Written by:	Troy Killjoy
Published:	May 15, 2012

If you like your black metal wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket, then Barrowlands is a name you'll want to remember. This 2012 demo - unsurprisingly titled Demo 2012 - features more than just a smothering production, though. These Americans (from Portland, the same place as some other dark folk/metal band) take the somewhat more ethereal approach to black metal, with soft melodies and illusory riffs. Backed by some muffled screams and some beautiful background cello riffs, Barrowlands have certainly laid the foundation for what could be a significant future in the metal scene.

Listen: http://barrowlands.bandcamp.com/



Jesus (Mother of Mary - no wait...) I've heard the wail of a banshee, and he goes by the name of Xosfur. Seriously, this guy joins Nattramn (Silencer) as one of the most bizarre black metal vocalists out there. But it's appropriate, being that Dhampyr's brand of crusty black metal is just as ugly and horrid. In a good way of course, but not the best. Some of the riffs tend to blend together and force the songs as a whole to do the same, even though the DIY production mixes up sound quality from time to time. With subtle ambient elements and a relatively thin atmosphere, this confusing demo will likely be judged for its black and white, but not its grey.

Listen: http://brokenlimbsrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/ashes-of-the-frail-untitled-demo



Iprit's second demo... entitled Second Demo... is a fast-paced, energetic rush of thrashing old school black metal that could easily pass for a full-length if not for its shortened run time. The mix of brutal growls and pitched shrieks adds to the rough vibe, though this isn't an over-the-top kind of extreme. The riffing is pretty straightforward and the blasting drums contribute to the simplistic-yet-seasoned sound, and in spite of maintaining a high-octane approach, you aren't left feeling as if the music is too abrasive due to some catchy hooks and a fun cover of D.R.I.'s "Money Stinks" to close things out.

Listen: http://iprit.bandcamp.com/album/second-demo



This beautifully composed one-track demo features an eponymous track that lifts slightly from the likes of Mozart and Pensées Nocturnes, but has a nice voice of its own. Technically the lack of voice is what makes this such an engaging listen, as you're able to focus on the neoclassical ambiance laid down by some subtle cello work that accompanies the overwhelming piano. This track could easily work as an introduction to a Lifelover or ColdWorld release, and given the direction the man behind the music wants to pursue, fans of this sound will have more of the same to look forward to in the (hopefully) near future. Consider this an exception to the typically blasphemous nature of this article.

Listen: http://silencetheearth.bandcamp.com/track/through-my-veins-in-a-minor



If you consider yourself the kind of person who actively seeks out vile and disgusting art forms, or at least takes pleasure in listening to vile and disgusting music, Die Galle is definitely a must-listen for you. The raunchy, choking growls and howling shrieks are about as off-putting as it gets, and the minimalistic raw music that all but takes a back seat to the hyena barking into the mic for about 15 minutes isn't any less putrid. But there is a sense of... warmth, thanks to the fuzzy guitar tone - although that's not as noticeable as the sounds of a man taking a diarrhea dump through your speakers, so you might not take solace in that one "redeeming" quality. Acceptable for fans of scat porn or people who suffer from this.

Listen: http://skumlord.bandcamp.com/



Void Forger's Ruined demo is a solid mixture of crusty blackened sludge and doom-infused death metal, backed up by a gritty production that gives an already heavy sound even more weight. Approaching the 20-minute length with only three songs, this demo is an excellent example of what listeners can expect from the band in the near future: extreme, crushing instrumentation that paints an ugly picture; a raw, lo-fi production that accompanies the grainy guitar tone perfectly; and catchy, groove-laden riffs to take the edge off while songs continuously change paces. These three tracks represent what extreme metal is meant to sound like, and the complete package is given an even darker vibe thanks to the tortured shouts of the vocalists.

Listen: http://voidforger.bandcamp.com/