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)

Album review: Beyond Man - Beyond Man (2021)

Beyond Man - Beyond Man

Norway

The Sinister Flame

Beyond Man returns after more than 10 years of inactivity. First with the single, "Art Beyond Man" in 2020, and now with their flawless self-titled debut album recently released by The Sinister Flame.

If you are ready to enter the depths of the abyss, then join me as we seek the knowledge that is... BEYOND MAN!

Our journey begins with “Introduction: descending” and here I must emphasize my fondness in how the band gives supreme meaning to the intro by enhancing the whole experience. This album is like a fever-dream and trip into another world. I endured this trip by falling into a pit of profound suffering, as the darkness that is beyond man penetrates the very essence of my being. You are already dead, but you can still hear the noise of your body as it shatters to the ground, which is the beginning of the song, "Helel Ben Sahar," where amorphous creatures from spectral dimensions take what is left of your soul and dissolve it into infinity. The song begins quickly and then starts the occult ceremony with a percussion that seems to utter the words of ancient demons. The vocalist "W" appears to be in many bands (including Behexen). Vocals are switched from cleans to high-pitched gutturals that rip into your ears like sharp claws. The song "Art Beyond Man" begins with a riff that reminds us of the legendary Morgoth. It even sounds like death metal, and when you least expect it "W" screams in a way that seems inhuman! Like an echo in a cavern. The production is perfect, including the fact that there seems to be a touch of old Rotting Christ in their sound. The drum work is impeccable. Just listen to my favourite song, "World Without End," and tell me it doesn't inspire you with evilness. Everything is really audible and well-balanced, as the supreme precision transmits pure vitriolic fury. The album closer, "The World Encircler," is a true and authentic work of art, which features a lot dissonance executed in a creative mid-tempo.

All in all, Beyond Man’s debut album is a remarkable and highly original work, featuring an array of talent that is not to be overlooked. It would be an understatement to say I enjoyed this album. Highly recommended. (Catacombs Walker)

Album review: Goatkraft - Sulphurous Northern Bestiality (2019)

Goatkraft - Sulphurous Northern Bestiality

Norway

Iron Bonehead Productions

Goatkraft is a band from Norway specializing in the art of fast-paced, bestial black/death (aka war metal). "Sulphurous Northern Bestiality" is their debut full-length and follow-up to 2018's "Angel Slaughter" EP. While Goatkraft's music may not be the most ground-breaking, the result is quite satisfying and auspicious, with a malicious edge similar to bands like Black Witchery, Truppenstorm, etc. The most interesting thing about Goatkraft is the fact that they hail from Norway, which is in fact the last place you'd expect to hear metal like this, but I guess this owes much to the growing popularity of the style. The atmosphere that permeates this album is filthy and cavernous, with a production job that is no less than apt for this style. Every song blusters ahead at militant pace, laced with hateful barks and hypnotic riffs drenched in filth. If you enjoy the sonic hatred spewed forth by the aforementioned bands, then this is definitely for you. (HT)