EXTREME METAL MANIAC's FAVORITE RELEASES OF 2023

 

EXTREME METAL MANIAC's FAVORITE RELEASES OF 2023

Ah yes it's another favorites or best of the year list. Not only is this list mandatory but it's explanation like all other explanations for year end lists is just as obligatory. In other words I get to give you my reasons on why this year in Metal was cool via a fuckin list of releases I've praised this year.

With that said I don't like to say "best of" simply because I haven't heard everything released this year. Lets be honest, everyone's pick is basically a favorite. Also let me point out that advertising did not play a part in what releases were chosen as my favorites for 2023. Magazines and large websites depend on advertising dollars to survive. Therefore some if not many of their year end picks are given to those who pay ahead or on the barrel-head. 

So with all of that said for me it's personal taste and this year that taste was in Death Metal especially bands that remind me of the old ways. Of course Black Metal, Grind and Speed Metal were big favorites of mine this year. A big shocker is that Doom did not play a big part in my listening pleasures. Thrash also fell by the wayside. 

Most of these picks are on what some would call "underground labels". But hey there's a couple of mainstream label picks and some Metal veterans in the ranks. Therefore let's get into it.

 

THE TOP 40 FAVORITE RELEASES FOR 2023

1. PUTRASCENSION - Forever Below

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Blackened Perfection from a New Jersey / New York area super group.

2. MINENWERFER - Feuerwalze

Osmose Productions

World War One themed Black Metal by one of my favorite US bands.

3. VOMITHEIST - NekroFvneral

Transcending Obscurity Records

An amazing debut by a Swiss Death Metal act who love the old ways.

4. SERPENT OF OLD - Ensemble Under The Dark Sun

Transcending Obscurity Records

A debut album which is perfection in blackened death metal.

5. SADISTIC FORCE -  Midnight Assassin

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Speed Metal, Hard Fuckin Rock and Thrash all in one. If you're into Metal then you need this!

6. CANNIBAL CORPSE - Chaos Horrific

Metal Blade Records

These Death Metal veterans can still kick your ass.

7. WALKING CORPSE - Our Hands Your Throat

Transcending Obscurity Records

Best Grindcore album of the year.

8. INCANTATION - Unholy Deification

Relapse Records

This is a death metal opera. A concept album which is one of the most fiercest and profound sounding releases INCANTATION has ever done. 

9. TAAKE -  Et hav av avstand

Dark Essence Records

An album that brings about blackened joy, fear and hate.

10. HELMS DEEP - Treacherous Ways

Nameless Grave Records

The next new wave of old school sounding metal. 

11. KORGULL THE EXTERMINATOR - Built to Kill

Xtreem Music

Blackened Thrash with female vocals equals a Hell Fuckin Yeah!

12. UNFELLED - Pall of Endless Perdition

Season of Mist

An exhilarating Black Metal album as well as a punch in the face to the silly post BM losers.

13. CEMETERY URN - Suffer The Fallen

Hells Headbangers Records

This is punishing Old School Death Metal with a sadistic smile. Yeah it's their best album as well as bestial to the hilt. 

14. PROFANATICA - Crux Simplex 

Season of Mist

The greatest US Black Metal act of all time (yes I said that) returns to show us how it's done.

15. TSJUDER - Helvegr 

Season of Mist

A school lesson on what Norwegian Black Metal is all about. 

16. LEPER COLONY -  Self Titled

Transcending Obscurity Records

Another great release by Rogga Johansson the most prolific Death Metal musician in Sweden.

17. VOMITORY - All Heads Are Gonna Roll

Metal Blade Records

Swedish Death Metal veterans are back to kick some fuckin ass!

18. CIRITH UNGOL - Dark Parade

Metal Blade Records

If this is their swan song that it's a great one to go out on.

19. RAVEN - All Hell's Breaking Loose

Silver Lining Music

It's not early RAVEN but instead it's a master class in 80's Speed Metal.

20. DEGRAVE - Volume

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

A Thrash band who love early METALLICA, MEGADETH and VOIVOD but know how to revive it without being copycats.

21. TERRA BUILDER - Solar Temple

Transcending Obscurity Records

This is sinister sounding Grindcore.

22. SAMMATH - Grebbeberg

Hammerheart Records

Dutch Black Metal greatness.

 

23. DRIPPING DECAY - Festering Grotesqueries 

Satanik Royalty Records

A homage to old school Death Grind greatness.

24. DEIQUISITOR - Apotheosis

Extremely Rotten Productions

An amazing Danish Death Metal band who are like MORTICIAN with an actual drummer.

25. FARSCAPE - Purged and Forgotten

Dying Victims Productions

Real Blackened Thrash

26. JAG PANZER - The Hallowed

Atomic Fire Records

Power Metal album of the year, nuff said!

27. SACRENOIR - Comme des Revenants Parmi les Ruines

Sepulchral Productions

Quebec Black Metal at it's finest.

28. GATEWAY - Galgendood

Transcending Obscurity Records

 Sludgy horrific sounding death doom from Belgium.

 

29. LORD MOUNTAIN - The Oath

King Volume Records

Biggest Doom surprise of the year.

30. FAIHXTRACTOR - Contempt for a Failed Dimension

Redefining Darkness Records

Pure Old School Death Metal

31. LYCANTHROPHY - On The Verge Of Apocalypse

Horror Pain Gore Death

Heavy and Brutal sounding Euro Grindcore

32. ORPHALIS - As The Ashes Settle

Transcending Obscurity Records

Brutal Tech Death from Germany

33. GRAVERIPPER - Seasons Dreaming Death

Wise Blood Records

Blackened Thrash that's not generic

34. WORLD EATER -  An Insidious Remedy 

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Pure Old School Death Metal 

35. DECIPHER - Arcane Paths to Resurrection

Transcending Obscurity Records

The new kings of Greek Black Metal

36. COFFINBORN - Cadaveric Retribution

Xtreem Music

Like GRAVE meets MORTICIAN and INCANTATION in a back alley in Budapest for a rumble. 

37. RAPID - Blackstar Oppression Regime 

Dying Victims Productions

The newest Blackened Speed Metal sensation from Finland.

38. THORN - Evergloom

Transcending Obscurity Records

The perfect album for a Death Metal pot head.

39. SMOULDER - Violent Creed Of Vengeance

Cruz del Sur Music

Second album of Epic Traditional Metal by this great Canadian band

40. IMMORTAL - War Against All

Nuclear Blast

The battles in the North continue on

NEXT UP IT'S SHORT FORM RELEASE TIME

TOP EPS OF 2023

1. BRED FOR SLAUGHTER - Here You’re Born Here You Die EP

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

A twenty-five minute plus EP of total Death Metal and Grind insanity. 

2. TO DESCEND - Mindless Birth 

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

And yet another Rogga Johansson project that's pure old school Swedish DM.

3. ALL HELL - All Hail the Night EP

Terminus Hate City Records

North Carolina's Blackened Speed Metal titans

4. AROMA - Adenocarcinoma EP

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Brutal DM and Goregrind from the bowels of Philadelphia, PA.

5. MORDANT RHED - Fuck Your Feeble World EP

Self Released

Blackened sickness from Texas.

SPLIT RELEASE OF 2023

FERAL / CRAWL - Made As Those Who Are No Longer Alive 

Transcending Obscurity Records

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!

Yeah live albums are not as exciting as they use to be but hey if it's a favorite band then hell yeah. The only live album worth a damm from 2023.

MAYHEM - Daemonic Rites 

Century Media Records

NEXT.....

Yeah it's 2023 and I still like compilation releases. Maybe not various artist comps as much as I use to. But these days I'm all into a comp of a single band's material. So here ya go.

Favorite Compilations of 2023

BARBARIC HORDE - Perpetrators of Impurity compilation

Godz ov War Productions

This comp contains BARBARIC HORDE's first two demos as in Gasmask Perpetrators from 2016 and Tainted Impurity from 2017. Barbaric Black Metal from Portugal.

CHAINED TO THE DEAD - Discography of Debauchery

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

A compilation of this New Jersey Death Metal band's whole musical out-put since starting in 2014. Yep this release has every thing released by the band as far as short form releases, full lengths and previously unreleased live tracks.

BUNKER 66 - Portraits of Dismay compilation

Dying Victims Productions

A compilation of this Italian Blackened Thrash band's short form released songs.

Yes I love reissues. This year I ordered a few plus I picked up some at shows. Usually they're something I already have plus a second disc of live stuff. Whatever but here are two reissue releases I thought were really cool.

FAVORITE REISSUES OF 2023

CRITICAL DEFIANCE - Misconception reissue

Dying Victims Productions

The Chilean band's debut album which crushes their second album.

DESTROYER 666 - Six Songs with the Devil reissue

Season of Mist

If you're a DESTROYER 666 fan then this is mandatory.

FAVORITE NON METAL RELEASE:

ANTISEEN - Great Disasters

I love ANTISEEN. I've seen them so many times. I was at their 40th Anniversery show this year. ANTISEEN are punk, metal, country and rock n roll. Think MOTORHEAD, The STOOGES and The RAMONES with some cool Southern vibe. 

FAVORITE LABEL OF 2023

Usually I decide this by how many releases a label that I have releases listed here. But this year I'm changing that.

1. Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

I've always liked this label from Hostile City, USA (aka: Philadelphia, PA). They have put out some of the most extreme acts that any Metal maniac would love. But this year they put out the fuckin best as in my number one pick as well as number five. Buy all of their stuff.

2. Transcending Obscurity Records

This label has become one of my favorites for extreme sounding Death Metal as well as Black Metal and Grindcore over the past couple of years. 

3. Dying Victims Productions

It's a throwback to past greatness of Metal. Whether it's Speed Metal, Thrash or just some cool sounding Metal reminisent of the 80's. This label has it all.

WORST THINGS IN METAL FOR 2023

Hipster horseshit invading Metal again.

Case in point you had Black Metal cowboys, an Italian/American guy thinking he's a Black Metal Canadian Indian and of course some Mid-South Blackened Folk by a hippie. Look you might like it but I thought it was all BS.

WELL I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT IT. 

DRIPPING DECAY - Festering Grotesqueries review

 

DRIPPING DECAY - Festering Grotesqueries 

Satanik Royalty Records

As much as I give praise to death metal bands who hold true to the old ways. It's a guarantee I'll do the same for a death grind band who does the same. This band here came to my attention via a fan / reader / promo person of the blog saying "I can't believe you haven't written about this band. They're right up your extreme alley." One listen later and yeah that person was right. 

This is the full length debut by DRIPPING DECAY a four piece act from Portland, Oregon. Musically it's fuckin death grind. The drum work reminds ya of REPULSION. The diabolic guitar riffs are a nod to EXHUMED. And the vocals are somewhat in the vein of AUTOPSY. With fourteen cuts all under four minutes and oozing of filth and B-movie horror revulsion ya gotta say hell yeah. 

In the end Festering Grotesqueries is a great homage to death grind of the past. Ya gotta love the cover art as well. But next time try inserting some originality. 

https://www.satanikroyaltyrecords.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://drippingdecay.bandcamp.com/album/festering-grotesqueries

BARBARIC HORDE - Perpetrators of Impurity compilation review

 

BARBARIC HORDE - Perpetrators of Impurity compilation

Godz ov War Productions

BARBARIC HORDE are a two piece act out of Portugal who for the past few years have sworn to bring back the sounds of war like hell via blackened filth ridden metal. They've sworn an allegiance musically to BEHERIT, PROFANATICA and BLASPHEMY. 

Now for proof of that then check out their debut full length, Axe of Superior Savagery, from 2020. If that's not convincing enough as far as hate infused metal then there's the follow up, "Barbaric Hammer Fist", from 2022. Both of which are easy to find and you won't get in trouble for ordering em.

Which brings us to this opus of disgust. The good people at Godz ov War Productions, I'm kidding because you can't be good to put this out, decided to release this compilation. Perpetrators of Impurity consists of BARBARIC HORDE's first two demos as in Gasmask Perpetrators from 2016 and Tainted Impurity from 2017. 

Personally I like the songs off of Tainted Impurity the best because it's what the band would later become. But as far as intensity and brutality go then this demo is better than their first album. The songs off of Gasmask Perpetrators are definitely raw and horribly produced. The drum sound is totally horrible but to a kvlt person it's probably "troo". 

In the end this is a damm good compilation for those of us who like the bestial old ways of filth ridden blackened reality. What we have here is a band who cares more about being true to their conviction as well as the influences which brought them here. A fun fact is that you can't fake this stuff. So yeah I love it.

http://godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/perpetrators-of-impurity

LORD MOUNTAIN - The Oath review

 

LORD MOUNTAIN - The Oath

King Volume Records

As I've gotten older I sometimes equate my favorite music in the same vein as comfort food. Sure it's not fancy or dazzling but you're familiar with it. And obviously it makes ya feel good. So with that said here we have LORD MOUNTAIN a four piece doom / traditional metal act from Santa Rosa, California. This is the band's debut full length since starting out in 2014. If you're a classic doom metal fan then this is your comfort food.

Of the eight cuts on here (actually seven with one being a short instrumental) you've got mostly mid-paced songs with a few rockers. The vocals come across like a youthful Ozzy. The songs are all about mystical realms and sword / shield carrying fantasy. The riffs are not crushing and the guitar soloing is damm good. I like the real audible bass lines. I think the songs on here just have a great inviting tempo which is what you want with doom / traditional metal. 

I know others will name drop the classic doom heritage artists of the past in order to describe this one. But for me I think of GATES OF SLUMBER, PAGAN ALTAR and LORD VICAR as references. LORD MOUNTAIN fails into those ranks because they remind ya of the past, the band definitely shows talent as well as conviction to the source material. And of course their future is bright so I look forward to following this band's career. 

LISTEN TO & BUY HERE:

https://lordmountain1.bandcamp.com/album/the-oath

FAIHXTRACTOR - Contempt for a Failed Dimension review

 

FAIHXTRACTOR - Contempt for a Failed Dimension

Redefining Darkness Records

FAIHXTRACTOR is  two piece death metal band hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio. The two band members are Ash Thomas who handles guitars, drums and vocals and Zdenka Prado on bass. Now before I get into this release I have to explain some history. 

A few years ago (possibly during the Covid lock-downs) I learned about the musician Ash Thomas via a Youtube program. The show was called Metal Relics. And on one particular episode Ash Thomas was on showing off his collection of Finnish death metal. I liked his passion for the releases he showed off most of which I had. And from that time onward I decided to check out any band he was in. 

First and foremost I checked out his bands like CRUCIFIED MORTALS, ESTUARY and the super group SURGIKILL. The bottom line on them is great. But this band FAIHXTRACTOR, which started out back in 2005, is one I missed out on. So here we are decades later with their fourth full length. And I have to agree with promo info which say's ""CAST YOUR ASSUMPTIONS ASIDE, LISTEN TO THE MATERIAL & NOT THE TRENDY RAMBLINGS OF OTHERS!” In other words “SHUT THE FUCK UP & HEAD BANG!” 

So with that said yeah this is pure old school death metal in under thirty minutes. That means no atmospheric intros / outros or any other waste of time. Ya want influences? Then think early 90's era Sweden, Finland, the US and maybe a touch from those tea drinkers in the UK. Ya got the bestial vocals, damm good crunchy rhythms with dive bomb solos. Hell there's even some keyboards added on one cut for added touch. The drum work is frantic and solid. 

In the end yeah this is a perfect death metal album and with a purpose.

https://www.redefiningdarkness.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://faithxtractor.bandcamp.com/album/contempt-for-a-failed-dimension

AZAGHAL - Alttarimme on luista tehty

 

AZAGHAL - Alttarimme on luista tehty

Immortal Frost Productions

When it comes to this Finnish black metal act I've been a fan of theirs for a while. This is their twelth full length release. I own ten of those plus a few EPs and a handful of splits. My introduction to them was in 2008 with their full length Omega which came out on Moribund Records. And you know what, that album was my favorite of that year. To this very day I cite AZAGHAL's Omega as being one of the best black metal albums of the early 2000's. 

But while I was in the process of buying older stuff by em as well as new stuff their vocalist, Varjoherra, left in 2010. So as far as the new guy who replaced him goes, I forget his name and I'm not gonna look it up. The releases that followed were cool but not so important. The band's last full length was 2018's Valo pohjoisesta and was decent but hey I'm a bias fan. 

So here's their new one after a very long silence. Musically there's a blackened death approach going on here. Mainman, guitarist / bassist / keyboards Narqath (aka: Tomi Kalliola) has decided to go for a more crunchy BM feel for the riffs. Think DISMEMBER gone black metal, like we haven't heard that before. But anyways their new vocalist Jack 13 (aka: Jukka Pitkanen) is a welcome return to hatred and filth. The keyboard runs are a shocker. 

Overall this is a damm good return for the band but not for a Finnish BM sense. As far as an onslaught on the senses it fills that requirement along with some cool melodic guitar leads. It's a keeper as far as I'm concerned. But it's really total Swede death with blackened bits. You've lost your Finns.

https://www.immortalfrostproductions.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://immortalfrostproductions1.bandcamp.com/album/alttarimme-on-luista-tehty

AZAGHAL / BLACK FAITH – Immortalized In Luciferian Blood Split EP review

 

AZAGHAL / BLACK FAITH – Immortalized In Luciferian Blood Split EP

Nero Corvino

So here we have a black metal split with Finland's AZAGHAL and Italy's BLACK FAITH. Now I must admit that I've been a fan of AZAGHAL for a long time. And well that's why I'm writing about this release. As I say many times, you buy a split release for a band on it you do know and hope the other is good as a bonus. 

Well the first thing I noticed on this split is that of the three cuts AZAGHAL contributes. One of them, "Paholaisen musta kieli", which is their opener here is also on their new album. (The review for that one is coming soon.) A great track of course which exemplifies the band's continuous blackened fury coupled with an atmospheric touch. To be honest they've progressed from their early raw days. 

Their second cut on here, "Kaikki Kuolevat Yksin", is a surprise as it rocks with a cool beat for the most part and has some cow bell. It's a weird departure from their norm. Their third cut "Ikuisuus Huutaa Hiljaa" is standard AZAGHAL with filth, speed and Finnish fury which is why I like em. 

BLACK FAITH are new to me albeit started out a while back but have been sporadic with releases. Musically they come off more like blackened thrash or speed metal. I like how they have a rocking side with a dark edge. There's nothing genre generic in their sound. I like how they end their first cut "Lesser Gods" with a bass line that bleeds into their next one "Cold Fire of the Soul". And by the way that one is killer as well. As far as their third cut goes it's a blackened speed metal punisher as well.

As far as fandom goes here's a surprise. I think BLACK FAITH wins on this split. I mean "Ethica Moralis" is a kick ass closer. As much as I love the Finns, it's the Italians who make this one interesting. Now I need to check out this band's back catalog. 

LISTEN TO AND BY HERE:

https://nerocorvino.bandcamp.com/album/immortalized-in-luciferian-blood

OFERMOD / BLACK ALTAR / ACHERONTAS – Drakonian Elitism 3 Way split review

 

OFERMOD / BLACK ALTAR / ACHERONTAS – Drakonian Elitism 3 Way split

Odium Records

Here we have a three way split EP with a variety of blackened noise from various places. First up is OFERMOD from Sweden who are a two piece act that's been around for a long time. They started out in the late 90's but have been active throughout the 2000s. Their contribution here is four tracks but their first is an intro. Musically it's in the 90's blackened death realm. 

Next up is Poland's BLACK ALTAR and are the sole reason I wanted to check this release out. I've been a fan of BLACK ALTAR since getting their second album, Death Fanaticism, back in 2008. Their contribution here consists of four cuts and the last one an outro. BLACK ALTAR are just pure fuckin BM that refuse to leave the 1990s and for good reason. They do black metal so well and their sound is always harsh yet beautiful as well as diabolical. 

Finally there's ACHERONTAS who hail from Greece and have been around for a long time as well. Only two cuts by them on this release. Musically this band performs an epic ceremonial style of black metal. It's definitely in the realm of the traditional Greek BM sound with vocals that come across more as being preached from a podium. At least that's on their first track "Intra Psyche". Their second track contribution is an eight minute long ambient electronica track with chanting. 

Personally I think it's a bummer way to end a decent release. If you're a fan of any of these bands then yeah this is a collectible gem. Of course BLACK ALTAR is my favorite act on here, nuff said.  

https://www.label.odiumrecords.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://odiumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ofermod-acherontas-black-altar-drakonian-elitism

SUFFOCATION - Hymns from the Apocrypha review

 

SUFFOCATION - Hymns from the Apocrypha

Nuclear Blast

Well it's been a while for me as far as checking out a new SUFFOCATION full length. How long you ask? Well I remember buying Blood Oath in 2009 and was borred to death with it. I remember seeing them on tour around that time as well. I thought they were mostly borring live as well.

When it comes to SUFFOCATION, for me that is, it's Terrance Hobbs' solo work and the band's first three albums. I'm not gonna mention em because if you're an extreme metal fan then you know about the greatness I'm talking about. But Terrance Hobbs is such a great guitarist and his influence as far as dive bomb solos is under rated to say the truth. 

Be that as it may this latest release by SUFFOCATION is average to say the least. I mean it's good but for the mainstream types who just get this release because they don't know there's a hundred or more bands out there doing the same thing. Big name label and great production with a name recognition where as a band playing a club down the street playing the same damm thing doesn't get any credit. 

Hymns from the Apocrypha sounds like a brutal death metal band just going through the motions. I'm shocked to say that I miss Frank Mullen who held down vocal duties forever. Hey at least he was a great frontman. The new guy, Ricky Myers, is fairly average in his vocal delivery. If you read this blog (and frankly who doesn't) then you know my respect for brutal death metal vocals.

Hymns from the Apocrypha is a brutal death metal album for the mainstream masses who don't know there's an underground who does it equal or better. I can't wait to see the average types hype this album not knowing there's better music of this style out there. 

https://www.nuclearblast.com/eu/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgO6vl_vzhM

DESTROYER 666 - Six Songs with the Devil reissue review

 

DESTROYER 666 - Six Songs with the Devil reissue

Season of Mist

I've been a fan of DESTROYER 666 since a friend of mine years ago gave me a copy of their debut full length, Unchain the Wolves, from 1997. Since then I've kept up with buying all of their full lengths as well as a couple of EPs. 

But I've never owned this original first demo, Six Songs with the Devil, which originally came out in 1994. So hey first off this is when the band was originally K.K. Warslut on vocals, guitars and bass with Chris Volcano on drums. 

Musically this is DESTROYER 666 diabolical and raw. The big surprise is that sound-wise it's damm good for a demo. If you've got their 1995 EP, Violence Is the Prince of This World, then you know what to expect. Honestly as much as I like modern day DESTROYER 666 this stuff fuckin rules. A blackened fury from down under.  

https://www.season-of-mist.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMW5PIyqHCY

INFESTATION OF EVIL - Engulfed by Shapeless Cruelties review

 

INFESTATION OF EVIL -  Engulfed by Shapeless Cruelties

Self Released

Ya know it's one thing to be an old school sounding death metal / death thrash act. It's another thing to have your debut full length sounding like it was recorded on a 1980's era boombox. I mean are we really going to that extreme to be old school? 

Be that as it may INFESTATION OF EVIL are a four piece act from El Paso, Texas who actually are a cool sounding band if you can think better of the production / recording of this their debut full length. I wanna get their compilation from last year aka: Antiquus Maledicte Compendiumfrom just to compare sound-wise. 

Yeah this is something which I'd expect from a Nuclear War Now reissue. No offense to that great label but they've put out some stinkers for the devoted. With that said INFESTATION OF EVIL are a damm good death metal, death thrash and death doom type of band. But honestly this recording sucks.

LISTEN TO AND BUY HERE:

https://infestationofevil.bandcamp.com/album/engulfed-by-shapeless-cruelties-2

MIASMES - Repugnance review

 

MIASMES - Repugnance

Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions

In all honesty I haven't got into any real extreme stuff from the French black metal scene in a while. Of course as history goes the French were late to the whole BM party in the 1990's. But I like some of the early stuff. Their second wave stuff is damm good. But it was around the mid-2000's when the releases coming out of France where hipster bullshit fare. 

But this one came recommended because it was supposed to be old school French black metal with better production. And ya know after a few listens I have to say it isn't. This is the debut full length by this French BM three piece. And yeah it's BM but it also rocks. It's a primitive rocking album with plenty of early BM traits as well as raunchy vocals, pounding drum work and some heavy bass lines. The rhythms are thrashy too. 

This comes close to black n roll in many ways. But because the songs are sung in French it sounds really filthy. I'm thinking this is more a combination of VENOM and MUTIILATION with hints from their Northern neighbors. But hey all in all it still sounds cool. Let's hear their next one.

https://lesacteursdelombre.net/

LISTEN HERE:

https://miasmesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/r-pugnance

BUNKER 66 - Portraits of Dismay compilation review

 

BUNKER 66 - Portraits of Dismay compilation

Dying Victims Productions

I've said it before but it needs repeating. When it comes to thrash I like it blackened and raw. Sure early on I loved SLAYER but once I got into DESTRUCTION and a bunch of other acts well the dye was set. BUNKER 66, who hail from Italy, are a band who embody blackened thrash very well. 

I think one time I called BUNKER 66 the bastard sons of BULLDOZER. Now personally I believe BULLDOZER is the best thrash band of all time from Italy and if you disagree I'll probably punch you in the face. BUNKER 66 are basically continuing a great legacy of blackened thrash from the great nation of Italy period end of story. 

Now as far as blackened thrash goes yeah there's a modern day generic take whether it's from England, Japan, South America or Mexico. There's really generic stuff coming from other places which sound boring. And sure as shit I've mentioned em. But ya gotta love this release. Sound-wise it's got that speed metal / punk vibe. Add in some influences like MOTORHEAD, DESTROYER 666 and obviously BULLDOZER. 

As mentioned in the title this is a compilation of the band's short form released songs. Yeah screw the Ebay collector scum. Fans really love these types of releases. Because it's all about the music and not the selfish attitude. So here's another mandatory release by BUNKER 66, period end of story.  

https://dying-victims.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/portraits-of-dismay

HEGEROTH - Disintegration review

 

HEGEROTH - Disintegration

Self Released

HEGEROTH are a two piece black metal act from the great nation of Poland. I learned about them last year with their fourth full length Sacra Doctrina. That one was definitely blackened perfection. So it seems they're on a creative role with this new one coming out a year later.

Musically HEGEROTH are all into early melodic black metal. But they add something interesting and unique to the mix which makes their music exceptional. First and foremost this comes across like a black metal version of Tales From The Crypt. HEGEROTH come across as eerie story tellers with this album.

Instead of being ripped apart with blackened fury the songs on here (all nine of em) are inviting sound-wise. Add to that the vocals draw you in as if an interesting story is being told by a ghoul. Yeah it's creepy and the riffs add a diabolical touch throughout. And holy shit there's bass playing which you can hear. 

Be that as it may HEGEROTH come away with another interesting album that's a massive melodic invite as well as an aggressive touch. It draws you in for a listen that you'll never forget and obviously want more. 

LISTEN AND BUY IT HERE:

https://hegeroth.bandcamp.com/album/disintegration

TAAKE - Et hav av avstand review

 

TAAKE -  Et hav av avstand

Dark Essence Records

I've been a fan of TAAKE since 2005's Hordalands doedskvad, that was the third album by mainman / multi-instrumentalist Hoest (aka: Orjan Stedjeberg). Since then I got the first two full lengths in my collection as well as everything since. But here we have the eighth full length by TAAKE after a six year quiet spell. Well actually there's been some music by TAAKE trickling out via various split releases over the past few years. But for an artist who wears True Norwegian Black Metal on his sleeves it's been a while since the greatness of 2017's Kong vinter. 

Be that as it may Et hav av avstand is outstanding to say the least. The first time I played this it was after work on the first cold night of the year here where I live in late November. I'm out on my back deck having a smoke in 20 degree temperatures. Then I come in just to be still frozen by the music of this Bergan blackened nightmare. Oddly enough this TAAKE album lacks any weirdness aka: no folk interludes, no banjo solos and no atmospheric breaks. 

Et hav av avstand is primarily straight up Norwegian black metal without the bells, whistles or silliness. There's actually a rock essence weaved in with the rhythms as the tremolo picked guitar chimes forth. At times there's a melancholy feel only to be destroyed when Hoest decides to end it with some speed, harsh vocalization and a quick tangent on the arrangements. 

In the end with four songs (yeah that's right) coming out to roughly forty two plus minutes this release is colder than a well digger's ass. If you're a fan of TAAKE then you're use to long songs. Sit back and take the cold cruel punishment is what I always say when Hoest wants to indulgence himself with this type of songwriting. And this is to me his best dynamic as in creating a compelling cold cruel album.

To me Et hav av avstand is an album that brings about blackened joy, fear and hate. Those are three emotions which are primary in my life these days. Therefore this album speaks to me in many ways. It's a perfect album which is stands strong in the realm of Norwegian black metal period end of story.

https://darkessencerecords.no/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5-WExI0eVw

AROMA - Adenocarcinoma EP review

 

AROMA - Adenocarcinoma EP

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

So do you have ten minutes to kill? Now I don't mean that literally just in case you're a knife wielding maniac reading this and thinking "well as a matter of fact I do." I'm talking time-wise since this EP is six songs under ten minutes. 

The tagline here is goregrind and yeah OK but I bet these guys love some Chris Barnes era CANNIBAL CORPSE. And frankly who doesn't? But anyways AROMA are a four piece band who are from Philadelphia, PA. That's a place which for decades now I've lovingly referred to as Filthadelphia or Hostile City, USA. 

As for this their debut release well, like I mentioned earlier it's six songs, and full on putrid filth and brutality. Musically it emanates from the primitive bowels of brutal death metal and grind. There are times when I believe the drummer is hitting an empty beer can instead of a snare drum. Yeah they're from Philly.

All in all the music does gets better from song one "Aromatic Scent of Instant Death" to the sixth cut "Reluctant Inhalation of Rancid Aerosolized Piss". That's called progression people. Now that's not saying much but with this style of extreme music you've gotta be a dedicated fan. 

I mean brutal DM / goregrind is the basement of the underground. Hell maybe below that which would mean the sewers. Be that as it may I always get a kick out of this style of extreme music. And with that said I've learned which bands are dedicated scumbags and which ones are just genre jumping posers. 

AROMA are scumbags and I mean that in the best way. And if you like this one, which ya should, then they also have an independent split release out with a similar style band called TORTURE PIG from Michigan. Hopefully HPGD can release that one as well.  

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/adenocarcinoma

HELMS DEEP - Treacherous Ways review

 

HELMS DEEP - Treacherous Ways

Nameless Grave Records

As everyone who reads this site (and frankly who doesn't) knows I'm a RAVEN fan. So when a John Gallagher of RAVEN (bass and vocals) side project comes along all hell yeah I'm interested. Add to this is present RAVEN drummer Mike Heller and guitarist / vocalist Alex Sciortino. But actually this is Alex Sciortino as mainman with RAVEN's rhythm section.

With that all said this is pretty fantastic sounding stuff. This is total NWOBHM worshiping material with a plus on a modern thrust. Alex Sciortino has an amazing heavy metal scream presence as well as a real guy vocal. Guitar wise the guy has some amazing solos on here to make Glen Tipton go "whoa?" Plus the riffs and song arrangements are cool.

Alex Sciortino and company sound like the second coming of the next new wave of old school sounding metal. Damm I'm old and I love it to death (cue heavy metal scream). 

https://www.namelessgraverecords.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://helmsdeep666.bandcamp.com/album/treacherous-ways