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Scare – In The End, Was it Worth it?

Is it just me, or does that cover art look like it came straight out of The Seventh Seal? You know I’m a citizen of the world, but you can always hit me in the home department and gain an advantage. Scare is a band that, from the get-go, lets us know it cares little about our petty opinions. That’s the real Punk/Hardcore spirit running through In The End, Was It Worth It? Also, probably the title of your last breakup. Anyway, you’re here to find out if this scary-looking album is worth your precious toilet break time.

Dawn of Ouroboros – Bioluminescence

It’s a difficult task to define what type of Metal Dawn of Ouroboros likes to play. There seems to be a constant exchange between Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, and Djent loudness values, all going hand in hand with songwriting that sometimes mimics more commercial acts. Hence, I was both puzzled and excited to jump into its newest release, Bioluminescence. Rarely has an album name been more fitting for the level of colorful chaos this album is about to throw at us. But is it good stuff, or are we going to feel overwhelmed by so much glitter?

Abduction – Existentialismus

Abduction is clawing its way up the food chain, ready to become a recognized name in the underground—not just lurking in the depths of the scene. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes the band unique since you can feel influences from all areas of Black Metal. However, Existentialismus (what’s with that name? Seriously!) proves that the band at least has the ambition to become the next hot thing in Black Metal. The real question now is: does it have what it takes? Stick with this sinister trip to find out.

Decline of the I – Wilhelm

I hate being late, but what can I do when all the bands want to release something cool on Valentine’s Day? (so much for being evil music!) Having said that, Decline of the I is probably the last thing you want to put on to set the mood. Wilhelm is an album with layers and horrors that aren’t for that kind of atmosphere (unless you’re reading this carefully, in which case you love anything disturbing and strange). I’ll do my best to even try to define what the album is going for, because this is a wild animal, and I’m not sure we can tame it. But how about we try!

True kvlt: Hel Hath Fury, Cult Of Alcaeus and Necro Algorithm & Schatten Muse

Alright! After a short break, we’re back with our sewer-diving sport, where we check out what the small projects send us. Keep reading, because you never know when you’ll find the next big band here—just remember to tell everyone you discovered it via MER Industries. The rest are unnecessary details, right? Anyway, let’s get this list started and hope we survive the production choices!

Dawn of Solace – Affliction Vortex

Last year, we already had Saukkonen visiting us with Wolfheart, but this year, Dawn of Solace is back with Affliction Vortex, promising a tempest of sadness and melancholy with the signature Finnish sound. I don’t know how this man stays so productive, but we’ve learned that the more pressure and projects he has going on, the better the product. Also, since Dawn of Solace’s duo returned, they’ve probably been the most consistent of all his projects. Hence, I do have some discrete expectations. Don’t blame me—this is my guilty pleasure!

Obscure – A Sonication

Yes! I’m guilty! I forgot about one of the hottest releases of the year because life is a more complicated rollercoaster than an Obscura opening riff. I’m a huge fan—I love almost everything in the band’s catalog, which is why it’s going to be hard for A Valediction to top previous releases. I know many were divided with Diluvium, but I loved it; it was as if At the Gates could perform Tech Death (I’m not the first one to say this, so chill!). However, can the apex predator in Tech Death defend its seat on Metal Olympus? Let’s shred our way in!

OBRIJ – Joseph

It’s time for a debut album, my Metal grasshoppers! When I was reading OBRIJ’s promo, I was led to believe that Joseph would totally throw me out of my comfort zone, since it was supposed to have a ton of Hardcore influences. Yet, it was still a Death Metal album, and that always hits home for me. Plus, this work explores the atrocities of Comrade Stalin. There’s no way that horror isn’t Metal enough for us, but as a new band, I still wondered if these guys were capable of pulling anything interesting off. Stay with this cat and find out.

Blood Cult – We’re Gonna Take Your Soul

Yeah, kids, I wasn’t sure what to make of this cover art. You’d think this album is some kind of weird, washed-out Nu-Metal that’s going to give us the wrong kind of pain, but you’d not only be wrong—you’d also be surprised! Because Blood Cult is an old-school Heavy Metal band that takes you straight back to the early days, and I mean 1970s early. Many of your parents weren’t even born yet, but We’re Gonna Take Your Soul is pure Redneck Black Metal, offering a strange and possibly unique interpretation of those drugged-out times.

Ofnus – Valediction

So far, this has been a decent year for epic Black Metal quests, especially those that mix things up with Folk music. However, we haven’t seen much retro-Black Metal yet—and I mean it more in the Swedish sense of the word. Enter Ofnus with its second album, Valediction. Hailing from the land of dragons and sheep (Wales), the band still carries a Scandinavian feel to its madness. But is there enough depth and grandeur here to stand out from the endless pile of Black Metal that floods my inbox every day? Let’s find out, kids!