Cist - The Frozen Casket

Band: Cist
Title: The Frozen Casket
Label: Camo Pants Records
Release Date: 16 March 2018
Country: Russia

Okay, so right off the bat it should be mentioned that this release isn’t being covered as timely as it should as it came out near the end of January. Luckily, Cist aren’t too timely either. Formed by guitarist Nikolay Komshukov after leaving his thrash band, Cist play a style of death metal that feels only recently removed from the growing pains of thrash, and their newest extended play, The Frozen Casket,  follows suit: it sounds like they have been perpetually stuck in 1988, and in the best way possible. From the cold-start, no holds barred opening track of “Antisceptic,” the very first thing that jumps out is just how much it sounds like Leprosy-era Death, particularly in the song structures and the almost dead-on Schuldiner-style singing of vocalist Vitaliy Luschencov. Komshukov’s guitar work is the secret sauce that brings it all together, however. His blend of rhythm and lead playing manages to make the three-piece sound fully fleshed out. Komshukov also presumably handles bass duties. The bass is generally content to stay in the back and do it’s duties of bridging the gap between the guitar and drums. It does add a very rolling groove, especially on tracks like “Mitosis Simulation” where it’s almost funky pop helps make the song a highlight of the 21 minute EP. The Frozen Casket is a terrific show of appreciation for the origins of US death metal. Cist have really captured the feel of the era, and while the EP does have a bit more of a modern production, it still sounds organic and fresh without succumbing to sterility. It is almost a shame to have to point out that it still is a release drenched in worship without much deviation. Cist have found ears with The Frozen Casket, and it would be interesting to see what they can bring to the table with a bit more of a voice of their own. 7/10 d00mfr0gg

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7/10 Victory is possible

Vhorthax "Nether Darkness"

Band: Vhorthax
Title: Nether Darkness
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Release Date: January 5, 2018
Country: Russia

Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod region, Russia’s Vhorthax was formed in 2016 by members of the band Abyssfire - Morkh (voices & psalms - also Sickrites and Serpentrance), Nicholas-N.A.-I.I. (drums), and M.P. (guitars & bass). The band evokes the primitive darkness worship, with cavernous chants and morbid compositions. Stylistically I would describe their music being in the black end of the death metal, in the death end of the black metal, and all this with just a tiny touch of doom death feeling here and there. 2017 offered some excellent releases into that direction and Vhorthax EP definitely deserves attention.
“Nether Darkness” is only 22.32 min. long, with torturous intro and outro tracks. This means there are just four tracks really to enjoy. I wished it was longer and to include couple of more songs to experience. The overall feeling is abyssal; the music drowns the listener into the nine circles of hell from the very first tune. The sound is morbid, low and intensive. The Levitating Tomb begins slowly, ritually before explode into devilish whiplashing fury. Stabat Matter is dark, psychic, slower compared to the rest, with choirs and grimness of the blackest nightmares.  Thy Foul Graal and Crushing The Vessels of Trinity are intensive sinister ritualistic chants, in worship of primeval black forces. Nether Darkness is really a painful journey down the nine level spiral to the darkest corners of the abyss where the Evil reigns and the souls deserve to suffer eternally. Will anyone dare? 8.5/10 By Count Vlad

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Lycanthropy (Rus) "A.V.R.E.I.L."

Lycanthropy is a blackened death metal band hailing out of Russia. Consisting out of members Gunner (guitars, bass), Furious (vocals) & Oleg I (drums). This band has definitely got a few under the belt with 4 demos, 2 compilations, 4 Ep's, 3 splits and 6 full length albums to date.Their latest release 9 track album "A.V.R.E.I.L" Is definitely one for the collection if you love your hard blackened death metal sound.With song titles such as "Porn cunning bastard", "Sexual sadism" and "Bondage slave bitch" it's clear on the theme of this album.Good solid vocals with an intention of seduction.

Track 2 "Porn cunning bastard" & track 5 "Directive voices in head", really grabbed my attention with solid riffage and deep growls. Track 4 "Sexual sadism" the intro kinda reminded me of Dark Funeral's "Attera Totus Sanctus" but nonetheless unique in it's own form. The only criticism I really have on this album is that the sound can be a little repetitive, but, I rank it 7.5/10. By Lady NeCrow
 
If you're not familiar with this band, I suggest you check them out. Bandcamp link to A.V.R.E.I.L.

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