Tag Archives: death metal

Album Review – Sarpentra / Supernova (2015)

Posted on by
1

Obscure and enigmatic, this impressive Blackened Death Metal band from Russia will break into your psyche and give you a unique sense of freedom with their thunderous music.

Rating4

Sarpentra - Supernova - coverLet me start by telling you how different this review is going to be, as for the first time ever I have absolutely no idea who the band members are for the band in question, Russian Blackened Death Metal entity Sarpentra, and according to different sources I’ve been in contact with they’re keeping their names in secret on purpose. The band itself states that Sarpentra are “more than a group of people who play music. It is an idea, symbiosis of spirit, music and mind, compounded in a single organism, which creates its own fate.” With that said, I guess the best option in this case is simply absorbing and enjoying their music without worrying about who’s playing it, don’t you agree?

And what Sarpentra have to offer us in their debut full-length album, entitled Supernova, definitely makes up for that lack of information on the band members. The entire album presents an incredible mix of extreme aggression and mystical instrumentation, following a similar music pattern from icons such as Nile and Behemoth, or as the band likes to say, it’s “an eleven-tracked hymn to domination of mind above stagnation, bigotry and imitation of life and freedom.” And in case you still don’t get it, just hit play and you’ll be taken into a music journey full of orchestrations, choirs, beautiful guitars and devastating drums that will make your metallic head spin around like a violent whirlwind.

Right after the quick sinister intro Archaios Ophios (Initiation), Sarpentra’s brutal and technical Death Metal comes crashing like a thunder storm in Iron Nails Run In, a modernized version of extreme music intensified by the addition of symphonic elements, where its Black Metal blast beats and evil progressiveness are truly outstanding. In the pure Blackened Death Metal tune Splendor Solis, the guttural vocals sound vile and ruthless in contrast to the eerie ambience generated by synths and backing vocals, with its guitar solos providing a good balance amidst all the sonic devastation; while the supernatural intro and Middle-Eastern guitar scale in the excellent Sempiternal transport the listener to a hopeless and deserted land. It’s a flawless blend of old school Death Metal and Symphonic Black Metal, reminding me of some classics by Behemoth due to its blackened vocals and intricate guitar riffs and solos.

sarpentraThe boisterous Odium (The Temple of the Sacred False) is a short and skilful exhibit of extreme music, an evil old school Death Metal song with demonic vociferations more than perfect for fans of Extreme Metal, followed by the imposing symphonic instrumental track V.V.V.V.V., or “vi veri veniversum vivus vici” (a Latin phrase meaning “by the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe”), and the amazing I Set the World on Fire, where its drums are absolutely on fire while its vocals are bursting with anger. Complex and electrifying, in special its razing guitar lines, this is the next step in the expedition to the deranged land created by this extremely sharp and talented band.

The War Anthem doesn’t have “war” in its name in vain: it’s yet another inhuman tune where it’s quite clear they’re trying to blacken their Progressive Death/Black Metal as much as possible. Furthermore, those guys love shredding and delivering fast guitar solos more than their own lives without a shadow of a doubt. Then we have the title-track, Supernova, where you can feel the solar power present in the album art through their mix of Death, Black, Symphonic and even Progressive Metal, a feast for music lovers. In addition, there’s something primeval and mysterious in this song that makes it so interesting it’s hard to describe, you have to listen to it carefully to understand what I’m trying to say.

Anyway, Omnia Vincam  (Latin for “I will conquer all”) is an eerie instrumental track impregnated with occult voices that opens the gates for the most epic song of the album, Prometheus Unbound, where its energy and intensity provide the listener the ultimate journey to Sarpendra’s godforsaken land. Showcasing a very cohesive and majestic instrumental from start to finish, all orchestrations and backing vocals perfectly support the depiction of an ancient civilization worshiping the demigod Prometheus, finally unleashed from his burdensome chains.

There are infinite ways to get in touch with Sarpentra and know more about their elaborate music, such as their official Facebook page, VKontakte and YouTube channel, and you can buy the striking Supernova at the band’s Big Cartel, Amazon, iTunes and Google Play. It doesn’t matter how enigmatic and obscure Sarpentra are, their music is all that’s needed for a unique experience of mind and soul, breaking into your psyche and giving you a sense of freedom in a way only sumptuous heavy music is capable of doing.

Best moments of the album: Iron Nails Run In, Sempiternal and Prometheus Unbound.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2015 Independent

Track listing
1. Archaios Ophios (Initiation) 0:20
2. Iron Nails Run In 4:34
3. Splendor Solis 3:04
4. Sempiternal 5:36
5. Odium (The Temple of the Sacred False) 2:58
6. V.V.V.V.V. 2:23
7. I Set the World on Fire 4:13
8. The War Anthem 3:11
9. Supernova 5:10
10. Omnia Vincam 2:02
11. Prometheus Unbound 7:17

Band members
*Information not available*

Album Review – Vacivus / Rite of Ascension EP (2015)

Posted on by
1

Fill the void you feel within with the Blackened Death Metal crafted by this devilish British horde.

Rating5

Vacivus - Rite of Ascension - coverDealing with the occult, death and transcendence, here comes British Blackened Death Metal band Vacivus and their debut EP entitled Rite of Ascension, an album that has enough power to darken your mind and spirit despite being relatively short. If you are already aware of how impactful both the music and the message generated by other Blackened Death Metal bands in the world such as the iconic Behemoth, Belphegor and Goatwhore are, you might have a pretty good idea of what Vacivus have to offer. If not, you better get ready because things are about to get heavy and atrocious.

However, this promising horde is not emerging from the depths of the UK depending strictly upon the heaviness of their music, but they also rely on their undeniable capability to add feeling and intricacy to a vortex of wickedness, showing beyond doubt their skills as musicians. On a side note, Vacivus seem to be extremely attentive to all details involving their music, as for example what they did with the already sold-out special cassette edition of the EP, releasing it on a special “Noir Void Shell” and inked with the “blood of their enemies”. In other words, they’re another good example of how the fusion of hard work and talent always results in awesomeness.

When you start listening to the opening track, Dark Apotheosis, you’ll feel like you’re descending into the fires of hell, where a dark void of despair is forged through the demonic vocals by Nick Craggs and the sinister guitar lines by Dan Rochester and Ross Oliver. Although this song is primarily raw Death Metal, you can taste the venom brought forth by its Black Metal elements. In the title-track, Rite of Ascension, it’s time for drummer Ian Finley to guide the rhythm with his raw blast beats, helping the musicality flow from faster and harsher moments to primeval Blackened Doom. I don’t know if anyone will agree with me, but the “filthy” production of the EP ends up enhancing the obscurity of their music, and therefore the overall quality of the album.

VacivusAgeless, Nameless starts in a more melodic way before evil dominates the sounding again, with the suffocating growls by Nick reaching a whole new demonic level. It’s dense and ominous, with highlights to the way its last part morphs into melancholic and infernal Doom Metal. And there’s no sign of hope when Hostis Rei (which probably means “the accused enemies” or something similar to that in English) begins, sounding like this song was literally crafted in hell. The whole band keeps delivering darkness and evil in the form of heavy and constant guitar lines as well as reverberating bass lines, turning it into my favorite of all five tracks. And lastly, we have one more solid display of malignancy in Vacivus Aeternum, which are the Latin words for “eternally void” and also the name of the band if you haven’t noticed yet. A lot closer to Black Metal than the other tracks, its nice guitar solo works as a downward spiral back to the original den where the EP started in a somber and effective way.

As aforementioned, the special cassette version of the album (strictly limited to 100 copies) released through Goatprayer Records is already sold out, but you can still purchase a digital copy of Rite of Ascension at the Gotaprayer Records BandCamp page, or wait until later this year to grab your CD version of the album via Hellthrasher Productions. Vacivus can easily help you fill the void you feel within with their Blackened Death Metal, all you have to do is embrace their nocturnal and unearthly aria and let their poisonous and metallic words intoxicate your psyche.

Best moments of the album: Hostis Rei.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2015 Goatprayer Records/Hellthrasher Productions

Track listing
1. Dark Apotheosis 3:51
2. Rite of Ascension 3:57
3. Ageless, Nameless 5:24
4. Hostis Rei 4:37
5. Vacivus Aeternum 5:31

Band members
Nick Craggs – vocals
Dan Rochester – guitars
Ross Oliver – guitars
Dan Jones – bass
Ian Finley – drums

Album Review – Shrapnel Storm / Mother War (2015)

Posted on by
1

Grab your bayonet, your hand grenades and your combat helmet, because it’s time to go to war to the music by this excellent Death Metal band from Finland.

Rating5

SHRAPNEL STORM - Mother War cover artThe term “shrapnel”, used to represent fragments of a bomb, shell or other object thrown out by an explosion, has its origin in the early 19th century, named after Major General Henry Shrapnel (1761–1842), a British artillery officer whose experiments culminated in the design and development of a new type of anti-personnel artillery shell used until World War II. However, since 2007 it can also be used to describe the straightforward war-themed Death Metal by Finnish quintet Shrapnel Storm, a band highly influenced by icons such as Bolt Thrower and Obituary who above all relies on brutality, respect for traditions and groove to shape their own sounding.

Founded in the city of Tampere, Finland and singing almost exclusively about war and fighting, “The Old School Death Metal Bulldozer” as the band itself likes to say has already released four demos since its inception, but it’s now in 2015 that they’re finally ready to strike and conquer the world of heavy music with their debut full-length album, the violent and elaborate Mother War. If you are a fan of visceral Death Metal supported by a meaningful and electrifying concept, you’ll have an amazing time going to war with Shrapnel Storm.

The intro Casus Belli, which starts to the sound of that infamous siren from World War II, is the perfect example of how detailed their music and lyrics are. This is a term of war and politics, an expression that comes from Latin used to describe an act that justifies war. For instance, the Soviet Union staged the artillery shelling of the Russian village of Mainila and blamed Finland for the aggression, using it as a “casus belli” for the Winter War (1939-1940). Interesting, isn’t it? But let’s get down to business with the raw and gruesome Carpet Bombing, where lead singer Ville “Ykä” Yrjölä starts firing his growls while the rest of the band presents their sonic weapons. In addition, its guitar riffs are so dirty (in a good way) to the point they sound like a real war instrument.

The amazing tune Detracked will make you bang your fuckin’ head due to its modern and fresh rhythm, but keeping that inner ferocity needed in Death Metal. Drummer Mikko Orava leads the attack backed up by the sick guitar lines by Aki Laaksola and Tohtori Mäkitalo, turning it into one of the best tracks of the entire album. Following that raid we have the short and blustering Combat High, where hints of Thrash Metal make the final result even more enjoyable and the asperity of the musicality is perfect for the message sent. By the way, this song focuses a lot more on its lyrics than on the music itself, like if they were trying to convert the words of most soldiers in the world into sonorous rage (“Like many before me / I will go down eventually / But before the time is nigh / I will take as many as I can”).

SHRAPNEL STORM band photo 425wAnd this nonstop war machine from Finland delivers another solid track tailored for fans of the mid-tempo Death Metal by Obituary and Deicide, entitled Calling of the Void, with the bass lines by Petri Saarenma sounding clearer and more metallic, followed by Warfiend, with highlights to its badass intro and to its sharp riffs and bass lines. Moreover, the harsh growls by Ykä get closer to what Max Cavalera used to do with Sepultura in classic albums like Arise and Beneath the Remains. Darker and more melodic than its predecessors, the title-track Mother War provides the listener awesome lyrics about the passion mankind has for all things war (“Athena, guide us to victory / In assault led by the valkyries / Freyja, if we die in battle, welcome us to your halls / Mother war, we are your rising storm”), with the old school guitar riffs and solos by Aki and Tohtori boosting the song’s overall electricity.

The fast and rhythmic To Each Battle showcases a great cataclysmic vibe with interesting breaks and variations and absurdly angry vocal lines by Ykä, and I’m pretty sure its powerful atmosphere will generate some sick mosh pits if this song is played live. Then we have the high-quality combination of Death and Thrash Metal in Radars Down, where Mikko unleashes his inner beast on drums and with some of the riffs reminding me of the all-time classic “Seasons in the Abyss” by Slayer, giving the song a more melancholic touch; and finally themore introspective and progressive Rising Storm, where some sort of dark energy emanates from all instruments and vocal lines. Its lyrics might look harmless at first sight, but we all know how frightening they are (“Deserted streets, all the windows barred / On the borders the men stand in guard / Women and children hidden beneath the ground / Waiting in terror for that siren to sound”), not to mention its final piano passage full of sorrow, closing the album as if the war was over at last.

If you’re a true Death Metal soldier and enjoyed the impetuous music by Shrapnel Storm, go enlist yourself at their Facebook page, check their SoundCloud and ReverbNation pages, and purchase your copy of Mother War at Levykauppa Äx or at the Witches Brew webshop. As the peace treaty seems to be coming to an end, you better grab your bayonet, your hand grenades and your combat helmet, because it’s time to fight side by side with these talented Finnish death metallers.

Best moments of the album: Detracked, Combat High and To Each Battle.

Worst moments of the album: Calling of the Void.

Released in 2015 Witches Brew

Track listing
1. Casus Belli 1:20
2. Carpet Bombing 3:15
3. Detracked 4:22
4. Combat High 2:27
5. Calling of the Void 3:39
6. Warfiend 4:15
7. Mother War 5:09
8. To Each Battle 3:48
9. Radars Down 3:56
10. Rising Storm 6:08

Band members
Ville “Ykä” Yrjölä – vocals
Aki Laaksola – guitar, vocals
Tohtori Mäkitalo – guitar
Petri Saarenma – bass
Mikko Orava – drums 

Guest musicians
Zachary Hietala – guitar solo on “Radars Down”
Aadolf Virtanen – piano on “Rising Storm”

Album Review – Inhuman Depravity / Nocturnal Carnage By The Unholy Desecrator (2015)

Posted on by
1

Let the depraved Death Metal by this Turkish group puncture your ears until your metallic brains splatter with rapture.

Rating4

cover artworkWhen you put the words “inhuman” and “depravity” together in the same sentence, you know the final result is not going to be gracious at all. Add to that the intense sound of vicious Death Metal, and you get as a result Inhuman Depravity, an unstoppable Turkish metal act ideal for diehard fans of Dying Fetus, Morbid Angel, Suffocation and many other old school extreme bands, who will mercilessly crush you like an insect with their disturbing uproar.

Formed in Istanbul, Turkey in late 2013, probably in the depths of a dark and fetid catacomb or at an abandoned slaughterhouse teeming with rotting corpses, and after releasing their first demo a few months later based on the theme that gives the band’s name, “depravity”, it’s now time for those Turkish death metallers to release their debut full-length album, beautifully entitled Nocturnal Carnage By The Unholy Desecrator. And you better get ready, because things are about to get as gory as the most demented slasher movies you might have seen in your life.

With an intro that’s supposed to be a serial killer calling his lawyer and telling him about his killing spree in a mix of fear and madness, Exhuming The Creator For Own Expediency opens this excellent album like a demonic beast unleashed upon humanity, especially due to the deep and infuriated growls by vocalist Yunus Efe. Not only that, it feels like drummer Eren Gursoy wants to kill someone with his beats so sick they are. Do you think you can survive for over 30 minutes of this type of immoral music? Because their gory old school Death Metal attack keeps destroying our souls in Dismembered and Buried Instincts, with highlights to the pulverizing riffs by guitarist Murat Sabuncu while Eren adds lots of interesting breaks amidst his choleric drumming.

The next tune, Condemned To Monotheistics, reminds me of ancient Cannibal Corpse from the Chris Barnes-era due to the metallic bass lines by Kaan Yildar and the gruesome growls by Yunus. Besides, I was trying to find the lyrics to this song just to get more details on the message the band wanted to send to the listener, but unfortunately couldn’t find them anywhere. Well, who cares? Let’s just bark together with Yunus and enjoy the band’s bestiality, which is also the case in Rise of Vengeance By Bloody Torment, even faster and more diabolical than its predecessors. Kaan and Eren are on their “hulk mode”, and although it’s hard to keep up with their speed and malevolence you will love this song if you’re devoted to Death Metal to the second power.

band photoThe initial growl by Yunus in Apocalyptic Mass Murder Oath is a warning: this song is going to be absolutely fuckin’ brutal. It’s an amazing display of inhumanity, proving the name of the band was not chosen in vain, and I have no idea how the band members can be so in sync while playing such devastating music. The same can be said about the next track, Bloodthirst of Sinners, where the low-tuned bass lines and riffs give it an extra touch of darkness, making it the perfect soundtrack for a slaughter. This is the type of song that makes you wonder if any normal person can survive a nonstop circle pit to the sound of Inhuman Depravity. And just when you think there will be some moments of peace or silence they strike back with their extreme musicality in Carnivorous Offering, with highlights to the sick drum fills by the talented beast Eren and to the song’s beautiful and barbaric ending.

In Slain Dissection Abuse you realize they’re really trying to melt your brain with their music in a flawless exhibit of how cruelty, torture and gore can be translated into brutal and technical Death Metal. It’s my favorite of all tracks, where Murat and Eren once again steal the show with their combination of dark riffs and nonstop beats. And finally we have Salvation Through Bloodvomit, one of the “cutest” song names I’ve ever seen, ending the album on the same demonic level it started. Furthermore, Yunus is not simply snarling this time, he’s regurgitating the song’s putrescent lyrics inspired by the sonic warfare established by the rest of the band.

If you want to acquire this ruthless lecture in bloodshed and perdition, featuring a kick-ass artwork by Indonesian artist Rian Oktanto, go to the official Coyote Records Web Shop, to their Digital Store on BandCamp or to Big Cartel to grab your copy of Nocturnal Carnage By The Unholy Desecrator. Put differently (and in a much more lethal way), let the depraved Death Metal by Inhuman Depravity puncture your ears until your metallic brains splatter with rapture. This is what authentic Death Metal has always been about.

Best moments of the album: Exhuming The Creator For Own Expediency, Apocalyptic Mass Murder Oath and Slain Dissection Abuse.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2015 Coyote Records

Track listing
1. Exhuming The Creator For Own Expediency 4:01
2. Dismembered and Buried Instincts 3:16
3. Condemned To Monotheistics 3:36
4. Rise of Vengeance By Bloody Torment 3:36
5. Apocalyptic Mass Murder Oath 3:38
6. Bloodthirst of Sinners 3:09
7. Carnivorous Offering 3:05
8. Slain Dissection Abuse 3:41
9. Salvation Through Bloodvomit 3:44

Band members
Yunus Efe – vocals
Murat Sabuncu – guitars
Kaan Yildar – bass
Eren Gursoy – drums

Album Review – Lanthanein / Nocturnálgica EP (2015)

Posted on by
1

Beautiful classical music for headbangers by a promising Doom Death/Gothic Metal band from Argentina.

Rating5

coverArising from the city of Córdoba, Argentina, Doom Death/Gothic Metal band Lanthanein are releasing their first EP entitled Nocturnálgica, which is not only a good preview of their upcoming debut album Lágrimas (or “tears”, in English), but also an excellent option for fans of dusky and thoughtful music. Formed in early 2015 by soprano Marilí Portorrico and multi-instrumentalist Juan Mansilla (also known as A.N.XIIIU.X), this is a promising metal project that will help elevate the name of Argentina in the world of heavy music.

The music by Lanthanein is beautifully inspired by the drama of classical music and the sound of the 90’s, surrounded by powerful orchestrations and delicate vocals. This interesting fusion of styles, accentuated by the professionalism and passion of the musicians involved, ends up generating a dense ambience and a magnificent balance between darkness and light, therefore making the whole experience of listening to Nocturnálgica a lot more memorable. And, of course, the uniqueness of all songs being sung in Spanish, their mother tongue.

Just the intro of the opening track, Lágrimas De Luna (“tears of moon”), is already enough to showcase how Gothic their music is. The female vocals by Marilí seem inspired by divas such as Tarja Turunen and Vibeke Stene, while the instrumental blends elements from Lacrimosa and classical music, creating a deep and embracing atmosphere which becomes even stronger during the song’s gentle piano passages.

11328692_694320864013109_117723313_oThe growls by A.N.XIIIU.X introduce us to the title-track Nocturnálgica, an amazing Doom/Gothic Metal exhibit with highlights to its intense lyrics (“Agreste paisaje el de este día / en que la fortuna fue ausente, / el silencio cruel fue de muerte / Agreste la noche que se aproxima / fecundando sueños con tragedia”) and to the great teamwork by the operatic, harsh and choir voices. Moreover, the orchestrations complement the song in a beautiful and compelling way, turning it into a delightful soundtrack of sorrow.

A Orillas Del Silencio (“on the shores of silence”) is a very obscure and passionate tune which rhythm reminds me of some of the biggest classics by Gothic Metal icons Tristania. It focuses on its orchestral side a lot more than its metallic one, which ends up emphasizing another excellent vocal performance by Marilí. And last but not least, closing the EP we have more agony in Lacrimosa Et Gementem (Latin for “weeping and moaning”), where love (in the form of the gentle vocals by Marilí) and torment (portrayed by the power of the backing vocals and choir) are united by the band’s cohesive musicality. In my opinion, this is hands down the best track of the EP, leaving us eager for more of their music in their upcoming full-length album.

In summary, the interesting Noturnálgica, available at the band’s official BandCamp page, is highly recommended for all types of singers, fans of classical music and, of course, metalheads in pursuit of heavy music where melancholy and tranquility are its main elements. In other words, what Lanthanein offer us all is a heavier version of classical music tailored for headbangers but without overdoing any of its core aspects, remaining loyal to the foundations of Gothic Metal while at the same time adding their own touch and experiences to it, something we always expect from emerging bands no matter what type of music they play.

Best moments of the album: Lacrimosa Et Gementem.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2015 Independent

Track listing
1. Lágrimas De Luna 5:07
2. Nocturnálgica 4:05
3. A Orillas Del Silencio 5:40
4. Lacrimosa Et Gementem 6:09

Band members
Marilí Portorrico – female voice and choir
A.N.XIIIU.X – guttural, tenor, guitars and bass

Additional musicians
Ailén Ceballos – sopranos and altos
Hilen Blesio – sopranos and altos
Ramiro Morales – tenor
Guillermo Apfelbaum – bass

Album Review – Dissector / Grey Anguish (2015)

Posted on by
1

These Russian metallers are here to help you soothe your anguished yearning for high-quality Heavy Metal.

Rating4

DISSECTOR_frontAre you looking for some fresh heavy music that combines the melody from Power Metal with the anger and rebelliousness of Thrash Metal? You might then enjoy the music by Russian Power Thrash/Death Metal Dissector and their first full-length album, entitled Grey Anguish. As a matter of fact, this is not exactly the first release by this talented act from St. Petersburg, Russia, but a sort of resurrection from a very active band made famous in the northeast part of Russia between 1992 and 2002.

In this new phase of the band, which started in 2006, Dissector have already released three EP’s named Cry For Me (2007), Subhuman (2014) and An Angel with No Home (2015), as well as some compilations. However, it’s now with Grey Anguish that they aim at cementing their name in the modern era of Heavy Metal. Based on the creepy artwork created by Pablo Antonov one can say they’re on the right path, but it’s when the music starts that this keen instinct brought forth by the album imagery becomes even stronger.

After the ominous futuristic intro Catastrophe Point by keyboardist Max Delmar, it’s time for the title-track Grey Anguish to present to the listener a modern and dense musicality by Dissector. Besides, it’s interesting to observe how lead singer Yan can sound so aggressive but at the same time very melodic, and how drummer Andrey “Circle” is very precise with his beats, enhancing the song’s Thrash Metal vibe. And blending Death Metal, Hard Rock and Stoner Rock, we have the melancholic tune Deadline Pressure, where the dark taste of the lyrics ends up being its core element, followed by Sinking In Disgrace, a song inspired by old school Metallica and Megadeth where the band offers a fast and harmonious tune perfect for mosh pits and crowd surfing, with highlights to the guitar lines by Yan while Andrey pounds his drums nonstop.

Perhaps due to its name, Delicately Yours is a lot more melodic, boosted by hints of Doom and Gothic Metal. Recommended for fans of slower and more introspective metal music, it’s a dark song, of course, but it’s obvious that the message the band wanted to send required a smoother sounding. The next song, Subhuman, gets closer to what Trivium have been delivering in their most recent albums, focusing on catchy riffs while the other instruments (including vocals) make sure the level of energy remains high. And Hide Away is a compelling song that reminds me of some compositions by Paradise Lost due to its strong Doom-ish vein and thoughtful lyrics, which turn it into a gloomy anthem.

dissectorNow fasten your seatbelt because my favorite of all tracks, An Angel With No Home, is Thrash Metal at its best, as vicious and fierce as it’s supposed to be, with the vocals by Yan sounding awesome while Oleg and Andrey keep the atmosphere really violent. Right after that beauty, focusing on a musicality closer to modern Thrash Metal we have The World For the Few, where the smoothness of the melody gets more attention than its heaviness and where the pace is suited for fans of less violent metal; and the resonant bass lines and a Punk Rock/Thrash Metal attitude of Even Me, which is quite the opposite of the previous track where the band only cares about being vicious and merciless. Moreover, Yan gets more aggressive than usual, as nicely “requested” by the music.

Closing the regular set of songs, Keep My Trust sounds as if the band wanted to give us a break from so much violence. It’s a beautiful ballad featuring the delicate vocals by special guest Mirla, from Russian Gothic Metal band The Lust, and guitarist Alex Bolotov. By the way, the vocal duo between Yan and Mirla is incredible, giving an amazing balance between darkness and light to this reflective tune. As a bonus track, the band offers an instrumental demo version of “Deadline Pressure”, a special treat for us to admire their skills behind their instruments.

The best way to know more about this excellent Russian group is by visiting their Facebook or VKontakte pages, by listening to their music at their SoundCloud page, and by purchasing Grey Anguish at their BandCamp page. In other words, go soothe your anguished yearning for high-quality Heavy Metal with Dissector, a band with an enormous potential who is evidently looking into the future with their modern and exciting music.

Best moments of the album: Sinking In Disgrace, An Angel With No Home and Keep My Trust.

Worst moments of the album: The World For the Few.

Released in 2015 Worldlessness Records

Track listing
1. Catastrophe Point (intro) 0:45
2. Grey Anguish 4:02
3. Deadline Pressure 3:22
4. Sinking In Disgrace 3:35
5. Delicately Yours 5:27
6. Subhuman 4:10
7. Hide Away 4:23
8. An Angel With No Home 3:47
9. The World For the Few 4:34
10. Even Me 3:30
11. Keep My Trust (feat.The Lust) 5:23

Bonus track
12. Deadline Pressure (No Voice Mix) 3:21

Band members
Yan – guitars, vocals
Oleg – bass
Max Delmar – keyboards
Andrey “Circle” – drums

Additional musicians
Mirla – female vocals on “Keep My Trust”
Alex Bolotov – guitar on “Keep My Trust”

Album Review – Nex Carnis / Obscure Visions of Dark (2015)

Posted on by
1

The flesh might be dead already, but the rise of Death Metal in Iran has just begun.

Rating4

ArtworkLet’s be honest and acknowledge that none of us know much about the Heavy Metal scene in Iran due to many well-known reasons, mostly related to the country’s religious and cultural barriers. In fact, if you check the list of Iranian metal bands on the Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives website, I’m sure you won’t recognize most of the names on the (extremely short) list. Fortunately, it seems that the tide is turning, Iranian metallers are now enjoying a higher level of liberty and, therefore, providing the world their share of heavy music, which is the case with old school Death Metal Nex Carnis.

After releasing their first demo in 2012 entitled Death of the Flesh, which by the way is the translation of the name of the band from Latin, and after some hurdles such as not being able to find a fitting drummer in the local scene, this talented Tehran-based group wants to show the world they’re ready to spread their evil wings and reach new heights with their debut ful-length album, the thunderous Obscure Visions of Dark. And if you’re a fan of that raw old school Death Metal perfect for having your brain melted after headbanging like crazy, you should definitely give these guys a shot.

The fuckin’ brutal opening track Darkened Rites of Existence, which is composed of two parts named “Part 1: Visions” and “Part 2: Labyrinth”, is very similar to what Brazilian Death Metal masters Krisiun do, just to give you an idea of how destructive the music by Nex Carnis is. Vocalist Asto Vidatu sounds like a wild beast with his growls, and it’s impressive how progressive the music is to an old school Death Metal band. In addition to that, what can I say about the infernal devastation caused by drummer Jirka “Jurgen” Zajíc during the last part of the song and the wicked guitar solo by guest musician Disguster? Anyway, with a macabre intro, Cryptic Depths of Unlight mixes the best elements from Death and Thrash Metal in a sick performance by all band members, with highlights to Incruent for leading all the breaks and variations with his morbid guitar riffs and solos.

3540353203_logoDissolution in Vortex of Sanity, which intro has that metallic guitar shredding we enjoy so much, offers the listener pure old school Death Metal where downright violence is its core factor. Not only that, Incruent and Jurgen provide all the necessary support for Asto Vidatu to keep roaring the song’s interesting lyrics, turning it into one of the top moments of the album. Following all that insanity we have Descent into Ethereal Realms, another song split in two parts (“Part 1: Entrance” and “Part 2: Transmigration”) where you can sense the influences of Morbid Angel, Slayer, Cannibal Corpse and other Thrash/Death Metal icons, but with an aerial atmosphere due to the content of its lyrics. And pay attention to the song after around four minutes, varying between a sonic blast perfect for a wild circle pit and a slower and more obscure rhythm that aims at being truly unearthly, consequently making the entire song even more entertaining.

Nex Carnis need only five seconds to begin pulverizing every living creature that crosses their path in Abolishing Rancid Thrones of Deceit, probably the most traditional of all tunes in terms of rhythm and heaviness. However, Incruent and Jurgen get a lot progressive and innovative in some instances, adding a lot of value to the final result, as well as the guitar solo by guest musician Rafael Barros. Besides, due to the maximum speed imposed by Jurgen on drums, the second half of the song flirts with Black Metal, yet another interesting variant present in their music. And lastly, these skilled Iranian death metallers don’t seem to get tired at all, firing huge doses of morbidity in Murky Pits of Time. This might sound stupid, but does anyone have some lozenges for Asto Vidatu? He will need those after snarling so deeply and intensely for almost seven minutes. Also, kudos to guest musician Jacek Hiro for providing the music some “tranquility” with his excellent guitar solo, just before the song reaches its apocalyptic ending.

In summary, Obscure Visions of Dark is a very solid Death Metal album that goes a little beyond the traditional boundaries of that specific type of metal, giving the listener not only another excellent option in the world of extreme music but also a unique opportunity to know more about the Heavy Metal scene in Iran. You can check the band’s official Facebook page for more updates on their releases and tour dates, and purchase their debut album at the Nightbreaker Productions webstore. The flesh might be dead as the name of the band states, but the rise of Death Metal in Iran seems to be in good hands if Nex Carnis keep delivering such high-end music throughout the years.

Best moments of the album: Darkened Rites of Existence and Dissolution in Vortex of Sanity.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2015 Nightbreaker Productions

Track listing
1. Darkened Rites of Existence 5:21
2. Cryptic Depths of Unlight 5:56
3. Dissolution in Vortex of Sanity 4:39
4. Descent into Ethereal Realms 6:39
5. Abolishing Rancid Thrones of Deceit 4:21
6. Murky Pits of Time 6:55

Band members
Asto Vidatu – vocals
Incruent – guitars, bass
Jirka “Jurgen” Zajíc – drums

Guest musicians
Jacek Hiro – guitar solo on “Murky Pits of Time”
Rafael Barros – guitar solo on “Abolishing Rancid Thrones of Deceit”
Disguster – guitar solo on “Darkened Rites of Existence”

Album Review – Disgusting Perversion / Morbid Obsessions EP (2015)

Posted on by
Reply

Let the bloodbath begin and spread all over Bavaria and the rest of the world with the debut album by this up-and-coming old school Death Metal band.

Rating5

Disgusting Perversion - Morbid ObsessionsIf there’s a word that can be used to describe the music found in Morbid Obsessions, the debut EP by German Death Metal band Disgusting Perversion, that would definitely be “stampede”. However, instead of a wild rush of ordinary animals, what we have here is a frantic onslaught by a horde of Teutonic death metallers that will crush your body and soul with their raw old school vibration. What else can you ask for in a Death Metal album, right? Well, I guess the old school album art in Morbid Obsessions can already provide you a trustworthy preview of what you’ll find when you start your listen at the album.

Hailing from the city of Kaufbeuren (about 90km from Munich), in the Free State of Bavaria, Germany, this brand new four-piece group will surely please fans of the combination of brutality and melody made famous by names like Death, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse and so on. Not even the fact that the drums are programmed, instead of having a drummer of flesh and blood with them, makes the the album sound less organic or visceral, which in my humble opinion is the most important attribute we should expect from any type of extreme music. In other words, you have to feel the blood dripping from authentic Death Metal, and Disgusting Perversion unquestionably provide the listener that morbid but awesome perception.

War Annihilation, as its own name indicates, kicks off the album sending a clear message from the band: they play brutal Death Metal, spreading nothing but gore and violence through their path of ruination. Moreover, the riffs by guitarists Claus Schubert and Tobias Ruf are tailored for fans of renowned musicians like Chuck Schuldiner and James Murphy, and as both Claus and Tobias simply love Death, I’m pretty sure this was exactly how they wanted their guitars to sound like. In the raging Bloodbath, lead singer Stefan Bauer vociferates the lyrics as if he was possessed by an evil entity, inspired by the demonic voices of bands such as Obituary and Morbid Angel, while bassist Klaus Bergmann and his low-tuned weapon provide the listener some bestial notes. It’s that type of slow but extremely heavy sounding perfect for headbanging, enhanced by the addition of some excerpts of the fastest savagery you can find in music.

Disgusting PerversionSounding as another tribute to old school Extreme Metal, the good Flying Nightmare shows what happens when Disgusting Perversion accelerate the rhythm, turning their music into a true “nightmare” for the faint-hearted. Besides, its traditional guitar solo helps improve the balance between sheer massacre and its strong melodic lines. Then we have the most melodic of all tunes, entitled House Of The Butcher, which is not as barbaric as the previous songs and has a huge focus on the guitar lines by Claus and Tobias. The vocals by Stefan exhale pure evil as expected, and with a name like that you can have a good idea of how gruesome its lyrics are.

The title-track, Morbid Obsessions, is a great display of straightforward Death Metal, fuckin’ heavy and merciless as hell, with highlights to the dark and low growls by Stefan and the crisp guitar solos by Claus and Tobias; followed by Disgusting Perversion, the song that takes the band’s name, and let me tell you that there couldn’t be a more suitable song to carry their flag. The music is disgusting, atrocious and barbaric, reminding me of old school Sepultura with wicked vocals, leaving the listener avid for more of the band’s cruelty.

To sum up, Morbid Obsessions is a very cohesive and full-bodied work for what is “just” an EP by those promising Bavarian death metallers, who are craving for your blood at their Facebook page. And don’t forget to visit the Winterwolf Records page on eBay, where you can purchase the album. Let the bloodbath begin and spread all over Bavaria and the rest of the world with Morbid Obsessions, the debut album by a band that, if they keep working hard and remain loyal to their foundations, has a bright future ahead of them.

Best moments of the album: Bloodbath and Disgusting Perversion.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2015 Winterwolf Records

Track listing
1. War Annihilation 4:05
2. Bloodbath 6:10
3. Flying Nightmare 4:22
4. House Of The Butcher 5:32
5. Morbid Obsessions 5:35
6. Disgusting Perversion 5:45

Band members
Stefan Bauer – vocals
Claus Schubert – guitars
Tobias Ruf – guitars, drums programming
Klaus Bergmann – bass

Album Review – Isenmor / Land of the Setting Sun EP (2015)

Posted on by
2

It’s time to fight, dance around the fire and get drunk to the Vinlandic Folk Metal by this brand new American band.

Rating5

ISENMOR - Land of the Setting Sun cover artWhen you think of Folk Metal or Viking music, I bet your mind travels immediately to the fascinating Scandinavia, in special to Finland where many amazing bands such as Finntroll, Ensiferum, Korpiklaani and Turisas were bred. However, it seems those fresh winds are turning to North America through the Vinlandic Folk Metal by American band Isenmor, who before being just a band are proud to be a tribute to Vinland, the region of the northeastern coast of North America that was visited in the 11th century by Norsemen led by Leif Ericsson, and named from the report that grapevines were found growing there. You’re not going crazy, there’s a band playing Folk Metal that wasn’t born in Scandinavia or another European country, but in the United States, and those guys definitely know what they’re doing.

Formed in May 2014 and after releasing their first demo in the same year, this Maryland-based band offers now to their fans their first EP, entitled Land of the Setting Sun, where of course you’ll find good heavy music strengthened by classic themes and tales of battle, adventure, sorrow and infinite amounts of drinking. And in order to make things even more likeable and amusing, Isenmor have not only one, but TWO crazy violinists, Nick Schneider and Miles Waldman, who will put you to dance to the sound of their frenetic instruments. In other words, are you ready to have some pints with this unique American sextet?

The opening track, Death is a Fine Companion, is also my favorite one of all five, and don’t you agree that the name of the song truly incorporates the Viking spirit? Anyway, this exciting chant showcases a strong Folk vein with a Death Metal sounding that increases the music’s electricity, with its chorus making me want to grab my sword, shield and beer (or even mead) mug and sing it along with the band (“Death is a fine companion / When he comes for the foe / But keep your welcome warm / When he comes for you”). Singing about death and the journey of a warrior to Valhalla, the slow and melancholic Folk tune Pyre presents to the listener a great chemistry between the violin duo, whose lines transpire the throes of death, and all other instruments, especially the guitar riffs by Tim Regan and the beats by BG Drakeley.

Land of the Setting Sun is perfect for dancing around a fire pit with your loved ones, with both harsh and clean vocals blending perfectly with what the band is proposing with the music, while So Willingly Deceived deserves to be part of the soundtrack of the next Thor movie. It’s a beautiful Viking semi-ballad about the burdens of being a true warrior (“Hear the Thunder in the Sky / The sound of Donar’s mighty strikes / Through all the Nine worlds he rides / As he defends all of mankind”), with highlights to the violins together with the keyboards dictating the rhythm and sadness of the song.

ISENMOR band photoAnd finally, there’s nothing better than a fast and joyful song about drinking to conclude a Viking album, which is the case in The Old Mead Hall. Fans of Folk Metal will have a good time during Isenmor’s live performances, enjoying a cold beer while listening to this delightful display of camaraderie and a fun celebration of victory. The whole band is on fire in this song, but it’s the violins that end up standing out once again for our total delight.

It doesn’t really matter if you have Viking blood flowing through your veins or not, you should go check their Facebook page and also buy their brand new EP at their BandCamp page, as there are many cool options available worth your hacksilver. The full BandCamp digital EP includes acoustic versions of “Pyre” and “So Willingly Deceived”, while the CD version includes covers of Ensiferum’s “In My Sword I Trust” and Eluveitie’s “Havoc”, as well as the aforementioned acoustic songs. And did I mention there’s an “IsenPackage” which also includes a pint glass with the Isenmor logo emblazoned upon it and an Isenmor t-shirt? To sum up, what are you waiting for to grab your sword, dance around the fire pit with your close friends and get completely drunk to the music by Isenmor?

Best moments of the album: Death is a Fine Companion and The Old Mead Hall.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2015 Independent

Track listing
1. Death is a Fine Companion 4:24
2. Pyre 4:34
3. Land of the Setting Sun 5:15
4. So Willingly Deceived 5:00
5. The Old Mead Hall 3:35

Band members
Tim Regan – guitar, vocals
Mike Wilson – bass, vocals
Nick Schneider – violin, mandolin, vocals
Miles Waldman – violin
Jon Lyon – keyboards, vocals
BG Drakeley – drums

Album Review – Unleashed / Dawn Of The Nine (2015)

Posted on by
Reply

Let the mighty God of Thunder bang his head to the sound of old school Death Metal while he mercilessly smashes his foes with his hammer.

Rating5

unleashed_dawn of the nineFormed in the “distant” year of 1989 in the beautiful city of Stockholm, Sweden, and still alive and kicking after almost three decades, the iconic Death Metal band Unleashed can credit their longevity and glory to their unique music concept, being the pioneers in implementing completely different themes from most Death Metal bands, such as Viking culture, Norse folklore and even references to the work by the renowned English writer and poet J. R. R. Tolkien, to their furious and coarse sounding.

In order to keep the almighty God of Thunder grinning and banging his head to the brutal sound of Death Metal while he smashes hordes of infidels with Mjölnir, Unleashed are releasing in 2015 their twelfth studio album, the good Dawn Of The Nine. Although the album does not flirt with Black Metal as much as its predecessor, the excellent Odalheim (2012), which means it lacks a little more darkness, it’s still a celebration of extreme music, war, vengeance and sacrilege that will satisfy the hunger of death metallers all over the world for more of the band’s Viking Death Metal.

Shifting between Viking Metal and more traditional Death Metal, the opening track A New Day Will Rise relies upon a strong atmospheric background and the aggressive vocals by Johnny Hedlund, while the other band members make sure the music stays visceral. It’s not the most creative songwriting in the world, but it’s still very cohesive, which is also valid for They Came to Die and its elements of Thrash Metal and Symphonic Black Metal, offering a more exciting headbanging tune. The guitar lines by Fredrik Folkare and Tomas Måsgard enrich the melody found in the music, and of course drummer Anders Schultz doesn’t seem “happy” and crushes whoever is in his path. The ominous intro already summarizes the darkness in Defenders of Midgard, a song about the will to keep fighting for our beliefs and our beloved ones (“But we will rise again / And fight, fight to defend / Our Midgard ’til the very end / Fight to defend / Our Midgard ’til the very end”). However, the music itself is boring, getting really repetitive after a while and consequently falling flat, despite the good guitar solo by Fredrik.

Fortunately, they finally unleash their infamous Death Metal in Where Is Your God Now?: its direct lyrics about being a true godless warrior (“Here we are alive again / In a battle without end / So we rise from the caves / And march until sol descends”) are very effective and the growls by Johnny are a lot more cutting. In other words, get ready for some sick circle pits to the sound of this evil mix of Death and Black Metal. And although Johnny sounds a little tired in The Bolt Thrower, it’s another good old school Death Metal tune, where the most curious detail is that I don’t know if they’re talking about the ancient missile weapon named “ballista” or if it’s a tribute to British Death Metal band Bolt Thrower. Well, Johnny sings “a master of war that feels no pain”, which makes me think it’s about the band. Or maybe it’s the weapon? What a tricky question.

unleashed_2015Let the Hammer Fly is a straightforward fast tune that might not be innovative but works pretty well, where its instrumental appropriately sticks to the basics of extreme music and its second half feels a lot darker, with highlights to another good guitar solo by Fredrik Folkare; while Where Churches Once Burned, with a stronger atmospheric background and Black Metal-ish riffs, sounds a lot more extreme and blasphemous thanks to the melodic guitar lines by Fredrik and the blast beats fired by Anders until the song evolves to a mournful ending. In Land of the Thousand Lakes, Johnny begins with some low-tuned bass lines before the song becomes barbaric, which translates into a fast and brutal assault of riffs and beats that will break your fuckin’ neck.

The pure Doom Metal title-track Dawn of the Nine doesn’t live up to its goal, proving Unleashed sound a lot more powerful when they play at high speed and more violently. The song gets slightly more interesting in some parts, sounding like old school Black Sabbath, but that’s not enough to salvage it. And last but not least, Welcome the Son of Thor! is another decent Viking Death Metal tune despite its uninspired lyrics, where the primeval bass lines by Johnny are really potent and therefore add more balance to the drumming by Anders.

Long story short, if this is your type of music and you are interested in Scandinavian culture and floklore, there are different versions of the album available at the Nuclear Blast webstore, Amazon, iTunes and other retailers. As aforementioned, Dawn Of The Nine will surely keep the Norse gods and demons well pleased and ready for more Unleashed in a near future.

Best moments of the album: They Came to Die, Where Is Your God Now? and Where Churches Once Burned.

Worst moments of the album: Defenders of Midgard and Dawn of the Nine.

Released in 2015 Nuclear Blast

Track listing
1. A New Day Will Rise 3:51
2. They Came to Die 3:13
3. Defenders of Midgard 4:37
4. Where Is Your God Now? 4:24
5. The Bolt Thrower 3:49
6. Let the Hammer Fly 4:10
7. Where Churches Once Burned 5:18
8. Land of the Thousand Lakes 4:15
9. Dawn of the Nine 6:41
10. Welcome the Son of Thor! 4:34

Band members
Johnny Hedlund – vocals, bass
Fredrik Folkare – lead guitar
Tomas Måsgard – rhythm guitar
Anders Schultz – drums