Feretro - The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh

Labels: Despise The Son Records/Nihilistic Holocaust Records

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 06 Sep 2025

Tracklist:

1. Twilight of Life

2. Towards Perishment

3. The Ancient Horror

4. In Agony

5. The Hour of Death

6. Time to Die

7. Death's Cycle

8. Flesh for Worms

9. Epitaph

On Monday just gone, I posted about one half of the promo package I recently received from French label Visceral Circuitry Records (the January CD pressing of Null by Peasant God). The second half of that package contained a promo cdr of the 2025 album The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh from Chilean death metal band Feretro. The album was released last September by Visceral Circuitry's sister label Nihilistic Holocaust Records, while Chilean label Despise The Son Records released in on tape in December.

The album marked Feretro's twentieth year as a band, a time that has seen them release five demos, two EPs, a compilation and a split tape prior to (this) their debut full-length. In true old-school fashion, Feretro have no social media presence (to my knowledge) and let the independent labels they work with, spread the word.

Another new band gracing the blog thanks to somebody much more in the know than myself! It’s also great to see that people still invest time in putting together proper physical release promos. It’s a trend I’m seeing more of this year, so far. Feretro begin The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh with instrumental intro ‘Twilight of Life’,  which sounds grandiose and acts as the perfect build-up to the rest of the album. What comes next is a shock to the system as it brings raging thrash together with gutter-dwelling death metal. ‘Towards Perishment’ comes at you with changing tempos, frenetic percussion, groove-laden bass, buzzsaw riffs and bellowed vocals that nod towards death metal’s greats.

‘The Ancient Horror’ follows on and encapsulates the sound that Feretro have been honing across their twenty-year existence so far. A sound that hits you with ripping speed while also ploughing the lowest furrows of murky death metal, albeit with the odd slick guitar solo thrown in because why the hell not! So far, this album has been filled with up-tempo bangers and that continues with ‘in Agony’, to start with at least, before you’re dragged into a realm of abject misery in the mid section. It switches up again for the final-third, with riffs that take on an avant-garde form, which was evident earlier too now that I think of it.

There’s a greater doom/sludge influence going on at the beginning of ‘The Hour of Death’, as dual guitar melodies coupled with slower bass/drum progression in what is an extremely solid (almost entirely instrumental) song except for the closing few seconds of gurgling horror. ‘Time to Die’ takes you back to Feretro’s blasting and thrashing sound once again, where they fire on all cylinders to create yet more blistering extremity. 

This wouldn’t be an old-school death metal album if it didn’t contain at least one properly lengthy song. It comes in the form of ‘Death’s Cycle’ that stretches over 8+ minutes and is filled with progressive trickery, as well as stellar song-writing. It shows how maturing naturally as a band can really benefit that first album! It’s been twenty years for Feretro but it’s been absolutely worth the wait, as I’m sure those of you in the know will agree!

Penultimate banger ‘Flesh for Worms’ whips up the pace once again and thanks to more exceptional lead guitar work (alongside the rest of the band), leaves you wanting more. I’m really going to have to dig further into the Chilean scene now, as I keep seeing people mention how good it is and hearing this album cements that. Ending aptly with ‘Epitaph’, Feretro seem to dig up added rawness out of nowhere but also add warmth with brief synth tones too. It’s quite a bizarre way to close out the album but it works!

I’m truly grateful to both Nihilistic Holocaust Records and Visceral Circuitry Records for introducing me to two bands I otherwise wouldn’t have come across. Feretro are excellent and if like me, you’re an old-school death metal lover, then this album is perfect for you.

You can stream and purchase The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh digitally, as well as on CD from Nihilistic Holocaust Records below (European fans only):-

You can also buy the CD here via the label's webstore - https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/Webshop/en/accueil/3490-feretro-chile-the-mortuary-destiny-of-flesh-cd.html

Sadly, I haven't been able any links to Despise The Son Records. If anybody reading this knows of any information or of a webstore, please let me know!

Feretro - https://feretro.bandcamp.com/album/promo

Nihilistic Holocaust Records - https://www.facebook.com/nihilisticzinedistro

Wampyric Rites - Summoning The Beasts In The Night Of Lycanthropic Moon

Labels: Inferna Profundus Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 01 Nov 2024

Tracklist:

1. Chapter - I

2. Chapter - II

3. Chapter - III

4. Chapter - IV

Ecuadorian/Chilean black metal trio Wampyric Rites released their latest EP in November of last year, via Lithuanian black metal label Inferna Profundus Records. Since their inception in 2019, Wampyric Rites have released countless demos, EPs, singles and split releases, as well as two full-lengths. They form part of the expansive Pure Raw Underground Black Metal Plague circle in South America, as well as the Old True Dungeon Synth Committee (according to Metal Archives). 

Tomorrow will be the shortest day of the year in the UK (in terms of sunlight), so it seems fitting that it should be ushered in with some lo-fi black metal. Wampyric Rites get that dubious honour this evening and even though this EP was released over a year ago, it’s still their latest body of work and therefore it deserves more coverage. ‘Chapter - I’ opens Summoning The Beasts In The Night Of Lycanthropic Moon with what I would call an ambient instrumental, though I know a lot of you would call it Dungeon Synth, maybe. With that being said, it’s a lovely intro piece.

‘Chapter - II’ emerges a few moments later with crisp opening riffs and raw percussion, before typically wailing vocals kick in. The pace is pretty frenetic, adding to an intensity that’s hard to ignore. This song stretches to nearly fifteen minutes in length, so there’s a lot to take in. It can’t possibly be appreciated in just one sitting, so repeat listens are a must. When it does click, the ungodly black metal of Wampyric Rites truly hits the spot. So much so in fact that my neighbour upstairs is banging on the floor (though that may be more to do with the volume of my typing than anything!).

I’m really enjoying the true, old-school rawness of this release so far and the fact that it’s peppered with melodic guitar helps as well. Black metal that’s truly listenable in all of it’s forms. ‘Chapter - III’ continues in the exact same vein with fast percussive tempos, almost-falsetto cries and unearthly growls, alongside galloping guitars. It only just surpasses the four-minute mark but it seems to take on a much longer form.

Closing with ‘Chapter - IV’ Wampyric Rites continue their belligerent black metal march with supreme efficiency and twenty-twenty musical vision. I guess that comes with five years of consistent musical output. Even later on in the song when they seem to slow things down tempo-wise, the intensity doesn’t properly end. Instead, there’s just a bit of respite before things ratchet up again.

Inferna Profundus Records are now well known in underground circles for the quality of what they release and this record from Wampyric Rites is no different. Authentic and raw, yet melodic and well-written/produced black metal might sound like an oxymoron but it’s the truth. This is fantastic.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally via bandcamp below:-

Physical copies are available to purchase from Inferna Profundus Records here:-

https://www.ipr666shop.com/inferna-profundus-releases/

Wampyric Rites Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wampyric_rites/

Inferna Profundus Records - https://www.facebook.com/ipr666

Frozen Blood - Revenge

Labels: Adirondack Black Mass/Death In Pieces Records/Diabolical Summoning Records/Dry Cough Records/Excarnation Records/Frozen Screams Imprint

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 10 Feb 2023

Tracklist:

 1. Revenge

2.  Castración Violenta

3. Esquizofrenia Podrida

4. Mercilessly

5. Die By The Sword (Slayer Cover)

This debut EP from Chilean death metal duo Frozen Blood has been in my personal tape collection for sometime now but I hadn't realised for how long. It's been over twelve months since A.A and S.A released their first body of songs. UK label Dry Cough Records were first to commit the EP to tape, before Mexican label Death In Pieces Records produced a cd/tape run. Brazilian label Excarnation Records followed soon after with their own cd pressing for the South American fans, while both Chilean label Diabolical Summoning Records and US label Frozen Screams Imprint did additional tape runs. Note: all info courtesy of Metal Archives, so I can't vouch for it's accuracy but I hope it's correct.

A year in metal music seems like ten years, such is the pace at which bands release new music. This debut EP from Chile’s Frozen Blood was released thirteen months ago today. Beginning with the title-track ‘Revenge’, you can hear exactly why Dry Cough Records have been championing this band over the last year or so. Frozen Blood’s take on the sub-genre is raw and blasting straight from the off, which is absolutely perfect. The harrowingly named ‘Castración Violenta’ is a mix of blackened-death and doom, with crisp percussion and similarly expressive guitar melodies. It twists and turns in various ways throughout it’s near three-minute playing time, proving that even when the duo turns up the urgency, they still know how to bring on the gloom.

‘Esquizofrenia Podrida’ oozes old-school ferocity and (dare I say it) charm. It’s a glorious slab of South American extremity that overpowers everything in it’s path, especially annoying and noisy neighbours! I haven’t knowingly been on the receiving end of a noise complaint before, so go figure. Frozen Blood’s final original song ‘Mercilessly’ is also their longest song, which is absolutely fine because it slays (no pun intended. You’ll understand why shortly). One again, that captivating melodic guitar work makes an appearance towards the end of the song before it gets overtly extreme. The way it fades out is a bit stark but it’s to be expected given what’s to follow.

Slayer’s ‘Die By The Sword’ is Frozen Blood’s choice of cover to round out this EP and I can totally understand why, as it matches their frantic and raw approach pretty damn well. They don’t try to make it into something it’s not, yet they inject their own personality into it at the same time. Metal purists probably hate covers, especially Slayer fans but there’s nothing to be afraid of here. Frozen Blood stay true to their own sound and approach. It’s much more enjoyable that way and it’s no surprise that so many independent labels jumped to help them spread Revenge around the globe.

You can stream and purchase Revenge digitally via bandcamp below:-

Frozen Blood Instagram - @frozenblood_osdm

Physical copies are still available from the below link:-

Death In Pieces Records - https://deathinpiecesrecs.bigcartel.com/category/releases

Death In Pieces Records - https://www.facebook.com/deathinpiecesrecs

Diabolical Summoning Records - https://www.facebook.com/DiabolicalSummoningRecords

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

Excarnation Records - https://www.facebook.com/excarnrecs

Frozen Screams Imprint - @frozen_screams_imprint Instagram

There is also a vinyl pressing of Revenge coming via Adirondack Black Mass, so keep an eye out for news here - https://www.facebook.com/AdirondackBlackMass

Ocultum - Residue

Labels: Self-Released/Black Bow Records/Interstellar Smoke Records

Formats: Digital/CD/Vinyl

Release Date: 06 Sep 2019

Tracklist:

1. The Acid Road

2. Residue

3. Ascending With The Fumes Of The Dead

4. Reflections On Repulsiveness

It's bloody freezing here! It's just turned cold over the last few days and yesterday I had to be out at 5am to work. I started writing this review on Friday evening, as I wanted to jam some slow and heavy tunes from Chilean doom/sludge trio Ocultum. This is a band that came to my attention recently, but that actually formed back in 2009. Since their formation, they've released a single, two full-lengths (including this one) and two live albums. Residue was originally self-released digitally in 2019 before being released a year later on CD via UK label Black Bow Records. Earlier this year, it was reissued on vinyl by Polish label Interstellar Smoke Records.

Heavy, grooving bass/guitar kicks off Residue on opener ‘The Acid Road’ and with it, you’re instantly dragged back to a time when Black Sabbath ruled their airwaves. Ocultum’s take on doom/sludge is more extreme, as is the way in South America. It has a rawness that’s brought alive by the harsh vocals and powerful drumming, but also a heap of warmth due to the trio’s psychedelic edge. 

All four of the songs on Residue are pretty lengthy with the title-track (and the opener before it) almost reaching the ten-minute mark, while the other two songs go even further. Back to the title-track though; ‘Residue’ majors on the trio’s instrumental prowess with the vocals used only when necessary. 

The album’s latter half is where things become the most mesmerising, with even doomier music and knuckle-dragging clean vocals that nestle amongst it all on ‘Ascending With The Fumes Of The Dead’. It’s so easy to get lost and to overlook this form of metal given the sheer amount of releases that give you instant gratification, but if you do you’ll be doing it at your peril as this release is super loud and oppressive in all the right ways.

Album closer ‘Reflections On Repulsiveness’ is by far the gnarliest song on Residue by mere virtue of the vocals being so low tone-wise at first, before launching back into those gargled growls once again. There’s plenty of atmosphere generated via the melodic guitar work. It’s minimalistic appearance is very effective, making this song sound a lot dirtier and more true. 

This is a beast of a record. Experiencing it over three years after it’s original release doesn’t do any harm at all, as Ocultum is very much a band for the ages. If you enjoy your slow, mournful music and like heaviness then you’ll do yourself a favour by giving this album, and this band your time.

You can stream and purchase Residue directly from Ocultum below:-

Vinyl copies can be purchased from Interstellar Smoke Records here - https://interstellarsmokerecords1.bandcamp.com/album/residue

Ocultum - https://www.facebook.com/ocultumdrugcult

Interstellar Smoke Records - https://www.facebook.com/Interstellar-Smoke-Records

Funeral Fullmoon - Revelation Of Evil

Labels: Self-Released/Inferna Profundus Records/Consumed By The Flames Productions/Adramalech Records

Formats: Digital/Tape/Vinyl/CD

Release Date: 14 Sep 2020

Tracklist:

1. Perpetual Hate

2. Cursed Of My Poison Mind

3. Secret Of The Moon

4. Revelation Of Evil

5. Cold Is My Soul

6. Malefic Incarnation

7. Under The Shining Moon

8. The Whispers A Dark Dead

This is probably a first for me, as this review features a band that mixes black metal with dungeon synth. To be honest, I still haven't really listened to any dungeon synth as I prefer my heavy music on the more traditional drums/guitars/vocals end of the spectrum. Funeral Fullmoon is a solo black metal band from Chile, forming part of the 'Pure Raw Underground Black Metal Plague Circle' within the country. Revelation Of Evil was originally self-released on tape and digital formats by the band last September, before Lithuanian label Inferna Profundus Records released it on vinyl in mid-January. Since then, Mexican label Consumed By The Flames Productions and Chilean label Adramalech Records have released it on both cd and tape respectively. A note to add is that the full album features eight song, while the Inferna Profundus Records vinyl pressing only contains seven (all label/track information comes courtesy of Metal Archives, so please correct me if it's wrong).

What lies ahead is over fifty-five minutes of raw black metal. Album opener ‘Perpetual Hate’ is certainly raw, with a real sense of analog recording and cold tones, while there are also some synth elements hidden within. The percussion of guest drummer Insepultor is spot on, while the guitar provide melody that’s very much at odds with the icy growls from Magister Nihilifer Vendetta 218. There’s more of a mid-tempo pace for the majority of the song, but it’s not always the case.

I have to say that compared to the Vampirska/Glemt split I reviewed last month, this is a more palatable release in terms of raw black metal. There wasn’t a lot wrong with that aforementioned split but it just went too far in the other direction for me. Funeral Fullmoon uses subtle melody and more structured song-writing well on ‘Cursed Of My Poison Mind’. Funeral Fullmoon’s metallic leanings come through on ‘Secret Of The Moon’. There’s a lot more prominent use of guitar here, in what is probably the album’s most furious song. It’s tempo is high, the percussion is full of crashing cymbals and the vocals seem to settle into a raspy, evil growl. This is a much more straightforward black metal song for sure.

The momentum continues on the album title track ‘Revelation Of Evil’, which is a constant black metal battering if ever there was one. It seems to pick up pace as it goes and even though it’s rawness is obvious, there’s much more to take in musically. By now, black metal’s restrictions as a genre are well known but that doesn’t stop bands like Funeral Fullmoon from putting on their best show. The song-writing is really strong, more so that you might be expecting. The second half of the album begins with another mid-paced number in the form ‘Cold Is My Soul’ and as song titles go, this one is more than apt. For a band that filters their music through such cold atmosphere and emotions, it’s hard not feel to the same when listening. At times we all act with disdain toward our fellow humans, so it’s okay to like what you’re hearing here.

‘Malefic Incarnation’ may read like a death metal song but it’s not, unsurprisingly. There’s nothing deathly about it, as metallic trails are woven against a backdrop of black metal spite that’s more than just necro. The twists and turns that make up this song are much more beguiling than the average black metal anti-hymn. Funeral Fullmoon is to thank for that. Groove is the overriding element in penultimate song ‘Under The Shining Moon’ and whether it’s intentional is immaterial, as there’s always going to be an element of repetition and comfort in a song lasting seven minutes. I think that this pace suits the band really well as a matter of fact. Yes, it’s probably a bit primitive for some but black metal isn’t necessarily technical after all. The synths make an appearance again too, adding to the melody. They’re used subtly and yet they’re not drowned out by the dissonance either.

Ending with ‘The Whispers A Dark Dead’, there’s one last chance for complete Chilean black metal immersion and Funeral Fullmoon know’s it. Not wasting any time, they launch into a high gear and deliver one final breath of truly assured heaviness. The experimentation within the music has not always been obvious on Revelation Of Evil, but it is here for sure. Raging extremity rubs shoulders with haunting introspection, contributing to a mid-section that’s more sensitive and restrained. The final few minutes are more comfortable territory for the band, but with all elements still wringing in your ears, it’s hard not to be thoroughly impressed with this.

I know that glowing reviews aren’t considered necessary by those in the black metal underground, but it needs putting on record that Revelation Of Evil is a fantastic piece of work. Funeral Fullmoon shows just how much talent is lying in wait, to be discovered by the unsuspecting listener. 

You can stream and buy Revelation Of Evil digitally from the band here:-

Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-

Inferna Profundus Records - https://www.ipr666shop.com/inferna-profundus-releases/vinyl

Consumed By The Flames Productions (via e-mail) - https://www.facebook.com/Consumedbytheflames

Inferna Profundus Records - https://www.facebook.com/ipr666

Cienfuegos/De Carne e Flor - Split Tape

Labels: No Funeral Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 04 Jan 2021

Tracklist:

1. Cienfuegos - Esquemas de Resistencia

2. Cienfuegos - Arquitecturas

3. De Carne e Flor - Orquidea

4. De Carne e Flor - Vergonha

I feel way more in the groove this week. I'm still well behind on where I want to be writing-wise, but you can't win em all. Canadian label No Funeral Records is one that I've admired for some time now and their 2021 is shaping up to be pretty good release-wise, so I thought a good place to start would be with this split tape from early January (digital/pre-order release date) featuring Cienfuegos from Chile and De Carne e Flor from Brazil. Two new and exciting South American screamo bands that I wanted to share with you.

It’s been a pretty damn solid year for music so far, most of which I’m still catching up on. This split caught my eye a little while ago and I knew it would be quality when I saw that No Funeral Records was involved. Chile’s Cienfuegos are up first with two tracks, beginning with ‘Esquemas de Resistencia’ and there’s definitely a Spanish/Latin vibe to it, at least until the band’s screamo fully takes hold. Their sound is raw and true, with heaviness that rests alongside gentle guitar/bass work, authoritative drums and full-on screams interspersed with samples. I’d say it’s pretty original in approach actually. 

The lengthy instrumental/sampled section that makes up the majority of ‘Esquemas de Resistencia’ is dramatic and when they kick back into their heavier selves, Cienfuegos become uplifting as well. Their second song ‘Arquitecturas’ is equally as musical, with the band’s instrumentation forging a path that builds in anticipation to the moment when the music once again explodes. The vocals are screamed in such a way that they sound even more emotive, almost tortured and oh so real. 

De Carne e Flor’s take on the sub-genre is a lot more metallic and violent, as their opener ‘Orquidea ‘ demonstrates. Faster tempos from the percussion, chunkier bass-filled/metallic riffs and hardcore-like vocals create an intense atmosphere that’s high in volume and energy. The other thing that’s noticeable is the song-lengths, which are shorter than those of their split-mates, which they compliment well.

There’s a more melodic-hardcore/punk edge to second song ‘Vergonha’, which only adds to the exhilaration that De Carne e Flor injects into their music. Tons of melody and a similarly polished delivery help too. Like their first, this one is over before you know it but that’s no bad thing because it stays lodged in your brain, yearning for repeat listens.

In fact, that last statement is true of this whole split. Two bands sharing the same love of hardcore and screamo, with honesty and energy in abundance. That should be reason enough to give this a listen. If you enjoy it, buy a tape and throw the bands, and No Funeral Records your support.

You can stream and purchase the split digitally below:-

Cienfuegos - https://www.facebook.com/cienfuegos.banda

De Carne e Flor - https://www.facebook.com/decarneeflor

No Funeral Records - https://www.facebook.com/nofuneral8

Atomicide - Furious And Untamed 7"

Labels: Iron Bonehead Productions

Formats: Vinyl

Release Date: 22 June 2018

Tracklist:

1. Intro/Furious And Untamed

2. Flagellant Rust/Outro

The relentless pace of the Iron Bonehead Productions release machine keeps on going. I've roughly counted about twenty-or-so new releases that are already out (or are due out) via them already this year. This new 7" from Chilean black/death/thrash band Atomicide is due for release towards the end of June. Atomicide's journey amongst the underground depths began in 2003 and since then they've released two-full lengths, as well as countless EPs and demos. The trio of Atomizer (vocals, bass), A. Prophaner (drums) and Deathbringer (guitar) have current and past links to the likes of Hades, Death Skull and Unausspreclichen Kulten, to name but a few.

Side A of this 7” features both the Intro and the title-track. The Intro is typically gruesome and flows well into the fast flowing death/thrash of Furious And Untamed. Brimming with razor-sharp lead work, fast drumming and rumbling bass all matches by the equally low vocals. South American bands have always had a style all of their own when it comes to death metal and it’s no different here. The benchmark for me will always be Pentagram (Chile) but Atomicide does a great job of making the sub-genre their own here.

The B-side continues in neck-snapping style with Flagellant Rust, which serves as a battering ram. Even dirtier than the previous side yet there’s loads of groove buried within the music too. Another screeching solo reminds you of their old-school affiliation and breaks up the ground and pound. The Outro closes the EP in the same way it started. Atomicide certainly makes great use of the 7” format here by cramming over 11 minutes of music onto it. This is just really solid and hellish death/thrash that’s written and performed without pretence. The heady days of Sarcofago and early-Sepultura that put South American extreme metal on the map are being brought back to life by the current wave of bands like Atomicide and they may even surpass them.

Atomicide - https://www.facebook.com/ATOMICIDE666/

Iron Bonehead has uploaded a stream of Side A to their Soundcloud page. Check it out below:-

Keep an eye on Iron Bonehead's website and on their social media page for information regarding the release:-

Iron Bonehead Website - http://www.ironbonehead.de/

Iron Bonehead - https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions/