Soulfallen - The Promise Of Hell (Grave New Music, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. The Birth Of Newfound Death (8.10)

2. Questions And Answers (3.48)

3. Ghosts (5.30)

4. Scars Aligned (4.07)

5. The Silence Of The Storm (6.18)

6. Cold Beneath The Sun (4.36)

7. Dead And Dying (3.46)

8. Bring Me My Demons (6.14)

9. At The Heart Of Dying (9.32)

Synopsis: Soulfallen return with their third album of melodic death metal based around simple yet effective songs embellished by orchestrations. "The Promise Of Hell" is certainly a darker album than it's predecessor however I have found that it doesn't have the same impact as "Grave New World" and it took me longer to appreciate its strengths. This is really just a minor issue as "The Promise Of Hell" is still an interesting release that will appeal to those who like downcast yet melodic death metal, particularly that from Finland.

http://www.soulfallen.com/

Odem Arcarum - Outrageous Reverie Above The Erosion Of Barren Earth (Osmose, 2010)

Track Listing:

1. Gate (2.12)

2. Oceans (9.53)

3. Worlds Of Barren Land (7.08)

4. Loss (9.15)

5. Hell & Revelation (16.34)

6. The Body And Perpetual Imagination (9.56)

7. A Darker Kind Of Dreaming (10.14)

Synopsis: The outward impression of the artwork and lengthy album title gives a more than adequate indication of the manner in which Odem Arcarum conduct themselves, complex black metal that at times reminds of a less refined Emperor. There is no dearth of ideas, quite the opposite, and it is impressive how so much is included without completely losing focus or diluting their vision. Sure, I am a couple of years late on this one but better late than never as this is black metal that challenges, unsettles and, ultimately, rewards the listener.

http://www.odem-arcarum.de/

Cruxifiction - The Coming (De Tenebrarum Principio, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Haunting Hypocrisy (6.50)

2. The Coming (7.03)

3. The New Messiah (5.53)

4. Death Is The Only Way (7.17)

5. The Silent Traitor (5.15)

6. Burn On A Cross (4.40)

7. I'll Bless You (5.57)

Synopsis: "The Coming" is the debut album of Cruxifiction, after a solitary demo, and everything about the band name, album title and cover art screams black metal. With this in mind Cruxifiction do differ in sound from what we have to expect from France in the sense that they are much more linear and incorporate melodic elements into the riffing and solos, acoustic interludes and subtle sound effects that add an additional dimension to what is, basically, a traditional black metal album. It also takes strength from a well balanced production so, as a whole, "The Coming" shows a great deal of potential.

www.myspace.com/cruxifiction666

Nekromantheon - Rise, Vulcan Spectre (Indie, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Cast Down To The Void (4.05)

2. Blood Wisdom (2.44)

3. Embrace The Oracle (3.41)

4. Coven Of The Minotaur (3.53)

5. The Usurper Command (4.24)

6. Rise, Vulcan Spectre (3.47)

7. Twelve Depths Of Hades (3.39)

8. Raised By Dogs (4.26)

Synopsis: Nekromantheon are purveyors of primal, dark thrash metal, the kind that came out in the late eighties where it wasn't about finesse or skill but unbridled aggression. Opener "Cast Down To The Void" sounds like early Slayer and that sets the scene perfectly for what is to come. Add some old Kreator, Sadus, Sepultura or Dark Angel and it is easy to see where Nekromantheon plant their flag (of hate). It is always refreshing to listen to half an hour of old school thrash that is retrospective but hardly redundant and "Rise, Vulcan Spectre" is exactly that.

www.facebook.com/nekromantheonofficial

Swallow The Sun - Emerald Forest And The Blackbird (Spinefarm, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Emerald Forest And The Blackbird (9.57)

2. This Cut Is The Deepest (5.20)

3. Hate, Lead The Way! (6.13)

4. Cathedral Walls (6.47)

5. Hearts Wide Shut (5.55)

6. Silent Towers (4.01)

7. Labyrinth Of London (Horror pt. IV) (8.29)

8. Of Death And Corruption (5.00)

9. April 14th (8.28)

10. Night Will Forgive Us (6.41)

Synopsis: It has been interesting to read the some of the reviews of "Emerald Forest And The Blackbird" which, whilst generally positive, often comment on the direction that has been taken. On listening to the album it seems like a logical continuation of the direction that Swallow The Sun have been taking over their last few releases. There is a great deal of light and shade to the music, as shown by the first single "Cathedral Walls", but Swallow The Sun haven't forsaken doom metal so there is nothing to fear in that regard. I have no doubt this will be one of my favourite albums come years end.

http://www.swallowthesun.net/

Kreator - Renewal (Noise, 1992)

Track Listing;

1. Winter Martyrium (5.43)

2. Renewal (4.35)

3. Reflection (6.15)

4. Brainseed (3.16)

5. Karmic Wheel (6.05)

6. Realitatskontrolle (1.22)

7. Zero To None (3.11)

8. Europe After The Rain (3.18)

9. Depression Unrest (5.05)

Synopsis: It was always going to be a challenge following up the magnificent "Coma Of Souls" but "Renewal" was hampered by Kreator experimenting with their sound and introducing industrial elements. Not that there was anything wrong with that if it worked but, unfortunately, the music seems restrained and lacking in vigour particularly when it comes to riffing or the vocals. Thankfully, Kreator have regained their spark on recent releases and, in some way, this attempt at change was probably needed but it is highly unlikely that "Renewal" would be considered in the same league as its predecessors.

http://www.kreator-terrorzone.de/

Asphyx - Deathhammer (Century Media, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Into The Timewastes (3.40)

2. Deathhammer (2.26)

3. Minefield (7.27)

4. Of Days When Blades Turned Blunt (3.22)

5. Der Landser (6.54)

6. Reign Of The Brute (2.59)

7. The Flood (3.03)

8. We Doom You To Death (6.56)

9. Despa Crabro (2.50)

10. As The Magma Mammoth Rises (7.51)

Synopsis: What really needs to be said about the mighty Asphyx and their latest release "Deathhammer"? Nothing much has really changed in their sound from "Death...The Brutal Way" or even "The Rack" for that matter. Still crushingly heavy as they alternate between the shorter, faster songs and the longer, doomier dirges it really is a case of business as usual for this death machine. The limited edition with a bonus disc including three additional songs together with two cover versions (Celtic Frost and Majesty) is an interesting bonus as well.

http://www.asphyx.nl/ 

Vektor - Outer Isolation (Heavy Artillery, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Cosmic Vortex (10.22)

2. Echoless Chamber (5.16)

3. Dying World (5.18)

4. Tetrastructural Minds (5.21)

5. Venus Project (6.47)

6. Dark Creations, Dark Creators (3.25)

7. Fast Paced Society (6.45)

8. Outer Isolation (8.27)

Synopsis: Vektor really impressed me with their debut album "Black Future" but it didn't really prepare me for what they have come up with on the follow up "Outer Isolation". Calling them a thrash band almost doesn't do them justice as it's only part of the equation and, if using that term, they are one of the more forward thinking thrash bands you are likely to come across. The musicianship is incredible, each track is memorable and there is no shortage of impressive moments that make it clear that there is hope for thrash in the hands of those willing to push boundaries.

www.facebook.com/VektorOfficial

Psycroptic - The Inherited Repression (Nuclear Blast, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Carriers Of The Plague (6.07)

2. Forward To Submission (3.56)

3. Euphorinasia (4.54)

4. The Throne Of Kings (4.04)

5. Unmasking The Traitors (3.55)

6. Become The Cult (4.11)

7. From Scribe To Ashes (3.50)

8. Deprivation (5.44)

9. The Sleepers Have Awoken (4.08)

Synopsis: Psycroptic are a band that I have followed for some time but never quite enjoyed as much as I probably should have but that has changed on album number five, "The Inherited Repression". That isn't because they are doing anything drastically different, this is still highly technical death metal with a myriad of riffs, but it does come down to the fact that they have refined their sound further and it results in a much more engaging and memorable album.

http://www.psycroptic.com/

Ride For Revenge - Under The Eye (Kvlt, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. For Those About To Kneel (1.45)

2. Second Gate Opened With Power (3.53)

3. Prevail In Hell (2.56)

4. The Endless Flood (3.11)

5. The Gutter And The Grave (5.32)

6. Through (6.54)

7. Conversation In Death (2.35)

8. From Darkness We Ride (4.59)

9. The Hawk Appears (2.59)

10. Under The Eye (5.59)

Synopsis: My first encounter with Ride For Revenge and quite the Finnish filth it proves to be.  "Under The Eye" is an extremely raw, bass heavy and primal take on black metal at times reminding me of their compatriots Beherit or Archgoat. What Ride For Revenge lack in sophistication they more than make up for with sheer sinister feeling, not an easy listen by any means but certainly an intriguing release that takes time to be fully appreciated.