Exmortus - Beyond The Fall Of Time (Heavy Artillery, 2011)

Track List:

1. Bane Forthcoming (1.08)

2. Kneel Before The Steel (6.11)

3. Black XIII (4.03)

4. Beyond The Nile... (2.33)

5. Entombed With The Pharaohs (6.20)

6. Destroy (5.24)

7. Crawling Chaos (5.36)

8. Left To Die In The Paradox Of Time (6.18)

9. Khronos (Forever In The Void) (3.04)

10. The Gathering (6.04)

Synopsis: I have been a staunch supporter of Exmortus ever since I purchased a copy of their debut "In Hatred's Flames" from them a few years ago. Of course, that was subsequently reissued with extra songs by Heavy Artillery the following year, which I bought as well, and now we have "Beyond The Fall Of Time". If anything, Exmortus seem to have gotten more aggressive and the rapid, shredding guitar work, that is almost their trademark, remains at the forefront. At times it borders on death metal though it never quite crosses over and there are even some more traditional metal moments as well. "Beyond The Fall Of Time" will go down as one of my favourite albums of the year and it readily proves that thrash can still sound fresh and relevant.

http://www.exmortus.com/ 

Insomnium - One For Sorrow (Century Media, 2011)

Track List:

1. Inertia (3.43)

2. Through The Shadows (4.32)

3. Song Of The Blackest Bird (7.29)

4. Only One Who Waits (5.18)

5. Unsung (5.04)

6. Every Hour Wounds (5.24)

7. Decoherence (3.18)

8. Lay The Ghost To Rest (7.46)

9. Regain The Fire (4.26)

10. One For Sorrow (6.06)

Synopsis: Each new Insomnium album has seen them further refining their sound, the base elements remain the same however they manage to improve on them with each successive release. "One For Sorrow" is certainly no exception to this however it would also be their most consistent album yet. Insomnium have retained their inherent sense of melancholy, which is obviously an integral part of their sound, but they have also written a collection of songs that build upon strong melodies and well structured arrangements. No real surprises if you are familiar with their previous releases but that doesn't detract from what is a very strong work.

http://www.insomnium.net/

Klabautamann - Merkur (The End, 2009)

Track Listing:

1. Unter Baumen (6.34)

2.When I Long For Life (6.53)

3. Stygian (5.16)

4. Herbsthauch (4.53)

5. Morn Of Solace (4.59)

6. Der Wald Ist Ein Meer (4.17)

7. Merkur (4.54)

8. Lurker In The Moonlight (5.28)

9. Noatun (5.38)

Synopsis: Klabautamann, a duo from Germany, have a particularly unique style as they take traditional black metal elements and then incorporate a progressive, jazz influence and a whole lot of light and shade into their music. It is almost surprising how seamlessly they manage to do so and, whilst they are not quite as avant garde as a band like Arcturus, they have an interesting approach that is simultaneously challenging and enjoyable. Given their new album "The Old Chamber" is due to be released on Zeitgeister this month I am very curious where they will head from here.

www.myspace.com/klabautamann

Ghast - May The Curse Bind (Todestrieb, 2008)

Track List:

1. Crawl, Blighted And Afraid (7.55)

2. Give Your Wrists (8.25)

3. Evoke Spiritless Hell (8.30)

4. Pale Robe (9.03)

5. Hexed Under Moon (9.18)

Synopsis: I actually bought this and the follow up, "Terrible Cemetery", at the same time so it seemed logical to listen to them in chronological order. Ghast mix black and doom metal into a hybrid that is so well done it is easy to forget that each of the five songs are quite lengthy. Part of this is due to their mixture of speed and slower dirges, never sounding forced, and this is an example of a band finding its strength in its simplicity. As the song titles and cover art would suggest, the subject matter is bleak with a production that suits this outlook perfectly. Ghast  certainly realised their vision with a brilliant debut and established themselves as a band to watch.

www.myspace.com/souldustgrave

www.facebook.com/GhastUK



Worship - Dooom (Endzeit Elegies, 2007)

Track Listing:

1. Endzeit Elegy (8.38)

2. All I Ever Knew Is Dead (8.24)

3. The Altar And The Choir Of The Moonkult (8.11)

4. Graveyard Horizon (9.41)

5. Zorn A Rust-Red Scythe (8.06)

6. Devived (8.17)

7. Mirror Of Sorrow (9.44)

8. I Am The End - Crucifixion Part II (11.50)

Synopsis: It has taken some time for me to obtain a copy of this CD but persistence certainly pays off and it was well worth the effort. Worship are one of the bleakest funeral doom bands you are likely to hear however, despite their minimalist outlook, they do manage to incorporate  embellishments such as deep, clean vocals, melodic leads, choirs and piano that add some degree of respite from the generally oppressive atmosphere. "Dooom" certainly isn't an easy listening experience by any measure but, like all good doom albums, it remains steeped in palpable misery which, given the history of the band, comes as no surprise.

http://www.worshipdoom.wordpress.com/

www.myspace.com/worshipdoom

Blood Red Throne - Brutalitarian Regime (Sevared, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Brutalitarian Regime (2.53)

2. Graveworld (3.30)

3. Trapped, Terrified, Dead (4.53)

4. Eternal Decay (4.14)

5. Games Of Humiliation (4.17)

6. The Burning (3.59)

7. Proliferated  Unto Hemophobia (4.24)

8. Melena (4.16)

9. Parnassian Cacoepy (5.09)

10. Twisted Truth (3.47)

Synopsis: It's business as usual for Blood Red Throne, if you've heard any of their releases you'll know what to expect, however signing to Sevared Records seems to have had a positive influence as "Brutalitarian Regime" is their most consistent effort to date. The songs are strong and they appear to have realised the potential hinted at previously. The Pestilence cover to round off the album is a nice touch as well.

Einherjer - Norron (Indie, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Norron Kraft (12.54)

2. Naglfar (5.11)

3. Alu Alu Laukar (2.51)

4. Varden Brenne (6.19)

5. Atter Pa Malmtings Blodige Voll (8.13)

6. Balladen Om Bifrost (5.50)

Synopsis: Despite the fact that Einherjer have been in existence since 1993, give or take a few years, and have released a four albums in that period "Norron" is the first of their releases I have actually bought. This could be because I have never been the biggest follower of "Viking Metal" but I have come away impressed with what they have come up with here. Whilst their music is based upon traditonal riffs and themes they have also incorporated epic elements throughout, particularly in opener "Norron Kraft" which is the best song on the album. It took a few listens to fully appreciated but, in the end, "Norron" is one of the better releases I have heard in this stye.

http://www.einherjer.com/

www.myspace.com/einherjermusic