Album review: Invultation – Unconquerable Death (2021)

Invultation – Unconquerable Death

USA

Born For Burning Productions (CD) / Sentient Ruin Laboratories (LP)

Hailing from Ohoi, USA, Invultation strike with their second full-length album entitled, "Unconquerable Death", which was released by Born For Burning Productions earlier this year. Andrew Lampe (Echushkya, Longbarrow, The Wakedead Gathering) is the sole musician behind this project.

Musically, the sound leans towards bestial and filthy Black/Death informed by bands such as Teitanblood, Proclamation, and Archgoat. Those who enjoy the aforementioned bands will certainly appreciate what Invultation has to offer, as the music exudes a profoundly blasphemous atmosphere.

Opening track, "Hanged Mass" begins with a short, but sinister ambiance before a roar of pure unbridled chaos plunges the listener into the abyss.

The songs on this release offers a variety of tempos, from mid to hammering fast parts, as well as a series of whore-sodomizing riffs that will have you bang your skull from beginning to end.

Tracks like "Insatiable Cruelty" and "Banners Under The Moon" feature blistering guitar solos that will make your brain explode. As a matter of fact, this whole album is full of sick riffs and frantic solos, which certainly adds a very chaotic aspect to the music, coupled with the mix of insanely deep and evil vocals.

One of the biggest strengths of this album is the compositional depth and consistency of the music. The music is easily distinguished from one track to the next, as there is enough variety to keep it from becoming monotonous.

All in all, "Unconquerable Death" is an apotheosis of filth and darkness, as Invultation offers an arsenal of bestial metal styles that epitomizes the genre. From its killer aesthetics to the artwork to its ominous music, everything about Invultation feels right. (HT)

EP review: Woundcult - Through Pain And Sorrow (2021)

Woundcult – Through Pain And Sorrow

Greece

Born For Burning Productions

Woundcult from Greece offers six tracks of raw and unhinged black metal on their latest release, “Through Pain And Sorrow,” a compilation featuring the “Pathway To Distinction” EP and the tracks taken from the split with Zigota.

Woundcult is above your standard black metal act, and manages to exude a verily harsh sound shrouded in an aura of mystery and darkness. The focal point of this release is without a doubt the riffs, which are well-played and constantly drive the music forward. It induces a verily cold and otherworldly atmosphere, coupled with their penchant for dark melodies that will be stuck in your head for a while after you’ve listened to this. Vocals are high-pitched and hateful shrieks, which are well-done, but can sound slightly quirky at times. Definitely a facet the band can improve on. On the other hand, the band has the perfect production for raw black metal. Each song is totally drenched in distortion, which gives it a bit of an old Darkthrone vibe. This is raw and primitive black metal based on total hatred for the human scum!

My opinion is that this is a decent compilation from an underground black metal band that is yet to reach their full potential, and which will be enjoyed by maniacs who just can’t get enough of this style. Nothing ground-breaking, but enjoyable nonetheless. (HT)

Album review: Sárnes – None More Black (2019)

 

Sárnes – None More Black

Vermont / USA

Born For Burning Productions

Sárnes is a duo hailing from Vermont/USA playing raw black metal, featuring a member from Shitangel (previously reviewed here) on vocals/guitars. “None More Black” is their debut album and was released by Born For Burning Productions. 

The 10 tracks that make up “None More Black” are comprised of utterly harsh vocals, cold riffs and mediocre drum beats befitting of the music. It’s not terribly original per se, but conjured with such a level of unwavering passion that it makes terms like “originality” seem redundant. The album is encumbered with everything fans of true black metal will enjoy. There’s a nice deal of variety throughout, since no track on this release sounds quite like the other, all the while maintaining a misanthropic mood. Some may find the production a bit thin, but for me it’s perfect for the style they play – raw, yet powerful in the entire mix. The whole album is shrouded in a verily cold, unfriendly atmosphere, which makes it a joy to listen to. It doesn’t pander to any sissy trends and it doesn’t care if you like it or not. The only thing it cares about is seeing the human race six-feet under.

Overall, this album probably won’t get any accolades for being terribly ground-breaking, nor will it be revered as modern classic; however, it does get props for being a thoroughly enjoyable and filthy slap of raw black metal madness. (HT)

Favourite tracks:

Scythe

Desecrate All Shrines

Obsidian Tomb

Demo review: Shitangel - Demo XXX (2020)

Shitangel - Demo XXX

Vermont / USA

Born For Burning Productions

Those with a penchant for some decidedly raw and blasphemous black/death/thrash, will do well to check out the latest demo from Vermont-based maniacs, Shitangel. Their music evokes an evil aura in the vein of bands like Sarcofago, Necrovore, Blasphemy, Parabellum, etc., supplemented with a cavernous production complimentary to the style.

The band's name and “artwork” gives the impression of something foul and unholy, and that's exactly what you will be subjected to after pressing play. All the instruments are well arranged. I love the effects used for the vocals; they are really cool and go hand in glove with the putrid atmosphere. The riffs are sick and just what the doctor ordered. The music possess a menacing tone replete with an adoration for the classic black/death/thrash abyss of yesteryear.

On the balance, “Demo XXX” offers 5 tracks of pure hellish metal of death made for maniacs pure, so If you're a dork for clean sounding metal, then don't fucking bother. Killer demo!!!(HT)