Written by:	Susan, Abattoir, R'Vannith, BloodTears, wormdrink414
Published:	February 27, 2013

Clandestine Cuts Volume 3, Issue #2
The Metal Storm Demo/EP Spotlight



Is independent, unsigned, and underground metal what you seek? Weary traveler of the metal world, rest a while here. 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 chose your favorite 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 favorite independent metal is recognized each year!

(Think your band has what it takes to be featured in the Cuts? Contact Susan or email Susan @ MetalStorm . net to submit your music.)

In case you're new at this, go back and enjoy our last few issues:

Clandestine Cuts Vol. 2 #6
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 2 #7
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 2 #8
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 3 #1

And now to the music...

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At Night I Fly - September Kills Listen at the band's website You know when you hit play on some really energetic prog and it just grabs you in the first measure? Yeah, that totally happened. At Night I Fly plays some majestic prog that feeds contemporary guitar-driven metal into a spirit of classic prog rock. It's really all here, from the first moment. As it should be: At Night I Fly is a new band featuring some experienced musicians, including Zoltan Bàtky, soaring voice behind After Crying. Everyone brings their unique talent and experience to the new band and the result is something special. Prog lovers take note: this is one hell of an EP. by Susan

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Manu Armata - From The Heart In Your Face EP Listen at Bandcamp NYHC from The Netherlands? Well, it definitely sounds like it. As the title and cover artwork already indicate, this is a straight punch in your face, without a moment of hesitation. Alternating slow-fast agressive riffs, classic groovy breakdowns with melodic hardcore approach that, above all, Manu Armata represents prudently. Also worth mentioning is the powerful and nothing less than superior execution of the vocals. Hardcore sympathizers definitely won't be deprived from anything with this outcome and believe me, you can get a lot going on from the EP that lasts less the 10 minutes. by Abattoir

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Pin-Up Went Down - B-Sides Listen at Bandcamp With two full lengths to their name Pin-Up Went Down's latest EP is further evidence of their indifference to your sanity and most likely their own. Some weird and eccentric avantgarde music domineered by a widely varied feminine voice with diverse instrumentation ranging from touches of jazz to surf rock to match. All the madness is structured with an understanding for hooks and is designed to engage the listener from begining to end. This is avantgarde metal that doesn't initially alienate the listener but demands your attention by throwing not only craziness into the songwriting but catchiness as well. by R'Vannith

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The Noumenon - Apocrypha Listen at Bandcamp When you combine some types of more extreme metal like death metal and something more progressive and melodic like this band does, it is important to have a good dynamic. The Noumenon pass that test with distinction. Their EP Apocrypha gives us technical and sophisticated metal with deep moments of clarity. The band shows that they have enough sensibility to write melodies which leave a deep-rooted mark, and are also capable of constantly adding new dimensions to their music, variety and a finesse which entangles you. This is hard-hitting metal with feeling done the right way. by BloodTears

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Hell's Island - Black Painted Circle Listen at Bandcamp I love how grunge has been creeping into metal lately. It's been roughy 20 years since the style exploded in Seattle and a 20-year cycle seems about right for exploration by a new generation. Hell's Island certainly extracted the choice bits: bare power, gritty melodies, and mesmerizing rhythms. They served this on a platter of alternative metal with some raw psychedelic moments. Not typical Italian metal? Tough. This 3rd EP shows a band clear of the direction in which they're headed. Check it out. by Susan

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Black Table - Sentinel Listen at Bandcamp Tables are the new bullet belts. With this group here and the whole controversy about James Hetfield coming out of the pantry as one in 2011, they're, as a table community, becoming more and more metal as fuck. But this Black Table here is way more awesome than Lulu. Which isn't saying much I suppose, it's like saying tables are more tabley than brusselsprouts, but this EP is more awesome than most BM albums in general. The impact of its floating post metal tunes getting burst by its lunging black metal daggers and its dissonant, chaotic prog riffing has a magical, dynamic effect. Despite the slightly emphysemic vocals, as a whole, it really is a striking, melancholy and, above all, engaging thing. Every fan of thoughtfully composed metal should check it out. It's epic stuff. by wormdrink414

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