Category Archives: Album Reviews

Album Review – Atrocia / Contamination (2022)

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It’s time to slam into the pit to the vicious Death Metal spawned by this incendiary French band, dealing with a dystopian universe inspired by science-fiction literature.

The vicious Death Metal spawned by Saint-Nazaire, Pays de la Loire, France-based act Atrocia correlates with diversity and energy, being inspired by the major figures from the 90’s scene in the United States such as Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse and Death with elements of Thrash Metal and a nuance of Grindcore added to their trademark sound. Dealing with a dystopian universe in their lyrics since their inception in 2003, particularly inspired by science-fiction literature, Atrocia are back in action now in 2022 with their third full-length album, entitled Contamination, with the crisp recording and mixing by Arthur Lauth at Brown Bear Recording, the mastering by Zack Ohren at Castle Ultimate Productions, and the futuristic artwork by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design turning it into a must-listen for fans of the genre while also showcasing all the talent by vocalist and guitarist Julien Lésébos, guitarist Sebastian Fuentes, bassist Arnaud Beilvert, and drummer Pierre Garcia.

The fulminating riffs by Julien and Sebastian kick off the brutal Unleashing The Insurgency, with Pierre’s crushing beats adding even more fuel to the band’s Death Metal machine without showing a single second of peace, whereas more of the band’s vile Death Metal comes in the form of Corridors Of The Living Dead, with Julien barking deeply à la Chris Barnes while Arnaud’s bass and Pierre’s drums fill out every empty space in the atmosphere. In Incorporeal Killer the unrelenting Julien keeps vomiting the song’s bloodthirsty words while Pierre dictates the song’s pace, also bringing forward sick, strident guitar solos; and a beyond sinister intro gradually morphs into a putrid sonority in Monolith, an old school Death Metal extravaganza where the whole band will demolish our senses with their heavy-as-hell artillery.

The second half of the album begins in full force with Iron Corps Icy Stalk, presenting truly melodic riffs and solos by Julien and Sebastian while Arnaud and Pierre show no mercy for our damned souls with their wicked kitchen (despite its second part getting a bit repetitive), whereas Lies brings to our avid ears more of their old school Death Metal for our total delight, with Pierre once again stealing the spotlight with his infernal blast beats. Then a cinematic, cryptic start permeates the air until the band returns with their hellish wall of sounds in Curse Of The Two-Headed Queen Cobra, where their riffs will pierce our minds mercilessly, sounding and feeling absolutely pulverizing in an ode to all things Death Metal. Lastly, the band brings forth over seven minutes of pure savagery titled Embrace The Venom, perfect for headbanging like a beast while Pierre hammers his drums with tons of groove, supported by the diabolical riffs and bass by his bandmates.

In summary, Atrocia more than nailed it with Contamination, which is by the way available in full on Spotify, perfectly adding their dystopian lyrics into their core (and extremely brutal) Death Metal, and if you want to show those French metallers how much you love their music you can buy their new album from their own BandCamp page, from the Great Dane Records’ BandCamp page, from Season of Mist, from Apple Music, or from Amazon, as well as by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and by subscribing to their YouTube channel. It might have taken a few years after the band’s inception before they could release their first full-length effort, but now we can say such French brigade has been on a roll since their 2012 album Inward Chaos, with Contamination cementing their name in the French underground extreme music scene.

Best moments of the album: Unleashing The Insurgency, Incorporeal Killer and Curse Of The Two-Headed Queen Cobra.

Worst moments of the album: Iron Corps Icy Stalk.

Released in 2022 Great Dane Records

Track listing
1. Unleashing The Insurgency 4:59
2. Corridors Of The Living Dead 3:42
3. Incorporeal Killer 4:49
4. Monolith 7:09
5. Iron Corps Icy Stalk 4:50
6. Lies 4:51
7. Curse Of The Two-Headed Queen Cobra 5:34
8. Embrace The Venom 7:25

Band members
Julien Lésébos – vocals, guitar
Sebastian Fuentes – guitar
Arnaud Beilvert – bass
Pierre Garcia – drums

Album Review – Eternally Scarred / Echoes From Beneath (2022)

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A Melodic Death and Doom Metal one-man band from Armenia is ready to conquer all to the sound of his newborn beast, dealing with insanity, nightmares, powerlessness, corruption and loss.

Formed in 2016 in Yerevan, the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Artak Karapetyan, the thrilling Melodic Doom/Death Metal one-man act Eternally Scarred has been combining slower tempos with faster, melodic guitars and a raw, dirty production since their 2017 debut effort …of Wisdom, and that’s also the case with Artak’s newborn beast, titled Echoes From Beneath. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Artak himself, and displaying a sinister artwork by Vladimir Prokofiev from Paint-It-Black Design, Echoes From Beneath depicts an amalgamation of subjects such as insanity, nightmares, powerlessness, corruption, loss, coping with all aforementioned topics, or being overcome by them, all embraced by the multi-layered, bold music brought into being by this lone wolf from Armenia.

The opening tune Deviance begins in a very atmospheric and pensive manner, with the minimalist sounds by Artak growing in intensity until his riffs enfold us all in a Doom and Death Metal musicality, with his vociferations bringing even more obscurity to the song. Then leaning towards the music played by bands the likes of Insomnium, Artak slashes his guitar and pounds his drums in great fashion in Divinations, a lot heavier and more dynamic than its predecessor with the extra rage coming from its Death Metal nuances being fantastic; and Artak keeps blasting his drums in the name of doom in Brothers In Arms, bringing tons of groove and heaviness through his bass and piercing riffs. After that, Artak’s visceral guitar lines will decimate your senses in Parasomnia, with his deep, enraged guttural growls growing in intensity as the music progresses in a lecture in Melodic Death and Doom Metal.

Adding elements from Stoner and Sludge Metal to his already acid riffs, it’s time for Stone Cold Blood, where its experimental passages might not be bad but they end up taking part of the song’s punch; whereas back to a more doomed, gloomier sound our Armenian metaller offers us all The Absence, showcasing beautiful guitars, slow and steady drums, and his trademark devilish vocalizations. Then prepare your mind for an eight-minute journey through the realms of Atmospheric Doom Metal entitled If The Walls Could Talk, where Artak beautifully alternates between gentle, somber passages and sheer heaviness, followed by Voices Underneath, investing in a grandiose and melodic sound while bringing the same vibe as the music by several Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal icons such as Soilwork and In Flames, resulting in a multi-layered creation that will cut your skin deep majestically. Finally, ending such inspiring and deep album we have Eternally Scarred (Part II), where Artak once again blends melancholy and anger through his riffs, bass and drums, again vociferating rabidly until the very last second.

Such precious gem of the Armenian metal scene can be appreciated in full on YouTube and on Spotify, and obviously purchased from  the project’s own BandCamp page, from the Satanath Records’ BandCamp page, or from Discogs, if you want to show all your support and admiration for the music by Artak. You can also find him and his Eternally Scarred on Facebook, on Instagram and on VKontakte for news, tour dates and so on, letting him know that although he’s a one-man metal band, he’s definitely not alone. We’ll always carry the scars we get in our lives, even after our deaths, but that’s not a problem at all if that happens to the sound of the excellent Melodic Death and Doom Metal crafted by Eternally Scarred.

Best moments of the album: Divinations, If The Walls Could Talk and Voices Underneath.

Worst moments of the album: Stone Cold Blood.

Released in 2022 Satanath Records

Track listing
1. Deviance 6:40
2. Divinations 7:01
3. Brothers In Arms 4:30
4. Parasomnia 5:09
5. Stone Cold Blood 7:46
6. The Absence 8:00
7. If The Walls Could Talk 8:19
8. Voices Underneath 4:28
9. Eternally Scarred (Part II) 6:54

Band members
Artak Karapetyan – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – My Own Fear / Violence Made History (2022)

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Let’s all have a lesson in violence to the sound of the awesome first full-length album by this ruthless Death and Thrash Metal band from France.

Formed in 2011 in Val d’Oise, a department in the Île-de-France region in Northern France, Death/Thrash Metal troopers My Own Fear have just unleashed upon humanity their first full-length opus, titled Violence Made History, enhancing the heaviness, rage and fury from their 2014 debut EP Rise to a whole new level. Currently formed of Nicolas Benloulou on vocals, Stéphane Neraud and Fabrice Darmon on the guitars, Gilles Sala on bass, and Sébastien Geley on drums, My Own Fear will inspire you to slam into the circle pit to the sound of their newborn spawn dealing with controversial topics like death, inner struggles and the horrors of historical events the likes of the Spanish Inquisition, being highly recommended for admirers of the vicious and intricate music blasted by renowned acts such as Death, Sepultura and The Haunted, among several others.

The atmospheric, cinematic intro Once Upon a Fall works as the calm before the storm, as the band comes crushing our senses in 6:1 – 8, a frantic thrashing feast where Sébastien sounds demonic behind his drums accompanied by the dirty and piercing riffs by Stéphane and Fabrice, being perfect for some sick headbanging. The quintet keeps delivering sheer animosity and rage through their infernal music in Dux Bellarum, with Nicolas roaring manically in the name of Thrash Metal; and deadly and sinister from the very first second, the demolishing Hell Fire Club (H.F.C.) brings to our ears the pounding beats by Sébastien while Gilles hammers his bass nonstop, resulting in an excellent option for their live concerts. Then we have Torquemada, which starts in a cryptic manner to the sound of acoustic guitars before exploding into the band’s vicious fusion of Death and Thrash Metal, or in other words, it’s another neck-breaking tune by those French metallers that also presents exciting and melodic breaks and passages.

Ghosts on the Warpath is a lot more obscure and groovier than its predecessors, with the bass by Gilles sounding thunderous in a lesson in modern-day Death Metal with Hardcore nuances, and it looks like the band will keep firing their most vicious form of Death Metal in Salem, where Nicolas is bestial on vocals, roaring the song’s lyrics from the bottom of his blackened heart (not to mention the song’s wicked guitar solos). After that, the “Era of the Rats Trilogy” begins with 1349 – Era of the Rats, Pt. 1, an instrumental interlude that sounds as if the band is getting ready for war, evolving into the ass-kicking Devoured by Pestilence – Era of the Rats, Pt. 2, blending the best elements from Death and Thrash Metal with European Hardcore where Stéphane and Fabrice are once again demented with their riffage and solos, and finally ending the album the band brings forward five minutes of Death Metal darkness entitled Empire of the Rats – Era of the Rats, Pt. 3, with Gilles and Sébastien being in perfect sync by adding endless groove to the overall result.

In a nutshell, the excellent Violence Made History, which is available in full on Spotify, definitely sets the bar high for My Own Fear regarding their upcoming releases, but I’m sure those talented French musicians will find a way to sound even heavier and more compelling in the future. Hence, go check what My Own Fear are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course grab your copy of Violence Made History from Rock Metal Market, iMusician, Best Buy, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Record Store Day. My Own Fear are opening up our eyes to the undeniable truth that violence indeed made what we know today as History, and violence is what will keep fueling not only the future of humanity, but also the first-class music crafted by such skillful and focused band from France.

Best moments of the album: Hell Fire Club (H.F.C.), Ghosts on the Warpath and Salem.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2022 M.U.S.I.C. Records

Track listing
1. Once Upon a Fall 1:09
2. 6:1 – 8 5:41
3. Dux Bellarum 4:13
4. Hell Fire Club (H.F.C.) 4:08
5. Torquemada 4:20
6. Ghosts on the Warpath 4:04
7. Salem 5:09
8. 1349 – Era of the Rats, Pt. 1 1:36
9. Devoured by Pestilence – Era of the Rats, Pt. 2 3:51
10. Empire of the Rats – Era of the Rats, Pt. 3 5:02

Band members
Nicolas Benloulou – vocals
Stéphane Neraud – guitars, backing vocals
Fabrice Darmon – guitars
Gilles Sala – bass
Sébastien Geley – drums

Album Review – Chaoseum / The Third Eye (2022)

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This Lausanne, Switzerland-based Nu Metal/Metalcore outfit welcomes us all back to their museum of chaos to the sound of their fourth full-length album.

The talented vocalist CK Smile, guitarists Loïc Duruz and Valery Veings, and drummer Greg Turini, collectively known as the unstoppable Lausanne, Switzerland-based Nu Metal/Metalcore outfit Chaoseum, are welcoming us all back to their “museum of chaos” with the release of their fourth full-length album, entitled The Third Eye, following up on their critically acclaimed 2020 album Second Life. Recorded by Chaoseum at Chaos Studio and Conatus Studios, mixed and mastered by Gwen Kerjan at Slab Sound Studio, and again displaying a grim artwork by Brazilian artist Gustavo Sazes, The Third Eye showcases a more mature and dynamic Chaoseum, who are never afraid of experimenting with new sounds while staying true to their roots throughout the entire album.

I, Sexy Zombie already provides us all with a classy fusion of Alternative Metal and Metalcore where CK’s vocals are at the same time enraged and wicked, while Loïc and Valery extract sheer groove from their stringed weapons; and drinking form the same fountain as renowned acts the likes of Korn and Marilyn Manson the band offers us Unreal, perfect for raising your horns at a sick Halloween party while also showcasing an amazing guitar job done by the band’s talented axe duo. Dance on My Grave is modern and electrifying form the very first second, with Loïc, Valery and Greg making the earth tremble, offering CK exactly what he needs to declaim the song’s dark lyrics (and all spiced up by the song’s incendiary backing screams), whereas the interlude The Third Eye brings to our avid ears somber and atmospheric passages before exploding into Fly Away, inviting us all to jump up and down and bang our heads nonstop to the furious beats by Greg, also displaying the band’s trademark melody and modernized sounds.

Rumbling bass lines and chaotic riffs and beats ignite the dense tune My Wonderland, where once again CK is on fire on vocals in another great sample of how the band’s musicality has evolved in an exciting way through the years. Then it’s time to hit the dance floor together with Chaoseum and succumb to pitch black darkness to the sound of Welcome Home, a fantastic modern-day Metalcore and Alternative Metal extravaganza led by CK’s anguished vocals, followed by the dark ballad Until The End, with Greg dictating the pace with his sluggish beats while also presenting another amazing guitar work done by Loïc and Valery. Their second to last blast of modern and groovy sounds, entitled Sanctum Cinerem, will hammer your head mercilessly from the very first second, with CK sounding possessed on vocals as usual; and What If is perhaps the most experimental of all songs while still bringing the band’s core Alternative Metal, offering our ears solid instrumental pieces by all band members and, therefore, turning it into a great option for their live performances.

If you want to savor The Third Eye in its entirety you can stream the album on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course the guys from Chaoseum would love to see their new album added to your personal collection by purchasing it from their own webstore, from their BandCamp page, from Le Lapin Blanc (as a CD or an LP), from Apple Music, or from Amazon. Furthermore, don’t forget to give them a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, and to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their unique creations. I don’t know what’s next for Chaoseum, but if they keep working so hard and so focused, delivering great music like what they did in The Third Eye, we can rest assured their “museum of chaos” will remain open and expanding in the most exciting way imaginable.

Best moments of the album: Unreal, Dance on My Grave and Welcome Home.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2022 Independent

Track listing
1. I, Sexy Zombie 4:05
2. Unreal 5:09
3. Dance on My Grave 3:53
4. The Third Eye 1:33
5. Fly Away 4:24
6. My Wonderland 5:00
7. Welcome Home 6:33
8. Until The End 4:00
9. Sanctum Cinerem 5:38
10. What If 5:56

Band members
CK Smile – vocals
Loïc Duruz – guitars, bass
Valery Veings – guitars
Greg Turini – drums

Album Review – Golgata / Ur Eld Och Aska (2022)

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***Review by Luke Hayhurst, writer for Morbid Wings (Print) Zine, VM Underground Fanzine and Doom-Metal.com***

An intriguing band is Golgata. A two man affair who list themselves as Spokesman 1 and 2, and a compelling and evocative piece of cover art on their new album that brings back some very nostalgic feelings for some important 90’s Black Metal releases. Ur Eld Och Aska or in English “out of fire and ashes”, is the duo’s third album in four years and has been released on CD by Satanath Records, as was debut album Skam (“Shame”) and 2020’s Tempel (“Temple”).

It isn’t just the artwork that gives off those 90’s vibes. Listen to the opening title track and you’ll be transported back thirty years to murky and bleak guitar tones, grandiose drumming techniques and biting melodies. Throw in some menacing croaky vocals, chanted backing vocals and an unrelenting bass tone, and all the ingredients are present for a superb album.

Another aspect of this album that harks back to another era is the production. The vocals sit slightly lower than the drums and bass in the mix, as do the guitars. Rather than this being a simple mistake in the mastering, I’d say this feels like it has been done deliberately and rather than diminish the overall sound it actually adds a level of bleak charm to proceedings.

Whilst the opening track has a compelling, fluid sound to it, tracks such as Undersatar (“Subjects”) have a far more rigid and steely sound to the riffs, and songs such as Liv for en Gud (“Live for one God”) combine the bands penchant for the melodic with a hard nosed determined sound, often at a slower and more calculating tempo.

Don’t get me wrong when I mentioned the 90’s influence, this is no album playing out a nostalgia trip for the sake of it, rather Golgata play music that pays tribute to the past whilst decisively moving forward. Ur Eld Och Aska is a supreme slice of Melodic Black Metal craftsmanship; captivating and enthralling.

Best moments of the album: The artwork is stunning, and the whole atmosphere of the album is captivating.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2022 by Satanath Records

Track listing
1. Ur Eld Och Aska 4:31
2. Undersåtar 4:13
3. Liv För En Gud 4:12
4. Vagabond 6:20
5. Återkomst 3:42
6. En Sista Synd Innan Fallet 4:29
7. Marvatten 4:22
8. Vagabond II 1:26

Band members
Spokesman 2 (Niclas Ankarbranth) – vocals, guitars, bass, drums
Spokesman 1 (S.) – guitars

Guest musicians
Jonas Olsson – mandolin (track 4, 6) on “Vagabond” and “En Sista Synd Innan Fallet”
Mari Biäre Howerdal – female vocals (track 1, 6, 7) on “Ur Eld Och Aska”, “En Sista Synd Innan Fallet” and “Marvatten”

Links
Golgata Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | BandCamp | Spotify

Album Review – Fleshgore / Carnival of Flesh (2022)

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A ruthless Brutal Death Metal brigade from Ukraine is ready to attack our senses with their pulverizing sixth full-length album.

Formed in 2000 in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the ruthless Brutal Death Metal brigade known as Fleshgore is ready to attack our senses with their sixth full-length album, entitled Carnival of Flesh, following up on their 2016 opus Denial of the Scriptures. Comprised of Michele Borniotto on vocals, Igor Lystopad and Sad on the guitars, Ruslan Drozd on bass and vocals, and Eduard Litvyakov on drums, this Ukrainian entity sounds absolutely furious throughout the entire album, offering us all pure Brutal Death Metal of the highest caliber for lovers of Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Severe Torture, Pyrexia and Pyaemia, among others, proving the band made the right decision to get back to their visceral, demolishing roots after taking on a modern Thrash Metal and Deathcore sound around a decade ago, placing them among the most exciting names of the current Ukrainian extreme music scene.

Igor and Sad waste no time and begin slashing their stringed axes in Distorted Lights, an in-your-face Death Metal onrush that will invite you to crush your damned skull into the circle pit; and Michele roars deeply like a savage beast in the title-track Carnival of Flesh, another Brutal Death Metal creation by the quintet showcasing the heavy artillery brought forth by Eduard behind his drums. Then we have Inhuman Existence, even more demented and vile than its predecessors, with the gruesome vociferations and screeches by Michele being spot-on supported by the sick riffage by the band’s guitar duo, whereas Buried Truth sounds truly obscure with a demonic twist, with Ruslan’s metallic bass and Eduard’s hammering drums adding tons of heaviness to the overall result. And the band puts the pedal to the metal and invites us all to slam into the pit like true metalmaniacs in Modern Arts of Slavery, with Michele barking manically and deeply while his bandmates generate a menacing wall of sounds in the name of sheer brutality.

Get ready to break your neck in half to the sound of Hive of Insanity, another solid display of Brutal Death Metal with Igor and Sad kicking some serious ass with their riffs accompanied by the metallic bass by Ruslan; and those Ukranian metallers keep breathing fire, groove and rage in the infernal Invisible Reality, presenting more of their wicked Death Metal spearheaded by another pulverizing performance by Eduard on drums, morphing into the hellish Frail Utopia, keeping the album at a humongous level of violence and gore with Michele’s guttural roars haunting our souls for all eternity. The second to last explosion of pure death by Fleshgore comes in the form of War is an Amusement, highly recommended for fans of bands like Cannibal Corpse and Immolation, whereas Ad Astra puts a fulminating ending to the album, with the guitars by Igor and Sad sounding infernal together with the blast beats by Eduard, reminding us all that if this song is played live one day, there will be blood.

The unrelenting metallers from Fleshgore are waiting for you on Facebook, on Instagram and on VKontakte, and of course you can stream all of their sick creations, including Carnival of Flesh sooner than you can say “brutality”, on Spotify. Moreover, above all that, you should definitely purchase a copy of Carnival of Flesh from the Xtreem Music’s BandCamp page, adding an extra dosage of violence and gore to your private (and evil) album collection while showing all your support to the Ukrainian underground. As aforementioned, Brutal Death Metal is where Fleshgore truly belong and thrive, and if they keep crafting the same level of brutality found in Carnival of Flesh in their future releases, we can rest assured they’ll continue to be one of the references in the current Ukrainian extreme scene.

Best moments of the album: Inhuman Existence, Modern Arts of Slavery and Frail Utopia.

Worst moments of the album: Buried Truth.

Released in 2022 Xtreem Music

Track listing
1. Distorted Lights 5:39
2. Carnival of Flesh 3:12
3. Inhuman Existence 3:22
4. Buried Truth 4:58
5. Modern Arts of Slavery 3:25
6. Hive of Insanity 4:44
7. Invisible Reality 3:39
8. Frail Utopia 2:53
9. War is an Amusement 3:11
10. Ad Astra 3:34

Band members
Michele Borniotto – vocals
Igor Lystopad – guitars
Sad – guitars
Ruslan Drozd – bass, vocals
Eduard Litvyakov – drums

Album Review – Imha Tarikat / Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless World (2022)

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Vicious and vitriolic, full of raw anger and burning hatred, the new album by this German Black Metal entity will pulverize your senses mercilessly.

Vicious and vitriolic, full of raw anger and burning hatred, yet at the same time bursting with live and lingering on moments of astonishing beauty, Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless World, the third full-length opus by German Black Metal entity Imha Tarikat (Turkish for “extermination sect”), announces its inherent contradictions and struggles already in the title. Recorded and produced by the band’s mastermind Kerem Yilmaz (aka Ruhsuz Cellât), mixed by Michael Zech, mastered by Victor Santura (of Triptykon) at Woodshed Studio, and displaying a sinister cover and illustration by Artem Grigoryev (with sigil and additional illustration by Next Gate Art, and additional illustration by Raul CJ Peña), Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless World is essentially a Black Metal album in the crackling dry and humorless German style that renounces all bombast and often folk-ish undertones of its Nordic counterparts, with Kerem Yilmaz creating new layers and expanding the dimensions of his unique compositions, supported by session drummer Melvin Cieslar (of Hexer).

Absolutely atmospheric and sinister, Intro – Deeper Within will drag your soul to the Stygian lair of Imha Tarikat before all hell breaks loose in Radical Righteousness, a song that deals with the detachment from addiction to emotional suffering, with Kerem screaming in anger nonstop accompanied by his own scorching riffs and the demented but very intricate drumming by Melvin. Touch Of Mercy starts in a serene, melodic manner to the beautiful guitar lines by Kerem, blending elements from the most primeval form of Black Metal with Progressive and Experimental Metal, whereas Brute Majesty is another song that exhales chaos, insanity and fury, with Melvin sounding bestial on drums while Kerem’s vocals get more and more rabid as the music evolves. And Flood Of Love (The Beast Trigger) will grab you by your throat and choke the life out of your body, sounding massive, sharp and caustic from start to finish, with Kerem stealing the show with his wicked riffs and vile roars.

The phantasmagorical (and a bit lengthy) Interlude – Birth Of Grandeur breaks the album in two, setting the tone for the second half starting with Dominator Proselytism Tactics, offering our ears a very dynamic, straightforward Black Metal sonority led by Melvin’s wicked beats. Put differently, it’s a truly infernal creation by Imha Tarikat, which can also be said about Streams Of Power – Canavar, presenting an incendiary Punk Rock/Hardcore vibe the likes of Misfits. It’s the less Black Metal of all songs, yet still acid and thrilling, not to mention the rumbling bass by Kerem is a thing of beauty; while Stardust Wisdom (Manifest Of The Deity To The Unkeen) is another strident, heavy-as-hell tune where Kerem’s anguished vocals walk hand in hand with the pounding drums by Melvin. And last but not least, it’s time for another obscure extravaganza entitled Beast Of Sovereignty, showcasing Kerem’s trademark vocals and riffs always supported by Melvin and his demented drums.

Kerem Yilmaz and his alter-ego Imha Tarikat are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates, plans for the future and so on, and if you want to show your full support to such talented musician from Germany you can purchase Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless by clicking HERE and by streaming the album in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify. In summary, Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless World is not an album for anyone, while at the same time it is for everyone, showing how dynamic and multi-layered the music crafted by Imha Tarikat is, turning Kerem’s anger and hatred into amazing music that will keep the fires of Black Metal burning for centuries to come.

Best moments of the album: Flood Of Love (The Beast Trigger), Dominator Proselytism Tactics and Streams Of Power – Canavar.

Worst moments of the album: Interlude – Birth Of Grandeur.

Released in 2022 Lupus Lounge/Prophecy Productions

Track listing
1. Intro – Deeper Within 1:27
2. Radical Righteousness 5:57
3. Touch Of Mercy 5:04
4. Brute Majesty 5:19
5. Flood Of Love (The Beast Trigger) 5:32
6. Interlude – Birth Of Grandeur 2:31
7. Dominator Proselytism Tactics 5:51
8. Streams Of Power – Canavar 4:50
9. Stardust Wisdom (Manifest Of The Deity To The Unkeen) 6:44
10. Beast Of Sovereignty 5:48

Band members
Kerem Yilmaz – vocals, guitars, bass

Guest musician
Melvin Cieslar – drums (session)

Album Review – Fifth Ring / Masochist (2022)

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This ruthless trio based in Taiwan and the United States will break your bones with their debut full-length monstrosity, a maelstrom where Blackened Deathcore, Progressive Death Metal and sheer bloody brutality collide and explode.

With the soul focus on creating the heaviest riffs, the sickest slams and the filthiest breakdowns, the members of Tainan, Taiwan/Atlanta, Georgia, United States-based Blackened Deathcore horde Fifth Ring have been creatively active with other musical projects for over ten years now and have come together once again to create a whole new monstrosity, entitled Masochist. Following on directly from their 2022 three-track EP Dawn, Masochist is a huge leap forward for Fifth Ring in every department, a maelstrom where Blackened Deathcore, Progressive Death Metal and sheer bloody brutality collide and explode, therefore showcasing all the talent and fury by Zachary Kepley on vocals, bass and drum programming, Christopher Williamson on the guitar and Q. Keith Brown Jr. on drums, and being highly recommended for fans of Cattle Decapitation, Bog Wraith, Sun Speaker and Katabasis, among others.

The opening tune Ten Horns is noisy, vile and brutal from the very first second, with the infernal vociferations by Zachary walking hand in hand with his own demonic bass punches in an awesome fusion of Brutal Death Metal and Deathcore where the riffs by Zachary and Christopher will pierce your skull mercilessly. The Snake is just as demonic as its predecessor, with Q. Keith crushing his drums in the name of Blackened Deathcore, exhaling groove and rage for our total delight; whereas in Crimson Mask we face sick words barked by Zachary (“Stretch out the spine / Broken neck / Barbed wire / Guillotine / Now the wound has opened up”) amidst a hurricane of metallic sounds perfect for slamming into the circle pit. Then bringing forward elements from classic Thrash and Death Metal we have Head on a Pike, where Q. Keith once again does a great job behind his drums; and switching gears to a more melodic, pensive sonority, get ready for six intense minutes in Dust to Dust, which loses its grip after a while, consequently sounding a bit tiresome in the end.

Back to a more Hardcore sound, the trio drinks form the same fountain as renowned acts the likes of Lorna Shore and Whitechapel in Maggot King, showcasing a violent riff attack by Zachary and Christopher, whereas in Waste we’re treated to another round of their acid lyrics (“Dead in the waste / By the time I was saved / I never / Prayed to a god / Who forsakes / Everyone who’s praises / Dead on cross / With no head / Upside down and rancid”) while the music brings to our ears endless savagery and heaviness. The Pit is a brutal, neck-breaking creation by the trio that will please all fans of the darkest side of Deathcore, with Zachary sounding inhumane on vocals while Q. Keith continues to kick ass on drums, resulting in the heaviest of all songs hands down. Lastly, ending the album on a demonic mode, more of the trio’s trademark aggressiveness is offered to us all in Lurking in the Open Wound, while also presenting some cryptic, somber passages until its melancholic finale.

You can enjoy Masochist and all of its heaviness and gore on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course in order to show your support to the underground extreme scene you should buy the album from their own BandCamp page, from Apple Music, or by clicking HERE, proving you’re indeed a circle pit connoisseur. In addition, go check what the trio is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their demented music. Listen to Masochist and feel your mind forcibly expanded while your bones are remorselessly broken, and may Fifth Ring keep destroying everything and everyone that crosses their path with more first-class releases such as their new album in the coming years.

Best moments of the album: Ten Horns, Crimson Mask and The Pit.

Worst moments of the album: Dust to Dust.

Released in 2022 Independent

Track listing
1. Ten Horns 4:16
2. The Snake 4:05
3. Crimson Mask 3:20
4. Head on a Pike 4:59
5. Dust to Dust 6:02
6. Maggot King 3:39
7. Waste 3:47
8. The Pit 4:12
9. Lurking in the Open Wound 6:12

Band members
Zachary Kepley – vocals, bass, drum programming
Christopher Williamson – guitar
Q. Keith Brown Jr. – drums

Album Review – Orphique / Consécration Cadavérique (2022)

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***Review by Luke Hayhurst, writer for Morbid Wings (Print) Zine, VM Underground Fanzine and Doom-Metal.com***

Quebecois one man Black Metal project Orphique has unveiled a debut album entitled Consécration Cadavérique, which has been independently released on cassette, but has also seen a CD release via Sepulchral Productions.

The first of five tracks, Onirique has a steady, composed feeling to it; a methodical sound that breaks into blast beating fury in a mature and controlled way. Vocally, Monsieur Potter has a powerful snarling style, whilst his song-writing technique leans towards the intricate and thought provoking. He’s also a very talented guitarist and some of his guitar based melodies are extremely beautiful to behold, as are his stark, cold undertones. As for his bass playing technique, it is again deliberate, strong and pronounced, and each instrument has been given its time to shine on this opening track, which just like the whole album is recorded and mastered smoothly.

Whilst this album is technically very sound, there is a spark missing in my opinion. So, whilst the album is more than listenable, it also fails to set the blood pumping in a way that a truly great album would. If anything, Consécration Cadavérique feels very much like a paint by numbers album, right down to the subtle use of synth and the obligatory tremolo picking. So whilst everything fits well together, the album flows nicely and there is plenty of bleak melody involved, it still feels a little formulaic.

With all of that being said, Consécration Cadavérique is still a very enjoyable album, just not an exciting one.

Best moments of the album: The overall fluency and technicality of the musicianship.

Worst moments of the album: There are no worst moments especially.

Released in 2022 by Sepulchral Productions

Track listing
1. Onirique 10:15
2. Vampirique 8:31
3. Chromatique 6:04
4. Chimérique 5:23
5. Sporadique 8:43

Band members
David Potter – vocals

Guest musicians
Marc-Antoine Lizotte – guitars
Arnaud Fillion – bass
Michel Bélanger – drums
Cyril Tousignant – acoustic guitars, additional vocals
Conor Campbell – additional vocals

Links
Orphique Facebook | BandCamp

Album Review – Eskhaton / Horracle EP (2022)

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***Review by Luke Hayhurst, writer for Morbid Wings (Print) Zine, VM Underground Fanzine and Doom-Metal.com***

Australian horde Eskhaton had a lot of momentum on the run up to the end of the decade, and then the pandemic hit. Now though, the band has returned with a Hell’s Headbangers Records released, a five track EP entitled Horracle.

Eskhaton perform with a frenetic, urgent energy, and they aren’t averse to dabbling in unorthodox time signatures which break up the flow of their blistering brutality. Horracle is a combination of ruthless, menacing growled vocals, intensive cavernous sounding drum tones, as well as thundering bass play and maniacal, scorching guitar leads and riffs.

When Eskhaton aren’t ploughing a deep groove of bleak Death Metal savagery, their guitarists engage in frequent bouts of technical barbarity in the form of colossal guitar solos that sound out at will and rise from the gloom and up into the toxic atmosphere created by this malevolent and crushing release.

I think the artwork for this release really hits the spot, for just like the album art there is a shocking current of damaging energy that runs through this release, whether it be from the controlled pummelling from the man behind the drum kit, the unstoppable ferocity of the vocalist or the marauding aggression from the guitarists.

With only five tracks to play with, Eskhaton do keep things pretty similar throughout, so you could say a lack of variety in their play is a downside, however this is picking fault when there is very little to be had. This EP makes up for this shortcoming with stunning brutality and technical wizardry, and the end result is a very solid slab of Aussie Death Metal.

Best moments of the album: The vocals. Utterly ruthless growling fury. Also the guitar tones, furious and bleak.

Worst moments of the album: None

Released in 2022 by Hells Headbangers Records

Track listing
1. Omnicidol 7:54
2. Khaossuary 6:33
3. Vortexecution 3:31
4. Aftermathemagician 3:03
5. Nethereal 8:19

Band members
Invokocide – vocals, guitars
Whirlwindead – guitars
Sublimorkunt – bass
Militiarkh – drums

Links
Eskhaton Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | BandCamp