Written by:	Nefarious, Ilham, X-Ray Rod, Abattoir
Published:	February 07, 2015

Clandestine Cuts Volume 4, Issue #5
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. 4 #4
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 #3
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 #2

And now to the new music...

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Shudder/Sectioned - SHDDRSCTND Split Listen at [url= http://sectioned.bandcamp.com/album/shddrsctnd-split]Bandcamp[/url] With the massively dissonant and electronic sound they punched into the filthiest and heaviest brand of mathcore/grindcore they play, Sectioned incarnates what I want to see in modern grindcore: innovation and - a minimum of - genre bending. These Scottish madmen sound like they've just escaped from an asylum, and they desperately need a home for future releases. If that doesn't happen, put them back in the mental institution whence they came and lock me up with them. Let the most violent track I've heard this year convince you. Funnily enough, Sectioned chose to pair themselves with Shudder; whom decided that two badly recorded and boring noise rock songs were enough to counterbalance the craziness of the SCTND part. Very wrong. That results in making me skip their part of the split every single time. But who cares, you're only two clicks away from Sectioned. by Ilham

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Schematics for Gravity - Absence of Weight Listen at Bandcamp This Swedish post metal group ain't strangers to this game. Their previous self-titled EP appeared in one of our articles from 2012 and even got a place in our beloved Metalstorm Awards. Needless to say I was eager to compare the EPs and see how much they have grown. Absence Of Weight presents more polished and varied ideas, specially in songwriting and production. The sound isn't as raw as the debut, thus making the ambient sections shine through the aggression. The focus in calmer interludes proves to be a good trade as when the storm hits in form of walls of sound and harsh yet emotional screams, the EP becomes a solid identity instead of just a collection of songs. by Mr. Doctor

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Red Seas Fire - Confrontation Download at www.redseasfire.com These young British men are fully dedicated to their art - which they always generously offer free of charge on their official website - and continue to prove it by releasing EP after EP. Blending the syncopated guitars of djent and metalcore-driven aggression with a progressive songwriting, Red Seas Fire show they are capable of both technique and creativity. At times mellow, but mostly angry and catchy, Confrontation displays the professionalism and variety that could make anyone hope for the release of a full-length, as soon as possible. Please. by Ilham

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Antilop - Antilop Listen at [url= https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChKZz3AQXCaOEL-wxOk37Ng/videos]Youtube[/url] The south of Sweden is certainly an adequate origin for Antilop as their brand of stoner rock/metal is not that different from the now legendary music found in the southern American scene. Antilop's sound is incredibly heavy and it has an urgent, almost desperate vibe to it due to the harsh yet very emotional vocals and lead guitars. Their debut EP has been blessed with a great production as every instrument is clear but there is enough grit to keep it real. The progression of the songs, with its powerful crescendos and at times tribal drumming, also gives away to certain post-metal influences that add much flavor to this amazing EP. Antilop is without a doubt a band with a clear idea of what they are doing. by Mr. Doctor

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Cave Moth - The Black Lodge Listen at [url= https://cavemothfl.bandcamp.com/album/the-black-lodge]Bandcamp[/url] No matter how much you love just plain chocolate, you can't say you don't like the suspense when a co-worker hands you a box of chocolate and you choose one just because it looks different. Well grindcore is the same, and Cave Moth play the most unexpected kind of it: one that is filled with dissonance, math-y riffs and noisy passages. The soul-tearing screams and growls are just the hazelnut that tops that delicious little bite of an EP. by Ilham

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High Fighter - The Goat Ritual Listen at [url= http://highfighter.bandcamp.com/releases]Bandcamp[/url] The Goat Ritual is a strong, dirty sludge/stoner combination of heavy tunes with psychedelic-blues touches, which loosens the main fundamentals for a bit. It contains a lot of diversity, rhythm changes, more and less intensive passages and fair amount of various killer riffs. Complementing the whole structure in this picture are the alternating vocals, from bluesy rock sounding and up to harsh, scream/core parts. This creatively inspired dosage of "sludgy stonerish bluescore" is a strong affirmation for the band's upcoming endeavours. by Abattoir

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