Enforced - At The Walls

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

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash/Crossover

The only thing that lacked on here, was a good production sound. There seemed to be somewhat of an echo to the vibe, but the music is top notch! I like the fact that they're a 5-piece. These types seem to be the best there is! I love the riffs on this one too! They're fast and furious, definitely an album worth checking out. The music is quality. And the vocals go well with the music, too! They did a good job with the lead guitars as well. But the rhythms I key in more than anything else! Totally original riffs and songs filled with ultimate vigor! Their energy on here was phenomenal!

This band is definitely underground! I'm not too familiar with crossover metal but I do know that Power Trip is one also. Enforced had a definitely stronger production sound on the new album, but this one might've been on a lower budget. Though these guys tear it up! Everything on here is quality and I'm sure hearing the songs live would sound better than this recording. I'm not sure about that, I just know that is why I took points off from this release. It could've been longer, too. It's clocked in under 30 minutes in length. It's still good, though! I like this album and band quite a lot, that's for sure!

As I've pointed out, the production could've been better, but the mixing was good. You can hear everything quite well. And the music on here is tops with me! The riffs original, the vocals unique and the overall sound the music has to it is above average! I will continue to support this band! They seem like down-to-earth people and their music is enjoyable to listen to! I think thrash is my favorite genre and that mixed with crossover is a definite boon to this quality debut! I have no beef with the guitars or the vocals. Everyone seemed to do their part in this recording. I'm just surprised that I found out about them a little bit later on in their career.

I have yet to get this on CD, right now I'm working with the Spotify version of the album. I still think that CD's are better when listening to an album. I think I'm right in saying that! Anyway, this one is definitely worth checking out. The riffs are what hit home with me! I just wish the album was longer, it's under 30 minutes. I suppose they wanted to put what they had at the time out there just to get in with the metal community. Everything else is fine, I talked about the production being sub par. It's not the greatest, but at least you get to hear the riffs and everything else in quality form. Check it out! (Death8699)

(War Records - 2019)
Score: 75

https://enforced.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-walls

Carcass - Torn Arteries

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

It took a lot of spins to come up with a comprehensive text and score for this album. I wanted to be as fair as possible. This one holds in the ranks of not Surgical Steel but Swan Song where that one left off. It seemed easier to like 'Surgical Steel' because it was fairly straightforward and catchy. 'Torn Arteries' is an acquired taste. It's a mix of melodic death with death 'n roll. So watch for those two styles meshed into one. The whole 49 minutes became interesting after a while. That's why I hesitated before I scored this and simply waited. The rhythms are just a little weird. They weren't entirely catchy, though some things stuck!

Jeff's voice doesn't change on here and there were a little back-up grunts (not many) though it was mainly the raspy vocals. They went good with the guitar riffs, they seemed to flow. I just think that Bill could've done a better job in the riff department. However, they were riffs that weren't duplicated on previous releases. Bill felt that the split that they had in time when they reformed he felt that it'd never happened because he failed in music (he's contention). It was because Carcass never amassed the popularity that At the Gates and In Flames did. It was based on a two-part YouTube interview less than 10 years ago.

A lot of people didn't care for this one. But I just thought it's different but it's still them. At least Bill and Jeff are playing new music. I wasn't happy it took about 8 years for this one to be released and I can't for a fact say it is their pinnacle in contribution to the metal community. I just felt it was a "B." I swore that I told my friends it was a 75% but I raised it after further analysis. Carcass of the old era will never be again, especially since Ken is permanently damaged and can't play for Carcass anymore. And Michael is off with Arch Enemy making his contribution to the melodic death metal genre. If it weren't for 'Heartwork' I don't think Michael would've left. I'm not sure.

A review poured out on its debut to the music world and it's taken me weeks to amass an assessment of it. I wanted to be as thorough as I could be. Yes the music is good in higher ranks, the production was solid, the compositions strong, and it's overall essence is positive. For those streaming, I bought the CD. However, I listened on Spotify the day it was released. I thought it good enough to buy but dwelled on this review for almost a month. Not that long, but you get what I'm saying! Be careful in making a judgement of the album, give it playing time and a fair shake before determining whether or not you'd say good things about it! Great effort! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2021)
Score: 78

https://carcass.bandcamp.com/album/torn-arteries

Eclipse - Dorsacharms Venomous Colours

BACK IN TIME:

#PER CHI AMA: Symph Black, Limbonic Art

'Dorsacharms Venomous Colours' è un album di black epico-sinfonico ove sottolineare la presenza di una voce growl che si alterna ad uno screaming, a volte a dir poco straziante. A bilanciare ecco la presenza di una gentil donzella e il suo cantato, pulito e gotico. Diverse melodie disperate si dipanano su uno sfondo assai grezzo, costituito da chitarre sparate alla velocità della luce, e da un basso che rimane un po’ nascosto nella architettura ritmica del disco. Le tastiere, che si alternano alle chitarre cosi lanciate, risultano davvero ispirate al pari di una batteria articolata, dirompente, cupa e variegata quanto i brani inclusi in questa prima fatica dei polacchi Eclipse. Brani che si mostrano come inseguimenti e fughe anche in quei pochi rallentamenti che possiamo scorgere, particolari perchè costruiti da armonie di chitarra, pianoforte e tastiere sognanti, delineando parti intensamente ariose in contrasto all’aggressività proposta, come lo sono per l’album la strumentale iintro e l’outro finale. Un dischetto interessante in un paese dove all'epoca i Behemoth spopolavano con il loro condensato black. (Francesco Scarci)

(Blackend - 2000)
Voto: 68

https://eclipse11.bandcamp.com/releases

Oneiros Way - The Dawn is Near

#PER CHI AMA: Dream Pop/Ethereal Wave

Non proprio il mio genere quello dei milanesi Oneiros Way e forse nemmeno il luogo più adatto quello del Pozzo dei Dannati per parlarvi del loro debut 'The Dawn is Near', tuttavia il disco è fra le mie mani, tanto vale rendervi edotti su questa release. Un lavoro che ci condurrà attraverso le maglie del dream pop, suonato peraltro attraverso l'uso di strumenti analogici, pianoforti acustici, synth, banjo e molto molto altro, il che sottolinea immediatamente come il duo, costituito da Regina e Claudio, faccia della sperimentazione sonora il proprio credo. Una sperimentazione che affonda le proprie radici nel trip-hop dei Massive Attack, cosi come nell'ethereal wave dei Cocteau Twins, ma fortunatamente qualche fraseggio post rock si riesce anche a ritrovare nel corso del disco. L'apertura affidata a "Scura" delinea immediatamente le caratteristiche della band, cosi dark nel loro approccio etereo darkeggiante, con un sound minimalista, delicato e suadente. In "Luna" compare la voce angelica di Regina in apertura ed è come se mi cullasse l'anima, accarezzasse lo spirito, poi è in realtà Claudio a guidare la song attraverso sua voce ed un flebile flusso armonico. In "Glass Bell" emerge qualche stravagante sonorità elettronica con le voci dei due musicisti ad accompagnarci, attraverso il cantato in italiano, in una sorta di fiaba, amplificata da un'effettistica che prova a scuotere un sound, forse talvolta troppo timido. "Alba" prosegue sulla stessa scia delle sonorità delle prime tracce, però il disco, per quanto peculiare esso sia, fatica a coinvolgermi ed emozionarmi. Sembra manchi un guizzo, una melodia vincente, un qualcosa di abbastanza catchy in grado di rapirmi. Questo per dire che c'è ancora molto lavorare per raggiungere vette qualitative. Certo, non mancano spunti interessanti: in "Raining Frogs", ma più in generale, preferisco quando è il cantato femminile ad avere la leadership, cosi caldo, delicato e sensuale. In "Rainfall", i nostri palesano le loro qualità nelle partiture strumentali e nella cinematicità di un sound forse qui più ispirato che altrove, in un incedere comunque oscuro e malinconico. "Immersion" è il singolo scelto dalla band per rappresentare il disco, un esempio di elettronica nebulosa e decadente, che ha qualche passaggio interessante, ma che in linea di massima, è lacunoso di quel quid indispensabile a farmi balzare dalla sedia. Bello poter sperimentare con tutta quel vasto armamentario di strumenti, ma io avrei francamente osato un po' di più, il rischio di sprofondare in un torpore durante l'ascolto di 'The Dawn is Near' rischia di essere molto elevato. (Francesco Scarci)

(Dischi del Minollo - 2021)
Voto: 67

https://soundcloud.com/oneirosway/sets/the-dawn-is-near/s-anALmIJEUGX

Lutharo - Unleash The Beast

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

#FOR FANS OF: Heavy/Thrash

This EP has been monumental in Lutharo's discography. It's just entirely amazing in composition. Clocking in at about 25 minutes in length and 5 songs (technically 4 plus the intro), I really enjoyed this fresh heavy/thrash metal vibe with utterly spellbinding vocals. The music and vocals draws you in entirely, somewhat resembling Alissa White-Gluz but with more variety! The riffs are like magic too, utterly captivating! This album isn't immensely fast, but it's just captivating! The riffs are balls out intense and the lead guitars are QUALITY. They're just somewhat new into the metal world, but with this they've made a monument!

I enjoyed this whole EP and I would venture to say there's nothing wrong with the songs at all. The vocals make the music more rectified. Really great songs on here and a Canadian based band, another has struck the metal world. That's a good thing! I'd have to make note to say that they're a little metalcore-ish as well. That's not listed in the type/genre but it does have those elements. The music and intensity are way there throughout this entire release. I'm totally immersed in this EP, there's really nothing I'd discount or take away in the release. Everything is just perfect. The leads could be a little better, but still I think everything is pretty solid!

Production quality was top notch! Everything is worthy of utmost praise and glory they're drowning in! I would have to say that upon hearing this i had no idea it would be so great in composition. Definitely a great contribution to the metal world and for the band getting themselves started in an upmost luxurious manner. They don't fail at all on here everything is up to par and fits together totally. I'm surprised that they've not gotten more press that 1 review for this. I'm about in the ranks of the current score on this site, 1% higher in rating because I only took off points for a few minor things, nothing major.

I found this on Spotify and have been hooked! These guys really know how to hit home in their genre(s), they did a great job with this. The vocals and the music is what grabbed me the most! I felt that the sound quality was top notch as well! The vocals were way grand! So yes, this hits home on my end or final evaluation. If you just like metal itself aside from all of the different styles, I think you'll like this. It's so immensely diverse and catchy, they were at the pivotal best. I'm not sure if Amazon carries this or if it's entirely digital, but definitely check it out and low behold the BLACK SCORPION! (Death8699)

(Self - 2018)
Score: 78

https://lutharoband.bandcamp.com/album/unleash-the-beast

Foul Body Autopsy - Shadows Without Light - Part One

#PER CHI AMA: Melo Death, In Flames

Ebbene, io i Foul Body Autopsy non li conoscevo e con un moniker del genere mi sarei aspettato qualcosa vicino al brutal o al grind e invece, per mia somma gioia, scopro che la one-man-band originaria di Leicester e guidata da Tom Reynolds, è in realtà attiva dal 2010 con un blend di death e black sinfonico. Tuttavia questa release propone un melo death fresco e dirompente. Lo certifica l'opener, nonchè title track di questo 'Shadows Without Light, Pt​.​1', la prima release di una presunta trilogia. Quel che è strano è che quanto incluso in questo EP sia comunque lo stesso brano in tre versioni differenti, ma andiamo con ordine. Con la prima song ci assestiamo su dinamiche musicali vicino a quanto fatto dagli In Flames, con ritmiche veloci, molto melodiche e catchy, e voci tra l'urlato e il growl, il tutto condito da ottimi synth. Quegli stessi synth che si prendono tutta la scena nel synth remix della stessa song, in un pezzo strumentale, dai forti e accattivanti rimandi ottantiani vicini al post punk; se avete dubbi, vi confermo che la traccia ha comunque il suo perchè. La terza song è invece un hybrid remix che fondamentalmente miscela gli elementi fortemente sintetici della seconda traccia con quelli più pesanti della prima, in una riproposizione forse ancor più ruffiana che corre il solo rischio di annoiare. Da annotare che la release è uscita digitalmente ma anche su una "originalissima" USB stick da mettere nella vostra auto a tutto volume. (Francesco Scarci)

(Self - 2021)
Voto: 70

https://foulbodyautopsyofficial.bandcamp.com/album/shadows-without-light-pt-1

Words of Farewell - Inner Universe II

#PER CHI AMA: Melo Death, In Flames

In attesa di ascoltare un nuovo full length, e sarebbe il quarto della loro discografia, tornano i tedeschi Words of Farewell con il secondo episodio della saga 'Inner Universe', dopo quello rilasciato lo scorso anno e recensito dal sottoscritto su queste stesse pagine. La formula alchemica dei nostri non cambia di una virgola rispetto al precedente EP, proponendo un sound che ci riconduce immediatamente al filone svedese guidato dai vari In Flames, Scar of Symmetry e Soilwork, per una proposta grondante groove da ogni suo singolo poro. E quindi, ben vengano le ottime melodie dell'iniziale "The Midnight Star", un brano davvero vario che, in più punti, rievoca gli In Flames di 'Siren Charms', un album che ho adorato. Di conseguenza, non potrò nascondere il mio apprezzamento anche per questa release, per quanto possa suonare piuttosto derivativa. Eppure, un bel chissenefrega ci sta alla grande perchè quando fa irruzione la più cupa "Born of Sleep", non posso che godere all'ascolto di questa proposta. Ho apprezzato soprattutto quel roboante sound delle chitarre e il classico dualismo vocale (pulito e growl) che compare in tutto il dischetto. Rispetto all'opener, questa seconda traccia sembra essere più ritmata, vantando peraltro un'ottima sezione solistica ed una chiusura piuttosta malinconica. "This Long Goodbye" continua con il suo rifferama di scuola svedese, con tanto di tastiere (migliorate a mio avviso rispetto al precedente EP) a costruire una solida matrice di sottofondo che sposta il tiro dei nostri verso un sound più cupo e minaccioso, palesato da un interessante break centrale atmosferico davvero efficace. Il sestetto di Marl ha totale padronanza dei propri strumenti e l'esito di 'Inner Universe II' alla fine si rivelerà più che soddisfacente, anche alla luce dell'ultimo pezzo, "Forgotten Hope", che illumina gli ultimi cinque minuti e mezzo dell'EP con le sue ottime e fresche melodie, la sua intensità ed una prova corale dei nostri davvero maiuscola. (Francesco Scarci)

(Seek and Strike - 2021)
Voto: 75

https://wordsoffarewell.bandcamp.com/album/inner-universe-ii

Narcotic Wasteland - S/t

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Thrash

A lot of influences here, but Narcotic Wasteland has their "own" sort of sound to them. Killer vocals, guitar riffs and drum frenzies. I enjoyed this album IMMENSELY! The kind of vibe it has just seems so welcoming to death metal listeners. The music takes precedence over everything. I think that they dug deep in their creative juices and let it spew onto here! All the songs are good in under 40 minutes clocking in length. I wanted it to go longer, but oh well. I think the technicality, production quality and vocals just slayed. Amazing debut album here. I'm surprised people have not discovered this band!

I like the structures of the riffs as well as the technicality. It's what drew me into this release. I'm trying to get more people interested in this band because I think that they have to offer the death metal community. The music, vocals and drums (again) are my favorite aspects of this release. The mixing was well done also. I don't really have anything negative towards this album. I think for a debut, they did awesome. Formed in 2011 in South Carolina I believe they have a long future ahead. They are literally riff-machines! All of the songs here are insurmountable. They really kick ass in the riff department!

A lot to offer (as I say), their music is full of intensity and amazing technical riffs. I like how everything seems to fit together on here! The leads are quality as well. I think on the newer material they've gotten even more technical in that department but on here the licks flow rampantly! What's most well constructed are the quality of the structures themselves. I'm sure it took a great effort making this debut. It really does show the influences but also themselves being an influence on the metal community. I'm hooked on this one (hence my narcotic!). Not literally, but just their sound, they kick some serious ass!

I couldn't find this on CD formatting so I had to resort to Spotify. I prefer the CD, but just getting to listening to this band on digital is enough for me at the moment. I think there might've been a limited supply of this coming out with a physical copy! Oh well, it doesn't mean don't check them out but be sure to listen to them! They've shown themselves in this metal world it's only you now to find them yourselves and discover what great music they put out there! They've really shown their genius in riff-writing. For you fellow guitarists you're going to find that their technicality is hard to pull off. Discover Narcotic Wasteland! (Death8699)

(Megaforce Records - 2017)
Score: 75

https://www.facebook.com/narcoticwasteland

Dumbsaint - Panorama, in Ten Pieces

#PER CHI AMA: Post Metal strumentale

Continuano a cascata le uscite in casa Bird's Robe Records a riesumare album più o meno recenti (e conosciuti) del roster dell'etichetta australiana. Oggi è il turno dei Dumbsaint, ensemble di Sydney che su queste pagine avevamo già incontrato con 'Something That You Feel Will Find Its Own Form'. Quello di oggi è l'album 'Panorama, in Ten Pieces', release del 2015 che seguiva a tre anni di distanza quel 'Something...' appena citato. Il risultato? Sublime, e non lo scopriamo certo oggi con quell'amalgama perfetta tra post metal strumentale (oh dannazione, che peccato non ci sia una stramaledettissima voce che ogni tanto alteri la fluidodinamica dei suoni) e ambientazioni cinematiche che, dall'iniziale "Low Visions" finiscono, attraverso un percorso lungo, articolato e alquanto ambizioso, nelle delicate spigolature della conclusiva "Barren Temples". In mezzo? Sicuramente una buona dose di qualità e un'intensità sonora come quella sviluppata proprio dall'opener. E ancora, un'ottima riflessività (come quella esibita nella più intimista "Communion"), irrequietezza che contraddistingue la contraddittoria e vivace "Love Thy Neighbour", dapprima delicata e poi parecchio energica, al pari della successiva "(Partition)", tanto breve quanto efficace. Non dimentichiamo poi della strabordante forza distruttiva di "Cold Call", forse il brano più aggressivo e nevrotico delle dieci tracce qui incluse, anche il mio preferito. Vorrei citarvi ancora la breve "Graceland", con il suo fresco ed ipnotico post rock e la successiva, lunga, lunghissima e malinconica "Long Dissolve/Temps Mort", che con i suoi splendidi acuti di chitarra mi ha evocato un anomalo mix tra gli enigmatici finlandesi This Empty Flow e i nostrani Threestepstotheocean. Ottima riscoperta, assai utile per chi se li fosse persi sei anni fa, ancor più utile per chi si è dimenticato di avere il disco a prendere la muffa nella propria collezione. (Francesco Scarci)

(Bird's Robe Records - 2015/2021)
Voto: 77

https://dumbsaint.bandcamp.com/