Gospel Of the Horns
Realm Of the Damned ()
Wydane przez Invictus ProductionsRok wydania Kraj AustraliaNapisał Wouter8
Featuring three former members of the legendary Bestial Warlust, one of the pioneers of the Australian black metal scene - this act is surely an entirely different beast. Gospel Of the Horns split up in 1996, but was reformed by Howitser in 1997. They disbanded again in January 2007 before reforming 2 weeks later without guitarist Hexx who was replaced by a re-joining Marauder. Much in the vein of Scandinavian acts such as Barathrum or Bewitched this Australian formation specializes in old school black/thrash metal that takes inspiration from the likes of Celtic Frost, Venom, Possessed and Bathory. "Realm Of the Damned" is a vicious exercise that makes many of their contemporary retro acts pale in comparison to the real deal. The production is crunchy with a thick guitar sound, thundering bass lines and much emphasis on the drums. Bassist Mark Howitzer has an excellent strangled demonic rasp while guitarists Chris Masochist and Ryan Marauder lauch an avalanche of sharp, straightforward thrash riffs and shrieking solos. Drummer Markus Hellcunt here is far more restrained compared to his bludgeoning work with Bestial Warlust. His patterns are tasteful, varied and to-the-point without overstating his work. The artwork is a bit reminiscent of Incantation's "Blasphemy" and it is good to see this more old school approach brought to the front again. "Realm Of the Damned" is a treat for everybody into old school black/thrash with war metal influences. Gospel Of the Horns may in fact be the best this genre has to offer in current days. Invictus Productions is rapidly becoming a benchmark for high quality death -, black - and war metal.
www.invictusproductions.net
