Morbid Insulter - Funeral Mysticism

Originated in Gothenburg, Sweden. A four piece band in existence from 2004-2011. This is a two disc compilation "Funeral Mysticism" released through (IHATE) of all the material ever released. In all its BM brutality and projection. I play the first cd. I am surprised this project ended because there is much talent here just by listening to the first couple of tracks. "Awakening The Spirits Of Evil", Death Fuck Bizarre", Blitzkrieg mayhem", Fornications in Paradise" are all true BM glory. The production varies slightly but still retains its brutality. CD two, Abominations Curse, fast and relentless guitars, blast beats keep the assault fresh and captivating. Thundering Evil, has a hint of old Sepultura Schizophrenia album production and vocals which is a good thing. Take me to Hell, achieves its goal with hellish riffs and aggressive bass punishing all your senses. Black Fate, it is crazy to hear how fast the snare drum is being hit at times almost like a blur. Wrath From Hades, I am enjoying the riff at the start, like something Dimmu might have done in their very first release. Antichrist Blastphemies, has to be my favorite, I feel this song captures all the musicians talents and capabilities, if you were to listen to it in its entirety I recommend maybe going to this track first. Poison of God, creative riffs abound, intense reign of BM blast beats. The last track is raw to the bone "Raped Graves" the most punishing track in the entire compilation, maybe its the pure recording or just its killer arrangement but this track sure leaves me wanting more, unfortunately there will be no more, the band officially disbanded in 2011 so that makes this comp a must own for fans of Morbid Insulter. I highly recommend this for fans of true Swedish BM. 
~Frank G
Publication in AEA zine #22
~Artemortifica

Morbid Insulter Metal Archives 
Morbid Insulter Spirit of Metal 

Stone Demons - The Craft of The Witches

Captivating from the first track, Gothic Cross has a ear pleasing start which I enjoy very much, a twelve string arrangement with perfect clarity. Haxan (The Craft of the Witches) pure metal flowing through this entire composition, raw guitars, strong rhythms and evil vocals. Vampyr, the beginning riffs fit the toll bell chime perfectly, its a great mix, almost reminds me of early Danzig days. Mournful Woman, some very cool bass lines can be heard on this track, guitars could be a bit louder but that's ok.  This a four piece band from Mexico City. Started in 1990 and this is their only release and it is distributed through Under Fire Records. When The Witches Burn, much faster pace than the previous tracks, guitars sound very crunchy and forward on the production which is good. There is also a cool sample intro and towards the end of the track which a fitting due to its content of evil hymns. Call of the Woman is the final track no lyrics provided, I believe this to be a bonus track, for some reason my mind thinks early Misfits influence music wise, vocals are holding down their own patterns but seem to be behind in the production (panned to the left speaker) on this particular track, I will assume it was recorded at some other point in time as it sounds different than the other songs. I enjoyed my exploration of this demo the band has some very good qualities and I recommend for fans of early Danzig or Misfits.
~Frank G.
Original Publication AEA zine #22
~Artemortifica

Stone Demons Myspace

Evoken - Atra Mors

Released in 2012 through Profound Lore Records. Atra Mors is the latest album by Evoken produced between 2010 and 2012. Atra Mors is eight tracks of dark majestic escapes. This band has been around for since 1992 and have done many other albums. The current line up is John Paradiso-guitar/vocals, Chris Molinari-guitar, Dave Wagner-bass, Don Zaros-keyboards,Vince Verkay-drums. This is my first time experiencing their music. The opening track sets the mood, dark and desolate. Descent into Chaotic Dream, enchanting and captivating composition, one has to suspend their mind for a moment to take it all in, the song builds into a great dark melodic ending with an intense guitar solo. "A Tenebrous Vision", early Paradise Lost, End of Green, MDB, and Novembers Doom come to mind. "Grim Eloquence" the lyrics are short but straight to the point and well thought out, I really like that aspect of writing, many bands write long lyrics that are just many sentences describing the same thing, so its good to see content that is short and to the point allowing the music to paint the journey. "An Extrinsic Divide", clean guitar with chorus/flange affect sounds superb, building into an atmosphere of sorrow and intrigue. "Requies Aeterna", particularly short compare to the others, but just as amazing in its ability to stick in your mind as a great track. "The Echoing Dread", using both clean and doom style vocals, the drums do good rolls on the phrase parts complimenting the entire song along with a solid bass line towards the end to make it stand out on this album. "Into Aphotic Devastation", is the last song , overall its a great album for me been a first time listener of this band. The songs are memorable, the production is top notch and it captures the death/doom style in great essence.
~Artemortifica
Original publication on AEA zine #22

Facebook.com/evokendoom

Deathstorm - As Death Awakes

Released on "I Hate" records on February 2013. "As Death Awakes is a full length album from Deathstorm DM band from Styria, Austria. The title track "Awakening of the Dead" sets the tone for this experience, my first thoughts are "great thrash/black metal style" the first guitar riffs grab my attention instantly, raw production - nothing fancy or polished. Straight to the bone metal the way it should be. This band began in 2011 with"Storming The Menace" EP, follow by a split with Terrorama.
Red blood Spillage, reminds me of Slayer Haunting The Chapel days. "Prepare for the Slaughter" if its speed you like than this song is for you. Starting with some creative rolls and speed manifestation assault is one hell of a track to have you moving in the pit. "Await The Edged Blades" its great to hear the old style of raw thrash metal in this composition, followed along with a bass that reminds me of old Anthrax albums. For been a new band coming out in a 2013 metal landscape that has super technical, melodic, overproduced albums, its great to hear something that's as raw as you would of heard in the early days in the underground. "Nihilistic Delusion" the main riff in this track is great, I keep humming it long after the song was over. "Visions of Death" along with full on thrash metal speed there are equally fast solos to compliment the whole experience. "Nebelhexe" slows a bit to introduce us to its brutality, with a clean tone and then a phaser effect , which kind of reminds me of Orion style slightly then turns into a fast aggressive tune. the last song is properly entitled "Rest", cool chorus - fast drums -raw vocals end my journey through this album. overall I enjoyed every song and recommend this for old school thrash metals fans.
Frank G.
Publication in Aea Zine #22
Artemortifica

metal-archives.Deathstorm

Psyborn - Time Zero

PsyBorn is a four piece band from Volos Greece. Time Zero is a self released EP from 2011. Recorded at Fabric Studios-George Tzay. The first song "Pain" reminds me a bit of At The Gates, at times also hear some The haunted influence in their guitar riffs. "Insane" is number two, it has an open chord type of chorus that fits the song but I think is a little long at times. "Holocaust" cool drums make a good highlight on this track. "On My Knees/Not Any More" I enjoy the dual vocals in this song, they are done rather well and blend nicely together. "Son of Mayhem" is my favorite from this EP, it has so many different things to it- good catchy riffs, great chorus, hard driving rhythm and memorable lyrics. They describes themselves as Hybrid Death Wave style which is something new to me, however there are metal roots that are evident through out. "Time Zero" is the title track and final tune in my listening experience of this band. Starting with solid assaulting double kicks and fierce guitar lines, its an intense way to incapsulate the entire experience.
This band has a lot to offer and I recommend people to visit them on FB see more on their busy schedule playing live events in their area. 
Frank G.
Physical Publiction in AEA Zine #22 
~Artemortifica

Psyborn FB

Ancient Reign - Of Moonlights Glare

One man blackened folk metal artist Saggoth. Its always inspiring to hear an album complete from the mind of one individual. A self release EP for 2013 and a full length back in 2011 Into The Nocturnal Bliss this is one busy musician. Intro is captivating and establishes the dark atmosphere. The Arrival, a hellish start, grabs the listeners attention from the first riff. I enjoy how the bass is filling in with some creative passages instead of just following the main riffs. There is a clean break about 3 minutes into this that feature a clean guitar that presents the folk metal aspect of the composition. "Of Moonlights Glare" title track hypnotizing synth paints the landscape, lyrics take me into a dark journey through cold environments. "Through the Forests Eternal" a mix of several instruments make this very interesting to my ears, followed by fast drums which the synth follows with precision. "Winters Reign" is the last track on this EP, reminds me of The Abyss or maybe old Sameal, going to have to say this song is my favorite, I played it several times, there's something epic about. The riffs are well thought out and have awesome hooks. I have to give lot of credit to this musician, at times you might think there are several members involve with th amount of creativity being experience with each song. To learn more and check out the other albums released visit the Ancient Reign FB site
~Frank G.
~Artemortifica
Physical publication in AEA zine #22

Atomizer - Caustic Music For The Spiritually Bankrupt

Released on Hells Headbangers in 2008. The band formed in 1998 and split up in 2008. Hailing from Melbourne Victoria Australia. The albums starts with "Caustic Transmissions" hard to pin point where to label the style, they exhibit many. At moments thrash, then rock, then black, to ambient and metal. With all that being thrown in the pot they seem to attach it all seamlessly to create their own sound which is difficult for most bands to achieve, I even get a feel for a punk style in the way the vocals are delivered specially in songs like "Upon The Lamb Of Gob They Suckle No More" and "A Date with Eternity". Shame they are no longer active. One may think this would turned out to be a black metal onslaught if you were going base it on outside aesthetics. A closer inspection by listening track by track reveals a wealth of talent. Esoteria Is Now In Command" is a fast driven song a bit harsh on he vocals but it fits the speed been delivered. "The Song That Sounds Your Final Dawn" dark and haunting creating a mood to suit the title perfectly. "As The Blackening Waves of Fear Within Me Rise', high velocity on the drums, into a mid paced memorable style of riffing the hinge on a Rock n Roll style of playing. "Flowering Spores of Imagination" such titles of thought provoking topics is impressive, I enjoy been able to comprehend every sentence and enjoying the vocal style more and more as I listen to it. "All Disfigured and Blue" a tribute to auto asphyxia done in a catchy metal style riffing. "The Inevitable Mutiny", now we hear a subtle clean acoustic melody that is pleasing to my ears after an entire journey of heavyness its a nice break up in the album at this point. There is a sweet bass line that builds up this particular song which is very engaging and memorable. "Our Final Campaign" clean guitar begins and spoken word style fill the spaces, The last track "The Funeral Procession" is a fitting song to leave me spell bound and intrigue by all the music still swirling in my head. I recommend this album to metal fans looking for a variety of sounds which can only be describe as Atomizer.
~Frank G.
~Artemortifica
Physical publication in AEA Zine #22
Atomizer Metal Archives