Penthos-Lifeless Haze

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Self-recorded and self-released, the four-track EP "Lifeless Haze" is the second overall demo from North Somerset-based Penthos. At just a hair over nineteen minutes (and most likely the very definition of a home recording project from a D.I.Y.-styled band* given A) it's authentic/earthy vibe and B) it's (highly beneficial come the end of the day) stripped to the bare necessities approach as far the production is concerned!) "Lifeless Haze" quickly and effective announces it's presence with opener "Black Death" while saving the strong title cut for last. Said opener comes across as a terrifying Mexican standoff between Slayer, Deicide and Morbid Angel and for Penthos, a UK-based heavy/death/black/doom outfit which was formed in the summer of 2010 by vocalist/bassist/guitarist Rich Alden (ex-My Silent Wake) and drummer Ross Thompson, that's just the beginning as far as what's in store on this underground/eighties-infused demo! With guitarist/bassist Ivan Sikic rounding things out rather nicely (line-up wise on this demo), Penthos, a band which wisely takes it's cue from (more then anything) both the late eighties/early nineties UK and American death metal scene, wages all out war on the bloody "Bodily Shut Down" before ripping off limbs with the semi-technical "From The Womb"! Even when Penthos attempts to "slow" things down on the title cut (a seven minute plus slab of gripping death metal doom!) it's still a frightening sight to behold making the raw "Lifeless Haze" a furious beast of a demo! For fans of primitive death metal one simply could not ask for a tastier little treat then this EP. And for those who are old enough to remember the good old days when tape-trading was a way of life a release like "Lifeless Haze", which admittedly does have a rougher outer edge then most self-releases of the death/doom variety, passes the taste and smell taste. This one has all the feel of a recently (re) discovered cassette demo from death metal's long-lost underground past! Since it doesn't pretend to be anything more then what it is and because "Lifeless Haze" is the true face of death metal I can't help but recommend this EP and thus Penthos to Heavy Metal Time Machine's more extreme readers!


* Co- founder/drummer Ross Thompson created the cover artwork for "Lifeless Haze" and the band logo while Ivan Sikic (rhythm and lead guitar/bass on this 4-song EP) is credited as far as the demo's actual recording is concerned.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Penthos/192106544137256

Hate-Solarflesh

Napalm Records
2012

Observant readers will no doubt have made note of the fact that this is my second (Or is it my 3rd?) go round with this review. If I didn't know any better I'd almost swear as if the very essence of what Hate is all about, the evil and vile blackened filth, had made it's way into my computer and corrupted files with it's toxic take on black/death metal. How else to explain what has now taken me over two hours, between two computers mind you, a fairly straight-forward and simple review to post? Despite the odd nature of my day this new album by Polish extreme metal act Hate is nothing to joke about. This is pretty brutal material we are talking about from a band that is well-known for creating brutal metal to begin with. Lead very effectively by the chilling Adam The Last Sinner (I wonder if that's his "Christian" name?) these extreme metal merchants have been making their own mark on the scene since 1990. While the band may have started off as a death metal act, and an evil and vile one at that, they have evolved into an even more twisted and grotesque blackened death metal band. With an unholy outlook and a desire to play nothing but the most extreme metal they possibly could this group has released another dark and dastardly LP. Firmly camped out in the anti-Christian,satanic side of the movement (Which I guess would be the case with the bulk of black metal acts these days) these mavericks of mayhem might be unleashing a sinister racket, but at least their technically sound in doing so. No one can deny the talent here and the album has been written/performed in such a way that the Behemoth worship isn't as obvious. While it's not due until January of 2013 this 9-track release should be on the radar of all those who like to live over on the dark side of existence and for those who simply adore extreme metal that is loving wrapped up in as much evil as possible. As stated this is some sick and twisted stuff and a lot of that vibe hinges on the production of this album as it perfectly reflects the very nature of Hate. 2013 looks to be a good (Depending on your point of view that is) year for extreme metal and black/death metal fans as Hate looks to lead the faithful into the dark realm that is sin's cold and damning embrace. You've been properly warned and/or encouraged about the savage, nightmare-inducing music that is Hate so the next move is all yours...