NIGHT SPECTRE - Self Titled LP review

 

NIGHT SPECTRE - Self Titled LP

Dying Victims Productions

So this is the debut full length by a Greek five piece act who are on a nostalgia trip back to the late 1980's. Well hell yeah I like it and I'll get into name dropping later which needs to be addressed. But first I must admit that the promo info given to me was kinda cool. "NIGHT SPECTRE was forged in 2024, when a group of stubborn metalheads united with one goal, to unleash pure old-school heavy metal, burning with passion and true devotion."

Yeah I'll give em that but in all honesty this sounds like early IRON MAIDEN meets JAG PANZER. That was also mentioned in the promo info. So in essence this is first wave Power Metal. You've got the galloping riffs by the Brits with the US power heavy assault and hollowed vocals. In the end it pretty much rules. 

NIGHT SPECTRE basically are traveling on familiar territory which has been forgotten as far as original intent. In other words it's one thing to see / hear a band from the past replay their old stuff live. It's better when you see / hear a new band play that same sound which cranked you up decades ago and does it again. 

So yeah this release rules! 

https://dying-victims.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/night-spectre

DECIPHER - θελημα reDECIPHER - θελημα Transcending Obscurity Recordsview

 

DECIPHER - θελημα

Transcending Obscurity Records

Back in 2023 I called this band the new kings of Greek Black Metal after hearing their debut full length Arcane Paths to Resurrection. That album was released on Transcending Obscurity Records. So here we are a few years later with their follow up. And I can honesly say I wasn't wrong years ago. DECIPHER's sothmore album is not only better than their debut but it's just a great Black Metal album.

Basically this band does have a respect for past Greek Black Metal greatness. But then they take that and add a lot to make a sound which is more dynamic as well as mandatory concentration. Yes there's harshness and also melody along with intricate playing. Of the seven cuts on here it's the longer ones like "The Black March" and "Hail Death" which put forth an overwelming listening experiece.There's also some Blackened Death on songs like "Seven Scars" and touches on other cuts. 

I think the greatness of this release is in it's compositions which, all seven, are a listening pleasure. It's a perfect album which needs to be heard by all but especially those in that Black Metal repository of oldness.I keep on looking for the future of Black Metal. Here it is and it's harsh as fuck as well as beautiful.  

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://decipherbm.bandcamp.com/album/thelema

PHASMA - Purgatory review

 

PHASMA - Purgatory

Transcending Obscurity Records

I'd file this one under the genre title Extreme Fuckin Metal. Yes I'm serious about that and no I don't want to create a new genre. There's just a hell of a lot to unpack here on this one. For starters this is a two piece act featuring Jason Athanasiadis and Luis Ferre. Jason Athanasiadis is from Greece and the composer of the band. Basically he creates the music which is a combination of Atmospheric Black Metal and all styles / sub genres of Death Metal. I give this guy props because half of these cuts are insanity while others are regiment ally stable. 

Which brings us to the vocalist Luis Ferre from the US who is an Extreme Metal singer to the hilt. He can do harsh blackened screams, cookie monster vocals and even Brutal DM pig squeals. So with this tag-team of the extreme they musically produce something akin to a beat-down with an added saws- saw cutting through your banging forehead. Yeah there's actually some groove to it all. 

This full length is six cuts long with Roman numerals as titles. Yeah I know why waste time with lyrics or song titles when it's all about musical destruction. Be that as it may, and it's just fuckin January damm it, there's something cool about this fuckin insanity. While the opening two cuts are out to tear you to ribbons. What comes next is where I find some cool touches. Midway into this album is where Jason Athanasiadis really excels on the song structures that more define what's going on in his deranged mind. 

In the end this is the most insane extreme music experience you'll hear this year, and it's just January. Or you'll walk away feeling I'm insane anyway and you'll blast this because you like noise for the sake of noise. All I know is that I need a drink and a smoke after listening to this nightmare. The final cut has the audacity to end it with Hammond organ sounding keyboards. That's the audio equivalent of giving you the middle finger. That's right we're done and fuck you. Yeah this release is a winner. 

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://phasmametal.bandcamp.com/album/purgatory

NECROCHAKAL - Golgothian Orgies of Bestial Lust review

 

NECROCHAKAL - Golgothian Orgies of Bestial Lust

Floga Records

First off I like the album cover art. The song titles are funny in a debauchees way. Musically it's blackened thrash and more on that later. But the band photo provided is pretty fuckin bad. And you know what maybe it's bad in a deliberate way. Sure I'll go out on that limb only because I'm crazy sometimes. But in all seriousness you two guys look like a bad Halloween costume picture.

Now with that out of the way here we have the debut full length from NECROCHAKAL. They're actually a three piece Blackened Thrash act from the great nation of Greece who have been around putting their cloven hooves on people's faces since 2012. The early part of their career consisted of various short form releases. If you interested and don't want to search so far then there's a compilation titled The Early Black Sacrifices which came out on CD in 2023 on Tribulacion Productions. 

Now as far as this thing goes the band clearly states that musically they're into Teutonic Thrash and late 80's Brazilian Extreme Metal. So think SODOM, DESTRUCTION, SARCOFAGO and MYSTIFIER all rolled into one savage bestial punch to your fucking face. Plus they're fuckin Greek as well and I do hear a touch of Hellenic BM on a song or two. 

So you have nine tracks that pretty much are all about their ferocious hatred towards well you can figure it out because it's easy by now. With that said NECROCHAKAL are a damm cool sounding band. They're giving an update to a sound which is three decades old. But they're keeping it original while also making it sound somewhat fresh. Seriously why would you ever put in a acoustic piece like "Thanatopsis" trying to be all SABBATH which kinda sucks?  It's because you're Black Fuckin Metal and you follow it up with "Son of Loss Judas Goat". So yeah this full length is a winner.   

http://www.flogarecords.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://flogarecords.bandcamp.com/album/golgothian-orgies-of-bestial-lust

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

DECIPHER - Arcane Paths to Resurrection review

 

DECIPHER - Arcane Paths to Resurrection

Transcending Obscurity Records

I like the title of this album because it fits so well with the music being explored. DECIPHER are the latest black metal export from Greece. On this their full length debut the four piece act take what is essentially melodic black metal and retro fit it enough that it sounds fresh. Basically that's what I meant about the album title being a great representation. 

On here the band wastes no time in delivering a wall of ferocious riffs then adding a tortured atmosphere which all falls in the song structures presented. There's plenty of steely melodic lead work. At times there's some death metal groove riffage thrown in for head banging purposes. And of course there's a galloping riff or two which carry you along as if a furious wind has picked you up and took you away. 

Yes the guitar work on here is exceptional but there's other cool things going on. The vocals come across as deep, bloody throat, demonic. It's as if the singer has you by the collar and is screaming and some times chanting in your face. As far as the rhythm section goes the drums and bass are held slightly back in the production but not buried. 

 

There are moments while listening to this album I hear touches of MARDUK or GORGOROTH. Both of which are quality influences if that is the case. All in all this is a great debut by dare I say the new kings of Greek Black Metal. Nuff Said.

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://decipherbm.bandcamp.com/album/arcane-paths-to-resurrection-black-metal

MEDIEVAL DEMON - Black Coven review

 

MEDIEVAL DEMON - Black Coven

Hells Headbangers Records

Decades ago Greece had a fairly cool black metal scene. I'm not about to name drop my way into a history lesson. If you're into BM then you know the facts. MEDIEVAL DEMON was actually part of that early Greek BM scene. Unfortunately while their contemporaries put out albums that we BM fans call classics. MEDIEVAL DEMON farted around until 1998 when they finally released a full length titled Demonolatria. 

If you've got that release, and I'm betting it's the reissue with the tame cover art. Then you know that MEDIEVAL DEMON were different then their fellow Greek BM acts. They were more towards the symphonic horror side of the scene. And then after that they split up. 

Now normally MEDIEVAL DEMON would've fell into that for sale pack of "obscure black metal". But no because in 2018 they came back and with a self released album Medieval Necromancy. Since then they've put out two more with this one, Black Coven, being the third and second one to come out on Hells Headbangers Records. 

Musically MEDIEVAL DEMON create old school melodic yet symphonic black metal. Their use of keyboards gives things a ghastly gothic touch. They're also one of the few BM acts to include saxophone in a few songs which comes off kinda cool. But the band cover the basics. Tortured vocals, melodic riffs with a few scorching solos. The rhythm section is solid. And when they kick into high gear it's cool as fuck.

Overall I believe since MEDIEVAL DEMON's resurrection a few years back that this is their best album. 

https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://medievaldemon.bandcamp.com/album/black-coven

EXILIUM NOCTIS - Fragments Of Apocalypse review

 

EXILIUM NOCTIS - Fragments Of Apocalypse 

Sleaszy Rider Records

I've been missing some good black metal from the nation of Greece of late. Hey where's DODSFERD these days? Actually I've been passing on many bands from this nation that simply are not up to the legacy Greece has displayed in the past. Of course that's when it comes to extreme metal. Then I heard this band, EXILIUM NOCTIS, and things changed.

EXILIUM NOCTIS are a black metal act that have one foot firmly planted in the 90's era of the genre but have the other kicking butt in the modern era. There's a touch of what we use to call Hellenic BM. Add in some death metal aesthetics and then counter it all with some keys and cello. Yeah this is kinda familiar and different.

The basics are covered well, on this their full length debut, in an almost symphonic style. Case in point, "Devouring the Carcass ov God" and closer "Wrath Eternal" are rituals of blackened death. Where as "Night Witches" pushes punishment as well as marching black metal pain. All seven cuts on here are good. 

This is a four piece act with Alpha on bass & vocals. Omega has the guitar work down pat. Then the fun begins with Kayra who plays cello. Can you say tremolo cello riffs? Finally there's the keyboards by Sigma which keeps the songs flowing. There's also a guest vocalist on "Wrath Eternal", aka: Jens Ryden from THYRFING. All in all an amazing debut from this Greek act.

https://sleaszyrider.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://exiliumnoctis.bandcamp.com/album/fragments-of-apocalypse

ABYSSUS - Death Revival review

 

ABYSSUS - Death Revival 

Transcending Obscurity Records

This Greek band loves OBITUARY so much they practically borrowed their logo. More on that later, but hey here we are in an age where musical influences are not bound by borders. Case in point, back in 2020 two favorite releases of mine were total old school Swedish blackened death metal. But one band was from Canada and the other was from the state of Washington. So there you go, extreme metal know no borders.

Now when I read the promo info on this Greek death metal act I wasn't too hip to the idea. I'm a big time OBITUARY fan but I'll admit that their past ten years have not been exciting for me. Then I gave this release a listen and I was like "whoa this is cool". Now as far as the whole OBITUARY influence goes well this band's vocalist comes off like John Tandy on a bender. Now it's not a bad thing so with that said everything else is fantastic.

Death Revival is exactly what you get on here. The album starts off with some fast riff action. We're talking some good adrenaline pumping cuts like "Metal Of Death" and "The Ten Commandments" with a touch of thrash and groove. It's not till the fourth cut, "The Beast Within", where the band slows down a bit for some pure headbanging mania. There's a touch from home ala traditional Greek fiddle(?) playing on the intro of "Genocide" which is another death thrash type of number. 

I could on about the songs but seriously in my not so humble opinion Death Revival is a flawless album. The band takes an influence from the past, adds a few tweaks and ends up making it all their own. Even the final cut, "When Wolves Are Out To Hunt" comes off as an amazing ASPHYX style death doom cut but with a modern jolt of energy. Yeah this is a great fuckin album. 

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://abyssusgreece.bandcamp.com/album/death-revival-death-metal

DODSFERD - Skotos EP review

 

DODSFERD - Skotos EP

Transcending Obscurity Records

So for all of you people who read the things I post on this blog (and frankly who doesn't) you know I'm a big fan of DODSFERD from Greece. Just a quick overview, DODSFERD started out as a one man black metal act back in the early 2000's by Wrath. The early stuff was a mix of black n roll and atmospheric BM. Lyrical themes delved into subjects both suicidal as well as homicidal. Wrath pretty much despised the human race. I'm a huge fan of that first decade of DODSFERD.

The next batch of albums from 2010 to 2013 were decent and followed the same themes. The consistent black n roll material was exciting but everything else was not top notch in my not so humble opinion. So at a time when I expected Wrath to just repeat the same tired theme he surprises the hell out of me and the world of black metal with 2015's Wastes of Life. Wrath basically tweaks his repertoire to fit into the modern era of atmospheric BM. DODSFERD also is an actual band at this point with other musicians along with Wrath. It's truly an amazing release. 

Fast forward to 2018 with Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World which was a continuation of the blackened path Wrath had taken on the previous full length. This one reminded me of territory once trudged by the likes of DRUDKH and PRIMORDIAL. Again an amazing piece of work. So when I saw this new one I was like cool, some new DODSFERD. But technically it really isn't. 

Basically these are two new songs (or are they really?) tacked onto the Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World release. That's if you get it as a CD or digital download. These two cuts, "Skotadi" and "Cursed to Die at First Light", will also be available as a 7"er. Pretty much both tracks are the same as in a repetitive industrial blackened rhythm, some slight tremolo picked high notes, blast beated drums and Wrath laying down harsh filth ridden screamed lyrics. 

The only difference between the two cuts are the song titles. Which to me is disappointing to say the least. Musically it's of the style Wrath was producing years ago. After two great releases of moving into a new and more modern sounding direction you would figure he would continue experimenting along those avenues. If you look at it as one song then it's OK. But for me it's that Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World is on here as well. So the saving grace are those five tracks which you get a second chance at getting.

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://dodsferd.bandcamp.com/album/skotos-atmospheric-black-metal

LEECHES - A Plague in the Heart of Light Demo review

LEECHES - A Plague in the Heart of Light Demo

Fucking Your Creation Records

LEECHES is a new side project by Wrath from the Greek black metal institution DODSFERD. Now I've been a fan of DODSFERD since their second album Fucking Your Creation from 2007. I liked how Wrath combined depressive hate filled black metal with some black n roll. Over the years that style was fairly consistent. But in recent times Wrath as taken DODSFERD to some progressive moments. In fact I thought their last two albums were fantastic. 

Now with LEECHES, Wrath has gone back to the basics aka: Old School Black Metal 101. His helpers include fellow DODSFERD alumni Nikos S. on guitar and drums plus Apostolis Kotouzas from SORGELIG on bass. Wrath just does vocals. A Plague in the Heart of Light is a perfect title as far as the musical essence on this release. There's five cuts, one of which is an instrumental. 

Basically it's simplistic yet forceful, rude and crude early 90's era BM. If a new band was doing this then I wouldn't think too much of it. But this is fuckin Wrath who's been doing BM for close to twenty years now. This is his sound from many years ago. All of these tracks could've been on early DODSFERD releases. So yeah this is a cool release.

LISTEN HERE: 

https://leechesbm.bandcamp.com/releases

 

ENSHADOWED - Stare Into the Abyss review

ENSHADOWED - Stare Into the Abyss

Odium Records





Although this black metal band hails from Greece their sound on here is pure old school Scandinavian. ENSHADOWED are not a new band at all. The band originally started out back in the late 90's. It wasn't until the 2000's when the band started putting out some official releases, as opposed to demos. 


It wasn't until the mid to late 2000's when the band finally got a cohesive line-up of N.e.c.r.o (aka: Dionysis Dimitrakos) on guitar. Golgotha (aka: George T.) on bass and Serpent on vocals. I'm already familiar with Dionysis Dimitrakos work in another Greek black metal act, BURIAL HORDES. 


Just for the record this is not the first time I've heard a Greek black metal act pay tribute to the Scandinavian hordes of old. Although personally I like the classic Greek black metal sounds of old aka: Hellenic Black Metal. I'm talking about bands like early VARATHRON and ROTTING CHRIST to just name a few. There are so many more on my fave list. 


But here we are with ENSHADOWED's fourth full length and it does conjure up the dead souls or yore. Right from the start you realize you're in for something truly cold and unforgiving. Throughout the album you're treated to sounds reminiscent of early Swedish as well as Norwegian acts. There's plenty of thrashy guitar blasting. You've got your typical blastbeat drum work along with some decent fillers. 


Toss in a vocal performance which is totally harsh some times while doing that speak/chant style. Honestly this sounds like a cross between FUNERAL MIST and MAYHEM. Also I'm thinking more towards the latter as far as influences go. As the title says, Stare Into the Abyss, but for me I've dived in head first. 


http://www.odiumrex.com/

https://enshadowedofficial.bandcamp.com/


https://www.facebook.com/EnshadowedOfficial

DEATH COURIER - Necrotic Verses review

DEATH COURIER - Necrotic Verses 

Transcending Obscurity Records




So whenever I read a promo which describes a band as legendary I think to myself, "according to who?" or "I'm just fucking ignorant." The bottom line here is that at least I'm honest. I've never heard of DEATH COURIER before. They're an old Greek death metal act who originally came out in the late 80's. In 1992 they released their debut full length, Demise. A year later the band broke up. and what was huge in extreme metal in 92/93? Ah yeah so it's no wonder I must have missed this band.


Actually when it comes to the whole Greek extreme metal scene at around that time. I am a fan of the black metal acts and that's pretty much it. So in 2009 their bassist/vocalist got the band back together adding some new blood with a guitarist from another Greek DM act called VERMINGOD and a drummer who didn't last long. The result was the full length Perimortem. I never heard it.



Fast forward to the now and DEATH COURIER is still lead by their original bassist/vocalist (with a dream) plus the same guitarist who brought along the drummer Ilias Iliopoulos from his band VERMINGOD. Things always work better when you're familiar with one another. That's something I've always said during those satanic group sex rituals I use to attend back in the late 90's. But I digress. 


Modern day DEATH COURIER sound like modern day Euro old school death metal. I know that's screwed up as a definition. If anything they remind me of VADER which is cool as fuck. They've got that Euro death thrash touch going for them. The riffs are as solid as a brick shit-house. The drum work mostly follows the riff work as a companion. That definitely works for me.


I'll give props to the soloing because most of the time the guy lays down some disjointed solos that leave you going whatafuck. By the way thank you. The vocals are that beast in the woods sound (can I say VADER again?). Damm it all to Greece. So what we have here is a a three piece of veteran players showing us all how death metal, or death thrash if you prefer, should be performed. 


The end result is one of the most enjoyable and punishing albums you will hear in 2020. And seriously as far as what is going on of late you need this. This is the sound you're into during a world crisis. I doubt these guys knew ahead of time of a world pandemic. But hey I'm in lock down and enjoying the living brutality of this release. You should too.



https://tometal.com/

https://deathcouriergreece.bandcamp.com/album/necrotic-verses-death-metal

https://www.facebook.com/Death-Courier-423460954403378/

SKULL KORAPTOR - Chaos Station review

SKULL KORAPTOR - Chaos Station

Ragnarok Records




I believe I'm going back to the halcyon days when I chose bands on how cool their album covers looked. Don't laugh, it worked about 80% of the time back in the day. Although I must admit those 20% of duds stuck with ya like bad pennies. And you hated them as well as the idea that you got taken more than liking your fave stuff.


But that's not the case here because not only does SKULL KORAPTOR have some cool looking cover art. But their music is just as memorable. SKULL KORAPTOR are a three piece thrash act from Greece who started out back in 2011. Since then they've gone through some line-up changes. Managed to put out an EP, Dead Ahead, back in 2014. And now finally have a debut full length which gives em some clout.


As far as their brand of thrash goes think of the early West Coast style all the way as an influence. SKULL KORAPTOR are not trying to re-write the book of thrash 101 or introduce some progressive elements into the genre. I'll give em some props as far as their use of melodic MAIDEN-esque soloing which is used quite a lot. As far as their adherence to the old ways they just fuckin rule. 


Overall I think the riffs, caustic vocals and the solid rhythm section make SKULL KORAPTOR a pretty good third generation thrash act. There's just a touch of rawness on this release but the production is clean. For me it's those choice melodic leads which pushes this one over the generic side of things. Europe needs some new thrash representatives and this band has the chops to be it.



https://www.ragnaroek-records.com/

https://skullkoraptor.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SkullKoraptor/

FUNERAL STORM - Arcane Mysteries review

FUNERAL STORM - Arcane Mysteries

Hells Headbangers Records




Just to be honest I was never overly impressed with the Greek black metal scene (aka: Hellenic Black Metal). Sure there's a couple of decent bands who put out some decent albums back in the day. But either those bands would later call it quits or go into territories like goth, symphonic or worse. 


Which brings us to this one here. FUNERAL STORM's claim to fame is that it features Stefan Necroabyssious of VARATHRON on vocals. But that was not always the case. FUNERAL STORM started out as a solo project way back when by multi-instrumentalist Wampyrion (aka: Sakis Axiotis). That act started under a different name entirely. But this modern act started around seven years ago. Necroabyssious came on board in 2015 and a second guitarist, Aliki Arcania Sarakatsanou, jumped on in 2017. 


Musically this is Sakis Axiotis' baby and since he has a band background in electronic and industrial music those influences are slightly touched on here. Add Necroabyssious and you've got some what of a throwback to VARATHRON's early days with enhancements. I wouldn't call this actual black metal at all. It's actually more in line with doom riffs plus a few sped up drum portions. Yeah there's some speedy riffs but hey. At least the keys are kept low in the mix to just add a subtle atmospheric melody. 


In the end I'd say hand this over to the goths or some VARATHRON devotees, who they are I don't know. But to be honest this release will satisfy em. Obviously I was never much of a VARATHRON fan to begin with. I have one early album and one later from the fuckin mid-90's. I don't know what people see in em but hey I was at a ROTTING CHRIST show not too long ago and they sucked. But the venue was packed and kids were buying $40 hoodies so there you go. 


https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/

https://funeralstormgreece.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/funeralstorm666

CEREBRUM - Iridium review

CEREBRUM - Iridium  

Transcending Obscurity Records




I believe many metal fans can agree that there were times in their fandom when they liked a certain genre of music but over time it's waned. Personally I can attest to quite a few but in particular is technical death metal. I shouldn't say "fan" because I can't say I ever was. As a matter of fact the only reason I have some of the prescribed tech death classics is merely because of chance. Once in a great while I'll pull one out to reminisce but it always ends up as a dust collector as opposed to other death metal releases I like.


Now I feel obliged to admit my bias toward a genre of which this Greek band CEREBRUM are part of. But since this comes from Transcending Obscurity Records, a label I admire and respect, then why not give it a shot. For the most part the music created by this four piece act is not what I'd call over the top or annoying. Basically this is old style tech death with space left open that lightly touches upon prog and jazz. At least the vocals are rough and rhythms grudgingly mean.


Of late I've been listening to various hard rock from the seventies and that includes some of that era's prog rock. Hey I grew up then so there you go. Anyways CEREBRUM allows some of that song structure abruptness to seep in. Add to that there's that jazz inspired interplay between the guitar and prominent bass lines. It all definitely has that KING CRIMSON goes death metal appeal. 


In the end I think CEREBRUM's Iridium, which by the way is their third full length since forming in 2002, is a comfortable tech death release which will or should not invoke hails of name dropped past greats in order to please people who need a reference. CEREBRUM just does a great job on their own to be modern, interesting and captivating.


https://tometal.com/

https://cerebrumgreece.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CEREBRUMOFFICIAL/ 

ROTTING CHRIST - The Heretics review

ROTTING CHRIST - The Heretics

Season of Mist




I'm one of those hold outs waiting for ROTTING CHRIST to put out an actual black metal album, again. I know, fuck me running, right? Hey look I give em props as far as their history goes. Their first three albums from the 90's are essential black metal. They put Greece on the blackened map as far as the genre goes. But then their A Dead Poem full length came out in 1997 and they moved onto a more gothic, or if you will, a more epic metal sound as their career moved forward.


Now with that said I have a few of their epic era albums. They have some decent moments as far as that style of metal goes. So listening to this new one is not much of a shock. It's more of what we've all heard from this band over the past decade or longer. The Heretics is essentially a concept album with plenty of spoken word quotations from famous figures in history interspersed within the music. Once again the band's sound on here is epic and grandiose. It's an album which must be looked upon as a whole piece than a collection of songs. 

Since this is their thirteenth full length and more than a few years in the making it seems fit that the band would go all out to make a profound statement. For those of you not up on your literary knowledge then this will be an education or an exercise in boredom. Frankly if you are into metal, in my not so humble opinion, you should be well versed into the historical subject matter of freedom to speak out and challenged those who wish to control your mind. That's the concept of Heritics in a nutshell put to some melodic industrial style trudging riffs, choir style vocals along with Sakis Tolis' caustic lead vocals. 

The Heretics is another example of metal music being an element to educate. I'll give the band that gold star. On the other hand musically this is a boring effort overall. There are very few highlights to reference other than a clean guitar solo the sears on one track or the inclusion of folk elements and the cover artwork that looks like something GRAND BELIAL'S KEY should have used years ago. Like most of their releases which have come out over the past decade. I won't be returning to this.

http://www.season-of-mist.com/
https://rottingchrist.bandcamp.com/album/the-heretics
https://www.facebook.com/Rotting-Christ-290468585669/

DODSFERD - Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World review

DODSFERD - Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World

Transcending Obscurity Records




My favorite Greek black metal misanthrope is back, again. Yes it's Wrath the mainman behind DODSFERD. I've had a long history, more like a collector by accident history, with this artist. It started back in 2007 while in the midst of buying up everything from Moribund Records (now that's a collection to talk about) when I came to the Fucking Your Creation CD by DODSFERD. Wrath's mixture of depressive hateful black metal mixed with an almost punk or black n roll style, as some call it, was a winner with me.


So from that point on I started collecting everything by DODSFERD, all the Moribund stuff of course because that was easy to get but some other label releases as well. Albeit I don't have everything. Honestly I kinda thought there was an expiration date on Wrath after 2009's Suicide and the Rest of Your Kind Will Follow full length. But no he came back and is not ready to pack it in just yet. Now while over the past couple of years DODSFERD releases have been what I'd call "for true fans only". In 2015 came Wastes of Life which literally knocked me for a loop. That one showed Wrath invoking progressive influences, clean acoustic guitars, ambient spoken word parts as well as his trademark past style. Yeah it was the work of a someone willing to expand.


So here we are with the new one, on Transcending Obscurity Records by the way. Obviously Moribund is too busy putting out more VARDAN stuff and SATAN'S HOST reissues. But listening to this latest one it's obvious that Wrath and company (yes DODSFERD is actually a band nowadays as opposed to years of it just being Wrath and session friends) found a niche with their last full length and are still following it through.


The five cuts on Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World display further pushes into the realm of atmospheric black metal. There's some powerful melodies which at times are bordering on modern day DRUDKH territory. The clean guitar soloing runs almost throughout. The depressive side is still in check whether it's on opener “My Father, My Wrath". A song which kept reminding me of something PRIMORDIAL could've done using clean vocals. Or the early part of "Loyal to the Black Oath" with Wrath using his trademark howling. The song switches momentum into soaring speed and a fury of anger. And of course the finale which pushes ambient BM and the use of violin with spoken word-isms.


Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World is a good release although not so much of a surprise as Wastes of Life was. Also with the exceptions of the first and final tracks this could easily been a decent EP. Either way I think long time fans of DODSFERD, yeah we're out here, will be pleased with this latest one.


https://tometal.com/

https://dodsferdofficial.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDodsferd

HORRORGRAPHY - Season Of Grief review

HORRORGRAPHY - Season Of Grief 

Satanath Records




After I gave this a listen my thoughts were to pass on it. But since this comes from Satanath Records I figured OK lets give it a chance. This label in the past has always produced some straight up genre releases whether they were black or death metal. So they've invested in something off the mark. Alright I'll give it the o'l Mr. Wolf third degree. They'll hate it of course.


Imagine if you will a doom metal version of NIGHTWISH. Oh yeah and they're from Athens, Greece. Alright so to you dedicated readers as well as haters of this blog I'll fuckin admit that I like some NIGHTWISH. Thankfully I don't allow comments by haters but I digress. This band does allow three vocal styles to purge through their variety of tempos. 


The first is the operatic vocals sung by a woman who could've been a stand in for Tarja Turunen. Then again that would be Floor Jansen. Be that as it may you've also got two guy singers with one doing harsh death metal type growls while the other one adds these clean Gothic priestly vocals. Musically this is a combination of NIGHTWISH's Century Child and CANDLEMASS's Ancient Dreams.



Stalwarts of both camps will be pissed off but hey while listening to this late at night I think it's cool. I mean like this is new compared to being depressed and stoned as far as doom metal is going. This release will be on my year end best of doom metal releases simply because it's unique. Hell next year they'll be the next big thing. Hopefully it won't be just because they took a THERION cover, "The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah", to new heights.


http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat189-horrorgraphy-season-of-grief-2018

https://www.facebook.com/Horrorgraphy-Symphonic-metal-1928696277343209/

NIGREDO - Flesh Torn / Spirit Pierced review

NIGREDO - Flesh Torn / Spirit Pierced  

Transcending Obscurity Records




Of late I've been exposed to a lot of cool black metal from Greece. Here we have a side project by two members of RAVENCULT, a band I've been a fan of for a while now. Specifically there's A (aka: Alexis Papatheofanous) who handles vocals, guitar and bass. The drums are handled by ex-RAVENCULT member Maelstrom who's also in some incredible Greek extreme acts like DEPHOSPHORUS as well as EMBRACE OF THORNS.

Musically this is similar to RAVENCULT if they leaned more towards thrash. What's cool about this project is how the song structures within take on unpredictable directions. The band is shooting for blackened thrash but forgo the boring traditional trappings. Things are flat out exciting and vicious sounding throughout all eight cuts. Seriously I was waiting for a lazy cut to sink in but hell no.
  

Flesh Torn / Spirit Pierced is this project's debut full length. They've got an EP, Facets of Death, from a few years ago which seems to be an obvious pick to check out as well. As far as this one goes it rides the line sharply between straight up black metal and it's thrash sub-genre. To me that's important since too many jack-legs take on the latter as a derivative of punk than metal. Secondly you've got two well accomplished and respected musicians from the Hellenic black metal scene creating this gem. Absolutely one of the Greek blackened scene's top acts. 

https://tometal.com/

https://nigredogr.bandcamp.com/album/flesh-torn-spirit-pierced-black-metal

https://www.facebook.com/NigredoGr