Category: Thrash

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Faster Than the Devil 4 – REVIEW

Another year, another Faster Than the Devil album from our sick friends at Wise Blood Records. The killer split series has birthed its 4th incarnation of the best underground thrash, black, speed and other creepy crawlers to their already impressive arsenal.

This time around we have Demon Sacrifice, Nattmaran and Ventor. Each band contributed 3 new nasty thrashy and trashy speed fueled lunacy this time around. On top of that Demon Sacrifice offers a live track of “Haunting Night,” while Nattmaran and Ventor offer covers from Motorhead and NME.

Demon Sacrifice starts the party off with killer riffs, raw energy and fury. Each of their tracks start hauntingly slow before taking off. Gotta love that bass on “The Shining of Bloody Rites.” An absolute jam of a track.

Nattmaran, a Faster Than the Devil alum, once again offers up punk as fuck/black Metal attack that has become their signature style over the years. The unique screeching vocals here remind me slightly of the legendary Chicago Death Metal band Macabre and that’s never a band thing.

Ventor closes out the album with punk as fuck attitude. The riffs on “Invoked Rapidity,” make want to gleefully tear shit up. This is the type of soundtrack you want when it’s time to fuck some shit up. It’s aggressive and yet playful at the time.

The Faster Than the Devil series continue to do a tremendous job of putting the spotlight on underground bands that you didn’t realize  were about to become your new favorites.

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BLOODLETTER – A Different Kind of Hell – REVIEW

 

Halloween is officially over for most people, which means it’s time for the general public to start making their Xmas shopping lists and descend into yuletide madness. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Trve Kvlt Coffee. Here we are working on a different kind of list.

The list of the best Metal releases of 2023.

Bloodletter’s newest ripper, A Different Kind of Hell is a definite contender for the coveted number 1 slot. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve spun this banger. It just keeps getting better each and every time I listen to it.  The album is 30+ minutes of some of the new best melodic/thrash I’ve heard in some time. Each and every track is explosive and goes right in for the kill.

One of the things I enjoy most about this recording are the killer harmonized guitars lead and riffs that are plentiful throughout the album. Never have I had such a good time getting my teeth kicked in! Bloodletter’s execution is spot on and perfectly walks the line between traditional thrash and blackened thrash. While the vocals aren’t guttural, they still come across savage and are a perfect match for the sonic blur of sound that is going on here.

From the opening track, “The Howling Dead,” to album closer, “Flesh Turned to Ash,” Bloodletter hardly pause the chaos for a moment. This is an album that grows with each listen. After you survive the initial beating you’ll begin to discover incredible riffs, harmonies and arrangements outside the blast zone.

When Wise Blood Records called this a “Thrasterpiece,” they weren’t kidding!

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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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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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BLOODLETTER – Maligancy – REVIEW

Even though this EP is a re-recording of earlier material, Bloodletter’s Malignancy still feels slightly raw and unpolished but that’s exactly the feel you are going for a down and dirty thrash album. This recording is short and savage at less than 15 minutes in run time with no single track over 4 minutes in length.

This EP dosen’t let up for a second. In between the chaotic pummeling drums and blistering tempos are some great guitar harmonies that really shine and this is where the band really sets themselves apart from others. The vocals are pissed and angry, perfectly melding with the rest of Bloodletter’s sound.

“Skullsplitter,” for me is the stand out track. The lyrics, the breakneck drums and frenzied guitar assault provide the groundwork for a perfect banger.  There is a lot to love on this little EP and I look forward to hearing more from Bloodletter.

 

 

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THLURM – The Thlurm Must Die & Dungeon Scum

 

Thlurm bills itself as, “Metal Punk from the dungeons of Indiana,” which is quite an accurate description for their contribution to this month’s subscription. “The Thlurm Must Die and Dungeon Scum,” is part of Wise Blood Records demo series that highlights up and coming and promising new artists.  This recording, combining 2 separate demos is raw and punk as fuck, covered in chunky layers of pure filth.

” Instantly you hear influences of Toxic Holocaust and Midnight and like those bands, Thlurm is a solo product brought to you by Austin Sipes. Thlurm though has a much more punk and grind approach to their style. Songs come in fast and filthy with a certain unpolished charm that is comparable to early Napalm Death. This recording reeks of the lo-fi production of the the mid to late 80’s.

The vocals are sick, the guitars have more of a punk then metal feel and the while the drumming does not include any blast beats, the first demo, “The Thlum Must Die,” is some killer Grindcore. “Disease,” is punk rock kick to the jaw and the following track, “Imaginary Hell,” is a straight up banger that reminds me of Ghoul.

The second demo, “Dungeon Scum,” is much more raw in sound than the first. This half shows more of a Black Metal influence which can be felt the most on “Serpent Master.” “Illusions of Chaos,” and “Human Waste,” even slow things down a bit with even adds more of a haunting vocal feel.

For a demo release, Thlurm are already a band to watch.

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HELL NIGHT – Unlimited Destruction – REVIEW

If you haven’t been hip to Hell Night yet, now is the time to correct that mistake. The band had several 7’s and singles throughout their career and released their first full length in 2019, “Unlimited Destruction.”  The title  fits perfectly as this recording is full of enough hard hitting guitars, pummeling drums and vicious vocals to level a city. Brian Fair replaced original vocalist Mike Craft for “Unlimited Destruction,” taking the sound further with even more fury than before.

Hell Night have a hardcore/metal/punk approach filled with pure aggression that comes in part from Andy White’s brutal and murky guitar work that perfectly compliments Brian Fair’s pissed off vocals. While their exact genre of music is difficult to pinpoint, their ability to write killer riffs and songs that may a mosh pit to break out in your living room is without question.

For even more details regarding this album check out our recent interview with Brian Fair.

 

 

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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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INSINNERATOR – Hypothermia – REVIEW

This one is for the Thrashers. Instantly from the first track, “Burned Alive,” Insinnerator assaults the listener with a battery of blazing riffs, intense solos and some killer vocals that give off an early Exodus vibe. Tons of falsetto screams and group vocals are added throughout the album that hammer home the Bay Area metal vibe that Insinnerator expertly pull off.

Curiously, the title track, “Hypothermia,” is a vast departure from the rest of the album. It is a short and somber instrumental melody that feels much more like the opening of  a longer piece than a title track. “Elemental Ice Dragon” has all of the makings to be an epic Thrasher. It’s a longer song that adds more technical flair than the pure Thrash fury displayed on the rest of the EP. It has a real Metallica meets Slayer vibe. This is a nice change of pace that showcases that the band can add a little more variety to their sound beyond straight aggressive Thrash. (Not saying that there is anything wrong with that!)

“Curse (Horror of Dracula)” is a banger and a great way to end this EP with tons of angry speed, great vocals and a nice haunting feeling vibe to close things out. Another win from the next generation of Thrash Metal!

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NO COFFIN – All Life Must End – REVIEW

No Coffin waste no time getting their point across in this short but brutal 4 song EP.  “.45” starts out the EP like a shot from a …well… It’s fast and ferocious but also slows the tempo a bit and adds some nice Doom elements as well “Fire is the Cleanser” is a killer thrash fest that instantly grabs you by the throat and doesn’t loosen its grip with a pummeling chorus, fast and dirty guitars and destructive drumming. “All Life Must End,” is a fitting selection for the title track with some great dual vocal work and throbbing guitars that smack you straight in the forehead. The last track gives you a moment to pick yourself off the floor. No Coffin slows things down to a crawl with a slow, sludgy cover of Portishead’s “Over.”