Torpor--Dungeon Descent (CD/LP) (2026 Dying Victims Productions)

Torpor from Poland have concocted something quite unique and original, being black metal musically but heavy metal vocally, with epic melodies overtop aggressive drums and expressive riffs. The riffing itself sort of reminds me of Abbath's riffing style in mid-period Immortal, but also of the obscure English band Forefather (who, if you haven't heard, please do). This, however, is totally original and cannot be compared to anything past what I already superficially compared them to, and that's exactly what it is, a superficial comparison. The drums have a quite nice natural sound, especially the ride cymbal, and they're produced perfectly. This is album of the year material, a performance of such power and innovation that every metalist should sit up and a take note. This has that metal magic that hooked us on the genre to begin with, that certain "something" that all classic albums contain. I look forward to even more material from this band, and if this LP is anything to judge by, this will be a very important band to metal in the future. For now, this album should be flying off the shelf and into collections everywhere, as I intend to make it do soon where my own collection is concerned. 

www.dying-victims.de

Iron Kobra--Eternal Dagger (CD/LP/CS) (2026 Dying Victims Productions)

The fantastically absurd science fiction cover of this record caught my attention immediately. A woman with a laser gun riding a tiger on a mountain with a spaceship in orbit above her, at night, no less. I just hoped the music was that awesome. And it's not too far off. Germany's Iron Kobra play an excellent hybrid of heavy metal and speed metal that reminds me of Thor and Running Wild. I was surprised to see this is their first full length in eleven years. I'll have to seek out their back catalog and investigate those albums as well. The vocalist isn't especially gifted with range, but he makes up for this by using what he's got smartly, emphasizing his unique tone and ability to craft a decent melody. He turns in an excellent performance overall. The rest of the band is equally talented, and the songs are well-crafted and catchy, which is quite important for traditional metal. More so than other forms of this music, even. Dying Victims is another one of those labels that seems to release killer after killer, and I applaud their efforts in finding all these great bands. It's remarkable to me how some labels just seem to have my musical tastes in mind when it comes to their releases.

www.dying-victims.de

Witching Hour--Descending... Where Time Has Ceased to Exist (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions)

I have to declare that I was unfamiliar with this band before hearing this, although I was aware of their existence. I'm glad I chose to review them. They play excellent black thrashing heavy metal with top shelf riffs and wonderful songwriting. Many people compare them to countrymates Nocturnal, but Nocturnal is straight thrash. Temper them with Deceased-style melodicism, however, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect, especially when the vocals hit. They're gruff but sung, and carry some melody, just like King Fowley. Long songs are also in their repertoire, also like Deceased, with the songs here ranging from six to eleven minutes in length. This gives the guitars plenty of time to play around with the riffs and some truly epic material results. This has a true '80s heavy metal feel as well as a Germanic thrash feel, both at the same time. It's quite a feat, and I have to say that while I normally hate long songs, this was quite good and the lengths of the songs didn't affect my enjoyment of the music. They felt a lot shorter than what they actually are. This album is for true metal diehards, and there should be no buyer's remorse!

www.dying-victims.de

Demon Spell--Blessed Be the Dark (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions}

One band that deserves to have more worship bands is Mercyful Fate, and that's what Demon Spell from Italy are doing, and they're delivering quite excellent heavy metal while doing it. The lyrics are blissfully Satanic, as they should be, and they're delivered in an uncannily similar style to King Diamond. There's even plenty of reverb on the vocals to give it that old Mercyful Fate feel. I place this band on the pedestal with Attic as quality King Diamond and Mercyful Fate worship. The production is clear but has a raw edge to it, just as it should for this style, which is something I felt was lacking from the later Mercyful Fate records and King Diamond's output. This just bleeds old metal atmosphere and aesthetic, and I'm glad to have stumbled upon it while hunting for new things to review. There's really no more to say about this. If you're a Fate devotee, like me, you'll love this record. 

www.dying-victims.de

Whirlwind--1640 (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions}

Whirlwind, from Spain with their second full length, play an excellent mixture of heavy metal and speed metal that reminds me of the masters of the genre like Priest or Primal Fear with a bit of Manowar and Helloween injected for good measure, as well as a heavy dose of Running Wild. Vocally the singer moves between a dynamic clean sound and a grittier heavy metal style, more like Running Wild or Gravedigger. He's never pitchy and sows a real mastery of his style - he never pushes harder than what his voice will allow. The choruses tend toward the big and bombastic, power metal style, with layers of vocals and soaring melodies, often with group shouted vocals for emphasis. The guitar solos are masterful and wonderful and they add to the music instead of distract from it like some bands have a habit of doing just to show off what they can do. This is very easy to listen to, and it flows from song to song easily. If you're a traditional heavy metal fan, this is one album to keep an eye out for, as it should not disappoint. It's not knock-me-down awesome, but it's very, very good.

www.dying-victims.de

Aggressive Perfector--Come Creeping Fiends (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions}

Hailing from the UK, this is the band's second full length and first release in seven years. Stylistically, Aggressive Perfector falls into no clean category. There are elements of thrash, heavy metal, and speed metal, often combined into the same song, all with lyrics about Satan and the occult, as it should be! Vocally, the singer uses a bit more of an obscure thrash style that borrows some aesthetics from black metal. It's hard to describe properly other than that. It's not necessarily a unique style, but the atmosphere he commands reminds me of early Running Wild and Destroyer 666 without sounding like either vocalist. It's a truly metalized performance. Perhaps that's what I could compare this to overall: Destroyer 666 playing Running Wild's instruments with Venom's attitude. Their songs even tend toward the anthemic at times, with big riffs and soaring melodies. It's true metal music for true metal people. If you like anything I described above, you will probably enjoy this release immensely. It's very good shit, and I highly recommend it.

www.dying-victims.de

Karloff--Revered by Death (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions}

This is the second full length from this German punk-influenced black metal band, which reminds me quite a bit of Midnight crossed with Hellhammer. It's simple and primitive yet pristinely played material, filled with Tom Warrior-style attitude. The vocals remind me of the cult crust band Amebix a little bit, or maybe Axegrinder. This isn't very aggressive stuff, even if it's quite dark and morbid, but is laid back with mostly mid-paced tempos. It's just not built for intensity. Every once in a while a second wave-style black metal riff worms its way in and when it does it's super satisfying and merges well with the rest of the metal. There's probably enough meat on the bone here to be of interest to devotees of black thrash, and definitely for crust punk aficionados.

www.dying-victims.de

Burning Path--Burning Path (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions}

From the ashes of the mighty Lucifer's Hammer comes Burning Path, a traditional metal band with a strong sense of melody and real metal atmosphere. The guitar and bass attack in tandem and remind me a bit of Iron Maiden mixed with '80s American heavy metal like early Dokken or Omen. The singer doesn't push too hard, and I think his range is rather limited. That's how how he copes with it, staying in a certain range where he's most effective, which is the smart play. I respect that in a singer. Know what you're good at doing. That said, he's a bit pitchy from time to time, and if you worship vocals like me, you'll definitely be able to tell. The guitars sound very '80s, and I believe there to be quite heavy effects on them. That doesn't bother me. The playing is good and the heavy metal flows! Overall, this is a decent effort, good but not essential, and certainly worth the time it takes to listen.

www.dying-victims.de

Chalice--Divine Spear (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions}

This is completely unique heavy metal with incredible melodies and interesting songwriting. The synths they use occasionally are interesting as well - they're not there to really add to the melody. The guitars and vocals handle that part. Instead, they create atmospheres around the music and behind it. The singer has an almost folksy delivery, singing with much more of a progressive style, like a less bombastic Nevermore. Some of the melodies they use sort of remind me of Ghost. That's where the comparisons stop, however. This sounds like nothing else I can think of in the metal scene, and that's a hell of a feat. It's not often I get to say I don't know how to articulate how different a band is, but this is one of those times. This is completely and utterly unique. Hats off, gentlemen, you've done a hell of a job.

www.dying-victims.de