Here is the second installment of my weekly mini review series. I will be posting these midweek and hope everyone gets some good suggestions from these.
Hell – Submersus
HELL is a one man project by M.S.W. from the Salem Oregon region. You may be familiar with Mizmor or Mania which are also solo projecta from different individuals in that scene. These bands share a similar grounding in black and doom metal but each offers a different exploration. HELL mixes extremely heavy earth shattering doom with their scathing vocals and moments of speed. I have seen them a couple times (he plays with fellow musicians from other bands including the aforementioned) and it remains one of the loudest bands I’ve ever seen, the air becomes thick with vibrations and you enter a trance-like state from the sheer power of it all.
Submersus is the bands first LP output that is not named “Hell” but the bands signature sound remains the same. Mid tempo crushing doom with caustic BM influenced vocals. Moments of clarity and speed break up the monotony and provide ample landscape for the albums sounds to spread out and engulf the listener. Hypnotic and driven, the album goes by surprisingly fast. Hell have released another LP full of excellent music that’s perfect for fans of Thou or Bongripper, I also urge you to check out the collaboration album with Mizmor – Alluvial. You can buy the album via the bands Webster below.
Mournful Moon – Twilight, My Passion
In early 2025 Greek BM band Mournful Moon released their second LP “Twilight, My Passion”. This album follows 2022 Rose Velvet Dynasty. They play Greek BM with a heavy emphasis on Gothic ambiance and Symphonic elements such as keys and some background vocalizations.
This release sees further emphasis on the Gothic elements lending an overall mystique and yearning to the music. The vocals have also subtly changed, becoming less harsh and pushed further back in the mix, lending an aire of tragedy to the ululations. Reccomended for fans of other Romantic BM like Ascalpha and fans of Hellenic BM alike. TMP is an album that will hook itself into your mind and warrants many a playthough on cloudy nights while sipping something red viscous and deadly. Pressed on wax via Goatawarex copies are hard to find but pop up in the various distros, a digital copy can be purchased via bandcamp below.
Imperial Crystaline Entombment (I.C.E.) – Abominable Astral Summoning
I.C.E. returns with another slab of frozen BM reminiscent of Scandinavian bands like Immortal and Dark Funeral. First releasing an album in 2004 then a 19 year gap before their sophomore release “Ancient Glacial Resurgance”. Their third album”Abominable Astral Summoning” was released just days ago on July eleventh.
While this album doesn’t open with their signature “WE ARE (STILL) FUCKING ICE” it maintains the sound and direction the band is known for. This release is slightly more aggressive and will be a rewarding listen for fans of the band and Scandinavian BM sounds (even though they are from the US). There isn’t a whole lot to say about this release other than listen to it, its fun. Album is available from their bandcamp along with some merch.
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