Swedish combo Hyperborean was formed in 2000, but after the recording of some independently released demonstrational material (three demos, for your correct information), they were put to rest. In 2009 Hyperborean resurrected, and via Abyss Records they released the debut full length called The Spirit Of Warfare (on CD-format, in 2011).
The young Italian label Drown Within Records (young, because they were formed in Spring 2013) did send our headquarters the four releases they have on their roster (up till now - I think, and hope, their roster will grow proportionally), i.e. (in chronological order) Dementia Senex, Under The Ocean, Emrevoid and Sedna. All of them will be reviewed by undersigned, evidently, and I’ll start with the third one (don’t ask me why; it’s just an ad random decision), i.e.
One of the many bands called Drakkar is the one this review deals with (evidently; otherwise it would be way too stupid to have such intro and not to deal with the matter…). This Belgian act started more than three decades ago, and in 1988 they came up with a first full length, X-Rated, released via France’s New Musidisc. Shortly after, the band underwent a first break, followed by a short resurrection at the end of last century.
Despite the enormous population, India might not house so much internationally acclaimed Metal-acts. Lately, we can hear more and more stuff from out there (Zero Gravity, Dhwesha, Halahkuh, Exhumation, Dying Embrace etc.), thanks to the promotional boost offered via Transcending Obscurity, and the motivation and passion of Kunal Choksi, amongst others. But there is one Indian band that did conquer Mater Terra years ago: Demonic Resurrection.
Skullflower are one of the outfits created by Matthew Bower, whom you might know from the likes of Pure, Total, Sunroof!, Voltigeurs etc. With the latter, he joins co-operation with Samantha Davies, who’s part of Skullflower’s line-up nowadays.
First a remark, for this split has been announced as a Greek collaboration; even within the CD-book gets mentioned: ‘Hellenic Black Metal War …raise the banners…’. So, what’s my ‘problem’? Actually I do not care, but being a purist (I admit: I am a semi-autistic freak…) I have to make this remark. This split consists of three projects amongst which two that hail from Greece indeed, and one that actually is not located in Hellas at all.
One of my personal favourite labels from France are Debemur Morti Productions, active for about a decade and, to my humble opinion, grown up to one of the most important Dark Music labels with more than one hundred releases on their roster, in mean time. In 2012 the label signed French Doom-act Monolithe, resulting in the release of the albums III (review: see update February 6th 2013) and IV (review posted on October 26th 2013).
The first time that I listened to this album – I bought it shortly after the release date in my favorite CD-store – I was pretty enthusiastic about the approach of this Illinois-based duo, consisting of Dylan Taylor (bass and guitars; he also writes the lyrics) and Nostaum (vocals, guitars, drums and keyboards) (he’s a founding member of Wrathful Plague as well; the review on the Thee Within The Shadows-album will follow very soon, by the way).
Sometimes I am ashamed (yes, even in my case it might occur) - I just mean that, apparently, Atrum Tempestas recorded and released an EP before, 2012’s Ne Deus Crede, and I was not aware of it… [weep weep weep and shame shame shame]. That’s a pity, and I will certainly search for that material, especially after having experienced this first full length, Néant (which actually is French for ‘denying’).
I admit that this review deals with an older release (once again), but for the 666th time I just say: [self-censorship].
