Nocturnus - The Key

Nocturnus - The Key

1990 / Death Metal

Take the band Death, put Chuck Schuldiner on meth, and launch them into space, your result would be Nocturnus’ “The Key”.

“The Key” is a vortex of speed, aggression, and chaos; set in a sci-fi universe where a cyborg goes back in time to destroy Christianity. This fresh perspective of Florida-based death metal from the early 90s employs an “occult meets sci-fi” theme, exploring territories unknown to the genre. The utilization of keyboards (which was basically unheard of in the scene) provides a mysterious ambiance, perfectly supporting their sci-fi theme. While the keyboards are an important aspect of the music, their function is purely support (Nocturnus IS a death metal band after all). Heavy riffs, ripping solos, and sporadic fills chiefly dominate the songs and are whipped at the listener at a relentless pace.

“The Key” is an essential piece of American Death Metal from the late 80s and early 90s. If you are a fan of the scene this album is a must.

Favorite Song: Visions From Beyond The Grave

Saor - Roots

Saor - Roots

2013 / Atmospheric Folk/Black Metal

After daily listening to Saor’s “Roots” for the past week and a half, I feel completely blown away.  The first few minutes of the title track “Roots” initially had me a bit skeptical, employing generic, atmospheric black metal elements that can be found throughout the genre. But where most bands sink into that monotonous repetition, Saor forges ahead, creating an enormous sound, filled with a power and beauty I’ve never encountered in the genre before.

“Balance”, is the perfect word to sum up this album. The mix is done flawlessly. All instruments can be heard clearly and consistently, providing a huge spectrum of sounds. This balance especially compliments the use of folk instruments like the tin whistle and violin. Where these delicate instruments would otherwise be drowned out by the guitar and drums, they provide some of the strongest melodies and passages in the whole album. Nothing feels overused and while there is repetition, it doesn’t feel tedious.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the harsh vocals but they are done with a certain passion that definitely benefited the music. And even though it was only administered a few times, the use of clean vocals was very well done.

Overall, this is a great debut album and I would highly suggest it to fans of atmospheric black metal or folk metal.

Favorite Song: Carved in Stone

Wyrd - Unchained Heathen Wrath

Wyrd - Unchained Heathen Wrath

2000 / Pagan black metal

My first experience with Wyrd took place about a year ago during a local summer festival. While I’m sure they put on a great performance, I really didn’t think much of the band once they completed their set (possibly due to my inebriated state). It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that the band once again stepped into my life.

As I was perusing the shelves of a shady record shop one cassette in particular caught my eye. Its art depicted a dismal log cabin, with a Norse dragonhead protruding from its roof. It turned out to be Wyrd’s first demo “Unchained Heathen Wrath” and with a more than affordable price tag, I had to get it. After I took it home and gave it a listen I was hooked.

I enjoyed the demo so much that I went back to the shop a few days later and bought Wyrd’s first full-length record, “Heathen”. After 3 weeks of ownership I have yet to hear “Heathen”, just been too busy enjoying “Unchained Heathen Wrath”.

Favorite Song: Hel

Medeia - Cult

Medeia - Cult

2008 / Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Metalcore

Medeia is one of those bands that likes to have a good time and doesn't take themselves too seriously. However, one thing they DO take seriously is making music, and they do a fucking excellent job at it. Medeia's sophomore album "Cult" is a fast, aggressive, and energetic piece of work. Their signature sound incorporates a multitude of musical influences, making it difficult to brand them any one genre. The best generalization I can provide is to call it the bastard child of metalcore and death. The guitar riffs are fast and groovy, with a lot of chugging as well as impressive shred licks and break downs. The drum work, while not particularly technical, perfectly fits the flow of each song, giving the album as a whole a solid backbone. And lastly, the vocals. Vocalist Keijo Niinimaa from the prominent grindcore band "Rotten Sound" pulls the whole operation together. One of the most energetic vocalists I've seen, his distinct style suites the music's aggression flawlessly. Check this album out if you like Medeia, Rotten Sound, or death metal.

Favorite Song: Devouring

Nile - What Should Not Be Unearthed

Nile - What Should Not Be Unearthed

2015 / Technical Death Metal

Nile's most recent release "What Should Not Be Unearthed" is not their worst album but certainly not their best either. It's a well written album but it just feels a bit stale in a way, leaving me wanting something a bit deeper. Don't get me wrong, it has some very solid tracks, like "Evil to Cast Out Evil" and "To Walk Forth From Flames Unscathed", yet the album as a whole is lacking. I know Nile's members are all talented musicians and hope they would step out of their comfort zone and experiment a little bit. Nile is a seasoned band and if they used all their experience and talent they could produce a truly great record, this just wasn't it. I would recommend this album to Nile fans and people interested in technical death metal in general (this is a decent album after all).

Favorite Song: Evil to Cast Out Evil 

Rippikoulu - Musta Seremonia

Rippikoulu - Musta Seremonia

1993 / Death Metal, Doom Metal

Rippikoulu is as heavy as the hearts of Finns in the dead cold of winter. The demo Musta Seremonia encompasses this harsh, dark environment with it's sledge hammer riffs and melancholic atmosphere. 

While the production quality is a bit subpar, it perfectly fits the rawness of this demo. The guitar tone is one of my favorite aspects. With very dirty and undefined characteristics, it gives the music a chaotic and natural sound. 

Rippikoulu does a great job of evenly splitting the music between death and doom, allowing each genre to truly compliment the other. The doom passages provide an excellent build-up to the faster, death-influenced riffs, and the occasional use of synthesizers adds a beautiful atmosphere to the whole mix.

Favorite Song: Ikuinen Piina

Watain - Casus Luciferi

Watain - Casus Luciferi

2003 / Black metal

Formed in 1998, only a year after Dissection's Jon Nödtveidt was taken to prison, Sweden's Watain released their demo "Go Fuck Your Jewish 'God'". Since then, Watain has, in many aspects, picked up where Dissection left off. While their sound has developed over the years, the release of "Casus Luciferi" (2003) directly pays homage to the forefathers of Swedish Black Metal.

"Casus Luciferi" is a powerful, and aggressive piece of black metal art. It's style is buried somewhere between raw and melodic black metal, with musical themes comparable to Mayhem's "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" and Dissection's "Somberlain". The songs are primarily dominated by grim, harsh vocals and a wide variety of icy, in-your-face riffs, some of which would even make Nödtveidt rise from the grave. There are however, quite a few occasions where overly distorted base lines add a ominous depth to the heavier sections of the songs. One interesting nuance of the album is on the song "I AM the Earth". Vocalist Erik Danielsson modifies his style to that of Mayhem's former vocalist Dead, adding a subtle yet chilling atmosphere to the track. 

This is one of my favorite albums released in the early 2000s and I would recommend it to fans of early Dissection and black metal in general.

Favorite Song: I AM the Earth

Torture Killer - Swarm!

Torture Killer - Swarm!

2006 / Death metal

Even though Torture Killer isn't an extremely technical or innovative band they have produced quality Finnish death metal for the past 14 years and show no evidence of slowing their pace. Their 2006 release "Swarm!" showcases their distinctive groovy, yet tight riffs, as well as ex Cannibal Corpse vocalist Chris Barnes' iconic vocal style. With lyrics about violence, debauchery, and gore this is an album for any death metal fan.

Favorite Song: A Violent Scene of Death