Filthy Music Review - 'Scorned Deity: Adventum'

Scorned Deity – Adventum (2013)

Review by Jude Felton

Prepare to be swept up into a tornado of symphonic blackened death metal, as Detroit’s Scorned Deity lay forth Adventum for all to marvel at. For what we have here is an exercise in the grandiose and epic, with more than enough savagery to satiate the most bloodthirsty.

The Lord of Filth's Top 10 Films of 2013

So another year slowly draws to a close, and I've actually not seen all that many films that I truly loved (aside from the list below). There were one or two that didn't quite make it, such as A Field in England, Junkie, This is the End and New World, that were also fantastic, but on the whole this wasn't as hard to compile as previous years. That being said I will admit to having watched far less new movies than in previous years, with a lot of older titles being re-issued and re-released. The below Top 10 (of which I have cheated on by including 11 films) though are my personal favorites of the year, and as in previous years I do not state it to be a "best of" list; this is just what floated my proverbial boat. I've also included the format on which I watched them. Enjoy.

Jude

Filthy Music Review - 'Valdur: At War With'

Valdur - At War With (2013) 

BloodyMountain Records.

Review by Trevor Proctor

Valdur are a three piece black/death group from Mammoth Lakes, California and this is only their third full length release despite enjoying their tenth anniversary during 2013. At War With was recorded at California’s Earhammer studios with Greg Wilkinson in charge of production.

Filthy Music Review - 'Suffering in Solitude: A Place Apart'

Suffering in Solitude – A Place Apart (2013)

Domestic Genocide Records

Review by Jude Felton

If there’s anyone out there that would like to send me a complete and detailed list of all the sub-genres within “Metal”, I’d be eternally grateful. On a serious note, I believe there are only two sub-genres, and that is good and bad; although I suppose you could add mind-numbingly average into the fold. Suffering in Solitudes debut album, released on Domestic Genocide Records, falls firmly into the good category.

Filthy Music Review - 'Falkenbach: Asa'

Falkenbach – Asa (2013)

Prophecy Productions

Review by Jude Felton

Such has been the quality of output in 2013 across the board, in terms of extreme metal, that I have only just got to this fine album. It was released at the beginning of November, and I’m still kicking myself for not getting to it sooner. The sixth album from German outfit, Falkenbach, but first to my ears, is an epic, sweeping thing of beauty.

Filthy Music Review - 'Immortal Bird: Akrasia'

Immortal Bird – Akrasia (2013)

Closed Casket Recordings

Review by Jude Felton

We are all obsessed with quite where a band “should” fall in terms of genre, whether we admit it or not. It can be a help, and it can all be quite the hindrance, with bands crossing borders between this, that and the other. The open-minded rejoice, whilst the purists plot world domination from behind their keyboards, although at the end of the day all that really matters is whether the tunes are any good. Right?

Filthy Music Review - 'שְׁאוֹל (Sheol): Sepulchral Ruins Below the Temple'

Sheol - Sepulchral Ruins Below The Temple (2013)

Iron Bonehead Productions/Invictus Productions 

Review by Trevor Proctor

Roughly translated from Hebrew Sheol means grave or place of the dead and December sees the release of Sheol’s eagerly anticipated debut EP – “Sepulchral Ruins Below The Temple.” Consisting of only two members, A.B.S. (vocals, guitar, bass) and A.H.S. (drums and guitar) Sheol play a brutal, coarse, raw style of death metal interspersed with occult themes.

Filthy Review - 'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones'

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

Review by Jude Felton

Book adaptations are certainly nothing new, in the world of movies but, thanks in part to the combined box office slaying by the Harry Potter and Twilight flicks, they can be huge business. The combined returns of those two franchises must be well into the billions. The target audience is definitely of a younger variety and savvy old chaps, that the film studios are, they are always looking for the next big franchise.

Filthy Review - 'All the Boys love Mandy Lane'

All the Boys love Mandy Lane (2006)

Review by Jude Felton

And you kissed me and stopped me from shaking, and I need you today, oh Mandy. Where the fuck have you been, oh Mandy. Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Manilow has fortunately left the building, although the question still remains as to where the hell Mandy Lane has been? The film hit festivals in the States a few years ago, the film having been made in 2006, and has also since seen Blu-ray and DVD release in the UK, among other territories. Here though? Nothing. Until now.

Filthy Music Review - 'Fallen Joy: Inner Supremacy'

Fallen Joy – Inner Supremacy (2013)

Spread the Metal Records

Review by Jude Felton

There’s a word kicking around at the moment, and it’s one that is as annoying as hell. The word Melodeath, which is lazily used to describe Melodic Death Metal, pisses me off no end. What next? Brudeath? Technideath? No fucking thank you, that is the one and only time you’ll see me use that god-awful word in print, I promise you that.

'Against' Magazine #3 now available!

The latest issue of Portuguese metal mag, Against, is now available for your reading pleasure. You can check it out online or you can download it (links etc. below). This issue, #3, features Malevolence on the cover, as well as articles on Chastain, Ephel Duath, The Ocean and many more. So, raise your horns and dive in!

Filthy Music Review - 'Lvcifyre: Svn Eater'

Lvcifyre: Svn Eater (2014)

Dark Descent Records

Review by Jude Felton

It seems like 2013 has flown by, and with it a barrage of excellent music releases, and so I find myself taking a look at the first album of 2014 to cross my desk, with Lvcifyre’s Svn Eater. If you haven’t heard of this UK based band, whose first album didn’t really get any sort of push, you certainly will do when this monster hits. Joining the already impressive roster of bands on Dark Descent, Lvcifyre have rallied a war cry to all with Svn Eater; an album that is absolutely devastating.

Filthy Music Review - 'Finnr's Cane: A Portrait Painted by the Sun'

Finnr's Cane - A Portrait Painted By The Sun  (2013)

Prophecy Productions 

Review by Trevor Proctor

Finnr’s Cane is a three piece doom/ambient/atmospheric black metal band from Sudbury, Ontario – its members are anonymously named the Slave, (cello and keyboards) the Peasant (drums) and the Bard who assumes vocal and guitar duties. This is their second release following their 2010 debut, “Wanderlust” with the line up being unchanged since then.

The Lord of Filth's Top 10 Vinyl, Cassettes and Demo's of 2013

Having already posted my Top 20 albums of the year, I thought I should also give a shout out to some of my favorite other releases of the year. So, singles, EP's, demo's etc, all of which I picked up on either vinyl or cassette, are getting some love in this list. 

Filthy Review - 'The People Under the Stairs'

The People Under the Stairs (1991)

Review by Ken Kastenhuber

In Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs (1991) we find ourselves in the L.A. ghetto with a young boy named "Fool" (Brandon Quintin Adams, The Sandlot) who lives with his sister Ruby (Kelly Jo Minter, The Lost Boys) and their cancer stricken mother. Times are difficult and Fool and the family are on the cusp of being evicted by their landlords, the Robesons, a very strange couple known as Mommy (Wendy Robie, The Dentist 2) and Daddy (Everett McGill, Silver Bullet). From the outside they appear a pretty straight couple but they're harboring a few shocking secrets, they have a daughter named Alice (A.J. Langer, Escape from L.A.) who is never allowed to leave the house, the neighborhood is full of gossip about what goes inside the home but it's way worse than anyone could have imagined.

Italian masters set to bring us 'The Book'

I'm a little late on posting this news, but if you're a fan of Italian cinema you'll either already know, or you'll be damned glad that you now know! Regardless, this is news that is well worth sharing. Actually, scratch that; this is news that needs to be posted. The Book is coming, and with it comes attached 12 greats in the world of Italian genre cinema. Full details after the break. Be prepared to drool.

Filthy Giveaway - 'Eye of Solitude: Canto III' Promo CDs - Closed

If you have seen my Top 20 albums of 2013, you will know that my pick for the number one spot was the epic Canto III from funeral doom monsters, Eye of Solitude. The album is released by Kaotoxin Records and, since posting my album choices of the year, head honcho Nico has generously offered us 5 promotional copies of the album for a giveaway. You can't go far wrong there, as this truly is a wonderful album.

Filthy Music Review - 'Obliteration: Black Death Horizon'

Obliteration – Black Death Horizon (2013)

Indie Recordings/Relapse

Review by Jude Felton

Back in my teens, death metal was new; I bore witness to its messy birth, following bands on both sides of the Atlantic, saw the trends come and go, and have followed its bloody path ever since. One thing that stills rings fresh in my mind though, was how damned exciting it was, moving as I was from a Bay Area Thrash fixation through to this ugliest of music. Listening to the latest album from Norway’s Obliteration triggered that excitement once again, all these years later.

Filthy Music Review - 'Ephel Duath: Hemmed by Light, Shaped by Darkness'

Ephel Duath - Hemmed by Darkness, Shaped by Light (2013)

Agonia Records 

Review by Trevor Proctor

Hailing from Padova in Northern Italy, Ephel Duath are pioneers of Italian progressive metal, their music is a bizarre blend of many different influences including avante garde, progressive rock and metal. This is their first full length release since their 2009 album “Through My Dog’s Eyes” apart from last year’s EP “On Death and Cosmos.” Eccentric musician Davide Tiso is the only original member, with this line up being constructed mainly with members joining post 2011, the most interesting addition being Tiso’s wife, Karyn Crysis, to assume vocal duties.

Filthy Music Review - 'Ereb Altor: Fire meets Ice'

Ereb Altor - Fire meets Ice (2013)

Metal Blade/Cyclone Empire.

Review by Trevor Proctor

Viking inspired metal is a sub-genre that to many listeners has become a little tired, exhaustive and perhaps a bit “samey” with many bands having quite a few similarities in both sound and song structure. Thankfully Sweden’s Ereb Altor has more than enough musical differentiation in their melodic arsenal to enthral the listener and elevate their sound above most of today’s Viking inspired metal.