Album review: Maleficarum - Across the Heavens (1995)

 Maleficarum - Across the Heavens

Italy

Defiled Records

 

Maleficarum is a death metal quartet from Molise (southern Italy) that was founded in 1993. After releasing a well-received demo (“Unblessed”) the same year, the band followed it with their excellent debut “Across the Heavens” two years later. Any self-proclaimed death metal enthusiast with a penchant for cult and obscure gems should give this album a listen, as it is absolutely worth your time and has a high replay value. The band also featured former members of Excidium, who are also worth checking out.
 
Apparently, the drum sound on this album is universally maligned by production snobs, however, I personally have no major qualms with it. The drums have a certain crispness that makes them stand out that gives this album a unique quality. They are by no means too extravagant, but rather rhythmically varied and switch between various tempos with relative ease and skill. By alternating between tempos, the band creates an atmosphere that slowly builds through the constant repetition of melodic riffs. The lead work that accompanies this oeuvre evokes a somber mood and is cleverly interspersed throughout, showing their flair for neoclassical ideas. The vocals, while not terribly varied, are masterfully integrated (throaty growls reminiscent of Ross Dolan) and are in cadence with the rest of the instruments. The bass presence is quite noticeable and well-played, adding the necessary lower frequencies to each track and synchronizing perfectly.
 
The guitars have a huge impact playing into the emotion of Maleficarum’s sound, enriching the music with morbid melodies, and dispensing a salvo of chromatic riffs, along with the energetic and tightly played drums. This isn’t quite Atheist-level tech-death, but there’s no denying the methodical approach and detail that went into each song. A more simplified version of Immolation, but with a flavor of melody that borrows from the likes of Sentenced and At the Gates. “Across The Heavens” is like the Italian cousin of “Dawn of Possession”, infused with European melodicism. And while these two albums may be musically aligned, their moods are disparate. While the former conjures images of fire and brimstone, the latter has a kind of gothic undercurrent that paints a picture of a morose and autumnal landscape. 
 
This isn’t exactly boundary-pushing, but it encapsulates all the qualities of the genre into a collective of eleven tracks and forty-three minutes, as “Across the Heavens” is a straight-up death metal banger that I have revisited continuously over the years. Italy has produced a number of noteworthy gems throughout the ‘90s and you can certainly count this masterpiece among them. Stand-out tracks: “Season of Black”, “Time I Am”, “Spirit Magnified” (Jim)

Interview: Evil Damn (Peru)

We talk with Erick Neyra, the vocalist for Peruvian death metal band, EVIL DAMN.

1. Bestial hails!!! How’s everything going and what albums have you been spinning lately?

Erick: Hi brother, sorry for the long delay in getting back with the answers. It has been hellish busy here, composing with Evil Damn and Goat Semen and doing tons of work around that. Lately, some Bestial Warlust, Perversion’s last album is killer and tons of old classics...

2. Evil Damn formed in 2003, so you’ve already been around for over 20 years, yet there are still maniacs out there who haven’t heard of you. Can you tell us a little what Evil Damn is all about? What are your influences?

Erick: I was summoned to sing in Evil Damn by Romanet at a bar back in 2004. He mentioned the band was formed by Ordep and Zemog of old Disinter, and Romanet plays in Psicorragia. They all come from old Death Metal school and told me they wanted to make something brutal and obscure... I was also reading a lot of Lovecraft back then (as I do always) and the usual topics of death and violence is something that is a permanent inspiration for me so I was immediately interested. The result is a brutal monstrosity of Lovecraftian horror!

When it comes to EVIL DAMN, this is inspired in old School Death Metal style and furious old ‘80s Thrash, but we try to create a more obscure and macabre aura when composing the songs.

3. a lot of bands go thru a dozen member changes over a time span of 20 years, yet you have managed to keep a pretty consistent line-up. How do you manage this?

Erick: We are all good friends since years and all like the same old bands, and have similar devotion to METAL! So I think this is a key to keep this entity as grotesque as possible like in the beginning.

4. Your 2021 album “Necronomicon” was fucking killer man and I can’t wait for your new album. Can you tell us a bit about the whole recording process and the thought process that went into it? Are you satisfied with the final outcome?

Erick: I think the album had a big impact on the bangers who like the old ways. We really liked the final result, and an album like Necronomicon with its length is something we are very proud of! Unfortunately, we took our time with the recordings and the rest of the studio work as the band members have to work a lot. Ordep works out of Lima and only comes here every two weeks for 3 or 4 days, and finally we were able to finish all the studio work during the pest year. In the end it was a process of about 3 years! But the result is what we expected.

5. The first time I heard you guys was on the “Blasphemy, Mayhem & War” split with Toxic Holocaust and Chainsaw Killer (awesome split by the way!) Toxic Holocaust became pretty popular, while Chainsaw killer released a decent album in 2012. What are your thoughts on this split and what do you think of the other bands on it?

Erick: Long ago I had email correspondence with Joel Grind, and it is great to see the success Toxic Holocaust has now. I keep on thinking the demo and first album are killers! I met the guys of Chainsaw Killer personally when I traveled through Colombia some years ago, cool guys. I think each tape or split has helped to build the band. We would like more exposure though hehe.

6. Your name Evil Damn sounds Evil Dead-inspired. Are you a fan of horror movies? What are some of your favorites? Also what do you think of modern horror movies?

Erick: I’m not really the type of person who likes to sit in front of the TV for too long. I watched most of the classics as a child. I remember watching "The Monster Club" when I was about 7 years old! Or The Exorcist or The Omen when I was around 10 years old. I think those movies prepared me to not to be shocked later when other killer movies came along like Friday the 13th, Nightmare in Elm Street, etc. Evil Dead and Creepshow were great! I like them more than something that just spills blood senselessly... I prefer an obscure and morbid argument better than a traumatized maniac who kills for no reason at all. Most modern "horror" is crap. The Witch is the last good movie I saw.

7. Can you tell us a little bit about Peru and which places a metalhead should go see if they ever decide to visit your country? Does Peru have its own distinct culture compared to other South American countries?

Erick: My country is a great, vast land with soooo much to see and too much history... and you will surely gain weight here. Peruvian food has become very popular worldwide lately, but we Peruvians usually eat like kings and have very demanding tastes haha. Where to go and what to visit... Machu Pichu is mandatory, but also Caral, Nazca. The great north of Peru and its bloody historical pyramids of the ancient Moche and Chimu lords… realms of human sacrifices... I am obsessed with Peruvian and pre- Colombian history, and there were real human sacrifices here... just recently the largest number of infant sacrifices in the world was found in the north... you really do not know if you are walking over a cemetery of some old sacrifice or a ruin buried by time and dust (as the classic Mayhem song goes) when you walk around in the deserts or mountains of Peru! My country is the only one that can compete with Egypt in terms of archaeology, and that too is a great inspiration, for me at least... our ancients had another perception of death and cosmos...

8. What would you cite as 5 essential Peruvian Metal albums that every metal maniac should be familiar with?

Erick:

HADEZ “Aquelarre”

MORTEM “Demon Tales”

CURRICULUM MORTIS “Sentencia de Muerte” demo

MORTUORIO “Camara de Torturas” demo

NECROPSYA “Slave of the Magic” demo

I prefer to recommend these last three demos as they are really savage and brutal.

I have to mention SATANAS “Blasfemia” demo, too. 

9. I think it’s great that you guys managed to put out an album thru Hells Headbangers and get some exposure, as “Necronomicon” was hands down one of the sickest albums of 2021. What’s next for Evil Damn? Thank you for your time!

Erick: Yes, we are happy with the exposure through Hells Headbangers. It’s a great label that we have supported a lot! Thanks for your words and support, we have by now finished the recordings of the "Aeons of Horror" EP and need to complete the mix and Mastering. Later we will have a Split 12" with another great South American Death Metal band and plan to finish the year with the recording of the second album.

Thanks to you for your support and the chance, once again sorry for the delay in getting back! Soon we will spread more bestial abominations... watch out!

Album review: Deconsekrated - Ascension in the Altar of Condemned (2024)

 

Deconsekrated - Ascension in the Altar of Condemned

Chile

Iron, Blood and Death Corporation (CD) / Alkolik Holocaust Records (CD) / Ancient Sounds of Madness Productions (Cassette)

 

“Ascension in the Altar of Condemned” is an absolutely scorching debut by Deconsekrated, a quartet from Chile playing blasphemous death metal. The band has been active since 2020, and previously released an impressive two-track demo, the material of which was later re-released as a three-way split, including a stand-alone single. “Ascension…” is their strongest material to date by all means, as the members gained a wealth of experience playing in other black/death/thrash bands, such as Cryptic, Abhorior, and Profanación Sepulcral, among others. All of this experience contributed to the quality of their latest outing.
 
The strong, but detailed production on this release adds a layer of venomous potency to the music and makes all the parts shine forth, without each overpowering the other. Musically, there are some similarities to bands like Morbid Angel, Dead Congregation, Mortem; and even though the style is somewhat familiar, Deconsekrated does a good job at elevating the experience with a display of utmost ferocity and well-crafted arrangements.
 
The brute force of the compositions pounds you like a sledgehammer to the skull, as each track is executed with vigor. Songs like “Ancestral Voice” and “Spectral Rites” are instant bangers, and convey a feeling of absolute darkness by beating the listener into submission. The aggressive vocals are perfectly employed, and are backed by intense drumming and hellish riffs that leaves the listener gasping for air by the end of the record. Everything is well-orchestrated and delivered with conviction. And even though some of the songs are quite lengthy, the music maintains depth and engages the listener.
 
Their style is relatively straight-forward, but the dense production gives the whole experience a very crushing and heavy sound. The drums were given particular attention during the mixing process and is certainly a highlight of the album; ranging from rapid blast-beats, to galloping, mid-tempo beats, they give this album a strong backbone. The precision of the double-bass ties the drumming and all of the instrumentation together.
 
Overall, this is a solid offering from the Chileans that I found myself going back to over and over again. The only minor gripe I have with this release is its length. With today’s storage technology, an “album” of 28 minutes in length is almost inexcusable; however, it is better to produce a quality short album than a mediocre album with filler songs. Aside from this one minor complaint, there are no real flaws to speak of. Deconsekrated is a promising up-and-comer that I look forward to hearing more from in the future. Fans of dark and heavy-hitting death metal should check it out. (Jim)

Interview: Blinder (Cuba)

 

The following interview was conducted with Eric Domenech, frontman and vocalist of the Cuban Death Metal band, BLINDER.  

1. Hails! Can you tell us something about the formation of BLINDER and which bands influenced your sound?

BLINDER is a Melodic Death Thrash Metal band originally from the city of Santa Clara, Cuba, it was formed in 1998 after the disintegration of Medium, one of the most prestigious and energetic Cuban metal bands in those years. In reality, we have been influenced by several bands and different genres, not to mention that each of us has our own references that have benefited us when creating, although we always try to be ourselves.

2. How's the scene in your city Santa Clara? Do you feel like it’s hard to get noticed as a band due to being from Cuba?

Santa Clara is known as the metal city of Cuba for its relevant history within national rock, especially within metal. It is also known for organizing the oldest and most important rock festival in the country called Ciudad Metal, of which I was the organizer for 15 years. It has been quite difficult for Cuban bands to make ourselves known both outside and inside the country and more due to the limitations and obstacles of the system we have, however we are persevering and have made discrete progress.

3. How would you describe the sound of Blinder to those who have never heard you before?

We are a band with 25 years of existence with a sound characterized essentially by a Death Metal base and over time we have been incorporating influences from Melodeath, thrash and technicalism as well as elements of Afro-Cuban folk in search of a certain identity.

4. I listened to your album "Syncretic" from 2016 “and I really enjoyed it. I feel like this album has a unique sound and the underproduced sound gives it an organic feel. What can you tell us about the recording of this album and looking back on it now, are you happy with the result?

In reality, the sound achieved was not intentional, our aspirations were to obtain a high-level product but we did not have a decent recording studio or an experienced producer, so we had to make do with the few resources available, but the most important thing was show our music and in my opinion the objective was more than achieved despite everything.

5. Can you tell us about your lyrics and what kind of topics you explore?

I am quite open when it comes to composing lyrics as long as it identifies with the music we make, Cuba is a quite atypical country and it serves as a source of inspiration for me without fall into social or political issues.

6. How is life for the average metalhead in Cuba? Would you consider music as a form of escapism? I have noticed that people in Cuba are really passionate about music and very supportive of local bands, regardless of the restrictions in your country.

The desire to release and perform the music that we feel and that runs strongly through our veins plus the support that we have constantly had from the public that has always been and will be a great source of inspiration, all of this revitalizes you and gives you energy to face the future and it encourages you to continue composing more songs, make recordings and continue playing as long as we can.

7. What are 10 albums you can't live without?

There are many albums that have marked my life, they are:

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV

Van Halen - Van Halen I

Mercyful Fate - Don't break the Oath

Slayer - Reign in Blood

Metallica - Master of Puppets

Metallica - Ride the lightning

Death - Spiritual Healing

Entombed- Left hand Path

Morbid Angel - Altar of Madness

Dream Theater - Images and Words

There are many more but remember these have been the most important.

8. I like the cover art for Syncretic! It has an underground aesthetic and appeal. What was the idea behind it and who did the artwork?

I am a graduate of the professional art school so I am in charge of all the design and graphic concept of the band, I had made the cover some time ago as part of a series of drawings that I made and we were given the opportunity to edit the album spontaneously and it seemed like the right one to reflect the idea we were looking for with the album.

9. What albums have you been listening to lately? Do you have any favorite albums from 2023?

I listen to a lot of music and different genres of metal, I liked the latest ones from The Halo Effects, Aborted, In Flames, Orbit Culture, Cannibal Corpse..., and from 2023 one of the albums that impressed me the most was Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite.

10. Does the environment influence your outlook and inspire you to be creative as a musician?

Exactly as I mentioned before, my lyrics reflect the environment that surrounds me and the same thing happens with music in the creation process, Cuba is a very different country and what better reason to make brutal music, haha.

11. Do metal bands in Cuba support each other or is there a lot of competition in the scene?

The Cuban metal scene has always been united and there are no differences, you can see a show with metal, punk or grunge bands at the same time, this unity has allowed us to form a solid movement that is very necessary to confront the prejudices and obstacles we face subjected.

12. Thank you for your time! Before we end this interview, can you tell us something about your future plans and when you will record your next album?

At the moment we are immersed and working very hard on new songs with the idea of recording a new album by the end of the year, in fact we are already handling special guests and we come with a more technical, fresh and aggressive sound. I just have to thank you for the interview and for your great support.

EP review: Eskhaton - Horracle (2022)

Eskhaton - Horracle

 

Australia

 

Hells Headbangers

 

“Horracle” is a mini-album by Australian death metal juggernauts, Eskhaton, which was released in 2022 via Hells Headbangers. It contains five tracks of some of the most punishing shit you’ll ever hear. This is the band’s fifth release, and they have not lowered the intensity or quality. This consistency cements them as one of the best extreme metal acts from down under.
 
Eskhaton plays death metal, and it is some of the heaviest and most chaotic the genre has to offer. Of course, there is also a hint of black metal with the nightmarish atmosphere that the dissonant guitars evoke. They share a number of similarities with countrymen Impetuous Ritual and Portal in terms of the all-out chaos, though they have enough unique traits in their arsenal to set them apart. Simply put, they sound like a cross between Dead Congregation and Impetuous Ritual. A thick dissonance encompasses the songs along with an abundance of frenzied leads and riffs to compliment the carnage.
 
"Horracle" consists of only five tracks totaling 29 minutes; however, while this short run time would normally be a deficit, it is actually one of the album’s strengths due to how straight-forward it is – no interludes, just pure mayhem and violence. Additionally, the band displays a level of craftsmanship that is above average and verges on technical, while still retaining a barbaric element. In fact, listening to the riffs on this record, their complexity only serves to accentuate the overall insanity that the music seeks to convey – truly order within chaos. To the average newcomer, this is “noise,” but for those with an appreciation for this style of metal, it shows forth unparalleled genius.
 
The roaring vocals and surging lava riffs on “Omnicidol” open the record hellishly, making your head spin before “Khaossuary” picks up the aural bazooka, and blasts everything in its path with unyielding ferocity. There is no letting up once this disc starts; this powerhouse of a release will pound you mercilessly with murderous execution. Clocking in at over eight minutes, “Nethereal,” the closing track, is the lengthiest track; it devastatingly drives this release to a violent end.
 
Horracle’s five tracks feel complete, and I definitely recommend this album to fans of bands like Blasphemy, Portal, Heresiarch, Impetuous Ritual, etc. I strongly urge the reader to check out their other albums, as this is not even their best release. Regardless, this is an excellent album through and through, and one of the highlights from 2022. (Jim)

Demo review: Purulency - Transcendent Unveiling of Dimensions (2024)

Purulency - Transcendent Unveiling of Dimensions

 

USA

 

Caligari Records / Pulverised Records / Morbid Cellar Records

 
 
My first actual 2024 review, and this is a serious stunner of a debut demo from a band formed in 2018 in Tennessee, USA. But it looks like things only took off when 3 new members came onboard in 2022. These days, with all the advances in recording tech and the number of small-scale artist-run studios, it really is harder now to record a demo on a beat-up 4-track cassette recorder in the toilet and then mix it on a shoddy system in the wardrobe.
 
“Transcendent Unveiling of Dimensions” is filthy, rotten, knuckle-dragging death metal in widescreen; like the album artwork, the swarming mass of wwuuurrrrggghhhhhh comes straight at you, through a portal that tears through our space-time fabric. Thankfully, things are still in lovely monochrome; the sound is big, expansive and solidly defined, but rounded and organic enough to feel the sludgy flesh n’ effluent mass encapsulate and absorb you with its loving wwwurrrrghhhhhh embrace! There are definitely (Stockholm) Swedish and Finnish death metal influences that permeate throughout, but successfully merged and blended into a new entity.
 
The fact that this got picked up by 3 different labels (in 3 different countries) should convince any OSDM fan of the quality of the filth contained here; if there's any "hype", it's certainly justified! (Unkle Superion)

ALBUM REVIEW: Reverence to Paroxysm - Lux Morte (2023)

Reverence to Paroxysm – Lux Morte

Mexico

Dark Descent Records / Vomit Records / Me Saco Un Ojo Records

 

2023 continues to churn out endless ever-amazing ‘finds’, even though we are just past the first quarter of 2024. Reverence to Paroxysm comprises dudes also serving time in other Mexican extreme metal bands like Blood Reaping, Castleumbra, Hacavitz, Apocalipsis etc., and I am limiting the listing to bands that are still in! These days, I would hesitate to use the term ‘supergroup’ or ‘project’; RTP should be regarded instead as yet another facet of their musical identities. 

I admit I was immediately drawn to this album by way of, yes, the super cool band name and album cover (and without having heard a note). Like my friend Alden also noted, the artwork/design has a pretty black metal or DSBM feel and look about it. The music/performances therein could not be further from DSBM. This is monstrous, hulking yet exquisite death metal rooted in OSDM but with a very pronounced incorporation of doom and frosty black metal aesthetics. One review I read quite correctly referred to Lux Morte as “atmospheric death metal”. The atmosphere however, does not refer to anything misty mountainous and Cascadian; more a cold, dark, murky swamp or forest wetland with dense choking fog. From which, Swamp Thing-style beasts emerge to drag you under the waterlogged soil, decaying leaves and branches etc.,……….WWWUUUUUURRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

The drumming here really stands out; fluid almost-jazzy but metal through and through, just like how Bill Ward’s swing served as foil to the heavy-thick guitars on the first six Black Sabbath albums. And finally, the part that nails it for me is the sampled monologue (from a film or documentary) at the start of the sixth and final track, “Care Data Vermibus”:

“…...my mind is going; I can feel it………...
I can feel it……………There is no question about it.”

Hence, my friends, surrender yourselves unto the dark night of the wwwuuuuurrrrggghhh!!! (Unkle Superion) 

Demo review: Cadaverous Odour - Corpus Inhumation (2024)

Cadaverous Odour - Corpus Inhumation

USA

Independent

 

The one-man project from California known as Cadaverous Odour (named after a Treblinka song) has released its first demo, aptly titled “Corpus Inhumation.” The three songs on this demo are absolutely slimy, putrid and nauseating death metal reminiscent of bands like Autopsy, Abhorrence (Finland) and Necrovore.
 
I wouldn’t call this typical old-school death metal, as the music actually has a kind of "necro" sound if you will, evoking a rotten atmosphere that both sickens and excites me… this is a good thing, and we need more of it. The vocals are absolutely guttural and maniacal, so much so that I even wondered if the person singing was human… let’s not kid ourselves, this is how it’s done, folks. True death metal is meant to disgust you, and Cadaverous Odour fully embraces that philosophy as their music is designed to do just that.
 
There's also a hint of doom in the music, as tracks like “Mercurial Erethism” start off rather slowly before picking up the pace at 2:18 and plunging you into the bottomless pit with blasphemous riffs and a searing guitar solo at 3:29. There are certainly plenty of frenzied leads in the songs, adding a chaotic element to the music and reminding me of war metal. Cavernous vocals are barfed over a wall of guitars so dirty they block out the sun. The entire demo is inspired and brimming with absolute darkness and decay. The drums are well played, despite the simplicity of the music. You could argue that the music is pretty rough, which it is, but it’s also well-arranged and not to mention the guitar solos sound pretty wild.
 
The Autopsy influence can be heard a little more clearly on the second track “Corporeal Blasphemy". There are some pretty nasty riffs and frantic vocals here that would probably give me a heart attack if I heard such sounds unexpectedly in the middle of the night. The last track is basically an outro with a movie sample and a creepy piano interlude, although I’m not quite sure from which movie (probably some obscure Italian horror movie), but it fits the atmosphere quite nicely.
 
All in all, Cadaverous Odour's first demo does a lot of things right, and I can’t criticise it too much, because it should be taken for what it is: sick and disgusting death metal from a promising prospect, and this is just the beginning of their slimy path. I hope we will hear more music from Cadaverous Odour in the future, as they are off to a good start. Worth checking out. (Jim) 

ALBUM REVIEW: Skrying Mirror - Omnimalevolence (2023)

Skrying Mirror - Omnimalevolence

USA

I, Voidhanger

When it comes to industrial metal, I can’t say that my knowledge extends beyond the more well-known acts like Godflesh, (early) Pitchshifter, The Amenta and (early) Fear Factory – all of whom have released some decidedly enjoyable works in the past. Skrying Mirror, on the other hand, take a much darker route, combining the haunting soundscapes of industrial with the viciousness of death metal to create something truly unique and terrifying.

The trio is made up of seasoned musicians, most notably Matron Thorn, who you may recognize from Ævangelist and Benighted in Sodom – and indeed you can hear his trademark touch in Skrying Mirror, as the project is steeped in darkness and a haunting atmosphere that suffocates you from start to finish.

The album was released by I, Voidhanger, a label known for putting out mainly avant-garde black and death metal releases that are usually of superior artistic quality. Skrying Mirror is no exception, as the nine compositions on “Omnimalevolence” are dynamic and exude an otherworldly and occult atmosphere that takes the listener on a nightmarish journey. The music is quite multi-layered, but also flows very coherently.

The vocals of Vardlokker (Nexwomb, Witchbones) are absolutely inhuman and pairs well with the backdrop of uncanny guitar rhythms and distorted bass riffs. The thick wall of noise creates a verily dense ambiance, which is further bolstered by visions of murder and a world in ruins, as the music begins to subliminally affect you like some kind of dark epiphany. Furthermore, the drumming by Manuel Garcia (Blattaria, Hex Arcana) is really well executed and adds an element of discordance to the mix.

The pitch-black and harrowing soundscapes may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you have an affinity for bands like Autokrator, Ævangelist and Blut Aus Nord, then there’s no doubt in my mind that Skrying Mirror is right up your alley, as “Omnimalevolence” is nothing short of outstanding. Highlights include: “Fractals” “Yearn” “Lux” 

EP REVIEW: Abortofacient - In the Crypt of Gore (2022)

 

Abortofacient - In the Crypt of Gore

Belgium

Nuclear War Now!

 

Why am I reviewing a death metal EP that was recorded in February 2021 and released in July 2022 (according to Discogs)?  

Firstly, it is really that darned good (to me, obviously).  Secondly, I find it quite shocking that despite being released by the prestigious NWN! label there is no ‘proper’ online review or feature of this band or the EP (save for two Instagram posts and a YouTube unboxing video haha). Not even in Encyclopaedia Metallum……Unless there is something wrong with my google search engine or word search skills. If not, this would be a right ‘exclusive' for Death by Hammer zine; you read it here first, folks! 

This band is a trio (Bone Consumer, Puking Guts and Rotten Putrid) from Belgium and the EP follows from their 2020 demo Corpus Rotting. The CD version is a must to own as it includes the 3-track demo that was only released on tape. This is some seriously primal and primeval death metal from the depths (of the crypts, duh); everything moves at slow to midtempo pace with no groove, no churn, no speedy blastbeats (very few, and at not more than a canter), etc. 

The music, vocals and atmosphere are just so thick, filthy, and musty, and the whole affair suffocates with marvelous finesse. This is the soundtrack to the crypt residents clambering out of their resting places to hunt down the team of archaeologists for a hearty wwwwuuuurrrghhhhhhhh meal. 

Since getting this, I have played the shuck out of it (I may need a second sealed copy soon, maybe the vinyl as well ahaha). I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who likes a slow n’ steady sewage fest for their death metal. (Unkle Superion) 

Album review: Acausal Intrusion - Panpsychism (2023)

Acausal Intrusion - Panpsychism

USA

I, Voidhanger

 
Acausal Intrusion is a death metal collective made up of musicians Nythroth (Feral Lord, Slog, etc.) and Cave Ritual (Irradiated Marrow, Ar'lyxkq'wr, etc.), and “Panpsychism” is their third full-length album since their formation in 2020.

Stylistically, this is experimental death metal with a kind of “freeform" approach reminiscent of bands like Ulcerate and Gorguts. You never really know where the music is going to go next, as each song consists of intricate time-changes and complex rhythms, but at the same time there is a lot of atmosphere in the music. Acausal Intrusion is not on the same level as the aforementioned bands in terms of technical prowess, but the music is technical nonetheless, paired with heavy layers of dissonance encompassing the songs. 

Technical death metal has a bad reputation for being overproduced and lacking any sort of depth, and while that is true for the most part, that is certainly not the case here; on the contrary, the production on this album manages to sound organic and gritty, while still complementing the music with an audible mix.

The old tech-death bands like Cryptopsy, Gorguts, Atheist, etc., will always rule. Those bands were technical without resorting to mindless wankery. It’s cool that bands like Acausal Intrusion understand what makes this style work; however, they may adopt the same principles, but they are a different beast entirely, as the music on this record is much more dissonant and has a modern twist to it. The best comparison is undoubtedly Ulcerate from New Zealand, and to be fair, the influence is pretty evident. That’s not to say that’s a bad thing though. The vocals used on this album are definitely a lot more cavernous, and the compositions have a lot more “imperfections”, but this also adds charm to the music. After all, this is an underground death metal act.

The tracks on this album are between four and eight minutes long and are characterised by dark soundscapes and head-twisting riffs that keep you constantly on your toes and give you the feeling that a noose is tightening around your neck, as the suffocating atmosphere evokes a sense of terror in the listener. 

“Panpsychism” is an album best listened to in its entirety, as each haunting layer and segment begins to make sense, though it's also a band that you have to be in the right mood for in order to appreciate, as the music is very dense, dissonant and rhythmically chaotic. If you like death metal with an unconventional approach, or the bands mentioned earlier, check them out. (Jim)
 

Album review: Thunraz - Borderline (2023)

Thunraz - Borderline

Self-released

Estonia

Thunraz is a death metal project from Estonia (Northern Europe), consisting of Madis Jalakas, and “Borderline” is the third album (and the fifth release overall) under the project’s name.

It’s worth noting that Thunraz released two albums in 2023: “Revelation” and “Borderline” So how does “Borderline” compare to “Revelation”, you might ask? Well, “Borderline” hits every bit as hard as its predecessor. If anything, the album sounds heavier and more chaotic, with nine tracks of devastating and soul-crushing death metal that also incorporates influences from hardcore and doom.

The recording has a murky quality to it, yet everything sounds comparatively audible. On the previous album, Jared Moran (Acausal Intrusion, Psionic Madness, etc.) played drums, but on this recording Madis pretty much handled everything himself, from bass to guitars to vocals to drums, and did an excellent job.

The guitar rhythms are tighter than Rambo’s headband, with exceedingly heavy riffs that maul you like a spiked whip, coupled with flexible bass riffs and pugnacious vocals that range from martial growls to hellish screams. The inclusion of clean vocals makes the songs more interesting and even reminded me of Dax Riggs from Acid Bath. The sludge influence is obvious due to the slow-to-mid tempos, although it’s interesting how the songs manage to sound so discordant even during the slower segments.

The atmosphere on this release is exceptionally dark and melancholic, often bordering on black metal, although it’s not impossible to assume that there’s some black metal influence given the hopeless and negative texture of the music. If anything, I'd say Thunraz is in a class of their own as they combine an array of influences and yet miraculously make it work with relative ease as each composition is cohesive, succinct and straight-to-the-point.

Some bands that come to mind while listening to Thunraz include Immolation, Acid Bath, Soilent Green and Godflesh. These reference points should more or less give you an idea of what to expect. Every track on this album is killer, but some highlights include “Monument”, “Weight of Time” and “You and Me” (unarguably the apex of the album).

Thunraz is an underground extreme metal project that categorically puts out great releases for the style they play. This being said, “Borderline” is a solid offering from beginning to end, with 30 minutes of deranged Death Metal madness that will make all pretenders leave the hall, as the music on this release comes from a sincere and dark place.

Interview: Mvltifission & Huangquan Records

 

The following is a joint interview between two Chinese endeavours: Mvltifission and Huangquan Records. Mvltifission is a death metal band that have garnered much praise from fans both in China and abroad since the release of their excellent debut album “Decomposition in the Painful Metamorphosis,” while Huangquan Records is a reputable record label with many quality releases to its credit.

Special thanks to Jianqi (JQ) for the submission.

1. Hello there! Please introduce yourselves and tell us what you do in the band? 

Gut: Lead vocalist

Tormentor: Hello, I'm Tormentor, the guitarist of the band. I'm thrilled to be part of this interview.

Purulentreek: Hi, I'm Purulentreek, the guitarist of the band. I'm also responsible for drum programming editing and mixing production of the albums.

Gorewhore: Hey, I'm Gorewhore, the drummer of Mvltifission.
 
2. How did you come up with the name Mvltifission and who designed your logo?
 
Gut: The name was coined by guitarist Tormentor, and I designed the logo.

Tormentor: It was a fun idea; it's actually a compound word of "Multi-" and "Fission," which we thought sounded pretty cool at the time.

Gorewhore: The guitarist came up with it, and the vocalist designed the logo.
 
3. The band members come from various extreme metal bands in China, such as the well-known Dugu and Globularcyst. How did you all come together and decide to form Mvltifission?
 
Gut: We simply love pure old-school death metal, so we decided to form a death metal band.

Tormentor: We all enjoy the same type of music, we were open to trying something new musically, and hence Mvltifission was born.

 
Purulentreek: We came together because of our shared passion for classic extreme metal music, and we also get along well, so we had the plan and idea to play in Mvltifission.
 
Gorewhore: I was impressed by a demo from the guitarist, and I felt confident in my abilities, so I chose to join
 

4. Your debut album "Decomposition in the Painful Metamorphosis" from 2021 is an outstanding effort. How long did it take you to write and record these songs? Are you satisfied with the final result? How was the general feedback from the metal underground? (Both in China and abroad)
 
Gorewhore: I’m personally is very satisfied with the final result, and the feedback are beyond well, both in China and abroad, fans were surprised that there is one old school Death Metal band from China.

Gut: The feedback is relatively good, many foreign listeners cannot believe that this is a Chinese death metal album, do not know where the members are from, mysterious band, but we made the effect we wanted.

Purulentreek: Purulentreek: It took about a year, from 2020 to 2021. At that time, we were not all in the same location, so we had to communicate ideas online. The creative process mainly involved Tormentor and me writing the music, recording guitars, GUT doing vocals, and me handling drum programming and mixing. The special aspect of this process was that Tormentor and I constantly exchanged ideas and riffs. It felt great every time a new idea emerged.

Tormentor: Initially, we planned to release an EP, but we had a lot of creative inspiration, so we ended up writing many songs. We discussed and explored numerous ideas together, making it a joyful process. Personally, I'd rate it 75/100. There are some details in the arrangements that need further refinement. We're honoured to have a solid fan base of death metal enthusiasts both domestically and internationally.

 
5. After listening to your full-length album, I was reminded of bands like Immolation and Demilich, and the album's description also mentions being dedicated to the aforementioned bands, including Demigod, Cenotaph, and Purtenance. How has these bands influenced your creative process?

Gut: Absolutely, I often listen to the bands you mentioned. I really like them. Subconsciously, they bring us closer to old-school death metal.

Tormentor: Personally, I'm deeply influenced by Demilich, Demigod, and Purtenance, which shape the overall framework of my songwriting and arrangement.

Purulentreek: These bands have been favorites of ours since we first encountered death metal music, so naturally, our creative process is heavily influenced by them. Daniel, the main creator of Cenotaph and The Chasm, is a musician I deeply admire, and his riffs have had a significant impact on me.

Gorewhore: Indeed, Demigod and Demilich have had a profound influence. If you don't believe it, give our songs a listen
 
6. The production on "Decomposition in the Painful Metamorphosis" sounds organic and has a raw edge to it, which I think gives your music more personality. Do you agree with this? Also, how do you feel about death metal bands with an overly polished production?
 
Gorewhore: Me as a death metal fan, I don't like the over-produced/polished music, which sound plastic for me. So we are also choose what we were influenced, both music and production.
 
Purulentreek: Yes. Frankly, we are trying to fuse many twisted and bizarre riffs into a dark gloomy atmosphere, definitely with the raw and organic sounds production. Over polished sounds are maybe more suitable for melodic riffs.
 

7. What is the atmosphere like at your shows? Is the frequency of performances high? Do you have a large audience?

Gut: The frequency of performances is not high.

Tormentor: The frequency is not high, but the response is usually good.

Purulentreek: We don't perform frequently in China, but the atmosphere at each show is usually good.

Gorewhore: We had four performances in China this year (three shows, I missed one due to injury). The frequency isn't high, and we don't plan for it to be too high. The audience is decent, not too small.

8. Your connection with the Dugu band seems quite close. While reading the lyrics, I sensed elements reminiscent of Shaw Brothers horror films, but more prominently, themes of youth facing the confusion and helplessness of contemporary society, even a sense of nihilism. Did you intentionally incorporate elements from horror films in Mvltifission's creation? And did you have any special thoughts while writing the lyrics?
 
Gut: We didn't intentionally incorporate elements from horror films because Mvltifission's themes are more on the spiritual level, exploring abstract combinations of various concepts.
 
Tormentor: Dugu was initially a project between me and lead vocalist GUT. His vocal style in Dugu is very fitting with the atmosphere of Shaw Brothers horror films, and the lyrical themes revolve around Shaw Brothers CULT horror films. The themes of Mvltifission's album mainly delve into the realm of spiritual nihilism and the distortion of human nature. We didn't deliberately incorporate elements from horror films into it. The direction of Dugu's next album will not be limited to Shaw Brothers; we're currently working on it.
 
Purulentreek：The association between horror movies and our creation has always been significant. Many passages in Mvltifission can evoke scenes from horror movies. When I write lyrics, it's also based on the visual sensations experienced in music, attempting to outline and depict these scenes in textual form
 
Gorewhore: The lyrics are also handled by the guitarist and vocalist.

9. How did you decide to collaborate with Funeral Vomit for a split release?
 
Gut: Funeral Vomit were friends of mine at the time, and coincidentally, we were looking for a South American death metal band to release a split with, aiming for a contrasting style. They play a more crude style of death metal. The collaboration was very pleasant, and the result was that the physical tapes sold out quickly.
 
Purulentreek: It was the lead vocalist Gut arranged the collaboration with Funeral Vomit through the label. We released a tape version of the split together, and the process was very enjoyable.
 
Gorewhore: It was the vocalist's decision, haha.
 
10. Which albums define death metal in your opinion?
 
GUT: I don't think I'm qualified to define that term. I can mention some albums I like.
 
Deicide - Deicide
Cancer - Death Shall Rise
Demilich - Nespithe
Purtenance - Member Of Immortal Damnation
Convulse - World without God
…and there are many more.
 
Tormentor:
 
Death - Leprosy
Demilich - Nespithe
Demigod - Slumber of Sullen Eyes
Entombed - Left Hand Path
Monstrosity - Imperial Doom
 
Purulentreek:
 
Demigod - Slumber of Sullen Eyes
Gorement - The Ending Quest
Crematory - Denial
Demilich - Nespithe
The Chasm - Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm
 
Gorewhore:
 
Deicide - Deicide
Entombed - Left Hand Path
Death - Human
Suffocation - Effigy of the Forgotten
Morbid Angel - Altar of Madness

11. What music do you guys mostly listen to?
 
Gut: I listen to death metal for two hours every day.

Tormentor: Thrash metal, death metal, movie/game soundtracks, southern rock.
Purulentreek: Besides extreme metal, I also love listening to classical music, post-rock, and jazz.

Gorewhore: I listen to a variety of old-school genres, including traditional, heavy, speed, thrash, and death metal.

12. How would you describe the metal scene in China and which bands from there would you recommend to our readers?
 
Tormentor: Explosicum, Ancestor, Globularcyst, The Metaphor

Purulentreek: China's metal scene is constantly evolving, and the developed network makes it easy for everything to spread among the crowd. I would recommend Dinkumoil, Strike Back, and PPT.
 

13. To wrap things up, can you please tell us what the future holds for Mvltifission? Thank you very much for your time!

Gut: We plan to release our second full-length studio album in 2024. This year, Mvltifission will perform alongside several foreign death metal bands in China. Stay tuned!

Tormentor: We hope the new album will be out soon. Thank you for the interview. Cheers!

Purulentreek: We're currently recording our second work. The instrumental part is almost complete, and if all goes well, we should have everything finished by mid-year.

Gorewhore: We're in the midst of creating our new album and gearing up for upcoming performances. Keep it true, keep it underground!

HUANGQUAN RECORDS INTERVIEW:

1. How was the name "Huangquan Records" decided upon? And how was the logo designed?
 
GUT: The name "Huangquan" refers to the Chinese term for "hell." The logo combines the characters for "Huang" and "Quan" in ancient Chinese script, with hand-drawn modifications to form the final logo
 
2. My impression of Huangquan Records includes tags like old-school death metal, 80s and 90s styles, grindcore, and so on. Does this align with the releases from Huangquan Records? Are there any factors that influence your choice of releases?
 
GUT: Yes, it aligns with Huangquan Records' release style. Huangquan has always been committed to unearthing albums and demos from old-school death metal, traditional thrash metal, grindcore, and many forgotten but excellent bands from history. Of course, Huangquans' new sub-project, the "Death List" series, focuses on releasing albums from relatively new and promising death metal bands. This year, we'll mainly be releasing many excellent 90s death metal albums on vinyl.

3. You seem to have a fondness for the 80s and 90s. What do these two decades mean to you?
 
GUT: The late 80s and early 90s were the "golden age" of death metal. Many excellent bands emerged worldwide during this time. Our goal is to unearth more unknown death metal treasures from that era.
 
 
4. Huangquan Records currently focuses on releasing albums and organizing performances. Will you be signing contracts with bands and musicians in the future?
 
GUT: Yes, Huangquan Records solely focuses on album releases and organizing performances. We do not engage in signing contracts with musicians. However, we have had a few Brazilian thrash metal bands express interest in signing with us, but we declined because we felt it didn't hold much practical significance. Our main goal is still to bring music and performances to our audience.
 
5. Thanks for your time! Any last words before we formally close this interview?
 
GUT: We only produce pure death metal albums, make pure death metal music, and hope everyone gets to hear more pure death metal!