A West Coast neo-black metal eruption, and we've got the half clear, half black colored vinyl version, of which there are only 342 copies. L.A.'s The

Funeral Pyre rip through the epic melodic blackness of "The Last Breathing Of Man", shredding hyperthrashing BM influenced by Dissection and At The Gates,

with apocalyptic, double-bass thundering dirges and gorgeously melancholy piano/guitar interludes appearing throughout. Really epic, majestic music with

amazing dual guitar harmonies - I could see these guys getting huge.

But it's the Leech tracks that really kicked my ass. This Oregon black metal band is made up of members of Mania, Vault Dweller, and Ancestortooth, and ply

a similiar sort of majestic, environmentally conscious psychedelic black metal as Wolves In The Throne Room. Low-fi and kinda chaotic and punky, "On The Eve

Of Battle" and "The Greatest Burden" nevertheless combine awesome melodies, hints of prog rock (just listen to the ridiculous bass playing!) and woodland

Viking folk, like a blown-out, super low fi cross between Iron Maiden and Wyrd and Wolves In The Throne Room. Totally epic anti-civilization visions. I can't

wait to get my hands on more stuff from this band!

Packaged in a black and white xeroxed sleeve.