PONTE DEL DIAVOLO - De Venom Natura review

 

PONTE DEL DIAVOLO - De Venom Natura

Self Released

PONTE DEL DIAVOLO is an Italian band I learned about in 2024 with their debut full length Fire Blades from the Tomb. That one came out on Season of Mist records. This new one is a self release which to me seems crazy because this band is killer. Musically PONTE DEL DIAVOLO answer the question as in what if Siouxsie Soux from the old English Post Punk band SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES fronted a Blackened Doom / Post Punk act. 

I liked their debut album a lot. They also have a compilation of their three early EPs which came out in late 2024 on Time to Kill Records. That's something I really wanna pick up but for now we have this seven song full length. You've got six originals and a cover of BAUHAUS's "In the Flat Field". Ah hell yeah on the BAUHAUS cover. 

For me this is better than their debut. The songs come across as more intricate whether they be Blackened Doom or the Gothic Post Punk stuff. They even throw in a trombone player on one song. There's also a duet on "Silence Walk With Me" featuring Gionata Potenti from the Italian Black Metal band NUBIVAGANT. Of course for me it's the amazing vocals by Erba del Diavolo which wins me over along with the overall sound and atmosphere the whole band produces. 

In the end yeah this is a winner. Of course I'm shocked this release is not on a label whether small or large. I mean what the fuck is going on here?  

LISTEN AND BUY IT HERE:

https://pontedeldiavolo666.bandcamp.com/album/de-venom-natura

CORPSEMANGLE - Eating the Damned review

 CORPSEMANGLE - Eating the Damned

Self Released

I know it's only March but when I saw the cover artwork for this release I was like, I don't care what this band sounds like because this is definitely a contender if not an all out winner for Album Cover of the Year. I mean look at it! Seriously it could've been a CANNIBAL CORPSE album cover back in the day. Dammit I need it on a T-shirt, double X please. And a poster wouldn't hurt either because Extreme Metal artwork rules. 

So with all of that said this is the debut full length by CORPSEMANGLE (cool band name by the way) who are a  two piece Brutal Death Metal act from the great nation of Bulgaria. This two piece consists of Antoan Bozhkov, who started the band in 2015 on guitars and lead vocals. Along with him is Martin Aleksandrov who plays bass and adds backing vocals. The drum work is obviously programmed. Note to band, get a human drummer. 

With that said CORPSEMANGLE's full length debut comes across as a lot of early CANNIBAL CORPSE and DEICIDE worship which to me ain't a bad thing. Overall it's a brutal maniacle sound being produced. The production here is raw as fuck. Someone could call this a long lost demo from 1991, package it as a reissue on double vinyl, sell it for a hundred bucks and Extreme Metal collectors would buy it in a heartbeat.

As for me I like this a lot but I wanna hear their next album which I feel will be cool as fuck. I mean Antoan Bozhkov is good on the riffs and his solos are decent in that dive bomb style or in a melodic vein. He's got the damm good vocals as well. So yeah Brutal Fuckin Death Metal from Bulgaria rules! Now let's hear your next album.

LISTEN TO AND BUY IT HERE:

https://corpsemangle.bandcamp.com/album/eating-the-damned

PROFANE ELEGY - Herezjarcha review

 

PROFANE ELEGY - Herezjarcha

Self Released

Ya know over the past decade I've come across some really cool sounding Black Metal from Pennsylvania. And yeah these bands are not from the larger cities. They're from the more rural parts of the state. In other words there's more nature, no urban bullshit, it's clean and probably no human asshole problems. In other words it's probably kinda Nordic. 

Which is probably why this debut full length by a Pennsylvania four piece act sounds very Scandinavian Black Metal. Sound wise it's part Swedish and Finnish Thrash bent BM which is cool as fuck. I'm shocked, shocked I say, that this is not released by a label. Someone needs to make a call and say that poser hiptard shit your label is releasing sucks! Check this band out!

Seriously this eight cut album will be one of your favorite BM releases this year. I'd say technically it's a concept album, if you follow the lyrics. There's a story being told. But for me it's the song craft which makes this a great album. I mean it's got the high pitched blackened vocals. There's plenty of intense riffs and a rhythm section that delivers maximum punishment. 

But then there's the atmospheric parts which add some Folk into the mix. A perfect example is the track "And Then We Are Gone" which is a hypnotic gem. I'd also call in the title track as well as opener "Exeunt Omnes" and the final cut "The Accuser" as being Old School Black Metal being done well by newcomers without sounding like copycats. 

The bottom line to me is that PROFANE ELEGY's Herezjarcha is without a doubt one of the best BM releases you need to hear in 2026. 

LISTEN TO & BUY IT HERE:

https://profaneelegy.bandcamp.com/album/herezjarcha

VINDICATOR - Whispers of Death review

 

VINDICATOR - Whispers of Death

Self Released

There's a lot to unpack here so let me start by saying I first learned about this Ohio Thrash band back in 2018. I was checking out / writing about another Ohio band release by SHED THE SKIN. One of that band's members, bassist Ed Stephens, plays in VINDICATOR as well as RINGWORM. 

So I followed the stream to the river and discovered VINDICATOR has some pretty good albums. I have their The Antique Witcheries full length from 2010 which came out on Heavy Artillery Records. And their United We Fall full length from 2012 which came out on Slaney Records. Overall VINDICATOR has five full lengths that includes this one plus a bunch of short form releases and compilations. I mean the band has been around since 2005. 

Now on this new release what we have is a Thrash band that's totally involved in what Thrash Metal is all about. I'm talking great fuckin riffs, sick fuckin vocals and a dynamic rhythm section. It's 2025 and we fans are always faced with false Thrash bullshit which is trash. Just listen to the cool as fuck soloing as well as timing within these cuts. 

Hell yeah VINDICATOR are the best Thrash Metal act that I've heard this year. Not that I concentrate on Thrash Metal releases, unless their Blackened Thrash. But hey give this band a listen and you'll be a convert. I'm just surprised they're not on a cool label ya know like Hells Headbangers. 

LISTEN HERE:

https://vindicator.bandcamp.com/album/whispers-of-death

CHRIST DISMEMBERED - Ov Vampiricy review

 

CHRIST DISMEMBERED - Ov Vampiricy

Self Released

So when I think of Australian Black Metal I'm going with my favorites like BESTIAL WARLUST, DESTROYER 666, NAZXUL and of course PORTAL. I could easily name drop a few more favorites but you get the idea. And Australian BM bands do have a unique sound and style. So when I first checked out this second album by Australia's CHRIST DISMEMBERED I was kind of surprised. 

Just for the record CHRIST DISMEMBERED is a five piece BM act who originally started out back in 2012. Their debut full length, which I never heard, came out in 2017. After that it's been silence until now. Hey I understand you've got other obligations other than crushing religions and hailing satan. Plus there was that Wuhan Flu thing which turned your nation into a concentration camp. 

But anyways CHRIST DISMEMBERED come across sound-wise as nothing consistent with Australian BM. Instead this album is completely influenced by late 1990's / early 2000's Scandinavian Black Metal. It's melodic as well as harsh which reminds me of Sweden's DARK FUNERAL or 2000 era MARDUK. Now that's not a bad thing since I've got a ton of CDs and some vinyl behind me on the shelves that represent this style of music when it first came out decades ago. 

So let's give CHRIST DISMEMBERED's sophomore full length it's due. Archworm has a snarling harsh vocal style which is fucking cool. The musicianship by this band is perfect. There's plenty of icy energy riffs, blast beats and some decent soloing. The band does introduce some melodic atmosphere at times which sticks with the script. 

In the end CHRIST DISMEMBERED's second full length would be remembered as a classic BM album if it was originally released a few decades ago. As for now it's something cool to blast for a day or two and then move on. I've got the original stuff on the shelf.

LISTEN TO & BUY IT HERE:

https://christdismembered.bandcamp.com/album/ov-vampiricy

KNOWLEDGE IS FOR FOOLS - Fast Food for Thought review

KNOWLEDGE IS FOR FOOLS - Fast Food for Thought

Self Released

So once in a while I've gotta rock n fuckin roll. And here's a release which is raw and unrelenting in your face. Bias alert because I'm friends with this North Carolina band. But then again most people in the media don't even admit to that so there ya go. Yeah at least I do and yeah I've been anticipating this release for a while. 

This is the third full length by KNOWLEDGE IS FOR FOOLS aka: KIFF who started out in the late 2000's. If you listen to their first two full lengths, which you should, then you know this band has progressed from being just a cool Punk Rock N Roll band to a catchy anthem concert act. And on this their third full length it's like one arm is covered in tattoos of the RAMONES, STOOGES and the DEAD BOYS to the other arm being covered with tats of THE GODZ, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS & KISS. 

First and fore-most the production on here is over the top. This is the best sounding KIFF release ever as far as headbanging, knee slapping and oh hell fucking yeah sing along screaming. With eleven tracks to pick through it's hard to find some favorites but I've gotta say "Lady Doom" is a kick ass hit. "Fast Food Fight on a Friday Night" is a punk anthem to anyone who knows what that's all about. Also the added female vocals rule.

Why this band rules is simple. You've got these cool raw vocals, a thunderous bass player ya know like old Punk Fuckin Rock and Metal had. Add to that some really savage guitar riffs plus rock n roll soloing. And finally some drumming that kicks fucking ass. All of which are in one song "I Want Blood" as well as the rest of the album but hey there ya go. 

In my not so humble opinion this is the best KIFF album ever, for now of course. If you're a Metal Head or a Punk Rock n Roller and better yet someone inbetween then here ya go. KIFF's third full length is a release you need to check out. It's a damm amazing release, period end of story. Oh fuck it, if you don't buy this release you're a poser. I was paid five bucks to say that last line. I gave it back because if you still don't get this album then you're a loser. Now I can honestly say Nuff Said.

LISTEN TO & BUY HERE:

https://knowledgeisforfools.bandcamp.com/album/fast-food-for-thought

 

THE SLIME - Crab-Walk to Oblivion review

 

THE SLIME - Crab-Walk to Oblivion

Self Released

Listening to this is like being at a club decades ago during a DRI show. I should know because I was there. As far as DRI goes yes Violent Pacification was good. Dealing With It was better but their Crossover album sucked. So when I was reading the promo info on this band. The PR person describes this band as being "hardcore/crossover". WTF?

OK I get it your young. But if you were around in the late 80's HC scene then you would know that the term "crossover" is a bad word. The term was created by major label hacks to describe bands who they signed as being liked by the HC crowd and metal heads. Alright but what about the punk fans who liked SABBATH or PRIEST? Would you call them "crossover"? 

Basically it, crossover, started because DRI was playing shows with SLAYER. Next thing you know the major labels started signing all of these Hardcore bands. At first it was called "crossover" but then a year or two afterwards it was called Metalcore. You had HC bands trying to sound Metal and it pretty much sucked. Sorry for the history lesson buy hey I had to. 

Anyways this is the debut full length by THE SLIME a four piece act who hail from Toronto, Ontario. That's in Canada for all of you punks. I think there was an old early 1980's Punk band called The SLIME as well. Be that as it may this band started out in 2020 and so far has released a handful of short form releases prior to this full length. 

As far as Crab-Walk to Oblivion goes well for starters the album cover artwork has a guy with a BAD BRAINS T-shirt on. At least that's cool. Musically as far as these eleven songs go, in slightly over fifteen minutes, I like it. Ah yeah I'd say they're influenced by DRI as well as maybe a few other HC bands from the late 1980's. 

But I give these guys credit. They've taken a sound from fuckin decades ago and actually put a cool original spin to it. There's a few cuts on here that sound more diabolical then their ancestors could've produced. The musicianship is very wild with caustic vocals careening over wild ride riffs. The rhythm section is on fire. 

I think in 2025 and you're into Hardcore Punk then THE SLIME should be one of your favorite bands. I mean back in the day my favorite Canadian Punk bands were DOA and the DAYGLO ABORTIONS. And that's just off the top of my memory as I write this review. There's plenty more but for now yeah THE SLIME fuckin rule.  

LISTEN TO & BUY IT HERE:

https://theslimehardcore.bandcamp.com/album/crab-walk-to-oblivion

THE CIMMERIAN - An Age Undreamed Of review

THE CIMMERIAN - An Age Undreamed Of 

Self Released

This release falls into my category of give it a couple of listens and think ahead as well as the possibilities. This is the debut full length by THE CIMMERIAN a three piece act from Los Angeles, California. Sorry about the wild fires guys and I hope you're alright. 

Musically the genre tagline here is Sludge Metal / Stoner Rock which automatically I'd be bored with from the onset especially if it was your average stuff. But what makes THE CIMMERIAN a cool listen is that their bassist / vocalist Nicolas Rocha and guitarist Dave Gein where both in the Thrash / Crossover band SEPTIK ONSLAUGHT. So their sound has a lot of that going on within it. 

Let's add to that with the fact that on a couple of cuts this band reminds me in a way of some of my Midwest Doom favorites. We're talking epic fantasy stuff. So you've got thunderous bass lines and these gruff vocals. The guitar work is cool as fuck. "Silver and Gold" and "Darkwolf" are probably my favorite tracks on here. But hey with eight tracks altogether, seven of em long epic numbers with the opener an instrumental, it's all damm good. 

If I had a complaint it's that there are times when the drum work gets clicky if you know what I mean. Music like this needs to be totally organic sounding. With that said I won't be surprised if this release is re-pressed on a major Metal label later this year and THE CIMMERIAN are the next big thing. Don't laugh because I'm 50/50 on those types of predictions. Anyways good stuff here so check em out. Although I can't say anything nice about the album cover art. WTF?

LISTEN TO & BUY IT HERE:

https://thecimmerian.bandcamp.com/album/an-age-undreamed-of-2

 

CONDEMNER - Male Patratis Sunt Atra Theatra Parata review

 

CONDEMNER - Male Patratis Sunt Atra Theatra Parata

Self Released

After giving this release a bunch of listens I was reminded of a crazy time from my past. Trust me there's a lot of em. But one time I came home from a party. It was after 3 AM and I was drunk as fuck but I had some beers leftover from when I went to the store. So I'm home and decide to blast some MORTICIAN. The CD was not over before the cops show up telling me there's been a noise complaint. Good times but bad decisions on my part and I think I woke up on the floor. 

But anyways I'm listening to this the second album by this Texas based Blackened Death Metal three piece act. Musically we are talking cryptic in everything this band does. You've basically got diabolical riffs, heavy ass drum work and a coal miner singing. Slow and methodical it is. Sounds like it was recorded at a practice space oh hell yeah. 

Then again look at the cover artwork and you get the idea. This is all about pain and torture. It's old school DM to it's lowest point and still sounds cool. 

LISTEN TO AND BUY IT HERE:

https://condemner.bandcamp.com/album/male-patratis-sunt-atra-theatra-parata

ANGEL MASSACRE - Worshipped in Vain review

 

ANGEL MASSACRE - Worshipped in Vain

Self Released

Everyone loves a local especially since, according to the opening intro to this album, the wrath of Satan has no mercy. Yes we're talking about some black fuckin metal from North Carolina. Now let me mention that around fifteen years ago you had a few hipster acts that played around with the whole black metal idea. But obviously they were laughed at so it's cool to me that we have real black metal acts here in the South. 

Now ANGEL MASSACRE are not new to the scene. The band, who hail from Gastonia, North Carolina (I wonder if they like ANTISEEN?) started out in 2006. To their credit they've released a handful of demos, an EP, a debut full length and now this their second full length. Their first full length, Blood of the Fallen Angels, came out in 2021. So basically we're talking about some veterans of the scene. 

Musically ANGEL MASSACRE are about as original as wearing a black T-shirt at a metal show. Now that's not a slag against em. It's 2024 people so what is original in black metal except for stupid sounding acts riding on the black metal banner. To be honest ANGEL MASSACRE sound like the love Swedish black metal. On this release they sound like a blend of MARDUK, DARK FUNERAL and DISSECTION. Ah yeah the big three of Swedish BM. Albeit the production on here, along with the cover artwork of the release, are low-fi. 

But in the end this is a pretty raw sounding rip your head off and hail Satan type of release. I'll bet they're incredible live and they probably played a show downtown on a weeknight and I missed em. What you have on here is amazing horrific vocal screams, great fuckin riffs and damm good song structures which would make some 90's BM vet say "Hey that's my riff". 

Whatever the case ANGEL MASSACRE on this their second full length are something for the still breathing KVLT types in the BM scene. As for me I've got too many 90's era black metal releases that are so cool sounding that no new band repeating em will impress me. ANGEL MASSACRE are a cool sounding BM act and I'd love to see em live. Overall this release falls into the decent category. 

LISTEN TO & BUY IT HERE:

https://angelmassacreshop.bandcamp.com/album/worshipped-in-vain

KNOLL - As Spoken review

 

KNOLL - As Spoken

Self Released

After listening to this I have to wonder about two things. The first is what type of horrors live within the minds of this Tennessee five piece act in order to inspire this kind of extreme music hell. The second one is how come no one has signed this band yet. 

Musically this is grindcore drilled through the lens of a Mario Bava film festival. I'm sure some psychotropic drugs were involved as well. While I was listening to this I kept thinking of Barbara Steele walking into my office wearing a PIG DESTROYER shirt and nothing else. Love it to death and then some never meant so much in that fantasy. But hey I digress. 

Just for the record KNOLL are not newcomers. In fact the band started out in 2017. To their credit they have a few short form releases, a live release (did they really play Roadburn?) and two full lengths prior to this one. And they're not signed to a label of any kind. Whatafuck is up with that? Don't get me wrong I'm not into the be signed or die rule. But there are so many cool underground labels which could expose this band to a wider bunch of fans.

With that area stated I'd say musically there are three notable things about this album. First and foremost are the banshee like shrieks which are the vocals. What torments this guy to come up with that vocal style is beyond what I care to know. Secondly you've got a combination of the claustrophobic and twisted sound structures that are at some points a wall of noise. At other times it's like falling into an abyss of blackened filth with something from the imagination of Lovecraft waiting for you. 

In the end this is avant-grind with real horror behind the veil, at least you hope it is, to invoke some macabre nightmares to say the fuckin least. Hell while I was listening to this a thunder storm was going on. Better yet a lightning strike hit close by and shook the house. So I did the smartest thing. I turned up the volume to drown out the storm.

LISTEN TO AND BUY IT HERE:

https://knollgrind.bandcamp.com/album/as-spoken 

INFESTATION OF EVIL - Engulfed by Shapeless Cruelties review

 

INFESTATION OF EVIL -  Engulfed by Shapeless Cruelties

Self Released

Ya know it's one thing to be an old school sounding death metal / death thrash act. It's another thing to have your debut full length sounding like it was recorded on a 1980's era boombox. I mean are we really going to that extreme to be old school? 

Be that as it may INFESTATION OF EVIL are a four piece act from El Paso, Texas who actually are a cool sounding band if you can think better of the production / recording of this their debut full length. I wanna get their compilation from last year aka: Antiquus Maledicte Compendiumfrom just to compare sound-wise. 

Yeah this is something which I'd expect from a Nuclear War Now reissue. No offense to that great label but they've put out some stinkers for the devoted. With that said INFESTATION OF EVIL are a damm good death metal, death thrash and death doom type of band. But honestly this recording sucks.

LISTEN TO AND BUY HERE:

https://infestationofevil.bandcamp.com/album/engulfed-by-shapeless-cruelties-2

HEGEROTH - Disintegration review

 

HEGEROTH - Disintegration

Self Released

HEGEROTH are a two piece black metal act from the great nation of Poland. I learned about them last year with their fourth full length Sacra Doctrina. That one was definitely blackened perfection. So it seems they're on a creative role with this new one coming out a year later.

Musically HEGEROTH are all into early melodic black metal. But they add something interesting and unique to the mix which makes their music exceptional. First and foremost this comes across like a black metal version of Tales From The Crypt. HEGEROTH come across as eerie story tellers with this album.

Instead of being ripped apart with blackened fury the songs on here (all nine of em) are inviting sound-wise. Add to that the vocals draw you in as if an interesting story is being told by a ghoul. Yeah it's creepy and the riffs add a diabolical touch throughout. And holy shit there's bass playing which you can hear. 

Be that as it may HEGEROTH come away with another interesting album that's a massive melodic invite as well as an aggressive touch. It draws you in for a listen that you'll never forget and obviously want more. 

LISTEN AND BUY IT HERE:

https://hegeroth.bandcamp.com/album/disintegration

MORDANT RHED - Fuck Your Feeble World EP review

 

MORDANT RHED - Fuck Your Feeble World EP

Self Released

In all honesty when I see a photo of a band wearing ski masks these days I think they're into terrorism or they're antifa (yeah same thing). Normally I just think "no thanks". But hey thankfully this band, who hail from the great state of Texas, are neither. 

MORDANT RHED are a four piece black metal act who started out a few years ago. To their credit they've put out an EP from 2018, Live at the Z Bar, and three releases in 2023. Prior to this four song EP the band released a four song demo in January, to which a couple of tracks are on this EP. Add to that there's the "15 Winters" single. Once again that song appears on this EP. So the bottom line is don't buy their back catalog because it's all on this release. 

Musically MORDANT RHED might be from Texas but sound like they're from mid 1990's Europe. The fun part is where. The vocals  have a combo of banshee screech and guttural vulgarity. The guitars have that typical old school pissed of hornet's sound. There's a bass player but he's keeping rhythm. And the drum work is blast beat basics. So actually this sounds kinda cool. 

I have no idea if this band wanted to sound like a 90's black metal band from parts overseas but they nail it. The production is actually cool as fuck. I feel like I'm writing about a European black metal demo in 1995 then from Texas 2023. What's really cool is that MORDANT RHED are not into homage. This is them and I like it a lot. 

LISTEN AND BUY HERE:

https://mordantrhed.bandcamp.com/album/f-ck-your-feeble-world-ep

STAFIA - Tales from Beyond the Fog review

 

STAFIA - Tales from Beyond the Fog

Self Released

Ironically after giving this a listen I stepped out on my back deck for a smoke and noticed bats flying around the house. Then again this is a one man black metal act from Romania so there you go. The one man behind this project is not disclosing his name. 

So this is the debut full length by STAFIA, which is a Romanian mythological creature and roughly translates to malevolent spirit. That works out well since musically this release comes off sounding in the spirit of low-fi 1990's BM malevolence. 

As the PR info states; this album was recorded beyond the fog under a cold dark moon and pale blood sky in April of 2022. Yeah I believe that. This album is also dedicated to  Count Grishnackh. That's Varg Vikernes for those of you who have forgotten since you can't talk about em online anymore. 

In all honesty as soon as I saw the album art work I figured this guy likes BURZUM, and frankly who doesn't. And musically this is totally BURZUM inspired black metal ala his early stuff. So after a couple of listens I found this kinda cool sounding in a nostalgic type of way. 

The tremolo picked riffs and their icy tones are pitch perfect. The vocals are of that harsh inhuman variety. The drum work is spot on as if Varg was behind the kit. There's eight cuts on here. Looking back at all of the USBM acts that wanted to be the next BURZUM but failed miserably (but the hiptards liked em). I think this is pretty cool. 

LISTEN TO & BUY IT HERE:

https://stafia.bandcamp.com/

ANCIENT NORTH - The Gates review

 

 

ANCIENT NORTH - The Gates

Self Released 

ANCIENT NORTH is a one man US black metal act hailing from Oregon. The one man in question goes by the name Forlorn. That's good enough for me. So after giving this a listen I came to one obvious conclusion. If Forlorn's goal was to create an album that sounded like pure early second wave black metal circa 1991 then he did it with The Gates. 

Musically you've got your standard tremolo picked riffage. sometimes it's pure ripping harsh but certain times Forlorn allows in some melody. The guitar tone is pure pissed off hornet's nest sound-wise. The drum work is also standard blast beats with adjustments. The vocals are venomous plus creepy as they should be and there's no bass. 

So the corpse painted elephant in the corner of this wannabe dungeon is why? Yeah why should you be interested in something that's retro black metal? Seriously I had to ask myself the same question since I've got a hundred or more releases behind me on the shelves of early BM. 

My answer is why the fuck not. Like I've said this is perfection to a craft sound-wise. If I told you this was a demo from 1991 you kvlt fuckers would believe it. So yeah if you want some old school BM perfection done in 2022 then here you go. Plus the cover art is reminiscent of early GORGOROTH. 

LISTEN TO & BUY HERE:

https://ancientnorth.bandcamp.com/album/the-gates

IN SEANCE - Corporeal Desecration review

 

IN SEANCE - Corporeal Desecration

Self Released

This is the second full length release by this USBM two piece act from Portland, Oregon. Now if you are thinking this is going to be more of that Cascadian black metal (a hipster scribe term which I've always laughed at) then no it is not. Yes be thankful all you kvlt types. 

In fact be thankful that this band here actually embraces early 90's Norwegian BM. More specifically it's the whole THORNS / MAYHEM style which I find unique for any act from wherever to copy. As far as this band goes the two piece consists of Wraith on vocals and someone who goes by 104 who performs all instruments. 

As far as the vocals go Wraith has a very high pitched rasp style. He's decent sounding in his roll. But for me personally it's 104 who steals the show on here. His riffs are amazing and very reminiscent of the whole Euronymous / Blackthorn combination from 1992/93. Certain cuts like "Vampiric Bloodlust Slut", "Adorned with Bones" and "The Decapitator" are amazing in their fury and song structure. As far as 104's drum work he's good at that too. In the end it's damm good.

LISTEN TO & PURCHASE HERE:

https://inseance.bandcamp.com/album/corporeal-desecration

MISCREATION - Miscreation MMXXI EP review

 

MISCREATION - Miscreation MMXXI EP

Self Released

Well frankly I kinda like a promo that comes in with the words; "Hi Mr. Wolf. Prepare to have your face melted, your skull crushed, and whatever else can happen to the human body over the course of three, extremely brutal songs." Ah yeah well after three listens I've still still gotta shave and I've still got a head on my shoulders. But don't take that in the wrong way because if I hated this then after one listen I'd be gone. 

First off MISCREATION are a new four piece tech death band hailing from Canada. Actually the four band members have past experience in other bands so there's experience here. Musically this is what I'd call stuff I hear on the local college radio station on the Friday night program Chainsaw Rock. It's modern day tech death without the wankery or core thrown in for stupid reasons. 

This was recorded, mixed, and mastered by CRYPTOPSY guitarist Christian Donaldson. Yeah well he has plenty of time on his hands nowadays. But anyways this is pretty much a three song demo by a band who could fall in with all of the generic sounding stuff out there. But with a keen ear and knowledge then you know they're better than that. 

MISCREATION has some major strengths going for em. Their guitarist, Jack Lascelles, is not only a fast and frenzied riff master. But he knows when to toss in lead tweaks as well as a formative solo break. Reminds me of another great Canadian guitarist of old. The rhythm section is in a perfect blend with the guitar work. It's not just keeping a beat. It's playing ala one side and adding a touch of it's own. 

Finally there's the vocals which are deep screamed / barked. Sure it's generic but combined with the music it becomes far more savage. Imagine some lunatic jumping into a slam dance pit wearing brass knuckles. That's MISCREATION in a nutshell. Three songs of aggressive maniac metal are cool. Interesting to hear a full LP's worth.

LISTEN TO & PURCHASE HERE:

https://miscreationofficial.bandcamp.com/

BOOTES VOID - C.O.L.D. review

 

BOOTES VOID - C.O.L.D.

Self Released

For years now I've said that black metal can be educational. Case in point, for years I've thought that the coldest thing in the universe was my ex-wife's stare. But now I've learned I was wrong. This band is named after a region of space that contains very few galaxies. It's also known as the great nothing as in no light and very cold. It is located in the vicinity of the constellation Bootes, hence its name. So with that knowledge I can say my ex-wife comes in second as far as coldness. 

Be that as it may this band hails from Germany, more specifically Wurzburg, Bavaria. Now if you haven't figured it out yet with the teasers: cold and darkness. Yeah this is black metal. The big surprise here is that it's very melodic in style. We're talking late 90's era. The harshest part of this release are the vocals. The guy has a perfect rasp pitch.

Otherwise this debut album by the band is decent sounding in a nostalgia sense. The tremolo picked melodies on these seven cuts are cool. BOOTES VOID are a five piece so the twin guitar attack adds that usual touch of crushing deviance. Most of this is tremolo picked runs with pounding snare drum work. Then again the guitar riffs take you out into another realm. Yeah it's all standard stuff but decent.

LISTEN TO & PURCHASE HERE:

https://botesvoid.bandcamp.com/album/c-o-l-d-2

VERMORD - Nostalgic Predictions review

 

VERMORD - Nostalgic Predictions

Self Released

The sub genre of blackened death metal has over the past couple of decades been twisted into knots. What I mean is that bands from the sub genre can be melodic or crushing. I've heard proggy stuff in recent years along with adventures in tech death territory. All of what I've just described applies to this release. 

This is the debut album by Maryland's VERMORD. What you'll get here is blackened death metal which is without a doubt ferocious, melodic at certain times, full on tech death and there's some actual prog moments. To be honest with ya I've had a disturbing feeling about this release over the past week and a half. 

First off I like the fact that this band can draw from all of those styles and create song structures that meld well together. On the other hand there's some overdone madness which deters from the bludgeoning quality. After a short intro the torment enters in and for a few cuts it's hang onto your soul. But from that point onward the questions start to enfold.

Overall this release reminds me of an extreme metal mulligan stew. Everything goes into the pot. Sure it's edible but other than some stand out chunks the rest is an after thought. VERMORD hit perfection on many cuts like "Nostalgic Predictions", "Blessed by Wolves" and "Odyssey". We're talking great instrument execution with a combo of vocal styles, gruff or harsh in your face. As far as everything else goes well it keeps this engine moving. 

LISTEN HERE & PURCHASE HERE:

https://officialvermord.bandcamp.com/album/nostalgic-predictions