Hellspawn (Pol) - There Has Never Been a Son of Me

Artist: Hellspawn (Pol)
Release Title: There Has Never Been a Son of Me
Year: 2016
Label: Old Temple
Genre: Old-School Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Do Not Be Among Idolatres
2. Hung on a Tree, Damned by His Father
3. Antitrinitarian
4. For the Number Is Human
5. Hallelujah
6. Heralded by Prophets
7. Upon Entering the Valley They Did Not Fear
8. It Is Not Proper for the Gracious to Have a Son
9. Santa Sindone
10. There Has Never Been a Son of Me

Utterly crushing their old ideals, the Polish death metallers under the name Hellspawn have long sought to offer infernal, blasting hymns that used their full-on, intense assault that has been their trademark since the very beginning of their career. With a four-year gap between releases from the band, their third full-length effort was released March 16, 2016 on Old Temple.

Straight from the beginning, there’s a clear idea of the kind of blistering and charging material on display here that continually gets featured. This one is mostly built around tight, frantic riffing and plenty of swirling tremolo patterns in their display of churning mid-tempo paces throughout here, which gives this one such a frantic and intense attack. Keeping the vast majority of the album in such a mainly up-tempo state lets the tight rhythms and crushing tremolo leads dance around to great effect here as the thick riff-patterns generate the kind of intense energy required. That is successfully balanced out by a thumping mid-tempo style that really brings out the tight rhythms to a greater extent that the quicker, more balanced tracks that are far more prominent on here and bring about the kind of dynamics that really get explored here. Although it gets really enjoyable due to this rather strong attack, the fact that it does tend to get lost in these repetitive riffing patterns and paces does tend to undue some of these positives with the album really becoming quite hard to determine what’s going on with the way it continually evokes the same overall approach on many of the tracks. However frenzied and intense it gets, this one tends to go the same way with its attack and that doesn’t do much for the album. Otherwise, this one doesn’t really have much else wrong with it.

Coming across way too familiar to really let the stellar attack get displayed to it’s fullest potential, the fact that remaining features here are so strong and devastating makes this another strong notch in their belt and gives this a lot of appeal to those who prefer this infernal approach to classic death metal.

Score: 87/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://oldtemple.bandcamp.com/album/hellspawn-there-has-never-been-a-son-of-me

Lectern - Precept of Delator

Artist: Lectern
Release Title: Precept of Delator
Year: 2016
Label: Via Nocturne
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Gergal Profaner
2. Palpation of Sacramentarian
3. Fluent Bilocation
4. Distil Shambles
5. Pellucid
6. Diptych of Perked Oblation
7. Garn for Debitors
8. Precept of Delator
9. Discorporation with Feral

Staying true to their old-school roots, Italian brutal death metallers Lectern have kept their steadfast tradition to mixing a brutal variation of this Floridian variety of death metal with a much harsher, more Satanic bent to their music that makes it more devastating. With guitarist Fabio Mariantoni leaving before recording and being replaced by Gabriele Cruz, the groups’ sophomore full-length was released September 23, 2016 on Via Nocturne.

As is to be expected here, this is a wholly ferocious and blistering effort with plenty of familiar elements to their past present throughout here. The main feature to be found here is the rather sharp, brutal riff-work, managing to work through a strong series of rhythm patterns that showcase a tight foundation with short rhythms and deep, churning grooves. That the vast majority of tracks in this section are built around a thrashing mindset means that they’re fast, vicious and really exploit the fine precision displayed throughout here as the up-tempo tracks and short rhythms give this a distinctly Floridian feel utilizing those similar tactics in their work. This one though adds on a far more blistering and twisting series of riffing over that which adds a frank brutality to the rhythms in this, and given that the riffing still adds a rather old-school vibe to the material is a fine touch. There’s only a minor quibble to be found here in that the album tends to run through a rather familiar and overly-repeated series of rhythms that make up quite a familiar series of riffs throughout here whenever the album drops into the same territory in its pacing. All the riffs are built upon the same general feel and tempo in the usual variants, and while that does lower this one somewhat the fact that rest of the music does stand up with quite a vicious attack that the flaws are lessened.

While it does become some familiar along its tempos, the fact that there’s still quite a lot to like in its overall presentation with a vicious mixture of thrashing old-school Floridian rhythms and brutal attack that it works quite well for those that enjoy either style at play or fans of their past work.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.lectern.bigcartel.com/product/precept-of-delator

Dominate - Cálicem Serpente

Artist: Dominate (Col)
Release Title: Cálicem Serpente
Year: 2016
Label: Black Serpent Records
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Brave Warrior
2. Deserter
3. Cálicem Serpente
4. Evil
5. Imperial Army
6. Death Awaits
7. Unmerciful Holocaust
8. Cold Bloody Murder (Rare Version)

Formed back in 2008, the Colombian black/thrashers under the name Dominate took their time honing their cold, icy sound combining the concepts of paganism, occultism, world wars, philosophy, the return of man to his union with the universe and nature. Finally able to offer their first professional recording, the groups’ full-length debut was released in 2016 by Black Serpent Records.

From the onset, the group clearly favors the typically extreme end of the South American scene by offering everything that can be expected in such efforts. There’s plenty of traditional blackened thrash riff-work throughout here, taking up the raw end of the spectrum by going through the simplistic, straightforward paces with a reckless intensity that’s quite ferocious. Due to the rather simplistic manner the vast majority of the songs are an endless variation of fast, frantic and sloppy riff-work that blazes along at pretty consistent tempos as the only real variations found here is when it shifts into a solid mid-tempo chug following the rousing thrash-style efforts. This ends up exposing the rather sloppy and utterly simplistic matter of how the album is pretty much a showcase of one-gear songs that aren’t really technical standouts. The songs hit hard and viciously, but after awhile there’s not a whole lot to offer from this one with the sloppy and reckless play throughout here. As well, this is also hampered by being so obviously low-budget that the album does suffer from a weak production, filled with muddy guitars, weak drums and an utter lack of crisp sound ends up making this one much weaker than it should be by standing out quite obviously here. These here are what hold this one back.

While not a truly awful debut release, there’s quite a lot to like here with the infectious energy and rabid attack that’s much more prominent here that it does overcome enough of the flaws here to appeal to the fans of the South American extreme scene only while those looking for more quality in their efforts should heed caution.

Score: 67/100

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https://www.facebook.com/DOMINATE.THRASH.BLACK.METAL/

Interment (Swe) - Scent of the Buried

Artist: Interment (Swe)
Release Title: Scent of the Buried
Year: 2016
Label: Dark Descent Records
Genre: Swedish Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Death and Decay
2. Sinister Incantation
3. Chalice of Death
4. Repugnant Funeral
5. Scent of the Buried
6. Rise of the Dead
7. Unholy Upheaval
8. Dawn of Blasphemy
9. Skull Crushing Carnage
10. Nailed to the Grave

One of the original bands in the genre, Swedish death metallers Internment have gone through numerous hardships in their near three-decade existence which has seen the group continue to churn out their old-school Swedish sound in the interim. Now, after six years between releases and a few lineup changes that sees Toob Bryndal on guitars and Allan Lundholm on bass, the group finally releases their sophomore release April 1 on Pulverized Records.

From the onset here there’s little change-ups on display other than prime early-90s Swedish death metal with all the usual trappings, and it doesn’t really offer any difference from these rhythms throughout here. This one runs through all the prototypical elements that should get featured in the genre which means it utilizes the same general churning buzzsaw riffing patterns that alternate nicely between ravenous blistering thrashing with pounding drumming and agonized melodies swarming along throughout the tracks. As well, there are all the usual tempo changes from that go from these thrashing rhythms to a more majestic mid-tempo sprawl that utilizes more of a fine mid-tempo chug more than anything here as the speed is dropped in favor of the heavy-set riffing present which changes the style and sound significantly. As those are dropped off in favor of the thrashing-entered material in the second half of the album that significantly adds to the album with the enhanced aggression offering up plenty of ravenous tracks here which make for a rousing, high-energy affair. Now, none of this is anything revolutionary within the genre or even the individual scene where this is yet another in a long line of bands to emerge from the scene playing this exact kind of material, even though the fact that they originally were part of that movement at the very beginning makes that somewhat easy to overlook. There’s nothing wrong with it, and it works more often than not, but it is a determining factor for this one.

Though it’s nowhere near the most original band on this very scene that they were originally involved with at the very beginning, this here is quite the enjoyable and thoroughly enjoyable old-school blast of Swedish-influenced death metal for fans of that scene in particular or those that appreciate the old-school scene as well.

Score: 83/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://interment666.bandcamp.com/album/scent-of-the-buried-cd-lp-2

Death Angel - The Evil Divide

Artist: Death Angel
Release Title: The Evil Divide
Year: 2016
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Genre: Old-School Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Moth
2. Cause for Alarm
3. Lost
4. Father of Lies
5. Hell to Pay
6. It Can't Be This
7. Hatred United/United Hate
8. Breakaway
9. The Electric Cell
10. Let the Pieces Fall

Three decades into their celebrated career, Bay Area thrash legends Death Angel remain as hungry as ever with an uncompromising urgency and unpredictability which has defined the group almost from the start of their illustrious career. With the reunion-era line-up continuing to sound as tight as possible and a maturity found in their years together, the quintet’s eighth full-length album was released May 27, 2016 on Nuclear Blast Records.

With the band firing on all cylinders in regards to their revival phase, there’s a deep, flowing hard-edged old-school attack prevalent on this one that takes their signature sound to great heights. Featuring their signature swirling speed metal patterns in ferocious tempos laying down plenty of hard-charging and dexterous rhythms that showcase plenty of fiery lead riff-work, tight patterns and furious rhythms that carry their frantic energy and relentless surging riff-work that make for a wholly impressive series of up-tempo work. Alongside these thrashers are efforts which drop that intensity for a more majestic, mid-tempo sprawling series of rhythms that go for a more atmospheric, melodic mood with a plodding energy and more pronounced melodic vocals than their more furious work, offering a strong and wholly dynamic variety that’s immensely appealing here. That charging, dynamic atmosphere here creates a truly ripping old-school feel as well with its multi-faceted tracks that range from the melodic epic intro that turns into the ripping thrasher to the melodic and straightforward mid-tempo breather which carries a strong old-school feel throughout here. This is certainly a case where the band is comfortable with this approach as there’s plenty of familiar moments within this one that brings to mind their past works with this approach, but for the most part it’s more of the same enjoyable elements that have always been part of their attack which makes this such a fun album.

Despite a big reliance on continuing to offer up more of the same here that doesn’t really bring along much variety or innovation, it’s a rather moot point on the album as there’s just such a vibrant, energetic old-school feel to this one throughout here that it’s one of the top albums of the year in the genre and is of extreme interest to old-school thrashers or thrash fanatics in general.

Score: 96/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:

http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/band/discography/details/4257294.71004.the-evil-divide.html

Blood Red Throne - Union of Flesh and Machine

Artist: Blood Red Throne
Release Title: Union of Flesh and Machine
Year: 2016
Label: Candlelight Records
Genre: Old-School Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Revocation of Humankind
2. Proselyte Virus
3. Patriotic Hatred
4. Homicidal Ecstasy
5. Martyrized
6. Union of Flesh and Machine
7. Legacy of Greed
8. Exposed Mutation
9. Primal Recoil
10. Leather Rebel (Judas Priest cover)
11. Mary Whispers of Death (re-recorded version)

One of the genre’s leaders, Norwegian death metal machine Blood Red Throne has fine-tuned their attack into as devastating and dynamic a group found in the scene today. Now rejoined by original drummer Freddy Bolsø to the group’s ranks, their vicious eighth full-length effort from the group is released July 25, 2016 on new label Candlelight Records.

Still going strong throughout their career, this effort here quickly shows why they’re at the top of the genre with the way in which this one goes about its attack. The bands’ patented, deep churning riff-work with a strong technical bent are at top-form here, switching expertly from a blasting groove into the mid-tempo crunch patterns and even utterly frenetic paces that just utterly rip through ferocious blasts of swirling patterns offering plenty of full-speed tempos to the proceedings. Each of these sections, from the groove-filled chug to the tight, technical crunchy patterns manage to work out a balance and variance to the album that’s quite distinctive where it’s able to tap into the violent intensity that’s been a trademark of their core sound while also easing up enough so that the impact is still forceful while remaining a heavy, churning beast of an album. Even more impressive is the fact that these varying rhythms and arrangements still manage to capture their trademark biting professionalism, as there’s a dynamism to the tracks being able to switch expertly to these styles while managing to contain enough of a technical undercurrent to appeal to the old-school crowd while whipping up the more ferocious and thumping intensity found in the more modern school of sound as the heavy, deep-seated thumping in the album is quite infectious and really works out very well here. The album does have one minor nit-pick of a flaw here in that the mid-section of the album tends to run through some pretty repetitious patterns and seems to feature some overly-familiar rhythms with the tracks yet that’s all it really is as this was yet another utterly strong effort.

With yet another strong and dynamic display of their patented attack and the most minor of nit-picky style of flaws to be found here that might not even be a flaw to some, there’s so much to really love about this one that it’s quite an impressive release for fans of the bands’ style or old-school death metal fans in general, while most straightforward death metal fans will appreciate it as well.

Score: 96/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://shop.napalmrecords.com/blood-red-throne-union-of-flesh-and-machine-cd.html

Aborted - Retrogore

Artist: Aborted
Release Title: Retrogore
Year: 2016
Label: Century Media Records
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Dellamorte Dellamore
2. Retrogore
3. Cadaverous Banquet
4. Whoremageddon
5. Termination Redux
6. Bit by Bit
7. Divine Impediment
8. Coven of Ignorance
9. The Mephitic Conundrum
10. Forged for Decrepitude
11. From Beyond (The Grave)
12. In Avernus

As has been the case for a while now, Belgian brutal death machine Aborted has been one of the most consistent and impactful bands in the genre with a slew of impressive releases and full-lengths that continues here. The group’s ninth full-length release, which sees Ian Jekelis join in on second guitar to round out the group to a quintet now, follows up the anniversary EP with an April 22, 2016 release on Century Media Records.

With what has been released so far in their catalog, it’s pretty easy to tell what’s going to be at play on the groups’ albums. What we get here is the same utterly frantic riffing full of dynamic razor-wire technical rhythms that generate a flurry of tight, mechanical-sounding patterns that simply ooze forth with brutality that comes off all the more impressive when added alongside the surgical rhythms and lasting drumming raging along at inhuman speeds that continues throughout here. That technicality extends beyond the main rhythms into the jagged, slicing soloing on display which helps to make for a more complete, encompassing display of complexly-played rhythms and charging brutality that makes the group so potent and destructive. Still, what makes the band so engaging is when it drops the technicality in favor of more traditional death metal patterns coming complete with dramatic sprawling sections offering melodic buffers between the utterly frantic patterns featured within here, slowing the tempo down into a mid-tempo chug that breathes a little extra life into the proceedings which then only makes the brutality stick out even further. This mix of brutality filled with hyper-speed rhythms with the more traditional elements alongside a slower, more melodic side is a highly impressive display that’s expected of the group when they’ve been at this for that amount of time, coming across with a sense of professionalism and competence that’s engrossing and impressive. There’s not much really wrong with this type of attack, as it’s mostly down to a listener’s endurance matter on this kind of effort about how much can be taken before it tends to descend into the same guttural noise that signals the end of it all that does creep up here, as once it gets to the second half the album’s already displayed all it’s tricks and can bring the material into an overly familiar route where it just blends into the same guttural noise which is the only real problem here.

Considering the professionalism and competency on display with this one, it’s not much of a surprise that it’s as good as it is here with this one really managing to only be too quick to pull out the same tricks for its only real flaw making this one a wholly worthwhile addition to any fan of brutal death metal or those of the bands’ past work.

Score: 94/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://www.cmdistro.com/item/39305

Aborted - Terminal Redux EP

Artist: Aborted
Release Title: Terminal Redux EP
Year: 2016
Label: Century Media Records
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Liberate Me Ex-Inferis
2. Termination Redux
3. Vestal Disfigurement upon the Sacred Chantry
4. Bound in Acrimony
5. The Holocaust Re-Incarnate

Continuing their reign of slaughter, Belgian brutal death machine Aborted have been on fire ever since they decided to adopt a more ferocious and unrelenting charge into their music nearly a decade ago. To mark the 20th anniversary of the group’s founding, they present this ravenous assault with three new tracks plus a re-recorded bonus effort released January 8th, 2016 on Century Media Records.

For the most part this here is simply just a short, blistering account of the band’s signature sound in celebration of its big anniversary, and in this case, it certainly works quite nicely. The tracks are the usual blistering, short and hyper-frenetic bursts of vomitous-sounding death while managing to add a touch of technicality and mechanical-sounding drum-blasts to simply enhance the chaos. This is accomplished in a short-form manner which works well at showcasing the group’s sound while allowing the significance behind its origins to play out quite well. As a short primer for the upcoming full-length and a special anniversary present for fans, this succeeds exceptionally well while also managing to sound a little short for its own good as if it could’ve gone for more tracks here which is a common complaint about this type of release but doesn’t detract it too much.

With nothing really wrong with it from a technical standpoint and the historical matter behind its release serving as a proper explanation for the brevity of its overall length, this here is a perfectly suitable entry point for fans who are new to the group, longtime fans needing to soothe their appetites between releases or those simply looking for a slice of brutal death metal carnage.

Score: 89/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://www.cmdistro.com/item/37785

War Legion - Gran Satanás

Artist: War Legion
Release Title: Gran Satanás
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Old-School Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Gran Satanás
3. Abismo mental
4. En nombre de Satán
5. Destroying the Enemy
6. Guerra y sodomía
7. La era del mal

Formed just in 2015, Colombian black metal power-trio War Legion wasted little time in bringing forth a brand of filth and old-school grime into the crowded scene as the band quickly brought forth a rather impressive style of attack. Quickly unleashing their ravenous assault on audiences, the groups’ self-released full-length debut was originally released November 12, 2016.

Bringing forth the ravenous old-school charm, the group manages to elicit plenty of filth and fury in their overall sound and presentation. Bolstered by that relentless style of tremolo riff-work prevalent in the scene, this bounces along through the somewhat sloppy yet still engaging attempts at frantic rhythms. Given that the sloppiness of the material is still present here, it simply adds to the ferocity and intensity as the riffing adopts a straightforward nature filled with plenty of tight, blistering riffing that adds an incredible fiery energy to the tracks when aided by the relentless pounding of the drumming throughout here. While this tends to be the case for the most part here, the fact that this one does seem incredibly short with the album’s running time and tracklisting making it seem like a demo or an EP effort rather than a full-length. This is certainly a case where it could’ve used more on here to build it up a little better since the attack is quite nice if formulaic of so many of the other genre entities which lowers this a little more as well. Still, this one has a lot to like overall.

While it does have a slight problem with the tracklisting keeping this one down somewhat, there’s still plenty of enjoyable elements to this one with their old-school ferocity that helps to raise this one up enough to be quite worthwhile for fans of extreme South American black metal or old-school black metal in general.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://warlegion.bandcamp.com/releases

Töxik Waltz - Declassified

Artist: Töxik Waltz
Release Title: Declassified
Year: 2016
Label: Eventhink Metal Records
Genre: Retro Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Abduction
2. Thrash Metal Dictatorship
3. Beyond the Wall of Sleep
4. Island of Death
5. Politician
6. Srebrenica
7. Octogenarian Violence
8. Loudmouth
9. Thrashing Like a Maniac

Formed back in 2009, Spanish thrashers Töxik Waltz came together as Madhouse before adopting their current moniker following a slew of lineup changes that signified the bands’ current direction to deliver the most old-school sounding thrash in the scene. Finally able to expand beyond the boundaries of their home country, the groups’ debut full-length was initially released September 10, 2016 on Eventhink Metal Records.

Harboring the love for their old-school style, the group is clearly and obviously intent on exploring that style throughout here which makes for a rather impressive time. Focusing on tight, crunchy riff-work and a generous mid-tempo pacing for this series of patterns, there’s a wholly enjoyable series of rhythms throughout here due to the album generating this impressive style of old-school flavored attack. It’s pretty simplistic overall and really only generates any kind of special energy with the selected addition of fiery, frantic riffing that adds a much-needed sense of energy into the otherwise one-note rhythms elsewhere throughout the album which is what tends to be it’s lone minor downfall. The album contains plenty of tight, crunchy patterns and certainly competent performances, but otherwise, there’s not a whole lot else throughout here to get as worked up about considering the lack of variety in the overall presentation as the album tends to focus on the mid-tempo almost exclusively. This can make the album somewhat repetitive as it carries along, especially with all the tracks pretty much the exact same length of time overall, so this one gets a great attack that’s carried to excessive lengths of repetition here with the same riffing, and while this can be overlooked due not only to the enjoyment carried out here by the competence of their attack as well as this being a debut offering, it does lower this one slightly.

Although it does need a little extra variety and a series of different rhythms to help distinguish them from the pack, this is still an incredibly solid and enjoyable burst of old-school influenced mid-paced thrash that works well enough for devout followers of that style or those that enjoy the more mid-paced side of the genre.

Score: 75/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://toxikwaltz.bandcamp.com/album/declassified

Mutilator (Bra) - Immortal Force

Artist: Mutilator (Bra)
Release Title: Immortal Force
Year: 1987 (2016 reissue)
Label: Cogumelo Records (Greyhaze Records reissue)
Genre: Thrash/Death Metal
Tracklisting (original):
1. Memorial Stone Without a Name
2. Blood Storm
3. Butcher
4. War Dogs
5. Mutilator
6. Brigade of Hate
7. Immortal Force
8. Tormented Soul
9. Paranoic Command

Reissue Tracklisting:
1. Memorial Stone Without a Name
2. Blood Storm
3. Butcher
4. War Dogs
5. Mutilator
6. Brigade of Hate
7. Immortal Force
8. Tormented Soul
9. Paranoic Command
10. Evil Conspiracy (Demo)
11. Visions of Darkness (Demo)

Formed back in 1985, Brazilian death/thrash metallers under the name Mutilator were one of the handfull of acts at the forefront of the country’s extreme metal explosion that laid the foundation for the majority of acts to come in the later years to follow. One of the more important and influential albums in the original scene, the groups’ full-length debut was originally released in May 1987 on legendary Cogumelo Records before a variety of reissues including a vinyl version on June 10, 2016 on Greyhaze Records.

Given their time of activity and country of origin, there’s little surprise about what to be found in this release as it’s quite familiar in its approach. This offers up plenty of rabid thrashing rhythms in chaotic, frenetic patterns which offer barely-contained rhythms that explode in energetic outbursts after sections of quiet sprawling between these sections. This set-up, familiar to a large variety of bands from this scene, makes for quite a schizophrenic act with the rather ferocious, raw riff-work throughout here leaving the album full of fast-paced work with wild soloing and plenty of blistering drumming to accompany the frantic work within. Given all this frantic and wild material, there’s a lot of utterly vicious thrashing on display which is surely given a phenomenal boost by the atypical production work. This features that wild and raw sounding production which comes off making the material sound just that extra bit of sloppiness to appear unrehearsed and off-the-cuff like a typical jam session caught on tape, and yet for this album it works perfectly in letting the razor-wire riffing attain that style of speed and urgency which makes for a wholly defined sense of chaos within the music. This is one of the album’s strengths and helps to strengthen the connection between these acts and the more extreme works to come later on, giving this the feel of an important stepping stone in history while enhancing the enjoyment of the work isolated from its legacy. Some might not take that to mean much as it can come off sloppy and disorganized, but it makes for a great time here.

Being quite the impressive and truly vicious thrash release, this is one of the more important releases in the crowded scene from that time-period and works more often than not, making this one a rather influential release and this version of the album essential for all fans of raw, rabid early death/thrash metal.

Score: 95/100

Does it sound good? Order the reissue from here:
https://greyhazerecords.bandcamp.com/album/immortal-force

Cryptic Realms - Enraptured by Horror

Artist: Cryptic Realms
Release Title: Enraptured by Horror
Year: 2016
Label: Death in Pieces Records/Iron, Blood and Death Records (co-release)
Genre: Retro Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Enraptured by Horror
2. Doomed Cathedrals
3. In Mortal Distress
4. Total Demise
5. Sinister Force Descends
6. Vulgar Exhumation
7. Begging to Be Dead
8. Act of Derangement

Formed just in 2015, international death metal supergroup Cryptic Realms wasted no time in paying homage to the classics of the genre with their first release coming quite early on in their history leading to a crushing split release that pushed the band further. Now finally able to offer their first proper release, the bands’ full-length debut was originally released November 28, 2016 in a co-release between Death in Fire Records and Iron, Blood and Death Corps.

As befits their chosen sound, the group is quite clearly adept at their old-school mannerisms with all manner of devices throughout here to showcase this style. This is filled with efforts that showcase plenty of tight, deep churning riffing that carries plenty of variations between their pacing as the album’s straightforward nature makes for a somewhat one-note approach. Essentially being there just to showcase the swirling riff-work in various approaches, the album descends into simplistic, rather light chugging that carries the churning riff-work through these simplistic patterns with very little deviation, being played as nothing more throughout here at all as the whole album is so strictly by-the-numbers in here makes for a really dull time. It really leans into that camp so often with its rhythms and approaches that it feels too caught up in itself too easily and manages to really lose itself quite easily here as it’s quite hard to tell tracks apart from each other. Being caught in too simplistic patterns and rhythms makes it hard to figure out what’s happening, and it does take awhile to get over this and get on with the rest of the album.

Being way too simplistic and rather one-note for its own good, this is lowered somewhat from the relatively crowded retro death metal scene due to that even though it does have enough positive elements about it to be worth a look for those who are fans of the members’ other acts or non-discerning revivalist aficionados.

Score: 75/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://ironbloodanddeath.bandcamp.com/album/enraptured-by-horror

Fabulous Desaster - Hang 'Em High

Artist: Fabulous Desaster
Release Title: Hang 'Em High
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Retro Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Death Is Loud
2. Faster than Light
3. Warsaw
4. Thrash Bang Wallop
5. Midnight Fistfight
6. Wellness in Hell
7. R.I.P. (Rest in POWER)
8. Thrash Metal Symphony
9. Toxic Nuclear War
10. Customized

Formed just in 2010, German thrashers Fabulous Desaster have quite quickly run wild through the crowded thrash underground in their homeland by adopting the most direct and unflinching brand of retro thrash homage in the whole of the album. Now, seven years later the band is finally able to come together to produce their self-released debut album on November 19, 2016.

All factors considered here, it should be no surprise what kind of thrash is present throughout here with this one being wrapped so tightly in the 80s. This here is all built around the typical Bay Area-style crunch with the riff-work as the tight, controlled patterns are essentially mid-tempo chugging that was a hallmark of that scene, and appear as the main driving force of the album. When this one switches gears and goes for the frantic up-tempo charge, there’s a lot more to like here with the spindly rhythms and wild patterns kicking the energy up nicely in addition to the albums’ distinct crunch. These two combine together into creating a thick, vibrant burst of thrashing madness throughout here, and with the energetic tempos this contains even within the more mid-tempo sections it creates a rather fun and enjoyable effort although it does contain a rather prominent and noticeable flaw due to this set-up. There’s just no escaping the fact that this one is so devout and unyielding in its old-school influences that it really doesn’t offer up much in the way of original work here, running through the revival thrash playbook and keeping straight on with that style throughout here. That ends up leaving this one mostly mired in repetitious fashion around the same style rhythms and patterns as most others in this set-up, and it’s what really holds this back even though it’s not as detrimental as expected.

Despite having way too many issues of familiarity that strike so many of the revivalist scene thrash acts, there’s plenty of enjoyable elements peppered throughout this one that it will surely please any fan of revivalist thrash or those who specifically enjoy this crunchy Bay-Area style of thrash.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://fabulousdesaster.bandcamp.com/album/hang-em-high

Gravebreaker - Sacrifice

Artist: Gravebreaker
Release Title: Sacrifice
Year: 2016
Label: Gates of Hell Records
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Overdrive
2. Sacrifice
3. Gravebreaker
4. At the Gates of Hell
5. Violent City
6. Kill and Kill Again
7. Road War 2000
8. Pray for Death
9. Spellbound
10. Messenger of Death

Formed back in 2011, Swedish heavy metallers Gravebreaker has taken their time perfecting and honing a stylistic homage to the classic, blazing old-school heavy metal that makes up their overall approach as they’ve gone about building this love affair to the style. Finally, at the point of getting to their debut release, the power trio originally self-released the effort August 22, 2016 before a vinyl reissue December 16, 2016 on Gates of Hell Records.

Given their pedigree, the bands’ infectious approach to the genres’ old-school tendencies is given quite a prominent display on here. Graced with plenty of tight, chugging riffing swirling around the ravenous melodies driving along throughout the efforts, their mid-tempo charge lets the appropriately simplistic riff-work and clubbing drumming bounce along quite energetically to these rhythms in fine fashion. When they get balanced along by the addition of stellar keyboard melodies, this becomes all the more stylistically and enjoyably more 80s-inspired affairs building that classical level of melody alongside the generally metallic riffing that continually charges throughout here. There’s a few rather noticeable factors against this, though, which namely comes from the albums’ incredibly weak and punchless production which tends to hold this one down to nearly unlistenable levels. The guitars just lifelessly swirl around throughout the mix, getting lost in the rumbling bass-lines, battering drumming and high-pitched, gravelly vocals that drown out the riffing it comes off so light. Likewise, it tends to drain a lot of life from the album during the middle sections where it’s more mid-tempo cruisers in terms of tempo rather than just going for the most energetic and engaging efforts elsewhere, causing this to dip into some bland efforts during that section which holds it up. The fact that it’s so adept at homaging the past that it really doesn’t come off really original at all, and it’s obvious about it, which hold it down.

Despite filling itself up with some rather prominent and noticeable flaws, the fact that there’s some good stuff to enjoy about the reasonably energetic affairs here which does get a pass with this being a debut album that overall makes this one worthwhile only for the most devout fans of old-school classic metal genre only.

Score: 70/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://gravebreaker.bandcamp.com/

Inquiring Blood - Morbid Creation

Artist: Inquiring Blood
Release Title: Morbid Creation
Year: 2016
Label: Kernkraftritter Records
Genre: Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Japanese Knife Assassin
2. Hell Commander
3. Death Row
4. Three Feet to Carnage
5. Death and Decay
6. Voices
7. Suffocation
8. The Horsekiller
9. The Swarm
10. Stabbed by Mirror Shards
11. Nuclear Massacre
12. Faceless

Offering their sound at it’s fullest, German death metallers Inquiring Blood have had their careers shaped mightily by their ravenous live assault that has brought their grooving brand of classic death metal inline with the scene giants of the past. With a six-year hiatus between releases, the quartet finally releases their sophomore full-length December 16, 2016 on new label Kernkraftritter Records.

Coming together with a furious assault, the band launches into their attack quite evidently as it’s immediately apparent they’ve not lost their touch in the half-decade silence. Filled with tight, churning groove-styled riff-work throughout here, the overall attack simply revels in simplistic mid-tempo rhythms that are straightforward and ravenous which creates a solid, cohesive sound to their attacks. When added together with a solid balance of melodic flurries and patterns, the album creates a rather reasonable atmosphere that comes off as a great fit to what’s being attempted here. Given that this leaves the material generally upbeat and lively, there’s a lot to really like about the style of attack this creates, although it does leave the album feeling quite one-note and simplistic for the vast majority of the time here. There’s very little deviation or dynamic qualities about the music within, regardless of the intensity or quality of the performances which makes for a rather troubling route here as this one tends to just go through the motions of its chosen style and not really offering anything to change it up and it can become highly monotonous as a result. That becomes much more prominent here as it goes along since this one really doesn't need to go for as long as it does here, as there's a few too many tracks for this kind of ultra-simplistic style doing the same thing to really make any sense for why it went that long. Still, this doesn’t really lower the album that much as it still gives this a lot to like overall.

While still somewhat troubled by its simplistic nature and overall attack, the fact that this one goes for quite a strong showcase of this rather one-note style does give this one enough to be able to overcome that enough to be a fine if unessential selection for death metal aficionados or fans of this simplistic style.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.kernkraftritter-records.de/product_info.php?info=p142_inquiring-blood---morbid-creation.html

Hyperion (Swe) - Seraphical Euphony

Artist: Hyperion (Swe)
Release Title: Seraphical Euphony
Year: 2016
Label: Black Lion Productions
Genre: Melodic Black/Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Remnants of the Fallen
2. Novus Ordo Seclorum
3. Flagellum Dei
4. Seraphical Euphony
5. Moral Evasion
6. Primal Cosmic Ascendancy
7. Zephyr of Grace
8. Empyrean Yearning
9. Blood of the Ancients

Formed in late 2007, the Swedish melodic black/death metal outfit utilizing Hyperion have always been quite adept at featuring their old-school black and metal influences carried through their ancestral country-mates that cultivated their sound in the early 90s. With the group rounded out to a sextet with the addition of third guitarist Joel Hagroth, this sophomore album was originally released February 6, 2016 on Black Lion Records.

Once the album gets going, it’s really easy to see where the band has taken its influences from as there’s a rather obvious attack surging throughout here. This one goes for a pronounced and distinctive element of striking tremolo-pitched riffing and deep, swirling chugging, giving this the atmospheric and blistering take founded in the early days of the genre where the sparkling melodic leads over the thumping patterns created a heavy and yet still highly melodic attack. Given that majority of the album utilizes these efforts to oftentimes epic stature here, it’s all nicely balanced out by the fine addition of more relaxed, charging mid-tempo paces which go for a streamlined, swirling tremolo attack and sterling keyboard work which carries this one along into the melodic realm rather than the faster, more frantic efforts which is quite appealing. This dueling approach gives it a fine mixture of both charging, fiery intensity as well as breath-taking melodic interjections featured alongside each other, and the end result is inherently dynamic and well-crafted material. This does result in several tracks where it really feels it’s length and the epic quality does run against it, though since it’s a rare occurrence this isn’t all too detrimental and doesn’t really hold this one back all that much.

Without a whole lot of really big, detrimental issues to be found here, the fact that this one comes out of the gate with such a strong, impressive attack makes this a worthwhile act to follow in the future and is heartily recommended for all fans of the old-school melodic black/death sound or melodic black metal in general.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://hyperionblacklion.bandcamp.com/album/seraphical-euphony

Beyond Chronicles - Human Nation

Artist: Beyond Chronicles
Release Title: Human Nation
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Doweet Records)
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Ground Zero
2. Cold Vengeance
3. Last Transmission
4. Powerless
5. Upon Them
6. Not Scared to Die
7. Human Nation
8. The Best at Everything
9. Trebuchet
10. We'll March On
11. Beyond the Dark
12. Win by Blood

In existence since 2012, Paris-based melodic death metallers Beyond Chronicles have steadily risen to the point of allowing their influences to take place in bringing out the groups’ finest official release yet following their continuous stretch of live dates to hone their skills. Coming together in grand style, the first full-length album was released October 7, 2016 on Dooweet Records promotions.

Taking full advantage of their style, the group manages to exploit these elements together in fine fashion as they utilize their skills in rather decent offerings. Built around short, stuttering rhythms and a crunchy mid-tempo attack, there’s a generally solid attack featured throughout here that makes the generally one-dimensional material come to life. With the infusion of swirling melodic rhythms throughout the vast majority of the tracks as well as the inclusion of a stellar dynamic mixing together the hoarse shouts with the clean crooning, it all comes off with a fine light melodic touch that’s quite nicely in keeping with the general feel of the album. There’s little to be done, though, for how much of an impact the flaws have on this one as the material is quite light and one-dimensional sounding. It’s all based around the continued usage of a lightweight-sounding chugging series of mid-tempo riffs that keeps the energy level down into nearly achieving breakdowns in the middle of the tracks that really brings the whole quality of the second half of the album down. Likewise, the fact that this one really has quite a pronounced lack of variety where the songs blend together into so many similar set-ups which makes for a fine if much too familiar experience where the album really loses steam in second half as it becomes all too obvious that it has run through the playbook already and just offering up more of the same that highlights the fact that it’s much too long running-time-wise which highlights this factor much easier. Still, for a debut, it’s not entirely terrible.

While nowhere near an important release overall here, the fact that this is a debut and is to be expected that a learning curve si to be established for bands as they make their way in the scene is enough to levy this one somewhat into being really only for the most diehard and undiscriminating melodeath fan.

Score: 67/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://beyondchronicles.com/product/human-nation/

Nukem - The Unholy Trinity

Artist: Nukem
Release Title: The Unholy Trinity
Year: 2016
Label: Sleaszy Rider Records
Genre: Retro Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. WarWolf
2. Evelyn's Awakening
3. The Atomic Age
4. The Deceiver
5. BloodSeeker
6. T.V. Crimes (Black Sabbath cover)
7. D.O.I.
8. Lethal Injection
9. Lucida Sidera
10. Nukem All
11. Suspicious Minds (Elvis Presley cover)

Formed just in 2012, Southern California thrashers Nukem has been hitting it hard on the live front as the veteran group brings their seasoned experience to bear on their classic sound into a driving, honest thrash attack that showcases those elements quite fully. Finally making it to their first professional release, the groups’ debut effort was released September 16, 2016 on Sleaszy Rider Records.

Using their experience to the fullest, there’s an utterly ripping and devastating old-school charge throughout this one that makes for a thrilling experience. Frantically blasting away with reckless intention, the group immediately charges through a whirlwind of utterly tight and ferocious thrash rhythms that manages to include a flurry of Bay Area-inspired riff-work that focuses on all manner of tempos and patterns here. This one goes from raging full-throttle barnburners full of blistering drum work alongside the reckless riffing that packs in tons of wild chaotic soloing and frenzied rhythms, drops down into stuttering mid-tempo charges that still blitz along at a fine clip and then features solid melodic interludes spliced among its more engaging elements to leave this one with a respectful usage of older thrash songwriting structures which adds to the engaging appreciation for the old-school featured throughout here. The only thing that stumbles this one up slightly is the album’s inclusion of the two cover tracks which aren’t so bad taken out of context and enjoyed on their own, but the fact that they hold up the running time here to give the group less of a chance to make a mark is a slight disappointment given that there’s so much to like when they do make that impression. As well, there’s the little instrumental break that comes just before the album finishes up which is a rather odd placing and one that doesn’t seem to need to be there much less placed in that order in the album. Overall, though, these here aren’t in the slightest bit detrimental against the enjoyable elements present here.

With some minor issues and a boatload of surprisingly effective positives featured throughout here, this one offers up a rather interesting and impressive amount of good work here that will serve them well in their career and makes this a solid choice for fans of old-school thrash or revivalist fans in general.

Score: 94/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://nukem.bigcartel.com/

Wormhole - Genesis

Artist: Wormhole
Release Title: Genesis
Year: 2016
Label: Lacerated Enemy Records
Genre: Brutal/Slam Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Nurtured in a Poisoned Womb
2. Battle Logic Disrupted
3. Symbiotic Corpse Possession
4. Automated Distress Signal
5. Geoform 187
6. Gravity Manipulation Unit
7. Genesis Chamber
8. Existence Gap

Forged just in 2015, multinational brutal death metallers Wormhole have gathered an impressive roster of scene veterans together into a wholly technical, blistering compilation of all things brutal and heavy for one impressive and pummeling offering. Wasting no time unleashing their twisting, turning brand of attack, the group unleashes its full-length debut November 30, 2016 on Lacerated Enemy Records.

Given the stellar musicianship behind this one, it’s little surprise that this one manages to come across as brutal and pummeling as it does. It’s effortless how this can switch up from offering frenzied razor-wire churning riff-work filled with utterly dynamic, twisting technical patterns that are just as strong in concept as they are in execution when they’re bathed in these complex, challenging patterns that dominate the album. Coupled together with a more traditional series of churning riffing patterns as well as melodic accents alongside that stellar mixture of swirling technicality and a generous helping of ferocious slams within here, this one comes across with a more fully-formed and impressive mixture of brutal and technical elements than expected for a debut offering. Bringing out the mechanical technicality with the swarm of slams throughout this one makes for a thunderous, brutal offering which manages to work wonders for the atmosphere of this one, yet that also brings up the album’s one main detriment in that this one does manage to sound so clean and thunderous that it really loses a lot of its individuality in what’s going on in the album. There’s so much blasting and twisting, turning technical slamming featured here that it all comes off as rather routine and one-dimensional which really does hold this one down. Otherwise, there’s not much to dislike this one.

With some rather enjoyable elements throughout here and some minor flaws that strike this one down, this one is a rather nice and enjoyable debut effort that works nicely enough for fans of the members’ acts involved in this project or fans of the vicious, mechanical-sounding brutal death metal sound.

Score: 86/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://laceratedenemyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wormhole-genesis

Mordant (Swe) - Demonic Satanic

Artist: Mordant (Swe)
Release Title: Demonic Satanic
Year: 2016
Label: To the Death Records
Genre: Black/Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Vengeance from the Dark
2. Devastating Storm... Evil Holocaust
3. Demonic Satanic
4. Evil Impalers
5. Blacking Metal (Sabbat cover)
6. Desecration from Hell
7. Infernal Curse of Evil
8. Screaming Souls
9. Count Lucifer

Still blazing in the underground, the long-running Swedish black/death metallers under the name Mordant continue to utilize the work on their country’s history and heritage in making this one of the most ferocious yet melodic albums in the scene. Finally coming back after a five-year break from releases, the group finally prepares it’s third full-length effort released November 30, 2016 on To the Death Records.

From the outset, the band manages to employ a quite adept and profound usage of old-school death and black metal into this one that’s incredibly appealing. As the vast majority of the tracks showcase, there’s quite a heavy usage of ferocious, brimstone-accented tremolo riffing that tracks through the fiery tempos and thrash-like energies commonly utilized which makes for some ripping, energetic efforts. The dirty thrashing style here comes across quite nicely with the album’s solid shifts into more traditionally-picked tremolo lead-work and straightforward rhythms that tackle the stylistic energies from the death metal scene. When these rhythms are featured alongside the brimming melodies and pounding rhythm section, there’s plenty to like with this one even though it does point out a rather small problem with this one in being so overly reliant on the old-school tone and mindset in how they organize their riffing that it really loses its identity. No matter how energetic or vibrant the material is, there’s always the sense that this has been done before and utilized to better effect as the short, compact writing does tend to take out some of the sting of these tracks to a somewhat more pronounced degree than expected. It’s not enough to totally lower this one but it does affect it enough.

Given that there are some minor flaws here even with a ton of rather impressive elements, this one becomes quite an enjoyable and impressive outing that will really appeal to the less discerning fans of old-school Swedish black/death metal or those that prioritize those enjoyable elements over its minor drawbacks.

Score: 89/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://tothedeathrecords.bandcamp.com/album/demonic-satanic