DEAD METAL

An introductory post about Memoriam can be found  here ; and a recent interview with drummer Andy Whale  here . With only a year between their debut and this album, it's safe to say that Memoriam are a productive band. The Silent Vigil is a more than solid follow-up, too - it builds on their previous effort, while also opening up successful new directions. It's great to see veterans of the death metal scene at the top of their game in 2018; and, of course, to see the memory of Bolt Thrower honoured so well. You can hear a couple of tracks from this Nuclear Blast release below, and pick up a copy  here .

A post about Immolation's latest album, Atonement, can be found here . Fans of Atonement should also enjoy Providence, a five track EP from 2011. Another example of the band firing on all cylinders here, a really solid release. It was originally made available for free, by Toyota's now-defunct Scion A/V label. Original pressings (as pictured above) are now hard to find , and certainly aren't free. If you struggle to get one for a reasonable price, (jewel case) reissues are available  here .

Swedish melodic blackened death metal from the formative period of the Gothenburg sound. Don't let the Gothenburg reference put you off, though, if you aren't a fan of that style in general - this album is pretty unique, and it's OSDM gold. Delivered with passion, executed with precision, loaded with groove. Released by Wrong Again Records in 1993, and reissued by Regain Records in 2001 (along with two bonus tracks); both versions are now hard to find. You can hear the album below, and invest in a copy  here .

Slumber of Sullen Eyes is a Finnish death metal classic. It was released by Drowned Productions in 1992, and has been reissued several times since 2006 by Xtreem Music. The reissues also feature 1991's Unholy Domain demo. It's a crushing album, but involves plenty of melody; the riff-work is outstanding, and the slow sections really set it apart from the crowd. Demigod's debut is well-written, executed and recorded; and it has aged accordingly. You can listen to it below, and buy here .

For an early example of exceptional death-doom, you need look no further than Sweden's Eternal Darkness. And all of their output, recorded during 1991 and 1992, was reissued on a single CD by Morbid Wrath/Necroharmonic in 2006. 'Total Darkness' features two demos, a 7", a previously unreleased track, and a previously unreleased album. 70 minutes of music in total. A highly underappreciated band, worthy of a lot more attention. You can listen to the compilation below, and buy it here .

Posts about more recent Cruciamentum releases can be found here and here . Engulfed in Desolation came out in 2011, on Nuclear Winter Records. Worth buying for the cover alone, you also get four tracks of crushing death metal here. A little less melody to be found on this release than on those previously featured, but still more than enough hooks to bring you back for repeated listening. You can listen to the EP below, and purchase it here .

Morbidity hail from Bangladesh, and this is their first and only full-length. Thrashy death metal, released by Memento Mori in 2014. Revealed From Ashes features some very strong songwriting, and is performed extremely well. It also strikes a good balance between old school and modern. The album can be previewed below, and purchased  here .

A post about Cruciamentum's debut album can be found here . Now the band are back, on Profound Lore again, with a single called Paradise Envenomed. Fans of Charnel Passages will not be disappointed - this is an excellent track. The cover of Absu's Descent to Acheron on the b-side is also very good indeed. The limited 7" is sold out, but you can download the release  here .

The Chasm formed in Mexico, in 1992, but are now based in Chicago. Their 2009 album, Farseeing The Paranormal Abysm, is essential listening. Epic, atmospheric, doom-laden, progressive, blackened death metal; this is expansive stuff. It shifts constantly too, never sitting still for a moment, but that doesn't stop it from being coherent. Outstanding songwriting and musicianship; a highly accomplished release. You can listen to it below, and purchase a copy  here .

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 .

Sorrowful formed in Mexico, but are now located in Sweden. They play melodic death-doom, and have two very strong albums under their belt. In the Rainfall  was released by Russian label Solitude Productions in 2015: Grief of the Dying  was released by Mexican label Ablaze Productions in 2017: Both are atmospheric, anguish-laden gems; this is captivating stuff. Sorrowful deserve a lot more attention.

Slayer meets Left Hand Path on this 2017 release from 20 Buck Spin. Acephalix hail from San Francisco. They formed in 2007, split in 2011, and reformed in 2015. The band features Luca Indrio on bass - who is also bassist (and vocalist) for  Necrot . Decreation is old school but well-produced, abrasive but packed with catchy riffs; a solid album. It can be heard below, and purchased  here .

If you aren't already familiar with Spectral Voice, see here . This interview is with their drummer, Eli Wendler. 1. Eroded Corridors of Unbeing made a lot of 2017 end-of-year lists, are you pleased with the response so far? We're all very grateful at the reception of the record. We put a lot of work into making the record something that captures all aspects of the band, and I think we succeeded. Always nice when people appreciate your work.  2. There's a definite shift in sound, from 2015’s Necrotic Doom EP to the album; was that intentional, and if so what was the intention? I think it was more subconscious, but with a mentality towards evolution. The lyrics have become more introspective and "serious" (actually started in the last song of the demo) and we wanted to expand on those themes of katabasis, black meditations and shadow realization. The music reflected that. The songs on the album are actually in the order of which they were written, whi