Review by Felix on August 14, 2019.

Black metal from Finland is usually a good choice, even if it is disgraced with a childish artwork. Malum, another formation that intends to reach "purity through fire", has already recorded its third full-length and the opener illustrates blatantly that these guys are not able to present just one new tone. Everything has already been showcased a thousand times before. Or ten thousand times before, who am I to know the exact number? But there is one thing I know very precisely. I don't give a f**k about the aforementioned fact. Black metal has an exciting core which is immune against any kind of wear marks. Given this situation, there is no need to combine it with folk, ambient, suicidal or symphonic elements, even though a few bands have produced acceptable results while doing so. And no, Striborg is not among them.

However, Malum have only learned the basic rules of the sub-genre. This means they connect clanking guitars with clattering snare beats, or they bring lugubrious lines and slow drum rhythms together. They are not overly interested in creating atmosphere during the first two pieces, but the third, slightly Darkwoods My Betrothed-influenced track "Days of Slaughter and Destruction" finds a remedy. I freely admit that I did not expect it to do so in view of its pretty direct name... My misjudgment aside, Malum confirm the old rule that even black metal songs profit from a minimum of melody. It's not the first time and it won't be the last time that hoarse screaming and a poorly produced drum do everything in order to make it hard to find these melodic ornaments, but believe me, they exist. Sometimes I wish that there would be more bands that left the black metal university after having understood the basic rules and nothing else.

Perhaps with the exception of the third track, the songs do not differ very much, to express it mildly. Malum know the paths their more prominent compatriots like Horna or Behexen have already taken and they follow dutifully. Anyway, I only can say it once again: that's neither a shame nor a crime, because the quintet is good in what it is doing. The songs do not lack dynamic and they know for what they stand for. Pure, generic black metal is the name of the game and those who do not like this agenda - please f**k off (sorry for my vulgar language, but some things want to be expressed clearly). I am pretty sure that Malum do not disappoint any fan of the music Satan loves so much, even if a few parts sound like black metal by numbers. The devilish gang also does not add a new dimension to the sub-genre, but how many legions of Lucifer have been successful in doing so? Mayhem and Burzum, maybe two or three formations more, have defined the cornerstones and this has happened almost 30 years ago. Okay, I should not forget the heroes of the first wave, anyway, you can count the really innovative bands on amputated fingers as long as we speak about pristine black metal.

The closer cannot keep up with the remaining tracks, but all in all, this album delivers another tesserae to the overwhelming monument of the demonic style. A less sticky production would have been helpful, but the here presented mix does not ruin the compositions and maybe it is all just a question of the budget. Therefore, I have no serious problems with Legion, an album whose compositions constantly circle around the fiery core of the sub-genre. It's just Finnish or even very Finnish black metal, no more, no less - and that's a good thing.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by JD on March 11, 2013.

Brazil has a good history of giving the world some pretty fucking good metal over the years. Sepultura, Volcano and Mutilator to name a few have come out and pounded the world with its more extreme edge of metal. Now we have Darkside who want to follow in the Headbangers footsteps.

Playing some straight ahead Thrash Metal that has links to the whole American Bay Area styles. Sounding close to early Exodus, early Slayer and even Testament with some of the melodies seemingly ripped from Overkill’s playbook. It seems these Brazilians have the deepest passion for creating some infectious Thrash, have the ability to play it with blistering precision and yet never seem to define their own originality in it.

On listening to the album, one thing was clear. This was recorded amazingly while keeping the roughness needed for that Thrash feel. Songs like 'Bubonic' and 'Crossfire' are classic Thrash. Tight, fast, mean with razor sharp solos and gruff vocals. The songs are good, but because the melodies and some lines come so close to many songs that seem to be from the masters of Thrash rather than exploring a path where their style may live, seems to me like Darkside might have played it extremely safe rather than making their own thrashy blueprint to make it there own.

I am a old thrasher, but Darkside’s music is too close in sound and style to all of the gods of Thrash for me to overlook. I liked what I have heard, but if I wanted to hear Bay Area Thrash I would pull out my collection and hear the masters at work. These guys have fucking talent underneath the near cover type of attitude. If they can find their own style of Thrash and perfect it they might be the next Exodus and being the genre to the next level if they can follow their own talents. Right now they sound like a Bay Area Thrash tribute that has pasted in some new lyrics.

Sad, ya know.... good band, needs a voice of their own.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 9.5
Originality: 3.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.4 out of 10

Review by JD on March 11, 2013.

Brazil has a good history of giving the world some pretty fucking good metal over the years. Sepultura, Volcano and Mutilator to name a few have come out and pounded the world with its more extreme edge of metal. Now we have Darkside who want to follow in the Headbangers footsteps.

Playing some straight ahead Thrash Metal that has links to the whole American Bay Area styles. Sounding close to early Exodus, early Slayer and even Testament with some of the melodies seemingly ripped from Overkill’s playbook. It seems these Brazilians have the deepest passion for creating some infectious Thrash, have the ability to play it with blistering precision and yet never seem to define their own originality in it.

On listening to the album, one thing was clear. This was recorded amazingly while keeping the roughness needed for that Thrash feel. Songs like 'Bubonic' and 'Crossfire' are classic Thrash. Tight, fast, mean with razor sharp solos and gruff vocals. The songs are good, but because the melodies and some lines come so close to many songs that seem to be from the masters of Thrash rather than exploring a path where their style may live, seems to me like Darkside might have played it extremely safe rather than making their own thrashy blueprint to make it there own.

I am a old thrasher, but Darkside’s music is too close in sound and style to all of the gods of Thrash for me to overlook. I liked what I have heard, but if I wanted to hear Bay Area Thrash I would pull out my collection and hear the masters at work. These guys have fucking talent underneath the near cover type of attitude. If they can find their own style of Thrash and perfect it they might be the next Exodus and being the genre to the next level if they can follow their own talents. Right now they sound like a Bay Area Thrash tribute that has pasted in some new lyrics.

Sad, ya know.... good band, needs a voice of their own.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 9.5
Originality: 3.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.4 out of 10

Review by JD on March 11, 2013.

Brazil has a good history of giving the world some pretty fucking good metal over the years. Sepultura, Volcano and Mutilator to name a few have come out and pounded the world with its more extreme edge of metal. Now we have Darkside who want to follow in the Headbangers footsteps.

Playing some straight ahead Thrash Metal that has links to the whole American Bay Area styles. Sounding close to early Exodus, early Slayer and even Testament with some of the melodies seemingly ripped from Overkill’s playbook. It seems these Brazilians have the deepest passion for creating some infectious Thrash, have the ability to play it with blistering precision and yet never seem to define their own originality in it.

On listening to the album, one thing was clear. This was recorded amazingly while keeping the roughness needed for that Thrash feel. Songs like 'Bubonic' and 'Crossfire' are classic Thrash. Tight, fast, mean with razor sharp solos and gruff vocals. The songs are good, but because the melodies and some lines come so close to many songs that seem to be from the masters of Thrash rather than exploring a path where their style may live, seems to me like Darkside might have played it extremely safe rather than making their own thrashy blueprint to make it there own.

I am a old thrasher, but Darkside’s music is too close in sound and style to all of the gods of Thrash for me to overlook. I liked what I have heard, but if I wanted to hear Bay Area Thrash I would pull out my collection and hear the masters at work. These guys have fucking talent underneath the near cover type of attitude. If they can find their own style of Thrash and perfect it they might be the next Exodus and being the genre to the next level if they can follow their own talents. Right now they sound like a Bay Area Thrash tribute that has pasted in some new lyrics.

Sad, ya know.... good band, needs a voice of their own.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 9.5
Originality: 3.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.4 out of 10

Review by Chris Pratl on February 28, 2018.

What a punch to the face it is when a recording can literally just assail you from the first chords, and Masada's new EP, Hideous Rot does just that. After the solid demo called Suffer Mental Decay the buzz in the underground was that the full-length will be just as great, if not better. Well, we don't have a full-length just yet, but this 15-minute EP will suffice with repeated listens.

I will say that after you ingest the sickening 'Hideous Cerebral Pulp' and all of its stench-filled glory, you get a true feel for what Masada is really all about: no-nonsense, no frills or bells and whistles death metal in its rawest and ugliest form. The galloping feel to the track sets the tone nicely with a generous mix of old death metal like we old farts used to enjoy back when...and still do. The 'Fluteotherapy' will leave you wondering just what the hell happened to Ian Anderson (look him up, and shame on you if you don't know!) to illicit such profane and credible abusing of the flute. That said, it's very interesting, and after a second listen it's actually pretty cool to take in for what it is. The breathy accompaniment was a nice touch, but sadly some elitists probably won't get it, and that's ultimately their loss, especially since it's composed by one Clive Jones, a member of the legendary Black Widow. I suggest you check them out as well before passing such judgments.

'Exist to Rot' is just what the death metal docs ordered when this instrumental tune was crafted, and it's what is sadly missing in a lot of modern era DM. The bass work from Matt Dwyer is really good and the sound is pretty decent in the mix. It takes technical proficiency and primitive inspiration and meshes them to a subtly engaging zenith. With that, we're dropped face-first into the cerebral-challenged 'Suffer Mental Decay', which has all of the earmarks of said title. The thick, suffocating mix lifts Cazz Grant's vocals to a disgustingly even tempo where they gather volatile visages and brutal imagery like kids collect lightning bugs in jars. This is what constitutes ugly death metal from the sound to the vocals, and it proves that music can be devoid of polish and still retain some majesty.

When the EP ends 'Toxic Unreality' starts off much like a Schuldiner-Death inspired piece, then quickly turns on the heels and seems to slowly descend like a mass of shadows to the floor and creep along the baseboards of the room, infecting the entire area. I usually gravitate towards a true feeling of dim and dismal essence when listening to old-school death metal or black metal, and with what Masada has offered I wasn't disappointed in anything except the length; I still await the full-length, but this will do for now.

I have already sat through the EP three times and I like it more with each go-through. I think fans of the demo-era of some of death metal's vast underground will truly appreciate this effort. Keeping in mind the band's obvious penchant for the familiar, oft-criticized 'thick' production on the last two tracks, you should have no problem grasping the feel if you're stomach lining is so inclined.

(Originally written for www.metalpsalter.com)

Review by Krys on May 29, 2002.

After his departure from Arch Enemy, Johan Liiva didn’t waste any time and with help of guitarist Johan Reinholdz (Andromeda) and drummer Matte Modin (Dark Funeral/Defleshed) he formed a new project called NonExist; a band that is based on its members’ backgrounds to try to fuse elements of aggression and progressive metal into their debut “Deus Deceptor”.

One thing that you can’t deny is the musicianship of the NonExist trio. If you are a fan of Reinholdz’s work on “Extension of the Wish” or guitar driven records with wrist breaking riffs and solos, “Deus Deceptor” is yours to pick up without reading anything else I have to say about this album. Matte Modin makes sure that his drumming complements every riff and diversifies the songs from slow groovy beats to furious blasts while John Liiva does everything in his power to not resemble his performance in Arch Enemy and goes for much rawer style, a flanged growl ala Jeff Walker (Carcass). For the first time listener, that might be perfectly fine but after following his development in Arch Enemy it comes as a big surprise, not to say disappointment since I was expecting something totally different and personally I don’t think it’s a move into the right direction.

My biggest gripe with “Deus Deceptor” is lack of genuine atmosphere. Almost all tracks are very well written and arranged but somehow they don’t create a solid unit and leave me with a feeling of a well designed compilation. From Satriani-esque melodic solo based tracks to early In Flames to standard death metal construction “Deus Deceptor” represents a vast variety of emotions but as I stated above I’m finding a hard time linking them together. With standout tracks like ‘Eaten Alive’, the fantastic ‘A Halo Askew’ or ‘Ebony Tower’, NonExist proves unlimited musical potential and increases my cravings for a follow up. If only Reinholdz and Co. could wait a little longer and polish few compositions with greater detail this album might break out as one of the best debuts of the year, but they’re damn close anyway.

Bottom Line: Recommended to anyone with a taste for great guitar work or with love of today’s Swedish melodic scene in general but with progressive twist.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 7
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by JD on April 13, 2009.

Romanian Warganism has cone to me, and I have no idea who or what they are. I slip the disk in and wait... anticipation of the unknown growing in my head as I press the play button and wait for the first track to tumble out at me. What do I find? What do I hear? I will tell you all...

I was expecting something along the likes of unrelenting and very crushing Death Metal and some shadings of Black as well, because that is what they have deemed themselves to be on their MySpace page. I got to say that Warganism is truly more than that tag, because they have not coined themselves in the right way.

This brutal and talented five piece do have the harshest and very venomously delivered Death Metal vocals around, yet they are actually so deeply melodic and has this sort of ethereal quality that it truly is different. It is with the music where they separate themselves from the normal Death Metal stereotypes, and construct a scaffolding that is a new shape and majesty for metalheads to enjoy.

They have boundless song structures that are throughout the disk. Musically, they somehow come across to me a little like Novembers Doom mixing with some very early Helloween and then adding in some classic NWBHM tilts as well. They have that sort of unique vibe of a band that is transcending all attempts of pigeonholing them in one style or another... then making them be seen as a band that is truly a musical force all of their own

All of the songs are strongly musical in nature while holding nothing that would be deemed as 'wimpy', top that off with extremely well crafted lyrics to go along with it. Warganism is a band that cannot be just one thing or the other. No wonder that people call them the best Romanian band... Hell, I think they might be one of the best out there on the world metal stage.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.9 out of 10

Review by JD on April 13, 2009.

Romanian Warganism has cone to me, and I have no idea who or what they are. I slip the disk in and wait... anticipation of the unknown growing in my head as I press the play button and wait for the first track to tumble out at me. What do I find? What do I hear? I will tell you all...

I was expecting something along the likes of unrelenting and very crushing Death Metal and some shadings of Black as well, because that is what they have deemed themselves to be on their MySpace page. I got to say that Warganism is truly more than that tag, because they have not coined themselves in the right way.

This brutal and talented five piece do have the harshest and very venomously delivered Death Metal vocals around, yet they are actually so deeply melodic and has this sort of ethereal quality that it truly is different. It is with the music where they separate themselves from the normal Death Metal stereotypes, and construct a scaffolding that is a new shape and majesty for metalheads to enjoy.

They have boundless song structures that are throughout the disk. Musically, they somehow come across to me a little like Novembers Doom mixing with some very early Helloween and then adding in some classic NWBHM tilts as well. They have that sort of unique vibe of a band that is transcending all attempts of pigeonholing them in one style or another... then making them be seen as a band that is truly a musical force all of their own

All of the songs are strongly musical in nature while holding nothing that would be deemed as 'wimpy', top that off with extremely well crafted lyrics to go along with it. Warganism is a band that cannot be just one thing or the other. No wonder that people call them the best Romanian band... Hell, I think they might be one of the best out there on the world metal stage.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.9 out of 10

Review by JD on April 13, 2009.

Romanian Warganism has cone to me, and I have no idea who or what they are. I slip the disk in and wait... anticipation of the unknown growing in my head as I press the play button and wait for the first track to tumble out at me. What do I find? What do I hear? I will tell you all...

I was expecting something along the likes of unrelenting and very crushing Death Metal and some shadings of Black as well, because that is what they have deemed themselves to be on their MySpace page. I got to say that Warganism is truly more than that tag, because they have not coined themselves in the right way.

This brutal and talented five piece do have the harshest and very venomously delivered Death Metal vocals around, yet they are actually so deeply melodic and has this sort of ethereal quality that it truly is different. It is with the music where they separate themselves from the normal Death Metal stereotypes, and construct a scaffolding that is a new shape and majesty for metalheads to enjoy.

They have boundless song structures that are throughout the disk. Musically, they somehow come across to me a little like Novembers Doom mixing with some very early Helloween and then adding in some classic NWBHM tilts as well. They have that sort of unique vibe of a band that is transcending all attempts of pigeonholing them in one style or another... then making them be seen as a band that is truly a musical force all of their own

All of the songs are strongly musical in nature while holding nothing that would be deemed as 'wimpy', top that off with extremely well crafted lyrics to go along with it. Warganism is a band that cannot be just one thing or the other. No wonder that people call them the best Romanian band... Hell, I think they might be one of the best out there on the world metal stage.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.9 out of 10