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NIGHTSIDE
The End Of Christianity
(Sound Riot Prod.)
45:09min
I'm
so sick and tired of bands like this! Finnish NIGHTSIDE (not to
be mixed up with the above reviewed Italian band of the same name)
is another superfluous Black Metal outfit who just rehash things
that have already been done way too often before. Fast, traditional
and totally uninspired stuff combined with melodic keyboards in
order to create at least a little bit of "atmosphere".
But that's exactly the point. It seems that there's only a handful
of bands around these days who really understand how to come up
with the right feeling in their songwriting. NIGHTSIDE is certainly
not! Everyone is just way too much concerned about a proper production
and how to please the mainstream listener. NIGHTSIDE even included
a retro Thrash composition ('Demon Metal') for that aspect… And
if you look at the individual member pics on the backside of this
CD and you will know even more what I'm talking about. There's simply
nothing eerie, evil, blasphemous or shocking in them. Everyone is
posing in corpsepaint and spikes and almost looks more ridiculous
than a fuckin' glam fag! I wonder when we will get to see the first
"true Black Metal" people smiling on their nice photo-studio
results… fuck! Unfortunately the brilliant coverartwork by Jason
Juta was wasted for this. I'd rather go for the 5465677th
dirty sounding black and white release (if it at least gets me in
the right mood) instead of wasting more time on predictable and
boring crap like this. In case you need to know anyway (because
you still buy every release or something…), the album features seven
songs that got recorded back in 1999 and the five tracks from NIGHTSIDE's
1997 demo (which was slightly better).
Frank Stöver
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NIGHTWARD
Face The Fall (MCD)
(self financed)
23:23min
Well,
it’s really hard to write about music I personally do not like,
because NIGHTWARD from Italy are not bad musicians, the production
is great as well, but fuck, I hate their style – sorry guys.
Whoever loves this modern Swedish melodic Death / Thrash à la
SOILWORK, DARK TRANQUILLITY and so on and so forth should be
pretty happy with “Face The Fall”, because NIGHTWARD have an
equal feeling for mixing melodies with aggression. I think this
style sucks, so my subjective opinion does not count here, talking
as objectively as possible NIGHTWARD are a good modern Death /
Thrash band with varied vocals (clean, scream, growl),
well-crafted songwriting, surprising breaks and musical variation.
What more does a fan of the bands I mentioned above want??? I
choose to return to my cave and continue enjoying Metal that is as
primitive as Neanderthals without brains. Contact NIGHTWARD:
Alessandro Battioli, Via Santa Liberata 11/A, 21053 Castellanza
(VA), Italy. Email: carfax@nightward.com
Stefan Franke
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NILE
Black Seeds
Of Vengeance
(Relapse Records)
42:55min
Wow, these guys are getting more brutal from release to release!
I actually remember NILE weren't really extreme Death Metal on the
very first tapes that I got some years ago but they have been ever
since developing a pretty strong following in the scene due to some
massive live-shows and pretty original presentation concept. "Black
Seeds Of Vengeance" is an everblasting output in 12 deadly
chapters with some of the most obscurely twisted melodies you get
these days of Death Metal, overall tight playing and as usual adorned
by some moody orchestral intros with apocalyptic doom-passages.
Songs like 'Chapter For Transforming Into A Snake', 'Defiling
The Gates Of Ishtar' and the title-track are just insane brutality,
still pretty catchy in songwriting and suitably raw in production.
Furthermore, Wes Benscoter came up with yet another masterpiece
of an artwork that should make "Black Seeds OF Vengeance"
to an essential buy for everyone into the brutally dark side of
things. See you on tour...
Leif Jensen
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NILE
In Their Darkened Shrines
(Relapse Records)
59:04min
In my opinion only IMMOLATION might reach the intensity of the new
NILE release and fight for the title 'Death Metal album of the
year 2002' simple as that. I'm so glad I finally wrote all the
reviews that had been piling up at home cause now there won't be
anything blocking my CD player but NILE. Hey, "Black Seeds..."
already became one of my alltime favourites (not only) in the Death
Metal department and "In Their Darkened Shrines" even
beats NILE's last masterpiece! It's even more crazy, more evil,
more breathtaking. Apart from that: no big changes. Still, NILE
stands for extreme Death Metal and they're still one of the most
original bands on earth. There are other bands dealing with
ancient Egypt as well, take NECRONOMICON, for example, but no
other band even comes close to the perfection NILE deliver. Just
listen to the sick lead on the 11 minute epic track 'Unas Slayer
Of Tee Gods' (which also includes the main theme from the old
CANDLEMASS classic 'Well Of Souls', just in case no one should
notice that... - Frank), the raging drums, the concept of
changing lead grunts and those authentic sounding instruments one
connects with the middle east, etc.! Even though "In Their..."
lasts for almost one hour, this record (available on vinyl as
well) doesn't get boring at all, whereas other Death Metal albums
sometimes tend to sound monotonous after only 20 minutes. There is
everything from mighty doomy passages (like on 'Sarcophagus' or 'I
Whisper In The Ear Of The Dead') up to incredibly fast and tricky
blast parts (like almost everywhere). In case you're at least a
little into Death Metal you have to buy this album for the
pharaohs of Death shall conquer! Don't you dare and miss them on
tour in October!!!
Ramon Claassen
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NILE
Annihilation Of The Wicked
(Relapse Records)
52:04min
Three years after the release of their highly successful "In
Their Darkened Shrines" album, followed by countless touring
activities all around the globe, NILE has finally returned to the
scene with a new full length record. And fans of the band will
certainly be more than pleased again as "Annihilation Of The
Wicked" basically turned out to be another quite typical NILE
record (meant in a positive sense here). All of their beloved
trademarks are still very much present: from the tasteful coverart,
to the lyrical topics about the mysteries of ancient Egypt to their
rather complex, yet very brutal Death Metal writing style. The
reason why I still consider "Annihilation Of The Wicked"
so much more impressive might be due to two major improvements.
First of all, well-known producer Neil Kernon (JUDAS PRIEST,
QUEENSRYCHE, NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE etc.) took over Bob Moore's
duties and obviously successfully impelled the band to finally reach
a higher level! The production is crystal clear, very transparent,
yet extremely powerful and always maintaining the relentless
aggression and brutality of NILE's material! And second, probably as
a result of this, the songwriting sounds a lot more controlled now,
even though NILE totally stayed true to their wellknown writing
formular. It's just that the more doomy aspects sound even heavier
now, while the intensity of the highspeed material simply became...
eh... even more intense. While especially their fast songs sounded a
bit blurry in the past, you can hear every instrument perfectly now.
And that is so enjoyable, considering that NILE is rampaging through
the ten tracks precisely as a clockwork! The band sounds indeed more
tight than ever before (including new recruited, 19 year old bass
player Joe Payne!)! The only thing that unfortunately was reduced a
little on "Annihilation Of The Wicked" is the atmospheric
elements... Karl Sanders probably used the lion's share of those
ideas for his solo album "Saurian
Meditation".
But don't worry, most of the songs work fine even without the
Eastern sounding elements anyway. And an impressive songtitle like 'Chapter
Of Obeisance Before Giving Breath To The Inert One In The Presence
Of The Cresent Shaped Horns' would even make BAL-SAGOTH cry out in
envy!
Frank Stöver
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9TH
PLAGUE
Spreading
The Satanic Gospel (Demo 2002)
(self-financed)
12:41min
I
guess the Swedish underground is pretty much alive again, especially
US-inspired Death Metal is almost booming. Bands like SPAWN OF
POSSESSION, IMMERSED IN BLOOD or 9TH PLAGUE perfectly prove this in
my eyes. Although the latter differ from their Death Metal comrades
by musically referring not to SUFFOCATION, but the almighty, once
gods of occult Death Metal, MORBID ANGEL. And well, 9TH PLAGUE do a
damn good job on their first official demo “Spreading The Satanic
Gospel”. Great riffs, conclusive song structures, great vocals and
an excellent sound make this unholy offering a valuable demo effort.
This is definitely nothing for people looking for individuality or
an original sound, but since the latest MORBID ANGEL releases got
weaker and weaker, one should consider to check out some of their
worthy, young inheritants. 9TH PLAGUE are certainly one of them and
deserve your support for sure!!! Get this hellish Death Metal
assault by sending 5$ / € (Europe), 40,- SEK (Sweden) or 7$ (rest
of the world) to the following address: 9TH PLAGUE, c/o Tony
Richter, PO Box 9048, S-250 09 Helsingborg, Sweden. The demo comes
with a full-coloured cover on CD format. For more information
contact the band via email: nekrologium@hotmail.com
or visit 9TH PLAGUE’s website: www.angelfire.com/realm2/9thplague
Stefan
Franke
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9TH PLAGUE
Age Of Satanic Enlightenment (Demo CDR 2004)
(self-financed)
8:18min
"Short but sweet" says an old M.O.D. song, "short but
bittersweet" would fit in case of 9TH PLAGUE, because whereas
musically and lyrically the Swedish blasphemers know exactly how to
create dark, satanic Death Metal à la old MORBID ANGEL, the weak
vocals add the bitter to the sweet. The band's first demo in 2002
could impress me as you might know from my review back then, but to
be honest I had been a little bit too soft on the singer's lame
performance, my fault, sorry, but I think on a band's first demo one
can tolerate this... Now two years later on "Age Of Satanic
Enlightenment" it becomes obvious and the only disappointment
on this otherwise well done demo. Vocalist Tony Richter uses
ordinary oldschool bellows and though succeeding in creating a
coherent delivery of the lyrics' blasphemous content, he fails in
doing it with enough passion, possession and brutality! Riffing,
drumming and this slightly muddy oldschool sound are just great and
if the man on the mike works very, very hard on his performance 9TH
PLAGUE might become really cool although they are definitely 100%
unoriginal, but that should only delight Death Metal "traditionalists",
right? So, give your best, Tony and maybe demo three will be
excellent... The demo can be purchased for 40 SEK / 5 € (Europe) /
7$ (world), wholesale's possible too, the CDR comes along with a
full-covered cover and you should send your money to 9TH PLAGUE, c/o
Tony Richter, PO Box 9048, S-250 09 Helsingborg, Sweden. Website: www.9thplague.com
Email: nekrologium@hotmail.com
Stefan Franke
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9TH
PLAGUE
Triumph Of Diabolism (Demo
CD-R)
(self-financed)
10:02min
Two
years after the their second demo 9th
Plague return with a new CD-R titled “Triumph Of
Diabolism”. As to be expected, the band did not move one inch away
from their way of satanic Death Metal with strong references to
MORBID ANGEL during their first three albums. I would say that on
this demo here, the band leans more to the “Covenant” era; the
guitarsound is similarly downtuned and somewhat washy. I must say
that contrary to my colleague Stefan's opinion I have no problem
with the vocals here, they
come across as a mixture of Dolan's slightly guttural snarl and
Vincent's deep tone, some screamed / ranted parts appear in the
second song 'The God Of Ekron Resurrected' as well. The musical
foundation is, as already mentioned, powerful mainly fast dark
satanic US Death Metal in the vein of older MORBID ANGEL and maybe
INCANTATION as well here and there. The way the band uses breaks
sometimes hints a bit at more recent Death Metal like HATE ETERNAL
or NILE but the riffing itself remains pure, so to say. The mixing
could have been better, as well as the bass drum sound but
considering this is the band's first effort of producing this is
rather irrelevant as the material is good, anyway. Available for 20
SEK / 4 € (Europe) / 5$ (world). The CD-R comes in a printed cover
like many promo CDs. Links: www.9thplague.com,
www.myspace.com/9thplague.
Contact the band via c/o Tony Richter, PO Box 9048, S-250 09
Helsingborg, Sweden.
Ulrich Kreienbrink
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9TH PLAGUE
Apocatastasis Reversed
(Butchered Records)
35:22min
This record is almost a year and a half old. In these times I have listened to it many times and now decided to do some justice and write a review. Sweden, a country that is immortalized by bunch of Death Metal masterpieces has, with this album, produced something different although within the same genre. 9TH PLAGUE's first (and last) proper album is a serious example how blasphemous Death Metal should sound like. Different in kind from most of their country's Death maniacs they follow the steps of IMMOLATION and INCANTATION with MORBID ANGEL's ghost hovering above them and giving hints for a proper direction. When I first heard it I was surprised how good this, not so well known, band is. As is
the common knowledge, for good Satanic Death Metal the atmosphere is crucial. And this record has it in spades - listening to it is like drowning in a sweet molten lava vomited from the mouth of
the unholy one. The color is red of course, with black and a hint of orange thrown in for a taste. And I could actually hear the colors - first I thought it was just an impression, but it happened every time I listened to it.
The music and vocals resemble the bands previously mentioned as they are the genre gods and amongst the first ones to perfect this style. But this resemblance is not in any way hindrance to the enjoyment of this record. Quite the contrary, as with all the good bands, it even more pronounces how good they are, taking the well known elements and combining them into something I would call fresh and original. Due to the peculiarity of feeling it produces, "Apocatastasis..." is not a record for every mood; when art is genre defined, and this record surely is, the better the art the more surely it captures
the specific feel of the listener. And this one will make your hating of anything holy pure fun, because it is never seriously satanic but very playful and interesting - yes, interesting, with so many blasphemous pearls spilling in your head you cannot count them.
The whole thing is fairly short, around 35 minutes, with the track length around few minutes, just enough to give you a quick fix of Lucifers tales. If you like hellish Death Metal give it a try, maybe
it will surprise you as it surprised me. The band is now split-up, so I suppose this is your last chance.
www.myspace.com/9thplague
Branko
Matijašević
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NINNGHIZHIDDA
Demigod
(Displeased Records)
42:06min
This
is the second full length of this German outfit, and maybe they should have
abstained themselves to release it, because “Demigod” fails to deliver the
goods so to speak. This album is another example of an uninspired work, in
which the boring factor is prominent. We are facing more and more of such
releases today, and I am personally fed up with this kind of so called extreme
Metal music, in fact a indigestible blend of elements taken from Death and
Black Metal, mixed with irritating Goth overtones. In “Demigod” (Demigoth?),
you can hear mid-tempo songs dominated by use and abuse of various keyboards (including
piano), and I suppose NINNGHIZHIDDA try here to be poetic and delicate while
being brutal, a case of an iron hand in a silk glove if you want. Well, the
iron is a little bit rusty and the silk moth-eaten as the final result comes
out awful, and I can’t say I hear the Metal heart pounding too fast here. It
is one thing wanting to create various moods and atmospheres on an album and
another one to inflict to the unfortunate listener a massive dose of boredom.
This band (sorry, I don’t want to type the name again!) should seriously
reconsider their future in the Metal music field, as I doubt they will let a
burning mark to say the least. But hey, maybe I am wrong and you should
investigate anyway, but I can’t guarantee you will not waste your precious
time doing so. After all, what can you expect from a band playing a piece
called ‘Siesta In A Minor’? Yes, exactly, a moment of painful and agitated
sleep. For me this case is closed once and for good, now it is up to you really!
Edouard Vergriete
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NOCTE
OBDUCTA
Stille – Das Nagende Schweigen
(Supreme Chaos Records)
31:57min
One of Germany’s longest serving, but on the other hand most
productive, Black Metal-bands returns with a new mini-CD (two new
full-length-albums are already being worked out according to their
new label) – and please be aware that label as well as band don’t
consider this as a full-length-output while on the other hand
several mailorders and distros sell this for a full price. Have all
NOCTE OBDUCTA-albums been different until now with the most obvious
example of "Schwarzmetall", this one might be the most
surprising and difficult to approach: Starting with ‘Die Schwäne
Im Moor’ one can feel EMPYRIUMesque melancholy, ‘Töchter Des
Mondes’ follows this patterns while getting more aggressive with
time passing by. ‘Der Regen’ is, if I am not mistaken, at least
partly based on a song written by the pre-NOCTE OBDUCTA formation
DESHIRA, and the Death Metal-roots of that band are shining through
the complete song – in structure and vocals – early nineties
Death Metal with German lyrics. Yet the two best songs on this
record (btw: the vinyl-version will include a bonus song and should
be out by now) are still to come: ‘Tage, Die Welkten’ starts as
melancholic as the first two songs but the atmosphere is more
creeping, and in the second half the song gets more aggressive, more
of what I remember to be typically NOCTE-style (although it would do
injustice to Marcel’s compositions to call anything typical…)
and the final track ‘Vorbei’ is the one which is most Black
Metal, the most catchy, a great vocal line etc., although the drum
sound is too triggered for my taste – but this is however a great
song. Compared to the older NOCTE-release, this is a bit different
in its musical way, but then has not being unconventional yet being
catchy and always writing songs to the point, being one of NOCTE’s
trademarks from the very beginning? Has not being not interested in
expectations at all played a big part in NOCTE’s history? If your
answers are ‘yes’ like mine would be and if you appreciate the
older NOCTE-works as much as I do – be it for lyrics, the music or
the seldomly found intelligence within Germany’s Black Metal-scene,
I can only recommend this album. All others are asked to give it a
try at least. http://www.nocte-obducta.de,
http://www.s-c-r.de
Nhashi
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NOCTE
OBDUCTA
Nektar Teil 1
(Supreme Chaos Records)
51:25min
It took me long to finally start writing this review: along with
terrifying laziness came the question: how can one possibly do
justice to the beauty and the might of this album? Should I even try
some sort of poetic approach? Nah, definitely the wrong moment. So
I’ll just try the usual thing about NOCTE’s 6th release.
“Nektar Teil 1: Zwölf Monde, eine Hand voll Träume” is a
rather calm album with lots of sinister yet beautiful melodies. Even
seems to give me a glance of the sublime. Of course there is rage on
this album as well but it’s integrated so natural you almost
don’t notice until you realize you’re banging your head like a
maniac! Then: beauty again. Sometimes it vaguely reminds me of PINK
FLOYD and how they might sound like if they had been founded in the
1990s. This is sheer musicality for both morons like me as well as
for music students built on a Black Metal basis but showing its
middle finger to musical drawers and boundaries mankind seems to be
so damn fond of. African percussions? Why not as long as it serves
the song? For me this is one of the most impressive albums of 2004
and I didn’t even comment on the concept of the impressively
poetic German (!) lyrics inspired by the four seasons… Can’t
wait for “Nektar Teil 2” coming in January 2005! Finally, a
quick word to those who find the production “too good”: wake up!
Definitely a must have. Hope it’s gonna be out on vinyl as well:
magnificent art work! www.nocte-obducta.de
Ramon Claassen
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NOCTE OBDUCTA
Aschefrühling (MCD)
(Supreme Chaos
Records)
11:52min
I don't know why stuff like this is called “avantgarde“! The term is far too easily used these days. I have never heard anything from NOCTE OBDUCTA before but with this release I
don't have the impression of listening to something completly innovative or new. On the other hand I have to be fair for this release only contains two tracks. The titletrack was released before on vinyl (says the veeeeery short info), the other one is a remix of
'Vorbei'. Maybe this is the avantgarde thing in Black Metal: releasing a known and a half-known track as a single! This is beyond me, ergo the avantgarde
- principle! But maybe it is just a farewell release for I have read that NOCTE OBDUCTA disbanded this year and formed a new band called DINNER AUF URANOS. The title track is not bad, catchy melodic mid-tempo
Black Metal with German lyrics, a dark (more HIM dark than SUNN O))) dark) atmosphere and a good sound. I can imagine that they have put out one or two releases that could have been innovative for their time but with only two tracks it is hard to give you a informative review on the band.. I will wait for that DINNER band. More infos on
www.nocte-obducta.de
Tim Klöcker
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NOCTUARY
When Fires Breed Blood
(Lost Disciple Records)
37:35min
Götz
schould already have done enough research in his interview when
it comes to all necessary backing information on these guys, so
we can go straight into the music of this record. Basically I would
define their style as raw Black Metal, but that's a little too simple
here as NOCTUARY are neither playing the typical Scandinavian type,
nor do they use the wimpy, mainly kinda Gothic sounding keyboards.
And no, unlike a current fashion, they don't mix Death or oldschool
Thrash Metal with Black Metal either. NOCTUARY's roots obviously
go back way more as they combine traditional Heavy Metal riffing
and leads with the intensity and aggression of today's Black Metal.
In the first place I found this combination rather strange, but
the more I listen to it, the more I get used to the material. But
don't worry too much, in case you can't stand ordinary Metal at
all and think of it as cheesy or whatever (shame on you!), this
is by no means like all those acts. This is mainly raw and right
into your face type stuff, only performed by musicians who know
their instruments a little better than the usual corpsepainted fellows.
Kinda like as if good ol' Quorthon would have replaced Paul Di'Anno
in IRON MAIDEN back in the early 80's and infected Steve Harris
and company with some more aggression in the songwriting. Interesting
one! Further info from: www.lostdisciple.com
Frank Stöver
BACK
NOCTURNAL
Violent Revenge
(Displeased Records)
35:51min
I have to confess this band has always been anything but an
interesting listen for me, given their inability to actually offer astonishing material to the scene. Don't get me wrong, they surely
do their homework well but were born simply as a tribute to the music they grew up listening to and still are. Just another
80s worship and to be rather honest I have heard other bands doing hell
of a lot better job than what NOCTURNAL currently does. This time they strike with a change in the vocal department adding
Tyrannizer behind the mic. It is really worth to mention that she does an impressive performance given
the flat and to some extent predictable songs she were asked to sing. Elaborating more in the songs
department they still offer their brand of old DESTRUCTION, VIOLENT FORCE, LIVING DEATH, old
SODOM, old KREATOR worship and if you are not yet tired of this type of
albums then this is the next album you may want to add to your collection. This is one of those slabs you might end up checking
once in a while maybe because of the great coverartwork and the appealing song
titles but if you look around you may find better ways to spend your
time and money! Contact them at:
www.myspace.com/nocturnalthrash,
www.displeasedrecords.com.
Mario Cubero
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NOCTURNAL
DEVOTION
Virus...
(Nice To Eat You Records)
31:33min
NOCTURNAL DEVOTION is a five piece band from Slovakia that has been
around since 1999. Their original vocalist "G" came from
Scotland and was more of a rock singer, so in the beginning he used
to be responsible for the melodic vocal parts while guitarist Mato
took care of the brutal growling. After a couple of shows with
"G" the band decided to part ways with him. Mato became
the frontman, bassplayer Raso switched over to guitar and Julo was
recruited as the band's new bassplayer. In the summer of 2004
NOCTURNAL DEVOTION finally started recording material that FLESHLESS
vocalist Vladimir Prokos decided to release on his young label Nice
To Eat You Records. The album got entitled "Virus..." and
features seven tracks as well as a short intro. Due to their line-up
changes the guys obviously have evolved into a heavier, more brutal
direction nowadays, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this
album is essential in any way. Even though the members of the band
are far from being bad at their instruments, the songwriting is
still very average and bores me pretty quickly already. I hate to
say this, but "Virus..." is one of those countless typical
Death / Thrash Metal records that got released by young bands way
too early. Instead of coming up with some demos first and then,
based on them, trying to build up a fanbase in the underground by
playing lots of shows and doing self-promotion through the fanzine
and tapetrading network, NOCTURNAL DEVOTION did the same mistake
that lots of others these days do. They are impatient, release an
album right away, even though nobody knows, nor cares about them yet
and hope to succeed nevertheless... But that won't happen, I'm sorry!
This is just another record that is destined to fail completely! In
our difficult economical time, I seriously doubt that there's really
lots of people out there willing (or able) to spend money on a
rather half-assed product nowadays, which furthermore not even has a
favorable sleeve design. Sad, but true. Label contact: www.ntey.wz.cz
Frank Stöver
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NOCTURNAL FEAR
Code Of Violence
(Moribund Records)
43:08min
Together with SATAN'S HOST this might be one of the best choices for the revival of the
Thrash Metal in the US. You might be really surprised to see Moribund
Records giving a chance to a deathy Thrash Metal band. Well, the answer is simple, this band
definitely has earned their share of attention with two previous scorchers
and this new album couldn't be anything but a genuine Thrash fest. This album mix the best
elements of both European plus US Thrash Metal which if you ask me is a very
interesting breed because most bands tend to incorporate one or the other styles. KREATOR,
SLAYER, EXODUS and SODOM alike soundng stuff is what NOCTURNAL FEAR offer on this album, not a really
original attempt but I certainly admire the surgeon-like accuracy of the performance.
These fuckers are showing no mercy on this slab, I really recommend you to go, purchase
and headbang as hell over this great CD. Contact them at:
www.moribundcult.com
Mario Cubero
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NOCTURNAL WINDS
Of Art And Suffering
(Aftermath Music)
45:08min
Melodic
Death Metal from Suomi. Luckily, NOCTURNAL WINDS
don't try to copy IN FLAMES or CHILDREN OF BODOM, though. "Of
Art..." is not quite as accessible, the melodies are more melancholic,
more Finish I guess. This gives the album a certain depth and therefore
makes it a good alternative for people into Melodic Death who are
getting bored by all those IN FLAMES clones. Although NOCTURNAL
WINDS don't refrain from using keyboards, it never sounds cheap'n'cheasy!
Special tip: the 9-minute-track 'Choir Of Shadows'. Killer! This
well produced fine piece of music should make the aforementioned
rush to a record store immediately!
Ramon Claassen
BACK
NOCTURNAL
WORSHIPPER
The Return Of The Southern Tyrants
(Demise Records)
42:27min
I used to hear about these guys quite a few times already prior
to receiving their first full length album, as NOCTURNAL WORSHIPPER
are obviously considered another cult act of the Brazilian scene
by many underground people... Well, to tell you the hurting truth:
I just don't get it! To me the material on "The Return Of
The Southern Tyrants" is nothing but completely uninspired
raw and fast Black Metal of the most average kind. The band is heavily
lacking in exciting riffs and what's even more important - the right
eerie and dark feeling. It ain't enough to put on corpsepaint, inverted
crosses, bullet belts and lots of spikes. As far as I can recall
Black Metal was always supposed to create a dark blasphemous atmosphere
and should not only consist of screamy vocals, monotonous and fast
played guitars with a very thin production and kinda sloppy drumming,
or did I maybe get something wrong on the way somehow?! They claim
to follow the path of HELLHAMMER, BATHORY, VENOM, SODOM, DESTRUCTION
and MAYHEM... Well, nothing wrong with that as long as the songwriting
is strong enough to convince on its own, but in NOCTURNAL WORSHIPPER's
case I still have serious doubts... Let's face the facts - there's
already tons of bands around that are way more effective in this
department, so would you seriously spend your hard earned money
on an average release like this? I definitely wouldn't! Contact:
Demise Records, P.O. Box 325, Timoteo / MG, 35180-000 – Brazil,
www.demiserecords.com
Frank Stöver
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NODE
Sweatshops
(Scarlet
Records)
42:08min
Swedeathrash
band NODE from Italy was founded in 1994 by Steve Minelli (ex-DEATH
SS). Now with their famous members gone (Minelli and SADIST drummer
Oinos) the band has to stand on their own feet. And with this CD
it might work out indeed. The excellent production by Pelle Saether
(CARNAL FORGE, NECRODEATH, etc.) lays grounds for NODE taking the
world by storm. By storm? Well, once you get accustomed to the fact
that the music on "Sweatshops" is not really fast and
straight into your face but instead rather complex and very heavy,
it drags you right in. As long as it doesn't get too complicated)
which "Sweatshops" doesn't), I like complexity anyway
and the memorable melodic leads eat their way right into your brain.
Doesn't get boring this way. In comparison with millions of bombastic
"True" Metal bands from Italy that would rather deserve
the term Pop, NODE offer powerful METAL for both your head and your
neck. www.node.it
Ramon Claassen
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NODE
Das Kapital
(Scarlet Records)
51:54min
Modern Scandinavian styled Thrash Metal is what we are being offered
by these four Italian metalheads. The whole music is enriched by
some progressive elements but NODE also have enough melody and
hymnic feeling to make it big on the European market I think. The
singer actually sings / shouts in the classic Thrash Metal way that
once was popular – and he does it in a convincing and controlled
way. Instrumentation is clearly above average and flawless (a
QUEENSRYCHE – cover is included), as well as the production which
took place at Underground Studios (TERROR 2000 or CARNAL FORGE) with
guests from HATESPHERE and CARNAL FORGE. So the audience for this
record is clear, right? A good one for all into modern skilled
Thrash as well as for those with a slightly more traditional taste
in Metal. Website: www.node.it.
Ulrich Kreienbrink
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THE
NO-MADS
Deranged
(Shark Records)
39:51min
The reason why Thrash Metal lost a lot of its popularity to Death
Metal years ago was mainly because the whole genre became so
predictable, polished and repetitive. Every band either turned into
a TESTAMENT or KREATOR clone or went for a more melodic approach (you
may blame it on METALLICA's major breakthrough) rather than focusing
on the true values that made everything so exciting and fresh.
Poland's THE NO-MADS luckily return to the roots of pure Thrash,
delivering a highly energetic, raw and aggressive collection of very
well crafted songs on their second full length "Deranged"
(the follow-up to 2003's "No Hush Till Thrash"). The band
is obviously not interested in simply following the footsteps of the
genre leaders by repeating what had already been done by superfluous
retro-acts countless times before, so instead they just play this
music straight from their hearts – and they do it well! Of course
you will detect a lot of the typical Thrash Metal trademarks in
their writing as well, but at least you can't limit them to one
particular band exclusively. The production is very solid and
powerful, the musicianship very impressive and to my surprise the
vocals get delivered by a female!!! When I listened to this album
for the first time, I didn't really had time to check out the
booklet or infosheet and therefore wasn't aware of this... and
didn't even notice that. Sylwia "Alkoholady" Papierska's
way of singing easily recalls classic Sabina Claasen, but
occasionally also reminds me on Max Cavalera or early CRUMSUCKERS
for the raw, growling edge of her voice. This is neither melodic nor
ARCH ENEMY type stuff, just pure aggression, with a little punky
edge to it, delivered in a quite astonishing manner, while the
bandshot inside of the booklet visually pretty much recalls DÉTENTE
to me (a tough blonde wearing sunglasses among a bunch a Thrashers)!
There's also two songs with German lyrics featured on the album ('Thrash
Alcoholisation' and 'Keine Eintracht'), but I suggest to avoid that
in the future... Apart from the rather exotic pronounciation (another
similarity to Max Cavalera by the way), they come across quite silly
sounding (and I don't mention this because of the band's "weird"
German)... Anyway, all in all this album pretty much surpassed my
expectations and is highly recommended to fans of pure 80s Thrash.
For more info check out www.thenomads.metal.pl
or www.sharkrecords.de
Frank Stöver
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NOMANS
LAND
Raven Flight
(Einheit Produktionen)
41:26min
The
colour red is heavily dominating the third
release from NOMANS LAND, for sure one of the best Pagan Metal bands
from Russia. Red can also be found in blood & wine and so a more
than suitable
metaphor for nearly every battle within
the last 5000 years - and these heroic battles are a very present
topic on “Raven Flight”. Song titles like 'Sea Battlefield' and
'War Song' transfer you right into the middle of a bloody battle and
this impression isn’t only based on the lyrical side. Sometimes
it’s very difficult to describe music in words but I’ll give it
a try with 'Hail
Normann', the best song on this release.
The song begins
with a short drum “solo” interrupted after seconds by a dark rif
which is supported during the whole song by a fantastic keyboard
line, and the whole song is building up to an atmospheric climax –
very powerful 4 minutes and the masterpiece would be done if you
could offer a complete album on such a high level. But we have to
await at least a further release from NOMANS LAND because “Raven
Flight” hasn’t become the expected masterpiece. The main reason
is the lack of more than a handful of really impressive songs,
several songs just passing by without any further notice and this
impression does not change even after listening several times to
this album. At the end I have to admit that “Raven Flight” is
still not one of “these” records (I’m just trying to avoid the
word average) but the term near by is more than applicable. www.nomansland.ru,
www.einheit-produktionen.de
Matthias Auch
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NOMANS LAND
Farnord
(Einheit Produktionen)
38:42min
To call NOMANS LAND a Pagan
Metal trend-setter would be a little exaggerated, but nobody can
ignore the fact that they had been one of the first Pagan acts from
Russia. But even 13 years of constant dedication to this scene cannot
change the fact that the band is lacking (at least since their former
release “Raven’s Flight”) two major things – progress and
passion. This starts with a more than unsuitable album cover which is
hardly offering a connection to the Pagan universe and / or the album
title – the cover by German Dragon Design seems to be far more
suitable for the next Power / Fantasy Metal act from Italy. All
presented eight songs on “Farnord” are nice – I really want to
avoid the world standard - Pagan Metal which will for sure harm nobody
but nearly all songs are played in the same speed and the arrangements
are very seldom an ear catcher – one exception from to the rule is
‘Ulvsjar’. With strong in house competition by leading acts like
ARKONA I really doubt that the fourth NOMANS LAND release can open any
“stargate” to a bright future. www.einheit-produktionen.de,
www.nomansland.ru,
www.myspace.com/nomanslandrus
Matthias Auch
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NOMICON
Halla
(Sagitarius Productions)
36:09min
Although
this CD is out for a quite a while now, I still think that it is
worthwhile being reviewed. Releases from small labels take their
time until they reach civilisation, hehe… NOMICON is the sole
bastion of Caesar, who was supported here by several musicians
from bands like GLOOMY GRIM or BARATHRUM. This CD offers technical
and weird Black Metal with reminiscences of late EMPEROR (although
this leads to a wrong conclusion as the “Prometheus” -
masterpiece had not been released when this was recorded) and
TARTAROS’ brilliant first mini “The Grand Psychotic…”.
Strange, disharmonic keyboard-tunes meet complex and bizarre
arrangements meet a psychopathic atmosphere. Yes, it sometimes
really sounds like if some psychopaths were allowed to abuse a
studio for some hours and this is the simple result: Great. While,
with just a few exceptions like EMPEROR, technical ability seldom
does lead to a good Black Metal result as musicians tend to
concentrate more on the musical side than on writing songs, this
here shows that it can work contrarily. Sometimes I wish that they
worked out some songs to a grande final, but all in all I doubt
that people who favour the more “empirial” approach of Black
Metal will do something wrong with this album.
Nhashi
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NOMINON
Blaspheming The Dead (7"
EP)
(Nuclear Winter Records)
EP
version:
13:29min
Tape
version:
15:04min
After releasing their recommendable debut “Diabolical Bloodshed”
in 1999 NOMINON more or less disappeared and it took them 4 years to
release another “sign of life”, namely the “Blaspheming The
Dead” EP, which was released on the Greek Nuclear Winter label in
2003. NOMINON finally are back with their individual brand of
Swedish oldschool Death Metal reminding me sometimes of early
UNANIMATED, DISSECTION (“Into Infinite Obscurity” phase)
scrambled with some Thrash Metal elements, morbid and possessed
vocals which even dare to include a maniacal Tom Araya-83-Metal
scream! The songwriting is varied and concise, the production is
powerful and nicely unpolished and since this band has no real
competitors in their stylistic coinage one can only advise Death
Metal worshippers of all kinds who enjoy Swedish bands that do not
just copy ENTOMBED and call it oldschool Death Metal to buy this
excellent piece of vinyl containing three songs, whereas the tape
version has a bonus song - a well-done cover of REPULSION’s
‘Decomposed’ - and a fantastic artwork by Chris Moyen. The EP is
limited to 500 copies and the tape-version to 200 copies, so be
fast! Surf to www.nuclearwinter.cjb.net
and get this piece of Death and refresh your memory on NOMINON on
their excellent website www.nominon.com
containing loads of MP3’s of their old and new stuff, video clips,
a biography and much more.
Stefan Franke
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NOMINON
The True Face Of Death (MCD)
(Nuclear Winter Records)
27:40min
After the semi-classical "Diabolical Bloodshed" it took
Swedish Death Metallists NOMINON quite a few years to come up with
another release, it was 2003 when the cool "Blaspheming The
Dead" EP finally surfaced and it seems that from that day on
things have sped up a little in the NOMINON camp. Because there's
another piece of death ready, this time it's a MCD / MLP entitled
"The True Face Of Death" and though it stylistically
continues in the tradition of the already mentioned EP there some
minor elements affecting NOMINON's qualities in a pretty negative
way. The production is somewhat imbalanced since the vocals appear
way too loud, the guitars a little too clean and lacking the right
dose of rawness. Who knows the "Blaspheming The Dead" EP
should not recognize too big differences musically, but overall I
had expected a little more of NOMINON, more morbidity, more violence...
Each song has its moments, there are some really cool Swedish oldschool
Death Metal riffs, but NOMINON don't make enough of their obviously
present potential. Their blending of Swedish Death Metal with a bit
of Thrash is great, but they definitely need the Sunlight-like sound
back, which made their debut so incredibly good. One thumb up for
style and attitude, one down for halfheartness production-wise.
Check out the sound file at www.nominon.com
and decide for yourself! Label can be found at www.nuclearwinter.cjb.net.
Stefan Franke
BACK
NOMINON
Recremation
(Konqueror Records)
34:01min
Wow!
NOMINON have apparently become really fast in releasing new material
and fortunately the weaknesses of the "The True Face Of Death"
MCD I exposed in my review above have been completely eliminated.
The production at Necromorbus Studio (INSISION, WATAIN, ONDSKAPT,
ARMAGEDDA) has turned out excellent and is as heavy and powerful as
it should be. Musically the mediocrity of the MCD has been overcome,
too, and "Recremation" offers varied Swedish oldschool
Death Metal often reminding me of NECROPHOBIC, but with less
emphasis on Black Metal atmospheres, but riffing, vocals and drive
go in that direction, I think. Gloomier slower passages, a lot of
thrashing rage and crushing early 90's Death Metal spirit with the
hooks and melodies reek from "Recremation" and if you're
into the true Swedish D/M-style this release should be a valuable
addition to your collection. Due to the good sound and surprising
songwriting NOMINON do not sound too retro, not too old-fashioned,
but have again reached the timeless intensity and quality of their
debut, though they definitely sound somewhat different (and better)
today. Chris "Thorncross" Moyen fans should also buy this,
because he did the artwork on this album, and vinyl-addicts should
check Blood Harvest Records, because they will release "Recremation"
on LP with a bonus song, which is a cover of WHIPLASH! www.nominon.com,
www.konqueror-records.com,
www.bloodharvest.se
Stefan Franke
BACK
NOMINON
Remnants Of A Diabolical History
(Pulverised Records)
43:15min
Announced by the band as "the ultimate cavalcade of Death Metal hits from beyond“, this mixed bag of rare, previously only on vinyl available tracks by this long-standing underground heroes took some time to see the dark of night. After some trouble with incompetent labels, which these guys probably had more than enough of during their 13 years in existence, Pulverised finally unleashed this collection of re-recorded, unreleased or hard to find tunes by one of Sweden’s best kept secrets in terms of
oldschool Death Metal. It contains mostly material from their promo CD back from 1997 and the “Blaspheming The Dead”
EP, covers by acts such as REPULSION, VOIVOD or WHIPLASH (vinyl-bonus from their last full-length) and then some. The sound-quality varies but their sinister approach to the death-cult, somewhere between KAAMOS and SADISTIC INTENT, combined with a huge slab of Thrash (‘Sodom’s Fall’!!) never fails to convince. Personal highlights: the new versions of ‘Blaspheming The Dead’ and ‘Servants Of The Moonlight’.
In conclusion this collection serves as a nice little gem for the die-hards as well as a cool introduction to the work of a truly dedicated horde, which deserves your support far more than overrated retro-acts such as BLOODBATH or DEATH
BREATH (when it comes to the latter, luckily tastes are different…
- Frank). www.pulverised.net
Torsten Gründig
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NOMINON
Terra Necrosis
(Konqueror Records)
43:55min
Are NOMINON already an established Death Metal band? I think they
are after the great “Recremation” release and they manifest this
status with their new release “Terra Necrosis”. The CD starts
with ‘Release In Death’ which is a Death Metal monster bands
like UNLEASHED would be proud of. This mighty riff in the beginning
just breaks your neck. Unbelievable! ‘Arcanum’ is the next song
and goes on in this vein with great riffs and the class of UNLEASHED
in their debut album days. For sure NOMINON are not the most
original band out there but who cares as long as they combine their
influences to such a great mix? Basically NOMINON play a great
rhythm-based Death Metal you simply can’t ignore. Even the 4th
song ‘Ebola’ don’t sound misplaced with its obvious hints to
MARDUK or DARK FUNERAL, all in all it’s great Death Metal,
fuckin’ tight, provided with a perfect sound and 10 awesome hymns
of Death Metal each fan of this type of music will love. All of you
out there who already know their older releases, especially their
“Recremation” CD will surely buy this one, too, all the others
should believe me that this is together with EVOCATION’s “Tales
From The Tomb” and DEMONICAL’s “Servants Of The Unlight” a
prove that Swedish Death Metal is still reigning supreme. A must
have for all Death Metal lunatics!!! Plastic Head takes care of the
distribution in Europe which makes me believe that it shouldn’t be
a problem for you to find this CD in any good recordshop, the usual
bigger mailorders should carry this release anyway. Band contact: www.nominon.com
Thomas Ehrmann
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NOMINON
Omen (MCD)
(Deathgasm Records)
16:04min
NOMINON may have flexed their muscle only within the last few years, but their dark story began long ago in 1993. Since they began releasing material, the band hasn't wavered in their song-writing. In fact, there's little to dislike about them all around. What makes them somewhat suspect from time to time is their choice in sound. NOMINON's signature sound is somewhere inbetween the Sunlight buzzsaw and HYPOCRISY's original Swedish-American hybrid. Their second and third albums,
"Recremation" and "Terra Necrosis", expressed that sound beautifully. Three years have passed since
"Terra Necrosis", however. Apart from one EP, NOMINON was unusually silent. The time off hasn't diminished their playing
skills - that much is self-evident. But, like I said, it's the weakness of the sounds, however well-written, that waters this otherwise ferocious EP down some. But don't despiar; NOMINON is still NOMINON. Perra Karlsson and the guys still got it.
More info at: www.nominon.com,
www.myspace.com/nominon,
www.deathgasm.com
Nat Shapiro
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NOMINON
Monumentomb
(Deathgasm Records)
39:53min
With both hands I took the opportunity to review this fourth full-length by Swedish hope NOMINON. On "Monumentomb" NOMINON introduces new vocalist Henke Skoog who you might know from EVISCERATED and continues to step further away from their traditional Swedeath sound that already marked their EP "Omen". Not only because of the 'lighter' production but also the songwriting reminded me more of AT THE GATES, UNLEASHED and CENTINEX than for instance VOMITORY. This is their most matured material yet and
definitely their most variating release! It's shifting from Thrash Metal ('Worship', 'Mountains Of Hate') to Death Metal ('Archfiend', 'Wrath Of Shiva') to Metal ('Undead Beast'). Still tight as hell and technically supreme with the fingerlicking drumming skills of Perra Karlsson. Only let down are the at times weak vocals. Some will mourn,
some will hail... Check out www.myspace.com/nominon,
www.nominon.com,
www.deathgasm.com
to find out what it shall be in your case. At least it's something of the caliber of EVOCATION! Personally I Worship The Wrath Of Shiva.
Michael Tak
BACK
NONEUCLID
The Crawling Chaos
(Merciless Records)
41:56min
The debut album for this German band, where we can find no less than 3
DARK FORTRESS members, has finally been released. It seems this has
been delayed from 2006 until now. Was it worth? Well, not so much I
am afraid. No matter that most of the members are in the melodic Black
Metal band already mentioned, the style here is different.
This is mostly some weird kind of technical extreme Metal music,
reminiscent of DARKANE, and at times to later EMPEROR although not
as catchy or interesting. The
vocals range from the common Thrash / raspy ones to more sung out, but
they tend to sound the same after a while, and actually takes away
some power from some songs. The problem is that they try to do a lot
of things in the songs and they all sound like a collection of
riffs. I can sense a mid-era VOIVOD influence (the spacey kind of
touch) on some songs like in 'Coming In Tongues'. Again, it is hard to catch a song as a whole, as they try to
make things damn way too complex and at the end, the only thing they
create is quite too damn complex and gets the listener to get tired
to be honest. The length of most of the songs doesn‘t help
either. Yes, this gets a very good production, the musicians are
really good, but it is the composition that actually lacks strength.
I appreciate the fact that the band does not care for what others
think of their music, but unless you like your Metal “weird”
with some “spacey-semi-progressive” elements, I would suggest to
look somewhere else. The band states that their goal is to make great
music, not bizarre music. Well, they are still on the bizarre stage
for now. www.merciless-records.de,
www.noneuclid.com
Julian
Nuñez
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