Torch of War-The Principle of Cosmic Instability
(Autopsy Kitchen Records, 2007)

With a scathing and cold approach, Torch of War is a band that seemingly takes great pleasure in causing discomfort to your ear drums. This is a harsh exercise in old school black metal that takes the raw and unpolished sound of an album like Transylvanian Hunger and makes it even harsher. If you like your black metal with paint peeling intensity, this German band plays the type of ear damage you would be into.

Musically the band is somewhere in between the cold melodic feel of early Dark Throne and the full speed ahead blitzkrieg of war metal. The guitar sound is fuzzed out blackened noise and it surprises me to read the negative reviews that consider this element to be lacking. This is lo-fi black metal and the guitar tone fits perfectly. It's incredibly harsh but beautiful at the same time. It slices through the mix and gives the melodic nature of some of the riffs a buzzsaw quality. It's like the sound of a rusty chainsaw, its a little hard of the ears, but damn is it a beautiful sound.

A quality that black metal has over other styles of extreme metal is the ability to be almost hypnotic. If you close your eyes while listening to this album it is oddly relaxing. Once your ears adjust to the harshness of the production, it really isnt that hard to enjoy what the band plays. The riffing is intense yet still memorable and the songs themselves flow quite well. Like most black metal however these are songs that are best experienced as a whole. That's actually a good word to use, experienced. You don't listen as much as you experience the album.

This is a genre built upon harsh productions and violent energy, and in those respects Torch of War certainly does not disappoint. Black metal in general certainly isn't a genre for everyone and this album will appeal to an even smaller demographic of the metal scene. This is a harsh yet rich tapestry of blackened art that shows that even the harshest sounds can be melodic.

Marblebog-Forestheart
(Autopsy Kitchen Records, 2007)

Originally released in 2005 in a limited cassette release, Forestheart is an album that is as underground as they come. This Hungarian band paints waves with tremolo picked melodies and atmosphere to spare. It's a cold and hypnotic form of black metal that doesnt rely on gimmicks or ridiculous evil posturing. This is 45 minutes of artistic yet classic black metal that is as haunting as it is harsh.

There is certainly a resemblance between the Marblebog sound and early Burzum albums. The fuzz driven guitars, simple melodies and straight forward drumming all recalls Burzum, but Marblebog adds in their own naturist elements and uses some unique instruments occasionally throughout the album. The music is melancholic and really isn't what you would consider an aggressive approach to black metal. It's a bit reserved tempo wise and even the vocals have an atmospheric quality as they are mixed a bit lower and are seemingly drenched in reverb. Even the fast moments dont come across as being overly harsh. They bring in an almost hypnotic atmosphere and have a much less chaotic feel than similar black metal bands.

The sound of the album is rather natural and much smoother than similar bands. The guitar tone is a bit subdued and missing the trademark trebly edge that lo-fi black metal is known for. It gives the band a unique edge and helps the melody in the riffs really come through. It's a distinct and fitting sound for a band that might not be incredibly original for the genre, yet doesn't quite earn being called typical either.

Marblebog are a band that manages to impress with their Burzum inspired take on the black metal genre. Its an atmospheric and melodic approach that avoids the normal pitfalls of the genre. Some might argue that it is a typical album, yet there is no denying that there is a lot of power behind the music of this Hungarian band.

Hate Eternal-Fury and Flames
(Metal Blade Records, 2008)

I, Monarch was a top notch slab of brutal and discordant death metal but I'm a bit on the fence with the follow up album Fury and Flames. You see this is essentially the same style, but the production is thick as mud and the guitar riffs are usually lost under a thick coating of guttural roars and charging drums. There is no denying that these are some of the most brutal death metal tracks ever recorded, but the production almost leaves them inaudible at times.

The main problem I have with this album is that it really doesn't have much to it that really sticks in your head after the songs are finished. Sure it is extremely heavy and fast, but there arent many riffs that stick out and many are lost amidst the roaring and blasting. It has the initial ooh this is fast reaction, but with repeat listens not much really starts to stand out. The previous albums showed that Hate Eternal is capable of being extremely brutal yet still catchy. The memorable aspect of the band seems to have taken a step back to make room for more brutality. If you enjoy music just for the sake of heaviness, this will be appealing, but it is definitely lacking for staying power.

The latest album from Nile shows that death metal can be ridiculously fast and brutal but still very memorable. This album might have been a completely different beast with a clearer production but as it stands there are a handful of memorable parts amongst a lot of dissonance and blasting that get lost in the mix. Erik Rutan has produced albums with much more clarity than this, so I am a bit surprised by the finished product here. This is an extremely brutal album but the production certainly doesn't do it any favors.

Oh, Sleeper-When I Am God
(Solid State Records, 2007)

Oh Sleeper have a sound that is instantly recognizable as hitting nicely in with what Solid State usually releases, yet at the same time youd be an idiot not to realize that the band has a lot to offer. With a hard hitting sound that hits somewhere in between rock and metal, the band utilizes both an atmospheric sense of melody and gut wrenching dissonance to get their point across. It's a beauty and the beast type of sound yet no matter the intensity the band always plays with incredible energy. The band even throws in some excellent sweep picking into the mix to spice things up from time to time.

From whatever it is worth, I'd say the band brings to mind a cross between Norma Jean and Thrice. The brutality of the former combines with the melodic nature of the latter to form a sound that is as accessible as it is hard hitting. You cant really get around the fact that the band really isnt breaking any new ground, but it is a damn enjoyable album regardless. They manage to have a unique edge by keeping the songs a bit more linear and not subscribing to the verse/chorus/verse school of songwriting. There are indeed hooks, but the songs don't revolve around big choruses like many similar bands in this genre.

Its no secret that metalcore has run itself into a brick wall and has no teeth left at all. Oh, Sleeper must not have received the memo though as this is some of the most energetic and well written music the genre has seen as of late. It still fits in nicely with what you would expect from the genre, but thankfully the band stays away from Swedish melody and lame clichd lyrics. The album loses a bit of steam before the end, but if you enjoy what Solid State usually releases this is an album to look into.

Elvenking-The Scythe
(Candlelight Records, 2007)

Elvenking have a sound that doesn't quite fit into any subgenre of metal perfectly. The melodic and sometimes high speed sound sounds something like a cross between Children of Bodom and In Flames but filtered through power metal with hints of progressive metal weaving its way into the music. Its an extremely memorable album and sure it is a bit cheesy at times, but there is no denying that the band is made up of world class musicians. At the end of the day, this is a fun album and that is unfortunately not all that common these days.

While some albums take multiple spins for the album to really sink in, these songs have an intimacy that allows them to pack a lot of punch right from the first listen. The band manages to make good use of both simple and straight forward riffs and riffs that show off a bit more technical ability. Its all in good taste though. You wont have to sit through a three minute guitar solo to hear the chorus one more time. The songs are written in a very listener friendly way and will have you playing air guitar in next to no time. I found the spoken passages throughout the album to be a bit odd and distracting though. Im all for theatrics but they just seem to take away a bit from the momentum each song creates.

With vocal hooks and riffs that would make Helloween proud, Elvenking offer an interesting and slightly unique take on the power metal genre. They aren't afraid to take bits and pieces from more extreme styles and it really makes a world of difference. If you like your power metal upbeat and not afraid to get downright heavy from time to time, The Scythe is an album that shows that power metal can be just as powerful as some of the more extreme forms of melodic metal.

Wildildlife-Six
(Crucial Blast Records, 2007)

Calling the music of Wildildlife odd definitely just doesn't quite seem to convey just how over the top and unique the music of this San Francisco based band is. Then again being odd is all in the eye of the beholder. Fans of experimental music might find the band to be completely accessible while the average music fan wouldnt know what to think of what the band has to offer. Im somewhat in the middle of those two demographics I would say. I am a fan of experimental music, but I am certainly no expert on the subject. That said I do enjoy the experimental yet rock based sound that Wildildlife has to offer.

What I think makes the album work is the fact that the band is entirely rock based and when they do bring in the psychedelic noise it isnt at the expense of the song. There are indeed songs here and while sometimes they are a bit schizophrenic and incredibly layered at the end of the day this is much more than just noise. It sounds like a clashing of Butthole Surfers rock experimenting and sludgy heaviness. One thing is for certain, this is unpredictable and always exciting. This is a 68 minute brain slapping and if you enjoy music challenging this is a beating your brain will thank you for later.

For a band that is quite noisy at times, these songs are structured quite well and surprisingly memorable. This isn't just grating noise, there are actually guitar riffs and vocal lines. A song like Whooping Church is a soundscape song that is just odd noises, but it just over 2 minutes and it more of an interlude than an actual song. I think this album may just be the most successful merging of rock and noise that I have ever heard. It is extremely experimental yet still memorable something that almost never happens in the noise genre.

This certainly isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy experimental music but still like it to rock, Wildildlife will provide the goods. If you need 4/4 timing and straight forward structuring, this one is definitely not for you.

Silencer-Death...Pierce Me
(Autopsy Kitchen Records, 2006)

Originally released in 2000, this album from Silencer is one of the most twisted and misanthropic black metal albums I have ever heard. Scathing blasting combines with a doom like sense of dynamics, topped off with one of the most over the top and unique vocal approaches my ears have ever heard.

The music itself is extremely melodic and hard hitting with some of the most memorable yet cold black metal riffing I have ever heard. It does repeat a lot but it only adds to the schizophrenic charm of the album. Acoustic passages and lulls in the extremity are also quite common throughout the album and the songs are quite lengthy for the most part. The opening song Death...Pierce Me is a masterpiece through and through. The ten minute epic has incredible dynamics and manages to be extreme yet still hauntingly beautiful. The vocals are probably what might hinder someone from getting into what Silencer has to offer. To say that the vocals are anguished would be understating the fact quite immensely. Its a very unique approach and at first it is a bit startling, but it certainly grows on you. Flashes of a more typical black metal vocal approach surface in certain songs, but the unique vocals are used extensively throughout. Im not even sure how to describe the vocals; its one of the cases where you have to hear the approach first hand to fully understand what the approach is like.

This is one of those albums that I cant believe you dont hear more people talking about. It truly is a masterpiece of suicidal black metal and as far as what is going on right now in black metal this album certainly seems to be ahead of its time. If you are a fan of cold yet melodic black metal this is definitely an album you need to seek out. Give the vocal approach a chance to sink in and you will realize just how good this album truly is.

Averse Sefira-Advent Parallax
(Candlelight Records, 2008)

With their fourth full length album, Averse Sefira proves that they are still one of the best black metal bands the US has to offer. If you would ever thought that one of the best black metal bands around would be from Texas, I'd call you crazy. But that is indeed where Averse Sefira calls home.

Advent Parallax provides a sonic assault that is fairly typical of the black metal genre, but is no less hard hitting. With blistering blasts, cold riffs and harsh vocals the band pays homage to the greats of the genre but still feels modern. While the sound could be somewhat compared to a cross between Mayhem and Immortal, Averse Sefira are not what you would consider a clone band. Sure the band fits easily into the black metal genre, but this is still an intense and well written album none the less.

The production is razor sharp and shows that a black metal album can have polish and still be effective. The guitar sound is rich but still menacing, providing the perfect tone for the cold methodical riffs. The drums seem triggered yet are still powerful sounding. The bass drums are full and punch enough to break through the mix without sounding overly clicky. The snare never becomes lost in the mix, which is actually surprisingly clean. Lo-fi black metal bands need to learn that the music needs to convey the power, not a harsh and grating production. This is a clear and powerful sounding album. Play it loud and watch out.

With dark and dissonant ideas and a flawless performance, Advent Parallax is an album that reignites my passion for black metal music. This reminds me of how powerful the genre can be when done right. If you are even a casual fan of black metal, you should seek this album out right now!

Martriden-The Unsettling Dark
(Candlelight Records, 2008)

Managing to create a heavy and interesting style of blackened death metal, Martriden have a sound that is nuanced, hard hitting and ridiculously well played. Heavy rhythmic guitars, clash with atmospheric melody and a raspy vocal approach. This is one of the most interesting extreme metal albums I have heard in some time.

The sound of the album is somewhere in between Opeth, Strapping Young Lad and Behemoth. On one hand the band is extremely heavy yet the band isnt afraid to experiment. There is a lot of melody explored, and the band doesnt get caught up in trying to be extremely fast. In reality this really isnt all that fast. There are fast moments, but the majority of the album is more midpaced helping to make the songs quite memorable.

While the music certainly is blackened, this really isn't a black metal album. There are elements of pretty much every subgenre on display with even a slight metalcore feel coming through in a few songs. What I really like is the fact that the band can make any riff work within their sound. Whether it's a more Swedish type riff or even a rock like riff, it works within the context of the song. This is so much more than just tremolo picking and blast beats. Call it an artistic take on extreme metal if you will.

For their debut album Martriden never come stumble. This is a well written and varied slab of extreme metal that never backs itself into a corner. It usually takes a number of albums before a band reaches a level of songwriting prowess like this. If you like your metal extremely heavy yet varied, this one is for you.

To-Mera-Delussions
(Candlelight Records, 2008)

For their sophomore album To-Mera have certainly upped the ante. With a ridiculously varied approach, this is a band that takes progressive metal to new destinations. Each song is a mini-masterpiece that covers an absurd amount of ground. From jazz to rhythmic sections to blasting intensity, To-Mera has an original sound that simply put, kicks a lot of ass.

Few bands can be this varied and make it work. It isn't just tempos either, the band changes tone quite often as well. Some parts are epic and melodic while other parts are dissonant and sharp. The vocals are always melodic and they always match perfectly. The opening song features a part with blasting drums and a dissonant riff, but the vocals stay melodic which creates a very cool and unique atmosphere.

The songs are quite lengthy and rather challenging though they are still accessible. This is a good example of a progressive album that still stays memorable. They throw a lot at you, but it all makes sense. It's a very natural form of progressive metal that doesnt quite fit in with what you might expect from the genre.

The last album showed a lot of potential and Delusions more than lives up to that potential. This is a much more fluid and coherent album that is no less adventurous. The different styles meld together much better with this album than they did previously. If you enjoy melodic yet adventurous metal with a progressive edge, this one is for you.

Spun in Darkness-Birthright
(Battle Kommand Records, 2007)

Spun in Darkness have a stripped down and evil approach to metal. It has a slight early 90s vibe to it and slightly reminds me of Autopsy mixed with Celtic Frost but mixed with a slight blackened thrash feel. Its a simple and to the point style of metal and it rules.

This is a band that doesnt really mess around. The songs are built around memorable and stripped down riffs. Tremolo picking is used but the majority of the riffs are a bit more rhythmic and utilize power chords extensively. It also seems like the band does not tune down their guitars at all. The tone is sharp and the riffs supply the heaviness, not the guitars being turned to a ridiculously low tuning.

I was somewhat surprised by the lack of speed. Blast beats wouldnt fit, but some fast thrash sections would have fit nicely. This isnt quite slow, more of a mid tempo I would say. It gives the songs a bit more of a chance to be memorable I would say. The lack of speed certainly doesnt hurt the album. It was just a bit of a surprise for a thrash styled band to not really feature much in the way of speed.

Spun in Darkness is a band not trying to re-write the metal genre. Quite the opposite as the band fits the genre like a beer soaked denim vest. This is metal the way it should be, energetic and catchy yet still sinister. Throw in dark and horror based lyrics and you have an album that packs a lot of punch.

n.i.l.-S/T
(Battle Kommand Records, 2007)

n.i.l. have a sound that is not easily classified. It does draw from the lo-fi black metal style, but the band has a pulsating almost hypnotic quality to the music. They also toy around with dynamics and droning yet melodic acoustic guitars are quite common as well.

If you are looking for a pristine sounding album this is definitely not it. The sinister feel of the music is amplified by the harsh yet clear guitar sound. The tone is smooth yet still sounds somehow overblown. The melodic aspects of the riffs cut through quite easily but the music still has more than enough grit. It's the perfect amount of rawness. It doesn't hurt your ears yet at the same time it is indeed lo-fi in nature.

The vocals are quite harsh and fit the music perfectly. During the more somber moments vocals are never used. The acoustic elements serve more as interludes but I would have liked to see the band work them into the harsher songs. One big surprise is the inclusion of a Big Black cover, not the band you would usually expect a black metal band to cover. They make it work though and give the song a black metal style overhaul.

n.i.l. have a unique and brooding style of black metal that treads the line in between bleak and beautiful. This is harsh and layered yet the melody in the riffs is a big part of the bands sound. This is far from being typical of the black metal genre and is one hell of an album, no pun intended.

Ensepulchred-Suicide in Winters Moonlight
(Autopsy Kitchen Records, 2007)

Ensepulchred certainly stand out as an oddity in the lo-fi black metal community. This is a strange mixture of simple keyboard runs, sick vocals and simplistic drum programming. Its a minimalist approach and it is quite effective. You could possibly compare this to a more controlled version of Xasthur but when you get right down to it, Ensepulchred have a unique vision for this genre.

There is actually a bit of a horror feel to the music I would say. The note choices have a sinister feel and the keyboards give the album a slight horror score feel throughout. The lack of speed really allows the music to take on an atmospheric quality that only adds to the horrific feel of the music.

While certain black metal can be accessible, this is a band that certainly is not for everyone. The slower tempo and unique approach may not sit well with all fans of the genre. I would say that is a bit ridiculous though. Despite having a unique edge, the album still conjures the same feelings that you would hope with an album of this genre. This might not have the scathing blast beats but it is no less intense in my opinion.

Instead of rehashing the same old black metal style, the band has crafted a bleak and horrific black metal album complete with an oddly electronic feel. This isnt an album filled with blast beats and tremolo picking; it is meticulously paced and completely sinister. Unique black art awaits if you give this album a try.

Eat the Living-Bloodbath
(Independent, 2007)

Eat the Living offer a violent yet melodic hybrid of thrash, hardcore and death metal. It is an interesting and energetic take on extreme metal. It is quite refreshing to hear a band that isnt content with recycling the same tired ideas.

The first thing that stands out is the extremely harsh vocal approach. They are ridiculously raspy and sound like a cross between a black metal style and a Japanese hardcore oriented style. It is an incredibly vicious vocal approach and it adds a very unique feel to the band.

Musically the band is all over the place. You have somewhat melodic thrash styled riffing, tremolo picking and rhythmic crunch combining to give Eat the Living their distinct sound. Like I mentioned earlier the band draws from thrash, hardcore and death metal. The disc has many moments that would certainly appeal to grindcore fans as well. The approach is stripped down and incredibly intense.

Don't let the cover art fool you, this certainly isn't a typical death metal album. This brings together a number of unique influences to create an aggressive slab of metallic fury. Fans of everything from old school death metal to power violence should easily enjoy Eat the Living.

The Old Dead Tree-The Water Fields
(Season of Mist, 2007)

The Old Dead Tree is a band that is quite hard to pigeonhole. With a diverse approach and near brilliant songwriting, The Water Fields is a winding musical journey that never becomes dull. Rock and metal collide in an exciting and fresh way that certainly will not disappoint fans of the previous album from this band.

If you crossed Amorphis, Pink Floyd, HIM, and Opeth you'd have the basic framework for The Old Dead Tree sound. The album is incredibly melodic and seldom does the band employ a straight forward heavy sound. Sure, growled vocals are used at times, but there isn't much in the way of death metal riffs on display.

The entire album flows seamlessly and you hardly even notice when one song ends and the next song begins. Unlike an album like Crimson, these are individual songs though the band does an excellent job of making this a cohesive piece of music rather than a showcase for the individual songs.

If think you could call The Old Dead Tree a progressive metal band although it is without the technical excess the genre is usually known for. This is progressive in the sense that it is forward thinking, not because of the number of notes in the guitar solos. The Old Dead Tree have crafted a masterpiece of somber and eclectic metal that would fit perfectly in any forward thinking metal fans collection.

Ghost Brigade-Guided by Fire
(Season of Mist, 2007)

Ghost Brigade have recorded one of the most memorable and dynamic albums in recent memory. Initially sounding like a combination of Katatonia and Amorphis, as the disc progresses it becomes quite clear that the band has a lot to offer. This is a serene yet powerful album that would appeal to fans of bands as diverse as Neurosis of Mudvayne.

I was fairly surprised by just how accessible this album is. The guitars are heavy but the songs are structured in a manner than makes them easy to get into while the music more than flirts with melody. The band explores rhythmic ideas from time to time, bringing in a slight modern metal influence. A song like Minus Side definitely has a very Mudvayne like feel, but without the nu-metal riffs.

There are indeed some sonic gems to be found on this album. The Finnish band draws a perfect parallel between being accessible and still being slightly progressive. This is an album that I highly recommend to fans of Katatonia and similar bands. It certainly is a melodic album but it isnt without oomph.

Obscurus Advocam-Verbia Daemonicus
(Battle Kommand Records, 2007)

With members of Glorior Belli and Temple of Baal in their ranks, it is of little surprise that this French black metal band is an unbridled beast teaming with well written atmospheric riffs and snarling vocals. Its a creative and somewhat mechanical form of black metal that pushes the genre in an exciting new direction.

The band takes a futuristic approach to black metal combining rapid fire tremolo picking with interesting rhythmic ideas and sudden tempo shifts. It is still easily associated with the black metal genre, but this sounds absolutely nothing like your typical black metal band. Its almost like black metal filtered through a band like Scarve. Its technical yet still noisy and not with a dissonant sense of atmosphere. This also manages to stay fairly interested tempo wise throughout as well. The blast beat is used a great deal, but there are entire songs that are much slower and flirt more with rhythmic dissonance. You can pretty much be rest assured that the songs will have a lot of changes though, regardless of the speed.

The production is raw but still very solid. It has a mechanical yet harsh feel that matches the style of the band perfectly. This is far from being a lo-fi sounding album. It is actually a surprisingly good sounding album that shows a great deal of polish. This is a band that wants to sound professional and they have done it quite well. If you think all black metal sounds like bumble bees for guitars, and cardboard boxes for drums, this album will certainly prove otherwise.

This is an interesting yet harsh album of futuristic black metal. It has enough speed to appeal to even the most close minded of black metal fans, but has a progressive approach that makes this one of the few original black metal albums you are likely to hear right now.