Black Mold: Tales of Degradation (2019)

Here is another demo that I picked up from Hell D Productions.  The label has something of a fixation on bands who combine black metal with crust or punk or thrash metal.  Black Mold is not an exception with their own thrashy, punky take on black metal.

This is a very short four-song demo with none of the songs breaking the five minute mark.  The riffs are heavily-laden with bass and there is a raw and primal energy to each of the songs.  Black Mold is not full of the most competent of musicians as most of the music is fairly simple and straightforward, but their rawness is what is most appealing about them.  This is absolutely filthy and dirty music played with a youthful cockiness and a fuck you attitude.  The vocals are typically shouted, going along with the heavy punk influence. 

Most of the songs carry along at about the same pace, meaning there is not much variety here.  And looking for melody is a completely lost cause.  Black Mold is at their best when they are just tearing shit apart, and that is what they do on each of these songs.

This is by no means an essential release.  It is a demo of a young band.  But their energy is intriguing enough for me to keep an eye on them.