by Chris Wheeler | Fév 5, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Dirigiri
« Dirigiri » EP
Unsigned/Independent
2012
Forming in 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, DIRIGIRI have released their first ep, including six songs combining the hectic qualities of vintage Thrash with the aural assault of Death Metal. Self-titled, the band have quickly garnered themselves a faithful following they hope to expand this year with their first full length in the works! For now, however, the Texas foursome have managed to pull a « bloodied rabbit out the hat » beginning with « Toilet Extermination« , a song seemingly akin to the 1980’s thrash/crossover era, sounding particularly similar to Wehrmacht or M.O.D. with extreme vocals attached. Refusing to rest on their laurels, DIRIGIRI continue to attack with « Boiled in Blood« , a number featuring the guitar talents of Gene O’s soaring technical solo! Mid-way through, the tension rises before a foot stomping rhythm takes command. Derek D’s vocals sway back and forth from a rasp to guttural propensities as « Death by the Hands of an Angel » highlights the bands pension for thrash after an all out blast beat introduces the number!
Leading with a crunch and furious double bass kick drumming, the songs are short and to the point while the production is quite good for a first time outing but could use a bit more bottom end on future releases. Nevertheless, DIRIGIRI manage to succeed in creating an eponymous album that’s sure to garner attention in the underground. Listeners may need to spin the album more than a few times, as it goes by in a flash!
Standout Tracks: Toilet Extermination, Boiled in Blood
7.5/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Fév 4, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Dodsfall
« Djevelens Evangelie«
Obscure Abhorrence Productions
2013
Emerging from the Norwegian vast lands, DODSFALL have hungrily, and frequently (three full albums released within four years) climbed the echelon of raw, primitive Black Metal since their inception in 2011 with debut record, Den Svarte Skogen. Now, the band have released what could possibly « raise their stock » in 2013 with Djelevens Evangelie, an album molded in head-turning surprises and few moments of traditional predictability.
Beginning with a rabid attack of searing Black Metal in « Azerate« , Dodsfall quickly turn the tables on the listener by introducing a mid-paced cascade of head bobbing beats. The lo-fi quality of the guitars add to the bleak underpinnings of what usually constitutes True Norwegian Black Metal. « En Hymn til Doden » features musicality that could potentially propel the band to higher ground given the superb ideas surrounding the guitar solo, courtesy of Ishtar; qualities that reappear in other numbers like, « I Det Lyset Gar Ned« . Here, the solo melodically ebbs and flows effortlessly amongst a backdrop of seething chaos and adds refinement to the song’s manic mood, nuances that reappear throughout.
Other areas of Djevelens Evangelie showcase equal parts vicious ferocity and the Black n’ Roll stylings not uncommon from fellow countrymen, TAAKE. « Slangens Kall » and « I Et Endelost Kaos » playfully dabble in toe-tapping catchiness and the trappings of the Heavy Metal guitar riffing of old! In addition, vocalist, Adramelech catapults the music into wild abandon with every « Oh » he purposefully sprinkles here and there (a cue to fans to go crazy live, no doubt). For fans who tend to prefer their Black Metal grim and uncompromising, « Svart Magi » keeps one foot firmly planted in the aural traditions of the genre, leaving no doubt as to their grit and determination to maintain a sense of the « old school ». Overall, Djevelens Evangelie should enthrall listeners who enjoy both the icy trappings of raw Black Metal with the gusto and bravado of Black n’ Roll! For those claiming Norway’s « heyday » has long been buried by time and space, let DODSFALL remind the cynics where the second wave of Black Metal came from and why the country still has much to offer!
Standout Tracks: En Hymn til Doden, Slangens Kall, Stemmer Fra Tidens Skapelse
9/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Fév 1, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Khrophus
« Eyes of Madness »
Unsigned/Independent
2013
With KRISIUN, THE CHASM and REBAELLIUN all pushing the boundaries of musical extremity in Brazil, KHROPHUS, from Santa Catarina are a technical death metal act hoping to knock down the door to the world stage. Beginning their career back in 1993 with their self-titled demo, the trio have been steady releasing three full lengths, culminating in last year’s, Eyes of Madness, a record that sees the group hungrier than ever! KHROPHUS storm ahead with a no-holds barred attack beginning with, « Smoke Screen« , a song dedicated to all things brutal and destructive. The number perfectly sums up what the rest of the album sounds like with « By the Sun« , « Forbidden Melodies » and « Master of Shadows » all focused on maximum blast and tremolo guitar picking that imbue heaviness and punishment! The production is solid enough to clearly hear the distinctiveness of each instrument, especially Alex Pazetto’s bass, which in many cases is a clear spotlight, particularly on songs, « Dead Face » and « The Book of the Dead« . Performing vocal duties as well, Pazetto deep growls his way through the record while varying the intonation with higher pitched screams to add « flavor » to the proceedings.
Though the album is steeped in an aural blitzkrieg, it doesn’t waste any time on unnecessary « filler », a testament to a philosophy of « get in and get out ». Not surpassing the 35 minute mark, Eyes of Madness does tend to sound slightly predictable after a few songs, so perhaps the fact that it isn’t too long is a good thing? Add to that, « Interposition » sounds very similar to CANNIBAL COPRSE’s, « Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead » both in guitar tone and riff ideas, while the final melody on « Harvest » recalls, MORBID ANGEL’s, « Blessed are the Sick ». Perhaps these are hidden odes to bands revered by the Brazilians?
Whatever the case may be, KHROPHUS do a fine job of imparting their biting brand of tech-death onto the borders of Brazil and beyond! With a pristine production, accentuating vicious grit, Eyes of Madness will surely leave fans satisfied by their conviction and musicality. Leaning towards a somewhat repetitive momentum, however, here’s hoping that on future releases, the band find a way to include ideas « outside the box ».
Standout Tracks: Dead Face, By the Sun, The book of the Dead
7/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Jan 28, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Anarchos
« Descent into the Maelstrom »
Vic Records
2014
Emerging from the Netherlands, ANARCHOS churn and pummel their way through their first official EP, Descent into the Maelstrom. Following their demo released in 2012, Tortured Beyond Death, the five piece certainly bookmark fellow countrymen, HAIL OF BULLETS and like minded musicians in their musical approach. Playing a traditional style of Death Metal, ANARCHOS do check all the right boxes and lead the listener down a familiar road, albeit with an added touch of panache!
Anointing the Sick kicks off the five song album with charged determination and force! Sounding similar to latter-day GRAVE, the guitar tone and riffing style firmly plant the band beside similar acts. Often the pounding blast beat will placate much of the drive, particularly in Morbid Ways to Decay, The Great Black Death and Tales of the Mutilated Remains but there are subtle moments where ANARCHOS venture into slow, infectious, chuggy hooks that vary in tempo, which is what sets the album apart from other mundane bands, sounding too alike. Sarggeburt, for example, begins epically with its simple doom riff and « syrupy » snare drum hits before falling into a barrage of Swedish sounding arias and shifting momentum. With scores of acts playing the same well-worn path, Descent into the Maelstrom hasn’t re-invented the wheel but for fans of GRAVE, HAIL OF BULLETS, and early THANATOS, the EP will be well appreciated, due in large part to its writing and irregular pace. Hook-laden and aurally contagious, ANARCHOS have something interesting here that hopefully they can capitalize on for their debut full length and build upon!
Standout Tracks: The Great Black Death, Sarggeburt
7/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Jan 24, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Devouring
« Primordial Being of Chaos » EP
Unsigned/Independent
2013
Bursting out of Spain, quintet, DEVOURING intend on leaving their mark on the Death Metal playing field but if they’re to truly stand apart, they may have to think outside the box a little more. Releasing their debut ep, Primordial Being of Chaos the group knows how to craft gritty, traditional Death Metal with enough melody to satisfy the diehards on both sides of the spectrum. However, in a genre that’s quite overloaded with similarities, the Spaniards should use this EP as a great catalyst to something more.
Beginning with a very unnecessary ambient intro, the album does get going in the right direction with Dismemberment, a song rife with deep, throaty growls courtesy of Joan Rigo and encapsulates what made the early ‘90’s so important. Brutal, yet melodic at times, DEVOURING continue the blue print on Wall of Putrid Flesh, Extinction of Life and Devouring the Roots, the latter most notably catchy and loaded with rhythmic hooks! With all the abrasiveness, there are moments where the band venture out of their comfort zone and explore simplistic, but emotive ideas, especially on Extinction of Life which features an enthralling guitar solo.
Where DEVOURING fail slightly to impress is with the blast beat drumming, which at times feels out of sync with the guitars, especially on Dismemberment. However, drummer, Jose finds his stride on mid-paced numbers like Devouring the Roots and Morbid Insanity where the performance clearly hears him in more comfortable areas. For a young band recording, producing and mixing Primordial Being of Chaos themselves, DEVOURING has the ambition and drive to deliver something of brutal quality. While the seven song mini album is a nod in the right direction, perhaps a tightening of the faster sections and a forward thinking musical approach may be what could see DEVOURING stand ahead of the pack.
Standout Tracks: Extinction of Life, Devouring the Roots, Morbid Insanity
7/10
Chris
