REVIEW: DEATH METAL.BE – Sampler 9

 

DEATH METAL.BE – Sampler 9

Independent

It’s fair to say that this is one of the longest‑running and most consistently solid compilation series in the underground, and Sampler 9 continues to justify that reputation. One of the main strengths of these releases is the clear effort put in by the participating bands. They’re given six months to prepare a track that represents their sound, and more often than not they choose to contribute something new—often an unreleased song—which immediately adds value for anyone considering picking up the sampler. After all, a compilation loses its purpose when you already know most of the material.

Beyond that, several factors make this series appealing. The fact that this is the ninth consecutive sampler from deathmetal.be  speaks to its success and staying power. Over the years, it has introduced me to numerous noteworthy Belgian bands, and it remains one of the most effective ways to explore the country’s underground metal scene.

Sampler 9 offers an additional point of interest: its musical breadth. Previous editions focused strictly on extreme metal, but this time the spectrum widens. Alongside the expected grind, black, and death metal, listeners will also encounter dark progressive metal (THE DIFFERENCE deliver a particularly impressive contribution), folk metal, stoner, deathcore, and metalcore. This variety gives the compilation a dynamic flow and makes it easier for listeners to discover new corners of the scene.

On a personal note, I found myself returning to this sampler repeatedly, and I expect it will stay in rotation for a while. Credit is due to the team behind it for curating a release that not only highlights established acts but also brings forward bands worth following from here on.

Participating bands: 

CARRION, POWERSTROKE, TITAN, SLEEPLESS MALEFICE, HEIDRUN, THE EVIL PONY’S, SOLIFUGIA, FATAL RECOIL, THIRD DYNASTY, G.O.D., ORANGE HILL, THE DIFFERENCE, PREMATORY, BEAR, SEED OF ROCK, ALESIA, CORPSE MUTILATION, SHADES OF GREY, URZAMOTH.

Christine  Parastatidou

abadon · Sleepless Malefice - Nuclear Holocaust