Album review: Nexwomb – Exegesis of Nihility (Reissue 2020)

Nexwomb – Exegesis of Nihility

USA

Morbid Chapel Records (CD) / Nihilistic Noise Propaganda (Tape)

 

This is the first album from Oregon's Nexwomb, which embodies nothing and nothing less than pure Black/Death savagery spawned from the very depths of hell. The songs on this album can be characterized by its immensely cavernous production, complemented by a series of explosive and well-played riffs that keep you interested while constantly bombarding you with caveman violence from beginning to end. There is a hint of dissonance in the riffs that adds an extra layer of murk to the overall experience, while the drums constantly pound your skull with brute force. The vocals are so incredibly feral that you wonder if it's even a human and not some mutant cave beast behind the mic, though metal archives will confirm that it's a human who goes by the name Vardlokker and who is also behind killer projects like Witchbones and Conduit of Chaos. “Exegesis of Nihility” is an extremely ferocious pursuit of barbaric Black/Death that is both impossibly primal and viscerally enjoyable for those who dig this kind of stuff. Some idiots on the internet will attempt to sound lofty by calling this "caverncore", but you should never listen to them, because most of those who use these terms are usually self-absorbed hipsters who have nothing better to do than spout pseudo-intellectual nonsense on the internet all day. This is violent and bestial black/death metal. Simple as that. (HT)

Album review: Kyy – Beyond Flesh – Beyond Matter – Beyond Death (Reissue 2020)

 Kyy – Beyond Flesh – Beyond Matter – Beyond Death

Finland

Morbid Chapel Records (tape) / Saturnal Records (CD) / The Clandestine Coven (Vinyl)

"Beyond Flesh - Beyond Matter - Beyond Death" marks the debut album from Finnish black metal institution Kyy and was unleashed in 2016. I am tasked with reviewing most promos that are sent to me (which are digital, in case you were wondering), and in this case, Morbid Chapel Records re-released this album in 2020 on cassette.

The music presented on Kyy's debut is definitely quite strong; each song is well-structured and features a number of infectious riffs, combined with the band's penchant for hateful nuances that induce a sense of dread. The production is well mixed throughout and has the perfect balance between harsh and clear. It's a good production without sounding plastic. The music evokes different tempos and seems to excel during the slower, more mid-paced parts before striking your skull with a fast, breakneck riff and drum beat. Everything sounds rather cohesive, including the fact that the music is easy to get into. Some of the riffs are mercilessly intense and the atmosphere unearthly dark, which is of course a good thing for any fan of black metal. The singer unleashes a piercing bark that is occasionally punctuated with some duelling vocals. The whole thing is downright aggressive. There are some really catchy moments, even sweeping melodies, although they don't linger for too long and are executed in a creative sense. In fact, the whole album is heavy as hell and exude a verily menacing atmosphere.

Kyy definitely deliver on their debut album, as it is a solid release through and through, coupled with the fact that they don't sound like most Finnish black metal bands and have their own sound. The closest comparison I can think of (and which probably isn't even that accurate) is Front (also from Finland). This album is definitely a grower and gets better with every spin. Recommended to fans of good black metal! (HT)

Album review: Abhorrot – Abysmal Echoes (2019)

Abhorrot – Abysmal Echoes (2019)

Austria

Morbid Chapel Records

Formed in Vienna, the Austrian black/death duo released their debut full-length “Abysmal Echoes” back in 2019 via Morbid Chapel Records. 

The sound that pervades this debut is exceedingly cavernous and gives the impression that the music was recorded in some underground cave somewhere, although that was probably the idea. Musically, it’s probably somewhere between Irkallian Oracle and Embrace of Thorns, with extra emphasis on rusty-cage raw production. An indecipherable array of grim vocals are belched out atop a hypnotic discharge of distorted, heavy guitars, while pounding drums propel the chaos. Indeed, those with a penchant for murky, chaos-driven, low-fi black/death metal will certainly indulge in the miasmic darkness of Abhorrot. 

The only flaw is perhaps the production, since a better sounding recording would’ve given the music a bit more life and amounted to a more powerful sound overall. Nevertheless, it’s still good for what it is. “Abysmal Echoes” straddles the line between cavernous and bestial, but with a noxious atmosphere all its own. The album features 8 songs in total, clocking at 37 minutes. (HT)

Album review: Goatsmegma - Demonic Goat Smegma Eating Ritual (2019)

Goatsmegma - Demonic Goat Smegma Eating Ritual - Full Length (2019)

Estonia

Morbid Chapel Records

Goatsmegma from Tallinn, Estonia, unleash their ravaging debut album entitled, “Demonic Goat Smegma Eating Ritual,” and was released by Poland's Morbid Chapel Records. The release in question offers 8 tracks of absolutely murderous War Metal that feature some of the crudest vocals I've heard in a while. The production has a rehearsal-like quality to it, which gives the music a very raw and intense feel, coupled with the band's propensity for violent overtones. Every song is injected with a copious amount of blasts, hellish vocal lines, and severely discordant guitar riffs. The music remains simple yet thoroughly well-executed and enjoyable. The energy emitted on “Demonic Goat Smegma Eating Ritual” reminds me of Antaeus' "Cut Your Flesh And Worship Satan" in terms of its raw intensity, although the style is quite different. The artwork for this release is totally profane and cult, which I absolutely support. Those of you looking for some truly menacing bestial Black/Death – particularly fans of bands like Morbosidad, Blasphemophagher, and Black Witchery – should definitely check these guys out. Highly recommended. (HT)

https://morbidchapelrecords.bandcamp.com/track/demonic-goat-smegma-eating-ritual

Demo review: Koffin - Nailed Into The Coffin (2020)

 

Koffin – Nailed Into The Coffin - Demo (2020)

Estonia

Morbid Chapel Records

Koffin is a young band hailing from Tartu, Estonia, and "Nailed Into The Coffin" is their debut demo and released on CD by Morbid Chapel Records. Koffin play a chunky style of old-school Death Metal that's loads of fun to listen to. There's no doubt that these guys are inspired by old Scandinavian death metal as there is some obvious influences shining through. The band has an excellent grasp for heaviness with a sound that brings to mind bands like Convulse, Rottrevore, and Rippikoulu. The low-end production is absolutely paramount and gives the riffs the necessary crunch to distinguish itself along with everything else. Between the four members, there isn't one instrument being played that doesn't stand out, everything goes well together and the mix is excellent. At this point, I've listened to this demo several times and still can't get enough of it. Demos come and go, but few rip through you with such heaviness and conviction as the release in question. Highly recommended. (HT)

https://morbidchapelrecords.bandcamp.com/album/nailed-into-the-coffin

Review: Witchbones - Goaty (2020)

Witchbones – Goaty (2020)

USA

Morbid Chapel Records

Witchbones from Oregon, USA, plays crushingly heavy death/doom that radiates despondency and evil. This is the kind of music that you would listen to before blowing your brains out. The atmosphere tone is bleak, ritualistic, heavy and powerful. The music constantly assaults the listener with its monolithic heaviness and oppressive aura. The cover art for this album does a good job at capturing the album's foul essence. Worth mentioning is the fact that Witchbones is a one-man project. Some of the most haunting music ever recorded were by one-man bands. It could be the isolationist factor, or maybe these people are too messed up to work with other musicians? Whatever the case may be, Witchbones' music perfectly captures that state of darkness, mania and isolation. The music strikes an interesting balance between death/doom and dark ambient, which sounds almost like an amalgamation of bands like Impetuous Ritual, diSEMBOWELMENT, and Gnaw Their Tongues. Maybe my references doesn't do the music justice, but that's the best I could come up with. There's a lot of creativity on this album and the band manage to create a very dense and chaotic atmosphere. "Goaty" is quite experimental and shows a multifarious range of elements, but remains a death/doom album in essence. Conclusion: If you like any of the above-mentioned bands, including music that sounds like it was spawned from some unholy abyss realm, then definitely check it out. (HT)  

https://morbidchapelrecords.bandcamp.com/album/goety

ALBUM REVIEW: Angelgoat - The Lucifer Within (2020)

Angelgoat - The Lucifer Within (2020)

Serbia

Morbid Chapel Records

The Serbian elite known as Angelgoat, return with their third full-length album entitled, "The Lucifer Within," offering 10 tracks of filthy old-school black metal that goes straight for the jugular. The band employs devilish pounding drums, evil shrieking vocals, and a blasphemous guitar tone that makes angels weep. Those seeking sumptuous production values and pretty melodies better stay clear as Angelgoat unleashes a barrage of primitive metal that pulls you straight into the abyss. The music itself is pretty basic and derivative, but what they lack in terms of originality, they sure as hell make up for with pure evil devotion and well-executed songs. Stylistically, they give nods to bands like Bathory, Kreator, Poison (Deu), Mayhem, Archgoat, etc. This is traditional black metal in the purest sense that doesn't pander to any wimpy trends. Those with an affinity for the uglier side of black metal (particularly Deathcrush era Mayhem) will no doubt enjoy this output, as the band plays a kind of metal that transports you back to the genre's heyday. (HT)