Efyd - Like Shadows (2021)

I managed to get to listen to this band recently. Immediately I was swept away by how different this sounded. The main thing that really hit me is the musicianship and "Like Shadows" somehow managed to grow on me. Anyhow, after listening to this album a couple of times, i was able to properly indulge myself into this music, and what can I say, this album isn't bad at all. The vocals in this album are simple and in your face, because it features some light death growls. The good thing about the growls (which some people seem to not like) is the fact that they are not overly guttural and loud, which prevents it from completely obliterating the illusion of adventure that is felt while listening to this album, which is a slight change from most forms of metal. The guitarwork on this album is high quality, the bass playing on this album really stands out from other bands, the bass higher into the musical mix, which again adds to this sense of atmosphere created by all the other parts. The playing is extremely well done, showcasing the ability to play such complex lines of music, and in some sections even outdoing the guitars with his playing. And now the drums. What can I say, the style of drum playing really lays down a great blueprint for the rest of the music, as it fits in perfectly and really drives the musical atmosphere forward, as well as avoiding to overdo the playing and destroying the music. The drumming is mind-blowing. In conclusion, this album to me is good, after a couple of listens you will begin to find it a lot easier to listen and eventually be able to indulge yourself in the wonderful diversity of sound that is explored throughout this album.

metalscraprecords.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Night Attack - The Initiation (2022)

When i saw the FrontCover of this album, i tought it was a gothic band or something. Oh boy!! Night Attack take their hatred and violence to such an astounding level. Fast, brutal, and above all, skilled musicianship abounds in this 2022 monster. There's no shortage of menacing riffs and shredding solos, the drumming suffocates, and the guitar and bass obliterate. All of this is possible due to a truly crushing production job. The vocals in particular destroy everything in their path. Verigo can be no other than the Devil incarnate. He's demonic here, so purely blasphemous. His growling is made all the more frightening by the fact that one can still decipher the lyrics - which are, by the way, evil at its best. Each and every song is worth a listen (hell, they deserve WAY more than that), and no track is weaker than any other. The most memorable may be "Merciless Death". The guitar solos are somewhat atypical for shredders; they are actually highly memorable. Some are fairly long, which in this case is a huge plus. They're extremely intricate and equally deadly and effective. This album's solos are some of the best thrash has to offer, which is saying a lot in a genre known for its solos. The bass playing, instead of quietly following the guitar as bass players are prone to do in metal, it is fairly loud and independently, sometimes rivaling the guitar itself. The drumming is also very sound. Always precise, always powerful, redefines just how fast and how well one can play the drums. The instrumentation along with Verigo's Satanic vocal delivery adds up to a completely devastating listening experience. "The Initiation" is nearly perfect brutal thrash/speed metal, attains a form of perfection based not on technical playing and production, but rather as the definition of extremely violent yet memorable Metal !!

facebook.com/NIGHTATTACKBAND

metalscraprecords.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Chaos Engine Research - Faces (2022)

This is technical, robotic riffs, and inhuman barks and growls, with subtle, yet powerfully difficult, drumming. What i can say is, It hits you in such a way that you find yourself saying, "Wow, what did I just experience?". Whether you like the album or not is a completely different story. Most of the songs might sound too similar but if you follow the beat of that hard hitting guitar sound, you'll be able to tell the difference from each song. Also those tweeky sounding solos that come up help distinguish the songs from each other by creating a different atmospehere. When other bands try too hard to sound heavy they sound generic but Chaos Engine Research manages to only sound like themselves, creating their own.They have their own unique heavyness in their brand of extreme mathematicaly timed music. My grade for "Faces" is 85%, it's an interesting album but I still kind of feel like I'm listening to the same song over and over after listening to the album a few times already. Not bad, good stuff though. Check them out if you really dig Meshuggah or Ion Dissonance as well !!

facebook.com/ChaosEngineResearch

metalscraprecords.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

L.V.I. - Mentally Embalmed (2022)

This aggressive demo was released in 1991. This band put their foot on the gas and don't let up for four songs. The double bass pummels your head as guitar lines weave in and out with precision; vocal lines and patterns paint landscapes of decay and damnation. Denny Martinez also had tremendous vocal endurance, forcing each line with conviction. In a time (1991) when bands were more or less ripping one or another off, L.V.I. from Arizona came out of the gate like a steamroller destroying everything in its path. The Metal scene back then had some amazing releases; it's a shame that most bands these days fail to invoke similar atmospheric experiences. The entire classic demo is great from start to finish. All in all, they were a very solid band. There's no doubt that this classic stands the test of time. For fans of Faith or Fear, Dark Angel, Devastation.  

facebook.com/thrashbackrecords

Review by Paul Caravasi

 

Medium - Post Holocaustic Conception (2022)

I Just discovered this band from Cuba. This is a compilation of recordings from 1993 and 2001. All i can say is that i admire them already, this is full of strength, hardness and malignancy and implacable execution. So many good riffs, each one better than the last, everything works in a good way: the powerful vocals, the rampant accompaniment of the drums, the low lines of bass, and the guitar game that, without following really a technical route, they are a constant example of speed and savagery. A powerful but clear and loud sound is real benefit, as it the overall mixing, which puts all the morbid pieces right where they belong in the sonic picture. Medium deserves a hell of a lot more acclaim than they’ve received.

facebook.com/darkunitedmedia

Review by Paul Caravasi

Viogression - 3rd stage of Decay (2022)

This is a crucial death metal release in this year and the time is just right for something like the sick, savage sounds of Viogression to have sufficient impact. The vomitory vocals, the grinding wall of guitar noise,  bass and fueled drums present itself as a belt grinder to the face, kicking into a double-bass stomp and bellowed growl within the opening moments of the disc, never letting up throughout it's duration. Smattering of regurgitated growls, riffs, and solos. Do not miss out on Viogression and their works. I highly recommend for fans of vintage death metal bands, such as Obituary, Pestilence, Cancer, and early Gorguts. If you happen to be one of the lucky few enlightened death metal enthusiasts in this world, but have not yet explored the grisly wonders of this band, do so now and waste not another minute of your decaying, rotting existence on this Earth and go buy this album....NOW!

facebook.com/Viogression

Review by Paul Caravasi

Sarmat - RS-28 (2021)

Sarmat from Poland is refining its Black/death metal legacy into blazing, unforgettable hymns of eloquent brutality and extravagance on this album. Rich and fulfilling, dark and exotic, an impeccable median between modernism and old school approach, each track providing both refreshing thrills and memorable compositions that the listener will be constantly rewarded with. Constant use of chugging, prevalent low end guitars here, but I can assure you that they are all means to a glorious, mighty end that excuses their brutal primacy. Fuck, even the COVER of this album won't let you forget it. The hooks are immediate here, with "Evilution" ensnaring the listener with its incendiary  double bass barrage. The horns cut straight through, bringing images of atrocities in this world, memorable clean guitars before the attack ensues. An album to suit every musical pallet, Sarmat have outdone themselves superbly well. 100% pure Polish metal !!

facebook.com/sarmat7v7

Review by Paul Caravasi