Another year behind us, another swath of incredible releases. 2012 saw some incredible demos from up and coming artists, but for concisions sake I focused on full length releases. From the sheer brutality of Svartidaudi to the experimental terror of Sutekh Hexen, these records represent some of the finest cases that black metal is stronger than ever.
6. Sutekh Hexen-Larvae
Released early this year, Sutekh Hexen’s Larvae represents a new sound bleeding into the world of black metal. Ominous, chaotic, yet strangely moving, Larvae is a harrowing record. With a solid backing from collaborators including Dwid Hellion and Oede, Sutekh have crafted a sound that comes off as surprisingly fresh, particularly in a genre that can often be found guilty of idolatry of the past.
5. Kuxan Suum-ST
Kuxan Suum’s hypnotic, trance inducing sound is easily one of the most fascinating projects to come out of the Crepusculo Negro camp. Eschewing the typical aesthetics of black metal, Kuxaan Suum’s self-titled LP released via Fallen Empire collects their original cassette and contribution to the Odour of Dust and Rot compilation.
4. Revenge-Scum. Collapse. Eradication.
Monstrously heavy and unrelenting, Revenge’s Scum.Collapse.Eradication is all out war metal. For all the cacophony nothing is missing; the incredible guitar tone, frantic drumming, and bestial vocals merge into something that transcends black metal. Incorporating death, doom, and grind elements, Revenge have honed an unhinged sound that is instantly recognizable.
3. Denial of God-Death and Beyond
Denmark’s Denial of God have been at it for over twenty years, and with Death and Beyond, prove that they are here to stay. Far removed from much of today’s black metal, the Mercyful Fate inspired sound of Denial of God is simultaneously anachronistic and inspiring. With catchy riffs and perfectly occult lyrics, Denial of God prove that there will always be a place for the old guard.
2. Mgla-With Hearts Toward None
Epic without being cheesy, catchy without being overproduced, With Hearts Toward None is a ripping synthesis of black metal past and present. This record burrows its way into your mind and lingers long after it’s over. True, haunting black metal, With Hearts Towards None is a statement to pure atmosphere!
1.Svartidaudi-Flesh Cathedral
A late release, but one worth waiting for. Svartidaudi’s Flesh Cathedral is a full force assault from start to end. Incredible production showcases each members virtuoso performances, leaving no doubt about how clear their vision was for this record. For how morbid this record is, both sonically and aesthetically, there is something incredibly powerful in the lyrical content, odes to a world destroyed by our hands (and what is to come). It’s rare that a record comes along that renews your enthusiasm for an entire genre, but with Flesh Cathedral, Svartidaudi have succeeded in just that.
welyas
January 23, 2013 at 11:41 pm
Hands down the best end of year I’ve seen. Thanks.
Leonard Reibstein
December 21, 2012 at 5:31 am
Why is no one acknowledging DRAUGHT on any of these lists??? Deathspell Omega!!!
Ruben van Kruistum
December 31, 2012 at 4:21 am
It’s “Drought”. Maybe because it’s not an album but an EP. It’s by far the best music to come out this year, but usually only full-length albums make it to yearlists.