reviews may 2016

EROTIC DEVIL WORSHIP: ‘MONDO GOAT’-CD 2014-PERU-11 TRACKS:

When I got this band, the simple cover art did not mean enough for me, in what I’d find behind this release. It’s a mix of sounds that took to my mind several styles of music, not precisely metal. Perhaps cause this band achieves to mix punk, black, death, heavy or techno wave; as in SOME CALL IT STALKING, SOME CALL IT CARING (DIARY OF A PSYCHO GIRL), which takes the style of this music in the keyboards, turning this CD in the most variable that I have heard. First songs, as ABSURD SELF SATISFACTION and THE QUEEN OF WEIRD are simple black/punk n roll, in simple style but underground sound. THE GOAT MADE ME DO IT is an hybrid of classic punk with underground metal from 80s, without defined genre, which includes an interesting guitar solo, which gives more complexity to the song. The music in its metal parts has simple riffs, with a primal 80s sound, sometimes with a HELLHAMMER touches, other times as PARABELLUM/BLASFEMIA, with simple arrangements, but easy to follow. It includes mid tempo parts, with vocals sometimes punk, beside simple rhythms, that made this release a cocktail of punk/metal and rock n roll. Interesting work……………………………………………………………………………………………………………6.3/10

ANAL VOMIT: ‘PESTE NEGRA, MUERTE NEGRA’-PERU-CD 2015-9 TRACKS:

Latest work of these freakish monsters of the peruvian hell. A great develop in production and recording, it was made in ARGENTINA in a good reputed recording study and the band has gained by far to his last production THE GATHERING PUTRID DEMONS. From his album DEPRAVATION and DEMONIAC FLAGELATIONS that I do not have a caught my attention, I do not want to say that others previous released has had low points only what I heard and felt something less care. Now this work gave a tall and power of their first albums. Musically I see a band with more mature, but have been approached quite to the sound of SARCOFAGO and KRISIUN when the tracks are sung in ENGLISH, the parts in blast beats and extreme power of the insane drummer is in the line of early KRISIUN. The riffs maintain the same fidelity that previous works, giving a turn beyond in riff work and extreme solo´s that at time are too much in the same track. All tracks there surely get caught you and demolish your brain with too breaks and stops. An album of the beginning to end has been managed between in the best of Brazilian sound added to the best of the dirty street and rotten Lima sound, it giving a work that not only the South American bangers eaten but is more intended for the European and North American market. Without equivocation this band is the next to leave our borders from Perú and South America and they’ll be out to Europe soon….great work…….8/10

NECROPHOBIC : ‘WOMB OF LILITHU’-SWE-CD 2014-14 TRACKS.-

What can be said about this marvelous Swedish band of death/black metal that were not said before and with thousand of reviews around the world in the most reputed magazines, web sites , blogs and zines , were written. So far throughout his long career and many albums that I think it's perfect in my humble opinion by joining to the most dark path of the Black/death metal music with riffs that evoke to the most sinister of the underground world. This work have the precise speed in each rhythm change reaching almost to ectasy more deepest in tracks such as BLACK NIGHT RAVEN, it has everything that you needs, all in one Black and death metal. No doubt, it is the trademark of this album. The tracks goes from the classic sound of the beginning of the band to the latest album with high doses of instrumental parts when the tracks starts, full of arpeggios, classical parts and the speed of Swedish death metal. A masterpiece where you would hear an album that left me perplexed everyone who hears it. Before I write the present review I was reading some articles from others who made reviews of this killer album, and many do not get as stressed because I do not care, at last everyone has your own tastes and for me it is a masterpiece that all death/black metal lovers should have in their collection. WOMB OF LILITHU starts this wonderful album with an intro of the same tittle followed by morbid and heavy riffs of SPLENDOUR NIGRI SOLIS, a classical Swedish sound that managed both times, with great guitar solo´s at the middle of track something typical of them. Simple and include very hard sounds. ASTAROTH a faster track I would to say perfect, a perfect track to do a stage diving,  its showing a lot of potential of these demons, it catches with a mixture between NIFELHEIM and NECROPHOBIC, you can imagine what bet on this album. FURFUR the most classical track with the own  sound of NECROPHOBIC, it includes also some rhythms a la DARKTHRONE in their side punk, of simples riffs, raw and heavy, a masterpiece that gives to understand that not only most elaborate music is which has more success but which takes you to explore beyond the usual, traveling beyond the real, what incorporates fantasies, the art means that´s all, and So should understand this album. THE NECROMANCER and MARQUIS PHENEX are the most classic Scandinavian sound with a lot of BATHORY and SATYRICON in riffs and breaks, it just to make it a similar like above mentioned bands but They do not need to copy anyone, is only a parallelism between great bands. All tracks are originals, are worked based on NECROPHOBIC sound wit touches what they usually are listening. Follow all other tracks is to extend a comment that if so it is written up more than clear that is for my own point of view..…………………………………………………………….9.2/10

ARCANUM SANCTUM: ‘VERITAS ODIUM PARIT’-RUSSIA- CD 2012-8 TRACKS-

Stuff released a few years of very good death metal coming from Russia. which has accustomed us to send bands FOLK, extreme death metal or black metal, but now introduces this band of melodic Death Metal that combines the beauty of rhythms well executed , harmonious riffs, fast and a very good knowledge of the scales to make some very good guitar solo's that blend perfectly with the style they have, in turn accompanied by some keyboard sounds. The drummer does a decent job accompanied at all times without error to this style that is obviously not as complex drum parts, leading the melodic rhythms with high efficiency and fast parts alike. All tracks are if they came in solid package, they have the same housing, very good performances with a structure of tracks which combine speed, riffs and harmonic rhythms, sometimes extreme, and the vocals parts fitting to wonder at the tracks which it is very common in the bands of this style that started AMORPHIS, and that many have followed, which say just to name one of the creators of this sound, but this band is a little farther to looks like them. This work is made for a relaxing time for background music in a conversation. The musicians are good and the music too………………………………………………………………..7/10

PROFANER: ‘ULTRATUMBA-PERU- EP 2014- 3 TRACKS.-

For a long time ago this band breaks my brain, after DEATH INVOKER for me was the best in death metal appeared in PERU few years ago, it makes this band showed me this at the height of great hordes of true DEATH METAL 80's . And along with DEATH INVOKER they are now the masters of this style in Peru. (Take care- I did not leave aside MORTEM, They are the parents of that style in PERU). PROFANER follows the guidelines of the true DEATH METAL uneventfully, No fresh sounds, just old school morbid and insane. ULTRATUMBA is undoubtedly an excellent work, from the beginning til end, influenced by INCANTATION / AUTOPSY / SADISTIC INTENT / MORTEM and former SEPULTURA of BESTIAL DEVASTATION and MORBID VISIONS, from beginning to end shows the maturity of a band that embodied in their sound the years to hear the true school of death metal, leaving those who hear one pleasing flavor that work is well done, as it should make no mistakes, perhaps the only thing you could question is to improve the quality of recording, but for my taste it sounds better is real DEATH METAL………………………….7.8/10

HEIA: ‘RITOS NOTURNOS’-BRA-CD 2014- 9 TRACKS.-     

This horde I´ve heard a few years ago on a trip to Brazil I did back in 2008 and I had good times with his first work entitled MAGIA NEGRA have passed 9 years of this released and certainly not passed in vain. The band has mature in sound, musical quality, I notice that musicians are coupled, they have a single idea to carry the flag of their sound and elevate it to a higher level. The music has not changed much in concept BLACK METAL what has been added is the spirit and quality in creating tracks with more rhythm changes, more variety, sometimes they ´re mixing DEATH METAL , something like BEHEMOTH that mixes both proposals . SOMBRAS DA IMENSIDAO is the opus that opens this good work of these evil entities, with a wild rhythms of heavy drum beats and fast riffs, one track well conceived with rhythm breaks in halftime. MALDADE E SUA IMPONENTE PRESENCA follows the same way, is speed as the previous track, leaving us waiting for more. ONDE AS TREVAS PREDOMINAM next track, is a good work riffs with breaks a la SATYRICON. ELIZABETH BATHORY is a cover track, very well done work from TORMENTOR, is a classic black metal. NEGRO PANDEMONIUM DE ALMAS INFERNAIS, FACE DO MAU are tracks with great atmosphere DEATH / BLACK METAL. It's like there's a side A and a side B on the album. A piece more black metal and death metal another part both combinations make this work a takeoff on his career, making clear that the following albums will be better, but before leaving this your signal in the Brazilian scene……………………………………………………………….7/10

TOTAL DESASTRE: ‘INFERNAL METAL ATAQUE’-BRA-CD-R PRO 2013- 8 TRACKS.-

TOTAL DESASTRE is a band that comes from the Brasilian hell city, as they are calling to CUIABA city. This band is a mixture of both genres, so like HARDCORE PUNK and METAL, rooted in the current protest, anarchism and infernal chaos. Sometimes are sounded THRASH METAL, others HARDCORE and more SPEED/THRASH with raw and evil vocal parts, and powerful drum beats of CACHORRAO (drummer), beating in just time of each rhythm change, going of fast time passed to mid pace and syncopated times, accompanied with Charles and the common drum beats of HARDCORE punk music. The sound of this work is very good to be released on CD-r pro and you can notice the perfect communion between HARDCORE and METAL a joined very strongly in tracks like EXTREMO CAOS, VINGANCA, GUERREIROS DEMONIACOS, where the high points are the powerful voice of GISLENE who does not know her name nor its genre not know who is a woman, her voice is heartbreaking and infernal. They are leaving up to CUIABA name into the South American scene. Good work…………………………………………………….6.7/10

RIGOR MORTIS: ‘HABEMUS DIABOLOS’ –CD 2014- 10 TRACKS-ARG:

Second album of these ARGENTINAN freakies released after BIENVENIDAS A LA CEREMONIA álbum that signed the debut work, more focused to Death/thrash metal and this is not far removed from debut album in the way. Where it departs is in quality, now the band greatly improved, adding more powerful sound and better recording quality that is by far better than previous work. The tracks are more developed with quality of improvements, more complex riffs and better rhythm changes, it goes from extreme Death metal to thrash guitar riffs, take a look its only happened in the mid tempo parts. The vocals parts are continuing in the extreme growl vocals. HABEMUS DIABOLOS is an album very closer to the extreme Death metal a la CANNIBAL CORSE albums, it could be in their more extreme parts and their more creative parts a la BELPHEGOR, In the form build their rhythms and changes of style that mixes, the brutality of extreme Death metal with the strength and speed of THRASH metal. No doubt is an album that combines both ways in the best form, launched to this work to be remembered as the best album of the band. 10 tracks of extreme DEATH METAL with good thrash rhythm changes ranging from the most brutal and fast side to mid paced, with excellent tracks as HABEMUS DIABOLOS bring lots of CANNIBAL CORPSE/BELPHEGOR. Another great track is DENTRO DEL CEMENTERIO in their more side a la BELPHEGOR/INCANTATION with a beginning purely Thrash metal, with grunts and guttural vocals, all of that makes an interesting work. Is not excellent but it have much power that it leave heard almost perfectly. The album is sung in Spanish and it even more interesting album…………………………………………………………..6.7/10

SMIRKING REVENGE: ‘MIND UPLOADING’-6 TRACKS-EP DEMO 2014- CANADA:

An album full of morbidity and obscurantism reaching to be total black metal, is rather a DEATH/BLACK METAL mid paced and extremely heavy, it includes slow and morbid parts, with rhythms sometimes that brings me memories to the industrial black metal bands like KHOLD. The interesting thing about this work is when this running in your CD player, Usb player or wherever to have this work, and did not see the booklet you wouldn´t know that is strictly a band leadership by females, who having a strongly union have achieved an interesting album where is heard. From the vocals parts that combines very well with the low tunes and the guttural typical slanted black metal. A mixture explosive in union with mid tempo, down tempo, and morbid riffs are making of this work a delicacy of easy digestion for addicts of new sounds and extremely heaviness. The band has managed to capture in essence a complete and uniform album, where tracks are conceived in the same way as a sequence, not very different one from other. They have applied very well their influences, principally from the North American black/Death metal and their own country, in this case CANADA. This enjoyable album is not memorable but not for less leave to be an interesting album for those bangers that like slow/mid/heavy/black metal sounds………………………………………………………………………………………..7/10

VIOLENT REVOLUTION: ‘DEMO 2015’-USA-4 TRACKS:

I was expecting for a while thrash metal bands based on the eighties roots, truly bands with high eighties spirit not merely carbon copies or clone bands of the eighties and I can say it at last I found it. VIOLENT REVOLUTION was born from the ashes of bands like AGENT STEEL and DÉTENTE with these roots you can imagine the high class of musicians in the band. They plays a mid paced THRASH true metal (I put emphasis in ‘True’ take note about it) that made in the golden years of the Eighties. Based on short riffs with vocals a la INSECTICIDE, M.O.D and some memories of S.O.D and DETENTE, with good rhythm changes , sometimes technically very developed to be a CROSSOVER band, others are focused into the true thrash way that they know how play it , There is no way to find anything news in the air. Tracks like FINAL VOW includes riffs a la S.O.D and vocals parts a la AT WAR/INSECTICIDE that brings me great memories from the past to my mind, back in 1987 when I devoured all the Crossover even Thrash too. SUDDEN DEATH is more power/thrash metal in the old way, How should never cease to be. This band is next to record their first album and it is a fact that will be great success. The formula of success it have them already lived it at time, They have had good times with their previous bands and know the music market. This demo is the best card of introduction that any band could have. Excellent work……………………………………….…….7.8/10

FERETRUM: ‘ERA DEL HORROR’-CD-R-4 TRACKS-PERU 2016.-

Fuck!!! Some time ago that a demo will not let me with this taste in the mouth then listen to them again and again. This band hit me in the balls!!! I don´t know specifically if they are playing  DEATH metal or THRASH metal, this can be named only technical DEATH/THRASH metal with some vocals that from long time not listening since of 80’s golden years. A good south american sound, singing in Spanish in guttural way without come to extreme indeed. Where perfectly you can understand it all the sense of the lyrics, the guitar riffs are great with drum beats so speed that knows how get to the limit in rhythms. The guitars solo´s are executed in solid and masterful form. Sometimes it suggest that the band has two guitarist but the band has only one guitarist, great!!!No doubt it is a devastating demo of this new Peruvian horde that makes will grow up to the scene band. It is a pleasure to hear this kind of lethal Death/Thrash metal. Four tracks without any doubt you will return to the 80's years..............................8.4/10

ABERRANTE-  CONTROL NATAL POR TOXICOS-DEMO 2-2014-PANAMA.- 

This band was born under the unión of the most great icons still actives of the metal from PANAMA, formed by band members of bands such as EQUINOXIO, CHRIS SNACKS and  ENSLAVER (One of the pioneers and most bigger bands from PANAMA). What did join to them? I Think it was passion by metal and what better than playing basic DEATH METAL, based on old essence when it joined to the creepy DEATH METAL riffs with GORE/GRIND, a la NECROPHAGIA/REPULSION/CARCASS. This is a marvellous old school well played death metal yet being a new band it kept all basic elements of these bands that they listening when were youngers. The tracks are sounding at time raw and evilness, dirty and crude, the composing was done thinking in the most minimalist thing, sounding crude, morbid in each riffs, giving a sensation of back to the oldiest 80’s years. The drum beats are powerful and keeping a mid tempo with fast times according with any rhythm changes. Everything in this demo is enjoyable to whose that like this kind of stuff and enjoy to listen up true morbid and rotten death metal…………good stuff…………………………….7.5/10

SUCCUBUS: ‘ECLIPSE OF SUBTERRA’-CD 2010-GERMANY-11 TRACKS:

German band of the new wave of death/black metal, where are mixing guttural vocals with black metal tunes and vocals, adding the technique and variety from both schools enrichment the music, it have often rhythm changes and a sound compelling but rather commercial for my taste.The music is an ode to the good work, dominated by good quality riffs with great develop of the musicians that goes in perfectly communion in guitars with the drums and bass guitars workers. The harmonies are very good builds, a mixture of sounds of bands such as: AMORPHIS/HYPOCRISY/DIMMU BORGIR, that including a new offer of DEATH/BLACK metal makes something hard to forget it to all listeners of harmonious of both ways, which makes this work rather hard to forget for those who like the sound more offering new death/black metal harmonious of both styles. The album contains 11 tracks of the same way, where the most appreciate is the good recording sound and musical quality, with mixtures of death/black metal all in one package, (it made to attract followers). If you like the style of these bands this work without fear of wrong is for you……………………………………………..7.5/10

MALEFICENT: ‘DEMO 2013’-CD R-CHILE-4 TRACKS+BONUS VIDEO:

Basic black metal easy to play and easy to hear it, with a simple sound, very primitive and where vocals parts are recorded above of the guitars sound. The principal value could be that is sung in Spanish, this work leaves on the air of being one of the few Chilean bands with true South American spirit, because most of his bands have great technique, sounding great but missing South American spirit. This band with this technical limitations have that spirit that we needed. The music is black Nordic metal in essence, a way of sounding riffs in the work of tracks creation with a bit of technical limitation that makes up for all that with the spirit, and vocal strength. The tracks have a few changes of rhythms without much power sometimes mid tempo, sometimes fast but very simple. A band with much courage but of low quality, the important thing is the effort that put them. The CD comes with a video that does not leave much to do, since the quality is very low and the worst sound. …. Improve a decent work with good intentions for the following stuff surely it would be better..........................................................................................5.5/10

TEMPLE OF KHATARSIS: ‘ALTAR OF DEATH’-GREECE-4 TRACKS- DIGITAL AUDIO-2016.-

This is a band always will be welcome in the HEADBANGER pages not only for their music way that I enjoy it so much, also by the high quality of their works, where each track comes developed in the Greek black metal vein that inspire often bands around the world and lovers of this genre. This work leaves us wanting to follow and continuing one more time and more. Four tracks all developed in the same way, faster in guitar riffs that transport us to the first works of THOU ART LORD with mid tempo changes where the vocalist is brilliant and the guitar works are so good too. The classical rhythms of Greek battles in honour and blood leaving everything in the battlefield are there, incrust in their sound in each track. Fuck, it is great!!! The incessant melodies  like knives nailed nonstop in your head, destroying every neuron in your brain. Melodies of death showing the eternal glory of their past, it´s was done of typical glories bands such as THOUR ART LORD, VARATHRON and the same NECROMANTIA too. A total luxury to have this masterpiece on hands but is so sadness when this come in digital format and it lack that piece of emotional part of opening packages and have in your hands a physical piece of art. I think that this work deserves the best format such as can be vinyl format. No doubt a work rather than sensational, it seems very short with only 4 tracks that define per only fierceness, potential and it leave you with the honey on the lips for more and more!!!. I ‘m almost sure that Greek gods are applauding to those greek demons to show us once again that Black metal greek is in another level to my own taste after Brazilians, it’s the best sound in rhythms, melodies, structure and complexity of the tracks. Cult masterpiece!!! My favorite tracks are: A FOREST OF MYSTERIES and THE SNAKE OF CHAOS. I guess anyone truly. Wonderful stuff…………………………………………………………………………………8.7/10

GOATTHROAT: ‘RITES OF BLASPHEMY’-CD 2015-GERMANY-10 TRACKS:

The band plays a cruel Black metal of high intensity, of faster rhythms and heartbreaking vocals inspired by FINNISH black metal from the beginning of the 90’s years, I´m speaking about of these bands that wrote the best chapters of The FINNISH scene such as: BEHERIT/IMPALED NAZARENE that mixed with one of the best acts from South America like GOATPENIS are making of this stuff something special. All that adding melodies a bit strange a la KING DIAMOND in keyboards parts, how is the first track that opens this work titled EVOKATION, and give a way to sound beastly, evoking to the oldiest FINNISH black metal sound and mixing with the most morbid side of German death metal. Mainly the band has a primitive sound, easy rhythms to play and nothing memorable only strength and power. Something to rescue of this work maybe it would be the sincerity of the musicians to provide up to where knowledge arrives with great quality and accuracy of easy rhythms to offer us the best of simplicity……………………………………………………………………..…7/10

SOLEMNE MORTIS: ‘SOLEMNE MORTIS’-CD 10 TRACKS-COLOMBIA:

the band looks like to offered by AVZHIA from MEXICO, they are playing the same black metal way, led by harmonics in the choirds, mid tempo melodies overload shared with fast parts, without arriving to be ultra fast, the harsh vocals parts are sung in high intensity, the music is developed over a solid bases, full of melodies including a lot of technique. The tracks are written all in the same way, because all of them have the same technique, something predictable but it turning to trademark of the band. Also you can hearing in some tracks based upon the NORDIC BLACK METAL, specially in the music of WATAIN demons, making of this work one of the best I’ve heard in the present year and it came out from COLOMBIA. Great success of the TRIBULACION RECORDS to released and put it in stock to this enjoyable stuff of intense , bestial and harmonious black metal. The best tracks is THE EVE both by speed and intensity that made me reminds me to the WATAIN. Awesome album……………………………………..7.5/10 

DEATHKULT: ‘BEYOND THE FLESH’-CD 2014-COLOMBIA-10 TRACKS:

Fuck!! Damn it!! It’s only extreme DEATH METAL motherfuckers. It brings me to my memories some passages of others bands that to my own taste could be named like cult bands as MORGOTH and BRUTAL TRUTH maybe CARCASS too. It has all the potential of these above mentioned bands and it’s a great success of TRIBULACION record label in put attention in this band that I haven´t doubt will become one of the best acts from South American DEATH METAL pillars sonly. This band has everything that you ´re looking for in a death metal band, based on old glories of extreme death metal, of intense and unstopping riffs, sometimes it turns to heavy metal, some morbid , other extremely gore but all carried out with hardest and cleaning, an exquisite technique at the moment to join the guitar solo´s and drum parts. Simple extreme DEATH METAL it will eat your brain. Great stuff ………………………………………………………………………………………...8/10

HATERAIN: ‘FIRE AT WILL’-CD 2013- 9 TRACKS-GREECE:

I´ve got this album by exchange, it happened because I´m fan of the GREEK sound and I supposed it would be a mix of BLACK/DEATH metal even THRASH metal to the old sound of Greek beasts as FLAMES, but only was a dream I do not to say I´m disappointed because is not true. The band are excellent musicians, they have high grade of professionalism, very competent band speaking about musical quality of rhythms that have put in each track it includes also to guitar riffs that reminds me a little to DEATH COURIER, mixed with some HEAVY metal touches as WHERE I DREAM  track, it have something like SPEED and FRENCH heavy metal, getting back to the 80’s years through some passages of NWOBHM. Other tracks are going more to the GREEK sound of the above mentioned bands, others have a good develop in their instrumental parts with a lot of good development of musicians, where they offer us their qualities in all tracks. I still  can’t define the style truly, Where they want to go or to be, because it is a mixture of several ways. Truly they are good musicians and if you are a lover of HEAVY/SPEED with some of Greek touches of early 90’s years, this work is definitely for you, as it is for me too (hehheh-ed). There is no tired to hear it and it keeps the spirit by whole album………………………………………7.2/10

CREPUSCULO DOS IDOLOS: ‘TOTH’-BRASIL-CD 2010-8 TRACKS:

This released is something older not for that leaves to be interesting and deserves all attention by those addicted by the black metal. The band brings me some memories to the first albums of LUXURIA DE LILITH, another band came out from BRASIL. Where to prioritize works loaded of gloomy melodies, full of synths and guitars working so hard, with mid tempo rhythms that turns fast when needs, of candence rhythms and sharp harmonies of high energy, it contains extreme sounds of deep darkness. Sometimes are sounding a la LUXURIA DE LILITH mixed with DIMMU BORGIR of the first albums. Musically it could be named as BLACK METAL OPERA obviously only speaking on the musical side. The guitar player has done a great work in the concept and structure of the tracks that together with an excellent keyboards have created tracks such as: MAGO, VOLUPIA, AEON among others that it make of this CD a little masterpiece of symphonic Black metal. Its ideal for lovers of this kind of style and they´re strongly urged to get it now. Sincerely I hear it many times and I´m not tired. Great stuff……………………8/10

TROLLFASTHEART: ‘ WHAT? I AN OLD POT FOR ALL’-CD-SPAIN-8 TRACKS-2014:

Very interesting proposal of this entity of evil called KADGAR, where he evokes to the most pure spirit of BLACK/PUNK metal in their music. Sometimes also is combining with simple ROCK’N ROLL, others are joined with simples PUNK rhythms including black metal vocals, other are simple Black metal with vocals in dark/Black metal way, other a mixture of both and just that it makes so interesting. Usually bands like that have a low musical level but it’s something different, I think that it is the proposal of KADGAR make a decent work, principally speaking over the tracks structures and concept, worked thinking about catching many listeners of different genres and offers tracks rich in rhythms and sounds, something unusual in the mainly of Black metal bands. A work that deserves to have the ears clean to listen at up volume this good proposal…………………………………………………………….7.2/10

ICEPRESSIVE: ‘HIDDEN’-CD-R DIGIPACK 2012-

Fast black metal based on the NORWEGIAN sound, very influenced by MAYHEM. Specially in the fast parts. Technically sounds very profesional with excellent rhythm changes, is not original but it have a good level. The vocalist is inspired by ATTILA, in order everything in this work is inspired under the shadow of MAYHEM. At twice is modern maybe is by fact to give anything innovation. The tracks have their doses of speed, breaks, only a few guitar solo´s are there and have a decent drum work too. From the beginning to finnish can you listen up without stopping, runs simple and is a quite digestible, unoriginal stuff but is a good work at least. Musically at time it comes to saturate in the vocal parts but the whole album goes well. The production is very good in digipack version, with a good booklet , despite that is a CD-R sikscreen version. Good recording sound and musically is ok………………………………………………………………………………………7/10

reviews NOVEMBER 2015

YETNA APMASKEMA: ‘ANCESTRAL MANIFEST OF EVIL POISON’-CD 2013-PARAGUAY-8 TRACKS.-

As usual from the previous releases, the band takes us to the most morbid corners of the human mind. Tracks are worked mainly as the classic rhythms of death metal, combining perfectly with black metal topics, without losing the death metal borders. Structures did not change from their main band MASTER OF CRUELTY. It is so similar because the main composer and vocals is the same. So the similarity is big. However, the minimal difference makes this work 100% to devour. I ask myself if everything is already created and I think yes. The band is similar to SADISTIC INTENT, MORTEM, ATOMIC AGGRESSOR, with unique touches that turns it into one of the best PARAGUAYAN DEATH METAL. YETNA APMASKEMA honors death metal. It’s a poem for hell. Each song is an opus for the unknown and morbid. It has everything: morbid and fast riffs, brutal solos, growl vocals; but the most important is that it keeps the true magic of the beginning of 80s death metal. It’s death metal with occultist and satanic topics. An album that is great if we realize it is the album debut. Magnificent from the beginning to the end………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7.8/10

IMPURITY: ‘BONFIM MORITURI MORTIVIS’-CD 2012- 10 TRACKS.-

Who does not know these diabolic entities, which have been destroying the minds of maniacs of obscure primal Brazilian black metal? It has a sound clearly influenced by old glories from Brazil, HOLOCAUSTO/SARCOFAGO/INSULTER, mixed with the ROSS BAY cult BLASPHEMY, CORPSE MOLESTATION and the first releases of BEHERIT and IMPALED NAZARENE. This CD takes back the noise that evokes total destruction of mankind and Christian scum. This band is been in battle for more than 25 years, spreading black pest with excellent albums as LAMBS OF FURY or INTO THE RITUAL CHAMBER, true masterpieces of South American Black Metal. Maybe this band already has the WAR/BLACK Metal sound, before BLASPHEMY released its first demo. Since the beginning, this release takes you to raw and fast War Metal, with few riffs but fast between CORPSE MOLESTATION/BLASPHEMY and obviously the trademark of the band with cuts and serpent rough vocals that vomit the hymns for Satan. Second song, “SABAT” is without doubt a masterpiece of Brazilian sound. It has a beginning that reminds HOLOCAUSTO. It’s a heavy song, mid tempo, much doom; with few riffs. It has the atmosphere that is gonna take you back to the 80s, the beginning of Brazilian scene. It’s among the best. REIGN OF DEATH, CRUELTY IN THE REIGN OF GOD follows the patterns of the first song. Fat with few rhythm changes, extreme violence in the style of IMPURITY (first releases)/BLASPHEMY with stops and atmosphere. NO FUCKING RESURRECTION is a simple song with rhythms more in hardcore style. Maybe it reminds IMPALED NAZARENE from the first LP. THE EXCOMMUNICATION takes to the mind SARCOFAGO/CELTIC FROST in heavy and change rhythms from both bands. It is a gem if you like to evoke ancient glories. This band has not lost the sound that made them to be cult. They hold high the flame of Black Metal. This is not the best album of the band, but takes the exact dose of energy, extreme dose of brutality that anybody needs. It’s an explosion of pure South American noise inspired in elder glories. A CD made art, in design, cover, production and music; which is the important thing. It’s a cult that should not leave its status. Good work……………………………………………………………………….7.7./10

IMPALEMENT : ‘CEREMONIAL TORMENT’-PERU- CD 2014-16 TRACKS.-

For those that are in PERU, this band is symbol of being the unique band, playing death metal in European style that has existed here in this country. For those who did not hear to it, it is a mixture of NIHILIST, TRIBULATION, MACRODEX and late 80s bands and early 90s bands; exclusively European in its noise. To be honest, this band is synonym of quality, extremism, pure old school death metal, with guitars not with too much quality, but powerful. The riffs are among those that made us to feel passion, those played by the Swedish; they are obvious in each song. They bet in all their releases to give us that feeling that only true death metal hordes can play; without trends or freshness. CD is well produced. It includes different eras from this band, since demos, to 2 live songs never released before. It is a whiplash in the head of every lover of death metal. It has 16 songs of hate, darkness, morbidity and quality band that know how to execute the instruments in the most proper ways. Drums are usual on this death metal with mid speed tempos, growls vocals, hard passages; where morbid rhythms increases and simplicity of solos gave priority to melody than virtuosity of a solo. Anyway, it is a great work from a good band, which is in on hold, but not dead, because any time they join, they go up the stage. Get this Cd if possible, you won’t be disappointed………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7.6/10

TUNJUM: ‘SAGRADO TIEMPO DE CAOS’- PERU-CD 2014- 5 TRACKS.-

Each day I realize more women involved in the underground Metal and this is something excellent when they play music, edit zines and produce shows. It is the case of TUNJUM, a band led by CLARA, who also makes an excellent zine, which shows their thoughts and what to be a women means, inside a musical style filled with men. So, her idea is closer to bands like MYTHIC; without doubt her maximum inspiration. I think this band changed the world for CLARA. In each song is clear the extreme influence of this great North American band. The difference is about the topics. It is influenced from the bloody Peruvian culture, los MOCHES. It turns the music something like death/pagan metal, with simple mid tempo rhythms, even close to doom, using growls like MYTHIC. This release is an EP that from the beginning to the end goes across the death metal path. A true death metal, without innovations or modern sounds just pure noise from 90s. It is clean with heavy and simple rhythms, with rawness that take us to the essence of death metal, as it born and should kept. Here is no extreme brutality, no fastness; that is another style which in my opinion, death metal as I knew it, does not exist. This release is the revelation of Peruvian death metal. Not because it is made by women, with the support of AEX from GRAVE DESECRATION. The conception and topics, songs construction, are strictly born in the head of this great female banger. Attention!  I don’t search for virtuosity when I hear a new material. I want a release to make me get vibration, to make me to put once and again and feel all the force of the music. Without energy there is nothing. But this release leaves this energy want. Just the bad side, the release is too shot in my opinion. I would like to get more, even with some more songs it could have be a full length. The good side is the revelation of a good band that follows the basic concepts of DEATH METAL, raw, heavy and dark. It’s a great debut. …………………………………………………………………………………….7.5/10

CASTIFAS : ‘BLOODLUST AND HATE’-BRA-CD 2015- 8 TRACKS.-

I heard previously a release of this band, “JOURNEY THROUGH THE DARKNESS PATH’ CD”, a couple of years ago. It was a release from 6 years before and did not get me at all, because their simplicity and low quality of the recording. Usually, Black Metal bands need to add some new sound to get my attention and this time it has done it. BLOODLUST AND HATE is an album that keeps tradition about structures and creativity in their songs, and this time improved a lot the quality of recording. At the time to play riffs are slower in comparison to the previous releases, where they sounded like a band desperate to play fast, instead the complexity of the same riffs and loosing quality in execution. This time, the band added this complexity that any Black Metal band wants and has added a kind of Brazilian style, which is trademark in the Brazilian and South American Black Metal bands. The band delayed so much to release an album, almost 16 years later, and this one is 22 years since the beginning. The band changed a lot. Now is more focused in the quality that it offers for the audience. Each song has force, different rhythms from heavy to faster, without being extreme. Beside the various rhythms, it has double pedal in drums, which fits well with the shredder vocals. It is a devastator release for anyone that can hear it. 8 songs in the same style, everything worked in sequence, mid tempo and fast parts with whiplashing riffs and rhythms changes. Good songs with 5 minutes in average; more than the usual current Black Metal bands. Tracks as ´BLOOD LUST AND HATE’, ‘A WORLD OF BONES´, ´KINGDOM OF SATAN’, are among my favorites and they shows that sometimes taking a time between albums give good results. It is a good album that deserves the attention of black metallers from the world………………………………………………………… 7/10.

ANTHARES : ‘ O CAOS DA RAZAO’-BRA-CD 2015- 10 TRACKS.-

For me it’s an honor and pleasure to review this CD because ANTHARES was the first Brazilian band that I contacted in 1986. Back then, they were recording NO LIMITE DA FORCA album; an icon in South American power/thrash. 30 years later they have returned with this new album, almost without changing the essence that made them known. They did not decided to play a fresh Thrash Metal, but to play the basic and traditional Thrash Metal from 80s, not copying this, but playing with true feeling and essence. Maybe it is because the age of the members that they have made a not plastic album. Nothing copying 80s bands, because they are from the 80s and the old spirit still lives here. Each song has those blaster riffs, fast and furious, with high solos in guitars with precision, which I think are the best on this work. Guitars are well worked. In structure, the songs has from fast to mid tempo rhythms, something common in thrash bands, where the basic change is to have added a bit more thrash sound that in 80s. It is the only change. Even if vocals are sung by another vocalist, they keep the style of singing a Thrash Metal in Portuguese, their original language, which gives the sensation to back to the past. This album is a mixture between ANTHARES (old) and RATOS DE PORAO/ “Aracnofobia”. In my opinion an album that takes them back in the way of the great bands. O CAOS DA RAZAO is an album that you will eat since the beginning to the end, because it does not tires you. It keeps the level, adrenaline flows from song to song. It is a great work that hopefully will keep them in the scene for too much time long. …………………8/10

MIASTHENIA: ‘LEGADOS DO INFRAMUNDO-CD 2014-9 TRACKS-BRASIL.-

This album was long waited and finally arrived to my hands, to give thanks to all that I like to listen and knowing about a band that makes clever lyrics, with much knowledge about our ancient and primal cultures, those that are combined with beautiful passages of total PAGAN and mystic music of rituals and ancient dance. This entire put in music of technical skills, rich rhythms, mixed with keyboards well used, giving a gloomy sensation and different atmospheres, turning it theatrical sometimes. Each song has fast doses, intense guitars of variation in riffs, good vocals, sometimes high pitched singing in Portuguese, which is not so common used by Brazilian bands. I think they should use this more frequently because it links well the melody and harmony of the songs. This is the best worked from the previous CDs; the fourth to be exact. All of these with the same topics of Latin-American ancient culture, with strong music which our identity is emphasized. This time the album has MAYA culture topics, they made the same with INCA too, both some of the great civilizations of Latin-America, rich in culture that without doubt gives to this band too much topics in the musical as cultural, making this musical pieces of marvelous art. It is a great album that each banger should get because this work has pure heavy metal solos, s in the song 13, AHAU KATUN, passing from the BACK/PAGAN metal of SAGA AO XIBALBA. A masterpiece, a conceptual album at 100% that surely is gonna be on my top to listen each morning. …………………………………………………………..8.5/10

DEFORMITY : ‘ENDLESS ATROCITY’-COSTA RICA –CD 2013- 9 TRACKS.-

I cannot stop listen this band, since it arrives as a gift from a friend that knows very well my tastes. I have almost left DEATH METAL because I felt the occultist and obscure feeling was left aside instead of death/grind without sense. There were some bands that I still listen like ASPHIX, MORGOTH, MALEVOLENT CREATION, SUFFOCATION, because I listened to these since early 90s; later the style went down. My friend gave me again the wish to listen this style and sent me a good band. Since the first song it tied me to its sound which is a mixture between ASPHIX/MORGOTH in vocals and MEAT SHITS in intros and fast parts; also in some vocals parts and guitar rhythms. Since the first strike is a bullet straight to the head. It has ultra-fast drums, criminal vocals and total heaviness. Double vocals are brutal and fit well in the rhythms, which are simple but really keeps the spirit of extreme death/grind Metal and pure Death Metal, without narrowing in one style only. Guitar solos are more for decoration, instead of showing musical skills, which does not need. Song title that has the same than CD title is well done. AGONIZING, the second song has from both worlds, pure DEATH/GRIND; that is what I was expecting. Vocals, growl and death metal fits perfectly. Blast beat drums are from a putrid band. Riffs have changes from mid tempo to doom, to fast and honestly bestial. PLEASURE OF MISCARRIAGE, another missile, the same as the second song, even with more DEATH METAL riffs, a la ASPHIX/CANCER. It’s a great masterpiece of how death/grind should be played, without the monotony of many current bands, that made those that started with traditional death metal, left to listen the new bands because of the bands don’t showing the pure and honest feeling of death metal. Following songs go in the same musical style. Without fear to get an error, each time I listen Costa Rica bands, I realize there are much quality that we should explore to enter deep on that scene. It’s a great production. It’s a surprising band in this scene full of copycats.  ……………………………………………………………………………………...7.5/10

SAVAGE AGGRESSION: ‘SATAN’S STRIKE’-CD 2013-11 TRACKS-COLOMBIA:

It was long time since I don’t listen a Thrash Metal band without stop. I have 2 days listening this cursed work and does not bores me, does not stresses me, does not takes me to sleep; something unusual in the current tons of clones bands that exist. Even being an old school Thrash, it is rich in rhythms and riffs, strong in excess that makes each track in some glorious Metal dose that should be eaten carefully to don’t get down. Each song is well played, with rhythms changes, a thrasher guitar in the old German style, hard riffs, a skilled drums cutting like a bomb and vocals like a mixture between SCHMIER and BOBBY “BLITZ”. Would you ask for more? In my opinion the best from both scenes: German and North American, with a mixture of Latin power that makes this release among the best I listened in Thrash Metal in the last years. It has passed long time in which Colombia did not show me good bands as WITCHTRAP, METAL KING and REVENGE, which unleashed time ago their artillery. Now Savage AGRESSION takes the leadership from their godfathers WITCHTRAP, taking them aside from the top of Colombian Thrash Metal. The Cd carries again that mosh of the old school. If we speak about mosh, the first song has riffs like the first MEGADETH. Later starts the discharge of violent thrash, intense of pure life from SCREAM OF DEATH. It has typical choruses of thrash bands, continuing whiplashing your body, double pedals in mid tempo with good solos, bends and hand topping. Very good job. THRASH COMMAND continues with the same intensity and good work in guitars. SATAN’S STRIKE is the song I like the most. It’s amazing, giving priority for the vocals with that shout in the end of the sentence. All songs are in the Black/Thrash for the lyrics side and musically is strictly Thrash Metal in its great essence. This is an album that rescues the old essence and does not leave anything aside. Well worked, changes with precision, not too much rhythms changes, but intense and fast. Another song for the thrash maniacs is THRASH METAL ATTACK. Highly recommended………………………………………………………….. 8.3/10

OPHICVS: ‘ÁZREVER NE ALEMAMAN’-CD 2015-12 TRACKS-COLOMBIA:

Since few time ago it started to appear many bands in the black n Roll style, as SABAT and METALUCIFER from Japan, adding obscure and satanic lyrics; porn, lust, alcohol and drugs. A street and rock n roller Black Metal. In South America we already have WHIPSTRIKER that combines so well the Punk/Heavy n roll, PROFANE from Paraguay with its Death n Roll style, ATOMIC ROAR and POWER FROM HELL, closer to what Ophicvs shows in its lyrics. Band is formed by a member of LUCERA, another well Colombian Black n Roll band. This work let me satisfied since the first song “CAOS LATEMORCEM”, which gets to my mind BARBATOS/SABBAT with a mid tempo traditional Rock n Roll/Heavy, catchy riffs and classical Heavy Metal shouts in vocals. It also has an interesting solo that fits well in the song, to the video bonus which includes satanic porn film scenes. Going to the music side, which obviously is what I liked more, because the mixing of the music styles I like. But let’s start with the songs that this work gets. MARCH TO THE ETERNAL FIRE has a sound closer to Norwegian Black Metal in mid tempo riffs. WHORE OF BABYLON in the style of METALUCIFER/MIDNIGHT, in mid tempo and 80s Heavy Metal sound with solos and tremolo in some parts, good song. “BLACKOUT”, is a cover of Scorpions, well played with 80s style, with stronger vocals, obviously and arrangements as the original version. MOTHER DEATH has a 90s Norwegian BLACK METAL style, strong, with typical high vocals and in mid tempo. It also includes raw and hard Heavy Metal. It’s an interesting song because the solo that shows virtuosity of classical Metal, without losing force. The rest of songs are in the same style. A trademark that turns them in a new band that many metalheads should have in mind to increase their collection. The bonus track is one that many will adore, “CONDOR LEGION”, that also has a musical structure in the 80s style of the American wave, with those changes to Speed rhythms. Is an excellent work that made this song one of my favorites in the CD. Worth to mention, the CD comes with a bonus video with satanic porn scenes for the lust of male public, hahaha!!!! Good job……………………. 7.4/10