Written by:	Nefarious, BloodTears, wormdrink414
Published:	December 24, 2015

Clandestine Cuts Volume 5, Issue #4
The Metal Storm Demo/EP Spotlight



Is independent, unsigned, and underground metal what you seek? Weary traveller of the metal world, rest here a while. Clandestine Cuts are the best demos and EPs from these bands, the heart and soul of metal music. These musicians are slaves to their passions, and their blood keeps the metal machine alive and turning. Support them with a simple listen, and discover the future.

Metal Storm users: you can vote in the poll below to choose your favourite demo/EP of the issue. The winners each year are nominated in our annual Metal Storm Awards so exercise your rights: this is the one category chosen completely by YOU the readers. Make sure your favourite independent metal is recognized each year!

(Think your band has what it takes to be featured in the Cuts? Email demos@metalstorm.net to submit your music.)

In case you're new at this, go back and enjoy our last few issues:
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 5 #3
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 5 #2
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 5 #1




And now to the new music...

---

Psygnosis - AAliens Listen at Bandcamp Although Psygnosis have been around for a while now, they have undergone some recent line-up changes that see the vocals replaced by a cello on this latest EP. This is an interesting change that undoubtedly works & takes their sound to a whole new level. Mixing electronic, Industrial & death metal elements into an post rock soundscape Aaliens is 21 mins of interesting, engaging & fairly unique music that will appeal to fans from a broad spectrum of musical styles. by Nefarious

---

Extinction Level Event - The Catalyst Listen at Bandcamp Who needs guitarists in a metal band when you can have THREE bassists instead? Extinction Level Event have tested this theory on their debut EP The Catalyst with surprisingly successful results. Despite the gimmicky nature of the line-up & the undoubted Meshuggah worship going on here, The Catalyst is a fun listen that while not being without its flaws, shows a great deal of potential. by Nefarious

---

Infinity² - INF2EP1 Listen at Youtube You might know Russia's Infinity² as one of Metal Storm's own andreosokin creative outputs. INF2EP1 is their debut EP and can appeal to fans of all kinds of melodic metal. The progressive influences are deep-rooted here (particularly from Dream Theater and James LaBrie) but there is also an unusual fresh new breeze coming through the music. While it's difficult to describe feeling, these songs have buckets of it. Whether it is the rich soulful vocals or the distinctive keyboards at the forefront allowing for that, an immensity of intense melodies is achieved. The song "Turn Back Time" is the perfect example of the band's potential being entirely realized and a work of genius. Approach this without limits and the satisfaction is guaranteed. by BloodTears

---

Weedcraft - Weedcraft Listen at Bandcamp Here we have a gem from Poland! Weedcraft's debut EP is enthralling from beginning to end and so much happens in two long tracks. The music comprises of classy, fuzzy, spacey stoner riffs one after another with enough dirt and punch to please. For those about to enter this delirium fest, we salute you. by BloodTears

---

Hath - Hive Listen at Bandcamp This is well written death metal that blends just the right amount of melody into what is an overall heavy EP. There's an undoubted homage to early Opeth that can be felt throughout listening to this record, yet the great musicianship, strong vocals & fantastic song-writing leave you feeling captivated & fulfilled without the music ever feeling dull or uninspired despite the arguable lack of originality (how many death metal records sound truly original nowadays anyway?). Hath show huge potential in this 32 minute, 5 track EP & I for one cannot wait to hear what they dish up for us next. by Nefarious

---

Venefixion - Defixio Listen at Bandcamp Defixio's atmosphere with the ethereal, tortured, offal, languid, loquacious, leitmotif background voices at the start makes it seem like it'll be overwhelming and too chaotic and punishing, like there's an inferno and it'll burn you and you'll feel discomfort because of it, but it subverts that expectation. Seems like a good chunk of modern blackened death wants to inflict that kind of fiery discomfort. This sounds calculated and controlled just enough, keeps you at arm's length, using melody and homageing (to Autopsy especially it seems kinda) smartly. It's fully headbangable always. Also, it just sounds good, production-wise. Also there are some disgusted "ooh" and "ugh" vocals in here and there can never be enough of those ever. by wormdrink414

---