2012
Debut-releases can be hit or miss to begin with, but when you're talking about black metal/death metal bands? Well, that's a whole different game you're talking about. It always seems to me as if they're really good or really awful. And, more often then not, when it comes to black metal self-releases, well, let's just say I've heard some stuff that no one, not even you're worse enemy, should be forced to endure. Let's all bless the creatures of the night that this 4-piece UK not only know what they're doing, but they do it well. The band was formed in 2009 with it's members (vocals-Dean Lettice, guitar- Jonathan Egmore, bass- Geoff Taha and drums- James Burke) having come from UK acts like The Argent Dawn, Raise the Dead and Middenhelm. from various. Not only did these four come from other successful OK acts (hence the skill-level here), the group has shared the stage with the likes of Napalm Death, Anaal Nathrakh, 1349, Vreid, Martyr Defiled, Romeo Must Die, Gorath and Annotations of an Autopsy. Not too shabby at all. Interestingly enough, this very evening (February 27th, 2013), the band is set to release their new EP, "The Crypt Sessions", digitally. A very limited run of cassettes will be available for that one (30!) and, by the time this goes to print, I wouldn't be all that surprised to find them sold-out! I've review that EP in a day or two (time allowing), but for now let's turn our attention back to the band's debut-album. Rumor has it that this release is already on its second print run which, again, comes as no real surprise considering how solid The Infernal Sea is. What I like best about these 7 tracks is that while it's blackened death metal there's elements of melodic death and even some doom to be found here. I'm not suggesting this is "slow me down black metal as I'm falling madly in love with Black Sabbath" style doom/death. Nope. It's more this feeling of overall doom you get as you struggle to come to gripes with the fact that misery can sound so mature and melodic, and yet decidedly and old-school, from a band less then a decade old! Whether these guys make it or break it depends on exposure as black/death metal, like metalcore in years past, is flooded with imitators and wannabes. My curiosity is peaked now for their new EP so it looks like I'll have to clear my schedule some for this UK 4-piece!
http://theinfernalsea.bandcamp.com/album/call-of-the-augur
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