Psycroptic (2018) As The Kingdom Drowns 'Review'

Band: Psycroptic
Country of Origin: Australia

Genre: Technical Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak

Length Approx.: 35:00 min.

Release Date: 11-09-2018

Release Label: Prosthetic Records

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

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They have always sought to succeed with refined tech riffs or innovative and catchy riffs.

Twenty years ago, Psycroptic was born in West Hobart, Tasmania in Australia, Haley brothers were the ones who started giving shape to one of the most iconic Tech Death Metal bands originated there. Currently, the band is formed by guitarist Joe Haley, drummer David Haley, bassist Todd Stern, and vocalist Jason Peppiatt, "As the Kingdom Drowns" is the seventh album in their discography, it was recorded at AAA, Red Planet, and Crawlspace Studios, Produced and Engineered by Joe Haley, Mixed and Mastered by Will Putney, the album includes nine songs that we will go through little by little, I'm kind of skeptical but anxious at the same time because, since their second album "The Scepter of the Ancients" released back in 2003, I haven't heard anything solid like that.

Psycroptic likely and surely would be considered by many the most proficient band from Australia, undoubtedly, they are talented and skillful even with their ups and downs they have always sought to succeed with refined tech riffs or innovative and catchy riffs, offering a perpetual glimpse to their progress through the years.

"As the Kingdom Drowns" opens with "We Were the Keepers" the assault begins with a straight punch of technical riff which soon melds with melodious prowess and vivid backing vocals by Amy Wiles she has been working with the power heavy metal band Taberah as a session keyboardist since 2011, it's followed by "Frozen Gaze" sounds defying with such powerful groove the tracks unfold aggressively while the drum work is exceptional taking the pace and the vocals are menacing, "Directive" is relentless with lots of riffs that build effectively a heavy ramp of sounds, the double bass drum is prominent, "Deadlands" burst with a rapid riff it becomes energetic and insane at the same time proving their quality at songwriting to be addictive, "As the Kingdom Drowns" takes off with a mysterious and quick intro to launch a non-stop and  schizophrenic attack showcasing their skillful on every instrument, the song is very memorable, due to the piano section added towards the end, "Beyond the Black" sounds harmonious and ferocious the guitar riff is ruthless as ever, "Upon These Stones" experiment with a delightful eerie start where melodies and mid-pace takes into a different but interesting approach, "Momentum of the Void" opts for a slower but heavy rhythm which is quite different than the rest of the others tracks in the album, the closing track is "You Belong Here, Below" absolutely sharp as a razor blade and incisive but short at the end.

I believe that Psycroptic have doubtlessly rerouted into another era and I am not talking about stepping back, of course, if we used as a parameter "The Scepter of the Ancients" to measure their latest work is just fine, but "As the Kingdom Drowns" stands by itself and do comparatives after this album would be insulting for their work.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. We Were the Keepers │ 02. Frozen Gaze │ 03. Directive │ 04. Deadlands │ 05. As the Kingdom Drowns │ 06. Beyond the Black │ 07. Upon These Stones │ 08. Momentum of the Void │ 09. You Belong Here, Below

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Sadist (2018) Spellbound 'Review'

Band: Sadist
Country of Origin: Italy

Genre: Progressive Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak

Length Approx.: 37:00 min.

Release Date: 11-09-2018

Release Label: Scarlet Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen to our review! (English)

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A very interesting concept album that leaves you no choice.

Sadist is a band formed in Genoa, Italy since 1990 always playing a high-quality Progressive Death metal in the vein of bands like Atheist, Nocturnus, and Cynic just to mention some bands, their work over the years has been very consistent, However, I have personally kept myself away from their work, only focusing on albums like their debut album "Above the Light", released in 1993 by the Nosferatu record label of Italy, now extinct, "Crust" released in 1997 through Dutch record label Displeased Records, "Sadist" released in 2007 by Beyond ... Productions from Italy and lately "Season in Silence" released in 2010 by its current record label Scarlet Records.

The current Sadist line-up consists of Tommy Talamanca on guitars and keyboards, Trevor Nadir on vocals, Alessio Spallarossa on drums and Andy Marchini on bass. The band's newest album titled "Spellbound" is centered around the life and work of influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. Each of the 11 songs included in the album traces the plot of a Hitchcock movie, including masterpieces such as ‘Frenzy’, ‘Notorius’, ‘The Birds’ and of course ‘Psycho’, with their unique and flawless Progressive Death metal.

The album opens masterfully with "39 Steps" a macabre and fearsome piano intro worthy of any suspense episode of Alfred Hitchcock, rapidly is followed by "The Birds" energetic and melodious keyboards create a dense atmosphere along the song, while the guitar works crushing and belligerent, "Spellbound" delivers spine-chilling nuances through its sound full of oppressive terror, "Rear Window" still carrying that grim and sinister sound the crushing guitars meld perfectly with the ambiance while the drum work is outstanding, "Bloody Bates" is totally demented and offers the blackest and morbid moment in the album, most people who were able to appreciate Hitchcock films will know right away what's this song is all about it, "Notorius" is an instrumental piece with heavy progressive elements, leaving aside the death metal components, let's skip to "I'm the Man Who Knew Too Much" which is able to create a darker, brutal and dynamic vibe in the album like no other song, "Frenzy" is disturbingly chaotic interacting with creative and melodic moments to abruptly attack with its classic sound, "The Mountain Eagle" entangles with superb complexity maximizing the outcome and the last track is "Downhill" another instrumental song that worth the time to listen for, and that's how Sadist manages to drive you through a well-defined concept album with one of the most disturbing stories.

I want to conclude that Sadist been an underrated band, they have been proved themselves once again to be one of the best Progressive metal acts out there, devoted to their roots and firmly stomping as never before, "Spellbound" is a very interesting concept album that leaves you no choice, please don't miss the chance to listen to them.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. 39 Steps │ 02. The Birds │ 03. Spellbound │ 04. Rear Window │ 05. Bloody Bates │ 06. Notorius │ 07. Stage Fright │ 08. I'm the Man Who Knew Too Much │ 09. Frenzy │ 10. The Mountain Eagle │ 11. Downhill

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Deathrite (2018) Nightmares Reign 'Review'

Band: Deathrite
Country of Origin: Germany

Genre: Grindcore / Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak Ltd. Edition

Length Approx.: 43:00 min.

Release Date: 11-09-2018

Release Label: Century Media Records

IR Classification: Moderate (2.6 / 5)

Listen to our review! (English)

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Indeed! Nightmares Reign, it could not have been explained or titled better.

German band Deathrite brings their fourth record "Nightmares Reign" it comes with a very particular proposal, quite unique I would say, but that doesn't mean it's great, to be honest with you, forget what you previously listened back in 2015 "Revelation of Chaos" is far away and safe, "Nightmares Reign" ended up being a hard recording to go through because their sound is leaning towards a Death metal with scattered Grindcore parts along the album not very persuasive by the way the band opted to approach more to the d-beat sound with some slow riff nesting comfortably and uninspiringly into their sound. 

The major let down in this album is the infinite moments they are able to craft something great that you expect it to blow up anytime, but unfortunately, it never happens! you can feel that rush in your bloodstream and all the sudden that excitement gets lost in perplexity, sadly this formula repeats over and over along the whole album.

"When Nightmares Reign" kicks off with a muddy slow riff which manages to catch your attention for the speed and classic d-beat rhythm projected, rapidly and almost unnoticeable links to the next track "Appetite for Murder" it keeps the intensity acquired is here when you expect this track to reach another level; However, it leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere with all that fire within you, then comes "Invoke Nocturnal Light" starting inoffensive and uninspiring it seems to pick up only when they go for those relentless d-beat riffs, "Demon Soul" is quite long enough for the few attractive riffs that contain the track, everything sounds generic the drumming needs that power infused in "Revelation of Chaos" or "Into Extinction", the next song is "Devil's Poison" besides the quick lame and boring start it really tries to reflect that heavy and dark ambiance well mixed with d-beat riffs and they did it great, "Bloodlust" seems out of place in this album, because is a straight discharge of old school metal with no mercy crushing riff and powerful drums are the key for this song, "Obscure Shades" re-takes those mid-paced riffs that have proven to be very ineffective to gain my attention, finally! but not over yet, we get to the last track "Temptation Calls" is the longest track they had ever recorded in their entire discography clocking at nine minutes and a half with not much to display, but if you are in the mood I can tell you, the eerie passages and that subliminal guitar solo that leads to an effusive and epic guitar work will save the end from a free fall.

To sum up briefly, Honestly, I have to say it, this is not the best work they have put out, musically it lacks vibrant and crushing ideas, the average time per song it is higher than usual and the prominent heavy and darker sound almost vanished giving a free path to an extense use of crust and d-beat elements blended with death metal to obtain their very particular sound, the production and mixing is accordingly to the rawness they wanted to project; So... is up to you to take a side, Me!? I will stick to their previous works for a while.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. When Nightmares Reign │ 02. Appetite for Murder │ 03. Invoke Nocturnal Light │ 04. Demon Soul │ 05. Devil's Poison │ 06. Bloodlust │ 07. Obscure Shades │ 08. Temptation Calls

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Valkyrja (2018) Throne Ablaze 'Review'

Band: Valkyrja
Country of Origin: Sweden

Genre: Black metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak

Length Approx.: 47:00 min.

Release Date: 11-26-2018

Release Label: World Terror Committee

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

Listen to our review! (English)

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Unleash an exquisite tidal wave of moody but aggressive Black Metal.

The year 2018 left us with great works of musical art, and many great records were unjustly ignored, mainly because of the over-saturation of bands, but believe me, if we search a little bit closer, we will find albums that clearly stand out from the competition, probably because they are innovative or simply because they stick to their tried-and-tested formula, perfecting their craft to achieve outstanding results.

Such is the case with Valkyrja and their 2018 opus, “Throne Ablaze”, a fantastic Black Metal record that I overlooked but after a friend shared their music with yours truly, I became enamored with their potent and moody riffing style, which clearly evokes an amalgamation of emotions, without resorting to senseless blasting from track to track.

This is the type of Black Metal that emphasizes brooding and bleak atmospheres, accompanied by great riffs and drum work that does not exaggerate the use of blast-beats, but rather than that, the drum work has the aura and mood of almost a voodoo ritual, that is, hypnotic, pounding, almost ritual-like.

After the album begins with a somewhat strange intro made up of distorted guitars and effects, we are exposed to “Crowned Serpent”, a blistering assault of catchy riffs accentuated by magnificent drum work that combines blasting with great rolls and fills, adding a nice guitar solo to enhance the composition. This is a strong opener.
I need to point out that the vocals are clear and understandable, despite their raspy style, so not only the musical part is crafted in sensational fashion, but the voice also acts as an instrument that demands attention from the listeners.

The third track, “Opposer of light” is a great example of slow and heavy tempos, with occasional bursts of speed. Personally, I feel that the slower and doomier tempos are standouts on this record. It is as if they prevented this album from exhausting the listener from having to deal with so much brutality, and this reduction of speed just allows the musical hypnosis to do its task.

One of the tracks, “Transcendental Death”, is what I personally feel is the greatest manifestation of Valkryja’s musical essence. The reason why I greatly enjoy this track is the malevolent riffing at the early stages. It is very much in the vein of a ritual, as a diabolical chant transmitted through the guitars. This track does not shy away from its moments full of uncontrolled speed, but it goes back to its eerie beginning, with a great guitar solo paving the way.

The closer, which is the title track, is pure magnificence, with some operatic chants setting an abysmal mood, only for the guitars to start building up the aural assault at a slow pace. This track is absolutely phenomenal, due to its combination of slow, but heavy riffage and the atmospheric drum work, complementing each other to unleash an exquisite tidal wave of moody but aggressive Black Metal.

To sum it up, this record is fantastic. The combination of slow and heavy guitar work, with varied drumming, as well as a crystal-clear but aggressive vocal performance is top-notch. Lyrically, this album deals with occultism and things best not invoked, but I personally think that the aura of genuine and loyal devotion to real Black Metal is omnipresent. We are not dealing with clownish Black Metal, but music that speaks from the putrid heart, awesome album!

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Written by: Juan Jose Montiel

Track List:

01. In Ruins I Set My Throne (Instrumental) │ 02. Crowned Serpent │ 03. Opposer of Light │ 04. Tombs into Flesh │ 05. Halo of Lies │ 06. Transcendental Death │ 07. Paradise Lost │ 08. Throne Ablaze

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Evoken (2018) Hypnagogia 'Review'

Band: Evoken
Country of Origin: United States

Genre: Funeral Doom metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD Digipak

Length Approx.: 01:00:00 min.

Release Date: 11-09-2018

Release Label: Profound Lore Records

IR Classification: Good (4.3 / 5)

Listen to our review! (English)

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It sounds cold and somber with an unmeasurable sadness and hypnotism at the same time.

Evoken from New Jersey, United States has been around since 2004 always has been playing their unique style of Funeral Doom Metal with Death Metal Influences, their sound makes you remember bands like Esoteric, Disembowelment, Thergothon or Skepticism the distinctive dense clashing of melodies and misery are catchy, moving prodigiously slow with a deeper feeling of depressive and rabid bitterness, but always leaving enough room for those heavy synthesizers that create a crushing eerie ambiance, if you haven't experience at all the Funeral Doom Metal, this might be one opportunity to do it and break through into one of the most inaccessible genres. 

After six years of absence Evoken returns with their sixth full-length album entitled "Hypnagogia" through Profound Lore Records again and not only that also for the first time in their discography we can see a stable, solid and committed line-up to deliver a vicious and ambitious continuation of their previous work entitled "Atra Mors" released back in 2012, Evoken are founders members Vince Verkay behind the drums, John Paradiso on guitars and vocals and they are complemented by Don Zaros on keyboards, David Wagner on bass and Randy Cavanaugh on guitars, "Hypnagogia" contains eight tracks with an epic and unforgettable length.

"Hypnagogia" opens up with "The Fear After" built up with an eerie intro that leads off into the darkest path full of misery and pain, tearing apart the dead emotions within you, then is followed by "Valorous Consternation" frontman John Paradiso comes with a singular heavy guitar riff appeal the most gloomy landscapes loaded with a bitter sadness the growling vocals are abysmal beyond your consciousness, let's skip into "Too Feign Ebullience" it attracts a twisted and morbid hopelessness, beautifully arranged and stylishly captures the heaviest harmonies creating a feeling of abandonment, in my opinion, the best track of the album, "Hypnagogia" is an instrumental and one of the shortest track in the album and delves with the use of moderate droning passages, next is "Ceremony of Bleeding" the used melodies remind me a little the first album of the Dutch band The Gathering "Always..." back in 1992, Evoken are able to craft a dense atmosphere almost perceptible by your skin, let's go directly to the last track "The Weald of Perished Men" it sounds cold and somber with an unmeasurable sadness and hypnotism at the same time, the growling vocals contrast good enough with the music enhancing the whole experience.

This is one of the few albums I would consider as one of the best of 2018 in my personal playlist because everything falls in the right place melodies, pace, timing, the drumming is superb, the synthesizer is mesmerizing, the bass lines are excellent and the guitar work is stunning and the vocals are just perfect, far as the production it sounds flawless, few and almost unnoticeable cracks that won't bother you at all, anyway as I stated at the beginning if you want to dabble into this genre this is a good album to start and if you are a seasoned follower of the genre it won't let you down.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. The Fear After │ 02. Valorous Consternation │ 03. Schadenfreude │ 04. Too Feign Ebullience │ 05. Hypnagogia (Instrumental) │ 06. Ceremony of Bleeding │ 07. Hypnopompic (Instrumental) │ 08. The Weald of Perished Men

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