Category: Album Review

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LAST LEGION – Metall, Blod & Aska- REVIEW

You know that feeling when you hear the first few notes of an album and you instantly realize that you are going to love it? That’s the exact same feeling I had when I heard the opening and title track, “Metall, Blod & Aska.”

Last Legion is a Swedish band that formed in 2009. After releasing an EP in 2021 the band return with their debut full length album. And it’s a helluva debut too. It’s equally savage as it is thrashing; Black ‘n Roll madness. If you are a fan of Midnight, Hellripper or Cloak this is definitely worth your time checking out.

After the first neck snapping track Last Legion changes gears a bit with “Dodens Falang.” With it’s somber and atmospheric beginning it helps showcase that the band is not just your average Black Thrash band. The violins add the perfect uneasy touch. The band quickly blasts the speed back up towards the midpoint of the track. Last Legion blends in plenty of classic Black Metal eerines and savagery to keep it compelling.

All of the lyrics are sung in the groups native Nordic language. Although many English speaking Metalheads may not understand the lyrics, they are delivered perfectly savage here. Something about the lyrics being sung in their native language ups the brutality for me.

This album contains tons of hooks, groovy riffs and plenty of blast beats. At some times it feels Black N Roll or Black Thrash and at other times it feels like classic tried and true Black Metal. However at all times, they are savage as fuck. While they aren’t offering anything we havent’t heard before, they are giving us one hell of a ride.

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ARDENT NOVA – Self Titled – REVIEW

Upon playing the opening into track, I was prepared for a heavy handed dose of Power Metal. While I quite enjoy the style and sound in the intro the rest of the album’s sound is vastly different.  Once the second track, “Rise from the Ashes,” kicks in Ardent Nova quickly change gears to a Heavy Thrash and Melodic Death style. There are still plenty of epic Power Metal elements here. Only without the operatic and often times chessey over the top vocals. The vocals on the this album are harsh,callous and out for blood.

The band was originally known as Pagan Thunder when they first formed over 20 years ago, now going Ardent Nova, they have released an amazing self titled release. If you are a fan of Melodic Death Metal, you’ll find yourself enjoying the abundant harmonies and groves. Thrashers will enjoy the speed and fans of Power Metal will be ready to ride into battle.

Some may want to label the band “Viking Metal,” as most of the songs are written about epic battles and Pagan beliefs. Which may be fair but it would be an injustice to Ardent Nova to compare them to other well known “Viking Bands.”  I love Amon Amarth but Ardent Nova just hit on a whole new level.

Make sure to give this one a listen, you won’t be disappointed.

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SORROWFUL LAND- Faded Anchors of the Past – REVIEW

One man bands impress the hell out of me. I could hardly play the recorder in elementary school, so this level of virtuosity is way beyond anything I could dream of achieving. Max Molodtsov is the magician behind Sorrowful Land which he formed in 2014. Based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Molodtsov is a member of several other Ukrainian metal bands which span over several different genres.

Faded Anchors of the Past is a huge treat for fans of atmospheric Doom Metal. It’s perfectly melds tragic and somber tones that feel equally as strong and powerful. This is the perfect soundtrack to let your mind drift and have the music carry you away. The contrast of soft clean vocals and some impressive growls are a nice touch and have an early Amorphis Tales of a Thousand Lakes feel on some of the tracks.

Each of the eight songs included here are a separate story to a complete journey. Although the album is over an hour in length, Molodtsov does a fantastic job keeping the listeners attention as everything flows so expertly well. From the piano fills to the heavy and plodding riffs, this album checks every mark on what it takes to make a fantastic Doom album.

Keep an eye on this release as it’s sure to show up in many album of the year lists for 2023.

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GRA – Lycaon – REVIEW

Ever since my interview with Heljarmadr late list year, I had been looking forward to Lycaon’s release. Fortunately, the wait was well worth at it. Lycaon is a beast of a recording stuffed full of skull crushing beats and darkened riffs.

The first track, “White City Devil,” is a powerful song with some of the most melodic moments of the entire album. The sound is big here and veers into more of a “Black n Roll” style. It’s a total banger and one of my favorite tracks on the album.

Don’t worry GRA hasn’t abandoned their roots . “Flame of Hephaestus,” brings the back the more familiar Swedish Black Metal sound the band sound  “Torn Asunder,” sees GRA melding more darkness while adding dome more killer riffs. Heljarmadr’s demonic vocals take center stage here.

The title track “Lycaon,” is sang in the band’s native Swedish language. For me, this makes the song go harder than any of the songs that the band performs in English. Next we treated to a straight up ripping cover of Bathroy’s “Chariots of Fire,” GRA goes hard as fuck here making it an absolute must listen. It’s fast, it’s aggressive, it’s mean, It’s awesome!

“Brannmarkt” slows things down but turns up the darkness. It’s a murky trek deep into darkness. “Jaws of the Underworld,” acts as the perfect send off for Lycaon.  The instrumental track boots some incredible drum work and cinematic flair.

All in all, Lycaon is another solid release from GRA. It stays true to its Swedish Black Metal roots while adding in more melodic and black n roll sounds. Luckily, none of this feels force or “experimental.” What you have here is a damn fine Metal album that’s worthy of your attention.

 

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OMNIFARIAM – The Summoning – REVIEW

 

 

The first thing that struck me with this EP, is the savage artwork. It’s both clean and vicious. The same can be said for Omnifariam’s musical output in their latest offering, The Suffering. This is pure Death Metal with intense guttural vocals and hammering drums with a super clean and tight production.

According to their bio on Bandcamp, Omnifariam are one of the heaviest acts in Puerto Rico. Judging from their opening track, “Deceivers of the Bleak,” they easily have a case. It’s a powerful barrage of intense riffs, and savage growls. “Leaders of the Dark,” starts off a little slower allowing you a chance to catch your breath with a tight groove. The pace soon picks up into frenzy of killer riffs.

The drumwork on “Enslaved,” is intense and manic. Josean Orta (Fit for an Autopsy) puts on an absolute clinic here. “The Outsiders,” slows the pace down as it gives more focus on the vocals. The track has a much more melancholy feel with as the vocals cry out in more of a raspy filled desperation.

If slower tracks aren’t your bag, don’t fret. “Dehumanized,” ends the EP speeds things back up for a strong finish. All in all a great listen full of clean and savage Death Metal.

 

 

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RISE OF THE NIGHTMARE TERROR – Nattmaran X Terror Cross – REVIEW

 

When Wise Blood Records first mentioned this split’s upcoming release, I was pretty pumped as I’ve been on a Nattmaran kick lately. I haven’t heard Terror Cross prior to this release but I figure if they are cool enough to team up with Nattmaran, they’re cool enough for me.

Each band contributed 5 tracks to this EP, 4 original and one cover. Hellripper’s James McBain lends his shrieks on the opening track, “Savage Urges,” that is an assault of early thrash and black metal. They continue their thrashing assault with each blistering track. The riffs and solos still have plenty of grooves that still match the band’s fury.   Their cover of Bathory’s “Conspiracy with Satan,” is a perfect choice as it lends itself perfectly Nattmaran’s sound and style.

Terror Cross takes things in a slightly different direction. Their sound is a little darker and murkier. Their is still plenty of thrash to be found here, it’s just covered in a thick layer of blackened ooze. “Metal Bloody Metal” is a hard hitting march that feels like it pounds through your chest with its haunting chorus.

The biggest highlight of this split is Terror Cross’s interesting choice to cover Manowar’s “Gloves of Metal.”

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Pre-Human Vaults – Allegiance Divine – REVIEW

If your life is anything like mine, it’s a mad rush of things you need to do before the end of the year holidays. You may find it difficult to take time to stop and smell the coffee (sorry, not sorry) or check out any new tunes.

Pre-Human Vaults has your listening needs covered in their short and densely packed 4 song EP, Allegiance Divine. If you are looking for a last minute gift for your Metalhead friend who has everything, Pre-Human Vault’s brutal Death Metal and Thrash stylings are sure to impress even the most jaded headbanger.

The EP opens up with the aptly named, “Whirlwind Reaper.”  With plenty of Djent styled chugging, the track is a monster of a beat down. The vocals are equally as intense and merciless. There is plenty of groove included as well that helps balance the total chaos happening in this track.

“Close to all, Next to Nothing,” starts out a little softer and includes some great galloping melodies and some cool solo fills. The extra layering of some synths is a nice touch. “When the Trap is Set,” adds some more synths that can be felt for the duration of the song, giving it a really creepy vibe. Some more “heroic” feeling guitar melodies are added in given the song a real “epic battle” sort of feel.

The amazing vocal work and pummeling guitars guide this EP into the essential listening category that will leave you battered, broken and looking for more.

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LUST WITCH – We All Die Alone – REVIEW

 

Lust Witch’s deput, We All Die Alone, is four  tracks of murky and sludgy doom crawling out from the depths of Indianapolis. Interestingly enough, the 4 song titles are taken from the words in the album title with “We,” being the first track and so on. With that thought process in mind, this album is meant to be enjoyed as a complete listen.  Each track melds into the next. Don’t put this one on shuffle.

“We,” starts off softly with an eerie tone coupled with some creepy chants in the background. Lust Witch slowly build up the temp and intensity into the second track, “All.” The tones are a little harsher and the sense of dread still hangs thick in the air. With “Die,” the longest track on the recording, Lust Witch continues with more vocal work and more thick and chunky riffs. Throughout the first 3 tracks you can really sense that Lust Witch is building to something.

“Alone,” closes things out starting with some thick and nasty bass grooves and trench deep guitar tones. As the song title would suggest, “Alone,” has an unshakable depressing feeling of isolation and loneliness and despair. Everything your blackened little heart wants from a Doom EP.

 

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ZANJEER – Parcham Buland Ast – REVIEW

Zanjeer play some explosive hardcore punk that’s as hard hitting as it is catchy. Their debut EP of 6 tracks with each song barley of a minute is a quick listen. It quickly hits hard and ends just as fast but it’s just as long as it needs to be. The album feels like a quick shot of adrenaline, the kind of album you need to listen to pump yourself up before  performing some sort of mundane task.

Zanjeer is out of Breman, Germany and composed of highly skilled hardcore veterans from across the robe. United by political and religious frustration Zanjeer’s songs are written in a multitude of different languages. While the lyrics maybe difficult to understand, the message is clear. Zanjeer is pissed and punk as fuck and they aren’t going to take what’s going on with the world today.

Got a few minutes to kill? Check this EP out now.

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BLASTED HEATH – Vela – REVIEW

 

Black Thrash Space Metal. Those 4 words could sum up Blasted Heath’s debut album, Vela, perfectly. Its as raw and vicious as the great unknown. This group from the far reaches of Indianapolis blend dirty punk riffs with a savage death metal edge. The vocals have an eerie production effect that amplifies the reverb giving it an empty feeling that works well for their “outer space” theme they are going for.

At first glance, this album sounds almost like an homage to some early pioneers of the Black Metal sound such as punk speed and foulness of Venom and the empty darkness of Bathory. “Big Chill,” opens the album up with some nasty dark riffs and echos that match the vocals.

While the first track may feel like an homage, there is plenty going on in this recording. No 2 songs sound alike. Blasted Heath seem to love delivering a variety of styles. Besides the pummeling Blackened Thrash, Blasted Heath includes plenty of slower Doom and Sludge like elements that give the album a more psychedelic and haunting feeling.  “The Wind in Vela,” is an instrumental mostly somber track except for some entrancing sound bites about the real life horrors of interstellar space.

The album closes with the 7 minute epic, “Strange Matter,” that perfectly blends the moodiness, eeriness and thrashing foulness into one song. This is definitely one of those types of albums you need to spin a few times until you “get it.”