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Deranged - Struck By A Murderous Siege (Agonia Records/2016)

5/9/2018

This is some straight-forward brutal death metal from the cold arctic regions of Sweden. Formed in 1991, they put out their first full-length entitled 'Rated-X' which hasn't gotten much press, till this day. But here they back are, with this utmost chilling brutality 'Struck By A Murderous Siege'. They have sort of a blues type vibe to their metal, it's cool and rather catchy. The vocals never really change and since this is the only album I've heard from the band, I can't compare it to how they've sounded in the past. But I believe that this album is pretty fresh with good ideas on the musical front.

There are 4 members on this release, all doing a great job putting out riffs that are catchy, but brutal. That blues vibe is felt in the lead guitar and the licks are also sort of groove-laden. A lot of pinch harmonics in the riffs and muted guitar crunch-tone.

I think this band has a lot of energy, but they still know how to be brutal. The songwriting structure is quite straightforward and heavy, the vocals never change and the leads are somewhat technical (from a guitarist's point of view). Every song sort of tells a story. I'm not sure if that's what they wanted it to be like but that's what it sure as heck seems like. But their concepts consist of murders, death, gore, violence and of criminals. No surprise there with a name for a band like theirs. My guess is, stay away from reading the lyrics.

Some songs to check out are "The Frail Illusion of Osteology", "Cold Icy Hands" and "Toy Box Torture Chamber." Definitely check out this band and this album that was released in 2016. You can download it on Spotify or pick up a physical copy if you want to continue to support heavy metal music. Great album!

Rate: 85%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Exhumed - All Guts, No Glory (Relapse Records/2011)

5/9/2018

This California based band going back to the origin to where they were formed in 1990 have come a long way in writing a solid release here, probably one of their best. Even though I dislike the lead guitar on this record, I think that the rhythm outshines it and "glorifies" their sloppiness in the lead department.

The band's tempo changes varies quite a lot. In some segments, the guitar sounds a little thrash metal-esque, but overall quite heavy. This is an album that I can play repeatedly and not get tired of. It's just one of those albums that never seems to be dull or sound cliche. I thought that Matt Harvey (front-man) did a great job composing most of these songs. This band emerged onto the scene when it was almost at the height of its' notorious reign. That is, the 90's era of death metal. I'd say they're more death metal oriented than grind. If you want a good grindcore album, listen to Napalm Death's "Harmony Corruption" release.

This album is enough to knock anyone on their ass, it's brutal, original and intriguing to the listener. I enjoyed every minute of it. Though at times it reminds me of certain influences to the like of Carcass (Steer/Walker) vocal trade-offs but the music is in no way melodic. The compositions are mostly just heavy as hell and the grind bits are fast tremolo picking by both guitars.

If you're going to check out some songs on here, here's a list: "As Hammer To Anvil", "Death Knell", and "Dis-assembly Line." The whole record kicks ass though and is available on Spotify. If you choose to download it, hold on tight for some brain-wrenching splatter to your eardrums. This album packs a huge punch for the band and I hope that they make another like this one in days to come.

Rate: 90%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Cardiac Arrest - A Parallel Dimension of Despair (Memento Mori/2018)

5/9/2018

Probably one of Chicago native's best work yet. I have nothing but good things to say about this one. Follow-up from "...And Death Shall Set You Free", this release just seems to be the catchier one of the six full-length's. It's way heavy, but catchier. The way the songs were written, by Adam, et al the musicianship is just phenomenal. Let's break it down first and introduce who's on this album that's made such an impact on the metal scene in just a short period of time...there's Adam (guitars, main vocals), Tom (guitar, vocals) Dave (bass, vocals) and Nick (drums). This has been the most stable line-up CA has had for years now.

Out of all the CA releases, I think this one is the most creative, hands-down. Time signature changes all over the place but it's not so much in the vein of more technical death/grindcore acts (Archspire, Napalm Death, et al). There are blast beats on here, but in moderation.

I've never seen this band live, they must tear it up because on their records they're so exact. It would be quite the experience. I'll make it a goal to see them before they retire, which is (I hope) a long while from now. To play death rot metal effectively, as they do, you have to have a certain "feel" or "vibe" that you're experiencing. That's the gist of what I get when I hear CA albums, especially this new one. It's experimental, totally.

Purchase this album because you can't get it on Spotify, only 4 albums on there. Get ready for some hardcore death rot metal! It's worth getting the CD so many songs to admire, I've left 3 songs to hear to give you an idea of what the whole album is like. I think these are some of the best songs, too.

YouTube:

Become The Pain
It Takes Form
Professional Victim

Rate: 95%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Bloodstrike – In Death We Rot (Redefining Darkness Records/2015)

6/7/2017

This Colorado based band has a lot to offer here to the death metal scene. They’ve been around since 2013 and have a demo out, this one is their first full-length. They have a female vocalist, too. I’m always thrilled when there’s a newer death metal band out.

The act is another classic death metal band with not very fast guitar bits. They have a cool vibe to them, rather catchy. You wouldn’t believe the female vocals sound very much like a male vocalist. Deep throat. The riffs are catchy, a lot of downpicking and drums with clinging double bass kicks. Their music seems pretty original to me. Check out songs like “Abomination” and “Cancer Among Man”, though I like all of their songs. Very catchy music. An atmospheric phase of blasphemy amongst your eardrums. But again, they’re not overtly fast though they have small segments of double kick frenzies. The vocals match the music perfectly and the music matches the vocals.

Production-wise, these guys had a sort of a raw sound to it. But it fit well with the music. I wouldn’t change any of what they did when they recorded this.

My overall impression of the band is that they’re a fine act that needs more exposure. They need to be out there in the metal community to show how unique they are. They’re not just your typical death metal band. They have a lot to offer the listener.

I liked them so much I ordered their CD. And you should too! This band is simply awesome!!
Rate: 90%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Bear Mace – Butchering The Colossus (Gypsyblood Records/2017)

6/7/2017

This Chicago based band spews out old school death metal with lyrical concepts on war, death and of course bears. Personally, I like this style of theirs, not that I’m biased though. It just has an old school death metal vibe to it.

The music is what has got me hooked. The guitars are thick/heavy sounding like they’re tuned down (if you’re a guitar player), the tempos are slow, but groove laden. I really like the aura of the whole release. It’s laid back, but HEAVY. The vocals go good with the music, the lyrics are also very suitable for this style of metal that they play. Other bands that relate to them would probably be a slower form of Suffocation, but not entirely. They have this aura or sense about them that you can play them over and over and literally not get sick of hearing them. That is, unless you’re taking a mini break from music. But everything seems right here. The guitars are unique and the solos aren’t blindingly fast, but a good portion of the songs are thick and downright brutal. They sound like an atypical death metal band because they’re not borrowing music from anyone else nor are they just a band that puts out music that they want to put out. They’ve really pulled music together that will blow out your speakers, not to mention your eardrums, too.

Production-wise everything was mixed in OK, the guitars didn’t drown out the vocals, the drums you could hear everything going on, the bass maybe to a moderate degree and the quality was definitely there.

Overall, I loved this album. And the whole way through. There was nothing about it that I didn’t like. I thought everything was well constructed and musically progressive. They seem like a band that’s going to grow in time, their name just needs to get out there more.

This is the digital age, but still, support the band and buy the CD. It’s definitely worth it and I hope that this review convinces you enough to buy their album!

Rate: 95%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Gardenian – Sindustries (Nuclear Blast/2000)

6/5/2017

Short career for these Swedish melodic death freaks, which is rather unfortunate. This one was a follow up from a more emotional album entitled “Soulburner”, that one is my absolute favorite. But yeah, I’m not entirely certain of the reasons of their departure from the Gothenburg music scene, it’s just sad.

Melodic death metal is actually my personal favorite genre of metal along with death metal and thrash. But these guys I favored their sophomore album and will never forget it. “Sindustries” packs a punch, just a B- rating by me though. I’ll explain…

The music is somewhat different than “Soulburner”, in fact it’s heavier/thicker sounding with the guitars. It’s not as noteworthy, but there still a lot of good songs. “Doom and Gloom” is one of them. They kind of pursued a more death metal approach to this one. The vocals vary, sometimes hoarse throat and sometimes clean, but I don’t think Erik Hawk doing clean on this one. He was my favorite guest vocalist on “Soulburner.” This album is a good follow up, though some songs just seemed mediocre to me. Others were pretty OK. However, it seemed to be a musical digression on this album, the melodic parts are there, just not as prevalent. I do like the fact that they used thicker guitar sounds on here, nothing can surpass “Soulburner” though. I can’t emphasize that enough. But still this release is quality, but I suppose they felt that they tried in the music scene and saw its flaws, so disbanding they had to do. But remember, their albums even this one are based solely on feel. That’s what’s so electric about them. They sound like no other just doing their music the way they wanted to. “Sindustries” will never be my favorite from theirs, but it’ll never exit my listening profile.

Production sound was solid. You can hear everything pretty well, so no complaints on that end. It just flowed eloquently and you can definitely get into the music because of the quality production.

I’ll never escape from their sophomore release, though this album is a close second. I’m going to have to take a gander at their first release. Sucks that 3 albums is all they produced in their short musical career. “Sindustries” packs a punch with that rhythm guitar. That’s probably what made it to be the most memorable part of the album.

Buy this, it’s worth it. It does take some getting used to, though.

Rate: 80%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Unbirth – Deracinated Celestial Oligarchy (Amputated Vein Records/2013)

6/5/2017

This band formed in 2005, but didn’t make a demo till 2007 and their full-length came out 4 years ago in 2013. But it was worth the wait. They’re an Italian brutal technical death metal band. And Unbirth is a sexual fetish involving the desire to be "swallowed alive" by the female genitalia. Pretty gruesome, these guys don’t fool around. There are 5 people in this band, and they make their music as a threat to your hearing capacity.

I personally like the genre they belong to. It reminds me a lot of Cryptopsy, older releases that is. They resemble them pretty closely, so if you’re a fan, you might take an immediate liking to them.

All 10 tracks are just brutal, really fast and a lot of tremolo picking guitar work. It’s really intense. They emit hoarse vocals with some shrieking in the mixture. However, not entirely, just as a variate. “Sterile Planets” and “Will of Ancients” are 2 tracks to check out. But the whole album is available on YouTube and also digitally. Buy the digital album though, this one is so technical it simply shreds. Like I said, no fooling around they are so brutal and technical it’s amazing. One thing I don’t like though is the shrieking. But the death metal vocals are fine. Either way, in that department they mix with the music. The music itself is enough to make your ears bleed. No song on here is really slow, they’re finely executed though and everything is in unison. This band shouldn’t been well reviewed a while ago!!

The production quality is quite good. You can hear everything being played and everything is heard really well. A solid mixing and all in that department was good.

Again, this band should’ve been discovered 4 years ago by writers/listeners, including myself. They emit frenzies with their music. I really loved the music entirely. Very original and matching closely with “Whisper Supremacy” by Cryptopsy, like I said.

Buy the digital album on their bandcamp site. It so worth it. Check out those songs I mentioned. They’re damn awesome. What an Italian treat in the metal community!

Rate: 95%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Monstrosity – Will To Power (Conquest Music, Inc./2003)

6/5/2017

These guys have been around for 27 years, in 1990 to be exact. They’ve been producing some quality death metal over the years. Even early on. From the Tampa area, many of the more prevalent death metal acts around. I don’t think they’ve gotten enough attention though. That’s just my view.

Personally, I’m pretty big on death metal (only when in the mood for it) but these guys kick some serious butt.

The rhythm guitar has some serious fast picking and the musical tempos are quite furious. This album is about 50 minutes in length and it’s well worth sitting through listening to it. The leads are quite good too. This band has a dark vibe to them, especially hearing the deep vocals. I think this is one of their better albums, though I think most of their material is quite good. That’s just my opinion. Songs to check out include “Awaiting Armageddon” and the title track “Will to Power.” They’re a 5-piece act with some seriously catchy riffs. All I have are good things to say about this band. But mostly, they’re on the brutal death metal end. I like all of the songs, but the ones I mentioned the most.

The quality of the production sound is quite good. Everything you can hear well, and the mixing did the album justice. A better produced quality here.

All in all, this album and this band need more “likes” to it. They are pretty original in the songwriting and execution. They’re able to put out some quality material over the years, this one included.

If you’re a death metal fan who hasn’t discovered Monstrosity, try this one!

Rate: 85%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Vital Remains – Icons of Evil (Century Media/2007)

6/5/2017

This band formed in 1988 and are still active, but haven’t released an album in about 10 years. Tony Lazaro (rhythm guitar), David Sazuki (drums, lead guitars, bass) and Glen Benton on vocals are all that contributed forth in this latest release.

This is a straight forward approach to death metal, these guys put out especially on their one here brutal, unrelenting and intense. I tend to favor albums Glen Benton is in, but that’s just me.

The music again is fierce on this. It’s mostly fast tempos and the songs are LONG. Glen’s low bellowing voice is prevalent on here with minor back-up screams. The guitars are sick, a lot of rhythms with fury and leads well constructed by Sazuki. I think this is a quality release all in all. Sucks it’s been 10 years that they haven’t released anything, that’s startling. I think this one has everything it is to make it a successful release despite the negative critics. I enjoyed this release wholeheartedly. Nothing bad to say about it, I’m giving it a solid “B” rating.

Production quality was solid. You can hear the leads, rhythms, screams/bellowing, and drums perfectly.

I really dug this album though others have condemned it. You may think of Glen as a scumbag, but I enjoyed his efforts on here. No complaints.

Check this one out, and older releases as well!

Rate: 85%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).

Deicide – In Torment In Hell (Roadrunner Records/2001)

6/5/2017

Deicide doesn’t need an introduction really, they formed in Tampa, FL in 1989 under the name Amon with all the original band members, the Hoffman brothers, Glen Benton and Steve Asheim.

Personally, it’s hit or miss with this band. I favor death metal, but each succeeding release seems to be getting worse and worse. With the newer band members too.

Follow-up from “Insineratehymn”, “In Torment, In Hell” is even more putrid than their predecessor. There’s nothing catchy about this album at all. The music is totally generic. The guitars are somewhat fast, but not noteworthy rhythms. And the leads flat out stunk. For a band that started out so great with the first two releases, what another major let-down. This one is 31 minutes of death metal misery. The drums are annoying and the music is awful. There’s just nothing good to say about this one. My view may change over time, or maybe not. I doubt it at least. If you own it, get rid of it.

The production sound was kind of flat, it was NOT mixed well at all.

I would think Deicide would put out some good music here, but I’m totally wrong. They haven’t put out a good album in my opinion since 1997 via “Serpents of the Light.” Nothing noteworthy or positive to say about this one. The vocals suck, the music sucks, the production is flat and Deicide just reared its ugly head.

I would download this and see if you like it. My guess is, probably not!

Rate: 55%.

Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).