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

Spektr 'Cypher' review

SPEKTR

'Cypher'

(Agonia Records)

Spektr have created a very interesting but also kind of disturbing and morbid sounding release at the same time. The french band mixes elements of experimental black, industrial and even ambient music.There are some fast, chaotic guitar riffs blended with industrial noises and sounds that creates a very harsh sound but at the same time the band blends all these elements together for a really good outcome. The band mixes in some aggressive metal with heavier industrialized soundscapes throughout the entire album. It's hard to pick one favourite song as all the songs are really well done and blend together and it's better if you listen to 'Cypher' from start to finish. Spektr is definitely not a band for everyone to enjoy but if you are a fan of industrialized, experimental black metal with some melodic ambient interludes, then you might enjoy listening to Spektr's vision known as 'Cypher'.

(Patrick)

Hallig '13 Keys To Lunacy' review

HALLIG

'13 Keys To Lunacy'

(Folter Records)

After listening to Hallig's debut '13 Keys To Lunacy' a few times one word comes to mind to describe this bands musical writing: brilliant. Musicially Hallig is rooted in fast yet atmospheric black metal. Guitar riffs are fast and full of fury with alot of melodies and the guitarists also know how to blend the melodies with some slower epic and acoustic guitar patterns. The vocals are a nice blend of raging demonic blackened shrieks and deep clean male vocal patterns that fit the acoustic parts perfectly. If you enjoy atmospheric black metal that isn't afraid to mix in both raging, violent black metal with the more melodic side of epic, atmospheric side of the style, then definitely check out Hallig today as they have done a great job on their debut release.

(Patrick)

Hallig 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 

 

Enshadowed 'Magic Chaos Psychedelia' review

ENSHADOWED

'Magic Chaos Psychedelia'

(Pulverised Records)

  

Greece has always had a very impressive scene for producing quality black metal bands and Enshadowed can be added to that list. After a nine year silence the band returns to take their place among Greece's most extreme, yet complex musicians you will ever hear in the black metal scene. Intense, fast black metal guitar riffs with some solos, pummelling drums that have a few slower parts before picking up the pace and pummel the listener again.The vocals are black metal shrieks with some deeper vocals used in some of the songs. Fans of fast, intense black metal should definitely check out Enshadowed soon.

(Patrick)

Enshadowed on Facebook 

 

Skineater 'Dermal Harvest' review

SKINEATER

'Dermal Harvest'

(Pulverised Records)

'Dermal Harvest' is the debut from Sweden's Skineater. Skineater play straight forward death metal but instead of rehashing out the old-school Swedish sound (which is probably my favourite style of death metal ever) the band plays a more modern death metal approach. Skineater mix brutal death metal but also have a lot of melody within their brutality. Skillful guitar riffs and solos mixed with precise yet powerful heavy drumming. Vocals are sick raw screams and growls combined with the music for a complex,yet brutal and vicious ride of pure of death metal.

(Patrick)

Skineater on Facebook 

Ulcer 'Grant Us Death' review

ULCER

'Grant Us Death'

(Pulverised Records)

I have to be completely honest - I was not really expecting to like this at all. With the band and album title I guess I was expecting some over the top gore-grind band or second rate Autopsy clone. But that's not the case with these uncompromising old-school maniacs from Poland. Ulcer draws influence from Swedish gods such as Entombed ('Left Hand Path' era), Dismember ('Like An Ever Flowing Stream' and the demo days) and other classick gods of the Swedish scene. Heavy, blasting drums, fast intense guitars with some really crazy riffs and solos throughout. Angry screams mixed with deep death growls fit perfectly with Ulcer's insane old-school brutal death metal sound.Ulcer has just released one of the best old-school death metal CDs of the year (I know the year just started but it's gonna be hard to top this masterpiece of sickness).

(Patrick) 

Ulcer on Facebook 

 

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

Voidcleaning - reviews part 5

Thanks to Patrick for those reviews. 

The slumber is over now, Dead Void Dreams is back in action!

DESOLATE SHRINE 'The Sanctum Of Human Darkness' (Dark Descent Records)

One of Finland's most underrated (in my opinion anyways) brutal, dark death metal bands returns with their second masterpiece of destruction. Desolate Shrine released their amazing debut 'Tenebrous Towers' in 2011 through Hammer Of Hate Rec. well it didn't take long these dark Finnish masters to find a new home with the great Dark Descent Rec. to release their follow-up CD. If you heard 'Tenebrous Towers' you are aware of this band's brilliance, but if you missed that gem Desolate Shrine mix heavy fast, aggressive death metal with touches of slower, darker death/doomish style that really works for this band. Desolate Shrine is a hard band to compare to any one certain band so I will just end the review by saying if you enjoy evil, dark, original sounding death metal then Desolate Shrine is a band you will definitely want to hear as soon as you can. Another great release for Dark Descent Rec. - looking forward to see what they release in 2013!!

Desolate Shrine on Facebook 

HAIDUK 'Spellbook' (Self-released)

Luka Milojica (vocalist, guitars, drum programming) has created some really impressive music on his latest musical offering 'Spellbook'. Nine tracks of fiery, intense death/thrash with a lot of really well played and thought out guitar riffs and solos. I am not familiar with Luka's past projects/bands but it is obvious listening to 'Spellbook' that he has been playing guitar for quite a few years, as his guitar playing is what shines through the most on each of these songs, whether he is shredding away or thrashing away with heavy metal/speed metal madness or giving his fingers a rest and going for a more mid-pace riffs. The drums which are compliments of a drum machine almost sound like a real drummer not sure how Luka set it up but the drumming sounds excellent and fits the guitars perfectly. Haiduk is definitely recommended to fans who enjoy thrashing/death metal with a lot of complex yet fast and chaotic guitar work. 

Haiduk 

CHAPEL OF DISEASE 'Summoning Black Disease' (FDA Rekotz)

FDA Rekotz sure knows how to pick out the better quality sounding old-school bands out there in the never ending sea of bands that has been flooding the underground in the past few years. Chapel Of Disease is the label's latest offering and these Germans do a great job of mixing in '90s style tech brutal death of (early) Gorguts and Death albums mixed with some more straight-forward European and U.S. brutal death metal. The band also has some darker melodies for an extra layer of heaviness and darkness within the bands' already near perfect sound. Chapel Of Disease is a great example of of how you can keep the old-school traditional death metal sound but also add your own ideas to keep it fresh and original. Highly recommended to all death metal fanatics out there!!

Chapel Of Disease 

SULPHUR AEON 'Swallowed By The Ocean's Tide' (FDA Rekotz)

Germany's Sulphur Aeon mix a nice blend of straight forward death metal and some melodic parts within the brutality. The guitars are non-stop riffs and mix in some decent riffs and few solos throughout the songs.The drumming is decent but nothing really outstanding - just non-stop beats, no real structure. Not a horrible album as this is the band's debut but there are definitely a lot better bands on the FDA roster worth checking out.

 Sulphur Aeon on Facebook

DEHUMANIZED 'Controlled Elite' (Comatose Music)

New York legends Dehumanized return with only one previous full-length under their belts (1998's 'Prophecies Foretold') and the band made quite an impact with this release, becoming one of New York's most recognizable slam/brutal death metal bands playing shows all over the U.S. The band re-united and was picked up by the mighty Comatose Music (a perfect label for Dehumanized style of music) and here we have the newest offering ' Controlled Elite'. Was it worth the wait? Does Dehumanized still have the fire and brutality they had so many years ago? The answer to both questions is yes! Dehumanized pick up right where they left off playing heavy mid-to fast paced guitars and bass with some slower heavier sections or the more pit inducing faster death guitars with some really well done riffs and solos. The drummer is simply amazing playing slower, heavier/slam beats or blasting away with aggression - either way this band does it to perfection! Great to see them back in action. If you are a fan from the past definitely check this out! Or if you missed them in the early 90s but enjoy brutal, slam death metal check this out you won't be disappointed.

Dehumanized on Facebook 

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

 

 

Stagnant Waters 'Stagnant Waters' review

STAGNANT WATERS

'Stagnant Waters'

(Adversum)

Stagnant Waters is a new musical trio that definitely thinks outside the musical box when creating music. The band does have some black metal influence but that is definitely not its main influence as Stagnant Waters seems to draw and use influence from industrial, techno (not the trendy / happy shit techno but more eerie / haunting style) mixed with with a lot of random spaced out soundscapes that somehow seem to blend together within a dark realm of industrialized metal and just plain insanity put to extreme music. While other tracks are more influenced by ambient, noise, and industrial - in other words, Stagnant Waters are a band that have no boundaries when it comes to their music and I have to definitely respect that. Personally this is something that is a release that not going to be for everyone but I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy extreme metal / music with no boundaries.

Patrick

Stagnant Waters MySpace 

Adversum 

Tsar Bomb 'Neowarfare' review

TSAR BOMB

'Neowarfare'

(badGod Music)

This is a very impressive debut from Spain's blackened death war metal machine Tsar Bomb. Unrelenting, uncompromising barrage of blasting drums mixed with razor sharp guitar riffs and harsh, raw screams of pain. While each song is a violent and aggressive in it's delivery there is a unique sound and style that gives life to each track as well. A lot of bands playing this style usually get over looked for whatever reason but I would definitely urge any fans of blackened death to check out Tsar Bomb as soon as possible and add this band to your CD collection. I really think this band will be around in the underground scene for quite a few years and i for one can't wait to hear their next attacks!

Patrick

Tsar Bomb Facebook 

Die Hard 'Conjure The Legions' review

Die Hard Facebook

DIE HARD

'Conjure The Legions'

(Agonia Records)

Sweden's Die Hard are back with their brand of catchy yet aggressive old-school death metal. Fast, thrashing guitars with some really intense and insane riffs and solos put in the mix. Drummer is just as chaotic and all over the place going from the hyper-speed thrashing to a more mid-paced beats but the drumming is very well done and played to perfection. The vocals are a mix of gruff growls and screams - this is definitely a worthwhile purchase for any and all fanatics of old-school thrashing mayhem.

Patrick 

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