ACID DEATH

“Pieces Of Mankind” 1999 CD (Copro Records)

I liked this bands promo and 7” a few years back. Quality deathrash. Now they play very commercially influenced deathrash and it is just not the same or as good.

 

ABSCESS / BLOODRED BACTERIA

“Split” 2005 MCD

(Bestial Burst)

Abscess Man this is great stuff, more like the early Abscess demos then their newer stuff and it is complete sewage, romping ripping death metal!

Bloodred BacteriaTotal grinding death metal with speed, speed and more speed. Pretty intense, good thing it was short because I am exhausted.  - Dale

 

ABSENTIA LUNAE

“In Umbrarum Imperii Gloria” 2006 CDR

(Serpens Caput)

CDR promo for full Length vinyl only release on Serpens Caput. Dark ‘n cold black metal, Norge kind of type, it just did not do much for me. Sub-par.  *See Aids Review for contact…  - Dale

 

ABYSMAL TORMENT

“Epoch of Methodic Carnage” 2006 CD

(Brutal Bands Records)

Well played & recorded buhrutal grinding death metal sort of in the Mortician vein yet fast and more well rounded with total garble vocals. Gets the job done & enjoyable.  - Dale

www.brutalbands.net  

AD NOCTUM

“The Excellence of Supremacy” 2005 CD

(Ancient Darkness Productions)

Black-ish metal which is akin to older Cradle of Filth mixed with newer Dark Funeral. Add in female clean vocals & piano - I will pass on this pansy parade unless you roll like that..  - Dale

www.adnoctem.dk   www.ancientdarkness.dk

 

AIDS

“Syndrome of The End Approaching 2006 CDR for Full Length Vinyl

(Serpens Caput)

Only release Raw sounding and harsh chaos black metal ala Conqueror and Blasphemy but some interesting different guitar lines. Really good stuff and would sound sick on vinyl.  - Dale

 www.serpenscaput.com   moonblood@tiscali.it

 

 

AMENTHET

“Edekelheit” 2006 Promo CD

Black metal that is a little one dimensional,  too melody laden and symphonic for my tastes. What about yours? $6 us: c/o Lordi Nicolas, Le plein ciel 6A, 5 rue des charmettes, 05000 Gap, FRANCE  - Dale 

amenthet@caramail.com

 

ANNIHILATOR

“Schizo Deluxe” 2005 CD

(AFM Records)

It is clear the band will never touch their early classic period. However, this is heavy & stripped down way with some contemporary accessible bits lightly sprinkled within. It is good to see old man Waters still hacking away and not selling out…oh wait he already did that once.  - Dale

www.afm-records.de

 

ARCTIC CIRCLE

“Forcing The Astral” 2006 CD

(Profound Lore)

Old readers will remember this Canadian band from the old days and Arctic Circle have come a long way. Driving, almost hypnotic black thrash, rather unrelenting, yet moody and addictive to listen to.  - Dale

www.profoundlorerecords.com

 

AGNOSTIC FRONT

“Live at CBGB’s” 2006 CD + DVD

(Nuclear Blast)

Major legends, I worshipped the “One Voice” LP. To be honest, the singer has lost some of his clarity & power. The DVD was best because you can really feel the wrecking ball energy with your ears and eyes. Still kicking asses after all these years!  - Dale

 

ANAL CUNT

“It Just Gets Worse” 1999 CD (Earache Recs)

It Just Gets Worse and lyrically yes it does. As un-politically correct as is possible and damn funny too. The music is about the same nothing new or overly exciting just crazy noise in the traditional way. If you like that kind of thing.

 

AMDUSCIAS

“Self-Titled” 1999 CD (Metal Blade/Blackend)

Nicely fashioned and performed but ultimately boring black metal. Amduscias are reminiscent of the Norge black metal style like Emperor (1st album) but minus the keys.

 

 

ANGEL DUST

“Bleed” 1999 CD

(Century Media)

The old legendary dark thrashers are back! Now they play limp commercial hard rock / heavy metal L. Discouraging and disheartening. Just not that same old high they used to produce.

 

ANGELCORPSE

“The Inexorable” 1999 CD

(Olympic Records / Osmose Productions)

Pulverizing and warring death metal to the extreme! Mix Morbid Angel, Bestial Warlust and Blasphemy equals “The Inexorable”. Crushing and controlled chaos with piercingly sweet solos. Excellent!

 

APOCHRYPHAL REVELATION

“Primeval Devilish Wisdom" 2019 CD & LP

(NWN! Productions)

This Kentucky horde produces raw and heavy black metal with atmospheric touches and a sinister aura in the early ‘90s tradition. But not second wave Scadinavian bm, but rather gloomy black/death metal akin to the early works of bands like Rotting Christ, Varathron, Beherit, Mystifier, Mortuary Drape, Ancient Rites, Nergal etc… If dig that stuff, you will want to check this out.  - Dale 

https://www.facebook.com/apochryphalrevelation/    http://www.nwnprod.com/   

 

ARCHIE BUNKER

"Lucky 13" 1998

(Brainticket Records)

The riffs did grab me at times with an Eyehategod sludginess and stoner groove but the vocals are just unforgivable. Not only are the vocals shouted in the Phil Anselmo tough guy vein, they also sound like some kind of fucking Limp Bizkit, Korn jump-fiend induced queerness at times.  – Jeffrey Kusbel

 

ARMAGEDDA

“Only True Believers” 2019 CD

(Nordvis Produktion)

This is a re-release (one half of this band duo A. Petterson owns Nordvis) by this now defunct yet excellent Swedish black metal band. I followed this band during their first few albums released 2002-2004 time frame. Great cold and hateful early ‘90s second wave Scadinavian black metal!  - Dale

https://nordvis.bandcamp.com/    https://www.facebook.com/nordvis

 

ARSEBREED

“Munching The Rotten” 2006 CD

(Neurotic Records)

Formerly known as Bloodcum, these Dutch blokes are brilliant with band names. American style guttural death metal that is really average and humdrum. Forgettable release.  - Dale

 

 

ASGUARD

“Dreamslave” 2005 CD

(Dark Reign Records)

“Most brutal black metal album of the year” HA HA. Think of gothy Cradle of Homo mixed with the lightest elements of Goteborg dm, all swimming in puddles of synth and pro tools. The most terrible thing I have heard for a while.  - Dale

D.R., P.O. Box 30727, Long Beach, CA. 90853, USA  www.devildollrecords.com 

 

ASHES YOU LEAVE

"Desperate Existence" 1999 CD

I am taken aback and flabbergasted at how boring a flute can make a band sound. Plain run of the mill symphonic death, female vocals, Blah, blah! I crave riffage and wattage!!  – Jeffrey Kusbel

 

 

AVATAR

“Live on Mozartstrasse” 2005

 (Axa Valaha Productions)

Around since 1994? Wow. Reminds me of a so-so version of Crowbar but with more melodo death metal to it. OK, nothing more.  - Dale

Axa Valaha, c/o Mihai Caraveteanu, str Victoriei, bl.M4, sc. D, ap. 11, Turnu Magurele 145200 TR, ROMANIA   www.axavalaha.go.ro

 

AVULSED

“Goresplattered Suicide” 2005 CD

(Metal Age Productions)

These dudes have been going forever. I think they could be accused back in the day, mid 90s of being incredibly average. However, with age they progressed nicely and have honed their craft into a top shelf grinding death metal band.  - Dale

info@metalage.sk   www.metalage.sk  

 

BAHIMIRON / TERATISM

“Pact In Disease & Profanation” 2005 Split CD

(Graveless Slumber Records)

Bahimiron Older even more primitive but oh so mighty black metal from one of America’s deadliest bm bands, just evil! Includes live tracks…

Teratism Black metal somewhat in the vein of classic Immortal. Good but lacked a bit of feeling and atmosphere.  - Dale

1527 F Crescent Ln., Matthews, NC. 28105, USA  www.gsr666.com.

 

BELZEC

The Infernal Southern Call” 2019 CD

(Headbanger Records / Death Zone Productions)

It is good to get a pure black metal band out of South America. Belzec play raw bm with a really cold atmosphere. It is not the usual Scandinavian sound; it is a more rough and different kind of dark aura. The vocals are evil whispery ‘n gruff throat grating vox filled with malice & spite. Belzec interestingly remind me most to black metal bands from the Czech Republic like early Master’s Hammer (demos & 1st album), Root (1st album) & some Maniac Butcher plus maybe a little Immortal. I enjoyed it.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/belzecperu    https://www.facebook.com/Headbangerrecords666  

 

 

 

BEYOND SERENITY

“Promo CDR 2005”

Around for 8 years already? You would think given that much time in the trenches, the music would be tighter and a lot less one dimensional, there are some signs of quality beneath though.  - Dale 

www.beyond-serenity.de

 

BLACK BLEEDING

“The Awakening” 2005 Demo CDR

(Nihilistic Holocaust)

Brutal but vigorous and varied death metal, a little depressive at times and topped off with deep growls.  - Dale

www.listen.to/blackbleeding   www.nihilistic.ca.tc

 

BLIXTNEDSLAG

“Kalla Känslor" Demo / Promo Cassette EP

(Self Release)

This is a band done by an old contact of mine. We became friends through his long time band Aggressive Mutilator, which is very different from this band as it is extreme black metal with some punk touches. Blixtnedslag (Struck By Lightning) on the other hand play 1970s style rock w/Swedish lyrics, it very obvious when listening that ‘70s Kiss is the main influence for the band. If you are a big fan of old Kiss you should give this a try.  - Dale  

https://www.facebook.com/Blixtnedslag-108454637775179/    https://blixtnedslag.bandcamp.com 

 

BLOT MINE

“Porphyrogenesis” 1999 CD

(Near Dark Productions)

Clean 'n slick but raging black metal. Kind of average but well done and still enjoyable. Features 3 old Setherial members as well.

 

BLO.TORCH

“Self-Titled” 1999 CD (Wicked World)

Lame moniker aside. After the first couple trax I thought “another At The Gates clone”. But further investigation reveals a harsh & complex album written masterfully by talented musicians.

(See Earache addy elsewhere as Wicked World is their new sub-label)

 

BOLT

“Movement & Detail” 2006 CD

(10T Records)

Movement is a pretty apt title, a very emotionally carrying atmospheric record, no vocals but soundscapes ala some old Pink Floyd but much more structured and less free flowing. I liked some of it and the rest not so much.  - Dale

www.boltTV.com 

 

 

BRILLIANT COLDNESS

“Beyond Eternity” 2004 Promo CDR

(Dead Center Productions)

A dose of Ukranian death metal. It is heavy and has it’s segments that make you stand up and notice but mostly it is just another average death metal band to add to the pile.  - Dale

http://deadcenter.nm.ru  

 

BULLETS FOR TEETH

“Six Sides Of Fortune” 2006 CD

(Casket Music)

Reminds to a more commercial juicy fruity Monster Magnet. It made me want to jump up, turn around and puke. This is not good, not good at all.  - Dale

www.coprorecords.uk

 

CANCER

“Spirit In Flames” 2005 CD

(Copro Records)

Old man river winds onward. I would definitely say Cancer sound more old school than ever, mid-pace hypnotic dm with decipherable slow vocals that give off a cerebral fog vibe. A cunt hair away from being turtle thrash but just enough death for me. Aces for fans of the old style.  - Dale

ryan@coprorecords.com   www.coprorecords.co.uk

 

THE CARNIVAL / ENORMITY

“Split CD” 2005

(Bestial Burst)

The Carnival - Olllldddd thrash metal of the Celtic Frosty Hammer topped in a fresh virginal blood bath for Bathory.  

EnormityEnergetic deathrash that is in your face, hard and ready to rape your grandma with whirlwind attack, complete with complimentary reach around on her sag bags.  - Dale

www.enormityband.cjb.net   www.thecarnival.cjb.net

 

CATHEDRAL

“The Garden of Unearthly Delights” 2005 CD

(Nuclear Blast)

When did Cathedral stop playing doom?! This is sped up, fast rock and a large disappointment, they just do not click at these speeds.  - Dale

 

CELEBRATUM

“Instinct” 2005 CD

(Metal Age)

I know both the label and band will hate to hear this, but this band is not good enough to have a record out. Boring, repetitive material, poor execution, terrible amateurish vocals equal a band that should still be in the demo tape stage and no further.  - Dale

 

 

CENTURIAN

“Chronzonic Chaos Gods” 1999 CD (Full Moon Productions)

Oppressively heavy death metal with some Canadian / Australian war metal style and a big bit of Deicide thrown in. Fucking superb and a must have!

 

CHEVALIER

“Destiny Calls” 2019 CD

(Gates Of Hell Records)

This Finnish band play straight up heavy, ripping ‘80s speed metal with some heavy metal touches. For me it brings to mind bands like Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Brocas Helm, Warlord, Omen etc… Vocalist Emma captures those ‘80s speed metal vocals quite well. This is a strong debut album that old metal fans will dig a lot.  - Dale

https://chevalier.bandcamp.com/    https://www.gatesofhellrecords.com/  

 

CHOKEHOLD

“The Killing Has Begun” 2006 CD

(Casket Music)

'Nu metal' as they call it. Very simplistic, no emotion or flow to the music, the vocalist is pretty terrible (and I thought Crowbar's vocals were bad), a lot of stop ‘n start type stuff for the kids to pogo too. Utter Garbage...  - Dale

www.coprorecords.uk   www.chokehold-metal.com

 

CIANIDE

“Unhumanized” 2019 MCD, MLP & Tape

(Hells Headbangers)

I have been a big fan of this band since their classic & influential 1992 debut album. These old warriors of the metal UG scene are still going after all these years! Cianide are still pumping out their addictively pernicious brand of doomy death metal madness. Support these legends!  - Dale  

https://www.facebook.com/svarttjern    http://www.soulsellerrecords.com/  

 

CONJURATION

“Funeral of the Living” 2005 MCD

(Bestial Burst)

They are brutal but damn a doom band on the thrash obsessed speed label Bestial Burst? I love it and Conjuration are superb. Horror Metal indeed, just wow! ARGH!  - Dale

http://horrormetal.cjb.net

 

 

CORPUS MORTALE

“With Lewd Demeanor” 2005 CD

(Neurotic Recs)

Slickly produced Scandinavian old brutal dm with a touch of old American dm influence as well. Solid but average.  - Dale

www.corpusmortale.com

 

CREMATORY

"Act 7" 1999 CD

(Nucleaer Blast America)

I find almost all symphonic/death metal to be rather tedious and boring. The keyboards drone and the guitars riff but to no avail. Crematory is just not my cup of tea (or beer for that matter).   – Jeffrey Kusbel

 

CROSS

“Playgrounds” 2005 CD

(Progrock Records)

More progressive rock of course and this is very atmospheric and introspective. It is good stuff if you are in the mood for that.  - Dale

info@progrockrecords.com

 

CRUEL BOMB

“Trinity Terror” 2020 CD EP

(Self-Release)

This was sent to me by Paul from Soulgrinder ‘zine (Cheers!). This band is based in PA near me. They create some crossover sounding, high energy ‘80s Thrash filled with ripping riffs. They remind me of a mix of big 4 ‘80s thrash with a spicing of lesser known bands like Biohazard, Pro-Pain (music & vocals), Forced Entry, C.O.C.’s “Animosity” album etc… Definitely a new young band to keep an eye on!  - Dale 

https://www.facebook.com/Cruelbomb/    https://cruelbomb570.bandcamp.com/  

 

CRYOGENIC

“Celephas” 1999 CD (Solistitium Recs)

More shitty keyboard disco black metal. The organ on here sounds exactly like the one on the theme song of the Adams Family! I kept waiting for the finger snaps to kick in and Lurch to groan haha