Written by:	Susan, BloodTears, X-Ray Rod, Marcel Hubregtse, Troy Killjoy
Published:	February 03, 2012

Clandestine Cuts Volume 2, Issue #1
The Metal Storm Demo/EP Spotlight

Welcome to the first issue in Volume 2 of Clandestine Cuts, and the first issue of 2012. Thanks to everyone who has been voting for Clandestine Cut of the Year in the 2011 Metal Storm Awards. Remember, YOU picked those nominations, so congratulate yourself on excellent taste in metal. And if you hear some great new music today, vote in the poll below this article and look for your favorite demo or EP next year in the Metal Storm Awards for 2012.


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.

In case you're new at this, go back and enjoy our last few issues:
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 1 #12
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 1 #13
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 1 #14
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 1 #15

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.

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Deathember - A Thousand Flatlines http://www.facebook.com/Deathemberband There seems to be a growing trend in metal today: genre blending. Many bands put out releases which are difficult to identify or label, trying their best to stay away from the trap of being "conventional". Deathember are one of those cases and furthermore, their music is a bit bizarre, not Unexpect bizarre, more like SikTh bizarre without the clean vocals. In fact, they even have Mikee Goodman as a guest on one of their tracks ("The Linear Act"). Among the traits of the album are the dissonant shrieks and little quirks of Deathember's music, which often allows itself to be extravagant. A Thousand Flatlines wanders swiftly through melodic death metal, groove metal and metalcore with hammering riffs and considerable dexterity, incorporating layered growls, which all results into a powerhouse of energy unleashed in concentrated but strong doses. by BloodTears

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Temblad - Mockery Of The Fanatic http://temblad.bandcamp.com/ If you name your band after the imperative mood of the Spanish verb "Tremble" you better back it up with some appropriate music. Fortunately, these guys from San Diego, USA, proved themselves worthy of their name with their brand of aggressive thrash combined with grind, death and groove flavours. It should be more than enough to make you sit tight in your chair during the length of their short yet impressive EP. Fierce, catchy and in-your-face riffs, grinding and groovy bass, pissed off vocals and tight drumming make this 4-track EP a good preview of what these guys are capable of doing. With a very professional production, this band shows that they have their shit together and it doesn't seem hard to imagine that we'll hear more from them. With an EP like Mockery Of The Fanatic, let's hope so. by Mr. Doctor

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Crowned - Ainulindale demo http://www.youtube.com/user/crownedbmband This is some extremely lo-fi atmospheric black metal from Australia, similar to what Drudkh would sound like in their early recording sessions for their debut, or what Striborg would sound like if given a legitimate recording studio. As raw as the sound may appear at first, there are actually quite a lot of ethereal elements in the mix that create a dream-like atmosphere, as if transcending the skies and floating above the heavens. Vocals are buried behind blasting drums and repetitive melodic riffs, giving it an organic Wolves In The Throne Room feel. With this 30-minute demo, Crowned have what it takes to make a name for themselves sooner than later, and it wouldn't surprise me if Ainulindale was re-released as a full-length in the near future once the band gets some momentum. by Troy Killjoy

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Sad Alice Said - Clock of Eternity EP https://www.facebook.com/Sad.Alice.Said?sk=app_2405167945 Ukrainians Sad Alice Said play melodic metal with gothic, progressive, and symphonic touches, topped with soft female vocals. Don't expect something overly synthy; there are 7 people in this band (including not only a violist and 3 guitarists, but also someone playing a real piano), which lends it a very organic and textured sound that "programming" could never duplicate. Their 5-song debut EP Clock of Eternity is a grower, not just that it'll take a few listens to get under your skin, but that each song is better than the one before. They build upon each other and before you know it you're drowning in the intense, moody build-up of "Door in Autumn" or basking in the bliss of closer "Open Your Eyes," aching for more. by Susan

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Morito Ergo Sum - Moonchild EP http://moritoergosum.com After having released their first demo (featured in Clandestine Cuts #7) in 2010, Swedes Morito Ergo Sum are back with a new demo, called Moonchild. The demo which is recorded, mixed, and mastered by Mike Wead showcases a band which has clearly grown over the period of time between the two releases. Once again they offer My Dying Bride-influenced melodic death doom, but a class better than their 2010 demo and with more of a sound of their own. Besides three of their own tracks, Moonchild also features a daring cover of King Crimson's "Moonchild" which the band manages to make their. Morito Ergo Sum are certainly a band to keep an eye on for they will be going places. Anyone who loves well-produced melodic death doom in the vein of My Dying Bride should clearly get hold of this fine demo. by Marcel Hubregtse

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Winter Crescent - Battle Of Egos http://www.myspace.com/wintercrescent Winter Crescent seems like a typical name for a black metal band but that couldn't be further from the truth in terms of where the music of these Greeks fits. Instead, they fall easily into the category of "progressive metal" with a more traditional/heavy approach than a forward-looking perspective. In that sense, Battle Of Egos could actually be a good metaphor for the battle between the various musical alter-egos the band gives voice to. Think occasional high-pitched screams à la Rob Halford, power metal influences, and ambitious progressive metal instrumental voyages. Under the surface, however, Winter Crescent has a tendency to be darker than their alter-egos, which is something that most wouldn't anticipate after the calm intro of the EP. The rawness of the songs, a consequence of the low-budget production, gives new meaning to the expression "a diamond in the rough." by BloodTears

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Unbodied - Unbodied EP http://unbodied.bandcamp.com *inhale* Hey man, did you ever wonder, like, what Baroness would sound like, like as a death metal band? *cough* Neither did I man... until now. *incoherent* psychedelic man, like stoner riffing, totally badass deathgrind brutal breakdown riffing man, real groovy thrashtastic riffing dude. *inhale* All kinds of like... good riffing. *incoherent* insane man, like stellar, varied drums man. *coughing* And toke-till-you-choke vox man! *incoherent* hazy atmosphere dude, mid-paced sludge... *cough* stonerific stuff dude. *inhale* Some death, grind, thrash... It's like Pink Floyd, you know? *cough* So they sells a couple-a grams to like, Blut Aus Nord man, and they smoke it with all those like, sludge bands from the Americas man! Man, it's like... Dirk Diggler blazing in the recording studio... like *incoherent*... No Life 'Til Leather man. Peace out man - *cough* - I'm starvin', ya know? by Troy Killjoy