50th part of short reviews.
MAQUAHUITL – At the Altar of Mictlampa
Year of release: 2020
Label: Darker than Black
Rating: 7 / 10
The only participant of MAQUAHUITL project, a strong man in a balaclava and with swastika tattoos, embodies the Latin American right wing metal with his whole appearance - a kind of canonical SATANIC NS METAL WARBROTHER 666 !!! In fact, it turns out that MAQUAHUITL is not at all close to all those Infernal Desekration Einsatzkommandos of the Goat. Although intense, it's very melodic and in its own way pure metal with a small number of folk instrument parts, the sound of which partly resembles Quebec, but much more the early STWORZ. This is somehow completely not Aztec at all, but I don't mind. Careful recommendations.
MUSMAHHU – Reign of the Odious
Year of release: 2019
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Rating: 7,5 / 10
Proper Death Metal from a hyperactive Swede from AZELISASSATH, BEKËTH NEXËHMÜ, URKAOS and thousands more projects. The Black Metal experience affects the atmosphere of the album, which is really gruesome and deep, but otherwise it’s an absolutely typical modern look at the traditional Death Metal. Such albums are a dime a dozen, all of them are good, but if you have heard one, you can consider that you heard everything. Nevertheless, “Reign of the Odious” is one of the strongest representatives of the style, no doubts about that.
VORTEX OF END – Ardens Fvror
Year of release: 2019
Label: Osmose Productions
Rating: 6 / 10
French Black Death Metal, which is desperately trying to be serious, but it doesn't work. Everything here is so occult and Crowlean, wow, much V instead of U, and so on. The music partly resembles the late HATE FOREST that was covered with a tonal cream with sparkles and wrapped in a glossy paper. Fashionable, uncomplicated and groovy. I just don’t believe in the sincere intentions of the group whose first demo is called “Satanik Nuklear-Engined Turbodefekator”. And by the faces of the musicians it is clear that they got quite big tongues in their cheeks. Perhaps they should have played a hooligan metalpunk without trying to present themselves as occultists of some sort, since all their attempts created a typical release of a big metal label - well-produced and peppy, but empty inside.
PYTHON – Astrological Warfare
Year of release: 2019
Label: The Ajna Offensive
Rating: 7 / 10
It’s a little strange to see such a release on The Ajna Offensive, but who am I to judge them. PYTHON is the categorically old-fashioned Doom Metal, made according to the canons of the mid-70s in absolutely every way. Viscous analog sound, retro music, psychedelic atmosphere, vocals ... nothing gives a modern origin. The album lasts more than an hour, so it has been released on two vinyls. My rating is quite restrained because it's not my cup of tea, but I think that fans of retro doom should be in awe.
IRAE – The Old Ways
Year of release: 2019
Label: Purodium Rekords
Rating: 7,3 / 10
The Portuguese act IRAE has never aroused strong emotions in me with his music, but I respect him for his uncompromising and firm stance. While everyone around us is trying on trends and carefully speaking the right words, Vulturius openly declares his hatred to others, sends his fuck offs to the shit like MYRKUR, refuses to develop and stands his ground. An EP with crystal clear title “The Old Ways” contains 6 orthodox Black Metal tracks, and there’s nothing to add to it. Praise Satan, death to humanity!