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Showing posts from February, 2016

Paroxsihzem - Abyss of Excruciating Vexes

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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

Chaos Moon - Amissum

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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 previ

Decibel Mag Premiere ÉOHUM 'Eurocide

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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 c

Revolver Mag Video Premiere NECRONOMICON 'Crown of Thorns'

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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

Beorn - Coming Home exclusive track release

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Beorn Modern Symphonic/Power metal band from Russia, have just unveil the instrumental track "Coming Home", available at youtube and the bands Bandcamp site. Check out the link below. THE INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF THE TRACK “COMING HOME ” We’ve always loved to listen to instrumental versions of the songs we liked with vocals because it give you the opportunity to reach some different edge of the composition; pay details to every part of the arrangement, that are usually heard in some other way in the mix; it gives you the opportunity to hear something new; or just cover the song. :) We think you like it as well. Therefore from this day on we will publish instrumental versions of the songs from “Time to Dare”. Download track: click here

VESPERIA Cross Canada Tour (April 4-24) with KALMAH

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Vesperia is set to Tour with Kalmah through Canada below is a list of dates and places plus live performance. Check them out Live at Wacken Open Air 2015 - Watch here . EP Stream - The Iron Tempests - Listen here . Music Video - The Western Tempests - Watch here . Conquerors of epic metal, VESPERIA will be supporting Finnish metal masters KALMAH's 2016 cross Canada tour from April 4th - 24th (dates listed below). The Oshawa based band has been rising up the ranks after winning the Canadian and International 2015 edition of Wacken Metal Battle crowning them the best in the world against other competing independent bands from over 30 other countries. Over the last 10 years, the international battle has been hosted by the world's largest outdoor metal festival Wacken Open Air that takes place every summer in Wacken, Germany with the planet's highest caliber of metal bands. Prior to their tour, VESPERIA will be entering Blue Sound & Music Studios in Toronto, Can

ANGER AS ART Premiere Lyric Video for "2 Minutes Hate"

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Pure Grain Audio has premiered the new lyric video for "2 Minutes Hate" from Los Angeles thrashers ANGER AS ART. The song is taken from upcoming Old School Metal Records album Ad Mortem Festinamus. View the lyric video exclusively at  puregrainaudio-2-minutes-hate- Buy the album at  osmrecords.myshopify.com

Throne Of Heresy - Flagellum Daemonum Video and live dates

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Throne Of Heresy released their new album Antioch just a few weeks ago and now the present their new video Flagellum Daemonum and a few selected live dates. Watch the video below.  Live Dates 27/2 - Belsepub, Gothenburg with Puteraeon and Creeping Flesh 12/3 - The Crypt, Linköping with Miasmal, Crawl and Snake Tongue 19/3 - Copperfields, Stockholm with Blood Mortized and Crawl

Humanitas Error Est - Human Pathomorphism

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Humanitas Error Est is a five piece band made up of, S. Caedes-Vocals. Rogan-Bass. Tzar-Guitars. Ghoul-Vocals. Void114-Guitars. Ahephaim-Drums. Music style is listed as, Black metal. Band location, Germany. Human Pathomorphism album released on Satanath Records January 11th 2016. With a haunting intro, "Destroyer of Worlds", the band quickly sets us up for total annihilation. The blazing double kicks are tremendous and deliver high doses on intensity. Heavy tremolo guitar riffing and high screams send chills to the bones. It is good to here two sets of vocals doing some complex inter-changes, mid-low growls and high screams of intense brutality. I am reminded of bands like Bathory, Gorgoroth and Samael. A sonic wave of enormous proportions continues to weave its tentacles from song to song. Some of the more notable compositions would be "My Sexual Benediction", "Skinning Alive" and "Bestial Penetration", are all well executed and express th

Centrilia - Memento Mori

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Centrilia is a four piece band made up of, Gareth Ellis Bass, Vocals (backing). Andy Brown - Drums.  David Sandford-Guitars, Vocals (backing). Gavin Marshall -Vocals. Music style is listed as, Melodic Death Metal/Metalcore. Band location, Glasgow, Scotland. Memento Mori album self released on December 11 2015. Here is an ep that blew my mind. An epic and crushing assault is delivered. Since the start of the year many promos have hit my ears, but this one stayed in my mp3 player long after completing my review and I will most likely keep it in my player because the music is just that good.  For an Ep made up of five tracks, it is massive and afflicting ride. The relentless power they deliver kicks of with "Tsunami", with a modern metal approach, the song is just devastating and if you are not hooked by the time you reach the end, then I would say, get your ears checked. The track "Be A Voice, Not An Echo", is absolutely my favorite, the spirit of rebellion is e

Murder Made God - Enslaved

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Murder Made God is a four piece band made up of, Vocals-George. Guitars-Dennis. Bass-Stelios. Drums-Tolis. Music style is listed as, tech death metal. Band location, Thessaloniki,Greece. Enslaved album to be released on April 15th 2016 Comatose Music. Upon hitting the play button a vicious attack of pure and unforgiving intensity is quickly delivered and my face is melted. No time is wasted as the music unfolds. With no restraints it batters its unsuspecting listeners. All the characteristics of extreme metal are explore. Some influences that can be noted would be bands like, Vader, Krisium, Suffocation and Morbid Angel. A very good production and heavy performance is captured.  With this release the band offers us ten powerful songs of devastating nature. The title track is one of my favorites. Intense double kicks and demonic vocals. "Titan", is another big contender with high levels of aggression unfolding, is hard to resist the madness.  In conclusion, if you want

Atrocious Abnormality - Formed in Disgust

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Atrocious Abnormality is a three piece band made up of, Steve Green - Guitar and vocals. James O'Neal - Bass. Brent Williams - Drums. Music style is listed as, Brutal Death Metal. Band location, Kings Mountain, NC. Formed in Disgust album to be released on Comatose Music March 4th 2016. Heavy and crushing are the immediate thoughts. I ended up listening to this album to and from work. It definitely helped me de-stress on a day to day basis. This is like a giant slab of cement smacking you in the face. The furious charge spewing forward cannot be contained. The album is very potent and menacing force. Low tuned strings, guttural vocals, slamming bass lines and erupting drums seizes the mind and obliterate any hope of getting out alive. The opening song sample is that of earth dying and people are at their end, sounds interesting. Once the first track begins you know this is a mosh worthy phenom. I am reminded of bands like Devourment, Defeated Sanity and Cryptopsy. Complex riffi

Begrime Exemious - The Enslavement Conquest

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Begrime Exemious is a four piece band made up of, D. Orthner - Vocals, Guitar. F. Thibaudeau - Guitar, Vocals. A. Rintoul - Bass. L. Norland - Drums. Music style is listed as, Death/Black Metal. Band location, Edmonton, AB. The Enslavement Conquest album to be released on March 4th 2016 on Dark Descent Records. My first impression is, pure, raw to the bone music. The flood gates of hell swing open and this tremendous beast is set loose upon the world. At times the music reminds me of Pestilence, Six Feet Under, Bolt Thrower and early Hypocrisy. The band offers us ten skull crushing songs. The most potent and penetrating composition for me would be (Overpowered) Under Siege, powerful drums, rapid bass kicks and punishing guitar distortion. The roots of death metal can be felt all over this monster. Next in line of most memorable would be the track "Conscription Woes", many catchy verses and strong bass lines make it intense. "Noose For A Monarch", is a blazing sp

Martriden - Cold and the Silence

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Martriden is a three piece band made up of, Kyle Howard - Keyboard, Guitars, Vocals. Shane Howard - Guitars, Vocals. Will Thackeray - Guitars. Music style is listed as, Death/Black Metal. Band location,  Denver, CO . Cold and the Silence album self released on November 28th 2015. My initial thoughts are, an immersion of progressive and melodic corridors. After a period of time listening to this release, I am still finding new things I missed the first time around. The group serves up seven potent and heavy songs. The track "Consequence" is the most notable. Its creepy atmosphere makes it an enthralling piece. The build up of aggression is subtle, but leaves a long lasting impression. "Pendulum", captures my attention. A prog rock sounding piece with black metal overtones highlighted by the vocals. The roots of death/black metal can also be felt and the compositions have enough melody the keep those rhythms playing in your mind.  Final thoughts, the album is a

Plutonium - Born Again Misanthrope

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Plutonium is a one man band made up of, Mr. J. Music style is listed as, Industrial Extreme Metal.  Band location, Sweden. Born Again Misanthrope album self released on January 2016. Mr. J. was gracious enough to send me a hard disc copy of this malevolent beast of an album. In terms of production quality, this is a well balanced and powerful sounding recording. Strong drum sound and heavy tremolo guitar riffing. The black metal influence is noticeable right from the opening track. Rapid blast beats and demonic screams fill the air waves. This is Mr J third album as Plutonium. The project began in 2003 with the release of Wind of Change demo, followed by One Size Fits All album 2007, Devilmentertainment non-stop 2011 and A Decade of Indifference 2013.  As I listen further into this creation, I come upon the track "The Inverted Panopticon Experience", a dark atmosphere becomes evident, like dark tentacles of despair reaching around your neck, this track can bring chills

Grayscale Season - Head to Mist

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Grayscale Season is a four piece band made up of, Eddie Lejhagen, Adam Dahlman, Richard Sörensen, Axel Karlsson. Music style is listed as, Metal. Band location, Kungsbacka, Sweden. Head To Mist album to be self released on February 29th 2016. My initial impression, strong and powerful. Aggressive riffs become ominous right from the beginning. The production is very good. Great sounding drums and intense distortion sound. The vocals rage, low growls and screams. The band offers us twelve tracks and they are all devastating. Among my most favorite would be "Bones Break and Broken Bones", low tuned strings and triplet double kicks keep this one interesting and engaging. "Dead Man Walking", upon listening, it reminds me of groups like early Suicide Silence, Lamb of God or Animals As Leaders, the song delivers punishing wave of sonic persistence.   Final thoughts, the album is monumental. Bringing forth rapid twist and turns with unexpected fury. A quality recordin

Human Decay - Cleptocrazia

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Human Decay is a four piece band made up of, Francesco Belloni - Guitar/Voice. Jean Edifizi - Guitar. Michele Giromini - Bass. Mattia Mornelli - Drums. Music style is listed as, Thrash/Death Metal. Band location, Lunigiana - Massa Carrara. Cleptocrazia album released on Sliptrick Records 2015. Exploring the fringes of frantic sounds and razor sharp metal. The album offers us a wave of old school death metal with twist and turns to keep the listemer guessing as to what comes next. Like a mad scientist cooking up unseen monsters to haunt our dreams. Some of the things that captured my interest were the guitar solos. You can hear one or two in almost every song. The solos add an extra flare to the compositions. The entire album comes across powerful and potent. With elements that are rooted in early thrash metal genre. Some of my favorite tracks from this release would be, "Brucia" and "Sperma Benedetto". The two happen have the most resonance and engaging riffs. T

Primitive Man / Northless Split

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Primitive Man , is a three piece band made up of, Ethan Lee McCarthy - Guitars & Vocals. Jonathan Campos - Bass. Isidro Spy - Drums. Artwork by Ethan Lee McCarthy. Northless is a four piece band made up of, Nicholas Elert - Guitar. Jerry Hauppa - Bass. John Gleisner - Drums. Erik Stenglein - Guitar & Vocals. Band locations, Primitive Man - Denver, CO. Northless - Milwaukee. Music style is listed as, Sludge,doom,metal. Primitive Man / Northless split to be released March 4th 2016 on Halo of Flies. Kicking things of is Primitive Man. The trembling wave of destruction can be felt upon hitting the play button. Powerful dissonance of low tuned strings and howling screams of the beyond. The material is raw an abrasive. Dirty and sludgy distorted guitar riffs. The song is fifteen minutes long and shakes the ground.  Next up is Northless , they offer us three bone crushing, grit and descending arrangements. With maniacal screams, crust ambiance fills the air waves. The band explo

Totem Skin - Weltschmerz

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Totem Skin is a five piece band made up of, Glenn Zettersten - Vocals. Henrik Dahlqvist - Vocals. Christoffer Öster - Guitar. Sebastian Engström - Drums. Johan Wiberg - Bass. Music style is listed as, Fast, Heavy, Atmospheric. Band location, Falun/Borlänge. Weltschmerz album to be released on Halo Of Flies March 4th 2016. Prepare to have your face melted. An abrasive and chaotic force is unleashed. Grinds that bring pure punishment and direct contact. Think of bands like, Unrest, Disrupt, Napalm Death and Brutal Truth. These are seven tremendous and destructive songs with great production. Killer drum sound and intense guitar distortion. Some dissonant chords are thrown in for layering, adding more to the dimension of the sound. For example, the song "Pretend", has a particular fill in the middle that I really enjoyed. Starting slow and mellow, then building up steadily to the brink of climactic fury. Final thoughts, the band brings full aggression with every song and t

Briargh - Eboros

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Briargh is a one man band made up of, Dux Briargh - All instruments and vocals. Music style is listed as, Melancholic Black Metal. Band location, Spain. Eboros album released on October 27th, 2015, Morbid Shrine Productions. The music comes through with pure aggression and savagery. Nothing is over-processed. A very natural sounding recording is captured. Interesting aspects of the arrangements is how well the two guitar tracks compliment each other and trade of rhythms.  The song "Eboros - Epitome of Death", has a captive and creative keyboard piece along with female vocals complimented with a clean strumming guitar. A thing to note, these songs are all in spanish. It is the first time I have heard black metal with spanish lyrics, it fits well and adds a different dynamic to the album.  The drums have a natural sound and it is actually good to hear how intense the string parts are pronounced with the relentless battery of blast beats.  Final thoughts, if you want pu

ONIRISM - Cosmic Dream

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Onirism is a one man band made up of, Antoine Guibert (Hentgarm, Belenos). Music style is listed as, Epic Symphonic Black Metal. Band location, Nantes, France. Cosmic Dream album self released on Feb. 9th 2016. The sinister sounds of the underground penetrate the mortal realm once again. Upon obtaining this promo, I thought, the band name is unique, there is something mysterious about it and not your typical band name. Presented here are twelve engaging songs of dark atmosphere. Nightmarish intros and devastating black metal. Some of my favorite compositions would be "Ephemeral World I", comes in with a mesmerizing middle eastern sounding rhythm that slowly builds up into some powerful blast beats with demonic vocals. The track "At the Heart of the Desert for the Eternity (Introduction)", is epic. A big sonic experience with pulsing drums, mainly rolling toms, make lead way into a punishing onslaught of carnal sound. "The Curse of Ahriman", is a furiou

Castle Freak - Human Hive

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Castle Freak is a four piece band made up of, Andrew Gigan-Guitar/Vocals. Zak Carter-Guitar. Ben Anft-Bass. Sebastian Phillips-Drums. Music style is listed as, Death Metal/Grindcore. Band location, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Human Hive EP to be self released on March 18th 2016. Let the slaughtering begin. Guts and blood everywhere. A tremendous display of raw brutality hits my ears. Reminds me of bands like Brutal Truth, Napalm Death, Death, Overkill and Mortician. Complete with horror movie samples. This EP is short, but packs a punch. Traces of thrash metal influence can be heard on most of the songs too. "Sickening Corpses" and "Human Hive", are among my favorites from this release. Like flurry of bullets, the music assaults with carnal frequency. A dedication to death and grind is expressed with guttural vocals and all the gore you can handle. Final thoughts, it is a savage ep, full of toxic waste, zombies terror and violence. If you enjoy your metal serv

A.H.P. - Against Human Plague

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A.H.P. - Against Human Plague is a one man band made up of, Gulnar. Music style is listed as, Depressive suicidal black metal. Band location, Norway.   Against Human Plague to be released on Via Nocturna 21 February 2016. This is like a rising inferno. The album impacts with rapid blast beats and conjuring a dark perception. Tremolo guitar riffs layered with impulsive high screams. Some influences that maybe noted could be Bathory, Emperor or Spiritus(UK). Out of the ten menacing compositions, the one that stood out the most is "Drowned", a dark melody introduces us and leads into dark corridors. Feelings of despair linger and hopelessness is projected. The opening and title track is also another favorite and "Down Here", is enchanting and atmospheric. Like a trip through the void.    Final thoughts, a savage execution of sound. Reaching down deep into the sorrow in ones mind. ~Artemortifica facebook-againsthumanplague Against Human Plague by

Fall - The Insatiable Weakness

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Fall is a five piece band made up of, Jessie Santos - Rhythm/lead guitar, vocals David Gutierrez -Bass Daniel Benavides - Rhythm/lead guitar. Lorenzo Perez - Drums. Music style is listed as, Metal.  Band location, Portland, TX. The Insatiable Weakness album self released on January 26 2016. My first impression, this music brings together many elements from the metal catagories and delivers an album that is intense progressive and devastating. Some of the influences that resonate within these compositions would be, Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory, Grip Inc., Sevendust, At The Gates and Messhugga. You can also hear a wide range of vocal styles. Low growl, high screams, mid growls and regular singing. With all these parts coming together you might think it is a bit to much but, the band makes it work. Personally, I enjoy listening to all these songs. A monumental offering of eleven tracks is presented. My favorites would have to be "From Ashes", this song is melodic, bruta

FT-17 - Marcellin sen va-t-en guerre

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FT-17 is a six piece band made up of,  Hrotulf: guitars. Janus: Drums. Misein: Prime Vocals. Khorto: piano. Zymurgh: bass. Soazig Couëdel: back vocals. Music style is listed as, Extreme Melodic Metal.  Band location, Nantes/Bordeaux/Lyon. Marcellin sen va-t-en guerre album self released on January 29th 2016. My initial thoughts are, heavy and deep. Momentum builds up into a sonic wave of atmosphere and melodies. The first two tracks are spoken words. They are in French. On the promo sent, this is the description to the content of the album " August 3rd 1914: Europe sets itself on fire. In France, hundreds of thousands conscripts are mobilized to fight against Germany. Among them, Marcellin Trouvé a young school teacher who is mobilized in the 57th infantry regiment during WWI. The hero of this story decides to tell his story in his diary."  In terms of production, a solid performance is captured. Catchy chorus lines, heavy and clear distortion sound. Powerful drums with d

Among The Prey - Only For The Blinded Eyes

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Among The Prey is a four piece band made up of, Iiro Kuntsi - vocals and guitar. Atte Palokangas - drums. Joni Laine - guitar. Toni Keskinen - bass. Music style is listed as, melodic death metal.  Band location, Finland. Only For The Blinded Eyes album to be released on Inverse Records February 19 2016. My initial thoughts are, high energy and engaging riffs. A solid slab of pure brutality. Compositions that deliver a massive blow. A total on nine tracks. Great production, heavy distorted guitars and strong drum sound. At times reminding me of At the Gates, The Haunted, Mastodon and Lamb of God. The songs that stood out the most from this release would be "Pieces" and Wake Up", in Wake up I really enjoy the hammer-on pull-off arrangement, its memorable and adds a certain dynamic to the song. It is a track that will make you want to clench your fist and come out swinging.  Final thoughts, a savage and intense album. Metal that comes at you at a hundred miles per hou

Sacrilegium - Angelus

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Sacrilegium is a five 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, Wejherowo. Angelus album released on Release on 28 December 2015 Pagan Records. The band has been bringing their brand of madness since 1994 when they released their demo Sleeptime. This promo contains six different versions of the song Angelus. I will have to say my favorite version is by Angelus (Remix by Echoes of Yul), it is the atmosphere and penetrating hypnosis the synths create that most capture my attention. At times it reminds me of a Silent Hill type of soundtrack. Haunting and enthralling. At the time of this review the band has currently released a full album entitled  Anima Lucifera . Below you'll find the link to the band BC so you can pick your favorite mix Final thoughts, six renditions each with its own flavor. ~Artemortifica facebook-SacrilegiumOfficial Angelus

Kult Mogił - Anxiety Never Descending

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Kult Mogił is a three piece band made up of, Kalkulator Chronometrażysta - Drums. Thisworld Outof Guitars. Karmiciel Wszy Zdrowych - Guitars, Vocals. Members as listed at  metal-archives .  Music style is listed as, death metal. Band location, Poland. Anxiety Never Descending Release on 24 December 2015 Pagan Records. Dissonance and chaos are the two main ingredients in this release. The opening track comes through like sharp razor blades and obliterates the senses. Raw and gritty seems to be the projection of the production. Low growls and blast beats can be heard demolishing everything in site. The band offers us six punishing compositions. Reminiscent of early Morbid Angel but with a twisted and maniacal structure. Some of my favorites from this release would have to be "Serene Ponds", thunderous double kick work and cut throat solos make this particular song stand out. "Początek Wrażeń", not sure what it means but the low tuned strings send shivers down the