There's not much info to be found about the clandestine Dutch duo Solar Temple, but their latest release is bound to change that. With two songs lasting over a half hour, Fertile Descent uses droning repetition to hypnotic effect, adding noise and industrial elements that bring the avant inclinations of Swans and Godlesh to atmospheric black metal. I've been listening to this twice a day since it came out and it hasn't gotten old yet. Truly sublime. [€7]
Sadly, purveyor of fine blackened filth Fallen Empire is ending its operations soon, but not before leaving us a few new releases and the taste of ashes in our mouth. After making waves with their demo, masked provocateurs Slavehouse are ready to prove the hype is real with their first album. Taste in Pain wraps bondage gear around some truly vicious black/death 'n' roll, and the results sound like a night out with Craft and the Mentors: Abrasive, unruly, and a hell of a lot of fun. The album is available as a "name your price" download.
French solo project Sainte Marie des Loups keeps it cold and kvlt. The eponymous debut is unabashedly raw and uncompromising, with swarms of angry bees for guitars, drums that sound like they were recorded a town away, and keyboards that are little more than MIDI beeps. Expect nothing more than unpolished, unrepentant, unholy black metal - so pure, so cold. The album is available as a "name your price" download.
It's doubtful anyone will ever fill the void that Fallen Empire leaves behind, but a new split release from Horror Pain Gore Death will keep playlists darker than black. Kicking off the proceedings are Chicago's Terranaut, who elevate themselves above generic second wave proclivities with an assembly of memorable riffs and catchy as hell songs. Wisconsin's Chaosophy opt for a more sinister sound, with a style that borders on death metal and a contempt for religion that spells danger for nearby churches. The war against the light rages on. [$6.66]
