Arizmenda - Stillbirth in the Temple of Venus

For those not familiar, Arizmenda belong to the infamouos black metal collective known as the Black Twilight Circle hailing from southern California. Being responsible for two of my favorite favorite black metal albums in recent years, this album came with high expectations and it had a lot to live up to. and it does not disappoint. Like previous work, this album is a harrowing listen and is intense from start to finish. There is no relief. Every second of this album is punishing. The guitar work is incredible and the guitar tone is mental. What Arizmenda can achieve with just a single note is amazing, bending the string and manipulating the note making it ring in your ears for days. The bass lines are pounding and nauseating. The riffs are chaotic and maddening, but at the same time catchy and groovy. It's psychedelic in the most fucked up and best way possible. The vocals, as expected, are demented and perverted and send chills down your spine. The music has so many layers and subtle nuances and it's apparent a lot of attention to detail went into it, I've listened to it probably 10 or more times since I've had it and still hear new things every time I listen to it. It's almost unbelievable this was all handled by one person. Every instrument is played masterfully with personality and originality. The music has so much emotion, feeling, and sincerity in it. You can tell the music is genuinely inspired. It reeks of insanity and perversion. You don't need to read the lyrics to find out what this music is about. The artwork and sound of the music alone says it all. You simply can't fake music like this. If you seek comfort in your music, look elsewhere. There is no salvation to be found in this music. It will only drag you down further. All in all, this album is a bent, fucked up, off kilter, sickening experience and Arizmenda puts bands like Portal and Deathspell Omega to absolute shame.

I'd recommend this album for anyone who is fan of Blut Aus Nord's more dissonant and experimental albums, Bethlehem, Deathspell Omega, Portal, or anyone who just likes good music in general. If you don't like this album, you obviously hate music and should kill yourself.

Released on cassette by Crepusculo Negro
Double LP soon to come (hopefully) on Androgony Whore

Niantiel - Cavern of Skeletal Spirits

Debut demo from one man US black metal project Niantiel. It was originally released in 2011, but got released this year to celebrate the bands first ever live performance. Three tracks of raw, eerie, haunting black metal. The synth and keys are especially eerie and elevate the recording to new heights and atmosphere. Interesting fact - The synth sound was taken from a broken down out of tune piano that was in the recording space it was recorded at. Highest possible recommendation.

This version was released by Deathangel Absolution on cassette in an edition of 160 hand-numbered copies. Don't miss out on this.

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Sempiternal Dusk - MMXII

Debut demo by death/doom outfit from Portland, OR. Featuring members of Weregoat, Aldebaran, Ritual Necromancy, Shroud of the Heretic and more. The demo contains 2 tracks and spans over 23 minutes in length. HEAVY AS FUCK! Highly recommended.

Released by Parasitic Records on cassette in an edition of 200 copies. Be on the look out for their debut full length to be co-released with Dark Descent

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Set - Upheaval of Unholy Darkness

Debut full  length from obscure black/death metal band Set. The band is a one man project (with session vocalist) of Chad Davis ( Demoncy, Father Befouled, Anu, etc). This album was extremely overlooked in 2013. This is easily one of the best metal albums to come out last year. All I have to say about this album, is it rules. I don't even want to spoil any of it because it simply is that awesome. Buy it, stream it, download it, whatever. It's worth your time and your support.

Released by NWN! on LP. Limited to 250 copies.

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Cosmic Church / Circle of Ouroborus split

Split cassette between Cosmic Church and the very prolific Circle of Ouroborus. Cosmic Church side contains three tracks, one intro and two 11 minute epics. Similar in sound and direction as their last full length. The Circle of Ouroborus side contains four tracks of lo-fi black metal/post punk goodness. The Circle of Ouroborus side is the better half of this split in my opinion. Although, if you loved the last Cosmic Church full length and it left you longing for more, this split with satiate your hunger.

Released by Kuunpalvelus on cassette.

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Cosmic Church - Ylistys

The second full length from Finnish black metal duo Cosmic Church generated a lot of hype in the underground black metal community. Making  it onto many end of year lists, and received a lot of praise. The album is very long, a double LP totaling 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. It's a dense album with A LOT of material. Fortunately there is enough variety and the music is good enough that sitting through the entire thing is not a chore. The music is sprawling, expansive and very atmospheric. Some really interesting guitar work and tones can be found as well. Subtle folk elements, some acoustic passages, and EPIC riffs. The only downfall of this album in my opinion is the vocals. The vocals are kind of weak and don't have much "oomph".

Released by Kuunpalvelus on LP and CD

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שְׁאוֹל ‎– Sepulchral Ruins Below The Temple

Sheol is one man death metal band from the UK and this is their debut MLP. After receiving a copy of their promo tape (that I posted earlier) I was anxious to get my hands on this LP. Sheol plays old school death metal the Finnish way. Any fan of Finnish death metal such as Belial, Demigod, Archgoat, etc will enjoy this LP. Thick guttural vocals, a crunchy guitar tone, and a cacophonous grimy atmosphere. This MLP also features an impressive cover of Darkthrone's "Cromlech".

Released by Iron Bonehead Productions on LP. Limited to 500 copies.

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