Deimler--Darkness Falls (CD) {2026 Awakening Records}

awakeningrecordscn.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the third full length from these Spanish deathmerchants. Immolation crossed with Entombed is a good way to describe Deimler's style. The vocals are firmly in the "Dr. Claw" camp, reminding me of Inspector Gadget's cartoon foe with their low throaty rumble. Don't mistake me - the vocals are good. I like them a lot. The problem with this record is that there are terribly few memorable riffs, and beyond the excellently morbid atmosphere, there's not a lot of interest going on here except the guitar solos (which tend to meander a bit, as well). The production is perfect, though, and everything is quite well recorded. The drummer is amazing, let me say that. He holds these nonsense riffs together like his life depends on it, and has a superfast blast style. He also plays his whole kit on this record, since someone has to make this fucker interesting somehow. He can't save these riffs, but he definitely does his best to try.

Ignominia--Procesion de la Muerte (CD) {2024 Awakening Records}

awakeningrecordscn.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Ignominia plays solid Satanic death metal with a thick, distorted guitar sound, and top notch riffs. The Spanish vocals give this an even more obscure feel to me, with vocals delivered in a higher growl much like Angelcorpse, but with some serious power behind them. I really like the guitar sound, it cuts like a knife and is just an impenetrable wall of distortion. It reminds me a lot of Deicide's old guitar sound. The band is at their best when they turn out a chunky mid-paced riff that just crushes skulls, like on the beginning of "Perversion." This is by no means a release that completely floored me, and it does drag a bit toward the end of the album due to similar riffs, but it's still worth a listen or two.

Scythrow "Blameless Severed Extremities" (Review)

Scythrow Blameless Severed Extremities

2024 Awakening Records (CD) / Futhark Records (LP) / Murder Records (CS)

awakeningrecords.cn

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the third full length from Finland's Scythrow, and a mighty third album it is. It's a mix of the Scandinavian and American styles of 1990s death metal - a refreshing mixture, I must say. It's a seamless blend that winds up being more than the sum of its parts, a unique sound amidst the mediocrity of many other releases today. The album is full of heavy-ass riffing, and the band knows when to turn up the speed and when it break it down. The vocals are well-articulated with a lot of serious power. Each song has at least one devastating riff that strangles your pathetic ass and won't let go. If the band has changed at all, it's because they found their true sound, and I can't wait to hear more from them. This metalist is now a fan.