Shards of Humanity "Cold Logic"

    The newest release from Shards of Humanity is like a colossal thunderstorm of extreme metal music mercilessly sweeping across the metal world. These Memphis, Tennessee based death/thrash metal practitioners hold nothing back with the release of their sophomore full-length album, “Cold Logic.”

    Shards of Humanity is yet another tremendously talented extreme metal band that is working with Unspeakable Axe Records. “Cold Logic,” is an album full of savage technical riffs and bombastic drum parts. The songs on this album convey such raw ruthless aggression and the music never sounds cluttered in terms of production value. I notice that the band utilizes their technical talents efficiently throughout the album, and you do not hear them trying to overload listeners with unnecessary sections in an attempt to arrogantly showoff. When this band writes a song, they get straight to the point, while unleashing a blizzard of extreme sounding chaos.

    Out of the ten tracks on this album, I do believe that selecting a favorite will be quite a challenge. From the opening track, “Cosmic Shield,” to the final song, “Mechanical Phosphene,” the band continuously constructs razor sharp pieces of death metal full of malice and apocalyptic sounding landscapes. The lead guitar playing is exceptional and does not fall into the modern metal stereotypical style where the solos sound repetitive and unimaginative. Songs like “Moths of Zeta” and “Bathing Raw in the Blood of Pigs” are brutal offerings full of devastating instrumental compositions accompanied by some haunting vocals.

    Another track that stood out on the album and proves that this release is strong from start to finish is, “Demonic Crystallized Intelligence.” The song is a firestorm of adrenaline pumping death metal and then transitions into a slow mind-warping riff section that reminded me of classic Morbid Angel. Overall, fans are going to gravitate towards this band’s unique and dynamic approach, which really stands out compared to all these other metal bands who sound the same and act as though they are the future of heavy metal. If I was given a dollar every time a band claimed to the be the next greatest metal act, I would be able to buy an island.

    “Cold Logic,” is another Unspeakable Axe Records release that I highly recommend you check out, because the quality of the recordings and the overall talent is just down right impressive. Right now the top extreme metal music acts are on Unspeakable Axe, so if we are looking at the future of extreme music, then there is one label that I feel I can trust in terms of fostering and promoting solid extreme musical creativity. Shards of Humanity will hopefully be unleashing more punishing releases of inhuman brutality for many years to come.


Listen to "Moths of Zeta" below:

Shards of Humanity Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/SHARDSOFHUMANITY/

Unspeakable Axe Records Bandcamp:

https://unspeakableaxerecords.bandcamp.com/

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

4 Doors to Death Vol. II

    Back in 2015 Unspeakable Axe Records opened the gateways into a realm of unimaginable brutality with the first 4 Doors to Death release. Four bands were chosen to unleash their sinister death metal talents upon the extreme music world. I can tell that all four bands on that release made an impact and proved to be formidable death metal acts.

    The time has come for Unspeakable Axe Records to open the gateways once again, but this time the label has found four new artists to bring about pure death metal devastation upon the metal world. The four bands that are featured on volume two: Nucleus, Ectoplasma, Fetid Zombie and Temple of Void, display tremendous old school death metal songwriting skills and prove to be four acts that people who crave musical brutality will want to check out.

    The first band on the split, Nucleus, is a technical death metal band from Chicago that explores science fiction lyrical themes, while writing these brutal mind being instrumental compositions. I am quite familiar with the band, having reviewed their last two full-length albums. The two tracks they provided on this four band split, “Nexus” and “Replicant,” are both amazing pieces of cosmic crushing horror. Their overall musicianship is what stands out the most, as well as their dynamic songwriting skills. The compositions take listeners into different directions, yet maintain a ferocious presentation that never loses its abrasive and unforgiving attitude.

    The second band on the split is, Ectoplasma, a band that delivers monumental riffs with enough force to knock you off your chair and into another dimension. These Greek metal musicians hold nothing back on their three songs, especially in terms of how the tracks flow in such an unapologetic manner. Out of the three, “Atrocious Ovomorphic Death,” is definitely my favorite and I like how the band starts the song off with a sound clip from the movie, Alien, which compliments the song’s theme extremely well. The band rips through these insidious sounding riffs, while the drummer hammers out some pulverizing skull crushing blast beats.

    Fetid Zombie, the third band on the album, conjures up some malevolent sounding recordings that really captured my attention. This Virginia based act takes listeners on a hellish old school death metal joyride into the unfathomable depths by writing terrifying cuts of gruesome brutality. I liked the use of two different vocal styles at times that added such a diabolical contrast to the already haunting old school death compositions. “Celestial Horror,” is definitely the track that stood out the most to me with its bone chilling atmosphere. Fetid Zombie shows how sometimes the best songs are not the ones that are overly technical, but instead grab you attention by experimenting with different sounds to build a mesmerizing atmosphere.

    The last band on the split, Temple of Void, contributes three songs to the release that demonstrates the band’s creative death doom mentality. The first one, “Voidmind,” opens with a monstrous riff and drum attack which lays siege to the musical landscape leaving carnage and despair as the music slowly charges forward.  All the bands on this release sounded great and the recording quality of each track did not disappoint, however, Temple of Void’s music just seemed to be on another level in terms of production value. Their second song, “Perfection of the Hideous,” is an instrumental piece that deviates from the band’s thunderous death doom onslaught. I thought the band’s musical creativity and high level of musicianship was on full display for listeners to get an idea of how they are not just another typical death doom group.

    In the end, 4 Doors to Death Vol. II is a death metal release full of exceptional extreme music making prowess. I believe Unspeakable Axe Records is a record label that knows how to bring together tremendous talent. If you are a death metal wanting to know what are some bands of the current bands you should check out, well then Unspeakable Axe has four that you do not want to pass up, or close the door on.


Preview below:

Link To Unspeakable Axe Records:
http://unspeakableaxerecords.com

Nucleus Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/nucleusmetal/

Fetid Zombie Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/fetidzombie/

Ectoplasma Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Ectoplasma-1579524392276613/

Temple of Void:
https://www.facebook.com/TempleOfVoid/

Putrid "Antichrist Above"

    Putrid’s new album, “Antichrist Above,” is an apocalyptic bludgeoning of blackened death metal straight from the depths below. These metal mercenaries from Lima, Peru unleash a relentless assault of venomous blasphemy that ferociously strikes without any remorse.

    The band conveys a savage musical mentality on each of the ten tracks, thus creating a chaotic world of angel ripping intensity. Musically, this is one of the band’s strongest releases to date, especially in terms of their solid musicianship. The guitar riffs come vividly blasting out through the speakers with a sinister edge and construct these pulverizing landscapes. Also, the drumming is extremely impressive and I like how the drum parts compliment the band’s all around deafening attack. When listening to the album you hear a solid group of musicians who were able to pull together their talents and effectively lay down some monstrous sounding extreme metal recordings.

    “Antichrist Above,” sees the band continuing their lyrical attack on organized religion similar to that of bands like Deicide, Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation and Angelcorpse. With a now stronger musical arsenal behind them, the band’s onslaught against the holy church is one that metal fans will really find exciting. Songs like “Warfare in Golgotha” and “The Victory of the Trident,” launch right in an unholy flurry of gruesome sounding old school death metal carnage. Other tracks like, “The Corpse of the Messiah” and “The Great Serpent Await Us,” contain endless amounts of ear pummeling compositions and tormented death growls from unworldly abysses beyond.

    Out of all the songs off of the album, “Pig of Liars,” is definitely the one that stood out the most in my opinion. The overall atmosphere reminds of classic Celtic First where you feel as though you are being blanketed in a shroud of cold distorted slow moving darkness. The second to last track on the album, “Rotting Kingdom,” is another vicious cut of hellish proportions. These musicians play with such passion for extreme metal that the riffs do not sound gimmicky, or feel like they are recycled ideas from other death metal bands.

    Putrid’s newest album is going to be a release that you do not want to pass up, especially if you want some hard hitting no nonsense extreme metal music. “Antichrist Above,” is scheduled to come out March 13, so mark you calendars as that is also going to be Friday the 13th. What better day to unleash an extreme slaughter fest of musical insanity than on Friday the 13th…I’m sure Jason Voorhees would approve.



Check out "Warfare in Golgotha" below:

Putrid Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/putridattacks/

Hemotoxin "Restructure the Molded Mind"

    Hemotoxin does not disappoint with their newest onslaught of cranial splitting death/thrash. The band's third full-length album, “Restructure the Molded Mind,” features scorching technicality, uncompromising brutality and plenty of headbanging mind altering riffs.

    These San Francisco Bay Area musicians took their time this new album, which in all honesty was hard for me to accept, especially after the band’s impressive 2016 release, “Biological Enslavement.” I remember hearing that album and doing the review thinking, “Damn, these guys have really raised the bar!” Ever since the beginning Hemotoxin has shown promise, but I believe, “Biological Enslavement,” is where the band completely surpassed their previous recordings by developing an extremely tight and technical sound. Also, it was the first album of theirs on Unspeakable Axe Records, a label that I have a tremendous amount respect for, and the label that will be releasing this new album as well.

    “Restructure the Molded Mind,” is another solid offering from the band and I do believe it is their most ambitious effort to date. The musicianship and songwriting on this album is in all honesty even more astonishing than what was on, "Biological Enslavement." Unlike some bands who think they are writing complex thought provoking lyrics, but end up sounding like Garth from Wayne's World trying to explain conspiracy theories, Hemotoxin crafts these very profound messages that are not pretentious and really resonate with where our society is heading.

    All eight tracks off of this album do not disappoint and musically you are treated to some brilliant instrumental compositions. Plus, guitarist and singer Michael Chavez has a great delivery that gives the lyrics such a vivid burst of unforgiving attitude. The first track, “Nihilistic Principle,” is an explosion into a chaotic world of tectonic technical riffs and bombastic drum parts. The band’s drummer, Brandon Wilcox, plays with great precision behind the kit and he handles the complex rhythms with an almost inhuman ability. He is like the Terminator of drumming, although instead of killing people to change the future, he is recording drum tracks to make the future a better place. Bassist Shane Hunt-Dussé provides some killer bass lines and his playing compliments Michael’s guitar riffs extremely well.

    Overall, their musicianship on this album is simply outstanding, however, they do not over complicate the listener with pointless technical arrangements. Take for example the song, “Legions of Alienation,” where the open riff section hits hard like a suplex from Brock Lesnar, matching Michael’s ferocious delivery. Also, Michael lays down an exceptional guitar solo during the song that highlights his strong lead guitar talents.

    Tracks like “Unreality” and “Execution” do a great job conveying a progressive side at times, which I think creates a brilliant contrast with the band’s raw old school death thrash mentality. You just cannot predict where this band will go and that is what I tend enjoy most about this album. Another song I want to mention is, “Automation,” which I consider to be my favorite track off of the album. I felt the songwriting on this track was flawless as well as the instrumental compositions. This is what metal radio stations should be playing and not that watered down hardcore nonsense where the band looks like they are entering a fashion show for biggest hipster douche in the universe.

    In conclusion, Hemotoxin does not need to win a battle of the bands, or pay to play on a big metal show in order to feel like they are a worthy act, because at the end of the day these musicians prove time and time again that they are driven to create meaningful technical death thrash music. I feel that, “Restructure the Molded Mind,” is everything a ravenous death thrash maniac could ever want and more, especially in terms of solid songwriting. This is without a doubt an early contender for one of the best albums to come out this year and one I hope captures the ears and minds of the metal community in the months ahead.



Check out the song "Corrupted Flesh" below:

Hemotoxin Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Hemotoxin/


Unspeakable Axe Records Links (Pre-Orders are up and the album comes out March 16th):

FB Page:

https://www.facebook.com/UnspeakableAxeRecords/

Website:

http://www.unspeakableaxerecords.com/

Orphan Devil “Victims of the Night/Drifting Away [Vinyl 7”]

    Finnish classic metal worshippers, Orphan Devil, strike as quick as lightening on their debut two-song EP. The band hammers out speedy classic metal sounding compositions with a devilish intention that is sure to appease all those denim and leather wearing metal fanatics.

    You can hear plenty of NWOBHM influence in their music, especially in how the melodies are written. The music flows with confident epic metal force and I think the band seems to be locked into a real tight sound. I also thought the singer did a tremendous job adding to the band’s overall sound by laying down some solid vocals. He really compliments the music’s tone and the lyrical delivery on both recordings is very impressive.

    The first track, “Victims of the Night,” is full of blistering riffs and catchy rhythms that get you hooked right away. You feel as though you are soaring on the wings of a mighty eagle through a valley of triumphant sounding metal splendor. The vintage sound is really welcoming and a nice deviation from the slick modern metal production that is becoming very repetitive and making bands sound all the same. I would like to hear Orphan Devil keep that mentality going forward on future recordings, because you want your recordings to convey that unique identity which makes you standout from the other guys.

    The second song, “Drifting Away,” continues the classic metal siege with more melodic guitar riffs that dig deeper than just trying to fit into the line of modern classic metal worship acts. There is a feverish ambition in their presentation and the musicianship along with their keen sense of songwriting skills allows for them to write some killer material.

    Even though there are only two songs, I think the quality of the recordings is such that people who enjoy classic sounding epic metal music will be extremely pleased. I look forward to more recordings from Orphan Devil and I want to see them continue to forge their own path by not falling into those simplistic modern metal tendencies that take a band from being able to really standout, to becoming just another worship act that copies Iron Maiden riffs. Overall, a strong effort from Orphan Devil and great way to introduce your brand of metal to all the headbangers across the world.


Check out the release below:

Orphan Devil FB Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Orphan-Devil-103380634338968/

Assumption “The Three Appearances” to be Released on Vinyl

    When Assumption first released, “The Three Appearances,” back in 2014, the album took listeners on a fiendish joyride into dimensions of unfathomable death doom terror. The Italian based band constructed a monumental sounding release full of behemoth sized riffs and deafening drumming, thus establishing themselves as an act to be reckoned with in the extreme metal world.

    Originally only released on CD, the band is now working with Sentient Ruin Laboratories and Everlasting Spew Records to release this monstrous sounding album on vinyl. The release date is scheduled for February 14th with the option to preorder currently available through both labels. Fans of course will be pleased to have the opportunity to possibly own the album on vinyl, however, I see this a chance for extreme metal fans to discover an absolute juggernaut of an album. “The Three Appearances,” explores the death doom world in bludgeoning fashion, while also taking listener’s on a mind bending journey into profound sounding atmospheres.

    The four tracks on this album seamlessly flow together as if you are being pulled into a vortex of endless oblivion. “Moribund State Shift,” is an introduction into Assumption’s catastrophic vision that begins with a burst of malevolence that suddenly slows down into an ominous sounding doom like tempo. Track number two, “Veneration of Fire,” hammers out a haunting chord progression and then about midway through the song morphs into a hypnotic trance like sounding section that I find very creative. The entire atmosphere is constructed in a unique manner to where you never know what to expect next from the band.

    Track number three, “The Three Appearances - Snang Gsum,” is a long piece of music containing a variety of bombastic sounding riffs and drum parts along with these sheer brutal death growls which add a boost of tremendous aggression. Also, the song features an eerie sounding intro piano composition like something out of a horror film. Some of the guitar effects used during the song along with the style of lead guitar playing sound truly out of this world. The final track, “The Non-Existing,” hits the brain with unapologetic force and leaves you listening in awe to the massive sounding assault upon your ears.

    In all honesty, I pre-ordered the album once I saw that Sentient Ruin put it up on their page. Yes, I am biased when it comes to Sentient Ruin releases, but having heard this album when it was first released in 2014, I knew I needed to get a copy of it on vinyl right away. If you want a tremendous and well produced piece of death doom in your collection, I recommend that you get yourself a copy of, “The Three Appearances.” In the end, Assumption recorded an album that I believe will stand the test the time and is without question the band's greatest release to date. 


Listen to the album below:

Sentient Ruin Page:
https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/

Everlasting Spew Records Page:
https://everlastingspewrecords.bandcamp.com/

Assumption Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/assumptiondoom/