Shaidar Logoth

Being skeptical of any USBM project that seems to be born far from its roots, I was going into these recordings with rather low expectations only to have them blown completely out of the water. The reverb-soaked guitars create a hauntingly expansive sound for this project and as the songs evolve you can really hear all the elements drift in and out of place effortlessly and without the transitions sounding forced. If you're looking for some awesome USBM this is the place.

Their Myspace

For fans of: Twilight, Leviathan, Lurker of Chalice and Judas Iscariot

Mysophilia

Mysophilia is an up-and-coming two-piece USBM project out of Michigan. With a sound faintly reminiscent of Judas Iscariot it's nice to hear some legit blackness crawl its way out of the mitten state. The drummer is able to hold you typical black metal beat but isn't afraid to bust lose with a nice flourish here and there. The guitars are meditative and sharp as razors, their chilling tone cutting through the mix in both of the songs they have available.

Their Facebook

Download demo tracks here

Leviathan - The Tenth Sub Level Of Suicide

Leviathan is one of those one-man-bands that manages to crank out interesting and layered music with each release, this one in particular is fantastically stellar right down to the amazingly nimble basslines that dance under the ethereal guitars like witches at the Sabbat. Everything here is done right in ways beyond imagining; the vocals are potent and vicious while the drums keep their pace excellently even in the more haunting passages between blasts, the bass is perfect in the mix and the guitar maintains its lo-fi "chill" while sounding vibrant and lively. Definitely a great release to keep you company during these cold winter months.


Kill Yourself

Nightbringer - Death And The Black Work

Not many bands truly encompass the full majesty of the world of the occult. Few successfully conjure images of black monoliths of the three veils; projecting death and its many mysteries into sonic form. Nightbringer successfully accomplishes this without breaking a sweat. They've put out one of the most atmospherically and technically punishing black metal records ever to have emerged from the void. With riffs that cut like cold steel and bass that bubbles and ebbs like hot tar, the instrumentation on this album never seems misguided or underdeveloped. Everything here is perfect and this album deserves much more attention. The hereafter opens its gates as you start to spin it. Open up your ears to the tales of the dead and revel in it.

Did I mention that they're from the good ol' US of A? USBM reigns supreme.


STEAL