death metal
The demo outing of California death metal act Deeds Of Flesh is interesting in how more traditional it sounds in comparison to the band’s later output. Largely influenced by Cannibal Corpse, and Suffocation “Gradually Melted” is a modern interpretation of the classic death metal sound. On this EP Deeds
atmospheric
“Still the Sun” is the debut release of Satinoxide, a band made up of Dutch atmospheric – and progressive metal veterans. Atmospheric and technical in equal measure it is a breath of fresh air in a genre saturated in bombast, excess and overblown pompousness. Setting itself apart from its peers “Still
Aurora Borealis
On all fronts “Relinquish”, the fourth Aurora Borealis full-length, was a return to the past. Not since “Praise the Archaic Lights Embrace” had the band sounded so overtly death metal. The most important reason for this increase in heaviness and speed can be contributed to a returning Tony Laureano,
Coven
The debut and, by extent, career of Swedish combo Luciferion is one of unfulfilled potential and a long periods of inactivity due to commitments from its membership. This Swedish all-star death metal band is based around Polish guitar virtuoso Wojtek Lisicki - most famous for his work with power metal
Antonio Conti
“Theories Of Light”, the debut of Italian combo Nümph, presents an interesting variation on a sound prevalent during the second half of the 1990s. In essence “Theories Of Light” is a contemporary variation of the atmospheric dark metal sound cultivated by the likes of Alastis, and Tiamat during the 90s.
death metal
With “Revelations” Polish death metal institution Vader reached a comfortable state of familiarity with its new style and procured a stable working relationship with Metal Blade Records. The album follows the template from “Litany” to a fault, but is more groovy and less overbearing in terms of percussion. It is
death metal
Dreamgrave was formed in Szeged, Hungary in 2007 by Dömötör Gyimesi (vocals, guitar). After releasing the “Deadborn Dreams” demo in 2009 the line-up disintegrated leaving founding member Gyimesi to rebuild the band. “Presentiment” is the recording debut of the new line-up. Consistent of quality in terms of songwriting,
David Vincent
On their second album Morbid Angel defied expectations and went in the exact opposite direction of what was expected from them. Much more deliberately paced, and downright doomy in parts, “Blessed Are the Sick” is a much more ambitious and conceptually stronger release than its predecessor. Where “Altars Of Madness”
Berthus Westerhuys
“The Feast Begins At Dawn”, the debut record of Dutch technical thrash metal mavens Dead Head, was one of incredible controlled chaos and awe-inspiring musicianship, it was also marred by a rather dry and overly processed production. Dead Head formed in 1989 in Kampen, the Netherlands and played technical
Adorior
It is the little heard bands that are often the best. Adorior is one of the earlier female-fronted underground metal bands to rise to prominence before the genre’s explosion in the early millennium. Having formed in 1994 in Sutton, they are half a decade late to be considered
Candlelight Records
When “Genocide” hit the marketplace the Polish death metal scene was well established, and internationally known for its craftsmanship and impressive technicality. Yattering, the band to name itself after a demon from a Clive Barker novel, had always been a tad different than most. While more conventional and straightforward than
electronica
As a critic every few years you stumble upon bands that defy easy categorization. This can happen for any number of reasons. Some bands end up combining so many disparate elements that none of it resembles anything recognizable, other bands – as is the case with folk/rock band Serpentyne – fuse