DEAD METAL

Necrofier is unlikely to remain under the radar for long. Melodic-but-heavy black metal that will keep you coming back for more. The project features members of Oceans of Slumber and Venomous Maximus; along with the drummer from War Master and Insect Warfare, amongst other bands. The Texans' first offering is a powerful, cohesive, well-produced EP called Visions In Fire. You can download the release, or pre-order a cassette copy, via  Bandcamp . This impressive debut can also be previewed in its entirety below. Roll on their full-length, which is said to be in the works.

Ten of the best, in no particular order. Brainsmasher  - Vocalist, reviewer, has been involved with labels... and he has been posting videos about his sizable collection for around 2.5 years. Aside from being highly entertaining, Ben will also turn you on to some great metal. Justin Stubbs  - Sings and plays in Father Befouled (among other bands), graphic designer, started YouTubing about his collection earlier this year. Articulate delivery, and worthwhile commentary. One for fans of blackened metal in particular. Marty Worm  - Runs Bindrune Recordings, has been on YouTube for more than three years now. Extremely knowledgeable, and he has eclectic tastes so his channel is recommended regardless of which sub-genres you prefer. GroundZero Salem  - Speaking of eclectic, this 1.5 year old channel is also recommended to anyone; although what sets it apart from the others featured in the post is probably the extensive coverage of hardcore/punk. He's a very ...

01  Evoken - Hypnagogia  (Profound Lore) 02  Dysylumn - Occultation  (Egregor) 03  Ov Shadows - The Darkness Between Stars  (Black Market) 04  1914 - The Blind Leading The Blind  (Redefining Darkness/Archaic) 05  Monstrosity - The Passage Of Existence  (Metal Blade) 06  Memoriam - The Silent Vigil  (Nuclear Blast) 07  Assumption - Absconditus  (Everlasting Spew/Sentient Ruin) 08  Ataraxy - Where All Hope Fades  (Dark Descent/Me Saco Un Ojo) 09 Hostil - Infernal Rites  (Not On Label) 10  Void Rot - Consumed By Oblivion  (Everlasting Spew/Sentient Ruin) *edit* Antichrist - Pax Moriendi  and  Deicide - Overtures Of Blasphemy should have made this list

Buffalo's Banished started out as Baphomet, a project which is featured here . Deliver Me Unto Pain (1993) is the one-and-only Banished full-length, as the band split up later that same year. If you're a fan of Baphomet then this album will not disappoint - it's fundamentally more of the same; and actually features re-recordings of two Baphomet tracks. These guys had quite an original sound - brutal and primitive, but also groovy and accessible. Baphomet's The Dead Shall Inherit is recognised by many as an old school death metal classic, but Deliver Me Unto Pain tends to be overlooked. Released on Deaf Records, it has since been reissued by parent label Peaceville; although even represses of the CD are quite hard to find. You can listen to it below, and hunt down a copy here .

Monstrosity has previously been featured here  and here . Spiritual Apocalypse is the band's fifth full-length, released on Metal Blade/Conquest in 2007. If you enjoyed their most recent effort, and are unfamiliar with this one, then you should do something about that. It's another highly enjoyable slab of modern-but-old-school death metal, recorded by (almost) the same line-up. Monstrosity deserve a lot more credit and attention than they get. You can stream the album in full below, and buy it  here .

Previous posts about Evoken can be found  here  and  here . You can also read an interview with drummer and founding member Vince Verkay  here . Hypnagogia (out tomorrow) is the band's sixth full-length, and the second brought to us by Profound Lore. It's also their first concept album, based entirely around the theme of World War I and the impact it had on those who fought. Musically it has all the hallmarks of an Evoken release, but it features some new twists as well; most notably an additional infusion of melody, by way of elements such as violin and choral parts. The kings of funeral doom have expanded their sound, nearly a quarter of a century into their existence, and the extra dimensions are serving them well. You can hear a track below, and order a copy here .

1914 is a WWI-themed band from Ukraine, that formed in 2014 - on the hundredth anniversary of the start of the war. The Blind Leading The Blind is a compelling hour-long blackened, sludgy, doom-laden death metal journey. The songwriting is extremely strong, as is the execution; and the release is laced with some highly effective samples. It drops 11th November; or more specifically, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month (Central European Time) - the hundredth anniversary of the end of the war. A track from the album, which features a guest performance from David Ingram (of  Benediction  and  Bolt Thrower  fame), can be heard below. ...and it can be pre-ordered now, from  Redefining Darkness  (America) or  Archaic  (Europe).

Intense, brutal-but-melodic old school-style death metal. These guys might have something of a Swedish sound, but don't be fooled - they're from Stockholm... New York. Special mention has to go to their production values, which really help to set them apart from the crowd. The guitar work is also particularly noteworthy - catchy riffs, and sublime solos. Both of the band's offerings to date have been brought to us by Testimony/Redefining Darkness. The first is 2016's outstanding Ungodly Forms album: The second is an EP called  The Crypts Below , which came out earlier this year: Don't sleep on Sentient Horror.

A previous post about Obituary can be found here . Don't Care, taken from 1994's World Demise album, is something of a death metal anthem. It isn't hard to see why "I don't care, I'll do what I want" was a sentiment which appealed to the teenagers of the time; and the support from MTV's Headbanger's Ball didn't hurt, either. This three track Roadrunner Records release is quite hard to find, and doesn't feature any exclusives - what you're buying is a piece of death metal history. It's also a very good listen, an extremely solid offering in itself. You can stream the EP below, and invest in a copy here .

Chronicles of the Shadowed Ones is a lesser-known classic. Hints of Bolt Thrower ,  Autopsy and Baphomet ; to name a few bands. Morpheus Descends formed in 1992 and is still active today, following a couple of breaks. What stands out the most about the release is probably the drumming, which is impressive and original in equal measure. Thanks in no small part to that drumming, the New Yorkers shift between their doomier sections and faster parts exceptionally well. The EP was self-released on CD and cassette in 1994, and reissued on vinyl by The Crypt in 2015. You can track down a physical copy here , or download it  here . P.S. These guys have released  several other EPs  that are also worth checking.

Necrophobic's debut is blackened death metal gold. One of the best albums to come out of the Swedish scene. To be filed next to the debuts from  Unleashed  and  Eucharist . Melodic guitar work, as you might expect from a Sunlight Studios production, but it ventures further into black metal territory than its contemporaries. Some Slayer influence, which isn't surprising given that the band is named after a Slayer song; and also some hints of Morbid Angel. Originally released on Black Mark in 1993, it has subsequently been reissued by Hammerheart. The Nocturnal Silence can be heard below, and purchased  here .

Unleashed are Swedish death metal legends. They rose from the ashes of Nihilist, a band which also gave birth to Entombed. Where No Life Dwells is their first full-length, and their finest hour. Released in 1991, on Century Media, it's a truly exceptional debut. Intense and brutal, but with seriously catchy riffing and enough tempo changes to keep things interesting throughout. Thrash influences, doomy sections, plenty of groove... You can listen to the album below, and buy it here .

Both of these American bands have been active since 2014. Each brings two death-doom tracks to the table for this album-length volume. Shrine Of The Serpent's contributions are weighty, crushing affairs with a lot of sludge influence. Black Urn also has some sludge going on, as well as black metal elements and a dose of funeral doom. It's a highly cohesive split, and Black Urn's cover of Junkhead by Alice In Chains is an interesting inclusion. Black Market have handled the CD release, with vinyl and cassette treatments coming from Godz Ov War and Calgari. You can preview it below, and pick up a copy  here .

Loss is a funeral death-doom band from Nashville, Tennessee. Life Without Hope... Death Without Reason is their debut offering. As the cover/title/band name would suggest this is bleak, sorrowful stuff. It is also extremely enjoyable; and the production is very strong for a demo, too. Self-released in 2004, it has gone on to be reissued on CD by Deathgasm; as well as on vinyl by Parasitic, and on cassette by Weird Truth. The Deathgasm version includes a couple of live tracks as a bonus. The EP can be heard below, and purchased  here .

Embrace of Thorns have been featured before,  here . They hail from Athens, and have been active since 1999. This is their 2014 album, on Nuclear War Now! Productions. A highly satisfying slab of brutal-but-catchy blackened death metal. It's transcendent, thundering, abyssal stuff; immersive and atmospheric. Most formats are available here , but for a CD you will need to look  elsewhere . Darkness Impenetrable can also be heard, in its entirety, below.

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 en...

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 .

Until Death Overtakes Me is a one-man band from Belgium. It/he has a lot of material, having been around since 1999; and there have apparently also been a number of aliases over the years. It's surprising that this wealth of output hasn't found more of an audience, given its quality - if this album is anything to go on, at least. Funeral doom meets  Burzum -style dark ambient/neo-classical/dungeon synth. Or, as more aptly-put by the artist himself, 'ambient funeral muzak'. Well Of Dreams (which can be heard below) is a collection of individually-released tracks from 2016. You can name your price for a Bandcamp  download, and the package includes high-resolution CD inserts for you to print at home.

Released in 1993 on Eurorecords, this is an obscure Swedish death/thrash gem. Captor went on to become a nu metal band, by all accounts, but don't hold that against their debut. Lots of early Sepultura influence here, but a little more progressive and melodic. Lay It To Rest is a quirky and original release, it really stands out from the crowd. If you like old school thrashing death metal and you don't know this record, then you should do something about that. The CD is rare, but you can invest in a copy here ; or listen to the album below.

Old school-style death metal with doomy sections here. Graceless is a Dutch band, signed to a Dutch label (Raw Skull Recordz). Musically you can hear a lot of Bolt Thrower influence, and a dose of  Obituary ; vocally the closest comparison is probably  Vader . Shadowlands contains plenty of hooks, variety, and interesting moments. The production is raw-but-modern; it's an excellent debut. You can preview the album below, and order it  here .

For an introduction to Evoken, see  here ; and for a recent interview with founding member Vince Verkay, see  here . This is the band's 2010 release with Sweden's Beneath The Frozen Soil, on I Hate Records. Their four contributions amount to a full-length, in duration terms; and they do not disappoint. It's a highly cohesive split, too - with Beneath The Frozen Soil bringing three solid funeral death-doom tracks with blackened vocals to the table. The CD is rare, but you can keep an eye out for a copy  here ; or the mp3 release is still widely available. A choice track from the Evoken 'side' can be heard below.

Kingdom of Shadows is the first full-length from this Belfast Band. It's a very solid debut, too - well-written, well-executed, well-produced. Old school-style death metal with hints of  Bolt Thrower ,  Immolation , Morbid Angel... Originally self-released on the band's Forbidden Realms label in 2010, it went on to be reissued by Hostile Media in 2012. Special mention goes to the excellent artwork, which really draws you in. You can listen to the album below and purchase it here .

Any fans of Bolt Thrower  who aren't familiar with this album should rectify that. Aside from the musical similarities, it features Dave Ingram - who went on to sing for Bolt Thrower from 1998 until 2004. It also features Frank Healy, who now plays with former members of both Benediction and Bolt Thrower in  Memoriam . Released in 1993 by Nuclear Blast, Transcend the Rubicon is the British band's third full-length; and their finest hour. The Dan Seagrave artwork tops off the package perfectly, too. You can hear the album below, and pick up a copy here .

If you would like to win the two 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 Sunday (12th August). A winner will then be chosen at random, and notified on Facebook.

Consumed By Oblivion is the first release from this Minneapolis four-piece. Three tracks of crushing, atmospheric death-doom; to be filed next to  Spectral Voice 's Necrotic Doom EP. Also one for fans of  Krypts , or Sempiternal Dusk ; or for anyone that is partial to the theme of outer space. There have been a lot of death-doom bands surfacing recently, but Void Rot are better than most of them. Their debut is out now on  Everlasting Spew / Sentient Ruin , and can be heard below. We look forward to a full-length from these guys.

Evoken should need no introduction, but if you do need one then see  here . Drummer and founding member Vince Verkay did us the honour of answering these questions. 1. You've announced that you will be releasing a new album this year, what can we expect from it (as compared to your last album, or in general)? That's correct, the release date will be announced in two weeks. Of course it's Evoken, so all the elements you expect to hear are there, but this album is by far our most ambitious.  It's not an album you can listen to once and understand everything.  It's complex, yet it doesn't confuse the listener. People will hear some new ideas added because it serves a purpose within the songs.  2. Everything you’ve released to date has been outstanding, and you've been together more than twenty years, how have you managed to keep the bar so high? I appreciate that, thank you. There's nothing special we do, but we always make sure nothing is ...

If you are unfamiliar with Ov Shadows, see here first. Guitarist Anders Ahlbäck answered these questions. 1. The Darkness Between Stars is one of the best albums of 2018 so far, how has the response been? From the few who have actually heard it, it's been great. But, as most are probably aware, the current black metal scene is crowded with several releases each day. Reaching out as a new band is surely a challenge. 2. The Monologues EP (2016) is also excellent, is the album helping the EP get more of the attention it deserves? Yes, slightly so. 3. Do you have any previous/other bands, and how did Ov Shadows form? We have all been involved in several bands before Ov Shadows - Obitus, Waning, Clonaeon, Vaticide, Styckmord, Slaughtercult to name a few; Obitus is still active. Ov Shadows formed from the ashes of Waning – we were all feeling strongly that Waning had drifted in the wrong direction for too long. That, combined with a general need to do something 'n...

Following on from posts about Darkthrone's first and latest  full-lengths, this is a record from the middle of their discography. Ravishing Grimness was released by Moonfog Productions in 1999, but has been reissued by a number of other labels over the years. It's a more mature affair than its predecessors - which is perhaps why it's often underrated, if not overlooked entirely. Make no mistake, though - it's a solid effort. The Claws of Time is one of the very best songs from the band's catalogue, the album is worth picking up for that track alone. It can be heard below, and you can grab yourself a copy here .

Following a post about the most recent Darkthrone full-length , this one focuses on the first. And no, you didn't misread - Soulside Journey is a death metal album. After this record the band went on to become an integral part of the Norwegian black metal scene - dropping A Blaze In The Northern Sky in 1992, the first installment in their 'unholy trinity' of early black metal releases. But this album, released in 1991 on Peaceville, was recorded at Sunlight Studios in Stockholm - and that shows. Swedish influences aside, it's a somewhat technical and progressive death metal affair. A far cry from the style which they're best known for, but an excellent release nonetheless. Darkthrone's debut can be previewed below, and acquired  here .

Darkthrone needs no introduction, these Norweigian pioneers have been around for more than thirty years now. 2016's Arctic Thunder, released by Peaceville, is their seventeenth full-length and their strongest for quite some time. It draws from the back catalogue, while also continuing to break new ground; and features some truly great riffs. Darkthrone will never please everyone by pleasing themselves, but long may that continue. Concise and powerful blackened heavy metal, which demands repeated listening. The album can be heard below, and purchased here .

Cryptic Grave is a death metal band with old school leanings from Bordeaux (France). They formed in 2015, and self-released a self-titled demo in 2017. 2018 has seen a CD reissue of that demo, along with new intro and outro tracks, by Great Dane Records. Well-written and well-executed, the EP is a highly enjoyable listen. Hints of  Death ,  Obituary  and  Bolt Thrower ; among others. You can hear a couple of tracks below, and buy it  here .

A 2015 release from Memento Mori here. Austerymn is an English band, with a healthy dose of Swedish influence. Death metal with old school flavours; and particularly strong lead guitar work. This project began in 2007, but its main songwriters also played in bands together during the '90s. Sepulcrum Viventium is their only full-length to date; fingers crossed for another one in the near future. You can listen to a track from it below, and pick up a copy here . These guys are well worth catching live, too.

Melodic blackened death-doom from Kentucky. Rotting Kingdom's first and only EP is a very good one indeed. Three well-written, well-executed, well-produced songs; all of which demand repeated listening. Self-released digitally (and given a limited cassette release by Morbid Records) in 2017; 2018 has seen CD and vinyl treatments from Godz Ov War and Boris Records, respectively. You can hear the self-titled debut below, and buy it  here .

For an introduction to Morast, see here . "F.", the band's vocalist, answered a few questions... 1. Ancestral Void (2017) was an excellent debut, how has the response been? So far we can't complain. For such a dark sound you need the right mood.  2. How would you describe the style of metal you play? Uncompromising darkness. No matter which genre you want to put it in, darkness connects all our songs. 3. How did the band form? Somewhere in 2015 by me and J.. The other boys (L. & R.) connected with us in August 2015. 4. It’s a clichéd question, but who are your main influences (if indeed you feel you have influences)? From my side it is Celtic Frost, Burning Witch, Beatrik, Mortifera, Satyricon, Triptykon. 5. Could you talk a little about the band's lyrical content? My texts are very personal and mostly report sad topics. But always from a certain solid position, I'm not whining 🙂 6. Do you have any future plans you can share wi...

An introductory post about Assumption can be found here . This interview is with Giorgio, who does everything but drums for the project. 1. Absconditus is one of the best albums of 2018 so far, how has the response been? Thank you for the kind words. The response has been good so far, lots of very nice reviews worldwide. Plus, all at Everlasting Spew and Sentient Ruin are putting a lot of effort into the diffusion of our album. We couldn't be happier. 2. Your earlier releases are also excellent, is the new album helping the older material get more of the attention it deserves? Thank you once again. I don't know if the new album will drag our previous releases into the sunlight. I think that The Three Appearances was a good mix of our different influences, but Absconditus is a more organic work. And speaking personally, I am always concentrating on the present moment. 3. Your more psychedelic elements/moments are very powerful, and pretty unique, are you Pink Flo...