Moribund Spring Label Feature

Dodsferd – Spitting With Hatred the Insignificance of Life
What to say about this project that hasn’t been said in it’s title and decade or so of audio misanthropy? Well, where progression with a band may render weakness and loss of the original potent hatred and angst, Dodsferd keeps it raw but somehow the once punkish cavern atmosphere of a psychopaths special lair has now taken a more melodic and outwardly intense stance. The best way to put it is that where the raw, emotional, and grim in black metal has become synonymous with suicide and isolation, and the melodic side has become almost EMO (puke!!!), Dodsferd has gone from swearing and plotting revenge in his dark place to take it to the streets and openly exact revenge on humankind. There’s more of a melodic vengeance and honest release of frustration that shows balls and integrity.

Just as Immortal, early Emperor, Mayhem and so many others could capture melody and full on belligerence without ever polishing the timelessly awe inspiring turd that made them great initially in those years, that was raw black metal in it’s purest glory. Any fan of the ways of old as many of you are alongside me, but want to hear something that captures that era and feel but is not a mere clone, will enjoy this release as much as I do. I’ve been a fan of this act for many years, although never following him intentionally, and have to say that this release is one of the more intoxicating releases of his to date. Definitely don’t miss out on this one, it’s misanthropy and vindication with some great dynamics.

The vocals range from cleaner shouts to the usual raspy wails of disgust amidst a clamor of percussion and chainsaw riffs buzzing like harvest time in a rainforest. The riffs themselves have an addictive rhythm that gets you hooked like a whore to crack, but then he throws in leads and solos on tracks like “Your Kingdom Was Built in a Lie” that blow harder than a holocaustal wind. The drumming is fucking amazing too, I’m not sure if that was a studio drummer and looped in, but who the hell cares when the tracks stomp and obliterate your senses like these do. This artist and his work is beast of it’s own as it is as natural and honest and never waning with trends or time.

Release date March 22,2011






Hrzig – Anthems to the Decrepitude
Spanish solo acts debut on Moribund shows that this label can still crank out a phenomenal cult album. I go back and forth some days with Moribunds catalog, some of it is a homerun out of the damn park and others are pop flys, but the little label keeps going strong through all the trends and economical bullshit because those true music lovers will always buy the hard copy and bands that are genuine these days stand out even more because they are so rare in places!!!!!

Anyway, Hrizg is a unique listen, while not entirely old school it has that dark cosmic void presence and supernatural sense that is now exploited into the shoe-gaze and EMO post-Burzum styles and runs with it back to the cauldron of doom and despair, but thriving with anger and power. The vocals are great for the style, they are raspy and deep in spots, giving the feel of a mantic necromantic chant as he curses and vows torture and malevolence to those around him. Fuck suicidal and self-pity solo shit, this stuff is soooo dense that it’s almost symphonic without keyboards and long passages. Think In the Nightside Eclipse, the dense and epic tracks that were so cinematic and just gargantuan, but still bastardized with the raw and unadulterated blackness, mist, and blood shed that nothing can escape the force of!!!!

While not as brilliant as ITNE, Hrizg is another one on this label that’s maintaining the atmospheric and mystical realm of black metal but keeping in mind that it is still black metal, ugly and violent, and not a cool sounding simple and effective way to play.

Release Date May 3,2011






Haeresiarchs of Dis – In Obsecration of the Seven Darks
I used to grab a hold of everything that remotely resembled Emperor (pre- Anthems era) and in doing so found some amazing bands, but years later when this US act hit my ears in 2010 it didn’t click with me and a few others because it is too much like old Emperor, almost literally at times. That in no way makes this band a clone or poser though, so don’t be swayed too easily by what we all write and hear ourselves.

With this 2011 release the similarities to old Emperor remain, but the subtle use of synth for cinematic effect and the varied range of dynamics and aggression in these tracks carry them into a new realm of warmongering and the occult. IOOTSD is an experience in itself honestly, it ranges from hypnotic ambient chants and metaphysical themes to full on battle and adrenaline fused explosions. There’s actually a lot of variation here in comparison to the predecessor, Denuntiatus Cinis. While I’m still completely sold that Inquisition is one of the most unique and accurately occult and mystical in sound and listening experience and my top pick these days, this act really brings a new direction to the melodic and epic black metal of old that sort of resurrects it without desecrating it as many others have.

Now that I’ve heard this band for another round I’m actually looking forward to what they will continue to develop into, and starting from strong Emperor is not a bad starting point either. I’d give this one a chance, it might blow your soul right out of your body or it might just simply sound like a decent release, but the chances of it being an absolute disappointment are slim so it’s a safe investment. There are a few surprises in places that come out of the shadows unpredictably and set the blood flowing.


Release Date April 19,2011





Satan’s Host – By the hand of the Devil
I’m bipolar when it comes to my music mood, one day it’s obscure U.S. power-prog metal, doom, grind/crust, and the list goes on to include shit like 70’s prog and Turkish psychedelic so when something catches me at the opportune time…it REALLY catches me as this one did.

This band is an insitution!!!! They’ve been around for decades, they have roots in essential 80’s acts like Jag Panzer, and they somehow mix Mercyful Fate/King Diamond horror/Satanic themes and epic vocals with hints of classic 80’s thrash in the riffs, and throw in a massive pile of classic Judas Priest here and there and that’s in one fucking track!!!!! I’m not going to go into details on this one, there’s no need to, if what’s been said isn’t enough to get your metal head saliva surfacing and your heart rate up then there’s no hope for you. Just buy this fucker and experience it for yourself!!!! This one truly does HAVE IT ALL!!!!!

http://www.satanshost.com/

Release date May 3,2011