Arkha Sva / Black Stench - Split [LP] (2006)

Download via MegaUpload


An interesting split between Japan's Arkha Sva and Finland's Black Stench.  Not the most unified sound between the two, but I think the world could use more contrasting splits.

Arkha Sva are the stars of this split with their 18 minute long track "Destroy Them All", a staple of Japanese black metal, and a cover of Vlad Tepes.  Black Stench contribute a few songs or something.  Not too important.

My copy of this record has a warp along the outer edge so I cut out the first minute or two of ambiance from Arkha Sva's side and left Black Stench intact but the first song is pretty much all fucked.  Apologies.

Peste Noire - La Sanie des siècles - Panégyrique de la dégénérescence [LP] (2006)

Download via MegaUpload


Ah, Kommando Peste Noire. The Black Plague. The Noire Peste. The mighty KPN.  Despite the goofiness that the lead member Famine injects into this band with an oversized plastic syringe, Peste Noire's debut album has captivated many and brought freedom to others.  It has caused riots and unified nations.  Brought diplomats to their knees and yet ended wars after a single disharmonic riff.

I may stubbornly try to fight goofy with more goofiness, but that's not what I'm here to provide; for a good laugh I recommend reading the interview with Famine over at Diabolical Conquest.  Regardless of the cheese and drama about who got credit for what, this is a beautiful album.  Like, on a scale from 1 to 10 it's Vivaldi's Winter.

However, after all the Neige fanboys latched unto Peste Noire, Famine forsook writing anything pretty sounding ever again.  Because apparently, in France, sanitizing your "scene" is more important than making your music.  Each new album is another handful of sand in their starry eyes, so get a hold of the only nice sounding Peste Noire album while you get a chance, cause I can guarantee that any more output from this band will be nails on a chalk board.

Triumphant riffs, disgusting vocals, Spanish guitar, solos that actually fit the music, and Famine wielding a crossbow.  What's not to love?

Fell Voices - Fell Voices [LP] (2009)

Download via MegaUpload
 

Fell Voices is one of three genuinely good Cascadian Black Metal bands. They managed to have that type of sound and not play it poorly. Also, they're not overtly anarchist like Panopticon or a lot of Cascadian bands where the politics overshadow the music. This record rips. It's like "Diadem" with less vocals. It might still be available from the label, Human Resources. If it is, buy it. It's totally worth it.

Nukkehammer - The Future of Siberia [MC] (2010)

Download via MegaUpload


Raging Gauze worship from the east coast, I think. This just came out in September. Limited to 100 copies and sold out right away. I guess raw d-beat is the new thing. Regardless, this tape rips. They did a very good job at getting that true Japanese sound. Enjoy.

Evil / Satanic Warmaster - Southern / Carelian Black Metal Holocaust [MC] (2008)

Download via MegaUpload


Here we have a short, goofy release from Brazil's Evil and the notorious Satanic Warmaster. Evil contributes a slow, depressive track similar to some Mutiilation. Satanic Warmaster's track is...different. It's more along the lines of Incriminated. Mid-paced thrashy black metal. Recorded in 2004, Annos Satanas.

Obsequiae - Demo [MC] (2009)

Download via MegaUpload


Three tracks of some of the most beautful black metal and proggy-doom from Minnesota. I saw this duo about two years ago. It was two guitarists and a drum machine in a dark room. They played without any vocals, but it was still one of the best shows I have seen. This tape is just as good as that show, if not better. It has vocals, and some of the best riffage and drum programming I've heard. I'm not sure if this is still available. Bindrune put it out, limited to 100. This is copy #100. Enjoy.

Shitfucker - I.N.R.I-F.O.A.D [EP] (2008)

Download via MegaUpload


Take all the best elements from G.I.S.M., Bathory, and Ildjarn, and this is what you get. Raw, nasty, raunchy, rotten black metal mixed with the perfect amount of D-beat. This is four tracks of pure evil and Satanic lust. Worship.

The Eternal - The Far Away Play [LP] (1985)

Download via MegaUpload


This is by no means harsh or black metal, so, you know, heads up.

The Eternal was a Dutch darkwave band in the 80's that unfortunately released only one demo, limited to 500.  I manage to get my hands on a nearly-perfect condition copy the other day and needed to post this.  It's like a mesmerizing cross between Joy Division and Bauhaus, with vocals that sound similar to Furthest Shore.  I really wish this band would have written more material but apparently other than the singer they went on to join Joy Division and Rolling Stones tribute bands.

So, anyways, feast your ears on this spin doctor's mix.

Cognitive Dissonance - Omens of Doom [MC] (2008)

Download via MegaUpload


Minnesota's bleak and fucking relentless winters have spawned one of the best demo's I've heard in a while. This came out about two years ago and it's still one of my favorite tapes. Cognitive Dissonance offers up the perfect blend of crust, black metal, and 80's thrash that doesn't quit. This demo ist winter. It's cold. It's raw. It's brutal. Think Abigail meets Darkthrone and Anti-Cimex. Enjoy.

Satanic Warmaster - Carelian Satanist Madness [PicLP] (2005)

Download via MegaUpload


Satanic Tyrant Werwolf's LLN-worshipping opus.  Despite controversial and arguably marketable political beliefs, Satanic Warmaster has captured the ear of many a black metaller with his catchy melodies and harsh sound.  "My Dreams of 8" is one of my personal favorite black metal tunes of all time, as the melody is hauntingly intoxicating and the vocals are spot on.  Definitely a must have for any fan of raw black metal.

As a side note; every rip I've heard of this album seems to skip and bug out on track 3 - True Blackness.  Rest assured that this is not just a hand-me-down of the same ol' buggy rip.

Gris - Il Était une Forêt... [2xLP] (2007)

Download via MegaUpload


These Canadian sonic titans, formerly known as Niflheim, simply know how DSBM should sound.  No bullshit 7th grade emo poetry for lyrics (atleast not that I can understand); no insert tremolo riff, layer screams, rinse, repeat; just pure, unobstructed, hateful depression.  However, they do not limit themselves to sticking within the bounds of that very specific depressive sound, e.g. the final track is a piano piece that is brilliantly emotional but yet calming.  And that would be the crux of what I love about this album, it's not just dsbm, it's a dichotomy that screams in melancholy when the album is taken as a whole.  In a way, Il Etait une Foret drifts in waves between misanthropy and serenity etching a polarizing grain on the shores of your pallet.

Drowning the Light - Of Celtic Blood and Satanic Pride [PicLP] (2007)

Download via MegaUpload


Drowning the Light's masterpiece.  This album needs no introduction.

Ripped from the Picture Disc released by Zyklon B in 2010.

Judas Iscariot - The Cold Earth Slept Below [LP] (1996)

Download via MegaUpload


Judas Iscariot's first album.  Raw as hell with vocals grim as orations from a black mass.  Melodic at times and practically Power Violence at others, this album pounds and erupts with it's unique rhythms and vocal style.

Drowning the Light - The Blood of the Ancients [LP] (2009)

Download via MegaUpload


Since firmly establishing his place amongst the titans of the Black Metal scene with his 2007 releases "Through the Noose of Exist[e]nce" and "Of Celtic Blood and Satanic Pride", Drowning the Light mastermind Azgorh has been releasing cult albums with a vampiric fury.  The downside of Azgorh being so hyperactive in releasing material is that some complain his albums are stale, having maybe one or two unique songs and the rest filler.  However, The Blood of the Ancients does not suffer from lack of creativity.  I view it as a new wave of DTL; stepping away from his usual of heavy symbol crashes and Xasthur-ish leads, Azgorh has been branching out and experimenting with a much more epic sound.  Normally I hate that description in metal, but there is no other way to explain his new style of half-clean, half-growl melancholic vocals gutted between beautiful keyboard melodies.

Truly beautiful and overflowing with melancholy, "The Blood of the Ancients" brings a new element to the follow-the-leader nature of black metal.

Blue Hummingbird on the Left - BloodFlower [MC] (2010)

Download via MegaUpload


Part of the elite Black Twilight Circle located in Southern California, Blue Hummingbird on the Left offers a unique blend of Mayan Culture and raw Black Metal in the vein of Sarcofago.  Limited to 50 cassettes and clocking in at 3 tracks, this album is sure to wet your whistle for bizarre whistle instruments in black metal.

El-Ahrairah - El-Ahrairah [MC] (2009)

Download via MegaUpload


Ripped from the self-titled demo mc, few no copies still available at A Terre Records.

edit: I'd like to request that if you reupload this, please provide a link back to this blog.

Raw Black Metal of the Lapinest variety.

I Shalt Become - In the Falling Snow [LP] (2008)

Download via MegaUpload 

Hailed by many as the founder of the modern USBM sound, S. Holliman re-released his 1999 Birkenau demo, "In the Falling Snow" under his reimagined (and slightly more PC) black metal moniker, I Shalt Become, in 2008.  Drenched with reverb and overflowing in atmosphere, this album batters and tears it's way into your brain, leaving a warmth in your chest and a hollow ringing in your ears.