Current State of Underground U.S. Metal

[J.]

Needless to say I really have not kept up with new metal these last few years. Sure, I check out new releases by old bands. Hell, I just bought Fear Factory's new one.

But as far as new bands, I'm typically unaware unless I decide to check a sample or hear "if you like this band, you'll love this one" which sometimes proves fruitful, as is the case with our own Caladan Brood and Summoning.

And Max Johnson hit it out of the park with his Obsequiae reco. I can't stop listening to those two albums.

In checking out Noltem (and loving Mannaz), I decided to start scouring the Bandcamp (kinda new to me) just looking for some fresh stuff, and (surprise) young bands to support directly.

In my searches I've found some cool stuff. Keep in mind my musical preferences.

Ered Wethrin from Salt Lake City are labelmates with Nasheim, on Northern Silence. Epic black metal here.

http://eredwethrin.bandcamp.com/


Ifing from Grand Rapids, Michigan play a style akin to ealy Ulver, Agalloch, Falkenbach, etc.




Luckily I also chose to check out the Marsh Dweller tracks that Max recommended. I loved it.


Utstott is another one that follows Summoning.

http://utstott.bandcamp.com/album/hj-rungav-gr

The U.S. is interesting once again.


Reco some more!

 

[Reign in Acai]

This is fanfuckingtastic, will purchase.

 

[J.]

yeah i bought ifiing and ered wethrin.

utstott isnt released on cd yet

 

[Vittra]

http://winterlore.bandcamp.com/album/four-swords-against-the-pious

 

[dorian gray]

That cover art kinda scares me

 

[MFJ]

The USA is simply crushing the competition right now, there is NO comparison. Check out:

Obsequiae
Alda
Tempel
Nechochwen

 

[MFJ]

J -

also check out the Obsequiae demo. you can easily find it on youtube. its obviously of a lower quality than their full-length albums, but it is still INCREDIBLE. really heavy early dark tranquillity vibe.

 

[rms]

These two?

https://replenishrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tahoma

https://bindrunerecordings.bandcamp.com/album/oto

 

[Ellestin]

Alda is indeed a great band, highly inspired. Haethen from Philadelphia is another one that builds nicely on the established basics of the "Cascadian" thing to deliver a solid slice of epicness: https://haethen.bandcamp.com/.

My n°1 US discovery of the past year would be Mare Cognitum's Phobos Monolith: https://marecognitum.bandcamp.com/. A thrilling voyage through turbulent interstellar landscapes. I've always had a crush for good astronomy-themed black metal, and this album definitely takes the cake as the best one since Moon in the Scorpio.

 

[J.]

Cool. Ill check out all these bands on my days off.

 

[rms]

Alda is indeed a great band, highly inspired. Haethen from Philadelphia is another one that builds nicely on the established basics of the "Cascadian" thing to deliver a solid slice of epicness: https://haethen.bandcamp.com/.

My n°1 US discovery of the past year would be Mare Cognitum's Phobos Monolith: https://marecognitum.bandcamp.com/. A thrilling voyage through turbulent interstellar landscapes. I've always had a crush for good astronomy-themed black metal, and this album definitely takes the cake as the best one since Moon in the Scorpio.

Thanks dude, just bought those 2 albums and the Alda and Neo.

 

[MFJ]

Those two albums are great, but both bands are releasing new albums in early september. They are killllllllllleeeeerrr albums, and contain massive improvements. New nechochwen is going to kick y'all dicks in.

 

[rms]

Any material available?

 

[MFJ]

nothing which i can share yet, but this teaser trailer should give you a great idea of what to expect. a lot more straight-forward metal. i wouldn't be surprised if this ended up on the top of everyones 2015 list.



btw: the guest vocalist on Obsequiae's "In the Absence of Light" and "Orphic Rights of the Mystic" is the vocalist from Nechochwen

 

[MFJ]

OHHHH YEAHHHHHHH check this out as well. please.

http://glassthroatrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/warmth

Europe just really can't compete right now- seriously.

edit: disclaimer- this is not metal

 

[rms]

Found a 1 track sampling from their Euro supplier, sounds fantastic.

https://nordvis.bandcamp.com/album/heart-of-akamon

 

[J.]

Ordered mare cognitum blind

 

[Reign in Acai]

Ered Wethrin conquers this thread.

 

[J.]

Ered wethrin and ifing showed up!

 

[MFJ]

Found a 1 track sampling from their Euro supplier, sounds fantastic.

https://nordvis.bandcamp.com/album/heart-of-akamon

YES. i didn't know about this link, this song is just absurdly good. seriously guys, guys listen to this right now. please do not waste any more time, incredible. this album might overtake 'aria of vernal tombs'. we'll see