Deathspell Omega - Paracletus

The moment has finally arrived. Paracletus is the climax. It is the culmination of 8 (possibly even more) years of hard-work and dedication by the brilliant French avant-garde black metal band Deathspell Omega.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, allow me to shed some light. Paracletus is the final part of the trilogy, the first 2 pieces being Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice and Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeturnum.

I was going to write a lengthy bit on this album (what? I really was!) but there's someone out there who has done a fantastic job already. I strongly advise clicking the link below BEFORE listening to the album in order to fully appreciate what you're listening to.

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Craft - Terror Propaganda

More black metal coming your way. Craft are a Swedish BM band (!) formed in '94 and have been kicking ass ever since. I know you're all secretly rolling your eyes at that picture and most BM bands don't really take the whole BM misanthropic mentality very seriously but Craft really do, especially on their Terror Propaganda album. Don't fuck with these guys.

I dig this cd because, and I know I'm gonna sound like an elitist when I say this, it's true black metal. When I say true, I don't mean trve a la posing in the forest and holding spiked bats etc. True in the sense that there's a distinctly punk attitude pervading the entire album. You can also hear it in their music. There's also a crust influence, as well as some doom (some songs give off a very Amebix-ish vibe). So put this on, run around giving the middle finger to everyone, burn a church, whatever. Just listen to this record.

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I'm In A Coffin

I haven't listened to black metal in ages but I recently rekindled my interest in the genre. Let's start with I'm In A Coffin. Now, I know that black metal is the "in" thing with the hipster generation (they have shed the plaid/flannel and have now donned the obligatory Burzum shirt as well) and I thought that this was just another couple of bozos trying to be all trve, kvlt etc. I mean, what else was I supposed to think when their members' names are Sad-Ist and Adorable? I must say, I stand corrected. I'll go so far as to say that I will recommend this band to anyone who is into the DSBM scene (depressive suicidal black metal, for those of you who don't know). The abysmal depression and claustrophobia which I grew to love in black metal are all here.

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Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde - Alcest

Shoegaze and black metal would usually be considered to be on completely different pages but not so for Neige of Alcest. Neige (of Peste Noire and Amesoeurs fame) formed Alcest back in 1999 but originally as a solo project. When fellow Peste Noire member Hegnor and Arguth joined him, the band released a more or less straightforward black metal demo entitled Tristesse Hivernale which was very different from what followed. In 2007, Alcest released the beautiful Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde, an album that's simply ethereal. Fusing black metal riffs (albeit a few) with dreamy shoegaze melodies and acoustic guitars all topped off with an even dreamier voice, Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde is definitely an unforgettable album. The lyrics are a bonus if you're fluent in French.

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Infester

Infester are a death/black metal band from Seattle who formed in '92 and got around to releasing a demo and one full-length in '94 before never being heard from again. They have managed to create a truly sadistic and horrifying sound on their album, incorporating elements from death metal, black metal, grindcore and even doom. The aspect of their music that is most likely to catch your attention is definitely the vocals which sound completely guttural and tortured most of the time. Century Media still carries this release so be sure to get it.

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Hidey-ho!

Yes yes, I am aware that this blog hasn't been updated in a long time. All I can say is that I was in New York and obviously having the time of my life. To make up for things, here's some extra sweet news. Aussie crazies PORTAL are dropping a new album (entitled "Swarth") in October. Here are the links:

http://www.profoundlorerecords.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=709&Itemid=2

Edit: New song and it's fucking insane. http://www.profoundlorerecords.com/mp3/portal_larvae.mp3

Glorior Belli

I sincerely believe the French black metal scene is amongst the best in the world, having produced one of my favourite bands: Deathspell Omega. Anyway, these guys are signed to Candlelight Records, which should be enough of an introduction. Check them out if you're a fan of DsO, Ondskapt or Funeral Mist. Here's Manifesting the Raging Beast.


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Behemoth's latest

Oh god, this album just finished kicking my ass. These guys need no introduction. Just download this album and enjoy and try to buy it. No excuses.


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Melechesh

Melechesh, the "Israeli" band that is now based in Holland, have been around since '95, but have only been noted for their unique blend of Sumerian black metal in the past couple of years. Here's 2006's Emissaries.


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In The Constellation Of The Black Widow-Anaal Nathrakh

Yep, that's right. Anaal Nathrakh's newest record just got out and I just finished listening to it. This album slays so much, it's unbelievable. I know the word "brutal" get tossed around too much but this album really is brutal.


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Amesoeurs-s/t

Amesoeurs-s/t
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Hate me if you will, but I really do think this is one of Neige's best efforts. The female vocals and reverby guitars make up quite a shoegazy atmosphere, but still leaving a little space for the dark, sometimes evil-sounding sequences. Probably my most anticipated album of the year.

Thurisaz + UNCALM

I'm gonna compress 2 completely different albums into one post. Like it or not, here it comes.

Circadian Rhythm by Thurisaz


Thurisaz are kind of hard to categorize, especially on this album. I guess the most accurate description would be melodic/atmospheric black metal. That pretty much sums it up. The songs on this album are beautiful in their melody and they all have a very melancholic atmosphere which really seals the deal in making this a solid album. The musicianship is also brilliant. Thurisaz are definitely masters at what they do.
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The next album is actually a demo by a great powerviolence band from Aberdeen, Scotland called Uncalm. One of their members, Dave, has been in several bands of similar genres, the most notable being Filthpact (their album Plague Carriers of the Crust Apocalypse is fucking great) and actually used to be live in UAE. Anyway, their demo is simply blistering. Czech it.
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Some black metal

Well, I've been on a black metal binge for the past week or so and have collected some really evil shit. This is gonna be a big, fuck-off post that should keep you guys busy for some time.

To start things off:

Casus Luciferi by Watain (from Sweden)
This is one awesome fucking album by one of my favourite orthodox black metal bands. It's well crafted and near perfectly executed with some beautiful production to boot. The riffs don't let up, the music is chaotic and dissonant (a bit like Deathspell Omega) but there are some beautifully haunting and atmospheric melodies (not in the gay keyboard driven way). For fans of Dissection and Deathspell Omega.
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Next up..Consummatum Est by Orcivus
Orcivus seems to be a fairly new band but their debut puts them far ahead of the curve in this style of black metal. They take a more driving approach to black metal, though, than many in this style. While their debut is a bit rough around the edges because of its production values and the early stage of the band, I think you'll find that there's plenty of dissonance and driving black metal to be found on Consummatum Est.
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Let's keep things rolling...

Dödens Evangelium by Ondskapt
Ondskapt's Doedens Evangelium is an amazingly evil, dissonant piece of work. It easily places Ondskapt among my favorite Orthodox BM bands, along with Watain and Deathspell Omega. Although the album is not particularly fast, it manages to constantly keep your attention which gives me the impression that it's got a lot of 'momentum.' It certainly progresses quickly, anyway, and it doesn't hurt that the vocals are fantastically chilling.
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And the last album for today's post on black metal...


Black Cascade by Wolves In The Throne Room

Oh, where to start with this one...Having discovered WITTR only very recently and Black Cascade being the first album I got by them, they've (quite unusually) quickly become one of my favourite black metal bands ever. I honestly cannot recommend this album enough. It's not evil or any of that grim shit, it's just so fucking beautiful. Wolves in the Throne Room's Black Cascade is one of the best modern examples of the raw, emotional power of black metal, and is highly recommended to fans of any of the aforementioned groups, or those who seek the musical equivalent to an acid rainstorm in the middle of a heavily wooded area.
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