SALUTE RECORDS - Underground Releases & Distribution

SEHLAH - Ignoring The Cult - (Selfreleased - 2012 / Panama) 

Here we have a real spit in the face of all that is called religion, have not heard a evil band like this since Deicide entered their throne a long time ago. This is really something out of the rawest that can be brought from hell. Sehlah from Panama had I never heard of before so guess I got nearly smacked down on floor when I heard those guys the first time. First up on this ep/mini album is an intro that warms up for the first track "Ecclesia Luciferis", no words is needed, it is raw and totally insane and the speed limit is taken several times already. Next track the third one is called "In Hell We Trust" that starts up heavy and almost a bit like in the same veins as earlier Cannibal Corpse, Blasfemia, Behemoth to come up with some. It is also very melodic here and there and suits perfect with their raw and hammering sound. Fourth up is "Subconscious Manifesto" that is a smash in the face of god right from the beginning and here it really feels much Deicide sounded combined with earlier bands mentioned + a bit chilean Unblessed and early Bolt Thrower too. Can just say that this band suprises me over and over again with their raw, filthy hammering underground sound that even can make the most hardest band get weaker, hehe. Anyway next up on this masterpiece is "Closure" that I really likes a lot, it has a very cool mixture that sounds a bit of some early thrash and death, Sehlah does it their own way and that they do damn good too. Much nice melodies and a great musical performing from the band members and not to forget their vocalist that must have been found very near the gates of hell. This is just so evil. Last up is an outro that is much like the intro but sets up a good end for this too short album. Last to say if you are into bands like Deicide, Behemoth, Bolt Thrower, Blasfemia and Cannibal Corpse this is the band for you I can guarantee.

Scores: 9,5 / 10

www.myspace.com/sehlahdeathmetal                  www.facebook.com/pages/Sehlah

NETHERION - SPHERE OF TERROR - (Selfreleased - 2012 / Syria)

Here we have a real surprise release from Damascus in Syria, Netherion have done some demos earlier, but is nothing that you can compare to this new "Sphere Of Terror" album so here we go now :) First out is an intro track "Into the Decay" that is really a good one with lots of power and with a great rhytm. Second track "Chains Of Slavery" is a real blasting one with a great drumming and it has a perfect combination of both earlier death metal and also some black thrash in it. It reminds me a lot of bands like early Morbid Angel, Melechesh, Mystic Circle, Al-Namrood and Cannibal Corpse. The track has a real nice female vocalist in it too, hmmm wished it maybe have been more of it in the song, but the track is anyway a real heavy and damn good one if not perfect! Third one up "Words Of Perdition" starts up with some heavy riff that is a bit like the one before, but this one is more gore/grind sounded especially when it comes to the vocal parts in it that is so awesome, likes it a lot, really enjoys Netherion´s perfect switches between raw growling death metal and almost screaming vocals like in some black metal. The fourth one called "Mutilate the Ignorance" is not much to say about just that I after hearing so far on the album gets really much vibes from Behemoth, Death & Obituary here and there in the music that makes it so raw and hard. The albums title track "Sphere Of Terror" starts up with great melodies and here like in all the other tracks you can also hear a lot of oriental melodies that together with the raw, hard and fast drumming and the heavy guitars gives a perfect dark atmosphere :) Still I think that the second track is the best, but this one is around the second best one so far. so go to the next one "Breeding Paralysis" that is number six on the album comes out with a slow, short but beautiful melody that goes fast over to their raw fast playing combined with hard knocking grunts and screaming that makes it so brilliant. A perfect symphony of pure darkness and rawness absolutely. "Catastrophic Reality" starts also slow first and with some nice guitar playing that turns over to heavy drumming and heavy riffs. Track is a bit more experimental than the others, but still so great and has a real dark atmospherical middle part that I liked a lot. Loves their oriental touch they got in the music, not so many bands does it so good, but Netherion is really good on it I must say. and if I would compare the guitarists with more known ones I really feels a bit dragged to the well known man Yngwie, but with death metal melodies in it, hehe Enough with that, track number eight "Dogmatic Separation" starts up with some thrashy guitars that has also the great oriental touch combined with good played death. Track nine "New Dimension" is an instrumental one, but here you can really hear the great musicians do it. And without any doubts they are good on it. "Legion Of Redemption" is the next one, great and a totally awesome track that I also like a lot, one of the better ones too on this album. The solo guitars is just so great, loves their sound on it too, suits so good with the hard music the plays. Last track up is "Kill With Hate" that starts slow and melodical, but dont you think it is some soft music. After about 30 seconds a heavy and thrashy blackened guitars starts pumping and the track is on. The track ends with a dark, but nice melody played on piano that is a perfect ending for a real great album of this year. Also must add that it now reminds me much of Morbid Angel, Behemoth and even a bit of the brazilian death/thrashers in Chaos Synopsis too that is also a band that I likes a lot. Some last words about this awesome band from syria that is also pretty new for myself, they has some real great melodies combined with raw and heavy grunting death metal and on that a brilliant oriental touch that makes this very special and unique. And for those who did missed it, I can recommend this album/band for those who likes early Morbid Angel, Melechesh, Mystic Circle, Chaos Synopsis, Al-Namrood, Obituary, Death and Cannibal Corpse. And the album has some great tracks that I likes more than others of course, but to be more fair in this I think the whole album gets better every time I hears it and it is wrong to say that just one or two tracks is better than the others. This is really worth a whole listen and the sound quality is good too in my opinion as I have seen some bad complaints on it earlier, but if you maybe are a fashion metal kid/person that prefer money metal you would not like this undergound band. The underground is for the real musical metal lovers \m/ The album is also all free to download so why the hell complain then? Hails and salutes to the real stuff!

Scores: 9,5 / 10

www.facebook.com/Netherion.Official       www.reverbnation.com/Netherion

TERRA AUSTRALIS - SLAVE TO THE MOON SHADOW - (Selfreleased - 2010 / Australia)

After four demos, one split album, one best of /compilation and one full length album that came earlier last year. Is the australian black metal horde Terra Australis back again here with their second full length that also came last year, in december. And this time they really have done it better than ever, this is so fucking brilliant, raw, evil, dirty and at the same time very much old school sounded. Just in the same veins as very much early Bathory and specially a bit of the first album of Marduk and maybe also early Beherit and of course Darkthrone. Sometimes it even feels like you put on the first album of Bathory or his second one "The Return". It has that same feeling and atmosphere and to be honest this must be one of the better rawer black metal albums that have came out in 2010. Some tracks to recommend and that is better than the best is "Blazing Towards The Sky As White As Snow" , "Satan´s Soldiers Elite" and "Black Candles Black Wine". It is real hard to say that any track would be to bad here as the whole album has good class of black metal. But if you prefer high classed symphonic and high quality sounded black metal, this is probably nothing for you. This is so pure raw, dirty and old school sounded black metal with a touch of Satan himself nearly in it:)

Scores: 10 / 10

ACÉLDAMA - MELQUISEDEC - (Ensamble Producciones - 2010 / Costa Rica)

Here is another debut album released last year from a five piece death metal band hailing from Costa Rica. Tragically to say is this not the quality of well done and played death in my own opinion. It is not the worst or something I have heard cause the album has some brilliant riffs here and there. So it is wrong to say it sucks cause it does not. I always try to see or find something special and unique with every band as I know how hard it can be. I mean there is a jungle out there and the metal scene grows and grows. So the be heard and noticed can be a real hell. This album has some great tunes anyway that is to recommend and those are the first track "Destruccion Para Este Mundo", "Salvador de la Opresión" and "Mundo de Muertos" that I personally loves best. The band has much sound of many gore/grind inspired sounded bands, but without to be as it is still death metal. But this is really not a new shaped or unique album as I think the band has something that is missing in their musi. But still I think that the band can be better as they have some very original and well played songs and riffs. So do not underrate the band cause I did it a bit here. Musical taste is like your ass, twisted, haha. One extra notice about the album is that it consists of 8 tracks and a great booklet with all their lyrics and the album is also pretty well produced. And then I also have read somewhere that the band is supposed to be christian, but without any proof on that I think the album is anyway and still metal. If it is true, this is probably the first christian band I have noticed and also reviewed so far. The cover here is an earlier made one I think as it has a bit of changes in the band logo and color sharpness on the newer version from Eirene Records. 

Scores: 4,5 / 10

www.myspace.com/aceldama777

ANTAGONIZED - INTENSE PERVERSION - (Selfreleased - 2010 / Panama)

This is a brilliant and very surprising debut album from last year. Often I also thinks that much death metal bands of today can be a band like just many others before and sounds exactly like all others and that can be very sad. But here it is real false this band from Panama has done a great and  excellent debut job. The album starts up with a short intro that goes over to the first real track that gives me flashbacks and shivers of old bands like Afflicted, Benediction, Bolt Thrower, Exodus, Malevolent Creation, Defecation, Morbid Angel and Master.All tracks on this album is excellent all from start til`the end and if you like much old school sounded death metal with that true raw sound, this is the album for you. Some tracks that sticks out from others here is the second one "Antagonized", "Cynical Developer" that is track four and "Intense Perversion" that is number five that also is the title one. Other tracks to mention here is "Venomous Incineration" and "Witch Hunt" and the last track on album that is a well done cover "Coronation Of Our Doom" of Malevolent Creation. This album is selfreleased and includes their lyrics in booklet and comes with great sound quality and well played and made death metal in 10 tracks of first class and over 33 minutes of playtime. This one is now also re-released by Old Cemetary Records from 7th of January 2011. Really recommended!!

Scores: 9,5 / 10

http://antagonizedpma.com/

www.myspace.com/antagonizedpma

UNDER SILENCE - MEMORIES LOST IN TIME - (Selfreleased - 2010 / Spain)

Here is something really special and own and does not sounds like any other metalband from this genre and of course that is my personal opinion also. If you likes viking, pagan, folk, heavy metal and as well power metal, check this band out. Under Silence that are a pretty new band hailing from Spain has in this short time of existence become a really promising band that can go far. The debut album that is selfproduced is a damn good debut and is in fact one of the better debuts I have heard from a band like this in many years. The opening on the album is a shorter sort of introduction with same name as the album title (reminds me of the old 80s). Next track is "Wartunes From Afar" that is so good, melodic, folky and heavy that if no other track was good, only this one would have saved the whole album, but that is not true."Around The Blaze" number three is a song that gives you a sense of italian Doomsword, Pagan Reign and Suidakra mixed together with old Running Wild. Next track "The Only Truth" is the same nearly, but with a bit more melodical feeling, but still with that right sense of pure power and a extra notice here is that Under Silence really got the right feelings for choruses and melodies combined together. Track number five is a instrumental track, but oooh so damn good, "A Cycle Ends" that also have the rhymes of bands like Manowar and even some sound of Freedom Call in it. Next track "New Winds" that is a really great ballad has a lot of a pagan/folk feeling and sound and is in my opinion one of the best "new" ballads in metal music I have heard in a long time.Track number seven "Wrath And Sorrow" is a great continue on this fantastic album and here again I hear those vibes of bands like Doomsword and even early Dark Moor some how and I really loves it. The last track is not bad either here "Under The Serpent Spell" is like a mixture of all bands I have noticed here + some touch of old czech Buldok and earlier Helloween. Those bands I tells about here is only a way of giving you that reads a better opinion and view on how this great band sounds like. And even if Under Silence has many similar sounds of other bands this band really does it their own way and I promise you they do it very good. If you not have heard them before I really recommend you all to do that. This is not just a new softy fashion band or another profit hungry soap metal band. This is only true and pure raw, heavy, melodical and well played viking/folk inspired metal that goes it´s own way and honor to that. Extra bonus, if you like truly well played guitar solos with a great viking atmosphere this is it and the vocalist has a very original voice too that suits this music perfectly here. Some last words to say is that those who likes Doomsword, Freedom Call, Pagan Reign, Running Wild, Bathory (the viking years) and Suidakra will probably find Under Silence real intersting as well you that are into the old school sound.

Scores: 10 / 10

www.myspace.com/underthesilence

OAK ROOTS - THE BRANCH OF FATE - (Ogre Records - 2010 / Italy)

Debut demo included four tracks from this italian pagan/folk metal band. It´s opening with a melodical, raw and folky tune "The Branch of Fate", words about that is that it is just so good and great and the sound of flute combined with both raw male and beautiful female voices makes a good chapter. And already here you can wonder if it is just a demo? Next track "Curse of Moonlight" starts up with well played fiddle togehter with flutes and is one of the best tracks on this one. Here I really got vibes from Pagan Reign, Alkonost and Arkona in the same track. This is just so pure great and is very recommended for those into pagan, folk and viking metal. Track number three "Narrow Pass" starts up with a very thrashy introduction that goes fast over to harmonical and pure folky melodies combined with some great raw male voices combined with female choirs that this band really does very good. Here I also feels a bit taken back in history, this band has really a ancient philosophy and nordic historical touch in it. Here and there you nearly feels that you are on the highlands of Scotland, but as well much slavic, irish folk melodies you can hear in this. And as this band is italian makes it very original, unique and extra special in many ways and forms. The last track and most ballad likely one is "Dalekij Crai" that I believe is in the roman language? But it is heavy, dark and with a great touch of mysterious atmosphere and here also with a very thrashy guitars, but all those musical elements makes Oak Roots very own in sound as it also has black metal in their sound. I guess we can see much from this band in the future as this is a masterpiece in folk metal and pagan music. Fans of bands like Slavland, Arkona, Alkonost, Pagan Reign, Nokturnal Mortum, Frost, Cruachan and Pagan Flame and also folk/thrash metal/music should like this one.

Scores: 9,5 / 10

VINTERSLAV - REVIVIFYING THE WHORE - (Hellspell Productions - 2009 / South Africa.

This is a debut ep from this raw black metal band hailing from South Africa and is a pleasant surprise. We can also mention that the band consists the member Vinter from the well known Frozenpath. The ep includes six tracks of ultra raw hammering black metal from start til´the end. It has also a very own and unique sound that is hard to describe and most of the tracks are real brilliant and a total knockout for true lovers of the black art. Some tracks that is a bit of that extra is "Revivifying the Whore", "Impure Disruption" and my own favorite track "Descend Into the Depths of Winter" that is a total masterpiece and comes last. I can absolutely recommend this band for all fans of pure raw black metal without compromises. But if you are into more melodical stuff this is nothing for you. I also guess that a full album from this band will not leave anyone disappointed. This is a really good production that is worth to check up.

Scores: 8,5 / 10

http://www.myspace.com/vinterslav

MARA - MÖRKERTID (DARK POWERS) - (Selfreleased Demo) - 2010 / Sweden

From sweden comes a really great surprise from this new black metal band that has some touch and influences from some pagan/folk metal too. This is a selfreleased debut demo from this one man project /band that is even great all from the intro "Forest" to the end. And to hearing the intro give me personally a flashback of early Nokturnal Mortum some how. The first real track on the demo is called "Mörkertid" or Dark Powers translated from swedish and is a real stone mangler and has a truly old school sound. And also here you can find some of the roots from good old Bathory, but also I think personal a bit sound of old Hellhammer even if it is maybe not on purpose. But tells a bit of this great demo. Last track and also absolutely the best one is "Hulders Spell" that has that special and unique combined rawness with some more mysterious and heathen parts that really gives this demo that extra push. If you have the chans to get this one, I really then recommend you to buy it. Extra notice is that this one is strictly very limited, but I have much hope in this band as it got something special and is not another typical band that just seeks and try to be the worst and most evil one. Truly heathen and with the spirit of ancient times. Hail black metal!

Scores: 9,5 / 10

SINGHASARI - KEBANGKITAN NUSANTARA (October Mist Records) - 2010 / Malaysia

A brilliant new ep in album length nearly from this folk/black metal band Singhasari hailing from Malaysia. First track that is an intro is very folky one and sounds as a typical asian tune (nice). And then comes a track that is real great "Srivijaya", but this one is just a taste of what to come. As this production is a very unusual one. It goes in the whole ep like a wild mixture between folk/pagan likely music with many variated melodies and black metal with some death inspiration in it. And beside of the first tracks is the third title track "Kebangkitan Nusantara" one of the best with a great variation and mystical vibe in it. The fourth track "Rajawali" is a bit faster and more black, but also this one with a lot of athmosphere that gives this typical sound of this band. Number five is a sort of intro also like the first track and gives something unique of this ep. And the track "Pertempuran Gelap" that comes after is a real masterpiece too just like the title song, so brilliant with a big sound of folk and even some ritualistic touch that really gives you something of an unusual black metal release that is not like many others. Track number seven "Darah Musuhu di Mata Sundangku" is a bit weaker than the others on this damn good release, but absolutely not bad at all. Last track that comes is an outro that is in the same veins and spirit as the two others on this ep and ends this one well too. To add some extra note here is that ep is very well worth to buy and give attention too as it gives you a bit sound of old school black metal also and with a big touch of folk and pagan spirits that makes it whole worth it. A very surprising release.

Scores: 9 / 10

www.myspace.com/singhasari

HERPES - DOOMSDAY / Demo (Nihilistic Holocaust) - 2010 / France.

Here we have a real fantastic surprise from France with the bit exotic name Hepres, hehe. It is a brilliant debut demo I can say and consists five tracks of totally brainsawing ultra gore death metal in the same school of bands like Autopsy, Benediction, Nihilist, Obituary (early), Necrophagia to mention some. And there is nothing much to say about this demo more than it is a damn good debut by this band, a big salute to that. And sometimes it sounds even better than Autopsy that is the main influence here I guess. The sound has the typical dirty thing that makes it so pure raw, powerful and intense. Tracks that is a bit of extra here is the first one "Corrupted Flesh", "Stench of Death" and "Frozen Funeral". Other tracks "Doomsday" that is the title one is not bad either and then "Spinal Ashes" as well. And personally I love this kind of sound some bands have on drums, it is dirty, heavy and hammering and Herpes got it both in guitar and bass playing too. The whole demo has a very good quality all thru it, both in music and deliverance and the cover art gives you a thrill of true old school. Hope to hear much more from this band in the future.

Scores: 10 / 10