Andras (2017) Reminiszenzen... 'Review'

Band: Andras

Country of Origin: Germany

Genre: Epic Pagan Black metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 01:07:00 min.

Release Date: 10-20-2017

Release Label: Einheit Producktionen

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

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Mysticism and creativity as one

Andras released their seventh full length few weeks ago entitled "Reminiszenzen" containing thirteen tracks and lasting about one hour and seven minutes which is quite a lot to listen, the largest within their discography so far, it seems that Nightsky guitarist and the main composer has been pretty active as far as songwriting refers during the last seven years, Andras has opted to remain faithful to their own style making few incursions, adding more atmospheric sections resulting interesting.

Also we have to mention that Andras' line-up has been refreshed, Nightsky remains on guitar duties, Black Abyss has taken over bass, while Ghwerig takes care of the keyboard and last but not least Khenaz contributes with the vocals.

"Reminiszenzen" from beginning to end has plagued with a solid pagan black metal with an emphasis on ethereal melodies, with a powerful and harsh vocals to lead your soul to hell, the album opens with "Im Schatten der Flammen" which means "In the Shadow of the Flames" translated from German, the track is powerful and engage you right away with a brutality offered but softened with the right kind of melodies to linger for a while with yourself, "Black Rain" is very epic, the way they managed to shift back and forth the pace with complex structures that sound straightforward while the vocals delves into a nineties style screeching with backing vocals included into melodic sections, this album is full of good tracks "Phantasma" and "Zenit" this one appeals to be more oriented to the black metal sound, the works behind the keyboards is amazing and there are more songs to highlight as, "Altar der Finsternis" doesn't stop the torrent of heavy riffs that are overwhelming, or the track "Blessed in Sin" very alike Quorthon's style, creator of Bathory and forerunner of the same style Pagan metal, "Fergunna" comes with a ceremonial emphasis on the choirs, with a semi-slow rhythm that projects the double bass drum parts impeccably, let's jump to the last track "Das Portal (Outro)" which does exactly what an outro does, with a smooth ending begins with some piano notes which fade away, to give space to a heartbreaking and devastating guitar riff, nothing new but effective for such magnum opus.

To finish, I can say Andras has become such of an underground cult act of today with a clear idea of what it means to be a Pagan Black metal band and how to transfer the mysticism and creativity as one piece, the downside on this album is the length, it takes you sixty-seven minutes to listen and appreciate what they have done, but to put it simply, it doesn't work for me listen for so long to a single band; So there you have it, "Reminiszenzen" is an album that can't be ignored.

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

Track List:

01. Im Schatten Der Flammen

02. Black Rain
03. Phantasma
04. Zenit
05. Die Tilgung
06. Der Blinde Mann
07. Altar Der Finsternis
08. Blessed in Sin
09. Anewand
10. Fergunna
11. Der Raubschütz 1
12. Der Raubschütz 2
13. Das Portal

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Forsaken (2017) Pentateuch 'Review'

Band: Forsaken

Country of Origin: Malta

Genre: Epic Doom metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 55:00 min.

Release Date: 10-13-2017

Release Label: Mighty Music

IR Classification: Good (3.8 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

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Another Gem to the crown of Doom metal

During the week been busy writing some other different topics than music, for or without any particular reason "Pentateuch" the fifth album of the Maltese Doom metal masters Forsaken was really played often, on my music player, the magic riffs infused in their melodic formula ended up captivating my attention and dragged me down to old memories and it was inevitable to compare to what I consider the trident of Epic Doom metal, the Swedish Candlemass, the American Solitude Aeturnus and the British act Solstice, because is exactly what you are about to find out here a classic and epic album in the purest vein of Doom metal.

In fact, I could tell you that they are contemporaries of the aforementioned bands and maybe because of their geographical location, the Nineties were not so easy for them, the lack of promotion, distribution and the proliferating Black metal scene were adverse factors for them, however the time, conviction and persistence have managed to mount another gem, to the crown of Epic Doom metal.

"Phaneros (Coming to Light)" an anthemic opener for "Serpent Bride", the riff that kicks off it takes some middle eastern influence, or at least I perceive that, eventually the track builds up with strength and personality the vocals by Leo Stivala reach the right pitch, creating an an special vibe, next is "The Banishment" honestly I'm not quite sure why they use this short track or prelude just right before "Primal Wound", whatever they tried to do didn't work for me, but I can tell you "Primal Wound" is powerful the riff is not over elaborate, allowing the bass take its moment with a bombastic drum execution, that makes this of the best tracks of the album, "The Dove and The Raven" opt to explore a more slower pace putting aside for a moment those epic passages, the backing vocals contrast a little to nothing with high pitch and energetic vocals of Stivala, "Decalogue" seems to be the obliged track that fills out any Doom metal work. I struggled managing listening to it, because the lack of engaging riffs and we are almost barely passed half way of this album, will be a good or bad omen? well "Sabaoth (The Law Giver)" shall end with the doubt, incorporating a closer approach to the NWOBHM more variables, catchy riff and a drum set that's invigorated and delivering an enjoyable guitar solo by Sean Vokovic, the last track is, "Apocryphal Winds" which barely go over the fifteen minutes mark, plenty of doomy passages with memorable melodies and choruses that melds just fine all together and brings a sad feeling, however after minute eleven all the sudden awakes and begin to shift everything around creating an emotional chaos.

After several listening to "Pentateuch" I can confirm what I stated at the beginning this is a another gem to the crown of Doom metal, regardless of the low moments offered and disconcerting ending, the album is more than that by itself it explores a wide variety within the genre, I cannot label them with an excellent work but certainly they achieve a good enough work after more than eight years out of the recording studio, lovers of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus and Solstice, Please! do yourself a favor and go grab this album, you won't regret it.

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

Track List:

01. Phaneros (Coming to Light)

02. Serpent Bride
03. The Banishment
04. Primal Wound
05. The Dove and The Raven
06. Decalogue
07. Sabaoth (The Law Giver)
08. Apocryphal Winds

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Bloodstrike (2017) Execution of Violence 'Review'

Band: Bloodstrike

Country of Origin: United States

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: Digital 320 kbps
Length Approx.: 38:00 min.

Release Date: 10-13-2017

Release Label: Redefining Darkness Records

IR Classification: Moderate (3.4 / 5)

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Tuning up death metal Version 2.0

This is a Death metal band that is a must have to check for every old school metalhead, this is a band that personally, I regret miserably missed the release of their first work entitled "In Death We Rot" in 2015, it was energetic, brutal without intricate riffage structure, it was a direct discharge like a slap in the face, invoking bands such as Obituary, Asphyx or Bolt Thrower just to mention some.

Now they are returning with a pretty good album "Execution of Violence", with a view more focus to enhance what they achieved in their previous record, prevails the simplest structure in terms of songwriting, the powerful vocals delivered by Holly Wedel keeps sickening, tearing apart whatever they find in her way, on top of this qualities we can find out the mastermind of Dan Swanö providing the mastering at Unisound AB, projecting the band to another whole level.

"Execution of Violence" is slightly over thirty-eight minutes of duration, in my opinion, it's just a little short of what I'm looking for a death metal albums; But Bloodstrike managed to compensate excellently, my broken expectations with an unquestionable class, the album contains ten tracks, the opening track is "Procreating for Death" which start with an obscure path heavy and slow riff it remains along the song, while Wedel's sepulchral voice blows up the speakers, next in line is "Creeper", it keeps the same  rhythm from it's predecessor and suddenly shift into a more savage territory building up the speed, "Emptiness of Life" comes more vivid and the sound of the band is immeasurably compact and solid as well as demolisher, "Ministry of Hate" and "Corpses for Dissection" won't let you down for a minute, both tracks are very rhythmic shifting pace back and forward, "Execution of Violence" the self titled album track, include the most crushing and heavier riff within the album, the raspy vocals are simply stunning, "Detest Morality" falls into a Death Doom metal approach alike Asphyx early works, "Whoremonger" keeps up the carnage, with rabid riff and merciless drum work, Bloodstrike certainly knows how to keep you hooked up, "Iron Rations" prove it before taking the last track "Hell's Wasteland" strive to connect with the Florida death metal sound; But this guys are so good in their own sound that ended up sounding as them self. 

To recap, Bloodstrike has heavy riffs, engaging melodies, their sound is solid and stronger, effectively showing the changes of pace, vocally they have a powerful front woman to reckon with, beyond doubt Denver base metallers are getting closer into the eye of the storm, the album "Execution of Violence" ensures them a unique path to succeed.

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

Track List:

01. Procreating for Death

02. Creeper
03. Emptiness of Life
04. Ministry of Hate
05. Corpses for Dissection
06. Execution of Violence
07. Detest Mortality
08. Whoremonger
09. Iron Rations
10. Hell's Wasteland

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The Black Dahlia Murder (2017) Nightbringers 'Review'

Band: The Black Dahlia Murder

Country of Origin: United States

Genre: Melodic Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 33:00 min.

Release Date: 10-06-2017

Release Label: Metal Blade Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

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Impressively fast without regrets crushes everything around

Melodic death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder has just thrown at us, their eighth full length album entitled "Nightbringer" through Metal Blade Records, undoubtedly this is a record that shows their consistence within the genre and proof of that is the immense amount of followers around the world, accumulated during fifteen plus years and placing them as one of the best acts of Melodic Death metal from America, and I would dare to say that the only one! always moving forward and avoid stay for longer than they should be in safe ground, we can appreciate that since the beginning "Unhallowed" with divided views, "Miasma" struggling to convince, but it was until arrived "Nocturnal" that clear out any doubts, after that came out "Deflorate", "Ritual" and then to reach the pinnacle of their career they deliver "Everblack", then came out "Abysmal" which is not bad at all, however will live forever in the shadows of "Everblack".

"Nightbringer" contains nine tracks barely passing the mark of thirty-three minutes, in my opinion is some kind of short length album, but let's get to the point, this album kicks in with "Widowmaker" with a subtle and mysterious intro quickly as a lightning rumbles in your ears a fast riff not complicated but catchy, the double bass drum fit perfectly, the vocal job is outstanding showing a a very well educated throat shifting from deep gutturals to high screeches, next is "Of God and Serpent, Of Spectre and Snake" impressively fast without regrets crushes everything around, followed by "Matriarch" simply is an immaculate piece of unbridled dementia and a remarkable story line, "Nigthbringers" self titled album track offers the melody that distinguishes the sound of The Black Dahlia Murder, what else possibly I can say about this theme? "Jars" composed with a rhythmic and powerful riff, incorporates some background chorus, the guitar solo is magnificent almost by the end of the track, "King of the Nightworld" flirts lightly with a death 'n' roll feeling, something that we have already heard before in the repertoire of The Black Dahlia Murder, "Catacomb Hecatomb" aims to be the heaviest track of the album with a demolishing strength from the guitar work of Ellis and Brian is awesome, while Trevor delivers once again a vocal masterfully performance, "As Good as Dead" is totally devastating, the closing track is "The Lonely Deceased" drags you into an unmerciful stage of savagery, converging emotionally into a melodic chaos.

"Nightbringers" is able to offer a refreshing experience with their classical sound, few tricks here and there with memorable guitar solos, excellent drum work and why not to mention it, an incomparable vocal performance by Trevor perhaps the best that he has been able to deliver to date, I dare not say it is the best album by The Black Dahlia Murder, rather it is an album that uses its best weapons to attack the audience, something that is very prudent and leaves us wanting something better for the future.

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

Track List:

01. Widowmaker

02. of God and Serpent, Of Spectre and Snake
03. Matriarch
04. Nightbringers
05. Jars
06. Kings of the Nightworld
07. Catacomb Hecatomb
08. As Good as Dead
09. The Lonely Deceased

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Mordskog (2017) XIII 'Review'

Band: Mordskog

Country of Origin: Mexico

Genre: Black metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 39:00 min.

Release Date: 01-06-2017

Release Label: Werewolf Records

IR Classification: Good (4.1 / 5)

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Remarkable black metal rooted in hatred and evil

Let’s talk about a Mexican Black metal band Mordskog, they are from Mexico city, they were formed in 2003, early this year they brought to us their second full length called “XIII”. The sound of their music is obscure and blaspheme, which reminds me quite a lot the style of the early nineties Black metal scene, raw evil, negative, pure, corrosive and true, but clear at the same time and incorporating an excellent drum sound.

With a classic sound, without the need for so much technique or complicated riffs, they were able to create a feeling of hatred and evil… as how Black metal should be like. The vocals sound tearing and raw with a solid conviction to transmit all the hatred expressed in the lyrics. You need to get prepare to listen this raw Black metal band, if you are expecting to listen something melodic within Mordskog sound, then you might be disappointed.

This sick sound was created with dissonance, putrefaction and darkness… Suitable for followers of the early works of bands like Darkthorne, Craft, Krieg, Pest (Swe) and some others alike to the true Black metal sound.

“Lautum Novedialem” which is the title for the first track, starts with an arpeggio that has an eerie melancholy within, then you might think you’re about to listen another DSBM band, but no! You are wrong, it’s followed by a sick and dissonant riff that makes you delve into the immense evilness of the first track. The second track titled “Nascentes Morimur” takes you into an atmosphere full of darkness and evil falling in the classic structure of the nineties Black metal sound, with a very rhythmic riff at the beginning, followed by a dark and dissonant riff, this song takes you little by little into a feeling of hatred and desolation, only three riffs are just enough to make this track an unforgettable piece of raw Black metal. “Aequo Pulsat Pede” the third song, speak by itself, what else I could possible say? This is a sick and blaspheme track it reminds me the early works of Pest (Swe), the true connoisseurs of Black metal will know what I mean doing such comparison. “Pulvis Et Umbra” is the sickest track on this album, the drum work begins with an unconditional beat in its structure with a remarked influence of Mayhem in the riffing, something difficult to digest at first, but once you find the meaning, this rarity becomes mysteriously sublime and makes you play it over and over. “Mors Est Vitae Essentia” is the next track, this piece of darkness is the most rhythmic song, with riffs to make you bang your head from beginning to end. The sixth anthem “Ad Me Venite Mortui” is a piece of blasphemous Black metal with a classic style of riffing and beats adding vomiting and tearing vocals as a complement to this evocation, the acoustic end comes unpredictable. “C.A.M” is the name of the seventh track, I do not know the meaning of these acronyms… the only thing I know! Is the words I will use to describe this song; A Deathcult Invocation!!! Which drag you to the next psalm titled “Mors Vincit Omnia” is another crude Black metal piece, rhythmic, blasphemous and rotten with riffs that provoke a feeling of despair and hate, with some influence of Inquisition on the vocals, to finish this commendable work of contemporary raw Black metal, Mordskog delivers a last theme to make us very clear the message they tries to transmit throughout the whole album “Todos Ustedes Deben Morir Esta Noche” which translate as follow “All of you must die Tonight”, some kind of eerie passage good enough to break up any mortal.

 Mordskog completed a great album worthy to spin in your player and explore another great band from around the world, the production is good enough, keeping the essential just to enhance the key parts in the composition, this album will calm down your anxiety for true Black metal without letting you down.

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

Track List:

01. Lautum Novedialem

02. Nascentes Morimur
03. Aequo Pulsat Pede
04. Pulvis Et Umbra Sumus
05. Mors Est Vitae Essentia
06. Ad Me Venite Mortui
07. C.A.M.
08. Mors Vincit Omnia
09. Todos Ustedes Deben Morir Esta Noche

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Blut Aus Nord (2017) Deus Salutis Meæ 'Review'

Band: Blut Aus Nord

Country of Origin: France

Genre: Atmospheric / Black metal / Avantgarde / Industrial metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 34:00 min.

Release Date: 10-28-2017

Release Label: Debemur Morti Productions

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

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Nearly a masterpiece of atmospheric black metal

Couple weeks ago I was thinking about Blut Aus Nord, when they released their twelfth full length album titled "Deus Salutis Meæ" translated from Latin means "God of my Salvation", I want to make it clear that I am not a die hard follower of this french band, however in the beginning of 1997 one of my friends hand me a copy of their album debut "Ultima Thulée" Yes! I know it wasn't released in 1997, it was released in January 1995, but it was the nineties where underground still underground, it took us more time than today's to find out a new band, my point is; has already passed over twenty two years since their first released and there is plenty of material to elaborate a retrospective to appreciate their up's and downs, being the trilogy of "Memoria Vatusta" in my humble opinion the most representative part of their career.

"Deus Salutis Meæ" delivers a subtle intro called "Dêmiourgos" a tenebrous passage to the Blut Aus Nord world, followed by one of the most bizarre and gloomy tracks in this album "Chorea Macchabeorum" with sickening tremolo picked riffage, certainly set the ambiance for this album, "Impius" is perfectly chaotic crafted, it's fast with repulsive churning riff while the synths play an essential role to transgress your mental state, "Gnosis" works as a little preamble for what's coming at you "Apostasis" from the beginning is crushing and filthy with a more traditional Black metal blast-beat, "Abisme" comes with a different approach mixing doom and sludge riff which is something worthy to listen from this band, "Revelatio" is unsettling the cavernous vocals will deliver the goosebumps, as you entering into the gates of hell, "Ex Tenebrae Lucis" should be the closing track with such malignancy within the musical structure without any doubt complements this subliminal experience.

Blut Aus Nord has proven once again being the most notorious extreme metal band from France, with their singular and sinister vibe won't disappoint to any connoisseur of the genre, the only tragedy that falls upon this album is the length, leaving you wanting for more, but if that is your case, simply go ahead and listen their most respectful trilogy, I certainly recommend it.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Dêmiourgos

02. Chorea Macchabeorum
03. Impius
04. Gnosis
05. Apostasis
06. Abisme
07. Revelatio
08. Hésychia
09. Ex Tenebrae Lucis
10. Métanoïa

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Endseeker (2017) Flesh Hammer Prophecy 'Review'

Band: Endseeker

Country of Origin: Germany

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 42:00 min.

Release Date: 10-20-2017

Release Label: F.D.A. Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

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Impressive death metal album debut

Endseeker is barely a new up and coming band from the underground, playing an unrelenting old school Death metal, formed in Hamburg, Germany during 2014 by former members of Buried in Black, Ben Liepelt (Guitars) and Torsten Eggert (Bass) both of them joined forces with the talented vocalist Lenny from (Devastator) recruiting former drummer and guitar player of Mephistopheles André Kummer and Jury Kowalczyk, respectively.

Soon they have ready five powerful tracks, they entered at Chemical Burn Studios in July 2015 to record their EP debut titled "Corrosive Revelation" released through F.D.A. Records, raising a good acceptation among the fans of the genre.

Few days ago, they just released their first full length titled "Flesh Hammer Prophecy" with ten tracks in the most pure vein of Death metal from yore, their sound appeals the attention of Bolt Thrower, Entombed and Morbid Angel fan bases, let's dig into the opening track, "Into the fire" works as an intro melding slower riffs, giving a free way to explode with the album's self-title track fast with very well pace, adding some interesting changes of rhythm, "Demon Spawn" just keep up with the intensity injected from the previous track, "Malicious Instinct" takes you right away to the "Left Hand Path" era, followed by "Worshipping the Bloodthirsty" kicking off with a subtle sludg-ish riff and delves with a groovy riff, "Feasting on the Decomposed" sounds very generic and for a brief moment gets me lost, "Shredding Your Graven Image" with a Swedish Gothemburg riff was able to hook me back into the recording, the bass sounds are pretty tight in the background, "Black Star Rising" makes a smooth transitional change of rhythm from the preceding track before breaks abruptly sickening, "Powder Burns" comes in a solid piece of well structured riff with merciless drums from the begining falling into a doomy passages, "Possessed by the Flame" ends the album almost at the same pace of the previous track, but somehow they manage to keep my attention, the subtle guitar solo along the song keeps coming at me over and over. 

I definitely believe that Endseeker has a promising future, of course they need to polish some details here and there, but for now they have shown with their effort and dedication that they are worthy of taking seriously, So! from now on I will be on the lookout of your next production.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Into the Fire
02. Flesh Hammer Prophecy
03. Demon Spawn
04. Malicious Instinct
05. Worshiping the Bloodthirsty
06. Feasting on the Decomposed
07. Shredding Your Graven Image
08. Black Star Rising
09. Powder Burns
10. Possessed by the Flame

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