15 Oct 2020

Review: Mefitis - Emberdawn (2019)

 



Mefitis - Emberdawn (2019)

USA

Chaos Records


In a sea of mediocrity where most new bands opt for the latest underground trend in order to appeal to the status quo, Mefitis stands out in the sense that they completely disregard such notions, and instead, focus their attention on creating something worthwhile and personal; a dark opus of traditional black/death metal in the form Emberdawn. Stylistically-speaki­ng, the band incorporates trace elements of bands like The Chasm, Demigod, Sacramentum, etc., without sounding like a blatant carbon-copy of those bands. The album is very consistent throughout, as each track contains enough variation to maintain the listener’s interest, paired with the fact that the music boasts a rather excellent production, which is undoubtedly perfect for the style they play. Everything sounds organic and well-balanced with meticulously crafted textures that expose themselves more with each consecutive spin. There’s a strong emphasis on melody, but not in the overtly accessible sense. The music always retains a certain depth and density that gives it a kind of subterranean feel. The overall tone on Emberdawn is emphatically dark and should be a delight for those with an affinity for old Scandinavian black and death metal. It’s hard to nitpick exactly what makes this album tick, as every song just feels so natural and cohesive, including the fact that the band clearly has a penchant for well-executed, ominous riffs that cut through flesh like surgical steel. It’s worth noting the atmosphere on this album is absolutely paramount, because it is something the band excels at. Unlike a lot of bands today, Mefitis actually has their own sound, and as previously stated, stand out. Easily one of the best efforts of 2019 in my opinion.


https://thetruemefitis.bandcamp.com/album/emberdawn



Review: Abominablood - Abominations Continues EP (2018)


Abominablood - Abomination Continues EP(2018)

Argentina

Cyclopean Eye Productions


Abominablood hail from Argentina and is the sole project of Warpig Venomous Abominator, who also plays in Vomit of Doom. Abomination Continues is the band’s follow-up to their 2017 album The Rotten Smell of the Entities that Murmur. The music is an assemblage of pure evil, primal black/death metal that echoes the likes of Von, Incantation, Blasphemy, etc., as well as newer bands like Necros Christos and Teitanblood. The guitars create a truly suffocating atmosphere that can be entrancing at times. The vocalist utilizes a deep and powerful growl that fits perfectly with the music. The drums, while nothing flashy, provides the perfect tempo to accentuate the overall feel. The music erupts like a volcano, sprinkled with shredding solos, as well eerie ambient pieces that enhance the mood. The overall tempo range from mid-tempo to fast and slower, more brooding passages. Even after about 10 spins, you’ll still find yourself fully submerged in the chaos. Abomination Continues clocks in at 32 minutes, featuring 8 tracks, with five actual songs and a few interludes thrown in. These interludes are actually very well done and act as "gateways" by creating a stark and ritual-like ambiance. There’s a definite occult feel that oozes from the music, and much like Von, Abominablood relies on simplicity and atmosphere to create an evil, hypnotic effect. Maniacs into filthy and sepulchral black/death metal –  this mini-album comes highly recommended.


https://cyclopeaneyeproductions.bandcamp.com/album/abomination-continues

EP REVIEW: Ritual Genocide - Commencement Towards Annihilation (2016)



Ritual Genocide - Commencement Towards Annihilation (2016)

USA

Black Plague Records / The True Plague

Ritual Genocide is a three-piece band from Reno, Nevada, and play a decidedly abrasive black/death metal in the vein of acts like Revenge, Conqueror, and Bestial Warlust. The release in question, "Commencement Towards Annihilation," is the band's debut EP and destroys without mercy. From the get go, these six songs relentlessly attack the listener with a barrage of chaotic chainsaw riffs, hateful vocals, and militant drums beats. The downtuned guitars along with the bass rely heavily on distortion to create a grating, dissonant affect. Needless to say, it's heavy as hell. There are no such thing as melodies of any kind present on this release — it's pure nuclear devastation from start to finish. You know you're in for some heavy and hateful shit when you have a band with song titles like 'Anti Filth Campaign' and 'Might of the Iron Fortress'. Ritual Genocide can be seen as the antithesis of all that is accessible, trendy, and mainstream — the quintessential war metal. "Commencement Towards Annihilation" demolishes everything within a thousand yard radius. Anything closer will be reduced to mash. 

ALBUM REVIEW: Vulturine - Panegyric of Death - The Synoptic Picture of Negativism (2018)

Vulturine - Panegyric of Death - The Synoptic Picture of Negativism - (2018)

Brazil

Drakkar Productions


Vulturine is one of the best Black Metal bands hailing from Brazil and their signing to Drakkar was definitely a step into the right direction as far as getting more exposure. They've been steeped in obscurity for the better part of their existence. The latest installment from the band unfolds over a duration of 39 minutes of ominous Black Metal and sees the band venture into new territory without compromising any of its core traits. A procession of atonal riffs constantly assaults the senses supplemented with the dense-heavy production, which gives the whole thing a very stifling and oppressive feel. The vocals lean a bit more towards Death Metal, but are well implemented and fitting to the music overall. Every instrument brings something to the table and can be heard in the mix. "Panegyric of Death" is another excellent entry from these Brazilian vectors of plaque. (HT)


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)


Album review: Vircolac - Masque (2019)

Vircolac - Masque

Ireland

Dark Descent Records

Vircolac play an abrasive style of death metal with subtle hints of thrash and black metal. Their sound leans mostly to the old school, but occasionally flirts with modern elements in terms of riffing and the way the songs are structured. Fortunately, the result is quite cohesive and pleasant to listen to. I'm a fan of the throbbing bass sound and the fact that it's audible – it adds a menacing tone to the mix. The vocals are quite upfront, aggressive, and well implemented. Collectively, every member brings something to the table, and you can tell these guys took their time crafting these songs considering the excellent quality of the music. The focal point of this album must be without a doubt the riffs, as they are very pleasant to listen to and often plunge into more experimental territory without becoming overbearing. "Masque" is an album that should appeal to a multifarious fanbase ranging from black metal, death metal, to even war metal. “Masque” is a solid entry from Ireland and I would recommend it to anyone into the rotten and demented side of death metal. For fans of: Morbus Chron, Lantern, Chapel of Disease. (HT)

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)

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