El-Ahrairah, Maledicere, False, Marsh, Wolvhammer, and Shaidar Logoth. (I mostly lean towards the black metal side of things.)
There’s probably more that I’m forgetting / don’t know about yet, but it’s a start.
Clandestine Blaze - Falling Monuments (2010)
Just before the new year, Northern Heritage dropped this into our collective laps. No warning, no advertisement. If I could redo my end-of-year top albums list, I would include this album. It’s classic Clandestine Blaze sound, completely unforgiving.
Infernal Kingdom - The Black Throne of Hell (2009)
Generic band name and album title, but it more than delivers on the music. Best way I can describe it would be a more melodic Gorgoroth, combined with the same amount of vocal intensity.
Addaura - Demo (2010)
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish I had more Wolves In The Throne Room-esque Cascadian black metal to listen to!”
If you have, you should check this release. Right now.
kxw:
( via http://www.metalinjection.net/bummer-alert/behemoth-frontman-nergal-diagnosed-lukemia )
Noooo!
kxw:
So I may have just listened to Drudkh - Handful of Stars.
I’m going to get this out of the way right away and say that some Drudkh fans will not like this album. Probably the same people who thought Microcosmos was a sub-par effort.
I, on the other hand, enjoyed it thoroughly. It has a much more refined black metal / post-rock sound this time around. Think Lantlôs, but with Thurios belting out the vocals.
Since the box set from Season of Mist is going to be too expensive to import, I’m going to have to just get the CD (and LP later, maybe? hint hint, Season of Mist).
Again, slight change of musical direction for the band, but it’s nothing too drastic and it fits perfectly in their discography. Check it out if you’re an unabashed Drudkh fan, but also give it a go if you’re more into post-rock.
Mgla - Groza (2008)
First full length by the band. This album has a more mature sound than Presence, but that doesn’t take away from it’s raw black metal power.
Mgla - Presence (2006)
Also on Crushing the Holy Trinity. This EP is fast paced, relentless, straight up black metal.
Kruger - For Death, Glory, and the End of the World (2010)
This band out of Switzerland is categorized as sludge metal/death ‘n’ roll. You have to hear it to understand it, but it fits. The band’s 3rd full length has a unique sound, and the closest I can come to comparing it is a combination of Gojira and High on Fire. Regardless, I am really digging the album.
Trigger the Bloodshed - Degenerate (2010)
The brutal/technical death metal band from the grand UK brings us their 3rd album. It is a much needed improvement from their last album. Trigger the Bloodshed prides itself on a relentless wall-of-sound approach. And now with Degenerate, the band seems to be hitting their stride. Think Job for a Cowboy but with an enormous sound.
Brain Drill - Quantum Catastrophe (2010)
After almost rebuilding the entire line-up, California’s Brain Drill is back with their sophomore album. New line-up, same refreshing brutal taste. The album lends itself more to the technical side of their tech-death/grindcore genre. The only downside is that the tracks aren’t as memorable as their first album and tend to blur together, but still a great band. Fans of Origin and Necrophagist should take notice.
Die - Rise of the Rotten (2010)
Denmark has graced us with a new brutal death metal band. With their first full length album, Die is keeping the genre alive and well. No surprises here, just a full album of gut-wrenching brutal death metal. And for their first album, it is very impressive. Those listening to Aeon or Deivos will dig this album.
Morgue - Flames and Blood (2010)
I am seeing more crossover black/death metal bands as of late, and Canada’s Morgue is no exception. The overall sound reminds of Nile meets black metal with guitar hooks (but not in the crap metal-core way). It’s very dark and very brutal. This is a great first album, and I am looking forward to what these guys do next.
Miserere Luminis - Miserere Luminis (2009)
Collaboration effort between Sombre Forets and Gris. It’s like the best of both of those bands, combined into one. Excellent, and unfortunately overlooked, album.
