Faethom - Fury Of The Scorned Witch (2016)

When first hearing Faethom, I knew their was something special about them.  There have been many bands who try to bridge 80's metal and the more modern sound.  Most of the times, it feels a bit safe that I tend to not have any interest.  But the way Faethom are able to capture their sound, totally caught my attention.  The blend of 80's metal with Black Metal.  The King Diamond inspired horror stories.  And of course a synth sound that reminds me of John Carpenter.
On Faethom's 2nd full-length, Fury of the Scorned Witch, we are told a tale of a fictional mining town in Bolivia, where the minors suffer by a demonic entity called "El Tio".  During the album, we come across other characters who hold something dark inside.  The album opens up with "A Ghastly Funeral Curse" which has a dark and creepy atmosphere.  Very Carpenter-esque.  "Slaves to the Dawn" then follows with some ripping guitar work by David Diacrono.  "Soul-Eating Mountain" is great instrumental jam that fits well with the Andean Folklore influence.  "The Fanatical Swarm" is probably my favorite track, and also displays Mariela Muerte's vocal style.
With October on it's way, it's that time to get in the Halloween spirit.  And to me, Fury of the Scorned Witch should feel right at home.  This is a album that should click with all generations in the metal scene.  Especially with a lot of bands bringing back that old school sound.  The album also features tracks from the Mark of the Devil ep, which to me, sounds better as a stand-alone.  Faethom have shown that they have something special.  Which is why I give Fury of the Scorned Witch 5 Hitlers Punched in the Face.

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Mire of Despondency - Sorrow Is A Void (2015)

For a while now, Black Metal has definitely been a force to be reckon with.  From Venom's raw-thrashy sound to Dimmu Borgir's epic symphonic tunes, Black Metal has always found a way to stick around, by evolving and taking things further.  Around the late 90's/early 00's, the sub-genre was taken to a whole other level when Krieg, Leviathan, and Xasthur came to the scene.  And because of them, we have what the Black Metal scene is today.  And one of those bands that represent today's Black Metal scene is Mire of Despondency, who consist of one member, Nokturnus Megrothas   Last year, Mire of Despondency put out 9 tracks up on Soundcloud, called Sorrow is a Void.  A perfect blend of raw Black Metal and ambient/experimental music.

Sorrow is a Void starts off with a very haunting piano, which is then followed by a very wretched sound.  Then "My Cold Embrace" comes in, with some mid-paced riffs and a very cold shriek.  Then a acoustic guitar comes in to close that track. "Disintegration" has a nice Scandinavian folk vibe.  The whispering vocals adds a nice touch and brings out a nice atmosphere.  "Moonrise"is a nice ambient track.  It definitely reminds me of some of the ambient stuff that Burzum does.  If there was a track that will define Mire of Despondency, it will be "Shadowed Earth".  Love the piano intro with the strings in the background.  Then the guitar and drums come in for a killer Black Metal song.  "Desolate" is also a great track.  Love the rawness in the Black Metal part.  And then we got "Cold Autumnal Winds", pounding away to close Sorrow is a Void.  This one really steps it up and makes sure that when it's over you'll come back for more.

A great Depressive Black Metal release that captures a raw sound and a ambient/atmospheric sound.  Nokturnus is definitely someone who knows this sub genre very well.  And because of that, I am able to enjoy Sorrow is a Void.  I don't know if there's a physical release or a download, but you can stream it on Mire of Despondency's soundcloud page.  On the facebook page, there was mention that Nokturnus was working on another project.  That I'm looking forward to.  And then of course there's plans of making Mire of Despondency a full band.  But what ever happens, I'm up for hearing anything that Nokturnus Megrothas performs in.

Stream Sorrow is a Void at: https://soundcloud.com/nokturnus-megrothas

I rate Sorrow is a Void: 5 Hitlers Punched in the Face

Through These Gates - In The Eyes Of The Prophet (2013)

The destruction that one grand sound can create.  It can make the floor crumble, and have people running for cover.  It can turn the sky black, and have make everyone cry for salvation.  But sadly, that punishing sound will crush them to oblivion.  Well that's what Through These Gates has created with In The Eyes of the a Prophet, the second album by the one-man Blackened Death Metal band, created by Michael Pendergrass.  The 11 track album feature some blistering riffs,  blast beats that keep pounding away, and some keyboards to expand Through These Gates' sound.

On "Distant Shadows Arise", we are greeted by a deep/hellish voice, before our face is ripped by the relentless guitar work of Pendergrass.  The onslaught continues on "Dreaming In Darkness", as the blast beats get more intense and those blackened-death riffs continue coming at you like the horde of the unholy.  The slow melancholic strings fit perfect to end the track.   Then we got "War", a nice short track with a great epic sound.  Of course "Legion" follows next and continues laying waste.  I really love the riff in 1:20, it was really catchy.  And by the 3:00 mark, those riffs start getting crazy.  "Demons of the Rising Sun" is by far my favorite track.  It's everything that I love about blackened death metal.  The part in the 2:00 mark, reminds me of Rotting Christ.  Or at least gives me that vibe.  The piano in the end just came out of nowhere for me, and that I find awesome.  "Enslaved" ends the album with a dark ambient soundscape.  It definitely feels like a journey into the abyss.  Or if you just walked into a cult performing a ritual.  Some singing in the middle, but done in a melancholic way.  And the whispering adds a more brooding atmosphere.

In The Eye's of the Prophet is very well made album that doesn't need to be overly produced, or overly polished.  I'm really impressed in how the sound feels so huge.  Like, how there are parts where it feels very cinematic.  I like to think that Through These Gates is more than just trying to be brutal.  There are a lot of dynamics and layers in Through These Gates' sound, which makes it stand out.  Especially in a live setting.  And don't expect some shred fest.  Everything doesn't need to be super technical to be "metal".  As long as you give it some heart and power, then you'll totally get something that feels real.  And that's what I really love about In The Eyes of the Prophet.  As awesome the production and mix is, it doesn't have that trendy/generic sound that I hear at Hot Topic, or on Uranium and the new Headbanger's Ball.  What a lot of young musicians can learn from Pendergrass, is that if you work really hard on creating your craft, you can come up with something that really sticks out.  And what is more awesome is that Michael Pendergrass didn't need a full band to create such a killer album.

You can purchase In The Eyes of the Prophet at http://www.throughthesegatesofficial.bigcartel.com/product/in-the-eyes-of-the-prophet

This album gets "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face".

And here's some live footage of Through These Gates.

              

Swartwoud - Nusquam (2015)

- "nusquam" meaning: nowhere, in no place, nothing, for nothing -

Swartwoud is a unique kind of beast.  It is nothing that you've probably heard before.  Or at least in my neck of the woods.  After the bullocks that happened with Zaltu, Lord Orgun put Zaltu on hiatus and started focusing on is experimental Black Metal project, Swartwoud.  Last year, Hexental took us into a journey of bleakness and cacophony.  With Nusquam (Swartwoud's new release), we now enter a void that is dark, cold, and empty.  It's a place where those who have nothing can fit in.  If you're planning to  enter the abyss that is Nusquam, then step in with no light.  And let the darkness guide you through.

When you hear the drum beats of "Ubermenschlich" (German for "superhuman"), you feel like you're in a ritual.  You see shadow looking figures, dancing around the flames, revering a entity that is very superior.  On "87.7N.142.2E (North Pole Song), the guitar riff has a very militant vibe, as if Ogun ready to lead and conquer (most likely Santa's Village).  And you can hear a bit of a Rammstein influence on the vocals.  "Hellbound" is my favorite track.  I'm always a sucker for a guitar that starts off calm before going into total chaos.  Vocals are very menacing.  As if someone has upset that entity and it has now unleashed it's wrath.  Not sure if I'm hearing it right, but it sounds like Ogun does some guitar bending.  And it sounds really sick.  Things start to calm down when "Ex Nihilo" kicks in.  We escaped the darkness, but for some reason  we still feel trapped inside the abyss.  And when we hear those ambient keyboard/organ come in on "Nusquam". we realize that  we are in here forever.  All alone and just floating around.  Having to embrace that isolation.

I wonder if things didn't go sour with Zaltu, would we be hearing Nusquam today.  This is definitely a perfect predecessor to Hexental, as Nusquam has a better sound, a better atmosphere, and more creative.  The violin on "Eindelik" was a nice touch.  It just had a raw and ugly feel.  Perfect for the Swartwoud sound.  And it's those little things that I appreciate from Swartwoud.  With this project, nothing is off limits for Lord Orgun.  Swartwoud is the platform where he can express himself, however he wants to.  Many influences make what Swartwoud is.  But where many bands who have many influences sound like they're everywhere, Swartwoud managed to make it sound as one.  So whether it's heavy, ambient, noisey, mellow, it will still sound like Swatwoud.  Not sure what the average metal listeners would think about Nusquam, but for those who enjoy a very left-field sound, there will be some stuff that you'll dig.  It's a shame that we won't be hearing new Zaltu for a while, but I'm glad to hear some new Swartwoud.  Nusquam has really kept Swartwoud really interesting, and that's what we need in extreme and experimental music.  Sometimes we have to be challenge outside of our comfort zone.  Especially if you're hungry for new music.  If Orgun continues being creative, pushing his sound, and willing to give Swartwoud all his focus, then hopefully we will be hearing Swartwoud's phrases everywhere.

Nusquam can now be stream on youtube.

                          

And if you dig it, you can order the cassette by sending a email at swartwoud999@gmail.com

I rate Nusquam "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face"

Enslaved - "In Time" (2015)

Ever since they declared their love for Pink Floyd, Enslave have been pushing themselves from just being another Black Metal band.  Some fans of their early Black Metal recordings, may have been disappointed, as they felt like Enslaved has abandoned their early sound.  But there are those who welcomed it.  As to them, it was something new, and kept them interested.  Enslaved were already a unique band to begin with.  They were took Bathory's Viking them and took it to a whole new level.  And with their new album, In Time, we still hear Enslaved continuing their Prog journey.
"Thurisaz Dreaming" comes out of the gate swinging.  The tremolos are just blazing.  Cato Bekkevoid is just pounding on those drums.  And Grutle is just relentless with those vocals.  And then keyboardist/vocalist, Herbrand, comes in to make things diverse.  But his delivery in the 4:30 mark is just epic.  I also really loved his singing on "Building With Fire".  It's also one of my favorite song writing by Enslaved.  The way the song progresses is only something that a band with the experience that Enslaved has.  "Nauthir Bleeding" is another song progresses really nicely.  The set-up is nice and mellow.  Then the song starts to kick arse once we hear Grutle.  The solo around the 4:30 mark added a very nice touch before things get intense again.  And finally, you can't end a Enslaved album without something EPIC, to send the listeners off.  "Daylight" fits in perfects.  Just listen to the choir vocals.  That totally screams "EPIC".  It's also a perfect movie soundtrack about a Viking who just came back to his village, after laying waste to his enemy.  You just want to raise your sword up high for Odin and the warriors up in Valhalla, having a drink.
In Time is probably my favorite recent album by Enslaved. I definitely love their earlier stuff.  But ever since they changed their sound, I would have to pick In Time.  Everything about it is just so good.  From the production, the musicianship, Grutle and Herbrand's vocal delivery, and of course the lyrics.  In Time may not be old-school Norwegian Black Metal, but it does kick a lot of arse.  It also helps if you let the music sink in.  Believe me, it's gonna be one hell of a journey.  If you haven't heard Enslaved before, then I suggest you look for their early stuff before getting into their more progressive/experimental stuff.  If you love extreme and epic music, then you'll dig In Time.  Sadly I don't have mead on me, so I raise my cup of Mt. Dew: Code Red for Enslaved.

"Rating: 5 Hitlers Punched In The Face"

You can purchase In Time here, along with a instant download.

Enslaved - In Time @ amazon.com

Leviathan - "Scar Sighted" (2015)

What's there to say about Leviathan that every music critics and bloggers haven't said already.  During the 00's, I was reading a lot about these one-man Black Metal bands, in metal magazines.  One of them is Leviathan.  A project started in San Francisco by Wrest (Jef Whitehead), back in the late 90's.  For over a decade, not only has Whitehead been putting out the most grim and kvlt-ist black metal in the US, but has also been pushing the black metal sound.  On "Scar Sighted, you'll hear Leviathan creating it's own sonic path, and standing out from the rest of the Black Metal bands, who are only settling for the traditional/raw recording.

When Jef did "True Traitor, True Whore" in 2011, it was a very dark time for him, and the album didn't turn out the way he wanted.  With "Scar Sighted", Jef finally cleaned himself up and put all his effort to create his best work to date.  "-" is a slow ambient track that start things off.  Of course once "The Smoke of Their Torment" begins, then we know we're in for one Hell of a record.  "Dawn of Vibration" is a perfect example of how Whitehead is able to bring something new to Leviathan, while still keeping the Leviathan sound.  The same thing with "Within Thrall"  If there's one thing that Jef Whitehead can do is create some very haunting sounds.  And of course, "All Tongues Toward", which is my favorite track.  From the opening drum beat to those ripping riffs, everything about that song sounded perfect.  Definitely one of my favorite songs of 2015.

If you were a fan of Leviathan's early work, I like to thing that you'll still enjoy "Scar Sighted".  Even though the production is better (wonderful job by Billy Anderson), it still has that grim and raw presence. Some "traditional" black metal fans may have some issues, but Jef Whitehead have said he doesn't care what the internet BM community thinks.  The album is very dark and intense, which is why this is one of my favorite black metal album of this year.  Hopefully with Jef's sober life and his first child, that it will help him to push Leviathan in a very creative way.  "Scar Sighted" totally gets "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face"  Already looking forward to the next Leviathan record.

To purchase "Scar Sighted":

https://www.profoundlorerecords.com/products-page/plr-items/leviathan-scar-sighted-cd-box-edition/

Code 415 Podcast: 6/28/15

Playlist:

Zaltu - "Nox" (demo)

https://www.facebook.com/zaltutheband?fref=ts

Anaal Nathrahk - "More of Fire Than of Blood" (In The Constellation of the Black Widow) 

http://www.manicmusiconline.com/anaal-nathrakh-in-the-constellation-of-the-black-widow

Leviathan - "All Tongues Toward" (Scar Sighted)

https://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/scar-sighted

Code 415 Podcast: 6-28-15 by Code415media on Mixcloud

Swartwoud - Hexental (2014)

When you put on "Hexental", you might think it's just another one-man band, creating black noise in his bedroom.  But once you go deeper into the tracks,  it's definitely a journey into misanthropy.  The best way I can describe  Swartwoud's latest effort is misery, agony, nihilistic, and very anti-sound.  An appreciation to the lo-fi production is needed, as "Hexental" isn't meant to be a glamorous record.

"Morvandus" has a great doom riff going on, that I think people who love a heavy minimalism sound will dig it.  The same can go with "Consoling a Crying Water Giant", with it's doomsday chugs.  "The Calm" is probably my favorite and the evilest track on "Hexental".  It's a track that does lo-fi black metal, proud.  I love how"Only Deamons Play this HAARP" starts off almost a bit Neurois-ish, before going into full black metal assault.  And speaking of Neurosis, Swartwoud goes in tribal mode with "Exploding Heads".  "Crush the Cockroach" is also a well written track.  Pretty much Lord Orgun's best vocal performance.

Seeing that this is the sixth release by Swartwoud, I guess I have a lot to catch up on.  I did listen to Sex Daimones (Six Demo[n]s) and a couple of tracks from Lokval on Reverbnation.  Really looking forward to listening to the other releases.  I give Lord Orgun lots of credit for doing something different, vocal-wise.  To me, that what gives Swartwoud their own sound.  I highly recommend checking out "Hexental" if you want to get your lo-fi fix.  I rate this "5 Hitlers punched inthe face".

You can download "Hexental" for free at http://www.reverbnation.com/swartwoud/album/85084-hexental

Deafheaven - "Sunbather" (2013)

In the past decade, there have been bands who take a lot of influence from Death Metal.  And you can hear it through bands like Earth Crisis, Lamb of God, and countless others.  But lately I've been hearing some bands who have a Black Metal influence.  Of course you wouldn't call these bands "Black Metal", but you can't deny that Black Metal has a impact on their sound.

Deafheaven are one of those bands who have a Black Metal sound, but you wouldn't call them Black Metal.  They also throw in some post-rock, shoegaze, noise, and audio sample.  Very hard to put them in a box.  Especially since there are a lot of bands who also experiment with this sound.

Sunbather is Deafheaven's 2nd album.  The vocals are awesome and grim.  Similar to Ihsahn.  The guitar are a cross between post-rock, post-hardcore, and black metal.  And the drums can be very punishing.  The ambient stuff are amazing.  And there's also a track that has a Godspeed You Black Emperor influence.  

Sunbather" is a great album.  For sure it's a top contender for album of the year.  Deafheaven sure got something unique that I can get behind.  Really looking forward to their next album.  I'm sure it will have a huge impact on the extreme music scene.  I will totally say keep an eye on this band.