DEAD METAL

If you're unfamiliar with Dysylumn, see here first. This interview is with Sébastien Besson, the band's vocalist and guitarist. 1. Occulation is one of the best albums of 2018, how has the response been so far? We did everything possible to have the new album released in digipak before the Ravenous Altar Festival event (Cult of Fire, Grave Miasma, Grave Desecrator, Throane, Serpent Luminis and us), and the bet was successful! We had a lot of positive feedback about the album. For the moment few reviews, but it has been uploaded to the Odium Nostrum YouTube channel which has given us a huge visibility. 2. How would you describe your sound? I think that our sound is very heavy, almost monolithic at times.  But at the same time it is very spatial, aerial and dissonant. 3. Could you talk a little about your lyrical content? The lyrical content is about cosmogony, the abstract universe, chaos, nightmares, and hallucinations.  Lyrics are written cyclically, the end

Monstrosity, previously featured here , are Floridian death metal legends. The band has been active since 1990; although its only remaining pre-millennial member is drummer Lee Harrison, and this is only album number six. Delivered to us by Metal Blade, it is also the first Monstrosity full-length in over a decade. The Passage of Existence does not disappoint, either - it's a triumphant return. The lead guitar work is particularly noteworthy, but nothing falls short. Well-written, well-executed, well-produced; an exceptional release. You can hear the opening track below, and buy it here .

Once Still Cosmos is very strong outer space-themed release, brought to us by Morbid Visions/Metalhit. Fetid Zombie is a solo project from Mark Riddick (who produced the excellent artwork, and has previously been featured in relation to his  Macabra band). Mr Riddick is joined here by a number of special guests, and brings three tracks of powerful old school death metal to the table. Svierg is also a solo project, and also features a special guest for this offering. Five tracks of highly enjoyable atmospheric black metal from them. Split albums can sometimes feature artists' lesser works, but that is certainly not the case with this one. The limited edition CD (which comes with a poster, patches and flyers) is almost sold out, but can still be ordered  here  for now. Alternatively you can download the Svierg 'side' via that same link, and download the Fetid Zombie 'side'  here . A choice Fetid Zombie track, and four Svierg tracks, can be heard below.

Dysylumn is a progressive black/death metal band from France. Egregor Records have done the honours with their second full-length. Occultation is an exceptional release, one of the best offerings of 2018 so far. Atmospheric, powerful, doom-laden, full of anguish... The songwriting is outstanding, and it's extremely well-performed. You can listen to the album below, and order it here .

Krabathor are from the Czech Republic, and this was their second full-length. Released in 1993, on Monitor Records, it is a thrashy death metal gem. Great songwriting, exceptional musicianship, decent production, and a tonne of atmosphere. The bonus track (a remix) should have been left off, but there we have it. Cool Mortification is a stone cold classic, essential listening. You can do that listening below, and acquire a copy  here .

An introduction to Dusk can be found here . It's been more than twenty years since the band last recorded anything. Withdraw is a three track EP, brought to us by Dark Symphonies/The Crypt. The highlight is Endeavoured Sanity - a song which was written in 1993 but left unfinished. The others are very enjoyable too, though - this is a solid comeback. You can hear clips from it below, and purchase it  here .

Something different here - a neo-classical/dark wave release from Dark Symphonies. Autumn Tears, who hail from Massachusetts, formed in 1995; and this is their first offering for more than a decade. It's moody, moving stuff - cinematic orchestral music with female vocals, and some poppy moments. That description doesn't really do it justice, though, this is a rich and compelling EP. The Origin Of Sleep features five tracks, and clocks in at 25 minutes. You can preview the title track below, and pick up a copy  here .

Ingested is a British brutal death metal band. Slam is something of a dirty word for many of us, but The Level Above Human is a cut above. It's a relatively accessible offering, with atmosphere and melody balancing out the extremity. A savage album, make no mistake, but one with a certain air of maturity. The songwriting is strong, the performance is outstanding, there's a lot to like. You can give this Unique Leader release a listen below, and purchase it here .