GEVURAH – Necheshirion (2013)

Genre(s): Orthodox Black Metal

Label(s): Profound Lore, Graceless Recordings
Rating: 8/10

Right from the commencement of the album, this record amazes. “The Essence Unbound” is straightforwardly malevolent; one can imagine a boot to the teeth of a hipster, it's that satisfying. “Flesh Bounds Desecrated” proceeds from a racing start. The highlight of the album, though, is definitely “The Throne of Lucifer”. Consisting of only a few evil riffs, the main and intro one of which is one of those that riffs. It just hooks you in your very soul. The greatness of this song cannot be understated, from lyrics to music. “Divine Ignition” is another very fast song, perhaps not as exemplary as the rest, although that may just be an illusion due to the excellence and magnificence of the song immediately preceding it. The closer to this stellar EP is a Malign cover, a classic in Orthodox Black Metal called “Entering Timeless Halls.” Gevurah really does it justice.

Gevurah has progressed incredibly since the release of their first demo, which I have on cassette, known as Anno MMXI, released, obviously, in 2011. The band refuses all interviews (at least, up until this point), and wishes to be known solely by their initials, X.T. (drums and vocals), and A.L. (guitar and bass). If nothing else, it should speak volumes that they are on Profound Lore, a label known for releasing quality music. Gevurah also steadfastly remains separate from the “métal noir québécois” movement, despite hailing from Québec. In my opinion, they are Canada's best band.

I own Necheshirion on CD, and will own it on vinyl once Graceless releases it. It needs to be mentioned that the vinyl will be remastered for vinyl only. One can stream/buy it digitally here (there is a link for you to obtain the CD as well). I recommend buying the CD, because a.) it has the lyrics, b.) the artwork is amazing. Hebrew on the front (it is Gevurah and a quotation from a popular source, rendered in the Hebrew. What it says, you'll just have to do that work yourself (or find someone who knows Hebrew!). If you want to wait for the vinyl, pay attention to Graceless Recordings's website.

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THANTIFAXATH - Sacred White Noise (2014)

Genre(s): Black Metal

Label: Dark Descent Records

Rating: 8.5/10

As have many people, I have been awaiting new material anxiously since Thantifaxath's promising first release, their eponymous EP. Sacred White Noise was worth the wait.

The opener, “The Bright White Nothing at the End of the Tunnel,” features a schizophrenic-pleasing sequence of tapped guitar that eventually is swept clean off its feet by the undertow of a blastbeat. The second track, “Where I End and the Hemlock Begins,” features a chorus of chromatic descent down the fretboard. I simply love the semi-distorted bridge, as well. The mental landscape of “Gasping in Darkness” evokes the cover art for this album. “Eternally Falling” is an instrumental which sort of cleanses the palate, featuring violins being tortured at the mid-to-end-point. “Panic Becomes Despair” is my favourite from this album. It is the song I can relate to the most. “Lost in Static Between Worlds” is a great closer to a wonderful album. Lately, when I haven't been listening to Teitanblood's Death, I've been cranking Thantifaxath.

The whole album helps clear my mind. It runs the whole emotional/psychological spectrum. The production is amazing as well. If you don't listen to this through high-quality speakers, you don't know what you're missing out on. The drumming is fantastic, the bass is always interesting and punchy, the guitars don't rely on any sort of chugging and the tuning is not in drop H, and yet they always manage to keep things original. The vocals sound depraved and fit perfectly. It's also all pretty damned complicated to pull off successfully, as “progressive” as it is. I can't wait 'til I next see them live, just to see how well they perform the new material.

The band members wish to remain anonymous; a noble characteristic given what they've achieved with Sacred White Noise. Ordinarily I shy away from prog-anything, but if you like your prog and you like excellent Black Metal, I say give this a shot.

The album can be purchased digitally here. A physical copy can be obtained here, on both vinyl and CD, whichever poison you may choose. Support a great band and label!

TEITANBLOOD - Death (2014)

Genre(s): Black/Death Metal

Label: Norma Evangelium Diaboli

Rating:  8.5/10

This album has only been out for a month and it has received numerous repeat listens by me, sometimes consecutively. Their low-tuned guitars are pure chaos, as one could expect from Teitanblood. NSK's vocals are spot-on, brilliantly recorded and projected. J's drums sound perfect.

In an album of extremely solid numbers, my personal favourite is "Sleeping Throats of the Antichrist." The riff that starts at 9:13 in said song ices my heart, and then melts it. In "Plagues of Forgiveness," the drumming is particularly stellar, the riffs malign. "Cadaver Synod" is another instant favourite. The intro riff is an instant hook. "Unearthed Veins" is yet another show-stealer, and I mean every riff. "Burning in Damnation Fires" is a fast one, with plenty of low chaos. On the closer, "Silence of the Great Martyrs," the terminal nine minutes or so is the perfect touch, with what sounds like Orthodox chanting going on for much of that time. The only reason I deducted half a point from the score I would have otherwise given it is because the guitars do sound a bit thin as compared to Seven Chalices. That's my only complaint, though. This album is such an inspiration to me.

The LP has sold out virtually everywhere it's appeared, though as of this writing, Gilead Media has copies in stock (it's a gatefold DLP) for Americans/Canadians.  As for Europeans, Northern Heritage Records has it in stock it appears.  The CD can be found in many places; for Americans/Canadians, I recommend The Ajna Offensive.

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UPDATE: The Ajna Offensive has announced that there will be a repressing of Death due out shortly, when they return from their furlough.