Malphas (US: II) - Malphas EP

Artist: Malphas (US: II)
Release Title: Malphas EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Sepulchral Silence reissue)
Genre: Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Wanderer of Dark Woods
2. Infernal War Hymn
3. The Necromancer
4. Devoured by the Swarm
5. Magnificent Apostasy

Taking it’s cues from the scene as a whole, Michigan-based one-man black metal project Malphas is one of two United States-based artists with the name and have taken more of a black metal approach that’s to be expected being a solo project. Finally coming to grips and producing a debut release EP, this was initially self-released July 8, 2016 before a re-issue on Sepulchral Silence July 16. 2016.

From the outset here this one is quite adept at delivering the kind of sort of sprawling old-school style mixture of black metal with a highly atmospheric design that’s highly enjoyable. With the blistering swirling tremolo rhythms accompanying the majestic mid-tempo pace and moving alongside the strong addition of deep, churning patterns that bring about a rather impressive series of deep chugging patterns that’s highly enjoyable overall here. The addition of this against the ravenous swirling riff-work creates a rather tight, up-tempo charge here alongside the rather majestic, swirling atmospheric charge layered alongside these patterns with plenty of extended sprawling sections and overlong, melodic intros that adds a rather engrossing sound as well alongside these more traditional rhythms that lets this one get the fire and intensity out alongside the majestic and melodic nature quite nicely. The fact that being a debut EP release makes this one seem a little too short at times and it’s a case where it’s so engaging and enjoyable as it is that to then have the energy cut short with it being done and over with is a little troubling, but overall there’s not much else to complain about here.

Though it’s rather short which is a shame considering it’s an EP and not really graced with enough tracks, the project is clearly an engaging one with a lot to offer that should make for an appealing venture as they continue onward and gives this release plenty to like for both the atmospheric and old-school crowds equally.

Score: 78/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/malphas

Euphoria (US) - Operation: Genesis

Artist: Euphoria (US)
Release Title: Operation: Genesis
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Retro Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Theoretical Conception
3. Primordial Dominance
4. Cyberschizophrenia
5. Watchtower
6. Parasite
7. Aftershock: The Act of War
8. Black Dawn
9. The Andromeda Effect
10. Outro

Despite initially forming in 2012, Detroit thrashers fully came together in January 2016 when the demise of local crust/thrash band Axe Ripper brought the bands’ line-up to completion and insured plenty of ravenous live-gigs to hone their craft. Quickly ushered into the studio, their debut full-length depicting a concept album of an alien race attempting to wipe out humanity by overheating the Earth’s core was initially independently-released May 19, 2016.

Despite the rapid acceleration of the bands’ schedule, there’s very little signs of that here with this one readily showcasing a far more frantic and vicious assault than what would be expected of a band this early in their development. The tight, dexterous riffing is primarily centered around the typical Bay-Area crunch with a much more pronounced and obvious technical skill-set, offering up the same propulsive drive usually associated in these sections which manages to enhance the the utterly furious riff-work that ranges from a steady mid-tempo gallop to a frantic full-throttle charge. Graced with these technically-challenging riffing and a strong sense of melodic firepower both in a strong set of accents to the main thrashing riffing and the dexterous soloing that carries itself off incredibly well by merging the boundless thrashing with plenty of appealing melodic beats sprinkled amongst the bands’ work. Though the band is rather accomplished and successful with their technicality displayed here which is quite obvious and just this short from being labeled progressive, it does the band in on a few occasions where it seemingly goes on too long either letting the riff explore plenty of erstwhile but overall useless tangents or just going through drawn-out extended sections that make for a slightly overlong experience than what is really necessary which pops up most frequently on the second half. Still, that’s a minor spot here compared to the great work established elsewhere.

Though there’s a few areas where it could’ve been slightly trimmed up a touch and held back in others, the fact that this is still a wholly fiery and viciously energetic blast of old-school inspired thrash that it manages to overcome those quite easily giving this one a ton of appeal to old-school thrashers or revivalist aficionados looking for some enjoyable bursts of the genre.

Score: 96/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://euphoriadetroit.bandcamp.com/releases

Demon Bitch - Hellfriends

Artist: Demon Bitch
Release Title: Hellfriends
Year: 2016
Label: Skol Records
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Warning from the Skies
2. Devil Love
3. A Passage to the Other Side
4. Beneath the Ice Caves
5. Hellfriends
6. Fortunes Told
7. The Microdome

Dating back to 2011, Detroit-based traditional metallers Demon Bitch came together when three lifelong friends Mars Weston, Logon Saton, and Samuel Ceckowsk professed a love of traditional hard and heavy metal from the 80s. With several releases and second-guitarist Solon Saton in tow, the group is finally able to unleash their full-length debut album June 17, 2016 on Skol Records.

Almost from the opening riff-volleys, it becomes clear the band is content to throwing out the kind of throwback rhythms for the genre’s past as there’s a warm, infectious brand of riff-work present here that really moves the album along. Featuring high-speed, swirling riffing intercut with a bouncy, buzzing bass-tone that adds an inherent melodic sensibility into the album while really turning the album into a solid showcase for those rhythms as the continuous assault of trad-melodies and varied rhythm arrangements pounds out hard-hitting sections filled with choppy drum-patterns that are so inherently 80s-inspired they should’ve been recorded then. As well, there’s a nice bit of technicality to the rhythms that aids in this one generating the kind of old-school feel, offering a variance in the rhythms instead of delving into flashy showmanship offer a more progressive edge that accompanies the tracks that manage to feature them twisting and turning over upon themselves, altering the tempos and managing to feature much more elaborate riffing patterns to fully explore their technical edge here. By encompassing this entire attack in a warm, fuzzy production that is such a well-rounded and enthusiastic retread of the 80s production sound it gets plenty of enjoyable moments here, though that is inherently the album’s lone weakness which is the production job as the soft, faded production really lacks a punch that saps some of their intensity, but as that’s the required sound of the time it does gets a pass.

With a fun and sometimes rousing blend of hard-hitting old-school attack that manages to ape nearly everything from that era down to near-perfection with some minor issues holding it back only slightly, this here is a must-have for any classic metal aficionado or anyone into the revivalist period of the genre.

Score: 96/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://demonbitch.bandcamp.com/album/hellfriends