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

---

BEST OF THIS WEEK

[#1] DIABOLIZER (‘Murderous Revelations‘, Dark Descent/Me Saco Un Ojo)
[#2] MESSA (‘The Spin‘, Metal Blade)
[#3] MOONFALL (‘Odes to the Ritual Hills‘, Iron Bonehead)
[#4] SLOUGH FEG (‘Traveller Supplemental I‘, Cruz Del Sur Music)
[#5] CYTOTOXIN (‘Biographyte‘, Self-Released)

---

UPCOMING RELEASES

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

---

This coming June 20th Dying Victims Productions will release the long-awaited third full-length album from German doom metal crew ANGEL OF DAMNATION. ‘Ethereal Blasphemy‘ will release on CD, vinyl and digitally. This group comes from folks involved in Nocturnal, Cross Vault, Sentry and vocalist Gerrit Mutz (Sacred Steel, Battleroar, et al.) Since it has been seven years since their last full-length it’d be worth it to check out their full discography in the meantime but this latest track, “Eternal Life in Hell”, tells you all you need to know:

Sentient Ruin have announced the latest album from Edmonton, Alberta-based grinding bestial death metal band PROPHETIC SUFFERING. ‘Rivalry of Thyself‘ will release this coming May 9th on LP, CD, cassette, and digitally. Short and wild stuff, some real rotten riffs on this one, check out the song “Gift of Decay”:

Hailing from the post-‘Black Force Domain‘ era of Brazilian death metal you might recall OPHIOLATRY‘s couple of LPs in the 2000’s, well they’ve reformed circa 2020 and have now signed with WormHoleDeath Records for the release of their latest album ‘Serpent’s Verdict‘ which is set for release this coming June 6th. They’ve linked a kinda nothing-ass teaser so far. The band comment on the album’s intent: “The album delves into themes of spiritual revenge, indigenous resistance, and the clash between ancient traditions and imposed beliefs. Inspired by real events in the Amazon, mythology, and existential suffering, the lyrics paint vivid scenes of war, punishment, and transcendence through pain. Each song tells a story, whether it be about warriors resurrected for revenge, the wrath of serpent gods, or the fall of oppressive ideologies. The words are raw, intense, and unrelenting, reflecting the chaotic brutality of the music itself.” They’re promising something less tech focused than their last record, not sure what to expect but I recognized the name as I’d enjoyed their first album. Now if only Abhorrence (Brazil) had another album in ’em…

If you missed the announcement for Topeka, Kansas-based death metal crew UNMERCIFUL‘s latest album ‘Devouring Darkness‘ get on board here per this second preview song “Malice Unbound”. The album is set for release on CD, digital, and vinyl this coming May 23rd and you can expect sublime brutality from these folks. This album marks the return of Jeremy Turner (ex-Origin) to guitar and introduces new vocalist Josh Riley. Great album, looking forward to it next month.

Iron Bonehead Productions have announced they will release AFFLICTION VECTOR‘s debut album, ‘Contra Hominem‘, on CD and vinyl LP formats. This Italian crew centers around mainman Ans (ex-Ooze, ex-Grime) and new drummer Stefano (Claustrum, Fuoco Fatuo), you’ll recall I’d liked their ‘Death Comes Supreme‘ EP back in 2020 so I’m looking forward to what they’ve done with this bestial beast. Check out the first preview song “Ephemeral Lifeless”:

Werewolf Records have announced the third full-length album from Finnish black metal band WARMOON LORD will release this coming May 25th. ‘Sacrosanct Demonopathy‘ will release on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. These folks’ve been well-received with every move they’ve made, I though ‘Battlespells‘ ruled, so I’m looking forward to this one. Check out this older preview song “A Hungering Yoke”:

Black Lion Records have announced they will release the third full-length album from Swedish black metal duo JORDFÄST. ‘Blodsdåd och hor‘ will release this coming July 25th promising to “delve into humanity’s darkest depths” and “explore themes of existential struggle and historical conflict” and however that turns out I’ve been a huge fan of their first two records so I’m stoked to hear this one too.

https://storeblacklion.bigcartel.com/product/jordfast-blodsdad-och-hor-180g-lp-pre-order

Fiadh Productions have announced the third full-length album from WEALD + WOE will release on July 4th. ‘Far From the Light of Heaven‘ will release on vinyl, cassette and CD. The band’s melodic black metal inspired sound continues to evolve with this heavier folken third album. They’ve suggested the concept of the album “tackles the spiritual cost of fighting for the good of the realm: is it worth it in the end?“. Expect more info and previews in the near future.

https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/music

Profound Lore Records have announced CAUSTIC WOUND‘s sophomore full-length album, ‘Grinding Mechanism Of Torment‘ will release this coming April 25th. If you don’t already know their unholy brand of grinding death metal and gore comes via current/former members of Mortiferum, Corpus Offal, Magrudergrind. If you liked their 2020 debut ‘Death Posture‘ this one is even more brutal from my point of view. Check out the latest single “Technologist Hell Future”:

Hell’s Headbangers Records have announced the fifth full-length album from Cleveland, Ohio-based death metal band SHED THE SKIN. ‘The Carnage Cast Shadows‘ will release on CD and vinyl LP formats. Been a fan of everything they’ve done to date and this one cuts right to the quick based off of “The Carnage Cast Shadow” and that awesome album art. Check it out over on YouTube:

---

THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS

Recorded at the end of March, published today.

---

NEXT WEEK’s REVIEWS:

Here are the six longform reviews I have been working on for next week, these are subject to change or rescheduling to a later date.

SERPENTES – Desert Psalms [April 18th, NoEvDia]
TETRAMORPHE IMPURE – The Sunset of Being [April 18th, Aesthetic Death]
ATAUDES – Tempus Edax Rerum [April 21st, Memento Mori/Obscure Disharmony]
SIJJIN – Helljjin Combat [April 25th, Sepulchral Voice]
PAGAN ALTAR – Never Quite Dead [April 25th, Dying Victims Productions]
CONAN – Violence Dimension [April 25th, Heavy Psych Sounds]

SHORT REVIEWS:

UNGRAVEN – Hollows Made Homes in Their Sunken Cheeks [April 18th, Heavy Psych Sounds]
LIK – Necro [April 18th, Metal Blade Records]
HIDDENT – The Lugubrious Art Of South American Black Metal [April 17th, Sun & Moon]
KLAUS SCHULZE – Bon Voyage (Live Audimax Hamburg 1981) [April 25th, SPV Recordings]
STRUCTURE – Heritage [April 25th, Ardua Music]
BANK MYNA – Eimuria [April 25th, Medication Times/Araki/Stellar Frequencies]
CORRUPTER – Gloria in Profundis [April 25th, Godz Ov War Productions]
FAMILY GARDEN – Dreams Beyond Control [April 25th, Strange Mono Records]

---