Happy New Year! A Look Towards 2018 with multiple track streams + upcoming features.

As the end of 2017 draws ever closer I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for your continued and growing support during the year as well as taking a look towards 2018 with multiple track streams of what we can look forward to in the first few months of the year. Read on for details of some very exciting releases that 2018 already has in store for us.....

Trevor Proctor's Top 25 Albums of 2017.

Love them or loathe them end of year listings are a regular feature at this time of year and if nothing else they make for interesting reading. As with 2016 this year has been exceptional in terms of releases as we've been treated to some phenomenal albums during a very productive year.

Jude Felton's Top 20 Albums of 2017

I'll be the first to admit that I've been super quiet on here this year. That being said, I've still listened to a ton of new music over the past 12 months. And, we all like a year end list, don't we? Of course we do. It gives us a chance to agree, disagree or just hurl abuse at each other via the interweb.

Trevor Proctor's Top 25 singles, EPs and demos of 2017.

As with previous years the releases we were treated to during 2017 made for some very difficult decisions in order to keep this list to 25. During the year we were bombarded with quality releases from all corners of the globe as our underground continues to thrive and grow. As stated in the introduction to my singles, EPs and demos listing for 2016 I've included the unbeatable 'Extermination Mass' by Death Worship in my list for 2017 as despite having a limited release at the Nuclear War Now! V 'fest in November 2016 it was February 2017 when it received it's full world-wide release via Nuclear War Now! Productions. The same principle applies to the inclusion of the fantastic MLP from Vomit Angel, 'Sadomatic Evil,' as it received a very limited cassette release at the end of 2016 but it was March 2017 before it received a full, higher profile release on digital, CD & vinyl MLP formats by Iron Bonehead Productions. 'Act of Invocation' by Disembowel is also included as it had previously received a very limited independent release in Chile before receiving a full worldwide release from Iron Bonehead Productions in 2017.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every band, label and promoter that has supported The Lair of Filth this year - it's the support, ties, friendships and alliances that I have  made with you all that helps make this worthwhile. 

Finally, I'd like to thank you, the reader for your continued support - every single view and post share mean the world to me so thank you.....hopefully you'll see something below that you may have missed during the year.

Demonomancy - Poisoned Atonement - Album Press Release + Track Reveal.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Invictus Productions sets February 23rd, 2018 as the international release date for the highly anticipated second album of Italy's Demonomancy, 'Poisoned Atonement.'

Veiled - Black Celestial Orbs - Debut Album Press Release + 1st Track Reveal.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

From the ashes of Gnosis of the Witch rose Veiled, a Black Metal duo whose debut album, 'Black Celestial Orbs,' has just been announced for release via Iron Bonehead Productions. Read on for a full press release and track reveal for what is one 2018's most anticipated releases.

Spite - Antimoshiach - Debut Album Press Release + Track Reveal.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Since formation in 2010 New York Black Metal entity Spite has brought us three previous releases with the most recent being their exceptional two track EP 'Trapped in the Pentagram' which was released on 7" vinyl and digital formats by Iron Bonehead Productions in May 2015. In early 2018 Spite will release their debut full length album 'Antimoshiach,' via Invictus Productions, read on for full release information and a first track reveal.

Drawn and Quartered - Feeding Hell's Furnace - Re-release Information + Full Album Stream.

By Trevor Proctor in agreement with Krucyator Productions.

French label Krucyator Productions has brought us some excellent re-issues this year. In May the label released 'Abyss of Excruciating Vexes' by Paroxsihzem on cassette and digital formats, this was followed in July by the release of Mitochondrion's exceptional 'Antinumerology' EP on CD for the first time ever, along with a digital re-release. In November Krucyator Productions re-issued Paroxsihzem's stunning self-titled debut album along with 'From Forgotten Worlds' by Auroch on cassette and digital formats. In December Krucyator Productions will re-issue Drawn and Quartered's most recent full length 'Feeding Hell's Furnace' on cassette and digital formats - read on for information regarding this re-issue along with a full album stream and details of further scheduled releases by Drawn and Quartered via Krucyator Productions.

Domgård - Ödelagt - Music Review + Track Stream by NV. (Veiled)

Domgård - Ödelagt.

Carnal Records.

Guest Review by NV (Veiled) - published by Trevor Proctor with thanks and appreciation to NV.

Five years.

In today’s music industry with the need of instant gratification, five years is a life time. But when it came to creating something truly special, five years was how long that was needed for Domgård to create their third full length album, 'Ödelagt.'

Antichrist, Disembowel + Horn - Triple Track Reveal + Release Information.

Press Releases by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

As the end of an extremely productive 2017 draws ever closer many labels are starting to reveal details about their planned release schedules for 2018. One such label is Iron Bonehead Productions who earlier this week revealed details around three planned releases for 2018 along with an exclusive new track from each band. Read on for details about three essential releases that will be available in early 2018.

Serpentrance - The Besieged Sanctum - Review + Full EP Stream.

Serpentrance - The Besieged Sanctum.

Blood Harvest Records.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

Whilst Russia may not be the first country that springs to mind when thinking of underground bands it’s only fair to say the country does have a reasonable number of high quality bands, and one such band is Serpentrance which formed in 2014. The band currently comprises three members who all have significant experience in a number of other underground groups.

Tetragrammacide - Primal Incinerators of Moral Matrix - Music Review + Track Stream.

Tetragrammacide - Primal Incinerators of Moral Matrix.

Iron Bonehead Productions.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

From Kolkata in India Tetragrammacide initially formed as a two piece in 2013 and instantly set about crafting their unique and very extreme version of Black/Death Metal with significant elements of noise thrown in for good measure. 

Sacrocurse - Gnostic Holocaust - Album Review + Track Stream.

Sacrocurse - Gnostic Holocaust.

Iron Bonehead Productions.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

With three members originally based between Mexico and Turkey Sacrocurse first reared its demonic head during December 2012 and brought us their first release in July 2013 in the form of the excellent four track ‘Sulphur Blessing’ demo which was released on cassette and digital formats by Iron Bonehead Productions. The release helped generate a fan base for the band and the tracks featured were re-released on a split CD entitled A.D.S.B which Sacrocurse shared with Trajeto de Cabra.

Vhorthax - Nether Darkness - Debut EP Release Information + 1st Track Reveal.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Iron Bonehead Productions has set January 5th, 2018 as the international release date for the striking debut EP of Vhorthax, 'Nether Darkness,' on 12" MLP and CD formats.

Paroxsihzem + Auroch - Release Information + Full Album Streams.

By Trevor Proctor in agreement with Krucyator Productions.

Krucyator Productions, home of N.K.V.D. and Autokrator, has brought us some excellent music in recent times. Earlier this year the label brought us the stunning debut EP from Miserist, a cassette edition of Paroxsihzem's 'Abyss of Excruciating Vexes,'  and recently released 'Antinumerology' by Mitochondrion for the first time ever on CD. 

On the 2nd of November Krucyator Productions will release cassette editions of two essential underground albums - Paroxsihzem's s/t debut on cassette for the first time ever and Auroch's 'From Forgotten Worlds' which is being released on cassette for the first time since 2014. 

Read on for full release details and full album streams from each band....

Coscradh - New Track Reveal + 'Of Death and Delirium' EP Release Information.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Invictus Productions is proud to present Coscradh's highly anticipated new EP, 'Of Death and Delirium,' - due for release on the 24th of November.

Kawir - Two New Videos + Exilasmos Album Details.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Greek black metal institution Kawir reveal a lyric video for the new track 'Orestes.' 

The track hails from the band's highly anticipated seventh album, Exilasmos, set for international release on November 3rd via Iron Bonehead Productions.

Taphos Nomos + Urðun - R.I.P. Split - Music Review + Full Stream.

Taphos Nomos / Urðun - R.I.P. Split.

Blood Harvest Records / Our Ancient Future / Caligari Records.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

Blood Harvest Records recently announced the release of a CD version of one of this year’s best split releases which features two of the underground’s most promising new bands, Taphos Nomos and Urðun. 

Vomitor - Pestilent Death album details and first track reveal.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Hells Headbangers has revealed the cover art and tracklisting for Vomitor's highly anticipated fourth album, 'Pestilent Death.' The album shall be released later this year on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

Tregenda - Grandiose Malice album details and first track reveal.

Press release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Imminently, Hells Headbangers shall release Grandiose Malice's first (and final) album, 'The Eternal Infernal,' on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Grandiose Malice's 'The Eternal Infernal' is the final will and testament of Steve Childers, otherwise widely known in the metal underground as Tregenda, founding guitarist of the legendary Black Witchery. Worldwide Childers was revered as a master of stark simplicity, his riffs burrowing immediately into the brain with total violence and force, but underneath all that sturm und drang lay a master songwriter.
Sadly, Childers departed this mortal coil on February 2nd, 2016.

Exclusive track premiere - Bell - Law of the Cosmic Hammer.

Article by Trevor Proctor in arrangement with Cyclopean Eye Productions.

Forever a source of underground genius Indian label Cyclopean Eye Productions has once again released some truly inventive and original music in the form of Bell's debut album 'Secrets from a Distant Star,' the result of quite a mysterious project.

The Lair of Filth is extremely proud to reveal the world premier of track three from the album, 'Law of the Cosmic Hammer,' which is available to stream below. Read on for further information about this release and details of how to order.

Slaughtbbath - Contempt, War and Damnation Press Release, Stream + U.S. & Canadian Tour Dates.

Press Release by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Slaughtbbath - Contempt, War and Damnation.

South America has a fierce reputation for bringing us some of the best underground music with Chile one country contributing significantly to this reputation. From Santiago, Chile, Slaughtbbath is a band that has certainly released some of the finest underground music of recent years. 2013's critically acclaimed 'Hail to Fire' full length brought worldwide critical accliam and praise. Since then the band has had a number of fantastic split releases which they shared with bands such as Hades Archer and Grave Desecrator. 

To mark their first North American tour Hells Headbangers is set to release 'Contempt, War and Damnation' - a CD compilation that featuring tracks from all five splits since 'Hail to Fire,' along with a new and exclusive track, 'Astral Rape,' - the compilation is available to stream below. 

Read on for full press release details and a full listing of Slaughtbbath's North American tour with Communion and Slutvomit, a tour that also features a few Canadian dates.

Praise the Flame - Manifest Rebellion (Re-issue) Music Review + Track Stream.

Praise the Flame - Manifest Rebellion (Re-issue).

Caverna Abismal Records.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

I regularly bang on about Chile’s contribution to the underground and with bands such as Pentagram, Unaussprechlichen Kulten, Hades Archer, Slaughtbbath and Oraculum coming from Chile there’s no doubting the high standard of music originating in the country - a standard matched by very few other countries. One Chilean band we need to be aware of is Santiago’s Praise the Flame. 

Cryptworm - Exclusive Interview and EP Stream.

The Lair of Filth is proud to bring you another exclusive interview with another new band to our underground - the U.K.'s Cryptworm. 

In April the band released their self-titled debut demo via Goatprayer Records and recently announced their debut live date, supporting Blood Incantation and Spectral Voice in London. On top of this they recently made a trip to the studio where recording took place for a new EP to be released later this year via Me Saco Un Ujo Records, so we had plenty to talk about. 

Read on for an insight into Cryptworm, in their first interview since leaving the studio, along with track streams from their debut release.

Sacrocurse + Tetragrammacide Press Release Information + Track Streams.

Press Releases by Nathan T Birk.

Article by Trevor Proctor.

Once again Iron Bonehead Productions has brought us release news regarding another two of the year's most anticipated albums from two of the underground's most important bands - Sacrocurse and Tetragrammacide. Read on for full press release information and a track from each album.

Antiversum - Cosmos Comendti + Oraculum Always Higher - Press Release, Release Information and Track Streams.

Last week Dublin based label Invictus Productions made two very significant announcements regarding future releases from two of the underground's most promising bands - Antiversum and Oraculum from Chile.
On Monday 27th July they announced details of Oraculum's next release, mini-album 'Always Higher,' and as if this great news wasn't enough it was followed on Tuesday 28th July with details of Antiversum's debut full length 'Cosmos Comendti'. Read on for full press release information and a track to stream from each release.

Artist Profile with Daniel Corcuera - Nekronikon + Slaughtbbath.

At the start of May I published the first ever artist profile here at The Lair of Filth in conjunction with Alex MORKH Shadrin from Nether Temple Design, at that time I stated we would publish more of these in the future as artwork, layout etc. play an essential role within music, giving you that vital first impression of any physical release. 

It is with great pleasure and honour that I am now able to provide you with an in-depth profile of another of the underground's most talented and respected artists and musicians - Daniel Corcuera from Nekronikon who is also a member of Chilean band Slaughtbbath. 

Read on for an in-depth profile featuring Daniel's work as a tattoo artist, artist and musician - along with streams of numerous tracks from one of Chile's greatest underground bands, Slaughtbbath.

Vesicant - Shadows of Cleansing Iron Review and Track Stream.

Vesicant - Shadows of Cleansing Iron.

Iron Bonehead Productions.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

New Zealand is one of those countries that continually makes a high standard contribution of music to the underground, this contribution can’t be questioned when we consider some of the bands originating from NZ, with Diocletian, Prisoner of War, Sabbatic Goat and Heresiarch being just a few examples. Just last week Heresiarch released their stunning debut album, ‘Death Ordinance,’ which was reviewed here and given a well-deserved 10/10. This week it’s the turn of another New Zealand underground band, Vesicant, to release their debut album. 

Heresiarch - Death Ordinance Review and Full Album Stream.

Heresiarch - Death Ordinance.

Dark Descent Records.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

New Zealand’s contribution to underground extreme music is under no doubt, with bands like Diocletian, Vesicant, Sabbatic Goat, Witchrist, Trepanation and Heresiarch keeping the country well and truly on the underground map with regards to high standard music.

Two Way Tape Review - Summon - Aesthetics of Demise + Absolvtion - Obscure Catharsis.

With the underground so productive of late it's easy to miss some releases, especially those which may not enjoy the publicity garnered by some higher profile bands. Two recent tape releases that may have slipped your attention are 'Aesthetics of Demise' by Summon (Portugal) and Obscure Catharsis by Absolvtion - both of which are given short reviews below along with track streams for your listening.

Mitochondrion - Antinumerology EP - CD Release Information & Stream.

Mitochondrion - Antinumerology EP - CD Edition.

Krucyator Productions.

By Trevor Proctor in conjunction with Krucyator Productions.

French label Krucyator Productions has been responsible for bringing us some fantastic releases in recent times from bands such as N.K.V.D. and Australian Black/Death entity Miserist, the label is also the current home to the Black/Death/Industrial group that is Autokrator. Now the label is set to bring us the Antinumerology EP by Mitochondrion on CD for the first time ever.

(The entire Antinumerology EP is available to stream below)

Abomnium - A Hollow Path - Full Album Stream.

Article by Trevor Proctor and Sapient from Abnomium.

Since formation in 2010 Abomnium has released a total of four albums, with the most recent, 'A Hollow Path' released by UKEM Records only a matter of weeks ago, featuring cover artwork from the extremely talented artist, Luciana Nedelea.

With 'A Hollow Path' being Abomnium's most accomplished work to date I felt we should bring you some further information about the band, along with a full album stream. 

Thanks to Sapient for both the permission to stream the album and also for the information detailed below - give the album a listen and head over to UKEM Records for details on how to purchase it on CD from the UKEM Records site or on digital formats from the UKEM Records Bandcamp page. 

Weregoat - Pestilential Rites of Infernal Fornication.

Weregoat - Pestilential Rites of Infernal Fornication.

Iron Bonehead Productions / Parasitic Records (LP + MC versions) / Vault of Dried Bones (CD)

Review by Trevor Proctor.

From Portland in Oregon Weregoat has been creating Bestial Black/Death Metal covering topics such as blasphemy, lycanthropy and sex since their formation in 2009. From then until now the band has released two EPs and two split releases.

Father Befouled - Desolate Gods.

Father Befouled - Desolate Gods.

Dark Descent Records.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

From Atlanta, Georgia, Father Befouled was formed in 2007; the band initially consisted of two members, vocalist and guitarist Justin Stubbs and Wolxum who performed bass and drums. Father Befouled plays suffocating, sepulchral Death Metal with lyrical content featuring topics such as death and blasphemy with their music in the vein of the likes of Incantation, Blaspherian, and Imprecation.

Filthy Music Review & Track Stream - Unaussprechlichen Kulten - Keziah Lilith Medea (Chapter X)

Unaussprechlichen Kulten - Keziah Lilith Medea (Chapter X)

Iron Bonehead Productions.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

Chile has a fierce and unparalleled worldwide reputation for underground music with some of the greatest bands and music originating there over many recent decades. One band that has significantly contributed to this reputation and output is Unaussprechlichen Kulten. For close to twenty years they have been bringing us some exceptional music, from their early demos, to various split releases, to their previous three albums, their support has been growing steadily and they are definitely a band that all fans of Death Metal should be aware of. 

Qrixkuor - Incantations From the Abyss - Release Information and U.S. Tour Dates.

By Trevor Proctor.

Press Release Information by Nathan Birk.

Qrixkuor was born of flame and baptised in blood in the year MMXI. Their first utterance was the 19-minute demo Consecration of the Temple, containing the track of the same name and "Morte Datores," which was recorded in the West Midlands in mid-MMXIII and released unto the world at their debut live ritual, on April 26th MMXIV. The demo was continually self-repressed in small quantities until new music became the primary focus, eventually selling around 400 copies. 

Filthy Music Review - Soulrot - Nameless Hideous Manifestations.

Soulrot - Nameless Hideous Manifestations.

Memento Mori.

Review by Trevor Proctor.

Soulrot originally formed in 1993 when the band was set up by teenage guitarist JL Olmos in Valparaiso, Chile. The band rehearsed but never released any music and unfortunately didn’t last any longer than a couple of months. Through time JL Olmos became involved with other bands including, among others, local grind band Cranial, Dissident and Fractal. As a result Soulrot lay dormant for a number of years but JL always had a yearning to form his own band and in 2013 Soulrot was resurrected when JL started to write his own music again, which included a few original riffs from Soulrot’s earlier days.

Artist Profile With Alex MORKH Shadrin From Nether Temple Design.

Artists play a pivotal role in the underground, from the creation and design of artwork and layout for music, to designing merchandise. As such the artist is responsible for creating a vital first impression of any album, EP or 7". Due to this I felt it would be good to catch up with some of the underground's finest artists to gain some insight into their work, their taste in music and their views on the current state of extreme music. I will be posting more of these profiles in the future, but for now here's the first...Read on for the an in-depth and fascinating profile of one of the underground's busiest and most talented artists, Alex MORKH Shadrin from Nether Temple Design.

Exclusive Track Stream and Release Information - Jyotiṣavedāṅga - Cannibal Coronal Mass Ejections.

By Trevor Proctor.

Since formation in 2010 Indian underground label Cyclopean Eye Productions has been bringing us some of the finest, yet most obscure extreme music our underground has to offer. For an independent label their roster is very impressive as they have brought us debut, or early, releases from a number of fantastic bands including Serpents Athirst, Blood Division, Genocide Shrines and Konflict.

Unaussprechlichen Kulten - Album release date and track stream.

Iron Bonehead Productions sets June 2nd as the international release date for Unaussprechlichen Kulten's highly anticipated fourth album, Keziah Lilith Medea (Chapter X). 

Exclusive Interview With Vacivus + Track Stream - Nuclear Chaos EP.

Vacivus was last interviewed here back in December 2015, since then the band has continued their rise to prominence within the underground, both in the U.K. and further afield. 

They have enjoyed many highlights including sharing a stage with many of the underground's best bands and with their fantastic new 7" EP 'Nuclear Chaos' being released today via Goatprayer Records I felt we should catch up with the band for a second time to find out more about their continued ascent.

Filthy Music Review and Track Stream - Possession - Exorkizein.

Possession - Exorkizein.

Invictus Productions (CD) Iron Bonehead Productions (LP)

Review by Trevor Proctor.

Belgium’s Possession have been forging a name for themselves  from formation in 2012 with the result being the band is now one of the black/death undergrounds hottest and most promising entities. In April Possession’s evolution will take a further step forward as they are set to release their debut album, Exorkizein, which is easily one of the year’s most anticipated albums. 

Grá - Official Video and Press Release - "Ramsvarta Tankar."

Swedish Black Metal Horde Grá celebrate Carnal Records release of their new single Ramsvarta Tankar with the official video for the title track.