“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.
15 May 2024
DEMO REVIEW: Purulency - Transcendent Unveiling of Dimensions (2024)
“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.
1 May 2024
DEMO REVIEW: Käptör - Thräshättäkk (2024)
19 Apr 2024
DEMO REVIEW: Lein - The Call of Grief (2024)
14 Apr 2024
DEMO REVIEW: Cadaverous Odour - Corpus Inhumation (2024)
There’s definitely a hint of doom, as “Mercurial Erethism” starts off rather slow before picking up the pace around 2:18 and plunging you into the bottomless pit with blasphemous riffs and a rapid solo around 3:29. The vocals exude a rather cavernous quality, adding an extra layer of filth to the festering atmosphere. The riffs are well executed and feel inspired, making the whole experience that much more enjoyable.
The drums are well played and do not feel too out of place despite the simplicity of the music. I mean, one could argue that the music is pretty crude – which it is – but it’s also well composed, and not to mention those guitar solos sound pretty insane.
The Autopsy influence is a little more noticeable on the second track “Corporeal Blasphemy," which features some pretty nasty riffs and frantic vocals that would give any old lady a heart attack. The final track is basically an outro with a movie sample and a creepy piano interlude, though I’m not entirely sure from which movie, but it suites the atmosphere of the demo.
All in all, Cadaverous Odour’s debut demo “Corpus Inhumation” is a pretty sick affair of disgusting death metal, consisting of two excellent tracks and an outro.
2 Feb 2024
Demo review: Tartarean Vengeance - Genosida (2024)
Tartarean Vengeance from Singapore is the sole project of Hades (Battlestorm, Nocturnized, Devourer, etc.) and “Genosida” is the debut demo/EP of this project. Expect nothing less than a vile onslaught of bestial black/death metal informed by bands like Impiety, Black Witchery and Incantation. A haunting ambient piece opens this EP, followed by a rivetingly crushing assault of black/death metal infused with waves of skull-exploding distortion that is characteristic of the superlative heaviness of "Genosida". Since this is a demo recording, the sound is quite raw, albeit executed with a degree of proficiency. Despite being only 12 minutes long, this EP gets its point across confidently and provides a taste of what is to come. Furthermore, the cover of ‘Blasphemous Onslaught’ by Black Witchery is an excellent rendition and homage to one of the genre’s greats. Prepare yourself for war, as Tartarean Vengeance pummels you right into the heart of it.
19 Jan 2024
Demo review: Nuclearhammer - Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII (2023)
5 Jun 2022
Demo review: Euthanized - Sanguine Spectacle (2021)
Canada
Venom-spewing vocals accompanied by low-tuned and evil sounding guitars assault the listener on the first track, which also features a Motorhead-inspired solo near the end. Drum beats are simple, but well-balanced in the mix, staying mostly in a mid-pace range. One of the features I adore most about Euthanized is the vocalist’s propensity for all-out maddening rage, which brings to mind Maniac from Mayhem’s Deathcrush era. It's aggressive, heavy as hell, raw, and very old-school sounding, which is my kind of black metal. Most of the tracks are around three to four minutes long, which is more than enough time to sink your teeth into Euthanized's aural carnage. On the last track, the band covers Venom's classic "Live Like An Angel", which is not only a great choice for a cover, but is also executed flawlessly.
I think this is an excellent demo by a band that completely surprised me with its ancient and passionate sound that is a throwback to old times without being a weak copycat of its influences. There is a real sense of conviction in their sound, which should appeal to fans of bands like (early) Mayhem, Sarcofago, and Katharsis. I look forward to the full-length. (HT)
22 Dec 2021
Demo review: Hecatomb - Horrid Invocations (2021)
Australia/Norway
Invictus Productions
1 Dec 2021
Demo review: Nortavlaggh.377 – Demo 2021 (2021)
Singapore
Independent
Nortavlaggh.377 is a Singapore-based one-man project that has been around since 2004 with only a couple of demos and one split under its belt. Now, I haven’t heard much of their old material, but I can confidently assert that the new demo slays on all fronts. The three tracks featured here are absolutely fierce Black/Death in the purest sense that sometimes borders on War metal.
24 Jul 2021
Demo review: Hedonist - Sepulchral Lacerations (2021)
I was about to review another demo until I came across this one and the violent ecstasy generated by the unmatched sound of old school Death Metal with melodies from beyond was enough to get me to work. It's not Melodic Death Metal, it's a style that in my opinion seems to fuse the melodies and brutality of Swedish extreme metal with some elements of the old Finnish school Death Metal. A brutal mix of two undeniable forces that have emerged in music over the years. It's one of those bands that, as I have mentioned before, seem to come from the 90s because they either lived through that era or perfectly understand what metal was like during those times. It sounds like an excellent production to me. While the instruments are high and well defined, the vocals seem to come from an abandoned catacomb, it's like they come out from behind the instruments, from the guts of the band. Of course, I understand that this was intentional, to give it that cavernous touch that always remains bestial in this very particular type of death metal. And boy, there are different styles to make Death Metal! And I don't mean Thrash/Death, Death/Doom or whatever. I am talking about the particular style of playing Death Metal, that every band is imposing on themselves right now, which in turn seems to be generating a new subgenre. These guys knew where they wanted to go with their music, and they felt an affinity for that side of Death Metal, which I honestly like the best. It's their first release since the birth of the band and they started with all the necessary rotten feeling needed for a band like this! They have demonized my mind! The lyrics are available on Bandcamp, so you can check them out and read what's going on in the minds of these maniacs. For now, it's only been released digitally. Hopefully there will be news of a physical release soon. I highly recommend you get your head on straight with these maniacs, and enjoy it as much as I did! Aaaarrrrgghhhh !!! (Catacombs Walker)
6 Jul 2021
Demo review: Temple of Gorgon – Worshipers of the Serpent (2021)
Temple
of Gorgon – Worshipers of the Serpent
California/USA
Self-released
Temple
of Gorgon is a breath of fresh air after being exposed to some
perniciously awful post-black metal band on youtube. This is more
like it! The debut demo from the Los Angeles-based solo-project
Temple of Gorgon features 3 tracks of raw and intense Black Metal.
It’s nothing remarkably unique, but some individual touches manage
to shrine through. In a way, the music reminds me of bands like
Crimson Moon, Masochist, and Demoncy. That being said, it has that
idiomatic USBM sound stamped all over it – fury-fueled vocals
charged with blasphemous riffs and a crescendo of malicious blasts
and fiery double-bass. There’s also the presence of keyboards,
which are sparingly used to add depth to the atmosphere rendering it
a kind of occult feel. It’s a really killer demo clocking in at 13
minutes. The band infuses all the right ingredients – from the
visual representation to the music – Temple of Gorgon will
undoubtedly gain some followers as the quality of the output is undeniable. So behold, worshipers of the serpent, as we
enter the Temple of Gorgon! (HT)
Temple of Gorgon – Worshipers of the Serpent
California/USA
Self-released
Temple of Gorgon is a breath of fresh air after being exposed to some perniciously awful post-black metal band on youtube. This is more like it! The debut demo from the Los Angeles-based solo-project Temple of Gorgon features 3 tracks of raw and intense Black Metal. It’s nothing remarkably unique, but some individual touches manage to shrine through. In a way, the music reminds me of bands like Crimson Moon, Masochist, and Demoncy. That being said, it has that idiomatic USBM sound stamped all over it – fury-fueled vocals charged with blasphemous riffs and a crescendo of malicious blasts and fiery double-bass. There’s also the presence of keyboards, which are sparingly used to add depth to the atmosphere rendering it a kind of occult feel. It’s a really killer demo clocking in at 13 minutes. The band infuses all the right ingredients – from the visual representation to the music – Temple of Gorgon will undoubtedly gain some followers as the quality of the output is undeniable. So behold, worshipers of the serpent, as we enter the Temple of Gorgon! (HT)
30 Jun 2021
Demo review: RTNGJHVH - Rotting Jehovah (2020)
"Rtngjhvh" – which stands for "Rotting Jehovah" – is a solo project from Kentucky playing barbaric black/death metal informed by bands like Proclamation, Abhorer, etc. The demo in question features 7 tracks & 26 minutes of blasphemous filth that will rape the severed head of Christ before impaling it on a spike. The overall sound is considerably raw and primitive. There are no traces of any melody to be found here. This shit is vile, primal, and profoundly filthy. The sound is utterly bestial and crude, and will only appeal to the most diehard maniacs into this style. Disgusting riffs, caveman vocals, and sloppy drum beats are maliciously thrown together and scattered over 7 tracks of unadulterated morbid metal mayhem spawned straight from the rotting corpse of God. If you like any of the bands mentioned earlier, then check them out. And If you’re anything like me, and have a penchant for collecting rare & sick demos from obscure bands, then be sure to grab a copy from Blasfemas Records before it’s too late! (HT)
23 Jun 2021
Demo review: Cleavercult - Promo 2021
Cleavercult – Promo 2021
Greece
Self-released
The band’s name might suggest the band to play brutal death metal – and that might be true to some extent – but they seem to have a bit of that ancient death/thrash in their veins, especially in the riffs. The guitar sound is pretty obscure, which allows the band to stand out a bit from other bands. Production has a rough edge befitting of the music. Deep and menacing growls command the assault backed by speedy drums and choppy tremolo riffs, which gives way to some decidedly interesting ideas and textures. Melody definitely plays a role in the song structuring, and is employed without losing grip on intensity. The two tracks on this promo are quite straight-forward in their delivery, clocking in at about 3 minutes per track. I think a full-length from these guys would be interesting, so if that ever happens, I’ll be sure to check it out. (HT)
18 Jun 2021
Demo review: Asgard - Pagan Sacrifice (2021)
Peru
Unholy War Productions
Asgard is a one-man band from Peru, and the release in question, “Pagan Sacrifice,” is the band’s third demo, featuring 5 songs of raw pagan/black metal with a rusty production fitting for a demo limited to 150 copies. The individual behind this project is also a former member of bands such as Lord Sanguinary, Nahual, and Penetrator Hammer.
The song structures are similar to punk in the sense that the music is quite straight-forward and simplistic, although the overall metallic elements prevail. Stylistically, their sound gives nods to bands such as Absurd and Burzum. The music is definitely very riff-laden, and songs like “Hall Of The Fallen (Valhalla)” perfectly exemplify this. There’s even clean vocals, which are quite dominant in the mix, backed by more aggressive vocals and some lower grunts. There’s some pretty cool riffs interspersed throughout, which are infused with folk melodies. It’s quite interesting to hear a band like this coming from Peru, especially considering the band’s lyrical themes, which deals with nationalism, paganism, etc. It’s a style of black metal I can enjoy and appreciate if I’m in the mood for something riffy and primitive; however, the themes might not be for everyone.
If you like poorly produced and sloppily played black metal with punk tendencies, then you will enjoy this, particularly fans of the aforementioned acts. (HT)
7 Jun 2021
Demo review: Brood In Black - Black Unholy Mass (2021)
Brood In Black – Black Unholy Mass
Kentucky, USA
Blasfemas Records
Brood In Black hail from from the city of Lancaster (there’s another Lancaster in England, but the weather looks a bit crappy there) situated in Kentucky, USA, and the aptly titled “Black Unholy Mass” is their latest offering of pure unadulterated black metal darkness.
Brood In Black are one of those bands that’s 100% loyal to the spirit of old-school black metal. They evoke an atmosphere that takes us back to the first and second wave of black metal with a sound reminiscent of bands like Beherit, Countess, Bathory, etc. That’s not to say that Brood In Black is some boring, uninspired clone of the aforementioned bands; they do their thing well and I happen to enjoy this kind of no-frills, straight-forward black metal, and in the case of Brood In Black, they execute their craft with absolute zeal and fervour. The overall length of "Black Unholy Mass” exceeds the 30 minute mark, which is quite a satisfying duration for a demo.
Performance-wise, the songs are pretty simple and by no means technical, but that’s also one of the band’s strong points. The vocals are appropriately raw, evil, and full of acrimony which gives the music a really unsettling feel. Everything goes together decidedly well, whether it’s the inventive drum fills, the skull-grating buzzsaw riffs, or the venom-spitting vocals.
If you think words like “raw” and “simplistic” are a warning flag for “unprofessional”, then avoid this at all costs – especially if you’re a hipster who think it’s cool to listen to black metal after watching the abominable Lords Of Chaos film. This is about as austere, bleak, bitter and unoriginal as any black metal you can find, but that’s the fucking beauty of it. There’s absolutely no compromise for trends. (HT)