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.

Cultus Sanguine - Cultus Sanguine (Wounded Love, 1995)

Track Listing:

1. Richiamo In Rosso (1.38)

2. Ride The Winds Of Hate (5.44)

3. My Journey Is Long But My Time Is Endless (6.22)

4. Into The Field Of Screaming Souls (7.21)

Synopsis: Cultus Sanguine are one of those bands that were only around for a brief time and aren't well known but I have long found them an intriguing proposition. Their unique sound combined elements of black, doom and gothic metal into a hybrid that really doesn't sound like any other band I can think of. Whilst they were certainly not overly aggressive, quite the opposite, there is a creepy atmosphere to their music that more than compensates for this lack of aggression and it is these sinister undertones that made Cultus Sanguine such an interesting band.

Illogicist - The Unconsciousness Of Living (Willowtip, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Ghosts Of Unconsciousness (5.37)

2. Hypnotized (6.19)

3. Perceptions From The Deceiving Memory (5.41)

4. The Mind Reaper (4.56)

5. A Past Defeated Suffering (5.46)

6. The Same Old Collision (5.40)

7. Misery Of A Profaned Soul (4.52)

8. A Never Ending Fall (6.00)

Synopsis: Illogicist have a way of making their complex death metal seem effortless and their latest release "The Unconsciousness Of Living" builds upon their impressive back catalogue in a relentless fashion. One of their big strengths is that, despite the aforementioned complexity, the songs don't degenerate into sheer indulgence as they are capable of building upon a succession of strong, memorable riffs and rhythms. Illogicist have easily built upon the promise of  their previous release "The Insight Eye" and ably demonstrate that complexity and brutality can co-exist quite readily.

http://www.illogicist.com/

Isole - Born From Shadows (Napalm, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. The Lake (7.14)

2. Black Hours (7.10)

3. Born From Shadows (9.27)

4. Come To Me (6.49)

5. My Angel (10.31)

6. Condemned (8.49)

7. When All Is Black (5.28)

Synopsis: Isole are back with another album full of epic doom metal and, as you would expect, very has little has changed since their last release, "Silent Ruins".  I mean that in the best possible way as, if anything, this is a darker album than its predecessor, exemplified by the increased use of growled vocals, yet it hasn't lost any of the atmosphere, nor the solemn harmonies, in the process. Isole are one of those bands that can be uplifting one minute then crestfallen the next and "Born From Shadows" is another fine chapter in their consistently accomplished discography.

http://www.forevermore.se/