Alright, my beloved readers (I’m in a good mood, so you get some love for once), it’s time to dig into the depths of the underground and dish out the love—or hate—these submissions deserve. You know the drill: some of these bands are working with the production value of a 2009 smartphone short film, but who cares? We’re here for what’s true and kvlt, not for petty concerns like beauty, right? Let’s get this firing squad ready!
Soleil Noir – De Cette Nature: When I first saw this band name, my initial thought was, “Oh no, here we go again!” Thankfully, there’s no connection to any terrorist organization. What we have here is raw French-Canadian Black Metal at its grimiest. It’s harrowing, painful, and so lo-fi that even I struggled to push through. Yet, I can’t help but feel that De Cette Nature is authentic and sincere in its mission. I’m intrigued to see what a full album could offer, and I know some of you maniacs out there revel in this moldy sound. Help this band reclaim its name from the jaws of extremism—click here!
Ashlands – Ashlands III: Time for another EP! Ashlands also falls under Black Metal, but this one leans more towards Falls of Rauros or Moonsorrow territory. The production is still rough around the edges, but I won’t lie—this one spoke to me. The writing and heart-wrenching melodies gripped me from start to finish, carried by a deep, immersive narrative. I’m crossing my fingers that Ashlands eventually delivers a full-fledged album because Atmospheric Black Metal could use more bands that actually make their long tracks worthwhile. Bonus points for sending me a FLAC promo, allowing me to experience this as Satan intended. Click here!
The Split – Break Even Point: Here we have another single, but this time we’re diving into Prog—Soen Prog, to be precise. In a sea of despair, this is a refreshing change of pace. I’ll say it: The Split has a ton of talent, and I see potential for it to make waves in the genre. The work is accessible without being dumbed down, balancing technical finesse with an emotional core. I can’t wait to hear the full album! Click here!
Faded Remembrance – Dying Age: Let’s close this gloomy parade with a full album. Faded Remembrance brings us Doom, though it’s more active and up-tempo than you might expect from the genre. It retains that solemn, uneasy atmosphere that classic Doom excels at. The secret here? No excesses. It’s neither too slow nor too fast, neither overly melodramatic nor overwhelmingly bleak. It carries itself like a funeral procession, reminiscent of Paradise Lost—but with strings. Cellos? Violins? Someone help me out here. Either way, click here!
I’ve gone overboard again—what can I say? You keep sending me fascinating stuff, and I can’t keep my mouth shut. There’s nothing like being an opinionated wimp with symbolic power to keep the blood flowing. See you next week!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 