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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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

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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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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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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