There are clear influences in the likes of Gorguts, Morbid Angel and ‘Human’-era Death, but Blood Incantation have a freakish touch all of their own, and in ‘Starspawn’ they’ve made a record which can go toe-to-toe with the leaders. – By Perran Helyes

For the most part, ‘Termination Redux’ is business as usual for the Aborted of the 2010s, but it’s a more than welcome reminder than this band are simply exceptional at what they do, and that the album later this year promises to rip our heads off. – By Perran Helyes

For a debut album, ‘Noeth ac Anoeth’ is a very promising start for an outfit who have managed to craft their own sound right out of the gate with less than twelve months together as a band. What is more exciting is the room for them to grow. – By Perran Helyes

‘Don’t Deliver Us’ seems like a logical progression for a band quietly evolving while staying true to their original mission statement, capturing the violent and sordid spirit of the late 60s and early 70s in a way only really matched by a band like Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats and in a very different way. – By Perran Helyes

Battlecross guitarist Hiran Deraniyagala spoke to Perran Helyes on the new album Rise to Power’s creation, their shape as a live band, and which Slayer records don’t get their full dues.

‘Prowler in the Yard’ really proved that far from being a one-dimensional exercise in noisy savagery, grindcore could be as ferociously imaginative and boundary-pushing as any other style. – By Perran Helyes

‘What Should Not Be Unearthed’ is another show of deity-like strength from a band who after reinvigorating the death metal scene nearly twenty years ago seem set to annihilate any cynicism based upon their previous effort, remaining as powerful as they’ve ever been. – By Perran Helyes

In a metal landscape where we have plenty of bands pushing boundaries or bringing listeners along on those enveloping emotional journeys, it’s reassuring that bands like Battlecross continue to thrive and provide that dependable ferocious crunch. – By Perran Helyes

‘Hammer of the Witches’ melds the nocturnal, but colourful Cradle of Filth of old with the more direct and muscular recent works, feeling almost like both a culmination of the past decade for the band and the dawn of another new and exciting period. – By Perran Helyes