Five For Friday: June 28, 2024

Greetings, Decibel readers!

It’s an exciting day for metalheads, as two black metal luminaries return with the latest from Sear Bliss (I hope you like brass instruments) and Limbonic Art (I hope you like synths) — and we’ve got the latest from the tailor-made-for-Decibel-coverage outfit in 200 Stab Wounds.

Enjoy!

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Amarok – Resilience

Slow. Crushing. Devastating. Sludgy death-doom for fans of bands like Bell Witch and Hell. Unrelentingly grim and melancholy stuff. Maybe pet a cat after listening to this one.

Stream: Apple Music

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Limbonic Art – Opus Daemoniacal

The moon is in Scorpio once more as the master of fantastical symphonic black metal returns! It’s been ages since we’ve heard from Daemon in this form, as this is the followup to 2017’s Spectre Abysm. I suppose this means there’s hope for a new Nocternity release in the near future as well (please).

Stream: Apple Music

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Sear Bliss – Heavenly Down

It has an angelic figure and a bird soaring above on the cover, it must be Sear Bliss! And if you didn’t see the cover you could tell by the use of trombone, of course. This longstanding Hungarian institution is as spooky and atmospheric as ever, especially on songs like “Feathers In Ashes.” Although Forsaken Symphony will always be my go-to for the band, this album will be a strong contender for the next on the list.

Stream: Apple Music

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200 Stab Wounds – Manual Manic Procedures

200 Stab Wounds epitomize solid death-metal songwriting skills. If you want entertaining brutality with lost of cool twists and turns (in your stomach), then this is the album for you. Pay special attention to “Gross Abuse,” “Defiled Gestation” and the title track.

Stream: Apple Music

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Wraith – Fueled by Fear

Modern thrash metal with just that slight touch of Bathory to make it a little extra evil and interesting. Try not to be carried away by demons when you’re in the pit during “Heathen’s Touch.”

Stream: Apple Music