Written by:	Nefarious, Ilham
Published:	June 14, 2015

Clandestine Cuts Volume 5, Issue #2
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. 5 #1
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 #5
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 4 #4


And now to the new music...

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Exgenesis - Aphotic Veil Listen at [url= https://exgenesis.bandcamp.com/releases]Bandcamp[/url] Melodic death / doom is a fairly saturated genre where it can often be difficult for a new band to stand out amongst the crowd, but within minutes of pressing play on this debut EP by this Swedish/Colombian two piece Exgenesis, you'll quickly realise they are a cut above. Fan's of Jari Lindholm's previous work in bands such as Slumber & Enshine will certainly recognise & appreciate the great song writing, intense atmosphere & stunning guitar work on display here, but this is far from a one man show as Alejandro Lotero's brilliant growls compliment the music beautifully. Give this a spin & I guarantee you will not regret it. by Nefarious

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Agos - Irkalla Transcendence Listen to [url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVk1bpyKt28&feature=youtu.be]Song #2[/url] & [url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etdqrfdKE1Y]Song #3[/url] Intense from the first second to the last, Greece's Agos have served up a fantastic slab of mid-paced blackened death metal that is as aggressive as it is relentless. Irkalla Transcendence is like a combination of old school death metal & 90's black metal mixed together with a great production that leaves the EP sounding crisp while letting just enough filth into the mix to help maintain that cold, dark foreboding atmosphere that is prevalent throughout the record. by Nefarious

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Triste L'Hiver - Faire un geste Listen at [url= https://tristelhiver.bandcamp.com/album/faire-un-geste]Bandcamp[/url] A rather odd yet strangely compelling mix of dark wave, ambient post black metal & 80's Synthwave. Despite the rather eclectic mix of genres on display here, the simplistic yet catchy song writing means the whole thing just fits together so well. This is definitely something that needs approaching with an open mind but if you do, prepare to be fascinated & confused in equal measure. by Nefarious

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The Temple - As Once Was Listen at Bandcamp Hailing from Greece, The Temple are a traditional, epic doom four piece who while not being the most original band out there, do a great job in producing a familiar yet engaging doom EP full of solemn & sadness. Clocking in at just over 24 minutes, As Once Was is a great little four track EP for fans of the genre, and with so much obvious Warning influence prevalent throughout the EP I suppose it is only fitting then to see the EP close out with a great little cover of Warning's classic track Footprints. by Nefarious

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Graves - Fides Ad Nauseam Listen at Bandcamp There are bands you have to discover early on. Why? Because extra kvlt credits, but also more time to mosh to their awesome music. Graves, hailing from Auckland, are the band you need to listen to now. If you're an aficionado(a) of the most metallic kinds of hardcore, punk and grind, you won't wait too long. Don't you want to be able to brag about knowing the successors to Skitsystem and Nails ever since they released this crazy EP? by Ilham

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I, Valliance - The Reject of Humanity Listen at Bandcamp Sometimes you just crave new music but you don't know what you want. I, Valliance is that thing. You didn't know you needed the product of tech death, djent, deathcore and even some prog and electronic touches. But I, Valliance did. Boundary-pushing, brutal, and always surprising, the Melbourne quintet has already gained the metal world's curiosity with a first EP, now it requires your attention. by Ilham

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