Glorior Belli & Creeping - Rites of Spiritual Death (2011) [Split]

Album | Rites of Spiritual Death
Country | France / New Zealand
Genre | Black / Doom Metal
Label | Necroterror Records

The collaboration between these two bands is they only time they have released a split record and the main reasons people would decide to check it out are the cover artwork and the name Glorior Belli, which is significantly more popular than the dudes from New Zealand named Creeping. I also got inside it for the same reason, for archival purposes, I didn't expect much and I didn't get much, despite the fact that it wasn't exactly what I thought. There are two tracks of a total twenty minutes in length in the split, quite longer than what the bands' common track lengths, but hey, the more the better right?

Opening with Glorior Belli's "Fierce Rays of Wrathful Light", a long track that comes as a surprise compared to their previous albums, as up until then they didn't really slow things down for no reason. At least when they did, they would make it more interesting, or add some kick ass blasting parts later to rebuild our trust. It turned out they like to experiment a lot and this very moment might be the starting point of their demise, but still this middle paced, doomy song has sparse moments worth listening to, even the faster parts are boring. If you are about to learn about this band, a track like this is at the level of a filler compared to their first two full length albums, so start from there.

The second track "Shrine of the Fallen Sun" is a sincere effort by Creeping to gather the broken pieces and make something nice, not really succeeding in the end. They deliver a sweet blend of doom / sludge with abysmal growing, simplistic in it's structure and very unoriginal, even though it isn't the worst track I have ever heard around that genre. I somehow enjoyed it more than the first side of the record because it's cooler and more easygoing, having a certain amount of filthiness as usual. It is also quite long and nine minutes are ideal for a down-tuned, dirty track like this. It was a motivation to listen to other material by them to have a more complete point of view.

I like the fact that the production of the record is this dirty, since it has been under little editing and stays more close to the real sound of the bands. It's fairly catuous on it's own, as in many splits like this, but still the instruments provoke an atmosphere, which is always good. However, I felt misguided listening to these two tracks, which are weak and sloppy musically. I sensed the bands didn't give their best self for this release and I know for a fact that Glorior Belli didn't, judging from some notable stuff they had written before, yet trying to find out about Creeping. Rites of Spiritual Death is a mediocre release that doesn't give the listener much to enjoy, therefore I would suggest you avoid this.

DAMAGE: 2.5/10

Omega & Ravencult - Split (2013) Review

Album | Straight Down in Hell / Deifier of Necromancy
Country | Greece / Greece
Genre | Black / Thrash Metal
Label | Evil Spell Records

| Take me from this cenotaph |

While I am a fan of Ravencult's whole discography, I was not familiar with the other act that contributed on this split before the time I got this, the old school black / thrashers Omega. Both bands have put out two full lengths so far, spreading the same kind of traditional eighties extreme metal and that's a fair reason for them to team up and release something like this together. The split contains two songs from each band, one of which is a cover, and it lasts eleven minutes in total. Since it was only released in 7" vinyl, I had the chance to listen to it on a vinyl player instead of digital streaming and that alone is great.

The sound of the record is fairly dirtier than what the bands have released in the past, giving a great, old fashioned feeling that reminds a lot of primitive first wave black metal. I don't consider it was that fascinating but it was surely enjoyable and should not be any cleaner, since there ought to be grimness and unforgiving ear assault. The instruments are audible and they provoke the dusty aesthetic of early bands, as if this record was released thirty years ago, a common ambition that is shared among many bands of today. Personally, I always go along with such attempts and I like listening to them, even though they usually don't add anything new to the genre or it's progress.

The split starts with the two Omega tracks and the opener is "Straight Down In Hell", which is the actual definition of old school black / thrash. It's based on a couple of speed / thrash metal riffs that remind a lot of early Venom, the vocals have the same harsh tone and it is somewhere around a middle going to fast speed, shouting the chorus line "straight down in hell" clearly and repetitively. The structure of the song is familiar too, containing a solo and few variations as a whole. Of course, it's far from original or unheard, but it should be fun jamming and recording it. Then, there is a cover of Zemial's "Fullmoon Necrophilia", done in Omega's way. It's not better or worse, it just is.

When Ravencult kicks in, one can hear their familiar style of playing and their superiority over the previous band. Their track "Deifier of Necromancy" is like a recording originally for Morbid Blood, as the fast paced black 'n' roll rhythms are once again the main ingredients. There is a great compositional arrangement and I loved the same things I loved in Morbid Blood, these being the wonderful riffs and the raw, raspy vocals. It's not a new surprise for Ravencult fans, just another awesome track to listen to. The last track of the split is their effort on Hellhammer's "Massacra", which pinpoints the original direction of the whole release. It's the eighties and you didn't know it.

It's a fact that Ravencult are more recognized than Omega and a comparison would justify that if one took a listen on this split record. Of course, naming who's better is not the point, since it is a great piece of old school black / thrash, with sincere compositions from each band and above all, a sincere feeling. I think all the die hard fans of that music and that era, will see this as a great gift from the bands and they will consider it a gem. It doesn't go any further than where bands have gone and gone again, if you are comfortable around this wave length, it works.

DAMAGE: 6.75/10

Omega @ Facebook
Ravencult @ Facebook

Casket & Sewercide - 7" Split (2013)

Country | USA - Australia

Genre | Thrash - Death Metal

Date | November 5th, 2013

Label | Unholy Anarchy Records

Here's a collaboration between two underground thrash / death metal bands, Casket from the US and Sewercide from Australia. Each band takes it's first steps now, without any full album yet and few stuff for someone to listen to by them. This new 7" split contains one song by each band, even though they are very much alike and could be easily be two songs of the same band. The winning cover was designed by Kator.

By the description of the release in Bandcamp, I was expecting some kind of raw death metal but don't let their words fool you, there is nothing death metal here apart from a couple of growls by Casket. Both bands stick to old school thrash, with a regular musical structure and somewhat poor production. The result doesn't move the earth, but it will be appreciated by metal jacket freaks.

The first song by Casket "Armed to the Teeth" moves into a fast tempo and has groovy riffs, without any astonishing moments, as it seems like they're replaying what has been on for the last thirty years. It has cool, shrieked vocals and a nice vibe, even though the high hats are mixed too loud throughout the song. It ends with a spooky laughter, which is more funny than serious. Sewercide continue with a similar sound into an equally fast song, with repetitive drums and tastier riffs / solos and vocals than Casket. I can't say any of the two tracks featured in here is memorable.

I sense I would not bother listening to this if it didn't have the amazing cover. For fans of the genre, this is for you, even though I assure you that you have heard it before. Each band has legit musicians but hasn't formed a personal characteristic in their music yet, and that's very obvious in this record. Still young, way to go.

DAMAGE: 4.0/10

Sewercide @ Facebook

Casket @ Facebook