Voices of Ruin (2015) Born from the Dark

Band: Voices of Ruin

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 49:00 min.

Release Date: 10-17-2015

Current label: Independent

Release label: n / a

IR Classification: Good (3.9 / 5)

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A record vastly rooted in the Gothenburg early sound with a twist of traditional thrash metal

Voices of Ruin emerges again from the Southern California scene with a devastating follow up of their debut album released back in 2010, titled "Into Oblivion", five years passed to deliver their newest production titled "Born from the Dark" which was released few weeks ago, I'm still in shock after several listening to this album, many can point out that Melodic Death metal is no longer a mainstream and such bands who still dwelling within the sub genre, they lack of originality they might be right, but who cares? there is one thing those who dare to point out can't denied, those bands carry on the passion, the intensity and the fury, with crushing riff and lethal rhythm sections they are capable to recapture the essence of Gothenburg sound at the beginning of the nineties and Voices of Ruin are among those bands they invoke bands like Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Amon Amarth as their influences.

Voices of Ruin have their headquarter in Costa Mesa, California; this five piece metal act was formed in 2008 by brothers Tom Barrett in guitars and Dave Barrett as vocalist, the band is complemented by Wally Myers as bassist, Steve Carlton in rhythm guitar and Lonnie Vanhorn behind percussion duties, "Born from the Dark" was recorded at Trench Studios and Ruin Sound & Recording, the album was produced by Voices of Ruin and Scott Fuller, (Abysmal Dawn, Annihilated) only to mention some of his previous works, it was engineered, mixed and mastered by Scott Fuller, framed by the exceptional cover art of talented Par Olofsson (Exodus, Immortal, Abysmal Dawn) are in his catalog.

Voices of Ruin, delve their sound into catchy guitar riff to drench with melodic waves and pummeling drums to infringe the brutality you has been craving for, "Born from the Dark" doesn't fail at all but neither reaches the pinnacle, with subtle changes of pace, they accomplish to take you in a memorial journey while you keep head banging with the stunning guitar work of Tom Barrett, "The Awakening" opens this album with distressing guitar riff, it suddenly becomes more intense with structured melodies and guttural vocals that shatter your senses, "The Black Horizon" made of intricate guitar riff and a heavy rhythm section it works perfectly to display the melodic vocal range of Dave Barrett, the ruthless percussion's by Lonnie Vanhorn keep up with the pace and the bassist Wally Myers weaves dense notes adding a sense of robust melody, "Death's Design" start with soft and melodious riff, that turn into a revival of the purest Melodic Death metal, resembling At the Gates or In Flames the dueling guitars stand out for the ferocious discharge of melodies and brutality blended so unsurpassed, "Fallen" is the following track and simply does that the emotion and intense head banging last longer than you would expect, at some point mentally you wouldn't believe from where it comes the embracing hell, but you let yourself go with the burning fire, it seems like Voices of Ruin leave the best tracks for the second half of the album, "Exiled... Into Darkness" the longest track doesn't let you down, rich guitar riff display their repertory and some tricks come out to keep you engage, the closing track "Blacked Out" kicks off with an intro of subtle drum and melodious bass to fuse with shredding guitars and vicious growling vocals, this is a track that never decline the intensity or balance of the whole record.

It is clear for me that Voices of Ruin have defined their sound through time blending somewhat their influences vastly rooted in the Gothenburg early sound with a twist of the traditional Thrash metal, what I really enjoy of this album is how they manage to pull a very well balance, clean and intricate production, this goes for all the record labels, here is plenty of talent to support, what are you waiting for? And you fans of the sub genre come join them! You won't be disappointed.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. The Awakening

2. Scars (Of My Sanity)

3. The Black Horizon

4. A Ghost Inside

5. Death's Design

6. Fallen

7. Exiled... Into Darkness

8. Blacked Out

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Manipulation (2015) Ecstasy

Band: Manipulation

Country of Origin: Poland

Status: Active

Genre: Deathcore

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 44:00 min.

Release Date: 09-11-2015

Current label: Satanath Records

Release label: Satanath Records

IR Classification: Good (3.6 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Ecstasy shines within the sub genre offering a varied listening experience

Here we go! this time with Manipulation a band formed in Gołdap, Poland in 2001, the band was active during six years, during this period they released two demos the first one "Live in Kotlownia" in 2003 a "Promo 2005" and their debut album "The Future of Immortality" in 2007, after releasing the album the band took a break and came up some lineup changes, but basically the core band remains intact, then they reunite to record their EP titled "Resurrection" in 2011 and their second full length "Passion" released in 2012, today they approach to us to perpetuate the stigma with their newest album "Ecstasy".

What we can appreciate here is a refined Deathcore, chugging guitars, accurate drumming, a crushing bass insertion and decaying vocals, which put them apart from their contemporaries in the other side of the Atlantic Ocean which seems to structure everything with a bunch of palm muted guitars.

Unlike many other bands Manipulation doesn't limit themselves, they explore and add some tremolo guitar picking, as dictated by the old school and in some cases chord progression is there present and of course with the classic palm muted technique, I never said it wasn't part of their sound, but at least is not so recurrent, "Ecstasy" is a ten tracks album which opens with "Insomnia" delivers crushing riff with some dose of melody and hellish vocals that excel, the composition feels more progressive, because they do not fall excessively in just riff, breakdown, riff breakdown, slower breakdown "Sic Itur Ad Astra" and "Paradigm of Existence" fit perfectly to this idea but "Sunset over Vatican" takes the whole album to another level, where they beat you down with a terrific melodeath passage, just to accomplish the highest peak in the record, while "Temples of Vanity" remains intense with unceasing drums, the gutturals, breakdowns, chugging and chords are vast, the closing track is the self titled album "Ecstasy" where they delves into a more ethereal ambience with demolishing riff, mid pace drumming and chants in the background supporting the raspy growls, definitely there is more than enough creativity contained in this album to explode your speakers.

Manipulation recorded this album at Monroe Sound Studio in Poland, the producer and sound engineer of the album was Arkadiusz “Aro” Jabłoński (Shadows Land, Masachist) and "Ecstasy" was released under Satanath Records, the current lineup is as follow: Rado Slav and Vulture on guitars, Bysiek on bass, Kriss on drums and Brużyc on vocals, something interesting to mention about track number six, "Sunset over Vatican" the guitar solo was recorded by special guest Jacek Grecki from Lost Soul.

Overall this album shines within the sub genre offering a varied listening experience and could easily fit as a Death metal act, but they still infuse those breakdowns that defines what they play, sometimes ending quite abruptly and leave you hanging on trying to understand what happened, however if you have predilections for such coarse transition moments, then you should listen to them.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Insomnia

2. Sic Itur Ad Astra

3. Lifetime

4. Bad Boy

5. The Paradigm of Existence

6. Sunset over Vatican

7. Temples of Vanity

8. Burn Motherfuckers!

9. Dźwięk upadku

10. Ecstasy

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Arkaik (2015) Lucid Dawn

Band: Arkaik

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Technical Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 54:00 min.

Release Date: 10-30-2015

Current label: Unique Leader Records

Release label: Unique Leader Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Tech Death metal that captures the essence of the subgenre

The Inland Empire's metallers has returned with a stimulant dose of Progressive Tech Death metal, Arkaik, came out more than ten year ago and since then, they have always treated us with creativity and brutality spreaded in their songwriting "Lucid Dawn" is the fourth full length in their discography and who else could released this album, well no other than Unique Leader a label reputed by acts like Deeds of Flesh, Fallujah, Inanimate Existence and Gorod just to mention few ones, the band current lineup is Jared Christianson on vocals, Ivan Munguia in bass, Alex Hernandez-Bent on drums, Greg Paulson on guitars and Miguel Esparza as lead guitar.

Tech Death metal is a very difficult subgenre to be successful, because it demands a lot of creativity, intensity and precision all blended in a cohesive form to explode in the right way at the right moment, loaded with a shredding riff, accurate blast beats and tempos that lead you into a labyrinth with chaotic sounds but disciplined.

"Lucid Dawn" captures the essence of the sub genre and packs it in a tremendous production, the albums kick off with a classic guitar "Intro" and rapidly takes you to the next track "From the Void" with ambitious riff and devastating bass lines supported by exceptional drums by Alex Hernandez which collide with sickest vocals of Jared Christianson, "Digital Shroud" made of a groovy riff and blunt vocals works out to shine the jazzy bass solo by Ivan Munguia, "Awaken the I" is an astonishing track that delves in groovy riff interwoven with melodies and a vicious guitar solo by Miguel Esparza, "Fleshwalkers" defies the beautiful chaos with that intro and suddenly it is immerse in nauseated riff and relentless drums, the onslaught is inevitable for the listeners, the self titled album "Lucid Dawn" is indisputably the kind of Tech Death metal that holds up this album, vibrant, intricate musical structure with sharp riff, powerful vocals that lay on a meticulous drum, the closing track doesn't let this album down at all "Temple Aflame" with a crushing riff, raspy vocals that rip your ears apart, actually the track is listed to last almost sixteen minutes, but end up around the minute 4:50 playing some outer sounds as wood burning in a pit and then a sample that talks about space, time and cosmic creation.

I believe that Arkaik has delivered a solid album within the subgenre, clever songwriting, clean production as demanded by the style, the potential contained in this album, can put them clearly into the eye of the storm, but definitely it requires them to explore and stretch the boundaries for their next recording, meanwhile if you liked Suffocation, Obscura or Decapitated, well you should try Arkaik, you might end up enjoying them.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Risen

2. From the Void
3. Digital Shroud
4. That Witch Lies Hidden
5. Awaken the I
6. Fleshwalkers
7. Fusion of Epochs
8. Lucid Dawn
9. Conjuring
10. Temple Aflame

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Dalkhu (2015) Descend... Into Nothingness

Band: Dalkhu

Country of Origin: Slovenia

Status: Active

Genre: Blackened metal / Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: Digital 320 kbps
Length Approx.: 44:00 min.

Release Date: 08-15-2015

Current label: Satanath Records

Release label: Satanath Records

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

A crushing blackened death metal album

Dalkhu was formed in 2003 by J.G. on guitars, he was joined by  Kalki on drums and after few lineup changes the band was complete by Jurij on bass and Berstuk on vocals, with this line up ther recorded their album debut "Imperator" which was released back in October 2010, after the album released, Berstuk leave the band around 2011 and he is replaced by P.Ž. in 2012 and this is how Dalkhu began working on their second release, but lineup changes will hit the band again when Kalki and Jurij depart from the band in 2014, leaving the band as a two members band, however doesn't stop J.G. and P.Ž. to put the finishing touches on the songs for the new album, in August 2014 they enter at Nightside Studio, with Spawn of the Void as session drummer to record seven infamous tracks, the mixing ran by J.G. while the mastering was done at Necromorbus Studio by Tore Stjerna, to finally get the album released last August 15, 2015 under Satanath Records.

I have to be honest and tell you two important facts, first; as soon as I started to listen, "Descend... Into Nothingness" it blows me away and second I missed Dalkhu's first album "Imperator" five years ago, but I do not regret for it, because today's I can clearly witness the evolution of the band through all this time, listening both albums one after another and "Descend... Into Nothingness" stands by itself, not for been a groundbreaker but being creative, intricate and interesting, because you just can't get enough of it, this is an album you can hit re-play once and over.

Songs like the first one "Pitch Black Cave" with a superb guitar riff that shift you from one side of the room to the other, it has everything you been asking for catchy, brutality, dense and guttural vocals that freeze your soul, "The Fireborn"  rumbles your speakers and keeps up the same pace, Spawn of the Void does a neat work behind the drum set, while "In the Woods" slows down for couple of minutes and then unleashes their fury to magnificently returned to the starting point and thus continue in a chaotic seesaw, you can pick any cut off this album and you will find out a terrific songwriting riff that excel up to guitar tremolo that captivate your senses, "Soulkeepers" falls into melodious gloomy passages more oriented to the Norwegian influence and the closing epic cut, "E.N.N.F." reaching almost the ten minutes but unfortunately doesn't make the impact I was expecting, musically speaking, is not monotone is structured with different rhythms, probably there are many ideas in a song, that could well have become two tracks, who knows? Perhaps eventually I'll end up accepting.

Dalkhu does an extraordinary job, there is no question about it, they delivered a crushing Blackened death metal album, if you liked their debut album, prepare yourself to experience a renewed, energetic and aggressive sound, So if you are a fan within the genre don't hesitate to order your physical copy or download, you will not regret it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Pitch Black Cave

2. The Fireborn
3. In the Woods
4. Distant Cry
5. Accepting the Burried Signs
6. Soulkeppers
7. E.N.N.F.

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Spit On Your Grave (2014) Existential Murderer

Band: Spit On Your Grave

Country of Origin: Mexico

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 33:00 min.

Release Date: 07-10-2014

Current label: Asenath Records

Release label: Asenath Records

IR Classification: Good (3.5 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Vicious death metal and brutality meets beauty

Spit On Your Grave is a Mexican band formed around 2012 in the city of Monterrey located in the northeastern on the country, this is a four piece band  integrated by Zitlalic Gomez in vocals duties, Cecilia Amezcua in guitars, Elizabeth Castillo in bass and Johnattan Ramirez behind the drums, they play a solid Death metal, with corrosive guitars, relentless blast beat, a dense bass and brutal growl vocals, this band released their album debut, "Existential Murderer" more than year ago in July 2014 with ten rabid tracks filled of vile, the album last slightly under thirty three minutes, delivering a hellish album for a newcomer band.

Despite their short career they have earned a place in the Mexican local scene alongside bands like Nuclear Chaos, Rompe Craneos, Remains, Mind Suppressor, Diagnosis or Evilheart just to mention some, they also has been very active playing lots of gigs around the country and supporting bands as Archspire, being their most important show the controversial, Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2014.

Moving on, here I have their debut album "Existential Murderer" which opens with an "Intro" orchestral type and last almost 2 minutes and goes direct to the second track "You Will be my Torture" corrosive guitar riff by Cecilia unleashes a brutal drumming by Johnattan and the dissonant bass by Elizabeth excel this track the vocals by Zitlalic falls a little bit into Metalcore style in fact the whole track owns several breakdowns, but they manage to remain with brutality "Defied Death '45" brings one of the most vicious tracks in the album, pummeling drum, while the guttural voice rumbled in your head, inspiring an unceasing headbanging, "Stench of Carnage" is just about to uncover the best of Spit On Your Grave with solid guitar riff, fast pace hellish vocals to tear apart your soul, "Bloods Flows Freely" began at semi fast pace with interesting riff, unrelenting drums, vocals distilling wrath and the self titled track "Existential Murderer" for some reason makes me recall Suffocation where the brutality blends with high level skills and a fabulous interlude to add some personality, the last track is "Perversion" here they sound determined to burn themselves in hell with you, explosive track that ends this album.

Without any doubt is a well defined debut album, vicious Death metal, with sick lyrics that explores insanity, gore, sodomy with no remorse is an album highly recommend for those who likes Cannibal Corpse, Cryptopsy, these girls has proven that the Mexican scene has their own cards.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Intro

2. You will be my Torture
3. Satan Spreads His Wings
4. Defied Death '45
5. Stench of Carnage
6. Sodomy
7. Bloods Flows Freely
8. Revenge
9. Existential Murderer
10. Perversions

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Berserker (2015) Dark Worlds Collide

Band: Berserker

Country of Origin: Lithuania

Status: Active

Genre: Melodic Death metal / Folk metal

Type: Full Length

Format: Digital

Length Approx.:  44:00 min.

Release Date: 01-18-2015

Current label: Independent

Release label: Independent

IR Classification: Good (4.3 / 5)

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Melodic death metal with folk passages harmonized by strong and powerful female vocals

Berserker is a Lithuanian band formed in the capital city Vilnius in the beginning of 2009, they play a Melodic Death metal with some Folk passages, the band is currently integrated by vocalist Agnieška Volček, bassist Roman Semionov, guitarist and backing vocals Kšištof Jusel, keyboardist Kristina Herman, drummer Georgijus Kirilovas and guitarist Mažvydas Vrubliauskas, I have to mention that Agnė Petruškevičiūtė and Vera Bukina played the keybords and flute respectively, however, both departed from the band, after the recording.My first impression when I started to listen to Berserker was like somehow I was able to transport myself in one of those mythic battlefields where mankind has to fight for their own destiny, against themselves, against their own demons, where despair is ruthless, dejected by the darkness that haunts them, while gnawing their own fear and the battlefield is tinged with blood, but at the end mankind prevails, thanks to the courage of few ones who risk and expose their inner and give, a new beginning to mankind.

So with such an apocalyptic vision, I prepare myself to dive into Berserker recording, the first track is an "Intro" in the vein of a pure epic movie, that work really good for me, because set my mind for what's coming, a whole load of musicianship that achieve to move some sensitive cells, the second track is the self titled album "Dark Worlds Collide" here is where things turn up interesting a melody keyboard opens follow by thunderous drums and a galloping bass, while guitars sounds are present to hear a beautiful voice shining, the music is extraordinary, but Agnieška voice is strong and powerful, please don't expect the classic symphonic voice like Tarja or Simone, Agnieška she has her own attributes, the backing vocals are present only to give her deeper accent, "Warhell" start with a war soundtrack which allow the marching drums appear, while the flute added a subtle touch to keep the guitar galloping pace, mesmerizing vocals makes this cut very intense, growl vocals that lead to a subsequent guitar solo well executed, "Madness Machine" the folkish guitar riff in the album accompanied by the sweet flute, builded with simple but effective, musical structures to allow a perfect synchronization between clean vocals and guitar riff, next is "The Day Human Died" an explosive track from the beginning where dynamics change a little bit, creating a subtle battle between clean vocals and harsh vocals, where the listeners wins at the end, the guitars comes with sharp riff, aiming to perpetuate in the time, "Wolf" is a powerful ballad filled with emotions that puts you in a dimension where you are vulnerable, but proves their versatility, "Prelude" is a shores soundtrack, waves hitting the wall of rocks, the wind blowing while thunders lights the skies, only to make way for two of the best tracks from this album "Viking Ship" starts with a folk intro to move you to something easy to recognize in the vein of Amon Amarth riff and the folk passages of Finntroll with the furious vocals of the valkyrie Agnieška, the guitars plays at galloping pace faster, harder while the story is being told and it blends with a sweet flute.

The closing track is "Mūšis už Žemę" which means "(Battle for Earth)" completely sung in lithuanian and for that reason should not be underestimated, this track makes a clear statement, that metal may sound unrelenting even in their own language of origin, basically the last track falls in the same scheme, prolonging the ecstasy, created by Berserker; The album was recorded and mixed in Muzikos Laboratorija studio by Rimtautas Piskarskas.

To finish my review I want to emphasize the quality and level that show Berserker regarding their songwriting, producing a solid, strong debut album and will surely enter more than one list of the best albums of the year.

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

Track List:

1. Intro

2. Dark Worlds Collide

3. Warhell

4. Madeness Machine

5. The Day Human Die

6. Wolf

7. Prelude

8. Viking Ship

9. Mūšis už Žemę

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Avulsed (2015) Altar of Disembowelment [EP]

Band: Avulsed

Country of Origin: Spain

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal

Type: EP

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  23:00 min.

Release Date: 09-15-2015

Current label: Xtreem Music

Release label: Xtreem Music

IR Classification: Good (4.3 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Avulsed has enough effectiveness to drag you into hell

Actually if you want to talk about the Spanish Death metal scene you have to take as a referent, one of the pioneers and legends of the genre, Avulsed are hailing from Madrid, Spain. They have been around since 1991, always delivering such brutality, that make them essential to any collector or diehard metalhead, Avulsed has an impressive discography five demos, six full lengths becoming the most outstanding records in my opinion their album debut "Eminence in Putrescence" released in 1996 and "Yearning for the Grotesque" in 2003, also they have released several Splits and EP's, as usually happen to any band, the lineup changes has been part of them, but without a doubt they have been managed to remain active and creative during all this time, for our own good.

This occasion I'm going to review their latest job the EP titled "Altar of Disembowelment" which was mixed at Overhead Studios by Raul Fournier and mastered at Unisound by Dan Swano and the album artwork by graphic artist Juanjo Castellano. The band lead by vocalist Dave Rotten, the guitarist Jose Cabra and Juan Carlos, the bassist Tana and the drummer Erik Raya delivers an unmeasurable, reliable and brutal death metal, the first track "To Sacrifice and Devour" is structured on heavy riff, rapidly embrace you with a hellish wave by Rotten's vocals, the slow parts are brutals to build a bridge perfect to the guitar solo, then comes "Red Viscera Serology" which remain at the same pace and intensity but adding some melodic and catchy riff while the drums are relentless, as vocalist display his full range of grunts without distortion is effective and killer, the next track "Ceremony of Impalement" with impious riff, pummeling double bass drum leads the song to another level, impeccable growl vocals, unleashes the hell for whatever is coming at you, "Tremble in the Darkness" incorporates some Deathcore elements, at the beginning some palm muted guitar riff but as the tracks evolve, they faded into their classic fast paced brutality, that has defined them always, the closing track is neither more nor less, "Neon Knights" a Black Sabbath a cover that impressively doesn't sound much as the original track, but sounds more as Avulsed repertoire, Rotten and company knew how exactly inject their essence and make of this classic a remorseless version of themself, excellent way to top off the nearly twenty three minutes length of this recording.

So! if you have a chance and you still have that instinct of yesteryear for real underground music, then definitely Avulsed is the right dose for you, this recording has no fillers just enough effectiveness to drag you into hell... and I bet you, at the end you will enjoy it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. To Sacrifice and Devour

2. Red Viscera Serology

3. Ceremony of Impalement

4. Tremble in the Darkness

5. Neon Knights (Black Sabbath)*







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