Body Harvest - Futile Creation

Grindhouse Music 2014

 

1.Sadistic Existence 2.Condemned to Suffer 3.Failed Oppressor 4.Deluded Thoughts

5.Mind Rape 6.Bound to the Sky 7.Systematic Genocide 8.Human Death Quest

9.Into the Pandemonium 10.Death Sphere

 

Bristol's Body Harvest have unleashed their debut album "Futile Creation" through Grindhouse Music, ten tracks of punishing death metal fury! Opening track "Sadistic Existence" kicks in with some horror flick ambiance and crushing riff based savagery as the band kick things into gear with a cautiously paced intro leading to flat out aggression channelled through the thunderous drum beats and rumbling bass lines of Chris Barton and Alex Manghan respectively. With a sound lodged firmly in the camp of early 90's US death metal, Body Harvest nail their colours to the mast early on and never once do they deviate! Personally I'm more of a fan of the slower, more brooding Stockholm style of death metal and whilst I find this Cannibal Corpse inspired death metal a little cliched and flat, there can be no doubt that Body Harvest bring to the table a sense of raw, urgent intensity! 

For the most part each song is a short sharp shock of brutal, hostile death metal power but consequently I found the lack of variation dragging heavily against what I'd choose to listen too. However as tracks such as "Condemned to Suffer" and "Failed Oppressor" so rampantly demonstrate, Body Harvest are a band who know their instruments well and play with a confidence and certainty that makes their ravenous flurries of break neck riffing a worthy experience! In all honesty if standard US inspired Death Metal is your thing then Body Harvest are going to be right up your street. For me though whilst technically a very talented band there is little effort being put into the song writing and as an end result "Futile Creation" is a processional slab of one dimensional extremity!

 

6 Out Of 10 - Luke Hayhurst

 

Band Page: Here

 

 

Forneus - Sampler 2014

Self Released 2014

 

1.Order: Exterminatus 2.Embrace The Covenant

3.The Nine Gates Of The Kingdom Of Torment 4.Blood Eagle (The Exile)

 

After remaining quiet for a number of years, Forneus returned in 2012 with an e.p. and then followed with a split release the year after  so now 2014 sees them unveil this four track promo cd. Opening up with ‘Order: Exterminatus’, a sinister tone is being set, dense atmospheres are slowly being created, brooding in anticipation of the hell-storm that is about to be unleashed, and unleashed it certainly is! The song breaks out into an unholy barrage of raw black metal, scathing and snarling in a torrent of rabid blast beats, snarled vocals and raging, yet melodic black metal riffing. The more melodic element to the band heard at the beginning of the track is re-introduced and the pace dropped to a slower crawl which really allows the vocals to take centre stage and tell their story. Ending the track in a hail of blast beats, it’s a good start and the remaining three tracks promise plenty! Following seamlessly on is ‘Embrace The Covenant’ which begins life in groove leaden mid paced territory, reminiscent of Satyricon, even down to the production, being bass heavy and dirty. The melodic aspects to the band’s sound is never lost in amongst the nasty black metal which is probably what makes the music stand out as being so good.

‘The Nine Gates Of The Kingdom Of Torment’ starts with eerie keyboards, almost sounding like something from a 1940’s horror movie. As this sample fades out so the guitars are slowly brought to life, fading in with a haunting and devilish sound. Extremely effective and a great way to introduce the song. Musically, it’s very similar to the previous song, remaining mi-paced throughout. The guitars are more black metal here than they have been so far, really atmospheric while remaining sinister and ice cold. There is a real sense of determination on show here; the song is beginning to build in momentum as it starts to draw to a close. The faster blast beats are re-introduced sporadically which adds to the momentum and sense of anticipation. It’s an absolute beast of a track, being 11m 39s long, some might say too long, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way when listening to it. The band managed to keep the listener well engaged throughout, through variety and ultimately well written and well performed black metal. ‘Blood Eagle (The Exile)’ closes proceedings, and again it’s another absolute monster in terms of length, being 10m 39s this time. The pace is slow, almost doom-laden yet remaining black metal in essence. Being such a long track and played at a slow pace, it gives off a suffocating and exhaustive atmosphere which isn’t bad by any means, you just need to prepare yourself mentally for what you’re about to listen to! For those that are new to the band, this is a superb introduction to their world of harsh, violent and melodically aggressive black metal. These four new tracks show a band capable of writing mature and unique black metal which really stands out and is well worthy of greater attention.  It wouldn’t surprise me to see the band gaining that greater attention if they continue following their current (left hand) path such is the promise Forneus seemingly offer. A great new sampler that definitely deserves your attention and comes well recommended.

8 out of 10

Band Page: Here

Beyond Grace - Mounstrous

Self Released 2014

 

1.The Chronophage 2.Inhumanity 3.Invasive Exotics

 

The brand new "Monstrous" EP from Nottingham death metal quintet Beyind Grace is here and set to give you something to think about!  Opening track "The Chronophage" is a catchy, absorbing testament to this with the rumble of double kick drumming combining well with the bands torrent of technical flourishes on the guitars, crushing rhythms and deep bass laden growls and ravenous hostile shrieks! "Inhumanity" is a savage lyrical blast at those who commit atrocities all over the world for their insane beliefs or for the benefit of their citizens alleged well being. Its raw sounding technical edged death metal vibes are exacerbated by lyrical themes of mistrust and loathing for those in power who take a huge dump on the worlds people every single day! With a little touch of historical theatrics about it, "Invasive Exotics" begins with the rallying call of "Cry havoc and slip the dogs of war" (Julius Ceasar by William Shakespeare) and proceeds into a softer track in spells musically but with deep running tones of hardship, suffering and bloodshed throughout the centuries! "Monstrous" is a compelling release that highlights the true cruel nature of man and spits in the face of our cruelty! Expect more great things from Beyond Grace!

 

7/10 (Luke Hayhurst)

 
Band Page: Here

 

 

Merciless Terror - Vile Extinction

Devil's Clause Records 2013

 

I. Omnicide 00 00 2. Doctrine of Malevolence 3. Circle of Contempt 4. Enraptured

5. Baptized in Blood 6. Hateful Abomination 7. Process of Eradication 8. World Desolation 9. Imminent Death 10. Dystopic Visions 11. Existence Denied

It has been quite an impressive last eighteen months for UK death/thrashers Merciless Terror, touring japan, playing shows with the likes of Warlord UK and playing Bloodstock Open Air last year. It got even better when the bands debut album "Vile Extinction" was finally unleashed upon us and the only downside was that following all of this Merciless Terror was put on ice, I sincerely hope not permanently! Something that instantly caught my attention about this is album is the track “Doctrine of Malevolence” which on top of the bands more trademark death/thrash sound has a really spiteful streak of black metal running through its core. Oddly enough it only appears on this one track for the most part and soon enough Merciless Terror are slamming through tracks like “Circle of Contempt” and “Enraptured” whilst displaying all the grace of a car wreck! When Merciless Terror are not pummelling you with savage drumming then they are berating you with speed freak like riffs and a vocal style that will make lesser music fans cower in fear!

“Vile Extinction” is an album that just refuses to slow down and soon enough in no time at all the band have hammered out four tracks and “Baptized in Blood” is soon rampaging onward until the unthinkable happens, the pace slows, the intensity increases and the slight black metal tinge creeps into proceeds to give the track a deeply malevolent feel. couple that with the early Sepultura influence to the bands sound and especially the guitar solos and I think you’ll all be pleasantly surprised. Whilst it lacks somewhat for variety, we all know that bands like Merciless Terror don’t play to be varied and whimsical, they play to destroy and tracks like “Hateful Abomination” and the crushingly heavy “Process of Eradication” do just that. From start to finish this album is dominant, plain and simple!

 

9/10 (Luke Hayhurst)

Band Page: Here

 

 

 

Flayed Disciple - Flayed Disciple

Bethlam Records 2014

 

I. Sick Abomination 2. The Maniac 3.The Gates of Bedlam

 

Anybody who heard the debut album "Death Hammer" from UK death thrashers Flayed Disciple two years ago will know they are a force to be reckoned with. This year sees the Taunton quintet return to the studio for this three track vinyl offering that demonstrates where the band are currently at sound wise as well as teasing a little about what is yet to come! Opening track "Sick Abomination" is a frantic affair sporting flurries of maniacal guitar wielding, ravenous drumming and hostile rhythms and grooves, all topped off with the deep guttural growls of death chuggin Tim Whyte whose lyrics are appropriately gore orientated and repulsive! despite Flayed Disciple's penchant for out right power and extremity you'll find room here for bouts of all out catchy riff-age and beats, sharp blasts of guitar wankery in the form of exquisite solos and a general aura of a band completely at ease with their sound and style and with the confidence to explore its outer reaches! Expect no quick pop like tracks either as "Sick Abomination" is a lengthy, gruelling prospect of unrelenting proportions!

Faster and more brutal, the hungry onslaught of "The Maniac" is a savage devolution into flat out aggression and insane technical licks as Flayed Disciple keep the momentum going by blasting out  more furious rhythms! Keeping up the death and horror theme "The Maniac" is a filthy blood soaked tome of pent up rage, psychotic thought process and vulgar action, a shorter shock factor of a track designed to punish and wreak havoc! Finally "The Gates of Bedlam" round things off with and ending of the records theme, the final passage or chapter of the disturbed played out through more fast paced thrashing and death metal chugging! A stunning return from Flayed Disciple, one of the UK's most under-rated but highly promising bands.

 

8.5/10 (Luke Hayhurst)

 

Band Page: Here

 

 

 

 

 

Cruelty's Heart / Frostwork - Beyond Bloodied Banners Far And Haunted Winters Graven

UKEM Records 2014

 

(Cruelty’s Heart 1-6 Frostwork 7-14) 1. The Witch's Rune 2. Irminsul 3. Seven Kingdoms of Swords 4. The Triumphant Death of Mighty Tiw 5. Englinbarrangoi 6. Steadfast 7. Beginnan Snīwan 8. Through Frozen Limbs and Roots I Spoke 9. Onwæcan Se Gāst 10. Prophecies Carved Within The Leaves 11. Nature Finds A Way 12. Humanity Is Cold 13. For I Am Hailed With Night Speech 14. Wintertīd

 

Review by Lou from 'Loucifer Speaks' www.louciferspeaks.com

 

Reviewing this split was always going to be difficult. A quick search through the Loucifer Speaks site should give you some indication into how excited I am about this CD and my reviews of Cruelty’s Heart’s previous CD and Frostwork’s last album and e.p should show that I’m already a bit of a fan of both bands. “A bit” may be an understatement. However, I am going to try and remain somewhat subjective. Which is sort of ridiculous since music tends to bring out such an unsubjective reaction in us, but hey! The album kicks off with Cruelty’s Heart and their terrific brand of Pagan Black Metal. The story telling feel that was evident in their previous work is back again and, once again, I feel like I’m being whisked back in time. Their side of the album kicks off with the tremendously catchy “The Witch’s Rune”, which catapults you straight in. This is black metal that you can hum along to (in much the same way that I hum along to Old Corpse Road… I hum a lot… mainly because I can’t whistle). Although Cruelty’s Heart were bloody brilliant before, the tracks on “Beyond Bloodied Banners Far…” demonstrate that they have matured since their previous release. The tracks feel more complete – more confident. “The Triumphant Death of Mighty Tiw” is pretty much the perfect Cruelty’s Heart track. It has everything; an intense narrative, an infectious melody and mind-blowing musicianship. Absolutely spot on. Cruelty’s Heart’s side of the split finishes with, what I think is, a cover of Forefather’s “Steadfast”. This closes things off nicely and paves the way for Frostwork’s half.

The atmosphere turns colder for Frostwork’s turn (as their name may suggest) and we are eased in gradually with the sounds rain (or a river), an acoustic guitar and some whispered vocals. In spite of the sun that’s currently shining through my window, I have the urge to go and grab a coat… and a hat… and a scarf. Winter is coming (yes, I have just started reading “A Game of Thrones” – no spoilers please!). When “Through Frozen Limbs and Roots I Spoke” begins you realise that you’re really in Frostwork territory, and damn, it feels good. Dagon’s vocals sound like they’re carving their way through ice – a primal force belonging in an ancient forest; beautiful and dangerous. While Cruelty’s Heart’s side of this album seems to deal with people of a time long ago, Frostwork’s focus is on the land and nature (see “Nature Finds a Way”); making these two projects perfect partners for this split. They are two sides of the same coin. As Frostwork’s self-certified ultimate fan, it’s hard to pick a favourite track here. I have the near undeniable urge to just say THEY’RE ALL BRILLIANT (which, in fairness, is true), but I shall limit myself to a mere three.

I suggest you all go to your (legal) music site of choice and have a listen to “Prophecies Carved Within the Leaves”, “Nature Finds a Way” and “Humanity is Cold”. Once you’ve done that, head over to UKEM Records and buy the album on CD. “Beyond Bloodied Banners Far and Haunted Winters Graven” is a superb partnership between two bands that compliment each other’s sound fantastically well.

 

Rating: 100% (c’mon, we all knew I was going to say that…)

 

Band Pages

Cruelty's Heart: Here

Frostwork: Here

 

Buy It: Here

 

 

 

Wisdom Without Worship - Pervasive Dark Energy

Pervasive Records 2013

 

1.Intristik Simplistik 2.Komplexikation 3.A Smoke Filled Kandle Lit Room

4.A Penny Less Exodus 5.Ignorant (In)Ability

6.We've Got The Whole World In Our Hands

 

Wisdom Without Worship are a two piece black metal band from Cornwall, playing a very noisy and chaotic brand of black metal. Opener ‘Intristic  Simplistiks’ is just that, noisy, chaotic and with little structure, its actually quite hard to make sense of the ‘song’ at all as the approach undertaken is very unorthodox. The same could be said for the following track ‘Komplexikation’. Again it’s noisy and extremely hard to actually gauge what is going on mostly due to the production which is of course, ultra Necro and absolutely dirty, rotten and obviously intentional. The fact that the song stops and starts without any real purpose makes it very hard to listen to. ‘A Smoke Filled Kandle Lit Room’ breaks from the chaos slightly, and acts more of an industrial tinged noise interlude, sampled noises mixed with the simplistic guitars that is OK, but never really serves any purpose other than to break things up slightly. ‘A Penny Less Exodus’ actually blasts open with real conviction, the chaos heard previously reined right in and there actually seems to be a structure being followed and applied surprisingly well. It’s still very noisy and chaotic, but nothing in comparison to the earlier tracks. The band seems to have found their footing here, albeit very simplistically but there does appear to be method in their madness at last! It’s been very hard to draw any real comparisons, but here there could be a hint of Archgoat mixed with some Black Witchery maybe. Not as potent or deadly however, but still starting to make some sort of sense.

‘Ignorant (In)Ability’ is also showing signs of structure and resembling an actual song. The craziness and chaos heard in the opening tracks is still there but WWW are starting to make order of the chaos, which is good because when they do you feel the band are on the cusp of producing something truly terrifying, but never quite reaching that end product unfortunately. Closing this e.p is ‘We’ve Got The Whole World In Our Hands’ which is obviously an ‘outro’ and does have a message to tell, there’s a sample of what sounds like David Attenborough talking about man destroying the planet whilst other noise and soundtracks create another noisy track but a track that does have atmosphere. This relatively short e.p really isn’t going to appeal to everyone, and although the band describes themselves as ‘Black / Death / Doom’ I’d be more inclined to describe them as “Blackened Noisy Grind”. Labelling aside, it’s really a CD of two halves, the first half extremely chaotic and with no structure at all with the second half then starting to find it’s feet with actual songs beginning to crawl out from all that noise. The whole release is relatively simplistically delivered and you don’t have to think about what you’re listening to, but that might have been the whole idea behind it. Check it out, but don’t expect anything too spectacular.

 

4.5 out of 10

 

Band Page: Here