Review by Alex on November 30, 2019.

As of right now I have to scrap my top 6 war metal albums of 2019, for as the year draws to a close, I have found more releases that compete vigorously with my current selection. Profane Order joins the ranks of devout troops to set foot upon the battlefield, they're absolutely brutal band. The songs on their second full length album, Slave Morality are fucking lethal; imagine a spawn between Archgoat, Diocletian and Heresiarch, that's how much energy and ferocity is put into this record. I was on defense about it for a while and for no reason other than I felt content with what I had already heard from other bands. But being wrong is something I welcome if it means I'm getting great music.

What followed the intro 'A Barren and Everlasting Isolation’, proved my alleged content to be but a thought actively lying to my uncontrollable thirst for war metal. Once the devastating drums and electrifying riffing made landfall it became clearer I had been living in denial. This is 33 minutes of collateral sonic explosions hitting at every angle, cutting off all exits and escape routes. Manned by Illusory and TG, Slave Morality is one of the finest black/death/war metal albums of 2019. Like countless others it’s the artwork once again that I answered; not the most detailed or exaggerated image, just a candid visual representation of the sessions unfolding on 'Righteous Spawn (Of the Plague Child)’, ‘Black Vomit Desecration' and 'Ancient Blood'. Once set in motion, there is no turning back from Slave Morality, especially once you've been hit by the spear of 'War (Upon the Modern World)'. It has this wicked chugging bass guitar and tackling drum section that sums up the brutal nature of the album. The speed of the double kick (bass) and snare drum on 'Perverse Demoniac' for example, remind me of the sound made when consistently striking the speed ball boxing apparatus; that feedback you get is priceless.

The B side has some of the slower parts on Slave Morality fittingly masking some intensity while keeping the session moving in lending contrast to the agility. Also, I would argue the A side is less restrained than the B side; take 'Black Vomit Desecration' and "Antichrist Abomination' both as examples, the former is centered on propensity whilst the latter implements diversity through its 4:50 run-time. Death metal fans would be pleased to hear the solos on Slave Morality, most of it resembling some early Immolation and Suffocation stuff, and that's a big deal if you still can’t escape the embryonic 90s. 'Hexed (Defiling God's Child)', holy fuck the opening lead followed by the solo is menacing, memorable and slightly technical perhaps the strongest song on the B side where as the heavy hitter of side A declared 'War (Upon the Modern World)' is explosive. Profane Order make sure to end with a massive bang!, 'Entranced by the Morning Star', is a 5 minute butchering of the instruments comprised of electrocuting riffs, amputating vocals and thunder bolting drums most of which I understand were handled by Illusory with the aid of TG on guitars making Slave Morality admirable and a must have for all you undomesticated war metal slaves.

Slave Morality is and anointment of oppression, a death-march, a violation of sanctity.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by Tara on August 14, 2016.

Creepsylvania splatter thrash maniacs Ghoul are back with a bloody vengeance on Dungeon Bastards, the band's first full length venture in five years. I've been regularly following Ghoul since receiving copies of their demo tape in 2001 and first full-length We Came For The Dead way back in 2002. Since then, our Creepsylvanian death thrash darlings have released an impressive slab of full lengths, EPs,and splits. Chances are, if you're into the more underground metal and are clueless when it comes to Ghoul, you've probably been living under a rock. A really boring rock at that. But, I digress.

Much like previous releases, Dungeon Bastards is a lot of fun. The silly and gore themed lyrics, catchy riffs, gang shouts;there's quite a bit to love. Those listening to Ghoul for the first time and possibly expecting something a bit more serious and full of anger and angst will be disappointed. Long time fans will be quite pleased. This is the Ghoul album we've been waiting on for awhile and is easily my favorite along side 2003's Maniaxe.

Dungeon Bastards is out now on Tankcrimes Records. And if this review wasn't enough to spark your interest, here's another cool thing to note: copies of Dungeon Bastards come with a swanky board game. The object of the game follows the story of the album, where you as a member of Ghoul must race to Svatopunk Square to blow up the Omicron Bomb. The winner dies. Fun, right?

Grab your copy today from the good people at Tankcrimes and thank me later. If you enjoy metal that is fun as well as excellently executed, Ghoul and Dungeon Bastards are right up your alley.

Stand out tracks: Shred The Dead, Ghoulunatics, Word Is Law

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Tara on August 14, 2016.

Creepsylvania splatter thrash maniacs Ghoul are back with a bloody vengeance on Dungeon Bastards, the band's first full length venture in five years. I've been regularly following Ghoul since receiving copies of their demo tape in 2001 and first full-length We Came For The Dead way back in 2002. Since then, our Creepsylvanian death thrash darlings have released an impressive slab of full lengths, EPs,and splits. Chances are, if you're into the more underground metal and are clueless when it comes to Ghoul, you've probably been living under a rock. A really boring rock at that. But, I digress.

Much like previous releases, Dungeon Bastards is a lot of fun. The silly and gore themed lyrics, catchy riffs, gang shouts;there's quite a bit to love. Those listening to Ghoul for the first time and possibly expecting something a bit more serious and full of anger and angst will be disappointed. Long time fans will be quite pleased. This is the Ghoul album we've been waiting on for awhile and is easily my favorite along side 2003's Maniaxe.

Dungeon Bastards is out now on Tankcrimes Records. And if this review wasn't enough to spark your interest, here's another cool thing to note: copies of Dungeon Bastards come with a swanky board game. The object of the game follows the story of the album, where you as a member of Ghoul must race to Svatopunk Square to blow up the Omicron Bomb. The winner dies. Fun, right?

Grab your copy today from the good people at Tankcrimes and thank me later. If you enjoy metal that is fun as well as excellently executed, Ghoul and Dungeon Bastards are right up your alley.

Stand out tracks: Shred The Dead, Ghoulunatics, Word Is Law

Rating: 9 out of 10