EP review: Irradiated Marrow - Ruined Forms (2021)

Irradiated Marrow - Ruined Forms

USA

Speed Ritual Records

 

This EP is pretty sick. Irradiated Marrow is one of those unknown projects that definitely deserve more attention, simply because their music fucking kills. This is high-octane, hateful Black/Death Metal that borders on War Metal. In essence, you could say this is War Metal, but without the imagery. The simple, yet cool layout gives the music a sort of primitive aesthetic which is complimentary to the band's cavernous brand of hate-noise. Everything was recorded by one individual, a multi-instrumentalist known as Jared Moran aka Cave, and he definitely did a phenomenal job. The devastatingly raw production brings to mind Conqueror's "War.Cult.Supremacy," but also give nods to bands like Bestial Raids, Amputator, and Baphomet's Horns, etc. Enough with the name-dropping, if you like ultra-violent Black/Death that will tear you a new one, then this EP is for you. Recommended.

Review: Abstersion - Mors Vincent Omnia - Demo (2020)

Abstersion - Mors Vincent Omnia (2020)

Canada

Darker Than Black

From the first moment you hear the feedback, this demo doesn't let up. It's vicious and demands your attention. Abstersion's "Mors Vincint Omnia" tape is a 15 minute onslaught that is a pleasure to the ears and the best thing musically I've heard come out of 2020. The guitar riffs are fast, tremelo picked in the style of Bone Awl, but down tuned and with a more clean production, so it will remind me of punk occasionally. The drums don't particularly stand out as they are nonstop alternating blasts for the majority but they are good and do their part. As we get to the vocals, they are definitely something that stood out to me. It's not often you hear a black metal band using low-pitched growls throughout their entire songs but here it seems to work perfectly. There was no stand out song as they all meshed and flowed into one another ending way too soon. If you're into relentless hateful black metal with a punk edge, I would recommend checking this out. (LR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJDbQCbsSpI

Review: Skelethal - Unveiling The Threshold (2020)

 

Skelethal - Unveiling The Threshold (2020)

France

Hells Headbangers

French Death Metal heavyweights Skelethal return with second full length, "Unveiling The Threshold," which will see the light of day on the 20th November, 2020, under the banner of Hells Headbangers. There's no doubt these maniacs took a hefty amount of inspiration from the old Swedish scene, but closer analysis will also reveal nuances of styles like thrash and crust incorporated into their sound. The music delivers a myriad of intense, groove-laden riffs interspersed throughout like a whirlwind of blades hurled at the listener. I found the vocals somewhat muted, but well done and decidedly abrasive. The production is clear, but not too polished, which works. A few deadly solos are scattered throughout like chunks of meat. One of the things Skelethal does exceptionally well is their ability to seamlessly weave heaviness with groove. Essentially, this is an death metal album, and if there's one thing paramount about this style, then it's hooks. Having said that, "Unveiling The Threshold" delivers all the hooks; it's heavy, intense, merciless, but somehow lacks a bit in the memorability department. However, it's one of those albums I can always come back to when I'm in the mood for some high-octane, pummeling death metal. Recommended. (HT)

https://skelethal-france.bandcamp.com/

Review: Witchbones - Goaty (2020)

Witchbones – Goaty (2020)

USA

Morbid Chapel Records

Witchbones from Oregon, USA, plays crushingly heavy death/doom that radiates despondency and evil. This is the kind of music that you would listen to before blowing your brains out. The atmosphere tone is bleak, ritualistic, heavy and powerful. The music constantly assaults the listener with its monolithic heaviness and oppressive aura. The cover art for this album does a good job at capturing the album's foul essence. Worth mentioning is the fact that Witchbones is a one-man project. Some of the most haunting music ever recorded were by one-man bands. It could be the isolationist factor, or maybe these people are too messed up to work with other musicians? Whatever the case may be, Witchbones' music perfectly captures that state of darkness, mania and isolation. The music strikes an interesting balance between death/doom and dark ambient, which sounds almost like an amalgamation of bands like Impetuous Ritual, diSEMBOWELMENT, and Gnaw Their Tongues. Maybe my references doesn't do the music justice, but that's the best I could come up with. There's a lot of creativity on this album and the band manage to create a very dense and chaotic atmosphere. "Goaty" is quite experimental and shows a multifarious range of elements, but remains a death/doom album in essence. Conclusion: If you like any of the above-mentioned bands, including music that sounds like it was spawned from some unholy abyss realm, then definitely check it out. (HT)  

https://morbidchapelrecords.bandcamp.com/album/goety

Review: Aliicide - First Prayer EP (2020)

 

Aliicide – First Prayer EP (2020)

USA

Independent

Aliicide is a black metal duo from California and First Prayer is their debut EP. There's  quite a few variants of black metal nowadays; ranging from orthodox, raw, depressive, atmospheric, etc., – that being said, it's really not difficult for someone to get confused with all these sub-subgenres not thoroughly acquainted with the evolution of the genre. In this case, the band plays a style of black metal that's sort of like an amalgamation of some the above-mentioned styles and it works surprisingly well. The sound here is quite evolved for a first release and emits an ominous atmosphere that brings to mind the likes of Vassafor, Brown Jenkins and Creeping. I can also hear a touch of death metal in the riffs, particularly on the third track Banished. These songs pack a powerful punch and I like the use of samples in the tracks. Overall, this EP is pretty sick, even though there's still room for improvement in terms of finding a voice and evolving their sound. On that note, Aliicide is an interesting prospect that I'll be keeping an eye out for. An auspicious first entry from these guys. (HT)

https://aliicide.bandcamp.com/releases

Review: Infesticide – Envenoming Wounds (2020)

 

Infesticide – Envenoming Wounds (2020)

Mexico

Blood Harvest

Every now and then I like to check out some newer death metal bands that will kick me on my ass, and that is exactly what these Mexican maniacs have done with their latest album called Envenoming Wounds. The name itself is a testament to all things rotten and impure. The music is very well played and exudes a repertoire similar to bands like Repugnant, Beyond, and Superstition. Every song is packed to the brim with intense sledgehammer riffs and the production really hits the nail on the head as far as giving everything a clear sound without it sounding sterile. This is basically an old-school death metal album drenched in modern production. The raspy mid-range growls are fierce and complimentary to the band's style. In fact, they kind of remind me of Mike Browning's vocals (Abominations of Desolation era), but more aggressive. The band is signed to Blood Harvest, so that itself should attest to the band's quality. Envenoming Wounds doesn't reinvent the wheel or anything, but that's hardly a negative trait when the execution is this thorough. The album starts off at a steady pace and batters you with insane riffs and monstrous rhythms from the get go, but what makes it work is how cohesive everything sounds. The album isn't exactly on the slow side either, with various mid to fast tempos scattered throughout. So if you want to hear some killer new death metal that is guaranteed to beat your brains into a pulp, this is it. For its 29-minute duration, this album sure packs a meaty wallop. (HT)

https://bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com/album/envenoming-wounds

Review: Satans Carrion - Rehearsal MMXVII (2017)

 

Satans Carrion – Rehearsal MMXVII (2017)

USA

Independent 

Satans Carrion is a band from Oxnard, California, that plays raw black metal in the vein of Xasthur, Mütiilation, and Black Funeral. The release I'm reviewing Rehearsal MMXVII is a collection of three songs captured live in their rehearsal room. The songs may not be very lengthy, but the band does a terrific job at capturing the essence of black metal in all its glory. The atmosphere generated by the guitars is unsettling and haunting, whilst the drummer does a good job at securing the misanthropic flow. The vocals are tortured and exudes hatred and despair. I don't really hear any bass, but the music sounds good without it. The release under review is good for what it is and was made by two maniacs with an obvious love for the genre. Overall, Rehearsal MMXVII is a solid entry into the plateau of black metal. So lets hope the project continues and manifests to its full potential. For the diehards.

https://satanscarrion616.bandcamp.com/album/rehearsal-mmxvii

Review: Apochryphal Revelation - Primeval Devilish Wisdom (2020)

 

Apochryphal Revelation – Primeval Devilish Wisdom (2020)

USA

Nuclear War Now!

Apochryphal Revelation is a Kentucky-based black metal band that shares members with Catacomba, Master's Curse, and Pyromancer. "Primeval Devilish Wisdom" is their second full-length album and follow-up to 2017's "Reverence For The Kings of Hell." The band plays an old-school style of black metal redolent of bands like Mortuary Drape, Mystifier, Master's Hammer, etc. The music does a good job at channelling that ancient, arcane atmosphere which made the aforementioned bands such an enigma in the first place. I like the hefty bass sound in the mix, it adds a really menacing edge. The band also added keyboards, but whereas some bands use it in a predominant way, Apochryphal Revelation only use them sparingly to add depth to the music. The cavernous production is complimentary to the music and does in no way feel faux. The vocalist emits a deep, bestial grunt, supported with an array of ominous riffs and primitive, yet effective beats. My only beef with this album is the fact that there's more interludes that actual songs. I think it would've been better to merge some of them into one song as they tend to flow into each other. So now you have like three tracks that could've been basically one song. Consequently, the interludes are all well done, I just think there's too many of them. All in all, the music is killer, as Apochryphal Revelation is a band that expertly conveys that old occult feeling reminiscent of the bands mentioned earlier, including Acheron, Varathron, Von, etc. Nuclear War Now has a tendency to put out some generic stuff, although Apochryphal Revelation is certainly not. Definitely check them out if you like any of the aforementioned bands. (HT)

https://nuclearwarnowproductions.bandcamp.com/album/primeval-devilish-wisdom

Review: Into Oblivion - Winds of Serpentine Ascension EP (2020)

 

Into Oblivion – Winds of Serpentine Ascension EP (2020)

Canada

Hessian Firm

Into Oblivion is a band that has flown under my radar for quite some time. That being said, I feel highly indebted to the fact that I was recently appointed to review their music. Into Oblivion is one of those bands that seamlessly weave melody with aggression, coupled with their predilection for classical music and the foundation of their sound built on the romantic period. All this makes for a rather engaging listen, especially when the execution is as auspicious as it is on Winds of Serpentine Ascension. Musically, you could say there's a great of deal of inspiration taken from the early '90s Gothenburg scene, with bands like At The Gates, Sacramentum, Eucharist and the like; however, it is also worth mentioning that Into Oblivion's music is acutely well balanced in the sense that they do not compromise heaviness for melody. Winds of Serpentine Ascension is definitely an EP in the proper sense, as it only contains 3 songs, yet clocks over 30 minutes. The songs are epic, lengthy, and engaging – you could listen to it several times, yet come back after a while and discover something new. If it's compelling and well-crafted black/death metal you seek, then look no further – this EP packs a meaty punch. (HT)

https://blackdeathtriumphant.bandcamp.com/

Album review: Communion - At The Announcement (2018)

                                          

Communion - At The Announcement - Full Length (2018)

Chile

Hells Headbangers

Those with a penchant for evil, raw, South American metal ― will no doubt rejoice upon hearing Communion's debut album, "At the Announcement." I remember getting my hands on their demo tape when it came out and being blown away by the sheer intensity and sinister atmosphere, particularly the track 'Black Metal Dagger'. The songs on "At the Announcement" gives me that same vibe, except it's like that with every track. Musically, Communion shares a lot of idiomatic traits with countrymen like Force of Darkness, Hades Archer, Invincible Force, etc., but mainly take cues from older bands like Sodom, Destruction, Bathory, etc. The album opens with 'Impalement to Destroy' ― a three-minute onslaught of throat-slashing riffs and possessed vocals that rage like burning steel, while songs like 'Secret Rites' and 'At The Announcement' batters you into the floor with brutish intensity and thrash-like ferocity. The drums are excellent too, fast and hard-hitting. If I'm not mistaken, the band released two albums around the same time (the other one which is called The Communion), although the tracks on "At The Announcement" was recorded between 2014 - 2017, which makes it the first full-length. Definitely Check it out if you have a fondness for bands like Slaughtbbath, Funeral Winds, and Bestial Warlust. (HT)

https://communion-chile.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-announcement