Exocrine – Maelstrom (Review)

Exocrine - MaelstromThis is the fourth album from French death metallers Exocrine.

Here we have a 42-minute blast of technical death metal. Modern in style and feel, with various progressive and melodic elements, Maelstrom makes a good impression. A very, very good impression. Repeated spins only cements this. I enjoyed 2018’s Molten Giant, but this is superior. Continue reading “Exocrine – Maelstrom (Review)”

Ulthar – Providence (Review)

Ulthar - ProvidenceUlthar are a death metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Brought to us by current and ex-members of bands such as Vale, Void Omnia, Tombs, and Vastum, (and others), there’s a wealth of experience in this band. They also have a well-regarded debut album, which I somehow overlooked. On Continue reading “Ulthar – Providence (Review)”

Xenobiotic – Mordrake (Review)

Xenobiotic - MordrakeThis is the second album from Xenobiotic, an Australian deathcore/death metal band.

2018’s Prometheus was a deathcore highlight for me, so I was looking forward to what they had in store for us next. I was not expecting just how good Mordrake is though. The band have progressed, and progressed well. Continue reading “Xenobiotic – Mordrake (Review)”

Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)

Atavisma Void Rot - SplitAtavisma and Void Rot are both death/doom bands, the former from France and the latter from the US.

I do so enjoy a good split, and this is exactly one such release. We start off with Atavisma, who offer 3 tracks lasting 15 minutes. Continue reading “Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)”

Blood Incantation – Hidden History of the Human Race (Review)

Blood Incantation - Hidden History of the Human RaceThis is the second album from US death metal band Blood Incantation.

2016’s Starspawn was a very notable album, making it onto my end of year list for that year too. As such, there’s been plenty of excitement and expectation for Hidden History of the Human Race. Despite only having four tracks, this new release has not disappointed at all. Continue reading “Blood Incantation – Hidden History of the Human Race (Review)”

Orthodoxy – Novus Lux Dominus (Review)

Orthodoxy - Novus Lux DominusThis is the debut album from Spanish death metallers Orthodoxy.

On their first record Orthodoxy deliver 43 minutes of death metal that’s dark and malevolent. Taking influence from old-school death metal acts, (such as Incantation and Immolation, but without being limited to these), Novus Lux Dominus is a satisfying example of an album that’s both crushingly heavy and atmospherically malignant. Continue reading “Orthodoxy – Novus Lux Dominus (Review)”

Victims of Contagion – Lamentations of the Flesh Bound (Review)

Victims of Contagion - Lamentations of the Flesh BoundVictims of Contagion are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Victims of Contagion play death metal that mixes brutality with technicality, resulting in songs that aren’t overly technical just for the sake of it. Instead, the technicality is used to forge tracks that place the song at the heart of what the band do. Continue reading “Victims of Contagion – Lamentations of the Flesh Bound (Review)”

Humanity’s Last Breath – Abyssal (Review)

Humanity's Last Breath - AbyssalThis is the third album from Swedish death metallers Humanity’s Last Breath.

Well, Abyssal is not what I expected. Although I’d heard of Humanity’s Last Breath prior to listening to this album, for some reason I had it in my head that they were a metalcore band. No idea why. I’m also very, very wrong. What we have here is some individually-played death metal; it seems that Humanity’s Last Breath have carved out their own niche in the crowded death metal landscape, and then filled it with mechanised horror. Continue reading “Humanity’s Last Breath – Abyssal (Review)”