DEAD METAL

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.