The various listens I had over the previous week, first staying up-to-date on current releases before going through the ages to listen to an older release.
First up is the newer releases:
Deathgeist-Procession of Souls (82/100)
The third effort from the Brazilian thrashers. Crunchy series of swirling retro-style Thrash rhythms with tight, simple structures and a somewhat one-note approach keeps this one chugging along at a steady clip. The tight rhythms and riff-work manage to hold this one up without any real deviation or change to the arrangements leaving this without any kind of variety of surprises to be found throughout here with the lack of really dynamic patterns and a simplistic approach. Given the approach featuring short, compact songs with mid-tempo rhythms and the occasional sprawling chug to augment the overall style taken, there's a fairly universal setup in play that doesn't read as overly complex or original here which is the only main drawback as the whole approach comes off quite enjoyable.
Inhumane Existence-Dehumanized (82/100)
The debut full-length from the Swiss Death Metal group. Tight, swirling chugging patterns with mid-tempo paces and frantic drum-blasts keep this one in a slew of frantic arrangements. Augmented by technically-challenging sweeps and lead-work at the higher speeds, the first half is a whirlwind affair of blistering high-speed Tech/Death before slightly changing up the formula in the second half. That part substitutes the faster sections for more pronounced mid-tempo riffing that works in chugging rhythms or tighter breakdowns that slow the tempo down in favor of a more brutal edge alongside the more flamboyant technical rhythms that still pop up. There's a lot more that can be on display here as the short, compact rhythms don't allow for a seamless mix of influences so a slightly more confident combination of them in the future could be rather fun.
Funeraria-Nuclear Apocalypt (83/100)
The first full-length from the Costa Rican Death/Black Metal group. A sweeping series of mid-tempo chugging paces and ultra-frantic drumming blasts with an immensely obvious triggered style provides the basic framework here. The general style approaches cavernous mid-tempo-styled Death Metal in its mid-range patterns alongside the frantic drum-blasts and clanking bass lines for the first part of the album resulting in a select amount of crimson-soaked riffing and tremolo rhythms for the Black Metal touch. When the tempos begin to pick up in the second half, the main part of the album shifts into furious whirlwind blasts and sprawling tremolo riffs that add much more of a chaotic bent to the style which is kept to a quite involved style throughout the rest of the album. This makes for a slightly more separated experience than expected with the more Death Metal-ish songs upfront while the blasting Black Metal is at the back of the album but it's not a truly detrimental or faulty experience in the slightest.
Wreck-Defy-The World Enslaved (91/100)
The fourth full-length from the Canadian thrashers. Crunchy, sprawling retro-styled Thrash arrangements kept to a series of twisting rhythms and blistering drum-blasts that manage to keep the atmosphere fast, furious, and generally raucous throughout. With the extended running lengths of the tracks, the ability to change from hard-charging retro-thrash blasts, mid-tempo chugs, and sprawling melodic interludes intermingling throughout keeps the material generally upbeat and surprising awaiting the next tempo or time-change with the various sections being utilized quite frequently throughout. The full-blast thrashing is where it remains the most engaging and enjoyable with the intensity brought forth in rather furious matters which generate the counterbalance to the more mid-tempo sweeping sections present. It's just that there's so much going on here that this one tends to feel quite overwhelming and even tedious at points with the exaggerated lengths requiring so much to go on to get there that several parts could've been trimmed or omitted without losing the songs' essence, yet it's not truly deal-breaking in the slightest.
The Ferrymen-One More River to Cross (90/100)
The third release from the Power Metal supergroup. Classy, sturdy rhythms and sparkling melody-infused arrangements carrying throughout a mid-tempo selection of old-school Heavy/Power Metal tunes. Firmly encroached in the same overall tone as the vibrant melodies in the overpowering vocals and soaring guitar lines allow the tight, mid-tempo crunch in the rest of the rhythms to appear that much more dynamic and engaging. The sprawling arrangements and fiery performances keep this firmly in the general mid-tempo range for the majority of the arrangements so that the few outbursts of galloping tempos and arrangements stand out against the grain due to not getting a lot of work showcased elsewhere beforehand. Given that the second half opts for these tracks instead of being integrated fully makes this factor all the more apparent but it's not detrimental in any extent.
Omhosten-Music of the Great Beyond (86/100)
The debut full-length from the Ukrainian one-man Black Metal project. Sprawling, swirling tremolo patterns, clanking bass lines, and steady drumming blasts fuel a generally mid-tempo assault that offers majestic tones and melodies throughout. The simplistic structures and swirling tremolo patterns replicate a majestic soundscape twitch the buzzy rhythms featured throughout which is full of traditional patterns and rhythms offering a strong attack alongside the plodding drumming which moves this along at a steady pace. It only changes up the pace when it brings in the use of atmospheric passages with more measured tremolo melodies and rhythms which are slower paced and keep this one running around a series of incredibly familiar partners as the general style and approach is kept the same for the most part. There’s not much to dislike here beyond this factor as the majestic rhythms keep this quite strong, but mostly, indistinguishable from each other.
Medictum-Juego de sombras (83/100)
The second album from the Spanish Heavy/Thrash group. A strong series of galloping, mid-tempo rhythms which are focused mainly on the blazing Latin-infused arrangements which offer much more of a melodic traditional metal feel. The galloping up-tempo drumming and swirling riff-work prominently on display further that feel with the melodic rhythms holding this one along while firmly entrenched in mid-tempo range while the soulful rhythms come into focus. Given the simplistic nature of the material here, the generally bright and sparkling arrangements offer an upbeat style to the more energetic paces which are somewhat far removed from Thrash yet carry the same overall vibe. This creates a slight disservice with the melodic-based traditional metal leanings being far more featured so the mid-tempo sections being far more dominant against the faster rhythms needs more coherency to mesh together but it's still engaging.
Aethereus-Leiden (94/100)
The second full-length from the US-based Tech/Death metallers. Twisting, complex rhythms, challenging riff-work, and galloping drumming carry this one along throughout that tend to weave about within several tempo changes. Mid-tempo chugging augmented by furious blast-beats and clanging basslines with the occasional piano interlude or progressive-tinged horn section brush up against frantic sprawling riffing, dexterous drum-work, and progressive leanings in the arrangements that bring about a highly complex and challenging atmosphere. With the modern production keeping this one firmly rooted in the lighter soundscapes befitting the progressive leanings, the dissonant rhythms, and various time-changes keep this one engaging and rather unexpected where it's shifting to next. That leaves the most lasting impression on this one as the album's lone drawback is that the swirling arrangements and long-winded running lengths can make for an exhausting experience at times.
Eliminator (UK)-Ancient Light (92/100)
The second album from the UK-based Heavy Metallers under the name. A swirling blast of tough, crunchy traditional metal riffing, stylish bass-work, and plodding drumming propel a fiery burst of melodic rhythms along at a strong mid-tempo pace. Keeping things firmly rooted in the mid-range throughout while still adding in tight riffing patterns and a thunderous rhythm section, the swirling leads alongside the soaring vocals offers fiery and energetic old-school patterns which are utilized quite frequently. As the propulsive mid-tempo rhythms are given a boost by the tight drumming and harder-edged rhythm patterns, the mix of mid-tempo crunch and faster mid-tempo gallops allows for a highly dynamic affair with a lot to like overall even though this one becomes quite reliant on the mid-tempo work the most part which is great for the majority of the stuff here but is just that much let down when it goes for sprawling doom-like passages which thankfully aren’t a big presence here.
Monasthyr-Eterno Linaje (88/100)
The second release from the Spanish thrashers. A classy combination of mid-tempo thrashing augmented with tight rhythms, a vibrantly Latin sense of melodic riff-work and a tight, thumping rhythm section make the majority of this one. Graced with a generally fun mid-tempo pace that allows for the melodic leads to take centerstage over the chugging rhythms and engaging guitar-work which melds Traditional Metal melodies alongside the Thrash-based attack on display, the series of energetic arrangements here becomes quite furious with the charging patterns bringing that to the forefront since the trad rhythms serve as the slower-section melodies which are the dominant factors throughout here. The idea of the material taking on more of a full-scale Thrash attack with the melodies could offer a more vibrant attack in the future but it's not that much of a drawback.
Mastercastle-Lighthouse Pathetic (93/100)
The seventh album from the Italian Power Metallers. Strong, melodic-based Hard Rock style of Power Metal that remains quite committed to the surging mid-tempo plodding that has remained a hallmark of the group for the majority of their career. Lush, lascivious guitar patterns, intoxicating melodic flourishes, and a steady, thumping rhythm section keep this one pretty grounded in the mid-tempo realm, for the most part, only letting up for the occasional double-bass outburst from the dynamic cover version or the rather over-the-top soloing that makes up starting neoclassical melodies with the dexterity of the soloing that really has a lot to like. While some of the speed here could be improved and picked up slightly somewhat, for the most part, there’s not much to dislike here with this overall lively and melodic approach.
And for our classic release:
Ceremony (Neth)-Tyranny from Above (93/100)
The debut effort from the Dutch Death Metallers under the name. The ravenous riff-work here comes through so clearly out of that primitive, dirty thrashing style stylistically familiar assault to the American acts populating the scene while intertwined with churning, sprawling rhythms for that energetic burst of intensity and aggression typically found here while also formulating that anguished, churning sound. That this mixture can work well in either going through the varying tempos on display, going from a simplistic, straightforward sprawl that tackles the material at a slower crawl while letting the swirling rhythms take centerstage, or blasting away with a faster thrash-based rhythm that makes for a stylized American bent to the material. The rumbling charge present here due to these elements is highly effective and enjoyable yet it remains so close to the American structure is a tad disconcerting with there not really much variety here beyond the tempos. That isn’t much of an issue here but is something to take in consideration.
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