HEADS FOR THE DEAD - In the Absence of Faith EP review

 

HEADS FOR THE DEAD - In the Absence of Faith EP

Pulverised Records

First off I'm surprised this release did not come out on Transcending Obscurity Records which was the label their full lengths came out on. Be that as it may HEADS FOR THE DEAD are still kicking it as far as death metal supergroup. This five song EP is a horror-esque release which came out in September. Sorry I was late to this one.

Just a reminder HEADS FOR THE DEAD are Ralf Hauber on vocals from REVEL IN FLESH. Jon Rudin (who's been in a number of bands) on drums starting out last year. On guitar there's Matt Moliti who came on board in 2022. And finally there's mainman Jonny Pettersson on guitars, bass and keyboards. Once again Jonny has been in a slew of cool bands. 

So yeah they's keyboard use on this release. And yeah I know "keyboards on a death metal release?" But on here Jonny uses the keys as an atmospheric touch. Other times it a background asthetic which covers in needed arrangements which are part of the horror. Be that as it may the soloing is fiery. The vocals are gruff as fuck. This EP rules!

http://www.pulverised.net/

LISTEN HERE:

https://pulverised.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-absence-of-faith

RIPPED TO SHREDS - Luan review

 

RIPPED TO SHREDS - Luan

Pulverised Records

This is the second album by Taiwan / US band RIPPED TO SHREDS. The band consists of multi-instrumentalist Andrew Lee who handles the vocals, guitar and bass. Lee also has Justin Bean, from TRENCHROT on drums and Tom Warrior from SIEGE COLUMN who does the two synth pieces on here. Some guest guitarists Lee has helping out doing lead work are Takafumi Matsubara from GRIDLINK, Phil Tougas of FUNEBRARUM and Damian Herring from HORRENDOUS. 

Lee and his ensemble here deliver ten cuts, two of which are synth instrumentals. Musically Lee and company push some amazing Swedish circa 1988 death metal meets a touch of grind as well as a pinch of 80's hardcore or what the newer kids call crust. For years this musical narrative has been tried and failed. But of late some acts have narrowed it down and RIPPED TO SHREDS are one of them.

Think GRAVE or DISMEMBER doing their usual thing but kicking it to 45 rpm once in a while. You've got the buzzsaw guitars, jackhammer drumming and the guests who get to lay down some killer solos are fuckin incredible. As far as Lee's vocals go, he's a maniac. I don't understand a damm thing he's screaming/grunting. But then does it really matter? Everything about this release is great.

http://www.pulverised.net/

LISTEN HERE:

https://pulverised.bandcamp.com/album/luan

BEASTCRAFT - The Infernal Gospels Of Primitive Devil Worship review

BEASTCRAFT - The Infernal Gospels Of Primitive Devil Worship

Pulverised Records




When Trondr Nefas died on May 12th, 2012 not only was it the end of his long time Norwegian black metal act URGEHAL but also spelled the end for his side work in BEASTCRAFT. Mainman Sorath Northgrove has continued on with his band at least for this album, not only dedicating this release to the memory of his former collaborator Nefas but also including four tracks written by him. The songs were taken from demo material written years ago.  


With all that said I must say that over the years I have been a huge fan of BEASTCRAFT. In fact I consider their Baptised in Blood and Goatsemen full length and the compilation Dawn of the Serpent, which contains their early demos, to be essential black metal. Of course it's been ten years since BEASTCRAFT has done anything new. According to their website this release will be their last. Suffice it to say this is the final chapter.


The Infernal Gospels Of Primitive Devil Worship feels subdued which I guess is obvious. Actually the highlights come from the old Nefas tracks like "Demonic Perversion" which is classic sounding second wave BM. Most of "The Fall of the Impotent God" comes across as Black n Roll with plenty of Luciferin bravado. "Reborn Beyond the Grave" is almost grandiose compared to previous BEASTCRAFT forays. And "Waging War on the Heavens" is another razor sharp blast.  

Sorath's contributions do add some variety since he's tossing in more singular riffed atmosphere, contemplation and naming Satan as much as possible. Overall this release seems like play by the numbers black metal. Good? Yeah sure but ya know something is missing from the equation.

http://www.pulverised.net/

http://www.deathcibel.com/beastcraft/

https://www.facebook.com/BeastcraftOfficial