20 Buck Spin

Gravesend – Methods of Human Disposal Review

By Carcharodon on February 18, 2021 in Reviews, 62 comments

“We are touring Gravesend’s vision of (I assume) New York, in which we fall into graves and pits of human waste, where your body will be eaten by pests (the title track), discover satanic, knife-wielding meth heads dismembering nuns (“End of the Line”), and face the maddened and diseased residents of a tuberculosis sanatorium (“Unclaimed Remains”). And that’s just for starters. Now imagine these depraved tales set to the manic, explosive fury of Wormrot and Noise for Music’s Sake-era Napalm Death.” Rotten apples.

Spirit Adrift – Enlightened in Eternity Review

By Grymm on October 12, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 126 comments

“Look up “prolific” in the dictionary, and there’s a good chance you’ll see Nate Garrett’s name somewhere in there. Besides spending time in doom/death merchants Gatecreeper, Garrett’s also tirelessly spent energy and time with his main project, Spirit Adrift, having released three acclaimed albums in the span of four years. However, with 2020 being the year that it is, Garrett felt the need to do some massive soul-searching, choosing to focus on the more positive aspects in ourselves, and decided a massive upheaval was necessary in order to survive, let alone succeed. In doing so, he’s stepped down from the ‘creeper and put all of his energy back into his main gig. With renewed focus and a change of attitude, Enlightened in Eternity, the fourth album in five years, is upon us.” Enlighten the dark.

Bedsore – Hypnagogic Hallucinations Review

By Ferrous Beuller on August 20, 2020 in Reviews, Death Metal, 30 comments

“What’s in a name? Everything and nothing. Death metal has always flirted with the ridiculous in an effort to conjure distasteful imagery. However, Rome’s Bedsore seem to be walking a fine line between punishment and parody. But at a glance, the legendary Gorguts hardly suggests unnatural excellence. Now, their name simply reminds us of humble beginnings. Similarly, if you glanced at Bedsore‘s moniker, rolled your eyes and moved on, then, to quote the immortal Ronnie James Dio: fool, fool.” Don’t fear the seeper.

Atramentus – Stygian Review

By Grymm on August 17, 2020 in Reviews, 58 comments

“Bearing the “gift” of immortality bestowed to him by the God’s sword, a lone knight trudges across the land, snow crunching beneath his feet with every heavy, weary step. After witnessing the death of the sun and thus all life on Earth perishing, he’s left with no choice but to travel the frozen lands alone, forcing him to recall painful memories of the loss of those he loved, forever trapped under miles upon miles of ice. Now that’s a hefty premise for a debut album, and it would take an equally hefty delivery to even give it a whiff of justice.” Sun No))).

Skeleton – Skeleton Review

By Cherd of Doom on July 17, 2020 in Black Metal, Punk, Reviews, Black Metal, Punk, 22 comments

“For a band like Skeleton, it’s easy to pinpoint what uncomplicated era they pine for. Every inch of their sound recalls the heady days when punk rock collided with proto-thrash and satanic theatrics, culminating in Venom‘s genre founding 1982 masterstroke Black Metal.” Them bones.

Voidceremony – Entropic Reflections Continuum: Dimensions Unravel Review

By Kronos on June 30, 2020 in Reviews, Death Metal, 59 comments

“With heavyweights like Tomb Mold and Blood Incantation drowning in the love of the underground, proggy OSDM has never been so widely celebrated or practiced. If you’re a player in the death metal underground, that makes it an ideal time to switch focus from your nasty death metal band to your proggy death metal band and release your inscrutably titled debut album.” Void where prohibited.

Ulthar – Providence Review

By El Cuervo on June 9, 2020 in Reviews, Death Metal, 58 comments

“Their debut in 2018 was received poorly by the respective probationary writer, noting that it suffered from “conflating incomprehensible fury and aimless blasting with gripping riffs and relentless aggression.” While it was slightly underrated, and this at least demonstrates that not all of the probationary writers were overrating bastards (though all the ones who made the cut are), it was far from essential and hardly suggested that there were great things to come. Enter 2020 and Providence.” New year, new gear.

Ruin Lust – Choir of Babel Review

By Cherd of Doom on March 12, 2020 in 20 Buck Spin, 2020, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 18 comments

“The few times I’ve run reconnaissance to the front lines of war metal—sometimes called bestial black metal—it hasn’t exactly inspired me to take up arms. On paper, the bastard child of grindcore and raw black metal sounds like fun, but the unrelenting frenetic assault often turns tedious for this reviewer. I don’t mind dense music, but I like it smart, and that’s not really war metal’s MO. “Then why are you reviewing a war metal album?” the insolent reader may ask. I’ll tell you, though you deserve no such courtesy.” Towers of noise.

Obsequiae – The Palms of Sorrowed Kings Review

By L. Saunders on November 21, 2019 in 20 Buck Spin, 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 69 comments

“Back in 2015 I was taken off guard and enchanted by the superb sophomore album from Obsequiae, entitled Aria of Vernal Tombs, which marked a strong improvement over their impressive debut. Despite operating a bit outside my regular wheelhouse, the album’s raw blend of folky and medieval melodic black metal struck a chord that left me gobsmacked, gushing over the album’s elegant melodies, accomplished song-writing and earthy tones. Well finally the band have awoken from their slumber, returning to the ye olden days with another taut yet epic collection of melodic black metal tunes on their long awaited third album, The Palms of Sorrowed Kings.” Royal tidings.

Vastum – Orificial Purge Review

By Holdeneye on October 22, 2019 in 20 Buck Spin, 2019, American Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 14 comments

“Hole Below used some atmospheric elements and varied tempos to craft a terrifying experience that never once let up, and while Vastum 2019 incorporates bits and pieces of those elements, Orificial Purge settles mostly into mid-paced death metal territory. Combine the lumbering sections of Incantation mixed with Bolt Thrower heft, and you can imagine what 90% of this record sounds like.” Another day at the orifice.