Top Ten Albums of 2024 / Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards

As the year 2024 comes to an end and we are all left wondering how in the world did people like The Costco Guys and Hawk Tuah Girl get famous along with all the other whacky shit that happened in 2024, it is time to look back on all the great music that came out this year. I felt that 2024 was a solid year overall in terms of new hard rock and metal releases, the battle for the number one spot was not as competitive as it has been in prior years. Sentient Ruin once again dominated in terms of underground extreme music labels, and the owner of the label does not need to run a Youtube Channel complaining like a toddler when bands are unwilling to do interviews with him like some other labels (cough...J-Dawg). Now, in regards to my pick for the number one album of the year, I am already expecting the self-proclaimed "true" metal readers to start calling me a poser as well as begin a petition to revoke my "Metal Guy" status. Honestly, just get over it and accept the fact that the best album of the year wasn't some obscure kvlt band that wears Party City vampire capes, or is a tech death band writing songs about aliens installing solar panels on The Great Pyramids. Just like how those cackling hens on The View had to accept the results of the Orange Man's victory, the metal community can chill out for one year as I give the number one spot to a non-metal band. Alright, enough of my blabbering, here is the list for my Top Ten Albums of 2024, plus the Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards at the end...

10. Örnatorpet “Fordomdags”

This just wouldn’t be a top ten list if a dungeon synth/ambient artist was not featured. As someone who has been a massive fan of dungeon synth music over the years, I always seem to come across some very creative artists. Örnatorpet is a Swedish artist who has really created some gems over the years, and this latest album “Fordomdags,” being yet another captivating dungeon synth tale. I like the Scandinavian folk elements that are sprinkled throughout the release, as well as the soothing melodies and bewitching synths. Even without words you can paint these vivid landscapes in your head while following along to the captivating noises. I highly recommend checking the album out if you enjoy dungeon synth and ambient music similar to that of Secret Stairways and Jim Kirkwood.  

9. Low Moments “Escape Artist/Ship Has Sailed” 

I just don’t think the world could have endured if we did not get another new Low Moment’s release and this new one that came out in 2024 was one that easily could have been nominated for a Grammy if only there was a way to payoff the officials like in the NFL. Actually, the music on this release is extremely catchy and the lyrics can be very relatable, which sometimes is scary if you really think about it. I would say that if you are a fan of gloomy post-punk then you will definitely want to listen to this album, as Low Moments just seems to fill that void which is missing in the music world today. Also, they sure do provide great background music for when you walk around the mall by yourself dressed all in black eating taiyaki and pondering as to why life keeps kicking you in the balls. 

8. Bütcher “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing”

I found out about this Belgium based speed metal/back metal band through an awesome friend who knows a thing or two about killer metal music. Bütcher’s latest release “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing” is down right badass from the album cover to the music. The album features a plethora of blistering riffs and skull crushing rhythms. Once you start listening to it, you cannot stop! This is definitely a band that I would like to see live one day, especially given the punishing and brutal energy that they were able to conjure up on this album. 

7. Deicide “Banished by Sin”

When it comes to older bands that are considered iconic and influential in the world of metal music, I personally feel as though some of them have really put out some sterile and overproduced sounding releases. Without sounding too harsh, I personally believe there are a handful of acts that just need to hang it up. In the case of Deicide, I definitely find that they have been consistent over the years and this new album “Banished by Sin” actually surprised me. Glen and the boys delivered a truly crushing death metal album featuring some down right brutal riffs. I would say that this album by far surpasses the last two albums, which I thought were just very average sounding releases. Songs like “Bury the Cross... with Your Christ,” “Woke from God” and “The Light Defeated” feature killer lyrics mocking religion, while showing that these guy still know how to pump out utterly agonizing extreme death metal compositions. 

6. Maudissez “Self-Titled Album” 

This debut self-titled album from sinister extreme metal maniacs, Maudissez, was sure one hellish listening experience. I thought this album was sonically decimating from the very start. It came as no surprise when I found out the that the band was working with Sentient Ruin on the release of the album. This group definitely fits in well with all the other bands on Sentient Ruin, especially considering the band’s haunting and profane musical identity. A lot of metal bands can dress-up and act evil with their chains and upside down crosses, but few can actually deliver an utterly malevolent sounding creation. Maudissez is a band that I would keep an eye out for in the future, as they are extremely talented when it comes to crafting long blasphemous sounding tracks with very terrifying atmospheres. 

5. Hemotoxin “When Time Becomes Loss”

A local Bay Area band that I have been following ever since seeing them live in 2013, Hemotoxin continues to push the technical thresholds with each new release. Guitarist/singer Michael Chavez is an unbelievably talented player who has also really evolved as a songwriter. “When Time Becomes Loss” takes a step into a more progressive direction, while still conveying a vicious old school death metal and technical thrash feel at times. I thought the album contained some very profound tracks with my favorite being, “Reborn in Tragedy.” Also, for the album Michael brought in a few talented guitarists to provide guest solos and give the music an even more blistering dynamic sound as well. 

4. Diabolic Oath “Oracular Hexations”

The savage blackened death metal horde known as Diabolic Oath once gain delivered a punishing full-length album to follow-up what was a very impressive debut album. This sophomore release, ““Oracular Hexations,” demonstrates the band’s savage nature, as well as their insane musicianship. From the apocalyptic blast beats and abhorrent riff structures, to the inhuman death growls, Diabolic Oath knows how to arrange some vicious tracks. Yet another band on Sentient Ruin which demonstrated tremendous extreme creativity to unleash upon the metal world an unfathomably deafening assault.  

3. Aberration “Refracture”

Ever since I reviewed Aberration’s first EP for Sentient Ruin back around 2021, I had been looking forward to hearing them come-up with a full-length release. The band’s sound takes on an old school death metal approach, but also incorporates some sonically defiling noises to create insidious atmospheres. There are a lot of dynamic and dissonant riff structures, which keeps you listening intently as the music viciously evolves. Aberration was determined to leave an impact with the release of this album, and I definitely think they accomplished their goal to create a purely evil sounding release. 

2. Nekus "Death Apophenia”

On their sophomore full-length release, "Death Apophenia,” Nekus once again unleashes a leviathan sized helping of death doom to shatter your ears and drag you mercilessly into the gruesomely distorted dark depths. The riffs on this album sound unbelievably deafening with monstrous amounts of reverb to send shockwaves across the musical landscapes with unapologetic force. Also, the thunderous drumming stands out as everything about this album evokes such a cataclysmic feel, which is why I really think this album is one of the best sounding extreme metal releases to come out in 2024. Nekus does not need to mindlessly shred through random scales to capture the listener’s attention. The band’s surrealistically profound delivery hooks you from start to finish by hitting you square in the gut. 

1. The Cure “Songs of a Lost World”

When I first heard that The Cure was going to be releasing a new album, I was not freaking out like most diehard fans, but I was interested to hear how it would sound. Although the album is not hard rock or metal, I made the decision to add it to this list because the album's overall production is phenomenal. From the opening song with its mesmerizing chords to the final track which hits you with a tremendous amount of profound emotional force, this album is just sonically impressive. Robert Smith sounds amazing as well compared to a lot of singers his age who have started to sound like utter trash and should check themselves into he retirement home (Morrissey being one of them!). I know a lot of my hardcore metal fanatic readers are going to scream poser when they read this, but all I can say to them is to get over it and acknowledge that even if you do not like The Cure, at least respect the quality of what this band was able to accomplish. The Cure could have easily just dialed it in and wrote an album full of gimmicky tracks that are cheap copies of previous material. However, “Songs of a Lost World,” actually takes elements from the band’s early years, but somehow ventures into even more grandiose post-punk atmospheric directions. Something that I think all bands young and old can learn from this new album from The Cure is that taking your time to compose a complete and profound listen experience is definitely important, and leaves an impression on your listeners more than a band cranking out albums mindlessly year after year which all sound the same to where why spending money when the music becomes utterly forgettable. 

The Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards

Label of the Year: Sentient Ruin

Best Live Performance: The Mission in San Jose at the Ritz and Kreator in SF at The Warfield for Klash of the Titans (Both get the award because both were amazing!) 

EP of the Year:  Cemetery Filth “Senses of Detriment”

Album Cover of the Year: Cemetery Filth “Senses of Detriment”

Music Video of the Year: VOID - “Return of the Phantom”

Music Venue of the Year: Brentwood Emporium

Best Punk Releases of the Year: Dollhouse - “I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me” and Yellowcake "A Fragmented Truth"

Most Badass Wrestler of the Year: Stephanie Vaquer

Biggest Douches of the Year: Taylor Swift, The Women on The View, and Dave Meltzer 

Cemetery Filth “Senses of Detriment”

    After releasing their debut album four years ago, Cemetery Filth has re-emerged from the malevolent depths to unleash upon the metal world a brand new unfathomably decimating release titled, “Senses of Detriment." Picking up where they left off on their debut album, “Dominion,” an album that I consider to one of the most brutal and tenacious sounding recordings in recent years, the band continues to deliver a down right brutal brand of old school style death metal. 

    On this new EP, I can tell that the band wanted to push themselves in a more technical direction, while still maintaining that gruesome sounding old school death metal tone. Based out of Atlanta, GA, the band has had some new additions to the line-up with exception of vocalist/guitarist Maddie Kilpatrick who has been the foundation and primary driving force behind the band. I actually interviewed Maddie back when I hosted a hard rock and metal radio show in college, and I have really been impressed by the band’s continued growth over the years since that interview. With the new additions of Evie Austin on bass and Tristan Payne on drums, I really do believe that this new line-up really came together and recorded a strong release. 

    The EP features three new tracks, a new recording of the song “Cosmic Wraiths” which was first featured on the Unspeakable Axe split, “4 Doors to Death,” and a cover of Death’s “Vacant Planets.” On the new tracks I can hear the band pushing themselves in a more technical and dynamic sounding direction similar to that of bands like Atheist, Death and Pestilence. There are some unique and complex sounding riff structures, which gives the music a very entropic feel at times. I still find that Maddie’s voice and delivery captures the raw nature of old school death, thus allowing the music to give off that morbidly sinister vibe. “Intrepid Ways,” is very much a track that combines blistering technicality with a horrifying old school death metal sound and I thought that it was a great choice as the first track on this EP. The riffs really jump out at you as well as the bombastic drumming from Tristan who seems to be a beast behind the kit. The second track, “Cyclocognition” is another extremely warped sounding piece of extreme metal music that features some truly wicked sounding bass lines along with some diabolically savage riffs. 

    On the third track, “Senses of Detriment,” I thought the band did a tremendous job building up the intensity in the beginning of the track and by the middle of the song you become completely possessed by the insidiously deafening arrangements. Also, the lead guitar parts during the song were executed extremely well and did not go overboard with the shredding. I really liked getting to hear this new line-up tackle the song, “Cosmic Wraiths,” which I remember enjoying when I first heard the track on the, “4 Doors to Death,” split back in 2015. This line-up is unbelievably tight and the new recording really gives the song an extra hellacious sounding boost. As for the band’s cover of Death’s, “Vacant Planets,” I definitely think the song was an appropriate choice given the more ambitiously technical direction that Cemetery Filth seems to be exploring. I would also say that I liked how Maddie’s vocals sounded, because instead of trying to sound exactly like Chuck to where the track becomes another cheap and generic Death cover, Maddie’s style provides a refreshing take and adds a unique touch to the track. 

    In the end, if you are a fan of scorching old school death metal and want to hear some mind altering cuts of sickening technical brutality, I definitely think you need to check out, “Senses of Detriment.” I know a lot of bands are writing material similar and sometimes you feel as if there are more new metal bands compared to new metal fans, but I must say that Cemetery Filth not only puts thought and unrelenting passion into their recordings, but this is a band that continues to persevere by coming up with some down right killer sounding death metal music. After seeing this band put out some exceptional releases in the past, I look forward to the future of Cemetery Filth if this is the musical direction that the band plans on pursuing going forward. 

Check out the music video for "Cyclocognition" below:

Link to where you can order the album on CD and Vinyl:

https://rottedlife.bandcamp.com/album/senses-of-detriment

Cemetery Filth links:

https://linktr.ee/cemeteryfilth

Top Ten Albums of 2020 / Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards

 

As we come to the end of 2020, I believe it is important to reflect upon the albums that really stood out during the year and helped get us through all the chaos. Yes, 2020 has been a rough year in terms of unprecedented and unfortunate events ranging from a global pandemic to Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy in a mimosa wrestling match. Even though this has been a rough year, we should not overlook all the great music that came out during 2020. Looking back at all the albums that came out this year, I was surprised at how many tremendous rock and metal albums were released. I do believe that this year was one of the most challenging lists to come up with given the amount of great albums that I heard over the course of the year. Also, I must give a shoutout to all the hardworking labels that were responsible for putting out a lot of brilliant releases. Even in the face of a pandemic the dedication from the rock and metal community never faded and hopefully coming out of this we will be even stronger going forward. So in conclusion, here are my picks and don't forget to check out the winners of the Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards...

Top Ten Albums of 2020

10. Dearth “To Crown All Befoulment” 

For their debut full-length release, Dearth sure as hell did not disappoint! I really enjoyed what this blackened death metal from the Bay Area had to offer. The album features an endless amount of hellish sounding riffs that keep you hooked from beginning to end. Plus, the album's overall atmosphere is extremely horrifying, and sounds like something from another realm where monstrous entities slumber waiting to unleash eternal suffering upon the world of the living. Also, “To Crown All Befoulment,” was released through Sentient Ruin and you are going to see a couple other bands who worked with the label on this list. Overall, great debut album and one I highly recommend checking out.  

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/05/dearth-to-crown-all-befoulment.html

9. Shards of Humanity “Cold Logic”

Talk about a scorching storm of technical death thrash! The guitar playing on this album was exceptional and drumming was utterly deafening. I thought the musicianship on this album never disappointed and the songs contained a tremendous amount of fierce sounding attitude. Shards of Humanity did a great job writing impressive cuts of cranial splitting technical death thrash and the music never sounded repetitive or lackluster. Once you start listening to the first song I guarantee that you are not going to want to stop listening to this album. 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/03/shards-of-humanity-cold-logic.html

8. Void Rot “Descending Pillars”

Void Rot's "Descending Pillars" was probably one of the most pulverizing albums to come out this year. Just a plethora of bone crushing riffs and abysmal sounding compositions. Another band that is associated with Sentient Ruin and another band that conjures up nightmarish sounding musical landscapes without any remorse. Void Rot's insidious style of death doom is without question not to be overlooked, because these dudes do not mess around when laying down some punishing tracks. 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/08/void-rot-descending-pillars.html

7. Putrid “Antichrist Above”

I have been a fan of Putrid for years now and I honestly believe that, “Antichrist Above,” is their strongest sounding release to date. The band’s blasphemous vision is perfectly executed throughout the album. There are no dull moments and the frantic guitar work injects such raw aggression into the musical onslaught. Putrid also put out a killer split this year with Grave Desecration that I recommending checking out as well. Arguably one of Peru's greatest exports in my opinion and a metal band that the global underground community has really started to take notice of after years of hard work. 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/03/putrid-antichrist-above.html

6. Countless Skies “Glow”

These English metal musicians are true visionaries when pertaining to writing majestic sounding melodic death metal. When listening to this album at times I felt as though I were floating on a cloud through a dynamic atmospheric world containing mountain sized riffs and mesmerizing melodic arrangements. The song, "Zephyr," alone makes this a must listen, especially the fluid guitar work that constructs such breath taking sounds throughout the song. Definitely one of the strongest sounding albums in terms of musicianship and production in my opinion. 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/09/countless-skies-glow.html

5. Pathetic “Cleansing the Land of the Infidel”

I enjoy history and I enjoy death metal, so an album that uses death metal to highlight the atrocities after the fall of the Ottoman Empire definitely peaked my interest. Pathetic proved last year with the release of their album, “Rat King,” that they are an unapologetic and brutal force in the extreme metal world. I thought this entire album had me engaged from start to finish by throwing in constant headbanging riffs and seismic drum parts. Pathetic showed how a death metal band can explore an interesting topic surrounding historical events, while still being able to deliver a tornado of ferocious sounding extreme chaos.  

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/08/pathetic-cleansing-land-of-infidel.html

4. Hemotoxin “Restructure the Molded Mind” 

I want to take a moment and say that I am extremely proud of Hemotoxin. Although this band has experience a handful of line-up changes over the years, but the band's hard work has really paid off as of recent. Hemotoxin is in my opinion one of the most talented up and coming Bay Area metal acts and the most driven band around Contra Costa County. "Restructure the Molded Mind," is not only a continuation of what they accomplished on their previous album, "Biological Enslavement," but dives even further into the world of mind bending technical death/trash. Guitarist/singer Michael Anthony Chavez is a dedicated artist who I have a tremendous amount of respect for as a guitarist and driving force within the local metal community. Please, go and get a copy of this album if you enjoy face melting riffs and tasty technical compositions. I promise that you will not be disappointed! 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/02/hemotoxin-restructure-molded-mind.html

3. Cemetery Filth “Dominion” 

Cemetery Filth’s debut full-length album was definitely worth the wait! I had been looking forward to this album for a while, so when they finally set a release date in the beginning of the year I was beyond excited. This band captures the true essence of old school death metal by writing vicious offerings of unfathomable brutality. From the haunting vocals to the catastrophic guitar riffs, the entire album is a return to late 80’s/early 90’s death metal. Also, compared to your typical generic old school death metal worship acts, Cemetery Filth writes songs that leave an impact on you and keep you wanting more gruesome sounding brutality. 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/03/cemetery-filth-dominion.html

2. Old Tower “The Last Eidolon”

This was a tough choice, because Old Tower’s “The Last Eidolon” could have easily been my pick for the number one album of the year. The artist behind Old Tower known only as, The Specter,” is a true dungeon synth genius. There are so many exceptional releases from Old Tower, however, this album was a culmination of all those other epic dark sounding themes that you heard on the previous albums. I felt as if I was listening to a cinematic tale that unfolded like a story of unspeakable malevolence. Amazing production throughout the entire release and the Specter has a great mind for composing. I really listened to this album a lot over the course of the year, which helped ease my mind at times through some of the challenges that 2020 brought. 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/05/old-tower-last-eidolon.html

1. Ceremonial Bloodbath “The Tides of Blood”

When Sentient Ruin sent me the promo for Ceremonial Bloodbath, I had never heard of this Canadian blackened death metal band before. I was instantly drawn to the album's cover art, but the music is what just took me by complete surprise. The rush of ferocious death metal mixed with tormenting blackened hatred made this album a tidal wave of sheer hellacious sounding brutality. Again, phenomenal production throughout the entire album and the songwriting from the first track to the last is what makes this my number album of the year. Once you start listening to this album there is no turning back, because you are going to be in for one unimaginable extreme metal ride into the gory depths of an inhuman void. 

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2020/10/ceremonial-bloodbath-tides-of-blood.html

Hey, there were a lot great albums that did not make the list but definitely deserve a shoutout, so here are some honorable mentions: Cobra Cobra "Life After Poison" , Empty Chalice "Spiritual Abuse" , Voreus "The Proclamation" , Cryptae "Nightmare Traversal" , Diabolic Oath "Profane Death Exodus" and Deadlight Sanctuary  "Thaumaturgical Rites of the Damned"

The Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards

(Please be advised that there was no voting fraud involved in the selection of these recipients. All votes cast were correctly counted and reviewed by The Rob "The Metal Guy" selection committee)

Best EP of the Year: Unlucky Theta “Debut EP” 

Best Split Release: 4 Doors to Death Vol. II (Nucleus, Ectoplasma, Fetid Zombie and Temple of Void)

Best Label: Sentient Ruin Laboratories 

Best Music Video: Hemotoxin “Automation” 

Metal Ambassador of the Year: Jarvis Leatherby from Night Demon

 

Biggest Douche: Chris Jericho 

Most Metal Wrestler: Rhea Ripley 

Cemetery Filth "Dominion"

    Death metal fans should brace themselves for what is coming their way in April, because Cemetery Filth is looking to unleash a hurricane of uncompromising brutality upon the metal world. The band’s debut full-length album, “Dominion," brings together all the essential elements required to make a fearsome extreme metal release.

    Cemetery Filth over the last few years has proven to be a rising malevolent music making force and one I have definitely been watching closely. My first introduction to the band came when they were featured on Unspeakable Axe Record’s first, “Four Doors to Death,” compilation album. I remember being completely taken back by the band’s raw old school death metal sound and how it did not mimic most of the other death metal worship acts at the time. I’ve been patiently waiting for this album, so I defiantly took the time to listen to it before I sat down to write this review. Also, I listened to the entire album more than a few times, because the music is just that damn good!

    The opening track, “Subduction,” is a vicious sounding death metal storm of skull crushing riffs and feverish drumming. You feel as though you are being pulled down into a catastrophic world of instrumental savagery and unforgiving vocals. In my opinion, the entire album contains some of the strongest death metal vocals around and creates this insidious atmosphere that seems to suffocate you with such morbid aggression. The second track, “Exhumed Visions,” is another ferocious assault that contains these relentless sounding guitar riffs that come at you like a maniac wielding a machete wearing a hockey mask.

    As the album progresses the band continues to offer listeners countless pieces of pulverizing death metal. Songs like “Aeons in Dis,” “Festering Vacuity” and “Churning of the Shallows,” exhibit strong songwriting talents that I find to be lacking in the world of death metal. So many young bands just want to crank out an album to stay relevant and fail to take the time to craft memorable pieces of brutality.

    Now take the song, “Churching of the Shallows,” for example, which I consider to be my favorite song off of the album. The track is full of dynamic guitar parts that construct an environment of paralyzing fear that keeps you engaged throughout the entire song. Plus, the isolated bass part adds to the song’s already ominous tone and makes for the perfect segue into an extremely heavy riff section. The last song on the album, “Dominion,” is another juggernaut of thunderous destruction that strikes as fast as a rattlesnake. During the song the lead guitar parts come screaming out over the bombastic landscape and give off a completely sinister vibe.

  Cemetery Filth’s, “Dominion,” is a debut full-length release that death metal maniacs will be wanting to add to their collections once the album is released. Am I surprised the band is having this album released through Unspeakable Axe Records? Hell no! Unspeakable Axe Records is the label that everyone should be checking out right now, especially considering their current roster.

    I was extremely impressed with Cemetery Filth on this album and expect them to be a prominent force in the death metal world for many years to come. If you want some filthy sounding old school death metal to play while you stalk the graveyard in your hometown, well then here it is people! Just don't get caught...not like I am speaking from experience...


Check out "Churning of the Shallows" below:

Cemetery Filth Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/CemeteryFilth/

Unspeakable Axe Records Bandcamp (Where to order album):
https://unspeakableaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/dominion

New Cemetery Filth Song "Exhumed Visions"

    Cemetery Filth delivers that old school death metal filth and fury with their new track, “Exhumed Visions.” The Southeast USA based band offers up a gruesome sounding taste of what is to come and looks to be quite busy out on the road.

    Starting later this month Cemetery Filth is going to be touring with Church of Disgust around the eastern side of the United States. Also, the new demo song, “Exhumed Visions,” will be featured on a split tour promo tape that will be sold at the shows. With plans to release their debut full-length album in spring of 2019, the new song is an impressive preview of the ultimate brutality and casket crushing sound that this band can conjure up in the studio.

    I remember when I first heard them on the four band compilation album “Four Doors to Death” released through Unspeakable Axe Records, which was an all around exceptional release. After hearing Cemetery Filth’s two tracks on that album, I was instantly drawn to their sinister sounding style of old school death metal. The new track, “Exhumed Visions,” features some vicious old school sounding riffs along with some pulverizing drum parts. I find the songwriting and vocal delivery to be extremely well thought out and keeps you completely engaged from beginning to end. If this is just a small sample of what is to come, I cannot wait to hear what else the band has in store for fans when they drop their debut full-length album.

    With so many death metal bands putting together generic and sloppy sounding releases, Cemetery Filth brings old school death metal substance and the promise of a morbid sounding future of extreme musical terror. Definitely try to catch them on their upcoming tour with Church of Disgust as the shows shall be great gatherings of pure death metal insanity. In a world full of obnoxious and forgettable sounding music (Particularly that indie rock hipster bullshit that come from the Bay Area), we need Cemetery Filth to summon horrendous destruction and to open up the gateways of extreme sounding annihilation!


Check out the new song below!

Cemetery Filth Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/CemeteryFilth/

Album Review: 4 Doors to Death

    No matter which door you open on this four way split, you shall be unlocking some brutal sounding death metal. “4 Doors to Death,” features four great up and coming acts from the death metal community. With songs by Cemetery Filth, Ectovoid, Sabbatory and Trench Rot, there is reason to believe that this extreme sounding split can open up portals to realms of unholy ancient terror.

    To begin, one must give credit to Unspeakable Axe Records for bringing these four bands together. The amount of extreme music making talent that can be heard throughout the album is highly impressive. All the bands compliment each other by having a very similar old school death metal worshipping sound, but one can tell where each band tries to carve their own brutal cyclopean legacy of unforgiving brutality.

    The first band on the split, Cemetery Filth, brings forth a crushing style of death metal. Their three songs dig deep into the old school death metal roots and unearths some sinister cuts of extreme music. The Tennessee based band’s first song, “Consumption of Volition,” conveys a very raw sound that reminds me of early Morbid Angel and Pestilence. I especially liked how the drums were recorded which gives the track a solid bone breaking rhythm. Song number two, “Dagonian Dialect... The Obelisk,” is the one piece of music on this album that really shines through the dark musical abysses. With its Lovecraft themed lyrics and its bombastic sounding riffs, the track is pure death metal genius. The vocalist during the song really stands out and his haunting death growl delivery throughout the track has me hooked. For their last song on the split, “Cosmic Wraiths,” the group pounds out more heavy instrumental structures of morbid expression and lyrical tales of unspeakable evil.

    Next up on the split is, Ectovoid, who are from Birmingham, Alabama. These southern death metal dudes explore a whole range of diverse extreme musical compositions while still maintaining a straight forward no nonsense approach. Their first song “Ash Primordial,” begins with a burst of blast beat rhythms and corpse cutting riffs. There is no telling where the band will go musically and they change tempo at times to achieve this slow death doom sound that is massively loud. The next song from them, “Possessed by Ancient Dread,” reeks of gruesome old school death metal remains. I am really impressed by the vocal delivery and the sheer power of their overall riffs.

    Third up on the split is, Sabbatory, who come from Winnipeg, Canada. Now this is a band who knows how to deliver exceptional death metal music. Hell, you play me a Sabbatory song and I might think it was recorded back in the late eighties or early nineties. The band’s extreme music making passion and drive to create vicious pieces of music can easily be heard on their two tracks, “Ascension to My Holy Tomb” and “Primordial.” That guitar sound during “Ascension to My Holy Tomb” is aggressive and unforgiving just like the singer’s vocals. “Primordial” is another exceptionally brutal track and features a brilliant guitar solo of note shredding madness. 

    The final band on the split, Trench Rot, is a sinister sounding necronomicon worshipping legion of musicians from Philadelphia, PA. After reviewing their debut release, “Necronomic Warfare,” I have been a fan of these guys and their Evil Dead and battle themed death metal music. The three tracks they summon forth on this split are nothing short of skull crushing malevolence. “Hell Pilot’s Call,” is a hellish musical bombardment with a crushing riff section that is accompanied by the sounds of air raid sirens. Track number two, “Powerful Kandarian Steel,” contains some awesome lyrics that can be used to summon evil forces from the book bound in flesh. Finishing up the split the band does an impressive cover of Death’s, "Evil Dead.” To sum up Trench Rot’s three songs as Ash from Army of Darkness would say, “Hail to the king, baby!”

    “4 Doors to Death,” might very well be called, “4 Doors to High Quality Death Metal.” Getting these acts together for this spilt is an extreme alliance that needs to be heard if you are wanting to hear what newer bands are doing with the old school death metal formula. Make sure to get a copy when it is released January 22, 2016...or be haunted by the spirits of the Evil Dead for all eternity!

Cemetery Filth Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CemeteryFilth/?fref=ts
Ectovoid Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ectovoid/?fref=ts
Sabbatory Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Sabbatory-302276589803917/?fref=ts
Trench Rot Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Trenchrotdeathmetal/?fref=ts