Album review: Dagtum – Revered Decadence (2021)

Dagtum – Revered Decadence

The Philippines

Eastbreath Records / BRC-30 Productions

It is bad luck that the power went out as I am about to write this review. Loadshedding is common in my country. Fortunately, my laptop was fully charged before it happened. Now I'm sitting here in the dark listening to Dagtum, a Filipino band that plays dissonant and weird death metal with sludge elements. I guess the darkness surrounding me adds to the experience of listening to this band's debut album, "Revered Decadence", as the album is brimming with darkness and has a decadent atmosphere. The music itself is not really fast, but mostly moves at a slow to mid tempo full of off-kilter riffs that brings to mind a slower Immolation. The sound is also fairly reminiscent of a band like Ulcerate, including that nailing double bass that is used sporadically to add intensity. The drums are quite prominent and can be heard clearly in the mix, as can the bass. The band churns out some hard-hitting riffs and captivates the listener with a truly dense atmosphere. Three bands come to mind when listening to Dagtum: Immolation, Gorguts and Ulcerate. Whether they are influenced by these bands or not, I do not know, but the trace elements and comparisons are undeniable. Dagtum are definitely on the right track, and the debut album certainly has some truly captivating moments. The whole album glides through a series of seemingly quirky riffs and polyrhythmic segments, but they are pared down enough to maintain a certain level of cohesion. There's a lot of detail, but it's also easy to follow, making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It took me about three tracks to get the gist of their music, so for the average listener, patience is a virtue. “Revered Decadence” will be released on 30th of August via Eastbreath Records and BRC-30 Productions. (HT)

Album review: Adarrak - Ex Oriente Lux (2021)

Adarrak - Ex Oriente Lux 

Singapore

Satanath Records

Adarrak is an international trio based in Singapore with members hailing from countries such as Spain, Colombia and Singapore. The band plays Death Metal and Ex Oriente Lux is their debut album, released earlier this year by Satanath Records.

The music on Adarrak's debut album is modern death metal through and through, including the fact that the production is as clean as a whistle, but that seems to work in their favour because that's what they were going for. Just like the previous band I reviewed, I am not a huge fan of this clean sounding production and modern death metal, including the clean vocals on some of the songs. It sounds like something taken from the Roadrunner roster, like Trivium. I don't like Trivium. Anyway, on the plus side: The music is well crafted and it definitely sounds like these guys know how to play their instruments, as each track is peppered with crunchy instrumental parts and brain-melting progressive leads. The vocalist gives off a growl that falls somewhere between metalcore and death metal, which is not surprising considering he previously sang in a metalcore band. It's fine, although I generally prefer different growls. If you like melodic death metal with clear production and prog influences, you should definitely give this band a listen, because if I am honest, the music is good, it's just not something I generally listen to. “Ex Oriente Lux” can be obtained through Satanath Records on CD. (HT)

Album review: Bloody Sadism - Eloquent Atrocity (2019)

Bloody Sadism – Eloquent Atrocity

Iran

Base Record Production

You must have some balls to be from a country like Iran and play in a metal band, considering that people from there have been prosecuted for their involvement in heavy metal-related activities. It's fucking stupid, and religion as a whole is a cancer (especially monotheistic religions) and should be abolished, along with all its prophets for committing to such pernicious propaganda, but I digress. 

Bloody Sadism is a solo project from Iran playing Brutal/Slamming Death Metal and while I am generally not really into this style, I can at least appreciate the band's output to some extent and respect the fact that they come from a country like Iran and have the guts to play this kind of music.

"Eloquent Atrocity" is the debut album by Bloody Sadism, which contains 10 tracks of skull pounding brutality. The album was released by Spain's Base Record Production on CD in 2019.

The whole disc has a squeaky clean production, which I have noticed is quite common for this style (I generally prefer a rawer sound). The guitar sound is verily clear, and the riffs are pretty easy to pick out. The vocals are rather typical of this style – deep and guttural – but well done and not lacking in execution. Each track is well recorded, featuring a series of cookie monster vocals and heavy slam parts, coupled with themes involving misogyny, gore, and of course sadism. There's nothing remarkably unique about it, though it's good for what it is.

All in all, if you are a fan of this kind of brutal/slamming death metal and want to hear some heavy and groovy shit with themes about killing woman, then you should definitely listen to Bloody Sadism. (HT)

Interview: Garden of Eyes (2021)

Hailing from the murky tombs of England, GARDEN OF EYES is the morbid manifestation and solo Death Metal project of Nattskog, a metal maniac with a slew of projects under his belt. Read the interview to learn more about the world of Nattskog and his ventures.  

Morbid greetings, Nattskog! You seem to be quite a prominent figure on social media when it comes to reviews (both written and youtube videos). I'd say that takes some dedication! Much respect! Can you start by telling us a little about your webzine, and then we will get into your musical projects with the next questions

Hails! I appreciate those words of support! My webzine is to dedicated to supporting what I deem to be worthy Heavy Metal of any subgenera. It is a simple venture but one I find truly rewarding, getting to support and listen to killer underground music!

If I'm not mistaken, you are of Norwegian descent but live in England? Are you able to understand/speak Norwegian? Are you proud of your heritage? And what is your opinion on metal from Norway? Do you have any favourites?

I am indeed, I was raised in the UK but of Norwegian parentage. I am able to speak Norwegian but definitely not perfectly! Pride is not the word I would use, on the merit I didn’t achieve anything, I just happened to have DNA from a certain location! Norway is a beautiful country with a fascinating history though, so I will always enjoy spending time there. As for Norwegian Metal, I am indeed a fan! Naturally the Black Metal bands of the 90s are a huge inspiration but in more recent times; Deathhammer, Condor, Evoke, Obliteration, Mork and plenty more are doing Norway’s underground proud.

Can you tell us a bit about your death metal project Garden of Eyes and how it came to be? What are the main influences and what sound are you trying to achieve?

GARDEN OF EYES is inspired by a Swedish and Finnish Metal primarily but also plenty of other things. Of course American and South American Death Metal is hugely important to me, but in the sound there is also plenty of Heavy Metal influence from 80s NWOBHM and Speed Metal, definitely some Thrash and Doom in the mix too. I want GARDEN OF EYES to reflect my adoration and dedication for Metal as a whole, however subtly that may be.

How has the feedback been so far for your latest EP titled, "Boomhammer"? Are you happy with the outcome? Will there be a full-length in the near future or do you plan to refine the sound a bit more?

The feedback has been phenomenal! The reviews and interviews have generated a very supportive response which I am truly grateful for. The vinyl has been selling well and most importantly to me, it has been going to many different corners of the world, which I always find exciting! I do plan for a full length, but I have various goals in mind that need to happen first, such as live shows, adding a drummer and perhaps some more small releases to refine the sound as you put it.

Can you tell us something about the term "Eldritch Death Metal" and the connotation behind it? What kind of themes are you exploring with Garden of Eyes?

“Eldritch Death Metal” is a term I found fits the bands spectral sound perfectly. The word “Eldritch” is heavily used in reference to Lovecraftian literature which is a huge inspiration thematically, especially by proxy of our dominant theme being lore from the game Bloodborne. Cosmic horror and Death Metal are a perfect pairing of forces in my opinion. We explore horrors far beyond the reaches of this measly universe.

Your musical project Garden of Eyes seems to be part of the new wave of British Death Metal that has spawned some incredible bands as of late. What is your opinion on the current state of death metal from England? The scene there seems healthier than ever and it wasn't always the case! What are some killer death metal bands from the UK these days?

This is a new term to me, but I have seen it a couple of times now. My opinion is aligned with yours here, England has a healthier scene than ever! It seems to come in waves here, back in the day we had some obvious bands pioneering Death-Doom and some underground gems like Decomposed, plus obvious legends like Bolt Thrower, Benediction and Cancer. Additionally bands like Adorior and Grave Miasma have always carried the torch of fantastic Death Metal for many years. But now we have a mass of maniacs playing Death Metal which is great! I recommend Grave Miasma, Adorior, Coffin Mulch, Vacuous, Consecration, Celestial Sanctuary, Seven Doors and Decrepid. I am just thinking off the top of my head, so apologies to the many talented allies I have here!

Can you tell us a little bit about some of your other bands besides Garden of Eyes and their musical styles?

GARDEN OF EYES has become my main musical focus (with a few things happening quietly behind the scenes). While I chose to indefinitely put most of my projects on hiatus, that is NOT to say they won’t return at points. Sykelig Englen is the longest running which is more traditional Black Metal which became more dissonant in its later releases. Hexivoid is far more otherworldly Black Metal with a cosmic theme and more inspired by Icelandic bands and the likes of Deathspell Omega and Portal. Ritual Flail focuses more on a Medieval Black Metal sound inspired by obscure 90s bands that used synths but in a way that did not tame the Black Metal spirit. Blasphemous Degradation played Blackened Death Metal inspired by the likes of Black Witchery, Blasphemy, Conqueror, Archgoat, Revenge, Proclamation etc. And I did have various others including Arboretum (Death Metal), Chernobyl Mutation Experiment (Thrash Metal) and Graven Crypt Tower (Death-Doom) but that is going even further back.

Your English is excellent! It seems to me that the process of writing reviews comes naturally to you. I can only aspire to write excellent reviews like you one day, even though I am older. What do you think makes a good reviewer and do you think it's necessary to have a degree in English in order to write good or valid reviews?

Thank you, in fairness it is my dominant language, I am not a maestro of juggling languages like an aunt of mine who speaks about 7. Reviewing does indeed come naturally to me, but that isn’t due to some inherent skill with articulation as much as it is an untamed passion for great Heavy Metal and a burning need to assist in its conquering of the underground. I think your reviews are really cool man, I do not really compare writers to each other as I try not to do with bands too much as it can be unhelpful. I failed English in high school (possibly due to refusing to show up, preferring to listen to Kreator records if I recall correctly) but I would say my vocabulary and understanding of English is fine regardless due to reading in my own time. Thus no, I don’t think a degree or any level of English (or any language) qualification makes a good reviewer, they’re just words. What makes a good reviewer is a passion and genuine desire to support Heavy Metal (or whatever they choose to review). You can feign intelligence, you cannot feign passion, that is my attitude. Plus, I am in no position to say what is and isn’t valid, if you are supporting what you deem to be worthwhile, it is valid!

What are some of your favourite zines/webzines currently, what are some of your worthy labels from the underground that you would like to give a shoutout to or recommend?

There is a ton lately! Cthulhu zine, Soulgrinder zine, Tough Riffs, Bestial Desecration, Headsplit’s newsletter, Discarnage zine, Decomposed zine, Slowly We Rot zine and Bardo Methodology are some of the finest print works in my mind! Webzines, I enjoy yours for a start (hence me doing this), GBHBL, Ave Noctum, Metal Bite, Astral Noise, Blessed Altar, Metal Hellvoluion, Metal Temple, Grimmgent, Cadaver Garden, VM Underground and probably 10000 more I missed!

Older zines like Ultimate Darkness, Slayer mag and Ultra Damaged are key inspirations to my own. On which note, I do also have a print zine, though one still in its infancy with 2 issues called Shrieks From The Abyss and additionally contribute to Legions Ov Darkness, both paper zines aside from my main webzine for anyone interested!

I believe 2021 has been a pretty excellent year for metal so far. Can you tell us some of your favourite albums of the year?

It really has! Some key new albums for me are: Grave Miasma, Qrixkuor, Craven Idol, Asphyx, Herzel, Blazon Rite, Lucifer’s Hammer, Morbific, and many many more! Go read my webzine for more opinions haha!

To wrap things up, can you tell us about your future plans for Garden of Eyes, including some details about your other ventures? Thanks again for your time! All the best!

GARDEN OF EYES is working on being able to put on a crushing live show, hopefully sooner rather than later! I am naturally always writing material too! I am also working hard on my webzine and fanzine, along with my YouTube! As for the rest, they may be dormant, but who knows what can happen! I am also working on a couple of cool demos with co-blasphemer K who has been present throughout my musical journey. Otherwise, let us see what Heavy Metal conquests occur, I never force things, I just do what I must.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me and support the underground as a whole! Stay true and support real Heavy Metal!!!

Album review: Cambion - Conflagrate The Celestial Refugium (2021)

Cambion - Conflagrate The Celestial Refugium

USA

Lavadome Productions

“Conflagrate The Celestial Refugium” is the debut album from these Texas based maniacs and is a profoundly hard-hitting and militant slab of Black/Death. The musicianship on this album is as tight as it gets, including the fact that the music is utterly ferocious, with the bulk of the music consisting of blazing fast drums, shredding riffs, and evil vocals that are more akin to black metal. Essentially, the output has more in common with death metal (at least musically), although there is a fair amount of black metal in their veins, at least in terms of atmosphere. In my opinion, anyone who likes bands like Angelcorpse, Force of Darkness and Infernal War will go absolutely nuts over this, as this album delivers the goods. I'm not saying the band sounds like the aforementioned bands, but they are definitely on par with them in terms of intensity. The music is truly fast for the most part. But not in a bland sense, as each track is peppered with tempo changes and solos that make the music way more interesting than the usual "fast-all-the-time" brutal black/death band. There is enough variety in the songs to maintain a consistent flow and not become repetitive. Slower parts are well interspersed and used to break up the intensity a bit while still keeping it relentless and crushing. I have read a few comments comparing Cambion to Angelcorpse, which is fair enough, though they are far from being called "Angelcorpse worship" as they have a sound all their own that is easily identifiable when you actually listen to their music. There are a myriad of interesting and razor-sharp, flesh-piercing solos, and it's even more impressive considering the band only consists of three members, and considering all the chaos you're being subjected to literally comes from one guitarist backed by a maniacal battery, incendiary drumming and hate spewing vocals. The bass is also very involved in the mix and makes a valuable contribution to the execution. It's a thorough and well-executed display of bludgeoning and vicious black/death that deserves to be heard and is a prime example of proper American black/death. Cambion fucking slays! (HT)

Demo review: Hedonist - Sepulchral Lacerations (2021)

Hedonist - Sepulchral Lacerations

Canada

Unsigned / Independent

I was about to review another demo until I came across this one and the violent ecstasy generated by the unmatched sound of old school Death Metal with melodies from beyond was enough to get me to work. It's not Melodic Death Metal, it's a style that in my opinion seems to fuse the melodies and brutality of Swedish extreme metal with some elements of the old Finnish school Death Metal. A brutal mix of two undeniable forces that have emerged in music over the years. It's one of those bands that, as I have mentioned before, seem to come from the 90s because they either lived through that era or perfectly understand what metal was like during those times. It sounds like an excellent production to me. While the instruments are high and well defined, the vocals seem to come from an abandoned catacomb, it's like they come out from behind the instruments, from the guts of the band. Of course, I understand that this was intentional, to give it that cavernous touch that always remains bestial in this very particular type of death metal. And boy, there are different styles to make Death Metal! And I don't mean Thrash/Death, Death/Doom or whatever. I am talking about the particular style of playing Death Metal, that every band is imposing on themselves right now, which in turn seems to be generating a new subgenre. These guys knew where they wanted to go with their music, and they felt an affinity for that side of Death Metal, which I honestly like the best. It's their first release since the birth of the band and they started with all the necessary rotten feeling needed for a band like this! They have demonized my mind! The lyrics are available on Bandcamp, so you can check them out and read what's going on in the minds of these maniacs. For now, it's only been released digitally. Hopefully there will be news of a physical release soon. I highly recommend you get your head on straight with these maniacs, and enjoy it as much as I did! Aaaarrrrgghhhh !!! (Catacombs Walker)

Album review: Kalmo - Gehinnom (2021)

Kalmo - Gehinnom

Finland

Sliptrick Records

Kalmo is a Finnish one-man project playing a kind of Black/Doom with a very distinct Finnish vernacular, especially with the vocals, which are thick and expressive. Neither a growl, nor a clean vocal. The music overall has a pretty dark feel to it, and the songs are mostly slow as the riffs create patterns that do not really pick up speed and mostly stay the same the whole time. The vocals definitely take some getting used to, and I think if the vocals were more aggressive, or if they were actual tortured screams, the project would have sounded 10 times more interesting. However, one should not disregard the fact that the band is still in its development phase. And I can even find some enjoyable elements in their sound, especially with the riffing style, which I think if the band continues to develop, they can really come up with a strong effort and sound of their own. The total length of this album clocks in at 27 minutes. If you have the patience to sit through such a length and endure such a slow style of Blackened Doom music, then you should definitely give it a listen. Not bad, but I think the band has the potential to improve. (HT)

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)

Interview: Skognatt (2021)

Skognatt is an excellent one-man project from Germany, playing atmospheric black metal with a sound influenced by bands like Burzum, Katatonia, Gehenna, etc. The latest EP, "Rain Eternal," was recently reviewed on this blog. Jim talked to composer Danijel to get some insight into the project and his influences.

Greetings Danijel! For those who don't know Skognatt yet, can you tell us a little about your music and your journey so far?

Greetings Jim! Well, I started Skognatt in the winter of 2014 because I wanted to see if I can come up with interesting material within the Black Metal realm as I always wanted to do this since I was a teenager. In the beginning I wanted to just compose the music and find a suitable singer but as all the people I asked were too busy with their own projects one day I tried it on my own, so the first EP was finished.

Can you tell us a little bit about the feedback so far for your latest EP "Rain Eternal" and whether you are content with the end result of the recording?

I had mostly positive feedback but some reviewers also felt that it was quite mediocre and lacked in originality and fresh ideas. I think the EP is quite reduced and I know, no matter what you release there will always be people who like and those who don't, so I don't care too much to be honest. I'm happy how the songs and the overall feeling of the EP came out and that's why I released it. So at the moment I'm still happy with the end result but that might change in the coming years.

I read in an interview where you stated that you prefer writing EPs to full-lengths. Why is that and what are the chances of seeing a full-length manifest?

Yes, that's true. I have released quite some albums with other projects and bands and as I'm a freelance musician I find it quite exhausting to work on full-length albums. Also, I have the feeling that the album format has lost it's appeal except for some bigger bands of course. I have released an album with Skognatt in 2018, it's called 'Ancient Wisdom' but I don't think I will release another album in the future...time will tell.

Can you tell us about some of your biggest musical influences and what bands got you into metal and how your tastes have evolved since then?

Well, it all started with Metallica in 91 and then soon discovered the second wave of Black Metal through a friend. I have always been more into the atmospheric and melodic bands like Gehenna, Arcturus, Ulver, Fleurety and such but also loved stuff like Emperor, Mayhem, Enslaved and Burzum. Very important to me were also bands like My Dying Bride, Anathema, The 3^rd and the Mortal, Katatonia, Opeth and Empyrium. I'm trying to follow some of the bands and also like how some of them evolved but the feeling of the 90's albums is mostly unmatched. Apart from metal I'm really into Queen and some scandinavian Prog bands like Anekdoten, Landberk and White Willow. I'm also very much into ambient music and instrumental guitar music but I could go on for ages here. ;)

How would you classify the music of Skognatt? Would terms like atmospheric black metal be accurate? 

Yes, I think Atmospheric Black Metal is quite fitting because my music is very atmospheric and has influences from Black Metal. I'm not one to think that I'm reinventing the wheel with my music, so I'm focussing on the atmosphere and the feeling I would like to portray with it.

Do you find that an environment can have an influence on the artist's psyche that somehow seeps into the music? Does your environment inspire you?

I think that's absolutely true. I live in Bavaria and have grown up here and in my hometown you could always find lots of green and many woods surrounding it. I try to spend lots of time in the woods and find nature to be very inspiring and healing and I think I'm quite a laid back person which can also be heard in the music I think. It would be strange if my music would be super aggressive because that's just not me. On the other hand I think my music is also pretty inspired by the second wave which came from Scandinavia, that's why I chose the name Skognatt.

What kind of themes do you explore with Skognatt?

The main theme has been nature from the very beginning! The first EP has explored winter and the last two are quite autumnal as I think. My album 'Ancient Wisdom' is a bit of an exception as at that time I read quite a lot about indigenous cultures and how their view on nature and life was. I found it very interesting to read that for example some tribes thought of three past generations and seven generations ahead when they had to make important decisions.

Do you find playing this kind of music liberating and therapeutic in a way?

Easy answer: Yes! I think, I'm quite a sensitive person and as I said earlier, quite a laid back person but sometimes everything gets too overwhelming and I just need to let it out and as music has always been a big part of my life this is just my way to cope with it.

What are 10 albums you can’t live without?

Opeth – Blackwater Park
The 3^rd and the Mortal – Tears laid in earth
Queen – Innuendo
Landberk – Indian Summer
Gehenna – First Spell
The Cure – Wish
Dead Can Dance – Toward the within
Katatonia – Brave Murder Day
Deine Lakaien – Kasmodiah
Espen Jorgensen – On the great alkali plains

Lastly, what are the future plans for Skognatt and how can people get in touch if they are interested in obtaining your merch? Thank you very much for your time!

Well, at the moment I don't have any concrete future plans. I guess there will be another EP when I have enough new material but I just released an EP, so can't tell when this is going to be. For people who are interested in my music, it's available via Bandcamp as well as a CD-R version of the new EP. (https://skognatt.bandcamp.com/)

Thank you as well for taking the time to do this interview, it was a pleasure to me!

EP review: Ancient Tome - Final Tomb (2021)

Ancient Tome - Final Tomb

USA

Transylvanian Recordings

A cosmic portal emerges, breaking through the fabric of reality that transports us into a dark, chaotic and suffocating vortex. Such is the experience of this magnificent 4-track EP and the band's second release since their formation in 2020. This time they have managed to summon their art from the hands of Transylvanian Recordings as the first release was independently produced.

These void worshippers immerse us in the haunting vortex of their thoughts with this great performance of Blackened Doom Metal.

"Choleric" opens the album in a quiet manner. A clean guitar that seems to foreshadow what will come next, as bass and drums follow in gloomy synchrony. From one moment to the next, the distortion is present and begins to spread its noisy essence in all directions, occupying all of your attention. At a certain point the song picks up speed and I must say that it sounds massive, even though they could still have kept going with their super slow tempo and it would not have been a problem. They know how to take the listener down dark paths and still keep us informed of what's happening around us.

"Sycophants" continues in the same vein, throwing an avalanche of blows and screams coming from the bowels. The screams on this album are really tortured and a pleasure to listen to.

"The Ancient Crucht" has the best clean guitar, melody and drum percussion. It sounds really formidable, solid and ritualistic. It's like a long trance that conjures ancient and savage entities. The first 3 songs are over 6 minutes long and that's a great length (although we are used to much longer songs in this subgenre). It stretches out violently to express the darkness within.

"To Come To The End Of A Time Of Anxiety And Fear" is the last song on the album, which does not reach 2 minutes in length and is more of an outro which left me very curious as to what will come next in terms of production, rather than the feeling of an ending. Definitely recommended! (Catacombs Walker)