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Each one of
these bands was recorded live during the Day Of Doom festival the
record label put on. Pretty smart when you are flying bands from
overseas and putting them up, to record them and release a “Day Of
Doom” live album from all four bands as separate releases. It not
only documents a historic show, but also in the long run I am sure
off-sets the costs in undertaking such a big endeavor with an
international line up. All the bands have a traditional doom heavy
metal base, but as you will see with my descriptions they weave in
various other influences and sub-genre styles. Domkraft play
a bit of a sludgy doom style that has this small tension running
through it, like a sinew in muscle. The vocals are hollered with a
strained mildly caustic edge to them. It is a little hard to explain
them to honest. Elephant Tree is a bit more laid back than
Domkraft and has a bit more of a stoner doom metal vibe. The vocals
are really calm, cool and collected clean vocals that suit the music
pretty nicely. Horsehunter is a fairly diverse doom band they
get moody one moment or one song, ala that old Black Sabbath gloomy
slowness, then say on song like “Nuclear Reaction” things are more
angry and abrasive. Having said that, everything is smooth and the
quality of the music and compositions is high. Summoner for
me is a mixing of old school Sabbath/Candlemass type doom and modern
contemporary metal. While firmly holding on to that doom core, they
do have a higher energy level and some more briskly paced elements
of their songwriting. All four live albums have one common
denominator, besides doom metal of course, which is they all used
the same high quality recording equipment under the watchful eye of
recording engineer Chris Johnson. The resulting sound is crisp,
clear and heavy. This is a must for fans of these bands and actually
a good starting point for new fans, at least it was for me. -
Dale
www.facebook.com/HorseHunter
https://elephanttree.band/
https://www.facebook.com/domkraft
https://www.facebook.com/Summoner
https://mer.lnk.to/day-of-doom
https://store.merhq.com/ |
This young
Canadian band despite only having released two previous EP’s, seem
to be creating some stir around the UG scene. This release is the
bands debut full-length and also of note, they are the first band
signed to Petrichor Records, which is the sub-label of the well
respected long running Hammerheart Records (who have been releasing
records by bands like Aura Noir, Denial Of God, Ancient Rites,
Macabre, Necrophobic, Old Funeral, Primordial, Sinister, Aeturnus
etc…). Empress are a trio, or sadly were a trio as the bassist
Brenden Gunn passed away this past October, and by reading the bio
all three members contribute to the songwriting, so it is a loss on
many levels obviously. I would describe the music as progressive
heavy metal intertwined with smaller portions of doomy stoner hard
rock, which is lightly spiced with touches of sludge now and again.
The composition of their music is very fluid and smooth with
memorable songs that successfully coax emotion in the listener and
it is easy to get caught up in it’s web. All three of the members
performances drip with emotion and class. Having given many deserved
compliments here, I must also confess that the overall result of the
bands music and stylistic influences (at times too airy, light,
commercial / accessible) are not always congruent with my personal
musical tastes. Yet, I can at the same time admit this album is a
quality work from start to finish that achieves the goal it set out
to reach. Which is why, I would still recommend you give it the
chance it deserves in spite of possible preconceived notions similar
to mine. - Dale
https://thisisempress.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/hammerheartpetrichor/
|
‘Calyx Of Black
Metal Blood’ is this bands debut release featuring twelve songs of
violent and totally uncompromising black metal music. Tsorn
(Cinereous Rain, Coven Spell, Crypt Witch, Death Carrier, Donarhall
plus more bands!) who lives in Germany handles all the writing and
performing of all the instruments for the band. The music is
destructive with raw guitars and drums that are played with
intensity and hyper-speed aggression. Tsorn does compose some
slower, darker passages that fit the music perfectly to give the
music a darker and sinister feel. Malduchryst (Acta Sanctorum,
Cinereous Rain, Derelenismo Occulere, Le Legione plus more) comes
out of the Ecuador's black metal scene and handles the vocals for
the band. The vocals are excellent harsh and raw black metal screams
and he uses some nice demonic growls are used in a few of the songs.
Essence Of Blasphemers play a uncompromising style of satanic black
metal that is both vicious and well composed for a very good debut
release. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/essenceofblasphemers https://www.purity-through-fire.com
|
Coming out of
the Swedish blackened thrash metal scene is Eternal Evil with their
debut demo, which is being released through the well respected
Redefining Darkness Records. “The Rise Of Death” features a intro
and four songs of aggressive old school dark thrash metal that is
both intense and extremely well written, and proficiently performed.
The band is comprised of teenagers, the oldest one being 17, but
would you not know it by listening to the music on this demo
recording. The guitars are done with skill and aggressive guitar
structures and patterns. The guitarist does write some memorable
passages, even adding in some well performed guitar solos. The
vocals are raw black metal screams mixed with some gruff screams
that are used throughout a few of the songs. The drums are played at
a whirlwind fast speed, that yes are done with speed, but he also a
good well rounded drummer that very capably performs his demanding
duties. The drummer does slow to a more mid paced style, but only
for a short time before speeding back up to mainstay faster pace. If
you enjoy old school black metal mixed with a healthy dose of thrash
influence, then be sure to pick up a copy of Eternal Evil’s debut
demo when it is released. - Patrick
https://eternalevil.bandcamp.com/
http://www.redefiningdarkness.com/
|
This is the
debut album of this young band bursting out of the mean streets of
Helsinki, the country’s capital city, situated on the frozen
northern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Excuse play a slightly more
stripped down speed metal style similar to bands like Sacrifice,
early Razor, Exciter, Onslaught, Forbidden, Omen etc… mixed some
Iron Maiden and other heavy metal influences. The music is
aggressive, but always keeping this unrelenting dark atmosphere
dripping from it’s edges. There are some pretty killer ripping solos
and guitar fills, ala the one in the second half of the song
“Goddess Injustice” or the one in the middle of “Blade Of The
Antichrist” for a couple good examples. They write some fairly
catchy, heavy and headbangable songs with some good hooks, rapid
pacing as well as some memorable lyrics and choruses. The vocalist
Oskar Lindström has a cool, clean yet slightly gruff vocal style, it
fits the gloomy aura of the music, but he does use copious amounts
of echoing effect on his vocals, probably a little too much, but it
does sound cool as long as you do not focus too hard on it’s
constant presence. I am not saying this is some kind of instant
classic by any means, but if you are a die hard fan of ‘80s heavy
metal and speed metal who can not get enough of that classic sound.
Then I think you are going to be pleased with a purchase of this
very solid debut record. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/excuseofficial
https://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com
|
I was into this
Finnish band in their early years like 2001-2005 or maybe more
specifically their Iron Pegasus Records releases. The next time I
heard from them was on their previous full-length album, which was
released nearly a decade ago. So, clearly long time no see or hear,
but like old friends it is good to re-connect with old bands too. I
recently heard an online discussion on the blackened thrash metal
sub-genre, it’s origins and history up until today and I think it is
a real omission to not include a pioneering band like Flame in this
style in that discussion. Flame embody this sound perfectly with
cold and evil black metal elements vocally and musical are
seamlessly folded into their unrefined dark thrash metal
compositions. However, unlike some newer blackened thrash bands
these old demons keep their music straightforward caustic and raw,
dirty and brusque like a spiked audio fist to the face. I think some
of the newer extreme metal fans will find this too crude and not
polished enough, which I am sure suits Flame just fine, as this was
not made for you. As for me, it is a satisfying revisit to an old
graveyard haunt that I did not realize how much I missed bathing in
it’s sinister filth. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/satansflame
https://www.primitivereaction.com/
|
While I can see
labeling this Finnish band as war metal (as the bio does), to me it
feels more like warring and unrelenting black death metal, in the
tradition of one of my fave Marduk albums “Panzer Division Marduk”,
or some of the old Aussie records from Bestial Warlust, Destroyer
666 etc… But they mix bits of musical influences and the raunchy
explosive attitude of things like punk and just dirty, alcohol
soaked hard rock metal of old like Motörhead, early Venom, early
Impaled Nazerene, Bulldozer, early Destruction etc… It is a real
adrenaline ride, but just mindless full steam ahead, as much as I
like some war metal, it can tend to do just that and get a bit of an
unchanging monotonous white noise quality to it. The vocals are raw
‘n caustic yelling yet sung croaking growls that fit the dark and
dank aura the music gives off. The adrenaline and energy on this
release is infectious, and makes me want to headbang and break shit!
For a band that gets labeled war metal, at times, there is a wide
palette of old school metal with high vigor and in your face
attitude that I quite enjoyed during the twenty-three minutes of
madness that is ‘Antichrist Militia’. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/legionfront
https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com
|
Pyrrhic is
Frosthelm from North Dakota’s first release (and second full length
overall), but the wait was worth it. The album features seven tracks
of aggressive and relentless black metal with a lot of melodic
passages intertwined throughout the music. The guitar work is done
with plenty of skill and impressively created structuring going from
extremely fast to a slower and melodic pace throughout the songs.
The vocals are a mix of raspy black metal screams and some gruff
growls / cries used throughout the album. Frosthelm have created and
released a unique blend of melodic blackened death metal with some
furious passages intertwined resulting in an original sound and
style. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/frosthelm/
https://revengerrecords.com/
|
The band name is
interesting, it is apparently taken from a song title of the band
Electric Wizard, whom these Swiss UG metallers are clearly big fans
of (and why not I am an E.W. fan myself). Funeralopolis play doomy
death metal, normally I would just call it doom death, but this band
probably put a stronger emphasis on brutal death metal than a lot of
bands I usually put in that category. Which is just fine to me, this
is not to say the doom element is not prominent, it is, but the
foundation is undoubtedly barbarous death metal extremity. You might
expect coming from Europe that that is where the bands main
influences reside, however, I personally hear more American
influences in their sound such as definitely Repulsion and Autopsy.
But also clearly other old school early to mid ‘90s crushing death
metal from those same shores. There is some Euro influence to be
sure, but mainly North American bands come to mind. I love the dark
& suffocating aura on here, this combined with the drumming style,
the vocals remind me so much to early Autopsy (one of my fave bands
of all time) material ala the amazing albums “Severed Survival” and
the masterpiece “Mental Funeral”. I liked this album from the first
listen, but each successive listen it has only got better and better
in my view. I think diehards of old school, early ‘90s doomy death
metal will enjoy this one. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Funeralopolisofdeath
http://www.memento-mori.es/
|
Just to be
clear, when you see two labels it sometimes means they are splitting
the release straight up in all ways, other times like this one it is
sort of a parent label that does all the distribution and promotion.
The third reason is one label is releasing one format and the other
another format, which is the case here Everlasting Spew is doing the
CD and Me Saco Un Ojo is handling the vinyl version of this Finnish
bands sophomore album. Galvanizer generate down ‘n dirty death metal
bathed in darkness yet also dripping with filth and grindcore
accents. They have a lot of that old Swedish death metal sound in
their base, which I know a lot of bands are doing that sunlight
sound these, but you know what I don’t fucking care I worship this
shit and if it is done well it is right up my alley! As mentioned
Galvanizer do mix into that Repulsion (American I know but a huge
influence on those early Swede sound), Carnage, Grave, Dismember dm
approach with some grimy sounding deathgrind influences as well ala
stuff like early Impetigo, Carcass, General Surgery. The resulting
wave of suffocating dark gutfuck riffs of sadistic grinding violence
is a lethal combination that I found quite satisfying to listen to,
and to mentally bathe in it’s audio gore. The vocals via the bassist
Vili and guitarist Aleksi are fantastic, despite all being extreme
it is a varied arsenal of growls deep and guttural, as well as high
and nasal growling with a smattering of various other gurgles, yells
and screams mixed in. There are also some succinct classic guitar
sequences every now then, which add a touch of class to the overall
sickness and depravity of this album. This release has certainly
converted this listener into a Galvanizer fan. - Dale
https://everlastingspew.com/
https://mesacounojo.bandcamp.com/music
|
Coming out of
Belgium's death doom scene is Gateway with their newest EP. ‘Flesh
Reborn’ contains a intro and three full length songs. ‘Hel’ starts
off this release with a two minute intro to ease you into things; it
is very well written and performed with some excellent musicianship.
The first song is ‘Slumbering Crevasses’ which combines both heavy
mid paced passages and some faster more aggressive drum and guitar
patterns. This one man band delivers some serious intensity and
shows mature writing abiliity. ‘Rack Crawler’ is up next and this
song is more on the extremely fast realm side again with showcasing
skill and good songwriting. The music does slow to a heavier mid
tempo pace throughout the song, but this song is definitely the
fastest on the release. ‘Flesh Reborn’ finishes off this release and
is the bands slowest and heaviest track. The guitars are done with a
mix of slow heavy mid tempoe guitar chords. The drums are in same
vein with heavy slow drum patterns, mixed with some mid to faster
paced drums used. It is hard to believe this was written by one man
(Robin Van Oyen), who did a great job of combing death and doom
metal together to create a massive release. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/gatewaydeathdoom
https://chaos-records.bandcamp.com/
|
 
I know there a
literal shit ton of bands in this UG metal scene, but all the same,
I do find it a little surprising that I do not think I have heard of
this Finnish band. I do keep my ear to the underground so to speak,
Goats Of Doom have nearly a decade of existence and they have
already released 4 albums previous to “Tie on Hänen Omilleen”. Now,
when it comes to second wave early ‘90s black metal I confess to
being a bit of purist and usually I am not that crazy about
combining it with other influences, genres and the like. Enter Goats
of Doom, who I think have done a nice job of taking that hateful,
frosty second wave bm nucleus and skillfully augmenting it with more
up front diverse guitar work and melody that at times gets a little
closer to melododeath than I would like. But, all the same, they
keep a good balance between the freezing traditional bm hate and the
catchy, lighter melody in the riffing to still make it work, at
least most of the time (possibly a little too far with the harmony
for my liking in the title track). Something that helps them out on
the cruel side of the ledger are the caustic, irritated raspy
screams of Scaregod. As those vocals do not seem to give a fuck
about the melody, he just ignores it almost completely, while
keeping the extremity turned up high at all times. A good band and
solid release that has it’s drawbacks at times, but does generally
deliver some consistent quality throughout the proceedings. -
Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Scaregod/
https://www.purity-through-fire.com
|
|
Florida may not
have the same notoriety and depth it once had, within the death
metal UG scene, way back in the ‘90s. Though there are some really
quality bands keeping things alive in the FL death metal UG metal
scene with Graveview being a prime example of this. Having said
that, Graveview may be from Florida, but if you are looking for that
old Floridian sound from this band you will not find much of it. No,
Graveview are much more influenced by the old school Swedish death
metal, you know the fucking really heavy and brutal stuff. I can
hear a lot of Grave from Sweden in their sound, but also maybe stuff
like early works especially by Dismember and to a lesser extent
early Entombed. There is American influence in there too, ala early
doomy Autopsy and Repulsion alongside some brief bits of American
grinding, especially in the later half of this 22 minute release.
Graveview create an absolutely massive wall of barbarous riffing
that drips and permeates with a mixture of doom death and crushing
brutality. I love the wonderfully ruthless, savage growling of
vocalist Hunter Young, who mimics and adds to the dark and
suffocating atmosphere with his slightly cryptic sounding, sometimes
rapid, sometimes just mean growls, but when he really draws out
growl it adds this extra level of depth and a foreboding aura that I
simply love. This is something fans of early classic Swedish death
metal, mixed with some doom and grimy American sensibilities of
Mental Funeral-era greatness will fucking love these guys! I can not
wait to hear more from them, hopefully soon. - Dale
https://rawskullrecordz.com/en/
https://redefiningdarknessrecords.bandcamp.com/ |
Hath are a band
coming out of New Jersey’s death metal scene with their debut
full-length. This album features nine tracks of complex and well
executed death combining both old school and newer style influences
together for a style all their own. The guitarist plays a good mix
of both extremely fast parts with some slower mid paced patterns.
The guitars on here really keep my attention with interesting and
complex structuring; even adding some well placed solos mixed into
the musical whole. The drumming is done in the same vein as the
guitars with an all out assault on the drum kit with some intense
blasting. The drums do slow down to a heavier, calmer at times
throughout the songs to add little more variety to their sound. The
vocalist however, is all over the map with an array of low, deep
death metal growls and some raw black metal screams are blended in
to some of the tracks. If you are looking for a unique and
interesting band, then do yourself a favor by picking up a copy Of
Rot And Ruin. - Patrick
https://hathnj.bandcamp.com
https://www.willowtip.com
|
Hellvetron is
set to release “Trident Of Tartarean”, the bands second full-length
next month in mid August. The music on this release is a mix of
blackened death metal with some doom elements woven into some of the
tracks. The music is played with skill and some powerful guitar
work, which is matched step for step with an excellent drum
performance as well. For the most part the guitar pacing is done
with slow to mid pacing, but they do speed up to a more rapid tempo
in a few of the songs. The vocals are heavy, deep, death growls and
some clean singing and hollering type of vocals are used at times.
Hellvetron play an interesting mix of black death doom metal, so if
you are a fan of the band or a fan of the genre then do yourself a
favor and check out “Trident Of Tartarean” as soon as it is
released. - Patrick
https://hellvetron.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions
|
Herxheim is a
relatively new one man band from Texas unleashing their first
full-length album. The band may be new, but the one man who behind
it all for Herxheim is not new to the UG scene, nor is he new to me.
I have never been in direct contact with Brungard (aka Patrick
Brown), but I have a long history of listening to one of his old
bands Nepenthe, which later changed names to Ligea, which formed in
1992 and was around with different line-ups well into the 2000s. In
fact, one my greatest and oldest friends in the UG scene Keith Dempe
released recordings under both names on his Eternal Darkness
Creations record label. During the time in between Mr. Brown was
active with a band named Howls of Ebb (whose work I have not heard),
which released an EP, a split and two full-length albums, also on I.
Voidhanger before calling quits in 2017. He apparently has decided
to go it alone now with this new band. Herxheim produce a brand of
very of menacing yet very eerie black death metal that has a really
sinister sounding aura to it. The music is not ultra brutal or
lightning quick, rather the pacing stride fluctuates, always serving
that gloomy noxious atmosphere that blankets everything. There is
some pretty killer vocals on here with ominous yells, kind of gruff,
kind of raspy vocal mix with some well timed and placed doubling up
of vocals giving off a necho-y, punctuated effect that really adds
to the evil air the music gives off. Also, Brungard throws in some
really tortured screams that I enjoyed very much. I am pleased to
see this fellow old UG metal goat keeping the ancient flame burning
bright, and showing his musical appreciation of the first wave of
black metal / early days dark death metal whilst creating a quality
record he can call his own. I now see NWN! has picked up this album
for the vinyl version. - Dale
https://herxheim.bandcamp.com/
https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/
|
The new Hobos album brings the violence full force and in your face!
The music is a sturdy mix of dirty-ass old school death metal and
Motörhead-fueled crust/hardcore with no-nonsense arrangements and
occasionally some bluesy guitar work to keep the hooks flowing. I
always tell interested people that they sound like Motörhead playing
old Entombed with Venom writing the songs and a demon on vocals
singing in Italian (Damn I need to check this band out after reading
that description! - Dale). This band is as loud as loud can be, and
they make no apologies for who they are. It’s a perfect example of
what is old being new again, taking these old styles and mashing
them into a new form. The whole album is fresh-sounding and killer.
It’s head and shoulders above their previous work in both intent and
execution, and I can’t wait for the next round of ammunition. It’s
music that bangs your fuckin’ head for you whether you like it or
not!
– Andrew Parrish
https://www.facebook.com/hobosband
https://www.spikerot.com/
|
It is always a
pleasure to get my hands on a new release from one of the true
legend bands in the black metal scene! This Finnish horde regale us
with their 10th full-length album (plus of course demos
and countless splits and EPs in their 25+ year history) of musical
majesty, which clocks in at over one hour of music. I got into Horna
fairly early on in their existence with their second demo “Hiidentori”,
and then I did my first of two interviews with the band shortly
after their debut album was released in 1998. I am a bit of a bm
purist at times and think bands should stick to their roots (or
change their name if they want veer off in a completely different
direction), and you can point to a band like Horna as a shining
example of this. I mean sure they vary their patented second wave bm
sound from time to time, from release to release, but they always
keep that evil core as their anchor point. "Kuoleman Kirjo" while
still the cold hateful black metal they have always been known for,
it has a bit more of an epic feeling to it with free flowing
melodious riffs that sweep across your mental landscape like a
rapidly creeping fog. The main vocals are classic bm rasps with a
slight ominous sounding husky undertone to them, vocalist Spellgoth
does pull from his arsenal at times to accent that main vocal with a
myriad of yells, hollers and the like. There are often some subtle
guitar nuances going on here, if you are paying close enough
attention that are quite enjoyable for me. Second quick one is while
I enjoy the drumming on Horna releases, I rarely focus upon them or
truly notice them specifically, but the drums and performance from
LRH on here is a strong element on this album. This release is a bit
less aggressive than some of their past material; it instead focuses
on taking you on an all-encompassing melancholic and crepuscular
cerebral journey. The main man, only founding member and chief
songwriter & lyricist Shatraug just keeps endlessly marching along,
prolifically creating great freezing black metal for Horna (among
other bands he is involved with) for going on three decades! He has
my utmost respect and admiration, hail Horna! - Dale
www.facebook.com/HornaOfficial/
https://wtcproductions.bandcamp.com http://www.w-t-c.org
|
I believe Hour
of 13 are now based out of California, but the band has a storied
past and were from various areas of the US in the past (North
Carolina and Virginia). They have also at various times been a duo
and even expanded to a full band briefly. But the band has always
really been baby of main man Chad Davis (Anu, Obscurae, Olde, Stench
of Evil, The Crooked Whispers, The Sabbathian etc…), who at this
point is a one man operation with Chad writing all the music and
playing all instruments. I always like to say a good one man band
makes you forget it is a one man band, and that applies in spades to
Hour of 13. I could play it for someone cold that knows nothing of
the band and they would never guess that it is a one man band. At
this point Hour of 13 is well known; at least for sure they are in
traditional doom metal circles having released a demo, a handful of
EPs and two previous albums. ‘Black Magick Rites’ is quality classic
doom music in the traditions of the early years of the genre, the
music is very poignant and mournful sounding yet has this slight
‘70s epic hard rock edge that shows itself here and there. Some of
the riffing and rhythms on this thing are really infectious and
hypnotic which makes my head and feet tap along, while at the same
time getting drawn into an introspective trance-like state. I
believe this album is the first by the band where Chad Davis is not
only the chief vocalist, but handles all vocal duties unlike the
past when Phil Swanson (B.C:A.D., Briton Rites, Lords of Triumph,
Seamount, Vestal Claret, ex-Earthlord, ex-Nightbitch etc...) handled
the lead vocals. That might be a red flag for some fans of the band,
but let me assure you Mr. Davis has developed his voice and his
confidence in it to the point that the vocals are one of the strong
points of the band, they fit wonderfully to the classic Hour music.
Some influences I hear for those that have not heard Hour of 13
before are bands like Pagan Altar, Black Sabbath, Witchfinder
General, Cirith Ungol, Pentagram, Solitude Aeturnus etc… I think
those bands give you a general idea of their sound and if you are
big fan of most of those bands then you can not go wrong with this
quality, affecting old school doom heavy metal album. - Dale
https://hourof13official.bandcamp.com/
https://www.shadowkingdomrecords.com/
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|
 
Hudler is a one
woman band from Oregon, but that woman who also goes by the same
name as the band Hudler (aka Marz Riesterer) is originally from
Belgium. She conjures up evil tremolo picked black metal that has
that raw metal edge to it, which for me, puts it’s influences in the
early ‘90s second wave of black metal. But it is more akin to the
other side of the coin from that era, which means it is not the
Scandinavian second wave, but rather the bm movement and sounds
brought forth in the early works by bands like her countrymen
Ancient Rites, as well as Varathron, Master’s Hammer, Kawir, Root,
Mortuary Drape, Grand Belial’s Key, Kampfar etc… There are brief
passages and an entire song like “Purgations of Bodily Corruptions”
where there is more prominent melody mixed in than you would
normally except from a band playing this sort of harsh style. I must
admit that is my least favourite aspect of the Hudler sound, but it
is not overused, so it is not a real problem either. The music as
mentioned while raw and caustic, also mixes in a healthy amount of
eerie synth as an adjunct whispering in the darkness throughout the
album. Hudler’s vocals are most often a coarse yelled growling hiss
mix, but is almost always accompanied with a freezing undercurrent
of classic black metal rasp. I quite enjoy those vocals. This is a
really impressive piece of work to come from one person, and I can
see / hear clearly what enticed a great label like Iron Bonehead
into wanting to release this enjoyable piece of dark musical art.
- Dale
https://www.hulder-official.com/
https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/
|
Coming out of
Italy's black metal scene is Idolatria with their second full-length
album. ‘Tetrabestiarchy’ contains four long songs, plus an intro and
outro. The band blends and creates a mix of crazed, furious black
metal, but can also write and execute some very well written and
performed mid paced passages that stand out as well. The vocals are
a mix of grim and gruff growls and there are some raspy screams used
throughout a few songs. There is no denying that Idolatria play
black metal, but the band does plays an original and quality black
metal with an own sound that is both furious at times, but also has
al ot of mid tempo song structures to make a great memorable
release. - Patrick
https://idolatria.bandcamp.com https://signalrex.bandcamp.com
https://signalrex.com
|
Ifrinn are
apparently from Scotland and for all I know a one man band even, it
is one of those deals where we are not allowed to know anything
about the band member(s). I am not a fan of this practice, but it is
their choice. So this is the bands second EP and second release
overall, the first self-titled EP came out five years ago. This
extended player at hand consists of three songs and runs about
twenty-five minutes. The music on here is hateful and aggressive yet
woven throughout that odious emotion is a concurrence of majestic
and memorable rhythms and sweeping riffs. It would seem those two
things would be like oil and water, but here they melt together very
well into one freezing conglomerate of black metal musical ceremony.
The vocals themselves are one of the biggest elements of the enmity;
as they are coarse rasping yells with a growling undertone that also
occasionally reflect the more emotive side of the musical sorcery. I
am not sure if we will wait another five years, but you can
contemplate that while you enjoy listening hypnotically to
‘Caledonian Black Magick’ repeatedly. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/IfrinnOfficial/
https://sinisterflame.bandcamp.com/
|
Ignivomous are
an Australian death metal band that has been around for over a
decade. But some of their members have been around a lot longer than
that playing previously or currently in infamous bands like
Abominator, Denouncement Pyre, Voidchrist, Inverloch, Accursed etc…
“Hieroglossia” is the bands third full length, which features eight
tracks of pure bone crushing death metal at it’s finest. The vocals
are heavy, guttural death metal growls that fit to the brutal and
vile aura of the music perfectly. The guitars are done with a mix of
slow, weighty guitar riffs alongside some faster bitingly aggressive
patterns. If you are looking for a band that plays a devastating and
intense unrelenting death metal style then do yourself a favor and
pick up a copy of this Aussie bands album when it is released in
November. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/Ignivomous
http://www.nwnprod.com/
|
The return of
Impaled Nazerene! My experience with this legendary UG band goes
back to almost to their very beginning. Impaled started out by
releasing demo tapes way back in 1991. I had my first encounter with
them when in late 1992 I purchased their “Goat Perversion” 7” EP,
which believe it or not still resides in my collection all these
decades later! That EP is one of my fave EP’s all time, it is so
amazing and showed the band turning up their audio sickness,
extremity and darkness to whole new levels that would be continued
with their debut album the next year on Osmose Productions. Around
this time frame I also tape traded for both of their ’91 demo tapes
as well and bought their first album straight away. So you can see
how much I am invested in this band since the early days. Yes okay,
stop reminiscing and move on to more recent times now. ‘Eight Headed
Serpent’ is the bands thirteenth full-length album, a new record
from Impaled has become more of an event in the more modern history
of the band, as this is just their second album in the last ten
years. While other veteran bands of the scene have matured or
expanded horizons or spread their wings and shit, or even got more
progressive and/or sold out for a period of time or for all time.
That is not Impaled Nazerene, not even for a minute, they only go
one direction and that is fucking intense, dark and diabolical! They
still play their patented brand of lightning speed black metal with
some of the most severe accents of raunchy punk and dark death
metal. It is an audio cacophony / tsunami if you will of violence,
and caustic sadism that dismantles, destroys and brutalizes
everything in it’s path! You know despite how barbarous their
musical blitzkrieg is, it has this memorable and infectious quality
to it still. This aspect is furthered through the main man and main
force behind I.N., which is Mika Luttinen (aka Slutti666) through
his amazing throat ripping and shredding vocals. Those vox manage to
convey unforgettable yet lecherous debauched cruel lyrics that
tattoo themselves to your brain like a creeping virus. He even still
employs (much to my delight) some of those same screeches and
bellowing beast growls I fell in love with in 1992 when I bought
that seven inch. As an extreme metal devotee going way back, how can
you ask for anything more than a band 30 years later that has stayed
so true to their roots and still deliver that fatal musical stab to
your heart?!! I say you can not ask or expect nothing more from this
legend band. I stand in reverence of Impaled Nazerene and worship at
their altar of darkness and evil. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/ImpaledNazareneOfficial
https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/
|
“Ritual Chamber”
was Impurity's second full length that was originally released in
1996, now Greyhaze Recs. will re-release it on vinyl LP and
cassette formats (this same label re-released this album on cd about
five years ago).The music is played with tremendous skill and
ability. The guitars are done with semi fast guitar passages and
some slower mid paced patterns. The guitarist does write and perform
some memorable guitar passages, they even add in some well done
solo's throughout the album. The vocals are gruff, raw screams and
some whispery talking type of vocals are used in a few of the songs.
This release was remastered from the original recording to give it a
more clear sound without loosing any of the bands classic raw evil
style. If you are or were a fan of Impurity, one of Brazil’s first
black metal bands, then be sure to pick up a copy of this classic
album Greyhaze. - Patrick
https://greyhazerecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.greyhazerecords.com/
|
After the demise
of his previous band Sadistik Goathammer, H.O.E.V. vocals / bass (Interitvm,
ex-Henosis, ex-Hellbutcher) decided to put that war metal band to
rest and move forward to create a this new entity as a trio with
Grunenwald (Henosis) on guitar & C.R. (Cannon Fodder, Qebeth) on
drums. Indoctrinate was started in 2019, then ran into problems as
apparently they recorded the material on this album three times over
before getting the desired result, which of course caught the
attention of Unholy Prophecies who signed the band straight away and
released the recording as the bands debut full-length. I have never
heard Sadistik Goathammer, who released a couple demos and a few
split releases, S.G. was purported to play war metal, but obviously
I can no compare the two bands styles. But Indoctrinate do play a
very primitive and bestial death metal style with hints of black
metal intertwined throughout. The guitars are a mix of crushing
heavier mid paced riffing and some crazed chaotic faster sections.
The guitars are extremely fast and aggressive. The vocals are
old-school death metal growls that possess some real power, along
with well done vocal arrangements. The vocalist does use some gruff
screams in a few tracks. If you enjoy chaotic and primitive South
American death metal then definitely be sure to pick up a copy of
this Chilean bands debut release. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/UnholyProphecies666/ http://www.unholyprophecies.com/
|
Insatanity is a
band that started out in Philadelphia in 1992, where they released a
series of demos and their debut album, eventually the main man Chris
Lytle moved down to Florida and filled out the band with a new line
up. That line up is a veteran one featuring current or former
members of bands like Amon, Brutality, Catalysis, Malevolent
Creation, Perdition Temple, Inhumanity, Protogenoi, Dark Disciple,
Polterchrist, Pyrexia and Bloodmessiah. I remember hearing
Insatanity's 1995 “Unholiness Rising” demo tape and their debut
full-length 1996 “Divine Decomposition”. After that release I lost
contact with the band, but it is great to see the band still
releasing quality blackened death metal. “Hymns Of The Gods Before”
is the newest release contains seven original songs and a cover of
Deicide's “When Satan Rules His World” (which is interesting since
they have a member of Amon in the band). These musicians play a good
mix of black and death metal extremity. For the most part the
guitars and drums are played with extremely fast patterns, but they
do add some injections of slower, mid paced structures mixed into
the music. The vocals are really demonic black metal screams and
death growls that fit Insatanity's music perfectly. The cover of
“When Satan Rules His World” is played extremely tight and is good
with a powerful sound. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/insatanityofficial/
https://cdnrecords.com/
|
Intonate rise up
from the province of Quebec, which has a long and storied death
metal scene history going back to the early days of the genre.
Thusly producing some of it’s classic bands like Gorguts, Cryptopsy
and Kataklysm (the tape trading nerd and patriotic side of me wants
to throw in bands on that list like Dislocation, Gorelust, Lord
Mortis, Necrotic Mutation, Neuraxis, Purulence and more! Haha).
Intonate pick up this mantle and in some ways I can hear influences
from all three of those heavy hitting bands I mentioned above, yet
they put it all together and come away a slightly different sounding
death metal style of their own. Intonate also form time to time,
like to mix in slower and more atmospheric brooding sections into
their usually epic length songs (ranging from 6 to 10 minutes each).
It is actually a really nice juxtaposition to their mainstay of
speedy brutality and intricate song structuring. There are so many
little inventive nuances going on especially with the guitars that
it will probably take you a bunch of listens for your ears and your
cerebral cortex to drink in and absorb it all. I enjoy how guttural
and abrasive the growling vocals are, as for me they add that bit of
needed grit to all the polish and refined skill of the rest of the
instruments on display. I have not mentioned the drumming yet, but
if you are going to pull off a diverse technical death metal record,
you need powerful and commanding drum work which Dominic Nucciarone
brings all of to his kit. If quality techno death metal that is also
deep and varied is your cup of tea, then you should look into
getting a copy ‘Severed Within’ in your collection as soon as
possible. Also keep a sharp eye on this promising young Canadian
band, they are bound to really make a name for themselves going
forward. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/intonateofficial
https://intonate.bandcamp.com/
|
I have not
listened to bands like Immortal Fate, Morbid Saint, Onslaught, early
Sadus, Necrovore, Death Hammer, Morbid Angel “Abomination Of
Desolation” or early Incubus in a good while. However, all of those
bands are old staples in my collection that I played the shit out of
back in the day. Invincible Force out of Chile brings me right back
to those great days (late ‘80s thru early ‘90s), when fast, violent
thrash bands were just starting to incorporate this new thing called
death metal into their sound. Now, some just went full death metal,
but bands like I mentioned above kept their in-your-face fierce
thrash as their foundation, while incorporating some dm brutality
and slight growling into their musical and vocal repertoire. I was
making this same transition as a speed, heavy metal & thrash fan
myself and this was an exciting and exhilarating time for me, like I
know it was for many other now old metal goats in the scene today.
Invincible Force obviously also worship those times and bring them
back in perfect reproduction here and do so with skill and a boiling
passion! This is a style not a lot of bands are doing these days, so
I can see old fans of that time period loving the hell out of
"Decomposed Sacramentum", it will wreck your neck, that is for
certain. - Dale
https://invincibleforce.bandcamp.com/ http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/
|
Chile's
Invocation return with a brand new six song EP that is filled with
classic and well performed death metal. The drums are done with
powerful and heavy mid paced patterns, which display a lot of skill
within the playing. The drummer does speed to a faster more extreme
style at times in contrast to that middle pacing mainstay. The
guitars are done with some well composed and executed guitar
passages that follow suit with both heavy mid paced guitar parts,
but also do speed to a more faster, chaotic realm at times. The
vocals are mainly old school weighty death metal growls, as well as
some vicious black metal screams are used in a few of the tracks.
- Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/INVOCATIONChile
https://ironbonehead.de/
|
I think most
people in the UG scene, when they think of South America it is
either very evil necro black metal and/or vicious, unrelenting
deathrash metal barbarity. That reputation is well earned, but the
South American scene is actually quite varied, if you look around a
little you will find some great heavy metal, grind and more. This is
where Jupiterian comes in, as they play high quality death doom
music that is extremely moody, gloomy and melancholic, all is
steeped in a mysterious and sinister sounding aura. There is also
hints of sludge metal in here, even though it is like a wisp of
smoke, weaving it’s way stealthily through the plodding metallic
oppression like a serpent. The music overall is a massive,
monolithic wall of crawling heavy as hell doom death metal that is
impenetrable; a seamless musical entity that feels like it has no
beginning and no end. The vocals are sparse and subtle, highlighted
by obscured whispering undertone of dark boiling, and elongated
growling. There are a number of lesser used accent vocal bits, all
gloomy sounding, and do their part in creating the dense and
opaquely ominous musical tapestry that will trap you in it’s cosmic
alluring pull if given half a chance. - Dale
https://jupiterian.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jupiteriansect
https://tometal.com/
|
This bands name
is the German word for Shell Shock, for those curious. I should get
this out of the way, despite Kriegszittern only having released one
full-length, this is a compilation release that contains said debut
album “Yellow Cross”, as well as their recent “Stratofortress” EP
plus a few unreleased songs recorded live. The sounds this German
horde produce are very much old school death metal, somewhat
primitive and convey a feeling of subterranean claustrophobic gloom.
The music is generally middle paced, but does fluctuate often into
slightly speedier realms, as well as down tempos into doom death
territory. The whole thing has this aura to it I love; it reminds me
to the atmosphere of the demos and early albums of the almighty
Grave. I can definitely hear other influences besides Grave in here
though, like strong smatterings of Bolt Thrower, Benediction, Morbid
Angel and early Autopsy. The vocals here are great roiling growls
and sound like what I imagine a disturbed demon would emanate
upwards from deep down in the pits leading to hell itself. The
production on the EP is so fucking thick and heavy! The guitars will
reverberate in your chest! I love that sound, not that the sound on
the album is not great in it’s own way, but damn it does hit you
when that “Stratofortress” EP kicks in. The live song recordings
sound good and fit in more seamlessly with the studio material than
I anticipated it would. Yeah man this is my kind of fucking brutal
death metal, the sort that has that old school flavour with an
atmosphere of suffocating darkness along with a necrotic audio
cocktail of purely sinister pernicious intent. - Dale
https://kriegszittern.bandcamp.com/
https://chaos-records.bandcamp.com/
|
This Finnish
group plays dirgy death doom metal. Imagine if you will a healthy
dose of early Grave’s brand of brutal Swedish death metal, which is
kind of doomy in it’s own right, mixed with the extremity of the
slow measured doom death from pioneer band Disembowelment. It
formulates together producing a crushing and imposing aura that will
envelope you and suffocate all of your senses in a most splendid
fashion. Once it grabs you, it does not let go easily as there are
long songs on here, with no less than three of the six clocking in
right around eight minutes. The vocals are deep, rolling and roiling
growls that flow and lengthen themselves to match the music, and
they possess a cool obscure sounding whispery undertone to them. The
vocals alone are very creepy and foreboding, both alternatingly
complimenting the music and melting in & out like a shadowy specter.
I like those vocals a lot! Krypts keep things very heavy yet almost
agonizingly slow, almost at all times, but there are fleeting
passages where they show their death metal roots and speed things up
like a normal death metal band. I swear I even heard something that
resembled a solo a couple times. Prepare yourselves for a massive
slab of slow motion brutality and an emotionally heavy dose of
foreboding and melancholia, which will leave you both drained and
very much satisfied. - Dale
https://www.kryptsdeath.com
https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com
|
After six years
of silence Finland's Lie In Ruins return with a new full-length
album. “Floating In Timeless Streams” contains ten tracks of solid
and well executed death metal, that is not breaking any new barriers
or genres, but is still played with skill through experienced
musicians. The music is mainly played with aggressive guitar
patterns and some fast drums. The music does slow to a more
controlled pace in a few of the tracks, but for the most part the
music is played with an extremely fast velocity. The vocals are some
of the best death metal growls that I have heard in quite some time.
The guitars are done with rapid, frenzied guitar chords and patterns
even adding some solo's throughout in some of the songs. This is my
first encounter with Lie In Ruins, so I can't compare their previous
releases to the new one, but if you are a fan of intense and heavy
death metal then do not pass up on this very solid release. -
Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/lieinruins
http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/
|
|
 
I admit for many
of the readers of Canadian Assault, largely made up of extreme metal
followers, this may not be your cup of tea. But as soon as I seen
hard rock and heard Bobby Liebling was in this, I guess super group
my interest suddenly went from zero to sixty in under ten seconds. I
am a longtime fan of course of Bobby’s main band Pentagram, which
has been around off and on in various forms since the early 1970’s.
The rest of this international super group only adds more intrigue
with Sonny Vincent on of the storied decades old long punk rock band
the Testors, Hugo Conim & Joao Pedro from Portugeuse doom metallers
Dawnrider on guitar and drums respectively, and believe it or not
bassist of The Stooges Jimmy Recca. I have to admit despite this
being the proverbial super group tagline; the music does not feel as
thrown together and loosely sewn together as these types of bands
often are. The music here feels natural and organically created and
performed with some excellent flow to the music. Bobby’s vocals,
while his charismatic voice is certainly recognizable from his
Pentagram material, the vocals here have a little different style
and cadence. I am sure some of this is conscious effort to give
Limit a little different vocal flavour from Pentagram, some of it is
from the speed difference with Bobby being forced to speed up his
delivery. Bobby cuts back on the drawn out words that suit doom over
the middle to faster pace of the driving hard rock on this album.
There is a contemporary edge to a lot of the music, but the lions
share of the music, wonderfully in my view feels very classic
seventies hard rock with some eighties influence here and there as
well. The music is exceedingly energetic rock music where flow,
catchy rhythms, memorable lyrics and choruses are the order of the
day. It is all in service of good rocking songs with no thought or
space given to the guitars to show-off histrionics or extended solos
and the like. There are stretches when classic punk rock seeps in,
but it is usually relatively subtle as the band effortlessly glides
back and forth. I can not imagine fans of classic ‘70s hard rock and
the music of the older members of the bands who would not really
this enjoy record. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/TheLimitRock/
https://svartrecords.com/
|
Lord Mortvm is a
new one man band from Norway and it is an interesting one. When I
say new, I mean really new as this full-length is their debut
recording and already a record deal. The music on here is heavy dark
doom metal with stoner doom touches that is mixed with black metal
and occult influenced metal in general. Yes, I know on paper and in
theory mixing those genres together should result in an absolute
musical train wreck. It is mildly shocking to me that this not only
works, but it works really well. I guess in the right hands, with
the right vision, and keeping the core roots of each of those genres
seems to be the right modus operandi to create something quality.
Some of the guitar on here features some fantastic classic doom
licks and appetizing guitar fills that won me over. I would say
traditional doom metal is the prominent base layer, but the stoner
sound and the black metal atmosphere alongside sinister vocals is
all well represented in the songwriting. Lord Mortvm is talented at
creating an aura of audio darkness while at same time also
expressing strong emotive feelings of oppressive sorrow and bleak
gloom that is a hallmark of doom metal. I can definitely picture the
listener in a dark room with reddish glow from a far off lamp,
smoking a joint, chanting an incantation and welcoming Satan’s
embrace. ‘Diabolical Omen Of Hell’ for me was a pretty satisfying
mental journey that combines some of my favourite sounds, styles and
eccentric dark feelings. I would have to recommend this to those who
are possessed by the music of bands like Black Sabbath, Pentagram,
early Mayhem, old Darkthrone, Electric Wizard, Orange Goblin, St.
Vitus and the like. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/lordmortvm
https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/diabolical
|
The shadowy and
dangerous sounding Lvcifyre rise once again like dark fog out of the
United Kingdom with their third album. This searing dyad is made up
of active UG musicians guitarist/bassist/vocalist T. Kaos (Death
like Mass, Sodality,
ex-Hödur,
ex-Sons of Serpent) and drummer Menthor (Bestia Arcana, Death like
Mass, Enthroned, Epping Forest, Nightbringer, Voz de Nenhum).
According the bio songwriter and main man Tom Kaos, despite some
other releases along the way by the band, this album was seven hard
fought years in the creation process and ‘the biggest mountain to
climb so far’ in his many years as a musician. It is easy in
some aspects to describe the bands sounds and in other aspects not
so easy. The nucleus can be described as blackened death metal, but
there is such a free flowing, spacious yet incredibly suffocating
atmosphere and aura to the music. It is sort of like being covered
in a huge wet audio blanket, shutting out all light and invoking a
feeling of no escape. There is so much space for that gloomy
ambiance to float, and wind its emotive self in between the
simmering brutality that will suddenly pound you down. The growling
vocals are great, they are so murky sounding as they transform and
mutate between traditional deep growl, throaty dark whispering, some
short expressive yelling outbursts, along with brooding and roiling
growls. There are even obscured into the background sung/spoken word
bits that remind me a little of something from the bands Root or
Acheron “Rites Of The Black Mass” era. The music would not achieve
it’s full effect, if those vocals did not possess the scope and
range that they do as opposed to just straight up death growls. I am
not saying Lvcifyre sound just like these bands, but all the same if
you think you would like the idea of a very atmospheric, morose
version of the earlier works of bands like Incantation, Morbid
Angel, Immolation, Deicide, and some newer ones like Dead
Congregation, Funebrarum then I think you will dig the hell out of
this album. - Dale
https://lvcifyre.bandcamp.com/
https://www.noevdia.com/
http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/
|
|
There is some
interesting history to this Georgia band, and I am a sucker for band
history trivia Haha. So Malformity was first birthed unto the UG
scene way back in 1991 and released a couple demos over the next
four years, before calling it quits. The two main members of the
band from the start are Eric Snodgrass (bass & vocals) and Dan
Ratanasit (guitar & vocals). Dan kicked around the scene in a couple
bands like Amoebic Dysentery and Neuroblast, while Eric was even
more active doing time in the bands Disillusioned, Vomit Froth,
Eridian and more. Those two pillars of the band decided to revive
Malformity in 2014, some twenty years later, bringing in Craig Vogel
on drums and Glenn Sykes on guitars. Glenn’s name will likely ring a
bell for some, he is a dual citizen of the USA and Sweden, Glenn has
a long active history in the UG (going back to the start of the
1990s) in both countries having been in bands like General Surgery,
Regurgitate, Coprophilia, Cardiovascular Sub-Hypothermia and more.
Sykes himself in some ways reflects the music of this band, as it is
a near faultless marriage of old school Floridian death metal and
old school Swedish Sunlight death metal. I am big fan of both of
those scenes and time periods, but Sweden during those earlier days
of the genre for me is the pinnacle for my death metal worship. So
it may be of little surprise that I enjoyed this long, long overdue
debut album from Malformity. I am sure some newer dm fans will be
expecting uber technicality, adventurous progressive song
construction and/or all manner of outside of metal influences, and
they will disappointed. Because what you do get much to my pleasure
is skillfully written, proficiently executed high quality classic
early/mid ‘90s death metal that is brutal and memorable. The dual
growling from Eric and Dan are both deep, well done and differ just
enough in tone to set each apart and play off each other nicely. As
mentioned above the music is a wonderful mixing of old Swedish death
metal and Floridian style that will have fans of the roots of genre
howling and headbanging for more. That is what it did for me. Well
done Gents. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Malformity
https://unspeakableaxerecords.bandcamp.com/
|
 
Now I am a die
hard for second wave black metal, of that there can be no doubt. But
my heart and the black blood that comes out of it have a real soft
spot for the early days of metal in the ‘80s and very early ‘90s
with the first wave of black metal! It is clear listening to
“Krupinské Ohne” that Malokarpatan also shares that same worship for
those early days of musical darkness and evil. The band plays black
metal without doubt and their musical heredity, to mine ears,
stretch clearly to the ‘80s and the dawn of the ‘90s, and even as
far back as the 1970s where black metal was deeply rooted in heavy
metal. I can hear those wonderful influences from bands like Ancient
Rites, Venom, Mortuary Drape, Mercyful Fate, Bulldozer, Infernal
Majesty, Kat (Poland) and more. Also, more broadly speaking UG
scenes like the early ‘90s Greek bm scene (ala Zemial, Varathron,
Agatus, early Rotting Christ & Necromantia), more specifically a
scene close to their homeland in the Czech Republic with awesome
bands like the legendary Root and Master’s Hammer. This Slovak band
is a mix of all those bands and styles, but the first wave itself
was an malevolent, raw and dirty heavy metal base mixed with
portions of speed & thrash metal alongside dashes of the darkest and
meanest parts of punk rock even. I may even be imagining things, but
I feel like I even detect whispers of ‘70s progressive hard rock.
Either way, do not let that fool you, this is fucking dark music
that is audio evil and possesses a great old days gloomy & sinister
atmosphere I adore so much. The vocals are classic first wave as
well with their shadowy obscure sounding sung, gruff growled voice,
which is dripping with a wicked darkened echo-y quality. There are
brief touches of non-traditional instrumentation worked into the
tapestry of certain passages, usually in the embryonic stages of
songs, before the wickedness of the heavy metal takes control and
drives the song. This band is really interesting; they have a lot of
depth and dimension to their sound, while always showing reverence
for the old days of heavy metal and black metal, whilst never
forgetting that is where the bands sound comes from. There is a lot
of thought, feeling and devotion put into the playing and the song
writing here. I am not sure if newer black metal fans and even the
melododeath fans may find no joy here, as there are no pretty
melodies around each bend, but those with a deep respect for the
foundations of the earlier days of metal, heavy, black and all in
between I think will appreciate this interesting and committed
band. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/malokarpatan
https://invictusproductions.net/
|
So until just a
couple years ago, I had thought this band from Greece that I
remember well from the mid to late ‘90s was no more. As it has turned out, after 20 years (!!) the band was revived and released an
album in 2018. Now with ‘Arcadian Witchcraft’ the band is making a
statement that they are here to stay and not just making a one-off
reunion release. There are now just two of the original four members
(Sirokous on vocals & Lord Apollyon on drums / keys) of the band,
they have pared down to a trio, having added a hell of a great
storied veteran member in Jim Mutilator on bass (founding and long
time bassist in both Rotting Christ and Varathron!!). Just a
coincidence that Jim left Rotting Christ as their softer, more
melodic, more goth-y period was beginning? The music on here takes
you on a real haunting and atmospheric black metal journey. Medieval
Demon do employ quite a bit of synth, which is often not something I
like in black metal (I normally prefer it only a supporting accent),
but there are no catchy, folk-y, pretty melodies here, no they try
to always keep the synth dark and sinister with a slight morbid or
disturbing quality to it. That is not to say the traditional
instruments do not play a strong part as they are prominent and
there is some great freezing riffs, as well as skillful guitar
nuances. The drums on here are commanding and powerful in the mix in
a damned good way. The vocals of Sirokous especially these days feel
very different and stand out as a bit unique because of it, at least
to do to me. He sings with this clear, clean and deep charismatic
voice that when melded together with a dark obscure sounding hissy /
echo-y growl creates a pretty fantastic combination. These three
veterans experience, dedication and songwriting craft, which they
have honed over the decades really shines through on this evil and
poignant quality black metal album. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/MedievalDemonOfficial/
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
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Miasmal Sabbath
is a somewhat mysterious triumvirate emanating out of Greece. They
do not seem to put much out there about who they are, outside of
having experience in past bands. There is much talk about punk and
d’beat (Discharge) having a huge influence though. While I can
definitely hear a some d’beat in the drumming at times, maybe more
than at times actually, possibly it is more in the vocal delivery
and playing feel that the punk comes in? Yes, I think I am getting
to the heart of the matter with that thought process, the more I
play this record. What I hear is some is some pretty killer loose ‘n
dirty death metal that has this dark, doomy aura to it, which I find
pretty satisfying to listen to. That punk laxness to the
compositions and rough shot dbeating style definitely give Miasmal
Sabbath a different feeling, than a lot of death metal bands. Some
of the death metal influences I hear are things like Repulsion,
Impetigo, Nihilist and the early works of Death, Obituary, Autopsy,
Dismember and the like. As fast and raunchy as they often are, they
are also project a sinister, gloomy atmosphere across it all and
also manage wrap everything in a doom metal air whenever things do
slow down. The vocals follow along with the music, as the main vocal
is clear, but deep growling filled with aggression and emotion which
fits the music like a glove. I was not sure what to make of this
Greek triad at first, they take a variety separate styles that
everyone has heard many times, but with "Ominous Radiance" have
managed to combine them all into something very different sounding.
The result of which approaches brilliance, while still leaving just
enough room for future growth. What a debut album! - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/miasmalsabbath http://www.unholyprophecies.com/
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This is this
young Polish bands second full-length release and the band features
members from the secretive, studio only, veteran band Evangelist.
Like the band it draws members from Monasterium play a classic doom
and epic heavy metal mixture. I mean I would call them a doom metal
band overall, but the epic heavy metal influences are strong and
certain passages or songs end up crossing over into that style
almost completely, before returning to the slow & heavy (both
musically and emotionally) doom stronghold. Monasterium’s music has
a very forlorn and affecting aura to it that I enjoy. The vocals of
Michał Strzelecki have a heavy accent bleeding through his singing
voice, which is something you would normally expect from Euro
singers, but it seems like vocalists from foreign countries that
sing English lyrics tend to try to hide their accent. Either that,
or perhaps many just trying to sound like their influences, so they
just naturally sing that way and the accent melts away, not sure,
but in this case the Polish accent is quite prominent. This could be
something that turns off some listeners, but honestly, for me it
adds a certain element of uniqueness to his traditional doom heavy
metal singing style. I am not going to going to say this is the best
doom release in years or groundbreaking, but I will say this is a
really solid, enjoyable doom record that fanatics and die hards of
the genre should really dig quite a bit. I know I did and I look
forward to this young bands next release. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/monasteriumdoom/
http://shop.nine-records.com/
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Coming out of
the United Kingdom's black metal scene is Morte Lune, whose ranks
feature members from various bands (Thine, Blasphemer, Atra Mors,
Ulfar, Written In Torment, Thy Dying Light, An Axis Of Perdition and
more!).’Temple Of Flesh’ contains six songs of aggressive, icy
second wave black metal darkness. The music is very well written and
assembled with some extremely fast paced flowing guitar passages at
it’s center. The guitarist does write and compose some slower
patterns rhythms, even adding some solo's into a few songs. The
vocals are a good mix of raw black metal raspy screams, some gruff
yells and growls are used in a few of the songs. If you are looking
for a new band, which combines satanic black metal with some finely
crafted and composed music then be sure to pick up a copy of this
disc as soon as possible. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/Purity-Through-Fire
https://shop.purity-through-fire.com
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This self-titled
album is this Swedish bands debut after releasing a single demo tape
prior to this, which must have been impressive in it’s own right to
land them on the respected I Hate Records label. The band play heavy
riffs and songs, but it is not raunchy and crushing heavy, it is
much more controlled and vaguely subdued similar to the musical
styles of bands like Warlord, Manilla Road, Omen, Stormwitch,
Attacker, Cirith Ungol etc… Yes, it is great old school classic
early to mid ‘80s heavy / speed metal worship, but done with an own
vibe and presented with a superb modernized recording (courtesy of
talented and experienced engineer / producer Magnus “Devo” Andersson
of Marduk). I enjoy the high energy guitar solos / fills that add an
injection of zest and energy into some of the songs ala a song like
‘Gallows Hill’, which really adds spice to their mainstay
unrelenting (and headbang inducing) riffing speed machine. I dig the
vocals on here they are belted out with a lot of ardor and a natural
sounding feeling of when to elongate and accent certain words or the
finish of sentence. These accompaniments add a lot emotion and a
level of dynamics, which sticks with you, as do the infectious
choruses, making the songs more memorable and enjoyable. It is cool
on the song ‘Lake of Necrosis’ where vocalist Julia von
Krusenstjerna sings a combination of Swedish and Enligsh lyrics, it
is how it changes up her style slightly having put different
emphasis on the Swedish phrasing. I enjoyed that and hope they do a
little more of that in the future. I should mention the drum work
here, performed by Sven Nilsson (Antichrist, Eviscerated), as it is
really solid supports the guitar & vocal feature attractions in
tasteful and competent fashion. If you are a devotee of early to mid
1980s heavy / speed metal, especially the American bands of that
era, you should enjoy the hell out of this debut record. Sweden is
keeping this hallowed art going strong with Mystik leading the way!
- Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Mystikswe/
http://www.ihate.se/
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This band Norge
band has been around apparently since 2010, but did not start
releasing anything until just over 2 years ago for some reason.
“Styggdom” is Nattverd's second full length and first for the
legendary Osmose Productions. The album contains eight tracks of
traditional, cold Norwegian black metal similar to the mid 90's era.
The guitars are played with icy cold patterns, which for the most
part are aggressive and fast riffing arrangements. The guitarist
does slow to a more calm, mid pace style throughout some of the
songs, before going to a more crazed fast tempo. The vocals are grim
black metal screams and screeches that fit well. This is my first
encounter with Norway's Nattverd, but I hope to hear more music from
this Norweigan black metal band. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/nattverdofficial
https://www.osmoseproductions.com
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Norway's
Nattverd return with a brand new release continuing the rich
traditional Norse black metal style that was they have become known
for over the last decade. But on “Vandring” the band seems to
incorporate some cryptically epic and atmospheric elements into the
music this time around. The musicians still keep the music in the
traditional cold and hateful realm, but do add more melody and again
epic flowing elements into their songwriting. The vocals are grim
black metal screams and screeches that are spat out with a powerful
delivery; the vocalist uses some deeper gruff growls and screeches
in a few of the songs. The musicians never really slow down too much
even when the music goes more to the atmospheric areas of their
sound which I like. It seemed a lot of bands in the early 00's
dropped the cold black metal style, and went all atmospheric and
lame. But that is not the case here. Nattverd have incorporated both
styles into their grim music to forge a great release that is
recommended to fans of quality black metal. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/nattverdofficial/
https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/
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Necrobode is a
band of black death metal zombies from Portugal, compelled to hunt
you down to the ends of the earth to eat your flesh and steal your
souls. This is my first listen to Necrobode with this album, the
bands debut full-length. This release is filled with chunky ‘n
heavy, gear grinding bitingly evil riffing and barbarous drum work
that will beat you into submission. I think of Necrobode’s music as
being executed at Michael Myers speed. Like Myers it walks at a
brisk pace, taking long deadly strides yet never running or rushing,
just coming for you endlessly, tirelessly hunting you down. That is
not to say there is no speed variation at all, but this bands tempo
cadence and musical gate vary only ever so slightly in either
direction of slower and faster. Their mainstay pace is always the
same; it is for me, both pleasingly hypnotic and wholly menacing,
all at the same time. The vocals mimic the music, rarely changing,
but relentlessly present in their much obscured combination of
barking yell and husky, ominous whispery growl. Like the music the
vox are quite hypnotic and rhythmic, yet threatening in their ever
unchanging fearsome and undecipherable form. This music may not be
varied enough, or slick enough or melodious enough for some black
death metal fans, but that is okay this is not meant for you. It is
for die hards of filthy, raw black death metal who enjoy an evil,
old school suffocating atmosphere summoned straight from the pits of
hell itself. I look forward to more from this band in future. -
Dale
https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/
https://ironbonehead.de/
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This is a one
man band from Greece, and that one man is Echetleos (Caedes Cruenta,
Ithaqua, Kawir, Opus Magorum, Walpurgia plus more) who is obviously
a well known figure in the UG scene. This is the bands debut release
and I believe this was first released as a demo on cassette, and now
Helter Skelter & Regain Records have combined to release this on
disc and vinyl. The music on here is total old school first wave
style black metal, slower to middle paced, very atmospheric music
that just bleeds audio darkness in a chilling yet hypnotic and
ritualistic fashion. Some influences I hear are Necromantia,
Varathron, Mortuary Drape, early Grand Belial’s Key, early Ancient
Rites, and even King Diamond (especially on the epic fifteen minute
title track) believe it or not. There is absolutely no getting
around the Necromantia influence comparison on the ten plus minute
song “Necromantical Ritual”, none, I mean this track sounds like a
long lost and unreleased Necromantia recording from the early to mid
‘90s. So is that a problem for me? Absolutely not I fucking worship
old Necromantia and that style, it is amazing, well done and
captures that sound and spirit so completely, it is both frightening
and invigorating for me to listen to. Necromantical Invocation most
definitely keep the classic Greek bm traditions alive here. Both
epic length songs are wrapped around with an intro / outro
combination, and both sound quite different from one another, which
I suppose could be a positive or negative depending upon your
tastes. I really hope we hear more from this one man band in the not
too distant future. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/necromanticalinvocation
https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/
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Hrafn is the
mastermind behind the great Nefarious Dusk who release their
self-titled second album through the well respected label Purity
Through Fire. Hrafn is one very busy and productive man in the
British UG scene as he is also in the bands Helvellyn, Morte Lune,
Skiddaw, Thy Dying Light, Torver, Úlfarr and more past and present!
I wasn't fortunate to hear the debut release, but this self-titled
release consists of ten tracks of cold hateful black metal
intensity. The music is delivered with a mix of extremely fast
passages and some slower mid paced patterns that are done with skill
and a great writing ability. There is also an epic flowing quality
to the music despite being so frosty and bitter at the same time.
The vocals are delivered with raw raspy black metal screams and
screeches. If you are looking for a release that is uncompromising
black metal then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the
self-titled release today. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/nduk666
https://www.facebook.com/Purity-Through-Fire
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Now, it's time
for some thrashy Black Metal, I guess. A catchy type of raucous, so
far. It sounds like mischievous raccoons scurrying around fibrous
tree trunks on a moonlit night. The songs have a tight structure yet
have a deliberate sloppiness stemming from (or around) their core -
to make the overall atmosphere feel lively and present. They have
that "controlled chaos" aspect, I'd say. A little off kilter but
masterfully gliding along the left hand path - with a smirking
knowing wink, no doubt. A raw touch of the diabolical with a
seemingly aloof panache. I like the two different guitar patterns
going on much of the time (left and right variations - complimenting
each other). Keeps things interesting. Quality deviltry, here...or
pseudo-deviltry? Either way...it's pretty enjoyable. Oh...wow. Just
as I was about to end this review, I heard a familiar song
beginning. It's a cover of Slayer's "Angel of Death". Not bad. Not
great...but not retch-worthy, either. Seems a bit out of place,
though. Two more songs to go. Back to the more impassioned style of
their own. Yeah, this is some fine work, here. Recommended.
- Anders
https://www.facebook.com/nekrokraft/
http://thesignrecords.com/
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After a nine
year slumber Norway's old school thrash maniacs Nekromantheon return
with a brand new release. Some of the members have been active in
the meantime as members of great bands like Obliteration, Black
Viper, Flight and Audiopain. ‘Visions Of Trismegistos’ is the bands
third full-length release in the last eleven years and features
eight songs of intense and ferocious thrash metal mayhem. The
guitars are played with skill and extremely aggressive guitar
patterns and riffs. For the most part the guitars are played with
insane and chaotic speed passages, but the guitarist does write some
slower memorable passages even adding in some well written solo's.
The vocals are traditional thrash metal screams that are delivered
with tremendous power and intensity. If you are looking for a band
that brings it with relentless old school thrash metal then look no
further then Nekromantheon. - Patrick
https://nekromantheon.bandcamp https://indierecordings.no/
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
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This is a
compilation release of a few of this malevolent and depraved Texas
bands many ep’s, which were released over the last couple of years
by the long running (many years before cassettes became cool again)
cult UG tape label Eternal Darkness Creations. E.D.C. is ran by the
notorious grey bearded metal goat (full disclosure Keith is one of
my very long time, as in 3 decades time, best friend) Keith Dempe. I
have reviewed all of these N.O.C.O. releases, and more in CA
previously, so I will keep the actual review somewhat brief as it
will just be me repeating myself. N.O.C.O. as hinted at above is
prolific in their release history, most being short ep’s, but they
have progressed and morphed their sound in a brief time. A lot of
their early sound and influences came from hardcore / crust styles,
as they continued to evolve those elements became almost
non-existent in their newer material. Some wisps of their scathing
metal influences remain, but they pop in and out of listening view
in quite fleeting fashion, yet still leaving an indelible mark on
the coarse & caustic disturbing atmosphere that is almost always
present. In my opinion, the music is largely centered on Paul’s
scathing, acidic vocals and the samples, both of which are often
heavily manipulated in some form or fashion. This is achieved with a
barrage of quick edited bits of those elements embroidered into a
collage of deviant auditory aural sensations. It is not an easy or
comfortable listen, it is in your face and abrasive, and if you like
that sort of thing you will find this an interesting, at times
infectious listen. I guarantee you Keith from E.D. Creations makes
the absolute best and most creative tape layouts in the UG scene!
These things fold out in every direction, the cover itself is a
small booklet with all of the covers of collected releases on here
like a front cover booklet, then there is a slipcase design over top
of the cassette case and a banner band/strap that you slide off just
to get the slipcase off. It is a fucking brilliant design concept
and Keith is a legend that deserves your support!! - Dale
$5 US to:
Eternal Darkness Creations at c/o Keith Dempe, P.O. Box 268,
Coraopolis, PA. 15108, USA keithdempe@gmail.com
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Denver,
Colorado’s Noctambulist are a fairly new death metal band.
‘Atmosphere Of Desolation’ in fact is the bands debut release, which
features six songs of fast and heavy death metal music. The vocals
are low and deep growls, though the vocalist does add some gruff
screams in some spots in a few of the songs. I have to say these are
best vocals I have heard in quite a while and fit the music
perfectly. The music is weighty and powerful with some heavy drum
patterns that are both extremely chaotic and fast, but do slow down
to a mid paced drum style throughout a few of the tracks. The
guitars are done in the same vein with some very well written and
performed patterns that are mainly played with a lot of speed. The
guitarist does add some very well played solos and nicely placed
within the bands music. If you are looking for a new with a lot of
potential then you should definitely be sure this release out,
surely there will be some good things to come from this young band.
- Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/noctambulist303/
https://helterskelterproductions.bandcamp.com
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Creeping on up
from the densely forested pits of Denver, Colorado is Noctambulist
with their sophomore album and first on the excellent Willowtip
Records. The individual members have been kicking around the
Colorado scene for quite some time, doing time currently or
previously in bands like Nicaraguan Death Squad, Cordyceps, Despise
The Sun, Burn The Fleet, Twatrot, Expurgate and more. They play
blackened and brutal semi-technical death metal with a high degree
of polished musicianship. Their style is interesting despite them
always keep things dark and very brutal, there are also numerous
sequences smoothly mixed in that are very depressive, moody and
brooding. Which when combined tends to create an intriguing,
discordant emotive misery blend that is quite striking and appealing
to me. The vocals of Sean McConnell are excellent deep growls that
expand and contract expressing a lot of anger and rage, but also
manage to mimic the depths of despair you can feel from the music.
It is this strange alluring yet also disturbing mix of fury and
despondency. It took me a few listens before this album went from a
dark death metal album to something deeper than that as the top
layers peeled back for me. I have not heard their debut album, but
this second offering is something to behold if you are brave enough
to really embrace it’s joy draining grasp. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/noctambulist303
https://willowtip.bandcamp.com/
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This is the second full-length album from this Chicago band; they
have been releasing material (two demos, a couple EPs & a split CD)
since 2012. I am a little disappointed it took me this long to catch
on to them. Because they play great old school heavy & mammoth metal
of death, with a great sci-fi concept enveloping everything from the
great cover artwork, to the lyrical content and bleeding into the
music itself. When speaking of this little sub-genre, it is hard not
to include Nocturnus in the mix when talking Sci-fi death metal, in
this case conceptually the answer is yes. But, I would say Nucleus
actually sounds different enough from especially early Nocturnus,
and their vicious speed and heavy synth use makes it is hard to
mention them as an influence. However, surely bands like Timeghoul
(who I was a pretty big fan of early ‘90s when I tape traded for
their demos), Demilich for sure musically, it is also hard not to
think of early Immolation, Adramalech, Rippikoulu, Purtenance,
Abhorrence, Demigod and a touch of later day Gorguts at times too.
The music and the dense roiling growls on this album remind me to
another old fave Convulse as well. None of those influences are a
bad thing, I am a big fan of all the bands I have named, and Nucleus
has managed to put their own touch on that sound. It is clear these
guys love the early to mid ‘90s Finnish death metal scene, and who
can blame them it was a great time for death metal in that country.
The speeds vary slightly, as do song structuring changes, which
morphs enough to keep things interesting. But the speed generally
speaking, stays in the middle tempo range, with brief slow and
quicker accents that serve to manipulate the listeners emotional
spikes. Every now and then, there are even some tasty guitar fills,
but it is kept to a minimum as the boys make sure the overall dark,
sinister atmosphere is nurtured and maintained throughout. This is a
quality about them I appreciate very much. “Entity” without a doubt
is one of the better death metal albums I have heard in the last
couple years, and I hear a lot of them! - Dale
https://unspeakableaxerecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nucleusmetal/
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Unholy shit
Nunslaughter return with their first full-length album in ages! I am
so, so damn stoked for this thing. I am tempted to write an entire
essay on how great the sadly departed drummer Jim Sadist is, who I
was lucky enough to get to know a bit personally and even hang out
with, but I will try to refrain. I will instead quote the bio who
sum things up well in a briefer manner than I could “…at long
last, the band's first album in seven years. Many are still mourning
the loss of legendary drummer Jim Sadist (RIP), and while Red is the
Color of Ripping Death is their first full-length without him
playing on it, some of the 14 songs contained herein are unfinished
/ unrealized music that Jim and founding frontman Don of the Dead
wrote years ago”. So, the patented black blood sadistic death
metal the band is revered for is alive and well, surging and roiling
along in classic fashion and this particular devotee of the band is
exceptionally jubilant about it all. It also conjures up so many
good memories connected to this band and it’s music. Don’s pipes are
in fine form as his wonderfully gurgling and acidic growls, screams
and howls creep into my ears and into my body into through violent
headbanging gyrations. New or at least recently (you know you are an
old goat when call 5 years new Haha) drafted drummer Wrath has a
tighter, more technically precise style that is forceful and
powerful. It definitely contrasts to an extent with Jim Sadists
drumming that had more of, for lack of a better term organic and
natural feeling, where the spirit of the music seemed flow through
his sticks. While I do prefer Jim’s style a little more, the
drumming here still kicks some ass and conveys the diabolic
character of the music more than well enough. While there is little
doubt in my mind during his 20 years in the band that Jim Sadist put
his stamp heavily on Nunslaughter and indelibly changed and improved
the music of the band, it is equally true that the true essence and
heart of the band is Don of The Dead, who was there from the
formation of this band nearly 35 (!!!) years ago. No matter whom Don
recruits to join his blasphemic musical horde, it will always be
Nunslaughter and it will always be truly great, uncompromising and
evil metal of death, devil metal to the fucking core! - Dale
nunslaughter.bandcamp.com/
facebook.com/NUNSLAUGHTER/
shop-hellsheadbangers.com/
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