Category Archives: Album Reviews

Album Review – Autopsy / Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts (2023)

Posted on by
Reply

Oakland, California’s own Death Metal institution is back with their pulverizing ninth studio album, featuring brutal bouts of riffery feral attacks, soul crushing doom and all out skull splitting heaviness.

Likely needing no introduction, Oakland, California’s own metal institution Autopsy has been a pioneering Death Metal band for 36 years now. They’ve influenced a generation of bands with their brutal, unhinged brand of violent, grotesque Death Metal with classic releases like Mental Funeral and Severed Survival, and now in 2023 the band formed of Chris Reifert on vocals and drums, Eric Cutler on vocals and guitars, Danny Coralles on the guitars, and Greg Wilkinson on bass returns to the battlefield with their ninth studio album, titled Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts. Recorded by Scott Evans and Greg Wilkinson at Sharkbite Studios, mixed by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studio, mastered by Ken Lee at Ken Lee Mastering, and displaying a visceral artwork by Wes Benscoter, the album follows last year’s acclaimed Morbidity Triumphant, while also featuring brutal bouts of riffery feral attacks, soul crushing doom and all out skull splitting heaviness recommended for fans of Obituary, Suffocation, Immolation and Deicide, just to name a few.

Eric and Danny begin their rabid riff attack in Rapid Funeral, a no shenanigans, ass-kicking Death Metal composition that exhales heaviness, rage and violence, and the band needs a little less than three minutes to crush our cranial skulls in Throatsaw, with the hammering drums by Chris walking hand in hand with all deep, guttural vocals blasted throughout the song. Then slowing things down a bit but keeping the atmosphere dark and evil we have No Mortal Left Alive, with Greg adding an extra touch of obscurity to the overall result with his low-tuned bass; whereas their devilish riffs and bass accompanied by the ruthless drums by Greg will haunt your souls in Well of Entrails, offering more of the band’s trademark Death Metal, followed by the title-track Ashes, Organs, Blood and Crypts, where not only they continue to demolish our senses with their undisputed extreme sounds, but there are also hints of Progressive Death Metal and even Doom Metal added to it to make things even more infernal.

And the band’s guitar duo shows no mercy for our spinal cords in Bones to the Wolves, inspiring us to slam into the pit while they deliver sheer awesomeness through their riffs and solos; whereas their guitar madness goes on in Marrow Fiend, also presenting their traditional harsh growls spiced up by the doomed beats by Chris, followed by Toxic Death Fuck, and a beautiful name obviously needed an uncompromised, demonic sonority, which is exactly what Autopsy offer us all with the guitars by Eric and Danny exhaling heaviness. Get ready to break your neck in the name of Death and Doom Metal in Lobotomizing Gods, once again proving why Autopsy are one of the most beloved bands of the underworld, and it’s then time for a destructive onrush titled Death Is the Answer, perfect for diving into the circle pit in the name of gore and violence, with Chris dictating the song’s pace with his demolishing beats. Lastly, the quartet invests in their most Doom Metal vein in Coagulation, bringing to our avid ears gargantuan, vile roars, disturbing riffs and sluggish beats until the very end.

You can see what such important name of the Death Metal scene is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, stream all of their incendiary albums on Spotify, and of course grab your copy of Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts by clicking HERE. Based on the quality of the music found in their 2022 album Morbidity Triumphant, and specially on their newborn beast Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts, the guys from Autopsy are far from calling it quits, keeping the fires of old school Death Metal burning and, consequently, inviting us all to get into the pit together with them like there’s no tomorrow, and may we keep getting more and more albums of pure, unfiltered Death Metal like their latest installment in the coming years.

Best moments of the album: Throatsaw, Ashes, Organs, Blood and Crypts and Death Is the Answer.

Worst moments of the album: No Mortal Left Alive.

Released in 2023 Peaceville Records

Track listing
1. Rapid Funeral 5:02
2. Throatsaw 2:31
3. No Mortal Left Alive 4:35
4. Well of Entrails 5:06
5. Ashes, Organs, Blood and Crypts 3:45
6. Bones to the Wolves 4:16
7. Marrow Fiend 3:32
8. Toxic Death Fuck 2:41
9. Lobotomizing Gods 2:34
10. Death Is the Answer 3:41
11. Coagulation 3:38

Band members
Chris Reifert – vocals, drums
Eric Cutler – vocals, guitars
Danny Coralles – guitars
Greg Wilkinson – bass

Album Review – Sadistic Force / Midnight Assassin (2023)

Posted on by
Reply

This Texas-based three-piece Black and Thrash Metal outfit is ready to kill armed with their incendiary sophomore opus, inspired by true crime and 80’s slasher films.

Following the release of their critically-acclaimed 2021 debut album Aces Wild and an impressive 11-date UK tour, Austin, Texas-based three-piece Black/Thrash Metal horde Sadistic Force returned to Texas to work on their upcoming sophomore opus, titled Midnight Assassin. Recorded by J. Petri at Come and Track It, mixed by Noah Buchanan at Mercinary Studios, mastered by Joel Grind, and featuring a sick cover art by Timbul Cahyono, Midnight Assassin is an album positively dripping with sinister undertones brought into being by founder James Oliver on vocals and guitars (who fully immersed himself in the writing process, devouring countless hours of true crime and 80’s slasher films for inspiration), Blaine Dismukes on bass and backing vocals, and Jose Alcaraz on drums, being highly recommended for admirers of the darkest and most sulfurous side of Thrash and Speed Metal.

Composed and recorded by Long Island, New York-based Thrash Metal entity Electrocutioner, The Unseen Force is a cryptic intro that sets the stage for Sadistic Force to crush us all in Corpsewood Curse, with the razor-edged riffs by James together with the rumbling bass by Blaine inspiring us all to slam into the pit in the name of pure evil in a lecture in Blackened Thrash Metal. And the band shows no mercy for our souls with the demonic Speed Metal hymn Speeding Black Leather Hell, where Jose dictates the song’s thrashing pace and James delivers his raspy, dirty roars nonstop; whereas the title-track Midnight Assassin will put you to bang your head together with those American metallers, with the growls by James walking hand in hand with his own striking riffage. Then Jose kicks off the Motörhead-infused chant Nuremburg Nights, showcasing the band’s trademark guitars lines, rumbling bass and classic Thrash Metal drums.

There’s no sign of slowing down as they keep attacking our senses with their fusion of Black and Speed Metal in The Butcher’s Apron, a very technical yet extremely devilish creation by the trio highly recommended for some fun action inside the circle pit; and Blaine will smash your head with his metallic bass in Marked for Death, another song perfect for some vigorous headbanging spearheaded by the classic beats by Jose, sounding a lot more melodic than the other songs from the album. Their Rock N’ Roll vein arises in Campaign of Sin, with the guitar lines by James sounding sharp and incendiary in this fun mid-tempo tune, once again presenting a vibrant Motörhead taste that will certainly compel you to raise your horns, whereas closing this insane album of Thrash Metal we have Howl of the Horde, a hurricane of harsh roars, visceral riffs and crushing beats that will inspire even non-fans of this type of music to slam into the circle pit.

“Midnight Assassin is a record steeped in blood and terror,” said the band’s mastermind James Oliver. This comes as no surprise considering the source material with songs inspired by serial killers, stalkers and necrophiliacs, transporting the listeners into a dark and twisted sonic arena that exposes the harsh realities of human depravity and violence. Hence, don’t forget to follow those Thrash Metal slashers on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, to stream more of their demented creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course to purchase a copy of Midnight Assassin from the band’s own BandCamp page or from the Goat Throne Records’ BandCamp page (or you can click HERE for all things Sadistic Force). Do you have what it takes to survive the Black and Thrash Metal attack by Sadistic Force in their new album? If your answer is yes, just get into the pit and enjoy such excellent opus by this up-and-coming trio from Texas, but get ready because, as you know, there will be blood.

Best moments of the album: Corpsewood Curse, Speeding Black Leather Hell and Howl of the Horde.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Goat Throne Records

Track listing
1. The Unseen Force 0:31
2. Corpsewood Curse 6:03
3. Speeding Black Leather Hell 4:57
4. Midnight Assassin 5:19
5. Nuremburg Nights 4:33
6. The Butcher’s Apron 4:49
7. Marked for Death 5:52
8. Campaign of Sin 3:34
9. Howl of the Horde 5:02

Band members
James Oliver – vocals, guitars
Blaine Dismukes – bass, backing vocals
Jose Alcaraz – drums, additional vocals

Guest musicians
Evelyn Albarran, Chris Hall, Austin Harris & Marcello Murphy – additional vocals
Electrocutioner – everything on “The Unseen Force”

Album Review – Volkmort / Fallen in the Bloody Field (2023)

Posted on by
3

Get ready for a profound and emotional musical journey of Death and Doom Metal made in Brazil, inspired by dark historical events and epic narratives.

Inspired by dark historical events and epic narratives, Fallen in the Bloody Field, the brand new album by Timbó, Santa Catarina, Brazil-based Death/Doom Metal entity Volkmort will take you on a profound and emotional musical journey. Recorded at Studio Sonority (drums) and at Satan’s Lair Studio (vocals, guitar and bass), produced by the band itself together with Kleber Hora, mixed and mastered at Dark Paradise Recordings, and displaying a sinister artwork by Fadli of Yandema Art, Fallen in the Bloody Field showcases all the passion for heavy music combined with a lot of hard work and talent by Dunkel Traum on vocals, Unorthodox on the guitars, Necro Abhorrence on the guitars and keyboards, Deathos on bass, and Sepulchral on drums, representing a huge step forward from the band’s debut album Battle Desolation, released in 2019.

The howling, bitterly cold winds of doom are coming to darken your soul in the massive opening tune Cold Winds, where Unorthodox and Necro Abhorrence masterfully unite Death and Doom Metal through their devilish riffage, accompanied by the sluggish, grim beats by Sepulchral; and the quintet wastes no time and keeps filling every single space in the air with their Doom Metal sounds in Returning to the Bloody Field, perfect for some vigorous headbanging while the guitar duo continues to slash their axes in great fashion, all of course spiced up by the deep, vile roars by Dunkel Traum. Then get ready for over seven minutes of sheer doom, despair and obscurity in the form of Doomology of War, where Dunkel Traum distills more of his demonic growling amidst a sinister yet very melodic sonority crafted by his bandmates, with Deathos and Sepulchral generating a beyond Stygian atmosphere with their respective bass and drums.

The quintet takes their fusion of Death and Doom Metal to new (and dark) heights with the 10-minute aria Triumphus Mortis, a lecture in extreme music where the band seems to open the gates of the underworld to spread evil upon the entire world. Moreover, Unorthodox and Necro Abhorrence, supported by the low-tuned, menacing bass by Deathos, will haunt your damned souls with their caustic riffs for all eternity. Black Grave, the shortest of all songs, is also the one that showcases the strongest Death Metal vein of the album, spearheaded by the crushing drums by Sepulchral and the devilish gnarls by Dunkel Traum, and there’s no hope in sight as Volkmort continue to pave their path to the underworld in From Glory to Abyss, blasting the most primeval and macabre version of Doom Metal thanks to another visceral performance by the band’s guitar duo. Lastly, there’s nothing better than ending such grim album of Death and Doom Metal than with a slow, cryptic and absolutely obscure tune titled No Hope, No Life, where again Sepulchral will crush your skull with his pounding drums, putting a climatic and vile conclusion to Volkmort’s doomed feast.

All obscurity and evil blasted by Volkmort in Fallen in the Bloody Field can be appreciated in full on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course if you consider yourself a true servant of darkness you should purchase a copy of the album by clicking HERE or HERE. You can also show the band all your support by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and by subscribing to their YouTube channel for more of their music. Fallen in the Bloody Field is definitely not recommended for the faint at heart, offering our ears the most Stygian form of Death and Doom Metal and, therefore, placing the band as one of the driving forces of the genre in their homeland.

Best moments of the album: Cold Winds, Doomology of War and Triumphus Mortis.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Black Hole Productions

Track listing
1. Cold Winds 5:28
2. Returning to the Bloody Field 5:21
3. Doomology of War 7:16
4. Triumphus Mortis 10:39
5. Black Grave 3:53
6. From Glory to Abyss 5:55
7. No Hope, No Life 6:33

Band members
Dunkel Traum – vocals
Unorthodox – guitars
Necro Abhorrence – guitars, keyboards
Deathos – bass, backing vocals
Sepulchral – drums

Album Review – Holycide / Bazookiller EP (2023)

Posted on by
1

The unstoppable Dave Rotten and his crew are back in action with an explosive new EP, an uncompromising and thrilling assault on the senses inviting us all to join the band into the battlefield.

Three years after their breathtaking album Fist to Face, Spanish Thrash Metal juggernauts Holycide are back in action, inviting us all to join them into the battlefield with their relentless new EP titled Bazookiller, a sonic four-track blitzkrieg not recommended for the faint-hearted. Mixed by Nexus 6 at Monsteny Studios, mastered by Davide Billia at Mk2 Recording Studio, and displaying an old school artwork by Daemorph that transpires Thrash Metal, the new EP by frontman Dave Rotten, guitarist Salva Esteban, bassist Vicente Payá and drummer Santi “GoG” Arroyo is an uncompromising and thrilling assault on the senses, offering us all three scorching original compositions by the quartet plus a merciless cover of a classic song by D.R.I. that will certainly put a huge and evil smile on your face, keeping the fires of Spanish Thrash Metal burning brighter than ever.

Dirty, demonic riffs ignite the bestial War Broadcast Live, with Dave growling the song’s contemporary, acid lyrics (“It’s modern times / The media rule it all / Immediacy is required / Hungry for audience / War Broadcast Live / Business is what matters / War Broadcast live / Audience is what matters”) in a classic, no shenanigans Thrash Metal feast made in Spain. Santi’s beats then dictate the pace in the thrashing extravaganza titled Bazookiller, supported by the metallic bass by Vicente. Moreover, it should certainly inspired some decent circle pits and endless headbanging, not to mention the amazing solo blasted by Salva; and let’s keep slamming into the pit to the sound of Modern Day Dictator, where Dave continues to distill his evil roars and gnarls, adding an extra touch of animosity to the music, with Salva and Vicente extracting pure dementia form their stringed axes. Last but not least, we face their cover version for Five Year Plan by D.R.I. (check out the original version HERE from their 1987 classic Crossover), and Holycide make sure the essence of the original song remains intact while they add their own thrashing twist to it, resulting in an excellent choice for some sick, frantic headbanging and, of course, for a wild mosh pit.

In a nutshell, Holycide offer in their new EP an honest and vibrant share of Spanish Thrash Metal without any artificial elements, setting the tone for what’s next in the career of such hardworking band. Hence, you can enjoy the EP in full on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of it from Xtreem Music’s BandCamp page or by clicking HERE, and don’t forget to also start following the unstoppable Dave Rotten and his crew on Facebook and on Instagram for news and tour dates, and to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their wicked music. Holycide are bringing their heavy artillery in the 15 infuriated minutes of music found in Bazookiller, and you better be prepared because those Spanish metallers will mercilessly explode you with their thrashing music.

Best moments of the album: War Broadcast Live and Modern Day Dictator.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Xtreem Music

Track listing
1. War Broadcast Live 3:54
2. Bazookiller 4:19
3. Modern Day Dictator 3:25
4. Five Year Plan (D.R.I. cover) 3:54

Band members
Dave Rotten – vocals
Salva Esteban – guitars
Vicente Payá – bass
Santi “GoG” Arroyo – drums

Album Review – ONI / The Silver Line (2023)

Posted on by
Reply

The unstoppable Jake Oni and his henchmen return with their most dynamic yet cohesive and focused work, representing a means to exorcise personal demons for anyone who listens and connects to the sound, the spirit and the stand taken by each song.

The creative evolution of the multifaceted Windsor, Canada-based Progressive Metalcore/Djent force known as ONI never ends. Always evolving, braving treacherous waters and searching for a distinctive light in the darkness, the band spearheaded by frontman Jake Oni, alongside Brandon White and Martin Andres on the guitars, Johnny DeAngelis on the xylosynth, Chase Bryant on bass and Joe Greulich on drums, is about to release their new full-length beast titled The Silver Line, the follow-up to their 2022 critically acclaimed album Loathing Light. Produced, mixed and mastered by the duo of Spiritbox bassist Josh Gilbert and Joe McQueen (As I Lay Dying, Light The Torch, Bad Wolves), and featuring an array of special guests including Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens) and Howard Jones (Light the Torch, Devil You Know, Killswitch Engage), The Silver Line is at once the most dynamic yet cohesive and focused work in the band’s burgeoning career, being therefore a must-listen for fans of Allegaeon, Oceans, Monuments, Killer Be Killed, Tallah and Alluvial, among several others.

The atmospheric and futuristic Silhouette will put you to bang your head nonstop to the metallic riffs by Brandon and Martin and the rumbling bass by Chase in a great display of modern-day Metalcore, with Jake leading his crew with his melodic and enraged vocals; followed by Spark, featuring pop-punk-resurgence star Sueco, another blast of ONI’s melodious Metalcore with Joe’s drums dictating the song’s pace while Johnny adds his share of electricity to the music with his xylosynth, with the song’s harsher vocals making it even more exciting. Then we have Underneath My Skin, featuring the aforementioned Kellin Quinn on vocals, where Jake and his ONI continue to blend metal sounds with atmospheric and electronic nuances, not to mention the solid vocal duo between Jake and Kellin, and it’s time to turn up the heat in Silence In A Room Of Lies, a neck-breaking, Djent-infused feast where Jake is joined by guest Jared Dines on vocals, always supported by the sick riffage by Brandon and Martin.

ONI’s modern-day fusion of Metalcore and Djent keeps hammering our heads in Cyanide, with Chase sounding menacing with his bass jabs, being tailored for admirers of the genre; and there’s no sign of Jake & Co. slowing down at all in The Dread, featuring vocalist Justin Hill, where they continue their headbanging feast with another round of their incendiary riffs and metallic bass lines, plus of course the wicked xylosynth by Johnny. Then featuring renowned bassist Josh Gilbert and vocalist Howard Jones, Aura is a born-to-be-a-hit on any rock and metal radio, with Jake and Howard sounding insane on vocals throughout the entire song, boosted by the massive beats by Joe, whereas Armageddon, featuring Michael Lessard on vocals, follows the same pattern as the rest of the album, bringing the band’s Metalcore sound and their undeniable energy. It could have been a little more dynamic and fresher, or different than its predecessors, though. And closing the album we’re treated to Burns My Soul, inspiring us all to jump up and down with Jake while Brandon and Martin fire sheer electricity from their guitars.

In a nutshell, The Silver Line ups the ante once more, adding another full-length chapter to ONI’s ever-expanding songbook, representing a means to exorcise personal demons for anyone who listens and connects to the sound, the spirit and the stand taken by the songs, being as much for the listener as it is for Jake. “Music is such a gift,” said Jake thoughtfully. “If you can make music, and people respond to it? I’ve learned not to take that for granted. Count your blessings because the opportunity to make music is such a great one. We should always be grateful. Because it’s the coolest job anyone could do.” Hence, you can show Jake how much you love the music by ONI by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming all of their creations on Spotify, and by purchasing a copy of The Silver Line by clicking HERE. The Silver Line is undoubtedly ONI’s strongest effort since the band’s inception in 2014, and if you give them a chance I’m sure you’ll get addicted to their music and keep spinning the album while fighting your inner demons alongside one of the rising names of the Canadian Metalcore and Djent scene.

Best moments of the album: Spark, Silence In A Room Of Lies and Aura.

Worst moments of the album: Armageddon.

Released in 2023 Ironshore Records

Track listing
1. Silhouette 3:13
2. Spark  3:07
3. Underneath My Skin  2:53
4. Silence In A Room Of Lies 3:15
5. Cyanide 2:51
6. The Dread 3:11
7. Aura 3:32
8. Armageddon 3:09
9. Burns My Soul 3:47

Band members
Jake Oni – vocals
Brandon White – guitars
Martin Andres – guitars
Johnny DeAngelis – xylosynth
Chase Bryant – bass
Joe Greulich – drums

Guest musicians
Sueco – vocals on “Spark”
Kellin Quinn – vocals on “Underneath My Skin”
Justin Hill – vocals on “The Dread”
Josh Gilbert – bass on “Aura”
Howard Jones – vocals on “Aura”
Michael Lessard – vocals on “Armageddon”
Jared Dines – vocals on “Silence In A Room Of Lies”

Album Review – Spawn of Evil / Sadistic Missionaries (2023)

Posted on by
Reply

This Israeli Death Metal outfit will crush your senses with their third studio album, representing their spoken word against the sadistic corruption that dominates the world and destroys life in every aspect.

Representing a decade long worth material featuring eight new tracks of traditional Death Metal with melodic guitar lines, furious rhythm section and wrathful vocals that will surely impress fans of bands like Morbid Angel, Benediction, Gorefest and the likes, the third full-length opus by Hadera, Israel-based Death Metal veterans Spawn of Evil, entitled Sadistic Missionaries, perfectly depicts all the passion for extreme music by Moti Rokah on vocals, Miko Haronian and Nir Tamir on the guitars, Hezi Menashe on bass, and Yaron Hakon on drums. Recorded by Hezi Menashe, mixed and mastered by Miko Haronian, and featuring guest guitarists James Reed of Vile Iniquity, Liran Aloni of Primaterra, and Kutna Hora (ex-Spawn of Evil), Sadistic Missionaries is the band’s spoken word against the sadistic corruption that dominates the world and destroys life in every aspect, speaking of those who embrace power to its evil form rather than humanity.

Fierce riffs and the rumbling sound of Hezi’s bass ignite the heavy-as-hell Hell Spawn, an in-your-face, unfiltered Death Metal attack with Moti already growling like a demonic creature, sounding vile yet very melodic from the very first second, and continuing their path of darkness and destruction the band offers us all the hammering, sluggish Storm Of All Sins, dragging our damned souls into the demonic lair ruled by such infernal Israeli entity. Yaron then pounds his drums with no mercy in God Is Fake News, an old school, mid-tempo Death Metal onrush perfect for breaking your neck headbanging, with Moti once again roaring and screaming in the name of evil, followed by the breathtaking Rhea Of The Gods, a song based on the mythological story of Rhea, the mother of all the gods, in her struggle against Krunus, the child eater, showcasing the band’s violence and passion for extreme music in great fashion, with the guitars by Miko and Nir sounding absolutely caustic until the very end.

It’s pedal to the metal with Yaron taking the lead with his massive beats in Human Mind, presenting another incendiary performance by Miko and Nir on the guitars supported by the metallic bass lines by Hezi. Then we have the two part title-track, with the first half Sadistic Missionaries, Pt. 1 bringing forward more of the band’s crushing Death Metal, with Miko and Nir kicking some ass with their demented riffage, therefore providing Moti with exactly what he needs to bark nonstop, whereas the second part, obviously titled Sadistic Missionaries, Pt. 2, sounds a lot faster and more violent and melodic, with the thrashier drums by Yaron adding an extra touch of insanity to their music, resulting in one of the most electrifying of all songs. Lastly, those Israeli death metallers will pierce our souls with over six minutes of dark and grim sounds in Righteous Evil, where despite all elements from the previous songs are present, its total length makes it a bit repetitive after a while.

If you love some good old school Death Metal with an additional dosage of brutality and violence, then you must give the guys from Spawn of Evil a try by listening to their new beast on  YouTube and on Spotify, and of course by purchasing a copy of it from the Pest Records’ BandCamp or webstore, from the Loud Rage Music webstore, or from Apple Music. Furthermore, go check what those Israeli metallers are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, keeping up to date with all things spawn of Evil. Corruption, power and all those evil things that make our world a much worse place have always been the perfect themes for any Death Metal album, and in Sadistic Missionaries it couldn’t have been any different, proving the guys from Spawn of Evil do not carry their name in vain.

Best moments of the album: God Is Fake News, Rhea Of The Gods and Sadistic Missionaries, Pt. 2.

Worst moments of the album: Righteous Evil.

Released in 2023 Loud Rage Music/Pest Records

Track listing
1. Hell Spawn 4:27
2. Storm Of All Sins 4:43
3. God Is Fake News 5:30
4. Rhea Of The Gods 4:19
5. Human Mind 3:52
6. Sadistic Missionaries, Pt. 1 5:18
7. Sadistic Missionaries, Pt. 2 4:35
8. Righteous Evil 6:29

Band members
Moti Rokah – vocals
Miko Haronian – guitars
Nir Tamir – guitars
Hezi Menashe – bass
Yaron Hakon – drums

Guest musicians
James Reed – lead guitars
Liran Aloni – lead guitars
Kutna Hora – lead guitars

Album Review – Werewolves / My Enemies Look and Sound like Me (2023)

Posted on by
3

The most savage Blackened Death Metal band to ever arise from Australia returns to the battlefield in full force with an even more demented offering.

Formed in 2019 in Melbourne, Australia, the ruthless Technical Black/Death Metal horde that goes by the name of Werewolves has been making a name for themselves in the worldwide extreme music scene not only by the undeniable quality of their music, but also by their hard work and passion for what they do, as now in 2023, only a few years after the band’s inception, they’re unleashing upon humanity their impressive fourth studio album, the annihilating My Enemies Look and Sound like Me. Recorded by Chris Themelco at Anubis Studios (drums), Matt Wilcock and Sam Johnson at Holes & Corners Studio (guitars and bass), Jack Hartley at Jack Hartley Audio (vocals), and Marc Russo at Beveridge Road Studio (additional vocals), mixed and mastered by Joe Haley at Crawlspace Productions, and displaying a sick artwork by Mitchell Nolte (with design and layout by Sam Dishington), My Enemies Look and Sound like Me is a lecture in hatred, nihilism and violence by Sam Bean on vocals and bass, Matt Wilcock on the guitars, and David Haley on drums, taking the band’s fury to a whole new level in the majestic follow-up to their critically acclaimed albums The Dead Are Screaming (2020), What a Time to Be Alive (2021), and From the Cave to the Grave (2022).

There’s no peace in the music by Werewolves, and the opening tune Under The Ground is the perfect depiction of that, already offering our putrid ears the demonic drumming by David accompanied by the rumbling bass and devilish roars by Sam; whereas the title-track My Enemies Look And Sound Like Me sounds like a hurricane of Black and Death Metal that will demolish your senses, or a bestial devastation by the trio with Matt showcasing all his dexterity, rage and passion for extreme music armed with his axe. Get ready to break your freakin’ neck headbanging and to slam into the pit like a beast to the sound of Bring To Me The Kill, another infernal Black and Death Metal aria where David continues to hammer his drums manically, and those Aussie metallers show no mercy for our damned souls in Brace For Impact, blasting more of their frantic Blackened Death Metal spearheaded by the thunderous blast beats by David.

In Destroyer of Worlds we’re treated to devilish, obscure words vociferated by Sam (“Plead my cause against an unfaithful nation / Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked / An abomination / Nausea and tears / I am become Fake / Destroyer of worlds / We are not his image / Creature of blasphemy / Spitting in their eye / Pissing holy water”) while the music is the most cryptic form of Black Metal you can think of; and back to their more ferocious, ruthless vibe it’s time for a circle pit feast titled Neanderhell, with Sam roaring nonstop supported by the caustic riffage by Matt. I Hate Therefore I Am carries a beautiful name for a demonic, pulverizing hymn by Werewolves, making it impossible to stand still to the venomous riffs by Matt in one of the best songs of the album hands down. I Knew Nothing Then And I Know Less Now is another song with a classy name, offering our ears one more round of the band’s visceral Black and Death Metal. Put differently, simply bang your head nonstop to the stone crushing drums by David, and be prepared for the last tune from such hellish opus, titled Do Not Hold Me Back, which will punch you hard in the head one final time with Sam sounding darkly evil on vocals.

The demolishing, unrelenting My Enemies Look and Sound like Me can be appreciated in full on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course if I were you I would certainly grab a copy of it from the band’s own BandCamp page or by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to also follow Werewolves on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, keeping your damned heart as black and evil as it can be while listening to the first-class extreme music by this amazing Australian band. Will Werewolves keep the momentum going and release another jaw-dropping full-length album in 2024? Do your enemies look and sound like you? Hopefully the answer to those two questions is yes, as Werewolves are quickly becoming one of the must-see names of both the Australian and the worldwide Black and Death Metal scenes, offering us all nonstop action, adrenaline and hatred in the form of their sick creations.

Best moments of the album: My Enemies Look And Sound Like Me, Bring To Me The Kill, Neanderhell and I Hate Therefore I Am.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Prosthetic Records

Track listing
1. Under The Ground 2:29
2. My Enemies Look And Sound Like Me 3:46
3. Bring To Me The Kill 3:01
4. Brace For Impact 3:14
5. Destroyer of Worlds 5:41
6. Neanderhell 3:28
7. I Hate Therefore I Am 3:23
8. I Knew Nothing Then And I Know Less Now 4:07
9. Do Not Hold Me Back 4:52

Band members
Sam Bean – vocals, bass
Matt Wilcock – guitars
David Haley – drums

Album Review – Fossilization / Leprous Daylight (2023)

Posted on by
Reply

A Brazilian Death and Doom Metal duo attacks with their first full-length album, offering us all eight savage tracks soaked in doomy despair.

One of the most acclaimed and praised newcomers in the underground recesses of the contended and highly demanding Death Metal feud, São Paulo, Brazil-based Death/Doom Metal duo Fossilization attacks with their first full album, entitled Leprous Daylight, an utterly crushing and brutally wrenching release. Recorded at Hellspass Studio, mixed and mastered by Finnish musician and producer Otso Ukkonen, produced by the band’s own V, and featuring illustrations by Indonesian artist Rio Oka of Digtrash Art, the album offers us all eight savage tracks soaked in doomy despair maliciously crafted and fiercely executed by the aforementioned V (aka Thiago Oliveira of Jupiterian) on vocals, guitars and bass, and P (aka Paulo Pinheiro of Jupiterian, Mortal Embodiment and Riffcoven) on drums, being a must-listen for fans of Dead Congregation, Krypts, Spectral Voice, Incantation, and for all admirers of the Brazilian Death Metal scene in general.

The sinister, grim intro Archæan Gateway introduces the duo’s deep and sharp heaviness before all hell breaks loose in Once Was God, where P is infernal behind his drums making the earth tremble while V roars like an entity from the underworld, or in other words, it’s a modern-day Blackened Doom aria that will darken your mind mercilessly. In Oracle of Reversion we face hellish words vociferated by V (“Transcending through the ages of fog and cold / Usurper of the throne in the skies and stars / Shadows bent before thee in honor / The Gods hum their lament and sadness / To nothingness”) while he also slashes his stringed axe in the name of darkness and evil; and V also does a superb job with both his scorching riffs and thunderous bass in At the Heart of the Nest, a lecture in Blackened Death Metal with a menacing Doom Metal vibe not recommended for the lighthearted.

The second half of the album begins with the pulverizing title-track Leprous Daylight, where P sounds inhumane behind his drums, bringing his heaviest artillery and therefore generating a beyond infernal atmosphere perfect for V’s demonic roars; followed by The Night Spoke the Tongue of Flames, another brutal, neck-breaking tune of darkness blasted by the duo, and Fossilization don’t show a single drop of mercy for our souls, hammering our cranial skulls with their devilish fusion of Black, Death and Doom Metal until the very end. Then the riffage by V sounds even darker and more sulfurous in Eon, a lecture in heaviness, brutality and insanity by Fossilization that lives up to the legacy of the most visceral form of Doom Metal, with P pounding his drums with tons of rage and dexterity, whereas lastly we face the most Doom Metal of all tracks, the sluggish and grim Wrought in the Abyss. It loses its grip after a while, though, but V and P still showcase a venomous performance throughout the entire song, putting a Stygian ending to the album.

This bestial album made in the depths of the Brazilian hellish pits can be enjoyed in full on YouTube and on Spotify, and you can obviously grab a copy of it from HERE (mailorder) or HERE (BandCamp), adding an extra touch of darkness and sulfur to your already demonic collection. In addition, go check what V and P are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, succumbing to the most obscure side of heavy music, and keeping such infernal duo inspired to keep blasting our ears with their music for many years to come like what they have to offer us all in their debut opus.

Best moments of the album: Once Was God, At the Heart of the Nest and Eon.

Worst moments of the album: Wrought in the Abyss.

Released in 2023 Everlasting Spew Records

Track listing
1. Archæan Gateway 0:55
2. Once Was God 4:59
3. Oracle of Reversion 5:02
4. At the Heart of the Nest 4:24
5. Leprous Daylight 5:03
6. The Night Spoke the Tongue of Flames 4:56
7. Eon 5:40
8. Wrought in the Abyss 5:36

Band members
V – vocals, guitars, bass
P – drums

Album Review – Mystic Prophecy / Hellriot (2023)

Posted on by
2

German’s own Heavy and Power Metal division is ready to unleash hell with their incendiary twelfth studio album.

Formed initially as a side project in the already distant year of 2000 in Bad Grönenbach, Germany by Progressive Metal band Valley’s Eve bandmates R.D. Liapakis and Martin Albrecht, the unrelenting Heavy and Power Metal outfit Mystic Prophecy has been on a roll since their inception, having released already 12 studio albums (plus their 2021 EP Hail to the King), including their newborn spawn titled Hellriot, following up on their highly acclaimed effort Metal Division. Produced by the band’s own frontman R.D. Liapakis (aka Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, who’s by the way the band’s only remaining founding member), mixed and mastered by Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman, and displaying a beyond metalized artwork by Dušan Marković, Hellriot is an ode to all things metal masterfully brought into being by the aforementioned R.D. Liapakis together with guitarists Evan K and Markus Pohl, bassist Joey Roxx, and drummer Hanno Kerstan, positioning it as one of the top Heavy and Powerl Metal albums of 2023 without a shadow of a doubt.

The incendiary riffs by Evan and Markus will put you to bang your head like a true metalhead in the breathtaking title-track Hellriot, while R.D. beautifully declaims the song’s tribute-to-the-legends lyrics (“We are the legion of the damned / We let the dragons fly together till the end / Screaming for vengeance, the number of the beast / With the devil by our side the dogs of hell unleashed”) in a lecture in classic Heavy Metal with Thrash and Speed Metal nuances, followed by Unholy Hell, darker and heavier than its predecessor, with Joey shining armed with her bass while Hanno pounds his drums nonstop in the name of darkness. Then we have Demons Of The Night, bringing forward a galloping rhythm inspired by the music by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, sounding absolutely solid and entertaining, and led by the scorching guitars by Evan and Markus. In Metal Attack the name of the song says it all, offering us all a vibrant onrush of Power Metal full of metallic bass punches, fierce riffs and hammering drums, whereas Paranoia is slightly below the rest of the album in terms of energy (not to mention all background effects sound out of place) despite its decent backing vocals and drums. And back to their more traditional Heavy and Power Metal mode we face Revenge And Fire, a headbanging feast where R.D. once again kicks some serious ass on vocals supported by the fiery music blasted by his bandmates.

After that, the low-tuned, menacing bass by Joey kicks off the beyond exciting Rising With The Storm, a lesson in old school Heavy Metal that will certainly put you to dance, with R.D.’s vocals being nicely complemented by the song’s spot-on backing vocals. In Road To Babylon the band presents poetic words are declaimed by R.D. (“One man is born to conquer the world / The signs of his faith are falling / One man in the name of gods / Hail to the king all nations are calling / With fire and steel he sends his warning / The Persian king Darius is falling”) while the rest of the band crafts a dark yet very melodious sound, resulting in an amazing creation by those Teutonic metallers, and things get even better in Azrael, one of the best songs of the album, paying homage to the angel of death with Joey being on fire not only armed with her rumbling bass but also with her powerful backing vocals. In other words, it’s impossible to stand still to this horn-raising hymn, which is also the case in Cross The Line, a beautiful fusion of Heavy and Power Metal with modern-day Hard Rock by Mystic Prophecy presenting some striking solos by Evan and the hammering drums by Hanno, while R.D. invites us all to sing along the song’s stylish lyrics together with the band. Finally, closing this flammable album of heavy music we have World On Fire, where once again we’ll feel the urge to start dancing, banging our heads and raising our fists in the air nonstop. The world might be coming to an end, but at least it will be to the sound of this stylish metal tune.

This fantastic explosion of classic German Power Metal can be appreciated in all of its glory on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course in order to support such amazing band from the European scene you can purchase a copy of Hellriot by clicking HERE, and catch the band live in your city by clicking HERE. Furthermore, R.D. Liapakis and his crew are also waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with news, more of their music and other nice-to-know details about them, inviting you to join their metallic army in their quest for heavy music. Mystic Prophecy are unleashing hell with their new album, and may their inner fire keep burning bright for decades to come with more superb releases like this one.

Best moments of the album: Hellriot, Rising With The Storm, Azrael and Cross The Line.

Worst moments of the album: Paranoia.

Released in 2023 ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records

Track listing
1. Hellriot 3:21
2. Unholy Hell 3:32
3. Demons Of The Night 3:15
4. Metal Attack 4:13
5. Paranoia 3:45
6. Revenge And Fire 3:31
7. Rising With The Storm 4:13
8. Road To Babylon 4:09
9. Azrael 3:30
10. Cross The Line 4:00
11. World On Fire 4:04

Band members
R.D. Liapakis – vocals
Evan K – lead guitars
Markus Pohl – rhythm guitars
Joey Roxx – bass
Hanno Kerstan – drums

Album Review – Horrendous / Ontological Mysterium (2023)

Posted on by
1

Philadelphia’s filthiest and finest Progressive Death Metal band returns in full force with their fifth studio album, a labyrinth where the deeper in you go, the more it twists and churns, luring you toward some monstrous final battle.

Five years after their latest album Idol, Philadelphia’s filthiest and finest Progressive Death Metal band Horrendous is finally back with their fifth full-length instalment, titled Ontological Mysterium, a love letter to Death, Atheist and other classics from the late 80’s and early 90’s. Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by the band’s own Damian Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios, and displaying a sick artwork by Alex Brown and Brian Smith, Ontological Mysterium is a labyrinth where the deeper in you go, the more it twists and churns, luring you toward some monstrous final battle, all masterfully brought into being by the aforementioned Damian Herring on vocals and guitars alongside Matt Knox also on vocals and guitars, Alex Kulick on bass, and Jamie Knox on drums.

A Stygian invocation titled The Blaze warms up the listener for the infernal metal attack that’s about to come in Chrysopoeia (The Archaeology of Dawn), a fast and demolishing tune where the riffs by Damian and Matt set fire to the atmosphere spiced up by the song’s demented lyrics (“Immerse me / In jubilant flames / With iridescent tongue / Lick away the skin / Don’t dare be kind / Paralyze me in paraffin / And spark the match”). Then blending the madness and creativity of Mastodon with their own Death Metal vein we have Neon Leviathan, and the result is a crushing tune where Alex steals the spotlight with his metallic, groovy bass punches; followed by Aurora Neoterica, bringing forward two minutes of sheer insanity, progressiveness and atmospheric passages where Jamie and Alex make an amazing duo with their respective beats and bass lines, flowing into the intricate Preterition Hymn, where the quartet once again blasts our ears with their sonic extravaganza, delivering a sick fusion of harsh growls and clean vocals (albeit not as exciting as the rest of the album).

In the wicked Cult of Shaad’oah  we’re treated to more of their lunatic words (“Beat me back but I’ll keep on climbing / When you’re lost in the dreams / Of the dead / And the final sun burns / Oh, the battle begins… / Prepare for brutal ascent”) amidst a fantastic Progressive Death Metal sonority led by the band’s guitar duo’s caustic riffage; whereas switching gears to a darker, heavier sound with a dense atmosphere, it’s time for the cryptic Exeg(en)esis, once again blasting our ears with their chaotic yet extremely melodic riffs, beats and bass lines, or in other words, a weird creation that fits really well in the album, followed by the Progressive Metal-infused title-track Ontological Mysterium, where Horrendous showcase all their insanity and passion for heavy music. Moreover, Jamie is amazing as usual behind his drums while the diversity of vocal styles again reminds me of some of the best songs by Mastodon. Lastly, how about another explosion of Progressive Death Metal to close the album on a high note? That’s what you’ll get in The Death Knell Ringeth, with the whole song sounding very compelling and dynamic, while the guitars by Damian and Matt exhale sheer electricity.

“At this point, we want to wave the Horrendous banner high in a way that we perhaps didn’t around Idol and continue on this path that we’ve forged,” said the band’s talented drummer Jamie Knox. “We are very proud of Ontological Mysterium and what our band has become – it’s almost like we’ve figured out how to make this band work amidst the wildness of adult life. This entity feels worth celebrating and feeding to see where it might take us next.” Hence, go check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, including their tour dates and plans for the future, and of course go grab a copy of Ontological Mysterium from the Season of Mist webstore, as well as by clicking HERE or HERE, and don’t forget to also stream such demonic album in full on YouTube and on Spotify. Having said all that, what are you waiting for to enter the labyrinth of progressive, technical and extremely heavy Death Metal crafted by Horrendous in their infernal new album?

Best moments of the album: Chrysopoeia (The Archaeology of Dawn), Cult of Shaad’oah and Ontological Mysterium.

Worst moments of the album: Preterition Hymn.

Released in 2023 Season of Mist

Track listing
1. The Blaze 2:00
2. Chrysopoeia (The Archaeology of Dawn) 7:16
3. Neon Leviathan 3:30
4. Aurora Neoterica 1:56
5. Preterition Hymn 3:58
6. Cult of Shaad’oah 5:24
7. Exeg(en)esis, 3:38
8. Ontological Mysterium 4:44
9. The Death Knell Ringeth 5:20

Band members
Damian Herring – guitars, vocals
Matt Knox – guitars, vocals
Alex Kulick – bass
Jamie Knox – drums