GADGET
The Funeral March
(Relapse Records)
29:51min

After the untimely departure of NASUM due to the tragic circumstances we all know GADGET became sort of standard-bearers for the Swedish Grind-scene, at least in my book. And with this their second effort they rise up to the task in an absolutely stunning manner. Their first full-length – in Grindcore terms that is – “Remote” consisted more or less of two sorts of songs: typical blast-eruptions at insane speed levels and some heavily nauseating slow-mo tracks of a beautifully depressing nature, which marked the highlights of the record to many. With “The Funeral March”, GADGET kind off melted these paralysing melodies into their blistering one-minute-and-a-half blast-o-ramas, thus creating more memorable and recognizable songs. Blame it on the past of lead-guitarist Blackmon in the melodic Death Metal-outfit WITHERED BEAUTY but this approach really makes GADGET seem as a breath of fresh air to an otherwise rather stagnant genre. Make no mistake, we’re not talking “sell-out” here, this is still sheer blasting-madness at its best, only with a little twist towards the sinister (call it Black Grind). The production simply kills and the artwork reflects the real-life-hell lyrics perfectly. Strongly recommended! www.gadgetgrindcore.com. It is on sale here.

Torsten Gründig

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GALAR
Skogskvad
(Heavy Horses Records)
35:47min

There are bands that have influenced more than one generation of young musicians and I think that (next to others) the influence of BORKNAGAR and WINDIR for the Viking Metal genre can’t be denied. The first releases of both bands are pure classics and especially the feeling of these times can’t be reproduced - so for every newcomer it’s very difficult to offer something new/unique when feeling inspired by those titans. GALAR from Norway is a further young band (all members are between 20-25 years old) which set their sails to the hall of the slain and for a debut they're are more or less successful to get a chair on Odin’s table. “Skogskvad” is an interesting release for fans of SOLEFALD and KHOLD and especially old TULUS due to the fact that GALAR’s music is heavy depending on the rough and clean vocals of their purely Norwegian lyrics. A lot of the atmosphere is created by the vocal parts added by quite uncommon instruments like a bassoon. So the will to differ from the big mass of Viking / Pagan Metal bands is definitely there nevertheless that after 25-30 minutes the songs start to sound quite similar. The cover artwork from the Norwegian artist Robert Hoyem (see also the latest DRAUTRAN release) is really impressive and captures the given atmosphere. Altogether I think that GALAR still has to find their own niche but “Skogskvad” is good enough to look forward to further releases of this band. www.heavyhorsesrecords.de, www.galar.no

Matthias Auch

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GALAR
Til Alle Heimsens Endar
(Dark Essence Records)
42:42min

Viking Metal - strictly defined by some as an offshoot of BATHORY's creation - can prove hard to define. There are fewer character traits that give one a sense of relative uniformity between bands, as there surely is in Death Metal. Be that as it may, those character traits, however few, consist of: viking lore (obviously), folky singing and either fast Black Metal riffing (ENSLAVED) or epic, thunderous ballads (BATHORY again). What this band, GALAR, plays is, by my admittedly crude definition, not Viking Metal at all - it's between Folk and Viking Metal. Folk Metal is much easier to understand. The game is in the name: Folk music and use of some indigenous instruments. At times this album sounds like a bizarre Prog-Rock album. KING CRIMSON meets JETHRO TULL meets ENSLAVED. Weird, but not without its beauty. www.galar.no, www.darkessencerecords.no

Nat Shapiro

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GALLERY OF DARKNESS
Sea Of Silence
(self financed)
28:45min

OF TREES AND ORCHIDS' Florian recently gave this CD of his second band to me. Some of you may know the title track from "Only Death Is Real Vol. 4", actually one of the rare few outstanding songs on that sampler. The first detail that already strikes you about the intro is the vocalist, Konstantin "who the hell is Chris Barnes" Lühring! What a voice! Generally, G.O.D. are much more in your face than OF TREES...: this is brutal! Still, they're no cheap CANNIBAL CORPSE, let alone SIX FEET UNDER clones: sometimes Florian's faible for MORBID ANGEL shines through but they're definitely looking for an identity of their own. So consequently, G.O.D. are not only straight ahead Death Metal. The production isn't quite as strong as the latest OF TREES... but still good enough to cause some serious injuries. Excellent musicians: no surprise concerning the guitarists (both from OF TREES...), one hell of a drummer and of course the only true possibility for a new SINISTER vocalist, (this CD is already 2 years old so they're probably even better by now), cool songs - what more do you want? Especially the last song, 'Gallery Of Darkness', with its Black Metal references kicks some serious ass and leaves quite a few more popular bands as being second class. Don't take me wrong: G.O.D. are not a classic must - yet! But I'm sure that if they stick together they can achieve quite a bit. There is only one thing that I don't like about this album: it's not even 30 minutes long! But there are no bad songs on here, so let's try out the repeat button (haven't done so for a while)! Until their next record this will do, or check out OF TREES AND ORCHIDS as well! gallery.of.darkness@gmx.de, http://www.gallery-of-darkness.de

Ramon Claassen

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GALLERY OF DARKNESS
Instinct (Demo)
(self-financed)
8:05min

Good sound indeed! Very raw. GALLERY used the same digital 8tracker as SENESCENCE and INGURGITATING OBLIVION (check out the studio report). What we get is 3 brutal, fairly straight forward songs (compared to INGURGITATING... where we have the same guitar players). No fan of brutal Death Metal will switch off ’Instinct' as the music grips you and just won't let go: excellently balanced groovy parts and sick riffs add to the rage and Konny not only delivers the deepest vocals in his career but also doesn't have to be afraid of any of those famous ultra-guttural growlers. Do you happen to know American sickos CINERARY? It's that deep! Mereover, ’Instinct' is far more brutal than "Sea Of Silence" which they call their "Gothic(!)" album nowadays. This demo is supposed to be sent to labels and sold at gigs, but if I were you, I'd order it right away! I think they told me something like 3,- Euro including postage (at least for Germany), but better check back with them first. By the way: great cover artwork! http://www.gallery-of-darkness.de

Ramon Claassen

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GALLHAMMER
Gloomy Lights
(Hello From The Gutter Records)
40:28min

A nice package arrived here again. GALLHAMMER? Hm, the first names which flashed into my mind were Hellhammer and Warhammer. The fact that one band member wears a CELTIC FROST  t-shirt seemed to confirm my suspicion. And indeed this all girl (!) outfit from Nakano / Japan is influenced by acts like HELLHAMMER (but just a slight influence not a 100% copy), some other apocalyptic sounds like AMEBIX and for sure depressive Black Metal. "Gloomy Lights" is the band's first full length album after having released two demo CD-Rs ("Gallhammer" in 2003 and "Endless Nauseous Days" in 2004) and a two track rehearsal tape in 2003, simply called "First Rehearsal Tape". The packaging of the CD is quite unspectacular and you would never expect such a vile brew behind that. The music's pace is mostly in the slow / mid pace range and uptempo / faster parts are very rare or almost don't exist. The vocals are raw, screamy / scratchy (reminding me to some depressive Black Metal bands) with some growls performed and shared by Vivian Slaughter and Mika Penetrator who are also responsible for the guitars and bass. Just to complete the line-up: Risa Reaper handles the drums. The album starts off with a very slow track called 'Endless Nauseous Days' with a gloomy atmosphere, directly from the crypt. The other 7 tracks (incl. one instrumental) are more or less slow / mid paced. Only 'Lost Myself' has a faster part and all the songs live from this very dark, depressive and gloomy mood. All is played in a minimalistic way but it spreads enough raw and evil energy.The production of the album is fair which supports the temper perfectly. This album is definitely nothing for people into brutal Death Metal or fast Black Metal stuff. But Metalheads who enjoy listening to acts like HELLHAMMER, AMEBIX, BURZUM and depressive blackish stuff in general can check them out. Also collectors who like to discover exotic bands should give GALLHAMMER a listen. Maybe you are able to find another little underground gem here. Sound files can be found at their web site www.geocities.jp/gallhammer and you can contact Vivian Slaughter for prices or merchandise directly at gallhammer@hotmail.com.

Michael Oelschlegel

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GAMA BOMB
The Fatal Mission
(self-financed)
4:47min

GAMA BOMB from Northern Ireland play some good old fashioned Thrash / Speed with strong influences especially from NUCLEAR ASSAULT and MOTÖRHEAD. After their 2002 two track debut called “The Survival Option”, this is their second effort being released on a split 7” with Belfast Thrash-Punkers THE DANGERFIELDS. I only have the GAMA BOMB tracks. The first song, 'The Survival Option' starts as a totally 80s style mid-paced Thrasher and turns into a good time rocker pretty soon. Unspectacular but for me it works. Song # 2 starts out with some crazy whibble soloing and the vocals remind me a little of Paul Baloff. A tiny little bit. Some NWoBHM elements around as well and a catchy chorus that will make peple shout at live situations. Some more melodic solo later on. GAMA BOMB capture those old Thrash Metal farts like you and me with a lot of energy although they don’t reach the intensity of the old masters. I guess they’ll never get big outside of Ireland (please prove me wrong) but I’d like to see ‘em live over there anyway. Possibly on my next holiday… or maybe GAMA BOMB could hook up with BK49 from Germany for a gig because although BK have a strong tendency towards Death Metal (especially the vocals), they’re big NUCLEAR ASSAULT and George A. Romero fans as well… I really like this stuff! www.gamabomb.tk

Ramon Claassen

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GAMA BOMB
(Earache Records)
Citizen Brain
38:28min

Starting off from where Ramon Claassen ended his review of GAMA BOMB’s “The Fatal Mission“, this, the Northern Ireland outfit’s self-financed debut. I cannot help but admire the push GAMA has made since that review was written. Not to mention the cues these newbies have most assuredly taken from their fellow countrymen MASS EXTINCTION. As far as the music is concerned anyhow, all prior bets are off! GAMA BOMB have gotten their shit together and in a hurry! On this fourteen-track roller coaster, the overall precision and punishing pace of this album more than makes up for whatever wavering and audio rookie mishaps that Ramon wrote about previously and that stood out like so much toxicity on “Fatal“. As honestly from the delivery standpoint of the music, I can’t pin point much to complain about. This friends, Romans, Thrashers and otherwise, is indeed a much welcomed sign to these ears! The delivery is right on the mark, production is clear enough, without losing any effective power and ultimately GAMA are indeed deservent of some attention. And from Earache’s A&R folk - obviously a major label record deal – yet in my opinion I would of liked to see this band evolve a bit more before handing them a contract. Now I know what I am about to say will sound like I am just talking shit, but the cold reality that is the music industry and the fact most labels don’t care about “evolution“ of a band unless there is a dollar sign at the end of it – is still amazing to me, and that record companies just don’t care, they just seem to sign those they think they can quickly market. This unfortunately is exactly the case with GAMA BOMB. Guaranteed this disc is better than many of the newjacks on the scene right now playing Thrash Metal and landing deals. I will also agree that GAMA are owed more than a just handful of drunken errant spins in your CD player, yet I feel this album at the end of it all, just doesn’t possess a soul. “Citizen Brain“ (one of the dumbest titles for a record) is by far a collection of some of the best Metal that has been attempted from Ireland, and assuredly even better than even some alleged veterans of the scene – say for instance the new DEKAPITATOR album (what a piece of shit that LP is!) (I heavily disagree here Mr.Rhodes! - Frank) Where GAMA falls short however is in the departments of originality, depth, and most certainly…lyrical substance. The vocals are okay and without a doubt carry the bullshit being screamed into the mic far beyond those written words’ prowess – think GEHENNA’s 'Bitch With A Bullet Belt' and you get the general and overall idea of this CD. That said, with the unabashed resurgence of what I call “rendition“ bands, rendition meaning just that, they bring nothing new nor anything original / innovative to the style – they just give the listener their take on a subject – like a Metal era way past its “for sale by” date. GAMA BOMB have written a decent record, and recorded it at the right moment of time to establish their name so-to-speak. Yet I can't help but think that in a few years when this resurgence dies out, that they’ll be lost and assigned to the “Where are they now?” file like so many others. www.gamabomb.tk

Wes Rhodes

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GANDALF
Rock Hell
(Wicked World / Earache)
45:25min

GANDALF from Finland aren't exactly a very established name in the world of melodic Death Metal although they have always known to come up with quality releases ever since their first demo tape. Their second album on Wicked World and some more promotional in-put should nevertheless manage to achieve a big step forward for these sympathetic four-piece at last. "Rock Hell" features the band's most mature and original songwriting to date and has some really outstanding songs like the intense opening tune 'LSX Queen' (Great!), 'The Dragon' and the balladesque 'Live To Suffer'. GANDALF aren't your typical IN FLAMES type of melodic Death band (anymore) and in fact only one track on here ('Nightderanger') would make me remember their previous efforts in style. The other material is really catchy, always midpaced, with some straightly rockin' riffs, some good ol' AC/DC type of vibe here and there but then again also Thrash Metal elements with an ever-present atmospheric feel to things and smoothly varied vocalwork. Does that description now sound weird? "Rock Hell" actually flows and works in its musical mixture and I guess GANDALF will manage to find some new, bigger audience with this interesting album. Should do really well in a live-situation, so let's see if these guys finally manage to get some shows done outside of Scandinavia...

Leif Jensen

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GARDENIAN
Sindustries
(Nuclear Blast)
63:06min

"Sindustries" is the third album of Gothenburg-based GARDENIAN and personally I think it's neither fish nor fowl. It's hard to imagine that mastermind Niclas Engelin and his crew will easily please their old fans, because the music on "Sindustries" is neither typical melodic Death Metal like on their debut album "Two Feet Stand" nor an album similar to Power Metal like the second longplayer "Soulburner" was, due to the guest vocals of Eric Hawk (ARTCH). On "Sindustries" you get eleven pretty long-running tracks, which sound very modern and sometimes influenced by the new Metal movement. Here and there are still the typical GARDENIAN trademarks like the fantastic guitar work and a killer production, this time by Peter Tägtgren in Abyss studio. Well, honestly spoken I don't know what to think about GARDENIAN anno 2000, I guess it's not my cup of bloodl!

Schenk

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GARDEN OF SHADOWS
Oracle Moon
(Wicked World / Earache Records)
53:34min

GATHERING DARKNESS
Beholders Of The Pain Planet
(Grotesque Productions)
27:31min

Starting out as a Doom / Death act in 1998 Spanish GATHERING DARKNESS chose to change their style to – surprise, surprise – brutal Death Metal in the SUFFOCATION vein. Anything doomy or atmospheric the band might have had on its demos is gone forever on “Beholders Of The Pain Planet”, the first official full-length for Grotesque Productions. Low growled vocals, furious blasting, crushing slower passages, technical riffing and a muffled, heavy production like on “Effigy Of The Forgotten” by the unchallenged masters of this kind of Death Metal. Obviously this is the band’s biggest problem, despite some good ideas during songs like the closing ‘Time To Suffer’, the slacking power and total lack of individual elements turn the album into a way too conventional representation of this genre. Is any of these guys aware that there are bands like DISAVOWED, INVERACITY, PYAEMIA, DEEDS OF FLESH, KATAPLEXIA, NECROPHAGIST? They altogether have quite some elements of the US-Gods, but crush a band like GATHERING DARKNESS in nothing but a second! As a big fan of this style I don’t have a problem with bands who copy it, but you should do it good and should at least offer some killer songs (like DISAVOWED’s ‘Rhizome’, the entire INVERACITY-hit parade “Circle Of Perversion”) or stun the listener with technically incredible musical ideas like NECROPHAGIST did. “Beholders Of The Pain Planet” is an ordinary, slightly boring brutal Death Metal album which lacks the artistic class and punishing production to make anybody listen up nowadays. To recommend some label-mates instead: go buy the new MELEKTAUS album “Transcendence Through Ethereal Scourge”, which fucking slays!!! Visit the nice www.grotesquemusic.com website and try out the songs in mp3-format you’ll find there…

Stefan Franke

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GEHENNA
Murder
(Moonfog Productions)
31:48min

Have shed their atmospheric and ethereal sound of past releases and gone for a more direct, simple and altogether brutal sound, GEHENNA have indeed lost that charm and appeal which made them so damn special in the beginning. Sure, no one can stay the same or stagnate (unless you’re MOTÖRHEAD of course!) but the progression GEHENNA have made from their debut MCD to this point is definitely one that leaves a somewhat sour taste in my mouth. Simply, this is average, US inspired Death Metal with the more than obvious MORBID ANGEL and SLAYER references. Lacking in inspiration is what I would say GEHENNA were when it came to writing and recording this album. Where "Adimiron Black" had the charm and music to actually make it work, without it being a masterpiece of any kind, "Murder" is middle of the road, boring and worst of all, banal. The vocals are quite tiresome, bordering on that Hardcore / Death Metal rasp and the riffs chug along in a repetitive and meandering manner. If only this lot had stuck to their occult tinged sound of yesterday and developed that as opposed to pursuing the same trodden path of virtually all other Black Metal bands over the last few years, they may have grown to be something very special indeed. Sadly, their pouring of Death Metal over Black Metal simply doesn’t make a good tune.

Darragh O’ Leary

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GEIST
Patina
(Solistitium Records / Omvina)
54:02min

GEIST is a Black Metal band that rose out of Germany's EISMALSOTT in February 2005 and now, 3 months later, they already surprise with their debut album "Patina". Surprise? Yes, definitely! This is a piece of high quality indeed. After an opening introduction created by accoustics you get nearly an hour of various Black Metal with deep emotional impact. From colder atmospheres with high played guitars, over "grippy", driving parts towards disharmonic and unusual tunes "Patina" weaves its spells. All of this is done talented and clever, because although you get some inspirations from e.g. TULUS or the first SUN OF THE SLEEPLESS mini album here, it never sounds like a cheap copy. GEIST work those inspirations out in their very own way. GEIST (German word for ghost) manage to build the bridge between groundstanding oldschool riffing and spiritual orientated Black Metal tunes and lyrics like the forementioned TULUS or ULVER did. A great and emotional album! www.the-geist-reich.de, www.omvina.com

Andi Bauer

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GEIST
Kainsmal
(Cold Dimensions)
40:02min

In 2005 Germany's GEIST already managed to impress quite a few people with their debut full length "Patina". Instead of playing the typical raw northern Black Metal, these guys successfully mixed the grimness of this genre with lots of ambient and accoustical elements. A highly interesting cocktail, that seemed to work out very well for them, so that they (of course) continued on with it on their new album "Kainsmal", which is their first release via Cold Dimensions. The record comprises of six rather lengthy songs, all of them once again obviously written with an overall very emotional input, which means the combination of furious Black Metal outbursts and melancholic interludes just seem to click perfectly. Intense fast parts go hand in hand with slower melodic pieces, while pure aggression is accompanied by almost poetically performed lyrics (all of them in German by the way). The album as a whole pretty much benefits from that as it never starts to bore the listener and furthermore offers a crystal clear, yet very powerful and raw production. Good one! For more info head to www.the-geist-reich.de or www.cold-dimensions.de.

Frank Stöver

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GEIST
Galeere
(Lupus Lounge / Prophecy Prod.)
51:10min

The concept behind this album is great - a Black Metal album about the sea. And since all water in general, and the sea in particular, is one of the great archetypal forces that drives imagination of men in interesting directions I was very excited to hear this album. German band GEIST consists of six experienced musicians, that have put themselves to work to craft an ode to the great salty infinity but, in my opinion, unfortunately failed. How come? Well, first of all, when you choose something that has a place in the heart of men so deep you should carefully consider the thing you want to describe with your music. Very carefully. The sea they want to put to music is grand, dangerous, mystical, wild, calm and dark. And here lies the problem, because their music is just not archetypal (and this adjective can be followed by all other things you say when describing the sea). Of course, musicians are competent and a lot of dramatic changes sweep across the lengthy songs (most around 8 minutes and the last one around 16). The melodies are epic, the vocals tell us stories of old, there are calm parts followed by more dramatic and hard ones and the sea is constantly in the background, washing over the listener and whispering its allure. So what is wrong? The chosen genre, Black Metal, was great but the record lacks edge. It is easy and not at all dangerous. And that is wrong. Here we come to the basic OPETH problem: wanting to use elements of extreme styles of Metal to make something that is easy listening in its essence. The vocalist is trying but the I could hear almost everything clearly and wondered myself where is delirium that goes with the contact with the sea. He should be more harsh and demented and that is a shame since sometimes he comes near the edge of FLUISTERWOUD's greatness. Then the guitars and the drums - I was constantly on edge wanting to scream: "Come on guys put some real force to it! Do something, don't let the potential of the concept slip away!" But no. It is so safe to listen to that afterwards I wanted to do something bad to feel alive. There are elements of other styles of Metal that made a serious problem for me - Heavy and even Progressive Metal melodies and execution between the Black Metal parts I just could not take in. The heavy parts are not heavy enough and the calm parts are calm in a very bland way. The juxtaposition of these elements is not clear and powerful enough to produce drama and awe that the concept, the sea, requires. The production, no doubt, plays an important part - it is extremely clear, flat, without meat and and that takes away a lot of power. In the end, I think the idea, the cover art, and the genre (which is usually more earthbound) are great but here not sufficient to deal with the majestic force that is sea. Go for this if you like melodic and not so harsh Black Metal with Viking and Heavy Metal elements. Otherwise, you will have to wait and listen to the sea itself to produce rapture in you. www.myspace.com/geistmetal, www.lupuslounge.com

Branko Matijaševic

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GENERAL SURGERY / THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINERS
Split CD
(Razorback Records)
37:08min

Well, to keep it short this split album contains two cases of CARCASS-worship, one with a stronger individual note in form of some Swedish Death Metal grooves and the other one being close to a mere copy with some nice songs, but a pretty boring screaming vocalist. GENERAL SURGERY’s comeback material is the sunny side of this CD whereas the TCME songs suffer from a weaker production, the aforementioned disappointing Jeff Walker-imitator and partial almost annoying unoriginality. When you give a fuck about individual elements and thirst for some old CARCASS you might like THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINERS despite my negative opinion... GENERAL SURGERY definitely deliver a damn strong return, the seven songs presented here simply continue the tradition the Swedish surgeons started 11 years ago. Swedish Death Metal meets early CARCASS-style Grind and sounds still rotten, dirty, sick and brutal, just the way I love it. Compared to new "CARCASS-o-philes" like IMPALED or EXHUMED the reincarnated GENERAL SURGERY might seem a little bit antique, but as long as they are good I have no problem with doing a gory little trip into the good old extreme Metal past... Check out www.razorbackrecords.com to obtain additional information on this release. THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINERS can be visited via www.thecountymedicalexaminers.com and GENERAL SURGERY wait for you here: http://generalsurgery.nu.

GENERAL SURGERY
Demos (Double 7" EP)
(Nuclear Abominations Records)

This is really a cool idea – a double 7" EP featuring all pre – "Necrology" GENERAL SURGERY recordings! In particular you'll get the band's "Erosive Offals" debut demo, the way better "Pestiferous Anthropopha" follow-up and the (surprisingly good sounding) "Internecine Prurience" 6 track rehearsal (all of them from 1990). In case you were still too young when those recordings originally got released or simply missed out on the band (which is kinda hard to believe, considering the fact that it was a much talked about "all-star" project in the beginning), let me tell you that they musically tried really hard to copy early CARCASS in every aspect (music, lyrics, artwork etc.) and therefore should appeal to any worshipper of the early period of UK's # 1 pathological grinders. This double 7" finally does justice to the Swedes musical past, because the cool looking gatefold sleeve features a lot of flyers, info and stuff, while both platters of splatter were pressed on bloody red (don't know if there's any other colors available as well, or if it's a limited edition or anything...). Nice one! If you can't find it at your local dealer or prefered mailorder, it also sells for 7,-€ / US$ dirtectly from Buio Omega, Viale della Cittadella 73, 41100 Modena (MO), Italy, website: www.nuclearabominations.com, email: michele@buio-omega.it

Frank Stöver

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GENERAL SURGERY
Left Hand Pathology
(Listenable Records)
34:01min

Wow, is it really fifteen years already since the cool "Necrology" demo / EP reared its ugly head? Unbelievable! I still remember very well that I played the (enhanced) CD version of it pretty often at the time (released via Relapse in 1993) and always thought that these guys were kinda close to make it big. But instead of following up the success of a lot of their countrymen, they all of a sudden split-up! In the following years they did resurface here and there again with different line-up incarnations, contributed a song to the CARCASS tribute and put out a bunch of split releases, but never really gained the same recognition again. That is most certainly about to change now, cause GENERAL SURGERY is back with full force and finally delivered their way overdue first full length album (18 years after the band's origin!!). But unlike many other bands that have been around for such a fuckin' long time the Swedes don't suffer from lack of inspiration. It's actually more the other way around! GENERAL SURGERY have probably never ever sounded better than in 2006! In approximately half an hour they deliver fourteen impressive tracks of the best CARCASS worship you may get, mixed with several elements of classic Swedish oldschool Death! Blessed with a crushing production "Left Hand Pathology" (cool title by the way!) could easily be labelled the "Symphonies Of Sickness" of the new millennium! Of course GENERAL SURGERY heavily lack originality, but their enthusiasm and still totally refreshing sounding material easily makes up for it! So, doctor Stöver's advice for any fan of the aformentioned styles is: don't hesitate for a second and buy this bloody little piece immediately! It may be the cure for your addiction! For any further info head to www.generalsurgery.nu, www.listenable.net. On sale at the Listenable Records website www.listenable.net or here.

Frank Stöver

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GENERICHRIST
Minddumpster (MCD) 
(AreaDeath Productions)
18:40min

Hailing from Florida, known to the world as home-state of great and-or classic Metal bands, GENERICHRIST is another good example of music done with attitude. After one demo tape, a split and a previous EP, "Minddumpster" shows the band evolving and getting better with time. What I really like about this MCD is the production. It sounds organic and raw with a live recording feel to it. Each of the 5 songs here has its own identity, with enough variations to keep you interested. Heavy enough to enter the realm of Death Metal, yet full of catchy and aggressive Thrash Metal riffs and neck-breaking speed. Execution is really good instrument-wise. Maybe my only complaint is the lead guitar work. It could be more memorable, but besides that, everything is just great! The vocals shift from the good old shouting with a Hardcore-ish feel to deep understandable growls. This is one band to look for in the future, because they can only get better. I am anxiously awaiting for a full album. For more info check out: www.myspace.com/generichrist, http://adp.areadeath.net

Alfonso Perez

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GENITAL GRINDER
Genital Grinder
(Adipocere Records)
29:48min

This French band comes out as an excellent surprise, thanks to a bunch of well written songs, well served by a adequate production. Their label tags them as a Grind Death act, well I would say that GENITAL GRINDER sound like your typical American Brutal Death, with only the infamous double vocals treatment (the duck + pig formula) evoking the Grind genre. Like I said, the production of this first effort is superb, crunchy and fleshy, and not very modern. The guitars in particular sound as if they have been taken from the first MALEVOLENT CREATION album, I dig this immensely. Lyrically the band deal with the usual disgusting topics in favour within the little world of French Grind, I am not an amateur of this kind of stuff (you know, stories about intestinal dysfunction mixed with all kind of venereal diseases with a childish concern for human excretions). Note that the last song is nothing else that an obscene “traditional” French song for drunkards or little boys at school, a stupid move if you ask me. But make no mistake, this album is excellent, especially in the songwriting department, with intricate songs; I doubt the Grind purists could fully appreciate it because of the ancient sound and the clarity of the compositions. Highly recommended, but only for the music. Contact the band at (I warned you!): hog@freesurf.fr, get more info about them at: www.adipocere.fr.

Edouard Vergriete

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GENOCIDE KOMMANDO
Black Metal Supremacy
(Moribund Records)
31:56min

As the band name suggests GENOCIDE KOMMANDO, consisting of Kommander Noktu (Drakkar France / CELESTIA) and Kommander Horrendus (CORPUS CHRISTI) promote the total annihilation of all life forms on our filthridden planet. With a picture of a mass grave at a concentration camp and sentences like “GENOCIDE KOMMANDO does not want to be compared with that scene that tolerates homosexuality in our kult” inside the booklet it should be obvious that this band gives a fuck about political correctness or taste, but chooses to be as provocative as possible in a rather cheap and unoriginal way. Musically this horde plays traditional hateful northern Black Metal à la DARKTHRONE and is definitely not bad, in fact I have to admit that I like GENOCIDE KOMMANDO’s aggressive assaults. But I certainly do not agree with the band’s ideology and statements, because this elite crap simply bores me and there’s nothing new about achieving a controversial reputation in the way I described above. Decide for yourself if you like to support “Dark Art for the Satanic Elite”, but personally I’m fucking fed off by all those “dead serious” Black Metal maniacs / bands, who create great music, but try to sell it with rather silly attitudes, sorry… Check the label’s website for more information: www.moribundcult.com

Stefan Franke

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GERBE OF LIFE / REPUDIATE
Split CD
(Skull Fucked Productions)
37:51min

Besides the fact that 38 minutes are a bit short for a split CD I was also disappointed by one of the two bands featured on this CD, namely GERBE OF LIFE. Although the French Grinders are around for some time now I don’t get what should make them somehow special or extraordinary except for the fact that they mostly use French lyrics. The songs are all quite similar in terms of aggression and quality, the production is raw, the vocals rather lame and the whole thing bores me extremely after a while. REPUDIATE are much better in my opinion and I would have loved to hear more than just six songs of this talented band. Although they make use of slightly chaotic song structures, their varied and skilful guitar play convinces me along with the brutal vocals and reminds of high class US-acts like HATE ETERNAL, newer MORBID ANGEL or NILE (especially ‘Devoted To Betrayal’, cool song!). Unfortunately a rather boring song like ‘Hangman’s Smile’ weakens the good impression REPUDIATE’s first three songs left behind, but on ‘Spiritual Way’ they are good again. The production is bassy and offers enough transparency to make even the nice bass play recognisable, the vocals could be a bit louder in my eyes. While I’m writing this sentence the wonderful lead guitar once again sets in and performs one of these melodic solos, fuck I really love shit like that! REPUDIATE should work hard on a full-length release, because their part on this split CD shows that they are undoubtedly an interesting new band. There are certainly things that need to be improved, especially the vocals and the songwriting, but musically they have already made the first step on the right path. For more information, have a look at the Skull Fucked website: www.skullfucked.ht.st

Stefan Franke

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DER GEWELT
Human Breed
(Rage Of Achilles)
39:12min

Holy shit - what kind of stupid bandname is this? DER GEWELT certainly does make no sense at all to everyone who’s able to understand the German language, does it? This three-piece from Moscow, Russia probably intended to go for DIE GEWALT (which translated means: the violence), but obviously didn’t really spent enough time on their homework... Oh well, they luckily didn’t come up with any German written lyrics (all of the six tunes are in English). But anyway – DER GEWELT features members from ROSSAMAHAAR and "Human Breed" is their follow-up to the band’s highly acclaimed split CD with NARGATHROND, which came out on More Hate Productions back in 2002. Musically the band seems to draws their main inspiration from the heydays of the norse Black Metal scene, but incorporates a lot more catchy melodies in the guitar department. Sometimes they remind me on a more mainstream version of THORNS for that matter, but not as unique in their writing though. All of the tracks are very simple structured and blessed with a crunchy, clear and rather transparent production, while the vocals are raw and grimly performed and never of the shrieky type. Nothing I would personally completely freak out on, nor groundbreaking in any way, but still quite solid and overall well done. All further info at: www.rageofachilles.com

Frank Stöver

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GHASTLY
A Morbid Demo (CD-R)
(self-financed)
19:44min

Creepy! After a haunting intro these Australian Black Metal freaks slowly build up some BATHORY feeling until it’s crushed the old Norwegian style. Well, not exactly because there is some thrashy attitude that makes GHASTLY a little different. The demo even rocks – especially the last two tracks – and makes you bang your head immediately. But it’s not Punk undertones you sometimes spot in DARKTHRONE but more of a groovy kind. Black’n’Roll, so to say. The rough sound quality supports the Black feeling and leaves a good impression so check ‘em out! www.ghastly.tk

Ramon Claassen

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GHOUL
We Came For The Dead
(Razorback Records)
33:27min

And once again we have to deal with a band that tries to get into the spotlight by creating a rather "mysterious" image (Zzzzzzzz....). Nobody knows where they come from, nobody knows who they are (unless you believe that "Digestor", "Cremator" and "Fermentor" are their real names) and they cover their faces with rather stupid looking (bloody) KKK masks (the band's bio is even more silly). Verrrry original... and I suppose that all this will probably turn a lot more people off than into the band. Musically they are actually far better than their stupid image is, even though that doesn't mean they are original at the end of the day. They simply rip off CARCASS during their "Heartwork" period as good as they can and deliver nine tracks in exactly that songwriting style / production. Good musicianship and almost perfect Walker / Steer vocal trade offs should make all fans of the British Grindcore legend go berzerk. The album closer is a cover of the old MEGADETH (!!) classic 'Skull Benath The Skin' which surprisingly turned out incredibly enjoyable in GHOUL's version. So, instead of wasting everyone's time with a dumb image, GHOUL should invest some more time in a more professional packaging of their releases in order to back up their obvious musical qualities. Otherwise they will certainly go nowhere, which would be a waste of talent. Label contact: www.razorbackrecords.com

Frank Stöver

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GHOUL
Maniaxe
(Razorback Records)
34:44min

A fascinating original sounding mixture of Thrashcore à la S.O.D. or D.R.I. with Death Metal elements and vocals comparable to good ol‘ CARCASS offer GHOUL from California. Their second full-length CD is a rousing masterpiece containing eight straight, memorable, asskicking own tunes, a macabre Punk-style version of Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful World’ and a Psychobilly-influenced instrumental. The rather ridiculous concept the album and its creators present should not be taken too seriously, but I enjoyed the b-movie like story of the GHOUL’s terrorising a peaceful community, thrashing up the graveyard and bashing some Black Metal-freaks while getting endangered by the fearless ‘Ghoul Hunter’. This "concept" plus the very comic-like layout might not appeal to everyone, but songs like the incredibly cool thrasher ‘Numbskull’ (incl. gangshouting, moshpart – classic!) or ‘Forbidden Crypts’ are just too great to be ruined by the band’s idea of skating, mosh-addicted ghouls. People who like CARCASS, killing 80’s Thrash should check out "Maniaxe" at instant, because production-wise everything’s excellent, too. There’s nothing more left for me to say than: "Get this!!!" For more information and MP3’s by GHOUL visit the label’s website: www.razorbackrecords.com.

Stefan Franke

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GHOUL CULT
Initiation To The Cult (Demo 2002)
(self-financed)

Hell! I am very pleased to review this demo, 'cos believe me, it's something really excellent. I didn't know that Norway could surprise me anymore with its undergound bands, but here I must admit that thanks to GHOUL CULT the real Metal spirit is not totally dead in this shitty country (Hey Nathaniel - c'mon what makes France less shitty than Norway, huh? The nice baguettes, or what? Hahaha - Frank)! Ha! Actually GHOUL CULT (what a cool name!) is playing in the oldschool way. Imagine DESTRUCTION, KREATOR, CELTIC FROST in their early days for the riffs, and Tom Warrior for the vocals, but in an unpredictable way. I mean the dudes managed to digest their influences so well and thus created something totally efficient on their own. To give you a better picture, think about bands like PENTACLE, SADISTIC INTENT, REPUGNANT. These bands for sure sound oldschool and one can of course feel their influences, but at the same time they don't sound like clones, and that's also the case with GHOUL CULT. I was really enthusiastic when I got to hear this demo because of the sound. Man, it has been recorded in 2002 and it has the same feeling than "Sentence Of Death"! Argh! Moreover the quality of the song writing is really excellent, so that the band never plays too easy compositions. There are a lot of well found arrangements, breaks and riffs! The dudes cover 'Mad Butcher' and I have to say that it is really near of the spirit of the original, still the singer Johnny Tombtrasher can't sing as high pitched as Schmier, but his necro voice fits perfectly to this cover. One can feel a huge dedication to the real Thrash Metal in GHOUL CULT. This demo is sold out by now, but I think that you can write to Johnny Tombtrasher in order to ask him to copy it for you, because I think that GHOUL CULT delivered one of the few highlight demos of 2002. If you like it harsh, raw, savage and hysterical, I command you to get in touch with the GHOUL CULT maniacs! Cuntact: thrash_command@hotmail.com

Nathaniel Colas

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GHOUL CULT
Night Of A Thousand Ghouls (Demo 2003)
(self-financed)

Holy shit, there are some sad news. GHOUL CULT is gonna split after the recording of their third demo!!!! Shit! But hopefully we still have their second demo "Night Of A Thousand Ghouls" for our greatest necro pleasure! The sound on this demo is very different than on their previous one called "Initiation To The Cult", it sounds a bit "clearer", but be sure it is not shitty at all. I even think that this demo is better, especially when it comes to the compositions! Argh! I worship the necro hymn called 'Fucked By The Living Dead', everything is perfect in this song! They know how to deliver really fine Thrash Metal anthems, and it is still in the old German Thrash Metal tradition for sure. I strongly encourage you to ask Johnny Tombtrasher to copy this sold out demo for you and to watch out for their next demo before they split. I don't really see what I can add more than what I already wrote in the review of "Initiation to the cult", because the spirit is the same here, and I am sure that no one will be disappointed by the cult of ghouls! I would like to see a re release of the GHOUL CULT demos on vinyl, it would be killer, but sadly enough, I think it's a pity that the band is not big enough for that. Anyway, if you enjoy AUDIOPAIN, DIABOLIC FORCE, NOCTURNAL, then GHOUL CULT is for you! "Fucked By The Living Dead! Uh!" Cuntact: thrash_command@hotmail.com

Nathaniel Colas

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GLITTERTIND
Landkjenning
(Napalm Records)
36:31min

Sometimes a journey can take a little bit longer than expected especially if your long-boat grounded during the first trip to foreign shores. The Norwegian Folk Metal band GLITTERTIND is one of the last survivors of the Hammerheart Records / Karmageddon Media crash and it took them more than a while to lick their wounds. But the last 6 years hadn’t been wasted because their third release “Landkjenning” (Landsighting) is without any exaggeration the perfect fusion of Folk and Metal. There are strong bounds / parallels to bands like VINTERSORG or BORKNAGAR - especially their last releases starting with their 2000  “Quintessence” album – but GLITTERTIND are different. The band is not restricted to any limits and you can find very traditional Folk songs for example the title track next to more open minded music which is sometimes crossing the “evil” line between Metal and Rock. But their music is unique and refreshing and the only problem is the reduced playtime of only 36 minutes – this is real Folk Metal based on the traditional understanding of the deeply missed last decade and a real highlight of the last months. www.napalmrecords.com, www.glittertind.net

Matthias Auch

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GNOSTIC
Hatewar 666
(Infernus Rex)
48:01min

There is a goat depicted on the over of this CD, add to this a pretty unoriginal title and you can be led to think that GNOSTIC is another stupid Black Metal act presenting not a sparkle of interest at all. Fortunately, GNOSTIC's music is far more interesting that that. “Hatewar 666” is an album build up from various past recordings (an EP and some demos) summing up the period 1997 - 2002. GNOSTIC hail from the USA and feature ex-THORNSPAWN member(s). The two first tracks of the CD made me think of an obscene copulation between early BATHORY (for the sound rawness) and ANGEL CORPSE (thanks particularly to the vocals of  Lord Magus Obliterater, very reminiscent of Pete Helmkamp’s ones). The band let flow some Scandinavian vibes on some occasions, but the larger part of the material presented here is more Death / Black Metal oriented in an oldschool fashion. On ‘Riddle Of The Nightwatchman’, GNOSTIC experiment a little bit, reminding me of BLACK FUNERAL strange songwriting and atmospheres. Since the material on offer here cover a rather long period of time, the whole record gives the impression of a work in progress by a band struggling hard to find its own style. But at no moment GNOSTIC can be caught as derivative and generic, because of their obvious enthusiasm and their solid compositions, all the tracks are extremely interesting to listen to. “Hatewar 666” is surely a little gem that every lover of real underground cult should consider to acquire. I enjoyed it immensely myself. www.infernusrex.com for more info.

Edouard Vergriete

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GOATHOLOCAUST
Satan Jugend
(Infernus Rex)
34:56min

I smelled the worse just looking at the tasteless title of this album (bland provocation it is, in my opinion), fortunately the music enclosed in the plastic comes much better than what I could have envisioned in the first place. GOATHOLOCAUST promise oldschool Black Metal in the booklet, this is exactly what we get here. Yet the band prove they have imagination enough to refresh some old formulas. Welcomed injections of old Heavy and Thrash vibes add a lot to the cause of this record. It is obvious that this bunch of musicians thought hard to come up of interesting music. The vocals go from mild growls to screeches in the Petrozza / Schmier way. The song structures escape the trap of linearity or predictability rendering the final result a very interesting find among piles of crap “extreme” records you don’t want to have in your collection. Some songs are almost Doom pace-wise, the rhythms vary a lot throughout the album, and I guess the GOATHOLOCAUST musicians have a strong musical culture and don’t limit themselves to rehash modern-days Black Metal ideas. The band's moniker doesn’t reflect the music, we don’t deal with primitive and raw sonic chaos in the way of let’s say early IMPALED NAZARENE or BLASPHEMY, but to a more sophisticated music hidden underneath the now mandatory Black Metal accessories. For once, here is a band really able to raise up sinister atmospheres by the force of their music. Ambitious and progressive raw Black Metal strongly recommended. www.goatholocaust.com.

Edouard Vergriete

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GOATLORD
The Last Sodomy Of Mary
(Nuclear War Now! Productions)
36:40min

It seems that Nuclear War Now Productions wants to dust all the underground cult acts, so, after the demos from ROOT, DEATHYELL and some more almost unknown band, I'm sure oldschool freaks can remember this US black cult, which released its first and only album entitled "Reflections Of The Solstice" in 1991 (re-released by the way as "Goatlord" in 1992 in the US with a different mix), which had Mitch Harris (NAPALM DEATH, DEFECATION, RIGHTEOUS PIGS) as guest vocalist on some tracks. After that the band dissapeared, but a compilation of their old demos was released as a double CD / triple LP entitled "Distorted Birth: The Demos" in 2003, by From Beyond Productions. So, what's this new stuff coming here from one the most oldschool oriented labels in the US or even the whole planet. "The Last Sodomy Of Mary" is a bunch of rehearsal songs which would have become the last album of GOATLORD if they hadn't disbanded, which can be found as a CD or an LP, and the die-hard version of this last one has another LP with some extra tracks, including KISS and THE ANIMALS covers). But let's talk about the music contained on this album. First of all, not all the tracks here are unreleased, as some appear on the demos of the band as well, which are 'Unholy Black Slut' and 'Sacrifice'. About the songs, we can say that they follow the style they were playing on their previous releases, pure unholy Doom / Black Metal with midpaced tempos and raw athmospheres and growling vocals, like a mix of old thrashing Black Metal bands influenced by SLAYER on one side and Sludge / Doom pioneers on the other one, which by the way is simply great, not typical at all, especially when they were doing it, and sounds powerful like hell. But I have to say this recording is more for the true fans of the band, as the sound quality is quite harsh (you know how a rehearsal sounds like) and it can be quite hard to listen to for somebody who doesn't know the band before (so I recommend buying the re-release of "Reflections Of The Solstice", by NWN Prod too, for this kind of people). And for the ones who already liked "Distorted Birth...", get it, you know what to find here and it's quite cool to listen to some new tracks of this cult act, even more with the absolutely great cover done by Chris Moyen, which fits perfectly with the mood of the band, and if you like vinyll, get that damn die-hard edition, as it contains (apart from the two LP's), a sticker, a patch and a poster. www.nwnprod.com

Jeroni Sancho

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GOAT SEMEN
En Vivo En Lima Hell
(From Beyond Productions / Displeased)
50:45min

For quite a few years these Peruvian Black Metal terrorists unleashes their extreme Metal to the underground. I still can remember their first steps when they have informed the underground of their debut-demo and when it finally got released. Since that time the band has been featured within pages of all the underground-publications that we all know very well. Here and there some further releases got unleashed, but unfortunately seldom with new stuff. The great double-split LP (in gatefold) with their fellows of ANAL VOMIT didn't feature anything new as well (besides the live bonus-tracks) and now we have a full live-album here. Some of you may find it unnecessary to have that recording released and even I myself wish this would have been a real album with studio sound and new compositions. But, this CD (what about the vinyl-version?) is a pretty underground jewel and I bet my arse that mainstream followers won't even recognize that album. Featured are 12 tracks, recorded live in Lima Hell in October 2003. The sound is raw, crude, nasty and evil. Don't expect a crystal clear sound or perfectly tight instruments. The get-up of the CD is a nice one; the booklet consists of 8 pages that bring everything to the point: METAL DE GUERRA SUD AMERICANO. I don't think that I have to describe anything further now – if you are a mutant banger you will support that band and buy that album at the end of April (release date: April 28, 2007). www.displeasedrecords.com

Hurricane

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GOATWHORE
The Eclipse Of Ages Into Black
(Rotten Records)
45:52min

Well, this is not a new album, it was in fact recorded 1999, but it deserves attention even three years later. As a side note I can add that in late 2002 / early 2003 there also will be a new GOATWHORE CD, so this review might be a good appetizer for that! The original Black / Death horde GOATWHORE comes from the USA and creates an unique mixture of brutal, hateful Black / Death, like SUMMON, WIND OF THE BLACK MOUNTAINS and dark, melancholic Doom parts that in fact remind me of old ANATHEMA. Sounds strange, huh? I will describe it a bit more detailed now: most songs start off as fast, blasting Black / Death tracks, but get interrupted by a sorrowful almost speaking clean vocalist, whose emotional wailing adds a very sick note to the GOATWHORE sound. The aggressive, possessed screaming dominates, but there are only few songs on “The Eclipse Of Ages Into Black”, where no clean parts appear. The 15 songs on GOATWHORE’s excellent debut profit from the different vocal styles and surprising change between blasting brutality and doomy darkness, they never get boring. On two songs, the great oldschool tracks 'Invert The Virgin' and 'Perversions Of The Ancient Goat', there are even some backing growls by Mike Beams of EXHUMED, who adds a little Death Metal / Grind note. I can understand, if someone does not like the clean vocals, they are definitely unusual and GOATWHORE’s original note, but give this CD a try!!! I bought it and I did not expect those clean vocals, but after the second time listening to the CD, I can honestly say, that I really like it!!! It is an intense, sinister and aggressive album, that fascinates for a long time, so if you are into Black / Death with a killer production - be sure to give “The Eclipse Of Ages Into Black” a chance!!!! Band’s website: www.goatwhore.net

Stefan Franke

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GOD AMONG INSECTS
World Wide Death
(Threeman Recordings)
35:19min

A Death Metal band consisting of such “infamous” members as Emperor Magus Caligula (vox, DARK FUNERAL, early HYPOCRISY), Lord K Philipson (guitar, THE PROJECT HATE), Tomas Elofsson (bass, SANCTIFICATION) and VOMITORY-drummer Tobben Gustafsson is certainly something that might make people raise their eyebrows. Produced by Tommy Tägtgren this “all-star act” offers a good dose of down-tuned heavy Death Metal with a nod to the Swedish and American oldschool days but to modern grooves as well. Though definitely skilfully performed the anticipation such massive namedropping usually causes GOD AMONG INSECTS debut leaves behind only mild disappointment. There's two elements that stand in the way of making “World Wide Death” a killing CD a) the muddy Abyss-production drowning Caligula’s forceful, sickened growls b) too few blasting violence or at least up-tempo parts like in the absolutely great fifth track ‘Chainsawed Christians’ make this album appear like a gorehound lacking teeth. People into contemporary Death Metal with its fable for heavy grooves and clear song structures who do not despise newer Abyss-productions as much as I do might actually dig this, GOD AMONG INSECTS definitely have their moments, a couple of good riffs and with a better production they might have reached me as well. The way they are right now simply does not touch the “Death Metal-sense” in my heart and brain. The cover art is cool though... a bit Vince Locke-like. Give it a try! www.threeman.net

Stefan Franke

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GOD AMONG INSECTS
Zombienomicon
(Threeman Recordings)
33:24min

Sweden's GOD AMONG INSECTS got together in 2004 and already the same year they went into the studio to record their debut full length "World Wide Death". Never heard that album, but considering the fact that the band's line-up consists of a bunch of quite known underground musicians, it doesn't really surprise me that they ended up being signed for that by Threeman Recordings right away. On vocals we've got Emperor Magus Caligula (DARK FUNERAL / HYPOCRISY), on drums Tobben Gustafsson (VOMITORY), on guitar Lord K Philipson (THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX) and on bass Tomas Elofsson (SANCTIFICATION / IN BATTLE). "Zombienomicon" is the follow-up to "World Wide Death" and showcases a band that delivers a really punching form of brutal Death Metal. Even though the album was recorded at Abyss Studio (with Tommy Tägtgren) the sound turned out extremely raw and is definitely not intended for a mainstream audience. Musically you could say that GOD AMONG INSECTS is kinda close to straight ahead SweDeath in the vein of old GRAVE, VOMITORY and the likes, with a touch of US Death Metal the DEICIDE way, while the core of their songs is obviously based on classic Thrash Metal. Always very intense, very brutal, yet very well performed. So, all in all a solid offering. I wouldn't necessarily say that the world has been waiting on GOD AMONG INSECTS, but it's nevertheless one of the better bands that evolve out of already established ones. For more info check out www.godamonginsects.se, www.threeman.net

Frank Stöver

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GODDESS OF DESIRE
Conquerors Divine
(Perverted Taste Records)
48:55min

Third album, third record label… after these Dutch Metal warriors had already been working with Shivadarshana Records and Metal Blade on their previous two albums "Let Us Win This War" ('97) and "Symbol Of Triumph" ('99), they most recently ended up on the small yet rather fine Perverted Taste rooster. The sad thing is, that their musical evolution is pretty much a contradiction to what the label usually stands for. On "Symbol Of Triumph" they still saved my day with their extremely cool mixture of straight'n'simple riff-orientated thrashy Metal in the vein of early CARNIVORE (vocals), old VENOM and CELTIC FROST, while the new stuff is a lot more melodic and Heavy Metal influenced… Might be due to the addition of a second guitarist, who knows?! Fact is, that cliché type hymns à la 'Bonded By Metal' or 'Conquerors Divine' sound nothing but ridiculous in my book and I could easily live without them, while tracks like 'Symbol Of Triumph' still represent the heavier and far more convincing side of the band. I also don't like the second lead vocalist's voice too much, which is a little more screamy and that, in combination with those Heavy Metal influences, reminds me quite a bit on Sweden's BEWITCHED. So, all in all I'm not too fond about this whole new record. I just hope they will drop a lot of the harmony stuff and go back to their more heavier side on the next one again. But a cool coverart once again...

Frank Stöver

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GOD DETHRONED
Ravenous
(Metal Blade Records)
39:31min

Holy shit!!! Judging GOD DETHRONED by their newest offering "Ravenous" I guess I missed out on a real killer act over the past years. I still remember their early stuff which was kinda average Death Metal in its most primitive form. But this here is a lot different and the band obviously has come a long way ever since the release of their debut "The Christhunt"! Highly intense Death / Thrash with obvious influences ranging from vintage SLAYER to MORBID ANGEL, but always totally aggressive. That's the way brutal music is supposed to sound. This album is not only perfectly produced and very well executed, it also features two incredible covertunes. The first being the... (forgive me for the use of the following word here) GODLY 'Consumed By Darkness' by Sweden's Death Metal underground legend MACABRE END (who evolved into GOD MACABRE later on and released the awesome "The Winterlong..." CD on MBR Records in 1993), which just turned out great. And the other one being 'Evil Dead', from the glorious days of DEATH, which also knows to convince in GOD DETHRONED's interpretation. Both songs fit into their own material very well and compliment a very good album even more! Give this a listen if you get the chance somewhere – you won't be disappointed!

Frank Stöver

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GOD DETHRONED
Into The Lungs Of Hell
(Metal Blade Records)
37:17min

Finally my favorite Dutchmen are back with a new album. Somebody already asked me: “What’s it like? Like "Ravenous" or which album?” Well, I’d say: it’s another step into the future without a change of style. The opening title track is a midtempo hymn that makes me grab my air guitar. Track no. 2, ‘The Warcult’, seems to take the same direction but becomes a blast song that proves Henri and Co. having found a fitting drummer in Arien van Weesenbeck. Can be downloaded from the band’s website. ‘Enemy Of The State’ quotes MORBID ANGEL a bit and ‘Soul Sweeper’ even starts with an Azagthoth-style riff as heavy as an elephant’s ass culminating into one of those typical GOD DETHRONED melody parts where you can hear me play the third (air) guitar once again. ‘Slaughtering The Faithful’ is one hell of a Thrasher featuring some cool “whibble action” while dealing with today’s capitalist way of treating animals. ‘Subliminal’ is a perfect mix of a mid tempo hymn and a blaster. ‘The Tombstone’ is probably the darkest song on here, once again with a crazy Thrash lead (letting loose the horse). ‘Gods Of Terror’ finally is a mainly uptempo track played with anger and disgust. A song about the world leaders using the name of Christ for their own purposes. By the way: good idea to include the lyrics on the promo as well, they’re worth being read. Even the zombie topic offers neatly composed language. Hey teachers, what about interpreting GOD DETHRONED lyrics in school? ‘Into The Lungs Of Hell’ is an early highlight of the year and simply a brilliant album proving that progress doesn’t have to mean changing one’s style but also improvement. Watch out for GOD DETHRONED at summer festivals 2003 and at a club tour later on! Also available on vinyl. Furthermore, there will be a special limited bonus CD together with "Into The Lungs Of Hell" containing rare live songs and all the videoclips GOD DETHRONED made so far. http://www.goddethroned.com/

Ramon Claassen

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GOD FORBID
Determination
(Century Media Records)
46:52min

This band is rather new too me although I have heard them mentioned in underground Metal circles. People have told me they are in the same vein as: CARCASS, AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES and PANTERA. That sounds about right but not totally, the truth is that its much more like this: PANTERA + LAMB OF GOD + AT THE GATES = GOD FORBID. If you looked at their line-up and were an ignorant person you'd be thinking that this is a Rap group since 4 out of 5 members are all African Americans, based in New Jersey. But if you just let the music flow and like Metal like I do then who cares where they are from or whatever. As far as the music is concerned, its your typical blend of melodic Thrash with some PANTERA-esque parts thrown in, on top of high end vocals. I'm sure cause of their appearance they will garner attention much like KITTIE did cause they are all young girls playing Metal, much the same people will say "Hey a black band playing Metal." They've opened up for SEVENDUST already. Good luck to this band, they are pretty talented, just need to develop more of their own sound.

Dimitri Ganatsios

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GOD FORBID
Gone Forever
(Century Media)
41:43min

GOD FORBID? Yes, I heard that name before but for some reason rather expected some SUFFOCATION clone behind it. Completely wrong! This is sort of melodic Death Metal and song No. 2 for example, 'Antihero', reminds me quite a bit of the Gothenburg style, especially the harmonious leads. The overall appearance of this New Jersey outfit is much slower, though, definitely heavier than the usual Scandinavian band. With a LOT more balls. At times almost kinda Hardcore or what I’d take for Hardcore. Powerfully mixed by Colin Richardson. Actually, I didn’t listen to this style lately at all. It was either more “pop”, like ABBA, MAIDEN or EVANESCENCE, for example, or it was more extreme in the classic Voices direction. So basically, I had a hard time getting into GOD FORBID at first. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m addicted by now but I like “Gone Forever” a lot because of the band’s talent concerning dynamics ('Washed Out World'!!!) as they don’t over-exaggerate their strong Hardcore influences and for their gift to create beautifully sad melodies. Especially the carefully added melodic vocals caught my attention. This is also gonna work killer in a live situation I bet and I can recommend this CD to everybody who likes his daily dose of aggression served with style. This won’t be the last time I put on GOD FORBID.

Ramon Claassen

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GODHATE
Equal In The Eyes Of Death
(Metal Age Productions)
39:02min

GODHATE are a brutal 4 piece Death Metal band from Sweden and they really deliver the goods on their latest album, "Equal In The Eyes Of Death", the bands 7th release (if you take their demo's into account). At times reminding me of KREATOR, CHIMAIRA and DECAPITATED, GODHATE unleash waves of unrelenting modern Death Metal anthems at the listener, while still finding room for some haunting, melodic guitar lines along the way. This is most evident on the track 'In Praise Of Sin', which really reminded me of 'The Lord's Sedition' by DEICIDE (found on "The Stench Of Redemption"). Speaking of a DEICIDE influence, the overall guitar tone and solo style of GODHATE guitarists Tony Freed and Chris Johansson is very close to that of legendary Death Metal guitarist Ralph Santolla. Another standout track is the subtly named 'Fuck Off Jehovah', which brutally bludgeons the listener after the eerie, haunting monk chanting opens the album. The overall musicianship on the album is of the highest quality, which is almost a necissity for any modern Death Metal band given the level of musicianship on display amongst many of their peers. The drumming is chaotic, with some very nice blasting and double bass catching the listens ear (and punishing it!) throughout (listen to 'Alla Xul Kanpa'). The vocals are more deep, angry shouting than guttural (which I personally prefer) and fit the music well. At times the demon sounding backing vocals (a favorite of Mr. Glen Benton) are deployed to goo effect. Something that I still find very important to albums is the packaging and cover art and GODHATE have done a great job in this department. The cover image of a raven / woman creature is striking and the dirty, muddy almost red / black color scheme, which to me looks like stale blood, really makes the cover stand out from the crowd. While the album deserves to be heard by any fans of new or old Death Metal as it really is a quality release, my only complaint is that the album brings nothing new to the genre. Some attempts at new ideas would have been nice but this is a minor complaint really as GODHATE have really come up with a crushing, yet at times groove oriented (see track 'Dark Funeral') release that is sure to satisfy death metallers the world round. Highly recommended. www.godhate.com, www.myspace.com/godhate

Norman McCann

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GODLESS
Let There Be Darkness
(self-financed)
61:57min

GODLESS is a band / project in activity since 1994 and led by Chris Miumbwa. From what I have understood, Chris had difficulty to gather a proper line-up around him in the past, so I am not too sure if he handles all the instruments on this, but I guess it is probably the case. Musically, GODLESS is connected to the dark Heavy Metal of the 80’s, in the MERCYFUL FATE vein if you want, but far less complex. Today, I see one equivalent to GODLESS, and it is MELECHESH. The two bands share the same interest for mysterious atmospheres, Middle-East flavoured moods and occult topics. Even the vocals sounds more or less the same. "Let There Be Darkness" is due to be re-released on a proper label in Fall 2003, this time with a real drummer (in place of the drum machine used here). GODLESS’s music comes out extremely interesting, and brings us a bowl of fresh air, especially if you consider the tons of useless releases which plagues the record bins presently. This album offers seven tracks for a total running time of more than one hour, so you can figure we are dealing with long and epic songs and here precisely lies the weak point of this record. The compositions lacks well marked hooks, so the overall result lacks lustre a little. Maybe Chris will work more on this later, this is my advice to him anyway. Apart from that, "Let There Be Darkness" is obviously a labour of love for Heavy Metal music, and I see Chris more like a Metal fan willing to pay homage to his personal musical Gods than an aspiring professional musician (I don’t think I am wrong assuming this). That can explain the sort of naiveté and freshness you can find in this, the mix of Black Metal, melodic Death Metal (reminiscent of the Gothenburg scene of the beginning of the 90’s, especially in the guitar playing) and traditional Heavy Metal working really fine here. I am sure that once this album is revamped a little bit, it will be a real killer. All power to Chris, and the best of luck to him in the future! The scene needs more fellows like him! Contact: godlesstheband@yahoo.gr, webpage: http://www.godless.info.

Edouard Vergriete

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GODLESS
Irreligiosus Nemine Discrepante (Double 7”EP)
(Blood Harvest Records)
24:50min

Death Metal reigns supreme! A release like this one proves that! This awesome piece of double vinyl is another perfect example of Death Metal the way it should be. GODLESS from Chile follow the tradition of those names as INCANTATION, IMMOLATION, MORBID ANGEL or even some SADISTIC INTENT here and there - just to mention some influences. It’s dark and brutal Death Metal played with high precision, tight song structures and good musical abilities. It’s easy to recognize that this band is existing already for a while; in fact they were founded in 1997. The 5 full songs cover nearly all aspects of brutal Death Metal the American oldschool way, performed with amazing quality in a fantastic sound. In addition to the 5 regular songs you can expect an intro, one short instrumental in the middle of the recording and an outro, all of them atmospheric with a slight MORBID ANGEL approach, considering their “Blessed Are The Sick” album. Guess that’s not the worst comparison a band can get? Next to the great music you can expect an amazing layout of this release. This double vinyl 7” EP is packed in a beautiful gatefold sleeve with great drawings, a separate lyricsheet, pictures and recording information. From my side there’s absolutely nothing more to tell to promote this piece of unholy Death Metal, still one question is left: Did you already order this release? Check out www.bloodharvest.se for ordering information.

Thomas Ehrmann

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GODLESS
Ecce Homo: Post Lux Tenebras, Pulsio XIII Ultima Ratio
(Blood Harvest Records)
45:58min

GODLESS' first full-length "Ecce Homo Post Lux Tenebras, Pulsio XIII Ultima Ratio" is released through Blood Harvest Records. That got my expectations pretty high, because this label has a fine nose for the music that usually sends blizzards through my veins. After two demos and an EP called "Irreligiosus Nemine Discrepante" on Tyrannus Records in 2006, this debut was released on August 11th. Later a gatefold 12" vinyl-version of "Ecce…" will be released. On this one, the band executed a possessed form of Death Metal that reminds very much of INCANTATION ("Onward To Golgotha"), BLOODY SIGN and THE CHASM. On "Ecce Homo Post Lux Tenebras…" the band continues their chosen path from "Irreligiosus Nemine Discrepante" and unleashes hell for 45 minutes in 9 brand new tracks. The tracklisting says 7 tracks, but for some reason this copy got 2 bonus tracks. An ominous intro leads to 'Sacrobsolescence: Igneus Sigillum Insurrectio' like a soundtrack of a horrible scene from hell, suitable illustrated by the sick coverart. The production is a bit fuller and comes close to the sound of DEAD CONGREGATION's "Graves Of The Archangels". The band is twisting and turning, franticly changing tempo plus they're giving everything and aim for perfection. The drumming is pounding with a lot of blasting. Highly enjoyable by its energy. The riffing ranges from classic to cool but the production kept it in a kind of vacuum. Too much on the background or too much equally levelled to the bass-sound. Vocalist V.D.A. Irrenemidis grunts and screams with a huge Daniel Corchado worshipping. He does a good job but sometimes (like in 'Nihil Coronat Opus') his bestiality becomes a bit too much for my taste. Despite these small remarks this is a cool and most of all dark album you should check out. Not great and a bit too monotone, but still good enough to feed the hunger for most part. People who enjoy DENIAL, INCANTATION, IMMOLATION, DEAD CONGREGATION, BLOODY SIGN, THE CHASM, INFINITUM OBSCURE and likes will find satisfaction in this one. Check: www.myspace.com/godlesschile, www.bloodharvest.se for more info.

Michael Tak

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GODLESS NORTH
Summon The Age Of Supremacy
(Breath Of Night Records)
52:17min

From mighty Canada hails GODLESS NORTH with their latest effort “Summon The Age Of Supremacy”, offering us nothing but true northern Black Metal in the veins of the early 90s. Nothing special? Well, when I first put in this album, I really thought that it was nothing special, and I still think that this album does not offer a very good or at least thrilling beginning: a nice intro plus two, in my opinion too ordinary, tracks. But somehow everything changes with track four: ‘Under The Veil Of Night’. The songs become more varied – especially in speed –, the sound becomes better (which is a consequence of different recording sessions anyway) and these songs finally manage to create the atmosphere the bands wanted to express: utter grimness und hate! I saw GODLESS NORTH during last year’s “North American Black Metal Invasion Pt. I” - tour with KRIEG, INQUISITION and SECRETS OF THE MOON, and I thought they were (with the exception of SECRETS…, of course) the best band, thus I was a bit disappointed with the beginning of the CD, but all in all, I have to say that this is a good, but somehow typical old-school Black Metal-album. If you check out the album, every song from track four onwards is recommended. Worthy. http://www.breathofnight.com

Nhashi

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GODLESS RISING
Battle Lords
(Moribund Cult)
39:42min

What a fucking, killer surprise!!! VITAL-fucking-REMAINS worship all along!! Well, in the case of GODLESS RISING, this is - by all means - no seer coincidence since the band is consisted mostly of ex-VITAL REMAINS members. I admit that I have somehow lost interest in VITAL REMAINS after "Dawn Of The Apocalypse" and I guess GODLESS RISING will become the perfect VITAL REMAINS substitute not only for me, but all others missing the good-old early VITAL REMAINS days / releases and / or somehow don't feel comfortable with the fact that Glen Benton has undertaken vocals duties for their past couple of albums. But let's cut to the chase: GODLESS RISING are without any doubt a band that knows how to play blasphemous, crushing, yet solid Death Metal that captures the listener's attention. It's really hard to argue the band's skills or their ability to deliver killer songs since these guys are not only technically skilled (delivering a couple of short solos and twisted riffs) but are also able to come up with some great tunes that grasp the listener's attention. Their second album "Battle Lords" is nothing but a perfect example of how American Death Metal should sound: from the great production (guitars and rhythm section sound heavy as fuck), great performance of all members (typical for a well-rehearsed American band), shredding guitars and morbid / malicious vocals. I am incapable of locating one single negative point to this release, save only the intentional lack of originality. "Battle Lords" sounds devastating and will definitely impress all real fans of US Death Metal. And to top it all, the cover artwork is prepared by none other than grand master Chris Moyen. Along with IMMOLATION and DRAWN AND QUARTERED, GODLESS RISING have delivered one of the best and most solid US Death Metal albums of the past months. Don't miss it!! www.godlessrising.com, www.moribundcult.com

Manolis A.

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GODLESS RISING
Trumpet Of Triumph
(Moribund Records)
44:33min

GODLESS RISING already established themselves in the Death Metal underground with two killer albums "Rising Hatred" and "Battle Lords", but "Trumpet Of Triumph" is somewhat of a change in that, as it features a new guitar and bass player Toby Knapp (ex - WAXEN, ONWARD) who replaced long time axe shredder Paul Flynn. Also, for those unfamiliar, hellish vocals are handled by none other than Jeff Gruslin, legendary vocalist from two first (and best, imo) VITAL REMAINS albums "Let Us Pray" and "Into Cold Darkness, so I'm just gonna state it right here that if you like them, you can stop reading this review and get all GODLESS RISING albums right away! Basically, the band merges oldschool Death Metal with Black and Thrash riffage weaving in those uncanny demonic melodies which bring MERCYFUL FATE to mind. Given a fuckin' powerful and raw yet perfectly clear production "Trumpet Of Triumph" crushes all the posers and pretenders to the hell throne of blackened Death Metal! Lots of tempo changes, wicked melodies and those raspy, venomous vocals of Jeff Gruslin create dark, suphuric atmosphere of the demonic underworld!! The album is not a one dimensional blast though, it's got many different layers which unfold and surprise after each new spin, proving killer compositional skills of Toby Knapp. From what I could find on the net, drummer duties are handled by Andy Jones (ex - PHLEGM), so this is one gem that every oldschool Death and Black Metal maniac should own! Hail! www.myspace.com/godlessrising, www.moribundcult.com

Mindaugas "Plix" Lapinskas

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GODLESS TRUTH
Selfrealization
(Shindy Productions)
35:14min

Oh my god, what a fucking great CD, the new album of the GODLESS TRUTH freaks!! Personally I didn't like the band before, but when I listened to this, I thought I'd put it in my stereo every fucking day. We can say that this is a perfect mixture between the old school sound and the new school one, but with a great variety of rhythmics throughout the whole recording, which makes it incredibly interesting. There's 9 songs plus a bonus track on this new album "Selfrealization", which - from my point of view - will increase the level of the band in many aspects. Brutal technical Death from the Czech Republic, leaving behind the melodic side of their previous CDs and showing (as bands of their country usually do) a big variety of more extreme elements, turning the final set into something more attractive. From the classic parameters of the old school, to the more groovy rhythms of the slam bands, you'll get heavy mid tempos, constantly changing guitars (that are creating sharp and twisted riffs), a full blasting, M-16 like drumming, a dual vocal assault - a hyper guttural voice (roar deep vokills) and another, more in the normal way, presenting vocalist Zdenek as if he's possessed by Satan himself. All of the instruments sound like devastating machines, with a mutual understanding between all of them, and the overall sound aquired with the production is amazing on the whole CD . So, fuck yeah - buy or die is the only way!! Contact: shindy@telecom.cz, http://www.shindy.cz  

Iñaki (Pinhead)

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GODS OF EMPTINESS
Consumption Is Freedom?
(Twilight/Badlands Records)
29:01min

No, no MORBID ANGEL worship here – people familiar with the German underground will remember GODS OF EMPTINESS as a pretty happening Death / Grind band. Back then the band used to be influenced by the likes of TERRORIZER and NAPALM DEATH, a formula which hasn't been changed with the release of “Consumption Is Freedom?”. GODS OF EMPTINESS still play brutal Death Metal infused Grindcore along the lines of the aforementioned classics. Some elements of basic Hardcore / Crust riffing also have found their way into the mixture. When the band slows down, the heavy riffing definitely has a BOLT THROWER vibe to it (the ending of 'Unknown Truth', for example). “Consumption Is Freedom?” is clad in a nicely thick but balanced underground production that gives the guitars enough power. The drums seem to be at least partially triggered but do not sound like a typewriter. One can also find the “classic” vocal division of one deep throaty grunt kind and mid-pitched screams / croakings with the strong emphasis being placed on the low end. Both styles work but personally I prefer the deep vocals much more, especially when parts of the lyrics are in German as in 'Weltkrieg' or 'Im Westen Nichts Neues' as the croaking sounds too much like shitty German Black Metal. Parts of 'Nihil' (also in German) made me think of AUDIO KOLLAPS even though GODS OF EMPTINESS are less crusty by far. One can find two tracks which are rather “fun” based, those being 'Columbo Is God' (obvious I think) and the album closer 'Tribute to Mundl' which will only make sense to persons from Southern Germany or Austria. Track number 8, 'Music For Masses' incorporates partly distorted drum loops and sampled synth parts and is intended to be a comment on casting shows et cetera. As one may glance from the titles of the album and several songs the lyrics mostly deal with social criticism on various levels. This also extend to the cover “artwork” and there the trouble begins… no problem with artworks that strive to convey a message in a straight forward way – but shit, at least a tiny bit of talent is necessary! What one can see here is a boring staged photography coupled with sub-par Photoshop manipulations. I don't mean to be unfair but both the shitty cover and the boring layout are deterring (even the often used and overused war imagery would have been better that this… and you know how bored I am by tanks and such stuff…). Apart from the visual side there is nothing to criticize, if the latest releases of DEAD or DEAD INFECTION appeal to you more than technical US Death / Grind or you cannot get enough of old NECRONY records and miss the times when SANITYS DAWN were a good band… then there is a band you should check out (ignore the cover heheh). www.godsofemptiness.de

Ulrich Kreienbrink

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