DEAD METAL

Three decades have passed since the release of the first Pestilence full-length. Only one original member remains for album number eight, released by Hammerheart Records - vocalist and guitarist Patrick Mameli. But this sounds like Pestilence nonetheless; and the best version of Pestilence for a long time, too. Technical, jazzy, groovy, thrashy, progressive death metal goodness; it's a real return to form. You can stream Hadeon below and buy it here .

Released by R/C Records in 1991, Testimony of the Ancients was the third album from Holland's Pestilence; and it's an undeniable death metal classic. 16 tracks long, but half of those are interludes - so it only clocks in at around 43 minutes. This is a very cohesive release too, brimming with imaginative songwriting and solid musicianship. Representative of the glory days of the genre, it's probably the band's finest work. You can listen to a couple of tracks from it below, and buy it  here .

Relinquished Souls is this Dutch band's only full-length. Recorded in 1993, it has more of a Floridian sound than a European one. Hints of Death , Massacre, Morbid Angel, Pestilence and Obituary ; to name a few. Originally released by West Virginia Records (a German label, somewhat confusingly); versions have since come from Memento Mori and VIC Records. Now Redefining Darkness and Raw Skull Recordz have teamed up to bring us new CD and vinyl reissues. A lot more people should know about Burial, if you are unfamiliar then you should rectify that. The album can be heard below, and pre-ordered  here .

Agretator were from Sweden, and this was their only full-length. Released by Crypta in 1994, and reissued by Dark Symphonies in 2016, Delusions is a thrashy death metal gem. Hints of Death, Pestilence, and other better-known bands; but this is original stuff. Clever time signature changes, tight drum and guitar work, and some interesting musical twists. The opening track can be heard below, and you can grab a copy  here .