UNHOLYGATE
The one line summary: My death metal has a first name, it's B-l-a-s-p-h-e-m-e-r!
HOT DAMN! This album was the kick in the pants I needed! Blasphemer are a Brutal Technical Death Metal band from Italy, founded in 1998, they have to date released a promo, done
two splits, and with the introduction of their first full length "On The Inexistence Of God" we get to see what over a decade of honing your unholy craft can sound like. You can
tell a lot of thought went into this release, from the music to the imagery, Blasphemer came to deliver. I am late to the game on this one, came out back in January, but it's
still worth telling you about now if you haven't heard it already!
First thing you notice after a few minuts of listening is the multi-pronged vocal attack, they come at you from all angles! It sounds killer and helps keep things fresh. Alex
Solaro's drum-work blasts and hammers you with intense precision. The dual attack of Marco Hasmann and Simone Brigo's guitar-work is a completely unrelenting technical
onslaught, with head slamming grooves spread nicely throughout the album. The bassist, Clod Derosa, is outstanding, he really helps keep things moving and interesting, the track
"Compulsive Obliteration" being a good example. Paolo Maniezzo's guttural vocals are thick as a McDonald's milkshake, (and probably pop just as many blood vessels), he can belch
it out with the best of 'em.
What makes this CD so fun to listen to, is that you can tell that the members of Blasphemer are putting their all into this album, like this moment had been a long time coming
and they are hellbent on showing you what they've got. They succeded. Death Metal has seen some solid releases this year and "On The Inexistence Of God" is certainly one of
them. From the get-go you can feel the energy with the track "Kuru - Laughing Death" straight on through to "Dining Upon The Unburied".
Those familiar with the Godfather will immediately recognize the beginning of "The Killing Dogma", which I must admit is a nice pause in such an adrenaline charged album. The
title track, "On The Inexistence Of God" also has a little interlude intro, that again, sounds great and is a much needed stop for breath. That might be the only flaw with "On
The Inexistence Of God", it makes you tired just listening to these guys pummel their instruments with such ferocity. Is it a tad one-dimensional? Sure is, but it's so fuckin'
intense it doesn't really matter much. The lack of a hook that lasts longer than a nanosecond might bother some however. The only track that doesn't sound like demonic meth
addicts playing in a competition for the last 8-ball on earth is the outro, it's just a very fitting clip that sums up the anti-religious theme of the album.
The production is spot on, everything at just the right balance, but it's not too clean. Stefano "Saul" Morabito did a great job mixing and mastering the record, and
BrutalDave's and Bi-OS, the two studio's where recording took place did some great work as well. I'd tell you about the video track that is supposed to be on here but it
wouldn't play on my computer. Doh!
Those most likely to dig this CD are fans of mid-years Deeds of Flesh, early Decrepit Birth, more recent Disgorge and Inveracity, and hints of Brodequin, Epicedium (US), Severed
Savior and even Guttural Secrete. The strong anti-religious tone can't help but make you think of Deicide at times, but definitely more in message than music. Comatose Music did
an excellent job putting this all together and I would imagine they, and the band, must be rather proud of this one. I sure as hell would be!
Rating: 8 out of 10...uh...Pitchfork Wielding Devil Badgers!
METAL ZONE
Voto: 80/100
Data recensione: 2009-09-22
Per gli amanti delle sonorità estreme come il sottoscritto, questo cd dei Blasphemer è un’autentica manna dal cielo.
Brutal death metal suonato a velocità da cardiopalma, riff intricati che si susseguono senza sosta, sostenuti da una batteria schizoide che compie continui cambi di tempo, il
tutto reso ancora più letale dal growl disumano di Paolo, che si alterna a quelli di Clod, Simone e Marco.
Qua siamo di fronte ad un prodotto di alto livello, che non ha nulla da invidiare a nessuno, compresi i gruppi dalla nomea altisonante e fa sempre piacere scoprire quanto sia
cresciuta in qualità la scena underground italiana, da sempre troppo snobbata, anche a causa dell’esterofilia che attanaglia l’ascoltatore medio di questo genere.
L’album parte con “Kuru-laughing death” e già si capisce che questi 5 macellai non ti daranno un attimo di respiro, visto che ogni pezzo è un assalto frontale all’arma bianca,
un bombardamento sonoro che ti violenta i padiglioni auricolari e ti lascia li più morto che vivo.
Non c’è tregua per tutta la durata del cd,se non in brevi momenti (la title track acustica ne è un esempio), ma che fanno solo da intermezzo tra un massacro ed un altro.
Grande la prestazione di tutti i musicisti, che dimostrano di padronneggiare al meglio i propri strumenti e di essere completamente devoti e immersi nel genere che propongono,
senza mai risultare scontati e riuscendo a spiazzare l’ascoltatore grazie a composizioni caotiche e dalla struttura complicata, che ti fanno venir voglia di riascoltare ancora
il cd per riuscire a cogliere quelle sfumature che magari erano passate inosservate.
Un gran prodotto, sicuramente non accessibile a chiunque, visto che chi non è avvezzo a tali sonorità o semplicemente ascolta le cose con superficialità potrebbe trovarci solo
un’accozzaglia di riff senza senso, quindi mi sento di consigliarlo soprattutto ai fan del genere e a chi è attratto dall’estremismo sonoro.
Che altro rimane da dire? Non molto se non che in questo cd vedo una gran classe, una gran dose di talento e preparazione uniti ad un’attitudine non indifferente, perché per
comporre ed eseguire musica del genere bisogna avere due palle cosi.
IMPRESSIVE - 91%
Written by theposega on June 18th, 2009
I first discovered Blasphemer in a Relapse catalog. I was intrigued when it described them as brutal death metal with "a unique four-way guttural vocal attack". Unfortunately,
many months went by before I finally checked them out.
Anyways, onto the review. This is a very impressive album. There is quite a large amount of technicality in the riffs, but not in the Necrophagist/Brain Drill area of "I PLAY
SCALES FOR YOU!". It's like Alex Webster described Cannibal Corpse, "We wanna use the technique to make the songs heavy, not to show off what we can do."
I have to talk about the bassist for a bit here; this guy is insane! He has a short little solo at the beginning of "Compulsive Obliteration", and it shows off not only his
skill, but his high-quality bass tone. He has a few little fills towards the end of the song and plenty in others as well. It's never about him and his talent, it's more about
adding to the song.
"The Killing Dogma" starts off with a nice little acoustic interlude that takes up about half the song. The title track is a quick little acoustic interlude as well. It really
helps keep the half-hour long bludgeoning from getting too monotone.
Speaking of preventing monotony, the vocals on here are very, very diverse. They're mostly your stereotypical brutal death vocals, but when put all together it's just a barrage
of brutality. You've got your usual Brodequin-style low gurgles, add in a few pig squeals, a few high screams, a few more traditional sounding low growls, plus plenty of other
styles.
The riffs on this album remind me a lot of mid-era Deeds of Flesh or newer Inveracity. Somewhat melodic tremolo-picked passages that just obliterate the weak. Somewhat more rare
on this album are riffs more reminiscent of Guttural Secrete; much less melodic but heavily brutal and technical. The occasional slam part is thrown in too, making sure that
this album entertains all types of brutal death fans.
In conclusion, this album slays. 2009 has been a pretty good year so far for brutal death metal, with quality releases from Incinerate, Devourment, Abysmal Torment, and
Insidious Decrepancy and a few others on the way. Definitely check this out if you're a fan of any of the bands mentioned in this review (excluding the second paragraph).
THE OMEGA ORDER
One huge smear of death metal brutality and pits-of-hell bleakness from this completely over-the-top Italian band. Holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!
LOADOWN METAL MUSIC BLOG
First album of this mind-blowing brutal death band. Everything is excellent on this release.
NEGATIVITY RECORDS
Negativity Records & Distribution is proud to offer Blasphemer : On the Inexistence of God. Brutal Death Metal Released by Comatose Music. True underground, rare, hard-to-find
Brutal Death Metal from Italy! Brand new CD, unplayed!
LORDS OF METAL
Pim B.: After a couple of demos and a split Italy’s Blasphemer delivers their debut full-length. Looking at the artwork it’s quite clear what we’re dealing with; brutal death
metal with deep vocals. It’s quite an entertaining album but saying this is original is an overstatement.
This is a typical case of thirteen to a dozen. Nothing wrong with that, but you’ve heard this many times before. We do have to mention that guitarist Marco Hasman is responsible
for the artwork, which is well done
Rating: 68/100
UNBOUND ZINE
Wasting very little time, Blasphemer come out swinging right from the start with their high speed and slightly technical style of death metal. Deeds of Flesh meets Immolation
is a starting point in describing the bands sound but to my ears they have a very fresh take on the blast filled technical death metal genre. If you are a fan of blasting and
inhuman roars, you'll be grinning ear to ear listening to this one.
Numerous bands in this genre have a tendency to fall victim to their own excesses. The band are definitely strong in the songwriting department and manage to keep things
interesting throughout. There are a few riffs here and there that sound similar, but take for instance a song like Compulsive Obliteration, they manage to take a break from the
blasting with a slower and slightly more melodic style towards the end of the song. The majority of the album is quite fast but it never quite becomes stale. A slightly more
dynamic vocal approach might have helped out the band a bit, but I do enjoy the vocal style from the most part but it is slightly one dimensional.
If you are a fan of modern death metal and many of the artists of Unique Leader, this is definitely a death metal album you don't want to pass up on. The band is fast,
incredibly tight and much more varied at times than you might first expect. Like I mentioned early fans of Deeds of Flesh, and Immolation will definitely enjoy this one.
GOREGEUS PROD.
Didn't know that Blasphemer has been around the underground since 1998. I got interested in this band when I watched Septycal Gorge play a show last weekend. The bass player
Claude De Rossa plays bass in both Blasphemer and Septycal Gorge and when we sat and ate breakfast together he recommended me to check out his other band Blasphemer, and I did!!
Hell yeah! This is some really good stuff, probably one of the best brutal albums of 2008! Blasphemer is a band you can count on; fast, guttural and brutal death metal with a
perfect production. The vocals is guttural and pig'like' screams! With song titles like 'The Killing Dogma', '38-Gauge Absolution' and my favourite 'Compulsive Obliteration' you
have some really brutal tunes. I will definitely put this album in my 'favourites' in my CD collection. If you're into bands like Disavowed, Lust of Decay, Putrid Pile,
Malignancy you should check out this CD! It will knock you down and leave you dead!! (8/10 - Martin)
BEOWULF PROD.
These Italian Death demons have unleashed their long awaited full length CD with new
drummer. These sickos play extremely complex technical & chaotic Death Metal music
which forges itself with Grindcore. The intensity on this release is insane, brutal &
repeatedly beats the hell out of you. Just the way I like it! There is an unique four way
guttural vocal assault as well. They mix it up with some lower thick, higher screeching &
mid ranged growls. This is definitely a band that is going to force itself upon the Death
Metal scene & make people remember them. If your into sick, spastic Death Grind this
band will surely please your needs. There's a bonus video clip included too!
CD REVIEWS
Well, well, this Italian band has definitely taken a look at the new crop of American bands that are mixing Death metal with Grindcore vocals. These guys have constructed a
dense wall of death metal that is complex musically, whilst managing to not break away from riffs that are catchy and interesting to listen too. In a way the music they have
written is quite simple and straightforward in its no solos approach and execution. In saying that they have decided to remove solos from their songs, that in some cases could
add depth to the material, their stuff hasn’t suffered; in fact they have gained from it. Somehow the lyrical points hit home quicker and with more vim and vigor without the
leads than if they had them cluttering up and seeming pointless in their doing. With all of this heavy musical sound and style their choice of vocal sounds compliment the
rawness of the musical output in a way that could almost be mistaken as either a low mix sample or an instrument in its own right. Now that Blasphemer have appeared on the
music scene, they have managed to inject a little bit of venom back into European death metal by mixing it up with the new American outlook and style. In this they have created
a Euro slant on an extreme music that will stand the test of time and fashion.
Darren Johnson-Smith