1) Sea Witch – As Above…So Below:

From Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Sea Witch’s double cassette release of maritime influenced, nautical doom metal, blends a range of heavy atmospherics, folk and drone elements. Completely instrumental, this duo command the tides and drench your lips in the sea’s salty brine.

http://seawitchdoom.bandcamp.com/album/as-above-demo-i

http://www.small-doses.com/newsblog/?page_id=14&category=4&product_id=497

 

 

 

2) Usnea – Random Cosmic Violence:

For the price I paid for this tape with shipping, I probably could have bought Sleep’s Dopesmoker on vinyl but I like to think it was all worth it. For a stumble upon type find, Usnea, a sludgy mess of funeral, death and doom from Portland, Oregon are signed to Relapse and are reminiscent of bands like Lycus, Pallbearer, early Atriarch and Montreal’s Ensorcelor. It’s smouldering build of pent up rage and sadness colossally overpowers and pins you back under the weight of its single 14:19 track.

http://usneadoom.bandcamp.com/album/random-cosmic-violence

3)Alraune – S/T EP:

This experimental, occult black metal tape from Nashville, Tennessee bleeds with crackle and distain. Alraune’s vile self-titled EP sounds like Deathspell Omega played by crusties which could not be anything less than fucking awesome. Look out for their upcoming full length The Process OF Self Immolation on CD via Profound Lore and LP via Gilead Media.

http://gracelessrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/grace013-alraune-s-t-ep-2014

4) Wolf Blood – S/T:

“The idea that metal has lost it’s roots is nothing new. I’m sure you’ve heard it too. The complaints that metal has become way too polished and stylized these days. A sound which no layer of grit on your latest vinyl can compete with. I understand why bands do it too, but if these people would just quit their whining, they’ll realize there are plenty of talented bands out there that strive for the same dirty ascetic of their predecessors, who just happened to have limiting recording options. Take the first release from psych doom stoners, Wolf Blood from Burning World/Roadburn Records for instance…..” Click here to read the full review. (https://ghostcultmag.com/wolf-blood-wolf-blood/)

http://wolfblood666.bandcamp.com/album/wolf-blood

 

5) Chainbreaker – Constant Graving:

This tape was brought to my attention by fellow scribe @Berneau_Berns of Echoes and Dust. An essential for the the thrasher in all of us, this blazing riff powerhouse helps you dig your grave straight to Hell. “Constant Graving,” the title track has been on repeat for me all year. I just can’t get enough of this Toronto thrash madness!

http://chainbreakercan.bandcamp.com/album/constant-graving

 

6) American – Coping with Loss:

I think American might just be one of the black metal bands to look out for of the past year. With the rising popularity atmospheric black metal bands like Ash Borer and the bloom of darker striations from the hardcore scene such as Full of Hell, American seems to nestle somewhere nicely in-between.

http://americanx.bandcamp.com/album/coping-with-loss

 

7) Lord Time – A Destiny of Death:

When feeling a tad too oppressed by the straight and narrow, it’s time to stretch every boundary and take in one of this years most obscurely evil, sonic experiences. Lord Time’s tape, A Destiny of Death is split between two pieces of about 22 minutes each. Black metal flows through it but not in the old school sense. There’s too many layers and staggered tempos to headband to a proper guitar riff but that’s sort of what I look for in a tape. A solid experience over definable tracks. A Destiny of Death was released on Universal Consciousness.

http://lordtime.bandcamp.com/album/a-destiny-of-death

 

8) Funerary – Starless Aeon:

Phoenix, Arizona’s sludge/doom metal overlords, Funerary are akin to Unsea (recommended above,) Loss and up and comers Hush. this year. Infusing some psychedelic atmospherics and clearly defined guitar tones amidst the grey of bleakness, they’ve been featured on CVLT Nation’s Doom Nation Vol. V: MMXIV Edition mixtape and are a must to check out this year if you haven’t already.

http://midniteclv.bandcamp.com/album/starless-aeon

9) Ambersmoke – Wear Your Love Like Heaven:

You never know what might happen when you mix too many genres. What might sometimes be frowned upon seems to be working for these guys. In the case of San Fransisco’s Ambersmoke – Wear Your Love Like Heaven, atmospheric black metal elements, coupled with gothic synth, drone and walls of noise trick your body into dancing at times and swaying nervously at others. Unfortunately, the tape is already completely sold out, but the digital download is worth the $1.

http://ambersmoke.bandcamp.com/album/wear-your-love-like-heaven

 

10) Töxik Death – Speed Metal Hell:

Norway’s Töxik Death, trash back, speed demon style with their latest EP Speed Metal Hell. With a drummer with more energy than seems humanly acceptable, killer guitar solos and a punk attitude to boot, their rehashing of the classic sonic style of the early 80’s is bound to prompt a nostalgic boner for fans of Venom, Bathory, Destruction or Sodom with this cassette.

http://toxikdeath.bandcamp.com/album/speed-metal-hell-2

11) Turbochong – Disrespectful:

If you’re too impatient and pissed off for all these slow tempo recommendations, Turbochong are pissed off too. After doing some coke laced with speed, they’re ready to rage. Stripping down the grind and free throwing it into some warped out rage of spineless rebellion, “Disrespectful” is exactly that.

http://yamabushirecordings.bandcamp.com/album/disrespectful

12) Birdflesh/P.L.F. – Cirkus Kristus (Split Tape):

Released on Haunted Hotel Records, this split tape features 11 tracks from Swedish grinders, Birdflesh and 6 from Huston, Texas’ grind force P.L.F. It’s devilishly comical blend of aggression, explodes with evil clowns dripping in blood, ferris wheel death traps and a main attraction of ghastly worship that might make some stomachs churn. Lighten up and grind to the gore.

13) Fejhed – S/T:

The duo, Fejhed releases their debut cassette on Chondritic Sound in May of 2014, featuring some experimental power electronics, minimal wave and noise to create their signature sound. Taking the force of Frederikke Hoffmeier (Puce Mary) and Jesse Sanes’ (HOAX) combined aggression, their sound builds under heavy synths, static and crackling vocals. Keeping things minimalist and refined, the empty space they create blankets a layer of illusion, bleakness and solitude over an industrial landscape.

http://chondriticsound.bandcamp.com/album/fejhed

14) Tony Molina – Dissed and Dismissed:

Coming from someone who like’s very little pop punk, I’ve got to tell you, this Tony Molina has got something different going for him. Maybe it’s the hardcore in his veins but his track “Nowhere To Go” is playfully Weezer-esque with the longing lonely heart of a Milo (Descendents) type, singing of his “Silly Girl” with “Change My Ways.”

http://www.slumberlandrecords.com/catalog/show/267