Moonloop - Deeply From The Earth (Listenable, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Awaking Spirals Of Time (2.11)
2. Beginning Of The End (5.15)
3. A Life Divided (4.34)
4. Fading Faces (5.02)
5. Strombus (6.15)
6. Deceiving Time (7.22)
7. Legacy Of Fear (4.18)
8. Wailing Road (6.18)
9. Landscape (6.25)
10. Atlantis Rising (11.00)

Synopsis: For some reason it took me a while to purchase a copy of "Deeply From The Earth", the second full length from Spain's Moonloop and it has turned out to be quite an interesting release. Their take on progressive death metal does bring to mind Opeth, without the classic prog influences, but also more aggressive bands such as Death through numerous twists and turns that find the music coming from many different directions. It isn't perfect, some of the transitions between sections can be abrupt and could be refined further, but there is no denying that there is a maturity and ambition at work here that challenges without being too obtuse and ultimately leaves you satisfied.

Agalloch - Faustian Echoes (Dammerung Arts, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Faustian Echoes (21.34)

Synopsis: Agalloch are widely revered, and rightly so, as they have always been a law unto themselves yet there is also an integrity and depth to their music that never wavers regardless of the path they take. "Faustian Echoes" is the longest song that they have recorded however this has proven no challenge as they take the classic Goethe tale and weave a metallic tapestry around it that retains your attention the whole time. The balance between the epic black metal and more introspective moments is finely balanced and the samples of dialogue add to the effect. Who knows what Agalloch will come up with next but whatever it might be it is sure to continue expanding their already impressive sound.

www.agalloch.org

The Gardnerz - It All Fades (Abyss, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Don't Look Back (7.24)
2. A Horrible Disease (7.50)
3. Transilvanian Hunger (6.54)
4. It All Fades (4.48)
5. Melatonin (3.48)
6. Erasing Bad Specimen (5.13)

Synopsis: I didn't seek out The Gardnerz' first release "The System Of Nature", in no small part due to the unfortunate band name, however I must admit that they have surprised me with the follow up "It All Fades". This is death metal that somehow retains an old school sound whilst at the same time incorporating cleaner, melodic elements to give them some semblance of an identity. Undoubtedly this release will garner most attention for the interesting interpretation of the Darkthrone classic "Transilvanian Hunger" which isn't heavy in the least instead relying on clean guitars and female vocals, I am still not sure whether this is insanity or genius. I still stand by my first impression, The Gardnerz isn't the best choice of name, but you can't argue with the music which is simple but effective death metal, the aforementioned cover aside.

www.thegardnerz.com

Indesinence - Vessels Of Light And Decay (Profound Lore, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Flux (0.59)
2. Paradigms (14.10)
3. Vanished Is The Haze (8.22)
4. Communion (6.00)
5. La Madruaga Eterna (4.03)
6. Fading (Further Beyond) (14.48)
7. Unveiled (13.42)

Synopsis: There is an inherent assurance of quality that comes with Profound Lore, even if everything they selectively release isn't to your taste there's no denying their attention to detail. My point? "Vessels Of Light And Decay" looks simply magnificent, the small picture above doesn't do it justice, and the music itself is no less impressive. After an ominous intro this release shows Indesinence to be another fine example of death doom done with conviction, imposing in its sprawling, crushing, miserable weight yet never lacking in substance. It has certainly been a good year for doom and "Vessels Of Light And Decay" stands high on the list.

www.indesinence.co.uk

Merrimack - The Acausal Mass (AFM, 2012)

Track Listing;

1. Vestals Of Descending Light (0.49)
2. Arousing Wombs In Nine Angles Pleroma (5.08)
3. Gospel Of The Void (5.16)
4. Beati Estis Cum Maledixerint Vobis (5.26)
5. Hypophanie (6.49)
6. Obstetrics Of Devourment (5.24)
7. Worms In The Divine Intestine (4.55)
8. Abortion Light (5.26)
9. Liminal Matter Corruption (8.27)

Synopsis: Like Behexen, I discovered Merrimack via their previous release "Grey Rigorism" and it was interesting to see that they had made the jump from Moribund to AFM, a label that have recently been signing more extreme bands after years of the more melodic end of metal.  It is clear that this change has given them greater resources to spread their dark message as everything about "The Acausal Mass" is polished to a razor sharp sheen with the artwork particularly impressive. Musically they don't challenge the black metal norm however this doesn't detract from the overall impact of what is a well written and performed release.

Behexen - Nightside Emanations (Debemur Morti, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Intro (1.13)
2. Wrathful Dragon Hau-Hra (4.05)
3. Death's Black Light (3.33)
4. Circle Me... (5.41)
5. We Burn With Serpent Fire (6.17)
6. The Luciferian Will (5.13)
7. Awaken Tiamat (6.08)
8. Temple Of The Silent Curses (5.24)
9. Shining Death (4.37)
10. Kiss Of Our Dark Mother (7.14)

Synopsis: Despite having only discovered Behexen on their previous release, "My Soul For His Glory", it did not temper my excitement to hear their latest release "Nightside Emanations" and, thankfully, they have not disappointed in the least. Behexen have achieved that elusive balance between the filth that is such an intrinsic part of black metal and a powerful production that allows the music to make its malevolent presence felt. This is the epitome of what black metal can be, dark and sinister yet clearly intelligent making it an impressive work.

www.facebook.com/behexen.official

Cryptopsy - Cryptopsy (Independent, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Two-Pound Torch (5.03)
2. Shag Harbour's Visitors (4.21)
3. Red-Skinned Scapegoat (5.57)
4. Damned Draft Dodgers (3.57)
5. Amputated Enigma (4.02)
6. The Golden Square Mile (3.12)
7. Ominous (3.46)
8. Cleansing The Hosts (4.35)

Synopsis: It appears to be widely accepted that "The Unspoken King", released on Century Media in 2008, was a major disappointment. Whilst I didn't find it quite the aberration that most people did, there is no doubt that their new, self-titled release is what Cryptopsy do best. This is, quite simply, one punishing work that does bring to mind their classic "None So Vile" album, albeit with an a more modern approach, showing that Cryptopsy weren't prepared to regress to satisfy their detractors. Instead they have put out a brutal and technical death metal album that will, at the very least, restore their credibility or, more importantly, reclaim their position as one of the more unique bands in death metal.

www.cryptopsy.ca