The Ruins Of Beverast were formed ten years ago by Alexander von Meilenwald after Nagelfar (unfortunately!) split up. The project did three albums in mean time (all of them via the small yet, at the same time, great underground label Ván Records), Unlock The Shrine, Rain Upon The Impure, and Foulest Semen Of A Sheltered Elite, which all, without exception, were of a fabulous quality (at least I think so).
Heretic Cult Redeemer are not such a well-known entity yet, but the band consists of members that are or were involved with huge names, at least within ‘my genre’, like Embrace Of Thorns, Necrovorous or Acrimonious. This Greek act was formed in 2009 with the intention to bring another message of ancient Cult; indeed, courtesy of Greece, I guess??? (do I need to add a smiley right now?)…
Merkstave are a new Oregon-based act with experienced members (formerly or currently active in e.g. Velnias, Oak, Leech, Mania, Hell etc.). There were two demos in the recent past (which seemed to escape from my attention, and I am oh so sad about this), but this self-called debut full length will lift this band to the top of the Funeral-oriented Doom-scene. At least, I will help to do so, even though this review deals with a very limited vinyl-edition.
