The Metal Storm Demo/EP Spotlight
Brand New Independent Metal Lives Here.
Welcome to the Clandestine Cuts!
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 at metalstorm dot net to submit your music.)
In case you're new to this, go back and enjoy our last few issues:
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 16 #1
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 15 #12
Clandestine Cuts Vol. 15 #11
And now to the new music...
Birching - Demo (Finland)
[Black Metal]
There is something strangely alluring about Finnish black metal; whether it’s the melancholic and doomy atmosphere, the raw sound, the deranged melodies, or the coldness of the riffs that draws one in, Birching’s debut demo has it all. Influenced mainly by the proto black metal of Celtic Frost, these Finns take the teachings of Impaled Nazarene and Beherit, and add their own twisted personality in a grim, dark ritual. If you feel scared or threatened while listening to this, it means you are still sane. If you feel attracted to it, well, good luck because there is no escaping. The four tracks of this demo serve as a gradual descent into abyssic darkness; the lyrics spewed forth from a preacher’s mouth and the notes played by malevolent guitars make sure of that.
by nikarg
Clouds Above Us - Ruin (Italy)
[Deathcore]
Not going to lie, Clouds Above Us would make a killer name for a dreamy metalcore band... But, alas, these guys are parked squarely on the hack-and-slash side of the deathcore spectrum. No wistful cloud-gazing for today, just nasty slams, meaty riffs and the faint smell of burning eardrums. This young (and, if you ask me, ridiculously talented) band hails from Bassano Del Grappa, which, based on the blistering music they make, would make a great name for a torture dungeon. These dudes know how to groove though, and they go straight for the throat on this debut EP. Once the dust settles from the initial impact of the first two
by Thryce
Crimson Leaves - Tears On The Altar (Germany)
[Gothic Metal]
Crimson Leaves are a gothic metal band playing music of melancholic romanticism. There is a sense of vampiric gloom permeating this release, which is expected since the songs are heavily inspired by Dracula and there is an obvious influence of bands like Type O Negative, HIM, and late ‘90s/early ‘00s Paradise Lost. Full of powerful hooks, self-harming guitar melodies, a sexy dark atmosphere, and vocals that bring to mind Peter Steele and Nick Holmes, depending on which song you are listening to, Tears On The Altar flows effortlessly, creating the sound that should accompany leaves when they fall in autumn. While not unique, this is an EP that stands on its own due to its very strong songwriting and impressive performances; released on Valentine’s Day, and with lyrics that explore themes of love, death, and the ephemerality of existence, it is the perfect gift for tortured lovers.
by nikarg
Gond - Gond (USA)
[Sludge Metal | Alternative Metal]
“RIFF.STACK | DOOM.GAZE”: this is the modus operandi of Utah four-piece Gond, who fill their three-track self-titled debut EP with songs that are certainly riffy and doomy, albeit not obviously tethered to the metalgaze movement. The songs have murky sludge riffs, but also vocals that are predominantly clean and nasally, and while the verses can be muscular and bruising, alt rock-influenced melodic guitars take the choruses in other directions. That said, the album is not shy of upping the ante and unleashing bruising distortion accompanied by howling screams. The closing song “Multililities” is almost as long as the other two combined, and exhibit’s Gond at their doomiest and heftiest.
by musclassia
Myst - Under The Mantle Of Desolation (Chile)
[Black Metal]
The grand artwork that decorates Myst’s debut EP is an ideal representation of the band’s sound. At first it looks messy and very rough around the edges. But once your eyes get used to the style you begin to appreciate the fine details that make it quite elegant and sophisticated in its own disturbing way. Myst formed in 2016 and released a demo that same year. Perhaps a reason for the decade-long delay was the fact that most members are in 1 to 5 other bands. So these musicians have plenty of experience and it really shows. Sure, the production is a bit rough but it is also ideal for providing a savage sound and counterbalancing the meticulous songwriting. For the more you hear, the more you realize there is some mighty songwriting going on with all tracks (besides the intro and outro) hitting the 7th minute mark and beyond. Myst justifies each second by unleashing pummeling riffs non-stop alongside one hell of an imposing performance behind the drumkit, and a very well-produced bass that adds a sinister cloak on top of everything. I can easily see Bølzer fans frothing at their mouths after hearing this professionally crafted EP. At 34 minutes and with this type of quality, Under The Mantle Of Desolation can effortlessly pass as the debut full length of a well-seasoned band. Check Myst out. You’ll have no regrets, I guarantee you.
by X-Ray Rod
Endeavour - Astonishment (France)
[Doom/Gothic/Post-Metal]
As winter in the northern hemisphere slowly retreats, the days are getting longer again, and the dreary gray of the cold season is being replaced day by day by lush green, sunshine, and colorful flowers. So the time for oppressive, gloomy music is officially over, right? Anyone who still does not want to give up either a healthy daily dosage of doom or their vitamin D will find exactly what they are looking for with Endeavour. On their second EP Astonishment, the four French musicians from Algiers deliver an almost upbeat, rock-leaning blend of doom and gothic with a pinch of post metal that is not too bleak to be listened to in broad daylight but still easily drowns out any overly cheerful birdsong. The band, founded in 2022, cites Hangman's Chair, Tar Pond, and Alice In Chains as major influences, which describes quite accurately what you can expect from Astonishment: catchy riffs, distinctive vocals, a strong sense for melancholic melodies, and just the right dose of heaviness so you do not make a complete fool of yourself when you're waiting at a traffic light and singing along to the chorus of “Can't Stand” a little too loudly.
by Starvynth
