Greetings, Decibel readers!
Whenever possible, I like to grab albums that don’t just show stylistic brilliance, but also deliver via a production approach that does the music justice. To that end, every album below fits nicely into a range of pure rawness to a more muscular sound that still retains the stripped-down attitude. In other words, the Hellripper album is the most polished you’re going to get this week. For those of you who like something with more polish, better luck next week. Cause God knows you’ll hate the first album here!
But for the rest of you, enjoy!
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Eliante/Trhä – Split
Absolute bliss for fans of the really raw stuff. There’s something about this abrasive, unpolished form of black metal that captures so much, even within its minimalist framework. The riffs just wouldn’t feel the same under layers of compression and big-studio sheen.
Stream: Apple Music
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Funereality – Til Death
Straightforward, doom-laced death metal from Sweden. Autopsy is the obvious muse at play here, but there’s plenty of reminders of classic Swedish and Finnish acts as well. The band originally released this album independently last year on cassette, but is seeing a proper CD and vinyl reissue this month.
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Hellripper – Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
This is the way. James McBain started out with clear roots in Kill Em’ All-era Metallica and Show No Mercy-era Slayer, infused with modern production and black metal vocals. He’s since taken those influences and integrated some classic heavy metal energy to create a sound all his own. A sound that rips, tears and burns all the way down to hell. Don’t know about you, but I’m around for the ride.
Stream: Apple Music
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Parasitario – Everything Belongs to Death
The debut full-length by Japan’s Parasitario. A solid offering of new-old-school death metal, particularly for worshippers of the first two Death albums, early Obituary, and perhaps a touch of the first Gorguts album. Also, I like how cozy and chill the skeleton looks on the cover.
Stream: Apple Music
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Street Tombs – Reclusive Decay
If a circle pit could become an album, this is what it would sound like. I’m instantly a fan of any song that uses the combo of the double-kicks and the ride symbol for that steady locomotive-like effect. So this punk-inspired take on crushing death metal is a big winner for me.
Stream: Apple Music
