Transcending Obscurity

Affliktor – Affliktor Review

By Treble Yell on November 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Transcending Obscurity, 26 comments

“Delving between sofa cushions, peering into cupboards, kicking over rocks — we music scribes are always searching for the next band that that can bring joy into our pitiful existence. Doing so involves wading through the primordial soup of unknown metal acts, straining to spy a wolf among the bleating of listless mutton. This often plays out as a feedback loop that begins with the hope of discovering something special, followed by despair when our expectations are dashed and, finally, hope again when we give in to the gambler’s fallacy and convince ourselves that the next promo will be the one.” Onward, Toby, onward.

Gutslit – Amputheatre Review

By Saunders on October 20, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Grind, Indian Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, 52 comments

“You don’t have to be a metal genius to make an accurate assumption about the genre affiliation of India’s Gutslit. Although it would make a nice surprise, Gutslit isn’t a group of prog metal hipsters or power metal warrior nerds. No folks, Gutslit, as expected, play brutal death bolstered by a smattering of grind. But unlike many run-of-the-mill bands that favor guttural extremity over actual craftsmanship and decent songwriting, Gutslit rise above the pack with their impressively written and refined second LP, Amputheatre.” Sometimes guts are enough.

Arallu – Six Review

By Master of Muppets on October 1, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Death Metal, Israeli Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, 63 comments

“Heads up, Angry Metal Explorers! Today we’re taking a magic carpet ride to a whole not-so-new world, a faraway place where the caravan camels roam. We’re going (going, back back) to Israel. Israel. Not exactly a land lauded for its black metal scene, but here we are, gathering our courage to sneak a glimpse at a trve monster born of death metal dreams in blackened Arabian nights.” Jinn and juice.

Ursinne – Swim With The Leviathan Review

By Grymm on August 21, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, International Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, 27 comments

“Like the darkest of chocolate smothering the creamiest of peanut butter, pairing two of death metal’s enduring icons for a dream supergroup should be a match made in heaven. With a combined resumé that reads as venerable Who’s Who of classic death metal, the musicianship of Jonny Petterson (Wombbath, Pale King, Henry Kane, a slew of other bands) blended with the throat of Dave Ingram (Down Among The Dead Men, ex-Bolt Thrower, ex-Benediction, a slew of other bands) sounds like a perfect formula on screen and paper. Stockholm-steeped riffing topped by one of England’s most recognizable death metal vocalists? Sign me the fuck up, right?!” Undercover debacle.

MRTVI – Negative Atonal Dissonance Review

By Dr. Wvrm on July 2, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, British Metal, Experimental Metal, Reviews, Serbian Metal, Transcending Obscurity, 27 comments

Thanks to divine intervention and a quark-sized attention span, I find myself faced with my second super-dense slab of black metal in two weeks. I could take responsibility for this and actually look at my upcoming review calendar from time to time, but I’m American and my right to complain about things I have total control over is in the Constitution. A disclaimer on MRTVI’s bandcamp warns that “Negative Atonal Dissonance is not an album. It is a statement.” Under this guise, it’s quite easy to recommend this eclectic work of art. For many, myself included, it will be one of the most memorable experiences of the year.” Hold onto something firm.

Chaos – All Against All Review

By Saunders on June 20, 2017 in 2017, Indian Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Transcending Obscurity, Thrash Metal, 21 comments

“I enjoy discovering metal bands from the different corners of the world, beyond the usual hot spots, often leading to exotic and tasty finds. However, for no particular reason, the Indian metal scene has remained largely a mystery to me. Last year, unheralded Indian band Kryptos released the ragingly impressive Burn up the Night, certainly making a big enough impression to alert me to the potentially hidden wonders of the wider Indian metal scene.” Crouching thrasher, hidden bullet belt.

Heathen Beast – $cam Review

By Grymm on June 7, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Grind, Indian Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Black Metal, 32 comments

“India’s Heathen Beast are a prolific, if obscure, bunch. Having formed in 2010, the trio pumped out an EP almost every year, detailing the atrocities committed by their local government, the nonstop pollution of their environment, and the violent hypocrisy of the various religions coexisting in India.” Grind for India.

Plague Throat – The Human Paradox Review

By Treble Yell on June 2, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Indian Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, 21 comments

“There’s something to be said about truth in advertising, a mythical beast that promises the end-product bears some resemblance to the picture on the box. From Death to Obituary to Autopsy, few genres carry the torch with such ardent fervour than death metal, a genus devoted to announcing with a bullhorn its intentions to all and sundry. With a name like Plague Throat — other body part-related titles workshopped but rejected were “Funny Bone” and “Tennis Elbow” — this Indian trio is signaling loud and clear the type of music one can expect to find on their debut, The Human Paradox.” Perturbed Toenail could have worked too.

Assault – The Fallen Reich Review

By Ferrous Beuller on May 12, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Reviews, Singaporean Metal, Thrash Metal, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Singapore probably isn’t the first country that springs to mind when considering the apex of ferocious heavy metal, but Assault’s debut album, The Fallen Reich, is doing its very best to convince you of its worthy candidacy, by carving a thick slab of Gothenburg marbled death metal and thrashing the living hell out of it.” Skulls, tanks, skull-tanks.

Illimitable Dolor – Illimitable Dolor Review

By Ferrous Beuller on March 30, 2017 in 2017, Australian Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, 30 comments

“Few genres resonate with as much sincerity as doom metal. Although naturally predisposed towards the melodramatic, it conveys a range of emotions that other metal genres simply never will. Every now and then, I come across an act that manages to elucidate, with stark candour, some of the most primal of our instincts. In this instance, grief.” A tribute to a fallen brother in metal, and an enormous one at that.