TRENCHANT - Commandoccult review

 

TRENCHANT - Commandoccult

Godz Ov War Productions

Alright so you name your band after what I believe is a knife used during the first World War in Europe. Add to that your album cover has a depiction of a WWI German Army Stahlhelm helmet. Then of course there's your songs with lyrics which are definitely war/conflict related. So I'm just going to go out on a limb and say you're a War Metal band.

With all of that said this is a debut album by TRENCHANT a three piece death metal act from Austin, Texas. The band has only been around since 2016 but the members are all veterans of some extreme bands I've known over the years. For example their bassist was in the black metal act AVERSE SEFIRA. Their drummer was in MORBOSIDAD and their guitarist/vocalist was in IMPRECATION. 

Of course after one listen to this release you realize that they're not kids writing songs about their experiences on Call of Duty or whatever it's called video games. If anything TRENCHANT come across as a more blackened version of GOD DETHRONED especially with the vocals. And as we all know, or should, GOD DETHRONED have had their own foray into War Metal.

Be that as it may Commandoccult has it's own defining moments. As the title suggests the theme is war and occultism. Musically the band's lyrics are more abstract to the subject matter as opposed to a more direct approach which is basic in War Metal acts. The album starts off pretty simple but by it's middle point that's when the real beast comes out. 

Yeah this is straight forward blackened death metal which at times tosses in some tech death soloing. There's a touch of melody choked in at parts. But mostly you've got deadly riffs, jackhammer drumming and low or no bass whatsoever. I liked the addition of the MOLESTED cover, "Pyre at the Tarn". In the end this is a good start.

http://godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

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

ANTISJW - The Age of Ignorance EP review

 

ANTISJW - The Age of Ignorance EP

Self Released

Throughout my lifetime I've seen and heard musicians/artists/bands who have written music that goes against the status quo. Obviously these performers are trying to convey a message. Sometimes it's in a thoughtful way. Other times it can be looked at as a comedic way because satire is one of the best forms we have as a free society to push a message that's true as well as being laughable.

This ain't my first time writing about ANTISJW. I think this is the third. But anyways an artist who gets banned from other platforms seems to find a home with me. Plus I like his vocals and his subject matter is kinda funny. I mean there's the song "Banned from Bandcamp". How the fuck do you get banned from Bandcamp? Some of the most vile Gore Grind bands I've written about are on Bandcamp. And it's not like the artist behind ANTISJW is a nazi or a jihadi. 

Another song on here is about Jon Schaffer of ICED EARTH and his actions which made political news. Now whether you agree with what Schaffer did or not here's my take. Jon Shaffer has more balls than Dee Snyder or Howard Stern, period end of story. Now this song does go into some assumptions about what Shaffer did but I'll let that slide. The song just tells the tale.

I think the cut "The Portland Pooper" is my favorite one on here mainly because of the late 60's rock vibe is gives off in the song structure. Plus a cool psych wah wah pedal guitar solo helps. Then again let's get it right here. This is fuckin Punk Rock. It's probably Punk that you missed because you're programmed to think only "certain things" are Punk.

Attacking the status quo again is "Burn Loot & Murder" and ode to the truth behind the 2020 Summer of not Love but riots. Truth to Power is the vibe here. The last song on here is an ode to R. Kelly and not a good one. Be that as it may, and I don't no shit about Hip Hop artists, it's a cool song with a ending psych vibe.

In the end there's a couple of things to say. First off I wish this guy would put out a compilation with all of his EPs. Two, this artist might not fall into what I call on this blog as Extreme Music. But it is extreme in the fact that I do this blog regardless of what other's think and this artist does the same. And third, hey I like this guy's vocals. Nuff Said.

LISTEN HERE:

https://soundcloud.com/user-820745104/01-an-historical-intro-final?in=user-820745104/sets/the-age-of-ignorance

PERSECUTORY - Summoning the Lawless Legions review

 

PERSECUTORY - Summoning the Lawless Legions

Godz Ov War Productions

This is the sophomore album by PERSECUTORY a blackened death act from Turkey. I learned about this band via their debut, Towards the Ultimate Extinction, from 2017. That one was also released by Godz Ov War Productions. After giving this a spin I can definitely say there's been some changes with the band as far as personal and sound.

As for the band they have new people on bass and drums. Now as far as their sound goes, holy shit! Five years between releases has definitely changes things. In the past the band relied on relentless thrashy riffs. Plus the sound was kinda murky and quite on the raw side. Well not anymore. 

Summoning the Lawless Legions is a perfect title for what PERSECUTORY are doing here. As far as their style I'd say this is straight up modern black metal which we've all been familiar with for the past twenty years. It's the five piece BM act style. I mean it's got the powerful riffs, rhythm section and of course blood curdling vocals. The tremolo picked solos are on fire plus some melodic ones which are icy. 

Sure there's some death metal influences but with five cuts, all over seven minutes in length. This album definitely takes you on a ride. The song structures are at most very massive and then journey into areas that are melodic or even haunting. But no matter what the key to this release is excellence. This is easily the finest BM release I've listened to so far this year. 

http://godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/summoning-the-lawless-legions

WARFIST - Teufels review

 

WARFIST - Teufels

Godz Ov War Productions

So we're talking about the "Beasts of Necrothrash" here. A band that has no clue about the "Laws of Perversion & Filth". And why should they since they're musically all about "Pure Fucking Hell", creating "Tunes of Hell and Alcohol". 

Yes you'll listen to this and feel that the "Hell Tyrant Rising" is upon you. Don't worry because you're already "United in Annihilation". Seriously life to you is only "Satanic & Violent Metal Aggresion". And listening to this release makes you "Metal to the Bone".

There you go, I did a whole review above using this band's past release titles as adjectives. But anyways WARFIST who hail from Poland, and been around since 2004, are a blackened thrash act that I've known about for a few years now. I learned about em back in 2018 with their split release with a band called EXCIDIUM. A year later I got into their third full length Grunberger. 

Teufels is now their fourth full length release. Musically it's still the band's signature VENOM worshiping blackened thrash n roll sound with a Cronos sound-alike on vocals. This album sounds, dare I say, cleaner than previous releases I've heard. Still the bands attack is ferocious as ever. They even end the release with a cover of ARTHUR BROWN's "Fire". 

http://godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

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

HIV - The Bright Side Of Everything

HIV - The Bright Side Of Everything

Selfmadegod Records

OK so their name is HIV. They're from Poland and are a three piece grindcore act. Need I say more? Well I guess I should. This is the second full length from HIV. Their debut, Stay Positive, came out in 2019. Just for the record their album titles are a tongue in cheek joke. As well as their song titles but more on that later. 

HIV is made up of a drummer from NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST, a guitarist SACROFUCK and their bassist who also does most of the lead vocals was once in PUTRID EVIL and WITCHFUCK. If you're familiar with those acts, and frankly who isn't, then you know what you're in for here. 

Musically I like what this band is doing but they don't give me enough. There's eighteen cuts on here with a sixteen minute run time. And if you thought the album title might be tongue in cheek well the song titles are as well. 

Now I love grindcore and I'm not a snob about it. I'm more a fan of the early stuff and style. I do like some music from the newer innovators but to a point. What's going on with this band is something I'd call Grind 101. This is really simplistic stuff. 

There are some cuts, ones that last more than a minute, which are cool. Other times there's songs which have a great build up but then die too fast. In the end I think it's a decent release.

https://selfmadegod.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://selfmadegod.bandcamp.com/album/the-bright-side-of-everything

 

REAPER - Viridian Inferno review

 

REAPER - Viridian Inferno

Dying Victims Productions

Well if you're feeling nostalgic and frankly who doesn't wish to go back a few years. Then this German label, purveyors of the old that they are, have another release by a band who believe the past should not be forgotten.

Here we have the debut full length by Australia's REAPER. They're a four piece act who worship the early gods of extreme metal aka: BATHORY, VENOM and HELLHAMMER. Nothing wrong with that and there's ten songs' worth of it. 

Musically you get the idea already. It's old school speed metal with raspy vocals. Good stuff if you're into another band doing it. 

https://www.dying-victims.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/reaper-viridian-inferno

WACHT - La rumur dal destin EP review

 

WACHT - La rumur dal destin EP

BergStolz Production

I say this a lot. I am not an metal expert in fact I despise people who call themselves metal experts. There will always be a band/artist who is either new or old that we're just now learning about. So in a way I'm an explorer looking for new and cool music. 

Case in point here we have WACHT a Swiss black metal act that's been around since 2006. Their first release was a five song demo in 2007. Since then the band has been fairly prolific as to putting out a variety of releases be they demos, split releases, EPs and compilations of that material plus four full lengths. 

What we have here is an eight song EP. You have seven originals and the final cut is a cover of a song from another Swiss BM act ZANGENTOD. Now musically WACHT has a sound that's controlled BM chaos with a singer who comes across as being literally tortured. I kinda feel for the guy and I'm a cold hearted SOB.

How cold hearted you may ask? Well for example tonight at work I complained why some things were not taken care of during the day. And the answer I got was that the employee who was supposed to do it died. So my answer to that was well at least he had a good excuse for not coming to work.

Now as far as this band goes yeah painful vocals, tortured vocals which made me afraid to blast this release because the fuckin neighbors would call the damm cops on me again. But anyways when I say the band's sound is "controlled BM chaos". I mean there's a pattern of BM style you know plus the band throws in these twisted patterns. Some times it's the drum work and other times it's the disjointed riff sagas. 

All in all WACHT's latest release is interesting to say the least. It has an uncanny quality that draws you in just for it's pure explosive and chaotic nature. This is black metal insanity at it's best. Not only do you need to check this out but I need to go into this band's back catalog. 

http://www.bergstolz.ch/

LISTEN HERE:

https://wacht.bandcamp.com/album/la-rumur-dal-destin

STRICKEN - From a Well of Emptiness, A Stygian Serpent Born review

 

STRICKEN - From a Well of Emptiness, A Stygian Serpent Born

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Musically appreciation wise I'm at the point where I am getting bored to death with so many bands going the death doom route. I love the style and sound but it's become a generic stand-by for bands. So with that said I'm glad to hear some bands going back to the roots of American Doom/traditional metal. 

I mean sure you're gonna have the SABBATH-ian grooves but with the heaviness you get clean vocals, an emphasis on powerful riffs and some damm good melodies. Add to that semi-complex song structures that keep your interest. I was listening to a Polish band do it last week, go figure? And I'm listening to one now from Seattle, Washington. 

This is the debut full length by STRICKEN. They're a three piece act which to me is perfect. Also their drummer, Chris Wozniak, was once in LIAR OF THE MINOTAUR. They were a great band which this one here has similar touches. The bottom line is that everything I've said earlier in the paragraphs above applies here to this release plus more. 

STRICKEN bring on the powerful vocals, the doom as well as atmospheric touches plus a bit of modern sludge metal tropes. The production values are a little low but you can blast this album as it deserves to be. This is a cool new band for Doom fans. 

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/from-a-well-of-emptiness-a-stygian-serpent-born

COME MIERDA - Demo 2021 review

 

COME MIERDA - Demo 2021

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions 

I feel like I'm checking out a new 7"er from 1990 or some time around then for the old Scumfeast print version zine. Good times, yeah forty words maximum for a seven inch release review because of space limitations. A hundred words for an LP/CD review but with some leeway. Print media/Fanzines must be looked at now as ancient times.

Anyways here we have a punk/hardcore act from, according to their PR info, "the mean streets of New Jersey". Well they can't be from the part of Jersey I grew up in because that's all been gentrified. So if I were to guess I'd say COME MIERDA are from Camden, NJ which is a shit hole across the river from Philly, PA. 

By the way COME MIERDA is Spanish for "Shit Eater". That's one of many other derogatory words I know from working with Hispanics over the decades. But anyways musically this is full on noisy insane style hardcore meets grind. It kinda reminds me of some stuff from Japan. I mean psychotic vocals, chaotic riffs and tupper-ware drum snare sounds.

In a way I like this and believe the five cuts on this release just don't do em justice. Maybe next time they'll do a 12"er with ten songs on it. But anyways COME MIERDA come off as something circa West Coast HC circa 1989. That's around the time bands started getting chaotic enough and got to grind. Then again there's that Japanese fast core stuff style to be aware of. In the end it's good. 

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2021

HYDRA - Beyond Life and Death review

 

HYDRA - Beyond Life and Death

Piranha Music

The tagline for this release was Polish stoner doom. OK so for the past few years when it came to stoner doom/rock from Poland I've always touted DOPELORD as the best. And that's not just from their nation. I think DOPELORD's releases are the best from the genre all around. So I wondered if HYDRA were going to be something similar. Thankfully they're not.

Yes HYDRA like their SABBATH-ian grooves but they're sound is more rooted in plain old heavy sounding doom than say just another stoner band. I'd say THE GATES OF SLUMBER, APOSTLE OF SOLITUDE from the US or GRAND MAGUS from Sweden as references. We're talking heavy with a healthy dose of traditional metal.

On this the band's second full length this four piece act deliver five cuts, some of which are long epic numbers. I kinda like those ones the best. The basic highlights here are the clean vocals, cool guitar work and a solid rhythm section. So you have a band firing on all cylinders which makes this album damm good. There's also added organ which is another highlight. 

From the opener "Prophetic Dreams", HYDRA shows off how well they employ melody with the heaviness. Longer cuts like "On the Edge of Time" and "With the Devil Hand in Hand" break out the SABBATH-ian touches full scale. Plus the band adds plenty of their own dynamic style. All in all HYDRA's sophomore album is just about a perfect release for Doom fans out there, myself included.

https://piranhamusicpl.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-life-and-death

LISTEN HERE:

https://hydra666.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-life-and-death

SITIS - Ruina review

 

SITIS - Ruina

Self Released

I've written quite a few times this year as well as the last one about how I believe Black Metal has reached it's limits as far as a genre can grow. And because I deal in new releases as well as being a fan of the genre. There's just got to be something interesting for me to hear from a new band that will keep my attention for more than one listen.

Trust me in all honesty it's nine out of ten releases I check out that I'll go "NEXT"! Then this little gem shows up and I'm like "COOL"! SITIS is a brand new act from Croatia. The band started out in 2018 and now has their debut full length out which I think is worthy of blackened praise whether you're a kvlt type or just enjoy the finer things the genre has to offer. I'm part of the latter category.

Now as far as sound wise goes SITIS come off as mid-90's era second wave BM. They cover the bases well. Basically they know how to be rip your face off raw on their shorter cuts. On their longer songs they convey plenty of atmosphere. With the basics covered then the band shows off their originality. 

First off their guitarist, who's amazing, brings in these disjointed riffs as well as a tone that comes across as something from the industrial metal genre. I'll even go as far to say he knows some sludge metal basics. There's plenty of low end tremolo picked riffs all sounding diabolical. 

You add to that the dynamic which their drummer coincides with the tempos being delivered and he adds to each song. Oh yeah and there's some actual bass lines heard on here. Finally the band's vocalist has a perfect harsh vocal style. He has a good venomous tone and will even toss is a death metal bellow's vocal for good measure. 

Anyways I won't throw out the "perfect" line but yeah this is a damm good BM release. There's a couple of cuts which I think fall into that greatness mode. I'd say "Hladna logika" is amazing. "Plamen krvi" reminds me of more modern MAYHEM a bit. It's those disjointed chords which are punishing. I think the title cut is a face ripper. And of course the ten minute plus closer "Otrovni snovi" is another composition which displays the harsh and beauty of black metal music. Plus it's a guitar sonic affair to say the least.

Yeah it's bands like this which still keep me excited about black fuckin metal. 

LISTEN & BUY IT HERE:

https://sitis.bandcamp.com/releases

 

GORGED AFTERBIRTH -Got Gore? review

 

GORGED AFTERBIRTH -Got Gore?

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Here's a new band, well new to me, out of the great state of Pennsylvania. They're angry, pissed off and down right filthy. I can understand that since decades ago when I lived in Pennsylvania it was drugs, alcohol, sex and raising hell which I was all about. Of course I wasn't listening to this type of stuff but hey.

What we have here is pure gore grind with touches of death n roll. GORGED AFTERBIRTH actually started out in 2007. Since then they put out a full length, Gorged Afterbirth, in 2009. Plus they're on a split release, Sadistic Acts of Depravity, with three other bands which came out in 2013. That was it for a long time until now with this full length.

Since I'm a fan of Gore Grind, and frankly who isn't, you tend to expect something generic which leaves you with just a sick grin on your face and a sore neck from headbanging. That's not the case with GORGED AFTERBIRTH. Now I'm not going to say this band raises the ceiling as far as the sub genre goes. That would be stupid. But what GORGED AFTERBIRTH do is make this album really fucking interesting. 

First off the vocalist is damm good with his varied styles of extreme vocals. Next up are the riffs being presented which are freakishly insane in speed and a bit on the technical side. The drumwork is usual tupper-ware sounding but at times speed worthy. Add to that the inbetween song sound bites are enjoyable.

The bottom line for me is that I really enjoyed blasting this album after 3 AM on multiple nights. 

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/got-gore

ENCOFFINATION / ROTTING KINGDOM - Wretched Enigma of Salvation Split CD review

 

ENCOFFINATION / ROTTING KINGDOM - Wretched Enigma of Salvation Split CD

Selfmadegod Records

Well this was a rare treat since I like both bands on this split. I've got a couple of releases by both bands. And I've said some great things about these bands in the past. 

I got into ENCOFFINATION, from Atlanta, GA, quite a few years ago and became a huge fan. The musicians in ENCOFFINATION have also played in many other bands I like. As far as ROTTING KINGDOM, from Lexington, KY, go I learned about them a few years back and thought they were fuckin amazing. 

So what we have here is a split by two cool US death doom acts contributing two cuts each. First off ROTTING KINGDOM's two cuts show off their love of early English death doom. But they punch it to a personal level. They are great being heavy and downright ferocious. Then their melodic side comes in with so much atmosphere and guitar soloing that you get taken on a ride. I love what this band does here as well as their past stuff.

Then there's ENCOFFINATION who on here are pure old school US style death doom. Their two cuts are hostile filth set to a slow abusive pace. I like the first cut. "Gloriously Decomposed". Their second cut, "Agonal Soul", is decent. Given that I'd say that I like the ROTTING KINGDOM side better. 

https://selfmadegod.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://selfmadegod.bandcamp.com/album/wretched-enigma-of-salvation

NOISECULT - Seraphic Wizard review

 

NOISECULT - Seraphic Wizard

Metal Assault Records

This release came in under the pretense of being stoner rock. I was like cool, pass the bong I think I'm Ozzy. Then after hearing a couple of songs I was like forget the bong, pass me the Jim Beam. So NOISECULT is a four piece act that hails from Nashville, Tennessee. I've got a younger brother who lives there. I sent him a message asking about this band. 

But anyways after a few listens I really like this band. I can imagine em pulling up to a club, all four band members on Harleys followed by a pick up truck with a Uhaul trailer full of their equipment. Yeah there needs to be a video of that. I mean look at these guys. 

The audience of some out of the way club, like one I worked at years ago, would think oh cool they're gonna be Southern Rock but instead it's Southern SABBATH. And yeah it's that and also a cool dose of 80's metal. NOISECULT can do the whole SAB 4 thing well but add some MAIDEN-esque touches on a cut or two. 

For me it's what this band does not do which is what I like. I know that sounds crazy (it might be the Jim Beam) but bare with me. The guitarist has a Iomni style but is not a copycat. The vocals come off as whiskey soaked. The rhythm section is total Master of Reality in sync. Yeah in the end this is damm good.

https://metalassaultrecords.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://noisecult.bandcamp.com/album/seraphic-wizard

GODLESS TRUTH - Self Titled review

 

GODLESS TRUTH - Self Titled 

Transcending Obscurity Records

Sometimes a band does need to do a reset. Here's a perfect example of one. GODLESS TRUTH is a tech death band that hails from Czechia. The band started out in the early 90's and from 1994 to 2012 they managed to put out four full lengths and a handful of short form releases. 

But after a few years on hiatus their sole remaining member, guitarist Petr Svancara, decided in 2017 to restart GODLESS TRUTH with all new members. After a few years the results are this new self titled full length.

Now whenever I see the words "technical death metal" on a review release there is some apprehension on my part. I've never been a big fan of the sub genre. In fact the more insanely technical it is then the less I like it. But with this album that's not the case at all. In fact GODLESS TRUTH include more variety on here plus they nod to the early incarnation to the sub genre than insanity which turned me away years ago. 

First off the album starts off with a keyboard driven interlude for about a minute. OK fine it's short and then the brutality begins with actual opener "The Decision". Sound-wise through out the album what you get is deep and powerful sounding death metal which is familiar territory coming from similar Central European bands. But then they add surprises. 

First off on "The Decision" the brutal riff and drum pounding action is broken by a lead guitar solo by guest Rafael Trujillo of OBSCURA. Rafael's solo is fluid, melodic and dare I say beautiful amidst the chaos which surrounds it. Unfortunately the momentum is broken with another under a minute instro interlude. This time it's a guitar played one. 

But after that this album goes into the full on meat section. The highlights are precision riff and drum beat sync, semi death thrash style riffage, fuckin amazing drum work and my favorite, dive bombing guitar soloing. Add to that this band's singer has a wild vocal range. I mean he can do the gutturals as well as harsh screams and blackened howls. 

There's a few more hired guns on here to add some vocal and guitar lead spice which is fine. But the bottom line is that this release does combine some brutality and melody well enough to capture your complete attention. Of course that's opposed to not having your senses over fuckin taken by ADD addled musicianship. Which is why I like this then other tech death out there. As the Czech saying goes "Pravda vitezi" or in English; "Truth prevails".

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godlesstruthband.bandcamp.com/album/godless-truth-technical-death-metal

VIANDE - L'abime devore les ames review

 

VIANDE - L'abime devore les ames 

Transcending Obscurity Records

Well if this band's debut release doesn't put a little fright in your system then nothing will. VIANDE is a three piece death metal act from France. Their name is "meat" in French. Their album title also translates to "the abyss devours souls". After giving this a listen I have a few thoughts on those translations as they pertain to the music.

As far as the meat thing goes think of something putrid and rotten. I'm talking about some animal protein covered in maggots and stinking so bad you want to vomit. As far as the album title goes well I'm thinking of the Parisian sewers from the original silent movie Phantom of the Opera. So put those two descriptions together and you'll get the picture. 

Musically VIANDE create a sinister, claustrophobic and dark atmospheric type of death/doom. This is the type of music started by GRAVE way back when. It was later perfected by the likes of INCANTATION. And in more modern times was polished up by PORTAL. So basically this French DM trio is putting their own spin on things. 

For someone like myself who's been a fan of extreme sounding death/doom, this album is nothing short of AMAZING. The crunchy riffs come across so diabolical. The evilness being conveyed here brings a huge smile to my face. Couple that with the bass and drum work and you've got this crushing atmosphere that leaves you gasping for relief.

This is a band who knows evil incarnate. This is as foul as the breath of a flesh eating zombie. I don't care if the song titles are in French. Every one of these eight cuts is amazing and will drive you off into a pissed off state of mind. The roaring vocals come across as dark subterranean bellows which complements the music perfectly. VIANDE is keeping dark death metal dangerous in 2022. Nuff Said. 

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://viandeband.bandcamp.com/album/labime-d-vore-les-mes-dark-atmospheric-death-metal

WAN - Antichristian Douchebags

 

WAN - Antichristian Douchebags

Corrupted Flesh Records

I think it was last month in a review I stated that black metal as a genre had reached it's limits. I stand by that because you can only stretch the template so far until it becomes something else. Over a decade ago the same thing happened with death metal. What you had were young musicians not into the modern stuff. They wanted to go back to the old ways. Which brought about the term New Wave of Old School Death Metal.

Now in the genre of black metal it's a different take. You will always have diehards who like the old ways. Case in point here, this is the fourth full length by Sweden's WAN. The band has been around since 2010 and according to their PR info they're influenced by BATHORY, HELLHAMMER, early MAYHEM and ABIGAIL. 

After listening to this thirteen song release I can say that none of those influences are on here. Sound wise this is demo quality raw black metal circa mid-90's. Now if you're a KVLT type then hell yeah you'll go apeshit over the non production horribly recorded values of this release. Personally I love the vocalist's sick style/sound. He sounds possessed which is what you want.

In the end I say when the band pushes the blackened thrash influences they're cool. Otherwise this comes across as a what if DARKTHRONE had demos minus the death metal beats. But hey KVLT people will love this.

https://www.corrupted-flesh.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://corruptedfleshrecords.bandcamp.com/album/antichristian-douchebags

PURE WRATH - Hymn to the Woeful Hearts review

 

PURE WRATH - Hymn to the Woeful Hearts

Debemur Morti Productions

Over the years there's been some cool black metal acts of the atmospheric realm that construct releases based on stories. Some times the stories are based in myth or historic tales. And of course the two main themes are always triumph or tragedy. After reading about the background theme of Hymn to the Woeful Hearts it's definitely tragedy we're talking about here.

Also a continuing theme is that the artists conveying these tales are more like classical composers. Of course instead of orchestral music we get black metal. The composer here is multi-instrumentalist Januaryo Hardy from Indonesia. He basically takes charge of the vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards. There's also some session musicians who handle drums as well as some keyboards, cello and added guitar parts.

As far as the story here goes it's about a mother who survived the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-66 (aka: Indonesian Communist Purge) as well as her life afterwards following that event which saw her son kidnapped, tortured, and ultimately beheaded.

Now no matter the story it's the music that counts. As far as that goes I have to say sound-wise Hymn to the Woeful Hearts is an impressive piece of work. It's melodic black metal with plenty of atmospheric touches, some prog moments and of course some rage worthy riffs. 

Januaryo Hardy's vocals are a mix of harsh and some cleans. With the songwriting style he employs you can have some heavy duty blackened action which soften's up near the end. So the cleans as well as keyboards roll in as a break. Kinda reminds me of modern era ENSLAVED a bit albeit less proggy. Still overall it's an interesting and enjoyable release. 

https://www.debemur-morti.com/en/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.debemur-morti.com/en/

TUNDRA - The Darkening Sky review

 

TUNDRA - The Darkening Sky

Corrupted Flesh Records

So there's some explaining to get through here before any actual music commentary is explored. The label is releasing this album in March and on my birthday as well. But when I went to check out info on this band I learned something else. This release originally came out via a self release by the band back in 2019. Since then the band has also put out a slew of short form releases. And after listening to this full length I really need to check out those other releases.  

So OK it's getting it's proper debut of sorts. I see it all the time and after listening to The Darkening Sky I'm ready to scream hell fuckin yeah. Now just to get through all the info. TUNDRA are an Italian black metal act who started out back in 2002, aka: wow. This release is here is their fourth full length. But this band's catalog of short form releases is so extensive that it would take time and money to collect em all.

With all of that said what we have here is some traditional 90's era style raw black fuckin metal. Yeah I know, raw black metal in 2022 the mind boggles. But TUNDRA have two things going for em which I like a lot. Those things being conviction and atmosphere. 

Now as far as the latter part, what is black metal atmosphere? Well that's when the band's music takes you out of your comfortable zone and drags you into their dark realm. Listening to this album does that. Starting with the opening bass lead intro "End of an Era" which is somber. Then the face ripping title track commences and it's welcome to hell boys and girls. 

Great things about this release, cold and cruel sounding tremolo picked riffs, maniacal vocals that are harsh enough to peel paint off of walls. Add to all of that you've got solid drum work through out. Want some more? OK there's aspects of doom and thrash on here. Add to that the acoustic melodies slipped in. Yes this is grim and frosty at it's best.

https://www.corrupted-flesh.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://corruptedfleshrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-darkening-sky

SEPULCHRAL - From Beyond The Burial Mound

 

SEPULCHRAL - From Beyond The Burial Mound

Soulseller Records

So here we have the debut full length by Spanish death metal trio SEPULCHRAL. This album was recorded down in a castle dungeon with the band surrounded by ancient torture devices left over from the inquisition. OK that last sentence was totally made up by me. But hey after one listen to this eleven cut album (actually 10 songs with an intro) I think you'll believe me.

Also I have to say that after reading about this band's history (they started out in 2016). And seeing that their main purpose was to create some old school death metal in the vein of early European acts. Well my answer to that is they nailed it. 

From Beyond The Burial Mound is a fast paced run with crunchy riffs, a touch of hardcore as well as some ENTOMBED influence. Once in a while there's a cool solo that mellows it's way into a song. But the mainstay for this band is driving riffs and a rhythm section that keeps pace. You could add the dungeon vocals as a plus.

The bottom line here is simple. The band has the chops but the whole hardcore band playing death metal thing is kinda enjoyable for a split second. Here, there, goodbye and get off the stage. Sure it's cool but what else can you give us listeners/fans that consists of originality thrown into the mix. And this is the ninth band I've heard who covers "Blood " by NECROPHAGIA.  

http://www.soulsellerrecords.com/

LISTEN HERE: 

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/from-beyond-the-burial-mound

MARTYR - Planet Metalhead review

 

MARTYR - Planet Metalhead

Pt78 Records

Taste this Dutch Steel! Yeah well I've been saying that since 2020 when new music by them was popping up on Youtube. So finally we have a full length after all that time and yeah it's about time. You can only play their "Raise Your Horns, Unite" song so much before you sigh and go come on people put out the fuckin album. Who cares if you can't find a label.

Now for all of you kiddies out there, who are not Dutch Metal fans, going "WHO"? Yeah well MARTYR started out in the early 80's. Hell they're on Metal Massacre 6 dammit. They were power metal back when people still called it speed metal. In the 80's their debut was a mini LP with four cuts and three instrumentals. But their follow-up full length, Darkness at Time's Edge from 1986, was killer.

Darkness at Time's Edge was the album which was supposed to launch them to Euro Metal fame. Unfortunately it didn't and a few years later the band broke up. Fast forward to the late 2000's the band reunites and puts out the album Circle of 8 on Metal Blade Records in 2011. In my not so humble opinion that album was not good. 

The band did put out another album, You Are Next, in 2016 but I never checked it out. For me, someone who is biased about Dutch Metal, I was done with em. But then two years ago I heard their new songs on Youtube and thought yeah this is good. So now finally we have a full length and power metal fans (who have the MARTYR patches on their battle jackets) can rejoice. 

Call em 2020 or 2022 but hell MARTYR sound pretty damm good on this release. The opener "Raise Your Horns, Unite!" with the kids singing is a surprise. Then the band kicks in and this is 80's fuckin metal in your fuckin face! Yes original vocalist Robert van Haren still has the chops. Plus also an original member, guitarist Rick Bouwman, has nailed it as far as song writing and riffs that rock. 

Aside from the memorable opening track I say that Planet Metalhead is a classic sounding power metal album. New drummer, Rick Valcon (who came on board in 2018) shows off early on the second cut "Demon Hammer" to why he's the perfect pick for that kit. Fuck I could go apeshit on this album's attributes. Galloping rhythms and great leads on DIO-esque sounding "Children of the Night" as well as "Metal Overdrive".

Seriously I think this is the best album MARTYR has ever done. Nuff Said.

https://waylandmerch.shop/collections/martyr