Benighted (2014) Carnivore Sublime

Band: Benighted

Country of Origin: France

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal / Grindcore

Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  38:00 min.

Release Date: 02-14-2014

Current label: Season of Mist

Release label: Season of Mist

IR Classification: Excellent (4.6 / 5)

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Carnivore Sublime brings a brutal and compelling discharge

Well, I know it’s been a long time since Benighted released their seventh full length "Carnivore Sublime" back in 2014, however I'm about to review this album for the simple reason that this is a killer Deathgrind album, excellent from any spot of view, you want to see, Benighted have been very active since they were founded in 1998 in Saint-Étienne, Rhône-Alpes, France, they were playing a more oriented Black metal at the beginning of their career, and later on shifting slowly into a more, comfortable zone to play a brutal Death metal with Grindcore influences.

"Carnivore Sublime" brings a brutal and compelling discharge, riff that assault your senses and the incessant beating of drums, the multifaceted Julien Truchan and his vocals with a wide range from pig squeals, screechy, gory goes to scream and snarls, it is really fascinating listen to him, Benighted is a band that once in awhile throws some riff that are particularly out of context, but when you see the whole picture you can appreciate those details that prevent to fall in a abysmal boredom, many bands of the genre while do their songwriting, goes so brutal and so fast as possible that they tend to overkill their production and there's no elements to save them, fortunately this is not Benighted case, something else to remark is the length of the record, barely under the thirty eight minutes to consume the massacre.

The opener track “X2Y” explode with singular intensity and brutality which link you right away with "Noise" the second track the guitars sound compact and the catchy riff are brimming, the distinctive vocals appears while you can't stop headbanging, “Experience your Flesh” is the living proof of my words, because you can appreciate those particular riff out of context I had been talking about, some could feel confused, but that's exactly why Benighted has remained, because they have a terrific, capacity to alloy unconventional elements, tracks like “Spit” or “Defiled Purity” following the same concept with some groovy riff throw in the mix and some other entertainment stuff, “Collection of Dead Portraits” and “Carnivore Sublime”, became the most exuberant tracks it's musical structure more varied, with frequent paced shifting and brutal fret guitar work, exposes their creativity to the core, “Les Morsures du Cerbère” brilliant as intense and the last track of this album is “June and the Laconic Solstice” delivers a full discharge of artillery a relentless drumming with some killer bass lines, guitar strings keep snapping and a full vocal repertory to annihilate any doubts.

 In my opinion Benighted has once again demonstrated why they have remained for so long as an icon in the underground scene, seventeen years down the road, seven studio albums, a live album, guarantee the quality and creativity of these French, trust me; if you take a look at their discography, I know you'll find something interesting.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. X2Y

2. Noise

3. Experience Your Flesh

4. Slaughter / Suicide

5. Spit

6. Defiled Purity

7. Jekyll

8. Collection of Dead Portraits

9. Carnivore Sublime
10. Les Morsures du Cerbère
11. June and the Laconic Solstice

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Ashes of Dagoth (2015) The Awakening [EP]

Band: Ashes of Dagoth

Country of Origin: Germany

Status: Active

Genre: Symphonic Black metal
Type: EP

Format: Digital

Length Approx.:  28:00 min.

Release Date: 10-02-2015

Current label: Independent

Release label: N/A

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

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Every song delivers an ecstasies and anguish at the same time

Ashes of Dagoth is a German Symphonic Black metal project founded by Florian (Moonforest, Empiric) and Christian, starting around 2013 and as soon as they could, they began the song writing process for their upcoming release, taking influences from bands like, Dimmu Borgir, Carach Angren, Advent Sorrow and their fascination for The Elder Scrolls series, they mixed up all the elements to conclude their first recording an EP titled "The Awakening" released independently in digital format.

While Ashes of Dagoth consist of two members Florian performs on guitars, drums and vocals, Christian takes care of the keyboards and orchestration, throwing, a recording of excellent quality with a wide texture, rich guitar riff, overwhelming drums but most of all, perfectly orchestrated melodies, harsh vocals with small incursions into clean vocals, the musical structure is something to highlight, they handle the pace on every song to deliver an ecstasies and anguish at the same time.

The EP opens with “The Fate of Dwemer” excellent orchestration to begin, It leads you to an enigmatic place in a parallel dimension where peace is virtual but the chaos prevails, “Akulakhan” it begins aggressively fast, with growling vocals, the keyboard melodies domain in the background as the orchestration fades, whispering voices appears and suddenly the wrath is released upon us, “Kagrenacs Greed” offers the brutal part in this album well balanced with symphonic elements, “Nightfall in Morrowind” is a beautiful instrumental track integrated by violins and piano, once again delightful and simple melodies play again an important role in their song writing, “Dreams of Flesh and Blood” unleashes an agonizing fury with mid paced, evolving into a catharsis, the last song is “Dagoth Ur” crushing drums blends with the orchestral arrangements adding growl vocals to tell the story of the last chapter.

It might sound a little bit repetitive for some of you, but all the elements in this recording, the way they managed to incorporated every single one is what makes them special, as musicians they bring up together a solid concept, that deserves some serious attention, I can tell you I had replay several times this record, because their sound is easy to listening, there is nothing complicated, if you are into Symphonic Black metal check it up, Ashes of Dagoth will surprise you.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. The Fate of the Dwemer

2. Akulakhan

3. Kagrenacs Greed

4. Nightfall in Morrowind

5. Dreams of Flesh and Blood

6. Dagoth Ur

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Funebria (2015) Dekatherion: Ten Years of Hate & Pride

Band: Funebria

Country of Origin: Venezuela

Status: Active

Genre: Black metal / Death metal
Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  43:00 min.

Release Date: 08-29-2015

Current label: Satanath Records

Release label: Satanath Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

South American Black metal aggressive, fast and full of anger

Directly from Maracaibo, Zulia in Venezuela emerge Funebria with a ruthless, heartbreaking and infernal album called “Dekatherion: Ten Years of Hate & Pride” under Satanath Records, this is their second full length which is preceded by their debut album titled “In Dominus Blasfemical Est... Ad Noctum Sathania” released back in 2009  as an independent effort, the band was formed around 2004, the current lineup is Seth aum Xul doing vocals, Iblis as bassist, Daemonae as guitarist and Ed Thorn behind the drums.

At the beginning they started playing old school black metal and it is reflected in their first demo entitled "Manifesto Slave" released in 2005 with a single track, but that was just the beginning, because Funebria begins a process of exploration, with new ideas and influences, as well as a lyrical concept more mature which is finally materialized in their EP "Holocaust Impio Golgotha in the Desert" in 2007 and their debut album “In Dominus Blasfemical Est... Ad Noctum Sathania” according to the band, their first album reached a distinctive and mature sound, starting with guitar riffs full of hate, devastating voices and drums guided by personal ideology, based on Nihilism and its complete absence, with a total rage against Christianity and I can tell you that’s a fact and on this occasion I refuse to talk more about this album, because they simply exceeded my expectations with "Dekatherion: Ten Years of Hate & Pride”.

The album kick off with a bombastic intro which make me think of the trumpets welcoming you to the gates of hell and quickly without losing the atmosphere sown by the introduction it’s linked to “Consolamentum” begins with marching drums and a rabid guitar riff, while Seth aum Xul blend his screams with their chaotic sound, this is the kind of track you expect when you first hear an album, delivering hell for your ears, “Serpent Sign” It is one of my favorite tracks on this album, their musical structure reflects its progression in terms of song writing is concerned, powerful, fast and brutal, Ed Thorn shows his class behind the drums handling fast paced with subtle changes to slower paced, coming near the end of the track Daemonae brings a unique guitar solo that makes memorable this track, I can tell you is a combination of elements bordering perfection, “Nihilist Revelation” with a more cohesive structure, deeper tones and voices to tear the depths of your soul, they know how to manage each change of pace, “Divide & Conquer” it is a track full of savagery, riff that appeal to be more thrasher with some good bass lines at the beginning by Iblis, the harsh vocals, assault and penetrate through the pores of your skin, while the drums sound overwhelming, “Azag (The Crown of Void)”  and “Cult of Cosmic Destruction” brings to this records some of the most conventional Black metal which both are well executed, but doesn’t show their full capacity, the last track in the album is the bonus track titled “Tormento” which seems to be a track re-recorded from their album debut, with Spanish lyrics but this time it sounds more aggressive, faster and full of anger.

In my opinion, I consider this album contains a strong concept and a solid musical structure, the production is good enough a slightly over produced on the drums section, but it doesn't affect drastically, Funebria it could be nominated as the best Black metal band from South America, they have set their own bar high enough for upcoming releases and we will be here waiting for them, horns up!!

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Intro

2. Consolamentum

3. Serpent Sign

4. Whores of Babylon

5. Nihilist Revelation

6. Divide & Conquer

7. Aeon of Tyranny

8. Azag (The Crown of Void)
9. Cult of Cosmic Destruction
10. Tormento


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Dysphorium (2015) Conduit of Darkness

Band: Dysphorium

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Melodic Death metal
Type: Full length

Format: CD Digipak

Length Approx.:  45:00 min.

Release Date: 03-28-2015

Current label: Independent

Release label: Independent

IR Classification: Moderate (2.5 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Melodeth made in America influenced by Finnish and Norseman

Dysphorium started around 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky as a four piece band; it is integrated by vocalist and guitarist Joshua Holmes, drummer Jonathan Stillman, bassits Blake Weeks and lead guitarist Greg Moore, they are appealing to play some kind of Melodic Death metal in the vein of bands such as Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum or Amon Amarth.

They launched their first full length at the beginning of the Spring 2015, including eight tracks which last about 45 minutes of pure melodeath, I took interest in this band for the simple reason that the US is not well known by their Melodic Death metal scene, I always seen the US scene distinguished by its brutality and speed, using more inharmonious elements, Dysphorium doesn't disappoint at all, however this album is plagued of well known riff by the aforementioned bands, there are few times where they decide to venture throwing some brutal riff in the mixing or the sporadic doom passages that they incorporate and at some point exploring their progressive side, but the ghost is always there and it is impossible to stop comparing, I have a feeling we have not seen its full potential and as far as I'm concerned, I'll be waiting for the next album, more mature, more experienced and more polished.

“Conduit of Darkness” the self titled track opens with speed and brutality, the vocals are hellish by Holmes while Stillman delivers a powerful discharge behind the drum set, "The Misanthrope" here you can find some well known riff, maybe it’s me! but I can compare this track to "The Pursuit of Vikings" from Amon Amarth,  “Demigod” is the fifth track and work as they promo track, slow and dense tunes are the keys, to infuse a heavy atmosphere, for a few moments come to you, gentle waves with the sound of Inmsomnium, “Voices in the Wind” brings back what it seems to be the strongest point of this band blending perfectly, speed, brutality and melody with a blistering drum session and a exceptional guitar solo, “Epilogue Medley” this is an instrumental and is the closing track, here you can appreciate the versatility of the band, playing acoustic guitars, unfortunately for them, we have all heard this before.

Honestly; I believe that Dysphorium have potential as I mentioned before, might be all this tracks recorded for this album are part of their early song writing and who knows, after all touring and promoting this, their first full length, they could caught us, with a more defined sound, not all is wrong in this album and emulate all those bands who inspired them, goes beyond words to describe an emotion.

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

Track List:

1. Conduit of Darkness

2. In the Wake of Indoctrination

3. The Misanthrope

4. Vessels of Dionysus

5. Demigod

6. Visions of Mortality

7. Voices in the Wind

8. Epilogue Medley




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Krisiun (2015) Forged in Fury

Band: Krisiun

Country of Origin: Brazil

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length

Format: Digipak Ltd. Edition

Length Approx.:  60:00 min.

Release Date: 08-07-2015

Current label: Century Media Records

Release label: Century Media Records

IR Classification: Good (3.6 / 5)

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Forged in Fury is an album that release a furious onslaught, but lack in vitality

Brazilian death metal machine Krisiun returns to the scene after a long period without releasing a studio album, after "The Great Execution" released back in 2011 followed by an extensive and comprehensive touring around the globe, the three brothers Alex, Max and Moyses charge back with their newest album "Forged in Fury" which is their tenth full length in their discography.

Krisiun is undoubtedly a band who has "Forged in Fury" their name in the underground scene always supported by the "Unmerciful Order" of fans to expand their "Black Force Domain", these visionaries of the "Apocalyptic Revelation", the three "Conquerors of Armageddon" loaded of wrath and "Ageless Venomous", always willing to perform "Works of Carnage" and "Bloodshed" with no remorse for the "AssassiNation" of the masses by their explosive "Southern Storm", they leave a desolate and cold path of “The Great Execution” and clearly stating their legacy, this trio of Brazilians are well known for what they have done in the past twenty five year of career and the years to come will testify more ruthless assaults.

"Forged in Fury" opens with "Scars of Hatred" demolishing guitar riff, a galloping bass and an unmerciful drums, Alex spits ferocious grunts, next is "Ways of Barbarism" is a pure overwhelming drum track, violent riff and an outstanding guitar solo ending up subtle in slow paced, "Dogma of Submission" seems to hold the brutality of the previous track but you can appreciate how the instruments blend together more harmoniously, this is the point where you realize, that this album has its own personality and distance itself from the early sound of "Black Force Domain" or even recently "Southern Storm" particularly my two favorite albums, "Burning the Heretic" falls into a dissonant chaos, powerful grooving riff along the bludgeoning drums by Max, "Oracle of the Ungod" clearly shows up the prowess acquired to songwriting, taking them a step into the Progressive Death Metal, "Timeless Starvation" is more oriented to the thrash roots, fast riff and compelling drums, it links rapidly with "Milonga de la Muerte" and acoustic guitar interlude, the last track is "Electric Funeral" a Black Sabbath cover, very well executed under Krisiun trade mark, probably the low point of this album is the length, over fifty two minutes of pure relentless Death metal and a really short interlude almost at the end, make this a hard bone to gnaw.

It is true that this is a good album, the production, mixing and mastering reach every note very clear, is an album crafted with outstanding songwriting, memorable guitar solos, catchy riff and stunning drums, however; being honest I believe we have already listen this, a slightly turn into their roots will be more favorable to reinventing their sound for the next album, something that old fans will greatly appreciate.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Scars of the Hatred

2. Ways of Barbarism

3. Dogma of Submission

4. Strength Forged in Fury

5. Soulless Impaler

6. Burning of the Heretic

7. The Isolated Truth

8. Oracle of the Ungod
9. Timeless Starvation
10. Milonga de la Muerte
11. Earth's Cremation
12. Electric Funeral (Black Sabbath cover)

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Scarab (2015) Serpents of the Nile

Band: Scarab

Country of Origin: Egypt

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  56:00 min.

Release Date: 03-06-2015

Current label: ViciSolum Productions

Release label: ViciSolum Productions

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

An Album plagued with folk passages, furious riff, relentless drums and guttural vocals

Scarab is a band formed in Cairo, Egypt and they play a pure Death metal influenced by their Ancient Egyptian Culture and Sprituality, they began their journey with the release of the EP titled “Valley of the Sandwalkers” in 2007, it contains three tracks, it passed only two years to record their album debut “Blinding the Masses” in 2009, which wrapped nine cuts of forsaken evil acts, both recording were released independently and work out good enough to take ViciSolum Productions attention and leading them to ink a deal to release their second full length “Serpents of the Nile” in the early Spring of 2015.

Death metal bands like Nile are not the only ones influenced by middle eastern culture, Nervecell and Maat outstand among the pack, but Scarab seems to be the fourth link to add into the chain of Egyptian themed Death metal, the band is integrated by Sammy Sayed in Vocals, Al Sharif Marzeban and Tarek Amr in Guitars, Mohamed El Sherbieny in Bass, Hatem El Akkad in Drums and Sherif Adel in Keyboards, for all those who instantly label this band as non genuine, let me tell you something, this guys has been around since 2001 under the name of Hate Suffocation, however in 2006 they decide to start from nothing and gave life to Scarab, stepping into a Death metal infused in their own roots, more melodic, mid paced rather than technical and brutal as the bands aforementioned.

The first track is “Calling Forth the Ancient Spirits of Kemet” an atmospheric submerged into classic Middle Eastern sounds, the keyboard provide a wall of sounds to set the ambient for the next song, the epic “Visions of a Blood River” which last over nine minutes, but is doesn’t disappoint you, the composition is layered over a mid paced and it’s loaded with a wide variety of guitar riff, while Hatem pummels his drums with total wrath, Sayed growls are dominant, “Serpents of the Nile” opens with savage riffs and constantly goes back and forth from fast paced to mid paced incorporating some folk notes to exalt the moment, “Funeral Pharaoh” takes you through a journey to ancient Egypt, where Pharaohs ruled the land, that intro is superb followed by sharp guitar riff that rips you apart, melody is mid paced and blunt drums, the cut is one of the best in this album, “Days of a Burial Mask” closes this album with a heavy and merciless riff driven into a chaotic mid paced, a powerful double bass drum and vocals growls define this tune as an exceptional from this Egyptians.

Undoubtedly Scarab has released a ponderous, powerful and unforgettable album plagued with folk passages, furious riff, relentless drums and guttural vocals that leave a mark on the Death metal grounds, as a witness of their legacy, this is an album that deserves time to be heard and wander in the desert dunes.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Calling Forth the Ancient Spirits of Kemet

2. Visions of a Blood River

3. Spells of Coming Forth by Day

4. Serpents of the Nile

5. Pyramid of Illusions

6. Funeral Pharaoh

7. The Afterlife Illusions

8. Days of a Burial Mask

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Feral (2015) Where Dead Dreams Dwell

Band: Feral

Country of Origin: Sweden

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal
Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  44:00 min.

Release Date: 05-29-2015

Current label: Cyclone Empire

Release label: Cyclone Empire

IR Classification: Good (3.7 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Feral Plays a refreshing and modern raw metal

Feral is a band that evoke the Death metal realm of the nineties, their sound is raw, compact, and aggressive, same as those acts who owned the scene those years, Dismember, Entombed, Grave or Asphyx, just to mentioning a few ones, the Swedish bands by nature play a particular galloping riff, exactly! that kind of groovy sound with blasting drums and throbbing bass, grunts that combine and balance between riff and you just can’t get enough of it and simply you come back for more, Feral along with Swedish Entrails and Revolting, I could consider them as the new torch that light up the Swedish Death metal scene, the truth is… Feral is not reinventing the wheel, why should they do such of thing? The line of Death metal they are appealing to play it doesn’t have to be renewed, it has to be played as it is, many of us, old school death metal fans we can criticize them for this, lack of originality, steping on safe ground or whateveryou want to argue, that’s easy to point out, but times goes on and out there is new blood avid for listen that kind of death metal, the same one we experienced in the nineties, so; why should we stop the reborn of a new era? I don’t think so! 

Feral so far has released two albums the first one "Dragged to the Altar" in 2011 for Ibex Moon Records, a split EP with Germans Revel in Flesh during 2014 and their latest full length "Where Dead Dreams Dwell" for Cyclone Empire this album was delayed due to line-up changes, their current line-up is Viktor Eriksson in the bass, David Nilsson as vocalist, Markus Lindahl sole guitarist and drummer Roger Markström their hometown is Skellefteå, Sweden.

So, let's get straight to the album, the first cut is "Swallowed by Darkness" imposes a corrosive groovy guitar riff by Lindahl and while Markström  explodes the drums with the classic D-beat sound, low grunts by Nilsson the burly bass of Eriksson unravels at a mid tempo, to announce what to expect for the next 40 minutes, "Creatures Among the Coffins" is a bomb starting as a mid tempo track only to unleash their wrath and get you in an unstoppable headbanging, "Suffering Torment" it is pure rage loaded, insane thrash guitar cords, "Carving the Blood Eagle" tear you apart with the strongest drum intro in the album a memorable track where Markström evidence his skills along the cut, Lindahl make an exceptional guitar solo to crown this track, "The Crawler" and "Overwhelmed" doesn't distant from the quality of all the previous tracks, "Mass Resurrection" seemed to be longest than usual, but it doesn't matter because is robust in guitar riff and it is well blended with a guitar solo, the last track in the CD is "Succumb to Terror" the guitars are fast as hell, the blasting drums and the rumbling bass make a perfect fit and Nilsson growls are brilliant.

"Where Dead Dreams Dwell" is a solid record, flawless with a refreshing and modern raw sound, that will leave you satisfied, if you are a true old school death metal fan, then you should give it a try, there is nothing to lose, but you will get back for more doses, I can bet you that.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. Swallowed by Darkness

2. Creatures Among the Coffins

3. As the Feast Begins

4. Suffering Torment

5. Carving the Blood Eagle

6. Inhumation Ceremony

7. The Crawler

8. Overwhelmed

9. Mass Resurrection
10. Succumb to Terror


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