HATE COUNTRY:
POLAND GENRE: DEATH BLACK METAL
ALBUM REVIEW: RUGIA [2021]
LABEL:METAL BLADE RECORDS HATE
- "RUGIA"
- 2021 | Tracklist: 1. Rugia
2. The Wolf Queen
3. Exiles of Pantheon
4. Saturnus
5. Awakening the Gods Within
6. Resurgence
7. Velesian Guard
8. Sun of Extinction
9. Sacred Dnieper [Release Date: 2021-10-22]
"(...) “Drink from the source
From the fountain of grace
Drink from the vein
From the fountain of silence!
A warning sent as thunder from beyond
To smite the mortals' golden hubris
Cything through the land of morbid ones
Crushing all the race
As you ram your sword through their guts” (...)" | HATE | Rugia |
"Rugia"
RUGIA =
An island of northeast Germany in the Baltic Sea.
Separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, it was seized by Denmark in
1168, passed to Pomerania in 1325 and to Sweden in 1648, and became part of
Prussia in 1815.
THE BAND AND NEW ALBUM:
Mighty Polish blackened death cultists HATE has released their
twelfth full-length album entitled "Rugia", one of the best and most
addictive creations made by the band to the date! Barbaric, ritualistic and
full of mysticism, "Rugia" is an authentic roaring thunder of ancient
glory.
Once again, the band has been inspired by ancient Slavic myths and legends
and brought forth one of their most solid, mature and detailed death black
metal pieces ever done the date. With "Rugia" HATE have created a very
own primordial and ritualistic music experience that transcends the typical
death meets black metal approach, providing its adepts one of the best listening experiences
of its kind!
HATE are one of those bands that never disappoint their loyal fans, combining death and
black metal elements in a perfect symbiosis, a proof of countless years of
experience and perseverance! Not to forget that HATE are true extreme metal veterans
which been one of the biggest influences over the
forming of Polish metal scene back in the nineties. The band founded by the
vocalist, guitarist and mastermind ATF Sinner has brought to us
death black metal classics such as "Awakening of the Liar",
"Anaclasis", "Erebos", "Solarflesh",
etc. and still, to this date, they can't stop blowing our minds with
authentic extreme metal masterpieces one after the other, notoriously
HATE are a band at its peak and don't stop surprising us, the listeners,
with their music. HATE are without a doubt on a level of their own!
"Rugia" takes the band one step forwards from the already amazing
"Auric Gates of Veles" album, which had been one of their
most aggressive and ruthless pieces ever created. Never satisfied,
two years since the last album release the band has returned with an even more
impressive and grandiose creation, a true shamanic ritual of epic
proportions created by the genius of ATF Sinner, Domin who has
proven to be an essential and inventive member in the core of the band,
contributing with amazing guitar leads and riffage in general. The incursion
of new blood was the main source of vitality that has enriched the forging
of this new album sound and essence. Tiermes
who is a great bass player
has earned his permanent member status on the band and Daniel "Nar-Sil"
Rutkowski has conquered the drum-kit throne after the departure of
Pavulon due to medical issues. "Nar-Sil" known to be one of
the most talented and creative Polish young metal drummers has been
highly responsible for a huge step forward on the new album sound, he has
done a brilliant and elite level work here. "Rugia"
brings the band allot closer to their classical death metal roots,
with it HATE have recovered allot of their
traditional death metal sound and aggression which was now once again combined with some
ritualistic black metal elements which enhance the band creations to an absolute
new level!
Ruthless and straight forwards, "Rugia" combines once again the
darkest aspects of the Slavonic folklore within all its arcane mysticism
and blends it together with some of the most scorching and demolishing death
black metal sound we have heard in years! Listening to this album feels like
a thunderous hammer smashing down in an ancient anvil of everlasting
creation! The gods of nature's primordial elements have been summoned!
HATE are one of those bands that refuse stagnation, within each new
album the band elevates their standards and take their sound into the next
level, this is what happened once again with "Rugia". Proving that
HATE are without a doubt one of the highest and most innovative
representations of extreme metal of these days! The band has gone deeper into
the dark side of Slavic lore, both musically and lyrically and brought
forwards one of the best death black metal albums ever created, in all
aspects this new album is another step forwards in their already long
career! "Rugia" is one of those albums that get you hooked since the very
first listening, expect no softness; this new album will surely please the
old fans of the band and set another milestone on the bands already glorious
legacy! Expect no other than a deep mystic darkness in a ritualistic
atmosphere associated with an authentic devastation of epic proportions, all
of this in a perfected recipe of hate, chaos and sonic destruction!
Once again, the recordings and production has taken place in the famous at Hertz Studio
(Behemoth, Vader, Decapitated, etc) by Wieslawski brothers together with the band
and the outcome couldn't be better in any aspect. "Rugia" sounds
impressively organic and dynamic defining the band sound at it's possible
best, no wonder the band decided to work again in the same studio with the
same people, the outcome is simply outstanding, jaw-breaking and brilliant
in all possible aspects. Another milestone for the Hertz Studio,
because
death black metal can't sound much better than this amazing piece of art!
"Rugia" cover art, photos and artwork done by Daniel Rusilowicz
take you to the dark side of Slavonic mysticism, a greatly achieved art
creation full of symbolism, deeply attached to the roots and beliefs of the
ancient Slavic culture. An awesome art-work to match the grandiosity
of the album itself!
TRACK-BY-TRACK:
"Rugia" is a monumental piece of death black metal, organic and deep
into the Slavic myths and legends. HATE have once again been inspired
by the enriching mystical roots of their own country ancient culture; an
essence born within themselves as Polish! Savagely aggressive this
relentless album has no lesser stunning tracks. Intense in all its length,
this is an elite extreme metal piece of art!
Out from the misty roots of Slavonic darkness the opening title track "Rugia"
introduces the listeners to HATE renewed demolishing sound, like a
hammer striking metal in a forging anvil this thunderous track ignites the
heathen flames and keeps the wheel of life turning. Aggressive and brutal
this track comes down as an ancient roaring thunder. The power inducted by
the mystic blackness is beyond amazing, it takes you deep into the rituals
that took place in that sacred island (Rugia/Rügen) for the Slavic pagans.
"Rugia" is without a doubt one of the best tracks of this amazingly
intense piece of extreme metal,
"The Wolf Queen" is one of the most brutal tracks of the new album. This
is a highly addictive short but intense classical death black metal track,
straight forwards a frenetic. A delight to any adept of this genre!
Once again, the vicious guitar leads are piercing deep into the already
tortured ears!
"Exiles of Pantheon" is another fast track where you can easily
associate with the many faces of the traditional Polish death black metal
art, deep and obscure but in the same way brutal and fierce! By listening to
this song, you should feel a higher might of mystical pagan roots in a clear
display of extreme metal supremacy, death black metal can't sound much
better and more intense than this!
"Saturnus"
is a sinister and slower but in no way less intense song, its pounding
rhythm makes this track to become a true "head-banger"!
"Saturnus"
is another harsh death metal classic where gut slashing aggressiveness
takes over the lurking blackest atmosphere!
All hell breaks loose once again, the "Awakening the Gods Within" is
another straight forward flammable song charged with a deep dark essence!
Another scorching delight for the true adepts of this musical genre!
"Resurgence" is a timeless epic hymn that combines the best of both
worlds, the fierce and demolishing death metal sound with the most
ritualistic black metal essence. An ode to Slavic pagan religious beliefs,
myths and rituals in a resurgence of that ancient wisdom! Impossible to be indifferent to the might and mystic
charge over this ritualistic song which is in my opinion one of the best
among this distinctive and exceptional album!
"Velesian Guard" is another addictive and classic "head-banging" death
black metal anthem, straight forwards and brutally fast! A sign of clear
perseverance and prosperity after all these years in the field, like every
good wine, the older the better and HATE are still at their peak of
creation and the proof lays on each track of this album!
"Sun of Extinction" is another slower track that goes deeper into the
roots of their heathen origins. A ritual of life and death as the wheel
keeps on turning on this constantly changing world. Sinister and decadent,
this song reveals a darker side of HATE creations in a clear sign of
the constant sound evolution which allows the band to venture into limitless
fields of creation without losing their quintessence.
"Sacred Dnieper" is another unceasingly intense dynamic track that ends
up this destructive journey across this sonic Armageddon! It's amazing how
the band keeps such intensity and creative freshness after all these years.
Harsh and frostbitten darkness takes over as the album ends, leaving no one
indifferent to this clear display of death black metal dominance!
THE CONCLUSION:
"Rugia" is in all aspects a devastating piece of fierce death black
metal art from the beginning to its end, without a doubt one of the best
offers of its kind ever created.
It's amazing
how the band continues to make such exceptional creations at this stage of
their already long career, at this point, the majority of the bands are
living of their names, more than being able to bring anything solid out.
Instead of being dull and redundant HATE keep their creative
geniality fresh in a constant whirlwind of inventive recreation,
undoubtedly the new album
"Rugia" is a master-class of death black metal that reinforces, once
again, that Poland is without a doubt one of the leading countries on this
extreme metal field!
After 30 years of existence HATE are still able to deliver one of
their most Intense and addictive death black metal creations to the date, a
clear sign of perseverance and geniality of ATF Sinner who is without
any doubts a true legend in the Polish extreme metal scene, responsible for keeping
the band alive and well through all this years (the good and the bad). Where
others might have quit, he kept the flame burning and never stop developing
HATE sounds in a constant evolution.
The band might be living the peak of their long career with this new album
"Rugia",proving with it that death black metal can't get much
better than this colossal creation... or can it?! With HATE we never
know what may come next!
For now, we wait and see... meanwhile, let's listen again and again to
this outstanding piece of extreme metal masterpiece in all its glory! Sit
down and enjoy the one which is in our opinion the best death black metal
album of 2021!
HATE IS THE LAW!
DEMONICAL COUNTRY:
SWEDEN GENRE: DEATH METAL ALBUM TITLE:
WORLD DOMINATION : 2020
LABEL:
AGONIA RECORDS [ Cover artwork created by Susan Wicher ] Tracklist: 1. My Kingdom Done 2. Hellfire Rain 3. Aeons of Death 4. The Thin Darkness 5. We Stand as One 6. Victorious 7.Slipping Apart* 8. Calescent Punishment [Release Date: 2020-10-23]
ORDER NOW:
Orders & formats are available at:
https://agoniarecords.com/demonical
RECORDING LINEUP: Christofer Säterdal - Vocals
Martin Schulman - Bass
Johan Haglund - Guitars
Eki Kumpulainen - Guitars
Ronnie Bergerstål - Drums
PRODUCTION/RECORDING: "World Domination" was recorded in June 2020 at Glashuset and
Sellnoise studios by Johan Hjelm and Jonas Arnberg, with
production by
DEMONICAL. Mixing
and mastering was handled by award winning producer Karl Daniel Lidén
Produktion (Bloodbath, Katatonia) at Tri-Lamb Studios.
DEMONICAL - World Domination - 2020 -
Agonia Records Genre:
Brutal / Melodic / Swedish Death Metal
"(...) Perished in flames
My kingdom will be done
A black sun unfolds
Your life down here is gone
Off I ride through the world
By glory dawn the weak shall fall
With blood and pain the proud will rise
I head onwards to victory (...)" DEMONICAL | Song: My Kingdom Done | Album: World Domination |
THE BAND AND THE NEW ALBUM:
Swedish death metal militia Demonical have returned with their sixth
full-length album entitled "World Domination" that is in my opinion
one of the best offers of it's genre for 2020. This album marks the return
of the bands original drummer Ronnie Bergerstål (2006-2011,
2019-present) and the debut album with their vocalist Christofer
Sätderdal who has done an remarkable work on this piece of old-school
death metal art! Demonical are already an institution of death metal over Swedish
lands and not only,the band has unleashed old fashioned death metal since 2006,
founded by members of the legendary band Centinex. Ever since they
have been unleashing their ferocious
Swedish HM-2 driven annihilation anthems on a vicious mix of addictive
melodies, dark atmosphere and brutal sound, all of this in a top-quality
malignant recipe! Demonical has been discharging their aggressive death metal artillery in the past over several hundred shows all over Europe,
North America, Brazil and Russia. Demonical have take part of
countless festivals and tours both as headline
and support... in all, the band is a reference of excellence within their
genre, I dare to say that Demonical are one of the best Swedish Death
Metal bands out there, even knowing the concurrence is fierce and strong!
With "World Domination"
Demonical rises with full-force and are ready conquer your ears with one of their best
pieces ever, combining both new and old elements that forged the essence of
the band sound!
This new album will surely please adepts of bands such as Grave,
Hypocrisy, Centinex, Firespawn, Dismember among others!
ALBUM DETAILS:
"World Domination" follows the path from the band previous release
"Chaos Manifesto" [2018 Agonia Records], yet with a renewed merciless
formula, including extra dynamics as well as new enriching and addicting
elements like the blend of other metal genres beyond the usual death metal
definition, drinking inspiration from doom or heavy metal music among other
metal genres and creating
with it an enriching metal experience across the whole album length! The final result is one of the most
vivid creations done by the band so far, the sound is organic and has a
whole new energy on it, the sound of each creation of this new album
breathes naturally and has an energetic vibe attached to it. The final
result of the band sound has the genius touch of the award winning
producer Karl Daniel Lidén (Bloodbath, Katatonia)at Tri-Lamb Studios, he was responsible once again for
themix and mastering!A perfect match for Demonical new creations, never too clean nor
polished but sounding powerful and brutal as hell, always loyal to the bands
sound and dark creations! The sinister and decadent artwork by Susan Wicher and photos by the
well known master of arts Jens Ryden (Marduk, Necrophobic, Diabolical, etc.)
give the
best matching image to the band intentions and get back that simple, but
effective art vibe on a typical death metal piece... something that should
be direct and uncomplicated! On "World Domination", Demonical have enhanced their impressive sound
into a whole new level, exploring with this new album some new elements
never attempted before that enrich each track across this intense piece of
old-fashioned death metal art!
TRACK-BY-TRACK: - "World Domination"
shall make you travel back in time to the end of the 80's and start of the
90's metal music, a journey back to times of old-fashioned metal glory, this
across eight scorching tracks of death and destruction. I must say I can't
find a lesser great song on this whole piece, one death metal anthem after
another... impressive how the band manages to keep the intensity levels at
their peak, hooking the listeners to the whole album from the beginning to
it's end. - "My Kingdom Done" is the ravaging opening track and one
of the best tracks on the album if you ask me, this is a fast and voracious
song where "all hell breaks loose"! An intense typical death metal song with
all the best Swedish old-fashioned vibe. The vicious melody shall keep you
hooked at the very first listening! Impressive how Demonical keep on
discharging such amazing sound and reinventing their own brutal music! Just
like
a raging storm, Demonical should be ruling your ears by now! - "Hellfire Rain" is another merciless and typical death metal anthem,
an amazing brutal and powerful track. Frenetic and addicting this song will
make your head bang from the beginning to it's end, impossible to be
indifferent to such ferocious fast track that is one of my favourites of the
whole piece! Impressive to say the very least! - "Aeons of Death" is another of my favourite tracks of this whole
album, an authentic epic death metal monument! "Aeons of Death" is a
slower but very strong track with a very own sinister and apocalyptic vibe,
this time Demonical present a deeper and more epic version of their
own sound! Watch as we all march towards our own end... the death of mankind
is near! - "The Thin Darkness" is another demolishing song, fast and brutal it
devastates your ears with such sonic blast, but wait, Demonical have
given a smashing doom metal oriented twist at the middle of this song that
takes their sound dynamics to an absolute amazing level... yet never
abandoning the band essential sound, revealing in this way that the band has
allot to offer once it comes to extreme metal music diversity! - "We Stand as One" follows and without losing even a bit of intensity
the band invades your ears with another malignant first-raising piece of
death metal. Sheer brutality towards your ears that will make your head bang
without an end! "We stand as One, United as a Horde!" - "Victorious" brings back that great epic vibe, this time in a more
dominant way. A victorious march towards ancient glory! This is a slower
track that gives once again an impressive balance to the whole album,
keeping in this way the listeners captive to such enriching musical
experience! - "Slipping Apart" shall take you back in time, back to the 80's and
those years of metal music glory! Can you imagine Demonical meeting
up with DIO and creating a memorable metal ballad as if we where back
on those heavy metal glory days? Well, Demonical still don't have the powers to
resurrect the legendary Ronnie J. Dio, but the participation and
vocals on this song by the guest musician Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral
Doors, ex- Civil War, Calescent Punishment) are not lesser amazing than
those of the metal icon himself. This track is a true "outsider" but for me
it's one of the best and most addicting tracks of the whole album, I simply love the way they
combined this traditional Heavy Metal ballad that sticks in your ears with their own death metal
sound. A delightful mix of both worlds who never been so close... yet so
very often apart! - "Calescent Punishment"
is the scorching ending track that finishes the album as it
has started... a pure hell-fire Armageddon in a clear display that this is
an old-school death metal piece of art, done by a band that is on top of what
is being done in this genre. Demonical has given with this album a
clear display that they have what it takes to dominate this world of death
metal!
THE CONCLUSION: "World Domination" consolidates Demonical as one of
the best expressions of Swedish old-school death metal out there. This
new album is a distinct proof of dominance over today's days death metal
world! A sound amazingly brutal and melodic, able to bring you back to
the old days of metal music glory with their old-fashioned
creations! Demonical will always sound like Demonical,
undoubtedly they are one of those bands that are true to their sound and I
can only say that traditional Swedish death metal can't sound much better
than this! Demonical have all to rise triumphant upon this repetitive extreme
metal world where death metal has become some sort of fashion, hard to find a band with notorious quality through the years
able to reinvent their sound release after release, making each of their
creations to sound fresh, fierce and grandiose! Demonical have all of that and
much more, the older, the better, this in a clear mark of musical perseverance and
dominance! "World Domination" is in my opinion one of the best classic death
metal albums I heard in years and by far the best album ever created by the band to
the date! Intensive, aggressive and so damn addictive!
With all this said, I think that the band couldn't pick a better title
for this amazing piece. "World Domination" is the perfect title
for this amazing new album, just listen to it and witness Demonical taking this
Metal World by storm! "World Domination" has all what it
takes to be the best death metal album of
this cursed 2020 year!
CONQUEST ICON COUNTRY:
POLAND
GENRE: BLACKENED DEATH METAL
LABEL: GODZ OV
WAR PRODUCTIONS [Artwork and Logo
Ihasan Art] CONQUEST ICON - "EMPIRE OF THE WORM"
- 2020 | Tracklist:
1. Vermin
2. Sacrifical Circle
3. Deathlike Shadows Rising
4. Unholy Death Metal
5. Empire of the Worm
6. Toward Darkness
7. Behold the Flames of Hell
8. Pilgrim of Doom
9. Crown the Beast
10. Here and Beyond [Release Date: 2020-03-13]
RECORDING LINEUP: Ronve - Vocals Andy Blakk - Guitars, Vocals Major - Guitars Blast! - Bass Imp - Drums
PRODUCTION/RECORDING:
Drums and guitars recorded at JNS
Studio. |
Vocals recorded at NAD Studio. |
Additional guitars and bass recorded at ABH.
Mixed and mastered by Andy Blakk.
All music and lyrics by
CONQUEST ICON.
CONQUEST ICON - Empire of the Worm - 2020 -
Godz
ov War Productions Genre: Blackened Death Metal
"(...)Open your eyes, nothing is as it seems
The world is rotten and we have died
We are in this realm, empire of the worm (...)" CONQUEST ICON | Empire of the Worm | Empire of the Worm
THE BAND AND THE ALBUM:
Polish old school blackened death metal tyrants CONQUEST ICON have
unleashed their second full-length album entitled "Empire of the Worm".
A monolith of unholy death metal brutality in a old-fashioned way!
CONQUEST ICON has been founded in late 2009 by the veterans Andy
Blakk(ex-Pyorrhoea, Suicide Circle, etc) and Empherion (Empheris),
since the very beginning the band has been improving their blasphemous
death metal art, creating with it their own identity and reputation, relentless and brutal the band unleashes hell in and
outside stages!
It has been long time since I've got my first contact with the band. I was introduced
at that time by
Andy Blakk to some instrumental parts of what was to become their debut
full length "Hellspire". Since then, I've been blown away with such
crushing old fashioned extreme metal creations that don't stop impressing me.
The band has developed allot since their debut, through the years and at
most since the incursion of Ronve devilish ass-kicking brutal voKills
that have sure given CONQUEST ICON a newer and wider vocal dynamics
(guttural, vociferated or clean). Remarkable to say
the least are the drum work done by Imp, a brute force of nature leaving no retreat, no surrender
on a total musical Armageddon! Blast! (ex-Hate,
Pyorrhoea, etc) is another Polish extreme metal veteran causing impact
at this piece with his awesome bass performance. Major does here an amazing
and vicious guitar worktogether with Andy Blakk who without any doubts is the genius
creative mind behind the band malevolent creations, he has actually
contributed with some fearsome vocals for this piece too.
Within this last years CONQUEST ICON
have achieved a new level of extremity and excellence, on "Empire of the
Worm" the band is at it's peak level of aggression and power, all
of this,
with a mature rock-solid ravenous sound, never over-polished, keeping with it the
best fitting old-school vibe! This is an album that shouldn't be missed by any fans of bands such as
Vader, Incantation, Deicide, Demonical, Belphegor or even Mayhem etc...
an Unholy death metal piece of art!
ALBUM DETAILS: The recordings over JNS and NAD Studios as well as the astonishing Mix and mastering by
the Polish extreme metal guru Andy Blakk are simply kicking ass big
time a perfect blend
of brutality and aggression, a kind of blackened death metal in it's purest
form that never loses it's old fashioned essence... this is in the end, CONQUEST ICON's very own
identity and way in extreme metal music! "Empire
of the Worm" is an old school creation on modern times and it feels so
good to hear such piece of untouched extreme metal sound.
The album cover art by
Ihasan Art
really couldn't illustrate better this old
fashioned piece, it sure gets you gets back to that savage, rawer and
decadent primordial death metal pieces of the old ages! Great going!
"Empire of the Worm" Lyrics are quite direct and deal with themes like
human greed and decay, evil and dark powers, Satanism, anti-Christian,
anti-religion, hatred, traditional death metal without makeup's, plagues and
damnation, infernal allegiances of unholy demons from hell, death and the
world beyond! In all... a great dose of good violent friendly themes for
great and violent music!
TRACK-BY-TRACK: "Empire of the Worm" is a total demolishing album from the
beginning to it's end, a sonic blast of death and destruction that will make you
captive since first listening. CONQUEST ICON conserve the old
fashioned extreme metal vein and with it they provide a violent and brutal
slap right in-your-face... expect no softness on this pure death metal
Armageddon!
"Vermin" is the blasting opening track for "Empire of the Worm",
a violent and direct death metal song with a special old-school vibe into,
it shall take you right back to the 90's extreme metal sound!
The bloodshed continues with "Sacrifical Circle", which is another
strong track with some slower moments like on its beginning which provide a greater
balance to the whole song, but still, it quickly embraces the
blasphemous
brutal sound that the band will get you used through this whole piece!
"Deathlike Shadows Rising" track follows, a song that starts with some
doom metal vibe which enriches the album dynamics, but wait... there
is more brutality ahead! Simply love the dynamics and addictive combo
of death and slight black metal elements which the band blends in
perfection!
"Unholy Death Metal"
comes next... and
this is without a doubt my favourite track of the whole piece. So damn
addictive... such an unholy death metal hymn! A classic within it's genre...
this is how underground extreme metal should sound like! Death metal done
right and in the purest form if you ask me... this song has all the right proportions to become a true
classic!
The title track "Empire of the Worm"
follows, and this is another fast track with a decadent epic aura over it, this is
another of my favourite tracks of the album, an authentic skull crusher
where CONQUEST ICON unleash their heavy artillery upon your ears!
No retreat... no surrender, "Toward Darkness" is the
track that follows leaving you no time to breathe before you are hit once
again by CONQUEST ICON ravaging sonic destruction, a virulent fast
song with some slight grind elements, love at first listening I say! Haha!
"Behold the Flames of Hell"is
another excellent track, and one of my favourite ones, this scorching brutal
song unleashes CONQUEST ICON fatal formula at best. Impressive fast
and with the classical sound that you can trace back to the early band
endeavours, an authentic blast from the past once it comes to the band own
identity and influences... a kind of sound that shall take you back into a
past of death / black metal glory!
"Pilgrim of Doom"steps
forwards, this is probably the track with the darkest atmosphere around it, some
stronger black metal influences are to be noticed which are great additions to the
band already dynamic sound. The evil evocations and atmosphere may even
remind you of some early Mayhem stuff! Damn it sure sounds good!
"Crown the Beast" is another of the strongest tracks of
this whole piece, here a crescent tension ignites the bursting blackened
death metal Armageddon. This song keeps the balance of heavy and slower parts in a
elite level! Bang your head 'cause this is true unholy death metal!!!
"Here and Beyond" is the ending track of this
classic headbanger album. Dark and sinister it shall make you travel back in
time, back to the
early 90's death extreme metal sound!
You simply can't get much better than this if you
addicted to that old fashioned sound as I sure am! .... well, now it's time to give this album
another spin... damn, this is good!
THE CONCLUSION:
CONQUEST ICON second full-length "Empire of the Worm" is a brutal
piece of unholy death metal art and one of the best offers on it's genre for
2020! The crushing new album keeps an old-fashioned vibe that will hook it's listeners since the
very first listening.
Hard to be indifferent to such a maelstrom of sheer
brutality and aggression, a blasphemous piece that shall capture the attention of many
of those disappointed with the evolution of some extreme metal bands who
lost their dose of fierceness as the years pass by. "Empire of the Worm"
is a good (un)clean piece of old-school extreme metal violence that shall be
the delight of many die-hard death black metallers out there!
CONQUEST ICON
have awaken a primordial Beast of death metal in it's purest form... an
insatiable ravenous Worm who feeds only of chaos and destruction! This is by far the best creation done to the date by Poland death metal
veteran Andy Blakk. Viciously addictive the new CONQUEST ICON
assault has all the right proportions to be a Polish underground extreme metal classic.
You need to listen to it to know what I mean... pure old-school death metal
gold that will make your head bang from the beginning to it's end!
NEXORUM COUNTRY:
NORWAY
GENRE: BLACKENED DEATH METAL
LABEL:NON SERVIAM
RECORDS [Artwork for the album is made by Rafal
Wechterowicz
TOO MANY SKULLS] NEXORUM
- "DEATH UNCHAINED"
- 2020 | Tracklist: 1.
Saligia Moralis Codice 2. Procession of the Damned 3. Great Horned King 4. Retribution 5. Death Unchained 6. Antediluvian Purification 7. Cataclysmic Rebirth 8. Diaboli Stragis 9. The Luciferian Descent 10. Murderer [Release Date: 2020-03-06]
RECORDING LINEUP: Terje Olsen - Vocals Roger Isaksen - Guitar Frank Løberg - Guitar Robin Isaksen - Bass Vidar Lehmann - Drums
PRODUCTION/RECORDING:
“Death Unchained” was Recorded at Xhaos Xhult Studio,
Engineered and mixed by Roger Isaksen
andMastered by Lawrence Mackrory
at Obey Mastering
NEXORUM - Death Unchained - 2020 -
Non Serviam
Records Genre: Blackened Death Metal
"(...) Follow the stench of death you’ll find me
Come along and you will see
Damnation, follows where I tread, everything around me is dead
This gift this curse, to never ride the reapers hearse (...) NEXORUM | Death Unchained |
Procession of the Damned
THE BAND AND THE ALBUM:
A new monolithic extreme metal Beast arises from the cold Northlands of
Norway! We are talking about the new and impressive 5 piece extreme metal band by the name of
NEXORUM, a band forged in Trondheim by members of bands such as
Keep of Kalessin, Chton, Khonsu, Vecordious among others.
NEXORUM debut album
"Death Unchained" couldn't simply be a better
introduction to the band astonishing blackened death metal art!A
true delight to any adept of this genre and a perfect combination of old-fashioned and
modern extreme metal sound, the band conserves the best qualities of each (old
and new) and
blends it all into an explosive death black metal colossal Beast of epic
proportions. I dare to say that NEXORUM are one of the best
death black metal bands ever to come from Norwegian lands, having a
very own voracious death metal sound combined with an inborn Norwegian black metal
essence, creating in this way an authentic delicacy to extreme metallers who
worship the sound of newer bands such as Myrkskog, Zyklon, Blood Red Throne
also from Norway or classic extreme metal bands like Incantation, Morbid Angel, Behemoth,
Mayhem, etc !
"Death Unchained" is one of those albums that causes a direct massive
impact since the very first listening, it's impossible to be indifferent to
such colossal and powerful extreme metal piece of art. I even dare to say
that with this diabolical sonic monster unleashed, Norwegian death metal is
back in the map and shall take the Metal World by storm! Vicious, direct and
so addicting... it's hard not to be hooked to "Death Unchained" since
the very first listening!
DEEPER INTO THE BAND: As the band expressed "NEXORUM largely consists of the severed
limbs of various rotting corpses from Trondheim's metal graveyard", so
let's know the band a bit better! Terje Olsen (vocals) is the heart and soul of the band, owner of a
great vocal reach on extreme metal art, he brings the right dose of
brutality that the band needs and owns some outstanding gutturals and
vociferations that tend into the death metal more than to the usual black
metal vocals, which I personally think to be a better fit to NEXORUM sound.
He is known for his work with the bands
Chton (death metal) and
Khonsu (black/industrial/progressive metal), know also to have a great presence on
stage with his commanding presence that shall make you tremble and eager for
more after each show of the band!
Roger Isaksen (guitars) is the band main composer and the one responsible
for bringing NEXORUM beast into life! A surgically precise guitarist he
is known as the mastermind of the bandVecordious (avant-garde black metal) and has
become recently the live guitarist of the well known Keep of Kalessin
(epic extreme metal).
Robin Isaksen(bass), also known as Wizziac, is a well known bass player on
Norwegian extreme metal scene, known for his work with Keep of Kalessin,
he is in fact a master of his craft, great bass playing and great live
presence as the most might know already by now!
Vidar Lehmann (drums) is back into extreme metal after some live
experiences as Triosphere (metal) and Tellus Requiem
(progressive melodic metal) drummer, a precise and brutally fast drummer
capable of ruthless drumming raids upon it's listeners!
Frank Løberg (guitars) is a great guitarist responsible for the bands
scorching leads and thundering rhythm guitars.
ALBUM DETAILS:
"Death Unchained"
sound is one of the many album highlights, the elite level and
definition of each element included on this debut is beyond amazing. The
recordings over
Xhaos Xhult Studio
and production done by the band guitarist and main composer Roger Isaksen
as well as theMastering by Lawrence Mackrory
give this album the right dose of everything for this album to become an
absolute success of it's genre!
Something I personally like allot on this album is to be
able to listen to the bass loud and clear, Robin/Wizziac work here is
a real ass-kicker, a fine example of that is the opening track "Saligia Moralis Codice".
The main NEXORUM lyrical themes deal
with mind liberation, Saligia, Occultism, Apocalypse, Lucifer/Luciferianism,
Satanism... all that makes a classic extreme metal-head entertained and
pleased as usual!
"Death Unchained"
lyrics are also quite direct and accessible.
The artwork done by Rafal
Wechterowicz
of
TOO MANY SKULLSreally fits on the bands main lyrical themes as well as the album title. Simple, direct and
causing a visual impact in anyone searching for a good extreme metal album
to listen to!
It's on the simple things that very often we find the most valuable
treasures. This album cover aims to catch ones eyes attention and make you
wonder what you may discover as you start digging deeper into this
masterpiece of blackened death metal!
TRACK-BY-TRACK: NEXORUM unleash the fury of ravenous death metal, combining both classic
and modern elements and wisely adding a very own Norwegian black metal
identity to create a product of unique quality, forging with it an
impressive first album that could easily be one of the best albums of it's
genre for 2020.
"Death Unchained" will definitely leave a mark on it's listeners!
So now let me tell you more about each track:
With
"Saligia Moralis Codice" the band introduces the listeners to
NEXORUM monumental sound, that in this case is damn well balanced and
dynamic. This is a slower track but heavy as Hell, where slower parts
combine in perfection with the hardness of the band groove-laden blackened
death sound. Must mention the outstanding omnipresent bass work which gives a even heavier
groove to the whole song, also worth of mention is the great guitar work, the
awesome leads and
as well some
appropriate declamation!
Lyrically this song embraces the thematic of the 7 deadly sins. Here the
unchained fallen angels are finally set free and able to taste a whole new
word of once forbidden and addicting capital sins!
I must confess I was already hooked to the band sound since I checked the
advance single/video
for this song, and still, the best was yet to come, as my good friend told
me once he introduced me to his band!
"Procession of the Damned" follows, and with it "all Hell breaks
loose"! An absolute ass kicking fast and brutal track with some great
melodic lines. An absolute sonic devastation and a great contrast with the first song,
keeping with it the balance that remains through the whole intense album.
Lyrically it deals with the enclosure of the pestilent damned.... cursed to
live in a cold dark cell that will be their rotting eternal Hell!
"Great Horned King" is the track that follows, a devastating
apocalyptic track and one of my own favourite songs of the whole album!
Revealing with it, the most brutal side of NEXORUM, this is an
absolutely demolishing fast and devilish track!
This song is also an homage to some bands that influenced NEXORUM.
"Retribution" comes next, and with it we return to a slower
deadlier groove, yet heavy and fierce. This is a frenetic track with a constant ravaging
guitar sound that will pierce your ears and rape your soul! A true devilish
delight to ones ears!
The powerful title track "Death Unchained" comes next! This is an
Epic imposing track, both brutal and intense, all of this with great guitar
leads and an impressive dark structure. A legendary death black metal piece
of art and one of my own favourite tracks of this demonical piece!
"Antediluvian Purification"
unleashes scorching sonic brutality once again but never losing the
right dose of balance and melodic deviance! A delight to the tormented ears!
"Cataclysmic Rebirth" reveals the darkest side of NEXORUM
malevolent creations. This song takes it's listener deep into a
Pestapocalyptical World, reborn from destruction and emerged into chaos! A
new world with a putrid atmosphere and drenched in decadence!
"Diaboli Stragis" comes next! Another classic death metal track with
a great groove that shall get stuck into your ears. This is a direct
"in-your-face" powerful track, a true natural "headbanging" track with some
devilish guitar leads! Addictive since first listening, this is another of
my favourite tracks!
Once you think it can't get much better than what you have heard already,
the band comes with the epic colossus entitled "The Luciferian Descent",
in my opinion the best track of the whole piece. Intriguing , dark, intense
and brutal... it has all the best elements and diversity to keep both death
metal and black metal addicts captive to this mesmerizing unholy creation!
The nefarious introduction and the whole diabolical keyboard arrangements, the
Luciferian haunting choirs....
Am I the only one who's feeling that ass-kicking old Samael'ish vibe!?!... Well, the whole addictive nature of NEXORUM
musical diversity are just details that enhance this
album into an elite level of death black metal!
"Murderer" is most probably my 2nd favourite track of "Death Unchained",
ending with a golden key this astonishing
album! I simply love the whole psychotic vibe of this song. The wise use of keyboard really enhance
the whole devious
atmosphere created by the band on this track. Again the guitars take a huge
part of this song structure, great leads and powerful riffage!
THE CONCLUSION:
NEXORUM debut album
"Death Unchained" is a both devastating and intense masterpiece of blackened
death metal that shall leave none of it's listeners indifferent to what they
just heard! A mind-blowing combination of death metal unchained from any
unnecessary boundaries, where the
old fashioned elements combine with modern elements in perfect symbiosis, if that
wasn't enough and to give their sound an even better dynamics and diversity the band added
a very own Norwegian black metal essence that wraps up what was already an
impressive achievement.
"Death Unchained" is an enriching brutal experience, hard to
believe it is
NEXORUM debut album.
The more you listen to
the whole piece the more details you will find and the more addicted you get
to this greatly detailed work, an album
full of musical diversification and without any dull moments!
NEXORUM is a name to keep in mind as the band rises in the extreme metal
universe. Allot is to be expected from this brutal new band in the future times as
they shall gather new adepts on each listening and live shows!
One of the best Norwegian extreme metal products of quality of the last years
without any doubts!
