Funeral Whore (2016) Phantasm

Band: Funeral Whore

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 41:00 min.

Release Date: 03-18-2016

Release Label: F.D.A. Records

IR Classification: Good (3.9 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Infectious riffs that grind your eardrums and scourge the last of your senses

Funeral Whore the Dutch band rooted in the old school death metal, they were formed around 2006 in Beverwijk, North Holland, they are bringing a hell with them while releasing their second full length, under the label F.D.A. Rekotz, entitled "Phantasm" containing eleven tracks of the most pure and relentless death metal, commanded by guitarists Kellie and Roy, also in vocals, together with Nick behind the drum set and Van Dune in the bass, were able to reincarnate the proper sound of early bands as: Autopsy, Pestilence and Bolt Thrower who were pioneering the genre at the beginning of the nineties.

After their debut album "Step into Damnation" released in 2012 which it was quite welcome by the underground community for their ferocious approach and raw sound, they earned a place within the local scene in the Netherlands, giving them the confidence and strength to continue in the dark path and it is not until four years later when they give us their follow-up material and it sounds even more devastating.

"Phantasm" the opener track that has a dramatic theatrical intro that evolves into heavy riffs that blow up, while also having pounding drums with frantic devotion, while the deeper growling vocals remind me the early Sinister, "Evil Manifestation" is the second track the guitars sound massive and morbid with a very infectious pace they succeed throwing riff after riff, "Reanimated" it's bold and barbaric in the drumming section carries a varied pattern allows the shredding guitars, leads the repulsive melodies towards dark passages, "The Graveyard Silence" it's brutal and the lead guitar sounds very violent and frightening, it excels managing the mood with slow pace and later on unleashing a hellish and rabid pace, "Down the Abyss" is an interesting track with a very well mix of thrash and death metal riff it is fast and ceaseless, "Only the Coffins Remains" is structured in a mid-pace inferno, with infectious riffs that grind the eardrums and scourge the last of your senses, "The Mortuary at Night" closes this album with demolishing and vibrant riffs while the double bass drum sounds impressive and ruthless there is no doubt that Funeral Whore are emerging from the deepest depths, as a lethal force to reckon with, few acts nowadays are able to infringe such level of brutality.

"Phantasm" is a truly enjoyable death metal record, influenced by the old school; Funeral Whore only took the best elements of yore to culminate in one of the most overwhelming and cataclysmic records to date during this year, fans of the old school death metal will love this deadly dose, seems like somehow a renaissance of the true death metal is on the way, let's see what else lies ahead.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Phantasm
02. Evil Manifestation
03. Reanimated
04. The Tall Man
05. Population None
06. The Graveyard Silence
07. When Life Turns to Ashes
08. Down the Abyss
09. Morningside Cemetery
10. Only the Coffins Remain
11. The Mortuary at Night

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Convulse (2016) Cycle of Revenge

Band: Convulse

Country of Origin: Finland

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 34:00 min.

Release Date: 03-17-2016

Release Label: Svart Records

IR Classification: Good (3.5 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Progressive and technical metal, spiced with psychedelic passages and doom pace

The mythic Finnish death metal band Convulse are back after their 2013 come back "Evil Prevails", their debut album "World Without God" released in 1991 set them up as one of the most influential death metal bands, not only in their homeland, but worldwide, has had a deep impact throughout the time and it is difficult to ignore this fact, said this; I hope you don't have big expectations for Convulse and their fourth full length, "Cycle of Revenge", because musically they departed from their roots into a new adventure, more progressive and technical metal, spiced with psychedelic passages and doom pace, probably the only death part remaining are the vocals.

I have always supported to bands who choose to step forward looking to delve into new horizons, simply because I believe in diversity and creativity, of course there are many bands who are strongly stick to their roots and despite their age still delivering such display of brutality, however Convulse latest record somehow has tempered their brutality and wrath, that define them from the very beginning to their previous album, maybe I sound a bit redundant, but my intention is to make clear what you will hear, not by any instant this is unpleasant, poor or negligible if you listen with open mind, but neither essential to listen.

"Cycle of Revenge" opens with the self-titled track with an eerie devilish intro, however never meets with any brutality in contrast remains between some progressive and psychedelic riff, followed by "God is You", is stuffed with the same line of progressive riffing but resting on a conventional drumming, "Pangaea" brings some melodic groove riffs at the beginning, but soon it's intertwined with the same progressive and psychedelic ambiance, "Fractured Pieces" It sounds interesting due to the addition of some Middle East essence drums the riffs match, but lack pretty much of grip, "Nature of Humankind" sounds heavier than all the previous tracks and achieve to mixed some good death 'n' roll riffs, while the drums are more varied and interesting, next is "Ever Flowing Stream" takes a deadly approach to the nineties Voivod era, especially the clean vocals very reminiscent to them, "War" very pretentious at beginning with the energetic drumming, but retake that progressive groove sound right after the vapid display, the last track in the album is "Into the Void" it sounds indifferent from the whole album they keep digging deeper with a blatant and relaxed attitude with no fear and careless for their detractors.

Convulse album "Cycle of Revenge" is not exuberant or generous as we would like, because it is true they are showing us a new era in their career but unfortunately they sounds limited and repetitive, lack of resources musically speaking, it took me couple listening to assimilate, but at the end it will be very good appreciated for fans of bands like Voivod, Vector, or Coroner.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Cycle of Revenge
02. God is You
03. Pangaea
04. Fractured Pieces
05. Nature of Humankind
06. Ever Flowing Stream
07. War
08. Into the Void

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Criminal (2016) Fear Itself

Band: Criminal

Country of Origin: Chile

Genre: Death / Thrash / Groove metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 43:00 min.

Release Date: 03-11-2016

Release Label: Metal Blade Records

IR Classification: Moderate (3.3 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Powerful, compact and crude due largely to the production, still inconsequential but certainly not a bad album

Criminal originally from Santiago, Chile in South America and currently located in Ipswich, UK; are coming back after five years with their eighth and latest album titled "Fear Itself" delivering their unique and unmatched blend of thrash death metal and groove, Criminal history dates back to the early nineties, their discography consists of two demos, seven albums, an EP and a live album, their sound is similar to bands like Sepultura, Slayer, Carcass, Exodus, Sick of it All and Cavalera Conspiracy, so you can imagine what it is this about.

The album "Fear Itself" carries twelve tracks strictly attached to their roots in thrash metal infected with some groove riffs and hardcore essence, while the death part comes in form of vehement vocals, it is true that this new material, doesn't add absolutely anything new to what we already know, although the sound of the band is powerful, compact and crude due largely to the production, still inconsequential but certainly not a bad album.

The album opens with a dormant chord intro which honestly doesn't inflict the expected reaction, sometime there are albums out there, that should not have intros and "Fear Itself" is one of them, it's followed by "Down Driven" built in groove riffing, shift into an aggressive thrash sound, the raspy vocals are stick to the genre, the bass carries an effective lines through the song granting a memorable rhythm section with the drums, "False Flag Attack" delivers a relentless display of technical thrash-groove very distinctive of Criminal, screaming vocals works very well for this kind of cut, "The Needle and Knife" begins with a very convincing rhythmic section very technical drum pattern and powerful bass lines, aggressive guitars shredding are incorporated masterfully to let the screaming vocals takes over to command the assault, "Summoning the Apocalypse" shift everything you heard before into a immeasurable speed to create a crushing and energetic thrash sound, ensuring the right aspects to frame a beautiful guitar solo in this track, "Deep in the Rot" contains a very infectious guitar riffing and a very skillful drum work make this track very compact and consistent with the rest of the album, "Wasted Youth" tries to infuse some melodic feel at start, but rapidly shift into a chaotic hardcore appeal, a very brief guitar solo shines and leaves you wanting for more, the scream and raspy vocals holds a crossover vibe, "Carne Molida" is the last track of "Fear Itself" structured with technical and intricate guitar work blend the speed and hostile grooves in a singular way, the lyrics are sung in Spanish, the drumming offer a more varied pace through the cut, very effective at the end.

The oscillation between tracks is very tight, which make sound "Fear Itself" something predictable and I do not mean that there is no value at all, with ten tracks; averaging 3:39 minutes, feels like they stick to the ordinary songwriting formula lacking of venturing and innovation, despite the powerful and compact sound accomplished, I still having troubles to digest this conventional blend of metal.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Intro
02. Down Driven
03. False Flag Attack
04. Shock Doctrine
05. The Needle and Knife
06. Scream of Consciousness
07. Summoning the Apocalypse
08. The One Who Speaks at Night 
09. Animals to Gods
10. Deep in the Rot
11. Wasted Youth
12. Carne Molida

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Gadget (2016) The Great Destroyer

Band: Gadget

Country of Origin: Sweden

Genre: Grindcore

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 27:00 min.

Release Date: 03-11-2016

Release Label: Relapse Records

IR Classification: Good (3.8 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

It is really satisfying listen a band with such power and determination to destroy anything

                

Gadget is a grindcore band from Gävle, Sweden. They were formed almost two decades ago, precisely in 1997, I could probably say they are a cult band, despite their discography which is not wide as others, but quality overflows in every album they put out, their newest recording "The Great Destroyer" it was released after ten years of practically absence in the recording studio and it's preceded by two full lengths "The Funeral March" released in 2006 and their debut album "Remote" in 2004.

All the tracks included in "The Great Destroyer" holds an immaculate influence of the old school hardcore, stained with modern elements and a refreshing production by multitasking drummer, producer, mixer and mastering William Blackmon, who definitely knew how to print the energy and sense of devastation needed to drag effectively our attention to them.

The current band line-up is as follows, William Blackmon in the drums, Rikard Olsson in guitars, Emil Englund doing vocals, and Fredrik Nygren in the bass, which is basically the original formation who started Gadget and that, is one of the qualities I most admire in a band.

Diving deep into "The Great Destroyer" it is really satisfying listen a band with such power and determination to destroy anything in front of them in few minutes and you still remain standing waiting for more, Gadget delivers a sonic violence from the beginning to the end the first track "Enemies of Reason" exploit with demented savagery, "Pillars of Filth" is relentless but subtly towards the end delves in an adequate rhythm section, "Violent Hours (For a Veiled Awakening)" features a guest appearance by Barney Greenway of Napalm Death a very distinctive cut, the self titled track "The Great Destroyer" uses pulverizing guitar riffs with an intricate drumming, "In the Name of Suffering" brings a darker groove and slows down the pace adding growling vocals gives another perspective to this album very well intertwined with some grooves, the last track reaches over five minutes, which is unusual for bands within the genre "I Don't Need You / Dead and Gone" here they accomplish to blend some of their influences as is hardcore punk, sludge, doom and death metal, offering an imminent collapse after all damage sustained, however I’m sure you will hit the play button once again.

Definitely a very enjoyable album, does not feel flat at all with most of the tracks clocking around the minute or so, is not hard to succumb to their anger, I can bet if you likes, Nasum, Napalm Death, Extreme Noise Terror, Pig Destroyer then you got no excuse to let the guys of Gadget crush your bones.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Enemies of Reason
02. Känslan (Post Patch Anxiety)
03. Pillars of Filth
04. Choice of a Lost Generation
05. From Graduation to Devastation
06. Dedication  02:19   Show lyrics  
07. Violent Hours (For a Veiled Awakening)
08. The 02666 Heritage
09. The Great Destroyer
10. Down and Out
11. In the Name of Suffering
12. Lost on a Straight Path
13. Forsaken
14. Collapse
15. The Lack of Humanity
16. Svart hål
17. I Don't Need You / Dead and Gone

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Nazghor (2016) Death's Withered Chants

Band: Nazghor

Country of Origin: Sweden

Genre: Black metal

Type: Full Length

Format: Digital 320 kbps
Length Approx.: 55:00 min.

Release Date: 03-11-2016

Release Label: Satanath Records

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Defiant to the mainstream black metal of nowadays

                

Nazghor was born during the winter of 2012, hailing from the deepest abyss of Uppsala, Sweden, this horde was created by vocalist Nekhrid and guitarist Armageddor with only one purpose to bring a pure, raw but yet melodic black metal and deliver a closer view of satanism in form of a darker, ceremonial, and ritualistic show, the dark message of Tartaros is delivered by unholy words that shroud the starry skies, the band is conformed by guitarist Angst who was recruited, from the ashes of an old group of dedicators, and later on bassist Crowlech joined the legion, currently during their live rituals they count with a guest drummer.

I have to admit it, previously "Diabolical Teachings" which was released last year, never before I had heard of them or listen any early recordings. So when I find them it was a gratifying experience, the kind of black metal this guys are able to bring is ripping, stinging with blasphemous tremolo picking guitars as hell itself, thunderous blast beat, very well accentuated by disturbingly and devilish high pitch vocals, that's what we can get from their fifth and latest album "Death's Withered Chants", it's defiant to the mainstream black metal of nowadays.

Nazghor sounds impressive not only for the fact that they are Swedish, they gathered enough elements of the whole scene to blend and give us their most brilliant work to date, the record opens with a beautiful intro "Hymnum Mortis" built in organ notes to inflict an eerie and funebre ambience, intensified by chants and thunderstorms followed by the rabid and fulminant "Requiem Black Mass" which set everything over the table and prove why this band, has reached so quickly the top underground scene, with such melodies and brutality it's inarguably the creativity and conviction they have, "Under the Venomous Spell" subtle start that turns into a storm very intense almost reaching a sublime point for the driven speed used by the drums with it blast beat that shatter harmoniously, flashing guitar riffs and the ominous vocals make of this track one of the best, Anders Strokirk from (Necrophobic) make a guest appearance in the track number four "Craft of the Nihilist" giving the proper vocal style, owning an overwhelming guitar solo, while the drum patterns seems to be unstoppable, "Road to Dead Meadows" has a singular entity and never step back for a second in the ferociously and speed delivered, track after track you can find out how meticulously are this guys "Inheritance of the Cross" falls into a blackened riffing, while "Aeternum Regno Diaboli" add a droning passage in the album, only to unleash the devils towards the end "Complete Unholyness" is very raw and combine exceptionally from fast pace to semi-slow pace adding an epic mood, "Empire of Graves" does not lack of intensity, until we get to the last track "Death's Withered Chants" it reaches a little over ten minutes, from afar you can perceives a thunderstorm which seems to start where the intro left, then a slow pace takes over with heavy and mesmerizing dark melodies, lofty backing vocals gives a stunning perspective to the whole environment, by the end you will hardly notice the length of the album due to the excellent flow of the tracks.

In summary this album takes a hell within the songwriting, the ceaseless raw but melodic black metal recalls bands like Dissection, Dark Funeral, Necrophobic or Dark Fortress just to mention few top bands of the genre, however the strongest critics could fall more upon the band genuineness, because many will point there is nothing new here, but cohesiveness and effectiveness are a must to stand out, they succeed to enthrall the listener for almost one hour, track after track you will feel a torrential flow of melodic aggression as you have not felt it for a while, indisputably a serious contender to add in the end year list.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Hymnum Mortis
02. Requiem Black Mass
03. Under a Venomous Spell
04. Craft of the Nihilist
05. Road to Dead Meadows
06. Inheritance of the Cross
07. Aeternum Regno Diaboli
08. Complete Unholyness
09. Empire of Graves
10. Death's Withered Chants

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Aphotic (2016) Within Darkness

Band: Aphotic

Country of Origin: US

Genre: Deathcore / Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: Digital 320 kbps
Length Approx.: 32:00 min.

Release Date: 03-05-2016

Release Label: Independent

IR Classification: Moderate (3.3 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Persuasive debut album appealing their most brutal and sick side

From Lansing, Michigan arises Aphotic, a death metal band relatively new in the scene, originally formed under the moniker of Betray the Prophet in 2011 with a sound a little bit more oriented into the deathcore, as you can listen in themes as "Carnivore" and "Usurping the Throne" which were included in Aphotic debut album "Within Darkness" released independently few weeks ago, the recording consists of an intro, an interlude and eight full tracks, lasting about thirty-two minutes of brutal and degenerated death metal.

Aphotic current line-up it's integrated by guitarist Nicholas Holbrook, vocalist Bryan Rohroff, guitarist Alex DeRose, bassist Julian Hendrickson and drummer Michael Weber, all of them since the beginning as Betray the Prophet, their sound seems to be influenced from a wide variety of bands and genres as The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse, Lamb of God, Slipknot and Behemoth to mention few bands.

"Misanthrope" it is the intro track that opens this album kicks in with an acoustic guitar work and hellish winds, while a post apocalyptic broadcasting announcement it's playing in the background, "Manifesting Depravity" opens with some keyboard notes that turns into filthy and aggressive riffs, gifted with some breakdowns and some nice bass work, "Carnivore" sounds very heavy and raw the relentless blast beats owned from the beginning, while the throaty vocals spits the most visceral and disgusting lyrics, "Usurping the Throne" sounds dark due to the down-tuned guitars and tremolo picking well backed up with an exhaustive blast beats and gargled vocals, it is followed by "Rameses" kicking in with a corrosive riff in the beginning, as well as how the track moves forward, they deftly interweave a variety of death riffing and well mixed torn vocals, the next track "Interlude" it consists of intangible noises in the distance, "Decomposed and Copulated" structured with some pagan ambiance in the background allows to reverberate with a great rhythm section, "Extracting the Parasite" arguably is the living proof of early Cannibal Corpse work in Aphotic sound "Desensitized" is fast and brutal blackened death metal undoubtedly meaty riffs and blistering drum pattern, leads to the closing track "Within Darkness, I Depart" it infuse the track with a dark and evil tune, powerful growl vocals combined with blackish snarls and gore backing vocals, practically the attention lies on vocals, the drumming is faultless and consistent.

                                 

Aphotic has delivered a very persuasive debut album, appealing their most brutal and sick side, the songwriting is average and delves in a wide variety of elements as influences, the production in some parts is to raw and lack of sharpness, losing from time to time the instruments during the mixing and mastering, I believe most of the tracks included here, were composed during the Betray the Prophet era, very recommendable for fans of brutal death metal, deathcore and technical death metal.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Misanthrope
02. Manifesting Depravity
03. Carnivore
04. Usurping the Throne
05. Rameses
06. Interlude
07. Decomposed and Copulated
08. Extracting the Parasite
09. Desensitized
10. Within Darkness, I Depart

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Miasmal (2016) Tides of Omniscience

Band: Miasmal

Country of Origin: Sweden

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 41:00 min.

Release Date: 03-04-2016

Release Label: Century Media Records

IR Classification: Good (3.8 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

The new blood are waving high enough the death metal flag for the new generation

Death metal band Miasmal originating from Gothenburg, Sweden has released their third album which is called "Tides of Omniscience" totaling almost forty-one minutes, with ten tracks of the most endemic Swedish death metal, Death 'n' roll spiced with some Punk features, their sound cannot be different but is clearly robust and bold and just in time to take part in the rebirth of the new blood of Swedish death metal with bands as Feral, Repuked or Revolting, who are waving high enough the death metal flag for the new generation.

"Tides of Omniscience" is a solid album rooted in the classic style of the old school death metal, reminiscing bands like Grave, Dismember, Entombed and At the Gates in this album Miasmal achieve with facts to transmit the essence captured in the nineties, is not easy to discern among the overpopulated scene of bands trying to emulate those days, but fortunately for us only few ones are able to do it, of course we would be guilty saying that they have an original sound, or they are redefining the genre, that would be totally false, however they know how to impart their unique stamp, incorporating and blending the right amount of riffs and blast beats at the right time.

Axion kicks into action with some stunning drumming followed by heavy guitar riffs which delves nicely in a rhythmic section before the raspy vocals by Pontus hit the speakers, if you were expecting guttural vocals almost inaudible, well I guess you will be disappointed, then is followed by the equally devastating track "Deception" dragging you into an unstoppable hell with its particular blend of speed, groove and deadly dose of heavy riffage, "Venomous Harvest" simply, keeps the pace of the album extremely fast without mercy always incorporating the right tunes in their rhythm section, "Perseverance" brings the balance and calm with a slower pace but heavy riffs, aside from the previous tracks this one is perfect for a middle piece album with an excellent guitar solo heading to the end, "Earthbound" does not fail to deliver an impressive death 'n' roll with catchy riffs and bass galloping lines ensures a hellish headbang, "Fear the New Flesh" owns that bizarre and raw punk hint riffing able to sketch a devilish smile from you approving what you listening, the last track in this album is "The Shifting of Stars" delivers an acoustic intro, very suitable allowing us to take a breath for few seconds, before turns into a massive and frantic blast beat fest with crushing riffs.

At the end Miasmal seems to fulfill above average for a general audience, but if you are still holding on to those days of the early Scandinavian death metal, here is a band that definitely are able to accurately recreate the sound, which we are all bound.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Axiom
02. Deception
03. The Pilgrimage
04. Venomous Harvest
05. Perseverance
06. Key to Eternity
07. Earthbound
08. Dark Waters
09. Fear the New Flesh
10. The Shifting of Stars

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