Recent music – Page 2 – Black Forest Magazine

Vyrju – Black

January 5, 2015 by Line Evensen Leave a Comment

As many of you may already know, we’re also running Black Forest Records, which is a record label, a management and a webshop dealing with extreme metal. In December, we unleashed Vyrju’s long awaited debut EP named ‘Black’. Behind Vyrju is no other than Jan, my partner in crime and life. Ever since we started Black Forest Magazine, our policy has always been to only write about music we really like, and I think Vyrju has qualities that deserves to be shared with our readers.

Lets start with the basics: Vyrju is an international band project with base in Norway, and can best be described as dark, melancholic and melodic black metal. It was started as a one man band by Jan F. Lindsø (Gjenferdsel) back in 2006. All instruments are performed by him, except drums and clean vocals which are performed by Tim Yatras (Germ, Austere, ex-Nazxul, ex-Woods of Desolation etc.) which appears as a session musician.

The feedback so far has been nothing but amazing! Zero Tolerance rated the EP 5/6, and wrote that ‘Black’ was an “immensely promising EP with its depressive, yet alluring, bittersweet black metal soul…”. Others said “Vyrju play grandiose and gorgeously melodic black metal that isn’t short on frostbitten sorrow and grief, straddling a similar line that bands like Austere”.

No Clean Singing ment that “Black is captivating”, and Kim Kelly (Kerrang, Pitchfork, Terrorizer, Metalsucks etc.) wrote that “Vyrju offer windswept melodic black metal buried under new-fallen snow. Oddly catchy and prettily plaintive”.

Meat, Mead and Metal sums it up in a great way: “Those who can reconcile having a record collection heavy on early Darhthrone and the newer stuff from Alcest (such as me) are sure to spend plenty of time with “Black.”

Vyrju – Black

The EP is available through most channels and streaming services:
Black Forest Records (physical/digital)
Bandcamp (physical/digital)

You’ll find Vyrju through the usual channels, like Facebook, Instagram, Spotity, Soundcloud, Amazon plus many more. Below you can watch Vyrju’s playlist on Youtube:

Falloch – This Island, Our Funeral

September 25, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

I must admit that Falloch’s debut album ‘Where Distant Spirits Remain’ from 2011 has been spinning more than once. Their mixture of post-rock and folk metal has something refreshing about it. When they the year after announced that their vocalist Andy Marshall had decided to quit the band, it felt like they had lost a huge part of their sound. Andy actually went on to form Saor, which actually works within the same genre.

Falloch went on and hired a new vocalist in Tony Dunn, entered the studio and recorded their sophomore album ‘This Island, Our Funeral’. And I must say, Tony Dunn’s vocals fits the band perfectly. I’m not sure if I think that the album is reaching up to their debut, but they have definitely matured musically as a band. So, if you’re into post-rock with folk-influences, you know what to do!

Tracklist:
1. Torradh
2. For Life
3. For Dir
4. Brahan
5. Untitled
6. I Shall Build Mountains
7. Sanctuary

Autumn’s Dawn – Gone

August 25, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

This band catched our interest with their promising self-titled debut EP earlier this year. This is the band of two Australian muscians by the names of Sorrow and Anguish, and being fans of Sorrow’s other work in other projects (Germ, Austere, Naxzul, Grey Waters etc.), we instantly knew it would be good. This time he teamed up with the session live guitarist from his solo project Germ.

While their EP walked down a traditional path of depressive post-black metal, Autumn’s Dawn has evolved their sound more into their own. In many ways ‘Gone’ shows a more accessible side of themselves, and at times sounds like Grey Waters meets the Finnish metal scene with bands such as Insomnium and Sentenced. They experiments with different vocal styles and genres, and handles all of them in a beautiful way. Even though I’m not 100% sure if they have found their right place yet, they are definitely heading towards an interesting territory. Be sure to check out ‘Gone’, and keep an eye out for Autumn’s Dawn.

Tracklist:
1. The Ashes Of A Life
2. Until My Heart Corrodes With Rust
3. Into The Cold
4. Grace Of The Grave
5. When The Sun Sets For The Last Time
6. Blank Stare, Dead Eyes
7. Dawn
8. Through The Rusted Gates Of Time
9. Gone

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Kvlthammer – Kvlthammer

July 19, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

At the moment we’re listening to this newly released thrashy black’n’roll mayhem. Kvlthammer is a quite new band, as it was formed in 2011. The band consists of members of bands such as Skeletonwitch, Coffinworm, and Demiricous. Their self-titled debut album was released July 15th, 2014, and you can check it out at their bandcamp.

The band plays uncomprising raw metal right in your face. Their music can at some times remind of acts such as Germ Bomb and Toxic Holocaust. Mix those bands with Motörhead, and you’re pretty close to Kvlthammer. If you really want to be a badass, this is that kind of music that you should be it with. I’m sure that Kvlthammer is an amazing live band, and the good news is that Kvlthammer already has been playing some gigs. I’m pretty sure that it really kicks, as their music really sounds like it was meant to be played live! Be sure to look out for them!

Tracklist:
1. Pathless
2. Hesh Trip
3. Hounds
4. Habitual Offender
5. Visions (Interlude)
6. Hate Is Not Enough
7. Terrifying Ecstasy
8. No Borders

Alfahanne – Alfapokalyps

July 3, 2014 by Line Evensen Leave a Comment

When Alfahanne released their debut black’n’roll album ‘Alfapokalyps’ in february 2014, they were pretty new to the scene, allthough some of the members have been active in the black metal movement since the early 90’s in bands like Vinterland and Maze of Torment. On this debut album as Alfahanne, they managed to get guest vocalists such as Hoest from Taake and Kvarforth from Shining. In fact, Alfahanne did a split with Shining last year.

Alfahanne says they play “…alfapocalyptic rock exclusively”. And their formula is black metal with a mix of classic rock, punk and some goth influence.

Tracklist:

1. Bättre Dar – guest vocals from Niklas Kvarforth (SHINING)
2. Ormar Af Satan
3. Såld På Mörkret – guest vocals from Hoest (TAAKE)
4. Dödskult
5. Rocken Dör
6. Syndarnas Flod
7. Alfa Hordes
8. Indiehora – guest vocals from V’gandr (HELHEIM, TAAKE)
9. Där Drömmarna Dör
10. Alla Ska Mé

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Emperor – In the Nightside Eclipse

May 24, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

You might wonder why the debut album of the Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor features in this section. Actually the band is now celebrating the 20th anniversary for the highly acclaimed ‘In The Nightside Eclipse’, which made a great impact on the early black metal scene.

According to Candlelight Records, the re-release contains a deluxe hardback digibook, a double CD presentation and additional previously unheard bonus tracks.

Apart from re-releasing their amazing debut album, they will even do some selected gigs with their old original line-up, consisting of Ihsahn (vocals, guitars), Samoth (guitars) and Faust (drums). They will be playing the full album.

Emperor: Faust, Ihsahn, Samoth

The release date is set to May 26th, 2014.

Meanwhile, you can watch this video of ‘Inno a satana’ from Wacken:

Tracklist:

Disc 1:
In The Nightside Eclipse (re-mastered)
1. Introduction
2. Into the Infinity of Thoughts
3. The Burning Shadows of Silence
4. Cosmic Keys to my Creations & Times
5. Beyond the Great Vast Forest
6. Towards the Pantheon
7. The Majesty of the Nightsky
8. I am the Black Wizards
9. Inno a Satana
As The Shadows Rise 7” EP 1994 (re-mastered)
1. The Ancient Queen
2. Witches Sabbath
3. Lord of the Storms

Disc 2:
In The Nightside Eclipse, alternative mix 1993 (previously unreleased)
The Akkerhaugen Tapes 1993 (previously unreleased)
1. The Majesty of the Nightsky (4-track pre-prod. 1993)
2. The Burning Shadows of Silence (pre-prod. rehearsal 1993)
3. I am the Black Wizards (rehearsal 1993)

LTD edition bonus CD:

1. Svartlav-Introduction
2. Saltus-Curse You All Men!
3. Troll-Towards The Pantheon
4. Infer-Ye Entrancemperium
5. Demonical-Night Of The Graveless Souls
6. Helheim-Witches Sabbath
7. Midnight Odyssey-Cosmic Keys To My Creation And Times
8. Silva Nigra-Moon Over Kara-Shehr
9. Necrodeath-Lord Of The Storms
10. Horna-Wrath Of The Tyrant
11. Karpathia-Ancient Queen
12. Ancestral Volkhves-With Strength I Burn
13. Mesmerized-Empty
14. Crionics-The Loss And Curse Of Reverence
15. Taake-I Am The Black Wizards
16. Setherial-Inno A Satana

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Autumn’s Dawn – Autumn’s Dawn

April 23, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

1. A Reflection In Dust
2. The Frozen Soil
3. The Death Of Hope

The two man band Autum’s Dawn came to life in 2013, while Anguish was playing session live guitar for Sorrow’s solo project Germ for some selected shows in Australia. The band claim that their debut EP was recorded in just a few days late 2013, and describes it as a brief, raw and honest take on the genre of Depressive Black Metal.

A lot of you are probably already familiar with Sorrow’s work in other great DSBM acts such as Austere and Woods of Desolation, and music wise I guess fans of these bands won’t get dissapointed. Even though the band labels their music as DSBM, I would say that they also corporates a lot of post metal into their soundscapes. All songs are really well woven together into a complete euphoric experience, but I must say that ‘The Frozen Soil’ really stands out as my favorite.

All in all, a release that works well as a promising teaser for their first full length album!

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Dirge – Hyperion

March 25, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

1. Circumpolaris
2. Floe
3. Venus Claws
4. Hyperion Under Glass
5. Filigree
6. Remanentie

Dirge were formed back in 1994 in Paris, France. Their music is progressive post-metal, partly with an industrial approach. They somewhat reminds of bands such as Isis, and delivers a massive wall of slow groovy atmosphere. ‘Hyperion’ is their sixth album since the beginning, and we must say that this album is a true display of monumental power.

The album was released March 14th, 2014 on Debemur Morti.

More:
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Behemoth – The Satanist

February 16, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

01. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
02. Furor Divinus
03. Messe Noire
04. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
05. Amen
06. The Satanist
07. Ben Sahar
08. In the Absence ov Light
09. O Father O Satan O Sun!

Behemoth has finally released their tenth studio album. When I first heard ‘Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel’, I was excited by the black metal elements they have included here, as most of their releases is dominated by death metal. The releases has been playing a few rounds, and I really like what I hear. So far, ‘Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer’ is my favorite track, but overall I would really recommend you to check the album out for yourself. Unfortunately, the digital distribution channels are very limited, if you’re not using Itunes. The only alternative is, as I write this, 7digital and Amazon (which is restricted to certain countries). I can’t believe that Nuclear Blast don’t add it to Bandcamp etc., for better availability. Because this album really deserves it!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/123049848″ params=”color=999999&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Also, check out their video for ‘Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel’:

More:
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Wildernessking – The Devil Within (EP)

January 30, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

01. Lurker
02. Flesh
03. The Devil Within

Wildernessking from South Africa plays atmospheric/post black metal. They released their debut album in 2012, and EP the very same year. Now they are back with a new EP, that was released January 22nd this year. It seems like post black metal is really into a flow right now, and we surely like what we are hearing. We’re looking forward to another full length!

You can buy this EP directly from their bandcamp. We highly recommend it!

More:
Wildernessking.com
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