EP review: Paraphilia - Primordium of Sinister Butchery (2021)

Paraphilia - Primordium of Sinister Butchery

USA

Brutal Cave Productions

“Primordium of Sinister Butchery” is the debut EP by Pharaphilia from Oregon, USA. The release features 4 tracks of unapologetic death metal with a bit of modern polish, as well as having a slight blackened feel to the compositions. It boasts a series of decidedly interesting riffs and an atmosphere that feels suffocating at all times. The alternating vocal styles ranging from Deicide-esque growls to more incomprehensible piq-squeels (for lack of a better term) is a verily brutal facet and adds a distinctive dynamic to their sound. The culmination of their potential is best displayed on the track ‘Patterns of Invigoration’, which is an absurdly punishing track in its own right and best experienced with proper headphones. The cover of Deicide’s ‘The Are The Children of the Underworld’ is no surprise considering their propensity for brutal death metal. In short, it’s a solid EP, although opting for a real drummer would be a mandatory adjustment to their sound, irrespective of how good the material is. Pharaphilia is an interesting prospect with much potential, so let’s observe their progress and see where they'll go with future recordings. (HT)

EP review: Black Torment - Omega Beast Armageddon (2019)

 Black Torment - Omega Beast Armageddon

Mexico

Ablaze Productions

“Omega Beast Armageddon” is the latest EP from Mexican black/thrash squadron, Hell Torment. It was released in 2019 and flew under my radar for some reason. The 5 tracks on this EP has all the hallmarks of a Black Torment release: coarse vocals; thrashy melodic riffs; sharp drumming; and a dirty production to top it off. The band keeps their rawness intact, always maintaining a sense of integrity and keeping it purely underground. You can hear the band had a blast when they recorded these songs. The music is energetic, well-executed, yet decidedly blasphemous in its essence. It’s a fun little EP to jam if you’re in the mood for some lethal black/thrash. A point worth noting is that the band has been playing this style longer than most, so this is no retro shit by any means. They don’t try to be old school, they ARE old school. All in all, it’s a killer EP out-and-out with cool artwork. It must be heard! Check it out! (HT)

EP review: Funeralis - Hoc est Lvx mea Spiritvs Libero (Reissue 2021)

Funeralis - Hoc est Lvx mea Spiritvs Libero

Chile

Spreading The Pest Productions

Spreading The Pest Productions have just recently reissued this fantastic EP from 2014 by Chilean Occult Black Meta1llers, Funeralis. The new reissue also features 5 extra songs that were unpublished before, which makes it even more essential. 

The ambience on this release is absolutely dismal, paired with cadences of haunting dissonance and hoarse vocals. Lyrics seem to deal with themes pertaining to luciferianism and Gnosis, which gives the whole thing a very clandestine atmosphere. I’ve heard more than a fair share of similar sounding bands, so it’s not terribly unique or anything, but it has its appeal. The song “Ascensión” features a transcendental riff and is one of the EP’s crowning moments. 

Admittedly, the latter 5 tracks that were previously unpublished are my favourite part of this reissue. The reason for that is because the material here sounds much more hateful and raw, including the fact that a verily venomous, death-like atmosphere permeate these songs. 3 of these last 5 tracks are played live, although you could’ve had me fooled. 

Overall, the reissue of “Hoc est Lvx mea Spiritvs Libero” with the addition of the 5 extra tracks makes it a worthwhile purchase, especially if you’re a fan of this style of dark and occult black metal with death metal influences. Get your copy from Spreading The Pest Productions and let the darkness compel you. For fans of: Formless Devotion, Precaria, LvxCaelis. (HT)

EP review: Skognatt – Rain Eternal (2021)

Skognatt – Rain Eternal

Germany

Self-released

Skognatt is a solo project from Augsburg, Germany, playing atmospheric black metal and are here with their latest EP offering “Rain Eternal.” The music has a very calming affect synonymous with how one’s brain receives tonal signals from the ambience of rain. The title is self-explanatory in that sense, as the music successfully conjures a nostalgic mood that reminds us of bands like Burzum and Xasthur. The two aforementioned references are the immediate progenitors that come to mind while listening to this project. It definitely has a bit of that “depressive/suicidal” atmosphere akin to some bands in that style, albeit with cleaner tones. Simplicity is the key to the quality of Skognatt’s music, but so often people will mistake simplicity as a lack of originality or ideas, although, I can confidently assert that is not the case here, as “Rain Eternal” is compositionally rich, textured, and full of sombre cadences that will take you on a journey far beyond. This whole EP channels a deeply melancholic aura, while also showing a certain level of maturity and distinct traits that’s all its own. “Rain Eternal” is a highly addictive and fully realized work that comes highly recommended for fans of atmospheric black metal. Favourite track: Rain (HT)

EP review: Chronic Hate – Reflection on Ruin (2021)

Chronic Hate – Reflection on Ruin

Italy

Self-released (Bandcamp)

Chronic Hate is a five-piece death metal band from Italy that formed in 2001. So far, the band have put out several releases, including two full-lengths – and now this – their latest EP entitled, “Reflection on Ruin.” This EP pretty much blew me away. It sounds like the band has been honing their craft for years, as the verily accomplished musicianship can attest to this. The music is truly crushing and aimed directly at the skull. Vocals are very audible in the mix – powerful and guttural – including the band’s proclivity for sharp, brutalizing riffs, and hard-hitting drumming that sounds like live machine gun fire. (The drummer is an absolute beast behind the kit!) Chronic Hate perfectly demonstrates the effectiveness of EP’s, as the material in question is nothing short of devastating. There’s also an excellent cover of Dismember’s classic “Misanthropic”, which is a must hear. The band strikes a good balance between melody and brutality, infusing a heavy dose of Scandinavian influences into their sound, as well as some keyboard passages that add depth to the atmosphere. Chronic Hate is very adept at playing excellent death metal, as the song-writing and quality of their music speaks for itself. A really enjoyable EP. I’ll be checking out more of their material for sure. For fans of: Vader, Fleshcrawl, Krisiun. (HT)

EP review: Pime - Avanemine (2020)

Pime - Avanemine

Estonia

Self-released (bandcamp)

Pime is yet another solid entry from Estonia – this time a quartet featuring members from black/death squadron, Süngehel. The EP in question, “Avanemine,” was self-released by the band and is basically a re-recording of their first demo from 2010.

Now I haven’t heard that demo, but I guess the band deemed it necessary to revitalize the material (maybe as a promo?) All I can say is their sound is quite antithetical compared to the other bands the members play in. It’s a familiar style of melodic black metal that brings to mind bands such as Taake, The Stone, and MGLA, but not in a shamelessly rip-off sense. The music is certainly quite refined, yet rich in atmosphere, and features a plethora of razor-sharp, epic riffs that will make you envision standing on a mountain somewhere enraptured by the elements of nature. Scandinavian sensibilities are all too prevalent, but elements of uniqueness do shine through. I’m particularly fond of the more sombre segments, which blend in well with the atmosphere. There’s no doubt about the quality of this output – the execution is tight, well-produced, dark, melancholic, and emphatically merciless.

Overall, I find the band to be an interesting prospect, even though there’s much room for improvement, as this is merely a demo that’s been re-recorded and invigorated with honed musicianship. A solid representation of some well-played dark metal madness from Estonia. Favourite track: Olen Jääs (HT)

EP review: Mortuary Spawn – Spawned From The Mortuary (2021)

Mortuary Spawn – Spawned From The Mortuary

England, UK

Brutal Cave Productions / Chamber of Emesis / Sewer Rot Records

Mortuary Spawn is one of those bands that encapsulate everything I fucking love about Death Metal – and “Spawned From The Mortuary” is one of the best EPs I’ve heard lately. I’m quite surprised over the fact that the band is from England, since I haven't heard a killer death metal band from over there since... well... Garden of Eyes (a few months ago!) This whole EP is utterly savage, dark and crushing.

If you like your death metal sounding like it was created by members under the possession of some otherworldly entity whose sole purpose is to bring nothing but pain and suffering into this world, then the music of Mortuary Spawn is definitely for you. This EP is fairly short (clocking in at 15 minutes), but what it lacks in its duration it sure as hell makes up for in terms of brain-mangling brutality, as the band gets straight down to the meat and do not fuck around.

The vocalist emits a perfect guttural growl, which I can only describe as very abrasive. The guitars are heavy as hell and pair well with the heavy low-end. The drums have a nice raw sound to it, which is suitable for the gritty production on this release. It’s actually refreshing to hear a new death metal band that doesn’t opt for a clean sound on their first release. It’s a band that has a good understanding of the genre’s ethos (mainly because they’re not posers). Look at the artwork! That’s cult as fuck. This is raw and straight to the point death metal that brings to mind the heavier parts of Suffocation infused with some melodic segments. It’s good shit and anyone who loves death metal should check it out. Killer EP through and through! Favourite track: Odious, The Charnel Miasma. (HT)

EP review: Oppressive Descent – The Watcher’s Tower (2021)

Oppressive Descent – The Watcher’s Tower

USA

Self-released

This is a one-man project from Portland, Oregon, that was formed in 2008. He has 2 full-lengths under his belt as well as numerous EPs and splits. The sole member of this project has also played in a myriad of other projects, but most notably black/doom band, Death Fetishist.

Raw, melancholic, channeling total negativity at the listener, Oppressive Descent's recent EP, "The Watcher's Tower" clocks in at around 16 minutes. The EP has three tracks, with track 2 being a dark ambient segment that ties the first and third tracks together. There is definitely some depressive elements present, though they are overshadowed by a very sinister and malevolent atmosphere. The production is an ideal level of raw, maintaining both atmosphere and clarity. There is a good contrast of mid-paced and scissor blast passages. The former being more aligned with classic second wave, and the latter delving into the realms of depressive and atmospheric black metal. The entire album has a very droning and numbing effect on the listener, as if you're feeling exactly what the artist was feeling when they were writing the music.

Overall, a very short and to the point release, definitely better than most black metal that delves into the "depressive/suicidal" territory of sub-genres, since it's more on the scornful side of things. (AR) 

Album review: Skulmagot - Kill and Die (2021)

Skulmagot - Kill and Die

Finland

Headsplit Records

When you look at the cover of this album you might get the impression that the band plays black/thrash, but that's definitely not the case here. If you want a good idea of what Skulmaggot sounds like, then just imagine a mix between bands like (old) Cannibal Corpse, Incantation, and Six Feet Under (Undead era).

In recent times, I’ve come across a lot of bands that sound like poor copycats of Cannibal Corpse, which seems to be a trend nowadays. That being said, the influence is undeniable here, but at least it’s not some uninspired carbon-copy of said band. It’s not a simple mortuary mantle that covers this decomposing corpse, but rather one already corroded with noxious fluids and worms that feed on the deceased. There’s a whole damn aura that surrounds their influences, which is stylistically more in the vein of Cannibal Corpse than Incantation, especially on the first track, "Coffin Relocation," which begins with a rotten riff and melody spawned straight from the darkest fringes of human thought. From that point on, everything spirals out of control and picks up speed. The vocals are surprisingly similar to Chris Barnes, and as the album progresses, one can easily make sense of why I referenced those three bands in the beginning of the review. All in all, it’s a killer and fun little release, despite its short duration of 20 minutes. These maniacs come highly recommended! (Catacombs Walker)

EP review: Kruor Noctis - Craven Whispers (2019)

Kruor Noctis – Craven Whispers

New Zealand

Skaventhrone

Harrowing, bleak and utterly raw black metal is the name of the game for these Kiwis. Featuring former members of respected New Zealand bands like Exordium Mors and Barshasketh, these guys already have a wealth of experience tucked under their belts.

This little release from 2019 called “Craven Whispers” is a monstrous 2-track EP composed of some truly savage black metal entwined with passages of lengthy ambience. The ambient parts are quite dark and are able to induce a trance-like state before the chaos and cathartic darkness totally obliterates the senses. The vocals are profoundly harsh and well-done, which goes hand in hand with the raw production. I’ve been interested in the New Zealand scene for a while now, so it’s always interesting to hear bands like Kruor Noctis and what they have to offer, and with this release, they certainly offer us something truly morose and dark. Kruor Noctis’ music radiates obscurity and cult black metal in every conceivable way, and seem to take a bit after Vassafor, but add their own twisted ingredients, which allows them to stand out a bit from their peers. I like how the title track takes about three minutes to build up tension then floors you with a malicious assault of venomous vocals backed by a wall of guitar distortion and morbid melodies. As mentioned before, the songs have pretty lengthy ambient passages, which are nicely mixed with the metallic elements without it actually being “ambient/black metal.” They’re more like bridges or moments of introspection if you will. This is the type of music you’d want to keep away from someone suffering from chronic depression, because the fate of such a person subjected to this kind of audio terror would only end in what I can imagine as their brains scattered all over the fucking place. (But maybe that’s a good thing!) 

This is a solid EP, but obviously the band is still in their development phase, so I imagine something truly wicked this way comes with future releases. Fuck, I would love to hear a full-length from these guys. “Craven Whispers” is a 39 minute ride into the blackest depths of despair. Hail New Zealand black metal! (HT)
 

EP review: R.I.P. - As Good As Dead (2021)

R.I.P. - As Good As Dead

Germany

Brutal Cave Productions

"As Good As Dead" is the debut EP from these German death metallers, which was released by Brutal Cave Productions.

A quarter of the band's line-up consists of members from the thrash metal band Destroyer, which haven't really put out anything since 2013. R.I.P. definitely have their fair share of thrashing chops, with a sound inclined towards straight-forward death metal charged with foot-tapping grooves and mid-tempo battery. There's somewhat of a "fun" element in their sound, although they still manage to keep it heavy and brutal, which sits well with the overall aesthetics. The bass is always audible in the mix, which gives it a nice, chunky feel. Vocals are well performed and brings to mind John Tardy of Obituary. Riffs aren't particularly technical, although there's some cool solos scattered throughout, including a plethora of killer riffs that will kick you on the ass.

"As Good As Dead" isn't a terribly innovative release, as we've heard similar sounding stuff about a dozen times before, although it's definitely good for what it is, even though it's quite a short EP. The release is augmented with an excellent mix and production, which really brings out the power in the overall performance. These four songs get better with each listen, and is a solid representation of what we can expect from the band in the future. Musically, their sound owes a lot to bands like Autopsy and Obituary, but executed with a revitalized energy. (HT)

EP review: Laracna - Nec Spe Nec Metu (2021)

 

Laracna - Nec Spe Nec Metu (2021)

Brazil

Independent 

Laracna are a one-person black metal project from Cascavel, Brazil, unleashing their first release in nearly a decade. Formed in 2009, and having released their last demo in 2012, “Nec Spe Nec Metu” is the project’s third release, and definitely a monster of an EP.

The first thing I’d like to note here that the drums are programmed on this album, they're somewhat noticeable, but sound decent enough for the genre. Production is clear, without taking away from the necessary genre-defining atmosphere that must be present in black metal. The lower ranged black metal vocals most definitely remind me of Deathspell Omega or Behexen. I definitely cannot say the same for the riffing and over all sound writing. “Nec Spe Nec Metu” clocking in at around 16 minutes, definitely has a unique and ever changing sound throughout. The writer here appears to have a diverse set of musical influences in which they have blended together to create this disgustingly unique release. You will find riffs that reminice of early Craft, Burzum and even doomy segments like the beginning of “Deo Tacita”, which almost sound like early Katatonia. There is even a riff around 30 seconds into “Guillotine” that reminds me of Bathory’s “Return” album.

Overall, Nec Spe Nec Metu shows that Laracna have a lot of promise as a musical project. A lot in terms of songwriting and diveristy of song writing is brought to the table. The guitar tone is nice and bright, and compliments the dissonance of the riffs. An EP absolutely worth checking out. (AR)

EP review: Ordo Caper - Haspu (2012)

 

Ordo Caper – Haspu

Costa Rica

Nyarlathotep Records / Nightfall Distro / Hell Productions / Viceral Vomit Records

Initially, I wrote a review for this EP some years ago, but somehow the 'zine I submitted the review to never got published. Well, better later than never as they say, so here I am about to write some words about Ordo Caper’s 2012 release, entitled “Haspu.”

Speaking of the band, Ordo Caper is an outfit hailing from Costa Rica (Central America) playing a style of blasphemous black/death that is totally obscure and underground. The 7 tracks that comprise this release run at a total of 35 minutes, which is quite lengthy for an “EP.” The band’s sound evokes the filthy spirit of bands such as Blasphemy, Goatpenis, and Sadistik Exekution. It’s not outright fast all the time, and I think that’s what sets them apart from most war metal acts. There’s a lot of mid-pace and slower parts in their sound, and somehow it still retains a thoroughly chaotic element structurally due to heavy dissonance of the guitars. The songs exude a profoundly dense and nightmarish atmosphere so thick, you can feel the evil hanging in the air. Profane and otherworldly vocals are spewed all over the mic, which really contribute to the sinister ambience and chaotic sound overall. The production has a natural essence to it, which makes the music all the more authentic. There's even a killer cover of Goatpenis' "Eht Tsrow Sdrow" (RIP Sabboath). 

All in all, “Haspu” is an absolutely crude and vile release from beginning to end, and will open the portals to hell once you play it. (HT)

EP review: Bestial Entity - Treason Of The Dead (2021)

 

Bestial Entity - Treason Of The Dead

Greece

Fistbang Records 

Bestial Entity, a duo from Greece, unleash their monstrous and crushing four-track EP called “Treason Of The Dead” via Fistbang Records.

These maniacs are adept at playing dark and sepulchral black/death that sounds like a mix between bands like Pseudogod, Resurgency and Hate Manifesto. The atmosphere on this release is purely blasphemous and will chill you to the bone. The guitar tone is deliciously filthy, with riffs that sound like they emanate from the abyss, paired with a thunderous and cohesive percussion that is able to switch from mid-tempo to blasts with absolute ease. Deep and menacing growls are perfectly integrated into the mix, not too loud, nor too soft, and really add depth to the overall assault. The production is also very good and gives clarity to the performance.

It’s a fairly short EP, yet an utterly convincing representation of what the group is all about. If you enjoy the amalgamation of styles between black, death and war metal, then this will no doubt tickle your fancy. “Treason Of The Dead” features 9 minutes of pure unholy black/death terror. Hopefully a full-length will manifest at some point. Recommended. (HT)

EP review: Disembodiment - Mutated Chaos (2021)

 

Disimbodiment – Mutated Chaos

Canada

Everlasting Spew Records / Caligari Records 

Everlasting Spew Records has recently released this EP of Canada's Disembodiment called “Mutated Chaos” on Pro CD format, while Caligari Records released it on tape. The band may be new, but its members have played in bands like Oath Div. 666, Nilblorts, and They Were US.

Disembodiment from Quebec is a new juggernaut in death metal, playing a style that perfectly blends different elements of the genre into one astronomically heavy sound that infuses heavy grooves with sepulchral darkness. Each song is replete with hard riffs, dynamic drumming, putrid vocals and sick bass lines. The songwriting on this EP is absolutely supreme, which is further enhanced by a clear and crisp production, perfectly complimenting the excellent craftsmanship displayed by the band. You definitely need a pair of good earphones in order to fully digest the power and heaviness of these compositions. This EP isn't particularly lengthy, but that's also one of its strong points, since it gets the point across more thoroughly and leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended for fans of bands like Convulse, Suffocation and Incantation or death metal in general. (HT)

EP review: Antt - Esoteric Misanthropy (2021)

 

Antt – Esoteric Misanthropy

India

Independent

Annt is a black metal duo hailing from the infernal depths of Assam, India, and “Esoteric Misanthropy” is their debut EP.

The title feels appropriate for this release, as this whole thing radiates pure darkness from start to finish, with a sound firmly fixed between the second and third wave. The music is relatively straight-forward and well-executed for its duration. The band employs melody in a clever way, without compromising any hostility. Musically, their sound is characterized by harsh, croaky vocals, apocalyptic riffs and fast, hard-hitting drums, as well as incorporating a good dose of melody into the mix. Vocalist Telal Xul’s harrowing groan brings to mind Hoath Torog from Sargeist/Behexen fame, while the guitars are pretty much par excellent and replete with sombre textures. The material is quite strong and further enhanced by a verily excellent production. 

Their sound is something of a mix between Sargeist, Thunderbolt and Babtism. That being said, I don’t ever recall hearing a black metal band of this magnitude and quality from India. The band display a level of professionalism and craftsmanship that most bands are unable to pull off so early in their career. All in all, “Esoteric Misanthropy” is a stellar EP through and through. Recommended. (HT)

EP review: Penny Coffin - Τεφρα (2021)

Penny Coffin - Τεφρα

Scotland

Self-released

The debut EP by Scottish trio, Penny Coffin, offers three tracks of unholy, knuckle-dragging Death Metal that leaves more than just a few dead hippies in its wake. The music is reasonably well-recorded, with a production job that allows everything to be heard and stand out. The band employs blood-curdling vocals with meaty, galloping riffs that is nothing short of devastating. The guitars sometimes venture into more technical territory, with riffs sharp enough to cut through bone. This whole release induces a menacing atmosphere augmented by an array of sludgy rhythms and heavy low-end. The drums are mixed well and consists of various tempos that compliment the music. I didn’t hear any solos in the mix, although, the songs does not seem to lack any depth without them and are well executed regardless. If you’re looking for something slightly different, yet still totally heavy as fuck, then check it out. “Τεφρα” is an auspicious first offering and a hint of what the future holds for the band. For fans of: Cruciamentum, Cerebral Rot, Diabolizer.  (HT) 

EP review: Devouring Void - Septic Fluid Dripping From the Open Wounds of Gaia (2020)

 

Devouring Void - Septic Fluid Dripping From the Open Wounds of Gaia (2020)

Canada

Independent

Canadians, Devouring Void, bring the evil with their debut EP titled, “Septic Fluid Dripping From the Open Wounds of Gaia, ” which offers five tracks of fierce Black Metal that’s a paean to all things cruel and malicious. 

Opener, "Infinite Abyss" inaugurates this disc with spoken samples from cult leader, Jim Jones, which sets the tone for the rest of the record. The music isn’t particularly raw, although the production isn’t overly clean either. Comparisons might be subjective, but they remind me a bit of Katechon from Norway. They also exude a verily cold and desolate atmosphere idiomatic to Canadian Black Metal a la Frozen Shadows and Godless North. 

The output in question is quite impressive considering that it’s the band’s first release and they seem to have a good grasp of the genre, as one is able to pinpoint several references while listening to this release. The music is thoroughly well-executed, with the band delivering a solid arsenal of riffs combined with hard-hitting drums and a vocalist that sounds like the personification of hatred. Black Metal fans rejoice. (HT)

EP REVIEW: Wargrinder - Ironclad Destroyer (2020)

Wargrinder – Ironclad Destoyer (2020)

Greece

Helter Skelter Productions

Wargrinder is a band I've been following ever since their debut album, “The Seal of Genocide.” Basically, they're one of those bands you either like or don't. I personally enjoy the kind of fast and merciless Black/Death style played by bands like Arkhon Infaustus, Angelcorpse, Perdition Temple, etc. Wargrinder falls in that category. The latest EP, “Ironclad Destroyer,” is a continuation of their style from “Tank Tread Doctrine.” The songs on this EP are crushing and blisteringly fast for the most part, but do occasionally plunge into more mid-pace territory that go well with the chugging guitar parts. There are no solos, although the music sounds good enough without them. The EP is also supported by a solid production job, which makes sense, since a good production is mandatory for this style. Brutality-wise – on a scale from 1 to 10 – Wargrinder gets a 11. Every song hits you harder than a Mike Tyson knockout. Everything on this release is exceptionally well-arranged with immaculately timed performances all around. If this is the first you read about Wargrinder, then I guess it's obligatory to point out that everything is played by one person named Terry Eleftheriou. Once again, he did an amazing job. I just republished an interview I did with Terry back in 2017, so maybe give it a read to understand what the band is all about. “Ironclad Destoyer” was released by Helter Skelter Productions on CD format. Buy or die. (HT)

https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ironclad-destroyer