When a writer says that ‘we must pay respect to pioneers’, it means that such bands endured hardships that are hard to describe today, especially those who are active since the 80s (and endured hardships that can’t be numbered in the 90s). Especially when such veterans are still showing that they can learn new lessons and become refreshed as they always were in the past (a problem to some giants that are acting as pimps, living off their pasts). And if you’re amazed to known that a Metal band was playing at the ceremony of opening of the Olympic games at France, you must understand that the way was paved by acts as LOUDBLAST, here about to complete 40 years of ravaging lands and destroying ears and necks, back with the brutal and amazing “Altering Fates and Destinies”.

The band shows an ability that is extremely hard to find, even in titans of Death Metal: they are able to refresh and renew their musical work. It’s still Death Metal (remembering: they of the same generation of acts as OBITUARY, MASSACRE, IMMOLATION, MACABRE, MASTER and others pioneers of Death Metal) in the old ways, but with excellent improvements, as a young energy, some melodic care on the guitar solos (as heard on “Putrid Age of Decay”), extreme and intense blast beats and double bass parts on the drums, and a whole musical concept that is young, aggressive and full of energy. It means that the quartet is here to brutalize neck, rip years and created one of the best releases of the genre in the past years!

Drums, guitars and vocals were recorded at Vamacara Studio, while bass and lead guitars were recorded at Evil Empire Studio (and the keyboards and orchestral arrangements created at Opus Magnum Studio, Brussels, Belgium). All was mixed, edited and mastered at Vamacara Studio, December 2023. All was done under the guidance of Stéphane Buriez and Frédéric Leclercq, who worked as producers (along with Herr Krauss, who produced, mixed, edited and mastered the songs). All to create an aggressive, massive and brutal sonority, but that allows everything to be heard and fully understood. And the graphic arts of Stefan Todor (artwork) and Maurice de Jong (design) is truly amazing, shaping what the music of the band means. And as guest, here is Nicolas “Ranko” Müller (of ARTEFACT and EON), who recorded the drums parts.

Along with Stéphane (the singer/guitarist and founder of the band) are the newcomers Nicklaus Bergen to the lead guitars, and Frédéric Leclercq (of KREATOR and SINSAENUM) on bass (and on some lead guitars as well), and what is shown on “Altering Fates and Destinies” is a combination beyond the band’s past with new and excellent influences. And if anyone complain about what is heard on “From Beyond II (The Return)” (an excellent song filled with excellent aggressive instrumental arrangements and sharp guitars riffs and melodic leads), “Putrid Age of Decay” (wow, what oppressive and nasty moment, with excellent rhythmic shifts and great arrangements on bass guitar and drums), “Crystal Skin” (a slow song with excellent and nasty grunts), “Miserable Failure” (charming and unexpected instrumental shifts can be heard on this one), “He Who Slumbers” (here the combination of Death Metal and Death/Thrash Metal influences with bitter ambiences is amazing), “Son of Nameless Mist” (the speed decreases even more, with chaotic guitars and technical drumming being heard) needs to rethink what is doing in Metal scene. And it’s a sin - for any reason that could be said - to not put “Dark Allegiance”, “Inhale the Void”, “Cursed and Veiled”, “Fortress”, “They'll Never Catch the Glint of Sunlight Again” (what catchy guitars’ parts are heard here) and “The Path to the End” in the same level of the others. And a surprising version for “Forbidden Pleasure”, an old song of the North American legends of NECROPHAGIA, from their first full-length (“Season of the Dead”, released back in 1987).

Death Metal maniacs, pay respect to LOUDBLAST, because the band really deserves it. And give a spin to “Altering Fates and Destinies”, and you’ll find what you were looking for. 🤘🏻 🤘🏻 🤘🏻