Tech death fans rejoice for Fleshbore are an unrelenting, technical death metal machine. Released on Transcndeing Obscurity Records, in the accompanying PR from the label, it says that Fleshbore are for fans of Archspire, Allegaeon and Psycroptic, lofty names to be compared too indeed.
However I'm sure there's a certain section of the metal social media fraternity who will get very excited about those comparisons and I have to say that I did as well as with all death metal there's a lot of skill but tech death that skill is tenfold, virtuosity and brutality in unison to take into far off universes or the lowest depths of the horrors of earth.
Fleshbore are intense, with every moment they're doing something extreme or technically gifted, from the grinding technical riffs to blisteringly fast blastbeats, there's immense thought put into every note. I'm also a fan of the vocals, that mix guttural growls and black metal screams with a lot else in between.
Fleshbore are intense, with every moment they're doing something extreme or technically gifted, from the grinding technical riffs to blisteringly fast blastbeats, there's immense thought put into every note. I'm also a fan of the vocals, that mix guttural growls and black metal screams with a lot else in between.
It a dense vocal style so the music needs to be just as complex, thankfully complying on a track such as Elegy it's a start stop masterclass in ferocious precision, these blasts of intensity such as the terrifying Curse and the final gruntfest Terminally Ill are met with moments of ambience in Ruin and Abyss.
It's these little segway's, alongside the vocals I wrote about earlier that means Painted Paradise is an exemplary tech death release, multi-layered bludgeoning that comes from virtuoso playing. 8/10
Disrupted - Stinking Death (Trust No One Recordings) [Mark Young]
Ok, so there are absolutely no surprises here as Disrupted bring us their 3rd album of HM-2 flavoured death metal goodness. With a mission statement that reads like a cut and paste of every other band that comes from Sweden promising “gut-ripping riffs and skull-crushing heaviness” drop an album which effectively stays within one lane and then does its level best to make good on the promises above.
Choke On The Cross is decent, kicking things off at a rate of knots and in doing so sets the template for the rest of the album. It's exactly how I thought it would sound and doesn't disappoint in the brutality stakes and there is some nifty riffing going on. It's also a case of if it isn't broken then don't fix it as subsequent songs come and go, awash in that enamel stripping sound.
It's these little segway's, alongside the vocals I wrote about earlier that means Painted Paradise is an exemplary tech death release, multi-layered bludgeoning that comes from virtuoso playing. 8/10
Disrupted - Stinking Death (Trust No One Recordings) [Mark Young]
Ok, so there are absolutely no surprises here as Disrupted bring us their 3rd album of HM-2 flavoured death metal goodness. With a mission statement that reads like a cut and paste of every other band that comes from Sweden promising “gut-ripping riffs and skull-crushing heaviness” drop an album which effectively stays within one lane and then does its level best to make good on the promises above.
Choke On The Cross is decent, kicking things off at a rate of knots and in doing so sets the template for the rest of the album. It's exactly how I thought it would sound and doesn't disappoint in the brutality stakes and there is some nifty riffing going on. It's also a case of if it isn't broken then don't fix it as subsequent songs come and go, awash in that enamel stripping sound.
When they do slow down, as they do with Funeral Vomit it shows that they can bring a little of the atmospheric into their music and it grinds its way under the skin. It's back to normal with Deflesh The Dead as it brings the pulse rate back up to excessive. None of these songs are poor in any way, it's just that If you aren't a fan of the Swedish sound in any way, then you should just move along as there is nothing for you here.
It is a 10-track love letter to that core sound and it speeds along nicely without a drop in intensity. Song titles are suitably barbaric, and the music behind each one matches it in execution. My issue is that because of that wish to pay tribute it places a narrow focus on where they can go with the songs they write.
It is a 10-track love letter to that core sound and it speeds along nicely without a drop in intensity. Song titles are suitably barbaric, and the music behind each one matches it in execution. My issue is that because of that wish to pay tribute it places a narrow focus on where they can go with the songs they write.
Each one is solid but not earth shattering and I'll be honest that chainsaw sound isn't my favourite but at least it isn't that 7 string tone that seems to be everywhere. I looped back to Funeral Vomit quite a few times as that slower pace added an oppressive air to and the final one-two of Spew and Graveyard Torment are two absolute crackers.
In terms of delivering on their promise, I think you can say they have succeeded. Fans will love this with not a ballad or instrumental in sight. It's pure, aggressive death metal that does exactly what it says on the tin and because it does that it could put those off who want a little more than just strict brutality. 8/10
In terms of delivering on their promise, I think you can say they have succeeded. Fans will love this with not a ballad or instrumental in sight. It's pure, aggressive death metal that does exactly what it says on the tin and because it does that it could put those off who want a little more than just strict brutality. 8/10
Corroding Soul - Corroding Soul (Independent Release) [Mark Young]
This was a very welcome addition to my reviews for this week. It's atmospheric black metal but has a positive vibe running through it. It's a labour of love from David Lovejoy, who as I understand is responsible for everything you hear on it. The track lengths give him scope to deliver everything that you consider to be required of this music whilst being able to put his own stamp on it.
This was a very welcome addition to my reviews for this week. It's atmospheric black metal but has a positive vibe running through it. It's a labour of love from David Lovejoy, who as I understand is responsible for everything you hear on it. The track lengths give him scope to deliver everything that you consider to be required of this music whilst being able to put his own stamp on it.
Opening track Shadow is a great showcase for this, running from accelerated riffs and blasting drums to a touchingly melodic middle section. On first listen, it comes across as slightly too nice but on repeated listens that feeling goes away. I'm not sure if he would like me describing it as being happy but the power behind it, at least to me is one of positivity. And what’s wrong with that?
Tempest is straight into it from the off and like Shadow it's love of having a top melodic build is there for all to hear. On top of that you get a storming vocal standard from him, that is slightly jarring to the bright arrangement behind it, but without it the songs would fall flat. One of the things that stand out is just how well they are put together. I can't say that it's ground-breaking but what it does is show that with the right approach you can find things to say, especially the outro solo on Tempest is just quality.
Bound comes in with a gentle guitar, set within a rising background that becomes the focal point.
Tempest is straight into it from the off and like Shadow it's love of having a top melodic build is there for all to hear. On top of that you get a storming vocal standard from him, that is slightly jarring to the bright arrangement behind it, but without it the songs would fall flat. One of the things that stand out is just how well they are put together. I can't say that it's ground-breaking but what it does is show that with the right approach you can find things to say, especially the outro solo on Tempest is just quality.
Bound comes in with a gentle guitar, set within a rising background that becomes the focal point.
Those atmospheric touches are on point here, and by and large it plays out along a traditional path as the traditional black metal makes itself present. What doesn't change is it having that positive vibe to it. It's continually reaching forward and upward and it asks that you do the same. The lead is understated and I'm glad that it went that way as it serves the song so well. The temptation to have gone down the face melting route must have been immense. The final three minutes are incredibly uplifting and sets up the final track, Sapphire.
Starting with a descending bass, it shrugs off any hint of melancholia, at least for a second as it boots into life. This is another grand statement from someone who has that unique vision in what he believes to be true. It's an epic piece, and over these 4 songs they deliver a high bar of atmospheric black metal. There is some top quality drumming on this one and it keeps the track length from floundering. The change in pace just around 8 minutes is pretty cool, pulling back on the grit for a while.
If you dig atmospheric black metal then this is right up your street. Give it a go, it's well worth your time. 8/10
Death Cult 69 – The Way Of All Flesh (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
The Way Of All Flesh is the debut from German doom collective Death Cult 69. Essentially the studio project of Konstantin Michaely (guitar/vocals/bass/organs) and Luc Lacroix (drums) it's doom with that classic Swedish vibe driven by weighty guitar and organ riffs. Joining Konstantin on vocals are Lars Dotzauer, Christoph Franke and Jan Oberg all providing the counterpoint harsh vocals I believe.
With these harsh vocals there's a creeping towards death doom evolving Death Cult 69's style away from classic doom into a more modern version. When they play live these screams will come froms Fern Czar who also plays bass while Marie Ko San will take the organ, so it seems both the harsh vocals and organs are staying integral to what Death Cult 69 present on stage rather than just artistic flourishes on the record.
The music of Death Cult 69 is organic, warmly hued and coming from a nostalgic place. The Way Of All Flesh expands on the soundscapes that you may expect with doom, it's gothic and forlorn but has that classic metal chug to it. Welcome this death cult with open arms. 8/10
Starting with a descending bass, it shrugs off any hint of melancholia, at least for a second as it boots into life. This is another grand statement from someone who has that unique vision in what he believes to be true. It's an epic piece, and over these 4 songs they deliver a high bar of atmospheric black metal. There is some top quality drumming on this one and it keeps the track length from floundering. The change in pace just around 8 minutes is pretty cool, pulling back on the grit for a while.
If you dig atmospheric black metal then this is right up your street. Give it a go, it's well worth your time. 8/10
Death Cult 69 – The Way Of All Flesh (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
The Way Of All Flesh is the debut from German doom collective Death Cult 69. Essentially the studio project of Konstantin Michaely (guitar/vocals/bass/organs) and Luc Lacroix (drums) it's doom with that classic Swedish vibe driven by weighty guitar and organ riffs. Joining Konstantin on vocals are Lars Dotzauer, Christoph Franke and Jan Oberg all providing the counterpoint harsh vocals I believe.
With these harsh vocals there's a creeping towards death doom evolving Death Cult 69's style away from classic doom into a more modern version. When they play live these screams will come froms Fern Czar who also plays bass while Marie Ko San will take the organ, so it seems both the harsh vocals and organs are staying integral to what Death Cult 69 present on stage rather than just artistic flourishes on the record.
The music of Death Cult 69 is organic, warmly hued and coming from a nostalgic place. The Way Of All Flesh expands on the soundscapes that you may expect with doom, it's gothic and forlorn but has that classic metal chug to it. Welcome this death cult with open arms. 8/10
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