In Aphelion - Luciferian Age

Now this is a monster. Signed to the almighty Edged Circle Productions, In Aphelion have quickly made a name for themselves as black metal heroes of a different stripe. Their latest offering Luciferian Age is a blazing four track EP full of twisted riffs and frostbitten sounds. This is black metal done right, with a snarl and the desire to crack skulls. Few bands really grasp the underground in the same way as In Aphelion and the sheer swagger and hate that they deliver with this monsterpiece is delightful to say the least. 

When you press play on Luciferian Age you are gearing up to drink from the night itself. The bitter blasphemies of tracks like 'Wrath Of A False God' are stunning and nicely align melodic content with inverted power chords and frozen riffs. The sense of torment and internal pain that is communicated with this record only speaks to the bitterness of the musicians creating it. In Aphelion tap into so much of what makes black metal exciting, and when they rip out a high powered solo or come stomping out with a bombastic vocal line, it rapidly becomes clear how much these guys love black metal and how well they consistently execute. 

Luciferian Age is a treat any way you slice it. This is black metal executed at a million miles an hour and spitting hatred all the way. They understand the core tenets of the genre and it's a delight to really get lost in the vision that they have crafted. Luciferian Age is a masterful release and one that has me curious to go back deeper into In Aphelion's catalog and start to identify past successes that helped to get them to the point that they could create a war cry as devastating and terrifying as this one. What more is there to ask for from a black metal record?

Pre-order the album!

https://edgedcircleproductions.bandcamp.com/album/luciferian-age

Obsidian Sun - Burning Obsidian Sun

 

This is a scorcher. Obsidian Sun are a rising black metal force emerging from the crypt that is Edged Circle Productions, one of my favorite black metal labels today. There is something deeply engaging about their unique brand of black metal, and this brand new 4 track EP is a scorcher. It's black metal done right, with ambition and a clear sense of what makes the genre so great in the first place. Burning Obsidian Sun is a potent offering and one that I think consistently drives towards new heights. While the record has no real surprises, the bands take on melodic black metal is excellent and executed with aplomb. Across just four tracks Obsidian Sun are able to quickly establish exactly who they are and what to expect from the band. One can only hope that there is more to come!

Pre-order the album! 

https://edgedcircleproductions.bandcamp.com/album/burning-obsidian-sun

Cales - Chants of Steel

 

Cales is the fantastically diverse and always interesting side project of Blackosh, perhaps best known for his work in bands like Root and Nifelheim. Cales though has always remained his personal passion project, and now seven albums in, he is continuing to unveil interesting and thoughtful extreme and epic metal that borrows from a wealthy range of influences across the European 80s and 90s metal scenes. The end result is Chants Of Steel one of his most wide ranging and intricately put together offerings so far. An entrancing record if there ever was one. 

Chants Of Steel shines because of the clarity of its vision and the way that Blackosh is so eagerly able to borrow from several sides of the underground. While on the one hand there is clear Bathory worship, other moments seem to eagerly borrow from Iron Maiden or even early Metallic. Cales is a project that has always been about uncovering new sides of its preferred influences, and Chants Of Steel is no exception. It shows Blackosh's creativity at full force, unpacking the history of metal and then repackaging it entirely in his own vision. There is something wonderfully enchanting about what Cales have brought to the table here, and I won't soon lose sight of it. 

It's rare to see a solo project that is able to continue this long with this level of passion and willingness to reinvent itself consistently, but such is the case with Chants Of Steel. It's dark and epic metal to fascinate listeners across the globe, getting broader release on the wonderful Edged Circle Productions. If you're looking for a delightful piece of underground obscura to sound the trumpets and showcase the incredible depth and alacrity of the Czech scene then search no more - Chants Of Steel is a mesmerizing and addictive offering.

Pre-order the album!
http://edgedcircleproductions.bandcamp.com/album/chants-of-steel

Siderean - Lost On Void's Horizon

Sometimes it takes a name change to really understand that a band has taken it to the next level. Such was the case for Siderean whose new record, Lost On Void's Horizon is a veritable masterpiece, a truly exciting record that captures the imagination and hints at much more to come. There is a breadth to these compositions and an excellence in the work that makes for some truly compelling and exciting music that will keep devout listeners entranced and eager to delve into the next blasphemous layers of this projects grander vision. 

Lost On Void's Horizon is a masterful and exciting record. There are countless immaculate layers on this album and the deeper you dive the more clear it becomes just how talented these guys are. Lost On Void's Horizon is the sound of technical death metal pushed to spiraling new heights. The immaculate playing and prog fueled riffs on tracks like "Sidereal Evolution" really speaks to just how talented these guys are. There's a whole swath of unique ideas and emotions that serve to make this music special. The deeper you unpack the layers and come to terms with what's being done here the more it becomes clear that they are one of a kind. 

Suffice it to say, Edged Circle Productions have found another winner. Siderean routinely push themselves above and beyond on this offering to craft some truly admirable and exciting progressive technical death metal. There are feats of musicianship that leave you scraping your jaw off the floor and an overarching vision that can't help but to impress any fan of underground music. So strip back the layers and fall in love with the madness. Lost On Void's Horizon is an early contender for death metal AOTY.  

Pre-order the album: 

http://edgedcircleproductions.bandcamp.com/album/lost-on-voids-horizon