Metal Music NEWS and interviews

 Chicago, Illinois based Death Metal purveyors INNER DECAY's second full-length album "Enter the Void" is out now in via Pest Records on jewel-case CD version and is available for play / order here: pestrecords.limitedrun.inner-decay-enter-the-void Here’s what the band commented on it: “It’s been a challenging couple of years. The pandemic hit the world hard and things came to a major slow down, we even had a member who recorded his parts at home while he had Covid, but we kept pushing and made it through as a band. With the hardship of the pandemic slowly moving behind us, we’re very proud to announce the result of our hard work which is our upcoming album “Enter the Void”. Our sophomore album is heavier and with an improved sound compared to our debut “Souls of War”, but still with a solid dose of epic melodies and catchiness. We’re coming back with the new lineup and with it comes a fresh quality. Our foundation is still the same with Tom as the main songwriter and Sil...

Pestilent Age is a four piece band, members are: Lee Roach, Nick Chaney – Ruiz, Brandon Lesley, and Steve Worley Music style is listed as death metal. Band location, Lapeer, MI. Web site  Pestilent Age site Unwavering Futility is the latest EP release by Pestilent Age. It features three powerful songs. Starting with Force Fed Truth, my initial reaction is intensity and heaviness. A sound that is particular to the early nineties. The song has a steady build up and by the time you are in the middle of it your head is moving and you are fully emerged.  Listening to the song "Transgressions" will definitely get your blood pumping. Pure aggression in every measure, the double kicks are supreme here. If you wanted to feel a mosh pit this song would be the perfect storm to start a circle pit. Finally we get the title track Unwavering Futility and it truly delivers the goods. Faster and determined ferocity, this is the excellent closer. Overall the production is great. heavy double k...

Apes Of God will release their new EP on Death In Pieces Records on Feb. 25 2019. They are streaming one of the songs via No Clean Singing Soundcloud in the link below. Definitely worth listening to this Salvadorian death thrash metal outfit. Listen exclusively on No Clean Singing HERE Visit the band here The promo states: DEATH IN PIECES RECORDS presents APES OF GOD’s newest EP "Procession of Death", which contains four new deadly tracks, full of Centro American rage and darkness. This is filthy and destructive death metal attack, created with incisive thrash metal elements, old school spirit and very bad blood. This EP includes two live tracks recorded at Megarock Fest 2018 " Apes of God cycle through riffs that are vicious and cruel, savage and swarming, fast and jolting. Driven by a blood-pumping rhythm section, the music exudes a vibrant electricity but also murderous hostility, thanks in part to the bestiality of the vocalist’s growls ...

The Left Hand Path released the video for "Egoschism" last year and it's a good indication of what to expect from their upcoming EP due out in the spring of 2019 thru Loud Rage Music. Szenasi Attila (bass), José Morales (drums), Ádám András (guitars), Wagner Tamás (guitars), Cristian Aionese (vocals) The promo states: Cluj-Napoca, Romania based Progressive Extreme Metallers LEFT HAND PATH were founded back in 2014, but 2019 sees the band in its best line-up to date, ready and fired up for the release of their debut self-titled EP due to drop sometime this Spring 2019 in collaboration with Loud Rage Music in both digital and CD versions. Visit  facebook-LeftHandPathRomania Visit  loudragemusic ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Latest blog announcements here - most current info Support this blog please My store Check out some live performances here Carcass live - View it h...

Misshapen just revealed their brand new video for the song "The Swarm" and it is intense. Watch it below and read about their upcoming EP "Transcendence" due out February 8th 2019. Live Line Up: Adam Semler: Guitars / Vocals, Lana Andrews: Vocals, Nick Rodgers: Drums, Mitch Dimitriadis: Guitars / Vocals, Ben Bertrand: Bass Photo by: Jessy Dwyer from DwyerJPhotography The Swarm The promo states: Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, Misshapen are a diverse and melodic metal band blending elements of death metal, technical metal, and black metal. They are releasing their EP ‘Transcendence’ February 8, 2019, and now present the official music video for ‘The Swarm’. Capturing the attention of audiences since 2016, Misshapen seeps melodies with harsh vocals, further ignited with technical riffs and meaningful lyrics. ‘The Swarm’ is the most ferocious track on the EP and would be recommended to fans of Ne Obliviscaris, Children of Bodom, At the Gates, and D...

Indy-based death metal outfit OBSCENE are rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with. After self-releasing their debut EP, Sermon to the Snake, in late 2017 on limited-edition cassette, OBSCENE teamed with Horror Pain Gore Death Productions to release the EP as a digital download. The band's no-frills, old-school approach earned them widespread praise throughout the metal community, including SkullsNBones.com scribe Allyson Kingsley, who calls OBSCENE a " Maryland Deathfest worthy band ." Building off the momentum created by the digital release, Sweden's Blood Harvest Records has announced the February 16 cassette reissue of Sermon the the Snake. The reissue comes as part of Blood Harvest Records' "onslaught of new demo tapes" and is now available for pre-order. Purchase the digital edition of Sermon to the Snake at bandcamp.com-sermon-to-the-snake. Cassette pre-orders available at bloodharvest pre order OBSCENE is gearing up for a stri...

Cryptic Realms is a four piece band, members are Kostas Analytis - Vocals. Uriel Aguillon on Guitars / Drums. Victor Varas - on Bass Guitar. Tersis Zonato - Drums, Guitar Solos, Acoustic guitars.  Music style is listed as, metal. Band location, USA, Greece, Brazil and Mexico. The Rotten is Alive EP released on Dark Recollections Prods label on 20th March 2016. The opening song to this release "Shattered Dreams", sounds very classical. A clean strumming guitar piece with a sorrowful melody that is also complex in structure. The next track "Begging to the dead", clearly rooted in old school d/m but powerful enough to punch you in the gut. The characteristics of the recording are reminiscent of the band Death, Spiritual Healing era. Like a tribute to those distant times, it does work really well for these musicians. Some of the stand out performances from this album, for me, will be "Shadows of Disgrace" and "Scattered Thoughts".  In conclusio...

Verment is a four piece band made up of Dustin Stockhoff -Guitar. Alex Hooper -Drums/Vocals. Eric Payne -Bass/Vocals. Nick Moeller-Guitar. Music style is listed as, Death metal. Band location, Cincinnati, OH. Death's Domain Ep to be self released on April 1st, 2016. My first thoughts are, excellent production and savage riffs are a recipe for maximum aggression. Presented here are seven potent compositions of pure and brutal d/m. I have to say that this is one of the heaviest promos I have reviewed for the month of March. Dual vocal attack, both high and low screams are well executed through out the entire album. A stomping bass tone provides a solid ground to lay down the gore. There is no shortage of violence and the music is going to crush your cranium.  Every track gets your blood boiling. Some of the influence that might be noted would be bands like, Terrorizer, Death, Sinister, Malevolent Creation and Decapitated. Among my favorite songs from this release would be ...

Spektralaeon is a one man band consisting of Uraeus. Lead guitar performances credited to Sean Currington. Music style is listed as, black/death metal. Band location, Wisconsin. Crushing The Monolith EP self released on March 1st 2016. My initial thoughts are, a solid and powerful wave of sonic intensity. To my unsuspecting ears the music comes flowing at a high velocity. Being a debut ep, it is impressive to hear the level of aggression persisting from riff to riff. Great production quality with a solid drum sound. Unleashing fury with the song "Entropic Dystopia", the intro slowly builds up and then suddenly the blast beat hits you and you know your in for a brutal ride. Cryptic low guttural vocals magnify the force. Arrangements that are well stitched patterns of both black metal and death metal roots. One of the things I enjoyed in this particular song were the rapid solos. Memorable and well conceived. Next up is, "Deviant Scion", heavier and more dynamic...

Chaos Moon is a one piece band, members on this release are  Alex Poole (Krieg,   Martrod, Esoterica, Skaphe, Lithotome). Vocals on "Amissum” track performed by Eric Baker. Cover photo by   H.V. Lyngdal (Wormlust). Layout by Black Moon Design. Music style is listed as, Black metal.  Band location, Philadelphia, PA. Amissum EP to be released on CD March 2016 on Helltrasher Productions. Digital release was on January 27, 2016. Featured here will be an extended version with bonus track "Resurrection III" and new version of "Amissum". My initial thoughts on this EP are, deep in trance, the waves of perpetual darkness created by the music are undeniably monumental. A sense of despair. Like a winding corridor that becomes bleak and barren. Rhythms are slow to mid tempo. Heavy reverb on the vocals and long tremolo picking through dissonant chords. This is my first experience listening to this project and it delivers a dark atmosphere. Noting some similar and p...

Castle Freak is a four piece band made up of, Andrew Gigan-Guitar/Vocals. Zak Carter-Guitar. Ben Anft-Bass. Sebastian Phillips-Drums. Music style is listed as, Death Metal/Grindcore. Band location, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Human Hive EP to be self released on March 18th 2016. Let the slaughtering begin. Guts and blood everywhere. A tremendous display of raw brutality hits my ears. Reminds me of bands like Brutal Truth, Napalm Death, Death, Overkill and Mortician. Complete with horror movie samples. This EP is short, but packs a punch. Traces of thrash metal influence can be heard on most of the songs too. "Sickening Corpses" and "Human Hive", are among my favorites from this release. Like flurry of bullets, the music assaults with carnal frequency. A dedication to death and grind is expressed with guttural vocals and all the gore you can handle. Final thoughts, it is a savage ep, full of toxic waste, zombies terror and violence. If you enjoy your metal serv...

Mangled is a five piece band made up of, Ryan Ritchie- Vocals. Matt Moyer - Bass & Vocals. Rafay Nabeel- Guitar. John Manger- Guitar. Joe Sweat- Drums. Music style is listed as, Death Metal/Thrash Metal/Grind. Band location, Atlanta, GA Involuntary Organ Donor EP to be released on Boris Records March 1st 2016. This will be a 7” limited to 300 black vinyl. Three songs. Bloody and bone crushing metal. From the deep depths comes sonic madness delivered in a destructive manner. Some of the influence that I may note would be bands like Six Feet Under, Mortician and The Kill. Pure death metal battery to the ears. Side one, "They’re Not Gonna Stay Down There Anymore", haunting footsteps and door creeks into open chords of madness. My head starts moving and you know its going to be a hell of a ride. Crushing drums with demonic vocals. "Involuntary Organ Donor", reminded me of Obituary or Grave, aggressive, like a towering inferno. Side b, "Butchery Loves Compan...

Rebel Wizard is a one piece band made up of, Nekrasov. Music style is listed as, heavy negative wizard metal. Band location, Australia. Invocation of the Miserable Ones EP self released on December 11 2015. An energetic and intense manifestation of pure metal madness. In some ways thrash rhythms are expressed but can easily be translated to the original metal styles of the early 80s. The thing that grabs my attention is the black metal style of vocalization. It works well in my opinion. Instead of high vocals like a Judas Priest or Maiden type, we get a Mayhem or Satyricon type of screams which make it interesting to listen to. In total we get four songs. Fast solos, rapid fire drums with aggressive double kicks. I would have to say my favorite track from this release is the title song "Invocation of the Miserable Ones", the main melody is easy to jam to and the guitar solos are fluid and fast. Final thoughts, the essence of the old metal music is captured and the bla...

Ghost Horizon is a two piece band consisting of, Daniel Stollings - Guitars/Bass. Uræus - Vocals/Drums/Additional Music. Genre described as Melodic/Atmospheric Black Metal. Band origin, Phoenix, AZ. Astral Possession EP to be self released on 26 February 2016. To my unsuspecting ears, this music really found its way into my head. Cryptic and malevolent choruses with catchy melodies. I enjoy the way these song are epic and compelling. These musicians are able to keep things intense and brutal while maintaining comprehensible passages and catchy rhythms. Although short, the songs deliver good quality. I would have to say my favorite track is "Spectral Trenody", I enjoy the way the blast beats and vocal delivery come in, its a song that makes you want to keep it on repeat. To be honest, all the songs have a lot to offer, great arrangements and solos.     In conclusion, fans of black metal will definitely enjoy this release, but there is enough variety i...

Sicada is a four piece band consisting of Louis Adipietro - Vocals / Guitars. Chris Martinez - Guitars,  Anthony Costanzo - Bass. Anthony Adipietro - Drums. Genre described as Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal. Band origin N.Y., USA. Requisition EP to be released on Tridroid Records 12 February 2016. My initial thoughts are, full of energy, fast and progressive. The album starts out with a melodic riff then quickly brings in the heaviness. In terms of production, the drums have a well balance mix, tight snare and solid double bass kicks. Warm guitar tone make the characteristics of the verses easy to comprehend. Some of the musical influences that I hear include bands like Wrath, Overkill, Flotsam and Jetsam or just an early thrash metal style of riffing. Particularly the tracks "Black Sheep" and "No Reprieve", take a flashback to the early metal days which is enjoyable to my ears. My favorite song from this release would have to be the title track "Requisit...

Cult Of Erinyes is a three piece band consisting of Corvus-lead and rhythm guitar, bass, keys. Mastema-vocals. Algol-bass, rhythm guitar. Baron-lead guitar. Genre described as black metal. Band origin Belgium. Transcendence EP to be released on Caverna Abismal Records February 29 2016. The amount of oppressive and haunting music this EP delivers is very potent. "Degrees of Solitude" starts things of and it grabs you by the neck pulling you deep into the void. In terms of production, the drum sound is killer, good cymbals and powerful double kicks. The guitars cut through really well and the rhythms are catchy and clear. Some of the influence I hear would be bands like The Cold Beyond, Belphegore, Samael and Bathory. The title track "Transcendence" hits a certain dark atmosphere. You can get a sense of a deeper ambiance with dissonant chord progressions. The third and final song is a cover by Mayhem "Pagan Fears", they present a powerful and devastating...

Turbocharged is a three piece band consisting of Ronnie Ripper - Bass/Lead Throat. Freddie Fister - Drums/Throat. Old Nick - Guitars. Genre described as Deathpunk metal. Band origin Sweden. Ragehammer is a four piece band consisting of  Corpsebutcher - Bass. Mortar - Drums. Bestial Avenger - Guitars. Heretik Hellstörm - Vocals. Genre described as Black/thrash metal. Band origin Sweden/Poland. Enlightenment by Bloodletting split to be released on Godz Ov War Productions / Mythrone Promotion on March 2016. Lets start with Turbocharged. They come out with all guns set to rapid fire right from the start. Heavy, crushing with no fucks given and solid assault of blazing double kicks on the drums. Guitar riffs are catchy and have a raw distortion sound which adds character to the music. Ragehammer, crushes the senses with bare knuckles and shredding guitars. One of the things that stands out is the heavy bass tone which is dominant through out the song a...

Bosque is a project by Daniel M. founded in 2005. Genre described as Funeral Doom with intense elements of Drone. Band origin Portugal. Beyond album released on Dunkelheit Produktionen January 2 2016. My first thoughts, a deep sorrow and haunting feeling like a corpse reaching up from its long forgotten tomb. Production is ok, I felt that it might be a live recording of some sort. Contained in this opus are three dark and oppressive compositions. Like a cold rotting hand reaching for you neck in the middle of the night. The song "Paradox", is good example of depressive tone. The song "Enter", is a monumental frozen wave in the abyss. In conclusion, if you like your doom metal punishing and highly oppressed, then check out this ep, you will not be disappointed. ~Artemortifica BOSQUE site Beyond by BOSQUE

Thulnar is a two piece band consisting of Darken (Diego Vacchiano) - all musics & lyrics. Elric Blackcrow - vocals. Genre described as Extreme Fantasy Metal. Band origin Bologna, Italy. Nightfall in Theros EP released on January 13 2015. My first thoughts, the musicianship is at high levels. At times it sounds like there are six musicians composing all this material. As the genre describes, it certainly feels like been transported back in time to a mid evil era. The songs are well arranged and it is easy to get involved in the adventures the melodies are creating. Out of all three tracks my favorite would have to be "City of The Golden Halls", the chorus of vocals and heavy double bass kicks are interesting and the guitar melodies are very catchy and captivating.   In conclusion, for such a short release the band manages to keep you intent and interested through out each song. Hoping to hear more from this band in 2016. If you like melodic and adventurous metal th...

Affliction Gate is a five piece band consisting of Herostratos (vocals), Grief (rhythm guitar), Bobby (lead guitar), Nico (bass), Laurent M. (drums). Genre described as Old School Death Metal. Band origin France. Dying Alone EP to be released on January 5th 2016 Transcending Obscurity productions.  My first impression, a furious attack of powerful death metal comes at you from the start. No long intro or crazy long scream, just a straight to the song and get punched in the face with raw brutality type of music.  Indeed the old school roots are evident, but they do deviate at times. One of my favorite tracks that demonstrates this is "Devising Our Own Chains", while maintaining the old school vibe, it slowly creeps into something much faster and diverse, plus the solos are done tastefully and are memorable. Another strong contender is "Manicheism Inertia", catchy verse riffs reminiscent of Morbid Angel early days or Malevolent Creation style of transitions. B...