01 Paradise Lost
02 Valholl
03 Shub-Niggurath
04 Beyond The Landscape
05 The Dawn
06 The Thing The Sleep In The Abyss
07 Landscape
08 La Lama / The Blade
09 A Closed Room

      And so we got yet another nice production on Golden Lake, this time coming from Italian lands. Recorded on May of last year, Advent's debut album - "The Dawn" is an interesting blend of atmospheric black metal and progressive death metal, as they call it. Whatever the label stuck upon this record though, I found it to be a very pleasant one indeed. This quintet, combining in a very smart way, attention gripping melodies with that unique black metal aggressiveness basically managed to record a worth listening album, which in fact is something well worth stressing nowadays. Although personally, I found the first three tracks, which by the way formed their previously released demo, to carve their way upon my soul somehow deeper, the rest of the tracks maintain the band clearly on their path. Good skills, nicely developed song structures and no shitting around. The newer tracks clearly put much more emphasis on the guitar rawness than those coming from the "Valholl" demo, which includ much more keyboard work. I just have to mention the very varied vocal work, including black metal screams, growls, strong clear singing and some experiments here and there, which has a great impact on the overall outcome. Sure thing, one could find some things that don't fit one's exact tastes, like I'd personally point out "Beyond The Landscape", which took me ages to get accustomed with. Still, "The Dawn" is, and I'm happy to say that, one of those debut albums, which I do come back to with an evil grin of pleasure on my face. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.adventcomes.it

01 Traición
02 Fruto Del Pecado
03 Brisa Del Sur
04 Hijo De La Noche

      Without any doubt, I have to say that this band has recorded their best material up to date. This four-track EP gives the listener just about twenty five minutes of quite good quality. I got pretty much surprised to find such bands out of such a small town as Curico/Chile and I have to say I find them to be probably this country's best bands within their category - both, Death Living in the thrash-black category and Amoris Umbra representing doom metal with female and male vocalists. The tracks are very well arranged and if you enjoyed The Gathering's "Nighttime Birds" and The first Theatre Of Tragedy album you shouldn't be disappointed with "Brisas del Sur". Having said that, I need to stress the fact, that these guys are not a copy of any the aforementioned bands. It is clear, Amoris Umbra are still in the process of developing their own style and they're definitely on the right track. I'd also like to see some kind of future evolution set into their music, where evolution means nothing close to the shitpop Theatre Of Tragedy got into these days. I found it very entertaining the play of vocals between Berta, who experimented quite a lot here with her singing manner, and Francisco. The tracks as such are mostly direct and kept safe from any weird stuff there, which makes it very dynamic and I would even say, it makes you feel as it was too short - which is definitely a positive thing. Maybe if the lyrics were a bit darker I would say it could make it even more attractive? Enough said - "Brisas del Sur" is a recommendable, worth checking out material. [- Blasfemo]
http://www.amorisubra.cl

01 I Need To Kill A Fucking Bitch

      The name of this single track from these Chileans says it all. It's all about thrash metal, and of the good breed. The band clearly shows quite a range of the typical clichés developed by some of the greats of the old-school thrash. Pace changes from ultra speed down to mid paced passages, leaving space for head banging and the mosh-pit to burst mad with energy. Personally, the voice brought me back memories of the German Protector (RIP). The music itself goes somewhere close to such legends as Defiance, Assassin end Legacy. "I Need To Kill A Fucking Bitch" is without doubt a good song, that left me wanting more. So, go for it guys so we can get a longer production. [- Blasfemo]

01 Millennium
02 ...Waiting
03 H3
04 Anvil Of Doom

      Well, actually I had a bit of trouble getting down to this review. Mostly because I have very mixed feelings about bands that, even though show high quality work, can be compared easily to other band with a, let say, bigger name. You see, Anvil Of Doom is a Spanish band that all of you, Children Of Bodom lovers, out there should be well aware of. As simple as that, actually. A good combination of death metal and melodic elements of a high standard. The thing that hit me straight in the face, on top of all the music, were the vocals which put altogether and labelled with the aforementioned band's name would sell thousands of copies right away. And I'm sure as Hell, that many maniacs out there would easily confuse both bands if given the opportunity. Anyway, if copying other bands' styles doesn't bother you much, the actual material won't disappoint you as it shows high level musicianship and overall quality. Very well performed, nicely produced and entertaining. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.anvilofdoom.com

01 Atrocities To Testify Dementia
02 Deliriums Of Moribound Addiction
03 Remember The Infanticide
04 Resurrected In Excretive Substances

      Following the Chilean metal scene for quite a few years I had the chance to observe the rise and fall of many bands, obviously some of better quality than others. Some bands just seemed to disappear quicker than it took them to break out of their practice rooms out to the public. Apart from the usual problems most young bands go through, including notorious band members' shifts, lack of any worth mentioning label's interest in the material proposed, in many cases came out to be the deadliest. So it is a great pleasure to introduce a band that seems to finally make it through, as only few have managed to.
      Listening to this demo, the first thing that came to my mind, were visions of an earthquake, that not that long ago wiped away an entire city, covering with rock and dust thousands of lives. No questions asked, no answers to be given. Destruction in its purest form and so is "The Beginning Of Human Cruelty". A combination of ultra-speed drumming, great guitar work and vocals vomited out in a way that is sure to leave quite a few brain-dead out there. There are also some slower parts as well as guitar solos to be found here and there, keeping each track entertaining and far from boring. A well thought through act of destruction indeed. On top of that, an overall production, which leaves many full-length albums out there looking silly, to say the least. At times, for some reasons, it reminded me a bit of Broken Hope at its best. Defacing massacres all the way through these four tracks and honestly, I'm looking forward to their upcoming debut album which is scheduled to be out early this year on Xtreem Music. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.xtreemmusic.com

01 Expiation In Filth
02 Razor Vortex
03 Evil Unspeakable
04 Manifest Of Evil Presence
05 Consume The Chosen

      Defiler's second demo to date bursts with satanic fury, to say the least. Kept mostly in the black metal regions with a fair amount of death metal touches, "Expiation Of Filth" makes its way through each of the five tracks pretty smoothly. Yet, I found the demo to be missing something to an entire fulfilment. Something, I am not quite sure how to describe.
      Anyway, I must admit I enjoyed it enough, in particular most of the slower, death metal parts with a deeper vocal work. The standard black metal riffing kind of failed to crush me down to my knees. I mean, it won't help any band to stand out of the flock delivering what's been heard for years. I'd also, personally, love to hear a bit more variety incorporated into the high pitch black metal vocals, which would definitely make this a much fuller material. Even though the entire combination works pretty much ok, I'd rather see a bit more of those death metal parts, which clearly show these guys know how to raise Hell without copying old patterns. I would say - just fucking go for it!
      Funny enough, I found the tracks to be more interesting as the CD spins its way along and not the other way round, as some bands tend to do, putting a few nice songs to start of with and fill the rest with crappy time-consumers. "Evil Unspeakable" and "Manifest Of Evil Presence" are my favourites on this release and I am certainly looking forward to Defiler's debut full-length album, which should show whether Defiler is going to stand out or stay among the rest. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.razorvortex.cjb.net

01 Allegiance
02 Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse
03 Lepers Among Us
04 Uredesbyrd
05 For The World To Dictate Our Death
06 Blood Hunger Doctrine
07 Allehelgens Dod I Helveds Aike
08 Cataclysm Children
09 Eradication Instincts Defined
Unorthodox Manifesto
11 Heavenly Perverse
bonus track:
12 Satan My Master [Bathory cover]

      There's been a lot said and written about this band and well... there are probably as many fans as people who even hate the sound of the band's name. The truth is that with this album, in my opinion they've shown to the world that they are one of the very best when it comes to symphonic black metal. "Death Cult Armageddon" is a release that it'll probably take long years to overshadow with another release of the kind, if at all. A tremendous output indeed.
      Excellent arrangements and a perfect production, that actually let you hear all there is to hear. And lots more. Apparently these guys managed to incorporate a choir of forty people into their music and make it sound just like it always belonged there. Also, there are many parts of the record that sound like soundtracks to some blasphemous film, that kind of let the listener take a breath just before another perfect sound avalanche. Incredible drum monster, perfect guitar work and very varied vocals. Yet, it wasn't until I went a few times through the record that I started to get all the deeper into it. It's not a very straight forward album which makes it lots more interesting and demanding at the same time.
      This is certainly a record that sets new standards and those who miss on it, miss on a black jewel. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.dimmuborgir.com

01 Deus Diabolous Inversus
02 Battle Of The Serpents Within
03 Requiem For A Caged Lust
04 Selenes And Endymions Son
05 Ascending Path: A Star Child Is Born
06 Aphorism
07 Monolith: Test Teach Transform
08 Once Upon A Time?
09 The Seven Gifts Of Sin
10 Doberman
11 Incects
12 Avatar Of The Age Of Horus
13 Argenteum Astrum

       Now, this band has certainly recorded an album that goes along with their name as one. "Deus Diabolus Inversus", their third full-length release, spits forth the kind of evil that can only be found in the deepest, long forgotten chasms of the Underworld. Sick and dark as Hell itself. This is an album that I personally marked as one of my last year's favourites. It takes the listener into a different dimension if you get really deep into it. In fact, you can hear a lot of different instruments added here and there to make the album yet more interesting.
      Horrifying all the way through. Definitely a varied album with that special feeling found only on releases coming from the very best of Greece. A rather slower piece of music that drills the listener's mind and nails any holy shit down to the ground. Listen to "Once Upon A Time?", which is a sort of a theatrical performance, then go straight along with one of my favourites - "The Seven Gifts Of Sin" and you should understand what I mean. A beautifully sick piece of art by these veterans of the Greek underground. Even though may not be as well known to the wider audience, have been mastering The Art just as long as their country mates Sceptic Flesh for instance.
      Roaming among pain and pleasure, each track creates a unique atmosphere on its own, hard to describe in a few simple words. A very dark album indeed, that is sure to make your neighbours piss themselves all over in the very late hours of the night. Just make sure to keep the volume as high as it deserves it to be and let it eat your brains away. [- Lord Darnok]
More info: http://www.horrified.info

01 Intro
02 Restless Life
03 Fly
04 Admission Free
05 The Play
06 Zwischenpiel
07 The Lie
08 Into The Night
09 Living You
10 Nervous Breakdown
11 Outro

      Here we got a debut album from this German quintet presenting a nice mixture of old school death metal and some fresh touches of brutality and aggression combined with attention gripping melodies.
      Released last July for the Spanish based label Xtreem Music, "Soulreaver" came out to be not as very straight forward of an album as it seemed at the very first spin. In fact, with every consecutive time I listened to it, there were more and more things to it. One thing that certainly deserves mentioning here is the catchy riffing found in most of the songs and pretty good arrangements all the way through. Just to give you an idea of what to expect I'd mention Morgoth and God Dethroned among Misanthropic's influences. There's no doubt about the fact, that these guys got some really good ideas developed here. Even though, in my opinion, for some reasons some of the tracks lack the energy others possess, it is certainly an enjoyable material overall. Nicely produced, with a clear insight to every instrument's work, "Soulreaver" manages to get to its end without boring the listener.
      One thing that really annoyed me is the instrumental cut, which I found to be sort of out of place. Another thing that comes to mind is this kind of an equal intensity of the entire album, which may have a different impact on each listener. Although the vocals are of the deep, brutal growl kind found among early Swedish death metal gods, they seem to lose a bit on its aggression, after a longer while into this release. I'd go maybe for just a bit more variety, to make them as catchy as the guitar work is - just some thoughts going through my death-rotten mind.
      The opener "Restless Life" is by far my favourite track on this album, a kick-ass song, yet as I mentioned before there is quite a lot to enjoy on this album. Although "Soulreaver" might not make it onto the top-ten charts, it is certainly an album which I'd recommend to those death metal maniacs out there, that aren't yet addicted to hyper speed blasts and do enjoy some mid-paced brutal play throughout the day, just to make life more bearable. [- Lord Darnok].
http://www.misanthropic.de

01 Death of Neira
02 The Senior Lover of Diamanda
03 I Am Jesus
04 Pale Crescendo of Diamond Suns
05 Luciferin ( What Men Could Bear Masters? )
06 Muscat ( Darkdark Road )
07 The Poor Us
08 I've Never Dreamt the Life We Share
09 Treasures in Aramaic Tears ( Echelon )
10 Semana Tragica
11 Nightfall

      After a few years of darkest silence Nightfall returned with an album that clearly shows, these Greeks are nowhere near to falling into the shadows of forgotten neverlands. Solving problems with Holy Records and signing a new deal with Black Lotus Records opened way to "I Am Jesus", a release that is sure to stick around for a long time.
      The opening track seems to lead the listener by the hand right into the darkest passages of the album with its highly gripping chorus and soul piercing melodies. So does the second track, building up an unforgettable atmosphere, heading towards the title track. This makes its point clear. Each following cut keeps the listener's attention and swings smoothly to the next song. It was well worth the wait for this album finally to see the light of the day. A crystal clear production with perfect combination of dark melodies, evil singing, brutality and aggression where needed made up a record that keeps ringing madly in the head long after the CD itself stops spinning.
      Nightfall managed to show, that it's no coincidence, they've put out such highly acclaimed records as for instance the "Lesbian Show". These guys are back now and without a doubt there is more of Nightfall yet to come. They've not disappointed but proven what they are all about.
      "I Am God" is one of those highly recommended release, not to be missed by any means. Prepare to unfold the truth. [- Lord Darnok].
http://www.nightfallstar.com

01 Descarga Intestinal
02 No Maten A Los Animales
03 Erosion
04 No Se Puede Vivir
05 Gente Anormal
06 Christian Gays 1
07 Reacción Frenetika
08 Claustro
09 Christian Gays 2
10 Victimas
11 En El Filo
12 Cronicas De Un Mundo Enfermo

      It's a great pleasure to comment on this work of my old friends de Reaccion Frenetika. The origins of this band date back to 1992 and after all this time, they've finally came to a decision of actually recording their first stuff... To be honest they've taken it quite seriously as the sound is pretty good and the songs themselves actually make you move your foot getting ready to go into the mosh-pit. I can't leave it without mentioning that among many people that went through the band, Lord Darnok worked on the bass many years back. The band is now formed by three of the former members: Alvaro (bass), Raul (guit.) and Francisco (drums) with Cristisan /Everton (guit.) and Diego (voice). El demo starts with a song kind of Napalm Death's F.E.T.O and that's just how the rest of the record vomits its way through. Songs that stand out include "Erosion", "Reaccion Frenetika", Victimas" y "En El Filo", all of which are sure to please all maniac of the first works of the aforementioned Napalm Death and Carcass. On top of that there are influences of Agathocloes, Terrorizer, Putrid Scum, Defecation, Doom and Blood. Fuck, just mentioning all these bands makes me want to smash the house down hehe. Congratulations guys, because it was all well worth to wait all these years to get this release at last. Hail Sordido-Etilico-Volatil Grind Death from Chile. [- Blasfemo].
http://www.reaccionfrenetika.tk

01 Unbeliever's Script
02 Illusion Possessor
03 Controlled By Mind
04 Soul Controllers
05 Shapeless Entity
06 Knowledge Gatherer
07 Voices From The Past [instrumental]
08 Spiritually Tormented
09 Waves Of Destruction

      Yeap, here we got it... The third offering of this Polish band, that walks firmly the path of technical death metal. Well, as it is the first time we have the chance to review them on our site - to make you more or less aware of the band's approach to music, there are two bands I'd mention, Death (RIP) and Atheist. Both should make you clear what's going on in here. Although the vocals are a bit lower than the aforementioned, it still petty much fits the pattern. The production as such is excellent, so is the musicianship. The guitar work doesn't stop to impress and it flows and drills slowly your mind... most of these songs indeed get deep into one's mind! Personally, the first and foremost thing I'd mention about this record is the guitar work that simply grips your god damn guts and won't let go till you're out of breath. It's got its power, its aggression, its instrumental track - which is sure to leave you speechless for some time.
      "Unbeliever's Script" is certainly a record worth recommending world wide, just because it's got all the things that make a record a remembered one. Even though it might not be a break through release, personally I'd say it deserves its acknowledgment. [- Lord Darnok].
http://www.sceptic.metal.pl

01 Death Metal Beast
02 Dark Meresies
03 Isolated (from demo 199.5)

      To be honest, this promo's name says it all and gives a perfect insight into what's to be found on it. This three-tracker attacks the listener and smashes the face with pure, raw death metal. And that's where I have to admit, if there are debut album I await to get my hands upon, their upcoming full-length album is definitely on of those. Supreme Lord doesn't play any games, doesn't shit around. Pretty good song structures and pace changes, although it is most kept in mid tempos. The first thing that came to mind listening to this promo was the South American scene - mostly the first two cuts, which made me pay even more attention to this material. "Isolated" is a little different from the other songs, but than again, it's got its age by now. Lord Supreme shows how killer can keeping things within the boundaries of certain degree of simplicity be - death metal at its purest form - and it works perfect here. Altogether it is a no-tolerance-no-mercy material and clearly shows that these guys are dead serious about Lord Supreme. I simply can't see how this material wouldn't meet any real death metal fan's expectations and as I said before, I can't wait to listen to the full-length album called "X99.9", which apparently is to be released soon for Conquer Records. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.supremelord.com

01 Bad Dreams
02 About Love
03 Into The Black, Wild Night
04 The Dead House

      This first recorded material of these Polish youngsters made me, actually, think quite a lot as I couldn't get myself to decide what to think about it in a few words. Well, to begin with, "The First Scream" is a nicely elaborated chunk of crushing metal, no doubt about that. Personally, I found in it lots of thash-y riffing, although the album as such has a totally death metal sound and power to it. It is mostly well kept within mid tempos range, with some slower bits here and there. I could say I had a flashback of Slayer's golden years in one particular moment of this release, but hey! - my mind likes playing tricks on me. Still, if I had to classify these guys, I'd say it's death metal alright. The guitar work, including the solos made me very aware that these guys do know how to use their instruments. The production and clear, yet heavy as fuck sound works very nicely altogether. Also, I would expect the drummer to get bored and kind of stuck maintaining the same pace mostly through these tracks but very fortunately this was not the case here, as he does lots not to deliver shit. I did also enjoy most of the growls, but the higher pitched screams included in some parts just fell short of what would like to hear. In fact, I'd rather listen to a bit more varied growls which would perfectly do the job, instead of those screams on any of Vedonist's new material. But that's not something I could not live with, anyway. Although I found there was something missing on "The First Scream", that would make the listener fall onto his/her knees, I have to say it is still a good debut and well worth checking out. I can sense good vibrations there and just who knows what these guys are up to in the future. [- Lord Darnok]
Contact: or visit http://www.vedonist.metal.pl

01 Intro
02 Spawn Of Satan's Curse
03 Impious Genocide
04 Malevolent Effacement
05 Chanting Of Ghouls
06 Salvation By Extermination
07 Of Evil Blood
08 Grotesque Visions
09 Rapt In Malignity
10 Verminous Fluids

      It's always a pleasure to present a band that somehow outstands from the ever emerging numbers of new bands, usually lacking creativity, aggression or whatever. Well, Verminous formed in 2002, chose to go for a mixture of good old-school death and thrash metal, with an amount of fury and density that most newcomers could only dream of. At first hit me the sound of the record, which lays quite far from what we're used to these days, where bands tend to polish their offerings to a crystal clear sound. The sound smells of old days, and brings out memories of those best years. The vocals spit venom upon the holy with an incredible rage. The singing itself kind of reminded me of Maze Of Torment, the music could have some of that very early Morbid Angel's feeling... but these are just my thoughts here.
       I've got to say I'm actually enjoying this record quite a lot for a number of reasons. The old spirit, the blasphemy spat forth, that wild aggression put into each track and that bass heavily pumping its way through each consecutive cut. The actual record is just about thirty minutes long including the intro, which is also something fresh, having in mind the tendency to go for damn long, boring songs these days. Well, it is hard to compare old style, where the very roots of death metal lay with the every day, kind of modern stuff. It is certainly a very nice album if you're into extremely blasphemous and raw, stinking of Christ's blood death-thrash - this album has it all. I won't comment on the cover artwork, which actually speaks for itself. Let some holy blood stain the ground... [- Lord Darnok].
http://www.verminous.com

01 Intro
02 Cannibal Semen
03 Masturbation Party
04 Cocking Human Flesh
05 Maggots Under Skin
06 Visceral Damage

      Brutality, rawness, blood and guts all over the place - that's what the Spanish Visceral Damage is all about. This is certainly not a band for those of a weak stomach, nor for those out there, looking for virtuosity of any kind. Although the material offered on "The Feast Of Flesh" has its aggression and all that in it, somehow it didn't meet my expectations. In fact personally, I think it will take these guys much more effort than that put into this material to make their way up through many other similar offerings on the scene. It's not that the songs are bad or something. You can feel some influence here of such bands as Incantation or Disgorge. But there's a lack of that little something that would make this band somehow more characteristic among the rest - I can't honestly say that about Visceral Damage and this demo. Having said that, obviously it doesn't mean other maniacs won't love it - there is some pleasure to be sucked out off this recording. Meanwhile, I'll just have to wait and see what happens to these guys in their future full-length offering for Xtreem Music, whether they'll come up with something to definitely kill off the rest or will they chose to stay where they are today. [- Lord Darnok]
Contact:

01 Open The Gates Of Flesh
02 Dead And Devoted
03 Purified In Hellfire
04 Tread On The Cross
05 At The Side Of The Beast
06 Sabbathical Flesh Possession
07 Thorntorment The Impaled
08 Infernal Communion
09 Iconophobia
10 Dawn Of Terror

      A black-death metal offering, very much in the vein of Morbid Angel's "Altars Of Madness", (by the way I found the similarity of the opening track just a bit too much to bear and stay quiet - it just got funny after a while), Angel Corpse or Diabolic. A lot of stress put on the blasphemous side of the album and that's a fact. Not bad song structures and a raw sound, that I found becomes too harsh after a while to fully enjoy the contents of the album. Unfortunately, this is one of those bands, which I wouldn't place on my favourites list. There is a number of reasons for that and that's basically how I felt about this debut. One of the things about this album I felt bad about is that it left no scar on my godforsaken soul - and that's what I call an album that could not get through to me. Why was that? I don't know - it just didn't. Sure it is not a bad album, in fact, it has those better bits and all that which probably many of you will find excellent or so. Also it is to be kept in mind, that it is a debut album. These guys released their very first demo in 2001 called "Sermons Of Impurity" and here we got the proper album a couple of years later and it would be more than unfair to call it a bad album. If I had to give it a note out of ten, I'd give it five point five or a six which is not a bad start in my opinion. You see, I think, these days you really need much more to it, than just doing what so many others did years back, in order to get your point across. As simple, as that. Either you are very good and surprise everybody around and let yourself be known for years to come or you're just another band out there. Enough said. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.evilness.com/vorkreist

01 Intro
02 Forkebabh
03 Sex, Drugs & Basketball
04 Do I Look Well?
05 Happy Pink Town
06 Smells Like Suicide
07 I Hate Teen Visions
08 One On Six
09 I Talk To The Wind
10 This Rose For You
11 Sad Sick World
12 When Satan Plays Disco People Die

      Coming from France, Zubrowska delivered a record just a few months ago, that simply takes no prisoners. "One On Six" seems to fuck the listener's brains out with no lubricant nor anaesthetics applied.
      Combining brutal death riffing, double vocals and mad drumming with some metalcore elements and unconventional twists, Zubrowska managed to record a pleasant, massacring-the-weak material. Forget about guitar solos, as these guys go straight to the point, just like a sledgehammer would do, aimed between anyone's shoulder blades. It all clearly shows it wasn't just coincidence Xtreem Music helped them out to let this debut album be known worldwide. Well arranged, well performed and well produced.
      Definitely a worth listening output. It is very unlikely to let you fall asleep unless you manage to get dead drunk while listening to it. In fact, it's madness and aggression swaying somewhere in between such acts as Dying Fetus, Gorerotted, Cephalic Carnage, Akercocke, executed with the skills needed, make "One On Six" an entertaining skull-crusher. Just bear in mind, that this is not by any means an album you'd put on grandma's birthday party. [- Lord Darnok]
http://www.zubrowska.com