Griftegård - Psalm Bok

"Look I am your mind, see me I'm your nature

and this is how I paint your day

with strokes of black upon the grey."

I first got to know about Griftegard at the DDD festival (a doom festival in the Netherlands) last year. We were walking from the station towards the venue, but seeing as this was the first time we were frequenting this particular venue, we were kind of lost. So it took us much longer then expected to arrive there, which sucked quite a bit, because that meant that I had missed Subrosa. It was only afterwards that I heard that they called it a day after two songs, due to technical issues, so I didn't miss that much. Upon arrival at the venue, I bought my ticket and was waiting for my friends to pay for theirs, when I heard something unbelievably HEAVY in the background. This was my first encounter with Griftegard and their no-mercy-heavy-as-hell doom metal. I ended up seeing them for only about 10 minutes, but it were the best damn 10 minutes of 2008! Psalm Bok is heavy. Really heavy. It could just end my review here, but perhaps you prefer a more in-depth description? Ok. Griftegard has a religious theme and imagery, they may not be wearing a thousand crosses like Reverend Bizarre, but they are nonetheless an orthodox doom metal band. To add to this religious feel, we can hear a choir singing at the beginning of Charles Taze Russell – the absolute heaviness that follows the chants tells you pretty much all you need to know about Griftegard. Looking back at those 10 minutes in Rotterdam I was not only impressed by the sheer heaviness, but even more so by the super vocals of Thomas Eriksson. He delivers them in a clean fashion, but also some harsher ones appear to give the extra bit of emotion at certain times during a song. The fact that the music is so heavy, but the vocals fairly melodious makes for a great and surprising combination. Musically this is some of the slowest and heaviest doom metal that you'll come accross. This doesn't speed up at all and yet it's fantastic all the way. When their performance was finished I remember standing in complete shock, staring in front of me, not quite fully grasping what I just saw/experienced. I thought I had seen it all, little did I know that later that day Worship had plans to destroy everything on its path with their performance…So I guess my statement about those 10 minutes being the best of 2008 wasn’t really true. It was however a real memorable performace and the same can be said about Psalm Bok.

Griftegard - Psalm Bok

The Lamp Of Thoth - Cauldron Of Witchery

The Lamp Of Thoth are a bit of a newcomer to the doom metal scene, but immediately managed to impress with Cauldron Of Witchery. They had already released a demo the year before, but recognition only really started coming with this. Cauldron Of Witchery features only 2 The Lamp Of Thoth songs, the third song being a cover of Frost & Fire by Cirith Ungol. The rerelease has 2 more live songs; Blood On Satan's Claw and Into The Lair Of The Gorgon. Of the two songs created by these guys themselves, I feel Sunshine is the stronger one. But by no means is the self-titled song a bad one, on the contrary, it's a real epic heavy metal song not unlike what Manilla Road used to do. Sunshine, however, has a real doomy riff dominating most the song, shying away from the epicness of the previous song. The second part of the song is a little more up-tempo and continues to throw around spectacular riff after riff, which reaches a peak at about 3 minutes in the song. Headbanging ensured! Then another highlight follows; Frost & Fire, a song by enfant terrible Cirith Ungol, covered here. The Overtly Melancholic Lord Strange (vocalist The Lamp Of Thoth) hasn't got the best voice out there, but performs in an honest and down-to-earth manner that demands respect. The rerelease is a wide-spread item and should be easy to track down. Those were lucky enough, managed to get the die-hard limited version which contained a certificate with a number and the name of the owner, a shirt and a patch. True dedication!

The Lamp Of Thoth - Cauldron Of Witchery

Gospel of the Horns - A Call to Arms

Hailing from Australia comes Gospel of the Horns, which is formed by veterans from the Aussie black/thrash scene like Kill for satan, Funerary Pit, Deströyer 666, amongst many others. As a rule for the Aussie black/thrash these guys are highly influenced by Punk music and to be honest it works great! I hate most punk, but here it works great. Why does it work great? Pretty simple its excellent for headbanging and the beat of the music is excellent. The music itself is pretty thrashy and midpaced and with a lot of hate and dislike for religion, this is very noticeable at the beginning of Absolute Power when Houwitser says in his raspy scream "We are the hatred Lucifer's fury combined." For the ones familiar with Deströyer 666's first album, this is not similar to that album, the music here is more 'mainstream' don't let that turn you down, this is not mainstream at all it is just more catchy. The riffs are incredible good a bit too much in the background for some reason, the vocalist seems to be more in the front than the guitarists and the drumming is also a bit higher in the production than the guitar. One interesting aspect of this album is the feeling that some of the songs have, especially Slaves which it's incredibly emotional for some reason, it feels like some one is telling you a story where something really really bad happened. The riffs in Slaves are also unbeliavable good, they are slow for thrash, but it works in phenomenal way. The leads are also good, they are not exactly brilliant or intricate, but they manage to give something very special to the music. Houwitser gives a lesson to a lot of vocalist from the black metal scene and of course of the black/thrash scene, his vocals are raspy yet they don't sound like many other vocalist that don't transmit anything, Houwitser on the other hand gives something more than hate, an unique feeling. Understanding what this band is about? Is about feeling, that's it, just feelings on the music, no it is not anything emo or melancholy it's just a different kind of feeling. The production here could have been better, but it's good enough for me, the maim problem is that the guitars sound in one speaker, the drumming in the other speaker, and houwitser in both, probably that was their idea who knows. Enjoy an amazing release from Australia and lets hope they keep improving.














Gospel of the Horns - A Call to Arms

Sanguis Imperem - The Stagnation of Centuries

This is perhaps one of the most interesting new acts from the US of the recent years. Sanguis Imperem play an extremely aggressive form of death metal that is heavily influenced by military marches, war, genocide, and similar topics. As expected the atmosphere of the music is incredibly militaristic, especially the drumming department where is noticeable the most. The music is very simple and unique, there are only two bands to whom I can compare this guys with. The music itself sounds like if it was immersed in a battle where hate, revenge, and killing is all that matters. The ep starts with the Fall of 66 which is by far their best song, from the very beginning the military influence can be felt. The riffs are very modern sounding, and of course when I say that I'm not talking about bands such as Disgorge, Benighted, and so on, but as in Martial Barrage, Dead Congregation, and so on. They riffs itself are very dissonant and they vary from extremely fast tempo to slow almost doomy, these changes of tempo keep the listener interested and focused on the music. Although the riffs are not trashy the beat is perfect for headbanging. The drumming is perhaps the most interesting aspect of this band and it's also one of the reasons of why I like them so much. The drumming is by no means your average one, not technical yet not simple, it changes a lot from the tempo, pattern, and the style. The intro of Fall of 66 is a good example. The vocalists are also extremely proficient at what they do, the growls are very different and on the low spectrum and sometimes in the high,but for the most part in the low. The production is also good, every instrument can be heard without trouble. Again as a rule or something in modern bands the bass is nonexistent. The particular weak aspect of this album is its length, only 5 songs that only last near 30 minutes. Enjoy a great release and hope these guys releases an album in the incoming months or next year.




















Sanguis Imperem

Impureza - Inquisition Demos

From the land of cheese comes Impureza an agressive act of death metal with some of the most hilarious song names, or is it because I'm a Spanish speaker, whatever is the reason do not care for the song names. What I find interesting about them is how they use flamenco solos in their music, I did try a band on the past that was formed by members of Sadist (Ita) and was a total crap. These guys; however, sure know how and where to use those flamenco moments. This is modern death metal, but don't let that be a turn off, they play it exactly how most of us old school death metal fans enjoy it aggressive, hateful, and excellent riffs! There is only one band to whom I can compare these guys and it's no other band than Martial Barrage, Canada's finest act of death metal in this very moment. The riffs are not trashy, yet they are perfect for headbanging and also the fore mentioned solos are extremely good some of the best that I have heard from new bands, not that I listen to a lot of modern death metal though. The drumming is excellent, lot of blasting yet it doesn't bother due the production that the demos had, which is something extremely weird in metal for the most part. The vocalists are perhaps what makes this band ahead from many other modern acts, both vocalist use two different growls, the main one uses a extremely deep growl while the second one uses a raspy and screechy growl. Both vocalist sing in a different patter, sometimes in duo other times one after the other, like I said before, is pretty interesting. As mentioned before the production is pretty good for demos, actually incredibly good if we take into account how's the quality of most demos. Every riff can be heard without trouble, the drumming sounds good, the bass is absent like in many modern bands. Keep an eye on these guys and their full album,these demos are just an appetizer of how their full length its going to be.




















Impureza - Inquisition Demos

Trancelike Void - Destroying Something Beautiful

Trancelike Void first saw the light in the year 2007 and quickly came up with a surprisingly good debut full-length. S. (the main character behind this project) didn't feel like wasting much time with demo's, EPs and such, but immediately went for the ambitious choice and created this album. A bold decision, that many similar bands choose nowadays, but unfortunaly it usually ends quite horrificly and in the end proved to be a way too ambitious effort. Luckily, this is not the case here. S. is a quite experienced musician (also the main driving force behind the promising Kilte, who have been discussed here during June 2009) and therefore took the right decision when he chose to immediately release Destroying Something Beautiful. On this album we find 3 parts, each divided by an additional interlude. Together it forms a cohesive ensemble and especially the different interludes give it a rich texture. Trancelike Void creates a kind of black metal that drones fairly heavily and puts the listener into a trancelike state. Drum patterns are simple and minimalistc, as is pretty much everything found here. The vocals are quite distorted and sound perfect alongside the shoegaze-y and again very simplistic riffs. Despite being fairly basic, this feels rather complete. The interaction between the different parts and interludes is reponsible for creating this effect. While the general execution is rather simplistic, the overall texture remains rich and that is an accomplishment that only the talented few can achieve. It's clear that this album was created with a specific sound and concept in mind. A lot of the time when a band tries this it usually ends up being way too ambitious and generally sounding rather disjointed. This is however not the case here. The fact that this album ends with a quote from fight club is a testimony as to how awesome Destroying Something Beautiful is. If you don't mind a repetitive and minimalistic take on black metal, then get this, but let it be clear that these elements make for a rather inaccessible listen and only a select few will be able to value this accordingly. Simplicity is the key here and it does wonders for this project. Whereas others have to incorporate a dozen different instruments and special symphonic effects to impress, this band merely relies on the basic instruments and creates music that easily surpasses all of that bullshit out there.

Trancelike Void - Destroying Something Beautiful

Verloren - In Zalvend Onmin

Verloren are a short-lived band part of the talented Goatowarex roster. After 5 years of existance they released their only full length titled In Zalvend Onmin. In Zalvend Onmin starts with a highlight after the intro called Doelloos Dwalen; rather catchy song with an almost rock 'n roll feel to it, a bit groovy even and riff-fucking-tastic. A contrast with the lyrical themes and vocals. Lyrically Verloren tap from the same pool as many contemporary colleagues. Subjects as misanthropy, solitude, etc. are all over the place, but instead of being an uninspired Burzum or Bethlehem rip-off, they opt for a slightly different approach. Doelloos Dwalen is a perfect example of this. Verminking starts with a cleanly played guitar riff, after which the devestating vocals and distortion kick in. The vocals are not that special, but are nonetheless perfect for this album. They aren't the ridiculous high shrieks that seem to be a common approach nowadays, but instead are a more traditional black metal scream filled with emotion and despair. With Verminking the album drops paste significantly and will hypnotize the listener into a state of complete apathy, until about 5 minutes in the song, when some fast-paced tremelo's make an introduction and the music again goes up a few notches and treads into mid-paced territory. This constant change in paste provides for a nice variety and constantly highlights different emotions. Vloek Der Negatiefheid starts in a similar fashion as the previous song, again clean guitar lines with in the background the excruciating screams. Paste again slow for about a minute or two, until a mid-paced part presents itself again backed up by the trancelike riffs that will keep repeating itself in your head, long after this album is over. They are pretty simple, but highly effective. Vloek Der Negatiefheid is a perfect example of this, at about 4 minutes into the song, a riff comes crawling up that's easily one of the best to be heard on In Zalvend Onmin and perfectly portrays all the negativity present in this song. It's a shame Verloren never continued what they had started. They are obviously a talented bunch and were a musical highlight of 2006. Like so many talented bands, Verloren quit the underground scene with just one album, but by now it's common knowledge that usually those albums (and bands) end up reaching a legendary status. Future will decide wether Verloren will continue this trend or not. Verloren are recommended to those individuals who enjoy mid-paced / slow riff-based black metal with highly effective screaming in the background and a general gloomy and despondent mood.

Verloren - In Zalvind Onmin

Elysian Blaze - Levitating The Carnal

The last couple of years I can count on one hand how many times i've played this album. I rarely listen to it, because it requires something extra. This is weird music, which can only be enjoyed if all aspects are in your advantage. You'll soon notice why this is such a monstrosity of an album and I mean that in a good way. Elysian Blaze play black metal, but a very unique type. Mutatiis - the man behind Elysian Blaze - experiments not only with the music itself, but especially with the production. He makes Levitating The Carnal sound really distant and the entire thing has this sort of echo effect to it. It almost seems like i'm listening to this album in a cathedral, like the one depicted on the album coverart. So this clearly was a move intentionally done by Mutatiis and he completely succeeds in creating this. The value of the production is very important to notice, as without this particular type of effect, it would lose a lot of it's unique strength. Levitating The Carnal progresses in a mostly mid-tempo and slow fashion, but has some faster sections as well (Macabre Be Thy Blood). The guitar tone sounds exactly like everything else, distant and echoing and creates long-winded, but moving and slightly melodious riffs that make up for a very solid basis for Mutatiis to work on. Extra depth is created by frequently using a piano. The hard part about Levitating The Carnal is that it's so goddamn inaccessible. Even listening to it is a nervous experience. Not one factor in your own surrounding can change as it might ruin the whole listening experience. Combine that with the fact that this album has a playtime of almost 70 minutes and you know chances of you listening to this a lot will be pretty slim. It demands your entire attention. When it eventually has your full attention it will allow you to sink in the entire atmosphere and experience the brilliance of Levitating The Carnal.

I should say that this should possible be experienced as you might experience some Lustmord or Northaunt or basically anything similar. Even though this is unmistakingly heavy metal, the complete package has a very ambient feel and should therefore also be considered as something along those lines. Don't expect to be headbanging 70 minutes to this, because that will not happen. If you prefer your black metal thrashy or of the scandinavian school, then think twice as to wether you really want to try Levitating The Carnal, as it might turn out to be a frustrating experience. If you like the french or perhaps to a lesser extent the greek scene and enjoy the typical mystical atmosphere those scenes are known for (I realise that this might be a stretch for some people, but i'm purely comparing moods generated by the music and not the music itself), then by all means, add Levitating The Carnal to your collection. Be prepared to be entranced by this repetitive, minimalistic and unique take on black metal!

Elysian Blaze - Levitating The Carnal

Grimfaug - Defloration Of Life's Essence

The Defloration Of Life's Essence kicks off in a very promising way. Thick, fuzzy guitars immediately begin with a nice riff, backed up by a doomy tolling bell and prominent bass action, which further develops this doomed atmosphere. After about a minute one of the best riffs on this album comes into play and prepares the listener for a complete onslaught of destructive blast beats and mystifying riffs. As many bands, Grimfaug follow the scandinavian school of black metal. Fairly heavy on the blasts, terribly fuzzy guitar tone and vocals that remind me of Skamfer of Heresi fame. Grimfaug have passed by fairly unnoticed, but are however a member of a respectable and well-known labal such as Eerie Art Records, which features bands such as Hypothermia, Nachtmystium, Lyrinx and enigmatic Icelandic act Vhernen. While Grimfaug play a style of black metal which has been done to dead, they do manage to bring a high-quality variant of it. Good solid riffs, nothing outstanding, but at least they are consistent all the way, drumming that is pretty vile and blasts away most of the time, with some occassional fills and some nice thrashy drum rythms here and there as well as some good double bass action. A production that is rather raw, but creates a real misty ambiance, where you really do get lost in. The 3-minute Despoiler Of Hope is an ambient piece that enriches the entire atmosphere this record is going for and contrary to a lot of bands who incorporate something such as this in their music, it's no filler material. The highlight of Defloration Of Life's Essence is definitely the last track (also the longest track) Apocalypse... which again continues in the same way as this album started, slower paste and moody. A perfect sinister way to end this solid effort. Kudos to these guys for realising the importance of a bass and how it can add something to even a genre such as black metal. The bass is not present all the time, but is audible when appropriate. The guitars have this over the top buzz saw tone, which I can greatly appreciate, it allows the listener to sink in the moody atmosphere. Grimfaug won't be breaking any new grounds, but remains faithful to the roots of the genre and creates with Defloration Of Life's Essence something that should be valued for what it is; a good, solid effort.

Grimfaug - Defloration Of Life's Essence

Unearthly Trance - Season of Séance, Science of Silence

"The counter of creation resets to zero."

With their recent works Unearthly Trance have been referred to as the modern day Celtic Frost. When they first started out, however, they had a totally different sound and approach. They started out playing really grime and filthy blackish sludge doom, over the years they gradually softened a little bit if that's the right thing to say here and continued onwards in their own direction moving away from what they had done on their debut. This leads to a logical conclusion that Unearthly Trance have a following that is usually divided into Season of Séance, Science of Silence followers and those who think their best period lies in their future works, meaning everything that came after this. I would situate their peak around In The Red; the album that followed the debut. It took the harsh and heavy aspects of the previous album and mixed them up with what eventually would become their new sound. Unearthly Trance have some firm rooting in the black metal scene (Thralldom is perhaps USBM best kept secret) and those influences find their way into Season of Séance, Science of Silence as well, especially in the vocal area. Season of Séance, Science of Silence is at times incredibly slow and heavy, having a kind of ritualistic sound while this guy is screaming in the background. This basically sums up Mass of the Phoenix. The screams are fairly standard and could be those of any good black metal vocalist, but where Lipynsky differentiates himself from others is with his clean howls. They provide a melodic touch and help balance the riff based music and the excruciating heaviness. As always heavy metal revolves around the quality of riffs present and this is where Season of Séance, Science of Silence proves its worth. While the drums aren't anything spectacular on the technical level - they do manage to create this very ritualistic atmosphere - the riffs are very well performed and not in the least bit as simple as the drums. Throughout the album there are moments where these guys decide to speed it up a little as well, mostly during shorter songs such as When Anti-Humanity Flourishes and Black Heart/Black Lung. As you might be able to tell from the song titles, this once again, deals with nothing but the most deep-seeded misanthropy. A constant theme throughout the career of Unearthly Trance. Some more Crowley inspired songs are present as well. I would suggest giving this one a try and then switch to The Trident, then make up your mind as to what camp you belong to. If you end up liking both then you are one of the fortunate souls, such as myself, who just praise everything Unearthly Trance have released up until now. A last bit of advice. If they ever happen to play somewhere in your area, then make sure you are there, because you are in for a blast!

Unearthly Trance - Season of Séance, Science of Silence