Formed in 2019, it didn’t take Peruvian death metallers Spectral Souls long to feel the effects of Coronavirus, the global pandemic throwing their plans into chaos within months. After eventually completing work on their full-length debut, the Lima-based act released Towards Extinction (Hammerheart Records) digitally last year but are now reissuing the album in a variety of more traditional physical formats.
There was a time where Metal had an ageism problem; the perception prevalent that once heavier bands passed certain milestone birthdays or anniversaries, or wracked a certain number of albums, or miles on the road, they became jaded, watered-down parodies of themselves. The late nineties, and, to be fair, a good chunk of the first decade of this millennium, were not kind to our grizzled veterans, some of whom fed into the prophecy, with stock output outweighing those who could still hold their own.
As the world was setting up for Christmas, De Effenaar Eindhoven hosted the European metal scene’s unofficial office Christmas party known as Eindhoven Metal Meeting. With some heavy hitters on the bill, 2016’s edition of EMM was shaping up to be one for the ages. Continue reading
Dutch death/doom metallers Asphyx have re-released their first two full length albums – 1991’s The Rack and 1992’s Last One On Earth on vinyl, out March 16, 2015 via Century Media Records.
ASPHYX vocalist Martin van Drunen has checked in with the following comment about these re-releases:
“Over the years Century Media has put out a lot of superb vinyl re-releases. Especially for that LP freak of today for whom it’s difficult, if not impossible, to find the originals. Even I couldn’t obtain everything as a young metalhead back in the days and therefore I am happy that labels do decide to re-release some sonic classics. And so is the case with these first two Asphyx albums. After the mauling “Death…The Brutal Way” and crushing “Deathhammer”, old and new Asphyx fans are now given the opportunity to add “The Rack” and “Last One On Earth” to their vinyl collection. Two outstanding re-releases by dedicated metalheads for loyal metalheads. Kept as close to the originals as possible, not only when it comes to the artwork of ancient master Axel Hermann, but also sound-wise these take you back to the early days of true Death Metal…and of Century Media as well! The band is proud of these milestones, as lots of the tracks are still and always will be played live with the intensity and volume Asphyx is so well-known for. So get your hands on these albums, and give ’em a deafening spin on your record player! Vinyl…The Brutal Way!”
Both vinyl editions orientate on the original pressings and feature the original covers. In contrast to previous CD or vinyl reissues, these 2015 editions do not contain remastered versions of The Rack and Last One On Earth. Both albums are based upon the original early 90’s recordings and were specially mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel / Temple Of Disharmony (Massacra, Dissection, Grave) in December 2014, allowing you to enjoy these classics in their authentic, original rawness. Death…the fuckin’ brutal way!
The band has upcoming live dates coming up.
Feb 21: Blastfest – Bergen (Norway)
Feb 28: Rock In Szcecin – Szcecin (Poland)
Mar 14: Euskal Assault Festival – Durango (Spain)
Apr 04: The Dome / Doom Over London V – London (UK)
Apr 17: Traffic Club – Rome (Italy)
Apr 18: Circolo Colony – Brescia (Italy)
Apr 25: Boveda – Barcelona (Spain)
May 16: Steelfest – Hyvinkää (Finland)
Jun 06: Out & Loud Festival – Geiselwind (Germany)
Jul 18: Bang Your Head Festival – Balingen (Germany)
Aug 06: Brutal Assault Open Air – Jaromer (Czech Republic)
Aug 07: Party.San Open Air – Schlotheim (Germany)
Sep 12: Death Feast – Andernach (Germany)
ASPHYX line-up:
Martin van Drunen – Vocals
Paul Baayens – Guitars
Alwin Zuur – Bass
Stefan Hüskens – Drums
Death Metal is a scene that welcomes reverence to the masters and is happy in its conservatism, providing certain aesthetics are adhered to. So, set your HM2 pedals to stun as Newcastle’s (England) Horrified pay tribute with grand devotion at the altar of Entombed as they channel the Sunlight Studios spirit to the max on their crunky Death Metal debut Descent Into Putridity (Momento Mori).
‘Tomb Of Rebirth’ lurches into aural consciousness with a crawling opening riff not entirely dissimilar to ‘Dismembered’ by, um, Dismember, from the legendary Like An Everflowing Stream (Nuclear Blast), before the pace is picked up, and Horrified churn down the Left Hand Path (Earache). The lo-fi production gives a sense of timelessness, like this album could have been a product of the Scandinavian Death Metal explosion of the early 90’s. This is also to their detriment at times, as the power and scything rage of closer ‘Repugnant Degeneration’ is hamstrung by a biscuit tin snare and disappearing toms, while the double kicks sound like a 1970’s typewriter.
But the production is only a small element, and adds to the homage Horrified undertake. Dan Alderson’s sandpapered-throat pitches around the Martin van Drunen mark, and helps draw ‘Narcolepsy’ into the Consuming Impulse (Roadrunner) ballpark, before the song swerves off via Leprosy – era Death (Relapse) and ‘Fall From Grace’ (Blessed Are The Sick, Earache) style Morbid Angel tectonics, raging to a close.
Diversity is not necessarily the name of the game here, but neither have we ventured into the land of the pony with one trick, as a slew of gratifying vari-paced old school riffs tick various boxes, with Horrified parading and espousing an obvious love of classic, dirty Death Metal to their benefit. As the band name may suggest there are also plenty of Repulsion references in some of the grindier and grimier passages, such as the blast that opens of ‘Veil Of Souls’.
You do have to be careful with Death Metal as it’s very easy to end up with a collection filled with thousands of bands not saying anything new or exciting, but all churning out decent enough music that references, but doesn’t better, the greats. That said, a quick dip and a descent into putridity is a good a way to spend half an hour as any.
7.0/10
STEVE TOVEY