Review by Alex on April 28, 2020.

Since being birthed by one Nightwolf, the Australian solo black metal project of Runespell has managed 3 full length albums. The project's latest, "Voice of Opprobrium" proved to be the best Nightwolf has done since creating material for it. His mixture of black metal with what some term as green metal has been praiseworthy given it has achieved an ideal balance between a startling atmospheric beauty (nature inspired) and the usual black metal mannerisms. The lo-fi drumming, guitars rooted in the second wave of black metal and vocal echoes of Nightwolf have brought the entity much recognition, so much that it garnered the support of Iron Bonehead Records and landed Runespell in a slot on the prestigious label.

Forest Mysticism on the other hand, I have not too much knowledge of and can only briefly recall a split release with Krypta Nicestwa titled Mirrors of Glaciated Earth sometime in 2019. One could appreciate what was being done between the two bands on that EP, signaling greater things to manifest from Krypta Nicestwa and more specifically, Forest Mysticism in this context.

Fate has guided the bands to cross paths and now as a collaborative effort, they have wed into a thing of fascination, a split EP, Wandering Forlorn. Just by the name you could already know what to expect having been acquainted with both bands' music in the past and how their releases share admiration and awe for the face of nature and all things natural. Alongside the green, cometh their black, through their occult coverage and expressed feelings of conflict and grief that'd mold Wandering Forlorn into a tome of sorts, an eternal piece of evidence of both bands' effect on the black metal soundscapes.

Behold!, a scenery of eye blinding beauty and danger, split into 6 pieces, these two projects work together in preparing a uniform result of black metal. Runespell's lo-fi production on the snare returns, Nightwolf's vocals still sit somewhere between black metal howls and death metal growls and his riffing remains exceeds the rest of his past work. I would also add that with each album, Nightwolf's songwriting becomes stronger and its evident on Wandering Forlorn the way all instrumental notes sewn into each other.

Runespell opens the album in typical fashion with an ambient welcome before the melodies of 'Wolfwoods' take shape. Excelling early-on at painting vast and lush landscapes, all the while a fatiguing melancholy stirs, Runespell dims the colors a bit with some grey tones on 'Streams of Sorrow' that I would say is one of Nightwolf's best interludes ever composed. To a degree this introduces the record to a more tranquil state that lays a warm, yet damp sheeting atop the landscape for 'Fated in Blood' to act upon; almost like casting a shadowy sky over a battlefield before the clash of steel erupts. These three songs herald around each other to give a real impression of connectivity and/conceptualization. Runespell completes its respective contribution to the split comprehensively, leaving open the door and path for Forest Mysticism to walk.

The remainder of the work now layeth upon the shoulders of D. and knowing of his capabilities exhibited prior to this split with Runespell, he does not disappoint as the motion of the album continues as though no break or change had been introduced to Wandering Forlorn. 'Summon' continues in striking 2nd wave black metal formation with a gentle sweep of atmosphere via the keyboards vacillating above the tremolo trance. This would later take a brief departure on 'Rivers of Silver (II)' and return after the challenge of sorts ensued through Forest Mysticism's own acoustic intermission exposing depth and character on his side of the project. In closing, 'Ancient Tides of War' arises and plays in conquering fashion while keeping a bit of melancholy nearby.

Wandering Forlorn is an exercise of Runespell's and Forest Mysticism's musical gifts, taking them to new heights on this majestic manuscript.

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by Alex on December 6, 2020.

Rogga Johansson is involved with many metal bands within the underground and more times than not something is being released or in preparation; this time he has aimed his creative death metal cannons at Revolting. Having been formed since 2008, the band has grown to almost a thing of massive dominance and respect within the Swedish underground metal scene and worldwide. Having already racked up a total of 6 full length albums with another on the way, Revolting's gears continue to turn with no sign of slowing down or stopping. Their next entry and contribution to Swedish death metal comes in the form of The Shadow At the World's End, out on Transcending Obscurity Records on November 27th, 2020.

Let's get something out the way first. I'm by no means a great supporter of Swedish death metal for a few reasons I'd rather not get into at this time. However, something about this new Revolting album caught my attention and I'm really beginning to figure it has alot to do with the artwork it boasts. I mean damn that looks straight out of 1991/92. Something about that purple aesthetic and detail that just reminds me of Gorguts' "Considered Dead". Then comes the music itself that leeches onto your mind with repeated listens. Thus said, it's become relatively difficult for me to forget The Shadow At the World's End due to its high replayability.

These songs keep you coming back every-time, bringing me to the main reason as to why The Shadow At the World's End is such a fantastic album. Opening with 'Defleshed', the record lunges at you with a marvelous melody and guitar hook that drives the thrashing death metal. Also the vocals don't just appear anywhere, there's purpose behind each line and placement. They don't interrupt the great pieces of music, instead the vocals act as supporting pillars for the instrumentation. '1888' doesn't focus on melody, rather it utilizes lots of groove in transporting you to doomy sections and a black metal influenced latter portion. Not the strongest track but definitely not a weak installment on The Shadow At the World's End.

That break from melody aided the build-up for self-titled track 'The Shadow At the World's End' that once again has one of the best melodic pieces in the form of its main riff. Same is to be said for 'Sorrow As a Companion' that smears melancholia via its catchy rhythm. And with the songs being so short, you're left like a saddened lover begging for another chance to hear the music. And that's something Revolting does particularly well on this record; they give you just enough to keep you returning for more or wishing for another taste when it's not present. Some of the best songs on The Shadow At the World's End have very effective melodic guitar leads and mid sections that are just as strong.

'Daggers that Mimic Life's Pain' and 'Dragged back To the Cellar' do a wonderful job in closing out the first half of the album through more sturdy melodic incorporations, while 'To the Bitter Bleeding End' and 'Revolted by Life Itself' basically do a victory lap run. These songs just apply definition, detail and dynamism to the black, white and grey walls of death metal. Everyone played as though their role was vital to the final outcome of The Shadow At the World's End. The drumming, the riffing, bass, vocals, production and artwork really put on an exhibition to remember.

The Shadow At the World's End is one of the best Swedish death metal albums I've heard in a long time. Hits all the main points and doesn't overstay its welcome. Another mountainous piece in Revolting's discography and existence as a band.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Alex on December 6, 2020.

Rogga Johansson is involved with many metal bands within the underground and more times than not something is being released or in preparation; this time he has aimed his creative death metal cannons at Revolting. Having been formed since 2008, the band has grown to almost a thing of massive dominance and respect within the Swedish underground metal scene and worldwide. Having already racked up a total of 6 full length albums with another on the way, Revolting's gears continue to turn with no sign of slowing down or stopping. Their next entry and contribution to Swedish death metal comes in the form of The Shadow At the World's End, out on Transcending Obscurity Records on November 27th, 2020.

Let's get something out the way first. I'm by no means a great supporter of Swedish death metal for a few reasons I'd rather not get into at this time. However, something about this new Revolting album caught my attention and I'm really beginning to figure it has alot to do with the artwork it boasts. I mean damn that looks straight out of 1991/92. Something about that purple aesthetic and detail that just reminds me of Gorguts' "Considered Dead". Then comes the music itself that leeches onto your mind with repeated listens. Thus said, it's become relatively difficult for me to forget The Shadow At the World's End due to its high replayability.

These songs keep you coming back every-time, bringing me to the main reason as to why The Shadow At the World's End is such a fantastic album. Opening with 'Defleshed', the record lunges at you with a marvelous melody and guitar hook that drives the thrashing death metal. Also the vocals don't just appear anywhere, there's purpose behind each line and placement. They don't interrupt the great pieces of music, instead the vocals act as supporting pillars for the instrumentation. '1888' doesn't focus on melody, rather it utilizes lots of groove in transporting you to doomy sections and a black metal influenced latter portion. Not the strongest track but definitely not a weak installment on The Shadow At the World's End.

That break from melody aided the build-up for self-titled track 'The Shadow At the World's End' that once again has one of the best melodic pieces in the form of its main riff. Same is to be said for 'Sorrow As a Companion' that smears melancholia via its catchy rhythm. And with the songs being so short, you're left like a saddened lover begging for another chance to hear the music. And that's something Revolting does particularly well on this record; they give you just enough to keep you returning for more or wishing for another taste when it's not present. Some of the best songs on The Shadow At the World's End have very effective melodic guitar leads and mid sections that are just as strong.

'Daggers that Mimic Life's Pain' and 'Dragged back To the Cellar' do a wonderful job in closing out the first half of the album through more sturdy melodic incorporations, while 'To the Bitter Bleeding End' and 'Revolted by Life Itself' basically do a victory lap run. These songs just apply definition, detail and dynamism to the black, white and grey walls of death metal. Everyone played as though their role was vital to the final outcome of The Shadow At the World's End. The drumming, the riffing, bass, vocals, production and artwork really put on an exhibition to remember.

The Shadow At the World's End is one of the best Swedish death metal albums I've heard in a long time. Hits all the main points and doesn't overstay its welcome. Another mountainous piece in Revolting's discography and existence as a band.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Felix on April 30, 2019.

The modern times are horrible in terms of politics, climate change and religious insanity, but there is one thing that really helps me to go on. It seems as if the metallic underground never stops to spit out new, competent bands. Here we have a Czech battalion and I hate to see that their album is released only on a Czech label I have never heard of. Given this situation, I am not surprised that I do not find a German mail order that has it on stock. Even the metal underground is not immune against horrible details.

However, Murder Inc. invite the listener to a nerve-racking orgy of thrash. I am not speaking about the overly precise, filigree, relatively melodic and sometimes a little bit lame kind of thrash that formations like Heathen have brought into our musical cosmos. Murder Inc. love to use the crowbar. The ten tracks sound wild, atrocious and uncompromising and not only their fastest parts have a mind-boggling effect. Especially the short adrenaline rush on the seventh position confirms this thesis in a matter of seconds. But there are many more pieces that send a clear message. Murder Inc. push the envelope of what's possible - nevertheless, they avoid sounding predictable or one-dimensional. There is enough diversity to keep the listener under tension and that's a good thing, even though the surprisingly soft intro of "Smrtihlav" and its equally relaxed ending seem to be small accidents.

These unexpected and pretty misplaced moments of lenience aside, the material nearly blows me away. An overdose of energy fights with merciless aggression and, as strange as this may sound, both sides leave the battlefield as winners. Albums like this one provide evidence that the current product of Kreator and similar outputs are nothing else but an act of betrayal, because they take the untamed spirit of thrash metal ad absurdum. However, speaking of Mille, Ventor and the other once adventurous guys, "Pleasure to Kill" is a comparable work which could have had an influence on the Czech ruffians while composing their songs. The vehemence reaches a very similar degree. Subtle nuances are for pussies. (I guess my wording brutalizes. Sorry for that but listening to this album has an effect on me...)

The full-length clocks in at 33 minutes - and everything is laid waste. Although Murder Inc. do not shy away from any form of violence, they do not offer a typical thrash / death metal cocktail. The formation keeps the fingers away from death metal tools such as low-tuned guitars or extremely deep vocals. The rumbling attacks hail the old, mostly European school of thrash while waiving all technical tricks. Consequently, very narrow-minded supporters of the Bay Area thrash formula will probably not enjoy this debut. But I like the impulsive force of the guitars, the stimulating hammering of the snare and the yelping hoarse dog that calls himself lead vocalist. No doubt, there is a lot of potential and we will be well advised to keep an eye on the further evolution of this insane horde.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10