Mammoth Grinder - Undying Spectral Resonance

#PER CHI AMA: Death Old School

Siete pronti per prendere un paio di schiaffoni ben assestati in pieno volto? Questo è quello che sono pronti ad offrirci gli statunitensi Mammoth Grinder con questa loro nuova uscita di cinque pezzi. Con un incipit che ricorda ben da vicino le prime release degli Entombed, 'Undying Spectral Resonance' si presenta con un brano che fin dapprincipio catalizza la mia attenzione sul quartetto texano. "Corpse of Divinant" è una straordinaria quanto malefica canzone di puro death metal old school, carico di quelle venature stile area di Stoccolma primi anni '90, miscelata con un che degli Autopsy e una spruzzatina di Obituary. Un fantastico colpo alla mascella che immediatamente mi annichilisce per potenza, perizia tecnica (notevole a tal proposito, il super tagliente assolo verso la fine), un pizzico di groove, e un vocione che arriva direttamente dalle viscere della terra. E la successiva title track non sembra promettere nulla di buono, con una linea di chitarra che scandisce in modo evidente il ritmo, qui mid-tempo, del secondo pezzo, ritmo che si fa più incandescente nel finale, con un'altra sciabolata solistica che mi evoca i bei tempi andati del death a stelle e strisce di fine anni '80. E se "Call from the Frozen Styx (Interlude)" è un inutile interludio strumentale, che nell'economia peraltro assai risicata dell'album, mi fa storcere solo il naso, "Decrease the Peace" sembra soffrire dello stop ritmico della precedente song e, fatto salvo per un altro spettacolare assolo, rischia di scadere nel dimenticatoio in tempi brevissimi. Fortunatamente, ci pensa la conclusiva "Obsessed with Death" a ripristinare le incandescenti ritmiche dei primi brani, con un rifferama marcescente e altrettanto convincente, che ci inducono ad un esagitato pogo senza precedenti. Ed è qui che il disco si interrompe bruscamente; in tutta franchezza, avrei infatti desiderato quattro/cinque pezzi in più, per godere di sonorità che si sono perse nella notte dei tempi. (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 2024)
Voto: 70

https://mammothgrinder.bandcamp.com/album/undying-spectral-resonance

Obituary - Live Infection

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

I was wondering why James on guitar sounded the way he did and to conclude that wonder it's because Kenny Andrews was on lead. He had the effects down pretty good, but the technicality was waning. James was/is the master shredder either in Death, Disincarnate, Obituary and Testament. His quirky behavior was because like Chuck from Death, he had a brain tumor, but he recovered where for Chuck it was his demise. This 'Live Infection' album is about an hour long (CD version) and I still like it even though it's less technical than the original 'Cause of Death' release. And the change was because it wasn't James on lead (to me, at least), so it wasn't as listener friendly to Obituary fans.

Don't misunderstand me, this is a great CD, but the production quality was less than optimal. Four original members on this release, featuring Donald Tardy (drums), Trever Peres (rhythm guitar), Terry Butler (bass), and John Tardy (vocals).

I think that this release was optimal, but it could've been a lot better. Live albums are not as good as studio albums, with exceptions. Destruction's "Live Without Sense" as an exception, but that was a thrash metal compilation that supposedly "live."

This live album didn't get much feedback from listeners (only 1). When I first heard it, it was bringing me back to the 'Cause of Death' era, just not as good. But they still did a good job with their instruments. I just wish James was on lead. I always liked his creativity with the effects he uses and that vibe that comes out of his guitar. Kenny's OK, he plays on the modern Obituary albums, including 'Dying of Everything.' Obituary has always held this old school death metal sound. It's never really changed. That's what keeps the band "bad ass." And 'Live Infection' I still give them a "70" rating for. Mostly because of the sound of the instruments and aggression.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this album since it wasn't 'Cause of Death' solely, it was Kenny Andrews that took over James Murphy's leads. There were bonus tracks, too, that made it into the killer sound that was a result.

The vocals, music and vibe of this album is the 'Cause of Death' sounding songs which makes it very listenable and brutal. They never changed their style of music, that was makes or breaks a band. I still felt that this was a "70" rating and will stick by that. Take a listen to this one! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2022)
Score: 70

https://obituary.bandcamp.com/album/cause-of-death-live-infection

Dying Fetus - Make Them Beg For Death

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

#FOR FANS OF: Brutal Death

Immaculate release, better than 'Wrong One To Fuck With', their previous release. What an onslaught of brutal death metal! The vocals seem to be the same as their predecessor, but the riffs are a lot better this time around. These guys know what they're doing, a heavier yet technical release yet again. But it seems like they put more time in writing this one. Some people shy away from this band for whatever reason, but in my opinion, if you like death metal, this one is no one to fuck with! The technicality is there, but the rhythms are tight, making this release even more intriguing than the previous album. They just are a notch up from that one, and you'll hear it if you compare the previous to this one.

They take off from their predecessor, only the songwriting (to me) is better. The riffs stick out the most and (of course) the burly vocals. They fluctuate and there are two members that are trader off in this department. I feel like there's more emphasis on the music rather than the vocals.

I would classify them to be not only brutal death/grindcore but also technical death metal, which makes them very diverse. I liked this one from start to finish. And I'm showing support for the band by purchasing the CD. The vocals go well with the music because you have that heavy-duty sound of the axe and burly voice along with it. It's uncompromising death metal mostly, despite what I said previous and just to generalize. The guitars are immaculate. This album is intense the whole way through it, and they even put in some melodic guitar riffs alongside the brutal intent. There's really nothing that I would change here, even the production quality was quite good!

Lead guitars were good as well! But mostly, I like the rhythms with the vocals. It's quite immaculate on how they chose to proceed in this recording. All the songs are good, you can just take a listen if you attempt to dispute me over this. Amazing metal quality from start to finish! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2023)
Score: 75

https://dyingfetus.bandcamp.com/album/make-them-beg-for-death

Dying Fetus - Purification Through Violence

BACK IN TIME: recensione gentilmente concessa da Nihil Zine

#PER CHI AMA: Death/Grind

L'album ha qualche anno ma poco importa perchè i Dying Fetus suonano death-grind, un genere che se ne infischia dei trend imperanti. Chi conosce il genere sa quali siano gli ingredienti: tempi di batteria veloci, accelerazioni improvvise, voce gutturale alternata ad una più acuta, testi che sono un concentrato di odio e violenza, a volte parossistici e quindi divertenti come in "Skull Fucked" e "Raped on the Altar", a volte impegnati come "Nothig Left to Pray for". Personalmente penso che le convinzioni politiche siano roba da punk-hardcore e non c'entrino niente con il metal. Comunque quello che conta maggiormente sono le parti suonate: i pezzi sono buoni, anche se la produzione è un po' debole per quanto riguarda il suono di chitarra, la durata breve (28 min) contribuisce a non stancare chi ascolta. È presente anche una cover dei maestri Napalm Death, "Scum" , qui richiamata "Skum (Fuck the Weak)". Non consiglio l'album ai puristi dell'heavy, mentre lo faccio a chiunque voglia mettere nello stereo un cd estremo ma allo stesso tempo divertente.

(Pulverizer Records/Relapse Records - 1996/2021)
Score: 65

https://dyingfetus.bandcamp.com/album/purification-through-violence

Obituary - Dying of Everything

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

This album has a 'Cause of Death' vibe to it. The music is quality riff-wise. And the vocals are vintage John Tardy-esque. I like both the riffs and the vocals the most. The production quality is different. It's kind of hollow which doesn't mean I'm scoring it lower. The riffs are fresh and the songwriting is totally Obituary. But yeah, the vibe is in the vein of 'Cause of Death'. But it's modern death metal with their own sound that they acquired in the late 80's-early 90's. A lot of their releases duplicate the previous but this one is a little different. The main difference is the sound quality. It makes it sound unique.

The songwriting is quality and the guitar riffs are catchy. I liked this whole album I thought that they have a lot to offer (still) and I think they have more full-length albums up their alley in the future. The music is pretty slow but chunky riffs. Definitely one of their better releases.

Check out the songs "By The Dawn" and "Be Warned." The rest are good but the latter one is totally from the vein of 'Cause of Death', absolutely. The music is definitely fresh and new with the taste of the old. But they didn't seem to duplicate past releases with a grim vibe.

Like I said, the sound quality is different but good. The music on here is very catchy and new. These guys are great with their quality music the whole way through. I like the music the most and the vocals are totally like they usually are. Overall, they did great! These guys are middle-aged but still excellent brutal metal. I liked the riffs and it sounds like they're in D tuning. Maybe a little bit lower on here. But they're thick and catchy. Those two tracks I mentioned are my favorites from this release. They rehashed 'Cause of Death' with the touches of their new material going in that direction.

I preordered this because it seemed to get positive press and they were right! I'm glad that I checked it out! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2023)
Score: 77

https://obituary.bandcamp.com/album/dying-of-everything

Exhumed - To The Dead

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

This is one helluv an album! In my opinion, better than their previous 'Death Revenge' that I have. I have yet to hear 'Horror' or their previous earlier material which was in the goregrind genre. This one is fierce and ferocious! Two vocal trade-offs, guitars with sick riffing and a dominating production be it that they're on Relapse nowadays! This album has balls-out intensity. The riffs are full of endless atrocity to your eardrums! Totally their aim on here it wasn't just mind-boggling it was crushing! I enjoyed this the first time I got it then I had to get the physical CD sort of my way to support the band!

The leads were pretty good on here, too! All together this was or is my favorite Exhumed release. I only have heard bits and pieces of their early work which I didn't care much for. But 'To The Dead' is my absolute favorite Exhumed album to date. There are no flaws here on this album, it's got so many highlights I'm just glad that I heard about it. Just buy coincidence through a mutual friend I thought I'd check it out. BOOM! I was in I was totally in! These guys know what they're doing in terms of the concept of this release. Never into the lyrics, there are some songs with strange names to them.

I'm just going by what I've heard on here not so much their writing concepts. The tempos are all changing but not that drastically. Fresh riffs for every song! I like the vocal trade offs it made it more brutal and gave more variety. There are blast beats on here but they still fall under the death metal genre. No more goregrind. That is a thing of the past with them. They're diversifying in terms of sounds they're killing it with their death metal riffs and burly vocals. Totally underground mania! I'd have to applaud the band for such an outstanding performance all almost 40 minutes of this release.

Their album 'Death Revenger' I thought was OK. I never really got into them until I heard this. It blew my eardrums upon first listening to. The production quality was sick everything seemed to fit in perfectly. I'm not taking any points off from this one because I believe it's one death metal album that's tops for 2022. I hope this reaches plenty of fans of the band or death metal in general. It is available for streaming but I went further and made a purchase (like I said earlier). This one goes down as one of my favorite death metal releases for Exhumed in the death metal genre. Check it! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2022)
Score: 84

https://exhumed.bandcamp.com/album/to-the-dead

Suffocation - Souls To Deny

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

#FOR FANS OF: Brutal Death

Solid guitar and sound on this one! What a difference than on the earlier stuff. This seems a bit more polished. Still good though, not as heavy as their earlier work but still good! The drums hit home on here and the riffs are dynamic! I enjoyed this album a lot. They really did a good job on here as a follow-up. I liked this whole album, I thought that it was really a steal in terms of the songwriting. The guitars are my favorite on this. And the vocals are a close second! But overall, this album has a lot of meat to it! The recording is not as good as all, but that's alright because the music makes up for it!

This album is not super long which I had hoped, but it's still great platter of a recording. I think that they have a lot to offer here when death metal has been a bit stagnant in the year it was recorded (2004). I think they're up-to-par on here and the recording/mixing was a little flat sounding but the music takes over and that's the end of it all. Total annihilation. These guys are way up there on the list of bands who stayed consistent over the years and didn't change their style of music. That's why it's so cool to go through their succession from album to album and see what's change vs. what's stayed the same.

A lot of tremolo picking and down-picking riffs. It makes it brutal an somewhat fast. Their not lacking whatsoever in the songwriting capabilities. Pretty solid as ever! I like the vocals too, they're not as brutal as in the past but still they're good alongside the music. I enjoyed this album immensely. It's one you wouldn't think would measure up to the standards of the past records. But it does! Really good release and despite the sort of echo that the drums emit because of the mixing, everything else is fine. It's that snare drum that's a bit overpowering in ruse. However, everything makes up for the deficiencies.

I didn't download this album though I bet you could on Spotify I ended up buying the actual album. So yeah, it was definitely worth it. You won't get the same effect as their first two releases but it's a great modern or more modern Suffocation album. It's I think one of their better more modern releases even though it's itching away as being almost 20 years old. Still superb recording and I wish it didn't end at eight tracks. You'll enjoy this release if you give it a chance. No expectations. Just remember, they're more mature on here and deserve praise to staying true to their roots. Own it! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2004)
Score: 75

https://relapsealumni.bandcamp.com/album/souls-to-deny

Death - Scream Bloody Gore

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

Seems to be between Possessed '7 Churches' to Death's 'Scream Bloody Gore' where the conflict is which album founded the genre of death metal wholeheartedly? I'd have to say Death, especially well talked about on the Death By Metal documentary is that Possessed '7 Churches' was a bit "sloppy" and Death's 'Scream Bloody Gore' was "tighter". I'd have to agree with this synopsis. The music on here is raw, heavy and straightforward. Chuck did a great job on 3 avenues: vocals, guitar and bass Chris on drums. They practiced a shit-ton to get this album out and made. They had to go through some loopholes before finally making a recording on Combat.

Whether this is your first experience with Death or not, one view is this: Chuck did not make any album sound the same. 'Leprosy' was close but you could hear from that recording the songwriting progression. And different lineup as Chris was let go of his drum duties handed over to Bill Andrews ('Leprosy' and 'Spiritual Healing'). They acquired Terry Butler on those two recordings also on bass. 'Scream Bloody Gore' is nothing polished but the sound wasn't so raw that you couldn't make out the guitar riffs. And as Jim Morris from Morrisound Recordings says "Chuck is talking to you in the riffs." You'd better believe that!

The album itself is about 45 minutes and it's just brutal. Chris wanted to stay in the band but Chuck was already moving on. A lot of death metal bands keep producing the same records over and over, Chuck wanted to progress as a musician. So he never really fit that mold to playing death metal exclusively throughout his musical career. This album set the tone for other death metal bands like Morbid Angel, Deicide, Malevolent Creation, et al to move into this category. I think that the fact that he always thought "metal is metal" and it shouldn't follow in categories which now there are numerous categories of metal. He was opposed to these "categories."

These guys practiced and practiced for this to get made and out to listeners. What to expect in addition to what I said: "Zombie Ritual", what a great song! It's fast, it's catchy, but like all the songs on here. Other people have commented that this album is "boring" and just the same thing over and over. But those are the people who aren't really listening. The production isn't the best, but it was good enough for Combat and even though this album was initially turned down, they found someone that could put in the time to make the recording even though he didn't know what the band members talked about in this genre (Courtesy of Death By Metal documentary). Check it out! (Death8699)

(Combat Records/Relapse Records - 1987/2016)
Score: 90

https://death.bandcamp.com/album/scream-bloody-gore-deluxe-reissue

Obituary - S/t

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

This is a solid album, not monumental like 'Cause of Death', but still a great effort by these Floridian based death metal veterans. I can say that they're still making good music! The songs are a little bit more up tempo than a lot of their older releases. A lot of energy here, and deathly vocals by John Tardy. I don't know, I liked them with James Murphy on lead guitar but that was just for maybe one album (COD). Their new members are still kicking ass in the lead department though. And the riffs are heavy and thick. Good stuff! Songs are a little bit longer than the usual Obituary but still killing it!

I liked the production quality on here. It's well mixed as well. Tardy's vocals just spew out utter hatred. The riffs are a little groove-laden, but cool. I like the songs on here and the approach. Really good songwriting style on here. And they seem to never lose the intensity or vibe to the songs. It's totally them on here unlike I felt 'Inked In Blood' was a little shallow. Here the production has it more solid than that release I mentioned. Not every song on here is fast but still quality. I liked the whole album all the way through they kick serious butt. The riffs are catchy and heavy as all hell! Death is now!

As I talked about the production and the quality it has than with previous releases, it really did the band good. All the tracks on here are sickly. Behind the set Donald does a good job as well. Both of the Tardy brothers sure as hell rip it up on here. Cannot mistake the Tardy voice though it's one of a kind! I like the song structures how they make way towards total noise annihilation. There isn't a song on here that I disliked. They all were good. A lot of double bass by Donald right alongside that tremolo picking in the guitar department. These Florida veterans are still making good music!

Check this album out on YouTube or just buy the physical CD. The album is worth buying. You get a better sound (to me) on CD. But to each their own. If this review hasn't convinced you to contribute to metal and to the band, then I didn't do my job on here. I'm not sure if this is available to Spotify users but Bandcamp they should be on. Support this band! Their death metal is right on and 30 years in making albums this one is a step up from some mediocre ones. (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2017)
Score: 73

https://www.obituary.cc/

Devourment - Conceived In Sewage

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

#FOR FANS OF: Brutal Death

BRUTAL! I like the music on this release. It's not their best release, but I do think it's really solid. Love the guitar riffs the most. And the sound quality is good, too. The vocals aren't as burly as the most, they mainly shift between heavy or heavier. I think the highlight to me is definitely the music. ABSOLUTELY. The fluctuation between throat and deep throat vocals keeps the music at the point to where it follows therein. I thought that the switch keeps it from going monotonous. It's too bad this album isn't longer, but yet again I have to hear their new release! I'll be hearing it soon, though!

This release didn't get very good scores I thought that it was quite solid! The guitars and vocals are sick. They really make the release sound dynamic. I like the riffs the most out of this album the most. They're shockingly good! I heard their previous recording 'Butcher the Weak' which I also thought highly of. I think that this is a talented band. They make great death metal and it's chokingly chaotic! I think that they need to continue making music and I'm hopeful that they will. I don't really have much bad to say about the album, I just have very positive things to utter. Great album, but short!

The production quality is a little sketchy but the music makes up for that lacking thereof. And the burly vocals take state and rip! I'd have to say that they are a band that's true to their roots. I don't necessarily want to talk about the lyrical concepts but the music and vocals are solid. So are the drums. I like how the tempos vary on here. They definitely made some great choices as to what to include here as far as the music is concerned. I think that at this pace they have along life in the metal arena. And discovering this band they made a fan out of me. I can't wait to heart the follow-up to this here.

I believe you can download this album on Spotify or YouTube since it's been out for a while. But yeah, I went ahead and bought their CD. It's about 9 years ago that this was released but that's alright. I'm happy as to what I've heard from this release. I don't have anything really negative to say except that the production could've been a little bit better more flowing in terms of the sound quality. But that's therein the mixing and as far as that goes. Definitely look into this release because it's one brutal album that's highly underrated! I'll keep this playing a while long because it never gets old! Check it out! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2013)
Score: 70

https://devourment.bandcamp.com/album/conceived-in-sewage

Devourment - Obscene Majesty

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

#PER CHI AMA: Brutal/Slam Death

This album is my favorite out of all I've heard from Devourment! The music is what steals the listener. And the vocals are so darn brutal, about the same as ever. The riff-writing is fantastic with licks palm muted as ever before! The music isn't too fast though they change it up somewhat! The tremolo picking with the riffs are substantial. Tempos are varying widely with the vocals not drowning out the guitars. I definitely thought that this is their most original sounding album to-date! These guys don't mess around and it's like this the whole way through the entire album: BRUTAL AS F***.

I decided to buy a physical copy of the CD so that I could fully analyze the music and showing support to the band. The whole album is totally HEAVY. They don't let-up and the hatred is definitely there. This band has a long life ahead of them playing underground metal! I think for this album there's nothing that I'd change because the compositions are phenomenal. The music stole me away and the guitars being my favorite. The vocal output is definitely not tough getting used to! There were some blast beats on here (slam!) and the whole of the album featured moderate to fast riffs.

I thought that the production quality was top notch and the music was a product of good sound as well as vigor. The sound was a steal and the music was aggressive as well as brutal! I liked this from start to finish! These guys know how to construct good brutal death metal. Again, I think this is their strongest release to date! The music is the best depiction of what an album needs to show forth and has to show forth. An album that will go down in the archives as the best Devourment has come up with musically. Make no mistake about it, these guys turned up the creative juices on here!

It's a couple of years old now, let's hope that they have another one lined up somewhat soon! Like I said, I bought the CD and I was more than pleased with it! These guys know what they're doing regarding how to construct the music and arrangements. It's not just brutal in your face, it's brutal with riffs and blow the listener away! I showed support for this band/album, why don't you just take the time to listen to this one especially if you're a death metal fan. It won't disappoint! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2019)
Score: 80

https://devourment.bandcamp.com/album/obscene-majesty

Incantation - Sect of Vile Divinities

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

A somewhat better Incantation release that I've heard them belt out in 2020. Definitely solid and steady, not to mention some cool riffs here and there. I must confess that I'm not a longtime fan of this band that started in 1989. They just never struck me as interesting or worth investing time listening to their music. This one has me curious. It's filled with tempo changes, but as a whole, doesn't get too fast. Towards the middle to the end of the album, things (tempos) slow down quite a bit. Not all entirely, but from the beginning of the album towards the end, there's quite a shift in that slowed down riff/drum outputs.

The vocals I'm not a fan of, but it keeps it to being underground. And that has all the difference it's made. I kind of thought this band to always be boring as up until recently I felt that I should give them a try, especially in 2020 where that whole year or just about was awful. And the fact that they were writing in the pandemic made listeners (as I say) curious. Though critics didn't esteem the band making a solid "B-" like I did, but that's their perspective. I thought that they did well enough being that they go through musicians pretty fast and their sound was solid and the quality of the death metal was also that: SOLID.

I was a skeptic at the hereabouts, but I played it a few more then a few more (digital then physical CD) and ended up actually thinking: "hey! this is pretty decent, talk about it." So in retrospect I shut off some negative things I said about this release and pushed them to the river. I felt that their death metal 30 years or just about, has been worthwhile. If you don't appreciate the value of this band, that's your loss. They have some really good riffs and the production quality/mixing/recording were all good. The band's music I favored over the vocals, but the vocals were just so guttural that they have an acquired taste to them.

In conclusion, 'Sect of Vile Divinities' shows us a good chapter in Incantation's discography. They did a better than average job, which I myself didn't initially think that to be possible. But it was and they were SOLID. I think a combination of the riffs, vocals, leads, tempos, etc. were better than just a mere average that this line averaged out to. They play good music and coming from a picky skeptic, that's saying a lot. Let's hope that they continue onto their over 30 year career. Let that alone and show the band support. Check out this album on Spotify or YouTube, see what I'm saying here! Buy the album! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2020)
Score: 75

https://incantation666.bandcamp.com/album/sect-of-vile-divinities

Mammoth Grinder - Cosmic Crypt

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School, Dismember

This album has an odd twist to it some strange genres mixed into one. But I thought it to be a solid release. I may be interested in their earlier material. I think that their "style" is pretty unique. Strange sort of atmospheric sound to the songs. But the music is wholly original and worthwhile, hence the "B-" rating. I think that they made something happen here as guttural but unique release! The leads aren't the greatest, I tended to favor the music over everything. The vocals are hoarse and they fit the music well. I liked the album pretty well. There weren't many songs that I disliked.

The riffs were unique and heavy. The whole aura of the album was eerie. I like it. The production quality could've been better but it is what it is. No one knows what happened to this band. It's a shame because they really had a lot to offer musically. The songs on here were pretty much like Dismember's 'self-titled' album. The main riffs that is. But they mold it into their own. I really like this band. Wish that they wouldn't have disappeared. There's so much that they have to offer. And the fact that their music is pretty original and noteworthy. I like how they put their songs together.

The production quality is the only thing that I took points off of as well as the leads. But the rhythm guitar is pretty well played out and heavy. I thought that from start to finish 'Cosmic Crypt' hit home with me! They really do a good job at orchestrating sounds. And the fact that they are their own unique style. I thought that there was nothing really that they needed to change on here. Just take out the leads pretty much because they were loud and screechy. Other than that, a great release! I think that unless they make a comeback, they'll leave it to this one as being their outro release.

You might be able to find this one on YouTube or Spotify. I'm sure that's possible. I bought the CD. But that's because I'm a CD collector. And it was worth it. I didn't think much of the album when I first heard it till I played it a few more times. The music is great on here. Just HEAVY and brutal. They put everything together very well. The vocals never changed throughout the release and the musical tempos were similar on each song. But they're very likeable, weird but OK. I showed the band support by buying their CD. I didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be good! Check them out! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2018)
Score: 72

https://mammothgrinder.bandcamp.com/album/cosmic-crypt

Unearthly Trance - The Trident

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#PER CHI AMA: Sludge, Neurosis

Dopo aver fatto uscire due buoni album con la Rise Above Records di Lee Dorrian, gli Unearthly Trance hanno debuttato su Relapse Records con questo psichedelico 'The Trident'. Il trio statunitense da sempre è portavoce di una personale visione dell’apocalisse attraverso un doom ipnotico che contraddistingue il sound dei tre newyorchesi. Visioni lisergiche, suoni asfittici, atmosfere claustrofobiche e un incedere quasi barcollante, rendono la proposta musicale dell'ensemble statunitense certamente di non facile presa. Gli Unearthly Trance possono rappresentare il collegamento mancante tra Neurosis e Winter: la musica dei nostri viaggia all’interno di torbide e rarefatte atmosfere che rappresentano gli incubi dello sconosciuto subconscio umano. È un viaggio in un abisso pervaso di mistero, fatto di momenti di malsana follia, insana oppressione e caos musicale. Screaming vocals sussurrano il dolore dilaniante che pervade questi tre loschi individui su ritmiche ripetitive e soffocanti, che trascinano l’ascoltatore in un baratro senza fondo. Ascoltare 'The Trident' è come catapultarsi in un pozzo senza fine, in un tunnel senza via d’uscita, in un giorno senza luce. La disperazione che trasuda dalle note di “Scarlet”, l’angoscia che pervade “The Air Exits, The Sea Accepts Me” o la rabbia di “Wake Up and Smell The Corpses”, rendono questo terzo lavoro dell’act nord americano, un inno profondo alla misantropia. Amanti di Neurosis, Sunn0)) e High On Fire hanno di sicuro amato questo lavoro, colonna sonora dei sogni più spaventosi. Brava come sempre la Relapse all'epoca, nello scovare nell’underground realtà interessanti da inserire nel proprio rooster e ancora una volta, la politica oculata della label americana, ha fatto centro. Ipnotici, oscuri, tetri, ragazzi eccoli gli Unearthly Trance. (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 2006)
Voto: 74

https://unearthlytrance.bandcamp.com/album/the-trident

High On Fire - Blessed Black Wings

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#PER CHI AMA: Stoner/Doom

La terza release degli statunitensi High On Fire, creatura di Matt Pike ex frontman dei mitici Sleep, qui accompagnato dal basso di Gorge Rise e dalla batteria di Des Kensel, è uscita nel 2005 per la Relapse Records. Una copertina con un inquietante gargoyle preannuncia la fine del mondo e anche i titoli dei brani non sono del tutto rassicuranti. Nove pezzi suddivisi in 90 frammenti impazziti per un totale di 53 minuti di montagne di riff apocalittici degni dei Black Sabbath degli esordi, costituiscono 'Blessed Black Wings'. Un album che va oltre, non si ferma qui, cerca di unire la furia degli Slayer con il rozzo rock dei Motorhead. La voce di Pike, oscura e lamentosa come sempre, ricorda vagamente quella di Lars Goran Petrov, ex leader degli Entombed. Anche a livello musicale la proposta dei nostri, pur mantenendo come principale influenza la band di Ozzy Osbourne e compagni e il doom/stoner che ha contraddistinto gli Sleep, ha forti rimandi ai lavori più rock oriented della band svedese, pur mostrando, rispetto al precedente 'Surrounded by Thieves', un appesantimento del sound. La sezione ritmica oscilla tra momenti di pesantissima ma controllata violenza ad altri con vivaci richiami squisitamente seventies, dove comunque a farla da padrone è il continuo e macchinoso lavoro delle chitarre a tessere trame monolitiche e tenebrose, squarciate da ottimi assoli. Devo ammettere che pur non essendo questo il mio genere preferito, ho potuto apprezzare gli improvvisi cambi di tempo, la devastante combinazione di chitarre catacombali e ipnotiche, i melodici assoli, i lamentosi ululati di Pike e le fantastiche storie di bestie sovrannaturali, dimenticate battaglie e fiumi di sangue, tutte cose che mi hanno comunque tenuto incollato allo stereo, a godere di questa entità oscura e malata capace di annientare qualsiasi cosa si presenti sul suo cammino. Matt e soci hanno colpito, anzi direi proprio affondato. (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 2005)
Voto: 78

http://highonfire.net/

Atheist - Unquestionable Presence

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#PER CHI AMA: Techno Death

Atheist, Pestilence e Cynic sono stati uniti da un insolito triste destino: aver concepito degli album talmente fenomenali da essere stati compresi solamente da pochi individui. 'Unquestionable Presence' rappresenta il secondo lavoro della band statunitense, vero incrocio di sonorità death, progressive, techno e jazz. È un qualcosa che va ben oltre la normale concezione di death metal: è musica emozionante, suonata da musicisti tecnicamente mostruosi, in grado di emanare un feeling pazzesco anche in sede live. Il disco, che dura solo 32 minuti, è un fiume d’emozioni inarrestabile, caratterizzato da cambi di tempo repentini, aperture melodiche, frangenti spagnoleggianti, assoli da urlo, stacchi spaventosi di basso, atmosfere incredibili e quanto altro. L'assurda opener "Mother Man", la psicotica title track, l'iperbolica "Enthralled In Essence" o la superlativa "The Formative Years" rappresentano solo alcuni dei gioielli qui contenuti in grado di rendere questa release un must have per tutti gli amanti del death contaminato. Inarrivabili! (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 1991)
Voto: 95

https://www.facebook.com/AtheistBand/

Baroness - Red Album

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#PER CHI AMA: Stoner/Sludge, Mastodon, Isis

Sono passati esattamente dieci anni dal debutto degli statunitensi Baroness (dopo due ottimi EP dello scorso anno). Era il 2007 quando ci fu infatti l’esordio di questa band proveniente dalla Georgia, che fu un vero fulmine a ciel sereno per il sottoscritto. Undici tracce di suoni a cavallo tra sludge, stoner rock, psichedelia e death, che facevano ben sperare per il futuro di quest’entusiasmante band. Si parte alla grande con “Rays on Pinion”, song che delinea, dopo una lunga suggestiva intro, la direzione musicale intrapresa dal combo di Savannah: influenze derivanti da Isis e Mastodon in prima linea, coadiuvate dall’insana follia dei Neurosis, contraddistinguono infatti 'Red Album'. La successiva e ammaliante “The Birthing” ci mostra il connubio possibile tra il southern rock’n roll e il death metal, passando attraverso ipnotici e conturbanti passaggi doom. L’album continua a crescere di intensità anche con le successive “Isak” e la lisergica “Wailing Wintry Wind”, mostrando come sia intelligente riutilizzare linee di chitarra vecchie ma assi catchy, di 30-40 anni fa (di scuola Led Zeppeliniana per capirci), in un contesto moderno e più duro. Stupendo poi l’intermezzo folky “Wanderlust”, un vibrante arpeggio di un paio di minuti che spiana la strada a “Cockroach En Fleur” e alla seconda parte del disco, forse più intricata e di difficile ascolto. Rock, swing e un groove pazzesco si plasmano alla grande con la durezza dello sludge/stoner; ottima la performance vocale di John Baizley, una specie di ibrido tra Ian Astbury dei The Cult e il vocalist dei Mastodon. Eccezionale anche la prova del drummer Allen Blickle (ascoltatevi l’altro intermezzo “Teeth of a Cogwheel”), potente, preciso e creativo. Che grande debutto per una band dal futuro “oscuratamente” luminoso... (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 2007)
Voto: 85

https://baroness.bandcamp.com/album/red-album

Nile - Legacy of the Catacombs

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#PER CHI AMA: Techno Brutal Death

Per chi conoscesse poco dei primi quattro album dei Nile, la Relapse Records rilasciò nel 2007 'Legacy of the Catacombs', raccolta “best of” per la band statunitense che includeva brani provenienti da 'Amongst The Catacombs of Nephren-Ka', 'Black Seeds of Vengeance', 'In Their Darkened Shrines' e 'Annihilation of the Wicked', oltre ad un bonus DVD con tre video ufficiali, “Execration Text”, “Sarcophagus” e “Sacrifice Unto Sebek”. Cosa però dire di una band, che solo pochi oramai non conoscono e che in vent'anni è diventata la numero uno nel panorama metal estremo? La raccolta pesca qua e là nella discografia dei nostri, mostrando la loro evoluzione sonora, ossia il cammino che dalle rive del Nilo li ha portati fino alle porte dell'inferno. Gli esordi dei nostri, e intendo quindi brani come “Barra Edinazzu”, “Howling of the Jinn”, “Masturbating the War God” e “Black Seeds of Vengeance”, sono caratterizzati dal famoso stile egizio, fatto sì di brutalità, ma con quegli intermezzi atmosferici legati alla tradizione egizia, che li ha resi famosi nel music biz. Man mano che progrediamo con le produzioni più recenti della band, il sound si indurisce ulteriormente (come se ce ne fosse stata la necessità), abbandonando quasi del tutto quei tipici fraseggi orientali che caratterizzavano il sound del trio americano, lasciando il posto ad un ultra tecnico brutal death, che nel mondo non credo abbia rivali. I tre video invece? Beh, sono tutti da scoprire... Se siete dei fan della band, immagino che i loro dischi li abbiate tutti; se invece siete dei novelli deathsters, beh qui potreste aver modo di capire di che pasta sono fatta i Nile. Al mondo non esistono rivali. (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 2007)
Voto: 75

https://www.facebook.com/nilecatacombs

Alchemist - Tripsis

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#PER CHI AMA: Avantgarde, Voivod, Ewigkeit

Li amo da sempre, forse perché sono stato il loro primo fan fin dal lontano 1992, quando uscì il folle 'Jar of Kingdom'. Dopo tre lustri, gli australiani Alchemist hanno rilasciato il loro canto del cigno, una musica sempre contraddistinta da un extreme avantgarde costituito da elementi rock, psichedelici inseriti in un contesto death metal, a deliziare le mie insaziabili orecchie. 'Tripsis' è il sesto lavoro per l’act australe, uscito per la Relapse Records, che ci ha lasciato gli ultimi nove brani della band di Camberra. L’album si apre alla grande con “Wrapped in Guilt”, song che inizia con una certa vena space rock, simile alle produzioni degli Ewigkeit, per poi viaggiare su un mid tempos in pieno Alchemist style, con la voce mai completamente growl di Adam Agius, a dominare la scena. Dal secondo brano in poi, si capisce che la band è in forma smagliante, sfoderando una prova strumentistica dei singoli, davvero notevole (ispiratissima la batteria). Il quartetto crea melodie stranianti su un tappeto ritmico quasi tribale (questa sarà alla fine, la costante dell’album). La release degli aussy boys, riprendendo là dove aveva lasciato nel 2003 con 'Austral Alien', regala melodie aliene, capaci di miscelare nelle proprie note death, psichedelia, gothic, industrial, elettronica con suoni mistico-tribali propri della tradizione aborigena. “Nothing in no Time” ci spalanca la porta ad un nuovo mondo, grazie alla meravigliosa timbrica del basso di John Bray, in grado di creare atmosfere suggestive, lugubri e oscure; le chitarre schizoidi delle due asce poi, fanno poi il resto, originando, con il loro groove seventies, emozionanti turbinii mentali, girandole di colori e chiaroscuri tenebrosi. Il disco degli Alchemist prosegue in questo modo, spiazzando continuamente l’ascoltatore con trovate geniali: psicotici riffs graffianti, elementi progressive, ubriacanti samples e lampi di creatività, ci consegnano una band all’apice della propria evoluzione stilistica, che con quest'album ha voluto mostrare il proprio lato più speed/thrash orientato, mantenendo comunque, quella brillante vivacità che da sempre ne ha contraddistinto il sound. Gli Alchemist hanno continuano a percorrere imperterriti la loro personale strada che gli è valso l’appellativo di “surfthrash band”. Geniali. (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 2007)
Voto: 85

https://alchemistband.bandcamp.com/album/tripsis

Rumpelstiltskin Grinder - Buried in the Front Yard

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#PER CHI AMA: Speed/Thrash, primi Metallica, Kreator

Mi sono sempre chiesto come ci si potesse chiamare in questo modo così assurdo? Chi si ricorderebbe mai un nome del genere? Poi inevitabilmente, mi viene di associare la presenza, nel nome nella sua interezza, di “Grinder” ad un genere splatter gore; invece mi devo ricredere dai primi quattro accordi che quello che ho fra le mani, non è altro che un album di thrash metal anni ’80 con i suoi suoni retrò, le sue “grezzate” ma anche con tutti i positivi aspetti che aveva il genere, così schietto e vero. E così i Rumpels...vattela a pesca, quintetto proveniente dalla Pennsylvania ci stupiscono con la loro ventata di energia e un pizzico di follia, che solo la Relapse Records poteva avere il fegato di produrre nel 2005. 'Buried in the Front Yard' è un disco onesto di speed-thrash metal influenzato dai primissimi Metallica, ma anche dal sound dei Kreator dei primi lavori, che conserva lo spirito eighties anche nella produzione, non propriamente al passo con quelle degli tempi. La proposta degli statunitensi non si limita però a ripetere pedissequamente gli insegnamenti dei maestri, ma arricchisce il proprio sound di altre componenti: di una vena hardcore tipicamente americana, di passaggi doomish e altri richiami punk. La band consta di ex membri di band quali Divine Rapture e Evil Divine; il batterista, Patrick Battaglia, dalle chiare origini italiane, mostra uno stile semplice ma fantasioso. La band era qui al suo esordio e diavolo se si sente, altri due album hanno seguito prima di un lungo silenzio che perdura ormai da un lustro. (Francesco Scarci)

(Relapse Records - 2005)
Voto: 65

https://www.facebook.com/RumpelstiltskinGrinder