Abyssic Hate - "Suicidal Emotions" (2000)

A good depressive black metal album that came out in 2000, Suicidal Emotions is raw and fuzzy and the riffs are deeply sorrowful. Yet despite taking much from early Burzum at times, the album surprisingly never feels too contrived or cliche.

Suicidal Emotions

Druid Lord - "Hymns For The Wicked" (2010)

I am crossing over into DeafMetal's music-review territory this time with a newer band who play a classic death/doom style of metal. Druid Lord spawned a couple years back in muggy Florida and their sound is no less sweltering. Members have purebred metal backgrounds considering their repertoires with such greats as Incubus, Equinox, and Acheron. Influences abound out of the bubbling, porridge-thick death/doom. A decadent mix of stoner and horror theatrics, blown-out, blasé recording quality, and ruthless brutality makes Hymns For The Wicked a monstrous listen. Take a hint and do what their latest Myspace status says to do: "Burn one and crank the DOOM!"

Brute.

A Few Old Death Metal Albums...

I've noticed an outcry for old-school death metal recommendations lately, so instead of just posting one album, I will post a few lesser known legendary ones that I hold dear. Though, it should be noted that these are not strictly death metal albums, but they all maintain an overall old-school death sound. So without further ado...

Carbonized - "For The Security" (1991)

Carbonized's For The Security is a savage album. Hints of grind and avant-garde metal fleck this one of a kind 1991 masterpiece. The drumming is spectacular, the riffs are cacophonous and messy, and the are vocals are extraordinary. Check this out if you like death metal that breaks away from tradition.

For The Security

Old Funeral - "The Older Ones" (1999)

Old Funeral was known for once including Varg, Abbath, and a few other major black metal artists in their line-up. Although the band was only active for a handful of years, believe it or not, these grimlins created some of the catchiest and heaviest death metal of their day. With ripping riffs, blazing blast beats, and sometimes comedic vocals, Old Funeral certainly did not take themselves very seriously. The Older Ones is a compilation album and features a great track list.

The Older Ones

Rottrevore - "Iniquitous" (1993)

Rottrevore are local legends hailing from my town, Pittsburgh. Here is a death metal band that is difficult to be outdone in the brutality department. In fact perhaps the only other local bands who can even contest are the legendary Nunslaughter or the pulverising Dream Death. Iniquitous is a remarkable old-school album making its debut in 1993, proving that great death metal didn't have to come from New York or Florida. There are some really good riffs here and the vocals are disturbingly guttural.

Iniquitous

Ophis - "Withered Shades" (2010)

I cannot recommend this album enough. Ophis's 2010 release, Withered Shades, is a perfect example of what crushing modern death/doom metal should sound like. Riffs are slow and suffocating and the vocals boom and bellow from the depths below (my nether regions quiver with glee). If you skip out on this then you are not a true metal fan, you are a wimp.

Withered Shades

Reverorum Ib Malacht - "What Do You Think Of The Old God, We Call Him Judas?" (2005)

Reverorum Ib Malacht's What Do You Think Of The Old God, We Call Him Judas? is an intimidating demo, not just because the band's name and album title are ridiculous, but also because the music is very disturbing. With lo-fi black metal being coaxed through dark ambient Judas becomes a very intense listening experience! The second of the 2 songs, "... And Bathe In Cold Holy Water," is a terrifying piece of music and can contest with any track off a Gnaw Their Tongues release.

What Do You Think Of The Old God, We Call Him Judas?

Münn - "Selbstmordwald Rehearsal Demo" (2008)

In 2008, Woodsmokers, Münn, made their lone rehearsal demo available to earthlings before realizing that they were not fit for this world and hurriedly shriveled away back into the forest mists, never to be heard from again. Often reminiscent of a noisier Moss, Münn's Selbstmordwald Rehearsal Demo brings any listener to their quaking knees. This 80 minute demo is harsher than a hobo's morning breath, each song louder and heavier than the next. In short, the Selbstmordwald Rehearsal Demo offering is not of this world, in fact it is...

... unworldly!

Raksha Mancham - "Phyidar" (1992)

Released in 1992, Phyidar is a compilation of Raksha Mancham's first three vinyls, plus extra songs. Rooted in Buddhist influences, this could be considered tribal drone - widely experimenting in ethnic sounds and styles. Poetry is recited over more modern guitar. Chants, moans, shouts, breaths, repetitive primal beats, and other ancient bellows and lyres transcend the listener to a proverbial time of solemn myth.

OMMMMMM

Aix Em Klemm - "Aix Em Klemm" (2000)

Aix Em Klemm's self-titled debut (and only) release is one that is never going to leave my headphones. With warm drones and exquisite melodies, Aix Em Klemm ranks among the likes of Stars Of The Lid (Adam Wiltzie is half of the band after all) or Loscil any day. Expect bright and therapeutic ambient atmospheres with the occasional fleeting airy vocals that aid in sweeping the listener away to another dimension.

Aix Em Klemm