PESTILENT GRAVE

'Esoteric Blasphemy'

SVARTGALGH

Chester-based Black Metal project Pestilent Grave sought 2009 as the unholy year and at it's most apt point to release his first EP 'Esoteric Blasphemy'. Recently he has moved to The Netherlands, home of Svartgalgh Records coincidentally. Limited to 50 copies, this release is probably one of the best circulating the underground that originates from Chester, a special part in time 2009 rests in, the time of 'Esoteric Blasphemy'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/pestilantgrave

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DREPHJARD

'Maktdominans'

FROSTSCALD

True Norwegian Black Metal is the figurehead for Black Metal in general and the genre's latest offering is not exempt from classification as a TNBM band. Drephjard hail from Fredrikstad and with it draw up the dark, cold and kvlt attitude of this noble settlement, not to mention they relish in the city's history including the famous Roald Amundsen who is notable as leader of the first expedition to the South Pole. Long live TNBM.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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DIABOLICON

'Diabolicon'

SMOULDERING EARTH

Polish Black Metallers Diabolicon light the fire to bring their existence to the masses with their debut self-titled EP, raw guitars are deemed to be expected and the natural unholy sound of screeching is forecasted to occur, the blastbeats however fast come as side orders. Satanic lyrics are present in this blasphemous release, quite the contradiction for Poles whereby they are such a religious race, however as religion goes it is down to the individual, Diabolicon just happen to choose Satanism. Just remember to dial 666 for further instructions.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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HARZA (split-up 2010)

'War'

UNDERGROUND MUSIC PRODS.

Split-up in June 2010, Russian NS Black Metallers Harza takes the old Nazi route with their Black Metal and sing in their native Russian. General Black Metal style music with of course Russian lyrics, however the lyrical change has occurred prior to previous statement, early lyrics was Nazism but later lyrics and especially on their 2010 album 'War', lyrics revolve around WW2 soldiers, such a monumental release marks the bravery of the soldiers on both sides.  For the anti-Nazi people, this would be as disturbing as Auschwitz was, horrors that should never be repeated.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

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SVART

'Förlorad'

FROSTCALD

Swedish Black Metal one-man project Svart released his (Draug's) sophomore album in a rather epic yet lengthy style, three tracks that calculate to over one hour, that would cover a trip from London to Colchester completely, so much so the long tracks are likely to be even bigger in file size, probably so iTunes would collapse, and although it is Black Metal, there are (if any) no lyrics, which is an utter disappointment, if this is to be the next wave of Black Metal, god help us.

[5] RHYS STEVENSON

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NEPHROLITH

'Vinsketh'

Slovenian Melodic Black Metallers gave darkness to their country with their debut demo 'Vinsketh', having some influences from the infamous Cradle Of Filth, Nephrolith in a nutshell could easily be the next big Melodic Black Metal act and with their demo concerned that seems more realistic than at first thought. Slovenia is generally known by one band called Laibach until you remove the top layer of Slovenia and discover bands like Nephrolith who aim to rip your ears apart and in doing so develop a vendetta to unleash Slovenian darkness across Europe, that time will come.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/nephrolithband

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SKOGEN

'Vittra'

FROSTCALD

Standing high on the Swedish mountains in the countryside with corpsepaint on is Skogen, a Swedish duo Black Metal act who in 2009 set upon their debut album 'Vittra', very much like Norwegian Black Metal, Skogen apply slow music with extremely screechy vocals and the sounds of nature in the background, most notably the imagery of cold winds coming from the upper Arctic and naturally singing in Swedish. With this lot in mind, Skogen may just yet be the first to be dubbed 'True Swedish Black Metal'. Norway might as well cower at Skogen's brutality.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

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DRAPSNATT

'I Denna Skog'

FROSTCALD

Swedish Blackened Folk Metallers Drapsnatt in 2009 saw their debut album 'I Denna Skog' being instantaneously released via Frostcald Records, a huge step for the Swedish duo, none the less the music itself is bog standard Black Metal, with some twists and turns to spice it up, especially the noticeable change in drumming pace, giving a sort of melodic feel to it, in the end 'I Denna Skog' is one Black Metal album that fans of Mayhem should enjoy.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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INFER

'Sede Vacante Aeternum'

METAL SWAMP

Slovakian Blackened Death Metallers come back with number three entitled 'Sede Vacante Aeternum', sounding very much like Behemoth, Infer take it one step back before pushing the music to its limits at full throttle, blastbeats after blastbeats are eluded by some very heavy vocals and guitarists who shit riffs out like as if someone ate a bad curry. Of all Slovakian Metal Bands, Infer is probably the most extreme. All that is left to say on this unholy journey is, watch this space, 666 is coming.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

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