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Ultraprimitive, buzz-oriented, one-man projects, lo-fi, minimalistic, near white noise, abrasive, hypnotic, low-end, abstract, filthy, gurgles and mumblings, necro, 16rpm, animal grunts, blurred, anguished howls, damaged, murky, rertarded. Constantly updated thanks to dozens of BM bloggers and http://www.aquariusrecords.org/ staff.

1 1. Evil Iron and Thunder

The practically nonexistent production does not help with isolating music from behind the dense fog of hiss.

The practically nonexistent production does not help with isolating music from behind the dense fog of hiss.

2 2. Abruptum The Satanist Tunes

The Swedish band Abruptum crosses so many boundaries, that it seems to be obvious that it gained a cult status among black metal devotees. This short and weakly produced demo consists of 5 pieces filled mostly with slow to mid paced, rather spastic tempos, dense guitar dissonances, sporadic keyboard improvisations (they sound like flute!) and low, tortured vocal barks treated with reverb. Song structures are not cohesive at all. Overall this is a very atmospheric and unorthodox release - truly satanist tunes.

The Swedish band Abruptum crosses so many boundaries, that it seems to be obvious that it gained a cult status among black metal devotees. This short and weakly produced demo consists of 5 pieces filled mostly with slow to mid paced, rather spastic tempos, dense guitar dissonances, sporadic keyboard improvisations (they sound like flute!) and low, tortured vocal barks treated with reverb. Song structures are not cohesive at all. Overall this is a very atmospheric and unorthodox release - truly satanist tunes.

3 3. Trist Hin-Fort

The first 60-minutes long track sounds like a black metal version of The first 60-minutes long track sounds like a black metal version of Phill Niblock or JLIAT , but more majestic. The hypersonic, minimalistic drums don't stop and after a couple of minutes they blend into a hissing drone. Incredible.

The first 60-minutes long track sounds like a black metal version of Phill Niblock or JLIAT, but more majestic. The hypersonic, minimalistic drums don't stop and after a couple of minutes they blend into a hissing drone. Incredible.

4 4. Nåstrond / Nocternity Nåstrond / Nocternity

2 tracks only. A solid portion of buzz from both bands, like most of their black energy has been consumed by insatiable distortion monster.

2 tracks only. A solid portion of buzz from both bands, like most of their black energy has been consumed by insatiable distortion monster.

5 5. Furze UTD

Wow, this is a prime exaple of genre-crossing black metal! Spare bass chords, rapid tempo changes, crisp guitar sounds, uncomprehensible, sharp shrieks and abrupt guttural burbles. Here and there it's closer to some ESP records free jazz jamming, than generic BM forest horde attack. Mind blowing.

Wow, this is a prime exaple of genre-crossing black metal! Spare bass chords, rapid tempo changes, crisp guitar sounds, uncomprehensible, sharp shrieks and abrupt guttural burbles. Here and there it's closer to some ESP records free jazz jamming, than generic BM forest horde attack. Mind blowing.

7 7. Nahvalr Nahvalr

The more abstract it gets, the better.

The more abstract it gets, the better.

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8 8. Akitsa La grande infamie

Sounds like your regular BM horde. But appearances are deceitful. Weird, dissonant guitars, sometimes totally primitive ("Silence"), sometimes completely out of the way ("Foret Disparue" sounds like Sounds like your regular BM horde. But appearances are deceitful. Weird, dissonant guitars, sometimes totally primitive ("Silence"), sometimes completely out of the way ("Foret Disparue" sounds like Sunroof! from caveland).

Sounds like your regular BM horde. But appearances are deceitful. Weird, dissonant guitars, sometimes totally primitive ("Silence"), sometimes completely out of the way ("Foret Disparue" sounds like Sunroof! from caveland).

9 9. Nachtmystium Assassins - Black Meddle Part I

Catchy as never, the last Nachtmysticum offering blends catchy choirs (this sounds like Catchy as never, the last Nachtmysticum offering blends catchy choirs (this sounds like Running Wild in some places), spacey synth passages bringing back memories of Detroit's second well known industry. Too well produced to be really obscure, but still it's an atypical BM album.

Catchy as never, the last Nachtmysticum offering blends catchy choirs (this sounds like Running Wild in some places), spacey synth passages bringing back memories of Detroit's second well known industry. Too well produced to be really obscure, but still it's an atypical BM album.

10 10. Ildjarn Forest Poetry

Meet the king of raw, ultraprimitive BM poetry.

Meet the king of raw, ultraprimitive BM poetry.

11 11. Urfaust Verräterischer, Nichtswürdiger Geist

The instrumental parts have a Wagnerian touch - who knows, maybe they're more effective than the metal pieces? It looks like Urfaust is the only band who's utilizing classical arrangements and doesn't sound dull. Thanks to vocal parts sang with gregorian, droning touch, the grim atmosphere gets a psychodelic kick. Cool!

The instrumental parts have a Wagnerian touch - who knows, maybe they're more effective than the metal pieces? It looks like Urfaust is the only band who's utilizing classical arrangements and doesn't sound dull. Thanks to vocal parts sang with gregorian, droning touch, the grim atmosphere gets a psychodelic kick. Cool!

12 12. Chaoswolf Lycanthropic Passages and Mystic Blackness

Only the last piece from this short release stands out - when the cheap keyboards are abruptly attacked by monstrous shrieks. It's as cheesey and as surreal as your average Dali lanschaft.

Only the last piece from this short release stands out - when the cheap keyboards are abruptly attacked by monstrous shrieks. It's as cheesey and as surreal as your average Dali lanschaft.

13 13. Contra Ignem Fatuum Detritus

Hard to say if there are any guitars here, but the sound is massive indeed. It looks like someone put a mike in some bees nest.

Hard to say if there are any guitars here, but the sound is massive indeed. It looks like someone put a mike in some bees nest.

14 14. Wrath of the Weak Alogon

Austerity via simplicity - though every track sounds almost the same, with pounding beats (funny thing, they don't sound like drums anymore), guitars full of feedbacks, where tonal chords are hard to recognize ( Austerity via simplicity - though every track sounds almost the same, with pounding beats (funny thing, they don't sound like drums anymore), guitars full of feedbacks, where tonal chords are hard to recognize ( Velvet Cacoon anyone?), and hidden, creepy vocals, it is a morbid, hypnotizing experiece. Great stuff!

Austerity via simplicity - though every track sounds almost the same, with pounding beats (funny thing, they don't sound like drums anymore), guitars full of feedbacks, where tonal chords are hard to recognize (Velvet Cacoon anyone?), and hidden, creepy vocals, it is a morbid, hypnotizing experiece. Great stuff!

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15 15. (V.E.G.A.) Cocaine

Distorted picture on the cover is good choice for this buzzy, weird BM album. Insane drumming, blurred guitars, yeah, even cold, discoish rhythms in the last track.

Distorted picture on the cover is good choice for this buzzy, weird BM album. Insane drumming, blurred guitars, yeah, even cold, discoish rhythms in the last track.

16 16. Wolok Servum Pecus

from Killing Technology era turned into dissonant, psychodelic BM with lots of devilish samples. Similarity to Voivod from Killing Technology era turned into dissonant, psychodelic BM with lots of devilish samples. Similarity to Leviathan seems to be obvious during a first listen, but after repeated listenings you feel the Frenchmen have the unique, prog-psych BM style.

Voivod from Killing Technology era turned into dissonant, psychodelic BM with lots of devilish samples. Similarity to Leviathan seems to be obvious during a first listen, but after repeated listenings you feel the Frenchmen have the unique, prog-psych BM style.

Burzum meets King Crimson... cheesy kind of way.

18 18. Furze Necromanzee Cogent

Slow, hypnotic, prog BM. Sounds like this album has been recorded in the 60, if only BM existed that time.

Slow, hypnotic, prog BM. Sounds like this album has been recorded in the 60, if only BM existed that time.

19 19. Reverorum Ib Malacht Likpredikan

Who-ho-ho-ho! Dirty, lo-fi dark ambience intertwines with spare electronic beats/beasts. A dark and spooky journey.

Who-ho-ho-ho! Dirty, lo-fi dark ambience intertwines with spare electronic beats/beasts. A dark and spooky journey.

20 20. Öde Schimmenwoud

Haunted vocals and slow, droney passages clash with ultrafast drumming. Very atmospheric with slightly psychodelic touch.

Haunted vocals and slow, droney passages clash with ultrafast drumming. Very atmospheric with slightly psychodelic touch.

Dissonant, foggy with scary screams, balancing between noise, early Voivod and Old at times.

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22 22. Fen The Malediction Fields

One of the poppiest releases on the list here (at least by BM standards), however it has a certain nostalgy and shoegaze quality that makes "The Malediction Fields" stay over your average BM album.

One of the poppiest releases on the list here (at least by BM standards), however it has a certain nostalgy and shoegaze quality that makes "The Malediction Fields" stay over your average BM album.

23 23. Wold Stratification

Haha! Dadaist-noise-BM. As primitive as fuck. A fantastic, raw and harsh release!

Haha! Dadaist-noise-BM. As primitive as fuck. A fantastic, raw and harsh release!

24 24. 5:45 Notwehr

Raw and primitive, but also strange and dissonant. The intro sounds like Primus and here and there Notwehr walks beyond a typical BM cliche.

Raw and primitive, but also strange and dissonant. The intro sounds like Primus and here and there Notwehr walks beyond a typical BM cliche.

25 25. Branikald Winterkald

Superweak production helps a lot - this is fast, morbid, cold and nostalgic album, with very unique atmoshpere.

Superweak production helps a lot - this is fast, morbid, cold and nostalgic album, with very unique atmoshpere.

Live jam sessions, complex, long instrumental parts. Still raw and frostbitten!

27 27. Ancestral Avowal

Hard to comprehend why Ancestral vocalist is so depressed, but clearily his vocal is just another instrument. A sad, humming journey it is.

Hard to comprehend why Ancestral vocalist is so depressed, but clearily his vocal is just another instrument. A sad, humming journey it is.

High-pitched hell!!!

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29 29. Armanenschaft Psychedelic Winter

Wow, hard to beat the superprimitive sound they achieve here! Not sure is all the dissonances are intentional, but it is a piece of angry, noisy, primitive BM at its best!

Wow, hard to beat the superprimitive sound they achieve here! Not sure is all the dissonances are intentional, but it is a piece of angry, noisy, primitive BM at its best!

Hateful mumblings.

31 31. Beithíoch Díolaim

These guys rock! The must have been playing a one-stringed guitar to create buzz so dense that it sticks to your wardrobe while listening. And oh, vocals are completely absent, or I'm just missing something.

These guys rock! The must have been playing a one-stringed guitar to create buzz so dense that it sticks to your wardrobe while listening. And oh, vocals are completely absent, or I'm just missing something.

32 32. Brown Jenkins Angel Eyes

Atmospheric & groovy. Vocal are practically nonexistent. Yet it tries to be depressive!

Atmospheric & groovy. Vocal are practically nonexistent. Yet it tries to be depressive!

33 33. Caïna Temporary Antennae

Post rock & black metal. Sure sounds lovely.

Post rock & black metal. Sure sounds lovely.

34 34. Circle of Ouroborus Veneration

This is how Current 93 would sound if David Tibet hadn't stopped drawing skulls in his college notebook.

This is how Current 93 would sound if David Tibet hadn't stopped drawing skulls in his college notebook.

35 35. Akitsa / Prurient Akitsa / Prurient

Never heard so much feedbacks on BM record! Funny thing, that Akitsa abruptly changes moods from distorted squeaks, through distant screams (and I mean: screams), to cheesy keyboards. Unsurprisingly, prurient delivers muddy, dirty power electronic/noise - you know what to expect more or less.

Never heard so much feedbacks on BM record! Funny thing, that Akitsa abruptly changes moods from distorted squeaks, through distant screams (and I mean: screams), to cheesy keyboards. Unsurprisingly, prurient delivers muddy, dirty power electronic/noise - you know what to expect more or less.

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36 36. Arkha Sva Hell Above, Heaven Below

The Japanese horde fucking kicks ass on this demo. Arkha Sva a bizarre mixture of melody (where did they get the opera singer from?) and extremely painful vocals (more like crust/speedcore rather than typical satan servants). The second track crosses the genre boundaries completely - dense vocal layers could be written by The Japanese horde fucking kicks ass on this demo. Arkha Sva a bizarre mixture of melody (where did they get the opera singer from?) and extremely painful vocals (more like crust/speedcore rather than typical satan servants). The second track crosses the genre boundaries completely - dense vocal layers could be written by Arnold Schoenberg for his Pierrot Lunaire. Completely avantgarde and amazing!!!

The Japanese horde fucking kicks ass on this demo. Arkha Sva a bizarre mixture of melody (where did they get the opera singer from?) and extremely painful vocals (more like crust/speedcore rather than typical satan servants). The second track crosses the genre boundaries completely - dense vocal layers could be written by Arnold Schoenberg for his Pierrot Lunaire. Completely avantgarde and amazing!!!

37 37. Aska Där Vanvett Gror

Out of the way noises and weird guitar pulsations remind me of Out of the way noises and weird guitar pulsations remind me of Ashtray Navigations , however I might be the only one to come to such conclusions.

Out of the way noises and weird guitar pulsations remind me of Ashtray Navigations, however I might be the only one to come to such conclusions.

38 38. Thou Shall Fall The Path Of Memories

"To The Past", the third track from this short EP, has some qualities you can find in GY!BE - reverbated guitar crescendos, decaying drones... With solid necro touch of course!

"To The Past", the third track from this short EP, has some qualities you can find in GY!BE - reverbated guitar crescendos, decaying drones... With solid necro touch of course!

39 39. rehtaF ruO Boiled In Goat Blood

Recorded in a pot in hell's kitchen, rehtaF uO's only full length album comprises of lo-fi spells cast over weird background music consisting of samples, spare guitar chords, indistinct drummings. Hey, this is a top notch avantgarde black metal!

Recorded in a pot in hell's kitchen, rehtaF uO's only full length album comprises of lo-fi spells cast over weird background music consisting of samples, spare guitar chords, indistinct drummings. Hey, this is a top notch avantgarde black metal!

40 40. Nachtmystium / Xasthur Nachtmystium / Xasthur

Slow motion depressive madness with lots of screeching vocals and barely decipherable guitar chords, sounding more like clouds of fog than rock and roll bastard genre.

Slow motion depressive madness with lots of screeching vocals and barely decipherable guitar chords, sounding more like clouds of fog than rock and roll bastard genre.

41 41. Wedard Ein Leben in der Ewigkeit

Wedard's sound has a certain charm - if one can describe a misanthrope with suicidal intentions that way - mainly thanks to strong shoegaze qualities: distant echos, overlaying harmonies, a solid portion of buzz and of course extremely distant, reverbating vocals. Like a sad wraith calling to be finished after a weak stab in the back...

Wedard's sound has a certain charm - if one can describe a misanthrope with suicidal intentions that way - mainly thanks to strong shoegaze qualities: distant echos, overlaying harmonies, a solid portion of buzz and of course extremely distant, reverbating vocals. Like a sad wraith calling to be finished after a weak stab in the back...

42 42. Vrolok Void

Truly unique sound they have - without unnecessary synth bullshit Vrolok creates an oppressive, dramatic atmosphere solely with traditional rock instruments. Highly original, serious stuff.

Truly unique sound they have - without unnecessary synth bullshit Vrolok creates an oppressive, dramatic atmosphere solely with traditional rock instruments. Highly original, serious stuff.

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43 43. From Chaos Black Romance

Not too original and technically totally predictable, but the bluriness factor makes it stand out a bit.

Not too original and technically totally predictable, but the bluriness factor makes it stand out a bit.

44 44. Vrolok Soul Amputation

While being not as good as their latest offering, this Vrolok release is still 3 times more innovative than most of overproduced BM releases nowadays. Unsettling vocals (murmurs and whispers being even more effective than classic shrieks) with mid and slow paced grim hymns (rarely speeding up to hyperfast blasts) have very unique sound. Well done!

While being not as good as their latest offering, this Vrolok release is still 3 times more innovative than most of overproduced BM releases nowadays. Unsettling vocals (murmurs and whispers being even more effective than classic shrieks) with mid and slow paced grim hymns (rarely speeding up to hyperfast blasts) have very unique sound. Well done!

45 45. Bone Awl Meaningless Leaning Mess

A fantastic amalgam of oi!, crust, hard core punk and black metal - original, atypical, evil and uncompromising.

A fantastic amalgam of oi!, crust, hard core punk and black metal - original, atypical, evil and uncompromising.

46 46. Bleeding Black Personal Hell

Another obscure BM Another obscure BM Voivod wannabe, with interesting results. Bleeding Black (currently on hiatus) is led by Orenda from Bulgaria. He has simple yet effective formula: monotonous, yet powerful and fast thrash metal drumming (which works so well on Leviathan albums), Voivodish, robotic vocals (with distinctive female pitch) and equally futuristic guitars. The tracks are long (5 out of ten are >8 minutes) and provide enough energy for solid headbangind, as well as enough weird atmospheres for Tetsuo-inspired fucked up body horror. Sure there's enough space for Satan too. Very unique!

Another obscure BM Voivod wannabe, with interesting results. Bleeding Black (currently on hiatus) is led by Orenda from Bulgaria. He has simple yet effective formula: monotonous, yet powerful and fast thrash metal drumming (which works so well on Leviathan albums), Voivodish, robotic vocals (with distinctive female pitch) and equally futuristic guitars. The tracks are long (5 out of ten are >8 minutes) and provide enough energy for solid headbangind, as well as enough weird atmospheres for Tetsuo-inspired fucked up body horror. Sure there's enough space for Satan too. Very unique!

47 47. Deathspell Omega Mass Grave Aesthetics

Deathspell Omega is not too obscure name, at least for BM fans. A band completely redefining the genre. This short spasm contains dense amalgam of blasts, shadowed drones, feedbacks, strings, demonic vocals, sinewaves, prog scales, rapid tempo changes. A fine piece of music which is difficult to absorb not because it is loud, or about evil themes, but because it is complex and sophisticated.



And oh, despite its length, this supposed to fall into "single" category. 20 minutes single, that is.

Deathspell Omega is not too obscure name, at least for BM fans. A band completely redefining the genre. This short spasm contains dense amalgam of blasts, shadowed drones, feedbacks, strings, demonic vocals, sinewaves, prog scales, rapid tempo changes. A fine piece of music which is difficult to absorb not because it is loud, or about evil themes, but because it is complex and sophisticated.



And oh, despite its length, this supposed to fall into "single" category. 20 minutes single, that is.

48 48. Weakling Dead as Dreams

Great atmospheric, thinking man's black metal with fine guitar parts, complex arrangements and nauseating vocals. No cheap tricks on one of the best USBM releases.

Great atmospheric, thinking man's black metal with fine guitar parts, complex arrangements and nauseating vocals. No cheap tricks on one of the best USBM releases.

49 49. Spektr Near Death Experience

I'm not entirely convinved by Spektr's sound - a bit too high pitched for my ear and too compressed, being flat in result. Nevertheless they are definitely an original group, with buzzing, harsh noise instrumentals/intros clashing with dark atmospheres, chaotic vocals and unpredictable drumming. They throw in some weird thunder thumps here and there and other effects, making it an ejoybale, though sounding a little bit forced, ride to hell.

I'm not entirely convinved by Spektr's sound - a bit too high pitched for my ear and too compressed, being flat in result. Nevertheless they are definitely an original group, with buzzing, harsh noise instrumentals/intros clashing with dark atmospheres, chaotic vocals and unpredictable drumming. They throw in some weird thunder thumps here and there and other effects, making it an ejoybale, though sounding a little bit forced, ride to hell.

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Ambiences are both cheesy and unsettling on this atmospheric record. The second track, ...And Bathe In Cold Holy Water could be a soundtrack to Rosemary's Baby's final scenes, where we look into Adrian's black eyes.

51 51. Ondskapt Dödens evangelium

Fantastic! Epic, technical, but still atonal and very original.

Fantastic! Epic, technical, but still atonal and very original.

52 52. Vediog Svaor In the Distance

Vediog Svaor prog inclinations may sound very 80s, yet they finely clash with brutal, screaming vocals and punkish/post-rock sound. Interesting.

Vediog Svaor prog inclinations may sound very 80s, yet they finely clash with brutal, screaming vocals and punkish/post-rock sound. Interesting.

The falsetto! The falsetto!

54 54. Nortt Ligfærd

Downtuned, low buzzing guitars sound fresh, yet there's no ray of light on this grim, depressive record. Nortt is chewing human flesh while gibbering/growling. But even blood shines black here. Great!

Downtuned, low buzzing guitars sound fresh, yet there's no ray of light on this grim, depressive record. Nortt is chewing human flesh while gibbering/growling. But even blood shines black here. Great!

A fine piece of shoegaze (gravegaze?) black metal. Dense, droning, beautiful!

56 56. Forest Forest

At first you think it's fast, monotonus, romantic echo of At first you think it's fast, monotonus, romantic echo of Branikald with more hateful, NSBM gnarls. Then you discover that those guys have real hearts under swastikas tattooed on their chests. The last two tracks real surprise: a free-psych-folk 40-minutes jamming (in two parts, the fist one is totally free folkish, the second could as well be recorded by Godspeed You! Black Emperor or early Growing ). Very Russian touch, very weak production, drowning in hisses - a killer!

At first you think it's fast, monotonus, romantic echo of Branikald with more hateful, NSBM gnarls. Then you discover that those guys have real hearts under swastikas tattooed on their chests. The last two tracks real surprise: a free-psych-folk 40-minutes jamming (in two parts, the fist one is totally free folkish, the second could as well be recorded by Godspeed You! Black Emperor or early Growing). Very Russian touch, very weak production, drowning in hisses - a killer!

57 57. Draugar Weathering the Curse

Draugar's chaotic guitars are top notch! In some songs there's one constant guitar solo instead of classical riffage - now, how cool is that?!

Draugar's chaotic guitars are top notch! In some songs there's one constant guitar solo instead of classical riffage - now, how cool is that?!

58 58. Puritas Virginum Black Arts

The first black metal horde to employ real children as vocalists. Or trollish children. No? But it sounds like. Flat and weird, starts and stops, primitive and elaborate, chanting and gurgling. Lovely.

The first black metal horde to employ real children as vocalists. Or trollish children. No? But it sounds like. Flat and weird, starts and stops, primitive and elaborate, chanting and gurgling. Lovely.

59 59. Fauna Rain

almost 25 minutes have to pass until you hears anything close to black metal. This album develops very slowy, with delicate field recordings and slow and somewhat banal acoustic rock. Operating in high contrast territory, Fauna intertwines beauty with violence in a way similar to almost 25 minutes have to pass until you hears anything close to black metal. This album develops very slowy, with delicate field recordings and slow and somewhat banal acoustic rock. Operating in high contrast territory, Fauna intertwines beauty with violence in a way similar to Corrupted on El mundo frio

almost 25 minutes have to pass until you hears anything close to black metal. This album develops very slowy, with delicate field recordings and slow and somewhat banal acoustic rock. Operating in high contrast territory, Fauna intertwines beauty with violence in a way similar to Corrupted on El mundo frio.

60 60. Xasthur Subliminal Genocide

A major star in suicidal BM field, digestible even by Pitchfork fans, who all of a sudden opened their ears to a black & white mizanthropic world rathar than to joyful yet forgettable one hit wonders of indie scene. Nice instrumental passages to be found on this record and really depressive atmospheres, though in general it's not as original as they say.

A major star in suicidal BM field, digestible even by Pitchfork fans, who all of a sudden opened their ears to a black & white mizanthropic world rathar than to joyful yet forgettable one hit wonders of indie scene. Nice instrumental passages to be found on this record and really depressive atmospheres, though in general it's not as original as they say.

61 61. Puritas Virginum Décenie de souffrance

Devilish shrieks screaming in French, trip hop beats, guitarless tracks, a haprsihord, lo-fi dark ambient intros, falsettos, kitchy guitar solos a'la Devilish shrieks screaming in French, trip hop beats, guitarless tracks, a haprsihord, lo-fi dark ambient intros, falsettos, kitchy guitar solos a'la Fleetwood Mac - fuck, this record is incredible!

Devilish shrieks screaming in French, trip hop beats, guitarless tracks, a haprsihord, lo-fi dark ambient intros, falsettos, kitchy guitar solos a'la Fleetwood Mac - fuck, this record is incredible!

62 62. De silence et d'ombre Volume II: Ascension Manifests

If you didn't like recent If you didn't like recent Cynic comeback album, maybe you should try Volume II: Ascension Manifests by De Silence et D'Ombre. It's less aggresive and the attention is paid to spacey atmosphere rather than technical issues. I'm still not sure if this album has anything to do with BM at all, as shrieks, crisp guitars and blasts are practically absent.

If you didn't like recent Cynic comeback album, maybe you should try Volume II: Ascension Manifests by De Silence et D'Ombre. It's less aggresive and the attention is paid to spacey atmosphere rather than technical issues. I'm still not sure if this album has anything to do with BM at all, as shrieks, crisp guitars and blasts are practically absent.

63 63. Menace Ruine Cult of Ruins

According to The Wire magazine there are no guitars here at all, yet Menace Ruine manage to create a solid, yet dissonant and weird BM album. Guitars or not, Menace Ruine succeeded: this is black, scary shit situated between ritual death ambient, power electronics, harsh noise and good ol' According to The Wire magazine there are no guitars here at all, yet Menace Ruine manage to create a solid, yet dissonant and weird BM album. Guitars or not, Menace Ruine succeeded: this is black, scary shit situated between ritual death ambient, power electronics, harsh noise and good ol' Old with hyperfast percussion.

According to The Wire magazine there are no guitars here at all, yet Menace Ruine manage to create a solid, yet dissonant and weird BM album. Guitars or not, Menace Ruine succeeded: this is black, scary shit situated between ritual death ambient, power electronics, harsh noise and good ol' Old with hyperfast percussion.

64 64. Heretoir Existenz

Cold and animalistic, atmospheric suicidal black metal with unique vocals.

Cold and animalistic, atmospheric suicidal black metal with unique vocals.

Atonal, slo-mo post rockish intrumentals, that have nothing to do with black metal.

66 66. Sit Pro Ratione Voluntas, in Saecula Saecularum I

Interesting unconventional BM with vocals so distant, they could be recorded behind the seventh gate of hell.

Interesting unconventional BM with vocals so distant, they could be recorded behind the seventh gate of hell.

67 67. Wold L.O.T.M.P.

The first invocation may be enough for you if you're not so keen on being exposed to ultraprimitive, atonal rock music with harsh noise instead of guitars (they sound alike) and wrathful screams. Wold definitely is not for faint hearted, and their furious debut is a definition of harsh, disquieting, mizanthropic music. The only real musical qualities are traces of droning harmonies, a spark of hope in the dense night.

The first invocation may be enough for you if you're not so keen on being exposed to ultraprimitive, atonal rock music with harsh noise instead of guitars (they sound alike) and wrathful screams. Wold definitely is not for faint hearted, and their furious debut is a definition of harsh, disquieting, mizanthropic music. The only real musical qualities are traces of droning harmonies, a spark of hope in the dense night.

68 68. Sleeping Village Sleeping Village

Wow, Sleeping Village surprises on many levels. The name suggests some computer game, heavily delayed/distorted vocals remind a broken vacuum cleaner, cheap synth remind you of some computer game, sound of the guitar might be mimicked by a bowed saw, drums are completely distorted and when you realise you can hear them, they sound as if they come from PC speaker while playing an old computer game. This demo is either ridiculous, or fantastic. You choose.

Wow, Sleeping Village surprises on many levels. The name suggests some computer game, heavily delayed/distorted vocals remind a broken vacuum cleaner, cheap synth remind you of some computer game, sound of the guitar might be mimicked by a bowed saw, drums are completely distorted and when you realise you can hear them, they sound as if they come from PC speaker while playing an old computer game. This demo is either ridiculous, or fantastic. You choose.

69 69. Cantus Bestiae / Puritas Virginum Cantus Bestiae / Puritas Virginum

Puritas Virginum!!! Eat their black metal eurodance in the last track with ghoulish shrieks and some French melodeclamation. Or check out their no-wave/cold wave Puritas Virginum!!! Eat their black metal eurodance in the last track with ghoulish shrieks and some French melodeclamation. Or check out their no-wave/cold wave Tuxedomoon -ish electro in the opener. Those guys have balls! Fucking A!

Puritas Virginum!!! Eat their black metal eurodance in the last track with ghoulish shrieks and some French melodeclamation. Or check out their no-wave/cold wave Tuxedomoon-ish electro in the opener. Those guys have balls! Fucking A!

70 70. Todesstoß Würmer zu weinen

Definitely not a masterpiece and generally as annoying and primitive as mesmerizing. Some aspects of Todestoss' style are remarkable, namely a wide palette of (un)processed vocals, strange tempo changes, weird harmonies. Do me a favour and send it to Ivo Watts Russell, maybe he'll ask them to cover early Dead Can Dance songs, both bands have something in common. And actually Todestoss is more fucked up, haha!

Definitely not a masterpiece and generally as annoying and primitive as mesmerizing. Some aspects of Todestoss' style are remarkable, namely a wide palette of (un)processed vocals, strange tempo changes, weird harmonies. Do me a favour and send it to Ivo Watts Russell, maybe he'll ask them to cover early Dead Can Dance songs, both bands have something in common. And actually Todestoss is more fucked up, haha!

71 71. Katharsis VVorldvvithoutend

Not too original - in most of parts Katharsis sounds like more fucked up early Not too original - in most of parts Katharsis sounds like more fucked up early Morbid Angel . Guitars and drums create an unpenetrable magma, reaching a point where they melt together. Thus VVorldVVithoutEnd delivers very intense, even if somewhat repetitive experience.

Not too original - in most of parts Katharsis sounds like more fucked up early Morbid Angel. Guitars and drums create an unpenetrable magma, reaching a point where they melt together. Thus VVorldVVithoutEnd delivers very intense, even if somewhat repetitive experience.

72 72. Leviathan Tentacles of Whorror

Wrest is a master of open-ended, surprisingly complex and original BM songs. Can you name any other BM band playing in 7/8 measure? An evil classic!

Wrest is a master of open-ended, surprisingly complex and original BM songs. Can you name any other BM band playing in 7/8 measure? An evil classic!

73 73. Gnaw Their Tongues ...Spasming and Howling, Bowels Loosening and Bladders Emptying, Vomiting Helplessly...

Interesting atmospheric dirges, that have more to do with death ambient, harsh noise and Suspiria-like horrors, than BM (well, until the track Nihilism kicks in and then a first class BM ride starts ). Everything sounds very distorted and out of the way. When you add the b-movies samples and cheesy keyboards, ...Spasming and Howling, Bowels Loosening and Bladders Empyting, Vomiting Helplessly... simply stands out above an average BM album

Interesting atmospheric dirges, that have more to do with death ambient, harsh noise and Suspiria-like horrors, than BM (well, until the track Nihilism kicks in and then a first class BM ride starts ). Everything sounds very distorted and out of the way. When you add the b-movies samples and cheesy keyboards, ...Spasming and Howling, Bowels Loosening and Bladders Empyting, Vomiting Helplessly... simply stands out above an average BM album

74 74. Akitsa Totale servitude

Extremely muddy at first listen, but reveals is unique atmosphere after a couple of listens - free, out solos, squeaking shrieks, open song structures, demented howlings.

Extremely muddy at first listen, but reveals is unique atmosphere after a couple of listens - free, out solos, squeaking shrieks, open song structures, demented howlings.

75 75. Corneus Teufelschmand

A really strange spacey SF-black metal one man project with some guest growlings. Fantastic synth solos and doggish barks recorded over 80's



Yet another really fucked up Saarland Black Metal cassette. Is their no end? Corneus' Teufelschmand might be my favorite of the bunch, perhaps only because one of these songs is sung by a dog who is credited on the tape cover as "Arko-Guest Growls." Beyond lo-fi, crazy effected vocals and overpowering cheap synths are the hallmark of this scene, and Corneus takes it a step further, ejaculating into brown acid swamps of sonic butt fudge. I want to smoke PCP and stay up all night talking about Josef Goebbels' sex life with Corneus. That's how fucked up this tape is. A really strange spacey SF-black metal one man project with some guest growlings. Fantastic synth solos and doggish barks recorded over 80's a-ha -like beats can be found on this short tape release. The review below comes from http://cosmichearse.blogspot.com/2009/03/corneus.html and says it all :)Yet another really fucked up Saarland Black Metal cassette. Is their no end? Corneus' Teufelschmand might be my favorite of the bunch, perhaps only because one of these songs is sung by a dog who is credited on the tape cover as "Arko-Guest Growls." Beyond lo-fi, crazy effected vocals and overpowering cheap synths are the hallmark of this scene, and Corneus takes it a step further, ejaculating into brown acid swamps of sonic butt fudge. I want to smoke PCP and stay up all night talking about Josef Goebbels' sex life with Corneus. That's how fucked up this tape is.

A really strange spacey SF-black metal one man project with some guest growlings. Fantastic synth solos and doggish barks recorded over 80's a-ha-like beats can be found on this short tape release. The review below comes from http://cosmichearse.blogspot.com/2009/03/corneus.html and says it all :)



Yet another really fucked up Saarland Black Metal cassette. Is their no end? Corneus' Teufelschmand might be my favorite of the bunch, perhaps only because one of these songs is sung by a dog who is credited on the tape cover as "Arko-Guest Growls." Beyond lo-fi, crazy effected vocals and overpowering cheap synths are the hallmark of this scene, and Corneus takes it a step further, ejaculating into brown acid swamps of sonic butt fudge. I want to smoke PCP and stay up all night talking about Josef Goebbels' sex life with Corneus. That's how fucked up this tape is.

76 76. Lugubrum Heilige Dwazen

No wave and black metal never went shoulder to shoulder. Apart from the fact, that both genres succeded at destroying conventional rock idiom, they're both situated on opposite extremes. Lugubrum's use of saxophone, blues passages and sometimes straghforward rock'n'roll makes me thinking that they take genre rules with a grain of salt and a pinch of sense of humor. it's still 99% black metal but this 1% is really turning things inside out! Cool!

No wave and black metal never went shoulder to shoulder. Apart from the fact, that both genres succeded at destroying conventional rock idiom, they're both situated on opposite extremes. Lugubrum's use of saxophone, blues passages and sometimes straghforward rock'n'roll makes me thinking that they take genre rules with a grain of salt and a pinch of sense of humor. it's still 99% black metal but this 1% is really turning things inside out! Cool!

77 77. Ahulabrum The Transitivity of Strangeness

Ahulabrum's scope of interests (UFOs, extra terrestrial intelligence, etc) seems to be more interesting than their music, but this casette EP is a little gem. Balancing between slow motion noisy psychodelic chants (sounding like Ahulabrum's scope of interests (UFOs, extra terrestrial intelligence, etc) seems to be more interesting than their music, but this casette EP is a little gem. Balancing between slow motion noisy psychodelic chants (sounding like Thuja 's younger and grimer brother) and detuned, rhythmic, guttural blasts (all of them inspired by UFO encounters) Ahulabrum seriously create their own disturbing style. Waiting to hear more!

Ahulabrum's scope of interests (UFOs, extra terrestrial intelligence, etc) seems to be more interesting than their music, but this casette EP is a little gem. Balancing between slow motion noisy psychodelic chants (sounding like Thuja's younger and grimer brother) and detuned, rhythmic, guttural blasts (all of them inspired by UFO encounters) Ahulabrum seriously create their own disturbing style. Waiting to hear more!

78 78. Njiqahdda Nji. Njiijn. Njiiijn.

Lots of distorion, mold and depression, and unhuman, crusty vocals reminding me of distand wind. They sound more like guitars, ha! Generally this is a great atmoshperic BM release with walls of crescendos and majestic, yet muddy atmosphere.

Lots of distorion, mold and depression, and unhuman, crusty vocals reminding me of distand wind. They sound more like guitars, ha! Generally this is a great atmoshperic BM release with walls of crescendos and majestic, yet muddy atmosphere.

Silencer's vocalist sounds like Yoda scorching over a firestake. Fucking brilliantly annoying!

80 80. Extinction Down Below the Fog

What's hiding down below the fog? Growling frogs, buzzing locust, pounding hammers. Extinction plays interesting, fast, blurred BM with cloudy vocals, detuned guitars, jelly-like atmospheres, electroacustic crunches andfine atmospheres and certain dose of abstractness which makes this journey rather trippy.

What's hiding down below the fog? Growling frogs, buzzing locust, pounding hammers. Extinction plays interesting, fast, blurred BM with cloudy vocals, detuned guitars, jelly-like atmospheres, electroacustic crunches andfine atmospheres and certain dose of abstractness which makes this journey rather trippy.

81 81. Axis of Advance Landline

techno thrash black prog metal with hard core punchy bass, superfast blasts and crunchy guitars. It sounds like a musical masturbation, but it ain't.

techno thrash black prog metal with hard core punchy bass, superfast blasts and crunchy guitars. It sounds like a musical masturbation, but it ain't.

82 82. Baltak King of Two Worlds

What's the best way to pay respect to your homeland (Macedonia in this case) when you're away from home (in Australia, to be precise)? To form a weird black metal band and worship satan!!! Baltak is somewhere between What's the best way to pay respect to your homeland (Macedonia in this case) when you're away from home (in Australia, to be precise)? To form a weird black metal band and worship satan!!! Baltak is somewhere between Mekong Delta (strange, dissonant guitars, fast rifiing reminding of this obscure German techno thrash band), Weakling (distant, tortured howlings) and who knows what. Songs are lengthy, complex, abstract, with murky droning keyobards, all touched by a strange mechanic reverberation. Sure, they're not too memorable, but hey, did you expect some fucking gypsy groove or bukovina-dub from sons of Satan living south of heaven?

What's the best way to pay respect to your homeland (Macedonia in this case) when you're away from home (in Australia, to be precise)? To form a weird black metal band and worship satan!!! Baltak is somewhere between Mekong Delta (strange, dissonant guitars, fast rifiing reminding of this obscure German techno thrash band), Weakling (distant, tortured howlings) and who knows what. Songs are lengthy, complex, abstract, with murky droning keyobards, all touched by a strange mechanic reverberation. Sure, they're not too memorable, but hey, did you expect some fucking gypsy groove or bukovina-dub from sons of Satan living south of heaven?

83 83. Yussuf Jerusalem A Heart Full of Sorrow

Only the opener and the cover artwork have anything to do with BM aesthetics (primitive, distorted and overdriven). Surprisingly, the remaining songs would satisfy fans of lo-fi, bluesy, indie something.

Only the opener and the cover artwork have anything to do with BM aesthetics (primitive, distorted and overdriven). Surprisingly, the remaining songs would satisfy fans of lo-fi, bluesy, indie something.

84 84. Grim Funeral A Grim Funeral to the Soul of This World

Wow, one of the best BM releases in a long time. Grim Funeral explores highly atmospheric, yet straightforward territory, without experimenting or anything unusual - this is just a good, classy BM. The production is fine, vocals varied, long songs let the darkness ooze out slowly from the speakers. Fantastic howles of a lone wolf in Sepulrchral Existence and the last track. Uneasy, dramatic and very convincing. No cheap tricks here.

Wow, one of the best BM releases in a long time. Grim Funeral explores highly atmospheric, yet straightforward territory, without experimenting or anything unusual - this is just a good, classy BM. The production is fine, vocals varied, long songs let the darkness ooze out slowly from the speakers. Fantastic howles of a lone wolf in Sepulrchral Existence and the last track. Uneasy, dramatic and very convincing. No cheap tricks here.

85 85. Altar of Plagues White Tomb

Iteresting, well produced and diverse BM,with a touch of post rock. For me the balance between aggression and heaviness and atmosphere is just right, so i'll not complain about the diversity here. The black parts are obviously the best: sharp, repetitive, and trancelike, reminding me of early Iteresting, well produced and diverse BM,with a touch of post rock. For me the balance between aggression and heaviness and atmosphere is just right, so i'll not complain about the diversity here. The black parts are obviously the best: sharp, repetitive, and trancelike, reminding me of early Ulver or Wolves in the Throne Room . Overall, nothing new, but still solid.

Iteresting, well produced and diverse BM,with a touch of post rock. For me the balance between aggression and heaviness and atmosphere is just right, so i'll not complain about the diversity here. The black parts are obviously the best: sharp, repetitive, and trancelike, reminding me of early Ulver or Wolves in the Throne Room. Overall, nothing new, but still solid.

86 86. Firth of Damnation Crossing the Unhallowed Path

Synth and drum machine-driven one-man project from the US. Neurotic, dense, with nice lead guitar parts, which are somewhere between solos and riffings. Due to a strange mix, repetitive, yet open structures (some songs are about 2 minutes) and a solid dose of sadness, this could be an extreme version of Synth and drum machine-driven one-man project from the US. Neurotic, dense, with nice lead guitar parts, which are somewhere between solos and riffings. Due to a strange mix, repetitive, yet open structures (some songs are about 2 minutes) and a solid dose of sadness, this could be an extreme version of Guided by Voices . But it's just me.

Synth and drum machine-driven one-man project from the US. Neurotic, dense, with nice lead guitar parts, which are somewhere between solos and riffings. Due to a strange mix, repetitive, yet open structures (some songs are about 2 minutes) and a solid dose of sadness, this could be an extreme version of Guided by Voices. But it's just me.

87 87. Nachtmystium Instinct: Decay

Shitty production and lack of songwriting so common in BM world is often an excuse for lack of musicianship. Nachtmystium lack neither. They're able to tear our soul to pieces with fantastic, aggressive, fast blasting riffage (Eternal Ground and Abstract Nihilism - the latter being a great title per se), but they leave some space for weird guitar harmonics and psychodelic solos. Yet they never cross the line and still fall into black metal category. Great release.

Shitty production and lack of songwriting so common in BM world is often an excuse for lack of musicianship. Nachtmystium lack neither. They're able to tear our soul to pieces with fantastic, aggressive, fast blasting riffage (Eternal Ground and Abstract Nihilism - the latter being a great title per se), but they leave some space for weird guitar harmonics and psychodelic solos. Yet they never cross the line and still fall into black metal category. Great release.

This is what Chris Watson and Steven R. Smith would record if they signed a covenant with their own blood and then joined forces. Forest-inspired, full of field recordings, melancholic black fucking metal!

89 89. Oaks of Bethel The Folk and the Ground

's side-project is a spooky journey through inpenetrable droning block of tar. When high frequencies are filtered out (dunno if they recorded it on some old 4-track, or whatever) all is left are resonating echoes. Not very angaging, but may serve as a black ambient background music. Njiqahdda 's side-project is a spooky journey through inpenetrable droning block of tar. When high frequencies are filtered out (dunno if they recorded it on some old 4-track, or whatever) all is left are resonating echoes. Not very angaging, but may serve as a black ambient background music.

Njiqahdda's side-project is a spooky journey through inpenetrable droning block of tar. When high frequencies are filtered out (dunno if they recorded it on some old 4-track, or whatever) all is left are resonating echoes. Not very angaging, but may serve as a black ambient background music.

The flute sections shining in the vast buzzing greyness make my heart pounding.

91 91. Oranssi Pazuzu Muukalainen puhuu

Much has been said about Oranssi Pazuzu's music - their outlook on BM stylistics is definitely worth checking out. Well produced, complex, yet groovy, Muukalainen puhuu is rooted (for good and for bad) in prog rock and post blak metal aesthetics. So expect weird scales, shrieks, spacey synths, blasts, symphonic drumming. Sounds cool in theory but what I'm missing is some meat and rawness.

Much has been said about Oranssi Pazuzu's music - their outlook on BM stylistics is definitely worth checking out. Well produced, complex, yet groovy, Muukalainen puhuu is rooted (for good and for bad) in prog rock and post blak metal aesthetics. So expect weird scales, shrieks, spacey synths, blasts, symphonic drumming. Sounds cool in theory but what I'm missing is some meat and rawness.

92 92. Ancestors Ancestors

The ancestors: they utilize stones and rocks instead of drums and wooden logs as drum sticks. They howl like they've seen a sabre-tooth but in reality they worship satan. Primitive, groovy, dirty and vomited all overblack metal in vein of The ancestors: they utilize stones and rocks instead of drums and wooden logs as drum sticks. They howl like they've seen a sabre-tooth but in reality they worship satan. Primitive, groovy, dirty and vomited all overblack metal in vein of Ildjarn - actually they sound the same to me, LOL.

The ancestors: they utilize stones and rocks instead of drums and wooden logs as drum sticks. They howl like they've seen a sabre-tooth but in reality they worship satan. Primitive, groovy, dirty and vomited all overblack metal in vein of Ildjarn - actually they sound the same to me, LOL.

93 93. Lugubrum Albino de Congo

The infamous trumpet is gone now, but Lugubrum still remains one of the most original BM bands ever. Aggressive, sharp vocals, clean, almost transparent production, odd metrums... The band nowadays sound almost professional, not loosing any rawness. Add African chants ("Probably the best Belgian Black Metal album ever recorded in Congo" says the press release), field recordings, jazzy syncopations... Hard to beat this one, really!

The infamous trumpet is gone now, but Lugubrum still remains one of the most original BM bands ever. Aggressive, sharp vocals, clean, almost transparent production, odd metrums... The band nowadays sound almost professional, not loosing any rawness. Add African chants ("Probably the best Belgian Black Metal album ever recorded in Congo" says the press release), field recordings, jazzy syncopations... Hard to beat this one, really!

94 94. Woods of Desolation Toward the Depths

Tormented, simple depressive black metal on the verge of shoegaze. Buzzing blureness of guitars create harmonics so primitive, that they could be composed by Celine Dion. Yet those 3-4 chords repeated ad nauseam pulse in a hypnotic way.

Tormented, simple depressive black metal on the verge of shoegaze. Buzzing blureness of guitars create harmonics so primitive, that they could be composed by Celine Dion. Yet those 3-4 chords repeated ad nauseam pulse in a hypnotic way.

The best non-black metal black metal release ever.

96 96. Joyless Wild Signs of the Endtimes

Lo-fi indie rock and black metal now go hand in hand. The result, however, is not much not less than a sum of its parts.

Lo-fi indie rock and black metal now go hand in hand. The result, however, is not much not less than a sum of its parts.

97 97. A Forest of Stars The Corpse of Rebirth

Thinking's man black metal, which succeeds in compromising atypical rock instruments (violins) with progressive thinking and no-bullshit sound. A fantastic journey through cosmic elements, full of surprises and dramatic landscapes.

Thinking's man black metal, which succeeds in compromising atypical rock instruments (violins) with progressive thinking and no-bullshit sound. A fantastic journey through cosmic elements, full of surprises and dramatic landscapes.

98 98. Lugubrum De Ware Hond

This is what happens when your favourite This is what happens when your favourite Blue Note Records record is possessed by daemon. This Lugubrum record has a weird baroque touch and, as always, fantastic instrumentals. Actually nothing here is done in a typical BM fashion, apart from cool garage sound. Midgaard's voice is fantastic - scary, stupid, evil and tormented. You have saxophone, tabla, feedbacks, prog rock blasts, Beefhartish guitars... And great covert artwork.

This is what happens when your favourite Blue Note Records record is possessed by daemon. This Lugubrum record has a weird baroque touch and, as always, fantastic instrumentals. Actually nothing here is done in a typical BM fashion, apart from cool garage sound. Midgaard's voice is fantastic - scary, stupid, evil and tormented. You have saxophone, tabla, feedbacks, prog rock blasts, Beefhartish guitars... And great covert artwork.

99 99. Dead Raven Choir Grand Ravishing Extravaganza

Monotonous black/folk metal filled with noise and cheap distorted guitars only and uncomprehensible vocals. Smolken's interpretations of traditional Polish folk tunes are heartbreaking.

Monotonous black/folk metal filled with noise and cheap distorted guitars only and uncomprehensible vocals. Smolken's interpretations of traditional Polish folk tunes are heartbreaking.

100 100. Valefar Frigus Ex Tenebris Venit

Valefar sounds like shit, but let's be honest: they're good at extremely cheap cheesy gothic keyboards played over vocals remaining dog barks. Lovecraftian poetry for deranged.