MACBETH
Gotteskrieger
(High Roller Records / Massacre Records)
49:34min

MACBETH is known as the first Metal band of the GDR and was originally founded in 1985. Now, after their self-titled debut in 2006, the new record “Gotteskrieger” was released. The CD version is done by Massacre Records and the record, which we are talking about in this review, comes from High Roller Records. The music is pure Heavy Metal with a lot influences from the Thrash Metal genre. The songs are technically impeccable with powerful Thrash riffs, driving double-bass drums and highlighted with excellent guitar solos. Nothing to nag about. The lyrics are completely in German and hard Metal with German lyrics is still something special. Sometimes they are too embarrassing or with too much pathos but MACBETH didn’t turn in this trap. I miss some really catchy refrains but this is a personal opinion. There are two songs that should be marked a little bit more. On one hand 'Das Boot', which includes parts of the original score theme released by Mr Klaus Doldinger himself and on the other hand 'Maikäfer Flieg', which is a nursery rhyme from the time of the Thirty Years' War. So you get a good and interesting record with a great production. And as every time High Roller Records treat an excellent vinyl version with gatefold cover, which includes all the lyrics and is limited to 500 copies. www.myspace.com/abendmahl, www.macbeth-music.de

Stefan Hagmayer

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MACHETAZO
Trono De Huesos
(Razorback Records)
31:34min

I gotta admit that Grindcore ain’t exactly my favourite form of music and therefore my knowledge is rather limited. So, instead of making a fool out of myself I will just feed you with some facts about Machetazo instead, based on their bio. In 1994 three guys from the 90's underground scene cult death-grind act Frustradiccion decided to play some Noisecore stuff just for fun. Their first demo "46 Cabezas Aplastadas Por Un Yunque Oxidado" still featured raw material in the vein of Anal Cunt and Sore Throat, while the second demo "Realmente Disfruto Comiendo Cadaveres" already was supposed to be more in the Goregrind vein, still with some Noisecore elements though. After a 10" MLP and split 7”es with the Japanese bands Corrupted and Rise Above, Razorback Records signed Machetazo in 1998 and their first full length "Carne De Cementerio" finally got released. At the time they mostly got compared to old Carcass, Autopsy, Repulsion, Impetigo... Another split 7" with Bodies Lay Broken, a MCD with Abscess and their contribution to the tribute albums to Impetigo and Carcass followed until several line-up changes forced the band to take a break. At the end of 2001 they finally managed to recorded their new CD titled "Trono De Huesos", which we are dealing with now. What you get is fourteen tracks of extremely raw’n’dirty Grinding madness (incl. a cover of MOTÖRHEAD's 'Ace Of Spades'), musically somewhere between old CARCASS, AUTOPSY and TERRORIZER (just to give you a little hint of what to expect here). Genre worshippers should easily freak out on the band, so I better cut the crap now. All further info you may as well get by contacting the label directly: www.razorbackrecords.com

Frank Stöver

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MACHETAZO
Sinfonias Del Terror Ciego
(Razorback Records)
31:50min

One underground label that successfully holds the blood spattered flag of oldschool Grindcore and Death Metal waving high above is US-based Razorback Records who delivered a good number of true highlights in these two subgenres of extreme music by releasing material of GHOUL, COFFINS, LORD GORE, SPLATTERHOUSE, BLOOD FREAK, MAUSOLEUM, IMPALED / HAEMORRAGHE etc. Also MACHETAZO from Spain stand totally in the label’s tradition of powerful, straightforward and hard-hitting oldschool Grind / Death Metal and their 3rd exhumation has all trademarks to satisfy anyone into this style. A raw, violent guitar sound, fierce, fast and fucking brutal drumming, low growled vocals with a few screams now and then, overall classical 90s inspired material awaits on “Sinfonias Del Terror Ciego”! The Death Metal overtone and dark atmosphere manifesting also in the artwork and lyrical concept basing on the classic “Blind Dead” - series of movies are what I dig especially about this release since it does not go into the simple gore-orgy-style nor the political segment of Grindcore. Though MACHETAZO’s songs and musical elements are somewhat repetitious due to their old-fashioned stylistic formula, with slower starting tracks like ‘Diebla Funebre’ (featuring Chris Reifert), a funereal instrumental like ‘La Noche De La Gaviotas’, the well-dosed number of intros, and the mid-tempo groove of ‘Cripta’ the trio does a lot to avoid monotony and succeeds. “Sinfonias Del Terror Ciego” is a more than solid album that kicks ass, entertains with its puristic musical approach and gloomy charm. Really cool! www.razorbackrecords.com

Stefan Franke

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MACHETE
3-song promo-CD 2004
(self-financed)
10:54min

Now how cool stuff is this...?! MACHETE, this new Finnish 5-piece heavily grooving and thrashy Metal act, featuring 3 guys from the Finnish Thrashers MOKOMA for example, could be considered as some sort of retro - Thrash / Death - trip back to the early days of both ENTOMBED and SLAYER in a somewhat peculiar way indeed! Just think of ENTOMBED playing SLAYER songs with a heavier and thrashier vibe – or allow your mind to imagine how the Slayer - dudes would sound like if they took a bit more deathly approach for their songs without losing their own trademarkish sound? Shouldn't be too hard to imagine, I guess... Right from the first song 'Lost For Words' you are about to become very familiar with MACHETE's tendency to sound like a badly-behaving bastard child of a riff-tastic marriage of both ENTOMBED and SLAYER. Groovily heavy and thrashy riffs, sinfully catchy and familiar yet well-executed metallic moments from the camps of the two abovementioned bands, Tuomos' (one of the guitarist in MOKOMA) nearly L.G. Petrov / Araya – type of vocal parts, etc. - all these things together, do well justification to MACHETE's shameless attempt to bring things back to the basic, I mean, oldschool Metal sounds. The next / last two songs off this promo called 'Turned To Dust' and 'Inward Spiral' only keep on reminding me why I have always been digging bands like SLAYER and ENTOMBED since their first albums up to their latest efforts. MACHETE is simply riff-tastically a fantastic and skilled band - and I believe even they seem to be aware of their own potentiality for being able to offer of already this strong caliber of Thrash / Death – shit for anyone who also happens to find bands from ENTOMBED to SLAYER to their likings. This stuff – saying it straight from my sincere and honest heart, convinced me right from the first moments of 'Lost For Words' to the last vocal grunt in 'Inward Spiral'. Predicting the future ain't easy task to anyone, that's for sure - but I can already see something good happening to MACHETE by the end of the year...  Contact: juha.javanainen@valvegroup.com, website: www.the-machete.com

Luxi Lahtinen

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MACHINERY
Degeneration
(Last Entertainment Productions)
46:10min

Sweden sweet Sweden... It's somewhat incredible how the Swedish Metal scene can constantly produce such highly talented bands, just like these Swedish technical Power-Thrashers MACHINERY prove it so loud and clear. MACHINERY that consists of obviously five really motivated and pro-musicians, have recorded a really powerful debut album of theirs that truly stands out in its own merits – all the nine songs on it. Giving a careful listen to “Degeneration”, there's one band particularly that comes to mind – and that's NEVERMORE. MACHINERY heavily trusts the power of guitars, and therefore all of their songs tend to be very riff-driven and groovy – the same way like NEVERMORE want to bring them out through their own albums. Even MACHINERY's vocalist (and guitarist), Michel Isberg, churns his own vocal parts out almost in the same octaves like Warrel Dane does, without going to some of those highest vocal registers though. There's also lots of different layers to be spotted out from MACHINERY's sound; basically thanks to Fredrik's well-crafted keyboard output for the songs that to say honestly give some more depth to them. At best MACHINERY tend to be in songs like 'River Red' and 'Falling Through The Grid' in which these fine Swedish Metallers sound heavier than a couple of dozens of sumo wrestlers in a heavily testosterone-filled action. Seems like they have paid an extra load of attention especially to the guitars' massive and groovy sound on “Degeneration” because the guitar parts are truly the most dominating force of the whole instrumentation being presented in MACHINERY's admirably powerful sound. It's really damn hard to say anything negative about “Degeneration” simply because MACHINERY overall prove to be one awesomely superb Swedish Metal act that deserves each of our attention. So, do check them out – preferably even today (even if it's not too late tomorrow either). http://machinery.se

Luxi Lahtinen

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MAEL MORDHA
Gealtacht Mael Mordha
(Grau)
44:38min

This is the second release of the Irish Doom Metal quartet or as said Gaelic Doom Metal. This is not a normal Metal release. The band is named after an Irish king from the 10th century and their first record “Cluain Tarbh” was about the battle of Clontarf. Now the concept behind this record is about the thoughts before and during this battle as well as in his moment of death. So you don't get the normal easy food. This concept screams for deep epic song accents with nice piano and keyboard passages, filled with violins and flutes. A great mixture based on classic Doom Metal with nice melodic vocal lines interrupted by faster parts, that really hit you. It’s been a long time since I heard such intense songs with such a great atmosphere and a lot of variation all at the right time. The record will be released on March 16 and all fans of Primordial, epic Doom or Gaelic Folk have to get this one. Contact: www.mael-mordha.com. The CD is also available here.

Stefan Hagmayer

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MAEL MORDHA
Manannan
(Grau Records)
45:33min

Ireland is one of most beautiful islands of the world, musically a place with quite an active underground but if it comes to bands which can offer a more or less international reputation there are only a few names to advise - without being too pessimistic there is only one band with this “primordial” status these days. In 2007 the Irish act MAEL MORDHA has impressed maybe not only myself with their Grau Records debut “Gealtacht Mael Mordha” (the “official” debut has been released in 2005 via the Hammerheart Records' follow up Karmageddon Media) and in 2010 the voyage continues with album number three. The waves are raging, the next storm is approaching and the band is presenting a very convincing release full of typical Irish trademarks - heart blood and passion. Over the years the MAEL MORDHA sound has not dramatically changed because the band has already found their niche within the current underground scene and “Manannan” are further 45 minutes of their understanding of Galish Doom Metal. Translated into common European standards we are talking about a mixture of Doom & Black Metal with some slight Pagan elements mainly through the traditional instruments. The biggest love/hate factor is for sure their singer Roibeard O Bogail who is giving the MAEL MORDHA sound the necessary diversity even if you need some time to get used to his vocal interpretations. This release is everything else than a mere disappointment and every fan of the big names of Irish Extreme Metal will for sure find a new friend in MAEL MORDHA. www.mael-mordha.com, www.grau.cd/label

Matthias Auch

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MAGENTA
Art And Accidents
(AT & MT)
60:53min

Regular, fist pumping Heavy Metal will always survive in one form or another. If the last twenty years has taught us anything, it is this comforting fact. This does not mean, however, that every new band who emerges out of the woodwork is instantly recognizable as a Metal band. Indeed, MAGENTA will raise more than a few eyebrows. Judging from the first track alone, it would seem that the band is more dance oriented than anything else. Picture a merger of TWO WITCHES and KATATONIA. That is the best description for MAGENTA. Their songs are soft, but they have enough Rock and slight Metal edges to suggest that they are not all that meets the eye. With that said, the fact remains that MAGENTA are almost as far as one can go before leaving Metal or Rock and Roll, entirely. Taken alone, without trying to reconcile it to our hallowed Metal traditions, this is a good album. It's well done, and well sung, but it could never sit proudly with a NECROPHAGIA record. Perhaps in a secret closet somewhere, wherein serious Metal heads stash their guilty pleasures. www.myspace.com/magenta

Nat Shapiro

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MAGNANIMUS
Unchaining The Fever And The Plagues (7”EP)
(Blood Harvest Records)
13:23min

The Death Metal scene from Chile is amazing and in a way mysterious to me. They have plenty of great Death Metal bands around, unfortunately it seems that the masses don’t really recognize that. Bands like the mighty UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN or GODLESS should tell everyone that this country has a lot to offer when talking about brutal Death Metal. MAGNANIMUS are no exception here as they are one more brutal Death Metal outfit the way I know it from other Chilenean Death Metal heroes: the music is played usually in intense tempo with plenty of blastbeats, brutal and deep vocals and shredding sometimes weird guitars. You should not expect this boring clinical Death Metal sound which many American so claimed high technical Death Metal bands offer us today, MAGNANIMUS play brutal and fast Death Metal not forgetting to stick to the oldschool Death Metal roots this music requests. In this regard I can figure out influences from old MORBID ANGEL, ANGEL CORPSE and SADISTIC INTENT to name just 3. “Unchaining The Fever And The Plagues” is the vinyl release of their demotape with the same name released back in 2003. Although this is quite an old release it sounds fresh and interesting to me. In 2006 they released their debutalbum called "Storms Of Chaotic Revelations" which I haven’t heard so far but from what I read Blood Harvest Records will take care of the re-release of it, too. Check out MAGNANIMUS and support the Chilenean Death Metal! Available at www.bloodharvest.se.

Thomas Ehrmann

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MAGNANIMVS
Storms Of Chaotic Revelations
(Blood Harvest Records)

MAGNANIMVS' "Storms Of Chaotic Revelations" CD was already released in 2006 through the label Rawforce Productions… Now 3 years later Swedish Blood Harvest Records released this album in the LP version. Well, this is only half the truth, because it's not the CD-version pressed on vinyl, the whole songs got re-recorded incl. 2 different songs and if that wasn't enough the order of the songs is different on the LP-version compared to the CD-version. This LP-version looks impressive as the coverpainting done by Daniel Self Desekrator is fuckin' impressive and looks mighty in this size - that's definitely a plus factor of vinyl. This coverpainting is also included on a poster which comes along with this version. Anyway, I guess the name MAGNANIMVS is not really familiar to most of the Voices readers as the band isn't very active in promoting their music with the today's possibility, which means they have no homepage, finally at least a myspace page. This is not the first Chilenean band acting like this as e. g. UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN are by no means any different. Call it oldfashioned, call it outdated, call it underground mentality, call it whatever you want. MAGNANIMVS do not impress with an outstanding presentation on any kind of online platforms but impress with highquality Death Metal brutality. The brand "Chilenean Death Metal" with such acts as GODLESS, the already mentioned UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN or MAGNANIMVS is probably as strong as never before even if names as TOTTEN KORPS or ATOMIC AGGRESSOR (of which 2 members are involved in MAGNANIMVS, too) were already quite known since years. The guys’ brand of Death Metal is ultra brutal blasting Death Metal, played tight as hell and offers one good production for these type of music. As this is a re-recording and slightly different to the CD-version of “Storms Of Chaotic Revelations” I can only recommend this release to everyone out there who’s looking out for high quality Death Metal from musicians who know how to play this stuff and who are active in the scene since many years. Even those who already have the CD-version are meant here. Buy it from www.bloodharvest.se and check out www.myspace.com/magnanimvs to see MAGNANIMVS’ first online presentation.

Thomas Ehrmann

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MAIM
From The Womb To The Tomb…
(Soulseller Records)
35:25min

Already killing with their contribution to the vinyl compilation “Resurrected In Festering Slime” MAIM return with their first full-length recording and convince from the beginning to the very end of it. The ‘Ridden With Disease’ cover is a nice addition on this recording and a very good cover version, nevertheless it’s the quality of their own songs which make this recording as outstanding as it is. If you request your Death Metal as dirty as AUTOPSY were and still cry tears after the departure of REPUGNANT you have no excuse any longer as “From The Womb To The Tomb…” will dry your tears and make your life again as filthy as it was. “Modern” Death Metal fans will surely dislike this recording and won’t find something special on it, but for us dinosaurs this is the Metal of Death we all are craving for. No fuckin’ blastbeats here, no killer recording, just Death Metal atmosphere in the unique AUTOPSY and especially REPUGNANT vein. Together with AXIS POWERS’ “Marching Towards Destruction” this is the next killer recording from Sweden, 2 great albums yet so different from each other. Available through www.soulsellerrecords.com or here.

Thomas Ehrmann  

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MAINPOINT
Heaven / Earth
(Morbid Records)
50:58min

What is brutal about Gothic Rock? Well, I received a promotional copy from the record company and maybe some of you like this genre, so what the heck! MAINPOINT are from Rostok, Germany and "Heaven / Earth" is their debut album. I can't see the parallels to TYPE O NEGATIVE the info sheet mentions, but there certainly is some SISTERS OF MERCY in here. A lot of MOONSPELL ("Irreligious"), PARADISE LOST (singer) and a hint of LAKE OF TEARS every now and then. But MAINPOINT are no copycats, especially the female keyboard player adds some interesting ideas. The guitar sounds moer like Rock than Metal and the riffs of the first 2 songs are a bit too monotonous for my taste (some might call this catchy) and although "Heaven / Earth" is definitely Gothic, its got energy! So apart from the fact that I personally wouldn't buy this record (not really my favourite genre), I might like to see them live. Good band and now that the German CREMATORY are going to split (finally!), there might be some space for a better band at the top...

Ramon Claassen

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MAKE A CHANGE... KILL YOURSELF
Make A Change... Kill Yourself
(Black Hate Productions)
70:48min

MAKE A CHANGE... KILL YOURSELF from Denmark released their self titled album a few months ago through Total Holocaust Records. Black Hate Productions recently released a 2LP version from this album with different artwork. There’s quite some mystery hanging over this band, not much information is given, but it’s clear that Ynleborgaz from ANGANTYR and HOLMGANG is the key-figure of MAKE A CHANGE... KILL YOURSELF. The album contains four songs, with a total playing-time of more than 70 minutes, the shortest track counts even over 13 minutes. Expect total darkness and depressiveness from MAKE A CHANGE... KILL YOURSELF. Suicidal melodies are repeating over and over again, mostly at steamroller-tempo, in-between those parts there’s some space for atmospherically ambient intermezzos with very sinister touches. Together with ice-cold hellish screams it becomes almost a suffer to listen this album; and in this context that can be seen positive. MAKE A CHANGE... KILL YOURSELF reminds me on slower songs of NARGAROTH, BURZUM and even SHINING. If you’re into these bands, than this album belongs in your collection, because Ynleborgaz succeeded in creating four stunning tracks directly from the deepest gates of hell. This is one of the absolute highlights in melancholic Black Metal released this year! www.blackhate.de

Geert Van Mook (Vampire Magazine)

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MALAS
Conquest
(Utterly Somber Creations)
26:41min

By the cover art, lyrical content of this CD and the MASTER-ish logo of MALAS (an interesting side note,
this band MALAS also call Chicago home) you would be under the impression this was going to be some sort of Metal hybrid of HAMMERFALL meets MASTER and you wouldn't be half wrong! What then is the other missing piece to his equation you ask? The answer is MASSACRE. The music of MALAS is more MASTER inspired than I think may have been intended, albeit with better lead work throughout, so much so that at times both the leads and the rhythms of this act remind me of a thrashier MASSACRE.The vocals of MALAS are also in step with this description, almost like a dual personality in their sound. By this I mean track 01-05 the bassist / singer has an approach that is sort of close to Speckmann but actually leans more toward Karl Willits of BOLT THROWER with his trademark general monotone delivery and use of reverb. Then however with tracks 06-10 the vocals seem to have morphed into that of almost exact sounding version of Kam Lee!? At different points of this disc I was seriously wondering if I was going to hear vocalist Erik Pertl bust out a 'Worrrllld Eattaaarrrr!' or a hellish take of 'From Beyonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd!' Contact: 1950 W. 21st Street, Chicago, IL 60608 USA or www.malas.biz or Utterly Somber P.O. Box 08419, Chicago, IL 60608 USA.

Wes Rhodes

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MALEDICTIVE PIGS
Bloodshed
(Cudgel Agency)
32:59min

Oh oh oh, shame on me - I was quite obviously prejudiced when it came to MALEDICTIVE PIGS throughout the last couple of years... I gotta admit that I was never really interested to check them out for the simple reason that I always thought of them as a Hardcore act -- mainly because of the bandname and their visual presentation, which wasn't appealing to me too much. Biiiiig mistake! Due to this stupidity I have missed out on a very promising and extremely brutal German Death Metal act. "Bloodshed" is already the third MALEDICTIVE PIGS full length CD (following 1995's "Funeral Sermon" and 2000's "Reborn") and should easily appeal to all those of you who still worship the musical roots of this genre. There's a lot of obvious influences from the heydays of (Swedish) Death Metal in their songwriting, and especially old GRAVE seems to be one of their main sources of inspirations here. But MALEDICTIVE PIGS partly combine that very effectively with the crushing intensity of US- / early UK Death Metal and deliver the goods in a very convincing way. And this results in a very solid, grinding Death Metal mixture. The album's production never sounds polished or faceless -- it's raw, very honest and probably really close to how the band sounds in a live - or rehearsal situation. But don't get me wrong here - "Bloodshed" does come up with a pretty good sound, it's just that you won't find too much (if any) faky drum sounds or whatever on the whole record. So, all in all a very cool release which at least managed to change my unjustified opinion on these lads. Check them out!! If you should have any problems in finding a copy of "Bloodshed", feel free to contact the label directly at the following address: Cudgel Agency, Collegienstr. 21, 06886 Luth. Wittenberg, Germany, e-mail: office@cudgel.de, website: http://www.cudgel.de

Frank Stöver

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MALEDICTIVE PIGS
Soul Surgery
(Cudgel Agency)
34:09min

I'm not sure what to think about this new album by long existing German brutalists MALEDICTIVE PIGS... it's already their fourth long player. And quite similar to the predecessor album "Bloodshed" I'm not really convinced by what they do nowadays. Their second album "Reborn" from 2000 was an awesome killer and I absolutely enjoyed their Death Metal a lot, which was influenced by old Swedish gods such as GRAVE. "Reborn" was full of crushing and devastating Death Metal hymns the way it was meant to be, absolutely blameless and right in your face and the vocals were so fucking cool and brutal. But then they changed their style into a more brutal, more modern, more US oriented direction... Although youl still find some oldschool influences now and then I would describe this as modern day Death Metal with very deep vocals which sometimes turns into frognoise. Okay, one might call me old fashioned and narrow minded. I guess that's not that wrong, but besides changing their style the MALEDICTIVE PIGS lost a little bit the ability to write neck breaking songs or maybe they just got another vision how a brutal song has to be structured. A vision I don't share at all. Sure they still know how to handle their instruments, they still deliver brutal non trendy music and "Soul Surgery" is far away from being a bad or boring album but I miss what they've created on "Reborn"... They definitely have their audience and everyone into guttural vocals, blasting sickness with hints of gore and grind should put "Soul Surgery" on his shopping list and should be pleased with this dose of brutality but as mentioned before I prefer "Reborn" which still is a killer album.

Hacker

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MALEFACTOR
The Darkest Throne
(Demise Records)
40:24min

Out of the four releases that we recently received from Brazil's Demise Records, this one's definitely the most professional one and therefore I wouldn't be surprised at all to see MALEFACTOR's next release already issued by a bigger, more established company, like Nuclear Blast or Century Media. The band was formed back in 1991, ever since released two demo tapes and furthermore appeared on two Brazilian compilation albums ("The Winds Of A New Millennium Act II" and "Dois Da Bahia") until they finally got picked up by Megahard Records for the recordings of their debut album "Celebrate Thy War" in 1999. Well, as I never heard any of those releases, I need to focus on this new eight track effort, which delivers a nicely balanced mixture of brutality, melody and atmosphere. MALEFACTOR come up with a pretty good production, combining brutal riffing with moody, atmospheric keyboards and almost folklore like acoustical parts. Surprisingly they have two keyboard player in their line-up, but never sound wimpy because of that! Their main focus seems to be to achieve an overall majestic yet very brutal approach. Their lead vocals are in the vein of DIMMU BORGIR and the likes (which means very raw, but neither shrieky nor in the deep death grunting vein), but they also add a clean, kinda heroic sounding singing to the songs every now and then as well, which fits their songwriting extremely good. The musical abilities of each member is highly impressive and if you're open minded enough to tolerate music next to CANNIBAL CORPSE or DARKTHRONE, make sure to check this out. Good one! Contact: Demise Records, P.O. Box 325, Timoteo / MG, 35180-000 – Brazil, www.demiserecords.com

Frank Stöver

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MALEFICIO
Go To Hell 
(Apollon Records)
35:08min 

According to their myspace page, they are "The band with the world record in demo recordings. Based on alcohol!", a fact that could be easily true. Formed in 1990 and after 18 demo tapes and one full length, they just released their second album, "Go To Hell", through Apollon Records. And this being my first listen to the band, I am impressed. MALEFICIO is one of those Swedish bands that decided to stay away from the "classic" Swedeath sound and come up with their own style. Starting with the simplistic, yet effective cover artwork, they dwell between sheer brutality and melodic tinged Death Metal. "Go To Hell" reminded me of NAGLFAR's "Vittra", sans the high pitched screams. Covering a vast array of styles, the track 'Searching For Death', is a great example. It starts off with a brutal blast beat part that instantly reminded me of DISSECTION. Right after the verses and chorus, there is a great groovy section and a tasty melodic lead in the middle. I just used that track cause, clocking only 2:58, it shows how good MALEFICIO can go from one end to the other effortlessly. Their vocalist is usually growling his way into the songs, occasional clean vocals, as in 'In The Name Of The Holy', were performed by guest singer Rickard Yxelflod to hook the listener up with an intense execution and riffs aplenty that set the pace for this album. Another good example is 'Entwined In Mysteries', one of my favourites. Its slow intro riff has a pounding feel to it, using a melodic folk type lead that adds a lot of colour to the song. And then the middle section explodes into a headbaning riff with lots of groove. Production wise, it sounds unpolished in favor of a heavier sound, reminiscent of old MARDUK when they decide to go full speed ahead. I can't really hear the bass, so maybe it was also left buried in the mix. But anyway, these guys know how write songs that never let you down. There are a lot of influences present in MALEFICIO's music; all confirming the fact that these guys are great composers and musicians, And for sure, a band to follow, if they continue delivering such an awesome style of Death Metal. For all further info check out: www.myspace.com/maleficiotheone, www.apollonrecords.nl

Alfonso Perez

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MALEFICUM ORGIA
Maleficum Orgia
(Insidious Poisoning Records)
66:06min

An album with 66 songs and a playing time of 66:06 minutes could be easily connected with the devil? For sure because MALEFICUM ORGIA are part of the French Black Metal scene since 1991 and their self titled debut after 16 years of existence is paying tribute to the old gods BLASPHEMY and DARKTHRONE. With this few words it’s quite obvious that the price for musical innovation will not go to France this month because the rules are quite clear. Three hungry guys (bass, guitar, drums) plus some nice moaning women and we are ready for the final battle. I'm not really a big fan of the true way of Black Metal these days because the current releases are more copy kill than everything else but MALEFICUM ORGIA know their business and they avoid this ‘heard 1000 times’ feeling. Think if the album had been released maybe 10 years ago my enthusiasm would be a lot higher but these days it's nothing more than a solid debut with some real good songs due to the fact that in the end it can’t offer something really unique. But if I would have the choice I would prefer this release instead of buying the latest albums of some of these old idols (especially our dear friends of 'Canadian Metal'). www.insidious-poisoning.com

Matthias Auch

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MALEVOLENCE
Martyrialized
(Maquiavel Music Entertainment)
30:38min

It's weird that this Portuguese four piece is still pretty much unknown overhere as they already gained quite some attention in their homecountry ever since their origin in 1994. Their debut demo "Pleasure Of Molestation" sold the impressive amount of 1.000 copies in just seven months, while their first full length album "Dominion", which followed in 1996 (after some delay from their original label Danger Records) , also received really good ratings from the media (even internationally). Lots of live shows were about to follow (a.o. with CRADLE OF FILTH, MOONSPELL, HEAVENWOOD etc.) and in 1998 MALEVOLENCE were even vo ted fifth best national act on a Portuguese radio show. Unfortunately the original line-up fell apart in early 1998, but Carlos Cariano decided to continue on with a completely renewed band. Maquiavel Music Entertainment picks up the band and the long overdue follow up "Materialized" gets recorded at Swedish Fredman Studio with producer Fredrik Nordström. The result is an impressive combination of atmospheric soundscapes with lots of brutality mixed in. In 'Hunters Of The Red Moon' and the album's titletrack MALEVOLENCE partly remind me on newer SAMAEL, due to the similar vocal delivery and overall dark atmosphere, while the remaining seven songs are a nicely balanced mixture of powerful and melodic yet very brutal and always emotional compositions. The musicianship and production is top notch and the band extremely unique, yet very easy accessible. So, all in all this is a damn good offering with good chances to finally establish the band overhere as well.

Frank Stöver

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MALEVOLENT CREATION
Envenomed
(Pavement Music)
41:45min

MALEVOLENT CREATION is one of the very few Death / Thrash bands from the U.S. which still put out excellent releases year after year. Their latest album was recorded in the same line-up which also made "The Fine Art Of Murder" such a great release. On "Envenomed" they still know how to deliver decent Thrash Metal because the album sounds really furious! From the beginning till the end, the songs are played at such a high speed, it almost makes you dizzy! Some mid-tempo passages wouldn't have harmed the album and would eventually have given a bit more variety. But on the other hand I can't really complain about this. Next to HYPNOSIA's "Extreme Hatred", it is without a doubt the best release in the furious Death / Thrash genre within the last couple of months. Buy!

Steven Willems

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MALEVOLENT CREATION
The Will To Kill
(Nuclear Blast)
41:33min

Well, the time between the first announcements of the new album and its actual release was full of shocks - at least for me as a long-time MALEVOLENT CREATION worshipper and fan of the original vocalist Brett Hoffmann. Early rumors about “The Will To Kill” told of a production in Tägtgren’s Abyss Studio and a more Swedish sound, shock number one!!! The second shock was the label change to Nuclear Blast, which made me fear a “wimp-out” or commercialized sound of “The Will To Kill”. But fortunately both nightmares did not come true. Instead of that the most horrid thing I could imagine - a change of vocalists fucking did happen, but it did not turn out as disastrous as in the mid-90’s, when the bassist took over the mic and degraded MALEVOLENT CREATION on “Eternal” and “In Cold Blood” to an average Death Metal band. Now Kyle Symons (HATE PLOW) replaced Brett Hoffmann and in my eyes this is quite a set-back, although Kyle does a much better job than Jason did, he still has not the unique raw voice that Brett had and so some of MALEVOLENT CREATION’s intensity is lost, especially I miss the long brutal screams, Kyle does them live, where he absolutely crushes Brett, but he does not do that on the album very much. But for people who do not care too much about this matter “The Will To Kill” is definitely a great album!!! There are some fantastic Death / Thrash songs on it, like the brutal title track, the heavy and catchy ‘Divide And Conquer’ or the straight killer track ‘Lifeblood’. On MALEVOLENT CREATION’s 2002 effort you won’t find a single weak track!!! Also great is the participation of James Murphy, who has some extraordinary solo-parts on ‘Assasin Squad’, it seems like he’s getting fit again after his struggle with cancer. Compliment also to Phil Fasciana and Rob Barrett for creating such a load of awesome DARK ANGEL / SLAYER-influenced riffs, killer work! So check out this CD, if you are into brutal Death / Thrash, because this is this year’s best album of that genre!!! I will also try my best to forget about Brett and bang to “The Will To Kill” until I’m fucking dead!!! Check out a MP3 file on MALEVOLENT CREATION’s website: www.malevolentcreation.cjb.net

Stefan Franke

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MALEVOLENT CREATION
Envenomed II
(Arctic Music Group)
51:26min

If you already own the first version of “Envenomed”, like I do, you should be pretty offended by this kind of re-release, because it features three bonus tracks, that should be interesting for any fan of MALEVOLENT CREATION - a DARK ANGEL cover and two re-recorded demo-songs from the late 80’s - all songs definitely kill!!! But any real fan of this band would have bought the “Envenomed” CD as soon as he gets it and this re-release was put out a year after the normal version. I am lucky to be able to sell my old CD to friend, but if you don’t get this chance this is a fucking rip off!!! I am a longtime worshipper of MALEVOLENT CREATION and it is extremely disappointing to me, that Phil Fasciana (runs Arctic Music) puts out such a CD, which not even has a new design or the lyrics of the bonus songs – this really sucks!!! Maybe he should think about a CD, where only re-recorded material or demo tracks can be found, but a re-release like “Envenomed II” is simply unfair and a slap in the face of any fan!!! It would be a great gesture of the band / label to put the songs as MP3 file on the band’s website, so every fan can enjoy them and not only those who buy the CD just now for the first time. Contact me and I will copy the songs to any true fan!!! Label’s website: www.arcticmusicgroup.com. Band’s website: www.malevolentcreation.cjb.net

Stefan Franke

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MALEVOLENT CREATION
Retrospective
(Crash Music)
68:20min

I really have no idea why "Retrospective" had to be released... In total this album features 17 tracks from five of MALEVOLENT CREATION's regular studio albums (three from "Eternal", "In Cold Blood" and "The Fine Art Of Murder" and four from "Envenomed" and "The Will To Kill"), but as there's no previously unreleased or exclusive material on offer here and the albums are all still pretty easy to find, it doesn't really make sense to me. I mean, MALEVOLENT CREATION by no means is a band that constantly releases "hit-singles", that are climbing up the charts and that people are buying a sort of "best of" compilation from... C'mon, this is fuckin' brutal Death Metal and fans of the band will certainly already have the regular releases in their collection, while everyone else probably doesn't give a shit anyway. So, with that in mind even the often used argument of "a label trying to cash in on the band" won't really work here, if you ask me... Musically it is of course still a nice overview about MALEVOLENT's work between 1994 and 2001 and a cool opportunity to compare their constantly changed line-ups with each other. Too bad that Jason Blachowicz, who fronted them between 1995 and 1997, didn't last in this position as "Eternal" and "In Cold Blood" will probably always remain their most brutal, most intense outputs ever. I would've loved to see the band continue on in that direction. To me (apart from their early stuff and despite Blachowicz's partly rather controversial lyrics) my personal MALEVOLENT faves! But all this of course still doesn't justify the purchase of this superfluous compilation as not even the packaging knows to convince and comes across pretty cheap looking (just a folded cover, no real booklet – nice coverart though...). So, if you're not a die hard fan / collector with too much money, you better go for their regular releases! All further info at: www.crashmusicinc.com, www.malevolentcreation.cjb.net

Frank Stöver

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Yngwie Johann Malmsteen
Concerto Suite For Electric Guitar And Orchestra In E Flat Minor 
LIVE with the New Japan Philharmonic
(Universal Records)
72:10min

For years I have asserted that the two most powerful, emotional and extreme forms of music in the world are classical and Metal. Part of this, I know, stems from my upbringing on a steady diet of classical and orchestral music with little knowledge of “rock” music, that is until the mighty Iron Maiden stormed these American shores in the early 1980s. What has always amazed me about such a conservative form of music as Metal is its breadth. Under the “Metal” banner we can find three chord wonders like Hellhammer and an Yngwie Malmsteen.  Even after immersing myself in Metal back then, I held fast to my classical music. Then in 1984 came an album called “Rising Force” which blended perfectly the elements of classical technique and metal performance, and it remains a watershed Metal release. Of course there are many worthy guitar “heroes” out there, and each has their own particular style and gimmick. Some have adopted what has been called a “neo-classical” style, but Malmsteen’s technique is almost completely classical in approach and execution. I followed Malmsteen’s career through “Trilogy,” and remained satisfied with those first three albums for well over a decade.  When in 1998 Yngwie released his “Concerto Suite For Electric Guitar And Orchestra In E Flat Minor Op. 1,” there was little fanfare over here. It was sometime later that I managed to track down a copy, and what I found was what I consider to be a milestone in modern music. Now we have a live version of that album which includes several other pieces performed with the New Japan Philharmonic. Apart from the orchestra album pieces, Yngwie includes an orchestra-only arrangement of 'Black Star' which brings to mind emotions of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony 2nd movement; plus a ripping version of 'Trilogy Suite Op. 5', 'Brothers', and an encore of 'Blitzkrieg', and the ultimate Yngwie track, 'Far Beyond The Sun'. Obviously this album is not for everyone. I’m a guitarist that loves classical music, so of course it is my cup of tea. Many metallions are not interested in anything but Metal, I know. And in a strange inversion of what Metal was supposed to be about, some simpler minds even despise guitar solos. Several “Metal” bands have and are trying their hands at performing with orchestras, usually with substandard and downright embarrassing results. But what Malmsteen has done with orchestras in the last several years is not only stunning, it has made many in the classical music community sit up and take notice. As if there was any doubt before he did these orchestral albums, Yngwie Malmsteen is a pioneer. Love him or hate him, you must respect what he has done.

Charles Keller

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MALSAIN
The Disease
(Dark Essence Records)
44:00min

The warrior cries in the distance as the sound of damnation comes near. This is the sound of MALSAIN. From the icy cold lands of Norge, this is the second album-attack of steel and magic from this five piece unit of war. To call them just Black Metal is to call any warrior just a soldier. No, this is more than just Black Metal. As a sword that is coming to the head…like an arrow in the eye…this is like the sound of the cold lands reaper…a mid-paced attack of sharp guitars, a magnificent sound and production, with a few but effective acoustic parts, used to enhance the atmosphere with some really demonic vocals, courtesy of Skumring…the name of a female battle commander…this mighty sound of darkness reminds me of fellow comrades of GEHENNA in their early armored days…although there are keyboards used, and quite a lot in fact, they are clever enough to give them the exact weight on the music, and just add touches to the music…they keep guitars loud and up-front…like axes in the battlefield, the sharp side comes always first…once in a while, this sounds of darkness will speed up their killing spree…but just on small amounts, to therefore maintain their triumphant march…some touches of early MY DYING BRIDE can also be heard…I can now foresee this as the music that a wounded warrior will be listening to before the scythe of death comes near of the snowy battlefield he lies in fatally tired…for those worshippers of Black Doom perdition and Metal…probably, their only mistake is that some of their hymns tend to sound quite similar, and a bit more of speed variation would come in deadlier…but as it is, the ones in their path are condemned to decapitation with a frozen sword. Also a bit suicidal sounding at times. Maybe that wounded hero will more likely take his on life with that dagger used as last resort. As it is, the saga of cold blood spilled becomes interesting, but maybe greater battles are to come. www.darkessencerecords.no

Julian Nuñez

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MALUS
Creation Of Death
(Immense Storm Production)
46:51min

Quite a bit more basic and grim than labelmates ODIUM IMMORTALIS, one-man-project MALUS musically concentrates on the nasty side of the genre. Though multi-instrumentalist Wargrath (real drums!) obviously comes from Germany, this record sounds Norwegian through and through. Being the fourth MALUS CD already, “Creation Of Death” appears to be a concept album from a pretty anti-human point of view. Occasional majestic keyboard (intros) create a powerful contrast to the fury - an impression which fortunately isn’t ruined by a crappy production. Pretty good songwriting as well though I completely fail to understand or like that short groovy passage in the title track. Anyway, I can’t see any reason why a Black Metal maniac shouldn’t look for this release. www.naturesrevenge.de, www.immensestorms.de

Ramon Claassen

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MALUS
The Beauty Of Doom
(Immense Storm Productions)
53:33min

As I write this, this band, this entity already has been going for more than 6 years…and due to the immense storm of bands releasing material, this one will surely pass by to the casual Metal fan. I might also remind you that this entity from Germany has already released 5 longplayers, so newcomers they are not. MALUS is surely to be connected with “evil” as that can be a description of the name. Yes, it is a Black Metal band, a traditional one if you ask me. The influence of the band will go directly to early EMPEROR and some DARKTHRONE although recorded and produced with a lot more quality than the aforementioned bands. I must also mention the fact that this is a one man band, and first I thought that the drums are programmed, but no, in fact the one and only member here is basically a drummer, so this time we face a very talented multi instrumentalist, who also showcases an ability to create some very well played instrumental and atmospheric passages in keyboards that sound more like an orchestra than just cheap keyboards, and that do really create a mood like in 'Hypnagogia'. Speaking of the vocals, most of the time they are used in almost the same way, and that kinda makes them to end sounding like every other Black Metal vocalist. At least they tried a bit of variation like in 'Moribund' which at times sounds like Attila from the “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” era. The tempo is usually fast, but they are wise enough to keep good variation not only between songs but also in the songs themselves. I appreciate the fact that the guitars are kept heavy and upfront, as some of the riffs are quite simple but direct, and possess a distinctive sound more akin to occult Death Metal than just Black Metal. On a song like 'Earth’s Malady' I can hear some atmospheres and overall sound very similar to that of early AUTOPSY although MALUS plays it into their own brand of Black Metal nightmare. Slowly, this album starts to get better with each listen. The album ends with an epic 10 minutes 'Paradox Way To Paradise', which is the one song which probably possess the most keyboards and at times, it reminds of DIMMU BORGIR, but only in style of using them in a more “dramatic” mood with a fast paced riff. At the end we have a quality Black Metal release, while not outstanding, strong enough to give it a listen, it might as well be a wise purchase for those longing for traditional evil metal with style. www.naturesrevenge.de, www.immensestorms.de

Julian Nuñez

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MANDATORY
…Where They Bleed (MCD)
(self-financed)
17:10min

Amazing, another great oldschool release from Germany. After the great ERODED split EP with PAGANIZER now again such a killer release from a German Death Metal band. MANDATORY started in 2001 and this MCD “…Where They Bleed” is already their third release after “Divine Destruction” in 2002 and “Curse Of The Undead” in 2005. No doubt, MANDATORY won’t ever win a price for their originality, but recognizing huge influences from AUTOPSY and GRAVE, well especially Death Metal bands from Scandinavia around the 90s don’t request to be original. This is fucking oldschool Death Metal once again, mostly midtempo with tight and catchy riffs and a really brutal voice the way it should be. Listen to the song '…Where They Bleed' on www.myspace.com/mandatory1989 (!!!) and realize that this is a Death Metal song which you don’t hear that often! I’m kinda blown away once more. Have a look on www.mandatory-death.de or www.myspace.com/mandatory1989 and buy their releases asap! A full length release should be released in spring 2007 so keep your eyes open!!!

Thomas Ehrmann

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MANEGARM
Dodsfard
(Displeased Records)
32:23min

I have never ever heard of this band before to be honest. Considering the booklet's design I could sort of guess what kind of music this might be. On this design you can see a burning ship on the sea, two warriors observing its distancing. So what kind of music is this then? Majestic Viking / Black / Death Metal, of course. And this is what MANEGARM present on this output. To be honest I don really appreciate this approach in Metal. Certainly, that has to do with personal taste. I really like ENSLAVED - they maintain a lurking evilness in their music that makes listening to it extremely enjoyable. MANEGARM are very majestic, very melodious, the music was recorded at Studio Underground in Sweden, and the producer really has done a good job! The production is transparent, crystal-clear, very powerful. So that definitely is an advantage of this oeuvre. The music was recorded extremely tight as well - no annoying mistakes in this respect. Concerning the music - as mentioned above, it is very melodious, utterly hymnal. There are violins and other string-instruments used here and there, heroic chants, aggressive phrases, etc., etc. The ordinary ingredients so to speak. I have listened to this kind of music a thousand times already. I can easily renounce and live without this kind of music. As I said, this is my personal taste. This record surely is solid and professional. But for me just one of numerous outputs resembling each other. But everyone who is into the aforementioned style shouldn't hesitate to get this one. This is solid music - that's for sure. It just doesn't correspond to my personal taste - that is all! Contact: www.devoted.to/manegarm / m_garm@hotmail.com

F. Cthulhu. E.

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MANEGARM
Vargaresa – The Beginning
(Displeased Records)
40:00min

Well, this is not a new album of Swedish Viking Metal-act MANEGARM but a compilation of their early demos, which I suppose sound a lot different to the band’s today’s sound, otherwise I would not necessarily call this act Viking Metal at all. The first four songs, of which the original demo “Vargaresa” consisted, are rather typical mid-90s Swedish Black Metal, than anything else, well-performed with typical Swedish melodies, and especially ‘Hymn Till Vinternatt’ is certainly a good song. I don’t know in how much the sound on this disc varies from the original demotape – the info states that all songs have been remastered – but at least the drumsound is utter crap here. The fourth song of the debut demo already gave a hint at where the way would lead MANEGARM and so the second demo “Ur Nattvindar” (five songs incl. intro and outro) is far more in the vein of what we nowadays consider as Viking Metal in regards of harmonies, melodies or the use of violins, but however there is still typical Swedish Black Metal-ingredients as well. Especially the “Secrets Of The Black Arts”-era DARK FUNERAL-like drumming always gives you a hint where these guys come from. All in all, I must say that the second demo is not half as good as the first one, even if that was more typical. After the last song we still have this hidden track-nonsense, four minutes of silence and a live-recording of 'Ett Gammelt Troll' (if I am not mistaken, hidden tracks are never named of course), which is already the best song of the second demo. Since the cover artwork and the booklet are mentioned as a selling point by the label, I’d also like to comment on this as well: The cover drawn by Kris Verwimp is certainly good, although nothing outstanding, but the included original artworks would have – especially in the case of “Vargaresa” – definitely prevented me from buying that demo. And while a full load of crap collage work is taking four pages in the booklet, the original artworks (of which I doubt that they were square-sized anyway …) have a size of 2 inch per size, so that you’d rather use a magnifying glass to get some of the details. But as said the coverartwork of the first demo is crap anyway… Probably just a must-have for Manegarm-fans, I’d say and even in that case I’d rather go for the vinyl-version or the original first demotape if I find it somewhere for a reasonable price. www.manegarm.com; www.displeasedrecords.com

Nhashi

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MANEGARM
Vredens Tid
(Displeased Records)
50:10 min

"Vredens Tid is a pure dedication to the wrath in every man and womans art..." - Yes, and DARKTHRONE is for all the evil in man. Despite the self-proclamation mentioned above the music of MANEGARM isn't exactly what one would label as "christraping", but some really powerful and refreshing Pagan Metal instead. What makes them stand out among the countless hordes of musicians who release albums under that monicker is the massive use of a violin which blends beautifully with the harsh guitars and at times even makes them sound like a darker and heavier version of SKYCLAD. The vocals range from raw, blackish rasps to a more heroic approach, including some male choirs here and there. And since the war against christianity can really get it out of you sometimes, MANEGARM often take a break for some nice acoustic interlude featuring a more prominent violin, sometimes enriched by female vocals of the better kind. If their was one thing I had to critizise, it would be the lack of variety, especially in the first half of the record. The songwriting seems to follow pretty much the same formula on the first songs, but the other half with epic tracks such as the marvellous 'Hemfärd' or the title track, as well as the all-acoustic final song easily make up for that. So, although not quite up to the standard of SKYFORGER or MOONSORROW, "Vredens Tid" is surely a decent offer and way ahead of all those retarded Hummpa Metal clowns. Horns up! www.manegarm.com

Torsten Gründig

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MANEGARM
Urminnes Havd (MCD)
(Displeased Records)
26:59min

Many bands with a focus on heathen themes seem to be attracted by the idea of recording a pure folk-album at least once in their career. Examples range from now classics like “Kveldsanger” or “Nordavind” over similar efforts by acts such as FINNTROLL or SKYFORGER in recent times to the announced all-acoustic record by BORKNAGAR. So to mark their tenth-anniversary (and their departure from Displeased?) MANEGARM, whose last output "Vredens Tid" already featured some heavy folk-influences, decided to come up with such a special EP themselves. Brilliant decision, since “Urminnes Havd” easily ranks among the best releases of this kind I’ve heard so far and in my opinion even tops its quite impressive predecessor! First and foremost this is due to the fantastic female guest-vocals, courtesy of a certain Umer Mossige-Norheim (Jag älskar Sverige!). I spare you the name of the folk-act where she usually takes care of the vocals but I still remember an article about them (well, at least the pictures) in the sixth issue of the “Mörkeskye Mag” in which her voice was compared to that of THE THIRD AND THE MORTAL’s Kari Rueslatten. That is probably the biggest compliment these ugly trolls would ever give to any female vocalist and I can only agree with them. Another thing that strikes me about this record, which is once again graced with a nice Verwimp cover, is the varied song-writing. To many Metal-heads folk means more or less calm campfire-songs to lull the listener into sleep. But besides tracks like ‘Hemkomst’ or ‘Vaggvisa’(‘Lullaby’) which exactly fit that scheme, the “forest sessions” also include some pretty intense and vivid tracks like the powerful opener ‘Himmelsfursten’ or the jolly ‘Utfard’. Finally I have to mention the marvellous violin-player, who in the meantime has become a full member of the band and whose contribution is essential to the magic and beauty of this enchanting piece of music. So, once again MANEGARM delivered a fully convincing work which deserves recognition far beyond the realm of Metal. Han er skugvaktaren! www.manegarm.com, www.displeasedrecords.com

Torsten Gründig

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MANES
Vilosophe
(Code666)
47:10min

Manes... a quasi-legendary name for all addicts of what has been done through early 90’s Norwegian Black Metal. Legendary? Yeah... the word actually isn’t that strong for this duet formed by Cernunus and Sargatanas at the dawn of '93 has incessantly cast massive black music, slow as a decomposing corpse and intense as a vortex for 6 years ('93 / '99). From these years the traders saw the succession of these monuments named "Maanens Natt" ('93), "Ned I Stilheten" ('94) and "Til Kongens Grav De Dode Vandrer" ('95). Later these demos would be re-printed at 1000 copies each ("Maanens Natt" and "Ned I Stilheten" on the Hammerheart sublabel Unveiling The Wicked) and the first album "Under Ein Blodraud Maane", which consists of re-recorded versions of those old trax, came through HammerHeart in '98, ending this period before a silence of seclusion that has gone for 4 long years. Personally, even in the older times, I didn’t even want to call it ‘Black Metal’, as this appellation tended to come more and more meaningless. Manes stood apart from every caste, even not to their own ‘scene’ in a total popstar delirium, and for their “cult” (was that really a music?!) seemed to be evidence to the inner soul. “A Dead Music For The Fallen.” They’re back now with a brand new label, Code666 and a new album, "Vilosophe"... so watch out, forget everything that has been said, forget the cult status they never wanted, forget the Black Metal attitude, forget this transcended and sharp voice of Sargatanas who’s no longer in the band, forget the 4-trax sound taste that echoed like the hoot of the specter. With this newest album Manes has reached the level of its most absolute independence, apart from every stable paradigma, from every scene and no doubt that the basic blackster wouldn’t understand anything about this album whether he’s formated, not a bit clever, moreover if he doesn’t know Manes’ personality and vibrations. The band in itself got highly enriched musically, under the pending presence of Tor-Heige ‘Cernunus’ Skei, five other musicians apparently coming from varied horizons worked to make "Vilosophe" a complex and intelligent piece that goes straight to the depths of our unconscious. The essence is the same but the musical shape has changed, some trax like 'Death Of The Genuine' (also appearing in a pre-mix called 'Redeemer') or 'Nodamnbrakes' can allie a jungle beat made on a groove box and a sharp guitar riff that could have made a "Maanens Natt" intro, the whole stuff being pushed to its extent with an undefinable way of singing. The new singers (yeah; I said ‘singers’) Asgeir Hatlen and Tommy Sebastian have a very special tone, very high, with a very special mood in it, that gives this impression of cosmic depth and that gives a new sense to this durable intensity of the band. A huge mix of electronics, even of rock gimmicks (diving with your hand bounds / Ende), of rhythmic sonorities, sometimes jungle or even drum and bass come to give a groove to Cern’s verve who has revealed another mask of the ‘hydra faced combo’. They definitely got detached from this earth to create a very unique and own feeling, so the identitary purists could easily do without such an album, it would give ‘em some headache, as for the rest... read carefully instructions before use...!

Sonderkrig

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MANGLED
Most Painful Ways
(The Plague / Hammerheart Records)
36:57min

MANGLED are a part of the Dutch underground scene for already quite some time, but unfortunately never made it to a really wider audience as for example SINISTER did, which is mainly caused by the rather small labels who put out their releases so far. On this second full-length album, almost everything is right and the way it should be to call "Most Painful Ways" a really good Death Metal album, starting with the nice cover-artwork, the very clear and powerful production (which they did by themselves!) and 10 brutal Death Metal tracks which differ quite a lot from each other. I would also say that the band has a good and brutal sound (where you can hear lots of influences from American Death Metal bands, MORBID ANGEL came to my mind several times) which isn’t really new or revolutionary but it works out really well and that’s what’s most important. The playing abilities are on a high standard I would say and the vocals also sound the way they should and are not too extreme (not in the ‘barking dog’ style), so I could really recommend this to every Death Metal fan out there. The vinyl version has a cover of ‘A Skull Full Of Maggots’ (CANNIBAL CORPSE) as a bonus-track by the way.

Steven Willems

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MANIAC BUTCHER
Live In Germany
(From Beyond Productions)
36:21min

I contemplated the possibility to acquire some studio albums by this Czech band, and I regret to not have done it sooner simply because they have a special and fresh way to deliver their Black Metal. So I am glad to review this, a posthumous (the band unfortunately split in 2001) testimony of MANIAC BUTCHER’s live assaults. What we have here is a selection of tracks captured live during the 1997-2001 period, and could be seen as the band’s tribute to their German fans, because all the songs come from German shows. MANIAC BUTCHER deliver excellent Black Metal, in a raw and brutal form, very similar to what Australian bands like BESTIAL WARLUST, SADISTIK EXEKUTION or ABOMINATOR made us accustomed to, with a very light touch of Scandinavian flavour for good measure, more on the side of SETHERIAL and TRIUMPHATOR than anybody else in that matter. It is obvious that the MANIAC BUTCHER dudes have a strong Heavy Metal background, considering their way of playing, I doubt they ever relished on Techno "music" or pseudo-folkloric extravaganza. The production of this record is extremely good considering we face very underground shows, the dynamic at least is remarkable and serves well the wall of sound MANIAC BUTCHER inflict on us. All the tracks are not equally enjoyable, the 1997 track is pretty average, proving that MANIAC BUTCHER made some progress throughout the years, but always staying true to their old school roots. The funniest elements of this record are to me the intro of ‘A Song Of Black Ravens’ which remind me of PENTAGRAM anno 1973, and the fact the vocals evokes the mighty Cronos at his more demented moments. This is the kind of Black Metal I worship, devoid of any pretension to stardom and fame (we all know examples of such deviations) but rather based on the joy to play and to make people happy. So maybe it is time for all of us to support MANIAC BUTCHER (even if they are now in limbo) by rediscovering their fabulous music. Check these Czechs (I know, I know, this is pathetic…but hey, I couldn’t resist!). Note that Akhenaten (of JUDAS ISCARIOT fame) handles the bass duties here. Highly recommended REAL Black Metal!

Edouard Vergriete

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MANILLA ROAD
Gates Of Fire
(Battle Cry Records)
72:18min

Back to the roots? Hearing the first song ‘Riddle Of Steel’ makes one doubt so as its pace seems slightly unusual for one of the oldest American Metal bands, MANILLA ROAD. Also, the barking of Bryan “Hellroadie” Patrick scared the shit out of me. I mean – we know that from “Atlantis Rising” already but starting the record with it is sort of a shock at first. But then, there comes Mark “the Shark” Shelton with his nasal voice around the corner, soothing my first rejection. I mean, the first song is not too far from old Swedish Death Metal (and I don’t just say so in order to piss off their record label boss Andi – tune down those guitars and you’ll see what I’m talking about). To be honest, it’s not so much of a surprise because the band has always been open to all sorts of music and blended it into their vision of Epic Metal. Listening to the whole CD underlines the record company’s info sheet, though: three trilogies as epic as can be, long and moving. The first trilogy was influenced by Robert E. Howard’s “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” while the other two deal with Roman and Greek history or mythology. The Hellroadie takes over the high pitched screams we didn’t get to hear ever since Mark damaged his vocal chords in the late 80s. In my opinion he’s definitely a gain for the band, not only on stage. The only point of criticism I have to make is the weak sound: we’ve grown accustomed to the thin guitar sound on MANILLA ROAD albums over the years (still, it’s a disgrace for a guitar hero like Mark to come up with such a sound) and most of all: the drums! Sounds like somebody banging on his frying pans! And Cory Christner is an excellent drummer! Scheiße! Still, the material on here simply breathes the very soul of Epic Metal and for my taste even beats the new CANDLEMASS album! Maybe it’s a bit too early but MANILLA ROAD definitely have a good chance for having released my personal album of the year! People missing the days of early MANOWAR will simply dig MANILLA ROAD as soon as they get accustomed to Mark’s voice. MANILLA ROAD are not as straight forward – ar rather – “heroic”, though. http://truemetal.org/manillaroad

Ramon Claassen

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MANILLA ROAD
After Midnight Live (LP)
(High-Roller-Records)
44:13min

This LP was recorded live on air at the KMUW radio studios in December of 1979 and contains 5 songs which were never released before. But I have to be honest, I don't know too much about MANILLA ROAD or their music. I know their name but never really listened to them. So maybe this record is not the perfect start. I read that the band is rated as the founders of the style Epic Metal and on this release you can hear the beginning because these songs were recorded even before their first record "Invasion" was released. So the songs are Hardrock to early Heavy Metal with hints of the epic stuff that will come. I don't want to talk too much about the music because after listening to it, it's not my cup of tea. The songs didn't hit me and I am not getting warm with the voice of Mark Shelton. Considering that this is a live recording at a radio station the sound is ok. So in the end I think this record is for die hard fans and collectors of MANILLA ROAD. The LP again is absolutely awesome. The record has a really great cover and the sleeve is a hard paperboard. It also contains an inlay with lyrics and photos. This time the vinyl is 180g and the record is also limited to 1000 copies. So well done again High Roller Records. www.myspace.com/manillaroadofficial, www.high-roller-records.de

Stefan Hagmayer

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MAN MUST DIE
No Tolerance For Imperfection 
(Relapse Records)
50:29min

This record starts with no remorse right from the beginning, at least that's what the first song seems to say. Modern Death Metal with core elements or maybe Deathcore or just extreme Metal is what the guys from Glasgow serve us. I only have the myspace page so I don't have too much information about the band but it seems to be their third record. After the storm of the first song I was afraid the whole record would be just straight forward thrashing but this was needless. Just with the next song 'Gainsayer', which is one of the album's highlights, the band shows their variation with great melodic leads and mosh parts. The song 'It Comes In Trees' most obviously show the Metalcore influences which go through the whole record, but this isn't a bad thing. 'Hide The Knives' is another favourite of mine together with the last and shortest track 'Survival Of The Sickest'. The instrumental 'What I Can Take Back' is nice to catch a breath but you wouldn't miss it. The sound of the production is the typical modern one with extremely triggered drums so it is good but nothing special. Another reviewer heard a lot of KATAKLYSM in their sound and I think in some points he is right. But this band has definitely potential so we will see where their way goes. www.myspace.com/manmustdie, www.relapse.com 

Stefan Hagmayer

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MANTICORE
Ritual Cleansing Of The Whore (MCD)
(Merciless Records)
23:20min

If you like it dark and brutal, blasphemous and a hundred fucking percent evil, than be sure to check out this new US underground sensation and believe me, I do not exaggerate!!! MANTICORE mix the blackened, hateful intensity of BEHERIT, DEMONCY or old SAMAEL with the raw Death Metal heaviness of old INCANTATION and the primitive charme of NUNSLAUGHTER into a crushing anti-christian cocktail I promise you will never forget! The vocals consist mostly of sick and mocking screams, spiced up with some sinister growls and creepy, unholy whispering. Riffs and blasts show MANTICORE’s Death Metal roots and songs like the fantastic, brutal ‘Visions Of Demonic Perversion’, ‘Eve Of Satan’s Millenium’ or my personal fave – the infernal hymn ‘Destruction Of The Holy Light’ prove like the other three songs, that this horde is capable of writing fucking killer songs!!! MANTICORE unite the hateful and blasphemous atmosphere of Black Metal with the heavy punch of Death Metal in perfection, a talent only a few acts in today’s underground scene have. The intense feeling the three guys from Ohio create on this MCD is simply awesome!!! Be sure to get the vinyl version of “Ritual Cleansing Of The Whore”, because it contains three great bonus tracks and is strictly limited to 666 unholy copies! Damn, I might have sounded a bit subjective in this review, but this is my honest opinion!!! MANTICORE’s “Ritual Cleansing Of The Whore” is an onslaught of brutal Black / Death from the deepest tracts of hell. I’ve seen them live with BLACK WITCHERY, ARMAGEDDA and AVENGER this year and they fucking kill on stage as well!!! This is no faggot trend stuff, this is pure old school darkness, everyone out there, who’s into the bands I mentioned above should definitely give them a chance, MANTICORE deserve it!!! Contact: MANTICORE, 1241 Cranford, Lakewood OH 44107, USA  Email: aypslou@netzero.net or yautja666@hotmail.com , if you think about buying this MCD / LP be sure to check out a MANTICORE MP3 file on their label’s website: www.merciless-records.de 

Stefan Franke

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MANTICORE
For Rats And Plague
(Deathgasm Records)
30:14min

Three years have passed since the previous album of this atrocious creature called Manticore from Lakewood, Ohio, although they released a split EP with their warbrothers Morbosidad in 2005. For the ones who don't know this combo of three blasphemous warriors, they play a kind of mix of oldschool Black and Death Metal (near what we use to call War Metal), in the vein of cult acts such as BLASPHEMY, ARCHGOAT or even some old CARCASS (or old Grindcore) vibes, what means: raw, dirty, fast and a bit chaotic riffs together with hellish vocals. After releasing a MCD and a full-length, which I liked a lot, one of the most interesting things here is that they achieved to have a good production, still a bit deep, without leaving the harshness of their previous efforts, maintaining their raw and chaotic sound, but managing to distinguish almost everything, which is not so obvious in this style and not so usual in the majority of bands who play it, all sounding more powerful than ever. Perhaps the drums should have been placed a bit more upfront, as they are really powerful but a bit hard to discern. Anyway, they still have darker passages, which remind me a bit of INCANTATION, which is not so strange if we think that their bassist played with those gods of Death Metal. On the lyrical side, they keep crushing anything holy on their path, with titles like 'Liturgical Desecration' or 'Sodomy In The Womb Of Paradise', and a great cover done by Eric Horrorval, which reminds me on the style of Chris Moyen, in black and white and a great booklet with all the lyrics and some pictures. Bleurgh! www.deathgasm.com

Jeroni Sancho

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MANTIC RITUAL
Executioner
(High Roller Records / Nuclear Blast)
53:41min

I think most of you know MANTIC RITUAL and their debut album "Executioner" which was released in February this year by Nuclear Blast Records. So this is the LP version which was released by High Roller Records in May. For those who don’t know the band, yet, MANTIC RITUAL are nowadays three guys from Pennsylvania, after their guitarist and vocalist Dan Wetmore quit the band some weeks ago. The new vocalist / guitarist Dave Watson is announced as temporary at the moment. So we will see what happens to this band in the future. Hopefully they make their way because they have a lot of potential and are one of the bright spots of all the 80s Thrash revival bands which are crawling out of every corner at the moment. Yes it is correct. MANTIC RITUAL serves traditional, oldschool 80s Thrash Metal. They suck in the entire big 80s band, like EXODUS, TESTAMENT and of course a lot of METALLICA. Also the voice of ex-singer Dan reminds me of the young James Hetfield. But the guys know how to write intoxication riffs and the guitarists garnish them with their solos. Producer Andy Classen disclaimed of an 80s revival sound but put the music into a modern sound robe. So listening to the songs makes you remember of the old days in every note and therefore vinyl is the right thing. And what an appearance. The lyrics are printed inside the gatefold cover and again high quality vinyl. So if you like Thrash Metal give this one a try. www.myspace.com/manticritual

Stefan Hagmayer

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MAPLE CROSS
Promo 1/02
(Demo CD-R)
10:53min

Swedeath from Finland with a recognizable Finnish touch: not too melodic, with sort of disharmonic (?) guitars culminating in a chorus that has this melodic melancholy reminding me of SENTENCED a lot. Mid paced with quite a hysteric singer one has to get used to first. The second song sounds a bit more original - unfortunately less interesting as I really can't figure out the structure after listening to it several times and for some reason I don't feel the energy to find out more. It's simply not a song to catch one's attention, sorry. The last song offers more drive but at this point the guitars start to get on my nerves as they're all the time too much in the foreground. So the production doesn't really support the songs, either. It really drowns my interest in MAPLE CROSS the first song had aroused. Song number 2 and 3 could have gained a lot with a more catchy chorus to balance out the fairly modern, disharmonic approach. The band would make it easier for the listener but maybe that's not their aim after all? But in that case I have to ask: why? maplecross@surfeu.fi

Ramon Claassen

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MARDUK
La Grande Danse Macabre
(Blooddawn Prod. / Regain Records)
45:25min

With "La Grande Danse Macabre" one of the leading Black Metal bands of today already delivers their seventh studio full length in their steady ten year existence. It's the first real MARDUK album ever since their devastating and most uncompromising "Panzer Division Marduk" offering from 1999, which was (as most of you probably know) a total blast from start to finish! So, it didn't really come as a surprise to me when I found out that they haven't tried to top that release in terms of speed and extremity once more. "La Grande Danse Macabre" is different. It's still unmistakable MARDUK, but a lot easier to get into. Main composer Morgan Steinmeyer Hakansson came up with lots of midtempo parts this time, almost catchy (yet totally destructive) riffing and an overall unusual big musical variety in general. This is definitely not MARDUK's most extreme nor blackest album, but it's probably their best sounding (Abyss Studio) and most mature in terms of the musicianship / songwriting. And with the album's closer 'Jesus Christ... Sodomized' they not only speed things up in typical MARDUK tradition once more, the song itself is also destined to turn into a new crowd favorite pretty quickly. So, with this album Morgan, B.War, Legion and Fredrik have really good chances to catch up on the big success that IMMORTAL are gaining almost everywhere at the moment.

Frank Stöver

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MARDUK
Infernal Eternal (DCD)
(Blooddawn Productions)
79:26min

It’s hard to believe that MARDUK has been waging war upon Christianity and humankind for a decade now! "Infernal Eternal" is by no means an epitaph but a bold declaration of further assault. Cataloguing their ten year history, MARDUK cull songs from all their releases for their live repertoire. Where as their other live album "Live In Germania" was more or less an attempt to remedy the god awful productions that hampered their first 3 (especially their second and third) albums, "Infernal Eternal" is that oft spoken of fist in the face of god. The production is powerful, clear, raw and crushing! Delivering some of the most horrendous blasphemy known to mankind, MARDUK rip their way through this double CD with surgical (and dare I say military) precision. A Black Metal band releasing two live albums may seem something of a con in many ways but this particular live album is definitely worth your hard earned pennies as there has been an obvious effort put into the presentation of this album. Complete with lyrics for all the songs, the booklet also sports many live photos of these sulphur souls. The only complaint I would have overall is that Legion’s vocals tend to sometimes be a little broken and crackle a bit here and there. But I guess that’s what happens when spend most of your years belting out Christ raping Black Metal with MARDUK's velocity and intensity.

Darragh O’ Leary

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MARDUK
World Funeral
(Regain Records)
47:14min

“La Grande Dance Macabre” was at least in my opinion a relatively disappointing album after the fantastic brutal “Panzer Division” masterpiece. Now the Swedish Black Metal flagship attacks once again with their newest album  “World Funeral”. As soon as the aggressive opener ‘With Satan And Victorious Weapons’ shoots out of the speakers it is obvious that “World Funeral” is not as boring and limp as its predecessor. The only thing I do not like is the clinical and sterile sound, once again created by Peter Tägtgren which does not reach the qualitative high level of “Panzer Division”, a problem “World Funeral” shares with “La Grande Dance...”. The other weakness of MARDUK’s newest assault are the slow songs – they are not heavy or dark, except ‘Bloodletting’ and the melodic ‘Castrum Doloris’, they are fucking boring! Fortunately fast blasting stuff dominates “World Funeral” and Songs like ‘Cloven Hoof’, ‘Night Of The Long Knives’ or the sinister ‘Hearse’ are really good and almost as intense as the hateful “Panzer Division” material. Although over the years MARDUK have lost a lot of the fascination they certainly had until their massive Live-presence, their almost funny shows and a weak release like “La Grande Dance...” ruined it. “World Funeral” is a step into the right direction, because it shows that musically MARDUK have not totally wimped out and lost their creative potential, but success has made them less interesting. To me Black Metal is a young, provocative and uncompromising music and MARDUK are meanwhile much too experienced to be as hateful, raw and intense as the young bands in the underground are. In terms of routine and skill MARDUK are certainly still one of the leading bands in the genre, but if you want honest and heartfelt Black Metal feeling, check out ARMAGEDDA, SUMMON, BLACK WITCHERY or WIND OF THE BLACK MOUNTAINS, because those bands have the spirit MARDUK also had in their early days. Personally I certainly owe respect to MARDUK, because I praised them in my early Black Metal days and one must not forget, that the Swedish horde has released eight(!!!) official albums, which is not typical for this genre. Well, I have talked enough about this band now, “World Funeral” is a good album, check it out and buy it if you like! Band’s website: www.marduk.nu  Label’s website: www.regainrecords.com

Stefan Franke

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MARDUK
Wormwood
(Regain Records)
44:32min

MARDUK is without a doubt one of the most influential bands of the whole Black Metal cult and releases like "Those Of The Unlight" and the follow up "Opus Nocturne" and / or "Nightwing" offer so many cult songs that the famous word 'cult' is this time more than applicable. But empires fall and even the great Babylonian demon has lost some of its shining amour / bloody image. I still remember their 'famous' "Plague Angel" release gig with a lot of astonished fans due to the fact that the whole band left the stage after performing only 7 songs - in total 35 minutes playing time - major reason for this desaster was a bloody mess on stage instead of the planed black mass. Their last handful of releases including live and best of compilations still received the required media attention but in some way the dark majestic spirit was gone - this former spirit far away from the high speed Black Metal attacks of their artillery hit album. But I'm really impressed about the musical diversity of "Wormwood" which makes the album the best MARDUK releases since at least 10 years. It's for sure not a complete return to the mentioned classic times but the band is still an angry bunch of Black Metal terrorists with an true Black Metal album which perfectly incorporates the other - more majestic - side of this style. Especially 'Funeral Dawn' and 'Phosphoruos Redeemer' with the sick vocal effects and dark choruses are maybe not the most typical MARDUK songs of the last decade but still killer tracks. This album is an unexpected highlight and a light beacon for all true supporters of the secrets of Black (Metal) arts - and a warning to all the fans which nearly laid this band to rest - including myself. www.marduk.nu, www.myspace.com/truemarduk, www.regainrecords.com

Matthias Auch

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MARS ON EARTH
Mars On Earth (MCD)
(Red Stream)
22:38min

Listening to this four track affair was a true torture to me, and I am glad to have the opportunity here to spare you such an ordeal. This is awful beyond belief, a masterpiece of bad taste and I only hope this “band” will end their career very soon, if not at once. What we have here is a lame and pitiful attempt to come up with “experimental” music (read: atrocious noise). I guess I could describe MARS ON EARTH as LAIBACH doing Black Metal stuff (‘Die Stadt ist im Krieg’) complete with the silly political overtones (see one of the pictures inside the tray-card and you will understand). The result is so pathetic that I hope MARS ON EARTH, whoever they are, will leave our planet as soon as possible. A waste of time… Stay away from that, for the sake of your own sanity!

Edouard Vergriete

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MARTRIDEN
The Unsettling Dark
(Candlelight Records)
43:27min

The warriors of modern Death are finally gone and EMPEROR’s throne is deserted so why not setting your sails to conquer this throne seems a maxim for a lot of bands these days. MARTRIDEN from Montana, America is a further ambitious band which has the potential to become a big number in further times but don’t believe in Candlelight’s promotion the band has nothing to do with bands like OPETH, ENSLAVED or BLOODBATH... I think that ZYKLON with their technical skills, aggression and technical coldness is much more fitting. "The Unsettling Dark" is MARTRIDEN's debut (not counting the self-titled EP via Siege of Amida Records) and so not everything can completely convince but this is a band which tries to channel not only pure aggression but also other emotions through their music (just listen to 'Ascension Part I' and 'II'). A very good release and I think with a little more finesse on their next release, the future seems bright for these 5 new warriors of modern Death. www.candlelightrecords.co.uk, www.martriden.com, www.myspace.com/martriden

Matthias Auch

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