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Vitamin X – Ride The Apocalypse (Svart Records) [Mark Young]

And here we are again at the end of another quality week of widely different releases. Apart from me, where I find myself reviewing two bands whose emphasis is on short, sharp shocks and basically getting in, getting done and getting out before their welcome wears out. And I have to tell you that I am here for it. I adore the fact that this is 17 songs of pure adrenalin, fast, thrashy riffs and song structures that hark back to when the whole crossover vibe was brand new. As far as being an alternative to the normal music styles I’m listening to, it is welcome.

It does, however, give me a problem as a reviewer. On the face of it, its 17 songs that are aligned with how Vitamin X go to work and looking online they reflect their earlier releases and don’t stray too far from them or from a central blueprint of how the songs should be. What this means is that we have a variation on a theme that expects you accept it and just stay onboard because its fun. You might call them shallow songs that have no merit, and therefore not as important as other bands. But you would be wrong and its my job to convince you of this.

They aren’t expecting to be heralded as the new face of a movement, or to have provided something deep and meaningful. These songs are as much for the band as for us and its success will rely upon what you want from your heavy metal. If you want, for example odd time signatures, operatic vocals, orchestral arrangements and that detuned drone sound that is popular, then you really need to look elsewhere. Similarly, if its super black metal with a frozen core then it’s the same answer. This is for people who just want to be able to switch off and listen and not have to worry about how valid this is as a piece of art.

What I can say is that you can dance to these and they are designed for a good time, for the release of energy be it in a club or watching them live. Don’t think for a second they don’t take this seriously just because its assumed that these are simple songs. They aren’t. Give it a spin, and have a bit of fun. 7/10

Mammon’s Throne – My Body To The Worms (Hammerheart Records) [Matt Bladen]

some crushing blackened death/doom now which references bands such as My Dying Bride, and Pallbearer along with acts like Hooded Menace, Spectral Voice and Worm. Expect huge riffs where massive down stabs are interrupted by blast of glacial double kicks, vocals that embrace sickening growls and booming cleans and a sense of impending doom that’s counterpointed by virtuoso melodies.

Built on their unstoppable touring, where they have found themselves sharing stages with Rotting Christ, My Dying Bride, Conan and others. Plucking some stylistic elements from these bands to make their own. They continue the style they established on their 2023 album but more refined and impressive. This Aussie band are now on their third record and as such My Body To The Worms, is the sound of band who have defined their approach to metal.

Signing to Hammerheart Records, I guarantee that more people outside of their native country will hear the band’s complex musical and narrative moments, whether it be to bang your head to tracks such as Elixir or Everyday More Sickened where they move into epic realms of Candlemass. Or perhaps take a trip into the gothic atmospheres of At The Threshold Of Eternity/Departed as Mammon’s Throne prove they aren’t just here to destroy, they have a lot more to offer than standard death doom, My Body To The Worms delivers quality and volume. 8/10

Lord Centipede – Centipede II: Electric Boogaloo (Morbid & Miserable Records) [Rich Piva]

First, I must comment on the name of the new EP from Michigan band Lord Centipede, Centipede II: Electric Boogaloo. What do the kids say these days? IYKYK? Anyway, the press release mentions genres such as doom thrash, stoner crust and sludge crossover. Yes. This is my first experience with the band, so I feel like I may be in for a wild ride with song titles like Dumb As Fuck and Shitstorm Of Stupidity. Let’s see.

Yup. I think with the first track, the aforementioned Dumb As Fuck, I get more crossover thrash than anything, so think DRI but recorded in a closet, which is in no way a slag, given the more hiss on my boombox recordings the better. One thing is for sure, it rips. So does Shitstorm Of Stupidity, which gives off strong 80s garage thrash vibes and a fuck it all punk attitude. I love the breakdown too. I get old school Venom vibes, or maybe old Bathory with Wolf Witch and that is fine by me. Want to start a 148 second wall of death? Crank up Dawn Of The Troglodytes. The closer, Sword Of Conan swings the steel and cuts your crust punk loving head right off.

This was a fun, old school, crossover thrash explosion that had me ready to throw down for all 17 minutes. Lord Centipede rips, and hopefully breakdances too. 7/10