Throne (2018) Altar of the Dying [EP] 'Review'

Band: Throne

Country of Origin: US

Genre: Blackened Death metal

Type: EP

Format: Digital 320 kbps
Length Approx.: 24:00 min.

Release Date: 07-30-2018

Release Label: Independent

IR Classification: Moderate (3.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

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A vertiginous offensive against you.

From Jackson, Michigan rises Throne, a band with a powerful Blackened Death metal. This quartet is made up of former members of the band Winterus, the band was established in 2015 by vocalist and guitarist Nathan Barnes and drummer Kollin Perpignani, supported by bass guitarist Leslie Drake and guitarist Joe Kesselring, with this line-up Throne starts working on the material for their first release.

"Altar of the Dying" is the title of Throne's first recording which contains seven tracks in digital EP format, it was recorded produced, mixed, and engineered at Bricktop Studios by Andy Nelson, the album artwork cover was designed by Brian Shehan (Wolvhammer).

It starts with an "Intro" which I don't understand quite a lot, it seems to me more like a truncated track that finishes as soon as it gets more interesting, after such an abrupt ending, it comes "Heresy of the Highest Order" it launches a vertiginous offensive against you, loaded with powerful guitar riffs, "Not of Shadow nor Fog" doesn't decrease the intensity displayed at all, they are really convinced at what they do and that means destroying you, outstanding are the jazzy bass lines almost at the end of the track, which is then followed by the self-album title song "Altar of the Dying" where everything here sounds perfect, ceaseless drums reflect the skills and forcefulness to enthrall you, while the vocals are flagrant against the blindful lambs, "Covenant of Darkness" sounds provoking and irreverent, "Where Angel Cower in Fear" and last track "Plague Upon the Unholy" both are relentless, cohesive and malicious, however it just leaves you unsatisfied.

What prevents this record to succeed at all within me are few things, at the beginning we have an intro that sounds more like an unfinished song, then they manage to pick up what they probably envisioned for this recording brutal... fast... but short tracks! Just averaging three minutes and thirty seconds per track, which reflects somewhat the lack of creativity or commitment and I'm not just running my mouth, if you take "Not Shadow nor Fog" the longest track, you can appreciate the capacity and potential they have to deliver something more unforgettable and distinctive, the production is clean and compact, allowing you to appreciate the instruments and that's worthy to mention; So, Throne definitely have potential to grow up and develop into a great band, I will keep my hopes high enough for their next record. 

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

Track List:

01. Intro
02. Heresy of the Highest Order
03. Not of Shadow nor Fog
04. Altar of the Dying
05. Covenant of Darkness
06. Where Angels Cower in Fear
07. Plague Upon the Unholy

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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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Prong (2016) X - No Absolutes

Band: Primal Fear

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Groove metal / Industrial metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 44:00 min.

Release Date: 02-05-2016

Current label: SPV GmbH

Release label: SPV GmbH

IR Classification: Moderate (3.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

A very divisive album with old elements, venturing into the mainstream

Prong has been delivering tunes for over three decades, Tommy Victor started with the band around 1986 playing some kind of Crossover and Thrash metal at that time, their debut album "Force Fed" released back in 1988 set them in the underground scene, but it was not until 1991 with their third album "Prove You Wrong" which appeals more to the groove sound of bands like Pantera or Machine Head, in 1994 they were able to reach their pinnacle of their career with the album "Cleansing".

However by 1996 they came out with their album "Rude Awakening" which doesn't capture enough attention, some people blamed them for adding Nu metal elements, later in 1997, they split and took different ways, Tommy Victor joined Danzig and by 2002 the band was reformed and focus in the songwriting for their sixth full length which was released in 2003, Prong was ready with a comeback album entitled "Scorpio Rising" but again, it wasn't what everyone were expected, but persistence leads to succeed, in 2007 their album "Power of the Damager" put them back in the right track, with a relentless thrash metal and giving high hopes to their diminished fanbase, by 2012 "Carved Into Stone" takes an approach to groove metal and it blends with some thrashier riffage, at some point sounds to me like Anthrax and their "Persistence of Time" album, during 2014 they released their tenth album "Ruining Lives"  which resembles the era of "Beg to Differ" and "Prove You Wrong", seems to be very tempting for the old followers, with tracks like "The Barriers", "Remove, Separate Self" or even "The Book Of Change" it's almost impossible to let it go.

One of the Prong constant problems has been to pull up a steady line-up, "X - No Absolutes" count with Tommy Victor in guitars and vocals, bassist Jason Christopher (ex-Sebastian Bach) and drummer Arturo "Art" Cruz (Winds of Plague), So! let's get into business and review Prongs new album "X - No Absolutes" which turns to be a very divisive album in my opinion "Ultimate Authority" and "Sense of Ease" both built with fast grooving riffage and thrash industrial elements which became as the consistent part in their latest releases, including catchy tracks, "Without Words" and "Cut And Dry" with abundant melodies and more mainstream as we notice in their previous record, "No Absolutes" and "Do Nothing" for a single minute, I got bother, because I thought that somehow my player began playing Linkin Park, but no! Even so I had to check the track list to believe what I was listening and I got speechless, "Belief System" cause divergence because its grounding in the middle of nothing far from their roots and far to be a deathcore tune, "Ice Runs Through My Veins" structured with an electro-pop vibe and mainstream chords, losing their guitar signature riff, the closing track must have been "Worth Pursuing" due to the heavy riffage, solid bass notes and the drums sound very decent and steady.

After listening several times "X - No Absolutes", I still striving to go with them, unfortunately they have lots of dynamics, no doubt at their best, but directionless! In my opinion, few tracks save the brightness of the yesteryear, while others venture into a more mainstream culture, I think is up to you, listen and make your own judgment.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Ultimate Authority
2. Sense Of Ease
3. Without Words
4. Cut And Dry
5. No Absolutes
6. Do Nothing
7. Belief System
8. Soul Sickness
9. In Spite Of Hindrances
10. Ice Runs Through My Veins
11. Worth Pursuing
12. With Dignity
13. Universal Law (bonus track)



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Master (2016) An Epiphany of Hate

Band: Master

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal / Thrash metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 44:00 min.

Release Date: 01-29-2016

Current label: F.D.A. Records

Release label: F.D.A. Records

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

 

Sounds frantic and fearsome as ever before

Master the legendary band leaded by Paul Speckmann has been around for over thirty-three years, his legacy is ours! solidly embodied in thirteen albums, always being a reference to the underground scene, and refusing to be a sellout, with their signature punk style riffing, always carrying with the throaty vocals and ripping solos has defined their sound, over a month ago they released their thirteen full length entitled "An Epiphany of Hate" is simply a follow up in the undying line of prominent albums, always very well accepted by us, their tireless and insatiable followers.

Master legacy started in 1983 after Paul Speckmann and Bill Schmidt leave the local band War Cry based in Chicago, Illinois; After failing in the search for a guitarist, they decide to abandon the project and Speckmann form Death Strike in 1984 recruiting guitarist Chris Mittlebrun (who had auditioned for Master, the previous year), they invited drummer John Leprich, Death Strike recorded a demo entitled "Fuckin' Death" which sends them to the cusp in the underground scene, later on Leprich was replaced by Bill Schmidt, conforming the line-up with Speckmann on bass and vocals, Mittlebrun on guitar and Schmidt on drums, then they renamed the band as Master, by 1985 they were ready to release their debut album under Combat Records but that never happen due to contractual issues and the recordings were buried in time, It was not until 1990 through Nuclear Blast Records, they fail to deliver one of the most brutal and devastating death metal works of that time, their self-titled debut album "Master", a year later, they release their sophomore title "On the Seventh Day God Created... Master" and so! A legend was born, it worth to mention that Master relocated to Czech Republic and the current line-up is as follow: Paul Speckmann on bass and vocals, Alex Nejezchleba in lead and rhythm guitars and Zdenek Pradlovsky behind the Drums.

Taking a look on Master’s discography shows an impressive display of their commitment and dedication, to mention few outstanding titles, I can point of course their aforementioned debut album and sophomore releases as well as the "Unreleased 1985 Album" which finally saw the street light in 2003, "Slaves to Society" in 2007, and the trilogy formed by "The New Elite" in 2012, "The Witchhunt" released in 2013 and their newest album "An Epiphany of Hate" which sounds frantic and fearsome as ever before, "Subdue the Politician" opens with fast violent riff, while the drums are beaten with inherent fury, Speckmann ripping vocals announce the beginning of the journey through forty-four minutes of relentless death metal, the vibe they are capable to transmit is unique, they belong to that early breed of death metal bands who were able to establish the roots, for the bands that will came later, "Face Your Fear" extend the dose of that traditional death metal, with few simple riff they were able to craft a pummeling track, "Just Take My Right Arm" made of thrashing riff with an eloquent bass in the background, unleashes one of the most epic moments with a singular guitar solo, the ceaseless drums doesn't lose the timing and fearful vocals are spit without remorse, the self titled track "An Epiphany of Hate" rumbles through your speakers with a solid bass tunes and galloping guitars to harmonize with subtle melodies at high speed, "It's Clearly Eden" breaks in a furious stampede and sickening vocals, the songwriting allows each instrument sounds very powerful, "Red Alert" is the last track and strike towards your senses with demolishing thrashing riff, the melody inflicted succeeds with a pleasantly guitar solo.

Speckmann and friends stick to their roots and still shooting straight hooks and riff one after another; "An Epiphany of Hate" doesn't show anywhere any sign of mercy, while these guys keep pumping the blood through their hearts, there is still a chance to appreciate a very well respected and true underground death metal band from yesteryear.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Subdue the Politician

2. Fiction Soon Becomes Reality

3. Face Your Fear

4. Just Be Yourself
5. Just Take My Right
6. An Epiphany of Hate
7. It's Clearly Eden
8. The People of the Damned
9. Senses All Will Be Controlled
10. Red Alert




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Brutality (2016) Sea of Ignorance

Band: Brutality

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal / Thrash metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 40:00 min.

Release Date: 01-22-2016

Current label: Ceremonial Records

Release label: Ceremonial Records

IR Classification: Moderate (3.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Sea of Ignorance remains in the old school death metal from Florida

Well! here we go again, Brutality is a death metal band that has decided to revive their career after the 2013, releasing two demos and an EP early in 2013 entitled "Ruins of Humans" under the label Ceremonial Records, but let's recap their history of this band, that dates back to 1987 when they officially began their career under their current moniker, they released their first demo called "Abomination" in 1988, then they released their second demo "Brutality" during the same year, which led them into the fanzine underground, the band's third demo "Dimension Demented" was recorded in 1990 and was later released as a 7 inch EP titled "Hell On Earth" by Gore Records in 1992. "Metamorphosis" recorded in 1991 was the band's fourth demo which had a worldwide distribution by Wild Rags Records.

At this point the band made some lineup changes which made the band's sound even more brutal; they proceeded to record a demo to pursue a record deal. finally they signed with Nuclear Blast Records, in 1992 they released a 7 inch EP called "Sadistic" later on they recorded their debut album "Screams of Anguish" in 1993, by mid of 1994 a second album was released titled, "When the Sky Turns Black" their third album "In Mourning" was released in 1996, the band split up in 1997.

So today Brutality present us their fourth album "Sea of Ignorance" containing eight tracks with the same old school death metal from Florida, at some point seems like they picked up where they left, for some reason I don't understand, they are some of the most underrated death metal acts, their current lineup is formed by Jeff Acres (bass and backing vocals), Jay Fernandez (guitars), Scot Reigel (vocals) and Ruston Grosse (drums), the album begins with the homonymous album track fast, trepidant riff that shakes the ground, solid bass while the drums delivers endless and aggressive blast beats possessed by the double bass drum, "48 to 52" is the second track full of anger and contempt ceaseless drums doesn't allow you to take your breath back, "Fatal Cure" carries with itself a brutal rhythm riffing while the lead guitar performs an insane solo, "Tribute" approach with a different view adding some mid to slow paced, generating a well structured track of death and doom, "Perpetual Resolution" and "Barbarically Beheaded" fall into a generic death metal that doesn't move anything around, despite their expertise the sound is a bit dull, I will skip for a moment up to the last track "End of Days" articulated with solid tremolo picked rhythm and the most devastating guitar solo included in the album make this track an exceptional end, however I have to rewind and listen again, "Shores in Flames" for some reason Brutality decide to cover Quorthon and his epic song. But; As much as hear something is missing here, it might be me who exaggerates, but their interpretation falls short and does not do justice to the original track, It could have been a good idea to leave it for last as a bonus track and not interrupt the flow was carrying the album, but it's already done.

Brutality is considered an influential band from the dawning of the Death Metal scene in the US, I think they could’ve done a better job on some of their music, is a good comeback to the scene but they still have things to sort out before to reclaim for their respect and a throne in the scene.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Sea of Ignorance

2. 48 to 52

3. Fatal Cure

4. Tribute
5. Perpetual Resolution
6. Barbarically Beheaded
7. Shores in Flames (Bathory cover)
8. End of Days



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Black Tusk (2016) Pillars of Ash

Band: Black Tusk

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Sludge metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 35:00 min.

Release Date: 01-29-2016

Current label: Relapse Records

Release label: Relapse Records

IR Classification: Good (3.9 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Pillars of Ash is a swamp-tastic sludge metal, infected with crust punk

Tragedy has marked the past of this band, as everyone in the metal scene read or heard before, Jonathan Athon passed away on November 9th 2014 due to sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, it was indeed regrettable and the future of Black Tusk seemed to fade away in a maze for an instant, however in times of adversity is when the strength, the passion and the courage prevails, being all the Athon's parts already recorded, his band mates James May (drums and backing vocals) and Andrew Fidler (guitars and backing vocals) were able to set the final touches to their latest album which was titled "Pillars of Ash" this album is the fourth full length in their discography and turns out to be a swamp-tastic sludge metal, infected with crust punk.

For over a decade Savannah, Georgia has treated us as never before, musically speaking first we meet Kylesa, then Baroness and last but not least Black Tusk, these three bands have forged that sound so distinctive and we have become more familiar to the Swamp metal and "Pillars of Ash" in my opinion keeps the path already traced in their previous album "Set the Dial" back in 2011 but this occasion their sound is a little more raw and aggressive, offering an emblematic record within the genre.

"Pillars of Ash" bring to us 11 tracks fully energetic, ranging from hardcore going through a heaviness and distortion which is spiced up with some crust punk, the outcome can be heard since the first track "God's on Vacation" with a distinctive drum that precedes a corrosive guitar riff with screamed vocals, "Desolation of Endless Times" with a deeper groove that guarantees an unstoppable headbanging, "Bleed on Your Knees" a blend of rock and metal, "Born of Strife" with a relentless thrashy and faster riff, start to put things upside down it is almost indescriptible the feeling that "Pillars of Ash" is able to produce, "Black Tide" seems to be the link that holds the transition from one end to the other with powerful riff and defying drums, "Still not Well" with a raw sound certainly confronts the band with its own roots, while "Walk Among the Sky" succumbs to the speed of the initial riff but subtly turns into an explosive sing along, great for a closing live performance, "Punkout" dare to busting your speakers with a terrific bass work, a total indulgent hardcore, the last track is "Leveling" shredding guitars that doesn't last as you would expect, leading to a piano outro and works more as a filler in the album,  I think they could have omitted the last track and maybe it would have the same impact.

Black Tusk delivers 35 minutes which emphasizes the insertion of rock, metal and punk with a singular dynamic ensuring a high repeatability in your playlist, this is a good album, solid and contemporary without noticeable flaws but will transcends as one of the finest within their discography and as a turning point in their career, Black Tusk actually are hitting the road with Corey Barhorst doing bass and vocals along with Holy Grail and The Well, don't miss your chance to see them live.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. God's on Vacation

2. Desolation of Endless Times

3. Bleed on Your Knees

4. Born of Strife
5. Damned in the Ground
6. Beyond the Divide
7. Black Tide
8. Still Not Well
9. Walk Among the sky
10. Punkout
11. Leveling



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Exmortus (2016) Ride Forth

Band: Exmortus

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Thrash Metal / Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 43:00 min.

Release Date: 01-08-2016

Current label: Prosthetic Records

Release label: Prosthetic Records

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

All the instruments delves into a complexity and texture that makes you goose bumps

I can tell you one thing, no one could imagine fourteen years ago that a band such as Exmortus will become one of the most successful bands nowadays and they have achieved due to their dedication, technique and vision, clearly apart from the pack their mix of thrash riff, death growl vocals and their particular fusion of neoclassical and metal elements, makes "Ride Forth" another exciting piece to listen in their discography.

"Ride Forth" was released last January 8th under Prosthetic Records and contains nine killer tracks with a solid structure of thrash and palm muted riffs, an impressive repertoire of arpeggios all over the tracks, ceaseless double bass drum and vicious growl vocals, the production is top notch, clear, tight and all details meticulously maintained, the songwriting seems to be a follow up to their previous album "Slave to the Sword" released almost two years ago, the time gap between the albums, brought a slight change in the band's lineup adding a new bassist Mike Cosio (ex-Abysmal Dawn) the remaining members are drummer Mario Moreno, guitarist Jadran 'Conan' Gonzalez and last but not least the guitarist and vocalist David Rivera, with this lineup changes seems like they took care of the deficiencies they suffered in the past, giving more personality and potential to their sound.

The album opens with "Speed of the Strike" which is made of infectious riff, fast heavy and their neoclassical touch, mercilessly hooks you up with "Relentless" the second track and keeps a straight forward attack to your senses sharp guitar riff, powerful and aggressive drumming, while the bass resounds distinctive in the background, the growl vocals complements this cut, "For the Horde" is the catchiest cut off the album, intricate melodies engage the listener for a lethal dose of soloing, "Let us Roam" delivers a solid drumming foundation for the guitar work which excels due to the ferocity inflicted, "Black Sails" and "Hymn of Hate" retains the listener with power of ceaseless exchanging riff for what's coming ahead a crushing and electrifying cover of "Appassionata" by Ludwig van Beethoven, I have mentioned before and keep saying the musicianship this guys have reached it is unmatched, all the instruments delves into a complexity and texture that makes you goose bumps, next is "Death to Tyrants" and "Fire and Ice" both are the closing tracks and tends to lose somehow the ecstasies created, the riff sounds recycled and the impact is minimum or perhaps the listener is broken after such symphony, that makes you remain senseless.

Exmortus, "Ride Forth" is the fourth full length in their discography and call it a masterpiece would be very risk to say, but will exceed your expectations if you like to appreciate the guitar work loaded with arpeggios, resonant riff infected by their unique neoclassical approach and fully engaged with a refined bass notes that shine by itself and supported by thunderous and devastating drum section, then you should listen to this album, if you ask for highlights I can consider seriously "Speed of the Strike", "Relentless" and "Appassionata" however there are couple things to mention the first one if you listened their previous work and compare to this album they offer a smooth transition, which work for me because picks up where they left, but opinions differ and second one the closing tracks in the album will leave you wanting more, anyway it is a highly recommended album.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Speed of the Strike

2. Relentless

3. For the Horde

4. Let us Roam
5. Black Sails
6. Hymn of Hate
7. Appassionata
8. Death to Tyrants
9. Fire and Ice





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