DEAD METAL

It's always nice to discover an obscure gem, and to get in on the ground floor with a band. Hostil are from Peru, and their debut is one such gem. Self-released earlier this year, Infernal Rites is a fine example of thrash metal. Hints of classic Kreator, Sepultura and Slayer; and perhaps some death metal influences too. Accomplished songwriting and musicianship, strong raspy vocals; there's a lot to like here. You can listen to the album below, and order a CD copy  directly from the band .

Blackened death-doom from Germany. Morast's first full length, released by Totenmusik/Ván Records in 2017, is a powerful debut. This is minimal stuff - sludgy guitars at funeral doom pace; it's the subtle shifts and touches which make it such a compelling listen, and the dense melancholic atmosphere which makes it such an immersive one. You can hear Ancestral Void below, and buy it  here . The band's 2015 demo is also worth picking up. That EP can be previewed below; and then downloaded  here , or purchased on vinyl  here .

If you would like to win the two brand new releases pictured above, just head over to  the Dead Metal Facebook page  and comment on the post about this giveaway there. It's open to anyone worldwide, but you do need to have 'liked' the Facebook page to qualify. The competition closes at midnight (GMT) this Thursday (26th April). A winner will then be chosen at random, and notified on Facebook.

Decade-old Danish death metallers Undergang have produced a very solid album here. It's also a very disgusting album - the band bring a lot of old school grindcore elements to the table (think early Carcass). But there's a healthy dose of doom in the mix as well; and even the occasional moment of melody. Misantropologi is an extremely well-produced assault on the mind and soul, too. Me Saco Un Ojo have released the vinyl version pictured above (which is available here ); Dark Descent have handled the CD release; and several labels have produced cassettes. Oh, and you can hear the album for yourself below.

Polish death metal legends Vader formed in 1983, but didn't release their first full-length until 1992. It's a controversial statement, but The Ultimate Incantation might be the ultimate incarnation of Vader. It's certainly their thrashiest record, and the vocal style is more conventional than on later efforts. This sterling debut was released by Earache, and Dan Seagrave did the artwork. You can listen to it below, and purchase a copy here . ...and you can catch the band on their World Incantation anniversary tour right now. P.S. The recent re-recording of this album ( Dark Age ) is also well worth checking.

If you would like to win everything pictured above, just head over to  the Dead Metal Facebook page  and comment on the post about this giveaway there. It's open to anyone worldwide, but you do need to have 'liked' the Facebook page to qualify. The competition closes at midnight (GMT) this Saturday (14th April). A winner will then be chosen at random, and notified on Facebook.

A post about Macabra can be found here ; and a post about the debut album from Nucleus is here . Each band brings three tracks to this Morbid Visions release, which sees them both following up extremely well on their 2016 full-lengths. It's a cohesive split too, and the Dan Seagrave cover tops off the package very nicely. Fragmented Self is well worth picking up if you're a fan of either act, or if you would simply like to introduce yourself to a couple of strong death metal up-and-comers. You can listen to it below, and buy it  here .

Macabra is a collaboration between Mark Riddick (probably best known best for his artwork, but here showcasing his musical abilities); and Beligian vocalist Adrien 'Liquifier' Weber. They play atmospheric, otherworldly old school-style death metal; and have a lot of character. Special mention has to go to the occasional keyboard parts, which really add to the eeriness. Their debut full-length,  Blood-Nurtured Nature , was released on Metalhit ‎in 2012: A second album,  ...to the Bone , was released by Morbid Visions/Apocalyptic Empire in 2016: Both are excellent. Don't sleep on Macabra.

Nucleus are a sci-fi themed death metal band from Chicago. Sentient is their only full-length to date, released by Unspeakable Axe/Me Saco Un Ojo in 2016. It's technical and brutal, but has plenty of hooks; there's a lot of old school influence in the songwriting department, but nothing retro about the production values. This is an impressive debut. and definitely a band to watch. The album can be streamed below, and purchased  here .

Stench of Decay is a Finnish death metal band that formed in 2004. This CD, released by Ektro Records in 2012, features all of their works to date - a demo from 2005, and their 2009-2011 vinyl/cassette-only output for Me Saco Un Ojo/Detest Records. Lots of Scandinavian OSDM influences here, along with a healthy dose of Bolt Thrower. The real highlight is 2009's Where Death and Decay Reign EP - an exceptional release. You can hear a particularly choice track below, and order the compilation  here .

For an introduction to Scour, see  here . Songwriter and guitarist Derek Engemann did us the honour of answering these questions. 1. Scour has a very original sound, how would you describe it? Scour’s sound is a mix of relentless brutality with an intentional minimalist approach. It’s very theme driven, comprised of heavy amounts of buzzsaw guitars, and an unquenchable thirst for the blast. 2. You've composed all of the music, so far at least; it’s a clichéd question, but who are your main influences (if indeed you feel you have influences)? Musically speaking, there is an obvious Scandinavian influence for sure, as most of my favorite metal bands hail from that area. Bands like Emperor, Marduk, and Dark Funeral to name a few. Although, we will never claim to be a Black Metal band for many reasons. There are traces of punk and grindish elements in there as well, along with a whole melting pot of all extreme music. I also draw a lot of influences from various movie sco