Nunslaughter - Angelic Dread

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Thrash

Killer death metal, though the songs are short. I didn't mind that, they reined with fury! Catchy riffs and tolerable vocals, there's no going wrong with this band! The vocals go well with the music! Best Nunslaughter I've heard from them. Excruciatingly immense death metal galore! Check out one of their lengthier songs called "Looking Into The Abyss."

The music is thrash/death metal, more thrash in the guitars and a tinge of death metal with the vocals. But I know they're considered to be solely a death metal band. The vocals reflect Jeff Walker via Carcass. Same screaming sound if you didn't notice, but it seems to be true to that!

Riffs sound crunchy and catchy. There isn't a Nunslaughter album I've heard that tops this one. And it's good they're re-establishing a great fan base. They need it and their music is unique.

The production quality on here is superb! I enjoyed how they weaved everything into place in terms of instruments/voice. The aggression is totally there, and wouldn't want to change anything on this release. They diversify, they're not aggression totally, but the guitars are HEAVY! I think that they down-tune the guitars to reach that thickness sound. What a great band, they're wholly underrated! I ordered their CD from Hells Headbangers because I thought it one album that I couldn't pass up! The music took over and I loved the vocal department. This band is way unique and uncompromising! Be sure to take a listen to the song I mentioned and see if it's up to your death metal pallet! (Death8699)

(Hells Headbangers Records/Fatalism Musickness - 2014/2021)
Score: 74

https://nunslaughter.bandcamp.com/album/angelic-dread

Endorphine - Godmind

BACK IN TIME: recensione gentilmente concessa da Nihil Zine

#PER CHI AMA: Thrash Metal

Si trattava di una nuova scoperta per la prolifica agenzia italiana Kick Agency. Gli Endorphine, con questa loro fatica intitolata 'Godmind', aggiungevano un nuovo tassello alla scena thrash melodica italiana anche se vi erano presenti “tocchi” ispirati al crossover (soprattutto per quanto riguarda la voce), che secondo me suonavano fuori luogo rispetto alle buone trovate che poi costituivano il fulcro dell’album. Ottime le chitarre, sia quella solista che la chitarra ritmica di Maddalena. Entrambe erano arrangiate molto bene e con la tecnica dei nostri non perdevano di potenza. La sezione ritmica reggeva bene questa potenza, sostenuta da una batteria che variava tra giochi più tecnici e velocità abbastanza sostenute, in pieno stile thrash metal. A completare il tutto, la voce: capace nell'essere cattiva, sebbene spesso si perdesse nelle melodie pulite, che come accennato prima, a mio avviso, rappresentavano l’unico punto debole di questo secondo MCD composto da tre tracce. Un discreto lavoro che vide un seguito, 'The Future Seed', prima dello scioglimento della band nel 2008.

(Self - 2002)
Voto: 65

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Endorphine

Naglfar - Cerecloth

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

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Black, Dissection

This release is a re-visitation of the "old" Naglfar via the 'Vittra' release with a little fine-tuning. The guitars are similar like in the past tremolo picking and a slight reverb upon the production the vocals are similar as well just darker I'd say. They're screaming vox but darker and dreary. It sets the tone on how the album is going to be like, especially on the production quality.

 

I don't agree that this album averages a moderate "65" rating I believe that it's top-notch. It stole me right away, and I liked it immediately. Especially the doom if there entails. There really aren't an overabundance of lead guitar work, just some. It weaved into the tremolo picking of the rhythm guitar.

They really did well on here, I mean so eerie and desolate are the guitar riffs with vocals accompanying the riffs making it so depressing. They really upped their game in the melancholic department, as most of their work has done. I'd say it's more morbid than 'Harvest.' The melodies flow in the depths of hell.

 

If you key into the production/mixing/sound departments, you'll hear that they wanted this to sound ultimately grueling.

 

I'm not much into the lyrical conceptions, I just care about the vocals and the music. I feel they're at a really strong point and that they are at the pinnacle of their melodic black metal. They are pretty much experts on how to make such good recordings in this genre, and I feel that they were undercut on the ratings. They really are sending home a message that they're not letting up in their intensity. And the tremolo picking is superb. There's a lot of it on here, not too many bouts of slower tempos, most of it is fast, I'm a huge fan of this band and rightfully so because they keep putting out songs/albums that grasp the listener with their immense intensity. Don't pass this one up!

 

The eerie sense of this release is all there, and they definitely upped their underground vibe that you can feel totally throughout! Check it out and see! (Death8699)

 

(Century Media - 2020)

Score: 76

 

https://centurymedia.bandcamp.com/album/cerecloth-24-bit-hd-audio

Sathanas - Psalm Satani

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

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

Only 30 minutes in length, but I feel like these guys put on some pretty great blackened metal. I love the vocals and the guitars. Paul indicated that the recording quality wasn't the greatest, but you can as sure as hell make out the riffs. No blast beats just underground metal galore.

Production wise, this album could've done better, but the guitars and the vocals made up for that! I like the fact that Paul's vocals are screams that fit well with the essence of this album. I really like this album, especially the riffs. Too bad, it's only a little over 30 minutes. It deserves a lengthier LP. But, nevertheless, it's better than quality music for this rare genre. It's really made metal to sound better than just unique. It's made it more experimental and creative. Each song is good to my standards. They put an effort into everything, especially in making this album flourish, even though there's a claim that they got somewhat screwed over by the label. But the next LP will be at Morrisound. So that's pretty exciting!

The music on here was in the vein of 'Necrohymns' but it has its own kick to it. Definitely looking forward to the new album, but for now it's this blaring through my speakers. It's a raw recording, again reminiscent of the past. Paul is the main contributor of the band as he's the driving force.

This band has their own sound, especially the blackened metal that they play. They have sort of weaved it into their own. I like how they display their talent throughout this recording and past recordings as well! The music on here is filled with progressive riffing and a unique style.

I've yet to find a way to get a physical copy of this album, preferably on Amazon or Hells Headbangers. But they're not stocking it. Best to download off bandcamp. Check this album out! It shan't disappoint! (Death8699)

(Vidar Records - 2023)
Score: 73

https://sathanaspsalmsatani.bandcamp.com/album/psalm-satani

Disinter - Designed By The Devil, Powered By The Dead

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

#FOR FANS OF: Grind/Death

These guys formed quite a bit ago, Native Chicagoans! I'm quite surprised that no one took a shot and reviewed this. The vocals sound like Adam via Cardiac Arrest (US). And the music is quite unique and technical as well. They hit home with me, I've found this platter to rip musically and aggressively. It's too bad that they dealt with a death in the band (Preston) RIP 2017. I've found nothing but good things to say about this band/album. It's just a little hard to find online. It isn't readily available on Amazon.com and there are different bands with changed names (Disinter). I can't fathom that it's been 10 years since this album was released!

Keeping the metal faith there on Disinter's end, they rip quick musically, and they're (I believe) five members making this release happen. I just so don't like to listen digitally without giving the band money to buy a CD. I would love to have this album as a part of my collection!

These guys are not only death metal, but their talent goes to show that it does still exist, and we hear here that talent belting out fast riffs mixed with upbeat but still underground vocals alongside burgeoning music that utterly is in command. There's so much going on with the vocals, music, and rhythm guitar sounds that perpetrate along with its unfathomably dark intricate metal. You can hear how much they unleash their musical display. Very talented musicians!

They have intricate groove and tenacious licks that simply catch you off guard. But yeah, the vocalist sounds like Adam Scott from Cardiac Arrest (US). If you've heard any of their music, you'll hear what I'm talking about. The other side of the vocals deals with screaming. The music is their own. I'm glad to be aware that metal is alive and well in Chicago. These guys rip it to pieces on the guitars, the production sound, varying vocals and undying spirit. They've owned Chicago since their birth in 1991. This band is the embodiment of terror, destruction, and songwriting.

I only took a little bit off because there were some slow parts but wholeheartedly uncompromising and intricate abomination! (Death8699)

(Desecrated Productions - 2014)
Score: 76

https://disinter.bandcamp.com/album/designed-by-the-devil-powered-by-the-dead

Tank and Tears - Timewave

#PER CHI AMA: Gothic/Dark Wave

Tornano in pista i Tank and Tears, che dal 2017 si erano messi in pausa di ogni produzione musicale. Tornano in pista e mai definizione fu più appropriata, poiché dal precedente album, 'Aware', dove sfoderavano un post punk dalle forme ansiolitiche e dalle chitarre aggressive, si passa al dancefloor delle discoteche new wave/goth, con le chitarre che si rendono meno roboanti e più d'atmosfera, contornate e dirette da synth di stampo New Order e la forma compositiva tipica della band numero uno in questo ambito, i Clan of Xymox. Rincorrere ed emulare i sacri crismi e gli stilemi di tale genere, porta sicuramente a buoni frutti, e le nove tracce di 'Timewave' lo dimostrano, sebbene allo stesso tempo si denoti quanto il suono sia un vero e proprio derivato di quello che a suo tempo marcava le sperimentazioni degli Ultravox e dei The Dance Society, rendendolo unico, magico e indimenticabile, in un periodo storico a cavallo degli anni '80. L'album è quanto mai fedele nella ricostruzione storica e, avvalendosi di un'ottima produzione e un'ottima scorta di suoni vintage, riesce nell'intento di far ballare chi ancora oggi, adora quelle sonorità fredde e sintetiche. Prendete un goth club e fate ballare le sue oscure figure al suono di 'Timewave'; traccia dopo traccia avrete reso indimenticabile la loro serata. Canzoni mirate a colmare la nostalgia di un suono che in realtà non è mai caduto in disuso, che da decenni si rinvigorisce e rinasce dalle sue stesse ceneri, inglobando elettronica, dreamwave e visioni gotiche, in un incedere ritmico ipnotico, costantemente permeato da cupe atmosfere. Trovo superficiale dire quale sia il brano migliore, partendo dal fatto che i toscani Tank and Tears hanno creato un disco praticamente perfetto, per soli nostalgici del genere però, sebbene alla fine suoni moderno e studiato nei minimi particolari, per ricalcare maniacalmente i passi dei padri fondatori, con effetti e dinamiche del suono estremamente curate. "Galaxies" mi ha colpito particolarmente per la parentela eccelsa dei synth verso gli Ultravox più colti, circondati da chitarre che ricordano i The Cure più freddi, mentre "Vampire Bite" ha un sussulto più gotico e orientato anche all'universo esteso dei The Sisters of Mercy. Tuttavia, i paragoni non possono essere presi alla lettera in un genere dove le regole compositive rimangono comunque ferree e quanto proposto finisce per rimandare volutamente a un tutto già sentito. Rimane comunque stupefacente il grado di qualità, fluida e coinvolgente, sprigionata da quest'album che ha una omogeneità ammaliante che non mostra alcun segno di cedimento durante il suo ascolto. Ascolto che consiglio a tutti quelli che vogliono inoltrarsi nel mondo dell'elettrowave a tinte gotiche, o nella new wave di stampo ottantiano, per rendersi conto quanto la linea di suono della new wave sia poi proseguita dai monumentali 'Movement', 'Subsequent Pleasures' e 'Vienna' fino ai giorni nostri. (Bob Stoner)

(Swiss Dark Night - 2024)
Voto: 75

https://tanksandtears.bandcamp.com/album/timewave 

In Autumn - What’s Done Is Done

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Doom

Founded in 2011, the Italian band In Autumn hasn’t been particularly prolific, as they have released only three albums in more than a decade of existence. Its line-up has been reasonably stable, although they have changed the lead singer a few times which is always a quite crucial element, so this might explain why they have taken more time to release new music. In any case, as I always say, it’s better to focus on quality instead of quantity as we can also see bands which release so much music that it can lead to some boredom.

Let’s focus on In Autumn’s new opus entitled 'What’s Done Is Done', which has been released by the well-established Italian label My Kingdom Music. In Autumn combines doom and post-metal sounds, which makes its music a bit more dynamic and varied than the typical doom metal band. Which doesn’t change is the expected melancholy and despair that the music breathes, a fact that it is not totally surprising as both genres, even being different, share this approach when music is created. Vocally, there is a mixture of slightly rasped aggressive vocals and a quite melancholic clean ones which are well-balanced in their use, being the most usual ones the aggressive ones, although the use varies depending on the song. The guitar tone has a greater influence of post-metal sounds, particularly when it sounds heavier, while the most melodic riffing has a clear classic doom metal approach. This is clearly noticeable in the album opener "What’s Done Is Done" where the band uses all the aforementioned resources. The most melodic riffs are especially welcome, as the sole use of post-metal style riffing may sound a bit repetitive for me. As always, balance is the key element, and this composition achieves its goal of using both sides in a very good way. "Inside My Soul" is one of those compositions where the different elements are used, succeeding with creating a great contrast between the different sections of the song. The first half has the most melancholic touch with those clean vocals and a calmer pace, while the second half brings back the more aggressive vocals and a good use of lead guitar melodies. This, combined with a faster pace, makes this song of the most enjoyable ones. Another highlight of the album is the track "The Illusion Of Reality". For sure, one of the heaviest ones. Here we can enjoy some of the most powerful riffs, use of the double bass and a headbanging inducing pace. I do also enjoy the combination of nice lead guitar melodies and the clean vocals in the chorus, which helps to make this song particularly addictive. The contrast between heaviness and melody is even clearer in the track "Block", which also has a quite vivid pace. As it has been the case in other compositions, heavier and calmer sections come abruptly one after the other, although this song is maybe the clearest example of this approach. The ups and downs in the intensity of the song achieves to get the attention of the listener from the very beginning to the end.

At the end, 'What’s Done Is Done' is for sure a quite entertaining piece of work. Its mixture of doom and post metal gives to the album a more varied touch and helps to create quite enjoyable tracks. The solid performance makes this work a good dose for those who enjoy this mixture of genres, although it doesn’t bring anything new on the table. (Alain González Artola)

(My Kingdom Music - 2024)
Score: 73

https://mykingdommusic.bandcamp.com/album/whats-done-is-done

Cannibal Corpse - Chaos Horrific

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

#FOR FANS OF: Brutal Death

This album is a step-up from 'Violence Unimagined.' They seem to have more solid riffs, as Cannibal has taken another 5-piece band with one of the top releases for 2023 in my view. They deserved it! Everything seemed to be right on here, with no ounce of anything mediocre.

I think Rutan made more of a difference on here as well. He and Rob make a good combination on guitars. More wicked leads and rhythms on here! The songs are way tighter and this is my favorite release from Corpsegrinder ever since he started with the band replacing Chris Barnes. He's got way more range than Barnes ever had for Cannibal Corpse. The great thing about this release as well is that it's got a lot of variations with the songs. Even though they were more in B-flat tuning to get that chunky sound, it sounds great. All the tracks were good! I listened to the sample before I downloaded this and then bought the CD. I'm so glad I did!

This is one of the top 3 Cannibal albums I'd choose in their entire discography. The others would be 'Red Before Black', 'Torture' and 'Butchered At Birth.' This new one is going to get plenty of air time for me, especially sharing this information to readers to assure them that this is the band's monument ever since some of their previous work that is worth mentioning.

The mixing was top-notch to feature the guitars well in synch with the vocals. The only thing that I didn't hear a lot were Corpsegrinder's screams, they're mainly guttural. However, it suited the music!

If you want to know one top album from 2023 this LP hits the pinnacle for the band! Everything on here is killer! The production quality especially since they've been on Metal Blade is great. I don't see any signs of them slowing down! Loving this whole release! (Death8699)

(Metal Blade - 2023)
Score: 75

http://www.cannibalcorpse.net/

Lato - Karisma

#PER CHI AMA: Indie Psych Rock

Onde d’acqua circostanziale. È "Soul of Blood". Un suono che si trasforma in concentrici cerchi vitali. Ed è improvviso quanto imperante l’incipit dell’album, con quel graffio di elettricità strumentale a breve trasformata in una risacca cantata. Se amate l’acqua pura e i suoi abissi incantati, addentratevi in questo mare apparentemente calmo. Questa prima song dei milanesi Lato parte con la sinuosità dell’acqua che preda sia l’ascolto che l’empatia distorsionale del cantato. Muoviamoci poi verso "Certainty and Disenchantment", secondo pezzo incluso in questo 'Karisma' (che dovrebbe essere anche il secondo disco per la band italica). Stride l’esordio del brano. Picchia forte. Graffia gole arse. E poi inizia quel cantato che scalda improvvisamente. Direi una versione futurista di Jonny Cash, ma senza le tipiche inflessioni country. Il pop si mescola in una disillusione dell’attesa. Funziona bene. Anzi molto bene. E mi ritrovo trepidante. La terza traccia sarà diffratta dalle precedenti? A voi "Millions of Us", che non risparmia l’usura delle corde metalliche in un riff piuttosto accattivante, reiterato, ricco di mordente. Il fondo del brano è sempre mosso, come sballato sistematicamente da sonorità etnico percussionali, morbide. Entra il pop della voce, ma anche quello che credo sia uno stralunato sax. Non posso fare a meno di sentire rimembranze anni '90. Per una attimo sono tornata agli U2 e alla loro "Achtung Baby", ma ne siamo comunque lontani. Approvato il presente nel passato. Ma veniamo al momento oscuro del disco con "Stars Spangling". Un treno d’altri tempi sbuffa ritmicamente. E poi arriva alla stazione dolcemente. Il brano dondola in una bolla di zucchero. La voce accarezza lasciando piccole ferite tra pelle e anima. Il ritornello vorrebbe spaziare, ma accompagna. In quattro parole. Una song piacevolmente sospirante. Spezziamo la malinconica dolcezza con "Triangular". Si, perché questa song è distratta, ipnotica, e dal taglio alternativo. Posso farvela immaginare come una danza sinuosa, a tratti spinta, ma mossa da abbandono e utopia. Una traccia per dimenticarsi di se stessi, ascoltandola e riascoltandola. Elettronica, strusciante, digitale. Parte la robotica "Hole in My Head". Solo il cantato ci fa aggrappare alla realtà, mentre la base ritmica potrebbe collegarci a un gioco della Playstation. Ascoltiamo poi la robusta "Diamonds". Torna un indie pop, spaccato a metà strada tra gli Oasis e quel post punk da pub underground londinese, ove ballare e isolarsi dalla realtà, e null'altro. Arriviamo al penultimo pezzo con "Deep". La traccia parte da lontano con una lunga e tiepida carezza, e prosegue in pallide nuvole senza pioggia. È cupa, eppure non porta pioggia. È vento, eppure le foglie sono immobili. È malinconicamente emozionante eppure invisibile in un sospiro in cui la si può solo sentire, ma non vedere. Un climax emozionale in cui è la voce a guidarci nel buio. Chiudiamo l’ascolto di 'Karisma' con "Dancing with Decadence". Armonica e la voce suadente del frontman. Nostalgia e consapevolezza. Stile e coraggio. Avvolgente e caratterizzante questo album. Un incontro di suoni e voci che spezzano, accarezzano, avvolgono, sfiorano, giocano con noi. (Silvia Comencini)

(Self - 2024)
Voto: 78

https://latosounds.bandcamp.com/album/karisma-2