Tag: New Release

Posted on by

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.

 

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

ASSIMILATION – Tainting the Purity – REVIEW

Unrelenting Death Metal that sounds like it came straight from the early nineties AND a King Diamond cover?! Who said 2020 had to be a total shit show? With the first glance of the album art, you get a pretty good feeling on what you are getting yourself into. Fucking brutal chaos is what. Assimilation are back with their second album with plenty of blood thirsty, ripping and technical Death Metal. With pummeling blast beats, frenzied guitar work and some great vocals to tie it all together, this is a pure tumultuous Death Metal bliss.

This album is stuffed full with incredible musicianship. The technical guitar riffs and screaming solos stand out amidst the general chaos created here. Even though Assimilation are striving for a well established old and familiar sound, they still manage to feel “fresh” and that may be one of the album’s strongest points. Well, aside from an incredible King Diamond Cover. (don’t worry they keep plenty of falsettos in) 

“Tainting The Purity,” feels much like a long lost discovery from Death Metal’s classic and humble beginnings with plenty of high speed thrash intensity and brutality. Don’t expect any world changing or politically themed lyrics here either. With song titles like, “Immortality Through Consumption,” “Open Hospitality,” and Deformed Musculature,” this is an unapologetic classic old school Death Metal album. Breakdowns need not apply. 

Posted on by

HANGING FORTRESS – Darkness Devours – REVIEW

If there is at least one great thing that has come out of Ohio (besides Trve Kvlt of course) is some damn fine quality Metal. Hanging Fortress formed in the city of Toledo in 2018. They play mostly traditional Death Metal for the most part with heavily Doom influenced guitar riffs and hardcore chuggs.

The band has been pretty busy during their relatively short existence already releasing two EPs before their first full length album here with “Darkness Devours.” While most of the musical output is in the slow to mid range with plenty of doom soaked guitars and coming across rather sludgy, this is not necessarily a Doom Metal album.  There is still plenty of rage and Death Metal influenced aggression here. The vocals are oozing, sick and guttural blending in perfectly with Hanging Fortress’ Overall sound. No high speeds here, but plenty of brutality. 

“Burned Alive,” serves as a great opening track as it starts things off slow and dark with pounding drums, a powerful rhythm section and ugly, unhuman vocals. “Blood Mountain,” does manage to bring the tempo up a bit into blast beat territory leading into a fantastic groove that was made to get heads banging. 

If you like your Death Metal well produced, heavy AS FUCK with plenty of Doom to spare, be sure to give this one a spin. 

Posted on by

SVEDERNA – Hard – REVIEW

SVDERNA are a Black Metal band out of the frozen bleak depths of Sweden. On their third full length release, “Hard”, the band focuses their maniacal might to make a mark in the already crowded Scandinivian Metal scene. The first track ,”Den Arkaiska Rotan,” hits hard with blast beats and some blood pumping grooves that does a good job of setting the tone for the rest of the album. For the most part, this album is traditional, tried and true Black Metal. For those of you looking for something fresh and new, you won’t find it here. Which isn’t a band thing. While this may not be something “new,” this is still something good. SVDERNA fly the traditional Black Metal flag high and proud. There are some incredible riffs included throughout this release. The guitar work here is ‘Hard’s” strongpoint and will have you come back for more.The vocals work well here ranging from to tortured screams to angry shouts all fiendishly delivered in their darkened native Swedish tongue. Throughout the ten tracks here the band remains consistent and tightly knit. Perhaps the only thing that doesn’t follow the Black Metal playbook is the album’s production. It does not sound like it was recorded in leaky basement with a tape recorder. The production is very clean by traditional Black Metal standards and really brings out those killer riffs more.

Posted on by

CRISISACT – Turn It Off – REVIEW

It’s refreshing to see that we are getting some good things out of this never ending pandemic. Since no one is touring for the time being, many of our beloved musicians have been able to make the most out of a shitty situation and focus their time and talent on side projects that may have otherwise never seen the light of day. 

 

Crisisact was formed by members of Psycroptic, Revocation and King Parrot, so going in you know the level of musicianship is going to be top notch. Although Crisisact is a little more stripped down than the founders’ fulltime gigs, this album still manages to stand firmly on it’s own merits. Crisisact’s debut release pulls no punches, coming in strong, fast and dirty. With 11 tracks and only about 10 minutes of playtime, this ferocious fury of old school grind/death metal hits hard and leaves a mark. 

 

While the hooks and grooves are rather simple considering the guys playing them, they are catchy as hell. This album is equally groovy as it is grindy. The title track, “Turn It Off,” is an excellent opener that perfectly showcases Crisisact’s sound. The band even managed to make a music video for “The Dog in me Unleashed,” which is definitely worthy of a 1 minute trip to Youtube.

 

“Turn It Off,” is pure crusty chaos peppered with elements of grindcore, hardcore and some good old fashioned tried and true punk rock for an intense listen that may lead to permanent neck damage. 

Posted on by

INTOXICATED – Walled – REVIEW

Florida is brutal. Brutal heat, brutal storms, brutal people and brutal death metal. Intoxicated are adding another element of brutality to that list with their thrash infused debut release, “Walled.” This album has been a long time coming for the group with almost 30 years in the making as the band worked on other projects touring and playing with such acts as Obituary and Andrew W.K. The Trio never gave up on their original dream of playing killer no holds barred thrash metal . With that in mind, the tracks on this album feel like they bridge that early 90’s thrash and death metal gap. 

 

The album cover immediately gives off a Municipal Waste feel and for me that’s a sign of some killer thrash. The vocals are clean but have a certain dirty quality to them. The guitars are loaded with plenty of banging riffs and are tight. It’s clear this band has been together for quite some time. Openers “Smash the Line,” and “Get the Rope” are total thrashers that will make you want to fuck shit up in the pit. The second half of the album is where the bands musicianship really shines with tight riffs and grooves and some nasty vocals. 

 

This album lives up to the hype. Let’s just hope they do not make us wait another 30 years before giving us more. 

 

Posted on by

CHRONICLES – War Machine – REVIEW

 

Hailing from Dhaka, Bangladesh, ChroninicleS formed in 2015. After honing their craft for a few years the band independently released their debut EP, War Machine, in November 15th 2019. Bangladesh may not be well known for extreme Metal but the dudes in ChronicleS have sure done thier homework.

With plenty of fresh and evil energy with a hint of the old school Death Metal vibe, War Machine has plenty to like. The EP starts of with Call Your God. This track sets the tone with evil guttural  and screaching vocals, pounding bass and some impressive riffing. Add in some killer drum work with some intense blast beats and you have great intro track.  The next song, কসাই বধ (your guess is as good a mine) is a shorter track with a nice ambient feel midway through the song. The title track, War Machine, is the stand out on this EP with some great guitar work from the fiendish riffs that will have you banging your fists to th blast beats that will tear down walls. The screaching vocal style is extremely effective hear. Anubis the Perserver of Osiris nicely finishes the EP. The track starts of with a burst of speed and nasty agression and slows down with some great guitar solo trade offs before ending.

With only 4 tracks and a little over 15 minutes of music, War Machine was made for multiple listens as you drink your morning Kaffe Storm Coffee and finish your brutal drive to work.