Morgoth - Ungod

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

This is a killer release featuring riffs that are impeccable. The sound quality of this album is also superb. Everything seemed to fit on this one. I don't own much of their material aside from digital, but I'll tell you this...it is a monument of an album 'Ungod' devastates. It's too bad this band is defunct. They really would've had a lot of years together. I get it if you lose the passion but they left the music scene on a great note because 'Ungod' is impeccable. I have nothing bad to say about this release. The music is amazing. And original sounding to the utter maximum degree! An array of metal perfection!

I like the guitar riffs and vocals plus the sound quality is illustrious. I think that this is one of the better death metal albums from 2015. They reached the pinnacle in the songwriting. Nothing shy of just an utter gem! The music is what takes it away and gets you in the realm of yes Morgoth. I haven't heard much of their earlier material but I'll be that it's good if not better than this one. I don't think that's possible though. 'Ungod' is an unmistakable album of perfection. Make no mistake about it the guitars and vocals just steal the listener. At least they did that with me. So much of a landmark.

I don't mind the vocals really, I actually thought that they complimented the music very well! And I can hear the tint of Industrial mixed with the death metal here. But overall, the riffs are totally death metal. I like the harmonies too, they enhance the rhythms. The riffs themselves are just so diametrically sound. They really did a great job in the songwriting. I wish a lot of death metal bands wrote like this. Just original, catchy, smooth, and ever flowing. They may come back to the music scene, who knows?! I'm just glad that I had a chance to review and appreciate this album their music.

It's very difficult to find this album maybe eBay because Amazon is just ridiculous as to what they want for this album. About $200 on Vinyl. Like I said, ridiculous. I may buy it on eBay, that is if I want to dish out $40 for the CD. It is good enough to spend that much on it rather than to just have it downloaded on Spotify. But in any case, it's an album well worth checking out. I had nothing ill to say about it. Everything seemed to flow. Enjoy this release if you come by it on Spotify. Then form your own opinion on it and I'm sure you won't be disappointed especially if you're into metal. Check it out! (Death8699)

(Century Media Records - 2015)
Score: 80

https://www.facebook.com/MorgothOfficial

Children of Bodom - Follow The Reaper

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Power Death

What a powerful performance on all fronts! Long live Alexi Laiho! Just getting to reviewing this now, and wow, what a series of positive melodic death/power metal! The music on here is epic, I like it a little bit more than 'Hate Crew Deathroll', well...maybe. I think the compositions on here are sublime. They really did the listener good with this recording! The riffs, synthesizers, vocals, drums and production quality is more than adequate! The tear your speakers apart! Alexi was great on here rhythm and lead guitars. I think that this is the most thought out COB release ever. They tended to go downhill after this.

The music a divine music is what's on here. They did everything right on this album. Everything sounds original and to the point riff-writing wise. I think that it's pretty technical as well. Fast, ripping, and relentless. Such a great album. All was right when they wrote this release. I think the music is some of most original melodic death metal they've put forth! I dig the power metal element as well. They mix the instruments quite well and they are just relentless in terms of the energy! It's rapid fire music here, and Alexi's vocals are fantastic! Everything on here hit home with me nothing on here that I'd change.

The sound quality was top notch. Everyone on here sounded great and like I said I'd change nothing. It's a divine masterpiece. They knew exactly what to do with the songwriting. I don't know why they fell after this. Maybe the aggregate of fans then they got a little bit lazy perhaps. With the 'Hate Crew Deathroll' and 'Halo of Blood' I think were good solid albums but not to the equation of excellence that this held forth. They really did hit a pinnacle release here just wish they didn't regress all up until Alexi's death (RIP). It's rumored that he had a bad alcohol problem hence the nickname "Wildchild."

So to sum it up, 'Follow the Reaper' is probably the best COB in their entire discography. They hit home on every track. The aggression, hatred and vibe is totally sick. They definitely worked hard on this and what an output! From every aspect, they conquered. They didn't do anything wrong on here, simply said: NO MISTAKES. It's amazing the talent that the band had all up until the end. It's a sad reality that there will be no more COB. All we have now is to appreciate the memories by playing this classic and 'Hate Crew Deathroll'. I'm biased with that one though. Own this! (Death8699)

(Spinefarm Records - 2000)
Score: 90

https://www.facebook.com/childrenofbodom

Vøidwomb - Altars of Cosmic Devotion

#PER CHI AMA: Black/Death

Arrivano dalla semisconosciuta Barroselas (Portogallo) questi Vøidwomb, oscuro e pericoloso quintetto dedito ad un black death old school, nonostante la band sia di recente formazione (2019). La voglia di ripescare sonorità mai dimenticate, viene a galla nella ritmica di "Summon of Utu-Shamash", che segue con le sue roboanti chitarre un'intro dal piglio liturgico. Poi spazio ad un sound old style tra chitarroni death thrash e vocalizzi d'oltretomba. Nulla di originale come potrete intuire, nemmeno a livello solistico, con un assolo di scuola floridiana (stile Deicide) davvero poco efficace. E allora si riparte con "Descent to Ersetu", tirata all'inizio e poi mid-tempo nella sua parte centrale, dove in sottofondo mi sembra di scorgere dei chorus celestiali, mentre la sei corde miete vittime con rasoiate di scuola black death svedese. Si prosegue con la cupezza sonora di "Architects of World Demise" e con quel suo incipit death doom a mischiare ancora una volta le carte in tavola, anche se poi i cinque lusitani si lanciano in ritmiche tirate (e poco melodiche) guidate dal growling cupo e a tratti acido di M.S.Vøid. L'ultima traccia è affidata alla title track e a quel suo inizio tribale che sembra mostrare un lato più personale della band, troppo poco per ingolosirsi di una release come questa, da consigliare esclusivamente agli amanti di sonorità qui troppo derivative e obsolete. (Francesco Scarci)

(Iron Bonehead Productions - 2021)
Voto: 60

https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/album/v-idwomb-altars-of-cosmic-devotion

Tomarum - Wounds Ever Expanding

#PER CHI AMA: Prog Black/Death, Ne Obliviscaris

Ce li siamo distrattamente persi per strada lo scorso anno, in quel convulso susseguirsi di informazioni funeste sul Covid-19. Nel frattempo negli US i Tomarum si mettevano in mostra con il loro sound spaventoso e un EP mostruoso intitolato 'Wounds Ever Expanding', che in fatto di tecnica, non ha da invidiare nulla a nessuno. Ecco perchè l'abbiamo ripreso e portato alla vostra attenzione, perchè un lavoro cosi certosino che chiama in causa mostri sacri del genere, Death, Atheist e Ne Obliviscaris su tutti, non poteva essere certo trascurato. Due i brani a disposizione per 17 minuti di musica ispiratissima, intensa, melodica e devastante. E i primi sei minuti di "Throes of Life, Forever Entwined" lo dimostrano alla grande con un sound torrenziale, una pioggia di riff (di chitarra e fretless bass) contorti, melodie a fiumi, ed infine raffinati e ubriacanti tecnicismi che esaltano le qualità esagerate di un quartetto che in Europa sembra non aver calcolato nessuno. Molto male. "Crimson Severance" parte invece con una parte acustica per la classica quiete prima della tempesta che non tarderà certo ad arrivare con una proposta a tratti dissonante e con la voce del frontman a muoversi tra screaming e pulito. Ragazzi, ma che diavolo ci siamo persi, qui ce n'è per tutti i gusti. Di nuovo rallentamenti arpeggiati con delicate voci pulite e ripartenze indiavolate, black e death progressivo come solo pochi sanno suonare. Spero solo che i miei nuovi eroi di Atlanta non si perdano per strada e capiscano che le potenzialità ci sono tutte, e che ora quel che serve è solo un pizzico di fortuna. Mostruosi. (Francesco Scarci)

(Self - 2020)
Voto: 80

https://tomarum.bandcamp.com/album/wounds-ever-expanding

Teal - Hearth

#PER CHI AMA: Alternative/Progressive Rock

La Bird's Robe Records prosegue la propria campagna di riedizioni questa volta con gli australiani Teal e il loro debut EP, 'Hearth', datato 2013. La proposta del quartetto originario di Sydney si rifà ad un alternative rock assai orecchiabile. Cinque le tracce a disposizione dei nostri per poter dire che, anche se vecchio di otto anni, questo lavoro rimane alquanto attuale. Ottime (e un po' ruffiane) le delicate melodie dell'opener "Solitaires", dove a mettersi in luce sono i vocalizzi di Joe Surgey, uno che strizza l'occhiolino, anzi l'ugola, al frontman dei Muse, con risultati peraltro più che soddisfacenti, e con la musica che si muove anche tra le maglie del prog rock, tra chiaroscuri emozionali, guidati proprio dalla voce di Joe e accelerazioni quasi ringhianti, che rendono la proposta davvero interessante. In "Don't Wake Up" non vorrei prendermi del pazzo, ma su di un tappeto post math rock, ci ho sentito dei vocalizzi addirittura alla Bono, con il sound sempre bello carico ma in continuo movimento tra trame più morbide e altre più potenti. Con "Raptor", il combo del Nuovo Galles del Sud, si propone con sonorità che richiamano ancora Matthew Bellamy e soci, anche se qui i Teal sembrano meno esplosivi che in precedenza, fatto salvo per il comparto solistico, breve ma efficace. Se parliamo di esplosività (ma pure creatività) non possiamo non citare "Voss": partenza acustica stile primissimi Pearl Jam, sound mellifuo guidato dalla voce di Joe e poi accelerazioni belle toste che si alternano a parti più atmosferiche ed intimiste con tanto di tremolo picking alle chitarre. In chiusura, la più oscura e meditabonda "Three Hours", che con i suoi costanti rimandi ai primi Muse, chiude degnamente una release che ai più, sono certo, fosse passata inosservata. Chissà che stanno combinando oggi i Teal, ora mi vado ad informare, voi nel frattempo ascoltatevi 'Hearth'. (Francesco Scarci)

(Bird's Robe Records - 2013/2021)
Voto: 73

https://tealband.bandcamp.com/album/hearth-ep

De Press – Block to Block / Product

#PER CHI AMA: Punk/New Wave

Parlare di una band che in un solo anno di attività ha lasciato il segno nella storia del post punk europeo non è compito facile. I detrattori potrebbero dire che non era tutta farina del loro sacco, che dentro alla loro musica, in un periodo temporale a cavallo tra la fine del punk e la nascente scena post punk/new wave di primi anni '80, c'erano mille richiami stilistici di altri gruppi ben più noti e le correnti che attraversavano le composizioni di Andrej Nebb (Andrzej Dziubek) e compagni si cullavano tra riferimenti punk alla The Blood, tensione esistenziale alla Warsaw, punk oi!, ska, dark rock, art punk berlinese emiliano alla CCCP, new wave alla Theatre of Hate e per l'appunto, tutto il nascente fenomeno post punk. La musica dei De Press del primo album, 'Block to Block', era evidentemente debitrice di tutte queste band ma con una particolarità stilistica che li rendeva padroni di una formula musicale unica di quel periodo, ossia un'attitudine naturale e una singolare capacità di inglobare in ogni loro composizione, tutti assieme i dogmi e i modi di fare più consoni, di tutte le altre band appartenenti a questo genere musicale tanto trasversale al tempo e tanto diverso da quello che oggi viene chiamato erroneamente post punk. I primi due dischi della loro sterminata discografia, sono stati ristampati e rimasterizzati con cura e ottima qualità, anche in formato vinile, dalla Apollon records. Per festeggiare il quarantesimo anniversario di 'Block to Block' ed il secondo 'Product', del 1982, registrato con la band ormai già sciolta e che vedeva il trio spostare il suo sound verso lidi new wave ancor più convincenti e vicini alla musica di The Sound e Joy Division, vengono oggi riportati alla luce nella loro totale bellezza, due album che sono entrati nella leggenda e che rendono il giusto omaggio ad un gruppo imperiale. Nato e cresciuto nel panorama sotterraneo norvegese, la band ha lasciato un segno indelebile nella storia musicale dell'epoca, in Norvegia e Polonia ma anche nel resto d'Europa. La band resa famosa anche dal canto inusuale in lingua pseudo inglese/polacco/norvegese, dal bassista e vocalist, musicista e rifugiato politico dalla Polonia in Norvegia, con 'Block to Block' ha ottenuto, in terra scandinava, il riconoscimento di miglior album rock del XX secolo. Due dischi fondamentali, colmi di rabbia, immediatezza stilistica, impegno sociale, politico e tanta ribellione, che non possono mancare negli scaffali di un estimatore del post punk tout court, alla pari di 'Hymns of Faith' dei Crisis, 'Always Now' dei Section 25 oppure 'Westworld' dei Theatre of Hate. La prima incarnazione dei De Press chiude la propria discografia con l'ottimo epitaffio discografico live, del 1983, dal titolo 'On the Other Side', che depone le armi del trio e ne affossa definitivamente l'attività artistica di quel periodo. L'attività musicale riprenderà solo un decennio più tardi, per continuare fino ai giorni nostri senza interruzioni, con una nuova formazione capitanata sempre dall'instancabile Andrej Nebb, che nel 1991 fa rinascere la band sotto una nuova veste musicale a metà strada tra musica folk della tradizione polacca, reminiscenze rock e protesta sonora alla The Fall, confezionando ad oggi un'infinità di opere musicali. Ma questa è un'altra facciata della storia dei De Press su cui poter ancora scrivere diverse pagine. Una band che è stata un culto dell'underground, un fenomeno venuto dal grande nord che pochi ricorderanno, ma che vale la pena rispolverare e ammirare ancora una volta. (Bob Stoner)

(Apollon Records - 1981/1982-2021)
Voto: 85

https://depress1.bandcamp.com/album/block-to-block-re-issue-40th-anniversary
https://depress1.bandcamp.com/album/product-1982-2021-remaster

Orgrel - Red Dragon’s Invocation

#FOR FANS OF: Black Old School

Let`s go with another interesting project, which literally comes from nowhere. The Italian project Orgrel has signed a deal with Iron Bonehead Productions to release its first opus entitled 'Red Dragon’s Invocation'. As this label usually releases quality stuff, it is clear that the band’s first effort must have something which should be worth of our time.

As I have no more info about this obscure project, I immediately decided to focus on the most important thing, the music itself. One needs only a couple of seconds to realize that Orgrel plays black metal in its purest and most iconic form. Every second of this powerful debut is a sincere and passionate tribute to the genre’s gold era, the never forgotten '90s. Production wise, 'Red Dragon’s Invocation' is an album with a good balance in terms of merging the current production standards and a devotion to that era. There is no crystal-clear sound here, but a quite good production, where the main instruments can be easily distinguished, while the overall sound is enough raw to fit the music. The vocals sound high and powerful, just in the front but without being over present, as they share the main role with the guitars and drums. As mentioned before, Orgrel plays black metal as quintessential as the genre can be, so there is no need to lose time trying to give a more refined definition of the band’s sound. 'Red Dragon’s Invocation' is an album where speed, ferocity and melody are fused together in a very natural way, like black metal has always been, as least when it has not been perverted. There is no black metal if we only find brutality without melody and this Italian project has perfectly understood this indispensable condition. For that reason, the seven songs of this debut album have a healthy balance of these elements, including a good dose of tempo changes, which is always a welcome aspect in this genre. The album opener "Burning Ruins", which is actually one of the top songs of this album, summarizes all the strong points of Orgrel’s music. It’s a fast track with ferocious vocals and an excellent work with the guitars, which sound equally strong and melodic and with a good degree of elaboration, as they guide all the tempo changes of this track. The composition has a handful of them, as it flows easily between fast, medium, and slow sections which make the song truly captivating. The tremolo riffing is the king in songs like "Amor Fati" or the album closer, the massive "Carved in Blood", especially in the fastest sections of these songs and in general in the whole album. On the other hand, we can find slightly more distorted guitars in the slowest parts, being maybe the clearest example the headbanging inducing "Gate of Eternal Life", which could be defined the slowest song of the album, although it doesn´t lack a pinch of power.

Orgrel’s debut 'Red Dragon’s Invocation' will please of the fans of classic black metal, as the album keeps a quite good level through the entire work. It won´t shake the genre as the classic gems did, because I can´t find a song which is outstandingly brilliant, but I can´t either find a mediocre song or even section. In conclusion, everything here sounds packed, focused and consistent, giving us over thirty minutes of undoubted enjoyment. (Alain González Artola)

(Iron Bonehead Productions - 2021)
Score: 74

https://www.facebook.com/orgrelofficial  

Dying Empire - Dystopia

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Melo Death

This album is way HEAVY and to the point. These guys show maturity in their songwriting skills. I'm glad that this was sent to me (as a gift). It's sure worth "playing time" since it's the genre that I highly respect: melodic death metal. There aren't enough bands nowadays that play this style anymore. At least, not to my knowledge. In any case, these guys really hit home here. It's not just "HEAVY" but it shows some ferocious tenacity. They really bleed the eardrums. The riffs are fantastic and straightforward. They leave no prisoners here. I though that album concept was simply ingenious. Great songwriting!

The vocals are split which suits the music. But you have an etch of Carcass in their during the 'Necoticism/Heartwork' days. Not entirely, but they show their influences as that. I'm surprised that they don't have an extra extent hearing this great melodic death metal! They deserve a bigger audience. With music like this, they play out a lot of modern bands. I believe that they're suited up for more great things! Their guitars are tuned low like Carcass and some of the melodies (like I said) reveal their true influences. And the vocal tradeoff (growls/screams) are a lot like other bands that have done it like that.

I'm hearing most of their own stuff though despite their obvious influences. They don't need to prove anything with their music, they've done it on here. I haven't heard their newer stuff, but on here is enough to get a feel for what the future has in store. Anyway, I have nothing but admiration of this band. They spent 42+ minutes of music that just has total balls to it. I'm in deep thought every time I hear this thinking of what good can I say here that they absolutely deserve. Well, expect heavy guitarwork, aggressive vocals, and great sound quality which makes it a pinnacle of an album. Nothing on here is "wishy washy." They killed it on here.

I would urge you to try this one if you're into extreme metal. It's got everything that makes for good in an album, remarkable. And the music if you're a guitar player is phenomenal. Technical at points and unrelenting. Definitely shows age and experience in writing for this release. I still can't believe that no one has commented on how great this release is! It's definitely up to par on simply great albums that I pointed out on this review. Please do yourself a favor and check out some of their work at least. Even if it's just a song on here, something! It's worth you listening time to this! (Death8699)

(Art Gates Records - 2015)
Score: 75

https://www.facebook.com/DyingEmpire

Barbarian Prophecies - Horizon

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

Absolutely the best Barbarian Prophecies album I've ever heard. It's just so diverse but not overly experimental. It's got elements of death metal and black together but it's also weaved into the genre of melodic death metal. The vocals are brutal (female) it doesn't sound like female vocals at all. But yes, these guys did a great job on everything on here. They seem to capture all avenues of metal here which makes it so not boring or long drawn out 52 minutes of boredom. It's anything but that. I like the tempo changes, the melodies, the brutality and the calm (when there is some!). I'm greatly appreciating the band's effort to step up their potential.

I do have to say that the vocals are yes a bit harsh making the music a bit drowned out, but not to the super degree that it is. It's actually all right, it's just at time a bit overbearing. But I didn't take points off because of it. I think it did fit the music well, it's just a little over-the-top but decidedly that, an excellent effort. What took me to liking the album so much was that it has so much variety and the riffs are totally original. I like the melodies a great deal. They kicked ass on the guitars/drums totally. They're not a lot of lead guitar action just a lot of melodies (as I've stated). Perfectly fine because a lot of leads can make or break an album.

I actually got to listen to this well before the album was released. I totally had a perfect "A" a couple of months ago before the albums release because I was that impressed. It really struck me as a great melodic death release. The production, sound quality, mixing was all there. The guitars stole it for me but as a band an ultimate success. No complaints really other than what I said before about the vocals. But that's rectified entirely. "Alpha" has to be my favorite track on the whole release though I liked all the song. A monument in their discography. It's amazing what a few years can make and maturity!

You'll have to wait till November for the CD to come into circulation. For the time being, Spotify and YouTube has the whole album. This band has come quite a ways since their 20 years in circulation via the music scene. They really have no holds barred on here but there are breaks during the songs it isn't all brutal. The melodies stole it for me. And the rhythms, but all in all an excellent release. Barbarian Prophecies needs to get more well known in the scene. Maybe popular in Spain (their origin) but not so much the United States. I'm hope that press will change that and they'll get noticed! Check them out! (Death8699)

(Self - 2021)
Score: 85

https://barbarianprophecies.bandcamp.com/album/horizon