Diabolic Oath - Oracular Hexations

 

 

Now this is a vicious one. The war metal masters Diabolic Oath have returned with a second album, a release that builds on so much of what made their debut great and which leans into the twisted vision that makes this music so compelling in the first place. It's hard not to be thrilled by the hard hitting, devilish magic of Diabolic Oath and what they've conjured up on Oracular Hexations. This is war metal like little you have heard elsewhere, with squirrely solos, colossal riffs, and an apocalyptic sensibility that is sure to resonate with the listener.

There is a twisted vision behind Diabolic Oath that helps to make this such a compelling releas.e The firestorm of riffs that they unveil upon the listener is dleectable and the production manages to ride a fine line between paying tribute to the bands basement roots and sounding appropriately modern. The vicious approach that helps to shape tracks like "Serpent Coils Suffocating The Mortal Wound" (Brevity in naming convention is clearly not their strong suit.) speaks to the bands capacity as songwriters. One of the real highlights of this record though is the usage of three separate vocalists. It allows for individual vocal performances to interlock to create something far more bestial than usual for the genre. When enhanced with some wonderfully sludgy riffs you find yourself in for a devilishly good time. 

Oracular Hexations is a mesmerizing album to say the least. It's like watching a car crash. You find yourself exposed to so many unapologetic sonic bricks to the face and it seems to keep getting better. Despite their general balls to the wall approach, the band also finds time to expand on their sonic pallet, especially with the final two tracks on the album. There is a lot to love here and when this drops next month war metal fans the world over are going to take note. 

Pre-order the album!

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/album/oracular-hexations

Minenwerfer - Feuerwalze

 

Now this is one I've been looking forward to reviewing for a while. Minenwerfer have long since established a reputation as a uniquely ferocious, blasting force in the world of war metal. Their new album Feuerwalze is at a whole new level though. This is intense and unrelenting war metal as you've never heard it before, attacking the listener at a million miles an hour and forcing you to suffocate on the twisted visions of the battle of the Somme, one of the worst moments of human history to have to actually experience. 

Feuerwalze is an absolute spirit crusher. This is a record that is as dense as they come. It's rare that I've heard material that is this straight up heavy, fast and borderline terrifying. The way that they bring their unrelenting brand of war metal upon the trenches again and again is addictive. It speaks to a bleak and tormented vision that is going to keep listeners fascinated with the darkness. There are few times in history as apocalyptic as the battle of the Somme, and there are few albums that sound as apocalyptic as Feuerwalze. It's clear that during their 4 years of relative silence, Minenwerfer have been hard at work to craft something truly terrifying. 

Minenwerfer are here to cut your throat out and make you suffer. They have distilled the horrors of the Great War into something demented but also undeniably addictive. It's rare to find a band who can execute music this fast and with this level of intensity. The monochromatic assault and raving mad vocals are the perfect accompaniments to an album that sees the world burning around it. Letting yourself get immersed in this darkness is addictive and it speaks to the fiery hatred that has helped to make Feuerwalze such a compelling album. 

Pre-order the album!

https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/feuerwalze

Mongrel's Cross - Arcana, Scrying And Revelation

Mongrel's Cross are another wonderful product of Australia's amazing underground scene. This record is a truly promising one, it speaks volumes to just how talented the band are and how far they have come as they prepare to release their third full length, Arcana, Scrying And Revelation. This is a masterful offering and a record that captures the imagination with the breadth of the compositions and unique take on the genre. Their blend of war metal, epic metal and thrash makes for a truly fun and over the top listening experience. 

Arcana, Scrying And Revelation manages to impress simply because the band bring so much more to the table with each song than many of their peers. A track like 'Fate Of the Grail PT. II' is absolutely crawling with riffs in its relatively short 6 minute run time. That being said - the production remains fairly bare bones throughout. While on the one hand the 'death metal dungeon' vibe this conjures up is wonderful, on the other, one definitely feels some of the layers of the music get lost because of this . Still - Arcana, Scrying And revelation can't help but to mesmerize with its marriage of the grandiose with the scummy. 

This is a band with a clear vision and an ability to execute that is frequently more than a little impressive. Arcana, Scrying And Revelation sees a band build on classic ideas and hint at dark new futures for the music. There is so much going on here that it practically demands multiple listens if you really want to get at the heart of it. Mongrel's Cross have been able to move forward powerfully and to get lost in the ongoing madness of their music is really to drink from the night itself. It's simply that twisted.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/MongrelsCross/

Blasphamagoatachrist - Bastardizing The Purity!

MOTHER FUCKING WAR METAL. I mean - the band is named Blasphamagoatachrist and features members of Goatpenis, Antichrist and Blasphemy. Their latest offering, Bastardizing The Purity, is out on Nuclear War Now! and is a gloriously twisted offering. As the sound of gun shots and heavy machinery kick off the record you find yourself thrown face first into a well of riffs and sonic terror. It's the sort of bleak and undeniably evil conjuration that perfectly serves to remind us just how wonderfully demented black metal can be.

The outcries of pure hatred that define this record quickly prove that Blasphamagoatachrist is more than just a black metal supergroup. This is a project that is twisted and powerful, confidently moving from peak to peak and casually proving that the dudes involved in this project are among the best in the game. The way they are able to manifest pure chaos from the first real track, 'Bastardizing The Purity' proves that listeners are in for a rare treat as they proceed to tear apart your eardrums. Diving into their wellspring of sonic wreckage and unconventional riffs makes for a release that perfectly evokes the magic of true war metal.

So I encourage you to join me in these wonderfully satanic rites. Blasphamagoatachrist may be just a touch tongue in cheek but the music is as serious as it comes. It's twisted and evil and will get you thrown around the pit. It's rare to find supergroups like this that are so cohesive and accurately reflect the demented nature of the genre - but here we are. Blasphamagoatachrist is a group of ripping musicians dedicated to tearing your flesh and cracking your skull and I can't wait to blast Bastardizing The Purity once more.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/blasphamagoatachrist/