Lie in Ruins - Swallowed by the Void (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Finland
Year: 2009

1. Descent (instrumental intro)
2. I'll Cast My Wrath
3. Crush the Holy
4. Abyss of Demons
5. The Serpent Coils
6. Art of Desecration
7. Damnation
8. Raging Fire
9. Swallowed by the Void
10. Bringer of Desolation

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I remember the hype surrounding this album when it was first announced and the artwork released. Lie in Ruins was promising something huge, and to spare you the anticipation, they sure as hell delivered. Swallowed By The Void is in every bit deserving of all the praise they've received with this massive success.

Opening with an eerie, atmospheric intro track, the groundwork is being laid for the rest of this crushing album with slow, steady build-up, leading to the dirty, gritty death metal to follow. A throwback to ways of old, yet with a slightly modern touch, the classic Finnish sound is present, with underlying Swedish influences in the chainsaw riffing style. Quick-paced, Swallowed by the Void is morose and sinister; the listener thrown deep into the thralls of darkness, left to fend for himself, the dark quickly closing in.

With a downright demonic sound, and throaty, raspy vocals, accompanied by a mix of fast and slow riffs, Lie in Ruins recreate that lost sound newer bands can't seem to replicate. Ferocious solos are thrown into many of the songs, further dragging the listener into a state of morbid chaos, weakening any hope to escape.

Hatred Embraced - Demo (2009)

Note: Artwork unavailable

Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Country: USA
Year: 2009

1. Descent into the Macabre
2. Interment of Divine Saviours

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Furious and pummeling, Hatred Embraced have risen from the boondocks of New Jersey (man, what's in NJ!? :b) with some deadly thrash-influenced Death Metal, ready to rip to shreds whoever's in their way.

Highly riff-oriented with a saturated production, this is very easy to listen to and fun to get into. The vocals are everywhere, and border a bit on the melodic side, but fitting very well with the guitar tone, giving these two tracks a balanced feel with a sense of direction! Great guitarwork with finetuned control. Unfortunately, this is only a short, albeit sweet sampler of what will surely be a promising future for these New Jersey metallers!

Shallow Rivers - Water Awakes (2009)

Genre: Atmospheric Doom/Death Metal
Country: Russia
Year: 2009

1. Water Awakes
2. For My Beloved
3. Echoes Of the Fall

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I know I've been lazy lately, but don't think I've forgotten about the 2009 releases! This is the first demo from a very promising Russian band who plays a unique brand of laid-back Doom Metal with a hint of Death and a lot of atmosphere. Doesn't exactly fit in with the rest of the material here, but I figured a few of you would be interested. Both male and female vocals are used, alternating grunts and flowing operatics, meshed with a prominent use of keyboards make this an engaging listen, one that will hold your attention to the very end, despite the long song lengths and monotonous, depressive feel of this release. Not sure whether to categorize this has happy or sad, but it certainly does evoke some sort of emotional response within me, which is more than I can say for a lot of music out there! Nab this, you won't be disappointed.

Sarcophagy - Live at Jerilee's 9/25/09 (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 2009

1. Live at Jerilee's

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Reunited at last! The first live show Sarcophagy has played since they reformed earlier this year (June) and it is fantastic! Nothing has changed since the old days, and this is one of the best live shows I have ever heard! The sound quality is really good, since each track was professionally recorded separately, then mashed together into one 35 minute track. It's been through multiple mixes (this is number four), so expect very good sound and production. Several songs are played from both demos, as well as new songs like "Truncate the Pedophile", along with an old track "Spoiled" that was one of four songs written back when they were still together, but never had a chance to record. These four songs are going to be relearned and recorded for a full-length that should be due out next summer some time. That's if they get around to writing a few more songs.

Definitely give this a dedicated listen, as the commentary from the band to the audience reveals a lot about who they are (how cool they are), the new band members, and their plans for the future. Not to mention the fuckin' rockin' music!

Embalmed Souls - Six Rites of Possession (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Brazil
Year: 2009

1. Infection to the Holy Temple
2. Wings of Abomination
3. Circle of Utopia
4. Bury Your Faith
5. Priest of Divine Illusion
6. Purified by Hungry Vermins
7. Dawn of Agony
8. Battle Against Celestial Slaves
9. Forget the Commandments
10. Under the Sign of Ressurrection
11. Revelations in the Darkness

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Released just a few months ago, Paulo from Embalmed Souls noticed that I had featured the band's other demos on this blog, and was kind enough to send me a copy of their latest demo "Six Rites of Possession" as a form of promotion. This is going to be a "megapost" in that I'll not only review and post the demo, but I will also upload pictures and inserts that came with the release, as well as flyers and other paraphernalia that was sent to me. I highly recommend that you all get into contact with Paulo (who manages the band's email and mail), as he is a very nice guy and open-minded, willing to trade and talk about music.

I have ripped this in a beautiful 320 kbps, and if you'd like it in any other format, just give me a holler. Included on this demo are not only their newest six songs (tracks 1-6), but also the five tracks from their 2005 demo "The Temple of Bizarre Cult" (tracks 7-11).

REVIEW
All of Embalmed Souls' music is recorded live to, and I quote Paulo, "keep our music nearest to the most natural sound possible". I personally love it this way, as you know there are no funky things going on; just pure, raw Death Metal in the most lively and unadulterated form out there. Very reminiscent of the older days of old school metal and quite the refreshing listen.

Much like their previous releases, Embalmed Souls continue with their dark and arcane style of crushing Death Metal, filled with an overwhelming sense of impending destruction. Very heavy, full-sounding, and fast-paced, Six Rites of Possession doesn't let up once and again I get the feeling (only this band manages it) that I'm being chased through never-ending corridors by some enigma, oozing darkness and doom. The vocals are dirty gutturals, complementing the music perfectly. Evil prevails over all other atmospheric elements presented here. Gravely riffs saturate the release, and Embalmed Souls continue with yet another brilliantly impressive demo to keep Death Metal alive. If only others would follow in the footsteps left behind by these guys, the future of metal would be a much brighter and promising place. If only...

Alright, here are some scans of artwork and other miscellanea I have acquired.

Back cover


Front of the insert


Back of the insert


Flyer for Six Rites of Possession


Flyer for demo The Temple of Bizarre Cult


Flyer for the "Live at Art Underground" DVD


Order demos and arrange trades:

Embalmed Souls
Caixa Postal 8062
Sudoeste Brasília-DF
70673-970
BRAZIL

souls666@terra.com.br
embalmedsouls@gmail.com

Please keep in mind that Paulo and Embalmed Souls are very understanding and open to negotiations. So if you're interested in acquiring some of this material, don't hesitate to contact Paulo at the email addresses provided and work out a price or even a trade. They're not about the money, it's all about spreading the music they love to make and keeping metal alive the best they can.

So please, support this band by giving their music a shot, listening, and enjoying it!

You can find links to all their other demos that I posted here.

Abnorm - Schemes of Hate and Denial (2009)

Genre: Black/Death Metal
Country: France
Year: 2009

1. Intro
2. Occularis Infernum (The Devilish Contemplations)
3. The Dead End Path Passenger
4. Schemes of Hate and Denial

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This was released quite a while ago, back in February, but seems to have garnered absolutely zero attention. Bummer. A big, fat zero plays on Last.fm, and they really deserve more. Delving heavily in Black Metal territory, we hear many fast-paced, tremolo-picked riffs, but there's also a death/doomy side to things. The second track is a great example of this contrast; it starts a pure Black Metal ferocity, and about two thirds in, all of a sudden we're hit with some death/doom, and it sounds just like an old school Death Metal band. The vocals are very energetic and full of life, mostly death-based, and a great addition to the furious music. The riffs can be really cool at points, and are always very fast, so you know you'll never be left feeling unsatisfied after this first effort! A fantastic start for a band that I'm sure will go places rather quickly.

Krypts - Open the Crypt (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Finland
Year: 2009

1. Day of Reckoning
2. Dormant of the Ancients
3. Summoned from the Abyss
4. Open the Crypt

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Hailing from Finland and recently signed to Detest Records, Krypts have made quite a splash already with this outstanding demo. Reminiscent of the old school, Krypts play a fast, furious, and evil type of DM. Mostly heavy riffs, we occasionally here a lone melodic guitar lead to break up the darkness, letting light in on this destructive demo. This makes for a great effect and the double bass pounding away ridiculously fast in the background makes this one hell of an overwhelming release. Everything is fine-tuned for a marvelously crafted debut demo. Still can't get over that guitar, flirting with melody. Recommended.

Eroded - Eroded (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Italy
Year: 2009

1. Inceptive Point of Vengeance
2. Sunless Jubilation
3. The Harmful Order
4. Vertex On Siege Divine
5. Reduced To One
6. Symmetric Killing Synthesis
7. Arise Through Katalepsy
8. The Ultraidol Sycophants
9. Unbounded Soulless Scene

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Credits to Grimmkvlt for the upload!

Formerly known as "Forgotten Creed", Eroded released two demos before compiling them both into this self-titled compilation released this year. Excellent production, yet it still retains that old school Swedish Death Metal quality we all know and love. The production is very clean and full and the riffs are as gravely as ever. Basically, this album can do no wrong. Everything about it is well-thought out and large amounts of attention were given to each and every song, despite them being demos. Watch out, these Italians are quickly rising the ranks of Death Metal!

Cruciamentum - Convocation of Crawling Chaos (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 2009

1. Intromantical Scream
2. Deathless Ascension
3. Convocation of Crawling Chaos
4. Rotten Flesh Crucifix

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This seems to be the latest fad in Death Metal lately and is all the rage among those underground kvltsters, so I figured I'd throw it up here. From the UK, Cruciamentum play monstrous Death Metal in the old school vein. Utilizing probably my favorite guitar tone, these guys tear shit up like nobody's business through and excellently produced, morbid-sounding first demo. Sounds a bit like the new Excoriate; a little slower-paced though. I'm also hearing some Necros Christos in the guitar style. Very cool first effort and I'm looking forward to more!

Carnagoth - Forced to Suffering (2009)

Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Country: Venezuela
Year: 2009

1. The Carnagoth
2. Pact of Violence, Skies of Blood
3. Beheaded for Being Christian
4. Condemned Death

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A brand new demo from this new and upcoming band (not even on MA yet!), Carnagoth play a very heavy and almost brutal style of old school Death metal. Using a full guitar tone and a plethora of blastbeats and up-and-down riffs (if you don't know what I mean, just listen to it; it's like you're riding a roller coaster). Riffs are not forgotten and the vocals are solid. Reminiscent of Incantation. I have a feeling Carnagoth could be going somewhere.

Vasaeleth - Demo MMIX (2009)

Genre: Heavy Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 2009

1. Figures of Chained Spirits
2. Adorned and Iridescent

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A very short demo, at just under seven and a half minutes, Vasaeleth looks promising. Incredibly heavy a la Incantation, bone-crushing Death Metal with a Touch of Black and maybe a little Doom will suffocate you for the entire playing time. Has a sort of wall-of-noise vibe that I really enjoy and can't wait for a full-length.

Putrid - Morbid Awakening (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Sweden
Year: 2009

1. Intro/Morbid Awakening
2. Life Beyond Death
3. Coffinshaker

LINK REMOVED UPON REQUEST
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Fairly new to the Death metal Scene, Putrid released their first demo in January of this year. What we have here is raw-sounding, very gritty and underproduced old school DM with chainsaw-like riffing and a very steady, orthodox pacing. The production gives off that lo-fi effect, sometimes making you feel like your head is throbbing in beat with the music, every count crushing your brain from the inside. Very appealing if you're into noise like I am. Highly enjoyable and a sign of good things to come (hopefully).

Excoriate - On Pestilent Winds... (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Germany
Year: 2009

1. Voice Of Damnation
2. On Pestilent Winds
3. From Morbid Ruins
4. Mayhem (Sepultura Cover)
5. Poisoned By Darkness
6. Bestial Slaughter
7. Demons Rush

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This is really fucking intense. So this isn't exactly old school per se, but their sound is often compared to older Sepultura and Asphyx, which is pretty badass. The band released a slew of demos, and finally got around to recording this album in 2006, releasing it in 2009.

The first thing that struck me with this particular record was the ferocity. Most old school DM sort of lumbers along, but this is a full-out sprint. The title track, which is also the first real song, is completely unrelenting, razor sharp riffs and maddening drums constantly pounding away for six straight minutes. I actually said "Whoa" to myself the first time I gave this a spin. Incredibly frantic and a fun listen.