VHOL – VHOL (2013)

Country: United States
Genre: Black Metal

A super-group of sorts that rose from the ashes of the now extinct Ludicra, VHOL features Mike Scheidt of YOB fame on vocals, John Cobbett (Hammers of Misfortune, ex-Ludicra) on guitar, Sigrid Sheie (Hammers of Misfortune) on bass and Aesop Dekker (Agalloch, Worm Ourboros, ex-Ludicra) on drums. What a fucking weird lineup! I was actually quite surprised with what these unique metallers had in store. VHOL is firmly rooted in the punkier side of black metal but what they successfully graft onto this genre is a traditional metal sense that stands up as a unique piece of music and one of my favourites from 2013 thus far. What really makes these songs shine is their sense of raw melody and frolicking dynamics that offer nice little surprises with each listen. Worth a listen or ten!

VHOL

Arnaut Pavle - Arnaut Pavle (2013)

Country: Finland
Genre: Black Metal

I'm convinced beyond dissuation that there is some magical something that flows in Finland's water supply. It's just not fair that they are consistently amazing when it comes to producing extreme metal. Death metal, black metal, they don't give a fuck, if they are going to make it, it's going to sound DAMN good. Arnaut Pavle are no exception; they play raw, hateful black metal and they do it fucking well. Now this isn't really raw black metal in the same vein as the Rhinocervs gang or the uber atmospheric posturing of Black Twilight Circle, but this is raw black metal that accenuates the genres inherent punkiness without it actually being "punky" black metal. If that makes sense. Well you know what? If you want to know what I'm talking about, give this shit a fucking listen. You won't regret it.

FINLAND M/

Melodeath That Matters: As Serenity Fades - Earthborn (1994)

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Country: Finland

Those two tags should have made you download this already, but just in case you haven't been enlightened yet, this EP is another example of melodic death metal done right.  This is a little further away from the "death metal with melody" concept, with more melody and less death, but it has just enough of each to still be kickass.  This is one of the only other bands i know that captured the melodic stylings of the legendary Gorement and write some of the best melodic riffing out there.  Don't expect The Ending Quest part 2, but if you enjoy Gorement i can safely say you will love this.  Not to mention it came out on the legendary Adipocere Records, which contains some of my favorite death metal releases of all time.

Melodeath That Matters Pt. 2