Category Archives: Reviews

REVIEW: SEPTICFLESH – CODEX OMEGA


Septicflesh – Codex Omega review by Ekaterina K.

Well, Septicflesh return again with another monumental and epic mix of death metal and wicked   orchestrations. Always being on the edge of metal and symphony, these Greeks put a lot of sense and concept in their albums. “Codex Omega” isn’t an exception from this point. All lyrics of Sotiris Vayenas are always full of symbols and often refers to mythology, occult or biblical themes and moves their music into a new depth, where pompous monster is born.

From the first sight, you can definitely say that this is Septicflesh – album cover says it directly. Seth Siro Anton’s style is unrepeatable. Though I found cover of the album “The Great Mass” (2011) more interesting than this one.

Opening track “Dante’s Inferno” catches attention with it’s softer intro and then crushes mix of splendous orchestra and death metal riffs upon listener’s head. Since “The Great Mass” and “Titan” it was still this orchestra+death metal formula, and on this album Sepriflesh didn’t invent anything new, this formula is brilliantly shaped and re-shaped by them in order to have an ideal Symphonic death metal. “Codex Omega” shows that they succeeded and no one can create more powerful music in this subgenre, than Septicflesh themselves.

In the “Third Testament” there com a bit different colors. With the biblical lyrics, this song has more brutal riffs and drum line, especially it concerns main riff, and even darker and lower orchestra lines, perfectly matching with Seth’s deep growl. Soundtrack of reversed Testaments and broken religious beliefs.

“Portrait of the Headless Man” begins with pressuring and sinister intros crosses with duduk sound, associated with spirits and secrets of the East. Gives a bit dramatism in the clue moments during the song and have its own thin, but unique line on the enraged symphonic death metal canvas. Sotiris’ clean vocals and choirs on the background bring diversity to the Seth’s powerful, but a bit monotonous vocal line.

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REVIEW: ARCH ENEMY – WILL TO POWER


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REVIEW: Arch Enemy – Will To Power by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy

Swedish melodic death metallers Arch Enemy are back with their tenth album and follow up to the successful 2014 ‘War Eternal’ which saw new vocalist Alissa White-Gluz’s take to the helm, and was the first album in thirteen years to feature a new line-up after former long-time vocalist Angela Gossow stepped down. The transition went well and she was quickly accepted by fans. With this new album ‘Will To Power’, it is the first album to feature respected guitarist Jeff Loomis who joined in 2014 and notably is the first to incorporate more clean vocals throughout, again showing off Alissa’s wide talents and the evolution of Arch Enemy after their two-decade career.

Opening song ‘Set Flame To The Night’ is a scene setter, with voices and sirens accompanied by resonant fast and alarming guitars that build suspense and foreboding…

‘The Race’ furiously kicks off with Alissa White-Gluz’s fierce screamed vocals and urgent guitars. The guitar work, especially towards the end, carries over the creepy vibes seen in the opener. It features crashing riffs and rapid drums throughout, this is a solid and savage first full offering and sets the bar high.

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Review: The Dead Soul Communion – MMXVII


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REVIEW: The Dead Soul Communion – MMXVII by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy

The Dead Soul Communion is a brand new project from Ex Devilment founder Daniel Finch. The band also features members of Steve Harris British Lion and ex Dearly Beheaded drummer Simon Dawson, along with members of Synaptik, Heathen Deity and more, so there is a lot of experience and influences running through the band. The album lyrically deals with many themes such as internal struggles, love, relationships, suicide, self-destruction, acts of violence, war and mental illness.

Opening song ‘My Beautiful Mistake’ gets things off to a powerful melodic start with fierce outbursts and chug heavy guitars. This is a hefty, varied and unpredictable track especially towards the end, leaving us eager to hear more…

‘The Communion’ is much darker with aggressive growls and stomping fast instruments. It still maintains its melodic currents aided through the use of the clean vocals. The synths add more depth and ambience and work well with the thrash riffs, giving it a dramatic and suspenseful sound.

Continuing on the theatrical atmosphere is the intro of ‘Last Grains Of Sand’ which goes on to hit hard in this non-stop thumping metal offering which is all consuming through the effects and vocal wails.

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REVIEW: Ded – Mis-An-thrope


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REVIEW: DED- MIS-AN-THROPE by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy

Ded are a relentless modern metal band from Phoenix Arizona who have been causing quite the commotion since their first EP and now they are really stirring things up with their high impact debut album ‘Mis-An-Thrope’. Through their hard work and driven attitude, they gained the attention of well-known producer John Feldmann (Disturbed, Blink-182, Beartooth) and the momentum continues to grow. They just finished a run with Korn and Stone Sour, and have various other tour dates and festival appearances lined up for the rest of the year.

Opening song ‘Architect’ surges and explodes from the off declaring “get up and fucking go” which is very appropriate for the carnage that ensues and is the perfect song to lose your shit too. This is frantic, seriously catchy and a well-structured heavy hitter that is non-stop and prepares you for what is to come for the rest of the album…

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REVIEW: AZARATH – IN EXTREMIS


REVIEW: AZARATH – IN EXTREMIS by Jessica Johnson / Dark Art Conspiracy

Release date: April 7th
Genre: Blackened Death Metal

The newest album of Polish black/death metal tyrants Azarath has the right name. “In Extremis,” meaning “at the point of death” or “under extreme circumstances” in Latin, is a non-stop assault of extreme death metal that takes no prisoners. The anticipated album arrives six long years after its predecessor, “Blasphemers’ Maledictions” (2011).

Azarath was formed almost two decades ago by drummer Inferno (of Behemoth fame), and he is currently accompanied by Bart (Armagedon, Damnation) on guitars, Necrosodom (Anima Damnata, Deus Mortem, ex-Infernal War) on vocals and guitars, as well as Peter (ex-Lost Soul) on bass.

Stylistically, the album is a demonic concoction of death metal influences: Polish extreme death metal with its relentless riffs, ominous melodies and unearthly growls, and old school death with its chaotic, screeching guitar solos the likes of Morbid Angel.

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REVIEW: BRUME – ROOSTER


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REVIEW: BRUME – ROOSTER by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy

 

California doom trio Brume have unleashed their anticipated debut album ‘Rooster’ which was produced by Billy Anderson. They have been honing their craft since the release of their 2015 EP ‘Donkey’ and this debut shows how they have sonically evolved and progressed.

The majority of the songs featured on this debut are quite hefty in sound and size, with most of the tracks coming in at nearly ten minutes. The opener ‘Grit and Pearls’ is one of the longest featured, at just over ten minutes and has a dark foreboding presence throughout and Susie’s haunting and beautiful vocals fit the atmosphere and backing perfectly. This is a great introduction and scene setter for the band and album which lulls you into a transcendent state of escapism.

Next song ‘Harold’ has a different feel to it, with a slightly more positive sound to it but with an ever present eeriness before the crushing instruments take hold.

‘Welter’ is very short compared to the other tracks. It is a sombre stripped back acoustic number with vulnerable vocals and soft guitars and helps add more diversity.

Closing song ‘Tradewind’ is the longest track at nearly twelve minutes long. It starts out mellow with beautiful delicate vocals before the massive chugging guitars come in, accompanied by soaring powerful vocals which you come to expect. It also further into the track features some great resonant and varied guitar work. The mood towards the end is perfect for a reflective closing that takes you through the motions.

This is a very sonic and atmospheric album which is well crafted, with its creeping slow doom crushing you from start to finish. Doom metal isn’t for everyone but this is more accessible than most offerings within this genre, making this a must hear.

 

Rooster is available on CD, cassette and digitally since April 20th from Brume drummer Jordan Perkins-Lewis’s fledgling label, Doom Stew Records. The 2xLP will be available in a variety of limited edition variants via DHU in July.

 

SCORE: 4/5


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