Is it just me, or is death metal just stupidly great this year? The underground scene for death metal seems to be in full effect this year, and with it bands are bringing this extra degree of darkness to the mix, creating something really awesome atmospheres, pummeling riffs, and quality albums from start to finish. With plenty of music in the genre being released this year, let’s take note of some of the best the genre has offered in the past ten months.
Ulcerate – Shrines of Paralysis: The biggest of the bands being mentioned here, New Zealand’s Ulcerate received plenty of attention two years ago with Vermis. Shrines of Paralysis builds off that dark, furious hype and maybe with just a pinch more of heaviness, they’re back at it again rapid-fire riffs and Paul Kelland’s demonic vocals. Without a question, Ulcerate is the natural progression of death metal in 2016 and one band you need to be paying attention to.
Chthe’ilist – Le dernier crépuscule: If you can pronounce their name, credit to you. This French-Canadian atmospheric death outfit goes all-out from the get go. Creating some rumbling on Facebook groups earlier in the year, Le dernier crépuscule started this year off on the right notes. Plus, how can you not love a band that has an open love for The Legend of Zelda? Even still, just give “Voidspawn” a listen and you’ll know, lyrics aside, this band is quality metal.
Zhrine – Unortheta: There’s a lot going on in Iceland lately with black metal bands stirring up a scene again. Each of those bands are unique unto themselves, but Zhrine puts death metal first before throwing in the black metal touches. Unortheta is a cold album, and one that’s artistically crafted from the cover to the closing title track that wraps up the album nicely. Currently, Zhrine is getting ready for a tour of the US all through November with Ulcerate, so this is your chance to act now and see this band.
Setentia – Darkness Transcend: Do you like your death metal a little more on the progressive side? Of course you do, don’t lie to yourself. I have no idea where I came across Setentia, but I am so glad I did. Their debut album, Darkness Transcend is so consistently amazing and mixes the drums from Evangelion-era Behemoth without the middle-eastern guitar sounds and pure ferocity. I don’t know how long it took Setentia to perfect this album, but the time spent on it was worth.
Blood Incantation – Starspawn: Another short and to the point treasure, Blood Incantation has an old-school style in their writing that is, at the same time, modern and progressive enough to set them apart. The album opens with a massive 13-minute track, “Vitrification of Blood (Part 1)” and goes from there, and at five songs and just being slightly over 35-minutes, the initial impression Blood Incantation leaves is a good one. These guys know their death metal and are putting that knowledge (And skill!) to great use.
Phobocosm – Bringer of Drought: Also on tour with Ulcerate and Zhrine this November, Phobocosm is a band I’ve been aware of for some time. Comparatively, if Ulcerate’s brand of death metal is the embodiment of darkness, then Phobocosm is the void that darkness occupies. Bringer of Drought is just as dark as their debut album, but is a little more raw and shorter than its predecessor. Both choices benefit the album and it comes out being a natural improvement on an already great foundation.
