DEATH INVOKER(Per) - Necronmancy, Damnation, Revenge EP, on tape by Nihilistic Holocaust. This maniacal trio take a step forward into what they were doing before. As previously stated, they were totally devoted to SEPULTURA(Bra) on their 2010 demo, but now they have more black metal influences as one can compare them with INFERNAL CURSE(Arg) , GLORIFICATION(Par), BLACK VUL DESTRUKTOR(Arg), DEATHLY SCYTHE(Chl) and the likes, to mention active projects in that vein of darkness. But if you need some ancient references, well I think that their brazilian roots are still intact but this time advocated in VULCANO(Bra), mainly because I could not avoid thinking of "Witches Sabbath" on "Witches Hammer" and a SARCOFAGO(Bra) -ish root on "Destroy the Cross" . This EP count on three tracks plus an intro, "Dviniation Through Death Spirits" is more the mid-tempo kind of track which is great with some POSSESSED(US) string hammers, noted that this one was left out on the 7" version due to length limitations. There's nothing more to add, these guys keep ruling their world, something else to remark is the spectacular artwork selected for this release. More than a year waiting for this trade to finally come. Get it or be alive! FEARLESS IRANIANS FROM HELL(US) - Die for Allah 1987 LP, what the hell can one think of a band with such a great name and a great title for their impressive first album? Well this is totally taking you out of your seat, I dug a little bit about their release, the political context of their time and how and why they used this name, these guys were totally killers ahead of their time in terms of rebellion. I must say that musically speaking they were, not ahead, but skilled as fuk Hardcore/Thrash metal project. "Die For Allah" is the first track that spits MINOR THREAT(US) on your face plus the classical CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER(US) agressive approach in between with BAD BRAINS(US), but here's the funny and interesting thing, guitars are fukin astonishingly recorded where one can listen a base followed by an arrangment on the top which reminds a kind of surf/ultra dark blues ala DUANE EDDY(US) or LINK WRAY(US) . "Deathwish" also counts on that and goes beyond with a catchy and furious chorus. "Whats the news" is totally into MINOR THREAT / VERBAL ABUSE(US) / CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER and some ACCUSED(US). "Life inside Iran" starts deliverying what I can see as an influence coming from the absolute killer guitar player from ENGLISH DOGS(US) , Gizz Butt! Not only because of those chords with some almost-solos with few notes here and there plus a solo itself but also because of the distortion used. "FIFH" totally confirms my idea of ENGLISH DOGS influences coming from their "Forward into Battle" LP . Side B starts with an intro, pretty rock , to be followed by "Iranians on bikes" ahahaha spectacular idea that name, again ENGLISH DOGS kind of riffs mixed with the typical Punk rock chackackachackacka palmuted guitars as if it were funk music with surf rock drumming. "Simple Life" keeps on that direction. "Chant" appears with an iranian speaking, this sounds as if it were a total declaration of war with some "Allah" screamings in the background haha, I can picture in my mind a kid in US playing this on his/her room while parents around hahahaha. "Ultraviolence" closes this LP with a really catchy groovy riff I know I heard somewhere else; and that's it. For an ignorant fuk as I am, this was mind blowing. If you are one of those who is tired of pure DISCHARGE-copycats, well, this is hell of a recommendation, is hard to find facekicking-hardcore bands but this one provides a total guaranteed joy! For further reading I recommend you to check this anecdote: here and the expected nihilistic interview: here UNHOLY LUST(US) - Humanity and its End 2018 - CD by Iron Pegasus. This is a Death Metal band worshiping POSSESSED(US) , you can see the phrases similar to the "Death Metal" track from "Seven Churches" LP on "L.W.U.D." track, finishing with a funny epic fart HA! but including some MORBID ANGEL(US) riffs with blasts and doublebass drumming. I could also feel some ACHERON(US) , "Rites of the black mass" era , when on "Ancient Times" track chorus and DEATH(US) on some tremolos, besides this track alternate vox with someone which I believe is far more outstanding as vocalist, much more deathrash ferocity, the first vocalist reminded me of EURYNOMOS(Ger) kind of vox . Good 4-track EP. This CD version includes their previous EP from 2014 "Banished from the Light" . Starting with the self-title track, I can say this one is more influenced by SADISTIC INTENT(US) and some BATHORY(Swe) on phrases for the "Enslaved in Sin" track, even some chords, due to its distortion sounds kind of swedish DM. If I had to compare them with another band from their time I would say FALLEN ANGEL(US) but I belive F.A. is more obscure. Great CD which ends with a pretty good metallic hardcore track entitled "Politics and War" , I am keeping this around for further listenings but I should also try to get their first album. Recommended! FALLEN ANGEL(US) - Dissolution Demo 2014 , tape by Necruz Records. I wrote them above so It was a must to relisten to their stuff and mention it here too. 4-track Demo totally in the vein of classical northamerican Death Metal. MORBID ANGEL(US) , IMMOLATION(US) , SADISTIC INTENT(US) , AUTOPSY(US) are the more notorious influences but the sound of the snare is kind of grindcore. Tracks are lengthy, well executed and dark. The logo is killer and that's why I got it initially. Best tracks are "Blasphemed Death" and "Nocturnal Apparitions". Recommended! FALLEN ANGEL(US) - All Salvation Lost 2020 compilation tape by Necruz Records. This includes the demo aforementioned plus "Trascend with the dead" demo . I am not sure if the previous demo was remastered for this release but sound improved in mixing if compared with the original release. The chosen artwork is great, reminded me a little bit of the afore-reviewed DEATH INVOKER(PER) EP art, even NECROCHAKAL(Bel) kind of arts, but I must say that I don't find it suitable for them, may be I am more used to other kind of arts for project into the MA's vein, for instance, their first art on the 2007 demo is much more suitable. I am proceeding to comment on the last demo below: FALLEN ANGEL(US) - Trascend with the dead and rotten demo 2019, this counts on a more raw sound, and the skilled drummer is the highlight here, as it starts with "Evil Lies within" you think of NECROVORE(US) but then turns into the MORBID ANGEL(US) path. Then the sound seems to change quite a lot, I think this have different recording sessions, I mean on "Meeting on the Spirits". Then "Rites of the Descent" as a kind of "Blasphemy" M.A.'s track, expect a brutal drummer! and last "Trapped in a Coffin" with some extra NECROVORE-ish kind of screams. Anyone willing to enjoy a MORBID ANGEL-inspired band, this is a great choice. Mostly because even though they mimick even some words at the end of the phrases, just as if it were MORBID ANGEL, the raw production helps them not to be a copycat, I firmly believe that if they release an album some day, this will have to be kept in low quality, otherwise it would end up being just another MA clone. Great demo! They don't seem to rush so let's expect another great demo in 5 years or so, starting to count on 2019, may be next year or the next!? Oh I almost forgot, A live set in 2020 was included in the B-side of this demo compilation, as killer as the rest! FALLEN ANGEL(US) - Endless Darkness 2007 demo, self made CDR. This is the origin of their lunacy. Raw demo with a couple of tracks, here you have a rawer version of "Blasphemed Death" and a track named "Corpses of Hell" . Seems to be captured by a tape recorded. Great beginning! FALLEN ANGEL(US) - Live Rehearsal 2014, in the very same CDR as the first demo, they seemed to paused for 7 years? well this is a live show where you find "Nocturnal Apparitions" from their first well done demo and "Rites of the Descent" from the last. Good to know that they were even more insane on stage. This seems to be a killer project to witness. These last two recordings are raw but totally worth it. This live show is excellent! SAX(Cze) - ZóNA Strachu 1991, Reissued by I Hate Records 2022. Czech Republic does not disappoint in terms of weird pronounciated Thrash Metal, you know I love that and this band is one of those that released super quality stuff. I can think of projects like TORR(Cze) and ASSESOR(Cze) and probably TERMINATOR(Cze) in their LP (which I don't enjoy but I know it was top quality) and DEBUZTROL(Cze) on their LP era too for the very same reasons, in my opinion "Beneath the Remains" album marked these two Thrash bands for their first album recordings. Typical Thrash Metal influences from the previous decade is expected, KREATOR(Ger) , SLAYER(US) and SEPULTURA(Bra) , but chaotic screams and atypical approaches on vocals is something to highlight on them apart form the fact that they were skilled. The best tracks for me were: "Dusená Smrt S Príchutí Olova" great solo , "DG 300" great weird vox plus fast drumming, "Rozkad Krve" kills. I have to admit that up to a certain extend this has something coming from ASPID(Rus) . To dive into them, what initially drew my attention was the unexpected art which was done by Libor Daleky, totally suits this album with the alien-like monsters. To my surprise he was also in charge of "Detonation" compilation artwork in the very same line so his art is by itself quite remarkable. The whole album is consistent and a really good classic Thrash Metal music with its own identity thanks to their language. I fuken liked it, this is indeed a must! SAX(Cze) - Moravské Nárez 1993, second LP. Very same line with a little bit more sharp guitars plus a change on the lineup, vox was replaced by a vox/guitar player which added little bit more speed and good arrangements plus solos. The vocals are more into KREATOR(Ger) apart from the fact that they already had influences from them on their previous album. Since this is faster I tought it was more appealing, but nope... This release is not bad, with the vocal tune changed, they kind of lost it, the whole recording not only seems it lost its identity but I found it quite repetitive and in the end, boring. It's not a bad recording, in fact you can perceive an improvement in how the composition where done, but could not achieve being above their previous release. I still wonder how these two LPs differ from their first demo. Anyone having that one please write to me! Anyway. I must say I Hate Records did an excellent work on digipaking these two albums, which looks as a digibook with the insert pages pasted inside with lyrics and fotos, killer work and quality. Even though I prefer rawer projects from that part of the world, as you may have already read when I reviewed TERMINATOR(Cze) ; but if you are willing to experience top quality Thrash Metal and, let's say native, on its mother tongue, well this is totally for you. MATRICIDE(US) - Elysium 1988 demo, dubbed, thanks Carlos! I was relistening to this the other day. This is a pretty well known project from John Ortega, one of the first MORBID ANGEL(US) 's bass players, "Mother's Day" being quite a famous demo among those archeodeathrashers outthere, which happened to end up being a twisted horror version of MORBID ANGEL, counting with lots of awesome solos mimicking Trey Azagthoth's way of madness, surprised with the idea being just himself on this releases but sadly counting on a drum sample which quite sucks on zymbals mostly. This following demo is definately a step forward since the drumming sounds much better. The whole production is equally done but vocals are better (reminded me of DEVASTATION(US) among some others from the time, but more obscure), not like those almost shitty growls done before, which were OK for the previous demo but must have been better in my opinion. This is another four track demo which is over the previous one. If you don't know this project or may be got stucked at "Mother's Day" demo, because this one seems to be a hard to find, well you should put your ears on this one! Besides MORBID ANGEL influences, you'll notice some NOCTURNUS(US) when keyboards are used. EVIL SPECTRUM(Per) - Emanation of the Hybris EP 2021 , by Escafismos Records (cheers edin!), sadly it lacks of an insert. Well this is really good Deathrash metal, that honestly, at first glance, reminds me to Chile more than Peru, and of course, their vivid brazilian touch, mostly SEPULTURA(BRA) from their best era, "Morbid Visions" MLP. Pretty killer music and excellent production. Side A counts on a couple of tracks "Bringer of Chaos" and "Occult Sin" (you will hear the "Show me the Wrath" influences on phrases, both tracks are equally good, I think they are working a little bit more on their arrangements because the music seems totally complete and vast. Side B has "Nazarenus Graves" which I think is the best of these three tracks, its intro takes you to BLACK SABBATH(UK) and immediately afterwards it took me to MORTAL SCEPTER(Fra), even though they have improved, their style is effective and precise, I am glad to see a project like this keep moving on their deathrashing path. Again, this along with DEATH INVOKER(Per) , DEATHLY SCYTHE(Chl) and MORTAL SCEPTER(Fra) are the best projects to follow nowadays, probably I am missing some, like JPI VIO-LENS KOMMAND(Ury) and few other projects that are worth mentioning. This is for those who don't need to follow stupid social networks recommendations. Recommended! Дажд (Ser) - Крв и семе 2020 LP by Fuck Yoga Records, I came across with this pretty cheap and gave them a try. I don't even know how to describe what these Serbian guys are doing... metallic tribal music or fuk don't know hahahaha. Has a pretty interesting Progressive Rock , Heavy Metal-ish, Black Metal-ish vibe with great screams and few mellodic parts here and there as if those were coming from a kind of Greek Black Metal scales. I kind of depict this music as "music for sex" . If you are willing to experience something weird then here you will find it. I found this really enjoyable, guitars cuts and repetitions are weird as fuk, the drumming is astonishingly catchy with hell of a rehersal-ish sound full of energy and feeling. Only recommended for those looking for unexplored realms of metal, quite an exception for myself HA! It's hard for me to compare this with something but I think it could be related to PACTO AMEN(Chl) and Оброк(Bul) . AFFLICTED CONVULSION(Swe) - Toxic Existence Demo 1989, dubbed. Well what to say about this marvellous band. If you like the production ideas used by MEFISTO(Swe) on their demo "Megalomania" plus the weird stuff added on "Alosia" demo by AUTOPSIA(Ger) or I could even mention GOMORRAH(Ger) demos and "Disgusting Semla" from MORBID(Swe), well this will pack all what you need as reference for you to be fukin consumed by their crazyness. Even though they later changed their monicker to AFFLICTED, this is much more interesting than what they did right after, because it was not polluted by the 90's Death Metal invasion. For those willing to experience the swedish death metal that does not sound like the crapy melodic shit used later, this will totally kill you. Just by staring at their logo as if it were the one from CURRICULUM MORTIS(Per) you'll be possessed, check this out or you will be punished by BATMAANNNNN!!!! SAURON(Swe) - Demo 1984, dubbed. Another swedish Heavy Metal-female-vox project. The vocal tune is pretty similar to Kate's from ACID(Bel) and the production, despite the redundancy on names, is quite similar to ACIDO(Ury) . As soon as "A lover in Black" begins you can think immediately of "Hell on Wheels" from ACID, even on the slow part I can think of ORAL(Swe) . "On my way to Heaven" counts on some JUDAS PRIEST(UK) influences but the tune always keeps inside ACID realm, this one is little more melodic, quite boring. "Send it Back" it's a good track, unexpected twists and a great space-like sample for a passage almost at the end that kills. Finally "Stormchild" , is like DELIRIUM TREMENS(Ury) ' s "Hijo de los ángeles" ! Excellent. This project is not outstanding and not that obscure as the artwork manifests either, but not bad, so if you are willing to extend your ACID desires, this will suit you. This was desecrated by Dark Archives Records on tape and vinyl, in case you are willing to take it. Pretty good demo! Thanks joakill for the trade! AULLIDOS DE PERRO(Mex) - Aullidos de Perro 2023, CDR by DTP zine and Herre Records, 10 tracks of Black/Punk Metal, nothing new, nothing outstanding more than the fact they have a female vocalist. Too clean sound in my opinion, the drumkick sounds too clean and plastic, fukin hate it. What I would highlight is the Punk spirit they seem to have, the track "Todo Vale Verga" made me vomit of fun, reminded me of ATOXXXICO(Mex) on "Que Velocidad" . I would compare them with BONBFIRE(Col) and VELHO(Bra) but these being much more effective on what they do. If you happen to track them give them a try but don't expect too much. Probably good on stage and with more beer than what I have now. ANTI SYSTEM(UK) - No Laughing Matters LP 1985. CDR . This is a great HC project. If you are into a mixture between CHAOS UK(UK) and DISCHARGE(UK) well, this is excellent, you can even listen few traces of DEVIATED INSTINCT(UK). I really enjoyed their kind-of-manifesto tracks exposing animal torture and hunger for instance; typical from that era,place and time but love it anyway. If you are curious about some other outstanding hardcore project, this will definately kick your face. PINK TURDS IN SPACE(UK) - Greatest Shits 1988, CDR. Spectacular HC from UK with female voxs. Another example of DISCHARGE(UK) mixture with CHAOS UK(UK) and thanks to Annie, the vocalist, I can think of A HEADS(UK) in few tunes but definately SOBERANIA PERSONAL(ARG) similarities. This is totally interesting for those looking for great hardcore massacre, some references to SKITLICKERS(Swe) can be found here too. Need more info? Here : http://www.serc-mapa.org/public_html/zerodisc/page2/index.html MOLESTÖR(Ita) - Lust in Piece Demo 2022, self-released on tape. I came across with their logo and distro somewhere in time through another letters... and decided to get in touch since their logo is kind of Thrash Metal-ish . But now I had the chance to have it rolling here and totally took me out of my seat. This is a Hard Rock band in its 90%. Reminded me of a rehearsal version of MOTORHEAD(UK) on "The Riding" and "Riflessioni di Jean-paul Sartre sul mondo moderno". "Serpent of Eve" is the remaining 10% that starts totally Thrash Metal but then goes back into their Hard Rock but this time I could think of TANK(UK) too plus some HC . "Strawberry Ice-cream" is a good mixture between those aformentioned UK projects, probably their best track on this demo. And to close they played "Skulls" from MISFITS(US) . This has nothing to do with what I had in mind but not bad at all. If I had to compare this project with some other from nowadays that would be NYTE LIGHT(Ger) (cheers cowboy!) . Thanks danielle for this!! ULVEZ(Ita) - Defender of Darkness demo 2022, tape independently released. This is another project from danielle, may be the more metallic extension of what was achieved with MOLESTÖR(Ita) and a solo project with no fake drumming, congrats on that mate! Sounds raw but good. Clean vocals reminded me of a little bit to BLITZKRIEG(UK) and the vein is more or less that one but inclined into more obscure arts. "Defender of Darkness" at first impression sounded little bit amateurish but when "My Morbid Queen" took place, got better. "Necromanti" is the third track of this short demo, simple and effective, pretty nice. And the tape dies with "Burst Command til War". After all is a good one and I would keep the previous contemporary projects mentioned above as references, apply much more into this project I guess. The ones interested should get in touch with him, as a matter of fact he runs the Haunting Chants Distro ; daniele.bigoni at hotmail.it . BAFOMET(Jpn) - F.O.A.D.I.F. 2022, tape by Destruktion Records. This is a Black/Speed/Thrash Metal act so related projects are the same as always, VENOM(UK), BATHORY(Swe) , SABBAT(Jpn) , GEHENNAH(Swe) , SODOM(Ger) and so on... has something extra, Heavy Metal. Vocalist reminded me of MANZER(Fra) at times. I won't cut my veins for this one but is a pretty good recording, at least not boring like tons of bands on the same line. I was shocked by the fact that "Satanico Heavy Metal" is in spanish and guess what... the vocalist is the one from BATTALION(Chl) , this was really crazy, I had no idea. Related contemprary project could be MIDNIGHT(US) , OMEGA(Gre), WITCHNIGHT(Arg) , OLDBLOOD(Svk), OLD(Ger) , and huge etcetera. For those looking for Sex drinks and Metal! Thanks again danielle!!