Album review: Kill - Horned Holocaust (2004)

Kill – Horned Holocaust

Sweden

Worship Him Records (LP) / Invictus Productions  (CD) / Death Propaganda Records (Cassette)

 
 
Gothenburg’s Kill emerged in the late ‘90s as a raw black metal act that quickly cemented a name for themselves within the underground with various demos leading up to their debut album, “Horned Holocaust”. The style employed on this album is very much a product of its time with its demonic vocals, primitive riffs and old-school approach, and yet there is so much charm behind these songs that it is simply hard to resist if you’re a diehard fan of the genre.
 
With a running time of 29 minutes, the band succeeds in delivering a straightforward, sinister black metal album seething with evil that takes us back in time to the glory days of bands like Darkthrone, Gorgoroth and Bathory, and while those influences are quite evident, there is certainly more to the band’s arsenal than simply “worshipping” their influences.
 
There is a certain element of chaos emanating from these compositions that is a trademark of the band and inextricably woven into their sound. You can put on any album by Kill and instantly recognize their sound. It’s that simple.
 
The energetic riffs often emit a sort of “groove” (albeit in the most hellish way imaginable) that brings to mind classic bands like Discharge and Celtic Frost. The whole sound consists of bass, guitar, drums and vocals. It’s a simple approach, but extremely well-executed and effective. The music is far from technically proficient, but when it comes to old-school black metal, the most important aspect is the intensity behind the execution, and in this case, there is no single instrument that stands out more than the other, as the performance is about as flawless as it gets for this style.
 
The rhythmic interplay of drums, bass and guitars is absolutely excellent and bolstered by the scathing vocals of Carl Warslaughter. Drummer Getaz pounds the kit like a drunken hillbilly beating his mistress on a Saturday night, while guitarist Black Curse metes out some truly disgusting riffs that would make even Jeffrey Dahmer vomit. The bass is audible and has been a staple of their sound since their formation. There are certainly some punk sensibilities interweaved into their sound, whether it was intentional or not, the energetic and simplistic nature of the music draws parallels to hardcore punk.
 
Every song on this album kills (pun intended), but some personal favorites include “Virgin Sacrificed”, “The Devil” and “Fields of Devastation”, as these tracks give off an eerie atmosphere that elevates them above the other tracks. The band would go on to release more excellent albums, evolving their sound and taking a slightly different approach with each album, but always staying within the framework of their crude sound. (Jim)

Album review: Negative Plane - The Pact (2022)

Negative Plane - The Pact

 

USA

 

Invictus Productions / The Ajna Offensive

Negative Plane can do no wrong. Their latest album entitled "The Pact" is nothing short of a masterpiece. The band has always had a unique approach to writing riffs and kept the music simple, although enriched with great songwriting. Their ability to weave idiosyncratic elements with black metal is absolutely captivating. These days it's difficult to reinvent the wheel of black metal, and bands that offer something unique are few and far between, though I feel like Negative Plane has succeeded in that department. The music exudes a profoundly sinister atmosphere that feels like demon claws scratching at your soul. Musically, the entire performance is excellent, including the vocals. The production is also perfect. "The Pact" will surely go down in history as a classic. Recommended for fans of church burnings, black magic rituals and serial killers. Stand-out tracks: "A Work to Stand a 1000 Years" "Poison and the Crucifix"

Demo review: Hecatomb - Horrid Invocations (2021)

Hecatomb - Horrid Invocations

Australia/Norway

Invictus Productions

Hecatomb is an international project featuring Rick Warkill from Australia and Mangressor from Norway (Abhorration). Together, they unleash a fierce barrage of raw and bestial death metal that pays homage to the past in the most relentless sense.

"Horrid Invocations" is their debut demo, featuring five tracks of pure unbridled mayhem that give nods to *ahem* yes, Mayhem (Deathcrush era), Sadistik Exekution, and Sarcofago.

Several bands in recent memory have done this style rather well, including Morbid Insulter, Third Eye Rapists, Shitangel, and more recently, Abhorration. They don't try to sound old-school, they just play death metal, and that's what separates them from some retro band made up of members who look as if they formerly played in some shitty sludge or metalcore band (posers in other words). Hecatomb is the real deal. The music is absurdly crude, featuring a foray of harsh screams that sounds like an ancient demon just awoke, along with riffs that radiate nothing but darkness, and drums that plow through the songs with pure unyielding force. In addition, the artwork has that simplistic and underground look, which perfectly reflects what the band conveys with their music.

Overall, if you are looking for some raw, evil, and unapologetic metal of death, then "Horrid Invocations" will satisfy your craving. (HT)

EP review: Tempter's Sacrament - Temptation Steel Scourge (2021)

Tempter's Sacrament - Temptation Steel Scourge

USA

Invictus Productions

Furious and well-executed Blackened Death/Thrash informed by the likes of Vomitor, Aura Noir, and Gospel of The Horns is what Tempter's Sacrament brings to the table with their debut EP, "Temptation Steel Scourge", which was recently released by Invictus Productions.

Throughout each of these four tracks, you will be subjected to a barrage of face-ripping riffs with wild, turbulent solos, unyielding and energetic drums, and infernal shrieks from the depths.

The EP is inaugurated with "Putrid Triumph" and immediately we are pulled into the abyss as the band belches out some sick as fuck riffs, thrashing ahead with confidence, with occasional bursts of speed and fury.

It's pretty clear that the band is well-rehearsed. Everything flows together really well and the arrangements are tight. In terms of musicianship, the guitars and song structures are verily impressive, paired with how utterly savage it all sounds.

The cover of Morbid Angel's "Unholy Blasphemies" will rip right through you, as it conveys the right amount of intensity, with the band adding their own evil and sick twist to this much acclaimed classic track.

As I understand it, the group is already working on their debut album, so this EP will serve as a taster for what's to come, and from what I can tell, the forthcoming album should be an absolute ripper.

Overall, this 14-minute EP comes as a blessing for those with a penchant for true unholy metal mayhem, as "Temptation Steel Scourge" delivers the goods. (HT)