ENDTYMER is the inevitable weekly “music news blog” series I’ve been working to avoid for some time. It hits at the end of every week with the intent of covering notable new releases, sharing news of new releases, and musing over various personal listening habits. It is a largely informal blog, has opinions, etc. so chill out a bit. I do my best to cover as much of everything I receive in some form regardless of genre or representation, don’t hesitate to send anything and everything my way: grizzlybutts@hotmail.com

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ALBUM OF THE WEEK

The second week of March isn’t quite as packed with releases as the first but the quality is generally there. Bastard Grave‘s ‘Vortex of Disgust‘ is probably their best yet, Rezn‘s ‘Solace‘ finds the psychedelic doom group finding their own wave, and Minenwerfer‘s ‘Feuerwalze‘ lives up to the carnage splattered barrage it depicts. Though I wasn’t sent a copy for review I’d really enjoyed the latest Fluisteraars EP, ‘De Kronieken van het Verdwenen Kasteel – I – Harslo‘ which seems to be part of a 10″ series. The album of the week is yet undeniably one of my most anticipated releases of the year: ‘Pulsations From the Black Orb‘ from Costa Rican death metal band ASTRIFEROUS. For a fairly new band these folks nail the ‘old school’ sensibility with great taste, appropriate production values, and some of the best peak (’90-’93 era) death metal-era riffcraft you’ll hear this year.

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APOCALYPTIC LANDSCAPES

A few days ago I’d happened upon this fairly new Croatian death/doom metal band METUZALEM who play an ‘old school’ form which crosses more dissonantly phrased rhythms with the more depressive realm of early Peaceville three stuff. Their ranks feature folks from several bands you’ve not heard of (Pogavranjen, Usud, Defiant) but their sound isn’t so alien. If you liked that God Disease album I reviewed this week definitely check out ‘Infra‘ if you’re looking for something easier flowing.

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“NEWS”

Signal Rex are conspiring with Bestial Burst in their efforts to bring the second full-length album from Finnish black/doom metal duo MOON ORACLE through the eternally splayed portals this coming April 13th. ‘Ophidian Glare‘ will arrive on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape once again graced with finest cover artwork. If you’ll recall I premiered their 2021 debut ‘Muse of the Nightside‘ and did a short interview with the band. I’ve spent a ton of time listening to that record since and can’t wait to dig into this one too. Check out two songs in preview over on Bandcamp:

Sentient Ruin have announced German/Italian blackened death-doom band NEKUS have readied a new double LP set to be released on April 7th this year titled ‘Sepulchral Divination‘. The album will also be released on CD, Cassette and digitally. Nekus features current and past members of Putridarium, Into Coffin, Omnivore, and feature a primitive, atmospheric form of Eldritch horror. downtuned subsonic horror emanating from the wretched bowels of the abyss. Preview the song “Katabasis” to get a feel for the album:

THE MAGUS of legendary Greek black metal band Necromantia, Yoth Iria and others will release his debut solo album ‘Βυσσοδομώντας‘ (“Conspiring in the Darkness”) with a projected release of October 2023 through The Circle Music. The Magus commented: “The instrumental track “Give the Devil His Due” which was on the farewell Necromantia album, has a story behind it. Like all the songs I do… Therefore, I decided to tell you that story in the upcoming album…” He will be joined by El (Soulskinner, Zaratus, et al.) on guitars and Maelstrom (Necromantia, Yoth Iria) on drums for the album. They’re still working on it so for now go check out the details for the Necromantia biography which is coming out next Friday:

https://www.pagan-records.com/en_GB/p/NECROMANTIA-The-Serpent-The-Pentagram-BOOK-7-VINYL-PRE-ORDER/12855

Sardinian occult doom metal band 1782 have released another single from their upcoming ‘Clamor Luciferi‘ full-length which is due out April 14th by way of Heavy Psych Sounds. Commenting about the song (“Demons”) the band state: “In the deepest abyss you can hear the screams of beasts as they approach you to drag you down with them. Between heavy riffs and pounding rhythms immerse yourself in the darkest world, the world of demons…” Excellent portal, totally fair entry fee:

German post-black/doom metal act MORIBUND MANTRAS have announced their new album ‘…of Fathomless Depths‘ will release this coming April 14th by way of Argento Records. This will be their third full-length album in a little over a decade. Check out the first preview song over on Bandcamp:

After a half decade brewing it Greek blackened death metal band BURIAL HORDES have announced their latest full-length record ‘Ruins‘ will release by way of Transcending Obscurity Records this coming June 9th on all possible formats. Check out the first preview track, “Insubstantial”, over on YouTube:

Dying Victims Productions have set May 26th as the release date for the second full-length album from German black/speed metal band SPEEDWHORE. ‘Visions of a Parallel World‘ will release on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape in addition to digitally. Munich-borne but Berlin based this band apparently started out as a bit of drunken fun but eventually formed up as an old school early-to-mid 80’s informed Satanic speed metal sort of gig. Of course this one should be an easy grab for anyone who loves this shrieking vocal style, the banging circa ’86 blackened speed metal riffs, and the unique drum sound. Check out “Matriarch”:

Hammerheart Records have announced they will release the debut full-length album from Swedish death metal band IMPERISHABLE this coming June 9th. ‘Come, Sweet Death” will release LP and CD and features a pretty serious line-up between members/ex-members of Vampire, Portrait, and Nominon. Seems like a classic semi-melodic style based on this short teaser trailer:

Jawbreaker Records have announced the upcoming release of the self-titled debut EP from IMPENDING TRIUMPH. ‘Impending Triumph‘ will release on vinyl, cassette, CD, and digital formats on May 5th. The band name Manowar, Running Wild and Helloween as main influences and certainly aim for a classic heavy metal style. The band comments: “Even before we started composing we knew that all our lyrics would talk about the exploits and conquests of Puritania, a fictional empress who claims to be a true defender of liberty but really is a tyrant in disguise. The events take place in a fantasy setting, and the story is told by one of Puritania’s biggest admirers and most loyal followers. With time and experience, his fascination may turn into something else though…” Glad they’re going with some interesting world building, check out the first preview song:

Purity Through Fire have announced March 31st as the release date for SIELUHAASKA‘s debut EP ‘Kun aurinkoni kuoli‘ on digipack CD. The four-song and 23 intro the project reveals a decidedly Finnish black metal experience rife with intense melodies. Check out the title track “Kun aurinkoni kuoli”:

POISON RUIN have released a second single, “Resurrection II” from their upcoming Relapse Records debut ‘Harvest‘ which is due out April 14th. The song is described as “a cathartic tale of the undead rising to take revenge upon those who have unknowingly wronged them.” and the video is great:

Edged Circle Productions have announced May 5th as the release date for Norwegian pagan black metal band HEIMLAND‘s debut album. ‘Forfedrenes Taarer‘ releases on vinyl LP and cassette tape and should naturally appeal to fans of early Enslaved, Windir, Helheim, and Kampfar. Hear the first preview track “Skugger Fra Ei Svunnen Tid”:

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THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS / REVIEWS

Catch up with the latest YouTube video review/features and written reviews here. New videos post Thursday/Friday of each week for the most part. You can click on the link provided to read the review, each review has the related video embedded in the original post as well. Videos are fairly casual and meant to accompany the written review with some extra context and a few quick notes.

MINENWERFER – Feuerwalze (2023) | REVIEW

REZN – Solace (2023) | REVIEW

GOD DISEASE – Apocalyptic Doom (2023) | REVIEW

ASTRIFEROUS – Pulsations From the Black Orb (2023) | REVIEW

FANGE – Privation (2023) | REVIEW

DÉCRYPTAL – Sabazios Culte (2023) | REVIEW

CONTRARIAN – Sage of Shekhinah (2023) | REVIEW

Short Reviews | March 9th, 2023

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COMING UP NEXT WEEK:

Here is a tentative list of what is coming up next week in terms of reviews. The following records have been listened to extensively, a preliminary review has been drafted (or completed), and I’ve locked them in for coverage. In terms of the “Short Written Reviews + Video” column, these are more tentative, some of them may be cut if I do not have enough time to get around to everything.

LONGFORM WRITTEN REVIEWS / VIDEO REVIEWS:

ACID KING – Beyond Vision [March 24th, Blues Funeral Recordings]
VERMINOUS SERPENT – The Malign Covenant [March 17th, Amor Fati]
LAMP OF MURMUUR – Saturnian Bloodstorm [March 26th, Argento / Not Kvlt]
MAZE OF SOTHOTH – Extirpated Light [March 24th, Everlasting Spew Records]
XALPEN – The Curse Of Kwányep [March 24th, Black Lodge Records]
EISENKULT – Vulgäre, deutsche Hassmusik [March 21st, Purity Through Fire]

SHORT WRITTEN REVIEWS + VIDEO:

HATESPHERE – Hatred Reborn [March 24th, Scarlet Records]
KRUELTY – Untopia [March 17th, Profound Lore Records]
GATEKEEPER – From Western Shores [March 24th, Cruz Del Sur Music]
HANGING GARDEN – The Garden [March 24th, Agonia Records]
WOE UNTO ME – Along the Meandering Ordeals, Reshape the Pivot of Harmony [March 24th, M-Theory]
BLOOD AND SUN – Ochre [March 31st, Nordvis Produktion]
THE TURIN HORSE – Unsavory Impurities [March 24th, Reptilian Records]
SPECTRAL LORE – 11 Days [March 21st, Self-Released]
HELLCRASH – Demonic Assassination [March 24th, Dying Victims Productions]
THE RHUBARB – Symptom of Failure [March 24th, Milky Bomb]

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