NEW SHIT: Septicflesh Single from 2011 Release

Holy smoke these Greek bastards have done it again. (Check the sick new single cover art by bassist/mastermind/H.P. Lovecraft-protogé Seth Siro Anton!!)



Septicflesh's new single, "The Vampire from Nazareth," can be streamed here on their myspace page:


CHECK IT OUT. IT SLAYS. LIKE LITERALLY, IT SLAYS VAMPIRES. IT IS LITERALLY ABOUT SLAYING VAMPIRES.

Anyways, this group is known for their orchestral/symphonic slightly-blackened death sound. Their most recent full-length, Communion, brought all those elements together for a rich, resounding triumph of artistic metal. It was ominous and heavy, but not in a doom metal way, it was more akin to the soundtrack to a epic battle in a grim horror movie. Their focus on mythology and the occult serve to bolster their overall package into a very thorough listening experience.

This new track is quite promising. It ups the level of horror through the roof. The riffs are ultimately unspectacular, but it is the complete product that makes the song such a success. Resounding horn, string and choir tones paint a deep soundscape for your listening pleasure: one that is bleak, terrifying, and one that will crush your skull.

Check it out now.

GENRE BENDERS: The Amenta's n0n

So I recently discovered The Amenta; don't ask how or why-- that's not important.

I was wary to approach, reading of their "black" and "industrial" influences-- two genres that have historically not been my cup of tea... But it is the crafty melting-pot style of The Amenta that really wins over listeners.

Combining elements of death (primarily) with black, industrial, and ambient metal, this Australian 5-piece has firmly established themselves as a unique force to be reckoned with for a wide swath of metal fans.

Their newest work, n0n, combines the best elements of these genres to create a very dark, moodly, vicious and slamming album filled with texture and plenty of violence. Songs feature death-esque tremolo riffs, black metal wall-of-sound blasts, and industrial start-stop jarring loops, interspersed with moments of keen eerie ambience that resoundingly seal the deal. Standouts like "Whore" and "Dirt" are incredibly efficient at making the most of the above listed metal repertoire.

The vocals are excellently paired to the music, offering plenty of energy, and feature a few hooky scream-along moments in each song. Admittedly, and probably obviously, the vocals are not the focal point of the band's sound, but they certainly do their job to keep the bar high, as set by the instrumentation.

Overall this is an excellent album that sounds like it would be incredible to hear live (note to self...). If you are a fan of any of the genres that The Amenta blend into their gritty, grimy soup, filled with chunks of evil and severed flesh, you should give this album a listen. Incredibly high-force, n0n is an air-tight addition to almost any metal fan's collection.