Possession - His Best Deceit

Pretty solid Sarcofago, South American death/black metal worship with a dash of war metal from Belgium.

Released by Iron Bonehead on cassette in an edition of 300 copies.

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Cult of Fire - मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान

Cult of Fire is a black metal band from Czech. This is their second album to date, and the title translates to "Ascetic Meditation of Death". The Czech Republic has a history of producing some really odd black metal bands. Such as Masters Hammer, Root, etc. Cult of Fire continues this tradition, crafting some of the most interesting and unique black metal I have ever heard. The band fuses traditional black metal song writing, with Middle Eastern melodies and instruments. Heavy use of keyboards, and what I believe to be sitar. The music has an occult, ritualistic atmosphere, but not one that you would typically expected from a black metal record. There is something special about Cult of Fire. The production is clear and is perfect for what the band is trying to achieve. Every instrument, every note, every key shines through. If I could choose one word to describe this album, it would be Majestic. The music is actually beautiful. The riffs are full of emotion, the keys compliment the music well and are not overbearing, and the vocals soar over the instrumentation like a narrator. Damn near PERFECT album. The artwork and packing of the LP is also stunning. 10/10, two thumbs up, do yourself a favor and buy this damn record.

Released by Iron Bonehead Production on LP and Cassette. CD version released by Necroshine Records.

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Top 10 Albums of 2013

Making a list of only 10 albums to be my absolute favorite of the year proved to be more difficult than I had thought, but alas, here it is. If I made this list again tomorrow I'm sure it would be different.

10. Beyond - Fatal Power of Death

9. Wulkanaz - Paúrpura Fræovíbôkôs

 8. Bölzer - Aura 

7. Lluvia - Premonicion de Guerra

6. Cultes Des Ghoules - Henbane

5. Sect Pig - Slave Destroyed

4. The Ruins of Beverast - Blood Vaults

3. Venus Star - Nigredo Expulsion

 2. Grave Upheaval - Untitled

1. Wormlust - The Feral Wisdom

Honorable Mentions:

1. Grave Miasma - Odori Sepulcrum
2. Cult of Fire - मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्या
3. Irkallian Oracle - Grave Ekstasis
4. Antediluvian - λόγος
5. Kêres - Old Blood for a New Moon
6. Set - Upheaval of Unholy Darkness

Lluvia - Premonicion de Guerra

Lluvia is a one man black metal project of Lord Vast (The Rain in Endless Fall, Blut Der Nacht, Wylve) from Portland, OR. This is his first release under this project. Despite being from the Northwest (aka Cascadia), where the Black Metal scene mostly comprises of a bunch of tree hugging hippies writing pretty sounding feel-good bullshit, Lluvia does not. This album is amazing. This album could have easily been released in the mid 90's in Finland. The albums is masterfully crafted. The tracks weave in and out of each other seamlessly with peaks, summits, and valleys of acoustic passages, triumphant tremolo picked riffs, field recordings, and soaring vocals. Highest possible recommendation. BUY OR DIE!

Released on LP by Fallen Empire Records. Limited to 333 hand numbered copies.

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White Medal - Guthmers Hahl

Awesome debut full length from Yorkshire one man black metal band White Medal. Raw, dark as hell, mechanical black metal. There is nothing quite like White Medal.

Released on vinyl by Legion Blotan in conspiracy with Aphelion Productions. Limited to 500 copies.

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Wulkanaz - Paúrpura Fræovíbôkôs

Wulkanaz is a one man black metal band from Sweden. Extremely raw, minimal, odd ball black metal. Wulkanaz absolutely captures the essence of "primitive black metal", and executes in a way that is entirely his own and original. Everything about this album sounds archaic and tribal. I could imagine these songs being played in a circle around an open fire by a primitive barbaric neanderthal tribe. Highly recommended if you are in search of something different and unique.

Released on LP by Seedstock Records (500 copies) and cassette by Altare Productions.

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Malthusian - MMXIII

Without a doubt one of the best demos to surface in 2013, Malthusian make a great first impression. Many different sounds and influences are featured on this 25 minute demo. Black, Death, Doom, psychedelic tones, chaotic riffing. It’s got a recipe for perfection. Highest possible recommendation. Recommended for fans of Portal, Mitochondrion, Antediluvian, etc.

Released on Invictus Prodections on cassette in an edition of 300 copies. Will be repressed on vinyl.

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