Pyre - Human Hecatomb

Pyre is a four piece band from Russia. Genre is described as death metal. Current members are: Dym Nox - vocal / bass, Roman Rotten - guitars, Fred Obsinner - guitars, Kannib Maledik - drums.

Human Hecatomb released on October 6th 2014 through Chaos Records. This band got their start in 2011 and released a previous Ravenous Decease EP. In terms of production its a decent recording. Raw death metal to the bone. Gritty drums and heavy sludgy guitars, sound like the type captured in the early nineties era. It is reminiscent of the first Death or Monstrosity recordings. The bass sound is solid and follows the rhythms perfectly. Some killer riff work by the guitar players and involved solos are well thought out and memorable. Not breaking any new ground but adding to the pool of the great death metal from the first generation. 

A big feeling of nostalgia flows through my mind from song to song. Back when I was growing up this would have been the heaviest thing to listen to next to Entombed, Sinister, Hypocrisy, Grave, Malevolent Creation and many others. In total, there are nine tracks, the ones that stood out the most to me would have to be Merciless Decease, as it starts with a dominant bass line and takes us into a devastating blast beat. Disturbia, memorable open riffs and catchy classic DM style arrangements had me moving my head. Under The Death Reign, if Slayer and Malevolent Creation had a baby this song would be it. Last Nail In Your Coffin, for the cool wah wah soloing towards the end and excellent and memorable chorus line that also features the sound of a nail being driven into a coffin, well executed.

In conclusion, the band captures a time portal to the great music at the beginning of the death metal genre, all the elements that make the genre amazing can be found in each and every composition herein.
I recommended it to fans of early Death, Monstrosity, Slayer, Wrath, Embalmer, Dismember and Obituary. Also the next generation can also benefit from checking this out to hear how raw and intense DM can be without being super polished or complex. 
~Artemortifica

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Lunarsapian - Fade Into Oblivion EP

Lunarsapian is a two member project consisting of Matt TR and Scott K. They are based out of Clevedon, UK and AL, US. Genre is described as doom/drone metal.

Fade Into Oblivion EP released on September 1 2014. It has been a very long time since I listened to a doom metal album. This one consist of five tracks and close to an hour in length. In terms of production its a decent recording. The drum sound is in the background, not sure if this is deliberate or just the way it was recorded. I feel that it adds to the atmosphere been portray, so no big deal. Vocals are black metal in style which makes sense since the band was formerly a BM oriented project. From the first song this EP makes you feel like traveling inside a darkened, swirling abyss. A feeling of cold and endless paths, like a labyrinth of torment and despair.

Each song has a unique adventure that only each individual listener can formulate inside their mind. For me, the stand out tracks would have to be "As I Tie My Noose", something about the keyboard compositions really resonate with me. The melody grabs my attention and the feeling of hopelessness and depression is captured perfectly in its delivery. Divide and Conquer, probably the heavier of the songs on this EP, makes me feel like walking through an industrial wasteland with many bodies scattered about. The Craft and The Witch, if you were traveling alone into a cave and came upon a seance, this is probably what it would sound like. 

In conclusion, a welcomed dark journey with many soundscapes. The compositions slowly wrap their tentacles around your mind and before you know it your are swimming in the black abyss. The band has many other demos an EPs which can be found by going to their site lunarsapian-releases be sure to check those out too.
~Artemortifica

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Total Death Fanzine 2 promo

Total Death Fanzine 2 is an underground fanzine featuring DM/BM bands from around the world. In this issue - Master, Teitenfyre, Ptahil, Tales Of Blood, Impaler of Pest, Krow, Sickrites, Scibex, Radiation Sickness, Internal Damage, Masachist, Disforterror, Moonkult, My Funeral, Neldoreth, Patronymicon Towards Prophecy, Vortex Of Clutter, With Burning Contempt, Goat Skull, Grom Records, Shotgun Sludge, Putrified, Skineater and Ugra Karma. 

The zine comes with a Kaotoxin cd promo, Darkallslaves EP Abysses of Seclusion. Interviews with the bands Scent of Death, Black Witchery, Tales Of Blood, Haiduk, Moonkult, Disforterror, Towards Prophecy and many more. Fifty plus pages full of reviews, interviews, promos and upcoming releases.

You can also check out my promo for issue 1 at this location- Video promo for issue 1

Be sure to visit Total Death Fanzine at its official FB site
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Entombed A.D. and Grave - Back To The Front TOUR 2014

Century media recording artist Entombed A.D. and Grave will be hitting the road this year. Check out the official trailer, Grave vocalist Ola Lindgren and Lars Göran Petrov give us a short run down on the upcoming tour.

ENTOMBED A.D. – “Back To The Front” tour 2014 with GRAVE & support

18-09-14 Berlin, DE @ K17

19-09-14 Tilburg, NL @ o13

20-09-14 Amstelveen ,NL @ P60

21-09-14 Kortrijk, BE @ De Kreun

22-09-14 Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof

23-09-14 Nürnberg, DE @ Rockfabrik 

24-09-14 Köln, DE @ Gebäude 9 

25-09-14 Paris, FR @ Divan du Monde

26-09-14 Lyss, CH @ Carnage Feast

27-09-14 Toulouse, FR @ Dynamo

28-09-14 Barcelona, SP @ Apolo 2

29-09-14 Madrid, SP @ Shoko

30-09-14 Bilbao, SP @ Sonora

01-10-14 Cannes, FR @ MJC Picaud

02-10-14 Trier, DE @ Ex Haus

03-10-14 Essen, DE @ Turock

04-10-14 München, DE @ Feierwerk

05-10-14 Brescia, IT @ Circolo Colony

06-10-14 Ljubljana, SI @ Gala Hala

07-10-14 Sarajevo, BH @ Club Sloga

08-10-14 Belgrad, RS @ Dom Omladine

09-10-14 Skopje, MK @ Club Havana

10-10-14 Sofia, BU @ Jet Rock Club

11-10-14 Bucharest, RO @ Romanian Thrash Metal fest

12-10-14 Budapest, HU @ Dürer Kert

13-10-14 Graz, AT @ Explosiv

14-10-14 Vienna, AT @ Viper Room

15-10-14 Ostrava, CZ @ Barrak

16-10-14 Kosice, SK @ Colloseum Club

17-10-14 Krakow, PL @ Fabryka

18-10-14 Poznan, PL @ Eskulap

19-10-14 Gdansk, PL @ B90

20-10-14 Vilnius, LT @ New York

21-10-14 Riga, LV @ Melna Piektdiena

22-10-14 Tallinn, EE @ Rockclub Tapper

23-10-14 Turku, FI @ Klubi

24-10-14 Tampere, FI @ Klubi

25-10-14 Helsinki, FI @ Nosturi

ENTOMBED A.D. with HANG THE BASTARD:

11.11.2014 UK Manchester, Roadhouse

12.11.2014 UK Glasgow, Audio

13.11.2014 IRE Dublin Voodoo Lounge

14.11.2014 UK London, Underworld

FEDRA - exclusive interview

Introducing FEDRA, Black metal band from Colombia. Members are; vocals- Darksuccubbi
Guitars-Janis, Bass and backing vocals- Ana, Drummer: Yathur-ea

1) Welcome, please give our readers a brief description of your band, when did the band begin? What country does the band reside in?

In early 2006 FEDRA was born in Bogotá Colombia from love of Metal, with the goal of exalting the role of women in the metal scene.

2) Has the band always had the same members? how did the group come together?

The band has had changes in its lineup, because of some problems with the old members of the group (commitment and time).
The founder of the group was Catherine Correa (drummer). In early 2011 Janis Gutierrez join the group (guitarist) and at the end of 2011 the band carried out auditions searching for a new lead singer and bassist. This year Carolina Araque (lead singer) and Ana Briñez (bassist and chorister) enroll the group.

3) As far as live performances, how often does the band play out? 

We play out about every 3 to 4 months.

4) What are some of the most notable concerts the band has played?

FEDRA has participated in many events in Bogota, and also in national and international level. 
-“Queen of Darkness Latin American Tour”.
-We played in Quito (Ecuador) as supporting band of Nargaroth.
-“Metal De Las Montañas” Bogotá (Colombia).

5) The band released the song "The Law Of Hell"on Reverbnation, where did you record that song? how long did it take to record that song?

The album was recorded in SoundtechStudios (Bogota-Colombia), The Law of Hell was recorded in 2 hours.

6) When it comes to writing new material, Is there one person who writes all the music or is it a collective effort?

Is a collective effort, because each of the members of the group contribute with the lyrics and the music.

7) Musically, what bands are a major influence for your group?

Our influences are Classic Black Metal bands such as Bathory, Venom and Immortal.

8) How has the Black metal community in Bogota responded since you first appeared?

The Colombian Black Metal scene is a bit sexist, so it is difficult to participate in some festivals. Furthermore, the band has been supported by many people who are interested in getting material from the band (shirts,demos,posters).

9) Fedra is promoting a new album on Youtube, can you reveal the name of the album to our readers?

At this moment we want to keep the name of the album hidden. But we are going to provide more information soon. Stay tune!

10) When is the band expected to release the new material? will it be an independent release or through a label?

The band will release the new album at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2015, through a label.

11) Will the band ever come play a show in the USA?

Yes, we will. We are talking with event organizers in USA, in order to coordinate something in the future.

12) If someone wants to book the band, promoter/label, what is the best way to get in contact with the group?

If you want to support or contact Fedra, you can get in contact with us through our E-mail: fedrablackmetal@hotmail.com and fedrafemaleblackmetal@hotmail.com
Also you can follow us in Facebook “fedra _oficial_” or twitter “fedrablackmetal”

13) Any last words?

Thanks for the support, we hope to be soon in your country, a greeting.

The Furor - Impending Revelation

The Furor is a one man project describe as Black/Thrash/Death speed metal. Member-Dizazter - Guitars, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Lyrics. Roots from Perth, Western Australia. Dizazter also plays drums in the Black/death band IMPIETY.

Impending Revelation released March 2014 under the bands own label Westernterror Records. As far as production quality, its a well polished work. Solid drum performance, heavy guitar tones as well as fast and fluid solos. Bass sounds leveled and does not over power the other instruments. Vocals are in BM format, featuring killer mids and hellish highs at appropriate points. Blistering blast beats with a high dose of double kick supremacy.

The music is black metal oriented but does reflect death metal riffing as well as thrash metal styles in certain spots. The song "Corpse Eclipse" gives us a good example of the genre mix. The guitar compositions are excellent in my opinion, well structured passages and solos in almost every track. The stand outs for me would have to be "Black Sorcerer of Sadism", great roll fills and memorable guitar licks. "Show No Mercy", the song slays, and it sounds thunderous on all levels, I would have to say I played this track several times. "Seven Trumpets" is another one to check out, it reminds me of old Morbid Angel compositions, very sick and brutal, love the solos on that song too. This is the fourth album by The Furor, be sure to look up the previous albums which can be heard at the bands Bandcamp site, Sermon Of Slaughter (EP), War Upon Worship and a few others. 

In conclusion, the music definitely delivers black/thrash/death metal in its purest form. Some songs stand out better than others but its worth adding to your collection if you are a fan of Morbid Angel, Samael, Sinister, Incantation, or any other early BM/DM bands of the nineties.
~Artemortifica

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Aghast! Reveal Debut Album Details

Entitled ‘All The Rage’, the album will see the light of day on 1st October 2014 and in their own words expect “Fast. Heavy. Catchy.”

Since their formation Aghast! have recorded a number of EP’s  and have gained a reputation for delivering the goods every time. Their most recent record ‘Live Dangerously’ seen media attention soar with Thrash Hits commenting on the EP as, “…three tracks of straight-up speed, for those of you who like stuff where guitars shred faster than a Betterware onion slicer and the sound of drummers feet snapping away from their ankles", while Metal Hammer said, "Blasting fury? Check. Venomous brutality designed to tear flesh from bone? Check. Sadistically evil in a way that's worrying? Check. Really fucking good? Hell yes."

Why the long wait for a debut you say? Well… “We have spent years experimenting and honing our sound” commented the band. “But you only get one opportunity to release your debut album and ‘All The Rage’ is a statement of intent. It exemplifies every aspect of the Aghast! sound and our attitude to making heavy music. We wanted it to be brutally heavy with a recognisable groove and packed with hooks that people can grab on to. Heavy metal should be entertaining and fun to listen to and that’s what we feel we have achieved with this record. It is a thrill ride from start to finish and we hope that everyone can get on board with us!”

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Track List

01) Die Laughing

02) All The Rage

03) Hollywood Ending

04) Afterlife Crisis

05) Drop Dead Famous

06) Bang To Rights

07) It's Your Funeral

08) Look Alive!

09) Sea of Trees

10) Hells Bells (and Buckets of Blood)

11) We Fear Silence

12) Noise Pollution