Review Summary: Pass the iron curtain and get your hands on this unpolished gem
Getting the formalities out of the way;
-Band name: Aspid (Аспид)
-Where from: Russia.
Disbanded after releasing their one and only album..but what an album it was.
Aspid seem to be overlooked only by the people that haven't heard the band.
The catch is not many have which again can be positive considering it adds to their obscurity,metal fans sure do love obscure bands. And while a hard to find Soviet/Russian metal band that isn't folk,symphonic or power is refreshing and exciting in and of itself the novelty will fade and what you're left after a few listens is what counts and in this case it remains the perfect thrash gem it was the first time you heard it. Nothing but quality and talent will make you return to an album and Кровоизлияние has plenty of it.
"Кровоизлияние" love trying to pronounce it being Slavic myself I'm still butchering the language but I'm glad they've made this album especially in the time they did; starting out as a Soviet band by the time they released the Lp they were Russian. Political turbulence - oppressive regime - grim history - the cold - far to many time zones makes one angry and inspired with a desire to express himself. Express themselves they did.
Extravasation is a blend of Coroner, Sadus and Carcass ranging from technical to speed to death metal at times but more importantly its the perfect blend of technicality/skill and great songwriting.
The skill part is most prevalent with the guitar player Aleksander Sidorchik taking into account the obvious role in the band he is going to be under the spotlight but deservedly so. His creative and well-timed riffs,his speed,his tone and amazing work with melody and solos really put him on pair against the best in the genre. Riffs are sludge slow and heavy at times but more often lightning fast being still audible and clear. So be it the Transiberian railway or the MIG 21 its gonna be a hell of a ride. I don't have a cheesy metaphor for the solos but they are fantastic.
Just the right amount of menacing Azagthoth demon like sounds and coherent,technical,structured bolts of awesome.
The singer Vitaliy Holopov is a another great selling point for the band for all of us who like a voice that has “character“ and range; high pitched screams,lower harsh growls and madman like ranting all of which can be found in the last two minutes of Дай мне/Give Me.
Both Aleksander and Vitaliy should be thankful for the foundation Vladimir Pyzhenkov on bass and Vasiliy Shapovalov on drums have set.
The rhythm section does a great job at doing what its supposed to do which is communicating with each other. Might be a personal preference but a drummer who doesn't over use double bass or blast beats and a bass player who knows when to emphasis the bass drum, when to match the guitar riff and can be the bridge between drums and guitar is perfection.
There is no doubt the production could have been better but being able to hear all of the instruments is always preferable to over produced muddy ground a lot of modern metal bands find themselves on. Plus it makes it reminiscent of early Death or Acid bath records which puts a nostalgic smile on your face as you headbang to it...or a frown,yea a frown that's more metal.
All in all if you like classic death,thrash,technical or plain good ol metal you're gonna love this.
keep on thrashing
