Ringfinger - Decimal [2008]

Ringfinger is the brainchild of Tracy Wilson, of Dahlia Seed fame. While Dahlia Seed were seminal in pioneering the emo genre, Wilson's Ringfinger project is far removed from her emo roots. A large collaborative effort, Decimal features guest collaborations with musicians from Sunn O))), ISIS, Cave In and Dälek, just to name a few. The result is an experimental album of great proportions, stylising itself through indie, pop, electronic, ambient, drone, noise and a plethora of other sounds, this album is one hell of a unique listen.

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Sunn O))) - Dømkirke (2008)

Sunn O))) are known for their live performances and Dømkirke really accentuates their ability to make a great live album. The album has the perfect atmosphere with the live performance taking place in a cathedral with very operatic Gregorian chants coming from Attila Csihar, of Mayhem fame. The background organ in Why Dost Thou Hide Thyself in Clouds is an incredible number, competing with Attila's vocals at every note, they come together with total symbiosis. Much of the album takes on very intense atmospheric roles with a large mount of feedback noise, ridden with doomy operatic chants that reach several climaxes throughout the album. This is definitely a release from Sunn that you don't want to miss out on.

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Goatlord - Reflections of the Solstice [1991] + demo 1987

This is perhaps one of the most underrated extreme metal albums ever. Not because it's drenched in obscurity - it's not - but because it's one of the best extreme metal albums ever, something which is rarely recognised. This is a vicious blackened doom album with hints of death metal here and there, but more importantly, it's an album which features fantastic songwriting. A lot of these songs are perhaps more famous for having been covered - both Coffins and Necros Christos have covered 'Acid Orgy', Gospel of the Horns and Nunslaughter have both covered 'The Fog', etc. However, the originals are wonderful in their own right - the above two are brilliantly written slow burners, while the pace is picked up a little in 'Chicken Dance' and brilliant closer 'Sacrifice'. If you don't like choruses in extreme metal, this isn't for you, otherwise, if you haven't heard this, fill a void in your soul.

Sample (Sacrifice)

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Sulphur Aeon - Swallowed By The Ocean's Tide (2013)

German cultists Sulphur Aeon released their debut album, Swallowed By The Ocean's Tide, earlier this year. And man, does this thing rule. The album opens with Lovecraftian chanting, and fans of his works will recognise the eldritch abominations spewed throughout this record. Plunging us beneath the waves of the sea, the album drags us right into the heart of R'lyeh with horrid, dissonant riffs, punishing drums, and beastly vocals. The solos are atypically melodic in this album, but this is not a complaint. This is a pleasure for any fan of black/death metal, and doubly so for any Lovecraft fan (although the two are usually intertwined). Not one to miss for those looking to complete their 2013 collections.

"I'a, Cthulhu! I'a, Yog-Sothoth! I'a, Hastur! I'a, Shub-Niggurath!"

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Parlamentarisk Sodomi - Regnskog Fred Og Vegetarmat (2009)

Norsky grindcore group with Anarchist themes, Parlamentarisk Sodomi most definitely delivers with this release, it being their first. Regnskog Fred Og Vegetarmat is an instant hit for any Grindcore fanatic. The whole album gives a  intense atmosphere with every unsettling riff and blast-beat nearly blowing out your cheap twenty dollar headphones, (I'm going to go ahead give a warning on the headphone leakage if you're a student like me, most definitely watch your volume levels) not to mention harsh abrasive vocals that match up to the beat. I find the most interesting aspect of the band is that they imply noise elements in their variety of Grindcore sound which gives for an interesting mix. Of course the album totals out to a brief nine minutes which isn't unusual. This is definitely a release you don't want to miss out on.

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Archagathus/Death Toll 80k split [2009]

This split, between the already legendary Canadian mincecore band Archagathus and the extremely competent Finnish death/grind band Death Toll 80k, shows quite how finely honed both have their respective crafts. At just eight minutes long, it passes by in a flash, but within those eight minutes, there are so many points at which the music does exactly the right thing (when you feel like you need a blastbeat, there's a blast, when it's a slower groovy part that's needed, that's included, and when an awesome Unholy Grave cover, well, Death Toll 80k take a crack at 'Confession'). Not an introductory record to grindcore, but certainly worthwhile for fans of the genre.

Sample (Archagathus - Dance Hall Derelict)

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Black Boned Angel - The End (2013)

Drone in it's self is a very difficult genre to get oneself immersed into because of it's natural lack in substance, most people are turned off by it. I don't really see that as the case for Black Boned Angel, the loud grinding distorted feedback and unsettling atmosphere (without the usual chanting) almost completely instrumental it gives this album quite a lot of substance in my opinion. There's several elements of noise influence throughout this album with hypnotic effects on the listener, the soundscape changes quite often which isn't particularly usual with Drone, which is why I see this as a more novice album despite the twenty minute lengths. Overall if you're trying to get into any type of drone sub genre such as Drone/Doom, Drone Ambient, etc. This album is a great place to start.

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Black Dethe - Demos [1985, 1988]

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Black Dethe was an American proto-death metal band. Formed in 1985, there's no good reason why anyone should have heard of these guys - they have no 'members of' bigger bands, and they released just three demos (one in 1985, two in 1988) before falling into oblivion. Perhaps it was just the quality of these demos which saved them from fading from memory. The first of the three, Evil Prayer from 1985, is perhaps the most death metal-oriented of them. Naturally, given the year of release, it's not pure death metal, building on a firm basis of thrash, but it's certainly reminiscent of a slightly more primitive version of Seven Churches. After a two-year hiatus, the band was reformed, apparently having listened to some thrash in the interim. The single-track on Iron Cross brings to mind The Ultra-Violence written by Schuldiner when he was still 'Evil Chuck', and the entire Mary's Blood demo is pretty much a slightly deathened version of Reign in Blood. In truth, there isn't a whole load of diversity across these demos, and I wouldn't slap you for saying that Evil Prayer sounded like Slayer (especially given the pleasing rhyme), but the three are definitely worth a listen for those who like their thrash a little rougher around the edges.

Sample (Evil Prayer)

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Preteen Deathfuk - I Don't Remember (2013)

 Coming right out of the woodwork (well the United States underground Black Metal scene) Preteen Deathfuk's I Don't Remember is some of the most intense Blackened Crust/D-beat you'll ever have the exact pleasure of hearing. I started listening to the band earlier this year after finding a torrent for them, of course seeing the name Preteen Deathfuk drew me in, if that doesn't then I don't know what else would, this album is an instant cult classic. It's raw, brutal assault of blast-beat drumming and harsh recessed vocal gives the whole album all of the material needed to be an instant classic amongst any Blackened Crust aficionado. Not to mention their cover of Anal Cunt's I lit your baby on fire, is also noteworthy. (Note: There are two different alternative cover art designs for this album, I found this one more preferable).

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Altars - Paramnesia (2013)

Altars has been making quite a name for itself with the release of their debut record, Paramnesia. The Australian death metal outfit makes death metal with an old school vibe and hearkens to sounds of Immolation and Gorguts of old, whilst holding themselves on par with current death metal titans Ulcerate and Flourishing. Not much more can be said.


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Zuul - Promo 2011

You know how these days we find old, obscure death metal bands from the early 90s with a demo or two and like to think they boost our hipster cred? Well, in another fifteen years, Zuul is going to be that band. Zuul plays quite a unique style of old school influenced death metal. Oftentimes the band's riffing and song structure is incredibly weird and interesting to listen to. Changing tempo rapidly, playing anything from crunchy, classic riffs to playing more atonal and experimental riffs, with some punk-influenced drumming occasionally and some of the worst demo production to boot, Zuul is no doubt gonna be a kvlt gem in a few years' time. This 2011 promo is their most recent release before the band disintegrated, but it's also their best.

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Apocynthion - Sindereus Nuncius (2013)

Apocynthion is a prominent Black Metal/Shoegaze group formed out of Madrid, Spain in 2011. For starters this album is fantastic, every aspect of it completely encompasses and goes beyond the standard of 'Post-Black' Metal. The entire album consists of Doom, Post-Rock, Black Metal, and minor Post-Punk elements. It's definitely something worth listening to, and by far one of my favourite releases this year. Oh and the first track of the album "Tycho Magnetic Anomaly One" is an excerpt from "2001: A Space Odyssey".

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Void Meditation Cult - Sulfurous Prayers Demo (2011)

Void Meditation Cult (Formerly known as Sperm of Antichrist) is a black metal band out of the frostbitten lands of Ohio. Before you skip over this because you think this is just some wannabe-Yooper bullshit, let me say that this is one of the best black metal demos to be released in the past few years. Unlike their demo released under Sperm of Antichrist, Sulforous Prayers utilizes both throaty harsh vocals and ghastly whispered vocals, combined with a perfect blend of lo-fi and heaviness, to create an experience similar to that of a demon summoning. If you're looking for a band with vocals unique to itself, then you've found what you're looking for.

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Sample

Calvaiire - Forceps (2013)

Coming to you from the nation of France, a place that has already given us raw fury and abrasive power in the form of a slew of great hardcore and screamo bands, is the four-piece mathcore band Calvaiire. Purity and authenticity are the name of the game when it comes to this album, as seen through the French song titles and lyrics, solemn album art, and unrelenting frenzy of energetic and heavy music. Every track is filled with this energy as it spills over into the next, until this short but strong release has left an impact that leaves you wanting more of the creative riffing, furious drumming, and unpolished vocals this fresh young band has to offer. Highly recommended for any fans of hardcore, crust, screamo, or mathcore.                        

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Bone Awl - Meaningless Leaning Mess (2007)

Bone Awl bring to the table a complete disregard for human life and musical soundstages. With elements of both black metal and grindcore, Meaningless Leaning Mess is a 38 minute album composed of 18 pissed-off tracks, each as unrelenting as the next. Simply by listening to and downloading this album, you can gain some fantastic, lo-fi, blackened grind along with some extra obscurity points on the side. Is that the cymbal being hit or is that just fuzz from the lo-fi production? Well, that's for you to find out.


Sample


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Beastmilk - Climax (2013)

Hailing from Finland, Beastmilk has made their entrance into the musical community quiet prominent with the release of their debut album Climax, which is nothing short of a masterpiece. Khvost's haunting vocals are that of a beautiful siren calling for you to listen again and again, to the point that you can't get enough and are begging for more. Climax is an album where you are surrounded by atmosphere, yet are given vast amounts of substance. Beastmilk are the product of post-punk's bright future, and make what's yet to come even brighter.


Sample


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Amulet - Cut The Crap (2011)

Coming straight out of a time when wearing denim vests wasn't ironic and retro is London-based band, Amulet. A new(ish) band of the noughties, these guys know what to do when it comes to making no bullshit, no nonsense heavy metal. With a sound that molds the bluesy licks and riffs of Motorhead with the soaring vocal melodies of Angel Witch, this EP is a treat for any fan of NWOBHM-style heavy metal. Recently re-released on CD with an accompanying live DVD, this extended play is a must-have for those wishing to support the growing old-school scene. In addition, Amulet have also just been signed to Century Media Records - so expect more from them in the future.

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Slutvomit - Swarming Darkness (2013)

Do you like your death metal lean? All the fat trimmed, all the gimmicks thrown out the window, all the bullshit out of sight? Then Slutvomit's debut, Swarming Darkness, is for you! The band plays a style of deathrash laced with black metal and I'll be damned if this doesn't make you want to bang your head and punch shit. This album doesn't fvkk around, it gets right down to brass tacks. With a slew of unstoppable riffs and shredding solos that just keep. on. coming., this album is for any extreme metal fan.

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Arkham Witch - On Crom's Mountain [2011]

Arkham Witch are as metal as anything. Admittedly, this isn't purely on a sonic level, as there are certainly strong hard rock influences coming through in many of the tracks here. Indeed, this is really a collection of head-shaking, jig-inducing, and just fundamentally catchy set of tunes. This core is infused with strong doom and trad metal elements, to produce a result which can probably best be described as if Master of Reality had been written by Saxon. The fact that they have been accredited by Fenriz as one of his Bands of the Week should just serve to further demonstrate their credentials.

Sample (Viking Pirates of Doom)

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Abraxis - Abraxis (2009)

Abraxis' self-titled record (pictured above, limited gold vinyl pressing, 50 pressed) is a potent mix of hardcore and metallic, doomy elements. Not a full-fledged sludge release, despite the addition of doom qualities. It features well-paced, thick riffs, staccato solos and fiery vocals. Coupled with elements of folk, noise and drone, Abraxis is recommended for fans of Fall of Efrafa and Momentum, and hell, even Swans for the spoken word passages.

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Basarabian Hills - Spirit of The Native Land (2013)

Not many people prefer more Ambient orientated albums. Nonetheless This one-man Ambient/Atmospheric Black Metal project which was started in 2011 in Făleşt by only member whom goes under the pseudonym of 'Spirit of the Forest', definitely peaked my interest when I saw "Spirit of The Native Land" on one of my usual torrent sites. The whole album blends a wonderful ethereal feeling of solidarity and loneliness, it all blends into a nice mixture of depression and solitude, giving the listener the notion of being at one with nature. The overall experience is definitely worth it, if you're into tracks as long as 13:45, much of the album is instrumental and consists of minimal vocals (but hey it's ambient black metal what do you expect). All in all I put this album up there in the top ten of my AOTY list.

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Hades Archer - For the Diabolical Ages [2011]

Whenever two people make a noise quite this potent, it's quite a special feat indeed. Admittedly, when one of them is also a member of Force of Darkness, it's less surprising, but notable nonetheless. For the Diabolical Ages is this Chilean two-piece's call back to the days of old, both to the legendary Cogumelo scene (Sarcófago, Chakal, Sextrash et al.), and to a lesser extent to Blasphemy and the other Ross Bay Cult bands. The effect of this is a relentless black metal-oriented assault, but with an acute awareness of the need for hooks in good music. Although the follow-up The Curse Over Mankind wasn't quite up to the same standard, its nearly equivalent quality means that any future Hades Archer release is likely to be one of the black metal highlights of the year.

Sample (Sodoma Eden)

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