Abyssus - Into the Abyss
Arkentype - Disorientated
Atra Vetosus - Ius Vitae Necisque
Cydia - Victims Of System
Dan Deagh Wealcan - Fragmented Consciousness
Deep Desolation - Possession
Demonic Rage - Omen of Doom
Diesear - Ashes of the Dawn
Grey Heaven Fall - Black Wisdom
Hecate - Ultima Specie
Hellsing - The Fallen  A Sinister Declaration of Fire
Kenaz - Volonté de fer ancestrale
Khadaver - Exstinctio Mundi
La Breiche / Huata / Sektarism / Vichy - The Darkness
Pathogen / Deathevoker - Consecrated in Morbidity
Phased - Aeon
Sepulchral Curse - A Birth in Death
Slaughtbbath - Hail to Fire
Tanvarpmenkv - Goatizm
The Shiva Hypothesis - Promo 2015
Warbell - Havoc
Witchfield - Sabbatai Zevi
X Pus - Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth

Band: ABYSSUS
Country: Greece
Title: Into the Abyss
Label: Chaos and Hell Productions
Year: 2016
Style: Death Metal

Review:
Wow, impressive debut album by this Greek combo. One can't stop comparing them with Obituary, and that's because of the vocals, Kostas (also in Cryptic Realms) sounds like John Tardy all the way, well, maybe a bit more comprehensive and a bit less savage, but definitely on the same timbre, with even the effects used on vocals very similar to what Obituary did in their beginnings. The instrumental part, on the other hand, is a bit different than what Obituary used to do, and a bit more complex in rhythms if I can add that, too, with some modern influences here and there, but still keeping it old-school sounding and still reminding of Obituary, various stages of the Obi history. I very much like the fact that the band uses choruses that stick to the listener's mind, because I feel this is what modern Death Metal lacks, then I like the use of atmospheric effects that enhance the dramatic effect of the music and give the impression the band is not rushing things. The rhythms on this album range from fast and assaulting, to slow and decaying, the production is absolutely great, and the fact that it was released on CD, vinyl and tape gives a wide range of options to the fans of the genre. I have here the tape version, released on professional green tape with luxurious 12 panels booklet, very well done. 
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 8/10

Contact:
abyssus666.bandcamp.com
chaoshellproductions.bigcartel.com

Band: ARKENTYPE
Country: Norway
Title: Disorientated
Label: Crime Records
Year: 2015
Style: Progressive Metal

Review:
Oh man, here's another masterpiece I'm blessed with the chance to review/listen to. At first I gave it a couple of spins in order to get what's these Norge Progressive Metallers music all about, and I can say it's a kind of Modern Progressive Metal melting elements from traditional Heavy / Power Metal, Metalcore / Djent even, and even Extreme Metal, plus special elements like female vocals here and there (some of them are absolutely heart-melting...), violins, excellent synth backgrounds, piano, flutes, cello, baroque guitar, into one very ambitious debut album. So yes, the music on it is pretty promising, the band demonstrates good capability to develop interesting and at the same time modern and fresh-sounding compositions, with a major highlight in the vocalist versatile approach, and the clever guitar work, but in my opinion this album has its best part on the lyrical level where everything circles around a central element, Erica, it's a concept work about a man (not sure actually) and his turning points in life, but I still wasn't able to figure out if Erica is the main character's lover, sister, relative or his alter-ego...and that makes it interesting. I won't spoil things out for you, but if you decide to give this band/album a try I urge you to listen with the lyrics in front of you, you'll get much, much more than a simple audition. I loved it.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 9/10

Contact:
facebook.com/Arkentype
crimerecords.no

Band: ATRA VETOSUS
Country: Australia
Title: Ius Vitae Necisque
Label: Immortal Frost Productions
Year: 2016
Style: Melodic Black Metal

Review:
Once in a while is cool to see underground bands sticking to the same underground labels as on their previous releases, that means stability and also that both sides were/are happy with their collaboration. That's the case of Australian Atra Vetosus and Belgian label Immortal Frost, which after a 2013 debut album decided to extend their collaboration and here we have the followup, an EP (or single...) featuring only 1 track but clocking 23 minutes of music, tracks that seems to end around the 17th minutes and being followed by another, a soothing, acoustic guitars / keyboards made track. Oh well, they say it's an EP and it's one track only so that's what it is. It all starts with an atmospheric intro made by keyboards and nature effects (storms) and at some point guitars and drums start to build up the tension to end in a technical and melodic type of mid-tempo to fast paced Black Metal which I enjoyed a lot, maybe except for the vocals that, although inventive and versatile (the background laments and screams are perfect), lack of power and a steady pace, the vocalist at times sounds like a Metalcore frontman and at others simply looses his voice, or at least that's how it sounds, and that's never a good thing. The guitar work is excellent, the drums are complex and powerful, too, but the main highlight of Atra Vetosus is the atmosphere it manages to build, one that's very much in harmony with the excellent cover artwork, just look at the artwork and you might imagine the music on this EP at perfection...
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
facebook.com/atravetosus
immortalfrostproductions.com

Band: CYDIA
Country: Russia
Title: Victims Of System
Label: Metal Scrap Records
Year: 2015
Style: Groove Metal

Review:
Here's a Metal genre I don't like to listen to at home (or wherever, I mean recorded) more than seeing live, and if the bands manage to deliver live what they are doing on the recordings than it's with great pleasure I attend such a gig. Cydia presents us here their second full-length album, an 11 tracks effort clocking 45 minutes of quite complex Groove Metal highlighted by a massive amount of riffs projecting different atmospheres on each track, from melodic to mysterious, from energetic to progressive, from groovy to aggressive, but all this with complete support from a strong synth / keyboard driven background that makes things sound fresh and entertaining for the younger generation as well, as the backbone seems to be on Groove / Alternative / Electro Metal, genres that used to be (are they still?) very popular in Europe at the beginning of the 2000's. The vocals are more aggressive than the actual music, but with the benefit of a good production everything sounds quite balanced. I also have to mention the (very few though) guitar solos I have enjoyed a lot, very melodic, very Heavy Metal-like, but all in all I'd still prefer to see his live than listen to on CD.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
metalscraprecords.com

Band: DAN DEAGH WEALCAN
Country: International
Title: Fragmented Consciousness
Label: Another Side Records
Year: 2016
Style: Industrial Alternative Metal

Review:
Third full-length album from this promising and very surprising Russian / Ukrainian duo, Fragmented Consciousness is made of no less than 16 tracks totaling 50 minutes of playing time. Unfortunately (for me at least) this new album wasn't what I expected from them, it's less interesting, less bold and open-minded than the previous; there's less exploration, although the "weird" element is still present everywhere throughout the release, and the band seems to have settled in a steady mix of Alternative, Industrial Metal, Electro, and maybe Post-Hardcore. I don't know if it's a mood type of thing, but I haven't enjoyed this new album even starting from its blunt, uninspired cover artwork; there were some unexpected Pop-ish and some Midi-sounding parts that made it interesting, but not Metal enough for my taste and not good enough to top the previous release, and honestly I was expecting something more; it's not a total disaster, if you're meeting their music for the first time chances are you'll be surprised, this if you're into sounds like Monster Magnet, NiN, Devin Townsend.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 6/10

Contact:
fragmentedconsciousness.com
metalscraprecords.com

Band: DEEP DESOLATION
Country: Poland
Title: Possession
Label: Old Temple
Year: 2015
Style: Doom Black Metal

Review:
Although featuring only 5 tracks, this new (third) album from Polish Deep Desolation clocks no less than 45 minutes, but when being reminded one of the genres they are blending in their music is Doom, it all comes together. Three years after the release of their second album Deep Desolation are ready for another attack, an album that can be considered both simplistic and complex, simplistic because of its rhythms, the music flows steadily and without major surprises throughout the 45 minutes, and complex mostly because of the guitar work that at times reaches progressive elements as well. The weird (and good at the same time) part in Deep Desolation's music is the addition of some rather groovy old-school Doomy rhythms on both drums and guitars, and this spices things us, makes them more interesting, gives the band a certain advantage, an identity. This Groove element is not matured enough yet in order to sound both natural and fully catchy, but if the band progresses on the same path I'm sure they'll do it, and this won't be something to overlook, at least I haven't heard of such a combination yet (or I don't remember). The production could have been better, and the cover artwork, although sight-catchy at first, if you look closer is quite amateurish. Anyway, a new step for Deep Desolation towards the completion of their own genre, a band to keep an eye on.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7.5/10

Contact:
facebook.com/deepdesolation
oldtemple.com

Band: DEMONIC RAGE
Country: Chile
Title: Omen of Doom
Label: Old Temple
Year: 2015
Style: Death Metal

Review:
Celebrating almost 15 years (well, 15 years this year) of activity, Chile based Demonic Rage released this compilation of 20 tracks from all these years, so a fine overview on their complete evolution as a band. If we're talking strictly about the compositions the band pretty much kept its initial path, a raw, bestial, demonic and mostly fast paced Death Metal with complex guitar riffs, chaotic guitar solos, organic, aggressive drumming, and absolutely terrifying vocals. The difference between all these songs is basically the production, but still the band preferred an organic, unpolished production, with dark, cavernous atmospheres. My absolute favorite track from this release is Shadows of Prophecy, from the band's 2011 EP, a slow, haunting, decaying and putrid track highlighted by drums that sound like death's callings, and a vocalist that sounds like death's emissary coming for you; one of the best Death Metal tracks I've ever heard! In the end I have to mention Mark Riddick's absolutely fabulous cover artwork perfectly portraying what you'll find on the CD in terms of music. Highly recommended!
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: -/10

Contact:
oldtemple.com

Band: DIESEAR
Country: Taiwan
Title: Ashes of the Dawn
Label: Total Metal Records
Year: 2015
Style: Melodic Death Metal

Review:
Total Metal are marketing this release as the band's debut album, but Metal Archives says it's their second; I'd incline towards Total Metal being right because the 2009 release, The Inner Sear, lasts only a bit over 25 minutes, so it would be better considered as EP rather than LP. Anyway, the band is around since 2007 and it seems they've grown into the most respected and biggest Melodic Death Metal band in Taiwan. This album was initially released fro the Asian market in 2013, and now picked up by the Ukrainian label for a Worldwide release, and they did good as Diesear are a truly worthy band. Following roads open by band like Childern of Bodom or Arch Enemy, Diesear are one of those bands that rely heavily on melodic guitar leads and solos all over their material, and their advantage is that their guitarists are exceptional in both composition and execution, delivering some of the best guitar work I've heard in a while. The vocals are ok but could have been a bit more vorsatile to reach the guitars' level, and maybe a bit more comprehensive, too, in order to make tracks a bit more memorable, but I guess the guy did his best on this release and he can't any more than this; not that it's bad what he doesn, but it's not enough, just listen to the last tracks where he's clearly overwhelmed by what he tries. The rhythm section does a good job remaining subtle yet still supporting very well the great guitar work. A very good debut album that should be followed by a second full-length asap as it's already old although re-released.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 8/10

Contact:
diesear.com.tw
metalscraprecords.com

Band: GREY HEAVEN FALL
Country: Russia
Title: Black Wisdom
Label: Aesthetics of Devastation
Year: 2015
Style: Black Death Metal

Review:
Although this band's name sounds familiar to me, this is the first time I meet them and their music and after listening to this second full-length album of theirs my first and most honest conclusion is: wow, this is crazy good stuff! The album features only 6 tracks but clocks 51 minutes of Extreme Metal devastation, an album I would easily compare to Mgla's 2015 masterpiece at any given time, but this is probably more technical than atmospheric, and also has a slightly more influences outside of Black Metal, but if we talk about the overall ingenuity Grey Heaven Fall is at par with Mgla. Some of the guitar riffs are absolutely fabulous making the music sound eerie and absolutely demonic, the drumming is fantastic (even jazzy), and the bass lines are subtle but very important in the overall equation; the vocals could have been a bit more versatile, but they are still powerful and impressive. There are some Doomy parts here and there but that's absolutely obvious since all three members of GHF are also the three members of Funeral Doom outfit Comatose Vigil, and these parts, combined with the ferocious, fast rest of the album result in one of the best albums I've heard lately, hands down. Don't miss it!
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 9.5/10

Contact:
greyheavenfall.com
aesthetics-of-devastation.com

Band: HECATE
Country: Italy
Title: Ultima Specie
Label: Revalve Records
Year: 2013
Style: Brutal Death Metal

Review:
Having released only this EP at the end of 2013 although the band was formed back in 2009 makes of the Italian combo Hecate a not so productive one, even though this EP features no less than 7 tracks plus an intro. It's about time they should followup with new material to prove they are serious about this. Ultima Specie, as said, features 8 tracks and clocks 19 minutes, a mix of Brutal Death Metal with devastating blasting drums, intelligent guitar riffs all over the place, abrasive bass lines, and a main growling vocal seconded by a screaming one here and there, with a mid-tempo, steady and quite groovy American type Death Metal that made me think of a jam between Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse and Autopsy, plus a hint of Grind on a couple of tracks. Not at all bad stuff, and offered with good production; actually the short timing of this EP might be positive after all as after a 3-4 spins I'm not not bored at all by it. The CD comes with 8 pages booklet featuring all lyrics.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
facebook.com/hecateband

Band: HELLSING
Country: Indonesia
Title: The Fallen: A Sinister Declaration of Fire
Label: Adimere Records
Year: 2015
Style: Melodic Black Metal

Review:
Good idea to release this EP in such unconventional format (CDR in a cassette tape-like case, limited to only 100 hand-numbered copies), it will most certainly attract the attention. The band was founded back in 2010 as Immortal Creatures, and a year after changed its name to the current one. After a single in 2013 and a demo in 2014 here's the moment for the band to release its first official material, this 4 tracks EP lasting for a full 15 minutes and presenting us a melodic and somehow technical (good technical skills for the 2 guitarists) Black Metal. The whole material reminds me of the effervescent end of the '90's - beginning of the '00's Melodic Black Metal scene, from the gothic-like cover (a religious statue), to the vampire-inspired intro, to the music itself, but the compositions are pretty good, entertaining, and the band demonstrates a clear thirst and joy of playing this music making this EP a honest, trustworthy one. The production is not polished or professional like the Last Episode bands used to have back in the days, but it's clear and good enough not to disturb the audition, and that's all what matters. The highlights of this band are in my opinion the excellent guitar solos and the vicious, evil, yet comprehensive vocals. Good debut, can't wait to hear more from this band, really.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
facebook.com/Hellsing-Manado-Black-Metal-139683909459925
adrshop.bandcamp.com

Band: KENAZ
Country: Canada
Title: Volonté de fer ancestrale
Label: Wolftyr Productions / Virus Productions
Year: 2014
Style: Pagan Black Metal

Review:
This is my first encounter with Kenaz and its musci and although this is the band's second full-length album, to me they don't sound mature at all and that especially because of the raw, almost unbearable sound quality, just think of the whole War Metal movement and its sound and combine it with a band that tries to deliver some Pagan atmospheres, too. It's just awful noise masking some of the riffs that seem interesting, and this noise is amplified by the relentless nonsense drumming. Basically this album, apart for the very visous and abrasive sounding Black Metal shrieks, is a total failure, at least in my opinion. Try it yourselves but only if you're used to a raw sound. 
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 3/10

Contact:
wolftyr.com
virusproductions.bandcamp.com

Band: KHADAVER
Country: Slovakia
Title: Exstinctio Mundi
Label: Selfreleased
Year: 2015
Style: Blackened Industrial Metal

Review:
Although I myself run a little underground label, I'm perfectly aware that bands can nowadays release the same or even better quality material on their own nowadays, they don't need to have that much special insights on how this is done, the net is full of information, hence I see the label's role purely in promotion and distribution of the materials, and probaly in taking burden off the band's agenda. Here Khadaver did an excellent job with offering this final product that is their second full-length album, and unfortunately their last since they have just announced their demise as a band... Too bad because it's obvious they (or at least the only founding member still in the band) put a lot of work and soul in this new album, it's obvious from the booklet where each of the words from their lyrics are treated in a unique way, each track has its own graphic, and ending with the band's image, almost Behemoth-like professional. Musicwise Khadaver don't impress much unfortunately, at least not on this album; the sound is way too soft for a mix of styles involving Black Metal and hints of Death Metal, and the compositions, although displaying the good technical skills of the guitarists, and interesting but a bit too inconsistent, whenever you start feeling a metallic, headbanging friendly part it gets cut by some keyboard interlude; the vocals are ok as well although I say they lack versatility and this could lead to boredome at times; the drums are too synthetic for my taste. All in all I have enjoyed the band's professional approach and a few parts of this album that are really good sounding, but overall this wouldn't be able to compete with the top of the scene. Probably Nihil Nix, now that the band is split-up, needs to find himself a band that challenges him, not one where he's the main composer, this could lead to good things.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 6/10

Contact:
khadaver.com

Band: LA BREICHE / HUATA / SEKTARISM / VICHY
Country: France
Title: The Darkness
Label: Nomos Dei Productions
Year: 2016
Style: Ritual Ambient Drone Doom Black Metal

Review:
This must be one of the most expressive and attractive cover pictures I've seen in a while, although black/white, this picture of a lady dressed in black clothes with a white veil, with a crown of thorns on her head and holding a red (I suppose) apple in her hands is simply sight capturing, very, very successful. Released as A5 format digipak with hard covers, limited to only 300 copies, this 4-way split presents us 4 mystical and obscure bands.
Opening are La Breiche with a Ritual Drone Ambient track clocking 12 and a half minutes and made by shamanistic-like and distorted vocals, percussions and all kinds of industrial sounds that together form a terrifying, desolate, post-apocalyptic atmosphere; exquisite I'd say.
Huata are next producing a slow, dirty, highly oppressive form of Sludge Doom highlighted by slow, devastating guitar riffs, clean vocals somewhere in the background, organic drums, and a creepy organ enhancing the occult, esoteric atmosphere.
Sektarism are next with a 13 minutes Funeral Doom track definitely highlighted by the comprehensive, expressive, disgusting and desperate at times and proud at others, but contrary to what you might expect Sektarism are not that monotone either, they have plenty of rhythm changes and interesting ideas in their Funeral music.
Vichy is a side-project of members from Mhonos (highly regarded French Drone Doom act), and in this case the apple does not fall from the tree, so they keep it "in the same family" of Drone Doom, with Black Metal tremolo picking - like guitar riffs, abrasive vocals supported (or better said introduced) by guttural, suffocating vocal sounds, militaristic drums and an overall apocalyptic and claustrophobic atmosphere.
A perfect split title and a perfect cover for this material. Highly recommended release for fans of weird, scarry, ritualistic and occult music.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: -/10

Contact:
legis.orthodox666.ru

Band: PATHOGEN / DEATHEVOKER
Country: Philippines / Malaysia
Title: Consecrated in Morbidity
Label: Old Temple
Year: 2015
Style: Death Metal / Death Metal

Review:
A very well done cover artwork that can sell this split by itself, here's the "start" of a good release. Splitting this CD are Pathogen from the Philippines, a veteran of the local scene and at the same time a hard-working band that if you're at least a bit into Underground Metal it's impossible you haven't at least heard of, and the Malaysia based Deathevoker, younger but seemingly with the same apettite for releases and getting ahead. 
Pathogen open with 2 studio recorded tracks, a cover of Bathory's Blood and Soil, and a live recorded track. Unfortunately although the band seems honest about what they do, their work cannot stand out from the crowd of similar bands, it's just mid-tempo to fast paced traditional Death Metal without any real highlights. The Bathory cover sounds cool enough, but the vocalist looses pace at times and makes it sound amateurish. The live track... better not talk about it, 5 minutes of fast Death Metal with awful sound, you'll have a hard time understaing what's happening there. Sorry, no go for me, probably I was expecting too much from this band.
The 5 tracks on Deathevoker's part of this split are shorter but also more effective; the band plays a traditional Death Metal with Swedish distorted-like guitar riffs, savage vocals, intensive drumming and mostly fast paced rhythms. I'd say the band's highlight are the guitar solos and leads that come up here and there. The fifth track is a cover of Sepultura's Troops of Doom, actually a good take of it. 
As a conclusion I liked more the band I had no expectations from than the band I was sure they're going to kick ass, but that doesn't mean I disconsider Pathogen, I know how dedicated they are and they definitely deserve all possible support. Good release for Deathevoker though, one that will consolidate their ascension.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 4/10   6/10

Contact:
oldtemple.com

Band: PHASED
Country: Switzerland
Title: Aeon
Label: Czar of Bullets
Year: 2015
Style: Psychedelic Doom Metal

Review:
It seems this Swiss band was founded in 1997 as Phased 4°F but switched to a more simple Phased in 2001 while also slowly shifting from Stoner towards more Metal territories and this latest album, their fifth, offers only slight traces of what they used to play. Aeon is a 7 tracks effort clocking 44 minutes of Psychedelic Doom Metal highlighted by excellent bass lines, quite memorable guitar riffs, laid back guitar leads, intense drums work, and a versatile vocal that manages to perfectly lead the band's sound wherever he wants and enhance the dark atmospheres, but that doesn't mean the compositions are left dry like that, lots and lots of effects and souns accompany the band's music throughout and at times it becomes really drony if I may say so, at others the whole is just psychedelic, so all in all we're dealing here with a complex, varied piece of work, one that should satisfy not only fans of the above mentioned genres, I'm just curious how well this band will do in this nowadays overcrowded Doom scene.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7.5/10

Contact:
www.phased.ch
www.czarofcrickets.com

Band: SEPULCHRAL CURSE
Country: Finland
Title: A Birth in Death
Label: Chaos and Hell Productions
Year: 2014
Style: Death Metal

Review:
Young Finnish quintet founded in 2013 by musicians with at least a few years of Black Death experience underbelt although I have to admit I don't know any bands they play or used to play in, except for the vocalist who's Kari Kankaanpaa, already known from his main band, Doom Death champions Solothus. Sepulchral Curse seems to be a new enterprise for all of them as the band leans more on the old-school Death Metal path, heavily inspired by the old Swedish Death Metal scene maybe adding a bit more groove from time to time, a more technical approach, and even some hints of Thrash and Black here and there, so the overall result is definitely interesting and not boring at all. The highlights are Kari's extreme growls and the supporting background screams here and there, the great guitar solos and the general atmosphere they all manage to create. A promising debut EP consisting of 4 tracks and clocking 15 minutes of playing time. 
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
facebook.com/SepulchralCurseDM
chaoshellproductions.bigcartel.com

Band: SLAUGHTBBATH
Country: Chile
Title: Hail to Fire
Label: Old Temple
Year: 2015 (re-release)
Style: Black Metal

Review:
Holy fuck, this debut album from Chilean Slaughtbbath was released in no less than 9 different versions (!!!) according to Metal Archives, so it means this band and especially this album must be a gold mine, and judging by the fact Old Temple sent me a copy that's almost the 900th, it proves my point. The cover alone, the choice of colours (red-black-white) is absolutely sight-stealing and a massive selling point, too, then the band's "trv" attitude is also a good incentive to check out their music, and when it comes to the 9 tracks on this debut album originally released in 2013, I'd say they don't disapoint the already high expectations either, so we're dealing here with a successfull debut album, but one that was previously prepared by the band since 2002 when they were formed. Since then the band released many demos, splits and an EP, so they must have built a steady following to make this album a long-waited release. The compositions are made of mostly fast paced rhythms, blastbeats, fat sounding traditional tremolo picking guitar riffs, old-school chaotic guitar solos, mostly subtle but well supporting bass lines, and excellent evil sounding vocals, but the perfect production makes this album be highly enjoyable for both fans into more polished Black Metal and fans of rough and bestial Black Metal. Although the band still needs an own identity from the compositions point of view, this album is a nobrainer for fanatics of aggressive Black Metal and not only.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7.5/10

Contact:
facebook.com/Slaughtbbath
oldtemple.com

Band: TANVARPMENKV
Country: Russia
Title: Goatizm
Label: Nomos Dei Productions
Year: 2012
Style: Black Death Metal

Review:
A new old release from Nomos Dei if I may say so, the debut album of a band with an impossible name, Tanvarpmenkv, I have to check letter by letter when writing their name, I wouldn't even dare to pronounce it... The CD comes with a massive 28 pages booklet, but after seeing multiple other Nomos Dei releases I wouldn't call this an exception, this label likes to offer out of the ordinary productions. The band (see, I'm done even writing their name, haha) offers 8 tracks in a total playing time of 37 minutes, a debut album that comes after 5 years since the band was founded (they activated under a different name since 2007, and this album was out in 2012), and now, when I'm writing this, 4 years after its release they still haven't followed up with a new material, so we're dealing with either an extremely lazy group or with one that doesn't take their activity that serious; either way for them it will be impossible to build a following this way. Tanvarpmenkv are making a technical and intricate form of Black Death Metal with walls after walls of massive guitar riffs, blasting drums all over, demonic vocals, and what impressed me the most, a lot of traces of Progressive Death Metal, too, something I wouldn't expect from a band that seems to take the traditional, old-school way as path to follow. The whole material sounds well done, carefully planned and structured, and if you'll listen carefully you'll discover plenty of little things to enjoy and be interested in, so from this point of view this is an excellent debut album. The problem is that it lacks something memorable, something to pinpoint the band after, but if they would have been a hard-working band by now we'd seen a step up... 
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
nomosdei.bandcamp.com

Band: THE SHIVA HYPOTHESIS
Country: Holland
Title: Promo 2015
Label: Selfreleased
Year: 2015
Style: Black Death Metal

Review:
I thought this was a young band since this is their debut EP, but it seems they were formed back in 2012, so not that young anymore... This debut features 3 long tracks totaling 20 minutes of mid-tempo to fast paced Black Death Metal. After the first audition I have to say it didn't impress me, the music is good, the compositions are complex and technical, but the nowadays overcrowded Black Death scene made me imune to a lot of such bands, but I decided to give the EP another listen, and then another, this time with the booklet in front, reading its lyrics, and it started to grow on me, I started to get it or at least to form myself an atmosphere, a story to go along with the music and it made sense, especially since I saw the vocals and wording are right on the music, are following the music's rhythm, not sure if I make myself clear here, but many of the nowadays bands' vocalist just recite (well, better said scream, growl, roar) the words to get it over with, they have nothing in common with the actual rhythms simply because they believe the tonality should do the work, but that's not true. So this guy (or guys, as all of the 4 members have their share of vocals it seems) is laying his vocals the right way, in perfect harmony with the music, which made it easier for me to "get" the lyrics and blend them with the whole composition. The band's music is technical, complex, melodic, and energetic mix of Black and Death with an emphasis on the Black Metal side though, and after a few (maybe even 10 now) spins of this disc I can easily say they have potential, they are a band to follow closely and be attentive at what they'll have to offer on their debut album. 
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
facebook.com/theshivahypothesis

Band: WARBELL
Country: Poland
Title: Havoc
Label: Goressimo Records
Year: 2015
Style: Melodic Death Metal

Review:
In Flames / Dark Tranquillity triggered a huge trend with their Melodic Death Metal heavily influenced by Power Metal and other melodic styles, and here we have a band whose music can be easily added to this genre's follow-up. Polish Warbell, although founded in 2007, managed to release their debut album, the one I'm talking about now, almost a decade later, but the wait was all worth it for their fans, this 15 (!) tracks effort proves to be highly mature sounding, well stuctured and delivered, with the benefit of an excellent production. Being a female fronted band might be a turn off for many old-school Death Metal fans, but it can and is also a major point of interest for many, many other Metal followers, and although in many cases I'd be in the first category, Gigi, the female vocalist of Warbell, does an excellent job on this album, I wouldn't have guessed it's a girl only by listening to these tracks because her voice is extremely powerful, well defined (a mix of Melodic Death and Metalcore) and perfectly cut for this type of music I'd say. The guitar work is absolutely delicious, very rich in composition and expressive in delivery, the two guitarists manage to be the central point of interest on this album. The rhythm section is also well thought and as rich as the guitars, ranging from slow, almost Amorphis-inspired rhythms (well, the guitars play a major part in this comparison) to mid-paced and fast, energetic rhythms, so we got everything we might expect from such a release. At a certain point Gigi, beside her usually growling vocals adds a second, clean, enchanting timbre that does only well for the flowing of the album and makes things more interesting for the listeners. All in all this is one hell of an album, recommended if you're into the above mentioned bands.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 8/10

Contact:
facebook.com/warbellband
goressimorecords.wix.com

Band: WITCHFIELD
Country: Italy
Title: Sabbatai Zevi
Label: Black Widow Records
Year: 2015
Style: Psychedelic Doom Metal

Review:
Witchfield is a project of Thomas Chaste, initial drummer of Death SS (back in the 70's and 80's), started out in 2006 as a band with full line-up, and reaching at this point a one man band status with Thomas taking care of almost everything and involving other musicians only as guests. It took him quite some time to followup the band's debut album from 2009, but here we have the latest full-length, a 9 tracks effort clocking 50 minutes of Doom Rock / Metal highlighted by psychedelic '70's like organ, very rich and influential bass lines, slow, mesmerizing rhythms and atmospheres ranging from mid-tempo positive to slow, almost depressive ones, to other more Horror flicks influenced. Unfortunately Thomas' voice is nothing I'd like to listen to again, it's not annoying but not good either, and I feel there's where this album looses a lot of points; on a couple of tracks he invited a lady to lead the vocals and she's doing a much better work for sure. The guitar work, except for a few harmonies here and there, is also quite unimpressive, so all in all, despite the matsrmind's impressive name and background, Witchfield is not something I'd like to listen to soon, probably except for the last track which seems to be from another movie alltogether (female vocals, plenty of heavy atmospheres, good guitars, bewitching repetitive rhythms).
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 6/10

Contact:
www.blackwidow.it

Band: X PUS
Country: Italy
Title: Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth
Label: Another Side Records
Year: 2016
Style: Black Death Metal

Review:
By foundation date (sometime in 2015) you'd say X Pus are a young band, but actually the trio continues what was left from the ashes of Soulphureus (2009-2015), band that in its turn continues on the ashes of Unholy Land (1998-2009), so basically one could also say this band was founded in 1998 and released 3 full-length album before raching this new point in their career. I'm not familiar with the first 2 band's music, but from what I can guess their music became meaner and meaner in time reaching a point where this "new" album could be referred to as raw, brutal and offensive Black Death Metal. Although their image indicate a S&M related lyrics topic the band actually deals with profound and rabid anti-christianity and ferocious Satanism, so from this point of view the music accompanies well the lyrical aspect, they blend well and offer a complete image. The music sounds organic and I'd say has a good production with my only complaint that the vocals are mixed a bit too in front of the instruments. As said earlier we're treated with some brutal, low tuned, mid-tempo to fast paced Black Death Metal (with emphasis on Black Metal when it comes to the instruments, and on Death Metal when we talk about vocals) with a tempest of guitar riffs and organic drums, but except for the extreme brutality, it brings nothing new to the table, nothing to be able to pinpoint the band on in the future. Anyway, if you're into extreme Black Death give this a listen, you might like it.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 6.5/10

Contact:
www.facebook.com/xpus.official
www.metalscraprecords.com