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) 

EP review: Irillion – Mélamar (2023)

Irillion – Mélamar

 

Mexico

 

Nocta Producciones

 

"Mélamar" is the third EP from Mexico’s Irillion, featuring five tracks of harrowing black/death metal. A totally raw and blasphemous sound permeates this release, which reminds me of ancient cults like Treblinka, Beherit, and Belial. Apparently, “Irillion” means conjuring up pungent atmospheres of brimstone and venomous flames, which is exactly how I would describe the overall mood of this release. Pure mystical black/death that radiates darkness and emphasizes atmosphere with its use of gloomy riffs, varied tempos and robust drumming. The vocals are a highlight and extremely raw, reminiscent of Necrovore. This EP starts with a sombre guitar interlude, and just when you think you’re about to indulge in some immersive atmospheric black metal, your world is suddenly set ablaze with vivid images of blood, fire and death, as the music pummels you straight into the burning abyss. The guitars have a buzzlike quality characteristic of raw black metal, yet the death metal influence resonates strongly in their veins, especially when they unleash those sharp, stabbing riffs. Overall, this well-crafted EP brims with promise and demonstrates depth. A full-length release would be highly anticipated. Stand-out tracks: “Oukranos” “Velo De Lo Profundo”

Split review: Thornspawn / Maledictvs – Guided by Vengeance & Bloodlust (2021)

Thornspawn / Maledictvs – Guided by Vengeance & Bloodlust

USA / Mexico

Inhuman Assault Productions

The split in question is the first release to feature new Thornspawn material since their last split with Singapore's Istidraj in 2013. The two new Thornspawn tracks 'Under The Illustrious Eminence of Satan's Doctrine' and 'Clairvoyance with the Dead' are both killer slabs of raw and vicious black metal, boasting a powerful production while maintaining that malicious and bestial edge they are known for. Blackthorn's vocals are visceral as ever with a fair amount of distortion, giving the music a menacing effect paired with the vicious buzzsaw guitars and thumping drums. The atmosphere is evil enough to draw me in, and has that apocalyptic ambience that is typical of their sound, although one thing missing from these tracks are guitar solos. They have always had them in the past; nevertheless, I am quite impressed with the new songs and hope to hear more of the same on their next recording. (Although it’s like I said, they need to throw some solos in the mix to give the music that extra oomph.) Interestingly, Blackthorn is the only remaining member from the original line-up and that really says a lot about his dedication to black metal, as the band has been around since 1993.

Maledictvs from Juarez, Mexico, is the manifestation of Hella, the mistress of Blackthorn, which consequently features Blackthorn on drums. The Malevicvs portion of the split is quite well crafted, with an an array of chaotic riffs and hellish, high-pitched vocals that sound like they come from the depths of Hella's black soul. This music is above the standard pedestal and exudes pure devotion to the dark arts, as this is raw, underproduced black metal at its finest. All in all, a solid split all around and recommended for aficionados of blasphemous underground black metal. (HT)

Split review: Infesticide / In Obscurity Revealed (2021)

Infesticide / In Obscurity Revealed – Split

Mexico

Blood Harvest

I haven't heard a good split in a while and this release here is just what the doctor ordered. Both bands hail from Mexico and play menacing death metal with an evil intonation. A lot of death metal bands these days tend to suck due to the fact that they are too content to regurgitate old styles without adding more emotion to the compositions, and then label it "old school", leaving little to be desired. That's not the case with Infesticide and In Obscurity revealed. These guys are completely obsessed with their craft and let the devil emanate from their music. One listen to the material on this split is enough to convince you of the quality of these bands. Infesticide seems to be one of those bands that gets better and better with each release, as they kick it up a notch with the two tracks presented here: fast, vicious and filthy death metal at its best, with definite echoes of early Morbid Angel (Altars era). In Obscurity Revealed is no less impressive, melting brains with their relentless onslaught of bestial riffs, harsh vocals and hard-hitting drums. All in all, the split is a thoroughly enjoyable release and once again shows just how passionate those maniacs are about metal from Latin countries. 16 minutes of pure underground Death Metal insanity! Highly recommended. (HT)

Album review: Telluric Effluvium - Dissolution of the Threefold Self (2020)

Telluric Effluvium - Dissolution of the Threefold Self

USA/Mexico

Hostile Records

I have always understood that playing slow music like this is more difficult than most people may realize, since you have to keep the listener trapped. Funeral/Doom cult Telluric Effluvium are no strangers to the craft. 

It’s all about the aura the song and/or album conjures, including what is transmitted through the music. On this album especially, the structures of the songs are arranged with delicacy and precision. Mostly it is calm, but sometimes it is chaotic. Calm can be seen as a long descent into an underworld of dark emotions. An amalgam of fetid, funereal and melancholic thoughts. The production and sound is excellent. Of course, being a Funeral Doom Metal band (by this I mean that the music manifests at a slow speed) all that quality can be appreciated much better. Beyond the aforementioned subgenre, I can also hear some Death/Doom segments when the band steps on the gas a bit, particularly with the vocals, which seem to be erupting in an ultra deep and unhinged way.

All in all, I truly enjoyed listening to this true and epic work with its dark and rotten essence. What a way to release a debut album. This is exactly how it should be done. Recommended! (Catacombs Walker)

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)

Album review: Hellrot – Satan’s Rock n’ Roll (2021)

Hellrot – Satan’s Rock n’ Roll

Mexico

UtterlySomber Productions

“Satan’s Rock n’ Roll” is the second full-length by Mexican one-man black/thrash tyrant Hellrot. The music is (as one may conclude from the title) firmly infused with a rock n’ roll flavour, but put through a black metal filter. If you know bands like Bathory, Motorhead, Slayer, Venom (and I’m assuming you do), then you will have a pretty good idea what to expect here, as the aforementioned bands are the foundation of Hellrot’s sound. “Satan’s Rock n’ Roll” is pretty much straight-forward, no-frills old-school worship in all its glory. Sole-musician “Tony Rot” knows how to handle his instrument, and churn out one head-banger after the other. Each song is packed to the brim with killer thrashy riffs, as well as catchy, finger-bleeding solos that are nothing short of impressive. The music is pretty typical of the genre, so don’t be expecting anything “new.” (You either like black/thrash or you don’t.) The drums are programmed using a drum machine. However, they do not sound so distracting to the point where I can’t enjoy the music. (Opting for a real drummer might be an option to consider though.) Most of the songs are pretty similar to each other, as they go all-out-war on the listener from the get-go. Overall, it's a solid offering that will romp n’ stomp all the pathetic weekend-warriors out there. “Satan’s Rock n’ Roll” is here! (HT)

INTERVIEW: INFESTICIDE - 2020

The following interview was conducted with guitarist Isaias SpeedBlosky from Mexican Death Metal band Infesticide.

 

Hails. Firstly, tell us about your band name and the twisted imagery behind it.

Infesticide was created as a non-earthly plane where Death and Darkness are melting as one... If I remember correctly, I was 17 years old. I wanted a powerful and dark expression... a way to translate that incandescent madness that feeds our visions.

What can you tell us about your new opus, Envenoming Wounds, and what people can expect from it?

Utter Darkness! A total festering celebration to madness and chaos. It's a direct album, It's our vision of how Death Metal should be presented, simple as that.

What were the recording conditions like for the new record? Was there any internal pressure to meet a certain deadline? Are you pleased with the result?

It was a very analog process. We had total control, metronome wasn't used, mostly songs took just one take... We had enough time to dial guitar tones an atmospheres. The studio wasn't far away from my hometown, so it was very comfortable to capture, experiment and transmit Infesticide's aims. It was recorded between June-August of 2019 then mastered in Sweden in December of that same year. Yes! Very pleased.

What are some of your biggest influences musically? Do you have any idols?

Demolition Hammer, WASP, Morbid Angel.

Izzy Stradlin, David Bowie, Trey Azagthoth.

What's your opinion on people playing in black and death metal bands with aspirations to become “famous”?

I do not care at all! We executed our music for ourselves.

How did you manage to link a deal with Blood Harvest and how do you feel about being signed to such a killer and renowned underground label?

Rodrigo and I talked for a few days about Infesticide. He offered us a deal, then I just signed... It wasn't difficult at all. Blood Harvest understood our vision. It's the perfect label to work with.

Who did the artwork for your new album and how important is it for an artwork to represent your music? What's some of your favourite album covers?

The artwork is oil on canvas, the artist name is Carmen Grim. It represents every song title, expressing artist's perception... Altars of Madness is my favorite one.

Your previous album, Death's Formulas Fatal, had a more cavernous production and sound. What prompted the new, more straightforward approach? And also, what do you think of bands like Cannibal Corpse and Incantation that mostly stick to the same formula?

I never liked the "Cavernous" sound, DFF was recorded very primitive, basically in a bedroom... resulted adding that environ-ment feeling. On Envenoming Wounds things were different... I'm against guitar modern sound; that 5150, Mesa Dual and HM-2, EMG pickups with lower tuning, pretending to sound "heavy" I hate it with all my heart! Envenoming Wounds is a statement of how DEATH metal SHOULD SOUND! Guitar tone basically is AC/DC eq... love the sound of an overdriven Marshall amp! Those bands bore me.

What metal albums have you been feeding your brain with lately? Do you have any favorites from this year so far?

Concrete Winds - Primitive Force

Many people in bands hold the opinion that you need to be a musician in order to have a valid opinion about music. What is your opinion about that?

Everyone has an opinion you know? But earth is full of idiots... Musicians are like robots, they execute what is best for that note, that scale bla bla... there's no substance! There's no emotions anymore. And the other side you have those stupids who write reviews, throwing his point of view without even reading the lyrics! I hate them both! Fuck them both!

That should wrap things up. Lastly, what does the future hold for Infesticide?

New music very soon...

Album review: Dead In Silence - Vocatus et Morbo (2020)

Dead In Silence - Vocatus et Morbo (2020)

Mexico

Independent

Dead In Silence is a one-man project from Mexico City playing melodic black metal and "Vocatus et Morbo" is their debut album. The music is rather simplistic, consisting of sorrowful and dark melodies reminiscent of old Scandinavian black metal. The vocal style is quite unique and drenched in distortion. The drums are programmed, and while I’m not too enamored with them, I've heard worse. The songs are quite lengthy, which gives the listener enough space to get into them. The music is decently constructed, even though I found it a bit quirky at first. It may take a few listens to warm up to. There's definitely some good riffs to be heard on "Vocatus Et Morbo" and the songs are quite memorable. The band plays a different kind of black metal that puts emphasis on atmosphere and expression through riffs. There's also two covers of Von and Beherit, which I find to be two rather odd choices considering the transition in style. Nevertheless, the cover of Von's 'Devil Pig' is quite good, whereas the cover of Beherit's 'Salomon's Gate' is pretty forgettable. With the addition of the two covers and ambient track at the end, this feels very much like a compilation. For reference points, I will cite bands like (old) Burzum, Ildjarn, (old) Katatonia, etc. So if you enjoy atmospheric black metal, including the above-mentioned bands, then definitely check it out. (HT) 

 
https://deadinsilence.bandcamp.com/album/vocatus-et-morbo

Review: Infesticide – Envenoming Wounds (2020)

 

Infesticide – Envenoming Wounds (2020)

Mexico

Blood Harvest

Every now and then I like to check out some newer death metal bands that will kick me on my ass, and that is exactly what these Mexican maniacs have done with their latest album called Envenoming Wounds. The name itself is a testament to all things rotten and impure. The music is very well played and exudes a repertoire similar to bands like Repugnant, Beyond, and Superstition. Every song is packed to the brim with intense sledgehammer riffs and the production really hits the nail on the head as far as giving everything a clear sound without it sounding sterile. This is basically an old-school death metal album drenched in modern production. The raspy mid-range growls are fierce and complimentary to the band's style. In fact, they kind of remind me of Mike Browning's vocals (Abominations of Desolation era), but more aggressive. The band is signed to Blood Harvest, so that itself should attest to the band's quality. Envenoming Wounds doesn't reinvent the wheel or anything, but that's hardly a negative trait when the execution is this thorough. The album starts off at a steady pace and batters you with insane riffs and monstrous rhythms from the get go, but what makes it work is how cohesive everything sounds. The album isn't exactly on the slow side either, with various mid to fast tempos scattered throughout. So if you want to hear some killer new death metal that is guaranteed to beat your brains into a pulp, this is it. For its 29-minute duration, this album sure packs a meaty wallop. (HT)

https://bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com/album/envenoming-wounds