SATANIC CORPSE Belial CD

Prepare for an uncompromising descent into the rawest depths of the U.S. underground. With their 2023 release Belial, the Californian cult Satanic Corpse returns to claim their throne of filth and blasphemy. Released by Propaganda from Ukraine, this album is a masterclass in primitive, blackened death metal that refuses to follow modern trends, opting instead for a sound that is as ancient and decaying as a desecrated grave. From the opening title track Belial, the band unleashes a whirlwind of jagged riffs and cavernous vocals that set a tone of pure, unadulterated malice. The album is a journey through various shades of sonic depravity, moving from the corrosive melodies of A Taste of Bitter Honey to the relentless, driving aggression of Circle of Hate. Satanic Corpse is not afraid to push boundaries of endurance, most notably on the massive, fourteen-minute centerpiece I Want Your Blood, a sprawling epic of ritualistic violence and shifting tempos that stands as a testament to their songwriting ambition. The record concludes with the visceral rot of Eaten by Worms and the haunting, claustrophobic atmosphere of In the Phantoms Bedroom, leaving the listener submerged in a void of shadows. For those who crave the old-school spirit of early extreme metal where atmosphere and brutality collide, this CD is an essential addition to any collection of the macabre.