Djevelkult (NOR) - Når Avgrunnen Åpnes - Review 2020

Saturnal Records 2018

Dødsherre Xarim (voc & guit)
Beleth (guit)
Skabb (bass)
Ond (drums)

Well, last time we wrote about Djevelkult, I gave their demo CD a poor 2/5 as I found it somewhat boring and plain overall, and the sound didn't fit the raw music they performed and made it all sound til clean and homogenic IMO. I've listened a few times to 'Når Avgrunnen Åpnes' and what I listen to is a much more grown band "every-way” actually.

They’ve matured as song writers and as musicians (a-lot) since the demo days and I don’t know I would react if not...

 This is in general raw black metal with some growls in the beginning that they really should consider using more. It fits very well in to the whole picture. 'Når Avrgrunnen Åpnes' is a solid album that not only drive past you in 190 kilometres so you miss pretty much every thing. The vocals has had a great "makeover" since I last met this band and the songs are very good & entertaining with more slow and atmospheric tracks and sound quality fits the production very well. 

I like to complain, but there is honestly nothing especially negative about it.

‘Når Avgrunnen Åpnes’ Djevelkult do what they are supposed to to , bring traditional black metal further than before, still they maintain true to the roots and I find myself nostalgic listening to this one.

Djevelkult - Når Avgrunnen Åpnes - Full Album

Tracklist

01. Atomic Holocaust
02. Condemned Into Eternal Void
03. Når Avgrunnen Åpnes
04. En Ny Tid

05. Døpt I Helvetesild
06. An Evil Unheard Of
07. Apocalypse (Hellspawn)
08. Vredeskvad

MANIMALISM self titled album will be out november 17

Norwegian Post-Black Metal from the 90's

                                  

A ghost has risen from Norway's post-Black Metal scene. Its name is MANIMALISM. After releasing two demos in the mid-nineties as TAARENES VAAR, MANIMALISM went quiet; or so it seemed on the outside. Now, 22 years after the band formed in 1992, they are ready to launch their very first album! Composed between 1993 and 1999, this album—apparently cursed from birth—has since been hovering in a near-completed form burdened by a constant barrage of breakdowns, line-up changes, and recording difficulties. Now the wait is over! Slithering from silence is the crew of Kim Sølve, Bjeima, Petter 'Plenum' Berntsen, Member 01, and Joachim Svebo. First up is the single "Demons in Tuxedos", the opening track from their first demo from 1996. 

After a 22-year birth, the time has come. From the dark past, we give you: MANIMALISM. 

Manimalism is being released on black and gold 12 inch vinyl by Adversum, the label that gave you Yurei, I Left The Planet, Alfa Obscura, and Stagnant Waters. Due to the limited amount of copies being pressed (slightly above 200), we are afraid physical promos are not possible at this point. 

Here’s a little taster called Demons In Tuxedos, the opening track from the album and also the opening track from the first demo from back in 1996:

https://soundcloud.com/kimsolve/manimalism-demons-in-tuxedos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcg6tvfJUr8&feature=youtu.be

Manimalism on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/manimalism

Interviews are now being accepted. 

If you have any questions what so ever, do not hesitate to get in touch:

kim@trineogkim.no 

Watch out for review here in the near future!

artist - Manimalism

album - Manimalism

country - Norway

format 12" vinyl

Line up:

Kim Sølve (Blitzkrieg Baby,

Trine + Kim Design Studio)

Petter Berntsen AKA Plenum (Virus) Bjeima (Yurei, ex-Virus)

Member 01 (The Konsortium) Joachim Svebo

Label: Adversum distribution: Neuropa

Manimalism on Facebook: www.facebook.com/manimalism

www.adversum.no

Adversum on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ADVERSUM 

_ Tracklist _

01 DEMONS IN TUXEDOS

02 CARNAL CATERING SERVICE 03 THE GENTLEMAN IS IN THE DETAILS

04 ROMANCE

05 THE DANDIFIED AND THE DEVILISH

06 THE CROONER

07 THE COCKTAIL PARTY TO END THEM ALL

Manimalism - Demons in Tuxedos soundcloud.com/kimsolve/manimalism- demons-in-tuxedos

ACHERON: Kult des Hasses Out Now; Album Preview, Interview Video Now Playing at Decibel Magazine

Underground Death Metal legends ACHERON are back with a vengeance in the form ofKult des Hasses. The band's newest long-player, and first since inking a deal in blood with Listenable Records, is by far their most relentless and devastating.  

New Noise Magazine's Eric May called the disc "absolutely essential," while Alice Roques of RockRevolt Magazine states "the album as a whole is a blood drenched sonic landscape full of decadent morsels of musical flesh." Decibel Magazine is getting in on the action as well with their exclusive album preview/video interview featuring ACHERON founder Vincent Crowley. Check it out at this location.    

Kult des Hasses is available on CD and vinyl formats at the link below:

http://shop.listenable.net/category.php?id_category=164   

On Kult des Hasses, ACHERON founder Vincent Crowley has been joined on this album by longtime drummer Kyle Severn and guitarist Art Taylor. Also appearing on the record as a guest lead guitarist is Ricktor Ravensbruck from the bands WOLFPACK 44, ELECTRIC HELLFIRE CLUB and WOLFEN SOCIETY. Kult des Hasses was recorded in Cleveland, Ohio at Bad Back Studios and mixed and mastered by Dan Swano of Unisound.  

Guest vocalists on Kult des Hasses include Kam Lee (Ex-MASSACRE, THE GROTESQUERY and BONE GNAWER), Jim Lippucci (SOULLESS), John McEntee (INCANTATION/FUNERUS), Jill McEntee (FUNERUS), Ash Thomas (ESTUARY/FAITHXTRACTOR) and Zdenka Prado (ESTUARY).

"Numerous songs are charged and possessed by twisted, vile riffs, chaotic yet sometimes melodic solos and that underlying atmosphere which, when seperated completely from the burgeoning instrumentation, could well be mistaken for the background noise of a Satanic ritual." [4/5] - SputnikMusic.com

"Whether Kult des Hasses is the band's strongest effort to date we will leave for others to decide, but for death metal with the bravery and skill to be so much more, this is one magnificent offering." [9/10] - RingMasterReviews

 

  

Vincent Crowley - bass, vocals

Kyle Severn - drums

Art Taylor - Guitar

 

 www.facebook.com/pages/Acheron/128581467223407
www.twitter.com/acheronband

   www.listenable.net 

www.listenable.netshop.listenable.net
www.facebook.com/listenablerecs

Blackrat - Whiskey and Blasphemy

XNIHILO RECORDS 2013

Let's talk about Blackrat's debut album 'Whiskey and Blasphemy released by Xnihilo records 2013.This guys have obviously not understood what decade we live in, as the album reeks of the 80's all the way. Hey wait, I did not say it was a bad thing,did I?..
If you were into metal some decades ago you'll know what I mean when I say that this band uses fast aggressive vocals with delay, kinda like early Mayhem,Kreator,Sodom etc. 
Loud chaotic basslines,guitars and drums it's the 80's all over again, so I find myself thinking aren't there enough bands out there doing the same, the answer is yes, it seems like it has become pop to play 80's black/thrash metal.Most likely all these bands will jump off to the next thing that become pop.So I find myself thinking again (quite rare actually) this time about Blackrat ,the band I'm reviewing.Will they stand the fall of time or will they fall just in time? Hard question as I'm not capable of predicting the future but I can  continue to share my thoughts about it with you.
'Whiskey and Blasphemy is a rather short lasting album with eleven tracks rooted in early black & thrash metal and even some punk ,take Mayhem's Deathcrush' without the hi-pitched vocals to explain it simple.All of the tracks are relatively pretty short ,not one over 3 minutes, but it suits the music & album perfectly as longer tracks could easily become boring,so smart move there.
As for the music I have to say that I enjoy it even though there has been a lot bands jumping on this wagon lately, then again that is not Blackrat's fault.I find it very amusing and it's hard not to bang my head at times, they also manage to capture that 'evil' atmosphere I enjoyed so much while listening especially to Kreator & such bands.

Other tracks are more uplifting and more headbanger friendly, one thing they all have in common is the raw and primitive  riffs and structure.Overall a good album and definitely worth chekin' out ,especially if you like it the old fashioned way.

          http://www.xnihilorecords.com

The End - 'You Made The Rain Disappear... ' demo (Review)

The End is one-man experimental post-black metal band, mostly influenced by darkness, depression, suicidal thoughts, extream sadness and melancholy. 

While listening through abunch of promos I found this 4 track demo to be pretty interesting.        
I'm not really sure how to categorize the music, but somewhere between ambient,industrial combined with metal.

They have done a few split albums and the demo album You Made the Rain Disappear released in mid 2013 on American label Hammerkrieg Production and also sheduled to be re-released on Indian label Transcending Obscurity.

One thing is for sure it's quite out of the ordinary so either you love it or hate it.
Mainly it's slowly drifting music with calm piano and guitar parts and spoken french female who speaks.
On one of the tracks there is also some spoken male male vocals and even a screamy harsh vocals enter into the sound. 
After the calm parts it builds up with the typical fast & mid-tempo drums and distorted guitars and a some very cool synth sounds in the background.

I'm not sure wheter I like the faster metal parts in between.. It's like you're on a rollercoaster while listening.
It starts fo very calm then suddenly the faster parts enters which then again fades into ambient again.   
All in all this lends much more toward trancendental ambient than metal.

I have to admit that this grows on me each time I listen and if you're going to listen to this I suggest you use headphones or play it very loud preferably alone or with someone who knows when to shut up as that will give you the best experience!
It's a very good idea behind this and I think there are endless possibilities of how this band can progress in the future.

But we like out of the ordinary experiences don't we?

Tracklist : 

Lost Memories, 
Shallow Hearts, Empty Streets (feat.Tenebra)
Expectations (feat. Isabelel Garcet)
Ashes In The Wind (feat. Uruksoth L)

Arvas (Nor) Into The Realm Of The Occult

Release dates : 29.11.2013 USA & UK, 02.12.2013 EUROPE

Arvas has just released their second opus named 'Into The Realm Of The Occult'
If you heard their debut  Blessed From Below...Ad Sathanas Noctum' released 2009,
this is a big step forward in the right direction for the band.
V-REX: Guitars - Bass - Vocals

This time with some 'small' line-up changes , Bloodlust on guitars so that main man V-Rex could focus more on the vocals. Otherwise I think it's the same studio line-up at least on this album. If I'm not wrong V-Rex has decided to do all the instruments himself for the 3'rd full-lenght.


Their debut was good ,but somehow I felt like it was too polished and 'out of the book' when it came to playing also very predictable at times which ended up with fewer listens than the average album.

On the new one though,they have a much more solid sound and a more agressive approach which fits the band very well.
At first listen you might think that this is nothing special ,but I promise that if you give this album a chance and have a few more listens a whole new world (of darkness) will reveal itself slowly which for me is a good thing as I get more entertainement for the money.

Musically they have much more variation than on ther debut and even though it's harder and more agressive this time they have left room for some good melodies in between.
'Into The Realm Of The Occult' contains much more thrash elements than before and as said this fits the band perfectly.

The vocals are overall more agressive and the drummmer is drumming like never before
and all of these elements has results on the final impact of course.
In my opinion this is by far their best so far and if they continue this way we have surely have something to look forward to.

Highly recomended !

Pitch Black Mentality (Nor) - The Pitch Black Reality (Review)

Pitch Black Mentality (Nor) - The Pitch Black Reality early/mid 2014

This is my first meeting with this norwegian band and I have to say they give me a good impression after first listen!

The first thing that strikes me is the incredibly energy and very catchy thrash/heavy melodies/riffs these guys play, and the vocals are impressive, it sounds like they have spent some time with the production as everything sounds very professionally considering it's their debut album.
The tracks are a wonderful combination of newer and older thrash and there is no doubt that these guys know how to entertain the listeners ears.


At times I find myself nostalgic while listening as it takes me back to an era thrash was very important in my life.

Pitch Black Mentality's music have what it takes to reach out to more than just the hardcore thrash heads as their music has a wide specter and 'The Pitch Black Reality' is without doubt a fresh breath to the norwegian & worldwide thrash/metal scene.

Being a debut album 'The Pitch Black Reality' sets a high standard for future releases to come and most important for themselves.

This is an album you don't wanna miss out on!

Rotten Liver (France) - Purification By Debauchery Review

Rotten Liver (France) - Purification By Debauchery
Mortis Humanae Productions

I got this promo a few weeks ago from Laurent which has released some pretty good albums the last years.
This album is somewhat different from the the other releases I've heard form MHP so far.
 
Rotten Liver deliver a very good dose of black metal with rock n' roll influences or perhaps in the opposite order if you like.
This 4 track EP is overall a very good release and has gone on repeat for a while,still not tired of it.
The thing with this band is probably that they manage to pull out some excellent but yet simple riffs that just hits my brain,right where it's supposed to.
 
Even though this is black metal or whatever you like to call it, I find it very easy listening, entertaining & enjoyable.
And as said this has a solid dose of traditional rock n' roll influences and they blend in with the darker side excellent.
 
The reason is simply because these guys surely know how to make quality music and at times I have to ask myself if it's on the edge to psychedelic twists at times.
You have to listen to know what I mean 'cause this band throws in some excellent guitars solos, and also the drummer does a good job in lifting this record further.
The tunes on this album is mostly mid-tempo or should I say laid back with some faster parts now and then with a dark and trancelike atmosphere at times.

At the moment I have no favorite tracks as I enjoy playing the whole release over and over again and honestly, I find each track to very good... Did you really think I would put it on repeat if not?

One thing is for sure! This beats the hell out of 90% of todays so-called Black Metal in my opinion.
Rotten Liver is one of the best releases ,if not the best that has been released by Mortis Humane Productions so far and of what I've heard.

I sincerely hope we'll se a full-lenght from this band in the future ,as I'm very eager to hear more from this band and follow up on their progression.

I don't know the release date for this one or if it's already out,contact the label or band for details.

This one is highly recommended by Scullfukker ,and I strongly advice you to check out if you want something out of the ordinary and quality!

Tracklist :   Infamous Nil
                   Become The Arcanthropos
                   Black' N Rot
                   Purification By Debauchery

Rotten Liver Facebook

Contact for promo : Laurent@mortishumanae.com
Label homepage    : http://www.mortishumanae.com

Biography:

Rotten Liver was born in France under Brittany’s rain. It started as a duo around winter 2010, willing to create a dark and tortured black metal with a rock’n’roll feeling. After some line up difficulties, the coven finally found two devoted souls to start composing and recording its first EP entitled “Purification by Debauchery”, dealing with gnosis, sin and chaos. The beast is now ready to spread its vision of Black metal to the masses.

Veneror - Percussimus Fodeus Cum Morte

Type: Full-length

Release date: January 1st, 2013

New Era Productions

Released in co-production with Hexencave Productions.

 

CD : Limited 1000ex

LP 500ex

This band is a new experience for me,they released one demo named 'Nightwandering' in 2011 and has now released their debut on New Era.

 

This Italian outfit plays pretty fast forward black metal in the traditional way.

It's raw n' harsh but at the same time very melodic and actually pretty enjoyable and I have no problems listening through the whole album at once since it has a certain 'entertaining' value to it.

It primitive in many ways but on the other hand you could say it's professionally done and the sound quality is above average and fits the music overall.

 

The thing I like most about this album is the combination of the primitive sounding riffs combined with the more structured stuff.

'Percussimus Fodeus Cum Morte' consist of eighth tracks and surely has it's highlights.

I enjoy what they are trying to accomplish here,easy memorable melodies,but at the same time I kinda think of Gorgoroth,maybe not the right example but as said extreme yet melodic and with it's own charm. They surely manage to help me drift into my own little space,and that's what most music is about.

 

I'm glad I received this one as I would most likely never get to hear it,cause I think this band has potential and they show it on this release which I think is a pretty good debut, and I'll just enjoy this album for a while and probably hear more from these guys in the future.

 

The one thing I have to complain about is the variation which could have been more of,as it spins pretty much fast forward throughout the whole album,a bit monotone at times.

But it could be worse,there are so many shitty bands out there doing simply nada more or less. So all hails to these guys for releasing this one.

 

Lyrics are mostly deal with satanism,witchcraft,black magic,ancient gods,and when I first saw the album cover I somewhat expected some 'Doom' metal or something mostly because of the which drawings and other stuff on the cover 

 

People into raw,melodic black metal should give this a try!

Traclist :

1.	Impervio
2.	The Wings of the Daimon Sethos
3.	Conclaves of Blest Carnality
4.	Witchblood Arcane Sodality
5.	De Arcana Reptilia
6.	Curse of the Antisacral
7.	Alogos Azothos Achronos
8.	Et Taurum Draco

Manifestor (Swe) Old Monster Demo 2012

Tracks :

1.Black Sabbath
2. Old Monster
3.Manifestor

I recived this promo along time ago,but for some reason didn't write about it until now.
This Swedish band has been rockin' basements and other moist places since 2008.
The creative masterminds behind this has played under various banners since their teenage year in the 90's.

Old Moster is their second demo released on pro printed tape on 100ex. during the summer of 2012.
This is thrash with the ugly stench of death with fast & furious riffs and aggresive vocals.
It's a cool demo no doubt,and it's not hard to hear where they have taken inspiration from,if you know bands like Grotesque,Aura Noir,Pestilence & Infernal Majesty you probably know what this demo is all about.
It contains 3 tracks of fast & aggresive thrash the ugly way and a bit chaotic (not in a bad way) 

Does it work as a piece of music?
Well ,to be honest it's nothing bad about this tape at all,but after several listens I still can't remember any tracks afterwards.
It all goes in a superfast tempo,maybe too fast at times.and it kinda sounds like they forgot that it's a good idea to maybe have some breaks & hooks in between 'cause this demo is over before it starts it feels.

Some will probably worship this,but I feel something is missing,not originality,'cause I'm pretty sure this band is not about that,but better melodies maybe?
So the overall conclusion is that it's not,bad,but I dosen't give me anything as a listener either.
There are many bands playing this old schoolish metal these days,but if you go for that style you better deliver and I don't think these guys deliver this time and it becoms boring at times.

3.5/6

Band Contact : manifestor@live.se

Manifestor on Myspace