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

Satanize - Baphomet Altar Worship

Labels: Helter Skelter Productions/Regain Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 20 Jan 2021

Tracklist:

1. Baphomet Altar Worship

2. Council Of Nuclear Holocaust

3. Conjuration Of Southern Elitism

4. Chariots Of Nocturnal Wrath

5. Shrine Of Antichrist

6. Merciless Profanation

7. Barbarity Enthroned

8. Luciferian Thrones Of Devastation

9. Cavernous Onslaught

They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Well to me it's silence that does that. I'm poking fun at myself here, because after a few days of "silence" I feel compelled to write again and this time I'm visiting the dark satanic realm of Portuguese black metal band Satanize. The band, in it's various forms, has been delivering black metal since 2001 and has been one of a clutch of bands to have dragged Portugal up to the higher peaks of modern day genre proponents, alongside Black Cilice, Dolentia, Vetala and Mons Veneris to name a few. Baphomet Altar Worship is the band's latest offering, having been released in January via Helter Skelter Productions with distribution via Regain Records.

To be totally honest, I’ve sat down on more than one occasion this week with the intention of writing this review and then I’ve been hit with writer’s block. It happens, especially when I’ve been trying to push myself to write more. I’m surrounded by music when I’m not working, yet I’ve found myself preferring silence recently. Portugal’s Satanize are my chaperones for this evening though and their black metal is billed as the blackest, in some quarters. 

Beginning with the title-track ‘Baphomet Altar Worship’, their sound is definitely raw and barbaric, with faster tempos, scathing vocals and instrumentation that nestles deeper in the mix, providing a sinister backdrop to it all. This isn’t war metal or whatever you want to call it. It’s just balls-to-the-wall black metal that takes no prisoners. ‘Council Of Nuclear Holocaust’ continues where the album’s opener left off with a constant battery of epic proportions. I’ve not witnessed black metal this relentless for years. It’s almost grinding in it’s intensity.

The pauses between songs almost seem pointless as ‘Conjuration Of Southern Elitism’ hits the speakers. I guess I’m used to black metal being a bit more atmospheric and introspective. Maybe that’s where I’ve been going wrong because this is neither of those things and just keeps steamrolling on with total abandon. Given that Satanize released a split with Black Cilice you might be expecting something more depressive, but that’s just not their style, as ‘Chariots Of Nocturnal Wrath’ demonstrates. There’s simply no let up in their approach or delivery. 

There are trace elements of death metal within the band’s sound, especially within the guitars. After the sampled intro of ’Shrine Of Antichrist’, Satanize hit top gear once again with obscenely fast percussion guitars work that encompasses that aforementioned death metal influence, mixing it with precise and anti-human black metal sentiment, which is more than matched by the vocals once again. It’s a great way to drag listeners into the album’s second half. 

‘Merciless Profanation’ is a very apt title as Satanize show no mercy with their full-on approach to black metal. The only other band I’ve heard in recent times that comes close to this is India’s Heathen Beast and if you’re familiar with that band, you’ll hopefully know what I mean. Satanize though have nailed their song-writing to the extent that distilling things into a three to four-minute song leaves both the feeling of fulfilment and the longing for more within the listener.

There’s almost a martial, hypnotic stance from the band on ‘Barbarity Enthroned’, as they lay waste to all and sundry with even more urgency than before. It’s oddly infectious, albeit only for fans of the more extreme end of the metal spectrum. There’s variation within the songs here, but it’s subtle. Penultimate song ‘Luciferian Thrones Of Devastation’ begins with the most scathing screams on the record and what ensues is equally as horrid. It just drives itself forward at ridiculous pace, not flinching or stopping for breath and in doing so it leaves an indelible mark on your psyche. 

Album closer ‘Cavernous Onslaught’ puts it best though with bass that rumbles deeper than ever, razor-sharp riffage, icy blasts, metallic cymbal mayhem and truly possessed lower-register screams that seem distorted at times due to the abandon with which they’re delivered. The closing bars of feedback almost act as respite from Satanize and their utterly hellish extremity. If you want music that truly tests you and leaves you both broken, and cleansed, then this album if for you. Totally devastating. 

You can witness that madness for yourself by streaming and/or purchasing Baphomet Altar Worship for yourself on all formats here:-

Satanize doesn't have a social media presence as far as I can tell.

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

Regain Records - https://www.facebook.com/regainrecords.se

Ectovoid - Inner Death EP

Labels: Blood Harvest Records/Helter Skelter Productions

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 18 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Internal Inversion

2. Archaic Memories Unearthed

3. Isolation In Mind Continuum

Trying to encourage myself to venture out but not before posting a quick review. Sundays to the sound the raging death metal are always better, so here's the latest 7" from Alabama's Ectovoid. Released on vinyl, tape and digitally with the help of Blood Harvest Records and Helter Skelter Productions, it's the first recorded music to come from the trio since their 2016 "Four Doors To Death" split with Sabbatory, Trenchrot and Cemetery Filth. Just yesterday, they played Vimur's album release show and they've also been included on the line-up for Metal Threat Fest. which takes place in Chicago in July (I'll post the flyer for that below).

Three tracks of awesome USDM are a perfect way to start the day and without further ado, the festering Ectovoid sound envelopes you on EP opener Internal Inversion. It’s old-school approach with powerful drumming, rumbling bass and guitars that switch between chainsaw-like riffs and treble-filled solos more than match the evil vocal growls and shrieks. Like a devilish siren-song, it’ll draw you in and then eat you alive!

It’s remarkable how much volume is created by just three people but thanks to that and the production/mixing/mastering efforts, this EP sounds immense. Archaic Memories Unearthed includes elements of thrash and also modern death metal, making it less of an ode to OSDM and a whole new beast altogether. 

Third and final song Isolation In Mind Continuum constantly blasts and swings between subtle tempo changes that break up the barrage and sometimes drag it into doom/death territory. The musicianship is so precise, as evidenced by the soloing. It ends with ambience that’s drawn from the same dark place as Ectovoid’s raging death metal. This is a killer EP from one of USDM’s best modern day bands. 

You can stream and buy "Inner Death" digitally via Ectovoid's Bandcamp page below:-

Physical copies can be purchased here - https://bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com/album/inner-death and here - https://helterskelterproductions.bandcamp.com/album/inner-death.

Ectovoid - https://www.facebook.com/ectovoid/

Blood Harvest Records - https://www.facebook.com/Blood-Harvest-Records

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

Here's the flyer for the Metal Threat Fest as promised. Just look at that line-up!

https://www.facebook.com/events/350228332373247/

Noctambulist - Atmospheres Of Desolation

Labels: Blood Harvest Records/Helter Skelter Productions

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 21 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Dimming Lights Illuminate

2. Abnegation

3. Atmospheres Of Desolation

4. Jubilant Cataclisym

5. Denial Of Autonomy

6. Habitual Falsehood

The underground is bristling with bands that seemingly out of nowhere are becoming coveted by not just fans of extreme metal but also by labels. Look at the rise of bands like Outer Heaven (USA), Outre Tomb (Canada), Tomb Mold (Canada) et al over the past twelve months and you'll notice a theme; death metal. US/CAN DM to be more precise is laying many ears to waste and there's no sign of it slowing down. Blood Harvest Records has long been synonymous with the metal of death and now they're bringing you Denver (Colorado, US) band Noctambulist and their debut album, "Atmospheres Of Desolation". Coming from a band with only one prior recorded song, this epitomises how quickly things are moving below the surface. Let's see how Noctambulist fare. 

The first song of an album should grab the listener and pull them in. It should show them exactly what they’re getting into and why they should stay listening to a record. Attention grabbing in this day and age is good and it’s exactly what Noctambulist does with Dimming Lights Illuminate. It’s filled with sewer-like atmosphere and a ridiculous amount of feedback/ambient noise that envelopes the percussion and guitars, and which sticks around as the sickening growls bring this short piece to a close. What follows is blasting, technical and metallic death metal that spares nobody. Abnegation is an absolute riff-monster, which shows Noctambulist at their vicious best. It’s unlike a lot of current DM in that it’s not gore-obsessed nor just another take on Swe-death. There’s an air of originality to it. 

The raging noise that was eluded to in the record’s opener is more than present on Atmospheres Of Desolation and it’s here that you get a true sense of the mastery that exudes from the band. The song-writing is such that Noctambulist doesn’t come across as being too highbrow, meaning fans dipping their toes into underground death metal will get as much from this as those who call themselves veteran listeners. The introspective moments especially point to that and despite the venomous delivery, there’s also real musicality here. Chugging isn’t something you’d associate with the more forward thinking bands in the genre, but it’s present during Jubilant Cataclisym (in very small proportions). It adds a modern slant to Noctambulist’s death metal and it does add something to their sound, breaking up the technicality. Extra atmospheric guitar work towards the end gives it a feeling of real grandeur as well.

These songs are about average length but the sheer amount of music that fits into them is something else altogether. Penultimate song Denial Of Autonomy is probably the fastest song of all and that description doesn’t even do it justice. This is the stark realisation that all of your hopes and dreams are crashing around you and all chances of rescuing them are futile. It’s like waking up with sleep paralysis and not being able to move, ever. The final deathly hymn on “Atmospheres Of Desolation” is also the longest. Habitual Falsehood starts with a build-up that’s in place to create anticipation and following it is some of the darkest and dankest mid-paced death metal you’ll hear, interspersed with grinding ferocity that Noctambulist does so well. The angular riffs and metallic nature of it maintains listener interest really well and helps to round out an album that’s pretty much perfectly proportioned to these ears. Noctambulist doesn’t mess about with an overtly lengthy record. They’re too-the-point and because of that they have much more impact.

You can stream the title-track and pre-order the record below:-

Blood Harvest Records - https://www.facebook.com/Blood-Harvest-Records

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