Vaura - Selenelion (2012)

Genre: Black Metal, Post-Punk, Post-Rock
Country: United States

This isn't exactly obscure or anything, but it sure is under-appreciated and overlooked. I can see there being a lot of hype for this seeing as this has Toby Driver in the band among others, but it seems people's expectations were a little bit too high because of it. Regardless, this is an excellent release as long as you don't expect it to blow your mind. It sort of has that black metal / shoegaze feel but it's more of an influence more than it is integral to their sound. They also switch between the gruff harsh vocals and the gothic post-punk kind of vocals similar to The Cure. It's a pretty unique in its own right, just don't expect some avant-garde type of thing. It's just good for what it is.

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Usurp Synapse / Hassan I Sabbah - Just Do It! (2000)

Genre: Screamo
Country: United States

If it wasn't clear already with its tongue-in-cheek title and artwork, this short split is about suicide. It seems sort of ridiculous, especially when listening to the beginning of some of the Usurp Synapse songs, but it can be forgiven when you realize how intense and raw both bands can get. There is some feeling of catharsis within these songs that really give that feeling of despair and kind of give the feeling of the artwork and title (in other words, suicide). Perhaps one of the best splits in the genre.

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New Arizmenda Track - "Cum In Your Wound"

Arizmenda have a released the second track off of their upcoming full-length Stillbirth In The Temple of Venus entitled "Cum In Your Wound". It's starting to seem to me that this band can do no wrong. Continuing down the more "streamlined" path of "Rites of Deconsecration" from last year's Tliltic Tlapoyauak, the song is simpler from a construction standpoint, but still offers the visceral emotion the band has come to be known for. I think it's fantastic, but judge for yourself below:

Planning For Burial - Desideratum (2014)

Genre: Drone, Shoegaze
Country: United States

Planning For Burial subdues the more metal aspects of his music from his debut Leaving back in 2009 in exchange for more emotive and soft drone-y shoegaze. This allows for a more focused listen rather than the all over place sound akin to his debut which was good regardless. The drone here is really engaging here despite how slow-paced the music here is. It really feels like being absorbed into nothingness which is most likely what Planning For Burial is going for.

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Tardigrada - Widrstand (2012)

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: Switzerland

With the supposed release of a proper full length in the near future i have been retreading this release recently as part of my building anticipation.  While not being a masterclass by any means this demo shows enough potential to make me think that their first full work could turn out to be something truly special.  A great sense of eb and flow is on display with the compositions feeling very organic and carrying a varying array of emotions, a worthwhile release put out by the awesome us black metal label that is Fallen Empire.

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Paavoharju - Yhä hämärää (2005)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk
Country: Finland

This album carries a pretty dark tone but it's definitely not the menacing kind. Rather, it sounds like sitting around in a forest at night while gazing upon your surroundings. The album has that warm fuzzy feeling that even borders ethereal. The vocalist sounds quite exotic and the fact that the lyrics are in Finnish add to that feeling and may even carry some dream pop vibes. There are many unique sounds to be heard here that helps this album stand out from the rest using synths, field recordings, and other sounds that I can't really decipher. Definitely a unique album worth checking out.

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Endlichkeit - III - V (2014)

Genre: Black Metal
Country: United States

Endlichkeit came into my consciousness with the release of their first demo on Fallen Empire towards the back end of last year, although not an immediate sort of project this distant hazy black metal feels like a nostalgic recollection of times gone by.  The beauty of this project is the way it stealthily worms it's way into your brain, you suddenly start recalling the hints of melody and nostalgic feeling it creates seemingly out of nowhere.  Definatley a grower kind of release, give this and their debut time and they can turn out to be quite rewarding.

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Naðra - Eitur (2014)

Genre: Black Metal
Country: Iceland

To be honest, apparently Iceland has a burgeoning black metal... I was, and still am for the most part, completely unaware of whatever that scene consists of. I somehow managed to stumble upon Naðra, and I couldn't be happier. This is pretty straightforward, very melodic black metal. It unabashedly celebrates all the basic tenets of the genre, while featuring a pristine production that very much works for the release. The riffs are super solid, and thanks to some great use of repetition, they are very much drilled into your head. An overall great release.

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