No Nonsense Metal Reviews

BELPHEGOR: TOTENRITUAL    The only way to describe the intensity and sound of Belphegor's 11th full-length album, Totenritual, is that it is the musical equivalent of being hit by a massive, Satanic, Blackened Death Metal train, which has been covered in nails and goat skulls, and is also on fire.     Totenritual is easily Belphegor's most punishing and extreme album to date, noticeably turning up the extremity after previous assault, Conjuring The Dead. Opening track, " Baphomet " sets the tone for the rest of the album perfectly, launching head first into a Black Metal abyss of pounding, machine gun drumming, unhallowed vocals and horrifically distorted riffs. The banshee-esque shrieks that follow the sample introduction of, " The Devil's Son ", are nothing short of terrifying and awe-inspiring. The rest of the song is utterly delightful too, as Belphegor demonstrate, with extreme force, just how Black Metal should be done.     Laden heavy...

    PARADISE LOST: MEDUSA    As the seasons start to change and the warm light of Summer begins to fade, as the natural world around us begins to slowly die and decay, northern masters of misery, Paradise Lost, unleash their 15th studio album, to provide the perfect soundtrack to these ever darkening days. Make no mistake, Medusa, although far less obviously emotive than predecessor, The Plague Within, is an 8 track ceremony of deep, dark, doom, done right.    Paradise Lost are one of the most highly regarded bands of their ilk, and Medusa perfectly demonstrates why. Beginning proceedings is the 8 minute medley, " Fearless Sky ", a track that subjects listeners to some of the sludgiest, but also the grooviest notes of the entire album. Opening with the chilling sounds of an Organ, then rapidly descending into riffs which are the musical equivalent of wading through a swamp, before turning the tide with waves of Black Sabbath-worshiping melody, thi...

INCANTATION: PROFANE NEXUS    Incantation's 10th full length album, Profane Nexus, is the embodiment of Death Metal. Dripping with filthy riffs, full-throttle drumming, grotesque growling, and a generous helping of Autopsy brand Death-Doom, Profane Nexus is an essential for any fan of the band or old-school Death Metal done properly.    Staying true to their own unique take on the old-school style and sound, Profane Nexus is comprised of 11 songs of heretical brilliance, with nothing unexpected or unwelcome, no over complication, just total crushing heaviness. The opening track, " Muse ", is a perfect example of just how Death Metal should be done, with a complex or grand introduction nowhere to be heard, the track has a very brief instrumental, before the casket is kicked wind open and the rotten riffs are unleashed. " Muse ", like many of the tracks on the album, has a distinct Black Metal undertone, adding a very bleak and atmospheric grimness to their gro...

THE LURKING FEAR  OUT OF THE VOICELESS GRAVE    Out Of The Voiceless Grave is grim, gritty, dark, dirty and could easily have been released in the early 1990's golden era of old-school Death Metal. Steeped in all of the essential musical elements, and powered by an impressive line-up which features members of genre titans, At The Gates and God Macabre, The Lurking Fear know how to make Death Metal, and they do it very, very well.     Although super groups and side projects seem to come in droves within the extreme music world, The Lurking Fear definitely have an undeniable charm and attraction, rooted in the uncomplicated, very traditional style of old-school Death Metal that they are delivering. In traditional style, the album begins with an atmospheric, ominous introduction, before surging into " Vortex Spawn ", a whirlwind of old-school, packing riff work that would have felt right at home on Slayer's seminal album, Hell Awaits.    ...