Imbrued Sediments - Demo 2018

A two song demo from this (what I think is) one-man band, Imbrued Sediments may not be as polished as many of the brutal death metal acts out there, but that's part of their appeal. It's lo-fi, grimy barbarism, complete with a tinny sounding drum machine. Worth checking out, especially as it's being offered up for free.

World in Ruins - Era Of Warfare

Fusing 90's Gothenburg styled death metal with uninspired d-beat, World in Ruins doesn't manage to do much for me. One thing that I found especially perplexing was the crystal clear production on Era Of Warfare; with such a pronounced crust element to the band, you'd think they'd want things sounding a little grimy. This isn't terrible or anything, just not something that particularly interests me.

Live: Ensepulcher

Once again, a hectic work schedule has prevented me from keeping up with this blog and posting regularly. I did, however, manage to catch Ensepulcher when the came through town a few weeks ago and they put on a killer set. There should be some reviews up later on in the week, until then enjoy this clip from the show.

Boltok - Release the Disease

Brutal death metal out of Spain, Boltok's debut release is a rather underwhelming affair. There's nothing really "wrong" with the four tracks on Release the Disease, just something about them that falls short when you're listening to the album. It may just be personal preference, give Release the Disease a listen and see for yourself...

Annunciation - Falling Into Endless Black

Four tracks of by the numbers death metal, Annunciation isn't bringing anything new to the genre with Falling Into Endless Black. That's not to say this isn't a decent release, it's sufficiently brutal with some old school sensibilities, but there are hordes of bands that sound like Annunciation. While they may experience success on a regional level, there's nothing that makes them stand out on the larger scene.

Omnioid - Erased Binary Re​-​Animation

A 20 minute slab of brutal death metal, Erased Binary Re​-​Animation is good for what it is, but will most likely hold little appeal to those outside the slam genre. That, however, is probably of little concern to Omnioid, cause those dude seem all about keeping shit bruuuuutal. It's an album worth checking out if this style of death metal is your thing.

Enblood - Cast to Exile

Technical death metal that skillfully balances brutal and melodic elements, Cast to Exile isn't the standard fare of this blog, but Enblood have crafted such a solid album that it merited a review. Often times there's concern that "technical" and "melodic" are synonymous with "djent" and "Swedecore," but that's not the case here. Definitely something to check out.

Insatanity - Upon the Ivory Throne

With a band name like "Insatanity," I didn't expect much from this album. Surprise, surprise; it's quite solid deathgrind with some technical and brutal undertones. There's nothing momentous or revolutionary about Upon the Ivory Throne, but it's good for what it is and will appeal to a large swath of death metal fans from various subgenres.

Envig - By Human Hands

Pummeling, war-themed death metal with a heavy D-beat influence, it feels unfair to label Envig as "a crustier Bolt Thrower," but the comparison is unavoidable. Thankfully, the tracks on By Human Hands are not derivative and, while you can hear the influence, Envig have crafted their own obliterating blitzkrieg style of death fucking metal. Recommended.

Live: Petrification

Due to a hectic work schedule, I've been remiss in keeping up with this blog for the past few weeks. I did, however, manage to catch Petrification perform live last week in support of Hollow of the Void. It was an absolutely devastating set and if you have a chance to catch them live, make sure you do. I should have some reviews up later in the week; until then, enjoy this video of Petrification from the show, playing "Hymn of Charon" from their new album.

Aborted Fetus - The Ancient Spirits Of Decay

For nearly two decades Aborted Fetus has been chugging away and it shows with this record, The Ancient Spirits Of Decay is quite the consummate death metal album. Sure, you can find bands that are more brutal, more technical, more innovative, more whatever, but sometimes you just want some solid all-around death fuckin' metal. And, that's what you're going to get here.

Ingested - The Level Above Human

With The Level Above Human, Ingested have found just the right balance of brutality and technicality, while also managing to avoid the monotony that plagues most slam bands. Even if brutal death metal isn't your thing, it's worth giving this album a listen as its appeal transcends the subgenre. Of particular interest was the  instrumental piece that closes the record. Check it out.

Cryptworm - Verminosis

Eleven minutes of putrid, mid-paced death metal, these Brits have composed an exceptional EP with Verminosis. A fetid atmosphere permeates the music and Cryptworm didn't have to tack on an intro/outro to the album or movie samples to the songs, the tracks deliver all the gruesome ambiance by themselves. Recommended.

Graveyard - Back To The Mausoleum

An homage to Into The Mausoleum,  Graveyard's first release over a decade ago, Back To The Mausoleum is as gloomy, putrid, and brutal as you hoped it would be. Playing old school death metal with prominent doom elements, they've crafted an unparalleled atmosphere of stygian heaviness. Frequently, an EP of under 20 minutes isn't enough to satisfy, but the quality of the music here more than compensates. Recommended.

Damage Source - Aeons of Nothingness

Combining old school death metal with thrash undertones, Aeons of Nothingness is a heavy, skillfully performed album, but one that suffers from an uninspired sound. Imagine if a studio band was employed to record something you could "mosh and headbang to," that's essentially what this release feels like. Talented as Damage Source is, there's just something generic about their music. If you're fanatic for thrashy death metal, this may be of interest, otherwise...

Coffin Rot - Coffin Rot

A solid demo of old school, 90's sounding USDM, there's really not a whole lot to say about this four song release. It's good for what it is, but if you're not already a fan of gory, filth-encrusted death metal, it's not going to convert you. Hopefully the tracks on here will be enough to satiate the eardrums until Coffin Rot gets around to releasing a full length album.

Angerot - The Splendid Iniquity

"Swedish death metal worship" is an understatement, one could easily believe The Splendid Iniquity came from that scene 25 years ago. Alternating between mid-tempo and blistering segments, the tracks are well crafted and manage to keep the listener's attention for the entirety of the album. Between that, the outstanding musicianship, and Angerot's unrelenting heaviness, this record is necessity for every death metal collection.

MDMA - Chemical Obliteration

This is an album that will be divisive among death metal aficionados. MDMA's unorthodox sound is the cause of this diametric opposition; combining technical, but muddied guitars, iterant blast beats, and repugnant, amphibian vocals, Chemical Obliteration will induce either elation or disgust. Time, however, will be the final judge of the release's significance, undoubtedly ranking it as a hallmark of brutality.

Maleficium - Ritual Enslavement

A solid combination of contemporary brutality and old school character, Maleficium have crafted an EP that will appeal to everyone but deathcore cretins. Don't get me wrong, "Ritual Enslavement" is not a death metal pièce de résistance, but it's a solid fucking release that traverses the subgenres. Definitely something to check out.

She Ate A Scorpion - Desecration of Rerecorded Impurities

For having an idiotic name like 'She Ate A Scorpion,' the music isn't as horrible as one might expect. That's not to say the tunes on Desecration of Rerecorded Impurities are great, it's fairly unremarkable brutal death metal, but they aren't total garbage. If you're a huge slam fan, this might be worth checking out. Otherwise, probably not.

Cryptic Enslavement - Perverse Hallucinatory Descent

Attempting to balance brutality and technical ability, Perverse Hallucinatory Descent manages to come up short on both fronts. It feels like Cryptic Enslavement is stretching itself thin; they should focus on either the tech or brutal aspect, because undertaking both leaves them skilled at neither. This, combined with the generic, guttural vocals, gives the album a rather mediocre feel. There's potential here, but it doesn't manifest on this recording.

Dr. Gore - From the Deep of Rotten

From a musical perspective, From the Deep of Rotten is technically proficient and fairly brutal deathgrind, albeit lacking any nuance or innovation. But, the lyrical substance and general ambiance of the album is asinine and juvenile. The grotesque subjects of the tracks are in no way transgressive or shocking, but gory death metal clichés that have received far more innovative treatments from other bands.

Grim Fate - Emerging From The Crypt

Lumbering, putrescent death-doom, Grim Fate have forged an impressive release with Emerging From The Crypt. The four tracks have a sound reminiscent of the Finnish scene from back in the 90's, so here's the Demigod namedrop. The only, minor issue with the album was with the percussion, specifically the hi-hats; they sounded very tinny and mechanized. Other than that one thing, the album fucking crushes.

Insineratehymn - A Moment In A Vision

Naming your band after Decide 's most polarizing album is an interesting choice. Anyhow, Insineratehymn plays old school death metal, of the Swedish and Californian varieties. The album has its moments, but lacks a certain panache. The music is good, but it's not great; there is nothing there to set Insineratehymn apart from the hordes of other decent death metal bands out there. Maybe by the 2nd album their sound will have evolved into something more pronounced.
 

Grotesque Impalement - Gutted

A combination of the album's substandard sound quality and Grotesque Impalement's pedestrian brand of brutal death metal make Gutted a rather mediocre release. Even genre zealots will be hard pressed to find something redeeming on this EP.

Decayed Existence - Eulogy

Somewhat of a divergence from the normal musical repertoire here, Decayed Existence play mid-tempo death metal with some tech, thrash, and melodic undertones. There are some questionable synths that pop up during the melodic segments, which is probably a deal breaker for some, but otherwise it was fairly solid. If you're nostalgic for that 90's USDM sound from California, Eulogy will be much appreciated.

In Pain - Summoning The Dead

While fans of old school death metal will enjoy Summoning The Dead, it probably won't do anything for those on the fence about the genre. Not that the EP is in anyway subpar or generic sounding, just that it's a good release, but not a great one. In Pain may not be metal virtuosos, but they are adequate at laying down some aggressive, 90's style death metal.

I Am Destruction - Violence Devours

About the only audience Violence Devours will appeal to is slam fanatics. There's some competent percussion and decent vocals on the release, but I Am Destruction's critical issues are weak guitars and uninspired musical composition. It's not terrible, just mundane sounding brutal death metal.  If you're a devotee of the genre, it's worth checking out, otherwise...

Tardus Mortem - Nun Of The Pyre

Plodding, grimy old school death metal, the tracks on Nun Of The Pyre show potential, but also that this is a band still in the process of crafting their own sound and trying to play as a cohesive unit. While this EP is just OK, it was still decent enough to pique an interest in the full length album that Tardus Mortem is currently working on.  

Melting Rot - Irreversible Surgical Failure

Seven tracks of mince goregrind that all clocks in at 11 minutes, Irreversible Surgical Failure is the perfect length EP. Just long enough to give the listener a solid dose of Melting Rot's putrid sound, but short enough to leave them wanting more. With the band offering the EP as a free download from their bandcamp page, there's no excuse not to snag this release.

Cryptic Brood/Minenfeld - Inevitable Death

Boasting that the tunes on here sound like "Autopsy meets Bolt Thrower" sets some unrealistic expectations and unattainable standards. It's a decent split EP of slow-paced, old school death metal, but that's all it is. This good, but not great. Of the two, Minenfeld is the more memorable. It's not that Cryptic Brood sounds bad, rather that their tracks don't amalgamate into anything significant. It just feels like this release could have been something better.

Galvanizer - Sanguine Vigil

Combining late 80's deathgrind and early 90's Scandinavian death metal, Galvanizer have crafted an impressive debut full length with Sanguine Vigil. Throughout the entirety of the 11 tracks on the album there's not a moment where the intensity or brutality dwindles, it's 30 minutes of constant headbanging carnage. As if that wasn't enough, the album's cover art was done by Turkka G. Rantanen, who you'll remember from Demilich‘s album covers.

Macabre Demise - 11

Proficient, but sterile and derivative, the three tracks on this EP leave something to be desired. If Cannibal Corpse had a grindcore band's drum machine, that would be a decent approximation to Macabre Demise's sound. It's heavy and musically adroit, but lacks a certain quintessence. At the very least it's worth a listen; who knows, perhaps you will enjoy it it.

Angel Splitter - Void of Devouring Luminescence

Don't believe the "blackened deathcore" tag that frequently gets attached to Angel Splitter. Yes, there are some noticeable black metal and deathcore undertones, but the essence of this band is savage death metal. Some genre purists might still be turned-off due to the black and core aspects, but it's their loss. Void of Devouring Luminescence is a well balanced serving of brutality, technical expertise, and multifarious influences that is a steal at $2 for this 5 song EP.

Slithering Decay - Demo 2018

Right away you'll notice two things when listening to this demo; the influence of early 90's Swedish death metal and that there are some consummate musicians behind Slithering Decay. This isn't some 2nd rate Dismember or Grave knockoff, but a band that's capable of crafting their own sound while paying homage to the acts that influenced them. For a demo that clocks in at under 15 minutes with just four songs, it left a solid impression. This is definitely a band to keep tabs on for when a full length is released.