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ABSU
Tara
(Osmose Productions)
52:13min
"Tara" starts with a bagpipe intro but just when you're about to take
out the CD and check if you mistakenly put in one of your numerous folk CDs,
all hell breaks loose! Once again, ABSU are taking no prisoners. Sometimes you
spot slight hints of SLAYER in one riff or another, but that's okay - on CD
SLAYER are long dead and ABSU surely are not! Apart from that, Frank pointed
out the fabulous drummer and as our editor is not really focused on drummers
at all, there had to be something about it - and it's true! That guy is not
only fast and precise, he does a lot of breath taking fills others would be
proud of! The track 'Stone Of Destiny' also features some cool clean, yet sick
vocals - very cool! Many guest musicians on "Tara" as well: from MELECHESH,
MERCYFUL FATE, RIGOR MORTIS and others. But this doesn't tell much about the
record itself, a CD can feature cool riffs and excellent musicians and still
suck. Why should one buy "Tara"? Apart from ABSU's status, this album
satisfies both the longing of many Black Metal fans for pure rage as well as
a talent for composing well structured, longer songs that stay interesting.
No cheap keyboards on here as well. Finally, according to the record company,
"Tara" is meant to be a concept album "about their wars, deities,
metastasis, barbarism, methods of knighthood, craftsmanship in liquefying metal
and stone - their rise to the knoll of High Kingship". Whatever this means.
Maybe an interview can help explaining this. What can you learn from this review?
The new ABSU album is absolutely worth purchasing - and for the vinyl freaks
among you: there will be an LP out, limited to 1000 copies as well. The CD is
on sale
here .
Ramon Claassen
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ABSU
Absu
(Candlelight Records)
53:47min
If a band returns after several years of silence the expectations
are more than great mixed with the slightly risk that you don’t
get what you expect (for example the latest JUDAS PRIEST release).
If a cult act like ABSU returns from the hall of the dead a whole
underground scene is holding their breath for at least a second. The
American Celtic Thrash warriors are part of any essential Metal
collection ever since their Osmose Production debut “Barathrum
V.I.T.R.I.O.L.“ and songs like 'Highland Tyrant Attack' from their
third attack “The Third Storm Of Cythraul” are more than just
great skull crushing Metal music. A lot of time had passed since
their last album “Tara” (2001) , the line-up changed several
times mainly on the guitars and also a new dedicated record company
was found in Candlelight Records. But the most important fact
hadn’t changed - ABSU are still playing aggressive fucking Metal
with their unique influences which are concentrating this time more
on the dark Sumerian cosmos than their Celtic roots. As usual the
album is full of unusual arrangements and the ear needs quite some
time to “adjust” to the release but ABSU are still in the
position to follow their unique way which is again the mixture of
Thrash / Black Metal spiced by some epic elements. If BATHORY
hadn’t used “The Return” for their 1985 release there would be
no better album title for this one - and even if my colleagues
praise as “album of the year” seems a little bit exaggerated -
this album is definitely worth the resurrection of this American
metal institution. www.candlelightrecords.co.uk,
www.absu.us
Matthias Auch
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ABUSED MAJESTY
Serpenthrone
(Adipocere Records)
37:05min
I received this CD in the same batch of promos as the NAUMACHIA
record reviewed also in these very pages, and guess what: it is more
or less the same disc, this time a little darker and more extreme
yet no better as a result. I remember the days when Poland reigned
supreme in the troubled world of Death Metal. Bands like DRAGON
(listen to their “Fallen Angel” album, a pure masterpiece!),
IMPERATOR, VADER, the mighty BETRAYER and the absolute gods -- in my
book of course-- DAMNATION came out with something of their own and
coped hard with shoestring budget and self-made gear to best their
western counterparts. Those were the times of creativity and rage,
precisely because of a very difficult environment. Now that the
living conditions are way much better in Poland (fortunately of
course) the insidious side effect is the apparition of legion and
legion of extreme bands devoid of any personality. I mean, they
could surge from Scandinavia or from the USA for all that we know,
all these bands use the same two recording facilities (namely the
Hertz and the Selani studios), play the same music and choose the
same artists to illustrate their records. No wonder then one is left
with nothing to say of interest about a particular record, as it is
my case here. ABUSED MAJESTY play the generic form of vaguely
Swedish melodic Death / Black Metal, symphonic oriented because of
an unimaginative use of keyboards (played in layers of placated
chords rather than in notes, I can do that myself with a toy synth).
All feeling is lost in the process; I have the impression of talking
about a hypermarket product and not of an actual album, a shame. The
worse of all this is that I can’t even hate “Serpenthrone”,
the musicians are great and the sound perfect. The best moments come
when ABUSED MAJESTY resemble the Swedish project MUTANT, but even
then, the Polish band can’t top their Scandinavian predecessors. I
don’t want to lose that much time with this review; it is up to
you to investigate on the ABUSED MAJESTY case. Not recommended in my
camp.
Edouard Vergriete
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ABVULABASHY
Luciferik Ritual Blasphemy
(Ten Black Years Ov Annihilation, Damnation, and Exekution)
(self-financed)
10:72min
Just when I thought I was already aware of the most unintelligible Black Metal logo, let alone the abandonment of pronunciation to that same moniker, the benchmark I once knew has been totally erased! ABVULABASHY is without a doubt the craziest name I have ever heard for a band! And yet if you really take a look at their logo this strange word melts before your eyes into one of the coolest logos I have seen drawn for this style of Metal. A true, and not easily equaled, Christ-crushing paradox!
“Luciferik Ritual Blasphemy” conjures to mind the music and stylings of BEHERIT and SARCOFAGO with the written heretical text inspired by the Ross Bay cultists BLASPHEMY. Spat forth with as much illicit venom as you could imagine, rendering the songs here as real audio consternation played against the trappings and teachings of the Jewish faith, of Jehovah and unmistakably made in hatred and torment for those forsaken by baptism or who would call The Lord God their personal saviour.
Contact: crucifixdestroyer@yahoo.co.uk
or www.myspace.com/abvulabashy
or Blk 39, #09-241 Chai Chee Avenue, Singapore 461039 Singapore.
Wes Rhodes
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ABYSMAL DAWN
Programmed To Consume
(Relapse Records)
37:27min
That’s real US Death Metal with some classical reminders to 90s gods like MONSTROSITY, DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, but still with
a modern approach. This second album of Los Angeles based ABYSMAL DAWN is a really delighted experience cause it doesn’t shake hands with any forms of current brutal
Death / Grind trends in all its forms. Here you get real songs done with heart and technical dedication like back in the days of the great wave of Florida based bands.
For me this album is pure classical US Death Metal from the 90s transferred into a modern production with some new
aspects. Actually one of the best US releases since MONSTROSITY’s “Spiritual Apocalypse”. It’s pretty rare these days that you get such an album from a young band, so show them your respect if you hail the banner of Death from above mentioned bands!!!
www.abysmaldawn.com,
www.myspace.com/abysmaldawn,
www.relapse.com
Ralf Hauber
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ACERO LETAL
Por La Gloria De Metal
(self-financed)
8:58min
Great songwriters will make their songs sound good irrespective of the instruments they use to record them. We all know how few bands can strut their stuff, especially those ones that claim to play oldschool Metal. ACERO LETAL is a Chilean band who can do what so many bands can't: play well. Their sound is recognizable, being a direct imitation of early
80s NWOBHM. Indeed, some of their exquisite solos may easily be forgotten IRON MAIDEN or BLITZKRIEG tunes. Only two songs grace the tape but this band is going to release far more than that if they keep this up. Any label who refuses them a contract is a label asking for an infinitude of regret.
www.myspace.com/aceroletal
Nat Shapiro
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ACHERON
A Taste Of Blasphemy (Promo CD-R)
(self-financed)
30:42min
When I spent some time in the US, I was the only one who didn't get this CD at a
record store in Columbus, Ohio for free, but as I knew that my companions
wouldn't like this sound, I didn't have to ask the shop keeper for a copy...
Well, what can I say? ACHERON is back! This CD-R contains old recordings from
"Anti-God, Anti-Christ", from "Those Who Have Risen" and one
song from the limited-edition Brazilian release of "Anti-God,
Anti-Christ". The good news for the fans is: the band is currently working
on a new CD called "Rebirth". For the others: ACHERON is satanic Black
Metal. No Skandinavian approach here (the band was formed in 1988), but instead
massive keyboards (not cheap sounding, though) and some good guitar solos. Check
out the website for news and sounds. http://redirect.to/acheron
Ramon Claassen
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ACHERON
Xomaly (MCD)
(Warlord Records)
21:13min
The fact that the
only ACHERON CD in my personal collection is their "Compendium
Diablerie" demo compilation should already speak for itself...
I very much like the raw musical attitude they had in those early
days, especially when Mike Smith (of SATHANAS) still used to be
their frontman. Unfortunately mainman Vincent Crowley went on to
explore different paths pretty quickly and ACHERON almost became a
totally different band, musically speaking. So, even though I always
liked a couple of songs from the regular albums that I got my hands
on, and with all respect to their ongoing search for a unique style
on their own, I never really considered myself the biggest fan of
these guys. And this new mini CD certainly won't manage to change
that either. "Xomaly" is actually even a rather
superfluous release! Two tracks (as well as two moody instrumentals
/ intros), that both will also be featured on the next ACHERON full
length "Rebirth" (in different versions though) by no
means justify the purchase of this (limited edition) disc. According
to a little note on the booklet's backside, it is mainly meant for
"the loyal ACHERON legions...", but hey - they still have
to spend their money on it, don't they? Musically ACHERON anno 2003
sound extremely atmospheric, due to the permanent use of keyboards
in the background. This, as well as the additional female vocals
(!!) and the technically very well executed leads, completely take
away the raw heaviness that Crowley himself luckily still tries to
deliver through his brutal vocals. While the titletrack knows to
impress quite a bit with its "BOLT THROWER with keyboards"
type of writing style, I consider the rather long (eight and a half
minutes) 'The Kindred' as way to experimental and complex for a band
like ACHERON. Especially the song's middle section, which once again
features female vocals, clean male vocals, keyboards and a way too
technical overall songwriting approach, reminds me a lot more on
some weirdos from Scandinavia, than the brutal Satanic horde, that
ACHERON once used to be. From a musicians point of view, ACHERON
have certainly progressed immensely throughout the years (no real
surprise, if you have great players such as INCANTATION's Kyle
Severn on drums and BURNING INSIDE's Michael Estes on lead guitar),
but for a fan of brutal music, this is quite a disappointing
evolution. www.warlordrecords.com,
www.acheron666.com
Frank Stöver
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ACHERON
Decade Infernus 1988-1998 (DoCD)
(Black Lotus Records)
135:21min
So, here we are - the long-awaited ACHERON double compilation CD is
out eventually. It has them all - all the hits: 'Slaughterization For
Satan' (cult title), 'Blessed By Damnation', 'One With Darkness', 'Lifeforce'...
The latter going back to the "Those Who Have Risen" phase
of the band, which I prefer as a matter of fact. I do not want to
bore you with tedious details here - the compilation really
represents the artistic phases ACHERON went through as a formation.
There are oldschool hits from the early years, taken from "Messe
Noir", "Rites Of The Black Mass" (1991) and more
recent material like tracks from "Those Who Have Risen"
(1998). I think it is highly interesting to observe the development
and changes on such a compilation. It is astonshing how different
ACHERON actually sound. The line-up of the band, as we all are aware
of, was affected constantly by changes. The most remarkable songs
are those featuring Michael Estes (BURNING INSIDE) because he is
such an awesome guitarist. It is astonishing as well that Richard
Christy once played in ACHERON. Of course it is interesting as well
that ACHERON were able to recrute Kyle Severn (INCANTATION) on drums.
A real cauldron of Death Metal personalities over the years. Well -
we all know what ACHERON sound like: doomy, satanic, oldschool,
primitive at times (with this strange effect entailing filigree
solos woven in), classical, a bit cheesy and pretentious sometimes.
This is a cult band for sure and this compilation represents the
work and efforts of a very important band that has certainly proven
its consistency. Sometimes I do not really observe this consistency
in the compositional sphere because in this dimension the band
sounds a bit undecided at times. But still - it is interesting
detecting all those parallels to bands we all grew up with:
NOCTURNUS, INCANTATION, DEATH etc. The cover artwork is a bit tacky
I would say, but that is personal taste. The artist is called Timo Würz
and seems to have some reputation. To cut this short - definitely a
cult release of a cult band, granting a representative fragment as a
nostalgic summary for loyal followers of the left-hand path or an
interesting appetizer for people who happen to witness this storm of
"diabolical fury upon the world" (quote from band's
biography). [I personally really wonder why the hard to find
original releases haven't been re-released instead of coming up with
a compilation of only a selected number of songs from those years...
I bet that all those ACHERON lunatics who discovered the band too
late to buy those records when they were originally released would
have appreciated that a lot more in order to complete their
collection... - Frank] Label contact: www.black-lotus-recs.com.
The CD is available here.
F. Cthulhu E.
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ACID
DRINKERS
Verses Of Steel
(Regain Records)
51:53min
This is not a comeback album, as you may expect from a band like
ACID DRINKERS, whose heyday was in the early 90s. No, this is merely
the latest installment in a long career full of satisfying albums.
From the sound of it, ACID DRINKERS have kept a close eye on the Metal
scene and its developments since they debuted in 1990. They make
heavy use of the punk D-beat that was so instrumental in the
oldschool Death Metal scene; the heavy down tuned power chords of
the short lived Death'n'Roll scene; and, somewhat to their
discredit, a slight hint of the ever cringe-worthy Nu-Metal scene.
However, for any veteran band to have as much passion, as ACID
DRINKERS obviously do, is an achievement. We may not like all the
music that they write, but no one can say that they aren't serious
about enjoying their music. www.myspace.com/aciddrinkers,
www.acid-drinkers.com,
www.regainrecords.com
Nat Shapiro
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ACID
WITCH
Witchtanic Hellucinations
(Razorback Records)
44:13min
What makes a literary genre like Steampunk so interesting is it
tries to predict what the world would have been like had the library
of Alexandria not been set aflame, or how Medieval and Renaissance
cultures would have adapted to the advances in technology we have
today. Its tremendously good fun, and that is precisely why ACID
WITCH are so good. They are what a traditional late 70s Metal band
would have sounded like had the band been privy to hearing music
that succeeded it by twelve or so years. If it had heard Death
Metal, Stoner Rock, Swedish melody, and seen the theatrics of a band
like GWAR, they would probably end up sounding like this.They are a
Steampunked Heavy Rock band. CATHEDRAL could learn a thing or two
from them. This is awesome. Its trippy, brutal, heavy, and relaxing
all in one. Evil has no boundaries, as SLAYER and Fenriz are always
quick to remind us. "Witchtanic Hellucinations" is EVIL,
though most definitely not the sort of evil audiences today are
conditioned to look for. Buy it, and support Razorback. www.myspace.com/acidwitch,
www.razorbackrecords.com
Nat Shapiro
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ACROSTIC
Kids Playing Thrash
(Infernal Overkill Productions)
34:13min
What we have here is the debut album of ACROSTIC, released in tape-format. Seems quite unusual nowadays, but since the band comes from Chile I guess they are glad to get their album released, no matter which format. Accordingly Infernal Overkill Productions is a D.I.Y. label,
focusing more on the music itself than on anything else. A quite refreshing attitude in our time, where it has become common to release new albums in different formats, special editions and not to forget the re-release two years later. Just visit the label-homepage, read the statement, and you know what I am talking about. Let’s take a look at the music. The band itself is describing the style as Noise Thrash, but I do not hear any Noise at all. Ok, if you are not used to extreme
Metal, you may detect Noise on “Kids Playing Thrash”, but it is not more or less noisy than early KREATOR, SEPULTURA or DESTRUCTION releases. Those three bands may serve as example what kind of Thrash Metal
ACROSTIC are playing. Especially the same aggressive, fast-forward attitude like on the first KREATOR albums can be discovered on “Kids Playing Thrash” and accordingly the vocalist sounds like Mille on “Pleasure To Kill”. You will not find this fine piece of music at your local record store, so get in touch with the label or band itself, to get some aggressive, mid / late eighties influenced Thrash Metal. Band contact:
www.acrosticattack.cjb.net;
cristobalsubreality@gmail.com
or Cristobal Montenegro, 10 Norte, 924 Depto 71, Vina Del Mar, Chile. Label contact:
www.infernal-overkill.tk
Mirco Szymyslik
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ACT OF GODS
Dies Irae (Demo 2002)
(self-financed)
11:55min
If you checked out
the ACT OF GODS interview feature on our website, you will already
be aware of the fact that this new French band consists of
ex-members of the legendary MUTILATED, who used to release two
killer demos back in the late 80s, early 90s ("Psychodeath
Lunatics" and "Resurrected"). After the split-up both
their guitarists, Michel and Eric, went on to form ABYSSALS (who
released another self-titled demo masterpiece in 1994) before they
unfortunately also disappeared into nothingness. Luckily the old
MUTILATED bassplayer / vocalist Phil finally decided to give it
another go in September 2001. He switched over to guitar, recruited
former HIDDEN SIDE vocalist Ventylator and drummer Guillaume (who
also used to play with ABYSSALS for a while) and ACT OF GODS was
born! The band's first musical sign of life is a four song demo,
entitled "Dies Irae", which currently unfortunately is
only available for promotional manners. But don't worry too much - a
limited edition of 500 copies will go on sale shortly! It actually
would be a big waste, if this material wouldn't get spread more
effectively as it's fuckin' brilliant once again!!! Even though
there's only two songs with a proper playing time on here, that go
beyond the four minutes mark ('Act Of The Insane' - with its 'Chapel
Of Ghouls' like opening and 'Soaked In Pus', with a 'Unholy
Blasphemies' meets 'The Ancient Ones' kinda feel to it), the rather
short (1:56min) 'Perverted Cross' and the short instrumental outro
are still of a similar class, nevertheless! ACT OF GODS play
intense, brutal Death Metal, kinda close to what the guys already
delivered in their previous outfits, which means, all worshippers of
early MORBID ANGEL (up to "Blessed...") and the likes will
certainly get a massive kick out of this! This is nothing like the
new wave of highspeed technical Death Metal à la INTERNECINE, HATE
ETERNAL, EXMORTEM and the likes, but crushing, speedy oldschool
Death, performed by a bunch of experienced musicians, whose roots
can easily be found in the first generation of this genre! I already
totally worship them in a big way and can't wait to see these guys
record an album (after all)! Contact: ACT OF GODS, 36 bis Av. Jean
Jaurès, 01000 Bourg En Bresse, France, email: vortexal@hotmail.com,
ventylator@hotmail.com
Frank Stöver
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ACT
OF GODS
Stench Of Centuries
(Osmose Productions)
46:18min
This four piece from France offer us a really enjoyable first full length. With
two ex-MUTILATED members within their ranks, it is clear right from the start
that they are up to play oldschool Death Metal which is not very frequent these
days, I am sure you will agree. Musically wise, ACT OF GODS remind me of classic
American bands from the beginning of the 90s, like CANNIBAL CORPSE and "Imperial
Doom" - era MONSTROSITY especially (for the intricacy of the songs and the
overall sound). Extremely well produced by Stéphane Buriez (of LOUDBLAST fame
of course) "Stench Of Centuries" features 11 tracks (12 on the vinyl
version, the extra track being a MUTILATED one), each of them being equally
good. Some monotony surges after a while because all the tracks are build on the
same frame, so I can't say ACT OF GODS are a groundbreaking band in the Death
Metal field. But damn, they are a shoulder above their competitor nevertheless,
thanks to an excellent musicianship and the frantic conviction these guys
demonstrate throughout the record. With VORKREIST and BLOODY SIGN surely the
best French act in activity. And I guess that after some adjustments, the second
coming of this band could be huge. Meanwhile you are advised by yours truly to
give a serious listen to this one. It is on sale
here.
Edouard Vergriete
BACK
ACT
OF GODS
Maât
(Osmose Productions)
37:31min
In the review of their previous effort (“Stench Of Centuries”) I predicted
that, given some adjustments, ACT OF GODS could produce a monstrous album. I was
no wrong.
With a fleshed up line-up (a supplementary guitarist is at work here, ACT
OF GODS being now a quintet) and refreshed ideas, this French death squad offer
us an album gorged with fundamental and archetypal Death Metal riffs. As soon as
the short intro ‘Hiatus’ (with its certain nod towards PESTILENCE ‘Parricide’)
kicks off, the first thing I remarked (and by which I was floored at once) is
the huge tower of sound created in the studio. In the best of my memory, I have
never heard a so corrosive guitar sound, razor-sharp and crystalline, a real
feast for the ears. Musically, ACT OF GODS are clearly stuck in the classic way
of Death Metal song crafting, it is neither modern nor retro, simply classic (think
of the 1989-1991 era of the genre), a blend of early PESTILENCE with
“Altars…” era MORBID ANGEL, just to give you a faint idea. Only the
improvements of recording techniques betray the actual year of conception of
this album. Need I say that such a release acts like a relieving cure especially
regarding the alarming mediocrity of the present days Death Metal scene? On
“Maât” (from the name of the Egyptian goddess, daughter of Râ and
incarnating the supreme justice) ACT OF GODS have refined their song writing,
sweeping away the monotony factor I told you about in my review of their
previous album. The band are always busy experimenting with angular structures,
trying (and achieving in the end) to never lose the listener’s attention. Fear
not, when I say experimenting, I don’t mean fancy studio tricks, the music
stays what old farts like me love so much when they think of great Death Metal.
Surprisingly fresh while being predictable, ACT OF GODS could even be considered
as an avant-garde band because they precisely play the purest form of Death
Metal, a rare feat today. I can’t end this review without praising the
remarkable vocal work offered here, the essence of Death Metal itself which
brings back fond memories of the old scene! The only let down of this otherwise
excellent record is the cover of TERRORIZER ‘After World Obliteration’
competently executed but without the spark of madness present in the original (I
hate covers anyway). But the ten other tracks make it for this little annoyance!
I regard this album as an essential acquisition for serious Death Metalheads. ACT
OF GODS are now the very best Death Metal outfit in activity in France (no more
“among the best”!), I can’t say more! Don’t forget to visit the band
website: www.act-of-gods.com.
Edouard Vergriete
BACK
AD
NOCTUM
Arrogance
(Undercover Records)
42:44min
This Danish band (formed in 1996, with band members that are also
active playing in many other bands) has finally unleashed their last
attack upon mankind. Or at least that is what the band states in
their official myspace page. I do not know the reasons behind this
sudden death, as this is only their second full length, and to be
honest they are not exactly that kind of cult band or something like
that. This CD (and soon to be vinyl) consists of an aggressive and
very fast Black Metal, which draws inspiration from bands like early
BATHORY, early MARDUK, MAYHEM and WATAIN. So, it is not exactly a
grim Black Metal release, it does possess some brutal Death Metal
parts mixed within. There is certainly a very macabre atmosphere
these four demons are able to conjure. And the recording is just the
right one for this kind of music, not that polished yet not that
demo sounding. I think they just hit the nail with the sound, if
just maybe for my taste the drum sound could be better. After many
listens to the album, this one starts to grow, yet not in the same
level as let’s say WATAIN which does a similar style. Yet, it is
more interesting than those “grim” Black Metal bands which are
just mere clones of early DARKTHRONE. Although most of the songs
have a similar structure, there is one that over shines here. It is
the very last song 'Modtag Skyggen' which if this was any indication
where the band was heading, they were up to greater things. This
shows a more complex side of the band, with better arrangements,
more work on the guitar, with punishing drums and yet still
maintaining their style of macabre and fast Black Metal. Another
example is in 'The
Necessity Of Slavery' which starts with a very MORBID ANGELesque
structure. The vocals do remind me to the first MARDUK releases.
Yes, again this is one of those releases that grows a bit each time
you listen to it. In the end this might not be the best upon similar
ones, but it does possess a couple of great songs and riffs worth to
headbang and invoke the dark one. Whatever that is. www.myspace.com/adnoctumdenmark,
www.undercover-records.de
Julian Nuñez
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ADVENT
The Dawn
(Golden Lake Productions)
43:26min
In their best moments ADVENT from Italy sound a bit like a happy, sunny version
of PRIMORDIAL. But for my taste there is too much of a Gothic influence on here.
Happy Melodic Gothic Black Metal, or what? Actually, there ARE parts that make
me wanna listen until they switch over to something I’d call sort of simple
Rock. A little like German CREMATORY (okay, not THAT bad, though). The
"brutal" moments really don’t impress me, sort of Southern European
Black Metal a little in the ROTTING CHRIST vein, only less massive. Nice but
mostly harmless. Considering the lyrics, ADVENT are big Lovecraft fans but for
some reason I connect H. P. Lovecraft with bands such as MORBID ANGEL or SHUB
NIGGURATH and the likes. Probably a matter of conditioning. In a way "The
Dawn" sounds rather unique and maybe, if the band focusses a little more on
their sinister side, I might want to listen to their next effort as well. Oh,
and spicing up their aggressive side a little might help as well. Not bad after
all and if you’re into this particular style you might want to check them out
or visit their homepage first: www.adventcomes.it
(strange approach of playing with words – doesn’t "advent" mean
"arrival"?). Go
here to order the CD.
Ramon Claassen
BACK
AD
HOMINEM
...For A New World
(Undercover Records)
32:36min
Well, another Norwegian-sounding Black Metal-band from France? Yes,
but unlike some oh-so-cult-bands, this is more quality-stuff like
NEHEMAH or SVEST rather than the completely overrated MUTIILATION
when we compare it to French bands. Despite the vocals – which I
don‘t like that much as they seem to have much of a computerized
effect on them – this is definitely a good album recommended to
anyone still seeking for as much necro-Metal as possible. Some parts
have this rather rock’n’roll-atmosphere already to be found on
some of the later DARKTHRONE-recordings (‘The Dithyramb Of
Sadism’), one of the s/m-intros had been used by CARPATHIAN FOREST
already, but since the overall sound is good and the intended
atmosphere is captured this is probably as well bought as e.g. a new
CRAFT- or ARMAGEDDA-album. Same quality here I’d say, probably
better although obviously nothing original. I just cannot see the
point in mixed language titles (‘Nuclear Black Metal Kampf’),
yet this might only be because I am German. http://www.undercover-records.de
Nhashi
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ADRAMELECH
Terror Of A Thousand Faces
(Xtreem Music)
29:09min
After a long hiatus of six years ADRAMELECH return to the public
again and I am glad they did so, as they are one of the few bands
still around that have their roots in the classic way of Finnish
Death Metal consisting of pure, brutal chords and underlying
harmonies in minor keys. The
year 2005 sees ADRAMELECH fronted by a new vocalist, Marko
Sivennoinen, who sounds more or less similar to Ali Leiniö on the
predecessor “Pure Blood Doom” with the exception that he shouts
slightly higher, sounding a bit thrashy. The production has been
once again done by Mika Haapasalo (of DEMIGOD fame). I must say that
this time it took quite some time for me to get into the sound of
this album. All details can be heard but I couldn't help to feel
that the whole result is a bit thin – especially the guitars.
According to the info sheet the guitar tracks had to be re-recorded
three times due to unfortunate circumstances… anyway, as I said
above this is something you have to get accustomed to – turning up
the volume should do the job. The
most striking thing about “Terror Of A Thousand Faces” at the
first listening session is that it is notably faster and straighter
than “Pure Blood Doom” which had quite an amount of midtempo
passages and doomy moments that reminded me of BOLT THROWER at
times. This time, the Finnish trio doesn't slow down until the sixth
track 'I Don't Care About Your Murder' with its dark harmonies and
picking, also track number eight, 'Book Of Flesh' fits into that
category. Midtempo passages are still present but the overall tempo
is faster. Along with that goes the riffing which is a bit less
intricate than it used to be. Perhaps the frustrating experiences
during the recording found their way into the composition and
execution of the songs. I
read some reviews in which this record has been compared to MORBID
ANGEL but I have to disagree here – there are more blast beats and
a slightly straighter riffing approach but ADRAMELECH maintained
their very own character. The way the riffs are executed / shredded
(especially in the opener 'Halls Of Human Tragedy') may mislead to a
Florida – influence but the scales and harmonies prove the
opposite. Some bits even recall moments from their “The Fall”
demo / MCD which is one of my favourite pieces of Finnish Death
Metal. The only real letdown in my opinion is the duration – 29
minutes after six years of absence… but anyway… You can check
out an mp3 on the Xtreem Records page: www.xtreemmusic.com,
band contact is possible via mail@severemusic.com
and a (quite outdated) page is to be found at: www.adramelech.net.
Fans of REAL Finnish / Scandinavian Death Metal should risk an
ear… the album needs a bit of time to sink in due to the factors
mentioned above but it is definitely worth it!
Ulrich Kreienbrink
BACK
ADUMUS
Infinite Battles For Immortality
(Ancient Spirit Terror)
approx. 25min
Although some might know that I'm doing the Ancient Spirit Terror
zine with Vasili, a friend of mine from Dortmund, I try my best to
be objective on this one, since he is solely responsible for this
release and thus it is easy to review it as impartial as any other
release. It is the second Ancient Spirit Terror tape release and
features the first demo "Infinite Battles For Immortality"
by Texas-based Black Metal act ADUMUS recorded in 1999. Beside
INFERNAL DOMINION those guys are the second band that rose from the
ashes of the mighty IMPRECATION who released one album on Repulse
Records in the late 90s. Whereas INFERNAL DOMINION headed for the
blasphemous Brutal Death Metal-department, ADUMUS chose to perform
Black Metal comparable to ABSU and EMPEROR. The vicious five-piece
manages to combine very dark keyboard sounds with highly aggressive
Black Metal, almost Death Metal-like blasting drums, possessed
vocals and even on their debut demo they succeed in summoning
capturing sinister atmospheres. Whereas the first Ancient Spirit
Terror release (ABAZAGORATH demo re-release) was ok, ADUMUS first
assault is really great, the sound is raw yet provides enough
transparency to discover every instrument and allows everyone to
indulge in an exceptional fierce drumming. Some might grumble about
the keyboards, but to me they did not sound cheesy at all, quite the
contrary is true! The moody keyboards serve a rather supportive
function, intensify the dark emotions ADUMUS channel in their songs
and now and then they are torn to pieces by the sheer violence and
hatefulness the band is able to create as well. If you are
interested in indivdual sounding Black Metal that blends keyboards
with brutality and rawness, you should get this tape or one of the
other ADUMUS releases (especially the "Besieged Abominations"
MCD). The tape comes with a professionally layouted, digitally
copied and thus nice looking "blasphemous" cover sheet and
is available for 3 Euro / $ plus 1,44 Euro postage from Vasili
Vasilopoulos, P.O. Box 104108, 44041 Dortmund, Germany. I think
Black Metal trades and wholesales are also welcomed, but contact
Vasili via ancientspiritterror@yahoo.de
first.
Stefan Franke
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ADVERSAM
Proclama
(Bloodred Horizon Records)
35:56min
The Italian invasion has just began… could be an good slogan for
the Italian underground reawakening after several years of silence
and following more traditional Black Metal releases from bands like
HOMSELVAREG and MELENCOLIA ESTATICA it’s good that there are also
bands like ADVERSAM which are more into the Symphonic Black Metal
section. The band had their second album (their first record
“Animadverte” has been published via Scarlet Records in 1999 and
is still a recognisable debut) on file since 2006 and with the new
Austrian label Bloodred Horizon Records they finally found a label
which realised the potential in this horde from Italy. Due to the
fact that their debut is part of my private collection I was really
looking forward to this releases. Time has changed and after 8 years
of obvious silence the band has returned with 9 well produced tracks
of highspeed Symphonic Black Metal and “Proclama” can be
described as a wild hybrid of DARK FUNERAL meets TARTAROS.
But I really think that sometimes a reduced aggression level
would be much more suitable for the music itself due to the fact
that after 5-6 songs a moment has been achieved where the songs
starting to sound very similar because the album is lacking of any
musical point of rest. ADVERSAM has released an aggressive album
which could be interesting for fans from MARDUK up to EMPEROR but
they should give their music more “room to breath” otherwise the
LIMBONIC ART syndrome has found another victim. www.bloodred-horizon-records.com,
www.adversam.com
Matthias Auch
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ADVERSARIAL
Thralls (Demo 2008)
(Zombie Ritual)
14:40min
Wow, heavy stuff from this Canadian 2-piece outfit. If I get it
right the demo was recorded without bass, but luckily you don’t
hear that (the early MANTAS / DEATH stuff was also recorded without
a bass and still became classic - Frank). This does not mean that
the sound is weak here, actually I can say that the sound on this
tape is fuckin’ clear and brutal, and damn those 2 musicians know
how to play brutal, chaotic blasting Death Metal with small notes
referring to some Black Metal brutality, add several acoustic
moments to their songs and as result we get 3 massive tracks
performed in killer quality. I’m both surprised and impressed of
the great performance of this band on this first release.
ADVERSARIAL reach the same level as CRUCIAMENTUM did with their
“Convocation Of Crawling Chaos” demo and as I totally praised
this demo I can’t do anything better than praising “Thralls”
as well. Check out this demo if you have the chance to and keep your
eyes open for the next release of ADVERSARIAL which will hopefully
follow soon. This demotape should be available from the Blood
Harvest shop
or ask at www.myspace.com/adversarialmusic.
Thomas Ehrmann
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AEBA
Kodex V
(Twilight Vertrieb)
66:05min
Sometimes we all realize how times goes by and reviewing the sixth
album from this North German Black Metal horde makes me think about
ordering their demo “Im Schattenreich” over ten years ago. A lot
of things had changed in AEBA’s warcamp: two keyboarder left the
band and finally they are working completely without any keys which
changed the face of AEBA’s Black Metal to a certain degree. Due to
the fact that also the guitars played and play a vital part in their
creations the loss of the keys isn’t too severe but nevertheless
noticeable. With their last release “Shemhamforash “ the band
chooses to add more high speed parts in their music and on the other
hand reduces the melodic keyboard parts, an action which has been
furthermore increased on "Kodex V". The 11 songs are all
played well but songs like 'Lifecode Sin' could be played by so many
bands from all over the world that it seems that AEBA lost track of
the little branch they owned over the last years. Don’t take me
wrong but as a fan of this band I’m quite disappointed because
"Kodex V" is furthermore a Black Metal release where all
essential parts / ingredients can be found but we all can advise at
least 100 releases where this status is applicable. Will open a
bottle of wine and listen to “Rebellion” (AEBA’s 3rd album) to
remember the good fucking times. www.aeba.de,
www.twilight-mailorder.de
Matthias Auch
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AEON
Bleeding The False
(Unique Leader)
48:06min
Starting where Swedish AEON’s predecessor DEFACED CREATION left
with its single, critically acclaimed album “Serenity In Chaos”
(1999) the musical direction is still plain and simple heavily
DEICIDE influenced American Death Metal. Brutality and catchiness
are apparently equally important to this quintet from Östersund and
songwriting-wise they are absolutely successful in achieving this
goal. Excellent riffing, intelligible and unsophisticated growls
from the bowels of hell plus a good sense in varying tempo to keep
the songs interesting and avoid a monotonous blast orgy as there are
way too many these days. Unfortunately the bass drum sound totally
sucks: it is uniform, too clinical and lacks impact – at least in
my opinion. Also the guitars could have been less sterile sounding
and a bit more crunchy. Apart from that “Bleeding The False” is
a pretty cool album, filled with primitive antichristian contempt,
energetic and inspired musicianship and songwriting that is nothing
but sheer quality. However, the bass drum still sucks and the
musical direction is not really new these days, too, but if bands
like the already mentioned ones, SANCTIFICATION, INSISION,
INFESTDEAD meet your taste, try this out! www.uniqueleader.com
and www.aeon666.com
should have all other required information for you! As I like funny
Country songs AEON deserves a two-thumbs-up-bonus for their acoustic
version of track 12 ‘God Gives Head In Heaven’, which you’ll
find at track 15. I laughed my ass off, please do a whole album of
these songs once in a while, hehe!!! You can order it
here.
Stefan Franke
BACK
AEON
Rise To Dominate
(Metal Blade Records)
42:23min
Of all the bands out in the void that is the underground at this moment, it is surprising to me that Brian Slagel owner of
Metal Blade Records would “OK” a DEICIDE knockoff to his roster. Granted
Metal Blade has been signing some real shit in the past few years...
SPOCK’S BEARD, ENGINEER, IF HOPE DIES, a band called THREE, AS I LAY DYING, SONIC REIGN, JOB FOR A COWBOY, SHAI HULUD, UNEARTH, NEAERA, CELLADOR and lets not forget the terminal YOB. It still is surprising to me, that in all this time that Brian has run
Metal Blade, that he has lost sight of the primary objective of a record label. To sort through the endless sea of shit and hopefully sign a real gem! This seems to be
record company 101 common knowledge. The fact that if you’re going to sign a band they ought to have at least some shred of venerable worth, yes? Originality being
the key, and talent being paramount, and all of that. I mean, isn’t this the whole idea of why supposed Metal / Death Metal bands form in the first place? To set themselves apart from all the rest, apart from the hordes of the weak, apart from those who sound like somebody else? To stand a foot taller than your average bar band, who play covers for money a.k.a. the real poseurs. Am I wrong? To see Brian go the distance for a band like this that he could easily
have found in his own backyard of southern California playing anywhere in Hollywood on any given night is a bit grievous. To see Brian make such an honest effort all the way to Sweden to pick these guys up when bands like INTERMENT, NECROVATION, ETERNAL DARKNESS, TRIBULATION, NOMINON, CRYPT OF KERBEROS, PAGANIZER, INSISION,
RIBSPREADER and REPUGNANT (…even if the ghouls of this particular act say
they're defunct, for the right deal I am sure a miracle of demon resurrection would occur overnight!) lie in wait is almost abominable. To sign this AEON, and so as not to be confused with the other three
AEONs still in service. One hailing from Sweden also and who play Stoner Rock out of Varnamo, the other from Italy who play a sort of aggressive technical Metal, and the last from Croatia who have been around since the early
90s and are Death Metal inclined. To sign this particular Swedish DEICIDE
err... AEON is nothing sort of a classic rookie move. However, I’ll be fair and agree the flip side to that statement is that even seasoned vets can make a mistake here and there. Brian though, as I am scanning his roster, surely has been making quite a few lapses in judgment in recent times. Hopefully Brian won’t end up overloaded with this burgeoning stack of crap that I see now as label-mates to AEON.
P.S. In reply to the news off their Myspace site, I’d like to congratulate the cromags of AEON…Way to go! Nice bonehead move to slap your new American record company (who you just signed with) in the mouth, by declining their offer of personally setting you up to be included on that label’s 25th Anniversary U.S. Tour!
And no, not just any American company but fucking Metal Blade Records! Yes, only
Metal Blade, only “the” Brian Slagel offering you all a once in a lifetime opportunity, that you knuckleheads just dropped like it was only so much shit. An honorary mention also goes out to you lot for trying to spin this in your blogs and on your website as happening because it conflicted with some so called “personal family business“ of your drummer Nils, but more
importantly… conflicted with upcoming DARK FUNERAL gigs. Are you fucking kidding me?! DARK FUNERAL?! May I say that unless Nils is donating a kidney, a lung, or his actual bone marrow to a dying relative, any band manager worth their salt would be ready to fuckin’ kill on command about this and tell Nils to sack it up about any potential roadblock of “personal family business“. It can either be handled in one of two ways, either once the
Metal Blade tour is finished or if Nils had any gumption, he would see to the matters are taken care of prior to leaving for the
Metal Blade tour! The very worst-case scenario of this would be to get a hired gun to sit in on the tour, and what with almost every square inch of Sweden hosting some sort of Metal band you mean to tell me you couldn’t locate a proper replacement? Did you even bother to look outside of your hometown? Like say in Sundsvall? I’m sure Hakan of SETHERIAL could easily of stepped in to help you all out, and SETHERIAL is like less than two hours away driving time! While we are on the subject a bit further down the coastline is DEMONICAL. If Ronnie Bergerståhl couldn’t play this simplistic brutality AOEN create I’ll be goddamned. And what’s worse is that DEMONICAL have no shows upcoming until December 29th, so even though the distance might be a bit much at first, you mean to say Ronnie could not
have been courted to possibly learn your shit, stay at one or more of your homes whilst he knocked these out and then play a two month tour and still make it back in time for his fellas in DEMONICAL? It’s plausible, yes? If for some unknown reason Ronnie couldn’t
have done it how about the ragers of INTERMENT? Not only friends and bandmates of DEMONICAL, however one of the best drummers on that coast also happens to reside in INTERMENT by the name of Kennet Englund, and you couldn’t of asked him either?
And that is exactly what I mean when I say that it absolutely kills me how utterly lame those undeservent of fame and (possible) fortune handle their business when their balls are on the line. To sit here and read on your site that you all would turn down a proverbial granny tossed softball pitch to promote your new album, tour the States, and reap the benefits (of whatever god that you pray to and who obviously got you signed to
Metal
Blade in the first place…) that are being dropped in your lap is insulting to me to say the very least. Especially when you back up your tour resignation here with the fact that you all tried to locate someone to fill Nils place, but that all you could find was some local ‘head who normally plays in the vein of JUDAS PRIEST’s “Painkiller “ album. Give it a rest, already won’t ya? You all should be ashamed. A country renowned the world over for Metal musicians as Sweden and you simply cannot even locate one drummer in the time for this tour (…that is occurring now as I type this
review...) is preposterous. How about try a bit harder than opening your front door to see if anyone is standing there, holding a pair of drumsticks in their hand. How about that? And while we are at it, what an insult this read is here on your site to all those unfortunates who think AEON is the next best thing to beer, and who took the time to go to your websites and write such heartfelt comments as “ Duuuuuuuude! This Suckkkkkkkks that you had to cancel!!!” or “ Whaaat the Fucckkkkkkkkkk! “ in sincere response to your pathetic excuse not to honor your new label’s tour contract. I ask myself who in the fuck is running the camp of AEON? To pass up Metal Blade Record’s 25th Anniversary / celebratory tour with the known fact that AEON would get the chance to play amongst a bevy of other acts albeit that aren’t monumental, but at least similar in nature more or less to AEON’s
style (even if it ain't really “your own“ style if you know what I am
sayin’… Hoffman Brothers are you listening?). Yet they are definitely a par fucking above in comparison to a haggard Black Metal band - a damn sure far cry above the miserable DARK FUNERAL! Not withstanding either that as a bonus you get to prove your worth against one of the world’s best in Death Metal; the legends of CANNIBAL CORPSE! Holy fuck and you can’t make this happen? Reading that text on your site makes me want to vomit. I mean that. To see such an undeserving act as AEON fail to even swing at an obvious home run pitch, the very least they could do for their newly acquired Metal label of so much immense fucking prestige as Metal Blade. To know all the hard work of those at
Metal
Blade, those that always go nameless. Who work behind the scenes and who invested their time, effort and energy into signing you, planning
and strategizing your album’s outcome, getting you situated to be included on this Anniversary tour only to have you fuck it all up right out of the gate is nothing short of inexcusable. Go back to Paranoia Syndrome if you are going to pull this kind of amateur shit and see how far you get! Quit wasting people’s time. You’re in the
majors now. Act like it. Contact: www.aeon666.com
or www.myspace.com/aeon666
or www.metalblade.de.
The CD is also on sale
here.
Wes Rhodes
BACK
AEONS
OF OLD
When The Blood Runs Clear (MCD)
(Shiver Records)
16:28min
This is the first MCD from Belgium's AEONS OF OLD, but the core of
this five piece already started in 1997 under the name ANAEMICA. To
make a long story short: AEONS OF OLD simply perform cool 90s like
Death Metal, which doesn’t sound typical Swedish or US based. You
simply get all elements of the good old Death Metal kitchen mixed in
a pure and solid way, played tight and groovy. Basically nothing
ground shaking but simply entertaining with diversity. The
production is also done really well, so all those who like their
Death Metal not of the typical cliche type or based on the latest
trends should keep an eye on it. By the way, do you remember Belgium's
EXOTO? If you do, then imagine a bit more modern style but also a
sitting between many chairs of Death Metal. So, you have a bit of a
vision of how AEONS OF OLD could sound like... Take a listen at: www.myspace.com/aeonsofold
Ralf Hauber
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AETERNUS
Burning
The Shroud
(Hammerheart Records)
52:15min
Next to tribute albums compilations seem to be THE big thing at
the moment! But in many cases they are really worth checking out,
especially if they not only concentrate on wellknown material. "Burning
The Shroud" from Norway's AETERNUS is such a goodie.
Unfortunately I discovered the brilliance of these guys kinda
late, but as soon as I was hooked, I started to worship all their
releases immediately. The band's combination of a raw Norwegian
Black Metal type songwriting, produced in a really heavy way and
with those really dark and deep grunting Death Metal vocals on
top just works out perfectly fine! This album features four
exclusive live tracks in really good sound quality (recorded in
Bergen, in February 2000), three studio songs that have
previously only been available on the limited tour edition of "...And
So The Night Became..." (two of them were also available
on a limited 7" picture disc), two unreleased songs from the
"Shadows Of Old" session and the title track 'Burning
The Shroud', a brand-new tune that will already give you an
idea how the next (real) AETERNUS album will sound like. All in
all this is great stuff, essential for all AETERNUS fans out
there, even more if you get to know the fact that this (approximate)
fifty minutes long output is on sale for a special price!! That's
what I call value for money! Go here to order it.
Frank Stöver
BACK
AETERNUS
Ascension Of Terror
(Hammerheart Records)
43:54min
AETURNUS is a band that I somehow missed out in their beginning and just got to
know a while ago through their last full-length “Shadows Of Old” album. The compilation "Burning The Shroud" really made my interest in this band
rise as their combination of very raw Death Metal and furious Black Metal
outbursts sounds remarkably fresh to my ears. Recorded in the famous Grieghallen
studio, “Ascension Of Terror”
comes up with a really strong, heavy and powerful sound and production which
really suits their music very well. Overall, I have the impression that the
Death Metal influences have become bigger this time (just take a listen to the
very technical-sounding title-track which could just have been on an IMMOLATION
album as well…) which is a good thing in my book. The strongest points of this
band are to my opinion, the very tight drumming (the drum-style reminds me very
much on the famous MAYHEM album “De
Mysteriis…”), the hateful vocals and the very nice mid-tempo riffs (which
sound surprisingly melodic sometimes). Somehow, AETURNUS is still a rather
overlooked and to my opinion very underrated band, which is a pity as their
material is really strong, way above the average and worth a listen. If you like
bands like GOD DETHRONED and the latest outputs of a band like IMMORTAL, I think
you will appreciate AETURNUS as well. Check it out for yourselves and also have
a listen to “Shadows Of Old” if
you have the chance, you won’t regret it.
Available
here.
Steven
Willems
BACK
AETHYRVOROUS
Demo
(self-financed)
23:03min
As the end of the year approaches, many magazine outlets, including
your friendly Voices From The Darkside, have begun retropspectives -
compiling the best and worst of the last year or so. Before the year
ends, I want to submit AETHYRVOROUS to the "Best Of" list.
AETHYRVOROUS is an Australian band, but their punishing demo may as
well have dropped from the sky, for it bears little resemblance to
what we've slowly grown accustomed to hearing from Australia. This
is partly what makes this band so refreshing. They're not a would-be
DESTROYER 666, nor a cheap imitation of SADISTIK EXEKUTION. Rather,
AETHYRVOROUS belongs more to itself and a few obtuse bands like
INCANTATION, and perhaps even early NILE - for both bands, once upon
a merry time, wrote music that significantly diverged from the norm,
crafting a smothering chokehold with their music rather than a
"hatchet to the head" (sorry, couldn't resist). They also
stand out thanks to their complete immersion into the occult. Surely
they are not the first band to creep through such dark corners, but
the degree to which they have absorbed the arcane into their music
and image is striking. The tape alone looks like a small mural of
glyphs and sigils rather than a cover. An impressive tape indeed,
one that any collector should feel proud to own. www.aethyrvorous.com
Nat Shapiro
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AFFLICTION
GATE
Severance (Dead to This World) (MCD)
(Forgotten Wisdom Productions)
16:02min
This is great music, great oldschool Death Metal. When using the
oldschool term these days it is usually meant that a band draws
their influences from Swedish bands (not necessarily... there's a
lot of bands playing oldschool Death Metal that - for example - are
rooted in the US style as well - Frank). Although the bands cited as
AFFLICTION GATE's root inspiration are mostly from that part of the
European scene it is very clear that we have something special here.
This is oldschool in feeling, not in emulation. Oldschool meaning
here that AFFLICTION GATE are mostly concerned to create music that
is true to the spirit of Death Metal. Music is somewhat similar to
old BENEDICTION and MASSACRA, and the vocals, in their directness,
remind me of old SEPULTURA or some other South American band. But
with something this good comparisons are not needed since they could
only confuse matters – it should be heard. The production work is
well made for this kind of record – not too muddy, not too clear,
with lots of space, and the feeling you get when listening is out of
a specific time. The songs have a varied tempo and are very well
executed. The vocals are very powerful but are not usually deep
grunted. They are more direct and human, carrying strong sense of
despair and hardness. When I say despair I mean that feeling of
rawness in soul that is in my opinion best suited to find outlet in
Death Metal. And with this we come to the main part – this is SOUL
music not FUN music. This is like Death Metal from the times when
bands wanted to communicate their vision with their fans. I can
wholeheartedly recommed this mini CD to all fans of oldschool Death
Metal that want something else than the usual Swedish sound. I
sincerely belive this is only a herald of good things to come. To
buy the record click here.
You can listen to samples here: www.myspace.com/afflictiongate
Branko
Matijašević
BACK
AFFLICTION GATE
Aeon Of Nox (From Darkness Comes Liberation)
(Metal Inquisition)
35:26min
Death Metal from France hasn’t had the best reputation the last
years. Currently there are some hyper technical (and fuckin’
boring) “Death Metal” acts on the market and in the past France
offered good names as MASSACRA, LOUDBLAST or AGRESSOR. That’s
mostly all about it (hey Thomas, and what about MUTILATED /
ABYSSALS??? - Frank) (Damn, I'm unworthy!! - Thomas). Honestly spoken, I always had the impression
that the French Death Metal scene is lame. But this band here –
AFFLICTION GATE – proved me wrong and made me recognize that
France has at least one great band in the pipe. AFFLICTION GATE
already surprised me with their promo demo last year. Now with their
first CD they don't surprise, they impress me. From time to time you
can recognize that several bands record their first CD too early,
when talking about AFFLICTION GATE I can say that the time is just
perfect. The band plays in the intersection of bands as ASPHYX, BOLT
THROWER, MORGOTH and BENEDICTION and they don't even care if you
compare them to those bands (and they do well about that). I can say
that they already showed a huge potential embedding those influences
on their promo demo and succeeded here on this recording. As the 3
demo songs are included in new recorded versions on this CD, too,
you can easily compare and recognize how the sound matured. It's
oldschool Death Metal these 3 French musicians (plus a couple of
session musicians) offer on this CD, oldschool but not outdated and
in my opinion one of the best Death Metal releases of 2009. You
don’t hear killer songs as ‘The Worst Is Yet To Come’,
‘Knights Of Scorn’ (both available as appetizers on their
myspace-page) or ‘Cattle Burner’ on every corner. Perhaps we at
Voices From The Darkside were a little bit too early when mentioning
our, the staffs’, Top Ten of 2009 already in beginning of December
as this CD surely deserves to be mentioned in at least the top of my
list. Besides the awesome music I have to mention the fantastic
vocals of their vocalist Herostratos. You don't hear such a great,
clear and especially incisive voice that often. The band took the
opportunity to commit ACHERON's very own Vincent Crowley to do some
additional vocals on the opening track, though I have to say that
this, besides the name-dropping, was not necessary simply because
the vocals itself are already outstanding enough to convince. Well,
to keep a long story short: AFFLICTION GATE's debut album is a
killer record and from my point of view one of the best debut albums
of a band since a long time and one of the best oldschool Death
Metal albums of the ending year 2009. Now let's hope that the next
killer is going to be BOMBS OF HADES upcoming debut album. Check out
www.myspace.com/afflictiongate
and www.metal-inquisition.de.
Thomas Ehrmann
BACK
AETERNUS
A Darker Monument
(Nocturnal Art Productions)
46:00min
After the Norwegian dark Death Metallers AETERNUS were dropped by
their long-term label Hammerheart Records the band members must have
been extremely frustrated, because on their newest effort one senses
more aggression than on all previous releases. The sinister,
thundering opener ‘Sword Of The Earth’, the blasting beginnings
of the fantastic ‘Litany Of Ra’ and ‘Soulslayer’ prove that.
AETERNUS have left behind the atmospheric folk influences that were
existent on their first three albums and turned into a deadlier
direction. Unfortunately that is also the only weakness of "A
Darker Monument", because I miss the epic and mighty feeling of
"And So The Night Became…" on the last two offerings.
This does not make AETERNUS a worse band, but they have certainly
lost a small amount of fascination, at least for me. Still the new
material contains great heavy and darkened Death Metal and songs
like the aforementioned
or the closing ‘Sons Of War’ are undoubtedly excellent and
deserve to be called "the northern version of BOLT THROWER".
The production is great as well and if you can do without the folk
elements and the Black Metal feeling of the early AETERNUS releases
you should be pretty happy with "A Darker Monument". For
more information check out www.nocturnalart.com
or the band’s web site www.aeternus.ch.
You can order the CD here.
Stefan Franke
BACK
AETERNUS
Hexaeon
(Dark Essence / Karisma Records)
33:52min
The last AETERNUS full length album "A Darker Monument" (which
got released via Nocturnal Art Productions) already dates back to
2003, so it obviously took them quite a while to return to the scene...
I suppose the label change was part of this delay, but I'm
not 100% sure, so you better don't quote me here. Anyway, from my
personal point of view it was definitely worth the long wait, cause
"Hexaeon" easily lives up to my already very high
expectations in the band. Unlike many of their Norwegian countrymen
AETERNUS never were a pure Black Metal horde, even though their
roots can obviously be found in this genre. The band's biggest
trademark is for sure the unique vocal performance of mainman Ares,
who's blessed with this impressive deep grim voice, and because of
that doesn't sound like any other vocalist around (no matter if it's
Black or Death Metal). But also musically the band has progressed
quite a lot over the years, returning with their most matured album
now. The musical variety is simply impressive. From very speedy
stuff like 'In The 3rd Dwells Oblivion' to more doomier, very heavy
stuff like the title track (which, by the way, is build upon a 'Enter
Sandman' - type bassline), to tunes with almost trible inspired
drumming ('The 9th Revolution') and atmospheric, almost NILE –
like interludes, this album has it all! The atmosphere on "Hexaeon"
is pretty destructive and has got an overall apocalyptic feel to it
(the guitars come across very brutal, especially in the slower songs)
and the very oldschool (yet totally convincing) productions
compliments this perfectly! So, all in all this is an album for
everyone outthere who's interested in bands that try to walk new
paths, yet maintaining the oldschool vibes. Recommended! Available here.
Label website:
www.karismarecords.no
Frank Stöver
BACK
AFTER DEATH
Retronomicon
(Iron Pegasus Records)
74:38min
In
case you haven't read it somewhere else already, let me tell you
that AFTER DEATH is the new home of former MORBID ANGEL-, INCUBUS-,
NOCTURNUS- and ACHERON - drummer / vocalist Mike Browning. I really
have no idea why it took so long until a label was finally willing
to release something properly of this band, cause quality wise AFTER
DEATH is by no means any worse than NOCTURNUS for instance (a band
which AFTER DEATH musically is probably the closest to). At least
Iron Pegasus Records were courageous enough to change this situation
for the better now and came up with a cool product for all those who
missed out on AFTER DEATH's previous activities.
"Retronomicon", the 14 tracker in question here, is not an
actual debut album, but a compilation of all self-financed studio
recordings the band has delivered up til now. In detail that is the
previously unreleased "Vibrations" EP (from 2000) as well
as the three demos
"Consumed By Fire" (2003), "Reviving The
Gods" (2004) and "Secret Lords Of The Star Chamber
Below" (2006). Like I already mentioned, the overall style is
often kinda close to older NOCTURNUS, with the difference that AFTER
DEATH is not as complex in their writing and instead a bit more
atmospheric and maybe even less brutal. Somehow you could get the
impression that this is kinda like the "grown-up" version
of the early NOCTURNUS stuff. Not all of the
"Retronomicon" songs totally made my day though, to be
quite honest with you... Especially the pretty annoying backing
vocals of Lisa Lombardo in 'Temple Of Cthulhu' and the remake of the
old NOCTURNUS demo track 'Nocturnus' or her weird use of the
keyboard in 'Astral Stairchase' makes it pretty difficult to enjoy
those tracks. But from what I understand she's no longer part of the
band anymore anyway, so... All in all this is still a highly
recommended and very unique release (for fans of Mike Browning in
particular, because he still delivers his vocals in his wellknown
style), so make sure to check it out. For all further info read our
in-depth Mike Browning interview or head to www.afterdeath666.com,
www.myspace.com/afterdeath,
www.iron-pegasus.com
Frank
Stöver
BACK
AFTER
DEATH
Retronomicon (Double LP, Gatefold sleeve)
(Iron Pegasus Records)
74:38min
Does it really make sense to write another review of AFTER DEATH’s
“Retronomicon” compilation as the LP-version carries the same
songs on it as the CD-version? Probably not, but I don’t care, for
one single reason: this band fuckin’ rules! I had the opportunity
to watch them (AFTER DEATH / NOCTURNUS) live last week and I can
only say that their show was awesome. Not only that the guys played
many NOCTURNUS songs, it actually was NOCTURNUS I could see live on
stage. Fuck all that legal stuff and the fact that Mike Browning
isn’t allowed to use the name NOCTURNUS in the United States, but
if there’s a real mastermind behind NOCTURNUS it is for sure Mike
Browning, no matter what the owners of the name say. Anyhow, do we
really care if it is NOCTURNUS or AFTER DEATH who offers us such
godly tunes as ‘Lords Of The Black Path’ or ‘As Below, So
Above’? I don’t think so, and it’s an obvious fact that AFTER
DEATH, if they are not allowed to be NOCTURNUS, are the logical
development of the original idea behind NOCTURNUS. Especially the 4
songs from the “Secret Lords Of The Chamber Below” recording are
so unbelievably outstanding that the guys should have serious
problems in coming up with some proper follow up. I really hope they
won’t take to long to prove me wrong, haha. This double LP offers
2 x 140 gram vinyls in a thick gatefold sleeve, with liner notes and
a different layout than the CD-version. The visual aspect of this
release is amazing and this release already has a special place in
my collection. The first 222 copies come on coloured vinyl and
another edition in black vinyl. It’s your decision whether you go
for the CD- or the LP-version, but to miss out on this recording
would be a huge shame for a dedicated Death Metal maniac. So check
out www.iron-pegasus.com
for ordering details. www.myspace.com/afterdeath
Thomas
Ehrmann
BACK
AFTER OBLIVION / NO BLEST
The Carnal Form / Age Of Catastrophe (Split Demo)
(self-financed)
33:35min
AFTER OBLIVION hail from Bosnia, and you would never know that, as they sound wickedly identical to that of SACRIFICE from Canada! During the “Soldier
Of Misfortune“ era, and for those without their copy of that particular CD, you’ll thus be reminded of that particular disc as being laden with well played, technical Thrash / Death Metal circa 1990. So it is then, that “The Carnal Form “, the aptly titled A-side of this split demo is so eerily reminiscent of SACRIFICE during those times. So much so that even Rob Urbinati would have to “second guess” this 4 song sampler, as possibly being some left-overs of his from those sessions, that he may of forgotten about. That is no joke. And make no mistake these four songs; ‘The Carnal Form‘, ‘For The Rebels‘, ‘Learning To Despise‘ and ‘Stamina‘, absolutely stand up to any track on that album note for note, scream for scream. No small feat for any group of players. Couple all of that with such a superbly polished recording, it’s really amazing how factually close these players from Bosnia have struck in their overall approach to mark SACRIFICE. Anyhow – the downfall of this is that “Soldiers
Of Misfortune” was in fact already released as you know, and for the sake of SACRIFICE the specific songs, that material in question has been wrought, tread upon and toured over. Granted that I like the flawless effort these Bosnians have attributed themselves too, and for the sake of taste, they could of picked a much lesser band to emulate. So I am very thankful that they chose a Thrash band instead of the numerous god forsaken ‘90s Black Metal acts I constantly have to review every day! But the truth of this review is that either consciously or unconsciously AFTER OBLIVION strove very hard in their first attempt to sound just like SACRIFICE. That does not earn them any points for originality yet it does show me that even though originality might not be their strong suit, AFTER OBLIVION can play, and they know how to write and they also know their way around a recording studio. The next logical step for them is to break through this mold or form they have created here, move away from the apparent SACRIFICE stigma and instead become one hell of a steamroller of a Thrash band that sound wholly all their own. Contact:
afteroblivion@yahoo.com or www.afteroblivion.com or www.hiddenthrone.info.
Next up is the act NO BLEST (NO BLESSED?) from Brazil, “Age Of Catastrophe” is the B-side to this CD demo split and as well the first time I have ever heard of this band. In the tradition of U/G, brutal, technical Death Metal most attributed to those from within the Southern
hemisphere, NO BLEST easily stand firm with their country’s counterparts, KRISIUN and HEADHUNTER D.C., featuring some of the most readily accepted and memorable early to mid’ 90s styled
Death Metal you could hope to want to hear. NO BLEST specialize in crushing blast sections, suture ripping rhythms, finely executed lead work, and ultimate song writing capabilities; the level of which is to the point of acute professionalism. Why this band is not signed to a major label is beyond me, or for the sake of argument not even signed to a rising force, like John MCEntee’s
Ibex Moon Records is a serious discredit to this band’s existence. NO BLEST kill! Track list is as follows: ‘PsyOp’, ‘Insanity In The Death Hall‘, ‘Self Serving Mythology‘, ‘Suffer By Infernal Pleasures‘, ‘Black Soul
Desert’ and ‘Unforgivable Suicide’. Contact:
www.no-blest.com
or
http://www.myspace.com/noblestband
or Carlos A. Franco, Avenida Herval, n° 387, ap. 4, CEP: 87013-110 Maringá-Pr-Brasil or
noblestband@gmail.com
or
noblest@gmail.com
Wes Rhodes
BACK
AGALLOCH
Of Stone, Wind And Pillar
(The End Records)
28:02min
This MCD contains an unreleased 3 song 7" from 1998, a cover
version of 'Kneel To The Cross' by SOL INVICTUS and an exclusive
neo-classical piece by Breyer. AGALLOCH sometimes is kinda Black
Metal (vocals) with acoustic parts (guitar, piano, keyboards) and
some sort of Epic Metal electric guitar parts (a bit like LORDIAN
GUARD, the new project of WARLORD's guitar player). Sometimes this
one reminds me of epic/acoustic BATHORY. "Of Stone..."
is a beautiful piece of melancholic, obviously "Pagan"
music and definitely worth checking out (if you can't or don't want
go thrashing around in your room all the time). But beware: because
of a hidden "track" (just some noise after a pause), this
CD is actually not even 24 minutes long! http://www.theendrecords.com
Ramon Claassen
BACK
AGALLOCH
Ashes Against The Grain
(Grau)
59:53min
Let me begin with my main complaint about this album: the release date. All the cartoon-satanists within the scene go or at least try for some ridiculous 06.06.’06 or Halloween -
release and this wonderful piece of music that evokes pictures of vast snow-covered landscapes or autumnal woods more than anything else is unleashed upon an undeserving mankind in the middle of a summer which couldn’t be more infernal. Heading from the northern area of the United States,
AGALLOCH's debut, “Pale Folklore” was promoted in Germany as reminiscent of ULVERS immortal “Bergtatt”, a comparison which could only make the aforementioned look “pale” indeed. Their second longplayer “The Mantle” marked something like the missing link between the darker shades of
Metal and neofolk, two scenes that share more similarities than most of the
Herrenmenschen-wannabies that flood the latter like to admit. And although this album showed a huge progression from their earlier works, their influences still
shine trough their music pretty obviously. You could clearly name the SOL INVICTUS-part, the DISSECTION-part, the FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM-part and so forth.
Their new effort finally sees them forging a style distinctively their own. The most characteristic element therein are the mesmerizing lead-guitars, like in the beginning of the opener ‘Limbs’. They’ve strayed further from their
Metal-roots, only the hoarse screaming which is still used in some parts allows a connection to that genre. Also the folkloristic elements have been reduced drastically so that the emphasis lies more on the
Progrock-element of their music. But all these genre-descriptions fail to grasp the grandeur and unique atmosphere of tracks like ‘Fire Above, Ice Below’ or the ethereal ‘Not Unlike The Waves’. Especially the last track stands as THE most perfect expression of this bands vision to date. Some rather annoying soundscapes in the closing trilogy ‘Our Fortress Is Burning’ don’t take away from the overall great impression that this album leaves the open-minded listener with. So all that’s missing now is some autumn-atmosphere to let this bloom in all
its beauty. Wake me up, when September ends… www.grau.cd
Torsten Gründig
BACK
AGATHOCLES
Mincer
(Displeased Records)
36:39min
Belgium’s one and only masters of Mincecore (i.e. their
interpretation of political Grindcore) are back to add their seventh
studio album on CD to their impressive discography of over 100
releases. Since their foundation in 1985 and first release in 1988,
they have come up with a constant stream of EPs – especially lots
of splits with other underground Grindcore bands – LPs and CDs,
including both studio and live recordings. That’s every true
collector’s nightmare, I guess, and I bet there is hardly any
other band in extreme music with that enormous number of releases.
On their newest studio album “Mincer”, AGATHOCLES stick to their
raw and dirty way of grinding through their songs, as usual. They
are by far not as technical or fast or complex as NASUM or the rest
of the modern breed of Grindcore bands, but gather barbaric momentum
when they mince through the 21 straightforward songs on this album,
many of them being reminiscent of the likes of very old NAPALM DEATH
or CARCASS. Unfortunately, the sound quality is not very up-to-date
and quite blurry, which is definitely a disadvantage with so many
potent competitors on the market. But this fact can be lost sight of
when you’re a fan of classic Grindcore or belong to the group of
people who are interested in a history lesson in Mincecore.
Homepage: www.agathocles.com
Christoph
Göbel
BACK
AGATHODAIMON
Chapter III
(Nuclear Blast Records)
42:52min
I
just hope that people who tend to enjoy AGATHODAIMON’s debut will
not necessarily ignore the band these days because of the fact that
their second full length “Higher Art Of Rebellion” didn’t exactly
fulfill the high expectations set by its predecessor. If so, all
those ignorant fools will definitely miss out on the very convincing
new offering by these lads. “Chapter III” has all the strong trademarks
of 1998’s “Blacken The Angel” again and is destined to (re-)establish
AGATHODAIMON within the scene pretty easily. Of course die hard
underground maniacs, who exclusively connect the term Black Metal
with raw, uncompromising bands like DARKTHRONE and the likes, obviously
won’t get a kick out of this, as it’s still way to polished sounding.
But everyone else who enjoys a good production, very matured songwriting,
with lots of strong melody lines and a big musical variety, should
add AGATHODAIMON to the list of bands to purchase on the next CD
shopping day. The combination of clean and grim vocals in connection
with furious Black Metal outbursts and powerful Thrash was furthermore
mixed with the melancholy and dark atmosphere of Gothic music… And
all that ended up in a very exciting, approx. 43 minutes roller
coaster ride you can hardly escape. As a reference a band like DIMMU
BORGIR easily comes to mind, but only because of a similar musical
direction and professionalism, and certainly not because AGATHODAIMON
try to copy the Norwegian shooting stars in any way. This is a far
too dedicated record with the possibility to set new standards in
a rather stagnating genre, so don’t judge these Germans by their
recently published, rather stupid promotional pictures and don’t
hesitate to give them a(nother) listen. I bet you will be positively
surprised about the quality delivered here. All further info: www.agathodaimon.de.
On sale here.
Frank Stöver
BACK
AGATUS
The Weaving Fates
(Iron Pegasus Records)
38:59min
I
didn't really follow these guys' history, so I had to do some
investitation in order to back up my little review here. Well, what
I found out was that the members of AGATUS actually are of Greek
origin, but live in Australia these days. They started out as a
three piece, recorded
their debut demo "A Night Of The Dark Ages" in 1993,
followed by some promo tapes and then unleashed their debut album
"Dawn Of Martyrdom", which was
considered an underground classic by many. That might be one of the
reasons why No Colours bootleged that album on CD over here without
the permission of the original label
(Hypervorea Records) or the
band. Don't know if this is really the truth or if there was bad
blood between them for any other reason - so you better don't quote
me on that. Former member Prince Korthnage is no longer with them
nowadays, leaving AGATUS as a two-piece and judging AGATUS by their
newest output, "The
Weaving Fates", their music and image must have undergone some
drastic changes as well. They don't use any corpsepaint any longer (like
on some old pics I came across) and I also wouldn't necessarily call
this new material orchestral Black Metal anymore (that's how they
got labeled in the past quite often). To me this is basically
traditional oldschool Metal, with obvious influences from old MAIDEN
and RUNNING WILD (in the guitar department), but due to the overall
rawness and aggressive vocal delivery still more rooted in Death /
Thrash Metal. What I don't really get is why they still incorporate
those cheesy keyboards here and there. They might have worked well
back in the Black Metal days, but to me they sound rather superflous in the
whole songwriting now. But all in all this is certainly a very honest
sounding and completely oldschool type of release, just not exactly
what I enjoy listening to on a frequently base. So, you definitely
should make sure to give it a try somewhere, before you actually
spend your money on it. For further info contact:
Iron-Pegasus@t-online.de
Frank
Stöver
BACK
AGENT STEEL
Order Of The Illuminati
(Scarlet Records)
53:40min
At last here is
the new offering from one of the most talented Heavy Metal bands of
yesterday and today. I was afraid that the sordid legal dispute
involving the new AGENT STEEL with their old singer John Cyriis (this
guy is a kind of disturbed genius and he was mostly responsible of
the AGENT STEEL demise because of his volatile behaviour) could lead
to a new splitting up of the band, or at least to a name change (by
the way "Order Of The Illuminati" could have become the
new AGENT STEEL monicker, my advice to the band: NEVER consider that
option again, because it is a little dull for a band name). The good
news is that this new album (after more than a two-years silence
following the issue of the very good "Omega Conspiracy" on
Candlelight Records) is in fact absolutely remarkable, and confirm
the hopes we had after the band’s reformation. AGENT STEEL have
the talent to not rely on their glorious past to rather update their
songwriting while staying faithful to their roots. The band combine
in "Order…" some MAIDEN-esque mannerisms, mixed with
fuelled up Thrash / Speed overtones. An epic song like ‘Ten Fists
Of Nation’ could have been featured on "Somewhere In Time",
while ‘Forever Black’ is a tribute to the Speed Metal AGENT
STEEL played on their "Skeptic Apocalypse" album, but this
time with a fleshy production. The pair Juan Garcia / Bernie
Versailles offer us a guitar festival in the tradition of Murray /
Smith or Tipton / Downing, a true feast for the ears, and they are
supported by a killer rhythm section. Singer (I am glad I can use
this word instead of "vocalist") Bruce Hall steals the
show on more than one occasion, the man is gifted with a superb
voice, some high notes he reaches are delightful, think of a mix
between Dickinson and Cyriis, no less. I can even say that he
betters up here the already good job he did on "Omega
Conspiracy". The AGENT STEEL musicians totally master the
science of contrast, in the end that gives variety to the album,
each of the songs stands on its own. I can only advise you to check
this superb release without delay, one of the few must-have since
the beginning of 2003. Order
here.
Edouard Vergriete
BACK
AGENT STEEL
Live @ Dynamo Open Air (DVD)
(Scarlet Records)
approx. 75min
Somehow
I have the same kind of problems with US Speed Metal merchants AGENT
STEEL nowadays as others obviously had with JUDAS PRIEST during the
Ripper Owens period... Bruce Hall is without any doubt a really
nice, down to earth type of guy and extremely talented vocalist. He
not only manages to sing all the difficult high John Cyriis notes
without any problems, but also adds his own unique note to the
band's newer material (which is actually really cool to me!). But:
seeing this new line-up on stage is a different story. Hall by no
means comes across as a real frontman for such an energetic Metal
act, but more like a buddy-from-next-door who accidentely ended up
on stage and who's blessed with this incredible voice. All this
became even more evident to me after going through the TESTAMENT DVD
right before this one here. Chuck Billy is a very good example of
what I consider the perfect frontman on stage and the gap between
the both of them is really really big, I'm afraid! Plus, I don't
think it was the best idea to baptize this band AGENT STEEL again
(the original idea ORDER OF THE ILLUMINATI would probably have been
the better solution)... For some reason these guys are not really
capable of getting across the same exciting vibes as the old line-up
(remember that only guitarists Juan Garcia and Bernie Versailles are
left from the old days),
so it constantly reminds me on a cover band as opposed to the real
deal... But hey, tastes are different and there's certainly a lot of
Metalheads out there who still worship this incarnation in the same
way (if not more) as the original 80s line-up. Those of you should
definitely make sure to get a copy of this DVD as it features the
entire AGENT STEEL 2004 Dynamo Open Air performance, inluding the
eternal classics 'Unstoppable Force', 'Rager', 'Bleed For The Godz'
and 'Agents Of Steel', four additional European club gig
recordings ('Children Of The Sun', 'Mad Locust Rising', 'Avenger'
and 'Earth Under Lucifer') in a very cool picture and sound quality
(filmed by Lowlife Media, who already were responsible for a
shitload of other official video releases) as well as a picture
gallery. For all further info
check out www.agentsteelonline.com or www.scarletrecords.it
Frank
Stöver
BACK
AGE
OF AGONY
Follow The Way Of Hate
(No Colours Records)
36:34min
Hungarian oldschool Death Metal... and a brutal and guttural way is
what AGE OF AGONY offers shitloads of against each of our faces on
their 2nd album, titled "Follow The Way Of Hate". I don't
know (or actually care) what they have done differently on their
newest slab musically, compared to their debut album ("War,
Hate, Blasphemy", released on Kárpátia Productions in 2006),
but as crude and cold-blooded as I may sound like, I don't think I
have missed much. I mean, "Follow..." simply doesn't do
anything for me. This is the kind of Death Metal that floats in from
one ear - and comes out from the other. Similar sounding - call it
oldschool Death Metal or whatever, has been churned out zillions of
times before already - and much better and more convincingly in my
sincere opinion. Lots of AGE OF AGONY's songs scream in major pains
for sort of try-to-impress-me-more values, now only sounding dull
and irritatingly half-made only. I don't know whether the type of
Death Metal they perform on this release, really appeals anyone out
there as there's so much better Death Metal bands quality-wise
around these days. Perhaps some of you get your kicks out of AGE OF
AGONY, but unfortunately I was left outside of that entrance that
would have eventually led me into a pleasing world of AGE OF AGONY's
brutal and guttural Death Metal vomits. I'm also sincerely sorry for
that, believe me or not. http://synaptx.hu/agony
Luxi Lahtinen
BACK
AGMEN
Damnation
(Breath of Night / Merciless Records)
39:54min
According to the bands extremely brief band-information, AGMEN must
be the most magnificent band in the Black Metal universe. In this
very information sheet they state that they don’t play any gay
shit but rather create musical “obliterations with an excellent
production and musicianship” (quote from the sheet!). Gosh, I
was quite curious what they would set loose on me. They must be
awesome when they use such promising phrases. Well, first of all the
ordinary information concerning the band’s place of origin, cover
design, etc. AGMEN come from the Czech Republic, they’ve already
sent a lot of promo CD’s to various zines and labels. Of course,
the promo is limited to 666 copies. More I cannot take from the
information of the band. The cover is extremely simple – AGMEN
make use of black background and a copperplate engraving in the
front. This image shows nasty devils torturing human beings with
lances and spears. Everything in black and white, of course. The
rest of the booklet is black and white, too. There are no further
images… just information concerning tracks, line-up, etc. When you
unfold the booklet, there is an infamous, little surprise waiting
for you. In order to enjoy that little surprise, you have to
purchase the CD, hahaha. Let’s switch to the musical dimension of
AGMEN – they play rather old-schoolish Black Metal incorporating a
lot of power and hate. The voice is contemptuous, a strange effect
is applied to it… a chorus and reverb effect in combination, I
assume. The consequence is that the vocals sound really cool, very
cold and old-school which I appreciate loads when it comes to Black
Metal. What I like about the production in addition is the drums’
sound. They are original (in the original sense), raw and fierce.
That’s something I really like about this album. The guitar and
bass tunes sound quite natural as well – so there’s no
exaggerated production observable here. The guitars sound natural,
as mentioned above… no superfluous effects on the sound, maybe a
bit reverb when it comes to soloing on the album (which is rather
scarcely the case). The style AGMEN play is old-school Black Metal.
They use song structures that are effective in terms of a dark and
malignant atmosphere. There are no particularly complex song
structures – I think that would be counter-productive in this kind
of music. Thus, the riffs are simple, sometimes a bit melodic. A lot
of fast stroking is used which it’s very often the case in Black
Metal. Sometimes there is a certain Thrash-like feeling arising in
AGMEN’s sound… a song that I think presents these assessments in
quite an examplary way is ‘Temne Hory’ – cool motif (yeah, you
actually write this word like that…) Everything is quite typical
here. No innovation, nothing that is really new – and that’s the
intention of this music I guess. It’s not necessary to be
innovative when you want to create an evil and primitive Metal album
– it’s just individual combination and usage of the according
elements that are widely known – I don’t mean that negative at
all. I just sense that this is a fact… prove me wrong… I must
say that I’m not dead-keen on this kind of Metal. However, I think
that this is a solid old-school Black Metal album that’ll fullfill
the demands of people who like stuff like Dimmu
Borgir’s “For All Tid”, Taake,
Darkthrone, old Satyricon,
old Ulver, etc.
F.
Cthulhu E.
BACK
AGNOSYS
Equilibrium (MCD)
(self-financed)
27:21min
In all honesty, I am greatly impressed by this first offering from
this French five piece. Formed back in 2001 under another moniker (AMALEK,
a wise move to have changed that if you ask me…), AGNOSYS play a
form of melodic Death Metal almost forgotten today. I am referring
here to the fantastic wave of the Gothenburg bands that conquered
the scene around 1992-1994. To be more precise, I found out on this
MCD the same atmosphere which prevailed in the very first AT THE
GATES records (the best era of this band to me). So you see the
picture: intricate songs, lots of breaks and tempo changes, intimate
passages that follow or precede furious outbursts of energy. The
production is absolutely remarkable, the sound crystalline and warm.
At no moment the band fall in the trap of arrogance and
self-indulgence despite their obvious musical talent and technical
abilities (the plague of many outfit specialized in virtuosity and
complexity). Add to all this an extremely professional presentation
(you can’t guess the MCD is a self financed product, if not by
studying it with great care), and I think this is a great offering
to purchase. Before I forgot, I would like too stress out the very
good performance of vocalist Maxime, the guy knows how to belt out
pure Death Metal vocals, deep without being undecipherable, and that
make contrast with the delicacy of the music. To sum it up, I
can’t advise you enough to check out for this great band. They
deserve a deal without delay, trust me on that! If you miss the once
fantastic aforementioned Swedish scene, you have to get this one.
Myself, I thank them for the moment of pure enjoyment they gave me
(I am of the nostalgic kind, you know). 100% recommended! Info: www.agnosys.net.
Edouard Vergriete
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AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED
Bestial Machinery (DoCD)
(Relapse Records)
79:52min
"Bestial Machinery" is a collection of rare material that AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED recorded prior to their Relapse Records debut "Honky Reduction". It consists of contributions from split-records, 7-inches and some previously unreleased stuff. The fact, that 136 tracks (the term "song" wouldn't really fit those outbursts that often don't last longer than a few seconds) are gathered on these two discs should already give you a hint of what to expect here:
twisted and hysterical US-Grindcore with a drumming machine running berzerk and a mixture of ultra-guttural and shrieky vocals. Insane as they are, AGROPHOBIC NOSEBLEED still don't manage to stay completely clear of the realm of music, since they also included coverversions of VOIVOD and C.O.C. which really stand out in this maelstrom of noise. Nevertheless,
I'll probably always prefer Swedish acts like NASUM or GADGET when it come to
Grindcore, since they in all their furiosity and sheer brutality still manage to keep a certain seriousness to their cause. The
Americans in their almost childish attempt to be as sick and extreme as possible too often get lost in total chaos and end up sounding rather ridiculous. Songtitles like
'Black Ass, White Dick' or 'Death Takes A Shit 2 (Assnuke)' aren't making it any better.
Anyway, still a nice soundtrack if you're planning to run amok in an overcrowded shoppin-mall in the near future or just would like to impress your comrades in school who always push you around.
You can order the CD
here.
Torsten Gründig
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AGRESSOR
The Merciless
Onslaught
(Deadsun
Records)
46:31min
"The Merciless
Onslaught" is not a new album by AGRESSOR, furthermore
it's a collection of old demo stuff of the band. This horde
has been around since mid of the eighties and I think it's a cool
idea of Deadsun Records to release their classic, hard to get early
material again. To those who are not familiar with this South
French legion: AGRESSOR plays fast and furious Thrash Metal as it
was meant to be and which is heavily influenced by the 80s
masters of Thrash like Kreator, Slayer, Sodom etc.
Of
course don't expect something new or innovative here (that's also
not the purpose), it's just straight forward Thrash in its
purest form which hits the mark and animates to bang your head.
The CD features 11 tracks and includes the 3 songs of their 1989 demo "Orbital Distortion", four cuts of the classic
"Satan's Sodomy" demo from 1987 (all tracks are also known
from the split LP / CD together with LOUDBLAST and were also released
by Black Mark), the first demo "The Merciless Onslaught"
(3 tracks from 1986) and a 1996 demo song ('The Word Of The Dog')
which was featured on the Black Mark Attack Vol. 1 compilation.
Most of the tracks are played with relentless speed and reflecting
very well the violence and aggression of the glorious days of
Thrash. Only the 'The Word Of The Dog' tune showing AGRESSOR in
another musical direction as this song is quite slow / mid tempo,
more technical and it doesn't convince me really. The sound
quality is quite good especially when you consider when these demos were recorded. It's a cool underground sound, not
perfect (people who are into tape trading and underground stuff
know what I mean), so don't expect some overproduced sound here. The
booklet is small (just a 4 page inlayer) but effective with some
old photo shots, the demo covers and a liner note by AGRESSOR's
mastermind Alex Colin-Tocquaine. The CD is worth a purchase
for all those Thrashers out there who missed the old AGRESSOR stuff, to underground maniacs who like to have the stuff in a
better quality than the already suffering tapes or to people who
just want to have a enjoyable piece of Thrash. Contact: http://membres.lycos.fr/deadsun,
email: gurkkhas@aol.com.
Michael Oelschlegel
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AGRYPNIE
F51.4
(Supreme Chaos Records)
51:53min
This piece of modern, melodic Black Metal is a solo project by
Torsten Hirsch, known as the vocalist of the lately split up NOCTE
OBDUCTA. Torsten alone is responsible for vocals, string instruments
and programming of drum computer and keyboards. Only the lyrics were
provided by NOCTE OBDUCTA’s Marcel Breuer. And what can I say
about this project? It’s fantastic and definitely deserves to be a
real band! Although this album needs some time to grow, it turns out
as a musical journey through depression and anger. The long songs
convey an intense melancholy which is interspersed with raging
melodies; besides very distinctive guitar riffs and acoustic parts
the keyboard serves for some unobtrusive background ambience. And
above the strongly emotive musical performance, Torsten’s vocals
circle like vultures over dead cattle. With a harsh voice he recites
over despair and emotional decay in very interesting, thoughtful
German lyrics, which are far away from the stereotypical lyrical
standard of Black Metal. Being an impressive display of well
composed, emotional music, this album is more than recommended for
people who love to indulge in dark and atmospheric sounds. www.agrypnie.de.
You can order a copy here.
Christoph Göbel
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AGRYPNIE
16[485]
(Supreme Chaos Records)
73:22min
A strong, but lengthy, intro deceptively pitches the album as an
enjoyable listen. Perhaps it is to a minority of Metal fans out
there, but for the rest of us, excessive breakdowns will remain
distasteful. While this record has a discordant amount of breakdown,
there is a strong second wave Black Metal influence that announces
itself periodically, and it is for those precious moments that one
may be persuaded to listen. If that fails to serve as an appealing
redemptive factor, then there's little to enjoy. It's not that the
band can't play - obviously, they're trained well. Nor is it
necessarily their songwriting, which has quite a few bright spots.
The real problem is the arranging and the breakdown riffs, which
make it hard to distinguish when one song ends and when another
begins. For all further info go to: www.agrypnie.de,
www.myspace.com/agrypnieband
Nat Shapiro
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AGUYNGUERRAN
Perverting The Nazarene Cult
(Shiver Records)
44:16min
How fitting that to close out this particular chapter of VFTD – the floodgates close with a few last minute dribbles, and each of these trickling clotted piss pools hail from Belgium, the latter is of course…Black Metal! As I sit here and draw my knives from their sheaths for this review, what blasts from my speakers is more fodder for these razors – as these part time ENTHRONED members make no real honest effort to distance themselves from their previous act, that is of course aside from the unfortunate decision of the alphabet vomit that
is… AGUYNGUERRAN. In fact the more this album spins, the more I wonder why this record wasn’t released under ENTHRONED’s moniker? Each of these songs (if you can call them that) lumber forward predictably, and the blatant evidence of the caustic aggregate utilized in one band could easily surpass for the other and vice versa. The interchange-ability of these tracks is uncanny! 11 demonic possessions are unearthed for those willing to bend over and wipe the excess of fetid urine n’chunks off my boots, as this pool collects underneath and around my soles, from the gate’s closure. The last song – a tightly played NIFELHEIM cover ‘The Final Slaughter‘ - without argument is the best track on this disc and truly present the facts as they are. #1 NIFELHEIM is a better band and #2 hymns like ‘The Final Slaughter‘ are the reason NIFELHEIM are signed! Three words…Character, individuality, and marketability. ‘T.F.S.‘ has this in spades, and this Hellish evil rite effectively puts all the cards on the table, so to speak. What I don’t get with the rest of
“Perverting The Nazarene Cult” is that these ENTHRONED patriots within AGUYNGUERRAN aren’t new to the scene, they are veterans in their genre. You would think these guys would have learned by now that if they want a side project like
AGUYNGUERRAN to succeed amongst trivial players like SATAN'S HOST or to survive past the initial name drop of ENTHRONED, that they would have to bring something more driven, more cohesively bombastic, more honourable than the mediocre blast that is in over abundance here and floats like so much bloody shit in the lapping waves of the Absu.
Contact: aguynguerran@blackmetal.be
or http://users.pandora.be/nguaroth/
or www.shiver-records.com
Wes Rhodes
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AHAB
The Divinity Of Oceans
(Napalm Records)
67:36min
On his endless hunt for the white whale Captain AHAB is finally
ready for his second voyage to the dark wilderness of the seas and
after their very strong debut three years ago (“The Call Of The
Wretched Sea”) I was really looking forward to the new renaissance
of German Doom Metal. But since weeks I'm trying to find the key to
this release and even if I have to admit that the lyrical background
of “The Divinity Of Oceans” is again a fascinating topic is the
second release from the musical perspective a mere disappointment.
During the last three years AHAB did not change course drastically
– maybe the music has slightly developed into more shallow waters
- but the very long compositions are very seldom in the position to
capture the essential abyssal atmosphere. The album is offering 7
(very identical) songs and an hour playing time is basically value
for money but I couldn’t point out any song as a real highlight of
this release. So general speaking “The Divinity Of Oceans” is
maybe not a candidate for the worst album of the year but also not
an album which can / will add anything to the overall history of
Doom Metal. www.napalmrecords.com,
www.ahab-doom.de
Matthias Auch
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AHOORA
All In Blood With You
(self-financed)
40:41min
We sometimes forget what for a “free” life we are all living
without any restrictions from police or government and I think that
luckily only a few out there can imagine a life as a Metalhead
without the right to make or listen to their music or to wear their
favourite Metal shirt when taking a walk on a Sunday afternoon.
Honestly speaking I think that AHOORA from Iran definitely know this
situation and my deepest respect for all 4 band members which are
risking again their personal safety with their latest release “All
In Blood With You” because Metal is still not accepted nor
tolerated in Iran. The band is deeply inspired by US Heavy Metal of
the 90s means that especially ICED EARTH (partly) and NEVERMORE
(largely) left their mark and influences on this 7 song release. The
album starts with 'Heart Of Darkness' a midtempo song which easily
could be found on the latest highly acclaimed NEVERMORE album
release and especially the vocals are fitting more than ideal into
this song. The second song with
a keyboard intro and a small accoustic part with some minor
arabesque influence (a piece bringing some connections to one of my
favourite non traditional Metal bands ORPHANED LAND) are clearly
showing the origin of this band. “All In Blood With You” is
overall a very interesting release and bands like AHOORA are a proof
that “Metal will never die” are not only 4 words but a message
to all non-believers. www.ahoora-band.com
Matthias Auch
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AIGRO
MUCIFELAM
Lost Sounds Depraved
(Insidious Poisoning Records)
38:13min
Insidious Poisoning are offering again a very extreme release even
for Black Metal standards. AIGRO MUCIFELAM is a side project of
Krof, member of MALEFICUM ORGIA and I think that even Black Metal
fanatics from France will not categorize both bands as one of their
leading acts. To avoid any misunderstandings from the start I think
that “Lost Sounds Depraved” would be a much better release with
a suitable sound. Some call it a pure underground production – I
can only call it a waste of energy. As we are talking about metal it
would be lovely to hear any guitars, vocals or drums but all
instruments are one massive sound wall and you need several times to
get to the core of this release. The music itself is nevertheless
worth to be reviewed here. We are talking about 7 untitled tracks of
furious underground Black Metal which had been recorded in 2001/2002
and they are finally available as CD or on good old vinyl. AIGRO
MUCIFELAM 's debut is for sure not of the best releases since months
but the pure aggression makes me think of early Black Metal diamonds
and after so many bands which obviously lost track of the true
meaning of Black Metal it’s good to hear again such a raw version.
“Lost Sounds Depraved” is a pure underground release and as such
only suitable for the fans of ugly and raw Black Metal, means Black
Metal in its purest form. www.insidious-poisoning.com
Matthias Auch
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AI MURO
City Of Scars
(Twilight Vertrieb)
44:37min
It ain’t easy to describe the music of the band with the Italian
name Ai Muro what means “against the wall” translated
into English
but I think Ai Muro sounds much cooler. The sound is a
mix between
Death / Trash and Stoner Rock. Sometimes more Death / Thrash Metal and
other times more Rock. The great opener 'Nobody’s Funeral' starts like a typical
Death Metal song with growled
vocals but then the great changeover to clean melodic singing comes.
Great stuff. This variation of growls, screams and the normal voice
continues on through all of the songs. Also the fast musical changes between the
styles in the songs. Death Metal riffs meet Thrash sounds and Stoner
stuff. Best example is the song 'Uprising'.
What sounds diffuse in the beginning works really fine. The
songs are not technical overloaded but well arranged and great
straight forward rocking. Besides the not really famous band Burner which plays a similar style I
don’t know other bands
which do a mixture like this. So this is more for open-minded people,
but anyway - everyone should check out the songs on www.myspace.com/aimuro.
Official website: www.aimuro.de.
The CD is on sale
here.
Stefan Hagmayer
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AISLING
Aisling
(self-financed)
44:45min
I decided on reviewing this album just because of the band's name,
AISLING (pronounced: Ashleen), a celtic female name closely related
to mysticism I came across a lot when I stayed in Ireland a couple
of years ago. According to the info sheet it means 'oniric (dream-)
vision'. So I expected to hear some Pagan Black Metal, probably
with a hint of irish or some other sort of celtic influences. But
these guys are from Trieste, Italy! How come? Well, their town was
founded by a celtic tribe. And indeed, what we get is Pagan Metal
with strong folk elements I wouldn't necessarily consider to be
celtic, but I'm just an interested amateur, not an expert. Some
of the folk parts are quite good and one can sense that the band
put a lot of work and spirit into this, but the Black Metal elements
are rather boring. Either this gets a lot better or the band entirely
concentrates on the folk elements and recruits their skilled guest
musicians.
http://www.infinito.it/utenti/aisling
Ramon Claassen
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AJATTARA
Itse
(Spikefarm Records)
38:18min
The
first thing that impressed me when I got that album into my hands
was obviously the way it looked. A simple representation of a harpy
(a creature from Greek mythology) in greenish black and the rest
in stylish simple black, only including the lyrics (in Finish of
course) and the line-up. This is how Black Metal CD's were to look!
Impressing nevertheless is also the musical content: Crushing Midtempo
Black Metal (no blasts etc. here!) with darkest atmosphere and sometimes
rather doomish and melancholic approach is the art that Ruoja, Malakias
and Atoni bring forth here. Sometimes I think that this album could
be compared partly to earlier efforts of PARADISE LOST or TIAMAT
and this nevertheless is only a hint for the real blackness that
this piece of art is offering - so this comparison fails anyway.
In fact it is no surprise that this band derives from Finland. If
you have ever experienced the wideness and long winters of Finland
you might understand the infernal feelings that this concoction
is invoking. Non-solid people should better listen to this music
for its creeping self-destruction may leave real damages but any
open-minded Black Metaller should check out this CD as I think that
this could easily be his enlightenment. This is simply black - as
black as the package suggests it. I'd like to see that band live
but I doubt that they will one day play in Germany. If anyone of
you is in possess of the "Helvetissä On Syntisen Taivas"
demotape from 1998 he / she is asked to contact me directly. All
the others are asked to get their hands on this CD. Go here to order a
copy.
Nhashi
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AKERCOCKE
Goat Of Mendes
(Peaceville Records)
56:44min
U.K.'s AKERCOCKE are crazy motherfuckers! I already listened almost
a dozen times to this weird album and still I don't know what to
think about it. First of all, AKERCOCKE surely belong to the genre
of brutal Death Metal in the American vein, but their music is much
more varied and foremost weird! Additionally you get some Satanic
Black Metal parts, dark power electronics and mesmerizing keyboard
tunes, but also massive grind eruptions. So all in all I guess that
AKERCOCKE is a band, which could be interesting and appealing for
people into SUFFOCATION to NAPALM DEATH to even CRADLE OF FILTH!
Well, this sounds probably strange, but it's true! "Goat Of
Mendes" is already the second album of these English sickos,
their self-financed debut album "Rape Of The Bastard Nazarene"
was already 'album of the month' in U.K.'s infamous Terrorizer Magazine.
Personally I think, that AKERCOCKE are from time to time a bit hard
to digest, but at least these guys are original and a bit innovative.
Well, to sum it up, AKERCOCKE is probably one of England's hottest
exports since the mad-cow disease and the foot-and-mouth outbreaks.
Available
here.
Schenk
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AKERCOCKE
Choronzon
(Earache)
54:46min
Definitely no fast food. Although... AKERCOCKE can be damn fast.
After a moody horror intro that reminds me a bit of the good old
Hammer Studios, the band jumps right at your throat with a blastbeat
my narrow-minded system of drawers is tempted to rather label it as
Black Metal. This isn’t really the truth, though, as the band is
to be located in the Death Metal scene. What I appreciate a lot is
the band doesn’t stick to my old drawers but commits adultery
comparable with OPETH or NOVEMBRE without sounding like those bands
at all. There is just this tendency to integrate calm melodies of
beauty. Definitely more aggressive than the aforementioned bands.
Sometimes amazingly straight, sometimes twisted and crazy (no
CEPHALIC CARNAGE effect here, though). I didn’t count how many
times I’ve listened to "Choronzon" and still there seems
to be something new every time I press repeat. Hey – why not buy
this record instead of a dozen boring BRODEQUIN clones? By the way,
the only thing
that tends to make me get bored are those ultra guttural
vocals coming too close to the frognoize department. Even with the
help of those high pitched Black Metal screams or the beautiful
clean vocals they’re sometimes making me lose patience a little
too early. I’ve definitely had enough of THAT. "Choronzon"
is miles away from easy (Death Metal) listening and if you resent
melodies in general, this might not be stuff for you but in case
you’re interested in modern technical Satanic Death Metal, check
out this sick piece of blasphemy.
Order
here.
Ramon
Claassen
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AKRIVAL
Vitriolic
(Pictonian Records)
45:12min
Within the last couple of years there hadn’t been a lot of real
Black / Death Metal releases which deserved the title classic (only
the ZONARIA debut must be mentioned) maybe due to the unsuccessful
resurrection of DISSECTION or the rise of the Pagan cult. After 14
years of existence the German band AKRIVAL is finally releasing
their debut via Pictonian Records and even if their 9 tracks can be
roughly summarised as Death / Black Metal is their approach
nevertheless totally different. The four band members are real
maniacs on their instruments and you can hear a decade of weekly
practice means the album is a tough ride an all instruments but what
is missing are real emotions. The songs are fast, brutal and
aggressive but everything seems too much composed / structured.
AKRIVAL took some musical idols from the Swedish Black / Death Metal
cult but there are much stronger influences from the ultra technical
approach of the American Death Metal scene. The album is like a
loaded gun and the bullet is also leaving the barrel but I can’t
hear a shoot, no song has any kind of hit potential and even after a
fourth listening session I can’t differ any song. Think that
“Vitriolic” is an album for all fans of technical Death Metal
but if it comes to Death Metal with or without Black Metal touch I
prefer the more direct combat tactics of band like LORD BELIAL,
FLESHCRAWL or even DAWN. http://pictonian.records.free.fr
Matthias Auch
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