Truly masters of metal in its most blackened form, Necrophobic have been a force of nature ever since they burst out of Stockholm thirty years ago and have continued to deliver album after album of blackened metal fury. It is joyous to see that Necrophobic are still not only doing it after all these years, but doing it with a palpable sense of urgency, energy and above all, passion.
The band follow up their 2020 album with the dark and majestic In The Twilight Grey and it sees the Swedish band in fine form as they venomously blast through the likes of Stormcrow, Mirrors Of A Thousand Lakes and Cast In Stone with devilish abandon and the band simply obliterate all within their path with their hellish noise, with vocalist Anders Storkirk in particular showing what a devastating voice he has as his voice commands over every song.
In The Twilight Grey is Necrophobic gloriously showing no signs of slowing down with their music, in fact it is quite the opposite as this is the sound of a band delivering the metal goods confidently and powerfully which is no mean feat given how long Necrophobic have been making music, and it has to be said, long may that continue. 8/10
Brat - Social Grace (Prosthetic Records) [GC]
Since 2021, Brat have slowly been building on the scene, a couple of EP’s have already been released and now we have their debut album Social Grace, that it is being released on Prosthetic Records tells you a lot about how far they have come in only 3 years. I though am completely new to Brat and as they describe themselves as Barbiegrind/Bimbocore I’m not sure what to expect if I am honest?? Opener Ego Death is straight out of the blocks and starts with a nice blast of furious grindcore, that melds into a sludgy and subtle hardcore beat down that is gone before you really get a chance to brace yourself.
The band follow up their 2020 album with the dark and majestic In The Twilight Grey and it sees the Swedish band in fine form as they venomously blast through the likes of Stormcrow, Mirrors Of A Thousand Lakes and Cast In Stone with devilish abandon and the band simply obliterate all within their path with their hellish noise, with vocalist Anders Storkirk in particular showing what a devastating voice he has as his voice commands over every song.
In The Twilight Grey is Necrophobic gloriously showing no signs of slowing down with their music, in fact it is quite the opposite as this is the sound of a band delivering the metal goods confidently and powerfully which is no mean feat given how long Necrophobic have been making music, and it has to be said, long may that continue. 8/10
Brat - Social Grace (Prosthetic Records) [GC]
Since 2021, Brat have slowly been building on the scene, a couple of EP’s have already been released and now we have their debut album Social Grace, that it is being released on Prosthetic Records tells you a lot about how far they have come in only 3 years. I though am completely new to Brat and as they describe themselves as Barbiegrind/Bimbocore I’m not sure what to expect if I am honest?? Opener Ego Death is straight out of the blocks and starts with a nice blast of furious grindcore, that melds into a sludgy and subtle hardcore beat down that is gone before you really get a chance to brace yourself.
Hesitation Wound goes straight into the hardcore style again and has some lovely two-step rhythms going on and before long the grindcore influence is back and again they manage to chuck in a huge chugging doomy riff to close the song out which then crawls directly into Slow Heatin which Brener Moate manages to drag and scrape the riff along until they unleash the fury again and it just a full on heads down riot, full of big chugging riffs and thundering drums, my only issue on this song is I would like a bit more from the vocals.
Ecclesia - Ecclesia Militans (Aural Music) [Rich Piva]
Super epic French doom is what you are in store for with the new album from Ecclesia. This is some medieval stuff, in theme at least, musically this is super clean doom with some traditional and power metal elements, but whatever you want to call it, Ecclesia Militans kicks all sorts of ass. The vocals area we some, the playing is excellent, and the production, while super clean, is perfect for what these guys are giving off.
Truncheon blasts forwards and towards the end has hulking great riff that should be played for at least 3 more minutes and when the drums kick back in the groove is delicious. I do feel I have to say what I would like more of though is that when a good idea comes in, due to the nature of the styles it only really gets used once and not expanded on much as I would like, this is not a dig I just like what I hear and want to hear more of it!! Human Offense sounds like it could have been lifted off an early Napalm Death record and of course this is a compliment, its full of scuzzy and dirty bass lines from Dustin Eagan, corrosive guitars, and more excellent drumming from Ian Hennessey.
Rope Drag starts off with a disgusting mix of death metal and hardcore but not in the usual deathcore way, this is done in a much more punk way and it’s a beautiful thing to behold and vocalist Liz Selfish really comes into her own on this track and sounds almost possessed at times and this mix of intensity and insanity makes for a fucking beast of a track before Blood Diamond roars into life with more of the unhinged hardcore essence that permeates most of the tracks but now it’s really shining through and the tracks all benefit massively from this, nothing sounds formulaic or boring and everything is fresh and exhilarating.
Snifter continues with the unrelenting hardcore tinged death metal assault and again has some absolutely killer riffs thrown in throughout the song that just keep on giving and making me wonder how some bands can make music this enjoyable only last 2 minutes!? Sugar Bastard is another unmistakably Napalm Death-esque track and I only say this in praise because if you want to sound like someone sound like one of the best, the midway section of this song is one of the best parts of the entire album run time, its big riffs combining with more two-step rhythms and it’s a beautiful cacophony of noise!
Title track Social Grace closes the album with somewhat of an epic running time of 3:02 and in that time it combines some crunching 90’s death metal, thundering sludge and best of all hardcore all into one last thunderous kick to the gonads and just like that without any grace whatsoever Brat have done what they set out to do and left you in a bloody heap on the floor! What a ride!!If I am totally honest, I am still none the wiser about what Barbiegrind or Bimbocore actually is? But if this is it then I am a fan!!
Social Grace is a riot of gnarly chaotic hardcore that smashes into grindcore and sprinkles death and sludge metal on top for one almighty racket of a sound, as a starting point Social Grace is fucking statement and there is only one way Brat are going and that is directly to the top! This is an absolute thunder bastard of an album, and you need to listen to it as soon as you get the chance! 9/10
Wounds - Ruin (Everlasting Spew Records) [Erick Willand]
I do appreciate bands with simple, straightforward one word names. Not that I don't enjoy more creative approaches like Chained To The Bottom Of Bottom Of The Ocean or Blindfolded And Led To The Woods (lots of fun in those right lol) but there is something easy about one word names. I imagine it’s easier on the merch side too. Anyway Wounds dropped a smashing EP a few years ago titled Light Eater that still makes its way into my rotation so I’m eager to get to grips here. So I’m going to get my thinking cap on and sit and contemplate some complex Tech Death materials and report back as we travel. Let’s go.
Opening intro track, possibly title track, Of Ruin is an instrumental piece and I have to go with...bold. Thick chunky riffage, drums front and centre, this feels like a “this is what you're in for” kind of track. And brother, I’m here for it (in generic Wrestler voice). Track 2 is The Archfiend's Apothecary and as I’m greeted with riff and blast I’m already signing the book in red. Vocalist Neil Haney delivers a tight performance, aggressive and commanding.
I do appreciate bands with simple, straightforward one word names. Not that I don't enjoy more creative approaches like Chained To The Bottom Of Bottom Of The Ocean or Blindfolded And Led To The Woods (lots of fun in those right lol) but there is something easy about one word names. I imagine it’s easier on the merch side too. Anyway Wounds dropped a smashing EP a few years ago titled Light Eater that still makes its way into my rotation so I’m eager to get to grips here. So I’m going to get my thinking cap on and sit and contemplate some complex Tech Death materials and report back as we travel. Let’s go.
Opening intro track, possibly title track, Of Ruin is an instrumental piece and I have to go with...bold. Thick chunky riffage, drums front and centre, this feels like a “this is what you're in for” kind of track. And brother, I’m here for it (in generic Wrestler voice). Track 2 is The Archfiend's Apothecary and as I’m greeted with riff and blast I’m already signing the book in red. Vocalist Neil Haney delivers a tight performance, aggressive and commanding.
Doom Incarnate follows and ratchets up the speed for, dare I say it, a more Thrashy approach to the Tech assault and it fits snuggly like two Lego pieces, this pleases me and I spin this track three times before moving on. Within the first seconds of the next track In The Maw Of The Beast I realize this review is going to take me a bit longer than anticipated, I’m going to listen to these tracks multiple times each. Drummer Nate Burgard (ex Kataplexy) rips this track open like a hungry man tearing into a bag of chips, the Beast is behind that kit that’s for sure.
Birth Of The New Light heralds the midpoint of the album and is what I would consider a straightforward Tech Death song from start to finish, it’s proper tight and masterly performed but isn’t breaking any molds, not a bad thing but some of the little flourishes the popped in during previous songs seem to be lacking here.
Un-chuffed I continue on with the next track titled Dismember And Devour. I can tell instantly that we’re back on track here as the drum roll and blasts already feel cranked up again, the first minute and twenty just absolutely rip with urgency. The headlong rush forward does bog down a bit but if you're a bass enthusiast then this part is for you as Franco Caballero comes up in the mix to rumble in the deep end and I’m here for it. One of my favourite elements of the Tech Death sub-genre is that more often than not the musicians involved are top notch or better and Mr. Caballero is no exception.
The final three start with Zoophagist, which I think is a word that the band just made up but does that even matter, the song rips where it should, chugs where it needs to and has some fun vocal moments tucked in like extra chocolate chips in a store bought cookie. Second to last track is Ready Your Mind and this title proves very on the nose as the second half of this song tries hard to pry right into your brain bucket and kick things around, guitar heroics by Rick Mora as he jumps from chugga riff to ripping riff and back again.
Seriously, there is a lot going on here that is just straight up fun. Bent On Disaster (great song title) is the last slab of mind punching tech madness on the album and it does not disappoint, drum rolling right in wearing the big boots and then guitar smacking us all into the whirling madness. There is some really enjoyable guitar love here and when paired with great performances by all involved it’s just all forward motion in a tight, crunchy fun package, I spin this track like 4 times and plan to toss it into my personal playlist on release.
I admit I’m easy to please when it comes to Tech Death, as stated in previous reviews I’m a sucker for a good show and high level Metal musicianship falls under a good show...or something like that. Don’t think about it, like I’m not thinking about this album cover which is interesting but lacking enough definition, at least in this press pic, to really tell what it is...just kind of blurry. Anyway, I need a break after that high speed Tech pummelling so I’m off to have tea and watch Ringo Starr in that Caveman movie he made in the 80’s. Wounds comes to solid. 7/10
Ecclesia - Ecclesia Militans (Aural Music) [Rich Piva]
Super epic French doom is what you are in store for with the new album from Ecclesia. This is some medieval stuff, in theme at least, musically this is super clean doom with some traditional and power metal elements, but whatever you want to call it, Ecclesia Militans kicks all sorts of ass. The vocals area we some, the playing is excellent, and the production, while super clean, is perfect for what these guys are giving off.
The first full track, If She Floats, is one of my favourite songs of the year so far. Up-tempo metal goodness with outstanding vocals and superior playing. The chunky riffs along with that voice melds perfectly together. Speaking of crunchy riffs, how about the one from Et Cum Spirtu Tuo? The organ work add seven more awesomeness to Ecclesia Militans. I called this doom, but don’t mistake this for something that plods along, because this record is here to keep their foot on the gas the entire time, or since we are talking about 12 Century Inquisition times, I should have used some kind of horse reference.
Some later period Sabbath worship is what Ecclesia is all about, but only if a French guy who can hit all sorts of high notes was hired instead of Tony Martin. The guitar work continues to be outstanding throughout, including on the title track, which picks the pace back up and is also probably the most impressive vocal performance on a record full of them. The Exorcism is where you can start to hear the Candlemass comparisons come though, but I am not sure Candlemass has ever sounded so full, as this is like a wall of sound doom type thing. The best riff of the album comes from Ereptor Verae Fidei which is sung in French which is pretty cool while Redden The Iron is some true epic metal with an almost symphonic feel and I love when the pace slows and we get that dual guitar solo.
You want evil? You get it with Harvester Of Sinful Souls that starts out with some monks and finishes crunching your soul with doomy riffs and keys. I absolutely love the vocal melody on this one. You get a sparce two minute church choir chant and bells that seems like a strange way to close out but it almost acts as the funeral dirge to signify the end but also could be a set up for a part two to Ecclesia Militans and boy would I be there for that. Ecclesia Militans has to be my surprise album of the first quarter 0f 2024.
I thought this was going to be a listen once and forget album, but instead it is contending for album of the month and will show up in my top 100 list at the end of the year for sure. Epic power doom is what Ecclesiais all about and you need to be all about it too. 9/10
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