Sabbat (Jap) - Envenom

Artist; Sabbat (Jap)
Release Title: Envenom
Year: 1991 (2016 re-issue)
Label: Evil Records (Fallen-Angels Productions re-issue)
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Bewitch
2. The Sixth Candle
3. Satan Bless You
4. Evil Nations
5. Devil Worship
6. Reek of Cremation
7. Deathtemptation (Kanashibari Part 2)
8. King of Hell
9. Eviler
10. Carcassvoice
11. Dead March
12. Reminiscent Bells

Reissue tracklisting:
1. Bewitch
2. The Sixth Candle
3. Satan Bless You
4. Evil Nations
5. Devil Worship
6. Reek of Cremation
7. Deathtemptation (Kanashibari Part 2)
8. King of Hell
9. Eviler
10. Carcassvoice
11. Dead March
12. Reminiscent Bells
13. Satan Bless you (Rough Mix)
14. Evil Nations (Rough Mix)
15. King Of Hell (Rough Mix)

After starting as Evil since 1981, Japanese black/thrashers Sabbat quickly changed to this more-famous moniker and have made a name for themselves toiling in the underground with their ravenous first-wave style mixture of black metal and thrash. Taking their style to the very beginning of this wave as the album was originally released in March 1991 on the bands’-own Evil Records imprint, there has been various re-issues throughout the years including the latest one by Fallen-Angel Productions released June 3, 2016.

Being that this one goes for the first wave style of the genre, from the opening marks this one manages to really utilize the rather simplistic and charging nature of the band’s punk-laced roots by focusing on the simplistic riffing with a prominent punk attitude. The lack of the traditional black metal riffing style is given a much higher work here with the swirling thrash-style rhythm patterns that are much more prominent here alongside plenty of choppy drumming and stuttering patterns that really bring about a much more evident thrash influence here rumbling along while containing the same rabid riffing and darker atmospheres as the earliest practitioners of this style. Likewise, that also manages to infuse the album with a variance of styles and tempos throughout here, as there’s a healthy amount of ripping thrashers while also making enough room for a couple plodding doom-laced epics that slow the tempo down to more of a crawl, the bands’ trademark mid-tempo style charge complete with discordant riffing and even manages to thrown in a few enjoyably decent instrumentals that wind through a nice array of tempos as well which really completes the picture nicely. While all of these elements work rather well, the album does seem to stumble somewhat here with the amount of instrumentals present here as this one manages to fire off four different ones here that bookend the album in both cases, and it’s somewhat striking that it would chose to do so as it disrupts the momentum somewhat. Likewise, the album’s rawer sensibilities might be another challenge for those getting into this one as there’s not a whole lot of traditional elements here and it comes off with more of an earlier feel that might take some getting used to. Otherwise, this one was highly enjoyable and had quite a lot to really like.

Though it’s got some minor flaws that are barely worth mentioning in the grand scheme of things here since this one has quite a lot of worthwhile material, this one manages to start them off on a strong note here and manages to go for a wide amount of appeal for those into the rawer, first-wave black metal scene or fans of the bands’ career overall.

Score 88/100

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http://fallangels.cafe24.com/product/detail.html?product_no=2973&cate_no=1&display_group=2

Ungod - Bewitched by Sins and Lust

Artist: Ungod
Release Title: Bewitched by Sins and Lust
Year: 2016
Label: Final Gate Records
Genre: Old-School Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Inner Sight
2. Of Light and Darkness
3. Possessed in Trance
4. Of Flesh, Blood and Brimstone
5. Path of the Apocalyptic
6. Bewitched by Sins and Lust
7. Dust on the Cross
8. When Darkness Dims the Sky Above
9. Blessed by the Whore

One of the country’s biggest genre outfits, German black metal legends Ungod have certainly been much more prolific in their second incarnation now as the combination of splits and full-lengths outweighs the groups’ first output. Now onto their second full-length in the reunion and their third overall, this was released May 1, 2016 and is the bands’ only release for Final Gate Records.

As expected here considering their legacy and history, there’s plenty of ravenous old-school black metal to be found here. The group’s approach of utilizing frenetic, swirling tremolo riffing and plenty of savage drumming blasts creates a mostly frantic assault of gravelly, old-school black metal which works rather well here in giving this one a highly enjoyable chaotic bent in their rhythms that’s much more explosive and frantic than really expected when the group goes for the more up-beat tempos. The penchant for slowing down and giving into a more relaxed, mid-range style as present here does manage to come off rather nicely with the plodding patterns coming together nicely alongside the blistering, frantic patterns and frenetic, blasting drumming which is all wrapped up together quite well as these make for a seemingly coherent, raw old-school effort. Frankly, for as good as this approach is, the album does still feature a rather difficult nature to get over in the inherently raw sound and vibe present here which is quite a bit removed from the typical sound expected on such a release as the mostly low-quality production here really only favors the riffing as it’s got a decent enough sound but doesn’t really do much for anything else as the drumming is loud, clattering and sounds far away from the rest of the music, the bass is simply clanking away without much rhyme or reason and the vocals are weak-sounding horror-filled shrieks without much power or deviation in them which makes them feel quite low overall. It’s a pretty detrimental problem here but not a crippling one.

Despite some problems, there’s still enough to enjoy about this one as it does have enough to really like here that it does manage to overcome enough of them to be worthwhile enough mainly for fans of the rawer-style of old-school black metal or fans of the band in general, though others who like a slight bit more polish in their experience should heed caution.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://finalgaterecords.bandcamp.com/album/bewitched-by-sins-and-lust

Harm (Gr) - The Evil

Artist: Harm (Gr)
Release Title: The Evil
Year: 2016
Label: Final Gate Records
Genre: Retro Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Vlad the Impaler
2. Knife Penetration
3. The Evil
4. Undead World Crusade
5. City of the Dead
6. God Forgives - My Chainsaw Not
7. Gutted like a Dear
8. Dead Body Love
9. First Blood 1918
10. Panzer Apocalypse

Storming onto the scene, the German death metal group Harm showed their mettle on the previous release and the storming impact featured here continues their ultra-heavy, mid-tempo old-school death metal attack. Being the first recorded output with new bassist Felix who joined several years ago, their second full-length is released June 18, 2016 on Final Gate Records.

As was established on their previous album, this here is generally a more mid-tempo and simplistic death metal attack that goes for large, sprawling vistas through the doom-influenced rhythms. This here is mostly just a singular riff repeated around a crushingly heavy mid-tempo pace that features scorchingly heavy swirling patterns that offer up a rather blasting impact with the group’s few outbursts of dynamic dexterous drum-work that accompanies this mostly simple-minded approach which is where this one really scores quite well. With the album’s mostly straightforward approach that opts for the chugging riffing and sprawling patterns in the arrangements, there’s plenty of utterly dynamic and crushingly heavy moments here where it takes the agonizing rhythms along through that series of rhythms here, and for extra variance it does nicely segue into a series of faster patterns propelled by some sterling drumming and urgent chainsaw-style buzzing riffing that ups the tempo into a feverish gallop which is a finely accented companion piece to the more dominant plodding tempos. While these here give this one such a rousing feel and tone, there’s a slight hint of repetition to be found here as this one goes about itself in a rather stylistically similar manner. So many of these rhythms and patterns are kept in the same general air through the majority of the tracks here that it can lead to a bit of a struggle to determine where things are with this one at times, though it’s not nearly as detrimental as expected here as this one has so much more to really like about it.

With plenty of positives to really get worked up about and only a few minor issues that really aren’t that detrimental to this one all that much, this has plenty of positive elements to be found that make it a solid, worthwhile choice for any fan into this brand of old-school flavored death metal or resolute revivalist fanatics that prefer this approach.

Score: 88/100

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

Destroying Divinity - Dark Future

Artist: Destroying Divinity
Release Title: Dark Future
Year: 2010
Label: Brutal Bands
Genre: Retro Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. To Live in Gloom of the Beyond
2. At War with Two Worlds
3. Birth of Faceless Killer
4. Putrid Stench of Past
5. Undead in the Darkness
6. Cult
7. Prophecy
8. Name Written with Blood
9. Face to Face to Destiny

Further establishing their reputation, Czech death metal veterans Destroying Divinity continues to showcase a growing trend in their homeland to play early US style death metal with doses of extreme creativity and uniqueness, which is what’s continued here. The third album in their decade-long career, delivered after a six-year layoff between releases, is initially released June 25, 2011 on new-label Brutal Bands.

As is customary for the group now, this one carries along their traditional stamp of quality, old-school death metal with their exuberant mix of both US and European styles. The US variations come namely the way it thrashes away with their technical-based rhythms across bouncy guitar riffs, dynamic tempo variations and a swamp-ridden atmosphere while invoking the atmosphere and sense of dread in the imagery that’s quite eerie. This ends up delivering raging, up-tempo riffs with a slight technical bombast into brutal, tight formations that definitely offer up a sense of darkness and intensity through a blasting drum-attack and technical riff-work that remains ferocious and vicious with its’ scathing intensity which recalls its forbearers quite nicely. Alongside such tight, intense tracks, the veteran sense of knowing when to throw in a melodic line or lead-work is mixed in, putting this in a rather fine league where it blasts away furiously before injecting a slower tempo or augmenting the intensity with a lighter mood through sparing use of a melodic tempo. Surprisingly, this results in somewhat bouncy and energetic rhythms than would normally be considered in such a genre as befits such a scene here, as the typical impetus is to just blast away with reckless abandon and scald all those who stand in the way, whereas here those get distracted by the melodic tones before getting scalded into oblivion and it generates a lot more favorable response when it doesn’t employ this for every track throughout as the sporadic use makes it’s surprise appearance all the more fruitful and the devastating impact of the blistering drumming and raging, brutal guitar riffs seem all the more impactful. As a side bonus, the impact against the brutal, deep gorilla growls that populate this one makes the melody more striking against such straight-laced and intense brutality. Though it can utterly dominate with this approach, it does bring up one utterly minor flaw in that it really doesn’t do a whole lot wrong beyond recycle a lot of the same riffing patterns and rhythms throughout. This can be somewhat same-sounding after a while, though the devastating and pummeling attack manages to correct it.

That it features so many enticing elements without all that many flaws is the capper on one of the most undervalued, overlooked bands in the scene and really makes this one a no-doubt inquiry for any fan of old-school death metal or the revivalist scene in particular, though it's hard to imagine anyone remotely into the genre as a whole to have a problem with this one.

Score: 94/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://destroyingdivinity.bandcamp.com/album/dark-future

Dexter Ward - Rendezvous with Death

Artist: Dexter Ward
Release Title: Rendezvous with Death
Year: 2016
Label: No Remorse Records
Genre: Power/Traditional Heavy Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Rendezvous with Destiny
2. Stone Age Warrior
3. These Metal Wings
4. Metal for the Light
5. Fighting for the Cross
6. Knights of Jerusalem
7. We Are Dexter Ward
8. Ballad of the Green Berets

Continuing on from their past success, Greek metallers Dexter Ward haven’t let their rather impressive debut keep them from furthering and honing their craft as they followed it up with a ravenous live-schedule with plenty of shows to keep their edge. Now five long years from their previous album, this second full-length effort is released April 29, 2016 on No Remorse Records.

Much like the bands’ past works, the main focus here is on creating a heavy, epic tone with their arrangements and is quite apparent in this one. Lead by a majestic, sprawling series of rhythms that come about through somewhat plodding tempos that are laced with huge, grand patterns and triumphant melodies intertwined together that leaves this one feeling quite large and powerful. There’s not a whole lot of speed here as the band’s fastest tracks are a steady mid-tempo gallop, yet there’s a more prominent feel here in taking these hard-hitting trad elements and laying on grand power metal melodies over it all which is where this one scores nicely as those are among the best parts of the album. That atmosphere here where this takes that big approach with the galloping paces works this one quite nicely as it’s heavy rhythms and melody-driven riff-work generate the main elements at play here. While that’s the case, the album does have some minor problems here where it’s mostly based around such a bleary pace that the album doesn’t really get much fire or energy out of it’s tracks, leaving them somewhat bland and middling where it’s one long mid-tempo track after another. There’s not a great deal of variety either, as it’s similar tempos and plodding paces can drag this one out quite a bit longer than what is really feels like, and is definitely a case where the band could’ve interjected some faster paces to liven things up, though it’s altogether not that terrible.

Though it has some problems in terms of pacing and generally igniting the kind of fire and emotion typically associated with the genre, there’s enough here in terms of generally enjoyable atmospheric work that this is a solid if not entirely worthwhile choice for fans of the majestic, epic side of trad/power metal only.

Score: 77/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:

https://dexterward.bandcamp.com/album/rendezvous-with-destiny-2

Koldkrypt - Fullmoon

Artist: Koldkrypt
Release Title: Fullmoon
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Sepulchral Silence re-issue)
Genre: Old-School Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Fullmoon
2. Antitheist Pyromania
3. Summoning Beleth
4. Red Magic
5. Disease
6. Nightfall
7. Apocalypse
8. Floraphilia (Sale Freux cover)

Coming together quite recently, French one-man black metal project Koldkrypt allows the creator by the name of Typhus to create a wildly varied and eclectic infusion of elements into black metal. Initially independently issued May 30, 2016 on a limited run, the debut full-length release from the project is now reissued July 5, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence.

Focusing primarily on a raw black metal sound, the main element at play here is the fact that there’s a pronounced and utterly dominant amount of material here that features fiery tremolo-picked riffing filled with the traditional brimstone-accented rhythms that bring about a feeling reminiscent of the second-wave worshippers. The straightforward, swirling tempos and blasting drumming are certainly on-point in that style as well which certainly helps further this connection to the genre even further, with the slew of far more traditional elements present in the arrangements and riffing keeping this grounded in those second-wave patterns so that once it starts to introduce other elements here in some progressive riffing that’s quite melodic while also introducing a far more technically imposing series of riff-work into the tracks which in fact creates a rather epic mind-set here with it going for some complex, convoluted arrangements that really drag on unnecessarily here which is somewhat of a big problem with this one. It doesn’t really know how to quit while it’s ahead, as there’s plenty of utterly impressive and dominant blasting patterns that are wrapped alongside a series of overlong, meandering rhythms that just seem to go on far longer than it really should, and that ends up making this feel quite longer than it really should be as these progressive elements just tend to make this quite a bit longer than needed. While that’s not a crippling factor here considering it’s a debut and is something that might get honed out over time, this does leave a big impression on the listener in the end. Otherwise, there’s plenty to really like and enjoy about this one.

Though it’s somewhat commendable to want to include everything possible to showcase your roots and influences on a debut effort like this, the fact that it’s somewhat dragging and meandering does become the main focus here away from the  remaining positives leaving this one mainly for progressive-minded fans of the original second-wave movement or those than can appreciate it’s flaws regardless.

Score: 78/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://koldkrypt.bandcamp.com/album/fullmoon

Slaughterday - Laws of the Occult

Artist: Slaughterday
Release Title: Laws of the Occult
Year: 2016
Label: F.D.A. Rekotz
Genre: Retro Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Unseal the Gate
2. Ritual of Sacrifice
3. Sepulchral Ways
4. Beyond Body, Beyond Life
5. Torn by the Beast
6. Church of Dread
7. Eyes that Never Shut
8. Feeding the Ghouls
9. Forbidden Wisdom
10. Plunging to Megadeath (Hallows Eve cover)

Since their foundation in 2010, German death metallers Slaughterday have remained steadfast in presenting a thorough and uncompromising approach to the old-school ways of death metal with their own distinctive touch. Continuing their association with F.D.A. Rekotz, their second album is set for release April 29, 2016 and solidifies the two-piece as major players in this crowded scene.

By and large this here is a mostly savage and unrelenting old-school style attack on display, which begins with the thrashing riff-work and simplistic approach. This is just straightforward, crushing mid-tempo death metal with very few tricks up its sleeve, working through a deep churning attack swirling with bouncy rhythms built along a thrash template without the technicality. In it’s place is a plodding crunch that keeps the tracks firmly in that dredgy, doom-encrusted tone that works so well in aping that old-school approach. This cavernous approach works quite well here with it giving the album a solid balance between the two styles, with it employing the tighter, more plodding paces that are slightly more doom-inspired while also allowing the launching pad for it to kick into that primitive thrash tempo where the band kicks up the energy and presents some more inspired and lively arrangements yet still wallowing in that murky filth permeating the rest of the album. Still, though, one can’t help but notice that all this old-school worship doesn’t detract from the fact that this isn’t in the slightest bit original, simply running through the same style of rhythms and arrangements that were accomplished in the genre’s infancy. Regardless of the competency and vigorousness of their attack, it’s still incredibly cliche and doesn’t really differentiate itself all that much even from the more modern apists of this style much less those originating the style, and it sticks out significantly here as being the only real flaw.

Beyond the one unoriginal facet of this album holding it back somewhat, there’s still the pressing issue at hand here that their style and approach pretty much renders them such a completist-only band for old-school followers and revivalist aficionados that it’s hard to see any other fan appreciating them other than these groups.

Score: 89/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://slaughterday666.bandcamp.com/

The Projectionist - The GallowForest Eulogy EP

Artist: The Projectionist
Release Title: The GallowForest Eulogy EP
Year: 2016
Label: Appalachian Noise Records
Genre: Depressive Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The GallowForest Eulogy
2. Automaton Stare
3. Apex of the Void
4. Wyvern Termite
5. Imagined Fortress Made to Give Way

Coming together just last year, Canadian black metallers The Projectionist have quickly set-up themselves to be a prolific act in the genre with not only a full-length album but this new EP to be released shortly afterward. Carrying on their unique brand of depression and solitude to the traditional black metal aesthetic, this is officially released August 6, 2016 on Appalachian Noise Records.

This here is quite a decent and overall fine if minimalist black metal effort. A lot of this one is based around the repetitious and droning riff-work where it’s mostly based around light strumming with a decidedly raw edge to things, making for a simplistic edge with this one taking the same general arrangement on throughout the entire effort. The minimalist nature and plodding tempos here really tend to highlight the album’s depressive tone and arrangements quite well, going for the helpless, atonal vibe that’s been a consistent part of what they’ve been about from the beginning, which really carries on with the squealing, wailing vocals that really add to the whole depressed and lonely atmosphere typically found in the genre. That in itself is the biggest advantage and problem associated with this one, as there’s not much else on display here beyond this slow, plodding and somewhat lifeless melancholic material that expresses such a misanthropic nature that might not be for everyone. This is such a strictly limited appeal effort that it’s relatively impossible not to get others into what’s going on here, generating little else to others beyond what is there only for the genre’s die-hard fans that it’s likely going to be a dull, rather bland effort for most.

Though there’s some generally appealing material on display, the fact that it’s such a rather one-sided affair with little else worthwhile here for others that in this sense the only appeal here to be found is for the depressive black metal fanatic while all others should heed caution or outright avoidance in this case.

Score: 65/100

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

Taekaury - Spirit of Koguryo

Artist: Taekaury
Release Title: Spirit of Koguryo
Year: 2014
Label: Fallen-Angel Productions
Genre: Pagan Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Intro (天地開闢)
2. Killing Racist
3. Fucking Nowadays Korean Mental
4. Spirit of Koguryo
5. Gwanggaeto the Great King
6. From Dusk Till Dawn
7. Outro (蚩尤戱)
8. Way of Blood

One of the most convoluted band history’s ever, South Korean one-man pagan black metallers Taekaury have a rather long history dating back to 2000, including two spells as Apparition before this current name and then as Malakh before changing back once again. Initially independently released in 2014, the group decides to re-release their debut full-length on July 30, 2014 on Fallen-Angel Productions.

Managing to infuse their sound into an enjoyable whole, the main element at play here is the fact that this one really contains quite an exotic and vicious sound through the traditional elements present. The riff-work is exceptionally enjoyable with the vicious rhythms running throughout here carrying this one along in mixing swirling tremolo patterns alongside the bands’ infusion of charging militaristic patterns and a pounding death metal sensibility to their drumming as this here offers a far more explosive influence in that style. This features quite a more pronounced heavier, plodding charge than would normally be expected in pagan black metal styles and lets this one charge along quite nicely with it’s galloping mid-tempo pace and twisting riffing that manages to make for quite an exceptional sound here, especially alongside the album’s rather fun tendency to include short snippets of localized sound-clips or musical passages to add to the exotic flavor. That said, there’s a few minor elements that don’t work well here which really comes from the second half of the album as this is a stylistic departure from the first part. Rather than carrying on the first where it was somewhat more energetic, the majority of the tracks in this section here come off a little more plodding and slower paced which turns their swirling riff-work into simply plodding, nearly lifeless sections that aren’t really that interesting. It’s about all that really doesn’t work here.

Though it’s not necessarily the most cohesive effort around with a few minor flaws to be found here with the album loosing some steam as it goes along, there’s some absolutely fun moments as well throughout here that make this enough to be worthwhile for fans of the localized sound or those that prefer a more melodious version of pagan-accented black metal.

Score: 78/100

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http://fallangels.cafe24.com/product/detail.html?product_no=894&cate_no=33&display_group=1

Abscendent - Decaying Human Condition

Artist: Abscendent
Release Title: Decaying Human Condition
Year: 2016
Label: Revalve Records
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Penance
2. Solipsia
3. Compelled
4. Doppelgänger
5. Nausea

Formed in 2013, Italian thrash/death metallers Abscendent have steadily honed their craft with a multitude of intense rehearsals and live dates that has brought their sound to it’s fullest. With the three-piece able to deliver their thrashing intensity to it’s fullest, the group’s debut release comes out May 4, 2016 on Revalve Records.

Being part of the more modern experience of the tropes, there’s some solid and engaging work to be had here with the band really laying it on thick in regards to the thick, violent riff-work. This one has some rather frantic and furious patterns on display throughout here, ranging from tight, ravenous mid-tempo groove riff-work to a more sprawling series of rhythms that are more a part of classic thrash/death metal groups and manages to do an incredibly fun job mixing these two styles together quite well. The violent stuttering patterns and the classic sprawling rhythms go together very well in regards to mixing it up and providing the kind of jagged thrashing framework into a cohesive whole that’s wholly enjoyable and engaging with a whole lot of explosive sections changing over from a tight chug into a more frantic, furious section loaded with blazing thrash segments, and overall that leaves this with plenty of enjoyable elements. It’s quite short and doesn’t really give itself a lot of opportunities to really let loose with it’s style as the album’s really only basing its variety on the progressively-minded rhythms and it doesn’t get much else of a chance to accomplish that with only five tracks. Though it has a lot of material to work through in that time-span, it’s just way too short and doesn’t really provide much else here with the short running time. Overall, though, it’s all this one has going against it with plenty of otherwise enjoyable elements.

Despite not really giving itself much of a chance with the shortened running order that keeps the album feeling quite short and over too quickly for it’s own good, there’s still plenty to like and enjoy about this one that it’s a solid, worthwhile inquiry for those looking for some enjoyably modern and engaging death/thrash metal without too many hang-ups about it.

Score: 82/100

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