ENDTYMER is the semi-weekly recap, occasional blogspace, and new release round-up column. It hits at the end of (most) every week with the intent of covering notable new releases, sharing news, and musing over various personal listening habits. It is largely informal, might contain 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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FIVE BEST OF THIS WEEK

[#1] HAR (‘Cursed Creation‘, Dark Descent Records)
[#2] FÖHN (‘Condescending‘, Hypaethral Records)
[#3] VOMITROT (‘Emetic Imprecations‘, Personal Records)
[#4] SPECTRAL WOUND (‘Songs of Blood and Mire‘, Profound Lore)
[#5] NILE (‘The Underworld Awaits Us All‘, Napalm Records)

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UPCOMING RELEASES

Catch up with the latest new release announcements for albums I am likely to cover.

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One of my all-time favorite bands SATAN continue their ever-bloodied kill streak beyond reformation back in the early 2010’s with a seventh full-length album, ‘Songs In Crimson‘. Once again under the banner of Metal Blade Records it will release this coming September 13th. Guitarist Russ Tippins and crew intend to keep changing things up with every release suggesting that this album is “concise. It’s more to-the-point and gets there quicker. One of the reasons behind the album title is that this record is very ‘song’ focused. There’s more punch this time around. Each chorus speaks for itself. The goal is to further consolidate the style we’ve established, the pathway we’ve been on since the reunion. Part of that style is that each release must have something that sets it apart from its predecessors.” and the week prior we also get a new LP from vocalist Brian Ross‘ band Blitzkrieg. Couldn’t be more stoked on each.

Edged Circle Productions announced we are getting a second full length album from Slovenian progressive death metal band SIDEREAN a few weeks ago and now they’ve released a second single “Visions”. It will release on September 13th on vinyl, CD, cassette and digitally. Folks will recall this band and their prior engagement Teleport are among some of my favorites in recent years, this one sounds even more harsh and out-there than before:

Chicago, Illinois-based progressive technical death metal band GIGAN have announced the impending release of ‘Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus‘, their much anticipated return after many years. The album will release on October 25th by way of the good folks over at Willowtip Records with CD, vinyl, cassette, boxset, and digital formats all coming with deluxe or collector options. Founding member, guitarist, sole-songwriter Eric Hersemann comments on the album: “Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus is a perfect expression of where GIGAN is as a band and where we are headed into the future. Like all GIGAN songs, our emphasis is on creativity and limitless imagination, while still working within the realms of interwoven madness and colorful technicality combined with the oppressive elements of misanthropic dissonance and crushing brutality. Any fan of GIGAN, or any fan of genuine Metal music that is completely fearless and without pretentious delivery, is in for a mind-bending treat.” and of course we can and do trust that this fellowe will create nothing short of alien magickry.

End All Life Productions have announced a September 13th release date for the fifth full-length album from Finnish black metal band AETHYRICK. ‘Death is Absent‘ finds the band seeking beyond their now well established sound, pushing the tempo while still remaining rooted in atmospheric/melodic black metal in a classic sense. Another band that has never let me down, I have nothing but unholy faith in how this one will turn out.

Helsinki, Finland-based death metal band ASHEN TOMB will release their surprisingly ready-to-go debut full-length album, ‘Ecstatic Death Reign‘ this coming October 18th by way of Everlasting Spew Records. Inspired by the doomed and atmospheric reaches of death metal of the late 80’s these folks keep it classicist and to a high enough standard as they put their spin on things. I’d liked their EP/single well enough that I’m curious to see what they’ve done with all of that obvious potential.

Polish black metal trio UNTERVOID will follow up their 2018 EP with ‘Parasite‘ a full-length concept album
“exploring the multifaceted role of humanity as a parasitic force on both society and the planet. From the suffocating pressures of social constructs to the looming threat of ecological collapse” and it will release this coming September 20th by way of Pagan Records with CD, Vinyl and Digital releases arriving at once. This band formed back in 2015 by way of Destroyer (Redemptor) and Adam Sierżęga (Armagedon, Azarath) and more recently they’ve added engineer and musician Haldor Grunberg (Thaw, Mentor) as a third member. The first single, “Ruiner”, got my attention pretty quick:

Black/death metal trio DREAMLESS VEIL will release their debut full-length, ‘Every Limb Of The Flood‘, this coming September 20th by way of Relapse Records. A pandemic formed project via Artificial Brain guitarist Dan Gargiulo and Inter Arma/Artificial Brain vocalist Mike Paparo this conceptual undertaking would then task Psycroptic drummer Dave Haley with the thrust of their drum machine writ hand. Paparo elaborates: “For a lot of the pandemic, it was just Dan and I listening to records over and over again, seeing how many times we could listen to Lugubrum in one night. So, the vibe was dismal.” enough said at that point, the big thing here is that this record jets, really pushes out some speed while creating a sort of technical approach to semi-melodic black metal strands. Aggressive but not wholly machinelike on first impression. Check out “Saturnism”:

Agonia Records have announced FIVE THE HEIROPHANT will release their latest album, ‘Apeiron‘, this coming October 18th. An elaborate mirage built from black/doom, psychedelic ambiance and jazz these folks have long mastered the ominous and hypnotic side of extremity. They are suggesting improved production values, a more eclectic showing overall, as they comment on the album further: “After a few years of wait, and a lineup change, we are happy to present you our new album. We feel like it’s a very Five The Hierophant album, set within the specific sound we managed to forge, but with a fair bit of new ideas, twists and turns. In our opinion its more trippy and hypnotic, but less monotonous than the previous work. Once again, this is an all instrumental work, without any samples or spoken word this time. The album is called «Apeiron», meaning boundless in Greek, which reflects the atmosphere of the record very well.” And of course I am back on board for this one, greatly appreciating their whole vibe.

The return of Colorado-based troupe THE FLIGHT OF SLEIPNIR has been much anticipated, with help from this first single “Wanderer” there is some joy in the promise of another step into their unique realm. The patiently trod magickry here is as oaken as ever, reminding me of their early 2010’s days but from a less lo-fi point of view. ‘Nature’s Cadence‘ will be the eighth full-length from the band and this time with a bigger production value applied, intending an analog master and a nostalgic haze to the whole thing. It will arrive on all relevant formats this coming September 27th.

Symphonic metal band DUNGEON CRAWL have announced their second full-length album, ‘Maze Controller‘ will release on September 20th via Carbonized Records. This San Jose, California based project almost resembles symphonic thrash as it hits on this latest single “Red Shadows”. Themed after tabletop RPGs and ultra fantasy nerd stuff this band have my attention so far. Check out the single, see if this is up your alley:

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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 each week for the most part. You can click on the link provided to read the review/article, 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 generalized notes. The written review and the video review are complimentary -not- interchangeable. Please subscribe, share, and leave a comment, etc. if you feel like it.

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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. These choices are subject to change as the final drafts evolve and other releases might potentially take priority:

LONGFORM REVIEWS + VIDEO:

SIDEREAN – Spilling the Astral Chalice [September 13th, Edged Circle Productions]
VAFURLOGI – Í vökulli áþján [September 13th, NoEvDia/Oration]
JADE / SANCTUARIUM – The Sempiternal Wound [September 13th, Pulverised Records]
HORNA – Nyx – Hymnejä Yölle [September 13th, W.T.C. Productions]
SATAN – Songs In Crimson [September 13th, Metal Blade Records]
TRELLDOM – …by the Shadows… [September 13th, Prophecy Productions]

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