#ulthar

179./180. Anthronomicon & Helionomicon - Ulthar (Blackened Death Metal, 2023 - two LP's, released on the same date)

Art by Ian Miller

Miller is primarily known for his artworks in Tolkien & H.P. Lovecraft books!

Anthronomicon - Ulthar (2023)

Blood Monolith are a DC-based deathgrind band featuring members of Ulthar, Undeath, and Genocide Pact. Their debut album The Calling Of Fire will be coming out on May 16th through Profound Lore Records.

(photo by Melissa Petisa)

Witch Vomit: Funeral Sanctum (2024)

After a lifetime of listening to this music, heavy metal bands don't trigger my interest for any specific reason, but rather a random combination of sonic attributes that happen to suit my highly selective, to not say outrageously demanding, personal tastes.

Witch Vomit recently fit that extremely narrow lane with their third long-player, Funeral Sanctum -- not because they try to reinvent the wheel, let alone take the anthropological path to the style's prehistoric days -- just ... because.

Don't worry, I'll be more specific in a moment ...

Formed in Portland, OR, just over a decade ago, by T.T. (a.k.a. Tempter: vocals, guitar real name Tony Thomas) and V.V. (a.k.a. Filth: drums, born Vincent Van Dell), they later recruited bassist J.G. (that's it, just J.G.) and, in '17, second guitarist C.S. (Casey Lynch).

By then, Witch Vomit had already produced a demo, a single, an EP, and an LP (2016's A Scream from the Tomb Below), which they followed with another EP and LP ('19's Buried Deep in a Bottomless Grave), that really got tongues wagging on their behalf.

Alas, a certain global pandemic and a half-decade came and went (notwithstanding yet another EP and single) before the quartet reemerged with '24's Funeral Sanctum, at which point their pernicious brand of death metal with melodic sensibilities and black metal accoutrements finally got its hooks in me.

The latter manifest in the demonic lyrics, blast-beats, and tremolo-picking spraying all over frenzied highlights like "Serpentine Shadows" and "Decaying Angelic Flesh," but even these numbers incorporate deliberate passages to offset that intensity.

Perhaps the most recurring word used to describe Witch Vomit's music is "filthy," and while I'm not one to disagree (I've certainly heard filthier), I think this sells short T.T.'s tastefully melodious guitar work on personal favorites like "Black Wings of Desolation" and "Dominion of a Darkened Realm."

And while the band is also frequently characterized as "old school," I myself prefer "timeless," because the title track, "Endless Fall," and "Blood of Abomination," don't necessarily recall the early '90s pioneers so much as reflect death metal's simpler origins, pre-experimental diaspora.

In fact, simpler and shorter is the order of the day here, as an instrumental intro ("Dying Embers"), an interlude ("Abject Silence"), and a minute-long sprint ("Endarkened Spirits") bring the album to an end in a lean and mean half-hour.

Now that right there REALLY appeals to both my ever-shortening patience and my current lifestyle, because dad can only spare so much time for his scary, cookie monster music, while trying to raise two humans.

... Says the parent listening to bands called Witch Vomit.

“Are you serious?” He asked. The voices in his mind whispered, “Don’t! Don’t go in the hole.” Evan growled and dropped to his hands and knees anyway.

“Do not growl when we’re inside,” Ember said. Keep quiet and keep your hands to yourself.” The cat darted inside. Evan and Kayleen dropped to their hands and knees and crawled in after him.

The interior of the tavern was high-ceilinged and dim, lit by warm lanterns set into alcoves along the stone walls. Beams with platforms jutted out all along the ceiling like a canopy of branches. Cats were strewn about the top, dangling paws and tails over the edge. The floor was covered in worn rugs that muffled footsteps. Narrow tables stood at irregular heights, some barely above the floor, others just tall enough for a standing cat. Cushions were scattered more than chairs, and the far wall held a shelf with stacked saucers and shallow ceramic bowls instead of mugs. A series of wall hooks displayed collars, not coats, each one uniquely styled.

Behind the bar stood a human: tall, thin, and androgynous, with short and curly hair that was tinted light blue. They wore oversized glasses that magnified their eyes–large thin-framed circles hanging over ears tapered to a point. They wore a dark vest over a soft gray shirt and moved with quiet precision as they cleaned a set of bowls. Evan guessed they were in their early twenties.

When they noticed Evan, they paused for only a moment before nodding once in greeting. “Welcome,” they said. “I’m Nolan. Cats get first service, but I’ll be with you after.” Nolan’s voice was calm and even, practiced in patience, as they turned their attention to Ember and asked, “What can I get for you?”