Tears Of Regret - Tears Of Regret EP

Tears of Regret is a four piece band from Jordan/Iraq consisting of members; Odai- Vocalist, Lyrics Writer and Mixing Mastering , Tareq- Guitarist, Hussein- Bassist, Fahad- Drums, Keyboardist and Music Composer. Tears of Regreat EP released through Depressive Illusions Records on January 1st 2014. Genre is describe as Atmospheric Black Metal, Doom, Ambient Metal.

The intro is lurid and creepy. Its a clean guitar line and really creates a depressive endless adventure through darkness. Next up is "Tears of Regret", title track, my thoughts are heavy sludgy and mind bending. One of the bands that come to my mind is early Sleepy Time Gorilla who also used off time sliding style riffing as I hear on this track. War In Sky, this composition goes for an incredible twenty seven minutes, I am thinking most of it was probably recorded live. What we hear is mostly bass lines with occasional drums and dark black metal style vocals like deep in the void of hell. Transilvanian Hunger, more on the ambient doom side of things, like very early Paradise Lost. Occasional double kick work and high BM style lyrics to make you crawl up a wall in fear. This track also features some synth work that makes it outlandish at moments. It ends with a keyboard piece and its catchy memorable. The Outro is similar to the intro, clean guitar line setting the atmospheric mode. The clarity in this particular song is very clean and polished compared to some of the earlier material.

In conclusion, the melodic aspect of the music is what I enjoyed the most. The Black metal style works but sometimes gets blurred with many other sounds happening. Fans of atmospheric BM, doom will surely want to check this EP out.
~Artemortifica

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STEEL PROPHET Reveal Artwork for Omniscient

Clawhammer- "The spectacular artwork was specifically created for Omniscient by German artist Timo Würz and represents one of the central themes of the album - "The Tree of Knowledge."

Clawhammer- "Omniscient is a concept album based on an original story written by lead guitarist and founding member Steve Kachinsky Blakmoor, and "The Tree of Knowledge" displayed on the cover represents a very important "character" in the plot."

Clawhammer- "Omniscient will be released by the end of June / beginning of July on limited-edition digibook CD, standard CD, limited-edition double LP and digital formats.

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Coraxo - Starlit Flame

Coraxo band from Tampere. They consist of members Tomi Toivonen- Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synths, Programming, Ville Vistbacka-Drums. They describe their genre as Industrial/Electro Metal. Starlit Flame is the debut EP released independently on January 2014.

The EP begins with the song entitled "01 LV-426 J318.5-22", my first thoughts are, experimental, trippy, sci fi and captivating. Signal Detected, is track two, heavy guitars and twisted synth work. Xenotaph, very much industrial feeling. Dissonant chords on the keyboards. I enjoy the metal riffing the most. The vocals remind me of early In Flames. The Big Fight Scene, strap yourselves in and hold on tight, this track has much to offer combining industrial and heavy riffing along with the space sounds and devastating drum work. Transformed, like taking a ride on a UFO and landing on Pluto. Spoken samples and subtle rhythms. Escape, interesting guitar work. The vocals do remind of early Carcass albums. The final track on here is a Sepultura cover "Refuse Resist", an unexpected and surprising composition. Being a long time Sepultura fan I listened with intent, I really enjoy this version, the band really gave it their own tinge and kept it reasonable and engaging.

My final thoughts, this is a welcomed change compared to all the material I have received in the past week. I enjoyed all the surprises and each song kept my interest from moment to moment. Fans of Industrial, experimental and heavy metal will find much to like in this EP.
~Artemortifica

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Decomposed - Devouring

Decomposed is a DM band from Sundsvall, Sweden consisting of members Jesper Ekstål - Lead Guitar, Vocals, Jim Mattsson - Drums, Micke Holmbom - Rhythm Guitar, Joachim Lyngfelt - Bass. Devouring album released on January 1, 2014 through Blood Harvest Records, Memento Mori.

Title track Devouring introduces and captures the senses from the first verses. I am reminded of bands like Entombed, Sinister, early Hypocrisy, Monstrosity, and many other from the early nineties glorious DM era. Bloodsoaked Disarray is song number two, this one has a strong Death (Chuck Schuldiner) influence. One the things I enjoy on this composition is the drums. There are some interesting fills with the ride and crash cymbals that stick in my mind. Abysmal Descent, clever and engaging guitar riffs along with mosh stomping grooves. Voices of Endless Decay, grinding and relentless attack from the start. It is one of those songs that make you want to smash things. Boiling Blood, like entering a dark chamber, an ambiance of horrors to come. Ode To The End, takes me back to good days of DM intensity, no frills, just straight to the bone crushing onslaught, we need more of this style these days.
From The Darkness, rapid fire blast beats, solid bass riffing and brutal low growl vocal style. Probably one of my favorite tracks. Last song on the album is Decomposition, memorable and catchy, I can imaging many fist in the air with horns held high headbanging to this song. 

In conclusion, the album captures the essence of the DM genre. Intense drumming, well executed solos, deep and devastating vocals and solid bass lines. Fans of Entombed, Monstrosity, Unleashed, early Hypocrisy, Grave, Death, will want to add this album to their collection.
~Artemortifica 

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transcendingobscurity/1330-decomposed-devouring-cd

Nebelung - Mittwinter (video premier)

Nebelung release of Paligenesis album February 18 2014 through Temple of Torturous. Mittwinter video premier plus interview on cvltnation.com/nebelung-palingenesis.

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                                 NEBELUNG 'Mittwinter' (official music video) from ToT Records on Vimeo.

Colosso - Thallium

Colosso is a four piece band from Oporto, Portugal. Genre is described as experimental death metal. Band members are António Carvalho - Guitar, André Lourenço - Bass, Marcelo Aires - Drums, Max Tomé - Vocals/Guitar. Thallium is the groups second album self released in October of 2013.

Opening track is Quadrangular, it is an intense and powerful start. Next song is entitled "Prime", clean guitar with a slight effect creates a dramatic and dark atmosphere. "Orthogonal Path", one of the bands that come to my mind as I listen is Meshuggah. There are slight hints of their influence on this particular song. "Ecosystem", heavy and devastating riffs. Finally the vocals come in and are in deep growl menacing style which I enjoy very much. "Ecitnerppa  Sseltnecs", this is my favorite song, it just makes you want to smash things and head-bang uncontrollably. The tuning of the string instruments is in a low deep punishing level. Think of Strapping Young Lad and Gojira having a baby and it would be Colosso. Into Infinity, the title says it all. Melancholy dissonant strumming with hints of ambient sounds spread through out. "Minus Infinity', is the last song. Heavy, abrasive, and a perfect way to lead us out from the destructive harmonies contain through this entire album.

In conclusion, if you enjoy low tuned face smashing riffs with creative bass passages and heavy vocals styles than you will want to purchase this album. Fans of Meshuggah, Gojira, and Strapping Young Lad I recommend to check out this album. Be sure to look for their previous release "Abrasive Peace" available through their official site.   
~Artemortifica

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Gutslit - Skewered In The Sewer

Brutal death grind from Mumbia, India. Gutslit: current and past members include Gurdip - Bass (2007-), Aditya Barve - Vocals (2011-), Prateek Rajagopal - Guitars (2013-), Aaron Pinto - Drums (2011-). Skewered In The Sewer album released July 2013. Current labels Coyote Records (Russia), Ghastly Music (Japan).

Opening track Prelude to Putrification is a dark and twisted intro, like a demon rising from beneath deep waters preparing to attack. Pustulated Phallic Enthrallment, nice title. Churning crushing bones type of intro before slamming into the brutality. Relentless onslaught right from the first riffs. Thinking Skinless, early Dying Fetus, Gorgasm or Gorefest influences. Offal Barter, drums are grinding and plenty of guitar sweep arpeggios to delight most gore-hounds. Circumcised With A Chainsaw, sounds bloody, painful and messy. Stomping guitar rhythm and high pitched harmonics paint the sonic landscape for this torturous song. Haemorrhoidal Brain Custard, title sounds like something no human would want to experience. The bass lines are dominant for this song. Rolling double kicks keep everything at a high speed without loosing any velocity. Pulp Face, funny and sadistic intro followed by more brutality. Maze of Entrails, reminds me of early Suffocation albums like Effigy or Seeds of Suffering. Final and closing track Skewered In The Sewer, from fast grinds to slow slamming head smashing feelings, this is the best way to close this beast of an album.

In conclusion, fans of Devour The Unborn, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Skinless and Gorguts will want to make this album part of their collection. Non stop brutality from beginning till the end.
Look for this band performance live at the Obscene Extreme fest in 2014.
~Artemortifica

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