Unmerciful/Ravenous Impulse/Unique Leader/2016 CD Review

  Unmerciful  are  a  band  from  Kansas that  plays  a  very  brutal  form  of  death  metal  with some  elements  of  grindcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Ravenous  Impulse"  which  will  be  released  in  July by  Unique  Leader.

  A  very  fast  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  blast beats  as  well  as  a  good  mixture  of  both  screams  and  growls  and  you  can  also  hear  an  influence  of  grindcore  in  the  music  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  also  having  a  small  amount  of  melody.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  east  coast  death  metal  influences  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  remain  true  to  the  genre  and  all  of  the  songs stick  to  a  very  heavy  and brutal  direction  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Unmerciful  plays  a  style  of  death  metal  that  is  very  brutal  and  also  adds  in a  touch  of  grindcore,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  violence,  and  depravity  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Unmerciful  are  a  very  great  sounding  brutal  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Unmerciful"  "Socialpathic  Predation"  "Enduring  Torture"  and  "Methodic  Absolution".  8  out  of  10.

Scythe Beast/Breeding Devastation/2016 Full Length Review

  Scythe  Beast  are  a  band from Germany  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2016  album  "Breeding  Devastation".

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  and  after  a  few  seconds  drums  and  melodic  guitar  leads  become  a  huge  part  of  the  recording  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  riffs  also  using  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  vocals  also  bring  in a  mixture  of  growls  and  screams.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  classical  guitars  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  songs  and  you  can  also  hear  a  lot  of  tremolo  picking in  the  fast  riffs  and  there  is  also  a  lot  of  Swedish  influences  being  utilized  throughout  the  recording  which  they  also  mix  in  with  elements  of  thrash  and  on  the  last  track  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard.

  Scythe  Beast  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  Swedish  influenced  style  of  melodic  death  metal  and  mixes  it  with  thrash  to  create  a  very  heavy  sounding  album,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  violent  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Scythe  Beast  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bloodmoons  Bane"  "Enter  Oblivion"  "The  Long  Walk"  and  "Vortex".  8  out  of  10. 

Deathevoker Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
  we are from the jungle of North Borneo, Sabah, Malaysia. started few years back, released few materials and we play death metal.

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?
  Rotten,Raw,putrid straight forward and in your face kind of Death Metal

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
  The usual morbid stuff such as death,dark fantasies,places and there are some historical are written as our lyrical topic,
  depending on the band member who wrote the lyrics.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Deathevoker'?
  Nothing to deep and to important to mention. I just think it fits well and sounded good.


5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
  We just play local show for now and we played only a few of them. For me me all of them are quit good but it could be better.
  If you want to have great time and wanting musics to bang your fuckin head, Deathevoker would be quit a choice for you then.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
  I would love to. But now we are lessened to 2 lineups and i need to find a session player or new lineup that are commited enough
  to the band activities before making an plans on any touring for the future.

7.On one of the recordings you had done a cover of Sepultura's "Troops Of Doom", what was the decision behind doing your own version of this song?
  We got some spare time during the recording so the drummer and i decided to do Troops of doom from sepultura because we always cover that song
  from way back then and i guess it is one of metal anthem worldwide. It was fun doing things that are not that planned.

8.Over the years you have been a part of plenty of split's, can you tell us a little bit more about the bands that have  participated on these recordings?
  Pathogen are very well known in the underground movement worldwide and they released tonnes of material during all these years.
  The frontman Willie are very supportive and a very nice guy indeed. We are honor doing the split with such a great band as Pathogen.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal?
  There are few reviews i founded on the web and mostly given a very positive review and they really like what we are doing. The reception are quit good rather than our local cold feedback.

10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
   Yes!!Mann our drummer also played with Kalabanganz from Kota kinabalu,sabah Malaysia.

11.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
   I am not planning on any of it for now as we dont have budget and offer to do it right now. We will try to stick on what we had  done until now and its not like we are experimental band that changes concept once in a while. But nothing are for certain as we just cannot sees   what the future might hold  for deathevoker.
 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
   I am influenced by to many bands that i heard since way back then. Some of it are Carcass, Dismember, Massacre, Terrorizer, Pungent stench,  Silent Death, and the list goes on and on. I am open to any kind of musics, and if i can enjoy it..i will listen to it. Lately i've been listening  to variety of Metal,punk and some 60s oldies songs.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?
   there are not to many, as i really like Walking, Reading, video games etc.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
   Sorry for the late respond and short answers and i hope people reading the interview will   be checking our latest and past materials.Thank you for for the interest and for the interview.

Pequod/False Divinity/2016 EP Review

  Pequod  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  ep  "False  Divinity".

  A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  blast  bats  and  you  can  also h ear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  while  most  of  the  vocals  are  done  in  a  death  metal  growling  style  and  the  music  is  also  perfectly  balanced  between  both  modern  and  old  school  influences.

  A  great  amount  of  melodic  Swedish  influences  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  bring  in a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  screaming  vocals  can  be  heard  at  times  and  they  almost  border  on  black  metal  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  melodic  fashion  and  the  whole  ep  also  sticks  to  a  very  heavy  sound  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Pequod  plays  a  musical style  that  takes  a  Swedish  influenced  style  of  melodic  death  metal  and  mixes  it  with  thrash  and  a  touch  of  modern  metal  to  create  a  style  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  philosophical  themes.

 In  my  opinion  Pequod  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "False  Divinity"  and  "Pride  Of  Creation".  8  out  of  10.   

 

Hour of Anguish Interview

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

A1. We formed Hour of Anguish in 2014, as the duo of Andreas Henriksson & Richard Lee. Our intention has always been to create intensely brilliant, brutal, and beautiful soundscapes that transcend the status quo of Melodic Death Metal. We left our bands Somber (Suicide Records) and December's Shadow (Blue Pie Records) we knew there had to be a better way to create the music we loved. We both felt music is a pure expression of will and that art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. Our next musical creation had to be more than what we had done before. We formed Hour of Anguish a living embodiment of musical intensity, force, ferocity, balance and beauty.


2. Recently you have released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

A2. The guiding principles for our First Album, "Solace of Sorrow" was to stand tall on the shoulders of the giants that inspired us like - Soilwork, In Flames, Lamb of God, & Dark Tranquility but  push farther beyond the horizon of these masters of metal through constant growth, exploration, and evolution of sound and style. Our challenge is to get the listener to forget what they think they know about metal and get lost in our album. We wanted to create a genre bending amalgamation of force, ferocity, balance and brutality. Solace of Sorrow is beauty and the beast; unrelenting, compelling, melodic metal for the masses, giving listeners a little of what they know but a tremendous amount of what they would never expect.

 

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

A3. Richard: I write lyrics that cover existential, philosophical, metaphysical & occult themes. This album came in a time of my life when I was dealing with addiction and a tremendous amount of personal loss and defeat. Treading along the narrow edge of my own oblivion gave me tremendous amounts of fuel for the fires of introspection and creation. As far as meaning, the ambiguity and semantic dissonance of words has always intrigued me, it is one of my favorite parts about writing! Each song has its own significance to me, the artist, but I challenge listeners to come to their own conclusions and meanings. Music is personal, no words are meant to be definite- speculate, consume, digest, & live your own interpretation. Your personal subjective vision will have a purer distillation and meaning than anything I could give. Live the music.



4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hour of Anguish'?

A4. A perfect quote to explain HOA is by Friedrich Nietzsche, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”

We all have Hours of Anguish in our life. This is a time we are on the cusp of the end, a moment of despair where our suffering is so pure, and so intense, we beg for the ending. But somehow against all odds we survive, we endure, and we are tempered. We become stronger and we become as radiant as the sun, and we see our greatness unleashed.  “What is to give light must endure burning.”― Viktor E. Frankl

5. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?

A5. Richard: The creative process is very fluid between Andreas and myself. We understand how the other writes and are able to work effectively and efficiently together. For writing material we will most likely stay a two piece until we find the right members. We will definitely be putting together a band for all of our show and tour dates. There is nothing like a full band live.



Andreas: As Richard is saying, we do have a perfect understanding of each other's writing process and it will most likely stay that way; however, the possibility of future band members bringing some more creativity to Hour of Anguish is definitely there.



6. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

A6. Richard: HOA has had interest from both minor and major labels since the release of Solace of Sorrow, but we are taking it slow. We want our growth to be organic. Andreas and I have both been on labels before, and have seen the best and the worst of what they have to offer. We are really looking for the right fit for us!



7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of melodic death metal?

A7. HOA has been receiving a tremendous amount of positive feedback. The biggest responses we have seen have been out of Central/South America and Europe. Both markets are way more receptive to fringe music like ours, and have been giving us tremendous support. Fans are loving the progressive elements of “Solace of Sorrow”, we look forward to touring Europe and South America soon!

 

8. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

A8. Richard: As soon as we were done with Solace of Sorrow, Andreas started working on our next album! The music style is WAY harder, aggressive, and “in your face” than SOS, I am really working on lyrics that are going to challenge listeners. Let’s push the boundaries of ideas!



Andreas: The writing process on our second album is in full force and is very different from Solace of Sorrow. Writing Solace of Sorrow was a long and experimental process; I actually wrote the first song 2013 and the last song 2015 and it wasn't until Richard joined 2014 that it started to take shape. The new album is definitely different with more intensity, rawness, and originality. The core of who we are as a band is really starting to come together.  I think that I found a more define, explosive sound for the next album.



9. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

A9. Andreas: This is always a tough question to answer and I usually try not to compare my music to any genres. If you try to hear differences between songs you may be able to hear the difference in music I was listening at the time. All music influence me, but at the time Soilwork definitely on the top of my playlist. I mostly listen to rock and all sorts of metal, but I try to hit up concerts with local bands to find original music in the area I'm in at the time.



Richard: I listen to everything from Miles Davis to Frank Zappa to Gorguts. There is too much good music out there not to try to listen and be inspired by it. Right now I have Insomnium’s “Shadows of a Dying Sun” on loop; brilliant fucking album. I also love the new by Amon Amarth “Jomsviking”, you can never go wrong with a Viking Metal concept album! ::laughs::



10. Does Occultism play any role in your music?

A10. Richard: Absolutely! Personally, I am heavily influenced by the occult in my writing. The concept of the Macrocosm and Microcosm, hermeticism, and gnostic self-liberation are huge elements of expression for me. I often wander between the Left and Right Hand paths freely, enjoying the sublime natures of them both. Some of my favorite authors are Christopher Hyatt, Stephen Edred Flowers, Joseph Lisiewski, Robert Anton Dawson, & Jason S. Black.



11. What are some of your non-musical interests?

A11.  Andreas: One of my biggest interest is sound production and engineering; as you may know, I did all the recording, production, mixing, and mastering of Solace of Sorrow. Even though I'm still an amateur, I'm pretty happy with the end result.



Richard: I am a poet and artist. My poetry is mostly stream of consciousness and existential expressionism. My art is surrealism and abstract expressionism – I am inspired greatest by Käthe Kollwitz, Francis Bacon, and Jackson Pollack. Check my work out at www.richard.lee.potts.com



12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

A12. Thanks for taking the time to interview us! We are stoked to release “Solace of Sorrow” out and look forward to touring to support the album this year.  Be sure to check us out at: www.hourofanguish.com, join our mailing list, and like us on the Facebook. We look forward to talking to you again soon!!!

Mental Disaster/Raping The Symbol Of Humanity/2016 Full Length Review

  Mental  Disaster  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  plays  a  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  with  some  black  metal  influences  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2016  album  "The  Raping  Of  Humanity".

  A  very  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  speeding  up  and  going  into  a  thrash  metal  direction  while  also  using  death  metal  growls  and  some  black  metal  screams  and  there  is  also  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  in  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  and  the  riffs  also  use  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  remain  true  to  an  extreme  metal  style  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  some  of  the  fast  riffs  also  bring  in  a  small amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  the  whole  album  also  remains  very  heavy  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Mental  Disaster  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  heaviest  sides  of  thrash  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  in  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  as  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Mental  Disaster  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Victims  of  Fornication"  "Postapocalyptic  Bumfight"   "Thoughts  Of  Rot'  Thoughts  Of   Hell"  and  "Cannibal  Skull  Cult".  8  out  of  10.

Kinnefret/The Coming Of Age/2016 CD Review

  Kinnefret  are  a  band  from  Oakland,  California  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2016  album  "The  Coming  Of  Age".

  Field  recordings  start off  the  album  and  after  the  intro  high  pitched  screams  and  death  metal  growls  are  added  onto t he  recording  along  with  some  very  heavy  yet  melodic  guitar  riffing  and  when  the  music  speeds up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  you  can  alsohear  a  great  amount  of  Swedish  influences  in  all  of  the  songs.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  classical  guitars  can  also  be  heard  in  the  music  at  times  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  violins  and  ethnic  elements  and  there  are  also  traces  of  brutal  death  metal  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  A  lot  of  the  songs  mix  in  a  great  amount  of thrash  influences  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  get  very  technical  at  times  while  some  riffs  also  add  in  a  touch  of  prog  metal  and  djent  and  they  also  bring  in  an  a  couple  of  instrumental  tracks  and  the  screams  are  done  by  a  female  while  the  the  growls  are  done  by  a  male.

  Kinnefret  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  melodic  death  metal  while  bringing  in  a  more  brutal  touch  to the  genre  along  with  some  influences  of  thrash,  prog  and  djent  which  also  makes  the  music  stand  out  a  bit more,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the lyrics  cover  dark,  violent  and  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Kinnefret  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Awakening"  "The  Warrior"  "Eternal  Damnation"  and  "The  Prophets".  8  out  of  10.