Skagos

One of my favorite Cascadian black metal bands, from Vancouver Island. Ast ended up being one of the albums I listened to the most over the past year, and their other releases are also excellent.


metal archives

LP 2009 - Ast
EP 2009 - Litha MMIX
Split with Tomhet, 2008 - Himmelszelt

Empyrium - Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays

Excellent acoustic metal, in the vein of Ulver's Kveldssanger but with somewhat denser instrumentation. Really great vocal harmonies, haunting forest-y themes. I, uh, end up listening to this a lot.

metal archives
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De Magia Veterum - Migdal Bavel

Harsh, jarring-ass, technical "avant-garde" Dutch black metal. I think its great. Drum triggers and crunchy synth backs up some shattered guitars. I think its great.

metal archives
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Helheim - Jormundgand

Viking/black metal. Some higher pitched vocals, some piano here and there, and some good alternately glorious and sinister atmospheres. Plus, if you're into Norse things, the lyrics are pretty fuckin' sweet.


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Warduna - Runaljod: Gap Var Ginnunga

Not black metal, but a side project of Gorgoroth folks. Ambient music using mostly traditional and acoustic instruments, with awesome vocal harmonies and excellent slow pacing. From Norway, of course, and pretty great. I listen to this album regularly. It can make anything you're doing feel imbued with dark forest power. If you haven't heard it, get it.

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Weakling - Dead as Dreams

Incredibly epic atmospheric black metal from the Bay. Tragically broken up after this release. A god damn classic.

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Muinainen Ruhtinas - Tuskanvuorten Valtaistuin

Great, solid, semi-obscure, one-demo-tape-released black metal from Finland. Solo project of Krimn V from Verisynti. Riffy, with a good mix of tempos.

metal archives
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thanks to aesop

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