DEAD METAL

If you don't already know Graceless, then see here first. This interview is with Jasper Aptroot, who plays bass for the band. 1. Shadowlands (2017) is an outstanding album, how has the response been to that? The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Everything that has happened since the release has exceeded our expectations and we are very grateful for all the support we have received. 2. You've announced that you will be releasing a new album this year, what can we expect from it (as compared to your debut, or in general)? We really love the Dutch death metal sound and we will always stay true to these roots. The new album is going to be a logical next step following Shadowlands. If you liked our first album then I'm confident you will not be disappointed with the second release. 3. It’s a clichéd question, but who are your main influences (if indeed you feel you have influences)? We play ourselves but most of all we are fans of extreme metal. There...

For an introduction to None, see here . The band's first two full-lengths were released on 11th April (of both 2017 and 2018), and number three is arriving like clockwork. As with its predecessors, this is a haunting slab of atmospheric depressive black metal. Accessible would be the wrong word, but it certainly is captivating. Prepare to be transported to a land of contrast - cold and warmth, space and suffocation, sadness and catharsis, beauty and pain. None navigate (and indeed balance) those extremes very well, producing albums which keep on calling you back for more. These guys stand head and shoulders above most of their contemporaries, and deserve a lot more attention. Damp Chill Of Life can be pre-ordered, from Hypnotic Dirge Records,  here . The title track can be streamed below, or via the link above.

25 albums, from 25 bands that haven't been featured before. Delirium ( Netherlands ) - Zzooouhh ( Prophecy, 1990 ): Cerebral Fix ( UK ) - Tower Of Spite ( Roadracer, 1990 ): Desecrator ( UK ) - Subconscious Release ( R.K.T, 1990 ): Therion ( Sweden ) - Of Darkness ( Deaf, 1991 ): Morgoth ( Germany ) - Cursed ( Century Media, 1991 ): Immortalis ( Germany ) - Indicium De Mortuis ( Morbid, 1991 ): Sadus ( US ) - A Vision Of Misery ( Roadracer, 1992 ): Cianide ( US ) - The Dying Truth ( Grind Core, 1992 ): Cemetary ( Sweden ) - An Evil Shade Of Grey ( Black Mark, 1992 ): Polluted Inheritance ( Netherlands ) - Ecocide (W est Virginia, 1992 ): Sentenced ( Finland ) - Shadows Of The Past ( Thrash, 1992 ): Solstice ( US ) - Solstice ( Century Media, 1992 ): Brutality ( US ) - Screams Of Anguish ( Nuclear Blast, 1993 ): Killing Addiction ( US ) - Omega Factor ( JL America, 1993 ): Decompos...

A mysterious one man band from Israel here. Spread My Ashes is the project's first full-length, brought to us by Redefining Darkness. It's a short album - seven tracks, clocking in at under thirty minutes. There's nothing wrong with being concise, though. Zohamah is a word from the Kabbalah that apparently translates to 'darkness' or 'pollution', which is certainly apt. The release is probably best-described as atmospheric, depressive sludgy blackened death-doom. An interesting offering, from a somewhat unusual part of the world for such music. You can hear this impressive debut below, and buy it here .

FaithXtractor is a death metal band from Ohio. Here we have their debut full-length, originally released by Aphotic Records in 2007. Morbid Records went on to reissue it on cassette in 2017; then 2018 saw a CD reissue from Reaper/Redefining Darkness, and a vinyl pressing from Reaper/Redefining Darkness/Austenitized. The CD features four bonus tracks - the band's contributions to a 2007 split with Crucified Mortals on Hells Headbangers. Thrashy death metal with hints of Deicide  and  Monstrosity , amongst others. Also one for fans of the first  Macabra  album. Catchy riffs, excellent lead guitar work, strong vocals... it's a highly enjoyable listen. You can preview Razing The World Of Myth below, and buy it here .

Behemoth are the kings of blackened death metal. They hail from Gdańsk in Poland, and as the name of this album would suggest they have a strong Satanic theme. Despite having been active since 1991, their crown only really came to them with the release of their tenth full-length. Brought to us by Nuclear Blast in 2014, it was recorded following singer and guitarist Nergal's successful battle with cancer. His struggles doubtless helped to make the album as powerful as it is, and indeed to gain it the audience it deserved. It's a very solid record as a whole, but a few of the best tracks can be streamed below. If you like what you hear, you can acquire a copy  here .

Cannibal Corpse is the top-selling death metal band of all time. They formed in Buffalo, in 1988; later moving to Tampa; and over thirty years (and fourteen studio albums) later they are still a force to be reckoned with. A political attack from Senator Bob Dole, and a guest appearance in Ace Ventura Pet Detective, helped them to gain their popularity; along with their gruesome cover art. But here are three reasons why they really are worthy of your attention/three 'ways in' if you are yet to become a fan: 1. They're an incredible live band. Live Cannibalism  (2000) is a good demonstration of this, but there's no substitute for experiencing it in person. 2. However you feel about the music, their documentaries are pure gold;  Centuries Of Torment (2008) and Global Evisceration (2011) in particular. 3. In amongst all of the extreme brutality they have produced some songs which any death metal fan should love, nine examples of which can be found below (al...

Birmingham's Napalm Death arguably founded the grindcore scene in the 1980s. They were certainly hugely influential, with their revolutionary 1987 full-length Scum in particular. By the early 1990s their sound had changed, as they deviated from their punk roots and incorporated more death metal stylings. Both of those periods deserve separate posts, as does their post-millennial period - with a 38 year history full of development, one post will simply not suffice. This entry focuses on their underappreciated mid-'90s era, when they had become more of a death metal band than anything else. Anyone who isn't familiar with that era can find a few choice tracks from a few choice albums below. Plague Rages (from Fear Emptiness Despair , 1994): Glimpse Into Genocide (from Diatribes , 1995): Inside The Torn Apart (from Inside The Torn Apart , 1997):

If you are unfamiliar with Necronomicon, see here first. Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Rob The Witch 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 previous albums, or in general)? The new album has some more extreme parts as well as some parts that sound almost commercial, if I can use that term considering the kind of music we do. Also we have pushed to another level with the production. We wanted to have something that reflects on our 30 years but at the same time isn't restrained by anything - so again we let ourselves go to new things that we never did before, in terms of how some parts in some songs are composed. People who like raw and extreme music will be served, as well as the those who like more ambient and emotional stuff. 2. Rise Of The Elder Ones (2013) was an outstanding album, do you have fond memories of recording and releasing it? ...

Deicide should need no introduction. Original Tampa death metal legends, they are probably best known for their extreme brand of blasphemy. The band formed in 1989 (or 1987 if you count Amon, their previous incarnation) and is still going strong today. Once Upon The Cross is the third of twelve albums released to date, and was brought to us by Roadrunner in 1995. It's a controversial statement, not least given that it isn't as brutal as its predecessors, but this is quite possibly their finest work. Memorable songs, riddled with infectious riffs; superb drumming; great production... You can hear the opening/title track below, and pick up a copy here .

Necronomicon formed more than thirty years ago. The band hails from Quebec (Canada), and plays blackened death metal. Rise Of The Elder Ones is their fourth full-length (of five), released by Season Of Mist in 2013. It features symphonic parts, thrash elements, blast beats aplenty; and particularly strong vocals and guitar work. Hints of Behemoth, Morbid Angel, Nile... but having been around for so long these guys definitely have their own style. The title track is a real highlight, but the album is an enjoyable listen from beginning to end. You can do that listening below, and purchase it here .

This Finnish black metal band has been active for 25 years. Thanks to their longevity (albeit with a lot of member changes) and productivity (often producing multiple bodies of work in a single year) they have a huge back catalogue; and pretty much every offering includes some worthwhile material. There will probably be further posts about Horna in the future; this is for anyone who doesn't know where to start with their catalogue. Below are seven choice tracks from seven particularly choice releases... Imperial Devastation  (from  Kohti Yhdeksän Nousua , 1998): Yhdeksän Yö (from Haudankylmyyden Mailla , 1999): Ars Laternarum (from Viha Ja Viikate , 2003): Vihan Tie (from  Envaatnags Eflos Solf Esgantaavne , 2005): Mustan Surman Rukous (from  Ääniä Yössä , 2006): Uskonpauhu (from Kuolleiden Kuu , 2018): Yksin Ikuinen (from  Kasteessa Kirottu , 2018): Start your journey into the horna (abyss) today.

Gone is the first offering from this German one man band. Autumn Laments has quite a lot in common with None - this is atmospheric, depressive black metal. It's a very strong album, especially for a solo act; and indeed for a debut. If bleak, melancholic music is your thing then don't sleep on this project. We look forward to hearing more from Autumn Laments in the future. You can download the release and/or order a cassette copy here . It can also be streamed below.

I is the only release to date from these Greek death metallers. The Psalm formed in 2013, and features members of the now-defunct Nocturnal Vomit. The band's impressive two track debut (which can be heard below) was originally released in 2015, by Unholy Domain  on cassette and Hell's Fire/Screaming Victims/Kill Yourself  on 7" . Repulsive Echo then released it  on CD  in 2017, along with three bonus tracks; and the digital version (without bonus tracks) is available directly from the band . Ataraxy  is probably the closest comparison, where the Asphyx-influenced vocals are concerned at least. ...aside from Nocturnal Vomit of course, which featured the same singer. Bring on the first full-length, which is said to be in the works.