Category Archives: Album Reviews

Album Review – Apollo / A Divine Comedy EP (2023)

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An up-and-coming Canadian Deathcore beast will embrace your soul with its debut metal opera, revolving around the classic story of Dante and his descent into hell.

The solo side project of Canadian guitarist and bassist Kyle Prusky, with the support of Canadian vocalist Adrian Parcioaga, the newborn Deathcore entity Apollo has just released its debut concept EP, titled A Divine Comedy, revolving around the classic story of Dante and his descent into hell split into five distinct acts. Produced by Kyle and Adrian themselves, mixed and mastered by Kyle, displaying a classy artwork by Adrian, and featuring guests Alex Rudinger on drum programming, Layne Murdoch on the guitars, and Lucas de la Rosa on keyboards, the album is according to the duo a Progressive Death Metal opera, unabashedly dynamic and ever-shifting, taking the listener on a cathartic journey through breakdowns, growls and aggressive riffs, therefore being recommended for fans of Slice the Cake, Between the Buried and Me and Rivers of Nihil.

The gentle keys by Lucas kick off the first act of the EP, I: Dark Woods, exploding into a dark and pensive Metalcore extravaganza where Adrian’s roars match perfectly with all of the song’s Stygian elements, morphing into a Deathcore attack titled II: Abandon All Hope, where Kyle is on fire with his piercing riffs and metallic bass, consequently resulting in a violent, headbanging tune tailored for admirers of the genre with over six minutes of adrenaline, fury and heaviness flowing nonstop. Following such epic tune we have the melodic III: Interlude, with the guitar solo by Layne creating a stunning paradox with Lucas’ piano, flowing into IV: Deeper, Darker, blending elements from Deathcore and Metalcore with Progressive Metal nuances. Furthermore, Kyle once again slashes his guitar in great fashion while the drums programmed by Alex couldn’t have sounded more organic, presenting several layers, passages and climatic moments. Lastly, closing the EP we face the imposing V: Ascendance, where Kyle kicks some ass armed with his guitar and bass in a lesson in Deathcore supported by the always venomous screams by Adrian, resulting in a neck-breaking conclusion to properly send Dante to hell.

“This EP has been in the works for a long time, and I could not be happier with the result. This EP is for those who have ever doubted themselves, have fallen apart to the demons in their head, felt like giving up, and needed guidance. Don’t give up. Keep fighting. Keep climbing. Trust the ones who stick by your side. Eventually, you’ll find your path. Every single choice, every note, and vocal take was absolutely deliberate and meant to evoke a specific response. Throughout the journey, the listener will be presented with soaring melodic solos, somber but beautiful keys that guide the self to introspection, crushingly heavy 8-string guitars, pounding drums, and vocals that dance with the music like a soliloquy to an audience of one,”​ commented a proud Kyle about his newborn beast, and if you want to show him all your support you can stream the EP in full on YouTube and on Spotify, grab a copy from Apple Music, and also follow the project on Facebook, on Instagram, and on YouTube. There’s nothing better than enjoying some first-class heavy music while witnessing Dante’s descent into the pits of the underworld, and Kyle and his Apollo more than succeeded in that with their striking debut effort.

Best moments of the album: II: Abandon All Hope and V: Ascendance.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. I: Dark Woods 3:59
2. II: Abandon All Hope 6:19
3. III: Interlude 1:19
4. IV: Deeper, Darker 6:22
5. V: Ascendance 6:56

Band members
Adrian Parcioaga – vocals
Kyle Prusky – guitars, bass

Guest musicians
Alex Rudinger – drum programming
Layne Murdoch – guitar solo on “I: Dark Woods”, “II: Abandon All Hope”, “III: Interlude” and “IV: Deeper, Darker”
Lucas de la Rosa – keys on “I: Dark Woods”, “II: Abandon All Hope”, “III: Interlude” and “IV: Deeper, Darker”

Album Review – Visceral Explosion / Malevolent Dismemberment Of Entire Putrefacted Gastrointestine EP (2023)

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Get ready for a furious blood storm made in South Korea, offering us all Brutal Death Metal of the most fiercely focused and unremittingly battering kind.

Following on from their acclaimed 2022 album Human Meat Distribution Process, Malevolent Dismemberment Of Entire Putrefacted Gastrointestine, the brand new EP by South Korea-based Brutal Death Metal outfit Visceral Explosion, raises the bar for the band in every way. Recorded, mixed and mastered by the band’s own vocalist and guitarist Ryu Gun, and displaying a sick artwork by Ukrainian artist Daemorph (Aborted Fetus, Avulsed, The Black Dahlia Murder), the EP showcases no gradual build up, no warning, nor any sort of introduction by the aforementioned Ryu Gun alongside guitarist Lee Seok Ho, bassist Lee Kyeong Won and drummer Kim Yu Jong, simply offering our putrid ears Brutal Death Metal of the most fiercely focused and unremittingly battering kind, a furious blood storm highly recommended for fans of Guttural Disease, Beheaded, Unfathomable Ruination and Posthuman Abomination, among other masters of unrelenting brutality.

Kim kicks off the band’s gory and truculent party by hammering his drums in Unanesthetized Hypothalamotomy, accompanied by the inhumane screeches by Ryu in an infernal display of South Korean Brutal Death Metal for our total delight. Then the razor-edged riffs by Lee Seok and the metallic bass by Lee Kyeong will pierce your flesh in Rancid Purulent Neonatal Cerebral Cortex, while Ryu continues to bark and gnarl like a creature from the abyss, exhaling blood and gore until the very end; followed by Acute Necrotizing Hemorrhagic Encephalopathy, utterly demented and therefore perfect for slamming into the pit like a ruthless metalmaniac. Moreover, Kim dictates the pace with his crushing beats while Lee Seok extracts sheer heaviness from his guitar in a lecture in venomous Death Metal. There’s time for one final demolishing tune by the quartet titled Asphyxiation by Malignant Neoplasm of Oropharynx, with Ryu growling deeply supported by the extreme, unfriendly sounds blasted by his bandmates, being beyond tailored for admirers of the genre.

Such putrefying EP can be enjoyed in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course you can add it to your devilish collection by purchasing a copy from their own BandCamp page, from the Brutal Mind’s BandCamp page or webstore, from Apple Music or from Amazon, and don’t forget to also give those brutal South Koreans a shout on Facebook and on Instagram. The ravens soar across vast landscapes formed from the broken bodies of the tortured. They lie in tumbled heaps, hang from hook and branch with every intimate secret of their inner workings torn out and displayed for all to see, while an impossible flicker of agonized life remains within their hopeless eyes. There was no beginning, there will be no ending to the fields of torment, there is only now and always, knee deep in blood forever, with the new EP by Visceral Explosion being the perfect soundtrack for that gory and unfriendly scenario.

Best moments of the album: Acute Necrotizing Hemorrhagic Encephalopathy.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Brutal Mind

Track listing
1. Unanesthetized Hypothalamotomy 3:03
2. Rancid Purulent Neonatal Cerebral Cortex 2:32
3. Acute Necrotizing Hemorrhagic Encephalopathy 2:18
4. Asphyxiation by Malignant Neoplasm of Oropharynx 2:20

Band members
Ryu Gun – vocals, guitar
Lee Seok Ho – guitar
Lee Kyeong Won – bass
Kim Yu Jong – drums

Album Review – Saint Vermin / Together as None EP (2023)

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A Maltese lone wolf attacks our senses with his debut effort, offering 36 minutes of first-class Black Metal deeply rooted in the early days of the genre.

A one-man Black Metal band hailing from the Republic of Malta, the dark and sinister Saint Vermin has just released his debut EP, titled Together as None, offering us all 36 minutes of first-class Black Metal deeply rooted in the early days of the genre. Recorded at Saint Vermin’s home studio Tarxien at Derogatorium in the dead of the heat of the 2022 infernal summer, and mixed and mastered by Mark Azzopardi (also known as Hellcommander Vargblod, of the bands Myronath and Ragnarok) at Minas Morgul Home Studio, who was also responsible for the album’s logo and cover art, Together as None is the representation of the music Saint Vermin has always wanted to compose as a solo Black Metal artist, giving the album an even more organic, raw and vibrant taste.

Wicked, dirty guitars darken the skies in the opening tune Plague of Suicide before Saint Vermin begins vociferating the song’s evil words like a creature form the abyss in a great display of Black Metal magic, whereas sluggish and grim from the very first second, Saint Vermin hammers his drums fiercely in The Saviour We Do Not Want, again showcasing venomous roars and the sharpness of classic Black Metal riffs throughout almost eight minutes of majestic extreme music. Our lone wolf of Black Metal continues his Stygian path in Servant of the Dark, once again paying his personal tribute to old school legends the likes of Immortal and Mayhem; and in the title-track Together as None we’re offered another onrush of ass-kicking Black Metal by Saint Vermin where his riffs and blast beats will crush your damned soul mercilessly. Then we have The Cosmic Eye, highly inspired by some of the darkest creations by the almighty Immortal, bringing forward pounding drums and anguished, grim vocals, and lastly Saint Vermin attacks our senses once again with his grim Black Metal in Against God, with his sick roars matching perfectly with the song’s demonic vibe and pace, ending the EP on a Mephistophelian mode.

You can enjoy the intense and obscure Together as None in all of its glory on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course Saint Vermin would love to have your utmost support by purchasing his album from the Pesttanz Klangschmiede’s BandCamp page or from Runica.eu, and don’t forget to also follow him on Facebook, on Instagram and on YouTube for news, plans for the future, and other nice-to-know information about such promising Black Metal entity. In other words, this cryptic Maltese solo artist is eager to capture your senses and embrace you with his obscure music, placing Together as None as one of the best releases coming from his beautiful homeland from the past few years.

Best moments of the album: The Saviour We Do Not Want and Together as None.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Pesttanz Klangschmiede

Track listing
1. Plague of Suicide 4:23
2. The Saviour We Do Not Want 7:47
3. Servant of the Dark 4:45
4. Together as None 5:53
5. The Cosmic Eye 5:21
6. Against God 6:35

Band members
Saint Vermin – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Decompose To Ashes / In The Eternal Silence EP (2023)

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This Czechia-based duo will darken your hearts and souls to the sound of their debut effort, exhaling the rawest and most primeval form of Black Metal.

Formed in 2022 in Děčín, a city in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic (or Czechia if you prefer), and highly influenced by old school Black Metal bands from the 90’s such as Mayhem, Burzum, Immortal and Darkthrone, the ruthless Black Metal/Ambient duo Decompose To Ashes is unleashing upon humanity their debut EP, titled In The Eternal Silence, showcasing all the talent and hatred by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Wlad and drummer Leviathan. Recorded in the summer of 2022 in Oslo, Norway and in Děčín, and mastered by Honza Kapák at Hellsound Studio, the album focuses on religion, nature, and even on the Helvete record store (currently named Neseblod Records), the record shop and unofficial metal museum in Norway’s capitol city that is also central in many regards to the early history of Black Metal, first opened in June 1991 by the late and now-infamous guitarist Euronymous (of Mayhem), showing how much 90’s Black Metal is essential in the lives of the band’s duo.

The opening track Dark Clouds is absolutely infernal form the very first second, living up to the legacy of the early days of Norwegian Black Metal with Leviathan hammering his drums mercilessly while Wlad gnarls the song’s lyrics in the name of evil (“The sun at the end of summer / It’s trying to defeat the clouds / Faint sun beams are falling on the rocks / And the sun loses to cold”), whereas Stavkirke is as demonic as the opening tune, with the duo dragging our souls into pitch black darkness with their insane riffage and blast beats. Then after the short and sweet instrumental interlude The Eternal Silence, it’s time for Wlad’s personal tribute to Euronymous titled Helvete, with his otherworldly riffs and vicious screeches adding an extra touch of obscurity to the overall result in a lecture in classic Black Metal. Black Blood showcases vile, sulfurous lyrics (“Angels who never loved you will leave / The wind from their wings will shut your eyes / White feather stained by your black blood”) while Leviathan makes the earth tremble with his devilish beats, flowing into the closing instrumental tune Water, Trees and Animals, an Ambient-infused composition that will bring some peace to your damned soul.

Such sulfurous Black Metal duo from Czechia doesn’t have Facebook, Instagram, nor any other type of social media, but that’s not a problem at all. For instance, you can find their demonic debut effort for purchase from BandCamp and, therefore, show all your support to the rawest and most primeval form of extreme music without having to worry about giving “likes” to anything. In The Eternal Silence is indeed a great homage to the early days of Black Metal, and the main reason for it is that Wlad and Leviathan put their (blackened) hearts and souls into the making of the album while always remaining loyal to the foundations of the genre and to their own principles. That’s exactly how first-class Black Metal is born.

Best moments of the album: Dark Clouds and Helvete.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Dark Clouds 4:17
2. Stavkirke 4:53
3. The Eternal Silence 0:56
4. Helvete 4:49
5. Black Blood 4:16
6. Water, Trees and Animals 3:49

Band members
Wlad – vocals, guitars, bass
Leviathan – drums

Album Review – Vale Of Amonition / Immortalizing the Lugubrious, or Those Of Evolving Despair (2023)

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Feast on the most ambitious, detailed and thrilling album by one of the driving forces of the extreme music scene in the Mother Continent.

Formed in 2009 in the city of Kampala, Uganda, molded and shaped in Kenya, and drawing from traditional and extreme doom sources such as Black Sabbath, My Dying Bride, Katatonia and Type O Negative, to name a few, the unrelenting Doom Metal entity Vale Of Amonition, whose name by the way refers to a place, a “sanctuary for warmakers” of sorts, with most of the lyricism being centered around happenings in that place, has just released their third full-length opus, entitled Immortalizing the Lugubrious, or Those Of Evolving Despair, the follow-up to their 2017 album Those of Tartarean Ancestry and their 2019 EP Ancient, Evil & African. Recorded and engineered by Nick Wathi at Andromeda Music, mixed and mastered by Luc Chiasson, and displaying a cryptic artwork by Ben Dickey, the new album rounds out the band’s ambitions thus far and provides us all with their most complete record yet, showcasing the undeniable talent and passion for heavy music by Victor Rosewrath on vocals and guitars, Solomon Dust also on the guitars, Mordecai O. Ogayo on bass, and Jude Bulinda on drums.

In the imposing opener Where They Gathered And Suffered, the band brings forward elements found in the crushing Doom Metal blasted by renowned acts the likes of Black Sabbath and Celtic Frost while Jude darkly smashes his drums accompanied by the Stygian riffs by Victor and Solomon; whereas their incendiary riffs keep penetrating deep inside our minds in Sons Of The Moribund, with Victor declaiming the song’s lyrics with tons of passion in this Progressive Doom Metal aria. My Firstborn Will Surely Be Blind is a beautiful song crafted by the quartet both musically and lyrically, with the sluggish, doomed beats by Jude and the rumbling bass by Mordecai adding an extra touch of obscurity to the overall result, and in Drink The Poetry Of The African Wretch we’re treated to the guest vocals by Nelecc (of Euphoric Decay, Nelecc, Krummholz and Void of Sorrow), bringing even more rage and anger to the music while Victor, Solomon and Mordecai offer our ears a thrilling stringed attack. Terminus is another dark and pensive tune by the band that reminds me of the Doom Metal played by My Dying Bride with Progressive Metal nuances, with Victor sounding utterly somber on vocals accompanied by the sinister, slow drums by Jude. Finally, closing the album we face eight minutes of first-class African metal titled At Evolution’s End, with the quartet blasting their visceral sound mercilessly spearheaded by another poetic vocal performance by Victor. Needless to say, there isn’t a single second left empty in this ode to darkness and doom.

The fantastic Immortalizing the Lugubrious, or Those Of Evolving Despair, which is by the way available in full on YouTube, is one of those must-have albums for anyone who’s a diehard fan of doom or African metal, or both, and if you consider yourself one of those fans you can purchase the album from the band’s own BandCamp page. Don’t forget to also follow Vale Of Amonition on Facebook for news, tour dates and other nice-to-know details about the band, and to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their music. Always forward-thinking and progressively inclined, Vale of Amonition have shifted into utterly bleak territory that is gloriously underscored with tribal menace since their inception, with their new album representing the coronation of this African quartet as one of the driving forces of the current metal scene in the Mother Continent.

Best moments of the album: My Firstborn Will Surely Be Blind and Drink The Poetry Of The African Wretch.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Where They Gathered And Suffered 9:16
2. Sons Of The Moribund 6:09
3. My Firstborn Will Surely Be Blind 7:35
4. Drink The Poetry Of The African Wretch 6:09
5. Terminus 6:58
6. At Evolution’s End 8:04

Band members
Victor Rosewrath – vocals, guitars
Solomon Dust – guitar
Mordecai O. Ogayo – bass
Jude Bulinda – drums

Guest musician
Nelecc – vocals on “Drink The Poetry Of The African Wretch”, guitar solo on “Sons Of The Moribund”

Album Review – Nemesism / Nemesism EP (2023)

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Follow in the footsteps of this Las Vegas-based Brutal Death Metal horde as they tear a bloody path into the future armed with their striking debut effort.

Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, infamously referred to as “Sin City”, the newborn ruthless Brutal Death Metal entity named Nemesism will crush you like an insect to the sound of their debut five-track self-titled EP. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Ryan Wechta (Cerebral Incubation, Guttural Secrete, Invirulant) at Sound Horizon Productions, the EP hits with a staggering sonic impact while the haunting artwork created by Bahrull Marta (Asagraum, Centinex, Illdisposed) completes the package perfectly, showcasing all the talent and fury of vocalist Andrew LoMastro (Cerebral Incubation), guitarist Randall Thompson (Euphegenia, Guttural Secrete), bassist Bruno Macias Quezada (Foul Deformity, Guttural Secrete), and drummer Michael Fitzgerald (Guttural Secrete).

From the pits of the underworld comes a sonic attack entitled Mindful Abomination, with Michael sounding like a demonic beast behind his drums while Andrew vomits the song’s darkened words manically in the name of Brutal Death Metal, followed by Absolved in the Abyss, even more demolishing than the opening tune, a bestial onrush of Death Metal by the band with Randall kicking ass with his riffs while Bruno is on fire armed with his rumbling bass. Then sheer hatred flows uninterruptedly in Constricting the Ambient Noise, with Andrew barking and screaming nonstop supported by the inhumane drums by Michael. Terminal Spreading Depolarization is a lesson in brutality, speed and heaviness by Nemesism where Randall doesn’t stop extracting pure electricity from his guitar, while Bruno’s bass will hammer your ears in great fashion, and the band makes sure no one survives their Brutal Death Metal assault by ending the EP with the fulminating Delusions of Morality, very technical and visceral spearheaded by Andrew’s evil roars and screeches.

Follow in the footsteps of Nemesism as they tear a bloody path into the future armed with their self-titled debut effort (available in full on YouTube and on Spotify), and who knows where this journey will end, being highly recommended for admirers of the music by Cryptopsy, Defeated Sanity, Malignancy and Wormed, among others. Hence, don’t forget to check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and to purchase a copy of their visceral EP from their own BandCamp page or Big Cartel, adding a relatively short but infuriated dosage of Brutal Death Metal made in the United States to your private collection of first-class extreme music.

Best moments of the album: Absolved in the Abyss and Terminal Spreading Depolarization.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Mindful Abomination 3:51
2. Absolved in the Abyss 2:50
3. Constricting the Ambient Noise 4:05
4. Terminal Spreading Depolarization 2:43
5. Delusions of Morality 4:01

Band members
Andrew LoMastro – vocals
Randall Thompson – guitar
Bruno Macias Quezada – bass
Michael Fitzgerald – drums

Album Review – Godiva / Hubris (2023)

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A prominent Symphonic and Melodic Death Metal horde from the Portuguese scene is back in action after a considerable hiatus with their first full-length opus.

One of the most prominent bands of the Portuguese Symphonic and Melodic Death Metal scene, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Braga-based horde Godiva is back in action after a considerable hiatus with their first full-length opus, entitled Hubris, sounding more imposing and orchestral than ever. Mixed and mastered by Wojtek Wiesławski (Behemoth, Decapitated, Doro) at Hertz Studio, Hubris will certainly appeal to fans of Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Carach Angren and Septicflesh, among others, offering us all 45 minutes of first-class extreme music carefully brought forth by the band’s strongest lineup since their inception in 1999, those being Pedro Faria on vocals, Ricardo Ribeiro on lead guitars, André Matos on rhythm guitars and orchestrations, Arcélio Sampaio on bass, and Eduardo Sinatra on drums.

Like the soundtrack to a horror movie, the opening tune Black Mirrors brings forward eerie background sounds, deep roars by Pedro and the crushing beats by Eduardo in a great Symphonic Black Metal extravaganza, whereas Ricardo and André slash their stringed axes mercilessly in the also obscure Dawn, once again blending classic Black Metal with contemporary and symphonic nuances. In Death Of Icarus the band’s musicality leans towards the Symphonic Black Metal played by renowned acts the likes of Carach Angren and Dimmu Borgir, with the classy sound of the piano matching flawlessly with the song’s riffage; and their heaviness keeps darkening the skies in Empty Coil, with Arcélio’s bass and Eduardo’s drums generating a thunderous ambience perfect for the sick, deep gnarls by Pedro. Then even more orchestral and majestic than the previous song, Faceless showcases Pedro’s sinister roars walking hand in hand with the furious beats by Eduardo.

Godspell, by far my favorite song of the album, offers our avid ears a fusion of the cinematic and extreme music blasted by Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Fitlh and Epica, spearheaded by the piercing vocals by Pedro while the band’s guitar duo kicks some ass with their riffs and solos, followed by the title-track Hubris, displaying a massive wall of sounds, being imposing and somber from start to finish, and with Eduardo’s tribal beats adding a touch of insanity to the overall result. It’s then time for another avalanche of Symphonic Black Metal by the quintet entitled Media God, keeping the album at a high level of sulfur thanks to another flammable performance by Pedro on vocals, while the band enhances their animosity and darkness in The All Seeing Eye, with Ricardo and André doing a great job on the guitars supported by the song’s infernal orchestrations and background elements. Last but not least, we’re treated to one final round of Godiva’s symphonic madness titled The Meaning of Life, with all the energy flowing from it putting a climatic ending to the album.

The talented Portuguese metallers from Godiva are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with news, tour dates, plans for the future and all things surrounding such obscure band, and don’t forget to also watch their official videos on YouTube and stream more of their music on Spotify. Hubris, which is now available for purchase from Godiva’s own BandCamp page and from Apple Music, represents more than just a return to action by Godiva; it’s also a solid statement that such focused and somber Symphonic and Melodic Death Metal act has finally found the desired shape and form for their sound, leaving us eager for more of their music in the coming years and, of course, beyond ready to succumb to our beloved darkness alongside them.

Best moments of the album: Death Of Icarus, Godspell and The All Seeing Eye.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Black Mirrors 5:10
2. Dawn 4:08
3. Death Of Icarus 3:51
4. Empty Coil 4:21
5. Faceless 3:25
6. Godspell 5:44
7. Hubris 4:52
8. Media God 4:49
9. The All Seeing Eye 4:54
10. The Meaning of Life 4:32

Band members
Pedro Faria – vocals
Ricardo Ribeiro – lead guitars
André Matos – rhythm guitars, orchestrations
Arcélio Sampaio – bass
Eduardo Sinatra – drums

Album Review – Skulldozer / Non Stop Ruthless Crushing (2023)

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Behold the debut effort by this ruthless American beast, showcasing a unique heaviness that’s firmly rooted in the old school but stands out in the current stream of Death Metal.

Blasting a visceral and crushing form of Death Metal since their inception back in 2020 in Texas, but currently located in Long Beach, a city located in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States, Skulldozer will smash your cranial skull with their newborn spawn, entitled Non Stop Ruthless Crushing. Combining elements of traditional Death Metal and modern melodic Sludge Metal, the band comprised of Jason Ramsay on vocals and guitars, Keith Dobson on lead guitars, Mike Spurlock on bass, and Joel Stepp on drums has truly captured a unique heaviness that’s firmly rooted in the old school but stands out in the current stream of Death Metal, delivering a ten-song offering of powerful and catchy, classic Death Metal that worships at the altar of righteous headbanging.

The title-track Non Stop Ruthless Crushing will darken your soul and crush you like an insect from the very first second, with Jason’s deep guttural walking hand in hand with the venomous riffage by the same Jason and Keith; whereas Joel sounds like a stone crusher in the vile Thy Enemies Driven Before Me, again showcasing the band’s passion for all things Death Metal, sounding visceral and heavy until the end. Kingdom Ossuarium is a neck-breaking, mid-tempo black mass by the quartet spearheaded by the inhumane roars by Jason while Mike hammers his bass mercilessly, and blasting sheer heaviness and hatred it’s time for Hatesworn Shitstorm, one of the most crushing songs of the album with Joel stealing the spotlight with his demonic beats. After that, get ready for two and a half minutes of absolute chaos and insanity titled Scum Beneath the Skin, offering brutal and technical Death Metal for the masses with Jason and Keith kicking ass with their riffs and solos.

Adding hints of obscure Doom Metal to their already damned sonority, the band fires Wolves Amongst Sheeple, showcasing another round of their headbanging riffs and fulminating beats, and more of their old school Death Metal sounds comes in the form of Bastards of Zeus, where not a single second is left empty, overflowing obscurity, rage and heaviness led by the pounding drums by Joel. Then in Bow to None the band alternates between faster moments and pure heaviness with Jason growling deeply during the entire song, supported by Joel’s crushing beats and Mike’s rumbling bass, whereas Deathblessed keeps the album at a high level of animosity, albeit a bit generic if compared to the rest of the album, while once again bringing elements from classic doom. Finally, those American death metallers offer our avid ears the infernal Skullfucking Domination, where the entire band is on fire, in special Joel with his demolishing beats, and with Jason vociferating rabidly in the name of extreme music.

If you want to show your support to this newborn beast named Skulldozer, you can start following them on Facebook and on Instagram for news, more of their music and so on, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and above all that, grab your copy of Non Stop Ruthless Crushing from their own BandCamp page as well as from the Guts and Blood Records’ BandCamp page. Skulldozer are among us to stay based on the high quality of the music found in their extremely vile debut album, and if I were you I would start warming up your neck for some unstoppable headbanging as soon as those guys hit the road with their venomous and demonic Death Metal.

Best moments of the album: Hatesworn Shitstorm, Scum Beneath the Skin and Skullfucking Domination.

Worst moments of the album: Deathblessed.

Released in 2023 Guts and Blood Records/Rotten Records

Track listing
1. Non Stop Ruthless Crushing 4:35
2. Thy Enemies Driven Before Me 4:01
3. Kingdom Ossuarium 4:59
4. Hatesworn Shitstorm 3:58
5. Scum Beneath the Skin 2:30
6. Wolves Amongst Sheeple 4:42
7. Bastards of Zeus 3:47
8. Bow to None 5:05
9. Deathblessed 6:33
10. Skullfucking Domination 4:03

Band members
Jason Ramsay – vocals, guitars
Keith Dobson – lead guitars
Mike Spurlock – bass
Joel Stepp – drums

Album Review – Motive Black / Auburn (2023)

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Rock on to the debut album by this promising Los Angeles-based band, peeling back the layers to reveal the dark and turbulent emotions that dwell in the heart of vocalist Elana Justin.

Peeling back the layers to reveal the dark and turbulent emotions that dwell in the heart of vocalist Elana Justin, Los Angeles, California-based Alternative Metal/Hard Rock group Motive Black is about to release their debut album, entitled Auburn. In collaboration with Grammy winning guitarist and producer Nick Rowe (Bloodsimple, Vampire Weekend), the duo have reworked songs from Elana’s former New York band, taking the music in a much heavier direction while also having guitarist Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.), drummer Ray Luzier (Korn), and vocalist Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies) as very special guests in the album. Produced by Nick at the legendary NRG Studios and mixed by Josh Wilbur, Auburn, which name was inspired by Elana’s sister’s auburn-colored hair (as losing her forced Elana to reexamine her life and make significant changes to it), will appeal to fans of Evanescence, The Pretty Reckless, Halestorm and In This Moment, among many others, representing a wild ride through that journey of anger, mania, deep love and self-discovery.

Nick wastes no time and begin an incendiary riff attack in Lift Me Up, featuring the she-wolf Carla Harvey as a guest vocalist, with the screams by Carla beautifully complementing the striking vocals by Elana; and featuring Ray Luzier on drums and Marcos Curiel on the guitars, Broken is another onrush of Alternative Rock and Metal that will please all admirers of the music by In This Moment and Halestorm. It’s then time for a headbanging tune titled Let Down, with Elana’s vocals alternating between Nu Metal and modern-day Hard Rock, not to mention how awesome Nick’s bass punches sound, and if you enjoy Halestorm’s modern sound you’ll have a blast with the rockin’ tune Bloodsport, showcasing hints of Punk Rock while Elana keeps kicking ass on vocals. Ray crushes his drums in the heavy and thrilling Caged, supported by the incendiary strings by Nick and, therefore, resulting in one of the best moments of the album. Such groovy and dark atmosphere continues in the Nu Metal feast Purge, again spearheaded by Elana’s strident vocals while Nick extracts tons of electricity from his guitar.

Supported by the frantic beats by Ray, Elana screams and roars in the name of Rock N’ Roll in Cellophane, an electrifying song perfect for slamming into the circle pit, followed by Bad Decisions, one of the most modernized of all songs, blending elements from the music by Korn, Nine Inch Nails and other renowned acts from the 2000’s rock scene. After that, Elana sounds insane in Fake, speeding things up to the classic beats by Ray while Nick’s riffage sets fire to the song’s already flammable vibe in an ass-kicking Alternative Metal extravaganza; whereas despite the solid job done by Ray on drums and the heavy riffs by Nick, the song Fight Alone sounds a bit generic compared to the rest of the album. The title-track Auburn offers our ears a passionate performance by Elana on vocals declaiming its pensive lyrics (“Who are you / When you’re all alone / When there’s no one looking / Do you still feel whole / What’s been living inside your soul / Are you empty inside / Are you empty inside”) while Ray dictates the pace with his pounding beats in a powerful heavy ballad, and lastly as a bonus we’re treated to the radio edit version of Lift Me Up, keeping the same energy of the original version.

The stunning Elana and her Motive Black are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with news, tour dates, more of their music and other nice-to-know details about the band, and don’t forget to also stream their classy creations on Spotify and to purchase your copy of auburn by clicking HERE. “I’m not an aggressive person,” Elana says. “But my music is very to the core; everything goes into it. I do most of my venting through music. It’s definitely a collaboration with Nick. We feed off each other and we’ve created some really cool music,” and we must all admit their partnership has been very productive and exciting so far, with Auburn becoming a must-listen album in the current American rock and metal landscape.

Best moments of the album: Lift Me Up, Cellophane and Fake.

Worst moments of the album: Fight Alone.

Released in 2023 AFM Records

Track listing
1. Lift Me Up 3:45
2. Broken 4:05
3. Let Down 3:36
4. Bloodsport 3:22
5. Caged  2:50
6. Purge 3:42
7. Cellophane 3:54
8. Bad Decisions 3:07
9. Fake 4:19
10. Fight Alone 3:40
11. Auburn 4:00
12. Lift Me Up (Single Edit) 3:34

Band members
Elana Justin – vocals
Nick Rowe – guitars, bass

Guest musicians
Carla Harvey – vocals on “Lift Me Up”
Ray Luzier – drums on “Broken”, “Caged”, “Cellophane”, “Fake”, “Fight Alone” and “Auburn”
Marcos Curiel – guitars on “Broken”

Album Review – Bloody Falls / Dying is Easy EP (2023)

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This Finnish five-piece metal act is ready to attack with their new EP, a representation of the way a happy life usually starts to sadden towards the end due to the inevitability of death.

Formed back in 2017 in the city of Valkeakoski, Finland, the five-piece killer combo known as Bloody Falls combines all kind of elements of the most extreme metal genres, including blasting drums, epic passages and memorable guitar riffs that will make your head explode in a million pieces, while having their sound rooted in contemporary Melodic Black and Death Metal. Now in 2023 the band formed of Antero Hakala on vocals, Stavros Mathios and Marko Mäkinen on the guitars, Mika Lehtinen on bass and Rami Vartiainen on drums is unleashing upon humanity their new EP entitled Dying is Easy, following up on their 2021 album Burn the Witch. Recording and produced by the band’s own guitarist Stavros Mathios at VStudio, and mixed and mastered by Max Morton at Morton Studio, the EP is a representation of the way a happy life usually starts to sadden towards the end due to the inevitability of death, all introduced by heavy riffs and guttural vocals.

Are you scared to die, or are you scared to live? Well, Bloody Falls will answer that question to you in Dying is Easy, a brutal explosion of Black, Death and Groove Metal led by the venomous roars by Antero while Stravos and Marko darken the atmosphere with their devilish riffs. Then get ready for six minutes of sheer heaviness and obscurity in the modern-day Black and Death Metal feast titled Dancing with Flames, with Mika’s rumbling bass and Rami’s hammering drums inspiring us all to break our necks headbanging like crazy bastards; whereas Face Your Demise leans towards modern-day Melodic Death Metal with some Metalcore nuances, with Antero’s vocals sounding as evil as possible accompanied by the classic and melodic guitars by Stravos and Marko. It’s time for a headbanging, visceral Melodic Death Metal tune entitled Death By Hanging, with Rami stealing the spotlight with his massive beats while Antero keeps roaring like a beast, and their last blast of extreme music comes in the form of Reaper Is My Neighbor, where the bass jabs by Mika will hit you hard in the face while the band’s guitar duo keeps slashing their stringed weapons in great fashion.

Although it would have been nicer to have a full-length album released by the band instead of just an EP, the 25 minutes of music found in Dying is Easy are already incendiary enough to prove how talented and passionate for heavy music those Finnish metallers are, and if you want to show them your support you can find them and start following them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream more of their music on Spotify, and grab a copy of their new EP from the Art Gates Records webstore, from Apple Music, or by clicking HERE. As death is inevitable, why not enjoy some good heavy music during our miserable lives like what Bloody Falls have to offer us all until our very last breath?

Best moments of the album: Dancing with Flames and Death By Hanging.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Art Gates Records

Track listing
1. Dying is Easy 5:13
2. Dancing with Flames 5:46
3. Face Your Demise 4:22
4. Death By Hanging 4:10
5. Reaper Is My Neighbor 4:39

Band members
Antero Hakala – vocals
Stavros Mathios – guitars
Marko Mäkinen – guitars
Mika Lehtinen – bass
Rami Vartiainen – drums