"A Year in Review": Black Metal's "Sonic 6" for 2015

By:  Aaron Pickford

As part of our review of 2015, over the coming days, I will present the definitive “Sour 16” for 2015 and this will be generated by looking at all releases throughout the year, however I thought it would also be cool to look at specific genres too and whilst I would have loved to have generated a “Sour 16” for each popular genre at The Sludgelord, that would have taken up an inexplicable amount of time. Of course we all gravitate to a favourite genre, however each has its own merit, therefore I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  So today, as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present Black Metal’s “Sonic 6” for 2015

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  Check out Black Metal’s “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Imperial Triumphant - “Abysmal Gods” (562)

Certainly Imperial Triumphant share a stratosphere with the Gorguts, Artificial Brains, Pyrrhons and Deathspell Omegas of this universe, but this is a different breed of genius. There’s a sickness, a mentally “unwell” aspect to ‘Abyssal Gods’ that you simply cannot find anywhere else. The jangling, out of tune ragtime break early on in “Opposing Holiness”. The hallucinogenic guitar solos in “Black Psychedelia”. It all points to an album no one should miss out on, although you’re likely to come out the other end of it a worse person, or at least in a worse mood.

5). Arcturus – “Arcturian” (614)

The number of influences on this record is immense. Traces of classical, polka, noir, fusion, black metal, power metal, and many more can all be found on this album. Vocally, among the peppered black metal roots, there are traces of middle eastern scales, clean harmonies, and several other influences including Tool as one of the more obvious. The harmonies alone seem to come at the listener from all directions, adding to the intense psychedelic atmosphere.

<

4). Kjeld – “Skym” (737)

If you should listen to just one Black metal record of the year this could be the one because this is another Dutch fist in the face of God!

3). Enslaved – “In Times” (941)

Everyone has “their” Enslaved album and that runs a wide spectrum of possibilities because Enslaved have been excellent in a number of different ways. ‘In Times’ is just another example of Enslaved finding a new energy and turning that energy into something beautiful.

2). Drudkh – “A Furrow Cut Short” (1064)

‘A Furrow Cut Short’ is undoubtedly up there with ‘Autumn Aurora’ and ‘Blood in our Wells’; albums that are possibly the best to have emerged from the newer wave of ‘atmospheric’ black metal. Nothing is more satisfying than when one of your favourite bands releases potentially the best album of their career over ten years on. So clear a spot at the top of your album of the year list because ‘A Furrow Cut Short’ is it.

1). Marduk – Frontschwein (1428)

This black metal of the highest quality and of the most palatable type to a casual fan such as myself, all elements are present and correct with the band on great form. Looking for something to compound your winter blues? Look no further.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Daniel Jackson, Joel Willis, Sven-Ake Alveving, Heather Blewett, Richard Maw

Live Review: Roadburn Festival 2015, Thursday, April 9th, 013 Venue, Tilburg (NL)

Roadburn festival day 1

You know the feeling when a dream comes true.? I have spent many years thinking about bringing my lame ass towards Tilburg and pay a visit to the doom-dreamteam festival Roadburn. Some years my entering was refused because of the lack of ticket to the festival and  sometimes because of the lack of  vacation-days to spend.

I came to the festival the same day as it started and Thursday was a very busy day.  When I checked the lineup I figured out that there were 22 band I would like to see. A mission impossible.

The day started early because Bell Witch entered the church hall named Het Patronaat. It’s hard to imagine that two people can create such a big sound. When I closed my eyes I imagined at least 5-6 people on stage.

In the beginning I experienced some trouble, the sound and the majestic landscapes  they create on record dissapeared and the sound was a bit blurry, but still as thunderous ,slow and mean as Bell Witch are known for.

The material from their upcoming release ”Four Phatoms” was as good I expected . As a matter of fact it was brilliant. If you are familiar with their former relaese ”Longing” you know what I’m talking about. They haven’t went far away with the new songs but  it’s a bit more hardhitting and a maybe it includes a little more of some metallic moments but without losing their ferocious power that you hear on their debut. To summarize it was a very good start on the weekend for a Roadburnrookie like me..

Next up was Salem’s Pot, the Swedish five piece droogs in masks. They released a fine piece of art last year. Called ” Lurar ut dig på prärien” and they are one of many fine artists signed on the quality record label Riding Easy.

I’m just madly in love with that record but live I was even more impressed by the band. The duals vocals that are absolutely astonishing on the record were  much more dynamica live, the synt effects combined by the guitar-melodies and the theatrical outfit  and a new song for us makes the concert pretty outstanding.

I saw Floor next for a couple of song, but I wasn’t so impressed, however I was told later by many people that the concert was shaky in the beginning but started blooming after a while. To bad because I like the band on record. 

Instead I went into the heat of the Green Room to see Primitive Man.  And holy shit what a performance it was. They completely occupy the stage with their scalp-rippling doom infused sharp edged hardcore and delivered a set with pure brutality that left me feeling numb. Please come visit Sweden soon And bring In The Company of Serpents with you.

One of Thursday’s must see bands for me and one of the main reasons I actually come to Roadburn was Thou, the Baton Rogue based band I was introduced to by a friend of mine.  

Since day one I have been madly in love with the furious way they present their  sludge metal.  Dark, intense and overall a bonecrushing performance and when the band played ’Into the Marshland’ the best song on ”Heathen” the tears starts to drip on my chin. So magical and so intense and so fucking fantastic. The best concert of the day. After the performance my body was emptied. It was so empty I completely forgot to head over to Wowenhand. Shame on me but after all a good decision, beacause I was exhausted and the next band to perform in the church hall was Monolord.

The Venue was filled early and Monolord  slayed.  Their setlist was sick and It had all the ingrediends I needed to feel well again. Heaviness, fuzziness and heavy bass riffs that makes your internal organs shake. Backed up with songs that any band would slit their wrist to write, this performance could only end up in success. And it did. The new songs slotted into their live set very well and as the tone clings out and the band left the stage,  I felt that  I have experienced a band heading for world domination. A definitve Ten Ton Hammer.

As the next performance was about to begin I experienced the lack of food and the early time I left Sweden during the day.  Maybe that was the reason that I didn’t immedietly fall in love with the Swamp Kings Eyehategod ? Maybe it was because I had huge expectation after the Stockholm show at Debaser one week earlier ?  Or could it be that I want Eyehategod to play small venues?

Starting with two punkish song and then heading into ”New Orleans is the New Vietnam” and things are going in the right direction. I forgot the lack of food and as the band lined up sludge metal anthems  I was melting down. Jimmy Bower and Brian Patton are a very good and tight unit and the drummer filled the shoes of Joey Lacaze flawlessly. Typically, Mike Williams performance was great.  To summarize. A very good performance but their recent Stockholm Concert just trumped it for me. This was Eyehategod’s first of two performance at Roadburn. More to come on that later.

This was the end of the first day for me.  A tip to all of you. Don’t travel the same day to Roadburn and make sure you book a hotel early so you don’t have to leave early to catch up the train

Words by: Sven-Ake Alveving

Volition - 'Wreck Among Ruin' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-Length

Date Released: 01/01/2015

Label: Total Rust Records

‘Wreck Among Ruin’ CD track listing :

1. A wreck Among Ruins

2. Cloth Spun of Night

3. Shared Sins and Harboured Secrets

4. Thrown To The Lions

5. The Vastness Consumes Us

6. Butchered In The Fog

Volition is:

Mark Burns

James Doyle

Jas Murray

Mark Burnett

Review:

It has been seven years since Volition’s last slab of doom, and with few of personnel changes, they are back more determined than ever to molest your soul. Despite their lengthy absence, their new record ‘Wreck Among Ruin’ immediately pick’s up where the debut left off and gives us six new tracks of filthy, minimalistic doom. Mark Burns’ apothegmatic growls set the standard of the record, in essence Volition delivers an hour of the very best music this genre has to offer, no Questions asked.

The record starts with ‘A Wreck Among Ruins’ and I find myself with an immediate grin on my face. What I love about the band is the droning quality of the riffs, notes appear to last for days, indeed the small minimalistic changes that you barely hear the first time, will be discovered after repeated listens.  Up next is ‘Cloth Spun of Night’, the main riff is supported with pounding drums and is the perfect example of the reason I love doom. Sometimes good music is the least complex, but with an abundance of head banger riffs and an added edge of fuzziness, nothing tastes sweeter.

With ‘Shared Sins & Harboured Secrets’ the listener is thrust back down into the depths of despair. To make an interesting track is not easy and over the course of 10 minutes is perhaps even harder, however this song is a good example of what I appreciate most with the band. They make these small little changes in atmosphere, sometimes changing tempos to create interesting and dynamic tracks instead of playing the same downtuned chords over and over again

“The Vastness Consumes Us” has a wonderful and mournful guitar solo at the end of the song with an abrasive tone that makes my skin shiver. It’s awesome and is another example of bringing variety into a very straight forward song. What is also striking is that this track reminds of Type O Negative and that’s never a bad thing in my opinion.

The brutality in “Butchered in the Fog” is an absolute ten ton hammer blow. It’s another demanding track through the heaviest landscapes of doom. Whilst treading a familiar path to the other songs and the fact that Volition don’t stray far from the established template, in the end we are served a very delicious and punishing fade out.   Again, this is another example of the band using effective and atmospheric changes to benefit the record, a skill they employ during the whole record.

On the whole, this could be one the bleakest pieces of music you will hear this year and fans of this type of music will not be disappointed. Who want their music colourful anyway? Once I came to my senses, I felt that I have had the honor of listenining to one of the best funeral/death doom records in many years. This record is an absolutely crushing statement.  A record I will set high when I summarize the year.

Words by: Sven-Åke Alveving

‘Wreck Among Ruin’ is available here

For more information:

Listen: http://volition.bandcamp.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/volition666

Official: http://www.volitiondoom.co.uk/

Blackout - 'Blackout' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 31/03/2015

Label: Riding Easy Records

‘Blackout’ CD//DD//LP tracklisting:

1). Lost

2). Blackout

3). Nightmare

4). Sprites

5). Cross

6). Tannered

7). Human

Blackout is:

Christian Gordy | Guitar, vocals

Taryn Waldman | Drums

Justin Sherell | Bass

Review:

When the new Blackout record hit my mailbox the first thing that comes to my mind was that Sludgelord had sent a Scorpions cover band to review, then I saw the record-sleeve I was convinced it was another Magic Numbers in the pipe, so thank God it wasn’t.  Instead I was served another crushing release from Riding Easy Records. A delightful piece of doom-perfection.

It’s not an easy record to listen to at first because it demands the listener’s attention, but following several spins you will be rewarded.  Expect at least 5 or 6 times before it opens up. The record which at first was a little bit anonymous, unfolds itself to be a beautiful meal served with crushing riffs, a spicy bass sound and delightfully furious vocals.

Kicking off with the first song ‘Lost’, it begins with its self-sustained oscillation, sounding like a beeswarm, feedback going between fuzzy and screechy until the abolishing riff commences.  The track still feels groovy and intimate in the same way, but the breakdown in the middle of the song is a high point, speeding up the song to the end.

Blackout follows up with the angry riff and furious vocals to ‘Blackout’ and the epic enchanting lyrics of “You say you’re blacked out”. There is much to enjoy as it gives the listener the picture of a mad man in a psychic ward howling the same line again and again.  As the medics kick in and leave a broken man behind, the song ensues into another world with a much slower riff.

The well-soaked grooves in the third track sound very much in the same vein as Torche. ‘Nightmare’ sounds fresh and Gordy’s acrobatic wailing is a little bit on the spooky side. I especially like the way Blackout fuses these heavy-riff moments into an experimental psychedelic melting pot.  ‘Human’, at nearly 7 minute, is full blown eargasm, with its epic Black Sabbath riff opening things up, with a nice long intro of two chords leading us into the main riff. I just adored the way the song is built around the riff and how it’s structured with both heaviness and serious mid-tempo thunder.

In my humble opinion I really would like the band to go further with songs in the same vein as ‘Human’ on forthcoming records because it’s a good mix of what I love about the band. It has heavy moments mixed with psychedelia and for me this approach adds another dimension to their sound.  Overall though, this is another quality release from Blackout and Riding Easy records.   

Words by: Sven-Åke Alveving

‘Blackout’ is available now here

For more information:

https://blackout666.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/BlackoutNYC



UR - 'UR' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 11/4/2013, Vinyl (01/11/2014)

Label: Droneburg Records

‘UR’ CD//DD//LP track listing

1). Aurochs

2). Condor

3). Megaloceros

UR is:

Michael Weise – Bass

Enrico Machate – Guitar

Martin Paul – Guitar, Vocals

Jakob Ritter – Drums

Review:

It wasn’t the easiest exercise to find out more information about the Dresden based doom quintet. The bands name UR means ‘watch’ in Swedish and you can imagine the amount of hits when I was googling it. But I’m not a man who gives up

Their booking agency mentioned that the bands name descend from a cattle named Aurochs and described UR’s music like

“The slow-swelling soundscapes, mostly abiding a musical eruption, draw their inspiration for the main part from the kingdom of forgotten, eradicated and haunted animals. Their nature is expressed using devices from the genres of Doom, Psychedelic and Post.”

UR are included by members of other bands such as Chakrun, P:hon and Seas of Stone.This release was originally self released in 2013, with a vinyl release following via Droneburg Records later in November 2014 and it’s a must If you want to dive deep into the wonderful world of doom with a spacey depth to it.

The philosophy in all three songs is their slow build ups, ranging from typical doom completed with long instrumental passage that create a sense of tension. I specifically like that with its combination of the compact ambient sounds, yet it’s heavy, dark and melancholy. The reverberated low roars are a great effect too.

The opener “Aurochs” starts with an epic nightmarish and creeping intro before the fuzzy guitar kicks in. The song has a resolute blast of grand, loud and heavy riffs that pick up layers of different sounds on its way to the end.  Throughout the song it switches more and more from a traditional doom approach, to something that is rich with ambience. The song is very nicely structured and keeps me interested and curious until the last note clings out, indeed the song feels ambitious and expressive

“Condor” is a low tuned punch and it’s served with heavily deformed guitars, with a low roar. The beginning of the song is dominated by the sort of snarling guitars, but it starts with a whispering, mostly acoustic sounding part in the middle of the song, creates a wall with tensed bricks and build ups a landscape of beautiful melancholic melody.  I like the way all the instruments playing a leading part in the songs 15 minute duration and for me is one of the most intense and emotional build ups I heard in a song recently.

The ending track “Megaloceros” is the only instrumental track and is mostly post metal in tone, but with a droning, distorted, fuzzy edge. The song also includes a beautiful melancholy melody, with a shower of distortion and dissonance that hits the listener like one big wave. Despite all the different sounds the song presents to the listener, you can hear the melody throughout the whole song 

This is a truly amazing debut and definitely a band I will follow on upcoming releases. If you like Samothrace or Bell Witch I guess this is a band that will make your ears satisfied

You can pick up a copy here

Words by:  Sven-Åke Alveving

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/ur.doom.band | http://ur-doom.bandcamp.com/



'In The Company of Serpents': An interview with Grant Netzorg

As a new reviewer at the Headquarter of Sludgelord I was sent the latest release ”Merging The Light”. I heard about the band last year but I didn’t spent much time with it because there were many other records that caught my attention.

As I think this is one of the most intresting band right now I think it’s time for the reader to learn about this secret little treasure. I caught up with Grant, the howling wolf of  ”In The Company of Serpents”

SL) For the one who doesn’t know your band, can you tell us a little about the band?

Sure.  We’re a two-piece from Denver, Colorado, and we play what could broadly be described as Doom or Sludge metal.  I play a baritone guitar through a wall of amplifiers, and Joseph Weller Myer beats the drums to a bloody pulp (his blood, usually, as he opens a wound or two during the course of a performance). 

SL) How did you come up with the band name?

JJ came up with it during a fever dream involving a talking dog, banjos, and ducks with teeth made out of candy corn. 

SL) Can you tell me a little bit about the process when you are  making music?

I usually have a riff or two that we will jam around until we begin to glean something resembling a full song from it.  Lyrics are usually in flux up until we go to record.  I will typically be singing around a particular theme or idea, but the words themselves and the articulation of whatever message is there will shift around until we solidify things in preperation for recording.  It tends to be a fairly organic process where we will jam on something until it feels right to us, at which point we will begin playing it live.  For each of our last two releases we had been playing the material live for nearly a year before they were released. 

SL) Have you met any reaction to your music national/international?

We’ve shipped records all over the world, but our primary fan base is in the US and the UK, at least if our shipping receipts are any indication. 

We will also be going to Mexico this June for the first time to participate in the Fist Fuck Family fest VI with Terrorizer and Nausea.

SL) Can you mention other bands that you are influenced by?

The obvious touchstones like Sabbath, Yob,  Neurosis, & Electric Wizard are all there, and there are numerous others that some people might find surprising.  Musicians like Swans, Throbbing Gristle, Dr. John, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Ennio Morricone, Skip James, and many others are all favorites of mine that probably aren’t too outwardly evident in our music.   

SL) Can you recommend some bands worth listening to?

Denver is rife with great heavy bands right now.  Primitive Man are pretty much unparalelled in heaviness when it comes to crushing, doom/sludge shit.  Khemmis are another favorite, and they explore some melodic territory while still remaing heavy.  Cult of the Lost Cause is another great Denver band of talented players producing riff-driven instrumental tunes that are well worth your time.    Cloud Catcher is another great one for fans of awesome 70’s heavy riffs in the vein of classics like Sir Lord Baltimore and Captain Beyond.  Whilt is Joe’s other band, and he plays bass & sings in that one.  Very heavy, hypnotic weed doom. 

SL) What happened to your former drummer? Do you spot any difference between  the old drummer and the ”new” one when it comes to drumming?

JJ Anselmi was the original drummer in this project, and he left on amicable terms to pursue teaching writing at a collegiate level.  He plays in several other projects in California, including The Agonic Line, his newest band.

In any case, JJ and I wrote what became the debut ITCOS album together, and his involvement in the band ran from its inception in early 2011 through the autumn of that same year.  I had originally planned to just disband the group when he had to take off to pursue teaching, but he insisted I try to find a drummer to keep it going.  We had played with a band called Royal Talons multiple times during that brief stretch, and Joe was their drummer, and he was also our favorite drummer to watch that was playing heavy music in Denver, hands-down. 

I got in touch with Joe about playing together, and he has been the cornerstone of this band’s rhythmic pulse ever since.  We have a solid chemistry together, and I’m looking forward to how we mutually evolve this project moving forward.  Joe and I are musically in lockstep, and I think our best material together is on the horizon. 

SL) What do you think about working with Billy Andersson? Was it a onetime collaboration ?

Billy was great, and I am glad we got to work with him.  He was at the board for many of my favorite records from bands like Neurosis, Melvins, Sleep, etc., so it was definitely cool to work with him.  The recording sessions for that record, Of the Flock, were conducted here in Denver at Jamie Hillyer’s Module Overload studios, and then Billy handled the mixing and mastering.  We would definitely be down to work with Billy in the future, although we’re also very happy with the results we’ve gotten from working with Dave Otero at Flatline Audio here in Denver.

SL) I don’t understand how it’s possible that you don’t have a record deal.  How come?  Do you spot any interest from some record label?

We haven’t courted any labels, and only a handful have gotten in touch with us.  We are certainly not averse to working with a label, but would want to make sure it would be a mutually beneficial situation.  Probably our biggest hurdle right now is distribution, as we ship all album and merch sales ourselves, and aren’t really in record stores outside of Denver.  European Distrobution is another painful topic, as shipping to EU is exorbitant, and we don’t want our fans outside the US to have to deal with ridiculous shipping fees, so we will hopefully have something worked out in the near future which will help offset those costs. 

SL) What’s up next ? Any new releases coming up during 2015 ?  Touring plans?

We are heading out on a spring west coast tour of the US which will be officially announced in the near future, and we also have a new song we recorded recently which should be out soon.  It was a collaboration with some friends of ours here in Denver, and we’re excited to unleash it when the time is right. 

SL) As I listened to your whole discography, I noticed a change. The music as you said has elements of Yob and Sabbath  in the early releases but I think for example the songs on ”Merging” is more varied than the recent releases, The sound is thicker and the songs go between heavy repetitive riffs to more building the song  with  an atmosphere we know from Yob and then explode into heaviness. Which direction are the new material going ?

The new material I’ve been writing has been more eerie and atmospheric.  We recorded a new song in November, which will be released later this year as part of a collaboration which will be announced sometime in the near future.  It was written in an open minor tuning rooted in G on my baritone guitar, and explores some spaghetti western-type sounds that I’m fond of. 

SL) What can the audience expect of you as a live act? Will you perform as a duo?

Bring earplugs.  We perfom as a two-piece, just as we record.  I play through 3 rigs simultaneously, so the stage volume is pretty overwhelming, though nothing compared to bands like Ladybird, Jucifer or Sunn 0))). 

SL) Finally, Is it easy or difficult to find live gigs in Colorado ?

There are many awesome venues in Denver which cater to all manner of unusual sounds, and people here go to shows often, so I would say easy. 

Words and Interview by:  Sven-Åke Alveving

You can pick up their merch here.

For more information:

Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter

Hooded Menace - Gloom Immemorial (Album Review)

Album Type: Compilation

Date Released: 19/12/2014

Label: Doomentia Records

‘Gloom Immemorial CD//DD// track listing:

1. Fulfill the Curse (from “The Eyeless Horde” 7"EP)

2. The Eyeless Horde (from “The Eyeless Horde” 7"EP)

3. A Decay of Mind and Flesh (Anima Morte cover) (from split with Anima Morte 7"EP)

4. The Haunted Ossuary (from split with Coffins 7"EP)

5. I, Devil Master (from “Live Evil Volume One” comp. DLP)

6. Catacombs of the Graceless (from split with Ilsa 12"EP)

7. Abode of the Grotesque (from split with Asphyx 7"EP)

8. Instruments of Eternal Damnation (from split with Horse Latitudes 12"EP)

9. Chasm of the Wraith (from “Labyrinth of Carrion Breeze” 12"EP)

10. The Creeping Flesh (from “Labyrinth of Carrion Breeze” 12"EP)

11. Monuments of Misery (from split with Loss 12"EP)

Hooded Menace is

Lasse Pyykkö | Guitars (2007-present), Vocals (2007-2010), Bass (2010, 2011-2012), Vocals (studio) | (2011-present)

Pekka Koskelo | Drums (2009-2010, 2011-present)

Markus Makkonen | Bass, Vocals (live) (2012-present)

Teemu Hannonen | Guitars (2012-present)

Review:

The Joensuu grave robbing death/doom act Hooded Menace are back with a compilation of tracks from various EP’s and Split releases that further exhibit the consistency in the quality of their material.  From the beginning to the end of this record, the listener is served with a premium dose of heavy and crushing death doom. In terms of musicality I see comparisons to Acid Witch but with less hallucinogenics, fans of epic Japanese band Coffins will also be delighted with what they hear. The most melancholic tracks could also be mistaken for Paradise Lost’s earliest work.  Interested?? You should be!!

In the interests of being concise with this review and for the benefit of you, the readers, I’m going to focus on the songs that made my heart tick, that little bit extra, so let’s get started.  The compilation starts with one of my favourite tracks, ‘Fulfill the Curse.’ It has melodic leads that sound very much like Paradise Lost, contagious like some rampant plague; the volcanic vocals I love and a mid-paced groove give this song great dynamics. ‘A Decay of Mind and Flesh’ is an epic instrumental song and despite my usual reservations about instrumental tracks in general, this touches my nerve, starting with a groove-oriented riff, heavier than ten ton of bricks and with additional guitar leads floating around the song, this is truly mind-blowing stuff.

Onward with ‘The Haunted Ossuary’ and this starts out in the same vein, but with an added bruising vocal underpinning the track, the crushing landscapes that Hooded Menace serves up, scares me to death, but trust me, I love it!  ‘I, Devil Master’ is another slow beast with pounding heaviosity from the guitars. The song reminds me of Autopsy and the performance from Lasse is reminiscent of chief gurgler Mr Reifert. Seriously, I’m down on my knees begging for more. The song ends with a psychedelic trip, giving the music a much richer and deeper perspective. This song is an all-time classic.  After this, I’m left feeling quite exhausted, but it is short lived and I am soon soaking in a bloodbath, with ‘Catacombs of the Graceless’ which includes some mind-expanding sounds. Brilliant Stuff!  ‘Abode of the Grotesque’, is a pretty basic song but not in a bad way, pounding riffs but with breaks and nice double bass drum rolls, with those distinct guitar harmonies.

Finally ‘Monuments of Misery’ is introduced by an up-tempo guitar intro and then the cadence is slowed to a drone influenced riff, with a vocal performance that could wake the dead.

In summary then, this compilation is an essential purchase.  For those fans with empty wallets, this is a means of collecting the out of print, heavily overpriced EBay splits and EP’s at a reasonable price. If you like Hooded Menace you love this record

Words by: Sven-Åke Alveving

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

Facebook | Bandcamp