ACCEPT - Too Mean to Die review

 

ACCEPT - Too Mean to Die

Nuclear Blast

Before getting into this one I need to mention that it took a while for me to warm up to the Mark Tornillo era of ACCEPT. You see I'm what you call an old ACCEPT with Udo fan. I think their greatest material is from their third album Breaker to their sixth one Metal Heart. After that it's pretty much OK or shit and they've tried other singers before.

So back in 2010 when Blood of the Nations came out I didn't go in for all the hype. It wasn't until a friend of mine at a show asked me if I picked it up yet. I told him no as well as my reasoning that a new and improved ACCEPT was not on my wish list. But he convinced me to check em out using examples like Brian Johnson taking over vocals in AC/DC and Dio in SABBATH.

So a year afterwards I was in a Record/CD store and saw Blood of the Nations in the rack marked down at $9.99. I said fuck it and brought it home. The end result was yeah I liked it a lot. It was my old 80's heavy metal brought forth to the modern age. Also Wolf Hoffmann is amazing and has always been the heart of ACCEPT plus Mark Tornillo is a damm good vocalist. He didn't just step into Udo's place but he made it his own. And yeah I've picked up every ACCEPT album since.

So here we are with the fifth full length of the new ACCEPT era. Actually this is the band's sixteenth full length overall. Once again there's been line-up changes. Wolf Hoffmann is now the last man standing from the original line-up. Enter new bassist Martin Motnik as well as new and third guitarist Philip Shouse. Yeah ACCEPT is pulling a MAIDEN thing by now having three guitarists.

With that all said Too Mean To Die has some good and average moments to it. The first side of this is strong with a powerful opener in "Zombie Apocalypse". That's followed by the title track which is pretty good. "Overnight Sensation" is a melodic rocker and then there's my favorite cut on here "No Ones Master". Personally I think it has some of the most important and relevant to the day lyrics. And there's "The Undertaker" which adds some moody aspect to the album.

The latter half of the album is weaker but not shitty. "Sucks To Be You" is a decent AC/DC style rocker. "How Do We Sleep?" is another social conscience number. The rest is decent and the closer, "Samson & Delilah", is an instrumental. Overall I see Too Mean to Die as keeping with the whole program which started on Blood of the Nations. Although I believe the term "if it ain't broke don't fix it" prevails with modern day ACCEPT. Ya gotta ask yourself how much longer can this formula go on before we see repetition on a grand scale like ah AC/DC. Otherwise another great release by ACCEPT.

https://www.nuclearblast.de/en/shop/index.html

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVRR6Now28M

THRONE - Pestilent Dawn review

 

THRONE - Pestilent Dawn

Redefining Darkness Records

Here we have one of those types of extreme metal releases were after a listen all people reviewing it should say "OK this is fuckin great so can I die now." Seriously what we have here is full on extreme. Pestilent Dawn is the debut full length by THRONE a four piece act hailing from Michigan. Musically they are a mixed bag of modern extreme metal influences that not only are you overwhelmed by their sound but their capabilities.

This is blackened death metal for starters. I mean let's get that out of the way first. The vocals are a two-fer of guttural and harsh banshee screams. Aside from the trigger drums, the snare work and tom explosions are phenomenal. I mean this is tech death meets black metal drum work. The bass is OK. Then we get into the guitar portions and we are overwhelmed.

Thankfully THRONE does provide an instrumental acoustic interlude with "Eternity in Mourning" midway through their well constructed chaos. But getting back to the riff work on here. We're talking a mix of savage, blackened grandiose, crunchy and diabolical thrash like. Of course the solo work, especially on the title track is, once again, phenomenal. 

For a long time extreme metal fan I see this as a match of Polish DM with blackened touches meets Floridian tech death supremacy. In the end this is one of the most intense releases I've heard in 2021 so far. Clearly they are the most fuckin extreme thing you'll hear this year, so far at least.

http://www.redefiningdarkness.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://thronemetal.bandcamp.com/album/pestilent-dawn

EVULSE - Pustulant Spawn EP review

 

EVULSE - Pustulant Spawn EP

Godz Ov War Productions

Well my first reaction was holy shit where did this come from? More on that one later. Now for those of you who don't know me on Face "fact-check everything" Book (and that's probably a good thing) I post a lot of music of which I'm listening to at that moment. Basically I dedicate a month to a certain genre (almost always metal) and listen to an album a day to share or punish my friends. For me the month of March is the March ov Death Metal. Now this comes in for review and I'm fucking excited as all hell. 

EVULSE is a brand new USDM act outta California. This four song EP is their demo from last year. Thankfully Godz Ov War Productions thought wisely for releasing it. I can honestly say it would be a travesty if this would've gone unnoticed. The four cuts on here of the old school death metal variety. This band does have an AUTOPSY influence to their sound which I think is cool.

So basically you've got a little over thirteen minutes of grimy, sludgey, filth ridden insanity. Imagine getting mugged and then butt raped by a bum who lives under a highway pass in Los Angeles. When the day comes where EVULSE puts out a full length we'll be talking murder. Great guttural vocals, sick sounding riffs plus dynamite lead work. I look forward to hearing more in the future.

https://www.godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/pustulant-spawn-2

CHAINSWORD - Blightmarch review

 

CHAINSWORD - Blightmarch

Godz Ov War Productions

For starters when looking at the band name my first thought was power metal. I mean CHAINSWORD gets you thinking of medieval battles. Then you look at the album cover and it's a Hindu BOLT THROWER look. But musically this is amazing fuckin death metal. CHAINSWORD are a new five piece DM act hailing from the great nation of Poland. Yes this country just keeps pumping out extreme metal excellence.

As far as their style in the genre goes the BOLT THROWER reference doesn't stop at just their cover art. Musically you can hear some influences as well as some other notable acts of the past. Basically you've got some damm good headbanging and slam pit starting riffs. The guitar tones employed even have that English crunch. You can toss in some death doomish atmosphere and decent grooves for an overall powerful punch.

The vocals are of that deep baritone death metal growl which is very cool. Add to that the soloing on here is so clean and sharp. In all honesty if you're jaded then you'll probably be bored. So thankfully I'm not a jaded loser and neither should you. CHAINSWORD just take the old ways and retrofit em into 2021. Meet the new kings of Polish Death Metal. 

https://www.godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/blightmarch

DAMNABLE - Inperdition reissue review

 

DAMNABLE - Inperdition Reissue

Godz Ov War Productions

I'm always into showcasing the brutality of Polish extreme metal. But I gotta say this one really kicked my fuckin ass when I first played it. I never knew about this band although I can hear how they influenced some acts afterwards. DAMNABLE were a four piece death grind act from Poland who started out back in the early 1990's. While they were together from 1992 to 2004 they ended up putting out two full lengths and a handful of split releases.

 

Inperdition was the band's first full length release from 1996. It originally came out on a cassette from Immortal Records. So when listening to this now I take into account that this came out when black metal was still riding high in people's minds. Plus there were other music things going on, some cool and some horrible. But this was formidable death grind which came out in obscurity.

This album has it all as far as the genre would later get serious about. You've got the bestial barked vocals with added hellish screams of torment. Musically you've got this crunchy guitar tone used for maniacal riffs. The bass work is thunderous. The drumming is spot on snare pounding. And what guitar solos which sneak in are short sharp shocks. 

This is a ten song release but if you skip the intro and outro you've got eight punishing cuts. Songs like "The Myth" with it's croaking vocals, "Underworld" which is a slaughter fest for the senses and the almost progressive song structured "Self Analysis" happen to be my favorites here. Yeah this is one of those must find reissues.

https://www.godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/inperdition

 

MAUSOLEUM / ANATOMIA - Split review

 

MAUSOLEUM / ANATOMIA - Split 

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Like all cool split releases you pick it up for the one band you know and the second one is a present. As for the former, MAUSOLEUM from Pennsylvania are old favorites as far as death metal goes. I got into em back in 2011 with their second full length, Back from the Funeral. They were one of the cooler sounding acts who were part of that unearthing of the old school death metal style. 

Add to that, something really cool was Horror Pain Gore Death Productions releasing the Cadaveric Displays From The Funeral compilation in 2017. That one contained both of the band's full lengths, Cadaveric Displays of Ghoulish Ghastliness from 2003 and 2011's Back from the Funeral. And if that wasn't good enough there was also a few tracks from a couple of splits they did. It's an amazing compilation that I highly recommend, after you get this one of course. 

As far as this split goes you've got MAUSOLEUM starting things off with four new songs. All I can say is it's about damm time since the last thing they did was six years ago. Then again there's been some changes in their line-up. But even with that happening their sound and style hasn't changed. Musically think old INCANTATION plus some classic Midwest DM sound. Their songs on here are fuckin excellent so welcome back fiends.

Next up is ANATOMIA a two piece death doom act from Japan. This is my first time, I think, hearing this band. My initial thoughts after listening to their three songs on here is obviously I've missed out. ANATOMIA have been around since 2002 and have a huge discography. I'm talking full lengths, EPs and a ton of splits. I'm not exaggerating on the number of splits they have out. 

Musically ANATOMIA make COFFINS sound like hipsters and I like COFFINS but these guys are heavy handed filth when it comes to death doom. Their sound is primitive to the hilt of which I'm a fan of. I would not be surprised if they're sporting MORTICIAN tattoos. So as many times before I look at these splits as wrestling bouts. My decision is it's a fuckin tie because these two bands are a perfect pair for a split release. Although I think this year I'm going to spend some time checking out more from ANATOMIA.

http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/split-album-2

SULLEN GUEST - Chapter III review

 

SULLEN GUEST - Chapter III

Self Released

Since this is the March ov Death Metal then why not check out some death doom from Lithuania. The first time I listened to this release I was so glad it was after 2 AM. The second time was an early morning and I wasn't into it at all. I mean it was 11 AM, I was still drinking coffee and was not into it. But hey as far as late night melodic death doom goes it's cool. So I ended up playing this late at night after work with a few beers in me. 

Like I said SULLEN GUEST are a melodic death doom act. The songs on here, there's seven but the last cut is an instrumental, are not destructively heavy. I look at it as tranquil darkness that wraps you up like a shroud. It's not too far from the template created by past greats who delved in this sub genre so well. 

Basically the vocals are diabolical whether it's the deadly screams or deep grunts. The bass lines are thick and stand out like being slapped with a two by four. Drum work is subtle for sure. Aside from the also subtle lead guitar melodies, the riffs come across two fold. You get some electric fuzz doom-ness on a few cuts. While most often it's simple heavy yet melancholy riffs. There are a few times I couldn't help but think of early KATATONIA. If that floats your death doom voyage then you'll like it all.

LISTEN HERE:

https://sullenguest.bandcamp.com/

AEONBLACK - The Time Will Come review

 

AEONBLACK - The Time Will Come

Black Sunset / MDD

Classic 80's style Metal from Germany, go figure? Yeah that's a joke. I know some people who tend to be too serious when it comes to this style as well as Power Metal which was the tagline on this band. So let's just mention the elephant in the room so I can get that out of the way.

This band's lead vocalist, Holger Berger, sounds like Rob Halford in his prime. The guy has a decent heavy metal scream although not "the Halford scream". At least not on here but still Holger Berger is an amazing and powerful vocalist. He does come so close. It's his singing that won me over when I listened to the opening cut "Specter In Black". 

Musically AEONBLACK are not JUDAS PRIEST clones which is a good thing. Actually there's is a touch of a more modern PRIEST influence occasionally. But if anything I hear more FIGHT albeit with better lead guitar work. The band calls their sound "Pure Fuckin Heavy Metal". Who am I to argue with that because it's true.

This is the second full length by AEONBLACK, a band who've been around for close to two decades. If anything it's this particular album that should put em on the top. I like almost all of the eleven cuts on here, even the MAIDEN influenced instrumental "1999 Annihilation Overture". But the song "Fire Wheels" is a classic. This German act is not trying to repeat the past. Instead they've dragged it to the present and damm if it doesn't sound cool as fuck.

https://mdd-records.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://aeonblack1.bandcamp.com/releases

EVERDAWN - Cleopatra review

 

EVERDAWN - Cleopatra

Sensory Records

 

So imagine a NIGHTWISH type of band from New Jersey. Want more extraordinary info, the legendary producer Dan "The Man" Swano was involved in the mastering of the band's release. Oh year it's also some damm good sounding Symphonic Metal. Yeah regular readers of this blog, and frankly who isn't, kinda know I shy away from writing about this metal genre. I have my reasons but this sounded pretty cool.

But before we begin I must point out the baggage EVERDAWN comes with. A few years ago the band went by the name MIDNIGHT ETERNAL. The band members were the same except for their first vocalist, Raine Hilai. Because of some problems between the vocalist and the rest of the band the simple answer was to separate and change their name. They also got a better vocalist in Alina Gavrilenko but more on that later. 

One band member's name that sticks out is bassist Mike LePond. If you're an uber-fan of power metal then you know him from SYMPHONY X as well as ROSS THE BOSS. Someone else who needs credit here is guitarist Richard Fischer. This guy comes from the Yngwie school of guitar mastery. Some of this release's amazing moments come about when he kicks in with some tasteful yet technical soloing that's so fluid you could float a boat on em.

Next up is the band's newest member Russian born operatic soprano Alina Gavrilenko. Since I'm an old NIGHTWISH fan I can easily say she's the second coming of Tarja Turunen. And with all of that said I really like listening to this release. You've got amazing guitar work, epic arrangements and vocals that warm the soul. Eleven amazing cuts on here from a band that has caught my attention as far as this genre goes. 

LISTEN HERE:

https://lasersedge.bandcamp.com/album/cleopatra-2

DEIQUISITOR - Humanoid EP review

 

DEIQUISITOR - Humanoid EP

Dark Descent Records

DEIQUISITOR are a three piece death metal act from Denmark and I know em well. Back in 2018 they released one of the better albums of the genre which was Downfall of the Apostates. Unfortunately I never checked out their 2019 full length, Towards Our Impending Doom. But this EP which is six cuts, two short of a full length, is a reminder of how cool this act still is. 

DEIQUISITOR are a Danish war machine with multiple weapons for pulverizing opponents. The drum work is like cannon fire. The riffs are explosive concussive forces. Vocals are of that beast awakened from a slumber too early and it's pissed. Lastly are the dive bomb surgical strike solos. All combined makes for a formidable release. 

The band's brand of style leans more towards what you'd hear from Eastern European meets early US death metal as opposed to their fellow Scandinavian brethren. "Autonomous Warfare" probably sums up in total what this band is all about. But hell all six tracks on here are killer.

https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/humanoid

ASPHYX – Necroceros review

ASPHYX – Necroceros 

Century Media

This is the tenth album by these Dutch death metal veterans. You've gotta give credit to a an extreme metal band with that type of accomplishment on their resume. Especially one which has gone through some major changes over the years. But still has consistently put out great music. Oh yeah and they're one of my favorite death metal bands. So yeah the bias alert is in effect.

Necroceros starts off in similar fashion as they've done over the past dozen years as far as their newer full lengths go. The recipe follows as in open with a speedy death thrash type of cut, on here it's "The Sole Cure is Death". Then follow that one with an uptempo death doom number, "Molten Black Earth". Next up it's something with a little of both. On here it's "Mount Skull" which is a fuckin amazing track. Keep that style while also peppering in a few long epics.

Yeah if you're a long time fan you know the formula well and it works. But not so much for their last album, 2016's Incoming Death. I liked it even though it sounded like the band were just going through the motions. Necroceros is like a comeback album of sorts that reminds you of the band's whole career. We're talking some cool odes to the early days as well as some points to the future. 

The two long songs on here, "Three Years of Famine" and the title cut, are amazing. Then again I think every song on here is great. The guitar tone and riffs by Paul Baayens are super crunchy. He even tosses in some halfway decent lead work. Martin van Drunen's vocals are still caustic as ever. The rhythm section keeps the heaviness flowing. I'm finally appreciating Stefan Huskens's drum work since taking over for Bob Bagchus in 2014.

All in all not only is this one of my favorite albums so far this year but it's the absolute best ASPHYX has sounded in a long time. I mean everything just clicks on here. Baayens and bassist Alwin Zuur are keeping the riffs thunderous. Huskens, from Germany, has found a new home with the Dutch. And Martin van Drunen sounds just as good as he did in the nineties.

https://www.centurymedia.com/

 

EGO - Predation EP review

 

EGO - Predation EP

Lycaean Triune

This originally was released in late December 2020. But after giving it a listen I figured it was worth writing about. First off there are just too many uncanny things about this band that have to be noticed. EGO consists of two guys whose names are Piss and Shit. They hail from Alaska which is a state I kinda know well since I spent two years there in the 80's. But then you look at their band photo and think they're two soy boys from Portland ready to throw bricks at Starbucks windows as part of some imaginary resistance.

But you listen to this four song EP and are floored by it's ferocity. Yes EGO might just be two corrupt misanthropic minded individuals who could stand each other's company long enough to create some decent black metal. Then again they could be two damm good musicians who have created some hostile yet semi-complex song structure black metal from the states in a while. 

Finland is quite a distance from Alaska but when I listen to this EP, which is also a cassette release, musically there's a connection. The opener, "To Look for Sheep" is a face ripper with a head banging closing rhythm riff. That song sold me into madness. The next three cuts are full on BM necro with cool touches of atmosphere. The majority of the time it's blast beat mania with diabolical tremolo runs and psychotic vocal screams. 

This release is something I'd expect to come out on a traditional BM specific label outta Europe. But no it's an indie from Alaska. I guess you could say for now at least. Predation is nineteen minutes of blackened hate. "Malice Aforethought" even leans into the blackened grind realm as well as closer "Gouging Out the Third Eye". Listening to this is equal to the way I feel the next morning after pulling a busy as fuck ten hour shift at work the night before. 

https://lycaeantriune.bandcamp.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://egoak.bandcamp.com/

LOS MALES DEL MUNDO - Descent Towards Death review

LOS MALES DEL MUNDO - Descent Towards Death

Northern Silence Productions

Years ago I said black metal has no borders as far as nations go. That was pretty much a middle finger response to some elitists who believed only Scandinavian bands are true black metal. Yeah whatever, you're wrong and go fuck yourselves. History of the genre has shown to think that is ignorant. There are so many examples and this here is just another one.

Here we have the debut album by LOS MALES DEL MUNDO. Their name translates into English as "The Evils of the World". As far as last year and at present yeah we kinda need this. This band, a two piece act, hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Yes we're talking about South American black metal which means anything is possible.

Right from the twelve plus minute opener, "Falling into Nothing", you can hear that this band's influences are on par with early DRUDKH. We're talking majestic tremolo riffs with an avalanche of sounds whether through the powerful drum work or the harsh screamed vocals. 

The pattern continues throughout the five cuts on here in various degrees of atmosphere. There's beauty as well as brutality in this listening pleasure. The guitars have that layed texture quality. There's even some cool solo work going on. Even though most of the vocals are harsh. There is some varied styles tossed in as if this was a narration.

All in all I won't come out to say this is masterful. The overall style has been worked on before as well as copied numerous times. Decent it is especially if you're a late night black metal listening fan. By the way I tend to be that type of person. Nuff Said.

https://store.northern-silence.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://losmalesdelmundo.bandcamp.com/releases