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

CRIMSON DEVILS - A Taste For Blood review

CRIMSON DEVILS - A Taste For Blood

Self Released




Well this is the second time in 2018 (as well as in January) that I'm starting a review with the words "It's not Metal but I like it and know a lot about it." (Hmmm, is this gonna be a trend?) Here we have an Austin, Texas act who have a sound firmly plucked from late 90's Hard Fuckin Rock n Roll, Garage Rock or Hard Rockin Punk. Yeah pick your own genre tag but sound-wise this reminds me of bands like NINE POUND HAMMER, QUADRAJETS, HOOKERS and a host of other era acts.

Back in the late 90s when Scumfeast was a fanzine me and co-editor Andy would cover a lot of bands like this. It's just great fuckin music for anyone into loud shit that rocks your head, soul  or liver. Yeah this is definitely whisky soaked sounds with a hefty heap of Southern swagger. Eleven cuts in all. I like em all but "STFU" is my fave. Some label needs to sign this band up NOW.

https://crimsondevils.bandcamp.com/


https://www.facebook.com/crimsondevils/

DUEL - Witchbanger review

DUEL - Witchbanger 

Heavy Psych Sounds




Pardon me but whenever I see a band who hails from a certain city and musically is following a trend in metal then the warning light on my bullshit detector flashes. In this band's case it's Austin, Texas but it could just as well been Brooklyn, Atlanta, the Oakland/Frisco area or worse Chapel Hill, NC. What all these cities have in common is that they are well known hipster hovels who have produced bandwagon jumping "acts" (emphasis mine) who see a trend and fly to it like moths to flame. Musically it's all copycat bullshit and don't call me cynical or jaded. I've been watching it for over a dozen years now.


Be that as it is I can say that DUEL are not a bunch of indie rock losers playing to trends. Just a quick glance at the band member's previous endeavors shows their feet are firmly planted in the metal scene. As far as some of the descriptions this Texas four piece has been given, stoner/psych is not one that fits them at all. This band does not sound like Texas psych like the MOVING SIDEWALKS, THE 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS, JOSEFUS or any bands off of some compilations I got like HIGHS IN THE MID 60's - Vol 13 and Acid Visions. Although I do highly recommend checking all of that stuff out if you really wanna know what real psych sounds like.


On this their second full length the band is pure 70's hard rock. You've got hints of Southern Rock boogie, twin guitar swagger ala early AEROSMITH, some guitar lead work (and riffs) not far from what you would've heard on some BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE albums, MONTROSE, as well as anything by Leslie West, toss in some BLUE OYSTER CULT and a minuscule of late 80's doom. There you have it and you know what it sounds pretty damm good. As far as all of these bands of late remaking the 70's blues rock sound for modern listeners I say DUEL is probably the best. I should know since I grew up with that music. 


Witchbanger is eight perfect tracks, ah yeah and that's not me speaking hyperbole. There's no blatant over used SABBATH or SAINT VITUS worship going on here as if we need anymore. No this is plain old hard fuckin rock from devotees of the 70's era. 

http://www.heavypsychsounds.com/

https://duel3.bandcamp.com/album/witchbanger

https://www.facebook.com/DUELTEXAS

SIGIL - Kingdom Of The Grave review

SIGIL - Kingdom Of The Grave

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions




To paraphrase the promo info on this band, they blend old school death metal with D-beat sounds. Well I wouldn't pigeon hole them in that defining way. This is the debut full length by SIGIL a band that hails from Austin, Texas. While the death metal sound is obvious with an OBITUARY overtone and as far as the D-beat goes theirs more of a DISFEAR influence than DISCHARGE. The band also adds much more to the cannon.
Aside from what I previously mentioned, the band also ventures into death thrash territory like on "Summoning Hate", "Strange Aeons" or the title track. Three great ragers in the vein of GOATWHORE. They also pump out the death groove on "Like the Blade" which seems like a perfect song to get a crowd to pit too. 


All in all this is a great debut release of American metal. Ya got your slam pit inducing chugging riffs, the guitar soloing is fast and tight with no noodling around and the vocals have that sandpaper roughness to them. This took a few listens to fully get into it ya know because I am jaded and all. Hopefully these Texans will get more attention for putting out a standout release for 2017.

http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/indexmain.html

https://sigildeath.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Sigilmetal