Cirith Ungol are another band that has reunited after a long hiatus and this is their first full-length since 1991. Surprisingly, only the bassist is new to the band. What is truly amazing about this release is that it sounds as if the band has not skipped a beat, like there was only a year or two since the last album instead of 30. They sound rejuvenated and all of the elements of the band's sound from their heyday in the mid-to-late 80's is present, from the galloping riffs, fantasy-inspired lyrics, and menacing vocals. This is a terrific reunion album and a wonderful return to form for this band.
I could be wrong, but this might have been the first new album I bought in 2020. I am not sure that really has any actual significance, but I seem to recall that. Necrowretch is a black/death metal band from France, and this is the first album I have checked out from the band. The black metal elements tend to be more immediate, with the tremolo riffing and dark and foreboding atmosphere. The songs are all fast-paced with riffs flying in all directions and feral, shrieking vocals. The album is quite impressive and leads me to believe I need to look into more by Necrowretch.
Here is another EP, but I figured I might as well throw it in here. This is an incredibly short release, clocking in just over 16 minutes, but Phalanx packs a lot of furious energy into that short amount of time. The music is hardcore-tinged death metal (without being deathcore). It owes more to bands like the recent output of Nails than to Hatebreed or the like. There are a number of vocal styles present, and the band has three singers. One features more of a hardcore shout, another emits screeching black metal-esque shrieks. I am not sure what is going on with the group at this point. This EP from 2020 is the last material from them so far.
With a name like Revolting, you absolutely know what this band will sound like. Revolting is led by Rogga Johansen who has been in something like 30 bands (including Massacre, Paganizer, Putrevore, Ribspreader, Bone Gnawer and more). That might be an exaggeration, but it might also be an underestimate. Revolting is pure Swedish death metal, in the best possible way. Featuring the familiar buzzsaw guitar riffing and ferocious vocals, Revolting is a callback to the early days of Grave and Nihilist, and with the short tracks, this is a very enjoyable listen that doesn't take up much time. I love this release and definitely need to check out more of Revolting's work.
No, I don't speak French so I have no idea what any of that means. I could look it up, but I'm lazy. Shortly before I took a hiatus a few years ago, I was really getting into Quebec black metal bands, such as this one and including Monarque, Drave and Cantique Lepreux. This album is generally representative of everything I like about the scene, swirling riffs, pounding drums and atmosphere that conjures up blizzard imagery and raspy vocals that mesh well with the riffs. The songs are lengthy and there is a fair amount of repetition, but again, this is typical of the scene. This would be a very good introductory album to this scene.
