I - TEITANBLOOD
"The Baneful Choir"
Norma Evangelium Diaboli
"The Baneful Choir"
Norma Evangelium Diaboli
Music from the tomb, from the kingdom of worms, from the mud...Infernal, Ugly, EVIL music...beyond darkness, beyond death, beyond this fucking universe...Horror Inhumano...That´s "The Baneful Choir".
II - NOCTURNUS A.D.
"Paradox"
Profound Lore Records
Profound Lore Records
The release of "The Key" in 1990 was a milestone in death metal and extreme metal history. Now in 2019 we have the sequel of that masterpiece. "Paradox" is a perfect follow-up the debut album and a reminiscence of those elements that raised Nocturnus as an avant-garde cult band, slowed down by the mistakes of the second album "Thresholds".
Mike Browning, a visionary musician, must be proud of his achievement, "Paradox" is a comeback album that crowns the band as the originators and kings of science fiction themed Death Metal in this galaxy...and also in the distant ones. Seizing the throne.
III - PENTACLE
"Spectre Of the Eight Ropes"
Iron Pegasus Records
Iron Pegasus Records
Pentacle never disappoint. Every release sound as fresh and powerful as in the early days. "Spectre of the Eight Ropes" follows the same path. Powerful, old-school, skull crushing metal. Don´t forget the ancient spirit...it still rules!
IV - DARKTHRONE
"Old Star"
Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records
This album shares the podium at #3. Riffs, riffs and more riffs! That 80s nostalgia, that "analog" sound, the "TomWariorresque" vocals of Nocturno Culto and the high Celtic Frost influence circling in the air. Awesome! ..."Mankind dies in a shroud of introvert mumbling"...
V - FUNEREAL PRESENCE
"Achatius"
Sepulchral Voice Records
Sepulchral Voice Records
A few months went by since the album was released until I finally heard it. It was a great discovery since I had not heard Funereal Presence´s previous works. "Achatius" is a solid album, with a great and diverse songwriting that reflects reminiscences of classic heavy metal to primitive black metal, all in a vintage vibe. "Achatius" is a truly dark gem.
VI - USURPER
"Lords of the Permafrost"
Soulseller Records
Soulseller Records
The return of Usurper 14 years after the previous album was indeed great. "Lords of the Permafrost" embodies the mighty elements that the Chicago metalheads have been performing since the early days, powerful black-thrash influenced by the sound of the 80s and yeah...the mighty Frost!! And I got the cool vinyl version next to "Diabolosis..." and "Skeletal Season" LPs. Ough!!
VII - MAYHEM
"Daemon"
Century Media Record
I didn´t like Mayhem´s latest works, neither those of the Maniac era, Bu I really liked "Daemon" at the first listening. Not only because it instantly reminded me of the atmosphere and style of DMDS, but because it is probably the best since the debut album (imho). So considering it as the successor of DMDS there´s no need to say more. Another Mayhem´s classic!
Century Media Record
I didn´t like Mayhem´s latest works, neither those of the Maniac era, Bu I really liked "Daemon" at the first listening. Not only because it instantly reminded me of the atmosphere and style of DMDS, but because it is probably the best since the debut album (imho). So considering it as the successor of DMDS there´s no need to say more. Another Mayhem´s classic!
VIII - MEFISTO
"Octagram"
GMR Music Group
GMR Music Group
Mefisto gets darker and darker on every album. Except for the 2016 "The End of It All..." album, the self-titled album released two years ago and "Octagram" are a good exercise of looking for the extreme with a dose of blackened death-thrash, with a lot of different influences. Improving all what they recorded so far and walking on the right (left hand) path.
IX - POSSESSED
"Revelations of Oblivion"
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
A comeback album, but not exactly Possessed if you ask me. Obviously I didn´t expect it to sound like 80s Possessed (yeah, too obvious). Jeff Becerra´s vocals haven´t changed, and that´s a great fact, that´s something that bring the memories of the glorious times of "Seven Churches". But without being exactly the old musical style, "Revelations of Oblivion" is a great Death metal album, wrapped in the old-school vibe. The production is clean but heavy, all tracks are good, the lyrics are dark and the album cover is one of the best of the year. Pure gold!
X - THRONEHAMMER
"Usurper of the Oaken Throne"
The Church Within Records
This is Doooom. Heavy weight riffs. "Usurper of the Oaken Throne" is the impressive debut full-length of Thronehammer giving us a dose of slow epic doom metal (with touches of funeral doom). The sound is heavy as hell and the vocals of Kat are as melodic as heavy. Did I mention that this sounds heavy? Besides, you can´t go wrong with a band name like Thronehammer. Let the Warhorn sound...
The Church Within Records
This is Doooom. Heavy weight riffs. "Usurper of the Oaken Throne" is the impressive debut full-length of Thronehammer giving us a dose of slow epic doom metal (with touches of funeral doom). The sound is heavy as hell and the vocals of Kat are as melodic as heavy. Did I mention that this sounds heavy? Besides, you can´t go wrong with a band name like Thronehammer. Let the Warhorn sound...
XI - OPPROBRIUM
"The Fallen Entities"
High Roller Records
"Supernatural Death" (demo), "Serpent Temptation" and "Beyond the Unknown" are in my opinion death metal classics and among the best released between the late 80s and early 90s, when this band was known as Incubus. "The Fallen Entities" is the third full-length recorded under Opprobrium´s name (not counting Serpent Temptation 1996 re-recording) and in my opinion their best one so far. Furious and classic old-school death-thrash. Highly recommended.
High Roller Records
"Supernatural Death" (demo), "Serpent Temptation" and "Beyond the Unknown" are in my opinion death metal classics and among the best released between the late 80s and early 90s, when this band was known as Incubus. "The Fallen Entities" is the third full-length recorded under Opprobrium´s name (not counting Serpent Temptation 1996 re-recording) and in my opinion their best one so far. Furious and classic old-school death-thrash. Highly recommended.
XII - ANGEL WITCH
"Angel Of Light"
Metal Blade Records
Angel Witch´s "Angel of Light" may be not their best release, but considering the monumental album debut it´s quite understandable. However, this fifth full-length is an outstanding heavy metal album and I hope the Sorcerers carry on waving the flag of classic heavy metal for long time.
Metal Blade Records
Angel Witch´s "Angel of Light" may be not their best release, but considering the monumental album debut it´s quite understandable. However, this fifth full-length is an outstanding heavy metal album and I hope the Sorcerers carry on waving the flag of classic heavy metal for long time.
XIII - SARTEGOS
"O Sange da Noite"
I, Voidhanger Records
Among the many releases of the prolific Galician black metal scene comes the debut full-length of Sartegos. "O Sangue da Noite" is one of the finest albums of black thrash, but with a wide source of influences. Evoking the ancient spirits, the dark, the galician roots, perfectly executed with passion and strength.
I, Voidhanger Records
Among the many releases of the prolific Galician black metal scene comes the debut full-length of Sartegos. "O Sangue da Noite" is one of the finest albums of black thrash, but with a wide source of influences. Evoking the ancient spirits, the dark, the galician roots, perfectly executed with passion and strength.
