Tag: wise blood records

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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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TURIAN – Blood Quantum Blues – REVIEW

 

’ll admit that when I usually see a band labeled as, “Hardcore,” I’ll give it a pass. But this new shit from Turian? This is fun, this is a jam, this is fuckin’ pissed,this is different. 

I won’t waste anymore time trying to define their sound. Each track adds a new element and style to the overall experience. Turian throws in moments of hardcore, sludge, prog and plenty more genres and influences that you will probably discover with each new listen.

Turian melodic parts are where their true strengths lie on tracks such as “Nite Flights” and “Chemical Bath,” the energy here might possibly cause an unwanted rearrangement of your living room furniture, so please provide caution when listening.

Turain were not afraid to experiment by adding in a heavy dose of synths. I may not know traditional Hardcore music but I think it is safe to say that not too many Hardcore artists mess with any electronics. That’s too bad for them. “Mach,” is a cool retro feeling synth track that smoothly rolls into “Divine Child,” with its heavy nu-metal style sound here, Turain continues to keep the listener guessing. 

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KIRITSIS – REVIEW

This past week, managing to make it outdoors should have come with some sort of trophy. It’s hot, thick and sludgy and just generally nasty.

Just like this debut album by Indianapolis Doom/Hardcore band, Kiritsis.

Starting off with, “Knuckles,” Kiritsis launch a heavy head nodding attack with their first strike. It’s a nice lean and mean that excently leads the charge. “Locusts,” delivers a more intense galloping feel that will no doubt wake up the kids looking to mosh.

The mixture of both hardcore and sludgy doom here is an interesting one. The influence of hardcore tones and shouted vocals work well to establish the a new blend to an old genre.

“It Ain’t Easy,” takes a turn and goes deep into all of the atmospheric dread you may or may not have been looking for. This track slowly builds and builds until it completely buries you. “Like the Taste” fires off next with a hardcore fury that wants to snap your neck. It’s brief but it’s animosity leaves a mark.

 

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Faster than the Devil 3 – Review

 

Here we go again!

Wise Blood’s Faster than the Devil compilation series, started in 2022, has quickly become one of my favorite album releases to look forward to each and every year. Sure 2025 looks nutty but at least we will get Faster than the Devil IV! 

Remember the legendary Metal Blade’s Metal Massacre compilation series that introduced the world to some of the biggest names in Thash such as Slayer and Metallia something or other. That’s exactly what’s happening in this series. So if you’ve always wanted to be into a band before they got big, you’re looking for something fresh and cool or if you’ve been wondering if the new kids can still Thrash, this comp is for you.

The 4 bands included this time around are Bloodletter (Chicago), Ninth Realm (Maryland), Acid Mass (Cincinnati) and Grozov (Philadelphia.) Each band provided 3 tracks of brain melding thrash metal that runs the gambit of the genre.

Faster than the Devil 3 has it all. Old school early 80’s traditional thrash, nasty black metal and crust and some more light hearted (but still awesome) tracks.

Grozov’s closing track, “Bitchin’ Leather,” is a fun bop to listen to as I wait for the announcement  of Faster than the Devil IV. 

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ALTAR of BETELGEUZE – Echoes – REVIEW

 

Do you love Doom Metal? Hate it? Don’t care for it? Altar of Betlegeuze has you covered with their latest release, Echoes.

The Finnish Doom masters have cleverly melded multiple styles and sounds into something that is accessible to everyone. Every note feels heavy as Altar of Betlegeuze set out to prove slower usually means heavier. Altar of Betlegeuze aren’t playing slow just for the sake of being a “Doom” band. Every note march the songs forward. No fancy fills or strange ambient passages. Throughout the recording you’ll hear harsh and clean vocals, sludgy riffs and even some hints of Groove Metal. “Embrace the Flames,” is a banger that feels a little different than the rest with its’ “speed” Altar of Betelgeuze is able to do all of this while remaining true to their original Doom beginnings, keeping it mean, slow and heavy.

If you are looking for an album to introduce yourself or a friend to Doom Metal without scaring them away, look no further.

 

 

 

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SUFFER, Gristle, Bruised Spots & Trimmed Fat – REVIEW

 

South Dakota’s Suffer was formed way back in 1989. The members were only teenagers at the time but where still able to boast themselves as pioneers of the early Brutal Death Metal movement. Admittedly I had never heard of Suffer prior to checking out this EP. I quickly learned that I need to correct this mistake.

While the band never really enjoyed the attention other extreme bands enjoyed in the 90s, Suffer has plenty left to prove with this EP. Opening track, “Human Primal Cuts,” is a brutal monster. The riffs are hard as hell but they still leave plenty of melody with the guitar solos. The vocals go hard and are right on par with Carcass. That’s a huge plus in my book. Speaking of Carcass, the lyrics are sick, twisted and foul. Suffer may not have released a proper album in over 20 years but they sure haven’t lost any of their brutality in any of that time.

With only 3 new songs on this EP it’s enough to whet your appetite for the next album. Thankfully Suffer isn’t going to make us “Suffer,” (sorry) and wait too long for their next release. Their next full length album, Grand Canvas of Aesthete, is coming out this year. You can preorder the upcoming album at Wise Blood Records  starting 1/29/23.

In the meantime, I’m going to check out the rest of Suffer’s discography.

 

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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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VHS – Quest for the Mighty Riff – REVIEW

 

You gotta hand it to VHS. Death Metal hasn’t been this fun in ages. Not only that, but their music simply rips and consistently gets better with each release. Each album also follows a different theme usually having to do with some sort of movie or television show. Past themes include Vampires, Italian horror and killer sharks. This time VHS ventures slightly outside of horror and into the realm of fantasy. Quest for the Mighty Riff is one awesome journey that you’ll want to be part of. ( *SPOILER ALERT* There are plenty of mighty riffs to be found here)

VHS plays tribute to some of the best there is in Sci-Fi and Fantasy films suchs as Excalibur, Highlander, He-Man and Beastmaster.  As a product of the 80s I wholeheartedly approve.

The album starts with some perfectly epic narration as VHS begins their Quest for the Mighty Riff. “Cleve ’em and Leave ’em,” starts things out fast with some nice and fierce punk fueled mayhem. It’s the perfect blend of Death and punk. In true punk fashion it barely last 90 seconds but still leaves a mark.

VHS keeps the party going buy continuously melding genres. You’ll hear plenty of Death Metal mixed with grind, thrash, punk and even some old school traditional metal (“Hail King Arthur,” I’m looking at you.) No two songs sound the same as VHS throws more killer riffs and styles than you know what to do with.

For me, “Eternia Needs a Hero,” is the standout track. Not just because the world needs more songs about Skelator. I’m a sucker for anything in the vein of Black Thrash and this song fucking delivers that and more. The riffs are punchy, the vocals are sicks and twisted and the lyrics are funny as hell.

dea does what many albums hope to do; provide a little something for everyone. No matter what genre of Metal you dig, you are gonna find something to love here.

 

 

 

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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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VEILCASTE – Precipice – REVIEW

 

 

 

From our good friends at over at Wise Blood Records comes the third release from Indianapolis Sludge masters, Veilcaste.  Precipice is full of deep and murky riffs that weigh thick and heavy in the air. Along with this, Veilcaste manages to create plenty of cosmic and spaced out atmosphere. Precipice is sure to please any fan of Stoner or Doom music.

Velicaste keeps the music rather simple throughout the recording. There is no overproduction here. They guys don’t stay too long playing one long riff.  However, the album is packed full of plenty of dragging and dirty riffs. (that don’t overstay their welcome)  The guitar tones are low with plenty of fuzz, playing in more of a Stoner style. You will find yourself slowly headbanging along to this release, maybe even sparking some herbage. (or go hardcore and drink an Arnold Palmer like in my case)

Vocals come of in a much more “hardcore” style than usually seen in this genre. There is also a little bit of clean singing sprinkled in here and there that actually works really well on this recording.This along with the underlying atmosphere Veilcaste manages to craft some weill written and structured songs.

All in all, it’s not a bad listen and feels like a nice palate cleanser to the extreme music that I usually punish my ear holes with.I have always been more of a speed freak when it comes to my music but Veilcaste may be one of those bands that will leave me venturing out and seeking out more bands in the Doom and Sludge Metal genres.