GMA - Vol 231 - Dusk Of Delusion, Virocracy, Elcrost, Corrosión, Svengali, Zifir, Ymyrgar, Absentation, Uten Håp, The Fallen Prophets

DUSK OF DELUSION
'Watch Your 6'
FANTAI'ZIC

Conceptually the second album by Dusk Of Delusion is wonderful, musically though at times it slacks badly. There are some really amazing elements that work wonderfully, but there are some elements which in all honesty shouldn't have even be used. Granted they're a Nu / Alternative Metal band and those genres demand countless influences and sounds, but at times during some of the songs the elements clash too much and arguably becomes a clusterf*ck. 'Watch Your 6' is a conceptual work regarding the First World War and delivers stories from all fronts, with songs in Russian, French, German, Serbian and English, with that in tow the album is rather brutal and unrelenting, but it falls short of being extraordinary and just about ticks the boxes of being listenable, they're on the right path, just.

Download This: While He Sleeps

For fans of: 36 Crazyfists, Slipknot, 5 Finger Death Punch

'Watch Your 6' is out now via Fantai'zic

[7/10] RHYS STEVENSON

VIROCRACY
'Irradiation'
BLACK SUNSET / MDD

If you're looking for your next successful Death Metal export from Germany, then stop at Virocracy. For a band who has been around since 2018 and only dropping their debut album this year, you would have thought they would be seasoned pro's given the unforgiving brutality 'Irradiation' comes loaded with. Lead by the savage Anika Ov Moseberg (who might as well be a reincarnation of Angela Gossow; truth be told), Virocracy have nailed every criterion of what makes a debut album a statement album, it is sure to give them considerable attention across Europe and festival slots next year... you read it hear first, Virocracy are leading the next wave of German Extreme Death Metal. There is not one song on this album that offers any kind of weakness, it's designed to crush your cranium with maximum effect.

Download This: Initio

For fans of: Arch Enemy, Suffocation, Gojira

'Irradiation' is out now via Black Sunset / MDD

[9/10] RHYS STEVENSON

ELCROST
'Benighted & Unrequited'
INDEPENDENT

Ask anyone about the Extreme Metal scene in the Far East and they'll tell you how dark, atmospheric and unforgiving it really is. Elcrost are a living proof of this as this trio's debut album is laden with atmospherics that are so unnerving, they leave you wincing in pain whilst the crackling vocals, barbaric riffs and seismic drums leave you in wonder as to what hit you. 'Benighted & Unrequited' is a raw journey through the darkest metal known in the Vietnamese Metal scene and sets itself apart as arguably one of the most darkest releases to emerge from said scene. If you think China has an impressive Black Metal scene, then just check out Elcrost for they are the band that Vietnam has long been craving.

Download This: The Worm

For fans of: Urgehal, Carpathian Forest, Naglfar

'Benighted & Unrequited' is out now via an independent release

[8/10] RHYS STEVENSON

CORROSIÓN
'Matar Para Vivir'
INDEPENDENT

Sung exclusively in Spanish, the debut album 'Matar Para Vivir' by Uruguayan Death / Groove Thrashers Corrosión is laden with slickness so slick, it will let your senses slide into complete dysphoria. Granted it's nothing new in terms of the sound, but it does offer a refreshing reminder of the power conjured up in the Death / Groove / Thrash crossover genre. The only relative downside is the production level as it seems a little too raw for it to be considered a globally-worthy release, that said it will certainly satisfy those who love their metal unpolished and heavily dirty. Time will tell as to whether this Uruguayan unit salvage bits of the wreckage in time for their possible follow-up.

Download This: Zapatos de cemento

For fans of: DevilDriver, Sepultura, Machine Head

'Matar Para Vivir' is out via an independent release

[7/10] RHYS STEVENSON

SVENGALI
'Sayonara'
INDEPENDENT

Svengali return locked and loaded with their second album 'Sayonara' with two new members in vocalist Adnan Mryhij and drummer Joshua Saldanha, boy what a force they have become. If you think you know Metalcore, think again, Svengali will impale your body for breakfast and spit-roast you for dinner with this new effort, it's like letting off an atomic bomb. The great thing about this release is that there is something for everyone, there are fist-punching anthems and there are toned-down metallic ballads (core style), but none of those cheesy, flashy riffs, lame bridges or uber predictable breakdowns; basically 60% of most Metalcore bands these days. It goes without saying that Svengali are the next best band to emerge from the Emirati Metal scene; even though by nationality the band comprises of Emirati, Jordanian, Lebanese and Iranian musicians, effectively becoming a part of the 'New Wave of Middle Eastern Metal'.

Download This: This Is Kombat

For fans of: Whitechapel, Hatebreed, Miss May I

'Sayonara' is out now via an independent release

[9/10] RHYS STEVENSON

ZIFIR
'Demoniac Ethics'
DUPLICATE RECORDS

Veterans of the Turkish Black Metal scene Zifir hold nothing back with their fourth album 'Demoniac Ethics' as the darkness seeps through this raw and atmospheric opus. It's not exactly a secret that Turkey has a rather potent and bleak Black Metal scene, brimming with bands of all eras and yet Zifir, a trio that has been going for 14 years haven't given up at all. This shows in the brilliance exhibited with this latest effort, an echo of the first wave of Norwegian Black Metal albeit in the vein of Turkish attitude. 'Demoniac Ethics' no doubt will tickle the senses of those who prefer to have their Black Metal filthy, raw and atmospheric; even pleasing the elitists (such a thing still exists sadly), rest assured Zifir are not going anywhere anytime soon and will almost certainly conjure up another slab of Turkish Black Metal for people to savour.

Download This: Spirit of Goats

For fans of: Immortal, Carpathian Forest, Naglfar

'Demoniac Ethics' is out via Duplicate Records

[8/10] RHYS STEVENSON

YMYRGAR
'Where The Oak Drowns Its Roots'
INDEPENDENT

Tunisian Pagan Black Metallers Ymyrgar unleash their second offering in 'Where The Oak Drowns Its Roots', 6 years after their debut album graced planet metal. This time it's bigger, it's bolder and it's double the length of their debut album and so thus more to cheer about. In all honesty this should give them some considerable attention across the region and into Europe as it's a big step-up since their debut. There is something for everyone on this album, whether you're into the Pagan style of Black Metal or prefer Folk Metal tunes that have enough bounce to give you a spring in your step, 'Where The Oak Drowns Its Roots' has it all. Let this septet take you on a magical journey through the dark nights of the Tunisian sands and across the folkloric streets of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.

Download This: Throne of the Damned

For fans of: Arkona, Arallu, Barbaros

'Where The Oak Drowns Its Roots' is out via an independent release

[8/10 RHYS STEVENSON

ABSENTATION
'Antimatter Rites'
INDEPENDENT

Originally from Syria, the now Germany-based one-man project Absentation (Salah Alghalayeeni) has unleashed his 4th album 'Antimatter Rites' a year after his critically-acclaimed 3rd album 'The Intellectual Darkness'. Absentation brings more of the tantalising and brutalising style of Death Metal we have grown accustom to with this Syrian musical genius. 'Antimatter Rites' is full of juicy riffs, outrageous drumming (although at times it does sound like a drum machine was used; it's that fast) and an unsteady atmosphere that is sure to make you feel sick to the stomach. Expect nothing more than a full smack to the face with this album, if you expect anything less then prepare for your ears to bleed internally outwards... it is not for soft people, word.

Download this: The velocity of relativity talisman

For fans of: Modern Death Metal, Scarab, Aborted

'Antimatter Rites' is out via an independent release

[8/10] RHYS STEVENSON

UTEN HÅP
'Lys'
INDEPENDENT

Since 2017, the one-man Black Metal project Uten Håp has pumped out 1 album, 6 splits, 1 compilation and a whopping 15 EP's, the latest being 'Lys', a three-track atmospheric black metal work of art. Originally hailing from the Norwegian archipegalo of Svalbard, musician Danthor Wildcrow relocated to Spain and carried on with his Black Metal projects including Uten Håp which should carry on, because as this latest EP goes, the musical creative spark is still well and truly alive. 'Lys' is in the vein of the 'True Norwegian Black Metal' sound and rarely deviates, keeping true to an authentic sound and one that will resonate with this musician for many years ahead.

Download This: Falling In Fear

For fans of: Raw Black Metal, True Norwegian Black Metal

'Lys' is out via an independent release

[8/10] RHYS STEVENSON

THE FALLEN PROPHETS
'Relentless Killing Motivation'
MMD RECORDS

Grab hold of your guts, wrench them until you yourself vomit them out and then digest yourself from the inside-out, because if you don't then The Fallen Prophets will. This South African outfit are not to be taken lightly as shown on their second album 'Relentless Killing Motivation', it comes with a mosh and headbang warning, said activities are expected instantaneously for the vicious form of Melodic Death Metal / Deathcore this horde produces demands it. Embrace the chug-a-thon, chill to the freely-flowing vocals and be captivated by the machine-gun drumming, this is no run of the mill music, hell no, this is the new face of South African Metal... Seether? Your time is up. With 'Relentless Killing Motivation', The Fallen Prophets may well have booked themselves European festivals for next year...

Download This: Stench of Death

For fans of: Whitechapel, Born Of Osiris, Hanging The Nihilist

'Relentless Killing Motivation' is out via MMD Records

[8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON