Review by Michael on February 19, 2023.

With Upon Desolation the Californian deathers Mortuous released their second album in September 2022 and unfortunately the piece somehow passed me by until recently. Incomprehensibly, I must add, because what the four guys present here is pretty cavernous and raving death metal, as Finnish bands like Demilich or Demigod couldn't perform it better at the beginning of the 90s. In addition, there is a good pinch of old My Dying Bride (until "Turn Loose The Swans") especially when the violin is used like in 'Nothing'. Here even some leads are copied and integrated with quite perfection into the sick and quite brutal death metal soundscape.

Overall the band has made quite a transformation from their 2012 demo to Upon Desolation, while at the beginning of their career they still played relatively classic HM-2 death metal, from album to album they have incorporated more atmospheric elements into their songs and integrated the death-doom aspect much more into the tracks. Thus, the eight songs are consistently on the highest rumbling death metal level and know how to entertain with quite a bit of variety and tempo changes. So it happens sometimes that in the one second still nasty blast beats are to be heard and suddenly the tempo is taken out completely and still played a quarter as fast. When Mortuous brings their doomy passages to the fore (as a good example the beginning of 'Metamorphosis' is mentioned), they often manage to create a dark, thoughtful and oppressive, almost sad atmosphere. Coupled with the deep growls, the sawing guitars and the very powerful drumming, they have created very unique hymns of darkness. Also the megasick guitar solos (Morbid Angel says hello!) make the listener shudder in awe - just listen to the transition into 'Days Of Grey'. The alternation between solos and gloomy and tough parts is breathtaking and creates an absolutely intense atmosphere that is hard to escape. Especially the always very surprising use of violins is what makes the album stand out from a lot of other death metal albums of the last time, because it is something refreshingly different from the regular gloomy productions, of which there are plenty. Thus, the guys have secured a niche in the death metal genre and will hopefully continue to use and develop it skillfully. The production is very powerful, so that the instruments come into their own - maybe it even sounds a little bit too modern, but that's complaining on the highest level.

Overall, Mortuous must be attested that they have created an album that, if it had been released in the 90s, would have become a classic for sure. So we have to wait and see what time will bring and how people will look at Upon Desolation in 10 years. In any case, I am impressed!

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Felix on October 25, 2020.

Okkulto is back! My wife and my children are not amused at all. Since they saw him on TV, they hate him. (You have to know that I am a proud owner of the Desaster DVD "Desasterous Meeting"). But I do not care. I like his attitude. Without exception, he performed very well on the early outputs of the German black thrash institution. Therefore, it is good to know that he has returned after a long period of personnel reorientation. Better still, this EP is the first of a trilogy. But what does the here presented vinyl offer? Let us hear what the advertising claims. "Unchained from the crypts of Hades comes forth a metallic beast". Well, I really hate these trite slogans. I would use a much more fitting wording in order to describe this debut. I would say: "Unchained from the crypts of Hades comes forth a metallic beast". This is exactly the same? I am sorry about that, but these words really describe the four pieces in the best possible way.

Eurynomos does not score with unique features or innovative thoughts. The guys do not even try to hide their disinterest in previously unknown sounds. Instead, they brew a dark and poisonous mixture of blackened thrash metal while adding some mystic elements. Okkulto and Nimetön, the first drummer of Desaster, cannot renounce their musical roots. The four songs sound like early recordings of titanic bands such as Ketzer, Cruel Force or, of course, Desaster. In other words, Eurynomos combines the proven means of the subgenre in order to leave a lasting impression. Funeral bells and howling wind open the album. As soon as the guitar sets in, the band celebrates the triumph of evil. To put it less dramatically, the band presents galloping guitars, sharp (and simple) riffs and a small number of vile melodies. They are supported by an efficient rhythm section and crowned by the imperious voice of Okkulto. His raw vocals underline the intention of the band to become a serious challenger of Germany's leading black thrash metal commanders.

In particular due to the unpolished underground sound, the vinyl spreads a mouldy smell. Broadly speaking, its visual design does not lie in close proximity to that of the outputs of Okkulto's former group, but the atmospheric background image of the enclosed text sheet builds a bridge to his past. The lyrics are aligned with the general lyrical content of the subgenre. The band delivers what the listeners expect. Nevertheless, the four-piece scores with a surprising detail. It is amazing to realise that the guys are able to create catchy choruses without hurting the underground aura of the songs. The close intertwining of rawness and accessibility has yet to meet its match. No matter whether you listen to 'Banshee Calling' or 'Witchryder', both songs possess a chorus that you will keep in mind for a long time. What is more, 'Banshee Calling' with its tribal drums at the beginning reminds me a bit of Venom's "Domus Mundi", while the straight 'Witchryder' appears as a close relative of Desaster's "Sacrilege". Irrespective of this, both tracks stand on their own feet. The A side with the straightforward intro and the fast-paced title track does not pale in comparison with the songs of the B side.

All in all, for those of you who get euphoric while listening to compact, raw and pure metal songs that do not lack power, straightness and atmosphere, the debut of Eurynomos will enrich your life. The conclusive overall concept is impressive. Instead of preserving the ashes, the guys keep the flame burning. Regardless of this situation, sound fetishists will hardly be able to enjoy the music. Quite the contrary, they will feel a spontaneous urge to leave the room. Worshippers of a technical, progressive or complex approach should also stay away from Unchained from the Crypt. Unfortunately, the same applies for my wife and our children.

Rating: 9.4 out of 10