C-187
Collision
(Mascot Records)
41:24min

“Supergroup”, that’s how the label calls the band C-187 because of their bandmembers which use(d) to play in bands such as PESTILENCE, CYNIC, DEATH and MNEMIC. But is a group a supergroup just because of famous members or should the music itself make them a supergroup? Anyway, the C-187 project is initiated by Patrick Mameli, who was nothing else than the creative force behind PESTILENCE. I can’t tell you how much I love the PESTILENCE albums especially “Consuming Impulse” and “Testimony Of The Ancients”. The bassplayer of the latest mentioned album is Tony Choy who also played in CYNIC and is involved in this project as well and brought with him the great Sean Reinert on drums. Think there’s no need for further introduction. The singer Tony Jelencovich is singing right now in the band MNEMIC but was also involved in bands like B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE and M.A.N. Reading this infosheet I was highly enthusiastic especially when I read the name Patrick Mameli I felt that this has to be something special. And fuck yes, this is something special. For me unfortunately in a negative way. I have to admit that I was too narrowminded and starry-eyed to expect a follow-up to “Testimony Of The Ancients” though my disappointment was huge when I heard the first tunes of C-187. This is Jazz Metal or whatever, fuckin’ complicated, structures hard to follow and not really my cup of tea. To be objective I have to say that for fans who want to search for progressive music with probably the most talented musicians involved this is a must-hear for you. I tried it many times to listen to this album but from time to time I ask myself where the songs are. I only hear riffs, breaks, shouts and weird stuff. Not really something I would like to see persons from PESTILENCE and CYNIC involved. Sorry! I don’t know, call me close-minded to discover the genius on this CD, but I have to say that we are here at Voices From The Darkside and I guess that’s not the right music for the average Voices-reader. Persons who want to have their music complicated should give this recording a try anyway. Available here.

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK


CADAVERIA
The Shadow’s Madame
(Scarlet Records)
38:23min

Judging this album only by its layout and title could be a very deceptive experience, because you could be rightfully led to think that CADEVERIA is a Dark / Goth outfit, or a Black Metal one. The reality reveals itself far more complex than that. CADAVERIA (the band) is none other than the new project of Cadaveria (the woman), formerly the OPERA IX vocalist. Having never been exposed to the music of the latter, I can’t appreciate if “The Shabow’s Madame” marks an evolution from things past for Cadaveria. What I can say though is that this first offering by this new act comes out as a surprisingly enjoying one. Cadaveria gathered some talented musicians around her and among them the ex-NECRODEATH vocalist Flegias who is featured here with his true name (Marcelo Santos, well I am not too sure after all it is not a pseudonym too) and who handles the drumming duty by the way. Those who wait for a Black Metal project here would be disappointed, because the CADAVERIA music is ninety percent Heavy Metal oriented, with some Black Metal and goth vibes here and there. The music makes me think of NWOBHM revamped through modern technology, I detected some IRON MAIDEN and WITCHFYNDE influences at more than one occasion. All of the seven tracks featured here run at mid-paced speed but keep the listener attention all along, an achievement for these days. The songs are wrapped by nice bombastic yet aerial synths, and the band is obviously concerned by epic and dark grandeur. The production (handled by the NECRODEATH bassist who plays also on this album) sounds very powerful and clear, even if the drums should have deserved more exposure, in fact they are a little buried in the mix, a minor flaw really. Needless to say, Cadaveria is the main attraction here, her raw and intense singing reminds me the late Dawn Crosby’s one, with a lot of passion in it. CADAVERIA are certainly a band to check out as this first promising offering sounds very fresh. Give them a try!

Edouard Vergriete 

BACK


CADAVER INC.
Discipline
(Earache Records)
39:01min

CADAVER INC.? Yes, there is somebody from CADAVER incorporated, namely original guitarist Anders Odden (Nedo). With the help of Czral (ex-DIMMU BORGIR; dr.), Apollyon (AURA NOIR, DODHEIMSGARD; voc.) and LJ Balvaz (HYDRHYDR, pre-CARNAGE; bass) he recorded a typical, yet unusual Norwegian Black Metal album. In addition to the icecold atmosphere, there is brutality on this album some Death Metal bands would be proud of and finally there is a certain... coolness younger musicians probably couldn't bring across. No cheap keyboards needed for this purpose. Although I don't have the lyrics for "Discipline", CADAVER INC. is supposed to have a concept that reminds me of "Pulp Fiction": if you killed somebody, contact CADAVER INC. for fast, efficient, cheap and anonymous corpse removal! At first I thought: what a strange idea! A question of taste? Only a shocking image in order to get noticed? The list of guest musicians makes this more problematic because not only Fenriz (DARKTHRONE) contributed to "Discipline" but also Faust (ex-EMPEROR)! So this concept of CADAVER INC. is not only an unusual gimmick but reality to a certain extend. One should talk to Neddo about this soon (hope I don't disappear afterwards). According to the record company, the band's website is already of interest for the Norwegian police! Apart from this, "Discipline" is a very strong album everybody into raw Black Metal will have to check out: sometimes very fast, sometimes threateningly slow, sometimes relaxed grooving, yet always aggressive, CADAVER INC. are very good musicians and amazing songwriters! Don't miss them on tour with MORBID ANGEL and ZYKLON. http://www.cadaverinc.com/

Ramon Claassen

BACK


CALABRESE
They Call Us Death
(Spookshow Records)
47:36min

Phoenix, Arizona based three piece CALABRESE were total strangers to me until I stumbled upon their myspace profile not too long ago. Their whole presentation immediately caught my attention, so I checked out some of the sound files they had on offer there... and was hooked right away! Ok, if you're a narrow minded Death or Black Metal maniac, you probably won't be able to understand my enthusiasm here, but all those of you who spice up their musical menue with something out of ordinary every once in a while definitely should pay attention! "They Call Us Death" is already the band's third full length that already helped me several times to get into a good mood. And by this I don't mean that CALABRESE are playing some sort of happy music. It's actually a very high energy, mostly pretty speedy Punkrock type of style, with catchy melodylines and the wellknown whoo-hoo-hoo's in the typical MISFITS / SAMHAIN tradition (the vocals are kinda close to a young Glenn Danzig). Riffing wise CALABRESE definitely also have some Metal running through their blood and this whole combination makes them so entertaining. The lead vocals mainly got handled by guitar player Bobby Calabrese, but there's additional, a bit more aggressive sounding, lead vocals (courtesy of bass player Jimmy Calabrese) in 'Blood Of The Wolf' , 'Violet Hellfire' and 'Loveless God' (hope I got them right here)... The band labels themselves as "the world's greatest Horror Rock band", which is indeed a very self-confindent statement, but obviously not that far from the truth... According to their info sheet they already had over one million (!!) views on YouTube for their 'Voices Of The Dead' video (a track that appeared on their "The Traveling Vampire Show" album from 2007) and their music already appeared in no less than nine indie Horror movies. The also very Horror movie like coverartwork for the new album was created by comic book artist Eric Powell (he created "The Goon" for Dark Horse Comics). So, as you can see, all in all there's not much to complain about, except for the fact maybe that the drums (especially the bass drums) sound a bit strange to me. And the album's total playing time (as mentioned above) is a bit misleading as well, because the final track ('Loveless God') is by no means of the approximately 14 minutes length that the CD player wants to make us believe. It's also got the regular length of 3 1/2 minutes, but there's a lot of silence in between its actual ending and a "hidden" advertising message of the band at the end of the CD. Oh well... Apart from that: a highly recommended album, by a very very promising band! More info and ordering information at www.calabreserock.com. Sound samples at their myspace site www.myspace.com/calabrese

Frank Stöver

BACK


CALDERA
Bison Skull
(Demo-CDR)
30:15min

I have met two members of the band three months ago in Paris, and received this demo to review afterwards. This young act (formed in 2001) from the East of France play a groovy kind of Heavy Doom Metal. The six tracks on offer here show a lot of promises, the songs are catchy and very SABBATH-oriented (what a surprise!). The strangest fact about this record is there is no vocals throughout the whole CD, except for the last song where some shy attempts to sing could be heard. I don’t know the band’s plan in that department but I suppose they have a steady vocalist now, as they seem pretty busy when it comes to play live (by the way they opened for two Relapse Records heavyweights in the form of HIGH ON FIRE and MASTODON last January in Nancy). I saw strong similarities between CALDERA and a band like SLEEP (the track ‘Bison Skull’ proves that statement) with a touch of PENTAGRAM for the 70’s vibe (listen to the intro of ‘Uno’ for instance). The only weakness of the band can be found in the guitar soloing, still a little bit stiff, at least on this demo. But the four CALDERA musicians know how to write good pieces of music, and it is all that matters to me. I guess they work now to get a record deal, and I am sure that they will be signed in no time considering the quality of this CD, professionally produced by the way. To sum it up, if you are a Doom Metal fan, I can’t see how you will dare to miss "Bison Skull"! Killer! Contact: caldera666@free.fr.

Edouard Vergriete

BACK


CALIBAN
Shadows Hearts
(Lifeforce Records)
35:25min

Well, let’s keep it short – this is a modern mix of Hardcore, a Thrash Metal riff here and there and extreme screaming, that is interrupted by some clean vocals – I’m definitely not intolerant, but I got a headache after the first song and chose to rather review a promising demo-band than worrying longer about this shit! May Visions, Rock Hard, Uncle Sally’s and Legacy deal with this! Don’t take this review too serious guys, if you should ever read it, but sending stuff like this to a Death, Thrash and Black Metal zine is a bit awkward. I put on some MORBID ANGEL now to get this awful noise off my head...aaarrrgghhh!!!

Stefan Franke

BACK


CALLENISH CIRCLE
Flesh-Power-Dominion
(Metal Blade Records)
52:25min

Congratulations! Not only did CALLENISH CIRCLE sign a world wide record deal with Metal Blade Records, they also delivered their best album ever. Record number three shows the band in a shining bright light. Still they play Swedeathrash and the first thing that comes to my mind is IN FLAMES. CALLENISH CIRCLE are very melodic as well. Yet, their approach differs quite a bit as there are no obvious MAIDENesque melodies. Instead, the band comes up with rather fragile parts in contrast to the energetic and brutal main themes. Check out song number 8 'They Have Chosen'. Great dynamics! The band is far from copying a trendy Metal style as their song structures are unique indeed without lacking a certain catchiness. Above all there is Patrick's strong, aggressive voice that never seems to get stuck in monotony. My favourite Dutch sickos are still GOD DETHRONED but with their new album CALLENISH CIRCLE not only entered the premier Dutch Metal League but are now in competition with the world's finest in brutality and they're future is looking bright indeed!

Ramon Claassen

BACK


CALLENISH CIRCLE
Graceful... Yet Forbidding
(Edgerunner Records)
68:13min

CALLENISH CIRCLE from Holland were in the early / mid 1990s and after their debut for Hammerheart Recs. they released a mini CD called "Escape" for Painkiller Recs. - finally "Graceful..." came out on DSFA (Benelux) and now it's being licensed for the rest of Europe by Edgerunner with the mini CD as bonus. "Graceful..." was produced by GOD DETHRONED's Henri Sattler and Bertus Westerhuis (GOD DETHRONED, ALTAR, etc.). Therefore, this one has quite a good sound. CALLENISH CIRCLE's style is a bastard: Swedeath, Black, Thrash and even Classic Heavy Metal sounds are combined skillfully and most of the songs are actually really cool. Unfortunately there are not many bands that record 70 minutes of music on an equally strong level. The same is true with this release. My CALLENISH CIRCLE hate song is called 'Broken' (also a track on "Escape" and therefore twice on this CD): it features such a simple melody almost throughout the whole song which starts getting on one's nerves after about 10 seconds, making it almost impossible not to skip the track. But the rest of the album is fine, kind of tame, sometimes furious - all in all an album worth checking out in case you're open minded (no clear vocals, though).

Ramon Claassen

BACK


CALLENISH CIRCLE
My Passion // Your Pain
(Metal Blade)
45:18min

Once again CALLENISH CIRCLE from Holland have turned into a darker and heavier act. The new album “My Passion // Your Pain” is faster, and grooves better. There are blasts like the initial one on ‘Dwelling In Disdain’ where the band shows they could easily compete with the most brutal bands on earth in terms of speed and precision but only seconds later they seem to tell you: “… but we won’t!” as the next moment shows their groovy, melodic side. Apart from that the band sounds like a better unit and the drumming is quite impressive. Pat’s singing has become better as well – probably the touring has helped the band’s development a lot. This is what modern melodic Death Metal should sound like today. Although there are a few futuristic sound effects, the band doesn’t follow IN FLAMES and their rather disappointing latest album – which I never understood - and they never sounded much like old IN FLAMES anyway. Within their cosmos of melodic SweDeath they have found a place of their own. So if you ask me if we need this particular band among millions of other melodic ones, my answer is: definitely yes! They won’t re-invent the steel but that’s not what I want them to do. In case you’re into that style there is no reason to ignore CALLENISH CIRCLE any longer. If I remember correctly they will be on tour with EXODUS, NUCLEAR ASSAULT and AGENT STEEL in autumn, so don’t miss that one!

Ramon Claassen

BACK


CALVARIUM
The Skull Of Golgotha
(Dynamic Arts Records)
40:25min

What shall I say? All this sounds kind of uniform to me. Almost all the songs on this record start off with blast-beats. No variation whatsoever. It is the third track ('Jumalviha'), the seventh one ('Herramme On Saapuva') and the ninth one ('Suicide Manifesto') that begin providing a bit of variation. Hmmm, I call this awkward initial blasting without alteration the DARK FUNERAL phenomenon. What about the music? I think Finland-based CALVARIUM offer medium-quality Black Metal. The components: vocals – extreme, frantic, hysteric. Just the way I like it. I mean the singer isn’t unique, but he sounds possessed and that’s cool! The guitars – this component is by far the best part of this recording! They’re tight, aggressive, razor-sharp, mean and everything. The melodies, at least partially, sound like DARK FUNERAL, maybe a bit of SETHERIAL, IN BATTLE and the likes. When CALVARIUM play open chords they sometimes remind me of old SATYRICON and BURZUM records, which is not too bad. There are these really fast shredded chords with minor melodies laid over them. So all this is very typical, yet decent. The drums sound cool recording-wise, but honestly, in tracks like 'Death Worship' the drummer really seemed to be unmotivated and sloppy, trying to get done with the track, especially at the end. Hey – you are the pulse of band, mate! The bass sounds alright to me. I like the slight distortion on it. Every once in a while there are synths adding the obligatory spherical bit… not too intriguing if you ask me. I personally like the more moderate (???) tracks on this output ‘cause there CALVARIUM really show strength and originality. In such moments they remind me of BATHORY (although the queer vocals are missing), which is a true pleasure. Good record showing potential for sure. But rather mediocre still. This could change in the future, folks. Further info: www.calvarium.com

F. Cthulhu E.

BACK

CANDLEMASS
Candlemass
(Nuclear Blast)
58:35min

Enter through the ancient gates of the true Swedish Doom Metal realm... How many years has it been actually since the Swedish Doom Metal messiah CANDLEMASS released their last studio album with one and only Messiah Marcolin?! Huh, I can hardly remember any longer... 15 or 16 years or something? Well, never mind because the original vocalist, 'the hooded head monk' Messiah has returned back to CANDLEMASS after trying his wings out in some other bands and projects (MEMENTO MORI still rings the bell, doesn't it?) for years. And what do we have here on menu then? 10 new songs the most well-crafted, strongest and most pummeling CANDLEMASS songs music-wise for many years... you heard me! To be absolutely honest with you, when I got a promotional copy from this latest self-titled CANDLEMASS album to my anxiously sweating hands and placed it nervously into my CD–player for the first time, it got stuck in there for days, without me even noticing it. I was playing the disc around over and over again with a huge enthusiasm and excitement, somehow mysteriously loosing my contact to this world, forgetting basically which day or month it was while enjoying the disc non-stop for hours in a row. Woah... like getting lost in time could be something new to me, ha! Anyway, I think it's even rightful to say CANDLEMASS have returned back to the very roots of Doom with this absolutely wonderful package of a damn well-made Swedish Doom Metal that harks back to the times of the band's 1st four albums a very familiar way, with a sound that has attached a modern touch to these new CANDLEMASS songs. Most importantly, however, CANDLEMASS have done an album that sounds extremely good right from the start to the very end, kind of never letting a listener a slightest chance to get bored when spinning the album back and forth, and most likely in repeated sessions. Leif Edling and his other 'candle holders' simply must have been hugely inspired and motivated during the song writing process for this album because the songs have been built around very rich melodies, strong and catchy as fuck riffs and rhythms - and overall the songs seem to push each other forward very effortlessly, one song after another song, creating a somewhat breath-taking musical experience altogether. An always so familiar CANDLEMASS–trademark has also nicely been sealed on the top of each song so that every time you go and pick up any song off the album randomly, you are about to notice quite easily even this sounds like CANDLEMASS and no other band comes even close to sound like them. Of course Messiah Marcolin has a lot of to do with that as his voice truly provides a very special vibe to the CANDLEMASS tunes, but I guess it's also safe to say CANDLEMASS can be noticed by a host of other familiar elements as well – and not only Messiah's absolutely outstanding vocal performance in their songs. You certainly know what I'm talking about here, don't you? In my opinion CANDLEMASS reaches its finest moments on this very album in question in the most heavily rollin' songs such as 'Seven Silver Keys' (what a majestic, massive feel this song has... oh my GOD!), 'Copernicus' (which surprises by a few more eerie moments for sure – bringing BLACK SABBATH to my mind more than once for some strange reason...?), 'The Man Who Fell from the Sky' (a dead limb-heavy instrumental song with a frighteningly gloomy atmosphere), 'Witches' (due to its nearly hypnotic yet kinda familiar riff – and rhythm fests in it), 'Spellbreaker' (with a true blessing for some of the most wonderfully composed doomy riffs ever. Leif is a fuckin' genious!) and 'The Day and the Light' which indeed proves quite clearly why CANDLEMASS has always been considered sort of quintessence of the whole Doom Metal genre since they appeared in the Metal scene for the first time with the classic "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" album that indeed pretty much set the standards for this particular genre for years to come. This is an insanely heavy load of some of the most convincing and magnetic CANDLEMASS stuff created ever; right up there with my two personal favorite CANDLEMASS albums "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" and "Nightfall". Essential... Classic... Captivating... A true masterpiece... Most probably the album of the year for me...

Luxi Lahtinen

BACK

CANDLEMASS
The Curse Of Candlemass - Live In Stockholm 2003 (2-DVD)
(Escapi Music)
Approx. 200:00min

The timing for a new CANDLEMASS DVD couldn't be any better as the recently released self-titled reunion album of this legendary Swedish Epic Doomsters turned out extremely convincing and immediately put the band back on the Metal map again. "Live In Stockholm" is an impressive 2 DVD set, featuring lots of live footage as well as a highly interesting, very in-depth and surprisingly honest interview with Messiah, Leif and Mats about the band's entire career. The approximately one hour long conversation was recorded while CANDLEMASS were shooting a promo video for the song 'Black Dwarf' from the new album and therefore also includes some behind the scenes footage as well as lots of vintage (often very amusing) pictures from their early days. Unfortunately it was done in their native tongue, so non-Swedish viewers better activate the subtitles... Disc one offers a full 90 minutes CANDLEMASS gig from their Stockholm show on November 29, 2003, which they played together with TROUBLE and FORCE OF EVIL. The sound- and visual quality is nothing but excellent and the setlist couldn't be any better either. Lots of CANDLEMASS classics, such as 'Demons Gate', 'The Well Of Soul', 'Solitude', 'At The Gallows End', 'The Bells Of Acheron'  or 'Mirror Mirror' as well as the song 'Witches' of the (at the time not yet released) new album, performed by a band that pretty obviously enjoys playing the stuff again. The second disc features 2 – 3 outtakes each from classic CANDLEMASS shows (Uppsala - 1987, Fagersta - 1989, Uddevalla – 1992 and Albstadt – 2003) as well as a 1993 TV appearance on Swedish Television for the song 'Dying Illusion'. Except for the Albstadt material, the overall quality of these shows is more or less of a better bootleg type quality, but very exciting to watch nevertheless as they impressively document the energy that CANDLEMASS used to set free on stage during their heydays. Even though singer Thomas Vikström (who replaced Messiah for a couple of years in the 90s) definitely had a solid melodic Power Metal voice, I personally never liked this period of CANDLEMASS at all as it was definitely not recognizable as the typical CANDLEMASS Doom anymore, plus he was of course totally lacking Messiah's charisma and incredible stage presence (documented on this DVD in the songs from the Uddevalla gig and the TV appearance). So, it's great to have the band back together in their classic line-up again after all and apart from the rather superfluous picture gallery this is without a doubt another highly recommended CANDLEMASS release! For more info check out www.candlemass.se or www.escapimusic.com. You can order the DVD here.

Frank Stöver

BACK

CANNIBAL CORPSE
Gore Obssessed
(Metal Blade Records)
44:17min

Ahhh yes CANNIBAL CORPSE is back finally with another release. First I must say this: Along the way CANNIBAL CORPSE has lost something, and I think its due to the critics. Ask any band that is the most popular in their respective genre and they'll tell you that some critics go out of their way to find imperfections of their music. CANNIBAL CORPSE being at the top of the Death Metal heap aren't spared. Along the way critics accused their music as just being talentless noise, no real structure or intelligence. And I think to an extent they took it to heart. If you compare Barnes era to the Corpsegrinder era, you'll notice one thing is lacking now, groove. If you listen to their first 4 albums you will notice a tremendous amount of grooves, memorable riffs and tempos. Nowadays, the songs are very hard to play and are technical, which proves that they are excellent musicians, however, the groove has been sacrificed. Now onto this album, to the delight of the fans you will be happy to know that some of the groove is back. On songs like 'Dormant Bodies Bursting', 'Compelled To Lacerate' and 'Drowning In Viscera' that the groove of old is ever present. CANNIBAL CORPSE in 2002 stands as a testament of how well and original Death Metal can sound if you have the right amount of ridicuously talented musicians playing it. The production by Neil Kernon is much heavier than that of Richardson's produced album which is what was also one thing that was missing, HEAVY guitar sound. All instruments are captured in all of the g(l)ory. Bottom line: CANNIBAL CORPSE 12 years into their career continue to prove that they are the finest craftsmen of their selected trade.

Dimitri Ganatsios

BACK


CANNIBAL CORPSE
Worm Infested (MCD)
(Metal Blade)
22:44min

US-Deathers CANNIBAL CORPSE seem to have been a bit over-creative in the last couple of months, because their latest album “Gore Obsessed” was released just this year and now they come up with a new six song MCD, that features three tracks recorded at the same time as “Gore Obsessed”. The other three songs are from various studio sessions in the last 6 years. The new tracks consist of the fast and brutal 'Systematic Elimination', the absolutely fantastic title-track, which starts off with a slow and heavy single-note riff, that have become quite rare in newer CANNIBAL CORPSE tracks and the METALLICA cover 'No Remorse', that was featured on the limited edition of “Gore Obsessed”. Then there are two other cover versions, namely ACCEPT’s 'Demon’s Night' and POSSESSED’s 'Confessions', both turned out great and especially the latter shows the huge potential of George Fisher’s voice, maybe CANNIBAL CORPSE should think about a Death / Thrash Metal record, they definitely have the right vocalist for that!!! Last but not least there is a very rare ’96 version of 'The Undead Will Feast', a track from CANNIBAL CORPSE’s debut, which features Corpsegrinder on vocals and definitely kills. The only track I miss on this MCD is the SACRIFICE cover 'Sacrifice', that appeared on the German version of “Live Cannibalism” and the Japanese edition of “Gallery Of Suicide”, but nobody’s perfect. Except for this small mistake, there’s nothing I can criticize about this release, the cover artwork shows a naked woman sitting in a sea of maggots and worms before an oversized vagina – looks really ugly! No CANNIBAL CORPSE fan out there should miss the chance to buy “Worm Infested”, it’s a great example of how a good and valuable MCD should look like!!! For more information check out: www.cannibalcorpse.net or www.metalblade.com

Stefan Franke

BACK

CAPHARNAUM
Fractured
(Earache)
29:36min

CAPHARNAUM hail from Florida and consist of members of MONSTROSITY, MARTYR and TRIVIUM. Now guess what kind of music they play? Exactly! Polka-Techno with Finnish lyrics! Well, sorry for this bad joke, of course they play technical Death Metal with a certain Thrash Metal feeling. On eight songs they unleash a whirlwind of complex riffs and drumming embedded in an excellent production. Fans of DEATH and late PESTILENCE will surely like them, although CAPHARNAUM still have some way to go until they can keep up with the masters. The quality of CAPHARNAUM is that their sophisticated musicianship never gets out of control and the songs never become confusing. Additionally, the many subleties of rhythm and guitarwork keep this album interesting for a long time. The only really bad thing is that ”Fractured” is insolently short! Only half an hour is definitely not enough for an excellent record like this. I hope CAPHARNAUM's next output will be much longer, as I have absolutely no doubts that the musical quality will be as exquisite as on this one. To get your own impression, download the titletrack of the album from http://www.capharnaum.org/.

Christoph Göbel

BACK

CARCASS
Choice Cuts
(Earache Records)
78:57min

I remember the extremity of Carcass, both musically and visually speaking. And now with “Choice Cuts” I’m going back in time to bring in some slaughter in my life. Carcass was the most extreme band at the time, and their grindcore did way more impression than the godly “Altars Of Madness” and “Leprosy” albums. The reason was simply that Carcass’ two first albums were more extreme. Both “Reek Of Putrefaction” and especially “Symphonies Of Sickness” were and still is grindcore of the finest art. Dirty and rotten to the core, with such a fantastic track as 'Exhume To Consume' from the second album. However, “Nectroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious” showed us a band that wanted to develop. Personally I never got really into their safely step into the world of more structure and deadly riffing, as I kinda thought they became nicer and nicer from the “Nectroticism…” album up to “Heartwork” and their “Swansong”. Musically speaking they became better, there’s no doubt about that but somehow I think they lost their magic touch of extremity when Bill Steer sang less and less. Still though, such a track as 'Corporal Jigsore Quandary' makes many a Metallers dream come true with precision, variation and good solos. I think the inclusion of the two Peel Sessions from ’89 and ’90 is a nice gesture to both old fans and also those who’d like to delve into the extreme world of grindcore art. Just listen to 'Empathological Necroticism' once again, and you know this is art. Personally speaking (as always) I think “Choice Cuts” is a good compilation of Carcass songs that needs to be remembered, but still I don’t think the last two albums did any good to me so I won’t scream out loud and order you to get this. But, since this is history you should at least consider it. Or buy the three first albums.

Roy Kristensen

BACK


CARDIAC ARREST
Morgue Mutilations
(Redrum Records)
40:00min

The tenth installment of Roger and Will’s (MORTICIAN) label Redrum Records, violently heaving forth this Illinois meat wagon, a now four piece of grim Death/Grind. Featuring within its ranks an old penpal of mine, who also plays in the band SEVERED, Tom Kninzer. Quality old style brutal Death Metal is on the toe tag for this Wheaton / Chicago outfit. Delivering blood soaked regurgitated remains from the late 80s / early 90s bands like BOLT THROWER, BENEDICTION, CARCASS, MASSACRE and DEATH. With each passing blast, chunking riff and hateful growl it’s no wonder at all why the casket Gestapo of MORTICIAN chose these sickos to represent them. If any band right at this very moment needs your attention and support it is CARDIAC ARREST. This CD is like a virtual time machine taking me back to the days when Death Metal was new, hard to obtain, dirty as Hell and meant all the world to hear blasting out of your Boom Box! I am more than pleased with this album and can’t wait to hear more from the band! Go CARDIAC! Contact: info@cardiacarrest666.com or 1855 Brentwood Lane, Wheaton, Il 60187 U.S.A or www.cardiacarrest666.com

Wes Rhodes

BACK


CARDIAC ARREST
Haven For The Insane
(Ibex Moon Records)
42:30min

Oldschool Death Metal is a tag that's used for a lot of releases these days. Many are able to fit the profile and do know how to convince but you still can (clearly) recognize some 21th century blood in them. With CARDIAC ARREST "Haven For The Insane" I felt it's like the other way around. This release sounds so convincingly old that it sounds fresh and would most likely be released at the same period when the first releases of MALEVOLENT CREATION, IMMOLATION, GOREAPHOBIA shook the scene. First of all the production is near perfect and resembled a bit of a rawer version of (the godly) "Mortal Repulsion"! Kai Kauffman's Polymorph Media Studio did a very great job here so more power to them. Former RELLIK vocalist Adam Scott is spitting his hatred upon you in blooddrenched grunts, while executing some very effective riffs together with Tom Knizner. Both supported by the rhythms of Dave "Amsterdamn" Holland (Dutch roots?) and drumming machine Jim ".50 cal" Deabenderfer. All four are responsible for some brutal music. Brutality on this disc is an emotional form of making music instead of a measure of speed or production. The 12 tunes range from deep groovy heaviness, to headbanging midspeed to blasting outbursts and a track like 'Extinction Endured' is one of the 2010's best Death Metal tunes from across the Atlantic I've heard so far. Although it's a bit too much the same at the end and will probably not end in the league of classics, it's a highly aggressive, intense and very cool release! Most likely responsible for a lot of neckinjuries and concussions. Don't miss this one, if you do, blame yourself!  www.myspace.com/deathrot, www.officialabyssrecords.com, www.ibexmoonrecords.com

Michael Tak

BACK


CARDINAL SIN
Resurrection
(Khaosmaster)
71:02min

Hell fuckin' yeah...!! Now we have got something totally cool here, dear folks. CARDINAL SIN out from Puerto Rico, was (yes, the stress is the past tense, 'was' because the band has disbanded quite some time ago already) simply one hell of a killer and talented Thrash Metal act that had their musical roots deep in the Bay Area style (or US-style in general) of an oldschool Thrash Metal à la Death Angel, Vio-lence, Exodus, LÄÄz Rockit, Anthrax and such acts from the '80s Speed / Thrash Metal scene. And this sort of a compilation CD including a very good selection of early CARDINAL SIN stuff, was actually my very first contact to CARDINAL SIN when strictly talking about their music only. This 14-song CD, quite aptly been titled as “Resurrection”, is actually a collection of the band's two demos, containing the 5-song “Infanticide” demo from 1989, the 4-song “Querer Es Poder” demo from 1991 plus a couple of other demo 'bonus' tracks and live tracks, too. In the other words, it's damn cool to get all this in a very same package finally and at the same time wonder while listening to “Resurrection” why CARDINAL SIN never broke through amongst the Speed / Thrash Metal - audience the way they would have deserved in the first place? Unfortunately they never did and it honestly feels like a screaming crime when thinking of it now... it really does. CARDINAL SIN's strength was based on a very strong and shredding riff work, clever yet even quite unexpected tempo changes, sharp and sudden solo outbursts, but above all the guys obviously seemed to know more than well back in the day how to reach a big mass of Metalheads by their well-executed Thrash Metal, basically sticking with all those most important and essential ingredients for an absolutely killer Speed / Thrash Metal sound that really meant and mattered to them most. And I bet the guys of CARDINAL SIN kind of never hesitated to admit and name the main influences for their own sound. In fact, especially their 4-song “Querer Es Poder (which can be translated in English “Where There's A Will There's A Way”) demo sounds so much DEATH ANGEL at places (just try 'Never Enough' and you know right away what I meant!) it even scares me... I mean, a damn uplifting and positive way, of course! Even for a demo recording, it has a very good sound quality which surely should guarantee a double enjoyment for a listener. The rest of the stuff on the disc is very good all the way through as well even if I warn you, do not expect much sound quality-wise. But that particular minor flaw doesn't change that fact “Resurruction” absolutely deserves its own special place in a collection of every self-respectful oldschool Speed / Thrash Metal - fan, and if you happen to be aware of your own musical tendencies and ambitions toward this kind of style, I can already predict quite clearly what some of you will surely write down to the very top of your personal shopping lists next...  ;)  Contact: khaosmasterprods@hotmail.com

Luxi Lahtinen

BACK 

CARNAL CREATION
Yet External Exploration
(self-financed)
16:27min

This young bunch from Finland delivers a slab of highly promising brutal, yet not too modern sounding Death Metal on its first demo “Yet External Exploration”. Competent musicianship, fierce and fast drumming, some nice melodic ideas now and then plus low and natural sounding growls characterize CARNAL CREATION’s sound. A song like ‘End Your Days’ has a nice grinding edge whereas the other four tracks even dare to allude on Black Metal-like chord structures. Usually I try to find comparable sounding bands to describe the reviewed act, but in CARNAL CREATION’s case nothing really pops up, so I guess these guys – as young as they still are – already have developed a pretty individual sound. Also regarding production, which they also did on their own, “Yet External Exploration” is already extremely good, not perfect, yet there’s power and rawness to equal parts and it is simply a very entertaining MCD. If they kick out a little too soft tune like ‘The Shadows Of The Winter Forest’, get the chance to do a professional production CARNAL CREATION might deliver a hellish good album in the future, thumbs up! www.carnalcreation.net

Stefan Franke

BACK

CARNAL DECAY
Chopping Off The Head
(Fastbeat Entertainment)
29:53min

Disappointed by the last ABORTED album? Waiting for the next CANNIBAL CORPSE output? Still impressed by the last MONSTROSITY release? Well, then you should definitely take a listen to CARNAL DECAY. Already the second full-length by this Swiss Death Metal outfit and a quite impressive one. Their debut "Carnal Pleasures" (released in 2006) is unknown to me, but judging from other reviews it must already have been a good one and "Chopping Off The Head" is a worthy successor. Tending more to the American Death Metal style the decent listener will discover nine songs, which benefit from two elements. The pure, brutal energy and the outstanding technical abilities of the musicians (together with the top-notch production). The only fact which differs from the traditional way of brutal Death Metal is the comic-like artwork (supposed to be "Sin City"-style, to whom ever that may ring a bell) and honestly, I do not have any opinion about that, so I do not like or dislike this artwork. And even if you are oldschool to the core and get freaky about comic-artworks, always have in mind that it is in no way affecting the music. Enough written, do not hesitate, go and get one of the best Death Metal albums the underground has to offer this year! www.myspace.com/swissdeathmetal

Mirco Szymyslik

BACK

CARNAL FORGE
Firedemon
(Century Media)
34:57min

Former War Music artist CARNAL FORGE is back with a hell of a deadly Thrash Metal shellfire! Their dreadfully stunning debut album "Who's Gonna Burn" was a real punch in your ugly face, but now these guys went insane and unleashed the ultimate fire demon! Here you get a full dozen of relentless, hateful and ultimately destructive tracks spiced with a pinch of Death Metal and hyper-aggressive vokills by Jonas Kjellgren of DELLAMORTE and CENTINEX. All this is embraced by the most powerful production you can imagine. Songs like 'Covered With Fire', 'I Smell Like Death', 'Defacer', 'Uncontrollable' or 'Headfucker' are absolute outbursts of hatred containing the most merciless monster riffs you can imagine! Who the fuck is THE HAUNTED or SLAYER? Adrenaline junkies will be addicted to "Firedemon", because this is the ultimate speedkill!

Schenk

BACK

CARNAL FORGE
Aren't You Dead Yet?
(Century Media)
35:47min

Fifth release for this Swedish band, a bunch who tries really hard with each record to compete with THE HAUNTED I'd say. While this time they haven't managed to approach them completely (comparisons are made with the best THE HAUNTED records a.k.a. the first two albums of course!), they finally manage to get somewhat close to them with several high speed thrashing assaults where intensity comes in collision with effective riffing, 'Decades Of Despair', 'My Suicide' (a song that features some totally killer / well thought harmonies and probably my fave on this record!), 'Waiting For Sundown', 'The Final Hour'... I firmly believe that it's through fast tunes that CARNAL FORGE manage to show their capacities to write good material (even if some fast stuff also sounds cheesy such as the album closer 'The Strength Of Misery', how can you deliver such a shitty chorus when you play that type of music?!) as it's not really the case with slower songs, most of them sounding boring / drawn out. Another point that I really can't stand are those vocals, another Death Metal vocalist who does nothing but growling / screaming for the sake of it, definitively the low aspect for this new record. I'm kinda certain these guys can come up with a record as good as the first THE HAUNTED if they work a bit more on their material and if they replace that damn boring singer! HE MUST GO!

Laurent Ramadier

BACK

CARNAL LUST
Whore Of Violence
(Diamond Productions)
23:48min

This three piece from Paris, France was founded in 1998 and after two demos, "Human Die" in 2000 and "Pepare Your Soul" in 2001, they have now released their debut album which delivers a brutal mix of Death / Thrash Metal with a few Grindcore elements, not very inventive at all, but skillfully played with passion and a lot of drive. None of the ten tracks is longer than three minutes, so there is no unneccessary ballast on this straight forward release. The rough and a bit undifferentiated production is a little drawback and really not up to date, but I think everyone who is into brutal old school Death / Thrash Metal will like the raw appeal of the songs. Sometimes they remind me of a more extreme version of MASSACRA‘s "Signs Of The Decline", with more blastbeats and more brutal guttural / scream vocals, that might give you an idea of what CARNAL LUST sound like. On www.carnallust.fr.st. you can find mp3 excerpts from their album as well as some complete tracks from their demos, so judge for yourselves!

Christoph Göbel

BACK


CARNAL LUST
Rebirth In Hate (MCD)
(Diamond Productions)
15:40min

Ever since the release of their debut full length "Whore Of Violence", the CARNAL LUST line-up has changed quite a bit. Original singer Nickro got replaced by new frontman L. Chuck D. and they've furthermore added a new bassplayer and additional guitar player to their ranks. Don't know if all this helped to increase their overall quality in any way as I've never felt the urge to listen to their previous releases, but at least the four tracks on this new MCD show some obvious musical potential. The main problem with CARNAL LUST is, that they tend to destroy a basically cool song with superfluous additional ideas, probably in order to sound more original or whatever. They could be a really convincing, very brutal US-style Death Metal act, with lots of intensity and guttural vocals (best example for this is track number three, 'Soulless Man'), but then there's these annoying changes in the vocal department (partly towards a more ordinary growling, partly even with a bit of a Hardcore feel to it) which really destroy the apocalyptic feel and heaviness. Same goes for the guitar melodies that they throw in here and there (luckily not thaaat often)... I don't really get the intention of them. Of course they are played very well, but hey, there's other possibilities to let people be aware of your skills, isn't it? So, the heavier this French five piece comes across, the more impressive they are! My personal advice is: get rid of your ambitions to become a unique force in the Death Metal underground (which is almost impossible these days anyway) and focus on your real strength instead. Otherwise you will probably go nowhere. More info at: www.carnallust.net, www.diamond-prod.com

Frank Stöver

BACK


CARNAVAGE
Carnival Of Carnage (CD-R)
(self financed)
12:55min

What the fuck! CARNAVAGE are hailing from Algeria and this brutal outfit throws us a real bloody chunk of meat on our dirty tables. This rabies infested trio is recruited by two members of brutal Deathers HOMICIDAL and a member of LITHAM. The band which saw its light of day last year presents us a merciless dose of oldschool grindcore in form of nine hellish tracks massacred within roughly 13 minutes. They really had for sure a lot of fun while recording this stuff as the track 'Carnival Of Carnage" with its cool melody proves. The three Algerians grind like Berzerkers, the vokills are in the typical dual vocal style. Deep, utterly bestial growls meet a pig gone wild (which was delivered shortly before at the abattoir). Here and there you will hear some samples and the drum machine beats relentless. The pace varies between moshing midpaced parts and high speed eruptions. As goody you will get a cover from the masters of Goregrind IMPETIGO called 'Boneyard' (from their "Horror Of Zombies" album). To make it short: essential for Grindcore maniacs! Hopefully there will be soon more! Contact: www.carnavage.tk.

Michael Oelschlegel

BACK


CARNIVORE DIPROSOPUS
Madhouse’s Macabre Acts
(Dan’s Crypt Records)
39:10min

The promo-sheet is listing up some bands which provide inspiration for CARNIVORE DIPROSOPUS and amongst the usual suspect like CANNIBAL CORPSE, DYING FETUS etc. there are at least two big influences missing - namely MORTICIAN and ABORTED. Especially MORTICIAN can be used as blueprint for “Madhouse’s Macabre Acts”. The same deep grunting vocals, the change between mid-paced double bass parts and fast blast beats. Surprisingly I discovered that it is a human drum machine performing on this release. Sounds exactly like the MORTICIAN drum computer and I wonder what is better, a drum computer sounding like a human or a human sounding like a drum computer? But besides such discussions, the music is quite enjoyable, if you do not mind the drum sound. Brutal Death Metal in the vein of the above mentioned bands, nothing spectacular though, but fans of this genre will like it. CARNIVORE DIPROSOPUS originate from Columbia and “Madhouse’s Macabre Acts” is their second release, but my first encounter with the band. So I have no further information how they sounded before, but the with an album title like “Filled My Stomach With Pregnant Corpse” I guess they played brutal Death Metal before and not necessarily Prog Rock. www.myspace.com/carnivorediprosopus

Mirco Szymyslik

BACK


CARNIVOROUS VAGINA
Istinto Omicida
(Redrum Records)
44:02min

As you may (or may not) know, MORTICIAN's Will Rahmer is also running his own label Redrum Records for quite a while now and Italy's CARNIVOROUS VAGINA is one of the band's he released through it. If you're familiar with Will's musical taste (which should perfectly be reflected in all of MORTICIAN's releases), you might already guess what this two piece here are all about, don't you? Exactly! This is basically Italy's answer to MORTICIAN. Gory Death / Grind with a whole bunch of spoken intros (all in the Italian language) combined with a very simple structured, extremely low tuned and overall rather sick songwriting. Just like MORTICIAN also CARNIVOROUS VAGINA work with a drum computer and the deepest possible grunted vocals. Musical skills are almost non existent, but the extremity easily makes up for it in this case. Not my cup of coffee at all (I'm not a MORTICIAN fan either), but those of you who can't get enough of stuff like this shouldn't hesitate to check them out. Band contact: necro_files@hotmail.com, Label website: www.redrumrecords.net

Frank Stöver

BACK


CARPATHIAN FOREST
Defending The Throne Of Evil
(Season Of Mist)
51:28min 

.

Andi Bauer

CARRION CARNAGE
Awaiting Salvation Of Death
(self-financed)
32:46min

A bit of NILE, a bit of CANNIBAL CORPSE and INCANTATION melt together on this not very original, yet well performed, professionally recorded and thus highly entertaining 2nd demo from Swedish brutalizers CARRION CARNAGE. Founded in the city of Linköping in 2001 the band’s first recording was a single called “Evil” containing only that particular song, next up was the 1st demo “Mass Murder Rampage” that started murdering the masses in 2003, I’ve never heard it, but from knowing the band covered SIX FEET UNDER I’m not sure if anything too good can be expected of it, anyway, “Awaiting Salvation Of Death” is actually really good! A sharp, ripping guitar sound, natural low growls, a few screams here and there, fierce drumming and also some striking bass play classify CARRION CARNAGE’s sonic assault. The demo CD starts with a nice and heavy instrumental, then two pretty “The Bleeding” - era CANNIBAL CORPSE like straight and powerful Death Metal attacks follow, the fourth song ‘Destined To Suffer’ features also a second vocalist and some moody slower passages, which showcase that CARRION CARNAGE do not fear to implement some melodies at times. With the other instrumental ‘The Eye Of Horus’ (featuring a sitar), ‘Tortured Souls’ and the title-track three NILE-inspired songs follow, whereas the latter is definitely another highlight on this demo album. Tracks 8 to 10 then offer a CANNIBAL CORPSE, a NILE and a MORTICIAN cover, except the latter (it’s cool to hear MORTICIAN with real drums!) certainly nothing one necessarily needs, but hey, no one’s perfect! Overall CARRION CARNAGE are a talented, ambitious Death Metal act, that seems to be still on the look-out for its own firm musical line, they honour their inspirations with highest quality and excellent songwriting, but a real individual stance is still missing. Also the MP3 track ‘Oppressed By Fear’ off the upcoming 3rd demo, one can download on the band’s website, exposes this problem. CANNIBAL CORPSE crossbred with NILE, if you like both bands, like I do, you will really enjoy it, but the lack of an individual melodic feel annoys me a bit! Try out this band, because they offer more than solid, brutal art and it’s fun listening to them, especially tracks 1-4 and 7, but as a little wish for the future: reduce the NILE - melodies, there isn’t really a need for a band imitating that, right? www.carrion-carnage.com (visit this website, it’s nicely done and offers the entire “Awaiting Salvation Of Death” CD as download!).

Stefan Franke

BACK

CARVE
Stillborn Revelations
(Black Hole Productions)
36:58min

"Stillborn Revelations ", the sick debut album from the mind of one of Sweden's purveyors of hard-hitting bombastic Death Metal - Rogga Johansson. If this name is unknown to you, mayhaps you have heard of some other of his prior work? Outfits such as PAGANIZER or RIBSPREADER, and now the equally brutal CARVE (not to forget the equally cool DEMIURG - Frank). Formed in 2000, CARVE is another extension of Johansson's reach into all that is unholy, savage and perverse within the dark shadows of Swedish Death Metal. Taking from that abhorrent black abyss, 11 tracks of ultra heavy Death Metal, that have you opting to crank up the volume on your stereo again and again! Featuring six songs off their demo CD  "Hunters Rise From Turmoil " that was released in middle of 2001, I can't help but be amazed at the level of musicianship herein and total quality that is CARVE. Strictly for fans of BOLT THROWER, (old) PARADISE LOST, IMMOLATION, DISMEMBER and GRAVE. Contact: Rogga Johansson, Slånbärsstigen 4A, 59430 Gamleby, Sweden or carvedup@hotmail.com or www.listen.to/carve or www.blackholemag.com/bhp

Wes Rhodes

BACK


CASKET GARDEN
Open The Casket, Enter The Garden
(Metal Age Productions)
39:23min

Their label introduces this act as Hungarian “Swedish-Metallers”. And although the band name would hint at a DISMEMBER-clone, it soon becomes very clear when listening to their second longplayer that the main influence here is AT THE GATES. I can almost hear you yawning now but hold on for a minute, since despite the lack of originality this five-piece definitely got something valuable to offer. Their music combines the straight-forward aggression of “Slaughter Of The Soul” with the feverish atmosphere of “With Fear I Kiss…”, all with top-notch-musicianship and a huge amount of enthusiasm, as if they just invented the genre. Plus they’ve got a really thoroughly-arranged and inventive songwriting. And their vocalist simply kills, sounds like the extremely pissed bastard son of Tompa and Martin van Drunen. In other words, AT THE GATES-worship rarely ever sounds this good and if you’re still not completely over-fed with this style you could do much worse than give this a try. www.casketgarden.com

Torsten Gründig

BACK


CATACOMBS
In the Depths of R´lyeh
(Moribund Records)
72:28min

Extremely slow, heavy and crushing Death / Doom is what CATACOMBS stand for. There is no romance or sorrow or any emotion at all here to be associated with Doom – just vast, downtuned heaviness, guitars creating a massive, almost static foundation slowly rolling, drifting on with glacial determination. Tempo changes occur like in a river meandering, changing its course. Dark repetitive guitar leads, both distorted and clean, appear out of the void and drip like mercury into that throbbing abysmal current, dissolving, transmuting, hovering above. The deep vocals sound like the slowly moving lid of an ancient black obsidian tomb. One vague point of reference may be EVOKEN in terms of heaviness but “In the Depths of R´lyeh” is by far more bleak, oppressing and monotonous. While listening to it, the whole album becomes like one song, a descent. Surely this is not for everyone but those into UNHOLY, DISEMBOWELMENT, SKEPTICISM, ESOTERIC and of course HIEROPHANT (the former project of J. Del Russi) who don't know CATACOMBS already anyway should check this out. The whole title track can be downloaded at: http://catacombs.black-dimension.com

Ulrich Kreienbrink

BACK

CATARACT
Great Days Of Vengeance
(Lifeforce Records)
40:33min

This is musically absolutely not my cup of tea, as it's simply too modern sounding for an oldschool Metalhead, but I gotta admit that I was still heavily impressed by the power, energy and aggression set free by this Swiss based five-piece. As far as I know, CATARACT basically emerged out of the Hardcore underground when they started out back in 1998, but could easily appeal to a lot of younger Metalheads today as well, because their musical mixture, which is being described as "THE HAUNTED and AT THE GATES mixing up with HATEBREED and ALL OUT WAR..." is so full of overall intensity, crushing riffs and a very fat production (courtesy of Alpha Omega Studios, Italy) that all those of you who like the newer wave of extreme Metal might as well be blown away by this 11 tracker pretty easily! "Great Days Of Vengeance" is already the band's second full length album, following their "Golem" entitled debut (and a bunch of other releases, such as demo, 7", MCD etc.), and offers really big potential and a solid writing / playing experience. It's just that I personally don't listen to this type of stuff, so don't expect any further, unqualified statements from here... If I managed to get you interested nevertheless, just check out one of the following websites in order to find out all further info on the band: www.lifeforcerecords.com, www.cataract.ch

Frank Stöver

BACK

CATASTROPHIC
The Cleansing
(Metal Blade Records)
39:28min

I'm not quite sure what actually lead to the origin of CATASTROPHIC, but fact is that I would certainly have preferred a new OBITUARY album over this here... Why OBITUARY? Well, because CATASTROPHIC is the new home of former OBITUARY / MEETHOOK SEED guitarist Trevor Peres, who joined forces with four ex-PYREXIA members for this. Guitarwise the album is still in the typical OBITUARY vein, with the only exception being that CATASTROPHIC also do incorporate several faster parts (while OBITUARY mainly concentrated on their CELTIC FROST meets Death Metal mixture). And the vocalist sounds like a Hardcore infected John Tardy, but never to the extend that his growling gets completely annoying (I personally can't stand Hardcore at all...). It's still a lot more on the Death Metal side of things, so you can relax again... All in all this turned out to be a quite solid and listenable offering, but on the other hand not really an essential one (with a dump logo design by the way). So, instead of coming up with a bunch of new bands, Alan West (currently in LOWBROW) and Peres should simply re-unite to write a new OBITUARY classic!

Frank Stöver

BACK


CATHARRHAL
Putressence
(Rotten To The Core)
32:36min

And again a new release from the Rotten To The Core label. It’s the first full length CD from CATARRHAL, also from Belgium. Funny is, my translator didn’t know the word "Putressence" with double s. It only suggests “Putrescence”, which means “Fäulnis” in German. But ok. The short note announces brutal Death Metal with guttural vocals and room for great riffing. And that is what you get. Again not spectacular and also heard again and again. The band is musically without a doubt above the average and the songs are well played and good produced. From the third song it gets a little bit more groovy and technical and the guitarist shows his skills with some nice solos. The vocals are deep growls but without any variation. All in all this is not a bad record but you already heard everything from other bands over and over again. So for maniacs, who can’t get enough of SUFFOCATION, MORBID ANGEL and so on it’s another piece for the collection. www.catarrhal.be or www.rttc.eu

Stefan Hagmayer

BACK