Ain Sof Aur - Theos-Vel-Samael

Labels: I, Voidhanger Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 03 Apr 2026

Tracklist:

1. I

2. II

3. III

It's been a long time since I've featured a release from Italian label I, Voidhanger Records. I was planning to stick to my schedule but the call for something more avant-garde was too great. That's where Brazilian black metal band Ain Sof Aur drew my attention.

It's well worth noting that Ain Sof Aur have been a band since 2006. They released three demos, two full-lengths and a split during nine very productive years before a gap of eight years leading to this release (Disclaimer: all the above information comes courtesy of Metal Archives and therefore may not be fully accurate).

I love experimental, avant-garde metal now more so than ever. Despite the fact that it’s taking pride of place in my personal record collection; it’s not something that my fellow record-loving (local) friends can stomach. Their loss! I guess that’s why I chose to go off-piste this evening with the latest album from Brazilian black metal band Ain Sof Aur. Containing three songs and starting with ‘I’, you’re greeted with a sound that’s both melodic but also incredibly frenetic, and metallic in places. This opening song sits just shy of twenty-one minutes in length and as such, it takes a while to grow. Instrumental metallic elements and subtle doom-like passages grow in prominence before the band’s experimental black metal reveals itself fully.

I can completely see why I, Voidhanger Records took Ain Sof Aur under their wing, even at this early point. After doing some early reading about the album, I was expecting this opener to be a lot more instrumental/drone-like in delivery, but it’s so far from that. It’s a fully encompassing black metal song that rages when it needs to, slows down in tempo where appropriate and uses beautiful panic-chords/riffs as if they were free. I can’t put my finger on any single comparison and I guess that’s a good thing overall.

I decided to write this review in two sittings, which I now realise was a stupid idea because the break in between has halted my momentum. I’ll learn one of these days. ‘II’ thankfully has momentum of its own, being more condensed and shorter than the opener on Theos-Vel-Samael. There’s still a lot of doom influences here but it seems to walk a more avant-garde path too, relying greatly on the band’s instrumental creativity as the vocals flow in and out. Pleasingly to my ears, the further the song progresses, the more avant-garde sounding it becomes. Ain Sof Aur do a great a job though of appealing to all manner of extreme metal listeners, so don’t be worried about my attempts to describe their music.

Even before ‘II’ has had time to finish and sink in, closer ‘III’ comes at you with insane energy. The furious combination of both percussion and guitars lead to the most disgusting black/death metal song to come out of Brazil since I can remember. I don’t think even music by the most well-known Brazilian extreme metal greats can compare (but feel free to shoot me down here!). Honestly, this album is such a joy to listen to. It’s delivered with great integrity and artistry. Ain Sof Aur themselves add to the excitement that’s growing around the Central/South American extreme music community of late.

Theos-Vel-Samael is due for official release just two days now but pre-listening and ordering can be made via I, Voidhanger Records below:-

Alternatively, physical copies will be available to purchase soon from I, Voidhanger Records through their web stores here:-

EU - http://metalodyssey.8merch.com/

USA - http://metalodyssey.8merch.us/

Ain Sof Aur - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076227245589

I, Voidhanger Records - https://www.facebook.com/i.voidhanger.records

Atvm - Famine, Putrid And Fucking Endless

Labels: Self-Released/Dry Cough Records

Formats: Digital/Tape/CDr/Vinyl

Release Date: 28 Apr 2021

Tracklist:

1. Sanguinary Floating Orb

2. Ⲁⲛⲋ-ⲟⲩ Ⲙⲁⲧⲟⲩ

3. They Crawl

4. वाघनख [Vagh Nakh]

5. Squeal In Torment

6. Picture Of Decay

7. Slud

8. Finisher Of The World

It was the 10th anniversary of UK label Dry Cough Records last week. A label known for some of the best extreme doom/sludge/death metal from both the UK and abroad. The reason I mention this occasion is because it was Dry Cough that introduced me to UK progressive death metal band Atvm, through the 2022 double vinyl release of Famine, Putrid and Fucking Endless. The album had already been released by the band on tape and CDr formats a year prior, but the striking artwork that adorned the record drew me in when I first saw it. The complementing red and green LP's sealed the deal. According to Metal Archives, Atvm now makes up part of the UK roster of bands over at Transcending Obscurity Records (including Abaddon Incarnate, As The World Dies, De Profundis, Deus Vermin, The Drowning and Warcrab amongst others!).

Mid-week feels like the perfect time to dive into some progressive/slightly avant-garde old-school death metal. From the bluesy/jazzy intro of opener ‘Sanguinary Floating Orb’, you’re greeted with proper NWOBHM-style guitar, which culminates in intricate riffs. Alongside that there’s off-kilter yet bouncing percussion, growls that vary from deep to higher-pitched wails and instrumental passages filled with an abundance of musical prowess. We’re only on the first song too!

Despite Atvm’s old-school leanings, they do a great job of sounding modern (without it being forced of cheesy) and ‘Ⲁⲛⲋ-ⲟⲩ Ⲙⲁⲧⲟⲩ’ proves that with it’s melodic riffs, which could give the likes of The Black Dahlia Murder and Trivium a run for their money. This album grabs you in the right way and doesn’t let go. It’s infectious (just like the aforementioned comparisons). 

The songs are lengthy enough to get your teeth into. No pointless ambient interludes are needed as Atvm blast from one rip-roaring number to the next. ‘They Crawl’ is filled with urgency and chainsaw-like riffs, sitting at the lower end of Atvm’s spectrum. It all sounds a lot more furious and thrash-like, which is fine with me! ‘’वाघनख [Vagh Nakh]’ sees the thrash influence grow even further as it follows on from ‘They Crawl’ seemingly without a pause to speak of. This is such an infectious release, as if my previous ramblings haven’t already made that clear enough! Just when you think it’s coming to an end at the six-minute mark, things roar immediately back into life once again, closing the album’s first half out perfectly. 

The album’s second half is even more baffling in it’s directional moves, from the dank/gruesome old-school blueprint to the multi-faceted, multi-genre approach that Atvm takes on ‘Squeal In Torment’. I’m beginning to regret reviewing this record on such a warm evening. Thankfully the progressive/blues-laden mid section makes up for the over-excited armchair headbanging that’s going on right now, let alone the final-third’s majesty. That majestic vibe is quickly banished by the record’s fastest and heaviest song ‘Picture Of Decay’. Delivering Atvm’s sound at it’s most authentically old-school. Bands like Atheist and Cynic would be proud of the steps taken here to enhance a sub-genre that’s often seen as being too br00tal. Spurious claims (from myself) aside, it’s utterly brilliant from beginning to end. 

Penultimate song ’Slud’ is yet another bewildering slab of prog/tech/OS death metal that’s clearly been sent to discombobulate you as a listener. It twists and turns, pulling and pushing you in different directions. The infectious musicianship that’s been present throughout grows with each and every bar here, before the tempo slows to a gnarly doom-like crawl, reminiscent of Dry Cough’s early releases (Sea Bastard, Open Tomb, Ommadon et al) and draws to a close with a stupendous drum solo.

What’s a little curious is that the LP’s final song ‘Finisher Of The World’ isn’t available to listen to as part of the full album Bandcamp stream from either Dry Cough or Atvm themselves, so if you don’t own the LP pressing you’ll have to stream it as a standalone song via Atvm’s Bandcamp page. That’s no real hardship though. ‘Finisher Of The World’ itself borrows from the uptempo delivery of ‘Slud’, compressing everything into less than four minutes of utter death metal madness. 

At the time of writing the double LP pressing from Dry Cough Records is still available to purchase, so it’s definitely worth hitting buy on if you haven’t already. If (like me) it’s the first release you’ve discovered by Atvm, you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait for more from them in the future.

You can stream and digitally purchase the album, and also stream 'Finisher Of The World' from Atvm below:-

Vinyl copies are still available from Dry Cough Records here - https://www.drycoughrecords.com/product/atvm-famine-putrid-and-fucking-endless-2lp-dc61

Atvm - https://www.facebook.com/AtvmOfficial

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

夢遊病者 (Sleepwalker) - Ѫ (Yus)

Labels: Sentient Ruin Laboratories

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 26 Apr 2019

Tracklist:

1. First Utterance

2. Last Utterance

Ever since I reviewed their split with Sutekh Hexen earlier this year, I've had an itch that's been gnawing away at me. The heaviness that was contained on that split was epic and the black/Experimental noise of international band 夢遊病者 called me back. Now, I'm jumping back a month, give or take, to their latest solo release. Ѫ (Yus) was released on 12" etched vinyl by Sentient Ruin Laboratories in April.

The integrity that seeps though Sleepwalker’s music is unbridled. They’re keeping ancient themes alive while being rooted firmly in the modern day and on Yus, they’re focusing on contradiction that it’s meaning carries amongst different languages (I hope that's right, but kindly correct me if not). First Utterance isn’t so much black metal but more a layered musical piece, featuring elements of it alongside more traditional instruments. At times it does venture into more extreme territory, but those moments are short-lived and fade in and out, ensuring that melody is ever-present,

Last Utterance is very much a heavier prospect. There’s guitar riffs that move between traditional heavy metal and obscure, off-time jazz. The drumming is equally off-kilter and the vocal rasps are buried within the dissonance. That jazz element remains as Sleepwalker finds quieter moments, though their mind-bending extremity is never too far away. This song and indeed Sleepwalker in general demonstrate why you shouldn’t try to understand what’s inside the head of somebody who likes extreme music. Just listen for yourself and you’ll hear the artistry and genius that exists within it.

Stream and purchase Yus both physically and digitally from Sentient Ruin Labs below:-

Sentient Ruin Laboratories - https://www.facebook.com/SentientRuin/

Frequencies Deleted #2 - DSCORPR8S - Akashic Discrepancy (Mikey Ortega)

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital Download

Release Date: 1/22/18

Tracklist: 

1. Fever Dream

2. Base Of Operations

3. Dark Times

4. Bug Powder, Bullet Breath

5. Rodent Claws

6. Seal of Gabriel

In sports, if you build of team with players who've won championships or awards for their performance, there's a good chance they are gonna have a dominant season. If you cast a movie with actors, directors, and writers who've won Oscars, you'll get a film that will do big at the box office. And when you get musicians from big established bands, then you're gonna get some killer tunes. In the experimental/noise scene, when you get a bunch of creative people with some fucked up imagination, you're gonna get something that's out there. And that's what DSCORPR8S brings to our innocent eardrums. The project features Jeremy Stilgenbauer of Small Forest, Verge Bliss of Dendera Bloodbath, and Zachary Paul (who has also collaborated with Dendera Bloodbath). What these three bring to us is “Akashic Discrepancy”. When I pressed play, it felt like I was in a French experimental film. And it's a trip I don't mind diving into.

"Akashic Discrepancy" opens up with Fever Dream. At first you think you're getting a n electronic dance track. Then out of nowhere, a sonic blast of distortion comes blaring out of your earbuds. Base of Operation sounds like an old-school video game that David Lynch came up with. As if Dig Dug took some high-level LSD, and started going to town on an Indian burial ground.  Bug Powder, Bullet Breath is one heavy track. For some reason, the image of a banshee coming right at you with a wrecking ball comes to mind. You can feel the sound just crushing your rib cage, and puncture your lungs. Seal of Gabriel is a perfect way to end “Akashic Discrepancy”. It's as if you're sitting in a field with a jack-in-the-box. Just cranking and cranking the rod. And right when the box pops, the ground starts rumbling. Fire falls from the sky and everything around you starts to disintegrate.

What gets DSCORPR8S rolling is that each member brings something to the project.  Jeremy brings that electronic sound, which at times can feel dreamy, but then takes you somewhere surreal. Verge brings here pedals, which makes DSCRPR8S a harsh noise juggernaut.  And then you got Zach, who's violin skills brings that avant-garde element to the sound. When you get creative minds together, you'll pretty much get something that's a crushing apocalyptic bliss. The soundscapes creates a World that feels like a Dystopian-Industrial graveyard. If you're a fan of these individual artist, then you're gonna dig what they brew up on “Akashic Discrepancy”.

You can purchase “Akashic Discrepancy” on Bandcamp and follow DSCORPR8S on Facebook in the links below.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dscorpr8s/

Thanks again to Mikey for taking the time to write this. I hope you enjoy it. 

Revenge Prevails - False Hope Cruelty

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 4th Aug 2017

Tracklist:

1. Into The Depths

2. Bliss Is A Hoax

3. Underworld

4. Shapeshifter Dawn

5. Apocrypha

6. The Creation Of Destruction Part II (Minions Of The Gloom)

7. Habeas Corpus

8. Wings Of Wax

9. Roots Like Veins Bleeding

10. My Remedy A Blade

11. Levitate And Linger

12. Memoria (Bonus Track)

I'm still catching up on a lot of music from 2017, like the second full-length "False Hope Cruelty" by young Swedish black/death quartet Revenge Prevails. I refrained from calling them a new band because they've been around for nearly ten years now, but as with a lot of DIY bands in the underground, they're still fairly unknown. They self-released a demo CD called "Black Void Injection" in 2013, following it up with their debut full-length "Dark Trembling Solace" in 2015. "False Hope Cruelty" was again self-released in August of last year (limited to 100 CDs, like their previous releases) and they were kind enough to send me one, as they look to reach wider audiences outside of Sweden. 

Revenge Prevails self-recorded and produced this album, only getting assistance with it’s mastering (done by Anders Lagerfors of Nacksving Studio 1). On album opener Into The Depths, they show that they’re pretty adept at writing solid black/death metal that’s influenced by their homeland’s genre forefathers, even down to the lo-fi sound (deliberate or not) and some killer guitar work! They’re also a black/death band from the more progressive end of the sub-genre too, as their songs (and song-lengths) prove. Bliss Is A Hoax borrows elements from modern metal and mixes it in with the more authentic deep-bellows, icy growls and even some sensitive clean vocal harmonies. The rhythm section adds beef, though it’s a little quiet as the volume on the mix isn’t as high as it could be. That’s a minor quibble though and shouldn’t effect your enjoyment of the album though. They play with subtle doom/death elements during Underworld that fit in really well, especially the relative mid-paced tempo that they employ. 

Black metal is further explored on Shapeshifter Dawn, which is the fastest song on the record so far, with kick-drumming and blasts aplenty, as well as more use of both those aforementioned shrieks and occult atmosphere. The guitar work that graces Apocrypha is brilliant, even if it’s buried within the mix somewhat. It definitely adds an avant-garde layer to the album though! A breakdown appears towards the end as well, adding a bit of hardcore bite. The Creation Of Destruction Part II (Minions Of The Gloom) contains a really infectious yet menacing riff at it’s beginning and it leads to a sloth-like death metal song that’s a really engrossing listen. More obvious progression is the order of the day on Habeas Corpus, with it’s metallic guitar melodies. By now, you’re passed the half-way point of “False Hope Cruelty”. One of the longest songs on the record is Wings Of Wax, which funnily enough is also one of the fastest. The more prominent clean vocals during Roots Like Veins Bleeding are a joy to hear amongst the blackness, adding more avant-garde appeal to the record alongside the off-kilter time-signatures and added experimentation that Revenge Prevails pursue. 

There’s a funky/pop-like groove to the opening bars of My Remedy A Blade, which belies the feel of the rest of the song, as it thrashes and blasts through an oddly (for this album anyway) urgent five-and-a-half minutes. Actually, the album becomes more upbeat (in tempo anyway) the closer it gets to the end and penultimate song Levitate And Linger is a fine example of neck-snapping black/death with a difference. The CD only bonus track Memoria is the icing on the cake when it comes to the final trio of songs. “False Hope Cruelty” is a long album at over an hour-and-a-quarter but it’s a great listen. Revenge Prevails have the song-writing and performance skills to propel them to wider audiences, they just need the opportunity, 

You can stream "False Hope Cruelty" (minus the bonus track) and buy it digitally and on CD below:-

Revenge Prevails - https://www.facebook.com/revengeprevails/