ALBUM REVIEW: Bonded, "Rest in Violence"

By: Peter Morsellino 

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/01/2020

Label: Century Media Records

“Rest in Violence” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Godgiven (04:13)
2. Suit Murderer (04:12)
3. Rest in Violence (03:49)
4. Je Suis Charlie (03:55)
5. The Rattle & The Snake (04:00)
6. No Cure for Life (4:40)
7. Where Silence Reverberates (05:14)
8. Galaxy M87 (04:52)
9. Arrival (03:52)
10. The Outer Rim (04:42)

The Review:

What is the current state of Thrash Metal?  Slayer took their final bows late last year.   Metallica and Megadeth have risen into the musical stratosphere leaving behind much of what made them the bands they are today.  The genre continues to grow but seems to grow more and more unrecognizable with the growing influence of hardcore. Who remains carrying the flame?  Who can return thrash to its classic roots?  I believe that Bonded is the band that is up to that task. On their 2020 album, “Rest in Violence”, Bonded offer up some of the best, pure, uncut thrash metal I've heard in a very long time.

searing, burning, face melting thrash.  

This album burns quickly. With its mile a minute tempos and infectious grooves keeping the listener laser focused, it seems to be over almost as quickly as it begins. Don't get me wrong though, this isn't a speed run. This album has a lot to offer in its diversity.  While its title track works desperately to break the sound barrier, tracks like “No Cure For Life” rest back on mid-tempo beats without losing any of the intensity.  Even when leaning off the gas, this album maintains that thrashy grit and attitude that brought us to it. 

The vocals on this album blended perfectly with the band's breakneck pace give off a hint of a Motorhead vibe, while sometimes even evoking Kind Diamond in their theatricality.  Guitar harmonies rival the best of Iron Maiden's catalog. Drums hammer into the listener's skull, sometimes stealing the show entirely.  If you like drums and own a car, you may want to invest in a steering wheel cover before giving this album a listen. It's going to get a workout.

Lyrical themes on “Rest in Violence” are a diverse mix. While all the genre's favorite themes are present, Bonded do not rest on the tried and true standards of war and bloodshed.  These songs often reach into the realms of space for influence, creating a particularly interesting atmosphere for thrash metal. One particular lyrical standout, “The Outer Rim” offers up some sorrowful emotion that is all too often missing from thrash. 

Bonded offer up a masterpiece of thrash metal on par with the best of anything the Big Four have offered in a very long time. Break out your battle jacket for this one and get ready to headbang. 

“Rest in Violence” is available HERE

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Castle, “Deal Thy Fate”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 19/10/2018

Label: Ripple Music

Castle remain unique and mix up the sounds and approaches of many of your favourite bands to create a superlative heavy metal record

“Deal Thy Fate” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Can’t Escape the Evil
2). Skull in the Woods
3). Prelude
4). Hexenring
5). Wait For Dark
6). Deal Thy Fate
7). Haunted
8). Red Phantom
9). Firewind

The Review:

Castle have been on quite the prolific run since 2011; this is their fourth full length. 2016's “Welcome To The Graveyard” was a great, great album and my favourite of theirs to date. Is “Deal Thy Fate” a step forward, sideways or back? Either read on or go and listen to it to find out...

The band remain with a foot/other body part in several different camps. It's not doom, it's not trad, it's not thrash, it's not rock. In fact, it's all those things mixed together. The band have a spooky vibe and veer towards the doom rock of Pentagram at times, but there are many riffs here which lean towards, or even heavily on, Slayer for reference. From the opener of “Can't Escape the Evil” and into  “Skull in the Woods”, you can only assume that Castle have summoned Jeff Hanneman's spirit and he has communicated what he would have played from beyond the grave, leading Mat Davis to oblige. That's not to take away from the material, it's a fresh angle for the band and they work it well.

Over the course of the eight tracks and one interlude here, Castle have added to their sound and built solidly on their previous three records. “Hexenring” could have nestled very comfortably into “WTTGY” and the vocals of Liz Blackwell are as stellar as ever. “Wait For Dark” is dramatic and evil in delivery and riffage and shows the band have retained an endearing rawness to their approach. My digitally provided copy has a few glitches here and there- it is hard to ignore at times with a couple of jumps in this track and others.

Digital issues aside, the sound of the album and the title track are reassuringly analogue. The evil and dark vibes continue and work really well with Blackwell's schizophrenic vocals. Once again, Castle are hard to pigeon-hole; the title track could be out of the Angel Witch NWOBHM play book, while “Haunted” goes much further towards hard rock. There may be nothing as immediate as “Flash of the Pentagram” here, but the songs throughout are uniformly strong and the production is perfect for the band.

The melting pot of hard rock and Slayer-esque riffing continues with “Red Phantom” and it delivers a storming and hard rocking penultimate track for this confident album. For the closing “Firewind”, Castle slow things down and offer up a track which starts effectively as a maudlin ballad and then gets heavier. Hey, if it's good enough for 70's era Priest... it's good enough for anybody. Castle deliver a surprisingly emotional final statement and close out the album with strength and purpose. The band have progressed here, no doubt, and they have set themselves up for a broader sound on their next album- should they wish to deliver such a thing. Castle remain unique and mix up the sounds and approaches of many of your favourite bands to create superlative heavy metal and hard rock. Excellent.

Order “Deal Thy Fate” direct from the band HERE and via Ripple Music HERE.

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Vomitor, "Pestilent Death"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/04/2018

Label: Hells Headbangers Records

This is metal as it should be: balls to the wall, nasty sounding and with an evil undertone to it all. No wimps. No posers. Vomitor are ungodly and stand as a beacon of satanic light. Welcome to hell, again.

“Pestilent Death” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Tremolation (04:19)
2. Roar of War (04:38)
3. Abracadabra (04:46)
4. Manic Oppression (03:48)
5. Tremendous Insane (05:40)
6. Pestilent Death (04:12)
7. Hells Butcher (04:29)

The Review:

Australia's Vomitor plays a kind of death metal/thrash metal/black metal hybrid. Noisy, tough and uncompromising about sums these boys up. This is very much on the Venom-Bathory-Sodom continuum, use that as a starting point and then modernise a bit...

The band, having been plugging away since the 90s and are on vicious form here. This is even better than “The Escalation” album of a few years ago. Better songs, production and mix. Over the course of seven tracks the band batters the listener very convincingly from the opening maelstrom of “Tremolation” to the slowed down and grinding “Road of War” and into the noise fest of “Abracadabra”, the band sets out their stall and invites you to leave if you don't like it.

You can hear the influences here; early Slayer, Sodom and so on, but this is more extreme than any of the bands mentioned above. The band has picked up the ball and run with it, Aussie-rules style. The dramatic opening of “Manic Oppression” gives way to an all out thrash attack while the album's epic centrepiece of “Tremendous Insane” makes a truly unholy racket.

Of the final two tracks, the title track is more blackened in approach while the closing horror of “Hells Butcher” is as beastly as the previous album's “Pitch Black”. The record is unrelenting and makes for very uneasy listening throughout. This is metal as it should be: balls to the wall, nasty sounding and with an evil undertone to it all. No wimps. No posers. Vomitor are ungodly and stand as a beacon of satanic light. Welcome to hell, again.

“Pestilent Death” is available on Cassette (HERE), CD (HERE), and Vinyl (HERE).

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Testament - "Live At The Fillmore", "Demonic", "The Gathering", "First Strike Still Deadly", "Live At Endhoven '87" (Reissues)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Reissue

Date Released: 26/01/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast

When at their best, as on “The Gathering”, there are few thrash bands who are their equal.

"Live At The Fillmore" (1995), "Demonic" (1997), "The Gathering" (1999) (remastered by Andy Sneap) "First Strike Still Deadly" (2001), “Live At Eindhoven '87" (2009)

The Review:

Testament's career is generally viewed as being a little behind the pace of the Big Four, but not by too much. Cursed with a late start via their debut of “The Legacy”, they followed it up impressively with “The New Order”, got a little more catchy on “Practice What You Preach” and then... lost their way a little chasing Metallica and then Pantera's coat tails. The records they released in the first half of the 90's were thus a mixed bag- great moments, weaker moments, thrash, no thrash and so on.

These welcome reissues, then, remind us of what a potent force Testament returned as via a shot of more extreme metal and an iron will. These reissues cover a couple of live albums- from 1987 and 1995 and then their studio output from 1997 into the new millennium. Let's be clear, Testament at their lowest ebb were still one of the best metal bands around, and so if “Live at The Fillmore” catches them on tour after the release of the album “Low”, it cherry picks the best tracks from their career to that time. It's a solid and punchy listen- if maybe lacking the “lightning in a bottle” x-factor that, say, “No Sleep Til Hammersmith” has. It works as a fine live best of- most of the best album tracks are represented. 1987's “Live at Eindhoven” catches the band at the very start of their international career and the performances are rough, ready, energetic and fiery. Both releases are really for fans only. For me John Dette being on drums makes “Live at The Fillmore” superior for me. He is one of the very best drummers in thrash. He played with Anthrax, filling in for the equally majestic Charlie Benante and he absolutely blew Paul Bostaph away- who must have been having an off night!

1997's “Demonic” is a superb and surprisingly extreme listen. Chuck Billy introduced some very extreme elements to his vocals to excellent effect and the overall impression is of a band revitalised and out-heavying the competition (Metallica and Megadeth were at career low points musically at this point, Anthrax were effectively inactive and Slayer were coming off the back of their worst studio album). Eric Peterson was firmly at the helm as usual, with Chuck ably upping his game and the mighty Gene Hoglan stepping in on drums. While Alex Skolnick was not present, Greg Alvelais proved a worthy replacement with Greg Ramirez rounding out the studio line up. The death metal influence is strong and the record finds the band doing what they want to do- trends be damned. Great performances all around and impressive writing; what a great come-back record! It also sounds great- tight and clear with lots of weight to the production.

However, with “The Gathering” in 1999, the band hit an all time high. Dave Lombardo delivers a masterclass in thrash metal drumming (thanks Aaron!) and all the material is top notch. From the massive opener “DNR” to “Hammer of The Gods”, this is a thrash tour de force from a time when no-one was releasing such records. There are some classic tunes on here- “Riding The Snake”, “3 Days in Darkness”, “Legions of The Dead”. Every track is prime Testament and is right up there with “The Legacy” and “The New Order”- with much better production. The fact that it is, in my view, Testament's best makes it one of the best thrash albums of all time. Chuck proves on this one that he is one of the best and most versatile vocalists in metal, while the chemistry between Peterson and Lombardo is sublime. Steve Digiorgio helping out on bass really helps the cause too- metal royalty! As a final boost, Andy Sneap's production is excellent.

“First Strike...Still Deadly” rounds out the studio releases and is one of my favourite Testament records. Whilst some fans may moan about the band re-recording their earlier classics and the clinical sound, I loved this at the time of release and still do. The sound is excellent, the performances are uniformly good (John Tempesta on drums this time around) and the song choices are stellar. Having Steve Zetro Souza come back for a couple of very early compositions is a nice bonus and overall I would recommend buying this over and above the first two studio albums! That may well not be a popular view, but there it is.

The verdict on this set of re-issues? Three essential releases and two live albums of good to great quality. Testament are usually mentioned in the same breath as Exodus and Overkill as being just outside the Big Four, but that is not to say that they don't knock all of Anthrax's work plus half of Slayer's, Megadeth's and Metallica's discography into a neatly cocked hat. When at their best, as on “The Gathering”, there are few thrash bands who are their equal. After an extended break while Chuck Billy dealt with cancer, Testament returned and to date have released three great studio records from 2008 onwards. A classic band.

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Mammoth Grinder – "Cosmic Crypt"

By: Mark Ambrose

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 26/01/2018

Label: Relapse Records

Mammoth Grinder isn’t some newfangled blackened tech fusion melodic death metal.  This is Neanderthal music, meant to crush, rend, rip and destroy to.  In less than 30 minutes, this Paleolithic power trio blast out 11 tunes that don’t reinvent the wheel – they lay waste to anything so civilized as that nonsense.  

“Cosmic Crypt” CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Grimmenstein

2. Servant of the Most High

3. Blazing Burst

4. Divine Loss

5. Molotov

6. Superior Firepower

7. Human is Obsolete

8. Locust’s Nest

9. Mysticism

10. Rotting Robes

11. Cosmic Crypt

The Review:

Now that the true deep freeze of winter has crept into the northeastern US, my daily soundtrack has mostly been the coldest black metal I can find.  Shrill, inhuman, alienating dissonance with tracks lasting ten or twenty minutes transporting me to a land of northern darkness as vast as a Lovecraftian planetscape.  But this year, the muck and humidity has burst through unexpectedly, like a deep rot thought excised.  The stink of swamp gas behind my home bubbles up at random intervals, reminding me that while the grim sterility of winter reigns on the surface, there’s a limitless, festering putrescence ready to boil through the icy cracks.  How appropriate that the long dormant Mammoth Grinder rises from the tomb to unleash classic death metal in the midst of this strange, damp season. 

               

Mammoth Grinder isn’t some newfangled blackened tech fusion melodic death metal.  This is Neanderthal music, meant to crush, rend, rip and destroy to.  In less than 30 minutes, this Paleolithic power trio blast out 11 tunes that don’t reinvent the wheel – they lay waste to anything so civilized as that nonsense.  From the opening salvos of “Grimmenstein”, the emphasis on filthy low end tones pairs perfectly with bassist-vocalist Chris Ulsh’s cave troll vocals.  Throughout “Cosmic Crypt”, Ulsh sounds like he’s bellowing from the deepest underground chambers, daring you to come face the horrors within.  Drummer Ryan Parrish, meanwhile, alternates between hardcore influenced, straightforward metal beats, complemented by precise, slick fills.  Mark Bronzino is definitely copping from the old school, post-thrash vanguard (a la Slayer and Possessed) of shrill, whammy bar throttling leads – but he does it so damn good, who would complain?  Aspiring rhythm riffers would do well to study his no frills, catchy as fuck style.

               

The standout tracks here are the most frenetic: punky thrash death rager “Blazing Burst”; “Divine Loss”, that turns on a dime from 6/8 dirge to straightforward death (with some nice rhythmic eccentricities smattered here and there); and “Human is Obsolete” – which trudges through a deliciously sludgy intro and has a simple but hypnotic guitar solo.  The final one-two punch of “Rotting Robes” and “Cosmic Crypt” is an excellent crescendo of fury on an already solid record.  “Rotting Robes” is your standard death metal before throwing in this beautifully rude, swaggering riff, riding on the excellent rhythm section.  The titular, final track is definitely elevated by Ulsh unleashing his most unhinged vocals.  Not to be outdone, Bronzino lays down his most restrained, memorable solo.  It’s easy to see why, with an unmatched performance, Mammoth Grinder closes the eponymous record with this mini-masterpiece. And before you know it, the seething decay has receded. 

Mammoth Grinder doesn’t wear you out with any extended bullshit.  They come to unleash slaughter and crawl back into whatever nightmare dungeons they lurk in when not decimating unwitting victims.  I hope to hell we get more filthy death from this trio before 2023, but at least I know they’re lurking at the edges, ready to erupt when the world seems sterile and just too serene.

“Cosmic Crypt” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with Dead Quiet (Vancouver, British Columbia)

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 03/11/2017

Label: Artoffact Records

All of the nuance and balance on this record really make it an experience that never bogs the listener down. It is for these reasons, that Dead Quiet’s “Grand Rites” is one of the best Canadian Metal records of the year.

“Grand Rites” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Moon Curser

2). Blood Lovers

3). Corpse Revival

4). Disgraced

5). Fucking Oath

6). Dear Demon

7). Old Hopeless

8). Spiritual Abuse

9). Grand Rites

The Review:

Dead Quiet’s second full length “Grand Rites” sees the band fully forming their blend of classic rock and stoner metal. What was merely a nod on their self titled release is now fully integrated on “Grand Rites”.  For band leader Kevin Keegan, this is his best album to date. Following his progression from the early riff-sandwich that was Barn Burner all the way to the more sophisticated Dead Quiet, it has been great to see the progression in his voice. His voice has gone from being in the background on previous releases, to being the main focal point of this album. The vocal range and variety exhibited by Kevin Keegan on “Grand Rites” has come a long way since “Bangers”.

Most notably on “Grand Rites”, Dead Quiet has incorporated keyboards into their sound. The addition of former 3 Inches of Blood guitarist Justin Hagberg, the 70’s influence is now fully embraced by the band. This is apparent on the albums early tracks like the Deep Purple infused “Moon Cruiser” to the white room re-imagining of “Blood Lovers”. Elements of Creedence Clearwater Revival become apparent on “Corpse Revival” which morphs into an onslaught of Slayer oriented thrash riffs.

Perhaps what makes this album so enjoyable is its tasteful use of every element it brings to the table. The amount of acoustic instruments featured on tracks like “Dear Demon”, and “Ritual Abuse”, for example, really make its heavy elements shine through. All of the nuance and balance on this record really make it an experience that never bogs the listener down. It is for these reasons, that Dead Quiet’s “Grand Rites” is one of the best Canadian Metal records of the year.

“Grand Rites” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM PREMIERE: Toronto's Deity deliver chaotic, aggressive and masterful self titled debut album

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines Deity as ‘Godhead; the Supreme Being; a fabulous god or goddess; a divinity.’  That definition needs to be amended to include DEITY the band; who melds old-school metal through a thoroughly unique intense influence of their own into music that is godlike and divine! 
 

Inspired by Suffocation, Emperor, Death, Slayer and Immortal and describing their music as ‘relentless, powerful, intriguing, honest and revitalizing’, DEITY has produced a truly special album, combining the fantastic progressive instrumentals of Metallica and Iced Earth with crushing metal anthems.
 

With the completion of DEITY's self-titled album, the extreme duo, Danny and John are looking forward to taking their sound to live stages in Toronto, Montreal and more in both those cities provinces and beyond. Watch this pair, because DEITY are a band that deserve to break out of the studio into the live arena! Guitarist/vocalist Danny Alessandro had the following to say about the album

“This album has been a long time in the making and we are very proud of what we've created. From start to finish we want to take the listener on a journey of different emotions and feeling. As fans of metal we wanted to create something the listener could play over several times without losing interest. Something with a timeless feeling, and we feel like we've achieved this. Chaotic, aggressive and melodic are the best words to describe this self titled release.  We hope the metal community digs the album cheers!!!”

With the album set to hit the streets on Friday 2^nd June, you can check out the album in all its brutal splendour below.  For more info about this release as it becomes available, like and follow DEITY via facebook below.

Band info: Facebook || Instagram

ALBUM REVIEW: Body Count - "Bloodlust"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 31/03/2017

Label: Century Media Records

 

The production is superb, the performances fantastic and Ice-T turns in a stellar vocal performance.  Is this album as real as it gets? I have no idea, but it certainly seems convincing. Harrowing and enjoyable at the same time.

“Bloodlust” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Civil War (ft Dave Mustaine)

2). The Ski Mask Way

3). This Is Why We Ride

4). All Love Is Lost (ft Max Cavalera)

5). Raining In Blood/Postmortem 2017

6). God, Please Believe Me

7). Walk With Me (ft Randy Blythe)

8). Here I Go Again

9). No Lives Matter

10). Bloodlust

11). Black Hoodie

The Review:

Body Count are very much a going concern again. “Manslaughter” from a  couple of years ago went way beyond the tin-pot production values of earlier albums and delivered a muscular set of hardcore infused metal anthems.

With “Blood Lust”, Ice-T, Ernie C and side men are back in that groove again: the album is sometimes fast, often furious and packed with social commentary. A track by track is somewhat redundant here, so let's focus on the highlights and the overall theme of the album. Dave Mustaine pops up on opener “Civil War”, Randy Blythe of Lamb of God pops up for a vocal cameo later... all the tracks bristle with rage against society, authority and anything else you can name, really.

It's a dark and violent listen; “The Ski Mask Way” puts you in the mind of a violent criminal (and lists who tempts them), while Ice explains his perspective on revenge elsewhere on the record. Of course, Ice-T as a former soldier and very real gang member in South Central LA has more than a passing acquaintance with violence- albeit that those experiences are most likely decades in the rear view mirror- but it is that life experience that gives Body Count's message some level of gravitas. While I have no idea about the rest of the band's criminal past or hood credentials (Ernie C's most serious past crime is still the production to Sabbath's “Forbidden” in the mid 90's in my view!), this is Ice's show. There is not a dragon, a dungeon or a noble quest within earshot. The premise is simple: the world is a mess, poverty is the real demon, people are evil, violent, selfish and lacking in loyalty and honour.

The explanation of Body Count prior to the, it has to be said, masterful Slayer cover(s) sums up Body Count very well: the doom sound of Sabbath, the street style of Suicidal Tendencies (scary dudes for sure) and the speed of Slayer. Ice-T is not playing at doing metal; he really loves it. I've always been fond of Body Count and Ice's solo hip hop albums (particularly “Home Invasion”, if you are asking).

The final three tracks are an urban dystopian nightmare; “No Lives Matter” decries race, poverty and, more importantly, the elite in a coherent and stinging manner. The title track is simply uncomfortable listening- and most definitely not for pacifists- while the coup de grace of “Black Hoodie” gives good commentary about what exactly is going on in America with the police and black people (according to Ice-T, at any rate).

The heroes and villains in Body Count's world are often two sides of the same coin, it seems. Much like rooting for Jason in the Friday 13^th movies, you kind of want some people to “get what they deserve”- such is the appeal of gangsta rap as well as this kind of brutal metal. It's an exhausting listen and one that is a good deal more horrific than any death metal album you can care to name. At the end of listening to this record, I feel luckier than ever to live in the UK, that's for sure.

The production is superb, the performances fantastic and Ice-T turns in a vocal and lyrical performance that is a million miles away from his cosier TV appearances and persona. As real as it gets? I have no idea, but it certainly seems convincing. Harrowing and enjoyable at the same time.

“Bloodlust” is available now

 



Band info: facebook

RIFF REWIND (16/5/2013): Hessian - "Manegarmr"

Well it has been nearly two years since founding Editor Steve Howe left the blog, and with over 4443 articles published over the last 6 years, even the most ardent supporter of The Sludgelord, will not have read every one.   A couple of years back I had the idea over the weeks and months that have since turned into years to present a retrospective rundown of the top reviews, free downloads, bands to check out, live reviews, interviews and much more as a tribute to what Steve started, what we continue to do and what we strive to achieve in future.

New and old followers may have missed a few albums over the years, so I’m going to make amends by trying to reactivate what I original intended to do, painstakingly delving through the archives and refreshing old articles to bring them up to date in line with our new and improved format, representing old articles in the hope of attracting new fans to awesome albums we have covered over the years. 

Therefore, as we enter the third week in May 2017, we rewind to 16th May 2013 and an album by Belgium’s Hessian, entitled, "Manégarmr".  This ominous metal/hardcore band would slightly revamp the band's moniker to Hessian A.D. as the band explained at the time.  "Due to legal reasons, we have been forced to change the band's name to HESSIAN A.D. on American territory. This, however, only covers U.S. territory; we will still continue to play under the old HESSIAN flag in all other parts of the world. Sadly this change is completely beyond our control and it's not very much to our liking. But, rest assured, we will continue to give this band and this music our all. Thank you all for your support."

Source http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hessian-changes-name-to-hessian-a-d-for-american-market/#YJYoXblj1T14QQRH.99

You can dib into the album below.

By: Matt Fitton

Album Type:  Full Length

Date Released: 13/5/2013

Label: Southern Lord

Southern Lord keeps expanding its roster of talented and fast-paced groups, and the latest addition is Belgium's Hessian. They play a furious blend of metallic hardcore, laced with some black metal influence. Their debut record is 'Manegarmr', and it both shreds and kills in equally violent measure.

“Manegamr” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Ascension
2. Serpent’s Whisper
3. Mourn The World of Man
4. Plague Monger
5. Father of Greed
6. Vamacara
7. Swallowing Nails
8. Hollow Eyes
9. Manegarmr
10. Mother of Light

The Review:

Southern Lord keeps expanding its roster of talented and fast-paced groups, and the latest addition is Belgium's Hessian. They play a furious blend of metallic hardcore, laced with some black metal influence. Their debut record is 'Manegarmr', and it both shreds and kills in equally violent measure.  Any album that starts with feedback is a plus for me. It's most definitely not just noise, and it has a justifiable place in heavy music. That said, 'Ascension' opens with feedback. Right before erupting into a cacophony of BM drumming and righteous hardcore fury. If this is a statement of intent for the album, then I'm sold.

Turns out it was. And I am.

'Serpent's Whisper' has some oddly timed and discordant riffs sewn within its structure that only enhance the mood. At its heart though is more of that virulent hardcore noise, so pure in its hatred that you cannot ignore it. This whole fucking thing is an absolute rager!!  I adored the layered and levelled riffs, they pound you into submission. This is the audio equivalent of a knee to the face.

Now, a special portion of this review will be dedicated to 'Mourn The World Of Man'. Bear with me, because I'm going to get positively pornographic over this bad boy. This is another contender for track of the year, every aspect of it is glorious to behold.  Aggressive vocals, heavy in the mid pace where it needs to be, but the real magic is found within the second half. There is this droning riff that escalates rhythmically, and then descends into madness with a DM taste. This thing is pure and absolute FILTH and I loved it. It sets the pulse racing, and you'll do that thing with your head and face where it looks like you're nodding in agreement.

'Swallowing Nails' is an absolute winner of a track title. The BM weighs heavier here than some other parts of the LP, but the riffs are still vicious and quite straight forward in their tradition. The breakdowns are immense, and you'll feel that the nails are in your ears rather than your throat.

'Hollow Eyes' is more of the same, all Slayer speed and Nails ferocity. This thing could incite a riot. It's so evil that haunted houses should be built upon it by accident, leading to some kind of bloodbath. And maybe better property planning.

This exercise in insanity winds down with 'Mother of Light', a colossal monument to sheer brute force. The eerie effect in the background perfectly complements the progressing heaviness of the riff in the foreground. It rolls on, devoid of relent or compassion. Which is nice.

Southern Lord keeps signing these bands and making a name for itself. By no means was Hessian a gamble, but a certified slam dunk.   Armed with 'Manegarmr', you'd be a fool to bet against them. Check it out the moment it becomes available in your area.

 

Band info: Bandcamp || Facebook