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.
DOWNLOAD (Zippyshare)
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Official Site)
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Sunday, September 30, 2012
VYST - Try Again. Fail Again. Keep On Trying. Keep On Living. Gain While Giving. (2012)
Full Length, Vendetta Records
January 1st, 2012
Genre: Hardcore
Region: Germany
Here's a surprisingly awesome shard of hardcore I only just came across. What made me take interest was that VYST contains members of Throwers, Glasses, and Perth Express —and by extension of those last two bands, at least one member of Men in Search of the Perfect Weapon, one of my favorite bands ever. So naturally I had to check them out as I'm always interested in hearing what the members of such a phenomenal sludge act are up to after its demise..
The drummer of Glasses and Perth Expresswas also in MISOTPW if I'm not mistaken, and while he's not on this record he has joined the band and will appear on their soon to be released new EP "Bad News Travels Slowly". Regardless of this bit if information once I gave this record a spin I was immediately impressed. VYST will surely join the ranks of other great new German hardcore acts if they haven't already.
Try Again. Fail Again. is a half-hour of darkly tinged hardcore with some great ferocity displayed in each of the nine tracks featured here. They dip into moments of melody on some of the longer tracks like "Towards the Cliff", "They Run", and "Count Me Down" and their briefness makes them all the more powerful.
The production is quite good also, everything rings clear and sharp bringing out the heaviness of some of the slower, crunchy passages. Vocals are wonderfully raspy and hoarse, rending his throat as he runs through issues both bleak and uplifting, contemptuous and angry. Nothing that hasn't been said before but it all suits the tone of the tunes here. Speaking of tone, the guitars sound great as they roll and slice through some very catchy rhythms.
VYST don't rely on dissonance. Merely powerful riffs that move from high speed punk to a moment or two in sludgecore territory (almost) to a short melodic or melancholic (sometimes clean) section — briefly there will be in a few songs a rough tremolo passage just touching on something blackened. Not enough to take over at any point but you can here some of this in "This Is All Exhausted" which is the only track with a simple breakdown to end the song as well, but a tremendous riff before that.
I think the last four tracks stand out the most for me. Especially "Towards The Cliff" where things slow down a bit in the beginning and gain some mass as the riffs pound, and that same riff from the start returns with a vengeance in the latter half; augmented a little and for the better, with a great slow fade. "They Run" has some similar captivating strengths, a real nice clean section and melody peppered throughout.
Not injected with the blazing sludge found in Perth Express and yet not being as strictly hardcore as Glasses, VYST have found a comfortable middle ground with a very minor blackened-crusty influence without completely falling into the ever-popular splinter genre of dark hardcore; and it works very well.
Actually they probably have more in common with their brothers in Throwers than the other two groups which is more on the dark dissonant side of the sound (and which I will eventually post up here as well). There's some excellent arrangements to be heard on Try Again..., very catchy and abrasive, fast with some hammer-blow heaviness sprinkled at just the right moments. Quite an enjoyable listening experience all the way through but nothing that could be said to be "off the beaten path". Just solid, head-bang-inducing hardcore.
I definitely recommend listening to what VYST offer up here. And they present it as a "name your price" download on their bandcamp so either snatch it up for nothing or be generous and throw them a few bucks for their hard work. And as I said, the new EP that's going to be released features the drummer from Glasses/Perth Express/MISOTPW so be sure to check it out. It feels a little more complex and angry from the one track up at the moment
DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
January 1st, 2012
Genre: Hardcore
Region: Germany
Here's a surprisingly awesome shard of hardcore I only just came across. What made me take interest was that VYST contains members of Throwers, Glasses, and Perth Express —
The drummer of Glasses and Perth Express
Try Again. Fail Again. is a half-hour of darkly tinged hardcore with some great ferocity displayed in each of the nine tracks featured here. They dip into moments of melody on some of the longer tracks like "Towards the Cliff", "They Run", and "Count Me Down" and their briefness makes them all the more powerful.
The production is quite good also, everything rings clear and sharp bringing out the heaviness of some of the slower, crunchy passages. Vocals are wonderfully raspy and hoarse, rending his throat as he runs through issues both bleak and uplifting, contemptuous and angry. Nothing that hasn't been said before but it all suits the tone of the tunes here. Speaking of tone, the guitars sound great as they roll and slice through some very catchy rhythms.
VYST don't rely on dissonance. Merely powerful riffs that move from high speed punk to a moment or two in sludgecore territory (almost) to a short melodic or melancholic (sometimes clean) section — briefly there will be in a few songs a rough tremolo passage just touching on something blackened. Not enough to take over at any point but you can here some of this in "This Is All Exhausted" which is the only track with a simple breakdown to end the song as well, but a tremendous riff before that.
I think the last four tracks stand out the most for me. Especially "Towards The Cliff" where things slow down a bit in the beginning and gain some mass as the riffs pound, and that same riff from the start returns with a vengeance in the latter half; augmented a little and for the better, with a great slow fade. "They Run" has some similar captivating strengths, a real nice clean section and melody peppered throughout.
Not injected with the blazing sludge found in Perth Express and yet not being as strictly hardcore as Glasses, VYST have found a comfortable middle ground with a very minor blackened-crusty influence without completely falling into the ever-popular splinter genre of dark hardcore; and it works very well.
Actually they probably have more in common with their brothers in Throwers than the other two groups which is more on the dark dissonant side of the sound (and which I will eventually post up here as well). There's some excellent arrangements to be heard on Try Again..., very catchy and abrasive, fast with some hammer-blow heaviness sprinkled at just the right moments. Quite an enjoyable listening experience all the way through but nothing that could be said to be "off the beaten path". Just solid, head-bang-inducing hardcore.
I definitely recommend listening to what VYST offer up here. And they present it as a "name your price" download on their bandcamp so either snatch it up for nothing or be generous and throw them a few bucks for their hard work. And as I said, the new EP that's going to be released features the drummer from Glasses/Perth Express/MISOTPW so be sure to check it out. It feels a little more complex and angry from the one track up at the moment
DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Planks - Funeral Mouth (2012)
Full Length, Golden Antenna Records
October 12th, 2012
Genre: Sludge/Hardcore/Blackened Sludge
Region: Germany
It wasn't until a little while ago that I became aware Planks were working on a new record, it crept up on me.
Funeral Mouth is this German act's third full length and it manages to build quite well from their sludgy hardcore foundations by adding a little more atmospheric, blackened influences and blending them all quite seamlessly. It ends up with a slight post-metal tinge without the padded song length, reliance on effects and abundance of shimmering instrumentals. Planks (alongside Black Freighter and Perth Express) are not too far removed from Canada's Titan but with this they've managed to step out a little and separate from the pack ever so slightly.
It isn't a huge departure but the differences are noticable structurally and in terms of emphasis on atmosphere, rather than pure steam-rolling heaviness. The vocals stand out quite a bit, passionate and mournful with a wicked deathly and deep rasp while alternating to semi-clean yells with a subtle melodic touch — nothing cheesy and they fit quite well. They're more muted and haunting than in their last release a lot of the time and with that the effect it has on you is different. In "Agnosia Archetype" the chorus stands out a lot as it flows with the melodic riffs and compels the listener to repeat it along with the vocalist, and in past records the style was more loud, gruff.
Guitars still have a wonderful thick tone with a tasteful use of effects and the percussion is clear, strong and very much in the hardcore vein. The bass is right up front playing off the guitars nicely, smooth with a great punch — occasionally left for a short interlude before blasting into the fervor.
When it comes down to the rest music their writing ability has not faltered one bit. Songs on Funeral Mouth still retain the sharp twangy elements and high energy, trampling passages, but this time situated among droning reverb soaked chords or tremolo sections when not dragging you through the hazed sludge. Planks manage to make this interesting by not stretching songs or sections within and harmonizing all elements very well. They effortlessly traverse slower paced and atmospheric soundscapes before injecting the hardcore venom into it to ratchet up the intensity.
Admittedly compared to The Darkest of Grays which was more straight-forward, crunchy, aggressive sludgy hardcore the feeling has changed just a bit and hardcore influences mentioned are not as prominent. Of course this aspect still rears its head at least once in each track (especially in the later songs) but augmented, not as chunky or prominent. It stays dark and heavy regardless. The blackened, hectic energy is still lingering but it feels more controlled and this doesn't hurt the record at all. We also get quite a few lingering quiet sections between the stormy attack every other song, breaking up and building up things well.
The two opening tracks spread things out a little more than the core of the record, the first being slow and dark bleeding into the second with feedback which is where we can hear the black influence more clearly in the drums and riffs; slowing down as you progress to breath out the sludge and reining that back in with a few clean sections before returning to crushing.
Funeral Mouth also has a lot of satisfying grooves throughout as one would expect. Some excellent examples would be in the previously mentioned "Agnosia Archetype" but also in "An Exorcism of Sorts": staring with a clean bassy build, shifting into heavier areas quickly once the vocals come in while the slow drum beats cut a nice notch to get comfortable in. By the middle we have a series of heavy slams and descents drenched in a murky blackened mist. The track which follows it up ("Kingdom") brings back more of their older style as well, muted gallops and flurries of twang sneaking in and feeling quite satisfying.
This is the case for the core of the album but with the mutation in style (however slight) the groovy moments are less about pounding you and are more gradual, tame and spaced.
A few instrumentals appear as they did on previous releases: one as an opener, one as a very short, clean outro;, and right before that the longest track "The Spectre" takes this form as well. Like a lot of their tracks this one hits various territory, never becoming overbearing in terms of effect usage and in fact hits the crust early in the song, but retains a heavy atmosphere. The middle has some great riffs, tumbling at a nice pace and morphing from that groovy sludge into a addictive harmonized and repeating riff with the grumbling bass follows below.
I definitely like this one. Maybe not quite as much as The Darkest of Grays but it is a pleasant surprise from Planks. Like a lot of genres the sludgecore can be fairly limited in terms of direction (especially when in high demand as it is more so these days) and while Funeral Mouth isn't taking any huge leaps it's a pleasurable listen and builds well on what they've previously created.
If you like Titan but wanted something a touch more atmospheric and blackened then you'll enjoy this. Head over to Golden Antenna Records to preorder a copy right now, or check out either their bandcamp or Cvlt Nation to listen to it in full.
DOWNLOAD (Zippyshare)
October 12th, 2012
Genre: Sludge/Hardcore/Blackened Sludge
Region: Germany
It wasn't until a little while ago that I became aware Planks were working on a new record, it crept up on me.
Funeral Mouth is this German act's third full length and it manages to build quite well from their sludgy hardcore foundations by adding a little more atmospheric, blackened influences and blending them all quite seamlessly. It ends up with a slight post-metal tinge without the padded song length, reliance on effects and abundance of shimmering instrumentals. Planks (alongside Black Freighter and Perth Express) are not too far removed from Canada's Titan but with this they've managed to step out a little and separate from the pack ever so slightly.
It isn't a huge departure but the differences are noticable structurally and in terms of emphasis on atmosphere, rather than pure steam-rolling heaviness. The vocals stand out quite a bit, passionate and mournful with a wicked deathly and deep rasp while alternating to semi-clean yells with a subtle melodic touch — nothing cheesy and they fit quite well. They're more muted and haunting than in their last release a lot of the time and with that the effect it has on you is different. In "Agnosia Archetype" the chorus stands out a lot as it flows with the melodic riffs and compels the listener to repeat it along with the vocalist, and in past records the style was more loud, gruff.
Guitars still have a wonderful thick tone with a tasteful use of effects and the percussion is clear, strong and very much in the hardcore vein. The bass is right up front playing off the guitars nicely, smooth with a great punch — occasionally left for a short interlude before blasting into the fervor.
When it comes down to the rest music their writing ability has not faltered one bit. Songs on Funeral Mouth still retain the sharp twangy elements and high energy, trampling passages, but this time situated among droning reverb soaked chords or tremolo sections when not dragging you through the hazed sludge. Planks manage to make this interesting by not stretching songs or sections within and harmonizing all elements very well. They effortlessly traverse slower paced and atmospheric soundscapes before injecting the hardcore venom into it to ratchet up the intensity.
Admittedly compared to The Darkest of Grays which was more straight-forward, crunchy, aggressive sludgy hardcore the feeling has changed just a bit and hardcore influences mentioned are not as prominent. Of course this aspect still rears its head at least once in each track (especially in the later songs) but augmented, not as chunky or prominent. It stays dark and heavy regardless. The blackened, hectic energy is still lingering but it feels more controlled and this doesn't hurt the record at all. We also get quite a few lingering quiet sections between the stormy attack every other song, breaking up and building up things well.
The two opening tracks spread things out a little more than the core of the record, the first being slow and dark bleeding into the second with feedback which is where we can hear the black influence more clearly in the drums and riffs; slowing down as you progress to breath out the sludge and reining that back in with a few clean sections before returning to crushing.
Funeral Mouth also has a lot of satisfying grooves throughout as one would expect. Some excellent examples would be in the previously mentioned "Agnosia Archetype" but also in "An Exorcism of Sorts": staring with a clean bassy build, shifting into heavier areas quickly once the vocals come in while the slow drum beats cut a nice notch to get comfortable in. By the middle we have a series of heavy slams and descents drenched in a murky blackened mist. The track which follows it up ("Kingdom") brings back more of their older style as well, muted gallops and flurries of twang sneaking in and feeling quite satisfying.
This is the case for the core of the album but with the mutation in style (however slight) the groovy moments are less about pounding you and are more gradual, tame and spaced.
A few instrumentals appear as they did on previous releases: one as an opener, one as a very short, clean outro;, and right before that the longest track "The Spectre" takes this form as well. Like a lot of their tracks this one hits various territory, never becoming overbearing in terms of effect usage and in fact hits the crust early in the song, but retains a heavy atmosphere. The middle has some great riffs, tumbling at a nice pace and morphing from that groovy sludge into a addictive harmonized and repeating riff with the grumbling bass follows below.
I definitely like this one. Maybe not quite as much as The Darkest of Grays but it is a pleasant surprise from Planks. Like a lot of genres the sludgecore can be fairly limited in terms of direction (especially when in high demand as it is more so these days) and while Funeral Mouth isn't taking any huge leaps it's a pleasurable listen and builds well on what they've previously created.
If you like Titan but wanted something a touch more atmospheric and blackened then you'll enjoy this. Head over to Golden Antenna Records to preorder a copy right now, or check out either their bandcamp or Cvlt Nation to listen to it in full.
DOWNLOAD (Zippyshare)
Labels:
2012,
Blackened Sludge,
Funeral Mouth,
Germany,
Hardcore,
Planks,
Sludge
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Lunar Aurora - Hoagascht (2012)
Full Length, Cold Dimensions
March 2nd, 2012
Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
Lunar Aurora are influential in the black metal arena, much of that influence can be felt in the waves of atmospheric black metal that have emerged in the USA and Canada of late. They have done nothing but put out consistent, high quality ambient black metal since their inception in the '90's. Hoagascht is their first release in 5 years, their 9th full length album, and unsurprisingly it is proof that these cold Germans have continued this tradition and remain strong force in the genre.
Amongst the spoken "upper Bavarian" dialect and nocturnal animal, weather, or falling trees or rock samples that add depth to the glacial atmosphere the core of their sound is spellbinding ice-cold melodic riffs, scratchy and ancient croaking vocals, and subtle, extremely effective keyboards. Hoagascht does not deviate from their past releases sticking with the "don't fix what isn't broken" creed and no one would have it different here. Whether focusing on the celestial bodies or the unforgiving winter landscapes the music is always ethereal, their songs here as always run at perfect lengths and at an even clip — strong writing always touted. When not chilling you to your bones with breathtaking waves of mellifluous chords, buzzing pleasantly, heir melancholic keyboard interludes grab you tightly, enfolding you in a dark and dulcet mist.
Another win for Lunar Aurora. If you enjoyed their previous outputs then you'll be pleased by this one no question. I really should post Mond, Andacht, or any of their previous releases at some point. Until then check this out, and find out how to pick up a copy over at Cold Dimensions or Lunar Aurora's website.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
March 2nd, 2012
Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
Lunar Aurora are influential in the black metal arena, much of that influence can be felt in the waves of atmospheric black metal that have emerged in the USA and Canada of late. They have done nothing but put out consistent, high quality ambient black metal since their inception in the '90's. Hoagascht is their first release in 5 years, their 9th full length album, and unsurprisingly it is proof that these cold Germans have continued this tradition and remain strong force in the genre.
Amongst the spoken "upper Bavarian" dialect and nocturnal animal, weather, or falling trees or rock samples that add depth to the glacial atmosphere the core of their sound is spellbinding ice-cold melodic riffs, scratchy and ancient croaking vocals, and subtle, extremely effective keyboards. Hoagascht does not deviate from their past releases sticking with the "don't fix what isn't broken" creed and no one would have it different here. Whether focusing on the celestial bodies or the unforgiving winter landscapes the music is always ethereal, their songs here as always run at perfect lengths and at an even clip — strong writing always touted. When not chilling you to your bones with breathtaking waves of mellifluous chords, buzzing pleasantly, heir melancholic keyboard interludes grab you tightly, enfolding you in a dark and dulcet mist.
Another win for Lunar Aurora. If you enjoyed their previous outputs then you'll be pleased by this one no question. I really should post Mond, Andacht, or any of their previous releases at some point. Until then check this out, and find out how to pick up a copy over at Cold Dimensions or Lunar Aurora's website.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Labels:
2012,
Ambient,
Black Metal,
Germany,
Hoagascht,
Lunar Aurora
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Charon - Sulphur Seraph (2012)
Full Length, Sepulchral Voice Records
January 7th, 2012
Genre: Black/Death Metal
Region: Germany
I've found myself thanking Haxan over at Forever Cursed a lot lately.
Charon have been active since 1997 but this is their first full length, so one should expect that with all that time and huge gulfs between releases that this record would be of a high quality — and I assure you it is. Sulphur Seraph is a writhing tangled heap of blackened death metal akin to Corpsessed, Mitochondrion, and Grave Ritual.
Throughout the record you'll hear wailing and creaking bends fade in and out under the main thrashy, blackened riffs which become like a siren warning of the impending doom. Occasionally the riffs stray from the black metal formula and hit death territory, sometimes dissonant and sometimes more straight forward but always devastating. This is covered by a a storm of percussion and vocals that flail wildly through different styles: spoken and deep, beastly growls, black rasps, even a touch of brutal death metal gutturalness/squeals are touched on briefly. None of it feels out of place and only bolsters the ancient and apocalyptic mood that washes over the whole album.
Fucking great blend of oldschool and newer styles of death and black metal, a crushing debut without question. You can pick up the cd over at the label's webstore.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
January 7th, 2012
Genre: Black/Death Metal
Region: Germany
I've found myself thanking Haxan over at Forever Cursed a lot lately.
Charon have been active since 1997 but this is their first full length, so one should expect that with all that time and huge gulfs between releases that this record would be of a high quality — and I assure you it is. Sulphur Seraph is a writhing tangled heap of blackened death metal akin to Corpsessed, Mitochondrion, and Grave Ritual.
Throughout the record you'll hear wailing and creaking bends fade in and out under the main thrashy, blackened riffs which become like a siren warning of the impending doom. Occasionally the riffs stray from the black metal formula and hit death territory, sometimes dissonant and sometimes more straight forward but always devastating. This is covered by a a storm of percussion and vocals that flail wildly through different styles: spoken and deep, beastly growls, black rasps, even a touch of brutal death metal gutturalness/squeals are touched on briefly. None of it feels out of place and only bolsters the ancient and apocalyptic mood that washes over the whole album.
Fucking great blend of oldschool and newer styles of death and black metal, a crushing debut without question. You can pick up the cd over at the label's webstore.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Friday, December 2, 2011
Necros Christos - Doom of the Occult (2011)
Full Length, Sepulchral Voice Records
March 11th, 2011
Genre: Death Metal
Region: Germany
What a record. Necros Christos can be counted as masters of death without question. This is their second full release and before their 2007 album "Triune Impurity Rites" they were pumping out splits and demos at a breakneck pace, refining their sound and pushing themselves to this point.
Doom of the Occult is a 22 track behemoth of doom smothered death with a slight middle eastern flare sprinkled throughout, both in terms of riffing and solos as well as instrumental, ambient and folky interludes (labeled as Gates or Temples). I was concerned these instrumentals would break up the punishing death metal too much but to their credit add a lot too the record overall.
Interludes are composed of a range of elements. Some are short ominous organ-like keyboard sections, others are dark choirs, and my favorites are flute, tar, acoustic guitar, and setar melodies that produce an antiquated and medieval atmosphere — all of which flow well into the delicious main course. These tracks are expertly crafted slabs of rolling death metal that follow a simple formula: sick mid-paced tremolo riffs punctuated by pinched harmonics, crunchy powerchords and plodding drums, followed a truly wicked solo; while not groundbreaking it's truly satisfying. The vocals are deep and monstrous while still decipherable with lyrical themes that range from the wrath of ancient gods and kings, the afterlife, disease, necromancy, towering temples and bleak abyssal mysteries; all that apocalyptic shit (in various languages). It all amalgamates to form an imposing ediface of archaic death you don't want to pass up.
Surely high on any death metal fan's list this year. You can pick it up the cd at Hells Headbangers or the vinyl at 20 Buck Spin (which has been given great treatment). Highly recommended for fans of Diocletian, Cruciamentum, Sonne Adam and Sanguis Imperem.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Megaupload)
March 11th, 2011
Genre: Death Metal
Region: Germany
What a record. Necros Christos can be counted as masters of death without question. This is their second full release and before their 2007 album "Triune Impurity Rites" they were pumping out splits and demos at a breakneck pace, refining their sound and pushing themselves to this point.
Doom of the Occult is a 22 track behemoth of doom smothered death with a slight middle eastern flare sprinkled throughout, both in terms of riffing and solos as well as instrumental, ambient and folky interludes (labeled as Gates or Temples). I was concerned these instrumentals would break up the punishing death metal too much but to their credit add a lot too the record overall.
Interludes are composed of a range of elements. Some are short ominous organ-like keyboard sections, others are dark choirs, and my favorites are flute, tar, acoustic guitar, and setar melodies that produce an antiquated and medieval atmosphere — all of which flow well into the delicious main course. These tracks are expertly crafted slabs of rolling death metal that follow a simple formula: sick mid-paced tremolo riffs punctuated by pinched harmonics, crunchy powerchords and plodding drums, followed a truly wicked solo; while not groundbreaking it's truly satisfying. The vocals are deep and monstrous while still decipherable with lyrical themes that range from the wrath of ancient gods and kings, the afterlife, disease, necromancy, towering temples and bleak abyssal mysteries; all that apocalyptic shit (in various languages). It all amalgamates to form an imposing ediface of archaic death you don't want to pass up.
Surely high on any death metal fan's list this year. You can pick it up the cd at Hells Headbangers or the vinyl at 20 Buck Spin (which has been given great treatment). Highly recommended for fans of Diocletian, Cruciamentum, Sonne Adam and Sanguis Imperem.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Megaupload)
Forgotten Spell - Desecrated, Decayed and Still Holy (2010)
Demo, Parasyte Curse Records
June, 2010
Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
Forgotten Spell truly have a unique sound. Very unorthodox while still retaining an exceedingly raw black metal feeling. And oh fuck is it raw — the production might put some people off but once you look past or embrace it (and you really should) there is hugely complex/creative song-writing and skillful musicianship buried underneath. One might be inclined to describe it as technical or even progressive but if so it's certainly not in a flashy, wanky sense. "Desecrated, Decayed and Still Holy" is still well within the realm of traditional occult black metal but their song structures, atmosphere and guitar tone are far different then most black metal acts out there.
The guitar tone at times resembles horns of some kind, warped and wailing over chaotic and furious drum blasts and the caustic, frantic growls, moans and howls of the vocalist ("Into Sulphuric Vortex of Abyssic Cult" is a perfect example). Blazing tremolo riffs screeching through the thick, filthy production with moments of darkly groovy powerchords; the bass is there though barely poking through the rest of the madness. Sparing use of piano and acoustic guitar work very well for quick breathers from the distraught whirlwind of chaos that your ears are saturated with all the way through. This is their second demo and it hits the 1 hour and 29 minute mark with 9 tracks which is enormous and ballsy — the material here is very strong and compelling but a demo of such length will no doubt wear down many people.
Forgotten Spell have conjured a magnificent storm of strange and foul black metal with this demo. They succeed in straddling the realms of "true" black metal while pushing technical and atmospheric boundaries without falling into common trappings of either side. I'd really like to here the demo they put out this year. This particular release is limited to 333 copies on tape and only available from the label as far as I know.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Megaupload)
June, 2010
Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
Forgotten Spell truly have a unique sound. Very unorthodox while still retaining an exceedingly raw black metal feeling. And oh fuck is it raw — the production might put some people off but once you look past or embrace it (and you really should) there is hugely complex/creative song-writing and skillful musicianship buried underneath. One might be inclined to describe it as technical or even progressive but if so it's certainly not in a flashy, wanky sense. "Desecrated, Decayed and Still Holy" is still well within the realm of traditional occult black metal but their song structures, atmosphere and guitar tone are far different then most black metal acts out there.
The guitar tone at times resembles horns of some kind, warped and wailing over chaotic and furious drum blasts and the caustic, frantic growls, moans and howls of the vocalist ("Into Sulphuric Vortex of Abyssic Cult" is a perfect example). Blazing tremolo riffs screeching through the thick, filthy production with moments of darkly groovy powerchords; the bass is there though barely poking through the rest of the madness. Sparing use of piano and acoustic guitar work very well for quick breathers from the distraught whirlwind of chaos that your ears are saturated with all the way through. This is their second demo and it hits the 1 hour and 29 minute mark with 9 tracks which is enormous and ballsy — the material here is very strong and compelling but a demo of such length will no doubt wear down many people.
Forgotten Spell have conjured a magnificent storm of strange and foul black metal with this demo. They succeed in straddling the realms of "true" black metal while pushing technical and atmospheric boundaries without falling into common trappings of either side. I'd really like to here the demo they put out this year. This particular release is limited to 333 copies on tape and only available from the label as far as I know.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Megaupload)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Omega Massif - Karpatia (2011)
September, 2011
Genre: Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal
Region: Germany
Been waiting for this: Omega Massif's new album Karpatia. I find Omega Massif to be the most captivating of the ever growing instrumental bands out there. Geisterstadt was a sludge monolith and continues to leave me speechless with it's massive crushing riffs soaked in reverb, creeping atmospheric clean moments, loads of feedback and pounding bass . Karpatia doesn't differ much in this regard and continues to showcase atmosphere through great writing. Big droning riffs that hypnotize will flood your ears until the closer.
If you want to hear either album Denovali has tracks up for both, order info, etc. Fans of post-metal that have not listened to these German sludge juggernauts should not hesitate here.
DOWNLOAD (Megaupload)
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Glasses - The Ills of Life (2010)
Full Length, Vendetta Records
November, 2010

Genre: Hardcore
Region: Germany
Coming from Vendetta Records (Men in Search of the Perfect Weapon, Perth Express, Alipinist, and Black Freighter) — Glasses are a great female fronted German hardcore act. This is their second release and a damn good one. Short and sweet.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
November, 2010
Genre: Hardcore
Region: Germany
Coming from Vendetta Records (Men in Search of the Perfect Weapon, Perth Express, Alipinist, and Black Freighter) — Glasses are a great female fronted German hardcore act. This is their second release and a damn good one. Short and sweet.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Labels:
2010,
Germany,
Glasses,
Hardcore,
The Ills of Life
Monday, June 20, 2011
Black Freighter / Planks — German Sludgecore Avalanche (2010)
I've had these records in my library for a while now but never got around to posting them, and since I recently posted a few albums that blur the genres of sludge/hardcore/black metal I decided to finally lump these two into one post . Germany's sludge and hardcore scenes are full of excellent bands so when the genres collide it's always a treat. Here's two powerful, abrasive sludge/hardcore records from 2010 you'll want to check out if you're a fan of Celeste, Time to Burn, Cursed, Buried Inside, Black Ships, Young and In The Way, Amenra, Seven Sisters of Sleep, Irreversible, Perth Express, etc.
______________________________________________________
Black Freighter - Graves And Monuments (2010)
Full Length, Vendetta Records
May 14th, 2010
Genre: Sludge/Hardcore
Region: Germany
Nice crusty vocals and hectic drumming lay the groundwork for this record. Leaning more towards the hardcore end of things at times (similar to Buried Inside), the majority of Graves And Monuments is on the faster-paced side of things, occasionally slowing down for some crushing, wandering sludge riffs. It's too bad they split-up.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
______________________________________________________
Planks - The Darkest of Grays (2010)
Full Length, Per KoroOctober 30th, 2010
Genre: Sludge/Hardcore
Region: Germany
Planks take more of a Amenra/Young and In The Way/Celeste approach to the sludgecore mashup and it works well. Some songs begin with a short sample but all contain piles of dark atmosphere draped over dissonant sludgey hardcore riffs, rasps and yells, and solid drumming. Equal parts furious hardcore energy and brooding Amenra-esque doom, this is a fucking great album.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Ascension - Consolamentum (2010)
Full-length, WTC Productions
December 24th, 2010

Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
I caught this late, released Christmas eve 2010 it's Ascension's first full length and it's quite a killer album. Their sound fits nicely between traditional black metal and more twisted outings such as Deathspell Omega. A nice surprise.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
December 24th, 2010
Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
I caught this late, released Christmas eve 2010 it's Ascension's first full length and it's quite a killer album. Their sound fits nicely between traditional black metal and more twisted outings such as Deathspell Omega. A nice surprise.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Katharsis - VVorldVVithoutEnd (2009)
Full Length, Norma Evangelium Diaboli
August 31st, 2006

Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
Relentless, blistering black metal.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
August 31st, 2006
Genre: Black Metal
Region: Germany
Relentless, blistering black metal.
| 1 | Eden Belovv | 8:11 | |
| 2 | Kross Fyre | 6:04 | |
| 3 | VVytchdance | 11:09 | |
| 4 | Ascent From Ghoulgotha | 8:39 | |
| 5 | Kosmik Sacrifice | 1:46 | |
| 6 | VVorldVVithoutEnd | 16:23 |
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Ruins of Beverast - Foulest Semen of a Sheltered Elite (2009)
Full Length, Ván
September 11, 2009
Genre: Black/Doom Metal
Region: Germany
Oppressive and filthy atmosphere as the album title would suggest.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
September 11, 2009
Genre: Black/Doom Metal
Region: Germany
Oppressive and filthy atmosphere as the album title would suggest.
| 1 | I Raised this Stone as a Ghastly Memorial | 10:31 | |
| 2 | Alu | 0:51 | |
| 3 | God's Ensanguined Bestiaries | 8:33 | |
| 4 | Mount Sinai Moloch | 12:27 | |
| 5 | Transcending Saturnine Iericho Skies | 0:46 | |
| 6 | Kain's Countenance Fell | 8:37 | |
| 7 | The Restless Mills | 12:09 | |
| 8 | Theriak - Baal - Theriak | 1:22 | |
| 9 | Blood Vaults (II - Our Despots Cleanse the Levant) | 9:19 | |
| 10 | Arcane Pharmakon Messiah | 15:14 |
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Perth Express - Harrow and Wealdstone (2008)
Full Length, Vendetta Records / Modusoperandi
February, 2008
Genre: Hardcore/Sludge
Region: Germany
Several members of Men in Search of the Perfect Weapon (one the guitarist/vocalist) and two other dudes (one from Glasses) making searing hardcore tinged with sludge. Their cover of "A Light So Dim" crushes. You can hear it streaming on their bandcamp page now.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
February, 2008
Genre: Hardcore/Sludge
Region: Germany
Several members of Men in Search of the Perfect Weapon (one the guitarist/vocalist) and two other dudes (one from Glasses) making searing hardcore tinged with sludge. Their cover of "A Light So Dim" crushes. You can hear it streaming on their bandcamp page now.
| 1 | Du Und Wie Viele Deiner iPhones | ||
| 2 | Phil Connoe Is Me | ||
| 3 | Kreuzfahrt Ins Gluck | ||
| 4 | Prolog Im Himmel | ||
| 5 | Construction Time Again | ||
| 6 | Signal Passed at Danger | ||
| 7 | Klassenbester Auf Der Milchmadchen Akademie | ||
| 8 | The Bends | ||
| 9 | A Light So Dim |
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Fetocide - Redefine (2005)
Full Length, self-released
2005

Genre: Technical Death Metal
Region: Germany
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
2005
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Region: Germany
| 1 | Morbid Mental Misery | 3:24 | |
| 2 | Lies | 2:45 | |
| 3 | Shedding Liquid Flesh | 2:19 | |
| 4 | Displaced Exaltation | 4:11 | |
| 5 | Visual Deformity | 3:19 | |
| 6 | Reduced By No One | 4:07 | |
| 7 | Utterances Unheard | 4:41 | |
| 8 | Ceremony of Delusion | 3:19 | |
| 9 | Faces | 7:30 |
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Omega Massif & Mount Logan - Omega Massif & Mount Logan Split (2009)
Split Album, Independent
November , 2009

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal
Regoion: Germany
More Omega Massif is never a bad thing.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
November , 2009
Genre: Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal
Regoion: Germany
More Omega Massif is never a bad thing.
| 1 | Omega Massif - Brachland | 11:55 | |
| 2 | Omega Massif - Totengebirge | 10:04 | |
| 3 | Mount Logan - Modern Marakesh | 1:49 | |
| 4 | Mount Logan - Shit in --> Shit Out | 1:33 | |
| 5 | Mount Logan - Hemorrhoid Blues | 1:02 | |
| 6 | Mount Logan - The Lack of Primitive Shapes | 1:38 | |
| 7 | Mount Logan - Assholibility | 4:02 | |
| 8 | Mount Logan - Loganizer | 1:36 | |
| 9 | Mount Logan - The New Preppiness | 2:00 | |
| 10 | Mount Logan - Urban Laxity | 3:17 |
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Cryptic Wintermoon - Fear

One of the only Melodic Black Metal bands I enjoy, and they've managed to release a stellar album this year. Enjoy!
1. 21 Guns (Intro)
2. Pride Of Australia
3. Dominate
4. Dreadnought
5. Down Below
6. One Of Your Sons Is Coming Home
7. Hellstorm Infantry
8. Tales From The Trenches
9. God With Us
10. Last Letter
11. Hundert Mann Und Ein Befehl
12. The End
13. Last Post (Outro)
Download (Deposit Files)
Friday, September 25, 2009
REPOST: Men In Search Of The Perfect Weapon - S/T (2005)
Full Length, Vendetta / Modus Operandi
2005

Region: Germany
Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal
Immense and only album by these Sludge beasts. Hugely underrated and overlooked. Better quality rip.
2005
Region: Germany
Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal
Immense and only album by these Sludge beasts. Hugely underrated and overlooked. Better quality rip.
| 1 | Hatred | 4:51 | |
| 2 | Spirit Disease | 8:00 | |
| 3 | Downward Spiral | 5:55 | |
| 4 | Saguaro | 2:54 | |
| 5 | Fall for Your Creation | 8:00 | |
| 6 | The Last Nail | 3:26 | |
| 7 | Atacama Rain | 27.25 |
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Blackwaves - 0130 (2009)
Full Length, Forgotten Empire Records
April, 2009

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge
Region: Germany
DOWNLOAD (Rapidshare)
April, 2009

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge
Region: Germany
| 1 | 0131 BQ | 6:48 | |
| 2 | 0132 H7 | 6:03 | |
| 3 | 0133 6C | 9:52 | |
| 4 | 0134 E9 | 5:51 | |
| 5 | 0135 8P | 6:53 | |
| 6 | 0136 FF | 7:40 |
DOWNLOAD (Rapidshare)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Omega Massif - Geisterstadt (2007)
Full Length, Radar Swarm
June 16, 2007

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge
Region: Germany
Instrumental concept album about a mine, geisterstadt means "ghost town". Up for free on bandcamp.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
June 16, 2007
Genre: Atmospheric Sludge
Region: Germany
Instrumental concept album about a mine, geisterstadt means "ghost town". Up for free on bandcamp.
| 1 | In der Mine | 8:39 | |
| 2 | Geisterstadt | 2:26 | |
| 3 | Nebelwand | 10:10 | |
| 4 | Unter Null | 8:00 | |
| 5 | Arcanum | 9:09 | |
| 6 | Exodus | 5:37 |
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)








