Spektralaeon - Crushing The Monolith

Spektralaeon is a one man band consisting of Uraeus. Lead guitar performances credited to Sean Currington. Music style is listed as, black/death metal. Band location, Wisconsin.

Crushing The Monolith EP self released on March 1st 2016. My initial thoughts are, a solid and powerful wave of sonic intensity. To my unsuspecting ears the music comes flowing at a high velocity. Being a debut ep, it is impressive to hear the level of aggression persisting from riff to riff. Great production quality with a solid drum sound.

Unleashing fury with the song "Entropic Dystopia", the intro slowly builds up and then suddenly the blast beat hits you and you know your in for a brutal ride. Cryptic low guttural vocals magnify the force. Arrangements that are well stitched patterns of both black metal and death metal roots. One of the things I enjoyed in this particular song were the rapid solos. Memorable and well conceived. Next up is, "Deviant Scion", heavier and more dynamic than the first song and features another style of vocals reminiscent of Simen Hestnæs from early Dimmu Borgir days. The last and title track is "Crushing The Monolith", it is punishing and it is a perfect way to close out this release. If I may note some influence, I would say, Ad Noctum, The Cold Beyond, Demonic Christ and Black Witchery. 

Final thoughts, a short but monumental Ep. The music delivers high energy from all directions. You can sample the release right from the BC link embedded on the post below. Be sure to also visit the band at their FB site also provided below.  
~Artemortifica

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VIRULENCY - The Anthropodermic Manuscript of Retribution

VIRULENCY is a four piece band made up of, DisJorge - Fretless Bass and Guitars
J. - Vocals. Fabio "Dr. Grinder" Ramirez - Drums. Asier Badiola - Guitars. Music style is listed as, Virulent Brutal Death metal. Band location, Basque Country / Madrid.

The Anthropodermic Manuscript of Retribution album released on New Standard Elite February 28th, 2016. The eye catching artwork reveals a towering beast straight out of some maniacal horror sci-fi film. Just one look and you can already start to imaging the great amount of brutality that is contained in this album.

The opening track delivers a smashing blow and sets the pace for relentless battery. This is a heavy and furious music that is sure to cause massive shockwaves in the underground community. The drums bring rapid and precise double kicks and complex rhythms of pure energy. If I may note some influences, I would say bands like Defeated Sanity, Devourment, Suffocation and Immolation. A good assortment of slam beats are also presented. The guttural vocals are intense and there is no shortage of aggression. 

This is the bands first full length album. Fans have been waiting for this since the last released ep back in 2012 "Unbearable Martyrdom Landscapes". They had a short two song promo release in 2013. This a welcomed and anticipated album and it delivers maximum devastation.

Final thoughts, the music punishes the senses with unthinkable fury. After experiencing this album, you will probably be picking up fragments of your shattered skull caused from the power that resonates from the speakers. 
~Artemortifica

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Sacrilegium - Anima Lucifera

Sacrilegium is a four piece band made up of, Armeus -Drums. Suclagus-Guitars/Bass. Aleksandra Keyboards. Nantur Aldaron-Vocals. Music style is listed as, Pagan Black Metal. Band location, Poland.

Anima Lucifera album to be released on Pagan Records March 18 2016. This band got their start in 1993 and went dormant after 2000. After thirteen years they somehow collaborated to bring us this latest release. My initial impression is, pure and skull crushing black metal. A natural sounding recording. The album does not waste any time and gets right to the madness. Rooted in traditional rhythms and arrangements of the early black metal days. They execute each song in a menacing manner. Like beckoning of demons from the depths of the swirling abyss. Along with haunting, cryptic intros and outros. They offer dissonant melodies and subtle sounds that seemed to come from another planet. Of the eight savage tracks, the ones that managed to carve themselves into my mind would have to be,"Mare Tenebrarum" the composition reminds me of the band Mayhem in some aspects. It has rapid blast beats and spine shaking vocals. A couple of others that make a lasting impression would be, "Venomous Spell of Fate" and "Desiderium Immortalis".

Final thoughts, a finely carved piece of material. If you enjoy powerful b/m with melodic soundscapes and haunting overtures then this will be perfect for you. Be sure to check out the link below and find out when the music will be released.
~Artemortifica

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Paroxsihzem - Abyss of Excruciating Vexes

Paroxsihzem is a three piece band consisting of, Impugnor (Guitar/Bass), Abyss (Drums), Krag   (Vocals). Music style is listed as, black/death metal. Band location, Toronto, Ontario.

Abyss of Excruciating Vexes MLP to be released on Vinyl/Digital March 2016 Hellthrasher Productions. A menacing album cover with equally destructive music to go along with its onslaught of blackened/brutal death metal. Imaging for a moment, tremendous beasts raising from a swirling pit of fire, that's how my vision seemed to go from the moment I hit that played button. Savage riffing with supreme blast beats and chaotic solos. The early death metal influence can also be felt, specially on the track "Isolation", reminiscent of Asphyx, Monstrosity and Sinister.

Brutal fans will love the absolute devastation coming from every single orifice of the compositions. While certainly not bringing innovation to the genre but keeping those roots alive and ravenous. This release gets straight to the point and brings a rapid attack of blistering metal that you will not survive.

Final thoughts, I enjoyed every song, the roots of the early years of brutal death metal are holding strong. If you are looking for raw and unprocessed music with a sharp edge, then look no further, check out this album.
~Artemortifica

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Chaos Moon - Amissum

Chaos Moon is a one piece band, members on this release are  Alex Poole (Krieg,   Martrod, Esoterica, Skaphe, Lithotome). Vocals on "Amissum” track performed by Eric Baker. Cover photo by   H.V. Lyngdal (Wormlust). Layout by Black Moon Design. Music style is listed as, Black metal. Band location, Philadelphia, PA.

Amissum EP to be released on CD March 2016 on Helltrasher Productions. Digital release was on January 27, 2016. Featured here will be an extended version with bonus track "Resurrection III" and new version of "Amissum". My initial thoughts on this EP are, deep in trance, the waves of perpetual darkness created by the music are undeniably monumental. A sense of despair. Like a winding corridor that becomes bleak and barren. Rhythms are slow to mid tempo. Heavy reverb on the vocals and long tremolo picking through dissonant chords. This is my first experience listening to this project and it delivers a dark atmosphere. Noting some similar and previous groups, I can say that it reminds me of Xaos Oblivion, Hoth, Torrens Conscientium and Atrum Tempestas.

Presented here are five malevolent and potent compositions. The songs that stood out to me would be, "To Transcend The Spine", a mid tempo song with high screams that seem to come from the deep abyss. "Illusions of Dusk and Dawn (Rerecord)", comes in with great furious blast beats. Closer to a Gorgoroth or Belphegore style. The arrangements reach deep and take us on long and brutalizing journeys. 

Final thoughts, this release presents both dark and complex melodies. It creates dissonant soundscapes effortlessly and leaves the listener wanting more.
~Artemortifica

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Decibel Mag Premiere ÉOHUM 'Eurocide

Montreal black metallers Éohum have teamed up with Decibel Mag for the premiere of their second single 'Eurocide' off their upcoming EP 'Ealdfaeder' set for release on March 18th.

Band founder and guitarist Jeremy Perkins comments:
"Eurocide is the opener to our EP, a direct introduction with sounds of flutes and drum, influenced by the Celtic and Gaulic sound. Notes you would of heard in ancient Druidic ceremonies and festivals.

 It is a song I keep close to my heart and I believe it can be seen as our manifesto, speaking of the loss of tradition, culture and identity, these being side effects of any form of colonization and indoctrination of any peoples on Earth throughout the globe at any time in history. I think every culture can come together and relate globally.

Musically, it is what I can call a literal progressive structure where we play 9 distinct riffs in a row without returning to a break, before returning to our final riffs and outro as we commenced with and it works great!

Brings us to a place where human societies and nature lived symbiotically and in balance!"

The EP was recorded at Chris Donaldson’s (Cryptopsy) “The Grid” with a special guest recording from drummer Simon Mackay of The Agonist on tracks 2-4-5 and features a line up with band founder Perkins on guitar along with the return of Annie Perreault on French horn/flute, guitarist Sylvain Dumont, vocalist Barrie Butler plus new comers bassist Cesar Franco and drummer Luca Belviso whom have been part of the line up for the last year. All are focused on the distinct grassroots of old school plus very heavy progression that has flourished since last year to give way to a distinct path, sound and image with each member sharing common ground on the message, beliefs and ideas behind Éohum.

To listen to 'Eurocide' along with interview with band founder Jeremy Perkins, please visit the following link via Decibel Magazine: decibelmagazine-ohum-where-black-metal-meets-the-environment-heritage-and-french-horns 

Revolver Mag Video Premiere NECRONOMICON 'Crown of Thorns'

Head over to Revolver mag link below, they just unleashed Necronomicons' new video, "Crown of Thorns"

Delivering a lethal dose of symphonic, blackened death, Montreal, QC metal masters NECRONOMICON are returning in 2016 with their latest offering 'Advent of The Human God' set to be unleashed via Season of Mist on March 18th for Europe and March 25th for North America / rest of the world. The brutal assaulting soundtrack is the follow up to their previous SOM release 2013's 'Rise of The Elder Ones'. 'Advent of the Human God' sees NECRONOMICON at the height of their powers and is the veteran band's definitive album to date with tracks like 'The Golden Gods', 'Unification of the Four Pillars', 'Crown of Thorns' and 'I Bringer of Light' that demonstrate how deadly their extreme metal can be. Album pre-order available at season-of-mist.store

Teaming up with Revolver Mag, NECRONOMICON premiere their third single and music video 'Crown of Thorns'.

Vocalist Rob The Witch comments on the video:

"Religion is one of the ugliest man made invention to control and dominate those who dont bow before is rules. The biggest genocide in history have been backed up by religion, countless million of native from Americas have been exterminated with the permission of the Catholic church in exchange for the propagation of the word of God. Expect no peace for the world before religions are eradicated."

To watch 'Crown of Thorns', please visit the following link: revolvermag.-necronomicon-premiere