Öm is a new label created by Timo Kaukolampi, the master brain behind K-X-P, which is a Krautrock / Funk / Acid-Jazz-inspired formation from Finland. The moniker Öm is based on the mystical Sanskrit sound ‘Om’ and the umlauts we know from Motörhead (and in mean time taken over by hundreds of Metal bands all over our sick globe); both of them influential elements to define the sound of K-X-P.
The history of this Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-based band goes back to 1992. Coldblood were formed by Marcus ‘M.Kult’ Couttinho and some friends, and they recorded one demo (Terror Stench) before splitting up a first time. In 1999 the band reformed, yet once again for a short period, and with just one single demonstrational recording. In 2005, Coldblood was reborn for another time, but this time things seemed to work out well.
Blackwitch Pudding are a trio of wizards (Space Wizard, Lizard Wizard and Wizard Wizard), formed about six hundred years ago, out of some witch’s womb. They were trained in the Dark Arts of Doom and Witchery, searching for cosmic nothingness, creating heavy riffs and even heavier smoke. That’s my impression of this combo’s existence, inspired by the smoky biography I received.
Consouling Sounds are pretty active lately, with quite some interesting new releases on their (in mean time fabulous) roster. The label never eschewed to step away from conformity, and with this two-way split (which is part of a picture disc series) they do strengthen their prominent position within the worldwide Sludge / Post-Metal scene (once again). But this release needs to be considered as a collaboration in between three artists: two bands, i.e.
Satarial are a Russian project by Lord Seth, who founded this project in 1993 (permanently joined by Angelika ‘Angel Bust’). Throughout the years he recorded five full lengths, yet since the last one, 2006’s LateXXX, Satarial seemed to fade away in oblivion.
Despite the Finnish album-titles, Lebensnacht hail not from the Land of a Thousand Lakes, but they are a project from Germany. Lebensnacht were formed in 2008 by Robert Brockmann, who recently joined Sado Sathanas’ line-up by the way, and who is one of the guys behind NordanVindar / Tann Im Nebel too.
The Aachen, Germany-based band Ius Talionis is very young, but they immediately impress the Dark Underworld with their demo Eleutheromania. The quartet (guitar player Viator Noctis, bass player Nár, vocalist Koshmar and drummer Ryu) started playing together under this moniker as from October 2013, but it sounds as if they used to perform as a team for quite some time, for this demonstrational recording sounds extremely adult and cohesive.
Besides the release of a demo (in 2008), the EP Heartworm is the sole official recording by Italian five-piece Dementia Senex (line-up: bass player Federico Cucchi, drummer Mattia Bagnolini, guitarists Filippo Merloni and Marco Righetti, and singer Cristian Franchini).
Craang are a Greek trio (guitarist / vocalist Manos, bass player Mike and drummer Nick) that release their debut themselves on CD. In early 2015 the material will be printed on vinyl too via the German label Pink Tank, which this band recently signed to. The result is a four-tracker, which has a total running time of more than forty minutes. Indeed, To The Estimated Size Of The Universe consists of very lengthy songs that last in between eight and fifteen minutes.
Khost are a very young project from Birmingham, UK, formed in 2013 by Andy Swan (of Iroha / Final / Atrocity Exhibition-fame).
