ENDTYMER is the inevitable weekly “music news blog” series I’ve been working to avoid for some time. It hits at the end of every week with the intent of covering notable new releases, sharing news of new releases, and musing over various personal listening habits. It is largely informal, has opinions, etc. so chill out a bit. I do my best to cover as much of everything I receive in some form regardless of genre or representation, don’t hesitate to send anything and everything my way: grizzlybutts@hotmail.com

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FIVE BEST OF THE WEEK

This week was all about Czech black metal crew [#1] SOMNIATE‘s sophomore LP ‘We Have Proved Death‘ for my own taste. The surprise release of [#2] STANGARIGEL‘s ‘Metafyzika Barbarstva‘ was not far behind but I still need a bit more time with it, they have not faltered. Otherwise [#3] DESEKRYPTOR‘s debut album horrified and immersed, [#4] AURALAYER‘s debut album ‘Thousand Petals‘ captivated for its grunge-era doom/stoner rock and [#5] TORMENTOR‘s latest album ‘Principles of Oppression‘ was just a cool enough modern throwback thrash record. Of course you are probably listening to Cavalera Conspiracy‘s brilliant re-recordings of ‘Morbid Visions‘ and ‘Bestial Devastation‘, that’ll be how I’m spending my weekend.

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I AM THE SUMMONER?

NEW GOAL #005: Disso-black metal version of The Smiths‘ “How Soon is Now?“

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“NEWS”

His majesty, our dark passenger Hoest has unveiled the eighth full-length album from TAAKE, ‘Et Hav av Avstand‘ which is slated to release via Dark Essence Records and Svartekunst Produksjoner this coming September 1st on all relevant formats. This well-loved Norwegian Black Metal band have always found a new angle from within and this record is of course different, consisting of four longform pieces which run the gamut and give us the beauteous havoc and earthen magick of the artist at full-ranged immerse. We get a huge chunk of the with the 13+ minute “Et Uhyre av en Kniv”:

Nine years later… New Jersey grindcore futurists GRIDLINK reinstall their mutant wargames with the announcement of their fourth album ‘Coronet Juniper‘. The Linux-only 4x strategy version of new-new millennium grind, we’re all excited to hear the follow-up to ‘Longhena‘. The album will release on CD, 12″ vinyl and digitally this coming September 15th by way of venerated Willowtip Records.

Everlasting Spew Records have announced ‘Leprous Daylight‘ the latest album from doomed Brazilian death metal band FOSSILIZATION. The band comment: “I started working on ‘Leprous Daylight’ right after the recordings of the split with Ritual Necromancy. I knew I wanted to take a different direction with this full length album, it had to be faster and brutal as much as I could but without compromising my songwriting. I think Leprous Daylight is Fossilization’s most violent effort so far but still full of the melancholy and sadness you have been used to with our previous releases.” Back to the cavern! The album releases this coming September 8th on CD, CS, and the 12″ vinyl comes later in the year.

Nuclear Winter Records have announced September 8th as the release date for Portland, Oregon-based death metal band EXCARNATED ENTITY‘s debut album. ‘Mass Grave Horizon‘ will release on CD, 12″ vinyl, and cassette tape. Formed back in 2018 in Seattle, the now Portland based quartet features current and former members of Anhedonist and Triumvir Foul. This time around they’re suggesting a more melodic death/doom metal sound to have creeped into their periphery.

British epic doom metal band GODTHRYMM return with their new album ‘Distortions‘, setting the release date as August 18th by way of the good folks over at Profound Lore Records. Hamish Glencross comments on the dynamic applied to this second full-length: “I absolutely wanted to create a much more layered and complex arrangement in the sound. Totally amping up the contrasts to the extreme — the light shines brighter, and the darker depths are vast trenches. There is a lot more harmony and melancholy for much of it, but also some slab-heavy riffing, too. We wanted a total progression in the production and more class and clarity in the sound, as opposed to Reflections, which could get quite dense in tone.” It leaves us deeper-set into the inner-looking isolation that the album presents in its theme. Already loving this album, check out “Echoes” for a taste:

Peruvian death-thrash metal band MAZE OF TERROR have released “On Blood Remains” as the first single from their upcoming EP ‘Into the Jaws of Terror‘ which will be released July 20th via Selvajaria Records. These guys are awesome and still have plenty of riffs to spare:

Long Island-based sludge metal/heavy rock trio RESTLESS SPIRIT have released a video for their latest single “Marrow” to introduce their forthcoming third album ‘Afterimage‘. The album is scheduled for release this coming October 6th on all relevant formats. The band comment on the song: “The opening track ‘Marrow’ truly comes from the heart and sets the theme for the entire album. This song is about watching someone that you love at the end of their life. It’s about the bargaining, the pleading, the denial… all those stages of grief. Although the song deals with desperation, it is also an acknowledgement of a bitter truth. We think everyone can relate to this song, because while maybe you haven’t had to experience these feelings yet, reality is, eventually you will. I’ve never had the courage to be so open through my music before, and I won’t lie and say that it wasn’t terrifying to do so. Yet our hope is that it can resonate with anyone struggling through an experience like this.” Loved their first two albums, stoked for this one:

LASTER have revealed the first music video from the Dutch avant-garde metal trio’s upcoming album ‘Andermans Mijne‘, which is scheduled to release October 13th this year by way of Prophecy Productions. The band comment: “Our first new single dashes into the earshot of accelerating landscapes. Upheld by a straightforward songwriting clocking nearly three minutes, ‘Kunstlicht’ seeks to confront the senses with a lust for constant animation. The more we mature, however, the more we crave for composure. Indeed, our voice bears witness to naked form, yet has more to express than ever. And what about the strings’ dissonance, and that short walk on low notes opting for higher, faster, more? So much steady pummelling of the mind. Sticks that get lost even before the inevitable dim glimmer arrives – and where the hell are our masks?!” Looking forward to this one:

French heavy rock band APPALOOZA have announced the release of their third studio album ‘The Shining Son‘ on October 20th through Ripple Music. The band comment: “After the awakening and arrival of The Horse aka Azazael on Earth narrated in our latest album ‘The Holy Of Holies’, ‘The Shining Son’ tells how The Horse exercises its power and how it sows chaos towards the populations. Here again, we are talking about religion and its perdition. Indeed, the Pelican as told in the first track represents The Christ who feeds his little ones aka the people. But his powers are weakened and his wings are damaged. He can no longer fly properly and get food to feed the starving people” So, maybe listen to their last record to get an idea of what all that means.

Portland, Oregon-based hybrid 70s heavy rock band HIPPIE DEATH CULT return with their third studio album ‘Helichrysum‘ which is due for an October 20th release on Heavy Psych Sounds. The album introduces new bassist/vocalist Laura Philips who comments on the first single “Arise”: “Lyrically, “Arise” serves as a poignant reminder of the prevalence of grifters and self-proclaimed spiritual leaders who exploit vulnerable individuals searching for guidance, often leaving them even more disillusioned and adrift than before. The song narrates a tale of a devoted follower who finally sees through the charismatic manipulation and shatters the illusion. Another reminder to question everything and trust your own inner compass when navigating the path of truth,” I enjoyed their last record so we’ll see how this one goes:

Chaos Records have announced September 15th as the release date for TIDELESS‘ second album. ‘Eye of Water‘ will release on CD and 12″ vinyl LP. The vinyl version stretch into a double LP including an exclusive “hidden” track. This band includes members of Xantam and Seraphic Disgust, who now include shoegaze and prog rock influences into their thrashing death/doom metal sound. Check out the new track “Fields at Dawn”:

Founded by members of fairly obscure French groups Brutal Rebirth and Until the Uprising brutal death metal band ARBORESCENCE OF WRATH have rounded out their line-up with some notable names as they complete their debut LP ‘Inferno‘, including Jason Keyser of Origin, Simon Schilling from Marduk, and a former bassist for Benighted. The album releases on October 13th and features a fitting enough sound for those talents. There are a couple of preview songs up on Bandcamp and YouTube already:

Spread Evil Productions have announced September 1st as the international release date for the debut album of BELIAL’S THRONE. ‘Forgotten Land of the Lost Souls‘ expands upon the classic yet obscure melodicism of this international project who are primarily based in Ireland. Check out “Void”:

On September 22nd classicist heavy metal powerhouse Dying Victims Productions will release FARSCAPE‘s long-awaited fourth album, ‘Purged and Forgotten‘, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape. Formed in 1998 these folks are best known as one of several important bands for the new school/retro thrash resurgence of the early 2000’s. Check out the first single “Leucotomy”:

Italian avant-garde solo black metal band HIEMS have premiered a music video to promote their latest album ‘Stranger in a Wasteland‘ which is due out September 8th via Agonia Records. Around singe 1996 per Italian musician Alessandro “Algol” Comerio the band marks this as their third, long-awaited LP: “It’s been a long time since the last Hiems record. I’ve always continued to write material, but only when the pandemic gave me some free time was I able to gather the songs written in the past years and shape them. I chose the name of the record to highlight the song that is the best representation of my vision of life and the current world. I feel like a stranger wherever I go. I can’t find any religion or philosophy with which I can completely agree, and today’s world seems to me a wasteland; destroyed and forgotten. So yeah, I do feel like a stranger in a wasteland. It’s about not belonging to any creed or flag. To follow your own path, even if it leads to loneliness. Regarding the production, I’m a sound maniac. I spent days and days in the studio, searching for the sound I had in mind. I wanted the record to sound different from actual ‘plastic’ metal, so I chose not to use triggers or artificial reverbs and go completely old school.” Check out the title track/video:

Hammer of Hate have announced September 8th as the release date for Finnish black metal band SIELUNVIHOLLINEN‘s fifth full-length album. ‘Helvetinkone‘ will release on CD and vinyl LP formats. The title means “Hell Machine” and this machine eats people from the looks of the cover, and spews out brilliantly melodic black metal. Huge fan of this band, check out the new track “Alkemisti ja tuhoaja”:

Primitive Reaction have announced September 8th as the release date for their second album from Finland’s VALRAVN. ‘The Awakening‘ will release on CD and 12″ vinyl formats. You might recall their first album from the deluge of 2020 releases, this one sounds well-improved. Loved this new track “Charge of the Last Cavalry”:

Chicago-based noise rock duo MR.PHYLZZZ have announced their latest LP ‘Fat Chance‘ is coming out July 23rd via Amphetamine Reptile Records. They’re saying this record will be a bit more focused, different from ‘Cancel Culture Club‘ which’d been more typically experimental. No preview track, liked their last album, love the album art.

https://mrphylzzz.bandcamp.com/album/fat-chance

Seattle’s ADVERTISEMENT have announced their latest album ‘Escorts‘ will release September 15th, 2023 by way of Feel It Records. I know most readers won’t be into it but I enjoy these folks and this was one of my favorite songs of the week:

Me Saco Un Ojo Records in conspiracy with Sewer Rot Records and Unholy Domain have announced a new mini-album from Japanese old school death metal legends TRANSGRESSOR. Formed in 1989 and fueled by an Autopsy-esque sound early on these folks return with ‘Beyond Oblivion‘ still fully knowing the real thing. Me Saco Un Ojo will handle the vinyl version, Sewer Rot the CD version, and Unholy Domain the tape version. Check out the first preview song “Stuck in Limbo”:

Brazilian death metal stalwarts REBAELLIUN will return with their first album in seven years and the last to feature the late bassist/vocalist Lohy Fabiano R.I.P., ‘Under The Sign Of Rebellion‘ will be released on Agonia Records on September 22nd on all relevant formats. The band comments: “When we started the compositions for the next album, we didn’t imagine that we would go through a global pandemic, along with it, a retrograde and conservative uprising here in Brazil; in addition to, over time, a government that proved to be spurious and corrupt. When we started recording, we didn’t have lyrics, because the pandemic had messed up and delayed everyone’s lives, so, in a moment of pure anger for everything that was happening around us, we decided to start recording even without rehearsals. The indignation was so big, that we wanted to vent everything we were feeling. The lyrics were written in opposition to what we here call ‘cidadão de bem’ or ‘good people’, exposing the fallacy that is the life of these abject beings. Under The Sign Of Rebellion is an album that tries to demonstrate – through death metal – the insanities of life.” Huge support for these guys, been a fan since the release of ‘Annihilation‘. New songs and such to follow soon.

https://www.facebook.com/Rebaelliun

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THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS / REVIEWS

Catch up with the latest YouTube video review/features and written reviews here. New videos post each week for the most part. You can click on the link provided to read the review/article, each review has the related video embedded in the original post as well. Videos are fairly casual and meant to accompany the written review with some extra context and generalized notes. The written review and the video review are complimentary -not- interchangeable. Subscribe, share, leave a comment, etc. if you feel like it.

SERPENT CORPSE – Blood Sabbath (2023) | REVIEW

Short Reviews | July 5th, 2023

PUTRIDITY – Greedy Gory Gluttony (2023) | REVIEW

ORNAMENTOS DEL MIEDO – El Cosmos me Observa en Silencio (2023) | REVIEW

ETERNITY – Mundicide (2023) | REVIEW

PURTENANCE – The Rot Within Us (2023) | REVIEW

FEN – Monuments to Absence (2023) | REVIEW

SOMNIATE – We Have Proved Death (2023) | REVIEW

MIZMOR – Prosaic (2023) | REVIEW

IZROD – Sarajevski Odisej (2023) | REVIEW

DESEKRYPTOR – Vortex Oblivion (2023) | REVIEW

THE PIT – Of Madness and Evil Whispers (2023) | REVIEW

ASCENDENCY – A Manifest of Imperious Destiny (2023) | REVIEW

AURALAYER – Thousand Petals (2023) | REVIEW

Short Reviews | July 12th, 2023

The Top 20 Albums of June | 2023

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COMING UP NEXT WEEK:

Here is a tentative list of what is coming up next week in terms of reviews. The following records have been listened to extensively, a preliminary review has been drafted (or completed), and I’ve locked them in for coverage. In terms of the “Short Written Reviews + Video” column, these are more tentative, some of them may be cut if I do not have enough time to get around to everything. These choices are subject to change as the final drafts evolve and other releases might potentially take priority:

LONGFORM REVIEWS + VIDEO:

SADISTIC VISION – Destroyer of All Worlds [July 28th, Boris Records]
THRA – Forged in Chaotic Spew [July 29th, Translation Loss Records]
ASHTAR – Wandering Through Time [July 28th, Eisenwald]
WYRGHER – Panspermic Warlords [July 28th, I, Voidhanger Records]
ASTRALBORNE – Across the Aeons [July 28th, Prosthetic Records]
SULPHURIC DEATH – Beyond the Void of Doom [July 31st, Burning Coffin]
ATONEMENT – Sadistic Invaders [July 28th, Dying Victims Productions]

SHORT REVIEWS + VIDEO:

PORTA NIGRA – Weltende [July 28th, Soulseller]
FORMLESS OEDON – Streams of Rot [July 24th, Memento Mori]
BLASPHEMOUS FIRE – Beneath the Darkness [July 24th, Godz ov War Productions]
FLIGHT – Echoes of Journeys Past [July 28th, Dying Victims Productions]
CONTRARIAN – Demos & Oddities 1995-1999 [July 28th, Self-Released]
FLESHVESSEL – Yearning: Promethean Fates Sealed [July 28th, I, Voidhanger Records]

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