FENRIS - ...en doodenakkers tot den horizon [2016] - Album - Review by NPH - Rate 8,5/10

FENRIS
COUNTRY: HOLLAND
GENRE: VIKING BLACK DEATH METAL

FENRIS - "...EN DOODENAKKERS TOT DEN HORIZON" - CD - 2016

ALBUM TRACKLIST:
1. Echo of the Machine
2. Black Ashes
3. Ruined
4. Zielenstrijd
5. 834
6. Fenris
7. Doodenakkers
8. Descend

RECORDING LINEUP:
Gilbert: Vocals
Bas: Guitars
Rick: Drums
Chris: Bass
Joris: Guitars

FENRIS - “...en doodenakkers tot den horizon” - Album - 2016 - Labels: Snakebite records and Rockinc Entertainment
Genre: Viking Black Death Metal
 
"(...)This wolf will never rest
Vengeance will come to them....finally
I am Fenris...the quintessence of wolves
FENRIS!!

My mouth for centuries, opened by the sword
The spirit I possess…will rule eternally
Now is Ragnarok! (...)" FENRIS - “...en doodenakkers tot den horizon”

Eleven Long and cold winters have passed since the release of the last album "Ordeal" by the Dutch Viking black death metal warriors Fenris! Now the time has come... In September 2016 the band will be releasing their third full length by the title of “...en doodenakkers tot den horizon” ("...and fields of death 'till the horizon" [ENG]). It is time for the Viking Wolf to arise once again and unleash bloodshed and Ragnarök itself!
For those who don't know the band yet, let me tell you that Fenris (the only band with the registered name) have been born in Holland back in '97 and ever since have a history of combining thunderous Viking metal with scorching black/death metal. A reference in the local underground scene, Fenris combines blindingly fast extreme music with a more atmospheric, always dynamic and melodic metal!
As you should expect the band main lyrical theme and inspiration comes out from their strong roots in Nordic and Germanic Mythology as well as those times peoples hopes, beliefs, wars and hardships! Fenris lyrics are not only in English but also in their mother tongue which provides the band even a stronger identity!
Graphically inspired by the album theme the matching cover art done by Tim Blom reveals a field of death that extends itself till the horizon line!

The new album “...en doodenakkers tot den horizon” is in many ways more direct, fast and darker than it's predecessor "Ordeal" which was quite more atmospheric and melodic! This new album reveals a renewed black death metal formula, updated and more mature in many aspects!
The new songs fit perfectly on each other. Fenris surely have forged here a new fearsome Viking weapon of epic proportions!
The crescendo introduction "Echo of the machine" introduces the listeners to what is to come... a truly old fashioned epic bloodshed in a merciless Viking black death metal form! Faster and with more complex structures the band has developed their sound into a darker form of extreme metal fusion where black metal slower elements combine with death metal virulent brutality! Faster ear ravaging tracks like "Black Ashes" blend perfectly with slower apocalyptic decadent tracks like "Ruined". Hard to pick highlights on this album but yet tracks like "Zielenstrijd", "834" and "Fenris" are true battle hymns that put you right back into the times of the frenetic Viking raids... curious that 834 was the year when the early Danish Viking raids started over Dutch cities! Dorestad (now called "Wijk bij Duurstede") alone was known to be plundered five years in a row! "Doodenakkers" and "Descent" end up the album with greatly balanced tracks where furious rhythms and blasts combine in perfection with slower but powerful dark elements!

“...en doodenakkers tot den horizon” is without a doubt the most mature band release to the date. The old school musical structures are of the finest quality and the blend of extreme metal music is in fact an impressive work of art!
The album sounds quite "old school" still with loads of thunderous low end, face-bursting attacks and gut-wrenching vocals by Gilbert. The drum work done by Rick is about perfect, impressive top quality to say the least! The overall guitar work by Bas and Joris is damn ear catching with some acoustic elements here and there. Yet what impress me the most are the dynamic variations from the melodic to the virulent fast which are a precious constant on this album! Chris bass work is also relevant, giving the sound the right pounding balance!

In all “...en doodenakkers tot den horizon” album is a must for any demanding black death metal adept, a great piece for fans of bands such as Dissection, Enslaved, Satyricon, Immortal, Taake, Kampfar, Sear Bliss as well as many others! Fenris forged since their early years an own identity and ever since they developed their sound, improving their extreme metal music into a perfect blend of black and death metal, a proof of that is the new album which has enriching fresh elements, yet always keeping the old-school vibe and aggression into! A great extreme metal piece with heathen aura and Viking spirit!

RüPä - NeKronos Promotion HELL


RATE: 8,5/10

“...en doodenakkers tot den horizon” - Promo Clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMt6eAGPyWk



“Zielenstrijd” track from “...en doodenakkers tot den horizon”
https://soundcloud.com/fenris-band-official/zielenstrijd 




MORE ABOUT THE BANDS @ LINKS:
OFFICIAL SITE: HTTP://WWW.FENRIS.NL 
FACEBOOK PROFILE: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FENRISNL

BOOKING / CONTACT: INFO@FENRIS.NL

DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS "Simulacra" (2012) NPH Review - Rate 10/10

DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS - POLAND - MODERN EXTREME MUSIC

Here we are to present and review "Simulacra", the new and outstanding release of the Polish Modern Extreme Metallions Devilish Impressions! Without a doubt one of the most expected and addicting albums for 2012. Devilish Impressions have made a huge step forwards in all aspects on their musical career with this enriching release, a heart-felt experience for the listeners, spiced by majestic orchestrations and melodies added to the extreme metal aggressive touch, all in the right dose. A dynamic piece in all its own extreme aura! Indeed a complete release that shall please the most of the adepts of these metal genre. A masterpiece of musical art polished in all the right edges... "Simulacra" is for sure a must-have release in 2012 a product of excellence!

NeKronos Promotion HELL

DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS - Simulacra - 2012 - Icaros Records
Genre: Modern Extreme Music

"(...)Of all ancient ones you are the one that had become an icon for us all
Rise your voice now up to the throne of those who lived and died at pantheon!(...)" Icaros - Simulacra

Devilish Impressions are considered as one of Poland’s leading and most innovative modern black/death metal acts. Devilish Impressions officially started in 2000 as a three-piece, with founding singer / guitarist Quazarre remaining as the only member of the original line-up. Since then the band has always been developing their sound into something unique and own, with "Diabolicanos, Act III...",the bands previous release, captured already the worldwide attention of fans and media with their "modern black death metal" sound, this has allowed them to tour with metal colossus such as Behemoth, Hate, Vader, Suffocation and more! Yet with this new opus, Devilish Impressions shall achieve allot more, for their sound is at the top of what is being done on Polish extreme metal elite (Vader, Behemoth, Hate, Decapitated), when you listen to "Simulacra" you will understand what I mean here, simply outstanding, modern extreme metal art with all the right spice to make these new piece become one of the best 2012 albums of the genre!
When we compare "Simulacra" (the bands 4th opus) with the previous releases I can only state that Devilish Impressions are better than ever and have conquered all with these new outstanding Luciferian dark sound, they developed their musical art and brought it to an absolute new level, this with special highlight to all the amazing spine-chilling orchestrations and musical structures, delicate but yet so powerful and dynamic, a piece of art made from musical geniality!

"Simulacra" shows itself to the listeners as a top extreme metal release, the best work ever from Devilish Impressions to the date. The heart-felt melodies, the haunting colossal orchestrations, the warm hallow romantic touch here and there, transcendent and epic mystical aura, defiant and eloquent lyricism, how complete and dynamic can this album be!? A magic potion of extreme metal with a bit of everything into, an epic trip on a ocean of creativity and geniality. As grandiose as other masterpieces in extreme metal created by other Metal Titans! As symphonic epic as Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Vesania or Septic Flesh as brutal as Behemoth, Vader or Arkhon Infaustus as melancholic as Katatonia or Opeth, as darkly romantic as Cradle of Filth, Moonspell or Ancient as astral as Limbonic Art or Crionics ... yet as unique as Devilish Impressions!

The POLISHed production and recordings of "Simulacra" mostly done on the famous Hertz Studios by Devilish Impressions and Slawek & Wojtek Wieslawscy (Vader,Behemoth,Crionics, Decapitated, etc.) as well as the mixing and mastering are simply another piece of art to come out of such outstanding studios, as clean as majestic as it could be, a perfect fit to these Devilish album.
The album comes as a 3-winged digipack along with 16-pages booklet, all with amazing cover, layout and design done by Michal ‘Xaay’ Loranc (Nile, Vader, Behemoth, Necorphagist etc.). A perfect match to all the lyrical concept of the album, the chess "king" Lucifer pieces on the board serve as an philosophic theme across all these release. The eternal dichotomy, since the cradle to the grave, between good and evil... an ode to the rebel angel Lucifer.
The lyrics written, in the majority, by Quazzare with the bright use of quotations of artists like Oscar Wilde, Dante, William Blake, Lord Byron, Edgar Allan Poe, among others, reveal again that this is not just a musical piece of art but as well an enlighten, mind-liberating piece of pure philosophy and artistic eloquence. There is allot to learn from the spoken words, allot to drink from such rebel poetry and wisdom. A waste it would be to let this written wisdom be untouched once you buy this epic artistic piece!

Musically this is a completely dynamic album, the stunning vocals done by Quazarre, both vociferated and clean makes me dare to say that he is one of the best and most complete singers and musicians in extreme metal, these release is a proof of that, if that isn't enough, his guitar work is another highlight through all the album, the melodic touch, the outstanding riffs and leads, well... no wonder allot of other bands already requested for his services. The outstanding top-skilled tight drumming by Icanraz reveal that he is among the elite Polish drummers, must say his versatile work is an highlight through all these album. Never behind the other elements, Vraath pounding bass lines are a delight to the listeners ears, a constant dark pulse on the darkest tunes. One of the higher developments on the characteristic Devilish Impressions sound are without a doubt the majestic splendorous orchestrations done by the guests Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczynski (METransmissionAL) and Wojciech ‘Flumen’ Kostrzewa (Asgaard). Enriching atmospheres that place the band side by side with other melodic metal legends, indeed some of the best orchestrations I heard in some good pack of time! To notice also the participations of Jacek Grecki (Lost Soul) with a great lead on “Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici” and Roman Bereźnicki (Lecter) who added some good acoustic guitar and bass sound into this delightful release!

Can't really pick best songs on "Simulacra" from "Icaros" an epic hymn to the incarnated mankind's dream towards the apocalyptic "Legion of Chaos" where fountains of blood run down like rain in such mystical astral aura. Then come fourth "Lilith" a darkly romantic spine-chilling rhapsody to the non-submissive cursed ancient one who defied the gods of slavery, a song as addicting as haunted with such smashing mellow clean vocals. Quench your thirst as thou are god yourself... "Fear no gods!" unleashes the fury on an illuminated creation, a tune enriched with some outstanding clean vocals. When wolves and tigers howl for prey you will listen to "The scream of the lambs" an anthem of melodious delight with a superb guitar lead in the end. All your hope is gone in the "Spiritual blackout", engraved in black this is a darkened dynamic powerful track. March on! Conquer and take no slaves on "Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici" ("By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe") another fast yet militant Pestapocalyptical tune followed by another outstanding epic hymn by the name of "The last farewell", wipe off the tears that run down your face as you hear to such intense and strong tune, here the choirs and melancholic clean vocals may give you some chills across thy spine and haunt you with such splendour. Simply the album couldn't end better than with the instrumental colossus by the name of "Solitude", close your eyes, transcend, let your soul fly and ascend to your own kingdom, for you are your own God!

"Simulacra" is a spine chilling experience for the listeners, a blend of eloquent philosophy and outstanding melodious orchestrations added to the epic extreme metal aggressive touch. All in the addicting right dose, dynamic in all its own extreme metal aura. Since I first heard "Icaros" (the first promo track for "Simulacra") I had no doubt that this would be one of the best albums for 2012 and years to follow, a piece not to be missed by any extreme metal worshiper, some of the best albums I heard in these last years, so complete, harmonious, spirited, all with a transcendent quality. A must have diamond on every Metalhead collection. With this work Devilish Impressions challenged the gods and flew above all men and reach the sun and the moon!

RüPä - NeKronos Promotion HELL

RATE: 10/10

Here is the Tracklist for the album:

DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS - "Simulacra" - CD 2012

01 - Icaros
02 - Legion of Chaos
03 - Lilith
04 - Fear no gods!
05 - The Scream of The Lambs
06 - Spiritual Blackout
07 - Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici
08 - The Last Farewell
09 - Solitude

Total playing time = 39m


Recording Line-up:

Quazarre – vocals / rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars
Vraath – bass
Icanraz – drums

Session synth / samples / fx appearances by:
Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński (METransmissionAL)
Wojciech ‘Flumen’ Kostrzewa (Asgaard)

Guest appearance:
Jacek Grecki (Lost Soul) – lead on “Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici”
Roman Bereźnicki (Lecter) – acoustic guitars on “Lilith” and “Solitude”; bass guitar on “The Scream of The Lambs”


For further Information check:
OFFICIAL SITE : http://www.devilish-impressions.com 
FACEBOOK PROFILE : http://www.facebook.com/devilishimpressions 
MYSPACE : http://www.myspace.com/devilishimpressions 
YOUTUBE CHANNEL : http://www.youtube.com/user/DevilishImpressions 
TWITTER : https://twitter.com/DevilishImpress

Label Webstore - http://www.icarosrecords.com/webstore 

CONTACT : quazarre@wp.pl or di-quazarre@wp.pl 
 

PROJEKT NÖIR - Ský - [2015] - EP review by NPH - Rate 8/10

PROJEKT NÖIR
COUNTRY: PORTUGAL
GENRE: AVANT-GARDE AND POST BLACK/DARK METAL

PROJEKT NÖIR - "SKÝ" - EP 2015

EP TRACKLIST:
1. Ský
2. Sjálfsmynd dauðleikans
3. Í regni elds og brennisteins
4. Á vit tilgangs

RECORDING LINEUP:
Mário Rodrigues - Guitars,Bass,Samples,Keyboards
Jóhann Örn ( Dynfari ) - All vocals and lyrics
José Goncalves ( Empire ) - Drums on "Ský"

Recordings at Fatsound.Productions winter 2014

PROJEKT NÖIR - Ský - EP - 2015 - Label: Fatsound Productions
Genre: Avant-garde and Post Black/Dark Metal

“...Neste penoso caminho rumo a escuridão , lembramos as almas de todos os nosso que partiram...” Mário Rodrigues

From the warm sunshiny Portuguese lands comes the dark atmospheric, depressive black metal Projekt Nöir, a cold and sinister project from Mario Rodrigues (Karbonsoul) featuring Jóhann Örn (Dynfari) vocals in Icelandic and José Goncalves (Empire) on drum duties! This is a damn curious Dark Ambient /Avant-garde / Black & Depressive Post Atmospheric Metal work, something unusual from Lusitanian lands, yet it works pretty well due to musician's quality!
The debut EP "Ský" takes you deeply into a dark cold land where lifeless bodies lay and darkened souls float in the black horizon before you! A painful path roaming towards darkness, remembering the souls of all that have left us!

In fact this EP is a great introduction of what is to come on future band endeavours! This is allot more than just sterile project, it's really expressing the cold and dark creative art of metal within its most atmospheric and depressive form, taking the listener deep into a freezing world of agony! This shall probably please fans of bands such as Forgotten Tomb, Burzum, Nargaroth, Xasthur just to mention few!

The presentation EP "Ský" is quite solid and makes your journey across its short length to be felt in a intense way! "Ský" (Clouds) the title track, introduces you into this blackened cold atmosphere, a strong dark track that takes the listener deep into the arms of its lifeless landscape. "Sjálfsmynd dauðleikans" ("identity mortality") song follows with a dark epic twist to it, here the listener dares deeper into this land of the dead! The journey of sorrow, grief and agony continues across the next song "Í regni elds og brennisteins" ("The rain of fire and sulfur") that leads you the last track "Á vit tilgangs" ("The sense of purpose"), here a cold wind blows across the battlefield... the sound of horns ignite the ultimate war! The end is drawing near... are you ready to fight and give a meaning to your existence!?

In all "Ský" is a quite good presentation EP for Projekt Nöir. Dark and atmospheric, this is a daring black metal experience that will surely please its adepts. From misty textures to enlightened melodies this is in fact an inspired avant-garde and post black/dark metal project! A journey across an archaic domain of those who have departed from life and embraced eternal darkness! Do you dare to venture deep into the path of the dead and achieve the meaning of life itself?

RüPä - NeKronos Promotion HELL


RATE: 8/10

Projekt NÖIR - "Ský" Full EP
https://youtu.be/5ZfZ68IrRtE



Projekt NÖIR - "Sjálfsmynd dauðleikans" : presentation video from "Ský" album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A3lWXPW4-o




MORE INFO ON PROJEKT NÖIR AT THIS LINKS:
OFFICIAL: https://projektnoir.bandcamp.com 
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Projektnoir
REVERBNATION: http://www.reverbnation.com/projektnoirpt

HATE - Crusade:Zero - [2015] - CD review by NPH - Rate 10/10

HATE
COUNTRY: POLAND
GENRE: DEATH BLACK METAL

HATE - "CRUSADE:ZERO" - CD 2015

CD TRACKLIST:
I. VOX DEI (A CALL FROM BEYOND)
II. LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF THY WRATH
III. DEATH LIBERATOR
IV. LEVIATHAN
V. DOOMSDAY CELEBRITIES
VI. HATE IS THE LAW
VII. VALLEY OF DARKNESS
VIII. CRUSADE ZERO
IX. THE OMNIPRESENCE
X. RISE OMEGA THE CONSEQUENCE!
XI. DAWN OF WAR
XII. BLACK AURA DEBRIS
XIII. THE REAPING (BONUS)

Total playing time = 55m58s


- Recorded, produced and mixed at Hertz Studio in Białystok, Poland  with Wieslawski Brothers handling production duties.
- "Vox Dei" and "The Omnipresence" mixed by Kris Wawrzak at Efektura Studio in Warsaw, Poland.
- Samples and synthetics by Michal Staczkun with the assistance of Atf Sinner.

RECORDING LINEUP:
Adam the First Sinner - Vocals, Guitars
Destroyer - Guitars
Pavulon - Drums

HATE - Crusade:Zero - CD - 2015 - Label: Napalm Records
Genre: Death Black Metal

"(...)The crusade is nothing but failure
I am death, a plague to ensure thy fall
Shines the light on your life of agony

Creation and anti-creation, suicidal crusades
Blood, Fire, Dust, War!" Crusade:Zero - Crusade:Zero 

HATE blaspheme dark death metal leviathans are back with a new masterpiece! "Crusade:Zero" is without a doubt one of the best extreme metal albums for 2015!
The band has been established in 1990 in Warsaw Poland by the guitarist and vocalist ATF Sinner. HATE has always been the essence of extreme and unholy metal, they sure had tremendous importance on the forging of the Polish metal scene in the nineties, yet they still continue to influence a countless number of bands these days, both old and new!
The band has now return with a new album after some troubled times including the death of their former bassist Mortifer in 2013 during the tour with Hypocrisy and the departure of their drummer Hexen. Quickly after this events the band stepped out from this darkest personal period with the most creative and powerful release to the date! For that goal to be achieved the band has improved their darkest sound in every aspect. Pavulon outstanding dynamism and powerful drumming skills as well as the unchained musical talent of each member have lead the band into a complete new stage in their career, this without losing the bands essence and identity.

On "Crusade:Zero" the band has pushed their individual musical talent/skills to their most extreme point to the date! Must say that everything got better on this release, seems like a renewed black blood is running on their veins! Adam TFS voKills sound now even more like the voice of creeping Apocalypse, his words sound like the plague... corrosive, venomous and deadly! Pavulon elite drumming skills are a delight to the ears, giving the band a solid and renewed dynamism, thanks to that development HATE drums sound now even more powerful, tight and versatile! On this new album the bass is a constant presence, so much into the music that you can have here and then some well-fitting bass leads... also worth of notice is all that outstanding guitar (lead and rhythm) work, simply better than ever! The might of the riffs, the structural diversity as well as catchy melodies make this album memorable, not to forget about the solos who dare to catch sometimes that special Heavy Metal vibe, taking the sound way beyond any limits of extreme metal! In few words I can only say that HATE are an allegiance of damn talented musicians and they sure aren't afraid to show it on this new release! Leaving any extreme metal boundaries behind, the band has reached a peak of (Metal) creation! HATE is the (only) LAW!

"Crusade:Zero" album grows on every song till it's end, an apocalyptic crescendo of the darkest death metal form!
Eerie sounds from the massive dark interstellar Universe introduce you to this majestic journey upon extreme metal blaspheme art! As the album evolves and darkness rises, some tracks start causing a higher impact, songs like "Leviathan" that combines in perfection all the best black and death metal elements on a iconic powerful track! "Hate is the law" as the name inspires is a colossal monument to the bands identity... fierce and darkly epic! "Valley of Darkness" is one of the best tracks of the album, containing also some of the best guitar solos into. This track as well as the entire album carry within its lyrics a very strong and mind liberating message! "Valley of Darkness" becomes one of the best examples of the band's forged new sound! "Crusade:Zero" title track is an apocalyptic epic extreme metal assault... technical, dark and deep! To finish the album at best we have two timeless epic hymns, they are "Rise Omega the Consequence" and "Dawn of War"... an authentic modern Polish death black metal Armageddon followed by a spooky dark cosmic domain outro! As bonus have another great track worth mentioning, it goes by the title of "The Reaping" and it brings out some death black trash metal decadent aura among it!

In all, "Crusade:Zero" is a must for any extreme metal fan. Rebel, blaspheme, dark and intense this opus dares to be among the best extreme metal albums forged to the date!
With the release of this album the band couldn't give a better tribute to honour their fallen brother Mortifer!

Deadlier than Death herself, Blackest than Black, HATE have been crowned the Leviathan Kings of Extreme Metal!

"Set fire to Icons of religious fanaticism and slavery! Start a new age from Zero, a cursed Crusade for a new Era of a Mankind reborn from the ashes of Human Armageddon! Another rising Empire of Man cursed to fall once again in the end!" RüPä - NeKronos Promotion HELL


RATE: 10/10


"Valley of Darkness" Videoclip : 
http://youtu.be/WNMFnW34F-0



"Leviathan" Lyric Video:
http://youtu.be/5qPCCOXG7kQ



MORE INFO ON HATE AT THIS LINKS:
OFFICIAL SITE: HTTP://WWW.HATE-METAL.COM 
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/HATEPOLAND 
FACEBOOK PROFILE: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HATEOFFICIAL

PRESS CONTACT: MONA.MILUSKI@NAPALMRECORDS.COM
 
BOOKING / CONTACT [EUROPE]:
EUROPE: laudi@rtn-touring.com
OUTSIDE EUROPE: info@theflamingarts.eu
POLAND: sophiria.management@gmail.com