Napalm Death - Death By Manipulation

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#FOR FANS OF: Death/Grind

At the time of the recording (1991), Napalm Death recorded only two new songs "Mass Appeal Madness" and "Pride Assassin", though they re-recorded some old tracks with the more modern lineup as well as modern recording equipment. The compilation is somewhat of a disappointment because they really seemed to have “slowed down” despite efforts to keep the band in the grind/death metal arena. Fans, including me, were (I think) upset of this musical direction, even after 'Harmony Corruption' (1990), since it sounded a lot like a death metal record than their earlier stuff which focused on heavy guitar but still ruthless grindcore. The new songs were heavy and catchy, but they lacked the intensity that the “old” Napalm was so successful at.

I did like the re-recording of the older tracks and of course the last of the songs when Lee and Bill were both in the band, taken off the record 'From Enslavement to Obliteration' (1989).

This compilation captures the old material and newer, but it’s like a segue into the “newer” sound and direction that fans of the old disliked very much. I don’t think that they “sold out”, I just think that they should’ve either disbanded or changed their name after this. I’ve been so frustrated with the band’s sound because they just stopped being all out aggressive and intense, the music bores me to death (no pun intended). I liked these two new songs, but even the blasts by Mick were not even as intense as his old blasts, reflective on ‘Harmony Corruption’ (1990) or before. This record clocks in at 41 minutes and keeps me interested, but ultimately disheartened.

I do think that Mick did realize this change occurring when Barney (ex-Benediction), Mitch (from Righteous Pigs) & Jesse (ex-Terrorizer) joined the band, something Lee was dreading, causing him to leave in 1989. It just didn’t work out, and I feel yes Danny might be a nice guy, just Mick was a force not to be reckoned with, causing me to be upset with their sound and boredom with their records occurring after his departure after this record.

When Mick left the band, Napalm Death left also, at least to me… (Death8699)

(Earache - 1991/2023)
Score: 60

https://napalmdeath.bandcamp.com/album/death-by-manipulation

Arch Enemy - Blood Dynasty

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

#FOR FANS OF: Melo Death

Thank you, Michael, for bringing back a lot of the old material-type melodic death metal sound! This is in a modern world where pure talent reigns supreme over AI generated recycled rubbish. This release and 'Deceivers' (2022) are my favorites of theirs in the “Alissa generation” of Arch Enemy. I feel that this is the best effort she’s had since being in the band. She incorporates her guttural sound, mixes a little of The Agonist metalcore of herself (which is something I have yet to hear), and has a little version of her clean voice, something I’ve never heard either.

 

In evaluating the intense music as it relates to the guitar sounds/riffs, I'd have to say that they're continuing to exhibit the old "heavy" types of execution. However, I do think that there is more emphasis on that than their notorious outro melodies, which shaped their unprecedented sound and ability to captivate listeners. The differences in 'Blood Dynasty' (to me) is that while maintaining their ultimate heavy riffing, there are songs that still reflect the Arch Enemy of the old. They're not as prominent, but they are still there. Even a track there that's completely slow and played with clean guitar. I'll discuss a little more next, with a little more background, especially with new listeners of Arch Enemy, since the band has been around since 1996.

The music here is more in the vein of the band when Christopher was still around in the recording for 'Rise of the Tyrant' (2007) era. Some of the guitar music is very much in retrospect of that time. And Alissa’s dirty vocals remind me a lot of when Angela was still with them on frontman duties. Joey (guitars) played on Christopher’s Armageddon albums 'Captivity & Devourment' (2015) and 'Crossing the Rubicon (revisited)' (2016). He has been a long time Arch Enemy fan. He’s only 34, but the guy is wicked on lead. I feel this is a collective effort with the band, letting rid of recycled sort of melodic metal music replacing it with the melodies that shaped Arch Enemy’s signature sound, especially in the early era when Johan was on vocals (the first 3 LPs). You don’t hear as much melodic sound on this as was on the early days of Arch Enemy with songs such as "Fields of Desolation" (1996), "Bridge of Destiny" (1998), "Pilgrim" (1999) and "Burning Angel" (2001). 'Blood Dynasty' is heavy, but the emotional sounds are once again fairly evident. You can hear the passion once again in the music. That shaped their sound in the beginning which gradually dissipated over the years leaving fans in disappointment. This particularly was evident on multiple LPs when Angela was still with the band. When Alissa took over the position more than ten years ago, there were some releases that were complete flops. Albums such as 'War Eternal' (2014) and 'Will To Power' (2017) had maybe 1/2 songs that were “OK”, but they lacked that signature sound that was captivating that Arch Enemy fans from the get-go, especially their Japanese fans. This album is the epitome of their selective sound, abdicating the “they’re pretty bogus” type of opinions about the band leaving the listener now in excitement and curiosity about this release and what’s to become in their immediate future, especially now since they are now middle-aged musicians (except for Joey).

Speculation regarding Michael’s playing/songwriting with Arch Enemy is that yes, he has always been that, more of an “emotion based” guitar player. His brother is way more on the technical side, which is where Joey reflects on here. It’s a good combination and the recording was quite good, nor can I find anything that they did not do wrong here. The rebirth of the old yet again that confidence in their sound proving that, and they’ve still got it!

If you agree that what’s been said of this LP is accurate, then buy the digipack or digital recording. Show the band respect for creating something that this time around is worth it and was worth living up to the hype! (Death8699)

(Century Media - 2025)
Score: 80

https://archenemyofficial.bandcamp.com/album/blood-dynasty-24-bit-hd-audio

Lacuna Coil - Sleepless Empire

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Gothic

The aggression factor is still quite evident on here, and the usual Cristina/Andrea vocal tradeoffs are as well. I liked the guitars probably the most on here, rather than any of their previous works. Being a fan from somewhat early on, basically 'Dark Adrenaline' (2012) onward, I really liked it. However, 'Black Anima' (2019) I didn't really care for. This is probably the most illustrious release from them, and it is continually strong! It held my interest the way 'Delirium' (2016) did for me. 'Delirium' was almost 60 minutes of sheer, unwavering gothic metal with super heavy guitars. This carries with it the same vibe though not as DARK.

It seems that Cristina is on the most here, not sure if that's what they wanted, just I like it more. I've never been a fan of Andrea's but the fact that they're still featuring both, sometimes even simultaneously, sounds pretty killer & grim!

I do believe that there's a newer guitar player, but the lines seem in the vein of the old style of tuning, maybe drop A. In any case, it's damn heavy and unique. It's safe to say musically it's 'Delirium' Part-B. I know Cristina talked openly about that album & that she would never make fun of people with "mental conditions". Rightfully so, the lyrics here are quite meaningful.

So far, I've really liked these from the band: 'Dark Adrenaline' (2012), 'Broken Crown Halo' (2014), 'Delirium' (2016) and 'Sleepless Empire' (2025), in rigorous chronological order. I encourage all of you that are fans of modern gothic metal to check this one out, what a great example of mature musicianship & a great overall sound/atmosphere! (Death8699)

(Century Media - 2025)
Score: 80

https://lacunacoil.com/

Cardiac Arrest - The Stench of Eternity

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#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

There are some pretty good old school death metal bands from Chicago, amongst them in the scene would be Cyanide (spelled "Cianide"), who has been somewhat inconsistent in releasing LPs over their long career & this band Cardiac Arrest (US) who has been quite consistent. They've maintained the same lineup for quite some time as well, which goes to show you that this form of entertainment (extreme death metal) they're quite serious about.

I look for specific things in critiquing extreme metal albums, mainly the music, the vocals, the recording quality & if it's a continual progression musically or about the same. On here, compared to 'The Day That Death Prevailed' (2020), it is definitely a progression musically & a more mature release on top of that. Seems that they've really blown my hair back with this one because you've got at least three different voices transpiring on a given song & the guitar riffs that are brand-new covering all under that, as well as the unrelenting aggression factor!

A lot of their earlier LPs out there don't include the lyrics. The vinyl/CDs/tapes are now beginning to include the words so it's more known that to which their brutality lies, besides just along the music. Only the last 2 LPs have featured the words. A personal favorite from frontman Adam Scott is the song "Victims of Blasphemy" (track 2 on here). I've actually found that ALL THE SONGS are my favorites. There's none that are really bland to me, seems intriguing because as much as I like their previous releases, not ALL THE SONGS were my favorites.

I did not find any holes or gaps on this LP, it is continually HEAVY, it is original sounding & it is very consistent. You can hear the guitars, the bass & drums quite well, on some of their previous LPs, especially the earlier material was good but the recording quality (despite the well composed music) was a little void. You'll hear everything on this one, it's balanced out & not overly recycled. It's quite surprising because not a lot of old school death metal bands continue to evolve. They either die-out, or they just don't evolve. CA is living on since 1997, show support for them as they continue to RAID Chicago & worldwide! Make this one a part of your collection! (Death8699)

(Hells Headbangers Records - 2024)
Score: 78

https://cardiac-arrest.bandcamp.com/album/the-stench-of-eternity

200 Stab Wounds - Manual Manic Procedures

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

This follow-up is actually NOT entirely like the first, nor is it recycled like so many bands after successful debut releases! This took around 3 years to complete, but well worth the wait!

 

I've found this to be a better quality recording & the guitars are ABSOLUTELY/genuinely & increasingly more wicked! When I say this as it refers to a musical standpoint, I mean that they've stepped-up & devolved stronger riff-writing! This LP is also featuring fresh material that I'm guessing took quite a while to come up with! I also enjoy the vocal trade-offs, it seemed to spice things up quite a bit! An excellent effort, just wished it was better received. I did think after the first LP that they had a lot of people hoping that the sophomore effort would be stronger. And well, the recording quality was a step-up; others thought that the music may’ve been better on their debut, not on this one. I’ve found that pretty much equally they’re musically strong, the first just the sound quality was not as up-to-par.

 

As the LP progresses, it doesn’t let up in intensity, nor does it fall to unto utter staleness or blandness. It’s rather consistent & intriguing, as deafening sounds rip through your speakers! I was quite impressed with the overall musicianship, especially some relatively newer death metal musicians involved in the scene!

 

The only negative thing I have to say is that the album is only a little under 30 minutes. That's all right though because you’ll be (I’m sure) impressed with this band’s follow-up! 200 Stab Wounds have made two official music videos from 'Manual Manic Procedures' called "Hands of Eternity" & “Gross Abuse.” Check them out on YouTube! (Death8699)

 

(Metal Blade Records - 2024)

Score: 80

 

https://200stabwounds.bandcamp.com/album/manual-manic-procedures

Deicide - Banished By Sin

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#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

The only LP I like post-Hoffman brothers is featuring Ralph Santolla (RIP 2018) & Jack Owen on 'The Stench of Redemption' (2006). Even that one was tough for me! Jack ended up ghosting them since Steve was modifying his riffs merely to take credit for the songwriting!

Well, yes we have AI generated graphics on the cover & insert artwork, but why am I not surprised!? Cool graphics are on the first 4 LP's, after that, nah!

To be totally honest, the only LP I think Glen is OK on is 'Deicide' (1990). His vocals even on 'Legion' (1992) are so dull. The guy has a hard time hacking it live for more than 45 minutes! And from my understanding, he's a complete jerk to people he tours with (ask Broken Hope band members). I'm glad he hates the Hoffman brothers more than anyone in this world because he's so blind to see that they made the band successful! Pretty much everything thereafter sucks!

These riffs are generic & so repetitive, I have a hard time listening to yet another recycled Deicide LP. To quote 'The Color of Money' (1986): "It's like a nightmare, isn't it? It just keeps getting worse & worse, doesn't it?" That's how I feel sitting through a whopping 38+ minutes of this! Glen is just monotonous as usual & really I don't want to read the lyrics anymore to their shit, it's a gimmick anyway. Oh, and the quote "if we've offended you, we've done our job!" Wow man, so creative!

How can people like this? The vocals are monotonous, the riffs are anything BUT creative, the leads are generic & the only thing that's halfway decent is the recording of this garbage, it's not music. This is NOT music! They're not has-beens, Glen has been a has-been since forever! The guy is just a DISGRACE to the death metal community! I can't believe there are actual Deicide documentary(s) or "an interview with death metal legend, Glen Benton." What?!

Sorry, but being a former Deicide fan, I've turned absolutely so cynical & disgusted towards this current band since the talent has been long gone & the online fighting between Glen & Eric Hoffman just needs to stop! Deicide is dead & will remain dead because 'Banished By Sin' is another 40% post-Hoffman's to me! (Death8699)

(Reigning Phoenix Music - 2024)
Score: 40

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDeicide/

The Halo Effect - March of the Unheard

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

#FOR FANS OF: Melo Death

I actually care about both releases from this Gothenburg project! However, the newest here I care for even more than their debut, 'Days of the Lost' (2022). The reasons are that the guitars explore even more diversity in the riffing & connectedness at the same time! It's not an oxymoron of a statement, it's actually exploring more creativity here, though both releases I've been really happy with. It's as of no surprise to me though, especially because Jesper when he was in In Flames & Niclas was in Gardenian that their riffs were always powerful & blatantly melodic! This LP is a blend of the melodic death found in more modern recordings by Dark Tranquillity, especially Mikael's switch constantly from screaming to clean, reminiscent of DT's 'Projector' (1999) release.

I got the 15 song digipack with 54+ minutes of music! I'm a little biased here though, as I've favored the Gothenburg scene since its origin, but I AM careful at the same time! I care about the music scene there. However, I favor the music & not so much of these metal band's lyrics. There's only a few modern metal bands where I actually like the lyrics on top of the music!

I would venture to say that these members have been rather busy since their project debut was released in 2022, this being quite an anticipated follow-up! I saw that there are many that are entirely disappointed listeners, just not on my part! I've found them to be entertaining & hugely emotional, I also enjoyed the keyboards augmenting the overall sound!

I hope that these guys continue on for a while longer & to my attention, they are also really good live! Not certain as to why fans are turning away and many referring to them as "has been" musicians. I don't think that at all & I feel the huge emotional vibe in the music/vocals & recording that made this impeccable to me! There really isn't anything I'd change here!

Melodic death refuses to die! Make this album one of your own because it's a testament to that statement! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2025)
Score: 86

https://thehaloeffectse.bandcamp.com/album/march-of-the-unheard

Necrodeath - Arimortis

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#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death/Thrash

Not an entirely long LP, roughly 39 minutes but, wow! How much these 3 sub-genre metalers (black/death/thrash) have amped up their game! I had 'Defragments of Insanity' (2019) & didn't hold onto it because it didn't really resonate with me. Then I heard this and, damn! I've been hooked! It seems a lot better sounding than many previous releases by the band, I suppose they said "let's go all out & see where it takes us!" That's a hypothetical, but really they are sounding awesome! The guitars are wicked & everything here (I'm guessing) made sense to them. Upon release, it made sense to me hearing new material that's not recycled over & over like it happens with so many bands in any type of music. But these dudes did one heck of a good job! The guitars don't repeat over & over, they stuck with solid riffs that sound in their own style, lead guitar outputs well executed too. They actually have a music video out for one of the songs here called "Storytellers of Lies".

 

Nine songs OK, but just all of them are simply wicked! I just heard this once & was blown away. And part director Milos Forman's 'Amadeus' (1984) where Mozart accused the Italians as being "musical idiots!" was well, far off! I think listeners on this will definitely disagree with that film based musical-judgment as it pertains to Italian artists.

 

Four people in this band right now: Flegias, who sounds black metal-like on voice, the guitars by Pier Gonella are death/thrash sounding & the remainder of the band (GL & Peso) keep up rather well! I was hoping to get a copy of this LP on Amazon, but it's temporarily out-of-stock! I've heard prior releases from the band, just I've not been as interested in them until hearing this! They've been around rather a while, 1984-1985 or thereabouts!

 

This exceeded my expectations by a ton, how can you possibly like metal & pass this one up!? Be ready for an onslaught of noise coming out of your speakers & your brain having a super hard time keeping up with it all! (Death8699)

 

(Time To Kill Records - 2025)

Score: 83

 

https://necrodeathofficial.bandcamp.com/album/arimortis

Kerry King - From Hell I Rise

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#FOR FANS OF: Thrash

I think, after repeated listens to, this LP never really "grew on me." Here are the likes to enormously talented members from long-time metal bands such as Death Angel (Osegueda), Forbidden (Bostaph), Machine Head (Demmel), Slayer (Bostaph, King) & Testament (Bostaph), to name a few. However, they maintain potential in their own bands, not Kerry's. Total generic guitar riffs & I pay most attention to the "axe-work" because I play as well! The structures to the songs musically have literally no creativity to them, so you can be exposed to how pathetic Kerry's musicianship is in writing & lyrical content as well. A lot of hype for this because of the talented line-up, but it was just that it didn't unlock any more potential. Basically, it was a flop.

In a great attempt to analyze the music here, well really reflects Kerry's Slayer-esque type of guitar rhythm structures & leads. He didn't break away from that to develop his own sound. Instead, it was leftover chunks of music that most likely didn't appear on any of Slayer's music because he's so bankrupt of ideas musically. There is nothing even creative here, the music is so boring, there are no songs that were on here that I even remotely liked. It was really upsetting, not my expectations, but I was sort of hopeful. It really upset me because it's no longer about making good music, just selling CD's & cashing in on Slayer fans, I presume. None of these band members were able to save him from disaster. Instead, they campaigned against originality by not coming up with unique sounds or ingenuity. Being since 2019 that most were with Kerry from the beginning, I guess to add to his not even mediocrity type of thrash metal (if you want to call it that). It can't all be bad, right? I know a lot of people were disappointed with this LP, including me, but other critics also annihilated it. It becomes so evident that in Slayer, King did the least amount of songwriting, Hanneman was the mastermind behind the band. Now that Hanneman has been gone (RIP 2013), the remnants of Kerry's participation in his former band showed how "sorry" he is as a musician. Even being coached by Bob Jeffers (years ago) couldn't even help improve his playing, no matter how much of that he got. These songs are just a waste of time & everyone should return to their previous bands except Kerry, he should just retire! He wants to keep writing (or lack thereof) while he's still alive & kicking, but I think he just wants money. The talent in Slayer was Hanneman & Lombardo. And Bostaph OK, but Kerry? Fill in the blank.

Osegueda, I have total respect for in his thrash band Death Angel, of whom he joined in 1984. He took voice lessons to prepare himself for being the frontman to his SFO based act. I guess Kerry ruined him too because Osegueda sounds awful screaming like Araya (Slayer), only his own voice in his long-time band is where he sounds the best to me! The lead trade-offs on the guitars (as well) were sloppy, especially Kerry's. And I can't recall a solo in Slayer that was clean, they were always muddled attempts that failed miserably. I can't see why he has a strong following, he's never impressed me, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt here, though. Big mistake! 46+ minutes of absolutely nothing, none of the members improved their talent for Kerry. Maybe it just seems like everyone here is basically on their way out of the metal making music scene.

Again, total waste of money and time listening to this. The song titles were idiotic & all the guitar riffs are from an intellectual equivalent to a kindergartener that can't write or compose if his life depended on it! Don't even bother with this, there's really nothing good to say about it. People's IQ drops reading these lyrics, too. Slayer is dead, long live Slayer, not hacks! (Death8699)

(Reigning Phoenix Music - 2024)
Score: 45

https://kerrykingofficial.com/

Master - Saints Dispelled

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

Well, this was an immersion here because I didn't take note of this band until recently! I got this album as well as 'Vindictive Miscreant' (2018) and I didn't like it nearly as much as their latest! The vocals are all right, just if Paul got higher pitched, it would be annoying! They're a 3-piece, of which they originally began being based in Chicago and now in Uherské Hradiště, Zlín Region (Czech Republic). They've been pretty active with their current location emitting death/thrashing music on/off since their first origin (1983) more on than off since 1989, however. They've gone through many members since their first few recordings. However, they've done a great deed and conducted this album, and it was mixed/recorded at Studio Shaark.

 

I really like the riffs here, especially the structures of the songs and their originality, being composed just like they sufficed here to say "what a creative storm!".

 

Since I haven't the experience in the decades of Master's releases (full-length albums & compilation/best of disc). It seems as though they've managed to have quite an impact on extreme metal as it is! I know Mick Harris mentioned Master on Napalm Death's immonsterrible 'Live Corruption' 1990 release! Perhaps they're different from other extreme metal bands in the fact that they have a unique style & the vocals aren't full-throttle death metal, they're more raspy than anything else! Maybe a bit like the Michigan based band Plague Years (as an example).

 

There's much else to say about 'Saints Dispelled', mainly the better recording quality than the rest! I think that that's what's also to say here is if you listen to older LP's, you'll find a flaw in not the compositions, but the overall sound of each instrument! The bass and drums are well mixed on here, the guitars don't overpower the rest of the songs! Check out 'Saints Dispelled' if you want to hear a great release of fresh, invigorating metal in 2024! (Death8699)

 

(Hammerheart Records - 2024)

Score: 75

 

https://master.bandcamp.com/album/saints-dispelled

Dimmu Borgir - Death Cult Armageddon

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#FOR FANS OF: Symph Black Metal

I think that this a highly underrated album. Of course, the synthesizers we can do without, but the rhythm guitars are killer! The music just slays and the aura to the album is pretty eerie and evil. Silenoz varies in his vocals to his own style, then clean. He's got one of the most unique voices in black metal. I'd say this is an above par symphonic black metal release. Too many people dismissing this as garbage. I'd say the newer material isn't very good, but this one is unique in its own way. I enjoyed every moment of it. The sound variety was the greatest experience with it. Absolutely!

I don't really have anything against this release, just an overabundance of the synthesizers (as previously mentioned). The guitars are pretty killer. I like the riffs. They are heavy and melodic, too! Not to mention wholly original! Silenoz really makes his voice fit in with the music quite well! There isn't a song on here that I disliked! I liked them all! Some of the tempos fast, some just mild. I'd say the variety spices up this release. It's not just continuous blast beating riffs/drums. It varies a lot. They just diversify. And the evil female voice just hits home on here. I would have to say this whole album is underrated.

The production quality is quite good. You can hear all the riffs and synthesizers not to mention vocals, too! I think the vocals and guitars saved this release. The music is entirely their own, it's so different from what I'm used to hearing from this band. Wholly killer release! I liked the melodic guitars too! The riffs are all original and spellbinding! I am into this album all the way. Critics can say what they want, this is a solid release! They really dig deep in the sound here, the rhythms I like the most and the fact that there aren't much lead guitar activity is good. I liked this from beginning to end.

If you don't have this album, I'd venture to say, check it out! It's really diverse and original! I liked the whole hour plus of music, totally killer! I'm giving this an "78" because it deserves it. It's one of their better releases, I don't care what anyone says. It's not their best, no, but it still is original and packs a punch! It's also not chronic blast beating guitar/drums. It's balanced. They toyed around with sound, here. I would say that this is one of my favorite releases from the band, in that it's so diverse. I would urge you to buy the album because that's what I did. It really captures the listener! Own it! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2003)
Score: 78

https://www.facebook.com/dimmuborgir

Carcass - Heartwork

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

#FOR FANS OF: Techno Death

This is by far the most interesting, noteworthy, original, innovative Carcass release I've ever heard. 'Necroticism...' was excellent, but this release is beyond excellent. Probably one of the most original melodic death metal albums I've ever heard. Those B-tuned guitars, Walker's vocal outputs, Owen's intense drumming and both Michael/Bill amazingly orchestrate on guitars. They came up with such thick riffs but amazingly melodic. Everything seems to fit here, absolutely everything. This album is underrated by people on here (MA), I don't think there's a more perfect melodic death release than this.

 

'Necroticism...' opened up avenues of success for the band the way 'Symphonies...' did for death/grind. And of course, 'Reek...' was at the almost beginning with grindcore as we knew it. Carcass and Napalm Death both. But here came 'Heartwork' with just impeccable originality and likability. Every song on 'Heartwork' to me is good. The leads are probably Michael at his best. They aren't as good with Arch Enemy than they are on this album. And when I say Arch Enemy, I mean all of their albums. Christopher Amott smokes his brother, but Michael is way about feel. You can hear him on the wah-pedal on here. It's so prevalent.

 

So it's great that the band is still active with the tragedy about Ken Owen who cannot play drums for the band because of his brain hemorrhage. It's a darn shame, but I think people can still appreciate his longtime work with the band. Bill kind of lost a little bit of his lead wicked style, but 'Surgical Steel' is still pretty amazing. 'Heartwork' came out when I was a junior in high school, and boy did I fire it up when I heard it. Those were some good times on the guitar, ABSOLUTELY. 'Heartwork' smoked most melodic metal bands in the 90's like At The Gates, In Flames, et al. They blew the scene out of control after this.

 

This will remain to be my favorite Carcass release every and a top melodic metal release ever. You can measure it up to 'Slaughter of the Soul' by At The Gates, 'The Jester Race' by In Flames, et al. I'm not sure who did the bulk of songwriting on this one, it would probably be mutual between Amott and Steer. They put everything together and made a milestone of a record. My favorite parts of the album are the guitars. But I like the vocals and drums too. The production quality is fantastic. I wouldn't trade the guys in from Earache for anyone. They are just all about band's successes. Own this, TODAY! (Death8699)

 

(Earache Records - 1993/2021)

Score: 90

 

https://carcass.bandcamp.com/album/heartwork-full-dynamic-range-edition

Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding

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

#FOR FANS OF: Brutal Death

Killer beat to this one and as Barnes is usually into his low-end bellowing voice it's a little different on here. It's not really guttural voice, he actually sounds just right on this one. It's low-throat, but not like 'Butchered at Birth' or 'Tomb of the Mutilated.' It's actually better than both. Not musically, but his voice doesn't ruin the music. The music with the vocals go hand in hand. The riffs are spot on! This is where he flourishes, especially various different vocals styles. Barnes is at his best on here, he's tops with me. I don't know why he wasn't able to spew out better vocals on the first few releases. They definitely hit their pinnacle here.

The music on here is simply killer! It's a little of the past mixed with the present releases. It's catchy. Every song on here deserves praise. They've just put some juice in these riffs that keeps them ever flowing! Barnes has a little bit of high-end screams, though they're not held with great immensity.

 

The riffs on the guitars mix well with the vocals. It just fits on here. By far, this is Barnes's best output and contribution to the band up until his departure. What an onslaught musically and vocalistically. It's strange that we didn't see this in a part of him when Cannibal was just starting out.

 

I'd have to say that the following outputs with Cannibal like "Vile", "Gallery of Suicide" and "Bloodthirst" were good, but they got even better. I'd say with Corpsegrinder they slay on "Kill", "A Skeletal Domain", "Red Before Black" and without O'brien they needed someone like Rutan to fill O'brien's shoes. The new one "Chaos Horrific" is one of their better with Rutan, not so much on "Violence Unimagined." 'The Bleeding' was able to capture some very good songwriting and is one of their finest. Barnes is at his best, the music just crushes, and the musicianship is astronomical. There will never be a release like this one. Whatever happened to the band was that they were duplicating releases. When Corpsegrinder joined, they had already established themselves as a primordial death metal musicians. And when Jack Owen left, part of Cannibal wasn't the same. Cannibal seemed to duplicate recordings, you sort of knew what to expect. But on 'The Bleeding', they were at their best. Cannibal and Barnes. They tore it up! (Death8699)

 

(Metal Blade Records/Northeast Steel Industry Records - 1994/2022)

Score: 80

 

https://cannibalcorpse.bandcamp.com/album/the-bleeding

Bones - Sons of Sleaze

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Crust

These guitars (which I notice the most of) have good bar chords/tremolo picking in the reminiscent to vein of Usurper. They're groove oriented and not overly technical but some quick parts as well as some grind pieces. The drums go along well with the guitars. As a highlight, the experimental guitars and vocals are different yet unique. I'd like to say that the music is aggressive, full of blast beats (sludge), a raw production sound and solid lead guitar.

These guys sure as hell CONQUER. I like the guitars and vocals the most. The guitars are ambient and unique. The vocals are pretty brutal, but they sound good alongside the rest of the music. That's what makes this release so dominating. Not only are they different as a band, they also have a great deal to contribute to the scene. I wasn't really sure what genre sludge meant in the metal arena, but now it makes sense. The only element that fell a little bit short is the production quality. Aside from that, everything is pretty solid. The music was very original and didn't sound like anything that I've heard from before. They're in their own zone, therefore that's what makes them the most dominating. All the songs are unique, they pack a punch and therefore leave the listener in awe.

They put on quite a stage presence and on this studio performance out in 2013 was well constructed. As I say, they sound just like they do, which is in their own capacities. I like all the songs and think that they show what a band they are, unique and resilient. The music dominates the most, with the guitars in their own. And the vocals yelling but thoroughly tolerable.

This is the first sludge oriented band that I've ever heard. The tremolo picking and bar chords show what a devastating band they've woven their way into. A full annihilation as it became constructed into this whole recording. They deserve positive feedback from me because they are such a valuable band! Check this out! (Death8699)

(Planet Metal - 2013)
Score: 73

https://boneschicago.bandcamp.com/album/sons-of-sleaze

Aborted - Vault of Horrors

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

#FOR FANS OF: Deathcore

I thought that this is an outstanding release. It slays from the putrid review that this got previously from another user. I thought it's definitely better than their previous release. I like how they switch off from burly vocals to screaming vocals. They are anything but boring! And plain or obligatory. These guys put together one quite an album. I like how they come easily into the segue of the onslaught! I don't see how they can explore such a great death/grind that they all they seem to do. There's no nonsense with this band, they are straight up abominating. The double bass drums fire off like cannons, and the lead guitar simply rips.

40% from an annihilation like this is quite a pretty poor rating that definitely is off-base with no critical efficacy. This release is definitely tops in my book, especially one of the tops of the March they greeted us with! What a monument of an album that's quite an abomination to the ears!

I think that it's gotten enough spins here to hear how intricate this release is! The music steels the listener and the vocals back and forth keeps you from guessing what's to come up next! The drums seem triggered and super highlight to the release as well!

Some people seem to want to show how disenchanting this release is, and I think the opposite! They're tops with me and I think that this album is better than their previous release of whom I thought a treasure as well! "Maniacult" I didn't think that it was as good as this one. It's the production quality, the vocals, the music and the mixing that make this into a gem into a release. It's my one of the top releases from this year so far. I think this will hold true for the remainder of the year! I like the guitars, I think that they were tops with me. The guitar alongside the drums is what sealed this into itself a "Maniacult", only this one is 'Vault of Horrors.'

These guys know how to belt out quite a release and with no compromise! The death/grind is simply there the whole way through! The music is the ultimate highlight of the album. I think this is how they were able to make this into an utmost vile and dismay reeking from Belgium! You can hear it in the vocals that they shred simply with precision! The death/grind is altogether there, and they don't seem to let up any less than their past recordings!

Check it out yourself and make and opinion not based on the negative reviews, consider what you think! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2024)
Score: 75

https://abortedmetal.bandcamp.com/album/vault-of-horrors

Necrophobic - In The Twilight Grey

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

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

This is a softer release from the band, even though they mix black metal with death metal. I'd have to conclude that they are a "milder" Necrophobic than I'm used to. These guys mix what it sounds like more of a Viking metal sound with a death metal prerogative. The vocals go well with the music. This is my favorite Necrophobic album by far. Just everything is supreme and perfect, filling the listener with this slaying metal, metal listen to that clocks in about an hour in length. I don't mind them borrowing their name from a Slayer song, but at least they could've come out with stronger earlier albums. Those don't really sit well with me.

 

They're just more mature on here and the music is more melodic, but the brutality is less than their predecessors. I like how they fluctuate with various tempos, and they're just more experienced here. They don't seem to let up on the music. It's strikingly intricate! 

 

I think from the first few listens to, they're much sharper in musicality and maturity. In some songs they'll be faster than other with an orchaschedrial than other songs. The leads are top-notch. They really whiz through the fretboard with everything in unison.

The vocals are top screams, slaying the music wholeheartedly. This release doesn't really have with it any flaws. Hence, the reason I gave it a perfect score. They range between brutality, a milder form of metal, then a more clean song base which captures everything notwithstanding. What a kick ass black/death metal platter that seems to hit everything metal related. Even the clean guitars segue into a more brutal sound, bringing with it such a metal, such a metal event through in and throughout. I like everything on here. And it only took me a couple of listens to that picked up everything wholeheartedly. More than any Necrophobic release than any other!

 

Can you grasp this total onslaught? I was able to and let's hope that they don't get softer, hopefully this will be their mildest LP! (Death8699)

 

(Century Media Records - 2024)

Score: 80

https://centurymedia.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-twilight-grey-24-bit-hd-audio

Marduk - Memento Mori

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

#FOR FANS OF: Black Metal

One of the best releases of 2023, at least out of 10. Though, I do miss Legion on vocals, who gave up metal to pursue being a tattoo artist. Still though, Daniel had some big shoes to fill! I think he pulled it off quite well. And I like the fact that this release isn't like 'Panzer Division Marduk' with the utmost blast beating. There were many different tempos and the production sound was quite good! These guys have a lot of life left in them! I like the music mostly and the vocals, it's much promise to Marduk's longevity. Morgan on guitars and Simon on drums show almost a quite new of a band, and these musicians have some big shoes to fill (as I say).

They're still one of the best black metal musicians around. I like how Daniel's voice soars and holds out the screams. It's screaming throughout, alongside the blast beating. They uphold the blend of 'Nightwing' and 'Panzer Division Marduk.'

This is 40 minutes of a hellish Marduk still going strong even though the lineup has changed quite a bit, but it's good to hear that they're still going on strong! These guys have some unique riffs. A lot of tremolo picking and bar chord mania!

I've been able to get into this album quite easily because there's so much diversity to each song. On each track, you've got to figure the screaming and blast beating, but then there are points in here that are calmer. Not that many, but they do change it up. I like every song on here, they stayed true to their roots and with this newer lineup was able to not compromise in musical style and black metal onslaught. I thought that with the ending is quite abrupt. I admit that 'Panzer Division Marduk' is still my all-time favorite from them. They just never seem to let up on that one. But this one probably a more diverse one than that one, and it needed to be so. It's because they needed another side to them that wasn't brutal all the way through.

Definitely one of the best in 2023 in terms of black metal or just metal in general. Take a listen and you'll hear what I'm saying! (Death8699)

(Century Media - 2023)
Score: 80

https://centurymedia.bandcamp.com/album/memento-mori

Midnight - Hellish Expectations

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

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Speed/Thrash

This is definitely better than their predecessor 'Let There Be Butchery.' This one is just a bit shorter of an album, but they accomplished a lot! I saw them with Mayhem, and they put on one hell of a show, only they're missing a rhythm guitar player. The vocals fit well with the music. The music is sort of like punk based, and the vocals are pretty unique! I liked this whole release, all 25 minutes of this. Just wish it was longer. But it still packs a punch to it. The leads are a little sloppy, but the vocals and production quality is top-notch. These guys mix black metal with speed metal. Quite a unique pair of genres to go together, but they turn it off well.

25 minutes of brain wrenching metal into your eardrums, these guys don't mess around. Not much into their lyrical topics, but it is what it is. Just as long as the music is, quality is what matters to me. They've got a pretty big fan base, being from Ohio.

Their metal sound wreaks havoc on the eardrums, they're here to stay. All the songs rip and average about 2:50 minutes in length. But the intricate sound that they own themselves. Every song on here is good, the music and the vocals and sound quality rips 'Let There Be Butchery.' They're getting more creative and intriguing to listen to!

Athenar should not be doing everything on this release. Even if it's just a session musician, that would be OK. He's got to remember that they do tour, so he needs band members to accompany him to this metal, this metal event of onslaught! There are bands like Old Man's Child and Everydying that are in charge with everything. That (to me) gets a lot of ghosting with other musicians. I'm sure that they would want to be a part of this band, especially since he's built up a great fan base humbly. It may be because he's weary of them taking over what he wants for the band, and with a one-man piece, he's a part of everything. I'm not sure, but I do know that he's an outstanding musician, though maybe difficult to work with.

In any event, grab a hold of this, it's one of the best releases of March 2024! (Death8699)

(Metal Blade - 2024)
Score: 76

https://midnight-ohio.bandcamp.com/album/hellish-expectations

Nocturnus AD - Paradox

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

#FOR FANS OF: Sci-Fi Death Metal

Definitely some high-quality Sci-fi death metal! They pack a punch and do it so furiously! I don't see anything missing from this release, be it the metal that they put forward! The rhythms, leads and production quality are such high quality! I have not much of anything but good things that these guys deliver on here. They sure are exquisite death metal! The melodies, the aura and the put forward metal they have in store for you is a great illustrious platter! This one is probably a top rate or just about it release. Way close to that! These guys know what they're doing in regard to the making of a death metal record and how it should sound!

I like the rhythms the most. They're full of energy and diversity. The vocals do compliment the music quite a bit! There are actually a few different styles of which they sing: BURLY then SCREAMING interchangingly. It goes rather well with this platter.

This album clocks in at about 60 minutes, which makes it easier to listen to because they've spent plenty of time getting it
produced. Not to knock bands that have half of the amount of quality time. Some bands like Deicide or Slayer have shorter crank time. And word just about Deicide Jack Owen, who was with the band for about 20 years, ghosted them over a musical dispute. I'm just happy this band keeps working hard on getting LP's put out and quality music, not just quantity. The vocals sway as do the leads, but it isn't anything that isn't perfect of a recording. The production/mixing is quite well done! The music is totally Sci-Fi death metal. We knew that right away!

I wish that this CD wasn't unavailable on Amazon.com. I've just been hearing it via Spotify. I much want a physical copy to show that I support the band! These guys still have a length of life in them and need the word spread as much as able.

Definitely, one of the best release in 2019 and their new one is due out this year! Let's hope that it's another great one! (Death8699)

(Profound Lore Records - 2019)
Score: 80

https://nocturnusad.bandcamp.com/album/paradox

Destruction - Thrash Anthems II

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

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash

This is a good second round of re-done tracks by the MONUMENTAL Destruction. It's pretty tight, sounding better than the originals (I think). Though they don't have Harry Wilkens back in the band and I think their former drummer Olly still is supporting the band, it's just that he doesn't play on any of the newer albums. Mike (guitars) seemed to step up his game on leads. I'm used to him being a bit sloppy, but he's done a good job on here. It seems as though they sort of lost that spunk a bit on intensity, but they're getting up there in age. Mike admits that he smokes too much weed.

The music is classic Destruction, it just seems milder. And the Dead Kennedy's cover was good, showing that punk rock influence. I'm sure Jello Biafra knows or might know about them covering his former band. Weird to hear it in thrash metal fashion. Some great remakes her of songs like "Dissatisfied Existence", etc. shows that they still have it, just slowed down a bit like I said. At least they have two of the original members, Schmier and Mike. They've gone through a bunch of drummers since Tommy's departure way back in the 80s. The band never really changed, just their newer material all sounds the same.

The production quality is top-notch. I like the sound of it and how all the tracks mixed together. Though the guitars could've sounded a little more crunch-like, but still they did a good job of remaking these tracks. It really does sound like Harry on some leads it's just not specified on here, though it has to be him. Mike can't pull off such fast leads the way Harry did. I know that he did participate in more recent albums as a guest musician. Mike's great on rhythm. He's been a good songwriter in the 80s, though their more recent material doesn't seem to change. They're not as catchy as the old stuff. Which is probably why the remakes.

I have the physical CD of this release and enjoyed it a lot. I think the first one is good as well, maybe even better. Furthermore, I liked both of them, though, and I think it was a good idea to put these songs through better production quality and mixing. I think they did a good justice to the songs from the early days. Maybe they received some criticism over the older material sounding low-budget and the new material monotonous and songwriting monotonous as well. I liked this remake the entire way through. They did a good job from start to finish. Especially enjoy the Dead Kennedy's cover as well! (Death8699)

(Pledge Music - 2017)

Score: 70

 

https://www.facebook.com/destruction