CIRITH GORGOR perform genuine, original and primitive (in the sense of primordial or original) Black Metal. This is indicated by the design of their logo – very oldschool-ish actually – the appearance of the booklet’s cover is quite straight-forward as well (b/w, burning woods etc.) and then the album’s title (which, of course isn’t very original but who gives a darn?). The tracks are extreme to be honest – a lot of high-speed passages, croaking voice, high-pitched guitars, infernal samples like thunder, bomb explosions and diverse obscure noises hardly identifiable. Comparisons that may enter my mind are acts such as SETHERIAL and IN BATTLE when it comes to speed, DODHEIMSGARD when it comes to sound. The vocals are awe-inspiring due to the fact that this madman seemingly doesn’t cease to regurgitate his blasphemies. I especially like the fifth track of this record – entitled 'Fields Of Eternal Glory' – this one really combines all the qualities of the band – speed, aggression, samples, frantic atmosphere. To top all of this, the promotional information on this simple booklet reads as follows “For promotional and antichristian use only” – very straight forward again. But still, for me this bears a certain humoresque note… I am wondering whether this is meant 100% seriously… I guess so… And then – at last – the generous playing time of this record is great. Nearly one hour. Congrats!

F. Cthulhu E.

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COCKROACH
Temple Of Mystery
(Supreme Chaos Records)
72:24min

When I received this CD not too long ago, I originally didn't really expect to get blown away by it for one reason or another... Sometimes I simply have a certain feeling whether I will like something or not already right from the moment I open an envelope - but in COCKROACH's case this luckily turned out to be a wrong impression! Ok, I wouldn't exactly say that the German fourpiece completely knocked me off my socks, but at least this album turned out a lot more convincing and enjoyable than I originally thought it would be. Before I actually listened to it, I assumed that there might be a certain musical connection to older VOIVOD because of their choice of bandname, but that wasn't the case either. They still have a big 80's influence in their writing though, in particular when it comes to the long lost glory of San Francisco's Bay Area Thrash Metal scene! Never heard the band's two previous releases "Fi(r)st" (1997) or "No Compromise" (1999), but "Temple Of Mystery" definitely is a feast for worshippers of the oldschool Thrash sound, with a major focus on the classic TESTAMENT style. The vocals aren't completely convincing yet (somewhere in between Hetfield and Chuck Billy though), but there's enough potential to be heard that I am sure they are already developing in the right direction. Unfortunately their overall good musicianship, the solid production and refreshing songwriting aren't really complimented by a similar quality bandlogo, which actually still looks rather amateurish and might turn a few people off to check this release out. So, my advice is: get yourself a cool designer and make sure your next album sleeve comes across more attractive, otherwise you might be overlooked pretty easily these days. Apart from that, all those of you who still play their old Thrash records with joy are adviced to check these guys out. Band contact: www.cockroach.de.vu, Label contact: www.s-c-r.de

Frank Stöver

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COCKROACH
The Observer
(Supreme Chaos Records)
51:33min

Founded in 1992 veteran Southern German Thrashers COCKROACH now come up with their fourth album. Embedded in a powerful production they deliver twelve tracks of crunching Thrash Metal, strongly influenced by the big names of the Bay Area sound and other stars of the 80s US Thrash scene. They successfully strive for variety in songwriting, but surely cannot compete with the classic albums by the likes of TESTAMENT, OVERKILL or SACRED REICH. The slightly monotonous vocals certainly account for this minor flaw, because more charismatic vocals would have definitely strengthened the auditory pleasure and memorability of the songs. Nevertheless, this is a more than solid Thrash Metal album from the German underground, without any major weaknesses or surprises. To judge for themselves, fans of classic Thrash Metal should listen to the mp3 excerpts from “The Observer” on: www.cockroach.de.vu. On sale here.

Christoph Göbel

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<CODE>
Resplendent Grotesque
(Tabu Records)
34:56min

The second release of the Norwegian / British project <CODE> is in some way like a drug – I can’t get away from it. The band - currently on European tour with SOLSTAFIR and SECRETS OF THE MOON - has recorded an album which perfectly builds a bridge between the true and ugly face of Black Metal and more avantgarde influences of bands like ARCTURUS or VED BUENS ENDE. “Resplendent Grotesque” is maybe only 35 minutes long but nevertheless a very intense album without offering extreme complex compositions – another proof that sometimes less is more. Especially the vocals are very often the major factor for the two <CODE> sides; singer Kvohst (also known for his involvement in DODHEIMSGARD) is perfectly capable of the true Black Metal vocals next to very emotional ones (which sometimes reaches areas suitable for the leagues of British Doom Metal bands like ANATHEMA etc.). This is maybe not a release for the wide mass but still an album which becomes better day after day and due to this fact far more interesting than 99% of the current releases. For more info www.codeblackmetal.co.uk, www.myspace.com/taburecordings

Matthias Auch

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COFFINS
Mortuary In Darkness
(Razorback Records)
49:49min

When mister Kreienbrink told me to check these guys out, I never really expected to like them in the first place, because there was something in his discription, that turned me off right from the start already... and that was the ugly little word "Doom". I have never been a fan of that style of music (with only a handful of exceptions) and probably never will be. So, I was quite sceptical of course. But this Japanese three-piece luckily is far more than just Doom Metal, even though bands like SWANS, SCORN, CATHEDRAL or KYUSS get a mention on their website... but also WINTER and DIVINE EVE and HELLHAMMER / CELTIC FROST. Well, to me this is actually a very deathly version of classic HELLHAMMER / CELTIC FROST, just played with half the "speed", but twice the heaviness! All of the seven featured songs on this album come up with an incredible individual playing time (often around the 8 minutes mark), but they still don't sound boring at all! COFFINS have adopted a very raw, brutal sound, that fits them just perfectly and their simple, yet very effective writing formular is a very oldschool one (which I appreciate a lot!). As a whole "Mortuary In Darkness" (including its Chris Moyen coverart and the type of bandlogo COFFINS are using) totally recalls the late 80s / early 90s Death Metal scene, when tapetrading was still hot and bands like ABHORRENCE (FIN), DEMIGOD, FUNEBRE, APPARITION, GOREAPHOBIA and so on dominated the xeroxed fanzines! Very cool, to say the least. To get into the right mood for COFFINS, surf to www.coffins.jp and check out the mp3 of 'Slaughter Of Gods'. Label contact: www.razorbackrecords.com

Frank Stöver

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COFFINS
The Other Side Of Blasphemy
(Imperium Productions)
41:35min

I could easily have included my review for "Mortuary In Darkness" here as well, because these three Japanese warriors luckily haven't changed a single bit ever since the release of their debut full length. Just like its predecessor also "The Other Side Of Blasphemy" got recorded at Noise Room Recording Studio and once more features seven extremely lengthy songs... The band still celebrates their very heavy version of classic HELLHAMMER / early FROST, mixed with the apocalyptic, doomy elements of WINTER and the blasphemous attitude and brutality of early 90s Death Metal (Finland and New York acts of that time in particular). Yeah, they even managed to come up with another very cool Chris Moyen coverart, which perfectly captures the atmosphere that the whole album evokes once again. Even though I personally still prefer songs like the album's opener 'Blood And Bone', which they play a little bit faster (well, midpaced would be more accurate here), it's still a real pleasure to listen to the album in its entirety because of its very honest feel and overall amazing heaviness. COFFINS by no means can be asscociated with the current wave of new brutal bands though! To me they actually come across more like an undiscovered gem from a far healthier and more creative period in Death Metal, when this genre was still pretty fresh, extremely raw and overall exciting as opposed to the perfectly produced and technically on the highest level (yet totally faceless) type stuff that we receive day by day. These guys still know how to deliver the goods, so if you're into oldschool Death Metal the doomy way, don't hesitate any longer and add COFFINS to your shopping list right away! For additional info check out www.coffins.jp. Their new label can be contacted at this URL: www.imperium-productions.com

Frank Stöver

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THE COFFINSHAKERS
Pale Men In Black (7")
(Primitive Art Records)

Warning! THE COFFINSHAKERS are playing country music in the vein of JOHNNY CASH with evil lyrics! So if you think of ordering this one only by knowing about the record company or whatever: beware! For the few who might like this style: THE COFFINSHAKERS do have a certain coolness and finally, this 7" is limited to 666 copies and comes in purple vinyl with a marble effect! Looks great! Features an exclusive track, by the way. Contact: ylva@primitiveartrecords.com

Ramon Claassen

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COFFIN TEXTS
Gods Of Creation, Death & Afterlife
(Dwell Records)
38:11min

Hey, I thought Dwell Records is specialized in tribute albums exclusively but they've already signed two very cool bands THE CHASM from Mexico and COFFIN TEXTS. This East L.A. based Death Metal horde really impressed me with this potent debut album. COFFIN TEXTS delivers fuckin' strong Death Metal the way it was meant to be. No wimpy influences, no trend following, nothing but pure unholy Death Metal. They play a similar style like their brothers from INFAMY. I would describe it as old-school Death Metal in the vein of old RIGOR MORTIS / IMMOLATION and old UNLEASHED stuff. "Gods Of Creation, Death & Afterlife" is a very powerful and heavy album with a good production. The songs are mainly mid paced but there are also lots of fast and brutal eruptions. Bobby, the vocalist, sounds like a possessed demon, very eerie and brutal. This album has a very dark and obscure atmosphere but it's still powerful and brutal. Check out the fifth song on this CD 'The Grand Gallery' with its mighty and devastating riff and you will understand what I mean. I'm very glad that I had the opportunity to be at a COFFIN TEXTS show and I can tell you that this power trio is the pure hell on stage. The last two songs on "Gods Of Creation, Death & Afterlife" are not written by COFFIN TEXTS, they are adoptions from SLAYER's 'Crypt Of Eternity' and BLACK SABBATH's 'Disturbing The Priest'. Both versions are well done and especially the SLAYER song kicks major ass. But their own compositions are definitely strong enough so this two tracks are a nice bonus, nothing more. "Gods Of Creation, Death & Afterlife"  is one of my personal highlights in the year 2000. Keep an eye on this promising band, we will hear from them in the future...

Hacker

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COFFIN TEXTS
Promo 2002
(self-financed)
27:51min

“Gods Of Creation, Death And Afterlife” was a great dark oldschool Death Metal album, which suffered a bit from a weak production, but I guess if the pre-produced advance-tracks of COFFIN TEXTS upcoming album “Tomb Of Infinite Ritual”, that you find on this promo CD, give a taste of what the album will be like – be prepared for an absolute Death Metal highlight!!! The four tracks on the promo, unfortunately I have no song titles, are excellent dark and brutal Death Metal songs, that sound like a mixture of L.A. cult-acts INFAMY and SADISTIC INTENT, totally fucking killer!!! The production has improved incredibly and sounds natural, heavy and intense. The songs themselves are a bit more complex than the stuff on COFFIN TEXTS debut, but definitely very, very oldschool! The vocals have not changed significantly, although Bobby Cardenas told me something about a new vocalist, but I’m not sure about that. Anyway, this CD is a great appetizer for the album, which shall be released on WW3 Music in early 2003 and everyone, who likes the bands I mentioned or stuff as IMMOLATION, INCANTATION should be sure to watch out for “Tomb Of Infinite Ritual”!!! COFFIN TEXTS will conquer... Band Email: coffintexts2112@hotmail.com

Stefan Franke

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COHOL
Crying Of Humanity On The Liturgy
(self-financed)
16:15min

Phew, this disc somehow disappeared while I was moving just to resurface after months lying in wait… rightfully claiming a review because the stuff is actually quite good. When I first read the band name of this Japanese three-piece I thought it might be an abbreviation of “alcohol” and therefore expected some dirty Thrash Metal like from their fellow countrymen TERROR SQUAD… but I was wrong! It is a little bit hard to categorize the music offered on this well produced second demo. Apart from the intro consisting of semi accoustic picking with some slight delay effect applied on it and backed up by some wind noises, two lengthy songs clocking around six to seven minutes each are to be found on here. The band skillfully manages to blend a lot of moods and dynamics into the songs – structurally they have some aspects in common with OPETH even though the riffing and arrangements are not that complex. I really like the dynamic changes between calm accoustic parts and louder energetic passages as the songs evolve and keep a slightly epic edge to the material without losing aggression. Other influences come from Black Metal and some slightly thrashy riffs can be traced here and there as well as some bits of Death Metal though it all really amalgametes into a very own and matured mixture – catchy riffing, massive double bass parts, melancholic / dreamy acoustic passages, aggression and emotion. The vocal duties seem to be shared, mostly a rather screamy voice can be heard as well as some deep spoken voice on the third track – on the second track 'Glasses See In Black' there are also some very deep grunting uttereances… these tended a tad bit too much into the ultra guttural department for my taste but that doesn’t take away any quality of the material. I hope this akward description gives you some hints to actually check COHOL out. In case there should be a full-length I would definitely be one to purchase this right away. Band contact: Itaru Sayashi, 10 – 16 Ogami, Miura, Kanagawa, Japan. Email: itaru_zpie@hotmail.com. Official website: http://www.tosp.co.jp/i.asp?i=cohol

Ulrich Kreienbrink

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COLDUN
Necessariis? Dubiis? Caritas?
(self-financed)
42:50min

Jokingly when I was first sent this album. The title alone made me kind of laugh, and I thought with this sort of goofy moniker, that this was just going to of course be another 4th rate Black Metal band / record that I was going to end up reviewing. All I kept thinking was Not necessariis...probably duplicitiis...And reeks like old carnitas! Granted to those reading this, that might sound like some kind of cruel bias or slander but I don’t care, it made me laugh so I thought I would share that with you. So, now that I have had an opportunity to listen to this CD, aside from the misjudgment of Metal classification, COLDUN actually are a more Power / Doom Metal style if you can grasp that almost inconceivable fusion. The music here, even though played at a level far more superior than most CDs that I get to review. The music and the talent of these players are just rendered unnecessary and coincidentally enough, each song sounds just like the last. Same riffs more or less, same beat pattern, same vocal structure and delivery…Hence, the duplicity of this record. And again let it not be said that these musicians suck. No on the contrary they are well versed in their instruments, you could say that, the musicians of COLDUN are of quality. Almost like veterans of an era since forgotten. The real problem however, lies in the arrangements of the songs themselves, and the overall core of this acts songwriting. COLDUN are forgettable and unfortunately also left to rot, in the cut-out bin, as-they-say because of that fact. Ultimately the rot of this act, and absolutley what kills this band instantly uponhim stepping up to the mic, is the vocalist. This is where the reeks like old carnitas fits in. Thankfully his name is not known nor is it listed on the band’s website, and so with this obvious glom over of character, if COLDUN want to survive they need to let this guy go. Absurd is what flashes in my mind when I hear this guy attempt to sing. If it’s as if a deaf man, who once could hear, has tried what others should have begged him not to do and that was to go out of mind and front a Metal band! On and on, song after song of the same out of key, wailing ughhhhhnnaughh…ughhhhnaughhh…Jesus Christ already, shut up! Another apt description would be Pete Steele of TYPE O NEGATIVE piss fucking drunk, in a bar on the bowery attempting to liven the place up, with his trousers around his ankles trying to fuck a karaoke machine with the mic shoved in his mouth! Or if that doesn’t put a grimacing picture in your mind, imagine if you will a mortally wounded Messiah Marcolin trying to belt out 'Demons Gate' with his throat cut or Nick Holmes from PARADISE LOST with a noose around his neck, attempting to sing as the rope tightens around his larynx and cuts ever so deep into his flesh. Absymal. Contact: coldun@gmx.de or www.coldun.de

Wes Rhodes

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COLDWORKER
The Contaminated Void
(Relapse Records)
39:44min

A lot of people out there will regard Anders Jacobson's new band as heir to NASUM. A fact, which is on the one hand traceable, since he wrote half of the songs on NASUM's masterpiece "Shift". But on the other hand NASUM and the genius of Mieszko Talarczyk belonged together, otherwise Mr. Jakobson would have simply kept the name NASUM after the tragic death of Mieszko. So let's be fair and look upon COLDWORKER not as some kind of NASUM 2.0, but as an unique band. Although all members of COLDWORKER have been active in other Metal outfits, it is quite amazing that this release only took the time of about five months to be recorded! In January 2006 A. Jakobson started searching musicians for a new band, and in June the same year they did their first live show and began recording their debut. Death Metal, mixed with Grindcore, may give a rough description of "The Contaminated Void". The riffs tend more to the typical American Death Metal, in fact the decent listener may find similar guitar work for instance on the latest CANNIBAL CORPSE or IMMOLATION releases. Additionally typical Grind riffs and some fine melodies are added, a good resource against boredom. The vocalist could, from my point of view, be a little more flexible, because he is just deep grunting all the time. Not really bad, but also nothing spectacular. All songs are played fast or very fast, the structure of the most songs (i.e. breaks and playing time) has a tendency more to Grind or Metal Core than the above mentioned American Death Metal. Dan Swanö produced the album, so you know what to expect - a killer sound. www.coldworker.com. Available here.

Mirco Szymyslik

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COMMANDER
World’s Destructive Domination
(Bad Land Records)
43:52min

Raising their fist under the banner “Death Metal Munich”, COMMANDER unleash their debut album upon the extreme Metal scene. Provided with an impressive, powerful sound, they pulsate between Death and Thrash Metal. What makes me so excited about this album are the skills of the involved musicians, regarding both the ability to write good songs and the technical capacity to perform these songs in an outstanding way. Be it slow or fast, each song is in-depth composed to avoid any monotony. Excessive Thrash Metal riffing pooled with Swedish Death Metal melodies or slow Death Metal combined with Thrash Metal mosh-parts. No need to point any bands as reference, it is just enjoyable listening to such well-composed songs. COMMANDER are active since five years and they have been constantly playing live and clearly benefit from this experience. Nowadays new bands often release their debut a few months after foundation and the result is very often a mediocre album. But COMMANDER have chosen the hard way and the result entitles the band to one of the most promising German Death / Thrash metal acts.
Release date: 6.06.’06. www.commander-crew.de

Mirco Szymyslik

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COMMANDER
The Enemies We Create
(Bad Land Records)
39:00min

With “The Enemies We Create” this band from Munich presents their second full length album after their debut “World’s Destructive Domination” in 2006. Unfortunately I don’t know this first record, but after listening to the new one I will change this soon. COMMANDER serve us classic Death Metal with excursions in Thrash domains. It is not the brutal Death Metal massacre we often get to hear. The songs are deep massive mid tempo mashers filled up by technical breaks at the right places and interrupted by explosive Thrash riffs. The title track differs a little bit from the other songs. It starts with a guitar intro (I’m not sure, but I think I heard this one somewhere else already) and is pimped up with clean vocals, even if I like the growls more. My favourites are 'My Worst Enemy' (great straight forward riffing with blast beats) and 'Valley Of Fallen Stars', which is a great groover. Concerning the contents, fronter Nick says, the lyrics are about the creation and existence of concept enemies, which is a nice variation to all the blood and gore lyrics. This promo also contains a 7 minute video with a live performance from the 2006 Dong Festival. Last but not least “The Enemies We Create” is rounded by a great production (courtesy of Munich's Hellion-Studios), so you can easily buy this record of these German hopefuls. www.commander-crew.de

Stefan Hagmayer

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COMMON GRAVE
Dehumanized
(Twilight Vertrieb)
35:58min

After a somewhat useless intro here we have one of the many interesting newcomers of the German Metal scene called COMMON GRAVE. I may label them like that since this is only their second album eventhough they have been around for quite a while. Being an everything-self-released type of band sometimes can be tough but listening to COMMON GRAVE's output I think I realized the reason why. It is not that they are bad or anything like that, it's just that maybe that "spark" that makes any label feel attracted to a band is not present here. Sure their brand of contemporary US styled Death Metal is good to bang your head to, but it feels like originality has been kind of put aside a little bit. It's really easy to find zillions of bands playing what COMMONG GRAVE does with easily equal or better results and that I think is the weakest aspect of the release. Sonically speaking you couldn't find any loose end here, that proves that you don't need a huge budget in order to achieve a quality production like the one COMMON GRAVE crafted. All of this complemented by a flawless execution and tight musicanship makes this release a pretty good but easily forgetable experience. Contact them at: www.commongrave.de. The CD is on sale here.

Mario Cubero

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COMO MUERTOS
Como Muertos
(self-financed)
18:71min

Right out of the chunk chute of the Bourgogne animal rendering plant rolls this gore soaked shriveled clump of flesh called COMO MUERTOS. Fast Death / Rock predicated to that of "Wolverine..." - era ENTOMBED that has its borders over-run by the excessive bleeding of surgical scars left behind from furious Gore-Grinders like MACHETAZO, GENERAL SURGERY and EXHUMED. Music and production is large and in charge, spitting and spurting blood in your face like ROTTEN SOUND, all the while interjected with Horror movie snippets and odd musical bits to keep the whole 6 song chum fiesta on point. Image wise the band MACABRE or THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINERS are readily apparent, mixed with a hint or two of the comic stylings / conceptions of GHOUL. A two-man dissection team "D" and the cruel "El Doctor" perform their hearts out on this MCD as well with the ancillary lead vocals performed by the newly recruited "El Maestro". Promising revulsion that with the right financial backing, management, and determination will absolutely ensure a solid foothold within the underground for these French sickos. Contact: como-muertos@hotmail.fr or Karl Dalara, 56 rue de General De Gaulle, 89100 Sens France or www.myspace.com/comomuertos

Wes Rhodes

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CONSPIRACY
Reincarnated
(Pulverised Records)
41:06min

Originated in the Ukraine, but relocated to the Netherlands, CONSPIRACY is a one man band, lead by Carpathian Wolf, who managed to see his demo re-recorded (some of the material dates from 1988 I think) via Singapur's Pulverised Records. In my opinion, they did a good thing, because, although lacking in a big production, the songs of this album are more than good. Let's say the base of it all is fast and melodic Black Metal with big influences from the Swedish scene of the beginning of the nineties (and nothing in common with its country's usual Black Metal bands). But this guy also puts a lot of Heavy and Thrash Metal riffs into it which gives it a fantastic eighties flavour (I think the resemblance of the name of the band with a King Diamond album is not only a coincidence), with really cool and catchy riffs together with more brutal ones, cold melodies and dark passages and the high-pitched vocals giving the whole the final dose of rage. Furthermore, the execution of it all is really well done, as much for the guitars as for the vocals, and that doesn't mean the drums are not ok. But if there's something I don't like too much on this CD it is the fact that the drums are done with a machine (although without an excessive synthetic sound, by the way), which sometimes is not so bad, but in this case it damages the atmosphere of the tracks a bit and adds too much low frequencies to it. To end with it, I'll just say that, having recorded it all by himself, mister Carpathian Wolf can be proud ot his work, I'm sure that the successor will be an excellent piece of Metal. Ah, I forgot, the album comes with a great cover of well-known nineties Death Metal specialized cover artist Dan Seagrave. www.pulverised.net

Jeroni Sancho

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CONSPIRATOR
Exorcism 
(Evil Spell / Undercover Records)
44:17min 

CONSPIRATOR offer a convincing assault inspired from a healthy and diverse number of sources. Unarguably, the most apparent inspiration is from Thrash Metal à la ATROPHY, HEATHEN and other bands from the final wave of 80s Thrash, an influence that is even more obvious in the guitar solos that sound like something KREATOR forgot to use on "Coma Of Souls". Second, CONSPIRATOR are obviously Death Metal fans, at least of the sort of Death Metal that kept many of Thrash's elements within it like ATHEIST. Unfortunately, while this is certainly a formula for potential, it suffers from a flat, digital production. That appears to be the way of half the Thrash albums released today. However, the album should please even with a production that doesn't do it justice. www.myspace.com/conspiratormetal

Nat Shapiro

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CONTEMPT
The Secret Around Us
(Empire Records)
33:39min

This band hails from Slovakia and play a brutal form of Death Metal, how surprising! More seriously, this first full length (after numerous demos, some of them having been issued under the moniker of DESECRATOR back in the 90's) will certainly give a chill to the most demanding of the extreme Death Metal fanatics. In fact, if you do remember the minor classic that CRYPTOPSY "Blasphemy Made Flesh" actually is, be sure you will found here an exact equivalent in term of intensity and musical writing. The four CONTEMPT musicians know how to play, as their performance appears faultless on this record. All the songs are of the same extremely high quality and well complimented by a fat production, as dense and heavy as a wrecking ball. The overall result crushes badly, and I am actually amazed by the level of professionalism displayed by CONTEMPT and also by the fresh ideas and unexpected tricks and licks they are able to inject into a too well-known musical frame. Their label describes CONTEMPT as a Death Grind outfit, but I partially agree as the Grind elements are kept on low profile here in favor of a classic brutal Death approach (for the better I think), with the fortunate result that the music never sounds blurred and disjointed throughout the album. My minor complaint comes from the lyrical side, as the lyrics don't match the brilliance of the music, this is an aspect to be bettered next time. Apart from that, I see CONTEMPT as more than a hope in the Death Metal scene, and I am pretty sure they will become huge if they stand firm on their turf. Needless to say, this album is strongly recommended! Contact: www.empire-records.com.pl

Edouard Vergriete

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CONTEMPT
When Angels Begin To Cry
(Empire Records)
43:51min

After their very well received debut "The Secret Around Us", which is said of having sold about 5.000 copies in Europe alone, Slovakia's CONTEMPT finally return to the scene with their follow-up full length "When Angels Begin To Cry". And I gotta admit that (despite the usual facts of a lot of musical deja vus) it turned out to be another very well executed brutal Death Metal assault. Professionally produced and blessed with an excellent and very well fitting artwork (courtesy of Jacek Wisniewski, who already worked for VADER, MALEVOLENT CREATION etc.) this East European Death machine constantly delivers totally crushing and overall always very brutal material! To me there's no real standout track on this album worth to be highlighted here, but at the same time no filler material either. The whole record's simply got a very well flow and showcases the big potential of this incredible tight fourpiece. You can't exactly compare them to one single band in particular, but it's still pretty obvious that they mainly must be influenced by several established names of the American scene. The deep grunted vocals of frontman Lubo and their mostly very fast, yet quite interesting composed songs can easily match with their American counterparts and in particular know to impress in the twin-guitar department (there's some incredible stuff to be discovered within the twelve featured cuts). So, lovers of uncompromising, yet technically very exciting, energetic and brutal Death Metal should definitely make sure to check these guys out. Label contact: www.empire-records.com.pl

Frank Stöver

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CONTEMPT
Blasphemy
(self-financed)
38:21min

CONTEMPT from Slovakia, formed as DESECRATOR in 1990, released two albums already on Empire Records, and probably caused some brain / ear damage by some of you already in their 20 years of existence. As I was told, the situation about Empire Records is unclear at the moment and "Blasphemy" was forced to be released by the band itself. With a title like "Blasphemy" you know what to expect and the actual power unleashed might even top your imagination. American brutality in a blasphemic form that marked the Polish and Brazilian wave from a couple of years ago. Where "The Secret Around Us" still had some grindy groove; on "Blasphemy" everything is aimed for one purpose and that's blasting brutality! This is brutal Death Metal and nothing less. An occasional oldschool start is blistered to pieces by new drummer Dodi (former ERYTROSY, FEAST OF ROTTEN CORPSES a.o). Very competent musicianship with the right dose of technique. No much variation is to be found here, just unrelenting, congesting brutality. Some industrial intros set a diabolical scenery which soon break into hammering madness. If your playlist ranges from SUFFOCATION, DERANGED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, LOST SOUL, DYING FETUS to HATE ETERNAL and the likes, you should give this album a try! The band is definitely not sitting still with a few releases coming up of which one is a 20 song compilation album (double CD). Covering 2 decades, ranging from a short NAPALM DEATH-like song from 1990 over technical oldschool stuff from '93, '95 and '97 to the two former studio albums. Get in touch with this brutal quartet on http://bandzone.cz/contempt or www.myspace.com/contemptsk for more info.

Michael Tak

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CORAM LETHE
The Gates Of Oblivion
(Crash Music)
54:26min

Melodic and heavy technical Death / Thrash Metal from Italy, well performed, well produced, featuring the typical Swedish guitar melodies, many elements of late DEATH, a mixture of screamed and growled vocals, as well as some more individual elements like the brutal opening of ‘Dying Water Walk With Us’, modern touches like distorted spoken passages and some excursions into progressive realms. Honestly spoken, nothing that appeals to me that much, especially because of the mid-tempo-dominance, but nonetheless “The Gates Of Oblivion” provides solidly executed and varied material for people who can imagine DARK TRANQUILLITY melted with DEATH, CYNIC. Of course these forerunners have more class and impact than CORAM LETHE, but some interesting potential for people into this kind of extreme Metal might be discovered already on the second album by this 1999 founded band (e.g. the outstanding track ‘I, Oblivion’ with some great drum patterns, jazzy bass playing and nicely performed clean vocals at the song’s beginning). Not bad! www.coramlethe.com, www.crashmusicinc.com

Stefan Franke

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CORPORATION 187
Perfection In Pain
(Wicked World)
35:33min

Hearken, humble creatures… I kind of have the feeling that a new Thrash Metal generation is about to take over control, submerge us all – and this is meant positively! I was asked to review this output and – as it’s often the case – I didn’t have the faintest idea what this band would sound like. Well – I presumed certain traits, but wasn’t certain at all. I think it’s marvellous to be surprised positively… in general. To restrict and specify this assumptions: with regard to music one can state that when you don’t expect anything because you cannot know what’s going to face you it’s great to get acquainted with a band that doesn’t just fulfil certain standards you demand, but exceeds them. CORPORATION 187 play modern Thrash Metal, partly quoting omnipotent bands that are likely to be cited when it comes to such music. I think of influential acts such as SLAYER (surprise, surprise…), IN FLAMES, THE HAUNTED, DARKANE, THE CROWN, etc. I mean it would be sort of uncanny if CORPORATION 187 invented the Thrash Metal genre right from the scratch, wouldn’t it?! Nevertheless this band succeeds in creating an individual and unique sound. They utilise extremely cool variable riffs in their compositions (the band information sheet claims that they make use of “chunky” riffs – well, and chunky they are indeed!!!). This characteristic could be described as usage of semi-technical, powerful, and pushing guitar work. The bassist is responsible for a solid rhythmic background that makes you move, no matter whether you’re willing or not. The drummer chiefly plays relatively straight double-bass patterns, varies them with certain ornaments that serve the general purpose of this band – creating power, aggression, and merciless rhythmic attacks. The vocalist slightly reminds me of this frantic, demented vocal lines of AT THE GATES… well, I assume this band is a major role-model for CORPORATION 187 anyway. The material on this CD fortunately is very homogeneous with reasonable variations at appropriate points. I really appreciate the cool, melodious, yet furious soloing which is an essential part of each song of this CD – like in the olden days, hehe. The joy to play this kind of faceted Metal is tangible in every single note… and that guarantees a high degree of fun you are bound to have when listening to this record!!!!  Last but not least I want to state that “Perfection In Pain” was recorded in Studio Underground and Studio Helltower – Mr. Peter Tägtgren was in charge of the mixing. Well – a brief personal not here. I know that it’s not professional to utter personal beliefs and attitudes in a review which is supposed to be objective. But hey – I am not a professional writer anyway… so what?! My statement is that I don’t like Abyss production at all for they are entirely artificial and clinical. Nevertheless Tägtgren has done a good job as a mixer in this case. The production sounds highly natural and powerful – this definitely enhances the quality of this output. Awesome result indeed - check it.

F. Cthulhu E.

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CORPSE GARDEN
The Corpse Garden (Demo 2009)
(self-financed)
17:02min

A bit muffled in sound and overly cautious in style, but that's what oftentimes makes demos charming. And, for a first recording, one would be hard pressed not to offer some congratulations even if this band is far from the big time. The riffs and drum beats are good enough, but there's not enough, dare I say, "life", to them. This is partly due to the quality of the recording and the songs themselves, which are passably good, but not quite there yet. By far, the best song is track 3, 'Echoes Of Death'. Once this song plays, it's easier to see why this band didn't get the boot immediately. There's clearly a lot of energy at work, almost like MASSACRE in parts. The way the first few bars jumps and runs is quite reminiscent of Kam Lee's psychotic writing style. Perhaps forgoing this demo won't leave you scolding yourself later on but, provided there is a second demo, be sure to pay closer attention, for this band can only improve - not get worse. www.myspace.com/corpsegardencr

Nat Shapiro

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CORPSE VOMIT
Raping The Ears Of Those Above
(Blackened Moon)
46:09min

I came across CORPSE VOMIT (Chicago) simply per chance by checking out some Death Metal MP3’s on www.mp3.com, I liked their faster and more brutal interpretation of the AUTOPSY-style and the voice of Matt McClelland, who varies excellently between Chris Reifert’s screaming and the deep growls of Glen Benton – killer job, man!!! I contacted the band and Matt sent me the CD and a wonderful sticker – thanks again! Well, my first impression that those sickheads are worshippers of AUTOPSY was right, but there was one thing I had overseen – their love for chaotic, hectic songstructures. Although CORPSE VOMIT get their own individual note from that, plus their inventive riffing, it is also their biggest problem, because most songs stay immemorable. Also the coverart would have better fitted to a gay band like BLIND GUARDIAN, but anyway, that is all I would like to criticise on this release. If you think chaos is brutal or have a faible for AUTOPSY, INCANTATION, NECROVORE or MACABRE then this should be a great album for you, it is 100% old school, no doubt about that, the production is excellent and the whole CD has a sick, disgusting feeling, but I had problems with the hectic songwriting, sorry guys! Give CORPSE VOMIT a chance, they deserve it in my eyes, because compared with most bands that today run under the banner of old school Death Metal, CORPSE VOMIT unleash their stuff straight from heart and with a merciless intensity that might convince you there in front of the PC reading this fucking review!!! Surf to www.corpsevomit.com, check out their MP3 files and find out for yourself!!! Email: corpsevomit@usa.com

Stefan Franke

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CORPUS CHRISTII
Tormented Belief
(Undercover Records)
40:13min

Seven melancholic yet very aggressive and grim sounding Black Metal hymns offer CORPUS CHRISTII from Portugal on their newest full-length. I’m not all too familiar with their previous releases, but if I remember correctly they used a drumming machine back then, which fortunately got replaced by a human soul namely Necromorbus, who also produced the album and might be known for his work with WATAIN, FUNERAL MIST and ARMAGEDDA. Musically CORPUS CHRISTII create quite individual soundscapes consisting of extremely raw riffing, morbid and minimalistic keyboards and the intense vocals of Nocturnus Horrendus, which manage to deliver the sinister emotions CORPUS CHRISTII's music contains in a very authentic and capturing way. There are slower, epic parts like in the closing track ‘Constant Suffering’ or just driving speed like in ‘Melancholy Beginning’ or ‘Devouring Your Essence’. The lyrics are mainly very personal, desperate and hateful stuff capable of setting themselves positively apart from the ordinary “Hail Satan”-type of texts and due to the tormented screams of Noctu sound almost frighteningly honest. To sum it up,  “Tormented Belief” is an intriguing, rousing dark Black Metal album, which musically does not explore new territory, but convinces with its unadulterated, cold atmosphere. So whoever enjoys uncompromising Black Metal should give CORPUS CHRISTII a chance, I bet you won’t be disappointed. Visit www.corpuschristii.com or www.undercover-records.de for additional infos and MP3.

Stefan Franke

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CORPUS CHRISTII
The Torment Continues
(Undercover Records)
42:30min

In these days, where the average Metaller has a desire for a huge, massive production, we who love the underground sound are left in peace. Nobody bothers us with bad comments concerning those releases we like (neither on Blabbermouth or any other news-sites), and we know that those who like underground Black Metal really like it for the music, lyrics and the atmosphere. We don’t talk about trends, because bands like WATAIN, FUNERAL MIST, MARDUK, LEVIATHAN and now CORPUS CHRISTII are not trendy in any sense. I simply can’t find one single evidence to prove that these bands are writing their music to make (much) money. While I didn’t like CORPUS CHRISTII's ”The Fire God”, due to the rapid monotony, this new album ”The Torment Continues” shows a band that still maintain the underground Black Metal feeling and at the same time has developed as songwriters. Each track has fast and mid-paced parts, which make the album more varied and interesting as a whole. It’s not enough to write some mid-paced riffs only to try to vary the actual song, you have to write riffs that vary from track to track as well. The fast riffs are fast, and that’s basically all there is to them, rushing ahead at light’s speed. But already in the opener 'Crimson Hour' CORPUS CHRISTII manages to make the song mid-paced with a touch that give promises of what is to come. In the second track 'The Ascendance' the band lifts the track with simple means. The church bells that chimes after three minutes add tremendously to the already great riffing, making the part even more impressive. As much as I like the melodies, the keyboard that occurs here and there as a minimalist effect and the unhellish Black Metal sound of the early 90s, it has to be the vocals that crave for most attention. Not since FUNERAL MIST's ”Salvation” have I heard such impressive Black Metal vocals. There’s not much variation (luckily), but the basis is strong and rather brutal. And in 'My Eyes, Empty' there’s even a touch of the amazing MONUMENTUM vocal from the super album ”In Absentia Christi”, clocking in at three minutes. So, desperate and haunting… ”The Torment Continues” is the second part of a trilogy that begun with ”Tormented Belief”. Sadly I haven’t heard that album, but I must since ”The Torment Continues” is a Black Metal album placed in the same league as ”Casus Luciferi”, ”The Plague Angel” and ”Salvation”, and if they write an even better album for the last part (of the trilogy), Portuguese CORPUS CHRISTII is definitely a band to watch. They have included a bonus, but I’m not really sure what track it is. Could be it’s a rewritten track named 'All Hail', but it doesn’t change the score despite its difference compared to the actual album. ”The Torment Continues” is a Black Metal album that makes me raise an eyebrow or two. www.undercover-records.de

Roy Kristensen

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CORPUS MORTALE
With Lewd Demeanor
(Neurotic Records)
38:15min

Danish CORPUS MORTALE seem to have been active since 1994 and I guess that the band did not only slip through my fingers, but hopefully with their first full-length “With Lewd Demeanor” this is going to change and the guys finally receive the attention they deserve!!! The trio presents an extremely wellproduced slab of oldschool Death Metal that blends the dark heaviness of MORBID ANGEL with traditional Swedish Death Metal elements, quite melodic leads, interesting breaks, technical skill and deep growls. Although CORPUS MORTALE’s debut will hardly be the album of the year, the consistent songwriting, the twisted and diversified structures and the crushing sound make “With Lewd Demeanor” a valuable addition to any serious Death Metal collection. CORPUS MORTALE are one of the few younger bands around, which manage to develop a pretty individual sound already on its debut and do not try to be the most brutal, the most extreme, the most whatever act around, but just is a damn good timeless Death Metal squad! Visit www.corpusmortale.com or www.neurotic-records.com for additional info and some other great band photos like the one in the CD booklet, where the three guys look like the long haired edition of The Blues Brothers, haha.

Stefan Franke

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CORRUPT
Silence Equals Death (7” EP)
(Blood Harvest Records)

I follow this band already since their great and already sold out split EP with NECROVATION where they offered the song 'Chain Of Command' as well as a very good cover version of the MERCYFUL FATE song 'Curse Of The Pharaohs'. After buying this cool release I had a look on their homepage and downloaded their 'Born Of Greed' demo as well as the brilliant 'Kill Again' Slayer cover. So what else could I do when I heard that Blood Harvest Records will release a 7”EP with CORRUPT? Honestly spoken I don’t like their name so much and when I first heard that name I thought they are a Crustcore / Hardcore band because of it, but I was totally wrong as CORRUPT has dedicated themselves to oldschool Thrash Metal in the vein of the early releases from SADUS, MERCILESS or KREATOR. 4 songs, mostly highspeed with (which is amazing for such an underground release) a fantastic sound. Once again Blood Harvest Records succeeded with their selection of great newcomer / underground bands. I’m happy that with a band like CORRUPT oldschool Thrash Metal is still alive. So, stop spending money on worthless CD releases from all these polished Thrash Metal bands from these modern times and start supporting a band which is really worth your money. Check out the mp3s on their homepage www.shotgundeath.tk if you don’t believe me, but be fast in your decision as once again this is a release strictly limited to 500 pieces and Blood Harvest Records’s myspace-site www.myspace.com/bloodharvestrecords says that only few copies are left – yes, I’m kinda late in reviewing this release, blame me for that!!! Hope you still can buy it via PayPal on the above mentioned myspace-site!

Thomas Ehrmann

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COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN
Revealing Damnation
(Martyr Music Group)
40:00min

The latest releases in the Florida Death Metal scene – HATE ETERNAL’s second album and the INTERNECINE debut - were great releases as long as you point the focus only on brutality and technical finesse. But the most important factors in my opinion: the song structures, their memorability and the entertaining effect suffered from these technical and brutal excesses and were often simply far too complex. Now there is another album featuring the drumming qualities of Derek Roddy, namely the first official release by COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN “Revealing Damnation”. Together with his bandmates Kevin Quirion and Sean Baxter (BROKEN HOPE) COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN unleash a blackened (!) Florida Death storm that does not top the bands I named above in terms of brutality or technical finesse, but tops them with straight, to-the-point and definitely more memorable songs, that represent an extraordinary musical variety featuring Death, Black and Thrash Metal elements alike. This kind of genre-mixing-experiments mostly fail desperately, but not in COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN’s case!!! The three talented musicians manage to create a consistent, intense Metal mixture that contains DARK FUNERAL like “Swedish” riffs, MALEVOLENT CREATION like Death / Thrash parts and brutal Florida Death that should satisfy fans of DEICIDE or MONSTROSITY as well. If you know DECREPIT’s godly “Acrimonium” you should have a good idea of what COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN sound like. The scream / growl vocal arrangements are flexible and unusual and connect, together with the Black / Thrash riffing, dark, hateful emotions with a crushing, driving heaviness. Some songs feature small acoustic guitar passages, a whispered chorus (‘Lying In Wait’) that surprisingly rips brutal Death Metal with a silent interruption and a few melodic solos, like in the fantastic opener ‘Search For Purpose’. “Revealing Damnation” is a great, entertaining and sinister Black / Death Metal album, that unites the stylistic elements I mentioned above in perfection and any open-minded extreme Metal fan should check it out!!! It is without any doubt one of my personal highlights this year and I can recommend COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN as a talented Underground act with a fantastic produced debut CD, that definitely deserves attention. Killer!!! To get an impression of how this band sounds like, surf to www.councilofthefallen.com and listen to the MP3 files there. To contact the vocalist Kevin Quirion, write an email to the following address: vehem@worldnet.att.net

Stefan Franke

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COUNT NOSFERATU KOMMANDO
Ultraviolence Über Alles
(Kodiak Records)
40:25min

The slogan that has been written on the sleeve of industrial Deathers COUNT NOSFERATU KOMMANDO’s debut CD “No Mercy No Fascism No Respect No Law No Peace No Future” should be completed with the addition “No Talent No Music No Humor”. What French Kodiak Records try to promote / sell as the “new extreme sensation” is simply annoying to me. Musically this side-project of the ANOREXIA NERVOSA vocalist mixes the primitive crunch riffs of RAMMSTEIN with some Death Metal elements à la DEICIDE, the aggressiveness of THE HAUNTED and keyboard-stuff like SAMAEL. The vocals consist mostly of distorted screams, but some Glen Benton like growling appears as well. Sounds kinda strange, huh? Indeed it is strange and it is also crap!!! But that is my personal opinion, if I try to be objective I think people that love Electro and Death Metal equally, should get along with “Ultraviolence Über Alles” very well, its production is powerful and punching, there’s enough variation between the songs to keep the album interesting and one can even dance to it, I tried, ha ha!!! No, just kidding, I never dance I just bang! But anyway, “Ultraviolence Über Alles” should turn out a good piece of violent groove in all those Electro / Noise / Industrial / Gothic Club Discos, DJ’s should definitely check it out!!! I do not like it, because I am one of those oldschool Black & Death Metal maniacs, who hates this kind of “modern” stuff and gives a fuck about samples and keyboards, but I bet my ass that there are people out there who like Electro / Death Metal and exactly to those people I recommend COUNT NOSFERATU KOMMANDO’s CD debut, it might be your new favorite record!!! If you like to have the CD, send me an email, I will send you my promo! www.kodiak-productions.com

Stefan Franke

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COUNT RAVEN
Mammons War
(I Hate Records)
68:40min

What can we expect after a 13 years hiatus? Well, at least most of us would have said "hope they don't fuck it up" right? COUNT RAVEN is back and I can safely say they still deliver the goods and what a way to do that in their new testament in the Doom pantheon! Ever since 'The Poltergeist' kicks in you get the feel this is going to be addictive as heroin to a junkie. This band has been always one of the very few BLACK SABBATH impersonators that are actually worth spending a penny for. It is really amusing to listen this new set of tracks and confirm their skill set to create one of the most enjoyable blend of wisely constructed Doom-meets-old fashioned Heavy Metal have not changed after all these years. Everything you knew them for in their earlier works is still latent now, reformulated, still defying and repackaged but all in all a welcomed addition to your collection. It is kind of non-sense to dive on a track by track examination because this is to be enjoyed in its entirety. So, get this, dim the lights, grab a drink and something to smoke (your choice! jejeje) and enjoy this brilliant album. Get it at: www.ihate.se.

Mario Cubero

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CRACK ADDICT
Demo 2003
(self financed)
18:36min

If you judge this band just by its band name then you would probably think CRACK ADDICT are a type of Metalcore band. But you would be completely wrong here because this five piece outfit from Tokoshima City / Japan delivers a cool dose of (Satanic) Death Metal. Their four songs on this simply entitled "Demo 2003" release are quite ok. They are fairly produced for a demo and feature all trademarks which you expect from this type of music. Fast riffing, tempo changes, like a sewing machine pounding drums, heavy mid tempo parts and vocals which vary between slightly deep growls and (blackish) screams. I would say the Swedish style of Death Metal also for sure had an impact on the songwriting (like on quite a few Japanese bands) as there are some nice guitar parts here and there which are typical for this country. Unfortunately I don't have any further / newer information about this diabolic force as I am curious how the new material sounds like and the progression of this band. Of course CRACK ADDICT don't deliver something new or ground breaking but I think it's an entertaining little disc for  lovers of underground Metal of Death. http://sound.jp/crack_addict; email: crack_addict6669@hotmail.com.

Michael Oelschlegel

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CRADLE OF FILTH
Bitter Suites To Succubi
(AbraCadaver Records)
48:31min

Only 8 months after the stellar LP "Midian" CRADLE OF FILTH return with an album of 10 tracks comprised of 4 new ones, a cover, some old tunes replayed and a couple of instrumentals. So it's not really a new full length. Just recently signed to Sony now, COF still deliver their patented brand of eerie, gothly, vampiric symphonic blackened metal. Still in the same vein as "Midian" with maybe a little more instrumentation. The new tracks 'All Hope In Eclipse', 'Born In A Burial Gown', 'Sin Deep My Wicked Angel' and 'Dinner At Deviants Place' deliver the goods (2 of them are intrumentals) Redone versions of 'Summer Dying Fast' and 'Principle Of Evil Made Flesh' simply rip on here. The cover of 'No Time To Cry' by The Sisters Of Mercy is pretty well played and overall cool. So if you are looking for an album to tie you over until the next ghoulish platter from COF then this is the perfect remedy until their major label debut next year.

Dimitri Ganatsios

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CRAFT
Terror Propaganda
(Selbstmord Services)
38:10min

It's great to see that the Black Metal scene is finally giving birth to some really cool releases again after its big sellout period a couple of years ago. This massive media attention not only resulted in incredible sales numbers and the origin of several Black Metal "superstars" (no need to mention any names here), it also infiltrated a once so misanthropic, blasphemous and harsh musical genre, turning it into a poppy Gothic inspired chart phenomenon. Well, the annoying mainstream attention is luckily mostly gone by now (and currently obviously a lot more concerned to focus on Goregrind / Death Metal), so that really creative musicians can finally compose their music with their black hearts again (instead of thinking of their cheque books all the time). The second album by Sweden's CRAFT for example is definitely one of the best that I got my hands on recently, along with the debuts by GRAVEN, ARMAGEDDA, 1349 or MORRIGAN (to name just a few). These guys proof everyone of you wrong who still judge the quality of sinister Black Metal by the non existing poor sound quality. The worse, the better? Not in this case though. CRAFT have managed to come up with an almost DARKTHRONE inspired raw writing style and combined that with good musicianship and a proper production. Kinda like Norways KHOLD, but a lot more intense and eerie sounding. The album's cover artwork comes in the usual black and white style, without a band logo and just features a picture of the band's guitarist / bassplayer Joakim in the most possible underground vein. It actually was that picture which caught my attention and got me interested in CRAFT's music as it seemed to capture the right feeling already. And it does! This is a really fine example of raw, Scandinavian Black Metal, very close to the originators of the second generation of bands that started out along with DARKTHRONE's "A Blaze In The Northern Sky" - just better produced! Highly recommended!!! For all further information check out the interview or contact the label: www.selbstmord.nu

Frank Stöver

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CRAFT
Total Soul Rape
(Selbstmord Services)
40:18min

Following the release of CRAFT's second album "Terror Propaganda" comes the reissue of their debut, which suffered from very limited distribution provided by the now gone label The Black Hand. This version, according to the info sheet, comes with improved artwork which looks quite reminiscent to older DARKTHRONE cover shots (two grim Black Metal warriors wielding knives, standing next to a dead tree) and a remastered production as the band was not content with the original mix. I do not know the sound on the first pressing but here the guitars sound appropriately cold and dry, yet at the same time brutal. In terms of composition and riffing CRAFT chose "To Walk The Infernal Fields", meaning they evoke an eerie, depressive and misanthropic atmosphere not unlike DARKTHRONE but be assured that CRAFT act far too creative to stick slavishly to an already known formula. Every song has its own presence and character, for example the opener 'World Of Plague' which starts fast just to degenerate into a mealstrom of doomridden stasis before falling back towards dismal mania or the slow and repetitive '(Desolation) Death'. Pointing out certain songs is almost pointless here as all of the featured material knows to convince in all aspects, be it riffing, drumming or vocals (cool haunted solo in 'Death To Planet Earth', by the way). If you have read the review of "Terror Propaganda" elsewhere here you know what to think so more words are not necessary. All recent and relevant information can be found in the interview also to be found on these pages. CRAFT info page: http://www.oblivioncreations.com/craft/, Label website: www.selbstmord.nu, contact: selbstmord@swipnet.se

Ulrich Kreienbrink

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CREEPING
Funeral Crawl
(Asphyxiate Recordings)
45:11min

CREEPING plays Swamp / Black Metal exclusively. Honestly I don’t have a clue what the biography would like to tell us with that description, but at least it doesn’t seem like the guys here are taking everything so dead serious. Besides calling themselves Swamp / Black Metal the biography describes this band “almost as Black‘n'Roll” which I think is the far more suitable choice. CREEPING is a pretty new outfit rising from New Zealand and telling us with their “Funeral Crawl” CD that less is often more. So what we get here is a combination of different music styles taking influences from Doom, Stoner, Thrash and Black Metal and “Funeral Crawl” is if at all comparable to the newest DARKTHRONE release. CREEPING play outstanding Black Metal with a lot of heart, passion and originality. I was really impressed when I engaged myself with this release as especially in the Black Metal genre improvements are so hard to find and it makes me smile listening to some Blues elements in the last track 'The Abyss… The Swamp' and surprisingly noticing that this works just perfect here, just perfect for Black Metal, haha. Well, I’m not really sure if this review stimulated your interest in purchasing a copy of it, but I hope it did as this is one of the most outstanding Black Metal releases I have heard since a long time and I wish that CREEPING succeed with their brand of Metal. Give them a try and support them with buying this amazing CD. Check out the labelsite www.asphyxiaterecordings.com or www.metribution.com as they carry this release in their onlineshop, too!

Thomas Ehrmann

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CREMATION
Hate Contamination
(Lost Agony Records)
30:14min

I'm not quite sure if it really was the best decision of this German fourpiece to name their band CREMATION as there's probably a lot more bands of the same moniker around within the international underground. But what the fuck - may the best and most steady one survive and judging these guys by their first full length album "Hate Contamination" exclusively, they definitely have good chances already. The album was recorded directly at the band's rehearsal place, but hey - don't expect a poor quality just because of that. The production actually turned out quite good - raw and powerful, yet clear and honest and always with a big "live" feel to it (a fact which many new bands are currently lacking in unfortunately!). CREMATION do play brutal oldschool Death Metal which seems to be influenced by bands, such as early DEATH, especially when it comes to the simple yet effective riffing here and there, while the vocal delivery often reminds me on older MONSTROSITY. This seven song album (+ intro) is the follow up to their "Extermination Of The Ungraceful" demo CD and features all new material exclusively (so, no re-recordings of earlier stuff or anything like that). CREMATION have played quite a lot of shows by now and therefore come across as a very matured sounding unit. For obvious reasons you won't hear anything groundbreaking new from them, but at least they come up with a very dedicated songwriting (that never lacks the right feeling). Plus they've got a very cool looking packaging for this release. The CD sells for the fair price of 10 Euro (ppd.), so you shouldn't hesitate to check it out. Band contact: Alex Stütz, Höckebergstr. 8, 84347 Pfarrkirchen, Germany, email: Tunjah@web.de or Alex.cremation@gmx.de, website: www.cremation-deathmetal.de, Label website: www.lostagony.com

Frank Stöver

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CREST OF DARKNESS
Project Regeneration
(Listenable Records)
38:07min

Oh, I was seriously wrong with thinking that CREST OF DARKNESS would be yet another DIMMU BORGIR style Black Metal outfit from Norway. In fact, this is the very first time that I consciously get to hear their material and "Project Regeneration" (the band's second album, I suppose?!) is getting me positively surprised. CREST OF DARKNESS actually come up with a pretty intense and merciless mixture of superheavy (almost thrashin') Death Metal riffs and Black Metal orchestration, loads of blast beats, always surprising keyboard sounds and some weird incorporation of relaxed and atmospheric passages with female vocals ('A Place With No Memories'). The original element of CREST OF DARKNESS would for one be the pretty "futuristic" samples that make the songs sound pretty electronic ('Electronic Art (Computerized Pt. 2)' and freaky (NOCTURNUS feel here and there) and then again also the often almost whispered vocals of Ingar. I'm not really sure if I'm getting a 100% into the band and the production could also be loads more powerful but I must definitely point out that this is a pretty original bunch that deserves your attention in case you are into extreme and modern-sounding black metal brutality. Different one...

Leif Jensen

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CRIMINAL
Cancer
(Metal Blade)
31:57min

CRIMINAL were founded in Santiago de Chile in late 1991 by Rodrigo Contreras and Anton Reisenegger (ex-PENTAGRAM) and back then, their sound was more Death Metal. Maybe it's easier the following way: "Cancer" contains a great multi media section with five (!!!) Videos: two clips and three live clips. You can see the development of the band easily without even listening: the last two clips with material of "Cancer" show everybody but the drummer having their hair cut! This means: CRIMINAL's new album sounds like (a bit too) modern Thrash Metal. After listening to this one a couple of times I'm starting to like this because of its intensity, but at first it was a bit hard. So if you think you might like this style, don't hesitate because of the short running time: the multi media section is absolutely great: pictures, biography and of course the vids make this an enjoyable piece indeed! www.criminal.cl

Ramon Claassen

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CRIMSON FALLS
The True Face Of Human Nature
(Shiver Records)
45:08min

Yes, it is Death Metal, but I would say a more modern one. It’s well played and all members know what they are doing with their instruments, also the vocalist has a very variable voice (between deep growls and more screaming parts). Also the production is clear and powerful. Blast parts take turns with nice headbanging parts. Sometimes they try to be a little bit too technical and that isn’t the best for the songs because these parts don’t really fit to the rest of the material. Also the guitarists like the squeak tones and effects on their instrument too much, so it gets on my nerves. But besides that you get a nice modern Death Metal record from Belgium. www.crimsonfalls.com or www.myspace.com/crimsonfalls

Stefan Hagmayer

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