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Accursed Creation - Exegesis | Abnormality - Contaminating The Hive Mind
Accursed Spawn - Engendering a Sociopath | Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage | Gorod - A Perfect Absolution
Obduracy - Sunday's Autopsy | Dying Fetus - Reign Supreme | Hideous Divinity - Obeisance Rising
Derelict - Perpetuation
Signs of Chaos - Rise | Carneia - Sons of the Sea | Placentophagia - Feast On Thyself |
The Epitaph's Rating: 9 / 10
This just in:
A dark, destructive force has just passed through the
capital region leaving behind in its wake a trail of devastation. Bodies and rubble are piling high and chaos is the new order. It's
time to rise and embrace our new reality.
By this, of course, I mean that Ottawa's virtuous metal masters Signs of Chaos have officially released their much anticipated full-length album Rise!
This ferociously impressive masterpiece was recorded & produced by Mike Bond of Pebble Studios and is easily one of the 2012's best albums. This release will most certainly get the crowd grooving. Hard hitting out of the gate, the precise energy on this recording fuse together fabulously with the slick guitar work of Matt MacIvor and Dave McCann, tight drumming of Taylor Calderone, sexy bass lines fueled by Tom Hansen and Nick Bedard's vocals spitting in your face.
This full-length release by Signs of Chaos is a quintessential
metal record; a necessity for anybody who loves metal and mandatory
for anybody who doesn't. Just like their solid live performance, Rise
does nothing but impress and deliver killer riff after killer riff and
killer song after killer song.
Signs of Chaos are an amazingly talented and hard working band that have been staples in Ottawa's metal scene for many years. This album is an excellent demonstration of what this band does best: KICK FUCKING ASS !
Rise by Signs of Chaos is yet another proud Ottawa monstrosity that showcases the hard working talent that this city has to offer. And, as mentioned, these guys know how to deliver a live show so be sure to catch them if the opportunity rises (I know, I know...)!
To summarize: BUY THIS FUCKING ALBUM.
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Review by: Cawdor Graves
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CARNEIA - Sons Of The Sea EP (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 9 / 10
A relatively new band to the Ottawa scene, Carneia have emerged with an inspiring 5 song EP. This hard hitting release takes progressive grooves and killer melody fusing it into a heavy-as-fuck experience that will leave you wanting more.
Formed in 2011, this 5-piece metal-musical monolith have efficiently demonstrated their future aspirations with this incredibly well mixed & mastered recording by producer and vocalist Dan Rogers. The kick drums of Alex Dulude-Larkin steadily pummel its listener while guitarists Brendan Snow and Remi Croussette unleash their riffage as vocalist Dan Rogers guttural tone inflicts his punishment as the low rumbling bass work of Phil Billingham keeps everything together. All of that to say: this album is amazing.
Carneia just came out of nowhere - from that dark abyss where talent ferments for years, erupting into an insatiable force of destruction, leaving very few survivors - and I personally hope they're here to stay.
This well-polished release, which I wish was longer, showcases the diversity that they bring to the mighty capital region. Personally, I am eager to see these guys perform live in order to be a witness to their talent and energetic infliction unto the audience.
If you want some masturbatory material for your ears, heart and soul, then do yourself a favor and pick up Carneia's debut EP, Sons of the Sea.
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Review by: Cawdor Graves
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PLACENTOPHAGIA - Feast On Thyself (2012)
Fear grips your soul as you hear The Butcher steadily walking towards you... unlocking the cage in which you've spent countless days and finally, pulling you out from the darkness for you to be viciously hacked and made into human steaks...
The Epitaph's Rating: 8 / 10
That's what it felt like for me when the opening sequence for Placentophagia's debut album Feast On Thyself began. Instantly, I knew that my senses were going to be pummelled like a Ted Bundy victim.
Placentophagia unleash their brutal and grotesque 5 song record, Feast on Thyself, which was produced and mixed by Sam Nicholson out of Autopsy Records here in Ottawa. The relentless 22 minutes of music will have the listener in restraints as this Ottawa death metal outfit inflict their torturous violence upon the listener. Ears, noses and eyes will be bleeding but these are minor concerns to the broken, shattered bones from the loss of control as this music will inspire fits of rage that will surely occur from endless rotations of this release.
Feast on Thyself has monstrous guitars from Charlie Leduc and Ian Calder, with the menacing bass work of Matt Lauzon, classic old school metal drumming of Nigel Mason and 90's gut wrenching growls of Jay Donnelly.
Tired of eating rotting scraps, this band came onto the scene and have taken it by storm by unleashing their brutal grotesquery to appeal to the masses. Be sure to check these guys out live or end up as part of their fun hellhouse of ghastly mutilated corpses posed for their own sexual fulfillment.
If you want an album to help introduce people to death metal the way it should be made, throw Feast On Thyself their way! For fans of Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus and savage fists to the face.
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Review by: Cawdor Graves
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ACCURSED CREATION - Exegesis EP (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 7 / 10
This solid debut release from Ottawa's very own Accursed Creation offers you a glimpse of what you would hear on Satan's iPod (if you're a believer in Satan's use of Apple products!)
What I can say? This album is ominously heavy, plain and simple.
If Behemoth copulated in John Wayne Gacy's
cellar with Morbid Angel, the disgusting spawn to come
screaming out into the world would surely be an Accursed Creation!
This band puts together some really evil riffs, interesting structures
and piercing screams with an attack that puts them on par with some
of today's very best. If this were my debut release, I would be one proud
motherfucker.
Their bass player (Eric Hunter) took on the challenge of recording Exegesis and the old school, raw production that materialized was perfectly suited for this album. It kind of gave me the old cassette tape type of feel, which for me, launched me deep into nostalgia, remembering my very first time listening to the classic Morbid Angel album Blessed Are The Sick.
My favorite song on this album has to be Unnatural Reunion. It's a killer track with catchy, dark riffs and the vocals - oh the vocals - are just so grim. L.P. Dugal's low guttural range is absolutely sickening. They are dementedly powerful and are a perfect match for this blackened dissonant death machine.
I am looking forward to hearing a full-length album from these guys
and hope to hear it with crisp production that would better showcase
the great (but slightly buried) drum work done by Phil Boileau.
Here's the bottom line:
If you dig dark, evil, catchy death metal that will awake some of your
deepest fears and cause newborn babies to bleed to death, pick up Accursed
Creation's Exegesis and crank it to 11!
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Review by: The Publisher
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ABNORMALITY - Contaminating The Hive Mind (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 10 / 10
This album completely - just like the Easter Bunny did every year in my childhood - fucked my brain into tiny, mushy bits! I stumbled upon these guys (and gal) via YouTube by checking out their newly released music video for the song Monarch Omega. Since I never heard of them, I was not adequately prepared for what I heard. My head did bang with a furious bang and my hands automatically morphed into horns as this 4-minute song kidnapped me into a dark cellar of awesome-sauce!
Needless to say, I immediately bought their shirt/album package online
and received it within 5 days! (That in itself deserves a review!) My car - my poor car - has heard
nothing but this album ever since!
Contaminating The Hive Mind by Abnormality has everything I look for
in a death metal album: fast, impressive drums, blisteringly grotesque
vocals, techy riffs, tons of groove and a fuck ton of surprises (Check
out their track Schismatic for an example of all this put
together perfectly).
This album is so well produced it's practically flawless.
Every single instrument and texture can be heard in an exceptionally
well balanced array of fierce brutality. The unconventional solo work
on this record is a real treat and their creative approach to song writing
keeps this album fresh every time you pop it in.
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OBDURACY - Sunday's Autopsy (2012)
So far, 2012 has been wrought with amazingly heavy albums and Abnormality's Contaminating The Hive Mind is - without a doubt - a brutal
display of aggressive talent and can easily rest as one of this year's
best albums.
If you haven't checked these guys out yet, do yourself a favor, do
it NOW!
Review by: The Publisher
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The Epitaph's Rating: 8.5 / 10
This is a melodic-thrashy-death metal blend designed to kidnap, brainwash and then annihilate any victim that crosses its path. With plenty of hooks, soul-filled solos, a barrage of lethal drumming and sheer vocal power, this a well-rounded album perfect for any metal fan.
Mixed and mastered by Topon Das (Fuck The Facts), Sunday's Autopsy blisters the ears and
inseminates the soul. The balance of intensity and musicality are seamlessly
fused together as this amazingly produced album pounds itself from the
speaker directly into the marrow of your bones! The only thing I wish they would have done differently on this album is increase the vocal volume. Having seen these guys live, I know what their vocalist Dean is capable of emitting.
One of my favorite tracks off this record is Six Women and A Hammer (see below). With
groovy bass lines and an evil-bang-your-head-until-you-
This is hands-down one of the best local metal releases of 2012 and with no provisions in place to stop their murder spree, be sure to constantly check over your shoulder for these guys.
If this album does not make it onto your regular playlist...you're a cunt.
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Review by: The Publisher
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DERELICT - Perpetuation (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 9 / 10
Ever been in a situation where you are passing a car on a slick road and start to fish tail, yet you manage to keep things under control only to find yourself in a game of chicken with an oncoming 18-wheeler? Sheer terror may be what is coursing through your veins, but instead adrenaline pumps like wildfire and you grip the wheel, let the gas off and find the traction needed, if only close to the collision point. You return to racing down the right side of the road to your destination, ramping the speed back up to the danger zone and without a single fuck given.
Derelict are like that car that may seem out of control and yet they fuel your engines to tempt any challenge and come out ready for the next obstacle in the road!
These 5 Montreal Canucks bring the intensity and technicality in their full length release Perpetuation which contains 12 tracks that surely will propel the listener into total chaos while bombarding them with various elements that are solidified into one hell of a solid album. Christian Donaldson of Cryptopsy produced, mixed and mastered the incredible release.
The CD was a test of each member of the band to collaborate and fuse together elements that would ultimately entail a masterful release that is brutal, technical, yet harnesses melody and catchiness to appeal to the masses. Montreal metal outfits like Derelict seem to strive quite highly to raise the next bar for those coming up behind them. It's something to marvel at quite honestly. How do they do it? Are they eating special Wheaties not sold anywhere else? Bath salts, perhaps?
The quality of this recording from start to finish is impeccable but this listener has to say that Derelict are a band to be seen and heard live. All the elements of the music is showcased in their live performance yet Derelict are a band is able to bring it and then some, which to me makes the music that much more enjoyable. This isn't to say that this CD isn't enjoyable - it most certainly is - however, Derelict have a stage presence that is hypnotic for the fortunate soul in the crowd.
I wish not to delve deeply into discussing elements of this song verses that song. Perpetuation is written, produced and packaged in a way that I can only promise you that the tunes will capture and speak to you in your own way but ultimately the outcome will be there same for each of you who takes the opportunity to listen to these guys - perfection! What I will say is this, in my humble opinion track 5 (Intricate Decay, see below) is my personal favorite as it solidifies what I've already written. EVERYTHING is in this tune and it definitely gets my adrenaline pumping.
Lastly, one element that seems to make Derelict stand out is their lyrical standpoint about the environment and how evident man is approaching toward our inevitable mass self-destruction. Many bands similarly take a stand and maintain that point and yet this outfit have dug their feet in and it will take a wrecking ball to crush and obliterate them! This album (and this band as a whole) are worth every second of your time!
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Review by: Cawdor Graves
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ACCURSED SPAWN - Engendering A Sociopath (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 8 / 10
A follow-up to their Dismember The Informant demo, this 5-track EP ignores any notion of foreplay, pounding the listener deep and hard from beginning to end. Learn to bite your pillow...that shit will come in handy!
This EP is relentlessly brutal in every possible way. It's a one-way street to a violent demise and you're going, no matter how hard you struggle!
Accursed Spawn knows how to write good, straight forward death metal, there's no question about it. This record automatically entices the sociopath lurking in each of us to push itself further to the surface. Engendering A Sociopath kills - literally! My neighbors mysteriously started to decompose after blasting this album. I'm sure Jeremy Harley's footwork was mainly to blame. This guy is a beast behind the drum kit! Devoid of any type of conscience (yeah, I said it), they pummel the listener with sheer heaviness and unadulterated talent.
The recent addition of guitar wizard Adam Pell does not go unnoticed on this record as his shredderiffic skills are wonderfully demonstrated song after song. Paul Kelly's badassery never fails and he continues to deliver some exquisitely brutal guitar work! For an ejaculatory track, be sure to listen to Acid Bath Murderer!
Vocally, it's what you would expect from Accursed Spawn:
a non-stop psychotic rant from the depths of insanity. There are no
frills or bullshit here. You are getting stabbed in the dick and you
better like it!
Extra fangirl points goes to the album art. I mean...look at it! It's just ...awesome.
The album is well produced and when I first plugged it into my car, I was happy and relieved to hear that it wasn't an overdone, digital tweakage of an album. Every instrument can be heard (including the sexy, date rape rumble of the bass) and you can tell these songs come straight from the heart. My only legitimate complaint is that the album only has 4 songs plus an intro. I guess that's why the repeat button exists...
This record is a killer death metal release and Accursed Spawn is an example of yet another talented local band savagely carving their name for all to see, fear and remember!
Pick it up, listen to it and follow your impulses. We promise to write to you while you carry out a life sentence in prison.
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Review by: The Publisher
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DYING FETUS - Reign Supreme (2012)
I'm not going to lie...this review is totally biased! I have been waiting for this release all year and I must say, the blueballs were worth every ounce of pain.
The Epitaph's Rating: 10 / 10
Having been teased relentless by Dying Fetus via social media with a
song and an album preview, they managed to hook me in with no problem
whatsoever.
I saw them play some of their new material back in March during the Metal Alliance Tour and that just added to the increasing anticipation of this album.
Hoping that I wasn't going to be disappointed - you know, with all the hype floating around in my testies - but, I wasn't! This album is fucking remarkable! It has every Fetus element we as fans look forward to: slamming riffs, gurgly-gross-Gallagher vocals, sweepy guitar licks, fierce drumming and an intense urge to stab somebody in the oesophagus with the sharpened bones of a previous victim!
Don't think for one second that you're getting just another Dying Fetus album. No, no, no. They add in some awesome new flavors to the mix that I was personally not expecting. Reign Supreme really shows off their growth as musicians and their ability to still deliver crushing death metal that captivates and makes your heart pound at an unhealthy rate.
Every song on this album has something that just grips you and makes you want to mosh as violently as possible. The final song on this album, The Blood Of Power blew my little mind. The riffs, composition and solos in this song are so well done, I have not been able to play it without pushing repeat.
Dying Fetus' newest album Reign Supreme takes its rightful place on the throne of 2012's best death metal releases.
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Review by: The Publisher
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HIDEOUS DIVINITY - Obeisance Rising (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 9 / 10
Thanks to Unique Leader's mailing list, I learned
about this new Italian death machine called Hideous Divinity.
With former members of Hour of Penance and Eyeconoclast fueling this
monster, Obeisance Rising is a remarkably heavy and intense album, from
top to bottom.
Their album art (done by a ridiculously talented and relatively unknown artist named Marchello Novakov) was what actually got my attention the first time around. It gripped me visually, and I just needed to know what they sounded like. Moments later, my pre-order was placed.
When I popped the CD into my car (and yes, I still use CDs), I was immediately impressed by the massively clear production and the heavy-as-fuck guitar tone. The drums cut across the mix so precisely it was as though thousands of diamond-tipped blades were delicately cutting my brain into the most beautiful array of nothingness.
Their Hour of Penance background is definitely prevalent as the relentless attack, song after song, pummels through. The one great thing about this album is that there are breaks amidst the relentless assault. I mean, legitimately catchy and melodic breaks.
They do a fantastic job at combining this new age
death metal sound with the emotion that appears to be lacking with many
of their brutal counterparts. At times, their melodic feel is reminiscent
of the almighty Nile.
There is one certainty: this is one hell of a HEAVY album!
To best experience all of the elements on this album, I recommend listening
to it with good quality headphones, in the dark, while snacking on dead
children.
Let's just hope that these crazy Italian bastards are able to tour throughout Canada. I think it would be a show worth surviving.
For fans of Nile and Hour of Penance, check out Hideous
Divinity's monstrous album, Obeisance Rising!
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Review by: The Publisher
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GOROD - A Perfect Absolution (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 9.5 / 10
All hail to France's own talented Gorod! These guys have released by far 2012's magnus opus album A Perfect Absolution. This epic release demands fans who appreciate technical metal in its top form. The compositions are incredible and one is hard pressed not to appreciate the 40 minutes of wicked tech death metal.
From their previous releases to this masterpiece, the band has been developing their own unique and artistic stylings. With A Perfect Absolution the band has released some enticing studio video footage that was a teaser to the release of this epic monster.
Technicality mixed with grooves and melodic elements draw the listener to want more and more. This release meets all those criteria into one truly satisfying recipe. Personally this is bound to be one of 2012's best releases for this listener, with copious replays over and over. I personally cannot get enough of their song, Birds of Sulphur.
One negative for me is, I am not a fan of how long the introduction takes to get into the first track. Then again, that is why there is a fast forward button. Other than that, the production and performance by these talented musicians attracts me to want more of this skilled music. I would love to see them perform live in our region any day.
It should be mentioned that even Christian Muenzner (Obscura, ex-Necrophagist) couldn't avoid these talented guys as he made some contributing solo appearances on this release. Big surprise as he seems to be making appearances on all of the great tech death albums this year! And by no means is this a complaint! Christian is one talented mofo! Exclamation mark !
Again this awesome release is totally worthy of praise
and we should all offer our support to this foreign talent with hopes
of luring them to North American/Canadian soil.
In short: GET THIS ALBUM and try, I dare you, to only play it once!
This is definitely one of the best releases of 2012, period.
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Review by: Cawdor Graves
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GOJIRA - L'Enfant Sauvage (2012)
The Epitaph's Rating: 5 / 10
Progressive metal superstars Gojira at it again with their latest release L'Enfant Sauvage. This is their first release under the infamous Roadrunner Records label, which they were acquired by in November of 2011.
Ok, enough with the bullshit history that any of you could find doing a simple Google search.
I was hoping that Gojira would emerge from the pile of hype surrounding them with an incredibly epic album that set them apart indefinitely. Regretfully, this is just another Gojira album.
Don't get me wrong, (or do...I don't give the
slightest fuck) if you like Gojira or the sound of
caterpillars metamorphosing into beautiful butterflies, then you'll
dig this album. For me, there is nothing different in this album than
their last 2 releases. It's just another Gojira album.
Well, I suppose if a formula is working for you, why change it, right?
One irritating this about this record is this:
Okay, you remember on their killer album From Mars to Sirius, they
added these sweet pick scrape-slides? Sounded really cool, right? And
then on The Way of All Flesh,
they did it again and we were like, "Oh shit! Those again...that's
cool."
Well, can somebody please fucking teach them
a new, cool trick to use?!? It is NOT a riff, you bastards!
The production on the album itself is good (as it was on previous releases) and the flow of the entire album is pretty decent. There is little tempo variety and I feel that this album is just a chiller in general.
That's about it! If you're a Gojira fan, you'll appreciate
this record but may have wished that they would have crossed the threshold
a little more than they did. I feel as though they were holding back
from doing what they felt they should have. Who knows, maybe that's
what is missing here.
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If you're new to Gojira, I recommend starting
off with their first album Terra Incognita or even From Mars To Sirius...not this one!
The only time I would consciously choose to play this album again would
be when I sit down to prune my bonsai trees. And come to think of it...I
don't have any fucking bonsai trees.
Well, there you have it.
Review by: The Publisher
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