HYPOKRAS / BY THE SWORD split LP review

HYPOKRAS (France) / BY THE SWORD (France) – Brutal, deadly, insane / Metal 'til death
Split LP 2008 – D.U.K.E
2 tracks / 3 tracks
Rated: 6/10 - 4/10
Great to hear new stuff by HYPOKRAS, coz' there was no news about them since their MCD « Dead & hungry » released on Warpath Records. If I remember well, this was some good death metal, quite brutal with a bunch a cool tracks, even if the band didn't get much attention. Two new tracks on black wax, with a rawer sound, probably a will to get back to the roots. The first track « Strategik grim murder » reminds me the same kind of old school atmosphere you can find on Blessed are the sick, this kind of old school death metal with evil vibe. On the second track « The death wish » HYPOKRAS goes a bit thrashier in the old SEPULTURA vein (Bestial devastation/morbid visions) and in the DESTRUCTION vein, with slower melodic parts and keeping the death metal vocals though. HYPOKRAS turns into some death/thrash, I miss the brutal side of the MCD, but the stuff here is quite decent for the old school freaks who loves their metal that stinks sweat, blood and beer.
The chainsaw on the first tracks of BY THE SWORD, reminds the butchering intents of BESTIAL MOCKERY, and musically speaking « Metal 'til death » contains all the thrash/black/death clichés of this kind of band. It' well done, nothing outstanding but just a good strike in the head.
The following track « Prat del cramats » came with a quite crappy and fuzzy sound. It's more a kind of epic or doomy track, in the BATHORY vein (Blood, fire, death) with choirs and dealing with Occitan land and its medieval religious conflicts (according to the info sheet). The last track « annihilation » is a instrumental track with a sound similar to the previous one, that is to say quite horrible. The BY THE SWORD side is really not my cup of beer, but here is a cool split LP of underground french hordes even if they remains studio projects.
Contact: DUKE Cidex 1010 – 39800 LE FIED – FRANCE
http://www.myspace.com/hypokras666