Antania/The God Complex/The Triad Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Antania  are  a  band  from  Joshua  Tree,  California  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  mixture  of  black,  doom  metal,  industrial  and  electronica  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "The  god  Complex"  which  was  released  by  The  Triad  Records.

  Synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  while t he  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.  Bass  guitars  are  utilized  as  a  lead  instrument  on  the  recording  while  the  music  also  brings  in  a  lot  of  industrial  elements  and  when t he  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  The  slower  sections  of  the  songs  are  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  doom  metal  while  the  music  also  mixes  in  a  lot  of  electronica  touches.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  recording  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  and  samples  

  On  this  recording  Antania  takes  black,  doom  metal,  industrial  and  electronica  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness,  Murder  and  Anti  Religion  themes.

 In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Antania  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom  metal,  industrial  and  electronica,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  God  Complex"  "Ritual  Carnage"  "Scienze  Of  Murder"  and  "Cyclops".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/antaniaofficial

https://www.antaniaofficial.com

https://www.Facebook.com/official.Antania

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-god-complex/1722056630

https://thetriadrec.bandcamp.com/album/antania-the-god-complex

https://youtu.be/ZGdfgmVw-gE

Emperor Of Myself/Vita Post Mortem/Hellenic Metal World/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Greece's  Emperor  Of  Myself  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  atmospheric  and  blackened  form  of  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Vita  Post  Mortem"  which  was  released  by  Hellenic  Metal  World.

    Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album    before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  elements  of  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  parts  of  the  songs  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also being  done  in  a  very  melodic  gothic  metal  style  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  while   growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  also  being  utilized  when  the  music  gets  more  aggressive,  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks  and  most  of  the  album  also  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  On  this  recording  Emperor  of  myself  remains  true  to  the  atmospheric  and  blackened  style  of  gothic  metal  that  they  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Anti  Religion  and  Life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Emperor  Of  Myself  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  and  blackened  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "As  My  Soul  Burns"  "The  Wait"  and "Legion".  8  out  of  10.

  https://emperorofmyself.bandcamp.com/album/vita-post-mortem  

  

Gravefields/Tetragrammaton/Satanath Records/Australis Records/Vrykoblast Productions/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Gravefields  are  a  band  from  France  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Tetragammaton"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Satanath,  Australis  Records  and  Vrykoblast  Productions.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  demonic  voices  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  brutal  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Angry  shouts  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

   When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  on  some  of  the  tracks  spoken  word  parts,  synths  and  clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  and  as  the  album  progresses  Gregorian  chants  are  also  utilized  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  the  rise  of  17th  century  messianism  which  breathed  life  in  a  false  religion  with  some  occult  references.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Gravefields  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  death  emtal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Forbidden  Psalms"  "The  Blessed  Pariah"  "Seraphim"  and  "Our  Allegiance".  8  out  of  10.

  https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat362-gravefields-tetragrammaton-2023

 

Keres/Homo Homini Lupus/Gruesome Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

    Keres  not  to  be  confused  with  the  solo  project  from  Finland  of  the  same  time  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Homo  Homini  Lupus"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Gruesome  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  brutal  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  vocals  also  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  All  of t he  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  on  a  couple  of  tracks.

  Keres  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  fast,  aggressive  and  brutal  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  humanity  being  the  biggest  plague  on  Earth.

  In  my  opinion  Keres  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Exist  For  War"  "Pale  Horse  Of  Extinction"  "Leviathan"  and  "Void  And  Silence".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/keresband/          

Gutted Christ Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

As of now we're working on our 3rd album and focusing on our fest "Something Dead in the Water"

2.In 2023  you had released your new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

We believe we're really honing in on "our sound" and we think we almost have it perfectly honed compared to our first release in terms of songwriting.

3.The band was broken up for a few years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?

We were on hiatus for a bit, I can't remember why at this time. but the decision to reform was because we missed the stage and playing our music!

4.A lot of your lyrics cover Anti Christianity themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your hatred for this religion?

We always say a lot of death metal lost the anti-Christian edge, so we jokingly always say we're "bringing Satan back to death metal". Everyone in the band is agnostic or atheist. We all collectively hate dogmatic religions as a whole.

5.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

Murder, suicide, and understanding the concept of dying.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Gutted Christ'?

Many years ago, a former member was with members of the band in a parking garage (of course) chugging Four Loko and raised his can triumphantly and blurted out the name. The rest is history!

7.Can you tell us  a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

We saw the art posted by the artist (Rudi Gorgingsuicide) and decided it fit the vibe of the album cover. To me, it represents a tainted effigy of Christ with his followers commanding them to "Hail and Kill"

8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Opening for any national act, playing Northside Yacht Club in 2020, and the old church we played in Kentucky, "Southgate House Revival".

Our stage performances we've always played characters on stage that reflect us and at the same time don't, because we believe people want to see a "larger than life" persona. They don't wanna see John Smith up there just being a dude.

9.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2024?

We have 2 tours planned thus far which we haven't announced yet but they will be in the summertime!

10.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of blackened death metal?

The reception has been almost overwhelmingly positive. We understand we can't please everyone, and that's fine. At the end of the day we're writing the music that we feel or we'd want to hear on a record.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Maturing a bit more musically and riding the wave with fests and tours until the next release!

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

We've always stood by the classics. Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Immolation, Morpheus Descends and stuff like that. We're very "old school" in our mentality with death metal.

13.Does Satanism play any role in your music?

It definitely does for the imagery and lyrics. As I said, we're bringing Satan back to death metal!

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Check us out on social media, check out BlackenedathMetalZine, and as always...GET GUTTED!

https://www.facebook.com/GuttedChrist

https://www.instagram.com/guttedchrist/

https://guttedchrist.bandcamp.com

https://cdnrecords.com/shop/gutted-christ-hail-and-kill/

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gutted-christ/1350574779

Funeral Vomit/Monumental Putrescence/Xtreem Music/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Funeral  Vomit  are  a  band  from  Columbia  that  plays  a  very  cavernous  and  blackened  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Monumental  Petrescence"  which  was  released  by  Xtreem  music.

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  demonic  voices  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  chaotic  style  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  cavernous  death  metal  growls.

  Elements  of  black  metal  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

   Dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  some  grim  screams  also  being  utilized  at  times.  Tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  brutal  moments,  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  also  brings  in  the  atmosphere  of  a horror  movie  soundtrack.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  darkness  and  necromancy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Funeral  Vomit  are  a  very  great  sounding  cavernous  blackened  death  emtal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Immense  Morbidity"  "Cadaveric  Apparition"  and  "Necromantical  Winds".  8  out  of  10.

  www.facebook.com/funeral.vomit

www.instagram.com/funeral.vomit
www.funeralvomit.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/@funeralvomitdeathmetal8392

Harkonin/Havoc Ritual/Necrotic Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Harkonin  are  a  band  from  St.  Louis,  Missouri  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Havoc  Ritual"  which  was  released  by  Necrotic  Records.

  Ritualistic  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  before  going  into  more  of  a  darker  and  heavier  direction.  A  brief  use  of  chants  can  also  be  heard  along  with  all  of t he  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast b eats.

  Vocals  are  in  between  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  while  some  of  the  riffing  also  brings  in  elements  of  thrash  metal.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in t he  90's  era  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing.  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks.

   Harkonin  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Blasphemy  and  Death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Harkonin  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Virtue  in  Chaos"  and  "Beyond  Our  Shallow  Grave".  8  out  of  10.

  https://harkonin.bandcamp.com/album/havoc-ritual

https://www.facebook.com/harkonin