In the Spotlight: Moonsorrow / Izegrim / Ill Omen

The Good: Moonsorrow - Jumalten aika

Could this be the most devastating among the titans of viking black metal? I haven't discovered any other band with pure diamond albums only, Jumalten aika adding to the lot. It grabs you by the ears, it haunts you, it makes you ache the barbaric lives of ancient pagan heathens and totally rules you in it's will. Amazing.

The Bad: Izegrim - The Ferryman's End

Unliking this album makes me sad. It has such a kick ass cover. I was pumped to listen to it, I really wanted to love it and show it to my friends, so that they would see the beauty on the outside and the inside. However, it will probably stay as a wallpaper at best, because it turns out The Ferryman's End is juvenile new-sounding thrash / death with no purpose and horrible kid lyrics.

The Ugly: Ill Omen - Æ​.​Thy​.​Rift

Ill Omen is an ill omen. Moving at funereal pace, with lot's of dark ambient, whispering unfathomable lyrics, Ill Omen comes from the land that birthed Elysian Blaze and doesn't live much space for you to breathe. Æ​.​Thy​.​Rift might be considered short for it's kind, but it only takes a few minutes to suffocate anyway.

Last minute suggestion:

Ifrinn - Ifrinn

In the Spotlight: Artillery / Amon Amarth / Cobalt

The Good: Artillery - Penalty by Perception

I have never been the biggest follower of this band and any time I have spent listening to them in the past is because of their overall importance in the genre. Flirting with heavy metal, Penalty by Perception is really enjoyable because of it's energetic riffs and the power of the guitars / vocals. "Live by the Scythe", "Path of the Atheist" and "Mercy of Ignorance" are some of the best, while I don't think the mellow "When the Magic is Gone" was necessary... Anyhow, it's fun. [Listen]

The Bad: Amon Amarth - Jomsviking

Not one interesting song was written that day. Listening to this record feels like all the passion of Amon Amarth has been drained, bringing out an abject offering with a fancy cover as if it's targeted for 10 year old kids with a fixation for Hollywood made Northmen and not the real deal. Goofy compositions, even goofier lyrics... Regarding their more melodic era, how did it come from Twilight to this? At least the voice of Johan Hegg is still awesome. I had a dream that in a parallel universe, Hegg left the band to join and co-sing in Unleashed... Imagine that. Vivid. [Listen]

The Ugly: Cobalt - Slow Forever

I'm not so much into the band's previous albums, even though they are hailed as masterpieces all of them. Slow Forever is the comeback of the band after seven years of silence, the fans were crazy and when getting into it, it's a really interesting and addictive record. Stop what you're doing and listen to "Hunt the Bufallo", "King Rust" and "Elephant Graveyard". [Listen]

Last minute suggestion:

Gadget - The Great Destroyer

In the Woods - Heart of the Woods

Apparently, In the Woods are back and will release a new album named "Pure".

From Debemur Morti:

"17 protracted years after their last full-length, for the enjoyment of their fans, In the Woods... are finally poised to deliver a brand new record, soberly entitled "Pure". The band has given us further detail regarding this vastly anticipated new opus:

"Many will know that IN THE WOODS... has its roots in the early ‘90s Norwegian Black Metal scene. Over 3 well-received, pioneering and differing albums they sat naturally beside peers such as ANATHEMA, KATATONIA and OPETH until 2000 when the first phase of ‘In The Woods…’ disbanded.

Now in 2016, new album ‘Pure’ heralds the unexpected return of IN THE WOODS.... Core musicians Anders Kobro (drums) & Christian and Christopher Botteri (guitar and bass) - along with English musician James Fogarty (vocals, guitar, keys) – have forged an album of truly unique and timeless music.

"Pure" is an album that starts from an end and ends at a beginning. A record given life by the deaths of loved ones and which, by the album’s conclusion, has again given full life to a band that many fans doubted would ever re-emerge. Loaded with mystical, philosophical and transcendental themes, the lyrics explore the existential over the tangible medium of a heavy form of music that owes as much to ‘70s rock as it does to each member’s historic association with Black Metal."

Since good things should never come singularly, Debemur Morti Productions also give you the unmissable opportunity to (re)discover the three otherworldly classics released by the band 1995-1999. Indeed, the French label has reunited masterpieces "Heart Of The Ages", "Omnio" and "Strange In Stereo" for the first time in a luxurious coffret 6x12" LP box set and 3xCD box set.

As befits the label, the result is simply sumptuous. Both boxes (CD & LP) are encased in a beautiful slipcase with textured heavy black carton and contain, among other things, brand new artwork realized by the ultra-talented Dehn Sora, lyrics and an exclusive in-depth band story/interview by Yngve M. Jacobsen contained in a substantial book (+60 pages)."

Heart of the Woods is a package with their full length discography, which is longer than you think.

[Facebook] [Order]

Power of the demo: Volume 1

Filthdigger (Norway) - Demo 4: 

Young blood from Oslo, Norway delivering the dirtiest death metal. Make sure to listen to the band's previous three demos as well, because all of them kick ass. The clock for a full record is ticking. 

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Independent release, February 2016. [Listen]

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Vulture (Germany) - Victim to the Blade:

Sharing members with Wifebeater and Bulldozing Bastard, Vulture is speed metal act executed by the passionate maniacs of the genre. Only the self-titled track is available online so far and it's thunderous. The band has started touring and playing shows, so watch out for them in the near future.

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Victim to the Blade

Independent release, January 2016 [Listen]

Barbaric Horde (Portugal) - Gasmask Perpetrators:

Ok, you people know whether you should listen to this or not. A good first effort, the guys should aim to include more dominant drums though.

Website

Through War Arts Productions, January 2016. [Listen]

Utzalu (US) - Germinal:

In case you didn't know, Vrasubatlat is a label - circle connected with the underbelly of Portland's music scene, meaning bands like Ash Borer and Triumvir Foul. Utzalu is of the same elements, practising middle paced noisy blackness.

Website

Through Vrasubatlat, January 2016. [Listen]

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Also check out:

Morbus Grave (Italy) - Throne of Disgust

Defiled Light - Untitled

A great compilation of this underground label, containing mainly obscure bands. Sanguine Relic and Orgy of Carrion were among my favorites, even though I knew very few bands out of the pack.

Only lo-fi is real.

Track listing:

1. Ghaisiuan - Untitled

2. Unholy Vampyric Slaughter Sect - The Tormented Wolf Strikes Fierce

3. Atel - Prison of Insomnia

4. Gratified - Untitled

5. Störmkrieg - At War With Mankind

6. Bastard of Majesty Sin - Untitled

7. Diocese - Father Night Road

8. Nyciene - Lost in The Betrayal of the Forgotten Colony

9. Orgy of Carrion - Burying Human Life Under The Bodies of Gods

10. God Cage - Untitled

11. Untitled

12. Sanguine Relic - Untitled

Listen