Down From The Wound - Agony Through Rituals of Self Purification - 2007

The Philippines are now known for being home to some of the best and most talented brutal death bands out there. This album was perhaps the first I heard to come from there and it blew any expectations I had out of the water.

The way the guitars and drums work with each other is perfect! This is filled with a lot of catchy riffing, only to slow down to smart, calculated slams, letting the drums shine through in the mix.

One of my favorite songs has to be ‘Propagation of Divine Apostasy’. It has everything on display that makes this album amazing. Actually, you could pick any song of this record and your jaw should drop. If you don’t play an instrument and are strictly into guttural vocals, then this is also for you!

The songwriting here really imprersses me each time I re-visit this album.

"Propagation Of Divine Apostasy" -

Proclaiming your insanity to carry out humanity fall to ruin this
unblessed spreading salvation abolished by the epedemic of conformity
ingesting they holy words from teachings based upon lies endless torture
manipulate above ignorance it brings mass destruction obscurity
people are already trapped in this deception embraced by misery doomed to
a life in dark hatred abomination for all.
Intense loating greatly discharged and abhorred
church ceased to exist
abandoned, crumble as religions will fall rapidly into total devastation
and will never have a chance to re-establish again
Compelled to carry the doctrines of total apostasy
humanity, condemned to the reality. Churches will be destroyed
and all its doctrines will vanish
abandonment of the principles from they false doctrines
breaking through the traditional teachings
conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed Scripture
violently gorging as the followers suffer.

Vocalist Tristan Dela Cruz does an amazing job here and I am sure he has only improved and I cannot wait for more Down From the Wound!

This was the debut full-length from the band, then a couple demos, then another full-length effort in 2014.

I can only hope and pray that Down Ftrom The Wound are still active and will surprise us with new music soon!

Execrated - Condemnation To Eternal Punishment - Anopsys Records- 2013

Artwork by ART OF GORE



These days, if you listen to a lot of Brutal Death Metal, your ears ought to perk up when you hear of a new group coming out of the Philippines.  The country has been widely known, to the underground metal community, as a hotbed of Brutal Death Metal talent for almost 10 years now.  Next to bands such as Human Mastication, Disastrous, Sagrado, Lamaw, Pus Vomit, Perverse Molestation, Down From The Wound, and countless others that you don't know of yet, Execrated prove with this 4 song release that they are well on their way to standing amongst Brutal Death Metal legends. Now, let's hope another release is on its way.
Execrated used to go by the name Degrade Incinerate but hadn't released anything to speak of until they recently changed their name to Execrated.  Execrated means to be hated or to be thought of as evil.  Degrade Incinerate is a mash-up of two verbs, the first meaning to break something down into smaller parts and the second meaning to completely burn something to ashes.  I am all for the name change.  The band is about to release "Condemnation To Eternal Punishment" through Anopsys Records, and you'd be committing a crime to not pick this up.
This EP is four tracks of fast paced Brutal Death Metal with just enough originality thrown in to excite us for a proper full length.  At times the guitars come across a bit too staticky and fuzzed out, with being as quick as they are.  This production flaw is quickly thrown to the wayside when the raw power of the vocals perfectly carries every riff, effortlessly transitioning alongside the relentless drums.
Every time your ear catches the 'ping' of that beautiful snare in the sparsely occuring slammier parts, you are reminded of why you love this nonstop, belligerent, groove inducing style of music.
All the necessary ingredients are here folks; The songwriting is here, the vocals are here, the riffs are here, all confidently flowing above the concrete steady drums.
This is a very detailed EP and begs multiple listens.  In doing so, you won't be disappointed.  You also wouldn't be too pressed for time.  I mean, you could listen to this whole thing four times in one hour.
"Condemnation To Eternal Punishment" is a very solid release, it's just way too short.  No excuses not to grab this one!

EXECRATED
ANOPSYS RECORDS
ART OF GORE

Interview with Stephen Espiritu of Sagrado - 2011

The Philippines has always been producing some of the best in brutal, slamming death metal.  Here is a brief interview with Stephen Espiritu, vocalist of a lesser known Filipino group, one to watch out for, Sagrado.





Cerebral Reviewment-  What is the history of Sagrado, and how old are you?



Stephen Espiritu-  It all began in a small restobar called “Kapt. K”, located at Baclaran,Paranaque City Philippines; originally formed by Migz, Jin, Jeff and Kiko. The band had undergone a lot of member changes; the former members were Ian (vocals) Jm Herrera (vocals) Melchor Lirio (bass) Patrick Olarte (bass). Until the line up was completed in April 2010 and gained stability. Migz Kintanar (drums) Jin Calagos (guitars) Jeff Escasinas (bass) Kiko Manzo (guitars) and I, Stephen Espiritu as their new vocalist that time and I am 25 years old on this coming April 8.


CR-  Why the name Sagrado?



SE-  It is all about a sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege. So we decided the name “Sagrado” that means Asylum.



CR-  What can you say about the scene in the Philippines compared to the United States?



SE-  I appreciate your question, the scene here is great!!!  You should visit here someday.  Because many Metal Filipino fans are very supportive when it comes to different kinds of metal music.  They’re Moshing like there’s no tomorrow.  Banging our heads on to the limit.  As far as I know the scene there is same too and hopefully if there’s a chance to spread our music me and my brothers from Sagrado could play our music there. \m/




CR-  Who are some of your favorite Filipino bands?



SE-  Bands like Bloodshedd, Down From The Wound, Pus Vomit, Anal Fissure, Discreate, Fuck Bellias, Axed to the face, Vasodilator, Rust Phantom, Religious Nightmare, Lost of Control, Guillotined, Erectile Dysfunction, Necroholocaust. 



CR-  Who are some of your favorite American bands?



SE-  Oh! Yes here are my favorite bands in America .  Dying Fetus. Nile, Devourment, Disgorge, Disavowed, Guttural Engorgement, Abominable Putridity, Braindrill, Necrophagist and Cephalotripsy



CR-  Who are some of your favorite vocalists?



SE-  That would be Matti Way, Big C, Shaune La Canne, Simone Plujimers and Phil Bozeman

CR-  What are your lyrics usually about? What inspires your lyrics?


SE-  Its all about a Gutted Woman’s Vagina, Anti Perverted Homosexual Priest that rapes a young boy, Mouth Menstruation, Splattered Fecal, Sex Slaves that are electrocuted , Fucking Demon Cunts, and the most important of all is Stabbing with a knife to the Spine!.

What inspires me is a typical serial killer, a murderer that hides his inner personalities to his dungeon.  Lets just say I like to watch many suspense movies, I think that’s the one main good or bad reason.







CR-  Can you tell us about what the future holds for Sagrado? Are you guys writing new material?



SE-  Currently were composing our new songs and hopefully in the near future we can play it live on stage. We are also planning to record or songs again and search for a record label so that we could launch our E.P or Album.




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Thank you Stephen and Sagrado!




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