Brutallic Duo

Fuck writing.  Here's two Brutal Death Metal albums that'll blow your ass out!

Antropofagus

Atheretic

set phasers to

stunning!

Ouroboros - Glorification of a Myth

After a very long hiatus, I'm back with an overlooked Tech Death gem (which is what most of you have come to expect by now).  This one came recommended to me from the good folks over at youtube.  I wouldn't give this album a chance for so long because it already had two strikes against it: the word "ouroboros" is in their name (which has become a huge cliche in recent years), and it has a very annoying, Deathcore-ish album cover.  Once I finally looked past the flaws of the facade I was treated to some pretty awesome progressive and melodic Death Metal.  Ouroboros remind me a lot of later-era Death mixed with the modern styles of Decrepit Birth.  Glorification of a Myth isn't very "out there" or new, but it definitely delivers.

whorification

Asgard - Outworld

Apparently, there are 20 bands with the name Asgard, though I'm pretty sure this one is the best.  They deliver some killer 80's Power Metal with sweet riffs and hooks.  Straightforward stuff without any prog tendencies or shredding, in fact, the techinicality level is pretty average.  What really sets this band apart is the absurdly high vocal range of of the singer Federico.  He seems to effortlessly go from the standard alto to well into "chipmunk" territory.  It would be a treat to witness him accurately reproduce these notes live.

outlander!

Svart Crown - Profane

It's been over two years since I last posted something from Svart Crown so it's high time for a new release from this French cult.  There's been some moderate changes since their impressive "Witnessing the Fall".  They've increased their Death Metal tendencies and are showcasing a stronger Immolation influence.  There also seems to be a modern Hardcore influence creeping in, especially with the vocals.  What you end up with is a diverse, well-played album of Blackened Death Metal dotted with pleasant suprises.

belly hair   

Twisted into Form - Then Comes Affliction To Awaken The Dreamer

Like the name would imply this is basically a tech-head's wet dream.  Twisted into Form is not a Forbidden cover band but an Ultra-Prog, Post-Thrash project put together by David Husvik (ex-Extol).  The Extol influence is obviously very strong with some Believer and late-era Death in there as well.  I wish there would be some blazing fast parts instead of just being mid-paced all the time, but it still gives me that bi-weekly brain workout that I require.

flex jorg head

Archetype - Dawning

Over the past two months I've been listening to Angra more than any other band, but they're just too damn popular for this place.  Archetype are the next best thing and they've created a motherfucker of a Prog Metal album with Dawning.  Especially for a debut, the songwriting and musicianship are stellar.  The guitars and drums are particularly amazing.  Even with the hefty 70 min. length, they manage to still be interesting throughout.  If you're a Prog or Power fan at any level you need to hear this.

shark sandwich

Hell Theater - Reincarnation of Evil

Hello again!  Sorry for the long pause, but I've been hella stressed with the process of moving.  I'm getting more settled in now so I should be approaching the sad attempt at regularity that I'm known for.

So here's an album that I downloaded a couple weeks ago.  Hell Theater remind me a lot of Portrait (whom I posted a while ago).  There's a strong Mercyful Fate influence and an overall early 80's vibe.  They don't bring that vintage feel as well as Portrait does, but this is still a valiant effort.  They do, however, succeed in combining their Black, Speed, and Classic Metal influences into one cohesive whole.  In reality, those sub-genres really were not that different from each other 30 years ago.  The inherent cheesiness, aggression, and epic sensibility that Metal represents is well displayed here.

dude, I'm on the rag

Wuthering Heights - The Shadow Cabinet

There's absolutely no way I couldn't check out a band named after my favorite song, and it turns out they're actually very good.  I usually don't get into Power Metal as it's kind of a novelty genre, but Wuthering Heights transcend their stylistic norms and make (honestly) great music.  The Shadow Cabinet is so triumphantly grand and melodic that it makes me suspect the entire band is classically trained.  They even surpass Blind Guardian in sheer sophistication.  But, unlike most Prog bands, the drama of the song always takes precedence over the technical "showboating" of the band.  This is proof that Metal can be
high-art just as well as it can low-brow fun.

classically trained

to rock your fuckin' socks off

Whiplash - Insult to Injury

I really love how direct and honest metal album artwork is.  Every sub-sub-sub-genre has it's own unique cover art style that informs you (fairly accurately) what you'll be enjoying.  This is so obviously the case with Insult to Injury.  Why are there only two wheels for that wheelchair?  Why is that train the size of a cruise ship?  Why is that hard cast unraveling like toilet paper?  It's important not to over-analyze artwork or music like this.  It is what it is, a Thrashing good time.  Will it change your life?  Not at all.  Will it incite headbanging and lackluster vocal covers from your friends?  Yes.

poetry slam dance

 

Xenolith - Obscure Reflections

From one end of the spectrum to the other, this is supremely technical and progressive Death done in a more modern vein.  Pretty similar to Moonloop (that I just posted) and Quo Vadis but maybe a little bit more challenging than both.  The production is too dry and the vocals need some edge, but with a band this little-known I should be glad the whole thing doesn't sound like a nintendo.

long back with a crack

Depressive Age - First Depression

Not your typical Prog Thrash album (if such a thing exists).  These Germans got much more into melody and dynamics than their peers.  Quite good and unique.

my wage is depressive

Sexcrement - Sloppy Seconds

I honestly forgot this band still existed.  I remember Sexcrement being sort of a splinter of the band Goratory (whose album Rice on Suede might be the most underrated Death Metal album of the previous decade).  I'm actually glad their singer Adam Mason decided to keep doing Death Metal in the wake of his former bandmates forming some of the worst bands in recent memory: Despised Icon and Job for A Cowboy.  Anyway, that's beside the point.  What is the point is Sloppy seconds is a damn tasty platter of mosh-heavy Death.  They've taken the riff-driven groove parts of Goratory and Skinless and really them dominate, instead of following tradition and using sheer speed as the foundation.  Sloppy Seconds is very listenable and accessible (in a good way) without sounding  weak.

...told you it was bad

you can have this lapdance here for free

Male Misandria - Spark of The Ancient Seed

It's been awhile since a Grindcore band has made an impression on me, but damnit if Male Misandria hasn't kicked my ass.  They've been called a Black/Grind hybrid, but I think that's a bit of a stretch.  The Black Metal influence is pretty vague.  To me, this is just really good Grindcore slightly blackened with great tremolo-picked riffs. This album is a comp, so there will be some volume and production differences between songs.  Still great.

ancient splooge

Olde Tyme Ass Whoopins

I'm serving to you three reviews that are gonna be short and sweet, instead of making you wait even longer for the paragraph-long reviews I'm known for.  Thinking up entertaining reviews is what keeps me posting so seldomly, as I rarely have time or motivation to write them.  Would you guys be more receptive to more frequent posts that have shorter reviews, or would you rather things stay the same?

Gorelust - Reign of Lunacy

Here's a rare side of Death Metal beef (two puns!) that I found while searching Metal Archives.  Gorelust tread the familiar waters of "plain Jane" Death Metal.  Not offering anything new (even in 1995), but providing sufficiently heavy sounds for effective  headbanging.  It's vaguely reminiscent of Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation with a bonus of very good drumming.

Bluuurgh... - In My Embrace

This record is far better than you would think, coming from a band named after an expulsion of gas.  In My Embrace is an overlooked gem of early Death Metal for sure.  There's plenty of great riffs and sick, retching vocals to be had here.  This could even be a classic had there been more interesting drumming and better arrangement.  But, this album must be appreciated for what it is: good, thrashy Death Metal.

Cast Aside - The Struggle

Of course, I can never go too long without posting some moshable Deathwish-style Hardcore.  Songs about Straightedge pride, being stabbed in the back, and destroying your enemies are all par for this course.  The lyrics maybe "old hat", but there's just enough variety and "freshness" to keep things entertaining and energetic.  There's a lot to like if you're into the late 80's fast crossover style, or the mid 90's mid-paced mosh.  It's hard, it's tough, and it gets you're blood flowin'.  That should be good enough for your chunky, mouse-potato ass.

Crowbar - Odd Fellows Rest

Until this week, I had forgotten how good this band used to be, and more specifically, how great this album is.  I've recently been searching my memory for albums that were old favorites to me (ten or so) years ago, and then listening to them to see if they hold up to my new jaded standards.  This one definitely does.  The seismic guitar tone, the clenched-teeth growls, the crippling grooves.  They all sound just as cathartic now as they did a decade ago.  This album was also a turning point for the band, as they went from a Sludgey Metalcore sound to pure Sludge misery.  I kind of miss the faster, Hardcore-influnced parts of their early albums, but the leaps forward in songwriting and production more than make up for it.  This effort is packed to the gills with long, bowel-churing riffs and throbbing beats that seem to go on forever.  This shit isn't for skinny vegans that like jangly Indie Rock (the musical equivalent of a rice cake).  This is for hefty people that like their music thick and dense, like audial meatloaf.

fat music for fat people. it's not just a shitty comp, it's a reality.

Destruction - All Hell Breaks Loose

For years I've suspected there was another good album by Destruction besides the great Sentence of Death and legendary Infernal Overkill.  I think I've finally found it with All Hell Breaks Loose.  This album marked the return of original front man Schmier, but it's still Mike Sifringer's guitar work that makes this work shine.  Mike's riffery is catchy, plentiful and complemented by a properly obese tone.  His timing had also improved since their early "Steamhammer" days; turning otherwise rudimentary palm mutes into neck-breaking grooves.  Sven Vormann's drumming isn't wimpy either; further solidifying those grooves and providing a very "musical" feel.  Schmier has never been known as much of a bassist, but hey, at least you can actually hear the bass throughout the recording (and not just when the other guy's stop playing).  The overall production is good with a very "fat" compression going on, but the treble is way too prominent.  Pretty common in 90's albums I guess.  The cover art maybe revolting, but this is about as good as comeback records get.

really?

 schmier up on my belly like guava jelly

  

Amoral - Decrowning

I admit it, part of why I chose this album is just to post the ridiculous cover.  But, besides that, it's really quite good.  It's also the most accessible Death Metal album I've heard since Decapitated's comeback.  I'm reminded of 90's sounding pseudo-Death bands like Fear Factory, Arch Enemy and Shadows Fall (in a good way) in sheer "catchiness".  Sure, some of you may shit on those bands, but they could really play and they all have a couple good albums to their credit.  Anyway, Amoral do a damn fine job of creating tonal Death Metal that's still brutal and technically adept.  I guess we're so used to the harsh dissonance of bands like Ulcerate that we forget there is indeed wiggle room in the genre for something more "listenable".  Those of you with beards and tight jeans will hate this, and I love that!

 

suomi represent

Angel Dust - Into the Dark Past

Just by looking at this cover you'd probably think this is 3rd-rate Christian Metal, and you'd be wrong.  This happens to be one of those really obscure Thrash records that collectors shell out 300 bucks for.  Is it worth that much?  No.  It is damn good though.  Stylistically, Angel Dust were kind of "behind the times"; still carrying much NWOBHM influence with them on the release of this album.  In 1988, that just wasn't cutting-edge enough.  Metalheads were too infatuated with the evolving Death Metal sound that was raising so many figurative bars and literal eyebrows.  Few were interested in a band that sounded as much like Exciter as they did Slayer.  Today, people drool over "dated" relics of the 80's, so much so that Ed Repka probably gets commisioned more now than he did then.  But this  post isn't about shitty art, it's about an exhumed Thrash gem that I think you'll like.  

 

angel bust lust

Anomalous - Ohmnivalent

Ok, lets get back into the Death Metal swing of things.  Anomalous are part of the recent wave of "California Progressive Space Death" along with Arkaik, Element, and Fallujah.  Although trendy, I do generally enjoy this style, and Anomalous do it very well.  Completely engorged with riffs and beats, they know just when to inject a small section of groove or melody for you to grab onto.  Of course, 10 seconds later your brain will be shredded once again by another hailstorm of notes.  There's also a variety of speeds represented here, so you don't have to worry about an outright blast-a-thon ala Braindrill.  What you might not expect is a strong Meshuggah influence in riffing and obvious use of 8-string guitars.  I actually think their riffs are a little more interesting than Meshuggahs, and well beyond these teenage "Djent" bands.  There maybe a million bands doing this sort of thing right now, but how many of them are good?  This one is.

worst album cover of 2011?  probably...

ohm i

Imperium - Too Short a Season

I don't think I've come across a band that fits so well into the Prog Metal mold (and all it's implied cliches) than Imperium.  Once you get past the "pitchy" vocals, nonsensical lyrics and geek-tastic cover art you'll find plenty of satisfyingy potent music.  For me, it's always the instrumental section that makes anything "Prog" worth while, and Imperium definitely deliver.  This album contains some of the best rhythms and rapid-fire picking I've heard in ages.  The guitars have an amazingly clear, yet meaty tone.  The overall production is masterful, considering how little-known this band is.  They've achieved the ideal balance of tone and clarity, with only slight cymbal harshness to complain about.  Sure, some parts are a bit "overblown", but that comes with the territory.  If you've even read this far, I'm sure you're more than accustomed to bombast.  If you're into this sort of thing, you know what to do.  And thanks to "Anonymous" for recommending this!

       

too short a (potato) season