Metal Storm logo
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 6 Issue #3 - Awesome New Demos and EPs


Written by: Nefarious, Susan
Published: 05.08.2016


Clandestine Cuts Volume 6, Issue #3
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 traveller 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. 6 #2
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 6 #1
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 5 #4




And now to the new music...




Mesarthim - Pillars
Listen at Bandcamp

If there were no vocals, I *may* be inclined to call this "spacey prog," "atmospheric prog with chill electronic elements," or something of that like. But whoa. Enter the (very well done) harsh, raspy, screeched black metal vocals and now we have an entirely new beast Other black metal flairs are present in the music, but the style is only dominant in the vocals. A strange combo? Yes. And yet, not at all. Hail the explorers of metal who find new corners in which we may nest our ears, and new blends to tantalize our palates. This atmospheric record soars and glides through the evil backwoods of a tumultuous cosmos, yet without a care in the world. Mesarthim has released one of the better oxymorons of a metal record to grace my ears in recent time and space.

by Susan





Aleph Null - Endtime Sisters
Listen at Bandcamp

While many of the great curators of "fuzzed out" psychedelic metals create brilliant musical textures and walls of sound, Aleph Null does all this while remembering to include some rather fine melodies as well. The instrumentation remains simple enough to let the tunes (and bitchin' vocals) shine through, yet dense enough to adequately crush your ears with bass, bass, bass. Each of the four songs on Endtime Sisters has a unique vibe and different story to tell; my favorite is the mesmerizing title track, which plays last and entices me for a repeat listen of the entire record. These Germans have now 3 EPs, 1 LP, and no label; while I'm sure financial/label backing would go far with Aleph Null, it doesn't sound as if they really need it to make excellent music.

by Susan





Highrider - Armageddon Rock
Listen at Bandcamp

Whatever eye-roll-inducing cliches spring to mind when reading the genre tag "heavy metal," rest assured, that's not what this is. Instead, this is gripping, mesmerizing, dark, serious metal; a dystopian concept record contemplating the downfall of human civilization (how timely). The musical foundation is top-notch, with powerfully gritty vocals, driving and addictive rhythms, and some of the best use of organ I've ever heard. And then the riffing, dude, the riffing. This is one of those debut EPs that gets me truly, truly excited to hear the follow-up. It's evident that Highrider is only showing us a glimpse of what they can do, and that they didn't blow their load here with the only clever songs they had. Armageddon Rock is balls-out amazing, building and growing better with each note; my favorite tracks are the final two, which demand repeated listens of the entire record.

by Susan





An Eater's Curse - An Eater's Curse
Listen at Bandcamp

Hailing from Texas, USA, An Eater's Curse play a blend of Melodic Death Metal with some Technical Death Metal leanings that is full of energy & aggression. In fact, this self-titled 5 track EP really hits the sweet spot between both sub-genres by being technically proficient & aggressive yet still maintaining a brilliant sense of rhythm & melody throughout. The great musicianship & comparatively complex nature of the songwriting for the genre on display here really helps keep the EP sounding varied & interesting. My only minor criticism of this EP is how it end's so abruptly. But hey, all good things must come to an end right?

by Nefarious





Sva Da Ra - Istok (Исток)
Listen at Bandcamp

As I was loving the shit out of this incredible record, I was analyzing whether it was right for this article. Somewhere around the half-way mark I realized it was my patriotic duty to Metal Storm that I include it here, among the BEST new metal music. It's Eastern European folk music + metal + some proggy elements and electronic touches. The folk music is the foundation, with the heavy guitars sometimes absent, while other times entangling themselves expertly in either a beautifully supporting or dominating lead role. If you like anything chill that eventually lets loose, or, of course, top-shelf folk musics, then run as fast as you can to Sva Da Ra's Bandcamp for Istok (Исток). This Ukraine-based group, with this debut EP, put out some of the most mesmerizing, dark, and expertly crafted folk I've heard in ages, and lovingly coupled it with our beloved metal. Do not miss this, fans of textured, and labyrinthine musical landscapes.

by Susan





Oak - Oak II
Listen at Bandcamp

A follow up to last year's debut self-titled EP, Oak II is a seriously impressive 23 minutes of top-notch desert/stoner rock from London quartet Oak. All four tracks on this EP have a fairly different sound to each other, which really helps give the EP a varied & diverse feel. There's just something inherently fun about listening to this record, as the catchy hooks & fuzzy guitar riffs create some seriously infectious yet heavy grooves that lay down a brilliant backdrop for Andy Valiant's impressive vocals. Oak are beginning to show some huge potential & are certainly a band to watch out for in the future.

by Nefarious







Poll

What's your favorite new release this issue?

Login or register to vote. Results are hidden




Comments

Comments: 10   Visited by: 85 users
05.08.2016 - 17:34
NocturnalStalker
Metal Addict
A good issue and a really hard choice to make. I already knew Mesarthim, but Aleph Null and Highrider were nice suprises for me. Oak also sounds good, but not unique.
In the end I vote for the residents of Düsseldorf as their psychedelic vibe hypnotized me.
----
"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...
05.08.2016 - 17:59
Karlabos
Meat and Potatos
That Sva Da Ra is so good.
It reminds me of Niburta or Virrasztok. I wish there were more bands with that (female) singing style
----
"Aah! The cat turned into a cat!"
- Reimu Hakurei
Loading...
05.08.2016 - 20:36
ManiacBlasphemer
Black Knight
Sva Da Ra mesmerized me. Brilliant stuff. They have my vote.
Loading...
05.08.2016 - 21:03
Susan
Smeghead
Written by NocturnalStalker on 05.08.2016 at 17:34

A good issue and a really hard choice to make.


Thank you - and I agree that it IS a hard choice to make! I wrote several of these and I can't even choose just one for my vote. (Though, I think you did make an excellent choice )
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
06.08.2016 - 16:08
NocturnalStalker
Metal Addict
Written by Susan on 05.08.2016 at 21:03

Thank you - and I agree that it IS a hard choice to make! I wrote several of these and I can't even choose just one for my vote. (Though, I think you did make an excellent choice )


Thanks to you, Susan. You helped me discover some cool bands (and support them with my money).
----
"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...
07.08.2016 - 17:51
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
My votes is for susan who goes to Australia even that album should have a vocals more
----
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...
11.08.2016 - 19:00
Rot Teufel

Uhm, i was expecting to see here "Au Champ Des Morts - Le Jour Se Lève", probably the best EP i have listened for this year.
Anyway it's a small surprise to see An Eater's Curse. I listen them two days ago and sounds promising for the future.
----
Destroy all dreams, illusion damned in fire... A hellish need for power, it's my dark desire...
Loading...
12.08.2016 - 02:48
Susan
Smeghead
Written by Rot Teufel on 11.08.2016 at 19:00

Uhm, i was expecting to see here "Au Champ Des Morts - Le Jour Se Lève", probably the best EP i have listened for this year.
Anyway it's a small surprise to see An Eater's Curse. I listen them two days ago and sounds promising for the future.


Glad you liked An Eater's Curse. "Promising for the future" is what the CCs are all about

Well, Au Champ Des Morts - Le Jour Se Lève was released on my birthday so I suppose I'll have to listen!
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
17.08.2016 - 21:03
Alex F
Slick Dick Rick
Aleph Null are totally awesome. Didn't realize they had a new album out. Will definitely check that out
Loading...
16.10.2016 - 01:17
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Went for Mesarthim. I found the mix of the vocals and music to be quite interesting when put in a black metal context. Very interesting sound where harsh and clean collide.
----
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...

Hits total: 5383 | This month: 10