Category: Album Review

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SALLOW MOTH – The Larval Hope – Album Review

 

The Larval Hope is an excellent science fiction/B-Movie themed concept album composed by sole member Garry Brents. Get your popcorn ready as you prepare to listen to a brutal tales of celestial humanoid nature preserving moths as they battle an evil human army bent on total space colonization. Think Avatar but actually well worth listening to and fucking metal! There are plenty of bands that write about demons, vikings and dragons, it’s refreshing to see such an original concept here. It is also interesting to note that 90% of digital proceeds of this album’s sales will be donated to animal sanctuaries.

We have some great classic sounding Death Metal here that is reminiscent of the earlier works of Morbid Angel and even Death. While you can hear the old school influence, the album does not rely heavily on the sounds from those classic acts. There are plenty of great hooks (“Death Mutation Vs. Metallurgic Summonings” being a great example) sludgy riffs and plenty of atmosphere that keeps The Larval Hope fresh and original and not just carbon copy of tried and true Death Metal.

This is an album that is best experienced from start to finish as is the case with most concept albums. “Glimpse the Unthinkable” clocking in around 9 minutes is an excellent closer bringing in several Death Metal elements and tying it perfectly fit the The Larval Hope saga. While this album is short, you will want to spin it a few times as there is plenty of high quality material here to interest even the most elitist of metal listeners.

 

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IAPETUS – The Body Cosmic – Album Review

 

Most of the time, I like my Death Metal fast, aggressive and unrelenting. But sometimes I need to change the pace a little. With The Body Cosmic, Iapetus add plenty of atmosphere and progressive and technical touches to make this album a complex and satisfying listen. Don’t worry fans of extreme metal. This isn’t a snobbish prog record. There is plenty essential Death Metal aggression to spare.

What works best here is the seemingly easy fusion of both Death Metal and Black Metal to a Progressive background. The Body Cosmic is the first track and runs over 10 minutes. Most Grind fans can listen to entire discographies in this time, but don’t let the run time scare you away. The track blasts off with harsh vocals and heavy guitars. About halfway through the song takes an atmospheric turn. This change doesn’t feel jarring or abrupt. It just works. Many reviewers have this release near the top of their lists for 2019, not for nothing, this is dynamic and different release that has little something for everyone. Just when you think a part of a song is starting to feel tired, they change it up with a different style or a different pace.

And this where The Body Cosmic really shines, in it’s instrumental structures. Progressive music often gets a bad wrap for it’s complex and longer songs. Iapetus have mastered the prefect balance to keep both fans of Progressive and Extreme Metal happy. The Body Cosmic is so full of atmospheric energy it sets itself up for multiple listens.

Be sure to give this album and do not let the 70 minute run time intimidate you. This is an epic, almost spiritual and reflective piece to listen to. Sometimes it’s good to slow down. Pure yourself a nice cup of (Black!) coffee and give this a spin.

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CRUCIFIED MORTALS – Converted by Decapitation Album Review

Crucified Mortals brings old school thrash from Cleveland, Ohio. Playing 80’s inspired thrash has been popular with many new metal groups over the last few years with no slow down of the trend in sight. Luckily, Crucified Mortals are not a band that relies heavily on a gimmick or genre.

Most of this EP sounds like a cross between early death metal and thrash. Craig “Reaper” Horval lays down some seriously angry vocals here that are strong and howling, sounding somewhere in between classic Venom and even the more modern black thrashers Midnight. The layered riffs on this release are sure to have many banging their heads along with their darkened and dedicated thrash melodies. Sentenced to Extermination starts off with a haunting voice over regarding Nazi gas chambers only to be brutally followed by sick lyrics, pounding drums and intense leads. If this song dosen’t get you into the pit, nothing will.

Converted to Decapitation does an excellent job of flying the flag of well revered “Bay Area Thrash” scene and is definitely worth checking out even if you are not a die hard thrash fan with a denim vest covered in patches, blood and piss.

 

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POWER FROM HELL: Devil’s Whorehouse REVIEW

POWER FROM HELL: Devil’s Whorehouse

Reviewed by Andrew Risch

 

Power From Hell’s fifth album is another trip down memory lane with strong influences from the
early 80’s heavy hitters such as Slayer, Venom and Bathory. For over 15 years now these
Brazillian thrashers have had a cult following in underground metal. Not without reason as
Devil’s Whorehouse is a simple yet satisfying album full of headbanging mini anthems and dark
and dreary atmosphere.

The album hits with the track, “Old Metal,” which immediately gives off a Venom vibe with it’s
hybrid feeling of Black/Thrash Metal riffs. Most tracks follow suite with plenty of filthy riffs and
croaking vocals that aren’t meant to be understood. The band also manages to slow things
down with their some atmospheric offerings on the track “Black Forest.” Nodding heavily to the
early Norwegian scene that first made Black Metal so intoxicating. “Long Road to Hell,” closing
the album out perfectly with it’s surprisingly groovy and bluesy feel.

Power From Hell’s Devil’s Whorehouse manages to be a great listen and one that fans for Blackened Thrash Metal will be sure to add
to their collections.

 

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BOTIS – Grand Abominations Review

BOTIS – Grand Abominations Review

Reviewed by Andrew Risch
Philly based quartet Botis, unleash a plague of slick as hell Black Metal that sounds almost too good to be a self produced debut album. Mind you, this isn’t your traditional type of Black Metal either with plenty of Thrash and Melodic Death Metal thrown in for a satisfying and complex listen.

 The opening track fires off with a technical ferocity of killer riffs, pulverizing blast beats and inhuman screams before slowing things down for a brutal midsection piece with some great bass work added to the mix. Taking bits and pieces from across the entire metal spectrum, Botis showcase incredible musicianship on this release. The second track, “Rodente,” is a real standout with it’s trashy almost punk like riffs showcasing how Botis seamlessly blends many different styles into a great and even catchy song. And the eerie chorus at the end of the track? Perfection! “Gullet,” is the longest track here clocking in at a little over 8 minutes, this is an epic track  with a unique piano outro that bears repeated listens. The albums closer, “The Nobel King,” finishes the album up perfectly, not too heavy, not too soft, but enough to leave you wanting more.

 

If this is their first attempt at a recording, Botis proves that they are a band that needs to be on your radar in the years to come.

Catch Botis in this month’s coffee subscriptions, here
Be sure to sign up by midnight (EST) tonight!

 

Botis is:
Erik Levitsky – Guitar
Graham Noël – Bass
Greg Bogart – Drums
Peter Hraur – Vocals

Botis Facebook

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VERMENT: Death’s Domain Review

VERMENT: Death’s Domain

Reviewed by: Andrew Risch

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Verment perform some killer modern death metal on their recent
EP, Death’s Domain. Containing hints of blackened thrash over some melodeath groves,
Verment is definitely a band on the rise. Taking cues from bands such as

Dying Fetus,Aborted and the mighty Carcass with their style and sound. What keeps Verment fresh and
exciting is that they are not just purely a Death Metal band adding modern twists and different
musical elements throughout this EP. “Amon’s Wrath,” is a real standout here with it’s punchy
beginning, slick riffs with underlying melodies and nasty vocals that leave you wanting to sing
(growl?) along. “Chemical Indoctrination,” is a pure explosion in ferocity that features some killer
guitar work spiraling feverishly across the fretboard. “Wings of Bone,” will satisfy the most
stubborn Death Metal fan with just a little over 2 minutes of pure brutality.
Already a key player in Cincinnati’s metal scene, Verment are a fantastic live band, proving
once again that extreme metal is alive and well. Death’s Domain proves that this is a band on
the rise and are headed to great things in their future.

Be sure to check out Verment’s Death’s Domain EP in this month’s coffee subscriptions!

If you’re in the Cincinnati area and would like to see Verment live, check out their Facebook page here.

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BOATMAN’S TOLL: The Fat is in the Fire Review

 

BOATMAN’S TOLL: The Fat is in the Fire Review

Reviewed by: Andrew Risch

Much like the best coffees, Metal is more exciting when it comes hard and bold to the senses in a fresh and refreshing way. Boatman’s Toll is not your standard extreme Metal as they offer a unique,bold flavor of several sub-genres. On their most recent release, you will be treated to plenty of sludgy and doom/thrash laden riffs with just a hint of Death and dash of Black Metal to keep the most hardcore fans interested. 

 

For starters, yes, this is a heavy album. It may not come out of the gates and punch you in the throat but it will leave it’s mark with some great sludgy groves. Corporate Indentured Servitude is an awesome Death n Roll track and the intro to Torn is perfection. Nothing Means Nothing is an aggressive track that will get your head banging if you aren’t too busy singing along. In the Falling Away is easily the sludgiest track on this offering with some killer stoner vibes. Finally to close out the album, Boatman’s Toll have included an impressive cover of Acid Bath’s The Blue. Already an awesome classic, this Chicago based group absolutely nail this brutal beast giving this album the perfect send off. 

The Fat is in the Fire is currently available through Seeing Red Records here.

Definitely a lot of different brutal sounds happening on this album making it worth listening to on repeat

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HAMMR – Unholy Destruction


BAND: HAMMR
ALBUM:UNHOLY DESTRUCTION
LABEL: HELL’S HEADBANGERS
GENRE: Black/Speed Metal/Punk
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2018
FORMAT: CD, LP, TAPE BUY HERE

 

Formed in Cleveland, Ohio by J. Hammer in 2013 as Schizoid Hammer (2013-2015) as a strictly solo endeavor, Hammr has released a 5 track EP,  Hammr EP in 2015, and a one song demo titled “Into the Pentagram”. Into the Pentagram would later make it’s second appearance on this beastly full-length…Unholy Destruction!

The album opens with a some-what groovy doom-esque intro, however this is not what you should expect the rest of the album to be. Filled with attitude, aggression, speed and enough D-Beats to make any early Bathory or Discharge pleased as punch. The riffs are just plain punch you in the throat speed metal with flowing solos contributed by Shaun “Commandor Vanik” Vanek of Midnight. The title of this album really says it all…it’s truly an Unholy Destruction. It’s in your face satanic speed metal/punk that doesn’t let up…

I recommend for fans of: Bathory, Discharge, Wolfbrigade, and Midnight.

HAMMR is J. Hammer

FUN NOTES: The mixing was done by Commandor Vanik and mastering by Toxic Holocaust mainman Joel Grind.

TRACK LISTING
1. Intro
2. Satanic Raid
3. Under Black Command
4. Eternal Prey
5. Desecrator
6. Sadistic Poison
7. Death Reign
8. Unholy Destruction
9. Demonic Rites
10. Into the Pentagram
11. Final Sacrifice

4.5 of 5 Metal Horns