Oranssi Pazuzu-Kosmonument (2011)

I saw that this was Finnish black metal, and saw this labeled 'psychedelic black metal', so I thought "Great! Right up my alley!". But the results are not all as good as I thought they'd be. As you would suspect, there are lots of swirling textures; grey, mystical atmosphere; and dark ambiance to satisfy a black metal weirdo like myself. But, and blame the mushrooms, this album is a bit unfocused, and somewhat derivative, as it comes across more like a black metal version of Neurosis. And you'd think, as a sonic masochist, that all the soft, unsettling bits would sooth my tortured soul(ooooh is that Saaatan whispering at me in the background golly geee Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor do the same fucking thing), but they do not, so I was annoyed for a good part of the album. But there is plenty to like about this band, and I hope to hear something more thoroughly caustic from them in the future.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Taake-Noregs Vaapen (2011)

Odd that I'd complain about a Norwegian black metal album leaving me 'cold', but that the best way to describe my reaction to this album. It works just fine in the faster tempos, but I detect a sense of aimlessness and boredom in the slower songs. No matter how many ways you rearrange the riffs, 10th generation Norwegian BM just sounds so lifeless. And is that a bad thing in black metal? Usually not, but....I don't know....could it be that I just don't like the album and can't quite put my finger on why? Maybe I'm just getting bored with mid-tempo black metal? Probably. The musicianship is excellent, and the attack ferocious, but, in the end, I guess I would rather go back and listen to my old Darkthrone albums or Mayhem.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Ouroboros-Glorification of a Myth (2011)

This self produced release by Australia's Ouroboros is one of my favorite releases of the year. It is outstanding technical death metal, with more than a touch of thrash metal thrown in. Every aspect of this albums gels. This is no sterile display of technical skill, but an organic collaboration of deft drumming, swift and mighty riff work, the guitars benefiting from a clean crunch, making every note audible. This is no murk-fest. The leads stand out, reaching for guitar hero glory, and most often attaining it. Hopefully, a good label picks up this band, as they deserve much more exposure.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Today Is The Day-Pain Is A Warning (2011)

Today Is The Day stands as one of the most unique, prickly, hard to catagorize bands in all of metal/rock/music/ect. Their output is extremely diverse, exploring many corners of sonic hell, from grindcore to avant-gard goth metal, to noise rock, all of it tied together by a deeply psychotic vibe. Their latest album, plants them firmly in Rock territory, yes, with a capital fucking R. Unfortunately, as good as many of the songs are, they are marred by a lazy subdued whisper, between Steve Austin's trademark shrill screech, that is as annoying as hell. Ruined the entire album for me. If you are partial to softly creepy whispers, go right ahead. You are entitled to your love of lazy, gimmicky vocal work. I will not suffer through it again. There are many good riffs to be found here, but not good enough for me suffer through the softness.

Rating:5 out of 10

Absu-Abzu (2011)

Absu's follow up to their brilliant 2009 self titled release is a bit of let down, but since the previous album was nearly flawless, that is understandable. This is not as earth shatteringly good as the previous album, but there is much to enjoy, if you let it soak in. Where that album was both progressive yet strangely accessible in a highly thrashy vein, this album is more difficult, angular, and caustic, and still quite thrashy. 'Abzu' seems to be channeling demons through mathematics occult ritual inherent to the music. But don't mistake this for math metal, as the emphasis is on ferocious attack and speed. Best song is the last one, "A Song for Ea", a 14 minute alchemic conjuring. And if you foolishly attempt to delve deep into the lyrics, your mind will be swallowed by a magic prism that leads straight to the devil. I'm serious!

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Wolves In The Throne Room-Celestial Lineage (2011)

Wolves In The Throne Room new album is a departure from previous outings. Instead of 15 minute nightmare jams, as in previous outings, the sound is a bit more varied, more composed. There are more quiet, meditative bits, the songs are shorter, and there are more of them. But this is still a brutal, caustic experience for the uninitiated. The main problem is that the actual black metal is unmemorable. This is the band's primary flaw, as I cannot remember one actual riff that the band has ever composed that sounds distinctly theirs. You are primarily overwhelmed by the ambient din and the murky textures, without much to take away, other than the darkly poetic lyrics. But all in all, this is still their best album, and definitely worth a listen.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Craft-Void (2011)

A well named band. Craft are a Swedish black metal outfit whose albums are being distributed by Southern Lord Records in the states. What we have here is a collection of nasty, clever, riff-centric mid-tempish tunes, (un)polished by a Darkythrone-esque type scuzz. The riffs are angular bulldozers, the screams grating and evil. And the drums are programmed, but you'd never know that without reading the album notes on Encyclopedia Metallum. Best song is the dirgy anthem, 'I Want To Commit Murder.

Rating: 8 out of 10