Milo & Catto
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Tag: Black Metal
Fermento – Acts of Blood
Metalcatto
Yes, I’ll be honest, I saw Fermento’s Acts of Blood artwork and thought: “This is exactly what I need on a hot summer day.” There’s nothing like indulging in some self-inflicted sonic punishment. That, and the fact that there aren’t many bands pushing this Death/Black hybrid from Spain. At first, I assumed it was from Eastern Europe, but I quickly realized I was dealing with a group that’s been part of the extreme Metal underground since the early days of the Spanish scene. At MER, we don’t hand out veteran points just for longevity—but this time, an exception might be earned.
Imperialist – Prime
Metalcatto
It might surprise you, but I’ve been following Imperialist for a while. You know I’m all in when it comes to space-themed Metal. However, I must admit that if I ignore the lyrics, this band’s music often feels like effective and almost traditional Black Metal—something that could make many old Norwegians proud. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it did make me wonder if Prime would break the band’s mold or stick to its strengths. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it?
True kvlt: Lacerations, Mosara, & Chrysalïd
Metalcatto
It feels like fame has gotten to the top of my head and I’m starting to neglect the deep underground, right? Just kidding! But we’ve had a lot of special articles and high-profile reviews lately, and—as usual—the local bands pay the price like innocent bystanders. So now I’m bringing back a bit of justice, even if just for a moment, in this sorrowful world… Wait, what am I trying to say? It’s sunny outside—let’s stick to that mood. Let’s go!
Growls & Grammar: Ixone analyses Naglfar – Harvest
Ixone
Very few albums have impacted me as deeply as Naglfar’s Harvest, and a huge part of that is, of course, its lyrical content. Why is that? To start, it’s fitting to address the fact that, generally, in Black Metal, when someone wants to explore dark states of being, the result often ends up being an absolute trauma dump of a DSBM record. Yeah… there are better ways to do it. Luckily, Naglfar found a solution to that problem on this album. But how did they manage that? By doing quite literally what symbolist poets were doing in the late 19th century: assigning external elements to inner states. However, in Harvest, this is done with far less subtlety and far more visceral intensity—which, being Black Metal, is exactly what one might expect.
Oskoreien – Hollow Fangs
Metalcatto
It’s been a while since we’ve had some Post-Black Metal in our hands. You know how it goes with these types of albums: they either end up on a best-of-the-year list or fade into oblivion. There’s rarely anything in between. However, Oskoreien is a band that, despite having few releases, has been around for a while, which is why I approached Hollow Fangs with a decent amount of respect—and even a little hope. Besides, I kind of dig that dragon artwork (no, the dragon doesn’t look goofy—it’s art!). Now, let’s start throwing down.
Rotgut – 24 oz Cantrip
Ixone
As someone who routinely defrosts halfway through a thrasher during summer, what could be more up my alley than a Blackened Thrash/Speed Metal record about drinking? Absolutely nothing. Rotgut’s very suggestively titled 24 oz Cantrip EP, which reeks of hangover from the album cover alone, delivers an infectious, high-energy sound that’s perfect for a burning June day. That said, be prepared for a whirlwind of chaos.
Incinerated – The Epitome of Transgression
Metalcatto
Metal is full of colorful and almost quirky band names. Incinerated isn’t one of those. If anything, this Indonesian band means business with its proposal. Also, have we noticed how Indonesia has become an extreme Metal powerhouse in the last decade? I wouldn’t be surprised if it hasn’t already become Asia’s biggest producer, but I digress. Time to focus on Epitome of Transgression.
Eminentia Tenebris -Whispers of the Undying
Metalcatto
It’s been a while since we’ve been to space! It was so hot last year, while now it seems to have cooled down (that’s a fact!). However, Eminentia Tenebris bring us something peculiar in Whispers of the Undying. It’s a space opera! And who doesn’t like those? Especially when they come in the form of Symphonic/Black Metal that has the rawness and drama that Dimmu Borgir has been lacking for the last twenty years. Also, is it possible that for once Antiq didn’t send us something recorded with a potato? Let’s find out!
Lepra – Mortuus Morgana
Metalcatto
I was supposed to take it easy on local bands, but what can I do if they keep sending me stuff? Lepra, as the name implies, takes itself seriously. These guys clearly loved Kingdom of Heaven (yours truly has more mixed feelings about it), but considering where they come from, Mortuus Morgana should be one of those quiet, under-the-radar releases that doesn’t impress many, right? Well, to be fair, that was just me being condescending. Just because an album shows up without noise or drama doesn’t mean it can’t hit hard.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 