Filthy Music Review - 'Solstice UK: Death's Crown is Victory'

Solstice - Death's Crown is Victory (2014)

Into The Void Records (Invictus Productions) 

Review by Trevor Proctor

Death’s Crown is Victory is the first release from Solstice in thirteen years; founding member Rich Walker put all things Solstice on hold in 2002, and although he began putting the band back together in 2005 it would be 2011 before Solstice would return to rehearsing, gigging and touring. Worthy of note is the fact the band’s first gig with their new line-up was supporting Primordial’s 20^th anniversary show in Dublin’s Academy on 24^th September 2011, a massively successful gig for all bands involved.

Filthy Interview - 'Morfin'

We recently posted Trevor's review of Inoculation, which is the terrific new album from Californian Death Metal upstarts, Morfin. It's a fine album, and one I highly recommend checking out. Since that review, Trevor's also had the chance to launch a few questions in the direction of guitarist, Pedro, resulting in the following interview. Enjoy!

Filthy Review - 'Rocky: Heavyweight Collection'

Rocky: Heavyweight Collection (2014)

Review by Jude Felton

Hang on a minute, another release of the Rocky movies? Yes indeed, my good friends, and it’s a damned good one. First off, there’s a brand new re-mastered version of Rocky, and there’s a decent selection of extras to accompany it. Plus, it’s Rocky, and that in itself should be enough.

Filthy Review - 'Gravity'

Gravity (2013)

Review by Jude Felton

When it comes to 3D movies, I can generally take them or leave. I’ve seen some that were a terrific viewing experience, and on the other hand I’ve also left the theater wondering why on Earth the filmmakers bothered. With Gravity, I did not have the pleasure of seeing it in three dimensions on the big screen, nor do I have the hardware in which to watch them at home, which is a shame, but not the end of the world.

Filthy Music Review - 'Heresiarch: Wælwulf 7” EP'

Heresiarch - Wælwulf 7” EP (2014)

Iron Bonehead Production

Review by Trevor Proctor

Formed in 2008 New Zealand’s Heresiarch play intense, oppressive, blackened death metal; their previous releases include a demo entitled “Obsecrating the Global Holocaust” and their much praised EP “Hammer of Intransigence” – both of which were released in 2011. This will be their first release since then so to say expectation and anticipation around the release of Wælwulf is high is an understatement. 

Filthy Music Review - 'Morfin: Inoculation'

Morfin - Inoculation (2014)

FDA Rekotz

Review by Trevor Proctor

California’s Morfin released their debut album Inoculation via FDA Rekotz on 21^st February – Morfin is a four piece that plays old school/traditional death metal. Active since 2010 Morfin released their demo “Crystal Darkness” in 2011 and subsequently secured a contract with FDA Rekotz during 2013, enabling them to enter the studio to begin work on a full length album. 

'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Full Home Release Details - Including the Limited Collectors 3D Blu-ray!

April 8th will see Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug swagger onto Blu-ray and DVD, in a variety of editions. The blockbuster sequel to An Unexpected Journey will hit Limited Edition Collectors Blu-ray Combo Pack (picture above and limited to 25,000 copies), 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. So, I suggest you start saving your pennies! I know I am. Full details below.

Filthy Music Review - 'Drawers: S/T'

Drawers - Drawers (2014) 

Kaotoxin Records 

Review by Trevor Proctor

Drawers is a five piece stoner/doom/southern rock band hailing from Toulouse, France; they’re currently signed to French label Kaotoxin Records and February sees the release of their second full length album – “Drawers.” Drawers’ first release was an EP entitled “This is Oil” in 2008 which was followed by their debut full length “All Is One” in 2011 - in addition to this they also collaborated with fellow French men Hangman’s Chair on a 7” split in 2012. 

Filthy Music Review - 'Goatcraft - The Blasphemer'

Goatcraft – The Blasphemer (2014)

I, Voidhanger Records (CD)/Forbidden Records (Tape)

Review by Jude Felton

Welcome back to the dark world of the Necro-Classical, and in particular the one-man world of misery that is Goatcraft. Following on from 2013’s All for Naught, which saw the light of day on Forbidden Records, is The Blasphemer. It is here that the Texan, known only as Lonegoat, takes us on a demented journey into the world of William Blake.

Filthy Interview - 'Abyssal UK'

Last month we posted Trevor's review of Abyssal UK's quite terrific Novit Enim Dominus Qui Sunt Eius LP release, which at present is limited to 500 copies. Recently, Trevor had the chance to interview the band, and as you can imagine it is a cracking read!

Filthy Music Review - 'UPYR: Altars/Tunnels'

UPYR – Altars/Tunnels (2013)

Self release (CD and Digital)/Serpent Eve Records (Cassette)

Review by Trevor Proctor

UPYR is a five piece blackened doom band from Sofia, Bulgaria – featuring Mora on bass, Tymnokryw and Spasm on guitars, Brodnik on vocals and VB on drums; they initially got together during the winter of 2012 and subsequently released their first demo Altars/Tunnels on the 6th of December 2013. Altars/Tunnels was initially self-released on CD and digital download via the group’s Bandcamp page but was soon snapped up by Serpent Eve Records for release on cassette. 

Filthy Music Review - 'Behemoth: The Satanist'

Behemoth - The Satanist (2014)

Nuclear Blast (Europe)/Metal Blade (US)

Review by Trevor Proctor

The Satanist is Behemoth’s tenth album although it’s their first in five years - their ninth; Evangelion was released in 2009 to widespread critical acclaim and reached the number one chart spot in their home country of Poland – no mean feat for such a blasphemous act in a country with religious beliefs as strong as Poland. 

Filthy Review - 'Memory of the Dead'

Memory of the Dead (2011)

Review by Jude Felton

To preface this review, I’ll just note that the actual title of this film is La Memoria del Muerto, or The Memory of the Dead. So, I have no idea why Artsploitation left the first ‘The’ out of the title. Honestly though, it matters not one iota, as Memory of the Dead continues their great recent output to DVD, following the likes of Hidden in the Woods, Combat Girls, Horror Stories and Wither (more of which later).

Filthy Review - 'Blind Date'

Blind Date (1987)

Review by Jude Felton

Bruce Willis is very much a household name these days; thanks mainly to the incredible success of the Die Hard franchise. He is as iconic as he is prolific, even if not all his films fire on all cylinders. Back in the day though, we’re talking the mid to late 80’s, he was best known as Cybil Shepherd’s co-star in the entertaining TV show, Moonlighting.

Filthy Music Review - 'Chapel (Canada): Satan's Rock 'N' Roll'

Chapel (Canada) - Satan's Rock & Roll LP (2014)

Invictus Productions

Review by Trevor Proctor

Satan’s Rock and Roll is the debut album from Chapel; a three piece from Vancouver, Canada - consisting of Devastator on bass and vocals, Incinerator covering drums and Desolator playing guitar and also assisting with vocals. They are signed to the ever productive Invictus Productions from Dublin, Ireland – Invictus’ signings include Tribulation + Malthusian and they have also format specific releases for many acts including Sheol and Abyssal, so to say they’re a productive label is something of an understatement. 

Filthy News - L. Gustavo Cooper's smoking new short 'Waiting for Lola'

Having already impressed with his short films, Velvet Road and M is for Music (which was an entry for The ABC's of Death 2), and teasing us with the upcoming feature Copiii: The 1st Entry, which we will hopefully see soon, L. Gustavo Cooper has just completed his latest short film. Entitled Waiting for Lola, it follows Tom and Evan as they share a cigarette and discuss the death of conversation. Waiting for Lola was produced by Duane A. Sikes.

Filthy Music Review - 'Graveborne: Through the Window of the Night'

Graveborne - Through the Window of the Night (2014) 

Séance Records

Review by Trevor Proctor

Through the Window of the Night is the second full length release from Finland’s black metal blasphemers, Graveborne;  following their 2011 album Pure Negativity. It’s due to be released on Australian label, Séance on 20^th January. Graveborne was formed in 2008 by guitarist Marchosias and drummer Pentele with the intention of creating a sound similar to 1990’s black metal – played with conviction, heaviness and unrelenting vehemence. Their debut five track EP; Astride over the Grave, was released in 2009 directly via the band and limited to 200 copies which soon sold out as their popularity soared – due to demand it was subsequently re-released on vinyl by Floga records.

Filthy Interview - 'Corpsessed'

Set for release on February 4th, through Dark Descent Records, Corpsessed's Abysmal Thresholds is one hell of an album. It's not just great Finnish Death Metal; it's great Death Metal, period. Trevor Proctor reviewed the album here, and I can tell you that even though by he and myself heard the album for review, both of us have purchased a physical copy; yes it is a very good album. Trevor also had the chance to interview the Finnish death-machine, and the result makes for fantastic reading. Read on, prepare to have your appetite whetted, and then get yourself a copy of Abysmal Thresholds!

Filthy Music Review - 'Abyssal (UK) - Novit Enim Dominus Qui Sunt Eius'

Abyssal - Novit Enim Dominus Qui Sunt Eius DLP (2014)

Iron Bonehead Productions. 

Review by Trevor Proctor

Novit Enim Dominus Qui Sunt Eius is the second album from the UK’s underground death metal group Abyssal, following their 2012 debut album “Denouement”.  Novit was initially self-released by the band via their Bandcamp page, but subsequently snapped up for release on CD by Profound Lore Records in April 2013, and on cassette by Exitium Productions in May 2013. January 2014 will see the album getting the vinyl treatment from the excellent Iron Bonehead Productions, a label whose name is synonymous with quality underground death metal. 

Filthy Music Review - 'Lie in Ruins: Towards Divine Death'

Lie in Ruins – Towards Divine Death (2014)

Dark Descent Records

Review by Jude Felton

Without sounding like I’m flogging the proverbial dead horse, which in itself seems to me like a pointless pastime, I’ll tell you right now that we’re entering the realms of death metal, Finland and Dark Descent Records. If past experience has told me anything, it’s that this usually adds up to something special and you can rest assured that Towards Divine Death is something special.