Avichi - The Devil’s Fractal

I don't like announcing forthcoming releases here but the second attack from Avichi seems too promising to be ignored.
Quote from Profound Lore Records :
In what will be seen as one of the more prominent and sinister U.S. black metal albums to surface this year, “The Devil’s Fractal” raises the bar from its successor by not only summoning that ancient black metal aesthetic harnessed by the great classic works of such acts as Mortuary Drape, Rotting Christ, Samael, and Necromantia, but by also offering that forward-thinking, twisted, and progressive black metal aesthetic found in, and forging alongside such luminaries as Deathspell Omega, Leviathan, and Negative Plane.

Masterminded by Andrew Markuszewski (aka Aamonael), who also performs in the bands Lord Mantis and Nachtmystium respectively, and where he essentially handles pretty much all instruments in Avichi (drums are handled by Charlie Fell, also of Lord Mantis and Nachtmystium), with “The Devil’s Fractal” Markuszewski has crafted a modern-day black metal masterpiece, one in which thematically peers into the historical importance and relevance of Lucifer.

To be released July 19th, tracklisting for “The Devil’s Fractal” goes as follows:

1.    Sermon On The Mount
2.    Under Satan’s Sun
3.    Tabernacle Of Perdition
4.    Kaivalya Of The Black Magician
5.    I Am The Adversary
6.    The Devil’s Fractal Part I
7.    The Devil’s Fractal Part II


Sample here.

Until then...
Universe 217 - Familiar Places
Shining - VII Fodd Forlorare
Lantern - Subterranean Effulgence
Saturnalia Temple - Aion of Drakon

AMSG

Fear and loathing in Gethsemane

'I, wanderer, between these sins and sights. Like a shattered vessel, never to sail these waters again. Found nothing ascending into the highest suns I have descended to the borders of divine being. World as a gateway to dark and cold desert of Mute Inanimate Nothing. Who once lost what I have lost will never rest under this tree again. I've entered the path I never ever wanted. I lost this life for ash and mud. My father left me the way I never wanted and now keeps silent in my last sacrifice.
Eloi Lama Sabachthani. Only emptiness stares at me from the abyss.'

Throne of the tyrants and slaves

There is a rising anticipation in the world of extreme metal for the new Morbid Angel record that I find very entertaining. I'm not sure why but whenever people raise their hopes on something that is certain to fail them, I am really amused. False messiahs, false hopes, false heroes....whatever.

It is not surprising that in a field as shallow as the 'mainstream' of any kind of music (even death metal or whatever metal have their mainstream), people still expect great things to come by the same old tired bands that are actually in a creative and artistic coma for many years now. It's anybody's own problem choosing to lose anything exciting that might be happening today in order to consume the garbage he is being force-fed. So let the herd burn in fever for the new, probably mistakenly latin titled M.A. record (I don't speak latin and I couldn't care less but I would bet that this is not proper latin) and live for the present and future. 

The future of black and death metal lies in the underground...such was always the case and still is. Mitochondrion have crafted a monumental work of bestial yet forward thinking art with Parasignosis but the fast food modern music world has already forgotten about it just four months later. Show me someone that actually believes that the coming Morbid Angel album has a chance of topping Parasignosis and I will show you a fucking fool.

Sonne Adam is another example of a talented band coming out of nowhere and delivering an engaging and creeping form of death metal from the swamp.True, both Transformation and Parasignosis have deep and strong foundations on the older works of bands like Morbid Angel but far from just rehashing their influences they bring an aura of renewal to the game and certainly beat their influences in their own field.

It took me some listening to familiarize with the guitar sound of Possessed by the Rise of Magik but it was worth it. The third full length by Ramesses is a tortured occult journey that punishes with one hand and rewards with the other. Free from the doom/sludge/whatever genre restrictions, this is the sound of a great band's spiritual and artistic liberation. I wish I could have the knowledge, experience and talent to write more about the band but since I don't, do your pity self a fucking favour and head over to Julian Cope's lair to read a detailed and inspired review of their The Tomb EP from some years back. I should silence myself for the time being.

Fear...
Reveal - Nocturne of Eyes and Teeth
Saturnalia Temple - Aion of Drakon
Autopsy - Macabre Eternal (Every rule has its filthy exception)
Integrity - Thee Destroy ORR
Εγγονόπουλος-Πουλικάκος-Socos - H Ύδρα Των Πουλιών

AMEN

The burning fields ... Aosoth - III

As time passes and the dissolution of Antaeus becomes a given fact, Aosoth seem to benefit from it, becoming an ever growing force on its own merit. Their second record, Ashes of Angels, was a step forward from the self titled debut, but their third work is a huge jump from the previous one. The band names the record III, brings their logo on the forefront on the cover artwork and in a way they reintroduce themselves. 

The first two records were exhibitions of quality black metal infused with great amounts of energy on loan by thrash. III is their first work to challenge the heights of the best of Antaeus and the rest of the today's black metal finest. The perverse, 'backwards' and dissonant riffing of Blut aus Nord and Deathspell Omega become the gospel that leads them but Aosoth are no newcomers, they posses the necessary experience and personality to use any influence as a starting point for great things. The songs smell of incense and sulfur, the sick guitar tone dominates the atmosphere and MkM is one of the few persons on the face of the earth that can walk in those fields without being accused of trespassing. Passion, class and personality paint the orthodox background of III and Aosoth present us the second great black metal release of the last months after Stained Glass Revelations. 

Approach with caution cause it burns.  

Everything great is built upon sorrow...

Sonne Adam - Transformation
Sadistic Noise - Black And Chaos
The Axis Of Perdition - Tenements (Of The Anointed Flesh)
Witch Mountain - South of Salem
Heptameron - Blessed by the Name of the Dragon

AMSG