Ahh, Bethlehem after
purchasing ‘96’s “Dictus Te Necare”, I was completely by their unique
blend of morose, melodic black metal and entirely whacked vocals.
S.U.IZ.I.D. is no exception to this with even more odd flavoring thrown
into the mix such as female vocals and spoken word passages with the
addition of new member Cathrin Campen. My only complaint with this new
album is new singer Marcus Losen who replaced the old vocalist
Landfermann desperately it seems in some parts to emulate Landfermann’s
unique vocal style and comes off sounding quite stupid at times. This is
otherwise an entirely depressing album sure to put a damper on the most
jovial of moods. - JEFFREY KUSBEL
Red Stream, P.O. Box
342, Camp Hill, PA. 17001 - 342, USA |
I fully admit to
only ever hearing this bands demo and 7” ep but none of their full
lengths. I’m not so sure this is a great place to start as this is one
for the die hard collectors of the band. It features various different
mixes of album tracks, re-recordings and such - also 2 songs here appear
with their English translation for the first time. Not sure that is
exactly a treat, the English translations show their song titles and
lyrical content to be rather dumb and silly. Even due to the fact of
being at a disadvantage to perusing their catalog, I got into their
brand of darkened metal on here. Very somber and ethereal but more in an
evil sense than the melancholic one I had expected. 5 songs on here, a
must for fans of Bethlehem and an incentive for new comers to search out
the old material.
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Well, my friend in
this band Valerio sent me this and their ’96 demo tape and the
progression from that recording is quite evident. Their talent showed
thru on the ’96 demo but they needed to progress as song, writers from
that effort, which they have. Very well played darkened black metal with
slight folkish and symphonic elements. 4 blazing trackson this disc that
all fans of the above described music genre should check out. I only
have the band addy and was not sent the price of the CD so you’ll have
to write.
Black Sunrise, c/o
Valerio Vitolla, Via Lazio 15, 85100 Potenza (PZ), ITALY
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When did vocalist
Hansi decide he wanted to be Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)!? This is an
undertaking (B.G. have been working on this since 1996!) of epic
proportions. This is a concept album based around J.R.R. Tolkein’s
“Silmarillion” . There are some great moments here such as “War Of
Wrath”, “Into The Storm”, and “Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)”.
Longtime fans will notice a reduction in speed and intricacy but present
are the silky performances all around and choice guitar leads. I think
Blind Guardian have produced a masterwork that results in a decent album
but I think it falls short of the pompous visions they conjured forth.
Still a must for B.G. fans and it is good to see this band no longer on
import in North America.
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I remember hearing
and subsequently liking this bands ’94 demo tape “Cruciform Antithesis”
back in the day. The lyrics deal with the occult and satanism and are
nicely thought out as well as intelligently written. Blood Ritual are
unoriginal but play a very enjoyable form of raw, cult brutal
black/death. They bring to mind Acheron (1st album) along
with Malevolent Creation, Monstrosity with maybe a hint of slowed down
Cryptopsy. Add to this cacophony of extremity, are speedy grinds and
surprisingly guitar solos. Fans of all that is truly dark and brutal
will enjoy this killer (8 song, 43 min) album.
Moribund Recs., P.O.
Box 77314, Seattle, WA. 98177 - 0314, USA
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Though well liked
and hyped the last couple years, I have yet to hear Borknagar until now.
It is funny how in the bio they don’t even bother to mention the
departure of Garm from the band. I didn’t hear the early stuff therefore
I do not miss him in the slightest. I came into this expecting good
things, as I liked mainman Oystein G. Brun’s former band Molested,
though they played brutal death metal. Borknagar are more accessible
than I had imagined and for once it is in a good & stylish way. Vox from
newcomer I.C.S. Vortex are nothing short of awesome! Thick viking-era
Quorthon but kicked up a notch with more emotive texture and epic
fluidity, offset by sprinkles of black metal cackles and deep half
spoken, half sung clean sections. Moving onto the music, which is very
uplifting, heavy when called for intermingled with some melodic and
memorable riffs and arrangements. I am impressed I expected another In
Flames, Dimmu Borgir, Thy Serpent ect... and am quite satisfied with
this album. Let the black witching winds engulf you.
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Oh hey, loook kids!
It’s the angst ridden hardcore band from Sweden trying to be the next
Machine Head/Coal Chamber/Korn/Skinlab. I am real sick of this kind of
junk. Trendy ass motherfuckers!
Prosthetic Records,
6230 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 128, Los Angeles, CA. 90048, USA Website =
www.hallucinet.com/prosthetic
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By now, any
self-respecting metal head should know the name Bruce Dickinson (and for
the further educated “Bruce, Bruce” even) and own at least a few albums
adorned with his magnificent voice. Personally I have always been a fan
of Bruce’s solo output, but not until now have I finally been blown away
by a B.D. album that is just killer all the way around. 1997’s “Accident
Of Birth” had some great songs on it but lacked just enough intensity to
make it worth repeated listens all the way through. “The Chemical
Wedding” picks up in the intensity dept. and guitarists Adrian Smith and
Roy Z on board again with great riffs and leads of course. Bruce’s
vocals really steal the show here as they are just entirely catchy and
memorable, just try and get some of these choruses out of your head once
you’ve hear them. If your a Bruce fan you’ve probably already got this,
if not get it now! You won’t be disappointed. Personal favorites on
here, is the title track: great riff, great leads, excellent chorus.
Damn!! - JEFFREY KUSBEL
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