Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Cultfinder-Hell's Teeth (Ep/2014)

This is a 3-piece from Uk that their style is a heavy dose of Black/Thrash with ear-pleasing stuff close to Hellhammer, early Sodom ( in the sign of evil era), a 7-song release which they supported through Usa by clawhammer pr, this Ep is a heavy-hitting chunkers of grind to blow the cancer off your lungs. It features an evil artwork and lyrics. If you did not experience Cultfinder this is your last chance!!
www.facebook.com/unholycultfinder
www.facebook.com/clawhammerpr
unholycultfinder.bandcamp.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Sons Of Famine-Alcohol and Razor Blades (Demo 2013)

From Chicago Sons of Famine brings 4 tracks of intense extreme metal but the timing changes and a totally original sound including a brutal druming, vocals, bass and savage riffs. My guess for influences would have to be Death, Black, and even Grindcore, it is fucking cool for me hearing a band of this nature in this decaying world of music, these maniacs definitely have my respect and i'm looking forward to more material, maybe even a Cd down the road??. Initiate yourself to the cult by getting ahold of this demo. Cover art by Putrid Matt. Arrgghhhhhhh!!
www.facebok.com/sonsoffamine
sonsoffamine.bandcamp.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Thy Legion-Venerato Diaboli (2010)

Thy Legion returns with this brutal effort, a mixer of blast-Black/Death from the deepest Malta, can't even describe what this band sound like because their brutality is something else. Maybe i can say influenced by Vader and early Behemoth on this one. Recommended if you're a fanatic of  Murderous speed and schizo-strengthed riffs that's impressive, the drumming is violent as well, definitely this band possesses. Looking forward to hear their new album.
Brutaaaaal!!
www.facebook.com/thylegionmt
Review by Paul Caravasi

Thy Legion-Proclaimer Of Chaos (2007)

Thy Legion from Malta is very brutal like Avulsed or Deeds of Flesh; intense, powerful and catchy. You may find it to be a bit typical in spots, but there's lenty of ideas floating in and out of each song ( 8 ). They have anoher cd in the works, some ripping extreme metal!
www.facebook.com/thylegionmt
Review by Paul Caravasi

The Metaphor & Sudden Evil-Evil Rulz as Snake/ Split cd (2012)

Extreme Metal from China. The Metaphor brings 5 killer tracks of in the vein of early Morbid Angel and Deicide, also included a savage cover of Dark Angel "Darkness Descends", this is old school live-and-die for Metal attitude. Sudden Evil plays a brutal Death metal, it's extremely hard to be consistently memorable when playing 10,000 notes a minute at blinding speed, but it is done here. The solos really stand out. They're totally recorded well, i like the midway riff in "Dark System", which musically illustrates the song's title and also featured a bizarre cover of Kreator "Pleasure to Kill". An inhumanly brutal effort. Get your copy now!
site.douban.com/themetaphor/
site.douban.com/suddenevil/
www.underftm.com/dingart/chinese/index.htm
Review by Paul Caravasi

Dinkumoil & Punisher-Underground public servants Split cd (2013)

If you like hard rocking heavy metal Dinkumoil is for you, 4 songs including a live track which is well done, they play an old fashioned style of heavy metal which makes you shake your fist and head. I'm also impressed with the music of Punisher, thrash metal and it's brilliant. These two bands will make you head move in a criminal way. Total moshing!
site.douban.com/dinkumoil/
site.douban.com/punisher/
www.underfm.com/dyingart/chinese/index.htm
Review by Paul Caravasi

Hell Savior-Keep Running For Metal (2010)

Hell Savior plays traditional Heavy metal, catchy and memorable. Almost each one clocks in over 3 minutes and several longer than that, there are good songs however such as "Soundless Train" and "Keep running for Metal" and a cool cover of Judas priest "Breaking the law". Check out some real Heavy metal again!
www.underfm.com/dyinart/chinese/index.htm
Review by Paul Caravasi

Tractor & Skullcrusher-Sexy Big Butt/Machine Gun (Split cd-2013)

More good Metal from abroad. This time a split cd featuring two chinese bands. Tractor plays a dirty style in the vein of Motorhead, doing a good job. Skullcrusher brings a different approach, they're heavier and darker in their style, the vocals are a bit like Sodom's Tom Angelripper, this band give me the impression that they will kick ass tremendously featuring a cover of Slayer "Die By The Sword". Then again, if you get this, you can tell me your own opinion. This is cool!
site.douban.com/tractor/
site.douban.com/skullcrusher/
Review by Paul Caravasi

Excited Insects-2011 Live In Hellfire Club (China)

A 4-piece from China with their live show featuring 8 tracks of Thrash metal that resembles a balance of riffs in the vein of Slayer, Halows Eve, and Exodus. The construction of the songs is what kept me listening as they are well-executed. Features an interested cover of Metallica "No Remorse", you need to check this band out, worth a listen!
site.douban.com/insects/
www.underfm.com/dyingart/chinese/index.htm
Review by Paul Caravasi

FlamingStream-If Blood Roils (2013-China)

I'm reviewing this band from China as i had a hell of a time getting this! (thanks Fan Zhang). Great thrash metal with double-bass caught in a crossfire of guitar crunch like Evildead, Anthrax, Exidus and Vio-lence. 6 tracks that rip and i would recommend. Killer stuff.
This is the only thing of recent i know of from the band-any info on them contact: www.douban.com/flamingstream
www.myspace.com/flaminstream
Review by Paul Caravasi

Dementia13-Tales For The Carnivorous (Ep/2013)

More goodies from Portugal with this amazing underground band. Vocals are filled like the greats of Obituary, Autopsy and Entombed, musically, a titanic Death metal attack. A well-respected band that doesn't kneel to any trends-play this Ep loud and proud. This is superb!
www.escaravelhorecords.com
www.facebook.com/bavalives
www.razorbackrecords.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Shroud Of Despondency-Tied To A Dying Animal (2014)

Having existed for 15 years, Shroud Of Despondency  is a brutal band to emerge from WI, with their style of Black/Death. The material falls into many categories of bands including Morta Skuld, Death, Carcass,Immolation, and early Deicide, but keeping their own identity. This double cd is a blasphemous chaos. A favorite of mine already, from this slow-developing yet rising underground phenom. Hope to see more from the band in the future. You should appreciate this killer band!
www.facebook.com/shroudofdespondency
Review by Paul Caravasi

Avitas-Northern Ghosts (2014)

If you're buried in the underground, this band shouldn't need an introduction! Blazing Canadian Black Metal, 9 -track ear-bleeder with speed, riffs and dark lyrics. A powerful and heavy atmospheric black metal in the form of Darkthrone-Bathory, These tracks are played tightly and are well-thought with clever riffs and different moods set in each song. This cd kills!
avitas.bandcamp.com
E-mail: avitas66@hotmail.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Amon-Liar In Wait (2014)

The Hoffman brothers are returnig this time with vengeance. Amon is unleashing this brutal cd featuring 9 tracks of Death Metal in the most evil way possible. Mantaining a true identity in the extreme metal scene, the best way to describe this is to take all the great albums from the 90's Usa Death metal scene  and fuse them together with a more brutal approach and it's about the best i can tell you. A very heavy correct band that utilizes aggression well, this could hurt the toughest of all moshers. If you did not experience the storm this is your last chance. Amazing album!!
www.facebook.com/amoneric
Review by Paul Caravasi

DoomDogs-Unleash The Truth (2012)

I fucking love Doom! When you are tired of this fucking life bullshit, there's nothing more recuperating than sitting back and burning one to a depressing record, Doomdogs are serving me this purpose as we speak. The growls are perfect, this band shows their big influences and skills and bring a lot to the music. You need to check this band out. Cheers!!
www.doomentia.com
www.doomdogsband.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Underground Never Dies-Compilation by Andres Padilla (2014)

I knew it wouldn't be long before an honest, dedicated metalhead release a killer book and cd. A talent and skill of this caliber should not go unrecognized. I'd like anyone who ever said the underground is dead to pick this cd and book and then try to prove that statement while we listen together this infernal compilation. Metal is just  as good now as it ever has been!! Andres Padilla From Chile (Grinder Mag. Editor) did an amazing job with this compilation. You should get a copy or you'll fucking die !!!
www.facebook.com/andres.padilla.5682
www.doomentia.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Impetigo-Faceless (Re-issued Tape)

Obliteration Records  Re-issued this brutal cassette, Impetigo brings these unmerciful tracks of relentless, brutal, Death/Gore in the old vein. They deliver heavy hooks. lightning fast guitar riffs, blinding and blasting drum beats, and deadly growls that your soul will scream with. Cool Re-issue.
Impetigo fucking rules!!
www.obliteration.jp
Review by Paul Caravasi

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Scolex-Torn From Beyond (12" Ep/2013)

I'm proud to review this killer band (thanks to Erika/Bass player who sent me a copy) Scolex shreds! Heavy and viciously dark Us style Death Metal, dropping hints to early Immolation, and Autopsy is what this band has occupied themselves with and they're damn good at it. An ungodly voice, gutripping guitars and with a production at whole that would put many new albums to shame. Next album will feature Eric Cutler (Autopsy). Scolex will grind you down, tear chasms in your mind. Definitely It gives you a ticket to hell!!
www.facebook.com/pages/Scolex/138650706201169
www.scolexdeathmetal.bandcamp.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Aggressive Mutilator-Terror, Incest and Death (Cassette 2014)

I just heard about this band a few months ago, probably from the lack of ads spread through the underground! This kick ass band from sweden are influenced by the 80's style, Black/thrash metal in the most evil way executed, but keeping their own unique identity through it all on the 15 tracks provided on this cassette, if by some dumb chance you dislike this band, you're a wimp, pungent tracks of true, raw metal, the artwork of this tape is cool too, you can hear clearly the riffs in the vein of early Sodom-Kreator-Destruction along with Black metal blastings. Hope to see more from the band in the future. This band needs a promotional help by fanzines around the globe. well done!
www.aggressivemutilator.bandcamp.com
E-mail: mikael_holm@hotmail.com
ljudkassett@gmail.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Lightning

Well well, this is a nice piece of Heavy Metal from Peru. The cover of this demo surely won't fool people, you're expecting this to be an old-style, and this is what you get. Nothing is less true that these guys attack with pure traditional metal, the demo features only three tracks. The kind of metal that was so popular back in the 80's, Sebastian's voice is really good, the entire band is doing a good job on this demo. Definitely i'll be ready for the full lenght album. Good job guys. Heavy Metal is the law!!!
www.facebook.com/pages/Lightning/513911825328332
Review by Paul Caravasi

Maze Of Terror-SkullCrusher (Ep/2012)

Well, 5 songs of severely Death/Thrash Metal. This is a brutal fest of inhuman proportions. Bearing much similarity to Massacre (Usa), and early Sepultura, this is a non-stop decapitation. This also features a cool old school artwork. Bands like this one keep Metal strong and proud. Don't fucking mess with Peru!!(unless you're bombing those fags in the reggayton music). You should go buy this Ep. Long live metal!!!
www.facebook.com/mazeofterrorthrash
Review by Paul Caravasi

Hell Razor-Enter hell (2013)

Here's a band that flat out proves that peruvians can play Thrash Metal just as well as any american or european band. The sound is not thin or frail, but triumphant and piercing. Good use of great riffs, and the parched throat of Thrash itself, these guys hold their ground at a fast speed, and keep the listener interested." Traitor" is a heavy track, cult riffs and potent drumming , Hell Razor will have a bright future. I know it is a long path but they definitely can achieve much more. Impressive, certainly worth owning!
www.facebook.com/hellrazorperu
Review by Paul Caravasi

Necrofagore-Macabre Finding (2013)

This young Peruvian band definitely is starting to get a grip on their old influences, primitive Death fk metal in the vein of Autopsy, Immolation, and even Massacre. This cd is a stab at the troath, and a roaring battle cry from the legions of the dead. Sounding even more old school and darker than most of the bands these days. Necrofagore is growing into vicious beast, rising from below in a fiery storm. With bands like this to fuel the furnace of the underworld. Hell is getting even hotter. This is brutal!
www.facebook.com/necrofagore.peru
Review by Paul Caravasi

Tunjum-Promo Tape 2011 (Peru)

Raw Black Metal is what these females from Peru are screaming from their throats. Three tracks of insane sound and it's definitely worth checking out if you're ready for a totally fucked up Southamerican Black Metal lightning strike. Razor-sharp guitars an pounding drums, i prefer a better production for this demo but it's some great stuff anyway. Support Tunjum and get a copy of their demo!
E-mail: tunjum@hotmail.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Headsplit Zine-Issue # 2

What i got here is a brutal zine ( thanks Tony Juarez). Packed to the brim with tons of sick and gory underground art, it got some of the coolest layout i've seen in a while. Artwork by Putrid, Tons of info, interviews with Vomitor, Anal Cunt, Morbosidad, Pale Existence, Impaled, Slutvomit, Sanguis Imperem, Rude, and more..., reviews, a sick comic and articles. To top it off there's a few posters (Goatpenis-Black Witchery and Morbosidad). You don't want t miss this one so drop this maniac a line and secure a copy of true underground history. Killer!
www.headsplitrecords.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/headsplit.rekords
Review by Paul Caravasi

Diovim Zine -Issue 6

Since i don't read Lithuanian i'll can't discuss the contents much, but in issue 6 you'll find interviews with Potential Threat, Oniricous, Nyarlathotep, Hela, Devlsy, Stars will burn your flesh, Xanathos, Semynar, Ingenium, Siberia, Graeskul, Cardinal Wyrm, Eschatos, Humano, Averse Sefira, Birth A.D., high quality, tons of reviews and the layout is good too, but it's really hard for me to fully appreciate it though....
www.facebook.com/diovima
Review by Paul Caravasi

Liquid Cheese - Issue #37

This is definitely a great horror movie zine and in this day and age it represents the somewhat lost spirit of yesteryears. Packed with underground films like "The last house on Dead end street", "Biohazard", "Thirst", and more. There are reviews of cds and Porn flicks as well, In addition you also get a lot of info about cool films-something to really challenge your knowledge of Metal and horror movies. Killer zine for sure, and actually i think there's another one in the making. Really entertaining stuff and Dave Kosanke got his own style. Get your fkn copy now becaue this rules!
liquidcheesefanzine.storenvy.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Sadogoat Perversion Zine-Issue 2 ( Peru)

This is the first time i'm reading this zine from Peru, no matter what, this is a great work by Manuel Atencio. It is packed to the brim with killer acts. First of all there are cool interviews with Graveyard, Holder, Almighty Sathanas, Ritualization, Necrofagore, Insaner, Manolo "vulcro", Queiron, Unaussprechlichen Kulten, Unborn, Matt Putrid, Blacker, but this is nearly not all as there's lots of other ints. and tons of album, zine and demo reviews. The layout is good, the interviews are in-depth and well thought and all together this makes one extensive and highly interesting, informative read. Hope to see another issue soon!
Contact: www.facebook.com/manuel.msab
Review by Paul Caravasi

Saturday, April 19, 2014

EvilSpeak Magazine-Issue # 1 (2014)

EvilSpeak Magazine is a new publication from Billy and Vanessa Nocera of Razorback Records who are a long time contact of mine and well known in the underground scene. I actually like this Horror magazine, you don't see too many of them these days, i mean everyone knows Fangoria and maybe you can find a lot of Horror movie websites but not print issues like this one. Nice neat layout, featuring well done interviews with Heather Langenkamp and Amanda Wyss (A nightmare on Elm Street), Ulli Lommel, also features a good amount of reviews, the ones i like a lot are "Halloween Night (1988)" and "Rocktober Blood (1984)". A lot of info about movies and filmakers, i can read this Mag over and over again. A quality work that deserves a good reading. One of the writers is the one and only Stevo (Impetigo). Art made by Don England, Matt Putrid, Reuben Splatterbeast, Eric Rot, Allen K, Slasher Dave and Matthew Desiderio. Definitely well worth it. EvilSpeak is a must have in your collection. This is Awesome!!
www.facebook.com/evilspeakmagazine
www.razorbackrecords.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Graveyard Tales-"Tragic Halloween" 2013

This is a cool comic done by Tony (Editor of "Reborn from ashes zine"). This particular story of 45 pages is called Graveyard Tales/Tragic Halloween. deals with two girls and one guy going to a cemetery on a Halloween night and something weird happens. These people deal with horrible creatures lurking in the shadows, scarecrows and Death Metal. The artwork is decent with good effort put in the writing of this tale, the layout is really old school, it's easy to follow. This is a good entertainment for all the horror freaks out there ( including myself) who like this kind of stuff. Well done my friend, this is what i call True Dedication and a bizarre imagination. Get a copy or you'll get lost in the cornfield living a nightmare!!!
www.facebook.com/RebornFromAshesFanzine
Review by Paul Caravasi

Thursday, April 17, 2014

INTERVIEW WITH SHADOW HOST

Russian thrashers Shadow Host bring the classic 90′s thrash sound with influences in Testament, Blind Guardian, Forbidden, Artillery, Evile and others. These guys play well, they can also keep you entertained and wanting more. Here's the interview for Soulgrinder Zine with Alexey Markov.

1- Hello there. So give us some details concerning the bands career so far.
Hi! I'm Alexey Markov from Shadow Host, Russia. The band was founded by our guitarist Alexey Arzamazov in 1993, and the first album "Twilight Legend" was released in 1997. Soon after the 2nd release, “Neverland”, an important brought the band to a new level – Shadow Host performed as the opening act for Blind Guardian. Performances with bands such as Grave Digger, Stratovarius and Nightwish followed. The third studio album, “Curse Of The Angeleye” had already a much heavier feel. The next release of the band, “Bringer Of Revenge”, became even faster and more aggressive, and became a type of melodic thrash metal. Soon after the release of this album, I was invited to sing for the band. We started out on a tour and played several significant concerts, including as the opening act for Annihilator and Overkill. At the start of 2013, we released the EP “Demon Hunter”, and, at the end of the year, a whole two releases: the EP “Lunacy Divine” and the full-length album “Apocalyptic Symphony”.

2-Current line-up
Finally an easy question :)
Alexey Markov - vocals
Alexey Arzamazov - guitar
Yury Naletov - guitar
Artem Molodtsov - bass
Erland Sivolapov - drums

3-Did you have any support from family and friends when you first started the band? Which were their reactions?
Alexey Arzamazov definitely had support from his family (and still has!) - in contrast with me. My family never quite understood my interest for the heavy metal.

4-Which member or members of the band take care of the lyrical content of the songs?
Usually Alexey (the founder) sends me the main idea, the concept of the song - the title, what it's about and some thoughts, - sometimes some rhymes that he feels should be there. Then I sit behind my computer with all the internet stuff: a dictionary, a rhymer, a thesaurus, and try to come up with the verses. I put it off for a week or so, then return to it and see if it needs any corrections or improvements.

5-Do you believe that your music and lyrics can inspire a repressed society to stand up?
We do not hope for this. But we definitely want our listeners to stop for a moment and at least think about it.

6- What is your view on the Russian Thrash metal scene from the 80?s till today?
It's basically dead. Russia had a few good bands, but they all turned into shit or are gone now. We're one of the few bands that still play speed/thrash, along with our good friends from bands Manic Depression and Exister.

7-Which bands would you dream of playing with as a support act?
I guess our all-time-favourite will be Testament, and maybe Megadeth and Metallica.

8-So let’s talk a bit about the artwork. It’s very impressive.
Again, the concept was designed by Alexey Arzamazov. We had two sketches from two different artists, but we all voted for the one from Alexander Kwaadnar Balinets, who also drew our previous cover (for "Bringer of Revenge"). He also worked with Deicide.

9-What should the Thrashers expect of your album and how would you describe it to the fans that have not listened to it yet?
It has very oldschool, traditional thrashy sound with a little melodic twist. It's speedy, heavy and catchy at the same time. Musicwise it's something inbetween Testament, Blind Guardian and Artillery.

10-Is there a special story from the recording of the album you’d like to share with us?
The recording process was really fun, and we filmed an hour-long video about it. Too bad it's only in Russian. I guess the most jokes were about food. We were always hungry cause we spent all the money on the recording and we were constantly looking for meat in our biscuits :)

11-Which bands were your idols and the ones that made you want to play in a Thrash metal band?
It all started with Blind Guardian and Rage. Then we turned to stuff like Metallica, Testament, Anthrax, Exodus, Overkill and Slayer. We still love them!

12-What are the future plans for Shadow Host?
We plan to record a few cover songs this spring, and then we definitely want to shoot a video or two! We haven't started working on new material yet. I think we'll really take our time working on the next album.

13- I want to thank you very much for your time. Is there any message you’d like to send to your American fans?
Thanks for this interview! Listen to thrash and we hope you'll find some time to listen to our "Apocalyptic Symphony"!
www.shadowhost.ru
www.facebook.com/shadowhostband
http://metalism.net
Interview by Paul Caravasi

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Imperial Savagery (2014)

Blasssstt!! You Fuck!! The 4-piece from Chicago definitely crush your fkn cranium with ultra-sheer sonic circumcision. Murderous speed and schizo-strengthed songs (there's 10) will keep your hands tightly gripped on a 90lb double-edged axe awaiting the first victim that interupts the cd when you're listening. The fucked scenario i leave you with is Immolation meets early Deicide! Grind your way to this address....
www.facebook.com/imperialsavagery
imperialsavagery@gmail.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Natas-Deathcore 1985-1993

When the glorious metal scene was in their best shape, Natas burst onto the scene like a whirl-wind from the deepest abyss. Whith an aggressive musical violence unheard that decade they brought new unlife into the 80's and 90's stagnated and crumbling genre with their ungodly raw Crossover attack. those demos that came like a nuclear missile onto the scene. This double cd features the demos "Outcast of Society" 85', Ïnternal Damnation"86', Split Ep 90', "Think What You Want" Lp 89', and "No One Gets Out Alive "Demo 89'. There's not much lacking from this release which is a pure mayhemic Metal assault, even though their Punk influences are there to the maximum, they sound fucking Thrash Metal, still the legacy of this band will forever live on. Natas moves so fast and they crush everything they run into. This is fkn insane!!
www.facebook.com/ScottNatas
www.areadeath.net
www.xmusick.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Faethom-Mark Of The Devil (2013)

How to describe Faethom, this Ep is very european black metal sounding but they mix it well with some traditional heavy metal. They expanded their sound to become a completely amazing experimental "metal"group, check out the intro of the second track and you'll see what i'm talking about. With the release of this 3-track Ep, they opened some doors, which they will never close ( i hope). The production is cool, great sound quality and these guys know how to play their instruments, the vocalist Mariela Muerte truly is able to hit those notes to a kick ass level, impressive!! Metalheads should be on the hunt for this one. You won't be disappointed!!
www.faethomweb.com
www.facebook.com/faethom
Review by Paul Caravasi