BANDCAMP MISANTHROPY: Volume 30

The bottomless wellspring of Bandcamp is overflowing with great shit just waiting to be discovered. This series, grimly reborn from the earliest years of BMD, aims to shine light on the freshest emanations and foulest incantations from its darkest corners, a few artists at a time (and always at NYP/minimum price). Here’s the thirtieth installment for your vulgar delectation; now in new mini-review format with ratings bestowed upon each release. Hails.

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Misanthropæ – MMXXIII EP

What better way to kick things off than with the aptly named MISANTHROPÆ, the New York dissoblack/death/grind unit which I totally fucked up on regarding mentioning it in my best of April post the other day. Nevermind – MMXXIII EP still hits just as hard a few days later, with a knack for chewing you up and spitting you out that many bands of similar ilk fail to master. Punishing stuff, fantastic drums, great Misanthropic Art cover (misanthropy all around!). Released April 28th, physical copies coming soon. FFO: Ad Nauseum, Mico, Ulcerate.

RATING: 7/10

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Avowd – Vol.1

A one-two punch of dissonant obliteration to ring in the new and improved Bandcamp Misanthropy? Why not. Another that should have made mention in the best of its respective month if I wasn’t such a forgetful cunt, Chicago’s AVOWD play spectacularly constructed chaos with tempered steel hiding at the core of its blazing flame. Released 31st March, their debut EP is of course a bit short, but this is a genuinely dazzling first strike that’ll knock you on your ass if you missed it the first time – like me. Don’t be like me, I’m a cunt. Listen now. FFO: DsO, Thantifaxanth, Suffering Hour.

RATING: 7.5/10

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Black Lycanthropy – For Satan’s Eternal Glory

Back with another killer demo is Detroit (why the fuck are all these bands American so far?) apex Satanist BLACK LYCANTHROPY, whose sole practitioner Infernal Werewolf (also of Genocidal Rites) once again tears us back through the rent veil of time to bask in the sheer power and dark ferocity of the ’90s; and all For Satan’s Eternal Glory. Two stirring, memorable tracks that do absolutely nothing new yet just about nail everything you’d want, I’m hoping he lays down a full-length soon because this brand of raw satanic hatred is damn close to what I’ve been fiending for since 1994. Plus I’d like to hear what he can do with a few tweaks and more space to let the timeless blood flow. Released April 8th. FFO: Sargeist, Satanic Warmaster.

RATING: 7.5/10

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Wierde – Thiusa hem

Do you like early ’90s Norsk folk black? So do Netherlands duo WIERDE. And I mean… they like it a LOT. Based upon “local history, townfolk and workers as inspiration”, their lyrics might be an interpretation of Old Low Franconian but the compositions are pure Scandinavian heathenism. Whilst some of the “homages” come on a bit strong – second track ‘Thorp onsaro, I’ is so blatantly intended to be ‘Neslepaks’ Part Two they almost owe Fenriz royalties, whilst other moments may as well have been co-written by Valfar or Varg – it manages to mostly escape any “larping” feel and instead is a rather great folk-black album with many flashes of brilliance (if a touch disjointed). Released May 1st, tapes coming soon. FFO: Early Enslaved, Isengard, Windir, Burzum, Vintersorg, Kampfar… you get the idea.

RATING: 8/10

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Pénombre – Lueur Noire

I’ve been a long time appreciator of the many works of prolific Québécois master Comte Bergaby, so a new PÉNOMBRE full length is very, very welcome. Lueur Noire snarls and howls with pure nocturnal might and fury, a relentless blizzard of frozen riffs and cruel, unforgiving black bitterness – by its stark and simplistic nature it begins to wear a little thin here and there, but is still a great listen and always manages to bring you back (the production is on point, too). Old school as fuck, hail the old ways and ancient magics. Released April 22nd. FFO: Darkthrone, Judas Iscariot, Skuggeheim (who just released a discography compilation via Terratur, by the way).

RATING: 6.5/10

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Petrale – Salvation Precipitates

“Not everything that comes from the heavens brings salvation. Especially when the abyss is emtpy.” That above Bandcamp quote more-or-less sums up the relationship I have with Salvation Precipitates, the seventh full length record from Croatian infernalists PETRALE: the “abyssal” or menacing dissoblack elements are fine and meaty enough, if a little standard and not really too demanding of a return trip… but it’s when sole practitioner Petrale (who does an admiral job of reinventing himself with every album) lets his freak flag fly with those wild funk/swing/progressive rock elements raining down from the heavens that the album REALLY comes alive. The last three tracks and album opener are the winners here; with a little more of that, Salvation Precipitates might have been a 10/10 album. As it is, it’s still great. Released May 2nd, tapes available via Necroeucharist Productions. FFO: Fun bass playing in black metal, groovin’.

RATING: 7/10

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In Seance – Deathverse

US/Italian duo IN SEANCE aren’t fucking about on their third full length, Deathverse; this beast comes belting out of the gate and rarely eases up for the duration, unless it’s to sprinkle some atonal leads around or take us on a brief atmospheric trip. They’ve got the right idea and their brutal approach isn’t lacking in enthusiasm, it’s simply the execution that falls a little short; with further refinement and honing of weapons they might become a force to be reckoned with. Released April 7th, chuck it on if you feel like a blast assault on the rawer side. I’ll be watching where they go from here. FFO: Merzuul, Marduk.

RATING: 5/10

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Chemin de Croix – MMXXIII

More raw, old school Québécois goodness in this debut demo from the mysterious CHEMIN DE CROIX, but this time theological themed and following a far more French style of riffing, whilst also taking the production as lo-fi as it can go. The wafer-thin sound is delicious as it creates a dusted, crumbling atmosphere, only let down by the slightly gnarled timbre of the vocals – beautiful yet flawed, or beautifully flawed? That’s up to you, but overall it conjures faded images of faith and despair (much like the cover art), which is a very good thing. Released April 25th. FFO: Sacrilegious Crown, Givre, French riffs.

RATING: 6.5/10

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Devil Dick – Sodomizer of the Goat’s Virgin Cunt

Aaaaaaand in keeping with the age-old Bandcamp Misanthropy tradition of finishing on a fucking weird note, we have DEVIL DICK. If the nonsensical title and ridiculous album art don’t clue you up as to what you’re in for, try reading the track titles – and then listen and be further disappointed, as this is borderline sonic garbage. The humour potential isn’t capitalised on at all, as each track is merely a short, sharp blast of minimum-effort raw industrial black noisegrind that vomit one after another in 20 second convulsions until it all becomes a blur less than two minutes in. There are a couple of passable moments throughout and the final track improves on all the rest due to having an extra two and a half minutes to assault the ears (fans of HNW may appreciate), but overall I’d rather be forced to slob Satan’s 3-foot knob for all eternity than listen to it again. Which is the whole point of it all, really. Released April 30th, grab it if you like one trick ponies and shitposting. FFO: dick jokes.

RATING: 1/10

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LISTCRUSH 2019: Dex’s Top 21 Splits and Collaborations

The end of the year is always intense, for many reasons. December last year was particularly fucking insane here as we did our first LISTCRUSH extravaganza, inviting artists and label owners from all over the world to contribute their own personal best-of lists… so this year, in the interests of clinging to the final remaining shreds of what passes for our sanity, we’re keeping it simple. All BMD writers will have their own list articles each, and that’s it – as many or as few recommendations as they please, whichever format they chose, sticking to pure and trve black metal or including whatever genres they see fit (I’m already keen for Tom‘s). Easy? Easy. So without further bullshit, kicking off the 2019 edition of Black Metal Daily‘s LISTCRUSH, here’s my selections for the top splits and collaborations of the year that was. Hails.

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21: HÆNESY / MOONDWELLER – Earth and Space (Black Mourning Productions)

Sneaking this one in at number 21 (yeah I fucking suck at cutting my lists down), but it’s still superb. I likely wouldn’t have heard Earth and Space all the way back in January if it wasn’t for Hænesy, but I’m glad I did – both sides achieve the atmosphere that I wish the stuff like this that crosses my path always had. Beautiful, monolithic, endless.

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20: POSSESSION / VENEFIXION – Passio Christi Part II / Necrophagous Abandon (Iron Bonehead Productions)

The black death maniacs get religious in the conclusion to their two-part concept split contributions (part one is also great, but this edges it) before Venefixion up the ante and turn absolutely rabid.

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19: SUN OF THE SLEEPLESS / CAVERNOUS GATE: Sun of the Sleepless & Cavernous Gate (Prophecy Productions)

This took me completely by surprise with how damned well it all works. Well, Schwadorf‘s side was always going to be amazing, but Cavernous Gate match it effortlessly with the perfect blend of death-doom, tinted with juuuuust enough blackness. Very good.

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18: BAŠMU / PÉNOMBRE – Bašmu – Pénombre Split (Les Fleurs du Mal Productions, Amor Fati Productions)

Lose yourself in the forest and howl at the moon. Transcendent abrasiveness, and also contains probably my favorite outro to any Bašmu track.

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17: AMESTIGON / HERETIC CULT REDEEMER – QVRI OKBISh 718 / In The Depths Of The Nine Chambers Of Fire (World Terror Committee)

Slow-burning mysticism in patient streams and roaring surges from the Austrian mainstays / Grecian heretics. As the blurb says: “A sacred journey to Mauve Zone through the tunnels of Set and the Ninth Arch to the Den of Spider OKBISh! Listen in Darkness! The Deep will respond!” …which pretty much nails it.

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16: LVTHN / HÄXENZIJRKELL – LVTHN / Häxenzijrkell (Amor Fati Productions)

Two covens combine their two very different approaches for one night of vicious occultic frenzy – plus, Necrobutcher himself gave his blessing to the ‘Pure Fucking Armageddon‘ cover on here. Neat.

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15: SUTEKH HEXEN / 夢遊病者 – 7″ Split (Sentient Ruin Laboratories)

Half split, half collaboration… all surreal, mind-altering and awe-inspiring experience. Very little else like this out there.

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14: EGGS OF GOMORRH / SARINVOMIT – Encomium Of Depraved Instincts (Krucyator Productions)

Black death war hell from both outfits, ferocious and unwavering, just the way we need it. The inclusion of live tracks on either side is a nice touch too.

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13: BLACK FUCKING CANCER / GLOAM – Boundless Arcane Invocations (Sentient Ruin Laboratories)

More of a collab than a split as both of these ineffable USBM entities forged their sides together in the same studio, around the same concept, and both sides flow together seamlessly as one huge, engrossing diabolical paean to the maleficent and metaphysical.

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12: SLAVEHOUSE / NÄCHTLICH – Slavehouse / Nächtlich (GoatowaRex)

Feral, crusted filth from US horde Slavehouse and raw vampyric wails from beyond courtesy of superb Canadian duo Nächtlich. What’s not to like?

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11: GRÓGALDR / KOMMODUS – Howling Sanguine Triumph (GoatowaRex)

If anyone missed this in June, the CD and CS now drops on 28th December. Want a review? These US and Australian projects absolutely kill it here. Grógaldr‘s side is virulent, weaponized black hypnosis and Kommodus continue their ascent to the top of the twitching pile of bodies that is the raw black scene with all the punk violence, outstanding riffage and lethal energy we’re fast becoming accustomed to. Buy it now.

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10: THY SERPENT / ASH POOL – Thy Serpent / Ash Pool (Kvlt)

US raw bone gnawers Ash Pool return for the first time in six long years with a consummately excellent track, which would be worth the price of admission alone – the fact that long-running (since ’92) Finnish “anti-christian dark metallers” Thy Serpent absolutely kill it with THEIR long awaited return (last released material was back in 2000!) is a very welcome bonus. Great vibe.

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9: AIWĪGAZ UNĐERGANGAZ / MÚSPELLZHEIMR – Aiwīgaz Unđergangaz / Múspellzheimr (Afgrundsvisioner, Lunar Apparitions / Nebular Carcoma)

Primordial and turbulent black atmospheres, heaving and churning. Múspellzheimr continue to rule and Aiwīgaz Undergangaz are no slouches either.

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8: OCCELENSBRIGG / BLACK TURMOIL – Storming The Katatonik Transgression (Signal Rex / Harvest Of Death)

The Portuguese / Bosnia and Herzegovinian pair open a portal to the darkest parts of existence, letting whatever the hell they want crawl through to destroy us all.

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7: GNIPAHÅLAN / DEMSTERVOLD – Split (Amor Fati Productions)

Swedes Gnipahålan show once again why they’re one of my favourite Swartadauþuz projects of the last few years. Demstervold thrill with tense, insistent riffs and spooky synth. Put them together and you get one fantastic (and eerily resonant) split.

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6: LIPITOARE / ENSHROUD – Liptoare / Enshroud (Black Gangrene Productions)

Yeah, there’s a lot of raw black in this list… my EP and album lists are more schizophrenic, I promise. Anyway – untouchable atmosphere from the cold, crumbling black ambient/noise infused madness of Lipitoare that only dives even deeper into the abyss when Enshroud consumes your soul. Magic.

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5: SERPENTS ATHIRST / GENOCIDE SHRINES / TREPANATION / HERESIARCH – Scorn Coalescence (Cyclopean Eye Productions)

Holy fucking shit this four-way split is a nuclear bomb. Pure war, pure death, pure carnage. World-ending annihilation. Just die, alright?

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4: TIME LURKER / CEPHEIDE – Split (Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions, Mallevs Records)

Is there a more underrated project than Time Lurker? I mean probably, but this split with also-eternally-slept-on countrymen Cepheide is exquisite, beautiful agony.

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3: IMMATURA MORTE / SANGUINE RELIC – Immatura Morte / Sanguine Relic (Perverse Homage)

If you want the raw black metal soundtrack to tearing yourself apart, Mexican master Immatura Morte has you more than covered here… and US entity Sanguine Relic continues to do what he does best. The current lord of rawness for a reason.

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2: TOME OF THE UNREPLENISHED / STARLESS DOMAIN – Epistolary Of The Fall (Aesthetic Death)

As anyone who’s had the misfortune of reading my ramblings before would know, I’m all about splits where the two artists complement each other and combine to create something bigger than the sum of their respective parts. Opening with Tome Of The Unreplenished‘s 19-minute ride through churning black noise and ambient cosmic hell ‘Proskynesis’ is the perfect setup for Starless Domain‘s ‘CERES’, a near 40-minute transcendent maelstrom of interstellar proportions (and probably the heaviest/harshest sound they’ve had). In a word: immense. Would have been number one if it wasn’t for a certain collaboration…

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1. SKÁPHE + WORMLUST – Kosmískur hryllingur (Mystískaos)

…and here it is. Two lengthy tracks from two of the most dazzling acts in modern black metal, combining their powers to forge an intense display of light and shadow weaving together with such impossibly layered intricacy the mind can scarcely comprehend it. H.V. Lyngdal, Alex Poole and Dagur Gislason hurl themselves (and you) deep into a psychedelic abyss of horror, tumbling and spinning… by far and away the best collaboration of the year and deserved number one on this list. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time they work together. Hails.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Eos / Malebranche – Eos / Malebranche

Ordem Satânica / Niteris – Sepulchral Silence of Satan

Aspergillum / Obscurum Tenebrarum – Obscure Emanations Stretching Callously Across Forlorn Grounds

Uten Håp / Apothecary – Waking In An Eternal Fade

Darkenhöld / Griffon – Atra Musica

Nefarious Spirit / Void Prayer – Split EP

Blosse / Aster Wreath – Stranded

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