Vortex - Thrash Metal Holocaust

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The Advent Equation - Limitless Life Reflections

Going on first impressions I thought this was going to be on the death metal side of things, but as I listened the keyboards kicked in and was very surprised by it, this is a good thing. Once the vocals started, my mind instantly thought Dream Theater.  The composition is progressive and features many elements, which a lot of bands have a difficult time achieving. The production quality is very good as I can hear every instrument very clearly, since they have many instruments this an important thing. What I enjoyed most about this album is all the twist and turns, just when you think you know where the song is going it takes you to a totally different place, I really enjoy this aspect of musicianship. There are clean vocals on this so if you are not a fan of that you might get turned away. They have been around since 2006 but this is their first release. Coming from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Mexico. A five piece bands with a high level of talent. I really can't find anything to compare them with as I feel they have their own sound going on. This is an independent release, I would be surprised if a label does not pick them up this year. Every song on this album has its own vibe happening its hard to place where its headed which in my eyes is good, sometimes being predictable is boring to me.
~Artemortifica

The Advent Equation FB

                                    

Sulphur Aeon - Swallowed by the Ocean's Tide

The albums kicks off with an intro track that sounds like incantations right out of the necronomicon. The artwork on the cover is amazing, reminds me of Luis Rojo artwork, it grabs the attention from the moment you gaze upon it. Sometimes the artwork is more mind blowing than the music, but not here, the music is as captivating as the cover itself. The band is from North Rhine - Westphalia Germany. they are labeled as death metal but I hear a black metal influence in their style. A three piece band that formed in 2010. Their first release was in 2010, its a demo "Sulphur Plsams" and an EP in 2012 "Deep Deep down they Sleep". As I listened to this album I am reminded at times of early Behemoth and even Samael. The production is good, although at times the guitars are a bit over powering the drums. Monolithic is probably my favorite track on this album. "From the stars to the Sea" has some really good guitars going on as well as more incantations. Those who dwell in The Stellar Void -sounds a bit different as if recorded at a different time, sounds raw but still remaining true to the bands overall essence. The vocals are very good as he can achieve deep and guttural, mid range and highs without losing power. "Beneath,Below,Beyond,Above' is a brutal assault on the senses, the drums are very brutal on this track I find myself listening to it several times. Zombi has an eerie start, I fell in love with this track as soon as I heard the solos, really cool sound and a perfect way to end this album, definitely makes me look forward to their next release.
~Artemortifica.

Sulphur Aeons FB

Humanity Delete - Never Ending Nightmares

Death/Grind/Punk from Sweden. The title track is eerie and suits the album perfectly. All the tracks were written and recorded by one man Rogga Jonhansson. The Eight Fire of Narakas kicks in and wow, I love the drum sound, the riffs are brutal raw and powerful. Frozen Apparition is next, I can hear the punk style in this one, specially the drums, a great mix. Pontianak part II for some reason reminds me of Cannibal Corpse Hammer Smash Face in the beginning. I like the vocal style happening here, its clear yet deep and guttural which is sometimes hard to attain in DM. Necromantic Sorcery is my favorite track on the album, it has so much happening and very well put together, love the solo work, not to much but just enough to compliment the vibe song. The sheer brutality of Resurrection Rites is great, it will have people in the pit for sure. Retribution of Polong is a classic sounding intro, I love the solo work in this one, overall production on this disc is clear and balanced but still retains its raw brutal capsule.
I like all the eerie samples which fit the entire concept of the album. Art work is by Adam Geyer. Black and white cover with a bit of red for blood effect.
I highly recommend this album. Check out the band, buy their album at the following links:

Humanity Delete FB
Purchase Link

Artemorbid Update! 1-3-13

Graveyard - The Altar of Sculpted Skulls

Death metal from Spain. I was not sure what to expect when I started listening to this, but its some really good DM happening here. The band formed 2007 and have several vinyls and cds released. The one I am reviewing here is their latest.

The Altar of Sculpted Skulls- released 2011 on Pulverised Records. The title track draws the listener in right away. Reminds me of Entombed or early Sepultura. The second "An Epitaph written in Blood" has an epic intro, I really enjoy this track and its my favorite from this CD. It truly captures the old school feeling, the kind that grabbed my attention as a kid. The guitars have a certain Dismember style sound to them which I love.
Next is "Deathcrowned" fast and furious from the start, there's a quick solo in there that sticks in my head, vocals remind me of Sepultura Schizophrenia album at times which is good. Call of The Shadows is an instrumental- its amazing, specially the solo, very well done. Ritual had me headbanging at the first riff. Very good track. The final track on this album is "Howl of the Black Death" not a strong as the rest of the tracks but holds true to the sound the band is capturing.

This band has lots of shows under their belts and very active in their scene in Spain. Hope they can make it to the states someday. You can check out their entire history at Graveyard official site
Go give the a LIKE on FB  Graveyard facebook

Antestor - Omen

The first thing the grabbed my attention and caused me to check out this band was the artwork. I have never heard of Antestor before. The cover is a piece by one of my favorite Polish artist Zdzislaw Beksinski entitled "The Beautiful Nightmares". I found no mention of this on any of the bands Web sites.
The band is from Norway, formed 1990. Their style is BM. My review will be based solely on their music, as they are a religious band, if that bothers some readers then stop reading now and move on to the next review.
The album starts out with Treacherous Domain, very good start, great production everything is well balanced. Guitars sound nice and full. Next up is Unchained which starts with some cool drum fills reminds me a bit of Dimmu. In Solitude- much the same as the second track. All Towers must Fall has a huge Dimmu influence to it. There are some cool clean guitars happening in the song Tilflukt as well as some sweet sounding violin. Overall I like the album but found myself thinking about Dimmu Borgir a lot of the time. The fact that there is no mention of the art work creator does not sit well with me.

If interested you can check them out at Antestor official band site