Four Posts

Alright fellow reader(s), this entry has a few great entries.  Two older albums and two 2010 releases, both of which will probably be in my top 10.

Let's kick it off with Imperial Crystalline Entombment (AKA I.C.E.).  This album is pretty great for an American black metal band.  This album has got some great songs on it and is definitely worthy of a couple spins.  One of my favorite American black metal releases of the decade.

Imperial Crystalline Entombment - Apocalyptic End in White (2004)

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Next up we have another older release.  This band hails from Germany.  Depressive/Suicidal black metal.  I love the album art, so bleak.  Very, very tight music, kind of has a folky atmosphere, almost.  Love the vocals, their kinda bone chilling.

Sterbend - Dwelling Lifeless (2006)

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Up next we have another French atmospheric/shoegaze black metal band....whodda thunk this...yeah, Amesouers worship once more.  This is probably going to be in the top 5 this year, as far as albums go.  It's a masterpiece.  Check it out.

Alcest - Écailles De Lune (2010)

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Finally we have a top 5 album of 2010 for me.  It's a tough call, but I've listened to this quite a few times since I've come across it.  Don't get me wrong, I love symphonic black metal, but it has to be done correctly.  Let's just say this band knocks symphonic black metal on it's ass.  This album is damn near flawless....and get this...IT'S ABOUT A FUCKING PIRATE GHOST SHIP.  They are from the Netherlands.  Download it.  It's amazing, even if the album cover...is...uhh...not.

Carach Angren - Death Came Through a Phantom Ship (2010)

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MOOOOOOOOOOOORE

Update City this week.  Two more black metal albums and a nod to old school Swedish death metal.  Let's get this started.

First up, a 2010 death metal release from Sweden's Interment.  It's just a straight up nod to old school Swedish death metal.  For fans of Death Breath and Dismember.

Interment - Into the Crypts of Blasphemy (2010)

 

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Next we have a two song album from the Czech Republic's depressive black metal band Trist.  I admit the production isn't top notch, but it's a great album.  I love how the vocals just scream suicide/murder/death.  It's a pretty decent listen.  The album is 37 or so minutes.  Very good stuff, if you have the patience.

Trist - Zrcadleni Melancholie (2007)

 

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Finally we come to the highlight of this entry.  A black metal band from Norway that only released one EP before disbanding.  Definitely some good stuff.  It sucks that this band's vocalist died, because he's actually pretty fucking good.  Don't get them confused with the other Helheim of Viking Black Metal fame.  These guys are also known by the name The Helheim Society.

Helheim - Fenris (1995)

 

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Enjoy.

 

Blacker than the blackest black times infinity

The whole grinding out the day thing ended.  I was going to focus on all types of metal and whatnot, trying to pinpoint on grind, but in recent months, I've come to the conclusion that I absolutely love the black metal genre.  While there is quite a bit of shit in this genre, there's even more awesomeness in it.  Here's three more albums for you to put your corpse paint on and frolic in the icy tundra of the Carpathian Forest while sacrificing virgin whores to the Moongoat Lord of Middle Earth while being grym, kvlt, frostbitten, and waving your battle ax like a retarded fucking hippie.

First up, we have Nocturnal Depression from France.  I was first introduced to them last night, while upping the last entry.  I don't know what drew me into this band.  The name is borderline lame.  France, in my books, has been known to produce gems, but the amount of shit I've heard from that country outweighs the good...however, my opinion is slowly changing.  Ever since listening to Amesouers and every band that it has spawned since the split, my opinion is gradually changing as I dig deeper into the catacombs of French black and death metal.  Anyways, onto more about this album.  I was skimming through one of my favorite blogs, the album art caught my eye.  Normally, I don't go by album art, I go by word of mouth and what kind of reviews the album gets.  However, this being a fairly recent release, and due to my laziness, I was unable to find anything about this album.  I downloaded it anyways and went about my merry way, diving into the 6 tracks of pure blackened bliss.  Right from the opening of the CD the atmosphere screams sorrow.  By the end of the CD, I was hooked.  I've listened to it about 4 times already and, providing there aren't any other great CDs from bands like Solefald and Melechesh coming out, this may enter into the top 10 of the year.

Nocturnal Depression - The Cult of Negation (2010)

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Next up we have the band Lifelover from Sweden.  I've always said that the Swedes do just about everything better than Americans.  This is a pretty exceptional black metal album.  I think what really hooked me to this band was the piano in certain tracks.  Mental Central Dialogue and Cancertid, more so than the rest, stick out.  I'm hooked on this album.  Check it out.

Lifelover - Konkurs (2008)

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This next band includes the lead guitarist of Windir (Stian "Strom" Bakketeig 2001-2004).  This release is heavy, melodic, and packs that Viking/Norse punch that only bands from Norway/Sweden can pull.  This CD is a cut above most Viking black metal bands, in my opinion.  For fans of Equilibrium (minus the extreme keyboard heavy riffs) and Windir.  Check out this album by Mistur.
 
Mistur - Attende (2009)

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Have at it.  Leave some feedback.  Buy the fucking CD if you like it. 

Been too long

*Wipes brow*

Sorry, this is my first post in ages.  I'm bringing to you some good shit though, this I promise.  We've got two black metal releases I think you all will enjoy and a more dark/depressive blackened atmospheric shoegaze band.  Let's kick this shit off.

A more recent discovery of mine, these French black metallers came out with one of the most interesting black metal CDs I've come across.  Highly enjoyable, heavy bass, sickening riffs that scream CHAOS!  Just check it out...it's pretty good.

Way to End - Desecrated Internal Journey (2009)

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Next we'll keep up with the black metal before heading back to France.  These guys are from Iceland.  Pure fucking frostbitten and depressing fucking black metal.  I enjoy the hell out of this album.  Probably up there as one of my favorites in this subgenre of black metal.  Skendöd definitely destroy with this album.  Download it ASAP.

Skendöd - Vanskapt (2008)

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Finally we have another contender for album of the year.  I ride Amesoeurs nuts like you wouldn't believe.  Ruines Humaines is one of my favorite albums ever.  This band Les Descrets (pronounced Lay Discray) definitely combine elements of shoegaze with some elements of black metal, depressive rock, and add in some atmosphere.  The second track (first real song) is absolutely AMAZING.  This band features the guitarist/bassist of Amesoeurs and the drummer.  I couldn't have asked for a better 2010 release.  Absolutely stunning in my opinion.

Les Descrets - Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées (2010)

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Hopefully I will be updating more and more.  Anyways, happy headbanging. 

More for those kvlt enough

I guess the title of this blog is a bit redundant since I think after this post, I will have posted more black metal than grind, but assuming you're not stupid, this is going against the daily grind of 9 to 5 work days, and not your normal grinding shitty radio rock/heavy metal bullshit.  Onward we go.

I just discovered these guys earlier today and I've listened to this album about three times already.  Heavy as fuck.  These blackened death metallers from Mexico come out with this crucial release that's sure to make heads bang and skulls crush.  The riffs are heavy and well played.  This is their new one from this year.  I'm glad I found this band out.

Balam Akab - Sacrificio (2010)

 

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Let's continue with this Mexican black metal kick.  Upon listening to these guys, I noticed a striking similarity to Euro black metal.  The production is a bit on the lower side of things as with traditional black metal, but I have no problem with that.  My only gripe with this gem, is that the drums aren't loud enough and sound a bit too dull and generic.  That being said, the riffs are what kept me listening.  The riffs are well constructed and surprisingly enough the bass on this album is phenomenal.  They get called NSBM, but in reality they are not.  They are just for naturalization of all things Mexican.  The last song is actually the Mexican National Anthem if I'm not mistaken.  Anyways, give this one a spin, it's really not that bad.

Ahpuch Oztoc - Nemiliztli in Coatl (2006)

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Lastly, we have a favorite of mine.  Before I go any further, I just want to make something clear...I promote music, not views.  I enjoy plenty of bands with national socialist views (Nazi) and a few bands that are considered racist.  Just because I listen to a band that has views of this nature, doesn't mean that I hate Jews (as a matter of fact, my family has a Jewish background) or hate black people, or any other minority.  If you're going to throw that argument at me, then you may want to reconsider, especially if you listen to bands like Cannibal Corpse who talk about fucking people with knives.  You're not going to fuck someone with a knife, correct?  Well, I'm not going to hate minorities and Jewish people.  Who really listens to metal for the lyrics anyways.  Don't take this shit seriously.  Thank you for listening to my tirade.  Russia spawns many NSBM bands that are complete and utter shit/run of the mill who lack intelligent riffs and crafty song writing.  M8L8TH (pronounced Moo-loth), which is Russian for the word "hammer," bring about something that I find rare in this kind of black metal...great riffing and excellent musicianship.  To me, the vocals are just another instrument in this mix, and I love the vocalists shrieks.  This album has stuck with me for about a year or so now.  I haven't really listened to the new one as much, because this one is so bad ass.  The last track on the CD is my favorite, the maniacal laughter and the riff at the end just bring me goosebumps.  Their vocalist is a fucking sick dude too...he's in jail for several murders and robberies.  Give it a chance, even if the opening track is a Hitler speech.

M8L8TH - By the Wing of Black (2004)

 

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Once again, let me reinforce the fact that I do not share the same beliefs as every band on this blog.  I like music and I have an open mind.  I suggest before you go on your rampage of NS hatred, you at least give the band a chance.  This is a ballsy move, considering my blog has just started off, but fuck it, there are worse things on the internet.

Four album update

Greetings and hails, this is a four part post.  Great stuff on here.  Let's not dilly dally.

Drudkh...posted here before.  This is their new one and I think it's their best effort.  I love the bass on the album and I love the guitars.  It has a post metal/atmospheric feel to it that the other albums just don't possess in my opinion.  Give it a spin and listen to it before it even drops.  Seriously, one of my favorite albums this year, if not my favorite.  Right up there with the new Nachtmystium.

Drudkh - Handful of Stars (2010)

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Alright, I know there's some pissed off music out there, but this...this is where we draw the line of downright sadistically evil music.  I don't think it gets more evil than this.  Production aside, this album has some crucial riffs and pissed off vocals.  Portal are amazingly evil looking live, not to mention creepy.  I never felt anything as bleak, hopeless and evil as them when I saw them back at MDF2010.

Portal - Outre (2007)

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Here's some industrial black metal for you.  This band does it absolutely perfect. As untimely as their breakup was, this band, V:28 was able to produce this amazing album.  The intro to the first song is just amazingly done, and I love this dude's vocals.  RIP V:28.  You're missed.

V:28 - SoulSaviour (2005)

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Finally, a request.  Kudos to a messageboard buddy for this one.  I completely forgot about how destructive this Pigsty album is.  If you liked the one I posted earlier, this one will have you smashing baby skulls in no time.  Here's more from these cooky Czech bastards.

Pigsty - Living Dead Stars EP (2007)

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Non Metal updates

Alright, so I know I'm supposed to be posting heavy and amazing metal albums, but let's a take a break and go a bit more easy on your ears.  This is about GOOD music.  I know good is an interpretation and opinion and everyone's different, and the elitist in me wants to say, my tastes > your tastes, but hey, too each his own.  I take requests and I've not really been in a metal mood lately...more like an Immolation and Hall&Oates mood.  Whatever...anyways here are three amazing albums that I don't hear talked about enough or I think went under the radars.

First we'll introduce Portugal. The Man on to the blog.  This is my favorite release by these Alaskan indie/folk band.  Before you write them off, they are heavily influenced by the Beatles.  It's good stuff, and I'm not a huge Beatles fan.  Very crafty and catchy song writing.  Great use of organs and other instruments not normally found in rock.  They get called Garage Rock Revival, or whatever.  It's great stuff, whatever you want to classify it as.  I just call it awesome.  Some of you may find this extremely familiar.  That's because the band formed from the remains of Anatomy of a Ghost.  Go ahead and download it.  I listened to this too many times.  It's a phenomenal album.

Portugal. The Man - Church Mouth (2007)

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Next up we have some amazing British progressive rock.  If you're a fan of Opeth, you'll probably recognize the vocalist/guitarist, Steve Wilson.  This dude writes heavy songs in Porcupine Tree, and one of the heaviest and most depressing song I've ever heard is on this album (Heart Attack by the Lay By).  I cannot express how great this album is.  Definitely in my top 20 of greatest albums ever.  I know it's fairly recent, but still, it's stuck with me.  I throw this on from time to time.  I love his guitar playing and that song Trains is definitely a sing-along song.  Check it, check it.

Porcupine Tree - In Absentia (2002)

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Finally we have a band I don't think has received enough attention.  I'm a big fan of psychedelic rock, and these guys are just trippy as fuck.  I've tried talking about them so much to my friends, but when I open my mouth about music, people just tend to tune it out.  Sorry, music is important to me, and this album is just great.  I loved it upon listening to the first song.  Just check it out.  It's a great 2009 release from these Californians.  And yes, Silent Hill fans, that does sort of look like a pyramid head on the album cover.

Sleepy Sun - Embrace (2009)

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I hate to beg, but please leave me some feedback and let me know what you've downloaded.  I'd like to hear your opinions and suggestions.  Feel free to leave hate too, whatever.  Enjoy.