbetween black metal's screeches and death metal's gutturals. Drummer Inferno (of Behemoth) is pretty incredible, pulling of some truly speedy and militant blast beats while also slowing it up nicely at times to complement the more atmospheric sections ("The Abjection"). Overall this album just fucking rapes faces and is highly recommended.

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