Imprecation 'Satanae Tenebris Infinita' review

IMPRECATION

'Satanae Tenebris Infinita'

(Dark Descent Records) 

It has long dawned on everyone that sooner or later all bands from the past are bound to return, in one form or another. No prejudices here and no bias, as long as the newly penned tunes deliver there will be enough people paying attention / parting with their hard earned cash. Too bad for you if you are doing it the half-assed way, though - it's a dog eat dog world. Any Carcass member aware of this by chance? Sound chaps, cheers.

Speaking of comebacks, Imprecation certainly have unfinished business to take care of, this being their proper debut full-length album, after spending years in Hell (aka Texas) following the release of the 'Theurgia Goetia Summa' compilation of early demo / EP tracks in 1995 on the up and coming (then!) Repulse Records. Going straight to the core question - yes, 'Satanae Tenebris Infinita' is a great album, and yes - it would mighty help you to enjoy its qualities if your taste does cater to the death metal sound of old. In no way Imprecation are phoning it, I'd assume they just don't want it any other way but riff heavy, mid-paced, memorable and dripping with blasphemous atmosphere. What's best is that by slowing the pace down and concentrating on pure heaviness and clarity Imprecation do stand out with their style, giving a much needed break from the "more technical and faster than thou!" boredom fest that's so mistakenly been heralded as death metal for years. Nine quality hymns of true and tried death done right - 'Satanae Tenebris Infinita' does place Imprecation alongside early Acheron on the top of the list if one's tempted by this particular, and similarly sinister, style and sound. [8 / 10]

Imprecation on Facebook

Nepente 'Suffering Is The Seed' review

NEPENTE

'Suffering Is The Seed'

(Sonic Blast Media)

South America has always had been known for its aggressive, violent metal and Colombia's Nepente carries that tradition on nicely with 'Suffering Is The Seed'. In fact I would say the band raise the brutal bar just a little bit with this album with insanely fast (you have to hear ‘em to believe them) blast beats mixed with chaotic, uncompromising guitar riffs that rarely slow down. The guitars are a little thicker giving them a death metal feel and sound. After listening to the vocalist I'm surprised his vocal chords are not completely destroyed after the recording sessions for this album, as they are some of the most intense, sick shrieks/screams I have heard in quite some time, but there is also a Glen Benton death metal growl mixed in on some of the songs and both vocal styles fit Nepente's uncompromising war metal style nicely. 

(Patrick) 

Nepente on Facebook 

Sonic Blast Media 

 

NervoChaos ' To The Death' review

NERVOCHAOS

'To The Death'

(Greyhaze Records)

I remember hearing this Brazilian band 2006 release 'Quarrel In Hell' through Ibex Moon Records, but since then I lost track with the band's activities. It's great to see the band has been carrying on and keeping active in the underground scene with releases and looking at their bio, the band has played quite a few shows with some great underground death and black metal acts. 'To The Death' is NervoChaos’ fifth release and is thirteen tracks of pure well played, aggressive death metal. Unrelenting fast drums with some mid-paced passages before the pace is picked back up. The guitar riffs are intense and heavy with some solos thrown in the mix to keep the listeners attention while the musicians pound your eardrums and senses with the heaviness of the music. The vocals are done pretty original sounding with brutal, angry death growls and some gruff/screams. Fans of past NervoChaos releases should enjoy this or if you enjoy heavy, fast uncompromising death metal, then you will definitely want to check this South American band out for some quality death metal.

(Patrick)

NervoChaos on Facebook 

Greyhaze Records 

Nominon 'The Cleansing' review

NOMINON

'The Cleansing'

(Deathgasm Records)

Nominon return with their newest and, possibly, best release to date. 'The Cleansing' consists of ten tracks of crushing old school brutal death metal as only the mighty Swedish can do it. You get heavy guitars that are as complex as they are heavy and fast. The drumming is right on with the guitars playing at chaotic, fast speeds but also manages to pull off some really good patterns. This is another great release for both Nominon and Deathgasm, so if you’re a fan of fast, brutal old school Swedish death metal you know what to do.

(Patrick)

Nominon

Bane 'The Acausal Fire' review

BANE 

'The Acausal Fire'

(Abyss Records)

Bane is a band I have known about and followed for a few years now, so it's great to see they are on such a respected label like Abyss. For those of you unfamiliar with Bane - the band comes out of Serbia's underground scene and 'The Acausal Fire' is their second CD (the debut 'Chaos, Darkness And Emptiness' was released in 2009). 'The Acausal Fire' is ten tracks of melodic, yet semi brutal and aggressive blackened death metal, the guitars and drums are extremely fast and done to perfection, guitars have the thin black metal sound but also use some nicely done solos not usually heard in this style of metal. The drums are non-stop but played with a lot of precision and well-written patterns that fit perfectly with the rest of the music. The band does some keyboards but before you condemn the band too harshly they know how to meld the keyboards with the rest of the instruments for a fuller sound and the keys add an extra layer to Bane's already full and dark sound. The vocals are a nice mix of deeper death growls and some blackened metal screams. Fans of melodic, atmospheric should definitely give Bane a chance - I don't think you will be disappointed by this album.

(Patrick) 

Bane 

Daemonicus 'Deadwork' review

DAEMONICUS

'Deadwork'

(Abyss Records)

Dan (owner of Abyss Rec.) definitely has great taste when it comes to signing top quality Swedish blackened death metal. This time he has unleashed Daemonicus upon the underground maniacs. 'Deadwork' is the band's second album and easily one of 2012's best death metal releases (We're way beyond the schedule, I know - ED). Uncompromising death metal fast, chaotic guitars, pummelling drums that go from mid- to blasting beats. The vocals are a nice mix of brutal death growls and more raw screams. Daemonicus will definitely impress the die-hard fanatics traditional Swedish death metal.

(Patrick) 

 Daemonicus on Facebook

 

Erupted 'In The Grip Of Chaos' review

ERUPTED

'In The Grip Of Chaos'

(Abyss Records)

Erupted are a new band that hail from the mighty Swedish underground but before you write them off as just another clone band or wanna-be give them a chance. The band obviously as mentioned is influenced by the early '90s Swerige-gods but I also hear some U.S. influences from the legendary Autopsy and Cianide and similar style bands. You should get the metal picture by now. Erupted don't waste time - they like their metal raw, dirty and straight to the point, with mid-paced guitars and drums. The band are not all clones as they have a lot of good ideas within the music and keep it interesting. After listening to 'In The Grip Of Chaos' it's hard to believe this is the band's debut so I for one am really interested to hear and see where this band goes in the future, but for now everyone who is into old-school Swedish and U.S.-style death metal go to the Abyss Rec. web-store and buy this metal gem now!!! 

(Patrick)

Erupted on Facebook

Gruesome Stuff Relish 'Sempiternal Death Grind' review

GRUESOME STUFF RELISH

'Sempiternal Death Grind'

(FDA Rekotz)

Spain's Gruesome Stuff Relish return with their third release of sick gore death grinding metal for the underground maniacs. The band mixes in old-school sounding Entombed ('Left Hand Path') and Dismember ('Like An Ever Flowing Stream') raw, fast guitars and chaotic drums with some Carcass influence. The band members are not all stuck in the past just rehashing out the same old music of the gods of the past as there are some really good, heavy guitars and drum patterns as well as vocals which use some vocal effects in parts for a cool and original effect. If you enjoy brutal, sick death metal with some grind influences Gruesome Stuff Relish is a band worth checking out for yourself.

(Patrick) 

Gruesome Stuff Relish on Facebook 

 

Voidcleaning - reviews pt. 6

Paul Caravasi lives and breaths metal. Any time soon his Aquelarre Magazine 14th issue will see the dark of the night, feel free to contact him and ask for a copy.

Paul is also doing his own webzine, from where I've lifted off some reviews for your enjoyment. Read on.

CORSAIR 'Corsair' (Shadow Kingdom Records)

These times I've been reviewing  many extreme metal bands. A few days ago I received a pack from Shadow Kingdom Records in the mail, when I saw the cover of this CD I had no idea what I would be listening at all. Well, after the first instrumental track, came my surprise, it was like if Thin Lizzy, Blue Oyster Cult and Rush  had given birth to a son named Corsair. Among all brutality in my ears I got to review this album full of melodies, excellent guitars solos and catchy riffs, the second song reached just perfect harmonies and I could say that Corsair features great musicianship. A fresh band very well produced. I would not say that this album contains one song that's better than the next one because to be honest the whole album is worth to listen to, but personally my favourite songs are "Chaemera" and "Path of the Chosen Arrow". I did not expect to find such a cool sound among all the brutality reviewed in Aquelarre Zine, I'm a die hard metalhead and I enjoy extreme bands but with this album I realize that there is no limit to continue discovering new bands as good as this one and not necessary has to be brutal. If you're reading this review and have the opportunity to get their album, do it now, because you won't be disappointed. An interesting record that surprises at every listen. Definitely I'll be listening this band for a long time!

Corsair 

LIFELESS 'Godconstruct' (FDA Rekotz)

2013 is surprising me with one of the heaviest death metal band on the planet so far. Wow, what a fucking beast of an album! Mixing the most brutal moments of old Nihilist, Dismember and Unleashed there's no way this can fail. Featuring 12 crushing songs that will destroy you, when you see the artwork you know that this is bound to shred. This is like a ravenous beast ripping throats in a violent rage of cannibalistic frenzy, Lifeless rip through flesh and bones without mercy, leaving me with a lust for blood and hungry for more true death. There's no way you can escape from this. Be prepared for a brutal Death metal journey to Hell and beyond. Fantastic!

Lifeless on Facebook 

THE ADVENT EQUATION 'Limitless Life Reflections' (Self-released)

The name of this band has crossed me several times, but I never  stumbled upon their music, until I got their sent by Clawhammer PR this month. I was pleased to discover that the music of this Mexican band is of good quality, and holding a fine mix of Progressive and Death metal with the occasional Blackened touch. There's a great variation to the material and a couple of songs makes my thoughts drift to Paradise Lost, Katatonia and My Dying Bride. Even if the sound is somewhat familiar, there's not many bands I would compare this to further, the melody is here and they manage to blend this with a savage sound too. I definitely got my favourites among the songs here and I'm sure you'll find yours. Different and actually quite sinister!

The Advent Equation on Facebook 

COLDSTEEL 'America Idle' (Stormspell Records) 

Coldsteel is back!! In case you were wondering this band is from the 80s underground Thrash Metal scene from New York City, it's about time I got something to review from this band. They have the old school "live and die for Metal" attitude. The vocals are not bad at all, and still very aggressive, it fits better for this style anyway. 'America Idle' show progression from their old material, there's still some room for improvement. I bet this band would be a real intense live act, "Blood Secrets" and "You Lose" are the best tracks in my opinion , the songs maintain that early 90s style drumming and injecting  technical fast riffs and mayhemic solos. Looking forward to their next Thrash Attack!

Coldsteel 

Stormspell Records 

Deceptor 'Chains Of Delusion' review

DECEPTOR

'Chains Of Delusion'

(Shadow Kingdom Records)

I know very little about this UK thrash metal band but after hearing 'Chains Of Delusion' it's easy to understand why Shadow Kingdom signed and released them. Deceptor embrace everything that made metal so pure and great back in the early days of thrash, the lightning fast guitar riffs and extremely fast yet catchy and memorable metal solos. The drums are just as catchy and pummelling in their approach with fast thrashing beats. The vocalist keeps it in the traditional thrash metal realm with hollering/screaming vocal patterns and also some higher pitched screams. Definitely recommended for fans of (old) Megadeth ('So Far, So Good, So What' era), early Priest, Slayer, I even hear a little Bruce Dickinson influence in some of the vocal patterns and Maiden in the guitars.

(Patrick)

  Deceptor on Facebook

Giveaway: Win 4 CDs from Orchestrated Misery Recordings / Clawhammer PR

GIVEAWAY

I love the guys over at Clawhammer PR. 

You should love them too, as this is yet another giveaway run by those top cats - and yet another chance for you to win a hefty stack of awesome albums.

Up for the grabs is 4 CDs pack featuring each and every album released to date by Orchestrated Misery Recordings, the label run by Indiana's own underground legend Peter Clemens.  

Check out the label's site at this location.

One lucky bastard will win the following CDs:

YELLOWTOOTH - 'Disgust'

NOCTURNAL TORMENT - 'They Come At Night'

CATAPULT IN SMOKE - 'Born In Fire'

CATAPULT IN SMOKE - 'Unearthed'

To participate, just send an email (Subject: Giveaway) to

deadvoiddreams [at] gmail.com

and your name will be added to the drawing hat.

The winner will be picked randomly.

Deadline is December, 31st 2012.

Cheers.

Silencer 'The Great Bear' review

SILENCER

'The Great Bear'

(Vanity Music Group)

This is Silencer, the new age thrash metal band from Denver, Colorado. Not to be confused with the now split up, and also vastly superior atmospheric black metal band Silencer from Sweden. I am honestly not sure how this band got signed, this is some of the most simplistic, slowed down and ultimately very boring thrash I have heard in quite some time. The drumming is pretty good, but outside of that the riffs are uninspired in both creation and performance, they sort of sound like some guy pulled out his riff cassette tape out of the closet that was recorded only for himself and decided to make an album out of it on short notice. The vocals are lame and limp, seems like they are caught between trying to decide if they wanted to be heavy metal vocals and/or commercially friendly vocals, there is an undertone of both, but both lack style or any real emotion, it just sounds like the vocalist is going through the motions to be honest. I do not think I have been this hard on an album in a while, might be getting soft in my old age, but screw it, this is a piece of shit guys, avoid this like it is going to spend all your drinking money and give you herpes to top it all off. I even find their logo and cover artwork to be dull and bland.

(Dale Roy)

Warseid 'Where Fate Lies Unbound' review

WARSEID

'Where Fate Lies Unbound'

(Self-released)

It is very strange for a band from Wisconsin, U.S.A. to deal with Norwegian mythology. However, Warseid is one of these bands that not only has Norse mythology as its main lyrical theme, but is also succeeds in mixing in an amazing way folk with symphonic black metal, creating its unique sound.

'Where Fate Lies Unbound' is the new EP for the five – member band from Madison after 'Sentry' which was released in 2010. "Shackles Through Sand" starts with a soft acoustic guitar before the appearance of an extremely melodic lead guitar that can be easily imprinted into your mind. The continuous passages from black harsh to more gentle and clean vocals and from stormy riffs again to acoustic guitar melodies are enough to appreciate the abilities of this band. The last song "Farewell" reveals a rather melancholic mood at the first part while it can be considered as the most melodic and the song which definitely reveals the features of Warseid’s music. Without doubt all the musical compositions show a maturity and a well-cared job, which perhaps is the outcome of the musical background of all members of the band. All the instruments are played as they should, so as to achieve an acoustic balance. Despite the length of the album, although it has only four songs, it should be definitely heard more than once. Only one word for this album: challenge. [7,5]

Dark Alice's nightingale 

 Warseid

 

Maveth 'Coils Of The Black Earth' review

MAVETH

'Coils Of The Black Earth'

(Dark Descent Records)

Finland's Maveth are a new band to my ears and I'm glad I got a hold of their debut full-length on the great Dark Descent label. 'Coils Of The Black Earth' showcases this young band's power and dark violent sound. The band mixes in mid nineties death metal with some of their own sick twisted ideas. The guitars have some really well played complex riffs / patterns, without loosing any of the heaviness, they are done back and forth going from extremely fast with non-stop riffs but without warning come to a nearly slow/ mid paced crawl. The vocals are vicious, angry and just insane. Maveth might sound just like any other death metal band with this review, but believe me, they are so much more with their music that has a very dark atmosphere intertwined within the band's brutal sound. This is one hell of a great debut and well worth checking out if you enjoy dark, brutal death metal.

Patrick 

Maveth Facebook

 

 

Paroxsihzem 'Paroxsihzem' review

PAROXSIHZEM

'Paroxsihzem'

(Dark Descent Records)

I don't know where Dark Descent finds their bands but so far I think just about every band I have heard from this label has been great and that's pretty rare these days. But you can add Paroxsihzem to the roster of Dark descent bands that are great and definitely worth checking out. Paroxsihzem come out of the Canadian underground and has released an amazing debut full of morbid, dark heavy death metal. Raging fast guitars, thick heavy bass mixed with deep, low growls. The band plays death metal the way it was meant to be played: no gimmicks, no over-the top technical riffs / solos - just dark, nasty heavy riffs. If you are a "fan" of dark, bass / guitar heavy death metal then you should definitely enjoy Paroxsihzem.

Patrick 

Paroxsihzem Facebook

 

 

Deadly Remains 'Severing Humanity' review

DEADLY REMAINS

'Severing Humanity'

(Deepsend Records)

Deadly Remains play straight forward and do it well!!! On 'Severing Humanity' the California band really impressed me with me with their sheer brutal heavy sound and mix of mid nineties and some modern death metal for a good solid release. Heavy mid-paced guitars with some killer riffs and solos but the band does know how to break loose with fury with some faster guitars and drumming patterns when the time is right. This is a band that brutal death metal fans sure will not want to miss out on so order your copy today!

Patrick

Deadly Remains Facebook

Wanderer 'Bypassing The Abyss' review

WANDERER

'Bypassing The Abyss'

(Dunkelheit Produktionen)

First full-length album for Mysterion (vocals/lyrics/artwork) and Dragonheart (back vocals/all instruments) from Donetsk, Ukraine. The black metal album 'Bypassing The Abyss' was originally released in 2004 under the title 'Passing The Abyss' by the Russian label Magic Art. The company, however, was closed and the album was not accepted by the public as it would deserve to, since there was no promotion. After than, the two-member band decided to release the album again after eight years and it's available now thanks to the German label Dunkelheit Produktionen. All songs remain the same as in the first recording - the reason for this was that the re-recording of the songs would be extremely difficult, since the original recording took place in a forest and a cave near Slavyanogorsk, Ukraine, so as the natural resonance of the voice can be heard. [Delved myself deeper into this bit to find out that this possibly applies only to some vocal parts, plus quite enjoyed the image of them recording the drums into their living room...the poor neighbours, hah. - ED] 

The band succeeded in keeping the raw black metal aesthetics of the early 1990s: slowly-crawling and almost predictable guitar riffs, imposing drums, stormy bass and agonizing vocals are the main characteristics of the album, consisted of eight songs. After the "Intro”, "Disappeared in the Mist" puts the listener from the beginning into the atmosphere of the album. Although "Leaving the Abyss" is very good, "Angel Bury" is perhaps the best song on the whole album. All the musical compositions reveal a cold, misanthropic, brutal depressive and claustrophobic atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the lyrical themes of the nature’s superiority over the human materialism. Although it is another black metal album which reminds us a little of the old Darkthrone, Wanderer has put its own twist on the sound and the vocals, offering one interesting album in this genre.[7]

Dark Alice's nightingale

Dunkelheit Produktionen

 

Revolting 'Hymns Of Ghastly Horror' review

REVOLTING

'Hymns Of Ghastly Horror'

(FDA Rekotz)

Well upon picking up this album, the cover artwork immediately assaults the senses with an upright headless nude corpse holding large knives in each hand and a half naked horrified woman being strangled as she holds the child’s decapitated head in her hands. Some really extreme and disturbing stuff, hopefully the music evokes similar emotions in me, in a good way. Well the music is solid, not sure it quite matches the sickness of the cover though, but I suppose few bands do. Having said that this is some pretty clean, yet heavy and driving old school Swedish death metal with a bit of the new school melodo Swede dm mixed in. Maybe you could say this bands sort of sounds like the transition Sverge death metal took from the early days to the late 90s / early 2000s, which for me was not a turn for the better. That melodic mix definitely takes the rough edges off a little bit, but it still retains some of that old school harsh aggression to at least keep things worth listening. Not one of my fave Swedish dm releases, but there is enough good stuff and that old feeling in there to at least be worth a listen on their ReverbNation page at least, to see if you want investigate any further.

(Dale Roy)

Revolting Facebook

Deserted Fear 'My Empire' review

DESERTED FEAR

'My Empire'

(FDA Recotz)

I seen these guys band name, then seen these blokes are from Germany and I am thinking gotta be a straight up old school German thrash band. I hit play and I heard some slashing, powerful guitars build to a crescendo and busting through my headphones. Nope I was wrong this is some really good old school Swedish death metal influenced sickness. I mean not entirely that sound, you can hear some old school American influence like Repulsion or Autopsy going on, so in other words only the finest do they draw from. Just like those influences the vocals kind of differ from the usual but also sound rather similar to the bands vocals above, plus maybe some Martin Van Drunen from Pestilence thrown in for good measure. These guys know how make some killer riffs, not going a million miles a minute, no they sit down on a good riff and milk it, I like that. 'My Empire' has a cool as a rotting corpse atmosphere to it and it really takes me back to the old days, which is a place I like to be with my music. Check this the hell out.

(Dale Roy) 

Deserted Fear Facebook 

 

Eugenic Death 'Crimes Against Humanity' review

EUGENIC DEATH

'Crimes Against Humanity'

(Heaven And Hell Records)

I do not get much thrash metal for review these days, but North Carolina’s Eugenic Death deliver exactly that with aplomb and bring back some memories for me. They actually remind me of that time when thrash had been the thing, firmly entrenched, but some thrash bands were beginning to let this new sound, death metal creep in just a little bit. The vocals make me think of that partially, they are those clear yet rough ‘n gruff yelled vocals, but in this case have a tiny hint of the death metal grow to their seedy underbelly. 'Crimes Against Humanity' will take you right back to the late 80s and early 90s thrash metal sound, they sound like they burst straight outta the Bay Area scene from back then. Some bands that spring to mind are Exodus, Defiance, Vio-lence, Death Angel, Righteous Pigs, Testament, Dark Angel and the like. It is definitely American sounding, no mixing of German thrash sound from back then as so many old style thrash bands do, no this is made in the USA all the way. This is some energetic stuff, nothing new or outside the box here, but the material is really good, some of it will stick in your head, you can rock out to it and headbang along. I am not sure if you can ask a whole lot more out of the classic thrash sound. There is some fine guitar work on display here as well. Thrash fans of old, that need something new to listen to, you will definitely want to give this one a listen straight away. This is only for old school thrash maniacs, all others need not apply.

(Dale Roy)

Eugenic Death Facebook