Valkyrian Music

Hell United
Aura Damage
Released: September 2012
Black Metal/Death Metal
Released via Hellthrasher Productions

‘Aura Damage’ is the second album from the Polish blackened death metal band Hell United. The band originally started out back in 1997 under the name Eclypse and released an album called ‘Applause: JHVH Elohim Met’ under this moniker.

It’s pretty clear from the start of the opening track ‘Red Limitations’ that you’re in for one hell of a ride! Hell United bear a slight resemblance to a their more renowned countrymen Behemoth; only this is a lot faster and far more ferocious. Another band which I would compare this to is Vesania, but Hell United lacks those symphonic elements and puts more emphasis on death metal.

Speaking of death metal, the next two tracks ‘Apostle of Plague’ and ‘Deathlike Cold’ are very much following the same direction set by some of the most famous names in the Polish extreme metal scene – such as unholy trio of Vader, Decapitated and Behemoth. There’s the stereotypical growly vocals, consistent and relentless barrage of drums and guitar riffs. The title track ‘Aura Damage’ features a short guitar solo at the start and some slower parts which remind me of mid-career Behemoth. Other noteworthy tracks include: the eerily slow and ponderous instrumental ‘Hinterland’ and death metal machine that is ‘Maelstrom’s Gravity’.

Overall this is blackened death metal at its most ferocious. The damage has been done so prepare to sell your soul to Hell United!

4/5

Iza Raittila

This entry was posted on 14th August 2012 at 6:18 pm and is filed under Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.