Death Metal

Ensnared – Inimicus Generis Humani Review

By Kronos on February 23, 2020 in 2020, Dark Descent Records, Death Metal, Invictus Productions, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, 16 comments

“When I can’t write I fix bikes. I’ll drag some junker back from the salvage store and a month later somebody else is riding it to work. Sure, there are material benefits to this hobby; I make some beer money, I have some parts lying around for when my own commuters break down. But Craigslist ads and old man Metal Guy aren’t footing my rent bill. I do these things so that I can create something. I can see something through from start to finish, where I decide and care for and understand of every part of the final product.” Death is the finisher.

Thoren – Gwarth II Review

By Kronos on February 22, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Avante Garde, Death Metal, Dryland Records, Experimental Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Experimental Metal, Instrumental Metal, Technical Death Metal, 21 comments

“There’s a menagerie of experimental groups about the borders of the black and death metal scenes, tracing out their own paths without much regard for popular approval or commercial success. On occasion, these groups will sweep into the mainstream, but for the most part, their influence is more subtle, appearing in an adulterated form in the riskier songs of established artists. If your poison is black metal you can choose between the flavors of Krallice (ever bolstered by their lineup’s star power), Jute Gyte, Genevieve, and many others. If your neck is a bit larger in diameter, you might want to choke down Baring Teeth, Coma Cluster Void, or this week’s subject, Thoren.” Buffet of bitters.

On Thorns I Lay – Threnos Review

By Steel Druhm on February 20, 2020 in 2020, Death Metal, Greek Metal, Lifeforce Records, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 22 comments

“On Thorns I Lay have had an unusual career arc, evolving from doom death into goth rock and eventually alt-rock weirdness. After a 12 year period of inactivity, these Greeks reinvented themselves as a doomy melodeath act and 2018s Aegean Sorrow mixed elements of Insominium and the early Peaceville titans adroitly for an impressive platter of sadboi death. Threnos sees them sprinkling a wee bit more of their old doom style into their melodeath sound.” Thorn birds.

Schizogen – Spawn of Almighty Essence Review

By Grymm on February 19, 2020 in 2020, Death Metal, Reviews, Slam, Ukrainian Metal, Willowtip, Death Metal, 27 comments

“I try to keep an open mind when it comes to music, seeking out new forms of our favorite genre in hopes of unearthing a new, unpolished gem that, with some sanding down, can shine radiantly on the eyes in the ears of those who will listen. So when a promising new death metal band from a land not known for promising new death metal gets hyped up, I’m going to fixate my ears upon it and give it a listen. Hence, Ukraine’s Schizogen.” Hype and tripe.

Necrobode – Sob o Feitiço do Necrobode Review

By Mark Z. on February 19, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Death Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Portuguese Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 10 comments

“While I’ve certainly found many that have piqued my interest, few do it the way Archgoat does it. Fortunately, Portuguese trio Necrobode apparently heard my prayers and answered them with their Sob o Feitiço do Necrobode debut. Unfortunately, while this certainly scratched an itch, they still have a ways to go before they usurp their primary influence.” Goat with a bullet.

Necrowretch – The Ones from Hell Review

By Carcharodon on February 13, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Death Metal, French Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Death Metal, 45 comments

“I tend to steer clear of death metal as a genre. There are two principal reasons for this. First, I don’t really like death metal – the unrelenting nature of the music, coupled with the dying frog vocals, just doesn’t do it for me. Second – and as a function of the first – I don’t know much about it. But, if you stick a ‘blackened’ tag in front of ‘death metal,’ shit, I guess I’ll give it a go. So, French stalwarts Necrowretch, I hope you feel suitably honored by the amateur treatment your fourth full-length, The Ones from Hell, is about to receive.” Death for dummies.

Maere – I Review

By GardensTale on February 11, 2020 in 2020, Death Metal, German Metal, Lavadome Records, Reviews, Death Metal, 36 comments

“If people like ourselves confess our love of metal to a member of the general public, the common reaction is sneers and disgust. ‘I can’t listen to that stuff!’ they’ll say. ‘It sounds so, like, ugly and stuff!’ In my experience, there are two paths one can take when confronted with such unpleasant bigotry (besides the best option, which is ending the conversation). I can try to change their minds by playing the more beautiful side of the genre for them, such as the gentlest of progressive metal. I could also dig my heels in, say: ‘Fuck yeah it sounds ugly, just like your face!’ and blast said face full of dissonant death metal. In the latter scenario, Maere is a feasible candidate.” Death to the vntrve!

God Dethroned – Illuminati Review

By Ferrous Beuller on February 11, 2020 in 2020, Death Metal, Dutch Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 32 comments

“The unimpeachable philosophy of famed slam poet Robert Conrad Flynn once posited that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” If we apply the paradigm to extreme metal, the veracity of the statement becomes rather apparent. All of our favorite genres of metal and, indeed, music are fundamentally stale. This isn’t a bitter take, it’s a fact. While we hungrily await the next morsel of genuine innovation, we sate ourselves with interpretations of reliable constants. Dutchmen God Dethroned have been plying our souls with searing melodic death metal for the best part of thirty years. Their oeuvre consists of scorching blackened passages and an adroit use of melody that never sacrifices suffering for seduction.” When consistency attacks.

Suicide Silence – Become the Hunter Review

By Dear Hollow on February 10, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Death Metal, Deathcore, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Death Metal, Deathcore, 25 comments

“If you’re familiar with the deathcore scene of the mid-2000s, then Suicide Silence really needs no introduction. For a band considered -core elite among Hot Topic frequenters everywhere, they have had a roller coaster of a career.” Rise and fall.

Svart Crown – Wolves Among the Ashes Review

By Roquentin on February 5, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Century Media, Death Metal, French Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 28 comments

“While Svart Crown have never shied away from ambitious concepts, Wolves Among the Ashes presents, for better or worse, the most direct sublimation of extramusical ideas in their style. Initially, the music is as demented as the psychological and sociological madness they choose to explore.” Wolves and madmen.