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] ETERNAL DARKNESS (‘Eternal Darkness‘, Pulverised)
[#2] CLAIRVOYANCE (‘Chasm of Immurement‘, Carbonized)
[#3] DEPHOSPHORUS (‘Dephosphorus‘, Nerve Altar/7Degrees)
[#4] ENTRAILS (‘Grip of Ancient Evil‘, Hammerheart)
[#5] MARGARITA WITCH CULT (‘Strung Out in Hell‘, Heavy Psych Sounds)

---

UPCOMING RELEASES

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

---

Nameless Grave Records have announced the debut release from Edmonton, Canada-based death metal band ANTHRODYNIA will release this coming August 15th. ‘Unspeakable Horrors Emanating From Within‘ comes from folks you’ll recognize from their time in bands such as Begrime Exemious and Mahria, aiming for a death/doom metal sound which is distinctly surreal. They’ve suggested the album is inspired by Disembowelment, Incantation, Spectral Voice, and Grief among others. Thought this one stood out in previews so definitely check it out:

Canadian death metal band LAST RETCH will release their sophomore full-length album ‘Abject Cruelty‘ this coming September 26th through Italian label Time To Kill Records. The Hamilton-based band take heavy inspiration from old meat-and-potatoes classics citing Bolt Thrower and Cannibal Corpse as key references. The band comment on the first single “In Polder They Reek”: “The track is about a swamp-dwelling murderer who constructs a polder in his bog to conceal the bodies of his victims. Over time, the corpses rot and break down, emitting a disgustingly potent gas that envelopes his abode. As the years pass, he begins to feel remorse for his many atrocities. Over time, guilt for his crimes begins to consume him, and he turns to inhaling the putrid fumes as a means of escape. In his intoxicated state, the urge to kill resurfaces, trapping him in an endless cycle—murdering for the high, again and again“.

Eternal Death have announced September 26th as the release date for New York black/death metal trio ORDEALS‘ debut full-length album. ‘Third Rail Prayer‘ will release on CD and vinyl LP formats. Though these guys formed back in 2011 they’ve taken their time preparing for a full-length statement and this ensures it isn’t just another one down the abyssal tunnel. Been a fan of this band since their last few EPs/7″ and looking forward to taking a closer listen to this one. Check out the title track “Third Rail Prayer”:

Hells Headbangers have announced August 22nd as the release date for Greek black metal band MEDIEVAL DEMON‘s fifth full-length album. ‘All Powers of Darkness‘ will release on CD and vinyl LP formats. Founding drummer & keyboardist Lord Apollyon comments on the manifestation of this album: “In the midst of modernization, we go against – to hold onto the traditions of black metal and the spirit of our cult, which is a spiritual shield for our entire existence, the evil flame that burns into our black souls which is celebrated through every song we create that evolves from personal interpretations and ancient hymns that emphasize to invocations, ceremonies, practices, and principles of the Black Arts. When I compose, I use inversions of a tritone, ‘the Devil’s notes,’ that I produce by the same key, an old technique I admire. Then, each note of the music takes a certain direction, as a set of rituals which summon demons – in order to take versions. One of those versions, that one, that can be heard in full isolation, together with the cold winds in the night forest under the fullmoon…well, that one is what I call a song. I was heavily inspired once again by the practice of timpani that originates from ancient times, which were used in rituals, so it is beyond my powers to not use timpani parts the most often in my compositions, as I am a passionate ritualist. And once again, artwork is made by the unique artist and unholy brother Mark Riddick!” In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Archaic Sacrificial Rites” and as always I’m stoked to hear what they’ve come up with, based on the first preview track it’ll smoke:

Argonauta Records have recently signed Portland, Oregon meditative/spiritual doom metal band BREATH for the release of their sophomore full-length album ‘Brahman‘. The album will release this coming October 24th. The band comments on the first single: “Crawling out from their hermitage, the Druid begins anew in rays shone through the prism of AWEN. Harnessing the addition of guitar, we seek to translate the immutable voice of Mother Nature calling from depths of emerald sanctuary. A song honoring the unspoken confluence, and creative spark between Bard and woods. AWEN binds the overarching metaphysical spirit of our new album BRAHMAN with transformation lifted on the wings of the Morrigan. AWEN emerges in the light of this Goddess, and the transitory half Moon on July 17th .” As suggested “Awen” showcases the evolution of the band as they’ve expanded beyond their original duo:

This coming August 29th Shadow Kingdom Records will release the brilliant second album from Louisiana-based thrash metal band VOID. ‘Forbidden Morals‘ will be available on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. Their sound continues to be a blast back to the power-thrash of the late 80’s as a starting point and I am a huge fan since checking out their previous album (via a recent reissue). Check out the latest single “Judas Cradle”:

Portland, Oregon-based doom metal group TAR PIT have announced their sophomore full-length album ‘Scrying the Angel Gate‘ will release this coming August 1st via Transylvanian Recordings. With each release they’ve changed considerably and based on previews this album leans toward some more classic doom inspired stuff. Their latest video is a blast and features the always entertaining Fuzz from R.I.P., check out “Coven Whispers”:

Swiss black metal quartet VÍGLJÓS have announced their second full-length album ‘Tome II – ignis sacer‘ will release via Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions this coming September 19th. The band comments on the album: “On this new record, we want to honor the impact that Claviceps (and later LSD) and drugs in general had and still have on art, music, society, our self-image and medicine, as well as the terror and depravity they brought upon us.” and based on previews this is some choice atmospheric black metal with some interesting depth to its guitar work while still sounding classic enough.

https://lesacteursdelombre.net/product-category/preorders/

Dallas, Texas-based blackened doom metal quartet KRIGSGRAV have recently signed with Willowtip Records for the release of their eighth full-length album ‘Stormcaller‘. The band comment: “When we started writing the songs that would make up Stormcaller, our intention was to create the most complete Krigsgrav album that took something from every era of the band, while still pushing our sound forward. A culmination of the blackest hues, doomiest of dirges, and most soaring of lead guitars. We think we achieved that, but we also wrote the best album of our career thus far. We trust that when you hear it, you’ll agree.” The album will release this coming September 19th on CD, gatefold vinyl LP, and digitally. Check out the first single “Huntress of the Fire Moon” which features a guest spot from Jens Ryden of Thyrfing and Naglfar.

---

YOUTUBE / VIDEO REVIEWS

Please follow and subscribe to my YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@terraasymmetry

---

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.

VERDALACK – Force From the Grave [July 25th, Hells Headbangers]
AMPHISBAENA – Rift [August 1st, I, Voidhanger Records]
CANCER VOID – First Metastasis [August 1st, Me Saco Un Ojo/Iron Fortress]
TAR PIT – Scrying the Angel Gate [August 1st, Transylvanian Recordings]
ARKHAAIK – Uihtis [August 1st, Eisenwald]
BARBAROUS – Initium Mors [August 1st, Creator-Destructor Records]

---