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Shaver farm,
Summer 1989. I bore witness upon this lengthy trail of afterbirth; a
calf was born. A crimson streak layed upon the ground as ‘Slowly We
Rot’ was blaring away. I can beside it for a whiff and inhaled then
went for a taste. When bands after a decade or so record a come-back
album, they fail. Fact is that reclaiming former glory ends up as a
false sense of nostalgia – not the Obits as they rekindle their
dying embers. At 34 minutes this disc is fuckin “A” DM as infectious
shadows of their once former selves, as they were in 1989/90 from
start to finish! No rap involved as on ‘Back From The Dead’, nor
tribal shit as on ‘World Demise’ here, and who couldn’t remember the
endless riff repeat on ‘The End Complete’ which still is fucking
annoying? The FIT fits appropriately as this album could have easily
been recorded between ‘Cause of Death’ and ‘The End’. This opens
with ‘Redneck Stomp’ an instrumental which will stampede yer’ sorry
ass into a bloody pulp with vintage monster riffage; perfect for
when ‘On The Floor’ rages in. Not a hum-drum song in sight, each
owning their own vocal signature. Sadly ‘Slow Death’ has awkward
drumming in it, hinting they may just fuckin’ pose out once more and
I’d bet my left nut they will. Now get off your asses and get this
now! It also has the best artwork since TEC, earning them more
acclaim.
-
Clayton
www.obituary.cc
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Wow, what a bio,
evil as fuck, but let’s face it. 4 pages isn’t gonna score you any
additional acclaim here, you may actually lose some over it! We’re
busting our asses and we sure as shit don’t want them kissed! Let’s
stick to the meat and potatoes; meaning the music. PS are
Australians gone Scandinavian as EAD contains 3 releases, put into
one, all recorded in MMIII with Balam, Wraith, and Merrim. The
ungodly ‘The fate of all that Lives’ opening this CD up. This is
true ‘necro’ in sound as was Emperor’s ‘Wrath of the Tyrant’ (low
production, loud percussion, etc…) creating pure, early ‘90s BM
which is talented, melodic, hateful and most of all unique. Ever
hear that low-produced BM kick’s ass compared to high end
production? It’s true. Not too fast nor slow, this definitely
showcases some of the rawest, acidic infected vocals in BM,
separating PS from the pack of sound ~ alikes and trendies. This is
the shit, unlike “Part II: Embrace After Death”, and I may note that
although it’s a full length, we only have 3 songs here. EAD see’s PS
straying from their sound with higher, yet still infectious vocals,
yet more faster, like many other bands doing the same today. No it’s
not a repeat release of another band as they manage to be lost
somewhat beyond the perimeter spoke of in Pt I. The longitude of
each track is 7 to 9 minutes, so it sits fairly well, I’m not
complaining like a bitch still dominates the second entry. Fuckin’
“A” on the intros as well! The drawback is the bonus EP, “Putrify”,
done in MMIV. This is when Pestilential threw themselves in the same
sound as everyone else. It’s likeable because it’s included with 1
and 2, and yes, this trio’s headed downhill, especially when the
vocals lose their meaning. Buy this for the ‘cult’ worthy
recordings, because it’ll be gone next time around. Goatwarex shall
release tape editions and a full length as this CD is limited to as
many copies as they see fit, and such fans need only apply. Dying
and PS discography have much in common. Sight is the first, followed
by taste, then smell and you can hear everything up too the end;
catch my drift?
-
Clayton
www.antilife-plague.cjb.net www.asphyxiaterecordings.com
info@asphyxiaterecordings.com
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Ride For
Revenge
– Kind of remind of the slow / middle paced crawl through the
darkness that some of the early Greek black metal bands, such as
Necromantia churned out. Maybe you could even call them Beherit
played in slow motion. There are not many bands that cross my path
these days play this sort of vein, it makes me really appreciate
those precious few which do. Slow, atmospheric (nope no synth laden
rubbish) and yet simplistic dark blackened metal, with great
obscure, murky vocals. I need to keep my eye on this band.
Torturing
– Imagine, if you will a rawer and loose version of Immortal on
their 1st LP. Toss in some old school thrash influences
and mix in insane screaming vocals ala early Burzum. I must say they
have great energy, dark energy. I believe they have a full length
album out on Aura Mystique now that might be worth checking out!
– Dale
www.bestialburst.blackmetal.fi/
bestialburst@blackmetal.fi
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Thergothon,
Winter, Disembowelment nor anything considered as death / doom, my
Satanic ass! Damn bios. Just because this NY outfit is colder than a
witches tit, let alone a whore’s heart, it seems all hate this 1999
re-issue. I shan't ever follow my fellow opinionated writers for the
sake of it, I have my own ears. Remember 78 records? (I do – Dale)
Take a 78, play it on 33 1/3 and that’s how the vocals sound like,
which I enjoy as it fits with thee most doomiest, damnable and
darkest music ever made. There is no wrong with change in metal less
it be rap, jazz, hip hop etc… This is testimony of how you will be
deprived of a ‘better’ life in death, because it ain’t true as our
‘After lives’ will have this horrid life lack beautiful and Rigor
joins me in telling you all that we are fucked for infinity. So
enjoy what pathetic life you have left you miserable fucks, because
when it’s gone, so are we! What the fuck, my critics? I wasn’t aware
of impute rules that every had to be exactly alike. Rigor do not go
against general rules, nor the band wagon, nor does it go against
the grain. Negative in all nocturnal intense hatred for all things
laced with pleasurable pain is what this is all about, fuckin’ “A”!
The new wave of positive thinking has taken over, indeed. Don’t
disappoint me all of you underground clowns ~ this is what it’s all
about, now buy or die! – Clayton
www.paragonrecords.net info@paragonrecords.net
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This would in
point of fact be my first encounter with Riphead but surely not my
first crossing of paths with it’s members. Two of Rip’s founders are
from the respected old death metal band Ton and their singer is an
old acquaintance of mine in the form of Andrew Parrish, formerly of
the band Halomachine, not to mention editor of such print fanzines
as Metal Union & Cult ‘zine and if that is not enough to occupy this
die hard’s time, he runs the UG record label Morbid Souls. Riphead
keep things on the simple side but that does not stop them from
taking you places, they paint portraits of societal decline with a
deft brush dipped in hatred. A little rough around the edges but
these monsters from the land of the Blue Jackets show plenty of
promise, I will keep my eye upon them. Drogheda on the other hand is
something I know like the back of my hand or at least I used to. I
was way into these grind animals for years, hence my interview with
them in issue 3 of Canadian Assault, however I had heard nothing new
from them in years and was uncertain whether they were still in
existence really. The more things change, the more they stay the
same and Drogheda have done just that, it is like traveling away
from home for a long period and knowing that recliner in front of
the stereo that has your body impressed into it from years of use
providing intangible comfort, the pocket on the side has your
fanzines, porno mags, tissues and vibration remote and it is like
you never left. The same can be said about Drogheda, they sound
exactly the same after all these years and I am okay with that, who
fuck wants a blasting semi-catchy monster grind band to progress?!
Not me and when it is continually delivered with this sort of
ferocity, memorability and cantankerous crusty dirt that is all that
matters! Hails to Drogheda the pigheaded bastards from Ohio’s
armpit, they play grind the way it was meant to be – pissed off with
every song taking about long as you do with your girlfriend, 2 ½
minutes or less! – Dale
Riphead =
cultfanzine@yahoo.com + www.riphead.cjb.net www.extrememilleniumentertainment.com
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It seems as if
it has been an eternity since I have heard a new Rites of Thy
Degringolade release. I have been guilty of not keeping as close an
eye as I could have upon them. Long time readers of the Assault will
recall I interviewed this band, on the strength of their great demo
tape, back in issue 4. A quick history lesson for those not in the
know, Rites rose from the ashes of a great old Canadian band named
Sacramentary Abolishment (interview in issue 1!) and the other half
of that band went on to form Axis of Advance. I would posit Rites
have gotten more technical over the years, I am not sure you could
call them a black metal sounding band any longer. Oh yes, it is dark
music and yes it has an occult feel but to me it is much more rooted
in death metal and old extreme thrash on “Totality”. I would say
think if newer Gorguts had reproduced with Order From Chaos and the
child was hopped up on speed and was exposed to occult themed
violent horror films at much too young an age. It is surprising to
me with the amount of things that are going on, the sheer cacophony
of sounds and ideas, swirling in the music that mainman Paulus
somehow manages to leave enough room for heavy slowed riffs and
other quirky guitar derangement to breathe, to flow but the counter
point of it all casts off a brilliant effect. Order injected into
chaos indeed and one is feeling cold and exhilarated all at once.
Though Paulus spews the vocals and plays all instruments, I have
always thought of him as a drummer first and his frantic yet
tasteful performance throughout the album are impressive and have
done nothing to change my pre-conceived notion. Another highlight on
the album, that should incite Canadian die hards, is a guest vocal
appearance by one of the great, under appreciated and visionary
Canadian musicians of our time, Hart Bachmier of the legendary
Disciples of Power. A fine, fine way to off a master work of an
album that should please aggression junkies who like a bit of
atmosphere in their surroundings, as well techno-philes, who will
revel in the many off-kilter and memorable twists, turns and time
changes that riddle “Totality”. A must have and Western Canada
proves once again it is the king of North American metal! – Dale
Realms… Prod.,
Box 69, Washington, NJ. 07882 USA
www.realmsofdarkness.com
Rites…, 11311 96
St., Edmonton, Alberta, T5G 1T2 CANADA www.angelfire.com/music3/degringolade
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Nay, this is not the Sabbat you think,
but from the land that spawned early Onslaught; the UK. Here is the
old-school as fuck debut (don't ask about later on releases!) I
originally heard on Maze Music in 87. My tape ripped 9 years ago, so
here we are with what was the one Thrash Speeding, acidic Deathly
vocal satanic stance album HOATTC. Martin Walykier bases all from
the intro till the last track on Satanism and anti-religion. Those
not on the know after our old-school age best take heed to songs as,
'A Cautionary Tale', 'Hosanna In Excelsi', 'I for an Eye' and 'For
Those Who Died', as epic classics way ahead of it's time. I remember
when this came out, a band and a vocalist had to be all original,
and you will never find more satisfying vocals in a scene where now
too many all sound the same unlike the repertoire of this album. My
only disappointment are the 5 bonus live tracks that hold no piss
and vinegar, as I'd of preferred the demo's 'Magick In Theory and
Practice' (Crowley anyone?), and the final 'Fragments Of A Faith
Forgotton' instead. Nevermind the Nottingham dwarf's original name
Hydra, and if desire to keep your chicklets in your fucking head,
don't even ask about Guitarist Andy Sneap, got it? I will force you
at gunpoint to shut up and buy this demon, else I'll think along the
lines of the song 'The Church Bizarre', where, indeed, A born-again
Christian is a Born-again Fool, but a Born-again Metalhead is a
porn-again dimmu bitch-bitch fool! Buy or Die, hail the Old
School!!! - Clayton
www.sanctuaryrecords.com
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Yet, another fix
of Finnish barbarity, to the tapped vein courtesy of Dynamic Art.
Sear are an interesting band that manage to play some good extreme
death metal. Despite the brutal nature of their music they always
seem to administer a strong air of stark, somber, almost psychotic
atmosphere to their sound. To create this kind of feeling threaded
throughout a severe death metal album is both unique and admirable
to mine ears. I mean seriously when was the last time you could put
on a new album bang your head, punch a fist through the wall all the
while feeling like you are hearing the soundtrack to a graveyard
horror movie?! It has been a long time for me. Finland is really
starting to assert itself as the new UG metal super power in
Scandinavia. – Dale
www.officialsear.com www.dynamicartsrecords.com
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Shatterpoint
are, a Canadian band that are, new to mine ears. I suppose you could
call this a modern thrash core band or something similar. They claim
Slayer and The Haunting as major influence. Yet I hear fast enough
or heavy enough to really justify such a claim. To my ear a fairer
comparison might be a diet version of Skinlab and Machine Head. A
point of interest may be that in addition to this album you get a
2004 ep, tacked on as a bonus. I will give them their due where they
deserve it and that is on track 5, “Torn Apart”, with a really nice
solo / lead guitar fill. For their style the recording on “Dead
Presence”, does the record very little justice. Overall it is just
too weak and not heavy enough and the beefy riffing falls flat. I
believe I would be just fine if Shatterpoint and myself never
crossed paths ever again. – Dale
PP Records, Box
571, New Hampton, NY 10958, USA www.powerplayrecords.com
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Ever buy an
album in doubt only to be mistaken and floored? This is un-fuckin-believable;
more-so than when Sodom made the comeback album of the decade in '92
with 'Tapping the vien'. Believe a true Sodomaniac (I was there in
'84 (I can attest to this after making a trip to his house in ’94
and seeing the original Sodom demos Clayton got directly from the
band! – Dale)) that somehow this was re-recorded now yet is an exact
fucking twin release with 'In The Sign Of Evil' and no, I am not
pulling yer third fucking leg either! During the Sodom re-union,
Grave Violator and Witchhunter spoke of an old tape from 1984 of
Rehearsal songs and some songs in bits before SPV signed them. They
meant to release it independent on Devil's Game Records and it went
wayward. I suppose that SPV made them too busy to do this as it
sounds, a few month's after the release of the Debut EP, yet GV
unearthed this tape that was sealed in his grave and simply equals
the best goddamn Sodom album made since the Debut for SPV. Tom still
has the voice, Grave Violator somehow plays (even the solo's) as
with the same strength as Witchhunters earliest relentless poundings
as though they stepped into a friggin' time machine - even the
production is 84!!!This album of the year is the kind I listen to
that makes me proud that I beat the shit outta that crying fat kid
way back for looking like John Candy and feeling no remorse for
wanting to kill Billy Bob Thorton because he is the coolest bad-ass
in American cinema!!! All the EP's songs are here, and not re-done
jokingly as previously either. Yes, great laughing on Blasphemer
from hell, the Exact soloing on Witching Metal, the air sirens
return with a vengeance on outbreak of evil and the vocals on Burst
Command 'Til War will rip you a new asshole as great other 84'er's
come to life as The Sin Of Sodom (w/EP Intro re-done!), Bloody
Corpse. Sons Of Hell and Where Angel's Die amongst more which is any
True Sodomaniacs wet dream come true! Adorned with B&W Pics of said
year and their best cover ever with the now axe-weilding 'In The
Sign Of Evil' mascot, and I can nail it down as this...your only not
a Poser Sodomaniac (unlike 1982-1992) if you don't own 'In The Final
Sign Of Evil', you lose your credentials as being a True Metalhead
as well, period. Again, this simply is the essential release of the
year and I can only fucking hope a second disc containing the tapes
of the Sodom Demo's is released, but I doubt it. I never could stand
Sodom after Witchhunter and what followed 1992 or what will follow,
but I will leave with a question. Now that the original Sodom
line-up has proved beyond the call of duty that they can still be as
fucking True as 1984 as is evident on TFSOE, then why in the fuck
haven't they been doing so all along and since? TRUE SODOMANIACS -
TAKE HEED! - Clayton
www.spvusa.com
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It has been some
time since I have heard some real Swedish black metal in the old
traditions. Just when I feared Sweden was getting soft. For the
trivia buffs, Spetalsk is Sverige for “Leprosy” and the band
features members of Terrorama, Satanic Slaughter and few other
bands. Three bands per member, yes it must be Swedish. This self
named platter was recorded at Pure Dechristianizing studios with by
Magnus Devo Andersson (Marduk), so you know it is sick sounding.
Without any doubt in my mind this debut album fits into the Marduk,
Funeral Mist, early Dark Funeral & old Darkthrone classic
Scandinavian mold. For some I know it will seem a little unoriginal
but for a maniac like me that worships it it is absolutely bestial
and great. The music is mainly straight ahead blitzing darkness and
brutality, yet the riffs, are catchy you can actually head bang to
them. Another thing I like about this album is the quick and squealy
guitar solos that act as a counter point to the rushing chaos. The
real highlight though just may be the drumming by Endymion. Who
turns in a forceful and commanding performance that can not go
unnoticed. I feel like I just received a 35 minute beating while
engulfed in darkness. – Dale
http://www.unexplodedrecords.com
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Oh man, I have
not battered my ears with the sick sounds of Thou Art Lord in a
decade probably. I loved their demos and first two 7”s and recall at
least liking their first album. Since then I have really lost track
of them and apparently they released a second album and then kind of
called it quits for a few years. I do suppose it is of note that the
old Greek band in question features The Magus of Necromantia and
Sakis of the once great now crap Rotting Christ. In the included
biography they spout off about how this album is a reaction to all
the talent-less, over proficient, over produced plastic recordings,
which have zero feeling and have literally flooded the market over
the last number of years. You know what I have to say to that kind
of belly-aching, bravo! I wish more people would tire of this
garbage, I mean where has the passion and aggression gone in metal?
It has been produced and pro tooled right out the door, if I never
heard another razor monotone robotic guitar line, looped typewriter
sounding drum run for the rest of my life, I would be perfectly
happy. It is things like this that make the old guard want to stop
buying new releases and bury themselves in a past filled metal
collection, reveling in ignorance at today’s scene. Can you tell I
too struggle with this from time to time? Okay, fine back to the
album. First of all the sound on here does have a real feeling to
it, the drums are played a little too tight for the vest and could
use a dose of reckless abandon, but otherwise just fine. They keep
things very simplistic and very rhythmic, often centering their
songs around slowed down mid pace headbang kind of riff, often it
works and other times not so well. Thou Art Lord certainly have
changed since my past encounter with them, gone are the harsh
straight ahead early 90s style black metal hell, well there are
small traces left but nearly diminished out of sight or sound. Now I
would have to characterize them as more of a black deathrash metal
band and you can hear a lot more of their 80s influences. I like it
to a certain point but I have heard this done better a lot of times,
which kind of makes it middle of the road for me. It is good but not
that good if catch my meaning, I do appreciate their attitude toward
this album and there are some great moments here and there. –
Dale
Black Lotus,
Jianni Ritsou 8, 17237 Himittos, Athens, GREECE
www.black-lotus-recs.com
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Superb idea
releasing 4 old Finnish demo tapes in their entirety on a single
disc compilation. This review will go on forever if I do a full
review for each, so here is a few words on each. Just another reason
for me love Bestial Burst Records.
Lycanthropy
“Sickness Revealed” Demo 1989
– Raunchy thrash metal which kind of reminds me of old Canadian
bands like Sacrifice, Razor or something like Dr. Shrinker from the
States. It has a dark feeling to it and the vocalist does the husky
evil voice well.
Morphosis “Sick
Standard of Living” Demo 1989
– Not sure what describe these guys as but maybe speed metal ala
Nasty Savage, very early Voivod or something similar but with a huge
dose of snotty punk attitude. A fun listen to be sure.
National Napalm
Syndicate “Painful Ten Hours” Demo 1987 – Holy shit this band is still going. I looked up their page on the
Metallum site and the current and past members have been / are in a
million other bands over the years such as Ancestor, Eternal Tears
of Sorrow, Ancient Dawn, Sacred Crucifix and about 10 more… Tons of
energy from this pioneering band and some nice guitar work as well.
I would say I hear some early Metallica mixed with the German speed
raunch. Some wicked solos and guitar ripping for such a young band.
Mengele
“Abominable Thoughts” Demo 1989
– That band photo is pure gold, just look at this little bad asses
haha! From what I could dig up on them they changed their name to
Insomnia shortly after this, then broke up but appears they reformed
as Wengele and released an EP in 2004, nothing since but it looks
like they are still active anyway. Classic soupy sound with I would
say definitely some Slayer, Sodom, Kreator type influences. I love
it. – Dale
http://bestialburst.blackmetal.fi
bestialburst@blackmetal.fi
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Neurotic sends
along a brutal little piece of vile death metal by way of Auckland,
New Zealand. I should clarify that “Of Fracture and Failure” are not
just more run of the mill straight forward grinding death metal
band. They have a penchant for mixing in doomy spirals for
atmospheric effect, not to mention mixing it up with different
levels of speed and time changes, wiping away any fear of generics
or monotony. Which for a debut album is quite commendable and as far
as the technical playing goes these blokes are proficient and
skilled. Their thick soupy wall of death has some influences to mine
ears such as I think I hear a bit of the godly early Cryptopsy
sound, Gorguts too (trying to butter me up with Canadian references,
it just might work here) and some Immolation thrown in. The
recording is really tight and fits their style well, no worries mate
you can hear the 1 thousand riffs on here just fine. Alright it
might not be terribly original but it is hellishly well done Kiwi
metal and I enjoyed the hell out of it. – Dale
www.neurotic-records.com www.offractureandfailure.com
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We are presented
with torturous and atmospheric, black metal from this German horde
of barbarians known as Undor. The music is a dirgy crawling,
plodding rumbles with slow pounding drums. Undor are undoubtedly
quite clearly influenced by Abruptum. I must say they do not do this
style nearly as well as the old Swedish bastards did back in the
day. I am listening to this and I just do not feel it and I can not
shake the feeling this should probably have been released as nothing
more than a limited demo tape. I do like the vocals though which are
a cross between the Canadian gods Lust and early Burzum. Maybe it
will come with time for Undor. – Dale
www.bestialburst.blackmetal.fi/
bestialburst@blackmetal.fi
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Let me just
preface this review with the following statement: “The New Age of
Chaos” is the best brutal death metal album I have heard this year,
possibly longer than that. I mean it is fan-fucking-tastic yet
experiencing something this devastating may be hazardous to your
health, robbing you of your reproduction abilities. The planet is
too over populated anyway right? There were two things that stood
out and struck me and that was how atmospheric this album is for
it’s brutish nature and again keeping in mind how punishing Vile
are, there playing bleeds a lot of emotion on through. I do not want
to harp on these points, however it cannot be glossed over that it
takes a hell of a lot of talent and vision to truly give this level
of emotional and ambiance to music that is this fast, this vile (hehe)
and blistering. “The New Age…” is also a record that grows on you,
the more you play the more you will appreciate some of the guitar
intricacies (see the smoking solo in the title track, around the 3
minute mark for proof positive) and counter points swirling through
the compositions with ease and with style. There is even a whisper
of black metal in some of the darker guitar melodies on here. The
vocals are classic death metal growls but even here I would class
them as top shelf, very deep, flowing and forceful reminiscent of
some of my fave growlers such as Dave Ingram, David Vincent etc…
with a just detectable King Diamond during his gruff deeper vocals
(too many levels to that mans voice to explain further, but KD die
hards know what I mean!). Great job with the recording it reminds me
much more of the early / mid 90s before Pro Tools turned everyone
into a robot, despite talent level. Colour me impressed and this is
coming from someone who previously was not really much a Vile fan.
– Dale
Unique Leader,
Box 6544, Los Osos, CA. 93412, USA www.uniqueleader.com
info@uniqueleader.com
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Now I do not
know much about Parasile records, they are likely not a black metal
label but Vinterriket never cease to amaze me. They manage to get
their stuff released by black metal record labels, time and again,
when their music has more in common with Danny Elfman and Nature
sound cds you see at your local bookstore for $4.99. I mean really
truly some of the ‘music’ on here sounds like the sound tracks to a
montage in a chick flick of the guy and girl falling in love, going
out to dinner, walking hand in hand and kissing at the outdoor
skating rink. I mean what the fuck is this shit?! What it is is a
boring pot luck meal of the most dainty ingredients, in other words
fruity sound samples, nature noises and loops on top of some really
boring synth music which is neither well timed nor variety rich and
not allowed to flow in a proper manner, it becomes increasingly
obvious that this is merely a bunch of parts sewn together like a
patch work quilt with plenty of thread bits sticking up out of the
stitching and way too many powder blue and barbie pink squares in
the color scheme. You would think flow and musical vision would at
the very least be a pre-requisite when playing a form of the music
(i.e. – atmospheric synth), that takes little to no talent. What do
I know? I had an old tape trader of mine who made a bunch of this
kind of garbage up over a weekend once and sent me a few tapes of
it, I told him it sucked but somehow he managed to get some damn
Italian label to release 2 albums full of that junk! I am not a fan
of this kind of…er…material but I would think those that are would
at least want to spend money on something of value that was
interesting, had musical vision and was actually executed with a
level skill? Maybe I ask too much, at very least this drivel should
be in the chick flick soundtrack or New Age fruit loop section of
the record store and not equated with metal or even black metal
music. Oh did I mention this is some sort of collection from
1996-2002, I am hoping that it was not meant to be a best of and
actually refers to the stuff Vinter previously thought was too lousy
to release but now that maturity has kicked in and they have bills
to pay, they said what fuck let’s release it, these morons will buy
anything with our name on it. This is very un-recommended and you
die if you buy! – Dale
www.vinterriket.com www.parasilerecords.com
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Unto all newbies
out there, you need to know damn fucking well That Jeff Gruslim-era
VR was and will always be the truest one of this band. Gruslin and
your's truly were snail-mail Metal Brother's in the pre-peaceville
years of these Rhode Island Demons! Except for my 'The Black Mass'
7" Ep, my other worn-out tapes are featured here in top notch
re-mastered glory. Speaking of old-school,1990' 'The Black Mass' if
featured on HOH in vinyl form so that I may revel in the sound it
originally came as. The evenly blasphemous 'Excruciating Pain' (also
a 1990) and 1989' gore-drenched 'Reduced To Ashes' never sounded
better. Indeed, Benton (Glenn) laced VR as of the last few years
cannot be missed, however i'll take that fucking Pepsi-challange
anytime to tracks here as 'Of Pure Unholiness', 'Frozen Terror'
(These are much more eviler than the '93 remakes on 'Let Us Pray').
Let alone, 'Fallen Angels', 'Nocturnal Blasphemy', 'Vital Remains'
or 'Morbid Death' any day of the fucking week! HOH is a must-have for
those who wish to be in the know where the root's of USBM began!
Sadly, only 5000 exist out there, Olympic Records bit the dust, and
even in '90,VR had more than 5,000 fans. So, with that said, you may
need to contact me for a cremated copy of this already underground
classic release. Blasphemy tee's, blood-covered and burning
Pentagram's on the ground (Before, in a time before your 10-year old
rugrats and your grandmothers thought Pentagrams were so Gothically
cool!) 'fallen Angels' landed in America in a place called
Providence, Rhode Island. And a Brother of Gruslin's and myself that
was Beelzebub induced in maggots and bile landed astray and started
a band he called Impetigo. Hail the day's of Yore!!! -
Clayton
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Ever been blocked for a week, then
when you gotta go it's to big to expurse from your arse as pain
increases and all you do is pound on your guts to get it out? Well,
that's how I feel about this Album. The Artwork alone (the original
cover artwork being within) is worth owning this, but armor clad
Benton turns it all into shit! After 'Where Is Your God Now' I was
ready for what my past review of 'Dechristianize' to attack forth in
putrid Blasphemy. The Riffage has never been better, then Benton
comes in Belching out the Lyrics destroying a Masterpiece. I know
his gut takes over his lungs, but this is crap, and ruins the entire
affair. He certainly was not rehearsing these tunes, seemingly
indisposed in vocal delivery in his indiscernible mutterings. If you
can turn down the burping and just listen to the music, then you
have a good album. I mentioned before that Jeff Gruslin as and will
always be the true VR, and what in the fuck is with the 1985
Malmsteen cover of 'Disciples Of Hell'?! And the over louder than
all else Benton gives no real effects, one straight boring sound
vocally, and really, the double vox is just as boring. Eric Rutan,
are you on drugs? Hey Dave and Tony, find a real dedicated vocallist
next time or all your future albums will be ruined. Benton, you best
stay in Deicide...this is unforgivable, plain and simple! What a
fucking shame... - Clayton
www.centurymedia.com www.vitalremains.com
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Blazing a path
through the German scene and no stranger to the pages of Canadian
Assault (see interview in issue 7), Witchburner are thrash and speed
metal in the grand tradition. They are a prolific band as well,
releasing albums regularly (this is their 4th album +
numerous ep’s & splits for those keeping score at home) and they
tend to clock in at close to or above 50 minutes. I must guilty
admit that though they are a killer band, there are small stretches
where they kind of drag a bit, that is only bad thing I could
possibly say. Otherwise, Witchburner are just fantastic thrash with
serious head bang qualities and pitch a whirlwind storm of top notch
riffs, beer drenched speed picking back stopped with wild 80 screams
and screeches that many bands and fans would consider cheesy but it
is literally music to my ears and missed by myself in the league
these days. The incinerators of the evil hags definitely will get
inside your head with their catchy lyrics and music and you will
have a hard time getting them out. In the immortal words of Ian
Gillian of the supreme Deep Purple “I am a Speed King”, hear
Witchburner sing it! – Dale
Undercover
Records, Stockhauserstr. 3a, 35638 Leun, GERMANY alex@undercover-records.de
www.undercover-records.de |
What is this I
see crawling out of Boston’s armpit? No it is not lice or crabs. It
is Witch Tomb who play black metal that is extremely raw, loose like
a hooker and evil. It did not take me very long to pinpoint their
influences on “Mocking Jehovah” as being the great, late old crusty
purveyors of filth and darkness – Profanatica. In fact it would not
even surprise me if that was Paul Ledney himself using the name
Drath and playing drums for Witch Tomb. Seriously, it is that
uncanny. I am not entirely sure what else to say, except, if you
think you would like a slightly more atmospheric version of
Profanatica? Then by all means, pick this up. If not, then just put
on some of the real shit instead, and start weeping in heaven. – Dale
www.bestialonslaught.com
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I am sorry I
missed out on this band the first time around. Xantotol were one of
the first Polish black metal bands in existence and featured two
members, including a sick female named Mala on guitars and vocals.
Yes this was a special band. This you can probably guess from the
title is a compilation of the bands releases. The first seven tracks
are from the “Thus Spake Zaratustra” demo excreted in 1995, eight to
twelve are from the '93 demo “Cult Of The Black Pentagram”, and
finally tracks thirteen to eighteen are off of the “Glory For
Centuries” demo tape from 1992. The worst thing about this promo
disc I have hear is that it only has a cross section of songs from
each of the above releases. Curse you Kampf! haha After a lengthy
and none too interesting intro, we are treated to some shadowy,
obscure and compelling riffing. Which border on doom metal but
managing always to still sound evil and black metal, they lead you
into the dark wilderness and abandon you for dead. The vocals are
just as mysterious and undefined but really help to set the
atmosphere of gloom. Returning to the intros. There is an intro /
interlude in between each song ala Acheron on their classic debut
“Rites of The Black Mass”… Only Xantotol write lyrics based around
the philosophy works of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. I could see
fans of the first Samael record, old Varathron and other quality old
school black metal bands like this. Cheers to Kampf Records for
digging this gem up! – Dale
www.kampf.ws kampfrec@go2.pl
info@kampf.ws
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Well, well…this
is interesting, the debut release of Under Her Black Wings records
which interestingly enough is the new sub-label of stoner rock label
Freebird records. I would say this is quite a departure for them.
Replacing T-birds, denim, 8 tracks and mondo sweet leaf smoking
comes blood dripped skulls, growls, dark musty mold encrusted stone
chambers and the inhalation of burning flesh. I must say I was a bit
dismayed with the first 2 songs as they are very one dimensional,
monotonous and stale. These 1st two songs (“Insidie
Teradome” & “Neon Black Stronghold”) really lowered my expectations
with repetitive unimaginative drumming, thin sounding growls and
very simplistic non-quality riffing. I wonder if they put these two
snorers up front to lull you into a lowered hope for the potential
of “Necrophilia…”, because from that point onward winding through
the proceeding 8 tracks, it is like they have spawned from a
different band entirely. The one trick pony of the start of the
album is ‘morphed (hehe) into a roller coaster ride of rich point
and counter point brutal but brooding and moody death metal, which
knows when not to over sell the brutality and speed. Instead working
in some somber and thoughtful soundscapes and slower sections, which
in fact give the lightning speed and howling barbarism so much more
punch, intensity and effectiveness. The vocals after the opening
volley also spread their wings with added depth in the growl,
hightened highs and lows with the main growl adding a sort of oven
heated gurgle and boil onto the back end of sustained bellows. The
production is very good and there has been care taken not to let the
digital age completely squash all of the organic heaviness of the
guitars and pounding torture of the drums, though the high-hat and
cymbals are a little too much typewriter for my liking. Worth some
investigation on your part. – Dale
U.H.B.W Records,
Box 464, 5600 Al Eindhoven, The Netherlands
www.freebird-records.com
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