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This is a two-song teaser from German newcomers Horns of Domination. A trio, Horns of Domination are an amalgamation of black, death, and doom metal with a rough production. Demo 2015 is their first recorded output and is likely to leave you hungry for more with a very catchy approach straddling their chosen subgenres. Murky with a rough production, but deeply buried in the mix is just the right amount of catchiness with awesome riffs. Toss in some tempo changes ranging from all out blasts to a glacial dirge to go along muted vocals that serve to enhance the atmosphere, and I end up eagerly awaiting more from Horns of Domination.
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| Artwork by David from Phrenelith |
Danish death metal that’s taking a page from countrymen Undergang, Phrenelith play down n’ dirty, severely down tuned death metal with meat and potatoes riffs, a plodding pace that upticks to a gallop, and with growled, guttural vocals. Phrenelith aren’t exactly original, but they play their basic form of death metal with enthusiasm and gusto. This two song affair is the first demo, but the trio has since recorded another, entitled Veiled Verses. Veiled Verses has a slightly different guitar tone (sounding more Swedish), but is even murkier in its delivery through four tracks.
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Mories of Gnaw Their Tongues fame probably needs no introduction, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of all of his side projects. This particular project, Pyriphlegethon, is billed as “pure pre 1990 black metal worship” on Mories’ Bandcamp page, and that’s pretty much what you get with Rivers of the Infernal Kingdom, a four song demo. However, if you’re expecting anything in the vein of early Bathory or Celtic Frost, guess again, as Pyriphlegethon is probably more in line with post Soulside Journey Darkthrone or early Ulver more than anything else.
The production is exceptionally thin, the drums are hollow, muted, and simple, and the high pitched rasps are straight out of the era. A few meatier riffs make appearances, but, for the most part, this is good low-fi black metal enhanced with a few mild keyboards. I should also note that proper instruments appear to have been used for Pyriphlegethon, rather than electronic effects and a drum machine. Mories has since released a proper full-length titled Night of Consecration under the Pyriphlegethon moniker.