Part II

Sometimes, when I start collecting materials for the next installment of South Of Heaven I worry whether I will be able to find enough interesting and promising domestic performers. However, it turns out that the deeper I dig, the bigger the pile of recordings becomes and I actually have to make hard choices and eliminate some bands or artists. In some strange way this makes me happy because it means that our scene is constantly developing and growing. And although these may not always be discoveries on par with those from the 1980s and 1990s, the level of music, technology and sound is really high. So, not to waste any more of your time, I invite you to another edition of South Of Heaven.

Levi

BLIND SALVATION - Eyes Of Nebulas - Independent

The debut album of this quartet from Szczecin was released last year and I don't know how it escaped my attention and since it is really solid material, I would like you to get to know it too. Eyes Of Nebulas is an intro and 11 numbers of really solid death metal thrashing, rather in the American style. Driving sharply ahead, sometimes very motorically, with many hellish accelerations and blast beats, and rather a few slowdowns. The musicians are very technically proficient, and the singer has a really solid and powerful growl, and at times he tries less brutal vocals, which brings a really nice effect. But as I looked here and there, it turns out that he practiced his vocals in Nihilosaur, which I really like, which really explains a lot. If we add a really cool production, we have a complete set. I recommend it to death metal fans.

NIHILOSAUR - Modern Depression - Independent

Well, here we go. I mentioned Nihilosaur a moment ago and so I decided to check if they are still alive. And it turned out that their new, fifth album was released a few days ago. I must admit that they are one of my favorites on the national scene when it comes to metal, but metal that is not obvious, hard to pigeonhole, ambitious, but played with great edge and feeling. And once again they took me by surprise, even though I expected the unexpected. I don't know how they do it, but playing Nihilosaur reminds me of a Scandinavian approach to the broadly understood metal-related matter. I feel similar vibrations on this album as on the new Xysma album - it is multidimensional, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, very psychedelic and extremely intelligent. Just beautiful! It's a pity that in our beautiful country there are not many recipients of this type of music, because Nihilosaur deserves much more than it actually receives. Cool band.

ACTUM INFERNI - Uzurpator Niebiańskiego Tronu - Societas Oculorum Arcanorum

The project comes from Olsztyn, and is headed by Draconis, whom you may recognize from such hordes as: Gniew, Plaga or Leichengott. So far, he played all the instruments, but to record his second full-length album, he invited the recently much sought-after Krzysztof Klingbein, who plays drums mercilessly. Uzurpator Niebiańskiego Tronu is four long compositions dominated by black metal brawl that can be associated with riffs known from the work of Dissection or Marduk. The melodicity in particular can be associated with the early work of the former. Although, just like in the second half of the album's opening song 'Z Zaciśniętym Na Szyi Sznurem', there is a beautiful fragment in a very traditional heavy metal atmosphere, with a very cool solo. I don't think black metal fans will be disappointed.

DEVASTATED GRAVES - Deliverance (The Prophecy Of The Poisoner) - Fallen Temple

Unholy Fucking Hell - what a beautiful miasma! However, I hope that most fans of raw and brutal black/death metal already know this album perfectly and can hurt their ears with these sounds on a daily basis. Not only yourself, but also your neighbors! Devastated Graves is a trio composed of three well-known on the scene thugs who know exactly how to kill with sound. It's a pity that the album is only 21 minutes long, because it leaves you somewhat unsatisfied. And on the other hand, the sound content of Deliverance… is a condensed pill of raw and brutal blasphemy that hits you with sulfur stench and kills a poser in a few seconds. Anyway, just take a look at the graphic design and photos of the band and everything is clear.

SEVENFOLD BLESSING - Salvatore Obscurum - Independent

The debut EP, which I heard for the first time just a few days before Bahl'al's death, which was the spiritus movens of this project. Four songs and almost half an hour of really interesting black metal with occasional excursions into death metal, in a raw, obscure version. With crazy and hysterical vocals, at rather fast tempos, with an addictive atmosphere. I must admit that I was hooked on it from the first try. And, not taking into account the undoubted tragedy that happened, and focusing only on the music, it's a real pity that we won't hear anything new under the Sevenfold Blessing name anymore, because I think Bahl'al still had a lot of interesting ideas and musical visions to realize. Unfortunately, we will never find out...

HEGEROTH - Disintegration

This is the fifth album of this Silesian duo. Big applause for your perseverance and consistency, because despite the lack of spectacular successes, and therefore I do not think that the album sales are satisfactory - Bila and Bene are recording new, and I think, better and better albums. The basis and starting point here is black metal, but there are also death metal elements. You can hear here echoes of Marduk-style playing, and on the other hand, more dehumanized sounds like Zyklon or Myrkskog. I feel that playing gives them a lot of joy, because in Hegeroth's playing, despite the power and ruthless brutality, one can feel such freshness and lightness. Piece by piece rolls through the speakers and I didn't even notice that 33 minutes and 33 seconds had passed and the album was over. This is also due to the good sound and, above all, good riffs, vocals and arrangements, which I assume they spent a lot of time on. I really wish them many more years of playing and I will be happy to listen to their next album.

HEGEMOON - Pogarda - Hell Is Here Prod.

The band comes from Częstochowa and has been playing music known as Pagan Black Metal for 20 years. And everything is correct, including the fact that it is firmly set in the atmosphere of the 90s. It's not very original, but it is quite good to listen to. The latest EP from Hegemoon is just over 20 minutes of original songs and a cover of Vlad Tepes' 'Pieśń Masakry Zdewastowanych Ziem'. It may not appeal to the more picky and searching listeners, but for black metal purists it could be quite an enjoyable piece of music.

PUTRID EVIL - Exhumed… From The Unhallowed Ground - Independent

Putrid Evil is a side project of musicians associated with Poisoned from Gdańsk. And just like in the parent band, it's very old-school. However, this death metal style is sometimes upped with a pinch of grind. But don't be afraid, because this is a grind in the style of Terrorizer or Repulsion rather than that more modern, pointless bullshit. Despite the rather raw and dirty sound, it is really cool to listen to. And it's nice that after a few demos, splits and EP's, Putrid Evil came out with a debut album, because despite the fact that it lasts only 27 minutes, I think that in terms of its level of intensity it is an appropriate and perfectly digestible dose of banging on the proper level.

DEADSPEAK - Human Alchemy - Independent

The debut album of the project headed by Krakus, known from Bloody Psycho. This time he enlisted the help of a few guys, including Krzysztof Klingbein, and I honestly admit that the results are really satisfactory. And even more - Human Alchemy is a piece of solid technical death metal with a clearly old-school edge. I think that if I mention names such as Atheist, Gorguts or our native Devilyn, it will be a signpost for what Deadspeak plays. I'm a bit dissatisfied with the production, especially the sound of the drums and some solos (some strange effects), but it's a matter of taste. Generally speaking, it's very nice to listen to and what's immediately noticeable is that Krakus and his team really put a lot of effort into achieving this effect. I highly recommend it, especially since it's hard to find similar bands on the national scene.

WAŚŃ - Ciemną Doliną - Via Nocturna

Waśń is a new band on the national black metal map. They come from Wrocław and even though they have only been operating for a year, they are composed of experienced musicians who have previously practiced in: Sapros, Tholing The Void and Grimlord. As I already mentioned, they play black metal with keyboards set in the atmosphere of the mid-90s, but played and sounding a bit more modern. And to be honest, I have a bit of a problem with it. I don't know if a better solution would be to shift the weight of Waśń music to one of the sides I mentioned? I am just thinking aloud. Because I don't know if they don't sound too modern and sterile for old-school fans, and whether they don't sound too raw for younger adepts of black metal? But maybe that's just my opinion... Overall, it's pretty solid playing.

EGZEKUCJA - Ordo Predatorum - Independent

Egzekucja from Rzeszów should be known to you by now. The line-up of the band has changed slightly over time but it's still led by the tireless Guma (ex-Cerebrum), and these changes have made the band's music more colorful. What Egzekucja creates is not the easiest to listen to, and the introduction to 'Szafarz' is more associated with the songs of Kobong or Neuma than with death metal. The rest is not pure death metal either, although the weight and atmosphere of death/doom/sludge is strongly accentuated here. And despite the fact that, as I mentioned, their music is not the easiest and nicest, from time to time there is a more accessible and melodic chorus or lick. And then it reminds me of their compatriots from Jesus Chrysler Suicide and you can hum it even while shaving. So, as you can see, it's not easy with them. But that's what music is sometimes about, so I encourage you to check out Ordo Predatorum.

SLAUGHTER OF THE SOULS - The Beast in You - Independent

The band from Sandomierz will celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, but unfortunately they cannot boast of a rich discography or widespread recognition in the scene. It's a pity, because it's a really good band, made up of seasoned musicians who used to play in bands such as Night Gallery or Land Of Fear. The Beast In You is their second material, but I think it is very mature, and you can hear that the guys know exactly what death or thrash metal is about. There are a lot of melodies here, but there is also plenty of proverbial fire and sometimes slightly more technical playing. But without exaggeration. The numbers are nicely arranged, well-thought-out, with good solos and nice vocals. The sound is strong and meaty. Despite all this, although I like the guys very much, I don't predict a great career for them. Nowadays, to achieve greater success, you need more than just being good. But I think that Slaughter Of The Souls is not about that at all and the most important thing is that they enjoy playing. And you can hear it.

Thanks for checking this one out. Find more bands and metal in the first part of South Of Heaven here.

Part III

Welcome to another installment of South Of Heaven. Since our last meeting a lot of domestic materials have been released, some of them on really nice labels too. In fact, sometimes I'm at a loss whether or not to review these materials here or in the standard reviews section. Mostly what comes into play is the band's knowledge at the scene, their position, and sometimes fierce polemics with the Editor-in-Chief about which items should go to the top for "big" reviews. However, music and the bands themselves benefit from our exchange of opinions, because so far, we always somehow come to an agreement (especially when… we'll meet 😉). But, what more is there to say? Things are going well in the Polish country! And let it stay that way…

Levi

GAROTA - Czarne Wizje - Godz Ov War Productions

The debut album of this Szczecin horde was released in 2022 under the flag of the tireless Godz Ov War and I must admit that it is a perfect label for them. Garota's music is sleazy, repulsive and primitive black/thrash metal intended only for the toughest players. And even though at times the influences from Midnight, Desaster, and Aura Noir come out, it is presented in a more raw form. And NO, you will not find here any musical tidbits, technical plays, choirs and girls on vocals. A ruthless ride from start to finish. And although it's not very original playing, it's really good to listen to. I don't predict a great career for them but I respect their approach. After all, not everyone needs to chase fame, some take pleasure from just playing and satisfying their own musical ambitions, because I have no doubt that the guys from Garota satisfy their needs.

TRUP - Nie - Godz Ov War Productions

Also reminiscences from the year before last. Next is the Augean stable… oops, sorry Greg's. Another material from Trup and again it's very seedy, raw and wild like hell. And in the case of Trup, once again, there is great surprise as to where in this band, or more in guys who have sludge roots, comes all this pissed off attitude, rawness and simplicity in playing? Simplicity in a good meaning of course. Trup is making all this noise on simple principles, but under all this there's attention to compositions and arrangements. Or maybe, it just comes out like that for them. The album is simply titled NIE and it starts with a total killer in the form of number '29', which attacks listeners with hardcore aggression right off the bat, to move on as if nothing had happened, more chaos called '30' and then a slight calmness arrives… seemingly, because the attack stays on all the time. And after this material, they can no longer be defined as sludge/black/noise in a simple way... us reviewers… we're fucked. On the other hand, why mess around and call names when the music defends itself? At least that's how it is with Trup.

DEATH CRUSADE - Znów Płonie Niebo - Independent

Another material from the Pomeranian Death Crusade starts very innocently from the intro by Hervy, known among others from Blindead, then becomes slow and more trance-like playing that would suggest that we will have to deal with some post-metal production – tfuuuu. However, about halfway through the opener 'Szary', the band dispels all doubts and its music turns into a real hurricane. Those who know Death Crusade very well know that this is a great band that combines elements of crust, punk, d-beat and metal and they do it at a really cool level. If I will mention bands such as Discharge, G-Anx, Terrorizer and Extreme Noise Terror, I won't offend the guys from Tricity. And it's nice that it's getting better with more of this kind of playing in our country, because there has been drought for years in this field. They're playing a gig near me soon, so I'll definitely go check if they can defend themselves live!

EXUL - Path To The Unknown - Defense Records

Debut album recorded almost 11 years after the band's founding so you can immediately hear that there is not a thing wrong with it. The fact is that Exul was dormant for many years, but I guess the musicians didn't just sit on their butts but they kept perfecting their craft. This very talented Krakow band, with Zamość roots, has all the predispositions towards quickly joining the national thrash metal elite. Already on the first listen, Path To The Unknown catches your ears with sincerity of the message and downright youthful enthusiasm, which combined with really nice compositions and, as I mentioned, good musical technique, creates an explosive mixture. The seven numbers that make up this album are a truly explosive mix of American and European thrash metal, with really cool and stylish vocals. Really nice to listen to, the foot is tapping on its own, so these are probably very good symptoms in the case of such music.

ATROPINE- Sanity Desecration - Via Nocturna

We will stay in Rzeszów, but this time the attack will be more specific and more extreme, because we will listen to brutal death metal. Previously I reviewed their material a few years ago and I must admit that during that time Atropine didn't just fuck around, they worked hard on their skill, arrangements, coordination and I admit that it brought results. The second material from this Rzeszów horde brings us a really mature, a very thought through and ass-kicking piece of death metal. And what is very important, they don't forget that death metal is not just heavy noise and blasts, but also a dark and blasphemous atmosphere. Sanity Desecration consists of 9 tracks reeking of the atmosphere of old Sinister, with a nice rhythm section, cool solos and great vocals. I'm very pleasantly surprised and I keep my fingers crossed that they find a good publisher and play as many concerts as possible.

71TONMAN - Of End Times - Transcending Obscurity Records

Once again, we are hosting this Wrocław band that keeps climbing up from album to album in every aspect, however, it operates in such a niche that despite releasing material on such a respected label as Transcending Obscurity it is still deep underground. Even though from material to material, their music is becoming better, more mature, more original. Well, apparently this is the fate for some people... The important thing is that guys do their thing all the time, not caring if they are patted on the back or not. Of End Times is a 4 terribly heavy songs, each lasting about 10 minutes, rolling like a hundred-ton roller. Supposedly this is sludge/doom/death metal, in which you can hear elements from older albums of Unholy, Evoken and a few other greats of the art of sound crushing, however you can hear that 71Tonman has made progress these last few years and also trampled its own path. And that's what makes me happy the most and that's why the boys deserve the respect.

Deimoon - The Nocturnes, First Act: The Hour of Wrath - Independent

Deimoon is a French-Polish project in which one of the musicians of the extremely respected Taranis is involved. And I can honestly tell you that you can hear it, because the music contained in the debut material is very interesting, dark, mysterious, original in its own way. And who knows if Taranis still existed, maybe they would play this kind of music. Maybe it's more melodic, even bordering on a gothic atmosphere, however, in my humble opinion, it is much more interesting than what, for example, Samael plays currently. Strong statement? Maybe so, but despite all I dare say that the music of both bands is significantly different from each other's I claim that Deimoon is currently able to offer more than the Swiss. And back to the music on The Nocturnes, the atmosphere borders on black, doom metal and gothic music. And it certainly is material worth wider attention.

CHOROSZCZ - Rojenie - Independent

The debut album of a one-man project from Poznań. Choroszcz was created by TB and works generally in broadly understood black metal with trips towards sludge and some other twisted areas. It is a project rather in the style of experimental black metal, more trance, avant-garde, than those who are very direct and raw and brutal worshippers of the devil. Anyway, just look at the cover and song titles to see that it is closer to Furia or Kły than to bands cultivating the cult of the goat. But I must say that Rojenie is quite interesting material, where you can hear that TB contributed to all the ingredients that make up this material. I wonder what will be the next step?

UKĆ - Przemijanie - Seven Gates Of Hell

The debut solo album of Łukasz Sarnacki aka Icanraz, known for drumming for so far a million bands so I will only mention Corruption, Hermh, Devilish Impressions or Abused Majesty. It turned out that Łukasz is also quite good at playing other instruments and singing. And in terms of workmanship, the workshop is really good, however, musically speaking, it's not that good. And I understand that Łukasz wanted to present many faces, many emotions on this album, however, overall it's just bland. There aren't clearly marked lines where specific emotions can be heard, such as pissed off, pain, sadness, joy. You can only guess all this, and in my opinion for such an experienced musician these mood fluctuations should be clearly audible. Still, kudos to you Łukasz for undertaking such a task and maybe I am wrong here and I do not understand this project…

NIGHTBOUND - Howling of the Night - Independent

Another material from the increasingly dynamic capital metal scene. The debut EP of Nightbound is pure, classic, if not true heavy metal, to say the least, paying homage to bands such as Manilla Road, Pentagram, or In Solitude. My heart rejoices that young people cultivate the traditions of truly ambitious heavy metal, which wasn't always in the headlines, but one that always had influence on what was happening in the scene. I'm glad that another one is growing nearby Armagh and several others, a talented classic heavy metal band.

VENEFICES - Incubacy - Independent

New Venefices EP created by former members of Bestial Raids – Desolator and Sadist brings us 5 tracks of musical destruction! I love their approach to extreme death/black metal. And although it is definitely different here than on Bestial materials, you can still feel class and repulsive sulfur smell. The concentration of the devil on this material exceeds all permissible standards. I really regret that there is no Bestial Raids anymore, but if Venefices spreads their wings more, then my regret will be much less. Definitely top class black/death metal extreme in its most raw and dark version!

CRIPPLING MADNESS - Władcy Nocy - Putrid Cult

The second full length of deathrashers from the Lublin region brings us confirmation that this is a band that knows exactly what this style is about. Very real, obscure and raw thrash metal served to us on Władcy Nocy is like … well… music to my ears. For a long time I haven't heard such cool material on the national scene that would refer to in such a direct way what was happening in the thrash scene at the turn of the 80s and 90s. Old Sepultura, Quo Vadis, Chakal and the list could go on... Anyway, listen to the likes of 'Lśniące Zimne Ostrze' or a number like that title track, which could easily be included on "Beneath The Remains" or "Schizophrenia" and there would be absolutely no shame. Apparently nothing original, but a lot of fun and I honestly admit that I prefer bands such as Crippling Madness, which maybe aren't very original, but they know exactly what they want to play rather than the bands that are trying to reinvent the wheel and are looking for the lost Grail. Death to false Metal!

Thanks for checking this one out. Find more bands and metal in the previous editions of South Of Heaven.
Part I - https://metalbite.com/news/18915/south-of-heaven
Part II - https://metalbite.com/news/18942/south-of-heaven