CD

I remember that I was extremely confused when I heard this project for the very first time. It was the mini-album First Spit (1) that crossed my way almost four years ago. First Spit was the first effort that showed a musician that was both creative and experimental. But that EP was heard to digest too, at least for me and my sensitive stomach. One year later, this Bordeaux-based solo-outfit of Jeff Maurer returned with a first full length, called The Other Shore (2), which simply continued that eccentric approach.

Dévotion devant l’éternal, soumission à l’ordre du ciel, ta créature en servitude. Viens mourrir [sic] dans mes bras assassins, frère innocent et à l’intention coupable… J’ai accepté l’absence de dieu et je suis dans les âges la représentation du Mal.

Norilsk is the northernmost ‘big’ city on our globe (in Siberia), yet it is also a band consisting of Nicolas Miquelon (also known as bass player for e.g. Damnus, Mortör, Kintra and Outrage AD) and Nick Richter (drummer for bands like Damnus and Outrage AD). Formed in 2012, the duo debuted in 2014 with the independently released EP Japetus.

One of the most productive human (at least I think he is) beings from Mater Terra’s soil must be Henrik Björkk aka Herr Kremator aka Nordvargr. A limited selection: Pouppée Fabrikk, Folkstorm, Körperwelten, Hydra Head 9, All Hail The Transcending Ghost, MZ.412, Kongo, Toroidh, many collaborations (with e.g.

Colossus Morose are a pretty young duo, formed in 2015 by C.J.. The band nowadays consists of German multi-instrumentalist Christoph ‘C.J.’ Roth (guitar player of Heavy / Thrash band Transnight) and Swiss vocalist Jean-Claude ‘J.C.’ of Black Sputum-fame (currently living in Norway). Seclusion is Colossus Morose’s first official recording, recorded, mixed and mastered in both Norway (Tromsø) and Germany (Hanover) in between Winter 2016 and Winter 2017.

Zinc Room is a Russian outfit by Alexander ‘I’ Syromyatnikov (the same person who runs Evil Dead Productions), assisted once again by Andrey Kein (both as session musician as being the long-time mixer / master; also known from e.g. Corona Barathri, Church Of Howling Dog, Sol Mortuus, Chaotic Bound Systems, Carved Image Of Emptiness). Both are (were) formerly active as Prognostic Zero.

Brahdr’uhz are a very young yet quite productive outfit from Swiss, run by Brahz (voices, strings, percussion) and assisted by drummer Penetranalattack Deflagramicide. Yeah, why not… The project released several things in not that much time, especially independently, sometimes in partnership with Underground labels (Albanian Medieval Werewolf Antiquarium Label).

My first acquaintance with Inhume was in 2000, when I bought this Dutch band’s debut full length Decomposing From Inside (tasty title it is!), released via French (and defunct?) label Bones Brigade Records (FYI: it will be released soon on vinyl, by the way). Throughout the years Inhume did record few more albums and material for compilations / tributes and splits, yet quite limited in quantity (four albums in a decade).

The Post / Sludge genre is permanently growing, and for sure the French scene is one of the most prominent ones worldwide. One of my most beloved acts from France is Dirge, hailing from Paris, and active for almost twenty-five years. In the earliest years, the band brought some kind of industrialised and psych-grinding Metal (also quite ‘popular’ in their home country), yet throughout the years they evolved a lot. Dirge recorded and released six albums in the meantime, but the last one, Hyperion (*), was released four and a half years ago.

I do remember that I did end my review for Malthusian’s debut demo (which was called MMXIII; (*)) with: ‘I NEED MORE! When can we expect a full album? SOON, I hope!’ Okay, to be honest, I did not remember this anymore – I just read it again a couple of minutes ago – but that is of no importance, haha. But I did mean it back then. I was craving for more, much more. Apparently, this Irish band had an EP in 2015 (Below The Hengiform, also via Invictus Productions), but it never crossed my path, unfortunately.