...And Oceans - Cosmic World Mother
​(Season of Mist)

Let's not draw this out: symphonic black metallers ...And Oceans have made a remarkably  triumphant return from the depths of increasingly industrial and electronic experimentation. Here, the meloblack is (largely) back, with a renewed focus on atmospherics and melodic composition. Shylmagoghnar feels like an apt (albeit lesser) comparison, as ...And Oceans execute a blend of powerful aggression, triumphant and near-grandiose symphonics, and and gorgeous sonic accoutrements with a grace and confidence that very, very few can match. Cosmic World Mother is the kind of album that sucks you in an spits you out with the desire to immediately dive back in. This is a wonderous return to form for ...And Oceans, and is, undoubtably, an album that I will be enjoying for quite some time. 

Find it on Bandcamp here!

WitchUrn  - The Debt 
​(Self Released)

...But, dear readers, I am excited to inform you that today's best blackened-affiliated record may actually  
be the debut album from WitchUrn. At risk of gushing, The Debt delivers almost everything I love in a single package--vicious thrashy freneticism, forward-thinking aggression, dynamic (and at times damn near surprising) composition, emotive vocals, and just enough braggadocio to exercise technical prowess without flaunting it. There’s just enough death metal weight to lend the affair a groundedness that blackened thrash all-too-oft lacks, and just enough progressive meandering to allow the audience a moment to breathe. I do wish that the acoustics of the intro were implemented a tad more, but...what else can I say? This is an absolute masterclass in how to write a (one man?!) debut album. Bravo. At this rate, a full-length review will undoubtedly follow.

​Find it on Bandcamp here!

Holden  - Ursa Minor 
​(Self Released)

​Groove-laden post-sludge? Rest assured: this slumbering scribe is always down. On Ursa Minor, Holden demonstrate that they have studied long and hard at the school of Conan-esque riffage, leaning into sluggish heft with a languid aplomb. Meanwhile, some harsh vocals punctuate the enormity of the tone. As drawn-out riffs are the name of the game, this is not music that grabs your throat and demands attention. Rather, it feels cinematic in scope--a flowing soundtrack, not a series of distinct tracks. As such, it serves quite nicely as background tunage for those times when you want some slow riffs but aren’t in the mood to focus intently. I, for one, in spring-cleaning fervor, will be spending the day sweeping the cobwebs and mouse bones from our drafty scriptorium, Holden spinning all the while.

Find it on Bandcamp here!

Hadewijch - Herbal Doom
​(Electric Valley Records) 

​Sometimes we all need to sink into the ethereal plant-based bliss of post-rock infused doom. Post-doom, perhaps? Who knows. In any case, Hadewijch deliver a single track-EP with the sole intent, presumably, in helping us calm our trouble minds. This track feels relentlessly organic--like falling asleep on the forest floor and become the compost heap upon which a garden grows. "Salvia" is dreamy, droney, and tastefully heavy. ​The meld of naturalism and unconventional stoner doom convention is pretty damn seamless. 

​As aforementioned 'round these parts, this particular scribe is consistently sober--but this EP/song makes me feel otherwise. Mission accomplished. If you've got 19 minutes to simply chill, I highly recommend you sample some Herbal Doom. ​Thank me later. ​

​Find it on Bandcamp here!

Like Rats - Death Monolith
​(Hibernation Release)

Desperate times call for death metal. This, I’m fairly sure, was written as gospel at some point in the past 30-odd years. In any case, Chicago death outfit Like Rats are here to crush, mush, and otherwise pulverize this release day with their hardcore-tinged brand of OSDM. Offering up a hearty stew of Immolation riffage and Morbid Angel ‘tude, the groove is predictably strong with these guys, with every single track herein delivering an opportunity or two for a behemothian fit of headbanging.

​If you’re in the mood for death without a jangly assortment of bells and whistles, I highly recommend you give Death Monolith a shot during your release day shenanigans. ​

Find 'em on bandcamp here!

CURSE - The Awakening..and the Old
​(Redefining Darkness Records)

We’ve got two offerings from the consistently amazing Redefining Darkness Records today--the first being this tasty blackened thrash EP from Sweden’s CURSE. Those of ye who know me very well will know that I have a fondness for the black(ened thrash) arts, and these five tracks are no exception to the rule--although I will say that the general approach in a tad slower than genre convention might dictate. As a result, we’re presented with a surprisingly atmospheric assault, with the trashier elements feeling particularly visceral when they do unsheathe their claws. It’s as if the lovechild of Urgehal and early Watain were left to rot for a decade or two before being abruptly awoken. In other words: good stuff. ​

Find 'em on bandcamp here!