black metal

Ok, one more extreme record before I go into quiet evening mode.  For the occasion, I selected something from the dark underground of the Turkish metal scene, something psychotic and disturbing.  Fronted by Viranesir member Ruhanathanas, this act is as avant-garde as humanly possible. This might as well be one of the strangest pieces of black metal I've ever heard, and it's pretty damn epic too.

The atmosphere, the guitars and drums, along with the production basically show a black metal band but the amalgamation of those elements is far from anything that you could label as black metal, or compare to other bands.  In that aspect, this is just as much a harsh noise album.  It's not easy to listen to, even though the regular black metal album will find something he likes and can appreciate.

One of the major keywords seems to be 'chaos'.  The four songs sound chaotic but ritualistic at the same time.  They mostly drive on typical (and awesome) blast beats and feature eerie screams, but all of them sound as if they're meant to be torture devices.  I mean that in the best possible way, obviously.  This gnaws, bites and scratches like something wild and possibly unnatural, or at least inhuman.

One thing is certain, Blliigghhtted will never be a major player in the black metal scene.  They won't compete with the likes of Behemoth, Cradle Of Filth or Abbath (for example) but they absolutely don't have to.  This is an album for those who love to explore the most obscure, psycho-dramatic and bizarre music.  It's a blackened and bombastic theater performance, suited only for the trained listeners.  Are you a trained listener? I dare you to check this out.


Serge

black metal / folk

By the end of the nineties and in the early years of this century, I was fascinated with the folk inspired black metal trend.  Like several other genres, I completely lost track once I was done with the entire metal genre.  Several major conflicts and problems made me turn my back to this kind of music for several years.  Merchants Of Air turned that around again, and now that the bad memories have become mere footnotes, I can fully enjoy extreme music again.

Selvans is an Italian blackened folk band, which in a way explains pretty much everything there is to this full-length album. This work, their second release after an ep in 2014, shows a well attuned band which perfectly combines folk music and black metal and present it with a lot of symphonic and bombastic elements.  In that aspect, 'Lupercalia' is an overwhelming experience, and I really dig overwhelming experiences.

The songs on this album are intense hymns, loaded with keyboards and traditional folk instruments, besides the equally traditional guitars, drums and screams of course.  They remind me most of the symphonic black metal of the nineties, something between In The Woods, Falkenback and Summoning perhaps.  Yet, if you're looking for the jolly alcohol loaded folk black metal of Finntroll and company, thing again.  This stuff is grim, obscure and haunting.

Which in my opinion means it's awe-inspiring and it reeks of ancient tribes, cults and pagan religions.  Mystery, spirituality and atmosphere are massively important factors in Selvans' music as they delve deeply into the ancient rituals of old Italic tribes.  These factors enhance the complex nature of the songs with a lot of immersive instrumental passages which are simply to awesome to ignore.

That being said, even though the band is clearly rooted in the symphonic black metal craze of the nineties, they perfectly fit in with today's post-black scene, certainly as far as atmosphere and epicness are concerned.  The folk passages will make Selvans one of the most original bands on the bill, and gain them a lot of respect I think.  I definitely want to experience this live, so I hope these guys get their gear packed up and tour Europe soon.


Serge

death metal / grindcore

Well, since we're playing some extreme and strange metal, let's throw in some more uniqueness.  We're going on a sick, twisted and grinding trip with this UK-based band, which is formerly known as Fetal Incest. So get your latex and bondage gear and join me in the deepest and creepiest cellars of the metal industry.  Grunt is waiting there to tie you up and torture you with furious industrial grindcore until your brain implodes.

Yep, I mentioned 'Industrial'.  Even though this is a brutal and ferocious piece of death metal and grindcore, there are loads of samples, keyboards and twisted electronics present.  However, for the most part of course, this is just flesh ripping grindcore, often driving on continuously rolling bass drums and a pounding tempo.  Yet, the combination of both genres, gives this album something extra, something unusual in this scene.

What it reminds me most of is a blend of Samael and Last Days Of Humanity, or Ministry and Haemorrhage or The Kovenant and Regurgitate.  In 'Vassalage Grotesque' that combination reaches a stunning highlight, not only on this album but also in the grindcore scene.  On the other hand, there might be a slight chance that true grindcore fans will frown upon the massive amount of electronics, but that's their problem, I don't think Grunt cares.

Besides, they shouldn't.  This album is more death metal than the much hated 'Illud Divinum Insanus' ever was.  If Morbid Angel would have recorded this 'Codex Bizarre', it would have been called a masterpiece.  I liked 'Illud Divinum Insanus' a lot but I like the blasting chaos of this work by Grunt even more.  It perfected the combination of death metal and industrial and for that I'm positive this album will become a classic in the evolution of extreme metal.

I perfectly understand why some people would disregard this album as being a betrayal of a genre ('ieuw, keyboards'), but those people should keep their narrowminded mouths shut.  Stuff like this keeps a genre fresh and alive and it certainly helps to put Grunt on the map.  Perhaps they now invented the new extreme metal trend of the near future.  So check it out, as my good friend Paul would say, 'this is fucking sick and it fucking deserves your fucking attention'.



Serge

death metal / black metal

Pagan Records

'The Cult Of Graves', that's how we should translate the name for this strange, mysterious and obscure band.  In that case, I guess it's quite reasonable to expect some vulgar death metal or chaotic black metal.  And we're exactly right about both, although there's something else going on here, something out of the ordinary, even for the already immensely varied world of extreme metal. 

The band hails from Poland and was formed in 2014.  That's about all we know, since the band members chose to remain anonymous.  Obviously, that anonymity  adds a lot to the mystique surrounding this band and makes them something obscure, thus credible.  So let's delve a little deeper into the eerie sounds they have created, because that's all that seems to matter for this band.

The music on this album is a chaotic and brutal blend of black and death metal which reminds me a bit of acts like Bölzer and Dead Congregation.  It also reminds me of beginning death metal bands, to be honest.  You know, a bunch of young musicians crawling into a rehearsal studio and coming out with a first collection of what they're capable of.  A lot of times those first demos, of which the band members are extremely proud, aren't really highlights, more of a 'well-done'.

Yet, as sometimes happen with these young bands, the listener can sense that something is there, a flash of genius and certainly a strong will to do things differently, to not go with the flow.  That is definitely the case here, non-typical riffs, elements of sludge and psychedelic rock, blast beats over slow riffs and bizarre passages that will hunt your dreams.  This album is full of surprises.

With all of that in mind, I can certainly recommend checking out this album if you are into experimental blackened death metal.  This is something unique (but still a punishing slab of metallic noise to the untrained ear).  It makes me curious towards the future of Kult Mogil and I hope they will lift the veil of anonymity a bit in order to takes this think on the road.  I'd definitely want to see this live.


Serge

black metal

Ever since I founded this website, I've been amazed by the evolution that certain genres have been through.  Black metal, for example, has been going through tremendous changes, even though the non-metalhead will still think it's all a blur of noise and screams. The non-metalhead has no idea what is behind the music and shows no intention to get to know the genre, which makes a discussion about music pretty dumb and one-sided.  In fact, pretty much all discussions today are pretty dumb and useless.

And we're digressing again, aren't we?  We've also used the word 'pretty' a lot but there is absolutely nothing pretty about this album.  This is fierce, raw and primitive black metal, spawning from the deepest caverns of Italy.  It comes to you by one of the countries black metal pioneers.  After all, Tundra has been around since 2002 but this album is only their third full-length.  In the eerie underground there's a lot more releases to be found in the form of splits, tracks for compilations and tapes, and you should try to track those down, for real.

Tundra claims to be influenced by the likes of Bathory, Venom, Celtic Frost and Darkthrone.  However, over the years and possibly throughout several line-up changes (only founding member Pesten is still a member), the band found a way to stand firmly among the modern day scene where acts like Blut Aus Nord, Altar Of Plagues and Wolves In The Throne Room dwell. 

That being said, there are members from bands like Horna, Blut Aus Nord, Enthroned in this line-up, combining decades of black metal tradition and experience.  That would definitely explain the immense level of quality of songs like 'Breakdown' or the brilliant anthem 'Wrath'.  In fact, the entire album is loaded with vintage, classic and traditional black metal, from Impaled Nazarene to Wiegedood and everything in between.

I'm quite positive that this work will stand the test of time and prove to have been an important album in this genre.  If you are into black metal, no matter which subgenre of era (except maybe the highly symphonic version), you should get your hands on a copy of this thing.  You will not be disappointed.


Serge

post-hardcore

Before I started listening to the album, I was going through the press release when I saw the band photo.  From the computer screen, five cheery young men were staring at me with big smiles on their faces.  It looked like there is absolutely nothing to worry about in this world, even though the setting of the picture was quite dark and gloomy.  However, when I finally pressed play, hell broke loose and before I realized, I was drenched in filthy post-hardcore.

The band was formed in 2008 and hails from the French city of Nantes.  Their main influences seem to come from modern hardcore, metalcore and djent, a genre I only recently got acquainted with and to me still sounds a bit like the other two combined.  The combination of all these influences result in a crushingly heavy and painfully aggressive album.  Yet, there's plenty of room for melodic passages, reminding me of some melodic death and dark metal bands.

The riffs are stunning on this album, and so are the lead guitars.  They don't only sound more or less completely similar to their influences but also to some modern day doom metal bands, which is a plus for this album.  The tempo usually is quite slow, except in some tracks, like the intense outburst 'Epsilon'.  That being said, there's quite some variation, even though the overall atmosphere is quite similar to a spiked booth being thrown in your face.

Post-hardcore fans will absolutely be awed by this album, I can promise you that.  Not only the quite impressive set of riffs and leads but also the typical screams.  I often hear French lyrics but they're mostly indistinguishable from their English counterparts.  Personally, I really dig the instrumental breathers like 'II', right before the title track once again blasts out in a massive rage and crushing intensity.

So check it out if you're into this kind of music as Ellipse certainly managed to come up with a fresh and highly modern metal sound, one that just might define the future of the French core scene.  If you're not a post-hardcore fan, most of what you can hear on this debut full-length will probably sound like a hurtful slab of chaotic noise, but I don't think that's Ellipse's problem. They will probably just keep on smiling and crushing at the same time.


Serge

dark ambient

I meant to write and publish this review yesterday but since it was quite a weird day I postponed it a little.  Some days you just want to let it all out and if that happens to me, I usually play some brutal metal and break stuff.  Sitting down quietly and writing a nice review is not really an option on such days.  Today too is a weird day, perhaps the Christmas spirit gets me down, I don't know.  However, since I have close to zero energy left after an exhausting bike-ride, I'll delve into the soothing sounds of Akoustik Timbre Frekuency.

Because that's exactly what you get from the English one-man project: soothing soundscapes, seemingly driving on Tibetan singing bowls.  Those usually remind me of another project: Svaixt.  If you don't know Svaixt, don't worry.  I don't think it is (or was) a massively popular act.  Yet, in this household, it's a very common name and certainly a compliment towards Akoustik Timbre Frekuency.  We love this kind of free floating music, filling the air with relaxing sounds. 

That being said, I think this project is slowly drifting away from the dark ambient world and coming close to regular, be it experimental, ambient.  That shouldn't be a bad thing by the way, on the contrary.  It makes references towards acts like Laraaji possible and credible.  So yes, this album comes highly recommended to any fan of ambient music, dark or bright.  Check it out, it just might be your guiding light through the dark days at the end of the year.


Serge

death metal

The mighty might mighty Vader have spit out this album full of covers.  Most of these songs I am unfamiliar with it which makes it even that much cooler. I did not go look up the originals so I am hearing the songs for the first time in any form here. I would call most of these traditional metal songs based on the guitar riffage. As a whole the album reminds me of early Kreator with death metal influences and a better production.

I mean Vader has made these brutal nonetheless with the crazy drumming, killer guitar tone and brutal vocals  Some of these tracks are absolutely awesome, I am not usually into cover albums but not being familiar with the songs (note: am familiar with a few of the bands) they covered and because it's fucking Vader it was very easy to spin this puppy a bunch of times!

Vader covers tracks from: Exorcist, Ghost, Imperator, Krabathor, Markiz De Sade, Merciless Death, Scarecrow, Slashing Death, Thanatos, Thrasher Death and Kat. All Vader fans need to get this obviously. All fans of traditional metal and thrash should get this, it could be your gateway drug into death metal :). 

Hail the mighty Vader!


Paul

black metal

On this sunny day, which should actually be a cold, snowy day, I decided to allow myself to sink down into the deepest cesspool of sick and haunting black metal.  Why?  Mainly because I feel quite misanthropic today. As far as I'm concerned,  most of human kind might  become extinct at this very moment and I won't care.  Many of my neighbors and passersby could die all of a sudden and their carcasses may rot in the street while I'll burn some incense sticks and listen to the must evil sounding of all music genres.

At this moment I'm not going to tell you why exactly I feel this way, but I will tell you that I'm definitely not the only one.  There's a band in The Netherlands who seem to agree with me on the subject of philanthropy.  Their band is named Kaeck and was founded only last year.  However, most of the band members have been active members of the blackened community for twenty plus years, which could explain the massive sound on this album. 

What we get here is brutal, bleak and massive wall-of-sound style black metal which is intensely immersive and reeks of war, misanthropy, punishment and anger.  Much like their fellow countrymen Terzij De Horde or their neighbors from Wiegedood, Kaeck treat us to fierce guitars, tons of blast beats and haunted screams.  It might not be the most original black metal album you'll ever hear but it certainly deserves a place in your collection, no matter how big that already is.

This album is meant to be played loud and then even louder.  In fact, I think that is exactly what I'm going to do right now.  Turn up the volume, open the windows, place the speakers facing outside and let the people in the street suffer this chaotic and tormenting album.  They deserve this and Kaeck deserves this.  Check it out, this is what you need...


Serge

doom metal / black metal / dark ambient

Wait, what is this now?  Somehow Cimmerian Shade records managed to releases yet another strange and confusing album which defies genre limitations without losing the dark, haunting atmosphere.  I often encounter bands who seem to do whatever it takes to let out their anger, frustration and deepest inner-emotions and I almost always like the music they make.  Perhaps I'm a bit too open-minded for this job but hey, that's not my problem.

Let's start with Gurthang, a band from Poland.  The act started out in 2009, first as a one-man project.  Gradually however, the band gained members and a few line-up changes later, they seem to be complete.  Originally, this was a death/doom metal project but things seem to have changed over the years.  What we get on this album is repetitive industrial doom metal, enhanced by some blackened elements.  Especially opener 'Illuminate' is highly immersive and a strong piece of work. 'Arise' shows the full-frontal blackened approach while 'LCVI' combines Deutsch Nepal style industrial with downtuned guitars and a crushing atmosphere.  Nice work.

Deutsch Nepal also seem to have been an influence for Beyond Life. Their contribution begins with a ritual industrial track in 'Psychopath's Mind', complete with some harsh noise elements.  'Heavy Rain' blends an eerie vocal sample with psychedelic guitar noise, while 'The Burial Ride' seem to have some post-rock influences hidden beneath the wall-of-sound.  Closer 'Driven By Melancholy' is quite a nice and calm rock ballad where I can sense the presence of Pink Floyd a bit.  In four tracks, this act certainly delivered an overview of their influences.

In all, this is quite an interesting split, highly recommended to anyone who is open-minded enough to take on several genres at once.  So check it out if you're curious about where your musical preference can lead to.  You'll be surprised...


Serge

industrial metal / goth

You know what's hard to do?  Writing a review while both headbanging and dancing at the same time.  I actually had to practice that combination of activities before I was really ready to write this one.  You know, men aren't really multi-taskers and at my age certain activities need a lot of concentration.  Headbanging is still perfectly possible and the writing is quite satisfactory but the dancing is a bit of an embarrassment. 

(funny side note: I typed 'embarrassment' wrong and my spell-checker corrected it as 'dismemberment'.  It has seen me dance I think)

Anyway, back to this amazing album, which I didn't this so much of the first time I heard it.  Yes, I'm starting the actual review with brutal honesty.  The first time I gave this album a shot I honestly didn't like it.  Yet, I can't remember why exactly.  I also don't know why I gave it a second and a even third chance, that last one rarely happens. But, as you could have read in the opening paragraph, I'm headbanging and dancing at the same time, so it must be good.

Electric Deathbeat started out as a one-man project in 2011.  Gradually, the band obtained a solid line-up and the writing for this album could begin.  Now, it seems like the industrial metal world has a serious competitor, influenced by everything from Die Krupps and Oomph over Samael to possibly even Combichrist.  We're done even done there by the way.  The Kovenant, Evergrey, Atrocity, Lacrimosa, Children Of Bodom, Dimmu Borgir, Nine Inch Nails, it's all there.

They even seem to go further than that.  If I have to completely dissect  these songs, I'd have to go through decades of rock and metal ànd I'd have to dig into the electronic dance music scene.  Apart from the presence of guitars, I can hear elements from The Prodigy, Fad Gadget to Atari Teenage Riot and, why the fuck not, Milk Inc.  Yes, there are trance and techno elements here and there pretty damn cool.

Further still?  I give you Vangelis, Enigma and Klaus Schulze.  On he other part of the musical spectrum I'll add a bit of death metal and post-hardcore too.  It is all there.  I have no idea how these guys did it, but they blended all of that into something intense, energetic and awe-inspiring.  Above all, and that's probably why I didn't like this album at first, It's a overwhelming and bombastic piece of work which completely defies genre-restrictions. 

Well, Electric Deathbeat, you certainly managed to challenge my musical knowledge and you came up with something massively interesting.  However, I don't think this game is over and I have two challenges for you.  The first one is simple: bring it on (stage).  The second one might be a bit harder: there's a few more genres I can think of which are not represented on this album.  I wonder if you guys can push in some more...

Anyway, before this review turns into a book: industrial metalheads, buy the shit out of this masterpiece...

Serge

death metal

And more and more and more of the old school style of Death metal. 2015 has been the year of the return of the nineties, which is ok with me because that's where I dwell (in the past). A lot of different influences come to mind here as I sink my teeth into it, by Track three I've already felt Grave, Asphyx, and even At The gates (melodies).

Chunky brutal fat ass riffs with a steady dose of double bass through out. Yeah, you can say I am digging it. The more I listen the more influences I hear, second time around I'm hearing Bolt Thrower and Unleashed. Germany is home to the best metal acts ever and Supreme Carnage is no exception! Flying the old school death metal flag high on this one! Get it or choke on a wolverine turd.

Paul 

death metal

Ok, so this comes into my email inbox as 'death metal super group'.. Actually I get a lot of emails that say some shit like 'super group' because members were in different bands before. First off all that doesn't make you a super group, second of all I hate anything labeled super group, it's just in my mind silly as fuck. A true super group is Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath if you get where i am going with that. Also I don't like reviewing anything old and this is a few years old although being released for the first time I think. Basically this just looks like a release that is being released to sell and I get that but....

Anyway I'm not saying who is in it or any other details, but I will tell you that it is brutal and heavy as fuck. Finnish / Swedish combo here and it's more Finnish with that deeper sound and muddy production. Old school shit the way and I surely like it. I recommend everyone into this style of music to check it out, not because it's being marketed as a super group, just because it's fucking good! Fuck super group titles ha ha..


Paul

death metal

An interesting mixture you have here. Yyou get the drums of Mr. Lie that were once the drums and later bass in Naglfar, the sickness from the classic Kam Lee (best known for his vocals in Massacre and well, you should know all the bands he's been in), the bass of  Rogga Johansson (guitars & bass in many classic bands like Paganizer/Putrvore ect..) and the guitars of Ronnie Bjornstron (part of many sick bands as well).

Anyway they have more of the American sound even though the majority of the band is from Sweden. This album totally reminds me of early Florida death metal in production, style, and riffing, a little upbeat at times and still remaining brutal. This is an ep of 4 tracks that is sure to be devoured by any classic death metal fan. Be sure and round this one up, you sickos.


Paul 

death metal

Well, vocals are by the mighty Dave Ingram, who is of course best known for his work in Benediction and Bolt Thrower. This new band is reminiscence of both of these classic bands! More so classic Bolt Thrower to be honest.

The only thing it doesn't have is that million dollar sounding production that Bolt Thrower got on they're later albums but, not to fear, it's still an awesome recording! This release did not disappoint one bit and really took me back to the nineties, where my metal heart still belongs. Mid tempo classic death metal, nothing less so go hunt this firggin' thing down if that's what your into! I give it a 11 out of 10.


Paul

death metal

Well, these maniacs date back to 1993 and on this new release (eighteen years after their debut) you're getting something quite similar but more mature, more interesting and more brutal. They sound pretty much as the influences they sight (Suffocation , Pyrexia ,Internal Bleeding ,Beneath The Massacre).

They are the Spanish version of deep North America, death metal with a few pig squealish vocals mixed in here and there. The production doesn't give them the justice they deserve but it's not bad either.  This album would be simply one of the best of the year if the production was more suiting to their style.

The production is good enough, so don't mistake what I am saying.  I am simply saying it's not the perfect production for their style. If I had the cash I'd take them and have them re-record this beast with Dan Swano and it'd be an instant masterpiece! Anyway I am totally into them and sold on what they do, and i hope you are too, if not your a wanker. Suck one. 

Paul

death metal

German sicksters that are Total fucking Grave worshipers with a tad of Morbid Angel and Asphyx influences. There really is nothing else to say. If that's what you're into, well then you won't be disappointed at all. I'm into this and I wasn't disappointed.  


Paul

death metal

More Canadian perfection, labeled as 'technical death metal'  (which is a label I hate - ot scares me).  It's really not that technical in my mind, I label them more as sick death metal with tight playing and some tricky riffs here and there (since I play guitar it has to be hard for me to play to be truly labeled in my mind as technical death metal).

Don't get me wrong they are no slobs.  They are tight and challenging and in a nutshell awesome! Prognostic are definitely worthy of major attention and I hope they get it! There is a cool Instrumental called "Menstrumental", which is a nice break from the pounding beatings you get with the rest of the tracks.

Bits and pieces remind me of At The Gates with a step up on guitar licks here and there. Vocally strong, drumming is awesome, and the production is superb! So yes, it's worth the time to check these guys out!


Paul

death metal

bandcamp

Portugal is represented with an instant Classic! It's full of old school Swedish worship and riffing! I love it! It's filthy as fuck, catchy as hell and as mean as a rabid skunk. The production sells it's authenticity, perfect for what they are doing!

Bands that come to mind while going through the tracks include Unleashed, Entombed, Dismember and Samael. The whole vibe, from the artwork to the production to the songs to the riffs is everything you'd want and expect from the early death metal.  This, feels like a time warp and I'm sold on it! 


Paul

speed metal

So, this is already the fourth Album from these Italians. Sincere late eighties style speed/thrash metal that is very convincing and point on! Motorhead meets early Kreator is the vibe I am getting this time around but there's still plenty of Venom worship!

The production is perfect for their style. There is a cool cover of Farao's 'Eleg'.  It's great and I'd like to see them remake the video as well, it would trip the fuck out of me (here is the original and video from Farao https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKZTgJjH6U ) ...

So anyway, back to the album.  If you're into anything from the eighties speed metal scene (as the bands I mentioned here) then this is a must have for your arsenal. Even if you're not it will still rip your head off.  Awesome band and an awesome album! Just as entertaining as watching a rat fuck a pit pull, yes and that is entertaining! 

Paul