17 Jan 2024
EP review: Irillion – Mélamar (2023)
3 Nov 2021
Split review: Thornspawn / Maledictvs – Guided by Vengeance & Bloodlust (2021)
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.
31 Oct 2021
Split review: Infesticide / In Obscurity Revealed (2021)
Infesticide / In Obscurity Revealed – Split
Mexico
Blood Harvest
15 Jul 2021
Album review: Telluric Effluvium - Dissolution of the Threefold Self (2020)
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.
11 Jul 2021
EP review: Black Torment - Omega Beast Armageddon (2019)
8 Jul 2021
Album review: Hellrot – Satan’s Rock n’ Roll (2021)
28 Oct 2020
INTERVIEW: INFESTICIDE - 2020
27 Oct 2020
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)
19 Oct 2020
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