DEAD METAL

Eulogy is a Tampa death metal original. Formed in 1989, the band featured Jason Avery of Monstrosity fame on vocals. There is a lot of  Morbid Angel  influence afoot, and perhaps some hints of  Immolation  too, but there are also elements that set these guys apart from the crowd - their use of female vocals on the opening track, for example. This 2016 compilation includes all of their material - 1994's Essence EP (originally released by Cenotaph Records); 1992's Dismal demo (recorded at the legendary Morrisound studio, which helps to explain how good it sounds); and a rehearsal track. Brought to us by Dark Symphonies (CD) and The Crypt (vinyl), it is a worthwhile addition to any old school death metal fan's collection. You can listen to it below, and hunt down a copy  here .

This Greek band formed in 1990, and their earliest output is the focus of this post. More specifically... 1. 1991's Temple Of The Lost Race EP (originally released by Black Power , and more recently reissued along with the also-excellent Forgotten Path demo by Floga ); and 2.  Mystic Places Of Dawn  -  the debut full-length, released on Holy Records in 1994 (and it is the original pressing you will want to hunt down, because it sounds way better than any of the remastered reissues). ...both of which can be heard in their entirety below. People tend to pigeonhole these Septic Flesh offerings as death metal, and the early work of many of their countrymates ( Rotting Christ, Varathron, Thou Art Lord ) as black metal, but they sit beside each other very comfortably indeed. They share doom elements, and powerful synth work, and plenty more besides.

Vaal ("Faded") is one of several projects from this Dutch solo artist, who is also responsible for the exceptional dungeon synth of  Old Tower . And indeed, this album does feature three dungeon synth tracks. The other five are black metal, with strong (early)  Burzum influences. Visioen Van Het Verborgen Land ("Vision Of The Hidden Land") is a highly enjoyable listen from beginning to end. It was released by New Era in 2019, and you can pick up a copy from  the Vaal Bandcamp .

Moloch ‎– Abstrakter Wald ( Metallic Media/Glorious North, 2015 ): Old Sorcery / Haxan Dreams  - split ( Livor Mortis, 2018 ): Resinator - Harvest Rituals ( self-released, 2019 ): Resinator - Apothecaries' Weight ( Gondolin, 2019 ): Old Tower - Plague Harvest ( Hospital, 2020 ): Resin Eater - Internal Astronomy ( Skaventhrone, 2020 ): Spell of Unseeing - Weaving Light And Shadow ( Lafawijn, 2020 ): Old Sorcery - Sorrowcrown ( Essential Purification, 2020 ): Old Sorcery / Druadan Forest  - split ( Werewolf, 2021 ):

14th December ( technically a 2020 release) - Archaic Thorn ( Germany, death metal ) - Eradication ( Into Endless Chaos )  26th March - Memoriam ( UK, death metal ) - To The End ( Reaper Entertainment ) 15th April - Cannibal Corpse ( US, death metal ) - Violence Unimagined ( Metal Blade ) 30th April - Gojira  ( France, progressive metal ) - Fortitude ( Roadrunner )

Kreator - Endless Pain ( Noise, 1985 ) - the recent remastered reissue is particularly recommended. Kreator  - Terrible Certainty ( Noise, 1987 ) - the recent reissue, featuring 'Out Of The Dark ... Into The Light' as a bonus, is recommended. Metallica - Black Album ( Elektra, 1991 ) - yes, a lot of people hate this album, but that isn't to say it isn't great. Testament - The Best Of   ( Atlantic, 1996 ) - a definitive collection of their early material. Annihilator - The Best Of ( Roadrunner, 2004 ) - includes all of their best tracks. Sodom - In War And Pieces ( Steamhammer, 2010 ) - an excellent offering from this outstanding band.