CD / LP

I admit; this is an ‘older’ release, but it is in support of Cold Spring Records (and because I want to greet the label’s chieftain Justin politely). Cheers!

Do Azaghal need any introduction? Well, just for fun: formed more than three decades ago (initially as Belfegor) with some demonstrational material and a 7”EP during the second half of the Nineties. Debut full-lengths Mustamaa and Helvetin YhdeksÄn Püriä followed soon after; ah, I remember my modest enthusiasm back then, but that’s another story (and damn yeah, I am getting old).

The history of Italian horde Infernal Angels goes back to the beginning of this century, and even further back in time. Under this name, they sort of gained attention in their home country, but they did exist earlier under the name of Hell Burn.

A short one for an ‘older’ release, but just too exceptional to ignore…

For the release of their fifth studio album, Austria’s finest Asphagor signed a deal with the mighty Immortal Frost Productions community. The result, called The Aphotic Vortex, is an eleven-tracker that clocks thirty-seven minutes or so; half of the tracks being ‘average-lengthy’ pieces (four up to five minutes), interluded by as much shorter intermezzi that last one and a half to two minutes.

About twenty years ago, Pulverised members Dennis Onsia and Cees De Wit decided to start a side-project, next to their leading Death Metal act, in order to canalize the rather Thrash Metal ideas they had at that moment. Thus Dystopia was born. After a short hiatus, they evolved towards a more Blackened Death Metal oriented act, and throughout the years, their approach got more and more technical and complex.

René Thuys is a well-known Flemish musician, acting under the moniker of Ronarg. he’s involved with Ars Veneficium and Antzaat, two of the most notorious Scandinavian-styled acts from the Field of Flanders. Recently, he also joined Cirith Gorgor and Ronarg collaborates with Nachtmaer too. What a curriculum vitae. Lesser known, unfortunately, is his solo-outfit Bloedmaan (Dutch for ‘blood moon’), which he started almost four years ago.

Well, the joy of ‘excitement’ and ‘happiness’ is a rare and specific experience to me, but when Mister Sina Winter let me know that a new From The Vastland album was about to be released, I went through those strange stages of emotion, of arousal, and of impatience. …so glad I did put my concerns about affective sensation and vivid ebullience aside, because I have always been sort of a ‘fan’ of what From The Vastland did came with before. Check out, beneath, some more (links to) reviews I did for this combo in the past.

Since this review deals with a re-release, I will keep it concise, but still it is of unchallengeable importance to focus on the majestic result behind this sonic expedition.

As armies march and tanks rumble, The satisfied slaved stumble forward towards self-extinction. In despair, the powerless see the world crumble in the steps of the self-righteous. Bombs keep falling. With this happy message, Swedish troopers Ditch State announce their purpose to cleanse and purify…

I am sure that many human beings did look forward to this release: the newest effort by Swedish project Sophia. It’s a ‘product’ from the almighty Cold Meat Industry family, and related to Cyclic Law for some time as well.

I have never hidden my appreciation for the Tasmanian outfit Atra Vetosus, which might be one of my favorite acts on the great Flemish label Immortal Frost Productions. For more than one decade, both parties have been working together, with always a satisfying result in mind.