Fathomhell: "Non Pietatem Erit"

Somewhat accomplished black metal meanderings

Enveloping their core of black metal in a burdening cloak of cold atmosphere, Fathomhell from Spain at first seem pretty average. Starting out in 2010, it wasn't before 2012 that the release of their first demo EP - Non Pietatem Erit - would see the light of day. Where the Spanish trio awaken curiosity is with their tasteful but sparse use of synths and carefully programmed drums.

Hammerfall: "Built to Last"

As the regular writer on TONEwood is obviously way too busy listening to tapes, sewing on limited edition patches and doing other trve metal stuff, and not having the golden hair it takes, I was given the opportunity to write a review of the new Hammerfall album Built to Last and – if you’re already a fan of Hammerfall – you are in for an absolute treat!

Apocryfal: "Ravens"

Abundant confindence makes for music that, if nothing else, passes the time

Every scene has its own trademark sound or fell, and Finland's death metal scene is primarily known as the filthy, strange, doom-laden kind. Apocryfal from Jyväskylä, however, aren't the types to follow suit and as such have taken their band in a different direction - A direction that involves a 3-song demo, adding up to 12 minutes of full-throttle death metal.

Apocryphal: "Embrace of Death"

Apocryphal is to death metal fanatics what a turtleneck sweater is to autoerotic asphyxiation fetishists. The right idea is there, but it isn't quite tight enough to cause any real excitement.

Spayd and Polingyowma have taken up a  task of making doom-laden death metal in a simple, back to the roots fashion with their project Apocryphal. Embrace of Death is the resulting misshapen, writhing mass that is the band's first demo, presented with a simple gore-ripping cover to get the message across.

Urðun: "Horror and Gore"

Stupefyingly rotten and delinquent death metal from the island of black metal

These days Iceland is primarily known for their export of fantastic, naturalistic black metal, and with good reason. But apart from its glorious nature and vast black metal scene, the beautiful island also has a serving of horror and gore-laden death metal on offer.

Sathanas Urine: "Everything You Need to Know About Witchcraft"

An exercise in the worst music has to offer

Some would argue that the purpose of metal in many aspects is the ever-ongoing chase for counter-culture, extremity and a level of aggression that most - even as rock music likewise has followed suit into heavier territory - would find offensive or even unlistenable. True to the blasphemic roots that drove early black metal, Sathanas Urine - from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy - search for the vilest and most far-away corners of music. 

Tormentstorm: "Into the Ominous Door"

Huge improvements that ultimately end up stranded in shallow waters

Most would probably agree that Tormentstorm's earlier outing, the Up From the Grave demo from 2012, was a misbegotten mess of black-thrash instrumentation. The demo was poorly received because it was poorly conceived. Tormentstorm's driving force, Malice, however, does not let himself sway easily, and as such returned the year after with a full length album.