Costa Rica

Costa Rican death metal band Astriferous offer their debut album, Pulsations From The Black Orb.

Formed in San José, Costa Rica five years ago, heavy metallers Astriferous have been building toward their first long-player with an EP, a split, and a couple of demos. You could say the new record is the logical progression of the music that has come before. Filled with dark magic and cosmic dread, Pulsations From The Black Orb is a big step up. According to the Metal Archives, the band is José María Arrea (drums), Federico Gutiérrez (guitar, vocals), Felipe Tencio (guitar, vocals), José Pablo Phillips (bass, vocals).

There are eight tracks on the new album, beginning appropriately with “Intro (The Black Orb).” The music builds slowly with a distant echo that grows to become an ominous presence. Doom takes over, with slow heavy footsteps. “Blinding the Seven Eyes of God” is a broad death metal presentation, with whirling guitars and growling, croaking vocals. The construction is such that a caustic attack is followed by a heavy melt or a groove to break up the rampage in your ears. It is a very effective approach, especially combined with the forlorn lead guitar. “Teleport Haze” is another crusher while “Metasymbiosis” opts for a more measured assault.

The side two lede is the short piece “Forlorn and Immemorial,” a windswept ethereal notion. “Ominous and Malevolent” shows its doom cards first and brings the death metal in later. This altering progression is not unique to the incumbent, and it works well for many metal bands. In the case of Astriferous, it is a defining characteristic. The death metal passages are often chaotic, while the doom brings a kind of resolute order. “Lunomancy” lays down the moon magic and the closer, “Symmetries that Should Not Be,” is the stuff of waking nightmares, guaranteed to make you second guess ever leaving the house again. Taken together, this is a solid set of crushing metal. Recommended.

Pulsations From The Black Orb is out on Friday, March 10^th through Me Saco Un Ojo Records (vinyl) and Pulverised Records (CD). Check out the details at links below.

Links.

Bandcamp, https://mesacounojo.bandcamp.com/album/pulsations-from-the-black-orb

Pulverised Records, http://pulverised.net/

Me Saco Un Ojo Records, https://www.mesacounojo.com/

Musicians from Sweden and Costa Rica join forces to create a pummeling Death Metal assault on your senses.

The music for Necrogod is composed by Rogga Johansson who also executes all the instruments except voice, which comes from The Master Butcher. Previously, Necrogod released an EP in 2015, The Inexorable Death Reign, and a split with Morbid Stench two years later, The Bifid Tongue of Doom & Death. The new album, In Extremis, is another thunderous step toward heavy music eminence.

There are nine tight tracks on the new album, all in the three to four minute range, making them approachable and ripe for relistening. From the very first song, “Bringers of Blasphemy,” you can tell there is something different in the approach Rogga has taken this time. The music has a groove quality to it combined with unlikely elements, like a discordant lead break followed by a rollicking rhythm reminiscent of Motörhead culminating in a growling drift-out. This album will appeal to metal fans along a broad spectrum.

This approach follows through, and still he variety is impressive. It is fascinating and engaging to experience one iteration after another. The combination of crushing metal with affable hook and snag catchalls is a powerful push. Along with the opener, I especially admire “The Obsessive and the Deranged” and “When Madness Has Taken Control.” OSDM elements regenerated in previously unconsidered ways are welcome additions to the music in my head. Recommended.

In Extremis has a street date of Friday, July 23^rd and preorders are available now through Transcending Obscurity’s store or Bandcamp.

Links.

Bandcamp, https://necrogod.bandcamp.com/album/in-extremis-death-metal

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/necrogodeath

Transcending Obscurity, https://transcendingobscurity.aisamerch.com/search/?q=necrogod

Flying Fiddlesticks Music Blog

Music for music's sake.

Menu

Astriferous, Pulsations From The Black Orb (Me Saco Un Ojo 2023)

Necrogod, In Extremis (Transcending Obscurity 2021)