4 Feb 2024

Album review: Bombarder - Sa Dna Groba (2024)


Bombarder - Sa Dna Groba

Serbia 

Grom Records

Death & Thrash Metal Promotion
 

Legendary Speed Metal Titans Bombarder are back with their eighth album “Sa Dna Groba” (which translates to “From the bottom of the grave”) and deliver another album chock-full of banger tunes infused with punk sensibilities. This is emphatically old-school Speed/Thrash Metal, so you can expect to be bombarded (no pun intended) with an array of barbed-wire riffs that are both catchy and heavy as a Sunday hangover.

Per "Hellbutcher" Gustavsson (Nifelheim, Necrocurse, etc.) makes an appearance on ‘Bombarder III,’ which is an utterly savage track made even more savage with Hellbutcher’s vocal lines. Vocalist Nenad Kovačević, who has been with the band since its inception in 1986, belches out some verily maddened, hollering vocals in Serbian, giving the whole album a very personal touch. I have always felt that metal bands sound better when they perform in their mother tongue and “Sa Dna Groba” is a testament to that. It’s amazing how the singer, who is sixty-one years old, can still deliver such an energetic and passionate performance.

Each member contributes to the collective excellence of this album, as the whole performance is tighter than a camel's arse in a sandstorm and accentuated by a crystal clear production fitting to their sound. The riffs really hit the spot and are masterfully executed on every track, with tempos ranging from mid-paced to more rapid, neck-breaking sections, including some eminently adept guitar solos as heard on the eponymous title-track and “Bezubi Osmijeh” (Toothless Smile).

Every composition on this album kills, even “Na svoju vagu život stavi”, with its absolutely brilliant interplay of violin and sweltering guitar shreds. Furthermore, the rendition of Kreator’s "Flag of Hate” ends the album on a high note with the lyrics again performed in Serbian rather than English. As far as I know, the band relocated to Serbia sometime in the 90s during the Bosnian war. So I am certainly grateful for their longevity and tenacious metal spirit, because the band has endured a lot since its formation. You simply cannot get these dogs down!

Overall, Bombarder is a band that has stayed true to their old-school roots, as “Sa Dna Groba” is an absolute banger of an album that maniacs of true Speed/Thrash metal should not miss out on.

Album review: Vastum - Inward to Gethsemane (2023)


Vastum - Inward To Gethsemane

USA

20 Buck Spin
 

It's not like I listen to all sorts of death metal all the time, but I daresay Vastum is my favourite post-2010s modern death metal outfit.  Their unique propositions aren’t just the twin vocal attack of Leila Abdul-Rauf (throaty witch rasp) and Daniel Butler (roaring demon), but also in the way the music is made and sounds; foundation is clearly OSDM, but they have found a way to keep the melodies, riffs and rhythms both progressive and avant-garde without veering off a ‘pure’ death metal course. Aesthetically and thematically, their lyrics/titles and artwork touch upon what I would call the dark night of the soul; inner demons, twisted thoughts, spiritual torment and all that, but most importantly, it all ends in wwwuuuuurrrrgghhh and waaarrrrggghhhhh………….

Compared to 2019’s “Orificial Purge,” the latest album feels like they've toned down the groove n’ churn and instead put more emphasis on a pounding, almost droning approach. I guess there wasn't any sexy going on at Gethesemane; Jesus’ absolute mental agony, suffering and sweating blood at the knowledge of what was to come with his arrest. That's what this album does: it picks up on the anguish and incorporates it into the riffs and textures. I read a review that said this album was boring, and while I agree it certainly isn’t as ‘immediate’ as “Orificial Purge,” “Inward to Gethsemane” is nonetheless another excellent work from Vastum that reveals its treasures (and dark pleasures) with a few more spins. (Unkle Superion) 

3 Feb 2024

Interview: Nuclearhammer

 

Toronto-based NUCLEARHAMMER have recently released a new demo called “Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII”, which contains two new invocations of destructive Black/Death that emanate the infernal black void. I had the opportunity to interview founding member Axaazaroth (drummer, vocalist) to get some updates from the band, including some insight regarding the upcoming opus. Having said that, grab a beer, take a seat and set your eyes on the screen for a moment as we unravel the prophecies of apocalypse.
 
 
1. Hails! How’s everything going in the Nuclearhammer camp lately?
 
Axaazaroth: Hailz!! Good, we just released the new demo on vinyl and got Impugnor back in the fold so things are going well as far as prepping for the new album and we even played a show recently for the first time in 6 years or whatever the hell it was, that also went over rather well for the most part. Shows are a very rare thing for us nowadays and will remain so in the future.


2. Recently you released a new demo called “Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII” – can you tell us something about the recording process/inspiration behind this release? Are the reviews meeting your expectations?
 
Axaazaroth: It's a rehearsal demo of new material we have been working on the last 7 years, two tracks that we recorded off the floor in our reh space/recording studio as instrumental versions, added vocals after, mixed and got mastered professionally. The recording process was a bit messy and frustrating from beginning to end but we finally got it done, in fact, the first track Majesty of Pestilential Imperium is missing the entire ending because I felt it sounded too sloppy and off time in one specific part and couldn't be re-recorded so I just decided to give the listeners a slightly shorter version which works better as a preview anyway. The album will have the full version of the song the way I originally wrote it from beginning to end.


3. Have there been any obstacles over the years that have contributed to the band’s recording hiatus, considering you haven’t put out a full-length since 2014? I know you guys recorded music with several other projects, though I’m almost certain Nuclearhammer is your main priority?
 
Axaazaroth: Yeah other band member’s schedules, work and family life really gets in the way, we had two members depart from the band recently around the time of the Xaos Tenawas recording for that reason alone but we gained Impugnor back as a member thankfully since he is not bombarded by typical normie life bullshit. We don't do this as full time careers, although sometimes I wish that was the case, minus all the touring since I am not a fan of constantly travelling and having to play shows. It also takes us years to write new music we are satisfied with and have to practice a long time to get tight and exactly how we want it. Being involved with other projects is never an issue and hasn't held us back, in fact it’s been very beneficial when Nuclearhammer was on a hiatus after the Serpentine album and all the shows we played. As far as not having anything new out since 2014, we would have had a 3-way split out a few years ago if things had worked out with one of the other bands involved but instead we had to sit on our material for 5 or 6 years, but I am aiming to get that recording released very soon and before the new album is out. The only positive thing that came out of that ordeal was it gave me time to figure out the best mix and get help with mastering.
 

4. “Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer” left a mark in the underground and people are still talking about it. How would you describe the differences between your latest release and your old material? Will there be a new album in the near future and what can we expect? Is the vision and your influences still the same?
 
Axaazaroth: I'm glad people like SHL as much as they do, we gained a lot of new fans with that album but the new material in my opinion will blow it out of the water. Some people might not like it though. I couldn't care less what people like or accept in metal these days since everything is so inverted and subverted it needs a massive reset. But if they like Xaos Tenawas, they will love the new album Xaos Void. The songs are MUCH longer and drawn out, it will be a total of 4 tracks clocking in at 50 minutes or so, very hypnotic and full of fury, chaos and immense atmosphere. I would say the vision is still the same but even more intense and vicious than before.


5. You’ve been with NWN since “Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer” – what makes working with them an ideal label for Nuclearhammer?
 
Axaazaroth: I wouldn't say working with any record label is "ideal", there are always internal issues and disagreements and things that are not ideal for the band or label but as long as NWN is interested in releasing our new material I can't complain since he gives us the best deal. He is also expanding his operations now into a vinyl pressing plant so I'd say it's probably the best label to be on.
 
6. What albums have you been spinning lately? Also what are some of your favourite releases/highlights of 2023?
 
Axaazaroth: Too many things to list honestly but as far as black death goes, lately LUCIFER'S HAMMER - Hymns to the Moon and The Burning Church demos since I got the vinyl reissues of those recently and been checking out their other material I slept on for many years it seems. COFFIN TEXTS - Gods of Creation, Death & Afterlife, INVERTED - There Can Only Be One, both albums from 1997 that went under my radar for many years. GRAVE - Into the Grave, EXTERMINATE - Pact, GRAVE UPHEAVAL - Demo LP, METHGOAT/SUBSERVIENT PERVERSITY - Hot Rails, War & Murder split, AUTOPSY - Acts of the Unspeakable, VLAD TEPES/BELKETRE split and everything from diSEMBOWELMENT as always!! Highlights of 2023 would be ARCHAIC MALIGN/FLAGGELIK KOMMANDO 666 - Poisoned Minds Towards the Oneiric Fields of Morbid Hallucinations split, GOTTHAMMER - Godslaying Sonic Barbarism, PROFANE ORDER - Tightened Noose of Sanctimony, CURSED PAST - The Return Into Night, PRISON HELL - Sex Penitentiary and the split with ABRAXAS BLACK, TSALAL - Encapsulating..., PROFANATICA - Crux Simplex, DEMONCY - Black Star Gnosis & Diabolica Blasphemiae, also TETRAGRAMMACIDE's new album just to name a few.


7. Musically, how would you describe Nuclearhammer's sound? I’ve seen your music get tagged as everything from Black Metal, Black/Death, to War Metal and NSBM.
 
Axaazaroth: I just describe it as hypnotic black death. Our primary focus is the overall atmosphere of whatever we are pushing and propagating, so our sound ends up being very atypical and can't fit into one specific category at all times.
 
8. Do you ever feel like you are competing with anyone in the genre, given the growing number of quality death/black metal bands?
 
Axaazaroth: No, once you start thinking competitively like that you fall into wanting to sound like whatever the latest "thing" happens to be. We've never been about fitting in to the latest trend or what sells the most currently before the next useless thing comes along for all the people with short attention spans.


9. How do you see the future of black metal? It seems like the genre has been infiltrated by all the wrong people as of late.
 
Axaazaroth: Has it ever!!! the future is very bleak on all fronts, black metal included until people wake the fuck up, stop being afraid of getting called certain words and take it all back from the parasitic rats, but instead of doing that, I'm sure they'll be lining up for their 50th booster shot while their wives and daughters are raped by hostile invaders hell bent on colonizing Western countries.
 
10. Thank you for your time man. Would you like to add anything else before we formally close this interview? Perhaps a message to your enemies?
 
Axaazaroth: Thanks for the interview, been a while since I've done one. Fuck all enemies and infiltrators, none of you will escape the VOID!!!

2 Feb 2024

Demo review: Tartarean Vengeance - Genosida (2024)


Tartarean Vengeance - Genosida

Singapore

Self-released/Independent


Tartarean Vengeance from Singapore is the sole project of Hades (Battlestorm, Nocturnized, Devourer, etc.) and “Genosida” is the debut demo/EP of this project. Expect nothing less than a vile onslaught of bestial black/death metal informed by bands like Impiety, Black Witchery and Incantation. A haunting ambient piece opens this EP, followed by a rivetingly crushing assault of black/death metal infused with waves of skull-exploding distortion that is characteristic of the superlative heaviness of "Genosida". Since this is a demo recording, the sound is quite raw, albeit executed with a degree of proficiency. Despite being only 12 minutes long, this EP gets its point across confidently and provides a taste of what is to come. Furthermore, the cover of ‘Blasphemous Onslaught’ by Black Witchery is an excellent rendition and homage to one of the genre’s greats. Prepare yourself for war, as Tartarean Vengeance pummels you right into the heart of it.  

31 Jan 2024

Album review: Gosudar - Morbid Despotic Ritual (2021)


Gosudar - Morbid Despotic Ritual

Russia

Rotted Life Records
 

Gosudar released one of the best albums of 2021 with "Morbid Despotic Ritual", an opus of ghoulishly evil, dark death metal. As this murky oeuvre unfolds, the band show a knack for excellent songcraft – delivering a barrage of destructive darkness, with references to 90s era Incantation, as well as drawing parallels to more contemporary acts such as Cemetery Urn and Dead Congregation. In addition to the ferocious nature of the music, the title seems to imply something physically macabre, and that's exactly what Gosudar achieves with this release. The whole thing is remarkably well-crafted and exudes a level of songwriting that puts them above some of their peers. As far as Russian death metal goes, Gosudar ranks among the best. Highly recommended. Stand-out tracks: “Demented Visions of Infinite Power” “Awakening of the Realm” “Insurrection of Nephilim”
 

Split review: Satanic Warmaster/Archgoat - Lux Satanae (Thirteen Hymns of Finnish Devil Worship) (2015)


Satanic Warmaster/Archgoat - Lux Satanae (Thirteen Hymns of Finnish Devil Worship)

Finland

Hells Headbangers Records


“Lux Satanae (Thirteen hymns of Finnish Devil Worship)” is an excellent split alliance between two legendary Finnish bands – both playing black metal. The artwork that adorns this release is undoubtedly one of the coolest artworks I’ve seen for a split, with Satanic Warmaster representing the wolf and Archgoat representing the goat. The tracks on this split are familiar songs from previous recordings, but appear to be re-recorded versions. Both bands deliver a colossal assault of monumental darkness as each hymn is vomited from the abyss. Obviously these bands aren’t as obscure as they once were, though the presentation of this work is utterly crude and unpolished – and a massive middle finger to the mainstream. All in all, "Lux Satanae" is an archetypal representation of Finnish black metal (and perhaps black metal as a whole) with some great artwork to boot. 

29 Jan 2024

Album review: To the Dogs - Light the Fires (2022)


To The Dogs - Light the Fires

USA

Life After Death
 

Milwaukee-based To the Dogs is a trio founded in 2020 that has released a demo and a debut album called “Light the Fires” in 2022. 

Musically, they play crust-infused death metal inspired by bands like Celtic Frost, Anti-Cimex and Toxic Holocaust. The result is a vicious slab of mid-tempo death/crust that hits you right between the eyes. Their line-up is comprised of Nikki Jeremic (bass, vocals), Ian Olsen (drums) and Chris Morrow (guitar, vocals), who formerly played in the black/death band Black September. 

Their ability to mete out sharp riffs with hardcore sensibilities is quite striking, as the band effortlessly combines influences from both genres, although at its core the music is still death metal through and through and masterfully executed as such. 

Vocalist Nikki – who hails from Bosnia and Herzegovina – belts out a powerful, hate-filled roar, which is adequately delivered and backed by a wave of darkened crust riffs, energetic drum beats and audible bass that adds an extra layer of heaviness to the mix. Despite the lack of guitar solos, the music functions well enough without them, as this is pretty much a straight-ahead bluster of old-school death metal without any compromises. 

Overall, “Light the Fires” is an impressive debut album, boasting some serious chops that will compel you to run out and set the neighbourhood ablaze.

27 Jan 2024

Album review: Evil Damn - Necronomicon (2021)


Evil Damn - Necronomicon

Peru

Hells Headbangers Records

 
Peruvian maniacs Evil Damn (comprised of members of Goat Semen and Disinter) released this beast of an album back in 2021, entitled “Necronomicon”. Musically, the band plays hellish and blasphemous black/death metal infused with thrash. From beginning to end, this album subjects you to a plethora of sweltering riffs and ripping guitar solos that are masterfully executed, paired with caustic screams and pounding, bestial drums, all back by an excellent production that provides clarity to the performance. Erick Neyra's vocals are top-notch. I loved his vocals in Goat Semen and I love his vocals here. The man sounds possessed, and those falsettos are insane. Every instrument is meticulously played and contributes to the performance. Hands down one of the best black/death albums from 2021. Recommended to fans of Sacrificio, Goat Semen and Sarcofago.

Interview: Thunraz

 


THUNRAZ from Estonia play hard-hitting, hellishly heavy Death Metal/sludge that hits you like a freight train at 1000 MPH. Their penchant for innovation and writing quality music full of emotion sets them apart from some of their peers. If you enjoy a somewhat original approach, like some of the bands mentioned in this interview (Immolation, Today is The Day, Godflesh, etc.), then I recommend you to check them out. I consider myself a fan and have enjoyed albums like “Revelation” and “Borderline” (both released in 2023). So without further ado, here is my interview with founder/mastermind Madis Jalakas.
 
1. Hello there! Can you tell us how Thunraz was conceived and what the band is all about?
 
Madis: Greetings. Thunraz was started in 2017, after a period of significant emotional struggles for which I needed an outlet. It's become a way for me to process certain realities by aggressively confronting them. To establish some freedom in what feels increasingly like a locked cage.
 
2. Can you elaborate a bit on your sound and influences?
 
M: The initial spiritual and musical impetus for the project was the band Bölzer from Switzerland. I liked how they were a two-piece that sounded huge, and tried in my own way to emulate that. You'll hear their influence mainly on Hinterland in the tracks Stronghold of Fire, Invocation and Dysgenesis. Other influences would quickly seep in from bands such as Immolation, Godflesh and Neurosis. Some lesser known names like Cattle Press and Starkweather would inspire the approach to slower tempos, and bands such as Kobong and Meshuggah, as well as chaotic hardcore/metalcore from the 90's, would inspire the angular riffs and rhythmic diversity.

To me it's just heavy, pissed off metal without boundaries. Past my initial attempts, there has scarcely been a moment where I consciously decided what to write.


3. Why isn’t your band signed? Do you think that geography and the fact that you are not gimmicky plays some sort of factor why some labels won't work with you? 

M: There actually was a signed contract for Hinterland, but beyond some other minor collaborations, it has been difficult to find interested parties. I would say that the nature of modern social media marketing plays a big part. There are algorithmic reasons why it's harder for original material to push through. Greater content saturation also means greater competition and a need for labels to hyper-specialize. Same applies to bands.
That said, it is a bit amusing to be told, "Yes, it's good, but I don't know how to sell this". At some point all the bands that everyone considers as genre classics were doing something new that nobody knew how to market. I wish more people took a chance. Not just labels, but music fans in general. There are many cool projects out there that deserve your attention.


4. Thunraz released two very solid albums in 2023, although we will dissect them one by one. First, Revelation: This album is pretty sick and I love the diverse influences that went into it, from old-school death to chaotic hardcore to some pure black metal riffs. What was the overall vision and approach to “Revelation”?
 
M: "Revelation" was born from a collaborative effort between me and creative madman Jared Moran (Acausal Intrusion, Speed Ritual Records, etc.). He created the drum tracks based on a few keywords from me (OSDM, technical sludge), which I then improvised on top of in a quite intuitive fashion. I'm glad you enjoy it!

5. The follow-up, entitled “Borderline”, is even more manic. I feel like this album is heavier, and I love those moody clean vocals. Where did the idea to utilize clean vocals come from? Are you by any chance a fan of Acid Bath? How do you feel “Borderline” compares to “Revelation”?


M: I am actually a huge fan of Acid Bath, although Dax has more of a blues influence to his singing. Some other bands that mixed vocal styles and inspired me are Today is the Day, Section 8, and Demanufacture-era Fear Factory. Honestly, even bands like Deftones and Helmet. How it compares? I think the noisecore/metalcore influence is more obvious. "Borderline" is much more musically diverse than anything I've done before.
 
6. What are some of the themes you explore with Thunraz and where do you draw inspiration from?
 
M: Usually there will be something I'm dealing with, whether it be a personal problem, a philosophical question, or some socio-political topic that is making me mad enough to write lyrics about. I'm interested and passionate about many things, so sticking to one or two themes could never sustain my interest and would stifle a project that's meant to be freeing. Quite a few of the songs deal with several subjects. The first lyrics I actually felt strongly enough to sing had to do with the death of a close friend and the perpetual misery of nearly everyone around me. If there is an overarching theme, it's my refusal to quietly tolerate the daily horrors of existence.

7. The track ‘You and Me’ from “Borderline” has some of the sickest riffs and is easily one of your best songs. A pure masterpiece. Can you give us some insight on what this song is about?
 
M: Thank you! "You and Me" details what can happen if two thoroughly traumatized people meet each other and try to build a life together, with way too many obstacles in their path. For me it forms the emotional and thematic centrepiece of the album.


 
8. The music of Thunraz is dark, chaotic, and depicts real emotion, whereas most extreme metal acts lack any sort of emotion or feeling. Would you describe your music as angry, misanthropic, and do you think original bands are in short supply these days?
 
M: I wouldn't say that most extreme metal acts lack feeling, but death metal in particular might not be seen as the most appropriate vehicle to deliver these super personal expressions of pain. Black metal is a bit better suited for it, but even in that context the expressions seem to fit a certain character that becomes predictable after a while (like in DSBM). I enjoy a lot of these bands nevertheless, but I want absolute creative freedom, no matter who it displeases.

How angry or misanthropic my music is relative to others is up for the listener to decide. I can only say that if I truly believed there were no solutions, I'd be dead. Within every cynic is a disappointed idealist and all that.

There are still original bands, but they are often lost in the sea of mediocrity and label-backed releases that follow an established pattern. Jump into the sea and try to find those lost treasures.
 
9. Would you mind telling us more about the band's current line- up and who does what? I believe Jared Moran played drums on “Revelation”, but what about “Borderline”? It's safe to say he's one of the most prolific musicians I've ever seen, and most of his bands are killer.
 
M: With the exception of Revelation, all the music of Thunraz has been written and performed by myself. I don't think this setup will ever change, but I might work with a different drummer at times. Working with a new drummer right now in fact. Very talented guy.
 
10. If I’m not mistaken, it is winter there right now – is the weather a good inspiration for songwriting and does it influence the psyche somehow?

M: It is winter, but not a particularly cold one. The coldness of the people is the greater inspiration. That and the legacies of the Soviet period which still litter the landscape.
 
11. In light of all this global instability - with the ongoing war in Europe, famines in Africa, and current situation in Israel - do you think we are heading for disaster?
 
M: I doubt I know any more than you, but things certainly don't look great. Anyone can see the massive divisions in society and what that is leading to, but few are willing to extend the olive branch. Too many are focused on the wrongs of "the other side" and unwilling to examine their own corruption. Total unity shouldn't be the goal. If an uneasy truce is all we can manage, it's still better than total chaos. How very un-metal of me.
 
12. What are 10 albums you can’t live without?
 
M: These are off the cuff and subject to change slightly, but right now, and in no particular order:
1. Bathory - Hammerheart
2. Today is the Day - Willpower
3. Immolation - Close to a World Below
4. Cattle Press - Hordes to Abolish the Divine
5. Godflesh - Pure
6. Swans - Children of God
7. Cocteau Twins - Head over heels
8. Jeff Buckley - Grace
9. Drive Like Jehu - Yank Crime
10. Agents of Oblivion - Self-titled
 
13. How do you envision Thunraz in 10 years? The fact that some serious labels haven't discovered your talent yet shouldn't discourage you from creating music. If I owned a record label, I would sign your band pronto! Hails to you!
 
M: I can't even envision myself in 10 years, but I hope I'll still be creative in some way. No one should be discouraged from making music due to outside factors. I know it still happens, but honestly, speaking as a listener, I don't want to hear from you if your motives are anything other than pure self-expression. I'm glad if people make money, but if you see your band primarily as a business, it's time to pack it in.

My most infernal hailz to you, bro. Thanks for the interview!

26 Jan 2024

Album review: Blood Chalice - The Blasphemous Psalms of Cannibalism (2022)

 

Blood Chalice - The Blasphemous Psalms of Cannibalism

Finland

Werewolf Records  
 

“The Blasphemous Psalms of Cannibalism” is the second opus by Finnish maniacs Blood Chalice. It is essentially a continuation of their vicious black/death, although on this recording they seem to have honed their craft to a considerable degree, with the music sounding fiercer and sicker than before. The production is less polished this time around. There’s some good numbers on here, including a good deal of grind influence. In its essence, the album is utterly extreme, feral, and downright murderous. They also mix it up in terms of speed, ranging from blisteringly fast to robust mid-tempos, which adds a great deal of depth to their attack. In summary, “The Blasphemous Psalms of Cannibalism” is one of my favourite black/death albums from the last few years and radiates pure unhinged violence from beginning to end. Recommended to fans of bands like Black Witchery, Conqueror, and Anima Damnata. Stand-out tracks: “The Last Supper of Insects” “Celestial Destroyer” “Blood Worship”