NOVEMBER is coming to an end and Wow, this year is flying by! 2020 is officially a horrible year! A ton of reviews for this month because I got a lot to fit in before the year ends. 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}
BENEDICTION – Scriptures = 4/5 |Nuclear Blast |Death Metal
As I get older there’s two things I appreciate more when listening to metal. #1 enjoying more of the old school classics in every genre & #2 when a veteran band drops a new album that is f’n incredible! That is what we have right here, 12 years later we finally get new music and it’s f’n awesome! A few line up changes Dave Ingram is back, along with a new drummer and bassist. BENEDICTION is back, this the best thing they’ve done since Transcend the Rubicon & The Dreams You Dread! Scriptures is just pure BENEDICTION at their best! This is a must for all DM fans! 12 tracks, 4 are killer and 6 are good!
ffo: BOLT THROWER, UNLEASHED, GRAVE, MORGOTH, SINISTER, CANCER
MACABRE – Carnival of Killers = 3.5/5 |Nuclear Blast |Thrash/Death Metal
I absolutely love MACABRE and seeing them live too! From Grim Reality to Dahmer their discography is untouchable, but with Murder Metal and Grim Scary Tales were OK releases. 9 years later, we got a new release! MACABRE is back to their old ways! This new album has everything you’d expect from them with their quirkiness of song writing to their technical side of their riffing! After multiple listens this album is about half and half for me. Half is f’n killer and the other is so-so. A few of the songs are too simple/corny and bland for my taste, I expected better, BUT the killer songs on this album totally makes up for it. GET THIS ALBUM!!! It’s a must own! 16 tracks, 3 instrumentals, 5 are killer and 5 are good!
ffo: PUNGENT STENCH, IMPETIGO, DECEASED, TANKARD, AUTOPSY
FATES WARNING – Long Day Good Night = 3.5/5 |Metal Blade |Progressive Metal
FATES WARNING has been one of the pioneers in the progressive metal genre and has delivered greatness till 2004 with FWX and the next 2 albums were average at best, but their 13th album is back to what FATES WARNING is all about! This album has vibes of the Parallels and Inside Out albums. Finally FATES WARNING brought back enough aggression to their songs. This album seems like that fire is back in their song writing, it’s a good mix of everything they’ve done in a very memorable album that you’ll listen to over and over. This album might work its way to the top favs from them. A must for fans! 13 tracks, 5 are killer and 4 are good!
ffo: QUEENSRYCHE, DREAM THEATER, PSYCHOTIC WALTZ, REDEMPTION
DEMONICAL – World Domination = 3.25/5 |Agonia |Death Metal
The 6th album from the offshoot of CENTINEX known as DEMONICAL. I’ve been jamming to this band since their creation and happy to say this album is great. Their last album was OK, but this is right back to the greatness the band has to offer! Another solid no-frills, just beat your face in type album. Sorry this review is so short but = World Domination is Swedish Death Metal at its finest! A must for fans! 8 tracks, 4 are killer and 3 are good!
ffo: DISMEMBER, FLESHCRAWL, CENTINEX, GRAVE, VOMITORY
GORATORY – Sour Grapes = 4/5 |Everlasting Spew |Brutal Tech Death Metal
16 years later they’re back! This band has put out some awesome albums but their debut was my fav from them but Sour Grapes walks right up to it and shits all over it! The band is right back to where they left off with the quirky song titles and lyrics that’s hilarious but yet maintain that blasting brutality with absurd technical riffs and grooves to pummel you into the ground! On top of all that the production is superb! Everything can be heard as the insane technicality is flying into your ear drums! This is their best! A best of 2020 right here! A must for BDM fans! 8 tracks, 4 are killer and 3 are good!
ffo: CRYPTOPSY, GORGASM, SEVERED SAVIOR, DISAVOWED, LIVIDITY
MY DYING BRIDE – Macabre Cabaret = 2/5 |Nuclear Blast |Doom Death Metal
The last album The Ghost of Orion started off incredible but then fell flat at the end. Now a few months later they release this new EP. Basically it’s the same as the last few albums, normally bringing that dramatic, brooding and depressingly heavy sound. Overall, a decent EP and it’s definitely a must for fans. 3 songs, 1 is killer and 1 is OK.
ffo: PARADISE LOST, NOVEMBERS DOOM, [early] ANATHEMA, DRACONIAN, CELESTIAL SEASON
FETOR – Downwards to Distress = 3.5/5 |Inherited Suffering |Brutal Death Metal
Their first album Abandoned Hope was really good BDM. 4 years later their sophomore album Downwards to Distress has taken the next step in the evolution of the band and delivered one monstrous beatdown of an album! If you’re looking for a BDM to beat you senseless with some grooves THIS IS THAT RELEASE! Go check this album out now!!! 8 tracks, 4 are killer and 3 are good!
ffo: PYREXIA, CARNAL DECAY, BENIGHTED, DEHUMANIZED
SHAWN WHITAKER – The Sickness Singularity = 3.5/5 |Corpse Gristle |Brutal Death Metal
The mastermind behind INSIDIOUS DECREPANCY/VIRAL LOAD is back!!! Now displaying his talents under his own name, this is the same brutal greatness you’d expect from him! I think its been around a decade since he’s put anything out and I’m f’n glad he’s back! There is a strong VIRAL LOAD vibe to this but also shows signs of him branching out with his style. I enjoy the hell out of this and can’t wait for more! This is a must for fans of his and BDM alike! 6 tracks, 3 are killer and 3 are good!
ffo: INSIDIOUS DECREPANCY, VIRAL LOAD, CEREBRAL BORE, PUTRID PILE
SODOM – A Handful of Bullets = 3/5 |Rock Hard |Thrash Metal
A new EP, 4 new songs and a cover. 2 of the new songs are remixes different than what will appear on the new album. 1 new song is new just for this EP. Just like the last few EPs, this new line-up has lit a fire back into the band and I’m definitely looking forward to this upcoming album! This EP is damn good! 5 tracks, 2 are killer and 1 is OK.
ffo: KREATOR, VENOM, DESTRUCTION, TANKARD, PROTECTOR
INCINERATE – Sacrilegivm = 3/5 |Comatose |Brutal Tech Death Metal
A solid BDM band from Jesse Watson (FACE OF OBLIVION, GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT) that has delivered quality album after album has brought his best yet! Anatomize is my fav album and Sacrilegivm is right up there! This is their second best album from them and it’s a beast! This album has a great mix of brutal and tech elements, with enough melody to add to the songs. The riffs are just great and keep the natural production allowing the album to shine! It’s a must for fans and BDM fans! 11 tracks, 4 are killer and 4 are good!
ffo: SEVERED SAVIOR, ORIGIN, DISGORGE (USA), PYAEMIA, YATTERING
ARSEBREED – Butoh = 3.5/5 |Brutal Mind |Brutal Death Metal
15 years later they drop a new album and it’s f’n awesome! Way better than their debut. This album is more technical and focused on brutality! Featuring members of DISAVOWED, PYAEMIA, BENIGHTED, NECROPHAGIST, just gives a glimpse of the brutal technical mayhem that is offered on this release! A 30 minute opus of a slab of energetic technical brutality! The album just comes at you at full force and never lets up. This is a must for BDM fans! 10 tracks, 4 are killer and 4 are good!
ffo: DISAVOWED, SPAWN OF POSSESSION, PYAEMIA, SEVERED SAVIOR, VISCERAL BLEEDING
RECREATED – Evila = 2/5 |Independent |Melodic Death Metal
A new band from Sweden bringing their brand of Melodic DM to the genre. A decent debut album, which reminds me of a few bands, but still doesn’t offer anything to stick out from the crowd. It’s a strong effort of everything you’ll hear in the genre today with their own passion but I was expecting more individualism. Like I said it’s a decent debut, I think their next album will be better as this band grows. If you’re into this genre, it’s worth the listen. 10 tracks, 3 are killer and 5 are OK.
ffo: THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WOLFHEART, OMNIUM GATHERUM, SEPTICFLESH
ABORTED FETUS – Fetal Embalmed Existence = 3.5/5 |Sevared |Brutal Death Metal
This is their 1st album from 2000 that was never released, which is all their demos re-recorded and was supposed to be their original debut album. Now 20 years later, the songs re-recorded by their latest line up and finally brought to the masses! I’m a huge fan of their earlier albums and this is absolutely killer in my book! This is just as good as their earlier releases. This is a must for fans! Also good covers too. 13 tracks, 3 covers, 5 are killer and 2 are good.
ffo: KATALEPSY, CEREBRAL EFFUSION, CARNAL DECAY, CEREBRAL BORE
CRYOGENICAL EXCISION – Mirco Surgery = 3/5 |Inherited Suffering |Slam Brutal Death Metal
A new Slam BDM band from France bringing that goodness! Not really recreating the wheel but just solid, intense, in your face slamming brutality! A very good debut and looking forward to new material. If you’re a slam BDM fan, this is a must to check out! 4 tracks, 2 are killer and 1 is good.
ffo: EXTERMINATION DISMEMBERMENT, KRAANIUM, AMPUTATED, VOMITOUS
DARK TRANQUILLITY – Moment = 1.5/5 |Century Media |Melodic Death Metal
One thing I really appreciate is when an old school band delivers a new album that is either a comeback album or an incredibly good album reminiscent of back in the day. I’ve been waiting for DARK TRANQUILLITY to deliver one for the past 15 years and… they still haven’t. Moment seems less aggressive and more focused on melody than previous albums. Overall, this album is lackluster and nothing really catches my attention. 14 tracks (Limited Digipack), 3 are good and 5 are OK.
ffo: AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, INSOMNIUM, SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, AMORPHIS
PUTRESCENT SEEPAGE – Dead and Demented = 3/5 |New Standard Elite |Brutal Death Metal
Debut album from ultra BDM band from Australia delivering that raw production to display their crushing heaviness. Blasting brutality, a few gore-grindish parts and also includes some riffs that make you want to mosh! It’s just a solid BDM release that doesn’t compromise! Straight to the point brutality! Definitely worth checking out for fans of the genre! 8 tracks, 3 are killer and 3 are good!
ffo: BRODEQUIN, MALIGNANCY, ORCHIDECTOMY, WORMED
.357 HOMICIDE – Intestines on the Pavement = 3/5 |Independent |Slam Brutal Death Metal
A new Slam BDM band from England featuring members of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT that mix that sound from NY slam bands from the 90s with a modern touch. A mid-paced songs with a brutal production adds to the beatdown this EP delivers! A good debut that will give ya the good vibes similar to watch you heard back in the day. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this band in the future! 4 tracks, 2 are killer and 1 is good.
ffo: REPUDILATION, ENTORTUREMENT, SINTURY, DEHUMANIZED
NEUROMORAL DISSONANCE – My Wisdom, My Grief = 2/5 |Amputated Vein |Brutal Death Metal
A decent debut album but I think this band needs a little more focus. This debut album has elements ranging from traditional DM, slam and contemporary tech DM. Which leads the songs sounding like 2 bands, one being modern tech DM/tech Deathcore and the other being brutal groove DM. They need to combine even more of the styles, then each song sounding from a different DM sub genre. Other than that, it’s worth checking out. I’m definitely interested and looking forward to the next release.
ffo: BRAIN DRILL, DISAVOWED, DECREPIT BIRTH, ARCHSPIRE
DEFACING – The Beginning of Human Cruelty/Destroying Your Divinity = 3/5 |Rotten Cemetery |Brutal Death Metal
DEFACING is a damn good DM band from Chile and I first heard them when I hosted a college metal radio show more than a decade ago and have been a fan ever since. This new Compilation features their first demo and their new EP. This is a good example of their growth over their 17 year existence. The new tracks are blasting BDM with a few touches of groove. Definitely moving in the right direction and I’m looking forward to new material from them! 8 tracks, 5 are killer and 3 are good!
ffo: VISCERAL, [early] CRYPTOPSY, SICKENING
HUMANITY IS CANCER – Humanity is Cancer = 2/5 |Redefining Darkness |Death Metal
EP from a new band from Cleveland featuring members of NUNSLAUGHTER, SYSTEM DIVINE, ABORTED, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, etc… bring their brand of modern DM! A solid debut effort of pulverizing DM with some melody and grooves to keep things interesting. The songs are really great but I would like to hear a little bit more individuality to separate them from the pack for the next upcoming release. Definitely worth checking out for DM fans! I’m definitely keeping this band in my radar! 4 tracks, 1 is killer and 2 are good!
ffo: AEON, CANNIBAL CORPSE, ABORTED
CARCASS – Despicable = 1/5 |Nuclear Blast |Death Metal/Death ‘n’ Roll
When they released the single I really wasn’t feeling it. Now that I got the EP and I’m still not feeling it. The first song is great and along the lines of the last album. The rest of the EP is more death’n’roll and also very strong stoner rock/metal vibes too. Not impressed by this EP, hopefully the new album is a lot better. 4 tracks, 1 is killer and 1 is OK.
ffo: EXHUMED, [old] CATHEDRAL, CONVULSE, ARCH ENEMY
CONVULSE – Deathstar = 0/5 |Transcending |Prog Death Metal/Death’n’Roll?
Their first album World With God was a classic in the DM genre. Then shifted gears for their sophomore release, Reflections, with some CATHEDRAL inspired Death’n’Roll album which was very good too. Then they reformed in 2013 and dropped an EP and 2 albums since then but all kinda very average, nothing special DM. Now 4 years since the last album, they’ve shifted gears again into some laid back Prog DM band with moments of stoner-ish Death’n’Roll. {Disclaimer} I review bands I like or excited to discover, I don’t review bands I don’t like because that’s a disservice to you the reader, but it has finally happened, A ZERO SCORE! This is absolutely horrible, from I’ve heard all these riffs before to almost rip-offs riffs to uninspired song writing and just overall boring. I expected a lot more from this band. Just pitiful! Second worst album out in DM besides to the new SIX FEET UNDER.
ffo: WHITE STONES, [newer] OPETH, RIVERSIDE, CATHEDRAL, FARMAKON
