Cancer (2018) Shadow Gripped 'Review'

Band: Cancer

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Genre: Death / Thrash metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 44:00 min.

Release Date: 11-02-2018

Release Label: Peaceville Records

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Listen to our review! (English)

© Insanity Remains Webzine.

                   

The best comeback album I have heard in a while.

Everybody who witness the underground boom! of the early nineties at least we heard one of the two successful albums that Cancer could achieve at that time "To the Gory End" released in 1990 and their unrivaled album or cult classic album in my opinion "Death Shall Rise" was unleashed in 1991, but their album "The Sins of Mankind" from 1993 lacked that ruthless punch of its progenitor, after that began the downfall and "Black Faith" it vanish by itself, the band once again make an attempt in 2005 with their album "Spirits in Flames" which wasn't bad at all, but still carrying the heavyweight from the beginning on their backs; So, the forced question here should be; Has Cancer finally found the old formula to deliver an album according to its legend status?

The British metallers Cancer has come back and been honest with you guys they did it in great shape, their sixth album entitled "Shadow Gripped" is far beyond to be a disappoint with tracks like "Garrote", "Crime so Vile" or "Down the Steps" enjoy of plenty brutal and heavy guitar riff as they brought us in the nineties.

The current line-up consists of Ian Buchanan in the bass guitar, Carl Stokes behind the drums and John Walker in the guitars and vocals.

Cancer took over thirteen years to release their new album "Shadow Gripped" but the outcome is superb from the beginning "Down the Steps" with dreary guitar riff opens while the drum work becomes increasingly beefy and the grunting vocals interact smoothly to perfection,  reviving those days of the old school death metal, "Garrotte" is the single track released couple months ahead, the song by itself is demolishing and ruthless going from mid-pace riff to frantic and fast riff the drums are remarkably delivering the classic sound  making this track memorable for its catchiness and savagery, let's skip to "Organ Snatcher" reveals a vile and fetid ambiance with a sick and nauseating riff while the drums sound menacing with its unique rudeness, the gruesome vocals are irreverent fitting to perfection in this track, "The Infocidal" delivers a relentless drumming work, fusing properly with the aggressive groovy riff, remarkably for the elements that once enthralled you, this is a great song, "Half Man Half Beast" brings an epic feel with the orchestration and chants addition, giving a diverse approach to their new proposal, very enjoyable track, "Crimes so Vile" sounds extremely solid the chugging and meaty guitar riff, that hooks you up and the bursting drumming retains the heaviness to perfection, "Thou Shalt Kill" stands out for the fastest and brutal riffage focusing into some discordant segments towards the end, the track is packed with merciless drum work that feels overwhelming, "Shadow Gripped" is simply a killer track with a powerful thrash guitar riff very infectious and fierce and fulminating percussions, make this track one more to highlight the last track is "Disposer" at the beginning goes in a slower but vigorous direction with devilish growls full of hatred and a thunderous drums, evoking the glorious days of the nineties.

After listening "Shadow Gripped" the only thing I can conclude, this is the best comeback album I have heard in a while, capturing all the elements that once captivate everyone, if you are a true metalhead from yore, you should give it a spin I promise you, they won't disappoint you.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. Down the Steps │ 02. Garrotte │ 03. Ballcutter │ 04. Organ Snatcher │ 05. The Infocidal │ 06. Half Man Half Beast │ 07. Crimes So Vile │ 08. Thou Shalt Kill │ 09. Shadow Gripped │ 10. Disposer

Facebook

Peaceville Records

Share us!

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Legion of the Damned (2019) Slaves of the Shadow Realm 'Review'

Band: Legion of the Damned

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Genre: Death / Thrash metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 38:00 min.

Release Date: 01-04-2019

Release Label: Napalm Records

IR Classification: Good (4.3 / 5)

Listen to our review! (English)

© Insanity Remains Webzine.

                   

Slaves of the Shadow Realm is by itself a destructive gust.

For many, Legion of the Damned doesn't mean a lot and usually they are overlooked, but the truth is hidden because of drummer Erik Fleuren and vocalist Maurice Swinkels when they started off their career with their first band called Occult from the Netherlands around 1992 and under this name, they were able to release five full-length albums from 1994 up to 2003. Due to unknown reasons, the band name was changed to Legion of the Damned. So far, they have released a total of seven albums including their latest album entitled "Slaves of the Shadow Realm" that was released a few days ago.


Legion of the Damned plays a very aggressive and riff-driven thrash with an utter death feel as few bands have been able to achieve like Sodom, Destruction, and Kreator with some rawness of early Slayer sound. The band currently is formed by drummer Erik Fleuren, the vocalist Maurice Swinkels, bass player Harold Gielen (Inhume) and guitarist Twan van Geel (Soulburn).

"Slaves of the Shadow Realm" is by itself a destructive gust holding nine tracks that barely reach the thirty-eighth minute mark. Leading this attack comes "The Widow's Breed," it blasts your speakers due to the heated guitar riff with ferocious snarling vocals which at some point throw me back to the "Agent Orange" era of Sodom. The next track is "Nocturnal Commando" which delivers such a sense of animosity and punishment for the intense blast beats and the corrosive guitar riffs that were played by Teutonic masters of Kreator. Then come "Charnel Confession," which keeps the tone and pace as the previous track with blistering drums and a crushing riff, the entangling vocals are always at its top range that delivers the right feeling. "Slaves of the Southern Cross" takes a slower and rhythmic approach, but it sounds heavy, sharp and punitive like Destruction does. "Warhounds of Hades" grabs the sledgehammer and practically smashes your brain with such an instigator guitar riff that it achieves a rawness that I can only compare to Slayer beginnings. Then comes "Black Banners in Flames," which brings a fresh feeling to the album due the old school harsh riff suchlike Sodom and Kreator and I mean it, "Shadow Realm of the Demonic Mind" seems like shifting things away from its natural path because the exquisite piano introduction, but soon as it ends, the slaughter begins lashing out with their axes and beheading everyone around when the drumming turns intense and devastating, while the galloping guitar riff comes effectively to complement this track. "Palace of Sin" again retakes the rawness and aggressivity scourged similarly like "Hell awaits" from Slayer or "Endless Pain" by Kreator, the last track in the CD version is "Dark Coronation / Outro" it's not exactly what I was waiting for to end this album, I missed the intensity in the drums, I missed those sharp riffs that they showed throughout the album, vocally it is not so effusive or outstanding.

"Slaves of the Shadow Realm" brings up a pleasant vibe, currently a few bands like Legion of the Damned are capable of creating a Death / Thrash metal just as they do it, the album carries a great variety of inspiring riffs and don’t forget the drums which were very engaging and precise, while the vocal department doesn't have much to complain because Swinkels knows how to fit smoothly on each track. The negative, is the CD version is to short, so go for the limited edition which includes two bonus tracks "Priest Hunt" and "Azazel's Crown," the other unfavorable point is the closing track, which wants me seeking more unrelenting forcefulness.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. The Widows Breed │ 02. Nocturnal Commando │ 03. Charnel Confession │ 04. Slaves of the Southern Cross │ 05. Warhounds of Hades │ 06. Black Banners in Flames │ 07. Shadow Realm of the Demonic Mind │ 08. Palace of Sin │ 09. Dark Coronation / Outro

Facebook

Napalm Records

Share us!

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Soulfly (2018) Ritual 'Review'

Band: Soulfly

Country of Origin: United States

Genre: Groove / Thrash metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 43:00 min.

Release Date: 10-19-2018

Release Label: Nuclear Blast

IR Classification: Good (4.3 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

© Insanity Remains Webzine.

                   

A very distinctive and unique Ritual.

Let's start with this album "Ritual" by Soulfly and to be honest with you, I considered myself a detractor of this band, I never felt an affection or enthusiasm for them and their music, but the time is wise and was recently until a few years ago more accurate in the 2015 and their album "Archangel" it caught my attention in a unique way, with memorable cuts and not just an attempt to stay current in the music industry, I will abstain myself from criticizing any other album for the simple reason of having ignored them completely.

"Archangel" at some point was irreverent with solid guitar riff emanating from the very deep chaos, in a form of exciting hybrid of groove and thrash metal and their newest album "Ritual" the eleventh album comes as a strong reinforce within their discography.

The album kicks off with the self-title track "Ritual" primitive chants mixed with a distorted guitar set the enough energy to launch a groovy front attack and doesn't stop there, it comes "Dead Behind the Eyes" layered with an impressive thrashing riff and drumming that excels with a very dynamic section tight and precise while the vocals by Randy Blythe and Calavera are massive no questions about it, "The Summoning" overflows in energetic and cohesive drum work and experiment a bit towards the end with that electro beat, "Evil Empowered" is fast and thrilling throwing very rapacious guitar riff, the next track "Under Rapture" sounds heavy and aggressive from the beginning and here you can catch a very distinctive bass line to welcome a vast and dense death metal passage with the powerful guest vocals performed by no other than Mr. Ross Dolan from Immolation, "Demonized" it could be the trashier cut in the album demanding the young drummer to show up his versatility to keep up the pace the guitar solo here is meaningful and genuine, "Blood on the Street" doesn't really make an impact on me, but "Bite the Bullet" have a catchy groove rhythmic section that essentially exploit up to its core, "Feedback!" is a refreshing and pleasant rock n' roll track and for a moment it throw myself into the past to remember one of the greats who is no longer here, I mean the great Lemmy Kilmister, the last track is "Soulfly XI" an instrumental track compose with a subtle ambience incorporates elements such as the sitar and the saxophone to provide a an opulent ending but gratifying.

And that's how I ended up appreciating to one of the most iconic name and trajectories within the metal scene, it took me seventeen years to understand them, I might start digging little by little their discography to discover what I ignored for many years, meanwhile I will keep enjoying their latest release "Ritual".

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. Ritual │ 02. Dead Behind the Eyes │ 03. The Summoning │ 04. Evil Empowered │ 05. Under Rapture │ 06. Demonized │ 07. Blood on the Street │ 08. Bite the Bullet │ 09. Feedback! │ 10. Soulfly XI

Facebook

Nuclear Blast

Share us!

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Revocation (2018) The Outer Ones 'Review"

Band: Revocation

Country of Origin: United States

Genre: Technical Death / Thrash Metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 48:00 min.

Release Date: 09-28-2018

Release Label: Metal Blade Records

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

© Insanity Remains Webzine.

A devastating technical avalanche.

The natives from Boston, Massachusetts; Revocation seems an unstoppable machine with over twelve years behind their backs they have been very busy the last five years touring tirelessly everywhere north to south and east to west, catching sometime between to compose, record and released a total of four albums within this period, including the last album entitled "The Outer Ones" each one surpassing its predecessor in every aspect, always delivering top notch productions without overwhelming the listener and that is probably the key for their succeed.

Since the beginning Revocation they were characterized for their consistency, quality and innovation, bringing unorthodox elements to its songwriting, but always remaining as extreme and authentic as they can be and of course their latest album "The Outer Ones" can't be excluded, their Progressive Death Metal style has remained as their hallmark, although sometimes sinning a bit for the excesses in which they fall and we often overlook them. 

Let's proceed with the album itself, the opener track is "Of Unworldly Origin" kick off right away with a very fast tremolo picking and thunderous blast beats, this track hits the right notes of progressive metal, delivering a genuine guitar solo to enhance your experience, followed by "That Which Consumes All Things" weak at the beginning but somehow they manage to hook you up with solvent riff not impressive but very well backed up by the bass lines played behind the guitars, the third track is "Blood Atonement" after a stunning fret work, quickly the melodies arrive and leads towards spirals of progressions very accurate and structured, while the drum work here is faultless and belligerent, next is "Fathomless Catacombs" sounds darker without abandon the progressive path, beautiful but passive guitar solo, "The Outer Ones" tries to approach you infused by an enigmatic science fiction vibe, the sound is unapologetic, with thrashing murky riff and a very consistent drumming, however very repetitive towards the end, "Vanitas" lacks of intensity and ferocity but is not a bad track at all, brings up together all the collective talent this band owns, molded in simplicity but chaotic yet, "Ex Nihilo" is the instrumental track and it connects right away keeping the flow from the previous track, with more punching progressive guitar riff, the drumming is mean and categorical and the bass adds a darker and deeper vibe, now comes "Luciferous" structured with a more melodic feeling and at some point picks up its aggressivity with no remorse, the battling rhythms between the guitars are appealing, here there is not misconception at all, and so we come to the last track "A Starless Darkness" slows down the pace to the devastating technical avalanche we were exposed, strong grooves that shift speeds back and forth sometimes stepping on the threshold of doom, the low growls add the proper dimension for this track, while the guitar solo it sounds very saturated and complicated.

I would like to conclude that "The Outer Ones" while is not easy to digest for everybody, I mean if you are looking for brutality, speed and straightforward metal, you might be disappointed, but not all is lost, Revocation through "The Outer Ones" can deliver exactly what you looking for, but with some dose of complexity and virtuosity, I will not deny that you might find some issues while testing this band; However, I can assure you this album will be a top ten list of the year.

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Of Unworldly Origin
02. That Which Consumes All Things
03. Blood Atonement
04. Fathomless Catacombs
05. The Outer Ones
06. Vanitas
07. Ex Nihilo
08. Luciferous
09. A Starless Darkness

Facebook

Metal Blade Records

Share us!

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Izegrim (2016) The Ferryman's End

Band: Izegrim

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Genre: Thrash metal / Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Ltd. Edition
Length Approx.: 41:00 min.

Release Date: 03-25-2016

Release Label: Listenable Records

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

The Ferryman’s End becomes the best Izegrim effort to date

Dutch melodic death thrashers Izegrim are back with just under two and a half years of the release of their previous album "Congress of the Insane" which I believe it was the first conceptual album of the band, delving into evilness and falsehood of the human nature, now with twenty years in the scene they are offering us their fifth full length titled "The Ferryman's End" released once again through the French label Listenable Records, the album contains eleven tracks in the vein of bands like Kreator, Arch Enemy, At the Gates or their countrymen Legion of the Damned, "The Ferryman's End" keeps lyrically the same concept format approaching us to the death row, where an inmate is awaiting for his execution, every cut describes the complex stages into the criminal's mind before he got executed by the end of the album, no doubt a very interesting topic.

Izegrim current line-up has remained pretty stable during the last eight years, with founder and guitarist Jeroen Wechgelaer, the bassist and attractive vocalist Marloes Voskuil, guitarist Bart van Ginkel and drummer Ivo Maarhuis, I want to believe that due to this unity they were able to achieve a very outstanding songwriting and therefore "The Ferryman's End" becomes the best Izegrim effort to date.

"The Ferryman's End" from the beginning offers a crushing melodic death metal dose with "White Walls" built in heavy riffage and somber pace while the drums occasionally slip into a measurable blast beat, "Time to Run" starts with an unrestrained riffs, challenging drums comes in all directions and you feel surrounded by hell itself, Marloes delivers a rawer vocals that strike fear, "Endless Desire" slow paced its way, somewhat predictably when they shift pace, but never reach the ferocity of the previous tracks and sounds bland, "The Evil Within" it charges back with demolishing and fearless riffs, the bass lines sounds outstanding in the background, Marloes raspy vocals owns the track while in the interlude softly adds the whispers, it is followed by "Absolute Necessity" the drum pattern takes the lead due to the intricate, solid  and consistent drumming, the song counts with a brief yet melodic guitar solo, "Reclaim My Identity" is absolutely faultless with filthy riffs and darkly bass lines, open the window to throw some clean vocals by Marloes, "Insanity is Freedom" takes an approach into a blackened death sound, while "Reflection of Redemption" fluctuates between obscure and heavy passages, "Through a Glass Darkly" with a more varied structure, brings freshness and versatility with the vicious riffs involved, "Lost in Tranquility" it's the prelude of the story with some generic death metal riffs and blasting drums doesn't make an impact imminent, the last rack in the album is the self-titled "The Ferryman's End" unorthodox start with pummeling drums and sick riffs, as the track keeps going on, turns into a mid paced theme with a dense and brutal rhythmic section, ripping vocals that shatter into a delightful chaos, to end up with the protagonist execution.

"The Ferryman's End" clearly puts Izegrim as one of the bands that aging doesn't affect or soften their skills playing a persuasive death-thrash metal as always with extreme and relentless virtuosity and brutality, be sure to grab your copy and enjoy this album, you might regret if you don't.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. White Walls
02. Time to Run
03. Endless Desire
04. The Evil Within
05. Absolute Necessity
06. Reclaim My Identity
07. Insanity Is Freedom
08. Reflection of Redemption
09. Through a Glass Darkly
10. Lost in Tranquility
11. The Ferryman's End

Facebook

Listenable Records

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.