Vyrion - Vyrion (Independent, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Intro (0.34)

2. Ever-Rising Platform (6.07)

3. Mortal Frame (5.49)

4. The Decider (4.54)

5. Winter Vector (5.04)

6. Disengage (4.32)

7. Rendering The Lifeless (5.30)

8. The Silence (5.17)

9. The Decision (6.26)

10. Sole Remainder (7.25)

Synopsis: Almost everything here belies the fact that this is an independent release, from the packaging through to the songwriting and performances everything is of such a high standard. Vyrion sound supremely confident in their potent, and slightly progressive, mixture of black and death metal which, considering it's their first release, is all the more impressive. They also manage to incorporate some lighter, atmospheric moments and this results in a memorable release that stands up to repeated listens. Sure, the production could do with some refinement but, otherwise, Vyrion have set the bar pretty high for themselves and prove to be a band well worth watching.

http://www.vyrion.com/

Morito Ego Sum - Moonchild (Independent, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Behind These Tears (8.08)

2. When The Grass Grows Over Me (8.13)

3. This Selfish Act (9.05)

4. Moonchild (5.34)

Synopsis: Some fine gothic doom metal from this Swedish band that sounds like a refined mixture of Candlemass and mid-period My Dying Bride, in no small part due to the vocals and inclusion of violin. Each of the songs sound immense and there are some quite memorable guitar melodies that balance the heavy riffing. Whilst the title track is a King Crimson cover and "Moonchild" tends to stay within the expected norms for a doom band, Morito Ego Sum still have their own take on the style with a palpable sense of melancholy and reverence.

www.moritoergosum.com

Mournful Congregation - The Book Of Kings (20 Buck Spin, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. The Catechism Of Depression (19.19)

2. The Waterless Streams (12.19)

3. The Bitter Veils Of Solemnity (12.02)

4. The Book Of Kings (33.10)

Synopsis: I discovered Mournful Congregation relatively late, much to my shame, however they have rapidly become one of my favourite bands and their latest album, "The Book Of Kings" easily demonstrates why this is the case. Even though they can be categorised as a funeral doom band, there is so much more on offer that this almost does them an injustice. This is dark, intelligent music and, whilst the opening and closing songs are immense, a song like "The Bitter Veils Of Solemnity" shows a completely different side being entirely acoustic yet no less moving. It is the constant light and shade that Mournful Congregation employ that makes them such a fantastic band and "The Book Of Kings" one of the best releases of the year just gone.

http://www.mournfulcongregation.com/

Lost Century - Natural Process Of Progression (Independent, 1993)

Track Listing:

1. The End (1.49)

2. Submit To Stagnation (3.11)

3. Cling To The Unreal (4.42)

4. Delivering The Sentence (5.08)

5. Trivial (Towards Destination) (6.00)

Synopsis: Lost Century were an interesting technical thrash band from Germany and this was their first proper release after two demo tapes. I bought this CD without really knowing much about the band, information is pretty scarce, but it was worth the investment as the songs are well written thrash with a slightly technical edge. The band went on to release two albums, "Complex Microcosm" in 1994 and "Poetic Atmosphere Of Seasons" in 1995 before calling it a day.