Macabre “Grim Scary Tales” CD / 2x 10” LP

Decomposed Rec. / Willowtip / Hammerheart prod.

After many years, the legendary Macabre have at last another album. As a fan myself (I was a card bearer Murder Club member back in the days!), I obviously know that the band won’t repeat their “Sinister slaughter” anymore. Rather, they have recorded a “follow up” -so to speak- to their previous “Murder Metal album”. This means, the songs doesn’t follow the death metal / grind references anymore, but they have a more melodic and ironic approach instead. The songs are simple, mostly verse-chorus-verse-chorus, but, they have arranged them extremely well which absolutely show their musical abilities.

 The vocals also, are mostly clear, and even the lyrics, they are significatively longer now which is a good thing for those interested in serial killers.

This is not a concept album per-se, BUT most of the songs are focused upon classic serial killers, and perhaps that’s the common link which unite them.

With Macabre you can’t go wrong, support them by buying their stuff.

Contact: www.murdermetal.com   

 

 

Macabre “Carnival of Killers” LP/CD

Nuclear Blast.

Well what can I say, one of my all time favorite bands finally managed to release a new album after many years, and through Nuclear Blast. So they have managed to return to that label even as I remember having read some complaints about them on old interviews. Anyway…I originally thought that their return to Nuclear Blast would mean that they would also return to form, that is, either finally being able to release their long awaited Fishtails, or record another album in the vain of Sinister Slaughter. But I guess I’m wrong, again.

Look, Macabre started as a death metal band primarily, spiced with some humorous elements and songs inspired by children’s music, which make their music varied. But with time, they have left the death elements behind and those children’s music songs became their main driven influence. In such a way, the Macabre we all knew and liked softened and changed with time.

Carnival of Killer could be seen as the continuation of their previous “Grim Scary Tales”. Not that’s a bad thing btw, but they are not the Macabre I used to appreciate since the very beginning when I listened to their demo and Grim Reality EP. Their abilities as musicians remain top notch, but with this album, the spices became the norm. Ah well, I guess that hoping for them to return to their glorious days of Sinister S. and Dahmer is too much to ask for anyway. I purchased this album because it is Macabre and I always purchase their albums, but they have softened with time sadly.

 

 

Maieutiste s/t CD

Les Acteurs De L’Ombre prod.

And so, this álbum is about philosophy and trying to reflect that philosophy into music, correct?. This is an album that tookover 5 years in the making as the label states, and I clearly see why. There is a lot of musical elements, varied influences and much more to be discovered in here. The label name their music as “black metal” although I couldn’t find any link to their sound that could match that description, with the exception of a few elements here and there. Honestly, the music sounds like an amalgam of metal, doom, jazz, ambient and what not. And perhaps in finding their identity as a band is exactly what this album lacks in perspective and vision, and that’s their weakness. First of all, I don’t know where does the album is heading to. Such a big work, which took a few years in the making at least should illustrate their listeners what are they trying to do with their music in the first place.

However, this album sounds tedious and very sinuous to listen to due to the great extent of influences. They’re very prolific in what they do, but sadly that’s not enough in order to convey a series of ideals reflected into music. To my ears, they tend to sound boring after a few songs. 

 

 

 

Maligno / Maleficia “Satánica Mortandad” split cd

Necronausea records

This is quite a discovery in the sense that unites two bands coming from Nicaragua which share the same roots because both are related to each other. In fact, Maligno was the precursory band created in 1993 and whose short career was limited to just one demo, which is included here of course. Maligno is a death metal band with a huge rhythmic and some melodic approach, even hints of thrash metal I’d dare to say. Their demo sounds raw of course, but it is discernible and pretty much underground for the time it was recorded. These are nothing less than 8 tracks, sung in Spanish. After being released this demo, some of the band members left in order to form their next band called Maleficia, which is active until today if I’m right. This band, formed in the year 1996, released one demo on that very year, which is of course included in this split. This demo shows a continuation in sound from their previous band, but with a more solid death metal approach, noticeably more technical and faster. As bonus tracks, they have included tracks from their albums from 2012 and 2018 respectively. These show a much refined, technical sound, more oriented towards Brutal Death Metal.

This release is not only meant to be a compilation, but a testimony of the progression of a young band which achieves a professional level with years of rehearsals and hard work. Pretty much recommended.

 

 

 

March of Heroes “March for Glory” CD

Rage Of Eden

This album is supposed to be first installment of a trilogy. This French project is based upon diverse aspects of the WWII, seen from the point of view of the Soviets and the Axis forces. The songs, as they state in their CD, are influenced by acts such as Triarii, Sophia, Karjalan Sissit  and the likes, although I’d say that they’re focused into the percussion aspect of Militaria, with the exception of the song “Victory is our Fate”, which features beautiful chorals and suits perfectly to the tragic atmosphere of the album. Try to get this through your local distributor, as the label states that this release is already sold out. 

 

Marduk “Serpent Sermon” CD / LP

Blooddawn rec / Century Media.

With this album I was surprised to find a sober and modest presentation after the previous albums which were kind of prolific. As minimalistic as this album actually is, undoubtely this is Marduk in every sense of the word. What you expect from them is that. Another typically sounding Marduk album. I think that they have reached a point where little progress can be made; the typical Marduk trademark is still here, the strong riffing is still here as well as the varied vocals done of course by Arioch. This album, just like the previous ones, could be classified as a theme/concept album, based upon the thematic of Hell and Damnation basically, and the lyrics are pretty Catholic in form even when touching an obvious Blasphemic thematic.

The songs, very much in the tradition of the last couple of albums, vary between fast and mid paced songs.

As I have stated above, Marduk have found their sound a long time ago, and even if they managed to experiment a little bit with every album and try to make it special, if you have heard the band then you already know how it is going to sound like.

 

 

Mare “Ebony Tower” LP/CD

Terratur possessions.

“Ebony tower represents the very keep of the creative genius, the citadel of withdrawal and introspectional pursuit”. A monument of excessive creativity, or better said, a consequence of it. Certainly, with this statement the band has stated that this album would be their pinnacle of their creativity as composers and creators. There is a risk of stating this, however, especially if they are planning to continue with the band as such. Having reached their pinnacle already, why should they bother to keep releasing stuff which is not to be consider of the same caliber? Perhaps, their inspiration is not over yet. But well, to the point with this album. For those who have experienced Mare in the past, should recognize that their “Nidrosian” black metal was a conservative faction of the old traditional Norwegian Black metal in essence. Of course, injecting their own venom t the whole. Fast, aggressive, conservative. Yet still rabid and raw. With Ebony Tower they have indeed immersed themselves into a more introspectional vision and pursuit. With a more clean production, compositions charged with melody and accompanied by clean and chanted vocals whose atmosphere reminds me of De Mysteriis. Basically Ebony Tower is a clever album, a meditative album and focused not on aggression explicitly but into exploring the dark recesses of the Mind and Self for a quest of something greater than Oneself. In such a way, it is easy to realize why Lamia Vox was the one whose art would mark the boundaries of Ebony Tower. Immerse yourself into this tremendous effort and do learn without hesitation the meaning of well thought Black Metal.

 

 

Maze of Terror “Ready to Kill” CD / LP

Empire records.

It is always good to see a Peruvian band which has maintained their career as low profile, and after releasing just a promotional EP, managed to get a contract for a full album.

To be honest, I haven’t listened to that EP, but I managed to get a glimpse of this album and so I decided to grab a copy.

Maze of Terror delivers quality Thrash metal, and this debut album, besides of being well produced and recorded, also displays a very hard work and musicianship which is something lacking in most local bands: the songs are quite varied in the sense that they’re heterogeneous concerning their development as song writers; some of them are basically structured while others are more complex and exceptionally well arranged. The technical level displayed especially by the lead guitar is undeniably above average and all in all this album shows enthusiasm and dedication for delivering quality thrash oriented tracks.

As for the lyric department, they are well written and conceived, even if the topic used don’t break the boundaries for the already established lyrical department of the average thrash band out there.

All in all, this is a unusual release and should be checked out.

Contact: www.empirerecords.be

 

 

Maze of Terror “Offer to the Fucking Beasts” CD

Xtreem Music

After a solid debut, local death thrashers of Maze of Terror return with a second album which obviously had a hard to top effort. Under similar circumstances, bands have usually two options to choose from: either they soften their deliveries because supposedly they have achieved what they were looking for in the first place with their previous album, or simply they push their asses and outdo themselves. With Maze of Terror the second option was indeed the option chosen by the band. “Offer to the fucking beasts” is a step forward in terms of sound, production and compositions. With this album the band have not found only a way to push themselves as musicians, but also to overcome their own sound by adding a fitting punchy, bassy production to enhance their dynamic, adrenaline boosted tracks. I have always thought that thrash metal, as well as death metal work best with dynamism and heavy sound wisely combined. With this album Maze of Terror have achieved both. “Offer…” is an album to be listened in one take and whose agile and aggressive tracks won’t let you turn it off until the last notes of the Shub Niggurath infestation are played and delivered.

Here’s without doubt a solid effort from a band which don’t want to play just safe by redoing what others have done in the past, but studying, digesting and excreting their own style and filth knowing that it will be well received.

 

Medieval Demon “Black Coven” LP/CD

Hells HEadbangers records

Hellas’ Medieval Demon is a band that  I remember from the 90’s, but not because they stood above the rest of the Greek BM acts of the time.  Their vampyric approach, gothic like aesthetics was not something I really was attracted to at the time. However, once they reunited with new vigor, things changed. They returned as a traditional Greek sounding Black Metal with a heavy Necromantic atmosphere, reminding me aesthetically to bands such as Mortuary Drape, Necromass among others. Their second album was pretty remarkable, and so it was their third one. Black Coven is the continuation of these, and more. Necromantic atmospheres enhanced by the use of eerie keyboards and even a saxophone, lyrics focused upon the traditional visions of medieval devil worship, ancient pagan grandeurs and the wanderings among catacombs and the macabre. All is here. This wouldn’t be much of a surprise if it wasn’t for the fact that they can actually compose extraordinary music which traps the listener and doesn’t let him go until the album ends. Medieval Demon are a veteran band, and if you didn’t pay attention to them back in the 90’s then I suggest you to do it now.

 

Mentors “Iluminaughty” CD

Self released

Alright, this is the new Mentors album after a few years of having released the previous one, called “Ducefixion”. This time, the drummer/vocalist Marc Duce is no longer in the band but Heathen Scum and Sickie have recruited a new drummer and a second guitarist. The vocals are still handled by Heathen Scum (bass) mainly although there are a few guests this time in order to give this album a little bit of variety in the vocal department, which is good.

To begin with, this album doesn’t sound like any previous album. Then again, this is good. Therefore it is understandable that the new members have contributed to the songwriting.

But anyway, and to be fair, most of the tracks here are good and here you’ll listen to some really amazing solos by courtesy of the all-time guitarist Sickie Wifebeater. Even if the lyrical department is not the best of what they have done, there is some quality stuff here.

The lyrics tend to be uninspired and even repetitive at some points but what the hell, I can live with that. As for the music, even if some tracks are really well written and performed, it isn’t hard to note that there are a few fillers as well. Some of the tracks do sound tired and uninspired, and the band could have left these out of the album easily.

This album comes in a gatefold cardboard sleeve, and with an incorrect trackilisting. But what really annoys me is the fact that this is just a cd-r, something unacceptable for a band with such a long trajectory.

All in all, it is a Mentors album and of course I do like it, even if it isn’t as solid as f.ex, Over the Top, which is by far the best album they’ve done without El Duce.

Contact: sbroy@aol.com

 

 

 

MGLA “Exercises in Futility” LP / CD

Northern Heritage.

I recall listening to this unknown band when I purchased a copy of the “Holy trinity…” 3 cd compilation, and honestly, I wasn’t interested in this band as in my opinion it sounded like a regular BM act with regular and uninspired riffing. But well, with due time, things may change; either they find their own sound or they simply fade away as a prospect of band. Fortunately, the second time that I listened to this band was when they released their 2013 effort “With hearts towards none”. And they sounded like an entirely different band. Their riffing was distinct and unique, with a sense of melody but at the same time the coldness offered on that compilation.

With “exercises of Futility”, they have even surpassed that album, which seemed to be a hard task to do indeed. This album is a natural progression to what the previous achieved a couple of years ago, and this is simply explained when a band reaches a point where they have achieved their own sound and their own soundwriting. The melodies and harmonies are still there, but this time the band seem to be even more relaxed when playing them, as they seem to flow more naturally this time.

As for the lyrics, I’d say that this album is a concept album in fact, as it shows, through 6 songs, that futility of life is ever present since the first question we do in life.

I have really liked this album, I think that it will be a hard job to surpass this one for the band, but if they have done that already, then it shouldn’t be a major problem. Buy!!

 

 

MGLA “Age of Excuse” LP/CD

Northern Heritage prod.

“Exercise of Futility” was an album which was some sort of rebirth for this band in the sense of self improvement and self exploration of sounds and compositions. That’s what I could perceive after comparing the gradual development of this band as their releases were coming and coming.

With “Age of Excuse”, the band not only have solidified their sound but also refined it. The foundations were set on the previous album, and here, they have polished everything even more.

“Age of Excuse” continues with the exploration of melodies and riffing with the basis of their earlier works, but they have put some intricacies to the whole formula.

Have you ever listened to their other project Kriegmaschine and the pessimism based on reality of human nature exposed there in? Granted, that project shares some similitudes in essence, but with MGLA they haven’t given themselves too much room for experimentation, unlike Kriegmaschine. But both share the pessimism for the futility of mankind’s existence, and how everything is failed from the very beginning. The melodies don’t serve as some mean of mass appeal, but some oppressive and asphyxiating settlement for the realities exposed through the lyrical concept. Each song is a part of a everything, they don’t need any title at all. I believe that if you approach to this band in a proper manner beyond any mundane analysis, you’ll grasp the true meaning and essence of this band’s whole work.

 

 

Misotheist s/t LP/CD

Terratur Possessions

This Norwegian label has been pushing the boundaries of a movement which all of us believed to be burned and banished. I mean the Norwegian Black Metal scene. It is no secret that all past glories have either disappeared or mutated into something unrecognizable, a shadow of their once good past. But it seems that Norwegian Black Metal is still there, underground, waiting and re-inventing itself with every new act presented. Misotheist is a literally unknown band. They have decided to keep it that way and due to the context spoken above, I think it is better in the sense that only their art will speak on their behalf. Here, they present their first effort which is basically a mini album consisting of three long tracks, not only exemplifying the nature of the nordic Black Metal of all, but they have also managed to add a personal seal and infuse it with a claustrophobic, sordid and punishing atmosphere. They have opted for a dirty and crushing production for this one unlike many new bands. I won’t describe each and every song here. But, the savage and melodic approach of their nordic sound is very distinguishable. They haven’t re-invented the wheel but have managed to inject a few personal touches to their music. This is a good start and surely a new album is in the making and should be available soon.

 

Moloch “Illusionen Eines verlorenen Lebens” CD / tape

Magistellus Infernal prod.

Well actually this is the tape version of this album originally released as cd during 2011 by Glorious north productions. Ok, briefly enough...this is a one man band coming from Ukraine and surprisingly has released a LOT of stuff since it was formed in 2002. Even so, this is the first thing I listen from this band. Basically what Moloch performs is a mix of dark ambient keyboard-oriented melodies with some sections which could be named as “depressive black metal”. And Moloch does it right I might add. The lyrics might complement the whole atmosphere, and they are some kind of poems dealing with nature and the parallels they have with darkness and personal emotional status. So, you might know already how does the music sound. The problem with this album is the very-much extended ambient sounds. They lead to nothing. And there are a couple scattered throughout this album. But other than that, Moloch does deliver a good dose of melodic and mid tempo depressive black metal, or dark ambien with some black metal spicing their sound. You name it.

Contact: magistellusinfernal@yahoo.com

 

 

Monadblot CD

MMP Temple prod.

MMP Temple is a label which produces music and sonic manifestations of projects related to the ONA, both being located in the United Kingdom.

Monadblot, being their first offering in Cd I do think, as the rest are tapes, is some kind of conceptual offering consisting in 2 sections or parts, and this term is related to an old term meaning the “month blood” or menstruation. However, being this a conceptual offering, it would be wise if this digipack would have included some text giving further details to this project, although, by the art included, it is easy to realize that they are establishing a tangible connection between the “month blood” and the lunar cycles related to this. Musically, this album reminds me somehow to the Deveril’s Nexion LP, “the sinister Tarot”. I say that there are similarities because both projects feature some field recorded sounds and some acoustic guitars, with the difference that Monadblot besides these ambience settings, also includes some synth work, additional vocal sections and a triumphant finale on later tracks. Everything combined does serve as a good meditative music setting first and foremost. If you have listened to some other ONA related musical projects, then you’ll realize that this one follows similar direction at least in the presented form.

 

 

 

Moonblood “From Hell” Boxset

Iron Bonehead prod.

Those familiar with Black metal from the 90’s, will know at least something about this obscure and extremely prolific German band, which, unfortunately, used to release their music in extremely limited quantities. Therefore, a lot of bootlegs appeared, many of them with poor sound and didn’t do justice to the band.

Well, at last a label decided to release properly a compilation in the way the band deserved it. Compiling everything the band recorded back then would be impossible as they recorded a lot of stuff. However, this is a “the best of” compilation, and for this titanic task, they have chosen carefully among many recordings. And I’d say that they have done a good job after all. Not only in researching among lots of recordings but also aesthetically. The sound restoring was also very good as well. Moonblood has always been a very talented band in the sense that most of their riffing are of high quality.

 

 

Moonblood “Winter falls over the land” LP /CD

Iron Bonehead prod.

Yes, after releasing the beast of a compilation “From hell” and the first album “blut & krieg”, this german label blessed the Moonblood fans once more by releasing this MLP, which contains actually 2 rehearsals/demos (sideA: Gates of Eternity” and side B: “Winter falls upon the land”), which couldn’t be included on the boxset but deserved to be released anyway as this is some of the best material that this prolific band wrote back in the days.

These recordings were mastered once again by Patrick Engel who took care of the boxset as well. The quality is flawless, and the aesthetics fit the cold nature of these recordings very well. On the cd, they have included additional material as the whole cd playing time is 1 hour.

Moonblood is classic German BM, an influence and a band which didn’t deserve to be forgotten.

 

 

MoonReich “Pillars of Detest” CD

Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions.

I must admit that this is the first time that I listen to this french band, even if this is their third album so far. I knew them by name, and that was all. And they must be pretty big up there, as this time their album has been mastered at Endarker studios (Sweden, owned by Devo Anderson- Marduk). And this fact is understandable, as this band seem to follow a similar path with their Swedish colleagues, at least in aesthetic, and I’d even adventure to say lyrical approach as well (damn, I don’t know why, lyrics aren’t even included in this well looking digipack, but I managed to understand a few lines at least).

After listening to the album, I got the impression that MoonReich is a band which followed the path of traditional Black Metal and now it is experimenting with more progressive influences. I wouldn’t say that this a bad thing, though, but experimenting “too much” would leave aside the original perspective of the band, and, to my own taste, leaving aside darkness and oppression in their music in favor to a more complicated and “mathematic” oriented music. But all in all, this album still retains some black metal elements which keeps my attention during the course of the album.

 

Morbid “Year of the Goat” 3LP / 2CD

Century Media Recs.

Well you already know Morbid and Dead. Everybody does. So, what then? This is an official tribute to the band with “charitable” intentions? (sic). Compiled by no other than metalion with the help of Eric D. (Watain) who did an splendid layout, and perhaps that’s the reason of why many will be buying it in the first place.

In that sense, I’m being practical and have opted for the CD which is basically the same.

Here, there’s nothing really “new”: the December Moon demo is here (and for that sake the only interesting demo by the way), a rehearsal is also present, and of course 3 shows from the “year of the goat:1987” were included as well. Even if the overall sound was taken from the original sources and has been totally re-mastered, it retains the whole rawness and amateurish sound of a band which never surpassed the demo era but was an obvious influence for the upcomind and typical sound of Swedish Death Metal. Even if the material presented here is nothing new, the memory of Morbid and Dead have been immortalized once and for all. Make your choice, and act fast!

 

 

 

Mors Vincit Per Saeculum 4 way split cd

Cadaver/Evoked Terror/Ad Terrorem/Embalmed Corpse

Necronausea records

This would be, if I’m not mistaken, the second 4 way split released by this Peruvian label, whose owner participates with his own project Ad Terrorem.

As for the music itself: This 4 way split is quite irregular regarding the quality of the bands presented here. You may find one amateurish band which is still struggling to find their way to develop their own sound in death metal (Cadaver that is), but at least they managed to present two good cover songs, from Hadez and Mortuorio respectively.

The next band, Evoked Terror, that is, is in fact not new as they have release previous stuff through the local label Crypts of Eternity. What they present here if their demo from 2012 “Rise upon unholy Darkness”, spicing it with a Celtic frost cover. So far they have released a second demo and a 4 way split 7”Ep. Anyway, their early recording shows their take of primitive, raw and dirty death metal. To my ears, this is nothing special but anyway it is way batter than many of the bands which just record a few tracks and then die.

Ad Terrorem only released 2 demos, being this one the first. Even if this is only a 3 tracks demo, being one of them a cover track, this band demonstrate experience in composing and playing songs, and technically are quite superior to the rest of the bands. I don’t know why they quit after 2 demos, but their death metal would have developed pretty smoothly on future releases.

And closing this split come Embalmed Corpse, which is another old school death metal act even if they are a new band. This recording being their only demo from 2018 “From the Morgue”. I would say that they develop a good, interesting and raw approach to the roots from the genre. Obsessed by as they call it, Death itself, this demo exudes darkness and stench even if it’s not original.

All in all this is an interesting split done for the listener to listen to the new generation of local death metal.

 

 

 

Mortem “Demonolatry” 2CD

Veins Full of Wrath records.

Ok, it was about time for this one to be released after many years of waiting. For those who doesn’t know by now, this compilation was going to be released originally by Legion of Death records (FRA), but after all Mortem decided to do it through this young Chilean label, first on CD and later on 2LP.

Well, to the point: At last the demos have been officially re-released for those who hadn’t the chance to get them when they were released on tape. And I must say that, thankfully the original sound and therefore the original recording mistakes were left almost intact. Only the overall sound was cleaned up a little bit and  boosted, and that’s all. So, the basic intention, of just compiling and releasing the demos properly was achieved. BUT, and I must say this, being this compilation such an historical release, some liner notes written by the band were mandatory, for those interested in knowing more about the history of the demos themselves. Unfortunately the label was more focused into publishing as many photos as the booklet allowed, and that’s indeed the main disadvantage.

About the demos: I have always thought that the first one,Evil Dead, was the best representation of Mortem’s old sound. Pure and simple. Even the second demo, which was more polished and continued in the same vein, portrayed how a bad production can ruin a release. Superstition just sounds too sterile, light and hollow. And the cavernous voice of the previous demo was now gone.

After listening again the third and fourth demos, now I can remember why I refused to purchase them when they were out: Their old influences were almost deleted by the fact that Mortem had been influenced by Deicide, a band I never could get into. Vomit of the Earth just sounds too “modern” for Mortem, with that terrible vocal distortion and those incipient blast beats. The follow up demo tape, wanted to continue in that direction, not only including new songs, but also “converting” old songs into that new found sound. Even the debut album (at least side B) still reeks of these influences. Anyway, here the label included as a bonus the originally released on vinyl mini album “devoted to evil” which is a nice addition, but of course won’t be included in the forthcoming vinyl edition.

 

All in all, a big effort for this label, and a mandatory purchase for those recently accustomed to Mortem’s music, and also for those who owned the demos on tape but needed a fresh reminder of those old times.