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Album Review – Hållbar / Nemesis (2025)

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Behold this excellent album of “Contemporary Black Metal” made in Poland, reminding us all that sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

Forged in the fires of Warsaw, Poland in 2023, Melodic Black/Death Metal horde Hållbar, a Swedish word that translates to “durable” or “sustainable” in English, is ready to crush our souls with their first full-length album, simply titled Nemesis. Self-recorded at Okrutnik Studio, mixed and mastered by Filip “Heinrich” Hałucha at Heinrich House Studio, and with artwork and design by Dariusz Barabaś from Seeg Design and Bartosz Rybitwa, the debut opus by Gosia Marczak on vocals, Przemysław Janusz Gracel and Jakub Bałdyga on the guitars, Bartosz Wietnam Mitura on bass and Sebastian Kredek Cieciera on drums brings to our avid ears a crossover between Black Metal and Melodic Death Metal with Deathcore-like female screams, or in other words, a unique belnd that the band likes to call as “Contemporary Black Metal”.

The cryptic, eerie intro Ambiguous Loss will darken our minds before the band comes ripping in Mental Apraxia, with Sebastian hammering his drums manically, offering Gosia all she needs to bark and roar like a true she-demon; and the guitars by Przemysław and Jakub exhale heaviness and sound as sharp as a knife in Face to the Ground, presenting a great fusion of Melodic Death and Black Metal. The title-track Nemesis brings forward obscure lyrics barked by Gosia (“You’re the hero of your personal myth / You’re an obdurate cancer running through my veins / You’re the buffalo with predator’s teeth / Nemesis! Oh! / Show me everything it is worth to die for / Nemesis! / Show me everything you just want to die for / Let them free!”), whereas Bartosz and Sebastian make the earth tremble with their metallic kitchen in the venomous Love/Hate Language.

After such a hurricane of blackened sounds, we face a more introspective, serene start in Fears, with Gosia gnarling deeply before all explodes into a headbanging extravaganza led by the massive drums by Sebastian, resulting in maybe the most Black Metal of all songs. The band continues to pave their darkened path in Voodoo Doll, another excellent option for some vigorous headbanging with the riffs by Przemysław and Jakub transpiring sulfur; and there’s no time to breathe as their caustic fusion of Death and Black Metal keeps penetrating deep inside our souls in Aposiopesis, while Gosia blasts an overdose of harsh roars in Tormentor, supported by the thunderous sounds crafted by her bandmates. Puppet String, the second to last song of the album, again ventures through darker lands, sounding perfect for some mosh pit action, whereas lastly we have Possibilities, a solid tune that puts a visceral yet melodic ending to the album.

“Nemesis is a tale of unprocessed experiences and emotions that, difficult and aggravating at first, eventually teach important lessons – stories of mental illness, codependency, perfectionism, patterns of unreflective behavior and loneliness. Nemesis is about each of us, because we are sometimes our own worst enemies,” commented Gosia about the band’s debut offering, and you can join the band in that never-ending fight against our inner demons by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming their music on Spotify, and by grabbing a copy of Nemesis from BandCamp or from DistroKid. We’re definitely our worst enemies in life, which is why we have high quality bands like Hållbar among us, to give us strength through their music to continue moving forward no matter what.

Best moments of the album: Face to the Ground, Fears and Aposiopesis.

Worst moments of the album: Tormentor.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Ambiguous Loss 0:41
2. Mental Apraxia 3:54
3. Face to the Ground 3:19
4. Nemesis 3:10
5. Love/Hate Language 3:47
6. Fears 3:33
7. Voodoo Doll 4:45
8. Aposiopesis 3:29
9. Tormentor 3:24
10. Puppet String 4:05
11. Possibilities 3:51

Band members
Gosia Marczak – vocals
Przemysław Janusz Gracel – guitar
Jakub Bałdyga – guitar
Bartosz Wietnam Mitura – bass
Sebastian Kredek Cieciera – drums

Album Review – Deamonolith / The Monolithic Cult of Death (2024)

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This Polish cult will attack you with their debut offering, a 35-minute amalgamation of heavy and experimental sounds highly recommended for fans of the darkest side of Death Metal.

Formed in 2022 in Warsaw, Poland, Experimental/Progressive Death Metal act Deamonolith has just unleashed upon humanity their debut album, titled The Monolithic Cult of Death, a 35-minute amalgamation of heavy and experimental sounds highly recommended for fans of the darkest side of Death Metal. Recorded by Paweł “Janos” Grabowski at JNS Studio (guitars, bass and drums), by Szymon “Sigmar” Grodzki at Invent Sound Studio (vocals), and by Przemysław “Imp” Moszczyński (saxophone), mixed and and mastered by Paweł “Janos” Grabowski at JNS Studio, displaying a creepy artwork by Michał “Xaay” Loranc, with logo by Ihasan Art and layout by Paweł Ozon of XXV The Sign, plus several special guests to give their music even more depth, the debut offering by Kobuch on vocals, Major and Sunrise on the guitars, Lukas on bass, and Desecrate on drums and dark ambients will take you on a journey to the most obscure corners of the human psyche, overflowing heaviness, rage and evil.

Dark, devilish sounds arise from the underworld in The Afterfall, exploding into a visceral blend of Black and Death Metal led by the crushing drums by Desecrate while Kobuch roars manically, flowing into The Ultimate Solution, a slab of brutality where the thunderous kitchen by Lukas and Desecrate will make the earth tremble in the name of extreme music; and the following piece, titled The Fall, The Reek & Forlornness, is even more explosive and vile, with the riffs by Major and Sunrise sounding absolutely scorching. The Acknowledgment continues to burn our damned souls with the band’s venomous fusion of Black and Death Metal, with the Immolation-inspired vocals by Kobuch being an ode to classic Death Metal, immediately connecting with the longest of all parts of the song, Conquerors of the Void, a brutal Death Metal attack by the band overflowing hatred and obscurity, with Desecrate once again pounding his drums nonstop while also presenting a melancholic break and vibrant progressive passages, before all comes to an end in When All Has Been Done, with Lukas’ bass and Desecrate’s beats once again sounding ruthless accompanied by the wild riffage by Major and Sunrise until the song’s grim finale.

The Monolithic Cult of Death, which by the way contains only one song that lasts for longer than 35 minutes like the version available on Spotify (with cut episodes in the YouTube and CD versions to make the listening of the album easier), definitely sends a strong and sound message to the metal community about what Deamonolith are capable of, and if you want to know more about the band and show them your support you can find them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and of course purchase a copy of their debut opus from the Godz ov War Productions’ BandCamp or webstore, as well as from Ancient Dead Productions. In other words, it’s time to join Deamonolith’s cult of death, with their first ever album being the perfect soundtrack to such a unique and devilish celebration.

Best moments of the album: The Ultimate Solution and The Acknowledgment.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Godz ov War Productions/Ancient Dead Productions

Track listing
1. The Afterfall 5:19
2. The Ultimate Solution 3:53
3. The Fall, The Reek & Forlornness 4:19
4. The Acknowledgment 3:18
5. Conquerors of the Void 12:34
6. When All Has Been Done 5:47

Band members
Kobuch – vocals
Major – guitars
Sunrise – guitars, classical guitar
Lukas – bass
Desecrate – drums, dark ambients

Guest musicians
Łukasz Wypych – saxophone
Magdalena Sienkiel – piano
Sebastian Świciak – piano
Michał “Xaay” Loranc – male clean vocals, choir
Anna Malarz – female vocals

Album Review – Chainsword / Born Triumphant (2024)

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This ruthless Polish brigade returns with their sophomore album crafted as a revival of the old school Death Metal sound, bringing the horrors of war while also inspired by the vast, dystopian universe of Warhammer 40k.

Three years after the release of the excellent Blightmarch, Warsaw, Poland-based Death Metal brigade Chainsword returns to the front with their sophomore opus, titled Born Triumphant. Recorded at Primate 666 Studio (vocals, guitars and bass) and by by Mikołaj Kiciak at Santa Studio (drums), mixed, mastered and reamped by Haldor Grunberg at Satanic Audio, and displaying a warlike artwork by Paweł Charkowski, Born Triumphant was crafted as a revival of the old school Death Metal sound, wit its lyrics being based on horrors of war and/or inspired by the vast, dystopian universe of Warhammer 40k, all brought into being by vocalist Herr Brummbär, guitarists Sarin Spreizer and Herr Hoffman, bassist Wutender Ente, and drummer Herr Feldgrau.

Like a ruthless brigade form hell the band begins their Death Metal onrush with Nekrodermis, where the riffs by Sarin Spreizer and Herr Hoffman will inspire you to bang your head nonstop in the name of war and evil, whereas the devilish, deep vociferations by Herr Brummbär will haunt your damned souls in Sinistramanus Tenebrae, while Herr Feldgrau keeps hammering his drums in a classic Death Metal extravaganza. After that we have Wrapped in Barbed Wire and Yellow Fog, another pulverizing display of Death Metal where Wutender Ente hammers his bass mercilessly while the bands guitar duo cuts our skin deep with their sick riffs, meaning it should work extremely well if played live; and there’s no time to breathe as they keep delivering sheer aggression and gore in Abominable Intelligence, a beyond heavy and infuriated tuned where Herr Brummbär’s roars sound visceral. And in Grand Funeral Pyre we face guest vocals by GÄMBIT, who bursts his lungs screaming (therefore adding a extra rebellious vibe to the music) while the band puts the pedal to the metal in the most thrashing way imaginable.

Switching gears to a more cadenced rhythm and vibe while still sounding demonic and heavy, Herr Feldgrau smashes his drums in an ode to 90’s Death Metal titled Ov Flesh and Steel, setting the stage for the band’s guitars to shine; then featuring guest vocalist Janek Kulinicz, Trident, Rise! is a headbanging composition by Chainsword that sounds a bit like a random Metallica song (except for the guttural vocals of course), followed by Death to the Enemies ov Man, a merciless Death Metal attack by those Polish marauders where Herr Feldgrau obviously sounds inhumane on drums, leading his bandmates to total annihilation. The second to last song of the album, entitled Mankind’s Last War, offers us all six minutes of no shenanigans, straightforward Death Metal that’s true to the foundations of the genre, with their guitars, bass and drums sounding tight and sharp until the very last second, and there’s still time for one final blast of brutality titled L-G P, again showcasing the guttural roars by Herr Brummbär amidst an endless amount of heaviness and rage.

The imposing Born Triumphant is available for a full and detailed listen on YouTube and on Spotify, but if you consider yourself a true trooper of Death Metal you should support the band by buying a copy of the album from their own BandCamp or by clicking HERE, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and all other things surrounding the most ruthless brigade to ever arise from Poland. In a nutshell, Chainsword once again bring the horrors of war in the form of top-of-the-line Death Metal in their newborn opus, a highly recommended soundtrack to dive deep into the muddy trenches of the warfield as the battle rages on.

Best moments of the album: Sinistramanus Tenebrae, Wrapped in Barbed Wire and Yellow Fog and Death to the Enemies ov Man.

Worst moments of the album: Trident, Rise!.

Released in 2024 Independent

Track listing
1. Nekrodermis 3:36
2. Sinistramanus Tenebrae 4:20
3. Wrapped in Barbed Wire and Yellow Fog 3:10
4. Abominable Intelligence 2:59
5. Grand Funeral Pyre 3:55
6. Ov Flesh and Steel 4:22
7. Trident, Rise! 5:16
8. Death to the Enemies ov Man 5:03
9. Mankind’s Last War 6:00
10. L-G P 6:30

Band members
Herr Brummbär – vocals
Sarin Spreizer – guitar
Herr Hoffman – guitar
Wutender Ente – bass
Herr Feldgrau – drums, backing vocals

Guest musicians
GÄMBIT – vocals on “Grand Funeral Pyre”
Janek Kulinicz – vocals on “Trident, Rise!”

Album Review – Soulcarrion / Enthrone Death (2024)

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A ruthless Death Metal entity from Poland will demolish your damned souls with their heavy-as-hell sophomore full-length opus.

Formed in 2019 in the always pleasant city of Warsaw, Poland, the ruthless Death Metal duo comprised of Michał on rhythm guitars and bass and Greg on lead guitars, known as Soulcarrion, will demolish your damned souls with their sophomore full-length opus, titled Enthrone Death. Mixed and mastered by Darek Młody at PanzerStudio, and displaying a sick cover art and layout by Maciej Kamuda Art and an evil logo by Paweł Pawłowski Illustration, the follow-up to their 2023 self-titled EP and their 2022 debut album Infernal Agony offers the listener 30 minutes of intense, undisputed Death Metal for the masses, with the support of session musicians Mateusz Sibila (Imperial Sin) on vocals and Darek Młody (Hellfuck, Embrional, Stillborn) on drums adding an extra touch of heaviness and insanity to the whole album.

Starting in a sinister, doomed manner, the opening tune Cage of Nothingness already invades our minds with a demonic onrush of Death Metal boosted by tons of Brutal Death Metal elements thanks to the inhumane gnarls by Mateusz and the boisterous drums by Darek, whereas Night Ceremony keeps the album at a Stygian, venomous vibe with the riffage by both Greg and Michał sounding utterly infernal, albeit a bit repetitive at times. Then featuring guest vocalist Vesper Locust (Dammnatorum), the title-track Enthrone Death offers pure hatred and darkness to our putrid ears, with the ripping sound of the guitars matching perfectly with the blast beats by Darek, and there’s no sign of peace or hope, as Infernal Agony is an overdose of old school Death Metal tailored for fans of the genre, with Mateusz once again roaring and barking like a beast for our total delight.

Oblivion will hit us hard with its two and a half minutes of brutality blasted by those talented Polish metallers, with Greg and Michał once again demolishing our senses and adding endless heaviness to the music armed with their stringed axes; and enhancing the album’s obscurity and malignancy, the Doom Metal-infused aria Revenge is Mine brings forward another round of Darek’s massive beats accompanied by the sick riffage by the band’s guitar duo. After that we have Deathoskullum, following a similar pattern as the previous song, with the deep, hellish riffs and beats blasted by the band penetrating deep inside our rotten corpses, being therefore perfect for some intense headbanging; and lastly, World of Putridity carries a beautiful name and puts a beyond vicious ending to the album, with Mateusz vociferating rabidly in the name of classic Death Metal until the very last second.

The Polish underground has always been one of the most exciting of all, in special if you’re a fan of extreme music, and of course Soulcarrion offer in their new opus a high dosage of all that sonic awesomeness that’s found in Poland. Hence, don’t forget to show the guys from Soulcarrion your utmost support and admiration by purchasing a copy of the sulfurous and infernal Enthrone Death from the Godz ov War Productions’ BandCamp page or webstore as a CD or as an ass-kicking CD + shirt bundle, keeping the flames of Polish Death Metal burning for many years to come. Soulcarrion are on fire throughout the entire Enthrone Death, and they’re more than eager to burn your soul armed with the caustic compositions from such insane album.

Best moments of the album: Enthrone Death, Oblivion and World of Putridity.

Worst moments of the album: Night Ceremony.

Released in 2024 Godz ov War Productions

Track listing
1. Cage of Nothingness 4:08
2. Night Ceremony 4:17
3. Enthrone Death 5:03
4. Infernal Agony 3:38
5. Oblivion 2:29
6. Revenge is Mine 3:02
7. Deathoskullum 4:56
8. World of Putridity 2:50

Band members
Michał – rhythm guitars, bass
Greg – lead guitars

Guest musicians
Mateusz Sibila – vocals (session)
Darek Młody – drums (session)
Vesper Locust – vocals on “Enthrone Death”

Album Review – Chimera / Gloria Mortis (2022)

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Playing what can be described as a mix of Heavy and Black Metal, this up-and-coming Polish group returns with their sophomore album, as dark and heavy as it is melodic and epic.

Established at the end of 2013 in Warsaw, Poland, Chimera play what can be described as a mix of Heavy and Black Metal, which is exactly what they have to offer us all in their sophomore opus Gloria Mortis, the follow-up to their 2016 debut effort Transmutation. Recorded at Hainrich House Studio, Gloria Mortis is just as dark and heavy as it is melodic and epic, being highly recommended for admirers of the newest wave of extreme music, in special all the new names hailing form the vibrant underground scene in Poland, therefore showcasing all the talent by the band currently formed of Krzysztof Gałecki on vocals and guitars, founder Rafał “Charon” Mazur on lead guitars, Wiktor Waliłko on bass, and Andrzej Ruszkowski on drums.

An eerie intro simply titled I, where Krzysztof distills his Polish words to give it a darker edge, sets the tone for the pulverizing and grim Dunkelheit (“darkness” from German), presenting Black Metal riffs by Krzysztof and Charon while Andrzej hammers his drums powerfully, being at the same time ferocious and melodic, and kicking things off on a very high note. Then investing in a similar sound of its predecessor, Necrosis of Soul is another infuriated creation by Chimera where the band adds elements from Groove Metal and Deathcore to their core essence, not to mention Krzysztof sounds inhumane with his deep roars; whereas Madness sounds and feels even heavier and more demented, with Charon being on fire with his riffage and solos accompanied by the rumbling bass by Wiktor in an electrifying fusion of Black, Heavy and Death Metal. And the thunderous bass and beats by Wiktor and Andrzej, respectively, generate a menacing ambience in Nieistniejąc (“non-existent” from Polish), with the sharp riffs by the band’s guitar duo slashing our ears mercilessly.

The album’s “second act” begins with the horror-movie inspired interlude II, also displaying cryptic vocalizations and morphing into the intricate and groovy Immortal Self, reminding me of the music by several bands from the current American modern metal scene. Moreover, the song’s devilish growls and razor-edged riffs will pierce your mind like a bullet, whereas headbanging guitars and a Stygian atmosphere will embrace your soul in The Bable Tower, where Krzysztof continues to vociferate like a creature from the underworld in a vicious onrush of Black and Death Metal. Then in Asmodeus we’re all invited to slam into the circle pit thanks to its endless brutality, groove and electricity, with Andrzej sounding insane behind his drums supported by the metallic bass by Wiktor, resulting in one of the best songs of the album hands down. And the band keeps delivering their trademark hybrid of violence and intricacy in Dziki Sęp (“wild vulture” from Polish), bringing forward an awesome job done by Krzysztof and Charon with their Black Metal-infused riffs. There’s still time for one last breath of pure insanity entitled Among Wolves, getting heavier and heavier as time passes by, all spearheaded by the venomous vocalizations by Krzysztof before a narration-style outro named III puts a Stygian ending to the album.

If you’re an admirer of a modern fusion of Black, Death and Heavy Metal with a dense background, you should definitely give the new album by Chimera a try by streaming it in full on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course purchase it from the band’s own Facebook page to show your utmost support to the underground. In addition, go check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, including their tour dates, and subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their music and videos. Gloria Mortis is undoubtedly a step forward in the career of such promising band from the Polish metal scene, and I’m pretty sure that we’ll hear more from those guys sooner than we can imagine as their third opus isn’t far from seeing the light of day.

Best moments of the album: Dunkelheit, Madness and Asmodeus.

Worst moments of the album: Immortal Self.

Released in 2022 Independent

Track listing
1. I 1:48
2. Dunkelheit 5:36
3. Necrosis of Soul 4:33
4. Madness 4:02
5. Nieistniejąc 5:15
6. II 1:22
7. Immortal Self 4:01
8. The Bable Tower 4:05
9. Asmodeus 4:30
10. Dziki Sęp 3:28
11. Among Wolves 3:59
12. III 1:07

Band members
Krzysztof Gałecki – vocals, guitars
Rafał “Charon” Mazur – lead guitars
Wiktor Waliłko – bass
Andrzej Ruszkowski – drums

Album Review – Chainsword / Blightmarch (2021)

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These vicious Polish troopers are ready to spread the flames of war and conflict in a death and doom inferno armed with their brutal debut opus.

Founded in 2016 in Warsaw, Poland with the sole purpose of waging war, a five-men Death Metal squad known as Chainsword is ready to spread the flames of conflict in a death and doom inferno armed with their debut opus, entitled Blightmarch, living up to the legacy of renowned acts the likes of Unleashed, Bolt Thrower and Benediction, among several other Death Metal giants. Mixed, mastered and reamped by Haldor Grunberg at Satanic Audio, and displaying an old school, warlike artwork by Argentinian draftsman and painter Wilson Germán Arrieta, Blightmarch will invite you to head into the battlefield alongside vocalist Herr Brummbär, guitarists Sarin Spreizer and Herr Hornad, bassist Wutender Ente and drummer Herr Feldgrau, turning into ten first-class Death Metal tunes all the darkness, hatred and violence of war.

And those troopers are ready to pulverize us all with their heavy artillery in the opening tune Ost Front 1943 – Stalingrad, where Herr Brummbär vociferates like a demonic entity while Herr Feldgrau blasts his drums in great Death Metal fashion, kicking off the album on an infernal note; whereas in Spinehammer the band’s guitarists Sarin Spreizer and Herr Hornad fire unrelenting Thrash and Death Metal riffs for our total delight, resulting in a fulminating tune perfect for slamming into the pit (not to mention Herr Brummbär sounds even more demented on vocals), followed by Horus, the Chosen Son, where we’re treated to austere words barked by Herr Brummbär (“The foundation of terror / The shadow of torment / When hate consumes / the souls of man / It now is my mission / My final conquest / The right hand of chaos / That I become”) accompanied by the thunderous kitchen by Wutender Ente and Herr Feldgrau. More of the sick riffage by Sarin Spreizer and Herr Hornad permeates the air in the obscure Death Metal hymn Ost Front 1942: Moskau, with the rhythmic beats by Herr Feldgrau inviting us all to crack our necks headbanging like maniacs, and another Stygian wall of sounds smashes our senses in the vile Dead Hand Call, where Chainsword’s guitar duo not only keeps delivering sheer violence through their riffs, but also through their sick solos.

Bringing elements from Thrash and Groove Metal to their core malevolence, Chainsword will destroy anyone who crosses their path in Exterminatus, a lesson in Death Metal showcasing a brutal drumming by Herr Feldgrau amidst tons of groove and harmony blasted by the band’s stringed trio, and there’s no time to breathe as they continue their ode to violence and war in Daemonculaba, a true headbanger where Herr Brummbär roars and growls manically, always supported by the visceral riffs and bass jabs by his bandmates. Then featuring guest guitarist Cheesy Dude (aka Piotr Sadza of Belzebong and Weedpecker) and guest vocalist Nun (aka Lech Kowal of Sun No More), the title-track Blightmarch is as vile and demonic as its predecessors, keeping the album at a high level of animosity, whereas their war-like Death Metal keeps crushing our skulls in Dreadquake Mortar, sounding heavier-than-hell and demented from start to finish, with Herr Brummbär stealing the spotlight with his grim guttural lines. Lastly, we face 06.08 9:15, with the name of the song representing the date and time when the American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, August 6, 1945 at 9:15am. Musically speaking, it’s another old school, vicious Death Metal onrush to end the album in the heaviest and darkest way possible.

In case you’re curious to know how Chainsword’s hybrid of Death Metal and war sounds in Blightmarch, you can stream the album in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course if you consider yourself a true Death Metal soldier you should definitely purchase the album from Chainsword’s BandCamp page, from the Godz ov War Productions’ BandCamp page or webstore, or from Apple Music. Also, in order to properly enlist in their army of extreme music, simply follow them on Facebook and on Instagram for more of their music, news, tour dates and everything else surrounding Chainsword in the battlefield. Having said that, what are you waiting for to put your dirty hands on such pulverizing album of Death Metal made in Poland? Let’s all join the attack!

Best moments of the album: Spinehammer, Exterminatus and Daemonculaba.

Worst moments of the album: Horus, the Chosen Son.

Released in 2021 Godz ov War Productions

Track listing
1. Ost Front 1943 – Stalingrad 4:03
2. Spinehammer 3:30
3. Horus, the Chosen Son 4:24
4. Ost Front 1942: Moskau 4:19
5. Dead Hand Call 3:37
6. Exterminatus 4:56
7. Daemonculaba 4:31
8. Blightmarch 3:42
9. Dreadquake Mortar 3:51
10. 06.08 9:15 5:15

Band members
Herr Brummbär – vocals
Sarin Spreizer – guitar
Herr Hornad – guitar
Wutender Ente – bass
Herr Feldgrau – drums, vocals

Guest musicians
Cheesy Dude – guitars on “Blightmarch”
Nun – additional vocals on “Blightmarch”

Album Review – Armagh / Venomous Frost MCD (2016)

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Let the venomous and menacing frost of Extreme Metal generated by this young and restless four-piece act from Poland cover your body and dominate your soul.

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armagh_venomousfrost_coverGet the overpowering impact of metal music from the 80’s, the implacable and raging sound of the early days of Black and Thrash Metal the likes of Dissection, Bathory and Hellhammer, and four young musicians eager to show the world their passion for extreme music, and there you have the vigorous MCD entitled Venomous Frost, bred in the dark vaults of Warsaw, Poland by Blackened Thrash Metal horde Armagh. The band might be relatively new, being founded in 2012, and this MCD might be their first official release ever, but it feels like we’re dealing with an already established band so concise and potent the overall result is.

There is absolutely no (black) magic or any other special ingredients added to the music found in Venomous Frost, but pure Heavy Metal played by a newcomer quartet (actually, they’re now a power trio after the recent departure of guitarist Ace Hellion) that, above all things, knows exactly how to blend fury and melody in their compositions. Not only that, the old school album art, designed by Polish illustrator Robert A. von Ritter, who has already worked with bands such as Outre, Bloodthirst, In Twilight’s Embrace, and more recently with Ragehammer (featured in one of our latest reviews), is beyond precise in portraying the music by Armagh. Just hit play and you’ll find death, nihilism, war and occultism in Venomous Frost, all embraced by faultless Extreme Metal.

A demonic riff kicks off the excellent Criostail/Exmortis, which after an epic intro becomes brutal devastation blending the demonic aura of Black Metal with the always exciting turmoil generated by Thrash Metal. Moreover, Galin Soulreaper and Ace Hellion make an amazing guitar duo, with their riffs and solos transpiring ferocity and malignancy. Their devastation goes on in an old school Black Metal onslaught named Eternal Awareness, with drummer Bloodhammer sounding indeed like he’s using hammers to blast his beats. Put differently, you won’t have a single second to breathe in this high-octane chant of darkness.  And what can I say about Warbeast? They truly sound like beats unleashed from hell, blasting a vile Thrash Metal sounding enhanced by the obscure elements found in Black Metal. This newborn underground classic is perfect for some bestial circle pits and brutal headbanging, not to mention Galin’s spot-on hellish barks.

armagh_bandIn the epic Foggy Dew/Wehrwolf, you’ll be able to enjoy the best riffs of the album by far, with both Galin and Ace being absolutely on fire with their scorching instruments delivering excellent extreme music to us, while Bloodhammer and bassist Mark Usurper provide all the support needed in this exciting tune. Then we have Dark Procession, which in my opinion should be used as the soundtrack to any Satanist procession. This is the most Black Metal of all songs, especially its obscure riffs and growls, with the music slowing down a bit before all hell breaks loose and the band comes crushing again with their furious music, showcasing all band members in total sync.

The last seven minutes of the MCD are an ode to darkness, starting with Witchcraft, a fantastic cover version for Bathory’s 1984 classic. An enraged band blasts pure hatred in their excellent tribute to one of the most important bands in the history of Black Metal, with highlights to the desperate vocals by Galin and the kick-ass drumming by Bloodhammer, qualifying it to be one of the best covers of the year without a shadow of a doubt. And lastly, the title-track Venomous Frost is the icing on the (demonic) cake baked by this awesome Polish quartet, being slightly slower but as obscure and vicious as the rest of the album. In addition, I love how clear and heavy the bass lines by Mark and the drums by Bloodhammer sound throughout the entire song, helping conclude Venomous Frost on a high note and, as a consequence, keeping the flame of Polish metal more alive than ever.

More of the mischievous fusion of Black and Thrash Metal distilled by Armagh can be enjoyed at their Facebook page and YouTube channel, and their amazing debut MCD can be purchased at the official Third Eye Temple in two different versions: a regular jewel case CD limited to 100 copies or a black jewel case CD branded with serigraphy print. Let the venomous and menacing frost of extreme music generated by this young and restless four-piece act from Poland cover your entire body, and consequently dominate your soul. You won’t regret such an amazing experience in Black and Thrash Metal.

Best moments of the album: Warbeast, Foggy Dew/Wehrwolf and Witchcraft.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2016 Third Eye Temple

Track listing
1. Criostail/Exmortis 5:40
2. Eternal Awareness 3:38
3. Warbeast 4:32
4. Foggy Dew/Wehrwolf 6:23
5. Dark Procession 4:59
6. Witchcraft (Bathory cover) 2:35
7. Venomous Frost 4:46

Band members
Galin Soulreaper – vocals, guitars
Ace Hellion* – guitars
Mark Usurper – bass
Bloodhammer – drums

*No longer part of the band.

https://youtu.be/uoyLGQF3e1g