ABSENTIA

“Vita Sonitus,Mors Expiari" CD EP

(Blasphemous Creations Of Hell / Plague Demon Records)

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

“Power Dive” CD

(Personal Records)

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/    

 

AMOCK / NECRONOMIC

"Dyster Forlosning" CD

(Plague Demon Records & Masters Of Kaos Productions)

This is a split release of two of Puerto Rico's best black metal bands. Up first is Amock with another attack of raw black metal that is played with intensity and aggression. The vocals are traditional black metal screams that are raw in their delivery. Up next is Necronomic who are a new band to me but plays a great style of old school black metal. The guitars range from a mid paced style to more of a thrashier fast paced mode. Both bands play a great style of primitive old school black metal that should please all fans of this genre.   - Patrick

theblackwitch056.wixsite.com/mastersofkaos/    plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com  

 

 

AZAGHAL

"Mustamaa" CD

(Moribund Records)

“Mustamaa” was the debut album originally released in 1999 from the legendary Azaghal. Thanks to the mighty Moribund Rec., it is getting a reissue. Musically the band plays a mix of fast and furious guitars and drum passages that are done with skillful writing and execution. The music does slow to a more controlled pace yet still keeping the intensity. The vocals are traditional black metal screams and some demonic sounding growls. If you are a fan of Azaghal's and missed their debut the first time, now is your chance to pick up this classic black metal release.   - Patrick

https://azaghal.bandcamp.com/album/mustamaa    http://www.moribundcult.com/  

 

APOCALYPTIC LEADERS

“Destructive Rage Of The Enemies" CD

(Blasphemous Creations Of Hell / Plague Demon Records)

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  

 

ABYSSAL SUFFERING

“Soul Pioneer” Demo Cassette

(Visceral Circuitry Records)

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

 

 

AEGRUS

“The Carnal Temples" MCD

(Osmose Productions)

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/ 

 

ASHEN TOMB

“Ashen Tomb” CD EP

(Personal Records)

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/   

 

ASTRIFEROUS

“The Lower Levels Of Sentience" 2020 12” EP

(Me Saco Un Ojo Records)

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/  

 

 

BERATOR

“Elysian Inferno” CD EP

(Dark Descent Records)

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/  

 

BLACK BEAST

“Nocturnal Bloodlust” CD, LP & Tape

(Primitive Reaction)

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/  

 

 

BLACK MASS

“At The Forbidden Tree” CD & LP

(Redefining Darkness Records)

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/  

 

BLASPHERION

“Sworn To Darkness Eternal" CD EP

(Plague Demon Records / Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records)

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  

 

 

BLIXTNEDSLAG

“Mot Nya Dimensioner Elisabet + Bonus Tracks" Demo Cassette EP

(Self Release)

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 

 

BLOOD / INCANTATION

“Split 7'' EP"

(Hells Headbangers Records)

Two of the legendary originating godfathers of the genre of death metal unite on this split seven inch! I have been a fan of both of these bands for a very, very long time; as I got into both of these great bands around 1991-ish if memory serves. Both bands have stayed absolutely true to their roots for all these decades and deserve your support and respect. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that renowned UG veteran artist Chris Moyen does the cover artwork too. This is a must get in my book!  - Dale  

http://www.bloood.de/    https://www.incantation.com/    http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/  

 

BLODULV

“Blodulv I, II & III” CD & LP

(Ophidian Sun Records)

Blodulv was a short lived, but burned bright entity that was around from 2002-05, releasing 3 albums (all now being re-released). This Swedish band created some really freezing cold, evil 2nd wave black metal that is sort of an amalgamation stylistically of early works of Bathory & Darkthrone with Burzum accents. The caustic rasping raw vocals seeped with malevolence are great. I assume this is the label from someone in the band? As so far, these Blodulv albums are the only thing they have released and the only thing available in their store. If you missed out on them the first time around, don’t make that mistake twice.   - Dale  

https://www.ophidian-sun.com/news/store/    https://www.ophidian-sun.com/ 

 

 

BLOOD STAR

“The Fear” 7 Inch EP & Cassette

(Shadow Kingdom Records)

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/

 

BÖNDBREAKR

“Böndbreakr" Demo EP

(Self Released)

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/   

 

BONEHUNTER

“Dark Blood Reincarnation System” CD, LP & Tape

(Hells Headbangers)

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/

 

 

BRYAN ECKERMANN

“Plague Bringers” CD & Cassette

(Self Release)

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

“Pt. III: Get in... (Enter the Cabinet)” Cassette Album

(Bloody Mountain Records)

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

“The Triumph Of Blasphemy” CD

(Born For Burning Productions)

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/  

 

 

CASKETS OPEN

“Concrete Realms of Pain” CD

(Nine Records)

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/

 

CARNAL TOMB

“Embalmed In Decay” CD & LP

(Testimony Records)

Germany’s Carnal Tomb hit us with their third album and it is a monster. They play all encompassing, thick and fucking heavy death metal that has a lot going on. There is some excellent songwriting on display, with solid waves pathos, some killer guitar fills and sick chunky bass lines. The growling vocals are superb, and classic sounding. Think of a killer mixing of Grave, Dismember, Cannibal Corpse, and Vomitory.   - Dale

http://lnk.spkr.media/carnal-tomb   https://en.testimonyrecords.de/  

 

CEMETERY URN

”Suffer The Fallen” CD, LP & Cassette

(Hells Headbangers)

Good to see Cemetery Urn still going strong. This Aussie band features some grizzled veterans of bands like Abominator, Bestial Warlust, Vahrzaw etc… This horde play suffocating, brutal and sulphurous death metal with a slight doomy edge. The vocals of Damon Bloodstorm are fantastic wraith like growls with some nice boiling & gurgling undertones from time to time. Yes, great vocals, and the music to match.   - Dale

https://cemeteryurn.bandcamp.com/    https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/

 

 

CHILDREN OF TECHNOLOGY

“Written Destiny" CD. LP & MC

(Hells Headbangers)

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/  

 

CHRONICLES OF MOSH

“A Soulgrinder ‘Zine Compilation” CD

(Soulgrinder ‘Zine  / Thrashback Records)

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   

 

 

CLAIRVOYANCE

“Threshold Of Nothingness” CD EP, 12'' MLP & Tape

(Blood Harvest Records)

Clairvoyance from Poland is a new band with only a demo under their belts prior to this EP. The band plays, for me, an enjoyable brand of OSDM that is grimy, gloomy and brutal melding of things like early Grave with some of the classic Finnish dm sound and injecting a little New York ancient death into the mix from time to time. This is some solid stuff worth checking out.  - Dale 

https://www.facebook.com/clairvoyancedeathmetal   https://www.bloodharvest.se/  

 

CONCILIVM

“A Monument in Darkness” CD & LP

(Iron Bonehead Records)

This is the debut album from Chile’s duo known as Convilivm. They produce blackened death metal with a truly oppressive & suffocating evil aura that wraps itself around their mid paced brutality. There is a great balance struck between raw primitive simplicity and refined guitar work and songwriting. This is a quality record worth your time.  - Dale 

https://concilivm.bandcamp.com/    https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions  

 

 

CONGEALED PUTRESCENCE

“Within The Ceaseless Murk” Cassette EP

(Caligari Records)

Coming out of New Orleans is a relatively new band that brings some really chunky, thick grinding death metal of the old school persuasion. The vocalist brings it too with a killer fuzzy and oppressively vile main growling voice, which is augmented at times with some cool clearer contrasting maniacal screams and yells I enjoyed. The bio nails it when they say this is a mix of traditional early to mid ‘90s New York & Finnish style death metal.  - Dale 

https://congealedputrescence.bandcamp.com/   http://www.caligarirecords.com/  

 

CORPSESSED

“Succumb To Rot” CD & LP

(Dark Descent Records)

This Finnish band keeps chugging along, this is their 3rd album and I think all of them have been released by the well respected Dark Descent Records. Corpsessed features members of Tyranny & Lie In Ruins and play excellent dark and brutal death metal with a dank aura that fits nicely alongside great bands like Incantation, Dead Congregation, Disma, Funebrarum and the like. I enjoyed this one.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/Corpsessed   https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/   

 

 

CORTÉGE

“Chasing Daylight" CD EP

(Desert Records)

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/  

 

CURSED EXCRUCIATION

“Arcane Diabolism” LP

(Iron Bonehead Productions)

Do you long for the great old classic black metal from Greece? Because I have an interesting shadowy and evil black metal band from Brazil for you. They have captured that hollowed sound and style in near perfect fashion. You will listen to this album and it will transport you back to the glory days of the almighty Necromantia and their amazing early to mid ‘90s output.  - Dale

https://tranceoftheundead.bandcamp.com/   https://ironbonehead.de/  

 

DEAD SOUL ALLIANCE

“Behind The Scenes” CD

(Bitter Loss Records)

The debut album from this Canadian duo that features William of the mighty Expunged. The main focus is driving brutality & nothing gets in the way of that run away train. The drumming of E.H. is an unrelenting blitzkrieg of precise, carpet bombing strikes. There are brief slower sequences to catch your breath, but gulp it fast my friends. Definitely worth your attention if you dig bands like Benediction, Asphyx, Grave, Bolt Thrower and the ilk.  - Dale

https://dsadeath.bandcamp.com/    https://www.bitterlossrecords.com/   

 

 

DEATH INVOKER

“Necromancy, Damnation, Revenge" Cassette EP

(Nihilistic Holocaust Records)

Death Invoker is from Peru, this was released originally in 2018 on 7” EP (plus a bonus unreleased track cut from the vinyl due to length) and now gets the tape treatment. The band plays dirty & heavy deathrash music with an evil aura to it. If you love things like the very early works from Sepultura, Sodom, Destruction mixed with Sarcofago & Blasphemy then get this ASAP!  - Dale

https://deathinvoker.weebly.com/    https://nihilisticholocaustrecs.bandcamp.com/     

 

DEATH SS

“The Necromancer of Rock: The Origins of Death SS (1977-1982)" Book

(The Ajna Offensive)

A book for diehards of the early strange diabolical years of this legendary occult band. I am a Death SS fan going back to the early ‘90s, when I tape traded first for their 1981 demo tape, and it took off from there. This is the history of Death SS & Sylvester himself. Prepare yourself for a wild ride of haunting music, rituals and the insanity that is this man and his charismatic eccentric ways. First time in English! Get it!  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/theajnaoffensive    https://www.theajnaoffensive.com/    

 

DEATHHAMMER

“Electric Warfare” CD, LP & Tape

(Hells Headbangers)

Deathhammer is a Norwegian band, who is the epitome of relentless and lightning quick thrash metal. There are a million wall to wall riffs and all of them are killers and I dig when they mix in the manic guitar fills. The vocals are so ‘80s with gruff vocals mixed with screeching siren banshee yells. This is for diehard fans of old mid to late ‘80s thrash ala Slayer, Destruction, Kreator and the like fit in with newer whorshippers of that time period like Aura Noir, Nifelheim, Nekromantheon, Antichrist.  - Dale

https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/   http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/   

 

 

DEATH THE LEVELLER

“II” CD & LP

(Cruz Del Sur Music)

My musical tastes and Cruz’s match up 9 out of 10 times. This is one of those rare times they diverge. The band presents largely as classic doom. But to be honest, there is something missing here for me, the music, vocals & lyrics do not project gloom, melancholy, depression & oppressiveness. No, it comes off more as I lost my girl & miss her so much, sappy sad vibe reminding more of an Emo or goth style band than what I consider doom. I will pass, but maybe this is you’re cup of tea?  - Dale

https://deaththeleveller.bandcamp.com/    https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/  

 

DEATHCULT

“Of Soil Unearthed” CD & LP

(Invictus Productions)

Deathcult returns with their 2nd album proving through their high octane OSDM roots that this metal horde from Switzerland is anything but neutral, they pick sides & go for the throat. The band takes early Swedish death metal (Dismember & Unleashed) and mix it liberally with early ‘90s US death metal ala Possessed, Autopsy, early Death plus Brits Bolt Thrower. Has a crisp production that also manages a dark & dirty atmosphere. Good shit.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/DeathMetalCult/    https://invictusproductions.net/   

 

DECEASED

“Thrash Times At Ridgemont High” CD

(Hells Headbangers Records)

This is so great, how can you not love that fucking cover artwork?!! King Fowely has been talking about doing a thrash cover album for many years. He finally pulled the trigger and the result is a damn entertaining listen for old fanatic thrash metallers. There are cover versions of songs from Whiplash, Sacrifice, Blessed Death, Bulldozer, Stone, Cyclone, Artillery, Stone, Voivod, Razor & more. Oh and every single one rules!  - Dale  

https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/    http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/    

 

 

DEMENCIA

“No Más Dioses Ni Demencia” CD

(Impulso Ruin Records)

The title of this album translates to something close to “No More Gods No Demons”. Hailing from Peru, this is the bands fourth album since 1999! It is a pretty slickly produced and clean but heavy recording. They mix crisp late ‘80s/early ‘90s thrash metal with a rawer middle ‘80s crossover style. It is an interesting and intense result. The songs rip with high energy and the vocalist Pocho López is a beast on the mic!  - Dale  

https://www.facebook.com/demenciatrujillo/    https://www.facebook.com/impulsoruin     

 

DEIQUISITOR

“Humanoid" CD EP

(Dark Descent Records)

Deiquisitor hail from Denmark and despite the band releasing three albums and a handful of demos and extended play releases, this is my first encounter with them. They play extremely brutal ‘90s style death metal and it is high quality stuff. The vocals and slight doomy touches that whispers at the fringes of their brutality reminds me a little of Immolation.  - Dale  

https://www.facebook.com/Deiquisitor    http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/    

 

DISEMBODIMENT

“Mutated Chaos" Cassette EP

(Caligari Records)

Man the death metal scene in Quebec, Canada is getting really good and prolific again! Add Disembodiment to that movement, who bring a strong early Incantation vibe to their music that suffocating, crushing style that dramatically manipulates you emotionally like a methodical torturer. This is the kind of album you can not just take out one song, as the whole album is a continual experience. It is great old school death metal to the max.  - Dale

https://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/    http://www.caligarirecords.com/   

 

 

DISRUPTED

“Pure Death" CD & LP

(Memento Mori / De:Nihil)

This Sverige band do their country proud playing my fave brand of death metal, which is early to mid ‘90s brutal Swedish death metal. They do nothing new, nothing groundbreaking, nothing progressive. What they do do, as mentioned above is create explosive, barbarous and morbid sunlight dm. When it is done this well then I am here for it all fucking day long!  - Dale  

https://disrupted.bandcamp.com/    www.memento-mori.es    www.denihilrecords.com    

 

DROPDEAD

“Dropdead" CD, LP & MC

(Armageddon Label)

You would never know from looking at these graying old goats (I am right behind them) that they play utterly speedy, pissed off & violent hardcore punk that is only a couple steps away from mince/grind. This is the kind of hardcore & punk I like and listen to, it has to be fast, caustic and aggressive. Dropdead have been around since 1991 and they are still wrecking all in their paths!!  - Dale

https://dropdeadhc.bandcamp.com/    https://armageddonlabel.bandcamp.com/   

 

EMBRACE OF THORNS

“Entropy Dynamics” CD, LP & Cassette

(Nuclear Winter Records)

Embrace hail from Greece featuring members of bands like Thou Art Lord, Dephosphorus, Caedes Cruenta, Necrovorous, Serpent Noir & War Possession. They are longtime vets of the UG, having released their first demo in 1999, and “Entropy Dynamics” marks their 6th full-length album. Embrace produce sickeningly necrotic and evil black death metal with sudden explosive bouts of war metal injections from time to time. It is some really intense, good shit.  - Dale  

https://www.facebook.com/EmbraceOfThorns   https://nuclearwinterrecords.bandcamp.com 

 

 

EN LA NIEBLA

“Limbo De Los Callados” CD EP & 12” LP

(Helter Skelter Productions & Regain Records)

More evil (and I mean that thematically / lyrically too) Occult and/or Satanic stoner doom metal. Helter Skelter nearly has this interesting and quality sub-genre nearly cornered with their stable of bands (Black Spell, Demonio, Fulanno, Ibliss, Mephistofeles, Old Ghoul, Witchsnake + more!). En La Niebla fits nicely in with those bands with own evil brand of massively heavy doom metal of the old school style with great atmosphere and an oppressive aura. This 29+ minute EP is fantastic stuff, H.S. delivers again.   - Dale  

https://enlaniebla666.bandcamp.com/   https://www.helterskelterproductions.se/ 

 

ENTIERRO

“The Gates Of Hell” CD

(Self-Release)

It is evident off the hop, both listening to this and looking up the history of the band, that Entierro are talented and experienced. I mean they have members of Nightbitch & guitarist Victor Andruini of Fates Warning (classic early albums). They have their roots in classic heavy metal, but have fashioned an interesting sound of their own to create some really moody, varied & smooth heavy metal. The vocals of Chris Taylor Beaudette are so rich and fantastic, giving the band much extra character to go along with the great music.   - Dale  

https://entierro.bandcamp.com/   https://www.facebook.com/entierrometal 

 

ESCUELA GRIND

“Indoctrination” LP

(Armageddon Label)

This release is the bands debut. The music is a caustic, lethal yet skillful mix of Power Violence and Grindcore. Everything is played with pinpoint accuracy. The vocalist Katerina is a ferocious beast on the mic!  Check it out grind fans.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/escuelagrind    https://armageddonlabel.bandcamp.com/  

 

 

EVANGELIST

“Ad Mortem Festinamus" CD & LP

(Nine Records)

Evangelist is a Polish band that creates a really emotional, introspective mix of epic heavy metal and classic doom metal. The vocalist has a smooth and fitting voice for this style of music. I think fans of bands like Manilla Road & Pagan Altar mixed with Solitude Aeturnus & Solstice (U.K.). If you like those bands I think you will dig this well crafted album.  - Dale  

https://evangelistdoom.bandcamp.com/    http://shop.nine-records.com/ 

 

THE EVIL

“Seven Acts To Apocalypse” CD & LP

(Osmose Productions)

This is some rhythmic, hypnotically dark and heavy doom metal from Brazil. I find their music an extremely addictive listen. The vocalist Mistress Wournous puts in a wonderful performance on the mic, that is an interesting, if not melodramatic and a more feminine mix of Messiah Marcolin, Eric Wagner & Peter Steele. Yes, great music and great vocals. Fans of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath and Sleep take note.  - Dale

https://theevildm.bandcamp.com/   https://www.osmoseproductions.com/  

 

EXPUNGED

“Into Never Shall” CD & LP

(Hells Headbangers Records)

A relatively new duo from Canada featuring Jo Steel from Ice War, Aphrodite and William Finn from Dead Soul Alliance. The band plays energetic death metal with a dark & crushing feel and atmosphere. It is no secret on here, I worship old school Swedish dm and that is what you get here. Think of Bolt Thrower mixed heavily with the early works of Carnage, Grave, Dismember etc… Even the great growling vocals remind me of a more in your face version of Ola Lindgren. Solid stuff.  - Dale

https://expunged-canada.bandcamp.com/    http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/  

 

 

FACELESS BURIAL

“Speciation" CD & LP

(Dark Descent Records / Me Saco Un Ojo Records)

These Australian brutal death metallers to me are a near picture perfect mix of old school and new school death metal. They have that traditional ruthless dm foundation and song writing within that framework that is more adventurous & lively like a lot of modern bands. There are some nice guttural growling vocals on here and also some tasty little guitar fills now and again.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/facelessburial/    https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/   

 

FEED THE CORPSES TO THE PIGS

“This Insidious Horror” CD

(Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)

This is a technically proficient, high energy melting pot of thrash crossover and death metal with bits of grind influence as well. It is adrenaline inducing stuff that really grabs me at times. There are other times when it is almost a little too adventurous in it’s inventive and crazy song crafting, but I can tend to be a purist at times. No matter that I can not deny the intelligence, skill and creativity involved.  - Dale

https://www.facebook.com/FeedtheCorpsestothePigs    https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/   

 

FETID ZOMBIE

“Transmutations” CD EP & 12” EP

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

I have to mention F.Z. is from the brain of renowned veteran UG artist Mark Riddick. Fetid plays dirty & heavy death metal with nods towards the old school roots. There is a cavalcade of guest appearances here. Mark also employs more synth than you would expect with this style, as well as flourishes of melody in between the brutality and growling. Some killer guitar solos on here too. It all gives Fetid Zombie an own feeling apart from most bands in this style. This is well worth checking out for something familiar yet also a little different, slightly progressive at times, but always well done.  - Dale  

https://fetidzombiedm.bandcamp.com/    https://tometal.com/    https://www.facebook.com/torecs    

 

 

FUNERAL MIST

“Deiform” CD & Double LP

(NoEvDia Records)

Well long time readers of Canadian Assault will know I am a Funeral Mist admirer and interviewed Arioch (aka Mortuus vocalist of Marduk) way back in the print issue days. Arioch is the main man in Funeral Mist, many bands soften and wimp out when they get progressive. Not Arioch with F.M. the music, the songwriting and song construction are very inventive & dynamic, but everything in their unique black metal sound strives to be as evil, harsh and cruel as possible!  - Dale  

https://www.facebook.com/funeralmistofficial    https://www.noevdia.com/  

 

FUNERAL STORM / SYNTELEIA

“The Ancient Calling" Split 7" EP

(Hells Headbangers)

I have long been a fan of split EPs and LPs. This one features two Greek bm bands. Funeral Storm kicks off on this two song affair with “Mistress Of The Night”, which is great early / mid ‘90s style Greek black metal bringing to mind the early works of bands like Varathron & Necromantia. Synteleia also honour their countries bm roots with a gloomy track that reminds me to early Thou Art Lord & Rotting Christ, but a bit more melodic maybe. Nice split vinyl.  - Dale  

https://www.facebook.com/funeralstorm666    http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/