Xenomorph – Empyreal Regimes



The first thing to catch anyone’s eyes on 1995 Empyreal Regimes is the killer artwork. With the depiction of H. R. Giger's Xenomorph, comes across a welcome change to all the gore and satanic images in extreme music. Unfortunately the lyric though don’t have any correlation to the Alien films, and disappointingly the music struggles live up to the artwork.

Being at the more brutal and slightly technical side of death metal, Nebraska’s Xenomorph did have a slightly interesting approach. Exploring strange structures and broad range of tempos, the songwriting is very decent for younf band. However there are moments when Xenomorph do bite off more then they chew and become cluttered. But overall the lack of attention grabbing riffs is more damaging. With rarely any memorable guitar moments and all tracks surpassing five minutes Empyreal Regimes becomes a grating process, although potential can be in the found in the chaotic Valley of the Kings or the forceful groove within Plight of the Cimmerian Subspecies. Just like the riffs the vocals also offer nothing crucial to the experience. Similarities can be drawn to Pete Helmkamp sneers, but generally missing that venomous power the Order from Chaos front man possess. Quite the opposite can be said for the drumming. Powerful and thunderous, the stick work is probably the stand out on Empyreal Regimes and the glowing in a dark tunnel when compositions become a directionless.

The production is  typical of early/mid nineties death metal being rough, though strangely some songs are more abrasive then others. In 2011 Dark Descent did a reissue that came with their (underveloped) 1993 Subspecies demo, and is questionable as to why. Not being a stand out or overerly memorable. Potential does linger within Xenomorph, so who know what could have been if they did not disband after this release. Regardless Empyreal Regimes was forgotten in 1995 with reason and will most likely remain that way.

6/10

Stench of Death #1 Naked Whipper - Painstreaks

Naked Whipper has become quite the cult band, due to their short life span and limited availability of thier releases. Since their 1995 debut Painstreaks, Naked Whipper has  remained remembered in  few cirlces.  Making their sado grind metal classic an almost lost gem.Combining the primitiveness of early Napalm Death, rawness of Repulsion and the malevolence of Blasphemy, Painstreaks is eleven songs of pure raw satanic aggression.

Pagan Pussy Gore Intruder begins Painstreaks assault with a take no prisoner policy. With the vicious sounding guitars, bestial barking of impious lyrics and machine gun blast beats. Setting the listener up for the cyclonic ferocity that is Painstreaks. Each song is short burning incendiary round never passing three minute mark, the shortest being Naked Whipper; which starts with a hard-hitting rhythm before ensuring decimation with relentless grinding. The riffs are what really stand out on Painstreaks, they are insanly catchy and at the same time they never lose there sheer aggressiveness, same goes for the choruses that will have screaming like a maniac to. It  should also noted  all that songs are also delivered in  live ritual form  adding another raw and filthy  layer. Notably vocals are a step grittier and demented then the studio recording, making it worth the listen.

Painstreaks is definitely a gem of the genre. It is rather unfortunate this release still has not had a proper reissue,  only coming in form of bootlegs nowadays. Regardless it's very worth getting your hands.

9.5/10