Review by Vladimir on May 14, 2024.

From the misty crypts of Pilsen in Czech Republic, comes a black metal band Beyond The Dark Angel with their debut self-released EP Immortal Time, to haunt the living and feast on the cowardly. Let's see what wicked thoughts lie Beyond The Dark Angel.

As the opening track 'DI Sumus Nunc!' commences with thunderstorms and demonic chanting, it gradually builds up the doom and gloom that comes afterwards, with slow-tempo riffing and growling vocals in a very death metal inspired black metal fashion. This formula is carried over with the title track 'Immortal Time', which also incorporates some guitar melodies and keyboards that enrichen the overall sound along with the addition of catchy riffing and clean guitar sections. The final track 'Dead Alley' goes for a slightly different approach than the previous track, while still maintaining that established song structure. Overall, the EP has a strong emphasis on mood and melancholy, mostly due to its heavy use of slow-tempo which fuses black metal with some borderline melodic death metal elements.

Despite having some ideas that make the output just a bit richer, the songwriting still remains pretty simplistic and straightforward, without any actual dynamics or eye-catching moments. The EP as a whole is very easy to follow along, yet a bit lacking in terms of its song ideas, which don't really provide anything exceptional or worth mentioning. The overall direction with the more melodic death metal inspired black metal doesn't seem like a bad idea, however it seems a tad bit empty and not really hitting mark quite as strong as it should. That's not to say that the songs are bad, it's just that they don't stand out in any way, because they miss a good riff, melody or even a chorus that would really make you want to listen to this EP on repeat.

This EP seems like a good idea that just wasn't put to a good use, more like a slight introduction to what the band is aiming for but they're not just quite there yet. I believe that the band can definitely expand on their ideas without making them feel a bit dry and incomplete, because I really want to hear something much more engaging from these guys. Nevertheless, I like the fact that it's not a very typical and uninspiring black metal output with a copy paste formula from start to finish, so I hope that in the future they will make something better that will leave a stronger mark.

Rating: 6.6 out of 10

Review by Fernando on July 11, 2022.

Oh Canada! Between the Ross Bay Cult scene and the Quebecois Metal Noir scene and the older thrash scene of the 80’s and 90’s, Canada has really made a name for themselves in the metal world. Today we have veteran underground maniacs from Alberta, Begrime Exemious, who have returned with their fourth full-length, Rotting In The Aftermath, released through Dark Descent Records.

Begrime Exemious are labeled as a black/death band, and that’s not an incorrect descriptor for their music, however, I would personally add the caveat of their music being a mixture of first wave black metal, with old school death metal, as the music has a raw, punk-like and thrashing attitude, that’s reminiscent of bands like Sodom and early Celtic Frost, alongside the brutality of early Bathory, and the shredding and speed of ‘Leprosy’ era Death and early Morbid Angel. They’ve consistently built on that sound for well over a decade (since their 2010 debut album) and that continues to be the case for this new record.

Rotting In The Aftermath wastes no time at all. First 3 tracks set the mood from the get go and it never lets up. If the band is good at something it would be first impressions, and from there the album is consistent in quality. The band play to their strengths (for the most part) with thick and frenzied riffs, drumming that walks the line between primitive and technical, and dry growling vocals. It's actually impressive how the band manage to consistently deliver pummeling, thrashing speed without ever dragging their feet in the process. That being said, some might take issue with how the album is very singularly driven in its style and execution, but then, that’s when the band come through with their closing track and the most off-kilter song in the album, ‘Diseased Mankind’. A 4 minute dirge like song that’s pure, unfiltered black metal, and I specifically highlight this track because its not only one of the best in the album, but also because it's a drastic change of pace that somehow does manage to be consistent with the sound of all preceding tracks. One criticism of it however is how it can eclipse the rest of the album, or feel like a random deviation, but overall it shows the band can successfully grab your attention and still catch you off guard.

Overall, Begrime Exemious continue their streak of quality black/death metal and still show that they do have some neat tricks up their sleeve to mix things up from time to time. Not a revolutionary record, but it really doesn’t need to be.

Best tracks: 'Cruel Mistress', 'Breach the Stronghold', 'Hell’s Embrace', 'Planetary Crypt', 'Diseased Mankind'

Rating: 7.9 out of 10