Další rezavý hřeb, který mi zatloukají do hlavy. Sedím ve staré prašivé kobce a kolem mě tančí krysy na ostrých střepech vzpomínek. Objímá mě temnota a chlad. Hluboko v podzemí čekám na smrt. Hlavou mi létají myšlenky jako zběsilé. Připomínají můry, které padají spálené ohněm k zemi. Všechno má barvu krve a pokaždé, když uslyším zvuk otevírajících dveří, očekávám nový druh bolesti. Přitom to začalo tak nevinně. Šel jsem tichou ulicí a ve stínech na mě čekaly přízraky. Napadly mě jako smečka vzteklých psů, jako britská kapela THE BLEEDING.
Jsme jedné krve, křičím zase jednou do tmy, když znovu a znovu zapínám play na svém přehrávači. Psal jsem o téhle smečce již dvě recenze a máme spolu i skvělý rozhovor. Odkazy naleznete dole pod dnešním článkem. Svět je i letos zahalen do těžké, smradlavé mlhy, já čekám na smrt v podzemí a vy si můžete vychutnat nové album, které opět řeže tou správnou stranou nože.
Je to smršť, vichřice v záhrobí, tsunami, tlaková vlna, která vás smete z povrch zemského. Budete spáleni na popel, sežehnuti ostrými riffy, zabijáckými bicími a vokálem, připomínajícím řev raněné bestie. Tahle kapela touží po čerstvém mase a předkládá vám na víku od rakve prvotřídní death a thrash metal ze staré školy. Dejte mi někdo další pivo, potřebuji spláchnout pachuť současného podivného světa. Raději znovu a znovu utíkám do nekonečných chodeb podsvětí a rvu si tohle album pod tlakem do hlavy. Má v sobě totiž vše, co potřebuji pro své nekalé záhrobní rituály. Je velmi dobře napsané, je ušpiněno potřebnou dávkou nakumulovaného vzteku i energie posbírané na starých pohřebištích. Jasně kámo, všechno tady už bylo a kapela má ve svých genech stejnou DNA jako skupiny typu SODOM, KREATOR, MORBID ANGEL, SEPULTURA, SLAYER, DEATH, SOLSTICE, MALEVOLENT CREATION. Jenže tihle gentlemani, na rozdíl od mnohých jiných, přidávají do skladeb i spoustu svých nápadů a invence. Máme tu tak opravdu co do činění se smečkou prašivých psů, kteří stejně jako já hlídají vstup do podzemí několik dekád. THE BLEEDING jsou na svém čtvrtém albu ve skvělé formě. Sekají kolem sebe, připomínají démony ze starých časů, kteří se přišli pomstít za všechna příkoří, která jim byla způsobena. Nedokážu sedět v klidu, když "Godless Communion" poslouchám. Podupávám si nohou, tančím znovu a znovu na svém vlastním hrobě. Naslouchám šepotu nemrtvých a vyzývám všechny nejkrásnější zombie, aby se ke mě přidaly. Ne kamaráde, tohle není jen nostalgický výlet do starých dobrých časů, tohle je nahrávka, která se ti dostane do hlavy, pod kůži, do žil i do podvědomí. Mám vůbec psát něco dalšího? Že má album skvělý zvuk, motiv na obalu? Ale to je přeci u téhle kapely samozřejmost. Zničující death thrash metalové album, u kterého odpadává maso od kostí! Budete tančit s démony na svých vlastních hrobech!
Asphyx says:
Another rusty nail they’re hammering into my head. I’m sitting in an old, dingy dungeon, and rats are dancing around me on the sharp shards of memories. Darkness and cold envelop me. Deep underground, I’m waiting for death. Thoughts race through my head like mad. They resemble moths falling to the ground, scorched by fire. Everything is the color of blood, and every time I hear the sound of a door opening, I brace myself for a new kind of pain. And yet it all started so innocently. I was walking down a quiet street, and in the shadows, spectres were waiting for me. They attacked me like a pack of rabid dogs, like the British band THE BLEEDING.
“We’re of the same blood”, I shout into the darkness once again as I hit play on my player over and over. I’ve already written two reviews about this band, and we’ve also done a great interview together. You’ll find the links below today’s article. The world is shrouded in a heavy, stinking fog again this year; I’m waiting for death underground, and you can enjoy the new album, which once again cuts with the right side of the knife.
It’s a whirlwind, a gale in the afterlife, a tsunami, a shock wave that will sweep you off the face of the earth. You’ll be burned to ashes, scorched by sharp riffs, killer drums, and vocals reminiscent of a wounded beast’s roar. This band craves fresh flesh and serves up top-notch old-school death and thrash metal right on your coffin lid. Someone give me another beer I need to wash down the bitter aftertaste of this strange modern world. I’d rather flee again and again into the endless corridors of the underworld and force this album into my head under pressure. It has everything I need for my sinister rituals of the afterlife. It’s very well written, tainted with just the right dose of pent-up rage and energy gathered from ancient burial grounds. Sure, buddy, we’ve seen it all before, and the band carries the same DNA in its genes as groups like SODOM, KREATOR, MORBID ANGEL, SEPULTURA, SLAYER, DEATH, SOLSTICE, and MALEVOLENT CREATION. But these gentlemen, unlike many others, also inject their songs with plenty of their own ideas and creativity. So we’re really dealing with a pack of mangy dogs who, just like me, have been guarding the entrance to the underworld for several decades. THE BLEEDING are in top form on their fourth album. They’re tearing everything apart, reminiscent of demons from days gone by who’ve come to exact revenge for all the wrongs done to them. I can’t sit still when I listen to “Godless Communion”, I tap my foot, dancing over and over again on my own grave. I listen to the whispers of the undead and call on all the most beautiful zombies to join me. No, my friend, this isn’t just a nostalgic trip down memory lane this is a record that gets into your head, under your skin, into your veins, and into your subconscious. Do I even need to say anything else? That the album has great sound and a cool cover art? But that’s a given with this band. A devastating death thrash metal album that’ll make the flesh fall off your bones! You’ll be dancing with demons on your own graves!
Vracím se na místa, kde jsem prý kdysi žil. Ztracený ve svých myšlenkách přemýšlím, vnímám, nasávám atmosféru. Beru do rukou věci, které jsem znal. Lidé se na mě usmívají. Nemůžu si vzpomenout. Kdo jsem? Odkud jsem přišel? Sleduji zástupy lidí žijících své virtuální životy. Možná se také hledají. V jedné staré krabici objevím starý popraskaný kaleidoskop. Podívám se proti slunci a sledují pestrou hru světla a tmy. Jsem ztracený v dnešním podivném světě.
Čeští progresivní death metalisté vydali nové album a jeho základním motivem je ztráta paměti a následný rozpad identity. Poslouchám novinku již nějaký čas, chodím s ní ulicemi a užívám si zvláštní neklid, který je v ní patrný snad na každém kroku. Lehký saxofonový motiv, hra s melodiemi, cit pro napětí. Ano, poslouchat novinku "Adrift", je jako se dívat do kaleidoskopu, jako ochutnávat nová jídla, jako se nechávat unášet na zpěněných vlnách řeky věčnosti. Talent se zde potkává se schopností napsat velmi dobré skladby. Což je mimochodem věc, která se dnes zase tolik často nevidí.
Není nutné hovořit o zvuku, o motivu na obalu a dalších formálních věcech. Vše je v nejlepším pořádku. Osobně se mi hrozně líbí, že se kapela vyhnula dnes tolik obvyklé umělosti. Skladby jsou velmi propracované, v některých momentech komplikované a pro mnohé budou náročné pro poslech, ale zároveň si zachovávají opravdovost, uvěřitelnost, autenticitu a nebál bych se napsat živočišnost. Kapela si hraje s melodiemi jako šelma se svojí kořistí. Jednou je surová, nekompromisní a řezající jako čerstvě nabroušený skalpel, jindy zase přemýšlivá, vznešená a majestátní. Naleznete zde spoustu různých poloh, změn tempa a nezasvěcenému by se mohlo zdát, že je album roztříštěné. Omyl! Chce to jen trošku času a fantazie a sami uslyšíte. MINDWORK se nebojí objevovat, vydávat se různými cestami. Zvolnit, když je to potřeba, když mají chuť, když to do skladeb patří a sedne. Určitě znáte takové ty zvláštní momenty, když se ocitnete na nějakém místě, na kterém jste nikdy nebyli, přesto máte pocit, že to tam znáte, že tam patříte. Přesně takhle se cítím i při poslechu "Adrift". Píšu většinou o trošku jiném druhu hudby, dokonce by se dalo napsat, že mě v tomto stylu zaujme máloco. Přesto mám pocit, jako by mi album kolovalo v žilách, stalo se mojí součástí. Skladby jsou totiž velmi dobře napsány, mají v sobě potřebný drive, poslouchají se tak nějak samy a pokaždé objevuji nové pasáže a momenty. Navíc, novinku je třeba poslouchat jako celek. V kuse, teprve potom vynikne její síla naplno. Lehké nuance, náznaky, říznutí až do bolesti. Najdete zde absolutně vše. Marně jsem hledal něco, co by mi vadilo. Vracím se na místa, kde jsem prý kdysi žil. Ztracený ve svých myšlenkách přemýšlím, vnímám, nasávám atmosféru. Beru do rukou věci, které jsem znal. Lidé se na mě usmívají. Nemůžu si vzpomenout. Kdo jsem? Odkud jsem přišel? Můžete ztratit identitu i vlastní paměť, ale hudba zůstává. Progresivní death metalové album, které vám dá ochutnat z pestré palety roztodivných nálad! Kaleidoskop věčnosti!
Asphyx says:
I’m returning to places where I’m told I once lived. Lost in my thoughts, I ponder, take in my surroundings, and soak up the atmosphere. I pick up things I used to know. People smile at me. I can’t remember. Who am I? Where did I come from? I watch the crowds of people living their virtual lives. Perhaps they, too, are searching for themselves. In an old box, I discover an old, cracked kaleidoscope. I look into the sun and watch the colorful play of light and darkness. I am lost in today’s strange world.
This Czech progressive death metal band has released a new album, and its central theme is memory loss and the resulting disintegration of identity. I’ve been listening to this new release for some time now, walking the streets with it and enjoying the peculiar restlessness that’s evident in it at almost every turn. A light saxophone motif, playful melodies, a sense of tension. Yes, listening to the new album “Adrift” is like looking into a kaleidoscope, like tasting new foods, like letting yourself be carried away on the foaming waves of the river of eternity. Here, talent meets the ability to write very good songs. Which, by the way, is something you don’t see all that often these days.
There’s no need to talk about the sound, the cover art, or other formal aspects. Everything is in perfect order. Personally, I really love that the band has avoided the artificiality that’s so common these days. The songs are very sophisticated, at times complex, and for many, they’ll be challenging to listen to, but at the same time, they retain their sincerity, believability, authenticity and I wouldn’t hesitate to call them animalistic. The band plays with melodies like a predator with its prey. At times it’s raw, uncompromising, and as sharp as a freshly sharpened scalpel; at other times, it’s contemplative, noble, and majestic. You’ll find plenty of different moods and tempo changes here, and to the uninitiated, the album might seem fragmented. Wrong! It just takes a little time and imagination, and you’ll hear it for yourselves. MINDWORK isn’t afraid to explore and venture down different paths. To slow down when necessary, when they feel like it, when it fits the songs and feels right. You’re surely familiar with those strange moments when you find yourself in a place you’ve never been before, yet you feel like you know it, like you belong there. That’s exactly how I feel when listening to “Adrift”. I usually write about a slightly different kind of music you could even say that very little in this genre catches my attention. Yet I feel as if the album is coursing through my veins; it has become a part of me. The songs are very well written; they have the necessary drive, and they just kind of play themselves I discover new passages and moments every time. What’s more, this new album needs to be listened to as a whole. All at once only then does its full power shine through. Subtle nuances, hints, and cuts that cut to the bone. You’ll find absolutely everything here. I searched in vain for anything that would bother me. I return to places where I’m told I once lived. Lost in my thoughts, I ponder, take in, and soak up the atmosphere. I pick up things I used to know. People smile at me. I can’t remember. Who am I? Where did I come from? You may lose your identity and even your memory, but the music remains. A progressive death metal album that offers a taste of a colorful palette of bizarre moods! A kaleidoscope of eternity!
tracklist:
1. Adrift
2. The Great Deception of Mind
3. Breach the Cosmos
4. A Moment of Clarity
5. The Party's Over (Talk Talk cover)
6. Solitary Man
7. The Branches and the Wind and the Rain
8. Mess from Now On
9. Stars
band:
Dominik Vozobule - Bass Filip Kittnar - Drums Martin Schuster - Vocals, Guitars (rhythm), Guitars (lead)
1. Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?
Warthrash is a band from Medellín, Colombia, founded in 2005. In the beginning, our goal was to play old-school 1980s-style thrash metal, heavily inspired by the classic sounds of traditional heavy metal and thrash. As the years went by and the lineup evolved, every new member brought different musical influences, helping us develop our own identity. Today, our music blends thrash and death metal, and over time it has naturally evolved toward a more traditional death metal sound while still keeping the spirit of classic extreme metal alive.
Our first release was the EP Civis Pacem Parabellum, released in 2011. It reflects our early thrash metal roots with a strong influence from traditional death metal and the distinctive sound that characterizes many South American extreme metal bands.
2. Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
No Light Shall Remain was recorded at Aria 51 Studios in Colombia under the guidance of sound engineer Juan Carlos Henao "Chengo." We took our time with both the songwriting and recording process, carefully polishing every detail to achieve an international-quality sound without losing the warmth and authenticity of traditional metal recordings.
Our goal was to combine classic recording methods with modern production techniques, avoiding an overly plastic or digital sound. We believe the final result is a very professional album that still feels organic and human.
3. How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
The album was released in an edition of 1,000 CDs through Awakening Records. It is also available digitally on all major streaming platforms and can be purchased through Bandcamp via the label.
4. Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?
The lyrics are written collectively by the members of the band. Usually, one of us brings an initial idea, and then we work together until everyone is satisfied with the final version.
Lyrically, Warthrash has always explored themes such as war, geopolitical conflicts and their consequences. Over the years, our focus has expanded to include inner struggles, fear, personal demons, death, spirituality, and the existential conflicts that define the human condition.
5. Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?
The original Warthrash logo was designed by our drummer and vocalist, Héctor Caronte. As the band's sound evolved from old-school thrash toward death metal, we felt the logo should evolve as well, becoming darker and more decayed to match our music.
The current version was redesigned by a local Colombian artist who also plays in the death metal band Bondstorm. We believe visual identity and social media are very important today because they help the music reach audiences all over the world while representing the band's personality.
6. Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takes care about you?
We released No Light Shall Remain through Awakening Records. Before signing with them, we contacted several international labels. Some were already fully booked with upcoming releases, but Awakening Records made us an excellent offer and shared our vision for the album.
We are very satisfied with the label. Thanks to their distribution network, our music has reached listeners in Asia, Europe and the United States, giving the band a much stronger international projection.
7. Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
Our influences are very diverse, ranging from traditional heavy metal to thrash, death and black metal. We especially admire the pioneering bands that shaped those genres, and their legacy continues to inspire our songwriting and musical direction.
8. Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
Yes. We sent the album to several international labels, including some based in Latin America. Some replied that their release schedule was already full, while others showed interest. In the end, Awakening Records offered us exactly what we were looking for, and we decided to work with them.
9. How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
Since 2005 we have played a large number of shows, although we have never counted the exact number. We've performed everywhere from small clubs and bars to major local and national festivals.
Every show has been special in its own way, and we enjoy both the intimacy of club gigs and the energy of larger festival audiences.
10. What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
Our immediate goal is to promote No Light Shall Remain by playing as many live shows as possible throughout 2026. At the same time, we have already started working on new material for our next release.
We are also exploring opportunities to perform throughout Colombia and hopefully take Warthrash to international stages in the near future.
11. How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
Fans can find and follow Warthrash on all major social media platforms. Our music is available on all streaming services, and it can also be purchased through Bandcamp and Awakening Records. We encourage everyone to stay connected with us through our official channels for news, upcoming shows and future releases.
Thank you for interview.
Recenze/review - WARTHRASH - No Light Shall Remain (2026)
Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?
Ahoj! Hexenaltar was founded in mid 2021 as solo project, but later that year it became a full-time band.
At the very begining I wanted to play something near to blackended speed/thrash, but when I was recording those songs they became more black/thrash/death in final. I think it’s much better for final result. Years of playing death metal have changed my style and taste for good, so Hexenaltar became more heavy sounding than I was expecting at first.
Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
Well it was kinda complex process. Instruments were recorded in Sound of Records with Haldor Grunberg, we were also trying to record vocals there, but I was sick, so they had to be re-recorded.
So I went to Polifon Studio to record those vocals with Michał Kirmuć. He had oldschool condenser microphone and I was quite happy with results. At the end our good friend Filip Żywiec Weyher recorded intro for us and our drummer Johnny componed outro.
Everything was mixed by Michał Grabowski, he works as live sound technician for Vader, so I trusted him with this process.
How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
Oh to be honest I don’t remember that well, I think it was about 500cds and 200 vinyls and just a few copies of cassettes. Of course there was a bit of merch like t-shirts and pins and we want to make patches, but hell... it’s quite a long process again. We want them to look just perfect and we are waiting for our friend who will make design, but now he has a broken arm so we will have to wait, a bit more.
Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?
I wrote most of lyrics, but for two songs my friend Beton helped me – drummer of Abominated.
But to be honest it’s a lot easier for me to sing lyrics that I wrote. They are mostly about medieval horror. Witches, evil priests, possession and burning altars haha. They don’t touch serious topics like religion, society or politics. Music sounds like 80s slasher movie, so in my opinion lyrics have to fit the music.
Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?
I made sketch for logo with pencil and I asked my friend if he can make it more professional, and he did! His name is Skadvaldur, talented artist from Iceland, he also did the first artwork for our demo – Tormented Possession and EP Bestial Damnation. Current artwork was done by Juanjo Castellano, he is a real maniac, I am glad that we found him. And website or social media... Yea, without them you are nothing nowadays. You just have to be on Instagram and Facebook, but we are not planning to have www site like hexenaltar.com.
Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care about you?
We choose Godz ov War from Poland, because I know Greg, the CEO of Godz ov War and yea, he treats us just right in my opinion and we are still a young band, so we are really happy that our release was realased in multiple formats. this is very important, because it’s so good feeling to hold vinyl in your hands. It makes you appreciated. So yes, I can recommend this label.
Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
Of course original thrash metal godfathers of the genre like Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, Sarcofago, Kat.
I am not a big fan of modern metal music or modern bands, of course I know it’s not open-minded attitude, but that’s just my taste, I tried to change it, but I’ve failed.
Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
Yes, I’ve sent e-mail to some labels, but what to say. We weren’t interested in some labels and some labels weren’t interested in us. So we decided to stay with GoW, there is no need to make changes when current deal just works good.
How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
I think that we have played about 25 gigs and they were all club concerts for now. We would love to play some open-air concerts, but probably we are still too small band to get offers for playing such events. But I hope that future will bring some open-air shows for Hexenaltar!
What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
For sure we would like to record more stuff. Last months I was focused on Abominated’s 2nd album and getting new job, but for sure I will spend some time to write new music for next release.
And playing some open air concerts will be good achivement. Maybe Black Silesia
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
Best way is Instagram or Facebook. It’s fast and efficient. You can of course do it by e-mail or via our record label Godz ov War!
facebook.com/Hexenaltar
instagram.com/hexenaltar_speed
Thanx for the interview.
Thank you! I hope that we will be able to drink some Czech Kozel beer together!
Jsem obyčejný člověk, který chodí do práce, má rodinu, děti. Říkají o mě, že jsem milý a vtipný, že bývám příjemný společník. Mám rád dobré jídlo, pivo a hlavně muziku. Dodnes, skoro po čtyřiceti letech mi připadá, že žiju ve dvou dimenzích. V jedné, kterou po mě chce běžná společnost a ve které dělám všechno, abych přežil a potom ta druhá, ve které se stávám démonem, který poslouchá starý death a thrash metal.
Zavírám se do sklepa, v reproduktorech mi právě hraje nové album chilských RIPPER a já se zase jednou vracím po časové ose zpět. Tamní scénu mám moc rád, poslední roky je doslova studnicí skvělých kapel. Tahle smečka vás roztrhá na kusy. Je divoká, nespoutaná, syrová a zůstává po ní hluboká krvavá stopa. Je velmi příjemné zanechat za sebou starosti všedního dne a vymlátit si hlavu u ostrých riffů, surových melodií, jedovatého vokálu a zabijáckých bicích. Nové album splňuje všechny moje požadavky pro pořádný, poctivý tanec na našich vlastních hrobech. Brácho, tohle je reálný masakr v márnici!
Zatímco jsou mezi metalovými pozéry čím dál tím slavnější kapely, které sází spíše na image, tak mezitím RIPPER napíšou dobrou skladbu, která se mi zadře pod kůži i do podvědomí. Janě, že mám taky rád starou SEPULTURU, SLAYER, KREATOR, PESTILENCE, SADUS, MORBID SAINT, DEMOLITON HAMMER a taky kurva SODOM, protože ti mě k thrash metalu kdysi přivedli a slyším je v každé kapele. Chilané, na rozdíl od mnoha jiných, ale přesně pochopili, o čem oba tyhle prašivé styly jsou. Dokáží být rychlí, živočišní, jsou jako šelmy, co se právě vydaly na lov, ale nezapomínají ani na atmosféru, na plesnivé nálady, tolik známé z čerstvě exhumovaných hrobů. Celý život se pohybuji převážně v undergroundu a jako starý pes, který hlídá vstup do podsvětí několik dekád, dávám "Towards Rebirth" ochrannou známku vysoké kvality. Neznám nic lepšího, než utéct v pátek dřív z práce, přehodit svoji mysl do té lepší, prokleté dimenze, otevřít si pivo a zapomenout na podivný svět kolem. Sejdeme se v mosh-pitu, říkají mi mí vlastní démoni a já nemohu jinak, než jen kývat souhlasně hlavou. Za povedené zde považuji opravdu vše. Ostrý, syrový a špinavý zvuk (recorded, mixed and mastered by Pablo Clares at DM6 Studio). O tom, že je skvělý i motiv na obalu svědčí to, že jsem si jej vytiskl a pověsil na zeď. Paolo Girardi odvedl opět skvělou práci. Ostatně jako vždy, mám pro práci tohoto umělce velkou slabost. Vraťme se ale k hudbě samotné. Pokaždé, když zapnu play, tam mám chuť vytáhnout ze skříně starou ošoupanou džínovou vestu. Kdysi nás takhle chodily davy a dnes bych se asi s kazeťákem toulal po periferii našeho města sám. Jiný ale už nebudu a je to tak dobře. Death metalová brutalita smíchaná s ostrou thrash metalovou rychlostí! Album, které vás roztrhá na kusy!
Asphyx says:
I’m an ordinary guy who goes to work, has a family, and kids. People say I’m kind and funny, and that I’m good company. I love good food, beer, and especially music. To this day, after almost forty years, it feels like I’m living in two dimensions. One is the one that mainstream society expects of me, where I do everything I can just to survive, and the other is where I become a demon who listens to old death and thrash metal.
I lock myself in the basement; the new album by the Chilean band RIPPER is playing through my speakers, and once again I’m traveling back in time. I really love that scene in recent years, it’s been a veritable treasure trove of great bands. This pack will tear you to pieces. They’re wild, unbridled, raw, and they leave a deep, bloody trail in their wake. It’s so satisfying to leave the worries of everyday life behind and let loose to sharp riffs, raw melodies, venomous vocals, and killer drums. The new album checks all my boxes for a proper, no-holds-barred dance on our own graves. Bro, this is a real massacre in the morgue!
While there are bands among metal posers that are becoming more and more famous ones that rely more on image RIPPER, meanwhile, write a great song that gets under my skin and into my subconscious. Jana, I also love the old SEPULTURA, SLAYER, KREATOR, PESTILENCE, SADUS, MORBID SAINT, DEMOLITION HAMMER, and, damn it, SODOM too, because they’re the ones who got me into thrash metal back in the day, and I hear them in every band. The Chileans, unlike many others, have perfectly grasped what both of these gritty styles are all about. They can be fast and feral like beasts just setting out on the hunt but they don’t forget the atmosphere, those musty moods so familiar from freshly exhumed graves. I’ve spent my whole life mostly in the underground, and as an old dog who’s been guarding the entrance to the underworld for several decades, I give “Towards Rebirth” my seal of approval for high quality. I know of nothing better than leaving work early on Friday, shifting my mind into that better, cursed dimension, opening a beer, and forgetting about the strange world around me. “Let's meet in the mosh pit,” my own demons tell me, and I can't help but nod in agreement. I consider absolutely everything here to be a success. A sharp, raw, and dirty sound (recorded, mixed, and mastered by Pablo Clares at DM6 Studio). The fact that I printed out the cover art and hung it on my wall is proof that the design is great, too. Paolo Girardi has once again done a fantastic job. As always, I have a soft spot for this artist’s work. But let’s get back to the music itself. Every time I hit play, I feel like pulling an old, worn-out denim vest out of the closet. Back in the day, crowds of us used to hang out like that, and today I’d probably be wandering the outskirts of our city alone with my cassette player. But I won’t be any different, and that’s just fine. Death metal brutality mixed with blistering thrash metal speed! An album that will tear you to pieces!
Ave FUNEBRE DEVASTATION! I’m currently listening to your new album, “The Verminous Spawn,” and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m at an evil black mass. You play black thrash death metal, and this is your third full-length album. Can you tell us how the new record came together and in what direction you wanted to move from your excellent previous releases? Did you want to be even faster, darker, more devilish?
Hails, Jakub Asphyx!! First of all, thanks a lot for taking the time to interview us and for sending such interesting questions. Let's get into it!
Believe it or not, our first idea when we started writing this album was actually to make something more old-school. We wanted to lean more towards the early days of Venom, Celtic Frost, and the first Sodom records. We even talked about throwing in a few more Speed/Thrash Metal sections. As you can hear, those influences are definitely there in some of the songs, but others dive headfirst into filthy, deranged Black/Death Metal.
In the end, I guess we naturally drift somewhere within that extreme swamp. We just can't help letting influences from here and there creep into the music. We don't really force anything—we just let the songs take us wherever they want to go.
You know what literally hit me right in the face? The sound on the new record. It’s organic, gritty the album has a dark spark to it. In this day and age of over-amplified and compressed formats, it’s a breath of fresh air. To me, this is what true hell sounds like! Please tell me where and how you recorded? How did you achieve this sound?
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate that! I recorded the album myself using my own gear. I've been recording my own demos and a few other bands since 1997, when I started out with an old PC and a cassette deck. Over the years I kept adding more equipment, and eventually I settled on my Yamaha AW4416, which I've been using since 2004. I still use it to record the drums and some of the guitars.
It's one of the first digital workstations ever made, but it has a very old-school way of processing audio and a much more analog-like character than most modern digital gear. Everything else was done on the PC using different DAWs and preamps. The whole idea was to capture a more organic sound, something closer to those early '90s records—that was the goal from the very beginning.
The entire album was produced by me in my humble, filthy little Khazad-Dûm Studios.
I’m exactly the kind of old-school fan who approaches music in such a way that if I like an album, I buy the CD, the vinyl, and the T-shirt. I have to say, the cover art for this year’s album is really well done. This is pretty much how I imagine medieval hell. Can you tell us how you chose the artwork, who created it, and how it relates to the music?
Absolutely! The cover artwork was created by Vhan Art, an artist I've been working with for quite a few years now. Not only with Funebre Devastation, but also with other bands and projects I'm involved in, like Hrizg, Deprive, and several others.
He's an incredibly talented artist who regularly creates pre-made artworks and puts them up for sale. I always take the time to check out every single piece he releases. Whenever I come across one that perfectly matches the atmosphere I want to capture with a particular album, I simply buy it. That's really all there is to it. It's a straightforward way of working, and it lets us get straight to the point without overcomplicating things.
Looking at your lineup, you’re a band made up entirely of experienced musicians. How do you actually create new music? What does the process of writing new material look like? Do you have trouble agreeing on things? After all, experience can sometimes be a hindrance. You know how it is egos and all that.
That's an interesting question. The funny thing is, there really aren't any egos in this band. We don't argue about the music. We all know the kind of metal we want to play, and we simply make it happen.
Everyone throws ideas on the table suggestions, comments, different approaches—and then I write the riffs that best fit each moment. Sometimes I come to rehearsal with a complete song already written, while other times I just bring a rough idea. There are also times when Argus suggests the kind of song he'd like us to work on. And every now and then I bring in material that's a bit outside the band's usual territory, so Ha-Shatan steps in as a sort of artistic director, helping decide which riffs really fit the spirit of Funebre Devastation.
Even though I'm the one who writes all the music, the contributions from the other guys are incredibly important. Their input shapes the final result and gives the band its own identity.
In the past we've worked with a few lead guitarists, but none of them really fit our way of working, our music, or our philosophy. So we've decided to keep Funebre Devastation as a three-piece for the foreseeable future.
For me, old-school metal has always been associated with a certain darkness. Even as a young guy, I was fascinated by the references to Satanism that grime and decay that you could sense in your bands’ music. How did you end up gravitating toward this particular style?
Well, in my case it all started with bands like Manowar. Without a doubt, they're the band that dragged me into this whole mess. There were other bands before them, of course, but Manowar were the ones who really opened the gates to Metal for me.
As for the Satanic side of things, I'd say Venom first, and later Morbid Angel, completely blew my mind as a teenager. I'd listen to their albums and read the lyrics with this strange mix of fascination and fear. In the end, though, fascination won.
By 1993 I was already deeply into Death Metal, and I always found myself drawn to the bands that had a Satanic or occult atmosphere. It was only a matter of time before Black Metal entered my life as well.
I guess it's the same story for a lot of people from our generation, isn't it?
I’d be curious to know what the music scene is like in Spain, especially in your area (Santander, Cantabria). How did you get into music, and who was your role model? What about your scene, clubs, and fans?
Well, I wouldn't really say there's an actual scene where we live. We're from Santander, but in reality each of us lives in a different town, quite far apart. That's pretty common around here—young people get together because they're into the same music, but they rarely live anywhere near each other. Metal is pretty scarce here these days, although there is some new blood slowly picking up the torch.
There are still bands around, most of them made up of old bastards like us, and we're all friends and support each other. But calling it a real scene... I don't know, I think that might be giving it too much credit.
Spain has some absolutely killer bands and amazing musicians who know exactly how to do their thing. But Cantabria, the region where we live, is a different story. It's a small region where the extreme metal culture has been fading away for years, leaving only a handful of younger maniacs who, hopefully, will bring the underground back to life little by little.
There aren't many bars or clubs where you can hang out, have a few beers, and listen to bands like Slayer. And if we're talking about true underground metal, there are even fewer. If there aren't enough fans to keep a scene alive, there certainly won't be many venues for them either.
That said, we're used to it, and honestly, we don't really care. We do our own thing, and there's always a bunch of friends who show up at our gigs ready to go completely insane—to mosh, raise hell, and unleash some proper violence and chaos, just the way it should be.
We got into the scene back in the late '80s and early '90s, when things were completely different. There were loads of bands, loads of gigs, loads of ideas. It felt like a real scene—clubs, maniacs, and underground metal everywhere you looked. But all of that eventually faded away, and nowadays... well, it's become something much smaller and far more exclusive.
Your lyrics are also very dark. That’s obviously part of death black thrash metal, and I like it, but I’d be interested in the origin and creation of the lyrics. How did the lyrics for the new album come about? What are they about?
The lyrics are basically a mix of ideas, phrases, and concepts that all revolve around a few core themes: violence, darkness, and extremity. From there, each song leans a bit more in one direction or another. Some are about taking revenge on people who cross you. Others deal with serial killers, occult rituals, or pure destruction. Darkness always has to be the dominant element. They're very direct lyrics, written to emphasize the darkest and most extreme side of human nature. I couldn't really tell you that one song is about this specific subject and another about something else, because together they all form a single conceptual world, even if each one explores it from a different angle.
Funebre Devastation embraces feelings like hatred, revenge, and defiance because they're part of human nature. We don't believe in preaching or moralizing through our lyrics. Instead, we write from the perspective of the darkest instincts, standing our ground against a world that's often cruel and full of hypocrites mother fuckers. The message isn't about surrendering it's about pride, resilience, and refusing to let life or anyone else break your spirit. No matter how many times you get knocked down, you stand back up with your head held high.
Throughout the history of metal, there have been many instances where certain bands were banned because they were shocking or held views that differed from mainstream society. Have you ever had any problems? In today’s internet age, it’s incredibly easy to immediately condemn someone, spread a rumor, and destroy them. How does mainstream society in Spain view black death thrash metal bands? You’re a strongly Catholic country…
Well, I wouldn't say Spain is a deeply Catholic country. It's a country that tries to be secular without really being secular. There are still plenty of people who believe in this false god, of course, but it's nothing like countries such as Poland, or others that seem to be much more religious.
We've never had any problems because of the themes we write about. Not with Funebre Devastation, nor with any of the other bands we've played in over the years. That simply doesn't happen here. What can happen is that bands openly associated with the far right may end up being boycotted. Bands that openly promote those kinds of political views can run into serious trouble with the more radical left. But we're an apolitical band. In fact, we don't give a fuck about politics, whether it's left or right. As far as I'm concerned, they can all go fuck themselves!
Personally, I think today's society has become domesticated. People get offended by every little piece of bullshit someone writes on the internet. But then again, that's actually good for us. We like offending people... so everything's working out just fine! Hahaha.
Have you had to change your approach to music in any way due to new technologies? Thanks to the internet, the world is completely different; bands have to approach everything in a totally different way. How do you perceive these changes?
I like this question. The internet has democratized stupidity, and even though we're assholes too, we're not going down that road. We make the music that matters to us. We're an old-school band because we're old, and we grew up with that mindset. We're never going to change that. If we did, Funebre Devastation simply wouldn't make any sense anymore.
We're not going to change anything just to please a herd mentality that buys their outfits from EMP and only listens to whatever Nuclear Blast, Napalm Records, or some other shitty labels happen to release.
We don't work according to the algorithm. Sure, we have social media, because otherwise nobody would even know we exist nowadays. But that's as far as it goes. We're not crossing the line or betraying our convictions just to sell ten more records. We don't have that obsession with making it big. We're not a professional band, and everything we do comes straight from the heart.
That's the fundamental difference between Funebre Devastation and most other bands. We have principles, and those principles are non-negotiable.
How are things going for FUNEBRE DEVASTATION in terms of concerts? I noticed you don’t perform very often. Wouldn’t a European tour appeal to you? I could imagine you sharing the stage with bands like POSSESSED or DEICIDE they come here pretty often.
I can tell you one thing: the day we go on tour with bands like the ones you mentioned, we'll probably shit ourselves with excitement at every single show! Hahaha...
We play as much as we can. We've all got jobs, some of us have families... so we simply can't play as often as we'd like. That said, this year we're not only playing in Spain, but also in Portugal and France, which isn't bad at all. We're also playing the incredible Drums of War Festival alongside bands we grew up listening to.
As for next year, the plan is to do a European tour. We want to take our shit abroad and export our noise. We'd love to play more festivals, but this is a DIY commune, so we can only go as far as our own resources allow.
What do death metal, black metal, and thrash metal mean to you? How would you define them, and how do you perceive these styles as an experienced musician? I don’t want you to describe your playing technique; I’d be more interested in your perspective, your feelings, the energy you convey, and so on. Try being a philosopher for a moment.
Whew... alright, let's see.
To me, Death Metal is about savagery and sheer impact. Darkness and aggression. Violence and extremity. Of course, it depends on what kind of Death Metal we're talking about, but that's always been my general perception of the genre. Putting on your headphones, cranking the volume up, and being physically unable to stop banging your head. Your face twists into a grim expression while you stare into the void. That's real Death Metal. That's how I always experienced it. A swamp of horror that keeps growing inside your mind until it takes over like a terminal disease.
Black Metal gives you different feelings. More romantic ones, in a way. Colder, older. It brings out the philosophical side of life and death. The epic feeling of immemorial times. Almost divine forces watching over everything. It's the kind of music that makes you dream about ages you never lived through and ideas that would never have crossed your mind otherwise. That's what Black Metal was to me. Nowadays, it's mostly just a bunch of hooded idiots who only care about sounding perfect, playing perfectly, and making money. That feeling died many years ago.
Thrash Metal, in my opinion, made perfect sense in the '80s. It was humble, streetwise kids from rough backgrounds trying to crawl out of their shitty lives, expressing everything they lived through with razor-sharp riffs, fast drums, and an untamed attitude. Nowadays, Thrash Metal is a fucking commercial circus. It's the most extreme genre that's still part of the mainstream. So now you get kids showing up with instruments that cost more than all of mine put together, taking lessons at music academies, with everything paid for by mom and dad. That's got absolutely nothing to do with where the genre came from. That's why I call it what it is: a fucking circus.
Of course, if you take the very best elements of all three styles and turn them into something hostile and violent... then everything is exactly as it should be.
What does FUNEBRE DEVASTATION have planned for the coming months? Where can we see you in concert? If you have a message for labels, promoters, or fans, this is the place…
For the time being, you can catch Funebre Devastation live in Bilbao, Barcelona, Tarbes (France), and Porto (Portugal). But of course, if any promoter wants to book us, we'll gladly go wherever we're invited, as long as the conditions aren't ridiculous. We're not going to pay for our own travel and accommodation just so the promoter can disappear with our money and spend it on cocaine.
As for record labels, honestly, we're pretty easy about it. If anyone wants to release our material, all they have to do is get in touch and send us a proposal. Whether it's about putting out one of our releases or booking us to play in their area, we'll always take a look at it and give an honest answer. We're open to any kind of collaboration.
And to the fans... I don't know if they've heard the band yet or seen us live somewhere, but one thing's for sure for better or worse, we don't leave anyone indifferent. I think that anyone who has the same blood running through their veins as we do will eventually find their way to Funebre Devastation and understand what we're about. Our music calls to old spirits, whether you're old or not.
Thank you very much for the interview. I really appreciate that you took the time for our site. I wish your entire band a lot of hellish inspiration, sold records, and enthusiastic fans. May you also thrive in your personal lives. I hope to see you live someday.
Thank you very much, Jakub. It was a real pleasure answering your questions—they were thoughtful and genuinely interesting, which isn't always the case with interviews these days.
We really appreciate your support and the chance to spread the word about Funebre Devastation through your zine. Hopefully our music will reach a few more maniacs thanks to this interview.
We also hope to make it to your country someday and share a few beers after raising hell on stage. Until then, keep the underground alive, support the bands that deserve it, and never let the flame die.
See you somewhere on the road... and hail from the filthy depths of north of Spain!
Recenze/review - FUNEBRE DEVASTATION - The Verminous Spawn (2026):
