The Trials of November 3, 2017

Nemere Release Their First Album

The Klown has delivered by feeding the Ugh Metal fetish, once more! The Hungarian quartet known as Nemere have debuted their first studio album titled Vérmező, independently. That’s right, kiddies an independent act and they are black metal. This unconstrained release kicks off its inauguration with “A Múlt Kapuja (The Gate of Past)” and right away it features some pretty aggressive and fast-paced black metal like 1349 or a fast version of Highland.

“Harci Dal (Battle Song)” does justice to the song by first introducing the sounds of marching drums courtesy of G.J. and then followed up by some strong guitar riffs and backing growling vocals from V.T. to accompany frontman V.ZS’ harsh vocals. The quartet continues the battle theme with “Végső csatánk Veszni látszik (Our Last Battle Seems to Gone)” which can be described as a 5-plus minute of intensity that is somewhat reminiscent to that of Helheim.

“Vízió (Vision)” starts off with some slow guitar riffs and builds up right away takes you to some raw black metal bliss.If you enjoy the sounds similar to that of Watain, Nemere’s “Az éjszaka Holdja Alatt (Under the Moon of Night)” and “Vérmező (Bloodfield)” demonstrate that they can give you a quick fix without having to wait too long for new material. The album finishes with “Utolsó Utam (My Last Journey)” which has a similar intro  as the first track  but slows down and picks up again with V.T.’s guitar riffs towards the end of the song.

This debut was a pretty good start for this band and clearly features their influences well. The Klown recommends this album for fans of Watain, Helheim, 1349 and Highland. If you consider yourself “trve” this would be an album you may want to consider listening to. You can check out this album in their Bandcamp.

5 out of 6 Straight Outta Transylvania

Tetragrammacide Go ‘Primal’ With Latest 

The blackened death metal trio show us how India brews their metal in their latest Primal Incinerators of Moral Matrix which was released via Iron Bonehead Productions. The album starts with “Hyper-Spacial Mandala of Intuitive Latencies” which contained spoken-word and distorted chants to set the mood before transitioning to “The Prognosticators of Trans-Yuggothian Meta-Reason.”

“The Prognosticators…” would be best described as a mix between Full Of Hell or Nails with some blackened death metal influences. The song features really harsh growling vocals mixed with some auto-tune to give a muffled effect the way black metal sounds like at times.“Radicalized Matrikavyeda Operation: Militarized Cosmogrids Destabilization (Heralding Absolute Contraction)” and “Cyberserking Strategic Kalpa-Terminator (Advance Acausality Increment Mechanism) took a complete stance on the blackened death metal like that of Hellfire Deathcult.

“Transcranial Ka’abatronic Stimulation Collapse” serves as an intro to “Intra-Dimensional Vessel of Were-Robotics, N-Logics and Assorted Latice Intelligence” sounded like old Cannibal Corpse with Chris Barnes. The album caps off with a one-two combo of “Imperial Cyanide Voltigeurs (Quantum Threshold Leapers of Hatha-Sorcery)” serving as the blackened death metal catalyst to “Dismal Ramification of Mathematical Marmas and Sandhi” which followed the same effects as in the first track.

Aside from being a mouthful, the album was a pretty good start for this Indian trio and will give you adrenaline for days. The Klown highly recommends this album for those who fancy Hellfire Deathcult, Archgoat, Full Of Hell and Nails. You can check it out and get it here.

5 out of 6, Khali Would Be Proud

Anti-Flag Release a New Piece of Americana

The legendary punk band from Pittsburgh is back after a two-year hiatus with American Fall and it was released through Spinefarm Records. The Klown was glad to hear that Anti-Flag was back and just as angsty as ever. The album fires away with “American Attraction” which gives you a bit of a radio-friendly version of punk like other American punk greats such as Bad Religion and Social Distortion. Other songs that can be described the same but with a bit of oomph are “The Criminals” and “Trouble Follows Me.”

“When the Walls Fall” features the band taking a page out of Rancid book and features some ska influences with their punk. Much like Rancid’s songs, they are catchy as hell but they also provide a message. “Finish What We Started,” aside from being a forerunner for the Ugh Metal theme song for the upcoming Christmas shopping, features Chris “Chris#2” Barker’s bass heavily and a powerful harmonic chorus from the whole band. Barker’s bass once again shines with the fast-paced “Liar.”

“Digital Blackout” and “I Came. I Saw. I Believed,” feature some aggression but remain friendly to the ear with a very harmonic chorus and frontman Justin Sane and Chris Head’s infectious guitar riffs. “Racists” and “Throw It Away” exemplify the spirit, message and sounds of punk. The album finishes strongly and appealingly with “Casualty,” contains a very melodic chorus line, some gnarly guitar riffs and Pat Thetic’s drumming and cymbal’s clashing to go along making a perfect blend.

The Pittsburgh quartet proves that although they were busy fighting for social justice and equality, they can still  provide material powerful to bait and hook you. Anti Flag even managed to make their two-year hiatus seemed shorter than what it was.

The album was a pretty good surprise and served as a great soundtrack to express themselves given that the one year anniversary of election day was a few days after. Nevertheless, no matter what your feelings are about E Day, you can get this album here or don’t. The Klown doesn’t feel like he should say it but if you love punk, you’ll love this.

6 out of 6, The Soundtrack for Present America

Moonspell Memorializes its Past with their Contemporary

Portugal’s national treasure has resuscitated from their 2-year temporary extinction and has released a brand new album for the masses. Y’know because of the title of their last album was called Extinct? Anyway, enough of the Klown’s failed attempt to be witty onward to 1755 which was released through Napalm Records.

The Portuguese quintet, unlike before, has taken a step back to their roots by singing in Portuguese and produced a memorial to a tragic past in their homeland’s history. The brief history lesson is that of the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 which not only devastated Lisbon but other parts of Portugal, Spain and Morocco. This 8.5-9.0 earthquake then caused a tsunami that affected the UK and Ireland.

The album begins with a theatrical opening song titled “Em Nome Do Medo” which was had a great use of overture and church-like choir alongside with frontman Fernando Ribeiro. This would serve well as a built up, and dramatic intro into “1755” which sticks with the theatrics, and has keyboardist/programmer Pedro Paixão busting out some middle eastern samples. The song also features some awesome guitar play and a solo from Ricardo Amorim. “In Tremor Dei,” “Evento” and “Ruínas” feature some Gothic metal similar to that of their Memorial.

The band dedicates the actual date of the event with the symphonic, theatrical Goth metal song “1 De Novembro.” The song features Ribeiro singing with clean screaming vocals, with the occasional growling vocal in between, sounding like someone in agony. Amorim does another great guitar solo as well. This album concludes with “Lanterna Dos Afogados” which is best portrayed as a dark ballad… or so the Klown thinks.

As a bonus, if you couldn’t get enough of “Desastre” this metal Muzzy treats you to a Spanish version of the song. The Klown will not oversell this album too much for you but he’ll just say check this baby out and take the plunge here.

6 out of 6, You’ll Never Forget

Cannibal Corpse Slays Again

Cannibal Corpse… what more can be said about this legendary death metal band? The Klown supposes that he can talk about their latest album Red Before Black which was released by Metal Blade Records. On that note, their 14th release produces an aggressive Cannibal Corpse which sounded much angrier than the last couple of releases. At least that’s what the Klown thinks.

The album commences this bloody saga with “Only One Will Die” which was a really strong and aggressive beginning to get any death metal fan completely invested. The song also featured a pretty awesome solo by Pat O’Brien and the same can be said about “Red Before Black” and “Heads Shovel Off.” The band take it back to the last albums and features the heavy sounds mixed in the intro of the song before transitioning to the erratic sounds that gave them fame. This can best be heard in “Code Of Slashers” and “Remaimed.”

The Klown found another favorite Cannibal Corpse song, the very PG titled “Shredding My Human Skin.” The best way that the Klown can describe it would be if “Evisceration Plague” picked up the pace to match the intensity of Kill but is slow enough to allow bassist Alex Webster to add some intensity. Webster shares the spotlight with O’Brien where he gives us the gratuitous solo.

If you really want something similar to that of Evisceration Plague, however, then you will definitely like “Firestorm Vengeance.” Another favorite of the Klown was “Scavenger Consuming Death,” which is also worth noting that Webster had a solo of his own in this track making this song more interesting and good. This contemporary ends strongly with “Hideous Ichor.”

Not much else to say about this album other than it was a pretty awesome album and if you fancy yourself a hardcore Cannibal Corpse fan then it’s a must-have album. You can lend it your ear on Metal Blade’s Bandcamp and buy it there.

6 out of 6, It Goes for the Kill!

The Trials of Sept. 22, 2017 (Part 1)

Monarch Are Determined To Reign With ‘Never Forever’

French doom metallers Monarch are here to guide us in to a darker and deeper extreme of doom with their latest album Never Forever via Profound Lore Records. The ambience is real and potent in “Of Night, With Knives” which is appropriately followed by the soft and slow “Song to the Void” which will ease us in to other worldly territory. You ready for this? Hold on to your metaphysical crystals ‘cause he we go!

Emilie Bresson continues to be our sludgy spirit guide and will entice us in to the rest of this doomy Forever with her silky and growling voice. Bresson switches to that sweeter side yours truly mentioned and sticks to clean vocals in their cover of Kiss’s “Diamant Noir” where she makes us feel her pain.  “Lilith” treads carefully and Bresson continues to mix her screaming vocals while her angelic chords which are complimented by the dark and steady riffs from Shiran Kaïdine and Stéphane Miollan.

Monarch continue to put the doom in doom. Bresson’s tortured screams mixed with Kaïdine, Miollan and bassist MicHell Bidegain riffs amplify the grimness in this genre, lest we forget the precision from drummer David Hemery. For my doom enthusiasts who are ready to submerge themselves to the next darker level of this subgenre, this ambient baby is it. Blacken your doom dosage and get your copy here.

5 out 6, Forever and ever

Satyricon Rise From The ‘Deep’

We like our comebacks and our coffees just like our metal…legendary! Sigurd “Satyr” Wongraven and drumming extraordinaire Kjetil-Vidar “Frost” Haraldstad are back despite the few hiccups life threw at them. The iconic black metal duo has released their ninth studio album Deep Calleth Upon Deep via Napalm Records and it was just what the witch doctor prescribed.

Satyricon crack open their signature riffs and style in the track “Blood Cracks Open the Ground” but experiment a little in “Dissonant” and briefly add a trumpet! Whoa…But just super briefly in the intro so before you get your pleather gauntlets in a bunch, it’s still a Satyricon song. MORE COWBE…I mean trumpet… please! Want another uber Satyricon song with a little bit of vintage black metal elements? “Black Wings And Withering Gloom” will soothe that craving.

“To Your Brethren in the Dark” adds an extra drop of black before carrying you off in to the cold embrace of the title track “Deep Calleth Upon Deep” to whisk you away… to hell! JK! More like a nice gondola ride in the river Styx. Another thing worth mentioning about the title track is that it lives up to the simple but poetic artwork this album proudly wears. Satyricon keeps the faint theatrical ball rolling with “The Ghost of Rome.”

Deep Calleth Upon Deep is somewhat of an elegant beast, but it will unexpectedly envelop you with a calculating darkness much like death. What too grim? You’re  actually right for once… Okay, this album will swallow you up at a steady pace with a sweet darkness that will make you see the Norwegian stars in the dark forest. Better? Does this sound more positive? Is this possibly a love letter? I don’t know but what the J-Oh’ster does know is that you MUST check it out. See how you feel about it at our Spotify and when you fall in love with it, get your copy here.

5 Out 6, DEEPER!

 Archspire Continue Their ‘Relentless Mutation’

 Ya know who was in overdrive? Archspire. But that’s not surprising from these technical death metallers who are ready to melt our brains and eardrums with their latest Relentless Mutation which burst out of its cage via Season Of Mist.

Are you ready for this mother of a ride? Strap on you strap-ons tightly everyone! ‘Cause Oli Peters ain’t slowing down especially once you get him started in “Human Murmuration” and “Calamus Will Animate.” Peters’s rapid vocals can power a big ass steamboat or train, which to be fair, can be heard throughout the whole album, not just these tracks.

“Relentless Mutation” cranks down the dial just a few decibels and allows you to bask in the amazing riff work from Tobi Morelli and Dean Lamb. “A Dark Horizontal” caps off with an elusive and somewhat turbulent ride that will take you out of this world! Right before the final track reaches the half way point, we’re treated with some nice acoustic fluff before launching back to the stratosphere.

Archspire’s rise is sure to continue with their third full length album because much like the title of this album, they are continuing to evolve and dominate in this genre. The instrumental work and Peters’s impressive interchanging range of growls and squeals is a talent any metal head will appreciate. Give in to this latest mutation from Archspire and get your copy here.

6/ 6, You can’t stop this evolution

Vacivus Will Convert You To Worship Their ‘Temple’

Looking for a new addition to your music library? Vacivus is here to fill in that void with their debut LP Temple of the Abyss which rose out of Profound Lore Records. These Brits will guide you down to blackened death metal’s basement by adding extra blackness to darken this album. I’m sure Spinal Tap would be pleased by this darker shade of black. Are you salivating yet? Surprised I used a big word? Me too but once you give in to this album you’ll see why.

Vacivus still maintain the same speed from these genres in “Summoning Apophis,” and “Cosmological Necroticism” which shines with more black metal elements, not to downplay the rest of the album. This Temple needs a chant right? “Black Flame Serpent” will make you kneel and throw your horns in the air especially when Dan Rochester and Ross Oliver lay out that breakdown and that final grand riff.

Vacivus delivered a strong debut potent with black metal magick that’s seething with brutal death metal. Nick Craggs’s vocals will certainly give you the best of both worlds that blend in so great with the fantastic and ruthless instrumentals from the rest of Vacivus. It’s only a matter of time till these British imports are dominating our American ears and metal scene. Join the Temple of the Abyss and get your copy here.

6 out of 6, You’ll worship this album

The Missed Trials: Hellfire Deathcult, Eths, and Temblad

Hellfire Deathcult Released an EP to Soothe Fans

The Klown and his semi-likable sibling have had the privilege of seeing this Chi-Town trio perform at the Brick by Brick once. So naturally they must have had some albums because logic! On February 22, 2017 Hellfire Deathcult released their Death Worship EP Our Ancient Future Records. Allow the Klown to state that this album has Reyes Perez’s vocals giving you an idea how Satan would sound like if he stubbed his toe and will take you on a ride of pure adrenaline. No f’n joke. The following three tracks really stood out to the Klown.

Right after the introductory track “Prayer ov Unholy Black Death” the gloves come off. “Abysmal Hate ov Christ” features guitarist/vox Alejandro “Quetzalcoatl” Alcantara’s gnarly but brief guitar solo towards the end which came as pleasant surprise adding more character to the song. “Anti God War ov the Apocalypse” features E. Rodriguez’s cymbal clashing, Perez’s powerful bass and him sharing vocal duties with Alcantara. Although “Ov Death and Hate” is the final track , it does a good job leaving you wanting some more and looking forward to what the group may bring out next.  It is also worth noting that although Rodriguez’s drumming and cymbal clashing shined the brightest on this track, the rest of the guys don’t tread far behind.

This album left the Klown wondering how the band brainstorms for their ideas mainly because it felt like a jam session. The members worked off of each other to create the songs, leaving you wanting more. The Klown absolutely recommends these gents if you really are looking for some black metal of energetic proportions or if you need a soundtrack for summoning demons at your next exorcism. You can check these guys out at their bandcamp.

5 out of 6, This will make you workout like a DEMON!

Eths Emerged with Fourth

The Klown has always liked the female fronted French ensemble known as Eths. The Klown was ecstatic and sad when their breakthrough III was released in 2012. Ecstatic because the group had signed with Season of Mist and were no longer a European exclusive act. He was sad because it was also the beginning of a long hiatus due to the sudden departure of front woman Candice Clot. Nevertheless, the Klown was shocked when Eths had another album out, he naturally wanted to check it out.

On April 22, 2016 the quintet released Ankaa and starts out strongly with “Nefas” by mixing some ambient samples with metal and having frontwoman Rachel Aspe doing justice to Clot’s vocal style. “Nihil Sine Causa” follows up powerfully by giving a heavy dose of metal featuring guest vocalists Jon Howard of Threat Signal and Sarah Layssac of Arkan.  Howard indulges this song with his metalcore vocals while Layssac softens things up with her harmonic voice. The song also features some electronic based sounds after the breakdown which would also be a recurring theme in this album.

“Seditio” gets experimental with the piano, heavy double kick drums from Soilwork’s Dirk Verbeuren.  Aspe adds her growling vocals into the reverb and dub step mix. “Nixi Dii” starts off really heavy and aggressive but tone it down a bit towards the middle with Aspe’s clean vocals after the breakdown, and turns it around with harsh vocals. This song gets a little experimental too with the use of samples of babies crying.

“HAR1” also features Ugh Metal’s most prolific, vocalist Bjorn Strid of Soilwork. Strid adds his distinguished vocals making this track sound like a Mushroomhead song, to the Klown anyway. “Kumari Kandam” and “Alnilam” will take you back to the classic sounds of Eths vocals and instrumentals without the samples. This album finishes with “Mintaka” which sound like classic Eths but with ambient tones added to signify the end.

This was all over the place but was still enjoyable and makes the diehard Eths fans understand why they needed to end the project. The band took a final bow on their final tour in May 2017 with the original lineup. You can check out this album on the label’s bandcamp.

6 out of 6, Au revoir ma reine et mes chevaliers

Temblad Crowns Their Debut

Our local quartet Temblad has graced the Ugh Metal site twice before this moment. Now is the Klown’s turn to  feature these gents again but this time we’ll talk about their studio album debut Nevercrown which they released independently on April 26, 2016.

The album starts off strongly with “Caress the Rabid” right after the intro called “Daesh.” Right from the beginning you know you’re in for a treat of the extreme variety. “The Murderous Fifth” gives you a bit of groove without straying away from their established sound. “Stratageddon” features  Lorenzo Kemp sharing vocals with drummer Marlon Matthew while he struts his kicks, cymbals, snares and all.

“Paralytic,” “Ship of Traitors” and “Mockery of the Fanatic” are the Klown’s personal favorite on this album. Aside from being really aggressive, it feature everything the band has to offer including Kemp’s vocals. “Seeding Derision” spotlights Kemp’s skills on the guitar by showing off some playful riffs that are reminiscent to local powerhouse Cattle Decapitation. The best part about this album is also the fact the Matthew and Kemp decided to include most of their 2011 EP Mockery of the Fanatic and finish strongly with “Geist.” The song had great and fast drum beats, an awesome guitar solo and leaves you clamoring for more.

The Klown can confidently say that he can’t wait till the next album is released. You guys should check it out especially if you like Decapitated, Cattle Decapitation and Norma Jean. Lastly, you can hear and obtain this album through Temblad’s bandcamp.

6 out of 6, This album will give you chills

The Trials of May 5

Note: Feliz Cinco de Mayo, carnales! Although this is belated, in actuality, most Mexicans don’t really celebrate this. BUT that still doesn’t stop us from some drunken debauchery! You wanna feel traditionally Mexican and remain metal/punk? Play some Metalachi, Brujeria, Asesino, Mictlantecuhtli, Piñata Protest, Café Tacvba crack open unas heladas and call yourself a Mexican for a day! In the meantime, here are some albums to add to your drunken soundtrack!

Lucifer’s Dungeon Is Released at Last

The Russian black metal duo known as Lucifer’s Dungeon has released their studio debut album The Dark Army Raises through Grimm Distribution. The brainchild and front man Cain Black features an array of ambience and sounds of old school Norwegian black metal. More of the latter is featured with “Unconscious Faith,” “War,” “Burn Your Dogma” and “The Forest,” just to name a few. “The Dark Army Raises” presents the ambient black metal sound with vocals features some great guitar play from Black himself. If instrumentals are  your thing you are in luck friends, and you will love “The Last Day of Life,”  “III Lives of Dark Angel” and “The Secret” which sounded like something that came from an earlier Ghost Bath demo.

Lastly, Lucifer’s Dungeon dabbles in a style similar to that of Darkthrone’s Transilvanian Hunger with the Fre“The Answer” and “Beyond Good and Evil.” It was a pretty good debut and will definitely ride on the nostalgic black metal train. The Klown recommends this album for die hard black metal enthusiasts and for those who fancy themselves kvlt. Finally you can check this out on the label’s bandcamp.

5 out of 6 Lock Up Has Never Sounded So Good.

Freiheit Liberates their Newest Album

If you know your German, the word literally means freedom. In a twist befitting an M. Night Shyamalan movie, this blackened death metal quartet is from Russia and has released their long awaited studio debut Безумие. Ненависть. Смерть (Madness. Hatred. Death) via Grimm Distributions. The album begin with the short but pretty strong and singing intro “C.C.C.K” which then transitions to “Волк” (Wolf) and had the Klown thinking he was listening to some earlier Carach Angren. Not to be outdone by “Мясорубка” (Meat Grinder) which sounded like a spry Dimmu Borgir if they had death metal and folk influences incorporated as well as rapid double bass drumming courtesy of Pavel Melnikov. However, Freiheit really bring you some fast death metal with “Корпус Смерти” (The Corpse of Death) and “Монумент” (Monument) which features Alexandr Merzliy’s smooth but harsh growling vocals. If you’re the type that’s big on brutal death metal “Технократия” (Technocracy) and “Свобода” (Freedom) are the tracks you’re definitely going to enjoy. Lastly, this album finishes really strong with some really fast paced death metal “Горящая земля” (Burning Earth). If you don’t mind hearing Russian vocals but enjoying the fast paced instrumentals then the Klown highly recommends this. You can also check ’em out through the Grimm Distribution’s bandcamp.

6 out of 6, The New Sound of Freedom has Arrived

Full Of Hell Release Their Latest with Some Fanfare

The self proclaimed Martians known as Full Of Hell have made not one but two appearances in Ugh Metal. On that note, check out the articles in which they were featured after you done checking this out. Anyway they have returned with a fifth installment Trumpeting Ecstasy through Profound Lore Records. This album was a little different than what the Klown has heard in the past from this quartet. Full Of Hell first takes an ultraviolent approach with “Deluminate” and “Bound Sphinx” but they immediately revisit their brand of grindcore with “Branches of Yew” and “The Cosmic Vein.”

This album contains a handful of guest vocalists such as such Isis’s Aaron Turner, Andrew Nolan of Column of Heaven in “Ashen Mesh,” and  Canadian pop beauty Nicole Dollanganger in “Trumpeting Ecstasy” which became the Klown’s favorite track. “Trumpeting Ecstasy” has Dollanganger’s soothing and angelic voice beautifully mixed with Walker’s beastly growls, his mixing board and some autotune. Lastly, “At the Cauldron’s Bottom” feature Converge’s Nate Newton’s harsh vocals to make a really intense and doomy closer for the album. The best part of that song is the ending because of how the electronic ambient sounds from Walker is incorporated,  making it seem like a march to an epic battle leaving you satisfied after the album. You can check this latest album out through the label’s bandcamp.

6 out of 6, Will leave you in ecstasy

Nagaarum Continues to Bear Fruits of Experiments

The one man experimental black metal project known as Nagaarum has released his 14^th studio album titled Homo Maleficus via Grimm Distributions. The Hungarian man known as T.G. Nagaarum starts off his new album with “A Befalazott” (The Walled) which can be described as very experimental and ambient doom metal with some black metal vocals. Despite that description, the song is more instrumentals which is not a bad thing before you misconstrue the Klown’s words.  “Az Elvhu” (The Principle) and “A Vassal Nevelt” (Raised with an Iron) pick up the pace and are rather intense considering that they’re somewhat slow paced and ambient. “Mens Dominium” and “Dolgunk Végeztével” (When We’re Done) offers experimental black metal with some electronic sounds and synths making the songs borderline Industrial. “Kolontár” was definitely the most befitting way to end the album. Why? Aside from the song being deliberately slow, it seemed rather appropriate to top off this album’s irregular direction and almost present a bit of normality to this piece. The Klown definitely recommends this album for those who are in true ambient and experimental black metal. Drop by their bandcamp as well.

5 out of 6, Damn Good

God Dethroned Latest is FIRE

The band most synonymous with the Dutch metal scene, God Dethroned has produced a new album after seven long years titled The World Ablaze through Metal Blade Records. The legendary quartet quickly start strong with “Annihilation Crusade” which is made stronger with that sweet guitar solo. In a twist of patriotism combined with cynicism “The World Ablaze” serves as a great and borderline sludgy song especially because of the heavy melody it and the meaningful lyrical content that front man/ guitarist Henri Sattler offers. “On the Wrong Side of the Wire” and “Close to Victory” features the melodic death metal that the band was known for. “Escape the Ice (The White Army)” features a bit of brutal death metal to the mix and also features another sweet guitar solo from Mike Ferguson.

“Breathing to Blood” was only awesome but had the Klown thinking that it was a lost Amon Amarth track, regardless of how is sounded for a brief moment it was just awesome in general with the intensity and speed that it carried. Looking for a song to head straight into battle? God Dethroned gots you covered with “Messina Ridge.” “The 11^th Hour” was basically the perfect closer for this album because it was melodic and somewhat slow paced and leaves you clamoring for more. This album not only did well to commemorate the fallen soldiers and it’s more than in time for Memorial Day but it was a great comeback. The Klown definitely recommends this album especially if you are die hard God Dethroned fan. Don’t forget to get your copy now! 

6 out of 6, FIRE

Behemoth and Myrkur Casts A Spell Over The Observatory

BEHEMOTH!

A divine dark cloud hovered over Santa Ana on May 7 as the black metal siren Myrkur and the prominent Polish black metal band Behemoth conquered with their last stop of their North American tour.

Long after the hoard of loyal fans slithered in and settled in to the small gladiator shaped venue, the Danish songstress took the stage with grace. But this one-woman band led by Amalie Bruun performance not only proved that she was “one of the guys”, no, Bruun is on her way to establishing her dominance in the testosterone powered genre.

Myrkur entrances audiences at The Observatory in Santa Ana

Myrkur’s sound is a bit of a time capsule and can induce nostalgia launching listeners back to the early 1990’s wave of Norwegian Black Metal with an alluring component. Bruun created a haunting but entrancing melody one might find in the deepest darkest corner of an enchanted forest.

In true siren fashion, Bruun weaved a hypnotizing melody that would pull in even the toughest metal head before going in for the kill and releasing her hellish growl. Audience members morphed in to gladiators in the small arena after being struck with shock and excitement from the petite front woman’s fierce battle cry.

Myrkur did not need to ask to receive as the pit became a choppy mess by the middle of her first song “Den Lille Piges Dod” which started out like the beginning of a morbid and epic fantasy like most of her songs. A fan decked out in dreadlocks surely was deep under her spell and briefly started a fight in his frenzy.

Myrkur serenades fallen black metal icon Quorthon with the Bathory cover of “Song To Hall Up High”

Brunn may have won the crowd over way before she reached the halfway point of her nine song set list, but what bewitched the crowd was her beautiful rendition of “Song to Hall up High” originally performed by the iconic Swedish black metal band Bathory. Within the silence, faint weeping could be heard from hell as Satan and the deceased Bathory front man, Quorthon, spewed tears of joy.

Bruun not only wowed audiences with her beauty and grace, but she’s on her way in creating an innovative and new era in black metal. Bruun is showing her growing and dedicated fan base that not only can females kick ass in the metal world, but they can look good doing it.

Behemoth delivering a memorable performance at the Santa Ana Observatory.

By the time Behemoth made their highly anticipated appearance, the restlessness in the atmosphere was outstanding and stirred by the beginning riffs of “Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel”. With screen projections showcasing occult-like images and black, horned ceremonial masks in tow, the Polish quartet decimated the performance with their incredible showmanship.

Front man, Adam “Nergal” Darski was a force to be reckoned with and certainly conveyed the demigod essence with his incredible energy and natural charisma. Though his face was partially shrouded by an over sized hood and corpse paint, his piercing gaze could be felt miles away as he blared his unmistakable thick vocals. Rabid fans in the pit clawed their way to Darski in hopes of receiving the unholy blessing of the famous communion wafer.

Nergal of Behemoth sanctifies the masses by giving them The wafer.

Behemoth played “The Satanist” in its entirety followed by two encores, rewarding fans with their older hits such as “Slaves Shall Serve” and “Conquer All” among others. By the end of the unforgettable performance, the crowd was thirsty for more and Darski, who was taken aback by the energy and support, promised they’d return.

The two European bands went out with a bang and will probably be one for the books. With Behemoth constantly rising to legendary status and Myrkur’s star in the making, its only exciting to see how these bands will continue to blow audiences away.