Review by Alex on December 9, 2020.

I don't remember much about Heads For The Dead's prior full length album Serpent's Curse though I did hear it was a fairly good album. Probably scammed through a few songs that I thought were cool but there was so much other stuff coming out at the time that it was impossible to keep up to date with the band. However, in a few days they are set to release a follow-up to their 2018 effort through Transcending Obscurity. This release is titled Into The Red, has 12 tracks and spans 46 minutes. And in comparison to Serpent's Curse, this latest album, regardless of if other great releases are out there; Into The Red does not take a back-seat and compels you to rank it amongst the best for the year.

Off the bat this album kicks ass, the musicianship here is very dynamic and alot more memorable than on Serpent's Curse, that mind you was not a bad album, it just didn't manage to maintain interest for longer periods in comparison to Into The Red. That in a sense is sort of ironic when you factor in the run-times of both releases; Serpent's Curse was 35 minutes; Into The Red is 45 minutes, hence it would seem more realistic that the shorter album would call for repeated listens and maintain your attention; however even though there's been a 10 minute increase for Into The Red, it has proven to be a more interesting and rewarding album as a result of its compositions. Tracks here are very diverse from each other and flow well; they also pack a punch and feature enough great parts to keep you listening many times over.

You can tell from the very first song 'Into The Red' that Heads For The Dead are on a mission to outdo their last recording in all aspects musically. And that's the way it should be if a band is to progress and reach new heights in their music. Featuring black metal tremolo picking, groovy doom metal esque transitions, meaty thumps at the drum kit and vocals that sound a lot more resonating this time around, you feel as though the guys really put their.... you know...... heads down and merged their experience to craft something that will be hard to let go of even for the most decorated of death metal fanatics. Then the tempo takes a turn into the face of aggression on 'The Coffin Scratcher' with vicious blast beats, and murderous riffing to merge with the already clobbering death metal vocals. Off to a killer start already and it only gets better.

Also it should be noted that Heads For The Dead do an exceptional job of giving the tracks featured on Into The Red a theatrical feel of sorts, so you get the impression you're listening to the theme music of some sickening event that took place. I found this happening with most pieces; for instance on 'Horror Injection', 'The Seance' and 'Multi Morbid Maniac' having already been titled live sinister incidents, they feature very musically animated, high-octane sort of compositions that truly immerse you Into The Red. This is for me the big difference between Into The Red and Serpent's Curse. Where the latter faltered in conveying its message and pitching its product, Into The Red is in total contrast to that with every song refusing to let go of you. You get lost in the music for the full 45 minutes and in a way you kind of wish the experience would never end.

Another thing to note is the synth and melody incorporated into most tracks with my favorite being 'Multi Morbid Maniac' seamlessly webbing those two elements with blissful impact and sort of sets the tone for closing tracks 'Transilvanian Hunger' and 'Creatures Of The Monolith' in which the former exhibits a catchy primitive riffing structure done with much equanimity and consciousness as to not strangle the death metal aspect though appearing to be a more black metal focused entry. 'Creatures Of The Monolith' on the other hand has a very chest pounding entry and approach, it's like Heads For The Dead had done their damage and decided to make an exit with a warning left behind. Very doomy and groovy but very imposing and intimidating , 'Creatures Of The Monolith' hits like a 10,000 pound hammer that cracks the foundation below your feet and watches you fall into the cavity. And much of this has to do with the rich beefy production that captures every line every note with pin-point precision.

Serpent's Curse was instrumentally sound but felt disconnected and chore-like, Into The Red however, emits a considerably vigorous musical temperature aiding in the material's efficacy thus prompting continuous listening sessions. A remarkable album for Heads For The Dead and an unforgettable experience for death metal supporters.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by Adam M on July 21, 2016.

Witherscape performs some nice melodic metal that has an epic flavour to it. There is a grandness to the songs that is very similar to what was present on Edge of Sanity’s Crimson albums. In fact, I believe that Witherscape is the modern answer to those albums.

The songs on here glimmer with a melodic sheen that is absolutely beautiful to behold. The overall effect they have is a larger than life presence that is absolutely effective. The differences between this album and the last one are minor, but there are enough of them to warrant this additional album. This simply seems like a more refined version of the last album. The songs are more driven by the mid-paced melodic approach of the band. They just seem to breathe better than the last time around. The epic flair adds to this further refinement meaning the band has a lot of firepower this time around. The tracks merge more seamlessly to create a whole than they did the last time around. I still don’t have a track I like as much as Dead for a Day, but the album as a whole seems to flow better than it did before. Thus one has to look at the album as a whole and investigate how these tracks come together to form it. This approach likens to the classic Crimson albums again, which were just one song. The grandiose feeling adds to the feeling of a complete album. This is truly some spectacular melodies to witness on this album and the variation between loud and soft moments is again appropriate to create the proper mood.

The Northern Sanctuary is an album to check out if you want some music that creates a vast emotional landscape and has solid song-writing to back it up. This music actually works well as the soundtrack to the Castlevania videogame series.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Alex on March 31, 2020.

Thrash metal is perhaps the most easily identified and replicated form of metal; its near impossible to get it wrong. For years the formula has remained very much the same, even with the addition of other sub-genres to make it interesting; the sound and just overall way it goes about business is too obvious and easily stagnates. Knowing this, how many of us would be interested, heck even excited to check out the next thrash metal band newly formed? I can't speak for anyone but for me it usually comes as a chore doing so. Like having oats and milk after a hard day's work, it's by no means an exciting meal, but it manages to provide just enough strength to keep you going for the next day. However, there are times in which even the most common of meals would bring a delight you'd get form one prepared only for a special occasion; I'm talking about Infector (Cuba) with their debut full length album Let the Infection Begin. From a distance, it's old school thrash metal, which is by no means a bad thing; however when the riffs and solos hit, you get an understanding as to how a common dish prepared by a South American nation (Cuba) in this case, can be a bit of an event.

Comprised of three thrashers, Jose, Fabio and Franh, puting their heads and hands together to concoct a riff heavy ode to the mid-80s of thrash metal that saw rise of bands like Kreator and Sepultura. Here on Let the Infection Begin, the call to quality is answered on its 34-minute run time. Being such a young band, one could not have expected the music to be this good and even knocks down albums by better known bands in the sub-genre. Nine (9) tracks that don't feel like 9 tracks, instead one 15-minute song filled to the rim with fabulous riffs, believable thrash metal vocals and a good display of old school thrash metal drum-work. 'Shrine of Desperation' is the setup and while you'd feel accustomed to what's offered here, with progression, Infector begin to add that South American spice that has made thrash metal so loved in these parts. 'Deranged' truly is where the band begins to up things or let the infection begin as they put it, dishing out headbanging goodness of their own while borrowing some traits from Suicidal Angels and bands the like of.

Speeding through to the end on previously mentioned 'Deranged', with 'Blind Faith' and 'Fallout of Mankind', the unit covers the more essential parts of thrash metal the dedicated listener is always in search of. Meeting the criteria of competent riffing, in fact very impressive soloing (the main highlight of the album), steady handed drumming with plausible transitions, fills and speed, plus a fitting vocal display bringing out some of that Cuban accent charm giving the record a genuine feel. Though good songs, I think their best work is envisioned on 'The Void of Consciousness' which they drop the tempo and display a discresion in providing adequate room for the solo guitar work to take effect to give the track the feeling a song should have. Same goes for 'Poser' that'd momentarily lower the tempo before going full throttle once again into speed metal territory and back featuring solos that feel like extensions of the leading riff.

This has been done a million times over, but there's something refreshing about hearing it done well in a time that has a lot of revivalism occurring in metal. Let the Infection Begin is a commendable debut for such a young thrash metal band but the question remains how long they can keep that up for given the genre's repetitive nature.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10