Aug 30, 2015

Krisiun (2015) Forged in Fury

Band: Krisiun
Country of Origin: Brazil
Status: Active
Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length
Format: Digipak Ltd. Edition
Length Approx.:  60:00 min.
Release Date: 08-07-2015
Current label: Century Media Records
Release label: Century Media Records


IR Classification: Good (3.6 / 5)



Listen our review! (English)





Forged in Fury is an album that release a furious onslaught, but lack in vitality

Brazilian death metal machine Krisiun returns to the scene after a long period without releasing a studio album, after "The Great Execution" released back in 2011 followed by an extensive and comprehensive touring around the globe, the three brothers Alex, Max and Moyses charge back with their newest album "Forged in Fury" which is their tenth full length in their discography.

Krisiun is undoubtedly a band who has "Forged in Fury" their name in the underground scene always supported by the "Unmerciful Order" of fans to expand their "Black Force Domain", these visionaries of the "Apocalyptic Revelation", the three "Conquerors of Armageddon" loaded of wrath and "Ageless Venomous", always willing to perform "Works of Carnage" and "Bloodshed" with no remorse for the "AssassiNation" of the masses by their explosive "Southern Storm", they leave a desolate and cold path of “The Great Execution” and clearly stating their legacy, this trio of Brazilians are well known for what they have done in the past twenty five year of career and the years to come will testify more ruthless assaults.


"Forged in Fury" opens with "Scars of Hatred" demolishing guitar riff, a galloping bass and an unmerciful drums, Alex spits ferocious grunts, next is "Ways of Barbarism" is a pure overwhelming drum track, violent riff and an outstanding guitar solo ending up subtle in slow paced, "Dogma of Submission" seems to hold the brutality of the previous track but you can appreciate how the instruments blend together more harmoniously, this is the point where you realize, that this album has its own personality and distance itself from the early sound of "Black Force Domain" or even recently "Southern Storm" particularly my two favorite albums, "Burning the Heretic" falls into a dissonant chaos, powerful grooving riff along the bludgeoning drums by Max, "Oracle of the Ungod" clearly shows up the prowess acquired to songwriting, taking them a step into the Progressive Death Metal, "Timeless Starvation" is more oriented to the thrash roots, fast riff and compelling drums, it links rapidly with "Milonga de la Muerte" and acoustic guitar interlude, the last track is "Electric Funeral" a Black Sabbath cover, very well executed under Krisiun trade mark, probably the low point of this album is the length, over fifty two minutes of pure relentless Death metal and a really short interlude almost at the end, make this a hard bone to gnaw.

It is true that this is a good album, the production, mixing and mastering reach every note very clear, is an album crafted with outstanding songwriting, memorable guitar solos, catchy riff and stunning drums, however; being honest I believe we have already listen this, a slightly turn into their roots will be more favorable to reinventing their sound for the next album, something that old fans will greatly appreciate.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:


1. Scars of the Hatred
2. Ways of Barbarism
3. Dogma of Submission
4. Strength Forged in Fury
5. Soulless Impaler
6. Burning of the Heretic
7. The Isolated Truth
8. Oracle of the Ungod
9. Timeless Starvation
10. Milonga de la Muerte
11. Earth's Cremation
12. Electric Funeral (Black Sabbath cover)

Facebook
Century Media Records

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains.

Aug 20, 2015

Scarab (2015) Serpents of the Nile

Band: Scarab
Country of Origin: Egypt
Status: Active
Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length
Format: CD
Length Approx.:  56:00 min.
Release Date: 03-06-2015
Current label: ViciSolum Productions
Release label: ViciSolum Productions


IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)



Listen our review! (English)



An Album plagued with folk passages, furious riff, relentless drums and guttural vocals

Scarab is a band formed in Cairo, Egypt and they play a pure Death metal influenced by their Ancient Egyptian Culture and Sprituality, they began their journey with the release of the EP titled “Valley of the Sandwalkers” in 2007, it contains three tracks, it passed only two years to record their album debut “Blinding the Masses” in 2009, which wrapped nine cuts of forsaken evil acts, both recording were released independently and work out good enough to take ViciSolum Productions attention and leading them to ink a deal to release their second full length “Serpents of the Nile” in the early Spring of 2015.



Death metal bands like Nile are not the only ones influenced by middle eastern culture, Nervecell and Maat outstand among the pack, but Scarab seems to be the fourth link to add into the chain of Egyptian themed Death metal, the band is integrated by Sammy Sayed in Vocals, Al Sharif Marzeban and Tarek Amr in Guitars, Mohamed El Sherbieny in Bass, Hatem El Akkad in Drums and Sherif Adel in Keyboards, for all those who instantly label this band as non genuine, let me tell you something, this guys has been around since 2001 under the name of Hate Suffocation, however in 2006 they decide to start from nothing and gave life to Scarab, stepping into a Death metal infused in their own roots, more melodic, mid paced rather than technical and brutal as the bands aforementioned.



The first track is “Calling Forth the Ancient Spirits of Kemet” an atmospheric submerged into classic Middle Eastern sounds, the keyboard provide a wall of sounds to set the ambient for the next song, the epic “Visions of a Blood River” which last over nine minutes, but is doesn’t disappoint you, the composition is layered over a mid paced and it’s loaded with a wide variety of guitar riff, while Hatem pummels his drums with total wrath, Sayed growls are dominant, “Serpents of the Nile” opens with savage riffs and constantly goes back and forth from fast paced to mid paced incorporating some folk notes to exalt the moment, “Funeral Pharaoh” takes you through a journey to ancient Egypt, where Pharaohs ruled the land, that intro is superb followed by sharp guitar riff that rips you apart, melody is mid paced and blunt drums, the cut is one of the best in this album, “Days of a Burial Mask” closes this album with a heavy and merciless riff driven into a chaotic mid paced, a powerful double bass drum and vocals growls define this tune as an exceptional from this Egyptians.



Undoubtedly Scarab has released a ponderous, powerful and unforgettable album plagued with folk passages, furious riff, relentless drums and guttural vocals that leave a mark on the Death metal grounds, as a witness of their legacy, this is an album that deserves time to be heard and wander in the desert dunes.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Calling Forth the Ancient Spirits of Kemet
2. Visions of a Blood River
3. Spells of Coming Forth by Day
4. Serpents of the Nile
5. Pyramid of Illusions
6. Funeral Pharaoh
7. The Afterlife Illusions
8. Days of a Burial Mask


All rights reserved © Insanity Remains.

Aug 18, 2015

Feral (2015) Where Dead Dreams Dwell

Band: Feral
Country of Origin: Sweden
Status: Active
Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length
Format: CD
Length Approx.:  44:00 min.
Release Date: 05-29-2015
Current label: Cyclone Empire
Release label: Cyclone Empire


IR Classification: Good (3.7 / 5)



Listen our review! (English)






Feral Plays a refreshing and modern raw metal

Feral is a band that evoke the Death metal realm of the nineties, their sound is raw, compact, and aggressive, same as those acts who owned the scene those years, Dismember, Entombed, Grave or Asphyx, just to mentioning a few ones, the Swedish bands by nature play a particular galloping riff, exactly! that kind of groovy sound with blasting drums and throbbing bass, grunts that combine and balance between riff and you just can’t get enough of it and simply you come back for more, Feral along with Swedish Entrails and Revolting, I could consider them as the new torch that light up the Swedish Death metal scene, the truth is… Feral is not reinventing the wheel, why should they do such of thing? The line of Death metal they are appealing to play it doesn’t have to be renewed, it has to be played as it is, many of us, old school death metal fans we can criticize them for this, lack of originality, steping on safe ground or whateveryou want to argue, that’s easy to point out, but times goes on and out there is new blood avid for listen that kind of death metal, the same one we experienced in the nineties, so; why should we stop the reborn of a new era? I don’t think so! 





Feral so far has released two albums the first one "Dragged to the Altar" in 2011 for Ibex Moon Records, a split EP with Germans Revel in Flesh during 2014 and their latest full length "Where Dead Dreams Dwell" for Cyclone Empire this album was delayed due to line-up changes, their current line-up is Viktor Eriksson in the bass, David Nilsson as vocalist, Markus Lindahl sole guitarist and drummer Roger Markström their hometown is Skellefteå, Sweden.

So, let's get straight to the album, the first cut is "Swallowed by Darkness" imposes a corrosive groovy guitar riff by Lindahl and while Markström  explodes the drums with the classic D-beat sound, low grunts by Nilsson the burly bass of Eriksson unravels at a mid tempo, to announce what to expect for the next 40 minutes, "Creatures Among the Coffins" is a bomb starting as a mid tempo track only to unleash their wrath and get you in an unstoppable headbanging, "Suffering Torment" it is pure rage loaded, insane thrash guitar cords, "Carving the Blood Eagle" tear you apart with the strongest drum intro in the album a memorable track where Markström evidence his skills along the cut, Lindahl make an exceptional guitar solo to crown this track, "The Crawler" and "Overwhelmed" doesn't distant from the quality of all the previous tracks, "Mass Resurrection" seemed to be longest than usual, but it doesn't matter because is robust in guitar riff and it is well blended with a guitar solo, the last track in the CD is "Succumb to Terror" the guitars are fast as hell, the blasting drums and the rumbling bass make a perfect fit and Nilsson growls are brilliant.


"Where Dead Dreams Dwell" is a solid record, flawless with a refreshing and modern raw sound, that will leave you satisfied, if you are a true old school death metal fan, then you should give it a try, there is nothing to lose, but you will get back for more doses, I can bet you that.


Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Swallowed by Darkness
2. Creatures Among the Coffins
3. As the Feast Begins
4. Suffering Torment
5. Carving the Blood Eagle
6. Inhumation Ceremony
7. The Crawler
8. Overwhelmed
9. Mass Resurrection
10. Succumb to Terror


Facebook
Cyclone Empire

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains.

Aug 16, 2015

Kronos (2015) Arisen New Era

Band: Kronos
Country of Origin: France
Status: Active
Genre: Brutal Death metal
Additional: Technical 
Type: Full length
Format: CD
Length Approx.:  37:00 min.
Release Date: 07-24-2015
Current label: Unique Leader Records
Release label: Unique Leader Records


IR Classification: Good (4.1 / 5)


Listen our review! (English)




Tech death metal to blow your mind away

Kronos is a well known act from France they have been playing around since 1994 where they were simple teenagers, the band was formed in Thaon-les-Vosges, Lorraine; Kronos first line-up was Grams and Marot splitting duties in guitars and vocals, Jeremy playing the bass and backing vocals and Mike in the drums all of them were between 13 and 17 years old playing at that time some kind of Heavy Thrash metal, but times passed and they began to evolve their sound and with that… came up line-up changes, as usually happen for such of a young band, Marot departed from the band to be replace by  Nicolas Temmar in guitars and Christophe Gérardin joined the band doing vocals ending up with the released of their first demo “Outrance” in 1997, before they record and released a split with their own side project band named None Divine, Jeremy left the band and he is replaced by Tom in the bass and backing vocals, this line up last long enough to release their album debut “Titan’s Awakening” in 2001, under Warpath Records, but one more line-up change will happen before they enter the studios to recorded their sophomore album, Nicolas Temmar part ways with the band and Richard took over guitar duties, then “Colossal Titan Strife” is recorded and released by 2003 and their third album “The Hellenic Terror” released in 2007, both albums under the Spanish label Xtreem Music, it took them over eight years to record and released their fourth and newest album “Arisen New Era”  for Unique Leader Records, but not without before undergoing through more line-up changes, their all time drummer Mike and the vocalist Chistophe departed from the band, being replaced by Anthony in the drums and Triv as vocalist, so; Grams remains as the only original member of Kronos.


Being said a brief history of the band we can focus in their newest album “Arisen New Era” which brings a hell out of the Greek mythology loaded with technical and brutal riff that blends one after another, blistering drums and hellish vocals the first track “Infernal Abyss Sovereignty” fits perfectly with this description, adding a guitar solo to make it memorable, while the production stands out for neat and clear due to the current standards it doesn’t feel empty, meanwhile “Zeus Dethroned” is fast and aggressive which contrast pretty much with “Soul-Voracious Vultures” for the catchy riff incorporated from the beginning, merciless double bass drum to harmonize the guitar riff , “Rapture in Misery” kicks off with a tremendous riff, despite the huge amount of riff in the album, Kronos managed to succeed without sounding a big mess and getting lost into riff, “Klymenos Underwrath” has a really interesting mid section transitioning fast tempos to mid tempos and vice versa, actually I think it was smart to launched as the single to promote their album, “Aeons Titan Crown” is brutal but the melodic acoustic guitar ending takes to another level this cut, “Brotherlords” and “Purity Slaughtered” are a clear example of the endless creativity of this band, putting together a piece, sharp guitars, demolishing drum section and lethal grunts, the last track in this album is “Hellysium” it will blow your mind away with that mixture of technical riff and brutal drums, Kronos know how to keep you engaged until the last minute.



To resume, “Arisen New Era” evidence the endless creativity of this band, despite the long time out of the studio, they managed to bring an album that redefine somehow to compose, record and produce Technical Death metal, “Arisen New Era” means a lot more than you think, new members, new label, new decade, new fans and many more, so be prepare for Kronos and their saga of brutality.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Infernal Abyss Sovereignty
2. Zeus Dethroned
3. Soul-Voracious Vultures
4. Rapture in Misery
5. Klymenos Underwrath
6. Aeons Titan Crown
7. Brotherlords
8. Purity Slaughtered
9. Hellysium


All rights reserved © Insanity Remains.

Diagnosis (2015) Sympathy for Disease

Band: Diagnosis
Country of Origin: Mexico
Status: Active
Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length
Format: Digital 320Mbps
Length Approx.:  42:00 min.
Release Date: 07-01-2015
Current label: db Metal Recording
Release label: db Metal Recording


IR Classification: Average (3.4 / 5)



Listen our review! (English)






Diagnosis delivers such technical aggressively to infect your senses



Diagnosis is a five members band formed in Mexico City, around June 2014, maybe many of you haven't heard of them, but this band it is integrated by former members of (Archetype, Hyperion and Relief of the Souls) Isabel Romero she is the vocalist, Erubey Bello in guitars and both are the founders of the band, later on joined the band Ever Nicolas in rhythm guitars, Arturo Aguilar is the bassist and Chaak Rodriguez behind the drums, what they play appeals to be a Technical Death metal, with intricated guitars, stunning drums, the bass, doesn't only play along with the drums, it evolve with their own sound and of course powerful vocals by Isabel.




To be honest with you guys, I found this band while I was scrolling my interest through the artist roster in a very well known site to buy and download music in digital format, so suddenly I spot their sick album cover and it grabbed my attention, while reading more about them I realize that Isabel has quit Archetype to start Diagnosis along with Erubey Bello, but honestly what hook me up at the beginning is the powerful vocals, I have been listen to Isabel from her first two albums, recorded in her previous band and simply, she is amazing in what she does, however after the first impression and subsequent replays I put my attention into each instrument and I knew right away, that they are experienced musicians, "Sympathy For Disease," was recorded between the months of September 2014 and January 2015, it was released by db Metal Recording in July 2015.




The first track off this album is "Seclusion" which worked as their first single, here they play an  excellent guitar riff a decent drum section, the guitar solo exceeds my expectations and the growls by Isabel are bestial, themes as "Oblivion the Madness" delivers probably the best melody they were able to capture, the bass is really catchy, "Diagnosis" has a very intricate guitar work perhaps the most technical track to expose in the album, "Symphony for Disease" sounds intense and very aggressive the guitars are chaotic, bizarre but little bit repetitive, "Eyewitness" has one of the best rhythmic sections within the album, backing vocal sounds outstanding behind Isabel's grunts, the last track is "Stigmatized", is hard to describe a song like this which begin with not much personality however they managed to shift from one minute to another and make a unique track but unfortunately; after the two minutes mark it turns into a beast.

After listening couple of times to “Symphony for Disease” I can tell you this is not an easy album to digest due to their complex musical structure used and if you are not familiar with Atheist, Pestilence or Monstrosity then you might looking in the wrong place, the whole album last about 42 minutes, seems to be pretty much consistent, that at some point you wouldn’t be able to difference between one song or another, or we could just blame in production for not doing the split properly between the tracks.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Seclusion
2. Nervenkranken
3. Oblivion the Madness
4. Diagnosis
5. Murdersoul
6. Sympathy for Desease
7. Heilen Damonisch
8. Eyewitness
9. Stigmatized

Facebook

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains.

Aug 13, 2015

Jungle Rot (2015) Order Shall Prevail

Band: Jungle Rot
Country of Origin: US
Status: Active
Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length
Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.:  37:00 min.
Release Date: 06-30-2015
Current label: Victory Records
Release label: Victory Records

IR Classification: Moderate (3.3 / 5)





Listen to our review! (English)




An Album plagued with faster heavy grooves, but... will prevail? 

Jungle Rot is a very consistent Death metal band they have managed to remains active for over two decades, with seven previous full lengths, this year they come with their eighth album titled "Order Shall Prevail" which is the third one, under Victory Records, this album comes to complete the trilogy which began couple years ago with "Kill on Command" and the follow up "Terror Regime", personally I like how they redirect their sound and honestly if you try to compare to bands like Obituary, Suffocation or even Bolt Thrower you can hear the difference, now is a fact that Jungle Rot has adopted their own personality with thrashy riff, groovy chords and crushing drums were thrown in the making of this album.

The current line-up is founder Dave Matrise performing guitars and vocals, James Genenz playing the bass, Geoff Bub as the lead guitarist and the newest member is Joey Muha behind the drum set, the album was recorded, engineered, and mixed at The Belle City Sound Company by Chris Djuricic.



As I mentioned before "Order Shall Prevail" it ties itself to the two previous recordings, in some way I could say that they were preparing us for this recording which is faster, ponderous and furious, the opener track "Doomsday" has fast guitars they threw some trashy riff to blend along with Matrise howl's, crushing double bass drums, very intense to the end, "Paralyzed Pray" was the first single released for the band, plagued with heavy grooves, dense bass and blunt drums back up what I mean, sounds brutal but with cadence, exceptional guitar solo as dictated by masters, this is the time when you realize that a dedicated old school death metal band has transcended with their sound and then comes the grooviest song of the album, "Fight Where You Stand" featuring Max Cavalera (Cavalera Conspiracy, Soulfly) which is very exciting listening to Cavalera and Matrices together, the self-titled "Order Shall Prevail" stands out for its aggressivity, heavy riffage a solid track, "The Dread Pestilence" is slower and thicker than the previous track is like adding a good sauce on top of the steak, "I Cast the First Stone" and "E.F.K." both are little bit more oriented to the groove side of the band, nothing to complaint but here is where the magic get lost for couple minutes, then "Trench Tactics" recover the pace it sounds intense and aggressive thanks to the double bass drum with a slower mid section only to charge back at you with full hostility, the closing track is "Nuclear Superiority", it decimates the album when reaches the Floridian death metal sound, nothing wrong with that, in fact is one of my favorites death metal scene, but it kill the ambient that was built during the first half of the album.

Overall "Order Shall Prevail" I could say we have a Jungle Rot who plays death metal at its best, they remain true to its roots, a band that sounds more aggressive than its previous recordings, no doubt that the new drummer Joey added his skills, the double bass drum is simply brilliant, here and there are some good riff and songs to remember, but there are few spaces that break the balance, however their effort is not enough to appeal to be one of the greatest this year.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Doomsday
2. Paralyzed Pray
3. Blood Revenge
4. Fight Where You Stand
5. Order Shall Prevail
6. The Dread Pestilence
7. I Cast the First Stone
8. E. F. K.
9. Trench Tactics
10. Nuclear Superiority







Official Website

Victory Records

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains.