Existench/Deboned – Split (Review)

ExistenchThis is a split between two Canadian grindcore bands – Existench and Deboned.

First up we have Existench, with just under 7 minutes of intensity.

This is old-school grind that takes no prisoners and just wants to rampage. With punk intent and hardcore ferocity, Existench rage through these short songs with the assured confidence of a predator that knows its kill is near. Continue reading “Existench/Deboned – Split (Review)”

Coma Cluster Void – Mind Cemeteries (Review)

Coma Cluster VoidComa Cluster Void are a death metal band, (of sorts), and this is their debut album. They have an international lineup, with members from Canada, Germany and the US.

This album features not one, but two ex-Cryptopsy singers. You heard that right. To be fair, one of them, (Lord Worm), is only a guest vocalist on a couple of tracks, but still. The other, (Mike DiSalvo), is only one half of the vocal attack, the other half being provided by Continue reading “Coma Cluster Void – Mind Cemeteries (Review)”

Devil Gone Public – Smokehound (Review)

Devil Gone PublicThis is the debut album from US metal band Devil Gone Public.

Devil Gone Public play stoner/groove metal with a Southern flavour. Imagine a mix of Orange Goblin, Lamb of God, Red Fang, Black Tusk, Mastodon, Corrosion of Conformity and Down – this should give you a good starting point for what Devil Gone Public sound like.

The songs Continue reading “Devil Gone Public – Smokehound (Review)”

Harm – The Evil (Review)

HarmHarm are a German death metal band and this is their second album.

It’s been a few years since Harm’s 2013 debut album Cadaver Christi first landed like a high-explosive shell, and since then we’ve been hungry for more. Well, wait no longer, as Harm are back.

What I like about Harm is how Continue reading “Harm – The Evil (Review)”

Swampcult – The Festival (Review)

SwampcultSwampcult are a doom metal band from The Netherlands, this is their second album.

The Festival is a H. P. Lovecraft-themed release, completely built and fashioned around one of his stories of the same name.

This is heavily atmospheric doom metal and sees the band mixing elements of classic proto-black metal into their cauldron and Continue reading “Swampcult – The Festival (Review)”

Mares of Diomedes/Dreich – Split (Review)

Mares of Diomedes DreichThis is a split between two sludge/doom bands – Mares of Diomedes from Ireland and Dreich from Denmark.

Mares of Diomedes start us off with two songs of bastard-heavy metal, lasting 13 minutes.

This is fuzzed-up and harsh, with colossal riffs drenched in distortion being unleashed like they are going out of fashion. With Continue reading “Mares of Diomedes/Dreich – Split (Review)”

Kalloused – Damn You Believer (Review)

KallousedThis is the debut release from Kalloused, a UK blackened sludge/doom band.

Kalloused have a powerfully heavy sound that they still manage to insert nuance into when the need arises. This release features a plethora of textured riffs that manage to show a certain degree of subtlety and finesse even when they’re smashing your skull in.

The band have a black metal element Continue reading “Kalloused – Damn You Believer (Review)”

Bestial Deform – …Ad Leones (Review)

Bestial DeformThis is the fifth album from Bestial Deform, a Russian death metal band.

Bestial Deform were created in 1990, so it’s safe to say they have a lot of experience playing death metal. This is their first album since 2005 and features both new songs and older ones that have been re-recorded.

The band play a Continue reading “Bestial Deform – …Ad Leones (Review)”

Nox Formulae – The Hidden Paths to Black Ecstasy (Review)

Nox FormulaeNox Formulae are a Greek black metal band and this is their debut album.

This is ritualistic/occult black metal that combines a raw delivery with elements of the avant-garde and atmospheric.

The band take the second-wave black metal template and mutate it into something a bit more atypical. Synths and dark Continue reading “Nox Formulae – The Hidden Paths to Black Ecstasy (Review)”

Vahrzaw – Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues (Review)

VahrzawVahrzaw are an Australian black metal band and this is their second album.

This is a blisteringly aggressive strain of virulent black metal, with some elements of death metal added in for extra ferocity.

Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues is raw and brutal, full of blackened darkness and raging hatred. More than a simple one-trick pony though, Vahrzaw are talented enough to create more than just pure aggression with Continue reading “Vahrzaw – Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues (Review)”