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Clandestine Cuts Vol. 2 #4 - Hear Music From The Portrait, AK-11, Burn Everything, Mind:Soul, Lion Splicer, and more!


Written by: Susan, X-Ray Rod, Troy Killjoy, BloodTears, wormdrink414
Published: 31.05.2012


Clandestine Cuts Volume 2, Issue #4
The Metal Storm Demo/EP Spotlight

After a brief hiatus the Clandestine Cuts kids are back with new music for you hungry masses. So, bask in the glory of free tunes and support these bands that are keeping metal alive. Support them by liking them on facebook, buying a t-shirt, going to their shows and screaming like the lunatics you are. Hell, maybe even bring a beach ball.


January 31, 2013: VOTING IS NOW CLOSED! Thank you for your votes; find the winners in the Metal Storm Awards 2012 category Clandestine Cut Of The Year and chose your favorite.


Think your band has what it takes to be featured in the Cuts? Contact Susan via PM or email Susan @ MetalStorm . net to find out.

In case you're new at this, go back and enjoy our last few issues:
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 1 #15
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 2 #1
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 2 #2
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 2 #3





CAPA - Shallow Towers
Bandcamp

This is a one man band? Woah? Brandon Scott Baun is one talented dude, that's for sure. I know you guys have heard a lot of black/post/shoegaze/ambient albums these last couple of years but please don't leave so soon! With this 24 min EP comes great and varied songwriting and if you aren't too keen on the sweet "lala fantasy world lala" atmosphere then I'm happy to tell you that you don't really get that here. Here the vocals are quite aggressive, going from classic black metal shrieks to very pissed off and desperate shouts. The music itself goes through many mood changes and crescendos, what you could expect from a band with a post-tag attached to it. CAPA's strength is the consistency, great performance in (all!) the instruments and overall professional sound of both tracks.

by Mr. Doctor





Spelljammer - Vol. II
Bandcamp

For a visual image of Spelljammer's music, think about a coming wave, which will occasionally hit the rocks producing a big splashing effect. Even so, in between the huge swell, you will also find calmer ocean states. This stoner/doom band is the perfect mixture of opposite states: quiet chaos and noisy peacefulness. There are also psychedelic elements, especially in the solos and voice and a very blatant rock and roll flavour. The three songs in this EP are all long but far from dull because the band finds just the right balance between slow, heavy and refined without being overwhelming. There is this constant droning sound which continuously builds up the atmosphere in these songs, also adding a disconcerting feel to them. These Swedes know where they are going and what buttons to push.

by BloodTears





AK-11 - Legendary, Demonic & Invincible
Free download

I guess AK-11 were busy wondering if they could pull off the war metal sound perfected by fellow Australians Deströyer 666, because they definitely managed to pull off a demo that would easily pass for something like Violence Is The Prince Of This World. Over 30 minutes in length, this demo is filled with sharp riffs and catchy melodies, but never sacrifices extremity for accessibility. Biting shrieks into the mic and excellent musicianship make for quite an entertaining listen while your ears are given the pleasure of picking out interesting time changes and groove-laden breaks from the full-frontal assault. Intricate drum patterns give this demo an added punch so you aren't bothered by a somewhat thin production.

by Troy Killjoy





Burn Everthing - Hollow Victory
Bandcamp

Rarely are the descriptions in a band's website so spot on: metal, post-hardcore, progressive, stuff like The Dillinger Escape Plan? Whatever. It really doesn't matter, you know why? Because Burn Everything are good and that's the only label you need. Now that I got the label shit down, let's explain why they are good even for someone like me who usually isn't too keen on this music. Great performance, no-bullshit song writing and in-your-face approach to their music is what makes them good. The songs are short and not a single second is wasted. I can't find any errors to be honest. This sounds really professional: The vocals are aggressive, awesome drums, catchy riffs and a good bass to give it that low tone, not to mention the production, which all comes from a band that seems to be ready to make it big.

by Mr. Doctor





Lion Splicer - Valkyrie
http://lionsplicer.bandcamp.com/album/valkyrie

You like music that's catchy and fun? How homosexual of you. But if that is your thing, I can't think of any reason why you should't check this EP out asap. This is honestly some of the best punk mixed with a classic hard rock sound I've heard in a long time. Every track is slightly different stylistically--maybe above all else, the word to describe this is "varied"--and every track sounds really good. If this were a few times longer and maintained the kind of consistency this has, I wouldn't hesitate to throw around the green numbers in a full-length review.

by wormdrink414





Mind:Soul - Patterns
Soundcloud

Remember that "old" Dream Theater sound of the Kevin Moore era? The atmospheres in Patterns evoke that period, where prog had that very distinctive and prominent keyboard sound. Mind:Soul give us the typical progressive metal innuendos and add symphonic elements with sporadic dialogues between growls and melodic voices which flow very nicely. The breaks from the heavier rhythmic sections are powerful and where their mind and soul really comes across. While Mind:Soul throw in a good chunk of challenging riffs, it is ultimately their melodies which are more memorable in Patterns.

by BloodTears





The Portrait - Infinity EP
http://theportraitnm.bandcamp.com/

My dream is to somehow, someday, fly through space, dive into a black hole, and see what's there. I realize this will be a one-way trip but can you think of a more spectacular way to die? The Portrait plays a kind of thick metal that reminded me of this wish. They call their music a blend of ambient/metal/hardcore and I both agree and disagree. I also hear a juxtaposition of sounds between a slightly posty/ sludgey vibe that will wash over you like a warm Venusian storm before suffocating you, vs. dirty, punishing vocals that are mixed so well that you don't feel the assault until it's too late. They also refer to themselves as "spacecore" since apparently they share my love of all things outer space. Basically, this EP will crush you down to a singularity. Enjoy,

by Susan









Comments

Comments: 30   Visited by: 139 users
31.05.2012 - 18:21
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Pretty varied issue again - pretty much a split between extreme and non-extreme music.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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31.05.2012 - 18:34
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
I Have the spell jammer one, it's been playin on my iPod non-stop, their other Ep is fantastic as well.
Will check out the others, AK-11 seems interesting.
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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31.05.2012 - 20:13
Lokaeda
Account deleted
Written by Boxcar Willy on 31.05.2012 at 18:34

Gave the spell jammer one, it's been playin on my iPod non-stop, their other Ep is fantastic as well.


If you liked Spelljammer, You'll like Sleep
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31.05.2012 - 20:25
BloodTears
ANA-thema
Loving The Portrait cover and very curious about it.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29

Like you could kiss my ass.


My Instagram
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31.05.2012 - 21:22
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
Written by Guest on 31.05.2012 at 20:13

Written by Boxcar Willy on 31.05.2012 at 18:34

Gave the spell jammer one, it's been playin on my iPod non-stop, their other Ep is fantastic as well.


If you liked Spelljammer, You'll like Sleep

Will check out
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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31.05.2012 - 21:49
Susan
Smeghead
The Portrait, CAPA, and Spelljammer are really blowing my mind. Damn, everything is good this month.

And I'm loving how bluesy Lion Splicer is.
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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31.05.2012 - 23:14
BitterCOld
The Ancient One
Looking forward to checking these out later today, particularly spelljammer.
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get the fuck off my lawn.

Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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31.05.2012 - 23:25
tea[m]ster
Au Pays Natal
Ffs, more music? slow down people...
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rekt
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01.06.2012 - 03:36
Susan
Smeghead
Written by tea[m]ster on 31.05.2012 at 23:25

Ffs, more music? slow down people...


Can you handle it?
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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01.06.2012 - 04:49
Edmund Fogg

Torn between Capa( The WTF factor), Spelljammer(The you'll be proud to gime us your soul once we're done with you factor) and Mind:Soul(The Prog Flashback factor).
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You cannot sedate all the things you hate - MM
The Observer is the source of reality - Bloom
God damn it!! What did Diddy didn't do? - Satan
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01.06.2012 - 05:04
Susan
Smeghead
Written by Edmund Fogg on 01.06.2012 at 04:49

Torn between Capa( The WTF factor), Spelljammer(The you'll be proud to gime us your soul once we're done with you factor) and Mind:Soul(The Prog Flashback factor).


Love these descriptions!
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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01.06.2012 - 17:45
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
Voted Spelljammer, that is fantastic music right 'der.
----
14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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01.06.2012 - 21:48
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Big big diosapointment and crap this time, only band what was good was from Sverige
Spelljammer others wa speace of shit and crap. I give a try to all and cant stande
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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02.06.2012 - 02:51
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Voted for my own review CAPA, I just really enjoyed that project. But yeah, a great and varied issue once again. Congratulations to you guys (and me).
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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02.06.2012 - 02:53
InnerSelf
proofread free
Seems like an awesome collection of albums, downloading CAPA now and will go through the rest in the few coming days
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
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02.06.2012 - 03:00
A.Ghosheh

CAPA are great, especially after a joint. got my vote.
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Kem Khefa Kheshef
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02.06.2012 - 10:41
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
Burn Everything was pretty solid. My choice for sure.
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
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02.06.2012 - 14:19
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by Doc G. on 02.06.2012 at 10:41

Burn Everything was pretty solid. My choice for sure.


I totally knew you were going to like them. Extremely solid music indeed.

Shit I almost regret my CAPA vote but oh well, I feel less bad since I wrote the review for Burn Everything so in a way, I kind of voted for them
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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02.06.2012 - 20:40
BloodTears
ANA-thema
Glad to see Spell getting some votes, these bands are so professional it's insane sometimes.
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29

Like you could kiss my ass.


My Instagram
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03.06.2012 - 02:23
JD
Account deleted
My vote goes to Spelljammer as well.
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03.06.2012 - 12:57
R'Vannith
ghedengi
CAPA floats my boat, though I have to hold on to the sides as that is Black metal territory. Mind:Soul is pretty good as well. But I'm going with Spelljammer too.
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04.06.2012 - 02:11
Druss

Going with the pack here, that Spelljammer EP is friggin' massive....again, nice varied edition, liked everything (apart from CAPA, it left me kinda indifferent for whatever reason).
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06.06.2012 - 14:18
InnerSelf
proofread free
I still haven't checked them all but I just wanted to say that wormdrink414's intro to his review is lol inducing
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
Loading...
09.06.2012 - 00:30
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
Written by X-Ray Rod on 02.06.2012 at 14:19

Written by Doc G. on 02.06.2012 at 10:41

Burn Everything was pretty solid. My choice for sure.


I totally knew you were going to like them. Extremely solid music indeed.

They strike me as an extremely chaotic version of Cancer Bats.
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
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15.06.2012 - 04:56
Edmund Fogg

Soul went to Spelljammer... Soulless, now I know how redheads feels.
----
You cannot sedate all the things you hate - MM
The Observer is the source of reality - Bloom
God damn it!! What did Diddy didn't do? - Satan
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31.01.2013 - 19:18
NocturnalStalker
Metal Addict
Spelljammer reminded me of my role-playing youth (though, I'm not too familiar with Spelljammer universe, while AK-11 surprised me by Russian lyrics and symbolism. Out of all the other bands I enjoyed only Burn Everything.
In the end I gave my vote to AK-11 because of the raw energy of their music.
----
"And we are not who we think we are
We are who we're afraid to be"
- Lux Occulta "The Opening of Eleventh Sephirah"
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01.02.2013 - 19:05
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by Guest on 31.01.2013 at 19:31
Hopefully the voting is still open (like it should be).


What voting? The one for this issue?
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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01.02.2013 - 19:13
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by Guest on 01.02.2013 at 19:07

Written by X-Ray Rod on 01.02.2013 at 19:05

What voting? The one for this issue?

This issue, yesterday. Not anymore of course.


Well yeah... it shouldn't be open anymore because the purpose of this voting is for you guys to decide the nominees for the awards. We left the polls open as much as possible, until the very last minute so we could get the most votes possible XP
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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01.02.2013 - 19:40
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by Guest on 01.02.2013 at 19:37

Written by X-Ray Rod on 01.02.2013 at 19:13

We left the polls open as much as possible, until the very last minute so we could get the most votes possible XP

Actually this was the thing I wasn't sure of. Not sure did you edit the message while I was typing or how did I miss that for the first time around.


I edited it... sorry, I was quite slow while writting the first time and left the important part.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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01.02.2013 - 22:21
Druss

Hah, seen as this thread's been revived, I'd like to reiterate my manlove for Spelljammer, its likely to take my vote for the awards
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