Obituary

Brave

Esoteric Warfare

Posthuman

At long last, German black metal tyrants ASCENSION unveil their highly anticipated second album, The Dead of the World. Previewed by the Deathless Light EP, ASCENSION's The Dead of the World is a grandiose work of bold creativity and boundless imagination, of brilliant illumination and obsidian depth, all under the banner of orthodox black metal. The band's debut album, 2010's Consolamentum, became a classic in the underground not long after its release; it evinced a wealth of maturity in composition and execution for such a new band. Here, the quintet eclipse that accomplishment with a seven-song salvo that's the epitome of Album Experience. Every part is where it needs to be; every song flows from the other; there is a whole, and it is a black HOLE. From its innermost depths, ASCENSION drive onward and outward, their control of dynamics startling for mere "black metal," their passion, fervor, and professionalism far beyond those who supposedly uphold that genre. Joining ASCENSION in their peerless endeavor here are The Magus (Necromantia, Thou Art Lord, Principality of Hell) and Mors Dalos Ra (Necros Christos), who both respectively provide guest vocals on The Dead of the World. Black metal may be dead for all intents and purposes, but not for ASCENSION, for they show you The Dead of the World. 

The Silence of Abel

At long last, one of the unsung pillars of the Austrian black metal scene returns to reclaim their throne: W.T.C. PRODUCTIONS proudly presents AMESTIGON's monumental second album, Thier. A sprawling, wholly intoxicating mass of metaphysical might and mystical atmosphere, Thier comprises four vast, void-dwelling expanses of obsidian sound, with each track in the double digits and the title track itself topping nearly 20 minutes. And yet, every second of the way, AMESTIGON weave spells that draw in the listener and literally drowns them with dense, patiently evolving layers of otherworldly decibels wrought from mere strings, synth, and drums.

It's a form of sonic alchemy, one that the band has explored during their on/off career since the mid 1990s, but never have AMESTIGON sounded so potent as they do on Thier. Longtime listeners can cite the album as authentic to the original wave of '90s black metal; however, the band are restless sonic sorcerers and repeating themselves is never an option, so new landscapes of the mind and spirit are sown on this second full-length. From artwork to lyrics to the sound production itself, there is a totality of experience to Thier, and AMESTIGON willingly offer four keys to the beyond. Liberation is yours for the taking.

Demiurg

"Born from the fires of frustration, a simple offering and celebration to the Daimonic and Adverse spirit in us, a primitive worship of the only God that humanity never were able to Kill. This is Ritual DEATH."

Demo to be released on 7"EP early 2016. 

Pig Destroyer - The Underground Man

grindtodeath