KERKER - Ban All Lights

Kerker - Ban All Lights (2016, Nihilistische KlangKunst)

After a couple of years as an unpaid music reviewer, no the bosses at LMDM don’t provide any pay but they let us walk without our chains ten minutes per day, you get a flair for the new to little known bands just at gazing the artwork or a first full listen. Two options are in your face for almost nine times out of ten : the record sounds a lot like the current trends or it is an emulate of a Golden era of the said genre. In the case of the Germans of Kerker and their LP Ban All Lights this is the second option.

SCALPTURE - Panzerdoktrine

Scalpture - Panzerdoktrine (2016, Final Gate Records)

When every Death Metal enthusiast got around Sonoran Depravity lately and jizzed his pants a couple of times at the upcoming tour of Gatecreeper, the Germans of Scalpture took a spin at the sound of Death Metal from Bolt Thrower to the Swedish buzzing sound of Entombed. This is another take on the classics of the genre.

CTULU - Ctulu

Ctulu - Ctulu (2016, MDD Records)

With a name that’s synonymous with the greatest Horror writer of all time’s, read here H. P. Lovecraft, most grotesque and disturbing creation, Ctulu, the Germans are coming in 2016 with an untitled or self-titled fourth album that is full of ‘’pathetic disappointments transformed into hate’’. Think of the Extreme Metal of Behemoth, Rotting Christ, and Temple of Baal.

KOMMANDO - Distroyer / Iron Goat Triumph

Kommando – Distroyer / Iron Goat Triumph (2016, self-released)

Black Metal meets crust punk from Germany is the anthem of Kommando, a side-project of Dysangelium and Endstille members. And just as Crust goes they mock up with song titles with many puns like replacing the ‘’u’’ for ‘’v’’ and with titles like ‘’Old and In The Way’’ and ‘’Bitching Hour’’ someone with a little knowing of Metal in general will get it.

ENDLOS - Im Fallen Verlaufen

Endlos - Im Fallen Verlaufen (2016, Symbol of Domination & Narbentage Produktionen)

The duo of Endlos out of Germany set itself into the Black/Doom Metal genre while getting in touch with Punkish elements that we could relate to their compatriots of Thränenkind. They are, however, not yet into the same league as the later band mentioned.

THRÄNENKIND - King Apathy

Thränenkind - King Apathy (2016, Lifeforce Records)

German Hardcore/Black Metalers of Thränenkind have made a solid first record back in 2013 with The Elk. A record I must admit having never heard before getting completely moved by King Apathy lately. The Elk, is solid and has a lot more of instrumental parts that makes it a moodier record with many Blackgaze passages. It is far less edgier than the Hardcore riffing that has King Apathy. So far, I can’t seem to find a flaw in this record and I pretty much like everything about it and how it is perfectly dosed.

MANTAR - Ode To The Flame

Mantar – Ode To The Flame (2016, Nuclear Blast)

If you are new to this blog you should know that I am a fan of Black, Doom, and Hardcore but not very much about the label Nuclear Blast. The main reason is that their productions sound too professional (or too clean if you prefer) for some Metal genres. But, Mantar’s Ode To The Flame is the example of a great album done incredibly right.

DESASTER - The Oath of an Iron Ritual

Desaster – The Oath of an Iron Ritual (2016, Metal Blade Records)

German black/thrash/speed attack of Desaster are achieving with their eight studio album another tour-de-force that is to take old-school metal and turn it unpredictable, intense, and outstanding.

HUMANITAS ERROR EST – Human Pathomorphism

Humanitas Error Est – Human Pathomorphism (2016, Satanath Records / Black Plague Records / Abstruse Eerie Radiance)

Straight out of Germany, the same country that the greatest nihilist philosopher Nietzsche is from, the Nihilistic Brutal Black Metal band Humanitas Error Est with its two vocalists (female S. Caedes and male Ghoul) is taking the spot of the most interesting Black metal band coming out of Germany so far in 2016.

SENESCENCE – Endoomed [EP] [2015 Blindspot]

Senescence – Endoomed (2015, self-released)

This German Industrial Doom metal duo has released an interesting 3-songs EP that shifts at 22 minutes.

ABYTHIC – A Full Negation of Existence [EP]

Abythic – A Full Negation of Existence [EP] (2015, Metal Inquisition Records)

Coming from Germany, Old School Death metal band, Abythic, has released an interesting EP containing four songs of pure growls à la Bolt Thrower, Asphyx, and Grave. With a melodic guitar riffing accompanying their simple but yet effective pounding sound of a perfect blend between American Death metal and European melodic oriented acts, Abythic represents a little bit of everything every Death metal fan is looking for.

HEIMSDALLS WACHT – Der Untergang der alten Welt

Music Review : Heimsdalls Wacht – Der Untergang der alten Welt (2006-2015, Heidens Hart Records)

Rising from the earth of Gemany in 2004, Heimsdalls Wacht are a duo performing solid revivalist black metal from the early 1990’s à la Gorgoroth, Satyricon, and Ulver. Without falling into the corny Darkthrone or Emperor wannabe easy path that too many trve Norwegian black metal acts have fell into, Heimsdalls Wacht have a solid and well produced piece of metal.