THE HERETICS FORK: “OPACIS DOLORIS”

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Oct 212020
 

 

(The Heretics Fork is a band of unknown location and anonymous membership who’ve taken a medieval torture device for their name. This is Vonlughlio’s review of their new album, which will be released by P2 on October 31st.)

This time around I have the opportunity to review the sophomore effort from The Heretics Fork entitled Opacis Doloris, set to be released on October 31st via P2.  Before I start to dive in I have to mentioned that their debut Tomentore was released two years ago (also on October 31st) and for me was one of the biggest surprises of 2018 (see review here), and subsequently made it into my list of top BDM releases of that year.

One big mystery is that no one knows who is involved, there is no social media presence, without a care in the world, and this just adds mystique to the project. They obviously prefer to let the music speak for itself, and make no compromises to their artistic vision. The scene will take care of promoting it by word of mouth, with no problem, since the music is that good. Continue reading »

DEFACING: “THE BEGINNING OF HUMAN CRUELTY – DESTROYING YOUR DIGNITY”

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Oct 152020
 

 

(Here we have Vonlughlio’s recommendation of a new compilation record by the Chilean brutal death metal band Defacing, which is out now on Rotten Cemetery Records.)

Defacing is one of the best BDM acts from Chile. Originating back in 2001, they graced us in 2003 with their demo The Beginning of Human Cruelty, a display of powerful in-your-face Brutal Death that has all the qualities fans of the genre love.  But it was not until 2005 with the release of their debut album, the well-named Spitting Savagery, that I was able to discover them.

A friend of mine said when we listened to the album (and I quote) “South America Cryptopsy twins”, and the funny thing is, they cover “Phobophile” on this release (which is hands-down an amazing cover). But for me, they are not twins. Sure, there is a strong influence, but Defacing still managed to create a special sound.  For 31 minutes you find yourself in constant movement with the punishing riffs, the blast beats, and vocals that are utterly nasty and full of hate.  This album made an impact that still holds 15 years after its release, an underrated gem of one great project. Continue reading »

OMINOUS SCRIPTURES: “THE FALL OF THE CELESTIAL THRONE”

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Oct 132020
 

 

(Here is Vonlughlio’s review of the second full-length by the Belarusian death metal band Ominous Scriptures, which is out now on Willowtip Records and features striking cover art by Jon Zig.)

I have to say that I have been fortunate to write my small reviews and lists of best releases for some years now and am thankful to Islander for the trust.  As I’ve mentioned, my main purpose is to promote Brutal Death Metal since other genres are well-covered here. Having said that, yes I do listen to other genres as well but for the reasons mentioned I try to focus on BDM here in NCS, and am doing that again now.

Today the subject is a project from Belarus that goes by the name Ominous Scriptures. On August 28th they released their sophomore album The Fall of the Celestial Throne via Willowtip Records. This release is crushing from start to finish, revealing the work of outstanding musicians who have come together in crafting something special that will forever be cherished by their fans. Continue reading »

PUTRESCENT SEEPAGE: “DEAD AND DEMENTED”

 Album Reviews  1 Response »
Oct 072020
 

 

(In this post Vonlughlio reviews and recommends the debut album from the Australian brutal death metaal band Putrescent Seepage, out now on New Standard Elite.)

The BDM band Putrescent Seepage from Adelaide, South Australia, was born in 2012.  From the beginning the guys behind this project were Cameron Smith (Drums/Vocals) and Brett Stoeckel (Guitars/Vocals) (recently joined by vocalist Simon Naulty). The following year they released a demo that was very limited and that I of course missed (shame on me).  After three years, a two-song demo saw the light and yours truly made it his mission to get one from the band, which came with an original sketch from their drummer (who also happens to be a painter, with amazing work).

That second demo just hit the BDM scene with a vengeance. I was living in the Dominican Republic then, and it was great to see all the fans around the globe just going nuts over this effort. It showcased the talent these musicians have and how as a team they were able to create one of those demos that should be or have been considered classic. Continue reading »

ONCOLOGY: “OMNIVERSAL ANTIGENESIS”

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Oct 012020
 

 

(In this review Vonlughlio provides a strong recommendation for the new second album from the UK brutal death metal band Oncology.)

Today’s subject is an amazing band from the UK named Oncology, who on July 17th released their sophomore album Omniversal Antigenesis via Rising Nemesis Records.

This is a project that started in 2014 and released a single called “Prelude to Oblivion”. The following year they released their demo The Metastasis consisting ofthree songs.  But I discovered them in 2016 with their first album Infinite Regress and right away became a fan. Really enjoyed the riffs in each of the songs, very quality writing, and vocals that fit the music perfectly.  The drums on this release were programmed, but well done I might add. Continue reading »

INCINERATE: “SACRILEGIVM”

 Album Reviews  1 Response »
Sep 292020
 

 

(We present Vonlughlio’s review of the new album by Incinerate, which will be released on October 9 by Comatose Music and features cover art by Jon Zig.)

This time around I have the opportunity to write about Incinerate, a project originally hailing from Minnesota in the United Stated, formed back in 1998. I have been a fan for over 20 years, while witnessing their changes and evolution.  Their debut album Dissecting the Angels in 2002 — that was in-your-face BDM with a raw production that worked rather well in their songwriting.

For their second album, Anatomize, it took them six more years to get it finished and released, and it was evident that the time brought about big changes in songwriting and sound, and the incorporation of a technical aspect in both. The song titles were simple and on-point, while the lyrics maintained their anti-religion sentiment. This was a great progression musically, it showcased guitarist/vocalist Jesse Watson‘s finest work to that date,  and the musicians on this release were spectacular.   This album gained a lot of attention and a lot of fans, and the release would become one of those that would pass the test of time. Continue reading »

DRIPPED: “PUTRESCENT OMNISCIENCE”

 Album Reviews, SHORT BUT SWEET  1 Response »
Sep 182020
 

 

(Here’s Vonlughlio’s review of the debut EP by Dripped, which was released in August by Ungodly Ruins Productions.)

So it’s been a while since I’ve done a small review, but life (work and family) has taken a lot of my time, not leaving much to do something I like (writing and promoting music) but overall can’t complain. Anyway, I’m taking the opportunity now to talk about a new project called Dripped (Australia/Ukraine) that was formed back in 2019 with members of Corpseflesh, Septik Piggery, and Cranial Osteotomy.

The band signed to Ungodly Ruins Productions and this past August released their debut EP, Putrescent Omniscience, which consists of six songs that introduce what this new project has to offer — and I have to say that I am loving these 15 minutes of pure force with no fillers. This is an EP that just blew me away at first listen and should get more recognition in the scene. Continue reading »

GANGRENECTOMY: “CANNIBALISTIC CRITERIA OF THE MANTIS”

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Sep 032020
 

 

(Here’s Vonlughlio’s review of the latest album, released this past spring by Amputated Vein Records, by the Italian slamming brutal death metal band Gangrenectomy.)

The Italian metal scene is responsible for giving us great bands such as Devangelic, Putridity,  Vulvectomy, Hour of Penance, Blasphemer, and Hideous Divinity, just to name a few (that I love).  And this time around I would like to take the opportunity to speak about one more, an underground project named Gangrenectomy that I recently discovered this year.

I  have to say that at first I was a little bit hesitant to check them out since their music is BDM that leans toward the slam side, and there are a lot of bands in that vein that just don’t do anything for me. Regardless, I decided to go with an open mind and checked out their second album, Cannibalistic Criteria of the Mantis, which was released early this year via Amputated Vein Records. Continue reading »

TON: “ASHES WHERE THEY STOOD”

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Sep 012020
 

 

(Vonlughlio prepared this review of the new third album by the Ohio death metal band TON, which was released in August by Ungodly Ruins Productions.)

The Ohio death metal project called TON have been around since 1993. They released a handful of demos leading up to their full-length debut Plague in 1999. After that they went on a hiatus of sorts until 2015 when they released their sophomore album, Bow Down to Extinction, and that is when I learned of their existence (late to the party, I suppose).

I enjoyed their second release quite a bit, including the kind of natural production that allowed each of the instruments be heard as a collaborative force, instead of some being buried in the mix. The riffs were quite entertaining, providing the driving force leading the way in each of the eight songs which proved to be an engaging 32-minute experience. Continue reading »

PERFECITIZEN: “HUMANIPULATION”

 Album Reviews  2 Responses »
Aug 122020
 

 

(This is Vonlughlio‘s review of the new album by the Czech band Perfecitizen, which was released on August 1st.)

It is time to write about a project that has been dear to me since I became a fan through the release of their 2011 demo. The band is Perfecitizen, formed after the demise of Alienation Mental (a band whose music I also loved).  In 2013 they released their debut album Through, a 33-minute blaster that to this day is among my favorite debuts from a brutal/grindcore band, showcasing a great level of musicianship from start to finish.

Two years later they released their sophomore effort Corten, which was a natural continuation of their first effort. The only gripe I had was how short it was, but the music was amazing and proved that the guys involved are great musicians who execute their vision with precision.  They continued to be independent, doing everything themselves (as they have continued to do) which is something I admire — and props to them for doing so (and other bands that do the same). Continue reading »

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