Feb 11, 2019

Psycroptic (2018) As The Kingdom Drowns 'Review'


Band: Psycroptic
Country of Origin: Australia
Genre: Technical Death metal
Type: Full Length
Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 35:00 min.
Release Date11-09-2018
Release Label: Prosthetic Records

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)


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They have always sought to succeed with refined tech riffs or innovative and catchy riffs.

Twenty years ago, Psycroptic was born in West Hobart, Tasmania in Australia, Haley brothers were the ones who started giving shape to one of the most iconic Tech Death Metal bands originated there. Currently, the band is formed by guitarist Joe Haley, drummer David Haley, bassist Todd Stern, and vocalist Jason Peppiatt, "As the Kingdom Drowns" is the seventh album in their discography, it was recorded at AAA, Red Planet, and Crawlspace Studios, Produced and Engineered by Joe Haley, Mixed and Mastered by Will Putney, the album includes nine songs that we will go through little by little, I'm kind of skeptical but anxious at the same time because, since their second album "The Scepter of the Ancients" released back in 2003, I haven't heard anything solid like that.

Psycroptic likely and surely would be considered by many the most proficient band from Australia, undoubtedly, they are talented and skillful even with their ups and downs they have always sought to succeed with refined tech riffs or innovative and catchy riffs, offering a perpetual glimpse to their progress through the years.


"As the Kingdom Drowns" opens with "We Were the Keepers" the assault begins with a straight punch of technical riff which soon melds with melodious prowess and vivid backing vocals by Amy Wiles she has been working with the power heavy metal band Taberah as a session keyboardist since 2011, it's followed by "Frozen Gaze" sounds defying with such powerful groove the tracks unfold aggressively while the drum work is exceptional taking the pace and the vocals are menacing, "Directive" is relentless with lots of riffs that build effectively a heavy ramp of sounds, the double bass drum is prominent, "Deadlands" burst with a rapid riff it becomes energetic and insane at the same time proving their quality at songwriting to be addictive, "As the Kingdom Drowns" takes off with a mysterious and quick intro to launch a non-stop and  schizophrenic attack showcasing their skillful on every instrument, the song is very memorable, due to the piano section added towards the end, "Beyond the Black" sounds harmonious and ferocious the guitar riff is ruthless as ever, "Upon These Stones" experiment with a delightful eerie start where melodies and mid-pace takes into a different but interesting approach, "Momentum of the Void" opts for a slower but heavy rhythm which is quite different than the rest of the others tracks in the album, the closing track is "You Belong Here, Below" absolutely sharp as a razor blade and incisive but short at the end.



I believe that Psycroptic have doubtlessly rerouted into another era and I am not talking about stepping back, of course, if we used as a parameter "The Scepter of the Ancients" to measure their latest work is just fine, but "As the Kingdom Drowns" stands by itself and do comparatives after this album would be insulting for their work.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. We Were the Keepers │ 02. Frozen Gaze │ 03. Directive │ 04. Deadlands │ 05. As the Kingdom Drowns │ 06. Beyond the Black │ 07. Upon These Stones │ 08. Momentum of the Void │ 09. You Belong Here, Below


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Feb 10, 2019

Sadist (2018) Spellbound 'Review'


Band: Sadist
Country of Origin: Italy
Genre: Progressive Death metal
Type: Full Length
Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 37:00 min.
Release Date11-09-2018
Release Label: Scarlet Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)


Listen to our review! (English)
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A very interesting concept album that leaves you no choice.

Sadist is a band formed in Genoa, Italy since 1990 always playing a high-quality Progressive Death metal in the vein of bands like Atheist, Nocturnus, and Cynic just to mention some bands, their work over the years has been very consistent, However, I have personally kept myself away from their work, only focusing on albums like their debut album "Above the Light", released in 1993 by the Nosferatu record label of Italy, now extinct, "Crust" released in 1997 through Dutch record label Displeased Records, "Sadist" released in 2007 by Beyond ... Productions from Italy and lately "Season in Silence" released in 2010 by its current record label Scarlet Records.

The current Sadist line-up consists of Tommy Talamanca on guitars and keyboards, Trevor Nadir on vocals, Alessio Spallarossa on drums and Andy Marchini on bass. The band's newest album titled "Spellbound" is centered around the life and work of influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. Each of the 11 songs included in the album traces the plot of a Hitchcock movie, including masterpieces such as ‘Frenzy’, ‘Notorius’, ‘The Birds’ and of course ‘Psycho’, with their unique and flawless Progressive Death metal.



The album opens masterfully with "39 Steps" a macabre and fearsome piano intro worthy of any suspense episode of Alfred Hitchcock, rapidly is followed by "The Birds" energetic and melodious keyboards create a dense atmosphere along the song, while the guitar works crushing and belligerent, "Spellbound" delivers spine-chilling nuances through its sound full of oppressive terror, "Rear Window" still carrying that grim and sinister sound the crushing guitars meld perfectly with the ambiance while the drum work is outstanding, "Bloody Bates" is totally demented and offers the blackest and morbid moment in the album, most people who were able to appreciate Hitchcock films will know right away what's this song is all about it, "Notorius" is an instrumental piece with heavy progressive elements, leaving aside the death metal components, let's skip to "I'm the Man Who Knew Too Much" which is able to create a darker, brutal and dynamic vibe in the album like no other song, "Frenzy" is disturbingly chaotic interacting with creative and melodic moments to abruptly attack with its classic sound, "The Mountain Eagle" entangles with superb complexity maximizing the outcome and the last track is "Downhill" another instrumental song that worth the time to listen for, and that's how Sadist manages to drive you through a well-defined concept album with one of the most disturbing stories.



I want to conclude that Sadist been an underrated band, they have been proved themselves once again to be one of the best Progressive metal acts out there, devoted to their roots and firmly stomping as never before, "Spellbound" is a very interesting concept album that leaves you no choice, please don't miss the chance to listen to them.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. 39 Steps │ 02. The Birds │ 03. Spellbound │ 04. Rear Window │ 05. Bloody Bates │ 06. Notorius │ 07. Stage Fright │ 08. I'm the Man Who Knew Too Much │ 09. Frenzy │ 10. The Mountain Eagle │ 11. Downhill


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Deathrite (2018) Nightmares Reign 'Review'


Band: Deathrite
Country of Origin: Germany
Genre: Grindcore / Death metal
Type: Full Length
Format: CD Digipak Ltd. Edition
Length Approx.: 43:00 min.
Release Date11-09-2018
Release Label: Century Media Records

IR Classification: Moderate (2.6 / 5)


Listen to our review! (English)
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Indeed! Nightmares Reign, it could not have been explained or titled better.

German band Deathrite brings their fourth record "Nightmares Reign" it comes with a very particular proposal, quite unique I would say, but that doesn't mean it's great, to be honest with you, forget what you previously listened back in 2015 "Revelation of Chaos" is far away and safe, "Nightmares Reign" ended up being a hard recording to go through because their sound is leaning towards a Death metal with scattered Grindcore parts along the album not very persuasive by the way the band opted to approach more to the d-beat sound with some slow riff nesting comfortably and uninspiringly into their sound. 

The major let down in this album is the infinite moments they are able to craft something great that you expect it to blow up anytime, but unfortunately, it never happens! you can feel that rush in your bloodstream and all the sudden that excitement gets lost in perplexity, sadly this formula repeats over and over along the whole album.


"When Nightmares Reign" kicks off with a muddy slow riff which manages to catch your attention for the speed and classic d-beat rhythm projected, rapidly and almost unnoticeable links to the next track "Appetite for Murder" it keeps the intensity acquired is here when you expect this track to reach another level; However, it leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere with all that fire within you, then comes "Invoke Nocturnal Light" starting inoffensive and uninspiring it seems to pick up only when they go for those relentless d-beat riffs, "Demon Soul" is quite long enough for the few attractive riffs that contain the track, everything sounds generic the drumming needs that power infused in "Revelation of Chaos" or "Into Extinction", the next song is "Devil's Poison" besides the quick lame and boring start it really tries to reflect that heavy and dark ambiance well mixed with d-beat riffs and they did it great, "Bloodlust" seems out of place in this album, because is a straight discharge of old school metal with no mercy crushing riff and powerful drums are the key for this song, "Obscure Shades" re-takes those mid-paced riffs that have proven to be very ineffective to gain my attention, finally! but not over yet, we get to the last track "Temptation Calls" is the longest track they had ever recorded in their entire discography clocking at nine minutes and a half with not much to display, but if you are in the mood I can tell you, the eerie passages and that subliminal guitar solo that leads to an effusive and epic guitar work will save the end from a free fall.



To sum up briefly, Honestly, I have to say it, this is not the best work they have put out, musically it lacks vibrant and crushing ideas, the average time per song it is higher than usual and the prominent heavy and darker sound almost vanished giving a free path to an extense use of crust and d-beat elements blended with death metal to obtain their very particular sound, the production and mixing is accordingly to the rawness they wanted to project; So... is up to you to take a side, Me!? I will stick to their previous works for a while.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

01. When Nightmares Reign │ 02. Appetite for Murder │ 03. Invoke Nocturnal Light │ 04. Demon Soul │ 05. Devil's Poison │ 06. Bloodlust │ 07. Obscure Shades │ 08. Temptation Calls


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