BLAZE OF PERDITION (Pol) - 'The Burning Will Of Expansion'

BLAZE OF PERDITION (Pol)

'The Burning Will Of Expansion'

PAGAN RECORDS

Release Date : 15/12/2010

PAGAN RECORDS has always been significant, uncompromised, offering only finest Polish extreme metal and served as the initial platform for new bands. Take BEHEMOTH for example - they started with PAGAN RECORDS and released two demos - 'The Return Of The Northern Moon' (1993) and 'From The Pagan Vastlands' (1994), as well as their debut album - Sventevith' (1995) before took off to be the band that you all knew today.

And those two early demos that led us to set a mail interview with BEHEMOTH back in 1995, which was answered by BAAL RAVENLOCK (drum). It was our first overseas interview and we were definitely on fire to receive his reply in just 1 month time. The questions were interesting, and that statement came from BAAL RAVENLOCK. These are some of the things that inspired us to spill blood on every issues before we finally felt abrupt in 2000 (Issue # 4 was scheduled to be out in 2000 but was delayed until Jan '2005).

Coming back to the release, what we have here is a 2-tracks EP from Polish Black Metal band - BLAZE OF PERDITION. The band has earlier unleashed 'Deus Rex Nihilium Est' EP (materials taken from the split with Russian PSEUDOGOD) and 'Towards The Blaze Of Perdition' debut album.

BLAZE OF PERDITION is impressive with their power pack display of Black Metal, fast and tight plus the usual mid paced melodic break. Excellent sound as well. We have no problem with that but musically, it was something that has been done by many before. No harm to own a copy by the way. 

website : http://www.blazeofpredition.pl/

order : http://www.pagan-records.home.pl/webshop

MASSEMORD (Pol) - 'The Madness Tongue Devouring Juices At Livid Hope'

MASSEMORD (Pol)

'The Madness Tongue Devouring Juices At Livid Hope'

PAGAN RECORDS

Release Date : 20/11/2010

This is fuckin' madness ! Polish supremo - MASSEMORD returned with their 3rd album - comprised of a single track mesmerising for 35 minutes long. This album (if we can called it one) proved that MASSEMORD is the best in taking Black Metal into a far reach dimension. It opened with this heavy punishing riff, a simple one though, playing on and on (Drone ?) until the synth/effect creep in and shaped everything like one transcedental journey into utter darkness. Brilliant ! Their music is far from static, changing direction later with some fast parts in between and touches of experimental/industrial felt - its like a different phase all together. NAMTAR's vocal is really at his best.

This album is a big 'fuck off' to those same lame Black Metal bands that we are getting too tired with. Both FURIA and MASSEMORD basically consist of the same members. But as what NAMTAR (vocal) put it to us - FURIA and MASSEMORD are like two fantastic girls, of which one sucks as hell and the other is not afraid to experiment with her rectum. Fuckin' brilliant ! Highly recommended !

link : http://let-the-world-burn.org
order : http://www.pagan-records.home.pl/webshop

HAERESIARCHS OF DIS (USA) - 'Denuntiatus Cihis'

HAERESIARCHS OF DIS (USA)

'Denuntiatus Cihis'

MORIBUND RECORDS

Release Date : 12/10/2010

Frankly, a one-man band doesn't really impressed us, though we do acknowledge that a few did stand out however. HEARESIARCHS OF DIS doesn't really moved us either at first. Then again, we trust that MORIBUND RECORDS is one of those long dedicated extreme label that will never wimped out.

Musicwise, it's basically Pagan Black Metal allright, primitive and fast ("Median Existere" & "Ad Baculum" are outstanding !) with blackish screaming. There are also some symphonic background vocal that sounded more like those Viking bands, string showcase ("The Respite"), touches of ambient ("Nine Days They Fell"), experimental ("Intent Concupicense") etc. Avant Garde perhaps ? Norwegian Black Metal with elements of FLUERTY & ISENGARD ? Better said, it's a kind of 'Yin' and 'Yang' in Black Metal, an opposite contrast yet they supplement each other sufficely and put everything into balance - equilibrium. There are 13 tracks that will keep your ear intact to the music till end.

The most suprising is the track "Bemoan The Fallen". What the fuck ?! Accoustic pagan/folk ?! Awesome ! (we thought it was Jack Black & Kyle Gass -  TENACIOUS D). We find those instrumental tracks however are taking too much spaces in the album - perhaps it might represent something important to CERNUNNOS, but we don't think listeners would care. The drumming sounded mechanical by the way (drum machine ?).

Yet, the album is extraordinary interesting for listeners to check out.

myspace : http://www.myspace.com/heresiarchsofdis

DENOUNCEMENT PYRE (Aus) - 'World Cremation'

DENOUNCEMENT PYRE (Aus)

'World Cremation'

HELLS HEADBANGERS RECORDS

Release Date : 31/08/2010

DENOUNCEMENT PYRE is finally here to claim the throne ! This is the band long awaited debut album after 7 years in existence with only demos & EPs under their bullet belt. It is worth the long wait !

This album is predictably very much straight forward with thrash drive, a bit repetitive but effectively delivered. We don't think that excessive technicality or complexity is needed here, no, not with this genre, but their cutthroat riffings are too excellent to ignore. Hellish riffs that were meant to conquer heaven. Those who seek for a perfect blend of extremity, darkness, chaos and power, well, 'World Cremation' will give you that ! There are 8 tracks here with fuckin' killer raw sound ! 

The 1st track "Black Womb Of Magdalene" really set the flame with its intensity, dark surrounding and speeding at full throttle. We thought we heard some moment from our Malaysian own BRAINDEAD's "Unholy Sin" in the 2nd track "The Flesh Of Thy Master". Yet, they loose out some speed in the mid-part of the album - take "Salvation, The Fading Light" for example, is very Greek-sounding (circa early VARATHRON/ROTTING CHRIST) with its doomy approach and melodic riffing. They then closed the album with one of their finest here "Invination Of Poison" (fuckin' killer !). This is definitely one of the best album in 2010. Get this one at any cost ! Highly recommended !

By the way, the first 100 copies of the LP come in white vinyl.

link : http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/denouncementpyre/

myspace : http://www.myspace.com/denouncementpyre/

order : http://www.shop-hellsheadbangers.com/

BLASPHEMY RITES (Pol) - "Hideous Lord"

BLASPHEMY RITES (Pol)

"Hideous Lord"

PAGAN RECORDS

Release Date : 14/05/2010

This Polish 4-pieces stayed deep in the underground and take inspiration from real ones like HELLHAMMER, SACROFAGO, BLASPHEMY, ARCHGOAT etc. They have earlier released 2 demos 'Something Wicked, Raw And Ugly' (2004) and 'Drink The Poisoned Piss Of Baphomet' (2005). It took them more than 5 years however to come out with this debut.

There are 15 tracks of Black/Death Metal here, which some are short and straight forward (the 2nd track "Genocide" are Grind-like short - less than a minute ? While, a few others are less than 2-minutes). Musically, BLASPHEMY RITES drops like a bomb with their no bullshit 'in your face' metal assault - chaotic riffing, machine gun like drumming and loud pounding bass. They take control and don't give a fuck what listeners have to say ! You either stand up and take it or simply walk away. Their CELTIC FROST cover - "Dethroned Emperor" is real killer - heavy like hell !

order : http://www.pagan-records.home.pl/webshop

FURIA (Pol) - "Halny"

FURIA (Pol)

'Halny'

PAGAN RECORDS

Release Date : 14/05/2010

Our heathen brothers returned with a single track MCD that runs for nearly 20 minutes. They have earlier released a 3-tracks 10' MLP 'Huta Laura/Katowice/Krolewska Huta' (limited to 200 copies) - killer raw recording and this is where 'Halny' will start to take shape.

FURIA is always unbelievable. Their music speaks for itself. But they have gone too far this time - experimental, complex, jazz - yes, psychodelic as they put it ! It's innovative in the sense. We can still trace their trademarks especially in the final minutes where they closed the track brilliantly.

Yes, we are dissapointed, yet we trust that 'Halny' is a one-time (exclusive) release and will not represent their future musical direction. But still it is inevitable that FURIA will continue to evolve.

Remember Norwegian finest Pagan Black Metal band IN THE WOODS ? They stormed the scene with their excellent 'Isle Of Men' demo (1993) and 'Heart Of The Ages' debut (1995) but later moved away into something different - try 'Strange In Stereo' (1999).

This release is ONLY recommended to all those FURIA diehards. Others will left it untouched on the rack just after first listening. So stay away ! You will not understand !

link : http://let-the-world-burn.org/
order : http://www.pagan-records.home.pl/webshop

DODSFERD (Gre) / MORTOVATIS (Gre) - "Until Your World Go Down"

DODSFERD (Gre) / MORTOVATIS (Gre)

"Until Your World Go Down"

MORIBUND RECORDS

Release Date : 26/04/2010

This two Greek one-man bands centred on the same soul - WRATH (vocal/guitar). DODSFERD has been spreading black plague since 2001 (with demo, split & albums out), while MORTOVATIS is a mere project band.

DODSFERD is a Black Metal band that rocks ! There are two new tracks here (to be released as 7' EP under OBSCURE ABHORRENCE PRODUCTIONS) and one live set. It is ashamed that we only get to know them recently (thanks to our brother NATHAN), when they really nailed us at just first listening - check out the track "Only Thorn Can Embrace Your Condemned Throne" that opened with only drum beat and bass line (old school, MOTORHEAD perhaps) before storming into speed, raw delicious cunt-licking riff and top-notch hate-full vocal.

The other track "Another Two Of Your Scars And The World Is Dead'' is differently structured,  slow pace and depressive this time. Their live track "You Called It Resurrection, I Called It Fairytale For Human Parasite, Your Kind" is one bloody set and is the best here (the crude sound and arrangement reminds us of TASYIM - Malaysian cult Death Metal band). While, what MORTOVATIS offers is one long 20 minutes track of cosmic experimental doom metal which we don't find it interesting. We don't think that WRATH should dabble more times with MORTOVATIS when DODSFERD stands with potential. We would appreciate a more shorter title track next time by the way. Only DODSFERD is recommended !

order : http://www.moribundcult.com/

myspace : http://www.myspace.com/dodsferdmisanthropy/

ARMOUR (Fin) - 'Armour'

ARMOUR (Fin)

'Armour'

HELLS HEADBANGERS RECORDS

Release Date : 05/04/2010

The band may sounds clinch, but the album is damn entertaining. This is hard rockin' Heavy Metal for the drunk one ! Reminiscence strongly of WASP ("I Wanna Be Somebody" anyone ?!) - with BLACKIE LAWLESS like vocal off course. ARMOUR has been kickin' ass since 2006 with a number of EPs out.

This self-title debut album will put listeners ass on fire with their up-tempo music, killer fretworks, galloping drumming ("Satan's Knights") and sing along chorus (check out "The Time Is Right" and "Sex Demon"). Perfect production for this type of music by the way.

We might have listen to something like this so many times before, but ARMOUR rocks like nobody business ! Play this one fuckin' loud ! There are 10 tracks of Heavy Metal orgasm here. Recommended !

link : http://armour.hellsheadbangers.com/

myspace : http://www.myspace.com/metalarmour

order : http://www.shop-hellsheadbangers.com/

PERVERSOR (Chi) - "Demon Metal"

PERVERSOR (Chi)

"Demon Metal"

HELLS HEADBANGERS RECORDS

Release Date : 05/03/2010

This one obscure South America band really terrorized everything into pieces with their raw and dirty Black/Thrash with definite cult sound. Bands from this part of the world are always famous for their bestial recordings. PERVERSOR is simply satan thrashing in good old leather, spike and bullet belt ! This is Chile best kept secret !

What you have here is a big fuck-off to all those polished sounding crap releases coming out from modern studio, these Chilean just needs dungeon to produce this ! The recording is prehistoric but the spirit is monstrous. The 1st track "Denotate" basically exploded with their ultrafast nuclear assault. PERVERSOR brings hell straight to your door step !

This MCD/MLP features 5 tracks for nearly 18 minutes and we don't think that listeners will get enough. The band has earlier released their debut 'Cult Of Destruction' in 2008 (under NUCLEAR WAR NOW PRODUCTIONS) and having heard this, we will definitely hunt for a copy. Excellent release put out by HHR ! Highly recommended to all those blood soaking old goat bangers outhere !

link : http://perversor.hellsheadbangers.com/
order : http://www.shop-hellsheadbangers.com/

SACRED REICH (USA) - "Independent"

SACRED REICH (USA)

"Independent"

DISPLEASED RECORDS

Release Date : 15/03/2010

Another classic reissue from DISPLEASED RECORDS. This time from the legendary USA Thrash Metal band - SACRED REICH. The release best served to celebrate the band 25 years of thrashing madness. The album is their 3rd full-length originally released by METAL BLADE RECORDS in 1993. Take note that this reissue version comes with 5 rare bonus tracks :- 3 tracks taken from 'A QUESTION' EP 1991 ; the track "The Big Picture" (MILLIONS of DEATH COPS' cover) was taken from 'OPEN BOOK/THE BIG PICTURE' SINGLE 1993 and the track "Crawling (Radio Edit)" was taken from 'CRAWLING' SINGLE 1993.

Despite the band had earlier released 'DRAINING YOU OF LIFE' demo (1985), full-length debut 'IGNORANCE' (1987) and 'SURF NICARAGUA' EP (1988), we only get to know them seriously way later via their 2nd full length 'THE AMERICAN WAY' (1990).

The band is also lyrically political/social. 'SURF NICARAGUA' EP for example, is their critical response towards USA waged war against NICARAGUA - an attempt to topple the local government there. While the track "Who's To Blame" is about neglected childrens - "Music is no cause of death, it's you who suffocates. Who's to be responsibe for a life that's gone off track, who's the one who must be there to see it gets put back. Where were you to hear the cries of a person in need, were you there to see the signs or were you too busy".

This is one definite thrashing moment revisited - 16 remastered tracks in limited Digipack. It has been 17 long years since the original release but our fist is still pumping high. This is a must have ! Get it now ! Hail SACRED REICH !

link : http://www.myspace.com/sacredreich/

order : http://www.dis-order.com/

HORMALA FANZINE - NEW ISSUE # 6 ?

After goin' hiatus for 5 years, we think it's time to return with a new issue ! We don't think that most of you will get excited when reading this. It is your choice to ignore because we simply don't care ! We are here to preserve this old form of underground network - fanzine.

To be frank, we have been working quietly since early this year. With the pace we are making, a new issue looks possible in 2010. At the time of writing this, we have in hand  some killer interviews from the depth of hell. We won't name any at this juncture, but certainly the issue will be our best thus far.

Then again, we are still looking for dedicated obscure extreme metal bands to be given a page. We also tried to find times to listen to more bands by establishing working relationship with labels. Time is our worst enemy at the moment !

So, you are goin' to hear from us if you are one of those few that we are looking for. There are too many craps everywhere and we simply would like to avoid that !

Then again, we are still friendly though ...

e-mail : metalreign@yahoo.com