Dødsferd - Skotos

#FOR FANS OF: Hellenic Black Metal

The Greek trio Dødsferd is one of those interesting projects, that lives under the long shadow of legendary acts like Rotting Christ or Septic Flesh. Being the Greek scene so rich in terms of quality and quantity, it is particularly difficult to gain some recognition, but this project, founded exactly twenty years ago, has managed to build a long career with some quite good releases. Maybe, they won´t have a particular masterpiece, which could have helped them to reach the top of the scene, but their music undoubtedly deservers our attention.

Having said that, its time to focus on the most important thing, the band´s new album, which is released in the twentieth anniversary of its existence and it should be a representative opus of this current sound. 'Skotos' is the name of the new beast, which is unfortunately a short EP of two songs, being extended by the previous full-album 'Diseased Remnants of a Dying World' as a bonus track. In any case, our attention goes for the new pieces. This stuff is firmly rooted in the black metal genre, which will not surprise its fans, though we are talking about a band that has experimented with DSBM or black/punk influences during its career. In contrast to its predecessor, 'Skogos' contains clearly shorter songs that get to the point. "Skotadi" is the EP opener, and it is a furious piece, whose pace varies between remarkably fast sections and a few slightly slower ones, but with a clear predominance of the speediest sections. The mixture is done quite well as the mid-tempo parts give us the chance of headbanging a little bit. This is traditional black metal as its best, with a tremolo main riff, that gives a hypnotic touch to the song. The vocals are vicious and high-pitched screams, nothing new, but they are solidly performed. The second track, "Cursed to Die at First Light", follows quite similar patterns, as it is another fast track dominated by a relentless rhythmic base. It also contains a tasteful main tremolo riff in the speedy sections, and a slightly more dissonant ones in the slower parts, which are nevertheless combined with more tremolo riffs here and there. One aspect I like is how audible the bass is, something that sadly doesn´t happen many times.

'Skotos' is a good release, which doesn’t offer anything new, but it contains two very enjoyable tracks that makes us expect more stuff, which sadly doesn´t happen. Let´s see if Dødsferd can release a full album with the same characteristics, even though a greater variety would be welcome. If not, the first positive impression would be ruined in case that we have a bunch of songs, that follow exactly the same structures and main characteristics. (Alain González Artola)

(Transcending Obscurity Records - 2021)
Score: 69

https://dodsferd.bandcamp.com/album/skotos-atmospheric-black-metal

Schlaasss - Casa Plaisance

#PER CHI AMA: Rapcore/Punk/Alternative

L'artista più atipico prodotto dalla Atypeek Music propone un intransigente cianfrusaglia-rap genericamente allineato alla contemporanea scena americana, perlomeno per quel che ne può sapere l'autore di queste righe. Effettini ed effettacci di ogni genere e fattura (confrontate "Requiem" con una canzone a caso dei Melt Banana), classic-pop alla Backstreet Boys banging Britney Spears ("Bye Bye"), euro/trance ("Pupote"), angry female rapping ("Nanarchie"), pittoriche secchiate di auto-tuning ("Thug Lilith"), capatine vintage (i jingle otto bit di "No Drog Yourself", per esempio), lolli-rap stile Mélanie Martinez licking Warpaint ("Biscus"), una puntina di Mr. Oizo abusing Salt n' pepa ("Ordo ab Chao") e tanta elettronica alla Aphex Twin, perlomeno per quel che ne può sapere l'autore di queste righe. Schlaass, la cui timbrica vi sembrerà una specie di incrocio tra gli sbadigli di 50 Cent e un Frank Zappa che si lava i denti con la maionese, spazia con misurata disinvoltura nei vari sottogeneri del rap, dal raga al gangsta al vaffankool. D'accordo, d'accordo. Per quel che ne può sapere l'autore di queste righe. L'avete detto voi. (Alberto Calorosi)

(Atypeek Music - 2017)
Voto: 68

https://schlaasss.bandcamp.com/album/casa-plaisance

Esoctrilihum - Dy'th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath

#FOR FANS OF: Experimental Black

It is quite clear that the obscure French project Esoctrilihum is as its best moment. The solo-project leaded by Asthâghul, released only one year ago a vast release untitled 'Eternity of Shaog', which made feel again very interested in this project. This album tastefully mixed the atmospheric nature of its debut CD with the greater experimentation of its later opuses. The album was a long piece of one hour, so I felt surprised when I saw that Esoctrilihum returned with another album, which is even longer, as it lasts around 77 minutes.

Could Asthâghul keep with the great level of inspiration and particularity of its predecessor? Well, the short answer is yes, and this is very impressive. The new opus is entitled ‘'Dy'th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath', and it is without any doubt a beast of an album in terms of quality. The album contains tons of excellent melodies and a healthy degree of experimentation, reaching the same balance and the previous album, but maybe with a greater atmospheric touch. For this reason, I consider the new album as the logic successor of 'Eternity of Shaog', but it has nevertheless its own distinctive touch. Aside futile discussion of how different or similar these albums are, this is a demanding piece work due to its details, complexity, and length. On average each song lasts seven minutes and this album has twelve, so you can imagine the amount of work behind it. 'Dy'th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath' is by no means a relentless piece of nonsensical fury or a hyper repetitive BSDM album. This is black metal with tons of details, pace variations, excellent arrangements and a perfect equilibrium between relentless fury and slower sections. This album has plenty of details to dig in, but I have to highlight the arrangements as they are simply superb. Songs like "Sahln" or "Agakuh" have astonishingly beautiful violins, which are tremendously touching. It is pure beauty uniquely mixed with excellent riffing, ferocious vocals, and song structures, which flow naturally from slower to mid-temp and to faster sections. The ups and downs in terms of intensity and melodic pulchritude is simply perfect. A song like "Eginbaal" shows that Esoctrilihum can be as heavy as any other band with a smashing rhythmic base, whose smashing double bass makes this song a particularly impressive one. As it happened with the album opener "Ezkihur", this track also has a remarkable work with the keys, which sound absolutely epic and absorbing. As you will appreciate in many moments the experimentation can appear anywhere, and the quite personal guitar melodies in the slowest part of this song shows that Esoctriliihum can mix both aspects of its sound in a natural way. These more bizarre melodies don´t sound out of place, but perfectly integrated in the song. "Dy`th" goes up the level of brutality as it has, again, a smashing work in the drumming part and the most brutal vocals of the album. In any case, it also has a very nice final part with another unique guitar melodies, that give to the song a necessary point of uniqueness, avoiding it to sound out of place. As the album advances, we will notice that each song has its own personality, and it is tastefully composed. You will find more or less brutality depending on it is needed or not, as it happens with the degree of experimentation. In any case, there no weak songs and as it has been, the arrangements are authentically masterful. The violins, the keys, or the organs like the ones we find in "Baal Duthr" are excellent, and you will enjoy each one. Vocally, Asthâghul has a rasped voice but not a high pitched one. His voice sounds rough, like a mid-point between the usual deep growls of death metal and the hight pitched screams of black metal. Anyway, he adapts his performance depending on the song as we hear him including some deeper growls in certain moments, or even clean vocals like it happens in "Baal Duthr", for example. Each instrument, and this includes the vocals, are used in its full potential to create complex and rich compositions, that must be tasted with time and attention.

My logic conclusion is that 'Dy'th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath' is an impressive album. There is little chance to complain about this work, maybe the fussy ones would complain about its length, and it is true that this album lasts much more than what I usually want. But believe me, the level inspiration and richness are worth of your time. Give it a chance and enjoy what is an album that shows how to be extreme, beautiful, and experimental at the same time. (Alain González Artola)

(I, Voidhanger Records - 2021)
Score: 88

https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dyth-requiem-for-the-serpent-telepath

Kriegsmaschine - Altered States of Divinity

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

#FOR FANS OF: Black Metal

Great album, the vocals sound a little bit like Galder via Old Man's Child now Dimmu Borgir. The production is a little bit raw but still the riffs are monumental. Especially for a first LP. I'm really liking this band from the get-go. I'm not too fond of black metal but there are some exceptions. This one definitely is I'm glad I was referred to this band. They are balls-out awesome. The music is what's my most memorable moments and the vocals mixed with them. The drums were mixed in good here, too. From start to finish I have no complaints. This album was release more than 15 years ago and I'm bringing it alive again.

To black metal lovers, they've probably been made aware of this band years ago, but only 2 feedbacks on it. Now this is a third. I look forward to more LP's in the future. They do have a 2018 release, but I haven't heard it yet. Been busy blasting away at the past. This is a great debut album and I'm sure most of their albums are to this caliber of total awesome music. The album is about 37 minutes in length but I enjoyed every moment of it! The raw sound is pretty killer making the whole atmosphere killer as well. I'll have to tune in to their more recent material, absolutely! The one blew my hair back though.

The production as I covered was raw but good. I felt that the tempos were up and down and the voice hardcore. Aside from the vocals sounding like Galder, the music is way their own. A lot of riffs tremolo picked and compositions that were worthwhile. I'm sure that they put a lot of effort into making this LP. This is their debut and their debut definitely hit home with me! It was intense to say the least. Some clean vocals especially on the last track but not that much fluctuating on the whole album. From start to finish (with minor altercations) the album is intense and brutal. But as I said the tempos variated.

If you've never heard this band and you're a metal fan, check this out! I'm going to have to check out their newer material, but this one really made a dent in my brain. The band is wholly original and kick ass black metal raw as all hell! It's a hard one to find on CD. But pretty much everything is digital now so you can find this on Spotify or I'm sure YouTube as well. The latter is where I got this one. Check it out because you won't have many debut LP's like this in the black metal category. It simply rips and is worth taking the time to listen to. I would say I only took off from some consistency in the riff-writing, but nevertheless monumental! (Death8699)

(Todeskult - 2005)
Score: 80

https://ksmpl.bandcamp.com/album/altered-states-of-divinity

Hallowed Butchery - Deathsongs From The Hymnal Of The Church Of The Final Pilgrimage

#PER CHI AMA: Death/Doom Sperimentale

Gli Hallowed Butchery sono la temibile creatura sonora di Ryan Scott Fairfield, factotum originario del Maine, che torna a distanza di 11 anni dal debut album (che conservo gelosamente nella mia collezione) con questo secondo lavoro dallo stravagante titolo 'Deathsongs from the Hymnal of the Church of the Final Pilgrimage'. La proposta del mastermind statunitense è all'insegna di un death doom sperimentale che si srotola attraverso sei psichedeliche tracce. Psych death quindi: basti ascoltare l'opener "Ever Gloom" per capire che l'artista di oggi, a quanto pare votato al culto della morte, sia un personaggio davvero originale. Come la musica da lui proposta d'altro canto, catacombale a tratti, ammiccante a gothic dei Fields of the Nephilim in altri frangenti, con il death metal a fungere da collante. E la proposta inevitabilmente finisce per essere intrigante per quanto cupa o apocalittica. Si perchè l'immagine che mi si para davanti alla fine dell'ascolto della traccia d'apertura, è proprio quella della fine del mondo. Per poi proseguire in territori claustrofobici con la successiva "The Altruist", un altro pezzo all'insegna di un death doom asfissiante che tuttavia vede l'inserto di stralunati inserti sintetici, dove accanto al growling da orco cattivo di Ryan si affianca anche l'eterea voce di una presunta gentil donzella, in un piano sonoro comunque sintetico e paranoico. Con "Flesh Borer" si riparte dalle elucubrazioni doom dell'artista nord americano, avvolte questa volta in un contesto dronico, grazie ad atmosfere minimaliste e a voci filtrate che sembrano provenire da un mondo parallelo, ultraterreno. Ma la song ha ancora modo da regalarci tra rarefatte ambientazioni neofolk nella seconda parte, voci pulite, parti acustiche e visioni distorte. E "Death to All" continua sulla falsariga della precedente traccia, rimbalzando tra drone, noise, un death deflagrante in fatto di pesantezza, atmosfere sinistre e mortifere, vocals ruggenti ed altre litaniche, in un contesto comunque costantemente da brividi. "Internment" è un altro pezzo malato, folle, psicotico, disperato, che può spingere solo verso niente di buono. Provare per credere ma non dite che non vi avevo avvisato. "On the Altar" infine, si slega da tutto quanto ascoltato sino ad ora e con fare folklorico, chiude malinconicamente questo graditissimo comeback discografico degli Hallowed Butchery. (Francesco Scarci)

(Aesthetic Death - 2021)
Voto: 77

https://hallowedbutchery.com/album/deathsongs-from-the-hymnal-of-the-church-of-the-final-pilgrimage-remastered

Sébastien Guérive - Omega Point

#PER CHI AMA: Electro Ambient

Sébastien Guérive non è una figura artistica tanto facile da inquadrare, le sue forme espressive spalmate tra dischi, danza, teatro, installazioni sonore ed audiovisive di vario tipo, lo rendono un musicista e compositore qualificato e autorevole nel campo della musica ambient, elaborata al computer con moderne e sperimentali tecnologie di composizione. L'artista originario di Nantes è anche ingegnere del suono, quindi, è logico aspettarsi dai suoi brani, una maniacale ricerca estetica del suono che sistematicamente marchierà tutte le note da lui forgiate. Guérive ha nel suo bagaglio artistico anche studi classici sul violoncello, ed è per questo che mi sembra lecito trovare un approccio tendenzialmente melodico e arioso nelle sue canzoni. Tutte queste aspettative vengono magistralmente soddisfatte e ben esaudite in questo album dalla forma fluida e dalla natura ambient, saturo di elettronica di ottima caratura. In questo box di canzoni intitolato 'Omega Point' vi troviamo il tocco deciso delle atmosfere che solitamente animano i film fantascientifici, rielaborato con una filosofia più vicina a certo post rock moderno, cristallino e stellare. I chiaroscuri sono poco definiti per volontà dell'autore, si mescolano e s'intersecano continuamente, nel tentativo di dar vita ad una scultura sonora ibrida, che non si esprima solo in termini oscuri, ma che riesca a modulare il suono anche verso una luminosità traslucida, mostrando una reale idea d'infinito e che, allo stesso tempo, non si abbandoni mai ad una serenità totale. Questa struttura, porta costantemente l'ascoltatore all'interno di nove piccole colonne sonore, slegate tra loro ma unite dalla ricerca insistente di un ambiente musicale che sia a metà strada tra il digitale e l'analogico, sempre in bilico tra la calda espressività umana e il taglio freddo dell'elettronica più robotica. Con questo tipo di lettura possiamo capire e gustarci meglio l'intero disco, osannare l'affascinante suono, dilatato ed introspettivo, di "Omega II" e "VIII", apprezzare la classicità di un brano come "Bellatrix" che trasforma un ambiente glaciale in un viaggio a rallentatore nello sconosciuto spazio cosmico. Le tracce sono tutte di corta o media lunghezza, trasudano una forte attitudine alle composizioni per film da parte dell'artista francese, risultando in alcuni casi, un po' avare, nel senso che la loro breve durata le avvicina più a degli ottimi intro, che a dei brani veri e propri. Comunque, la volontà di costruire musica per un ipotetico film di fantascienza è pienamente realizzata, tra spunti elettronici di vecchia e nuova generazione, morbida psichedelia e minimalismo, uniti ad una sognante synth wave, un Blade Runner meno cupo dalle futuriste visioni Kraftwerkiane, rivisto con sentimentali occhi umani. Una musica surreale, sospesa nel tempo, statica ma colma di suoni particolari e sfaccettature sonore che faranno felici anche gli audiofili più esigenti. Potremmo volgarmente parlare di questa originale soundtrack, definendola semplicemente ipnotica, nel segno di Tim Hecker, progressiva e filmica come le opere dei Vangelis, evanescente come se i Seefel, dopo aver perso la sezione ritmica, si fossero arenati tra le note di 'Watermusic II' di William Basinski, scoprendo solo alla fine, che Sébastien Guérive vive in un pianeta sonoro molto personale, in linea con molti altri noti autori ma con una carica di originalità assai elevata e un amore senza limiti, proprio come lo spazio profondo, per il suono ad alta fedeltà, complesso, ricercato e tanto raffinato. (Bob Stoner)

(Atypeek Music/The Orchard - 2021)
Voto: 75

https://sebastienguerive.bandcamp.com/

Feradur - Parakosm

#PER CHI AMA: Swedish Death, Dark Tranquillity

Due anni fa parlavo su queste stesse pagine del secondo lavoro dei lussemburghesi Feradur. Oggi, il quintetto mittleuropeo (che include anche membri dalla vicina Germania) torna con un nuovo intrigante EP, intitolato 'Parokosm', che rappresenta un immaginario mondo generato dalla mente di questi musicisti. La proposta dei nostri continua a muoversi all'interno del sottobosco melo-death, chiamando indistintamente in causa Amon Amarth e Dark Tranquillity. Ce lo conferma quell'arpeggio in apertura di "Midas (Materia Prima)" che sembra quasi riportarmi agli esordi di Michael Stanne e soci. La band prova in modo inequivocabile una certa nostalgia per quei suoni dei primi anni '90 cosi ricchi in melodia e al tempo stesso, dotati di una certa aggressività che si esplica nei vocalizzi rabbiosi del frontman Mario Hann. I Feradur non rinunciano poi a certe sgaloppate che affondano le proprie radici nel Göteborg sound (At the Gates, In Flames), pur ammiccando addirittura all'heavy metal anni '80, soprattutto nelle sue linee solistiche. La band, pur non inventando nulla di nuovo, si lancia anche nelle successive tracce, nelle classiche epiche cavalcate ("Crest of Betrayal"), dove dar sfoggio a tutta la propria capacità tecnico-esecutiva, mostrando sempre peraltro un ottimo gusto per le melodie. Tuttavia, niente di nuovo sotto il sole, ma quanto proposto qui è sicuramente accattivante e piacevole da ascoltare. Con "Saviours", si entra nei paraggi di un death thrash più canonico, un balzo indietro di oltre trent'anni, per un sound che ancora oggi se la passa comunque bene e non sente lo scorrere del tempo. "Tetsuo" è un altro pezzo che picchia alla grande, forte di una componente thrash punk nella sua linea principale di chitarra, sempre tesa e furiosa. Stravagante l'uso di una porzione corale che affianca il growling di Mario e rappresenta verosimilmente la cosa più originale si possa sentire nel qui presente dischetto. Ma il finale del brano ha da offrire ancora qualche sorpresa nelle sue ritmiche incessanti, e nell'uso di un dualismo vocale, forse ancora un po' confuso, che mostra comunque una ricercatezza di soluzioni da parte del collettivo teutonico-lussemburghese. A chiudere il disco ci pensano le oscure melodie di "Host of the Nightmare", l'ultimo capitolo di 'Parokosm', un abissale pezzo basato su un videogame della Playstation, che sembra prendere le distanze dalle precedenti tracce. Se la prima parte è all'insegna del mid-tempo, la canzone deflagra attraverso repentini cambi di tempo, in vertiginose ritmiche death (e graffianti vocals black) con tanto di riffoni compatti e carichi di groove, per poi rallentare improvvisamente in parti completamente disarmoniche. Interessante il tentativo di cambiare più volte le carte in tavola soprattutto laddove i nostri ripartono con accelerazioni taglienti, segno della volontà dei Feradur di trovare una propria personalità ben definita. Ultima citazione per l'eccellente produzione di Jens Bogren (Opeth, Kreator, Arch Enemy) ad esaltare i nostri in questo nuovo capitolo. Ora non ci resta altro che aspettare un nuovo full length e sperare nel definitivo cambio di passo. (Francesco Scarci)

(Self - 2021)
Voto: 74

https://feradur.bandcamp.com/album/parakosm

Necrophobic - Mark of the Necrogram

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Black

This band has been around for a while and I'm just now learning about them! This release is some great death/black metal! I didn't care for their previous release, but with this one, the riffs and the vocals are KILLER. The only beef that I have with this release is the production quality. It's not that great. But still, the music makes up for that. These guys put out some uncompromising metal here. The intensity is pretty high on some tracks, others are a little bit with less intensity. However, the music by far is the reason for them getting a high rating for them. It's good that the music varies on here at least the tempos.

I think that their songwriting capabilities are superior though the lead guitar work needs some work! Otherwise, the rhythms are filled with precision. I like their harmonies and tremolo picked riffing. It's all quality. There's some blast beating going on as well. Suits some of the riffs on here. And a lot of double bass drum kicking to match the tremolo picking. This band has a lot to offer listeners of death/black metal. Or just metalheads in general. They need to know about this album! It's dark, but still really amazing. And the songs never get dull, even on the outro track to the album. I am totally impressed by this band.

As I said, the production quality is OK, just not the best that it can be. But the music makes up for it. These guys have a lot of ideas for riffs and I'd say some of theirs are really technical, yet catchy. I like the vocals, too! They fit the music really well. A lot of screaming to go alongside the riffs. They are a well established band with a huge discography. I haven't heard their old stuff, but I might. I would probably prefer the more modern version of the band because of the musical quality. Their new one is due out in October as well. I'm awaiting that one impatiently! But for now I have this one to jam to!

If you've never heard this band before and you have Spotify, download this album! Or if you collect CD's like me, buy it or if you're into digital tracks, I'm sure they have songs on Bandcamp. I would just say buy the CD to show support for the band! And the music industry itself! These guys have a lot to offer musically. Their work is top notch on this one. It's an undying release of pure horror death/black metal! Thanks to Paul via Sathanas for turning me onto this band. And what a coincidence that they named the band off Slayer's 'Reign In Blood' album the song entitled "Necrophobic." Own this! (Death8699)

(Century Media - 2018)
Score: 78

https://www.facebook.com/necrophobic.official

Crucified Mortals - Psalms of the Dead Choir

http://www.secret-face.com/ 

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash/Death

This band reminds me a lot of older Metallica, but not as raw. The lead guitar is a real treat too, really well played. The only thing that really is off is the production quality. I would've given the album a much higher rating if it would've sound-wise have been better. But the music is great, that's what hits home with me. The guitars are awesome the chunkiness of the main riffs dominates. And the vocals are tolerable, kind of a hoarse throat to it. Everything seems to fit into place with the songwriting. I'm surprised that this album has no so many reviews. They're still active too the band is I'm not sure why no one has written about this.

 

Instead of leads that end up nowhere in the music, here they seem to fit in well. They're pretty technical. And the main guitars are HEAVY. But they're catchy, too. I really liked these rhythms they pretty much were fit in good with the vocals. Some of the riffs sound a lot like Metallica (as I've said) but they have their own twist to them. Some even a groove feel. But still thick and heavy. I really like the vocals, too. So in effect, these guys know how to write some good music. If they would've done a better production sound, these guys would have higher rating from me. But maybe that's what they wanted in this recording.

A lot of thrash metal bands have leads that really go nowhere. But this band seems to fit them well with the music. Bands like Warbringer, Fusion Bomb, et al have strong rhythms but aren't as apt in the leads for thrash metal music. This here isn't too sloppy, in fact, it's very well played out. These other bands have a good feel to their music they just need better lead guitar work. This is what makes or breaks an album. To me, if the leads are sloppy, they put a damper on the main guitars. Crucified Mortals hits home with their leads on this one. They're not super technical but they are played with precision.

Get this CD from Hell's Headbangers because I don't think it's offered on Amazon, I'm not entirely certain. If you get the digital files, do it on Bandcamp if they have this one featured there. It still sounds better to me on CD. Plus you're supporting music not letting CD's die out. Of course, there's going to be a time when CD's will still be in high demand because record stores are few and far between. I would have to say that I'm glad I bought this album without a priori knowledge of the band at all! Check this band out if you're into thrash metal. It's worth it, ever minute you'll savor! (Death8699)

(Hells Headbangers Records - 2016)
Score: 72

https://crucified-mortals.bandcamp.com/album/psalms-of-the-dead-choir