This record hit
me early and hit me hard right from the first listen. If I received
a bio with this, I somehow lost it. So it is not that surprising
that it was not until after my initial listen that I realized and
remembered I had heard The Accursed before. A long time ago a
contact of mine (who I used to hang out with from time to time at
metal fests) George Pacheco the bassist of this band sent me their
demo back in 2002. I must say these boys have come a long way since
then. Apparently I missed out on this the first time (no surprise
George and I lost touch quite a while ago – get in touch brother!)
in 2005 when it was originally issued by Screaming Ferret records.
It gets a new life through Locomotive Records. These boys know how
to their instruments that is for damn sure. You do not often hear
this many guitar solos and fills on a death metal record even if it
is a little thrashy. But they make it work well within the context
of the song, nothing seems forced and it does not come off as a wank
session, amidst some great heavy head bang riffing. The vocal
styling alternates between the main gruff ones, that are part 80s
raspy yells and more modern death metal growling, along the with the
more sparsely used (thank you for that) clean vocals which are not
very good. The Accursed showcase the bass guitar more than most. In
fact the intro to “I am Famine” is played on the bass and is a real
nice touch sounding great. A few of the songs on “Seasons of The
Scythe” could use a little more flow but otherwise this is just an
excellent album I can honestly recommend to you. – Dale
www.locomotiverecords.com
http://www.myspace.com/theaccursed
|
I was not sure
what to expect from these British blokes. I was pleasantly surprised
when hitting the play button. I was greeted a fistful of raunchy
attitude and a side order of raw sloppy metallic soup. It is some
tasty shit too. But I mean wow this has to be first new crossover
band I have heard in a decade at least! As music styles go crossover
I find is a love it or leave it alone style. It does not always
appeal to metal purists or die hard punk and hardcore fanatics.
Crossover generally does not display the depth or emotion some look
for in their music. But it is catchy, energetic, rocking and heavy
and it is memorable, it always has the ever important head bang
factor. I like the production on here. It is good in general but
definitely has a little bit of the old school organic feel to it and
I like that a bunch. This is the way it was meant to be. I will take
this raw gritty feel over pro tool overdub to death stuff any day
and twice on Sunday. Adrenicide would be aces live I am sure. I am
sure the adrenaline would be pumping and it would be rather
difficult not to sing along with these crude and in your face lyrics
and signature choruses. I think fans of DRI, Cryptic Slaughter, Gang
Green, early COC and the like will be well pleased with Adrenicide.
It is a simple recommendation you know how scarce good crossover is
so you know what to do. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/adrenicide1
adrenicide@googlemail.com
|
Aetherius
Obscuritas descend upon us from the mists of Hungary. This is
essentially a one man band with a studio drummer. So that quickly
answers my first question and always a general fear when you hear
the term one man band. That would be does it employ a drum machine?
No to that question is a good start off on the right foot with me.
What did get me worried was the bio claiming that Ancient “The
Canian Chronicles” as a large influence. Thankfully it is not that
noticeable, in fact, I actually think A.O. sound a lot more like
Burzum on here and that I can deal with. “Viziok” is not a bad album
though neither is it particularly good either. It is decent yet just
average black metal and a tad run of the mill. It has it’s moments
here and there and some quality material is to be found among whole
if you are listening for it. So I would say if you are not too picky
and like to grab just about everything you can get your hands on in
this genre. Then you will not go wrong adding this as well. If like
me, you do not fall into that category, then just go play some of
your fave black metal albums. As you likely already own this album
in some form or another spread across your record collection. -
Dale
www.paragonrecords.net
http://www.arkhorrl.hu
|
This band spews
forth solidly written, tight and nicely produced melodic Euro
black/death metal. Do you know what my problem with that is!? In this day and
age there are so many bands doing this style (i.e.- Dawn, Sacramentum,
DarkTranquility, Night In Gales and the list goes on) and doing it well.
You have to be better than just good There are a few guitar parts like
those in “Tristetea Vehementa” and “Near Dark” that jarred me & stand
out. Agatodaimon have to add something to their sound to stand out above
the pack. On a side note the layout and photos chosen for each page of
lyrics are superb.
–
Dale |
Ahh, the
Carpathians, a world of wonder of isolation and elemental unfound
dark forces emanating around me. Home of Omega wolves, a netherworld
of uninhibited by man stretching to the frosty skies and mists
untrodden in Ukraine not unlike the dark greetings of the rockies in
North America. Vocally, the Hungarians remind me of Massacre meets
“Maximum Violence” era Six Feet Under and forget Napalm Death
already! High produced and more talented than many bands already
signed, old school riffs, early Death leads behind the killer drums
that lay waste like early Immolation and old Suffocation, a real
black and decker pecker wrecker. This is what death metal is all
about and it’s the incredible vocals of unmatched brutality that
makes the album fly or die, don’t miss out on this or you’ll be
kicking your own ass otherwise. Bigger things are going to happen to
AOA if labels have to the brains to help them. My copy is 110 of
333, it will likely be sold out when this is printed. Make contact
anyway, you never know. – Clayton
misanthrop@freemail.hu
http://synaptx.hu/agony/
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I should start
off mentioning the fact I became an Agnostic Front fan back in 1992.
During that time period for a few years my pathetic hardcore
collection consisted of and did not travel much beyond bands like
Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All, Black Flag and a scant few others. I
was on a strictly metal trip for the most part. But when I bought
the then brand new “One Voice” I was pretty well fucking hooked ever
since. In the years since I have gotten my grubby paws on most of
their back catalog and in my mind A.F. are hardcore legends and help
define what is hardcore. While they are hardcore as fuck. They have
always been a fast band and driven by rather metal guitars and they
are not ashamed of it or to my knowledge ever strayed from it.
Agnostic just always hits you hard with massive pounding drums,
razor heavy riffs and the vocals that emanate Roger Miret’s throat
are without any doubt some of the most distinctive hardcore vox
ever! So you ask what has changed with Agnostic Front in the last 15
or 20 years? The answer is not a whole fucking lot and I must admit
I like it that way. They are still just as energetic, pissed off and
these old bastards still hit you harder than most. A fair warning
that you will have those chant choruses ringing and bouncing around
in your noggin for hours after hitting the stop button. I have
nothing but respect for these pioneers. - Dale
www.agnosticfront.com
www.nuclearblastusa.com |
Here we have
some death metal with some grind elements dredging up from the mirth
and might of the Czech Republic. There are some great brutalizing
riffs on here and some killer dynamic drumming. But I must confess
over all Alienation Mental is just not really my thing. The flow of
the songs and structuring remind me a little too much towards the
boring metalcore sound that has flooded America in recent years.
Some have even taken to call this mallcore. I do not really keep up
on the hip terminology of youngsters. But if this is mallcore then
it sounds like metalcore to me and almost no bands in this style
interest me very much. If you like this sort of thing then
Alienation is probably as good as most of the bands out there that
play this way. The album is kind of short at just over 30 minutes
including a final track that is just sound sampling. From what I
understand their old material was pure grind. They should have stuck
with this way, it is what the mighty Czech scene is best at! –
Dale
http://www.khaaranus.wz.cz
http://www.alienationmental.com/
|
I have to agree with
my bro, Mike Rogers, from Sociopathic Despair fanzine. That All Out War
in the riffing department are unabashedly Slayer clones, but damn are
they heavy and rippin’! I know they are on Victory, but make no mistake
this is a metal band! The vocals are hardcore-ish with a hint of death
growl minced in. In no way original but in every way bad ass and
blasting! Fans of Slayer “Season In The Abyss” take note.
–
Dale
Victory Records, P.O.
Box 146546, Chicago, IL. 60614, USA website = www.victoryrecords.com
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I am surprised I
have not heard of this band before. This is without doubt some of
the best death metal I have heard in the last 5 years. I mean these
Ukranian wizards of brutality are just not fucking around. They have
the whole package really. Except for one, key flaw, in my opinion or
in my tastes, depending upon your view. That is their usage of
synthesizer. I am generally not a fan of their use anyway and
especially in a heavy handed way. On “Kravia” if they were used just
a little more sparingly as an accent then I would have no problem
with it. However, it seems in some songs they have synth stuffed
into them come hell or high water, no matter the consequence. Okay I
got that out of my system, I am probably being a little stubborn
here. Ambrazura do an amazing job of riding the line between
traditional death metal (I mean the brutal as all hell variety). All
the while being very adventurous and almost progressive in their
song structuring and time changes etc… The intense control they
maintain is impressive as well. What I mean is it is difficult to
produce such powerful dynamics while staying ultra heavy and
produces a very dark and suffocating atmosphere that keeps troops
marching in lock step. Oh, did I mention, the killer guitar soloing?
Just get this fracking thing already and you will be impressed too. – Dale
www.ambrazura.ru
torture13@gmail.com
|
Personally, I
was disappointed with these Viking nostalgic's last outing 'The Fate
Of Norms'. Hegg and company just were not making admirable songs of
DM worthiness. W.O.O.O.S. changes that with Brutal Vocals, shorter
and faster songs, and lyrics that are quite vicious. The songs are
very memorable, and aside from the 6 song bonus disc that is not
worth mentioning here, this is a killer album. It may not be
ground-breaking, but with half the DM out there these days, it's
stand's out like a fucking sore thumb...it's about fucking time! Buy
it or burn it, you'll surely be cranking this one up either way
- Clayton
www.metalbladerecords.com |
…And Oceans play a
simplistic and flowing black metal that is destroyed by overuse and
smothering of keybored’s! Bloodthorn seems to play pretty much in the
same symphonic vein as …And Oceans. But, throw in some trendy operatic
female vocals. This is a goofy release, each band has 4 songs that break
down as 2 originals, 1 cover (each) of GGFH and 1 cover of each others
songs. Also it sure makes it more evil for me when a black metal sings
about either track running or car racing (…And Oceans) and on a military
strategic move (Bloodthorn). Fans of symphonic black metal will eat this
up for sure. As for me, it’s not my goblet of black blood and besides
that cover picture makes me feel like I have walked in on some sort of
uncomfortable moment during a mating ritual. –
Dale
Season Of Mist, 24
rue Brandis, 13005 Marseille, FRANCE Email = season@worldnet.fr
|
Angmar
– 3 hymns of punishing Finnish black metal from each band. Angmar’s
music is really loose and pretty rough around the edges but the
atmosphere of hate and darkness manages to shine through. They
actually remind me a little towards a lot of American black metal
bands. “The Act In Worship” even has American death metal riffing
running smack through it. They need work but pretty good
nonetheless.
The True
Endless – An epic sort of feeling from these Italian black metal
beasts. By that I mean long songs that have monotonous riffing with
little to no dynamics or variation. Which is a formula that can
really work sometimes ala early Burzum but I would say Endless miss
the mark a little here. I like obscure vocals but on here they have
been so over hidden in the mix, to the point of near non-existence.
I would pass. – Dale
www.bestialburst.blackmetal.fi/
bestialburst@blackmetal.fi |
I can’t tell you
much about this band as no bio or other information were supplied to me.
Having said that, I can tell you about the music within. Antestor are
masters of droning blackened goth metal w/ heavy atmosphere from the
guitars. They also show off their Bathory viking-era, Katatonia gothic
overtones and influence of the Gothenburg sound. Yes, Antestor are a
good band when not bringing their gay keyboards to the forefront and
taking away from excellent subtle epic guitar harmonies. With regards to
the album title they must be referring to the lyrical content, as
musically this is no return to black/death metal. Solid release, nothing
more. –
Dale
Cacophonous Records,
231 Portebello Road, London, W11 1LT, ENGLAND
|
Woah… I had heard
this bands name before, but I had no idea they have been kicking around
since the late ‘80’s! They put out a couple demos and this is their 3rd
album. This record does display, this German band’s, maturity as they
create a multitude of emotive layers. They do so by combining fast
guitar sections with slow plods, tasty lead work and throw in some
speedy blasts. The vocals are deep semi-decipherable gruff death growls
and top things off with some odd sprinkling of keys in the background.
All is structured very solidly. Death fiends check into this. –
Dale
Morbid Records,
Postfach 3, D - 03114 Drebkau, GERMANY |
|
When you make a
lasting and let us not split hairs here, legendary mark upon the
scene, for better or for worse that legacy follows you around and
becomes the measuring stick by which all future accomplishments.
Your new bands cock is only 6 ½ inches but your old band is a porn
star worthy 9 inches of raging meat & muscle. Of course I am
referring to Order From Chaos, the classic band of wonderful chaotic
torment, whose members Chuck Keller and Mike Miller propelled into
prominent position of the metal history books. It will always linger
around them like the after taste of fine wine (or a cheap vintage
depending upon the view), matching that wonderment is a lofty goal
likely pushed into the back of their minds. A new day is dawning and
amusingly enough, despite a somewhat paltry output, Ares Kingdom has
been around at this point about as long as Order From Chaos. How
does A.K. fair to these biased ears? Pretty damn well by my measure
and I am not new to Ares as one of my best friends released their
demo tape (not to mention a 7 inch from Chuck’s other post OFC band
Vulpecula) in wonderful pro packaging (Keith Dempe where are you my
friend?! The Dark Lord whispers your name!). A much more middle
paced and introspective yet harsh (yes I know those do not go
together but you need to listen to this music to see what I
profess!) sound that peel back the flesh and meat, one sinew at a
time rather than just beating you over the head with a shovel ala
OFC, they protract your pain before unconsciousness. Vocalist Alex
Blume belts out his sandpaper howls with emotion and brute force, it
really adds a rough around the edges quality which juxtaposes itself
nicely on top of Keller’s wonderful guitar work (some of those
piercing solo fills had in ecstasy) and flowing structures.
Speaking of the guitars they are heavy as hell itself and roll over
you full force but with an underlying finesse and reflective aura
which wonderfully counterpoints the blunt force trauma. It is true
one minute you headbang and the next you are swept away to some
distant plane letting your grey matter go for a swim in the calming
seas of eternity. This is mandatory and should do any OFC die hard
proud with it’s quality. No surprise it is on a great label like
Nuclear War Now, you know what to do, get this and the D.H. vinyl
too. – Dale
www.areskingdom.com
www.nwnprod.com |
I have been a
fan of Arghoslent for many a moon – probably around 15 years now!
That means I am old and it goes back to my tape trading days when I
traded for their demo tapes. They can be called death metal, but at
times in their history I have had a hard time nailing that down.
Some of their stuff seemed very traditional heavy metal influenced
to me despite always having vocals that never fit that mold. In the
past they have had some really obscure sounding vocals that melt
into the scenery. Though not any longer, now they have more of
classical death metal growler not from the belching school, but
rather from a Euro deep brutal origin. One thing that has never
changed is they do not give a fuck lyrically and image wise and
always stick to their guns. “Hornets…” is a fairly quickly paced
album and it is heavy, but also there is a lot of melody and
memorable structuring to be had. Yes this album is probably one of
the more easily digestible Arghoslent records and I think it shows
hints of European influence more than in the past. The antithesis of
in the past was part of the charm for me with Argho, but nonetheless
“Hornets…” is growing on me. Just because it is so easy to get
comfortable with does not mean it is not good. This is not my fave
‘slent work, but it is staying in my collection, let me put it that
way. Before I go, I need to mention the guitar work on here is so
good and worth the price of admission alone. A really emotional
performance that just tore at my soul. Just one listen and you know
I speak the truth. A quote from their bio that sums up the band up
“…yielding to no one, apologizing to nobody, and offending
everyone.” –
Dale
www.drakkar666.com
http://drakkar666.com/arghoslent/
|
I can not endure
listening to this over and over, but I’ve learned that with enough
patience and perseverance you can fuck a cat. This isn’t atmospheric
noir black art orchestrated metal entwined with ceremonies as your
tricked to believe. I believed Cradle of Filth was the worst band
ever, what the fuck is this? Seriously, what I think of
France is what Huskies think of poodles; that they belong to some
kind of weird chainsaw worshipping cult. It feels like I’m walking admist some tinker-bell gay parade, namely the pianist. This is the
commercially saturated shit balloon band that us true metallists see
scourging our beloved metal commands today. Soft voices and a
vocalist that sounds like a Raptor being corn-holed. The piano /
keyboards / effects is un-metal and perpetual shit that is really
pointless. This album makes Dimmu Borgir and Ancient sound extreme
which is sadder than hell. It’s all in French lingo too and gives me
more reasons to hate this poser crap. At least in Quebec, Canada
those French acts know their shit. Lock and load and eat lead you
assholes! The other day I had severe food poisoning and felt like I
would die. After hearing this I wish I had! This is over priced at
free! – Clayton
http://richardperel.free.fr/ |
Well, as I
understand it, Mark from Asteriods read my mag before sending this and
still sent it anyway. So I guess he gave me the benefit of the doubt, so
I will do the same. I just am not a good person to review this though, I
listen to metal pretty much exclusively a metal band this is not.
Asteroids play a upbeat adventurous rock in the vein of a happier Rush
or Jethro Tull. Great singer, talented musicians but I still don’t like
it at all, sorry. –
Dale
12 US to: Bishop
Records, Box 81488, San Diego, CA. 92138, USA |
This album was
actually released originally in 2003, but has now been given new
life through Obsidian Records. This time in digipak format with a
bonus of a live video of the song “Arborescence” as well as a photo
gallery in CD-ROM format. I guess one thing you will notice
immediately is the recording is pretty much picture perfect. I often
like a little rougher recording with my black metal, but it does
seem to suit Astriaal just fine. The music is generally pretty harsh
and fast, but always keeping an element of melody ala the old
Dissection style yet a little cleaner and slick. It is clear to me a
lot of thought and work was put into this album as it woven with a
lot of emotional tapestry and hatred. The vocals are done in the
classic raspy, shrieking black metal way with the occasional use of
cleaner vocals. I can see why this received a re-release, this is
some quality music, well worth checking out. Probably even more so
these days as the scene does not seem to be as flooded with bands
playing this style as it was in the past. Apparently the band has
been “on hold” for the last six years since this albums release – I
wonder why? – Dale
www.obsidianrecords.com
http://www.elementalist.net/astriaal/ |
|
This would have
to be, hands down, some of the best thrash I have heard in the last
5 years. I think I need to play some catch up with their back
catalog now. As I mentioned Audiopain is definitely a totally pure
thrash band. They do not sound much like this band or that band. You
can hear some general influence but they have a sound of their own
which is a good and rare thing these days. “The Switch…” is really
good straight ahead dark thrashing that keeps the foot tapping and
the head nodding in mini-headbang. I am really digging Sverre
Daehli’s high throaty rasp vocals as they take me right back to my
roots in the 1980s. Which is a welcome and comfortable place for me.
Not to mislead anyone as the music is not retro made to me but
rather is modern thrash made by some dirty old Norwegian thrashers.
This is some high caliber music that you will not soon forget. Now
my only 1 small problem with this record is it is only 26 minutes,
which is a little short, to be passing off as a full length record.
I need to hear more from these guys soon. - Dale
www.vendlusrecords.com
http://www.myspace.com/audiopain
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