Fetid Zombie - Grotesque Creation

Fetid Zombie is a band conceived by artist Mark Riddick and various contributing musicians. Genre described as Death/Thrash Metal. Band origin; Leesburg, VA / USA.

Grotesque Creation album released on February 15th, 2015 Metalhit. My first impression, classic and intense death metal sounds. I spent several weeks listening to this album. To be honest this music resonates with me on all levels. Not just a standard death metal template of tracks. Each song has a certain character and substance and is memorable in its own way. At first, I did not expect it to be as monumental as it turned out to be. Take the song Into the Unknown, it starts like an early nineties metal song then it transcends into a darker and horror filled composition. The solo is great, simple and very memorable. I played this song numerous times. The title track "Grotesque Creation", features some creative bass lines than stand out in my head. In my mind this song is sure to be a classic. Some of the things that catch my ears are the subtle keyboards as well as creepy passages that resemble those of legendary horror film soundtracks such as those of Bava or Argento. Razor-Sharp Attack, I get a sense of thrash metal like that of Accept or Kreator. The Way of Mortality, the roots of early metal can be felt right from the start. Simple, yet very effective progression into some wicked sounding bass lines. Utterance of Doom (featuring Microcosm), the melodic passage half way into this song just mesmerizes me, then the solo comes in and just tops it off perfectly. The song that completely blew my mind away was "The Outstretched Hand of Rotten Death", it is an epic and devastating track. The beginning starts with a very melodic and intense bass line. The verse line comes in with a big solo that just makes my head move. The ending is by far the most moving piece of music for me, it conjures up images of all the classic horror films of the 80's and early nineties. I found myself playing this track over and over again and I can't say enough about it other than you have to experience it for yourself.

I have been a long time fan of Riddicks artwork and it is a pleasure to hear his music. It is just as amazing as his artwork and fits perfectly as a full package of horror and dark atmosphere.

For those interested to know who the contributing musicians on this project are, here is a quote right from the FZ facebook page Riddick regularly recruits special guest appearances by other distinct talents from bands like NUNSLAUGHTER, BONE GNAWER, ROTTING CHRIST, SWAMP, VARATHRON, NECROMANTIA, LOCULUS, ARSIS, GRAVEWURM, DEVOURMENT, RUDE, HORRENDOUS, CRUCIFIER, SKELETAL SPECTRE, etc.

In conclusion, the music is raw to the bone like the early death metal recordings of bands like Grave, Hypocrisy, Sinister and Gorguts. Each song holds a certain characteristic that set them apart from each other. The album is certain to be a cult classic. Fans of the old school dm as well as the new comers to the underground music should most definitly add this to their collection. ~Artemortifica

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Cyrax - Pictures

Cyrax is a five piece band consisting of Marco Cantoni - Lead Vocals, Filippo Ferrari - Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Paolo Musazzi - Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Cesare Ferrari - Bass, Lorenzo Beltrami - Drums. Genre described as heavy/Power/Prog/Thrash/Industrial Metal. Band origin Milano, Italy.

Pictures album to be released on March 31st through Bakerteam Records. Here we have nine tracks of power and progressive themes. A combination of both metal and melodic arrangements. The vocals and chorus parts are very elaborate. For example the song The 7th Seal, features choir type of chorus along with high screams and a dash of can be best describe as Merciful Fate style of vocals, very well executed. In terms of production, it is excellent, with all the different instruments. Everything is solid and pronounced. Some of my favorite tracks would be Oedipus Rex, These Greenvalleys and Shine Through Darkness pt. I, II, III. Complex and melodic solos can be found in each and every passage. Another thing that catches my ears is the amount of twist and turns you will hear. Rather than a standard format of song arrangements, there are some clever compositions that will keep you guessing as to what you will hear next. 

In conclusion, the music covers a wide field of genres and does it without any effort. Everything flows together well and with powerful intention. ~Artemortifica

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Tristana - Virtual Crime

Tristana is a five piece band consisting of Peter Wilsen- vocals. Laco Krabac- bassguitar. Dusan Homer- guitar. Andrea Almasi- keyboard. Roman Elevo Lasso- drums. Genre described as alternative metal. Band origin Povazska Bystrica.

Virtual Crime album will be released on March 31st 2015 on Bakerteam Records. This release contains eleven high energy songs. My first thoughts, progressive and melodic. The music delivers catchy riffs and great vocalization. The compositions contain elements of industrial metal and gothic metal overtones. Some of the tracks that resonated with me the most would have to be, Beg for Death, Killer, Hunting Fever and Wasted Time. The vocals have many different characteristics, clean singing, high and low screams, all done in all the right locations within the arrangements. The track Wasted Time would be a good example of this. The progressive melodies catch my attention, these are very talented musicians. This will be the bands third full length album and it sets a new level for them. 

In conclusion, a powerful and melodic adventure with a variety of keys and strings to keep your mind occupied through out the ride. I recommended for fans of Dream Theater, Fear Factory, Imperia, Dark Tranquility and Insomnian. 
~Artemortifica

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Triumvir Foul - An Oath of Blood and Fire

Triumvir Foul is a two piece band consisting of Cedentibus - Drums. Ad Infinitum - Guitars, Vocals. Genre described as Death Metal. Band origin Portland, Oregon.

An Oath of Blood and Fire EP released on vinyl March 20th 2015 through Third eye Temple. This was previously out on limited 100 cassette edition independently. The music is raw to the bone. Memories of the old ancient sounds of the dm genre come creeping into mind. The production quality is not the best, but it adds texture to the overall atmosphere. The Vacuum of Knots is a good way to introduce the listener to this morbid abyss. Brutal vocal work and blast beats. Abhorrent Depths, this track reminds me of old Dismember or Monstrosity. Silence Continuum, the main riff in this song is catchy and brutal. I would have to say it is one of my favorites from this EP. Finally, Embalmed (Autopsy cover) closes our journey. Spine shaking solo work the like of old Sepultura Schizophrenia recording. Crushing and devastating.

In conclusion, the tentacles of the dark side come pouring through the speakers from song to song. The EP carries the spirit of the old school methods of brutality. Fans of the original dm gereneration as well as the younger new comers will find something to enjoy in this recording.~Artemortifica

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Deprive - Into Oblivion

Deprive is a one man band consisting of Erun Dagoth - All instruments / Vocals. Genre described as Death Metal. Band origin Santander.

Into Oblivion album released on Momento Mori January 25 2015. My first impression, the roots of death metal are clearly a huge influence. The music reminds me of my younger years when I listen to death metal for the first time. Bands like Entombed, Dismember, Grave, Sinister, Hypocrisy and Gorguts come to my mind. In terms of production, compared to what is out there now, this is not the best sounding by all means but its gritty raw quality adds a certain feeling of those nostalgic old school albums which I enjoy very much. The most notable tracks for me would have to be Fall of Entropy, Infamous Ossuary of Tribulation, An Oath of Necrotical Mist and Into Oblivion. Solid sounding guitar rhythms and intense drumming. 

In conclusion, the sounds of the old school death metal lives on in this album. The solos and compositions are worth banging you head to. ~Artemortifica

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Odota - Fever Marshal

Odota is a one man project. It is the creation of Jarmo Nuutre. Genre described as Black metal, Experimental, Psychedelic. Band origin Tallinn.

Fever Marshal album released independently on December 2nd, 2014. My first impression, obscure and dark. Seven tracks of mayhem and experimentation. The production quality is very raw and gritty. The drums are more in the background and the guitars have slight distortion, the vocals are upfront and high on reverb. All the production aside. The music is black metal to its roots. Think of those rare hard to find sounds, bands like Bathory, Xasthur and Laviathan come to mind. Intrigued, as I always am with solo artist. My exploration into this music is very open. Songs like Cannon and Staked Plains resonate with me. The ability of the compositions to take you into certain dark realms, if you are willing to pay attention. I enjoy the way all the parts are arranged. It is a big undertaking to play all the instruments and have them sound cohesive through out the entire length of the album. I always admire how a single person can achieve what usually takes three to five people to do. The gritty and raw nature only adds to the atmosphere and texture of the songs, which I enjoy very much.

In conclusion, a well executed and projected vision of darkened paths. The album features songs that contain a unique character to themselves. Fans of obscure, experimental b/m should add this to their collection. ~Artemortifica

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LOUDRAGE release new lyrics video

Romanian Groovy Death Metal band LOUDRAGE released their first lyrics video for the track Insane, a DIY work by the band. Insane is taken off the band's latest demo, Undead Crawlers, available for free streaming and download below

   

LOUDRAGE recently released another DIY video for the track "Living Dead" (taken from the "Undead Crawlers" 2014 demo) as tribute to the titan of Horror, George A. Romero.

"Living Dead" also features Adi "OQ" Neagoe from Negura Bunget on guitars.

"Undead Crawlers"