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lunedì 20 novembre 2023

Solar Dawn - Equinoctium

BACK IN TIME: recensione gentilmente concessa da Nihil Zine
#PER CHI AMA: Melo Death
Arrivavano dalla Svezia con all’attivo due demo (1997 e 2000) con il moniker Jarawynja e un mcd, 'Frost-Work' del 2001, targato sempre Mighty Music come questo 'Equinoctium'. Otto brani di death metal tipicamente svedese influenzato da melodie heavy ma con un tono più estremo, a tal proposito potrei citare come influenze a tutti ben note, i primi In Flames e i primi Dark Tranquillity. Non mancano momenti cadenzati vicino a quanto possono aver proposto i conterranei Amon Amarth, che rendono questo cd vario e fruibile. In questa band peraltro c'erano membri di Unmoored, Thy Primordial, Dawn e Scar Symmetry. Il lavoro dei Solar Dawn, dimostrava ancora una volta, che a proporre queste sonorità erano moltissime band, ma che ben poche avevano la classe e la bravura per poter dire la loro musicalmente. Gli svedesi, direi, che se la cavavano davvero bene, incastonando una sequela di riff azzeccatissima in quanto ad intensità ed armonia, abbinando altresì una voce melodica e pulita a fare da contraltare ad una più roca e cattiva. Un album vivamente consigliato per i soli nostalgici del genere.

giovedì 16 novembre 2023

Wrathrone/Necrodium/Spiral Wounds - Back To 90​’​s Old​-​School Death Metal

#PER CHI AMA: Death Old School
E io che pensavo che il death old school fosse ormai morto, quanto di più sbagliato. La Great Dane Records mi sta infatti facendo scoprire un sottobosco estremo che pullula di band cattive e incazzate, spesso non di grande valore a dire il vero, ma che comunque meritano la nostra attenzione e le vostre riflessioni. Quello di oggi è uno split album tra i finlandesi Wrathrone e Necrodium, in compagnia dei sardo-calabresi Spiral Wounds, per una compilation all'insegna di un sound marcescente che richiama alla memoria act del calibro di Dismember, Grave e primi Entombed, almeno nei primi tre pezzi targati Wrathrone. Un vero e proprio ritorno alle origini del male con un riffing che evoca quello delle band svedesi citate, con tanto di growling infernale sopra e assoli super taglienti in coda, per un clichè sicuramente consolidato e che fondamentalmente rinverdisce i fasti di un passato sta andato scomparendo. I nostrani Spiral Wounds si presentano con quattro pezzi, che altro non sono che il loro EP omonimo del 2021, e che evocano in questo caso, il sound primordiale degli At the Gates, con tanto di chitarre ultra taglienti e vocals iper caustiche. A questo aggiungiamo qualche influenza black che permea il mood indiavolato della band che esplicherà al meglio il proprio talento in un brano più equilibrato quale "Uber Feral Winds". Ribadisco, niente di originale da segnalare, ma sicuramente per chi amasse il genere e non conoscesse la band italica, beh si faccia avanti. Con i Necrodium si torna ad un death in stato putrefattivo, questa volta di scuola americana, e penso ai Cannibal Corpse, per gli ultimi quattro pezzi all'insegna della devastazione più totale tra voci demoniache, ritmiche schiacciasassi che trovano anche modo di rallentare, come accade all'inizio di "Compulsive Mutilating Disorder", nel cui riffing ho percepito addirittura un che dei Metallica della primissima ora. Ecco, l'ho scritto, spero non me ne voglia la band finlandese che nel frattempo prosegue la sua carneficina con altri pezzi grondanti tanta rabbia e tonnellate di odio e che vanno a completare una release adatta ai soli nostalgici di un genere che pensavo ormai morto e che invece si conferma ancora vivo e vegeto. (Francesco Scarci)

martedì 19 settembre 2023

In Flames - The Jester Race

#FOR FANS OF: Melo Swedish Death
Vintage In Flames before the fall of them. I’d say that every one of theirs all up until Jesper left and 'Clayman' was the last good IF album in existence. I get that he struggled with Alcoholism and later participated on The Halo Effect with other great musicians on that album. 'The Jester Race' is probably the most profound IF album in existence. I’d say this one, 'Whoracle', 'Colony', and 'Clayman' were their strongest releases. But 'The Jester Race' is the most melodic and original release by the band that took precedence over all their albums.

The guitars took over here and flourished throughout the album. The production wasn’t the best but the release is from 1996. So that’s the reason it’s not 100%. But the music is. All of the songs on here are epic and defined melodic death metal possibly the best sounding melodic release of that era. The vocals are good as well. It’s totally different now that Jesper is out of the band and they changed their genre of music. That’s why long-time followers stopped liking them including me. It just is bland.

All of these songs have guitars at their best. If you try to disprove of them you’ll come up short. The melodies and vocals annihilate. It’s not a hardcore release, it’s mainly just a melodic release that’s dominated the metal community and will forever make history with this one. The rhythms and the leads lead the way to perfection. If you can’t hear that in the music, then you’ve got to be tone deaf. These songs paved the wave towards effective melodic death metal.

Every band has good and bad releases. But this band gave up when 'Siren Charms' was released. Their melodic/groove metal is pathetic. Jesper I think saw the direction the band was going and just opted out of the band. Why else why else would he leave? I don’t see him quitting metal especially playing with other melodic death musicians in The Halo Effect. He’ll always be remembered as a phenomenal musician in IF now transferred to The Halo Effect. But check this one because it’s epic! (Death8699)


domenica 23 luglio 2023

Revel In Flesh - The Hour of the Avenger

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death Metal
German pioneers within the realm of a more than notorious Swedish sound, this release is a monument! First few times hearing it, it's really insurmountably wicked. Brutal riffs and vocals. The drums shuffle around alongside these wicked guitars. They've established themselves early-on and have kept going in a great progression. I don't see much wrong or ill-fated on this release. They've made it through early on and hit-home with this release. I'm really liking what I'm hearing in the music it seems like they're in a constant flux of different tempos. It gives the release variety and originality.

The vocals fluctuate between burly low to screams which gives it more variability. And the music on top of that puts it at a higher level in sustainability. These guys know what they're doing all-around. It's a monumental release and they sure do need some more press. Hopefully, we'll catch more follow-up releases since this one is about four years old.

There's been bands from Germany like Fleshcrawl who have the pedal that makes it sound like early Entombed, Entrails and Dismember. But their riffs on this one are sure as hell all them. These guys put forth a great 45 minutes of music that's absolute perfection. Just no beat that's missed, riff that wasn't without flaw and vocals that's not fitted in. They've really been a band that hasn't put a limit on their music. They keep down the path that's working for them. I can only see them getting better and better. I've thoroughly been convinced that they've been a hit in the department just picking up this CD yesterday!

Some bands like this end up going south, but I have a strong feeling that they're merely taking a break from the action. I think that they'll be back in the spotlight sometime soon. People in the death metal scene may not of heard of this band. Especially the millennials I hope that more ears will get on this even if it is just streaming for now. I collect CD's so it's not a problem for me to pick up a physical copy and show the band support. I know that Spotify have robbed musicians for years now in one interview one band only got 20 pounds last year and somewhere around 26 million listens to! I know that as long as streaming music goes, musicians are losing out on a lot of money. Especially touring and putting out new releases. The 80's and 90's were a lot different but when Napster came around, then it became out of control. Still, bands are making albums despite this. Lets hope that the true fans buy CD's and Vinyl. Enjoy this release no matter where you hear it! (Death8699)


domenica 9 luglio 2023

Kaivs - Horrend

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death, Dismember
It's clear, immaculate Swedish death metal frenzy in under 13 minutes. Way expectational for a band Rome based. They don't seem to let up this whole time! That somewhat burly voice from Max supporting the music that's ultra HEAVY. Good production, too. But I'm looking more towards the music which on the most stands out for me. The recording did them well for their prominent music. I embraced this sound and was able to agree with my initial reaction to the sound of the music. These guys say that they're "no one", but not hardly that. They are totally a band that's so worth checking out.

These guys are among the likes of Dismember, older Entombed, Fleshcrawl, et al. What I'm hearing is the potential for this band to succeed in the 21st century music scene. All three of the songs carry with them the old school sound and Max their vocalist is interesting to with his tone.

I'm not going to scramble to the lyrical content, just the music, mixing and utmost potential. Since they've brought this to me a few weeks ago, I've been hooked. Aside from what I've currently said, the band has a backbone of bronze. Don't mistake them in reading this that just because they're from Rome that they're not going to deliver. The guitar I loved the most. A lot of tremolo picking just ad nauseum. Not much lead guitar, but that's alright I dig rhythm only work just as much. Especially if the lead guitars are sloppy. So what to really expect? The Swedish influence in death metal, burly vocals, slow/to moderate tempos in playing, good production quality, and just a really good listen to overall! Enjoy! (
Death8699)

domenica 4 giugno 2023

Kaamos - S/t

BACK IN TIME: recensione gentilmente concessa da Nihil Zine
#PER CHI AMA: Death Metal
Una splendida, rigenerante e devastante ventata di passato. Mi ci voleva proprio una bella badilata sui denti di fottuto death metal svedese. Sì, sì, ho detto proprio death metal svedese… Dark Tranquillity, In Flames… ma neanche a parlarne!!! Death metal di quello vero e tosto, inaugurato nella seconda metà degli anni '80 dai leggendari Grotesque, Nihilist, Morbid e poi portato a compimento dalla prima grande (ed unica!) ondata svedese: Entombed, Grave, Dismember, Unleashed, primi Tiamat, Inverted. I Kaamos potevano essere considerati i degni epigoni di questa gloriosa scena: formati da ex membri di A Mind Confused, realizzarono un paio di demo, un paio di split album, un EP e due album, prima dello scioglimento nel 2009, tutti lavori che a questo punto mi dovrò procurare, vista l’intensa e riuscita prova del debut cd. Death rovente e tagliente ad un tempo, forse più veloce delle sopra citate band ma dotato di simile pesantezza e impatto; tornano alla mente quegli adorati tempi di batteria, gli stramaledetti assoli alla Entombed e soprattutto quei giri che solo gli svedesi riuscivano a fare. Accordatura bassa e pesante, vero e proprio trademark, unita ad una produzione più chiara e moderna che non per questo altera il sound dei nostri. A voler fare i pignoli manca la cupezza di dischi tipo 'Into the Grave' o 'Left Hand Path', ma è forse eccessivo pretendere le sensazioni di claustrofobia che opprimono adorabilmente chiunque ascolti detti capolavori. Il disco è molto compatto, non ci sono cadute di tensione in tutti i suoi 34 minuti, nemmeno in un paio di intermezzi (di cui uno in stile vichingo che anziché risultare pacchiano rivela grande pathos ed efficacia nell’introdurre “Doom of Man”, un gran bel pezzo che ricorda molto i gloriosi Grave). In qualche punto ho ricordato anche gruppi tipo Obscenity, ma tutti questi riferimenti non vi traggano in inganno: i Kaamos rileggono la lezione alla grande, non copiano ma si nutrono alle sorgenti della Morte, offrendoci qualcosa che da troppi anni latitava, soffocato da trend gotico-melodici ma anche dalla cieca e assurda venerazione per il black norvegese.

(Candlelight/Desiccated Productions - 2002/2022)
Voto: 70

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Kaamos/3409

sabato 14 gennaio 2023

The Embraced - The Birth

BACK IN TIME: recensione gentilmente concessa da Nihil Zine
#PER CHI AMA: Melo Death
Death metal melodico a tratti aggressivo per questo secondo album della band norvegese. I The Embraced riescono nella difficile impresa di catalizzare l’attenzione dell’ascoltatore, senza stancare; questo perché donano ai pezzi varie sfumature inserendo parti potenti alla At The Gates o Eucharist con altre parti acustiche e rilassate. La voce risulta estremamente convincente con un tono greve e deciso. Otto brani per circa un’ora di musica, e come potrete capire, la durata delle canzoni è abbastanza elevata, ma c’è molta carne al fuoco e prima di essere cotta a puntino ce ne vuole, e alla fine però si rimane soddisfatti del risultato. C’è da dire inoltre che pur non avvalendosi di studi rinomati, i The Embraced sono riusciti ad avere una registrazione eccellente. Quindi, anche se il sound non è originalissimo, ha tutte le caratteristiche per essere apprezzato, sia dagli estimatori del genere, sia da chi non è ben addentro, ma non vuole velocità esasperate e opta anche per una ricerca della melodia.

(Aftermath Music - 2001)
Voto: 74

giovedì 12 gennaio 2023

Lifeless - The Occult Mastery

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death, Dismember
Definitely more brutal than 'Godconstruct' just not as catchy, I felt. But still a good album. A lot of screaming and brutality. Some really good melodies as well. They didn't earn this "70" rating for nothing! I just thought that it was their more extreme side to them. And the leads were solid. Pretty clean and fast! I just felt this evil vibe to this one but it's the direction that they wanted to take on here. Everything on here is super intense and tight. I just felt that they should've slowed down a little but the Swedish type of guitar tone is that of other bands that have this vibe on the guitars such as Dismember, Entombed (old) and Entrails (to name a few). However, they're from Germany acquiring this taste in guitar sounding Swedes. Fleshcrawl is another German band with the Swedish sounding guitars. They use the same pedal.

This album spews forth anger and aggression. They really are over-the-top on here. It's something to listen to when you're angry. The music is fast and the vocals are ferocious. I would venture to say it's without a doubt their most extreme release.

They don't change it up much in terms of their brutality here. It's just over-the-top noise-terror! They have a little variety here in clean guitars but not much. They're overall release is utterly uncompromising. It's one of those albums that is just balls out intensity.

They haven't been actively releasing albums since 2017 when this one came out. Maybe they're going to re-assess and slow down a bit. But I'm not sure if they're going to venture on that route. Maybe or maybe not. Overall, the guitars were devastating and the vocals totally blaring in your speakers! They fit the music pretty well. The guitars featured a lot of tremolo picking and other fast melodies. Can they reenact this intensity I'm not sure. But this album deserves some recognition for being extreme as it is. I'm surprised there have been no reviews for this release. It's baffling, what an intense and melodic yet evil vibe. What are you waiting for? Check it out! (Death8699)


giovedì 15 dicembre 2022

Entrails - An Eternal Time of Decay

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death Metal
Pretty solid release the whole way through! This is a good listen to especially withholding that Swedish sounding guitar. Oh, so sweet! I've given these numerous spins and every time I hear something new. The guitar riffs are killer, and they fit with the vocals, absolutely! It's kind of like if it were modern day Entombed with LG (RIP). The vocals sound a little different though. I really like the music on here. I think that it's solid the whole way through and the tempos are ever-changing. The vocals go well with the music. This is traditional Swedish death metal in the vein of Entombed's first two releases.

A lot of good to say with this release. I think that they’re much more fluid and the guitars are sounding a lot better. This is all not over hashed with the pedal to makes that Swedish sound. It’s been well thought out. I felt like this whole release in hearing is so thick. I think it’s about to B rating. I can’t give it more, but I still think it’s above average. Definitely, these guys don’t take too long to put out new material and they have well thought out music. The guitar riffs in general are great. I like the overall sound of the album. It’s pretty unique to death metal with a great production. There is a great Swedish sound to it. I liked this whole album. There’s nothing really that I’d change and it’s not too overly fast or ambitious. The drums pack a real big punch. The quality of the sound of the album is top notch. They’ve really done good and I think it could’ve been a longer album. However, this would be by little bit more than 45 minutes.

The vocals are really good too! They really sound low I think they fit well with the music. Overall, this is a great album and they put together sounds that are so original and heavy. At this dimension, thick at times. Great follow up release I hope that they have a long life making music like this. The metal sound, Swedish, is unique and again to the vein like Entombed and Dismember. But they have their own unique sound which is definitely a solid follow up from ‘World Inferno’. But I think it’s a little bit lesser of a good album than the previous. It’s still right up there. I think they did really well.

I got the physical copy of the CD. I thought it was good enough to purchase and I recommend taking a listen on Spotify or YouTube see how you like it (but slow at times). It still picks up and it was somewhat fast at places musically speaking. The guitars are chunky and really original! Please show some support for the band they’re not rich or maybe purchase on bandcamp something to show the band that you appreciate their music. Check it out now! (Death8699)


venerdì 19 agosto 2022

The Halo Effect - Days of the Lost

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death
I immensely liked this especially since the members and ex-members of my favorite bands are in this. The likes of Dark Tranquillity, Gardenian and In Flames shined on here. They really kicked ass in this melodic death metal onslaught but mild, not brutal. I wouldn't call these members here as "has beens" they are top notch musicians. With those bands and the variety in the music (distorted/clean) guitars it's not for really extreme metal it's more of mild as previously stated. They really put together some great melodies with utmost emotion to the likes of that at least. I liked all the songs I thought that they were well thought out songs.

I was waiting for this to come out and I wasn't disappointed at all. It's pure emotion in the vocals and guitars that are wholly experimental. The band did really good on here it's melodic death but not at all brutal. It's soft-listening. Kind of like the latest Dark Tranquillity 'Moment'. At least that's how they are on a lot of that release. They seemed to feel that the softer the better. I can understand that it doesn't resonate with every melodic death fan but it sure did with me. Jesper is still making music which is good because without him, In Flames took a turn for the absolute worst. It's good he's here.

These guys have produced good music with the guitars, vocals and keys/effects. It may get more negative press because of the tranquil songs wholly emotional but heart-felt. They didn't want something brutal in any aspect and that's apparent. They wanted something filled with diehard melodies and licks. Not a lot of lead guitars on here just harmonies and songs that kind of resemble In Flames-esque especially apparent on the In Flames 'Clayman' LP. That would be where Jesper steps in. But they all sound a mix of all three bands: Dark Tranquillity, Gardenian and In Flames. They just weaved melodic death into it and soared.

I realize that a lot of what I've said is that this release is a positive mark in the melodic death community but just remember it's really not heavy or wholly intense. These guys are making music still, yes but there's absolutely no brutality here. They just wanted something that's mild and diverse. So don't be disappointed that it's not heavier than it is the way it's come out. It's just soft and melodic but diverse and peaceful. I liked it immensely. I wasn't disappointed at all. It's something I needed to hear and it's not all about hard stuff all the time. This release will remind you of that. Check it out! (Death8699)


domenica 24 luglio 2022

Grave - Out of Respect For the Dead

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death, Dismember
This is a quality album, I'm not sure why people think it's "generic." I thought it anything but that. This is a MONUMENTAL release from the band. Hope that they come out with a new album soon, too. But this one is a good one that they left off with. I think that the rhythms are awesome and the vocals go along well with the music. Every song on here was worth its wait at the time. They put in some phenomenal music to this one. I like the sound to it. The vocals are tolerable and vicious! There is an unrelenting vibe to strike here. A great follow-up album I thought that they did an outstanding job.

The songs are furious and INTENSE. The riffs are victorious in sound. They all seem to flow together. And some demon-struck sort of vibe to the music. I thought that this was a good release from 2015. And a boon to the death metal community. Nothing generic about this. The music just reigns supreme. They really show maturity being in the death metal community for a long time. And yes, they conquer! Not every song is fast and furious, they change it up here and there. And the leads are pretty good, too. But mostly the riffs are MONUMENTAL. I don't think this band has an album where they don't play their heart out.

The quality of the production was great and they sound great! Everything on here I liked. It took some time to get used to this one, but when I laid it all out, everything went together. And the more I hear the album, the more I like it. I think that they really dominate the scene and are able to show the metal community that they're still kicking ass after many years being active. I hope that they come out with a new one sometime soon. I'd be curious to hear what it'd sound like. They really are killer through and through again. More people need to find out about this one since nobody is really writing much about them.

I bought the CD since I'm a CD collector but you can probably hear this on YouTube. I'm pretty sure that's the best avenue to hear it. It's been some years since it was released so yeah, check it out on there. You'll hear sounds that never before have been heard. It's HEAVY and straightforward death metal. They have a certain groove to them as well so you won't get bored with it. Just the leads aren't the greatest that they could be but still the rhythms make up for that. I gave the album a "77" because I think that even though it was solid on the forefront, there were still some things that needed better working. Own it! (Death8699)


(Century Media Records - 2015)
Score: 77

https://www.facebook.com/GraveOfficial

lunedì 13 giugno 2022

Entrails - The Tomb Awaits

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School, Dismember
This album has the classic Swedish style death metal of the early 90's. It's very much in the vein of old Entombed and Dismember. But they've weaved in their own sound. The riffs are fresh and killer. So is the energy surrounding this release. It's invigorating! I liked this whole album all the way through. The musicianship is insurmountable. It's great that this Swedish death metal sound has stayed alive in modern bands. The music is downright brutal though. The vocals and the guitar riffs are explosive. I would venture to say this is a top release in the year of 2011. Amazing it's that old now.

Everything about this album is worthy of praise. It's brutal, original, production quality solid, everything. I really enjoyed this release. I'm not interested in the lyrics but the vocals just crush. And the guitars have some great original riffs to them. They've brought back this sound and they're taking it seriously! There's multiple time signature changes and all of it takes the side of sheer and utter brutality. They are definitely serious about their music. And the fact that they're getting more well know is crucial. I could listen to this album all day and hear something different every time.

The production quality as I mentioned was outstanding and the slight hint of reverb to the sound is awe-inspiring. The band really hit home here and I think it deserves a perfect score. There's nothing that I would change. The mixing too did justice for all the instruments/vocals. They really are talented musicians hands down. If you haven't discovered Entrails, then you haven't dug deep enough in your collection to bring them into your world. They are a band that is just unrelenting in precision and noteworthiness. All different tempos but everything well put together. That's all I have to say about this.

Get this album, it's really worth it if you're a death metal fan or just like metal in general. And especially if you like that Swedish sound to it. Or you're just looking for something new to try then this is where to start! They venture deep in original sound quality with the help of a good production this album lays it all out for you. The band is just equipped with enough riffs to make your head spin. They are a band that I hope will or if they do stay around for a long while. They're music is insurmounably amazing. They are one of the better bands that's modern with this unique sound. Get it! (Death8699)


(F.D.A. Records - 2011)
Score: 80

https://www.facebook.com/Entrails666

lunedì 9 maggio 2022

Circle of Chaos - Forlorn Reign

#PER CHI AMA: Death Metal
Se Atene rappresentò la culla della cultura, Stoccolma può senza ombra di dubbio essere definita la culla del death metal. La città ha infatti dato i suoi natali, tra gli altri, ad Entombed, Bloodbath e Dismember e proprio dalla capitale svedese arrivano anche questi Circle of Chaos. Il genere? Manco a dirlo è death metal nudo e crudo, dotato di una discreta vena melodica. 'Forlorn Reign', la terza fatica del quintetto scandinavo, che conta nelle sue fila ex componenti di Carbonized ed Abused, ci spara in faccia a mille all'ora la propria onesta proposta di death old school, che vede pochi tratti di originalità sia chiaro, ma che da un punto di vista tecnico-compositivo-distruttivo, sembra alquanto ispirato. Questa almeno l'impressione che ho avuto durante l'ascolto della roboante "Fires of Armageddon", un brano che ci prende a schiaffoni tra un riffing serrato e compatto, un growling incisivo, un drumming dirompente ed una componente solistica davvero con le palle, che con le sue derive melodiche (di scuola statunitense), rende più accessibile il pezzo. Non si può dire altrettanto della successiva title track che, minacciosa e torva, assembla tuttavia nella sua ritmica un'inaspettata sezione acustica che sembra richiamare più un pezzo hard rock che di metal estremo, il che cattura definitivamente la mia attenzione, grazie anche a ritmiche sghembe, ululati del vocalist in bilico tra scream e growl ed un finale caotico che mi ha rievocato "Raining Blood" degli Slayer. Si continua a correre veloci sui binari del death senza compromessi con "The Great Rite", un'altra traccia al fulmicotone che non fa certo prigionieri. Tuttavia, la band è abile nel cambiare repentinamente il proprio mood, passando da ritmiche selvagge a momenti più ragionati che in questo caso mi hanno ricordato lo straordinario 'Once Sent from the Golden Hall' degli Amon Amarth (peraltro un'altra band di Stoccolma, guarda caso). Il disco alla fine si muove su queste stesse coordinate anche nei successivi brani mettendo in fila momenti di grande devastazione ad assoli di un certo spessore. Ci provano i nostri a partire in modo più atmosferico in "Embracing Chaos", tra l'altro con una sezione ritmica piena, tortuosa e tonante, a cui dare seguito poi con un mid-tempo più compassato. Complice forse una durata più significativa (quasi sette minuti), che non consentirebbe la sopportazione di cotanto dolore inferto. Quando i cinque vichinghi decidono di pestare sull'acceleratore però, non ce n'è per nessuno e ci spazzano via con cotanta furia, accarezzandoci poi nuovamente con una raffinata sezione solista che a più riprese emerge dal caos primordiale costruito dalla band. Efferato l'attacco di "Spectral Disease" e siamo solo al giro di boa, visto che ci sono altri sei pezzi ad attenderci con altrettanta determinazione atta a frantumarci le ossa, tra potentissime ritmiche, acuminati assoli e spaventose vocals. Ci sono anche le song in lingua madre, la graffiante "Förödelsens Tid" con un assolo da paura e "Óveður", dove sperimentare ancora partiture acustiche, a dare risalto alle qualità dei nostri. Un intermezzo strumentale, "Age of Chaos" e si arriva all'epilogo affidato a "New Order", l'ultimo veemente atto di questo 'Forlorn Reign': qui il frontman si diverte a giocare con l'effettistica della voce, mentre le chitarre tratteggiano ancora una volta ritmiche forsennate e assoli taglienti come rasoi, a sancire l'eccelso lavoro fatto dai nostri a livello strumentale. Sull'originalità poi ribadisco, c'è ancora spazio al miglioramento. (Francesco Scarci)

(Satanath Records/The Ritual Productions - 2022)
Voto: 70

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat346-circle-of-chaos-forlorn-reign-2022

mercoledì 4 maggio 2022

Bloodstrike - In Death We Rot

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death Metal
You wouldn't think that the vocalist is female, especially since it's wholly gutteral. I like the sound of her though, she compliments the music well. The music I liked the most. The album itself isn't very fast, there are a lot of songs that aren't quick but they're still good. The guitar riffs are pretty awesome and original. A lot of them utilize ultimate power chords and tremolo picking. A lot of the guitar compliments the vocals soundly. The production isn't too raw for a debut. It's actually pretty clean. I liked it. There is some aura to this album too. It's quite dark and depressing. That was mainly their goal for the album I'm sure.

Not too interested in the lyrical concepts as much as I am the music. I think that the fact that the songs are at least 4 minutes or more in length. It makes a solid release. It just seems though as the songs progress there are some vocals that were a tad bit overdone. That doesn't mean that they're bad, just sometimes they're a little overpowering. And an echo that goes around the sound. That makes it to be more atmospheric. I think that they're sampling sounds here. That isn't wrong, they are incorporating depressing vocals to a dark guitar melodies. And the drums are filled with double kicked frenzies.

The main thing to keep in mind here is that since the vocals are female there's a limit or possibly one to get totally gutteral. However, I've heard brutal death metal acts with females that are vocalists. It just seems that there can be a built in bias when putting a female voice to death metal music. In some respects, this vocalist sounds a little like Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), but not entirely. The bands music is strictly death metal though, no essence of melodicism in store here. These guys want to stay underground. And it's good the album is 45 minutes in length because you get the feel that they're not going to cheap out on their listeners.

I bought this CD a while ago and I'm just getting around to forming an opinion about it. I like it, and I like the band. I would encourage death metal lovers to give it a try. The music is pretty original and invigorating. At times too very dark. That's the whole point: BRUTAL MUSIC! The tempos aren't the fastest, they're just groove laden and intriguing. I liked all of the songs. They all have something special about them. They're incorporation of unique music to the song's structures make it the most interesting. They definitely show their influences not just Alissa of Arch Enemy, but darker bands in the death metal genre.

You don't have to be like me and get the CD right away if you're not convinced. Spotify has this one on there, not their latest. If you hear the digital version and don't enjoy the album, you don't have to buy the CD. It's just that the first few listens to have me hooked on the aura of the music. If you want to show the band support, buy the CD! I'm sure that the band is progressing as musicians. They put together one hell of a good debut. The music and vocals are the most interesting to me. But that's just me, I like the guitars. They really kick ass and the vocals are an acquired taste. Own this album! (Death8699)

(Redefining Darkness Records - 2015)
Score: 74

https://bloodstrike.bandcamp.com/album/in-death-we-rot

domenica 3 aprile 2022

Allfader - At Least We Will Die Together

BACK IN TIME:
#PER CHI AMA: Black/Death
Quando uscì quest'album mi domandai se gli Allfader potessero essere gli eredi degli immortali At the Gates? Difficile da dirsi, però sicuramente la band norvegese aveva le carte in regola per diventare una star in ambito death estremo. La band originaria di Mo I Rana rilasciò un Mcd nel 2002, 'From the Darkest Star', edito dalla Rage of Achilles che gli valse il contratto con la francese Osmose Prod, per il qui presente 'At Least We Will Die Together'. Forse sono un po’ troppo entusiasta dopo i vari ripetuti ascolti a questo lavoro, però devo ammettere che l’esordio del quintetto scandinavo mi ha lasciato senza parole. All’apparente violenza death sprigionata dal combo si affiancano una serie d’influenze che rendono la proposta dei nostri brutale, ma allo stesso tempo, oscura e melodica. La musica degli Allfader fonde gli insegnamenti degli At the Gates con quelli dei Dissection, liberando suoni pesantissimi, un mix di death e black, sui quali si inseriscono fraseggi dal chiaro sapore heavy metal. La band è una furia nei ritmi veloci, ma quando rallenta impreziosisce il proprio sound con aperture melodiche, quasi epiche, che pescano addirittura dal black sinfonico di 'The Archaic Course' dei Borknagar, ma anche dalle cavalcate che hanno reso famosi gli Iron Maiden. Stupende le tracce "This Blackened Heart" con i suoi cori epici e malinconici, e "Into Nothingness" con un coinvolgente assolo conclusivo e un’alternanza vocale tra voci demoniache e pulite, a dimostrazione del totale dinamismo di una band che prometteva davvero bene per il futuro. Cinquantadue minuti di musica aggressiva, melodica e travolgente, eseguita con classe, da cinque ragazzi dalle enormi potenzialità tecnico-compositive. L’album, registrato egregiamente agli Hansen Studios, vedeva peraltro il contributo di Jacob Hansen non solo dietro alla consolle, ma anche come backing vocals in un paio di brani. L’ascolto è pertanto dovuto. (Francesco Scarci)

(Osmose Productions - 2006)
Voto: 76

http://www.allfader.com/Allfader/Allfader.html

domenica 27 febbraio 2022

Corrupter - Descent into Madness

#PER CHI AMA: Death Old School
I nostri amici polacchi della Godz Ov War Productions ci presentano una nuova release del loro diabolico roster, i transalpini Corrupter e il loro debut 'Descent into Madness'. Dimenticatevi ora l'origine della band, non pensate pertanto a raffinate e ricercate forme di black metal intellettualoide, ma concentratevi su un marcissimo passato death metal che sembra essersi perso con l'evoluzione dei primissimi Entombed o lo split dei Dismember nel 2011 (lo so, lo so che si sono riformati nel 2019). Fatte queste dovute premesse, capirete da soli che quanto fra le mani oggi possa non essere cosi originale, tuttavia quanto trasuda da questo debutto è un maligno essudato death che sembra essere sgorgato dalle viscere della Terra. I brani si susseguono con mortifera cadenza tra accelerazioni ferali e growling indemoniati. "End of the Rope", "Darkest Light" e "Into the Hearse" rappresentano il trittico terrificante che apre la danze del Diavolo con un riffing violento che solo nella terza traccia trova attimi di tregua, susseguiti peraltro da ripartenze ancor più selvagge. In tutto questo magma ribollente di puro e crudo death, devo ammettere di essere comunque riuscito a ritrovare un briciolo di melodia a rendere un filo più digeribile un disco che rischierebbe di essere visto come un pugno ben assestato nello stomaco e nulla di più. Invece, percepisco il tentativo del duo francese di proporre qualche variazione al tema: certo "No Life Here" è di una ferocia inaudita anche se i nostri provano ad inserire un break di natura doom a spezzare il ritmo infernale a cui ci sottopongono. La brevità delle song (tra i due e i quattro minuti) ammetto poi che contribuisca ad acuire l'intensità della proposta, nel senso che un brano di due minuti e mezzo come "Horror and Aftermath" è paragonabile ad un paio di ganci ben assestati nel muso che ci mettano al tappeto. Il senso di ottundimento che si prova successivamente nel rallentamento doom, è solo una gentilezza per consentirci di rialzarci da terra e cercare di capire dove ci troviamo. Un pezzo come "Not Enough to Harm", più lungo e strutturato, palesa invece influenze più ricercate nel death americano da parte del duo formato da -J- e -M-, qui peraltro aiutati nelle vocals da Meyhna'ch, mastermind degli ormai disciolti Mütiilation. La scelta della mia song preferita ricade però su "Home for the Dead", un brano dove le variazioni di tempo sono all'ordine del secondo e questa alternanza tra death e doom, innaffiato da un aurea perennemente maligna, la rendono non solo la traccia più ascoltabile del lotto, ma anche quella più morbosa e angosciante. In chiusura, la title track nel suo maelstrom sonoro, palesa nuovamente influenze oltreoceano (Immolation in testa) che sanciscono la brutalità efferata di questa release. (Francesco Scarci)

martedì 21 dicembre 2021

Bloodbath - Grand Morbid Funeral

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death
This album has an immense energy to it, being as though a totally "morbid" album title and cover artwork. These Swedish death metallers did a great job here musically, production-wise and aura to the album. It's totally in belonging in the underground! The riffs are just amazing and the leads are phenomenal. This band I just discovered somewhat recently. They just kill from every aspect! I like the music and vocals the most. The guitars are way professional, nothing generic about them at all. The riffs are totally innovative and the energy to the album is all there! There's nothing lacking to this "funeral."

I like the fact that they choose eerie openings to songs. It's just to spook the listener out. This album seems like it'd be a sort of concept release, but I'm not entirely sure in saying that. It just seems that it ever-so fits for what they're trying to do here. The tempos to the songs vary and the music is heavy as fuck! The vocals go along well with the music. It's totally thick as shit. They sound way like a Swedish band definitely. Though a little bit different than say Dismember (split-up) or Entombed. This is more modern type of material they just want to slay you! This album captures it all, especially the guitars.

I think the mixing/production is top notch. They really do a good job weaving everything in there. This band sits among the top of the death metal genre. Their fuel for each song is invigorating. They really hit home with me! The music is entirely original and unique. Their hatred that they spew out is ever so blissful. I think this band has a lot of life left to it. And 'Grand Morbid Funeral' is one of their better releases. It's not good the ENTIRE way through, there are some things that I think that they could change about it but still I'm giving it an "A-" rating. They deserve it with all the diversity the album has to it.

I would definitely say to buy this release because of it's brutality, ingenuity, precision and talent! These guys tear it up! After repeated listens to I definitely are a milestone in the death metal arena. It deserves higher ratings for sure! I would venture to say that they will be around for a lot longer especially now is a great time to write riffs. Their songwriting capabilities is immense. Let's show the band some respect and buy their album! You can always stream it if you have Spotify, but owning the CD is probably the best choice of action. It's showing that you respect their efforts in the metal world! (Death8699)


(Peaceville Records - 2014)
Score: 79

https://www.facebook.com/bloodbathband/

giovedì 18 novembre 2021

Living Inferno - A True Believer

#PER CHI AMA: Black/Death, Unanimated, primi Entombed
Nati sul finire del 2019 (sebbene The Metal Archives riporti ufficialmente 2020), i finlandesi Living Inferno trovano il debutto in questa seconda metà del 2021 con un EP di quattro pezzi, 'A True Believer'. Il trio originario di Seinäjoki, ci offre quattro song davvero intriganti che si rifanno al death black svedese, quello di Sarcasm e Unanimated, giusto per capirsi, ma non solo, abbiate fiducia. Il tutto è immediatamente chiaro quando si aprono le selvagge melodie della title track, tanto brutale quanto melodica nella linea della sei corde, quasi a rimembrarmi i mai dimenticati tempi dei Dissection, in cui c'era sempre una splendida chitarra a guidarci nell'ascolto, quasi come Virgilio ad accompagnare Dante all'Inferno. Rispetto alla proposta dei colleghi svedesi, quella dei Living Inferno sembra apparentemente più accessibile, ma vi garantisco che troverete grondante lava proveniente dagli inferi anche nelle note davvero sublimi, epiche ed evocative di questo lavoro. Ottima la prova vocale in growl di K. Nyman, cosi come quella di ogni singolo strumentista, incluso lo stesso K. Nyman alla chitarra che duetta spaventosamente bene con J. Kormano, in un susseguirsi di fughe chitarristiche che ci conducono attraverso la cupa e controversa "Ashes in the Cosmic Wind" (forse un po' caotica a tratti ma con un assolo davvero azzeccato e con addirittura l'uso di clean vocals), la mefistofelica "The Living Inferno" con quei suoi suoni più retrò (anni '90 direi) che sembrano miscelare il devastante stile dei primi Entombed con il black ed un finale affidato a "Sodan Alttarilla", una traccia spettacolare che a tratti sembra voler evocare i Morbid Angel in una mortifera ed originale versione melo black. Raccomandatissimi. (Francesco Scarci)

lunedì 15 novembre 2021

At The Gates - The Nightmare of Being

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death Metal
A 5-piece still and I'd say a way overrated album I don't care what Decibel said about this. It has the roots in melodic death metal, but none of the riffs really struck me as awe-inspiring. They were pretty generic and a good portion of clean tone guitar-work. The vocals aren't that swift and I really think that they're not hacking it anymore. 'At War With Reality' wasn't that great either. I prefer 'Slaughter of the Soul' and they've had gaps in their remaining together or not. I think that they should just hang it up. There was nothing on here that took me aback as to saying "wow, what a milestone." Nothing of that sort.

I guess I just feel that they lack the intensity and originality of the old. Really, I though this was a mountain of poor musicianship. I'm not hearing tints of the old, I'm hearing generic of the new. They're not hacking it and I think that pretty much none of the riffs hold weight in my brain. The intensity is not there nor is the songwriting capabilities. I thought that maybe the vocals would've been good as well but they just lacked balls on the whole of this LP. I was hopeful when I bought this given that Decibel had a hold on this then looking at the scores that I madly disagreed with wholeheartedly.

The production was decent, but to a shadowing cloud of dismay and dismantling. The fire is gone, I'm not hearing it. It should be among the realm of melodic rock 'n roll. They seem to not be really metal at all, just gearing more of what Opeth did with their career. Not as bad here though but that's the direction that they seem to be. What a letdown. I wasn't overzealous when I played this in my car the whole way home. I had to put Deicide back on because At The Gates made me disturbed with their latest creation.. It is just piss-poor of a release and a disenchanting, disheartening platter of melodic crap.

Draw your own conclusion to this release. Maybe listen on Spotify or YouTube and see if this is for you. If you're thinking At The Gates of the old, think again. It's really nothing of what the critics are saying such as "best album of the year" or thereabouts. I wish I could've said nice things about the release but the music was just pitiful. If you're asking why would I think that well it lacks intensity of the old and weaves in the generic of the new. Way way overrated album it's nothing like what's been described even to the ones who think that they're giving it a chance in the metal world. Caveat Emptor! (Death8699)


(Century Media - 2021)
Score: 65

https://www.facebook.com/AtTheGatesOfficial

mercoledì 20 ottobre 2021

Foul Body Autopsy - Shadows Without Light - Part One

#PER CHI AMA: Melo Death, In Flames
Ebbene, io i Foul Body Autopsy non li conoscevo e con un moniker del genere mi sarei aspettato qualcosa vicino al brutal o al grind e invece, per mia somma gioia, scopro che la one-man-band originaria di Leicester e guidata da Tom Reynolds, è in realtà attiva dal 2010 con un blend di death e black sinfonico. Tuttavia questa release propone un melo death fresco e dirompente. Lo certifica l'opener, nonchè title track di questo 'Shadows Without Light, Pt​.​1', la prima release di una presunta trilogia. Quel che è strano è che quanto incluso in questo EP sia comunque lo stesso brano in tre versioni differenti, ma andiamo con ordine. Con la prima song ci assestiamo su dinamiche musicali vicino a quanto fatto dagli In Flames, con ritmiche veloci, molto melodiche e catchy, e voci tra l'urlato e il growl, il tutto condito da ottimi synth. Quegli stessi synth che si prendono tutta la scena nel synth remix della stessa song, in un pezzo strumentale, dai forti e accattivanti rimandi ottantiani vicini al post punk; se avete dubbi, vi confermo che la traccia ha comunque il suo perchè. La terza song è invece un hybrid remix che fondamentalmente miscela gli elementi fortemente sintetici della seconda traccia con quelli più pesanti della prima, in una riproposizione forse ancor più ruffiana che corre il solo rischio di annoiare. Da annotare che la release è uscita digitalmente ma anche su una "originalissima" USB stick da mettere nella vostra auto a tutto volume. (Francesco Scarci)