Plague Widow - This Black Earth

Not exactly recent news, but my friends in Plague Widow not only released an EP back in September, they've also signed with Willowtip Records. The band definitely deserves the recognition, as guitarist and graphic artist Hal Rotter (Rotting Graphics) has been involved with a number of other underground bands in the California death metal/grind scene, must notably Slaughterbox, and as of late they've been gaining a significant following. Plague Widow plays some pretty irresistible blackened deathgrind, so if you have a pulse and like extreme music, you'll probably enjoy this.

You can expect their debut full-length sometime next year.

Cara Neir - Portals to a Better, Dead World

I do love Cara Neir's curious blend of grind and crust and black metal and....screamo? Truly a fun listen that takes you on a journey through your favorite sub-genres. This release has some moments that reminded me a bit of Converge, as well as longer songs that seem to focus more on the hardcore and screamo aspects of their music. 

Edit: I'd also like to add this record includes cello and what sounds like organ on "Exalting the Shadow Proprietor."

Cara Neir - Sublimation Therapy

Sometime ago I endeavored to start contributing over @ Godless Noise, but ultimately couldn't find the time to do so, nor much time for this blog (I'm sure you're starting to see a pattern here). Almost a year later I finally got around to giving Cara Neir's Sublimation Therapy a listen, my first potential submission, and it's been steadily growing on me. The Texas 2 piece seamlessly blends the nastiest grind and black metal, though there's elements of many different genres, and the drumming is absolutely batshit insane. Super clean blasts (see "You Are Missed") while still maintaining that gritty and raw production.

The band has also been fairly prolific and has a substantial back catalogue, most of which can be obtained free or for a nominal price via Bandcamp.

The Living Doorway

No, not that Decrepit Birth song, I mean the blog. JGD is this guy who did vox in this band called There Were Wires, now he spends his days posting about brutal death and black metal, his girlfriend, and his dog, Billie. It is supremely entertaining shit, and the dude has good taste. It's probably my favorite blog ever, and the inspiration for this blog you're reading now, so I compel you to go check out The Living Doorway.