Compulsed - Demo 2024
A solid, two track demo of brutal death metal from New Jersey. Compulsed is devastatingly heavy, but doesn’t get bogged down in being repugnant and brutish. Even if this isn’t your preferred style of death metal, Demo 2024 is worth checking out.
Flameskull - Demo MMXXIV
Existing in the realms of raw and atmospheric black metal, Flameskull blends the best of both subgenres on this release. The music gravitates more toward the atmospheric side, including some full-on ambient soundscapes with flutes, but that actually makes the raw segments seem more pronounced. Recommended.
Fumist - Coaltar
Consisting of members from several prominent French grind, sludge, and crust bands, Fumist plays a mélange of grindcore, d-beat, death metal, and powerviolence. It’s a pretty good album, but nothing momentous or earth-shaking. If you’re into grind or pv, you’ll probably want to snag a copy of Coaltar.
Olde Bard - Jewels of the Spidercrown
Four tracks of black metal with classic heavy metal elements, Jewels of the Spidercrown is a killer release. If you’re looking for some aggressive, catchy black metal that draws influence from the first wave, give Olde Bard a listen.
Sarin Reaper - Inhaling Death
Sarin Reaper plays crusty death metal that's good for what it is. I liked this well enough, but if you’re not a fan of the style, Inhaling Death will most likely be of little interest.
To The Edge - NGPOSC
Two tracks of metallic hardcore from Japan, I ended up enjoying NGPOSC more than expected. I hope to hear more from To The Edge soon.
