Nordjevel (2016) Nordjevel

Band: Nordjevel

Country of Origin: Norway

Status: Active

Genre: Black metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Ltd. Edition Digipak
Length Approx.: 49:00 min.

Release Date: 01-29-2016

Current label: Osmose Productions

Release label: Osmose Productions

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Nordjevel self title album brings back the kind of relentless and aggressive black metal from over twenty years ago

Nordjevel is a brand new black metal band hailing from Ostfold, Norway formed by  vocalist Doedsadmiral (Svartelder) and guitarist Nord (Tvangeste) in the spring of 2015 after they found out they had so much in common, they started playing together and later on, they extended an invitation to drummer Fredrik Widigs (Marduk) to complement the lineup with bassist DezeptiCunt (Quadrivium), what you can expect here is literally is a dose from the second wave of black metal, with infectious tremolo picked, a hellish drum blast beat, a frantic and ravenous bass that melds their sound alluring to create a more melodic essence, the vocals are utterly impressive growls and shrieks are ceaseless through the album.

For me it is inevitable to compare with albums like "Opus Nocturne" from Marduk released in 1994 or debut album "Pentagram" by Gorgoroth released in the same year, both containing the intensity and rawness that represent that era, Nordjevel self titled debut album brings back to me those memories and feelings when I used to hear this kind of relentless and aggressive black metal from over twenty years ago, I might not be the only one thinking about it, because this sound lead the band, to ink a deal with Osmose Productions to released their first work.

The album opens with "The Shadows of Morbid Hunger" it carries a howling wind to set your mind for the chaos heading to you, fast tremolo picked, topped off with powerful double bass drum and blast beat that entangles you in a black abyss devilish shrieks vocals announces the hell is close the mid section slows down to let the bass rumble for a second, but before you can react they charges back again with indiscriminate hostility, next is "Sing for Devastation" it swirls with a mid pace tremolo incorporating melodies in their structure but the infectious growls remind us where we are, "Djevelen I Nord" keeps the path as the previous song delving with more melodic riff, while the drums draw a diverse pattern without losing the fury and intensity, "The Funeral Smell" with prominent fast ripping tremolo rhythm and chaotic blasting drums takes you for a frantic ride to hell, "Denne Tidløse Krigsdom" the sirens announce, that we have reached a point of no return and you can smell the ashes coming from the infernal regions, "Blood Horns" It doesn't any different approach keeps up with relentless tremolo picked at full speed while the shrieks vocals remain worshiping and the drum section does not reroute its devastation, "Det Ror Og Ror" the aesthetics of this track falls into the melody easily recognizable amidst the turmoil in their structure, "Når Noen Andre Dør..." is just the preamble to the album end with ravenous intensity never stop in their purpose inflicting poisonous riff and make you tremble in fear, "Norges Sorte Himmel" is the closing track, martial drums interact with a mid pace galloping rhythm riff and the lead guitar extends with a singular melody, evoking to be a guitar solo along the track, the end a little disappointing for the piano that does not seem to fit very well in this type of albums, the CD limited edition digipak contains, a bonus track "Raining Blood", Nordjevel decided to cover the mighty Slayer with a short and invariable sound of the original one, I'm afraid to say it, but; somehow breaks the balance and conception of this album.

Anyway this is a great album for a newly formed band, which is not so original but at least they play with such conviction, taking good care to the minimal details in songwriting and arrangements, using ferocious tremolo picked, disturbing blast beat and vocals to makes shiver your soul, there are few flaws in the end, that prevent this album be an excellent recording but other than that, it will be a band to remember at the end of the year.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:


1. The Shadows of Morbid Hunger

2. Sing for Devastation

3. Djevelen I Nord

4. The Funeral Smell
5. Denne Tidløse Krigsdom
6. Blood Horns
7. Det Ror Og Ror
8. Når Noen Andre Dør...
9. Norges Sorte Himmel
10. Raining Blood (Slayer cover)*


Facebook

Osmose Prodictions

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

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



Facebook

Bandcamp
Relapse Records

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Totten Korps (2015) Supreme Commanders of Darkness

Band: Totten Korps

Country of Origin: Chile

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Ltd. Edition Digipak
Length Approx.: 43:00 min.

Release Date: 12-04-2015

Current label: Apocalyptic Productions

Release label: Apocalyptic Productions

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Chilean death metal uncompromised brutal and oppressive

It's a real shame that an album like this "Supreme Commanders of Darkness" has come so late in 2015 and has had very little promotion, but to be honest I was completely unaware of this band Totten Korps from the southern hemisphere, natives from Chile, it turns out that they are one of the pioneering bands of death metal beginning their career in 1989, in that year they recorded their first demo and so they continued recording two more demos until 1991, during 1992 they recorded their first EP, entitled "Our Almighty Lords" for Toxic Records and after that it took them nearly a decade to release their album debut entitled "Tharnheim: Athi-Land-Nhi; Ciclopean Crypts of Citadels" this occasion to Repulse Records, since then they had not recorded any new material.

After twenty-six years it is normal that Totten Korps has undergone several lineup changes, but always aiming to deliver a brutal and oppressive death metal as only they are able to bring it, the current band members are Francisco Torres and Cristian Soto on guitars, Sadax on vocals, Alejandro Arce on drums and Al Azif on bass.

"Supreme Commanders of Darkness" contains ten tracks full of ravishing savagery, vicious riff takes over since the first moment, the first track is the self titled album, the intensity released here can be compare only with main acts such Nile, Cannibal Corpse, Cryptopsy or Suffocation followed by "The Black Flame of the Underworld" limitless brutality, discharges layers of chaos and darkness inside your mind, next is "El Antiguo Maestro de las Pestilencias" is aggressive and dynamic, keep the balance to receive "Hastur’s Voice Echoes in Our Minds" a cut very fast, violent with blistering drums the vocals are malevolent, "The Journey through Styx on the Arms of Hades" and "The Legacy of Leviathan (Shadows from the Depths)" blends evil with darker ambience to set the proper passage to the underworld, "Nailing" is the antechamber to hell that everyone expect from an album of this magnitude completely possessed by demons, the closing track is "Tortured Souls from the Paths of Perdition" drenched in slow riff and merciless drums we witness some of the most doomstastic and brutal vocals which differ from the rest of the album, excellent way to put an end.

This album is rooted in the old school death metal with frantic outbursts and as I stated in the beginning of this review, it is a real shame this album was released at the end of 2015, without any doubt this is a remarkable album, I hope everybody who is looking for real underground, take this review seriously because these Chileans deserve to be heard.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:


1. Supreme Commanders of Darkness

2. The Black Flame of the Underworld

3. El Antiguo Maestro de las Pestilencias

4. Hastur's Voice Echoes in Our Minds
5. I Dwell in the Middle of the Gullible
6. The Journey Through Styx of the Arms of Hades
7. Amarduk
8. The Legacy of Leviathan (Shadows from the Depth)
9. Nailing
10. Tortured Souls from the Paths of Perdition

Facebook

Apocalyptic Prodictions

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Borknagar (2016) Winter Thrice

Band: Borknagar

Country of Origin: Norway

Status: Active

Genre: Progressive metal / Viking Folk metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Ltd. Edition Digipak
Length Approx.: 57:00 min.

Release Date: 01-22-2016

Current label: Century Media Records

Release label: Century Media Records

IR Classification: Excellent (4.7 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Winter Thrice grant the listener a satisfying experience

Has passed quite a bit of time since we heard the latest Borknagar production "Urd" released almost four years ago, "Winter Thrice" is their tenth full length, Yes! You listened right, they have just released a new album starting this 2016 in the best shape as they could and being honest with you guys, during the last fifteen years I haven't heard anything that matched their opus titled "Empiricism" back in 2001, were Borknagar began to experiment with some progressive elements rooted into Viking mythology, cosmos and nature.

It is undeniable how Borknagar has evolved over time, polishing their sound that wanders between a mixture of progressive rock, black metal, folk and atmospheric among some other elements, "Winter Thrice" grant to the listener a satisfying experience taking them through a varied landscape of soft tunes built over complex musical structures, vocally speaking they lead you to an epic climax that lingers from the beginning to end.

Borknagar current lineup seems to be the most talented they were able to put together, such an alliance would have been impossible to see a decade ago, but time and space work in wonderful ways and today we can appreciate their work with Øystein Garnes Brun on lead guitars, Jens F. Ryland on rhythm guitars, ICS Vortex on bass and vocals, Lars Are Nedland on keyboard and vocals, Vintersorg on vocals and Baard Kolstad behind the drums all together offer nearly a masterpiece in my opinion.

The first track of the albums is "The Rhymes of the Mountain" built over melodic guitar riff and blasting drums, while the clean vocals battles the harsh vocals, the keyboard layers some fine tunes striving to create an epic ambience, followed by "Winter Thrice" which opens with a soft keyboard and suddenly explodes in your face, seriously this track takes you into a journey between heaven in hell, formidably aggressive and calm at the right moment the wide vocal range gives the whole album another feeling, next is "Cold Runs the River" speed takes over by infected black metal riff layered brilliantly, powerful drums while the growl vocals stand out with terrific clean backing vocals, the remarkable part of this track comes in form of a superb guitar solo, "Panorama" goes more experimental, diving into a more deeper progressive current, but still sound refreshing for a midway album, then comes "When Chaos Calls" with a slightly reminiscence of Vintersorg, it seems that few riff were borrowed by Borknagar and these were infused in this cut, "Erodent" teases the listener with a varied harmony that rarely blast the moment, "Noctilucent" the shortest track in the album reflects the calm and grandiosity that simplicity can achieve, subtle vocals with lilting pace, "Terminus" delivers some vicious black metal riff blended with clean vocals engaging the listener, with countless twist here and there to sound interesting, the limited edition digipak contains a bonus track titled "Dominant Winds" which is an excellent closing track because simply doesn't break the balance crafted along the whole album making worthy to get this version.

While "Winter Thrice" can be really appreciated by fans of Opeth, Enslaved, Mastodon among others, there is another fact in the other hand for fans who want to join the progressive metal wagon this is a excellent choice to start with, for old fans lovers of "The Olden Domains" is not yet time to live those glorious days of yore, but I firmly believe there will be a time for it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. The Rhymes of the Mountain

2. Winter Thrice

3. Cold Runs the River

4. Panorama
5. When Chaos Calls
6. Erodent
7. Noctilucent
8. Terminus
9. Dominant Winds (Bonus track)




Facebook

Century Media Records

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Abbath (2016) Abbath

Band: Abbath

Country of Origin: Norway

Status: Active

Genre: Black metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 48:00 min.

Release Date: 01-22-2016

Current label: Season of Mist

Release label: Season of Mist

IR Classification: Excellent (4.6 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Abbath sounds aggressive, chaotic with dark melodies

Being objective when we are about to talk about Abbath the new band of former member and co-founder of Immortal, best known by his artistic name Abbath is nearly impossible, because his legacy precedes him, last year when he announces his way out of Immortal, took it by surprise their international fanbase, the questions began to spread and few or sporadic answers came out, but no one suspected what's coming up and in a sign of good faith, I will avoid discuss or mention worn-out statements.

The band Abbath was formed in Bergen, Norway by guitarist and vocalist Abbath, bassist King Ov Hell former Gorgoroth and drummer Creature (Kevin Foley) former Benighted, who finally left the band in late 2015; With this lineup they rapidly sign a deal with Season of Mist to record what will be their album debut self title "Abbath" the guitar and bass was recorded at Bergen Lydstudio,  in Norway while the drums were recorded at Dugout Studios, Uppsala, in Sweden and the mixing, engineering and mastering were done in September 2015 at Dugout Studios by Giorgos Nerantzis.

If I have to place Abbath self titled album alongside with an Immortal's albums, certainly will be between "At the Heart of Winter" and "Sons of Northern Darkness" because reminds me the fast melodies, catchy riff and overwhelming drums, the album start defiant "To War" a corrosive riff hits the speakers while the drums get ready to unleash furious beats, the vocals are raspy and direct, "Winterbane" injects some kind of riff along the cut and the bass shows up with a landscape of disharmonies that plays superb while the drums steadily keeps the pace, "Ashes of the Damned" is aggressive and hyper melodic, "Ocean Wounds" kick off with a solid drums session follow by the bass just to achieve the right ambience for a killer guitar riff, "Count the Dead" without any doubt is the best track in my opinion feels like a frantic race to build a wall of sound and when reach it's pinnacle doesn't fall and returns to pick up the pace once more, "Fenrir Hunts" will slaughter your senses with relentless blast beats, "Roots of the Mountains" slows down the pace a bit just to allow you to catch your breath, here you can enjoy the guitar riff while the bass play eerie tunes in the background, "Endless" is a classic black metal cut mixed with some crust punk riff, more properly to the sound developed early during the second wave of black metal, this album contains two bonus track one of them is "Riding on the Wind" is a Judas Priest cover, and "Nebular Ravens Winter" is an Immortal cover, both track are not listed in the track list printed on the back cover.

Abbath releases a crushing debut album which sounds aggressive, chaotic with dark melodies, undoubtedly Abbath the man has reinvented itself, projecting strongly and willing to leave behind Immortal or perhaps Immortal spirit will remain inside him? Not sure, I dare you to find out by yourself, this album is a must have to own it, get your copy and save a spot for the best black metal albums of 2016, I know it's to early to say this, but I am not making mistake about it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. To War

2. Winterbane

3. Ashes of the Damned

4. Ocean of Wounds
5. Count the Dead
6. Fenrir Hunts
7. Root of the Mountain
8. Endless
9. Riding on the Wind (Bonus track)
10. Nebular Ravens Winter (Bonus track)



Facebook

Bandcamp
Season of Mist

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

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





Facebook

Bandcamp

All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.

Exterminas (2015) Dichotomy

Band: Exterminas

Country of Origin: Italy

Status: Active

Genre: Black Metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 40:00 min.

Release Date: 11-11-2015

Current label: Satanath Records

Release label: Satanath Records

IR Classification: Good (3.9 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Dichotomy it’s a strong and defiant record dense, ruthless and belligerent

Exterminas are relatively a new Black metal band from Treviso, Veneto in Italy, they were formed around 2009 and began as a four members band, Skoll in bass, Raven behind drums, Moloch in guitars and Februus in vocals, their first recording is the EP titled "Abaddon" which came out by the end of 2010 including five tracks. two years later during autumn 2012 they released their album debut titled "Seventh Demonical Hierarchy" as a limited edition for Metallic Media with ten new tracks, gaining the attention of some specialized underground sites, by that time Eskathon was invited to joining the band to support the guitar work.

Exterminas shows their quality at songwriting delivering a solid piece of black metal album, with sharp riff, infectious grooves and brutal growls, you might expect another band treading the already saturated roads, emulating the first wave of black metal, but undoubtedly you will take a wrong guess with the Italians of Exterminas, their sound is particularly remarkable by the Hellenic influence, speaking more clear, their sound is more suitable to the early Rotting Christ.

"Dichotomy" is their second effort with eight tracks forged in hell, somehow they manage to release the beast inside of them "God's Hammer" opens aggressively with fast riff and overwhelming growling vocals as the track passes they infringe some vicious riff and the intensity from the beginning slows down just enough to add a darker ambience, "Unleashing the Cruelty" its dizzying, structured with a Blackened Death metal riff, "Collapse into Time" is more varied in pace and melody, offering more versatility to the band, "Swallowing the Gravity" and "Upheaval Seems Anathema" both falls into a generic Black Death metal sound something that put them in safe ground, "Wandering from the Death's Shore" is the most perfect embodiment of the Doom Death metal sound, heavy riff and hellish vocals the balance in this track is superb, "In Apotheosis of Pandemonium" goes directly pummeling the listener with inherent hatred, the last track in the album is "The Dawn of Deceit" denotes the quality of songwriting I’ve been trying to describe, slow, dense, ruthless and belligerent, the end is awesome a really short guitar solo that lingers in your mind achieving its purpose.

Certainly no one can question the quality that Exterminas offers in their second album "Dichotomy" this time for Satanath Records, of course it has some flaws here and there but nothing to degrade their effort, it’s a strong record to put them up firmly in the worldwide scene as a respectable act and will be worth to follow them very close.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. God's Hammer

2. Unleashing the Cruelty

3. Collapse into Time

4. Swallowing the Gravity
5. Upheaval Seems Anathema
6. Wandering from the Death's Shore
7. In Apotheosis of Pandemonium
8. The Dawn of Deceit





Facebook

Bandcamp



All rights reserved © Insanity Remains Webzine.