Written By Kevin McSweeney
Welcome to Seven Deadly Songs. It’s a sad week, in which we remember former Every Time I Die/Atomic Rule guitarist Andy Williams, aka professional wrestler The Butcher, who tragically passed away on Saturday aged just 48.
This week’s column is dedicated to him. As ever, we prioritise the artists who have yet to achieve the level of exposure that their talents deserve, but we always have a word or two about releases by more established acts beforehand.
For example, NWOBHM legends Tygers of Pan Tang, who continue their stellar 50-year career with Electrified, their 14th full-length offering. The album is available from September 11th via Mighty Music.
Also available from the 11th is a compilation album from gothic metal grandees Theatre of Tragedy. The influential Norwegians were active from 1993 to 2010, releasing seven full-length albums in that time. The Demo Collection 1994-1999 captures them at their most raw, and will be released via Cosmic Key Creations.
Look out for Nordic Embryogenesis, the ninth full-length album from Spanish death metal OGs Avulsed, which is available via Xtreem Music from September 9th.
Also releasing their ninth full-length album will be the Belgian speed metal institution Killer. The Grand Finale will be available from the 11th via High Roller Records. I for one hope the title isn’t literal. Anyway, on with the list!
Seven Deadly Songs: Clamosum – Deus Adversus
Our opening selection is a simply stunning seven minute track from Finnish melodic black metal band Clamosum’s debut full-length album, Gnosis Absolute, which is due to be released independently on September 11th.
There are parts of this lengthy number that owe as much to the influence of The Cure as that of Darkthrone or Emperor. This might be their first full-length effort, but they’ve actually been around since 2014. Judging by this epic piece of music, however, it’s been worth the wait.
We also recommend albums released this week such as Archgoat’s Nightbringer, Lightbringer, Cardinals Folly’s Let The Posers Fall and Whispered’s Honorbound for more examples of Finnish finesse.
Seven Deadly Songs: Discouraged – Farewell
I’m confused. This track, titled Farewell, is taken from A Farewell in Stages by the death/doom dudes from Deutschland known as Discouraged, which is their debut album.
Surely it should be a greeting in stages. You have to say “Guten Tag” before you can say “Auf Wiedersehen”, meine Herren! Their sound is described on the FDA Records Bandcamp page as: “…a compelling blend of Death Doom Metal that combines crushing heaviness, haunting melancholy and memorable melodies.”
I’m glad they share my fondness for alliteration. The album will be available, courtesy of the aforementioned label, from September 11th. They are in good company, as the Germans are absolutely bossing it this week, more examples of which will be presented later in the list.
Seven Deadly Songs: Filth – Mental Butchery
Once again, I turn to Bandcamp for a direct quote: “Sweden’s Filth is an old-school death metal power trio formed in 2022 that delivers swampy, heavy, and grotesque soundscapes.”
They are somewhat unusual in that, in Per, they have that rarest of beasts: a drummer who also handles lead vocals. The Gothenburg gore merchants are due to release their second full-length album, Death Exhibition, on September 11th via Me Saco un Ojo Records.
Their debut album, Time to Rot, was only just released last year, so they’re not hanging around, (somewhat ironically, given the title.)
It could just be my fancy, but they seem to have a bit of a death ‘n’ roll vibe at times, a sound that was pioneered by their fellow Swedes Entombed. If not, it might be a direction for the future, as sounding like the late, great LG Petrov and the boys is no bad thing.
Seven Deadly Songs: Green Lung – Necropolitan Line
The name Green Lung is, I hope, a tribute to London’s lovely parks, the green lungs of the Metropolis. The song title is a pleasing play on the Metropolitan Line on the London Underground rail network.
It is taken from their fourth full-length album, Necropolitan, which is due to be released on September 11th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Theirs is a barmy blend of stoner metal and doom metal that bears the hallmark of the UK’s rich rock lineage, not least through the track’s whacky 1970s-themed video. This song is worth checking out, not just for its amusing title, but also because it features a spectacular guitar/organ duel.
For more bloody good shows from dear old Blighty this week, see Stonelore’s We Were Kings, The Medea Project’s Kharon: Forbearance, Exist Immortal’s Afterglow EP, and The Search for Permanence, an EP from Downpour. What could be more British than a downpour?
Seven Deadly Songs: In Eclipse – Resurgence
I don’t think we’ve ever covered an Andorran band before. Ah well, there’s a first time for everything, and what a fine way to introduce ourselves to the tiny nation’s massive noise!
The Andorra la Vella-based quintet have been around since 2018 and released the Eternal Fall EP in 2022. Their sound is a blend of melodic death metal and groove metal.
There are distinct and identifiable passages of each in this very track, which is taken from their debut full-length effort Penumbral.The album will be available from September 11th via Art Gates Records.
If you’re like me, you’ll have found the recent solar eclipse to be something of a disappointment; In Eclipse, on the other hand, will disappoint few.
Seven Deadly Songs: Schandmaul – Sternensegler
The title translates into English as “star sailor”, apparently. This is the first of a double header from Germany to conclude our list. Didn’t I tell you they were bossing it?
Schandmaul are a medieval-styled folk metal band from Munich, who use bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy and shawm (a kind of a flute-like affair, apparently) as well as the conventional metal instruments to create a sound that is distinctly their own.
This is the title track from what will be their 12th full-length album. It is due to be released on September 11th via the always reliable Napalm Records.
Also via Napalm on the 11th, we have B.L.N.T. This is an album by German/Turkish comedian Bülent Ceylan, which rocks more than you might be prepared to believe.
Seven Deadly Songs: Space Chaser – Blade Serpents
I could fill the column with thrash metal this week, much of it, like Space Chaser, coming from Germany, a country that rivals the USA in terms of its thrash legacy.
I could have gone for something from their fellow German thrashers Godslave’s self-titled album, for example. I could also have opted for Australian band Harlott’s Exsequiis, or Swedish band Xion’s When Stars Collide.
In the end, I’ve gone for this track from the Berlin band’s fourth full-length effort Razorblade Bay, not least because there’s a Terminator on the album cover, which is cool.
The album is due to be released by Testimony Records on September 11th, which is the date of release for all the albums mentioned in this paragraph, except the one from Xion.
The Swedes can be awkward. Astonishingly good-looking, but awkward! And with absolutely no offence intended to our Swedish friends, we’ll take our leave. See you in seven for another seven.
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About The Author
Kevin McSweeney is Metal Lair’s resident scribe of the underground, eternally rummaging through the global metal scene for riffs worth your time.
As the guiding hand behind Seven Deadly Songs every Friday, he has an uncanny knack for finding the track you didn’t know you needed, usually before finishing his pint.
Equal parts loyal, kind, and quietly razor-witted, Kevin brings deep knowledge, impeccable taste, and a steady, reliable presence to Metal Lair.
Read More From This Author:
Album Review: To No Avail by Xenith
Album Review: Made Flesh by Untitled With Drums
Sakoya – World Gone Crazy EP Review
The Larches – Nihilistic Majesties EP Review
Album Review: Exodus Unknown by Imperium
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