117th part of the short reviews.
INFAMIS TENEBRE – Widma
Year: 2024
Label: Fluttering Dragon
Rating: curiosity
This project belongs to Wojciech Zięba, an old member of the Polish experimental music scene. Someone may know him by his project INFAMIS which has existed since the mid-90s, and someone as the head of the Beast of Prey label. "Widma", as stated in the press release, is an innovative musical experiment, rooted in the stylistics of "dungeon synth". And it's true. INFAMIS TENEBRE's music welcomes listeners with epic overtones, familiar from the times of early MORTIIS - with some adjustments, since the musician uses all the opportunities of modern digital and non-modern analog equipment. But this music goes beyond "dungeon synth" frame as soon as Piotr Huzar's vocals start to sound. Without exaggeration, these vocals can be called professional. I'm not familiar with non-metal styles of vocals that much, so in order not to make a mistake with the definition, I'll just say that he sings in the style of all these expensive and fashionable pop artists who claim to have a certain intellectual content in their songs. With emotions, variations and other vibrations. Of the metal vocals, the closest thing to this is probably the clear voice of Alan Averill from PRIMORDIAL. In short, the vocal part of “Widma" is both the most prominent and the most controversial element of the album. Someone will like it, and someone will immediately say no. I still haven't decided if I like this approach, but I can say that there are a bit too many vocal parts here. They often drown out the music, which also has something to listen to. One way or another, it was an interesting experience.
HÄXENZIJRKELL – Portal
Year: 2024
Label: Amor Fati Productions
Rating: 5,7 / 10
This release is also not too easy to understand. The Germans HÄXENZIJRKELL play Black Metal in the style of CULTES DES GHOULES (slow "ritual" songs with numerous pauses for recitations), but with a noisy and at the same time suffocating sound a-la MÚSPELLZHEIMR or something, only three times louder. It's even interesting in the beginning, but after the third song it gets unbearably boring. With CDG, even on the worst recordings, there are more dynamics in one track than on HÄXENZIJRKELL's entire album.
MERCYLESS – Those Who Reign Below
Year: 2024
Label: Osmose Productions
Rating: 7 / 10
The band MERCYLESS was founded as early as 1987, then disbanded at the turn of the millennium (the members "lost interest in Death Metal" and, of course, started playing some kind of sell-out bullcrap), but suddenly returned along with a new wave of popularity of extreme metal. On ”Those Who Reign Below", MERCYLESS offers very good old Death Metal with a slight hint of blackness - angry, grim, fast and intense. Recommended for fans of MORBID ANGEL, PESTILENCE, SINISTER, as well as of the first album or two from NECROWRETCH.
PROFANATICA – Wreathed in Dead Angels
Year: 2025
Label: Hells Headbangers Records
Rating: 8 / 10
In recent years, PROFANATICA has developed a clear pattern of work on releases: full-length albums with one hundred percent "branded" sound are released on Season Of Mist, and more "diverse" mini albums are given to Hells Headbangers. Somehow, all of these recent mini albums sound more like CIANIDE than PROFANATICA. "Wreathed in Dead Angels" takes a step back to a more familiar style, but it's a pretty small step. On ”The Sixth Hour", literally from the first beats on the drums, I want to start: " Time... is now ... to rage ... WAR!!!”. Nevertheless, there is less cyanide in general (I personally have nothing against it), but the brutality and severity of Death Metal in the sound is still present. Well, that's fine. Here's your next dose of Black Cum!
ALTAR Zine #1
Year: 2025
The first issue of the underground ideological fanzine from the Russian Federation (in russian language). ALTAR conveys the spirit of the ancient fanzine literally in everything - this is a radical publication created by not most experienced (so far), but *fanatical* author who knows a thing or two about proper metal and does not care about the “wide audience". Although the print quality here is better than in the early 90s. The list of bands is impressive: SARCÓFAGO, POISON, HOLOCAUST, GOAT SEMEN, VULCANO, NECROSOUND, WITCHCRAFT, SADOGOAT / SADOMATOR. And even though SARCÓFAGO interview wasn't made with the band's mastermind, and the interviews themselves could have been better, this is still a very strong foundation worthy of support. And if, to quote the author, "you're a fan of gay magazines like Atmospheric Cocks (sorry, drugs) and all kinds of hipster bands, then fuck off!”. The print run of ALTAR Zine included 50 copies, and so far it is still available for purchase. at Possession).
