Happy 2025!
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Misty-Graveyard, the first Middle Eastern underground zine or [Persian BM Zine as we like to call it], established in 2005. Initially conceived as a platform to showcase and support the Iranian black metal scene, Misty-Graveyard has surpassed its original vision, evolving into a community that has grown alongside the fans and artists who’ve supported it since its humble beginnings as a single-page weblog. Over the years, it has featured numerous album reviews, interviews, and articles, covering both Iranian and international bands. As it celebrates two decades of existence, Misty-Graveyard continues to stand as a testament to the enduring spirit and passion of the black metal underground.
Here are our top 20 albums of 2024, reflecting our taste and the music that resonated most with us this year
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Akhlys – House of the Black Geminus |
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| Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire Spectral Wound’s latest release is a ferocious blend of melodic black metal, characterized by relentless drumming and haunting melodies. The album captures a raw intensity that is both captivating and unyielding. Bandcamp |
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| Funeral – Gospel of Bones “Gospel of Bones” delivers a melancholic blend of funeral doom, with deep, resonant vocals and somber instrumentation that evoke a profound sense of sorrow. Bandcamp |
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| Vemod – The Deepening “The Deepening” offers an atmospheric black metal experience, with expansive compositions that evoke a sense of vast, introspective journeys. Bandcamp |
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| Time Lurker – Emprise “Emprise” marks a compelling return for Time Lurker, blending atmospheric black metal with elements of blackgaze and post-black metal. The album’s layered soundscapes and high-pitched shrieks create a sense of suffering and desperation. Bandcamp |
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| Kanonenfieber – Die Urkatastrophe This album delves into the horrors of World War I, delivering a raw and crude blackened death metal experience. Bandcamp |
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| Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon Winterfylleth delivers atmospheric black metal enriched with folk influences. The intricate compositions and evocative themes make it a compelling addition to their discography. Bandcamp |
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| Nihil Invocation – Crestfallen Stronghold “Crestfallen Stronghold” offers a journey into depressive black metal, with lo-fi production and haunting melodies that evoke a sense of desolation and melancholy. Bandcamp |
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| Abigorum – Foretaste of Justice “Foretaste of Justice” was indeed a surprise, a release that combines doom and black metal elements, offering a slow, brooding atmosphere that is both heavy and immersive. Bandcamp |
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| Satanic Warmaster – Exultation of Cruelty Exultation of Cruelty offers raw black metal with an uncompromising approach, featuring cold, grim riffs and an atmosphere that harkens back to the genre’s early days. Akhenaten will be proud! YouTube |
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| Limbes – Liernes “Liernes” presents an atmospheric journey through post-black metal, with expansive soundscapes and emotive melodies that captivate the listener. Bandcamp |
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| From The Vastland – Tenebrous Shadow “Tenebrous Shadow” blends traditional black metal with Iranian influences, creating a unique sound that is both aggressive and melodic. Bandcamp |
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| Aara – Eiger “Eiger” showcases Aara’s ability to blend atmospheric black metal with intricate melodies, resulting in a haunting and immersive listening experience. Bandcamp |
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| Hell Is Other People – Moirae “Moirae” combines elements of post-metal and blackgaze, offering a dynamic range of heavy and melodic passages that convey deep emotion. Bandcamp |
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| Detest the Sun – Moonspells and Everlasting Sorrow An exploration of atmospheric black metal, this album features ethereal melodies and haunting vocals that create a sense of otherworldly sorrow. Bandcamp |
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| Gaerea – Coma “Coma” delivers a powerful blend of black metal with modern influences, characterized by intense vocals and a dense, immersive atmosphere. Bandcamp |
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| Ard – Untouched By Fire Ard yet again offers a fusion of folk and doom metal, with lyrical themes rooted in ancient traditions of Northumbria and a sound that is both raw and melodic. Bandcamp |
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| Forgotten Tomb – Nightfloating Forgotten Tomb continue to deliver haunting melodies and bleak atmospheres tunes. Fine DSBM as always! Bandcamp |
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| Blazing Eternity – A Certain End of Everything Long awaited “A Certain End of Everything” blends doom and gothic metal elements, creating a melancholic soundscape that is both heavy and emotive. Bandcamp |
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| Cistvaen – At Light’s Demise Cistvaen weaves elements of black metal and post-rock, creating a deeply emotional and atmospheric listening journey. Bandcamp |
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