RISE OF AVERNUS - DRAMATIS PERSONÆ (EP)![]() ![]()
code666, 30.03.15
The music the Australians perform is mostly fairly calm in pace, but it has both weight and punch. The vocals mainly alternates
between growl and good cleans, but a hoarse and whispering kind of black vocal is applied too. The orchestral instruments leads
an almost dominant role on this half-hour EP. Well, maybe not dominant, but they're at least always present. This takes
a lot of space in the sound, but vocal, guitar, drums and bass shines effortlessly through. Thus, I'm not complaining.
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ARVAS - BLACK SATANIC MYSTICISM![]() ![]()
Aeternitas Tenebrarum Musicae Fundamentum, 30.03.15
My first reaction, a moderately deep sigh, eventually slipped into a semi-resigned state. |
TOME OF THE UNREPLENISHED - INNERSTANDING![]() ![]()
I, Voidhanger Records, 30.03.15
Hermes has been a part of Necrosadist and takes care of guitar and vocals in RCO under
the name Ω. |
SIGNS OF DARKNESS - THE AGE OF DECAY![]() ![]()
Shiver Records, 27.03.15
After an intro with polyphonic acoustic guitars, comes a few calm melodic seconds before hell breaks loose for real.
The drummer are breaking the speed limit and taking some detours. the guitar works is melodic black metal. Here is
neither a traditional comfortable guitar-hum or icy raven-dark notes. I'll get back to that. Let me just first say
a few words about the intrusive vocals. It is sharp (in the wrong way), monotonous and annoyingly overbearing. |
AWE / VACANTFIELD / END - MOERAE (Split)![]() ![]()
III Damnation Productions, 25.03.15
Moerae are
the three fates in Greek mythology. The similarity with the corresponding Norns in Norse mythology is striking. The myths of the
Moirai, the Norns, as well as the Fate goddesses of Roman Mythology, seem to have a common source, but its native soil does
not seem to be certain. The duty and task of The Three Fates were to spin, measure, and cut the human thread of life,
and even the gods had no power to overrule fate. Man’s fate was his destiny, predetermined by Moerae.
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FORTÍÐ - 9![]() ![]()
Schwarzdorn Production, 27.03.2015
The music of this act has always been pagan/viking-based black metal, but Fortíð has nevertheless evolved.
The amount of brutality, intensity, and the mixing ratio between the different musical main ingredients have varied somewhat.
Even the sound has evolved. To the |
TONY MILLS - OVER MY DEAD BODY![]() ![]()
Battlegod Productions, 23.02.15
Strictly speaking, Tony Mills ain't got nothing to do on a pure metal site, but the hard rock the man offers
has elements also found in metal, and I might as well be slightly flexible. The man has sung on a wealth of releases, but in
addition to TNT, it's mainly Shy and Siam he's been a permanent member of.
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TRIDENT - SHADOWS (EP)![]() ![]()
War Anthem Records, 27.03.15
The band started in 2007 and debuted with the album World Destruction in 2010. Three years ago, three out
of five members were replaced, without no need to delve into the details. |
SACRAL RAGE - ILLUSIONS IN INFINITE VOID![]() ![]()
Cruz Del Sur Music, 21.03.2015
It might help if I add heavy metal to the description, though the cover may have revealed that already. Add some
progressivity to their structure for a more comprehensive understanding. Some Canadian albums have probably been
spun by the Greeks, for there are aspects, including unexpected transitions, reminiscent of the structures
of Rush and Annihilator. Hear for instance Panic in Urals... at the bottom.
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PERDITION TEMPLE - THE TEMPTER'S VICTORIOUS![]() ![]()
Hells Headbangers, 24.03.15
What a delightfully negative start of a review of The Tempter's Victorious. Have Perdition Temple
deserved such an acidic pessimism on my part? No. At least not alone. Since the Geneva Convention condemns the
use of collective punishment, it just happened that this exact bunch received the scolding, what them being readily
available and all.
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SATHANAS - WORSHIP THE DEVIL![]() ![]()
Doomentia Records, 20.03.15
The sound of the trio's ninth full-length album is hard, metallic and sharp. The bass could have been more
distinct, but that's unnecessary nitpicking. The rasping production suits the band's raw and creepy expression well.
The album was recorded in Innertube Studio with Nick Kucel at the controls. A man they've worked
with several times before. Like all albums from Crowned Infernal (2007), it's the mixed by Tore
Stjerna in Necromorbus Studio, Stockholm.
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GOUGE - BEYOND DEATH![]() ![]()
Hells Headbangers, 24.03.15
Those who by accidentally has done the blunder of entering Gorger's Metal in the past, may very well have an
eerie suspicion that this is not my cup of murky sewage. Quite right. Since the guys are Norwegian, and by all means
able to rack and ruin their instruments to heart's content, at least limited to the genre, I'll still add this for the
Kolbotn-duo's sake. (The Kolbotn area being famous for housing Darkthrone, Nekromantheon,
Obliteration, Mion's Hill and more.)
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GLOSON - YEARWALKER![]() ![]()
Art of Propaganda and
Catatonic State, 23.03.15
The band makes themselves brief what album-length concerns. The album only lasts for about 33 minutes. Nothing negative
about that. Better short and consistent than long and drawn-out. (Something I probably should have had the self-knowledge
to learn myself). Songwise they aren't quite as hasty. The four tracks ranges from 6.5 to 10 minutes, and winds their way
in a slow tempo.
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23.03.15. | SOLIUM FATALIS - THE UNDYING SEASON![]() ![]()
Galy Records, 17.02.15
In my original review, short as the intro of a contemporary review, I basically wrote this: This is a debut so hot that it's smoking. This is death metal with moods that should appeal to black metal fans out there as well. It serves profusion of variety, striking drums, great guitar works as well as growling and grunting black vocals in dystopic disharmony. All wrapped up in solid sound. The album is even, while the different tracks has their own identity...While also adding that if I had to take a wild guess, I'd gone with Poland as a shot in the dark. And I consider that as a compliment.
The first thing I notice on the sequel The Undying Season is that elements of hardcore has crept into the
music's rhythm and appearance. Not an element I particularly appreciate. Fortunately, it is primarily in the first songs
that these impulses manifest themselves. Secondly, vocalist Jeff DeMarco has acquired a more whining style.
I prefer the growling from the previous album, but I can probably live with this sharper variant to. Drummer Flo
Mounier (Cryptopsy, ex-Nader Sadek) has taken over the sticks after experienced Dirk
Verbeuren (Soilwork, The Project Hate MCMXCIX etc.) which has about 40 bands on his resume.
Flo is himself well-versed, filling big shoes with ease.
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23.03.15. | DYNFARI - VEGFERÐ TÍMANS![]() ![]()
code666, 16.03.15
Although it would be hard to describe Dynfari's musical work without words like atmospheric
and post-whatnot, the band has a more depressive and aggressive expression than many bands within that sort
of landscape. As mentioned above, the music also changes character quite frequently. Post-metal meets dsbm, quiet and
meek parts meet aggression and loathing, sluggish funeral sequences collide with raw black-metallic pace. Sliding,
overlapping and with scenic acoustic parts, organ, samples and other elements scattered about. The music is also
dressed in good, spacious and resounding sound with deep, rumbling bass.
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HEIDEVOLK - VELUA![]() ![]()
Napalm Records, 20.03.15
For every original bands in the genre, there's at least a dozen trite run-of-the-mill bands. The biggest surprises are
probably not to be found in Heidevolk either, and thus they end up in a far from exclusive club. They
have qualities, however, that gives them a foothold amongst more noble and dignified company. |
VANHELGA - HAPPINESS (EP)![]() ![]()
Total Metal Records, 12.03.15
There's been lots of mediocre dsbm bedroom-bands in the wake of Shining. I've heard my dose of utter crap, and I
easily tend to prejudge bands of the genre. What little I've heard of Vanhelga has quickly been rejected
because I don't care about wasting time on junk. This suggests that I've been too rapid forming a simplified first impression.
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URFAUST - APPARITIONS (EP)![]() ![]()
Ván Records, 06.03.15
Despite only four tracks, Apparitions clocks in at nearly three quarters of an hour. The first three
songs last for about 7 minutes each. It's the song The River (a title which associations should not
be mentioned) that with its nearly 23 minutes is dragging the time out. Apparitions is not an EP for
those with lousy patience.
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STRYNN - ALIENATION![]() ![]()
Mortis Humanae Productions, 15.03.15
The French quartet expresses intense, overbearing “black metal” with raspy, distorted guitars and sharp, nagging vocals.
When the vocal nightmare kicks off, it seems to never end. Two vocalists, one of each gender, share the miserable howling
between them. They can keep it going for a long time while taking turns on roaring on every fucking exhale.
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BAT - PRIMITIVE AGE (12" MLP) & CRUEL DISCIPLINE (7" EP)![]() ![]()
Hells Headbangers, 17.02.15 & 17.03.15
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LAGO - TYRANNY (LP)![]() ![]()
Blood Harvest, 16.03.15
The band has all feet planted in classic death metal, where the recipe is hard and heavy riffs, deep growls and rather
hefty drumming. Both drums and riffs vary well in pace and rhythm on Tyranny, and the guitars comes up
with many evocative melody times and vital solos. The music, in a sense, has a somewhat mighty touch that doesn't shine
through all the way because of dirty, slightly fuzzy sound. Fans of silt and mud in the sound will probably disagree, but
I think the band's expression would've been better off with a clearer, more forceful production. The bass, for instance,
drowns a little, but sounds good in those places where it shines through the clouds. |
DEVATHORN - VRITRA![]() ![]()
W.T.C. Productions, 27.02.15
Devathorn offers as much as 11 songs and 67 minutes of satanic claustrophobia and reckless moods. The
music is a profane frontal assault, constantly changing, yet with an overall coherent feel. Besides from fierce riffing,
guitar tones moving like a leash of volatile, winged serpents. The black metal is restless, rabid and swift, topped by
rabies-infested articulation from hell. Pace, rhythm and moods are constantly changing on an album that is rich in details,
tied together in an intricate Gordian knot.
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CRIMSON SWAN - UNLIT![]() ![]()
Quality Steel Records, 13.03.15
It may not be the most complex or innovative music the Germans create, but the melody lines and the moods conveyed holds
a high standard. It's slow, heavy and sad, but beautiful. Their death/doom have mud wading guitar riffs underneath a
layer of clean and neat, yet grieving guitars. The bass is dark and comfortable, the growls muddy and deep, whilst parts
of the vocals are clear and clean, along with some vocal harmonies. Grand piano and string quartets have almost become a
permanent fixtures in such music, but of course there's a reason for that. Some sparse use of organ also emerge.
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MACABRE OMEN - GODS OF WAR - AT WAR![]() ![]()
Ván Records, 13.03.15
My first encounter with the band was a split with the Trondheim based band Ad Inferos in 2001. That was honestly
a rather sour experience that didn't really sharpen my appetite. Three demos and six splits has been produced through the
years, and the first (and until now - only) album came ten years ago. I can't say that I know the band, but I can confirm
that Gods of War - At War is an album that easily offers a taste for more.
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CROM DUBH - HEIMWEH![]() ![]()
Ván Records, 13.03.15
Crom Dubh is a band that must be heard. The music the band plays is founded in black metal, but with
so much more to offer. The sound has a dirty dissonant touch, and a certain timbre that is unique in itself. The band
mixes atmospheric, melodic and folk-metallic elements, but with a complete lack of respect for genre conventions.
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MY FUNERAL - VIOLENCE ACADEMY![]() ![]()
Independent, 13.03.15
Although the guys, four in numbers, calms down at time, I find the band name a bit misleading. The guitar works are fairly
melodic. Not directly Megadeth-melodic, but there is more speed and punch than dark moods in the men's thrash.
The music is alright, and easily gets the foot a rocking. The downside, as mentioned, is the vocals, more reminiscent of...
hardcore? I don't fucking know. It's certainly not my style. This drag my mood down a little and the music ain't a must
in itself, although it has a good number of cool parts. It has such great diversity, enthusiasm, instrumentation and sound
that I choose to be a bit gentle on a sunny Friday the thirteenth. Even if the sun has gone down.
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ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS - ALDAFOÐR OK MUNKA DRÓTTINN![]() ![]()
Ván Records, 06.03.2015
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WARDENCLYFFE - CONTROL ALL DELETE![]() ![]()
Ván Records, 06.03.2015
The band plays a kind of death/doom with an unusual amount of authentic '80s doom in the mix. This expression is enhanced
by mild clean vocals. The album starts so calm and gentle that I momentarily imagined NWOBHM/doom as the trendsetting
expression on Control All Delete. The guys ain't particularly extreme. Here is more weight than punch,
and although heavy, it's never leaden. The sound has suitable '80s aesthetics and the ability to stand out in the crowd.
At least amongst what I usually listen to. Wardenclyffe plays metal that should be able to appeal
to both fans of death/doom and fans of traditional doom. There's admittedly a bit rougher vocals here, but it rarely goes
as far back in the throat as growling does. The vocals should be possible to consume even for conservative traditionalists.
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ENDLESSHADE - WOLF WILL SWALLOW THE SUN![]() ![]()
Rain Without End Records, 22.02.15
It is not long since the last time I mentioned that women rarely get a proper hang of extreme vocals, and now I'm repeating
this bloody discriminatory claim. It should be said that Natalia "Malice" Androsova is among the strongest
representatives of the weaker sex in this respect, delivering the wares competently. |
TRUPPENSTURM / THORYBOS - APPROACHING CONFLICT![]() ![]()
Ván Records, 06.03.15
Vangard von Rimburg delivers dark death metal with black elements with his solo band
Truppensturm. The pace is rapid, and it sounds fairly tough. That one has heard both better and more varied,
can still not be ignored. Few, if any, of the riffs sticks to mind. The pace don't calm down until the fourth song,
Dawn of Hadaikum. Sluggish tones breaks with the uniform pour. This is quite a better song, but nor this one
has the traits needed to distinguish the band from the crowd. It all ends a bit more diversely with varied melodies,
rhythm and tempo in The Thrice Is Greatest to Ninnigal, but that's not even a Truppensturm
song, but a cover of a band with considerably stronger quality, namely Absu. Kudos and cred for an evocative
intro in the first part of the first song, Flaming Naphtha, though it's probably a sample. Nevertheless,
said Absu cover illustrate my point that this is not elitist extreme metal from the highest division.
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GOATBLOOD/NUCLEAR PERVERSIONS - REX JUDAEORUM/WOLVES OF APOCALYPSE (Split)![]() ![]()
Iron Bonehead, 06.03.15
Nuclear Perversions consists of three tracks that are totalling as much as 8 ⅓ minutes. I do my
best to avoid calling any metal noise, but the fact is that Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven,
Mozart and all the other great composers would have rotated uncontrollably and uninterruptedly in their underground
chambers if this had reached their ears. Heaps of staccato drumming, riffs that are as exciting as a slice of bread with
yam or cheese and a vocalist that roars in animalistic manners. No, thanks. |
MORBID EVILS - IN HATE WITH THE BURNING WORLD![]() ![]()
Svart Records, 06.03.15
Finnish Morbid Evils is a new band, and their debut is release tomorrow. Their zombified metal is heavy
as a locomotive and chewy as a zebra skins. The men have recorded everything their selves in the rehearsal room. They've
also produced the sound but have received helped with the finishing touches. Pre-mastering is done by Scott Hull
at Visceral Sound Studios and the last hand on the mastering was placed by Mika Jussila at Finnvox
Studios. The sound is muddy and rough, leaded, rumbling and quite nifty, despite unfortunate lack of dynamics.
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LAST MINUTE TO JAFFNA - VOLUME II![]() ![]()
Argonauta Records, 02.03.15
The cover, with a goat on black & white forest-and-sky background, easy provides associations to atmospheric black
metal, and may thus be a bit misleading. Last minute to Jaffna plays an original(?) form of doomy,
fairly progressive post-metal. The music is “meditative” and atmospheric. It slithers quietly forward with light and
jazzy lounge-music like rhythms and melodies of both clean and serene type and even more dirty and distorted black
fashions. Sound collages of fairly noisy, droning/sludgy character also appears. The guitars throws echoes, the bass
casts shadows, the vocals whispers or comes in the form of monotonous tones on long exhales, when not growling deep
in the background. Heavy but soaring, dissonant but relaxing.
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ONE STEP BEYOND - THE MUSIC OF CHANCE![]() ![]()
Metal Scrap, 02.03.15
The band plays a crossover of hardcore, punk, death, grind and thrash, with sprinkling of everything from reggae and
electronica to jazz and black metal. The music is not particularly aggressive, but has a more cheerful, light and playful
touch. Although the music is a conglomeration of different styles it's far from as eclectic and ambient as for instance
Mr. Bungle. It actually moves rather naturally along its own axis. |
NIGHT - SOLDIERS OF TIME![]() ![]()
Gaphals, 02.03.15
The vocals are most likely dually layered some places, if it's not one of the other guys that's backing up. Hear,
for example, the refrain from 1:15 in Above the Ground (track 4). I can't say for sure which is
the case, but Burning Fire (as the lad calls himself) has a rather unique character nonetheless,
with a voice that sometimes almost sounds out of key. He still seems to have both sturdy control and
accurate hitting of the notes.
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EVIL INVADERS - PULSES OF PLEASURE![]() ![]()
Napalm Records, 02.03.15
We might as well start with the vocals. I've probably written a hundred times before that light male feminine vocals gives
me a rash. The case of high pitched vocals is however something completely different when the singer screams so hard that
the guts are sucked out in the undertow and get stuck between the front teeth. Some backing vocals notwithstanding, it's
Jöe Anus that wring the vocal cords to shreds. He is high and low in the register with an energy only
matched by the music. Such vocal usage may be a matter of opinion, but the difference between high and low tones is pretty
impressive and although I've heard other vocalists with approximately the same range and expression, this gives the music
a much more distinctive touch than what many other bands down the same road accomplice.
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DEADLYSINS - ANTICLOCKWISE![]() ![]()
Independent, November 2014
Vocalist Mathieu must take some of the blame for the monotone character. The vocals are
in fact rather monotonous. I've heard of “finding the tone”, but this guy might have taken it somewhat literally, finding
a tone, and sticking with it. I'm exaggerating slightly, of course. Besides, the sound must also take some of the
blame. |
CRUENTA LACRYMIS - SWEETNESS & BLASPHEMY![]() ![]()
Metal Scrap Records, 02.02.15
Few women get get the hang of black vocals. Elena succeeded no more than average, she either. My thoughts
goes towards Opera IX. (Which I haven't heard for 15 years, and so I dare not compare). The music in general sounds
like another Italian assembly line product. Songs lacking ideas, overtly synthetic synthesizer and rather sordid drumming.
I don't feel no cold draft, no malice, no hatred.
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NEOLITH - IZI.IM.KURNU-KI![]() ![]()
Non Serviam Records, 02.03.15
The band consists of six men. One of them is credited for electronics, and it's precisely that aspect that distinguishes
them most from other extreme metal bands. The use of electronic elements is neither excessive, nor (as in the case of
newer Semargl) too poppy. Although the use of synth/techno/electronica separates the band a bit from the crowd,
it's still only spices in a dark extreme metal expression that stands perfectly well on its own.
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CRYPT SERMON - OUT OF THE GARDEN![]() ![]()
Dark Descent Records, 03.03.15
The music has all the symptoms of doom; slow mid tempo, “tail heavy” (as in a somewhat laid-back style) music with
blue moods. No aggressive tendencies, more honest and pleading. The band feels more open than enclosed on a mental
level. They don't drown in sorrow and depression, but rather try to remain hopeful. Not afraid to talk about what's
bothering them or reach out an arm and ask for help. Well, that's the moods I'm picking up, anyway.
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IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT - ABYSSAL GODS![]() ![]()
code666, 27.02.15
The New York quartet Imperial Triumphant don't hold anything back on Abyssal Gods.
They simply give full throttle straight toward the cliff. Their raw brutality and hyper-speed constantly changes both
rhythm, hat and coat. Frenetic, ostentatious, eclectic, dissonant chaos. Intense, psychotic, boorish and dissonant chaos.
The guitars produce the sickest sounds. The drums runs wild as the devil's grandma's sewing machine. The vocal growls deeper
than the Mariana Trench. And we're still only talking about the first song. Outbreaks of trumpets, choir, ukulele, hell's
church bells and an intermezzo of the choir of agony of the damned in hell. Everything gushing like eruptions of lava from
the speakers. |