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 ,  Imprecation - Damnatio Ad Bestias  and the Rothadás demo should have made this list; and the Mortiferum album should have been a lot higher!

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 .