Wulf's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2013 Insanity

So there it is, another year down the drain!! I really wish I had spent more time listening to what came out last year because there seems to have been a lot of good stuff, but unfortunately these days I spend most of my time listening to stupid podcasts and comedians :(
Anyway, that being said, there were still some great albums I did manage to check out, so here's a list of the best music that tortured my eardrums for 2013!!

10.  " Abusing Dismembered Beauties" - Vulvectomy

Yeah, it's a pretty gross first pick to start things off, but I almost had to include this album as a protest to how disappointed I was with the new Devourment album. While this isn't an amazing album by any stretch of the imagination (and even straight up plagiarizes Devourment, see the track "Dirty Rotten Infibulation" (around the 2:25 mark for a complete rip off of a riff from Devourment's classic(k) "Babykiller") but whatever). Also, some of the samples are a bit lame, but besides that this is still a really fun album that brings the brutal vokillz, pummeling drums (even though they're programmed, they sound damn good!!), and, of course, SIKK FUKKING SLAMZ!!!

9.   "Labyrinth" - Fleshgod Apocalypse

While as a whole this album isn't that great (lame cover art too :/), holy shit does it make up for it with energy and enthusiasm.  I guess this is supposed to be some grand concept album about Theseus slaying the Minotaur of Crete, but I didn't dwell too much on this.  Instead, I really just enjoyed this album purely from the music alone-- it's ridiculously over-the-top, bombastic, and fast as fuck!!  It works really great as the soundtrack to something like the God of War series of video games, as the sheer epicness and brutality of the music definitely conjures up images of clashing armies, powerful wizards, impossibly huge structures, and an overall Hollywood-esque aesthetic.
If Rhapsody of Fire (fellow Italians!) ever got bored and decided to be as brutal as possible without kicking out Alex Staropoli, it would probably sound like this.

8.   "Sunbather" - Deafheaven

This is another album that's been talked about to death this year so I don't really have much else to offer, other than that it's a great follow-up to 2011's "Roads to Judah", and that it just goes to show that post-black metal is still one of hottest genres in metal right now (the other being, of course, occult rock).  

Is it still black metal if you take away the Satanism, the corpsepaint, the obsession with nature and misanthropy, and instead focus on emotions and feelings?  Does it ruin a band's credibility if the main fanbase draws from both metalheads and NPR/Pitchfork dorks?  If the music is this good, I would say it doesn't matter.   Yeah yeah, it's essentially The Get Up Kids playing black metal, but you can tell it's genuine.  Also, it takes balls to experiment like this and piss off the hordes of black metal basement dwellers, so to do this AND pull it off shows that these dudes know what they're doing.  Anyway, I'm still exploring this album so I don't know really what else to say at the moment since I really need to publish this post and get on with my life.  I will leave you with this:  Don't be turned off by the haters!  Listen to it for yourself!  THIS is something that truly takes black metal to the next level, much more so than whatever the fuck Liturgy have been trying to pull off with their "transcendental black metal" nonsense. 

7.   "Das Tor" - Paysage D'Hiver

I don't know what it is about Paysage that has always attracted me.   Whenever I listen his (Wintherr's) black metal releases, I always feel as if I'm tuning into some kind of obscure frequency on an old radio, with bizarre, abrasive black metal/static emitting from the speakers and drawing me into a strange world of icy landscapes, alien intelligence, and unrelenting, freezing winds.   His ambient stuff, such as "Die Festung", is also excellent, and is awesome as background music for an RPG night (except Professor Grindstein AKA Gorgoroth the Barbarian just felt like we were listening to Hearts of Space on NPR haha).
Anyway, Judge Dredd may have thought it was just raw black metal nonsense, but for me it was one of the best black metal releases of the year!!  When I first heard this I was running some errands on a super gloomy, rainy day, and while it wasn't exactly the most bitter, grim and frostbitten day of the year, it was enough to really feel the music.  My imagination was transported to that bleak, sorrowful world again, where the riffs, like the wind, droned on and on, almost hypnotically.  I'm getting a little melodramatic at this point, but you get the idea of what this album is all about.  I guess if you mixed Burzum's atmosphere and vision with the horror of Xasthur and the rawness of Striborg, you get Paysage D'Hiver.  Enjoy!!

6.   "Halo of Blood" - Children of Bodom

I know I might get made fun of for putting Bodom on here because I'm not 16 anymore, but I'm just happy that they finally picked up where "Hate Crew Deathroll" left off and finally released a quality album, even if it took them 11 fucking years to do it (In Flames, we're still waiting for you to come around)!!  Anyway, there's not really much to say other than it's arguably the closest we're gonna get to the "classic CoB sound", with catchy songs, great performances and production, and an overall fun atmosphere that distinguished the band early on from all the other melodic death metal bands back the early-mid 2000s.   Fucking finally!!!  Welcome back dudes!!

Fun fact:  Children of Bodom actually stayed at the hotel I was working at when I was living in Sydney...not only did I get to meet Jaska Raatikainen (who was pretty quiet, but nice) at like 7AM, but after the band left they accidently left their tour photo album at the hotel (titled "Dirty Laundry" haha).  While I did get a chance to sneak a peak and check out all the behind the scenes shenanigans the band was up to on this tour, unfortunately there wasn't really very much in the way of shocking lewd pics or anything incriminating, so that was kind of disappointing.  Maybe a few years ago when the band was boozing it up a lot more I would have stumbled across something more crazy... :D

5.   "Peste Noire" - Peste Noire

While not as good as 2011's "L'Ordure à l'état Pur", this is still a good album!!  Part of what really does it for me with this band is the hype, controversy, and sheer arrogance that this band brings to the table (to get a taste of what I'm talking about, check out this interview).
Anyway, I'm actually still digesting this album because there's so much crap going on, but overall it retains the core PN sound (messy, sloppy guitars and production, medieval France atmosphere) with catchy riffs and classical guitar accompaniments and interludes (along with a host of other folk instruments as well).   Ardraos is a killer new drummer as well, with a loose, rickety playing technique that really compliments Famine's style)  Also featuring a slew of guests, if you're a fan of the band you'll probably like this release as well.  I wish I could expand more on this right now, but it's already February 2014 and I'm trying to put this out ASAP!!
Anyway, Famine may be nutty as fuck, but unlike Varg Vikernes, his Norwegian counterpart, it appears like he still knows what he's doing when it comes to releasing quality music.


4.   "Colored Sands" - Gorguts

A labyrinthine death metal masterpiece that sounds as if it was recorded underwater is probably the best I can do as far as describing what "Colored Sands" sounds like to me.  Seriously, put on some headphones and listen to some Hour of Penance or Katalepsy, and then immediately afterwards switch to this record and you'll notice the bizarre production.  What's cool though is that it totally works-- I think it was brilliant to leave the vocals kind of buried in the mix and have the guitars and bass dominate...definitely gives it a crushing, suffocating feeling that really gives it adds a lot to its unique atmosphere.  It also doesn't hurt that the riffs and songwriting are unusual as well.  Yeah, we're talking about Gorguts, but you can't forget that besides Luc Lemay it's an all-star virtuoso lineup with Kevin Hufnagel (Dysrhythmia), Colin Marston (Krallice, Behold the Arctopus, Dysrhythmia), and John Longstreth (Origin, a bunch of other brutal DM bands) tearing it up as well.  Anyway, while it may not be for everyone (I wouldn't describe it as a "fun" record like the usual stuff I like), it's definitely worth checking out!!  I really enjoyed it mainly for the production, atmosphere, and individual musicians' performances as a whole rather than the actual songs themselves :)
Great album art, too!!

3.   "Surgical Steel" - Carcass

Every dummy knows that this is one of the best metal albums of 2013.  It was on everyone's "best of the year" lists, and for good reason!!  The songs are catchy, the production is top-notch, and it's pretty much everything you could want in a badass comeback album from one of metal's most cherished bands!!  There's not really much else to say about it, other than it's a lot of fun and is a great addition to the mighty Carcass discography!

2.   "Obscure Verses for the Multiverse" - Inquisition

Another killer release by a killer band (both in the studio and live), while it's not quite as good as their last record, "Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm" (in terms of production and songwriting), it's definitely still a masterpiece.  There's already been a ton written about this album, so I'm just going to keep it short and say that this one's got all the trademark Inquisition stuff-- the hypnotic, swirling riffs, Dagon's croak, fresh and organic drumming, occult lyrics and atmospherics, etc.  One of my favorite things about this band is their fixation on the link between Satanism and the cosmos, something I've always found fascinating just because I think outer space is scary as fuck. 

Anyway, while a lot of people are turned off by Dagon's Tuvan throat singing-esque vokillz, there's no denying the power of their deadly combo of catchy riffs, pounding drums, and evil atmosphere.

1.   "Henbane" - Cultes Des Ghoules

Are CDG the new Watain??  It seems like everyone was pretty disappointed with "The Wild Hunt", and perhaps the whole "evil mystique" shtick with the band is a bit played out due to their relentless touring and appearance on covers of major metal magazines Terrorizer and Decibel, it seems like the doomed masses have found another BM horde to rule for some time as kvlt kings of all things grim and frostbitten.   There was tons of hype surrounding this release among IMNs, which is pretty surprising considering that the band doesn't do too much in the way of interviews or publicity, and has no official website or other social networking platform.   Anyway, as it turns out, unlike Watain's "The Wild Hunt", the hype here was well-deserved.
What I really love about Cultes Des Ghoules' music is a combination of the evil, ritualistic atmosphere they create, coupled with the primitive, vintage, fuzzed-out production...kind of like old-school Bathory jamming with Electric Wizard.  On top of that, the riffs are great too, with some truly brilliant moments (see the second track, "The Passion of a Sorceress", for where this record truly shines), but the real star of the show is Mark of the Devil's insane vocal performance.  He screams and howls like an absolute madman, and really gives off the impression like he's completely fucking possessed by whatever demon or evil spirit he's attempting to invoke.  Sheer "Vintage Black Magic" indeed!!

So there you have it everyone!!  My top 10!!  I was going to do more for this post, like list my favorite songs, favorite videos, disappointing releases, etc. but I'm so fucking sick of laboring over this and thinking about all the metal that came out in 2013 that I just want to finish it.  Anyway, I'm excited to see what 2014 has in store for us, I've already got my Spotify up and am currently exploring some of the stuff that has already come out, so check back again soon for more updates and other tomfoolery!!  Peace!!

Mark of the Beast top 10 of 2013

So here's the only top 10 in the world of metal that actually matters, and to think 99% of metalheads won't even see it... shame. 2013 was a fun year. As far as the top 10 goes, the top 2 are top-notch material while the rest are merely awesome. There's been better years but what can ya do?! I'm not gonna put a youtube for every single album because you're perfectly capable of doing that and it gets kind of annoying trying to scroll through 10 youtubes. On with the show!

10. Dark Tranquility - Construct

What's up DT! In case you lost these guys in the fray over the years, this album is actually really good. I grew up on melodic metal like In Flames and DT, but instead of going down the path of suck like In Flames did with age, DT has remained consistently good. And I don't know if it's studio magic or what but holy shit does Mikael Stanne's voice sound good at 39. It's actually the best I've heard it, clean harmonic singing as well as strong as ever screams. Kudos to him because if you've ever heard Anders Frieden lately... ugh. Really good effort by these guys, and that makes me happy.

9. Thyrfing - De Ödeslösa

Thyrfing came back from the dead much to my delight with this one. This has actually been a good year for band resurrections, more on that later. This is actually their best album since they abandoned my beloved synth-heavy viking metal sound :( The acoustic guitar that they employ throughout this album really works and is an unexpected element from them. It still has that plodding Thyrfing style and gives me joy that they're still around making music.

8. Gorguts - Colored Sands

I imagine when the current lineup of Gorguts got together in hopes of making their first album in 12 years, they had one question on their minds: Will a new album be good enough to make Mark of the Beast's top 10?  Well congratulation boys, you made the right decision! Sometimes risks just pay off, and this album is a great representation of that. This album is too complex for my brain to process, but if you like intriguing, chaotic, technical, mind-rumbling music, you'll enjoy this one.

7.  Inquisition - Obscure Verses for the Multiverse

RAISE THE CHALLICE! RAISE THE CHALLICE! RAISE THE CHALLICE! These are words I repeat with a horrifying scowl upon my corpse-painted face every day because of this fuckin album. One of my life philosophies that I try to live by every day is that there's nothing wrong with black metal done right. These guys have the added benefit of being just over the top and ridiculous about it. There's so many quality black metal moments in this thing. If you think about it, this is our modern day Burzum, Darkthrone, etc. These guys are keeping the dream alive in the 2010's! I recommend taking a night off, pouring some cosmopolitans and just blasting this album while headbanging and scowling to your heart's content. It's good for the soul.

6. Heathen Foray - Inner Force

Think of these guys as a cross between Ensiferum and the almighty Thronar!! I can't have Thronar anymore so these fill that need nicely. This is their second effort and they really did a good job at refining their sound for some awesome songs. If you like feeling good while thinking about the days of viking past, and enjoy some outstanding guitar work in the process, please check this album out. The following song has everything you need in a viking metal song honestly. Well done sirs!


5. Amon Amarth - Deceiver of the Gods

Speaking of viking metal, there's these guys. Now as much as I love me some vikings, I never really got too into Amon Amarth. I think maybe I've been too focused on pretty bands with lots of instruments, trying to expand my mind too much while listening to some guy scream about Odin's hammer or socket wrench or something. But Amon Amarth brings me back down to Earth and makes me realize that sometimes all you need are some crushing viking melodies to make you feel good. These songs have caught my attention more than their past albums, and with songs like Under Seige you just can't help but headbang god damnit.

4. Peste Noire - Peste Noire

It's the return of La PN! One of the best things about listening to a Peste Noire album for the first time is I genuinely have no idea what to expect at any given second of any song. Blast beats, speed picking, guttural vocals, accordion, hurdy gurdy, acoustic guitar, chickens clucking, techno beats, some weird fucking horn, anything goes with Famine. It's really unlike any other metal experience. Everything from the vocals to the music to the atmosphere is just completely bizarre, while still giving you that black metal goodness you need to make it through the day. One thing I like about this particular La PN album is there are some seriously crushing parts in some of the songs, something I've not seen from them yet, and I really like it. The only reason why this album isn't vying for #1 is the ridiculous production. I know it's Famine, and that's part of their charm, but at 5 albums into their career they don't need to record on one of these anymore:

 

3. Falkenbach - Asa

Here's another band, like Amon Amarth, that I like but never really got into. But this album just does something for me. I think 6 albums in, Vratyas has really found his stride, and he has laid it all out in this half folk, half metal album. It sounds similar to the other albums but I think the clean vocals and acoustic guitar have really hit their mark with this one. There's just so much passion in his voice, and cmon the olde style English and Icelandic mix that he uses just adds to it. I tend to gaze out over the horizon while listening to this album for the full effect. If you're a fan of folk music, check this out and you'll be pleased. There's not even that much screaming in it for the normal people yay!

2. Written in Torment - Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes

Written in Torment? Oh sweet is that a new Deathcore band bro? Go kill yourself. This is some black metal right here son. If you don't have this album yet, go get it now! This is a one-man band of pure solidified grim. I would describe Written in Torment as a faster black metal version of Arghoslent with a hint of Dissection. Basically what Leviathan said here was "I'm going to work on my guitar work until you're literally forced to like this shit."  This is just black metal done right I keep saying it. It makes you feel good about yourself and life in general, not something that's easy to accomplish while singing about Satan burning down the mortal world. The guitar work is just relentless and combines black metal riffage with complex arpeggios. And that palm mute riff shit he does at 1:10 in A Pig Hung in Golgotha.. I don't even know. Listen now!

1.  Summoning - Old Mornings Dawn

And that brings us to the grand champion of 2013, hell yes it's Summoning! The last time Summoning came out with an album (Oath Bound) I was playing Oblivion in my $175 a month apartment with that in the background, and loving every second of it. It brings me back to simpler days. Basically the deal with Summoning is this: if you played RPG video games and/or D&D, you will appreciate this music. If you didn't you probably wonder what the big deal is. Well I played hella Final Fantasy, Ogre Tactics, Shining Force, Magestorm, so when I heard this album was coming, boy was I excited. But I really didn't anticipate the emotions that this album would invoke inside me. When I got the album, I must've listened to the title track about 50 times in a row, just loving every second of it. Old Mornings Dawn is why I listen to metal, to achieve that feeling of pure bliss via music that only metal has been able to provide me. I just had a huge smile on my face while listening through this thing. The atmosphere, the epicness! It just really made an impression on me and I knew this was going to be my #1. I really hope these guys make at least one more, even if I have to wait 7 more years. Just look at these guys and tell me they don't make some real shit:

It's albums like this that will make me eternally happy. I will say that this album was a little more wide-ranging than their previous ones, going from fantasy to dark to inspirational to solemn. I don't know if that makes any sense but I really love what they did for this one. J.R. Tolkein himself would be proud. So thank you Summoning for bestowing us all this great gift of metal! Mark of the Beast out.

Wulf's Official Response to Decibel Magazine's Top 100 Black Metal Albums (part 1)

It's come to my attention that Decibel Magazine just released a special issue that lists their picks for the top 100 black metal albums of all time. Usually these sorts of things do nothing really except bring out an endless spew of whining and complaining from the internet's vast legions of IMNs, but we here at Malicious Intent (i.e. me) felt left out from the party and decided to weigh in with our own thoughts on this controversial list. Here we go!!

100. "Ominious Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm" - Inquisition


#100?? Seriously?? This should be much higher, as it's one of the best black metal albums to come out since 2000!! Killer stuff. Dagon's guitar-playing is top-notch, his croak is gnarly, and the way they layer the instruments in their songs is tastier than the new 7 Layer Bean Dip Crunchwrap Supreme at Taco Bell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously though, even Inquisition's lyrics are both interesting and original as well...most bands blather on about Satan and blah blah, but their take on "cosmic Satanism" is refreshing. As someone who's scared shitless of outer space after reading H.P. Lovecraft and taking astronomy courses in college, these lyrics resonate with me much more than talking about dying and going to Hell or whatever LaVey was trying to convey in The Satanic Bible.
On a side note, I actually met Inquisition when I was living in Sydney, Australia...really nice guys!! Friendly yet soft-spoken and a bit intense, I found these guys to be really cool and genuinely interested in meeting their fans and hanging out. If you're going to check out Inquisition, I would say it's perfectly reasonable just to enjoy the music as it is, but if you read the lyrics along with it I feel like it adds an extra dimension (so to speak) to it that solidifies it in my mind as a masterpiece!!


99. "Vampires of Black Imperial Blood" - Mütiilation

I've never actually listened to Mütiilation (or any other LLN band for that matter) so I'm kind of a n00b when it comes to old school French BM. I'll check it out very soon, but I still refuse to believe that it's going to be better than some of the lunacy the French have been sending our way in the past few years via Blut aus Nord, Deathspell Omega, Peste Noire, Spektr, etc. Anyway, yeah yeah I'm sure this is a great album...NEXT!!

EDIT, APRIL 2015: Finally checked out this album.   I haven't listened any other LLN bands at the moment, but from what I've read this is supposed to be the pinnacle of that collective.   It's not bad!   I kind of dig the atmosphere and overall vision of what they seem to be going for, but as far as songwriting goes this isn't very good.   However, I definitely respect this record in terms of influence (raw minimalism, experimentation, vaguely romantic atmosphere), especially within the French BM scene.   I suppose this spot on the list is appropriate for this album, but it's definitely not better than anything Inquisition has put out, EVER!!

98. "Tentacles of Whorror" - Leviathan

First of all, this cover art is fucking insane. I really have no idea what to make of it...it's so bizarre and creepy that I'm just going to let it speak for itself. That being said, I've really tried to get into Leviathan and while I think it's interesting stuff, if we're talking one-man USBM then I'd much rather listen to Xasthur! I usually tend to go for the more atmospheric stuff to see where it takes my imagination, but for whatever reason it doesn't quite do it for me. I still need to check out his later albums tho, plus I'm sure at some point I'll revisit his earlier stuff. I did enjoy his Lurker of Chalice stuff tho, IIRC it's much more atmospheric and strange.

97. "Ordo ad Chao" - Mayhem

This is another great album that should be higher on the list. Yeah, yeah, it's maybe not as good as De Mysteriis, but it's arguably Mayhem's second best LP. Damn...isn't it crazy to think that Mayhem has only released four full-lengths??
Anyway, I haven't listened to this album in awhile but I remember this used to be a favorite to pass out listening to after a night of utter madness!! I don't know why, but it always reminds me of that one scene in Time Bandits where they're trying to escape from the hanging cages (or the last third of the movie where they enter the Fortress of Ultimate Darkness).

96. "Infiltration.Downfall.Death" - Revenge

I've never heard of these dudes, let alone listened to this album. I guess it's a Canadian black metal supergroup of sorts with Pete from Angelcorpse thrown in the mix? I'm pretty unfamiliar with Canadian black metal like Axis of Advance, Weapon, Conqueror, and Blasphemy. Sorry, not really much to say except that their band name is lame and they don't look like very nice guys :(

95. "V - Halmstad" - Shining

I remember when I got this promo in the mail and thinking "WTF is this?" Back then, DSBM hadn't quite become the popular subgenre that it is today, but I would argue that this was a very important album in bringing that style to the metal masses (or at least me haha). And I hadn't even heard of their legendary stage shows or all the drama surrounding Niklas Kvarforth's disappearance, addictions, mental health problems, etc. Yeah, it's pretty emo and I'm not really sure what to make of Kvarforth...he's a weird guy with a big ego for sure, but his vocal performance on this record is great!! I need to give it another listen, but at the time I hadn't quite heard music so atmospheric, depressing, and experimental, and yet at the same time still vaguely be categorized as black metal. I would say this should be higher on the list as well, kvlt warriors be damned (in black)!!

94. "Triarchy of the Lost Lovers" - Rotting Christ

I'm more familiar with Rotting Christ's newer stuff, but I thought this was the album where they started exploring a more gothic rock kind of sound or whatever. I could be wrong, maybe that's "A Dead Poem"...either way, I hate to say it but while I've listened to this album I really don't remember it at all. Sorry!! For what it's worth, I really enjoy some of Rotting Christ's newer stuff!!

93. "La sanie des siècles - Panégyrique de la dégénérescence" - Peste Noire

It's too bad that Famine's such a racist hooligan, because this band's music is awesome!! I put PN in the same boat as Nokturnal Mortum or Graveland; politically-incorrect bands that write some really killer stuff. Anyway, we're focusing on the music here, so I just want to say that I've been a huge fan of this album (PN's best, by the way) ever since Mark of the Beast played it on Malicious Intent years ago. I was blown away by the sloppy, punky attitude of Famine's guitar-playing, combined with his fucking insane vocals and the music's bizarre experimentation. Listening to this always made me think of a Bubonic Plague-stricken France, with peasants living in squalor, cities crumbling, and plague doctors wearing those bird beak gas masks running around trying to save the day all while the unwashed masses hysterically scream for forgiveness within vast cathedrals. Every Peste Noire album has gotten weirder since, but it's still been an awesome ride!! I just wish Famine wasn't such a bird brain!!

92. "Welcome to My Last Chapter" - Vinterland

Damn, 13 reviews and 94% on metal-archives.com???? I've never heard of these guys!! I'll be sure to check it out very soon.

91. "Göetia" - Mystifier

This album cover is awesome!! Sadly, I've never listened to Mystifier even tho I always feel like Brazilian bands come off as way more evil than anyone from North America or Western Europe...I have no idea why. Maybe because so many MMA fighters come fom there?
Anyway, sorry it's amateur hour at Malicious Intent right now!!

90. "Le Secret" - Alcest

Annnndd to finish off with what started with a bang and is rapidly ending in a whimper, we have Alcest's "Le Secret", which I've never listened to!! I'm quite familiar with the Neige's back story and their full-length releases, but I've never listened to this EP. I'm sure it's great though!! I remember Ty from Hammerlord saying that he really liked this release more than their later stuff. Or maybe he was talking about Amesoeurs and their "Ruines Humaines" EP, I can't remember.

Sorry this ended up being kind of shitty! It's pretty disheartening because I really thought I knew my black metal!! Looks like I've got some catching up to do!! Check in soon for further analysis of Decibel's Top 100 Black Metal Albums of All Time, more zany stories, and mildly interesting commentary!!

The Land of the Morning Grim

It's actually not too cold out right now, but it looks relatively grim outside as I type this from my office in Daejeon, South Korea. It's overcast, rainy, and overall just pretty miserable-looking(kind of how I imagine London to be all year ha), so what better time to make a quick MI update? Since I've been in Korea I haven't had much time to really explore lots of music since it's been so hectic getting a rhythm going and settling into my new apartment, but all that's about to change! I've noticed as I get more acclimated to my new surroundings I've begun to have more and more free time...which means that I've decided to finally get off my ass and post a quick update on the ol' MI blog for all of you looking for your next fix of what's hot right now in early 2013!! While there's still lots of stuff I want to check out but haven't gotten around to yet (like the new Portal), here's what I've been enjoying so far!!

"Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού" - Rotting Christ

What I enjoy about Rotting Christ so much is their atmosphere. I don't know what it is about the Greeks these days, but both Rotting Christ and Septicflesh have been fucking nailing it with their latest music when it comes to getting my imagination going! Listening to this latest album makes me think of a cold evening somewhere in Athens, Greece, where blasphemous occultik ceremonies are taking place deep in the catacombs far below a giant Greek Orthodox cathedral...





"Death by Fire" - Enforcer

I was hanging out with Judge Dredd a few days ago and brought up the new Enforcer album and he was goes, "aren't they like...one of those 'vest metal' bands?" While indeed Enforcer falls into the vest metal camp for sure, that doesn't mean that "Death by Fire" still doesn't bring some great songs to get your party going this weekend!!




"The Underground Resistance" - Darkthrone


While I'm not as big a fan as I was of their last album ("Circle the Wagons"), this new one is still pretty good! I'm ashamed to admit it, but I think I prefer Fenriz's songs over Nocturno Culto's even though they're definitely more on the goofy side. For your consideration:



But that's not to say that Nocturno Culto's songs don't suck! Check this out!!




I pretty much agree with the Needle Drop dude.

"Nourishing the Spoil" - Guttural Secrete


Easily the most brutal album I've heard this year, even outdoing Devourment!! Hyper-technical death metal played by cavemen/the hillbillies from Deliverance:




I guess this is a re-recorded version of this song from the last album, but still!

"Conceived in Sewage" - Devourment

Speaking of Devourment, here's some of their new stuff (with a brand new music video too)! I haven't listened to too much of "Conceived in Sewage", but I've been enjoying it so far!! Brutal with plenty of slams, just how I like it!



I've also wanted to talk a little about a new black metal band that I've really been into lately. Before I left for Korea, Professor Grindstein and I were sitting around drinking beer and listening to some new metal vinyl that PG had bought at the record store he works at downtown. While one of the albums we listened to is one of my favorite black metal albums of all time ("La Sanie des Siècles - Panégyrique de la Dégénérescence" by Peste Noire, this is my favorite song off of it), the true star of the evening was an LP entitled "Häxan", by a Polish black metal band called Cultes Des Ghoules.

What really made it special were a number of things...for one, PG spent like 50 bucks on it (lol). Second, since we had a copy of the LP I was able to read the lyrics along with it out of the lyric book, which included a bunch of cool kvlt as fvck woodcut art that I guess was all originally created for that album. Third, I didn't really know what to expect and was surprised at how much I enjoyed the evil, ritualistic BM vibe of the whole thing, complete with ominous ambient parts and screaming that really added to the whole experience. Definitely check it out, and try to read the lyrics along with it too if you can!!


Here's a cool video someone made that syncs up one of the songs with the film Häxan (which is also worth checking out if it appeals to you!).
I should also mention that I've really been enjoying the new Chief Keef album, "Finally Rich"...but maybe that's for another post :D

So much cool stuff to be excited for in the future! New Cultes Des Ghoules, Burzum, Portal, Ghost, and many more coming up soon!! I'll keep you updated!!