Neige Morte - S/T (2011)

Neige Morte are a black/doom metal band from France. Usually when you hear the words "France" and "Black metal" in conjunction with one another, it's good news -- and Neige Morte is no exception. I got introduced to this band by chance through a friend, and I'm glad they did. This CD isn't particularly lengthy, but it's extremely atmospheric/heavy. Not a whole lot of traditional-sounding BM blastbeats/tremolo guitars here, but it works really well with what these guys set out to accomplish. Best listened to all in one go.

ARTIST: NEIGE MORTE

ALBUM: S/T (2011)

GENRE: BLACK/DOOM METAL

MEDIAFIRE

Nuclearhammer - Obliteration Ritual

Nuclearhammer is a three-piece black metal band from Toronto, Ontario. They have their own distinct sound from a lot of the black and war metal acts out West, but they're just as heavy. They're as fast as a war metal band (and production-wise sound very similar), but they have much more atmosphere -- bringing them more into traditional black metal territory. Obliteration Ritual is a record best played loud, with a beer in one hand and a razor blade in the other. I know Axaazaroth through a mutual person and he's a talented musician who definitely knows his shit about metal. Despite coming out in 2009, OR just got released on vinyl, which you can purchase by contacting Poison Mist Propaganda directly, or the band via their facebook page. Both the download and purchase link are located below. Cheers!

ARTIST: NUCLEARHAMMER

ALBUM: OBLITERATION RITUAL

GENRE: BLACK METAL

MEDIAFIRE

PURCHASE LP

*Edited June 14/12 8:43 am

Derketa - In Death We Meet

Premiering at this year's Maryland Deathfest, Derketa is an all-female death/doom metal with members from Mythic and Behind Enemy Lines. They released some material in the 90s, but this is their first full-length album. Honestly, in spite of my high hopes for this release...it's not the most memorable album in the world. That's not to say it's not good -- far from it, but it's a far cry from the sorta-maybe-Mythic re-incarnation I had hoped for. There are some good riffs on it -- as well as some great musicianship -- it's just not as good as I hoped it would be (if it were absolute tripe I wouldn't be uploading it here in the first place, so there ya go)

Again, I found the Mythic EP to be more satisfying than this -- mostly on account of Dana Duffey's ridiculous ball-crushing vocals. But if you're into death/doom or female-fronted vocals, this one's awesome.

ARTIST: DERKETA

ALBUM: IN DEATH WE MEET

GENRE: DEATH/DOOM METAL

MEDIAFIRE

V/A - Anti-Society Anarcho-Punk Compilation Vol. 3

Like the title suggests, this CD is a compilation of anarchopunk bands (both known and unknown) from around the 80s -- released on Crass' record label I believe, but I don't remember. I think this compilation is 4 different CDs, and spans a huge arrray of bands, but this is the one I happened to buy. Anyways, this one features tracks from well-known bands like Oi Polloi, Thatcher on Acid and Icons of Filth, but also features some rare gems from bands that never put out more than a demo.

Seriously, that Untermensch track is one of the best anarchopunk songs I've ever heard in my entire life, and I've spent HOURS scouring the internet/eBay trying to find their demo so I can hear a few more songs by them. NOTHING.

Anyways, the track/artist listing should come up automatically after you've downloaded it, but in case it doesn't I've provided it below. Happy listening:

1. REALITY CONTROL - Forgive Us
2. ICONS OF FILTH - Your Military
3. SEARS - Not Prepared
4. E.O. - Who Are They Trying To Con?
5. LIBERTY - Revenge
6. DAVE ASGROVE BAND - I Rebel
7. KARMA SUTRA - Fantasy Ball
8. ICON A.D. - Seeing Is Believing
9. EXIT-STANCE - Christian Militia
10. ALTERNATIVE - Where Are Your Hiroshimas?
11. LOOK MUMMY CLOWNS - Sell Your Dreams
12. THATCHER ON ACID - Our Gods Are Falling Down
14. PART I - Salem
15. ANDY T - Exploitation
16. REVULSION - Out Of Touc
17. THE APOSTLES - Beserker
18. UNTERMENSCH - Ashfield Valley Headkick
19. HAGER THE WOMB - Dressed To Kill
20. STALAG 17 - Doomsday Machine
21. OI POLLOI - Stop Vivisection Now
22. ANTI STATE CONTROL - M.U.S.E.
23. THE MENTAL - Attack

MEDIAFIRE

Massgrave + Poser Disposer - Victims of a Bong Raid

This is one of my favorite split 7"s ever. Two great Canadian grind acts, one awesome split! Side one is legendary crustcore maniacs Massgrave, who have been ripping up British Columbia and beyond for the last 10 years. Side two is Saskatchewan's Poser Disposer, a highly underrated but massively talented grindcore act. It's long sold-out now, but below you can hear the release in it's entirety steaming on YouTube, or download it at the link below.

ARTIST: MASSGRAVE/POSER DISPOSER

ALBUM: VICTIMS OF A BONG RAID SPLIT

GENRE: CRUSTCORE, GRINDCORE

GET HIGH OR DIE TRYIN'

Torture Chain - Time Is But A Doorway To The Incinerator

I raved about this band an earlier post, but to recap: Torture Chain are a USBM one-man project that produce some truly hateful black metal. Their 2012 demo is no exception to this. The difference between this release and their previous efforts is that Time Is But A Doorway...is a single song demo, and shows a lot more variation in terms of musical style and song progression. I LOVED the creepy classical string intro...reminded me a lot of Murder Rape and Teitanblood's style of sampling.

ARTIST: TORTURE CHAIN

ALBUM: TIME IS BUT A DOORWAY TO THE INCINERATOR
GENRE: USBM (BLACK METAL)

MEDIAFIRE

Antediluvian - Watchers' Reign

Antediluvian are one of the bestial black/death metal bands to come out of Canada in the last 10 years. While there's been a shitload of half-hearted bestial metal to come out in such a short span of time, Antediluvian have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that they are not another mediocre band. Crushing, atmospheric and cold as fuck, this band produces one of the best combinations of raw energy with calculated musical technique/talent that I've heard in a long time.

Even though their first demo was put out in 2006,  they're already slated to share the stage with Canadian black metal legends Blasphemy at NWN! Fest III in the fall. If you're a fan of black or death metal and you haven't heard them yet, you're seriously missing out!

Watchers' Reign is a compilation of their first 4 demos (from 2006 to 2008).

ARTIST: ANTEDILUVIAN

ALBUM: WATCHERS' REIGN

GENRE: BLACK/DEATH METAL

MEDIAFIRE