...Forever Cold

It always astounds me as to how an album of this magnitude can fly under the collective radar of any and every record label. Surely this was sent off as a demo to several labels and yet no one was interested in releasing it. This just happens to be my favourite independent release of all time alongside the ultra-rare death metal album by Tyrant trooper called insane sickness

What has gone wrong with all those labels that call themselves “underground". They should have been salivating at the mouth when they dropped this demo cassette into the tape player if you ask me. I have some free advice for the band, rather ship your demo’s off to South America next time. At least that shithole of a continent will release this type of material in a diabolical heartbeat

The album opens with a track called Kanonerfutter and what you get straight out of the infernal gates is a release of blinding ferocity which does not let up until the album comes to a grinding halt 11 tracks later. Productions is spot on the money, or should I rather say the lack thereof, as it sounds raw and crude which is a bonus. All instruments are quite audible and are placed evenly in the mix. The standout must be the drum work which is incredible yet ironically no one is credited for it on the album! It just goes to show how this horde don’t give a continental toss about recognition or credit

Kynslagh does an amazing job with his raspy vocal style. The relentless twin guitar attacks he performs along with Arghazt are another absolute highlight of this release. Sadly, the bassist Mortel has since passed away which is a crying shame, but man did he go out with a bang. I guess it’s better to burn out than slowly fade away. Infernal salutes metal brother

I cannot think of another band from Austria that has attained this level of brutality in Black Metal. Brutality with variety that is. A wall of sound crushes you into a pulp and once it has you by the jugular it refuses to let go. Satan is most certainly pleased. Their follow-up album also deserves highest praises. This album comes in a Digi-pack release and one can order it directly from the band. Fans of Dark managarm, Excruciate 666 and Thornspawn really need to sit up and take note. This album is in the same vein as those maniacal bands and is a must own in my opinion

Buy or die