Keeping digging. 64th part of short reviews.
CYLLELL – When the Day Goes Out
Year of release: 2020
Label: self-release
Rating: 6,5 / 10
A new project from Kharkiv, unexpectedly not associated with the local starry scene. Classic atmospheric metal about nature and dark reflections. Lyrics in Ukrainian. Far from being new SEVEROTH, it still can become one after 2-3 albums. Good riffs and arrangements are still lacking for this. The music is strong enough, and nothing more. The guitars play at a fairly low tone, making the sound warm and enveloping. There are great pieces in the spirit of DRUDKH like in the middle of the second song. The drum machine isn't exactly lousy, but it's still a drum machine. In general, while the design is more beautiful than the content, CYLLELL has potential. The recordings of the project can be downloaded for free from Bandcamp.
SHITFUCKER – Sex with Dead Body
Year of release: 2020
Label: Hells Headbangers Records
Rating: 5,3 / 10
The SHITFUCKER band is a respectable and comprehensively remarkable phenomenon, an example for the younger generations. The press release for the album ends with the suggestion that this nasty, oozing, rotting piece of shit shouldn't have been released at all. And, you know, it's true. As cool was the first LP, as shitty the second turned out to be. It's really loose in a bad way, although you can hear that it could have been better if these pissed junkies had come to their senses at least once in the last three years. Fucking shit - and it sounds proud! Here's the vocalist's ass for ya:
DØDSKVAD – Krønike I
Year of release: 2020
Label: Caligari Records
Rating: 7,3 / 10
Death Metal about Norse mythology and fantasy. A very good and sinister thing, especially in terms of the vocals, which seem to come from an old grave.
GODLESS NORTH – Dark Rites of the Mystic Order
Year of release: 1998 / 2020 (this edition)
Label: Nebular Carcoma Records
Rating: 7,9 / 10
The only demo of an old Canadian band. One hundred percent norsecore, very evil, harsh and cold. Partly reminiscent of DARKTHRONE, partly IMMORTAL and even MOONBLOOD. The sound, of course, is old and analog. The new reissue contains an excellent cover of BURZUM as a bonus.
DKHARMAKHAOZ – Proclamation ov the Black Suns
Year of release: 2020
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Rating: 7,6 / 10
One of the local mysteries of last summer. Another anonymous project, and again on Iron Bonehead. On the one hand, the sound vaguely resembles PA VESH EN in its elasticity. On the other hand, the aesthetics and comparisons of the photographs strongly suggest that the project is the brainchild of DWELLSTORM BORNED leader. On the third hand, how the fuck do I know, maybe this guy is PA VESH EN creator as well? But that's okay, but there is still a reasonable suspicion that DYMNA LOTVA vocalist is singing here, and this is totally unacceptable!
Personalities aside, “Proclamation ov the Black Suns” offers a rather original Black Metal of a modern style, with interesting guitar patterns and high dynamics. The press release mumbles something about “roots in the classics of the 90s” and “No Fashion style” - you can't imagine how fucking tired I am of such bullshit. It's good that there was no “one of the underground’s most well-kept secrets” this time. In general, there is nothing classic here, on the contrary, everything is very modern and in no way resembles the forefathers. These riffs are created without looking around, they just cling to one another. It is unlikely that this album will become a mover on Belarusian scene, but it certainly made it a little better.