For the newcomers, here’s what I like to do with my reviews… I decided to do something a bit different. I write quick/straight to the point reviews, just giving you the main points about the album and that’s it. I listen to all the genres of Metal, but I enjoy DEATH METAL the most and these are usually DEATH METAL heavy, I try to review all the genres or at least the bands I like to listen to. I had a stack of albums to reviews but this is what I could get in during this busy month!
So, here are my reviews of recently released albums that I think you should know about. Forget about these in-depth reviews, I’m bringing you quick reviews on multiple releases to help you guide your way through the METAL world today!
BASICALLY, THIS IS JUST MY OPINION, LIKE IT OR NOT…
Ratings: [0(sucks) to 5(awesome)]
{Format: Band – album title = rating |label |style of metal. review}
PYREXIA – Gravitas Maximus = 4.25/5 |Unique Leader |Death Metal
You know the saying ‘When elders are speaking, shut up and listen?’ Gravitas Maximus is a prime example as the NYDM OG Veterans are back and just laid out the blueprints for groove fucking destruction! All you young kids that want to play groove, slam, mosh/beatdown DM, shut up, sit down and listen! Just like INTERNAL BLEEDING‘s last album Corrupting Influence, Gravitas Maximus is a new chapter into the bible of what groove DM is! This album is fucking tough! No bullshit, no frills, just straight meat and potatoes of an album that’s only 24 minutes long! Gravitas Maximus stomps your face into the sidewalk with Timberland boots while wearing a NY Yankees hat and then yells “Fuck you, you should’ve known better!” PYREXIA then graced us with an updated version of my favorite PYREXIA song, “Bludgeoned by Deformity”! PYREXIA has written their best material since System of the Animal. When you hear this shit live, it’s go time… Everyone in the pit is about to die! Gravitas Maximus is in my top albums of 2021! 8 tracks, 5 are killer and 3 are good!
ffo: INTERNAL BLEEDING, SUFFOCATION, DEHUMANIZED, REPUDILATION, SOILS OF FATE, DISFIGURED
HYPOCRISY – Worship = 2/5 |Nuclear Blast |Melodic Death Metal
Wow! It’s been 8 years since the last album!?! HYPOCRISY gave us two great classic DM albums with Penetralia and Osculum Obscenum then shifted gears a year later with The Fourth Dimension and ever since has been playing that European melodic side of DM. Worship is classic HYPOCRISY all the way through. Definitely continuing down the path they’ve been on while this album has a similar feel to their albums The Final Chapter and End of Disclosure. If you love what they’ve been doing for the last 2 decades, then you’ll enjoy this album. BUT if you’re looking for more than this will disappoint! There’s nothing new here, nothing exciting, kind of the same ole/what you’d expect from HYPOCRISY. Worship is well written, catchy hooks, enough aggression/enough melody, it scratches that itch because it’s been 8 years, but compared to the rest of their albums this is just average. Worship delivers that fuzzy nostalgia feeling like wrapping up in a cozy blanket but basically, in 8 years (and yes, I know he has a lot of things going on) Peter Tagtgren could of wrote a way better offering than what we got. A solid effort but it seems like this album might have been pieced together too quickly. 11 tracks, 4 are killer and 4 are good.
ffo: EDGE OF SANITY, GOREFEST, SEPTICFLESH, GOD DETHRONED, DESULTORY, PAIN
KHEMMIS – Deceiver = 3.75/5 |Nuclear Blast |Traditional Doom Metal
I discovered KHEMMIS with the Hunted album and loved what I heard. I’m not a big fan of Traditional Metal or Traditional Doom Metal, but certain bands just catch my ear. Hunted is my favorite album of theirs. Absolution and Desolation just didn’t give me enough of what I want from KHEMMIS. Deceiver overall is a bold, clean production attempt to make an epic album but there is something missing. I’ve read a lot of hate about this album and yes, I do have my gripes as KHEMMIS needs a bit something more to hit that next level to push them to greatness, but this album is not that bad. Deceiver is their second-best album in my book. Deceiver does have a bit of grows on you factor as I like a few songs more and more as I jammed to this often. This might be in my top albums of 2021. 6 tracks, 3 are killer and 2 are good.
ffo: PALLBEARER, CANDLEMASS, SPIRIT ADRIFT, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, CATHEDRAL
OBSCURA – A Valediction = 2/5 |Nuclear Blast |Technical/Progressive Death Metal
The latest offering from OBSCURA and this took a lot of spins for me. A Valediction is all over the place. It starts off as it was going to have that epic atmosphere vibe throughout then shifts to more of that Gothenburg melodic DM sound then right in the middle of the album a flat-out DM song that doesn’t sound like OBSCURA at all, then shifts to a thrash vibe, then back to melodic then back to old OBSCURA. This just didn’t work for me. Not sure if they’re experimenting or trying to branch out but just give me the old uber tech DM OBSCURA! Their last album Diluvium went too hard on the CYNIC side and now this, OBSCURA might need to take some time off and truly find out what direction they want to go in. The album, overall is not bad, but it’s one of my leaser favorites from them. 11 tracks, 3 are killer and 5 are OK.
ffo: NECROPHAGIST, BEYOND CREATION, SOILWORK, AUGURY, ALKALOID, CYNIC, ARSIS
THYRFING – Vanagandr = 3.5/5 |Despotz |Viking/Black Metal
My college roommate, (at that point) more into the European scene and more into Black/Power/Folk than I was, turned me onto this band. I seriously enjoyed their album Valdr Galga and liked most of their earlier material. On the other hand, their last two albums, Hels vite and De odeslosa were very boring and average sounding, now 8 years we get Vanagandr and I’m hoping for a return to old. THYRFING has always been something a bit different with their Viking branded metal as it has a strong enough power metal feel as it does with the black/death metal. Vanagandr is their perfect combination that THYRFING has ever done by mixing Pagan and folk influences, into their power metal-ish melodies and plenty of death/black metal intensity. The atmosphere of the album just creates an epic feel but not adding any unnecessary filler it just lets the music do the talking. I can easily hear this as a fist-pumping battle hymn as Viking’s blitzkrieg their enemy! If you like more of the traditional folk Viking bands like HEILUNG, THYRFING is a good crossover into more metal realm of things. Vanagandr is their best album in probably two decades! A must for Viking metal fans! 8 tracks, 3 are killer and 4 are good.
ffo: MANEGARM, EINHERJER, MITHOTYN, WINDIR, FALKENBACH, KING OF ASGARD
LOCK UP – The Dregs of Hades = 3.25/5 |Listenable |Grind/Death Metal
I’ve been a huge fan since the beginning, ever since I heard TERRORIZER anything Jesse Pintado was involved in, I’m all in! Jesse Pintados‘ stamp with the first 2 albums (Pleasures Pave Sewers and Hate Breeds Suffering) along with all his other previous work set the standard of what grind is! Since then, Anton Reisenegger (CRIMINAL) has picked up the torch and delivered greatness with the past few albums! The vocalist position has been a rotating door, but Tomas Lindberg is back with Kevin Sharp to add to the viciousness of this album. This is LOCK UP, no surprises, no experimentation, just grind! I enjoy all the LOCK UP albums, but The Dregs of Hades is a lot better than their last Demonization. This album is by no means recreating the wheel when it comes to grind but it’s fresh enough to hold your interest throughout the album with a clean production and a blasting performance! This might be in my top albums of 2021. 14 tracks, 6 are killer and 5 are good.
ffo: NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER, NASUM, MISERY INDEX, ROTTEN SOUND, NAUSEA
ETERNITY’S END – Embers of War = 3/5 |Prosthetic |Progressive/Power Metal
Definitely one of the best Prog/Power Metal bands that has come out in the past decade. I love the Progressive and Power Metal genres, but I think they’ve become very stale or gimmicky in the two decades. Honestly, I have a huge gripe about those genres and would love to tee off, but this is not the place. ETERNITY’S END first two albums The Fire Within and Unyielding were both top notch prog/speed metal albums that hit you uncompromising technical onslaught while the new album Embers of War has more of grandiose type of album. Embers of War has more of a story telling/epic type vibe. Every album ETERNITY’S END is great in its own way and top-notch material yet this new may not have the tech edge as the last two but it’s still damn good album! Their debut The Fire Within is still my favorite album by them but even Embers of War is way above other bands albums coming out in the genre. Basically, everything ETERNITY’S END does is a must! 8 tracks, 4 are killer and 3 are good.
ffo: SYMPHONY X, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, IRON SAVIOR, CACOPHONY, HELLOWEEN
STABBING – Ravenous Psychotic Onslaught = 3.75/5 |Comatose Music |Brutal Death Metal
This is Texas Brutal DM! Much like every Texas legend before them, STABBING is carrying the TXDM torch high and showing Texas is still one of the leaders in BDM! This is probably the best material in BDM I’ve heard since early DEVOURMENT, BRODEQUIN, and GUTTURAL SECRETE! Ravenous Psychotic Onslaught is a frenzied attack of 11 minutes with a slab of grooves, blast beats and enough nasty riffs to cave your skull in. This is relentless attack that leaves you bloody before you can fully grasp what’s going on. I don’t need to say anything else, but this is a must for BDM fans! This is in my top albums of 2021! 4 tracks, 3 are killer and 1 is good.
ffo: DEVOURMENT, BRODEQUIN, DISGORGE, PUTRILAGE, GUTTURAL SECRETE, TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE
AS THE SUN FALLS – Last Days of Light = 3/5 |Unsigned |Melodic Death Metal
In the past two decades plus I’ve definitely fell in love with European melodic DM (not the Gothenburg sound) and definitely crave bands in that genre but incorporate more of the aggressive DM side of things. Norway, Sweden and mostly Finland has put out tons of bands but now here is the debut album for this Switzerland band bringing those Euro melodic vibes similar Finnish bands. Last Days of Light is more on the DM/heavier side of things which most of these band’s debut that way then lighten up as albums go forward. Last Day of Light is a solid release with enough melody and aggression to grab your attention. AS THE SUN FALLS knows how to create an icy/cold atmosphere with these head-banging melodic vibes. Last Days of Light packs enough emotion to set the scene but doesn’t sacrifice the intensity and hits the perfect aggressive counterbalance! Now this is not recreating the wheel as I like to say but offers something worthy for the genre. This band has the potential to break big. If you like the bands listed in the ffo, this is a must! 7 tracks, 3 are killer and 3 are good.
ffo: INSOMNIUM, WOLFHEART, KALMAH, ETERNAL STORM, AMON AMARTH
ABSCESSION – Rot of Ages = 3/5 |Transcending Obscurity |Old School Death Metal
ABSCESSION is a newer OSDM band from Sweden with their second album Rot of Ages comes out firing! Buzzsaw riffs, blast beats, old school Euro-melodic vibes and a pile of grooves makes this a must album to check out! With OSDM coming back into popularity is the last decade, it’s becoming harder to find a band that’s worth the attention. ABSCESSION hits you like a shotgun blast to the face with Rot of Ages. Delivering a fine balance of old school mixed with modern day DM this release keeps you interested in at least the first half the album. The first half could be a blueprint for what newer OSDM bands need to do as the back half just doesn’t keep up the intensity. Overall, ABSCESSION is here to plant their flag on the top of OSDM hill! 10 tracks, 4 are killer and 3 are good.
ffo: BLOODBATH, REVEL IN FLESH, HYPOCRISY, EDGE OF SANITY, ENTOMBED
THULCANDRA – A Dying Wish = 2.5/5 |Napalm |Melodic Black Metal
Everyone’s favorite DISSECTION worshipping band is back with a new album! Steffen Kummerer (OBSCURA) has basically created a ‘what if’ situation as in What if DISSECTION kept making music similar to The Somberlain and Storm of the Light’s Bane. Tribute or rip-off, whatever you want to say. It’s still damn good BM. THULCANDRA‘s first two albums were so-so, but the third album Ascension Lost was their best as it still was heavily DISSECTION but had a bit of their own vibe coming through. 6 years later, A Dying Wish is probably their 2nd best album, still pro-DISSECTION but also has some of their own vibe in it as well. A Dying Wish has a strong production and brings forth that normal frozen/icy vibe that DISSECTION did, but the overall atmosphere of the album is lost as maybe a different arrangement of the songs could’ve helped out a lot. If you seriously missing DISSECTION and need something to fill that gap, then this is perfect. 10 tracks, 4 are good and 4 are OK.
ffo: DISSECTION, SACRAMENTUM, DAWN, VINTERLAND
BLOODTRUTH – The Walls of Oblivion = 3/5 |Unsigned |Brutal Death Metal
When it comes to Brutal DM and if it comes out of Italy, you need to take a second and check it out! Italy has been producing top notch BDM bands for the last two decades that stand at the top echelon of the genre! 3 years after their sophomore album, Martyrium, they’ve released a digital EP of 3 new tracks. BLOODTRUTH is DM set to frantic adrenaline speed and sheer bludgeoning brutality. They’re definitely one of those bands that hit you with a million punches and leave you dazed and confused after the album is done. The top-notch musicianship will have you take multiple listening to fully grasp what’s going on here. The Walls of Oblivion continues with their anti-religious views and pummels you in the dirt! A must for BDM fans as this 12-minute EP will have you hitting play again and again! 3 tracks, 2 are killer and 1 is OK.
ffo: HOUR OF PENANCE, HIDEOUS DIVINITY, ANTROPOFAGUS, DEVANGELIC, UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION
CEREBRAL INCUBATION – Fermented Cranial Inebriating Fluids = 3/5 |Brutal Mind |Slam/Brutal Death Metal
CEREBRAL INCUBATION has been out there hitting us with brutal slam DM since 2009! With three albums deep, they drop a new EP 4 years after the last album that continues their brand of slam. The production is polished and top notched that bringing the energy of this album to the front! These intros on this EP are f’n hilarious! The thing about CEREBRAL INCUBATION is they are getting better with each release. The last album Bifurcation of Primordial Slamateurs is their best to date, and this new EP adds on to that! This just shows that they haven’t miss a beat and still can bring the slam! With an overflooded lake of what the slam genre is nowadays, Fermented Cranial Inebriating Fluids is what the genre should be doing. Slam fans take heed! 5 tracks, 2 are killer and 3 are good.
ffo: ARTERY ERUPTION, DYSENTERY, CARNAL DECAY, KRAANIUM, DEVOUR THE UNBORN
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – Doom Crew Inc. = 1.5/5 |Spitfire |Southern Groove Metal
I’ve been a longtime fan of BLS since back in 2000 when I went to see CROWBAR live in direct support for BLS was the headliner, I had no clue who BLS was until a friend told me it was Zakk Wylde‘s new band. I really enjoyed what I heard that night and been a fan ever since. I loved everything up till Shot to Hell, which was really boring and sounded ‘phoned in’ but was amazed that Order of the Black and Catacombs of the Black Vatican delivered solid albums and proved BLS wasn’t dead yet. Three years ago, Grimmest Hits album came out and didn’t live up to its name as it was the second worst album Zakk gave us. Now, the new album Doom Crew Inc. and it’s better than Shot to Hell and Grimmest Hits but it sits right in place as the third worst BLS album. It’s the same ole, you’ve heard all this before from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and even the ballads on this album just don’t stack up. It might be time for Zakk to call it quits. 12 tracks, 3 are good, and 3 are OK.
ffo: OZZY OSBOURNE, PANTERA, DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, PRIDE & GLORY, FIREBALL MINISTRY
THE LURKING FEAR – Death, Madness, Horror, Decay = 2.5/5 |Century Media |Death Metal
Members of AT THE GATES created a crust/HM2 OSDM band and released their debut album Out of the Voiceless Grave a few years ago and it was an average album. 4 years later, the sophomore album, Death, Madness, Horror, Decay picks up where the last album left off. THE LURKING FEAR play more of the dirtier, grimy side of DM with enough aggression, d-beat crust, doom, and melodies. They are a solid band, but it just doesn’t fully grab my attention. If you’re looking for an OSDM album that toes the line between crust and old school Euro vibes than this is the band for you. I enjoyed this album way more than the debut but overall, it’s something that I won’t listen to often. For fans and die-hards of OSDM, you’ll find enjoyment but don’t expect anything groundbreaking. 12 tracks, 4 are killer and 5 are OK.
ffo: GRAVE, ENTOMBED, AT THE GATES, DISFEAR, GOD MACABRE, AUTOPSY
JUST BEFORE DAWN – In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow = 1.75/5 |Raw Skull |Old School Death Metal
The BOLT THROWER worshippers of JUST BEFORE DAWN are back again with a new EP. Just a year later after their 4th album, the new EP In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow is continuing the sound heard from the last album. With an ever-rotating line-up the only original member guitarist/bass Anders Biazzi (ex-AMON AMARTH, ex-BLOOD MORTIZED) is continuing the tradition of war metal. In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow is more melodic/semi-epic in its slower/mid-paced vibe. My favorite from them was the Tides of Blood album and since then they haven’t brought the same passion. Personally, I’d like more aggression/up tempo vibe from them. Fans of BOLT THROWER/HAIL OF BULLETS, this is a must! 5 tracks, 1 cover, 3 are OK.
ffo: BOLT THROWER, HAIL OF BULLETS, MEMORIAM, ASPHYX, BLOOD MORTIZED