Category: Death Metal

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DAWN OF OUROBOROS – The Art of Morphology – REVIEW

 

The San Francisco Bay Area has always been a hot spot for Metal from the early 80’s Thrash scene to today. Dawn of Ouroboros proudly carry on the tradition of bringing fresh and exciting new exteme music to the masses with their debut release, “The Art of Morphology.”

This album is somewhat difficult to review but I do not mean that in any bad way whatsoever. In fact it is quite the opposite as this is an extemely great listen. Let’s start off by taking everything you know about Black Metal and toss it aside. Yes, I know that is a cliche thing to say but that principle completely applies here. From the gentle opening chords of “Revivied Spirits,” the album sets an deep atmospheric tone then hits hard into blast beats, harsh vocals and buzzsaw guitars for the second half of the song. The next song, “Pinnacle Induced Vertigo” also starts in the same kind of matter but this track has a more melodic feel. The clean vocals are really effective here as well. Vocalist Chelsea Murphy has some incredible range and talent. Normally I hate when bands mix vocal styles with a  passion but somehow it the folks in Dawn pull it off.

“Gateway to Tenebrosity” is a short piano instrumental that leads perfectly into “Lunar Cathexis.” Here Murphy blends vocals styles again, going from sweet to demonic on a more Black Metal sounding track. This is the theme throughout the entire album and what leads into it’s difficulty to review. Dawn of Ouroboros are constantly changing their sound and style. The change, however, is never jarring and flows well with the rest of the song. This is a highly recommneded listen as it takes all of your preconceived notions and flips them on their head. I am sure after a few more listens, I will pick up on more subtleties and complexities.

I’ll just close this by saying, “Go forth and listen now!”

 

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AKURION – Come Forth to Me – Album Review

 

From Montreal, Canada comes Akurion and they are here to kick your ass with some brtual Death Metal. No matter how you like your Death Metal; technical, melodic, blackened, etc, this debut album is worth a listen for any fan of exteme music. It come as no surprise here as Akurion features members of Cattle Decapitation and Cryptopsy, you know you are in for a treat of killer riffs and brutal melodies.

From the opening track, Leave them Scars, Akurion, comes off with a vengeance with growling vocals courtsy of Mike DiSalvo and the pounding bass of Oli Pinard. Pedals from a Rose… slows things down a bit but does not skimp on the brutality. Souvenir Gardens is an epic piece clocking in at a little over 11 minutes. It begings with an incredible atmospheric piece that has classical feel to it that is rounded out quite well with some acoustic guitar work. Year of the Long Pig is an unapologetic crushing piece that comes off as raw and chaotic and one of the best tracks featured here.

Come Forth to Me is an enjoyable debut from a Death Metal, “super group” that does not feel it was just piece together as a side project as most of these types of collaborations can often feel. This album was made for multiple listens with it’s raw, gritty, melodic and atmospheric riffs ,pouding and grooving bass lines and crushing vocals. This is a well crafted album that will perfectly fit in your library.

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May Coffee Subscriptions

Good moaning, Kvlt. Lest we not groan for killer tunes in this month’s coffee subscriptions for your hunger for aggression will be fulfilled. We are excited to announce the offerings of two great bands in this month’s subscriptions!
 
 
Akurion is a Tech-Death band hailing from Montréal featuring former members of Cryptopsy, Cattle Decapitation, Augury, and Neuraxis. With an affinity for aggression that matches their level of mastery with their instruments, Akurion delivers this beastly release filled with massive, yet raw, production…the way I like my tech-death. Akurion appears courtesy of Redefining Darkness Records
 
Eternal Armageddon is a Black/Thrash Metal trio based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The album, In Light In Dark In Hate, boldly captures the frenzied eagerness to torn the religious beliefs apart. Skillfully channeling mysterious black metal, raucous first wave black/thrash, and even d-beat vitality to some extent. Eternal Armageddon appear courtesy of Qabar PR
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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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SENTIENT HORROR: Morbid Realms Album Review

SENTIENT HORROR: Morbid Realms Album Review
Reviewed by: Shaun

 

Formed in 2014 as Sentience, Sentient Horror are preparing to release their 3rd full-length album entitled Morbid Realms on November 29th (2nd full-length as Sentient Horror).

First thoughts:
In a metal world where OSDM is the latest and greatest trend, some bands tend to over do it…not Sentient Horror, this is rather refreshing compared to other bands that seem to be inspired by the old school death metal bands like Morbid Angel, Obituary, and Autopsy. This album…I can live with this. A perfect marriage of OSDM and Gothenburg influences  mixed with a modern production…and ohh fuck these guitar tones…I am envious. Hearing the production on this album completely caught me off guard because of how well it’s mixed…*checks the credits* of course. the album was mixed and mastered by none other than Mr. Dan Swanö.

If you’re looking for something new that’s heavy with breakneck intensity that doesn’t let up, look no further. It’s fairly obvious what you should expect upon listening to the first track, Call Of Ancient Gods (see below). This band has easily made it into my weekly rotation of Death Metal bands. Well that’s it for me, I suck at writing reviews but I’m here to say this album is a banger.

 

 

 

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Metal Detector Finds: FUMIGATED – “Composted”

Here we have Death/Grind band Fumigated from Lima, Ohio, USA with their debut, Composted. It’s a fun little album, for sure.

“Formed in the pungent depths of a Ohio swamp, three of the toughest illiterate rednecks banded together to form the most important band of your puny, pathetic life. FFO, Broken Hope, Immortal Fate, Old Napalm Death, room temperature beer.
WARNING! Not for week pencil necked losers!”
-Fumigated Bandcamp Page

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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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DECEASED announce new drummer.

In the wake of the tragic, untimely death of longtime drummer Dave Castillo on November 12th, underground icons Deceased have announced their new touring drummer, Amos Rifkin, as well as structural changes to their recording lineup. Deceased founder and vocalist King Fowley says the following: “Deceased recently lost our drummer and dear friend Dave Castillo. He sadly drowned while visiting family in El Salvador. Deceased is a band that is all about family and friendship above all. The shock is still fresh in our systems as we decide how to proceed with the band’s future. After a few weeks of letting everything sink in, it is now a fruition. Deceased is continuing on! We all know in our hearts Dave would be the very first one to tell us to keep on rocking. The plan now is for me to go back to playing drums on the studio records, and we are bringing in a friend to play live drums for us.”

Continuing, King says, “Finding the right guy to play drums for us wasn’t easy. There’s a lot to what we do drum-wise in the band, and we need a heavy, precise hitter whose 110% always reliable and ready to rock at the drop of a hat. Oddly, how we found this guy is kinda ‘haunting,’ keeping in a Deceased career-long off-kilter kind of way. A few months ago, while playing on tour, Dave fell in love with a band called Death of Kings that were supporting us. He totally enjoyed their in-your-face thrash attack and really dug the drumming in the band. The two bands became good pals and metal brothers over the almost-two-week jaunt. At our last show of the tour in Detroit, Michigan, Dave told me, ‘If anything ever happens to me, you gotta get this motherfucker on drums – he kicks ass!’ Hauntingly enough, we stand here today finding a replacement for Dave. Talking amongst band members, a name kept coming up in every conversation. I put it at my top of the list of things for me to look into. Weirdly, at this same time, I was asked for my address by the guy and a letter came to my house. The letter was a handwritten two pages expressing condolences and had a genuine honesty to it that immediately made me take notice. He wrote of how much he enjoyed playing together on the tour and how Deceased was a powerful entity in the underground music world. About two thirds through the letter, he started to talk of offering his playing skills to the band to keep the entity rolling on. I called him up, and we talked for a good while. I explained how things work in the band and what we’d need and expect from him. He was all in, as were we. Deceased has people living all over the world anymore, it seems, so him being four states over from us is nothing. Homework is the most important thing in this band, and you come in ready in full. After a few video tryouts of him playing to our music, it is exactly as expected – full-hearted and played with passion, and a knack for understanding the wacky traits that are Deceased drums. The band will rehearse throughout winter and into 2019. Look for our first shows April 14th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Decibel music festival, quickly followed on April 19th at the Milwaukee NYDM spring bash.”

Concluding, “So here we are, about to go into our 34th year as a band. And I now introduce you to our new touring drummer, and fellow maniac for the music, Amos Rifkin. UP THE TOMBSTONES!”

Deceased‘s long-awaited eighth album, Ghostly White, is out now via Hells Headbangers. It features Dave Castillo’s final performance with the band, and can be heard in its entirety HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ Bandcamp.
Cover art, courtesy of Raul Gonzalez, and tracklisting are as follows:


Tracklisting for Deceased’s Ghostly White
1. Mrs. Allardyce
2. Germ of Distorted Lore
3. A Palpation’s Warning
4. To Serve the Insane
5. Endless Well
6. The Shivers
7. Thoughts of a Leaking Brain
8. Pale Surroundings

DAVE CASTILLO
November 25th, 1974 – November 12th, 2018

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RIP Erik Lindmark, Unique Leader Records Founder

 

 

With heavy hearts, it has been announced that Deeds of Flesh & Unique Leader Records Founder & CEO, Erik Lindmark has passed away.

The following is a  statement released by Unique Leader Records, via social media.

“It is with great sadness that we must announce that our CEO & Founder, Erik Lindmark, passed away today after battling with Sclerosis.

The indelible mark he has left on the Death Metal genre is monumental, both as a business man and as a musician. After building this label from scratch with his Deeds bandmates, Erik took Unique Leader to a level he had never expected it, or the genre, to get to.

During his time in Hospital, Erik was absolutely implicit with his instructions to staff to go full steam ahead with the label in his absence- which is exactly what we intend to do.

That being said, we will not be releasing anything in January so that we can make the necessary adjustments and delegations within the company. We would like to thank you all for your well wishes, support and kindness toward Erik on socials and via private correspondence.

There is a gofundme setup for Erik’s daughter Bella (5) and his wife- link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/bella-lindmark-fund

Rest in peace Erik. You were a true warrior.”

 

Please consider donating, even if it’s just a little pocket change.

RIP ERIK