Reido - Anātman

REIDO - Anātman (AESTHETIC DEATH Productions - CD 2019)

Funeral doom metal band from Belarus? “Ohh, I don't wanna hear it, I’m not interested!” - that was my first reaction after receiving Reido's third album "Anātman", released through Aesthetic Death Records a month ago. It's very surprising then to hear that this band actually came up with very solid and enjoyable album - at least as enjoyable as funeral doom (death) can be, as this style of extreme metal can be very tiring sometimes. You know, hearing that utterly sorrowful, deadly slow riffage all the time, with no trace of more powerful and energetic parts could easily put to sleep or bore to death. And "Anātman" is an hour long album, so that risk is huge. And well, I am happy to say that it is much, much better than I imagined! Sure, this album is a bit too long for me, I wouldn't mind if it was 15 minutes shorter. But at the same time I need to say that Reido not only managed to interest me, but also composed an album in very intelligent way - not only focusing on constant slow paced, monotonous riffage and rhythm, but diversified the music with some calmer, tranquiliting moments, which is why I listened to it with interest from start to finish, letting its atmosphere devour me completely. 

Short, very dark and eerie “Deathwave” comes first and then “The Serpent's Mission” brings Reido’s full arsenal of monstrous, insanely vicious and slow-paced monumental doom / death metal. From the very start, they are set to create the mournful, melancholic atmosphere, dark and joyless. As I mentioned, Reido doesn’t focus just on the gargantuan, massive riffage, but often – like in “Dirt Fills My Mouth” - mix it up with cleaner guitars, eerie sounding keyboard soundscapes or growls with whispered voices... Which is obviously nothing new, of course it’s not, but the songwriting on "Anātman" is great, it’s filled with very good ideas, with impressive arrangements, very good performance and spotless production (yes, the sound is fantastic, very heavy and powerful), so there’s absolutely nothing I could moan about. It’s solid and high-quality doom / death metal, which fans should appreciate. Personally, I need to be in mood for such type of music, It's not my everyday stuff, but when I want to hear something very gloomy and mournful, then why not. I will definitely keep Reido in my mind for such occasions. Very good, surprising album and probably even the best Belarusian band, along Ljosazabojstwa, I ever heard. 

Standout track: “Dirt Fills My Mouth” 

Verdict: 75/100 

Undergang - Den dobbelte grav

UNDERGANG - Den dobbelte grav (CORTO - 7"EP 2018)

I simply love this gruesome death metal, which became characteristic for the Danish band Undergang. Anything they released I just needed to have and I never felt disappointed. I don't have enough and such releases as "Den dobbelte grav" 7"EP proves that totally! Actually, these shorter recordings are my favourites, because they have exclusive songs and they always sound more special to me. This time, we get a title song on side A and a cover on side B (both recorded during the "Misantropologi" session) - something very typical for 7 inches really, but I am 100% happy with the content. 

"Den dobbelte grav" on side A is classic Undergang song of that monstrous, filthy and creepy death (doom) metal style. Riffs are simply excellent, I love how they sound and how that slowly crawling, massively heavy, crushing riffage is able to set sinister, horror atmosphere. Especially when sick vocals really sound inhuman and you could imagine that they're some noises coming from a murderous cave monster. I think that Undergang sounds a lot like Anatomia, with that ability to compose and further also impress with their Neanderthal doom death metal – which is also why both bands belong to my favourites. 

As for the cover, there is Bolt Thrower's "Powder Burns" from "Mercenary" - probably the most underrated Bolt Thrower's records. Obviously Undergang did a phenomenal job with this song, their version sounds absolutely killer and I am fully impressed with it. I don’t have to write anything else about that. If you know the original song, then it’s pretty much alike, but more loathsome. Yeah, great song on side A, killer cover on side B - this is a perfect 7"EP for me. And just check that fantastic artwork and high quality gatefold presentation.

Verdict: 90/100  

Undergang - Hævntørst

UNDERGANG - Hævntørst (ME SACO UN OJO - Flexi 7" 2011)

This is the only flexi disc I have in my collection and I don't think I want more of them. I don’t like them and the sound is rather poor. But I thought it would be nice to have this particular single in collection, because it contains a rare song from Undergang (song, which only appeared on a compilation before). Why the hell not then, right? 

Only one song, so there's not much to listen to and write about. But "Hævntørst" is just damn good piece of death metal filth. This Flexi came out shortly after Undergang's debut LP "Indhentet af døden", but this song was recorded already back in 2009. Expect exactly the same sort of music as from any other Undergang release. Obscure, mid to slow paced, downtuned, heavy death metal, with a bit primitive feel, nastiness and filth, which originates in the works of Autopsy or Winter. It creates an immense eerie, horror atmosphere, it's creepy and disgusting, so it’s a perfect to accompany you at your weekend grave-digging party! Riffs and vocals (or vomits, as this is how they sound like haha!) may not be the most brilliant ever, but they work perfectly for this death metal style.  

I have to say that Undergang has a fantastic touch for such obscure death metal, especially for the crushing slower riffs, which are my most favourite. I span this track few times in a row, so good it is and so infectious, so if you ever see "Hævntørst" then, do not hesitate to grab it. It's worth having in collection, despite being on flexi disc. Good stuff from a worthy band. 

Verdict: 75/100 

Crucifier - Stronger than Passing Time

CRUCIFIER - Stronger than Passing Time (DEATH TO MANKIND - CD 2003)

There are many killer albums, which I think are criminally overlooked, but which deserve more recognition. And here’s one of them – "Stronger than Passing Time" by Crucifier, an absolutely fantastic piece of the US death metal filth. It was released 16 years ago, but I decided to write few words about it anyway. Why the hell not!? It’s so damn good, it deserves it. Besides, I have some good memories about that album. First time I got "Stronger than Passing Time" was right when it was released from Death to Mankind. I got it for review in my fanzine. I also had an interview with Cazz Grant. I’m not sure now if it was for the second or third issue of Panzerfaust zine. It doesn’t matter. Years later, I still love this album, it still sounds extremely strong, so maybe I could use an opportunity and introduce it to all those, who have never had a chance to hear it. 

But I won't start this review with introducing Crucifier. If you still have no idea what this band is about, where're they from, etc, then just fuck off. That means you shouldn't know. If you've heard the name, but never had a chance to give a listen to their music, start with "Stronger than Passing Time". As I already mentioned, this is killer and very strong death metal. Played in the characteristic for the American scene, bestial, brutal and morbid style, this is death metal, which you could easily put aside to Incantation, Goreaphobia, Imprecation, Acheron, etc. There's similar atmosphere, feeling, similar satanic, obscure atmosphere... But man, Crucifier knows how to crush skulls. Their music is just as heavy and intense, as it should, I love this sinister vibe of their riffs, whether they play faster stuff or slow down into almost doomy wall of creepy sound. And these doom parts are my favourite fragments of the albums, which such wicked anthems as "A Mourning in Nazareth" - absolutely a masterpiece of this style of death metal for me! Same goes for the song “Spirits”! But honestly, this whole album keeps great quality and I absolutely dig it. On top of everything, there’s powerful production, ghastly vocals of Cazz Grant... Bloody hell, it’s such a good listen that I honestly cannot force myself to take it out from the stereo and maybe play something else. Once I started, it’s been there for almost a week. I know that "Stronger than Passing Time" may not be the most fashionable death metal, it is not trendy stuff. But die hard fans of this music should definitely check this album out. Pure satanic feast. 

Standout tracks: “A Mourning in Nazareth”, “Spirits” 

Verdict: 80/100