Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Death Metal
Label: Deathgasm Records

Opening with samples of screaming people and gunshots, then one of the most killer riffs ever, Kentucky’s Abominant very quickly take my full attention with the track “Baptized by Steel”.
The riffing mania continues into the second song, “Bloodland”, then the third, “Firestorm”. These guys know how to write original sounding, thrashy death metal with slightly blackened tendencies. In fact, “Firestorm”‘s vocals remind me at times of Abbath from Immortal in the inflection of the screams.
“Rain of Ash” is fast and very much a thrash song with some wicked death vocals and a Metalgasmic solo at 2:36 through 3:04. Then of course there’s doomy touches on “After the Fallout”, which again has a Metalgasmic solo. Vocally, Mike Barnes touches on Carcass’ song “Heartwork” in spots on “After the Fallout”, and again some Immortal-esq sections too.
I wish I could be the first to say that in general Abominant’s Where the Demons Dwell sounds like Morbid Angel’s less technical work. But of course Mike Abominator has to get to that first.
In all, Abominant kick some serious ass with Where the Demons Dwell, and I’m thinking you regular readers here at Funeral Rain are going to fucking love this album. I know I do!
8 out of 10.

Abominant on MySpace.

Genres: Brutal Death Metal, Medical Death Metal
Labels: Willowtip, Tankcrimes

I bought The Last Gasp based solely on the cover, and I’m so glad I did.
First I ordered it from Tankcrimes on 12” vinyl, which is a gorgeous piece of art in itself (the Impaled logo and the title on the cover are foiled!), and then I found the CD at HMV finally last night (no foil on it though). The cover that inspired this purchasing is both disgusting and awe inspiring for me.
Just like the music contained within.
This is the kind of death metal that a lot of fans of the genre are going to want to hear. Fast, catchy riffs that are sometimes heavy (“All Gut, No Glory”) or sometimes just brutally face kicking (“You Are The Dead”) with solos that are little mini-songs in themselves, and even have their own titles (“Debris All That You Can Be”, “The Obesity Epidemic”, etc.). I think these guys have definitely listened to their classics like Entombed, Death, Carcass, and the like, but also tons of punk seems to have been a steady diet of at least one of the members. It’s got a little bit of that feel. Add in the fact that members and ex-members were part of Exhumed, Engorged, Hoarfrost, Ghoul, and more, it’s like a death metal orgasm, covered in cow parts.
Lyrically, these guys are very medical, using text book terminology to sicken as well as make you laugh, complete with a band photo with the caption “The Thanatologists of St. Julien’s”, a modified prescription Rx logo (Rxxx) and other fun bits.
Get a copy!
9 out of 10.

Impaled on MySpace.

Genres: Black Metal, Death Metal
Label: Ibex Moon

Ah… Ibex Moon. Your death metal releases are like comfortable pants. You put them on, and instantly everything is better. Gravehill’s Rites of the Pentagram is no different; granted it’s not pure death to most ears, which is why I’m including black metal as a genre above. It does at times sound like black metal played death, but that is if you’re not familiar with really deep underground old death metal (think Darkthrone’s Soulside Journey for a sometimes similar sound).
This whole album is good, no filler tracks or anything, and after reading some interviews with vocalist Mike Abominator I understand why: he won’t compromise for anything. He reminds me as the kind of guy who would throw a mountain out of his way if he had to.
This is an old school American death metal album, sounding like it could have been recorded in about 1986 to ’89, and I recommend it for fans of Blasphemous, Darkthrone, Death, Carcass, Cardiac Arrest, Lifeless, and well damn near anything that Ibex Moon has put out.
My favorite tracks are “Decibel Ritual”, “Bloodsoaked”, and “The Luciferian Mark”.
8 out of 10.

Gravehill on MySpace.

Genre: Death Metal
Label: Dark Descent Records, Skeleton Plague Records

Those familiar with Funeral Rain may remember The Wakedead Gathering’s track on There Are Pleasures in the Darkness, the first free download comp (which you can download here). For those that aren’t familiar with this track, you’re missing the fuck out.
These guys bring a slightly doomed atmosphere to their death metal, and it’s goddamn wonderful to hear. They remind me a little of Carcass and My Dying Bride coming together, with of course more obvious nods to Death, Immolation and Incantation.
Coming from Ohio, The Wakedead Gathering is one guy, Drew, but it sounds like a full band playing this stuff. And despite not playing shows, Wakedead is selling out their releases, which goes to show the fucking quality of this music.
Favorite tracks are “The Jury”, “Caterwaull”, and the faster-than-hell “Wasps from the Chamber of the Divine”.
And like their labelmates Horrendous, this is on TAPE! One of the best formats ever to listen to music with, and it’s only five dollars from either Dark Descent or Skeleton Plague.
8 out of 10.

Wakedead Gathering on MySpace.
Originall posted on MySpace.

Genre: Death Metal
Label: Hell’s Headbangers

Death metal the old school way, Cerekloth sure aren’t fucking around. Fast and brutal, but still holding the semi-melodic, catchy sound of true old school death, Pandemonium Prayers is a slaughtering ground of an EP. Add in a cover of Deicide’s classic “Lunatic of God’s Creation”, and I’m a happy man.
It reminds me of Death, Unleashed, and Bloodbath, and at times Napalm Death and Carcass even. This is great shit.
8 out of 10.

Cerekloth on MySpace.