VM-Underground

Underground Extreme Metal Fanzine


A new review section: Buried by Time And Dust

We added a new review section, coincidentally another Mayhem reference following 'The Past is Alive', with the title 'Buried by Time and Dust'. Over the years, a lot of promos have been gathering dust simply because a fresh wave of promos arrived the following month and they were consigned to oblivion. We will review them here to make a clear distinction with our other reviews. We will also use it to complete a discography in terms of reviews. Feel free to contact us if you would like to submit your music or would like to join the staff.

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Originally released 2 years ago on now defunct Aussie label, Bitter Loss Records, we are excited to announce the re-issue of Australia’s up-and-coming heavyweight contenders, Ashen, and their monstrous debut album, ‘Ritual of Ash’, for the first time worldwide!

While harkening back to Death Metal’s heralded past, ‘Ritual of Ash’ sees these fine blokes conjuring an infectious combination of Swede-inspired tone with pummeling groove and sonic superiority courtesy of mixing/mastering engineer, Marko Tervonen of Studio-MT (The Crown). The album rolls along like a bulldozer at a mid-paced dirge, highlighted by moments of rolling double bass, blastbeats and melodic passages that would satisfy any extreme metalhead. Critics have previously praised the album for its dynamic compositions and the band’s ability to infuse traditional Death Metal with a fresh, modern edge.

Drawing inspiration from both Swedish and American Death Metal traditions, Ashen delivers a sound that is unapologetically heavy yet meticulously crafted. Their music is characterized by relentless energy, intricate guitar work, and a rhythm section that drives each track with precision. As they continue to evolve, Ashen remains committed to pushing the boundaries of Death Metal while honoring its rich legacy. Ashen and ‘Ritual of Ash’ is for fans of Bolt Thrower, Frozen Soul, Helslave, Graceless and Baest.