Mental Killing Spree/Centrifuge Of Man/2013 CD Review

  Mental  Killing  Spree  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  brutal  form of  death  metal  with  elements  of  grindcore  and this  is  a  review  of their self  released  2013  album  "Centrifuge  Of  Man".

  "Atrocious Generosity"  begins  with  brutal  guitar  riffs  and  drums  before  the  death  metal  growls  start  kicking  in  along  with  some  blast  beats  as  well  as some  high  pitched  grindcore  screams  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  slowing down  a  bit  and  you  can  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  background  before  speeding  up  again  and  adding  in  some  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  "Lymph  Node  Monstrosity"  begins  with  some  brutal  blast  beats,  fast  guitar  riffs  and  deep death  metal  growls  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  slowing  down  and  adds  in  some  powerful  sounding  bass  guitar  before  speeding  up  as  well  as  adding  a  brief  use of  melody  and  then  the  song  switches  back  and  forth between  fast  and  slow  parts  as  well  as  adding  in  some  high  pitched  screams.  

  "Creator  Of  Hatred"  begins  with  some  deep  growls  and  slow  guitar  and  bass  riffs  as  well  as  some  drums  before  getting  heavier  and  adding  in  some  high  pitched  screams  and  halfway  through  the  song  the  music  gets  a  lot  more  fast  along  with  some  brutal  sounding  blast  beats  and  the  song  closes  with  the  slower  riffs.  

  "Equal  Zero  Coincidence"  begins  with  brutal  guitar  riffs  and  heavy  drums  which  lead  up  to  some  blast  beats  and  deep  growls  and  after  awhile  some  screams  are added  in  along  with  some  slower  riffing  which  also  leads  up  to some  melodic  sounding  guitar  leads  and solos  before  getting  fast  and  brutal  again.

  "Centrifuge  Of  Man"  begins  with  some  melodic  guitar  riffs  before  getting heavier,  fast  and  brutal  along  with  some  blast  beats,  growls  and  screams  and  after  awhile  the  music  goes  into  a  more  mid  paced  direction  where  you  can  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  background  before  getting  fast  and  brutal  again.

  "Autoaggressive  Leviathan"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  which  leads  up  to  some  brutal  sounds  and  growls  as  well  as  some  blast  beats  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  screams  before  slowing  down  and  adding  in  some  melody  and  guitar  leads and  then  getting  fast  again.

  "Indecipherable"  begins  with  some fast  brutal  guitar  riffs,  drums,  screams  and  growls  as  well  as  some  blast  beats  and  after  awhile  the  music  slows  down  for  awhile  before  speeding  up  again  towards  the  end.

  "They  Still  Have  A  God"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  before  adding  in  blast  beats,  growls,  screams  and  melodic  guitar  riffing  and  after  awhile  the  music  slows  down  for  awhile  and  you  can  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  background  before  adding  in  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads as  well  as  mixing  them  with  some  of  the  faster  elements..

  "Directive  Of  Cruelty"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drums  before  getting  fast,  adding  in  blast beats  and  growls  and  after awhile  it  adds in  some  old  school  death  metal  elements a s  well  as  slowing  down  for  a  bit  and  adding  in  some  high  pitched  screams.

  "Theorized  Downfall"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  blast  beats  which  lead  up to  some  growls  and  screams  as  well  as  the guitar riffing  getting  faster  but  alos  slowing  down  in  certain  sections  of  the  song.

  Song  lyrics  cover  violent  and  hateful  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  brutal  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Mental  Killing  Spree  are  a very  great  sounding  brutal  death  metal  band  with  elements  of  grindcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Atrocious Generosity"  ''Equal  Zero  Coincidence"  "They  Still  Have  A  God"  and  "Theorized  Downfall".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.    

Psychocalypse/Crying Moon/Buil2Kill Records/2013 CD Review

  Psychocalypse  are  a  1  man  band  from  France  that  plays  a  mixutre  of  melodic  death  metal, thrash  and  symphonic  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2013  album  "Crying  Moon"  which  was  released  by  Buil2Kill  Records.

  "Intro"  begins  with  some  dark  sounding  synths  that  utilize  a  variety  of  many  different  keys  along with  some  drum  beats  and  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs and  serves  as  an  introduction  to  the  album.

  "Stray  Souls"  begins  with  some  synths,  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  after  awhile  death  metal  growls,  screams  and  melodic  guitar  leads  make  their  presence  known  in  the  song  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  whispers.

  'In  The  Lost  Kingdom"  begins  with  some  melodic  guitar   leads and  drums  and  after  a  few  seconds  the  growls  and  screams  start kicking  in  and  after  a  minute  the  synths  start coming  in  and  out  of  the  song  and  there  are  also some  heavy  guitar  riffs  being  utilized.

  "Apacalodia"  begins  with  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs and  leads  along  with  some  drums  and  screams  which  lead  up  to  some  gothic  sounding  synths  and  after  awhile  the  guitar  riffing  starts  utilizing  some  melody  and  halfway  through  the  song  clean  singing  female  vocals  start  coming in.

  "Crying  Moon"  begins  with  both  clean  and  electric  guitars  along  with  some  drums  and  then  the  synths  start  coming  in  as  well  as  some  melodic  guitar  riffing,  screams  and  growls  before  adding  in  some  solos  and  leads  and  the  song  closes  with  some  finger  picking  guitars.

  "Surviving  For  A  Despair  Growls"  begins  with  some  synths  before  the  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  start  kicking  in  which  lead s up  to  some  growls  and  screams  and  halfway  through  the  song  you  can  hear  some  clean  guitars  being  utilized  in  the  background  and  towards  the end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  and  guitar  leads.

  "Staring  As  A  Wolf"  begins  with  some  soft  acoustic  guitar  playing  which  leads  up  to  some  drums  and  heavy guitar  riffs  and  a  few  seconds  alter  the  growls  and  screams  start  kicking  in  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  leads  and  towards  the  end  you  can  hear  some  synths  in  the  background  as  well  a s  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats  before  the  guitar  riffing  adds  in  some  melody.

  'Tristesse  De  La  Nature"  begins  with  some  clean  and  acoustic  guitar  playing  and  this  song  is  all  instrumental.

  "Fighting  Against  The  Past"  begins  with  some melodic  guitar  riffing  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  with  some  drums,  growls  and  screams  as  well  as  some  synths  and  there  are  no  guitar solos  or  leads  present  on  this  song.

  "Frozen  Area" begins  with  some  guitar  leads,  drums,  growls  and  screams  as well  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  synths  and  a  minute  later  there  is  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals.

   ''Search  And  See  The  Tear  Of  Stars"  begins  with  some  dark  sounding  synths  and  a  minute  later  the  music  gets  more  symphonic  along with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs,  drums,  growls,  and  screams  which  also  lead  up  to  some  melodic  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads  and  towards  the  end  the  guitar  riffing  starts  utilizing  some  melody  before  bringing  in  some  female  vocals.

  Song  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  nature  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  with  the  bass  guitars  being  mixed  down  low  in  the  mix.

  In  my  opinion  Psychocalypse  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  symphonic,  melodic  death  metal  and  thrash  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check out  this  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Stray  Souls"  "Staring  As  A  Wolf"  and  "Search  And  See  The  Tear  Of  Stars".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.          
  

Stormhold/Eyes In The Eyes/2013 EP Review

  Stormhold  are  a  band  from  Belarus  that  plays  a  melodic  form  of  death metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self   released  2013  ep  "Eyes  in  The  Eyes".

  "Another  Day"  begins with  drums  before  the  heavy  guitar  riffs  start  kicking  in  along  with  some  melodic  elements  as  well  as  some  symphonic  synths  before  adding  in  blast  beats,  powerful  bass  guitars  and  guitar  leads  which  come  in  and  out  of  the  song  and  then  the  death  metal  screams  start  kicking  in  and  after  awhile  melodic  clean  singing  makes  its  presence  known  in  the  song  as  well as  the  music  switching  back  and  forth  between  slow  and  fast  parts and  after  awhile t here  is  a  brief  use  of  funk  orientated  bass  leads.

  'Eyes  In  The  Eyes"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  synths  before  the  growls  and  blast  beats  start  kicking  in  which  also  leads  to  some  screams  and  melodic  guitar  riffing  and  as  a  minute  goes  by  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  coming  in  and  out  of  the  song  with  a  classic  metal  feeling  to  them.

  "The  History  Pages"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums and  after  a  few  seconds  the  growls  and  screams  start  making  their  way  into  the  song  along  with  some  synths  and  melodic  guitar  riffing  which  leads  up  to  some  guitar  solos  and  leads  coming  in  and  out  of  the  song  and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats..

  Song  lyrics  cover  Future  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  for  being  a  self  released  recording  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  ep.

  In  my  opinion  Stormhold  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out t his  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "The  History  Pages".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

    

Deprecated/Deriding His Creation/Unique Leader/2013 EP Re-Issue Review

  Deprecated  are  a  band  from  California  that  plays  a  very  brutal  form of  death  metal with  some  grindcore  elements  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  1998  ep  "Deriding  His  Creation"  which  was  re-issued  by Unique  Leader  Records  in  the  year  of  2013.

  "Deriding  His  Creation''  begins  with  brutal  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  death  metal  growls  which  also  lead  up  to  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  and  the  song  is  mostly  in  a  mid  paced  direction.  

  "Mentally  Deprived"  begins with  some  brutal guitar  and  bass  riffs  along with  some blast  beats  and  growls  and  then  the  song  starts  switching  back  and  forth  between  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  throughout  the  song.

  "Realization  Of  Betrayal"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  blasts  and  growls  and  as  the  song  moves  on  blast  beats  start  coming  in  and  out  as  well  as  the  riffing  going back  and  forth  between  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  "Induced  Deception"  begins  with  some  brutal  guitar  riffs,  drums  and  growls  and  then   the powerful  bass  guitars  start  kicking  in  as  well  as  some  faster  riffs  and  blast  beats  that  come  in  and  out  of  the  song.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Anti  Christian  and  Violent  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  brutal  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In my  opinion  Deprecated"  are  a  very  great  sounding  brutal  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Deriding  His  Creation"  and  "Induced  Deception".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.
    

Deeds Of Flesh/Portals Of Canaan/Unique Leader/2013 CD Review

  Deeds  of  Flesh  are  a  band  from  California  that h as  been  around  for  over  20  years and  plays  a  brutal  form  of  gore/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Portals  Of  Canaan"  which  was  released  by  Unique  Leader  Records.

  "Amidst  the  Ruins"  begins  with  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  which  utilize  some  blast  beats  as  well  as  mixing  in  some  guitar  solos  and  leads  and  then  the  death  metal  growls  and  screams  start  kicking  in  and  after  awhile  melodic  and  technical  guitar  riffing  is  added  into  the  song  and  towards  the  end  more  blast  beats  and  guitar  leads  are  utilized.

  "Entranced  In  Decades  Of  Psychedelic  Sleep"  begins  wit h some  guitar  leads  and  powerful  bass  guitars  as  well  as  some  drums  which  also  throw  in  some brutal  sounding  blast  beats  and  then t he  growls  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  kick  in  along  with  some  screams  and  then  the  music  starts  switching  back  and  forth  between  slow  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  mixing  in  some  technical  elements  and  more  guitar  leads  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  sound  effects.

  "Rise  Of  The  Virvum  Juggernaut"  begins  with  some  brutal  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  growls  and  after  a  few  seconds  technical  elements  and  screams  are  added  into  the  song  as  well  as  some  faster  guitar  riffing  and  blast beats  and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brie f use  of  spoken  word  parts.

  "Celestial  Serpents"  begins  with  some  sound  effects  which  add  in  some  experimental  and  avant  garde  elements  and  after  a  minute  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  make  their  presence  known  in  the  song  and  then  the  growls  start  kicking  in  along with  some  screams   and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  being  utilized.

  "Caelum  Hirundies  Terra/The  Sky  Swallows  The  Earth"  begins  with  some  sound  effects  and   programmed  beats and  serves  as  an  intro  for  the  next  song.

  "Xeno  Virus"  begins  with  heavy  and  technical  sounding  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  fast  elements  which  also  leads  to  some  growls  and  blast  beats  and  after  awhile  screams  are  added  into  the  song  before  slowing  down  a  bit  but  it  does  return  to  the  faster  parts  at  times  and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  that  come  in  and  out  of  the  song.

  'Hollow  Human  Husks"  begins  wit h some  psychedelic  sound  effects  which  lead  up  to  some  guitar,  and  bass  riffs  as  well  as  some  drums  which  also  leads  up  to  some  spoken  word  parts  before  the  growls  start  kicking  in  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  after  a  minute  technical guitar  leads  make  their  way  into  the  song.

  "Portals  Of  Canaan"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  which  leads  up to  some  drums  and  technical  guitar  leads  before  the  growls  and  screams  start  kicking  in  and  after  awhile  the  song  starts  adding  in  some  blast  beats  in  certain  sections  and  towards  the  end  there  are  some  spoken  word  parts  being  utilized.  

  'Orphans  Of  Sickness"  begins  with  heavy guitar  riffs  and d rums  which  utilize  some  blast  beats  and you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  which  also  leads  up  to  some  growls  and  after  a  minute  guitar  solos  and  leads    make  their  way  into  the  song.

  Song  lyrics  cover  the  future  of  human  existence,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,   powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Deeds  of  Flesh  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of   this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Entranced  In  Decades  Of  Psychedelic  Sleep"  "Celestial  Serpents"  "Hollow  Human  Husks"  and  "Orphans  Of  Sicness".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

Pyrexia/Feast Of Iniquity/Unique Leader/2013 CD Review

  Pyrexia  are  a  band  from  New  York  that  has  been  around  for  20  years  with  a  musical style  I  would  describe  as  being  slamming  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Feast  Of  Iniquity"  which  was  released  by  Unique  leader  Records.

  "The  Pendulum"  begins  with  some  dark, melodic  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  after  awhile  the  music  gets  alot  faster  along  with  some  blast  beats  which  also  leads  to  some  death  metal  growls  and  high  pitched  screams  and  the  music  goes  into  a  more  mid  paced  direction  and  towards  the  end  there  is a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos and  leads  being  utilized.

  "Infliction"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar riffs  and  drums  which  leads  up  to  some  bass  guitars,  growls  and  screams  and  after  awhile blast  beats  are  brought  into  the  mix.

  'Death  Wish"  begins  with  some  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  then  the  growls  kick  in  and  the  music  gets  alot  more  fast  and  heavy  along  with  some  bass  guitars  and  blast  beats which  also  lead  to  some  screams  making  their  way  into  the  song  and  then t he  music  slows  down  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  are  brought  into  the  song.

  'Cocoon  Of  Shame"  begins with  some  heavy  and  brutal  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums,  growls  and  screams  and  you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  song.

  'Cryptic  Summoning" begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs,  drums  and  growls  and  a  few  seconds  there  is  a  brief  use  of  death  metal  guitar  leads  being  utilized.

  'Thy  Minion"  begins  with  some  dark  death  metal  guitar  riffs  and  sound  effects  before  the  drums and  melodic  guitar  riffing  starts  kicking  in  and  then  the  music  gets  alot  heavier  when  the  growls  and  screams  start  kicking  in  and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  being  utilized  along  with  some  powerful  bass  guitars.

   ''Wheel  Of  Impunity"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drums  which  evolve  into  blast  beats  before  the  growls  kick  in  and  then  the  music  goes  into  a  more  mid  paced  direction  while  also  returning  to  the  faster  parts  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  song.

  "Panzer  Tank  Lobotomy"  begins  with  heavy guitar  riffs  and  drums  along  with  some  powerful  bass  guitars  and  a  few  seconds  later  the  growls  and  screams  start  kicking  in,

  'Born  Of  A  Jackal"  begins  with  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drums  along  with  some  powerful bass  guitar  and  a  few  seconds  later  there  is a  brief  use  of  melodic  riffing  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  being  utilized.

  'The  Feast"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  demonic  growls  before  adding  in  some  dark  sounding  melodies  and  drums  and  then  death  metal  growls  start  kicking  in  and  after  awhile  there  is  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats.

  Song  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  horror  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Pyrexia  are  a  very  great sounding  slamming  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of this  musical  genr,e  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Pendulum"  "Cryptic  Summoning"  "Wheel  Of  Impunity"  and  "The  Feast".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.          

Dead Toll Rising Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

We finished the tracking back in April, and after that we began working on a series of 10th anniversary shows for the summer.  Since those we've turned our focus on getting everything read to push and release Infection Legacy.

2. You have a new album coming out, how would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

I think the core of our sound has remained the same for this release, as in the type of sound we aim for, however there is another writing influence on this new album in Tylor.  He wasn't present in the band for the last album, but his stamp is all over this one.  He listens to a lot of progressive music and it certainly brought that influence to many of the new songs.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores and also how would you describe your progress as song writers over the years?

Our lyrics are generally quite satyrical and tongue in cheek.  Necrophilia (Crack Open a Cold One), farts (Septic Entity), medieval torture (Judas Cradle), Resident Evil 2 (Infection Legacy), to name a few, are some themes on the new album.  Our overall songwriting has changed in that now we really try and step outside of ourselves and look back at what we wrote to re evaluate and make sure the songs are as strong as they can possibly be.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Death Toll Rising?

Well, we came up with it when we were 19 year old death metal wannabes, so it just sounded cool haha.  Not much inspiration, and the meaning is self explanitory.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how wold you describe your stage performance/

We've had tons of great shows over the years, but recently our 10 year anniversary show sticks out.  It was great to have all the support of so many people throughout our career.

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album/

We will having our local Cd release show on Oct 26, and will likely play some other dates in our province throughout the early winter.  Some more major touring plans will be in the works for the Spring time when it is more feasable to tour around (ie NOT winter).

7. The new album is going to be self released, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

We aren't really actively looking at the moment.  Releasing an album is a ton of work on its own, so once it is out we may shop around but for now we just want to get it out there.

8. Are there any other musical projects going on these days?

Most of the members of the band have other projects/side projects.  I won't go listing them all, but they are easy enough to figure out using Facebook and/or Metal Archives!

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

We've discussed briefly about where to go from here, but we haven't begun any new writing yet.  Maybe it will be more thrash based, maybe it will be more prog based, its hard to say.  But it will always be fast and heavy!

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to  nowadays?

We are a band that really wears our influences on our sleeve, and we are ok with that because we are not ashamed to show what we love.  Our new album has a few tidbits of styles that previously weren't there, such as shred, djent, and some other proggy stuff.

11.Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Not speaking for any one individual in the band, but video games, movies, UFC, aliens, NFL, NHL, golf.... a few things that some of us enjoy.

12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview? 

When you hit the 1:00 mark of Infection Legacy, it is time to crank it!