Metal Storm logo
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 Issue #4 - Awesome New Demos and EPs


Written by: Nefarious, Troy Killjoy, BloodTears, X-Ray Rod, Ilham, Jason W.
Published: 26.11.2014


Clandestine Cuts Volume 4, Issue #4
The Metal Storm Demo/EP Spotlight

Brand New Independent Metal Lives Here.
Welcome to the Clandestine Cuts!


Is independent, unsigned, and underground metal what you seek? Weary traveler of the metal world, rest here a while. Clandestine Cuts are the best demos and EPs from these bands, the heart and soul of metal music. These musicians are slaves to their passions, and their blood keeps the metal machine alive and turning. Support them with a simple listen, and discover the future.

Metal Storm users: you can vote in the poll below to choose your favourite demo/EP of the issue. The winners each year are nominated in our annual Metal Storm Awards so exercise your rights: this is the one category chosen completely by YOU the readers. Make sure your favourite independent metal is recognized each year!

(Think your band has what it takes to be featured in the Cuts? Email demos@metalstorm.net to submit your music.)

In case you're new at this, go back and enjoy our last few issues:
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 #3
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 #2
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 #1

And now to the new music...




The Proselyte - Our Vessel's In Need
Listen at Bandcamp

Fun, catchy, and thoughtful. Kind of like old school radio rock - the kind that doesn't play edited versions of longer songs - but with a bit more attitude. If that sounds like something that might interest you, The Proselyte have got you covered. Straddling the fine line of rock and metal, Our Vessel's In Need is an intriguing foray into mixed styles: harsh and clean vocals, melodic and crushing riffs, atmospheric and straightforward passages. In spite of the seemingly contradictory makeup of each song, the ingredients are blended perfectly and what you're left with is a full course dinner of quality music.

by Troy Killjoy





Past Undone - See You Tomorrow
Listen at Bandcamp

If you like music with a contemplative nature, Past Undone will be right up your alley. The beautiful and gloomy female vocals are just one of the highlights of the Portuguese metallers' sound which presents a captivating mix of gothic doom and symphonic influences. The melodic and fluid guitar work and array of interconnected riffs are filled with tasteful subtleties. These three songs reach intense peaks when they begin to drag slowly and you can feel the melancholy seeping through.

by BloodTears





Chronus - Lost At Sea
Listen at Youtube

An eclectic mixture of otherwise classic components. That is a nice summary of what Chronus does. They are a young band from the south of Sweden that plays heavy/thrash metal with plenty of atmospheric and progressive touches, achieving a very epic feeling in the process. With most of their members being barely 20, the result consists of very mature ideas put together. The long songs flow without notice as the band constantly changes from headbanging and catchy riffs to calm and well structured interludes, that fit in nicely with the aggressive sections. Definitely a band that deserves attention for those who like their traditional metal but are not afraid for something extra.

by Mr. Doctor





Athanatos - Unholy Union
Listen at Bandcamp

Not gonna lie here: My radar always beeps when I see the words "Extreme metal" and "Chile" put together. It might be just simple, irrational love for my country's underground scene, but I truly believe that the extreme metal scene over there pays off what it lacks in originality with tons of commitment and great songwriting. Athanatos is no exception. Sure, many of you have heard this kind of death/black metal with an occult vibe before but this passion is translated into near perfect execution of their instruments, thus achieving impeccable songwriting. The riffs are killer, the leads alarming and the atmosphere immense.

by Mr. Doctor





Abraxas Countdown - Abraxas Countdown
Listen at Bandcamp

A release gets me excited when I can see it transcend its own limits and start resonating with my own musical background no matter how far might it be from my comfort zone. In plainer words: I'm not a fan of doom metal, but the Finnish Abraxas Countdown takes a little from my favourite post-punk bands, as well as develops an atmosphere similar to Celtic Frost's Monotheist, without ever stepping out of the doom category. The occult-themed demo unravels like a litany, building slowly on the malaise they manage to create with that ever-present bass and cold echoed vocals. With two tracks, and one complementary song, there is a lot left to the imagination of the listener as their style is more than likely to change or expand over the years. Indeed, with such a unique blend of genres, there is no predicting how the next release will sound, but I can foresee it will be at least as interesting as this intriguing little demo.

by Ilham





Graveshadow - Graveshadow
Listen at Bandcamp

Now this is an EP that will stand the test of time for me. Symphonic, gothic, with aggressive guitars, and a mix of poetic female vocals that split between clean and extreme. In a sub-genre that I often question if my love of it will live on only in the past, Graveshadow lay all that to waste, with catchy as hell riffs, dark yet beautiful keyboards, and lyrics that invoke the romance of a wolf beneath the moon like a call to arms. Solid from the first track to the last, and with a few extra songs this would not only have been my EP of 2014, but one of my choice albums. So, in the spirit of the queen of the Dothraki Sea, "Let's ride! For blood and fire!" Highly recommended.

by dismaleuphony







Poll

What's your favorite new release this issue?

Login or register to vote. Results are hidden




Comments

Comments: 8   Visited by: 98 users
27.11.2014 - 13:58
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
This time musically I liked all whir out Illham review (sorry ) , and Jason but Ana's is winning,
1th I thought It will me a missing boy , a wandering in Ontario, but when I saw Ana , since I know that band, I discovered it like months ago, I know , maybe awards 2014 -- my vote gets it as well
Rod also was OK,
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
27.11.2014 - 19:01
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Athanatos is by far the best here. Btw German label Iron Bonehead has released this demo.
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Loading...
28.11.2014 - 01:58
Wukk

Based upon the descriptions alone (I'm in the middle of an album at the moment), this might be my favourite Clandestine Cuts ever.
----
If you're 666 then I'm 777
http://www.last.fm/user/Joodicator
Loading...
28.11.2014 - 14:08
BloodTears
ANA-thema
This issue is sounding strong indeed. Graveshadow is amazing, probably my favourite after Past Undone of course

This is also a very diverse issue, and all bands are interesting to me.
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29

Like you could kiss my ass.


My Instagram
Loading...
28.11.2014 - 16:30
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Written by BloodTears on 28.11.2014 at 14:08

This issue is sounding strong indeed.


yes and maybe one of best ... almost every one was awesome and great, winners in ordinary CC no doubt about
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
01.12.2014 - 18:49
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 27.11.2014 at 19:01
Athanatos is by far the best here. Btw German label Iron Bonehead has released this demo.

Those guys always have a knack for having some nice death/black in their catalogue.
My favorite one as well and I tried to not be biased! Hahahaha
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
Loading...
03.12.2014 - 18:48
Abattoir

Athanatos for me. Good stuff, nice diverse combination.
Loading...
20.12.2014 - 05:38
NocturnalStalker
Metal Addict
Definitely one of the strongest issues. Not only this year. I take my hat off to all the reviewers.
The Proselyte sound interesting and unusual, Past Undone also sound good, Athanatos reminded me of Behemoth in its finest moments, Abraxas Countdown is a nice kind of doom metal, even though not really original.
Only Graveshadow is not my kind of music.
In the end I give my vote to Chronus because I enjoyed their epics the most.
----
"And we are not who we think we are
We are who we're afraid to be"
- Lux Occulta "The Opening of Eleventh Sephirah"
Loading...

Hits total: 6512 | This month: 22