Saunders

Unleashing Hell from Down Under: Blood, sweat, venom & beers

Benighted – Necrobreed Review

By Saunders on February 7, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, French Metal, Grind, Reviews, Season of Mist, Death Metal, Grind, 32 comments

“After scaling back the blackened and melodic tendencies that marked their 2000 self-titled debut, French loonies Benighted rapidly morphed into the finely-tuned deathgrind butchering machine they are today, releasing a consistent string of high-quality albums drenched in blood-spattered brutality, while keeping the fun and creepy factors cranked. Their sound may be set in stone, but the beauty of Benighted is the distinctive quirks and curve balls they splice into their brutal and musically dynamic brand of pig-squealing lunacy.” Hurls before swine.

Hadal Maw – Olm Review

By Saunders on February 2, 2017 in 2017, Australian Metal, EVP Recordings, Groove Metal, Reviews, Technical Death Metal, Groove Metal, Technical Death Metal, 13 comments

“Melbourne’s Hadal Maw made waves in the Australian metal scene with their Senium debut in 2014. Although the album exhibited the band’s considerable potential through a frenetic blast of noisy tech-death, the compositions and production left ample room for improvement.” Has the improvement room been accessed?

Rebel Wizard – Triumph of Gloom [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Saunders on January 7, 2017 in 2016, Australian Metal, Black Metal, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 24 comments

“One-man projects are increasingly common in the modern metal market, as dedicated individuals take the purely DIY route and leave band politics and shenanigans to other folks. Personally, 2016 has yielded two impressive discoveries of Australian one-man projects, from the slick melo-death theatrics of Valtari to this impressively vitriolic slice of mayhem from Rebel Wizard.” You rebel scum.

Dunsmuir – Dunsmuir [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Saunders on January 6, 2017 in 2016, American Metal, Doom Metal, Hall of Records, Rock, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Doom Metal, 11 comments

“Considering their impressive all star line-up, the debut self-titled LP from Dunsmuir seemed to fly under the radar rather curiously. The freshly minted rock project featuring Dave Bone (The Company Band), Brad Davis (Fu Manchu), Vinnie Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) and none other than legendary Clutch frontman Neil Fallon released a consistently solid debut album worthy of your attention.” How the hell did we miss this?

Scorched – Echoes of Dismemberment Review

By Saunders on November 28, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Unspeakable Axe Records, Death Metal, 5 comments

“It’s easy to slip into Grinch mode as we hurtle towards the silly season. Unfortunately for many, before the Christmas and other holiday festivities hit full swing, there’s a shitload of commitments and deadlines to navigate before it’s time to kick back and relax. On top of these realities comes the nauseating Christmas commercialism that predictably takes over and gets jammed down throats, making me feel as if I’m going to start shitting elves any day now. Thankfully metal is here to keep sanity in check.” Death to commercialism!

Bölzer – Hero Review

By Saunders on November 22, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Death Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Post-metal, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Post-Metal, 27 comments

“Switzerland’s Bölzer created sizable tremors in the underground in 2013 upon the release of their stunning Aura EP. I got caught up in the swell, impressed by their atmospheric and innovative blackened death formula, laced with memorable hooks and otherworldly vibes.” When expectations meet reality.

Yer Metal is Olde: Carcass – Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious

By Saunders on November 20, 2016 in Death Metal, Earache Records, English Metal, Yer Metal Is Olde, Death Metal, 54 comments

“Few bands in extreme metal history are as respected and revered as Liverpool’s legendary Carcass. The trailblazing innovators and genre pioneers began their career in humble fashion as a scraggly trio of youths hell-bent on creating the most disgusting and reviled music the world had ever experienced.” Carcass nostalgia.

Ruinous – Graves of Ceaseless Death Review

By Saunders on November 9, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Dark Descent Records, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 20 comments

“With the relative ease in which bands are able to record and self-release, on top of the multitude of established artists and independent labels on the scene, I’m pretty much constantly playing catch up and trying to absorb as much quality metal as I can get my grubby hands on. All the while trying in vain to siphon out the bullshit that inevitably pops up in the endless flood of artists emerging.” That siphon’s not gonna clean itself.

Krypts – Remnants of Expansion Review

By Saunders on October 27, 2016 in 2016, Dark Descent Records, Death Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 8 comments

“For reasons I can’t quite pinpoint, the band’s solid debut didn’t wow me like it did others, leaving me a touch underwhelmed after diving headlong into the thick as a brick stew of churning riffs and unsettling atmosphere. Repeat listens after an extended break have been kind and my opinion of the album is a little more positive. So being a persistent trooper I jumped on Krypts follow-up platter, Remnants of Expansion, hopeful they could capitalize on their considerable potential.” Talk to the monster hand.

Anciients – Voice of the Void Review

By Saunders on October 11, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 28 comments

“Canada’s Anciients stormed the scene with their promising Heart of Oak debut in 2013, an intoxicating if at times derivative mix of stoner, sludge, and prog. It was an enjoyable album, though it didn’t quite blow me away like it did many others. Nevertheless, my interest was certainly piqued enough to be excited by the band’s long-awaited return with the all important album number two.” Goats for all!