Archive for Technical death metal

Fallujah – Empyrean

Posted in Review with tags , , , , on 19th September 2022 by Pieni

Fallujah
“Empyrean”
Progressive/technical death metal
Released: 9th September 2022
Via Nuclear Blast

empyrean

Fallujah have been releasing new material every 2-3 years but I was really curious about this “Empyrean” – after seeing them live back in 2019 and both bassist Rob Morey and singer Antonio Palermo making quite an impression, learning about their departure made me want to check how the new line-up would do. Well, it does pretty good – the bass lines are grooving loudly and the vocals still brutal.

I don’t know if it’s because they started out as a deathcore band, but their technical traits don’t go over the edge. Sure you have tempo twists and elaborate spinning riffs, but not in a wait-what-happened kind of way; the songs grow naturally towards such intersections and lead into beautiful pieces such as “The Bitter Taste Of Clarity” or “Duality Of Intent” (the latter bearing a slight jazzy vibe quite interesting).

They’ve worked with Tori Letzler before and brought her back for the brilliant “Radiant Ascension” and the brisky “Artifacts”, inviting also Katie Thomson for the seductive “Embrace Oblivion” and the melting “Into The Eventide” (my personal favorite). But I believe these guest appearances are more intended for a contrast/completing effect with Kyle Shaefer’s voice than actually adding a female touch; as for the demonic pitch of Chaney Crabb on “Soulbreaker”, well, that’s definitely extramundane.

All in all, “Empyrean” offers the right combination of features to make happy a prog & tech death metal fan.

8/10

by Renata “Pieni” Lino

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Nile – Vile Nilotic Rites

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on 29th October 2019 by izaforestspirit

Nile
Vile Nilotic Rites
Released 1st November 2019
Technical Death Metal
Released via Nuclear Blast Records

Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites

Regardless of whether you love or hate them, there is no denying that Nile have left their mark on death metal music. For over two decades now, Karl Sanders and the gang have treated the metal community to their signature sound – their own unique blend of technical death metal and ancient Egyptian themes or “Ithyphallic metal” as they call it. Personally I have a somewhat complicated relationship with their music. As far as death metal goes, I like them but they have never been a favorite of mine and I like some of their albums more than others. My favorite album by them is ‘In Their Darkened Shrines’ and ‘Ithyphallic’ is the one that I like least. I quite liked their previous effort though, so I decided to give this new album ago.

Well, the good news is that Nile have managed to successfully replicate the same level of brutality and technical guitar work as they have done in the past. Sanders’s growling sounds just as vicious as ever and shredding guitars are just as savage. Yet that is not what makes Nile stand out. If all I wanted was to hear some growling and shredding guitars, there is no shortage of brutal death metal bands that do the same thing. What makes Nile so memorable is the atmospheric instrumentals and the prominent Egyptian themes. For that you have to skip to the fourth track Seven Horns of War. The intro really sounds like an ancient army on the march, complete with war horns and battle drums . Then mid-way through, they slow the pace down and the song adapts to an atmospheric tone with keyboards, eerie whispers, choirs and chanting audible in the background. For a brief period you can still hear the battle horns just as the death metal guitars and growling re-emerge.

Seven Horns of War isn’t the only track to feature atmospheric instrumental parts. There are many others on here. For example, the short ambient instrumental Thus Sayeth the Parasites of the Mind deserves a mention. Nice work Mr. Sanders! The melodic sounds of the bağlama and ethereal voices almost made me forget that I’m listening to a death metal album. On the opposite end of the spectrum there are tracks such as Snake Pit Mating Frenzy which is just pure, brutal death metal.

In summary, ‘Vile Nilotic Rites’ is a multi-faceted and complex technical death metal album that might take a few listens to get into. I cannot say that I enjoyed all the songs but I would be happy to play most of them again. As far as Nile albums go, this is one of their better releases.

7/10
Iza Raittila

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Nile – What Should Not Be Unearthed

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on 30th August 2015 by Paul Macmillan

Nile
What Should Not Be Unearthed
Released August 28th 2015
Technical death metal
Released via Nuclear Blast

Nile - What Should Not Be Unearthed

Nile are just one of those bands who have miraculously passed me by. I’ve always known of them, and even more or less what their sound and content is all about. It’s just that the jigsaw pieces were never quite in the same place at the same moment, so this is one of those occasions where I get to make up for lost time and broaden my musical horizons in a very enjoyable way; the way of theologically horrific death metal!

Spin one, and it’s instant, visceral blast after visceral blast, direct to the face, and I instantly regret not having followed this band more closely in the past. It’s all about investigation and discovery, though, so back I go, through the sands of time, right back to the beginning. In truth …Unearthed 100% plays the older and more cultured brother to all of their previous releases; a natural progression point to be expected from a band of Nile‘s vintage. There’s an obvious easy confidence carrying this thunderous uproar that comes with settling into self-assurance in one’s abilities; not arrogance or cockiness, but a belligerent nonchalance, blazing through mind-bending intricacies with a comfort not previously displayed.

Yet behind every blinding flash of frenzied frettage is an undeniable musical intelligence. Too often bands which fall under the ‘technical death’ banner are only really any good for one thing – shredding. While anyone who claimed that Nile couldn’t give these musicians more than a run for their virtuoso money would be, quite rightly, decried as a fool, they are leagues and aeons away from being branded in the one-trick-pony trap. They seem to be at a stage where they are more happy than ever to slip into a thick riff, owning it entirely, and there’s plenty of the atmospheric character shown in previous works such as (the reportedly less-well-received) At The Gates Of Sethu.

Some of the best recordings in extreme music are those which you can listen to in quiet reflection, but which also grow arms and legs of engagement when the volume is cranked up to the point of a physical sensation of sound. This is definitely one such, and more, it is razor-sharp precision work, with youthful intent and intensity. In terms of quality, 2015 has been a somewhat golden age of metal so far. What Should Not Be Unearthed is simply the latest nail in the sarcophagus.

4.5/5

Paul Macmillan

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Lecherous Nocturne – Behold Almighty Doctrine

Posted in Review with tags , , , , on 24th October 2013 by hammersmashedlauren

Lecherous Nocturne
Behold Almighty Doctrine
Released 19th March, 2013
Technical Death Metal
Released via Unique Leaders Records

 

Being, in my opinion, one of the most underrated bands in metal, South Carolina’s Lecherous Nocturne have returned with the release of Behold Almighty Doctrine. It has been five years since the release of their last album, The Age of Miracles Has Passed, and it is clearly evident that the band has progressed in that span of time. The biggest change to me is in the vocals since former vocalist, Jason Hohenstein, was replaced by former member, Chris Lollis. Both vocalists have different styles with Hohenstein have a more raw, old school sound compared to Lollis’ stronger and profound screams. Nonetheless, I found that Lollis’ vocals perfectly complimented the shredding guitar work of Krieshloff Lofgren and Ethan Lane which ultimately puts this album in my top ten releases of this year.

Starting after the intro with Ourboros Chains, my first impression was that I was listening to a different band entirely. I didn’t think Lecherous Nocturne could possibly sound any heavier than they already do, but they proved me wrong by adding extra helpings of heaviness to every song on this album. The band has such a unique playing and writing style, however, which I feel makes them stand out from the rest of the more modern death metal bands today. They basically did a phenomenal job at using other bands as influences rather than trying to carbon copy them, and this is probably the reason why they are so underrated.

One song on this album that stood out to me was Those Having Been Hidden Away only because of the intro. It was one of those intros that really just get you into the song just from starting out so strong, and that feeling continued through the rest of the song until the end when they finish wish a breakdown. An actual breakdown, mind you, and not the typical deathcore breakdowns which are completely unnecessary for the song. I also love the instrument that follow, Prelude #2, which is then followed by Judgments and Curses. I feel the that three instrumental tracks on this album compliment the rest of the tracks, which are all under 4 minutes in length, and keeps the album short, sweet, and to the point.

Again, this is definitely in my top ten metal albums of 2013. Lecherous Nocturne has never disappointed me with their music despite various lineup changes and progression seen throughout the band. Everyone should listen to this album at least once or maybe a thousand times. This band definitely deserves more recognition for their amazing talent and I hope nothing but good things for them in the future.

 

5/5

Lauren Gowdy

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Pyrrhon signs with Relapse Records

Posted in News with tags , , on 5th October 2013 by Pieni

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Technical death metallers Pyrrhon have found a new home in Relapse Records. Singer Doug Moore is “thrilled and honored”: “When I was 15, I bought a copy of Relapse‘s Contaminated 5.0 sampler CD. Through it, I encountered Suffocation, Neurosis, Pig Destroyer, Human Remains, and countless other great bands for the first time. We are thrilled and honored to work with a label whose output has done so much to drive metal forward, and which has meant so much to all four of us over the years.”

The band is working on the follow-up of their debut “An Excellent Servant But A Terrible Master” (released in 2011 via Selfmadegod Records) and it’s expected to be out early next year.

www.relapse.com 
www.facebook.com/pyrrhonband

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Revocation – Revocation

Posted in Review with tags , , , , , on 19th August 2013 by Pieni

Revocation
Revocation
Released on 5th August 2013
Technical Death/Thrash Metal
Released via Relapse Records

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Naming their 4th album after themselves may not be very original, but apart from that, nothing seems to deserve being criticized in this “Revocation”. The thrash is more aggressive, the death is sharper, the prog is fiercer… every aspect is a notch or two more consistent.

Their best feature has always been the guitar work and the shredding-meets-technique of every track is remarkable – even if some riffs sound a bit familiar. Let me point a few highlights: “The Hive” made it to single, probably because it’s the most ferocious track in the album, the most straightforward in terms of brutality. The latter is less brisk in “Archfiend”, the guitars more polished, including a few moments of an acoustic one towards the end, leading to a fluid old school solo. “Fracked” has a very heavy metal initial rhythm, that eventually evolves to something more progressive and – once again in the solo – returns to a more classic and melodic tone. “Invidious” is the most exquisite and experimental track, blending everything that technical death is about with some banjo chords and gang vocals. There’s also a djent approach with the instrumental “Spastic”, and whoever gets the deluxe edition can also enjoy a very loyal cover of Metallica’s “Dyers Eve”. I confess I was hoping for a little revamp of the guitars, but there’s no significant changes there. But that’s just a cover, after all – what they had to do with their own songs to achieve a status of excellency, it was certainly done.

5/5

Renata “Pieni” Lino

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Revocation’s new album available for streaming

Posted in News with tags , , , , , on 2nd August 2013 by Pieni

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Revocation‘s new and self-titled album will be released this Monday (5th August) via Relapse Records, but thanks to the collaboration of the band with Terrorizer, you can already stream it fully here.

“Revocation” is their fourth album, first featuring bass player Brett Bamberger, after the departure of founding member Anthony Budda last year.

In another news, also a video for the track “Invidious” will soon be released. It will feature live footage from a sold-out gig in their hometown Boston, filmed by David Brodsky (Municipal Waste, Whitechapel, Kylesa).

And speaking of gigs, Revocation are currently taking part in this year’s Summer Slaughter Tour, and will embark on an European tour afterwards with The Black Dahlia Murder and Aborted, on the following dates and locations:

9/18-Bochum GER @ Matrix
9/19-Paris FR @ L’Empreinte
9/20-London UK @ Islington Academy
9/21-Manchester UK @ NQ Live
9/22-Glasgow UK @ Cathouse
9/24-Brussels BE @ Magasin 4
9/25-Enschede NLD @ Atak
9/27-Stockholm SWE @ Klubben
9/28-Gothenburg SWE @ Sticky Fingers
9/29-Oslo NOR @ John Dee
9/30-Copenhagen DK @ Lille Vega
10/1-Berlin GER @ Magnet
10/2-Hamburg GER @ Logo
10/4-Munich GER @ Hansa 39
10/5-Leipzig GER @ Conne Island
10/6-Vienna AT @ Szene
10/7-Milan IT @ Tunnel
10/8-Solothurn SWI @ Kulturfabrik Kofmehl
10/9-Stuttgart GER @ Stuttgart Universum
10/10-Frankfurt GER @ Batschkapp

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You can pre-order “Revocation” on iTunes and The Relapse Records Online Shop, the latter including several bundle packages – the deluxe editions including an exclusive bonus track in the form of a cover of Metallica‘s “Dyer’s Eve”. The tracklist of the standard edition is as follows:

1. The Hive
2. Scattering the Flock
3. Arch Fiend
4. Numbing Agents
5. Fracked
6. The Gift You Gave
7. Invidious
8. Spastic
9. Entombed By Wealth
10. A Visitation

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Gorod announce Japan tour dates

Posted in News with tags , , , , , , on 5th December 2012 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

French progressive technical death metal act Gorod  will embark on their first Japanese tour in June 2013 in support of their latest album A Perfect Absolution.

Gorod will be supporting The Crown on this tour, along side Japanese tech. death outfit Gotsu Totsu Kotsu and more.

The band  commented on the upcoming run: “We can’t wait to meet our Japanese fans !! We’re so happy we can make it !!Thanks to Pascal (our manager) and Beneth (Chaotic Tapestry Japan) to make this dream come true !! “

GOROD – The Spring Is Gone Tour dates

June 11 – SENDAY – “Flying Son”
June 12 – NAGOYA – “3Stars”
June 13 – OSAKA – “Pangea”
June 14 – FUKUOKA – “Graf”
June 15 – SHIZUOKA – “Sunash”
June 16 – TOKYO – “Cyclone”

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Listenable sign French metal innovators Supuration

Posted in News with tags , , , on 15th November 2012 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Don’t be fooled by the band moniker, Supuration do not specialize themselves in unleashing short grind-gore blasts but deliver more of measured yet muscular balanced metal through a more profound, subtle and enigmatic musical world.

Born in Valenciennes in the North of France in 1989, Supuration or their more progressive incarnation S.U.P., have been releasing a numerous amount of records over their 20 year career, developing a series of conceptual albums called The Cube .

The Cube 3 will see its release in 2013 – 20 years later after the debut album release initiating the story about The Cube and 10 years after the similar in concept and powerful Incubation in 2003

Popular for their massive wall of guitars and tasteful vocal delivery making them sound like an unexpected mixture of a crushing Carcass and an intimate Pink Floyd, Supuration have made themselves a cult recognition in the live circuit for not playing too often in the recent time but delivering mesmerizing and unique performances.

Often tagged as progressive death metal, Supuration (or S.U.P. for their extra conceptual albums), is a very interesting proposition to the metal world in 2012. Some European festivals have already showed interest and The Cube 3 is a very strong offering that will rip quite a few minds next year on Listenable.

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Cognitive – The Horrid Swarm

Posted in Review with tags , , , , , , , on 14th November 2012 by hammersmashedlauren

Cognitive
The Horrid Swarm
Released 21st July, 2012
Technical Death Metal
Self Released

Only being an active band for a year now, Cognitive may not be too well known, but with the way they’re creating their music now, it’ll be a matter of time before their name gets spread around. With the release of their EP The Horrid Swarm, it branches from a sundry amount of metal genres but mainly sticking to the technical death sound. With underlying influences such as Nile and Spawn of Possession, any fan of death metal or metal in general will enjoy this EP.

The EP starts off immediately with In the Form of a Drone which is just a mix of brutal guitar riffs and punishing drums. I was personally taken aback by how clear and amped the sound was on this EP. I could clearly make out every instrument that was accompanying the low vocals which I believe made it easier to listen to. Especially on newer bands who may not be equipped with great recording equipment, I was definitely happy with how well they captured their musicianship in The Horrid Swarm.

I was also happy with the fact that there were 5 tracks to this EP. I feel that this gave more of a feel of what the band is capable of doing and it defined themselves as a band as well. Each song on The Horrid Swarm varied in content but it gave me that feeling of wanting to throw my computer chair across my room while forming a hole in the wall.

I highly recommend checking out Cognitive and seeing them live if you’re in the New Jesery and Pennslyvania areas. These guys deserve a ton of support and this album proves that they’re a talented band with passion and drive to deliver neck-breaking metal that appeases to anyone who supports brutal death metal.

5/5

Lauren Gowdy

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Abiotic Sign With Metal Blade

Posted in News with tags , , , , , on 3rd April 2012 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Miami, FL newcomers, Abiotic, have become the newest addition to Metal Blade‘s roster with a newly signed, worldwide, multi-album deal. Abiotic stormed onto the underground metal scene with the release of their A Universal Plague EP in September of 2011. Since then, through word-of-mouth on-line and steady gigging in the South East, Abiotic has become one of the top bands to watch. Their music video for Vermosapien was released in January of 2012 and was viewed over 40,000 times within the first month of its release. The band has proven that they have the wherewithal to stand alongside the best and brightest in the technical death metal genre worldwide. Fans of Obscura, Veil of Maya, and Cannibal Corpse will immediately identify with their finely-honed technical attack.

Abiotic comments on the signing; “We can’t express how amazing it is to be on the same label as some of our favorite bands and how great it feels to be working with one of the biggest labels in metal!”

Metal Blade comments on the signing; “It’s rare to come across a band as well put together as Abiotic. The video for Vermosapien makes it immediately evident that this band has the chops, songs, work ethic, and live show to perform alongside any contemporary death metal act. We very much look forward to releasing this band’s music to a worldwide audience later this year!”

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Moonloop Sign To Listenable

Posted in News with tags , , , , on 7th March 2012 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

The ever-growing Listenable Records (home to acts such as Betraying the Martyrs, Sarah Jezebel Deva and Gorod) have announced the latest addition to their family, none than the Spaniard progressive death metal out Moonloop.

Moonloop were formed in Barcelona, roughly 11 years ago in 2001. Their sound is said to be characterised by powerful guitar riffs and atmospheric passages.  In 2011 Moonloop recorded their debut album Deeply From the Earth. After a long process, the record was mixed at The Room studios by Gorka Dresbaj and mastered at Mastering Room AB (Sweden) by Goran Finnberg. The album concept is based on Mother Earth, as well as on life experiences.

Moonloop are:

Eric Baule – vocals, guitar
Juanjo Martin – rhythm guitar, vocals
Raul Payán – drums
Vic Granell – bass

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