Behind the Shadows - Raising Hell

Artist: Behind the Shadows
Release Title: Raising Hell
Year: 2016
Label: Visionaire Records
Genre: Symphonic Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Raising Hell
2. Give Me Your Soul
3. Holy Lie
4. Zombie Flesh Eaters
5. The Shadow Of Death
6. Bloody Paradise

The second full-length from Greek power metallers Behind the Shadows is a rather troubling and somewhat problematic release that potentially could’ve been quite fun. The band’s basis for using tight, stylish riffing with a large influx of groove patterns makes for a decent base that comes off nicely here at times, especially alongside the faster tempos and paces from the simple-yet-pounding drum-work featured and the added symphonics on display. That said, there’s a few problems featured here in this one that does manage to hold it down. The main issue here is that the majority of the tracks are merely decent if not wholly uninteresting, tending to feature bland patterns and arrangements without much if any really exciting elements here which is due to the crippling nature of the simplistic style of the tracks. This particular genre is really keen on grandiose and bombastic patterns, and yet this here is stripped down to the point of not really featuring anything normally associated with the genre, making for a few decent moments spread out through the tracks which are more bland than anything else. That ties into the other big problem here, with the album being so short that it really can’t bring in too many other elements to spice this material up with it being so quick that there’s little opportunity it can really utilize to make up for those bland elements. It does have a few parts that work, but by and large this one isn’t all that great.

The tracks here for the most part are real hit-or-miss. Opener ‘Raising Hell’ features a simple, droning series of mid-tempo riffing with plenty of simple drumming alongside the plodding rhythms as the later kick-off into far more energetic riffing still manages to keep the somewhat plodding tempos leading into the solo section and keeping into the final half for a decent enough opener. ‘Give Me Your Soul’ uses a simple series of swirling keyboards running alongside pounding groove rhythms in the riff-work that continues along a jaunty mid-tempo series of rhythms with the simplistic driving rhythms bringing the discordant patterns into the finale for another decent effort. ‘Holy Lie’ immediately kicks into rousing groove riffing with fiery keyboards and dynamic drumming before settling on a decent mid-tempo pace with stuttering drumming and plodding rhythms churning along through the swarming riffing within the solo section and into the final half for easily the highlight of the album. ‘Zombie Flesh Eaters’ features swirling mid-tempo rhythms that quickly turns into a stylish plodding mid-tempo series of grandiose riffing and pounding energetic drumming that continually keeps a steady pace through the hard-hitting series of rhythms leading through the finale for another rather enjoyable effort. ‘The Shadow Of Death’ takes simplistic symphonic keyboards and sparse riff-work to work through a plodding pace with a series of swarming patterns that mix with the fine drumming into a more energetic pace as the energy kicks up into the final half for a decent enough effort. Finally, album-closer ‘Bloody Paradise’ uses light droning symphonics before turning into a feral series of raging riff-work and pounding, energetic drumming keeping the intensity driving along the more intense riff-work leading on through the symphonic-led final half for a somewhat decent lasting impression.

With more sizeable and noticeable flaws here to a few somewhat negligible positives really manages to stick out here for this one not being all that remarkable or truly worthwhile, leaving this one mainly only for those die-hard aficionados of the style or fans of the band’s past catalog for the most part.

Score; 45/100

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Rebaelliun - The Hell's Decrees

Artist: Rebaelliun
Release Title: The Hell's Decrees
Year: 2016
Label: Hammerheart Records
Genre: Old-School Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Affronting the Gods
2. Legion
3. The Path of the Wolf
4. Fire and Brimstone
5. Dawn of Mayhem
6. Rebaelliun
7. Crush the Cross
8. Anarchy (The Hell's Decrees Manifesto)

The third full-length from Brazilian death metal horde Rebaelliun ultimately shows that their decade-plus long disbanding hasn’t slowed them down as they pick up right where they once left off. This has the band’s trademark sound and style dripping all over this release, running the full gamut of technical and brutal riffing here with blistering displays of tightly-wound rhythms charging along into ravenous speed-drenched patterns that are running along through rather impressive tempos allowing for the various changes and tight arrangements that have always been present throughout their sound. Generating that speed with these kinds of dizzying riffing creating the different sections filled with steady mid-tempo paces or blazing along through the intense barnburners makes for a fun time here as that type of attack was prevalent in their sound from the beginning and it’s still as crushing and heavy as it was. Added along with their dynamic blasting drum-attack that piles on the blasts and choppy, up-tempo patterns that matches the generous speed anthems here it makes for a wholly pleasing and cohesive effort that still sounds like the group hasn’t lost a step at all. This ends up being the one minor misstep here in that all the album does is reaffirm what the band was all about from the beginning with this one running through all the motions of their previous attacks without much deviation, and considering the overall brevity of the album that leaves this with a feeling of wanting more out of it, but in the end this is a negligible flaw that shouldn’t hold it back too much.

The first half reintroduces the band in grand style. Opener ‘Affronting the Gods’ features blistering riffing and dynamic blasting drumming through tight, technical rhythms with plenty of frantic rhythms carrying the intense tempos along with plenty of battering drumming keeping the swirling riff-work along through the fiery solo section and keeping the tempo into the finale for a strong, impressive highlight. ‘Legion’ uses deep, crunchy riff-work and frantic, blasting drumming keeping the intensity blazing along through the chaotic, spastic leads and urgent rhythms throughout the blazing, up-tempo series of technical patterns following the chaotic solo section as the tight patterns continue into the final half for another explosive and blistering track. ‘The Path of the Wolf’ uses immediate blasting drumming and sharp, technical riff-work blazing along to utterly frantic and up-tempo rhythms holding the tight technically-charged patterns along throughout the sprawling mid-tempo solo section before bringing the intensity and blazing through the finale for a great highlight. ‘Fire and Brimstone’ features an extended noise collage intro before turning into a tight, steady mid-tempo gallop with technical riffing and dexterous, pounding drumming while the droning, surging riff-work carries the mid-tempo patterns along throughout the steady final half for a decent effort held back mostly for the lack of speed.

The second half keeps that momentum going rather nicely. ‘Dawn of Mayhem’ utilizes immediate and blistering riffing alongside blistering, blasting drumming and pounding rhythms charging along through frantic tempos with stylish mid-tempo melodies slowing down the speed leading into the solo section as the technically-challenging riffing carries the energy throughout the finale for another high-quality effort. ‘Rebaelliun’ takes stylish mid-tempo riff-work and technical chugging rhythms through sprawling mid-tempo paces with plenty of urgent rhythms throughout the mid-tempo pace as the strong leads continue carrying the steady pace through the solo section and on through the steady rhythms in the final half for a solid, enjoyable effort. ‘Crush the Cross’ features heavy, thumping rhythms and dexterous, complex drumming turning into a frantic, up-tempo series of thunderous patterns carrying the tight riff-work and intense blasting drumming along the surging rhythms full of frantic, speed-drenched patterns through the solo section and on into the finale for another strong overall highlight. Lastly, album-closer ‘Anarchy (The Hell's Decrees Manifesto)’ uses blistering drum-blasts and tight, frantic riffing through an intense series of blazing mid-tempo rhythms full of dynamic technical riffing as the blasting drumming brings the up-tempo intensity back through the solo section and on through the final half for an explosive and enjoyable finishing touch here.

While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to these venerable and well-missed legends, the fact that it still sounds so much like the bands’ heyday and hasn’t missed a step attack-wise makes this a wholly worthwhile investment for fans itching to see their assault continue or even fans of the overall style.

Score: 96/100

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Enthrallment (Bul) - Eugenic Worms

Artist: Enthrallment (Bul)
Release Title: Eugenic Worms
Year: 2015
Label: Rebirth the Metal Productions
Genre: Brutal Death/Grind
Tracklisting:
1. Deserved Fears
2. Few Are Those Who Find It
3. Last Judgment Waltz
4. Totally Dismembered
5. Defame the Incarnation
6. Inspired Lunatic
7. Path to Silence
8. Nature Dose Not Allow Doubling
9. Enslaved by Your Own Seed

The fifth full-length from Bulgarian death metallers Enthrallment continues their assault of grind-laced brutality and bludgeoning musicianship into a tight and enjoyable release. Keeping in fine form with how the band has been since the beginning, this here is basically a combination of low-slung churning death metal rhythms laced with tight grindcore-laced rhythms. It’s a fine, appealing mixture full of blasting rhythms and furious bursts of speed, generating the kind of intensity and flaying rhythm-work expected mixing these styles together. Though the rumbling rhythms here do tend to come off in more mid-tempo paces than would be expected here, there’s an ease with which they fire off the dexterous soloing and lead-work on the album which is a decided highlight.  Added together with the blasting drumming and there’s a solid, deep-set base at work here with how it manages to generate that style of brutal death metal and slight grind influences. Still, there’s one major piece running throughout the work here that does tend to hold this one back. As already mentioned, this one tends to stick in the mid-tempo more often than really letting the grind rhythm really let loose, it does tend to come off feeling restrained and held back. On the whole, there’s always the sense that they really could’ve gone further with how they go about the mid-tempo arrangements here that really don’t operate at their most expressive or dynamic, instead feeling more like they’re operating under general rhythms for what’s expected of the genre rather than go through their own distinctive touch. It’s not much of a real problem on several tracks but this does crop enough.

The first half is a solid example of what’s on offer here. Opener ‘Deserved Fears’ blasts through intensive riffing and dynamic drumming with tight patterns offering plenty of full-speed twists and turns along through the churning riff-work leading along through the grinding chugging and frantic blasting drumming into the solo section and on through the charging finale for a great opening impression. ‘Few Are Those Who Find It’ uses a faded noise intro before turning into a series of grinding, chunky riff-work and steady, mid-tempo paces keeping a steady drive into the clanky rhythms and blasting drumming twisting along through the fiery solo section and on into the extended churning final half for an overall enjoyable effort. ‘Last Judgment Waltz’ features funky bass-lines and tight clanging drumming settling into a light blasting series of riffing with plenty of steady grinding riffing leading into the rattling drumming and rather furious rhythms keeping the mid-paced intensity through the grinding patterns in the finale for a rather strong effort overall. ‘Totally Dismembered’ uses rattling drumming and tight, grinding riffing riff-work with steady mid-tempo paces keeping the steady rhythms twisting alongside the dynamic drum-work as the grinding patterns lead into the dynamic, fiery solo section and keeping alongside the chugging mid-tempo leads in the final half for another solid effort. ‘Defame the Incarnation’ uses grinding patterns and rather intense drum-work blasting along through a frantic series of mid-tempo riff-work grinding along with tight, dynamic rhythms along through the frantic solo section and carrying the intensity through the finale for an enjoyable enough track.

The second half continues on with the work on offer here. ‘Inspired Lunatic’ features tight, intense grinding riff-work and plenty of blasting drumming through a fine mid-tempo pace loaded with tightly-wound patterns and plenty of frantic rhythms rumbling along through the grinding tempos leading into the solo section and keeping the rumbling riffing throughout the final half for a solid effort. ‘Path to Silence’ takes rumbling grinding patterns and blasting drumming running along through toughened mid-tempo patterns holding the tight, frantic rhythms along through the grind-laced patterns and full-on intensity of the fiery solo section leading through the fine finale for a fun overall highlight. The instrumental ‘Nature Does Not Allow Doubling’ uses light acoustic work and soft bass-lines for a light, relaxing air as it leads into album-closer ‘Enslaved by Your Own Seed’ which uses tight rhythms and rather intense patterns holding the tight grinding riff-work along through the dynamic leads that flows through the frantic mid-tempo rumbling rhythms as the main solo section leads into the extended instrumental final half for an enjoyable lasting impression.

While it’s not overtly original or dynamically full of innovation, this is still a solid, enjoyable slab of churning death metal that stays the course with the bands’ output and in the end remains a solid choice mainly for fans of the band or the genre for the most part while others will likely find it disposable more than anything.

Score: 83/100

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Hate Fusion - Filth

Artist: Hate Fusion
Release Title: Filth
Year: 2015
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Torture Techniques
2. Under
3. Catharsis
4. The Hunter
5. Conquer Your Fears
6. Rolling Dick
7. Death Bringer
8. Fields of Blood
9. The Darkest Angel
10. Centuries of Aggression

The debut effort from Argentine melodic death metallers Hate Fusion isn’t really out to reinvent the wheel when it comes to the genre but still manages quite a decent showing in the style regardless. This here is pretty straightforward and simplistic melodically-styled death metal which is anchored rather nicely by the heavy chugging riff-work that takes the form of most modern melodic death metal which features that style. For the most part, this keeps the material firmly in the mid-tempo charge with the occasional burst into faster tempos with the influx of cleaner riff-work that is further augmented rather well with the addition of clean crooning in select passages while the harsher rasp takes on the majority of the work that doesn’t overdo a tactic to keep it’s impact solidly in place while still holding true to the tenets of the style and genre. As expected, the faster tempos kick the energy up even with some solid tempos and pacing on display elsewhere here with the mid-tempo charges, and on the whole this one comes off with a sense of professionalism that’s very enticing and rewarding. Still, there’s one main running problem throughout this one in that it’s rather fundamental and unoriginal, tending to play by the rules and convictions of the genre without really doing anything all that dynamic or unique with it. It’s all competence without originality, and that can tend to wear thin at times when this one starts going along at the second half when it’s simply doing the same thing without much difference in style or attack.

The first half here is a solid and enjoyable part of this one. Opener ‘Torture Techniques’ utilizes strong choppy rhythms and steady, straightforward drumming keeping the whirling melodic leads running alongside the chugging grooves and stylish up-tempo rhythms that bring the clean vocals into the urgent solo section and on through the final half for a solid opening impression. ‘Under’ offers a plodding melodic intro that settles into a steady, simplistic chug with swirling melodic leads alongside simplistic patterns before rattling along to a dramatically more urgent series of rhythms with the energetic riffing carrying the tight rhythms into the solo section and on through the finale for another highly enjoyable effort. ‘Catharsis’ uses simple melodic chugging and mid-tempo drumming carrying along a series of tight swirling leads driving along through the steady patterns with plenty of tight chugging patterns with the melodic leads over the buzzing mid-tempo solo section and keeping the tight rhythms throughout the urgent final half for a solid highlight effort. ‘The Hunter’ immediately blasts through intense drumming and urgent, up-tempo chugging riff-work keeping the steady mid-tempo rhythms along throughout the tight thrashing patterns alongside melodic leads with plenty of pounding, chaotic drumming leading into the solo section and chugging along into the finale for another solid track. ‘Conquer Your Fears’ takes simplistic drumming and tight charging rhythmic chugging alongside simplistic patterns with the choppy drumming holding the melodic leads into the intense drumming patterns and urgent rhythms leading along the solo section and keeping the up-tempo energy through the final half for a decent enough effort.

Though down a minor step, the second half still has a lot to like overall here. ‘Rolling Dick’ takes a simplistic and straightforward mid-tempo plodding riff with steady drumming before kicking into a higher gear with more urgent riff-work and kinetic pounding drumming that continues to hold the simplistic rhythms along throughout the finale for a decent if unspectacular offering. ‘Death Bringer’ offers a charging series of melodic chugging riff-work and tight pounding drumming letting the melodic leads hold the simple melodic rhythms into the plodding mid-section as the stylish chugging riff-work keeps the energetic patterns and pounding drumming on through the swirling final half for a stronger and more impressive highlight. ‘Fields of Blood’ uses a simple charging riff with plenty of tight melodic leads running alongside the pounding drumming with a strong series of chugging rhythms keeping the mid-tempo pace along at a steady pace with the furious drumming leading the urgent tempos through the melodic solo section and on into the finale for another impressive showing. ‘The Darkest Angel’ features straightforward and simplistic riffing with pounding drumming carrying along a charging up-tempo urgent pace with a stylish series of melodic leads keeping the intensity down throughout the mid-section as the choppy rhythms and up-tempo drumming carry on through the final half for another strong effort. Album-closer ‘Centuries of Aggression’ utilizes a swirling series of melodic leads with straightforward riffing and plenty of dynamic drumming keeping the up-tempo pace balanced with the tight chugging rhythms and pounding drumming running along to the series of strong patterns along throughout the pounding rhythms into the solo section and along throughout the finale for an enjoyable lasting impression here.

Though this here isn’t the most original of efforts into this particular field, it’s still competent enough and features enough points to like that the progress of the band in the future is going to be fun to watch especially for devout melodic death metal fanatics as well as those curious about other South American scenes not influenced by the extreme end of the spectrum.

Score: 82/100

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Necronomicon (Ca) - Advent of the Human God

Artist: Necronomicon (Ca)
Release Title: Advent of the Human God
Year: 2016
Label: Season of Mist
Genre: Death/Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Descent
2. Advent of the Human God
3. The Golden Gods
4. Okkultis Trinity
5. Unification of the Pillars
6. Crown of Thorns
7. The Fjord
8. Gaia
9. I (Bringer Of Light)
10. Innocence and Wrath (Celtic Frost cover)
11. Alchemy of the Avatar

The fifth album from Canadian death/black metallers Necronomicon shows that their rigid schedule of releases is certainly working for them as this is perhaps their best effort yet. From the onset this here is set-up mostly around their dynamic mixture of blackened death metal that’s been at the forefront of their sound for so long. Taking the deep churning rhythms and frantic blasting patterns normally associated with more death metal efforts while offering technically-challenging rhythms to run alongside them, it usually gives this a wholly dynamic and appealing taste before it adds on the addition of the swirling tremolo patterns to add on a rather impressive black metal aesthetic against the tight rhythms. With all that riff-work being quite enjoyable, it’s the nicely-handled usage of the cinematic-sounding keyboards peppered throughout the tracks as this one doesn’t relying heavily on them at all, keeping them to select sections or omitted altogether which is highly enjoyable here and keeps this running along very well. The main problem with all of this is the fact that there’s just no real variation here with this one tending to sound quite similar to each other at times as this one just tends to go through rather route and familiar patterns without really changing up all that often except to offer some minor symphonic accents. That’s a minor note against this one which does tend to hold it back, as well as the constant instrumental interludes that pop up here that really hurts the feel and pacing here. These here are what hold this one down slightly.

The first half here sets this one up incredibly well. Instrumental intro ‘The Descent’ features grandiose symphonic keyboards and choirs leading through dramatic build-up patterns leading directly into the title track carrying the grandiose symphonics alongside blistering drumming and tight, ravenous riff-work swirling through tremolo-pitched rhythms as the clanging symphonic keyboards continually dive through surging tempos that carries along into the majestic finale for a wholly impressive opening offering. ‘The Golden Gods’ whips through utterly pounding drumming and unrelenting technically-challenging tremolo riff-work marching along at a feverish pace with plenty of intense rhythms twisting along through the driving riff-work and bludgeoning drumming throughout the final half for another impressive highlight. The instrumental interlude ‘Okkultis Trinity’ offers extended cinematic keyboard samples and noise that builds a majestic vibe with the choirs into ‘Unification of the Pillars’ as the frenzied riffing and crashing drumming blast into a fervent, blistering tempo with the blast-beats bringing the chaotic patterns along into the scorching up-tempo riff-work buzzing along with dynamic stuttering rhythms and epic keyboards washing along into the final half for a stand-out track. ‘Crown of Thorns’ an epic symphonic chorus leads into deep, charging riff-work with blackened melodies and tight, frenzied drumming blasting throughout the frenetic technical riff-work with the swirling rhythms and darker atmospheres keeping the frantic patterns along through the symphonic finale for another strong track.

The second half here is much like the first half overall. ‘The Fjord’ uses a light acoustic intro with plenty of rolling drumming and deep churning riff-work holding the steady pace as the added symphonic keyboards add a majestic quality to the simplistic riffing that kicks into higher gear in the solo section leading through the final half for an enjoyable and more laid-back effort. The interlude ‘Gaia’ features a light rumbling noise and haunting keyboards that leave a majestic air that leads into ‘I (Bringer of Light)’ that blazes through tight, rumbling drumming and mid-tempo tremolo riffing through frantic paces keeps the tight rhythms alongside the brimstone-fueled riff-work taking the tight thumping drumming in lockstep with the mid-tempo rhythms as the frantic buzzing riffing leads through the finale for another overall strong effort. Their Celtic Frost cover ‘Innocence And Wrath’ offers bombastic keyboards and pounding rhythms running along the plodding pace, yet doesn’t capture the real tone of the original and really doesn’t serve much of a purpose being there. Album-closer ‘Alchemy of the Avatar’ brings tight, swirling tremolo riffing and blistering drumming marching along at a frantic pace as the dynamic drumming brings along the thunderous blasting with plenty of tight, steady riff-work with the symphonics leading into the bombastic rhythms of the steady final half for a strong lasting note.

Though this one does tend to run into overly familiar patterns from their past and the frequent interludes can disrupt the flow somewhat, this is still a wholly strong and impactful collection of tracks that stands as their best effort yet and makes for an easy pick for fans of the band or this style as a whole.

Score: 88/100

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Murder Spree - Time to Rise Up

Artist: Murder Spree
Release Title: Time to Rise Up
Label: Killerpool Records
Year: 2015
Genre: Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. W.O.T./Fading Away
2. No Rest for the Wicked
3. Six-Pack Tsunami Attack
4. Cerveza on the beach
5. A New Hope
6. Hipster vs THRASHER
7. False
8. Time to Rise Up

The debut full-length from Italian thrashers Murder Spree gets this going with a lot of rather intriguing elements to get this one going nicely. Essentially taking the crossover route in terms of offering straightforward, to-the-point riffing full of ravenous and intense patterns, there’s a wholly enjoyable and intriguing nature here to the tight rhythms found on display throughout here manages to bring out that form of work throughout here. From the frantic riffing and the dynamic,blistering full-throttle paces found here give that series of riffing all the more impressive attributes here with giving this the kind of reckless high-speed attitude needed here as well which really helps this one considerably make for a truly exciting and enjoyable that produces a competent and enjoyable enough attack here. While that makes this quite fun, in the end it also ends up making the album so tight and condensed that there’s a sense of brevity here where the music doesn’t tend to sit well as a full-length effort and comes off feeling quite a bit like a shorter release than it really is. The razor-wire riffing also leads into this factor somewhat by keeping the songs so brief and dense that it really doesn’t offer up the chance of really getting to the more sprawling rhythms, though overall it doesn’t tend to affect the songs as much as the other issue.

The first half here is quite a solid start to this one. Intro ‘W.O.T./Fading Away’ uses a sampled movie speech that turns into a tight, raging full-throttle series of blasting rhythms and pounding drumming full of tight riff-work thumping along with the frantic rhythms full of up-tempo riffing keeping this going through the charging final half for an exciting opener.‘No Rest for the Wicked’ features tight, twisted riff-work and thumping mid-tempo speed metal rhythms driving along the frantic, energetic riffing with plenty of non-stop driving patterns into the solo section and driving through the frantic finale for an enjoyable shorter burst of thrash. ‘Six-Pack Tsunami Attack’ blasts through intense rhythms and plenty of pounding drumming carrying the frantic rhythms along through the ravenous paces with plenty of vicious riffing and pounding drumming taking the steady, speed-driven rhythms through the solo section final half for a molten, blistering thrash highlight. ‘Cerveza on the Beach’ uses a rocking series of twisting razor-wire riffing with a steady mid-tempo groove with plenty of tight, fiery riffing bringing the swirling rhythms along quite well with the intensity brought back into the solo section finale for another strong effort.

The second half is another overall strong-enough part of the album. ‘A New Hope’ features strong swirling riff-work and tight rhythms blasting through the tight frantic rhythms blasting the utterly relentless drumming blasts through the strong series of stuttering, up-tempo patterns leading into the final half for an enjoyable highlight offering. ‘Hipster vs THRASHER’ uses a buzzing bass-line intro with a steady stream of swirling crossover riff-work blazing through the frantic paces with the furious volley of intense riffing keeping the high-flying pace on-track throughout the charging final half for a blistering effort overall. ‘False’ takes strong build-up riff-work and a decidedly strong series of thrashing rhythms with plenty of furious drumming blasting throughout the strong up-tempo paces keeping the rumbling frantic paces throughout into the ravenous finale for an overall quite enjoyable effort. Lastly, the title track features strong immediate riff-work with plenty of tight mid-tempo rhythms that soon explode into frantic blasting with a strong, steady stream of twisting riffing alongside the tight drumming carrying the blistering rhythms through the solo section and into the final half for an enjoyable ending note here.

For the most part this one was enjoyable enough with only the heightened sense of brevity holding it back as there’s still more than enough positives here to make this one worthwhile for fans of the more vicious and intense thrash acts out in the scene or even those tired of yet another retro/throwback act.

Score: 86/100

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Sublime Eyes - Sermons and Blindfolds

Artist: Sublime Eyes
Release Title: Sermons and Blindfolds
Year: 2015
Label: WormHoleDeath Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Greedy Hands
2. Ten Stones
3. Destroyer
4. Shellshocked
5. Your Time Is Done
6. No Regrets
7. We Are Chaos
8. It All Disappeared

The second album from Norwegian melodic death metallers Sublime Eyes offers a rather enjoyable if slightly formulaic brandishing of the genre throughout here. The riff-work on display here is mostly determining of that kind of melodic fire throughout here by offering up a strong series of heavy traditional-styled rhythms that are quite a bit heavier and more dynamic than would be expected from most melodic death metal outfits that then allows the melodic flurries to be sprinkled along for maximum impact. Putting alongside some nice thrashing drum-work alongside that gives this another strong element at play with the more frantic, up-tempo tracks here letting the fiery melodic leads even more room to breathe quite nicely here and generate some overall impressive moments here when this one lets it rip. Though this is all highly enjoyable and often responsible for some great tracks, there’s one overriding problem running throughout here in that the tracks just don’t really offer much variation to stand out from the crowd. However hard-hitting it may be and however infectious it features with the riff-work, this is still a pretty straightforward release that doesn’t really change the wheel or go for any kind of experimentation as the album is a simple, straightforward release played nicely enough and with conviction but doesn’t really generate anything new overall.

Overall this one doesn’t have all that much wrong in the first half. Opener ‘Greedy Hands’ slowly works into a sweeping melodic bent utilizing pounding drumming and up-tempo swirling tremolo patterns throughout the tight, chugging melodic leads running alongside the thumping rhythms holding the blazing leads thumping along to the heavy riffing in the final half for a strong, impressive opener. ‘Ten Stones’ features pounding drumming and swirling tremolo riff-work into a rousing, energetic series of thrashing rhythms and dexterous drum-work turning through a strong series of mid-tempo chugging rhythms leading into the swirling solo section and continuing the rousing energy into the finale for another enjoyable effort. ‘Destroyer’ utilizes sweeping melodies and churning rhythms with pounding drumming through a rather fiery series of mid-tempo patterns keeping the pounding drumming alongside the rumbling series of riffing through the solo section and into the fiery melodic final half for a decent enough effort. ‘Shellshocked’ utilizes deep, churning riffing alongside dexterous drumming and light melodic leads keeping the tightly-wound riffing along through the stuttering rhythms as the explosive swirling melodies and thrashing drumming carry on through the blasting finale for a solid and enjoyable offering.

The second half is more of the same and offers a lot to like. ‘Your Time Is Done’ uses a gradual build intro with discordant riffs leading into the tight, pounding drumming and urgent riff-work featuring plenty of light melodies with the rather dynamic, dexterous drumming holding the stuttering rhythms alongside the blasting final half for another enjoyable effort. ‘No Regrets’ takes thumping rhythms and pounding drumming alongside the scorching melodic leads with the dexterous thumping rhythms keeping the urgency and up-tempo runs running alongside the dynamic pounding drumming through the solo section and on through the finale for a solid highlight. ‘We Are Chaos’ flows through a series of tight, thunderous rhythms and plenty of churning riff-work with the impressive mid-tempo rhythms keeping this churning along through the pounding drumming and steady melodic flurries along the thumping rhythms of the final half for another highly enjoyable effort. Finally, album-closer ‘It All Disappeared’ takes thumping rhythms and blasting drumming full of pounding rhythms with the dynamic melodies churning along through the steady series of thumping rhythms while taking the melodic lead along through the swirling solo section and keeping the rousing melodies throughout the finale for a great lasting impression.

While it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel when it comes to the rather healthy and vibrant melodic death metal scene, there’s enough firepower and melodic tendencies on display to definitely make this not only a growing contender in the scene to come but also a hard-hitting act that should appeal to those with more traditional flavorings to ease into very nicely.

Score: 88/100

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Decrepit Soul - The Coming of War!!

Artist: Decrepit Soul
Release Title: The Coming of War!!
Year: 2016
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Genre: Black/Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Awaken
2. Feral Howling Winds
3. The Coming of War
4. Perished in Flames
5. Piscatorial Death
6. Black Goats Breath
7. Storm of Steel

The second full-length from Aussie war metallers Decrepit Soul shows that the quick turnaround between albums isn’t a sap on their creativity but rather their general approach. This one here is still filthy, ravenous war metal which features that dirty blackened death metal approach, firing off utterly frenetic swirling tremolo riffing at such ferocious speeds it blends into a dirty buzz-like blur such is the speed they play these arrangements. Augmented really nicely with the addition of a solid mid-tempo death-metal lurch that settles very nicely into an appropriately mid-range sprawling-style patterns for what could be considered melodic interludes off-setting the tight, furious main rhythms on display which are still far more dominant on the album. With this all blazing alongside the utterly pummeling drumming that keeps this one charging along the album creates a truly dirty, blasphemous sound amidst the chaos. This one isn’t really all that varied or differential in it’s approach as there’s just so little work here with the short running time really not affording this one the opportunity to branch out or delivery some variety beyond that mid-tempo churn. Utilizing such an abbreviated set-list here doesn’t really allow for much chance to do much beyond infernal blasting, which works nicely but can make this somewhat one-dimensional at times.

The first half here sets this one up incredibly well. Opener ‘Awaken’ uses a sampled approaching-storm intro that turns into ravenous drumming and blasting, tightly-wound rhythms keeping the frenetic tremolo riffing scalding along through the savage tempo changes as the furious paces gives way to a mid-tempo sprawl leading back into the furious pounding in the final half for an impressive opening effort. ‘Feral Howling Winds’ features rattling tremolo riffing and steady drumming turning into a frantic burst of furious blasting and tight, intense rhythms carrying the swirling rhythms along into ravenous buzzing patterns leading into the swarming riff-work and intense blasting in the final half for a stellar highlight. The title track utilizes frenetic blasting drumming and swirling tremolo riffing into a frantic, intense blast full of blistering up-tempo paces carrying the buzzing tremolo riff-work alongside the blistering drumming as the screeching leads whip through the extended-noise finale for an impressive and dynamic if one-note offering. ‘Perished in Flames’ uses a slow-building intro with plenty of melodic rhythms through a fine mid-tempo buzzing riff-work leading into the tight, furious blasting and swirling tremolo rhythms firing through scalding tempos with frantic leads into the solo section and into the relaxing final half for a solid, enjoyable effort.

The second half carries the quality of this incredibly well. ‘Piscatorial Death’ takes the storm-cloud intro before gradually coming into the frantic, furious blasting with charging patterns and plenty of swirling tremolo riffing leading along through the sprawling mid-tempo sections filled with the tight rhythms along the finale for another solid track. ‘Black Goats Breath’ uses immediate blasting drumming and steady mid-tempo rhythms running along to the swirling tremolo patterns along the chaotic drumming with the frantic riffing leading through the tight leads with the buzzing patterns holding the intensity throughout the final half for a solid highlight. Lastly, album-closer ‘Storm of Steel’ features an extended melancholic intro with the change-over into tight blasting drumming and furious mid-tempo rhythms holding the tight, frantic patterns along with furious buzzing tremolo riff-work and blasting drumming running through the steady frenetic paces into the extended fade-out finale for an explosive and charging lasting impression.

Though there’s a lot to like here from a songwriting front about this effort, the fact that there’s just not a whole lot of actual songs on offer does come through and bite this one enough that it really seems more for fans of this bestial form of black/death or war metal in general.

Score:86 /100

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http://shop.ironbonehead.de/en/ibp-releases-/14751-decrepit-soul-oz-the-coming-of-war-cd.html

Devolted - Broken Kings EP

Artist: Devolted
Release Title: Broken Kings EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Heavy/Thrash 'n Roll
Tracklisting:
1. My Monster
2. Dogs of War
3. God of Light
4. Broken Kings

The second EP from Irish metallers Devolted offers up some rather pleasing moments here with a rather varied attack that works more often than not. Built around a mainly thrash-inspired base where they tend to get utilized more playing hard rock-styled rhythms when mixed with the rest of the rhythms on display, this builds a maddeningly inconsistent approach here where there’s a multitude of rhythms and tempos throughout each track that really stands out against the others. Going from a thumping mid-tempo hard rock outing laced alongside more hard-edged thrashing leaves a rather weird and unimpressive mixture that comes off with a rather haphazard and disjointed feel. There’s a sense of it coming together and trying to be a cohesive sound as the bands’ trying to spread their influences out here with releases like this that try to hone that out to a point, and there’s moments where this works but overall it’s still a little haphazard.

The tracks featured here aren’t all that bad and have some solid points at times. Opener ‘My Monster’ takes sharp, rattling riff-work and tight drumming that brings about a tight, sturdy mid-tempo pace with rocking rhythms along the churning grooves of the main rhythms holding the sluggish patterns along into the fiery solo section and holding on through the final half for a solid opening effort. ‘Dogs of War’ uses thumping, heavy thrashing rhythms and dynamic churning riff-work that turns into a raucous up-tempo series of riffing and dynamic drumming that holds the fiery energetic riffing along through the stuttering mid-tempo grooves churning along through the raucous finale for another rather enjoyable highlight. ‘God of Light’ features raucous rocking riff-work and plenty of charging drumming leading into the swirling rock riff-work leading along through the kick into far more energetic thrashing that merges nicely with the rocking patterns leading along throughout the final half for a decent enough effort. Lastly, the title track goes through a slow-building intro with tight, pounding drumming and rather fine riffing leading through the more up-tempo rocking rhythms with a fine series of up-tempo leads running into the pounding drumming throughout the fiery solo section and into the finale for another rather enjoyable effort that ends this on a nice note.

Though there’s a few minor stumbling blocks along the way here with it’s rather chaotic sound, there’s some really enjoyable moments here where this one gets enough working for it that it really remains a viable choice for those who want a little something different from the normal thrash worlds.

Score: 70/100

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http://devoltedband.bandcamp.com/album/broken-kings

Arkham Witch - Get Thothed Vol. II EP

Artist: Arkham Witch
Release Title: Get Thothed Vol. II EP
Year: 2016
Label: Metal-on-Metal Records
Genre: Heavy/Doom Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Love the Lamp
2. Sunshine
3. Ancient Fire
4. Serpentine
5. Blood on Satan's Claw

The new EP from UK heavy/doom metallers Arkham Witch follows along the conventions of their previous attempt at this style rather nicely which makes for a really fun time. This is still very much in their woven style of classic rock riffs and proto-metal rhythms that merge together with plodding doom paces and psychedelic-fueled riff-work into a stellar and overall dynamic mixture which allows for the music to really weave through several varied styles. Rocking along at a stellar mid-tempo groove with nicely churning rhythms, picking up the tempo with some stylish speed-drenched efforts that sound even faster against the sluggish, heavy-handed paces elsewhere all come together into an eclectic yet still-coherent mix that makes for a truly fun offering that winds throughout the tracks as it makes these seemingly at-odds elements sound perfectly natural within the confines of the dark atmospheres conjured up here, and it’s what really sells this one even with it being mostly cover songs for the most part. That the best track here is their original work does speak somewhat to the remaining tracks even if it all comes together nicely in the end as this one manages to feel like a solid piece of work despite the short running time here.

For the most part the tracks have a lot to like here. Opener ‘Love the Lamp’ immediately opens with a strong rocking riff with bouncy drumming keeping the rocking energy moving along at a steady pace as the change-over into steady, swirling psychedelic-styled rhythms plods along through the stylized solo section before getting back to the rousing up-tempo rhythms rocking along through the final half for a rather enjoyable opening. ‘Sunshine’ uses a tight, hard-hitting rocking pace with plenty of rousing, energetic drumming keeping the steady, straightforward rhythms as the buzzing psychedelic rocking riff-work keeps buzzing along throughout the engaging, energetic solo section as the rocking rhythms continue on through the finale for another decent enough effort. ‘Ancient Fire’ takes rumbling, buzzing rhythms and rocking drum-work settling on a buzzing mid-tempo pace with rumbling patterns leading into a frantic and energetic outburst of stylish riffing and tight pounding drumming carrying along through the rocking solo section and into the hard-charging final half for the album’s clear highlight. ‘Serpentine’ features a hard-rocking mid-tempo rhythm with solid, steady drumming holding the fuzzy, buzzing riff-work along at the rocking pace as the changeover into a steady, rumbling psychedelic-flavored mid-range break before launching back into the frenetic up-tempo finale for a fine and enjoyable effort. Lastly, ‘Blood on Satan's Claw’ features the call-and-response intro before turning into a stylized mid-tempo series of rocking rhythms and pounding drumming that keeps the energetic rhythms bouncing along nicely during the steady mid-tempo solo section and keeping the rocking rhythms along through the final half for a decent lasting impression.

Though there’s a few bum tracks that are decent if decidedly lacking against the others, this one still has enough solid points about it to warrant enough of an inclusion for fans of the bands’ previous works, lovers of Lovecraftian-inspired efforts or simply fans of the style as a whole.

Score: 80/100

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http://metal-on-metal.com/shop/#!/PRE-ORDER-ARKHAM-WITCH-“Get-Thothed-Vol-II”-MCD/p/65493604/category=2707104