Deafheaven - Roads to Judah

Deafheaven - Roads to Judah
Deathwish Iinc.




There have been a few bands emerging out there mixing black metal with other styles. We've seen a lot of black metal mixed with crusty d-beat and hardcore, but Deafheaven fall more in line with the bands attempting to merge elements of post rock with the nihilistic fervor of the black metal sound. I have to say, these guys do it better than most. Roads to Judah perfectly eclipses the lines blurring the two genres and establishes itself as a listening experience both tranquil and emotionally punishing.

At times one can get lost in the soaring beauty of this release, and at others have your heart wrenched out and stuffed in your ears by the scathing, bleak, barren wasteland of metallic fury. The vocals are particularly seething with pain and anguish; Deafheaven have delivered a truly memorable album here.

Get on this if you like Wolves in the Throne Room, Alcest or Lantlos.


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Vektor - Outer Isolation

Vektor - Outer Isolation
Heavy Artillary Records




Yes! The almighty Vektor return with their second full length, Outer Isolation. Their previous album, Black Future, was a thrashterpiece of blackened, technical and inventive metal genius, and now they've come back.

So, does Outer Isolation measure up to Black Future? Absolutely. Each track cuts a swath through you, sharp as any knife; these guys know how to keep you guessing. They aren't playing straightforward thrash but are harkening back to early bands that took things several steps further in terms of playing progressively. Bands like Voivod and Sadus, followed by the likes of Atheist and Cynic, and even later Pestilence. Another stand-out feature here is vocalist. David DiSanto utilizes a black metal feeling but also hits incredible high shrieks that remind me of classic Death Angel singer, Mark Osegueda.

Recommended for fans of Voivod, Sadus and Synergy era Extol.

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Haapoja - Hallitsematonta Voimaa

Haapoja - Hallitsematonta Voimaa
Independent




Haapoja come from Finland, a country known for their love of metal, and while they do deliver a driving, metallic slab of 'fuck you' on this demo, their sound is largely grounded in hardcore. Haapoja kind of remind me of older Converge, if that band had been more influenced by early Mayhem and Hellhammer more than say, Slayer. Either way, this demo is an energetic and vicious cacophony of blackened metallic hardcore just waiting to be headbanged to. Grab some Pilsner and get to it.

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Aderlating - Spear of Gold and Seraphim Bone Part I

Aderlating - Spear of Gold and Seraphim Bone Part I
devotionalhymns


There was a brief moment I had listening to this record when I thought for a moment of a childhood nightmare in which the floors and monsters were one morphing isometric prison of evil. I snapped to and realized Aderlating has made one of the creepiest recordings I've ever heard.

Spear of Gold and Seraphim Bone pt.1 is a profoundly dark experience. Blackened in its base, this album pushes you off of cliffs so high you have no choice but to listen to each sound of it's ten minute opener Black Emperor at the Temple's Gate, instantly followed by a brutal feast of speed and force on Descending the Narka I. It's clear this will be the music you hear as you gaze upon the wonders hell has to offer you during your eternal stay at the warmest spiritual torture resort in existence.

I recommend this album to be paired with enslaving souls, and goblets full of innocence.

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Demisery - Hive of Mutation

Demisery - Hive of Mutation
Independent




Demisery are by no means reinventing the Death Metal wheel on their first release, Hive of Mutation. The two piece band, one hailing from Portland, Oregon, the other from Calgary, Alberta, play no-nonsense, straight forward death metal in the style of old school luminaries, such as Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation and Grave. They may be closer to the more modern brutal death style on some tracks, but overall the album has an old school feel, blistering out track after track of fun shredding guitars backed by classic guttural vocals, and enough blast beats for any true hesher to windmill their hair to. It's not new but it will kick the ass of the indie rock loving pussy in all of us.

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Cara Neir - Stagnant Perceptions

Cara Neir - Stagnant Perceptions
Independent




Cara Neir are a two-piece band out of Dallas, Texas playing an intense blend of black metal, hardcore, crust, screamo (old school) and even some sludge influences. Their latest effort is self-released and will melt your face off with harsh despairing vocals, buzz saw guitar work and some seriously pummeling drums. The production here isn't the best, but with such an aural assault being laid down coupled with the group's adherence to the raw nihilism of black metal, perhaps it's just right after all.

What surprised me was the groups softer, even contemplative moments that show up out of nowhere like a post-rock birthday party. Hello, wasn't expecting to see you here in the dim dusk of all this misery.

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