DEAD METAL

If you would like to win the two Black Market 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 (19th December). A winner will then be chosen at random, and notified on Facebook.

01  Krypts  -  Remnants Of Expansion  ( Dark Descent ,  2016 ) 02  Evoken  -  Atra Mors  ( Profound Lore ,  2012 ) 03  Antichrist  -  Pax Moriendi  ( Iron Bonehead ,  2018 ) 04  Blood Incantation  -  Starspawn  ( Dark Descent ,  2016 ) 05  None  -  Damp Chill Of Life  ( Hypnotic Dirge ,  2019 ) 06  Carcass  -  Surgical Steel  ( Nuclear Blast ,  2013 ) 07  Immolation  -  Atonement  ( Nuclear Blast ,  2017 ) 08  Necrot  -  Blood Offerings  ( Tankcrimes ,  2017 ) 09  Burzum  -  Belus  ( Byelobog ,  2010 ) 10  Spectral Voice  -  Necrotic Doom  ( Dark Descent ,  2015 )

Pornographic Seizures is the first eleven minutes of music from these guys. It sounds like it could have been recorded at the same studio as Malignant Altar 's outstanding debut (another 2019 release). And indeed, Maggot Stomp (who have released Sanguisugabogg's EP) have now put out versions of Malignant Altar's demo as well. A label to watch, it would seem, if you enjoy authentic-sounding old school-style death metal. ...and certainly a band to watch, too. Very strong songwriting, impressive performances... The limited CD and cassette editions are long gone, but you can still download it  here . The four-tracker can also be streamed in its entirety below.

This was vocalist Chris Barnes' first offering after leaving  Cannibal Corpse  in 1995. Released that same year, on Metal Blade, it is considered by many to be Six Feet Under's best album. Musically it sounds a lot like  Obituary ; which isn't surprising given that it was co-written by Allen West of Obituary fame. Some people don't like the similarity, but frankly it's hard to understand the criticism - who doesn't want to hear a classic Cannibal Corpse/classic Obituary hybrid? Groovy, mid-paced death metal; loaded with catchy riffs; and with a very strong performance from Mr Barnes. An underrated album for sure, if you aren't familiar then you should do something about that. You can listen to Haunted below, and buy a copy  here .

Disma hails from New Jersey and features former members of Incantation. The Profound Lore/Doomentia release pictured above is the band's only full-length to date. Towards The Megalith is a claustrophobic doom-laden death metal experience. Extremely heavy; probably one of the heaviest albums of the past decade in fact. But, thanks to the production, it is a lot more accessible than it should be on paper. Special mention also has to go to the excellent artwork by Ola Larsson. You can acquire yourself a hard copy  here , or download it  here . ...and the 2011 debut's title track can be heard below. The Manifestation  ( Necroharmonic, 2011 ) and  The Graveless Remains  ( Profound Lore, 2017 ) are both highly worthwhile purchases too.

Previous posts about The Chasm can be found here . You can probably expect more posts about the band in future, too (including 2001's  Reaching The Veil Of Death and 2002's  Conjuration Of The Spectral Empire . The production on this sophomore album might not be quite as strong as the already-covered full-lengths, but it is still well worth owning. Originally released by The Art/Reborn in 1996, it went on to be reissued by Lux Inframundis in 2013. Sadly all physical copies are now  very hard to find , but you can download it  here . From The Lost Years can also be previewed in full below. The artwork pictured at the top is from the reissue, in case you are wondering why the video features a different cover.

2009's Farseeing The Paranormal Abysm is featured here . The full-length which preceded that is Spell Of Retribution (2004). It was released on Wicked World, a subsidiary of the mighty Earache Records. Another highly recommended offering from The Chasm - a highly underrated band. More accomplished epic, atmospheric, doom-laden, progressive, blackened death metal. If you enjoy anything else by these guys, you will more than likely enjoy this too. You can hunt down physical copy here , or download a copy  here . The album can also be streamed in its entirety below.

Partisan  came out almost exactly a year ago. Out Of The Frontline Trench is a new five-tracker from the thrash metal legends. Both EPs precede Genesis XIX - the band's forthcoming full-length, which is planned for release (on Steamhammer/SPV, as usual) in 2020. This second teaser features the forthcoming album's title track; along with two exclusive tracks, a re-recording of the classic Agent Orange, and a live version of Bombenhagel. The exclusive tracks are certainly strong enough to make it a highly worthwhile purchase, for die-hard Sodom fans at least. In any case, it is another clear indication that we should all be eagerly anticipating the follow-up to  Decision Day . You can give it a listen below, and order a copy here .

Darkened is something of a 'supergroup'. It features the excellent Andy Whale  (of  Bolt Thrower  and  Memoriam  fame). It also features members of Funebrarum and Excruciate, amongst other bands. Into The Blackness is their first release, courtesy of Edged Circle/Chaos Records. Four tracks of exceptional old-school-leaning death metal, with a hint of black metal. This debut shows more than promise - these guys are a force to be reckoned with. Masterful songwriting, powerful execution, solid production... groove, melody... You can hear a track from the EP below, and purchase it here .

01  Krypts - Cadaver Circulation (Dark Descent) 02 None - Damp Chill Of Life (Hypnotic Dirge) 03  Malignant Altar - Retribution Of Jealous Gods  (Not On Label) 04 Blood Incantation - Hidden History Of The Human Race (Dark Descent/Century Media) 05  Disentomb - The Decaying Light  (Unique Leader) 06  Memoriam - Requiem For Mankind  (Nuclear Blast) 07  Vltimas ‎– Something Wicked Marches In  (Season Of Mist) 08  Mortiferum - Disgorged From Psychotic Depths  (Profound Lore) 09  Kever - Primordial Offerings  (Dark Descent) 10 Zohamah - Spread My Ashes (Redefining Darkness) *edit*  Frozen Soul - Encased In Ice  and Imprecation - Damnatio Ad Bestias should have made this list

An introduction to Cannibal Corpse can be found here . 1991's Butchered At Birth is their second full-length, released (like the rest of their catalogue) on Metal Blade. It is absolutely one of their strongest works, a stone cold classic. It isn't death metal for beginners, though; which is somewhat ironic given the band's popularity. These guys are something of an acquired taste in general, albeit one that has clearly spread. If you are somehow unfamiliar with this one, you should rectify that. You can preview the album below, and acquire it here .

Morgoth has been featured once before,  here . This is the German legends' most recent full-length, from 2015. It's a controversial statement, but it could be their best work to date. As with the rest of their catalogue, it was released by Century Media. Ungod was the band's first album since 1996, and they are now on hiatus again. The mostly-new line-up did tour extensively in support of this album, though. Catchy music, strong vocals... absolutely solid death metal. You can stream a choice track below, and buy it here .

Nuclear Assault was formed by Dan Lilker in 1984, following his departure from  Anthrax . Handled With Care is the underrated New York band's third full-length, released in 1989. It was their finest hour in commercial terms; and quite possibly creative terms as well. Socio-political messages aplenty, as you might have guessed from the cover; but also a healthy dose of humour. Hardcore and speed metal influences, and an often-quite-high-pitched vocal style that won't be for everyone. Thirty years later, the album still holds up. Spend some time with it if you are unfamiliar. You can listen to the opening track below, and pick up a copy here .

Continuing the recent  dungeon synth theme... A 2019 release this time, brought to us by Hypnagoga Press. This is the only Aindulmedir offering to date, although Pär Boström does appear to have a number of other projects. He describes Aindulmedir as "winter music for bibliophiles and hermits." And indeed, the album does feel like a lone journey through some cold ethereal landscape. It is a sublime thirty-six minute experience that is not to be missed. You can hear Lunar Lexicon below, and order a copy  here .

Leviathan is best-known for being a black metal solo project. A Silhouette In Splinters, however, is a dark ambient offering. It sits very comfortably alongside the dungeon synth featured earlier this month. Even if you aren't normally a fan of Jef Whitehead (a.k.a. Wrest)'s work, you might well enjoy this. These are powerful compositions, and are executed masterfully. They really take you somewhere. The full-length first surfaced as a limited vinyl-only release on Profound Lore, in 2005. It has since seen been reissued by Hammerheart, Moribund and others. You can preview the album below, and acquire a copy here .

For an introduction to Blood Incantation, see  here . The band's second full-length is out 22nd November, on Dark Descent/Century Media. 2016's Starspawn set the bar extremely high, and Hidden History Of The Human Race does not disappoint. It only contains four tracks; but the last album only contained five, and was actually slightly shorter. No particular stylistic changes on this one, and it carries all of the same hallmarks; although it is a touch more progressive. With Century Media's involvement, not to mention a good deal of quality touring under their belts, these guys seem set to reach new heights. You can stream two tracks below, and pre-order it  here .

Another outstanding dungeon synth offering for you here. This time from a very mysterious artist - we don't even know what country they originate from. This seven-tracker was originally released on cassette in 2017, and has now been given a CD pressing, by Dark Age Productions. These are imaginative, intelligent, powerful pieces; otherworldly and sinister; captivating and haunting in equal measure. In short, this album/mini-album is everything that dungeon synth should be. You can preview Curse Of Dark Centuries below, and buy it  here . We look forward to more from Catacombs Enshadowed.

Old Tower is a Dutch dungeon synth artist; and a very fine example of the genre. If there is a place for such music in your life then you should absolutely invest some time here... The Rise Of The Spectral Horizons actually comprises two releases - Spectral Horizons ( Tour De Garde / Shunned House ,  2016 ) and The Rise Of The Specter ( Tour De Garde / The Shadow Kingdom ,  2017 ). Only four tracks in total, but they are long tracks. Profound Lore produced a limited edition double CD version (500 copies) late last year, which is well worth picking up  if you can . Failing that, you can download it  here . You can listen to the compilation in its entirety below. 2018 saw Profound Lore release a limited edition CD called  Stellarly Wisdom , as well. Two new tracks, amounting to thirty minutes of music in total - which is also well worth owning; and can be heard below. You can purchase the CD (and download)  here , or see ...

You can find posts about a couple of the Roadrunner classics  here . More of those posts to follow; and possibly one about the Earache years too. ...but it is now time to take a look at their most recent output - for Century Media. The label signed Deicide ten years ago now, and have released three of their full-lengths. They are all solid efforts, and have got progressively stronger - which bodes well for the future. The band has had a lot of guitarists come and go over the past decade, but that hasn't set them back. Original members Steve Asheim and Glen Benton have clearly got the formula down. Choice tracks from albums ten, eleven and twelve can be streamed below. Further below you will find a choice live performance from this era. Into The Darkness You Go (from To Hell With God , 2011) In The Minds Of Evil (from I n The Minds Of Evil , 2013) Seal The Tomb Below (from Overtures Of Blasphemy , 2018) Live @ Hellfest 2016

1914 has been featured on this blog  previously . If you enjoyed last year's outstanding The Blind Leading The Blind, then you would do well to journey back into the band's past. Specifically, to this - their debut, released in 2015 on Archaic Sound - which also deserves a place in your collection. The production isn't as strong, but otherwise it is very much along the same lines as the Ukranians' sophomore effort - more extremely well-executed Bolt Thrower-style death metal with doom and black metal elements. ...and more of those highly effective wartime/war-themed samples. You can download it it here , or find a physical copy here . A track from the album can also be previewed below.

Carnal Dissection featured two members of  Baphomet . ...and they sound a lot like Baphomet. Which is no bad thing, at all. The band also featured former members of Tirant Sin, which in turn featured future members of Cannibal Corpse . These guys hailed, as you might imagine from the above description, from Buffalo New York. Only active between 1991 and 1993, this compilation includes all of their recorded material. Specifically - two demos, some rehearsals, and some live tracks - sixteen tracks in total. Discography Of Gore clocks in at 66 minutes, a suitably-sinister number of minutes. Sevared/Legacy Of Death released a CD version in 2012, but that is hard to find . You can, however, download a copy  here ; and hear it in full below.

Mortiferum is a three-year-old American death-doom band, and this is their debut full-length. It follows a solid self-released demo ( Altar Of Decay ) and drops tomorrow courtesy of Profound Lore. Well-produced, and not inaccessible; it is also crushing, dissonant, and filthy. The lead guitar work is particularly enjoyable, but no element falls short. Lots of old school leanings, and Finnish death metal influence aplenty. This one is likely to make a lot of end-of-year lists, for good reason. Disgorged From Psychotic Depths stands very tall in the crowd. You can stream the opening track below, and order it  here . *edit* The split with Hyperdontia is also worth checking.

Selbst is a band from Venezuela, and Sun & Moon Records is a Transylvanian label. Those things alone should make you want to give this 2017 release a listen. Upon doing so, you will find that it is excellent. Powerful vocals, strong musical ideas; this self-titled debut has a lot to offer. It's atmospheric black metal, with death metal elements, and some progressive moments. These guys have been active since 2010, but this is their only full-length to date. You can give it the aforementioned listen below, and buy it  here .

These guys hail from Ohio, and have been active since 2011. We Of Scorn is their second full-length, brought to us by Hell's Headbangers. Shed The Skin shares members with  FaithXtractor , Incantation,  and an array of other bands . Their 'sound' is probably best-described as hook-laden death metal, with thrash elements and perhaps some black metal influences where the vocals are concerned. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then picking up a copy of this album is highly recommended. ...not least because Hell's Headbangers are currently selling CD copies for $1! This sophomore effort can be previewed below, and purchased  here .

Dead Corner Of The Eye is an obscure death metal classic. This stellar 2005 Metal Fortress   release is the Danish band's only full-length. They split up two years after putting it out, which is a real shame given the quality here. Usipian brought an old school sound to the table, along with some outstanding songwriting. Groovy, catchy, progressive, intelligent; but also brutal. It really is pretty phenomenal all round. Boasting artwork from Dan Seagrave, it's hard to imagine why more people don't know about it. You can bag a copy of the CD, or the 2011 Serpent Pulse vinyl reissue,  here . This underrated gem can also be heard in its entirety below.

A previous post about Decide can be found here . Yes, this is a live release; but it's a classic nonetheless. It is a best of the band's early/best material, played by the original line-up. It is also outstanding in terms of the performance, not to mention the (Morrisound) production. When Satan Lives followed Serpents Of The Light - the fourth full-length (which is also essential listening). Recorded in Chicago, it was released on Roadrunner in 1998. The live album can be streamed below, and acquired here .

Here we have the third full-length from this decade-old Australian band. It's brutal death metal, but with enough melody to keep things really interesting. The outstanding cover art pulls you in, and the music grows on you with every listen. Some incredible guitar work, and some very strong songwriting in general. Released on Unique Leader, it will no doubt make a lot of end-of-year lists. Hard to imagine another brutal death metal album coming close really. You can listen to The Decaying Light below, and buy it  here .

If you like Burzum , you should also appreciate Strid. A lesser-known contemporary, but an originator of depressive black metal nevertheless. This compilation features the pioneering Norwegian black metal band's entire discography. It includes three demos and a 7" (amounting to thirteen tracks in total), all of which were recorded in the early '90s. The material is in reverse order - first up are three tracks from 1993-4; which are the main reason to hunt down a copy. Those are followed by ten tracks that were originally self-released under the name Malfeitor, during 1991-2, which are also well worth a listen. Brought to us by Kyrck Productions in 2007, the CD was limited to a thousand copies - so should be a lot harder to get hold of than it is. You can preview the first two tracks below, and purchase it  here .

See here for an introduction to Malignant Altar. These questions were answered by the band's guitarist, Beau Beasleybeau. 1. Retribution Of Jealous Gods is an exceptional demo, how has the response been so far? It's been great. I didn’t really know what to expect when we were about to release the tape but the amount of letters, reviews (yours included) and tape orders have really blown me away. The amount of help that both Maggot Stomp and The Other Records have given us has really helped get the demo into a lot of people's hands and I’m forever in both of their debts for this.  2. Ceremonial Decapitator (live demo) is also great, have you been doing many live shows? So far we have only done two shows. When we started the band we all kind of made the decision to not play many shows, but maybe do three or four really sick shows a year. I've always been a fan of bands who didn’t play much because I feel it lends a level of mystique to what they do. We ...

Other Slayer albums have been featured  here and here . Their sophomore effort should need no introduction, but for anyone that is new to extreme metal... It was released on Metal Blade/Combat/Roadrunner in 1985. Reign In Blood (the album which followed) is widely considered to be the band's finest hour, but its predecessor is also a very important offering. This is where they really defined their sound - a sound which continues to stand apart from all others to this day. If you don't own it (along with at least Reign In Blood, South Of Heaven and Seasons In The Abyss) then you should do something about that immediately. You can hear Hell Awaits below, and pick up a copy  here .

A post about Necrophobic's debut can be found  here . Next up we have the Stockholm band's most recent full-length, which was released on Century Media in 2018. It's almost as if twenty-six years didn't pass between the two albums, where the music is concerned. ...and this is the first album since The Nocturnal Silence to feature Anders Strokirk on vocals. Whether you've followed these guys in the interim or not, you should give it a listen. Well-executed black metal with death metal elements and Slayer influences. You can stream Mark Of The Necrogram below, and buy it  here .

Memoriam have been featured a number of times previously . Requiem For Mankind is the British band's third album, in as many years. As with the others in this trilogy it is brought to us by Nuclear Blast, with artwork coming from the excellent Dan Seagrave. It has never felt like anyone has been going through the motions, though, and all of the hard work has certainly paid off here again. Fans of the first two records will not be disappointed, and Bolt Thrower  fans shouldn't be either. Killer riffs, powerful vocals, great drumming... it's probably the best one yet. You can listen to the opening track below, and purchase it here . Here's hoping that these guys carry on and do more.

New Jersey's Crush The Altar have produced a powerful first demo. Abhorrent Oblation is sixteen minutes (three tracks) of old school-style death-thrash. On the death metal side of things there are hints of  Morbid Angel  and  Vader , and on the thrash metal side there are  Sodom  and  Sepultura  influences. The net result is an offering which could be filed next to bands such as  Captor ,  Krabathor  and  Agretator . Originally self-released digitally in March, it has now been picked up (and is being given the cassette treatment) by Redefining Darkness. These guys only formed last year, and their debut shows more than promise. You can preview the EP below, and acquire it  here .

You can read about the most recent Sodom releases here . This post focuses on the sophomore full-length, released on Steamhammer in 1987. Persecution Mania can take a few listens to really get into, leading to it often being overshadowed by its more-accessible successor (Agent Orange, 1989). But make no mistake - this is a gritty, brutal, stone cold thrash metal classic. Leaps and bounds beyond the band's previous works, in technical terms at least, it stands more-than-comfortably alongside efforts from any of their contemporaries around this time. A CD copy is particularly recommended, as it will likely include the Expurse Of Sodomy EP as a bonus; along with a re-recording of Outbreak Of Evil. The album can be heard below, and you can pick up a copy  here . P.S. Watch this space for more Sodom album posts - Agent Orange, Better Off Dead, Tapping The Vein, M-16, Sodom... this is a band with some excellent albums!

A previous post about Krypts can be found here . This is the band's third full-length. It arrives three years after the last, which in turn came three years before the first. As with its predecessors, Cadaver Circulation is a dark, atmospheric slab of crushing-but-relatively-accessible death-doom. These guys remain a cut above their contemporaries, and are still very much yet to put a foot wrong. Their sound is progressing, but in a completely measured and fitting way. Artwork from Timo Ketola tops off the package nicely once again. You can pre-order from Dark Descent , or from the band directly . The album can also be previewed in its entirety below.

These Tampa legends should need no introduction, but for anyone that does need one... Altars Of Madness was the debut full-length, and is one of the most revered and influential death metal releases of all time. Recorded at Morrisound in 1988, it was released on Earache in 1989; with artwork from Dan Seagrave. From the opening track (Immortal Rites) to the closer (Evil Spells), it's a powerhouse. 1991's Blessed Are The Sick was the follow-up, which has proved to be almost as influential as its predecessor. Also recorded at Morrisound (and indeed released by Earache), it boasts a significant progression where production values are concerned; not to mention a wealth of great material. Offering number three was Covenant, released in 1993 by Earache/Giant. In part due to Giant's involvement, it went on to become the all-time best-selling death metal album. Whatever the reasons behind its commercial success, 'selling out' was not among them. ...

A post about Vader's debut is  here . Below are choice tracks from eleven other choice albums, for anyone that is unfamilar. Thirty-six years into their career, they are still going strong - with a new EP being released later this month, and a new full-length on the way. One of the most consistent death metal acts in terms of content, they have always brought a healthy dose of Slayer influence to the table. They are also highly impressive in a live situation, main man (and only constant member) Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek in particular. Vader is a band with a very strong formula, get yourself hooked today. Sothis (from Sothis , 1994): Silent Empire (from De Profundis , 1995): Fractal Light (from Black To The Blind , 1997): Wings (from  Litany , 2000): Epitaph  (from Revelations , 2002): Dark Transmission (from  The Beast , 2004): What Colour Is Your Blood? (from The Art Of War , 2005): Shadowfear (...

Retribution Of Jealous Gods shows more than promise. Three tracks of outstanding authentic-sounding old school-style death metal. Strong Morbid Angel influence, along with hints of contemporary death-doom bands such as  Krypts . The band shares a bassist with the also-excellent  Necrofier ; and everything else about this debut is great too - the guitar work, the drumming, the vocals, the synth at the end of the last track... exceptional stuff. Hailing from Houston, the five-piece has self-released this EP both digitally and on cassette. It can be streamed in full below, and bought  here . A two track live demo is also available. These guys are apparently working on a full-length, so fingers crossed that materialises. Malignant Altar is absolutely one to watch in any case.

This is the first release from a blackened death metal supergroup. The project features David Vincent (of Morbid Angel fame), along with Rune Eriksen (ex-Mayhem) and Florent Mounier (Cryptopsy). Vltimas very much feels like a 'real' band, however, perhaps a result of them having written the bulk of the album together in person (in spite of being geographically dispersed). It also sounds as though there will be more from these guys in the future, as opposed to this simply being a one-off release. Delivered to us by Season Of Mist, Something Wicked Marches In is a short album - clocking in at under forty minutes. Its brevity works to its advantage, though - there's a lot to like here, and nothing much not to like. Powerful vocals, sublime riffs, superb drumming... plenty to keep you coming back for more. You can hear this impressive debut below, and pick up a copy  here .

Eight albums, from eight bands that haven't been featured before. Abstracter ( US ) -  Cinereous Incarnate  ( Vendetta/Sentient Ruin/I Voidhanger, 2018 ) Blackened sludgy death-doom. Their 2016 split with Dark Circles is also recommended. Blasphemer ( UK ) - Blasphemer  ( Canometal, 2017 ) Debut album from this lesser-known old school-style death metal band. 2018 has seen the release of another. Faustcoven ( Norway ) -  In The Shadow Of Doom  ( Nuclear War Now!, 2018 ) Fourth full-length from this seventeen-year-old solo project. Black metal with stoner/doom influences. Gaerea  ( Portugal ) -  Unsettling Whispers  ( Transcending Obscurity, 2018 ) Debut album, from a black metal band which previously released an EP on Everlasting Spew. Hints of Behemoth. Innumerable Forms  ( US ) - Punishment in Flesh ( Profound Lore, 2018 ) Another debut, this time of the sludgy death-doom variety. Originally a one man b...