Venus Star - Nigredo Expulsion (2013)

Genre: Black/Death
Country: Finland

Uncompromising Finnish filth. This is some great mid-paced bestial black/death metal with some serious Beherit influences. The riffs are simple, brutal, and crushing. Occasionally they delve a bit deeper into the more atmospheric side of things, and it really works out great, adding some depth to their sound. It's a pretty straightforward release, but its simplicity is part of its charm.

Venus Star

Akatharsia - Demo (2014)

Genre: Black Metal
Country: United States

Akatharsia is a new project in it's relative infancy that features members of Fell Voices and Negative Standards, a really good demo that takes a relatively direct black metal approach (in terms of fell voices huge compositions) with a good punkish stomp making things even catchy at times.  Great first demo from what looks like a promising young project.

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Miserable - Halloween Dream (2014)

Genre: Shoegaze
Country: United States

If you feel disappointed with the Camera Shy EP because former vocalist Kristina Esfandiari of Whirr sounds a little weak and wish to hear her in a similar as she was in Whirr, then you should check out her solo work under the moniker of Miserable. She approaches shoegaze with dark and depressing sounds and textures while still maintaining a catchy sound and sounding ethereal.

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Black Cilice / Dead Procession (2013)

Genre: Black metal / Ambient / Drone
Country: Portugal

Interesting split with Black Cilice providing their usual brand of raw noisy black metal alongside fellow countrymen Dead Procession who provide a side of drone/ambient with distant haunting vocals. Two brilliant projects that both deserve attention.

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I Was A Cosmonaut Hero - MMXIII (2014)

Genre: Screamo, Post Rock
Country: France

Another screamo/post rock hybrid from France featuring members from Gantz and Daitro. Songs at longest go as long as 7 minutes so it never really drags at points. Musically, it sounds just like a bunch of other screamo/post rock bands (perhaps most like Envy) but it's done well and isn't completely derivative of the members' past work. Rather it sounds like an extension of it. Chords progressions sound triumphant and the screams sounds passionate. A definite listen for those looking for this type of screamo from this year.

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