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Emeritus
Reviews 161
Approval 95%
Soundoffs 782
News Articles 72
Band Edits + Tags 334
Album Edits 1,121
Album Ratings 3408
Objectivity 68%
Last Active 10-04-22 3:24 pm
Joined 10-13-09
Review Comments 30,304
| TheSpirit's Black Metal 100 Pt.4
An ongoing series of lists that feature my favorite black metal albums of all time. Expect to see artists from every BM subgenre; expect to see "mainstream" artists next to their more underground peers; expect to see some artists making multiple entries. Consider all of these albums as recommendations and records that you need to hear. | | 1 |  | Sexdrome
Grown Younger
The raw punk/black metal scene has been one of the most fertile underground sub-genres these last few years, and Sexdrome were easily one of the best purveyors alongside Bone Awl and Grinning Death's Head. Atmospherically, there is subtle post-punk influence, but the majority of the music is caustic and grinding hardcore violence with touches of black metal-esque attitude, speed, and filth. Excellent album. | | 2 |  | Pantheon I
Worlds I Create
The ironic part of Worlds I Create is that it feels like complete annihilation. Deconstructing black metal and assembling in fashion that is both gloriously atmospheric but also impressively technical, Pantheon I illustrate how to perfectly execute such a dichotomy. The music is savage and uncompromising, but there's always an undercurrent of melody that keeps it palatable. Though not "symphonic" in the traditional sense, the band does feature a sole cello player who adds a fantastic dynamic to the already diverse music. | | 3 |  | Castevet
Mounds of Ash
Super underrated black metal/post-hardcore fusion that boasts some really ridiculous time signature tom-foolery and just an overall uniqueness that gave Castevet an unmistakable identity of their own. The post-hardcore elements definitely come into play when it comes to the bands sense of experimentalism and their dedication to letting the songs just build and build into these intense moments of cathartic outburst. The black metal comes through in its intensity and skin-crawling atmosphere. The production is pristine, and it works perfectly; there's an uneasiness to its clarity that makes this an exciting listen every time. | | 4 |  | Aguynguerran
Perverting the Nazarene Cult
Aguynguerran was a band I discovered when I first started dipping my toes in the uncomfortably deep waters of more "underground" black metal; they've remained a favorite ever since. Though two early demos were in essence in straightforward black metal, Perverting the Nazarene Cult added a bit more depth to their sound. Adopting a sense of melody akin to Somberlain/Storm The Light's Bane era Dissection and more headbang-able thrash-inspired riffs, Perverting the Nazarene Cult is intense enough to please more hardened fans, but melodic enough to welcome newcomers as well. | | 5 |  | Carved Cross
Demo III
There comes a point in every black metal listeners career that they come to a divergence; either keep listening black metal that may be cold, raw, but still inviting, or take the plunge into the darkest reaches of the genre where the artists purposely create a racket that is meant to alienate you. Carved Cross and their third demo is the embodiment of black metal that is meant to alienate you. Although the music is still "melodic", underproduced doesn't do just how bad this sounds justice. It's disgustingly, minimal, sloppy and relies heavily on repetition. But that's also what makes it so good. After awhile, it's all drilled into your head, where the simple harmonies remain long after you're done listening. | | 6 |  | Drowning The Light
The Blood Of The Ancients
Out of all the Drowning The Light releases that contain the word "blood" somewhere in the title, The Blood of the Ancients is easily my favorite. This is the album where Azgorh really began to hit his stride; the music is covered in static filth, but the rich atmosphere and triumphant melodies shine through to create something truly special here. It's a very straightforward release rife with memorable guitar riffs, keyboard embellishments and powerful vocals. Recommended. | | 7 |  | Arizmenda
Stillbirth in the Temple of Venus
Arizmenda are not only one of my favorite black metal bands ever, but I truly believe them to also be one of the best of all time. They are so unique and good at what they do; which is create completely unsettling black metal. Whereas their first two albums were more off-the-cuff and (seemingly) improvised, Stillbirth in the Temple of Venus seems more thoughtfully put together. It's also more melodic, but it never sacrifices an ounce of the mind-rattling insanity Arizmenda is known for. An undeniable classic of not only black metal's modern age, but the genre as a whole. | | 8 |  | Barghest
Barghest
Featuring the drummer and one of the Thou's guitarists, Barghest is pure blackened fury from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There is a definite swampiness from their home state translates into their music, and listening to this feels a lot like trudging your way through a never-ending quagmire of death-filled blackness. This is bleak, uncompromisingly and absolutely awesome. | | 9 |  | Horrid Cross
Demo I
Horrid Cross is raw, punk-y and NOISY AS FUCK black metal group from Florida. Their first demo is definitely not recommended for casual listeners of the black metal genre. Once again they are a band that exemplify the most grating aspects of black metal, yet they do so in a way that's strangely addicting for more seasoned fans. There is a punk stomp that permeates the analog fury, and it's just impossible to not bob your head along to their brand of sonic destruction. | | 10 |  | Sinat Hinam
Sinat Hinam
Sinat Hinam are crusty black metal band from Israel, and honestly, I know nothing about them aside from what they've provided on this demo; which rules. The thick but raw production definitely takes cues from the band's punk roots, but melodically they have a lot more in common with black metal. This demo is great for banging your head, with plenty of meaty riffage and even a few well-placed melodic verses that add a nice sense of dynamics. | |
TheSpirit
12.15.15 | Part 4, finally up | Hawks
12.15.15 | It's about time. ;] | TheSpirit
12.15.15 | Well you know... had to take my customary two month break from writing. | MoosechriS
12.15.15 | Awesome as always dude, loving the sexdrome love on here :] | TheSpirit
12.15.15 | Hell yeah :] | Archelirion
12.15.15 | Looks like you've gone for some properly bonesaw stuff here! I'll definitely check 8, if it has members of Thou in it, it surely can't be bad.
Also, hell yes for part 4 :3 | ThyCrossAwaits
12.15.15 | Dude please tell me you know Ayat if you're listening to 10 | TheSpirit
12.15.15 | I haven't heard of them before | zaruyache
12.15.15 | only thing I've jammed here is Barghest and they're pretty decent. Gonna have to remember to check out the rest. | TheSpirit
12.15.15 | BOOKMARK IT SON | Essence
12.15.15 | ooh new list, sick. nice work on these mang :] | TheSpirit
12.15.15 | m/ m/ thanks bruv | ThyCrossAwaits
12.15.15 | Yeah man check out Ayat, Lebanese black metal in a very similar vein
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=41326 | TheSpirit
12.16.15 | Awesome I'll definitely check them out, thank you | BandNewbac
12.16.15 | Props for Sexdrome i love that shit | TheSpirit
12.16.15 | Same! Definitely an underrated band | TheSpirit
12.16.15 | plenty of tremolooz here bruv | TheSpirit
12.18.15 | Probably dat Drowning The Light album | TheSpirit
02.25.16 | part 5, coming tonight
| zaruyache
02.25.16 | hype |
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