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Initial Descent: May 27 – June 2, 2018

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Hostia
Hostia

It’s June folks. I’m old enough to know better than be surprised at how fast time slips away but…JUNE. Anyway, new metal is why you stopped by and that we have plenty of. Leading the charge this week is the self-titled debut album from Hostia and I can assure you that grindcore / extreme metal aficionados will find plenty of special sauce in this one. Next up is Ghost with their latest Prequelle and this one is quickly filling that ‘feel good hit of the summer’ vibe — clean singing and big hooks glorifying the dark one has never been this much fun. Wait, fun? Leaving it there, you decide. Moving on is Everything & Nothing, the debut from Raum Kingdom which has a very strong Amenra vibe so if that’s your thing, and why wouldn’t it be, get on it. Closing down this week’s top four is Creatio et Hominus from Burial In the Sky which finds the band in forward thinking death metal mode this time out and to be sure, this is a good thing. As usual, there’s a ton more so keep reading and keep exploring. Continue reading →

Profile: Poland’s Extreme Grindcore Unit Hostia

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Hostia
Hostia

Warsaw, Poland based Hostia will be your favorite grindcore band on the strength of their self-titled debut full length due out this week on Via Nocturna. And you’ve probably never heard of them. Strong statement? Maybe. But they made us believers with their venomous approach to an already devastating genre. It’s thirteen songs of spewed bile rallying against religion, establishment and the boring status quo that sucks you in from the opening bell of “Corroded Cross” and finds you picking up teeth along the way to closer “Karl’s Delicatessen.” Plus, the production on this thing is such that not a second is wasted or lost under the weight of blasts and warp speed riffs. Just ahead of Hostia we sat down with the band to get acquainted via our set of Profile questions. Read on to see what they had to say and be sure to support the band from the links contained within. Continue reading →

Exclusive Stream: Uburen – “I Hail”

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band

With Halloween lying just around the bend, Norwegian black metallers Uburen are set to release their second album, Frå døden fødes liv. Two years removed from their debut Withered Roots, this nine-track collection offers a take on pagan black metal that’s traditionally raw yet features a healthy dose underlying melodic elements. In anticipation of this release, “I Hail” is available for stream below.

cover

As evidenced below, influences can be tied back to black metal pioneers Enslaved and Bathory, among others. While perhaps not replicating any specific genre directly, Uburen has created a unique intensity around their brand of black metal that simultaneously pays tribute to the genre’s beginnings. Given what we have heard so far, there is plenty to look forward to come Halloween.

 Frå døden fødes liv will be available on October 31st through Via Nocturna and be purchased here. Additionally, the previously released track “I Become” is also available for streaming. For more information on Uburen, visit their official Facebook page.

 

Initial Descent: September 25 – October 1, 2016

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Winterfylleth
Winterfylleth

Here we are at the dawn of October. One of the finest months of the year, obviously. What better way to kick it off than with a stacked list of metal that is as varied as the many horror movies you need to watch over the next 31 days. Anyway, Initial Descent knows you need it so, this week we have the amazing new album The Dark Hereafter from Winterfylleth, a jazzy avant-garde self titled debut from Brain Tentacles, Okkultokrati‘s Raspberry Dawn that is satan rock at it’s finest and of course Sorceress from everyone’s favorite target Opeth. For everyone still mad about the whole no death metal thing, news flash, they’re still great. Also Veilburner returns with their third full length of inherently evil and challenging black/death/experimental The Obscene Rite and Halshug cracks the earth in half with their brutal new album Sort Sind. Plenty here for you to enjoy so without further delay, get busy after the jump. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: September 18 – 24, 2016

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Neurosis
Neurosis

Anyone complaining that there hasn’t been a great week for metal thus far in 2016 needs to go immediately and start over, but there won’t be any complaining after this week. Mostly due to Neurosis‘ highly anticipated eleventh full length Fires Within Fires finally seeing the light of day. But that’s not all; Fatalist are back with their insanely good Swedeath saturated The Bitter End, Predatory Light further their black metal chaos on Predatory Light, Trap Them punch you in the mouth with their fifth album Crown Feral while Witchskull breaks out the bluesy doom on The Vast Electric Dark. Switching gears a bit, Dysrhythmia bends time on their progressive instru-metal album The Veil Of Control — let the dissecting begin. And last but not least, Insomnium‘s epic fifth full length Winter’s Gate is a blast. As stated, its another stacked week here on Initial Descent and literally, there’s something for everyone. So hit that ‘continue reading’ link. Continue reading →