Written by:	Nefarious, nikarg, Starvynth, Troy Killjoy
Published:	October 30, 2019

Clandestine Cuts Volume 9, Issue #9
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. 9 #8
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 9 #7
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 9 #6

And now to the new music...

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Ascète - Les Causses S'en Gaussent Listen at Bandcamp Ascète is a French/Belgian black metal duo with lyrics in olde French and Occitan (Sühnopfer anyone?), something that gives the project an extra medieval touch. The title track is scheduled to appear in the band's full-length debut, Calamites & Les Calamités, "Combes Nègres" interlude was composed especially for this promo, while "Fleuri De Lys Blancs" is a re-recorded and improved version of the song that appeared in their self-tiled EP three years ago. The music is well performed bitter and melancholic black metal with interesting atmosphere, a big part of which should be attributed to the female operatic vocals performed by Ange, who indeed has the angelic voice that her name suggests. So get yourself a glass of wine and, as the band advises, "drink irresponsibly". by nikarg

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Lucia - Monuments Adrift Listen at Bandcamp Lucia is a Vancouver-based, post-metal trio and they recently released their debut EP. The Canadians build their tracks around hauntingly beautiful guitar melodies until the beast that lies underneath manages to rise above everything in the form of George Allen's bile-filled throat, with his screams pushing his lungs to the point of bursting and the riffs providing assaults of oppressive heaviness. Agony, aggression and pain are in play here, and the moments of deceptive respite are nothing more than foreboding and pitch-black moments that lay the foundation for yet another explosion that will eventually lead to emotional catharsis. Your soul will be torn apart, your eardrums will be seared. by nikarg

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Hunting The Heritage - Existence Of The Corrupted Listen at Bandcamp One shall not judge a book EP by its minimalistic cover. And you shall not dismiss anything labeled "black metal with symphonic elements" just because you're assuming it may sound like the nth clone of Dimmu Borgir or Cradle Of Filth... Hunting The Heritage is a German one-man project and on paper, Christian Tüchter's second offering and successor of last year's release Proklet is a well-produced, mid-paced black/death metal hybrid like plenty of others. But Existence Of The Corrupted is so much more than that - each of its three tracks is a very individual, well-balanced composition of straightforward but not too gritty black/death metal and beautiful symphonic arrangements that fit so well together as if these elements have always been destined to be inseperable parts of a bigger, integral whole. Here and there, Existence Of The Corrupted reminds a bit of Illnath's album Second Skin Of Harlequin or Vesania's Distractive Killusions, but its unexpected ingredients like violins and gregorian monk chants and, moreover, the very memorable melodies, do ensure that it can not easily be confused with anything else. by Starvynth

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Evalir - The Awakening Listen at Bandcamp At times reminiscent of Burzum's early prison works ambient period, this one-man project based in the warm, tropical vacation destination known as the Dominican Republic offers up some beautiful soundscapes to go along with an abundance of synth-infused melody. The Awakening never delves into the heavier, grittier side of black metal, instead maintaining a more whimsical atmosphere with its ethereal guitar tone and delicate piano passages. The soft drum work blasts gently in the background, careful to keep pace without anchoring the rest of the music in more extreme waters. For those of you looking for some moody instrumental accompaniment on a mid-day nature walk, Evalir is here to provide with a quick 18-minute journey taking you through the woodlands and mountains that serve as inspiration for this EP. by Troy Killjoy

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Helion - Legacy Of The Serpent Listen at Bandcamp If you aren't aware by now that the Italian death metal scene has been booming, Helion have graced us with their highly technical take on the genre with an incredibly well-executed display of showmanship and songwriting. Crafted with a detailed rhythmic approach buoyed by clear and groovy bass lines and rapid-fire drumming, Legacy Of The Serpent has its grounds rooted properly in establishing a foundation before simply noodling around with complex instrumentation, making for a more complete -- albeit brief -- listen. Engaging melodies and varied riffs round out what is ultimately an abrupt marathon of coordinated chaos, wrapped up in a neatly produced package adding density to the layered musicianship and raspy growls. by Troy Killjoy

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Alasthor - Ascension Of Rage Listen at Bandcamp Black Metal from Belgium, founded in 2003, first demo shortly after, first single in 2005, the usual lineup changes, 12 long years without any releases, first EP in 2017, still unsigned in 2019... Success stories are written on other papers. So what are the two Horna-, Watain- and Darkthrone-worshipping musicians of Alasthor doing wrong? The answer is as easy as it is frustrating: nothing. Their second EP Ascension Of Rage is an intoxicating whirlwind of merciless, raw and fast (!) black metal. But there's a lot of beauty beyond the blast beats, the tornado called Alasthor has also caught uplifting leads, tremolo-picking and memorable thrash/death metal-inspired riffs, riffs and even more riffs. And above all this hovers a crust punk attitude to honour one of the major influences on first and second wave black metal. One thing is for sure, these three songs are not made for candlelit listening sessions in a pleasant ambiance but for stormy weather, lonely highways and your quickest car's stereo. by Starvynth

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