Agathocles - Commence to Mince (2016)

If you know a bit about grind or crust you probably know Agathocles, the Belgian band formed in the eighties having done an incredible number of releases, especially splits, and more than a dozen of albums (they released nearly thirty releases in 2016 for exemple), but they're also well known because they're among the best grind / punk band, or mincecore as they say. Commence to mince is the album they released in 2016 (with Selfmadegod records) and it showcases perfectly the ability of the band to deliver all you want from a grind / punk band. Of course a discography so immense have some highs and lows, Commence to Mince is among the highs. Good stuff, keep going Agathocles!

The BC page. 

Unholy Vampyric Slaughter Sect - Canticle Bound in Spirit - The Faith in Vampyric Blood (demo 2017)

This new Unholy Vampyric Slaughter Sect demo (Canticle Bound in Spirit - The Faith in Vampyric Blood, released by Perverse Homage) is an interesting and exciting mix of traditionnal and raw black metal elements (the very low-fi production, the bestial vocals, the guitar sound, the creepy instrumentals) with some industrial beats that are at times bordering hardcore techno! The result is surprising and brutal. Could reminds a bit early Anaal Nathrakh but more lo-fi, raw and harsh.

The Bandcamp page.

Dead Neanderthals / Sly & The Family Drone - Molar Wrench (2017)

Dead Neanderthals on one hand and Sly & The Family Drone on the other are two excellent bands of experimenting noisefreaks that likes collaborating with other musicians, so it's no big surprise to hear them doing this album, called Molar Wrench, together. And in my opinion what they created is good beyond expectations. The reunited two bands forms a double drums / sax duo complemented with a guy from S&TFD adding more noise (effects). You could expect something going in all directions but in the end they makes a quite focused and condensed chaos. For the best results (something that could reminds both Peter Brotzmann and Aluk Todolo). The association of the screaming and thundering free jazz sax with the somewhat krautrock rhythm part in the first track is a good exemple of this and an exciting start for the album. The middle of the albums goes slower, heavier and noisier, and the last tracks end the album on a more quiet and subtle note. If you're into free / noise music this is an album you absolutely have to listen too. Heavily recommended!

The Bandcamp page.

Unaussprechllichen Kulten - Keziah LIlih Medea (2017)

Another excellent album by Chilean Unaussprechllichen Kulten, their fourth one Keziah Lilith Medea is a masterpiece in US style old school death metal, reminding a bit Morbid Angel for the evil and bizarre atmosphere and the way the brutality helps to build a strong epic and grandiose feel. On this one maybe what they perfected is the guitar leads and solos that are really fine while never at the expense of the heaviness and cohesion of the whole. I'll enjoy listening to this one many times, and I suppose anyone into US OSDM would do the same. 

The Bandcamp page.

Phobia - Lifeless God (2017)

26 years after its formation (and the return of Danny Walker on drums, Leon Del Muerte on bass, and Bruce Reeves on guitar), Phobia, from California doesn't show any sign of slowing down and the new album Lifeless God is as fast, heavy, relentless and angry as ever. Still in a grindpunk vein, with some mid tempo hardcore / crust but mostly blast-beats all over the place with a powerfull sound. but maybe there's a slight bit more diversity than on previous releases, with a wee bit of neocrust like melodies or punk soloing, with good results since it stays very brutal anyway and keep the nature of the band. I'd say it's a good Phobia album and a very intense slice of grindpunk.

The BC page.