Written by:	RaduP, nikarg, musclassia, Troy Killjoy
Published:	June 27, 2020

Clandestine Cuts Volume 10, 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. 10 #4
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 10 #3
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 10 #2

And now to the new music...

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Amidst the overload of traditional and revivalist heavy metal, Meurtrières certainly stand out from the mediocre crowd; they blend the '80s French allure of Blasphème and Sortilège with the punk attitude of Iron Maiden when Di'Anno was around, simultaneously adding an effect of epic medieval majesty, which you can also witness on the cover art. Fleur's vocals are a soaring call to arms and her passionate way of singing is powered by the magnetism of the French language, while the overall unpolished sound is a huge draw. With great performances from everyone involved, a treasure trove of memorable riffs, and a thoroughly unpretentious approach, this is a highly recommended EP and a band to watch for traditional metal fans.

by nikarg

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Coming from the grim and frostbitten kingdom of Wiltshire, Lungtoucher doesn't rush in setting the scene on Foolish Necromancy, committing the first track of this 3-song demo to an introduction piece comprised of spoken word samples, distant screams, fluid synths and steady, atmospheric drums. When the black metal is eventually unleashed on "The Frozen Morning Star", it's the classic mid-tempo shimmer of tremolo guitars one might expect from a one-man atmos-black act, propelled along by some rather emphatic-sounding drums; although the relatively lo-fi guitar sound takes a bit of getting used to, the fat sound of the bass drums adds some fire to the mix. The tone on both "The Frozen Morning Star" and the title track is pitched nicely between sinister and sorrowful, fluctuating closer to one and then the other. The more melancholic parts are aided by some nice atmospheric synths, but Lungtoucher can shift moods just by mixing up the guitar approach; the title track starts fierce and menacing, but becomes more and more depressive and beatiful without having to rely on synths or cleans vocals, building to a really satisfying finale. Overall, Lungtoucher doesn't necessarily do anything the likes of Xasthur haven't already done this century, but Foolish Necromancy is a well-paced and compelling atmos-black journey.

by musclassia

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I have no idea why it is so, but whenever I come into contact with some Central American metal, it's always from Costa Rica. It might be time to change that, but also a bunch of the Costa Rican bands I already knew share members with VoidOath, whether it's the stoner metal Age Of The Wolf or the death metal Corpse Garden. But even if it's just a demo, I feel like VoidOath's Illumination Through Necromancy is already my favorite thing from the area. The sometimes Bølzer sounding mix of groovy death and doom, along with the bass-heavy sludge, and production that is dirty in just all the right ways. With the grooves not compromising the horrific atmosphere, VoidOath showcase skill that most bands don't achieve even with a few albums down the line, and yet this is their first release.

by RaduP

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Zous is the one-man death metal project of Taylor Young of Nails fame, who has recorded, mixed, written and performed all songs on this release. Young had help in the soloing department by some really cool guests, namely Cody Davidson (remember Sanguisugabogg from last year's Clandestine Cuts?), Kyle Rasmussen (Vitriol), and well-known sound engineer / producer / musician Arthur Rizk. Expect caveman riffs, suffocating atmosphere, and a sound that is drenched in filth and decay. Even the one-minute intro calls for headbanging and the fact that there is a cover of an Autopsy song on here should give you an idea of what this music will do to your ears. And your neck, of course.

by nikarg

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Holy Tyrant's self-titled debut is an action-packed old school thrash album with elements of death and black metal that showcases the level of homage that borders on obsession to the origins of the aforementioned styles all merging. This EP holds you by the throat and drags you into the past to witness the birth of extreme metal's archetypes and expectations, establishing itself alongside demo material of renowned artists such as Sarcófago or Sodom to name a few. Progressing through the chords of high-tempo aggression and mid-paced doom worship, this upcoming American outfit adheres to the strict guidelines laid out by the scene's founding fathers with a meticulous attention to detail when it comes to their interpretation of the rules. While offering absolutely nothing by way of innovation or envelope-pushing, Holy Tyrant just as readily invite themselves into the arms and ears of anyone who considers themselves a fan of retro-extreme metal. They'll tick all the appropriate tried and true boxes and fulfill their promise to deliver some of the most stylistically archaic noise you could ever hope to encounter. This is a reminder that newer isn't always better, and there are still some lessons in need of learning that have gone ignored as precursors to what lies ahead. So If you're looking to sacrifice a goat and bathe in the blood of a virgin in order to conjure up some of metal's caveman admonishment, then look no further than Holy Tyrant. Holy Tyrant. Because what is time?

by Troy Killjoy

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We don't know much about Black Scythe. No idea who they are, how many folks are there in the band, or even if they actually are from Norway, but I'll take their word for the last one. What we do know for sure, is that Black Scythe is really misanthropic (and I'm not exactly sure, but the Bandcamp eludes to it being a one-man band). Norway being, you know, THE black metal country, hearing some new black metal from it isn't as exciting as it was a quarter of a decade ago. But that doesn't mean that some meat-and-potatoes raw black metal is in no way welcome. Born out of frustration against mankind wasting their potential on destruction and suffering, Dissonance is channeling that hate into mid-paced riffs and grunts, and obviously: trve kvlt.

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