Tag: Black Thrash

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POISON WIND – Virus! – REVIEW

As we inch closer to shows opening back up and the year anniversary of Covid shutting everything thing down in the first place, we actually starting to see new  projects and albums come emerge from this rather bleak period of time. Poison Wind bills itself as a “Quarantine Band.” The group was formed in the earlier stages of the pandemic by Brian Magar (Cultic, The Owls ANWTS) who brought together some of his musician friends from other groups to remotely compose and record 8 tracks which would become “Virus!” Mager laid down the groundwork with the drum tracks then passed the recording off to the rest of the group who supplied the guitars, bass and vocals. The band did not know who or which members they were working with at any time

With such a unique method of recording it has captured an extreme metal album the encompasses many different elements ranging from Doom, Sludge, Black, Death, Grind and even some Thrash elements. The songs themselves riff of the chaos that has been the last year with such titles as, “Branch Covidians,” “Get me out,” and “Wear a Fucking Mask!”

All of this adds up to a satisfying listen full of diversity ,some killer experimentation and good ol’ fashioned cooped up quarantine fury. More than a novelty album, this is proof something good can come out of a lockdown.

 

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HELLRAIZERR- Life After Death – REVIEW

Here is another ass kicking release courtesy of our fine fiendish friends at Reaper Metal Productions. Hellraizerr is the new solo project from Cursed Moon’s Sal Hellraizerr.  “Life After Death,” is full of 80’s soaked speed metal with a touch of blackened thrash resulting in a surprisingly melodic approach to a usual chaotic assault. As the name would suggest, most songs are inspired by horror films such as 1987 classic, Hellraiser.  Does anything go better together than metal and horror? The first half of the album will leave you banging your head to the blistering solos and early thrash inspired vocals. Retro styled thrash and speed metal have been quite popular in recent years but not many bands have added another well loved 80’s element; synth. “Hellbound” is an incredible instrumental that fully feels and sounds like it was pulled from a mid 80’s Italian splatter film. The second half of the album brings back more balls to the wall speed metal with a little more variation. Chris Hellking who laid down much of the drums for this recording, provided some excellent clean vocals on “Seeing Red,” that contrast perfectly with Sal Hellraizer’s gruff vocal delivery. Overall this is a great release that is full of speed laden hooks, blistering solos and some great synth mixed in for a fist pounding journey in nostalgia.

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NAV- Necrotic Voices from the Ether – Review

Most of the nation is gearing up for a tumultuous snow storm that may keep us encased in our tombs for the next couple days. Sounds like the prefect time to brew a pot of Trve Kvlt, kick back and turn up the Black Metal. Nav are the prefect soundtrack to a snow filled apocalypse. The vocals are sharp and cold, the guitar tones cut deep into the soul and the drums keep the storm raging. For just a 3 song EP, the duo behind the band put in a tremendous amount of musicianship into their blackened tales of Slavic folklore. With the opening track, “Drowning the Winter Goddess,” Nav start the EP with a blistering and filthy frenzy. “Blood Harvest,” is a real standout with eerily moving guitar beat, echoing vocals and perfectly layered and haunting electronic layers. It comes across as both dark and majestic at the same time “Altar of the Black Flame,” puts a nice cap on the release ending the EP with plenty of power while not sacrificing any quality. The production here is great without feeling “too polished.” This will be a group to keep your eye on to see what they do next.

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GRAVE DESECRATOR – Sign of Doom – REVIEW

Our second review for the month also borrows their sound heavily from Brazilian legends Sarcofago and early Sepultura. Also hailing from Brazil, (whatever is in the water there, is sure doing a great job of producing Metal bands) Grave Desecrator are ready to fuck shit up with their 2008 full length release, “Sign of Doom.”  Nasty and raw are two words that can sum up the sound happening here. There is plenty of sacrilege and chaos going in the music and lyrics to get even the most jaded Metalhead’s dark blood pumping. The pacing of the album is the perfect blend of speed without being too fast that it becomes a wall of noise or treads into Grindcore territory. It plods along with a nasty (and fulfilling) blasphemous fury. Lyrics are barked out in a filthy, venomous fury in the Old School Extreme South American Metal tradition.

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HEXORCIST – Bestiarum Vocabulum – REVIEW

 

If you are into down and dirty old school Metal, Hexorcist have you covered with their debut demo, “Bestiarum Vocabulum.” It’s fitting that the artwork provided for the album is for a cassette release. Listening to this makes you feel like you were a part of the early tape trading days. This recording will bring you back to the beginnings of extreme Metal with a sound that is familiar to early Sarcofago with a hint of pre “Reign in Blood” Slayer.  Even at three tracks Hexocist leaves much to be appreciate on this demo. The vocals have a great Black/Thrash quality to them and the guitar and drum work gels perfectly together. This is a prefect listen for the old school fans and the kids just being introduced to the scene.

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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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CRUCIFIED MORTALS – Converted by Decapitation Album Review

Crucified Mortals brings old school thrash from Cleveland, Ohio. Playing 80’s inspired thrash has been popular with many new metal groups over the last few years with no slow down of the trend in sight. Luckily, Crucified Mortals are not a band that relies heavily on a gimmick or genre.

Most of this EP sounds like a cross between early death metal and thrash. Craig “Reaper” Horval lays down some seriously angry vocals here that are strong and howling, sounding somewhere in between classic Venom and even the more modern black thrashers Midnight. The layered riffs on this release are sure to have many banging their heads along with their darkened and dedicated thrash melodies. Sentenced to Extermination starts off with a haunting voice over regarding Nazi gas chambers only to be brutally followed by sick lyrics, pounding drums and intense leads. If this song dosen’t get you into the pit, nothing will.

Converted to Decapitation does an excellent job of flying the flag of well revered “Bay Area Thrash” scene and is definitely worth checking out even if you are not a die hard thrash fan with a denim vest covered in patches, blood and piss.

 

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DEATHHAMMER premiere new track for new album, Chained To Hell

DEATHHAMMER premiere new track for new album, Chained To Hell

Today, blackthrash elite Deathhammer premiere the new track “Threshold of Doom”.The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated fourth album, Chained to Hell, set for international release on October 5th via Hells Headbangers.By now, Deathhammer should need no introduction. For 13 years, this insatiable Norwegian duo have been at the forefront of the burgeoning blackthrash movement. Though blackthrash has seen intermittent surges in popularity over the last few decades, for sole members Sadomancer and Sargeant Salsten, this is a way of life – not a trend. Deathhammer proved as much as with their cult debut album, Phantom Knights, in 2010 and then proved it yet further and more fully – and more furiously and filthily – with 2013’s Onward to the Pits and 2015’s Evil Power, both of which were released by Hells Headbangers to widespread international acclaim. And yet, through it all, the duo kept their wits about them, simply being Deathhammer and taking their irresistible (and irresistibly evil) charm to stages worldwide, including a command performance at Hells Headbangers‘ Hells Headbash 2 in 2015.

With the stage set thusly, Chained to Hell is a statement of intent for Deathhammer: this is who they are, eternally, and there’s no turning back. Everything that’s endeared the duo to legions worldwide – bursting-at-the-seams energy, forever-forward momentum, coiling-yet-catchy songwriting, and that strangely clean ‘n’ clanging guitar tone that’s somehow dirtier than most other blackthrash out there – is here, both in a state that’s blood-red raw and sagely mature. It’s a unique duality that Deathhammer so unselfconsciously exude here, that youthful enthusiasm somehow remaining intact but simultaneously imparting an aeons-old wisdom, the entirety of classic metal history run through a rusty blender. Of course, the firmest foundation still remains that fateful year of 1985, when when Sodom and especially Destruction were releasing their respective, undeniably classic debut EPs – but also of course, Deathhammer possess that elusive charisma that elevates Chained to Hell from lazy pastiche to a crucial component in that blackthrashing continuum.

Some bands age like fine wine, while others are mostly remembered for their early, exuberant energy. With Chained to Hell, Deathhammer prove you can do both!

Hear for yourself with the new track “Threshold of Doom”

Cover and track-listing are as follows:


Tracklisting for Deathhammer’s Chained to Hell
1. Rabid Maniac Force
2. Satans Hell
3. Black Speed Inferno
4. Threshold of Doom
5. Tormentor
6. Into the Burning Pentagram
7. Chained to Hell
8. Evil