Polish one-man army Primal (run by a guy who calls himself PrimalOne; you might remember his name from his collaboration with Iugulatus and Deep Desolation) was formed in 2008, and as from the beginning of this decade, Primal have been pretty productive. With both bands mentioned above there was a split in 2011 (called Chapel Of Fear), and besides a couple of demonstrational recordings, Primal recorded and released several EP’s and full lengths in mean time.
Thuringian act Nocturnal Witch were formed five years ago, but this isn’t but this band’s first full length. After two demos in the early years, Nocturnal Witch released the 7”EP Into Dungeons via Evil Spell Records (a sub-division of Undercover Records), and via the very same label one can now enjoy the debut.
Stelle Senza Luce (which means something like ‘stars without light’) was the first full length by Italian trio (now a duo) Movimento D’Avanguardia Ermetico; there was a second full length in 2012 via the Italian label The Oath, as well as a couple of splits.
That’s one of the things I do like about Belgian label Immortal Frost Productions. They do mainly focus on Black Metal in a rather general approach (from melancholic Ambient-laden doomy stuff to thrashing Old School madness, and everything in between), but they do sign bands and projects too that do not perform ‘Black Metal’ in its literal definition, but which atmosphere or spirit is related within the same obscure, grim and bleak regions.
The scene from Belarus is not that ‘huge’ as the ones from neighbours Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia or Ukraine. The Possession-label is a good example for nice material coming from that (contested) country (I would like to refer to the review on Šmiercieslaŭ’s album Cjomny Pryliŭ Razburennja / Ciemrazoŭ, posted on September 2nd).
Being a ‘fan’ of the Black Metal scene since the end of the eighties, I came along a handful of mostly interesting bands or projects from Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean sea, in between Italy and Africa – think: Martyrium (Draugûl-frontman Vargblod used to be in this great act for a couple of years, by the way), Apotheosis, Sahhar or Sandmist.
When Eyehate, Stiff Old and Goathammer started playing together in 2004 (actually it was in an old bunker), they decided to continue as a ‘real’ band instead of just some time-passing activities. Goathammer, however, was forced to leave, and S. Muerte and Randy Rots joined the duo. At that time, it was time to choose a name. Deathronation were born.
When I heard the debut full length of Brussels-based act Cult Of Erinyes, called A Place To Call My Unknown (released in spring 2011 via Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions, a French label that never disappoints; for the review on that first studio full album, check the update on June 2nd 2011 in the Archive-tab on this superior webzine…), I was completely blown away (still there are some fleshy leftovers and bloody spots on the wall behind me). That album must have been one of the strongest, most surprising albums from 2011!
Russia’s Bjarm were formed five years ago in the North-West of this immense country. They hail from Severodvinsk at the White Sea, an era that was called Bjarmaland in several Norse Viking-sagas. That is where they took the inspiration for their band’s name from, as the smart ones amongst you might have guessed…
Beneath The Storm are a solo-outfit by Igor Shimon, a guy hailing from Slovenia, which was formed at the end of 2012.
