DEAD METAL

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 ...