Jag Panzer are back,
no one off come- back here! J.P. are championing ‘80’s heavy metal and
of course they are well suited to do such as they were around the first
time and made their mark. I really love the soaring, smooth vocals as
they slide across the ranges of high screams to gritty lows. The vocals
remind me heavily of the latest Tad Morose singer whom I am an admirer.
J.P. are masters of melody & layering the material to create a very
emotional, driving metal anthems Tweaked by some great guitar leads that
tattoo themselves to the brain. Mid-paced and melodic heavy metal near
it’s pinnacle. Yes, Jag Panzer need no longer to ride on the reputation
of their classic ‘80’s album “Ample Destruction”, as they have a
bone-a-fide winner in this LP. All power/heavy metal fans will want this
in their collection.
Century Media
Recs., 1453 - A, 14th Street # 324,
Santa Monica, CA.
90404, USA
|
This is my
introduction to Jex Toth. I do think I shall be searching out some
releases by the group. I would posit that they will appeal to fans
of traditional doom metal and fans of epic heavy metal. What grabs
me immediately are the monolithic, ploddingly heavy riffs that set
the atmosphere for the fantastic and hypnotic vocals of Jessica Toth.
They draw you in and you quickly lose yourself in their mental
tapestry, drawing a superb melancholy range of emotions. You kind of
forget about everything else around you and your eyes are closed
even when they are open as your mind is off swimming in the ether.
For those of you that have experienced this sort of trip, it is
magic and there is no slight of hand involved. There are only 3
songs on here so it is only a taste of what is to come. It leaves me
wanting more and hoping it comes soon. –
Dale
http://www.jexthoth.com/
http://www.ihate.se/ |
I have been
anticipating this release ever since I Hate sent me the bands three
song Witness EP from 2010. I must say it feels like it was worth the
wait. The band have changed up their sound a tad, they are not quite
as heavily doom metal laden as in the past. Now they have more of an
ambient, moody, almost psychedelic 70s rock trip going now, but they
have not abandoned the doom, there are some sections of this album
that will make the Black Sabbath fanatic in you smile like the
Cheshire cat. This album definitely takes my mind on a journey, like
an introspective out of body experience with the sound flowing
through you and around you. Those gorgeous vocals from Jex Thoth
herself, are as haunting and hypnotic as ever, maybe even more so
than in the past if that is a possible. I am addicted to listening
to her voice, just listen to the song “Keep Your Weeds”, you will
see what I mean and you will want to just play that song again and
again, a great emotional performance on that song. The bio throws
out Blue Oyster Cult an influence, since reading that, on subsequent
listens I can hear that with BOC’s more obscure (at least in
America) moody, doomy rock soul sounds crept into my mind. If you
are in the right headspace this album will take places and give you
indescribable musical bliss, you just may not want to come back.
This American band could end up being an important one for I Hate
Records. I know they put a lot into this release and the sound on
here, in my opinion, has the potential break on a little higher
level than most of the labels great bands. I am hopeful it does just
that because I can not think of many record labels that would
deserve it more than they do. - Dale
https://myspace.com/jexthoth
http://www.ihate.se/
|
Here we have the debut from Joel Grind who some will know from the
band Toxic Holocaust, this is Joe's side band. The Yellowgoat
Sessions is pure thrashnroll with a dirty and raw production that
will only appeal to the old school maniacs of the scene. Some
very chaotic, hyper speed guitars that are thrashy but also blend
some punkish riffs into the mix. Joe's vocals are a gruff vocal
style but also throw in some screams but to be honest the vocals get
lost in the music and hard to hear in some of the tracks. Fans of
eighties raw punk/metal, Motorhead etc. might enjoy this. This is
definitely nothing new but it is a decent release if you enjoy old
school thrash/punk that is raw, dirty and chaotic.
- Patrick
http://joelgrind.bandcamp.com/
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/ |
This German band
produce a rollicking form of high energy speed metal thrash, which
runs and skips along with heavy riffing, forcing my neck muscles a
work out as my head bangs hard listening to this blistering attack.
As you can probably tell from the cover artwork, the songs are
mainly about serial killers, just from a quick look at the cover I
see the faces of Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Albert Fish(?),
The Nightstalker, H.H. Holmes (some convincing theories and a little
evidence H.H. was actually Jack The Ripper too!) etc… The music has
a lot of old speed and thrashing oomph as mentioned, but there is
also a cool dark sounding vibe. The vocals help with that as they
are evil sounding gruff thrash yells mixed with a whispery growling
edge I like a lot. The songs keep the tempo at break neck speeds,
but slow slightly at times to settle things into a pounding middle
paced musical pummel. The riffs and rhythms are always heavy, but
also fairly catchy yet they do not really get into soloing or
anything and just keep the velocity straight ahead and blazing. This
will appeal to the real die hard mid to late ’80s speed metal maniacs
that can not get enough of that fantastic sound from the days of
yore. JT Ripper keeps the ancient flame burning bright! - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/J.T.Ripper.thrash
http://www.ihate.se/
|
This Finnish
black metal band has been in existence 10 years already and this is
their debut album. During that time they only released a couple of
demos, eps and a live disc. I am sure they have had their offers, I
really have to respect that they waited until they were ready, and
it is obvious they create this music for the right reasons.
Jumalhamara have their own distinct character and I do not find
myself saying every other song this sounds exactly like this band or
that album. I think you could call them atmospheric, but not the
usual way of that term, in this genre. They use a lot of organic
sounds to achieve this goal, something that is harder to do than
just smothering everything in sight with synth (hello Xasthur and
the like); it takes more creativity and imagination than that, in my
opinion. I like their use of percussion, it is very spiritual yet
dark sounding, uplifting at times and melancholic the next moment.
This album is all about flow, and feeling the songwriting, rather
than just putting parts together, it is a highlight of their years
together and emotional maturity as a band. Such words in this day
and age, I do not throw around lightly. The vocals tend to be used
sparingly and the guitars are drawn out to the point that they melt
into the background and become part of the scenery, though an
important part. I am a proponent of traditional black metal purity
in sound, but when something is done this well, it is impossible for
me not to respect and enjoy it. I could see other staunch purists
having a hard time liking this, I can only stress that you are
missing out and making a mistake passing it up. – Dale
http://www.ahdistuksenaihio.com/ |
This is a re-release
(this time on disc) of this bands now classic ’95 demo tape of the same
name. I remember liking this when I reviewed it the first time for The
Sepulchral Voice, a mag I used to write for. I also reviewed their first
demo in ’94 “Rip Your Face Off” in which I told them to drop some of the
weaker thrashiness and concentrate on their death metal side - their
strength. They did exactly that on the this raging demo that got them
signed to Pulverizer Records (now they are on Pavement Music). If you
liked their album at all, then u, need this! - Dale
Pure Death Records,
P.O. Box 3019, New Haven, CT. 06515, USA Phone # = 1-800-994-4178
|
I think most
people in the UG scene, when they think of South America it is
either very evil necro black metal and/or vicious, unrelenting
deathrash metal barbarity. That reputation is well earned, but the
South American scene is actually quite varied, if you look around a
little you will find some great heavy metal, grind and more. This is
where Jupiterian comes in, as they play high quality death doom
music that is extremely moody, gloomy and melancholic, all is
steeped in a mysterious and sinister sounding aura. There is also
hints of sludge metal in here, even though it is like a wisp of
smoke, weaving it’s way stealthily through the plodding metallic
oppression like a serpent. The music overall is a massive,
monolithic wall of crawling heavy as hell doom death metal that is
impenetrable; a seamless musical entity that feels like it has no
beginning and no end. The vocals are sparse and subtle, highlighted
by obscured whispering undertone of dark boiling, and elongated
growling. There are a number of lesser used accent vocal bits, all
gloomy sounding, and do their part in creating the dense and
opaquely ominous musical tapestry that will trap you in it’s cosmic
alluring pull if given half a chance. - Dale
https://jupiterian.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jupiteriansect
https://tometal.com/
|
|
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
|
 
I was pleased to
get a copy of this release, especially with it being limited, to
just 100 copies. Which means it may already be sold out for all I
know. But I believe you can buy Kabexnuv’s half of this release
digitally (which by the way alone clocks in at over half an hour),
Dol Guldur tracks, on the other hand, are exclusive to this disc. To
make matters worse, I have heard Dol Guldur’s 20 copies of this
release, were seized by the Brazilian postal system and not returned
to them. First up, on this split, is Canadian black metallers
Kabexnuv, they play in the early 90s Scandinavian bm tradition, just
pure stripped down hate. Kabexnuv create a real cryptic, grim and
bleak atmosphere, with their music that I like very much. I also
really like the harsh bm rapsing vocals, they are classic as fuck
and great. The recording is dripping with an extreme low-fi tone,
which really suits this kind of music, which in my opinion, benefits
from a raw production. I read a blurb somewhere, that some of the
music and structuring on this release was purposely done organically
(improvised), to create a more natural feel. I think at times it
achieves this, at other times it really shows through, some
structuring really suffers, and certain sections or songs, run on a
little too long for their own good. But all in all, it really
achieves that cold, hateful atmosphere it set out to create. Dol
Guldur has a bit of a fuller sound, the production is not as low-fi
and raw as the Kabexnuv tracks, but it is still a pretty raw and
harsh recording, in it’s own right. Dol Guldur possess a little more
pace and urgency in their music, the drums are more noticeable and
integral to the music too, compared to their split comrades. I like
the section in their first track, where they slow things down, strip
things down, it goes into trance-like territory and the sparsely
used vocals are truly frightening, and a very jarringly atmospheric
counterpoint, which is all really unsettling in a very cool way. The
songs themselves are honestly fairly unremarkable. Having said that,
they do succeed extremely well in creating a dark, obscure vibe, and
with old school bm that is all that matters sometimes, the
atmosphere you convey with the music, it transcends the sum of it’s
parts. I know this release is going to be hard to get a hold of, but
I would recommend this, to fans of early 90s raw metal who can not
enough of this type of audio plague. - Dale
avitas66@hotmail.com
http://avitas.bandcamp.com/
|
Coming out of
New Jersey’s death metal scene, is Kalopsia, with their third full
length “Angel Plague”. Kalopsia play heavy, chaotic death metal
which is not all fast, as the band writes and plays some very good
mid paced sections. The guitars are played with a lot of skill,
their experience level shows through as in their playing, going from
an all out assault of fast riffs and patterns to a more controlled,
well written mid paced passages. The drums follow along in the same
vein, possessing a lot of power and skill, showing variety with more
of a mid paced style in a few songs. The vocals are deep death metal
growls with some gruff screams used in a few of the songs. If you
enjoyed Kalopsia’s previous releases then be sure to check out
“Angel Plague” today. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/youwillsubmit http://www.comatosemusic.com/
|
 
I have to admit
I was very interested in this release when I pulled it out of my
mailbox. Just the immediate first impression I received from the
band names, song titles, cover and hell I also like the attitude /
mindset to call your record label Dead Sheep haha. It sounds like
something I would do, Autopsy Kitchen anyone? Anyway, on to this
split, Karonte, a veteran band is up first up with three tracks on
this 22 minute EP. They hail from Spain, which immediately conjures
up past memories of brutal death metal bands, from that country.
Spanish dm bands traditionally tend to have this dark, and very mean
brutal sound and dangerous feeling atmosphere to their music,
Karonte carries this tradition on in fine form. Well, maybe Karonte
has a hint more melodo finesse and catchiness to their riffs,
comparing to many of their countrymen, but only a hint I say. I
would say this is most evident, on the third track “Dominación”,
which incorporates a more distinctive level of heavy metal guitar
histrionics, but also slows down the pace a fair bit and in so doing
brings a doomy feel to the track. Damn, this is a great first half
to the split. Bloody Brotherhood also from Spain, comes at us with
two tracks, “In Tyrant’s Land” & “Thousand Years Of Lies”, both of
which are a little longer than the Karonte hymns. BB has a cleaner,
less dirty (I mean that in a positive way) guitar sound than Karonte,
but also play death metal and do so mostly at a middle pace. Bloody
at first blush, does not seem quite as brutal, but they have their
moments and the brutish bits come at you in sudden fits and starts
like a suddenly striking viper after it took a moment to size you
up. The vocals are growls, but at times have black, hate dipped
emotive vitriol to them, which I like very much and those vocals do
a lot to give the band a certain atmosphere and feel, which could at
times, be reflected more in the music to make the songs more
powerful, in my opinion. I did not enjoy the Bloody Brotherhood side
of the split as much as Karonte, but having said that Bloody have
some really good things going for them and I look forward to hear
more from this young band as they progress into the future. This is
a pretty killer release, I have the disc, but there is also a 10” EP
vinyl version as well. I bet these songs sound fantastic on the
turntable. Whichever version you check out, I have a feeling you
will enjoy it, if you are a death metal lover there is a lot take in
on this release for an EP. I hope to one day find more rotting
pieces of dead sheep’s delicious carcass in the future. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/deadsheepproductions/ http://deadsheepproductions.es/
|
Katakomba is a
new band out of Stockholm, Sweden having in the last few years of
their existence released an EP and a couple single songs on digital
download. They now make the jump from that to a full-length album,
which can be a lot for a young inexperienced band formed right out
of high school. But let me tell you these Swedes are up to the
challenge. The riffs on here are massively heavy, fuzzed out cruelty
that batters and crushes you. This is backed superbly with some
creative song construction that really kept my interest up; as well
underneath the brutality they manage to intertwine sometimes brief
yet always infectiously catchy melodies that do not to take away
from the heaviness of it all. The growling vocals of Fabian Brodén
are killer and inject a certain level of emotion and charisma to the
sound that draws me to them and enjoy the hell out of them. Those
vocals remind me slightly of Nicke Andersson’s on the classic
“Clandestine” album. So speaking of influences I definitely hear
some Bloodbath and Dismember with a strong dose of Entombed on here,
but the secondary guitar work and some of the songwriting reminds me
of old US death metal bands like Possessed, Morbid Angel, and Death.
Speaking of that secondary guitar work above, it is in the form of
some interesting nice fills and short but smoking solos. There is a
cavalcade of guest spots on a few of the songs featuring either
vocals or guitar solos from people like Mats Andersson (Skam &
Wretched Fate), Adrian Selmani (Non Divine Sun & Wretched Fate),
Niklas Sandin (Lik & Katatonia), and Tomas Åkvik (Nale, Lik &
Bloodbath). For me this is a strong debut for this young death metal
band, a band to keep an eye on in future, until then you should get
your mitts on this. - Dale
https://katakomba-se.bandcamp.com/album/katakomba
http://shop.redefiningdarkness.com
|
My first
experience with Kawir was around the ‘93/94 time period. I tape
traded for the bands first release which was a promo demo released
back in 1993. I really enjoyed that tape, but besides a ’94 ep,
their debut album and a later split ep, but I never kept up on the
bands releases from the 2000’s onward unfortunately. But here I am
nearly 25 years later after I tape traded for that promo and the
band is still going strong! It is good to see one of the early bands
of the Greek black metal scene, who have stayed true to their roots,
amongst some notable examples of bands largely abandoning them (ala
Samael, Rotting Christ etc…). I say this, but do not misunderstand
me; the band is not just playing the same old thing they did over
twenty years ago. No, they have clearly progressed in their playing
ability and song crafting, there is more intricate structuring, as
well as higher doses of melody injected into the freezing murky
atmosphere. Still, there is always that ribbon of their sound, which
can clearly be followed back to their beginning possessing the early
to mid ‘90s Greek black / death aura and dark tone. I dug the
bombastic booming accent elements (I imagine fans will wait for it
and thrust a fist in the air live), they are hard to describe, but
when you listen to the track “Thyestia Deipna”, you will hear what I
mean and while you are there, be sure to check out the superb
inspired guitar work in this song. The guitar work definitely should
not be understated, not only is it technically sound, but
additionally the writing and performance can be very emotive at
times working expertly within the sinister and often evil
atmosphere, adding another layer of depth and quality. The epic
feeling of the final track, entitled “Orestes”, even has old school
Iron Maiden influence slithering in and out of the guitars. There is
so much going in this song, from triumphant heavy metal parts, to a
blistering hateful classic second wave black metal sequence, there
is even a ripping guitar solo thrown in. It almost seems like all of
that should not work together, but Kawir expertly crafted this
excellent song, producing a seamless mighty anthem, clocking in at
nearly eight minutes in length (which is not over long for this
record as all of the songs are in the 6 plus to 8 minute range but
none are more epic than this one). I am pleased Iron Bonehead, who I
have followed since inception has managed to bring me back to this
great Greek band, who have forged an impressive legacy for
themselves in the annuals of the underground metal scene. This
legacy has only been furthered by this ambitious concept album of
Greek Hellenic mythology. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/kawirblackmetal/ http://www.ironbonehead.de/
|
This is one mean
fucking hateful slice of North American black metal. Yes, I have
heard it called USBM, but when one of the main members is Canadian,
that title becomes a little less than accurate, no? The two foremost
players in Kerasphorus are Pete Helmkamp (the mighty Order From
Chaos, Angelcorpse, Feldgrau etc…) and James Read (Revenge,
Conqueror, Cremation etc…). So there is plenty of experience and
seasoning going into Cloven Hoofs. I would say you can definitely
hear influences or probably better stylistic signatures of these
individuals past endeavors. There are most definitely bits and
pieces of Order From Chaos, Angelcorpse and Revenge in here and on
here. Maybe if you have those releases you do not need this one? I
would look at like the perfect compliment to that collection, I
suspect devotees of those former bands, will absolutely love this.
It is a monstrously acidic release and will not let you down. I
would in fact even go so far as saying this is as good and possibly
better than those past bands, with the exception of Order From
Chaos, who virtually untouchable, in my view. Just splendid
blitzkrieg warring metal with classic Helmkamp vocals striaght from
the masters. You will only wish it was longer. – Dale
http://www.nwnprod.com/
http://www.myspace.com/helmkampkommand
|
This 2 disc
release from Ukraine's Khors is basically a re-release of their
first two full lengths from 2005 and 2006 respectively, along with a
few demos and live tracks to add the "newness" to the package (for
the diehards). As I sit here listening to the music, it reminds me
of bands such as Behemoth - black n death. Not as high tech as said
band but I would not categorize Khors as a black metal band,
regardless of what others think. The atmosphere for me is almost
non existent which instantly disqualifies them from the BM scene
alone. Having said that, the music is decent. The level of skill in
the band is above average on some tracks. There are keyboards on
some tracks for those that avoid such bands. Vocals are harsh mid
level growls and scathing screams. Blast beats and a few time
signature changes permeate both discs. The demos on The
Flames....disc are pretty close to the final versions - not much
worth with their inclusion. Overall, not a bad release for the
uninitiated but I think there are more inspired bands out there in
the scene. - Mark Sugiyama
http://www.myspace.com/khorspagan
http://www.themetalunderground.com/ |
Grooovy metal that
is very straight-forward and mixes in industrial/techno touches. The
vocals are raspy shout and at times have a sickening rap style to them.
People into stuff like Fear Factory, Meshuggah, Skinlab ought to like
this just fine. Me, I fucking hate it!! - Dale
V.N. Records, 231
Portebello Rd., London, W11 1LT, U.K.
|
The bio states
Kill Division’s mission statement is to tear down and cut through
the elements that divide us as people. It would appear with their
album cover this task is focused mainly on America, but I am sure it
can apply to other places as well. They make sure to say they oppose
both the left and right politically, religion and other areas of
society that seek to divide and pit us against one another. The band
is made up of some really heavy hitters in the metal scene with
members that include the drummer of Megadeth, the guitarist of
Gruesome, as well as the former guitarist and vocalist of Malevolent
Creation. The final member is interestingly Jeramie Kling on bass,
which for those unaware he is the drummer for a number of bands like
Goregäng, The Absence, Ex-Dio, Inhuman Condition, Ribspreader and
Venom Inc. Okay, my fascination with metal band & scene lineage
satisfied, finally on to the music itself which is raging fucking
grindcore! The band is clearly big fans and want to keep the
traditions going from old grindcore and deathrgrind bands of yore
like Terrorizer, ‘90s Napalm Death, Repulsion, Brutal Truth and the
like. You can imagine with this line-up of musicians that everything
is top shelf from the performance to the execution and songwriting.
The vocals courtesy of Kyle Symons (ex-Malevolent Creation, ex-HatePlow)
are absolutely commanding, in-your-face and brutish growls that give
Vincent with Terrorizer and Barney Greenway a real run for their
money. Obviously you will have to love the bands mentioned above,
and turn classic deathgrind and grindcore in general to want to get
this release. But, if you do fit that bill as a grind devotee then I
can not imagine you not having a mental world bending downfall, as
you thrash about sending yourself straight into utopia banishment.
- Dale
https://killdivision.bandcamp.com/
http://shop.redefiningdarkness.com/
|
Another release
from UW, and another band from them producing their debut album.
This California trio vomit out some brutal grinding death metal that
is noisy and heavy as hell. Some of the vocals are of the garbled,
undecipherable constant stream variety, which I know turns some off,
but I like some of that flavour now and then. The drummer is the
back bone of the insanity level of the music, he punishes his kit
with such speed and fury, you would think it stole money from him or
fucked his girlfriend or something. The guitars could have a little
more punch and be a tad higher in the mix for my liking, as they get
drowned out by the drums and vocals at times. But that is only a
minor complaint; this is some really decent anti-christian death
metal that die hards of the genre will enjoy.
– Dale
http://www.myspace.com/killgasm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/UW-Records/162216050503802
|
Killing
Addiction first formed at the end of the ‘80s, they released a demo
tape in 1990 and a 7” EP in 1991, before putting out their debut
album “Omega Factor” in early 1993. Did I mention they are from
Florida? I am not sure why they did not get more attention, or more
well known, along with so many of their peers early in the early to
mid ’90s, as people were eating up anything Floridian death metal
back then. The band called it quits some time in 1994/95, but
decided to get back together some years back now. “Omega Factor” (I
had my JL America cassette baby hehe)
is, and was, my only experience back in the day (or since then) with
Killing Addiction. I liked that debut album, it was good early death
metal. Listening back to that album, and then “Shores Of Oblivion”,
it would seem the band has stayed true to their old school dm style,
back then though I think they may have had a bit more dynamic song
structuring. Yet, this more straight forward, stripped down
structuring on this EP, seems to fit them well. If anything, since
the early days, Killing Addiction has slowed things down a tad,
going for a more brooding gloomy vibe with the atmosphere. I kind of
dug how the third track “Extinction Agenda” starts, it fades in
slowly with a sort of muffled effect until everything slowly becomes
clear, not only that but it starts off sounding like you are already
a minute into the song, not something I want on every song but a
really cool effect for one track on here. Besides the heavy dirge
riffs, I think my favourite part of this release is the great vocal
performance, from bassist/vocalist Patrick Bailey. He slides
seamlessly between deep dark growling, slightly nasally growls and
obscured rasping type vocals. He makes those changes in a very
subtle way, so it is not jarring or too different from one style to
the next, just really well done vocals. To end this review I want to
say R.I.P. to guitarist (and brother to Patrick) Chad Bailey, who
passed away a couple months after this recording, and prior to it’s
release. This four song EP is for old school Floridian death metal
fans, who are not obsessed with newer sounding death metal that has
a million riffs and time changes in every song. This band is more
about the song and the music rather than being fast and technical
all the time. Check it out. - Dale
https://killingaddiction.bandcamp.com/music http://www.xtreemmusic.com/
|
Well now, this
takes me back in time, when this album was initially released by the
notorious JL America label. Which burst upon the UG metal scene, and
about three years later rapidly burned out. But it was an
interesting, if not short ride for the label in the early ‘90s; they
did the US releases for labels like Osmose & the German Turbo Music,
before striking out on their own signing and releasing their own
bands. One those bands they signed was Killing Addiction. I had a
handful of JL cassettes back in the day, like Goatlord, Impaled
Nazerene, Mortuary, Beherit, Acheron, Blasphemy and last but not
least Killing Addiction. This is a cool gesture towards the bands
legacy (did I mention they reformed some years back?) by Xtreem
Music, to re-release this album on it’s 25 year anniversary! Oh
shit, I guess that also mean I am a really old metal goat in this
scene. Oh well, at least I still have all my own teeth, not to
mention company like the members of this band still kicking and
screaming, after all these years. For newer fans of death metal, who
imprudently never took the time study the history of this sub-genre
and it’s bands, they might be in for a bit of a surprise here. This
is a window into the beginnings of death metal, it was a different
time, things were not all digital and pro tool’d to hell, for
starters. Also, not all of the bands were going for intricate
mathematical time signatures, and/or playing a million miles a
minute with twenty riffs in every song. No, this was a time for a
lot of bands when death metal was morphing out of the extreme end of
the thrash metal scene, just finding it’s feet and establishing a
new style. A lot of the bands like Killing Addiction played a more
stripped down, possibly to some newer ears a primitive style. But to
me, it was more about focusing on the song and the atmosphere it
created without using a lot of cheater effects, like synth or studio
tricks to create it. The riffs on here are crushing and rhythmically
catchy, which had me headbanging pretty good, honestly I experienced
a touch of nostalgia for the early ‘90s as I listened. I should also
mention, there are a few killer guitar solos expertly woven into the
brutality, which adds some nice depth to the songs. The vocals are
pretty guttural, early ‘90s style, near undecipherable growling,
which is something I like, but I know is an acquired taste these
days for some. Speaking of the vocals, in one song they alternate
with higher nasally growling, which something that became very
popular years later, but this in my mind seems like one of the
earliest examples of it. I am not sure I can place this record at
the upper echelon of ‘90s brutal death metal classics, but it is a
damn good album nonetheless, an album that did not get the
recognition it deserved, so here is to hoping this release sheds
more light on this record. It would not be a special anniversary
edition without some extras, you do get those as Xtreem has included
the bands “Legacies of Terror” 1990 demo tape (I dig the grimy,
cruel sound on it), and their killer 1991 “Nekrosphere” 7” ep as a
bonus. You know what you need to do posthaste, links below. -
Dale
https://www.facebook.com/killingaddiction/
https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/
|
The opening
couple tracks of this Columbian bands album had me worried. Those
first tracks came off very generic, unimaginative and even seemed to
lack energy or emotion. I am pleased to report though that things
really pick up from there and the rest of Forged By Satan’s Doctrine
is a pretty intense listen. When the band turns up the heat the
drummer goes pretty insane beating his drums into submission with
rapid fire blitzkrieg legs. To me I hear influences like the early
albums of Deicide, Morbid Angel maybe mixed with a little Blasphemy,
Angelcorpse type music. Good thing you need to judge upon the whole
album as after a slow start, this album goes off the deep end and
kicks your ass all over the place. Just intense! –
Dale
http://www.myspace.com/kingbathroz
http://www.deathgasm.com/
|
|
King Heavy is a
mixture of musicians mostly out of the great Chilean scene spanning
an array of bands from that country, but the vocalist Luther
Veldmark (Hooded Priest) is from the Netherlands. So, that is
interesting, I assume it would present some challenges for writing
and recording, not to even mention rehearsing for live shows. The
style King Heavy play is a classic form of heavy metal doom in the
vein of bands like Saint Vitus, Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus,
Trouble and the like. The guitar tenor and drumming are the epitome
of that old style; the songs have some great flow, stirring up some
affecting emotive qualities in me as a listener. The vocalist has a
good classic sounding voice for this style and decent range as well.
Yet, having said that, some of it is probably due to the often
clunky lyrics, but the vocalist despite having those great raw
tools, seems to have very little feel and skill in how and when to
deploy them in a proper way. To my ears, this often results in
unwittingly sabotaging the flow and emotive impact of the very
quality music accompanying the vocals. It is hard to explain unless
you hear it; the vocalist slows up and presents awkward phrasing,
clunky timing, he switches registers at times that do not compliment
the flow of the music or the words being sung. Like I say, it is
unfortunate because the guy has a very good classic voice and tone
to his voice for this style. But again, in my opinion, he seemingly
has little to no feel on how to use it within the context of these
songs; it is a bit frustrating to listen to actually. I know that
sounds harsh, I do not mean it to be and it is not like vocalist
Luther Veldmark never gets it right, but he never really seems for
very long. I should try my best here not to paint the whole album
with this brush, though it is hard not to do as the vocals are very
prominent in the mix front and center. All the same, there is some
excellent classic doom underneath the vocals that is mostly really
quality emotive music, which can really not be faulted for anything
and still makes this a good listen for die hard fans of the genre.
- Dale
https://kingheavy.bandcamp.com
https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com
|
New York's
paragon records have struck gold again! It seems very few labels are
able to sign and release quality one after the other, but paragon
has done it with the last 4-6 releases. This time they released
Serbia's Kozeljnik. The duo have crafted a very dark journey of
mid-paced black metal with some outbursts of insane, blasting drums
and razor-sharp guitar chords. The band never really lets completely
loose with the violent black metal side instead opting to use it
more as a mood-breaker from the dark mid-paced songs. The vocals
remind me a lot of mid-era Immortal, with the raspy, gruff vocal
patterns. There is also some deeper, clearly chanted vocal pattern
used throughout the songs and is placed very well. The drums seem to
stick out most of all for me. Going from the hyper-speed intensity
of early european black metal to a more controlled and mid-paced
beat with some well executed solo's. Kozeljnik is band that fans of
old Immortal, or quality black, dark metal can appreciate and listen
to countless times. – Patrick Schroeder
http://www.paragonrecords.org
http://www.kozeljnik.com/
|
Well this is
cool to receive. I have not gotten anything from the awesome Paragon
Records in a long time. They are old friends of mine, but we just
kind of lost touch lately. Anyway, the band actually sent this to me
(by one of their members now residing in Canada!), but it was a
welcome sight, so thank you to this Serbian band. Kozeljnik play a
very atmospheric brand of metal, that is probably rooted the deepest
in black metal. The music gives off an oppressive, epic sort of aura
and is quite often mid paced, the riffing and sound of the guitars
is very dense and magnetic, picking up speed here and there which
amps up the tension. I do not see these guys as overly technical but
they do have a progressive aesthetic to their music, these moments
keep the music and listener fresh. The vocals are both murky and
clear at the same time, which does not make sense on paper, but
makes sense perfectly in my head, maybe it is just one of those
instances where a musical element is hard to describe. I like the
vocals though. It probably sounds from my description like there is
no aggression to their black metal sounds, but that is not true, it
is there, but only comes out in short explosive bursts and when it
does, it punishes you. I quite like this band, they sound a little
different than most of what is out there these days and for that
reason alone are very worth checking out. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/kozeljnik
http://www.themetalunderground.com/ |
I used to be in
the touch with the guy behind this 1 man band from the Philippines
back in the mid to late 90s. It is good to see thee crusty old
bastard is still going. A lot of time has passed since the early
days of Kratornas but not that much has changed to be honest. His
early recordings were extremely raw and not always the easiest to
make out or distinguish one instrument from the next. The recording
on “Over The Fourth…” is definitely better than those days though
not a lot better. It is still very raw and low-fi but it is clearer
and you can hear everything with more separation. Another difference
between then and now is these days Kratornas is probably a little
less grind and not quite as black metal influenced though that is
still there. The music is still pretty dark but a slight bit more
energetic and frenetic with a healthy dose of thrash metal mixed
into the riffs and overall guitar playing. There is even a hopped up
adrenaline blitzkrieg solo or two to be had. The vocals are still
obscure sort of dark whispers with the classic black metal sort of
undertone. This is a pretty good record showing some maturity and
focus that has come with age and experience. The one thing I could
do without is the drums. Unlike the Rigor Sardonicous album I just
reviewed here is an example of how a drum machine can hurt an album.
Otherwise this is some good work if you like things dark and you
love catchy thrashing riffs.
– Dale
http://www.kratornas.com |
Extremely raw,
caustic and lawlessly, hateful American black metal sums up the music of
Krieg. They blend acidic riffs that cut into you like a rusty knife
leaving jagged, gaping wounds. The drumming is pretty repetitive but
manage, to do the job and the vocals of Lord Imperial are maniacal,
insane, and emotional as he goes from spoken passages to agitated
shrieks. Said vocals really are the only thing that separates this band
from the average black metal hordes.
- Dale |
This bands name
is the German word for Shell Shock, for those curious. I should get
this out of the way, despite Kriegszittern only having released one
full-length, this is a compilation release that contains said debut
album “Yellow Cross”, as well as their recent “Stratofortress” EP
plus a few unreleased songs recorded live. The sounds this German
horde produce are very much old school death metal, somewhat
primitive and convey a feeling of subterranean claustrophobic gloom.
The music is generally middle paced, but does fluctuate often into
slightly speedier realms, as well as down tempos into doom death
territory. The whole thing has this aura to it I love; it reminds me
to the atmosphere of the demos and early albums of the almighty
Grave. I can definitely hear other influences besides Grave in here
though, like strong smatterings of Bolt Thrower, Benediction, Morbid
Angel and early Autopsy. The vocals here are great roiling growls
and sound like what I imagine a disturbed demon would emanate
upwards from deep down in the pits leading to hell itself. The
production on the EP is so fucking thick and heavy! The guitars will
reverberate in your chest! I love that sound, not that the sound on
the album is not great in it’s own way, but damn it does hit you
when that “Stratofortress” EP kicks in. The live song recordings
sound good and fit in more seamlessly with the studio material than
I anticipated it would. Yeah man this is my kind of fucking brutal
death metal, the sort that has that old school flavour with an
atmosphere of suffocating darkness along with a necrotic audio
cocktail of purely sinister pernicious intent. - Dale
https://kriegszittern.bandcamp.com/
https://chaos-records.bandcamp.com/
|
A little
something different than what I usually get, I had not heard of them
previous, but this is already their 4th album. For Death…
has a certain ambient quality to it, whilst still being a fairly
riff driven rock record. When listening I think of influences from
bands like possibly Fugazi, Mastodon (though not as crushing),
Neurosis (not as trippy or as heavily atmospheric / psychedelic).
Another band that comes to mind to a small extent musically and a
large extent vocally is Godflesh, especially with vocals from their
Pure album. Kruger bounce around from being heavy and rocking on
some riffs to much more introspective, drawn out soundscapes that
let the mind float around and get lost in a spaced out fog. You
would think this would be somewhat jarring when transitioning back
and forth between aggression and the ambiance, but Kruger seem to
pull it off with skill and subtlety that probably comes from being a
veteran band at song crafting. Generally speaking this is not the
sort of thing I would listen to much. I did not expect to like
Death, Glory and the End of the World when the first song ended. Yet
somewhere along the way they managed to win me over. Check it out. –
Dale
http://www.myspace.com/krugerband
http://www.listenable.net/
|
Coming out of
the legendary Finnish black metal scene is Krytamok, ‘Profaani’ was
originally released on cassette tape earlier this year. But now
thanks to Blood Harvest and Helter Skelter Productions, this release
is now getting a duel release on both CD and a twelve inch vinyl
pressing. Kryptamok’s musical style is the classic Finnish black
metal style (ala Horna for example) with some atmospheric passages
intertwined within the music. The vocals are grim black metal
screeches and screams that are used throughout the recording. The
drums are played with chaotic blasting beats that do slow down to a
more calm pacing, before returning to the hyper-speed blast beats
again. If you are looking for a band that can write and perform cold
black metal with some atmospheric elements incorporated into the
evil, then do yourself a favor and check out Kryptamok’s solid debut
today. - Patrick
https://www.bloodharvest.se/
http://www.helterskelterproductions.se/
|
Krypts are from the bowels of the Finnish death metal underground
scene. On their debut full length "Unending Degradation" Krypts has
recorded some of the most stripped down, guitar heavy death metal
recorded in quite some time. The trio mixes heavy slow to mid-paced
death metal, there are a few moments of aggressive speed, but they
are few and far between instead keeping the music more to their
liking of mid-paced and heavy. The vocals are deep, low death growls
and go perfectly with Krypts slow, heavy sound. This has to be one
of Dark Descent's best releases to date and highly recommended to
fans who enjoy their death metal stripped down, heavy and mid-paced
with touches of death/doom.
- Patrick
http://krypts.wordpress.com/
http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/
|
This Finnish
group plays dirgy death doom metal. Imagine if you will a healthy
dose of early Grave’s brand of brutal Swedish death metal, which is
kind of doomy in it’s own right, mixed with the extremity of the
slow measured doom death from pioneer band Disembowelment. It
formulates together producing a crushing and imposing aura that will
envelope you and suffocate all of your senses in a most splendid
fashion. Once it grabs you, it does not let go easily as there are
long songs on here, with no less than three of the six clocking in
right around eight minutes. The vocals are deep, rolling and roiling
growls that flow and lengthen themselves to match the music, and
they possess a cool obscure sounding whispery undertone to them. The
vocals alone are very creepy and foreboding, both alternatingly
complimenting the music and melting in & out like a shadowy specter.
I like those vocals a lot! Krypts keep things very heavy yet almost
agonizingly slow, almost at all times, but there are fleeting
passages where they show their death metal roots and speed things up
like a normal death metal band. I swear I even heard something that
resembled a solo a couple times. Prepare yourselves for a massive
slab of slow motion brutality and an emotionally heavy dose of
foreboding and melancholia, which will leave you both drained and
very much satisfied. - Dale
https://www.kryptsdeath.com
https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com
|
It is great to
see Pagan Records still going strong! I used to be in contact with
the label owner Tomasz Krajewski even before the label started when
I ordered issues of his great Holocaust fanzine. Then he started the
record label and I purchased some of his first releases (Crucifier
“By Disgrace Of God” EP & Behemoth “Return Of The Northern Moon”
Demo cassettes) and even eventually interviewed him for CA close to
20 years ago now! Okay, that is enough of a trip down memory lane
now. So onwards with examining the 19 minutes of music at hand on “Portentaque”.
This is my first chance to hear the band. I was immediately taken by
the dark and murky death metal within. If you can imagine a more
atmospheric, slow motion doomy churning version of the mixing of
things like early Grave, Asphyx, Incantation, Necros Christos and
threw in a dash of “Mental Funeral” Autopsy. Then you would start to
get a decent idea of the fresh hell of an audio landscape that Kult
Mogił produces. Now, when you see atmospheric you are probably
thinking there are wall to wall synth and other effects; well you
would be dead wrong, as this is a thick atmosphere is produced only
with traditional instruments. This is something for me, which makes
what they have managed to produce here, just that much more
impressive and pure. The vocals consist of tortured haunting
screams, growls and just guttural pain that also remind me of a mix
of the Canadian band Lust, early Grave and early Autopsy vocals with
an own twist that is extremely effective in sustaining and
furthering that gloomy foreboding eerie graveyard feel on this
recording. This band and this release resurrect and continue the
tradition of truly cult of dangerous and dirty metal of death. This
comes recommended and I understand there is a pretty limited amount
of this 12” vinyl, so I would suggest those looking for this to
hurry and snatch up this format as this music is perfect for vinyl.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to introduce myself to this bands
debut album without delay. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/kultmogil http://www.pagan-records.com/
|
|
Kuupyr is a solo
project coming out of the Michigan black metal scene. ‘Black Forest
Path’ is the debut demo that was originally self released, but has
now gotten a cd release through Plague Demon Recs. and Blasphemous
Creations Of Hell. The first track "Black Forest Path" is fast,
raging song with extremely fast guitars. The guitars, despite being
played at such a lightning fast pace features some well executed
patterns. The vocals are raw and grim black metal screams. "Blood
Moon Arcana" is up next and continues the aggressive style with
hyper speed blast beats. The guitars in this song are played with
some blazing and crazed guitars, but there is some calmer mid paced
guitar passages later in the song to give it a nice mix. "Taikuus"
is the final track and is a little more calm and not as aggressive
as the first two songs. But the music is raw and brutal in it's
delivery. Musically Kuupyr plays raw and primitive black metal, but
main man Oleh knows how to write and create some really
devastatingly evil bm music that l for one look forward to hearing
more of very soon. - Patrick
https://bchrecords.storenvy.com/
https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/
|
|
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
|
This is a
compilation re-release of old material from the band (who recently
either reformed or returned from a lengthy hiatus), hailing from the
Bay Area and who play a blistering Deathrash style. I am not sure
why it is arranged this way on this release, but they arranged the
split EP tracks, demo tape and EP in reverse chronological order so
the tracks from start to finish are from 2013 and work their way
backwards to 2009. Not that I am entirely adverse to doing it that
way necessarily, still I do not get why they chose to do that as you
usually want to end on the best note and generally that is your
newer material, maybe they just wanted to be different? Haha. The
band write high energy riffs and rhythms that evoke a headbanging
spirit within your body and force it to spring into action (i.e. –
it is super heavy and catchy as fuck!). I can tell these guys spent
a lot of time worshipping at the altar of the almighty Slayer, with
particular devotion towards the “Reign In Blood” era. There is a
definite comparison also, in my opinion, to be made to Demolition
Hammer mixed with a smattering of early to mid Death. The vocals,
just like the music are a marriage of thrash gruff yelled style
vocals and the death metal growl, but very decipherable where you
can make out every lyric clearly. Yeah I am digging this release
quite a bit. The only knock for me, again it is me not liking the
sequencing of the releases, as the first like 70% this record is
awesome, but then towards the end the oldest material is
rudimentary, repetitive and undeveloped in comparison to the rest of
the release. I would have rather started there and built to the
killer stuff, rather than reducing the speed heading towards the
finish line having ran a very good race and now we are coasting into
the finish on fumes. But, even the later material is decent enough,
just not as good as the first half and a bit of this fifty minute
plus retrospective collection. This was put out as a retrospective
collection, yes, but also to garner interest for their upcoming
album and it certainly has done that for me so mission accomplished.
I wait with baited breath for their next release! Check this out
ASAP. - Dale
https://lacerationbayarea.bandcamp.com/music
http://www.unspeakableaxerecords.com/
|
Canada's
Lacrimae Mortalium have released one of 2010's best death/doom/black
metal releases hands down. The album starts off with some heavy and
bone crushing riffs. The band seems heavily rooted in the early 90's
death/doom with their approach. The band picks up the tempo to
mid-paced range with some impressive guitar riffs and solo's not
normally heard in death/doom bands. The drumming is just as
impressive and devastating with some heavy crushing beats but picks
up the pace right along with the guitarist and makes for an
interesting and enjoyable listen. The vocals are really where the
bands black and death metal influence can be heard with some vicious
and brutal {yes I know brutal is not a word normally used to
describe a doom band} growls and some insane black metal screams the
two very different vocal patterns fit very well with Lacrimae
Mortalium's music and add an extra layer to the bands already heavy
sound. I am not really sure if traditional-doom fans will enjoy
this. But if you are a fan of death or black/doom then Lacrimae
Mortalium is a must hear! Buy this now! – Patrick
http://www.myspace.com/lacrimaemortaliumdoom
|
Coming out of
Pittsburgh’s traditional heavy metal scene is Lady Beast with their
second full-length release. “Vicious Breed” consists of eight songs
of classic heavy metal, with some extremely well composed music back
by well played instruments. The guitar work is played with both fast
traditional metal riffs and solidly written and executed mid paced
sections. The guitarist even writes and performs some excellent
solos intertwined within the memorable music. The vocals are handled
by Deborah Levi, who does a great job of belting out both
conventional heavy metal vocals, as well as somewhat wild aggressive
vocals, but she can is also sing with a more controlled melodic
style. I would say, if you are a fan of NWOBHM, and other early ‘80s
heavy metal bands then be sure to check out Lady Beast’s newest
release today. - Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/ladybeastofficial/ http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/
|
Why does the
band list this as an EP? I have no idea as it is album length,
clocking in at I believe just a cunt hair under 45 minutes. This is
some Canadian doom metal, so prepare to get pounded like a cheap
whore who did not bring back enough money for her pimp. I hear
influences in their sound like early Cathedral, Black Sabbath,
Orange Goblin, Electric Wizard. I get a bit of Stoner feel from
Lavagoat but they definitely have this cool sci-fi vibe running
through their music and imagery, which sets them apart from most
doom bands. I like that, not sure if you would call Hawkwind an
influence, but they probably have a connection with regards to tone
and atmosphere of their music and overall presentation. The vocals
are sparsely used, but also are something different for traditional
doom, they are growled and yelled vocals that are dark and guttural,
I dig them but they are a different than the norm choice for a band
of this style. Honestly the vocals remind of me Chuck Billy’s death
metal-ish vocals from the hugely underrated classic in my eyes,
Testament album “Demonic”. There are some more clean, just generally
shouted coarse vocals as well, almost hardcore like. The final song
on here, the title track is over 21 minutes long and is a mindfuck
soundscape of a song that helps set the mood of the whole release
after you were aurally abused by the twenty-three minutes
suffocating colossal fuzz and fucking heavy doom that before! It is
a great for me a source of pride having this band come from my
homeland. You should check them out toot sweet. This is the kind of
band I could see popping up one day on the mighty I Hate Records
doom label from Sweden. - Dale
http://www.myspace.com/goatlust https://twitter.com/Lavagoat
|
I am not deep
into the Doom UG but I do wander that path often enough. With that
in mind I must admit I had not heard of this band or put my claws on
any of their releases. This is a traditional American doom band from
sunny and sweltering California. I can picture the palm trees,
shading a crispy patch of lawn, a small table with a whiskey bottle
and a couple of glasses with the rapidly melting rocks and a nice
breeze blowing through as strains LNA waft out of the garage.
Leather Nun America are a doom band and like most doom bands they
borrow some from Black Sabbath. Sab did it all man and it that is no
knock, it almost impossible not to let a little of the godfathers of
this classic sound seep into your subconscious. I think you can hear
it most in some of the song structuring and even their mix of songs
styles. They have the straight up doom but much like the Sabs mix it
up with some introspective, melancholy songs and passages ala a
Laguna Sunrise or Planet Caravan vibe. But in overall sound when
they start to rock out in slow motion I just can not help but think
of The Obsessed and I think they were a big influence as well. I
love and virtually worship at the altar of The Obsessed so you could
say I enjoyed Kult Occult quite a fucking bit. The vocals are a
little different though than those bands and definitely sparingly
used but there are a few different styles employed like clean
spoken vocals, then cleanly sung but slightly more gravelly ones and
some bits of others that bring Corrosion of Conformity to mind.
Either way there are so few vocals that they do not make or break
the album one way or the other. I really enjoyed this record and
recommend it to classic doom hounds that like it a little more on
the mellow side at times. –
Dale
http://www.myspace.com/leathernunamerica
http://www.psychedoomelic.com/
|
Well now, you
may remember my review of this bands demo way back in 2006, and to
be honest I kind of ripped it a new asshole. I was a dick in the
review to be honest (I am known to be like that now and then),
saying it sounded like a one man bands home riffs cassette. With
this two song CD single, this Swedish horde has come a long fucking
way since that demo. I mean huge improvement and Legions now will
proudly give me the middle finger and make me eat my words. This is
simply some fantastic blackened thrash metal that has a little bit
of everything for fans of the genre. Yes this is only two songs, but
two killer songs, the music is a mix of newer razor sharp thrash
mixed with lots of the old school brutality and raw sound. It even
has some gang sung choruses which make think heavily to the old days
and love it, more of this boys. The main vocals though are a melding
of gruff thrash yells with a smattering of black metal rasp. The
drummer is a monster and provides a strong backbone and the guitars
flesh things out with some nice underlying fills. It is only two
songs, I wish I had more, this leaves me lusting for more. You will
find the energy infectious as you put the release on a continuous
repeat loop as you become hooked more and more by the Blitz! I am
really looking forward to hearing an album now. –
Dale
http://www.myspace.com/theworldoflegionsofwar
http://www.inferno-records.net/
|
Olympic did a great
job on this, all bands have a good sound and here is a run down for ya.
There are only 2 bad bands who shamelessly butchered Ozzy classics:
Soulstorm “Mr.Crowley”, and Filthboy who do an awful, awful “Ultimate
Sin”. The good bands include: Obliveon “Suicide Solution”, Los Gusanos
“No Bone Movies”, Opressor “Over The Mountian”(I heard this song on the
metal channel on digital cable here in Philly!), Morta Skuld “Believer”,
Syris “Crazy Train” and Distorted Rage “I don’t Know”. Stand out blow
your doors off covers come from: Solitude Aeturnus “No More Tears”,
November’s Doom “Revelation (Mother Earth)”, and Lethal with “S.A.T.O.”
- Dale |
|
Well now, you
may remember my review of this bands demo way back in 2006, and to
be honest I kind of ripped it a new asshole. I was a dick in the
review to be honest (I am known to be like that now and then),
saying it sounded like a one man bands home riffs cassette. With
this two song CD single, this Swedish horde has come a long fucking
way since that demo. I mean huge improvement and Legions now will
proudly give me the middle finger and make me eat my words. This is
simply some fantastic blackened thrash metal that has a little bit
of everything for fans of the genre. Yes this is only two songs, but
two killer songs, the music is a mix of newer razor sharp thrash
mixed with lots of the old school brutality and raw sound. It even
has some gang sung choruses which make think heavily to the old days
and love it, more of this boys. The main vocals though are a melding
of gruff thrash yells with a smattering of black metal rasp. The
drummer is a monster and provides a strong backbone and the guitars
flesh things out with some nice underlying fills. It is only two
songs, I wish I had more, this leaves me lusting for more. You will
find the energy infectious as you put the release on a continuous
repeat loop as you become hooked more and more by the Blitz! I am
really looking forward to hearing an album now. –
Dale
http://www.myspace.com/theworldoflegionsofwar
http://www.inferno-records.net/
|
UK’s Lethean
seems to have started out in recent years as a solo project from
James Ashbey (ex-Sostice, Deceptor and Cimmerion Shadows fanzine).
But, starting with this debut album, James has added Thumri Paavana
on vocals full time (though James still handles all instruments).
Lethean play epic heavy metal with pacing and feel, which is close
to a classic doom style, but never really departing too far from the
heavy metal confines. They keep things on traveling on a flowing,
emotive, and wandering journey yet never entirely abandoning the
killer heavy metal riffing for too long. I like that. The vocals
will probably throw some off, I’m not going to lie to you, they
throw me off a little at times too. The vocals are not what you
expect; no classic doomy medieval Messiah Marcolin or similar
vocals, which I think would fit this music wonderfully. No, they are
clean, elegant female and very feminine sounding vocals that are
probably closer to what you might hear on melodo heavy metal or even
gothic tinged metal bands. That is not to say they are not good,
because honestly they are pretty wonderful, it is a very beautiful
and graceful performance by Thumri. This style actually works better
than I would have thought because I would have thought they would
not work at all, but it does, at least at times it does. I enjoy the
music very much and the vocals quite a lot as well, but separately,
as they do not feel like they belong together to me. If you like
that description however, this is worth checking out as everything
has been created and performed with the paramount talent and
dedication. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/letheanuk/
https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/
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After six years
of silence Finland's Lie In Ruins return with a new full-length
album. “Floating In Timeless Streams” contains ten tracks of solid
and well executed death metal, that is not breaking any new barriers
or genres, but is still played with skill through experienced
musicians. The music is mainly played with aggressive guitar
patterns and some fast drums. The music does slow to a more
controlled pace in a few of the tracks, but for the most part the
music is played with an extremely fast velocity. The vocals are some
of the best death metal growls that I have heard in quite some time.
The guitars are done with rapid, frenzied guitar chords and patterns
even adding some solo's throughout in some of the songs. This is my
first encounter with Lie In Ruins, so I can't compare their previous
releases to the new one, but if you are a fan of intense and heavy
death metal then do not pass up on this very solid release. -
Patrick
https://www.facebook.com/lieinruins
http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/
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Yet another
band, much like the Tormented review I did recently, that is in all
honesty basically a clone of the old glorious Swedish death metal
sound. As I have said in other reviews, I simply worship at the
altar of this style of death metal and can not really seem to get
enough of it. But I do realize that is not the case for some of you
reading this, some might not like the style at all, while others
might be a little picky and mostly stick to the originators of the
style and their albums. Those people will want to move on to the
next review. However, if you are a devotee of that sound like me,
then there is something to hear here for you, especially if you are
a big Dismember die hard like me. Lifeless are clearly huge
Dismember fans, “Like An Ever Flowing Stream”, I would wager a guess
it has had many, many turns on these sickos turntables. I mean they
do mix in other bits of general influence, but that is clearly to my
ear the main one for this band. I think this is a good record, quite
an unoriginal one, but also well done with some cool riffs and that
classic sounding production. Not much else to say really, not
special but very well done. - Dale
http://www.reverbnation.com/lifelessdeathmetal
http://www.fda-rekotz.com/gx/
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Coming at us
from the armpits of Australia is Limb From Limb. One look at the
album title and the track listing shows these guys are pissed off
and it shows in the music. This is some heavy and guttural death
metal that definitely has an American sound to it. Maybe mixed with
a touch of Australian blasting war metal style. For me there is
something wrong the mix on this album. It is kind of all separated
and the lower levels seem to just get lost while other aspects are
loud and clear. It is kind of hard to describe. Some the riffing
though just comes at you like an avalanche while your body is
pounded to a pulp by the drums. There is a clearer less used growI
but the main garbled vocal sickness would make Mortician proud. I
think death/grind fanatics will love this album but if you are a
little more selective when it comes to this genre. Then you could
probably due without this one. This was pretty impressive for a
debut and I will be interested to see what they can do on their
follow up with a more balanced recording. I must mention that
Obsidian Records have done a fantastic job on their promotional
package and seem like a label that is really serious about promoting
their bands. –
Dale
www.obsidianrecords.com
www.myspace.com/brutalozzydeath |
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I admit for many
of the readers of Canadian Assault, largely made up of extreme metal
followers, this may not be your cup of tea. But as soon as I seen
hard rock and heard Bobby Liebling was in this, I guess super group
my interest suddenly went from zero to sixty in under ten seconds. I
am a longtime fan of course of Bobby’s main band Pentagram, which
has been around off and on in various forms since the early 1970’s.
The rest of this international super group only adds more intrigue
with Sonny Vincent on of the storied decades old long punk rock band
the Testors, Hugo Conim & Joao Pedro from Portugeuse doom metallers
Dawnrider on guitar and drums respectively, and believe it or not
bassist of The Stooges Jimmy Recca. I have to admit despite this
being the proverbial super group tagline; the music does not feel as
thrown together and loosely sewn together as these types of bands
often are. The music here feels natural and organically created and
performed with some excellent flow to the music. Bobby’s vocals,
while his charismatic voice is certainly recognizable from his
Pentagram material, the vocals here have a little different style
and cadence. I am sure some of this is conscious effort to give
Limit a little different vocal flavour from Pentagram, some of it is
from the speed difference with Bobby being forced to speed up his
delivery. Bobby cuts back on the drawn out words that suit doom over
the middle to faster pace of the driving hard rock on this album.
There is a contemporary edge to a lot of the music, but the lions
share of the music, wonderfully in my view feels very classic
seventies hard rock with some eighties influence here and there as
well. The music is exceedingly energetic rock music where flow,
catchy rhythms, memorable lyrics and choruses are the order of the
day. It is all in service of good rocking songs with no thought or
space given to the guitars to show-off histrionics or extended solos
and the like. There are stretches when classic punk rock seeps in,
but it is usually relatively subtle as the band effortlessly glides
back and forth. I can not imagine fans of classic ‘70s hard rock and
the music of the older members of the bands who would not really
this enjoy record. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/TheLimitRock/
https://svartrecords.com/
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I know this is a
little old, but I finally got a copy on CD (to replace my dub) and felt
it really deserved the space. Lividity play some of the sickest brutal
prono death/grind on the planet. They slam you with gut wrenching riffs
and an explosion of vomitous growls from 2 separate members and slash
you from every direction. Highly recommended to all extreme death /
grinders with strong stomachs!
- Dale
Send $12 US/$14 WORLD to:
Abound Distro.,
P.O.
Box 176, Winchendon, MA. 01475, USA |
I was pleased to
see a Lividity album show up in my mailbox. To be honest, I had not
realized they were still alive and kicking! Apparently, they have
been going all of these years and never broke up either. I was
really into their first couple albums (released in 2000 and 2002)
and then kind of lost track of them, though in my defense this is
only the bands third album in the 16 years since then! I seen
LIvidity live in 1999 at the Milwaukee Metalfest and I remember they
offered free t-shirts to girls in the crowd that were willing to
flash their tits and a couple took them up on their offer. So yeah,
that little story should give you an idea what you are in for, and
it does not seem like the band have changed all that much since
then, despite the time passed. As this album is filled with gore and
misogyny, so anyone sensitive (and/or overly PC in general) to that
this is not for you! There is even an anal sex clip of Dr. Ruth
Westheimer the sex doctor, who us old timers know was household name
back in the ‘80s and ‘90s haha. There is plenty of good entertaining
other good clips along the way as well. Okay, so lyrically and
attitude wise, nothing has changed in all of these years, but what
about the music? I am pleased to say the band has stuck to their
roots of just totally brutal guttural death metal, the type that
made this metallic sub-genre what it was and gave it life. If you
are into ultra technical, adventurous, cultured or diverse more
modern death metal, then once again this not fucking for you! Yes,
the band play old school barbarity with crushing riffs and pounding
drums, along with deep somewhat belching style growling that will
have you headbanging like a demon! I adore those bestial heavy
riffs! If you love old school brutal death metal that will
relentlessly bash your head in with a spiked fist, and leave you in
a satisfied in a bloody pulp every time you listen to it, then you
should check this out. - Dale
https://lividity-map.bandcamp.com/album/perverseverance
http://www.metalage.sk/
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Italy’s brutal
band Logic Of Denial, are back with their third attack entitled
“Aftermath”, featuring twelve songs. The band plays a brutal and
vicious death metal style and do it with a lot of skill and talented
musicianship. The guitars are played mainly with crazed and fast
riffs and patterns, as well as some well done solos, mixed into a
few of the songs. The vocals are low brutal death metal growls. The
drums are played with some insane blast beats and the drummer does
know how to create and perform well done heavier mid paced skin
beating. If you are a fan of modern brutal death metal then be sure
to pick up a copy of “Aftermath” when it is released. - Patrick
http://www.logicofdenial.com/ http://www.comatosemusic.com/
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Lord Mortvm is a
new one man band from Norway and it is an interesting one. When I
say new, I mean really new as this full-length is their debut
recording and already a record deal. The music on here is heavy dark
doom metal with stoner doom touches that is mixed with black metal
and occult influenced metal in general. Yes, I know on paper and in
theory mixing those genres together should result in an absolute
musical train wreck. It is mildly shocking to me that this not only
works, but it works really well. I guess in the right hands, with
the right vision, and keeping the core roots of each of those genres
seems to be the right modus operandi to create something quality.
Some of the guitar on here features some fantastic classic doom
licks and appetizing guitar fills that won me over. I would say
traditional doom metal is the prominent base layer, but the stoner
sound and the black metal atmosphere alongside sinister vocals is
all well represented in the songwriting. Lord Mortvm is talented at
creating an aura of audio darkness while at same time also
expressing strong emotive feelings of oppressive sorrow and bleak
gloom that is a hallmark of doom metal. I can definitely picture the
listener in a dark room with reddish glow from a far off lamp,
smoking a joint, chanting an incantation and welcoming Satan’s
embrace. ‘Diabolical Omen Of Hell’ for me was a pretty satisfying
mental journey that combines some of my favourite sounds, styles and
eccentric dark feelings. I would have to recommend this to those who
are possessed by the music of bands like Black Sabbath, Pentagram,
early Mayhem, old Darkthrone, Electric Wizard, Orange Goblin, St.
Vitus and the like. - Dale
https://www.facebook.com/lordmortvm
https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/diabolical
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Pppfffftt…Put
Machine Head, Meshuggah, Fear Factory in a blender and get wannabe’s
Lost Souls. Generic crap and I am getting so thoroughly disgusted this
boring style of Canadian Assault termed ‘jump metal’.
- Dale
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The shadowy and
dangerous sounding Lvcifyre rise once again like dark fog out of the
United Kingdom with their third album. This searing dyad is made up
of active UG musicians guitarist/bassist/vocalist T. Kaos (Death
like Mass, Sodality,
ex-Hödur,
ex-Sons of Serpent) and drummer Menthor (Bestia Arcana, Death like
Mass, Enthroned, Epping Forest, Nightbringer, Voz de Nenhum).
According the bio songwriter and main man Tom Kaos, despite some
other releases along the way by the band, this album was seven hard
fought years in the creation process and ‘the biggest mountain to
climb so far’ in his many years as a musician. It is easy in
some aspects to describe the bands sounds and in other aspects not
so easy. The nucleus can be described as blackened death metal, but
there is such a free flowing, spacious yet incredibly suffocating
atmosphere and aura to the music. It is sort of like being covered
in a huge wet audio blanket, shutting out all light and invoking a
feeling of no escape. There is so much space for that gloomy
ambiance to float, and wind its emotive self in between the
simmering brutality that will suddenly pound you down. The growling
vocals are great, they are so murky sounding as they transform and
mutate between traditional deep growl, throaty dark whispering, some
short expressive yelling outbursts, along with brooding and roiling
growls. There are even obscured into the background sung/spoken word
bits that remind me a little of something from the bands Root or
Acheron “Rites Of The Black Mass” era. The music would not achieve
it’s full effect, if those vocals did not possess the scope and
range that they do as opposed to just straight up death growls. I am
not saying Lvcifyre sound just like these bands, but all the same if
you think you would like the idea of a very atmospheric, morose
version of the earlier works of bands like Incantation, Morbid
Angel, Immolation, Deicide, and some newer ones like Dead
Congregation, Funebrarum then I think you will dig the hell out of
this album. - Dale
https://lvcifyre.bandcamp.com/
https://www.noevdia.com/
http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/
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Cruz Del Sur are
quickly becoming the champions of heavy metal, the label tends to
have quite discerning tastes and their stable, to me, is beginning
to set the standard for excellence in the genre these days. This
German band is clearly full of energy and very talented. They play
an entertaining brand of heavy metal, which is deeply rooted in the
NWOBHM and I can hear a lot of Iron Maiden at their deepest core.
Much like those heroes and Judas Priest, there abounds some
wonderful soaring twin guitar harmonies. That is the main template
for their sound, but they do have some other influences, as I hear a
bit of 70s and believe it or not, some slight influences from ‘90s
extreme metal. Which is quite the juxtaposition, with some of the
very light airy moments, sitting next to the heavy, gloomy
introspective passages elements. There are some frolicking lively
guitar solos scattered through the album which were engaging and
pleasurable, those solos give off a improvisational vibe to me. One
thing that is a must, if you are even going to attempt this genre is
a good vocalist, enter Alex Vornam. With his soaring clean vocals,
which are possibly a tad too light and not gritty enough for some,
but he fits the music well and has a smooth voice with pretty solid
range. Yeah, this is a pretty kick ass album, displaying real talent
across the board. I guess the only criticism, I might have is some
of the songs are a little too long, about half of the songs are 8 to
10 minutes long. There is nothing wrong with that, but I think maybe
this very young bands experience is a little short, and their
maturity as song writers, needs some more time to develop before
they have the vision and discipline to make such epic length songs.
I have little doubt as I said, with some experience, that they will
be full value for such a gargantuan undertaking. Having said that
those are still good songs, but could benefit from a little
tightening up. But, if you are a fan of the styles I mentioned
above, then I am certain you dig this album. - Dale
https://lunarshadow.bandcamp.com/ http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/
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I don’t know I
see a lot of chatter online about this German band being a heavy
metal band that heavily weaves in melodic death and black metal. I
just do not hear it, especially with the black metal thing. Some
melodo death elements sure, a tiny bit, but honestly is that not a
little ass backwards to make that claim as melodo death is mostly
incorporating large doses of heavy metal melody. So, it is a melodic
heavy metal band taking back it’s melody!? Haha. I guess I should
not get too wrapped up in this talk that this band is so innovative
with these sorts of proclamations, as the band itself from what I
can see on their Encyclopeida Metallium, facebook and bandcamp pages
just call themselves straight up heavy metal. Which is what they
are, if anything they do not sound like old school heavy metal bands
and very much sound like current bands in this style and super clean
modern production (not a plus for me). As you know, I am a huge fan
of old school heavy metal and records based mainly on melody to get
by, have to be pretty damn amazing to grab me as I am not the
biggest fan of ultra melodic (comes off a little too light and
commercial sounding for my tastes in many cases) music. The vocalist
is good, but the hurried way he delivers the vocals, seemingly in an
attempt to keep up or even stay ahead of the speed of the song is
not the best use of an excellent singing voice like that. His voice
needs more room to breathe in the compositions and the room is
simply not there most of the time. If a band is going to be so heavy
on melody, for me it better not be at the sacrifice of song flow and
just overall good song structuring and memorable songs. That is a
pitfall a lot of these bands make and in my view Lunar Shadow have
also fallen into, to their detriment. I feel they do sacrifice
overall song quality to force greedy gobs of melody all over the
place, plus there is plenty of individual guitar histrionics that
seem to add no real value to the song as a fill or a solo and they
often over extend their stay. Clearly the band has really strong
individual talents; there is some decent raw material here and
there, but just not enough for me in just straight up good overall
song writing, memorability and not there is not enough self-editing
in the greater good of the songs and the album itself. - Dale
https://lunarshadow.bandcamp.com/
https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/
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