Toxic Metal Zine

The debut EP from this new Belgian line-up Malfested that comes with a good product called “Shallow Graves”. 6 songs ranging from classic to more modern death metal. ‘Fields of Bloodshed’ shows us all the ability of this band to be able to offer a truly varied sound, powerful and in step with the times. Good songwriting, the construction of the pieces and the wisdom of knowing how to dose with great precision every change of style. ‘Venefica’ pushes the record at an uncontrolled speed, unloading swirling and powerful riffs on us. There is a strong backbone presented by the rhythm section. This is an album that leaves us wondering what is next?

Back with more brutal songs for 2020, Hatebreed unleashes their 8th album, "Weight of the False Self. This sounds like Hatebreed, and right about now some straight forward in your face hardcore with positive lyrics are just what is needed. ‘A Stroke of Red’ and the roaring ‘This I Earned’,  are both very ear pleasing. 40 minutes of hearing Jasta's screams and yells over brutal track after track leaves you feeling relieved and hopeful for next year. Pick this album up.

Contrarian return with the album, "Only Time Will Tell." Only Time Will Tell is CONTRARIAN's fourth studio album. Once again, a concept album that deals with the band's familiar topics of philosophy and theology. Their overall sound continues to remind the listener of the more progressive tendencies of DEATH. However, they have their own sound and I can’t think of any band out there that sounds like CONTRARIAN.  “In A Blink Of The Eye,” sound all the more intense due to the melodic bass that walks a different path—it simultaneously highlights the grit of the guitar. “The Final Hour,” showcases the duel melody style of interplay between guitar and bass in the track’s opening moments. This is a solid album. Since the covid world gives one a lot of time to listen to music, I suggest you pick it up.

All hail the return of ARSEBREED! BUTOH is ultra brutal, technical metal that hits you from every direction! After successfully demolishing the ears of the brutalheads with the catchy album Munching The Rotten, which was released in 2005 by Neurotic Records, ARSEBREED are now ready to release BUTOH, an album featuring a variety of surprising musical concepts. 
ARSEBREED is built up as a brotherhood clash between members from Pyaemia and Disavowed, with the almighty Romain Goulon on drums. This collaboration carries characteristics that are strongly attached to these two bands and it is clearly felt in their compositions, along with the two-vocalist approach, which is quite unique for a brutal Death Metal band. Although their music may feel different in the riff department and also contains a very pronounced bass shredding that truly stands out on this album, the overall feel is ridden with the dominant colors from Pyaemia and Disavowed. Check out the new album from ARSEBREED and prepare your ears for the weight of classy, brutal music.

The fourth album from the Texas based Progressive Metal outfit is a solid addition to their catalog, but nothing particularly new has been brought to the table. This is an album that finds intrigue in dark corners, gothic romance in the night. To My Last Day starts with a powerful sense of dread, before surging forward majestically, while A Return To The Earth Below is a slower moving giant that casts a dynamic shadow. To The Sea is a simply astonishing blues-metal ballad with rasping analogue synths and a vocal from Gilbert. The end brings a solid cover of Type O Negatvies, "Wolf Moon!" Oceans Of Slumber have done well here, there is just a lot to take in.

 Australian Death Grinders SENSORY AMUSIA are primed to release new EP Bereavement August 20 on Lacerated Enemy Records. SENSORY AMUSIA represent the vanguard of heavy music for the modern era. The style is one of supreme chaotic death metal with elements of hardcore and grind. Razor guitar riffs, insane blast beats and violent vocals unleash an onslaught of misery and devastation. With influences from Benighted, Aborted and Dying Fetus, SENSORY AMUSIA's complex and grooving death jams are just the tip of the iceberg for this 3-piece monstrosity. For an EP this album leaves the listener craving more.

After eight years, progressive metal quartet The Advent Equation return with sophomore full-length album Remnants of Oblivion. On the follow-up to 2012's critically acclaimed Limitless Life Reflections, The Advent Equation makes a leap forward in terms of compelling composition, melodic songcraft, and a production that packs one hell of a punch! Remnants of Oblivion is a duality between heaviness and melody that translates into a complete musical and emotional experience. Progressive Metal that reflects the collective work of memorable riffs and iconic choruses taking you to a transitorily state of evolution. This is one of the best album released this year.

35 years in the metal game and Serial Killer band have returned with yet another solid album titled, "Carnival of Killers." A few other notable songs on Carnival of Killers are: Richard Speck Grew Big Breasts, which is the most metal out of all the songs on the album. “Them Dry Bones” or “The Wheels On The Bug” ring true to MACABRE’s spoofy side as familiar melodies intertwine with the ghastly histories of H.H. Holmes and Ted Bundy. “Warte, Warte” is sung entirely in German to aid in referencing the authenticity of serial killer Fritz Haarmann’s insanity. This album is is enticing for joining the mosh pit even during these COVID times.

Benediction have created one the finest album of their career. With vocalist Dave Ingram back onboard and a new rhythm section propelling their defiantly old-school sound forward, Scriptures ripples with absurd levels of intensity and verve. Every last song on the Brummies’ eighth full-length is a freshly minted death metal classic. “In Our Hands, The Scars” is an obvious and immediate favourite track on the album. The combination of the heavy rhythm section and Dave Ingram’s fantastically brutal voice is a winner. As an added treat, Scriptures sounds fucking incredible; from murderous single Rabid Carnality to the dark, twisted Neverwhen. This is a very solid death metal album.

Suffer For Nothing, the band’s sixth studio opus to date, twists the carnage up to whole new levels with a fresh serving of pulverising death metal excellence. With flawless execution & crushing production from Belle City Sound, the quartet brutalise the senses with razorsharp riffing and insane solos. Suffer For Nothing, the band’s sixth studio opus to date, twists the carnage up to whole new levels with a fresh serving of pulverising death metal excellence. With flawless execution & crushing production from Belle City Sound, the quartet brutalise the senses with razorsharp riffing and insane solos. The first single to be released from Suffer For Nothing is the opener “Extreme Tolerance”with hits you right in the teeth. This is no-nonsense high calibre death metal, showing that the old guard are still among the strongest, coinciding with the band’s 30th anniversary.

On album number five, Ingested isn’t afraid of a little spit-polish on their tunes and want to make sure you hear every layer of brutality they have to offer. Where Only Gods May Tread establishes its protocols of Deathcore immediately with a galloping, chugging riff that kicks off “Follow the Deceiver.” Every guitar part on this song feels like it’s on the cusp of dropping into a breakdown and twice it delivers on that very promise. The entire album follows suit while finding a variety of ways to drop the hammer. The band hits full speed on the track “No Half Measures” and slow it down to a dramatic crush on songs like “The Burden Of Our Failures,” these guys successfully pulverize. This album is not to be ignored.

DISAVOWED brings you Revocation of the Fallen to quench your thirst for complexity, ultimate sharp riffage, and powerful blast-beat intensity. The captivating elements of the two previous albums served as a foundation for the new album. Monstrous vocals and complex chromatic riffs are merged with over-the-top drumming by Septimiu. The Kohlekeller production creates a dissonant feeling in the other-world brutality of the fallen kingdom that has finally been revoked! “Revocation Of The Fallen” is full of everything. From down-beat grooves, to hyper brutal blasted outbursts, to technical interleaves aiming only to the brutal side of the genre. 10 songs of hateful, technical brutal death metal in less than 35 minutes.