Metal Underground.com

In my hands is a self-titled EP from a new to Ibex Moon band of death metallers, Banished From Inferno. Death metallers you snigger? Another generic Suffocation clone you chortle? Well, if you’re like me you’ll have to stifle your cynicism prepare your ears for grime. With this EP the band has made it known that it, like several emerging new bands in death metal, are intent on taking back the high ground of old school.

Here the opener gives a good secret nod to where the sound comes from - "Aurora Macabra (Last Dawn On Earth)" is half a gentle opener with some silence and half an awesome cover of Celtic Frost's "Into The Crypt of Rays." Although, the odd thing is though most would never know this because it's not mentioned in the liner notes or lyrics or... anywhere. Who cares, it is a fantastic cover of a classic and gives you a taste of what's to come, some thrashy, disgusting old school metal.

Like most new death metal bands however, they take vocal influence from much heavier and sicker bands like Carcass and Suffocation. The guttural vocals have a good resonance to them and sit well in the mix, and all in all are a nice fit for the band.

"Storm Apokalypse" comes next and flies past in two minutes, just having time to sneak in an “Apocalypse Now” quote (for what old school death metal band could be without a cult quote?). But "Cavaleras," however, is where the band really hits the pace of death. This is a fantastic song and exemplifies what death metal used to be in that interesting phase before Suffocation ushered in a new era. Overall, a mix of punky Carcass style grind, Asphyx style groove and Celtic Frost push this EP firmly into the realms of where I think old school death metallers should take interest. They’re not pushing boundaries that haven’t been pushed before (except perhaps in how close to punk grindcore really is), but this is a nice first EP.

If you're into new breed of retro death metal bands like Hooded Menace and Denial Fiend, and hail the sickness of masters of old like Celtic Frost and Carcass, then check out this EP as it may be your thing. Banished From Inferno should be following this up with a full length some time soon so this is your chance to check out before they make the make-or-break leap.