Metal Maniac

 

 

Another split album in this website… I do like splits, especially when it comes to more underground bands since it’s a way to get to know more about their music in a single album and, perhaps, take something interesting out of it. In the case of “Region of the Underworld”, I already knew well two bands, one of them being among my favorites and I’ve even interviewed them. Well, since we have four bands and their music to talk about, I shall speak about each one in a paragraph.

 

 

 

First we have the Brazilian Black Metal band Catacumba, with four songs. As the band describes: unmetaphysical Terrorism against the Homo Sapiens existence. Here is the temple of bones, no gods remains here. The entity known by the mortals as Catacumba intents to absorb the human despair via terrorism attempts, through its brotherhood’s Metal Musick, and inspired by the greatest names of this style, being them awaken or not. Here we are presented with several Black/ Death Meal takes, some of them atmospheric, others raw, crude and evil. Their music oozes pure hatred and brutality, with fast drumming, exceptional riffs, and vocals that sounds like they’re simply vomiting pure darkness.

 

 

Then we’ll listen to the almighty Japanese band Abigail, one I’ve been following for years and trying to have all of his material, even though some are impossible to find! One of the moments I felt very happy, yes, happy, so fucking what? (I’m just kidding around, of course), well, the moment I was talking about is the Abigail interview. Never thought this would happen. Abigail also contributes with four songs, two of them live versions. We are presented with the band’s amazing Black/ Thrash Metal, crazy and thrilling riffs, their music is really exciting. And Yasuyuki Suzuki’s unique vocals add more “charm” to this band; it sounds like the guy doesn’t care about what you think concerning his lyrics, his insane vocals, album covers. We need more bands like this. And it’s simply devastating to see so many Japanese metal bands touring around the world and selling loads of albums just because they “look cool” when for bands like Abigail and Sabbat this is way more difficult. As I’ve mentioned before, the music is really exciting, the kind that you’ll headbang and mosh even by yourself.

 

 

Next a surprise for me, as this is a South Korean band that I hadn’t heard before and I humbly say that when it comes to South Korean mood, I’m always trying to learn more and more. Well, the band is the one man Pagan Black Metal project Taekaury and contributes with three songs. I wanted to gather some more information about the band, but there are not too much available, at least, from what I could find, this musician is really the old martial arts way and has anti-Christian and anti-racist views. His music is utterly fast, raw, powerful and heavy. The guitars sound like visions of a distorted mind and the vocals are incredible shrieks. As I said, the music is brutal and has this noisy feel, but it can also feel atmospheric. In my modest view, an outstanding work.

 

 

And last, but not least, The True Endless, an Italian Black Metal band that hails from the paradise region of the Piedmont. In their words, The True Endless plays Black Metal exclusively! Lyrics are about war, death destruction, suffering and plagues, no political bullshits! The band was created in the winter of 1997 by M. and Soulfucker. Their goal was to create violent and trendkiller music. They have an old-school, mid-tempo to up-tempo Black Metal, sounding very organic, heavy and genuine, but there are also atmospheric passages. The music also sounds very cold and mysterious, occult and they managed to do this without all those effects that some bands overuse and doesn’t come close to their enigmatic sound.

 

 

All in all, I enjoyed the entire split, all bands, all songs, and some surprises here and there that were highly positive. I’m very satisfied with what I heard, in terms of music and production quality. I ask you all now to check the bands that are a part of this split and, if their music pleases you, I urge you to support them the way that is able for you, purchase an album, merchandise… can’t right now? Spread the word about them… all help is welcomed!

 

 

Have a good day.

 

Grade: 9,8/10

 

Band: Abigail/ Catacumba / Taekaury/ The True Endless

 

Album: Region of the Underworld (Split – 2014)

 

Label: Fallen-Angels Productions

 

Tracklist:

 

1. Catacumba – A Chant for Bacchus

2. Catacumba – Temple of Bones

3. Catacumba – Narcomagick (Alternative Mix)

4. Catacumba – Sphere of Silence

5. Abigail – Fire After Fire

6. Abigail – Fight for My Master

7. Abigail – Satanik Metal Fucking Hell (Live)

8. Abigail – Hell’s Necromancer (Live)

9. Taekaury – Killing Racist

10. Taekaury – Fucking Nowadays Korean Mental

11. Taekaury – Way of Blood

12. The True Endless – Black Swamp

13. The True Endless – The Yoke

14. The True Endless – Burnt At His Altar (Beastcraft cover)

 

Abigail is:

 

Youhei – Drums

Yasuyuki Suzuki – Vocals, Guitars, Bass

 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abigail/147619085265699

 

Catacumba is:

 

Amazarack – Drums

Count Unico Del Inferni – Guitars

Gordoroth Vomit Noise – Vocals

A. Apeph – Bass

 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catacumba-Horde/286027594743619

 

Taekaury is:

 

Heukmae – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums

 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taekaury

 

The True Endless is:

 

Soulfucker – Bass

M. – Guitars, Vocals

Algol – Drums

 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-True-Endless-Official/128021357280585

 

All photos belong to their rightful owners.

October 17, 2014