Deathspell Omega - Paracletus

Some patterns are easy to notice and the production work on DsO's recordings during the past 6 years is one of those easy to spot repetitions.
For some bands a certain blueprint works just fine and becomes - with time - the core and identity of the band. But for others, it's not always the case.

Si Monumentum marked a major shift in sound, ideology, composition and the visual aesthetics of the band.. something that was/is obvious to anyone familiar with their earlier works.

Immortal - All Shall Fall

Big, fat, quick, mechanic, polished, clear, soulless. That's how, to put it simple and in brief, the entire production on Immortal's All Shall Fall can be categorized.

There are various points of view that can apply to such a production yet in the end it's what I call the "Burger King Production". It looks all fat, clean, tasty, tempting and handed out quick to you... once digestion starts, you hear all those various sounds coming from the stomach and your shit smells like sewers. That's what All Shall Fall is all about. Your first few listens are just fine and the ear has no problems.. one more listen after that and it's whole different story.

1349 - Revelations of The Black Flame

It took me 10 seconds to know what to expect from this album sound wise. I always find it hilarious when a black metal band attempts doing some kind of a "dark ambient intro", not only it shows their lack of imagination but also demonstrates a serious lack of talent when it comes to non traditional approach to sound.

So what's the fuss all about? Tom G. Warrior?

I'd take the sound of any band's rehearsal at any time over the production of this album; over-clipping, over sound boosting and a sloppy way of sound capturing. The overall sound could have worked OK if the entire album was much slower, however the presence of the blast beats make it one big pile of annoying sounds.

Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions

Massive big blocks and chunks of words found all across the web in forms of "reviews" for this album applauding it on many levels, yet confusing the references between the live experience and the studio one.

I have only heard about Sunn O)))'s live shows, but haven't been fortunate enough to witness one and feel the intensity of their chords in my chest, which is a positive point for this sound review focusing on the actual record making no parallels.

Khanate - Clean Hands Go Foul

Once Khanate’s name is mentioned, you cannot help yourself from thinking about harshness, heaviness and pure rawness. These are one of the main keys that made Khanate what it is without any argument. With the latest and last record Clean Hands Go Foul those above factors are put into question and under serious introspection. Even though rawness and heaviness are undoubtedly present, it is remarkably obvious that there is something missing.

When each instrument’s sound is to be taken separately and analyzed, one could say they are fairly recorded and produced.

Beherit - Engram

It was announced for a good time now that Beherit is back with something to say to this world. Keeping an optimistic coming back from this band was a present possibility, especially since Marko Laiho was highly active in the electronic scene for more than a decade now, which could only mean one thing for Tactile Sound: an efficient improvement in sound techniques and production.

The sound production of Beherit’s first two albums is inarguably one of the main factors that placed the band on the map. The production on Oath of The Black Blood is what really gave birth to chaotic/noise driven Black Metal bands and projects all over the years.

Gnaw - This Face

This is where the end begins and the old suffers a miserable death. Gnaw is a new born beast by well known minions that have been lurking around for a long, long time and who know well their tasks. Fans of heavy and low frequencies are in for a great surprise and a harsh lesson in sound.

This Face spits in the face of traditionalists and radical analogue freaks without any sign of remorse. Instead of walking the old road of primitive expression armed with bass and drums, Gnaw climbs peaks with a DCAF System (Digitally Controlled Annihilating Frequencies).

Xasthur - All Reflections Drained

In Black Metal, non-commercial one that is, production values are non existent so to speak. Most bands are allergic to the idea thinking it's an act of heresy to spend some money on such a "useless" thing, or they simply cannot afford this "luxury" for various reasons. But what most forget about is that Black Metal depends highly on the sound rather than anything else, for it is the main factor creating the record's atmosphere.

There is a massive misconception regarding sound production (from editing, to mixing and mastering) in Black Metal. Most artists link the term with nice sounds, polished frequencies and fancy/soft outcome.

Isis - Wavering Radiant

When I first got introduced to Isis it was through the Celestial album. The very first thing that caught my attention and sucked me in was its fat bass chest penetrating sound. Removed far away from groove, it was a full low frequency assault on the subwoofers and that what made Isis vibrates across the oceans of this planet even with its little production imperfections.

Isis crossed a long road since then, evolving as a band and in sound. With Wavering Radiant the whale is reaching out to the surface for some air
and sun rays instead of creating massive deep sea currents.