Written by:	Susan, BloodTears, Nefarious, Abattoir, Boxcar Willy, R'Vannith
Published:	May 13, 2013

Clandestine Cuts Volume 3, Issue #4
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!


Clandestine Cuts News!

Congratulations to Magrudergrind, grindcore from Vol. 1 #3, who are playing a number of June dates of the Decibel Magazine Tour alongside Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, and Immolation. Check out their set!

Prog metallers [url= http://www.facebook.com/theralphband]The Ralph[/url], from [url= http://www.metalstorm.net/pub/article.php?article_id=1191 ]Vol. 2 #7[/url], have a new EP coming out soon! Watch their teaser video for Delimited and hear a clip [url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4U55cAJnXo]here[/url].


(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 #8
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 3 #1
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 3 #2
Clandestien Cuts Vol. 3 #3


And now to the new music...

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Evilhorse - Cabeza de Vaca Listen at Bandcamp Evilhorse is a band from Barcelona, Spain, or what we Portuguese call "nuestros hermanos." They bring forth a dirty and sludgy sound as cold as the rock we see in the EP's cover. Their music has the right balance between galloping heavy riffs and more doomy, slower parts which are very engaging. Combine that with earth-shattering growls and trippy solos and it is the perfect soundtrack for a very solitary journey, whether it is interior or physical. Take it. by BloodTears

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Enmity - Enrapture EP Listen at Bandcamp Enmity comes from South Africa and plays a really enjoyable and unique mix. You can hear hardcore and alternative metal with a progressive edge, hints of punk, and well-utlized female backing vocals (which are amazing). Right. I did say "unique." The Enrapture EP is 5 great songs that take you on a journey: musical themes are revisted and developed, and the EP starts and ends with a variation of the same vocal harmony. Yet despite all this prog-talk, the music seems straight-forward and simply fun. The hardcore metal and punk-like aggression is really their key trait, yet it's done in a far more interesting way than anyone else is doing it. Just go enjoy it. by Susan

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Ancient Ascendant - Into The Dark Listen at Bandcamp Ancient Ascendant play a form of blackened death metal that incorporates elements of thrash and has an undeniably infectious groove that really does captivate you from the first listen. Dan Swano's name seems to pop up everywhere nowadays when it comes to mixing & mastering albums, but he really adds a nice touch to the production on this EP which compliments the excellent musicianship that is on display throughout the band, not least with Alex Butler's fantastic vocal range as he goes from guttural grows to piercing shrieks. Containing four full tracks (and a minute-long intro to kick things off), the only real negative thing I have to say about this EP is that it is too damn short! Let's hope Ancient Ascendant realize their undoubted potential and release a full length of this quality sometime in the near future. by Nefarious

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00y 18 - Stahlstadt Listen at Bandcamp 00y 18 is a solo project by a young Austrian multi-instrumentalist, while Stahlstadt is his first official EP release, consisting of three instrumental songs. Predominant ingridients of this stuff are sludge and post-metal, which rounds this release into the nice pumping atmospheric mixture of instrumental sludgy post-metal. Stahlstadt certainly isn't complicated stuff to get into, nevertheless with some improvements that I believe are hidden in this young man's potencial, his music could reach enviably level of quality in the future. by Abattoir

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Enceladus - Time In A Dream Listen at their Bandcamp Quick! Grab your axe, get on your dragon and fly towards the sky~~ This whole demo screams "good old power metal fun." Insane, soaring leads that would make Herman Li jealous. Groovy, complex drums and intricate vocal melodies make this demo just a fun listen. The expert combination of musical skill, and soulful execution of the songs, allows the listener to stay interested and focused. The cheese factor here is definitely high, but who doesn't love a little cheese? I know I love it. It goes great with every meal. Anywho, any power metal fan will eat this up. Even the "hardly listen to," "It's not heavy enough" metal fans will love this. by BoxCar Willy

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Red Rebel Patriots - Dominion Listen at Reverb Nation The first thing you'll notice about Red Rebel Patriots is their ability to unify technical guitar work with catchy vocals. They list Mastodon as an influence and while you can hear it in their sound their technical edge gives them their own character. There is some neat fast paced riffing going on here and lead vocalist Ash Baker has a very listenable style which works quite well when placed in the context of equally impressive drums and bass. Plenty of hooks will keep you coming back to this promising EP. by R'Vannith

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