SHAMAEL - Melancholie der Engel review

 

SHAMAEL - Melancholie der Engel

Satanath Records

Imagine if you will a lone musician going up to some forgotten mountain region to record a depressive doom album but had no vocalist. Then suddenly a (choose one: A Bigfoot, Yeti or Sasquatch) came into said cabin to record the vocals needed for this album. Yeah that would sound cool under those circumstances. But SHAMAEL is a one man act from Italy and I don't believe they have any problems with cryto-biology specimens raiding recording studios. 

Yes I said this is death doom with keyboards added to the excess of pain, misery and the utter melancholy of pushing the limits of despair. Pardon me if I don't slit my wrists in welcoming the end. I've gotta type more before this episode ends. Yes this is a one man band with epicness out the wazoo. The bestial vocals are absolutely gross and animal like which brings in the crypto analogy and I've been watching killer Bigfoot movies of late. 

Hey look I'm sure the whole "goth" thing died in a mall near you. Those losers never got MY DYING BRIDE or classic PARADISE LOST. This Italian guy does with more emphasis on pain and misery as opposed to melancholy. This is Raffaele Galasso's debut album. Nice, now kill yourself.

http://www.satanath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat314-shamael-melancholie-der-engel-2021

VISTERY - Death Is Dead review

VISTERY - Death Is Dead

Satanath Records




Over the years or actually decades I've learned that Eastern European metal acts are not only behind the times of trends but even when years come close to confrontation they don't care. To them it's like Oh that's the flavor of the month well then fuck you here's OUR WAY. That's why I go apeshit over hearing music from their area of the world. It's always a middle finger to the faces of the western world of conformity. Oh yeah and why I do this blog.


Which is why VISTERY are a band worth checking out since they're pounding out GRAVE style filth with some touches of early 90's prog death. Add to that some melo-death touches which are not so boring. Basically VISTERY are a five piece act from Belarus, Minsk to be exact, who push the mid-tempo death metal formula to cool areas without losing any visceral punch. 

http://www.satanath.com/

https://www.facebook.com/visteryband/

THE BURZUM REISSUE CHRONICLES Part 3 of 3

THE BURZUM REISSUE CHRONICLES

Satanath Records

Part Three of Three

The Russian label Satanath Records has recently re-released the whole BURZUM catalog which is for sale in Russia but is licensed from Byelobog Productions. This is a perfect opportunity for yours truly to go through and write a few things about BURZUM. I have written about some releases, aka: the first ones when Varg Vikernes was released from prison. I make no apologies about it. I am and will always be a fan of BURZUM. But I am objective to a point. You see I always strive to the importance that it's always about the music.


Now for you ignorant ones, BURZUM was the one man Norwegian black metal project started in 1991 by Varg Vikernes. He is still one of the most influential musicians in black metal's history, especially for one man black metal acts across the globe. On the other side of the coin Vikernes was convicted for the murder of Oystein Aarseth aka: Euronymous of MAYHEM. He was also convicted of arson and served fourteen years in prison.


Now for you truly ignorant ones, if you hate Vikernes for his crimes then fine, move on. If you have some sort of grudge against him then let me remind you. Unless you are over forty-five, Norwegian and a friend or family member of the Aarseths then you just need to shut the fuck up. I am a huge MAYHEM fan as well and you know what? I just live my own life and enjoy the music.


So as far as my looking at all of these releases well it'll be short, sweet, informative, opinionated as well as fun. Besides it's January, it's cold and windy outside right now and we're expecting freezing rain or even snow in the coming days. So what else is there to do then listen to BURZUM's whole catalog, let's get into it.

BURZUM - Hvis Lyset Tar Oss


My favorite BURZUM album you ask? Yeah well it is one I like a lot for a number of reasons. First off this was my first experience with listening to BURZUM on CD. Just listen to "Det som en gang var". You've got this minimalist drum pattern, a hornet nest's guitar sound, haunting keyboards and of course Varg's wretched screams. What could be more inviting?


The second thing is that on Hvis Lyset Tar Oss you've got four distinct cuts that don't overlap as far as style and atmosphere. You've got the trance inducing melodies, the thrash and raw rip your head off stuff, the atmospheric piece as well as the ambient endeavor. This was Varg on a plate for a listener to feast upon which is what I did at that time. Third is that if you listen to what came before and what came afterward then you see Hvis Lyset Tar Oss as a very progressive effort by Varg.


https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat224-burzum-hvis-lyset-tar-oss-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Det Som Engang Var


The sophomore full length by BURZUM is where Varg really embraced his potential to create a climate of eerie, harsh and ambient sounds. The opening instrumental "Den Onde Kysten" has this creepy atmosphere as if you're literally entering that D&D fortress like structure depicted on the front cover. From that point onward it's an exploration of said dwelling in a musical sense. 


Sound-wise you have this dirge like guitar riffs coming across like a very pissed off nest of hornets. Varg's variations of vocals whether it be ghostly chants and whispers, painful wails or those fucking high pitched screams. The bass lines coming across at times like thunder while in other cases sound like giant boots marching towards you. Turn out the lights, turn up the volume and prepare to be freaked the fuck out.


https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat223-burzum-det-som-engang-var-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Self Titled LP / Aske EP

And so it begins per say. This reissue of Varg's first two releases is simply raw black metal at it's finest. Break out a sweater because it's about to get chilly to say the least. Unlike other reissues of this, like the one I got, this contains both versions of "A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit". But as far as this one goes it's still a fine piece of work. Varg's first attack upon the psyche of metal music fans. Please don't pester me about the demos OK? 

As with that you get Varg's horrific screams, that maniacal guitar tone which could drive anyone insane, some keyboard interludes and minimalist drumming. Obviously Varg would go onto better things and in a short time as well. Still cuts like "Feeble Screams from Forests", "Ea, Lord of the Depths", "Spell of Destruction" and "A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit" will always some timeless favorites for yours truly.


https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat222-burzum-burzum-aske-re-release-2018

BURZUM - 12 CD Box Set

So how do I end the BURZUM CHRONICLES? By talking about a BURZUM Box Set. For less than the price of an original Deathlike Silence copy of the Aske EP  (and no not that Macedonian bootleg you bought over the internet to impress your hipster buds at Pitchfork) you could pick up this BURZUM Box Set. Go to the link below.

http://satanath.com/

THE BURZUM REISSUE CHRONICLES Part 2 of 3

THE BURZUM REISSUE CHRONICLES

Satanath Records

Part Two of Three

The Russian label Satanath Records has recently re-released the whole BURZUM catalog which is for sale in Russia but is licensed from Byelobog Productions. This is a perfect opportunity for yours truly to go through and write a few things about BURZUM. I have written about some releases, aka: the first ones when Varg Vikernes was released from prison. I make no apologies about it. I am and will always be a fan of BURZUM. But I am objective to a point. You see I always strive to the importance that it's always about the music.

Now for you ignorant ones, BURZUM was the one man Norwegian black metal project started in 1991 by Varg Vikernes. He is still one of the most influential musicians in black metal's history, especially for one man black metal acts across the globe. On the other side of the coin Vikernes was convicted for the murder of Oystein Aarseth aka: Euronymous of MAYHEM. He was also convicted of arson and served fourteen years in prison.

Now for you truly ignorant ones, if you hate Vikernes for his crimes then fine, move on. If you have some sort of grudge against him then let me remind you. Unless you are over forty-five, Norwegian and a friend or family member of the Aarseths then you just need to shut the fuck up. I am a huge MAYHEM fan as well and you know what? I just live my own life and enjoy the music.

So as far as my looking at all of these releases well it'll be short, sweet, informative, opinionated as well as fun. Besides it's January, it's cold and windy outside right now and we're expecting freezing rain or even snow in the coming days. So what else is there to do then listen to BURZUM's whole catalog, let's get into it.

BURZUM - Hlioskjalf


I've said it before and I'll say it again. The only thing good about this release is it's cover artwork. Hlioskjalf was Varg's second recording from prison. The only reason I own a copy of this (as well as it's predecessor Dauoi Baldrs) is because years ago I found both for sale in a music store's used metal section. I had known at the time what to expect but still it was BURZUM so I laid down the cash. By the way they were both over priced to say the least. 


Anyway getting back to the matter at hand, Hlioskjalf was Varg's full blown attempt at producing a neo-classical / ambient piece of work. There was no black metal influences involved here. On the contrary this was New Age music Varg. Now with that said I'll give Hlioskjalf some respect. The man finally was allowed a decent keyboard in order to compose this work. I always found it worthy to fall asleep to. That's not a swipe since peaceful, tranquil sounds are easy to allow relaxation.


https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat227-burzum-hli-skj-lf-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Dauoi Baldrs


Years later I still cannot fully get into this, Varg's first work from prison and performed solely on a poor keyboard of some sort. But I've come to respect it because it is a very haunting atmospheric folk saga being played out. Aside from the music the packaging is fantastic with artwork by Tanya Stene along with the words to help get you to an understanding of what Varg was conveying. For all the people who slag this release you need to understand something. You're a musician, an incarcerated artist wanting to create and you have limited resources. Varg made due and that's all you can say about this piece of work. 

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat226-burzum-dau-i-baldrs-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Filosofem


For years now I've seen writers in the metal media calling this release from 1996 to be Varg's best. I never agreed with that assessment for my own reasons. Yes it is a great album but lets be honest. The first three tracks are great, OK they're fantastic. The latter three can be boring but hey if you liked em then you had better not complain about Varg's prison bound material. 


Filosofem is the BURZUM album that launched the careers of a dozen atmospheric or depressive black metal imitators and influenced a hundred more artists. Funny thing is that when Varg finally got out of prison those imitators quickly stopped stealing from the guy. It was like "Oh look Varg's back. I think I'll play country music now." For all of you newcomers I'll say this. Filosofem is a great album but it's not the first album by BURZUM's pre-prison era which you should check out. In fact it's the last album.

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat225-burzum-filosofem-re-release-2018

THE BURZUM REISSUE CHRONICLES Part 1 of 3

THE BURZUM REISSUE CHRONICLES

Satanath Records

Part One of Three

The Russian label Satanath Records has recently re-released most of the BURZUM catalog which is for sale in Russia but is licensed from Byelobog Productions. By the way Satanath Records are a great label and they'll send you one too. So this is a perfect opportunity for yours truly to go through and write a few things about BURZUM. I have written about some releases, aka: the first ones when Varg Vikernes was released from prison. I make no apologies about it. I am and will always be a fan of BURZUM. But I am objective to a point. You see I always strive to the importance that it's always about the music.


Now for you ignorant ones, BURZUM was the one man Norwegian black metal project started in 1991 by Varg Vikernes. He is still one of the most influential musicians in black metal's history, especially for one man black metal acts across the globe. On the other side of the coin Vikernes was convicted for the murder of Oystein Aarseth aka: Euronymous of MAYHEM. He was also convicted of arson and served fourteen years in prison.

Now for you truly ignorant ones, if you hate Vikernes for his crimes then fine, move on. If you have some sort of grudge against him then let me remind you. Unless you are over forty-five, Norwegian and a friend or family member of the Aarseths then you just need to shut the fuck up. I am a huge MAYHEM fan as well and you know what? I just live my own life and enjoy the music.

So as far as my looking at all of these releases well it'll be short, sweet, informative, opinionated as well as fun. Besides it's January, it's cold and windy outside right now and we're expecting freezing rain or even snow in the coming days. So what else is there to do then listen to BURZUM's whole catalog, let's get into it.

BURZUM - The Ways of Yore

This is the eleventh album by BURZUM which was released in 2014. I didn't hear it until 2015 and let me say I'm not a fan it at all. By this time in his career Varg had given up on metal and moved onto ambient medieval folk. Most of this is synth generated earth fart type of stuff. There's a few cuts where we're treated slightly by some tremolo picked riffs. There's plenty of acoustic moments displayed. Varg is in total spoken word mode here. Frankly WARDRUNA did it better. But in the end as a fan I thought this was a let down. Unless you're into ambient sounds of medieval yore then you'll like this one. Supposedly this was Varg's last release but hey you never know with this guy. In the end it's all medieval folk Varg trying his best.

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat233-burzum-the-ways-of-yore-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Sol austan, Mani vestan

I never heard this album until this week and I had my reasons. Released in 2013, I had heard it was completely ambient synth type of stuff and it is. To make an even more blatant point. This release makes Varg's in jail Casio keyboard stuff seem good. This was just synth rock for bored stoners and hipsters pining for a future where socialist boredom and un-creativity is the norm. A friend of mine once told me she had to take a lit cigarette and burn herself every few songs in order to keep awake while playing this. I'm not up to scarification. After every third cut I'd just push pause, strip down naked and walk outside into the frigid cold for a few minutes. That worked as far as waking up but I ended up with a pinkish hue. I did find it good to fall asleep to.

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat232-burzum-s-l-austan-m-ni-vestan-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Umskiptar

This was the ninth studio album for BURZUM and the fourth since Varg was released from prison. It's also a underrated folk metal classic.  Umskiptar is the final work upon which Varg was building with earlier post prison releases. Whether it's the sheet metal riffs of the more melodic blackened cuts, the psych elements, the atmospheric and beautiful ambiance put forth through the keys, repetitive drumming and of course Varg's shifting vocal style. It's all here for anyone to enjoy and be mesmerized.

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat231-burzum-umskiptar-re-release-2018

BURZUM - From the Depths of Darkness

Here's one that I did review back in 2011 on the lost SFM666 site (aka: The Archives). At that time I thought it was great for a variety of reasons. The skinny on this one was simple. Varg picked a handful of cuts from his first two full length releases (the Self Titled debut and Det Som Engang Var) re-recorded them, added some ambient intro pieces, tweaked the vocals and enhanced the production a little. For me it was no big deal simply because they're his songs. If he feels he could've done them better then by all means go ahead.


In the end I thought it was not heresy as some other dipshits in the metal media opined. Actually in an era where old releases get remastered constantly (with mixed results in my opinion) and are promoted by these same metal media dipshits. It just showed off their hypocrisy. Maybe that's why I considered this to be good. While a few years prior they were promoting that hipster's guide to BURZUM best of album put out by Back in Black or was it Candlelight? Yeah I had written about that one as well. LOL!!! Yes this is a must have.

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat230-burzum-from-the-depths-of-darkness-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Fallen

Also in 2011 Varg unleashed upon us all his second post prison release Fallen. This release was as beautiful musically as it's cover suggested. To just paraphrase all of what I said about this one that year in my review, this had it all. You heard ambiance, pagan folk, plenty of frantic tremolo picking, repetitive melodic riffs, Varg using clean vocals, his aged harsh rasp as well as those whispers. 


Fallen starts off slowly but a quarter of the way in is where the excitement starts and I kinda liked that then as I do today. It was not the type of release for the superficial hip crowd in 2011. Instead it turned out to be the perfect release for those who had followed Varg's musical career. This was the real follow-up of 1996's Filosofem.

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat229-burzum-fallen-re-release-2018

BURZUM - Belus

Varg's first release since being let out of prison. 2010's Belus was not the shocker nor predictable piece of work that many people believed it would be. For the most part at least it washed away the sins of his prison bound Casio keyboard recordings. As I said back in my 2010 review of this, Belus is part Hvis Lyset Tar Oss and part Filosofern. I also called it the true follow-up to Filosofern. I changed my mind once I heard Fallen a year later. 

Still it was simply a decent return to the final days of Black Metal’s Second Wave but with a more mature and determined composer at the helm. The sad thing about it was that sure Varg had returned from where he left off. And yet you had over a decade of imitators who have been overwhelmingly influenced by BURZUM. Not all of course but some of those artists released damm good music in Varg's absence. That's not a slight at all against Belus but on a whole there was no huge fanfare for the return of the white king. This release would be the last outing for Varg as far as his creating straight up atmospheric black metal goes. 

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat228-burzum-belus-re-release-2018

WRATHRONE - Reflections of Torment review

WRATHRONE - Reflections of Torment

Satanath Records




Can I just say holy shit this is some cool old school sounding Finnish death metal greatness and leave it at that? No I guess not. Well we'll have to reflect on history. So a few decades ago while Sweden, England and the US were getting all the attention as far as death metal goes. Finland also had a handful cool bands early on. It didn't last that long. You had some bands just calling it quits while others moved on to other sounds. Still that nation's DM footprint was made and I have a handful of releases to prove it.


Fast forward to the here and now which brings us to WRATHRONE a five piece act from Laitila who started out in 2008. This release here is their second full length. What this band has done is take that old school death metal sound and added some bludgeoning touches. It's almost a brutal DM formula with plenty of melodic riffage. There's dual vocals, one thick and gruff. The backing vocals are basically harsh painful screeches.


Musically on a whole it's a beaten down version of what the Swedes perfected long ago. Add in some melodic death doom style to give it an atmospheric touch. They have a thrashy side in the mix with plenty of lead work melodies to jar the senses. All in all it's a fantastic release.



http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat197-wrathrone-reflections-of-torment-2018

https://www.facebook.com/Wrathrone/

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/

VOMITILE - Pure Eternal Hate review

VOMITILE - Pure Eternal Hate

Satanath Records




This is the first band from Cyprus I've ever heard and hopefully they won't be the last. From their album cover as well as song titles I get the idea that VOMITILE are into war themed death metal. They're a mix of straight up early DM style with some touches of melody. Oh yeah and their sound is familiar to GOD DETHRONED and not as their name would suggest, heirs to VOMITORY.


This is the third full length by these Cypriots (is that the correct description?). The band started out in the late 2000s. The debut was a seven song self released EP in 2010. That got the attention of the US label Horror Pain Gore Death Productions which released their debut full length Igniting Chaos in 2013. A year later they put out Mastering the Art of Killing on Cyprus's own Pitch Black Records. They've been quiet up until now.


Musically Pure Eternal Hate is an overcast of thick haze and heavy pummeling riffs. Vocals are in that low military guttural cadence. The band allows enough variance between song structures to leave things interesting enough to keep your eyes open. A hot solo will cut through the fog like a firebrand. But overall it's pretty basic as far as this style of music goes. At least the drumming is organic.


http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat193-vomitile-pure-eternal-hate-2018

https://www.facebook.com/vomitile

DEMONIC OBEDIENCE - Fatalistic Uprisal of Abhorrent Creation review

DEMONIC OBEDIENCE - Fatalistic Uprisal of Abhorrent Creation

Satanath Records




This is the third full length by DEMONIC OBEDIENCE, a band that originally started out as a one man project. That man being George Ntavelas who was the main force on the first two albums. On this one Ntavelas, who handles guitar, enlisted his friends in DEATH KOMMANDER. They being bassist Mark Stormwhipper and vocalist Kruxator.


There's a lot of things going on with this release so let's just start with the vocals. At first I was not into Kruxator's deep burnt throat sounding vocal style. About half way through I was thinking that he inhales from a blast furnace. By the second to last song (there's eight cuts) I'm thinking this guy is part dragon. When he sings maybe there's smoke and flames shooting out from his mouth. And I really wish someone in metal could pull that off.


Musically this is (wait for it.....) old school blackened death with no melody at all. Ntavelas pairs up his chunky riffs with some tech death Chuck Schuldiner worship leads. You gotta like that. Overall everything on here is compressed blackened death filth with Ntavelas slashing out from the darkness with fatal leads.


On the whole this is a good release but it has two flaws. The first is the percussion. It sounds weak and computer generated. Hey I did not see a drummer mentioned in the band line-up so? Secondly the production as a whole is compressed. Dark and moody is fine but this could be louder wider as well as obnoxious with Satan's sharp claws ripping your face off. It fits the genre bill so hey I just want more.


http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat192-demonic-obedience-fatalistic-uprisal-of-abhorrent-creation-2018

https://www.facebook.com/demonicobedience

CAVUS - The New Era review

CAVUS - The New Era

Satanath Records




Although CAVUS are a black metal act hailing from Finland they don't fall into that nation's traditional brand of blackened necro brutality or harshness. They're what I'd call feisty to say the least and at other times I wonder if they pounded down a few vodka shots prior to the recording. Musically I can say it's a dark brood with a hammer like touch.

After an opening intro track which I'd call subtle but sinister this act lets loose in a MARDUK punishing way. Welcome to Panzer Division Finland and the punishing cuts abound in a blackened MINISTRY fuck up. CAVUS push the thrash aspect of black metal but in a way that's invoked through reacting to the music as opposed to being blackened thrash or blackened death. Seriously I listen to this and want to jump through my window. Then again The New Era could be a party album. Blast this fucker and watch people in your house go insane. 


http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat188-cavus-the-new-era-2018

https://www.facebook.com/CavusMusic

UTBURD - The Horrors Untold review

UTBURD - The Horrors Untold

Satanath Records




This is the second full length from Vitaliy Goryunov (aka:Tuor) the one man composer of the black metal project UTBURD. As far as this goes musically this is a punishing attack of second wave black metal with a cascade of atmospheric touches. Pain drips from this individual's ideas put to blackened themes.


This falls into that category of incredible as far as black metal goes. Hailing from Russia, Tuor has tapped into an old vibe but does not play copycat in his execution of the old ways. Musically this is all together captivating black metal. Satanath Records allowed me to check this one out months ago and I had it on the back burner because of it's complexity to overwhelm. 


There are a ton of black metal acts pushing the stretched nineties black metal aesthetic. Most of em I find OK but Tuor gives things an extra emphasis. Listening to this is like experiencing the tortured soul as well as nightmares of an individual with a bloodied throat via vocal output and a musical marching order to a fan or two. 


http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat190-utburd-the-horrors-untold-2018

https://www.facebook.com/RussianUtburd/

FERVENT HATE - Tales of Hate, Lust and Chaos review

FERVENT HATE - Tales of Hate, Lust and Chaos

Satanath Records



Ladies & Gentlemen (and You Others) it's time to face the facts. Death Metal has reached it's limits as far as sub genres and tweaking to fit in with other music styles. Yes I know there's some progressive types out there waiting for that next big thing but they're lying to themselves.

Now I say this because recently I've been seeing some scribes in the mainstream metal media whine about bands doing the whole "Old School Swede-Deth Thing". Well first of all there's no such thing as "Swede-Deth" ya morons. Secondly if the band doing things in an old school style were your favorites then you wouldn't say shit. But bands from other places doing it, oh you can't have that as you look down your nose at em. Fuck You, I'll break yer fuckin nose.


To which is why we're gonna talk about this here release by FERVENT HATE who are a band you need to know about. This four piece death metal act from Peru started out a decade ago. They put out a full length debut in 2013, some short releases afterwards but on this their sophomore release they've really pulled everything together. 


Imagine the riff intensity of DISMEMBER meets the melodic DM touches of AT THE GATES but still loves straight up classic metal song structures. Toss in an incredible lead guitarist who will peel your facial skin away on one cut. While another one later he'll hit you with some melodious 80's catchy as fuck lead work.


Yeah I guess the term people use for this is Death & Roll, which is a whole helluva lot better than Swede-Deth. Either way FERVENT HATE will keep you fixed on their music. It's fierce and ferocious with massive vocals, perfection on drums and of course a song craft which keeps you glued. This is just fuckin GREAT!

http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat191-fervent-hate-tales-of-hate-lust-and-chaos-2018

https://www.facebook.com/ferventhate

INHIBITIONS - La Danse Macabre review

INHIBITIONS - La Danse Macabre

Satanath Records



For decades now when it came to symphonic black metal it usually took a band of four, five or six members (and sometimes with an orchestra) in order to create a full blown sound. This duo from Greece proves that it's really not the case anymore. With one foot planted in Hellenic black metal and the other in 1990's Norway for influences. INHIBITIONS brings symphonic black metal back into an interesting limelight.

The band consists of Pain on vocals and guitars plus Dimon's Night also on vocals along with guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. Believe it or not this pair have been at it since 2008, releasing three demos sporadically over the years. Then in 2016 they put out their debut full length, Flames of Desolation. As far as this new one is concerned, it's definitely second wave worship going on. The keyboard use is not grandiose nor held in the background. It's basically an integral part of their song craft on multiple cuts.

The same can be said with their use of acoustic guitar which I think is exquisite. Not simply an intro or segue tool, the acoustic guitar lays in on basic rhythms while being accompanied by your basic amplified tools of mayhem. Also INHIBITIONS don't stick to a symphonic black metal genre script. They add in plenty of outside touches like melodic death or gothic doom and gloom. All of which breaks the monotony and it's the same with the duel vocals which mix harsh with death like growls.

Obviously I could make subtle comparisons to past or present existing BM acts but why bother. INHIBITIONS have found a way to carve their own little niche in a sub genre that for years was corrupted by phony bandwagon jumpers or pompous blowhards riding the mainstream bus. Chalk this up to just talent and dedication to the craft which always leads to greatness.

http://www.satanath.com/

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat185-inhibitions-la-danse-macabre-2018

https://www.facebook.com/INHIBITIONS-Hellenic-Black-Metal-1218975794812167