|
This is the
debut release from this Swedish black metal band featuring members
who are also in bands like HellGoat, Amuleto de Calamidades &
SlaughterCoffin. There are three tracks of grim yet well executed
black metal spite. The music and the vocals are done with skillful
writing and gruff black metal screams that cut into you. Check it
out. - Patrick
https://bchrecords.storenvy.com/
https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/
Acid Blade hail from Germany and play a very
tasty early to middle ‘80s heavy metal that sends some nostalgic
shivers through me. They are a very talented group of musicians who
create really memorable and up beat, high energy songs. This music
will please old school diehards of bands like Judas Priest, Iron
Maiden, Accept, Brocas Helm, Overdrive, Heavy Load, Angelwitch, Omen
and the like. The singer on here has a great siren vocal style and
excellent delivery too. Check it out. - Dale
https://acidblade.bandcamp.com/
https://www.personal-records.com/
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 –
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
Bacteria – Total grinding death metal with speed, speed and
more speed. Pretty intense, good thing it was short because I am
exhausted. - Dale
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
This is a re-release of this French bands 2005
demo, originally only released on CDR. This is a one man band of old
school death metal, the sound is a bit thin and it does sound like a
one man band. But the music on here is good and it is a demo, so
considering all that it is actually solid music, at times fast &
pounding, other times gloomy dm music on here. If you missed out the
first time you should make this second chance count. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/visceralcircuitryrecs/
https://visceralcircuitryrecs.bandcamp.com/music
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
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
Aegrus return
with a brand new EP featuring four songs of aggressive and well
played black metal. The skillful music varies in tempo, but the
mainstay style is fast, raging guitars and precise lightning drum
passages. The vocals are raw and grim black metal screams that are
intense and powerful. If you are looking for a band that plays
traditional black metal done in Finland's trademark style then do
yourself a favor and pick up a copy of ‘The Carnal Temples’ today.
- Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/Aegrusofficial/
https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/
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
 
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
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
Apocalyptic
Leader comes out of the Greek UG metal scene with a release
featuring 10 tracks of well executed black metal. The music combines
brutal fast black metal and some slow melodic passages to give the
release a unique sound. The vocals are a mix of raw raspy screams &
some gruff grim growls that fit their style perfectly. If you are a
fan of bm that combines atmospheric with melodic edges and a more
violent, traditional sound together then be sure to pick this
excellent release up. - Patrick
facebook.com/apocalypticleaders
bchrecords.storenvy.com
plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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/
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
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
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
 
“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
Ashen Tomb from
Finland is a new band and present to us their debut EP that consists
of 3 tracks of dirty, brutal and filthy death metal of the old
school persuasion. The dark, obscured and whisper-y growling reminds
me a bit of a muddier version of early Grave vox. They go great with
the ominous atmosphere of the music. I think fans of the old works
of bands like Autopsy, Convulse, Abhorrence or even Rippikoulu &
Funebrarum. Just really good classic death metal on tap here. -
Dale
https://www.facebook.com/AshenTomb/
https://personal-records.bandcamp.com/
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
Oh man this is
some seriously brutish Costa Rican death with just heavy as all fuck
riffing! With some cool really deep guttural growling over top of
this old school death metal with roots I can hear from the US,
Sweden and the UK. Some band influences I hear are Autopsy,
Repulsion, Baphomet, Morpheus Descends, early Grave, Bolt Thrower
and the often, in my opinion, the underrated Benediction. Solid stuff.
- Dale
https://astriferous.bandcamp.com/
https://mesacounojo.bandcamp.com/
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
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
–
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.
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
  
I have Berator’s demo tape (only 60 made
apparently) and now this EP is the second release from this Chicago
band for the great Dark Descent no less. Their ranks feature
current/former members of bands like DeathCult & the mighty
CorpseVomit. I mentioned before the vocals reminds me of a mix
Speckmann from Master & Glen Benton of Deicide, they still do and
they are killer! The music is relentless OSDM featuring some good
songwriting. Get it now. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/berator/
https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/
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
Not to be confused with the great Chilean
Black Beast I reviewed elsewhere. This Finnish band play high octane
intense thrashing black metal that is like a nice nightmarish mix of
the “Panzer Division Marduk” album mixed with healthy touches of
early Impaled Nazerene insanity and the evil filthy earlier works of
Venom! - Dale
https://primitivereaction.bandcamp.com/
http://www.primitivereaction.com/
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
Rising out of Boston like a spiked fist is the
metal triumvirate Black Mass. They play thrash metal in the classic
‘80s vein. The songs really rip along with some killer riffing,
heavy yet catchy rhythms. Vocalist Brendan O’Hare is good and so
eighties it hurts. I can hear so many old bands in their sound like
Kreator, Exodus, Sodom, Slayer, Celtic Frost, Destruction, Possessed
etc… If you are an old die in the wool thrash fan than you should
check this out. - Dale
https://blackmassband.bandcamp.com/
https://shop.redefiningdarkness.com/
Tennesse's Blaspherion returns with a brand
new four song EP, which is filled with raw primal black metal. The
guitars are played with fast and intense passages that feature
skillful writing by mixing in some slower mid paced patterns before
going back to the faster pace, The vocals are grim, gruff growls and
black metal screams. Blaspherion's music is utterly uncompromising
and primitive in it's delivery. - Patrick
facebook.com/Blaspherion
https://bchrecords.storenvy.com
plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com
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
The lightning strikes again with one man
Swedish band Blixtnedslag. I reviewed the first EP “Kalla Känslor”;
it would appear there was another release since then. But no worries
if you missed any of them, as besides the 2 tracks on this EP, the
bonus tracks are the 8 songs from those releases!! The music is once
again chill but rocking ‘70s style Swede rock with that cool Kiss
influence undercurrent. Check it out for sure if that sounds like
your cup ‘o tea. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Blixtnedslag-108454637775179/
https://blixtnedslag.bandcamp.com
This is the new band of guitarist Jamison
Palmer of Visigoth’s debut release. The two songs are “The Fear” &
“Tortured Earth”. Blood Star play classic heavy metal with touches
of hard rock in the tradition of the NWOBHM up through the mid ‘80s
with nods to bands like Rainbow, Accept, Saxon, Riot, Manilla Road,
Chastain, BOC etc… Vocalist Madi Smith has those traditional late
‘70s/early ‘80s metal lyrics down injecting some melody into her
voice to push the music along. Nice debut. - Dale
https://blood-star.bandcamp.com/
https://www.shadowkingdomrecords.com/
Clean 'n slick
but raging black metal. Kind of average but well done and still
enjoyable. Features 3 old Setherial members as well.
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)
This TX band is
essentially a metal band with heavy punk/hardcore influences. The
first listen it just felt like a fun party band, but the more
listens I gave it the more layers I found here. The music (lyrics
too) is actually pretty involved and impressive if you have the
patience for it. The vocalist Hurricane G. fucking rules and kills
it. Böndbreakr are a bit like the Bad Brains without the reggae
influences. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/bondbreakratx https://www.bondbreakr.band/
I have seen this bands name around, but this
my first time hearing this Finnish (Great UG metal scene!) band,
despite this being their 4th album. Bonehunter plays
absolutely amazing, bombastic & ornery black thrashing speed metal
with a high level of skill. Many killer influences pop to mind but a
few are Venom, Bathory, Bulldozer, Abigial, early Sodom etc… Hells
Headbangers have a real tiger by the tail with this band! Hold on
tight and get this ASAP. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/bonehuntermetal
https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/
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
  
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
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
This is solo artist Bryan Eckermann’s eight
full-length in eight years, all self released. It took all of one
listen to realize Bryan is one talented fellow seemingly on all
instruments he employs. He writes some high level, skilled
black/death metal. My personal hang up is I am not the biggest fan
of highly melodic black or death metal. I turn to heavy metal
(especially the old school variety) for that in my metal. But if you
are into melodo extreme metal it is hard not to recommend this for
you. - Dale
https://bryaneckermann.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bryaneckermannofficial/
Cabinet does not rest on their laurels, as
this is already their 2nd album this year! It continues on from
their strong debut in similar fashion. I can not help but repeat
myself. They are musically extreme, full of harsh yet trippy sorta
death metal-ish rumbling with a superb atmosphere inducing abnormal
accents, strange and vaguely disturbing sound effects. If you want
something different, something progressive in a dirty regressive way
that can keep you guessing you should really try the drawer on this
filing Cabinet. - Dale
https://bloodymountainrecords.bandcamp.com/
http://www.bloodymountainrecords.com/
Callous has
members coming out of both of New York and Vermont. This is their
debut album featuring a primitive, old school black metal style. The
guitars are played with a mix of flowing evil sounding mid paced
patterns with lots of faster more aggressive passages, the guitarist
even adds in a few solo's. The vocals are raw bm screeches & rasping
screams that add in an extra level of menace to their music.
Recommended for fans of primeval harsh black metal. - Patrick
https://callousbm.bandcamp.com/
https://bornforburning.bigcartel.com/
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
-
Olllldddd thrash metal of the Celtic Frosty Hammer topped in a fresh
virginal blood bath for Bathory.
Enormity
– Energetic 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
I have to confess when I pressed play I was
not expecting what I heard from this Finnish band. Think of a mix of
classic heavy metal doom with Glenn Danzig singing the doom parts,
mixed with get this - raging hardcore! I shit you not; it suddenly
transitions from doom to a fucking mix of Earth Crisis, Sick Of It
All, Cro-Mags musically / vocals wise. I have heard it all now.
Crazy! - Dale
https://casketsopen.bandcamp.com/
http://shop.nine-records.com/
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
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
  
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!
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/
This is some
really raucous, noisy speedy thrashing crossover metal punk music
from Italy. This is their third album (I reviewed their debut a
decade ago if you look for it). They are still ripping out some high
energy, attitude filled songs I enjoy. I think the
recording/production on the past material was more precise and
clear. The sound on here is really tinny/noisy and a bit annoying.
But the music is killer, so fuck it! - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/COTofficial
https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/
'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
Paul is back
with his Soulgrinder comp series, this time around though he has
partnered with Thrashback for this release. This disc lives up to
it’s name, it is filled with 15 bands all playing explosive spiked
fist to your face thrash metal with balls & attitude! Every song is
a killer. Some bands include Kraken, The Donner Party, Evil Army,
Dick Vomit, Fatal Agent, Paralysis, Disruptor + more. You get a 12
page full-colour booklet with contact / pics of all the bands. -
Dale
https://thrashbackrecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/soulgrinder.zine
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/
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
  
Slickly produced
Scandinavian old brutal dm with a touch of old American dm influence
as well. Solid but average. - Dale
www.corpusmortale.com
Cortége return
to the pages of Canadian Assault with their first offering for new
label Desert Records. The music on this two song, sixteen minute EP
is super slow droning doom metal, like if you took the first Sabbath
album and slowed it down a couple notches haha. If you like hypnotic
doom with a post apocalyptic doom feel then check these guys out.
- Dale
https://www.facebook.com/cortegeatx
https://desertrecords.bandcamp.com/
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
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
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/
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 |
