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Clandestine Cuts Vol. 15 Issue #1 - Awesome New Demos and EPs


Written by: nikarg, musclassia, Starvynth, Thryce, F3ynman
Published: February 09, 2025
 


Clandestine Cuts Volume 15, Issue #1
The Metal Storm Demo/EP Spotlight

Brand New Independent Metal Lives Here.
Welcome to the Clandestine Cuts!


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!

(Do you 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 to this, go back and enjoy our last few issues:

Clandestine Cuts Vol. 14 #12
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 14 #11
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 14 #10

And now to the new music...






Myncæfr - Ignorance Veil (Germany)
[Black Metal]


The crop of the painting Hypnosis by Sascha Schneider, also referenced in the film The Lighthouse by Robert Eggers, is a cover art that surely draws one in, but the music on this debut EP is what makes everyone stay. With no information on the line-up, Myncæfr dropped Ignorance Veil out of the blue black, and the production, the songwriting, and the arrangement of the music is one that would be expected from a seasoned band. This Mgła-meets-Suffering Hour-meets-Selbst kind of black metal hits very hard, both spiritually and emotionally, with tormented vocals, a twisted guitar tone, sick riffs and leads, all shrouded in bleak atmosphere. “Veil Of Lies”, with its acoustic intro reminding of Placebo’s “Twenty Years” played at half the speed, is one of the most gripping songs you will listen to this year.

by nikarg






Cirrus Prior - Premonition (Germany)
[Post-Metal | Sludge Metal]


The first day of 2025 saw the re-emergence of Germany’s Cirrus Prior after their debut EP Sektor 2 in 2020; half a decade on, the trio has expanded to a five-piece, one that takes many of the strengths of sludge and post-metal and adds a few things extra to make Premonition a memorable early-year release. The opening title track shows off the EP’s high-quality production, which adds depth and clarity to the brooding sludgy riffs and clean accompanying textures, but those riffs eventually shift from typical heavy post-metal fare to a more twisted, dissonant approach that clearly exhibits features of dissonant death metal. Several disso-death bands have incorporated post-metal elements, but the way that a sludge/post-metal band incorporates disso-death elements in moments of Premonition feels fresh and works incredibly effectively.

by musclassia






Saturno Devorador - Inmisericordiam (Colombia)
[Blackened Death Metal]


Many of you probably know of the horrific painting by Spanish artist Francisco Goya: Saturn Devouring His Son. The Colombian band Saturno Devorador (“Saturn the Devourer”), inspired by the original Greek myth and the 19th century painting, present their own terrifying artwork and an accompanying soundtrack of torment with their debut EP Inmisericordiam (“Unmerciful”). Indeed, their cacophonous musicianship shows no mercy, combining the nerve-wracking, crawling atmosphere of black metal with the brutal, stifling, and uncompromising pressure of death metal. In accordance with their name, Saturno Devorador make you feel as if you're being devoured by a malevolent god. Distorted, indiscernible growls echo throughout the loathsome soundscape as the pummeling drums beat you into submission, the razor-sharp guitar-work tears apart your flesh, and the lumbering, droning riffs slowly melt your bones—the final disintegration within Saturn's stomach acid.

by F3ynman






Erode The Dream - Neon Nightmares (USA)
[Alternative Metal]


Erode The Dream formed in late 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina, by musicians with history in rock, heavy metal, and hardcore. Ryan Martin (lead guitar), Jon Stout (rhythm guitar), Robbie Weise (bass), and Steven Wilson (drums) joined forces with vocalist Mauricio Sanchez who sings in both English and Spanish, with the intention to carve out an alternative metal sound with elements of grunge and post-rock. Their compositions ooze intensity, atmosphere, and emotional depth, while boasting a very professional recording and approach. The band is self-releasing this EP in vinyl and CD versions, along with the digital one, and they even made videos for four out of the five songs. Neon Nightmares is the product of a band whose members have experience and know exactly what they want to convey with their music.

by nikarg






Divine Excruciation - Collapse Of Fractured Reality (USA)
[Brutal Death Metal]


Divine Excruciation is the Aurora, Colorado-based brutal death metal two-piece DIY project of vocalist Bryce Mizrahy and multi-instrumentalist Nathaniel Damarelos, who also handled the recording, mixing, and mastering of their debut EP, Collapse Of Fractured Reality. Got all that? Good, now that we’ve got the formalities out of the way, strap in – because Divine Excruciation wastes no time straight-up assaulting your ears. I’ll try to phrase this with as little exaggeration as possible, but their infectious brand of slam and death metal is more brutal than a blindfolded Satan juggling live chainsaws while riding a pink unicycle through a lava fountain. This EP, dripping with intensity and malevolence, is your golden ticket to hack-and-slash territory. Like worms with razorblades glued to them, these five brutal tracks will easily wriggle into your ear canal, inflicting a relentless, pleasure-fueled onslaught that pushes on until the point of cerebral infarction. If you enjoy pummeling blasts, scorching guitar leads, chugging riffs so heavy they should come with a forklift, relentless drum patterns, and savage vocals, with the occasional pig squeal for good measure, don’t go past this band.

by Thryce






Vitki - Subterranean Womb (USA)
[Funeral Doom Metal | Depressive Black Metal]


I first came across Vitki in 2023 when they covered Joy Division's "New Dawn Fades" on their second EP. The fusion of funeral doom and depressive black metal intrigued me, as it cast the already bleak post-punk and gothic rock classic into an even more diffuse, barely perceptible light. However, on their third EP, the two Americans turn the dimmer switch all the way down, as their journey begins and ends in a place that couldn't be more inhospitable and barren: the bottom of the sea. Admittedly, you have to be in the right mindset to connect with Subterranean Womb, as its four tracks offer no uplifting or comforting moments to ease the plunge into this pitch-black void. Yet by the end of its twenty-minute descent into utter darkness, you're rewarded with a profound realization: even in the most forsaken depths, there lies a cathartic beauty that enriches the soul and wraps you in a womb-like sense of warmth and shelter.

by Starvynth







Poll

What's your favourite new release of this issue?

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Comments

Comments: 7   Visited by: 55 users
09.02.2025 - 16:01
nikarg
Staff
Yeah, we know that you are all deep diving into the Metal Storm Awards nominations, but if you can find some extra time, check out what fresh gems we found in the underground for you. First issue of the Clandestine Cuts for 2025, the beginning of the 15th volume (!) of this series, and, as always, some pretty cool and independent releases featured.
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11.02.2025 - 14:40
Cynic Metalhead
Ambrish Saxena
I read it. I checked and bookmarked my selections. Will go through it pretty soon.

It's always amazing to see you gems to find underground gems here for us.
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13.02.2025 - 23:43
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Staff
A brilliant issue. One of those where I actually enjoyed all the works featured (although with some slight variation in enjoyment).
Myncæfr, Saturno Devorador and Vitki are the ones closest to my tastes. The riffing and melodic moments on Myncæfr were incredible. The Mgla comparison is true considering the excellent drumming but it is far from a copy. “Veil Of Lies” was indeed spectacular with that acoustic guitar.

Saturno Devorador was otherwordly and mighty crushing. Not entirely sure if the effects on the growls work or not but it is quite unique sounding so I was very intrigued throughout the whole release! Phenomenal riffs that find the balance between cavernous and refined/technical. Will definitely keep an eye out for these guys.

Vitki at times made me think of a faster Nortt which is always a good thing. The production on the drums felt a bit off but the songwriting is ace and really liked the vocals as well.

Erode The Dream gets bonus points for the prettiest artwork by far. I'd frame that.

In the end I went for Myncæfr. The last track was just too good.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass

Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.

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18.02.2025 - 11:46
musclassia
Staff
Cirrus Prior is definitely my pick for the month out of all of these, and could well be one of my favourite entries into CCs this year, it brings together a bunch of my preferred styles and does it well. Beyond that release, the one that stood out most to me was clearly Myncæfr, a very professionally made and hooky black metal release. I did also enjoy the vibe of Erode The Dream. Of the rest, Saturno Devorador is very effective at a maddening style of death metal that's not in my taste wheelhouse, my lack of taste for brutal death means I can't really comment on Divine Excruciation, and Vitki is too lo-fi and flowless for me to enjoy, but none of them are bad releases.
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23.02.2025 - 19:34
Archie 666
OK. That was easy for me. Cirrus Prior.
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27.02.2025 - 22:12
poring dark
Saturno Devorador........"soundtrack of torment" describes this very well.
Over an hour has passed since I listened to the first two songs only and my solar plexus or something still hasn't recovered. Feels like the visceral equivalent to having stared too long at a bright light. I don't know if I ever want to listen to this again, because why would one inflict such an experience on oneself, and then again I might be disappointed if it isn't as intense the second time around.
If the poll was phrased "what was the most impactful/striking release?" this would have gotten my vote. But naming it as my favorite....perhaps if my favorite ice cream flavors were ground glass, rusty nails and vertigo.

Great selection overall, and a very promising start to the year.
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28.02.2025 - 12:50
Metren
Dreadrealm
Myncæfr - Ignorance Veil

Wonderfully raw and powerful vocals. The drum patterns refreshingly change often, keeping the rhythm interesting (unlike with many black metal bands). “Reborn in Light”‘s first two minutes alone contained, to my count, four unique styles and rhythms. However, the kick drum is overpowering in the mix, particularly on “Visions of Nothing” and the first half of “Veil of Lies”. The riffs are pretty good. I’m unsure whether “Veil of Lies” features a mandolin or a lute or just an acoustic guitar with some pedal, but it’s a perfect addition to the song and a welcome surprise. I’d rate this EP with a 7.5/10

Cirrus Prior - Premonition

As Musclassia noted, the production quality is superb. The cover art is fantastic. Besides a couple of exceptions (primarily Opeth), I favor straightforward yet effective riffs over complex ones, and this EP excels at that. Though I haven’t explored sludge much, I loved this. The middle and ending of “Desolation And The Void” combining ambient guitar with distortion/fuzz is one of the best things I’ve heard this year, but the “Chaos, the great deceiver” part of “Gateways” is somehow even better. Excellent stuff. 8.5/10

Saturno Devorador - Inmisericordiam

I love the atmosphere and the aggressive, wicked vocals. Based on just one listen, the songs all sort of meld into one long soundscape, though it’s a wonderfully filthy and menacing soundscape. The atmosphere of “Atractor” is especially great, despite lacking vocals. That song would have been my grandfather’s favorite; he spent his whole life driving a tractor. The band used a human artist—not a computer program—to create their album art, and they link to the artist’s Instagram page. That warms my heart like electrically heated lungs. 7/10

Erode The Dream - Neon Nightmares

The vocals are the only thing that truly captivated me here - very passionate and wonderfully raspy. It’s a very professional, mature album, but not really my thing. Definitely quality stuff, though, and I could at least see myself listening to “Vagabundo” again sometime. The ambient guitar and the bass lines in the verse of that track are glorious. 7/10

Divine Excruciation - Collapse Of Fractured Reality

This brutality is sexy and delightful. Excellent production, it almost sounds too pristine for the genre, but is actually just perfect. I’ve never realized how well fret noises suit extreme metal before. Clearly, I need to listen to more brutal death metal, since I’ve missed how that element can enhance the overall sound. This album has it all: killer riffs, badass vocals, superb songwriting. A fantastic listen. 8/10

Vitki - Subterranean Womb

I love the title track. The first three songs are decent, but nowhere near as good as “Subterranean Womb”. I wonder if this album would work better with thicker and wider production. Perhaps the near-mono soundscape works well for some listeners, but for me it leaves something to be desired. 6/10

My vote goes to Cirrus Prior, and it is not a difficult choice this time. Lots of good stuff on all other EPs too, though. Thank you, staff and contributors, for introducing these projects.
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My one-man project's Bandcamp with free downloads: https://dreadrealm.bandcamp.com/
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