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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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Intolerance ready with second full-length: “Still a Death Metal record for Death Metal maniacs, by Death Metal maniacs, but somewhere a crucifix is being turned upside down!”

May 20, 2024

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage Death Metal, on July 22nd internationally, Memento Mori in conspiracy with Godz ov War Productions are proud to present the highly anticipated second album of Spain’s Intolerance, ‘Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void’. Memento Mori will release the CD version while Godz ov War will release the vinyl and tape versions.

The Death Metal mongrels collectively known as Intolerance hail from Zaragoza, the same city that Ataraxy are natives of. Spawned back in 2015, this quartet’s intent is to pay homage to timeless Death Metal and the fetid stench that exuded from the malicious tones of the bands that populated the scene and helped define the genre back in the late ’80s and the early ’90s. Nothing fancy or wimpy here: only demise and putrefaction to be found when you creep in Intolerance’s mortuary.

After a demo in 2016 and an EP in 2020, Intolerance made good on their massive potential in 2022 with the celebrated debut album ‘Dark Paths of Humanity’. Aligned again with Memento Mori, the Spaniards continue to honor the old ways of Death Metal whilst adding their own gutted & grimy personality to it with the follow-up ‘Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void’. If their debut album was in the wheelhouse of 1991, then Intolerance’s second album is perhaps time-stamped 1992 or even ’93. Which is to say, while their noble foundation is as firm as ever – classic Bolt Thrower, Grave, Asphyx, Morgoth, Entombed, Convulse, Obituary, and Unleashed – there’s daresay a bit more groove or at least swagger to their streamlined surge here. Whereas those Dark Paths crushed bones underneath tank treads, these Waking Nightmares gallop and grind with a catchiness that cannot be denied. Granted, Intolerance were subtly nuanced and surprisingly dynamic already, but the ever-darker hues and almost-evil melodicism they touch upon here puts them closer to the likes of classic Unanimated, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Desultory, and earliest Necrophobic. Still a Death Metal record for Death Metal maniacs, by Death Metal maniacs, but somewhere a crucifix is being turned upside down!

Once again graced with haunting cover art, this time courtesy of Juan Alberto Hernandez, and yet another devastating production, Intolerance continue their masterful march with ‘Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void’ – and find themselves in the embrace of evil!

Hyperdontia set to release new album ‘Harvest of Malevolene’: “Although they are inarguably merciless and intense, there is such dynamic strength on this new record…”

May 18, 2024

Danish / Turkish Death Metallers Hyperdontia are back with their third album. As one of the forerunners in keeping old-school extremity alive, this promises to be a savage listen.

Firing on all cylinders from the get-go, their relentless brand of pulverizing guitars and punishing drums with intricate bass lines cut only by monstrous vocals spew forth. Monolithically mixed to grant us the most viscerally lacerating blows of Death Metal might, those who salivate for true morbidity will revel in the ecstatic putridity that immediately grips you. From the gut-wrenching rhythmic torment to the phenomenal soloing, aside from sheer brutality, Hyperdontia have technical abilities that far surpass most of their contemporaries while never feeling obnoxious with their utilization. Some utterly mad bass guitar moments or ripping solos show a band who clearly know their way around a fretboard while the consistently savage drumming doesn’t let the rhythmic battery relent. As we heard on their prior works; Hyperdontia are a confident and unforgiving entity and that continues here.

Although they are inarguably merciless and intense, there is such dynamic strength on this new record from the maelstroms of grooves to the more otherworldly sections, all tied together to plunge headlong into abhorrent chaos. Barbaric and yet precise, each blow lands with ferocity and yet a cleverness to every moment is present too. If you value Death Metal being of the highest quality but without sacrificing the true macabre spirit of old, Hyperdontia is the perfect middle ground and their new album showcases that formidably. Promising a harvest of malevolence and ultimately delivering much more, Hyperdontia decimate all in their pathway with some of their most violently intense and cyclonic Death Metal to date.

Darkness Shall Rise Productions ready to release the Desultory’s demos: “a must listen for anyone into Swedish Death Metal of the highest order”.

May 16, 2024

For the first time ever, Darkness Shall Rise Productions releases a compilation, ‘Darkness Falls (The Early Years)’, on LP/CD/3-MC box and digital gathering the three demos from melodic Death Metal pioneers Desultory.

Commonly cited and appreciated as one of the trailblazers of melodic Death Metal, Swedish Desultory`s roots are deeply buried in Thrash Metal. Wearing their influences on their sleeves, their first demo From Beyond features songs in the vein of Kreator, Testament or Merciless.

Apart from Klas Morberg`s eery howlings which bear semblance with early Tiamat and the fact that the demo was recorded in legendary Sunlight Studios in 1990, ‘From Beyond’ is basically a Thrash Metal demo, albeit a very enjoyable and strikingly well-played one.

It was with ‘Death Unfolds’ from 1991, the rabid pack`s second demo, that Desultory really came into their own as far as style and sound are concerned.

Again recorded by Tomas Skogsberg in his renowned Sunlight Studios, the demo showcases most of the band`s typical trademarks they would go on to be admired for. Bangers like ‘Passed Away’ and ‘The Chill Within’ both of which would end up being re-recorded for Desultory`s debut album are top-tier swedish Death Metal with downtuned guitar riffs in abundance and a particular sensitivity for melody.

Simply titled ‘Visions’, the 3rd demo again recorded in Sunlight Studios in 1992 logically continues Desultory`s trajectory.

Building on the fundament laid out on ‘Death Unfolds’ some of the ingredients only hinted at previously are extended and fine-tuned on tracks like ‘Forever Gone’ and ‘Depression’. Aided by the strongest production of their demos giving the songs that certain extra punch this demo is victorious on all fronts and a must listen for anyone into Swedish Death Metal of the highest order.

Mastered from the original master tapes by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony in February 2024. A long interview with Klas Morberg was specially conducted for this demo compilation.

Available as limited vinyl in 3 different colors, jewel-case CD, 3-MC tape box, merchandise and digital.

Pestilence cassette box to be released by Into It Records: “This is Dutch Metal history captured on tape”

May 6, 2024

Into It Records is very excited to announce this awesome release of which is set in June.

The 1987 demos, ‘Dysentery’ and ‘The Penance’ from Dutch plaguelords Pestilence, presented in a double cassette box with o-sleeve, special artwork and remastered audio.

On these demos Pestilence did in no way sound like they would on the groundbreaking ‘Consuming Impulse’. It’s full on Thrash influenced by Slayer, Sodom and some Possessed and old Sepultura. On the 2nd demo mastergrowler Martin van Drunen joined although his voice still had to develop into the iconic throat he’s known for nowadays!

This is Dutch Metal history captured on tape!

Aussichtslos ready to release third album via Purity Through Fire: “‘Schicksalstotschlag’ is at once urgent and reserved, violently passionate but poised and stoic – and of course, as anthemic as ever”

April 30, 2024

Purity Through Fire is proud to present Aussichtslos’ highly anticipated third album, ‘Schicksalstotschlag’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

It was but March 2021 when Austria’s Aussichtslos burst from the void, fully formed, with their Völlig Aussichtslos debut album. Remarkably assured, classically inclined, the power-trio presented grim, harsh, but oft-hard-rocking Black Metal that favorably recalled the post-Strength & Honour landscape of Finland as well as ancient-days Germania ala Luror, Wolfsmond, and Hellfucked. Six months later, Aussichtslos amazingly released another full-length, Einsicht. While it was chronologically their second album, Einsicht was actually recorded in 2020, before the release of Völlig Aussichtslos took place. Either way, between the two records did Aussichtslos show themselves as new contenders in austere Black Metal classicism, capable of tradition but also thought-provoking lyrics reflecting upon inner struggles so universal to the human experience.

And so it goes with ‘Schicksalstotschlag’, arguably Aussichtslos’ most desperate record yet. While it may’ve been quiet on the Austrian front the past few years, that does nothing to dim the fire of their third full-length: ‘Schicksalstotschlag’ is at once urgent and reserved, violently passionate but poised and stoic – and of course, as anthemic as ever. Not for nothing is Purity Through Fire known as the stronghold of Teutonic steel, its sword-wielders capable of a catchiness as wild and windswept as any biergarten, and Aussichtslos keep apace on ‘Schicksalstotschlag’, keeping the riffs rocking as ever and the heart enflamed with emotion. Their production, as always, is on the palatable side of “polished,” crisp and clean and gleaming with steely-eyed pride, making these nine songs the penultimate in battle-charging bombast and ballast. Credit new drummer Kartharziss (who also provides tasteful synths) with that proud pulse, although vocalist / lyricist Norsk (unchain his heart!) and fellow six-stringer Garst hold their own and help make the closing nine-minute epic ‘Hochverrat’ the band’s best track to date. Black metalsmiths of destiny, unite again for ‘Schicksalstotschlag’!

Iron Bonehead Productions ready to release Ancient Guard’s debut release: “While Runespell’s no-less-grandiose sound is oft given to bouts of bloodlust and battle rage, Ancient Guard is pure magisterial march & might as can be expected of such a moniker.”

April 16, 2024

Iron Bonehead Productions is proud to present Ancient Guard’s striking debut mini-album, ‘Nightfall Enthroned’, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats.

Ancient Guard is a new creation of Nightwolf, renown for pagan Black Metal vanguard Runespell. As expected, his unmistakable mastery is all across ‘Nightfall Enthroned’, Ancient Guard’s first public work. A surprisingly vast mini-album at four songs in 31 minutes, ‘Nightfall Enthroned’ is immersive to the extreme and almost soothing in its continually cresting swell of sumptuous Black Metal mysticism. While Runespell’s no-less-grandiose sound is oft given to bouts of bloodlust and battle rage, Ancient Guard is pure magisterial march & might as can be expected of such a moniker.

And Nighttwolf’s knack for mesmerizing melodicism holds true here, as well, but if one could make distinctions in this regard, it’s that ‘Nightfall Enthroned’ swirls about to a spacious-yet-thick foundation that’s equal parts stargazing wonder and weight-of-the-universe terror – an infinitely compelling canvas equally suited to adrift dreamers and austere realists alike. Followed by the acoustic lament “Eld,” the synth-heavy epic “A Moonscape Abyss” says exactly everything it needs to about Ancient Guard: awaken to ‘Nightfall Enthroned’!

Adversarial back with new album through Dark Descent Records: “The entity known as Adversarial has opened the portal to a timeless realm of suffocation and agony once more.”

March 29, 2024

Canada’s blistering, serpentine three-piece Adversarial has announced its forthcoming third album, ‘Solitude with the Eternal’. The band’s first album in nearly 10 years will be out May 31 on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats via Dark Descent Records.

Razor sharp. Slithering. Dual chasms yawn. A Janus-faced entity blinks, looking back and forward through the uncanny gloom. Dual tongues chase each other, slithering past cavities in the broken teeth. Licking against the neck, pulling more offal toward the trough. Each face has a black hole in the iris of each eye. As photons evaporate against the retina on the other side of the event horizon, memory fades. A new knowledge, imbued from the excrement of microorganisms trickles through the throaty slough. Yes, we’ve been here before. Yes, we’ll be here again.

The entity known as Adversarial has opened the portal to a timeless realm of suffocation and agony once more. As Leviathan doubles back on itself, sulfur rises from the point of crossing, a bouquet of putrid yolk. This foul chemical will sustain nigredo, as metal black as midnight is tempered under atom smashing might.

Hells Headbangers ready to release Desolus’ debut album: “‘System Shock’ becomes mandatory listening for those who fly high the flag of hate and still feel persecution mania.”

March 25, 2024

Hells Headbangers is proud to present Desolus’ highly anticipated debut album, ‘System Shock’, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

Hailing from the Mid-Atlantic United States, Desolus formed in 2019 at the beginning of the pandemic. Inspired by Sodom, Kreator, and Dark Angel, Jimmy Frost (guitars and vocals) and Vivek Rangarajan (bass and vocals) wrote songs as an outlet for the feeling of what seemed to be the end of times. As time went by and the dust settled, they traveled north to Baltimore, where they recorded a series of demos with Sebastian Phillips (Exhumed / Noisem / Castle Freak). Phillips engineered and tracked drums on these demos in hopes to release it for the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) metal scene. While recording these songs, they met Travis Stone (percussion), a former member of Noisem and current member of Pig Destroyer. Stone heard the songs and was on board as soon as the first riff played. Soon after, he began rehearsing with the band day in and day out until they were ready to take their music to the streets. Desolus gained traction within the DMV music scene over the span of a few years and began traveling across the United States to spread their love of old-school Thrash.

Now, at long last is Desolus’ imminent debut album ready. Titled ‘System Shock’, the power-trio’s first full-length consists of nine ripping songs featuring themes of horrors beyond this world, Satanic science fiction, and a dystopian future that is seemingly within arm’s reach. While there’s no shortage of bands still Thrashing like the 1980s never ended, Desolus immediately and irrevocably prove that they’re indeed the Real Deal: ‘System Shock’ pumps adrenaline and stirs bloodlust with an energy and elan that are impossible to ignore – and even more impossible to deny. But beyond the band’s energy overload is a deeply ingrained understanding of what made those aforementioned legends of Sodom, Kreator, and Dark Angel so vital: strong songwriting, and the razor-sharp execution to back it up. Each member here is superlative with his given instrument, locating that elusive middle point between ultra-tight and ultraviolent, and the trade-off vocals between Rangarajan and Frost in particular impart a madman’s touch to this already overflowing buffet of high-speed metal. Add to this an absolutely devastating production courtesy of Phillips and ‘System Shock’ becomes mandatory listening for those who fly high the flag of hate and still feel persecution mania. Desolus are here to reanimate the graves of the old gods!

Mütiilation back from the grave: “This entity, buried but not dead, whose return you hoped for but no longer expected…”

March 22, 2024

Meyhnach stated the following on the official Mütiilation Facebook page:

From Hell,
It all began over 30 years ago… The elder ones remember, and some of you have been following my work since my early days with Mütiilation. I’m addressing you in particular, you who have supported me throughout my work, but also through my other musical projects, which are merely satellites of a much darker entity. This entity, buried but not dead, whose return you hoped for but no longer expected, has just given birth to its seventh son. I am honored to announce the return of the black metal cult. It is alive, keep an eye opened.
Meyhnach Von Mutiil

More info: Mütiilation

Limbonic Art signs with Kyrck Productions & Armour and announces new album: ” I am confident that this long-awaited offering will have a strong impact on the metal scene and maintain the legacy of Limbonic Art”

March 14, 2024

Limbonic Art will release their forthcoming ninth full-length via Kyrck Productions & Armour.

Limbonic Art’s Vidar “Daemon” Jensen stated:

“It is with great pleasure that I can confirm our signing to Kyrck Productions & Armour. Following two decades of friendship and collaborations, label founder Iannis Mantzoros, kindly introduced me to the new owner Martin Koller from SPKR. Martin and his team have done an outstanding job on my upcoming new album. With such great backing, I am confident that this long-awaited offering will have a strong impact on the metal scene and maintain the legacy of Limbonic Art.”

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