Malphas (US: II) - Malphas EP

Artist: Malphas (US: II)
Release Title: Malphas EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Sepulchral Silence reissue)
Genre: Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Wanderer of Dark Woods
2. Infernal War Hymn
3. The Necromancer
4. Devoured by the Swarm
5. Magnificent Apostasy

Taking it’s cues from the scene as a whole, Michigan-based one-man black metal project Malphas is one of two United States-based artists with the name and have taken more of a black metal approach that’s to be expected being a solo project. Finally coming to grips and producing a debut release EP, this was initially self-released July 8, 2016 before a re-issue on Sepulchral Silence July 16. 2016.

From the outset here this one is quite adept at delivering the kind of sort of sprawling old-school style mixture of black metal with a highly atmospheric design that’s highly enjoyable. With the blistering swirling tremolo rhythms accompanying the majestic mid-tempo pace and moving alongside the strong addition of deep, churning patterns that bring about a rather impressive series of deep chugging patterns that’s highly enjoyable overall here. The addition of this against the ravenous swirling riff-work creates a rather tight, up-tempo charge here alongside the rather majestic, swirling atmospheric charge layered alongside these patterns with plenty of extended sprawling sections and overlong, melodic intros that adds a rather engrossing sound as well alongside these more traditional rhythms that lets this one get the fire and intensity out alongside the majestic and melodic nature quite nicely. The fact that being a debut EP release makes this one seem a little too short at times and it’s a case where it’s so engaging and enjoyable as it is that to then have the energy cut short with it being done and over with is a little troubling, but overall there’s not much else to complain about here.

Though it’s rather short which is a shame considering it’s an EP and not really graced with enough tracks, the project is clearly an engaging one with a lot to offer that should make for an appealing venture as they continue onward and gives this release plenty to like for both the atmospheric and old-school crowds equally.

Score: 78/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/malphas

Aka Funeral - Stormy Tide

Artist: Aka Funeral
Release Title: Stormy Tide
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Sepulchral Silence re-issue)
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Stormy Tide
2. Faceless
3. The Eternal Hourglass of Existence
4. Ecce Homo
5. Forged in Fire
6. Frozen Path
7. Narrow Soul's

Formed in 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazilian black metal trio Aka Funeral have quickly risen from the underground after a year of writing and rehearsing that has brought out the bands’ first compositions in a very grand style. Completed earlier in the year and initially independently released June 16, 2016 the effort was eventually re-issued June 27, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence.

For the most part this is a pretty simplistic and savage offering that’s mostly centered around up-tempo rhythms filled with plenty of melodic riffing alongside these patterns. The trinkling tremolo-picked main rhythms here give this one plenty of swirling patterns played at rather frantic tempos to off-set those melodies, and with the benefit of much more jangly riff-work and blasting drumming along these patterns it gives this a rather traditional second-wave approach before being furthered by the tortured rhythms and frantic charging blasts that offer up the sort of melodic accents that accompany the kind of varied tempo changes which allow for a more melodic element to be featured. Though still quite raw and gravelly, there’s plenty of strong atmospheric melodies featured here alongside the blazing traditional black metal and the rather frosty rhythms which generate the kind of featuring plenty of the rumbling patterns. That gives this plenty to like here, almost enough to hold off the album’s main flaw in that there’s just not a whole lot of material here with it’s rather low running order in tight, cramped tracks that aren’t quite that long. It’s given this short running time that doesn’t have all that many tracks here which don’t feature many different notes between them and it’s brevity that makes this go over quicker than it really should. Still, this one isn’t all that terrible an effort.

Despite the rather minor issue here with the type of tracks not really working quick well with the short running time not offering up enough variety, the amount of quality work here is still more than enough to give this a worthwhile look for those into the rawer, more simplistic side of melodic black metal as well as old-school fans in general.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://akafuneralblackmetal.bandcamp.com/releases

Koldkrypt - Fullmoon

Artist: Koldkrypt
Release Title: Fullmoon
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Sepulchral Silence re-issue)
Genre: Old-School Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Fullmoon
2. Antitheist Pyromania
3. Summoning Beleth
4. Red Magic
5. Disease
6. Nightfall
7. Apocalypse
8. Floraphilia (Sale Freux cover)

Coming together quite recently, French one-man black metal project Koldkrypt allows the creator by the name of Typhus to create a wildly varied and eclectic infusion of elements into black metal. Initially independently issued May 30, 2016 on a limited run, the debut full-length release from the project is now reissued July 5, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence.

Focusing primarily on a raw black metal sound, the main element at play here is the fact that there’s a pronounced and utterly dominant amount of material here that features fiery tremolo-picked riffing filled with the traditional brimstone-accented rhythms that bring about a feeling reminiscent of the second-wave worshippers. The straightforward, swirling tempos and blasting drumming are certainly on-point in that style as well which certainly helps further this connection to the genre even further, with the slew of far more traditional elements present in the arrangements and riffing keeping this grounded in those second-wave patterns so that once it starts to introduce other elements here in some progressive riffing that’s quite melodic while also introducing a far more technically imposing series of riff-work into the tracks which in fact creates a rather epic mind-set here with it going for some complex, convoluted arrangements that really drag on unnecessarily here which is somewhat of a big problem with this one. It doesn’t really know how to quit while it’s ahead, as there’s plenty of utterly impressive and dominant blasting patterns that are wrapped alongside a series of overlong, meandering rhythms that just seem to go on far longer than it really should, and that ends up making this feel quite longer than it really should be as these progressive elements just tend to make this quite a bit longer than needed. While that’s not a crippling factor here considering it’s a debut and is something that might get honed out over time, this does leave a big impression on the listener in the end. Otherwise, there’s plenty to really like and enjoy about this one.

Though it’s somewhat commendable to want to include everything possible to showcase your roots and influences on a debut effort like this, the fact that it’s somewhat dragging and meandering does become the main focus here away from the  remaining positives leaving this one mainly for progressive-minded fans of the original second-wave movement or those than can appreciate it’s flaws regardless.

Score: 78/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://koldkrypt.bandcamp.com/album/fullmoon

Tzaak - Gjemt ondskap

Artist: Tzaak
Release Title: Gjemt ondskap
Year: 2016
Label: Sepulchral Silence
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. My Masterpiece
2. Gjemt ondskap
3. Cultural Heritage
4. Future Descendants

A mysterious one-man band, Norwegian atmospheric black metal project Tzaak has quietly arrived and spread it’s brand of pleasing ambient themes and atmospheric black metal together into a solid whole. Coming together for it’s debut effort, the moving and dynamic release was initially independently offered June 28, 2016 before a re-issue July 10, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence.

At the onset of this one, it’s pretty apparent that there’s a lot of epicly-arranged rhythms here with this one tending to utilize the rather straightforward and one-shot riffing style here. Offering a simplistic, buzzing-style of tremolo-picked riffing swirling along at a majestic, mid-tempo pace here there’s plenty of warm, naturalistic melodies at play within these rhythms as the straightforward mid-tempo plod that the majority of the album is played at manages to generate a fine sense of the overt atmosphere present here. With plenty of epic, majesty-laden melodic accents from the riff-work added alongside the album’s tendency to navigate excessively overlong and majestic atmospheric accents that are able to make this feel far more epic with it managing to travel alongside these overlong arrangements with plenty of tight-if-overly-simplistic arrangements generated throughout the tracks and some nicely-placed keyboard melodies that aren’t overworked here. Even when the album does kick it up in terms of the arrangements and tempo here, there’s still that overly warm and majestic feeling here that comes off so well in regards to settling the epic atmosphere, and there’s overall a lot to like here. There’s a minor issue here in that the tracks, due to their epic length, tend to feature monotonous arrangements that aren’t all that pleasing, as many of the outros are stretched out over a minute or more with endless acoustic riffing or just plain dull elements that aren’t in the slightest enjoyable as they make it obvious the album’s being stretched out to that epic length. The brevity of the tracks is a minor issue, but overall not nearly as much as the other issue.

While it does wear it’s length quite heavily and features some rather bland moments that come from that, it’s still got enough enjoyable elements that show it’s got something enjoyable going on with it that this ends up being quite an appealing effort for fans of atmospheric black metal of all kinds or those that appreciate epic metal of this variety.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/gjemt-ondskap

Votan - At One with the Serpent

Artist: Votan
Release Title: At One with the Serpent
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Sepulchral Silence re-issue)
Genre: Epic Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Lords ov War
2. Scorn Through Malice
3. The Serpent of Na'Chan
4. Destruction of the Purest Form
5. Fallen Empire
6. Plague Storm
7. Death March in the Nile
8. Withered

Initially formed in 2011, Texan epic black metal horde Votan has struggled to keep its lineup consistent over the years, offering a rotating list of musicians before finally settling on their current quartet configuration. Going straight into the fray, the group now offers it’s debut full-length independently July 1, 2016 with a re-issue July 15, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence.

There’s a lot to like here as the album manages to work out a rather nice, raw sound here to go along with the frenzied epic work present for the most part, which is a nice part of the appeal overall here. With the rather tight riff-work elsewhere on display, it’s quite an impressive racket to leave the rattling, raw production for the main riffing and the drum-work on display here which is what really drives this one. Featuring the rather typical swirling tremolo patterns in conjunction with that raw style makes the music a lot grander and more majestic than would typically be the case. This riffing style ends up making it into a slightly more progressive area than expected here due to the album’s mostly overlong arrangements that further the epic mindscape where it’s built upon the varied tempo changes and dynamic patterns in the arrangements to make an epic-sounding track.  Offering plenty of backing keyboards that really further this large, grand style of work by going into the overloaded-into-the-background format here where it’s all based on the constant blaring in the background which is then furthered with the raging, blaring tempos to make this seem a lot bigger and grander than it really should be. While this is certainly a nice overall main attack that’s utilized here, the fact that the album is so raw does strike this one down somewhat with the rattling, weak-sounding drum-work not unleashing it’s full-power or the way in which the buzzing keyboard work dominates and overshadows the light guitar-work in the background of it all. It's also not really helped with the fact that there's several songs that are a bit too long that aren't really needed to be that way, tending to make this seem like an epic somewhat more on virtue of the length of it's compositions rather than the overall effect of it's music. This isn’t a truly detrimental or damaging flaw, but it is noticeable to a large degree here.

Though it’s got some minor flaws on display here that aren’t really all that detrimental to it’s overall enjoyment and which is mostly a case of debut jitters that should get ironed out as they continue on their career, in the end those are only enough to make this really appealing to fans of raw symphonic black metal or epic metal of this sort.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/at-one-with-the-serpent

Waldenesis - Skies of Deception EP

Artist: Waldensis
Release Title: Skies of Deception EP
Year: 2016
Label: Sepulchral Silence
Genre: Melodic Black/Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Point of No Return
2. Unfounded Hope
3. Overtaken by the Tempest
4. Skies of Deception
5. Elusive Hydrometeors

Wasting little time getting started, Swiss melodic black/death metallers Waldensis quickly managed to have their first work issued out to the public after their formation. The three-piece outfit’s first release, out June 1, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence, shows off the bands’ strong musical prowess on this dazzling instrumental effort of fiery old-school black/death metal.

As would be expected given this strong style, the music here is predominately a mixture of blazing black metal-styled tremolo riffing set to the deep, churning blasts of death metal, given an especially epic feel here with the rather extended arrangements on the tracks. There’s a more pronounced melodic tendency running throughout the tracks, though, as the swirling rhythms and relaxed leads here make this quite evidently focused on the melody-driven leadwork with the effort rapidly descending into slow, plodding tempos that are seemingly specifically designed to showcase the furious guitar-and-keyboard melodies, and they’re pretty competently played and performed which makes this stand out nicely against the less-prominent blasting patterns. That does bring up the incredibly minor issue of this one really not utilizing those blasting patterns to it’s fullest since they’re barely on the album and would’ve been much better served on a much more fully-realized setting, taking on a much more prominent total of their sound which doesn’t mean all that much when the fact that it’s clearly not all that much of a priority. Perhaps a more pressing one is the lack of actual tracks here with the shorter running time and then featuring the bland outro which gives them even less time to work their magic like most EPs are.

Though it does have the usual problems associated here with EPs in not really having enough material to really showcase their sound to it’s fullest, this is still a wholly appealing blend of fiery melodic black metal and death metal which is a fine first start for the group and makes this solid enough for those who appreciate this style.

Score: 76/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/skies-of-deception

Paganus Diabolus - Dear Winter

Artist: Paganus Diabolus
Release Title: Dear Winter
Year: 2016
Label: Sepulchral Silence
Genre: Raw Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Burnt Black Wings
2. Beyond the Life
3. Covering the Steps of a Killer
4. Dear Winter
5. Death Spell Under My Early Grave
6. Thy Shadow
7. Vapaj pokojnika (Prognan cover)
8. Spirits of the Damned
9. The Tale of the Bloody Rose

Just two short years ago, Serbian artist Mihaljo founded the black metal project Paganus Diabolous to create a powerful vision of black metal with two other artists in a power-trio with drummer David and guitarist Aaqil. When they were let go shortly after the formation it morphed into his solo project and has now finally unleashed the full-length debut digitally June 23, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence.

For the most part the bands’ attack is pretty simple and straightforward with the band utilizing raw, swirling tremolo-picked patterns to really settle on a gravelly, sluggish approach. There’s occasional bursts of speed here that let the riffing adopt more of a traditional second-wave attack, but for the most part it’s still a more sluggish nature here as it winds through the kind of sprawling, droning series of rhythms that takes on a rather relaxed tone against those few blistering outbursts. Due to the generally extended patterns featured here it’s quite easy for the group to let those varied attacks to get featured quite prominently while these fiery accents are given more of a feel towards being a variance alongside the simplistic and generally sluggish main rhythms. That in effects leads this one to feel quite slow-going and rather bland at times when it’s in these slower tempos with the album never really managing to catch fire all that well as the droning nature of the tracks just sound lifeless with the raw production job. It’s really tough with the band sounding far more lively and energetic when it does forsake these for the blasting drum-work and truly ripping tremolo riff-work so well associated with the genre’s hallmarks. As well, the fact that this one is as raw as it is really could be detrimental to the album with it a few notches above a home-recording level quality and pretty much gives the drumming the best sound quality here which is quite massive yet leaves everything else to sound so dark and low that it’s buzzing nature can be a turn-off in select conditions. Otherwise, there’s not much really wrong here.

Though there’s a few minor elements on display that do hold it back somewhat, there’s still enough to work-with here in terms of the ferocity of it’s attack and some overall fine riff-work that this one really does manage to stick out mostly for those followers of the rawest forms of black metal for the most part.

Score: 75/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/dear-winter

Valtikan - Exordium

Artist: Valtikan
Release Title: Exordium
Year: 2015
Label: Sepulchral Silence Records
Genre: Folk Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Exordium
2. A Warrior's Path
3. Eternal Flame of the Dragon
4. Moonrise
5. Skogmetsä pt. I
6. Skogmetsä pt. II
7. Alter Ego
8. War Cry
9. Victory
10. A New Dawn

Appearing first as DemonHeart in 2011, Mexican power metallers Valtikan soon adopted this new moniker in 2012 and have since appeared to hone their nice blend of folky rhythms and ripping power metal. Initially a July 10, 2015 release before getting a digital re-release June 24, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence, this fine debut starts the group off on a really impressive note and sets them up in the scene to carry on.

From the outset here it’s apparent the band is clearly influenced by the folkier end of power metal with the band clearly generating some rather impressive and enjoyable rhythms running throughout here with the main focus running throughout here being the ripping power metal riffing. Strong, energetic rhythms and relentless full-throttle drumming carrying the tightened speed-metal hallmarks of the genre to it’s normal running grounds, this part of the album is wholly enjoyable enough on it’s own before the band even attempts to introduce the folksier parts here with the nominal interjections of medieval rhythms and instrumentation throughout the tracks here. However, rather than dominating these tracks this one instead allows them to run through these elements in select spots in the music and then relying on their more traditional power metal arrangements to carry the rest of the load on the album, which is a wholly appreciative approach in that there’s still room for their medieval runs and rhythms while still packing a heavy-end blast, most notably on the band’s epic arrangements which allow for spirited sections of jaunty rhythms and localized patterns alongside the ripping sections to come through. For a debut this is quite nice and really manages quite a lot to like, making for even more to like here with only one minor element to creep in here which is the rather jumbled and crowded manner of their epics in that they cram in so much that it’s hard to breathe and really focus on anything as it’s quickly onto new sections and arrangements which gets a little overwhelming when they have a much easier time accomplishing this in their shorter tracks. Still, for a debut this is a highly impressive one.

Though it gets a little overlong for it’s own good at times, this is still a nicely enjoyable and impressive debut from this group which has enough elements at play to really appeal to those who prefer the heavier end of folk-influenced metal or appreciate the bands’ attempts to incorporate those elements together into enjoyable power metal.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/exordium

Fibra de Acero - En tiempos de guerra

Artist: Fibra de Acero
Release Title: En tiempos de guerra
Year: 2016
Label: Sepulchral Silence
Genre: Heavy/Speed Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Desert Warriors
2. War Metal
3. Lycans
4. Leyendas
5. Crucifixion
6. Batallas
7. Desert Warrior (studio version)
8. Crucifixion (studio version)

From the Chilean town of Copiapo, heavy/speed metallers Fibra de Acero have been in existence since 2014 but have yet to professionally release anything until now. Their debut release, initially issued independently June 6, 2015 before a June 25 reissue on Sepulchral Silence Records, features six live and two studio renditions of epically-tinged, locally-flavored heavy metal.

The album itself is a mostly straightforward affair, really taking a few rather simplistic touches throughout and weaving them in the course of the music. Rather than tight, swirling speed-metal numbers, instead the riffing here is a lot looser and rawer as befits the mostly-live recording-setting for the material, and there’s a nicely anthemic feel to the music here due to that which manages to get the tracks bouncing along to the mostly simplistic rhythms and sprawling drumming that takes the rhythms along through the rather charging tempos. When it gets a little tighter and delves into the speedier tracks, and especially on the two studio renditions, there’s plenty of fun times with it generating that tight, vicious riffing style and energetic riff-work which is quite more lively than the mostly sluggish patterns featured elsewhere. The ability to tie itself into the local culture with their melodies and arrangements, though, is the main selling point here with it coming across as a really nice touch to include those amongst the more traditional melodies. Still, the fact that the release is comprised of the live material with the studio versions tacked on makes it seem like a slap-shod effort and feels pretty jarring when it could’ve been a more cohesive effort one way or the other. Likewise, the band isn’t the best at adapting the energy quite well with the majority of the tracks pretty plodding and mid-tempo which can be worked out over the future, but otherwise this is still a mostly enjoyable release.

Though there’s some work to be done in terms of effectively managing their energy and intensity throughout their work, there’s still more than enough at play here to make this a mostly engaging effort that will inevitably end up appealing mostly to those who prefer this looser, raw form of South American heavy metal.

Score: 73/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/en-tiempos-de-guerra

Allaxull - Evangelio de brujos

Artist: Allaxull
Release Title: Evangelio de brujos
Year: 2016
Label: Sepulchral Silence Records
Genre: Raw Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Introducción al ocultismo
2. Evangelio de brujos
3. Satanismo, locura y profanación
4. Ascenso del infierno
5. El último ángel
6. Cruzando el aqueronte
7. Ídem de Destrucción
8. Goecia
9. Noveno círculo

A rather long-running name in Mexican black metal, Allaxull is also one of the most enigmatic bands in the genre with very little activity and even less musical output in their career that spans back to the late 90s. The debut effort from the group, released July 3, 2016 from digital-label Sepulchral Silence, offers a steady dose of frantic and raw-sounding black metal.

From the onset here this one is made pretty much like a traditional old-school black metal effort. Short and to-the-point tremolo riffing is usually found here as the predominant style which is usually affixed with celestial noodling that offers up a stylish vibe over the raw compositions and ventures quite close to Middle Eastern melodies at times. That melodic influx also concerns the remaining rhythms of the music giving it a rather simple melodic pace that carries on for the majority of the tracks while also allowing it to generate a far more chaotic bent at times with the burst into frenzied chaotic riffing patterns that rumble along at pretty dexterous and dynamic patterns across the two distinct sections of the album. It’s a great sign of distinct and varied writing styles here in that there’s a clear set-up in the first half here to focus on quick and shorter tracks while the second half is much more involved with longer epics than before allowing for more involved and dexterous rhythms throughout which is especially enjoyable given the raw production edge to this. That in itself is the album’s single biggest stumbling block throughout here as there’s very little about the production of this one as it gives the appearance of being one level above a garage-rehearsal sound with weak drumming and buzzing guitars while the screechy vocals go over the top of it all. It’s enough that the album suffers a little from this, but not so much for the intensity of the writing.

Though there’s a somewhat detrimental flaw running along throughout here, there’s more than enough here to like elsewhere in the album that this lone flaw might not even matter all that much, making this a solid choice for fans of the gravelly undercooked style of raw black metal or the scene in general.

Score: 79.100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/evangelio-de-brujos