The mighty legends
Varathron return! This new stuff is a bit different than the old
material. It is a simpler and stripped down but still in very dark. The
new vocal style is a rolling growl/whisper and reminds pleasently of a
raspier version of the vocals Mortuary Drape used on their superb ’92
MCD “Into The Drape”. The keys are used as an accent and don’t bother
me, which is nice. The Mercyful Fate cover of “Nuns Have No Fun” is a
surprising but welcome addition as Varathron slap their stamp all over
it with good results. I don’t enjoy this direction (a sort of
atmospheric blackened heavy metal) as heavily as the old stuff. But,
after this release I can safely still call myself a fan.
Varathron, c/o
Necroabyssious,
P.O. Box 1265, 451
10, Ioannina, GREECE
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This time I’ve
one Russian band which is into black metal war. I have not heard
this band before so I don’t know if WELTKRIEG is an old band or not?
But from the musical side they are good! WELTKRIEG plays obscure
true black metal. The music based on such fast yet devastating riffs,
but here’s one fault – the band does not have a live drummer (it’s a drum
machine). The main band’s ideology is extermination of human race
(with this fact I agree?), and this aspect is great shown in the musical
structure, because the music is really sick and aggressive, from
time to time with some atmospheric means. I like also all of those
rhythm-changes and down tempos which are here and there on this
album. As a whole there is an intro, outro and 8 songs on about 48
minutes of destruction. What is yet to add to the statement that
here’s an old-school true black metal, based on rawness and gloom,
with such great necro touches in the main structure and is
devastating, full of hatred guitar riffs with screams. I think this
is enough for those fans, who are into true black metal rawness!
Worthy stuff, but with no live drummer. - Aleksandr Maksymov
http://www.myspace.com/weltkriegrus
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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 |
I must say as a
big Witchcraft fan (starting with their debut seven inch). I am a
little offended at a statement in their bio, accompanying this
album. It states that this album shows Witchcraft “…moving away from
their generic doom rock…”. It is a shame to belittle an already
wonderful legacy built up by the band. While I admit “Alchemist” is
a bit of a departure from the past work of these Swedes. It is not
exactly a far trip in distancing itself from their rocking doom
roots and wonderful Pentagram worship. That organic 70s vibe and
atmosphere, I love so much, have not gone away. Another quote from
the bio that is, ahem, music to my ears – “Recorded 100% pro-tools
and digital free”. It sounds fantastic too and kudos to the band for
sticking to their guns. The band does seem very comfortable in their
skin with this record. Their flow is smooth and their playing is
really relaxed, like a needle gliding down the groove of a record.
Yes, this is still 70s rock but it has that floating sort of
psychedelic atmosphere that made the classic works of Led Zeppelin
so special. Vocalist Magnus Pelander still owes a debt to Bobby
Liebling but you can hear other influences creeping into his style
such as the front man of the aforementioned band (i.e. - Robert
Plant). The counter point and interplay between the more rocking
heavy moments and the soul grabbing, stream of consciousness
psychadelia, is wonderfully composed and executed. “Alchemist” was
not what I was hoping for or expecting. But I jumped on the ride
anyway with an open mind packed in my pocket. The end result is a
fascinating journey that sees the band morph their style somewhat
but continues to produce another wonderful record which will see
their legacy carried forth. Just give it a chance to put its spell
on you. I am now so curious to see where they will go next?! – Dale
www.riseaboverecords.com
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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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This is a very
talented Danish band who know what they want and execute it with
confidence. Too bad I didn’t get into it too much. W.S. play a melodic
death metal, with heavy metal (Iron Maiden) and black metal spice ups.
I could have enjoyed this a bit more without the soft female vocals,
goth touches and heavy keys, which dominate too much. I didn’t like this
but fans into the Gothenburg styled harmonic death should dig this.
Stunning packaging.
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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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