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:
Arkaik-Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts (96/100)
The sixth full-length from the US Tech/Death masters. Thumping rhythms, static start/stop riffing, and challenging arrangements blaze throughout a frantic assortment of rhythm and tempo changes throughout here. The riffing remains the hallmark here with swirling rhythms, complex arrangements, and challenging grooves incorporated into the tight approach which all runs through mid-range stomps and faster thrashing sections with various other tempo variations within. Fueled by the hard-hitting drum blasts and sci-fi themed lyrics that are augmented by ethereal melodic accents placed throughout, there's quite a lot to like here which isn't really brought down by too many factors beyond several sections being repeated to the point of not really standing out and making it difficult to determine where you are in the tracklist due to the long running times. That's really the only issue though.
Midnight (US)-Let There Be Witchery (89/100)
The fifth full-length from the one-man Black/Thrash Metal outfit under the name. Bludgeoning riff-work, crimson-soaked melodies, and raucous tempos provide a solid bouncy time here engaging in the usual punkish rhythms with a fine blackened spirit. The short, high-energy Speed Metal stylings and simplistic patterns keep their straightforward punk-like attitude intact while incorporating a solid series of scorching leads from the accomplished guests that provide a stellar spark alongside the hard-working rhythms. Allowing the punk-styled simplicity to merge with the Speed and Thrash riffing to generate faster tempos and more chaotic energy against a more mid-tempo stomp also in play creates a vicious attack to bounce between everything rather well while maintaining a melodic sense with the blackened riffs and vocals. That simplicity may wear thin for those wanting a harder attack but it's not that detrimental.
Sanhedrin (US)-Lights On (92/100)
The third full-length from the US-based Traditional Metal three-piece under the name. Steady traditional rhythms, sprawling mid-tempo grooves, and a warm old-school approach to the rhythms offer a focused crunch that's equally hypnotic and aggressive. Using straightforward thumping grooves and churning riffs from the old-school style while injecting touches of progressive rock into the soundscape brings things along quite nicely with steady paces and a warm, spacious sense of melodic flair that becomes quite inviting. With the rocking riff-work featuring plenty of firepower to switch from the steady old-school chugging grooves to energetic up-tempo thrashing and slowing down to mid-range melodic sprawling patterns, there's also enough variety and deviation to offer a great balance throughout which is quite impressive as this is only let down by a preference for faster material rather than anything stylistically.
Insineratehymn-Disembodied (82/100)
The sophomore release from the US Death Metallers. Ravenous riffing, crunchy patterns, and a blazing series of tempo shifts create a complex whirlwind of challenging arrangements and jagged rhythms. Taking on a series of technicality in the riffing which isn't overtly showy yet becomes far more complex while raging alongside the thumping drumming and angular patterns offers tight sections of old-school flourishes within the brutality. Featuring a bit more of a sprawling approach to the rhythms rather than the shorter arrangements makes the tighter blasts feel more intense overall and generally combined together into a solid enough approach that's somewhat undone the clanky production that's on display. It zaps a lot of the murky atmosphere in favor of a more Tech-based sound that feels off with the dry guitars and rattling bass in the background instead of the murky reverb of their inspirational groups.
Hellraiser (Rus)-New Blood (70/100)
The fifth full-length from the Russian Thrashers under the name. Short compact grooves, steady rhythms, and tight, sluggish patterns keep this one relatively straightforward throughout with a rocking mid-tempo impact. The riffing approaches the groove territory riding a straightforward nature once it starts with a generally unyielding approach around the tight rhythms although the arrangements favor a more traditional old-school crunch not just with a more dexterous if still simplistic patterns. That it kicks up the tempo into more aggressive and vicious tempos instead of relying solely on the lethargic mid-tempo grooves offers enough of a variety here to matter despite not really being that impressive in that range, coming across as a meandering sludgy-sounding mess in the slower sections with the compact rhythms not doing much to help out. It's what holds this back the most overall.
Warfist-Teufels (87/100)
The fourth full-length from the Polish Black/Thrash outfit. Raging tight riffing, thunderous drumming, and a furious crimson-soaked atmosphere keep this one generally focused and straightforward for the most part. Offering plenty of tight crunchy patterns and thumping rhythms barreling along at frantic speeds fueled by the punkish Thrash-like style of approach, the energy here is quite impressive and features a series of engaging riff-work throughout with those sparkling blackened melodic accents to filthy up the arrangements. As this punk-laced Thrash style of riffing means there's a somewhat unvaried approach that takes a furious riff and rides it at pretty much the same tempo, this can appear rather formulaic and predictable rather easily here. Likewise, several tracks slow things down to a mid-tempo chug standout due to uninspired moments that feature discomfort in that style compared to the dominant thrashing elsewhere.
Moonlight Haze-Animus (90/100)
The third full-length from the Italian Power/Symphonic Metallers. A cross-pollination working of melodic pop rhythms with mid-tempo Power Metal styling with plenty of accessible patterns and arrangements throughout that create a vibrant and generally engaging sound here. Employing the Power Metal functions here with the chugging mid-tempo gallops, tight drum work, and light keyboards in the background, the overall setup veers into the dominating symphonic style with the soaring female vocals coating everything in a warm, sugary glaze. With this approach taking centerstage for the majority of the album, it makes the lighter pop-centered moments stand out that much more due to the embracing of simplistic patterns and accessible melodies rather than blazing up-tempo elements. This is more of a factor in the first half where the poppier side is more prevalent rather than being integrated better but it's not too big of a factor overall.
White Tower-White Tower (80/100)
The full-length debut from the Greek Metallers. Crunchy old-school chugging, tight rocking rhythms, and hard-hitting drum work offer a focused retro attack that's full of simplistic patterns and a straightforward style. Keeping everything into either a solid mid-tempo charge or a faster blitzkrieg, the straightforward patterns here feature little variety or deviation beyond a full-on assault of traditional rhythms and arrangements. Rather, the main focus here isn't the band's performances but rather the reverb-drenched production that blends everything into a prominent mid-80s sound that's infectious while also burying a lot of the musicianship underneath which leaves it feeling somewhat hurried and uninspired. Likewise, the Accept-like wails from the lead singer will take some getting used to as the gravelly roar is so close sonically it's a bit off-putting which only fuels the old-school vibe even more.
Demon Mörder-Within the Dust and Chaos (83/100)
The full-length debut from the US Black/Thrash metallers. Filthy thrashing riff-work, short compact rhythms, and straightforward patterns focus on creating a wholly infectious swarm of blackened thrash leanings. The shorter structures in the arrangements create plenty of blazing speed with the Thrash sections and pounding drumming barreling along which features an assortment of brimstone-accented melodies that are about a hellfire-style rhythm for a generally fun time. The times where this drops those aspects for a rawer, more traditional Black Metal approach with atmospheric sprawling guitars, churning riffs, and tremolo patterns add a mournful and pained style that doesn't fit in with the tighter, more ferocious thrashing as the lengthier running times leaves this with some rather unimpressive parts of the album. It's not wholly detrimental but does knock it down somewhat.
And for our classic release:
Conquest (Ukr)-Frozen Sky (89/100)
The sophomore release from the Ukrainian Power Metallers. Tight Speed Metal riffing, melodic keyboard washes, and pounding drumming roar along at frenetic speeds that are a notch or two below the original. That it keeps the speed intact on select tracks rather than the whole affair in favor of a more Melodic Metal approach that turns the churning rhythms from the original into more prominent keyboard parts means it relies more on a mid-tempo range here. Those sections offer more of a heavier crunch without focusing on the tighter Speed Metal passages and relentless energy from the first album, which is also apparent in the greater number of ballads here which leaves this with a rather curious approach. The softer feel here compared to the first one will be a bit of a downgrade for those wanting pure melodic fury while on its own there's still a lot to like overall here.
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