Just kidding. You know you’d give it a listen. 😛
Category: Death Metal
ABYSSOUS Stream New Mini-Album
German death metal mavericks Abyssous streamed the entirety of their long-awaited new recording, Mesa, at Revolver magazine’s website (Also streaming at the bottom of this article.). This new mini-album shall be released on November 1st via Iron Bonehead Productions, in conjunction with the Iron Bonehead / Nuclear War Now!-curated Never Surrender Festival set to take place in Berlin on November 1-3. Abyssous will be giving an exclusive performance at this fest.
It’s been six long years since the original release of Abyssous‘ debut recording, …Smouldering. What was first a demo soon became something of a debut album, aided by two newly recorded tracks and a cavernously 3D mastering job by P. Engel at Temple of Disharmony: Iron Bonehead was so impressed by this fresh take on a rotten sound that it released …Smouldering on vinyl LP in 2013. Anchored in the ancient ways of the Metal of Death yet exuding a bold, flowing flair for songcraft, here Abyssous compositionally ran the gamut from teeth-gnashing, tempting-the-corners-of-chaos violence to slowly simmering, doomed-out dementia, taking the listener on a journey to eldritch depths…and beyond, and back. Not for nothing was it titled …Smouldering.
Then came silence, but during that interim, Abyssous have been patiently perfecting their craft. It finds full bloom on the aptly titled Mesa, which presents ten tracks across a surprisingly expansive 35 minutes. With such a setup, one would think a record of quick-hitting constructions; instead, Mesa is more like five proper songs buttressed by just as many no-less-crucial interludes. As such, Abyssous weave a more mind-melting tapestry than before, painting a fever dream in more gangrenous hues of ancient death metal and dizzying tension. It all very much sounds like the band who left us …Smouldering, but whipped into a delirium of fractured angularity and even-more-fractured sanity. Mesa is no less rotten, but paradoxically more regal. Even the language the power-trio is using here – “Fissurge,” “Aerosoils,” “Perlurkural,” “Vesspense,” and especially the climactic “Congealed Lores” among them – suggest that they’re indeed operating on a mesa all their own.
Or, one could simply gaze deeply into the cover art of Mesa and see where Abyssous are going now, and where they’re arriving. Will you step beyond The Beyond?
Cover and track-listing are as follows:
Tracklisting for Abyssous’ Mesa
1. Aisernal
2. Mesa
3. Perlurkural
4. Impelled
5. Fissurge
6. Ocaeon
7. Diphour
8. Aerosoils
9. Vesspense
10. Congealed Lores
Barús set release date for debut full-length, first track reveal.
Barús set release date for debut full-length, first track reveal.
In their endless quest to push and support underground acts that deliver the goods, unaware and unmindful of trends and hype, on October 22nd, Memento Mori is proud to present Barús‘ striking debut album, Drowned.Hailing from Grenoble, France, Barús formed in 2015 and soon released their self-titled debut EP through Emanations (a division of Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions). Since mid-2016, work has been focused on their debut full-length album. Bearing the ominous title Drowned, this is a bolt-from-the-blue work of unimaginable vision and towering might.
Indeed, the term “βαρύς” evokes a weight, an overbearing burden. Through Barús, this takes musical form through a complex and utterly atmospheric – but, above all, completely and totally visceral – approach to death metal. Call it an alchemy of sorts, but Drowned presents a moltenly monolithic, ceaselessly churning sound merged with palpably progressive structures, frequently stretching into black metal and doom territories – and effortlessly, at that – all compellingly completed by bowels-of-Hell deep vociferations and vocalizations spanning semi-clean moans, spoken word, chants, and everything in between. Truly, it’s a nightmare made flesh, its dissonance instilling an unshakable tension and terror, and yet Barús manage to make it sound so alluring, so tempting…to literally DROWN in the enormity they lay bare for the helpless listener. Drownedindeed!
Memento Mori doesn’t usually dip its toes into “progressive” or “post” waters, favoring the musty odor of vintage death metal. However, when presented with Barús‘ Drowned, the label couldn’t help but submit to their visionary onslaught on the senses. So, while we could describe them as “Autopsy reinterpreted by Meshuggah” or “Gojira and Gorguts jamming out to an old Demilich tune with Ulcerate’s instruments,” we’re confident Barús should definitely appeal to fans of such daring bands Gorguts, Triptykon, Ulcerate, Emptiness, Meshuggah, Portal, Diskord, Akercocke, Gojira, Sumac, Deathspell Omega, Altars, and Chaos Echoes.
Featuring nine songs in a vast yet time-evaporating 56 minutes, the production on Drowned is absolutely stellar; it was recorded between 2016 and 2017 at Plastic Lobster Studios & Eptagon, with drum recording & additional reamping done at Octavox Studio, while mixing & mastering were done by James Leonard at Plastic Lobster Studios. Completed by cover art courtesy of the masterful Timo Ketola, with inner artwork by Stephen Wilson, Barús‘ Drowned is this year’s dark-horse classic in the making!
Hear for yourself the first hint of such with the new track “Descry”
Tracklisting for Barús’ Drowned
1. Descry
2. Graze
3. Engorge
4. Amass
5. Dissever
6. Vitiate
7. Benumb
8. Perpetrate
9. Forsake
1. Descry
2. Graze
3. Engorge
4. Amass
5. Dissever
6. Vitiate
7. Benumb
8. Perpetrate
9. Forsake
Metal Detector Finds: HELLFROST
FAITHXTRACTOR reveal first track and set release date for new album, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter
FAITHXTRACTOR reveal first track and set release date for new album, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter
Today, Hells Headbangers sets July 27th as the international release date for Faithxtractor‘s highly anticipated third album, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Faithxtractor are a dark death metal band from Cincinnati, Ohio. Formed in 2005, the band initially existed as a studio project between brothers Ash and Marquis Thomas. In this form, Faithxtractor released a number of demos/EPs as well as two full-length albums. In late 2013, a live lineup was finally assembled. After some personnel changes, the lineup was solidified with Zdenka Prado (Estuary lead vocalist) on bass, Cody Knarr (Unkured) on guitar, and Ash handling drums and lead vocals; Ash is also active in such Hells Headbangersbands as Shed the Skin, The Vladimirs, Crucified Mortals, and Surgikill. Through this incarnation, the existing catalog was finally unleashed upon live audiences. By gigging/touring regularly during 2014 and 2015, Faithxtractor has gained great appeal and respect throughout the metal underground.
In late 2015, the band’s most recent EP, Total Death Illumination, was released, showcasing the advancement of a band fully committed to their death metal cause. Initially released on cassette and CD formats, Total Death Illumination also received the proper vinyl treatment via Austenitized Records as a limited 7″ in late 2016. However, it is with Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter where Faithxtractor truly come into their own. Recorded at the band’s own Frequenscream Studios, Faithxtractor‘s third album is the grand culmination of all that’s come before in their catalog as well as pointing the way forward for underground dominance. With an almost alchemical ease, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter is pure and total death metal in songwriting and utterly black metal in its overall atmosphere. Grandiose ‘n’ gutted riffing collides with serpentine structures that twist and turn in a most diabolical manner. The massive ‘n’ molten recording ably amplifies the dizzying depths Faithxtractor here plumb, with Ash’s absolutely blood-sick vocals spitting venom atop. Unconcerned with scene schemes and useless labeling tags, simply put, is a great METAL record – just that it’s heavy metal of the darkest and most deathly order.
Long one of modern metal’s best-kept secrets, with Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter will Faithxtractor achieve the acclaim they so rightly deserve. Step forward for slaughter… The first step can be taken with the new track “Damned to Return” HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ Bandcamp, where the album can also be preordered. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Faithxtractor’s Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter
1. Culling Rites
2. Death Deserving
3. Rules On Rebellion
4. The Slaughter Ultimate
5. Spiritual Fog Dissolve
6. Forsworn Then Burned
7. Scathe of Scythe
8. Assailing Phantoms
9. Human Debris
10. Nothing Crusades
11. Claws of Seraphim
12. Damned To Return
Current Line-up
| Ash Thomas | Guitars, Vocals |
| See also: Crucified Mortals, Estuary, Machinations of Fate, Shed the Skin, Surgikill, ex-Estuary of Calamity, ex-Necrolatry, Vladimirs, ex-Acheron, ex-Elusive Travel (live), ex-Thorns of the Carrion, ex-Garden of Shadows (live) | |
| Marquis Thomas | Vocals (backing), Guitars |
| See also: Vladimirs, ex-Thorns of the Carrion | |
| Zdenka Prado | Bass |
| See also: Estuary, Surgikill, ex-Forty Days Longing, ex-Garden of Shadows | |
| Cody Knarr | Guitars |
| See also: Estuary (live), ex-Unkured | |
Spectral reveal a new single from Neural Correlates of Hate
Romanian Progressive Technical Death Metal act Spectral reveal a new single from their recently released debut album, Neural Correlates of Hate, the track Nihilist, with guest guitar solos by Christian Muenzner (Alkaloid, Eternity’s End, Spawn of Possession, ex Necrophagist, Defeated Sanity)
The band’s first opus was released March 12th in collaboration with Loud Rage Music and is already making big waves among fans of Technical Progressive Death Metal and specialized media outlets.
Neural Correlates of Hate is now available for orders here:
– jewel-case CD: http://shop.loudragemusic.com/spectral-neural-correlates-of-hate
– digital: http://www.spectralmetal.ro/#/merch
The album was recorded in the following formula:
Andrei Calmuc (vocals – CodeRed, ex Indian Fall)
Ciprian Martin (guitars and bass)
Romain Goulon (Benighted, ex Necrophagist, Disavowed)
Spectral
https://www.facebook.com/SpectralOfficial
https://spectral-official.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/SpectralOfficialRo
Loud Rage Music
www.loudragemusic.com
loudragemusic.bandcamp.com
DRUID LORD – Grotesque Offerings
BAND: DRUID LORD
ALBUM:GROTESQUE OFFERINGS
LABEL: Hell’s Hedbangers
FORMAT: CD/Digital/Vinyl BUY HERE!
TRACK LISTING:
1. House of Dripping Gore
2. Night Gallery
3. Spells of the Necromancer
4. Evil That Haunts This Ground
5. Black Candle Seance
6. Creature Feature
7. Into the Crypts
8. Murderous Mr. Hyde
9. Last Drop if Blood
10. Final Resting Place
Convinced that there may be no such thing as a bad death metal band from Florida, Druid Lord helps retain my perception. Formed in 2010 by former Acheron members Pete Slate and Tony Blakk, Druid Lord has came a long way in the past eight years and I would most definitely predict bigger things to come from this band, as well as a massive cult following.
What good is a decent Doomy Death album without the swelling of an organ at the intro almost as an invitation to everything that’s in store? (No, not that kind of an organ swell.) Well..it’s there on House of Dripping Gore. Although I feel this is the weakest track on the album, it certainly has it’s own personality and it builds. All the songs do actually.
Now I feel this album certainly paints a great picture for any fans of horror as there are obvious hints throughout, even a few sound clips (listen to see if you can guess the origins) This album has what I personally feel is a great sludge guitar tone but definitely not overly muddy. The bass is a little hard to hear on a few of the songs. As for the vocals, I couldn’t imagine any other vocals fitting better than Blakk’s performance on this record.
A hint of the Floridian Old School Death vibe can shine through some of the songs, but ultimately this is fucking Druid Lord. I recommend for any fans of Autopsy, Acid Witch, Hooded Menace (Older).
All in all this album is not too shabby at all. I like it and it will likely remain in my shuffle for some time. I give it…
Four and a half pairs of metal horns
(I really am a sucker for doom)
CIST – The Frozen Casket
- Band: Cist
- Album: The Frozen Casket
Label:
Metal Race (CD)
Camo Pants Records (Cassette/Digital)
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal - Where to BuyCD: METAL RACE
Digital: BANDCAMP
Cassette: CAMO PANTS RECORDS (+Extras)
Formed in Smolensk, Russia, Cist spent a year recording in order to complete ‘The Frozen Casket’, having to take extended breaks due to minus forty degree temperatures
turning their rehearsal space, turned studio, into a real life version of the E.P’s title. In order
to conquer the obstacles that stood between the band and finishing the release, the band took a hard d.i.y approach to the release’s creation, with ‘The Frozen Casket’ being recorded,
mixed and mastered by guitarist Nick Komshukov.
Well if the harsh conditions of a Russian winter isn’t brutal enough for you, I don’t know what is!
At first listen of “The Frozen Casket” one well-versed in the early Tampa Death Metal Scene could easily point out the strong influence of bands like Obituary and Death. This is not a bad thing. Cist executes the style of Old School Death Metal perfectly in a way that makes you feel that they were a band you may have missed out on in the 90s.
The E.P. starts out with no bullshit…straight to it, full on fucking Death Thrash with the track “Antisceptic.” Second comes the track “Incubation” with a groovy ass guitar riff that feels as if it just circles around your head like a vulture about to munch on your skull, this song certainly lacks no groove. Next up!…We’ve got “Injected Obsession” which keeps up the feel of the Old School Death Metal that I so thoroughly enjoy. “Mitosis Simulation” and “Cryonesia” finish out the well executed EP, “Cryonesia”, being my personal favorite because I am a sucker for guitar hooks, especially when the drummer follows along in such a tight performance as shown throughout “The Frozen Casket”
Short sweet, and full of a thousand punches to the groin, Cist’s “The Frozen Casket” is sure to please any fan of bands like Death, Obituary, Pestilence, and Morgoth.
More about the band:
Vocals: Vitaly Lushchenkov
Guitars: Nick Komshukov
Bass: Konstantin Rodin
Drums: Mick Shapovalov
Mixed, mastered and produced by Nick Komshukov
