Things That Will Never Be Cool

I’ve made it a mission to put more black metal in my life. The more obscure the better. The harsher the better. The lo-fier the better. You know the drill.

This past year, abrasive, chaotic, horribly produced bands like Ash Borer, Fell Voices and Book of Sand have really struck a nerve. The violence and intensity (I read a year-end list that described Ash Borer’s self-titled LP as “feral”) is what make them immediately affective, but the depth and occasional beauty is what keeps me coming back.

Enter Obolus. From somewhere in the US, formed some time in the last several years. I can’t find any other information and I like that. One 2-track demo. One 5-track EP just released by The Flenser (and it’s free at bandcamp currently).

Desolation is the opener and it took about 20 seconds for me to know I like it. If you’re a fan of any of the aforementioned bands currently making this kind of black metal, give it a listen.