I guess you have
heard by now that new member Anton Crowley is really Phil Anselmo of
Pantera and he wrote all the guitar on this album! Weird but anyways.
This is the heralded return of Necrophagia one death metal’s originators
“Holocausto De La Morte” marks the first bands album in 12 years! There
are many facets of this album I enjoy such as the zombie rattlin’ riffs
that are catchy yet always somehow sick. The vocals are bloodcurdling
rasps that could be described as depraved and disgusting. So you know I
love ‘em. The style is still primitive death metal that would make Nun
Slaughter proud. The drawbacks are that the songs seem to go nowhere and
are just parts sewn together and this band is no seamstress. The
production could be much fuller, I don’t knock on sound much so you know
it is bad - the guitars just hang out there like a hacked limb. Good but
nothing great.
Email = RedStream@aol.com
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This is the
first time I have heard of Needful things. I was surprised to find
out that they have been around for over a decade! Yet this is their
debut album. Though they have released many split releases (I think
around 11 splits) and some compilation tracks over this long time. I
may have missed out on them for many years but I finally get my
chance with “Dead Point”. After just finishing reviewing both
Alienation Mental and Cerebral Turbulency’s “Crash” this record is a
welcome relief. No crappy mallcore here my friends! So put down your
imaginary pogo stick and step away from the ledge. This is more like
it. Needful Things just flat out clobber you over the head and drag
you back to their cave. They play a little loose and not as tight as
some bands. To be honest I really like that it gives a more organic
and off-kilter sort of feel to the music and gives it room to spread
out. Some of the riffing on here is just heavy as all hell and I am
guessing the headbanging and moshing at their live shows must be
pretty violent. There is a healthy dose of straight up death metal
mixed with the grinding and it is mixed up nicely. There is no doubt
some Napalm Death influence (like “Harmony Corruption” riff
sections) and also you can clearly hear that in the growling vocals
along with some Dave Ingram from Benediction style. Besides the
Napalm influence I hear also things like Extreme Noise Terror,
Rotten Sound and similar bands. I must say again I love the riffing
it is just so brutal and massive! Needful things do not get fancy
they just bash your skull in and they are good at it. Check this
out.
– Dale
http://www.khaaranus.wz.cz
http://www.needfulthings.wz.cz/ |
It is always a
pleasure to review bands from my homeland of Canada. Nefastus is new
to me and this is their debut record so no surprise there. From what
I understand this album was released on a small label a couple years
ago. But now that they have been snapped up by Candlelight it
receives a wider audience. Presumably while the band gathers it’s
forces and continues the assault with writing a follow-up to “Urban
Cancer”. I would have to call N.D. sympho melodic death metal ala
the Scandinavian pioneers with some black metal touches as well.
While it is symphonic and atmospheric in spots, it is also a pretty
fast paced record with good energy. I have to confess I am not the
biggest fan of this style. I do however really like a handful of
classic albums in this style. So a band playing this sub-genre
generally has to be really fucking good to impress me. Does “Urban
Cancer” accomplish this for me? Well in all honesty no. But as this
style goes they do it very well and as I mentioned the speed
quotient and adrenaline energy helps separate them a little. If you
are a devout follower of this kind of music I am sure you will not
be disappointed with this purchase. On the other hand if you
generally only collect the cream of the crop or only dabble as I do
then you can probably live without this record. It will be
interesting to see how this band progresses on their sophomore
release as it will be a couple years at least for them to brew and
perfect it. –
Dale
www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
www.myspace.com/nefastusdies
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Hailing from
Romania, N.B. unleashes their first album “Zarnindu-sa”. All through
this release, one cannot help notice the strong Emperor influence. That
being said this is one of those albums that can easily be lost in the
shuffle due to it’s lack of originality. This is a fairly common formula
in black metal these days and while not an unsatisfying listen, I’m sure
there are those that would turn it off on the first listen to something
else. The keys are pretty dominating in parts and that detracts from the
riffs strength and overall clarity. There are some good moments on here
though, usually the opening riffs to the songs and then everything just
kind of tends to mix together. Not something I’ll listen to often,
especially when there are many other bands doing this style, and better.
- JEFFREY KUSBEL
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When this band first
came out, I was so excited as I loved Sanctuary (whose ashes this band
was created out of) but Nevermore for me has been nothing but a big
disappointment. This album does nothing to change those feelings, I mean
even though Warrel Dane’s diminished vocals still have enough of that
old umph to sound good. It’s not enough. The straight-forward groove
laden material on here just bores me to tears! After a couple spins, I
thought maybe if I listened to it the last time before review w/
headphones I will pick up on what I’m missing, but no this is just
mediocre drivel.
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Here’s a young act
on the scene, who execute mid-paced, heavy metal in the ‘80’s tradition.
N.E., have a penchant for riffy tunes laced w/ some stylish and classy
guitar leads. Smooth vocals that remind me, oh so slightly of Fates
Warning. They are let down though from a lack of catchy harmonies and
memorable choruses. New Eden are a strong group of slick musicians that
all leave their mark. Yet the group’s lack of original and interesting
song writing really let’s this album down. Maybe next time? They have
all the tools to pull it off.
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This has to be one
of top few bands out of the huge melodical euro-styled death metal
movement. This is my first encounter with N.I.G. and they are more
forceful and acidic than most of their ilk. Vocalist Bjorn is
multi-talented utilizing several different ranges, paces, & emotions and
is a strong link in this band. These guys play almost too tight and
rigid for me but you can hardly fault them for a razor sharp performance
- tastes aside. Very rhythmic, heavy music with structuring as tight and
pristine as a nun’s asshole. 54 quality minutes.
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Can anyone imagine
and not cringe at a more commercial and symphonic The Gathering!? I can
now, after listening to this. The female vocals are a bit different from
the aforementioned but not terribly. I imagine they could be a good
barmitzfa band with some of these songs.
Spinefarm, Box 212,
00181 Helsinki, FINLAND Label website = www.spinefarm.fi or band website
= www.nightwish.com
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Solistitium have
finally done it. They put out a band that I don’t like! Another perfect
record snapped. Nocti Vagus (ex-Norwind) play limp keyboard dominated
black metal. The synth’s are so much in the forefront that it simply
drowns out the music. When you can hear it is over the symphonic ruckus
N.V. play slow sounding melancholy. Pass on this but be sure to check
into everything else on Solistitium.
Solistitium Recs.,
Postfach 12 10, 26802 Moormerland, GERMANY
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Pavement licensed
this release for North America, a wise move indeed! Try to imagine some
the most intense, raging, volatile, catchy and pounding thrash metal
possible and you will have a clear picture of Nocturnal Breed! 11 trax
of skull rattling, skin shredding thrash crush - I cannot get enough of
this album! Listen to “Maggot Master”, “Metal Storm Rebels”, and “Rape
The Angels” to realize what fuels my enthusiasm.
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When I had seen
the album title, I was immediately reminded of one of my fave albums
from the 80s by the same name released by the band TT Quick. The
record starts off with an intro collage of audio taken from the new
Rambo movie. Which is pretty predictable stuff, but it does reflect
the lyrical content, and set the stage to get you in the mindset of
bombs, guns and blood. There is no doubt what they sound like to me
at least. Which is 80s thrash ala Dark Angel, Sacrifice mixed with
classic German thrash like Kreator & Destruction. You get a full
platter of head down, racing forward riffing, simple high octane
speed drumming and old school gruff yelling vocals that will bring
you back. The searing hot guitar solos that pop up here and there
cannot be ignored either. I am not going to try and sell a false
bill of goods. Which is saying stuff like this is brings retro into
modern times because no this retro through and through. But, fuck
guys this is good old school shit, it is not original in any way,
but it is some truly quality and aggressive thrash perfectly played
in the way the forefathers meant it to be. So if you do not care for
the retro thing, then just move along, but if all you care about is
great thrash that will rip your flesh off, then you need to get
this. – Dale
www.moribundcult.com
http://www.myspace.com/nocturnalfear
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Here’s another label
I had lost track of and wondered if they had ceased to exist!? N.T.
spews forth solid blasting grind (w/ guitar solos!!) and traditional
metal mixings w/ spoken decipherable growling. The sound is raw but
still very rich and clear, just right really. Nothing too terribly
original and becomes a bit monotonous by the latter half. I still find
this crazy grind enjoyable. How can not with catchy tunes like “Fuck
Off”, “I Came To Shoot Your Dick Off”, “Confess U.R. Shit”, and album
closer “One For Your Face, One For Your Butt”.
Poserslaughter
Recs., P.O. Box 180141, D - 10205 Berlin, GERMANY
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This is the old
German band some of you might know or at least should know. They
formed some time way back in 1992. Since then they have released a
whole bunch of shit including 4 albums between 1995 and 2000. Before
this release from Nyctophobic recently came my way, I had thought
they were RIP. But according to their website they are again going
to be active and have a new vocalist. This is good to hear. What we
have here on “Blast From The Past” is a collection of tracks from
the bands old split CDs, seven inch eps, split tape etc… + 4
unreleased songs. There are also some great live tracks included.
Mainly the tracks come from the’94-’98 period of the bands history.
All in all you get 27 tracks that have been remastered and honestly
sound great. I was surprised and impressed at how even they got the
different recordings to sound. What else is there to say besides
this is some amazing and intense grind man. Nyctophobic are heavy
and brutal and dirty. They never let up, it is a straight ahead
pummeling barricade of rolling guitars, pounding yet dynamic drums
and the vocals switch off from guttural to the classic nasal high
pitched variety. It all works very well and if you are a grind fan.
Well then I can only suggest that you need to own this one..
– Dale
http://www.khaaranus.wz.cz
http://www.nyctophobic.de
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A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Occultus from the
drug stained grounds of Columbia play obscure and primitive black metal
that brings to mind the first works of Necromantia. On the second half
of the disc, Esgaroth blast some truly evil and brutal black metal in
the Norwegian tradition of ‘91-93, you know back when that scene was
good. Excellent release!
Sempiternal
Productions, c/o Fernando Castel, 1804 S. Ashland Ave. # 106, Chicago,
IL. 60608, USA
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If you picked up on
O.G.’s ’97 release “Frequencies On Planet Ten”, then your probably
impressed with this bands output thus far. Their new “Time Traveling
Blues” will not disappoint. “…Blues” sees the band take their Trouble
influenced, psychedelic doom style to a more refined riff heavy
approach. There’s still plenty of the relaxed atmosphere’s here, mind
you, but the riffs in general are heavier as witnessed in the powerful
lead track “Blue Snow” or the previously released 10” track “Nuclear
Guru”. This is a heavy doom rock album w/ just enough classic rock and
psychedelic influence to please all doom and stoner rock fans a like.
Orange Goblin are starting to make a name for themselves and it is not
undeserved. - JEFFREY KUSBEL
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There has been quite
a bit of talk about Ossuary Insane and now I see why! O.I. are surely
one of the best death/grind outfits in the scene today. One listen to
this album and you will know why as “Demonize The Flesh” will rip you a
new asshole. O.I. have a knack for writing as heavy as steel brutal
material with a ton of foreboding, passion and pure emotion to
separating themselves from the pack. A perfect example of this is the
brutish and cruel “Imprecari” with it’s grinding chaos but breaking thru
it all is catchy riffing and structure and all the while reeking of a
lurking, uplifting militaristic crass atmosphere which I am very much
enjoying. Brilliant track! The lyrical content resides heavily as anti-christian,
as this excerpt duly highlights “In The Name Of Christian Scum, All Will
Burn In Hell’s Flame…” Cantor Celebrant’s vocals are sick mid-range
comprehendible sharp, caustic growls straight from the pits. The guitar
work by Der Prophet is also of note as some sections of music other
bands only wish they could pull off! Also included as a bonus is O.I.’s
great 3 song (bringing the total to 10 at a running time of 48 +
minutes) “Fallen To The Pits” ’95 demo remixed for your enjoyment.
Utterly recommended!! I sent this band a interview in October ’98 and
after months of wait still nothing - a pity.
Ossuary Insane, P.O.
Box 22094, Eagan, MN. 55122, USA or Galdre Records, Dresdener Strabe 3,
D - 15232, Frankfurt/ Oder, GERMANY
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