UNBOUNDED TERROR - Through the Dark Desperation Compilation review

 

UNBOUNDED TERROR - Through the Dark Desperation Compilation

Abstract Emotions

File this one under the title; For Collector Scum Only. But first I need to explain a few things. So last year I checked out the newest album by one of Spain's oldest Death Metal acts UNBOUNDED TERROR. That album was Something Is Rotten in Humanity which was the band's fourth full length since starting out in the early 1990's. The release came out on the Xtreem Music label and it was fucking great. I highly recommend you pick up this album. 

Now when writing about this band and seeing their history I wondered how cool it would be to hear some of their early demo stuff. Boom baby because here it is to a point. Through the Dark Desperation consists of their Growing on Sorrow demo from 1992 plus their Through the Dark Desperation (Evil Laughs Stronger) demo from 1993. 

Also on this release there's live stuff from 1992 and 1993. Ok sure that's cool and it all sounds good. And oh hell yeah I wish I was at those shows. But for me the demo stuff rules. Also if you hear it then you'd realize it's easily equal to more familiar DM acts from the 1992 / 1993 era. 

Which brings up the question from the asshole in the room who thinks he knows it all. That asshole will say so how come I didn't know about em? The answer is that the record labels mainly focused on Death Metal from Sweden and the US back then. Anything else was secondary or third tier. The fourth realm, which I think a ton of bands were at, was overlooked. 

Thankfully, if you're an old school fucker like me who enjoys this stuff as if it was brand fuckin new, then here ya go. 

https://abstractemotions.com/en/

LISTEN HERE:

https://unboundedterror.bandcamp.com/album/through-the-dark-desperation

WHIRLWIND - 1640 review

 

WHIRLWIND - 1640

Dying Victims Productions

So the promo genre tagline on this is Heavy Metal. OK sure it's that but if I played this to some certain friends of mine, the types who buy HELLOWEEN tickets a year in advance. They would say it's Power Metal. After a few listens I kinda agree.

This is the second full length by WHIRLWIND who are a four piece act from the great nation of Spain. Musically it doesn't remind me of the classic 80's era of Heavy Metal. Instead it's a ringer for those early days when Power Metal was first coined. I mean it was thrashy, great guitar soloing and the vocals were powerful.

That's what WHIRLWIND is all about. Starting with Hector Llaurado who is an amazing vocalist. He's got what I always call that "real guy" sound and could reach some higher octaves but not to Halford levels. Secondly you've got guitarist and original creative mainman of this band Mark Wild. He is the mastermind / songwriter which is on point on all of these cool songs. 

Whether it's the 80's Metal style power classic cut "Through Fire and Blood", the full on early Power Metal sound of "Rage of the Conqueror" along with "Ready to Explode" or the thirteen minute epic "Marching to Victory" which ends this album. This release is a winner. Great looking album cover to boot.

https://dying-victims.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/1640

BOCC - Obrint el taut The Ep Compilation

BOCC - Obrint el taut The Ep Compilation

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

If ya played this for me and said it was a reissue by an obscure band from circa 1988 - 1992 I'd believe it. I mean sound-wise this is the epitome of that early sound when we fans started using the term Death Metal to describe the heavy handed, bestial vocals, dirty sounding insanity which wasn't Thrash influenced at all. I say that because yeah early DM was the next evolution step away from Thrash. 

Now of course this is not an old obscure band from way back when. BOCC are actually a three piece act from Barcelona, Spain who started out in 2019. For the record the band has been fairly prolific releasing a bunch of demo's, EP's, Splits, a compilation and a full length since starting out. I refer to that as spreading the disease. 

Now obviously while this band was killing it in Spain the rest of us were looking elsewhere. Thankfully the good people at Horror Pain Gore Death Productions heard something we fans missed and decided to release something from BOCC. But instead of waiting for a new full length the label decided on a compilation of three previously released EPs by the band. Frankly that was a great idea.

So what we have here is the band's first EP Al La Forca from 2020, their Santa Eulalia EP from 2021 and their La Forja Dels Cranis EP from 2024. That last EP is unique because the final cut is a cover of "Black Vision" from PURTENANCE. And they do a good job / homage to that old Finnish band's song. Obviously they know PURTENANCE's Member of Immortal Damnation is one of the greatest Finnish Death Metal albums of all time.

So yeah there's a lot to be said. Nowadays this is called Death Doom and I accept that. But I'm old and remember the times when Death Metal was either fast, in-between or slow. BOCC are in-between sounding. So if you still blast AUTOPSY's second album or MORTICIAN's first one then BOCC is the band you need to hear now in 2025. 

This compilation is over an hour's worth of crush, kill and destroy Death Metal. This is the musical brutality ya need to hear before you go out and face the day in 2025. Trust me on that one because listening to this is like a mission briefing on how to deal with a fucked up world. Nuff Said!

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/obrint-el-tau-t

 

AVULSED - Phoenix Cryptobiosis review

 

AVULSED - Phoenix Cryptobiosis

Xtreem Music

So last year I gave a huge amount of praise to the CHRIST DENIED - Christopsy full length. And here I am again ready to do the same for the eighth full length by AVULSED. Now aside from the music, what both bands have in common is that they are fronted by probably the most important man in Spain's Extreme Metal scene. 

I'm talking about Dave Rotten (aka: David Sanchez Gonzalez). Now I'll get to the music portion in a few but Dave Rotten is respected for starting Repulse Records back in the mid 90's to the early 2000s. And after that he started one of the best underground Extreme Metal labels that's been around for over a decade. I'm talking about Xtreem Music. If you love Extreme Metal and especially Death Metal then max out your Pay Pal account when you check out that website. 

So onto the music, AVULSED are, I think, the longest running Death Metal act from Spain. The band started out in the early 1990's releasing just demos. Their first full length came out in the mid 90's which was Eminence in Putrescence. In all honesty I first got into em in 2006 when I found a promo CD in the dollar used bin at a local record store. That release was Gorespattered Suicide which officially came out the year before. 

After hearing that one I became a fan and the feelers came out to find anything else by AVULSED. I will say some of the releases I've picked up over the years are good (full lengths and a compilation of demo material). But the best by far was 2016's Deathgeneration. That album is a DM masterpiece. 

So here we are a decade later with the band's new one and Dave Rotten has gathered together a new league of extreme metal musicians on guitars, bass and drums to continue the fight. So first impressions, well the opening instrumental "Limbs Regeneration" kinda sucks. Then again I hate opening instrumentals in the first place. After that the brand new AVULSED appears and it's pretty cool. 

To me this album sounds like a culmination of this band's musical history. The main line is always going to be aggressive sounding old school DM. But you're gonna hear some death thrash as well as death doom. There's certainly some melodic touches which I cringe at. But over all it's a damm good album by a legacy leader. 

https://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.main.index.php

LISTEN HERE:

https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/album/phoenix-cryptobiosis

UNBOUNDED TERROR - Something Is Rotten In Humanity review

 

UNBOUNDED TERROR - Something Is Rotten In Humanity

Xtreem Music

Can I just say this album rules, you should buy it and move the fuck on? OK I guess not but hey this album rules. When it comes to Death Metal from Spain then UNBOUNDED TERROR are the epitome of that nation's greatness as well as heavy as fuck, kick your ass sounding DM.

The band started out back in 1991 and put out their debut full length, Nest of Affliction, the following year. Unfortunately things didn't go so well after that. It wouldn't be till 2020 when the band, with 3/4th's of a new line-up, returned with their Faith in Chaos full length. Mainman Vicente Paya (vocals & guitars) keeping the DM faith of hate alive for another decade.

So here we have the fourth full length by UNBOUNDED TERROR which is just diabolical sounding. The riffs are fuckin killer and Vicente Paya has a perfect blast furnace vocal style. The few guitar solos are like fireworks and have a beautiful fluid style. 

Vicente Paya got this line-up together in 2019, put out two decent albums but here we have the perfect one. Something Is Rotten In Humanity is Death Metal perfection whether it's bludgeoning riffs or some slam pit action rhythms. Who they remind me of from the past doesn't matter. Putting out great Death Metal in 2025 does matter and UNBOUNDED TERROR do it.

https://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.main.index.php

LISTEN HERE:

https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/album/something-is-rotten-in-humanity

INTOLERANCE - Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void review

 

INTOLERANCE - Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void

Godz ov War Productions

This is the second full length by this four piece Death Metal act from the great nation of Spain. Just for the record I thought their debut Dark Paths of Humanity from 2022 was amazing in my not so humble opinion. That release was great but this one is better which is what you want. Their debut showed they knew how to do the genre. On this latest full length INTOLERANCE kick in some charactor that takes em into a cool direction.

As I've always say I don't mind new bands doing the old school ways. But it's far better when the bands inject some personal original ideas into the tried and true genre. INTOLERANCE does that in some cool ways on this release. First off half of this album is some killer chugging riffage then the band kicks down into some death doom. But it's their interpretation which makes things exciting. 

Vocalist / Guitarist Pedro Moscatel comes across sounding like a fuckin neanderthal. Now nothing against neanderthals, I've worked with some. But it sounds like his vocal style has devolved since their debut album. Which is a good thing. I mean the lyric sheet should look like "howls, growls, screams and grunts" on some of these songs. 

Next up is the amazing guitar work by W. Now sure this guy knows him trudging riffs as well as ice pick to the face soloing. But better yet this guy those in some thick toned non extreme metal soloing. Dare I say the guy injects diabolical melody into the realm of dungeon lyre. Once again there's an original take. 

The rhythm section is dynamic. There's fine bass work by J but it's drummer Daniel Berges who shines not only in his classic drum style as far as DM goes. But the way he's so in sync with the guitar melodys. It just shows how close this band is with one another. 

In the end wow I could say a lot of things. Back in 1993 I'd hear something like this and go "This is great! I'm gonna go out and beat somebody up." Nowadays, at 61, it's more like "this is cool but I'll drink a few more beers, make something to eat and then go to bed." But I'll remember this one.    

http://godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/waking-nightmares-of-an-endless-void

CHRIST DENIED - Christopsy review

 

CHRIST DENIED - Christopsy 

Xtreem Music

They're Back! Yes Spain's most brutal Death Metal band returns with a new album after a decade of silence. Well there is also AVULSED but anyways. I got CHRIST DENIED's Cancer Eradication CD back in 2013, also on Xtreem Music, and was totally floored by this four piece extreme act. I mean this is a style of Death Metal which can be abrasive even to DM fans. But done right it is incredible. CHRIST DENIED are one of those bands that hits perfection. 

After all of these years Dave Rotten (who's in AVULSED and runs Xtreem Music by the way) still has the most morbid insufferable vocals around. Roger Infected (from INFECTED FLESH) is still around on guitars and other stuff. But the newbies to this band are drummer Fabio Ramirez (formerly in INTERNAL SUFFERING) who joined in 2017. He's a fuckin amazing drummer to say the least. Also there's bassist Roger P who joined in 2015. All around this line-up is the most punishing ever. 

The insanity of the riffs by Roger Infected, which have that crunchy Boss-2 HM pedal sound, add to the blatant brutal attack upon your senses. I'm smiling right now and I can't help it. Nothing is the boring run of the mill here which some Brutal DM acts, especially some of my US bands, tend to do half the time. Be that as it may CHRIST DENIED rule. Nine cuts plus they end this release with a cover of CRYPTOPSY's "Mutant Christ". Hell Fuckin Yeah! Yes this one of the best albums of 2024. 

https://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.main.index.php

LISTEN HERE:

https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/album/christopsy

KORGULL THE EXTERMINATOR - Built to Kill review

 

KORGULL THE EXTERMINATOR - Built to Kill

Xtreem Music

Whenever something this cool comes my way I always wonder why they're not on top of the Metal food chain instead of some stuff that gets pushed upon us fans. I mean hey if you like thrash with an amazing female vocalist then this is right up your alley. 

Here we have the sixth full length from Spain's KORGULL THE EXTERMINATOR. The band has been around since 2004 although their first full length, Dogs of War, didn't come out until 2009. They've been a Xtreem Music catalog staple since then. 

What makes this album great in my book is the band's relentless savage thrash attack on your senses. The riffs come across like diabolical gallops across your mindset. A couple of times there's a blood curtailing solo which gives you a poise. But in the end the guitars, bass and drums are so in sync in their attack. You feel brutalized and enthralled at the same time. 

Next up are the vocals by singer Lilith which are in the harsh black metal variety. I mean this woman is spitting bile with each verse. Every word out of her mouth comes across as a curse. Years ago I use to call em "witch vocals". In all of the years I think Lilith has perfected this vocal style. Seriously she's better than my ex-wife on a bender. 

The tagline on KORGULL THE EXTERMINATOR has always been blackened thrash. The final cut, "Count Estruch", is about as black metal as it gets on here. For the most part this is just amazing thrash. Lilith will add in a high pitch squeal or a Tom G. Warrior grunt at times. The musicianship is perfection. I mean this is a perfect album period. 

http://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.main.index.php

LISTEN HERE:

https://korgulltheexterminator.bandcamp.com/album/built-to-kill

FROZEN DAWN - The Decline of the Enlightened Gods review

 

FROZEN DAWN - The Decline of the Enlightened Gods

Transcending Obscurity Records

For those of you who are fans of Black Metal, and frankly who isn't, then this release might be something of a surprise. Now for me personally over the past decade or so the BM genre has done well in progressing further then expected. Also it was done by the musicians and not prodded by outside instigators pushing a non black metal agenda. Sure you're always going to have the stalwarts screaming infernal hails. and of course I like that a lot. But nowadays you're hearing certain acts creating epic soundscapes suitable for some cosmic Sci/Fi horror film scores. But this album has known of that.

This is the fourth full length by Spain's FROZEN DAWN. They've been around since the late 2000's. They're a three piece black metal act who like the mid 90's melodic style of the genre. But to their favor they're not a generic throwback to the past. And frankly I'm getting a little bored with the whole throwback thing. On the contrary FROZEN DAWN make this style of BM more relevant to your modern BM listening audience. The band takes the style of the past, injects their own personality into the music and tosses in a lot of cool shit. 

Throughout this ten song album (nine originals and a NECROPHOBIC cover of "Blinded by Light, Enlightened by Darkness") you're like hell yeah this is an old school sounding treat. I mean it's got it all as far as icy tremolo picked riffs, solid drum work and harsh fiery vocals. But then the crazed guitar solos kick in. That's when your generic tinged mind goes "wait a minute". Then again the band throws in song structures differ from melodic BM as well. "Frozen Kings" is a cool sounding thrash influenced track which is damm good. "Wanderer of Times" also pushes a blackened thrash element. I think in the end this is worthwhile to check out. 

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://frozendawnbm.bandcamp.com/album/the-decline-of-the-enlightened-gods-black-metal

ATARAXY - The Last Mirror review

 

ATARAXY - The Last Mirror

Dark Descent Records

Here we have the third full length by Spain's ATARAXY a death metal band who I learned about years ago. In fact I had their second album Where All Hope Fades from 2018, and also out on Dark Descent Records, in my year end favorites. 

What makes em so cool is their sound which is old school death doom influenced by ASPHYX, BOLT THROWER and an inquisition dungeon. So what was great about their first two full lengths has now been punched up to another level of horrific extremism.

On The Last Mirror expect crushing doom riffs along with some punishing death metal punishment. The caustic vocals, think Van Drunen style, come off as agonizing. Along with all of those basics the band layers things in a foreboding atmosphere via melodic solos and even a blast beat drum run. 

Once again ATARAXY out does their previous effort. Peak moments on here me include "The Bell That Constantly Sounds", "Under the Cypress Shadow" and "A Mirror Reflects Our Fate". Yeah the longer eerie cuts which contain melody surrounded by crushing death doom, tortured vocals and synth enhancing atmosphere. Yeah this is a long awaited return. 

https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/shop/

LISTEN HERE:

https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-mirror

ERNIA - How To Deal With Life And Fail review

 

ERNIA - How To Deal With Life And Fail 

Transcending Obscurity Records

Ya know I gotta say 2022 has been a good year for grindcore. For example here we have the second full length by this Spanish act. ERNIA are cool, to me at least, because they are a full on grind act that let's loose with many other musical styles. 

The thirteen tracks on here all unique in style as well as performance. There's nothing really repetitive as the album flows. Like I said this is fuckin grind but there are times when the band zips into death grind mode. Next they'll add some jazz fusion to the mix. Add to that they're all into tech death. 

Musically this is part spasm inducing riffs, plenty of bass in your face, a drummer who should be saluted for keeping up with it all and then there's the vocalist. This guy sounds like he's high on a helium and on fire. The talent displayed here is amazing. This is avant-grind gone to the hilt. Totally fuckin amazing. Hell they even delve into some prog bits. One more time, this is totally fuckin amazing!

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://ernia.bandcamp.com/album/how-to-deal-with-life-and-fail-grindcore

INTOLERANCE - Dark Paths of Humanity review

 

INTOLERANCE - Dark Paths of Humanity

Godz Ov War Productions

Whatever you do, don't tell this four piece act that it's 2022. This is the debut full length by the Spanish death metal band, INTOLERANCE. One listen and you'll be thinking it's 1990. Now to me that's fine. If a modern band can create a cool sounding album that reminds me of something classic from decades ago, I'll take it.

Like I said earlier this is the band's debut and yeah it's amazing as far as OSDM goes. Sound-wise this is dark and heavy as it should be. There's a good mix of slow plodding numbers and mid-paced cuts. The latter style gets your blood pumping as well as makes for sick facial expressions. It's the kind of stuff which makes ya wanna run out and punch a douche-bag. Please note that 12 years ago I would've said hipster but they're not around anymore to punch.

Dark Paths of Humanity is eight songs worth of filth ridden dungeon recorded riffs. There's some dive bomb leads thrown in once in a while as well as tranquil runs. The rhythm section works well especially the dynamic drum work. The vocals vary from bestial to harsh screams. So all in all it's a perfect release as far as recreating that Euro death doom sound from decades ago.

http://godzovwar.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/dark-paths-of-humanity

SEPULCHRAL - From Beyond The Burial Mound

 

SEPULCHRAL - From Beyond The Burial Mound

Soulseller Records

So here we have the debut full length by Spanish death metal trio SEPULCHRAL. This album was recorded down in a castle dungeon with the band surrounded by ancient torture devices left over from the inquisition. OK that last sentence was totally made up by me. But hey after one listen to this eleven cut album (actually 10 songs with an intro) I think you'll believe me.

Also I have to say that after reading about this band's history (they started out in 2016). And seeing that their main purpose was to create some old school death metal in the vein of early European acts. Well my answer to that is they nailed it. 

From Beyond The Burial Mound is a fast paced run with crunchy riffs, a touch of hardcore as well as some ENTOMBED influence. Once in a while there's a cool solo that mellows it's way into a song. But the mainstay for this band is driving riffs and a rhythm section that keeps pace. You could add the dungeon vocals as a plus.

The bottom line here is simple. The band has the chops but the whole hardcore band playing death metal thing is kinda enjoyable for a split second. Here, there, goodbye and get off the stage. Sure it's cool but what else can you give us listeners/fans that consists of originality thrown into the mix. And this is the ninth band I've heard who covers "Blood " by NECROPHAGIA.  

http://www.soulsellerrecords.com/

LISTEN HERE: 

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/from-beyond-the-burial-mound

BIZARRE - Invocation Codex review

 

BIZARRE - Invocation Codex 

Transcending Obscurity Records

Death Metal acts who delve into the horrific world of Lovecraftian literature are nothing new. In fact I believe more music scribe clowns over the past two decades have layered the term "Lovecraftian" onto anything heavy and subterranean sounding. That just shows their ignorance because they just learned about H.P. Lovecraft. Yeah it was a thing there for a while with the hipsters (LOL!)

Spain's BIZARRE push their brand of Lovecraft love to simply title songs reminiscent of the author's stories. If you want more then read the lyrics. While doing so their music reflects a mix of death metal eras which do not pigeon-hole them at all. Now sure the bestial bear in a cave vocals are a constant but the song structures are fluid. 

Song wise I like what this band is doing on this their full length debut. They combine the old school aesthetics with brazen melody, some tech death touches and excellent guitar soloing which comes across like icing on a cake. My main problems with this release are that the rhythms are held back in the mix. That and the vocals sound like one the fish creature's from The Shadow Over Innsmouth did it. 

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://bizarredeath.bandcamp.com/album/invocation-codex-lovecraftian-death-metal

APOSENTO - Conjuring the New Apocalypse review

APOSENTO - Conjuring the New Apocalypse

Xtreem Music




Here's something which comes in at a perfect time for me. I deem the month of June as "Death Metal in June". Yeah it's a play on a band name so go away hipster. But something else of note, when you talk about death metal bands as a whole as far as major scenes and releases go. The great nation of Spain has been overlooked. 


Yes I'm sure there are many people out there who, during the stealing (oops, I mean free downloading) days of the internet, who will make claims of Spanish death metal knowledge. Whatever people, because the bottom line is that if you just glanced at an average list of the greatest death metal albums of all time. You won't find a Spanish band release. So yeah they've been overlooked.


Which brings us to APOSENTO, a Spanish death metal act who originally started out back in the early 90's. Yeah that's back in the heyday of death metal. The band was only around for a handful of years. Their early releases consisted of a few demos, a split release and a five song EP titled Welcome to Darkness from 1997. After that the band called it quits.


Fast forward to 2012 and the band's sole original member, guitarist Manolo Saez, decides to bring APOSENTO back from the dead. And even with filling up various line-up positions. He and the band have managed to put out an EP and two full lengths prior to this latest one. Yeah dedication and conviction is their strong suit.


After giving this one a bunch of listens I'll add attention to detail as well.  Conjuring the New Apocalypse is not just old school death metal done right. It just doesn't remind you of the revival band style which many other genre acts employ. Basically it comes across like an unearthed gem of the past. 


All the essentials of death metal enjoyment are in place. You've got a good mix of speed and death doom songs plus a few chaotic structured cuts which really stand out. Vocals are of the blast furnace throat variety. Lead guitar work is decent but not a stand out here. Oh well that's the American in me but in the end this is damm good. No let me correct that, this is perfect.



http://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.main.index.php

https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/album/conjuring-the-new-apocalypse

https://www.facebook.com/Aposentodeath/

NIGHTFEAR - Apocalypse review

NIGHTFEAR - Apocalypse

Fighter Records




Now if you asked me a decade ago about my opinion on power metal I would have given you a some what dirty look. Seriously years ago I was bored with the whole English or Northern Europe shebang. Then about five or so years ago you had countries on the Mediterranean who were reigniting the whole genre with bands pushing out the old ways with some originality . These were the acts I gave props to and for good reason.


NIGHTFEAR, who hail from Spain, are one of those cool style of power metal genre bands that make music which is not generic. Yes you'll get your share of galloping rhythms on this their third full length. There's timely fluidic soloing as well as melodic chimes and fiery blasts. The rhythm section is decent but kudos to the drummer. The vocals have a snarl character whether being sung solo or chorus. 


Now with all of that said this band's song structures are amazing. The guitar work is cool as fuck. Once again this is an album that needs to be heard from front to back. I guess the term here is epic.

http://www.fighter-records.com/

https://fighter-records.bandcamp.com/album/apocalypse

WAR DOGS - Die By My Sword review

WAR DOGS - Die By My Sword

Fighter Records



At least once a year I'm lucky enough to hear a damm good band that brings back cool memories of old. I'm talking about the good o'l days of traditional metal circa late 70's/early 80's. I'm not talking about the hugely popular stuff either. It's more like a cool formula of the musicianship, songs and performance. So right now WAR DOGS rule in my not so humble opinion.


What we have here is the debut full length by this Spanish five piece act who started out in 2015. Prior to this the band released a six song EP in 2018. I  never heard that but am damm glad to hear this and you will to. Like I said they're a five piece act which means a twin guitar attack. Keep it true indeed. There's so many things about this band and their ten cut release I wanna talk about. 


Let's start with the vocals which are not over the top as far as range or heavy metal screams. They're pretty much gutsy melodic real guy type vocals. I wanna name drop a German act but can't. Either way they work perfect for this music since they blend in and do not over shine the music. 


Follow that up with the amazing riffs, some of which carry memories of the past. Look there's a cut on here that uses the "Bark at the Moon" riff. There's a few other Jake E. Lee bits (a couple of riffs and some obvious solos) which just shows ya they're fans. There's some other signature riffs from the past that will make you think MAIDEN as well. But otherwise the guitar work on here is damm good.


Something which is obvious to old school types like me when listening to new bands perform our music is how much bass is utilized. I mean it was a staple of old school metal to have the bass player prominent throughout the songs. So yes these guys have that nailed. As with the high velocity drum work which matches the riffs in speed and consistent fills. 


In the end, and seriously you never want it to, Die by My Sword is a masterpiece. It's an obvious homage to the old while still sounding fresh to someone who remembers the past. For me there's a fine line of distinction between bands that just copy the old ways and sound cool at it as opposed to those who you just know have the spirit. WAR DOGS is of the latter and their debut release is a must have for all of you keeping it true. Nuff Said.


http://www.fighter-records.com/

https://fighter-records.bandcamp.com/album/die-by-my-sword

https://www.facebook.com/WarDogsHeavyMetal/

EVADNE - Dethroned Of Our Souls compilation review

EVADNE - Dethroned Of Our Souls compilation

Funere



This is my first time hearing of EVADNE. Just for the record they're a Spanish death doom act who have been around for quite a few years. They've been putting out releases since 2007, which includes three full lengths and an EP. What we have here is a compilation release of remixed/remastered songs, a live track and the band’s original demo.


Personally it all sounds like a gift to this band's long time fans which is cool as far as comps go. But for you the new listener there's enough intrigue in this to warrant a great place to start. For instance if you're a fan of doom that lies in the realm of MY DYING BRIDE and SWALLOW THE SUN then you should be knocking people over in order to get this.


What this band provides is elegance with melodic keyboard interludes, heavy and savage power chords, deep baritone bestial vocals or whispered spoken word parts. It's a 3 AM type of release where you're (high or drunk) and wanting some emotional attachment to some heavy fuckin music which you find familiar. 


EVADNE are not breaking new ground on the whole melodic/progressive death doom and gloom genre. But when it comes to this genre we really don't care as long as the songs are cool and they invoke the feelings we want. That's why we play the same releases all the time. So here's a new one to play and enjoy to the hilt.


https://funere.bandcamp.com/

https://funere.bandcamp.com/album/dethroned-of-our-souls

https://www.facebook.com/EvadneOfficial

PREMATURE BURIAL - Antihuman review

PREMATURE BURIAL - Antihuman

Selfmadegod Records




This is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist JM Dopico. If you were a fan of the Spanish bands DISHAMMER or MACHETAZO then you're familiar with Dopico's past work. But be warned this release is not like those bands I just mentioned.


On this debut release Dopico gives forth a homage to 80's metal and punk rock. Dopico's vocal style is somewhere between El Duce of the MENTORS and the guy who sang for CAPITAL PUNISHMENT outta Fresno, California back in the 80's. We're talking a deep and angry singing voice. There's others I have heard who do the same thing but at the moment I can't think of em.


On to the songs, there's ten of em which range from modern takes on speed metal, some slower cuts are doomish but the rest go for the throat of a punk version of VENOM. In the end I like it a lot but it all sounds like a demo from the 80's. The last song on here being a CRO-MAGS cover. Still it's all good.


https://selfmadegod.com/shop/en_US/index

https://selfmadegod.bandcamp.com/album/antihuman

https://www.facebook.com/prematureburial.jmdopico/

MEAN MACHINE - Rock 'n' Roll Up Your Ass review

MEAN MACHINE - Rock 'n' Roll Up Your Ass

Fighter Records




A little history for ya back in the mid -90's, metal was going through it's own weird times. But so was the whole underground punk/hardcore music scene. Along came a band called The HELLACOPTERS outta Sweden which featured Nicke Andersson of ENTOMBED (not playing drums) on guitar and vocals. They pushed their musical love of THE STOOGES, MC5 and MOTORHEAD to the hilt. It was hard fuckin punk rock n roll and we, my friends as well as a shitload of people in the punk and metal scene, loved it. 


Of course a shitload of other bands jumped onto this bandwagon from around the world. It soon became a new genre for us into the extreme and it pissed off the anarcho punk losers. Every time now when I hear a present day band doing the same thing I get excited as fuck. Enter MEAN MACHINE a three piece act from Barcelona, Spain. Listening to this, their third full length, is as if I'm standing in a club in 1998 getting blown away by some cool punk/metal hybrid act that loves to kick your ass. 


Guitarist Juan Pedro Quesada worships at the altar of Fast Eddie Clarke. The vocals by bassist Raul Mesa are savage punk snarls. Him and drummer Marc Tapies rappid fire through their rhythms as if there's hookers waiting for em after the recording session. All in all I love the living shit out of this release. I was waiting for them to slow down and when they do they're like MOTORHEAD. When they're fast they're like the HELLACOPTERS. This is fuckin great.


http://www.fighter-records.com/

https://meanmachinernr.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MeanMachineRnR/