ALBUM REVIEW: Revel In Flesh, "Relics Of The Deathkult"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Compilation

Date Released: 16/03/2018

Label: War Anthem Records

 Revel In Flesh are amongst the best operating in the death metal sphere, so if Entrails and Paganizer made you bang your head last year then don't hesitate to purchase this compilation- it is exactly as you want it to be.

“Relics of The Deathkult” CD//DD track listing:

1. Bonecrusher
2. Corpus Vermis
3. Chant Of Misery
4. Deathkult
5. Phlebotomy - Blood Dripping Healing
6. Nightrealm Ghouls - The Dead Will Walk The Earth
7. The Ending In Fire
8. Casket Ride
9. Pay To Die (Master - Cover)
10. Mutilation (Death - Cover)
11. Deny The Light (Headhunter D.C. - Cover)

The Review:

Germany's Revel In Flesh are not a band to wait around very long between releases. Coming off the back of their last full length (not even a year ago on Cyclone Empire!) comes this ten track compilation charting the band's progression from their earliest days up to the here and now- which actually does not cover as much time as you might think.

From the opening “Corpus Vermis” to the closing three covers (Master, Death and Headhunter D.C.) this is a feast of deathly delight. As noted in my last RIF review, the band plays straight ahead death metal of the old school variety- Dismember, Entombed, Asphyx and so on. As such, if you enjoy that genre and style, you will enjoy this. There are plenty of riffs and thrashing sections (“Deathkult”), good production throughout- even if “Pay To Die” by Master is a little lo-fi by comparison and lots of spooky intros that conjure up a firmly old school vibe. I particularly enjoy the angular riffage of “Casket Ride” and the death doom flavour of “The Ending Fire”, but other listeners will have their own favourites here.

Aficionados of the Euro-death genre need look no further- Revel In Flesh are amongst the best operating in their sphere, so if Entrails and Paganizer made you bang your head last year then don't hesitate to purchase this compilation- it is exactly as you want it to be.

 “Relics of the Deathkult” is available here

Band info: facebook

TOP 16 ALBUMS: The Sour 16 June 2017

Vokonis (2017)

Yes, it is that time again O ye lover of riffs, “THE SOUR 16” returns.  You know the drill by now, each month you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal.  Is it not a chart, in which reviewers or contributors extol their opinion about their favourite music.  To put it simply, “THE SOUR 16” are the records that have been trending the most at THE SLUDGELORD Headquarters.

The results are compiled based on the amount of page views the reviews have received and are then calibrated into the list below.  All reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and we have included album streams wherever possible. (Total views since their publication are highlighted in the red)

16). Coltsblood - "Ascending Into Shimmering Darkness" (324)

Coltsblood refine their unique brand of bleak, bludgeoning doom to punishing effect on “Ascending Into Shimmering Darkness”. This is a mighty collection that marks out the band as one of the most underrated heavy acts in the world.

15). blyh - "Transparent to the World" (358)

Short, to the point, but excelling in both subtlety and savagery, blyh is a band to watch out for.

14). Iced Earth - "Incorruptible" (361)

This is the kind of album that Judas Priest should be making- and used to make. “Incorruptible” is a great metal album, it delivers on every level, with every band member excelling in their field. Time for me to get hold of the back catalogue as well, as “Incorruptible” has converted me to being a fan of the band. After nearly thirty years of albums, Iced Earth are deadlier than ever.

13). Avatarium - "Hurricanes And Halos" (395)

This is another great record from Avatarium and one which places the band firmly in the upper echelons of doom outfits operating today. There is nothing to fault here. If you enjoyed the band's previous work, don't hesitate. If you have never heard the band, then this is as good a place as any to start. Great record.

12). In Human Form - "Opening of the Eye by Death of the I" (467)

The complexity of the songwriting on all of the tracks leaves the listener discovering many layers over multiple listens. This band has some serious talent, and absolutely deserves your time. A massively unique release weaving together so many influences it’s difficult to quantify them all. This is excellent music, and I can’t wait for future releases from this band.

11). Schammasch - “The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite” (EP) (471)

Schammasch have created something remarkable with this most recent artistic expression, sophisticated, complex and yet somehow, eminently accessible.  Get lost. It is worth your time to find a way out.

10). USA/MEXICO - "Laredo" (472)

This is the kind of garage rock where the car is still parked inside with the engine running, warping the bands minds with fumes.   “Laredo” is an awesome offering from USA/MEXICO, a perfect blend of dumb headbanging heaviness and tripped-out weirdness.

9). Bereft - "Lands" (490)

There are other bands creating doom in a similar style to Bereft but few do it on such a grand scale. The Wisconsin quartet’s latest release comprises  of four epic journeys into the abyss with a massive production that matches their towering ambition.  “Lands” is a fine album that is sure to win Bereft a legion of new followers.

8). Vallenfyre - "Fear Those Who Fear Him" (511)

All in all it’s another good album that sees the band dishing out shorter and faster songs than we’re used to getting from them, while not losing the razor sharp edge of that classic Vallenfyre musical mastery and might.

7). Pyreship - "The Liars Bend Low" (579)

The Houston quartet deal in a captivating brand of complex sludge with a perfect balance of melody and grit. “The Liars Bend Low” is a debut brimming with potential for a glowing future.

6). Mantar - "The Spell" (EP) (669)

Mantar’s strength lies in their ability to maintain a perfect balance of dirty, underground grit and catchy stadium-bothering rock’n’roll ambition. Opening track “Pest Crusade” demonstrates this in style. It is a complex track composed of shifting tempos and styles, encompassing shards of raging black metal, stop/start riffage and blasts of no-nonsense stoner punk.  The three flawless tracks that make up “The Spell” demonstrate that Mantar’s unique brand of heaviness is growing ever more potent.

5). Bison - “You Are Not The Ocean, You Are the Patient” (707)

“You Are Not The Ocean, You Are the Patient” is an amalgamation of everything that Bison does well. If you love anything in the realm of sludge or stoner metal, this is a must for you.

4). Beastmaker - "Inside The Skull" (762)

It's impressive that, only a year and a bit after their debut, Beastmaker have taken their sound and improved upon it with sharper song writing and an impressive grasp of what makes music of the trad doom genre tick.

3). Paganizer - "Land of Weeping Souls" (787)

Rogga Johansson shows no sign of letting up at all; another album, another line up, another master class in Swedish death metal. This is absolutely business as usual for Paganizer, possibly the finest and purest exponents of this type of metal around. Highly recommended.

2). Elder - "Reflections of a Floating World" (822)

Reflections of a Floating World’ is both a glance back and a stride forward. The direct nature of some of the riffs and the weight of their execution sit it comfortably between ‘Spires Burn/Release’ and ‘Lore.’ The expansion of ambition and variety in musical approach however, keep Elder’s eyes firmly fixed on the horizon

1). Vokonis - "The Sunken Djinn" (964)

Whilst being undoubtedly heavy what makes this sophomore effort stand out is the variation employed in the bludgeon. By embracing less traditional doom landscapes ‘The Sunken Djinn’ has allowed Vokonis room to demonstrate the full raft of their audio-weaponry, and in doing so propelled them to the forefront of the heavy underground.

A big thank you as always to our amazing writers, your dedication knows no boundaries and for that I am truly grateful.  June 2017’s “SOUR 16” features reviews by:  Richard Maw, Andre Almaraz, Charlie Butler, Conor O’Dea, Brandon Green, David Jupp & Mark Tremblay

ALBUM REVIEW: Entrails - “World Inferno”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 16/06/2017

Label: Metal Blade Records

I can't find any fault with this album from intense opener to epic closer of “The Blood Breed”, the band don't put a foot wrong. This is raging death metal, plain and simple

“World Inferno” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. World Inferno
2. Condemned to the Grave
3. Serial Murder (Death Squad)
4. The Soul Collector
5. Dead and Buried
6. Insane Slaughter
7. Into Eternal Fire
8. Suffer
9. The Hour of the Casket
10. The Blood Breed

The Review:

Hot on the heels of the latest Paganizer album comes this absolute treat of Swe-death from the 100% reliable Entrails. This is raging death metal, plain and simple. If last outing “Obliteration” was finely crafted and even a little (just a little) restrained in places, this is feral and completely unfettered by any kind of restraint.

That's not to say that there aren't songs here, there most certainly are. The title track opener is catchy and perfectly honed in terms of riffs and hooks. That Boss HM-2 sound is firmly present and correct. Sound wise, this perhaps harks back to “Raging Death” more than “Obliteration” as it features bludgeoning drums, chainsaw guitars and distorted bass of monumentally gnarly proportions. Once again, there are no weak tracks here; “Condemned to the Grave” is a chugging beast that offers a slight change of pace, while elsewhere there are genuinely catchy moments in “Serial Murder (Death Squad)” with its echoes of ATG in the riffage, neck snapping rhythms on “Dead and Buried” and outright carnage on “Insane Slaughter” after the atmospheric intro.

There are slower stomping moments here and there and the band can swing when it wants to; “The Soul Collector” and “Into Internal Fire” are both fine examples. All tracks are focused and none stray below three and a half minutes or beyond six. Always exponents of thrash pacing and mid tempos rather than insane blasts, Entrails can concentrate nicely on the songs and vibe instead of out and out speed- refreshingly old school to my ears.

Of course, the shadows of Entombed and Dismember are ever present, but so what? If you are going to operate in a sub-genre, only the best references are relevant. The likes of “Suffer” would slot perfectly onto anything great recorded by the aforementioned bands. Honestly, I can't find any fault with this album from intense opener to epic closer of “The Blood Breed”, the band don't put a foot wrong. Between Paganizer and Entrails, we are being spoilt by the quality of Swedish death metal right now. Buy both records and head bang non-stop.

“World Inferno” is available now

Band info: facebook

FFO: Entombed, Grave, Dismember, Paganizer

ALBUM REVIEW: Paganizer - "Land of Weeping Souls"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 05/08/2017

Label: Transcending Obscurity

Rogga Johansson shows no sign of letting up at all; another album, another line up, another master class in Swedish death metal. This is absolutely business as usual for Paganizer, possibly the finest and purest exponents of this type of metal around. Highly recommended.

“Land of Weeping Souls” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Your Suffering Will Be Legendary

2). Dehumanized

3). Forlorn Dreams

4). Land of Weeping Souls

5). The Insanity Never Stops

6). Selfdestructor

7). Death Addicts Posthumous

8). The Buried Undead

9). Soulless Feeding Machine

10). Prey to Death

The Review:

Paganizer return with this first full length since 2013. This pleases me immensely, as they have been consistent purveyors of the finest Swedish Death Metal for close to twenty years. This record does not disappoint at all. After the exhaustively excellent “Twenty Years In A Terminal Grip” best of and the superb “On The Outskirts of Hades” EP, I thought the band were going to deliver.

Sure enough, they have. Impressively. You get rolling blasts, thrash pacing, chainsaw riffing and reassuringly deathly vocals, and all that in opener “Your Suffering Will Be Legendary”! The band don't put a foot wrong over the course of these ten tracks; “Dehumanized” is as dark as it is pacey, rolling bass drums are a feature of “Forlorn Dreams”, the lead work is fantastic throughout, the sound is great and vicious.

Truly, Paganizer are still at the top of their game and are as devastating as ever. What shines through on the album is the song writing. Paganizer know how to write great death metal and also to make some oddly catchy hooks here and there, to go with surprisingly catchy riffs. The title track is an effective demonstration of the band's power, while “The Insanity Never Sleeps” has got everything any fan of real Swe-death could want- including the sound of a gun being cocked (essential to a death metal album).

The latter half of the album is just as intense and just as gnarly; “Selfdestructor” allows for a slithering opening riff before more choppy fair comes in. There is no let up through the remaining four tracks, either; “Death Addicts Posthumous” is thrashy stuff and “The Buried Undead” is very deathly indeed (kind of like Bolt Thrower, but sped up a little). “Soulless Feeding Machine” and “Prey To Death” deliver two sharp shots of death  to finish this impressive set.

Rogga Johansson shows no sign of letting up at all; another album, another line up, another master class in Swedish death metal. This is absolutely business as usual for Paganizer, possibly the finest and purest exponents of this type of metal around. Highly recommended.

“Land of Weeping Souls” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

FFO: Grave, Down Among The Dead Men, Ribspreader, Entrails

The Sludgelord Song Premiere - "Adjacent to Purgatory" by Paganizer

 

 

Paganizer are one of the finest exponents of Swe-death and are set to return with a four track blast of nastiness, entitled “On The Outskirts of Hades” on August 1^st 2016. Opener “Angry All The Time” doesn't tear out of the gate, but rest assured that after the doomy intro the band pick up the pace and rip things up.

 

Although Dismember are gone, it is immensely gratifying to hear bands like Paganizer and Entrails carrying the torch. Certainly, this four track EP is an excellent taster for what the band is all about and is certainly for fans of the REAL Swedish death metal sound. It is doomy and feral with the right amount of grit in the sound to make the fast and slow sections work effectively.  

 

Track such as “The Netherworld Carnivale” is not a million miles away from Asphyx and is a great example of what Paganizer can do. The title track of the EP closes things in some style- a malevolent riff kicking things off and then the verses locking in effectively.

 

For anyone wanting some Swedish death metal in the traditional style, Paganizer is a band to check out. Their name may not have the gravitas of Entombed or Dismember, but they are operating in the same theatre- and doing so viciously.

 

Today at The Sludgelord, it gives us great pleasure to share a brand new track.  “Adjacent to Purgatory”, which brings an intensity that has not been matched by some of the bigger names in the genre,  check it out and beware it might just tear your soul apart.   

“On The Outskirts of Hades” is available here and here (digital). It be officially released August 1^st via Transcending Obscurity Records

 

 

“On The Outskirts of Hades” CD//DD track list:
1. Angry all the Time
2. Adjacent to Purgatory
3. The Netherworld Carnivale
4. On the Outskirts of Hades

 

Band info: Facebook

Paganizer - "On The Outskirts of Hades" EP (Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: EP
Date Released: 01/08/2016
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Records

“On The Outskirts of Hades” CD//DD track listing:

1). Angry All the Time

2). Adjacent to Purgatory

3). The Netherworld Carnivale

4). On the Outskirts of Hades

The Review:

Paganizer, fine exponents of Swe-death return with this four track blast of nastiness. Opener “Angry All The Time” doesn't tear out of the gate, but rest assured that after the doomy intro the band pick up the pace and rip things up. “Adjacent to Purgatory” is similarly vicious and brings an intensity that has not been matched by some of the bigger names in the genre (Entombed AD- step things up, please).

Although Dismember are gone, it is immensely gratifying to hear bands like Paganizer and Entrails carrying the torch. Certainly, this four track EP is an excellent taster for what the band is all about and is certainly for fans of the REAL Swedish death metal sound. It is doomy and feral with the right amount of grit in the sound to make the fast and slow sections work effectively. “The Netherworld Carnivale” is not a million miles away from Asphyx and is a great example of what Paganizer can do.

The title track of the EP closes things in some style- a malevolent riff kicking things off and then the verses locking in effectively. For anyone wanting some Swedish death metal in the traditional style. Paganizer are a band to check out. Their name may not have the gravitas of Entombed or Dismember, but they are operating in the same theatre- and doing so viciously.

“On The Outskirts of Hades” is available here

Band info: facebook