“Cristo Demente” (Tapeworm Records, 2023)
The idea of a Swiss band, singing in Brazilian Portuguese, and playing Speed Thrash Metal from the 80ies, South American style, made no sense until I came across Túmulo, from Zurich, singing in Brazilian Portuguese, and playing Speed Thrash Metal from the 80ies, South American style. Yes, it might sound… misplaced or even confusing, but it happened, and thank them for that.
Túmulo is a 3-piece Heavy Metal attack from Zurich: Death Vomit, Forhammer, and Miasma are the Wretched Three, and repulsive Heavy Metal is their game. Totally intoxicated on Sarcófago, Holocausto, Rotting Christ, and Hellhammer, the trio brings forth a sound that could be classified/labeled/named/etc., as an homage to Old School Extreme Metal. From the logo to the band member names, all stenches of Old School Heavy Metal. Their sound is not 100% full throttle; it has some calmer moments where that frantic dynamics breaks, and Celtic Frost atmospheres rise up into the misty air of Zurich. Remember Celtic Frost were also from Zurich. Maybe something was left behind by Tom and his mates.
“Cristo Demente” is a 24 minute and 41 seconds Old School Demo that sounds just right. South America, Brazil mostly, was the birthplace of many extreme Heavy Metal bands that had a singular approach to Heavy Metal. Bands like the already mentioned Sarcófago (mostly “INRI”), Mystifier, Chakal, and many more bands from all around the south part of the continent, crafted a sound that resembled Hell embodied into music. Visceral, Raw, Demonic, almost physical, South American Extreme Heavy Metal was a beast of its own. Do not forget that Sepultura, up until “Bestial Devastation”, was a massive influence - and still is - on many young musicians that were looking for an outlet from a castrating Society. Musically speaking, that period of the band from Belo Horizonte is massive, and the fact that Túmulo, in 2023, covers one of their tracks, is more than enough to understand how far the band’s legacy has reached.
Túmulo… what a surprise this was. Many musicians try to capture that sound, that production, the warmth that only Old School recordings had, but very little are able to (check out Alastor from Portugal), and these 5 tracks are confirmation that it is possible. The right influences, a planned direction… success! It is not complex music, it is not packed with amazing solos and drums leads, or exquisite vocals performances, but is that what we look for in Heavy Metal? The feeling, the emotions, the overwhelming aura that surrounds the genre, is more than enough to “feed” a Headbanger’s heart. Oh, how cliché, right? Who cares.
Every now and then I go back to bands like Hellhammer or Mercyful Fate if I really want to feel what Heavy Metal is - and the first Angel Witch record, of course - and the immensely honest simplicity of their creations is all I need in that exact moment; Túmulo is not, in terms of quality, on the same level as the mentioned bands, but it has heart and feeling, which is more than I need. Check them out if you need that upbeat Antichristian Extreme Melody! All the way from Portugal… Podridão e Satanás!
Caixão
- “Demo 2020” & “Promo Tape 2023” (NWN / Voz da Morte Productions / Life
Eternal Productions)
I do not recall how exactly I came across this project, but having a Portuguese name did appeal immediately. This project belongs to the mate that is behind the Fall of the Idol Fanzine, an excellent project as well: Old School is the only way! Caixão is a constant reminiscence of a Past that some wish never ended. The melodies that made fall in love with Black Metal, that lured us in, played by musicians that started from scratch. The Greek scene. I remember the first time I heard bands like Rotting Christ, Nightfall or Septic Flesh; years later Necromantia or Varathron. Each and every one of these bands had their own sound, and at the same time belonged to a very particular scene. Slow paced, dense, haunting, moldy, and passionate! This was - and still is - how I described the Greek sound. It is very recognizable, and that is what makes it this special. You can also find, although I consider it to be in a lesser percentage, sounds from South America: harsh and aggressive, almost visceral.
These two scenes combined result in a juggernaut of Black Metal, and Caixão ends up being its vehicle. The bass is more than present - Necromantia smiles - and it stirs up the sound! One of the things I love about it, is the same I loved about the fanzine: raw and honest, simple, and straight to the core. No bullshit, no gimmicks, no nothing! Just Black Metal. The vocals are rasped and well-balanced. This is Old School Black Metal, period. That pace, slow, but solid! I understand his devotion to Greek Black Metal; it has everything one wants from the genre, plus the Mediterranean inspired melodies that work like a soft and gentle fragrance. Sounds weird? The truth is, as simple as his music might sound, as easy as it could be to identify the inspiration behind his music, it is still necessary to replicate it. This first release by the project is, although packed with quality, still a bit innocent in the way it displays its influences.
Once we jump into his 2nd Demo - “Promo Advance Tape 2023” - we identify, right off the bat, that this is Greek Old School Black Metal worship, period. And yes, it sounds wonderfully diabolical and depraved. However, the leap in quality is remarkable! Was I expecting this? Maybe not. But as soon as you press PLAY, we hear how good he has become since his 1st Demo. Exaggerating I be? I be not. The Intro, alone, is a display of Old School Black Metal at its best, and you all suck if you do not appreciate the mate’s work. Again: many attempt, very little achieve. Absurd… it even has “Beheritian” details. Ah, like the Greek scene was not enough, the lad pulls off the Finns. Come on! “Herakleiai Stellai” has all the good elements of a great Old School Black Metal song, and this is just a promo for the upcoming debut mini-album - “Knaga” - coming out soon by NWN, Voz da Morte Productions, and Life Eternal Productions.
More structured and solid than the 1st Demo, these songs are a leap in quality and identity. Ok, one can point out Beherit and some Greek classics as major influences, but the sound is more distinct this time. João has taken his music beyond and built a very consistent Old School Black Metal worship specimen. Sound-wise, another leap in quality. These 3 years made wonders for the South Bank musician’s work. It holds that warmth in sound, while keeping it cold and piercing. “Espada de Cacilhas” is superb. It threw a cluster of bands to my face all at once! And all are great! From Greece to Switzerland, João takes us on a ride through the History of the genre and does it with expertise. I get a bit of Samael, hidden; Necromantia and Rotting Christ; remember Moonspell’s first releases? That Mediterranean sound - and Arabic, of course? Caixão has bits of that. Mortuary Drape at times… correct me if I am absolutely wrong, please. Caixão’s music sounds old; Caixão’s music sounds different, even if inspired in A and B. It baffles me that this name is not spoken more, especially in Portugal. While more recent Black Metal fans run around waving their hype Black Metal vinyl, they forget to explore the pillars of the genre, and end up ignoring acts like this. Absurd… nonetheless, some treasures are worth hiding.
Life Eternal Productions Official YouTube Channel
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