DEAD METAL

Necrofier is unlikely to remain under the radar for long. Melodic-but-heavy black metal that will keep you coming back for more. The project features members of Oceans of Slumber and Venomous Maximus; along with the drummer from War Master and Insect Warfare, amongst other bands. The Texans' first offering is a powerful, cohesive, well-produced EP called Visions In Fire. You can download the release, or pre-order a cassette copy, via  Bandcamp . This impressive debut can also be previewed in its entirety below. Roll on their full-length, which is said to be in the works.

Ten of the best, in no particular order. Brainsmasher  - Vocalist, reviewer, has been involved with labels... and he has been posting videos about his sizable collection for around 2.5 years. Aside from being highly entertaining, Ben will also turn you on to some great metal. Justin Stubbs  - Sings and plays in Father Befouled (among other bands), graphic designer, started YouTubing about his collection earlier this year. Articulate delivery, and worthwhile commentary. One for fans of blackened metal in particular. Marty Worm  - Runs Bindrune Recordings, has been on YouTube for more than three years now. Extremely knowledgeable, and he has eclectic tastes so his channel is recommended regardless of which sub-genres you prefer. GroundZero Salem  - Speaking of eclectic, this 1.5 year old channel is also recommended to anyone; although what sets it apart from the others featured in the post is probably the extensive coverage of hardcore/punk. He's a very ...

01  Evoken - Hypnagogia  (Profound Lore) 02  Dysylumn - Occultation  (Egregor) 03  Ov Shadows - The Darkness Between Stars  (Black Market) 04  1914 - The Blind Leading The Blind  (Redefining Darkness/Archaic) 05  Monstrosity - The Passage Of Existence  (Metal Blade) 06  Memoriam - The Silent Vigil  (Nuclear Blast) 07  Assumption - Absconditus  (Everlasting Spew/Sentient Ruin) 08  Ataraxy - Where All Hope Fades  (Dark Descent/Me Saco Un Ojo) 09 Hostil - Infernal Rites  (Not On Label) 10  Void Rot - Consumed By Oblivion  (Everlasting Spew/Sentient Ruin) *edit* Antichrist - Pax Moriendi  and  Deicide - Overtures Of Blasphemy should have made this list

Buffalo's Banished started out as Baphomet, a project which is featured here . Deliver Me Unto Pain (1993) is the one-and-only Banished full-length, as the band split up later that same year. If you're a fan of Baphomet then this album will not disappoint - it's fundamentally more of the same; and actually features re-recordings of two Baphomet tracks. These guys had quite an original sound - brutal and primitive, but also groovy and accessible. Baphomet's The Dead Shall Inherit is recognised by many as an old school death metal classic, but Deliver Me Unto Pain tends to be overlooked. Released on Deaf Records, it has since been reissued by parent label Peaceville; although even represses of the CD are quite hard to find. You can listen to it below, and hunt down a copy here .

Monstrosity has previously been featured here  and here . Spiritual Apocalypse is the band's fifth full-length, released on Metal Blade/Conquest in 2007. If you enjoyed their most recent effort, and are unfamiliar with this one, then you should do something about that. It's another highly enjoyable slab of modern-but-old-school death metal, recorded by (almost) the same line-up. Monstrosity deserve a lot more credit and attention than they get. You can stream the album in full below, and buy it  here .

Previous posts about Evoken can be found  here  and  here . You can also read an interview with drummer and founding member Vince Verkay  here . Hypnagogia (out tomorrow) is the band's sixth full-length, and the second brought to us by Profound Lore. It's also their first concept album, based entirely around the theme of World War I and the impact it had on those who fought. Musically it has all the hallmarks of an Evoken release, but it features some new twists as well; most notably an additional infusion of melody, by way of elements such as violin and choral parts. The kings of funeral doom have expanded their sound, nearly a quarter of a century into their existence, and the extra dimensions are serving them well. You can hear a track below, and order a copy here .

1914 is a WWI-themed band from Ukraine, that formed in 2014 - on the hundredth anniversary of the start of the war. The Blind Leading The Blind is a compelling hour-long blackened, sludgy, doom-laden death metal journey. The songwriting is extremely strong, as is the execution; and the release is laced with some highly effective samples. It drops 11th November; or more specifically, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month (Central European Time) - the hundredth anniversary of the end of the war. A track from the album, which features a guest performance from David Ingram (of  Benediction  and  Bolt Thrower  fame), can be heard below. ...and it can be pre-ordered now, from  Redefining Darkness  (America) or  Archaic  (Europe).