EP REVIEW: Nocturnal Damnation - Nuclear Massacre of Goatkommando (2020)

 

Nocturnal Damnation - Nuclear Massacre of Goatkommando (2020)

South Korea / Thailand 

Inhuman Assault Productions (Tape) / Deathrash Armageddon (CD) 

If it's blasphemous, militant, and brutal War Metal you seek, then you need to check out Nocturnal Damnation's latest EP, “Nuclear Massacre of Goatkommando,” as soon as possible. The EP is inaugurated with an intro featuring samples of war that sets the tone before all hell breaks loose. The songs vary in pace from mid to fast, but occasionally breaks down to more mid-paced territory to add heavier dynamics. The music is supported by a beefy production and underlined by a strong rhythm section laced with occasional leads. The guitars plot along nicely with everything else while the drums are always battering you into oblivion and offering various tempos. The barbarous growls are perfectly layered over the array of sonic violence and gives the whole thing a verily menacing atmosphere. Nocturnal Damnation stands out in the sense that they put emphasis on structure and making the songs sound cohesive as a whole. The lyrics are your typical lines about war and armageddon, so if you're looking for something poetic, then look elsewhere. All in all, definitely check them out if you're a fan of bands like Wargoat, Witchrist, Zygoatsis, etc. This EP will pulverize you from start to finish. (HT)

Album review: Asgardsrei – Dark Fears Behind The Door (2013)

 

Asgardsrei – Dark Fears Behind The Door – Full Length (2013)

The Philippines

Hessian Firm  

Asgardsrei from the Philippines might just be one of the underground's best kept secrets. Back in 2013, they released a pretty stellar album called “Dark Fears Behind the Door.” Their sound is prominently steeped in traditional Black/Death metal and takes a hefty amount of inspiration from early Beherit. Concurrently, the band added some of their own ingredients, which makes them stand out and not sound like a simple imitator. Segments laced in eerie keys give the whole thing a very ritualistic feel. Occasionally, the songs plunge into “weirder” territory, keeping things interesting while still sounding steadily cohesive. The vocals are absolutely visceral, delivering the perfect bestial grunt that's no less that apt for the style. The riffs are very well integrated in the mix and manage to hold the listener's interest throughout. The riffs are the focal point here and put an heavy emphasis on atmosphere. The drum tempos are immaculately timed and go from slower timed passages to faster parts at ease. An enjoyable aspect about the drums is its distinct and unpolished sound, including the fact that everything blends together really well. The music is actually quite primitive sounding, but also detailed in such a way that the listener will feel rewarded with every listen. The track “Temple of the Writhing Snakes” stands out and is a fine example of what is described here in terms of detail and texture. The good news is that "Dark Fears Behind The Door" was recently reissued by Hessian Firm, so those who missed out, can now now finally get their hands on this masterpiece. (HT)

https://asgardsrei.bandcamp.com/album/dark-fears-behind-the-door

Album review: Warkvlt – Deathymn (2020)

 

Warkvlt – Deathymn – Full Length (2020)

Indonesia

Sadist Records

Previously known as Impish, Warkvlt from West Java, Indonesia, presents their new album, “Deathymn,” released by their home label, Sadist Records. The band brings the war with a no-holds-barred assault of begrimed black metal terror that goes straight for the throat. Interestingly, there's a theme behind the album which consists of three parts: Blood, Fire, and Death. The music does a good job at conjuring an apocalyptic atmosphere, with songs comprised of militant drums, throat-slitting riffs, and a belligerent vocal attack. The band is all about being heavy and fast, but also makes use of some radical melodies to stomp the weak. The vocal effects on “Plague” is pretty cool, and I think the band should do more songs like that, as well as adding a few solos here and there: that would add more texture to the music. There's nothing particularly “fresh” about Warkvlt's brand of war black metal, so if you're looking for something innovative, then look elsewhere. “Deathymn” is a collection of straight-forward, stubborn black metal tunes, that will appeal to those with a penchant for the more hard-edged underground stuff. Check it out if you enjoy Southeast Asian bands like Infernal Execrator, Diabolical, Zygoatsis, etc. (HT)

https://warkvlt.bandcamp.com/

Album review: Diabolical – Hooligans Regiment Of Terror (2018)

 

Diabolical – Hooligans Regiment Of Terror - Full Length (2018)

Indonesia

Total Death Records / Deadly Throat Productions

Founded in East Java, Indonesia, Diabolical has been making noise in the underground ever since their inception in 2005. The band has already churned out a string of releases, although “Hooligans Regiment of Terror” is their first proper full length. The material is utterly crude, with a sound and style that is idiomatic to the Southeast Asian scene, and brings to mind bands like Impiety, Zygoatsis, Deiphago, etc. The band fuses hardcore punk styled yelling with black/death extremity, which I find to be quite an auspicious formula, resulting in a very chaotic sound. The production is totally raw, yet perfectly suites the music. The vocals are absolutely maniacal and oozes pure, unyielding rage. The music is predominantly fast, and constantly bombards the listener with a wall of excessive audio violence that is bound to make poofters duck for cover. Some of my favourite songs include “Muslimassacre” and “Hail Belial.” The excellent cover art by Jenglot Hitam does a good job at representing the music, and depicts an incursion of demonic forces attacking various religious figures. “Hooligans Regiment Of Terror” is a call to arms against posers and religious pigs everywhere, featuring 11 tracks of malicious war metal that is sure to please all maniacs into this style. (HT)

https://totaldeathrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/diabolical-hooligans-regiment-of-terror