(written by Islander)

It’s highly likely that scrolling metal lovers will freeze in place when they see the painting up above. It’s a ghastly and frightening vision, and one that suits the name of the band whose debut album it adorns: Eyes of Agony.

Yes, When They Return is a debut album, but it was created by experienced hands. Eyes of Agony was established by Danny Cinicolo, founder of such old-school Italian death metal bands as Excidium and Maleficarum, whose histories stretch back to the ‘90s and even into the mid ‘80s. After sharing some of his new songs via YouTube and receiving enthusiastic responses, he enlisted his old friend and bandmate in Maleficarum, Andrea Zanetti, whose experience has included roles in Iconoclast, Schizo, Monumentum, Sinoath, and the aforementioned Maleficarum.

With Zanetti in place as vocalist, the two of them then recruited drummer Davide Billia (whose credits include Beheaded, Hour of Penance, Antropofagus, Putridity, and Septycal Gorge, among many others), guitarist Massimo Boffa (whose resume includes Mind Control and Halley), and bassist Fabrizio Biondi (Jesus) (who was part of Mechanical God Creation).

Their work together resulted in an album of nine tracks and 36 minutes that will be released in November by Awakening Records, and today we’re premiering one of those — the song that shares the name of the band itself. Continue reading »