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Suspended in The
Brume of Eos is the debut of this metal horde from Minneapolis,
Minnesota. In my view, this is a strong first release for the band
and it becomes quite apparent why Bindrune became interested in
them. Bindrune are known for having fine tastes when it comes to
melodic, epic and progressive sounding dark / black metal. They are
a label that releases in quality and not quantity, Obsequiae
continue the tradition. There are some wonderful twin guitar
harmonies going on, as well as some fine acoustic work, yet it is
always balanced structurally with a thought not towards making it
just catchy, but rather towards mapping out a long and winding
mental journey. They mix their dark metal sound with elements of
heavy metal, black metal and medieval folkish strains, so nothing
new there yet they do it more skillfully than most. Obsequiae create
songs with it, not merely a patch work quilt of influences. The
vocals are kept obscured in the back of the mix and at times are
sparsely used, but decidedly they are decidedly of the style most
often associated with black metal. The vocals are deployed in a
somewhat accompaniment type fashion rather than being a focal point
of their musical landscape. Suspended In The Brume is not just a
collection of songs, but as I said earlier a journey which must be
taken resulting in a wonderful album. – Dale
http://www.last.fm/music/Obsequiae
http://bindrunerecordings.com/ |
Take your
average doom metal song, slow it down a bit and stretch it out and
you start getting an idea of this Swedish bands sound. There are
four songs on here, but do not worry you get your albums worth my
friend, just let me say the two shortest songs clock in past the 15
and 17 minute marks. Yes just four songs, but you get close to two
full albums worth of material! As you can imagine listening to Ocean
Chief takes a certain mindset, not to mention a dose of patience,
good things come to those who wait right? Yes, yes they do. The
songs as you can imagine are droning and repetitive, but those are
positive descriptions in this context. It is true at times there is
not much going on, but the music of Ocean Chief, it is a journey and
not just a listen for quick gratification. I like to think of this
style of doom, in the context of those great old slow burn movies
from the 1970s, there were some amazing movies from back then, some
might call them boring, while others, who feel the slow burning
elements make it pay off that much more at the end of the trip. You
are listening to a metal record, but think of it more as atmospheric
music, more than a metal album. The vocals, consist of obscured
warble-y yells, they are very sparse throughout the album, not
particularly remarkable in any way, but they get the job done and
fit the music well enough I suppose. This band is probably an
acquired taste, not for everyone, probably even for a lot of doom
fans, but if you are into this ultra slow, ploddingly epic style,
then Sten is not a bad place to be. This is recommended for those
with a measured doom hunger. - Dale
http://www.reverbnation.com/oceanchief
http://www.ihate.se/
|
This is an
interesting release coming to us from frosty Norway. Okular play
progressive death metal, the term will raise some eyebrows, but it
is true in many ways and Okular is surely not your usual dm band. I
was not sure what to make of this at first; it is filled with heavy
burning riffs, but also a lot of quirky shit, a dose of little off
kilter elements that will grab your attention. They do things
differently than most bands you hear, they take a lot of chances and
do different things and mostly it works quite well. The growling,
yet clean understandable mainstay vocals, because while very good,
were bugging me because they sounded like a band I know, that was on
the tip of my tongue but I could not quite place it. Then it hit me
I am thinking of the vocals of Edge Of Sanity, once I made that
connection more influences from EOS fell into place as the guitar
sound and some of the rhythm / riffing style to my ear is clearly
influenced by that amazing Swedish band. I would say much like that
band Okular has a talent and penchant for creating really catchy,
emotional songs while keeping things heavy. That all by itself shows
some talent in the song writing and arranging. This is a very
creative album. Now I said most of the time right it works right?
That is true, but there is an acoustic song on here with growling
vocals over top, that is a new one on me, but this particular song
experiment in my view falls flat on it’s face and did not work for
me at all. The album would be better without that track. But do not
let that deter you from what is a very creative, different and at
times even slightly original quality death metal album. If you are
not a death metal purest and appreciate a band trying something new
and unusual then Sexforce by Okular comes recommended. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/okularmetal
http://www.regenerativeproductions.no/ |
For the first time ever UW records has unearthed these two old
school black metal bands unreleased demo's and released them on
to one killer cd. Up first is the mighty Ophidian Forest with
three tracks of primitive, raw mid-paced black metal. Topped off
with harsh whispery vocals that go very well with the bands raw
sound and approach. Haresiarchs of Dis are up next, their approach
to black metal while still definitely old-school is a bit more
aggressive and chaotic sounding. Just raw fast guitars with
some intense riffs that are all over the place. The drumming is a
non stop barrage of blasting beats. The vocals truly sound as if the
vocalist is being tortured with his screams and tormented shrieks.
If you are a fan of raw, primal black metal then this is definitely
a split cd you will want to add this to your collection, but be
warned there is nothing pretty or emotional about either of these
bands. Both bands show the true meaning of hateful black metal in
all its raw, powerful glory.
- Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/ophidianforest
http://www.myspace.com/heresiarchsofdis
|
Awaken The
Reason is a real hodgepodge of styles and elements mixed and mashed
together. Sometimes it is done skillfully and other times, it feels
a little too much like they are just trying to show off that they
can do it and force it, the flow and quality of the song be damned.
Outcast mix a small dash of death metal with hardcore, metalcore,
commercial leaning elements, at times they try to slow it down and
be atmospheric, other times they just try to be as technical as
possible with some math metal time signatures thrown in. Maybe this
is just not my thing, but I had a hard time, even upon repeated
listening to get into this. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/outcastband
http://www.listenable.net/
|
This is listed
as an ep on the vinyl version in some places, but this thing is 31
minutes long roughly, some would argue that places it firmly in the
mini-album or even album category. But never mind that, I dear
readers am in rapture right now listening to this hidden gem! Anyone
who knows me well knows I absolutely worship hard rock and doom from
the 70s like Captain Beyond, Lucifer’s Friend, Deep Purple,
Pentagram and the like. Well I can now add The Time Lord to that
list of albums! This is an amazing collection of demo recordings
from 1978, the recording and atmosphere / feeling of on here just
screams of that found on those 70s recordings from the bands I
mention above. Just amazing, flowing doomy 70s hard rock with that
classic sound that makes my head spin. The vocals of Terry Jones are
pretty killer and just bring me back to that time, a lot of emotion
and sincerity in his delivery and they perfectly compliment these
brooding, rocking tunes. Just have one listen to songs like The
Black Mass and Reincarnation and if you are not hooked than you have
no taste you wretched bastards. Thank you Shadow Kingdom for
releasing this dusty piece of audio gold! If you are into 70s rock &
doom, just get this right now son. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/paganaltar
http://shadowkingdomrecords.com/
|
It has always
been a bit of touchy thing with a lot of the metal community when
combining metal music and folk music. I would say more so than not,
as opposed to a lot of other genre mix ups, because by essence,
maybe it is just because bands can not do it successfully. But more
often than not instead of adding folk elements to extreme metal,
they water down the power of the metal to meet the flowery carnival
feel of folk music. Paganland have definitely fallen into this trap,
the heaviness and bite in the metal riffing on Wind Of Freedom has
been stripped away and removed. What is left behind are happy
sounding riffs with fairytale-like rhythms and harmonies, the riffs
join the fairies in dancing through the tulips. You might think with
this style they would find a way to retain some heavy in the riffing
and at least give it an epic feel, sadly none of that here. The
vocals follow suit, a lot of them are just those bold half-spoken,
half sung clear voice vocals, almost like a Shakespeare actor was
told to sing on a rock song, then you have the ever so slightly
growled vocals, but somehow they have stripped all the anger, all
the intensity, all the weight from them and what is left is this
thin, pathetic and powerless imitation. I have failed to mention the
usual florid renaissance fair sounding synth, the bits of flute, the
samples of wind, and the whole nine yards. This album is a fine
example of why folk music and metal just do not mix, you have to
kill the heart of one or the other style or both to combine them,
maybe there is a way but many years down the road, we see it
littered with countless failed attempts, throw Paganland on the
pile. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/Paganland.UA
http://www.svarga.eu/
|
I remember I was
at a Spirit Caravan / Place of Skulls gig back in I think it was
early 2002. I was with a buddy John and he introduced to me to a
couple guys, we talked a bit and they seemed cool, he said they have
a doom band called Pale Divine, you should check out their demo. I
always meant to do just that and check out this band, yet I somehow
never got around to or crossed paths with them again. Now finally a
decade later, it took a long damn while, but our paths have indeed
finally crossed once again. I must say I immediately expected a
heavily Black Sabbath influenced crushing doom band, but that is not
quite what I got. They are a heavy metal band with galloping fast
sections but also that doom element is surely present throughout
their sound, just not as much in that really heavy ponderous way.
There are some tasty leads and fills dancing their way in between
the spaces of the riffing that got my attention and received
enjoyment from. I could be off but I get a Corrosion of Conformity
vibe both pre and post that band going in a doom metal direction.
The vocals as well remind me of a mix of both Karl Agell and Pepper
Keenan from C.O.C. on their great Blind album, but with less range
and emotion, also I hear an undertone of newer James Hetfield in the
singers voice. I have to honest the music on here is great but I am
not too big of a fan of the vocals, they are the weak link. I guess
that is possibly why the opening track “Nocturne Dementia”, a nearly
seven minute long instrumental is my fave track on the album. No
vocals to mess it up. There are sections on here musically that lose
my interest or are a little boring, but overall the music on here is
pretty killer. I think if anyone reading this does not think they
will mind my description of what the vocals sound like, then you
will probably find an awful lot to enjoy about Painted Windows
Black. I would say it is well worth giving it a try for the emotive,
classy guitar work alone. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/paledivine
http://shadowkingdomrecords.com/ |
So apparently
this is a promo disc to promote the upcoming album, which is set to
be released on Pagan Records (on a side note good to see Pagan still
going strong, I remember when the label first started with cassette
tapes). Pandemonium of course is a band I know pretty well, the
mention of their name harkens me back my tape trading days in the
early to mid 90s. I remember trading for dubs of their rehearsal
tape and classic “Devilri” 1992 demo tape etc… Hell yeah! I honestly
had not realized or known that the band had changed their name to
Domain from 1995 to 2004, releasing three albums then changing the
name back to Pandemonium. I thought they had just split up. This
promo also celebrates the fact that Pandemonium has been around for
20 years now; you have to fucking respect that. We get two new
tracks on here plus some vids for the computer to watch old live
tracks. I will stick to the two new audio tracks for this review. As
mentioned there are only two new tracks on here, “Black Forest” and
“God Delusion”, so not a lot to go on. These two fresh hymns I can
tell you are excellent. It is total old school death and black metal
that permeates the skull with malicious yet catchy dark riffing. You
just do not often hear stuff like this these days. I know old school
heretics will enjoy this. The vocals are two different sets, one
sounds like the muted emanations from the rotted vocal chords of a
zombie and the other is a mix of maniacal yells with a hint of black
metal rasp. Both sets of vocals are excellent and add a mood and
atmosphere to the music all on their own. It has been a long wait
for me to hear new Pandemonium material and I must confess it was
worth the wait. Prepare to be devastated! New album entitled
Misanthropy out soon, I can not fucking wait!! – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/pandemonium_pl
http://www.paganrecords.com.pl/ |
Finally after a
huge package of promo discs graciously sent my way by Gods Ov War,
much respect for this label. I have at last arrived at the crown
jewel, which I purposely saved for last, always save the best for
last. I have been anticipating this album for some time. Pandemonium
are not one to disappoint, they prove why they are one of the best
and are leading the way for the Polish metal scene! As some will
remember from my review of their promo, I am long time listener and
fan of the band as I tape traded for their Devilri demo back in the
early 90s and loved it. These Polish maniacs are old school metal
through and through and all I have to say to that is fuck yeah! The
atmosphere on this record is fantastic, very dark, doomy and eerie
death metal that is often mid paced, always placing an emphasis on
emotion and the overall listening experience. They have not set out
to be the heaviest, fastest or most brutal but they do set out to
immerse you in a metallically heavy experience and create a world
that is steeped in evil, in depression, in darkness and despair.
This is some masterful stuff, it is hard to just single out the
riffing or the drums or the vocals as Pandemonium have created this
entire album as a whole, an experience, not just a collection of
cool songs or killer riffs. You can not just pick out one song, the
listener should either listen to the whole album or not at all. I
mean sure the doomy riffs are great, the obscure excellently varied
vocal performance is good, the drumming is well done and crafted in
a minimalist way to make sure the song and not the performance is
what is important, but none stick out above the other and it was
designed that way. I wish more bands were able to achieve something
like this these days. I would not call this music retro but it
always feels like it has an old school vibe to me, maybe that is
more due to the musicians coming out of the old school and it is in
their blood rather than a conscious projection. I am honestly having
a hard time finding words for this album, it is a journey and a
journey I plan to take again and again. I recommend some albums, but
I place this one in the must own category. Pandemonium truly have
out done themselves. - Dale
http://www.reverbnation.com/pandemoniumhorde
http://www.paganrecords.com.pl/ |
I meant to
review this in a previous update, but it got lost in the shuffle
somehow. I am honestly not certain after looking at the Hells
Headbangers site if this disc has both of these releases only on the
promo version or if this a promo for these two separate vinyl
exclusive releases and not for sale on cd? If it is only on the
promo CD, then I feel fortunate to have received this gem of a disc!
Sickened By The Holy Host is a new 2012 double 12” vinyl release,
which clocks in at 39 minutes. We are treated to more twisted,
violent black metal ejaculate similar to what we heard on their
great Blasphemies…album. It is just a true whirlwind of hate and raw
music that all fans of the band come to expect and simply worship.
The Grand Master Sessions were released a couple years ago and only
available as a 3 vinyl (custom 8” eps – how sweet is that?) wooden
box set released back in 2010. This was actually recorded in 2008 as
they say live in the studio, it is archetypical Profanatica, coarse
vomit drenched and semen dripping classics, alongside some newer
songs and a really killer medley / conglomerate of 5 old hallowed
hymns that you have to hear to believe how sick and violent this
antichristian melding is. This release is billed as a perfect
supplement to the old Profanatica rehearsal demos from the early
90s. That sums it up well. If you are a big fan of Profanatica as I
am, you will love this, it celebrates the rawness and total black
metal blasphemy that made this band a legend in the scene. You need
these fucking things, must have for all scourging and crowning die
hards of the band! – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/profanatica
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/ |
Radiation originally split up in 92, but performed a reunion show in
October 2010, after a great response and the band had a blast they
decided to reform. After twenty plus years Radiation Sickness
release Reflections Of A Psychotic Past, which is comprised of 19
songs of metal/punk crossover style music. Personally I'm not a huge
fan of this style {it's not bad just never really got into it} but I
do respect bands that they do their genre justice and Radiation
Sickness definitely know how to write and perform catchy, memorable,
aggressive songs. They keep their songs short and to the point
ranging from a minute and a half to three minutes in length. So if
you’re a fan of cross-over style music definitely check out
Radiation Sickness.
- Patrick
http://www.reverbnation.com/radiationdoug
http://www.officialabyssrecords.com
|
I am pleased to
see New York’s Realmbuilder return to the pages of Canadian Assault.
I reviewed their debut album a couple of years ago, it was excellent
and they made me a fan of the band. Realmbuilder definitely still
have that classic doom feel and pacing. Yet at times the music comes
off more as slow and epic heavy metal, damn good epic heavy metal
mind you. They have a very hypnotic atmosphere to their music, it
relaxes me and sends my mind wandering. The music is relatively
simple, but effective with some great meandering riffs and vocals
care of Czar that are half spoken/half sung. Those vocals for some
are probably an acquired taste but I find them mesmerizing, during
sections they are absent I find myself waiting for them to start up
again. There are some good, subtle guitar fills / leads on here that
really add a some flavour to the song, but the band are careful not
to over use this tool. I could see fans of bands like Manilla Road,
Cirith Ungol, Saint Vitus, Morningstar, Brocas Helm, Ironsword, Paul
Chain (more in vibe than sound) etc… I think you will absolutely
like and probably even love Realmbuilder. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/realmbuilder
http://www.ihate.se/
|
There is a first
for everything and listening to a doom metal band from Peru is a
first for me. A welcome and exotic first at that and the band
surfaces on what is probably the best doom metal record label on the
planet. The thing that struck me off the start was just how
unprocessed, raw and organic the production on Veneracion… feels.
Upon reading the bio after a couple of listens, I see they recorded
this album the old fashion way through analogue recording equipment.
It sounds fantastic, you get this guttural sort of vibe you can feel
in your chest from the music, I miss that sort of sound so much on
newer albums these days. Some sections of songs they have a very
weird timing and feel to their riffs, it is almost like a thrash
metal band decided they wanted to write a doom metal album, very
interesting. The rest of the time the music is very free flowing,
melancholic and introspective with a distinctive 70s vibe to their
sound. The vocalist Tania Duarte has a great hypnotic and
spellbinding voice that just melts into the music and fits in just
perfectly complimenting the music. You most definitely get your
monies worth with this album too, there are ten songs and nearly
half of them clock in at almost 10 minutes in length each. I like
it. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/reinoermitano
http://www.ihate.se/ |
Well upon
picking up this album, the cover artwork immediately assaults the
senses with an upright headless nude corpse holding large knives in
each hand and a half naked horrified woman being strangled as she
holds the child’s decapitated head in her hands. Some really extreme
and disturbing stuff, hopefully the music evokes similar emotions in
me, in a good way. Well the music is solid, not sure it quite
matches the sickness of the cover though, but I suppose few bands
do. Having said that this is some pretty clean, yet heavy and
driving old school Swedish death metal with a bit of the new school
melodo Swede dm mixed in. Maybe you could say this bands sort of
sounds like the transition Sverge death metal took from the early
days to the late 90s / early 2000s, which for me was not a turn for
the better. That melodic mix definitely takes the rough edges off a
little bit, but it still retains some of that old school harsh
aggression to at least keep things worth listening. Not one of my
fave Swedish dm releases, but there is enough good stuff and that
old feeling in there to at least be worth a listen on their Reverb
Nation page at least, to see if you want investigate any further.
- Dale
https://www.reverbnation.com/revolting
http://www.fda-rekotz.com/gx/
|
 
We are presented
with some classic doom metal / rock coming out of the fertile lands
of Sweden. I have to admit straight off the start, that upon first
listening, vocalist Josabeth Leidi got on my nerves and I did not
like her vocals. But I am finding upon each and every successive
listen, her vocals are growing on me more and more. They are very
unique sounding and really remind me of no other singer. It sort of
reminds me many years ago when I first heard Candlemass, I did not
like the vocals, but they also grew on me and eventually I grew to
love Messiah Marcolin’s vocals. I am getting the feeling that
Josabeth is beginning to have the same effect on me. As I mentioned
her vocals are so different sounding they add a lot of depth and
emotion to the music, it is like the lamp in a lighthouse cutting
through the veil of darkness leading in all the lost souls at sea.
The music itself is great as well, very classic sounding doom and
metal with each instrument played from the heart. There are some
fantastic guitar fills that help drive the song and just stick in my
head. I am truly enjoying this album more than I ever thought I
would upon first listen. Maybe that is something I should pass on to
potential listeners give it a chance, a few good listens before you
make up your mind on this band. I am surprised I have not heard of
Rise and Shine before, they have been pumping out demos, eps and
albums since 1993! On the other hand, this is their first new
recording in some five years, here is to hoping I can gather up some
of their back material one day. Until then I highly recommend this
to all classic hippie doom rock followers, such as fans of Trouble,
Spirit Caravan, Sabbath, Witchcraft... – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/flowerpowermetal
http://www.ihate.se/
|
There was a time
from the mid 1990s to the early 2000s that I pretty would have shit
on an album like this on principle. *Shakes fist* Do not pollute my
beloved death metal with rock ‘n roll you stunned cunts! I guess I
have softened somewhat in my old age as it were. That is not to say
rocking dm is something I go searching for and about half of the
time the result is a mess of train wreck proportions. I must admit
that is the feeling I was having a couple songs in on my first
listen. But honestly upon repeated listens Rock ‘N Rott is beginning
to win me over. Yeah like usual those pesky Finns have a way of
working they way underneath your skin like bamboo shoots in a sweaty
jungle torture movie scene. Rocking Corpses are a little different
than some death rock bands, they really mix the two genres up, with
rock coming out on top, but it is heavy. Also the vocals on some
songs are growled vocals, some have entirely clean sung vocals and
yet other songs have almost a duet mixing of the two. As you may
guess much of the lyrics are horror and zombie related, which suits
me just fine as saturated as they are I never tire of zombies! Yeah
Rock ‘N Rott is some whack shit, but it is some good whacked shit
that will have you rocking in the aisles and knocking down bowling
pins with severed heads. This is some unique shit, check it out
ghouls. - Dale
http://rockingcorpses.com/
http://www.officialabyssrecords.com
|
With Gelso of
Profanatica and Krieg's Imperial in the line up this couldn't be
anything but a barbaric mash of stubbornly primitive, ill-natured
and mean sounding black fuckin metal. Two new wandering souls have
joined the band since the release of the debut album, other than
that welcome addition there's no further surprises or
disappointments - make no bones about it: if you love the agonizing
scornful sounds and atmosphere of Profanatica, you'd be for a treat
here. Fans of technical playing, soaring keyboards and avantgarde
ideas need no entry, The Royal Arch Blaspheme is the complete
opposite of your musical preferences - this is the kind of stripped
down rawness the genuine underground scene needs in these days of
confusion and misinformed marketing. 'II' is kick ass, to put it
bluntly. - Vladimir Petrov
http://theroyalarchblaspheme.hellsheadbangers.com/
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/ |
I have always liked Ruins style of metal and Place Of No Pity is the
fourth metal masterpiece by the Australian veterans and is no
different. You get powerful yet catchy death metal. There are some
thrash and even black metal influences mixed in to the
bands guitar riffs and overall structures. The drumming is precise,
well executed and flawless which is pretty impressive in it's self
considering how fast and heavy some of the songs get. The vocals are
a mix of brutal death growls and screams. I think Ruins have found a
good home on Listenable Rec.'s roster. This is definitely the bands
strongest material to date and shouldn't be missed by anyone old
fans or new.
- Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/ruinsblackmetal
http://www.listenable.net/
|
I love split
albums now and then and this release from Horror Pain looks to be an
interesting one. First up is Sacrificial Slaughter and they bludgeon
you over the head right out of the gate. SS play brutal death metal
but with a real thrash underpinning. A reference band that
immediately jumped to mind is the great old deathrash band
Demolition Hammer. There are bands out there playing deathtrash, but
I would have heard very few these days playing it this way. It is
sort of a throw back to a time when thrash fans and bands were
getting adrenalized for this new thing called death metal and you
could hear the merging of the two distinct styles, sort of like hey
that thrash band plays some sickening death metal. That is what you
get from Sacrificial Slaughter and I like it. Oklahoma’s
Enfuneration on the other are a more polished and modern sounding
death metal band. They also hit you hard in their own way with razor
riffing and deep rolling growl vocals. The drummer stands out as
well on these tracks, a very controlled, precise and commanding
performance turned in on the kit by drummer Rodney Cochran. All in
all a great pairing and a must have type album for brutal death
fans. I lean a little more towards Sacrificial, but both bands bring
the goods, on five songs a piece and punish your ears. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/championsofmetal
http://hpgd.comoj.com/index.html |
After a couple of e.p's and demo's Australia's Sanguinary
Misanthropia release their debut full-length. Loathe Over Will is
nine tracks of traditional satanic black metal. Raw, thin guitar
riffs, aggressive blasting drums with some mid-paced breaks to keep
the music interesting and the listeners attention. The vocals are
demonic screams and screeches and fits nicely with the bands
old-school primitive sound. I know a lot of bands are doing the "old
school" sound way too much these days but Sanguinary Misanthropia do
a great job of creating and playing traditional, raw black metal
without sounding too much like one particular band. Definitely
recommended to old-school fans who enjoy their black metal raw,
primitive and ugly.
- Patrick
http://www.reverbnation.com/sanguinarymisanthropia
http://shop.supremacy-through-intolerance.org/
|
Sarratum is a black metal band featuring Martin Ciappara {Prayer Of
The Dying, Black vulture} who handles the drums and keyboards in the
band. Sarratum seem to stick to the more primitive, raw straight
forward style of black metal and do it well. The guitars are raw,
simplistic yet have some catchy riffs. I'm not sure how long martin
has been drumming for but he seems to be pretty good behind kit
going from mid-to fast beats. And the band does show somewhat of an
"atmospheric" side with their instrumental track Beyond The Helios
before picking up with the demonic harsh blackened vocals and black
metal attack. Fans of early Emperor, or early 90's Norse black metal
in general should check out / enjoy Sarratum.
- Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/sarratum
http://www.nghproductions.net/index.php?cPath=2
|
Finland's Saturnian Mist have created an interesting release with
their newest album mixing black metal, industrial, and even some
heavier progressive guitar riffs. All of the members of Saturnian
Mist are good at their instruments and I give the band a lot of
credit for trying to be original and creative {something that is
lacking in music today} but in this case I think Saturnian Mist have
bitten off more than they can chew. Maybe if they only combine two
elements together like prog and black metal or black metal and
industrial it might be more memorable. This might appeal to the
newer fans of black metal but as for me I say pass.
-
Patrick
http://www.ahdistuksenaihio.com/
http://saturnianmist.net/
|
I didn't really know what to expect to from this Swedish band of
metal fanatics. The band plays a very a chaotic, frenzied style of
death, thrash metal with some punk rock mixed in the insanity. The
guitarist likes to keep the listeners attention with heavy,
mid-paced riffs, to hyper speed whirlwind riffs. Vocals are more in
the black metal realm with raw screams there are some death metal
growls used to keep the listeners attention {but as fast and chaotic
as Septkh play keeping the listeners attention should not be a
problem}. If you enjoy and appreciate chaotic, raw death/thrash with
some punk and even rock influences then Septekh is a band worth
checking out and adding to your collection!
- Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/septekh
http://www.officialabyssrecords.com/
|
Something
different than the norm for me on offer here. Seventy Seven are
basically AC/DC knock offs. Which is okay I suppose, if they at
least do it well, and I think you have to to stand out doing this.
But High Decibels is honestly fairly pedestrian stuff, lacks balls,
and definitely lacks that high voltage energy and emotion that good
AC/DC has in spades. It is just sort of there, meandering its way
around, no really catchy, high energy riffs, sometimes they start to
really rock for a second, then just take their foot off the gas and
go back to sleep. The vocalist follows suit, he just passable, kind
of a thin voice without much range or power and he follows along
with the music and does not put much energy or umph into his
performance. They can play their instruments fine and seem to be
fans of this style, but lack seriously in song writing and need to
learn to bleed of their art a little more. – Dale
http://www.listenable.net/
|
U.S. black metallers Shadows In The Crypt have released their debut
cd Beyond The Grave. You get seven songs of raw, fast uncompromising
black metal that the fans of this genre will either love and beg for
more or totally hate and despise. Starting off with some raw,
blasting drumming and thin screeching guitars the band rarely lets
up with the intensity throughout the songs on this release going
straight for the kill and leaving little for the imagination with
their violent approach and sound. The band does have a few slower
breaks in a few of the songs but that’s probably to let the
musicians and the listener catch their breath. The vocals are
inhuman shrieks and very well done and just as intense sounding as
the other instruments. A lot of people in the black metal scene
don't seem to go for this violent primitive, rough style {not like
they used to anyways}, so it's great to hear band doing this again.
- Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/shadowsinthecrypt
https://www.reverbnation.com/shadowsinthecrypt
|
Wow is this the same Shadows In The Crypt? It surely is the band has
definitely improved a lot from their debut Beyond The Grave. But
before any long time fans write them off as sell-outs or anything
don't worry the band is still as aggressive and violent sounding as
ever. There are nine tracks of cold, vicious black metal with
blasting drums, fast guitars and very well done black metal shrieks.
But this is not just a rehash of the band's debut; no this time
around the band has also added a little more "atmosphere"
within their songs giving the Shadows a little darker sound within
raw, violent sound. There are even a few vocal lines of clean
singing, chanting that really add another layer to Shadow In The
Crypt's great sound. If this band keeps going the way it is I see
great things for them, definitely worth checking out!!
-
Patrick
https://www.reverbnation.com/shadowsinthecrypt
http://hpgd.comoj.com/index.html |
This is
Silencer, the new age thrash metal band from Denver, Colorado. Not
to be confused with the now split up, and also vastly superior
atmospheric black metal band Silencer from Sweden. I am honestly not
sure how this band got signed, this is some of the most simplistic,
slowed down and ultimately very boring thrash I have heard in quite
some time. The drumming is pretty good, but outside of that the
riffs are uninspired in both creation and performance, they sort of
sound like some guy pulled out his riff cassette tape out of the
closet that was recorded only for himself and decided to make an
album out of it on short notice. The vocals are lame and limp, seems
like they are caught between trying to decide if they wanted to be
heavy metal vocals and/or commercially friendly vocals, there is an
undertone of both, but both lack style or any real emotion, it just
sounds like the vocalist is going through the motions to be honest.
I do not think I have been this hard on an album in a while, might
be getting soft in my old age, but screw it, this is a piece of shit
guys, avoid this like it is going to spend all your drinking money
and give you herpes to top it all off. I even find their logo and
cover artwork to be dull and bland. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/20483365
http://vanitymusicgroup.com/
|
Skineater
carefully crafted a meeting of the minds between old school US death
metal and old Swedish extreme death. Think of something like
Cannibal Corpse / Suffocation mixed with At The Gates / Hypocrisy or
some sort of similar mix. As we often come to expect with Swedish
bands, the members of Skineater are members of a bunch of other
bands past and present such as In Thy Dreams, Carnal Forge,
Defleshed, Embalmed etc… This record is brutal, it is catchy at
times marching along and pounding like machine gun fire in battle.
It is the balance struck between the immense brutality and the
catchy melodies that is the strength of Skineater and pulls their
sound together. You even get some really emotive guitar fills during
slower sections, where you can hear some Carcass “Heartwork”
influence, but it does not last long before the avalanche of
crushing riffs wash back over everything, making you use up that
that breath you stole during the interlude. This is a pretty
impressive piece of work with Dermal Harvest. I think fans of olden
Swedish and American death metal will go a little weak in the knees
for this album. All the members past experience aside, this is a
very impressive debut album. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/skineater
http://www.pulverised.net/
|
Bill Connolly
from NoVisible Scars never ceases to amaze me with the different,
very cool layouts on his tape releases. This one is no different, I
hope the pictures accompanying this release do it justice, because
the finished product in your hands looks even better than in the
picture. There are 5 songs on here, but they are all long songs and
equal roughly a short full length album. This stuff is different
from what I have been getting for review lately. The write up on
this band compares them to “Filosofem” from Burzum, “Slow Deep And
Hard” from Type O and Mysticum. I can hear a little bit of all of
that. This is some really moody, brooding atmospheric metal,
generally going at a slower blackened harsh metallic pace, then
switching to a meandering introspective clean string plucking
intermingled with piano. The industrial tag is thrown around with
this band too, to be honest I do not hear that much to be honest. I
mean the vocals they use remind me of the some of the 90s industrial
metal bands, you know those pitched kind of vocals, albeit with a
black metal undertone, I guess that is where that comes in,
otherwise I do not really hear it. This album definitely has some
interesting and good elements going for it. But I would be lying if
I said this bowled me over or completely floats my boat. Fans of the
above mentioned bands and albums would probably want to give this
one a listen though. I believe this cassette is still available
(limited to 100 copies, so act very fast) for only $7 or you can
download it for $5. - Dale
http://novisiblescars.bandcamp.com/album/slumber-room-ep
http://nvslabel.blogspot.com/
|
Southwicked are
Floridian death metallers featuring one of the founding members of
the movement in one Allen West. You know that guy from Obituary,
Massacre and Six Feet Under. I seen one review say this album is
super similar to the first Six Feet Under record, I would not really
know as I honestly never tried to get into that band. As for Death’s
Crown it is some solid death metal that is a cross between a muted,
less awesome Obituary sound mixed with the Swedish death metal sound
of old. The combining of those two on paper actually sounds pretty
damn exciting to me. I love Obit and worship old Swedish death and
you know this is a pretty good album, but really that is all it is,
just pretty good. I guess I was just expecting a little more with
that sound mix and having it involve Allen West. Maybe I project
unfair baggage and expectations Mr. West, but that sort of comes
along with him, whether he likes it or not, the price of being a
legend in the genre. If you can keep your expectations out of the
sky where mine were I think you will probably really dig this album.
It is certainly growing on me bit by bit with each new listen.
Still has a ways to go to get to great album status for me though.
- Dale
http://www.reverbnation.com/southwicked
http://www.officialabyssrecords.com
|
Spektr have created a very interesting but also kind of disturbing
and morbid sounding release at the same time. The French band mixes
elements of experimental black, industrial and even ambient music.
There are some fast, chaotic guitar riffs blended with industrial
noises and sounds that create a very harsh sound but at the same
time the band blends all these elements together for a really good
outcome. The band mixes in some aggressive metal heavier
industrialized soundscapes throughout the entire cd. It's hard to
pick one favorite song as all the songs are really well done and
blend together and it's better if you listen to Cypher from start to
finish. Spektr is definitely not a band for everyone to enjoy but if
your a fan of industrialized, experimental black metal with some
melodic ambient interludes then you might enjoy listening to
Spektr's vision on cd known as Cypher.
- Patrick
http://www.agoniarecords.com/
http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Spektr/18228
|
After a few years I can honestly say this was well worth the wait!
If you are like me and have been lucky enough to hear/follow this
bands earlier e.p's you know the quality {yet equally as violent
sounding} black metal Spellcraft can create. Yersinia Pestis is
Spellcraft's full-length debut and the songs range from 4-7 minutes
but the band has enough creative ideas to give each song their own
identity and life so they don't become boring or repetitive. The
guitarist stays within the mid-to fast pace range for the most part
but are not all about the speed as there as some really well-played
and done obscure, and melodic guitar patterns that give a dark
atmosphere to the overall sound. Midgard's vocals have never sounded
better as he mixes demonic screams and raspy, whispery vocals.
Spellcraft also use keyboards but like so many other bands that let
the keyboards outshine the other instruments. Spellcraft intertwines
the keyboards with the guitars, drums perfectly to make a dark
atmosphere within the violent black metal storm. Spellcraft have
released one of 2012's best black metal releases buy this if you
consider yourself a fan of black metal!
- Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/spellcrafthell
http://www.xtreemmusic.com/
|
I have to give a
shout out to Gods Ov War Productions. They are supporting the scene
in their country and surrounding areas, that label is the one that
sent me this album, as well as the Mass Burial, Centurion,
Stillborn, Embrional releases and others from other labels and bands
they support. That is the true underground spirit, I am happy to see
some still remember it and still live it! I have heard some compare
Sphere to their fellow countrymen like Behemoth and Vader and those
are probably pretty fair comparisons. This is some pretty raging
death metal and there is a fair bit going on if you listen closely.
The vocalist is like a bear locked in the cage, attempting to batter
ram his way out. A lot of the music is straight ahead visceral
onslaught but they do change things up and add some interesting
dynamics and tempo variations to keep you from getting bored. I can
definitely headbang to it and that is good thing. I don’t think
there is much to fault with this record, it did not completely blow
me away but it is a damn solid and a strong example of Polish death
metal done right. - Dale
https://www.reverbnation.com/sphereband
http://www.masterful-records.com/
|
Upon hearing
Manifest of Refusal the most lasting impression I come away with is
their anvil destroying brutal backbone. Yes these Russians are not
quite your usual death metal band, they mix in some minor influences
from time to time from the industrial genre and goth sounding bits
and weird synth. The goth type tidbits are few and far between,
which is a good thing because they are out of place, sound a little
forced and are distracting. When Stalwart hit straight on, albeit in
a technical fashion, they are at their best and this is the mainstay
of the album. Just fucking raging death metal that brings to mind
things like old Napalm Death, Strapping Young Lad, Carcass,
Meshuggah, Theory in Practice – though these guys may be slightly
more brutal and not quite as technical as some of those influences I
mention. All in all this is a pretty impressive record, some of the
material might not be the freshest sounding stuff you heard, but the
way it is presented does sound fresh to these ears. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/stalwartmetal
http://www.prcmusic.com
|
I have never
been much of a follower or a fan of guitar shred or guitar virtuoso
albums. I might have two that fall into this category, which I
actually listen to once in a blue moon. I was all ready to dislike
this and crap on it. But Stephan Forte has managed to capture my
imagination and attention with The Shadow Compendium. I think upon
listening to this one would call Stephan a guitar virtuoso, yet this
is no shred or guitar wank fest. No every guitar riff, every
sweeping guitar sequence fill and noodle, actually means something,
it actually propels the song along and most importantly for me, it
conveys immense emotion and atmosphere. I find myself mesmerized one
moment by the playing and the next I forget all about the playing
completely and am whisked away on cerebral journey.
This is one of the few albums I have ever listened to that I was
glad there are no vocals on it, quite honestly that would ruin the
experience. What a fantastic work of art this album is, one that I
can wholeheartedly recommend to metalheads that are fans across many
sub-genres. Please check this out. – Dale
https://www.facebook.com/stephanforte
http://www.listenable.net/
|
I am not going
to lie when I heard this French bands name. I thought what a lousy
band name, it sounds like the title of a man on man porno movie.
Either that or they are big, big fans of sticky cinnamon buns. I am
happy to say either way that they managed to clean off those sticky
hands and use them to play some good rock ‘n roll son. I mean this
is no frills, non-technical just rocking music that might bring to
mind influences from bands like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and the like. I
can not call them AC/DC clones, but they really take on that style
and it is the best way to get across to you what you will hear. They
have a good vocalist, which is really important to trying to pull
off this type of music, he has a slight accent but also has a
certain charisma that pulls it off. It just goes to show you once
again you can not judge a book by it’s cover, just on the band name
alone I fully expected to hate this and rip it a new one, instead it
ripped me a new one. It’s not metal but if you old school rock in
the AC/DC tradition then give this one a try. - Dale
http://stickyboys.bandcamp.com/
http://www.listenable.net/
|
Yet another
piece of heavy Polish darkened Death metal, what an intensely
stuffed package of goodies Gods ov War Productions sent to me.
Stillborn play some really heavy, chugging metal and the production
is crystal clear and sharp, almost riding the line of over produced
but never quite sticking their toe across that line. If you like
good, clean ‘n crisp as the morning air in the dead of a cold
winter, I have an album for you. Los Asesinso Del Sur has some
interesting things going, they play at as expedited pace and I do
not think anyone can accuse them of not keeping the song structures
fresh and constantly moving. About the only thing I could say is at
times they try to do a little too much and could sit down on a cool
section and milk it a bit, get a little bit of headbang reaction
going. But that is a small gripe; this is generally a very finely
constructed and produced death metal album. I had no idea the Polish
dm scene was this diverse or had this much depth, it is surely a
scene to be reckoned with. Check this album out for all fans of
stuff by countrymen Vader, Behemoth and the like. I could not find a
website for this label, but apparently the excellent veteran label
Pagan Records are their official distributor. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/naturalborndestroyers
http://www.pagan-records.com
|
An amusing album
title, which received a smirk from me. Then the music hit and it
wiped that grin right off of my face. I mean it is really simple
stuff if you strip it down, but holy shit is it ever angry and heavy
like a spiked fist to the face. The vocals are fuming with hatred
and are coarse, gruff sort of yelled growling, you can make out
everything said yet is still extreme sounding. The vocals are
honestly great and big part of the Styggelse sound and effect. The
first few songs on the record had me kind of jacked up on the energy
and fury. I must admit though it starts to wear thin after that
initial gut reaction. As I mentioned it is very simplistic stuff, it
all goes at one middle to fast paced speed, it never changes up,
never really adds much dynamic. Which as the album winds on makes it
sound quite repetitive and seems to have a hard time maintaining my
interest. Styggelse for me are a one trick pony, they do that one
trick pretty well, but when you are listening to that same
unchanging thing over and over for more than half an hour. Well it
grows stale. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/styggelse
http://www.unexplodedrecords.com/ |
I am a
Superchrist fan I can tell you that up front. It should be no secret
though; as with Autopsy Kitchen Records, the label I co-founded with
Jeffrey Kusbel, we released a Superchrist album haha. Superchrist
has changed up their sound a little since those days though, back
then they were more of a really killer, talented punk-y Motorhead
mixed with Iron Maiden clone. They also had quite the raunchy, fuck
you I will spit beer in your face attitude. The attitude is subdued
but pretty similar, the sound on the other hand has taken more of a
melodic metal, hard rock and punk (well the punk was there before
but different influences now) directional turn. I mean you can still
hear small hints of Maiden and Motorhead, but I also am hearing
influences like Bad Religion, The Ramones along with maybe stuff
like Saxon, The Rods, Thin Lizzy and Diamond Head. Definitely
musically they have gone in a friendlier, less raucous direction. I
gotta admit it really does work for them and I enjoy what I hear. I
might like their old sound a little better, but this is good too.
There is definitely more of a light melody driven punchy air to
their sound and pacing now. I mean the closing track “Beer Metal”
reminds me a little more of their old sound and that is a cool
track. Yes it is a new direction but if you like the influences I
mentioned (I realize some of the extreme metal fans reading this are
cringing right now haha) about then you can always be sure
Superchrist will deliver it all with quality and conviction. Check
it out. - Dale
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
|
We have some
Norwegian black metal on the block. It is always a pleasure to get a
bm band from ground that was so fertile and important in the second
wave of black metal in the early to mid ‘90s. After a bombastic
build up intro, we get hit with some harsh and straight forward bm
that possesses that cold feel mixed with a lot of energy and a
little keyboards. I never tire of this sound and you can definitely
hear some influence from early albums of Darkthrone, Immortal,
Marduk, Horna, Graveland type sound. I guess you could say the
guitars have a hint of a more heavy metal tone than some of those
bands. The vocals have that harsh classic bm rasp but I would say
Svartahrid’s singer annunciates his words a little more slowly and
clearly and you can plainly make out most of the lyrics. It is quite
an excellent job on vocalist Finn Tore’s part. The recording is good
it rides the line between having a touch of that old raw sound and
the newer era clarity, without going too far that way. It is good to
see some Norwegian bands keeping the old flame burning bright,
despite the freezing winds. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/svartahrid
http://www.soulsellerrecords.com/
|
It is a really
is a treat for me to get some very quality looking releases from a
Ukranian label like Svarga music. I think this is the first time I
recall getting anything from a label in that country and it is clear
looking at everything, that they are a serious label that puts a lot
of attention into promoting their bands. Wow this album is all over
the fucking place and more often than not that can be annoying and
clunky. But Svyatogor seem to pull off this patch work quilt
spanning many genres off with aplomb. I suppose you could call the
base of their sound black/death metal, but the progressive heavy
metal, saxophone jazz elements and folk stylings are strong and also
fight for their place on center stage. Before you imagine that this
is super technical math metal or something, it is not, the elements
are intricate but the palate they paint is actually uncluttered and
not technical. I mean I think that is one of the things that makes
me like this release, when there is a progressive metal bit they go
for that, yet they always come back the brutal and heavy backbone,
as mentioned that is the thread that holds Doctor Veritas together
and prevents it from unraveling. I know when you read this you will
probably think how is the that so with the jazz elements and folk
elements, but they are not done in a wimpy or fruity way and as I
say aggression and the weight of the metal is not forgotten or swept
under the rug for long periods. Another thing I must mention is the
vocalist Master Alafern (who is also in Thunderkraft), who sings
mainly in a raspy, mean and cold black metal vocal gives a great
emotionally harsh performance and puts the whole album over the top.
This comes recommended from me. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/svyatogorband
http://www.svarga.eu/
|
Yes the mighty
Terrorama from Sweden return with their first full length in 4
years. I have to tell you it was worth the wait! Before you read
Sweden and think oh I probably already know what they sound like,
forget all of that, you do not know. Generally speaking they do not
have much in common with most Swedish bands. If anything these
thrashing black death metal bastards owe more of their sound to
North and especially South America. By their own admission bands
like Vulcano and Holocausto influenced them, I would add Sarcofago,
Blasphemy and also some old school thrash metal ala early Sadus,
early Exciter, early Razor. But it does not sound specifically like
very many bands, Terrorama shape their influences into their own
sound and execute it with such violence and hate it will send
shivers down your spine. The music truly reflects the lyrics and
overall concept of the album, which focuses as you can guess from
the album title, on notorious events throughout history, acts of
cruelty, brutality and callous systematic mass genocide. I know I
mentioned some war metal type bands above, but that is not what I
would call Terrorama, they take those elements yet are not just
mindless uncontrolled chaos, they channel the chaos very militantly
and focus it like a bullet to the head of a human being as they fall
into a mass grave. The vocals Peter Liden are terrifyingly ferocious
coarse and gruff yelling rasp growls, showcasing a heartless general
in command of vocal weapon. I do not think I could recommend this
album highly enough; it is a master work of hate and a hurricane of
metal violence. Get it now! - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/terrorama
http://tothedeath.se/
|
Extremely crude,
nasty and compromise-free, the Polish death metal throwbacks are at
your throat again. Based on the fact that this is already band's
sixth full-length (plus myriad of all kinds of splits and EPs) one
might be tempted to think that Throneum have had somehow lost the
urge to blaspheme, maim and mutilate. No chance, amigo. No fukkin
chance. Off-putting and gross to those who like it slick and
marketable, 'Death Throne Entities' is a raw sounding orgy of filth
and mayhem, just what the doctor ordered. Disorienting savagery in
full effect that could cast the most iron stomachs heave. Lovely.
Stay clear if you fancy your breakdowns and false productions, for
this is made for those who are not after the flavour of the month.
Divisive? Yes. And that's how it ought to be. - Vladimir Petrov
www.myspace.com/throneum
http://www.metal-archives.com/labels/Pagan_Records/97
|
This record is
billed as Industrial Folk Death Metal. I would say that is pretty
accurate, though I would throw in the term symphonic, as that
element is surely as strong as or possibly stronger than the
industrial sound. To be really honest my favourite parts of
Totentanz are the steamrolling heavy riffing and the intense,
emotional scream / growl mixed vocals, those two items are killer.
The rest, well the industrial stuff is not that prevalent or that
well done, the folk, the computer generated sound effects and
symphonic elements to me feel forced and come off a little weak,
ultimately dragging the main strength of the record. I can see what
Thunderkraft are going for; I just do not feel like they achieved
that goal very well on this album. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/thunderkraft
http://www.svarga.eu/
|
Well now, this
is something different than what I have been getting to review
lately. Not to mention something a little different for Hells
Headbangers to release. We have before a horror themed punk rock
band. You will immediately have to think of The Misfits, Samhain and
Danzig (to a lesser extent) when you hear this. Now this might be
partly due to my shallow knowledge of the genre that I am not
summoning up more influences to list. But those influences are
prominent and I do not think the band could or would deny them. I
mean the vocalist even sounds an awful lot like early Glenn Danzig.
The song titles and lyrics draw me in right away being a huge horror
movie hound. I mean there is even a horror movie name as one of
their song titles with “City of The Living Dead”. You have got to
love it or at least I do, at any rate. Everything is done in a
pretty serious sounding way though and they try to capture the
frightening terror of the genre as opposed to just doing a spoof on
it like some bands, not taking it seriously. The Late Hours is a
pretty rocking album, they keep the pace quick, with some nice
guitar fills to keep things a little fuller, so to speak and not so
thin like some punk bands tend to be. The lyrics and choruses are
pretty memorable and you can sing along with them. Not sure what
else to say, they are not a total clone or anything, but again if
you like The Misfits and Samhain then I am sure you will dig this,
just remember to bring a shovel and headstone with you. – Dale
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
http://www.thevladimirs.com/
|
It's great to see labels in this day and time of digital labels,
cd's etc.. That still release cassette tapes! It gives me a little
more hope for the real d.i.y underground. Up first on the split is
Vestal Claret the best way I can describe their music is a mix of
70's "classic" rock with traditional heavy doom riffs. The vocals
are sung in a really well done clean voice which goes good with the
music. This is not really my style of metal/rock that I listen to on
a regular basis so I will end by saying if you enjoy classic rock
and early doom, then give Vestal Claret a shot you might enjoy them.
Up next is a band that you should be aware of if you have been a
black metal fan for a few years now. Germany's Ungod are masters of
raw, primitive black metal. Four songs of filthy, grim black metal
with thin guitars, fast drums that do slow down from time to time.
The vocalist unleashes harsh black metal shrieks that spew the
lyrics out. These four songs just prove why Ungod are still a force
within the black metal underground. This is a good release with two
very different bands but both are obviously old-school influenced
and have a lot of talent and show it their ability in their songs.
Old-school maniacs and tape collectors (just to interject the
packaging NVS comes out with always very unique / different for
tapes, always awesome and super collectable ~ Dale) show your
support for the smaller cassette labels and buy this gem of metal.
- Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/ungodstomb
http://nvslabel.blogspot.com/
|
I have to be honest and say that Visions of Atlantis never really
appealed to me but that changed with their 2011 Maria Magdalena Mcd,
which had some good music/songs on it. So I was kinda interested in
hearing what Ethera had to offer and I'm happy I did. Ethera shows
the band progressing with much better song writing more memorable
songs that are both symphonic and memorable but also have some heavy
metal heaviness to them. So there is a little of everything to keep
the listeners attention. Beautiful keyboards and melodic guitar
structure intertwined with two of the best singers of this genre
Mario Plank and front lady Maxi Nil who work extremely well
together. Their vocals blend extremely well together and with the
rest of the music to add another layer of beauty and atmosphere.
This is definitely a must have for all fans of atmospheric, epic
metal.
- Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/visionsofatlantisofficial
http://www.napalmrecords.com/ |
The Swedes as a
collective, just keep pumping out music and bands like few other
countries, it is impressive especially when their population is
taken into account. Void Moon play a form of epic heavy metal, maybe
you could even call them a classic heavy metal doom band? I think
there is some influence in there from their mighty countrymen
Candlemass. But Void Moon is a little more melodic heavy metal
influenced than that classic band. I think you can hear some New
Wave of British Heavy Metal inspirations helping to shape the music
on On The Blackest Of Nights. The vocalist Peter Svensson, has a
different and perhaps even slightly original sounding voice and
conveys an interesting pedestrian-like, subdued yet still classic
vibe and pacing to his vocals. Yeah I like the vocals quite a bit.
The music overall though, while good, does not really pack much
power, it is not very memorable, nor does it contain large doses of
the usual with style, it is hypnotic, melancholic (outside the
vocals) or atmospheric really. Usually for me my classic doom bands
that I enjoy in my collection, have to hit on at least one or two
cylinders of the elements I just mentioned and Void Moon do not.
However, this is their debut album, I am interested to see how this
young band progresses. There is something there, they just need to
cultivate it a little more, if they do they could turn this into
something special. Until then I would only recommend this one for
clean and classic heavy metal doom completist’s. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/voidmoonmetal
http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/
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I have been into
this Australian band since they sent me their Roar Of War demo tape
in 1999, then followed that up by sending over their follow up demo
Neutron Hammer. I was immediately drawn into their thrashing metal
storm of violence and old school attitude. So here we sit nearly a
decade and a half later (fuck I am old and time flies), with the
bands third full length album, having joined forces with the
almighty Hells Headbangers in recent years. A perfect match, if
there ever was one. This album is patches on a denim vest, spiked
fist pounding the air, headbanging metal all the way and proud of
it. Vomitor hit you with a stripped down, no frills, no bullshit
speed / thrash metal assault with old school violent and awesome
riffing interspersed with little bursts of roaring insanity and
controlled chaos. You even get some spastic guitar leads / fills
clearly played by a demented barbarian looking to wreck your head.
The drums just pound right along to the monster “thermonuclear”
riffing and remind me to classic Sodom and Celtic Frost shit, just
awe inspiring. The vocals are cool whispery blackened yells with
that cultish hissing underbelly that many old South American bands
and the like employed to such perfection. I know I say old school
too much but old school maniacs of thrash played the way it was
meant to be back in the mid to late 80s need to own this fucking
album, pure and simply put, it is everything you love about that
time and music! - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/thevomitor
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/ |
This was quite a surprise as I remember hearing, buying this bands
debut demo "Dead Kings Eyes" back in 1997. So it was great to hear
the band still going strong. This is Vore's fourth release.
Gravehammer is simply amazing and flawless death metal. I would say
the first thing that caught my attention was the bands sheer heavy
guitar sound and pounding drums. The musicians never stray away from
the mid-paced range, but Vore only prove you don't have to play a
million miles an hour to be heavy and intense death metal. I am not
sure why the band is still unsigned but this is another thing I
wanted to mention as this is a quality band that plays what they
love and want to, not what’s popular. Vore are a band that will
please all fans of heavy, pure death metal.
- Patrick
http://www.youtube.com/vorefare
http://www.reverbnation.com/vore
|
Fit For Fucking
Fight huh?! This is a blast from the past for me. I have been
listening to this album for many a moon, for those that do not know
about this fantastic metal album, it was originally released back in
1984 on Roadrunner Records. This album is so highly regarded that I
believe Hells Headbangers is no less than the 4th record
label to release this fucking thing! As you might guess this is
classic mid 80s heavy metal, Witch Cross are from Denmark and you
can imagine them fitting in that scene right next Mercyful Fate and
Maltese Falcon – can you imagine a gig with all three of those
bands? My head would explode! The music on here is marvelous and
just chugs along with speedy ripping music that commands you like an
evil old witches spell to headbang and play air guitar. I mean
seriously listen to the songs Fight The Fire & Light Of A Torch and
tell me you were able resist rocking out those amazing tunes. Just
some fantastic guitar work on here with some smoking solos. The
vocals may be an acquired taste for some, they are very early to mid
80s dated vocals, quite high pitched with not a lot of range, some
might even mistake them for chick vocals, but they are great and
work with the killer music. Seriously if you have not heard this by
now you better get it or you do not even like classic heavy metal
and why are you still reading this review? This is a must own for
80s metal fans, get your grip on this intense fire ball of metal
now. - Dale
http://witchcross.dk/index.html
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/ |
I guess I expected more from this Turkish one man band when I read
the main musician behind the band Emir Torgrul is a composer,
instrumentalist etc.. The music on Nihahayat sounds like rehashed
early Burzum songs or early noisy Norse black metal with some
atmosphere intertwined in the chaotic noise. I supposed Emir shows a
few moments of good guitar playing but honestly not that much. This
is a pass for me as if I ever need a Burzum fix I'll just find my
Burzum cd's.
- Patrick
http://yayla.bandcamp.com/
http://merdumgiriz.org/
|
Yellowtooth
hails out of Indiana, but when you listen to the music I
automatically figured they were from the south as they have that
southern nuance to their sound. This band features Peter Clemens as
some in the scene will surely remember him from bands like Shades of
Grey, Sea of Tranquility, Invasion (interviewed in CA back in the
day) and Skullview, while the other two members came from Chronic
Disorder. Yellowtooth play a rocking type of sludge metal, but maybe
not as heavy on the feedback as many sludge bands like Eyehategod,
Iron Monkey, Cavity and the like. But Disgust is rocking, the
riffage is really heavy and crushing yet always quite catchy,
seemingly keeping at bay the doom tag. By my ear you can hear the
members death metal roots in the guitar tuning / playing and also
the vocals are pretty deep death metal growling, but kept clear
enough that you make out most of what is sung. This is just some
good rockin’ simplistic sludge with some balls and nice groove
riffs, but not over done or cheesy like that mallcore shit or
whatever they call it these days. This is record is nothing
spectacularly groundbreaking or mind numbingly great by any means,
but it is a solid and even good album, a fine debut, but with a
couple demos under their belt and countless years experience that
should be expected. It is worth a listen. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/yellowtoothmc
https://www.facebook.com/orchestrated.recordings |
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