Culloden - Lords Of A Lawless Land Single Premiere

This evening I'm very excited to be able to premiere the newest single from Newcastle heavy metallers Culloden. 'Lords Of A Lawless Land' has been officially released today and I'd like to thank Andrew, and the band for allowing me to share it.

The song is based on stories about a group of raiders called the Border Reivers, who roamed around the Anglo-Scottish borders in medieval times. To help tell this tale, Culloden have drawn inspiration from traditional heavy metal bands like Saxon, as well as heavier bands from the same era including Bathory and Venom.

The premiere is live to stream via my YouTube channel below:-

My first impression of the song is very positive. It's got both melody and genuine bite, as you'd expect from a heavy metal band. The North East is a bit of a hot bed for the traditional end of the metal spectrum and Culloden pull it off really well. It's also refreshing to hear a band taking lyrical inspiration from historic events that took place closer to their home.

I hope you'll join me in championing another fine band from the UK.

'Lords Of A Lawless Land' is also available to stream and purchase digitally from Culloden via bandcamp below here - https://cullodenuk.bandcamp.com/track/lords-of-a-lawless-land.

You can also find all of Culloden's social/streaming links here - https://linktr.ee/culloden.

HyperioN - Cybergenesis

Labels: Fighter Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 15 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. Deafening

2. Rewire, Rebuild

3. Yet We Still Fight

4. The Shackles of Chronitus

5. Blood Over Chrome

6. Grain of Sand

7. Rhizome Rider

8. The Whole of Time

After starting the year with four releases from North America/Canada, I felt I couldn't feature another until I had covered one from a different continent. The first one on my list was the most recent album from Italian heavy metal band HyperioN. Cybergenesis was released just last week via Spanish traditional/heavy metal label Fighter Records (an offshoot of Xtreem Music) and is HyperioN's third full-length since their formation in 2015.

Before settling down to write this review, I made the mistake of reading a “report” from a user on Metal Archives, who is complaining about the choice of genre that HyperioN have been categorised under on the site. I mean, yes they share the same name as a power metal band that existed in Italy in the 90s, but their bandcamp page bio describes them as traditional heavy metal. I know the distinction between the two genres is somewhat blurred, but does it really matter? Can’t we just be allowed to enjoy music for what it is?

Not so important questions aside, this is quintessential Italian heavy metal. ‘Deafening’ opens up the album with a strong Iron Maiden vibe, soaring melodic vocals, galloping musicianship and some dramatic elements too. It’s really uplifting so far. ‘Rewire, Rebuild’ promises so much from the guitar prowess that’s evident early on and there’s some off-kilter/subtle thrash-like trickery going on throughout, but HyperioN are reluctant to truly unleash anything heavier.

Heaviness isn’t their approach though. They prefer to stick to the tried, tested and effective European heavy metal path. ‘Yet We Still Fight’ continues to hammer that point home, though the lead guitar solos are pretty bloody epic and there are gang-chants/semi-clean vocals thrown in at this juncture. The whole thing with the heavy metal revival in recent years is that you know what you’re going to get. ‘The Shackles of Chronitus’ is a perfect case in point, as it’s a retreat back to a mid-tempo, if slightly meandering, heavy metal song as opposed to something more neck snapping.

That being said, HyperioN don’t write uber long songs. ‘Blood Over Chrome’ is a prime example of how enthusiasm and pace can remove the illusion of needless rock operas. I’ve never been a fan of them. They’re the reason I’ve shied away from trad heavy metal over the years. Being guilty of being selective is a me problem, especially when ‘Grain of Sand’ sounds as good as it does! As I’ve alluded to already, it’s a product of the country it was birthed in but that doesn’t hold it back. 

Penultimate song ‘Rhizome Rider’ keeps the heavy metal flowing in almost uncontrollable fashion. It’s kinda like a Spaghetti Western song (excuse the unfortunate pun) written for the modern day. Apologies HyperioN, I don’t mean for that to sound disrespectful. Album closer ‘The Whole of Time’ is much more theatrical, as it’s near seven-minute playing time suggests. In truth though, it’s just a lengthier take on what they’ve been doing throughout the album as a whole; playing solid heavy metal in their own way. 

It’s not usually what I lean towards but I really do appreciate it for what it is. I certainly wouldn’t label it solely as power metal, as that would be doing HyperioN a huge disservice. Cybergenesis is a really strong album, putting European traditional heavy metal at the forefront of where it should be in 2026.

You can stream Cybergenesis digitally and purchase digital download/cd copies, and other merch via their bandcamp page below:-

CD copies can also be purchased here - https://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.list.index.php?special=fighterrecords

HyperioN - https://www.facebook.com/hyperionbandheavy

Fighter Records - https://www.facebook.com/fighter.records

Serpent Cobra - Beware EP

Labels: Helter Skelter Productions/Stoner Witch Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 25 Feb 2022

Tracklist:

1. Walpurgisnight

2. Beware

3. Bloody Countess

Argentinian doom/proto-metal is my jam this evening in the form of Serpent Cobra, who released their latest EP Beware in February via Helter Skelter Productions and Stoner Witch Records. Serpent Cobra started out as a duo in 2017 but it was 2020 that saw them release their first music, coinciding with the addition of two new members. After the Master Of It All single, they released their debut album Anatomy Of Abuses with the help of both Stoner Witch Records and Interstellar Smoke Records. New EP Beware features three tracks and is available digitally from the band, as well as on both vinyl and tape from the labels mentioned above.

We’re not far off flying headfirst into a new working week, so a final bit of escapism is needed. Serpent Cobra bring it in spades on Beware. ‘Walpurgisnight’ is a mid-paced heavy metal/doom song cut from the cloth of Sabbath and Candlemass, with some added South American flair. The clean vocals sit well amongst the percussion and hypnotic riffs, while the lead-guitar wails later on. 

The EP’s title-track ‘Beware’ is an instrumental that’s a world away from it’s opener. It’s gentle and almost folky in places, though it still has some sinister undertones to it. ‘Bloody Countess’ rounds things out with a bass-heavy slab of stoner doom. I think there’s more punk to this release than meets the eye, but that could be just my ears deceiving me. Either way, it’s a cool way to end.

Beware acts as a teaser before the release of Serpent Cobra’s second LP and it’s a good place to start if (like me) you’re new to the band. It should appeal to those who like occult rock, as well as the aforementioned sub-genres. It also reminds me that I need to dive back into the slower, groovier side of metal with more gusto again.

For fans of: Acid Mammoth, Jess And The Ancient Ones, Alunah, Candlemass & The Hidden Hand. 

You can stream and purchase Beware digitally below:-

Serpent Cobra - https://www.facebook.com/serpentcobraheavydoom

Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-

Stoner Witch Records - https://www.stonerwitchrecords.com/

Helter Skelter Productions (Distributed by Shadow Records/Regain Records) - 

https://www.shadowrecords.se/

Stoner Witch Records - https://www.facebook.com/stonerwitchrecords

Helter Skelter Productions - https://www.facebook.com/helterskelterproductions

Fate's Hand - Fate's Hand EP

Labels: Dying Victims Productions

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 30 Jul 2021

Tracklist:

1. Fate's Hand

2. Fascination

3. What's Been Will Be Again

4. When The Wolf Comes

Second week into two weeks of leave and I feel like I've been treading water a bit. I've got a small build up of content so let's get to it. First up, I wanted to write about something that's a bit more heavy metal leaning and I came across a promo for the debut EP from Australia's Fate's Hand in my inbox. It was released back in July via German label Dying Victims Productions on vinyl, cd and digitally. The quartet features members from the likes of Cauldron Black Ram, Mongrel's Cross and StarGazer to name a few. They play epic heavy metal crossed with a bit a speed as well.

I do have a yearning for some good old heavy metal now and then. Fate’s Hand straddle that line between hard rock and heavy metal, with obvious comparisons. The title track ‘Fate’s Hand’ is mid-paced for the most part, melodic and definitely epic. There are darker moments though, which point to the other projects the band members are in, adding to the quality of the song-writing and instrumentation for sure. The guitars are the main point of interest here, adding loads of heft and melody.

‘Fascination’ is more up-tempo in the percussion department at first, before Fate’s Hand settles back into a consistent and oddly hypnotic mid-tempo passage. That’s the formula used throughout the rest of the song, which doesn’t do it any harm whatsoever. The guitar soloing is clean and very impressive without being too showy, the bass bounces underneath while the vocals are full of the usual falsettos.

The EP’s latter half is filled with more urgency and a slight change in tone. ‘What’s Been Will Be Again’ eschews those higher pitched vocals from earlier, with lower ones taking over. The song seems more focused in part due to it’s shorter length. I may be guilty of over-analysing as usual, but that’s just me I guess. This is very solid heavy metal indeed.

Final song ‘When The Wolf Comes’ is another fine slab of old school heavy metal worship from Fate’s Hand. I went through a phase early on in my metal listening days, when I discovered power/fantasy metal and actually enjoyed it a lot. As I went down the more extreme rabbit hole, that enjoyment waned. I’m not saying that Fate’s Hand could be considered a power/fantasy metal band, but sometimes the lines blur. This is a strong debut release though from a band that’s very talented and true to their roots.

You can stream and purchase Fate's Hand on all formats below:-

You can also buy physical copies from Dying Victims Productions below:-

https://shop.dying-victims.de/

Fate's Hand - https://www.instagram.com/fates.hand/

Dying Victims Productions - https://www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions

Arcana 13 - Black Death 7"

Labels: Aural Music

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 17 Jan 2020

Tracklist:

1. Black Death

2. Wrathchild

Fitting in a quick review this evening. Tow lengthier ones will be up tomorrow and Wednesday all being well. I hope everybody's doing well! Despite the increasingly sunny backdrop out of my lounge window, it's about to get a lot gloomier inside thanks to this 7" release from Italian horror-inspired doom metal outfit Arcana 13. It was released back in January via Aural Music (who have worked with the likes of Amesoeurs, Manes and Negura Bunget, to name but a few). Arcana 13 released their debut album Danza Macabra over four years ago, also via Aural Music along with Metal Defiance Productions.

Arcana 13’s love of horror movie scores and the occult shines through on opening title-track ‘Black Death’, which is an expertly played dose of doom with traditional heavy metal leanings. It’s remarkably clean in sound and the melodic vocals nod towards the operatic history of Italian classical music without taking over or becoming cheesy. The percussion is delivered in a simple yet professional way, while the guitars and the mellotron bring a mix of both dread and comfort respectively.

Following on from ‘Black Death’, ‘Wrathchild’ walks the line created by 70s prog rock and psych, which adds an extra element to the band’s sound and give you plenty to enjoy. It shows that there’s more to Arcana 13 than just nightmarish horror-worship. Italian bands have always been unique to me and while often being more theatrical, they’ve always thrived with creativity. Here’s hoping that this quartet comes back with more new music soon. This little EP is stonking!

Stream and purchase vinyl/digital copies below:-

Arcana 13 - https://www.facebook.com/arcanatredici/

Aural Music - https://www.facebook.com/auralmusicgroup/

Blessed Black - Beyond The Crimson Throne

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 17 Jan 2020

Tracklist:

1. The White Wolf

2. The Black Gate

3. Heavy Is The Crown

4. The Shadows

5. Arioch's Bargain

6. Finding The Limits

7. Stormbringer

This year isn't going to be anywhere near normal so you might as well embrace the music that's been released already. Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) stoner/doom/heavy metal band Blessed Black self-released their debut album back in January and it's been on my review list for a little while. I'm just sorry it's taken me so long to write about it. The album cover screams Black Sabbath, Graveyard and Haunt vibes amongst other influences, so here's hoping it comes close.

It’s been ages since I’ve featured this brand of stoner/doom, but I’m glad I’ve gravitated to it this evening. The initial riffs of album opener ‘The White Wolf’ sound strangely familiar (they sound a little bit like a post-hardcore/rock song I like. Can't remember the song title or band name though!). This is a really solid instrumental song with huge riffs and percussion, as well as those melodic tones that fill me with nostalgia.

‘The Black Gate’ is equally as big in the riff department and you’d be forgiven for thinking that Blessed Black are an instrumental band, but they’re not. Around the sixty-second mark the vocals kick in with a soaring melodic tone that might be a little filtered, but that fits the music perfectly. This album reminds me of how much I’ve been neglecting the stoner metal sub-genre of late. There’s something about Blessed Black’s sound on ‘Heavy Is The Crown’ that brings back memories of the heyday of bands like Saliva (before nu-metal became a dirty word) and before slick melody was shunned. Either way, this is great and I’m gonna champion it for sure.

The mid-point of Beyond The Crimson Throne brings you ‘The Shadows’ and this is where the band’s traditional heavy metal chops show though, thanks to some great twin-guitar melodies amongst other things. Yes it’s more rooted in modern times but you can’t argue with those hooks! Things get a little more progressive on ‘Arioch’s Bargain’ but don’t worry, as Blessed Black don’t abandon their groove or catchiness one bit. As they’ve already proven, longer songs don’t mean noodling or loss of momentum and that is made all the more clear here. 

Penultimate song ‘Finding The Limits’ is a slower, more contemplative number in parts. It’s grittier and definitely the most balled-like song, if that’s the right description (I presume not, but I’m rolling with it anyway). Musically it’s extremely well delivered, as is the whole album. Album closer ‘Stormbringer’ builds like the earlier songs on Beyond The Crimson Throne and it’s a joyous way to end the record. Heavy and alternative music is always evolving and/or revolving back to where it began and both are right when talking about Blessed Black. They’re bringing a modern touch to a sound that’s familiar and comforting, especially to those who grew up with melodic rock as a gateway to darker/heavier things.

You can stream 'Beyond The Crimson Throne' and buy it on CD or digitally below:-

Blessed Black - https://www.facebook.com/blessedblackdoom/

War Dogs - Die By My Sword

Labels: Fighter Records/Witchcraft Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 09 Jan 2020

Tracklist:

1. Die By My Sword

2. Castle Of Pain

3. Wings Of Fire

4. Master Of Revenge

5. Kill The Past

6. Ready To Strike

7. The Shark (feat. Bryan 'Hellroadie' Patrick)

8. The Lights Are On (But Nobody's Home)

9. Gorgon Eyes

10. Wrath Of Theseus

Relief is very much needed this evening. Having said that, it does feel strange talking about a Spanish band given how hard that country has been hit over the last couple of weeks. Valencian heavy/speed metal band War Dogs released their debut album Die By My Sword via Fighter Records back in January on vinyl and cd, while they worked with Witchcraft Records on a tape version. It follows their self-titled debut EP, which came out in 2018. 

If Zorro fronted a band, it’d sound like War Dogs. That’s not being disrespectful, it’s just the image that’s conjured when hearing this album’s title-track ‘Die By My Sword’. It’s melodic, skilfully played speed/traditional heavy metal with cleanly sung vocals that remind you of the character himself. It’s said that War Dogs contain elements of power metal and they may well do, but it’s not that obvious to these ears (maybe I’ve not listened to any power metal in a long time). What is obvious as ‘Castle Of Pain’ plays is that catchy instrumentation is something that this band does very well.

Speed metal is the overriding element throughout this album and ‘Wings Of Fire’ is where it’s at. The exhilarating intro that goes on for over sixty-seconds is perfect and leads to an equally frenetic song as a whole. I do enjoy this form of heavy metal but feel that sometimes albums can become quite staid and boring. So far, that’s not the case here as musically this is top notch. ‘Master Of Revenge’ is so upbeat and enjoyable, it makes you forget about all of the madness going on in the world right now. Even when it’s riffs become more chug-laden mid-way through, they still add to the excellence on show. 

As the metal drowns out the incessant noise made by my neighbours, the galloping tempo of ‘Kill The Past’ takes over. It’s a song that goes by in a flash of razor-sharp riffs and bass-lines, pounding percussion and soaring dual-vocals. Before you know it, you’re in the grips of ‘Ready To Strike’, which is another cleverly titled song as War Dogs really are ready to strike as they truly settle into the record. This is brilliant from start to end. They truly take on another form on ‘The Shark”, which features additional vocals from Bryan ‘Hellroadie’ Patrick of the legendary Manilla Road. It’s much more fantasy based, especially in the lyrical department but it’s also great fun and kind of reminds me of GWAR, maybe!

Things take on an Eastern form thanks to the vocal melodies of ‘the Lights Are On (But Nobody’s Home’). They’re very subtle tones but they work and add an extra element to the heavy metal of War Dogs here. Penultimate track ‘Gorgon Eyes’ picks up the pace again, making great use of the momentum gained throughout the album. It’s the shortest song here, which is the reason for the urgency and it works really well too. 

That momentum flows straight into album closer ‘Wrath Of Theseus’ and it’s the last chance you have to enjoy the pleasing heavy metal of War Dogs. There aren’t many opportunities to indulge in such pleasures at the moment but this is one of them and I’ll be damned if anything’s getting in the way. A great modern heavy metal album that deserves more attention. 

You can stream Die By My Sword and purchase it super cheap digitally below:-

War Dogs - https://www.facebook.com/WarDogsHeavyMetal/

You can buy the album on CD and vinyl from Fighter Records here - http://shop.xtreemmusic.com/ and on tape via Witchcraft Records here - https://witchcraftrecords.bigcartel.com.

Fighter Records - https://www.facebook.com/fighter.records/

Witchcraft Records - https://www.facebook.com/witchcraftrecordshm/

Haunt - Mind Freeze (Shadow Kingdom Records)

Labels: Shadow Kingdom Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 10 Jan 2020

Tracklist: 

1. Light The Beacon

2. Hearts On Fire

3. Mind Freeze

4. Divide And Conquer

5. Saviours Of Man

6. Fight Or Flight

7. Have No Fear

8. On The Stage

9. Voyager

The heavy metal genre lost one of it's modern greats when Beastmaker's Trevor William Church announced that Haunt was going to be his primary focus, but fans of the music needn't have worried too much. Haunt takes what Beastmaker created and runs with it. 2019 was a bumper year for the band, seeing the release of a full-length, an EP and two splits. 2020 has only just started and the quartet is back with their their full-length "Mind Freeze". The line-up, completed by drummer Daniel Wilson, bassist Taylor Hollman and guitarist/backing-vocalist John Tucker are here to make sure that 2020 is their year.

The heavy metal wave has continually crashed against the wider metal shore for the last year or so and it shows no sign of stopping. Haunt, like genre comrades Khemmis, are focusing on catchy and melodic metal. Opening song Light The Beacon contains everything that we’ve come to expect from Haunt over recent years and magnifies it. Melodic vocals, striding guitar-work and drumming to match.

Their sound leans way more towards the traditional end of the heavy metal spectrum and the galloping, up-beat tempos of Hearts On Fire are a perfect example of why Haunt’s music is held in such high regard at the moment. There’s nothing offensive (volume-wise) here and the clean singing will appeal to a wide audience, especially those jumping in from a hard rock direction.

Mind Freeze as a title-track has to be the standout song on the album for me. It’s the longest song on the record and while sometimes, those lengthier songs can lose the listeners attention, Haunt keeps it thanks to some epic guitar work that catches the imagination. Drawing comparisons to Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath may seem lazy, but they make sense when hearing this song and hint at the quality on display.

As well as the obvious traditional heavy metal leanings, there’s also an element of fantasy that’s been brought alive by Haunt, which may have remind you of European bands like Blind Guardian and Hammerfall. Divide And Conquer has that influence, but without the cheese. The synths on Saviours Of Man gives way to a very empowering song, played with focus and urgency. They’re a nice addition to the sound and help to pull you out of that brief fantasy realm.

The empowerment continues on the short but sweet Fight Or Flight. This shorter format of song is used to keep momentum high on “Mind Freeze” and it manages to stay on the right side of being called filler. That’s one term you can’t use when talking about Haunt. There are a lot of bands that try and pull this style off, but who fail to get close and Have No Fear is a song written by a band who’ve transcended that level.

The musicality doesn’t stop there either, as penultimate song On The Stage comes at you with a mix of Ramones-era punk and glam rock. It’s subtly woven in but it’s there and is packaged together really well alongside the band’s metal backbone. Album closer Voyager gives birth to one last head-banging heavy metal anthem and draws a line under an album that highlights a band that’s really maturing and growing.

At this point, I’d like to say that I don’t usually mention as many other bands in my reviews as I have done in this one, but the reason I’ve done it here is because it highlights how widespread Haunt’s fanbase could be on hearing this album. I’m not sure it’s as strong as 2018”s “Burst Into Flame”, but “Mind Freeze” is still an awesome record and the fact that Shadow Kingdom Records has made it available across multiple formats just goes to show the belief that they and the band have in it. That belief is fully justified.

You can stream "Mind Freeze" and purchase it on all formats below:-

Haunt - https://www.facebook.com/hauntthenation/

Shadow Kingdom Records - https://www.facebook.com/ShadowKingdomRecords/

Hexenbrett - Erste Beschwörung EP

Labels: Self-Released/Caligari Records

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 01 Jan 2019/31 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Hexen (Bis Aufs Blut Gequält)

2. Toter Schrei

3. Farben Der Nacht

4. Sie Fliegen!

Being ill sucks but thankfully I'm pretty much over it now and I have more energy, which I want to put to good use. It's being channelled this evening into writing about a brand new German black/heavy metal band, whose self-released 2018 EP has just been reissued via Caligari Records. "Erste Beschwörung" was originally released digitally on tape via Hexenbrett last December, before being picked up by Caligari and re-released on tape at the end of May. Little is known about the band beyond the above.

Into the rabbit hole I go again. Mysterious, lesser heard black metal seems to be everywhere at the moment but solely calling this a black metal release would be doing it a huge disservice. Hexenbrett’s sound is heavily rooted in classic heavy metal, with German language growls adding harshness. The melodic riffs and choral singing stop proceedings from turning too extreme on opening song Hexen (Bis Aufs Blut Gequält). So far this is great!

Hexenbrett may still be a little bit wet-behind-the-ears to some,  but their traditional sound is one to behold and instrumentally, they’re really impressive. Toter Schrei shows off their musical creativity again with horror film-like soundscapes and effects. The lead work is solid too! They’re not just pushing the same old musical envelope here. 

The tempo on “Erste Beschwörung” seems to increase as the EP continues and with Farben Der Nacht, you’re treated to a black/thrash frenzy with a quintessential German twist. Elements of twisted post-punk, goth and rock make themselves heard here. I told you this wasn’t just another black metal release!

Closing song Sie Fliegen! is off-kilter and very much avant-garde in it’s delivery (sorry for sounding pretentious!). Slow/fast tempos and added urgency help to create a proper rousing finish. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and while you could never describe Hexenbrett’s music as beautiful, you can’t ignore it either. Hopefully, this won’t be the only music we hear from the band. Their progression will be something to truly behold.

You can stream the full EP and purchase it as a name-your-price download from Hexenbrett below:-

It's available to buy on tape from Caligari Records here -
https://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/erste-beschw-rung

Caligari Records - https://www.facebook.com/CaligariRecords/

Cicutoxin/Necroslurg - Split 7"

Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt

Formats: Vinyl

Release Date: 07 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Cicutoxin - Mental Fog

2. Cicutoxin - A Decent Scum

3. Necroslurg - Messiaaninen Kirous

4. Necroslurg - Lyijysivellin

It's Saturday morning and I'm in that weird state between feeling hungover and not feeling hungover, if that makes sense? Reason being, I visited a brewery taproom in my home town yesterday and had a good time. Anyway, the release that I'm reviewing this morning will either banish my hangover just like a hair-of-the-fog would or make it worse (in a good way). This is the latest split release to come from Finnish label Ramekuukkeli-Levyt and features two bands that have been included on this blog before, all round heavy quintet Cicutoxin and heavy punk metal (their words) label-mates Necroslurg. Both bands contribute two songs to this split and it was kindly sent to me by Ramekuukkeli head honcho Tuukka.

I’ve long since been an admirer of Finnish heavy music and I love Cicutoxin’s brand of sludge, It’s got a great punk edge to it and their opening song here, Metal Fog is no exception. It sounds great on vinyl too. A Decent Scum is the longer of their two songs and it’s slower in tempo as a result. Definitely leaning more towards their doom/sludge influences The vocals are low and vicious growls while the drums put forth a terrifyingly slow beat to match the guitar/bass riffs. In terms of comparisons (if I have to make any), I’d put them next to countrymen Profetus maybe, albeit a faster version though I'm probably way off here. Great stuff that proves that the portal to hell exists and that it’s grounded in Finland.

Necroslurg on the b-side of this split present as faster approach on Messiaaninen Kirous. Like the blackened punk of bands like Darkthrone and (earlier)Entombed, mixed with the audaciousness of Turbonegro is how I’d describe them here. Pure aggressive punk fuelled heavy metal with raging vox. Lyijysivellin is no different and the fact that Necroslurg, as with previous releases, sing entirely in their native tongue adds to the effectiveness of their music. Intense while not being overpowering, there’s a simplicity to it that makes it super catchy. 

This split is over in no time, which is both positive and negative. Positive because it’ll make you put it on repeat but negative because you’ll no doubt be yearning for more from both bands after hearing it. Once again, a short sharp showcase of the chaotic noise that Finland has to offer in 2019. Great job and long may both bands and Ramekuukkeli-Levyt continue to support and produce it.

You can stream both of Necroslurg's tracks via Youtube below:-

Cicutoxin - https://www.facebook.com/Cicutoxin

Necroslurg - https://www.facebook.com/Necroslurg/

You can buy copies via Ramekuukkeli-Levyt here - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org

Ramekuukkeli-Levyt - https://www.facebook.com/Rämekuukkeli-levyt