Totalt Jävla Mörker - Totalt Jävla Mörker

Artist: Totalt Jävla Mörker
Album: Totalt Jävla Mörker
Genre: Crust punk
Year: 2006
Origin: Sweden

This here's some of the heaviest, most refreshing crust punk I've heard in a long while. Totalt Jävla Mörker are from Sweden (of course), and the lyrics are all in their native tongue, along with the band name: Total Fucking Darkness. From what I understand, the band's newest album is slowed down a bit, but this self-titled release is lightning fast, crushingly metallic punk in the best Swedish tradition. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys Martyröd or Wolfpack/Wolfbrigade.

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Ludicra - The Tenant

Artist: Ludicra
Album: The Tenant
Genre: Black Metal
Year: 2010
Origin: USA

Ludicra is a black metal band out of my local San Francisco. I've only heard this most recent release even though I'd seen their name around, and as I type this I'm kicking myself for not listening to them sooner. After only a couple listens I'm sure this album will make my top-releases list for this year. The vocalist is female, but mainly uses harsh vocals, and the guitar work is rather more progressive than I expected, though this might not be the case for the band's earlier albums. The band includes members of Wolves in the Throne Room, Agalloch, and Hammers of Misfortune. I would especially love to hear their 2001 split with The Gault, which is another San Francisco metal band that I highly recommend. Ludicra was supposed to be opening for Mayhem on their US tour this spring, but it looks like Mayhem canceled?

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Beyond Decay - Dropping the Bomb

Artist: Beyond Decay
Album: Dropping the Bomb
Genre: Skacore
Year: 2008
Origin: USA

Beyond Decay play a mix of ska, reggae and hardcore, with rap thrown in on a song or two, which comes from the now-worldwide "crack rock steady" scene. I come across a fair amount of this style on the Internet these days, but this is an album that is executed much better than most (see No Cops For Miles as another very good, though less creative, example). Yes, the album cover is larger than my review, but it does look cool doesn't it?

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Fen - Ancient Sorrow

Artist: Fen
Album: Ancient Sorrow
Genre: Black Metal
Year: 2007
Origin: UK

I thought I should post this EP since I mentioned it in my top albums list this year. It didn't come out this year, it's just much better than Fen's newest album. I can't exactly say why I feel that way, but this one was more along the lines of atmospheric black metal, where the new album seems to be based a lot more on post-metal. I like black metal more than post-metal, but I'm not the type of person to disown a band for going vntr00; this release just seems more filled with emotion. Anyway, if you're into atmospheric black metal you've probably heard Fen, but if not you should try it out!

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