Band: ALNE

Country: Poland

Title: Alne

Label: Archaic Sound

Year: 2012

Style: Pagan Folk Metal

Review:

Polish pagan-folkmetallers Alne from Olsztyn just released their debut album called simply „Alne”. Last year the group presented a 3 track demo „Perunowy Kamien” which is included in the new material. This album is atmospheric, poetic and very interesting folkmetal based on slavic and prussian folklore. Klimor, leader of Alne, is a veteran of Polish pagan and black metal scene, he is ex-member of Volfenkreuz and Mordgier, he also plays in Non Opus Dei... Alne is a perfect combination of doom/atmospheric pagan metal, folk and pagan poetry with „does not leave indifferent” female vocals. 40 minutes of walking on old Slavic and Prussian lands and woods with persons from mithology. This is real pagan metal, with good lyrics and folk influences. Some tracks are taken from european poetry from the end od XIX and beginning of XX century: Maria Konopnicka „Latawica”, Kazimierz Tetmajer „Melodia Mgiel Nocnych” (both from Poland) and William Yeats „La Belle Dame sans Merci” (Ireland). Alne wrote in promo material, which i got with this CD: „The specific blend of paganism and romance create sheath, you probably can not be indifferent”. That’s right!

Reviewed by Vilcin

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: ANTAGONIST ZERO

Country: Finland

Title: Nighttime Harmony

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2012

Style: Doom Death Black Metal

Review:

I love it when I get the chance to hear a band that never came to my attention before my first review of their release and this is one of those times.  Antagonist Zero is a band with a style of metal that could remind one of bands like Opeth or Katatonia with that depressive sound of ambiance mixed with Doom Metal and maybe even some sort of primitive industrial metal sound as well.  Either way Antagonist Zero sure do sound pretty damn good at what they do.  "Nighttime Harmony" is a three track release that delivers a wide variety of metal styles like Ambient, old school rock influence, and of course Doom Metal with a vocal style that is clean, but also can be brutal.  This is something that is fresh to the ears of metal fans and you don't exactly have to have that much of an open mind to get what this is about.  I love the way they put all the different elements of style into their music and these three tracks will garner some fans if they haven't already.  A good production with excellent riffs and solos, Antagonist Zero may be a young band, but this shows that they have obviously been honing their skills in previous projects before this band.  All three tracks are well played and awesome to listen to from beginning to end.  Antagonist Zero are well on their way to breaking new ground with releases like this and this is just a taste of what the future will hopefully bring into the metal underground with these guys.  From guttural to clean, from post metal to Blackened Metal and Doom , this band has much potential and will make a splash in the underground if they keep playing material like this!

Reviewed by Lex Luther

Rating: 9/10

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Band: ANTIQUUS INFESTUS

Country: Italy

Title: The Cult of Ra

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2012

Style: Black Death Metal

Review:

Second demo of this young band from Cesena, Italy, "The Cult of Ra" is a 4 tracks effort. Black Death Metal is their game and I can say the raw, extremely aggressive but at the same time melodic type they chose suits them perfectly. Some riffs may appear too primitive, but they give that catchy feeling to the whole product. The vocals are awesome: hoarse Black Metal vox in front and low Death Metal grunts on the background here and there, a really good job. The drums sound great even if programmed but I doubt they can easily find a drummer playing the same tunes at the same level. The bass has some of the best solos I've heard in a long time, too bad the production is not that clear to let us enjoy them better, but the guitar solos are perfectly comprehensive. I can only congratulate this band for an awesome demo and I can't wait to hear some more Antiquus Infestus as soon as possible! Fuckin' recommended, don't even think about it!

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 9.5/10

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Band: BIFROST

Country: Italy

Title: Fehu

Label: Salatino

Year: 2010

Style: Avantgarde Death Metal

Review:

Bifrost was formed back in 2004 in the land of Italy; Since that time two ep releases have made it to the underground - "Ambivalence" and the most recent offering "Fehu".  "Fehu" is a mixture of Sludge Metal and at other times Death Metal but with an Avant-Garde touch to the music.  It all mixes pretty well and the best thing about this is that the production is not your typical over-polished modern production.  This is all totally Sludge in and out, start to finish.  The influence of old school Death Metal and even Black Metal at times is certain throughout the release.  I also noticed a lot of other elements of genres like, well, even some Folk Metal and Doom Metal influence as well.  This is all pretty unique for Bifrost, the melodic depression and the lyrical content seem suicidal at times and this is great!  The moods are always changing and the style keeps things interesting.  Bifrost is an interesting band and hopefully as time goes on they will keep releasing the same groovy style maniacal metal that comes through when played!  "Fehu" is one of the more interesting releases that have crossed my path this year and tracks like the obvious title track "Fehu", and "Ymir" which shows the potential of the musicians involved adding the melodic parts with the killer piano playing in the background, this is wonderful intro to begin with!  "Asgard" begins the second track with a silent start and then the guttural spews begin!  Everything mixed into one big bag of metal sub-genres and underground potential for future sickness!  This is really deranged metal at its best! 

Reviewed by Lex Luther

Rating: 8/10

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Band: BRETUS

Country: Italy

Title: In Onirica

Label: Arx Productions

Year: 2012

Style: Stoner Doom Metal

Review:

If you don't know this band, by this album's intro you would never guess you're dealing with a Stoner Doom band but you'll rather bet for a Black or Pagan Metal one. So I did and I was wrong, of course. Although Bretus were formed in 2000, "In Onirica" is their debut album, after 12 years of existence. Well, maybe they had some time off in the meantime, but that still doesn't explain how come from 2000 to 2008 they have no release out, what kind of band existence is this? Anyway, "In Onirica" contains 7 tracks totaling 40 minutes of old-school Doom Metal with Stoner influences reminding of Doom gods like Cathedral, Saint Vitus and Black Sabbath, and I don't say this only because the abovementioned bands are the forefathers of this genre, Bretus have managed to really capture and even exploit those types of composition so that the final result sounds both dusty old and fresh. The good production on this album plays an important role on the overall impression but the most important thing is that they show commitment to not only copy the masters but develop and refresh those ideas. I guess this album will be a real treat for old-school Doom Metal followers so if you're one of them get this album immediately, you won't be disapointed.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: COME WITH REVERSE

Country: Greece

Title: Come With Reverse

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2012

Style: Gothic Rock

Review:

Debut album from this Greek trio, "Come with Reverse" is an interesting album, I wouldn't be able to label it in a certain style, but the generic Gothic Rock would be good as all influences converge towards this style. I'm not a big Gothic Rock follower but in Come With Reverse's music I swear I can hear even some Lacrimosa (mainly) and Tiamat (some) elements mixing quite well with other soft influences. It's obvious these guys have strong musical backgrounds and training, their music is very complex and at the same time catchy, nothing feels out of place even though they experiment a lot and the amount of different structures in their compositions is overwhelming: from romanic parts, to more aggressive ones, from jazzy elements to metal, and from psychedelic to poppy structures, you get them all. If you're into experimental Gothic Rock and Metal give these guys' music a try, you won't be disapointed. 

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: DE LIRIUM'S ORDER

Country: Finland

Title: Veniversum

Label: DLO Productions

Year: 2012

Style: Technical Death Metal

Review:

Delirium's Order is another band that I haven't had the pleasure of hearing until recently and I am not disappointed at all.  "Veniversum" is a brutal and guttural release that takes time back to the old school days without losing that modern progressive metal edge that they seem to add to their latest release.  These guys were formed in inland over 12 years ago and have unloaded two demos and now their third full-length upon the metal underground.  This is a technically proficient release with a polished production and a power metal influence that feels throughout the whole release.  Lots of originality throughout "Veniversum" and a lot of different influences from Power Metal to Melodic Death Metal to almost a Black Metal/Doom metal feel as well.  There are eight tracks of dominant metal that leaves no boring side to it at all.  I am impressed by the way everything is put together and I believe Delirium's Order will fly to the top of the metal underground in no time at all.  The metal hits hard and fast and adds such a classy feeling to the release.  Fans will love this one, for sure.  Throughout this release the band leans on serial killing and famous murderers that keeps the lyrical content going.  It is all put together very well and the brutality is still there no matter how melodic, technical, powerful, or progressive this release gets.  Delirium's Order is kick ass and "Veniversum" is well worth the time to check out for fans of modern style technical brutality with a twist.

Reviewed by Lex Luther

Rating: 8/10

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Band: DEAD SALVATION

Country: Canada

Title: Death Is an Artform

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2012

Style: Death Metal

Review:

Dead Salvation is one hell of a sick and brutal Death Metal band coming from Canada, and "Death is an Artform" couldn't describe this release any better!  Dead Salvation has never come across my metal table in the past so this is the first time i ever heard them and man this is fucking great stuff.  I haven't received any demos or anything else from the band, but this is explained do to the fact they just formed in 2011 from the ashes of another band entitled "Fetal Defilement" if I'm correct.  This full-length release is sick, brutal, modern, and influenced by the early ways of Death Metal from the great bands like Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy, Carcass, and probably some other sickening metal bands of the past, but then again this is just my opinion and guess.  We have War, we have politics, and we have death according to what the Metal-Archives say about the lyrical path Dead Salvation have taken, but the music itself is a primitive piece of brutal sickness with technical assurances that make "Death is an Artform" something great to get into.  Tracks like "Let Them Bleed" and "Convulsions of the Corpse" are fast and blasting with a reminder of the old days of Suffocation or early Cannibal Corpse, or even the more underground sickness not even heard of yet when the bands were first coming out back then.  Carcass has a bit of influence, maybe, because of the way the vocals are handled throughout the release.  The total track listing is eleven songs with a playing time of 47 minutes in length.  If you're a fan of Devourment or early Suffocation and Autopsy then check out Dead Salvation "Death is an Artform" and I tell you that you will not be disappointed at all.

Reviewed by Lex Luther

Rating: 9/10

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Band: DEMONIC SLAUGHTER

Country: Poland

Title: Dark Essence

Label: Hellthrasher Productions

Year: 2012

Style: Black Metal

Review:

These guys have released a new material every year since their inception in 2006 so I guess their name may pretty well sound familiar to you if you're a follower of the Black Metal scene. This is their new EP released after 3 albums in a row. A 7 tracks effort lasting for half an hour of old-school Norwegian type of Black Metal. Demonic Slaughter adds a lot of veriety to their compositions so you never know what to expect next, but it also catches you like a hook, and this proves how mature they are as a band. Their organic recording with no special effects whatsoever gives even more brutality to the whole, but I guess the best word to describe it all would be rotten; everything on this CD sounds rotten and putrid even though there are some melodic parts as well. The excellent booklet artwork goes hand in hand with the music and I'd say we have a winner here, I wouldn't want much more from this band, they are great as they are now.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS

Country: Poland

Title: Simulacra

Label: Icaros Records 

Year: 2012

Style: Symphonic Black Death Metal

Review:

"Simulacra" was created at Silesian Fields and this is very interesting material based on symphonic black and death metal. A lot of great, technical growling is mixed with poignant voices, melorecytations and screams. Great guitars colaborating with symphonic motifs put big power in my head, when I listening to „Simulacra”. This album is very, very spatial and atmospheric music maintained in good proportion with typical black/death metal and a piece of melodic doom. Just great material !!!

Reviewed by Vilcin

Rating: 9/10

Band: DONN THE PHILOSOPHY

Country: UK

Title: Horns Curve into Broken Circles

Label: Peregrination Records

Year: 2012

Style: Black Metal

Review:

This is a new project of Donn, also member of Teutoburg Forest, Bloddawn and Torch of Darkness, all of them reviewed before in Pest Webzine, so we're dealing here with a very productive individual, an affectionado of this genre, Black Metal. Donn The Philosophy presents us, as his other projects, again a harsh, raw Black Metal, but this time the rhythms are ranging from fast to very fast paced so we get a brutal, hateful and unpolished music recommended for the most maniac Black Metal fans out there, the ones searching for the filthiest music only. As inspired by the band's name, Donn listed a part of his philosophy in this CD's booklet instead of listing the tracks' lyrics, which is an interesting read, but I guess you'll have to speak to the man before getting any conclusions out of this. If you're into the new, over-polished sound in Black Metal then stay away from this release, but if you're looking for some cruel, flesh-ripping underground Black Metal I strongly suggest you check this out.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8/10

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Band: EATING SHIT

Country: France

Title: Bon Appetit

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2011

Style: Grindcore

Review:

Eating Shit is one of the sickest and fastest grinding bands around today, fortunately for me I happen to be a fan of such an extreme metal genre and these guys really do take it to another sick level.  "Bon Appetit" is a mixture of sickening guttural sludge and potentially suicidal metal attacks.  Eating Shit was formed around the year 2000 and have since been creating some sick shit for the hardest of fans into Grindcore, or even more extreme forms of metal.  Remember the good old days of early Carcass or Napalm Death, I mean the really early days before "Mentally Murdered" or before Carcass released "Reek"?  Well take those and add about ten times more the grind of modern metal society and you will have Eating Shit!  A person has to acquire a certain taste for this type of sickness as it is not the usual Death/Grind offering.  Only the most hardcore of fans will be able to handle Eating Shit and something tells me that this okay with them!  Anyway, there are seventeen tracks on this particular release and it is all GRIND!  If you are a fan of bands like The Berzerker or Agoraphobic Nosebleed then Eating Shit is right up your fucking alley people!  If you are a major pussy when it comes to metal and have no open mind what so ever toward any types of extreme metal like this then Eating Shit will end up making you commit suicide the most painful way possible so be careful when you pick this one up...For only the most sickening and lethal metal fans in the underground today!

Reviewed by Lex Luther

Rating: 8/10

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Band: FOLK STONE

Country: Italy

Title: Il Confine

Label: Folk Stone Productions

Year: 2012

Style: Folk Metal

Review:

Italian folkmetallers released new album. „Il Confine” is very similar to Germans sounds like In Extremo and Corvus Corax – but in Italian version, heh (the band doesn’t hide it too). Ghost of Medieval Ages is very perceptible here. Typical pathos but well done - a lot of melodic motifs were played on folk and medieval instruments. Summary: very good, typical medieval/folkmetal stuff for playing live. 

Reviewed by Vilcin

Rating: 7.5/10

Band: FUNERAL WHORE

Country: Holland

Title: Step into Damnation

Label: Chaos Records

Year: 2012

Style: Death Metal

Review:

The Dutch band Funeral Whore was founded in 2006 and after different line-up changes they released this album "Step into Damnation” composed of 11 songs of about 39 minutes. The music is focused on a primal death metal sound at its most simplistic form so listeners may find this approach a little boring and too much repetitive. The production is well done but honestly it’s difficult to hear the bass. Every members play well (Good deep growl) but most of the times seems like they are playing the same things over and over again (or some riffs are quite obvious), also the drum player use always the same technique so this feeling of monotony is more emphasize. I don’t think my review will change the approach on their music but I’ve heard a lot of bands like that so my judge can’t be higher than sufficient but I am sure that they will make happy  everyone who wants to hear something classic back to the 80s period without contamination. I suggest watching some live videos on internet because I think they are much better on stage.

Reviewed by Rob Gore

Rating: 6/10

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Band: GECKO SECTOR

Country: Germany

Title: Enter

Label: Out of Line Music GMBH

Year: 2012

Style: Military Electro Darkwave

Review:

Gecko Sector is a two-man project of legendary german military electro group Funker Vogt. These guys said, that „This is not Funker Vogt” but sounds are very, very similar... Album „Enter” is a very good electro drive with all of dark motifs in lyrics and sounds. It might be said that this music is just metal played on samples and synthezators... Good music for driving car, typical german „marches” with some nostalgy for „new romantic” era in XXI century (converted on dark side).

Reviewed by Vilcin

Rating: 8/10

Band: HAEIRESIS

Country: Lithuania

Title: Transparent Vibrant Shadows

Label: Inferna Profundus 

Year: 2011

Style: Experimental Black Metal

Review:

Haeiresis is a one man Experimental Black Metal project. Here we have the first full length album under the Haeiresis name, and what an "experimental” release it is. The songs on Transparent Vibrant Shadows can be split into two "types”; Dark Ambient/Industrial instrumental pieces, and full on Avant-Garde Black Metal tracks. The album opens up with a dark and gloomy piece using samples and effects, and sets a very eerie mood for the rest of the album. Just as the tension reaches its climax, the album’s second track begins with a chilling tremolo picked riff. The contrast between tracks one and two very much highlights the difference between the two "types” of songs. The vocals are introduced very quickly, which are very unusual. S.B’s  voice sounds more like a monster from a cheesy horror film than say Varg Vikernes or Nocturno Culto, and although they are very unconventional, they compliment the (also unconventional) music. The arrangements on this album contain some of the most wacky, chaotic and abnormal riffs I have ever heard in Black Metal, and although very creative, it is not always good. Some of the sections on the album are semi-melodic, however aren’t very memorable. Both mid-tempo sections and furious blast beats are used on this album, and some of the drum beats are very innovative, however it does feel like they are programmed onto a computer rather than played by an actual human being. The production on the album is spot on, with the guitar tones and the mix actually making the album very pleasing to hear. However, with all of the positives that the album has, it isn’t something that I actually particularly like. I find that extremely experimental Black Metal albums deserve respect for their innovation, however this 50 minute album can really drag when you hear nothing that is familiar. Fans of Avant-Garde Black Metal will appreciate this album, however it isn't for everyone, and more traditional metal fans should avoid it.

Reviewed by Matt Inman

Rating: 6/10

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Band: HELLLIGHT

Country: Brazil

Title: Funeral Doom

Label: Solitude Productions

Year: 2012

Style: Funeral Doom Metal

Review:

This is a re-release of HellLight's 2008 "Funeral Doom" album released back then by a label that I haven't heard of. Now they are with Solitude Productions and I guess they wanted to promote the band a bit more before releasing something new. Actually this is a Double CD containing the 2008 album on one and the 2011 "The Light That Brought Darkness" EP on the second one. Their music is, obviously, Funeral Doom Metal with a hint of Death Metal, but except for the very good guitar solos and the parts where the guitar leads invade the monotonous overall music, this is a bit dull. Maybe fans of this genre will appreciate it more than I did. From my point of view the vocals could have been better, and the lyrics as well, but I sensed a really good potential in the clean vox and their few constructions. So all in all my thumbs up for the guitar work only, it is worthy of further development.

The second CD is their 2011 EP composed by an original track and 6 covers. The new track is more keyboard based and the clean vocals have a more important role inspiring a hint (or more) of Bathory. I like this approach, hope they will dwelve into it more in the future. The covers are a nice touch to the whole, I would have never expected to listen to Queen, Danzig or Neil Young songs played by a Funeral Doom Metal band, especially Neil Young's "Hey Hey My My". Entertaining second CD, I liked it. 

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 7/10

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Band: HYPNOSIA

Country: Sweden

Title: Horror Infernal

Label: I Hate Records

Year: 2012

Style: Thrash Metal

Review:

Here we have a compilation of the first Hypnosia releases, their 2 demos and first EP, plus 3 extra tracks. A very good offering for the fans of this band which although not so generous in releases during their brief career, have built a strong followers base amongst the Thrash Metallers. From the 3 releases presented here I honestly like the first demo's sound much more, it's better produced, at least for my taste. The music is fast, insanely fast and aggressive, a continuous attack of razor-sharp riffs and unrelenting drums, but although this is full-on speed it has lots and lots of catchy parts, reminding of earlier Kreator and even Slayer. Extremely recommended to all Thrash Metallers, this CD will make your player go nuts, I can assure you this is not a one-time listen! A must have! Too bad the band is split-up now, such a shame...

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 9.5/10

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Band: JESUS AIN'T IN POLAND

Country: Italy

Title: Freiheit macht frei

Label: Grindpromotion

Year: 2012

Style: Grindcore

Review:

Definitely a band name that would make me indifferent to their music. I know, that would be a mistake and a prejudice from my part, but that's what I feel about their name. And JAIP prooves me wrong with this second album, they are a really good band playing really tight and mature sounding Grindcore. Fat ass sounding guitar riffs, groovy rhythm section, insane double vocals, and above all a sickening intensity from start to finish even though it has a fair dose of slow Sludge-like parts here and there. I'm not the biggest fan of Grindcore, especially of new Grindcore, but this opus kicked my ass and that's why I would recommend this not only to Grindcore heads but to all kinds of metalheads. The production is also a major plus, flawless.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: KOLAC

Country: Serbia

Title: 5 Years of Blood & Blasphemy

Label: Moon Records

Year: 2012

Style: Black Metal

Review:

I like this band more and more as time goes by. Kolac is one of those bands deeply rooted in the underground, a band that doesn't have ludicrous expectations from their music, they just do what they like and that is raw, primitive Black Metal, and their attitude is perfect for this music so I'm kind of convinced this is a very honest act. This tape is a compilation of Kolac's works up to date, it has them all, from their debut 2008 promo CD to some live tracks, and even some unreleased material, so for the ones of you following their work this is a perfect occasion to have a bit of all their materials "under one roof". Strangely enough the tape starts with Side B, not with Side A, and contains 19 tracks into fast, anti religious Black Metal. The sound is fluctuating from rehearsal like to awful live recordings to good studio production so once again you get them all. What can I say more, if they continue this way they will surely become a cult band for the Serbian Black Metal history, and their music certainly backs me up on this.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: -/10

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Band: LLVME

Country: Spain

Title: Yia De Nuesu

Label: My Kingdom Music

Year: 2012

Style: Folk Doom Metal

Review:

Well, well, well... LLVME (Leonese word which mean just „Fire”) released new album. Two guys had a quite good idea to mixed folkmetal flow and doom metal angry and sorrow. However – this is not completed act of creation... The 4th track (called „Vaqueirada'l Baitse”)  is a pleasant surprise as a adaptation of true folklore song, later LLVME try to get some XVI th music elements and some wood’s whispers to doom metal drive. It’s a pity, that they didn’t involve the woman (or girl) who sang the 4th track. I have the impression that folk and metal on „Yía De Nuesu” are two different worlds, which haven’t a good communication. Respect for national language, respect for idea (this album is mooooore better than LLVME’s material from 2010) – but guys, more polish these great music ideas on the next album, please.

Reviewed by Vilcin

Rating: 8/10

Band: LEFUTRAY

Country: Chile

Title: Last Breath

Label: DigMetalWorld

Year: 2011

Style: Metalcore

Review:

Santiago, Chile has brought upon the world a metalcore outfit, Lefutray, that gives the world a release that kicks some ass from beginning to end.  Releases like this that start off with a fucking bang always make for good release.  "Last Breath" is a release that grabs a fans attention from the start with the heaviness, but almost guttural piece mixed with the hardcore element of the old school fashion.  The modern production coupled with primitive but technical riffs makes for a great fucking listen!  Lefutray, which happens to mean "fast sound" is exactly what their name describes.  "Last breath" does not let up on the heaviness or the blasting brutality that rears its head throughout the release.  A mix of styles is evident on each track which keeps this all very fresh in the mind.  No boring background mainstream here, just a typical piece of technical metalcore with all the trimmings of a grim metal band that deserves to be heard.  Chile has a range of metal bands in the Metal Underground and Lefutray certainly makes their mark with tracks like "Agreement of Suffering" which begins "Last breath" with that punch in the gut to grab your attention and leads through with "Ain't Part of It" and other speedy pieces of brutal metal reality.  All in all Lefutray delivers a pretty mean offering with "Last breath" and Chile should be proud to have these guys representing them in the Metal underground.  I like this release because of the unrelenting metal delivery with nothing giving up on any track.  Just a pure metal style like the world needs today! 

Reviewed by Lex Luther

Rating: 9/10

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