HPGD Productions

Charred, Prayers of Malediction (HPGD Productions 2021)

Wayne Edwards, , , , , ,

Florida Thrash~Death Metal band Charred re-release their first long-player, Prayers of Malediction.

There is not an enormous amount of information out there about Charred. The Bandcamp page reports that the band is from Deerfield Beach, Florida. The Metal Archives has about the same amount of detail, adding that Prayers of Malediction was originally released digitally in 2019. The new HPGD release will give wider distribution to this excellent album, so that is a good thing. And, anyway, maybe we don’t need to know much about the musicians and the band if we have their music to listen to.

There are nine ripping tracks on the album. Along with the obvious Thrash and Death Metal content, there is also a strong groove vein running throughout that makes these songs even more memorable. Most of the tracks are short, in the two minute range, with a handful of longer pieces. Growling vocals, battering percussion, and wailing shreds tag team to add force and power to the music.

“The Athame Of The Witchking” has a tasty Doom Metal opening, and that is always a good thing for me to hear. “Entity Of War” has a nice Mercyful Fate callback and “Enthralling The Weak” swings a weighty metal hammer aimed directly at your spine. My favorite track might be “The Means Of Destruction” because of the way it comes at you low and swerving then hooks back to crack you on the skull.

“Kesai Khati (Eater Of The Raw Flesh)” shuts the show down with a story that will keep you up at night. I did not know about Charred until I listened to this album and I am glad I got to hear it. Keep an eye out for anything else they release. Recommended.

CD and digital forms of Prayers of Malediction will be out from Horror Pain Gore Death Productions on Friday, October 1st.

Links.

Bandcamp, https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/prayers-of-malediction

HPGD, https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

Charred, Prayers of Malediction (HPGD Productions 2021)

Snogard, Moral Presence, Corrupt Misdeeds (HPGD 2021)

Wayne Edwards, , , ,

Dark fantasy black metal shines on the first lap by North Carolina duo Snogard.

On their Bandcamp page, the musicians are listed this way: Froglin (vocals) and Gorf Drakolisk (all instruments). The two released this EP independently last year and now Horror Pain Gore Death is giving it a boost with a fresh incarnation.

There are five tracks, each one set thematically in a dark fantasy realm ranging from Tolkien to The Dark Crystal and to all around the raging seas. The music certainly takes black metal tropes as a starting point – you can hear that lane clearly in the vocals and the rhythm and percussion, particularly.

On some songs there is a nice doom element, and in other places you are treated to what could be the lyrical emanations of a traveling mage. They are all surrounded, one way or another, by the sinister realm of black metal.

The album is described, again on the original Bandcamp page, as “Quarantine bedroom 4-month album.” If that’s how they did this, then it is pretty impressive. These are solid compositions that are effectively executed. Definitely worth a listen.

The new Horror Pain Gore Death release of Moral Presence, Corrupt Misdeeds hits the streets Friday, July 16th and you can get all the varieties at Bandcamp.

Links,

Bandcamp, https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/moral-presence-corrupt-misdeeds

HPGD, https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

Snogard, Moral Presence, Corrupt Misdeeds (HPGD 2021)

Mausoleum ~ Anatomia, Split (HPGD Productions 2021)

Wayne Edwards, , , , ,

Two titanic bands have joined together to crack the earth with a double punch of death and doom.

Mausoleum is a Pennsylvania Death Metal band that has been rounding the sun since 2001. Anatomia started in the following year with an eastern locus, pushing more in the Doom direction. Late last year they put together a limited split on vinyl and cassette, and now it is getting wider circulation with a CD version and a digital presentation through Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.

Side A is four tracks from Mausoleum titled Nyctophilia. This is their first release since 2017’s Cadaveric Displays from the Funeral. “Shadows On the Grave” begins with a driving flurry and a ravaging vocal all right in line with the theme established by the title. “Voices from Beyond” balances chaos with the need to understand and asks the tough questions. There is a great dueling lead guitar segment in there as well. “Shrieks of Fright” winds up from a plod to a rager that kicks you in the throat and then shows you the edge of the end of the world. “The Dark Abysmal” is the final nail and it is set to with a merciless hammer of conquest.

Anatomia has the B Side, putting down three strong tracks. “Mangled Flesh” is the introduction and it opens with a charging assault then rides waves of variegated speed, taking a moment for even a Funeral Doom reflection. “Rotting Innards” starts with stings then rolls out the grinding wheel to turn your bones to dust. The overall feeling is absolutely hopelessness. “In The Crypt” offers spirituality with a ghostly preponderance and a disturbingly quiet approach to disarticulation across eons. Like no other track on the album, this one makes/allows you to confront yourself.

Both bands foster themes of horror in their music and they are the perfect match, making this split a fortuitous culmination. Each has death and doom approaches that interact and crossover in separate and unique ways. Putting them together creates a bigger whole. Highly recommended.

The CD and digital download from HPGD will be available on Friday, March 12th. You can also pick up a t-shirt with the great cover art.

Links.

HPGD Bandcamp, https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/split-album-2

Label, http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

Anatomia Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ANATOMIA-166448756742258/

Mausoleum Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/thezombiecult

Anatomia Bandcamp, https://anatomia.bandcamp.com/

Mausoleum Bandcamp, https://thezombiecult.bandcamp.com/

Mausoleum ~ Anatomia, Split (HPGD Productions 2021)