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  1. The Obsessed  ‘Mental Kingdom

The Maryland US based The Obsessed, would have been since their formation one of the pillars of doom/stoner metal if it hadn’t been for the two disbandments and the departure of some of its members. This fame belongs mostly to Saint Vitus, the heavy/doom metal band Scott “Wino” Weinrich formed while The Obsessed were on hiatus. However, as Scott has also mentioned, there was a call from friends and fans to revive the band. So, after 23 years The Obsessed released their 4th album ‘Sacred‘ (Relapse Records, 2017). On November 17th Relapse Records is re-issuing their first album ‘The Obsessed‘, which the band had recorded in 1985 and Hellhound Records released in 1990. Here is the bonus track from this re-issue.

Mary Kalaitzidou

  1. Northaunt – ‘Skjelletering

Northaunt is one of the most prominent projects in the field of dark ambient. Specializing in frigid atmospheres, Northaunt has cut out a niche for himself in the genre, followed by many, but equaled by very few. This latest release, ‘Night Paths‘, is a set of unreleased tracks from the last decade of his project.

Skjelletering‘ is a track that brilliantly portrays all the greatest elements of the Northaunt sound. There are thundering lows that bring to mind the grinding of glaciers as they slowly make their descent into the sea. The highs are calm and restive and yet they simultaneously exude a deep sense of melancholy and isolation. While ‘Night Paths‘ isn’t a proper full release, these eleven tracks absolutely deserve to be heard and felt by anyone looking to spend a cold, lonely night reading, writing or contemplating a life once lost.

Michael Barnett

  1. MGMT – ‘Little Dark Age

I am really surprised that MGMT made a narrow escape from “hipster-dom”. Their latest track ‘Little Dark Age‘ finds the band in awesome shape. A synth-pop gem accompanied with a Cure-sque video directed by Nathaniel Axel & David MacNutt. By all means, 2018 will be their year!

Christos Doukakis

  1. Remote/Control – ‘Exposure

Philadelphia based post-punk newcomers Remote/Control are one of the most exciting bands for 2017! The reason? ‘Exposure‘ their debut single (from their ‘Wasteland‘ EP), is a post-punk dynamite, with strong references to the glorious 80’s sound with a modern twist! Furthermore, Jane Shade (vocals, synth) reminds me of Desperate Journalist‘s Jo Bevan. Don’t know why… But she does!

And by all means they are ready for “exposure”…

Christos Doukakis

  1. RAM – ‘On Wings Of No Return’

RAM is a classic heavy metal band from Sweden, formed in 1999. The members of RAM are not only nostalgic of the 70s and 80s hard and heavy metal, but also disappointed of the turn the scene has taken over the years. Unlike other cases RAM are not a travesty of the early heavy metal sound and the official video of ‘On Wings Of No Return‘ from their forthcoming album ‘Rod‘ on November 3rd (Metal Blade Records) is probably one of the most enjoyable videos of the genre.

Mary Kalaitzidou

Compiled by Mary Kalaitzidou, Michael Barnett & Christos Doukakis