Talking about OSITDM (eh) I forgot a few in the previous post. Here are some Italian bands worth checking in my humble opinion. Most of these have very recently released something, often a full length album so you can still get most of these for quite cheap.
Necromutilator
Necromutilator from Mantua just recently released a new EP on Terror From Hell, same label wo did their debut album in 2014. Mixing elements of very raw, crusty thrash/black and Death Metal in the larger than life way as Throneum or Bestial Mockery with a retro-metallic Hellhammerish sound. Good solid vocals safeguards the band from being strictly compared to the aforementioned bands.
Mindful of Pripyat
This is a sort of super-band that features members of Corporal Raid, Antropofagus and Bowel Stew. They have a powerful, solid punch sound which to be entirely honest doesn’t really fit with my own personal idea of Grindcore – too neatly packed, slick and too precise to be the Terrorizer kinda tribute thing I read in the earlier reviews they were supposed to be, if you know what I mean. But if you are into modern Relapse/Willowtip style ultrafast Death Metal with drum blasts “somewhat akin to grindcore”, the band delivers on all aspects. They have this shitloads of riffs and tempo changes as tight as a straightjacket.
Ekpyrosis
This band recently came out with a full-length on Memento Mori, completely streamed on the label’s YT page. A very young band with double vocals and clear OSDM references that range from early Grave and Therion to Imprecation just to throw in a few random names. Mostly mid to slow tempo with that grindy, sick, festering sound we all like. Considering their constant progression from earlier works I believe the next album could be something really interesting.
Daemoniac
Pure swedish Death Metal sound here, from ex Horrid frontman Max. Toi be completely honest when I started writing this article I only heard their first EP on Xtreem from 2015 and I was completely underwhelmed. While I still think the bands lacks in really memorable, powerful riffing the overall work on their recent debut is really excellent with a rather peculiar dynamic drum work. Superfluous to add musical references here, just get Ekeroth’s book on Swedish Death Metal and pick a random band, you will hear some of it here. Pure Swedish worship.
Fuoco Fatuo
Another Italian band with a full length released this year, this time on Profound Lore. I still haven’t listen to that album named “Backwater” but I have most of their past discography and I can tell you they’re really good shit. Slow, crushing, hypnotic Death/Doom with an ultra slow pace and a deep, swampy sound to drown in, without any superfluous melodies. They have that finnish, heartbroken, inescapable touch that is just a blessing in this sludgier corner of Death Metal music.
Blasphemous Noise Torment
This is a small jewel of a band that doesn’t have, as far as I know, proper and deserved recognition. I really cannot count that many bands from this country that so vigorously grab from the abrasive, unpredictable structures of Revenge or Diocletian, that noisy, anti-harmonic buzzsaw sound that Voivod proposed for the first time in the mid ’80s and mutated into disharmonic Death Black Metal. They have a new album out in 2015, worth buying 100% from german label Amor Fati (soon on vinyl too, limited to 150 copies).
Demonomancy
Demonomancy have a long run of releases on Nuclear War Now at their backs and this year Terror From Hell released a complete discography on a nice tape boxed set that includes all recorings including both demos. They play Beherit/Naked Whipper/Proclamation influenced Black/Death with added variety but that same evocative, abyssal sound and caprine reverb. Think of the aforementioned bands meet SVEST or some other Noevdia band.
Mefitic
One of my favorite bands from my country right now. More brutal and Archgoatesque is Mefitic’s approach to the Blasphemy centered sound, with breathless songs and hammering, south American drumming. Not as primitive as Blasphemous Noise Torment neither as evolved as Demonomancy. Mefitic is reverb and necromancy at its best, a killer band with a full length album on (unsurprisingly) NWN released in 2015.
Lurking Terror
This band from Rome released a demo last year. Despite the seemingly crustie logo they play very downtuned, guttural Death Metal with some vocal reminiscences of Baphomet or Putrilage. Old school in a strict sense, completely devoid of “slam” if the demo had a shittier sound I would have thought they were from the mid-90s. I like their dark sound and shit, they have solos, something I haven’t heard in a while. Classic Death Metal worth giving a listen.
Corporal Raid
One of the earliest Goregrind bands from Italy Corporal Raid is apparently back with their interesting mixture of cricket/bullfrog brutal Death (think Sikfuck or Enmity) and more straightforward goregrind. Thick and blistering fast and not an inch less powerful than 10 years ago. They released a full length album last year on Pathologically Explicit.
Necromorbid
Savage and punkish Black/Death from Florence, Iron Tyrant records just recently rereleased their tape from last year on Cd format. They’re worth listening if you like bestial black/death with an added layer of savagery like Impaled Nazarene or Sadistik Exekution.
Perfidious
Another album released this year comes from Perfidious, antichristian Death Metal from members of Onirik. The abum was released by the hyper-active and very young label Death Metal Insustry. They have a few too many whistles and leaks for my tastes but they are certainly doing a good job. Guttural vocals, Unique Leader tempo changes, crisp production and massive drumming. For lovers of more modern style Brutal Death.
Macabro Genocidio
Playing wild and frantic Black Metal, Macabro Genocidio have just two tapes out so far in their recording history but they’re certainly worth listening if you like weird chaotic South American inspired stuff like Morbosidad. Not entirely in my chords basically because of too high pitched vocals and the sound is a bit too thin but can certainly “improve” with time.
Restos Humanos
Guess what? Another Italian full length album was released this year by englishmen Grindfather Producitons. This time is from Colombian/Italian mongrels Restos Humanos, which I already reviewed not long ago (by my standards that is) regarding a split on Eyes Of The Dead. The band plays honest, loose, vaguely crusty Horror Death Metal with a lot of samples in between the Impetigo way. The Spanish vocals obviously call back memories of Machetazo and Gruesome Stuff Relish but musicwise they’re a bit simpler in their approach. Nice but not a must hear to be honest.
Riexhumation
Riexhumation have their new full EP available in digital format on bandcamp (and YouTube as well, obviously). They play ordinary Death Metal with traditional growls and traditional structures including solos, double vocals and some keyboards as well. I am not too impressed but they have some good arrangements, a listen won’t disappoint anyone, and it’s free too, you lucky millennials.
Here I have my favorites from the list. Check these out at all costs.
Slowly Suffering
Now this is a jewel for you. An interesting, obscure band that is already ten years old but is keeping a somewhat low profile all the way. Their latest release was pressed in 150 copies. They play very old, raw Death Metal that sometimes remind me of a streamlined version of Crematory and other demo-quality unrefined Swedish Death. If I had to pick one from this list I’d go with these.
Necroprofanator
If I dubbed their songs on a blank tape and told you it was a rehearsal from Bolivia you’d believe it. Ultra basic, shittily recorded Thrash/Death the third world way and I completely adore it. If you too have a fascination for tropical, numb, raw music a la Necrofago they are definitely worth checking.