Tag Archives: mendel bij de leij

Album Review – Monument of Misanthropy / Washington State Charm (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

Vienna, Austria’s own Brutal Death Metal institution is back with a brand new full-length slab of extremity, a concept album chronicling the coming-of-age story of America’s probably most prolific serial killer, Ted Bundy.

Two years after their demolishing album Vile Postmortem Irrumatio, their sickening concept album based on the life of infamous serial killer Ed Kemper, Vienna, Austria’s own Brutal Death Metal institution Monument of Misanthropy has crawled back out of the basement with a brand new full-length slab of extremity, entitled Washington State Charm. Currently formed of George “Misanthrope” Wilfinger on vocals, Julius Kössler and Joe Gatsch on the guitars, Raphael Hendlmayer on bass, and Simon Martinsich on drums, the band is on absolute fire in Washington State Charm, a wholesome concept album chronicling the coming-of-age story of America’s probably most prolific serial killer, Ted Bundy, from the awkward upbringing to the early extracurricular activities, and the grand finale on the electric chair.

After the dark and sinister intro Obviously We Gotta Start Somewhere…, we’re pulverized by Monument of Misanthropy with the infuriated Neath Tacoma Asphalt, featuring guests Mendel Bij De Leij (Aborted) on lead guitars and Johnny Ciardullo (AngelMaker, Carcosa) on vocals, with the unstoppable drums by Simon inviting us for some good, no shenanigans slamming inside the pit. A Hunger Unstilled continues with their undisputed savagery, with the guitars by Julius and Joe breathing fire and aggressiveness, setting the tone for The 1974 PNW Spree, featuring guest lead guitars by Gabe Mangold (Enterprise Earth), even more infuriated and harsh, or in other words, another Brutal Death Metal beast spawned by such an indomitable band. Then we face another perturbing interlude titled Unfortunately WA before we’re crushed into pieces to the sound of Washington State Charm, and the title-track couldn’t have sounded more infernal and demented, with the visceral roars and gnarls by George sending shivers down our spines.

The band keeps hammering our cranial skulls with their undisputed brutality in Colorado Murder, with George’s deep, inhumane growls matching perfectly with the Death Metal riff attack by Julius and Joe; and Simon sounds like a wild creature out of control in The Hacksaw Blade, smashing his drums nonstop for our total delight. George’s scathing screams will penetrate deep inside our putrid minds in Chi Omega Blood Rage, supported by the thunderous bass by Raphael and the demonic beats and fills by Simon, followed by Suwannee Hog Shed, another blast of Brutal Death Metal madness by the quintet, with their guitars transpiring absolute chaos and hatred. Their last eerie, vile interlude, titled Could You Hear That?, will darken the skies before we face Strapped To The Throne (Burn, Bundy, Burn), featuring guest Hal Microutsicos (Engulf) on vocals, a bludgeoning tune that will sound fantastic if played live, perfect for some brutal slamming to the infernal riffs by Julius and Joe. And lastly, we’re treated to the bonus track The Eye Of Ra, featuring Shoi Sen (De Profundis) on lead guitars and Jean-Jacques Moréac (Misanthrope) on bass, and their cover for such a classic by Nile  from their 2009 masterpiece Those Whom the Gods Detest (check the original one HERE) is utterly insane to say the least.

“While we’ve stayed 100% true to ourselves musically, which means constantly reinventing ourselves, we’re pretty damn sure you’re going to love this new album. We obsessed over every microscopic detail, whether it’s a hidden arpeggio, a lyrical pun, or just another described act of unspeakable horror and maybe some truths about Ted you might not even have known yet. This isn’t just another death metal record you half-listen to while bench-pressing. It’s an experience. A deep look into a very, very sick human being’s brain,” commented George, and you can get more details about the band and their (serial) killer new album from Facebook and Instagram, stream their sick creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course purchase Washington State Charm by clicking HERE. “We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow,” said the insane Ted Bundy, and there’s nothing more precise than the venomous and technical brutality found in the new album by Monument of Misanthropy to turn such an evil mind into ruthless extreme music.

Best moments of the album: Neath Tacoma Asphalt, Washington State Charm, Chi Omega Blood Rage and Strapped To The Throne (Burn, Bundy, Burn).

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Listenable Records

Track listing
1. Obviously We Gotta Start Somewhere… 0:17
2. Neath Tacoma Asphalt 3:51
3. A Hunger Unstilled 1:24
4. The 1974 PNW Spree 3:39
5. Unfortunately WA 0:20
6. Washington State Charm 3:54
7. Colorado Murder 4:53
8. The Hacksaw Blade 3:45
9. Chi Omega Blood Rage 3:10
10. Suwannee Hog Shed 3:34
11. Could You Hear That? 0:35
12. Strapped To The Throne (Burn, Bundy, Burn) 2:53

Bonus track
13. The Eye Of Ra (Nile cover) 4:52

Band members
George “Misanthrope” Wilfinger – vocals
Julius Kössler – guitars
Joe Gatsch – guitars
Raphael Hendlmayer – bass
Simon Martinsich – drums

Guest musicians
Mendel Bij De Leij  – lead guitars on “Neath Tacoma Asphalt”
Johnny Ciardullo – vocals on “Neath Tacoma Asphalt”
Gabe Mangold – lead guitars on “The 1974 PNW Spree”
Hal Microutsicos  – vocals on “Strapped To The Throne (Burn, Bundy, Burn)”
Shoi Sen – lead guitars on “The Eye Of Ra”
Jean-Jacques Moréac – bass on “The Eye Of Ra”

Album Review – The Fifth Alliance / Stenahoria (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

This uncanny Dutch collective returns with their suffocating fourth studio album, a dark and compelling work that once again pushes the boundaries between Black, Doom and Post-Metal.

Hailing from Breda, a city and municipality in the southern part of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Brabant, the uncanny Sludge/Post-Metal/Post-Hardcore entity The Fifth Alliance returns with their fourth studio album, titled Stenahoria, a dark and compelling work that once again pushes the boundaries between Black, Doom and Post-Metal. Recorded by Lander Cluyse at Hearse Studio, and mixed and mastered by Mendel bij de Leij, the follow-up to their 2019 album The Depth of the Darkness sees the band currently formed of Natalya Thelen (aka Thalos Sacritas) on vocals, Niels Termote and Matthijs Keuvelaar on the guitars, Puck Wildschut on bass, and Peter Scheffer on drums push into even more expressive territory, shifting between fragile, almost ethereal passages and massive, crushing moments, emerging from shared human experiences of sorrow, fear, and confinement, and therefore drawing the listener into an intense sonic journey through distress and introspection.

The album simply explodes in darkness from the very first second in Phoenix, with Natalya roaring in anger and hatred like a true she-demon while Peter hammers his drums like there’s no tomorrow in a lecture in Post-Black Metal madness. Then the minimalist but caustic and piercing guitars by Niels and Matthijs will put you in a trance in Benandanti, offering a grim fusion of Post-Metal with blackened, sluggish and visceral sounds, with Natalya stealing the show with her deep clean vocals. Fool on the Hill is as atmospheric as it is obscure and hypnotizing, with their Black Metal vein pulsing harder than ever thanks to the massive blast beats by Peter and the Stygian riffage by the band’s guitar duo; whereas in Battle of Barnet the band adds progressive and experimental elements to their core sound, providing Natalya with exactly what she needs to penetrate deep inside our souls with her flawless vocal performance. And closing the album we’re treated to the even more introspective and vile Jakob, where their Blackened Sludge Metal sonority erupts like a ruthless volcano, delivering metallic lava to our avid ears spearheaded by the scorching bass and drums by Puck and Peter before flowing into an absolute void.

A deliberate confrontation with discomfort, Stenahoria is a cathartic listening experience where intensity and fragility collide, creating a sound that lingers long after the final note fades, truly unfolding the more you sit with it, somewhere between the emotional intensity of Amenra, the atmosphere of Wolves in the Throne Room, and the dynamics of Cult of Luna, with those darker edges of Year of No Light and early Katatonia running throughout. Hence, you can get to know more about such a talented Dutch ensemble by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their unique creations on Spotify, and of course purchase their striking new album from their own BandCamp, from the Tartarus Records’ BandCamp, from Ardua Music, or from Breathe Plastic’s BandCamp or webstore. The word “stenahoria” refers to a deep sense of emotional distress, anguish, sadness, or anxiety, derived from words meaning “narrow space,” and metaphorically signifying feeling suffocated, confined, or troubled. In other words, that’s exactly what you’ll feel while listening to the new album by The Fifth Alliance, with their dark music suffocating you until you can’t breathe anymore.

Best moments of the album: Phoenix and Fool on the Hill.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Tartarus Records/Breathe Plastic/Ardua Music

Track listing
1. Phoenix 8:11
2. Benandanti 7:33
3. Fool on the Hill 7:35
4. Battle of Barnet 6:59
5. Jakob 7:28

Band members
Natalya Thelen – vocals
Niels Termote – guitars
Matthijs Keuvelaar – guitars
Puck Wildschut – bass
Peter Scheffer – drums

Album Review – Wrath of Belial / Embers of Dead Empires (2025)

Posted on by
1

Danish Death Metal juggernauts return with fire and fury on their sophomore full-length opus, casting a harsh light on human cruelty and societal decay.

Pulling inspiration from Death Metal legends the likes of Aborted, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, and even the progressive might of Mastodon, Aarhus, Denmark-based Death Metal juggernaut Wrath of Belial returns with fire and fury on their sophomore full-length opus, entitled Embers of Dead Empires, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2017 debut Bloodstained Rebellion. Mixed and mastered by Mendel bij de Leij (Aborted, Severe Torture, Cytotoxin), with drums recorded under the skilled engineering of Jacob Bredahl at Dead Rat Studios, and featuring a brutally futuristic artwork by world renowned illustrator Daemorph, the new album by Kasper B. Hornstrup on vocals, Jonas L. Thomsen on the guitars, and Anders F.S. Mikkelsen on bass, with support from session musicians Alex Bossen (of OXX) on lead guitars, and Bastian Thusgaard (of Soilwork, Dawn of Demise, and The Arcane Order) on drums, while the live lineup now includes Richardt Olsen on the guitars and Bent Bisballe Nyeng on drums, is a savage, refined, and punishingly tight release that casts a harsh light on human cruelty and societal decay, featuring ten meticulously crafted tracks of  Brutal and Melodic Death Metal packed with razor-sharp riffs, breakneck drumming, and searing vocals.

Dismantling Logos is absolutely insane from the very first second, with guest drummer Robin Stone (of Ashen Horde and Norse) crushing his drums manically while Kasper roars like a demonic entity. In other words, the album couldn’t have started in a more ferocious and exciting way; and Alex and Jonas shred their axes without a single drop of mercy in Mask of Commiseration, offering more of the band’s demented blend of Brutal and Technical Death Metal, followed by The Secular and the Divine, a lecture in Technical Death Metal with the infuriated growls by Kasper walking hand in hand with the inhumane beats and fills by Bastian. The stringed weapons by Alex, Jonas and Anders keep breathing fire and violence in Embers, showcasing the band’s trademark fusion of intricacy and darkness, whereas the metallic, rumbling bass by Anders adds tons of groove to their sound in Visions of the Annointed, being more than perfect for some hard hitting action inside the circle pit.

Bastian shows no mercy for our damned necks an bodies in Atonement, hammering his drums nonstop in the name of classic Death Metal, therefore keeping the album at a humongous level of animosity; followed by The Devouring Mother, one of the heaviest, most infernal of all songs, led by the brutal guttural by Kasper while the band’s guitarists shred their instruments in the name of sheer aggression. There’s absolutely no time to breath to the sound of The Marble and the Sculptor, a no shenanigans, in-your-face Death Metal attack by Wrath of Belial that should work majestically if played live; and the band then sounds even more infuriated in The Stench, a visceral lesson in extreme music where Bastian steals the spotlight with his ruthless and precise drumming. Lastly, the band’s final attack, titled Weight of the Transcendent, offers more of Kasper’s demented screeches while Alex and Jonas keep firing their trademark hellish riffage nonstop.

Fans of bands such as The Black Dahlia Murder, Aborted, and high-speed Death Metal with a razor-sharp melodic edge will have a great time listening to Embers of Dead Empires, which in the end is more than just a record, but a sharpened spear aimed at the heart of apathy and decay. Hence, as Wrath of Belial ignite the underground once again, you can start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, stream their music on any platform such as Spotify, get more details about the band from CDN Records or by clicking HERE, and of course grab your copy of their ruthless new album from the CDN Records webstore. Danish Death Metal has never sounded stronger than now with Wrath of Belial, and if you think you have what it takes to face Embers of Dead Empires, I’m sure you won’t regret getting pulverized by the music found in the band’s newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Dismantling Logos, The Secular and the Divine, The Devouring Mother and The Stench.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 CDN Records

Track listing
1. Dismantling Logos 4:49
2. Mask of Commiseration 4:23
3. The Secular and the Divine 3:49
4. Embers 5:19
5. Visions of the Annointed 4:05
6. Atonement 4:14
7. The Devouring Mother 4:07
8. The Marble and the Sculptor 3:30
9. The Stench 4:11
10. Weight of the Transcendent 4:42

Band members
Kasper B. Hornstrup – vocals
Jonas L. Thomsen – guitars
Anders F.S. Mikkelsen – bass

Guest musicians
Alex Bossen – lead guitars (session)
Bastian Thusgaard – drums (session)
Robin Stone – drums on “Dismantling Logos”
Richardt Olsen – guitars (live)
Bent Bisballe Nyeng – drums (live)