ALBUM REVIEW: Paganfire - Wreaking Fear and Death (2013)

Paganfire - Wreaking Fear and Death (2013)

The Philippines

Anger of Metal Records / Bestial Invasion

A few dozen demos and splits later, these Quezon City-based maniacs finally release their debut album upon the filthy masses entitled, "Wreaking Fear and Death." The music can be described as Thrash Metal in the vein of early Sodom, Exodus and Sabbat. The Asian element is quite prominent, as some of their song titles and lyrics are in their native tongue. Often a lot of Thrash Metal bands end up sounding sterile and boring due to over-polished production, that's why Paganfire is a breathe of fresh air as they retain a considerably raw tone, yet all the instruments can be heard in the mix. I find the production rather appealing. There's some Black/Death elements lurking in their sound, like the Necrovore-ish riffs on opener, "Bakal sa Bakal, Laman sa Laman" coupled with the general Mayhem-esque (Deathcrush era) buzz-tone of the guitars. Paganfire's sound will certainly find its appeal among the true metal legions and comes recommended to fans of bands (most notably their early works) such as Demolition Hammer, Mayhem, Exodus, Order From Chaos, Sodom, Sepultura, etc. Paganfire is like the drunkin' offspring of the aforementioned bands. This is not sheltered pseudo thrash with songs about the local pizza scene. Nope. This is raw, violent and uncompromising Thrash Metal that will surely send the hippies packing. (HT)

Album review: Asgardsrei – Dark Fears Behind The Door (2013)

 

Asgardsrei – Dark Fears Behind The Door – Full Length (2013)

The Philippines

Hessian Firm  

Asgardsrei from the Philippines might just be one of the underground's best kept secrets. Back in 2013, they released a pretty stellar album called “Dark Fears Behind the Door.” Their sound is prominently steeped in traditional Black/Death metal and takes a hefty amount of inspiration from early Beherit. Concurrently, the band added some of their own ingredients, which makes them stand out and not sound like a simple imitator. Segments laced in eerie keys give the whole thing a very ritualistic feel. Occasionally, the songs plunge into “weirder” territory, keeping things interesting while still sounding steadily cohesive. The vocals are absolutely visceral, delivering the perfect bestial grunt that's no less that apt for the style. The riffs are very well integrated in the mix and manage to hold the listener's interest throughout. The riffs are the focal point here and put an heavy emphasis on atmosphere. The drum tempos are immaculately timed and go from slower timed passages to faster parts at ease. An enjoyable aspect about the drums is its distinct and unpolished sound, including the fact that everything blends together really well. The music is actually quite primitive sounding, but also detailed in such a way that the listener will feel rewarded with every listen. The track “Temple of the Writhing Snakes” stands out and is a fine example of what is described here in terms of detail and texture. The good news is that "Dark Fears Behind The Door" was recently reissued by Hessian Firm, so those who missed out, can now now finally get their hands on this masterpiece. (HT)

https://asgardsrei.bandcamp.com/album/dark-fears-behind-the-door