Anaal Nathrakh

Dusk – Bunker Review

Dusk – Bunker Review

Dusk have been at it for a while now, toiling in the shadows to scrape together an acid concoction of abrasive noise and screaming menace. But who hasn’t? Newcomers to the blog, or the metal scene in general, may not have enjoyed of the deep sadness of early-2010s underground metal, when the promo pit burst with bedroom black metal from a seemingly inexhaustible trove of men who owned a guitar and made up for their lack of talent, and bandmates, and vision by pure profligacy. Though we’re now blessed with far more in the way of interesting music, the Vardans of the world are still out there, now and again transformed by their toil into something worthy of remark. And the crisp mashup of industrial synthesizers and black metal intensity has been worth a listen for the last decade in which Dusk have operated.” Gloom in the gloaming.

Blind Equation – A Funeral in Purgatory Review

Blind Equation – A Funeral in Purgatory Review

“When I reach for something blindly, I hope for the best. As it pertains to the acquisition of promo, I calculate my chances of enjoying whatever I select as little as possible. Impulse reigns supreme, instinct takes precedence, gut feelings have the final say. This process ultimately led me to Chicago, Illinois’ Blind Equation. Originally launched as a chiptune-heavy cybergrind project, mastermind and main songwriter James McHenry steadily integrated other influences that distinguish this material from that of the greater subset.” Blind but loud.

Chestcrush – ΨΥΧΟΒΓΑΛΤΗΣ Review

Chestcrush – ΨΥΧΟΒΓΑΛΤΗΣ Review

Chestcrush is what happens when you fuck around and find out. These three blackened death dealers from Edinburgh, Scotland, formed in 2020, released their independent debut album, Vthelygmia, in 2021. That’s when Chestcrush caught my ear for the first time, penning one of my favorite songs, “Different Shepherd, Same Sheep.” After swapping original vocalist Thomas Blanc for Topias Jokipii, who debuted his wares on 2022’s Apechtheia EP, Chestcrush is back with its sophomore prüno-piss and vinegar-filled platter, ΨΥΧΟΒΓΑΛΤΗΣ. Translated from Greek to mean ‘soul extractor,’ ΨΥΧΟΒΓΑΛΤΗΣ metaphorically describes an experience or person that is so incredibly tormenting to you that it feels like it’s pulling your very soul out through your mouth.” Open up and say ΨΥΧΟΒΓΑΛΤΗΣ!

Marrowomb – Phisenomie Review

Marrowomb – Phisenomie Review

“While you might not be familiar with the name Frank Lato, you may have heard some of the Chicagoan’s work. Contributing bass duties to the now defunct Polyptych in addition to the ongoing concern Headshrinker—the former was praised here in 2016 by Eldritch Elitist for Defying the Metastasis, while the latter’s Callous Indifference received a rare 4.0 from Steel in 2021—Mr. Lato has decided to slide out of the shadowy rhythm sections of his other projects to stand in the blazing light of judgment as a solo act with his new venture, Marrowomb.” Womb raider.

Feind – Ambulante Hirnamputation Review

Feind – Ambulante Hirnamputation Review

“A debut LP that defies every expectation for overall quality, Ambulante Hirnamputation manages to do something that grind hasn’t done since 2018: activate the patented Ken hype machine. The anonymous, extremely hard-to-find German trio launch an all-out assault on institutionalized religion, late-stage capitalism, Internet culture, and any number of other societal dysfunctions in a scant thirteen minutes, and yet each new assassination makes a memory.” With Feinds like this…

Werewolves – Die For Us Review

Werewolves – Die For Us Review

“Barring a short sample, one of numerous scattered across the album, “Get fucked” is the first lyric spewed forth on fifth LP Die For Us from Australian extreme metal anarchists, Werewolves. It’s a fitting introduction to the vitriolic assault on the senses the Australian trio unleash on their latest opus of controlled chaos and destruction.” Wolves in the trash room.

Apes – Penitence Review

Apes – Penitence Review

Apes is a six-piece from Montreal, having released one LP and a series of demos and EPs since its inception in 2012. 2017 debut full-length Lightless introduced the band’s now-signature sound, a blend that continues in its sophomore effort Penitence seven years later: a blend of black metal and grindcore. While easy comparisons would be the sinister cutthroat attack of older Anaal Nathrakh or the unhinged intensity of Siberian Hell Sounds, Apes resides in a blackened interpretation of Nails, Trap Them, or Mammoth Grinder.” Primal rage.

Benighted – Ekbom Review

Benighted – Ekbom Review

“Springing to life some twenty-five years ago, France’s Benighted have carved a legacy of quality output. From rougher beginnings, the deathgrind powerhouse developed and honed their potently addictive formula to a fine point, throwing down technically proficient, slammy deathgrind fireballs with plenty of gusto, a deliciously unhinged bent, and a pig squealing, asylum rioting sense of fun.” BREEE careful!

Vitriol – Suffer & Become Review

Vitriol – Suffer & Become Review

“When our resident death metal professor, Ferrous Beuller, covered To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice, the debut full-length from Portland’s Vitriol, he was struck by the sheer heaviness that dominated the record. And while he noted the enormous potential displayed by the band, he bemoaned the lack of balancing contrast, a lack that prevented the monstrous material from making the intended impact.” Impact is imminent.