Tag Archives: Death Metal

Sacrificial Betrayal/Lost Without/Letcher/The Eylis – Another Round RVA – Richmond, VA, March 1, 2024

All four bands crushed it. No two bands filled the same space musically, but they all gave the crowd something to take home with them. Whether that was just memories or new merch, everyone left with a piece of the show. Nights like this are special because these are not touring shows. There is just something wonderful about a one-off show that may not ever happen again. The unique mixture of styles comes together for one evening of Metal Worshipping, then fades into history, lovingly brought forth in the memories of those fortunate enough to witness the moment.

Dishumanized is a solo project formed due to some of the inherent turmoil found in establishing a band; heavy line-up rotation and the chaos this creates when trying to build a band and brand at the same time. Harald Berger turned his energy and passion into something he had complete creative license over, something that would allow him to realize his vision Sometimes you just have to take control because constant change dilutes the message you are trying to get across. Having played in many different bands and gathering various influences from all his previous work, Harald has brought together Death and Thrash Metal with NWOBHM, Classic Rock, and more to create a Fusion Metal that is both unique and almost timeless.

Lutharo is a female-fronted Power/Death/Epic Metal band hailing from Canada. Ten years into their career, they’ve released two EPs and two LPs. Chasing Euphoria is the second (soon-to-be-released) LP. Chugging rhythms and frenetic riffs combine with delicate interludes, clean and harsh vocals, and killer compositions to create a massive soundscape that will wash over you, drowning you in glorious noises that sweep you off the shore into the depths of a musical fantasy land. Take a deep breath before the first song ends, you will need it as the rest of the album will work to take that last breath away. The stunning speed and accuracy of the songs will leave you wanting more. This is one of those records that will stick with you for years to come.

Hailing from Leeds, United Kingdom, Cognizance is a five-piece Death Metal outfit formed in 2012. After three early EPs, they have released three full-length albums with Phantazein being the third in five years. This latest offering is a concept album exploring the intricate interplay between art, obsession, and the profound influence of one’s environment. More than just straightforward Death Metal, there is also a highly Technical Metal aspect to their approach in both composition and execution of the music. Intricate leads mix with bombastic rhythms and harsh vocals to build a massive soundscape meant to capture the ear and the mind simultaneously.

Almost Dead is a San Francisco Bay area Thrash Metal band built very much in the tradition of the newest wave of bands originating from that area. Heavy riffage, distorted vocals, chaotic rhythms, and massive attitude have defined this new era. This is old-school attitude with modern tech and theory added to create a more lethal form of the timeless classic Thrash sound.

Sovereign is a Norwegian Evil Death/Thrash Metal four-piece band formed in 2018. Altered Realities is their debut full-length album, following the 2020 EP, Neurotic. Thriving on both speed and technicality, they push the limits of Extreme Metal, always seeking to expand their sound. Not content to just go fast for the sake of speed, they also infuse Melodic Groove Metal to allow the mind to drift on a wide array of tempos, shifting gears like a Grand Prix driver accelerating out of a turn into a straightaway. Sit down, strap in, hold on, and get ready to have your mind blown.

Gothony is a five-piece Finnish Drama Metal band formed in 1993. They released a couple of demos in the 90s and then took an extended hiatus, re-emerging in 2019. After more than 30 years, their debut full-length album is arriving! Gothony uses vocal layering and backing voices to create a depth of vocal sounds meant to accentuate the songs in multiple ways. Meanwhile, the music is a creative mixture of different Metal disciplines, including, but not limited to, Death, Power, Thrash, and Cinematic Metals.

Virus Inhumanity is a five-piece Death/Groove Metal from Belgium. Formed in 2019, just before a global pandemic, their motif was almost a prescient prediction of what was to come only a year later. Crafted to appeal to fans of darker tones and sounds, they drew their inspiration from bands like Lamb Of God, Pantera, Deicide, and Gojira, just to name a few. Rapid rhythms and chugging guitar work wrapped around harsh vocals, mixed in with ambient undertones and intros/outros create a dazzling array of sounds that will infect the recesses of your mind, taking hold of the nervous system, causing rhythmic contractions of the head and neck while making the listener throw their hands in the air. There is no cure!

Lower 13 describes themselves as a Melodic Metal Power Trio. After listening to them, I will not be trying to argue anything different as I heartily agree with them, though I’d expand that description a bit to include some additional influences from Thrash, Death, and Power Metal. With a combination of clean and harsh vocals, powerful rhythms, and intricate lead work, Lower 13 blends multiple disciplines into a tasty feast of Heavy Metal that contains something for everyone on the Metal Spectrum.