Disembarkation - Rancorous Observision (2000)

For those of you who wanted Cynic to have balls, look no further. The jazzy, mid-tempo riffage of Focus is preserved here, sans any (at the much less) further progressive tendencies or vocoder bullshit, and while not every song is as inspired as the opener "Aushwitz", it's still a damn fine listen.

This flew under the table when it was first released, and still hasn't managed to surface above more interesting buried gems like Nespithe or the Timeghoul demos, but I see no reason for this to go entirely unnoticed, especially when Decrepit Birth's latest has been recieving so much praise.

Rapidshite

Kralizec - Origin

Quirky key-heavy melodically-inclined sometimes-technical death metal with the odd nod to folk metal ala Ensiferum, Brutal Death, and oldschool Gothenburg bands. They also have some of the most blatantly programmed drums I think I've ever heard.

If some of the clean vocal sections sound oddly familiar to you, it's likely because they were contributed by Patrick Loisel (now the frontman of Augury) who also played lead guitar and keys on this album.

This album is ridiculously hard to come by on the interwebs, so I hope you like it.
Get it here.

Atrocity - Todessehnsucht (1992)

Though most noticed for their later albums consisting entirely of 80's cover songs, Germany's Atrocity was at one time a pioneer of technical death metal. Predating Gorguts' tech-death career and much of the work from Monstrosity, Todessehnsucht still managed to create one of the most blasphemously intricate albums of the genre, and still go mostly unnoticed. Even though their previous album, Hallucinations, from 1990 lacked the quality of this release, much of the experimentaion was still there, yet the widespread acclaim garnered by the likes of the aforemention Monstrosity and Gorguts, along with Suffocation, Death, and others eluded them. I'm guessing this was the basis for their unfortunate shift in style towards radio-friendly goth-metal, further cementing this band's story as one of tragedy. But I'm sure you're not here to listen to me whine all day, so listen to the album and have your mind blown.

Megaupload

Adversarial - Thralls (2008)

Just a demo today, folks, but this is some prime shit. Adversarial are a band I hadn't even heard of until a friend of mine on RYM recommended their first, and only demo, "Thralls." This hit me like a sack of bricks, as it deftly combines practically every awesome element of modern and old school death metal into a three track block of excellency. Tempos shift from groovy midpaced riffs into frantic (but controlled) blasts of semi-melodic frenzy, and then into a fierce whirlwind of dissonance reminiscant of The Chasm or Immolation, two of the most prominant influences here, yet others shine through (evidenced in an homage to Suffocation's "Torn Into Enthrallment" on the second track.). Even the production shines, being incredibly above average for a demo. About the only flaw I see here is that there isn't more from this band, so drink up what you can now.

Duobetic Homunkulus - Části a Mechanismy Strojů (2006)

Featuring two members of the now defunct !T.O.O.H.!, it should come as no surprise that this is a first rate mindfuck.

Mediafire

Venom Lord - Return of the Wizards (2007)

Venom Lord was a Bemidji, MN-based 4-piece comprised of Simon Mahlberg (guitar, also of docks, PFAZAR), Eli Balbach (Bass, also of docks), Matt Houle (Vocals, also of Hound), and Alex Narveson (drums, also of Fulcrum, docks, Creep Speak, etc., etc.).
They played a riff-happy style of metal that combined elements from a myriad of extreme genres.

Having reunited with former guitarist Andy Kelly; on September 26, 2009, Venom Lord play their last show to a crowd of enthusiastic fans at a fundraiser at the Elks Lodge in Bemidji, MN, for the Blue Ox Cooperative, an organization attempting to gain funds to buy a practice-space, recording studio, and venue for the diverse Bemidji music scene.

I was there. The show ruled. End of story.

"Return of the Wizards" was the sole full length they released over their 4 year span of rock, and whether or not our followers like this, I'm friggin' posting it.

Mediafire

Epitaph [Florida] - Demos (1991, 1992)

The story of Floridian Death Metal band Epitaph is known by few, aside from the band members themselves, and perhaps some of those active in the 90's Tampa Bay-Area Death Metal scene. I came to learn of it only after talking to their bassist Mark Good, a pleasant and very down to earth fellow, over Soulseek one evening some weeks ago. He told me the band had released two demos, one in '91 with Jim Morris at Morrisound Studios, and another in '92 with famed (but, according to Mark overrated) death metal producer Scott Burns. They used these to shop around for record labels, but were ultimately unsuccessful in getting signed- the one label to take interest in them, Massacre Records, being turned down by the drummer as "not good enough for the band" before consulting the rest of them. Eventually, they decided to call it quits.

Some of the band members went on to other bands- the bassist and drummer playing in Ressurrection for a brief period, and notably guitarist/vocalist Tony Teegarden going on to play for Cynic, but of this band we are only left with these demos, and the frustration any music-fanatic faces when he runs across a band that should've made it, but didn't.

As for the music itself, imagine a sound along the lines of Mid-Period Death, the Cynic Demos, and early Obituary (with John Tardy actually performing backing vocals on the '91 demo song "I Endeavor"); the second demo being more technical than the first (and featuring a new lead-guitarist), but both featuring good musicianship (listen to that exceptional bass!) and solid songwriting.

As they ultimately didn't make any money off of them, Mark gave me the leave to spread these demos around if I wished, so get them HERE

And, if you like the demos and care to talk to him, drop into soulseek and look him up- he goes by "mmetalmark"

Cosmic Atrophy - Codex Incubo (2008)

From Myspace: "Cosmic Atrophy started in the very beginning of 2008 with the rather simple and straightfoward idea of "playing some metal". Cory and Juan met and decided to see if they could get something to work for them, and came to the conclusion that playing oldschool influenced death metal with a bit of otherworldly touch to it is what they wanted. Fast forward half a year and 6 songs later and their debut full length album is complete. A deal was struck with both Suffering Jesus Productions and Metalbolic Records to release this album which is quite frankly a huge blessing to the CA duo; to have a distribution deal this early is just unspeakably excellent! Now the only thing to do is wait to see what the future holds for Cosmic Atrophy, who are still hard at work writing new material."

I am amazed (and jealous) that these guys already have such a great release under their belts (with only two members no less). I wish that me and my friends were this musically gifted/productive... *sigh*

Cosmic Atrophy pick up where Demilich left off. Dissonant guitar noodling abounds. Don't get me wrong though, there is no sweep picking here.

The drums rock, surprisingly considering they don't have a full time drummer. Tons of tasty fills and grooves, along with the occasional blast. They have an organic flow though, and never overpower the guitars.

Great stuff. Not as crazy as Demilich, but still pretty damn crazy.

Codex Incubo (2008)

Appalling Spawn - Freedom, Hope and Fury (1998)

Where's all the death metal at in this blog?!

Well here's my offering from the band that went on to become Lykathea Aflame, with the exclusion of the then drummer Gabriel who was replaced by Tomas Corn, I have to say that Gabriel's drumming as good as it is, is nothing compared to that of Tomas anyway with that said and done let's get on to the actual album in question.

Bringing something fresh to the death metal scene is a hard goal to achieve, one that Appalling Spawns Freedom, hope and fury manages. Switching from fast paced brutality to intricate melodic riffing in the blink of an eye, without sounding awkward. This album is like being punched in the face and fucking enjoying it, pumped full of aggression and sheer power that resonate from the fast riffing, chaotic drumming and the vocalists guttural screams and topped off with a nice display of tight musicianship.

Fans of Lykathea Aflame really should check this album out, if not just to see where it all started.

Enjoy Fuckers

Download: Megaupload
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.


- RTG