Fetocide - Repetitive Patterns (2007)

Full Length, Self-released
2007

Genre: Technical Death Metal
Region: Germany

Alright guys, someone has to help me out on this one. I first started posting here back in 2009 and it was around that time when I stumbled on Fetocide's 2005 record Redefine. This was a debut tech death record from a unknown band that was seemingly designed to please me, renewing some faith in the existence in a Cryptopsy/Iniquity level quality tech death band with it's own style that didn't break up or turn to shit.

So naturally I posted it up here. This was way back before I wrote much and I should probably review it for real at some point. I think it may have been one of my first posts.

Not long after that I read that the drummer had been injured and the bands was inactive for a time. Skip up to now: I return to Redefine after a long time, and upon tumbling down a short internet trek I discover that somehow Fetocide released a second record, an EP and a split since I last checked. All of which (except for the split) were apparently out when I was spinning their first album excessively but eluded my attention somehow...

How the fuck did Repetitive Patterns just materialized years after it was supposedly released without me knowing and without being listed in their discography? I mean considering I discovered their debut long after it (and this) was released you'd think if it was listed (and I never saw it) or in existence I would've seen that shit.

The only logical explanation is time travel.

Anyway you can imagine how surprised, excited and apprehensive I was once I saw this was waiting for me all this time. Redefine was a very sober and pleasing mix of technical and brutal death metal with stunning musicianship and interesting, creative writing. Naturally I have been very curious to know if any follow up Fetocide made would blow me away as much as the debut.

And the answer is... a pleasantly surprising yes. Prepare for a much needed injection of technical brutality. Slightly shorter than Redefine, Repetitive Patterns is another impressive exercise in tempered ferocity which has gone unrecognized.

It doesn't change much in the formula they established on Redefine which is absolutely alright with me. Instead over these nine tracks Fetocide once again show their uncompromising, focused dedication to quality face-stomping death metal that varies nicely; making use of gallops and pinched harmonics in the Iniquity tradition (though favoring brutal death placement and timing).

On that note, the guitar work here is so sharp, tight, fast and creative; pulling gold out of a tired genre. Very few solos (maybe two) and the riffing is complex with conservative use of taps and sweeps, choosing to rely on angularity and a chunky, fast attack. When those elements are used they are usually restrained and timed well so shit doesn't sound like a chaotic wank fest.

You can hear the influences in the final product but as is the case with good musicians they morph those into something quite their own. Examples of this ability bearing fruit are all over thus record, but specifically "Veracity Rejected" and "Slave" which plow over you with a multitude of styles in a cohesive, captivating, and brutal bludgeoning. "Slave" is another example: less than two minutes but packed full of tasty riffs.

While the production could be a little better it doesn't hamper the overall quality. In the vocals department Fetoicde range from monstrous and guttural, to deep barks, and clenched grunts and the bassist (as in the previous record) manages to escape the gravity of the other members on occasion, no less complex in his playing. Oh and the drumming here that is quite impressive at times, often breakneck, thundering kickers, sometimes like in "Non Entity" at the halfway point the kickers are blinding

I think the only difference is a little more brutality, there's a notable increase in (amazing) slams buffering the technicality (such as on "Eaten" near the end, "Non-Entity"'s final quarter, and throughout "Unfocussed"). It increases it's very vague, extraterrestrial Wormed-esque vibe that I definitely feel.

This is absolutely on par with their first record and I highly recommend it. Addictive slams and impressive instrumentation with restraint. I feel as though bands like Fetocide are a dying breed, not because tech death is dwindling — it's as bloated as any genre right now. I say that because they're that very special flavor of tech death that I fell in love with so long ago when I first heard Iniquity and Cryptopsy, and which I still subconsciously chase with very few successful finds (oh Led Astray...).

If you want a copy I don't know exactly where to get their merch, if you search their page it's probably there, I may have missed it. I can't recall where I picked up a copy of Redefine right now but if I find out I'll update this. For now they offer it for download on their site but I've put two alternate links to make it easier.

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DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Official Site)

Thou - Tyrant (2007)

Full Length, Robotic Empire / One Eye / Gilead Media
September, 2007

Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal
Region: USA

"I realize all the grim sternness of my own cold building with its wealth of breathing misery and my own desolate heart to endure it all.

 But it is the curse of greatness that it must step over dead bodies to create new life. 

 And now there is change. 

The serpent has turned its head to strike its master. 

Those suffocating under dominion have broken their chains. 
Privilege destroyed. 

Wealth ground to dust. 

Power laid to waste. 

Grinding teeth in contempt, with black swords in hand, stepping over dead bodies, and creating new life."

I had to finally get this up here. I've been listening to it everyday for the past month. I've listened to it twice today. And yeah I know it's quite late to be raving about and posting this but who cares, the album is phenomenal and part of what Equivoke's about is getting both new or old but always fantastic records out there. So excuse the masturbatory rant-review I'm about the embark on.

If you don't know Thou by now than you've been missing out big time, especially if you're a doom fan. Tyrant is a tremendous effort especially for their first LP. It is 5 songs of venomous, malicious, oppressive doom that is practically unapproachable even from veterans of the genre.

It hinges on intelligent, socio-political and religiously charged lyrics spewed fourth in Bryan's truly despicable, harsh rasps and screams that would be completely comfortable on the darkest of black metal releases. This is in stark contrast with much of the doom or sludge genre which is usually encased in low, deep moans and growls. When I first heard Tyrant it was this aspect that I didn't quite like about their style but over time they grew on me immensely and now I cannot imagine the band sounding the same without them. This is one point of the record I could see a lot of people finding fault with, in fact it may be the only one.

When it comes to the riffs, drumming and structure Tyrant is all gold and very creative. Mitch's grumbling bass is mighty and does so much for the sound to keep it thick and crunchy, while Terry's drumming is potent and aggressive but very flexible, providing a more than sturdy foundation for what Mitch and Andy lay down on guitar. From the moment you enter this record on the title track you are greeted with a formidable growl, as low and slow as can be. And while this quality sticks throughout the record their are occasions where the tempo is cranked up a little, and manages to work just as well in those instances.

The quiet moments that you'll come across are so powerful: the title track displays this perfectly when both Matt and Andy go clean it turns into a sombre and melodic interlude as Bryan's only clean, soft section emerges. The atmosphere is thick. A healthy dose of delay saturates the riffs to great effect and things slowly build to a destructive climax of fuzzed out heaviness which is also where the tempo changes — giving you a taste of their faster side; the quality doesn't dip in the slightest.

It's very clear that all members here have unified on some spiritual level and can write like no others in the genre. It all flows so effortlessly. From lumbering gigantic dragging slabs to shimmering, quiet cleans, to aggressive sludgy slams and chugging — they keep it cohesive and passionate. They even make a brief excursion into a southern bluesy twang (influenced by their Baton Rouge heritage no doubt) at the end of "With a Cold, Life Extinguishing Elegance": while Bryan maintains his cold rasping, the guitars whine and bend sadly. It's very beautiful and shows how well the members can adapt different styles and make it feel natural.

Tyrant is an album I have a hard time deciding on a favorite track as it's all so catchy, ugly and pleasing. If I had to for the moment I would settle on "I Was Ignored. And Judged. And Cast Down." as it encompasses all that I love about Thou in one track. The opening section is packed with memorable riffing, heavy and ominous, but once the track slows that is where I am overwhelmed by the sheer force these guys conjure. It comes suddenly and with enough mass to make black hole seem pitiful, the screeching and scraping of the brakes being put on as the bass slides thickly is magnificent. It might be my favorite moment on the record actually. Terry's crashing symbol work here really keeps shit nice and bright. Once Matt punches in with the slow, delay-laden taping it becomes even more jaw-dropping, melancholic, intense.

From that point Andy comes in with a great reverbed solo and they slow it down again right before the conclusion. Bryan's vitriolic spitting as he roars about the oppressed masses rising to slay opulent rulers is brings the intensity to a new high, and the interplay between both Matt and Andy here is stunning: one finishing the others' riff low and high, the riffs soar. This is such a great moment, they work so well off of each other. Then they slam back down with some monstrous slides and chugging, to finish it with a slow feedback fade.

This version includes the two bonus tracks that later appeared on their The Retaliation of the Immutable Force of Nature EP, and usually bonus tracks on albums are nothing to get excited about. This being Thou though that is entirely not the case. Specifically "Acceptance" (an instrumental) which veers into an almost post-rock area and manages to destroy most of the bands in that genre with that one track alone. It still holds some semblance of doom underneath but without the oppressive negativity of the previous tracks — in fact it's very uplifting, atmospheric and beautiful. '

There are wonderful climaxes and valleys they wind through with grace in this song, tastefully using their effects to make them count. Once again Thou show their ability to change it up and make whatever they write sound powerful, meaningful and serious.

The other track is "What Blood Still Flows Through These Veins?" which is more in the vein of the rest of Tyrant. Nice and slow with some sick riffing, creeping and heavy as glaciers with a short moment where they leap from that; as well as a section where Bryan rattles off lyrics quickly with his grating bark (almost like spoken word), while both guitars drone alone behind him. It finishes with a generous helping of feedback and scraping, slow rhythmic toms, etc.

I could not recommend this record enough. I'm in love with it and all of Thou's efforts and would suggest anyone who has even a passing interest in the genre to listen to Tyrant. The vinyl version has been sold out for a long time (I was fortunate enough to find a copy a few years back at a local record store) but you can pick up a third repress of the cd over at Gilead Media or Robotic Empire. The boys have (as always) put this up for free on their official site too, and you can listen to it on Gilead Media's bandcamp.


Oh. And if you ever have a chance to see them live, don't waste your time hesitating. Go and bask in the unbelievable talent and heaviness they lay down.

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DOWNLOAD (Noladiy) Official site

New Lows - Demo (2007)

Demo, Independent
2007

Genre: Hardcore
Region: USA

I did enjoy Harvest of the Carcass, I really did, but I felt that the professional production dampened the potential lethality of the songs — which were admittedly a little disappointing having heard this gem before it. They felt a little bland. For comparison on what I mean you should really check out their 2007 demo right here. I really hate to be that guy who says "their early shit is way better than their new shit" but in this case it really is true.

The four tracks on this album completely obliterate, put to shame that whole album in my opinion. Every riff and slam on this short demo is fine tuned to absolute brutality. A large part of it in my opinion is due to the gritty and harsh production making it incredibly loud, crushing and guttural — the amount of distortion and feedback amps it up even further.

The vocal duties are also far more powerful. You can virtually taste the hatred and malice spit forth, anger only matched by something like Kiss It Goodbye. It feels and sounds as if the guy's vocal chords are about to explode and tear right out of his throat. The drumming is not particularly notable on its own but when combined with the aforementioned aspects it really ties the whole record together, crashing down with incomprehensible force.

From the opening track it is abundantly clear these guys aren't fucking around. They aren't innovating to be sure but holy fuck this is the essence of pissed off hardcore done so right. Tightly written and violently executed: it's short, simple and truly barbaric with an ugly and evil guitar tone to carry the riffs into unknown levels of sheer power.

When they're not racing forth with unwavering speed in good old punk fashion, the slow moments will collapse on top of you with such force that it will leave you speechless; it's like being crushed beneath and torn apart by some ferocious wild animal. There is no way you won't thrash and headbang uncontrollably when they settle into a thick groovy breakdown like those heard on Lucifer Crucified or Lowest Depths. These two tracks alone make the album fantastically intense you'll ask why Harvest of the Carcass didn't hit such heights; it honestly is a little disappointing returning to it once you run through this sonic evisceration.

Get this now. It demands to be played multiple times on the highest volume possible. Some absolutely fantastic hardcore. The only complaint one could make is that it's too short but I'd much rather a short and exquisite record then a long and bland one. I'm not sure if this is available on its own but it is also coupled with their selftitled re-released EP which has a few other excellent tracks. It can be found on the Deathwish Inc. store.


DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Vale of Miscreation - Emergence Within the Corridor of Unholy Lacerations (2007)

Full Length, Dead World Syndicate Records
2007

Genre: Technical Death Metal/Brutal Death Metal
Region: USA

I don't know where these guys went, if they're still active and working on new material in some festering crypt somewhere but this one and only album makes me wish they'd get on that shit.

Right off the bat lets get something out of the way: the production here is sorely lacking. Some will say that it just adds to the brutality this behemoth oozes which is fine but I would still like to have the guitars and drums higher in the mix. Having acknowledged that, Emergence Within the Corridor of Unholy Lacerations is a rapid fire, relentless wall of chaotic technicality and unfettered brutal slams I feel was lost under the piles of brutal death bands that exist today.

Clocking in at just over 20 minutes it's a short ride but one I wouldn't pass on. The vocals are very much akin to Phleg from Wormed/Human Mincer, Antti from Demilich, or the various vocalists Disgorge (USA) has housed: bubbling, gurgled, undecipherable and truly vile. Guitars swing from intense slams to mind-fuck sweeps perfectly with short bursts of alternate picking between them and man does it rule. Drumming and bass lines are just as technical reaching incredible speeds, causing one to break a sweat just listening.

A veritably unknown record that I feel deserves some attention from death metal fans, certainly those who enjoy Wormed, Human Mincer, Disgorge, Vomit the Soul, Embryonic Depravity, etc. I'm not sure if this is available directly from the band or label but if you can find it pick it up.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Inveracity - Extermination of Millions (2007)

Full Length, Unique Leader Records
April 24th, 2007

Genre: Technical Death Metal/Brutal Death Metal
Region: Greece

Extermination of Millions — what a vicious and dense record of brutal and technical death metal. It has a shit ton of replay value. Inveracity obviously take a lot of influence from Suffocation but what brutal or tech death band doesn't to some degree?

The songs on this album are impressive, a testament to tight skills and excellent writing ability. They clearly know how to play the shit out of their instruments but resist the all too common temptation to let that slide into soulless wank territory. Always at a breakneck pace with only two or three slow sections, everything here is geared towards focused and precise sonic dismemberment.

Eleven tracks that rarely hit the 3 minute mark but are packed so full of sharp and face shredding riffs that it will surely knock you on your ass within the first three. I've had this in my library for a while and always come back to it due to the perfect mix of technical alternate picked riffs, deeply satisfying powerchords alongside well placed pinched harmonics and a vocalist with an unholy growl. The bass gets lost in the mix but the double kicks will blast you into the ground, and when there is a slam it's absolutely killer and will kick your balls up into your throat.

I really recommend this shit. I have a hard time picking a favorite track as they all are equally devastating and jaw dropping. Extermination of Millions is a perfect balance between blistering technicality and ugly slamming brutality, quite a sick and memorable chunk of death metal well worth your support so pick it up over at the Unique Leader store.

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The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters (2007)

Full Length, Fat Cat
April 3rd, 2007

Genre: Shoegaze/Indie
Region: Scotland

This might not go over well with everyone here (though we seem to have a pretty well rounded following) but fuck it. The Twilight Sad are excellent, they have a new album coming out soon and I'm seeing them live at the end of February.

Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters is a very warm and full album overall with a sad atmosphere draped over the majority of tracks. Dreamy and some what depressive. Not exactly full-on shoegaze or noise rock/indie rock but the elements are certainly there.

I love the thick Scottish accent from the vocalist and the vast amounts of reverb and noise behind him from the guitars which are very bright, whining and twinkling over the thick bass lines and the strong drumming which is supporting everything proudly. The lyrics are excellent if you can pick them up through that accent. I find myself repeating them in an admittedly awful version of his accent but it's very addictive and comforting, especially the cadence he uses. Subtle use of keyboard and accordion at points adds greatly to the unique feel of the record without being forced or cheesy.

Definitely my favorite of their releases. You can pick this up at Fat Cat's webstore in cd and vinyl form, and I highly recommend you do so. Follow them on their site.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Time To Burn - Is.Land (2007)

Full Length, Basement Apes
November 1st, 2007

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge
Region: France

This is a well deserved re-post and admittedly I did not do it justice. Time To Burn recently announced that they are dead/on hiatus and this prompted me to spread this wonderful band around again. They have generously put up all of their material for free on their bandcamp page.

They are a brilliant and unique french atmospheric sludge/post-hardcore band who put out one demo, one EP and two full lengths. Is.Land is their second and last release — it is so impressive and powerful and there is still not much out there like it in the genre. The energy, atmosphere and passion mirrors that of Amenra or Mare. Check out their video for the second track Nayeli and you'll hear what you've been missing:

Is.Land is filled with quality writing and blends styles in surprising ways. It moves from brutal and fast hardcore riffing and melancholic, crushing sludgy swells and leads while always maintaining atmosphere. The drumming is tight and clear, noticeably adding to the intensity. It's the calamitous and visceral vocals that almost reach that of Colin from Amenra and Tyler of Mare which I find captivating; Eddy's vocals can be harsh as in the above example or soft and clean as shown in the closing track "Land."

I cannot recommend this album and band enough — they are an extremely satisfying listening experience. It's just too bad they shut down. The final message from the band:

"After a few years of slowed down activity, time to burn is now on hiatus.

We couldn’t be more thankful for everyone who helped us. Every gig we played at, every floor we slept on, every band we’ve toured with. we’ve met great people along the way, and they would be too many to name all. thank you."

The old links were low quality but these are 320. If you want to support them you can get this on vinyl or CD right here, and I highly recommend you do.

DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Megaupload)

Griefer - Brute Force (2007)

Full Length, Deterrent Industries
2007

Genre: Noise/Industrial/Death Industrial/Power Electronics
Region: Canada

"Network malfeasance themed power electronics and death industrial from the west coast of Canada."

I and a few friends saw Griefer last night at Mitochondrion's Parasignosis release show. I didn't really know what to expect, and I'm not a fan of noise but I was hypnotized by the end of Griefer's set. While he didn't perform anything off of this album (I assume everything he did was off of the Griefer/Blue Sabbath Black Cheer split), Brute Force is just as disturbing, cold, oppressive, and chaotic as what I heard performed last night.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
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Ignivomous - Path of Attrition Demo (2007)

Demo, Self Released
2007



Genre: Death Metal
Region: Australia

First release from these old school death metal worshiping Aussies, and it is just fantastic. In 320.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

The Fall of Every Season - From Below [ALAC]

Repost of my favourite doom metal album, in ALAC. Beautiful acoustic melodies, mixed with crushing riffs and sorrowful lyrics. "Her Withering Petals" is easily one of the best doom metal songs ever.

Artist: The Fall of Every Season
Album: From Below
Release Year: 2007
Genre: Progressive Death/Doom Metal

1. From Below
2. Sisyphean
3. The Triumphant Beast
4. Escape of the Dove
5. Her Withering Petals

Download ALAC (Megaupload)

Enjoy Eternal Bliss - Yndi Halda

Yndi Halda
Enjoy Eternal Bliss
Post-Rock
UK
2007

This is the greatest Post-Rock record ever. Some may say that GY!BE make better stuff but they're a close second at best. Now listen to this, or get the fuck out.

Why is this such an epic comeback, apart from the fact that this is an amazing album?

BECAUSE IT'S A FLAC RIP, FAGGOTS