Shodan – Protocol of Dying (Review)

ShodanThis is the début album by Shodan, a death metal band from Poland.

Shodan play modern death metal for the most part, but also incorporate a myriad of other influences and ideas into this atypical release.

The interesting thing about this band is how they develop their style for each song; it all revolves around a modern core of solid death metal, but each track uses this in its own way and incorporates different elements from Continue reading “Shodan – Protocol of Dying (Review)”

Archetype – Mission (Review)

ArchetypeThis is the debut album from Archetype, a Canadian progressive death metal band.

This is a progressive mixture of death and thrash metal that’s not short on confidence or character. Or, for that matter, a rather insane delivery style.

The songs have a decent mixture of aggressive thrash metal, (with a kind of German, Destruction/Kreator feel), and melodic death metal, (Carcass/Arsis), mixed in with more technical and progressive tendencies that see the band producing Continue reading “Archetype – Mission (Review)”

Abominant – Napalm Reign (Review)

AbominantThis is the eleventh album from these US death metal veterans.

Abominant’s last album, Onward to Annihilation, was one of the better albums of 2013, so I had high hopes for Napalm Reign. I have not been disappointed.

The band play an underground death metal style that has both thrash and black metal elements, as well as even some power metal ones. This last aspect of their sound was evident on one track on Onward to Annihilation, and although it’s still only a very small part of their sound, it’s developed a little further Continue reading “Abominant – Napalm Reign (Review)”

Oracles – Miserycorde (Review)

OraclesOracles are a metal band from Belgium, this is their debut album.

Featuring current and ex-members of Aborted, System Divide and Dimlight, as well as guests from current and ex-members of Black Dahlia Murder, Scar Symmetry, Nevermore and Arch Enemy, this is a release that’s something a little different and backed up by a wealth of experience. Continue reading “Oracles – Miserycorde (Review)”

Blood Incantation – Starspawn (Review)

Blood IncantationThis is the debut album from US death metal band Blood Incantation.

Blood Incantation play death metal with plenty of atmosphere and technical skill. This is a band who have gazed towards the night sky, saw the vast darkness, and pay homage to that empty malevolence via the medium of underground music that’s less restricted and more expansive than your average death metal band. Continue reading “Blood Incantation – Starspawn (Review)”

Warfather – The Grey Eminence (Review)

WarfatherWarfather play death metal and this is their second album.

Warfather’s debut album Orchestrating the Apocalypse was a bit hit and miss. Although it was, overall, an enjoyable affair, over time it revealed itself to be a little unfocused in places and had a rather thin production that didn’t do the music any favours.

Two years later, enter The Grey Eminence. First off, there are no problems with the production this time round. On this latest release it’s thick, chunky and muscular, just as it needs to be. Being produced by Erik Rutan, I would expect no less. Continue reading “Warfather – The Grey Eminence (Review)”

Impure Consecration – Succumb to Impurity Fire (Review)

Impure ConsecrationThis is the latest EP from this US death metal band.

Here we have a short blast of ancient, occult death metal that reeks of the old-school and decayed corpses.

With a playing time of less than 10 minutes the band waste no time in getting down to business. These songs are mouldy examples of the atavistic art of death metal, played with the fervour of fanatics and the skill of veterans. Continue reading “Impure Consecration – Succumb to Impurity Fire (Review)”

Hostis – Hostis (Review)

HostisHostis are a Serbian death/thrash metal band. This is their debut album.

Holy riff bonanza! This is thrash with a side order of death metal for good effect. Or the other way around, I suppose. Who cares when it shreds so hard that you’ll need bandages?

With a quality guitar sound, there are lots of good, energetic riffs on this release. Taking their cues from some of the old-school thrash greats, the guitars are one of the highlights of this release for me, fashioning soundscapes Continue reading “Hostis – Hostis (Review)”

Unmerciful – Ravenous Impulse (Review)

UnmercifulUnmerciful are a brutal death metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Here we have a combination of relentlessly savage death metal mixed in with some USDM influences, giving the band some groove to go along with the pounding blast beats. I hear elements of Cannibal CorpseSuffocation, Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal in their sound – all upgraded with a thoroughly modern delivery and precision of assault.

However, it’s the speed that is the real thing here. Unmerciful like to play fast, that’s for sure. The drumming is hugely Continue reading “Unmerciful – Ravenous Impulse (Review)”

Wired Anxiety – The Delerium of Negation (Review)

Wired AnxietyThis is the second EP from Wired Anxiety, an Indian death metal band.

Don’t be fooled by the rather thrash metal-esque cover; this is brutal death metal of the most devastating variety.

With crushing rhythms, martial double bass and relentless blast beats, Wired Anxiety hammer their colours to the mast and fly the flag for brutality in no uncertain terms. Continue reading “Wired Anxiety – The Delerium of Negation (Review)”