Realm of Wolves (2018) Oblivion 'Review'

Band: Realm of Wolves

Country of Origin: Hungary

Genre: Atmospheric Post Black metal

Type: Full Length

Format: Digital 320 kbps

Length Approx.: 40:00 min.

Release Date: 10-19-2018

Release Label: Independent

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

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A nostalgic vibe to rumble your inner self.

Realm of Wolves is hailing from Hungary, the band plays an addictive and captivating Atmospheric Post Black metal that is very influenced by epic shoegazing sound while delivering a varied landscape of depressive melodies that are well intertwined with Post-rock elements which allows them to reach heavier moments. this three-member band comes with Ghöul and Stvannyr bassist and guitarist respectively from the Post-rock band Silent Island, with Vvildr multi-instrumentalist from the Post-Black metal solo project Vvilderness, but now taking duties as vocalist and drummer; The outcome of this mix is exquisite.

Realm of Wolves have entitled their debut album "Oblivion," which contains seven tracks barely reaching over forty minutes with some of the subtlest tones within the genre, but also adding the exact amount of intensity and strength to elevate each of the tracks to a level beyond expectations. The first track "Cascadia," starts with smooth guitar work that evolves immensely thanks to the proper wall of sound provided as a background, which battles in intensity just enough to engage full attention at first listening. It is followed by "Ignifier" with a bold guitar tone that tries to keep up the ambience from the beginning, while "Old Roots" shifts the gears into a more Black metal section with a solid blast beat before taking back their passive and melodious sound, "Translucent Stones" brings back that eerie feeling of perpetual loneliness that is very appreciated by some and ignored by others. "Twelve Miles to Live" at some point it reaches those prominent sounds that were well played by Agalloch or Wolves in Throne Room. "Into the Woods of Oblivion" is the longest track in this album over nine minutes, but still delivering with such passion and energy, the bass lines sound dense and pretentious, but unforgettable with a subtle interlude that prepares once again an energetic take off to nowhere, the last track in this album is "Northern Wind," besides the guitar work which is simple, but exceptional along the whole album, the bass lines adopt their own personality with a bolder and daring sound that lets your imagination play on its own.

As I stated previously, Realm of Wolves happens to be a brilliant fusion of talented people with a solid vision. It might not be something new, but it is a pretty good structure with their songwriting from beginning to end, the timing, the speed at the end everything here sounds simply great! A delightful independent debut album, I might be late with this review and others, but I'm trying to give credit to whoever deserves it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. Cascadia (Instrumental) │ 02. Ignifer │ 03. Old Roots │ 04. Translucent Stones (Instrumental) │ 05. Twelve Miles to Live │ 06. Into the Woods of Oblivion │ 07. Northern Wind 

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Marche Funèbre (2018) Death Wish Woman [EP] 'Review'

Band: Marche Funèbre

Country of Origin: Belgium

Genre: Doom Death metal

Type: EP

Format: Digital 320 kbps

Length Approx.: 29:00 min.

Release Date: 10-14-2018

Release Label: Grimm Distribution

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

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Melancholic melodies and insane energy.

The Belgian band Marche Funèbre has been around since 2008, releasing a total of three full length and a previous EP. During the beginning of 2017, they released their third album titled "Into the Arms of Darkness" which in my opinion, is the best Doom Death metal album of that year, including epic tracks like "Deprived (into Darkness)", "Lullaby of Insanity" and "The Garden of All Things Wild," this production denotes the great level and skills at songwriting, that the band has achieved along the years and personally I was expecting to heard something new from them soon and here we are!

"Death Wish Woman" has four tracks clocking near the half hour of the most intense Doom Death metal, I'm sure it will get you with its melancholic melodies and insane energy. "Broken Wings" subtly opens the gates to the madness that carries with itself, Denis Lefevre delivers an exceptional drumming supported by the crushing guitars of Peter Egberghs and Kurt Blommé, deeper bass lines come by Boris Iolis, as well as the clean vocals and the growl vocals are brilliantly delivered by Arne Vendenhoeck. The second track is "Death Wish Woman" which kicks in with a versatile and intense drum work, the killer mid-pace riff takes the lead and sounds oppressive and punishing with flagrant and intimidating vocals that makes the track superb, then comes the epic track, "A Departing Guest" in the same pace as their previous songs, it shows clearly what this band is capable to do. Down tones the guitar riff to transmit a grievous feeling, the drumming are meticulously played while the atmosphere fogged painfully towards the end to bring back more colder and bitter vocals. In the last track Marche Funèbre, they go in with a cover from the band Paradise Lost, the chosen track is "As I Die," this is one of my favorite songs of all time. In the past, I have heard other bands covering this track Eternal Tears of Sorrow, which I like. Netherbird has a particular approach that makes it sounds unique, but Marche Funèbre gets a closer sound comparing to the original and for some reason it's catchy and I like it.

I want to conclude that "Death Wish Woman" is an excellent EP that offers only a small test of their creativity, no doubt this band will bring great surprises in the near future. Followers of the Doom Death sub-genre won't feel disappointed, this is a highly recommended band, avoid them if you like going for ultra-fast and making brutal noise, but if you here looking for a musical enrichment, this is a good start.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. Broken Wings │ 02. Death Wish Woman │ 03. A Departing Guest │ 04. As I Die (Paradise Lost cover)

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Vanhelgd (2018) Deimos Sanktuarium 'Review'

Band: Vanhelgd

Country of Origin: Sweden

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 44:00 min.

Release Date: 10-12-2018

Release Label: Pulverised Records

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

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Deimos Sanktuarium is dark, heavy and diverse.

With Vanhelgd, there is no doubt that they are one of the most proficient bands born from the New Wave of Old School Death metal. In ten years they released an EP and five full length albums which speaks out for itself, "Deimos Sanktuarium" comes out after a little bit more than two years of having released "Temple of Phobos" which has a more darker and evil sound, with the new album these elements not only prevail, but also gave them the opportunity to master their songwriting skills, adding a tenebrous doom ambiance to it.

As I mentioned before "Deimos Sanktuarium," its sound is heavier than ever before. The opening track, "A Plea for Divine Necromancy" built in a semi-slow pace with a crushing riff that delivers exactly what you were expecting with a gloomy incarnation of your deepest fear. The third track "Vi föddes i samma grav" (We Were Born in the Same Tomb) is undoubtedly the best track of the album with a killer riff that is well executed; a superb and powerful drumming, not to mention the grunting vocals coming from the same abyss, "The Ashes of Our Defeat" grows within an ominous funeral path full of mixed emotions. The drum work is outstanding, while the guitar delivers a sorrowful riff, that embraces you in a horrifying vibe. "The Silent Observer" approaches to a more fulminant tremolo pattern of death metal, picking up the pace to strike lethally. The last track is "Här finns ingen nåd" (There Is No Mercy Here), re-takes it's powerful death-doom formula, a very good way to end a great album.

So, to end it up we can say Vanhelgd are more than convincing with their straight forward hybrid mix of death-doom, the most demanding fans of the genre will be pleased with this album, due to it's dark, heavy and diversity, "Deimos Sanktuarium" is definitely a great addition to any collectors, but novices to the genre are more than welcome to enjoy it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. A Plea for Divine Necromancy │ 02. Så förgås världens härlighet │ 03. Vi föddes i samma grav │ 04. Profaned Is the Blood of the Covenant │ 05. The Ashes of Our Defeat │ 06. The Silent Observer │ 07. Här finns ingen nåd

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Skálmöld (2018) Sorgir 'Review'

Band: Skálmöld

Country of Origin: Iceland

Genre: Folk metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak

Length Approx.: 54:00 min.

Release Date: 10-12-2018

Release Label: Napalm Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

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They project their ferocity and aggressiveness brilliantly.

Skálmöld is bringing their fifth full length titled "Sorgir," which means (Sorrow) and as they are accustomed to their lyrics in their native language Icelandic, I find it hard to ignore all their previous recordings especially "Börn Loka" (Loki's Children) released in 2012 because of it's unique sound and wonderful melodies overflowing along the album, contrasting with the epic raw vocals and chants, making it hard to escape from their sound, moving us on their latest album we can appreciate a wrapping dynamic.

The album lasts about fifty-four minutes including nine tracks, all of them are well structured with an anthem feeling, great guitar solos, vigorous drum work to match perfectly the rhythmic section, neat bass lines and of course chants! lots of them backing up the unforgettable harsh vocals, I have not taken the time to translate the songs, but I wouldn't surprise at all for its content. Another great Viking story, the first track "Ljósið " (The Light) has a solid crushing riff which is repetitive in some way, but not annoying, "Sverðið" (Sword) slows down the pace and approaches us more with a grief feeling and the choirs are full of regret. "Brúnin" (The Edge) once again picks up the intensity with a tremendous riff and a superb guitar solo, the drumming is effective as well as simple. "Skotta" is another great song here they display a powerful collective chant very emotive, "Gangári" (Gangs) has a catchy melodic riff, something you will enjoy. "Móri" seriously feels like it doesn't belong to this album in my opinion, it sounds very repetitive, tedious and also long. Then comes "Mara," it could be suffering the same symptoms as the previous track, however this track is more energetic, versatile and keeps you engaged with its folk vibe and a the most beautiful guitar solo in the album. The closing track in the Digipack version is "Höndin sem veggina klórar" (The Hand that Scratches the Walls) is subtle containing the fury that carries with itself, sounds heavy and vastly inspired.

Skálmöld is one of the few bands that knows how to project their ferocity and aggressiveness brilliantly. Something that has been there from the very beginning, they know how to handle and deliver each note, sometimes in a dropper and sometimes a full and stimulating dose, I can tell you this "Sorgir" is absolutely a good album. Musically seems like they have decided to expand their songwriting spectrum, adding more thrashy riffs and grooves in their rhythmic section, but without losing their own identity; However, there are few issues (repetitiveness and length) that forbid me to rank higher this album.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. Ljósið │ 02. Sverðið │ 03. Brúnin │ 04. Barnið │ 05. Skotta │ 06. Gangári │ 07. Móri │ 08. Mara │ 09. Höndin sem Veggina Klórar

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