Dew-Scented - Icarus (Prosthetic, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Hubris (1.28)
2. Sworn To Obey (3.54)
3. Thrown To The Lions (4.29)
4. Storm Within (4.06)
5. Gleaming Like Silver (3.50)
6. By My Own Hand (3.42)
7. The Fall Of Man (4.03)
8. Reawakening (4.35)
9. Destined To Collapse (4.40)
10. A Final Procession (4.42)
11. Perpetuated (3.16)

Synopsis: It could be argued that Dew-Scented have pretty much released the same album repeatedly such is the consistency of their sound and "Icarus" isn't likely to change that perception. Still, they have their own take on thrash that doesn't sound like anyone else in particular and, despite line-up changes, it is performed with the confidence of band that is experienced and clear on what they do. As someone who discovered the band on "Ill-Natured" and have followed them ever since I, personally, have no issue with their ongoing adherence to their chosen style, especially when it's as good as "Icarus".

www.dew-scented.net

Dust Bolt - Violent Demolition (Napalm, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Opulence Contaminated (4.25)
2. Violent Abolition (3.31)
3. March Thru Pain (5.16)
4. Shattered By Reality (3.46)
5. Toxic Attack (5.01)
6. Into Madness (3.55)
7. Oblivion (5.36)
8. Pleasure On Illusion (4.38)
9. Deviance (5.32)

Synopsis: No-one has enjoyed the recent thrash revival more than I however it is getting more difficult to find bands that bring something new to the style. Case in point, Dust Bolt and their debut "Violent Demolition" which ticks all the boxes you would expect of a thrash release, from the artwork to their actual sound, but doesn't push beyond the standard formula we have all come to know. That said, there is nothing inherently wrong with what you hear and "Violent Demolition" is a thoroughly enjoyable release with some strong ideas so it remains a worthwhile investment where you will know exactly what you are getting from the outset.

www.facebook.com/dustbolt

Ancient Ascendant - Into The Dark (Forepoint, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. The Veil (1.11)
2. Blood Calls (5.12)
3. Driven By The Dark (6.00)
4. Casting The Shroud Aside (4.37)
5. Under Ancient Stone (5.32)

Synopsis: Ancient Ascendant have wasted little time in following up last years "The Grim Awakening" and the decision to do so is easily justified by the music on "Into The Dark". The first thing that strikes you is the magnificent artwork, which isn't your typical fare for a death metal band, yet this is the level of quality throughout. Ancient Ascendant manage to combine a degree of complexity with straight forward aggression and subtle streaks of melody that grab your attention and never let go. Given that "Into The Dark" was mixed and mastered by Dan Swano at Unisound it has a great sound, in fact, there is scarcely any fault to be found with it so I only hope that Ancient Ascendant can keep this standard moving forward. If so, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

www.ancientascendant.com

Gorephilia - Embodiment Of Death (Dark Descent, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Pantheon In Flames (4.33)
2. 7 Gates, 7 Spheres (4.02)
3. Forget Mortality (4.25)
4. Gods Stand Aghast (4.58)
5. Exist To Suffer (5.18)
6. Bloodspawn (2.00)
7. Saints Without Souls (4.44)
8. Vision Of Hell (6.43)

Synopsis: The ever reliable Dark Descent Records does it again, this time with Gorephilia and their debut full-length "Embodiment Of Death". This is pure death metal that pummels from the opening second, never letting up for its duration, and demonstrates that the band have smoothed the rough edges from "Ascend To Chaos" to come up with a truly memorable album. The production is perfectly suited to their style, thick and heavy yet not over polished and the cover art is one of the more disturbing I have seen in some time. "Embodiment Of Death" is aptly titled as it exemplifies what death metal is all about, Finnish style.

www.gorephilia.com

Miseration - Tragedy Has Spoken (Lifeforce, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Stepping Stone Agenda (5.00)
2. Children Of The Flames (3.27)
3. Ghost Barrier (4.24)
4. Ciniphes (4.51)
5. Hill Of The Poison Tree (2.22)
6. Disaster Cage (3.13)
7. On Wings Of Brimstone (4.46)
8. White Light/Black Rain (4.06)
9. Tomb Of Tephra (4.05)
10. Waylayer (6.03)

Synopsis: I really enjoyed the two previous Miseration releases, both of which were decent examples of melodic death metal, so I thought it a pretty safe bet that their latest, "Tragedy Has Spoken", would be along similar lines. Unfortunately this isn't the case and I find this a difficult album to take to, despite quite a few listens. It is certainly far more aggressive and technical than its predecessors, not a bad thing in itself, however the songs just don't stick in the memory and, as a result, it is difficult to fully enagage with the music. Miseration are still very good at what they do, and there are certainly some tracks that work better than others, but overall I found "Tragedy Has Spoken" somewhat disappointing.

www.facebook.com/miseration.official

Necrovation - Necrovation (Agonia, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Necrovorous Insurrection (4.03)
2. Dark Lead Dead (5.28)
3. Pulse Of Towering Madness (4.35)
4. Commander Of Remains (3.52)
5. New Depths (4.17)
6. Sepulchrial (5.38)
7. Resurrectionist (6.36)
8. The Transition (5.28)
9. Ill Mouth Madness (The Many) (6.38)

Synopsis: Necrovation return after a four year absence and they have certainly made some hefty changes to their sound. They remain a death metal band first and foremost, there is no denying that fact, however they have also broadened their scope and it is always exciting to listen to an album like this that is dark and heavy yet unpredictable, you never quite know where it will be coming from next. "Breed Deadness Blood" was a good first effort but everything Necrovation have done here has resulted a degree of separation from the death metal masses and for that they have to be admired.

www.necrovation.com

(EchO) - Devoid Of Illusions (BadMoodMan, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Intro (0.45)
2. Summoning The Crimson Soul (7.29)
3. Unforgiven March (9.23)
4. The Coldest Land (9.08)
5. Internal Morphosis (9.17)
6. Omnivoid (8.23)
7. Disclaiming My Faults (7.22)
8. Once Was A Man (6.44)
9. Sounds From Out Of Space (7.26)

Synopsis: The initial impression of (EchO) is that they are a fairly traditional death/doom band however as "Devoid Of Illusions", their debut album, progresses the band reveal a greater scope to their sound than it might have first seemed. There is no doubt the aforementioned death/doom provides the basis for their music but there are a lot of lighter moments, based around clean vocals and guitars, atmospheric keyboards and even some thick grooves that are more Meshuggah than My Dying Bride. "Devoid Of Illusions" is a precocious release that contains a lot of depth and it reveals (EchO) as a new band with a great deal of potential.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/EchO/141116903052

Advent Sorrow - Before The Dimming Light (Independent, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Before The Dimming Light (4.34)
2. The Wraith In Silence (4.58)
3. A Porcelain Mistress (4.26)
4. Insidious Memories (4.06)
5. Withered By Her Curse (6.57)

Synopsis: Symphonic black metal is a hard style to pull off successfully as the metallic element is often forgotten in favour of creating an epic sound or, alternatively, the symphonic elements never quite manage to fulfill expectations. Thankfully, Advent Sorrow have managed to avoid such problems and have achieved a good balance between aggressive riffing, well orchestrated keyboard flourishes and a suitably dark aura. Overall, it is admirable what they have achieved on their debut release, one that reflects the better known proponents of the style but still retains some sense of individuality, and "Before The Dimming Light" demonstrates that symphonic black metal isn't necessarily without merit.

www.adventsorrow.com

Ereb Altor - Gastrike (Napalm, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. The Gathering Of Witches (5.39)
2. Dance Of Darkness (6.19)
3. Dispellation (6.41)
4. Boatman's Call (5.38)
5. The Mistress Of Wisdom (8.25)
6. I Djupet Sa Svart (6.15)
7. Seven (6.11)

Synopsis: The unassuming artwork that adorns the latest Ereb Altor release belies the stylistic change that their music has undergone since their previous album "The End". Ereb Altor have become far darker and more aggressive and, whilst the clear references to Bathory remain present, there is also a greater incorporation of black metal that makes "Gastrike" sound very different from its predecessor. That isn't to say it is a bad thing, it is done so well there is little room for complaint, and the epic doom that Ereb Altor do so well is still present throughout meaning that, initial surprises aside, "Gastrike" is sure to be one of the better albums of the year.

www.facebook.com/ErebAltorOfficial

Aenaon - Cendres Et Sang (Aural Music, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Kafkaesque (0.45)

2. Suncord (6.42)

3. Psychonautic Odyssey (5.19)

4. Grand Narcotic Harvest (4.46)

5. Once Finite (4.51)

6. Carnivora's Lair (5.24)

7. Necroscope (6.25)

8. Kraanerg (5.22)

9. Black Nerve (8.25)

10. In Heaven (5.00)

Synopsis: Sometimes the best albums are the ones you least expect and the most rewarding the ones you seek out. "Cendres Et Sang", the debut by this Greek band, is just such a release as it is one of the most memorable black metal albums that I have heard recently, one that is suitably dark yet varied. There is certainly a degree of forward thinking evident, the album ends with a David Lynch cover, and Aenaon incorporate a lot of texture and depth into each song all of which is wrapped in a gloriously heavy production that gives the music ample weight. Aenaon are a band I shall certainly be keeping my eye on and "Cendres Et Sang" is recommended to all who enjoy a more refined take on black metal.

 

http://www.aenaon-band.com/