Review by Felix on January 31, 2026.

Sensitivity isn't exactly Teutonic Slaughter's strong suit. Anyone who releases an album with this band name on the anniversary of Hitler's rise to power isn't going to worry about their intro as well. It deals with an incredibly antisocial story. But more on that later. Right now, it is time to have a look at the promo sheet. “The quartet's musical identity is unmistakably based on Ruhrpott thrash metal legends such as Violent Force, Kreator, Sodom and Darkness, without losing any of their own authenticity.” This not only sounds promising – even better, it is exceptionally true. Moreover, I am sure the promo author knew what he did when he mentioned Violent Force first. Their one and only immortal classic could have been the biggest inspiration for the four dudes from Gladbeck. The energy, the velocity, and the natural flow of the songs create a sound which is not as rumbling as early Kreator, not as black as Sodom’s “Obsessed By Cruelty”, and less amateurish than the first works of Darkness. Especially “Witches Rock ‘n Roll” lies in close proximity to the approach of Violent Force’s masterpiece. A very casual riffing kicks off a neckbreaker, which gets more and more intense, last but not least because of some excellent high-speed parts and an explosive chorus. Here comes the f**kin´ fanatic old school – simply perfect and second to none. Given this background, it is surely not necessary to mention that this number is among the highlights of “Cheap Food”.

Speaking of the best tracks of the album, we move directly to 'Eviscerating Surgery'. An outburst of rapidly hammering drums, mercilessly advancing guitars, and insanely nagging vocals. Okay, its slow-paced intermezzo is nothing but a tribute to some diversity fetishists. So what, there can be no doubt that the high-speed sections rule and give the song its wild and fascinating character. In general, it is the center of the album where Teutonic Slaughter present themselves in their best form. The title track and 'Redistribution' are almost on an equal footing with the aforementioned larger-than-life songs. Once Accept thought they were “Restless & Wild” and, doubtlessly, they recorded a quite thrilling album of the same name. But just like nearly anybody else, back in 1982, they just could not imagine how restless and wild things could get, especially this thing called thrash metal.

The vocals are absolutely superb because they meet the demands of the musical style brilliantly. The lead vocalist sounds like a rather small, not overly powerful yappy dog, but one that barks all the more vicious curses. Needless to mention that he seems to be at risk of going insane throughout the entire playtime. Some well-integrated background shouts support him from time to time, and so everything works on this album with its sharp, muscular, modern yet never soulless production. No song falls through the net, although tracks like 'Hostage' do not channel the energy of the horde as well as the highlights do. Anyway, only deaf fools will deny that the album is the next infusion with fresh blood for the German thrash metal scene. Which, by the way, is still an extremely rich scene. Not because of a new Kreator album that betrays the roots of the band, but in view of still young hordes such as Skeleton Pit and vital veterans like Protector. Too bad that other hopefuls like Mortal Infinity called it a day much too soon.

Finally, back to the intro. It mercilessly describes a real kidnapping case in Germany that began in the band's hometown. The whole thing was hyped up like an event in Germany's degenerated press; the police failed completely as usual, and a young girl paid with her life. By the way, the intro omits the death of another boy who was killed while trying to protect his little sister on the bus. Hopefully, 'Hostage' deals with this drama more sensitively than the emotionless intro, which also makes factually incorrect statements. Anyway, the two criminals were named Rösner and Degowski. Anyone who meets these despicable assholes should please punch them in the face as hard as possible.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Jeger on June 8, 2026.

Across centuries of time and o'er enchanted lands forlorn has our journey through the annals of Black Metal history brought us. Here, now, on this eve of joining, of dark forces wrought and rendered over dually do we prepare for lore, for magick and for evils of the ancient kind. The veil that separates our world from that of great spirits of yore is thinning now as we approach the sound of their voices calling out from somewhere beyond Assiah. The voices of Norway's Enevelde and Gjendød as they've come together under the prestigious banner of Terratur Possessions for a split LP release, "Elegier Fra Avgrunnen", set for a June 6 unveiling. And it's time for a clinic in true Norwegian Black Metal…

You can't just decide one day as a musician that you're going to start writing true Black Metal for shits and gigs… In order for true BM to be made, there must be passion, there must be an organic understanding of the value of rebellion, of evil and of the way of the adversary. The Norwegian school has always proven stalwart in every such facet. Across eight salt-of-the-earth album cuts, Enevelde and Gjendød draw from the depths of the land a most enthralling volume of Mörk, Kampfar and Taake-reveling BM that explores the oft-unforgiving Norse landscapes along with ghastly tales of unseen but legendary forces that go bump in the night, darkness and evil, Townsfolk in the grip of hysteria and packaged so classily in modest yet impactful cover art. Alive with the rustic beauty of the language and the feeling of trueness, of genre nobility to rouse from within a sense of pride in the scene and in being one who stands under the Sign of the Black Mark.

This is the split you want. Not some crumby B-Side cuts and some demo track from Ancient times. Two prominent collectives coming together under the olde spirit of personal development through shared artistic expression, and the result is the striking opener by Enevelde, "Ut Av Deg Selv" - a somber chants-driven intro pulls you in as would a Black Hole into a plush gauntlet of ethereal tremolo riffs and gentle ride-accented beats until the mania of genuine anguish-inspired BM ensues: driving the rhythms forward now underneath intrepid riffs as the vocal agony of a hundred years bellows off into an atmosphere that is alive with elements of all I've just mentioned but not in an overwhelming way. Class and wisdom incarnate in regard to recording: mixing, mastering and tonality. A sense of classicism intertwining with a clean contemporary thread in these bitter, downright dreadful moments of "Langt Fra Umaken Verdt". A deep melodic touch and a silver lining around the palpable gloom to create a sense of liberation from within what has felt suffocating during some parts thus far.

Gjendød kicks off the second half with "Verden Våkner" and the similarities between these two entities are striking but also are their differences. Where the former makes an impact on a more melodic front, Gjendød are deploying a heartier, groove-dominated approach. A bit whimsical even in its delivery like some lost Carpathian Forest deep cut and then flashing some melodic steel of their own. Rhys King (Advent Sorrow) worship? Not intentional but striking too are the similarities between KK's tones/delivery and Rhys'. The following track, "Dødsrikets Pinsler" delivers those same dreadful/depressive tones as Advent Sorrow but unmistakable is the true Norwegian heart & soul of it. Gjendød's half of the recording proved to be more textured and unpredictable whereas Enevelde's felt cozier, a little more familiar. The very best in both collectives was brought out and that's the idea. Two proud Black Metal forces, one true Underground Label.

This is why the Norwegian scene is arguably the finest. This is why we will always return to the Norwegian product - this distinct ethos - all of these many influences converging together but yet so Norse all the same. A celebration! This is why Black Metal is more than a mere genre of music; why some people don't deserve to listen to it; why the gates must be kept! All things precious should be safeguarded… Enjoy.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10