FOG: "Through The Eyes of Night" (WWIII records)

Possibly the best semi-major release american black metal out this year so far that I've heard, this is very solid raging metal that manages to bridge the line between aggressive and melodic without losing cohesiveness. Very influenced by the nordic brand of metal, I hear definite chord structures of early Satryicon and Darkthrone; those meandering top notes over basic minor chords giving a slightly more interesting feel than typical black metal sounds. The melodies are flowing classically-based at times, and at others atonal; giving a breath of creativity to a dangerously formulaic tonal landscape. Very good listening the whole way through, with scant decent acoustic parts (only an intro or two). No keyboards or clean vocals.

DIABOLICAL: "Synergy" (Mercenary Music)

A very excellent melodic death release from sweden, incredibly similar to Carcass' "Heartwork" in a good way. The riffage is a typically Swedish cadence of melodic minor scales in simple harmonies; giving that sound of power metal melody without the glam. The instrumentation remains solid and acceptably brutal, allowing the "Gotenburg" style of percussive melody to shine through. Not overly creative, but a very solid release nonetheless. Of any album to clone and crossbreed, "Heartwork" is an excellent choice.

NECROPHAGIST: s/t (self-released)

Quite possibly the most brutal, technical death metal to come out of a one-man-outfit, ever. I have never heard a tighter fusing of brutality and technicality in many a year; perhaps since my ears were first deflowered by the immortal Suffocation. The riffs on this album sound like solos, and the range of atonal classical death metal anger to come out of one guy in a studio with a meticulously programmed drum machine (it took more than a few listens before i was even sure it was a drum machine), a bass, and a guitar so riff-overladen, are simply amazing. This is crushing cleanly-recorded modern death metal at a near-pinnacle of brutality. Sometimes available at www.blackmetal.com, and nowhere else, this is astounding work from the metal-soaked state of Florida.

SETH: "L'excellence" (self-released, re-released on Moonfog productions)

Quebec is home to some amazing black and death metal, as well as some of the best metalized hardcore (very few of which i can stand). Seth brings this point home with a solid release of unrelenting melodic black metal. The sonic structure is a perfect mix of well-produced instrumentation while still maintaining the reverb-soaked black metal aesthetic. Classically-influenced melodic structure over a flowing template of chords sometimes unexpected give this band an edge over other predicable releases in the genre. Between songs are quick samples of strange industrial/electronic tones, and then right back into their brand of quality black metal. Definitely one of the best black metal discoveries out of Quebec.

FROZEN SHADOWS: "Dans Les Bras Des Immorteles" (self-released)

The other amazing black metal outfit from Quebec is Frozen Shadows: quite possibly the best new black metal band I have heard, of many, in the past two years. They have that ever-elusive mix of all the best elements of black metal; original melodic structure that still is both classical and sub-tonal, chord changes that are both tense and awe-inspiring, raging percussive blasts, near-minimalist instrumental sections, and a recording production firmly based in the otherworldly echoing realms of the best black metal releases from Norway, grandiose without an overdose of theatrics or camp. Just find it, if by no other way than by ordering direct from trier website.

EMPEROR: "Prometheus - The Discipline of Fire and Demise" (candlelight records)

The final offering from the masters of black metal, Emperor, who broke up after trier most complex and dense release. Time will tell of the impact of this amazing outfit from Telemark, but trier gift for the craft of dark emotive music is legendary even in thier own time. The release is very diverse, layered, original, complex, and inventive. I cannot say more.

DIABOlICAL MASQUERADE: "Death's Design Soundtrack" (avantgarde productions)

In the new wave of metal bands getting actual string ensembles instead of synths to do trier orchestral arrangements, Diabolical Masquerade stands in a class of its own. A side-project of Blackheim of Katatonia that became more musically interesting than the band, this release is incredibly diverse, almost to the point of scaring away more traditionalist listeners. Everything from Blackheim's brand of inventive and surprising black metal with brief interludes into jazz and atmospheric instrumentals, this album expands the emotional range into the orchestral soundtrack as well as the electronic realms. There are clean vocals, although they mesh well and are not thrown in to sell more albums to less extreme audiences. Another amazing release, the best so far from this amazing outfit.

BOLT THROWER: "Honour, Valour, Pride" (metal blade records)

A typical death metal release from a typical death metal bnad. There is nothing really wrong with this, somewhat brutal at times, album, but at the same time there is nothing really to set it apart from a sea of metal clones in a scene overflowing with uncreative released passed off as important. Skip this one, or if a fan, listen before you buy.

TIDFALL: "Instinct Gate" (nuclear blast records)

A very decent no-frills DIMMU BORGIR clone band, they are out to play some epic strightforward black metal and write some catchy songs in the progress. There are some electronic parts with a compelte lack of vision, and overall there is a severe lack of creativity, but it's certainly not another new blackmetal band that sucks; they're just a little above average, that's all.

DIABOLICUM : "The Grandeur of Hell" (napalm records)

A side-project of the raging black metal outfit SETHERIAL, this is an amazing blackmetal project of epic depth and power. Very agressive the whole way through, with percussive tracks more industrial in parts than blackmetal, but still just raging blasts to make the kids happy. Excellent layered melodies and harmonies in abundance, as well as a hint of jazz and classical structual theory that makes great blackmetal stand apart from it's pop or crusty clones. Definitely worth the hunt to find, as this is a hard album to find on napalm, it may even be recently out of print.