Simplistic, pounding
heavy death metal from Russia. I liked their debut album ‘97’s “Endless
Sunfall”, but the sound (of which I’m normally not picky with) was
utterly tinny, so much so I got a headache listening to it. This time
around everything has been cleaned up nicely. T.O.D. write, catchy riffs
and throw in a few blasts but never really grind it up in their
American-ish tunes. My only two nit-picks are things could have been
tighter and I didn’t care much for their Acheron and Six Feet Under
(Ugh!) covers.
R.I.P Promotions,
c/o Vlad Korolenko, P.O. Box 72, Smolensk - 04, 214004, RUSSIA or band
contact: T.O.D., c/o Alex, Chelyabinskaya 14, Volgograd 400120, RUSSIA
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Tenebrae In
Perpetuum lurk out of the ruins in a deep, dark corner of Italy.
Tenebrae harken back to the mid-90s when a lot of bands were mixing
fast and harsh black metal with long and short melancholic
interludes. You know the slow, sort of haunting breaks with clean
vocals, introspective guitar passages with a touch of feedback and
reverb. During these forlorn passages it almost sounds like a
perverted church choir sort of haunting background atmosphere with a
trance quality to it. This album changes off between these two modes
quite consistently throughout the album with fairly equal measures.
They do this so much so that it becomes rather predictable after a
while and I found my interest and attention wandering at times.
Those transitions could be worked a little more smoothly. But the
talent is there, the song crafting is lagging behind, I am confident
that will come. It is
almost amazing how much this reminds me of the mid-90s and even the
production has that sort of feel. I guess that was intentional? The
vocals float around the background and are kept purposely low in the
mix. Which does in turn give them a slightly obscure quality and
seems work for them in my opinion. At the end of the day it is
fairly solid atmospheric black metal. – Dale
www.debemur-morti.com
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Well unlike the
Tzun Tzu/Altars split disc I just reviewed. This release has enough
meat from both bands to sink my Zombie loving teeth into (okay I
admit to being psyched at the new AMC series The Walking Dead and
thinking about it). My point is in the end you do get a full album
worth of material. I always find interest in bands chosen to do a
split together. I mean are they just comrades that wanted to do
something together or were they chosen because their styles either
dovetail together nicely or yet again maybe the contrast is what
makes it interesting. I would say Debemur went with the simpatico
card on this one. Though both being essentially one man bands might
have played a part as well. Italians Tenebrae start things off and
take us away on some somber, mentally draining, yet relaxing
dissonant soundscapes. The vocals are really obscure rasping hisses
that melt into the guitar and add a creepy texture to their sound.
It all comes off sounding sculpted and shows a real feel for what
emotionally feels right, a real patience and maturity of the craft.
Back on North American shores, by way of Washington State come Krohm.
The sound on this half of the record is definitely not as full and
rich. So it takes a few a minutes to adjust. Krohm present a similar
melancholic, atmospheric scene yet the pace is slightly quickened
and not quite as laid back as Tenebrae. The synth has a stronger
foothold and can somewhat dominate the mix to slightly annoying
effect. This personally is not something I like, but does not ruin
the listening experience either, by any means. Krohm does make me
appreciate further the advanced craftsmanship Tenebrae displays.
Though Krohm is not immune to evoking a similar emotional response
and possibly an even more downtrodden one. I think those that have
the patience for and enjoy this style of ambient black metal can not
really go wrong with this release. – Dale
http://www.krohmcrypt.com/
http://www.debemur-morti.com/
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I was sent a
link to download this album. I do not review a ton of link
downloads, but they described themselves as thrash crossover. A
style that is not very common these days, and a style that I have a
bit of a soft spot for. We’ll Show You Mosh, Bitch! comes as
advertised, ripping old school thrashing crossover in the vein of
DRI, Cryptic Slaughter, early Nuclear Assault mixed with some early
Slayer. The vocals are cool yelled gruff vocals in the old style
with enough of a Polish accent to give them a certain extra charm.
The drummer is a beast driving his drum kit straight through the
floor with blitzkrieg speed. This promo has just 5 songs from the
upcoming on Defense Records. If you love late 80s crossover, then
this hail storm of pissed off violence will not disappoint. – Dale
www.myspace.com/terrordomeband
www.terrordome.net.pl
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This full length
release from Thornium is reminiscent of fellow Swedish black
metallers Dark Funeral. The band put out a demo and a full length
and then went on hiatus. This is apparently their second full
length release as part of their reformation in 2007/2008. Well
produced black metal. Maybe too well produced. Very clean with
massive separation with all the instruments. Rather predictable
guitar lines and riffs with plenty of blastbeats from the drummer. I
think one quality that separates average black metal from excellent
black metal is conviction. That feeling you get when you play a
bands music - that they mean everything they say and play. There
are bands like Thornium that, while putting out a decent release,
are missing that fire, that conviction, to go from average to
excellent. Perhaps the hiatus did them harm but in 2010, this
release could of been released by a hundred different black metal
bands. Thornium needs to dig deeper on their next album to find
that element that will separate them from the rest of the hordes. –
Mark
http://www.myspace.com/thetruethornium
http://www.soulsellerrecords.com/ |
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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Alaska's Thousand Year War have released a great album of heavy
straight-forward death metal but their is also a lot of melodic
over-tones to give the band a nice mix of straight-forward brutal
death metal and melodic death metal. Fast thunderous drumming
patterns mixed with some intense outbursts of blasting rage. The
guitars are heavy and thick sounding within their approach but there
is also some well written complex riffs and solos. The vocals are
powerful, deep growls and some blackened shrieks. The band does have
some darker more melodic parts. TYW seems more comfortable and at
home when playing the heavier straight-forward death metal style.
- Patrick
http://thousandyearwar.com/
http://www.officialabyssrecords.com/
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It is always
tough to decide how to review a compilation record. Do you just give
an overview of the bands and which ones you liked best? Maybe you
attempt to do an mini-review on every band based upon just 1 song? I
will take the former over the latter most times. The truth be told I
love listening to comps but I hate reviewing them. Anyway Hirax kick
off the pure bred thrash assault with the explosiveness and
an adrenaline rush that one comes to expect from these old legends. The
Toxic Holocaust song kicks some ass and sort of stands out from the
rest as their obscured shadowy vocals contrast the rest of the bands on
here. This is a really strong quality compilation from top to
bottom. I mean there are more kill shot riffs thrown around on this
record than punches and kicks than in a Bruce Lee movie. This is put
out by Selfmadegod Records and I believe in association with Katon
De Pena from Hirax’s label Black Devil Records. The other poser
slaughtering bands on here are: Sabbat (JAP), Slaver (Brazil),
Hatchet (USA), Kat (Poland), Strike Master (MEX) and Execution
(USA). Classic stuff! – Dale
www.selfmadegod.com
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This is a
compilation of old material, limited to 500 copies, from the rather
obscure Polish band Thrasher Death - circa the late 80's. Featuring
their '87 and '88 demos along with unreleased tracks, what you get
is very nostalgic thrash metal that reminds me of German thrash of
the time mixed with Slayer and Possessed. The riffing isn't the chug
chug of bands such as Anthrax or Metallica but much more linear and
somewhat sloppy - but that's part of the charm. All the instruments
can be heard - even the bass which is somewhat of a rarity. Of
course being demos, the production is rough but it fits well. Kind
of a cool trip through old times for those of us that remember the
old thrash scene (if you're reading this then most likely you do).
But, that's about it. Nothing much else to offer here.
- Mark
http://www.myspace.com/thrasherdeath666
http://www.ihate.se/
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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 those 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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This is pretty
disappointing. First off, they no longer claim to play black metal as
they did in the past and now play “Antichristian dark metal”. I was
really into their ’94 demo “Frozen Memory” and even further enamored
with their debut long player “Forests Of Witchery”. Mainman Sami has
also retracted his sole hold on the music writing and Azheim (who penned
3 of the 8 tracks). Gone is the luster and majesty of their symphonic
black metal replaced by a stripped down regression into goth metal. Some
parts are well done but come off as boring and uneventful. Back to the
drawing board, this doesn’t even close to cutting it.
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First off I must
say I love the cover artwork by Jon Zig, another fine piece from
him. Did I read right in another review that this Finnish band
started out as a Six Feet Under cover band?! I never thought much at
all of SFU and thought Chris Barnes really went downhill after
leaving Cannibal Corpse. So I am almost incredulous that a band
would be a cover band of that very average band. This is my first
encounter with Torture Killer and as I understand it, Chris Barnes
himself did vocals on their last record. Well alright then, not
starting off the best foot for me ha ha. So Barnes is now replaced
with vocalist Jani Sallinen who has quite a history it would seem
with being in many bands. Interestingly enough the vocals were
probably my favourite part of this album. They cool deep toilet
growls that are mean and scary sounding and really drive things
home. The music on the other hand, for me is just okay at best and
is ultimately pretty forgettable. Their sound definitely seems to be
rooted in the Florida dm sound of old and of course the SFU sound of
new. I guess if you like Six Feet Under then you might like this. I
will pass on it. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/torturekiller
http://www.dynamicartsrecords.com/
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After releasing
a great mcd last year {...ever onwards also available on S.T.W} and
a split with Christ Dismemberment. The U.S war machine Towards
Global Holocaust are ready to unleash their debut cd Feuersturm. 9
songs of pure-war inspired metal madness. If you were lucky enough
to hear this bands previous releases you will know what to expect
but for those who are new to the band. T.G.H is a two-man band R.F.
{vocals, guitars, bass} and Blaash {drums, vocals} on Feuersturm the
band continues to defy being put into a certain genre or labeled. As
you probably guessed by the name of the band and cd the band is
heavily influenced by straight forward war metal insanity but there
are moments of more straight-forward death metal. And I hear a
bigger thrash influence in the guitars this time around.{T.G.H has
always had a thrash sound but it is much more front and center on
Feuersturm} Blaash's drumming has always impressed me with his
ability to play chaotic, violent blast beats but he makes them
memorable and even catchy in a few songs. Blaash is not all speed
and noise as he does slow down from time to time to catch his breath
and play in a mid-paced range with the guitars until he has caught
his breath and then attacks again with a barrage of chaos and utter
violent blasts. The vocals which are shared by both members are some
of the most unique and scary sounds ever recorded! With shrieks and
tortured screams. This is by Far Towards Global Holocaust's best and
most impressive work to date. Highly recommended to fans of chaotic,
violent war thrashing black/death metal. – Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/towardsglobalholocaust
http://scatteredtothewinds.com |
Boy, are Holland’s
bands/labels ever into this romantic/melancholic death/doom style. Which
is precisely what T.O.T. from Norway present here on their debut record
for Holland’s DSFA. All the elements are here. Clean male singing and
growls, operatic female vocals, slow melancholic riffs, synths, violins.
You know the usual. I dug the production on here it is rich and lavish.
Some guitar bits are admittedly tasty and well played. This is good, but
I don’t care for this style and you have to be better than good to
impress me in this genre.
DSFA Records,
P.O. Box
5058, 4380 KB Vlissingen, THE NETHERLANDS
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Trillion red are
a two piece from the U.S and the members have created a very
original and dark music style. Their are influences from the heavy
crushing doom riffs, but then the band also does have an aggressive
side speeding up the guitars a bit to a heavy metal/thrash feel with
a lot of progressive riffs and solo's intertwined within the duo's
madness. Also within the music is some experimental ambient
soundscapes that keep the listener guessing throughout the songs on
this e.p. This is a band that is not only hard but impossible to put
into a certain genre {which I believe is the way they like it} so I
will say this probably won't appeal to everyone. But I would highly
recommend two tongues ep to anyone who enjoys dark, extreme music
with a lot of variety. - Patrick
http://www.trillionred.com
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I missed this bands
debut album “Where Light Touches None”, but I am graced (?) with this
sophomore effort. Frankly, I am perplexed as to why C.M. snapped up such
a generic and inept unit like Twin Obscenity! These Norwegians are flat
out a demo level w/ bland guitar riffs that work their way thru
simplistic structuring, that mix in keys that really do not even sound
like they were written for the songs they appear in! They also paint in
trendy female operatic vocals across the musical canvass and are some of
the worst I’ve had the displeasure to hear. With regards to the sound is
this their full-length demo pressed onto CD!? Thin guitars, tinny drums
and an inadequate mix. I did enjoy a few of the off-beat vocalizations
but those are used sparingly. This LP gives a already limping and played
out symphonic black metal scene a bad name.
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Trauma (formerly
Thanatos) are only second to Vader as the oldest Polish death metal band
having formed over 10 years ago! They have released several demo tapes
and their debut album on Vox Mortis in ’96. This is some great death
metal, somewhat along the lines of Vader taking heavy influence from the
American scene but still play, much of their material with true Euro
dexterity. Trauma have a flare for solid song structuring, which are
both driving and interesting with all spiced up by tasty drum work and
smoking guitar solos. Recommended.
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I must admit, I
really enjoyed listening to “Hierarchy”, the first full-length from
Finland’s Tunrida. They play a fast and melodic form of black metal with
some slight death metal touches. There’s a lot of music to be enjoyed
here and the musicianship is creative, with well thought out
compositions and some odd vocal effects ect. Added, here, and there are
a plus. The album doesn’t contain just one straight-forward style of
playing but mixes things up a bit with some more melodic non-double bass
tracks and piano interludes, ect. “The Calling” actually sounds somewhat
akin to something In Flames would release! The vocals are in the more
shouted death metal vein rather than the black metal rasp common for
this style and it perfectly suits the music within. I’m sure I will be
listening to this one quite often and I strongly recommend this to
anyone eager to check out new talent within the black metal scene.
- JEFFREY KUSBEL
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It is hard
sometimes to get a very good read on a band, more less write a
review based on one song a piece from each band. At least the songs
are not short and the packaging the whole disc came in is fantastic
for this type of release. Altars kicks things off with an extremely
heavy death metal number entitled “Nepenthe… Sepulcher”, which is
cloaked in doomy metal trappings, which sets sort of an
introspective feel. But the pounding drums and extreme riffs do not
let you stay in that reflective head space for very long. Likewise
you get a wake up call in the form a hard smack going by the name “Kumosu”,
it hits from the first second with a blasting, drum barrage of death
metal played at break neck speed. There are some slowed down, subtle
breaks in this lengthy song, but they tend to only last five or ten
seconds. Then it is back to the attack over and over again with
bludgeoning bliss and guttural vocal emanations rising form the
murk. The whole release only clocks in at 13 minutes and still
manages to be quite a ride. You will really enjoy this if you put
the disc on repeat, as repetitive listens will not bore you despite
the length. Check this out, more goodness from the fertile grounds
of Australia. – Dale
http://www.myspace.com/tzuntzu
http://www.myspace.com/altarsofficial |
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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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Okay, first
apparently Garm of Ulver was pissed at Century Media & split from them
and formed Jester Records (distributed by Voices Of Wonder) and released
this double album. This album is based on William Blake’s written work.
Bruce Dickinson has made it well known to everyone in the press since
his previous album was released in ’97. That his next album “The
Chemical Wedding” (Which beat this Ulver album into stores by at least 6
months) was going to be based on this exact same work by William Blake!
I guess nobody told Ulver. He (Garm) Probably stole the idea. Now let us
get on to this abomination of an album. I am not the biggest Ulver fan
but I did enjoy their early stuff and I am sure fans of the band early
or late will be sickened and disappointed by this! I could go into a
long list of all the awful points to be found. Just let me tell you this
imagine if you will (though it may induce vomiting) Tears For Fears and
Devo mixed heavily with a softer version of Ministry and KMFDM or some
other gay techno/rap inspired beats (showing their Beastie Boys
influence)! On top of this dung heap is Garm singing throughout in a
clean voice that sounds like Micheal Bolten attempting to be a viking
warrior. What a fucking mess!
Voices Of Wonder, PB
2010 Granerlokka, N - 05050, NORWAY website = www.vow.dk
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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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Cool compilation. It
consists of all dark and evil black metal minus a few exceptions like
Vomitory, Nocturnal Breed, & Hellwitch. It struck me as pointless to
include so many well known bands on other labels: Mandanus Imperium
(NBA), Aeturnus (Hammerheart Recs.) ect... Other bands on here are
Sorhin, Hordes Of The Lunar Eclipse, Wallachia, Bethel, Legion, and
Primordial. This release is the first volley in a assault by D.H.R.
expect soon releases from The Black Witchery, Nebron, Lucifugum and
more.
D.H.R., 6435 West
Jefferson Blvd., Suite # 666, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804, USA
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