THE TOP 10 ALBUMS OF THE MONTH should be self-explanatory, an ordered ranking of ten albums that’d resonated most throughout this month. If you’re new to the site, the tendency is heavy and/or surreal music. Choices are selected based on temporal immersion, personal connection, impressive style, point of view, aesthetics and with consideration for the lasting value of each selection. All choices are ultimately personal and come without consideration for populism, nepotism, cronyism, or any outside factors including perceived “relevance”. Writing about music is a passion I afford as much time as is manageable and I am grateful to have so much to choose from. Thank you.

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I. This month on MystificationZine.com included 28 longform album reviews, 26+ video reviews/features, 6 short album reviews. As much as I try to cover each month there is a vast number of overlooked releases yet worth seeking out. Take this as a jumping off point for your own exploration and let me know what you find.

II. This month saw the release of the fanzine issue number 7 featuring interviews with Barshasketh, Cosmic Putrefaction, Jade and Stress Angel. You can find [1] a post with further details/preview [2] a short video [3] and a link to purchase each of the seven issues. This is an additional way to support the site and read some recent interviews from excellent bands. There will be an eighth issue released this year but only if the accumulating interviews are quality enough to publish.

III. In 2025 written reviews will now have a video component which will post at the bottom of each review or feature, typically every week or two. If you enjoy these please consider following on YouTube. We are hovering around 1300+ subscribers and hoping to reach the ~2,000 mark in 2025. New video types will begin to surface in the second half of the year, not just reviews.

IV. As always I’d like to express my gratitude for the bands, labels and PR firms who choose to work with me. Thank you.

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#10
ARTIST:	SERPENT CORPSE
TITLE:	Retaliate [EP]
RECORD LABEL(S):	Transcending Obscurity Records

With so many great albums to choose from when looking back on June as a whole I’d felt this latest EP from French-Canadian band Serpent Corpse stood out for being something different compared to a lot of the death metal on offer this month but also a take on ‘old school’ death metal that pursues its hardcore punk and thrash metal rooting from a not-so modern place. Does it land in that realm of “death metal for Power Trip fans”? Probably a bit, that still makes sense as this EP basically carries on direct from their debut LP but I’d say these folks do it better than most.

“Calling down doom and meteoric devastation Montréal, Quebec-based death metal quartet SERPENT CORPSE return for a steadfast EP a couple of years beyond their impressive debut album. Substantial in its thread yet unflinching in stature ‘Retaliate‘ both continues and matures the band’s signature slap and stomp approach as the band restates their merger of pure death metal stride with a hardened, punkish thrashing thread. In some sense you’re getting more of what they were up to in the past, a longer piece or a bigger riff sparking up here and there, but at no point do they leave their work lacking in the potency returning fans will show up for.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#9
ARTIST:	DEVILPRIEST
TITLE:	Where I am the Chalice, Be Thou the Blood
RECORD LABEL(S):	Nuclear Winter Records

After the first two records from Polish blackened death metal troupe Devilpriest I didn’t imagine myself suggesting strong subtlety and nuance as highlighting features of their third yet I’d found this record cerebral, inward-looking and of course surreal in its search for the left hand path. As it turns out the mid-paced side of the band is still brilliantly intense and arguably even more thoughtfully applied herein, beyond that I’d found this album was no less intense just slightly less “loud” within its more throttled attacks. If you’re a huge fan of bands who treat Morbid Angel and Immolation as canon you should appreciate the inventive hand applied here.

“Poured from the grip of Satanic possession into labyrinthine singularity the corridors of the mind are once again alight with sinister ritual and dark magickry under the spell of Gliwice, Poland-based death metal quartet DEVILPRIEST as the hypnosis presented by their third full-length album promises to first overtake and then liberate the mind. Endeavoring to source the primeval left-hand path ‘Where I Am the Chalice, Be Thou the Blood‘ offers a series of blackened death rituals, threads of rhythmic concoct in conveyance of the full-bodied ache preceding willful liberation. Still rooted in classic death metal form and function with black metallic flourish and purpose infused the band’s work here deforms the pathos of a searching mind, sending thoughts swimming against the current toward a state of new-found deviation. Attuning their tangent to the flux of transcendental entrancement the band’s efforts are yet riff-obsessed, driven by imposing hammer as ever even when presenting headier, tightly wrung pieces.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#8
ARTIST:	STELLAR BLIGHT
TITLE:	Eventide: Synod of the Dying Stars
RECORD LABEL(S):	Malignant Voices

Though it was a likeness to another band (later-on Dissection) that’d gotten me in their melodic death/heavy metal portal Stellar Blight‘s debut kept me there by way of inherently catchy songcraft, a great big crystal clear sound, and profound depth expressed. Things get kinda chunky here and there and I think their taste is traditional heavy metal might not be as 80’s obsessed as mine but ultimately what is conveyed is brilliantly developed and ultimately memorable beyond most.

“Approaching heavy metal through the deep-set indoctrination of extreme values and applying a captivating, energetically struck hand of their own Polish melodic death metal trio STELLAR BLIGHT arrive upon a bolt from the blue with this finely crafted debut full-length album. Cut from distinct tradition ‘Eventide: Synod of the Dying Stars‘ is self-described as death-driven, a feat which harbors a snarling early-days melodic black/death soul’d expression via anthemic pieces bristling with precise and energetic craft. Not only do they impress to no end per a debut statement from an all-pro set of folks but they’ve curated the event with singularity enough that it feels less like a side-project and more an inspired beginning worthy of grand elaboration.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#7
ARTIST:	HELMS DEEP
TITLE:	Chasing the Dragon
RECORD LABEL(S):	Nameless Grave Records

At this point the best heavy metal releasing this deep into the post-millennium comes from folks obsessed with the late 70’s and the whole of 80’s, this much is apparent the moment you step into Helms Deep‘s domain and the wailing and shredding begins. Have I heard some of these uncannily familiar vocal melodies before? Yes, and that comes along with an intensely studied appreciation for all things 80’s power metal and heavy/speed metal inclined within ‘Chasing the Dragon‘. Here Helms Deep shred just enough to be worthy of an old Shrapnel-released record but bring riffs aplenty to the point that they could’ve opened for a late 80’s power-thrash metal band with a burgeoning taste for prog metal (Fates Warning, Crimson Glory, Sieges Even, etc.)

“As soon as they’d realized their vision for a first album United States-based heavy metal quartet HELMS DEEP had bigger plans, a more ambitious second go of it, in mind and here just a couple of years later they’ve realized a bigger and arguably better sophomore full-length album. There is no great struggle here, no story to pull from the experience and I’m not sure there is a coherent theme to glean here as ‘Chasing the Dragon‘ really is just a fine heavy metal record which once again ventures into power-thrashing speed metal heat and bolsters their efforts with some light interest in progressive metal. All of their work here is indefatigably centered around an authentic 80’s heavy metal muse, an intense study of the craft which utilizes those ancient tools of the trade to link serious fandom and a growing knack for memorable songcraft.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#6
ARTIST:	ANGEL OF DAMNATION
TITLE:	Ethereal Blasphemy
RECORD LABEL(S):	Dying Victims Productions

Any fan of the miserable charms of traditional doom metal should check out Angel of Damnation‘s entire discography. It is rare these days where I am presented with a doom metal release which feels viably “old school”, as in an early-to-mid 80’s vibe with songwriting to match, and in this case the songcraft really is what stands out to my ear between the devilish charisma of the vocalist and the wretched walk of the riffs otherwise.

“Raining down impiety and sacrilege in the form of fresh blood whipped from the decapitated savior’s neck western Germany-based epic doom metal quartet ANGEL OF DAMNATION present their third and latest achievement in the realm of underground traditional craft. Arisen with new allies at their side and with rusted swords readied in hand after seven years of dormancy these folks only appear strengthened by the passage of time as we trace their cull through ‘Ethereal Blasphemy‘. For the classic doom metal fan seeking dark and ancient sounds this should prove an essential reminder of the sub-genre’s morbid, despairing essence at its best.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#5
ARTIST:	PUTRESCENT
TITLE:	Darkness Embraced
RECORD LABEL(S):	Rotted Life Records

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“Bound skull to skull with the reaper in a horrifying display of knotted-together tongues and grotesque digits an embodiment of Phthisis goes on worming its putrid caress into all-encompassing morbid descent on this debut full-length album from Los Angeles, California-based death metal quartet PUTRESCENT. Where death and rotten decay conspire as sickly bedfellows so follows the blood-crusted hammer strength of this crew’s handle upon the riff, capturing the nauseated motion of classic death metal as they take ‘Darkness Embraced‘ as true directive on their downward-sinking path. Aiming to scrape these sounds back to pure wrath and achieving a new suffocating low in passage, these fellows’ve managed an undeniable ideal here on their first long-player.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#4
ARTIST:	HEXVESSEL
TITLE:	Nocturne
RECORD LABEL(S):	Prophecy Productions

It is mostly because I was such a fan of Hexvessel‘s ‘Polar Veil‘ that I am so enamored with this elaboration upon its general form/idea. Longer songs and greater variety makes for an album which is potentially even more immersive though slightly less tuneful and yet the experience still resembles the core of this band of a thousand souls revived. They’ve made sure that this recording is cold and dark enough to suit the themes here yet the vocalist really is the glowing orb at the center of these performances. Taking the black metal influence upon their work to a level which both compliments the previous album but also points to even more realms they could reveal in the future impressed me to no end.

“Intended as a transcendental ritual of the night, a descent into the dusk commissioned for a prominent festival stage performance this seventh full-length album from Helsinki, Finland-based folken atmospheric metal quartet HEXVESSEL presents an enlarged view, a thicker double LP sized volume for chapter two of their delve into chilling nightside mysticism. Bloomed into an hourlong ear-spiraling ambient extreme metal spell ‘Nocturne‘ aims to capture the essence of the night experienced through mystic senses, a scene where our protagonist walks and waltzes through solitary nightly steps conducting and humming in time with the pulse of thier surroundings. Thoroughly funereal in its haunting folken atmospheric black metal-stirred invocation this release intentionally recalls and expands upon the sound introduced on the band’s previous LP to the point of charming exstasis. This latest work serves an ambitious, satisfyingly complete thought which charms with it’s personal spiritual conveyance while making sure to hook into mind via its own richly melodic, at-times experimental shadowy haunt.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#3
ARTIST:	BEYOND MORTAL DREAMS
TITLE:	Devastation Hymns [EP]
RECORD LABEL(S):	Lavadome Productions

These folks have been around since the 90’s cracking away at a highest standard of death metal and, as we’ve all learned over the course of the last couple of decades, that isn’t an assured level of quality. In their case though we can rest assured that everything released from the Beyond Mortal Dreams camp will smoke to high hell, not only for the sake of the riff but the function of a death metal song as an act of physical carnage. Still, I don’t want to suggest ‘Devastation Hymns‘ will read as a faded ancient flag flown so much as enlightened, inspired, and neck snapping reprisal of an elite standard.

“Crashing down upon the frailty of firmament and raining shattered dregs toward the haplessly packed acolytes below Adelaide, Australia-based death metal quartet BEYOND MORTAL DREAMS aim for widespread decimation within the six pieces which comprise their latest EP release. In compaction of signature movement and via some exploratory pathways ‘Devastation Hymns‘ hits like a toppling wall of stone and fire wherein the suffocating blitz upon what lies below stretches and mounds into six points of sublime impact. Here their work serves more than addendum or extension as it bears precision brutality and classicism to suit their ways yet surprises throughout with smaller additions to and extensions of their celebrated ouevre.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#2
ARTIST:	DRAWN AND QUARTERED
TITLE:	Lord of Two Horns
RECORD LABEL(S):	Nuclear Winter Records

It has been something like twenty-two years since I first heard Drawn and Quartered‘s sophomore LP and since then I still get the same rush from their approach to classic USDM style. ‘Lord of Two Horns‘ kinda takes their approach back to the 2000’s in some respect, pulling out of two heavily atmospheric and complexly cut records before this one and applying the death-hammer to this one in terms of pace and overall riff-action. They’ve pulled off a real bruiser here and manage a memorable death metal record which is exactly as infernal and suffocating as one should be in this day and age.

“A ninth abominant form arisen under clawed commandeer of the chaotic forces of nature, He who must destroy is once again summoned to obliterate all idolatrous hordes through trampled-out, blood drenched genocidal cull. The chosen vessel for annihilation is none other than Seattle, Washington-area death metal quartet DRAWN AND QUARTERED who crush and twist all skulls under boot via this wrathfully clobbered-out ninth full-length album. The devotee can approach ‘Lord of Two Horns‘ with blind confidence and find their well-proven blasphemic accost intact, fuming here with infernal brutality pouring from every piece as the band’s signature and high standards are upheld. For the uninitiated the band’s 90’s underground sourced and USDM informed vision remains approachable from all angles as they add yet another uncompromised and inspired release to an already indomitable discography.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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#1	Album of the Month
ARTIST:	CÉNOTAPHE
TITLE:	Chimères
RECORD LABEL(S):	Ossuaire Records, Ancien Culte, Nuclear War Now!

In hindsight chapitré deux from these French fellowes resonates in fitting light between transcendental station and glorious, ozone-stinking black metal apropos dirt as the band do much more than guide us back from the high of their debut full-length. Following up with both abstract and personal statement wasn’t expected, black metal has a tendency to escape into the stars beyond a certain point, but here we find the bands rooting in life and in black metal speak to both fortitudes and philosophies. Beyond this sense it is simply a brilliant album not only for its emotionally weighted movements but (again) the personal hand granted every moment. Basically the galaxy brain meme intensifies with each successive track, if you will.

“Awash in greying colour and weighted with the gestation of transcendental insight our protagonist’s limbic-charged aurora comes hailing back down to terra firmæ, rallied by the thrill of the fall yet increasingly tormented by the sight of the gaping bárathron below. Expressing disillusionment with the circuitous horrors of existence, the raging delusions of an all-too malleable human zeitgeist and choosing to channel their own fortitudes via generational bonds Normandy, France-based black metal duo CÉNOTAPHE return drenched in gleaming afterbirth for a surreal yet earthly second full-length album. Even more harried in their primally wizened melodious hand these folks’ve long-spun ‘Chimères‘ to reflect what one passes on within the ephemera of existence while making room to harshly evaluate the utopian illusions of the masses. In balance of both symbolist and romanticist ideals their work once again stuns via its resplendent yet sophisticated motioning, thoughts set against the dementia of all hordes which yet sting in mind as continued personal reinforcement.“

>> FULL REVIEW <<

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