Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts

30 May 2023

Review: WINTERCOLD - As Above as Below


WINTERCOLD (Sweden) - “As Above as Below” Full-length 2021
This band is not a new name. Wintercold has issued numberless releases in the 15 years of its existence (you can check their data of discography at Encyclopaedia Metallum). It’s just that for me they are a bit low-profile, more into do-it-yourself ethics and positioned in the depths of the Swedish underground. “As Above as Below” is one of the most recent, a full-length containing 12 tracks that was released on August 4th, 2021. Throughout approximately 37 minutes of total playing time is wisely-interpreted Black/Doom Metal; epic, artistic, well-executed compositions. The gloomy and atmospheric nuances are precisely pleasant. The empowerment of pagan/neofolk/ambient elements in the structures and arrangements of their songs (referring to this “As Above as Below” album) has made them an awe-inspiring, breath-taking and undoubtedly worth-checking band. Wintercold stands in a class of its own!

29 May 2023

Review: V.A. - Azores & Metal Vol #2


V.A. - Azores & Metal Vol #2 (Compilation 2022)
“You may not believe in Azorean Heavy Metal, but it exists!”. Portugal’s Ponta Delgada-based label Museu do Heavy Metal Açoriano is back with its second volume of Azores & Metal compilation series, assembling some more 17 most active bands from the islands. Just like Vol.#1 that I checked in Reveal #14, I was once again fascinated and even more stunned by the quality of each band appeared in this Vol.#2. Each of them has given the best in terms of sound production, ideas that are rich in variety and full of color, song compositions in high creativity beyond limitations, a few of them are smart and brave to inject some non-metal elements, modern characteristics and other surprisingly unexpected features. Azores & Metal compilation is solid proof that there is a worthwhile metal scene in that Portuguese archipelago, and it’s like an ever-rolling ocean wave!

Review: TEARS OF FIRE - Anatta


TEARS OF FIRE (Germany) - “Anatta” 7" EP 2022
The Iranian-Swedish-German conspiracy Tears of Fire returns with their latest brainchild, “Anatta” 7" EP released through Austria’s Grazil Records on December 31, 2022. This, in my opinion, is another magnificent product following the full-length “Relics of Ancient Love” (2021) which I reviewed in Reveal #13. Once again I want to emphasize, wisdom has no boundaries and restrictions. Intellectuality grows and expands if you don’t put yourself in a limit. That’s what Tears of Fire has and they have their own magic and intelligence in their creative works. “Anatta” contains 3 monumental tracks infused with brilliant components; ritualistic, spiritualism, distinctiveness -- and the result is a mesmerizing and haunting artistry of Oriental Funeral Doom. This EP is absolute perfection!

Review: PAST M.D. - Desert Moon Hotel


PAST M.D. (Germany) - “Desert Moon Hotel” Full-length 2022
Frankly speaking, I never knew anything about this band until one day I received a press-kit from Imperative Music Agency (thanks to Gilson). Germany’s Past M.D. are a bunch of experienced musicians who have been in the Hard Rock scene there for a long time. Jörg Reuter (vocals, guitars, harp) and Detlef Poschmann (guitars, vocals) started with Midnight Darkness formed in 1980, recorded the only album “Holding The Night” released in September 1985. These two most crucial members returned in 2004 under a rebranded name - Past M.D. (so now you know what the MD stands for). Based in Oberhausen - North Rhine-Westphalia, the band released two early albums; “Part Time Rebellion” (2008) and “Circles” (2010). After several years passed and several phases of line-up changes, Jörg and Detlef teamed up with Hansi Heringer (drums), Jürgen Becker (guitars, piano) and Andreas Keuntje (bass) to record their third full-length “Desert Moon Hotel” officially released on October 1st, 2022. The new album comprises 12 songs (with a total duration of 58:55 minutes) of truthfully classic Hard Rock, fulfilled with the 80s aura and charisma, and the sound quality is really pleasant to the ears. Apart from the hard rock nuances that are the backbone of their music, Past M.D. also incorporate elements of ballads, blues rock and rock & roll at the right balance to make their works varied and more importantly, amazing! Remember one thing: Old people are still poisonous!!!

Review: GHOST:WHALE - Echo:One


GHOST:WHALE (Belgium) - “Echo:One” Full-length 2022
Now, it’s time for us to listen and enjoy something interesting and particularly amazing! Based in Brussels, the trio uniquely named Ghost:Whale bring us what they claim to be Instrumental Stoner Doom Sludge Noise. “Echo:One” is their one hour debut album, comprising 5 lengthy tracks including one epic 27-minute song. Heavy and loud sound. Sublime songwriting with highly creative music arrangements. Intensely groovy double distorted basses (by Lionel Beyet and Yves Vranckx). Profoundly solid drumming by Vincent De Santos. The addition of effects and samples that further enhance the brilliance of their songs. Ghost:Whale has brought out their music to a broader definition, daring to vary and innovate without limits and restrictions. Inhale your weed and fly to the tunes of “Echo:One”. Fantastic at all means!

Review: FOREST NOCTURNE - Scientia Potentia Est


FOREST NOCTURNE (Australia) - “Scientia Potentia Est” Full-length 2022
Something epic and majestic that you will get from the debut full-length of Forest Nocturne. “Scientia Potentia Est” contains 5 tracks that all feature an equal blend of aggressiveness and melodiousness. The quality of music and sound is close to the spectacular works of bands such as Emperor and Dissection. Based in Adelaide - South Australia, Forest Nocturne consists of L.Saalah (guitar/bass/vocals) and Robin Stone (drums), and they are both immensely intelligent in songwriting & music arrangements. Truthfully dark and furious guitar riffings, monumental drumming attacks, added with mesmerizing acoustic and synth elements, harsh-screaming vocals… the entirety sounds ravishing and remarkable! The album “Scientia Potentia Est” is 33:30 minutes of purely uttermost Black Metal aesthetics.

Review: BAREBONE BLITZ - Uproar Against…


BAREBONE BLITZ (Philippines) - “Uproar Against…” EP 2022
I once reviewed this band's 2-track promo/demo “This is Sure More Terrifying!!!” in Reveal #8 (August 2021) and now they are back through an EP entitled “Uproar Against…”, released on August 18, 2022. Established around 2020, the Filipino band Barebone Blitz will definitely always get my attention because their musicworks are always exciting. Damn!!! The new EP which includes four songs with only 4:13 minutes total playing time will make us amazed at the superb maximum speed they have presented, and all that in tight play conditions. Barebone Blitz really defines ‘fast, short & loud’ at its best and perfectly delivers what is called straight-in-your-face thrashcore threat!!! It’s heavy, lunatic and kicking ass! If you want something riotous, get this.

29 September 2022

Review: GRIMORIUM VERUM / CABRA INFERNAL - Vientos Del Pasado Y La Maldición Eterna


GRIMORIUM VERUM (Ecuador) / CABRA INFERNAL (Ecuador) - “Vientos Del Pasado Y La Maldición Eterna” Split 2022
Ecuadorian Black Metal heinous conspiracy! A magnificent 2-way split cassette even though the sound quality is not at the best level, but the mission & vision behind it has surpassed everything. This profane alliance entitled “Vientos Del Pasado Y La Maldición Eterna” consists of 7 tracks with around 40 minutes. Grimorium Verum is said to be the first Black Metal act in Ecuador. The band presents 4 tracks; 3 songs recorded in rehearsals in 1998 and never released before and an additional live song are also included. Cabra Infernal contributes 3 songs taken from a rehearsal prior to the recording of their 2 new albums, which were recorded this year 2022. Both of them have a raw sound (because these are rehearsal versions) of Black Metal but each has their own character. Grimorium Verum is more raw and sounds ancient meanwhile Cabra Infernal is quite grim and satanically unholy! Unleashed by Aniquilación Satánica Producciones, this split is indeed something exclusive, containing recording materials from two different times but amalgamated by the same essence. This, a darkest treasure of the mighty Andes, absolutely!
aniquilacionsatanicapro@yahoo.com

Review: HELL FURY / ARCHDEMON / DIABO / UNHOLY IMPALER - Journey Through the Flames of Hatred and Blasphemy (Rehearsal Sessions Vol.1)


HELL FURY (Ecuador) / ARCHDEMON (Finland) / DIABO (Brazil) / UNHOLY IMPALER (Italy) - “Journey Through the Flames of Hatred and Blasphemy (Rehearsal Sessions Vol.1)” Split 2022
This is an utter blasphemy! A four-way split of raw, filthy, and True Black Metal that meant to be forever underground! Unchained under Ancient Cult Records, “Journey Through the Flames of Hatred and Blasphemy (Rehearsal Sessions Vol.1)” features underrated yet low-profile dark demonic legions; Hell Fury (Ecuador), Archdemon (Finland), Diabo (Brazil) and Unholy Impaler (Italy). All four of these bands grew from the same Black Metal roots; hateful, impiously desecrating and utmost unholiness but each of them has grown and sprouted in different branches, bringing forth different and distinctive styles/sub-genres without forgetting the essences of Black Metal. This is the most interesting and most important thing about this split-tape. Satan eternally rules!
aniquilacionsatanicapro@yahoo.com

Review: ECHELON - Open Wide the Adamantine Gates


ECHELON (UK/Sweden) - “Open Wide the Adamantine Gates” Full-length 2022
Echelon is a Death Metal supergroup with members of Hail of Bullets, Bolt Thrower, Paganizer, Benediction, Johansson & Speckmann, Putrevore, Ribspreader and more! It’s an exclusive project of Dave Ingram (vocals) and Rogga Johansson (guitars), teamed up with Johan Berglund (bass) and Brynjar (drums). “Open Wide the Adamantine Gates” released on June 30, 2022 by the Mexican label - Iron, Blood and Death Corporation - is actually the third full-length from this band after “Indulgence over Abstinence Behind the Obsidian Veil” (2015) and “The Brimstone Aggrandizement” (2016). What can you expect and get from Echelon which consists of big names in the international Death Metal scene? Yes, it is perfect and high quality Death Metal in many respects, no doubt about that. “Open Wide the Adamantine Gates” comprises 10 songs (almost 40 minutes) of old-school Death Metal at its purest form, an amalgamation of British undead brutalities and Swedish melodic classics, a reminiscence of 80s/90s Death Metal undisputed heyday, and it’s charged with more hate and darkness! This is unblemished Death Metal that is very powerful and really nostalgic, created for fans of Bolt Thrower, Benediction, Dismember and Carnage. Highly recommended!

Review: THE BLACK DISORDER - The Acceptance of Humiliation


THE BLACK DISORDER (Poland) - “The Acceptance of Humiliation” Full-length 2022
The Black Disorder from Poland released a 3-track EP entitled “Monuments of Spiritual Atrocities” in October 2019. They next returned with the 8-track (41:19 minutes) full album “The Acceptance of Humiliation” in April 2022, unleashed through Iron, Blood and Death Corporation. Excellently enriched with diversified mayhemic riffs, infused with some haunting melodic parts and fearfully obscure vocals. The Black Disorder is also quite bold in its approach of some experimental features without leaving aside Black Metal essentials. Without question, this is Black Metal the way it should be.

Review: EXCRUCIATE 666 - Antic Warlord Supremacy


EXCRUCIATE 666 (France) - “Antic Warlord Supremacy” Full-length 2022
French gods of war are here again! Excruciate 666 unleashed its fourth full-length “Antic Warlord Supremacy” and it is a total explosion and massive destruction. Previously released three albums; “Riding Fires of Hate” (2010), “Rites of Torturers” (2013) and “Porkus Filth’s Crusher” (2019), Excruciate 666 through this new one - 9 tracks / 38:53 minutes - has continued their supremely dark and evil tradition. Uncompromising War Black Metal anthems, full of savagery and wickedness. “Antic Warlord Supremacy” is infernally demonic and apocalyptic!

Review: MELEKTAUS - Transcendence Through Ethereal Scourge


MELEKTAUS (Chile) - “Transcendence Through Ethereal Scourge” Full-length 2004, Reissued 2022
The debut 2004 full-length entitled “Transcendence Through Ethereal Scourge” from Chilean Santiago’s Melektaus is absolutely sinistrous! Remastered and re-released by Iron, Blood and Death Corporation on February 28th, 2022 the album contains 9 songs (34:40 minutes) of brutally vicious and ferocious Death Metal, some doom-laden passages, unrelenting razorsharp riffages, hyperblasting drums, cruelly guttural growls, and with exceptional sound quality. Some epic and classic elements have added value to the overall greatness of this album, and it’s for those who dig Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Nile and Slayer.

Review: NIHILO - Resolution


NIHILO (Switzerland) - “Resolution” Full-length 2022
Death Metal at its finest way! Old-school, crushing and dark! “Resolution” is the fourth full-length of Nihilo, released on February 25, 2022 via Iron, Blood and Death Corporation. It’s a massive evolution, a significant follow-up to the previous albums; “Concordia Perpetua” (2010, self released), “Dum Spiro Spero” (2014, Subversive Records) and “Doom” (2018, Art Gates Records). Hailing from Switzerland, Nihilo has recorded and included 11 tracks in "Resolution", mixed and mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony in August - September 2021. Musically heavy and intense, Nihilo is there for the Death Metal renaissance in the Swiss underground!

Review: DEVOURER - Raptus


DEVOURER (Sweden) - “Raptus” Full-length 2022
Another superstitious release of Mexican label - Iron, Blood and Death Corporation. “Raptus” is extremely blackened metal genocide unleashed by a Swedish quartet who call themselves Devourer. This band was established in Sandviken, Gävleborg around 2002. This means that “Raptus” which was released on February 7, 2022 is an album that celebrates the 20th anniversary of their existence and this is the fourth full-length in their musical career. Devourer has previously produced three albums; “All Hope Abandon” (2013), “Across the Empty Plains” (2017) and “Dawn of Extinction” in addition to two demos and an EP. "Raptus" has comprised a total of 9 songs, approximately 42 minutes of unchallenged Black/Death metal occultism, fulfilled with rigorous ideas, vigorous songwriting, rancorous vocals and of all, murderous sound quality! Lined up by experienced musicians (having played with so many bands before) consisting of John Falk (guitars), Johan Wikholm (guitars), Fredrik Håf (vocals) and Oksana Falk (bass), Devourer is an example of a band that is in a class of its own… and it’s ultimately amazing!

Review: IMPIOUS COMMUNION - Prophecies of Catholic Extermination


IMPIOUS COMMUNION (Mexico) - “Prophecies of Catholic Extermination” Full-length 2022
Impious Communion is a Death/Black Metal project from Chihuahua - Mexico, formed in 2019 by two members of the band Mortigena. Consisting of Alan (vocals/guitars), Hircus (vocals/bass) and Nekron (drums), Impious Communion has recorded and released their debut 8 tracks full-length album CD officially on January 31st, 2022 under the banner of Iron, Blood and Death Corporation. “Prophecies of Catholic Extermination” offers a true interpretation of Black/Death Metal, hellishly empowered with impious riffages and uncompromising song compositions, viciously unrelenting drum attacks and cruelly strike through double devilish vocals. Everything sounds dark, sinister and supremely blasphemous! To conclude it all, this is 42:55 minutes of utterly satanic and anti-religion deification!

Review: KOBOLD - Technofascism


KOBOLD (Serbia) - “Technofascism” Full-length 2022
Absolutely an excellent thrash / speed metal album from Serbia’s Kobold. “Technofascism” is the third full-length from this Belgrade-based band, a follow-up to the previous two albums; “Death Parade” (2017) and “Masterpace” (2019). It contains 10 songs / 46:40 minutes of brutally executed and heavily speed, fast thrashing maniacal; packed with aggressive and technical riffs, hostile drummings, ferocious vocals (on both deadly screams and clean singing). Superlative songwriting and sound nuances that will remind you of bands such as Anthrax, Exodus, Kreator, Megadeth and the like. A killer thrash-metal release of Mexican label - Iron, Blood and Death Corporation.

Review: ONION TERROR / HORDA CANNIBAL - Human Stew


ONION TERROR (UK) / HORDA CANNIBAL (Mexico) - “Human Stew” Split 2022
Are you looking for some sick noisy stuff? If that’s what you seek, then I won’t hesitate to recommend this one… a split entitled “Human Stew” under the conspiracy of Onion Terror (from York, UK) and Horda Cannibal (from Campeche, Mexico). This is sick, sicker and even sickest rotten music to feed your greedy needs! The split has started with 7 tracks from Onion Terror, some new songs and re-recorded some covers. Extremely fast, short and in-your-face rawgrind / noise-to-the-core with heartbreaking screams from this 2-piece grindcore outfit. The remaining 5 tracks from Horda Cannibal where they decided to use the recording made by streaming Indie Fest Sauvage (in November 2021). Relentless heavy and brutal putrefying goregrind with cutthroat guttural voices. “Human Stew” is almost 27 minutes of insane, stinky and notorious sense of humor.

Review: HORDA CANNIBAL - Festival de Carne


HORDA CANNIBAL (Mexico) - “Festival de Carne” EP 2020
Brutality, gory, infinite grinding to death! This conclusion is enough to translate how terrible the EP entitled “Festival de Carne” from Mexican heavyweights Horda Cannibal is. The EP offers six tracks (around 14:35 minutes) crammed with bloody raw and aggressive noises! Horda Cannibal intelligently blend Brutal Death Metal, old-school Grindcore, Deathgrind and gore/horror elements in their musical works, making this band a goregrind unit that needs to be paid attention to. Their sound is truly intense, dominated with very tough riffs, inhuman blastbeats and monstrous vocals. You should listen to it because it will rot your flesh mercilessly!

Review: V.A. - Azores & Metal Vol #1


V.A. - Azores & Metal Vol #1 (Compilation 2021)
The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, are an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic. This is an enormous initiative by the Museu do Heavy Metal Açoriano bringing together 17 metal/underground bands from the Azorean islands in a CD compilation. You can listen and enjoy 17 songs in different music styles and varied genres. I don’t have any single favourite because I love all the bands, truly appreciate them all. You won’t always be able to have an exclusive compilation like this. Hope there will be a second volume later.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)