Category: Death Metal

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: June 26th, 2020

6/25/2020

Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. oday is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so! Note: there was a veritable horde of excellent music released today. When the wagon overflows with such wealth, it's up to the weary peasants to make sure everything gets delivered. As such, our very own Volt Thrower stepped in to help provide some extra reviews. Enjoy the bounty!

On the docket for today, June 26th, 2020:
Pyrrhon, The Third Kind, Battle Born, Uprising, Green Claws, Pale Divine, Fleshvessel, and Ohhms

Pyrrhon - Abscess Time
(Willowtip Records)

I'll be honest: I genuinely had no clue how avant-garde metal mavericks Pyrrhon were ever going to top 2017's brilliant What Passes For Survival. As it turns out: they don't. But that's okay, 'cuz despite not pushing boundaries when taking their own work into consideration, this crew has once again proven their prowess in the avant-garde arena. This behemoth runs a veritable gamut of genres and influences, from grind, to raw death metal, to overtly experimental noise. The complexity on display is effectively unmatched by...well, anything other than the band's own past work. In sum? While Abscess Time didn't blow my expectations out of the water, it remains a prime example of Pyrrhon's dominance in the game.

Find it on bandcamp here!

The Third Kind - Man vs Earth
(Independent release)

Amen! My kingdom for a 23 minute album! I love frenetically brief onslaughts,
particularly when wrapped up in crossover thrash glory. As a street thrash outfit by trade and ethos, The Third Man is scrappy and tough, albeit with a subtly modern edge. There are skinned knees and elbows a-plenty to be had herein, with an emphasis on fast-paced verve and nose-bloodying groove. Tghe entire affair, of course, oozes NYC hardcore 'tude and swagger.

These guys don't even come close to reinventing the wheel with Man vs Earth, but I sincerely doubt that was ever the point. This is dynamic and energetic music perfect for a mosh or a bare-knuckle streetfight.

Find it on bandcamp here!

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: June 19th, 2020 (feat. Carrion Vael, Insatanity, Mothers of the Land, and Underer)

6/18/2020

Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. Today is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so!

On the docket for today, June 19th, 2020:
Carrion Vael, Mothers of the Land, Underer, and Insatanity (and a bonus charity compilation!)

Carrion Vael - God Killer
(Horror Pain Gore Death)

God Killer can get it. Which is to say: this here album fucks.
Carrion Vael
have concocted an expertly crafted blend of death metal motifs, ranging from technical shredding, to pounding riffage, to the melodic leanings of Swedeath's finest. This is like the bastard child of like, Slugdge and At The Gates, with a healthy dose of brutality thrown in for good measure. Rather than overpowering proceedings, the tech elements are incredibly well balanced with the heft of traditional death. Headbanging and air guitar-ing is inevitable--and if that ain't a mark of death metal worth perusing, I dunno what is.

Calling it now: Carrion Vael is responsible for the tech-death metal album of the year. God Killer is an absolute stunner.

Find it on bandcamp here!

Mothers of the Land - Hunting Grounds
(Stonefree Records)

There's something so immensely satisfying about an album where the artwork reflects and mimics the beauty dwelling within. In the case of Hunting Grounds, our heavy psych instrumentalists in question have constructed a truly gorgeous package. Lush melody, organically psychedelic meandering, and vibrant NWOBHM momentum all serve to invite relaxation while maintaining sharp interest in the absence of vocals. Indeed, Hunting Grounds succeeds remarkably well at constructing a world of intrigue--this is an album for people who don't think they like instrumental albums. It's a difficult trick to pull off, to say the least. Beyond that, the guitar tone is beauty incarnate. I'm comfortable considering this a masterpiece, and will revisit it for some quite some time.

Find it on bandcamp here!

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: June 12th, 2020

6/12/2020

Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. Today is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so!

On the docket for today, June 12th, 2020:
Behold... The Arctopus, Lord, Foetal Juice, DECONSECRATION

Behold... The Arctopus - Hapeleptic Overtrove
(Willowtip / P2)

Time to ruffle some feathers. BTA do
have an endearing shtick, but at this stage in the game, I think we need to address the fact that their brand of progressive metal results in albums that are more a collection of ideas, and less a collection of tracks. Indeed, as fellow Villager Izzy recently argued, this album sounds more like segments from a rehearsal than an album proper. Sure, the hyper-technicality is impressive--it's instrumentally all over the place in the best of ways, something truly to behold--but I fail to see how this album succeeds as an album. If you're here to witness the workshop-esque qualities of BAT, this could very well indeed be the best representation of their baffling sound. All told, I do buy the statement that Hapeleptic Overtrove is at the forefront of prog wackery. I don't however, believe that Behold... The Arctopus are necessarily pushing metal in a new direction.

Find it on bandcamp here!

Lord - Chaos Raining
(Independently Released)

Let's get the obvious out of the way: Lord are an excellent band.
Chaos Raining, despite containing little new content, is no exception to the rule. The title track, taken from their prior album, is offered here in two formats, including the OG ripper and an extended cut. A new track, "A World Insane," helps flesh out the package of this limited edition EP. All told, both (or all three, depending how you coutn it?) are stellar tracks, leaning heavily into both the progressive and power ends of the metal spectrum. Lord employ a potent sense of melodic bombast to great effect, resulting in a predictably ramble-rousing endeavor. If yer unfamiliar with these Aussie stalwarts, I highly recommend allowing this EP to serve as an entry point. If you are familiar, I recommend you check this one out--while unessential, it's an undeniable banger. So, in short...recommended!

Find it on bandcamp here!

Bandcamp Day Donation Roundup

6/4/2020

On a typical Friday, we Sleeping Villagers spend some time looking over new releases. Today, however, is not a typical Friday. Instead, we are opting to focus entirely on bands that are donating today's proceeds to bail funds, mutual aids, and other organizations working hard to bring positive change and assistance to black individuals and communities, who, (as you are hopefully all aware,) are disproportionately impacted by police brutality and racist institutional oppression. Bandcamp is not taking a cut of sales today, so all proceeds will go directly to artists--and, in turn, into the hands of organizations that can turn dollars into action.

If you're looking to donate directly to a bail fund working to support jailed protesters, either in your city or in cities heavily impacted by police brutality and wanton arrest during this past week of demonstrations, here is a link.

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: May 29th, 2020

5/29/2020

Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. Today is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so!

On the docket for today, May 29th, 2020:
Xibalba, Atavistia, Paralysis, and Held In Secret

Xibalba - Años En Infierno
(Southern Lord)

We gave this excellent album a lil' love previously, but now that it has been cast into the world for ye to all enjoy, it's worth revisiting. Xibalba play a potent and pissed-off blend of death metal and hardcore, bringing the heft of the former and the aggression of the latter to bear with suitably impressive results. Notably, this latest effort demonstrates a refinement of the downtrodden sludge-like atmosphere that Xibalba have, in the past, approached. As I wrote previously, "This is brutality incarnate." As such, it inevitably has a wide appeal to fans of genres that deal with heartfelt violence and rage--if you're a fan of the take-no-prisoners approach, you'll find something to enjoy herein.

Find it on bandcamp here!

Paralysis - Mob Justice
(Independently Released)

Crossover thrash, we sclumbering scribes are happy to admit, is not everyone's cup of tea. However, if you're in the mood (as ye should be) to throw elbows,
Paralysis' blistering high-octane display of East-Coast-hardcore-by-way-of-Bay-Area-thrash is a solid candidate to serve as your soundtrack. I'm getting a distinctly Iron Reagan vibe from this album, both in terms of the tangibly kinetic energy and the general "fuck around and find out" grit.

Mob Justice is the definition of moshable music, plain 'n' simple. If you're on the hunt for a sample, check out the hard-hitting "Oblivious" for a particularly representative taste. Highly recommended!

Find it on bandcamp here!

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: May 22nd, 2020

5/22/2020

Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. Today is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so! Note: there was a veritable horde of excellent music released today. As such, we tried to focus on some lesser-known artists for this edition. More reviews to follow in days to come!

On the docket for today, May 22nd, 2020:
Pile of Priests, Molder, Without Light, and Capra

Pile of Priests - Pile of Priests
(Extreme Metal Music)

That band name, right? That album artwork, right?! This looks like an absolute riot, and, thankfully, it sounds like one too. Pile of Priests play a gloriously theatrical brand of (alternately) thrashy and proggy death metal, with ample room for narrative. To their credit, these elements never conflict of clash--indeed, the narrative elements and progressive leanings, which might feel campy in lesser hands, lend the entire affair an oddly addicting charm. It takes guts to inject grunty riff-driven death metal with a soaring epic flair, but this self-titled beast handles the challenges...well, handily.

Pile of Priests is, in sum, a fun and competent conglomerate of independent elements that make death metal enjoyable. This particular scribe shall certainly be listening in weeks (and months) to come.

Find it on bandcamp here!

Molder - Vanished Cadavers
(Rotted Life Records*)

Speakin' of death metal, it's time for one of the underground's hottest acts in OSDM entertain-ment. If you've been following us for a while, you'll know that we Villagers are big fans of Molder's cadaver-licking style of death metal barbarity. As such, the release of the stellar Vanished Cadavers is a cause for much joy and celebration. This is everything I had hoped--big riffs, meaty production, vicious vocal onslaught, and a generally. This album, notably, employs a slightly thrashier edge than what we've seen before, as well as a clearer approach to rapid-fire composition. Fans of Autopsy rejoice. While it ain't fresh, Molder represents the concentrated form of everything we underground and old school death metal fans love about the genre trappings. They are, undoubtedly, going places. (*Also seeing release on Goatthrone and Headsplit.)

Find it on bandcamp here!

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: May 15th, 2020

5/15/2020

Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. Today is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so!

On the docket for today, May 15th, 2020:
In The Company of Serpents, Devangelic, OKKULTOKRATI, and Vide/Witchbones

In The Company of Serpents - Lux
(Self Released)

Now this. This is doom metal how I like it: an exercise in extremes. menacing yet delicate, dynamically light-footed yet seismically plodding, and utterly willing to throw genre convention out the window. From neo-folk acoustics to sludgy Neurosisian heft, In The Company of Serpents demonstrate a keen ability to shift expectations and apply nuance to a genre that all-too-oft relies entirely on the power of the riff. There's a gentle balance struck here between the lighter ambiance and the shadow-cast atmosphere that few bands are able to apply. Simply put, this is an engrossing album, likely to appeal to anyone who enjoys doom across the spectrum from thick sludge to esoteric psych. Hence, I do gladly declare that Lux is the greatest album this week has to offer.

Find it on bandcamp here!

Devangelic - Ersetu
(Willowtip Records)

Ersetu is the first album of its ilk to appear on Fresh Meat Friday--namely, an album that I don't understand, nor particularly enjoy. That said, there is something intriguing dwelling in these repetitive riffs, and I aim to spend the day figuring out what that quality is, hence the inclusion here. On the plus side: Devangelic has their brand of filthy rhythmic riffs delivered in rapid-fire succession down to a science. The downside? Those same incessant riffs are the entire meat of this album. There's no deviation, no dynamism in the songwriting--which ultimately leads to an utter lack of perception of one's place in the album. Track distinctions lose meaning. As such, Ersetu feels more like submersion into a brutal bath, an exercise in hypnosis by incessant march of sixteenths.

Find it on bandcamp here!

ON THE HORIZON: Xibalba - Años En Infierno

5/4/2020

Welcome to ON THE HORIZON, our relentlessly infrequent feature wherein we discuss upcoming albums that have caught our sleep-encrusted eyes. Us Villagers are always on the lookout for the next best thing to wake us from slumber. On the docket today: the forthcoming full-length from Pomona, California's Xibalba.

While we use terms like "pummeling" with great regularity around these parts, I'm always vaguely worried that those words have become cheapened--synonymous with "heavy," rather than with "physically damaging beyond repair. And, as fans of loud and aggressive music, sometimes we just need something that kicks it up a notch. You know, a classic skull-crushed-by-bulldozer type experience. I was in the mood for such an experience today, and, graciously, Xibalba were ready to oblige. Their forthcoming full length, Años En Infierno, will be hitting the streets on May 29th--but, more immediately, Revolver is streaming the title track from said album. It's a bruiser.

Xibalba have historically nailed that hearty combination of sinewy groove, meaty death metal riffage, and breakdown-worthy hardcore aggression. Here, that same formula is employed to great effect--with a deliberate focus on conjuring a plodding, hefty, and otherwise bone-crushing atmosphere. Momentous drums and thunderous roars lead to an ominous mid-track breakdown that can easily roll with the best of 'em. Despite its simplicity, the leisurely pace and immeasurable weight makes a serious impact. This is brutality incarnate.

As you head through your Monday, I highly recommend you give "Años En Infierno" a spin or three. And, spoiler: the rest of the album rips just as hard--if not, dare I say, harder. Without further ado: head over to Revolver to stream the excellent "Años En Infierno." If that's to your liking, check out the album trailer below:

FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: May 1st, 2020

5/1/2020

Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. Today is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so!

Note: today, May 1st, Bandcamp is waiving their revenue share for all sales. That means if you buy any of these releases (or any other albums/merch items you've had your eye on) before midnight PDT, the artists will directly benefit directly. In short: buy music today!

On the docket for today, May 1st, 2020:
KEVERRA, Yarrow, Tombstoner, and Icon of Evil (and Vredensdal!)

KEVERRA - Keverra
(Seeing Red Records)

Aggressive and sludge-ridden doom is the name of the game for these South Californian purveyors of sonic filth. That said, this self-titled debut notably doesn't seek to crush the listener into obliteration. There's a delicious post-metal subtle at play here--a balance between monolithic heft and gentle dynamism. Take, as a prime example, lead single "Bathsheba," which weaves winding introspective passages in the midst of sasquatchian riffage. I'm getting a vague Fugazi-meets-Lord Mantis vibe from this album--which, frankly, isn't something I ever knew I needed. But here we are, Keverra offered to the masses in white-knuckled grasp. Needless to say, Keverra have crafted a real winner--highly recommended for any fan of sludgy and emotive music. Another feather in Seeing Red Records' increasingly voluptuous cap.

Find 'em on bandcamp here!

Yarrow - We Made What God Could Not
(Self-Released)

What is it, exactly, that can God not make? Riffs of this sheer magnitude, evidently. Yarrow
plays a funereal brand of deathy doom--low, slow, and mind-numbingly heavy. It's like if Spectral Voice lost all hope for living and trip a premature trip down to Hell. Music of aggressive ilk is all-too-oft labeled as "soundtracks to a nightmare," but We Made What God Could Not genuinely feels like just that--the ponderous and plodding playlist constructed specifically for one's voyage down the Styx. It's depressive, angry, and carries itself with an indomitable weight. That's not to say it's all dirge, however. Take the back end of intro track "活け造り" and the subsequent lead-in on "Old Shadows," which indicate a more frenetic tone. A churning and cauldron-bubbling quality. All told, I'm quite impressed. Check this one out!

Find 'em on bandcamp here!

VILLAGE CRYPT: Pungent Stench - For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh

4/25/2020

Here at the Sleeping Village, we keep our most revered albums in....a very special place. Their time may have gone, but they are certainly not forgotten. Today's pick: another one of The Voiceless Apparition's all-time favorites. As I noted before, the man, as you may have noticed, is on a goddamn roll with these retrospectives. Once you're done with this retrospective, check out some of these look-backs on underrated classics!

Written by: The Voiceless Apparition

...And just like that, we are back. Hello everyone. Today we're gonna take a small detour from the black metal-leanings of the last few reviews and go for where my heart lies: death metal. I'm happy to say that today's review is the debut album from Austrian death metal gods Pungent Stench, and their album entitled For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh, released on April 9th, 1990, via Nuclear Blast Records. This is a monumental album in the growth of the European death metal scene, and while it may be still underappreciated compared to it's peers, this is a bonafide classic to the ones who adore it.

The album begins with really eerie intro before being led into "Extreme Deformity." This is the perfect way to start the album. Tasty and filthy grooves combine with pummeling death metal and grindcore brutality, but without sacrificing hooks and catchiness. A major facet of this album that I like quite a lot is the prominent use of bass on this album, courtesy of Jacek Perkowski. He gets time to shine with 2 glorious bass solos that mix well with everything on this song, but that's just a small aspect of this album as he is heard really well in the mix throughout the whole album. Track two, "Hypnos," is a bruiser. The groove sections on this song are glorious, they are simple and catchy but they still keep that energy and rawness to the song. Another fantastic tune on this fantastic album.