Italy
I, Voidhanger Records
Italy
I, Voidhanger Records
Spain
Base Record Production / Necromance Records
Caveman Cult - Blood and Extinction
USA
Nuclear War Now!
Chaos reigns supreme on Caveman Cult's latest full-length, entitled "Blood and Extinction", released via Nuclear War Now!
Australia/Norway
Invictus Productions
Autokrator - Persecution
France
Krucyator Productions
Argentina
Independent / Promo
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)
Loup Noir – Requiem
France
Death To Peace Productions
Loup Noir ("black wolf") from France is the project of sole musician Alrinack. He seems to be behind a dozen other projects as well, although this is the first of them that I have heard.
"Requiem" consists of six songs of pure black metal with minimalist arrangements and an underproduced sound that suits the music they play.
You can expect nothing less than an auspicious slab of raw black metal done right, as the whole album is replete with compositional depth and an atmosphere that is both melancholic and rich in texture.
Loup Noir has that characteristic French sound, which is always apparent in their music. While I wouldn't claim this to be the next best thing, Loup Noir's music is certainly moving enough to leave an impression on the ears of anyone with a proclivity for true underground black metal.
The interplay between the drums and guitars differs in interesting ways as the music incorporates intriguing passages filled with spooky, yet decidedly melancholic riffs, which in addition is complemented with an array of haunting howls and screams.
The songs range from mid-tempo to slower, more brooding passages, but one thing that is certain is that the flow always feels right, including the fact that each composition flows together seamlessly.
Overall, "Requiem" has a very strong feeling of decadence, in addition to its minimalistic approach giving it an emphatically nostalgic tone. Furthermore, the music has a lot of replay value, with the music hardly wearing off after the first couple of spins. This is simply excellent black metal. (HT)
Paganfire – Of Deathblades And Bloodsoaked Paths...
The Philippines
Bandcamp
Thrash is definitely not dead, and Paganfire proves this with their latest opus, "Of Deathblades And Bloodsoaked Paths...", which is a total poser holocaust from beginning to end.
Over the years, the band has put out a dozen demos, EPs, and splits, but for some reason, this is only their second full-length. They are definitely an underground band in the true sense of the word.
Paganfire's brand of thrash is unyielding, brutal, and energetic, often defying easy categorization due to sounding rawer and more violent than most bands in the genre. Make no mistake, this is essentially thrash, but with more than a fair share of black/death influences in their sound.
As opener "Bloodsoaked Life" kicks in, guitarists Nonoy and M.A. complement each other with a plethora of cunt-shredding riffs, brutalizing ears with sheer ferocity and precise arrangements. Riffs are aplenty and Paganfire makes good use of them.
Alvaro's screams are fierce, pissed off, and in your face, as he utters every word with intense determination.
Paganfire follows the tradition of having solos in their music, as each track features at least one solo, but also inflicts trauma with Jay's hard-hitting, yet well-played drums and Alvaro's thunderous bass lines. As a whole, each member contributes to the madness, yielding a sickened and furious slab of skull-fucking thrash that will leave you wanting more.
On "Poseurdom Shall Fall" you can hear infernal riffs and screams reminiscent of Sarcofago, while "The Executor is Back" is a fiery track filled with razor-sharp solos and a Slayer-inspired riff towards the end.
The cover art is perfect for this kind of thrash and gives a good indication of the band's sound and ethos.
Paganfire's second album was well worth the wait and features some of the best material they've released so far. In my opinion, "Of Deathblades And Bloodsoaked Paths..." is the best thrash album of the year, and if not, it sure as hell comes close. Check them out if you enjoy Num Skull, Sarcofago, and Demolition Hammer. Apparently, a few labels will release this, although the labels haven't been announced yet. (HT)
USA
Born For Burning Productions (CD) / Sentient Ruin Laboratories (LP)
Hailing from Ohoi, USA, Invultation strike with their second full-length album entitled, "Unconquerable Death", which was released by Born For Burning Productions earlier this year. Andrew Lampe (Echushkya, Longbarrow, The Wakedead Gathering) is the sole musician behind this project.
Musically, the sound leans towards bestial and filthy Black/Death informed by bands such as Teitanblood, Proclamation, and Archgoat. Those who enjoy the aforementioned bands will certainly appreciate what Invultation has to offer, as the music exudes a profoundly blasphemous atmosphere.
Opening track, "Hanged Mass" begins with a short, but sinister ambiance before a roar of pure unbridled chaos plunges the listener into the abyss.
The songs on this release offers a variety of tempos, from mid to hammering fast parts, as well as a series of whore-sodomizing riffs that will have you bang your skull from beginning to end.
Tracks like "Insatiable Cruelty" and "Banners Under The Moon" feature blistering guitar solos that will make your brain explode. As a matter of fact, this whole album is full of sick riffs and frantic solos, which certainly adds a very chaotic aspect to the music, coupled with the mix of insanely deep and evil vocals.
One of the biggest strengths of this album is the compositional depth and consistency of the music. The music is easily distinguished from one track to the next, as there is enough variety to keep it from becoming monotonous.
All in all, "Unconquerable Death" is an apotheosis of filth and darkness, as Invultation offers an arsenal of bestial metal styles that epitomizes the genre. From its killer aesthetics to the artwork to its ominous music, everything about Invultation feels right. (HT)
Brutal Sphere - World Decomposing by Vermin
France
Independent
"World Decomposing by Vermin" is the second and latest full-length album from French death metal band Brutal Sphere, which will be released independently by the band on 17th December.
Now, I haven't heard their first album (yet), but the band seems to have new members in their line-up, including Nick on vocals, whom I interviewed in regards to his label, Hessian Firm.
The music presented here is death metal through and through, as guitarist Pierre belches out an array of unholy riffs that will tear your soul apart.
The track "Death Is Just The Beginning" features a killer mid-tempo and some verily evil vocal effects, while "Declaration of War" mixes a somber atmosphere with crushing riffs. The aforementioned track has a slight blackened feel to it.
I really like the vocals. They're powerful and filled with aggression. From vicious growls to blood-curdling screams, the vocals are well arranged and balanced in the mix.
A good deal of creativity is present in the songs, which keeps them interesting and entertaining throughout their duration.
This album contains some good bass playing from Olivier. His bass is thick, well played, and always audible, as exemplified by the track "Sphere of Evil".
The drumming is pretty basic for the most part but provides fitting tempos and some great double bass to go with the various arrangements.
The drums and bass complement each other in a way that reminds me of Bolt Thrower, but there are also riff segments that resemble Cianide, especially the track "Trinity," which is a near six-minute track filled with stomping riffs.
The artwork appears to resemble wormlike creatures from another planet, which is presumably the sphere referred to in the band's name.
Overall, "World Decomposing by Vermin" is an excellent release from these French death metallers, which will undoubtedly earn them some acclaim. Recommended. (HT)
Goat – Collapse
Greece
Independent (Promo)
Goat from West Macedonia, Greece, attack with their latest EP called “Collapse”, featuring three short tracks of devastating Blackened Death Metal.
I'm surprised I haven't heard of these Hellenic tyrants before. The only other "Goat" I know is the one from Denmark, then of course Greek bands like Goatvomit and Wargoat (both excellent).
"Collapse" is obviously meant as a promo for labels to get the band signed, hence the short duration, although I don't think they will have any trouble linking a deal with some killer underground label considering how deadly and well-executed their music is.
A totally filthy production permeate this release, as an absence of melody gives the music a verily brutal dynamic. Their music is as crude and blasphemous as their name implies, with goat representing the devil in all its ferocity.
The track "Obliterate The Bastard Breed" will rip your ears off, as fast and merciless drums pound away atop visceral grunts and savage guitar riffs, while the title track "Collapse" offers more of the same with its rapid drums and pulverising riffs.
There is certainly a Greek influence in their riffs that is discernible and can also be heard in other Greek bands. That being said, there's definitely more to their sound than just brutal War Metal. A better artwork would be a great improvement, but as a promo, it is OK in my opinion. A little more variety and creativity in the songs would also be a good thing.
All in all, if you like bestial Black/Death Metal or "War Metal", then Goat from Greece is the band for you. For fans of Morbosidad, Abhorer, and Goatpenis. (HT)
Singapore
Independent
Nortavlaggh.377 is a Singapore-based one-man project that has been around since 2004 with only a couple of demos and one split under its belt. Now, I haven’t heard much of their old material, but I can confidently assert that the new demo slays on all fronts. The three tracks featured here are absolutely fierce Black/Death in the purest sense that sometimes borders on War metal.
Cathaaria – Coin of The Realm
Finland
Esoteric Tradition
Cathaaria is the blackened Sludge/Doom project of Matron Thorn (Benighted In Sodom, Death Fetishist, etc.) and “Coin of The Realm” is his debut album. There are six songs in total, and most of the tracks are pretty lengthy, save for the intro. From the beginning of “Real Country Dark” I could detect the signature Matron Thorn style, which is poured all over this release. While I would be reluctant to call this an extreme metal record, there’s certainly metallic nuances in the music. Essentially, the music is pretty dark, and bleak, as well as atmospheric. The whiskey-ridden vocals pair well with the sludgy guitars and horror-like ambiance.
The following excerpt is taken from the band’s bandcamp page:
“Matron Thorn presents Cathaaria, Lovecraftian Sludge Doom for serial murder, the fetishistic and mentally ill. Music for the old ways, the lost and forbidden. For best results, pair with whiskey and morphine.”
Admittedly, I love the artwork. It’s more than applicable for this type of music. Musically, it's not bad for a first album, but I don't think Cathaaria has reached its full potential yet. Though the album works best when absorbed as a whole, I just don't think the songs are strong enough when picked out individually. I'm no self-proclaimed "expert," but I think I would've enjoyed it more if the guitars were heavier and more menacing, and if metallic elements were more prominent. Then again, Cathaaria’s debut isn’t terribly offensive to these ears either, and even exhibits some redeeming qualities that people into Black/Death will appreciate. However, one must bear in mind that it's definitely good for what it is.
Overall, I think people into psychedelic, dark and experimental music might appreciate this, especially if you like bands such as Danzig, Acid Bath, or even Blut Aus Nord, because that’s what Cathaaria sounds like more or less – like a warped mix of the aforementioned acts, but more low-key. Worth checking out. (HT)
Cerberus Productions
Vox Mortis from Indonesia may have taken inspiration from Cattle Decapitation since they have songs like "Forever No to Dog Meat". This band appears to have a pro-animal stance, as it is evident in their themes. I was expecting to hear something slam-like and brutal prior to playing this album, and that is exactly what I heard considering that Brutal Death Metal is quite popular in Indonesia. The thing that amazes me about that whole scene is that, while it might not be my favorite subgenre, the Indonesians have a knack for performing it and play it with absolute fervor. Vox Mortis' debut album, "Avignam Jagat Samagram", is a gnarly slab of brutal death metal infused with slamming grooves and grating grind sensibilities. As expected with most bands in this genre, the production is relatively clean, but on the other hand, it fits the style rather well.
Now here’s a cool band. Deified Shreds from Athens, Greece, reminds me of old Malevolent Creation mixed with Deicide and Suffocation. They also have that trademark “Greek” sound infused into their music, as one can draw similarities to other Greek bands like Resurgency (same vocalist) and Dead Congregation.
In case anyone reading this is unaware, Greek Death Metal is unfortunately quite underrated, and also absurdly militant and brutal for the most part, which is why I like their scene.
Deified Shreds continues the tradition, as the four songs contained on their debut EP are replete with meathook riffs, menacing vocals, and thrashy, yet old-school drumming. The drums have a type of crisp, cool sound to them, which fits well with their style. It’s mammoth-like heavy and pure death metal in every possible way.
The musicianship is pretty proficient, but not in a flashy, overly technical sense. Solos are short but masterful and well-executed.
The more I hear this EP, the more I like it. it’s verily punishing and a treat for fans of solid Death Metal, or people into the bands mentioned earlier in the review. Check them out! (HT)