Category: NWOBHM

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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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NIGHT DEMON – Darkness Remains – REVIEW

For the last couple of years, Night Demon have kept the traditional Heavy Metal flag flying high with their incredible and distinct retro inspired style. “Darkness Remains ” was released back in 2017 and if you haven’t gotten into this power trio from California yet, this album will serve as a perfect introduction to the band. If you are a fan of the more classic years of Metal with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Diamond Head, you will find much to bang your head to on “Darkness Remains.”

In the last 10 years or so there have been plenty of bands that perform classic styles of Heavy Metal, Thrash or Death Metal. So many that we may need yet another Metal genre (Retro Metal?) Night Demon, however, may be the absolute best when it comes to capturing the feel. Songs like “Black Widow,” and “Life on the Run,” will have you feel like you just stepped out of a DeLorean into 1985.

This feeling comes from Night Demon’s incredible song writing. There are tons of killer riffs and melodies that will get your head banging and memorable choruses that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head. There is plenty to love here from the technical guitar work to the vocals that blend in perfectly to each song. If you are looking to give your ears a break from extreme metal but still listen to something that is gonna kick your ass, give this one a spin.

 

 

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NATTMARAN – The Lurking Evil – REVIEW

 

Wise Blood Records are absolutely killing it with releases this year.  Graveripper’s “Radiated Remains,” (which was included with our July subscriptions) was already included in my top albums of the year.  Swedish newcomers Natterman’s debut, “The Lurking Evil,” is an incredibly strong album full of old school metal that is covered in murky and dirty thrash n’ roll.

From the opening track, “Beauty in Chaos,” you can feel what you have gotten yourself into, a heavily 80’s inspired Blackened Thrash album with its high speed punk chords, piercing solos, tight drumming and raspy vocals. While the punk influence is high here, so are plenty of elements from first wave of Black Metal with its rawness and darkened lyrical content. You can hear and feel the early influences of Bathory, Venom and Celtic Frost along with more modern bands Midnight and Toxic Holocaust.

For me, this is kind of album to me that defines “Metal.” Are they thrash? Are they Black Metal? Is it fun? Fuck yes. From start to finish the energy is high and I want to bang my head and pump my fist as listen. “Die you Will,” is the perfect anthem for anyone who calls themself a “Metalhead,” with so many elements of old school metal blasting you in the face you can smell the sweat, stale beer and black leather.

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ETERNAL ARMAGEDDON – In Light In Dark In Hate – Album Review

 

Black Thrash Bastards is the perfect opening track for this debut album from the Bangladesh trio Eternal Armageddon. It kicks you hard in the teeth from the get go with thrashy guitars, raspy vocals and punishing drumming. They sound and feel like a bunch of Black Thrash Bastards. Seriously. This is pure trashy classic Bay Area inspired Thrash sprinkled with heavy does of Black Metal and cooked to perfection. Fans of Midnight, Venom and Sodom will want to pick this one up quick. Hell, fans of Metal should check these guys out.

Vocals are filthy, guitars are buzzing and drums are blasting, yet this is an extemely captive listen with plenty of octane to keep you coming back for more. Hazam the Black Reaper manages to slow things down for just a moment before going for an early NWOBM sound. It is just as awesome as it sounds. The guitar work for the rest of the album is very heavily Thrash influenced but works oh so well. Once the plague of COVID-19 is over, I can see huge circle pits forming anytime this band takes the stage.

In Light In Dark In Hate is a solid listen from start to finish. Incredible hooks, slick production and enough raw energy to put them at the top of their tier.

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LADY BEAST – The Early Collection Review

 

And now for something completely different.

Here at Trve Kvlt Coffee we love our metal just like our coffee; Black as the grave and evil as fuck, but that dosen’t mean we can’t stray from our usual path of destruction on occasion. Lady Beast bring the power and the fury of traditional NWOBHM music with a heavy nod to Iron Maiden. And trust us, this is a good thing! The Early Collection collects some of bands best tracks from their first three studio albums.

The Maiden influence is strong throughout this release with it’s galloping beats, harmonizing guitars and operatic vocals. Lady Beast has an old school style that is simple, yet satisfying with it’s overly cheesy song titles such as Metal Rules, Heavy Metal Destiny and We are the Witches. They may be song titles that our 8th grade selves may have come up with but they are nonetheless fun and catchy. As with most compilations a cover is included and the band does a great job on Judas Priest’s Ram it Down.

What really sets Lady Beast apart from other bands in their genre is the lead vocalist, Deborah Levine. Not just a cliche female lead vocalist, Levine has the pipe power to make Lady Beast a memorable band. If you are looking for a band the captures the early 80’s metal scene with a fresh, yet familiar approach, Lady Beast is not to be missed.

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Radioactive Metal Podcast Episode 546: Pounding Metal – Interview Matt Harvey

Veteran Metaller Matt Harvey is nothing, if not diverse. They’ve had Mr. Harvey on the show many times over the years, regaling us with everything to do with his numerous bands Exhumed, Gruesome, Expulsion a.o. Sonically, all these projects differed from one another. But his latest outfit, Pounder, really falls off the creative beaten path. Pounder is a more traditional, NWOBHM influenced sounding band. Their debut full length debut recently dropped courtesy of the fine folks at Hell’s Headbangers. Once again Radmetal has gotten Matt on the horn. He gave the why and wherefores of the new record, most notably his hooking up with Carcass axeman Tom Draper. As well, full Horns to Gruesome drummer Gus Rios for stepping up when needed! In the “News, Views, and Tunes”, we share our recent experience on the live front and all the goings on at Trve Kvlt Coffee! Musically, we crank the Pounder album, some Gruesome, Expulsion, Midnight, Wolfblood, Terminal Nation and introduce French crust punkers Vegan Fox in our “Indie Spotlight!” Horns!!


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Check out Pounder here!
*Bonus*
Here’s a fun, candid photo of Mr. Harvey at the Goatwhore concert we did in December 2018