Brock’s 2 Cents – April 2021

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Now, I know we’re only a few months into 2021 but so far this may be the year of Black Metal. A good amount of top notch Black Metal albums have been released this year compared to the other metal genres. Yes, I’m more into the extreme end of the metal genre when it comes to my reviews, but Death Metal has been dominating the past few years, this year might be different or maybe I’m just checking out more Black Metal than usual? I wonder if my prediction will stand true at the end of the year? Anyways, 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}


CANNIBAL CORPSEViolence Unimagined = 4/5 |Metal Blade |Death Metal
Wow, the 15th album from one of the original DM bands, very surprised that they’re still going strong 33 years in. CANNIBAL CORPSE was the first DM band I heard in 1994 (Butched at Birth) and definitely one my favorites! They’re also the band I’ve seen live the most (14 times), not only because they’re one of my favs but they always tour with damn good supporting bands! Personally, I’m a fan of both Barnes and Corpsegrinder era, the only album I don’t like is Kill, it’s very bland and boring. If you haven’t heard by now, Erik Rutan is in for Pat O’Brien due to his legal trouble. Erik Rutan wrote 3 songs for the new album and you can hear a tiny bit of early HATE ETERNAL but I’ve noticed a strong Gallery of Suicide feel to this album. Violence Unimagined still continues the vibes of the last few albums but there is a stronger groove element than technical feel to this album. A lot of fans praise Evisceration Plague as their favorite later album but Torture is my favorite and Violence Unimagined probably beats both those albums! This is ridiculously solid for a 15th album and just shows you why CANNIBAL CORPSE is a f’n legend in the genre! Normally I would have a few gripes about Paul Mazurkiewicz drumming as I think the band has passed his playing level years ago but damn, he gave a seriously solid effort on this album. Overall, CANNIBAL CORPSE proves that they’re one of the best EVER!!! 11 tracks, 4 are killer and 6 are good.
ffo: MALEVOLENT CREATION, DEICIDE, MONSTROSITY, OBITUARY, SUFFOCATION

AGENT STEEL No Other Godz Before Me = 2/5 |Dissonance |Thrash/Power Metal
The original vocalist Johnny Cyriis has resurrected AGENT STEEL with all new members. Ex-main guitarists Juan Garcia is now in BODY COUNT and Bernie Versailles is in REDEMPTION and not sure if they wanted to be involved or not. So, 14 years later, No Other Godz Before Me is the new album and surprisingly similar to the past few albums just a bit more thrashy. I think fans of the first few releases featuring Johnny Cyriis will enjoy this album. I wasn’t sure what to expect with a whole new band and they delivered a so-so comeback album but yet there’s enough potential here to get me excited about future albums. If you’re a diehard fan, then it’s a must but don’t go in with high expectations. 11 tracks, 2 instrumentals, 2 are killer and 4 are OK.
ffo: ABATTOIR, JUDAS PRIEST, QUEENSRYCHE, METAL CHURCH, STEEL PROPHET

HIDEOUS DIVINITY LV-426 = 3.5/5 |Century Media |Technical Death Metal
A new EP from these Italians as the emerging leaders of tech DM recently. Their last album Simulacrum was incredible and placed the band in the top echelon of the genre. One of the few bands that has realized lately that riffs and song writing come first and it’s not about trying to out top/beat anyone for the most ‘blank’ in the genre. The EP is inspired by Aliens and focused on character of Rebeca Jorden, better known as Newt. As they tell her point of view, a mixture of childhood’s happy life and memories cut off by the alien attack. The 2 new tracks are blazing and incredible! I don’t listen to COHEED AND CAMBRIA but their cover has to be damn good cause I like it. This EP continues along the greatness that HIDEOUS DIVINITY is putting out! 3 tracks, 2 are killer and a cover.
ffo: HOUR OF PENANCE, NILE, [early] BEHEMOTH, ULCERATE, HATE ETERNAL

MEMORIAM To The End = 2.5/5 |Reaper |Old School Death Metal
If you didn’t know by now, MEMORIAM rose from the ashes of BOLT THROWER to continue their legacy. The first 2 albums were BOLT THROWER lite and nothing special. Their third album Requiem for Mankind is their best and finally shows them branching away from the BOLT THROWER worship and writing some good DM. Their 4th album, To The End, continues down that path but a bit more melodic this time around. This is my second favorite album from them. If mid paced DM is your thing, and you’re a BOLT THROWER fan than you need to check this band out! 9 tracks, 4 are killer and 3 are OK.
ffo: BOLT THROWER, HAIL OF BULLETS, BENEDICTION, ASPHYX, ENTOMBED

MIASMATAUnlight: Songs of Earth and Atrophy = 3.75/5 |Naturmacht |Melodic/Epic Black Metal
This is a solo project from Mike Wilson (ex-SOJOURNER) bringing his take on Melodic BM with strong influences of classic speed/heavy/traditional metal. This is definitely a riffs album, lately it seems a lot of bands have forgot that, and this is why this album sticks out from the pack! I came into this expecting something normal and was left amazed by this. This is damn good and a great progression in the BM genre. I mean, yeah, you could say well all he did was put traditional/speed riffs to BM but he delivered far beyond expectations with this catchy and well written album. Unlight is a breath of fresh air in this BM genre. The more I jam to this, the more I dig it. This is one of the those albums that just clicks with what I like and I don’t care what anyone says about it! This will be in my BM top albums and maybe my overall top albums list! A must to check out! 7 tracks, 4 are killer and 2 are good!
ffo: GALLOWBRAID, DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE, WINDIR, SOJOURNER, OLD MAN’S CHILD

SANGUISUGABOGGTortured Whole = 3.5/5 |Century Media |Death Metal
I thought their debut EP was OK and got way too much hype. So I was amazed Century Media signed them, but the new album is a bit different and more in my vein of that mid to late 90’s DM that came out of the upper east coast area. I heard a rumor that the guitar player wrote this whole album on acid, which is crazy and I respect that creativity. Tortured Whole is a more old-school and simplistic approach while having some slam and brutal DM moments through out. Yet again this is another album that didn’t recreate the wheel but has delivered something very solid and it’s kind of a trip down memory lane of yesteryear DM. Tortured Whole is a filthy sounding but catchy and fun without being over the top or trying to prove their the most brutal caveman riff band. I really dig this. 11 tracks, 2 instrumentals, 5 are killer and 3 are good.
ffo: MAGLINANCY, INCANTION, MORTICIAN, TORTURE KRYPT, SCATTERED REMNANTS

FUATH II = 2.75/5 |Season of Mist |Atmospheric Black Metal
A side project from the main man in SAOR, produced a sophomore album II which represents a darker interpretation of BM that he creates. The dark atmosphere mixed with catchy melodies and an old school vibe has this album pushing it’s way to be one of the better bands in this sub-genre. II is way better than the debut album I and it seems Andy Marshall is finding his true sound with this band. I’m not a fan of SAOR, so I was surprised to like this. Now I do have to be in the mood to listen to atmospheric BM but FUATH is a band that will be on the list to jam to when I’m in the mood! Now this album doesn’t push the boundaries of atmospheric BM but delivers a solid well written album and a promising vibe for future albums if any is delivered. I do hope more albums will be written. If you dig bands in this genre, it’s definitely a must to check out! 5 tracks, 2 are killer and 2 are good!
ffo: SAOR, DRUDKH, WINDIR, WOODS OF DESOLATION, WINTERFYLLETH

EYEHATEGODA History of Nomadic Behavior = 1/5 |Century Media |Southern/Sludge Metal
Honestly, I’m an average EYEHATEGOD fan, usually all their albums are half good and half blah. With such a long break I was expecting something more than what was delivered here. Brian Patton left the band and apparently it shows, this album is very bland and boring. I wasn’t much of fan of their last album (self titled) Eyehategod and they didn’t do any better this time around. I know most of the members are clean and sober now, so maybe this is an evolution for the band, but I’m not digging it. It might just be me but this album has 2 good songs and the rest seems like B-sides/from the cutting room floor type tracks. EYEHATEGOD is more a live band, than compared to listening their albums so maybe these songs will sound better live? 12 tracks, 1 instrumental, 2 are killer and 4 are OK.
ffo: ACID BATH, BUZZOVEN, SOILENT GREEN, WEEDEATER, GRIEF, SOURVEIN

METHAROMAPipe Dreams (Through the Alley) = 3.5/5 |New Standard Elite |Brutal Death Metal
With a name like that, I wasn’t expecting this… I was expecting a side band with a gimmick and probably some goofy brutal or grind songs but damn, I was wrong. This is some top notch brutal DM! If that mid-west Brutal DM is your thing, this is a must! Featuring members (and ex) of DEFEATED SANITY, GORGASM, SAPROGENIC, SYPHILIC, HORRIFIC DEMISE and more that gives you a feel of how brutal this album is. A strong emphasis on nasty riffs that are both technical and will have you head-banging. Pipe Dreams (Through the Alley) displays why you need to take this band serious in the genre! METHAROMA gave us a brutal DM album for die-hard brutal DM fans! I’m kind of blown away how good this is. 12 tracks, 5 are killer and 5 are good!
ffo: GORGASM, DISGORGE, SAPROGENIC, HUMAN FILLETED, INVERACITY, PUTRID PILE

THRON Pilgrim = 3/5 |Listenable |Black Metal
After delivering two decently solid albums, this newer German band, brings us their third album in 5 years, Pilgrim, has finally pieced everything together for their best album to date! Pilgrim relies heavily on mood and this album nails it. From a cold atmosphere to relentless brutality to head-banging melodies to semi-ambient/relaxed vibes this album is full of twists and turns that keeps your attention. Pilgrim is a solid, well written album that makes this a promising act not only in the German BM scene but in the global BM genre! Definitely worth checking out! 10 tracks, 3 are killer and 4 are good.
ffo: DISSECTION, NECROPHOBIC, TRIBULATION, NAGLFAR, WITCHERY

FORHISTForhist = 3/5 |Debemur Morti |Atmospheric Black Metal
From the main man in BLUT AUS NORD, comes a solo project called FORHIST. While BLUT AUS NORD is pushing the boundaries of BM, Vindsval has brought us back to the roots of BM with this release. Forhist is more straightforward, no frills black metal with the use of synthesizers to add a haunting atmosphere. FORHIST is heavily inspired by the second wave of Norwegian black metal of the ’90s. This is not recreating the wheel as I like to use a lot but just captures that nostalgia of yesteryear. If that organic and raw inspired BM is your thing you’ll probably love this album but some BLUT AUS NORD fans might be bored with the simplicity of this album. I really enjoy this album because I love the early period of BLUT AUS NORD and FORHIST is very similar. If you like the Memoria Vetusta albums from BLUT AUS NORD than this is up your alley. 8 tracks, 3 are killer and 4 are OK.
ffo: BLUT AUS NORD, WOODS OF DESOLATION, SPECTRAL LORE, THE RUINS OF BEVERAST

OBVURT The Beginning = 3.75/5 |Brutal Mind |Technical Death Metal
A new Canadian band featuring veterans from CRYPTOPSY, BEYOND CREATION, UNBREAKABLE HATRED, GOROD, CATTLE DECAPITATION and many more. These versatile bad asses have been around for awhile and have put their talents together in this new EP of tech DM. The Beginning is a concept EP about how in 2016, guitarist and vocalist Philippe Drouin was injured in a car accident. This led to him losing his dexterity in his right hand and unable to regain it. Two years later, he started to retrain as a left-hander and now plays left-handed. Wow! That’s crazy! A great display of balance between brutality, grooves, melody, and technical riffs this EP that clocks in a bit under 20 minutes is a new staple when it comes to Canadian DM! You better jump on board now because you’ll be hearing all about this band when their full length drops! 7 tracks, 1 intro, 1 instrumental, 3 are killer and 1 is good!
ffo: CRYPTOPSY, [early] GOROD, MISERY INDEX, BEYOND CREATION

MALISTKarst Relict = 2.25/5 |Northern Silence |Black Metal
The 3rd album in 3 years from this Russian one man band. Ovfrost must not have a demanding job since dude is putting out an album every year. Karst Relict is his latest of atmospheric BM and completes the album trilogy of the path of a nameless hero through its vast nether halls and mountain hollows while being slaved to the will of the Tyrant King. This new album is much cleaner guitar sound with a beefed-up production sound. You can definitely hear Ovfrost is growing as a musician and pushing away from traditional BM to more progressive angle. His first 2 albums were so-so at best. Karst Relict starts off very good but then hits a moody, very slow middle of the album which brings the good vibe to a halt, even with that said, this is his best album. Overall, it’s average in the genre but I do expect greater things from this guy. 8 tracks, 2 are killer and 3 are OK.
ffo: MGLA, GRIMA, THE ELYSIAN FIELDS, WINTERFYLLETH, [early] KATATONIA

UNFLESH Inhumation = 2/5 |Unsigned |Technical Melodic Blackened Death Metal
Their debut album Savior was very solid and put their name on the map in the genre. 3 years later, their sophomore album Inhumation is here and it just doesn’t deliver as the debut did. It’s not necessary a sophomore slump but more of a lack of growth in song writing from the debut. Inhumation does a decent job of mixing BM and melodic DM which makes it very accessible because it’s melodic enough to please the melo-death fans and technical enough to please the shred tech DM fans. Personally I felt this album should’ve been a lot better but it’s promising enough for me to be looking out for that next album. 8 tracks, 1 intro, 3 are killer and 2 are OK.
ffo: THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ARSIS, ANATA, NEURAXIS, ABYSMAL DAWN

BAALBERITH Manhunt = 2.25/5 |Godz Ov War |Blackened Death Metal
Poland has a long line of putting out very good Blackened DM and here’s another good example. Manhunt is heavy and overbearing with it’s mid-paced Blackened DM style. This album has a killer production, lethal head-banging riffs and a strong Euro-DM vibe. Honestly this sounds like it should’ve been released a good decade or so ago but it still stands up nowadays. With a strong emphasis on that pummeling mid-tempo vibe leads me to my only complaint, yet being a small one, it’s too mid-paced. I don’t need them to be blasting through out but would like a touch more than what’s offered. BAALBERITH has created a solid debut effort and if you like Euro-DM from the mid 90’s to the mid-00’s then you need to check this out! I’ll definitely be checking out future material from this band! 7 tracks, 2 are killer and 3 are good.
ffo: HATE, NOMAD, BELPHEGOR, MORBID ANGEL, BENEDICTION, BOLT THROWER

MALICE DIVINEMalice Divine = 2.25/5 |Unsigned |Melodic/Epic Black Metal
New project from solo member Ric Galvez (handling guitars, bass and vocals with Dylan Gowan on the drums) with his take on Melodic BM with a strong progressive/PM touch. A decent debut album with some rough edges, but is very promising material on future albums. The song writing is very catchy and accessible to the average fan of this genre. This is an album to check out and see if it hits the mark with you. I’m looking forward to future material. 9 tracks, 1 instrumental, 3 are killer and 3 are OK.
ffo: DISSECTION, VINTERLAND, NECROPHOBIA, WINTERSUN, FORETOKEN

IMPURSlaves to Decay = 2.5/5 |Unsigned |Death Metal
Debut EP from this Spain band offering up OSDM with a modern sound. Slaves of Decay is a strong homage to classic DM. A raw and heavy sound adds to this EP and brings back a bunch of those back in the day vibes. IMPUR blends that Euro and Florida DM to a perfection. Filled with head-banging riffs, savage melodies, and enough aggression to knock you on your ass! Fans of OSDM from the 90s, this is a must. Very good debut and I’ll be on the look out for the full length! 3 tracks, 1 is killer and 2 are good!
ffo: BOLT THROWER, BRUTALITY, ASPHYX, SINISTER, BENEDICTION, RESURRECTION

INTRACRANIAL PUTREFACTIONSummoning Chaos = 0.75/5 |Amputated Vein |Brutal Death Metal
Summoning Chaos is the debut album by this Mexican band. Bringing their brand of brutal slam DM which after a few listens its so-so. Yet again a band that probably needs to craft their sound a little bit more, this is just another album in an already oversaturated genre. Now don’t get me wrong this isn’t bad, it’s just nothing really new. They do have a few different elements from an eerie atmosphere at times to a slower sludge vibe to a strong late 90s/early 00’s DM groove going on. I will be interested in hearing their sophomore release to see if band expanded their sound. 12 tracks, 2 are good and 3 are OK.
ffo: INGESTED, VOMIT REMNANTS, WITHIN DESTRUCTION, CEREBRAL BORE, SKINLESS

CORPSE WORSHIPHorror Chronicles = 1/5 |Coyote |Old School Death Metal
New band from Russia, giving their take on OSDM sound from the early 90s. If you dig the classic Scandinavian DM bands then this is for you. Overall, it’s a mix of all the old school Scandinavian bands. It’s an OK album but there’s nothing new here. Personally, I’d like to hear something more as in what are you gonna bring new or different to the OSDM genre. If you want a new band just playing that classic old school sound then definitely check this out. 8 tracks, 1 intro, 2 are Good and 3 are OK.
ffo: GRAVE, DESULTORY, CENTINEX, ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER

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