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

Deceased - Ghostly White

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Thrash

The last album with Dave "Scarface" Castillo, who drowned in El Salvador in 2018. It's too bad, this band has been in great progression with each upcoming release. I just happened to get a copy of this CD and 'Surreal Overdose.' This one isn't extreme death metal, it's milder with great riffs. The vocals are powerful and the production quality was solid. I think highly of this release! I feel like they have some riffs that are unique and exceptionally original. The vocals on here are hoarse and have a low-end growl to them. The music is non-duplicated by any of their others. They pretty sound different with each succeeding platter. The voice goes pretty well with the music.

The thing about the music is that they have tempos slow, medium, and up-to-fast shred. The leads were well done, and I feel like they really put their heart and soul into this recording. The music and vocals are what stole it for me. That's the reason for the "75" rating.

I only own two releases by this band, 'Ghostly White' and their previous 'Surreal Overdose.' I like both, but the former more so because I feel that the music is better on here than their predecessor. It's filled with catchiness and thickness in the riff category. I originally didn't think very highly of these albums, but my outlook has changed after multiple hearings. The vocals just go along-side the musical kingdom of originality in the sounds. Too bad about their drummer. And I'm curious to hear their latest release out this year, entitled 'Children of the Morgue.' This new one might even be better than this one, I'm not sure yet. We'll have to play the waiting game.

Five members in this band, one gone, but it doesn't take away from the magic of this release. I think that the music and vocals are what caught my attention the most. These guys have been going strong for years making quality death/thrash/heavy metal. Quite a mix of genres!

I like how they were able to piece things together in these genres, which is why they caught me a little by surprise. The music (being a guitar player myself) was the highlight to me. But they were able to lump those genres together, making it a win-win situation and never boring.

I like this band a lot and am going to be a long time fan because they were able to make their music unique and listenable. The vocals, the riffs, the leads, and the drums all were exquisitely composed. These guys are hopefully going to be around for many more years! If you don't believe me, just take a listen yourself and see what I'm talking about! (Death8699)

(Hells Headbangers Records - 2018)
Score: 75

https://the-true-deceased.bandcamp.com/album/ghostly-white

Lilla Veneda - Primordial Movements

#PER CHI AMA: Black/Death

Li avevamo conosciuti in occasione del loro secondo album omonimo. Ora, i polacchi Lilla Veneda tornano a distanza di sei anni da quel lavoro, con questo nuovo autoprodotto 'Primordial Movements', incentrato sul dibattito tra scienza, arte e filosofia. La proposta musicale del trio di Wrocław continua a percorrere la strada del black/death, arricchita però da una certa verve grooveggiante che rende il disco di più facile assimilazione. Questo è testimoniato fin da subito, dall'opener "Fury Dimension", che ci scarica addosso una sassaiola di riff, smorzata in realtà, da una ritmica sincopata che mi ha evocato i Septicflesh di 'Communion'. Interessanti non c'è che dire, sebbene un genere verosimilmente iper-inflazionato come potrebbe essere quello proposto dai nostri. Tuttavia, durante l'ascolto delle nove tracce qui incluse, non si correrà certo il rischio di annoiarsi o peggio, appisolarsi, visto che l'act polacco, ci terrà costantemente sulla corda con un sound intenso, a tratti debordante, ma comunque sempre caratterizzato da break all'insegna del groove, come certificato anche in più parti, dalla seconda "Sleeping Knight's Sky", che alterna bordate blast-beat con rallentamenti più atmosferici o melodici. Non mi dispiacciono affatto i Lilla Veneda, nonostante alla fine mi ritrovi di fronte alla classica scoperta dell'acqua calda. Ma alla band non frega assolutamente un piffero delle opinioni altrui e proseguono a macinare riff tonanti e iper-tecnici ("Biomechanic Algorithm"), con l'eclettica prova vocale (tra growl e scream) di Virian (che abbiamo incontrato anche nei Voidfire) a prendersi la scena, mentre l'incedere qui sembra valicare anche i limiti del post black, sfociando poi in una parte acustica da applausi, prima di un finale esplosivo. E allora mi sembra di scorgere una certa voglia di osare, ben venga quindi. Anche laddove la band prova a imbastire ritmiche dapprima più compassate ("Iron-Black Pestilence") per poi evolvere in parti più forzate, isteriche e per concludere, con frammenti quasi avanguardistici, segno che alla band non piace giacere sugli allori ma in realtà, sembrano amare le sperimentazioni, per quanto siano ancora a livelli basici. Ma il margine di manovra c'è e sembrerebbe pure ampio, per permettere in futuro di sentirne delle belle. Anche perchè, proseguendo nell'ascolto di 'Primordial Movements', ci sarà modo di scorgere le robuste e martellanti melodie di "Scratched Crown", la magniloquente potenza di "Colossi" che mostra qualche punto di contatto con i nostrani Fleshgod Apocalypse, o ancora la ruvidezza scandinava di "Immortal Vision of Chaos", che si muove tra thrash e death metal, e che riserverà anche qualche sorpresa a livello vocale. Insomma, avrete capito che i Lilla Veneda vanno presi seriamente, anche quando nella title track si abbandonano a suoni decisamente più sperimentali (quasi industriali), sulla scia dei francesi CROWN. E non posso che applaudire per il coraggio che a inizio del mio percorso d'ascolto, non avevo minimamente intuito. In chiusura, l'ultima chicca, "Pytasz Co W Moim Życiu", un brano mid tempo tra atmosfere dark, melodie soffuse e voci spettrali, che la rendono il degno epilogo a un disco che rischiava anzi tempo, di essere bollato come bollito. Bravi. (Francesco Scarci)

(Self - 2024)
Voto: 75

https://lillaveneda.bandcamp.com/album/primordial-movements