“Well, here we are almost halfway through 2026, and plenty of bands are releasing new music, whether it is on Bandcamp, their own label, or a label they are signed to. I tell you, there are quite a few good to great bands out there, as you will see by my reviews. Lots of bands are releasing good to great music, and I’m glad to see the underground isn’t going to be dying off anytime soon. Back when I started doing reviews back in 1986, it was either vinyl or tapes, and underground bands would be releasing 4-track demos in the hopes of getting signed to one of the few indie labels that were popping up in the late part of the 80’s. Now you have lots of places to spread your music, and I do really like Bandcamp myself. I hope you enjoy my reviews and will check out some of the bands I gave solid reviews to; you’ll be glad you trusted me. Till the next round, keep those heads banging and fists flying….”
Chris Forbes
Chris Forbes’s Metal Reviews #22
VOIDHAMMER/Noxious Emissions (Caligari Records)
Some wicked, crushing death metal that hits hard and hits often. 4 crushing tracks of low-tuned death metal with some sick, putrid vocals to match. The music is a nice mix of slower and blazing-fast parts. The razor-sharp riffs were catchy and had me banging my head. While this band isn’t doing anything new, they keep the old flame of old school death metal flying, and this more than gets the job done, and I loved it. Info:
NEFASTIS/Shadows At The Light Of Dawn (Rockshots Records)
I was not into this much. Modern power metal that sounds like Hammerfall, with the singer singing in a death metal voice a lot, and he was horrible, too. Not into the keyboards, either. They had no punch to them, and the worst thing about this was the singer; he does not fit the music at all, in my opinion. Songs weren’t strong either. Not for me!
PAPA NECROSE/Anthropomorphy Execution (Awakening Records)
The band sounds like a faster version of Obituary, and the singer sounds like James Tardy as well. They aren’t bad, but to me, they are just a run-of-the-mill death metal band in a super overcrowded scene already. If you like Obituary and fast death metal and are newer to the scene, you’ll love this. But for me, who has not been doing this for 40 years now, I was like this is just more of the same if you get my drift. It’s not bad, but not mind-blowing either. Production is good and solid, and the singer is solid to boot. Info:
SERVATOR/The Dark Triad (Self Released)
This band used to be more death metal and has now branched over onto the thrash side of things. I tried to get into this, but couldn’t. For one thing, the death metal-style vocals sound out of place on this. The riffs and songs to me weren’t strong, and it was just bad thrash in my book. The riffs were catchy and memorable, and the groove parts at times weren’t good either. Not for me.
TOXIC PUB/To Not Die Blind (Self Released)
Some decent, catchy thrash metal on this release. The songs are heavy and solid, with aggressive vocals as well. Nice thick guitar sound on this too. The riffing and song structures didn’t bore me, and I was getting into this for sure. Solid release here by this band, and below is a video link and band info too:
DESERT NEAR THE END/Tides Of Time (Theogonia Records)
Some pretty nice power metal with plenty of speedy parts and catchy as fuck riffing, along with some tasteful vocals, made this a release I enjoyed. The singer has a solid voice, and he sings the songs with passion, feeling and a ton of emotion too. The songs are super catchy, and the speed parts owned me. I am a sucker for a good riff, and this had a bunch on it. A band to check out for sure. Info below:
CORPSEMANGLE/Eating The Damned (Self Released)
This is some old school sounding death metal. I love the raw sort of production and no trigger drum sounds. The vocals were ok, just growling into the mic type of stuff. The music is a mixture of mid-paced and speedy stuff, which was cool with me. Glad to see some bands are still around doing this old death metal sound. Info below:
ORLOKS PLAGUE/Grisly Hallucinations 7” (Driftline Distribution)
2 crushing old school death metal tunes with sick riffs, nasty vocals, and a nice mix of mid-paced and speedy parts. Just a pure death metal delight, and those vocals own me. Such passion and feeling in that death metal voice. The production is perfect and allows everything to flow freely. A full-length is in the works, and I can’t wait to hear it. This is a studio-based product of musicians, and that is amazing as well. Get this for sure
GIRLZEROTH/Fight Against Stigma (Underground Syndicate)
This was hit and miss with me. The music is crushing, fast death metal with some cool riffs and time changes at times. I like the guitar sound, and the music is solid, well-played death metal. The singer, to me, is just a generic growler and didn’t think his voice was all that special. He didn’t suck, but again, nothing special. So this had its good and bad things about it. Info:
BANISHER/Metamorphosis (SelfMadeGod Records)
This was groove metal with shouting tough guy vocals with bits and pieces of low death growls. I will say this: this band plays faster than most groove metal bands I have heard, and they are more aggressive in their approach at certain times, but you guys know how I feel about this style of metal, and I was not into this much at all. Not for me. Info:
BLACK RABBIT/Warren Of Necrosis (Self Released)
Some awesome, fast and hard-hitting thrash metal here. Tons of catchy and powerful hooks and plenty of speed had me loving this from the 1st note. Vocals reminded me of Chuck Billy at times. Production is perfect, and I love the guitar sound they have, and the songs are mega strong. Just total ass-kicking thrash the way it should be played. Absolutely check these guys out, you’ll love them. Info:
ABUSER/Blood Marks (Xtreem Music)
Yes, another killer thrash band. Fast and furious with tons of catchy riffs and powerful vicious vocals. Singer reminded me of Mille a bit, and hey, that works for me. The music also has that Kreator vein to it, but the good Kreator, not that terrible shit they put out now. Production is good and solid, and this is the way it should be played. Great band and release.
BITTER PRICE/The Orwohaus Tapes (Witches Brew)
Some nice classic straight forward pure heavy metal with some nice vocals to boot. Great, catchy riffs and song structures and no nu metal or Pantera crap to be found anywhere. Think early pure metal before the trash explosion. Bands like Lizzy Borden, Armoured Saint, and bands in that vein come to mind. Finally glad to see a metal band keeping the flag for metal alive and playing some of that shitty groove metal. Singer has a nice set of pipes, and the music is crunchy and heavy. Nice production too boot.
ROTTEN BLASPHEMY/Worshippers Of Chaos (Witches Brew Records)
This was a mix of death and black metal, and music-wise, it’s pretty good. The music is a mix of death metal and black metal with a pinch of thrash here and there, and it’s played in an old-school way. Production is cool as it captures the feeling of the old days at times, too. The singer, I hated his screechy style of singing in the opener, but thankfully, he stopped that and sang in a death metal style with a screech here and there, which doesn’t get annoying. This is a wicked combo of styles, and it works, and this was really good. Info:
GORE MACHINE/Congealed And Foaming (H.P.G.D.)
Music-wise, this was ok death metal, but it gets ruined by some of the most horrible vocals. All the guy does is sing as low as possible; it’s not even words, it’s just a bunch of garbling. Sounds like a guy using mouthwash and gargling with the mouthwash in his mouth. Horrible and generic and stupid. Info:
CULTIST/Spiritual Atrophy (Awakening Records/Futhark Records)
Typical heard it all before death metal, that is just there. It doesn’t suck, but there is nothing that sticks out and makes me take notice. Singer sounds a bit like John from Obituary. The music is fast and is death metal played the right way, but it has just been done to death and then some by bands I have heard over the years. Now, if you’re a newcomer, then this is something you would probably enjoy. Info:
BORROWER/Killerdemons (Octopus Rising)
Some cool progressive thrash with lots of memorable hooks within the songs, and a singer who has a fantastic voice, and he sounds great with this band. Nice, thick production and I like the guitar sound the band has/uses. The tunes are memorable, and the songs don’t go over my head as some prog bands do. This was good all around. I say get it. Info:
KRATEROS/Lost In Translation (Self Released)
This is a prog thrash band, and I didn’t like them at all. The songs were all over the place, and the clean and growly type vocals were so generic it’s not funny. Lose the clean ones, they don’t belong in underground metal guys. At times, some of the riffs were cool and catchy, but then came the clean vocals to ruin it. Production is fine, but guys, figure out where you’re going with the vocals, please. Info:
CITRINITAS/Unending Descent (Caligari Records)
Some ultra sick punishing doom/death with sick, putrid vocals, perfect for this band. Nice underground style production as well. This is punishing music and will crush the weak, I can tell you that. Doomy riffs that hit hard and will have you thinking you’re in a graveyard at 3 am. Check out the sample track below. Info:
CRUSHUMAN/Imperial (H.P.G.D.)
Some solid, fast death metal with plenty of power, speed and intensity within the music. Good singer too, as he belts out the lyrics with a fury, and he fits right in with what the band is doing. Songs are memorable too, and not just a wall of senseless noise. Production is on the money, and the band throw in some slow parts to mix in with the speed. Good job on this, I say. Info:
CRUEL FORCE/Haneda (Shadow Kingdom Records)
I am a sucker for a great riff, and this has tons of them, and I was headbanging right along to the music. Old school speed metal has blasted through my speakers and has left me breathless. Oh, the riffs will just force your neck to bang. The production is just perfect as well. Singer totally kicks ass with a solid voice, and he fits the music perfectly as well. Metal at its finest, I assure you. Info:
VANISHMENT/And Now We Die (M-Theory Audio)
Another release of some crushing thrash metal that reminded me of the 1st 2 Forbidden releases. Nice thick, thrash metal riffs and plenty of power and speed to back it up. Singer has a solid and aggressive voice, but not tough guy shit, just powerful and aggressive, and he fits in well with the music. Catchy thrash absolutely ruins me, and this ruined me. A fantastic release of thrash metal not to be missed. Info:
SANCTUM PYRE/He Who Remains (Steel Gallery Records)
Some nice speedy power metal with some powerful soaring vocals sung with plenty of passion and power. Damn catchy riffs, and I was loving this in seconds. Love the guitar sound this band has, and this is excellent power metal all the way. The songs are all catchy and just have that hook that sucks you in and doesn’t let you out. Throw in some fantastic vocals, and you’ve got one kick ass band. Info:
GUDERRHA/Same (Self Released)
What I have is a 2-track demo of some wicked and sick death metal. This band hopes to have a full-length out later this year. The band mix up speedy parts with some slower crushing parts. I hear a little Entombed in the slower parts, which isn’t a bad thing. The fast parts sounded good too, no tin can drumming on this. Nice low death metal vocals and I could feel the anger and hate in his voice as this played on. A cool release of pure old school underground death metal here. Check out the 2 tunes here:
INTERNAL DECAY/Fires Of The Forgotten (Self Released)
Wasn’t very impressed with this Swedish death metal band. The songs were weak and not catchy, and were just a bunch of blah, blah, blah. Just a bunch of terrible death metal and not much power behind the tunes as well. Nothing stood out and was just plain boring. The singer was the only decent thing on this, I’m afraid. Info:
CHUFFED/Demo 2025 (H.P.G.D.)
Nice thick, down and dirty death metal with sick, putrid vocals to match. Love the low chainsaw pounding guitar sound, and the tunes are catchy and memorable too. Nice mix of slower and some up-tempo parts as well. Any fan of death metal would like and enjoy this as I did. Info:
SABOTOR/Første Aksjon (Dark Essence Records)
Some decent and cool thrash metal, not sounding like every other thrash metal band, helped too. The band have their own sound, and I was into the guitar sound as it’s not your typical thrash band. The music is aggressive and fast, no nu metal crap either. Catchy and effective riffing are the highlights, along with some aggressive vocals to boot. Production is nice and solid, too. Good job by these guys. Info:
BARBARIC OATH/Sword, Sorcery, Vengeance (Caligari Records)
Sick pounding old school death metal with hints of black metal here and there. A nice mix of speed and slower parts, too. The slow parts are just crushing death metal sounds, and the fast parts just destroyed me. Vocals are a mix of death and black metal, and the guitar sound on this is just unreal. Love the old school production sound and emotion the band gets on these tunes. Tunes are catchy too and not soon forgettable. This band delivers the goods and then some. Sample track
GROND/The Temple (Xtreem Music)
Some not-so-great death metal here. They sound like a bad version of older Morbid Angel. I don’t like the drum sound, and the music just lacks anything that would blow me away or even make me like it. The band play death metal the right way and all, but the songs lack that killer riffing, and it just sounds like any other death metal band out there, and that’s the problem. There is nothing on here that will have you stand up and take notice. The singer has a good and solid death metal voice, I’ll give them that. Everything else is stuff I have heard time and time again, I’m afraid. Info:
KIKKER/Self Titled (Pavement Records)
Not many bands play ass-kicking straight-up rock n roll these days, but these guys do. No new rock styles, just plain ass kicking rock n roll the way I love it. Great, catchy tunes that a real rock band delivers. Solid singer as well as he belts out the lyrics with plenty of passion and feeling. The tunes on this EP are so damn catchy, it isn’t funny. Finally, a rock band that delivers the goods and plays good old down and dirty rock n roll. Info:
EVIL DAMN/Eons of Horror (Hells Headbangers)
Fast and pounding old school death metal that hits hard and will knock you into tomorrow. Screaming death metal vocals that sound great and powerful, along with fast and blazing tunes that knocked me into the middle of next week. Production was right on the money as well. They also don’t sound like a million other death metal bands, so that also helped. Another solid release from this label. Info:
DEATH YELL/Demons of Lust (Hells Headbangers)
More punishing death metal from this label. The band just blasts and lays to waste as the speed and intensity I was loving. This is raw and speedy, the way I like it, and the vocals rule too. Sung with plenty of passion and energy. Production was a total old school sound, and this is the way death metal should be. Love this. Info:
DEATHAMMER/Crimson Dawn (Hells Headbangers)
I have loved this band’s prior releases, and here we have release # 6. The band still believer the goodness of good old-fashioned black/thrash with touches of fist-banging heavy metal too. The songs are so damn catchy, too and memorable. I was loving life. They mix the styles of black and thrash so perfectly, and the vocals are in a black/death metal style, and they sound perfect to my old ears. Plenty of speed and power, and a feeling that they just owned me on this. 6 releases strong and they still crush. Info:
IAN HIGHHILL/A Hymn Among Gravestones (Self Released)
Oh hell yeah with this release. A pure heavy metal delight, like something that would have come out in 1981 or 1982. Think Dio, Judas Priest, and Saxon. Tons of catchy hooks and riffs and no modern sounds whatsoever. This is pure fist-banging metal, and the production is the same way too. A fantastic singer has laid down the law with fantastic vocal delivery. If you love bands like Sabbath and Priest like me, this is something right up your alley, I can tell you that. Info:
HELLFUCK/9 Nails Hammered Into the Flesh of God (Godz Of War)
Some decent and cool thrash/speed metal here. No Pantera shit, neither; this is good ole thrash metal, played the right way. I’m a sucker for a good riff, and this had plenty. Songs are catchy and speedy, just the way I like my thrash. The music is powerful too. Singer has a vicious and aggressive style, and his voice blends in with the music. Production is solid and good to see the band doesn’t sound like thousands of others. Solid band. Info:
ANUBIS/Anthromorphide (M-Theory Audio)
This is this band’s 2nd album, and it is chock full of progressive thrash, but the music never went over my head. They reminded me of Forbidden if they played progressive thrash. The music is powerful and fast, and lots of catchy as hell riffing and fantastic singing. Production is awesome as well, and this band bring it and then some. You will be into this the minute the 1st note hits, I assure you. Great job on this Info:
CAUSTIC/Inner Deflagration (H.P.G.D.)
While this band is doing nothing new, they still bring a new brand of crushing death metal to the table. The music is straightforward, no frills death metal with a mix of some slower and fast parts. The singer has a good death metal voice as he belts out the tunes with feeling and passion. Production is solid, and the band have a damn good crunchy death metal guitar sound. Not bad at all. Info:
NOCTURNAL CEREMONY/Obsidian (Self Released)
This band is back after 30 years, and what a fuckin great album this is. A fantastic mix of death and black metal, and the vocals are sung with such feeling and passion, I am floored. The music just sucks you in and keeps you there, and just sucked me in and kept me there. Fantastic songs and memorable ones, big time. Fast and slow parts, and both styles ruled. One of my favourite releases of the year so far. Info:
UNEARTHLY RITES/Tortural Symphony of the Flesh (Svart Records)
Sick, punishing death metal with mixes of doom metal. The band also sped it up at times, and I loved the guitar sound on this, and the slow and fast parts owned me. Perfect death metal growl vocals that fit right along with the music. This is raw, old school death metal, and this old fart loved it. Well worth getting. Info:
BLOOD ALTAR/Inverted Recrucifixion of Pious Martyrs (Caverna Abismal Records)
Ripping old school raw death metal that crushes the weak. This shit hits hard and fast and packs a wallop big time. Tons of feeling and emotion I felt as this played on. Fantastic death metal vocals as well. Riffs that will tear your head off. The speed and power totally rule as the band mixes in a bit of black metal within their sound, too. The chainsaw pounding riffs will tear right through you. This is not to be missed, I assure you. Info:
URAL/Anthropic Genetic Involution (Xtreem Music)
Some nice ripping thrash with solid vocals. The band mix it up with some slower parts and then breaks neck speed at times as well. Death Angel came to mind at times, especially in the vocal dept, not that it’s a bad thing. Thick and catchy thrash riffs are the main attraction on this for sure. I like how the band mix up the fast and slower parts, and the solos could have come from the early Forbidden records. A band that keeps the thrash metal banner going for sure. Info:
RIVERS ABLAZE/Inexternal Dread (Inertial Music)
Some wicked pounding metal here that has death, doom, and some black metal within its realms. It’s fast and powerful like a train, and then also slows down to allow you to catch your breath. Good, solid vocals and I can hear with passion and fury coming from his lungs as he belts out the lyrics. Production is good, and you’ll just be taken on a ride you won’t want to get off, I assure you. Solid effort by these guys. Info:
DIATRIBES/Degenerate (Brutal Records)
Crushing death/thrash metal with catchy as fuck riffs that had my neck moving in no time. This band combines both styles perfectly, and you will be sucked in in no time, like me. Love the guitar sound and the speed this band uses, and they slow it down at times to allow you to catch your breath. Good, solid death metal singer and production make this one to seek out and buy. Video link below:
GOREWORM/Miasmic Solitude (Transcending Obscurity)
This was one crazy death metal band, and they made it work. They are brutal and have melodic and technical parts within their songs. It was cool to listen to, and the technical parts didn’t fly over my head as some technical metal bands do, and the music is memorable and catchy, too. Nice, solid death metal growls as well, and they fit the music perfectly. The fast parts are rip-roaring slabs of intense, speedy death metal that I loved. This band mixes up all the styles mentioned above quite well and is for sure worth your time. Check them out. Info:
TEMPLE OF VOID/The Crawl (Relapse Records)
Too much groovy riffing within the death metal to make me like this. Vocals weren’t anything special, either; they were just like any other below-average death metal singer. The songs didn’t connect with me, and they weren’t memorable. It seems the band are trying to move away from being all death metal and throwing some other music styles in, and some may dig it, but for me, I found it boring and forgettable. The band even says they wanted to get away from just being a death/doom band. For me, it didn’t work. The groove needs to go. Info:
VISIONS OF TERROR/The Dark Triad (Arson Theory)
I was liking this as it came out blasting fast and powerful, and had a nice set of death metal vocals attached to the music, and then they throw in some clean, like speaking vocals. Luckily, only a couple of lines, but I did not like that. The band does slow down to allow you to catch your breath. The fast parts are crushing, and the singer sings his ass off on this. Production is good and solid, and other than the little bits of normal vocals here and there, this is a winner for sure. Info:
HAUTAJAISYO/Surun Paino (Inverse Records)
Some solid old school Swedish-sounding death metal. This band mix up slow parts with mid-paced and speedy parts. Great death metal growl vocals, and it sounds like he is really feeling it out as he blasts out the vocals. I love the production, and the guitar sound totally rules. This is the way death metal should and needs to sound. Prepare to be crushed. Info:
POSEYDON/Time Is A River And The Waters Are Red (Self Released)
Some total kick ass thrash with tons of crunchy and catchy riffs and lots of speed and aggression to go along with it. Reminds me at times of older Sepultura (Beneath the Remains era) at times. A fantastic singer whose voice is perfect for the music. Production rules as well. If you’re into real thrash metal or old school thrash metal, have I got a band for you. Info:
IGNOBLETH/Manor of Primitive Anticreation (Caligari Records)
A sick and punishing mix of death and black metal. This shit is fast, and it is intense. Played with a ton of feeling, and the vocals just owned me. The band slows it down to catch your breath, and then it is back to 100% intensity. This just had tons of feeling and emotion in the music and the vocals as well. Production is perfect, and the music is so violent and memorable at the same time. A masterpiece in my book. Info:
BACKFIRE!/The Last Confession (WTF Records)
Fast ripping short blasts of old school hardcore the way I like it. Rip-roaring speed and intensity, along with shouted hardcore-style vocals, had me liking this very much. The band slow it down a bit to allow you to catch your breath and then crushes you with its speed and intensity. I also like the old school production where everything is down and dirty. This was a hardcore treat, no doubt. Info:
HEBEPHRENIQUE/Decathexis (Apocalyptic Witchcraft)
This was a combo of death and black metal, and not a very good one. The music was just a faceless wall of noise with no direction, and the songs and music were pointless. The vocals were bad growls and had no feeling behind them at all. The music was just blah, blah, blah, with nothing memorable at all. Terrible job on this. Info:
UNDER THE SHADOWS/I Before You (Self-Released)
This had a little bit of a prog edge to it, and they are a straight-ahead heavy metal band. Songs aren’t bad; they have a catchy edge to them, and the songs didn’t fly over my head either. Singer has a nice, solid voice, and his vocals fit the music well. Production is good as well. Check out a video link below to hear them and a Facebook link as well:
VITAMIN X/Ride The Apocalypse (Svart Records)
Total in your face, rip roaring old school hardcore the way it should be. In your face vocals, speedy music, with small breaks, and a totally old school production too. Think old Agnostic Front, Sick of it All and bands of that nature. Riffs that are catchy and memorable, too. This takes me back to the mid-80s when I would go see hardcore shows at City Gardens in Trenton, NJ. A fan of hardcore, you will want to check these guys out. Info:
GRAVEMASS/This Is The Way (End Game Records Inc)
This is a band that combines death metal with bits and pieces of black metal, and it works perfectly. The vocals are awesome as the singer spits out the lyrics with total intensity and feeling, and even throws in black metal screams now and then. The music is super heavy and catchy, and is just great death metal with a pinch of black metal at times. Music will just crush you and leave you weak. I loved this. Video link and other info below. Video link:
MORE/Destructor (Warhead Music)
This band, an NWOBHM band, was formed in 1979, and they have been through many line-up changes, but here they still are. This is album # 3, and it packs quite a wallop. A pure NWOBHM classic, I can tell you that. 100% pure heavy metal with lots of catchy hooks and just fantastic songs. Singer Mike Freeland does an incredible job as his vocals shine on this. This is a pure heavy metal classic and is one of my favs of the year so far. This gets a 10 out of 10 from me. Metal never sounded so damn good. Info:
SHADOW MASTER/ MYSTIC STORM-The Power/Wandering Time (Shadow Kingdom Records)
A split here of 2 bands with 3 new songs each. Shadow Master offers up 3 amazing tracks of pure heavy metal, not to be missed if you’re a metal fan. Mystic Storm continue the metal onslaught with 3 amazing tracks of their own. This is a fist banging mania metal fans’ dream. 2 amazing bands playing pure heavy/power metal that is ripe to the core, pure heavy metal. Catchy as hell tunes with some incredible vocals from both bands. This is metal done right all the way, and you need this in your collection. One of my favourite releases of the year so far. Info:
HELL TREPANNER/The Consecration of Eternal Impurity (Awakening Records)
While the band isn’t doing anything new, they blast out some fast and pounding death metal that I liked. Wicked speed and pounding drums, along with some solid death metal vocals, made me enjoy this. The riffs are catchy and memorable as well. Singer has a good growl style and didn’t sound generic at all. The band hits hard and will knock you over, and only take small breaks of speed before they pour it on again. Solid death metal release here, and the production is solid as well. Info:
TRANSILVANIA/Magia Posthuma (Invictus Productions)
This is a mix of black and thrash metal, and at first, I hated it, but as it played on, it grew on me, and I thought this was really cool. The vocals are black metal, and the music is a mixture of black and thrash metal. It’s fast and powerful at times, and it is also mid-paced at times, too. The riffing is really strong, powerful and catchy, and it was that that sucked me in deep with this. It also helps that they don’t sound like a million other bands, and the black metal vocals are creepy and sound good, too. A solid production rounds this out, and I say check these guys out as they are not the average band for sure. Info:
DISTORTED REFLECTION/Doom Zone (Iron Shield Records)
This was a doom/rock band, and they weren’t bad. The singer sings with a ton of passion and feeling in his voice, and that made it easy to get into this band. They didn’t play super slow, and the songs were good and catchy. Production on this wasn’t bad, and I like the guitar sound the band has as well. This gets a thumbs up from me. Video link below:
ANOTHER DEMON/As Above So Below (Ragebreed Records)
This band signed with Ragebreed Records, who are going to re-release an EP they put out. I am reviewing the EP, and I wasn’t too keen on it. I didn’t like the tough guy vocal style of the singer, and music-wise, the thrash metal was nothing special. The music just didn’t catch my ear much, and I felt the music was, for the most part, boring. The music is mostly played at a fast tempo and is fast, but the riffs to me weren’t memorable or catchy and add a bad singer to the mix as well. Not impressed at all. Info:
BARBARIC OATH/Sword, Sorcery, Vengeance (Caligari Records)
Down and dirty death metal with tons of speed and catchy riffs to boot. Hellish vocals only help this as the thick, heavy as fuck riffs pound away. The 2 band members do slow it down at times, but this is just a total all-out assault on your eardrums. This is your soundtrack to hell. Fantastic production, too, and this dulled my senses for sure. Streaming track to check out:
MANGLED RECREMENT/Demo (Caligari Records)
While this band is not doing anything new or different, I enjoyed this blast of old-school death metal from these guys. Punishing riffs and plenty of speed, power and intensity in the mix, along with some fantastic death metal vocals, had me grinning from ear to ear. Immolation was a band that came to mind as this played on. The tunes on this did not bore me, and the riffs had me banging away and playing air drums as well. Death metal, the way it should be played and 2 horns up from me. Sample track link below: http://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/demo-22
MORTUARY/Great Black Earth (H.P.G.D.)
This band has been around since 1988! and even released an album back in 1990, reissued by JL America back in 1992, and here they are back with a new 4-song EP. It’s some killer shit, mind you. Classic old school death metal, the way Mr Forbes likes it. Crushing riffs, sick vocals, plenty of speed and intensity as well. This has songs that you will immediately get into, and no modern death metal sounds. This is death metal played the good old-fashioned way. The band had me playing air drums and my neck moving along to these tunes. A pure death metal delight, I can promise you that. Info: http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/store/hpgd359.html
STREGA/Mors Mortiys Morte (Masked Dead Records/Sulphur Musi)
This was a weird, but cool band. They play 80’s style heavy metal, but throw in some wicked keyboard sections, haunting vocals and just make it their own. The songs are damn catchy and memorable, and the vocals fit right in with what the band is playing. It can at times be like King Diamond meeting Iron Maiden if that’s possible. Just nice to hear something different, and believe me, this band makes it work, and this would be something I would not be into, but no way, this sucked me and held my attention throughout. I wanted more than the 3 songs on here. A band to check out and keep an eye on for sure. Info:
https://maskeddeadrecords.com/
DEAD SAMARITAN/Overlord of Wasteland (Self Released)
Some total ass-kicking death/thrash, with the music being in the thrash vein and the vocals sung in a more death metal style. Crushing riffs along with plenty of power, speed and intensity won me over in no time. Solid vocals that don’t sound out of place at all and are catchy and memorable as well. Love the guitar crunch and power this band has. Just a total blasting and onslaught of crushing death/thrash that is not to be missed, I promise you. Info: https://www.facebook.com/DeadSamaritan
MEZZROW/Embrace The Awakening (Rock Of Angel Records)
This band was first formed way back in the 80’s and had a full-length out called “Then Came The Killing” on Active Records in 1990. Well, the band broke up after a 1991 demo and then reformed with 2 original members (Uffe, the singer and Conny, the bass player) in 2021 and have put out one fantastic release. This is prime time old school Bay Area thrash with tons of hooks, speed and power along with some great vocals to boot. Production is on the money, and the songs are memorable too. I was into this big time before the 1st song was even over. No groove on this. Just hard-hitting thrash the way it should sound. The head will be moving and the air guitar flowing, I assure you, while listening to this. Great to see this Swedish band back and back in a big way. Info: https://www.roar.gr/
PARALLEL MINDS/Cairn (Self Released)
A heavy metal band with bits of power metal mixed in. Nice, solid, clean vocals as the guy sings his heart out on this big time. You could mix Blind Guardian and Testament, and you would get an idea of what they sound like. No nu metal sounds, which I was happy about. Production is nice, and I like the guitar solos a lot too. Songs were catchy and memorable as well. You can check the band out on their Bandcamp page, and I think you’ll like what you hear. Info: https://parallelminds.bandcamp.com/album/cairn-digital-edition
SKAPHOS/The Descent (Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions)
This is a mix of death and black metal, both in the music and the vocals. I didn’t find anything special, I’m afraid. The music was fast, but just sounded like 100’s of other bands I have heard doing death/black metal over the years. The music had those fast-picking riffing parts at times and then slowed down a bit and sped up. The vocals were typical death/black vocals as well. Nothing stood out or was special to me. It didn’t suck, but was anything to go nuts over, I’m afraid. Info:
https://www.lesacteursdelombre.net/product-category/preorders
DICHOTOMY/Lucifer Owns The Fence (Rottweiler Records)
This is a single-member (Jordan Varela) band/project, and it is terrible, typical, generic death metal with vocals, with the singer just growling into the mic and showing no feeling or emotion. The music is fast, but amounts to nothing special at all. Boring songs with nothing memorable about them at all. The singing really brings it down for me, though, and the production is flat as a pancake. The drums sound programmed as well. Nothing good on this whatsoever. Info: https://www.rottweilerrecords.com/
GORENCEPHALIC/Gore of the Forgotten (Nihilistic Holocaust Records)
While this band is doing nothing new, this is still some kick ass old school death metal in the vein of Immolation and Incantation. A pure speed delight with tons of power, fury and hate within the music. Sick vocals are another highlight, as I loved them and they fit the music perfectly. The riffing is so damn intense, and along with the speed, power and feeling just rules. Tons of emotions and feelings on this. The production also maintains that old-school feel, and I loved it big time. Death metal fans will love this as did I. Takes me back to the 90’s with this feeling and playing. The crunchy riffs will have you melting big time. Get it. Info: https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/Webshop/
DEATHWARDS/In Deathlore 2017-2019 (Sepulchral Voice)
This is a comp of 2 releases from way back in the 80’s that was re-released by Invictus Records on tape, and now we have it on CD for the 1st time. Some of the tunes are from 2019, including an Infernal Majesty cover tune. The really old stuff is crushing old school-sounding death/thrash that rules with tons of feeling and power. The stuff from 2019 is even more chaotic and raw and crushes as well. Just a total blast of death metal that hits hard and fast. Info: https://www.facebook.com/SepulchralVoiceRecords
ANASARCA/Achlys (SelfMadeGod Records)
Some solid, fast death metal with plenty of catchy, memorable riffs and tons of speed and power, along with some solid vocals. The band may not be doing anything new, but they are good at what they do, and that is play straightforward, no frills death metal. Vocals are good, growly style, and fit the music well. The tunes are mostly blazing fast, but there are a few slow parts to allow you to catch your breath. If you like your death metal fast, you’ll want this.
ASHEN HORDE/The Harvest (Self Released)
This was a black/death band with bits of progressive and even alternative metal thrown in the mix. It’s a combo I was not a fan of, and the vocals I totally hated. They throw in some clean vocals, which I was not a fan of and the black metal vocals at times were pointless and sounded so out of place. The songs pretty much bored me, and I found nothing of value on this myself. The super low death metal growls were awful, and this just had nothing on it that I liked. Info: https://ashenhorde.bandcamp.com/album/the-harvest
UNEARTHLY RITES/Tortural Symphony of the Flesh (Svart Records)
Some sick death metal with bits of grind thrown in. Crushing low-tuned death metal guitars are a highlight, along with some sick death metal vocals sung with fury, feeling and passion. The band mix up the slow crushing parts with some wicked speed at times, and I loved the guitar sound big time. An underground death metal delight to my ears. This crushed my ears big time.
DESOLUS/Dwellers of the Twilight Void (Hells Headbangers)
Crushing, rip your face off old school thrash metal is the ticket here. Rip-roaring riffs and vocals from hell made me fall in love with this quickly. I love the old 80’s thrashy guitar sound as well. The speed, aggression and feeling are second to none on this as well. This just attacks and never lets up until the end. Vocals are like Mille from Kreator, which works for me. If you love 80’s thrash, you’ll want and need this in your collection for sure. Info:
GOUGE/Pure Deathfuck (Hells Headbangers)
5 tracks of ripping old school death metal with wicked riffing and powerful vocals. Riffs that stick out and songs that you won’t soon forget. A nice mix of slower and faster parts as well. Fantastic death metal vocals, and the production is right on the money, keeping that old school alive. Now this comes alone as a 12”/tape or comes on CD with their 2012 EP “Doomed To Death”, and that crushes as well. Get the CD. Info:
BEWITCHED/Diabolical Death Mass (Osmose Productions)
This band is back with their last release being in 2006! This release is solid, and plenty of classic thrash is found within and some great vocals too. A perfect combo of thrash/black metal with thunderous riffing and power behind them. Catchy as hell tunes just sucked me in big time, and my neck was moving around quite a lot as this played on. Very cool production as it retains an old school sound, and it is not overproduced. Very nice to see this band back and to deliver the goods on a fantastic return release, too.
PRIMAL SCREAM/Volume One (Divebomb Records)
This release originally came out in 1987 on Mercenary Records and featured Keith Alexander, who used to be in NY based band Carnivore. This has a crossover edge to it, especially in the vocals. This has the 10 tracks on the original release, plus 3 bonus 1986 demo tracks. This is some total kick ass thrash with a hardcore edge to it. Wargasm is a band that came to my mind as this played on if they had a hardcore type of singer. The songs are all catchy as hell thrash, with tons of memorable riffs and plenty of power and aggression mixed in. Totally awesome that Divebomb has reissued this long-lost gem, I can tell you that. A 3nd release was planned, but due to a lack of label support that never came to be. Keith passed away in 2005, but left us with some great music, including this. Divebomb does it again.
MENACE/Wheels of Spike (Metal On Metal)
Crushing old school speedy thrash with high-pitched vocals like the metal god Halford himself. This band returns after a 14 yr silence from their debut release. Songs are catchy as hell, and the vocals are perfect and suck you right in. The band mixes in mid-paced parts along with the speed, and each track is a crushing slab of prime time thrash played the way it should be. Excellent production as well. If Judas Priest played thrash metal, this would give you an idea of how they sound. Really good stuff here. Info: https://metalonmetalrecords.com/
VOMIT DIVISION/Hangover Highway (Metal On Metal)
A one-man band back after 5 years, and this rules. Sick, punishing thrash with black metal style vocals and also some rock n roll in spots. Awesome guitar sound and production on this. Tunes have plenty of power and passion, and a mix of mid-paced and faster parts. The music just sucks you in and won’t let you go until the last note is played. Doesn’t sound like every other band out there, either. Fantastic release that you need to check out for sure. Info: https://metalonmetalrecords.com/
STRIKEHAMMER/Midnight Inferno (Metal on Metal)
Oh, this is another band of what the doctor ordered. Think if Motorhead played ripping thrash, you’d get an idea what these guys are all about. Throw some Venom in as well. Riffs are so damn catchy and suck you in big time. Vocals are vicious, almost like Cronos at times. The tunes just suck you in and will have that head moving and feet too. I am a sucker for a good riff, and this had plenty. This also has a punkish edge to it in the vocals, and they sound perfect to me. A great find by Metal on Metal for sure.
SKAPHOS “The Descent (Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions)
Some decent death metal here. The band play fast and furious and doesn’t sound like every other death metal band with good vocals. The tunes took a couple of spins to get into, and from there, I was into it. It’s aggressive, fast and powerful, the way I like my death metal. Production is good and solid, and glad they aren’t like every other death metal band out there. Info: https://skaphosmusic.com/
CORPSE WATER/Something In The Water (Grindscene Records)
This is a one man project/band and unfortunately it is a typical heard it a million times before death metal with generic growl vocals. The guy just growls into the mic with no feeling or power. The music is like a 10th generic version of Cannibal Corpse with groove injected in the mix. Not very good at all, I’m afraid. Maybe he should work on finding some band members. Info: https://www.facebook.com/grindscene/
TOXIK SHOCK/Future Is Calling (This Charming Mans Records)
Some cool crossover music from this band on their 3rd full-length release. The music is a mix of thrash and hardcore, with vocals also a mix of both styles. Some nice solid riffing and music that is catchy and memorable the 1st time you hear it. Production is also on the money, and the band mix up both hardcore and thrash styles rather well. Check out the video link and ordering info below.
Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ku6VmkkFZY
DEAD SLEEP/Repulsion (Self-Released)
Some decent, crunchy, well-played thrash on this 4-track EP. The power, speed and intensity easily won me over as the riffing is catchy as fuck. Songs are memorable after you hear them, and NO Pantera around as well. Vocals are in the aggressive vein as well, and the thick bass sound on this track rules. Production is not overdone, and it plain rules. Can’t wait to hear more. Info: https://www.facebook.com/DEADSLEEPMalmo/
DEAD TREE THOUGHTS/Toxic Thoughts (Self Released)
This is a re-release of sorts of this, which originally came out 12 years ago, and now the band have re-released it on all streaming platforms. I can hear a Testament and Exodus sort of thrashy sounds as this played on. It’s fast and violent, and those crunchy riffs will have you playing air guitar no doubt. Don’t take my word for it, head over to their Bandcamp page and prepare to be thrashed as the full album is streaming there. Info: https://deadtreeseeds.bandcamp.com/album/toxic-thoughts
RINGLORD/The Queen Of The Wildred (Steel Gallery Records)
This is a classic power metal band with a clean, but powerful-sounding singer, and his voice fits right in with the music. The music is straightforward power metal with lots of wicked guitar solos from the guitar player. Music is heavy as well, and think Hammerfall and bands of that nature. This will just suck you in and not let you go until it’s done. Well played and well done, and this is fist-banging metal you’ll love. Info: https://steelgallery.com/
SABOTOR/Første Aksjon (Dark Essence Records)
This band mix a perfect blend of metal and punk. The music is a mix of speedy metal and punk, and the singer has a more hardcore sound to his voice. Love the old school production as the tunes are catchy, aggressive, and easy to get into. The chainsaw pounding riffs will have you doing air guitar big time. Love the speed, power, and intensity this band displays on this. Singer totally gets into this as well. Well worth checking out for sure.
