Possession: "Anneliese"

Roughed-up and scar-faced metal brawl

In 2013 the newly formed band Possession hailing from Belgium released their first demo His Best Deceit, causing quite a rucous in the heavy metal underground. They were lauded for breathing some semblence of life back into deathly black metal with talented mixtures of high and low tempo cuts under the signs of death, black and thrash metal. Welding torch vocals cutting through a backdrop of drop hammer drums and hellishly sawing guitars aplenty, His Best Deceit sparked enormous interest in the band and the scene.

The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation: "EGOR"

Unsettling armageddon jazz

The two incarnations - though both are now split-up - that the group centred around Jason Köhnen and Gideon Kiers represent slight variations of their concept and sound. The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble was the earliest one, centered around tenebrous jazz ambience, sometimes set to old silent films such as Nosferatu and Metropolis. The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation was meant to be a more boundary-pushing experience focused on deep and subtle drones and a more experimental atmosphere. As such the Corporation was often more of an improvisational live concert band.

Intrinsic: "Nails"

Back from the dead, American power-thrash act Intrinsic finally release their original sophomore album

Connoisseurs of all American power-thrash may recall a certain Californian outfit from back in the day known as Intrinsic. After the release of their eponymous debut in 1987, and the Distortion of Perspective EP from 1990, the group found that the industry had shifted toward a more mainstream, groove oriented sound - A sound that their sophomore album, to be called Nails, did not fit. The Nails album was shelved until 2014 when Divebomb Records agreed to finally release the forgotten gem.

The Souljazz Orchestra: "Resistance"

Warm tunes from the cold north

Afrobeat, as the style is so affectionately called, has really been gaining speed these last few years. Not only that, but the overall quality of the groups is also at an exceptionally high level. Having released a steady stream of retro keyboards and daring brass since 2005, The Souljazz Orchestra from Canada aren't exactly newcomers to the international afrobeat dancefloor. Their style revels in a luscious spread of genres rooted in jazz, Resistance being their latest majestic offering of engaging rhythms.

Seventh Xul: "Qliphothic Rites of Death"

Two deadly doctrines were all the potent Greek duo could muster, but what a great one it was!

Though short in playing time, Qliphothic Rites of Death by Seventh Xul is an EP with some history behind it. It is a result of the collaboration between two prominent and productive metal maniacs from Greece: N.e.c.r.o. and Acherontas, known individually from their long involvement in the scene through bands like Burial Hordes, Enshadowed and Acherontas.