RESURRECTED
Butchered In Excrement
(Perverted Taste Records)
33:16min 

RESURRECTED are hailing from Duisburg / Germany and should be known to fans of brutal Death Metal by now as "Butchered In Excrement" is already their third full length. And judging the band by the qualities delivered on this newest offering, I don't really understand why I didn't notice them any earlier. This is absolutely cool stuff, totally in the extreme grinding US Death Metal style that bands like CANNIBAL CORPSE, SUFFOCATION and the likes managed to establish several years ago. Even though the eight own compositions are mainly straight ahead and right into your face, RESURRECTED perform them on a quite high technical level. Certainly not original at all (who cares?!), but always brutal as fuck! The whole record is blessed with a very powerful production and comes up with a great coverart by David Bollt, who a.o. was already responsible for the visual side on the DIVINE EMPIRE debut. But the ice on the cake definitely is RESURRECTED's nicely executed cover of the SUFFOCATION classic 'Infecting The Crypts', which fits the record just perfectly! So, the only little complain I have is the stupid porn like 'Macabre Fuckfest' intro. I never really understood why bands like these used the porn genre as inspiration source for a musical style that mainly deals with guts, blood and gore… But anyway, as the intro only lasts a couple of seconds, we shouldn't value that too much and highly recommend "Butchered In Excrement" to every fan of brutal US style Death instead! All further info at: http://www.resurrected.de

Frank Stöver

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RESURRECTED
Blood Spilled
(Perverted Taste)
33:24min

Basically, what Frank wrote about its predecessor also counts for RESURRECTED’s fourth assault called "Blood Spilled". They’re still grinding as tight, evil and brutal as Maggie Thatcher. The vocals seem to be even deeper without crossing the border to the frog noise department. No porn intro this time: here an American sounding (tv?) preacher gets shot. "Blood Spilled" is a well balanced album that covers the total range between slow, threatening, groovy parts up to blast attacks. RESURRECTED are not the fastest but that reminds me of Western movies: one day there will be someone faster than you; so be smarter, more precise and follow your path without any scruples! All this counts for RESURRECTED. Consequently, if you’re into SUFFOCATION and CANNIBAL CORPSE, get your hands on "Blood Spilled" and don’t miss them live, their sound was made for the stage! By the way, thanks for the short acoustic track ‘Rest Before The Storm’: makes me feel nostalgic and it’s an excellent counterpoint making the following ‘Necronymphomanic’ (Alas! There is the porn content!) sound even more heavy. www.resurrected.net

Ramon Claassen

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RESURRECTED
Endless Sea Of Loss
(Morbid Records)
39:00min

These Germans have been around for quite some time now and always seemed big SUFFOCATION fans. Can't remember them being that slammy but it definitely supports their American sound. A creepy intro and another piece probably from a horror movie add to this impression. What I absolutely can't stand are the screams of pain for the doomy track 'Bloodmarked': they're simply too real. Sounds exactly like the guy from last year's accident just before my door. That definitely wasn't fun. At all. Pushing such thoughts aside, that very track is my favorite one (I like it slow, you know). It's also that track where singer Carsten successfully tries to vary his vocals a little. Lately I'm getting annoyed by monotonous singers more and more easily. A good Sound Lodge production helps the band keeping up with international standards but compared with all those bands playing that very style I'm not sure if I'd buy this album (at the moment I'm not buying that many CDs anyway). I'm glad to have it in order to complete my RESURRECTED collection, though. Plus: the band makes it only too easy - even for morons like me – to recognize which song was inspired by which (American) band. Absolutely solid album for maniacs but not necessarily a must have. www.resurrected.net. You can order a copy here.

Ramon Claassen

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RESURRECTED
Fierce
(Metal Age Productions)
39:10min

Is fucking bruising and barbaric Death from Germany. Savage and in the pocket like balls. Empty and vacant guttural grinding demonstrations. Pitless crushing breakdowns. They're a purely functional band, free of any sensibility but brutality. Ah, the simple pleasures and conveniences of modern life. This is triggered, slamming Death that doesn’t pull any punches. They say “Fuck You!” often enough. Neat songs like 'Slumdog' are welcome, too. The more tracks you hear, your interest grows. Sounds like they’d be great live with a good crowd. Includes a cover of MORBID ANGEL’s 'Day Of Suffering'. www.resurrected.net, www.myspace.com/rsurrected

Leonard Likas

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RESURRECTION
Mistaken For Dead
(Massacre Records)
39:22min

What the fucking hell!?! Honestly spoken the current trend of reunions really causes a wave of old bands returning in a strange way, but for a lot of them it's obviously very hard to catch up with the feeling of the old days again. I've still had RESURRECTION's debut "Embalmed Existence" in my mind as a really solid Florida Death Metal album that offered all elements which you'd expect from a band of that region back then. Besides this there were those crazy storyteller intros that simply could be considered as pure cult. Anyway throwing "Mistaken For Dead" into my audio all forms of sceptisism were blown away. Holy shit, RESURRECTION's sound still symbolizes the bloody hunger of a wolfpack. Expect a high energy level and forget about the latest works of OBITUARY or SIX FEET UNDER. Compared to tracks like 'Coward' or 'Death By Desire' those seniors sound like Florida's nursing home band. If you like the groovy and totally riff- and doublebass massacre based style of 90s Florida Death Metal then "Mistaken For Dead" is more than just a reminder of good old times. Ok, the vocals of Paul DeGolyer aren't that low grunted anymore like in the 90s and the production don't has that meaty brutality like the old Morrisound recordings, but anyway there's still a lot of aggression and coolness left that gives "Mistaken For Dead" the mark of a real deadbanger and a more than just respected return of RESURRECTION! www.myspace.com/resurrectionfl

Hauber

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RESUSCITATOR
A Warrior's Death
(From Beyond Productions / Displeased)
32:35min

The Californian based veterans from RESUCITATOR are back again. I remembered their first, a  kind of experimental, primitive Black / Death album "Initiation" which was released back then in 1994 by the obscure Wild Rags label. To be honest it didn't convince me back then and I didn't focus on the band anymore. I thought these occult horde shared the same fate than many other bands from that time and split up. To my surprise I heard the news that the band would release a new album by Dutch underground label From Beyond Productions and even had unleashed a second album in 2001 entitled "Cursed Visions From His Infernal Realm" (it will be also re-released by their current label later this year). I am not familiar with the second output by this force but one is for sure: the new strike "A Warrior's Death" is much better than the material I know. So I would say it's their best recorded stuff up to date. RESUSCITATOR plays a kind of Black / Thrash with the emphasis on 80s Thrash I would say. Citing the info sheet the band disband the keyboards which they used on their predecessor. And that's a wise decision I think as this intensifies the whole thing. The album starts off with 'In The Night's Silence', a kind of intro with lyrics. It turned out a little bit too long for my taste. Probably to stretch the entire album due to its general short playing time. 'Blessing Of Satan' is then the first real track. Fast, hard hitting riffs and galloping Thrash rhythms and a blackish vocal performance. These are the trademarks which you are mostly able to hear while the band blasts through the entire album. The band slows down also in some of the tracks like in 'Father Of Obscurity' where you can find slow, almost doomy moments before the speed eruptions catapult you again out of your slumber. The label info says that the band is the missing link between (later) IMMORTAL and ENTHRONED. Hm, can't be true as I neither hear any similarities to the Norwegian gods (except maybe for the vocals which tend a little bit into that direction) nor to Belgium's extreme force ENTHRONED (as RESUSCITATOR aren't so much Black Metal). So these US based outfit sits somewhere between... like many other bands as well. The production of the album is quite good, very clear and you can hear all instruments well. "A Warrior's Death" is a nice, solid underground album which you can listen to here and then and thrash to. But it's not an album which I would take to a lonely island as there are so many other killer albums out there. So underground warriors who's favourite styles are Black / Thrash Metal should check them out. www.resuscitator.net for the band or www.displeasedrecords.com for the label. Welcome back!

Michael Oelschlegel

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REV 16:8
Grand Tibal Rave
(Temple Of Darkness)
51:08min

Swedish REV 16:8 – don’t ask me what this name stands for (probably revelation 16, 8... a part in the Bible - Frank) – offer us their debut album “Grand Tibal Rave” released through Spanish Temple Of Darkness Records. Fans of DARK FUNERAL needs to watch out for this group and this release as the 10 songs (and intro 'Placid In Pale') offer Black Metal in the tradition of the Swedish Black Metal during the mid-nineties. Mostly DARK FUNERAL come to my mind, but for sure you can also find hints of MARDUK, SETHERIAL, a little DISSECTION and well, countless others. Basically I have to admit, that what REV 16:8 offers is heard many times before, though what they offer is high quality Black Metal, both in sound- and songwritingquality. I had huge fun listening to their fast and cold Black Metal tunes and as everything here is presented with highest professionalism, dark and cold. I have nothing left to say then that everyone into the above mentioned bands is doing nothing wrong in supporting this cool release called “Grand Tibal Rave”. For more info check out www.templeofdarknessrecords.com and www.myspace.com/rev168.

Thomas Ehrmann

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REVELATION OF DOOM
Shemhamforash
(Pagan Records)
36:47min

Using a bandname from an old BATHORY song and calling their 2nd output (if I’m correct…) “Shemhamforash” made me think that this might not be the most original release. Honestly spoken, neither the bandname, the title of the CD nor the music itself is original. But what starts as a pretty negative review is only half of the truth, because what these guys offer is very good raw Death Metal in its purest form, with hints from old SAMAEL, HELLHAMMER / CELTIC FROST (if we talk about their slower parts) and old IMPALED NAZARENE. Mostly played in high speed tempo you can’t really expect virtuous musicianship and melodies, in fact melodies are quite rare here, nevertheless you get a tight sounding and amazingly good produced Death Metal album with tasty songs as the opener ‘Six Six Six’, the catchy and CELTIC FROST-esque ‘The Goatwhore’ or the mighty ‘Messenger Of Darkness’. From time to time I feel that a little bit more variation in speed and brutality would suit them well, though this might be only my humble opinion (I mean, I request the same from a band like MARDUK all the time, so what?). Short and simple: a pretty good record, fans who love it raw and dirty, nevertheless asking for well-produced records should dare to listen to this release. Quite promising, still not essential! But which record is essential these days? Check out www.paganrecords.com.pl.

Thomas Ehrmann

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REVENANT
Overman (MCD)
(self-released)
17:11min

I gotta believe that REVENANT from New Jersey should undoubtedly be a relatively familiar name to the most of the Thrash / Death Metal fans around the globe. In the late 80s this foursome become known amongst of the fans of a more extreme side of Thrash Metal by releasing their 1^st demo “Beyond The Winds Of Sorrow” (in 1987) and especially the band's 2^nd demo titled “Asphyxiated Time” which was released a year later, as far as I can still remember, was one of the most popular and traded and widely circulated demos in the worldwide tape trading scene. That particular demo also was that demo from REVENANT that actually took me into them. During the period of 1989-1993, three more REVENANT releases were released; a 7-inch, 2-song EP on French Thrash Records saw the light of day in 1989 and the band's very eagerly-awaited debut full-length album called “Prophecies Of Dying World” was finally unleashed on German Nuclear Blast Records, providing them a cool opportunity to tour with Dutch Deathsters GOREFEST in Europe in the fall of 1991 which ended up being a huge success for REVENANT, bringing the band's name to the vast masses of even more people back then. Also, a video for 'The Unearthly' was filmed in Hamburg in the winter of 1991 which was premiered on MTV'´s “Headbanger's Ball” in the spring next year, helping to get REVENANT's name everywhere even more (the video was re-edited later and released on “Death Is Just The Beginning” video compilation in the same year). After that REVENANT parted ways with Nuclear Blast due to many conflicts that were caused between them and the label for quite a few different reasons. However, the guys didn't rest on their laurels for long, but started recordings for their second full-length album as soon as in 1992 already in several different sessions by using various local studios for that purpose. In the spring of 1993, Ed and Joe from a New York-based Rage Records offered REVENANT an opportunity for a release of the second 7-inch EP which the guys agreed to do and that was the last thing I heard from them for many years. However, they kept things going on and it was in January 1995 when REVENANT entered a studio for the last time to record a new EP that was supposed to be a rough draft of the band's forth-coming 2^nd album that would have been entitled “A New Paganism”, featuring at least 9 songs. The band had decided to release 4 of those songs under a title “Overman”, but unfortunately the band split up in 1995 before it was even mixed. 6 years later in October 2001, the mixing for that EP finally took place at Erik Rutan's Dimensional Sound Studios in Tampa, Florida and was released in 2002 as a limited edition of 300 copies only. As for this latest official 4-track offering of REVENANT musically, it actually sounds very different compared to everything they did on their previous releases. If they sounded like a hybrid of both Thrash – and Death Metal band before with having somewhat an aggressive touch to their songs with quite many fast, up-tempo parts in them, on the “Overman” EP you can basically drop two things away from their music: Firstly the 'Death' - element and secondly fast-paced parts as they are no more a part of this release. The first observation that you are able to hear is the fact the band had slowed down quite drastically the average tempo of their songs, so don't expect to hear any songs written into vein of for example 'Unearthly' or 'Distant Eyes' like they had on their excellent “Prophecies Of A Dying World” record or otherwise you may get slightly disappointed. The first three songs on this EP vary from some slower tempos to mid-tempos, still managing to catch my ears quite easily and making me enjoy them as they come out from the loudspeakers. Also, I paid quite much attention to Hank's (or Henry's) vocals that aren't the same any longer. They lack a bit of this "evil & wicked" vibe that he still had on the 2-song EP they did for Rage Records back in the day. Funnily yet even quite oddly his vocal parts on the "Overman" EP sound somehow lazy, kinda like a bit "out of place" and may I even say, "untrained" or something, I don't know. Anyways, don't read me wrong, like I already mentioned earlier, I still happen to like quite much what they have done in the 1st three songs on this EP even if you really can not look back and compare them to any of their previous stuff that much after all. Those of you who miss more familiar REVENANT – sounds the way they sounded like once, a bit of consolation for that is in sight in the very last song on the EP, 'Exalted Being', which overall is a quite fast tempo song almost from start to finish, having a few mid-paced elements here and there and sounding very much like a song that I would have hoped to hear more from them, y'know, with a determined strive for a more aggressive and relentless musical expression in the name of the band's good'n'old days or whatever, ha! As far as the EP's availability goes, you should try to ask your own copy from Dani from Revenge Productions as he still may have a very few copies available for this and it's obvious that the fastest and luckiest ones will be served first, so you need hurry up if you are going to get this "soon-collector's-item" for a part of your own Metal collection...  ;) Dani: www.revengeproductions.com and be sure to check REVENANT website out as well at this location: http://www.geocities.com/revenant076

Luxi Lahtinen

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REVENANT
The Burning Ground
(Xtreem Cult Series)
72:50min

I like that!! I spent quite a lot of money the last months ordering these CDs with old demos, 7” EPs and live-recordings on it, great releases like the Sinoath CD “Forged In Blood”, Gorements “Darkness Of The Dead”, Excruciate’s “Beyond The Circle” among others. It brings back great memories and therefore I really adore this CD released from Xtreem Music! So what do we find here? As I said, this CD is no new recording from Revenant, a band that already exists since early '86. Many of you will know them by their great “Prophecies Of A Dying World” LP released through Nuclear Blast in 1991 and for sure the tapetraders among us know them by their cool demos (especially “Asphyxiated Time”) and their 7” EP with the 2 songs 'Distant Eyes' and 'Degeneration'. Songs like 'Distant Eyes', 'Degeneration' or 'Asphyxiated Time' will never get boring and it’s great to see that they didn’t loose their originality during the years. Revenant were and are still not comparable to any other band in the Thrash (or Death) Metal scene. What you are going to find here are 14 remastered songs (including one live track 'The Unearthly' from their tour with Gorefest in Den Bosch, NL in ‘91) from older recordings like their 7” EP and a couple of their old demo tapes. I know that the plan of recordings like this is not to sell a lot of records, this is a CD from fans for fans. And to all fans of the Death Metal underground and the tape trading scene of the early 90s I can recommend this recording to all of you. Get back the good memories from this time and support a band which was during their whole existence original and not comparable to any other Death / Thrash bands around. For all the people who don’t know Revenant so far I’d suggest to search for their debut album “Prophecies Of A Dying World” to discover how great this band was! I’m looking forward to a new official release from them. Take a look on www.revenant.ws and www.xtreemmusic.com.

Thomas Ehrmann

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REVENGE
Triumph. Genocide. Antichrist
(Osmose Productions)
33:07min

I really anticipated this release, because Pete Helmkamp (ex-ANGEL CORPSE / ex-ORDER FROM CHAOS) has joined this project of James Read, who also plays in CONQUEROR and AXIS OF ADVANCE. I had hoped for Pete’s return on vocals, because his voice was one of the few unique and characteristic in the scene, but when I listened to REVENGE’s debut on Osmose I was slightly disappointed at first, because the intense and raw screams, that we know from Helmkamp’s other bands only appear scarcely on “Triumph. Genocide. Antichrist”. Anyway, this doesn’t mean that the album isn’t good, but it is not what I had expected. REVENGE create an apocalyptic, hateful and merciless sonic assault, that should satisfy anyone, who digs BLACK WITCHERY, IBEX THRONE or SADISTIK EXEKUTION, anything that is brutal, fast and totally possessed. This is definitely stuff for maniacs, but anyone who enjoys a torturous treatment of his ear drums should check out violent orgies like ‘Heathen Hammer’ (my favourite on this CD), ‘Blood Division’ (with a cool Crust / Punk riff at the beginning) or ‘Altar Of Triumph’ and I promise you will be pretty happy with this release. www.osmoseproductions.com

Stefan Franke

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REVENGE
Victory.Intolerance.Mastery
(Osmose Productions)
28:04min

I suppose I have to keep my mouth open wide in awe before this sophomore release of this self proclaimed “cult” band involving such universally respected artists as James Read (CONQUEROR, BLASPHEMY, AXIS OF ADVANCE) and Pete Helmkamp (ORDER FROM CHAOS, ANGELCORPSE). I am sorry but I can’t endorse this farce though. In the eternal quest of extreme brutality, some people forget they are musicians first and foremost, and that they have to offer songs to their public. You can be noisy all right, no problem with that, but bands like BEHERIT, SARCOFAGO, BLASPHEMY were able to actually sculpt noise to come out with memorable tracks with recognizable riffs. Here the listener is confronted with nothing else than a wall of white noise lacerated by insane vocals courtesy of Helmkamp (these being the one and only strong point of an otherwise catastrophic offering). The advantage of this CD resides in its duration; the pain inflicted becomes less annoying. Believe me, this record is a complete waste of time, I crown this the worst offering for 2004. And since the artists involved proudly claim they don’t give a fuck about what reviewers could say (so, why even do the promotion of the disc in the first place, uh?), I suppose they will not be offended by my opinion. If you are a fan of the pitiful CONQUEROR, you may dig REVENGE a lot. If not, stay away from this and invest your money in other cool Osmose releases, like “Nuctemeron Descent” (ABOMINATOR) and “Obey” (AXIS OF ADVANCE). My idea to re-title this album: “Defeat.Arrogance.Vanity”.

Edouard Vergriete

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REVENGE
Infiltration.Downfall.Death
(Osmose Productions)
35:17min

Call me ignorant but I never heard anything from this band, so the third full-length by REVENGE is my first encounter with the band. The only info I got was the presence of Pete Helmkamp (no further introduction needed). Due to the label I supposed some kind of Black Metal, but I was wrong. It is Grindcore, quite simply. Reminding me especially of bands like DEAD INFECTION, REGURGITATE, early EXHUMED and, regarding the diversified vocals from high screams to deep guttural grunts, DEPRESSION. After I have listened to "Infiltration. Downfall. Death" a few times I asked the internet for some information about the band - and was quite surprised. I read about "Antichrist supremacist banner", violence, "the final command in Extremist Metal", hate, the band spoiling the press for bad reviews, because they (the press, not the band) are "deaf morons". REVENGE mark their style as "Superion Attack Metal", in order to praise the Antichrist and so on. Please, calm down. It is just Grindcore with Black Metal lyrics, and I like it because I love the noise of Grind in the morning, but the whole image the band constructs is a little exaggerated. Musically this album is not more extreme than the above mentioned (and dozens more) bands. www.myspace.com/revengeattackbloodrevenge

Mirco Szymyslik

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REVENGE
Nail Them All (Promo 2007)
(self-financed)
11:17min

I admit that I didn't get into the material of Greek Thrashers REVENGE. They are definitely an honest band and it's obvious that they enjoy what they're doing, but for me at least what I listen to is a bit boring. All three songs have very simplistic riffs that unfortunately are not effective enough. Seems that the material lacks any imagination overall and I am sure that if they studied deeper the past (to get some inspiration) they could come up with some better compositions (look for instance a band like LETHAL). I really don't want to sound like a complete jerk since I am simply expressing a personal opinion (and not judging anyone here), but I think REVENGE should spend more time writing better and more inspired stuff, I am sure they can. Contact: http://myspace.com/revengetilldeath

Manolis A.

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REVENGIA
A Decade In The Dark
(Metal Fortress)
45:23min
 
Oh no, what is this? “This sucks more than anything that has ever sucked before” was the first thought that came to my mind when REVENIGIA entered my CD-player. Unfortunately this thought has not changed even after my third “attempt” (ok,ok, I skipped a lot in round 2 and 3…). BUT I am really afraid that there are people who like stuff like this, otherwise bands like MANOWAR, ICED EARTH and HAMMERFALL could not exist. REVENGIA play stupid, ultra-boring and veeeery unoriginal Heavy Metal with a sterile production and an extreme beer-belly-attitude, that simply pulls you the shoes out. The ridiculous vocals sound like maximum-Lemmy-wannabe and especially the lyrics are bad as hell, but I have heard worse (e.g. from the above mentioned bands). Try to think of a teenage student realizing some day that planet earth is dying from pollution and that everyone should be killed by Neanderthals for that, while listening to MOTÖRHEADS “Bomber” on their iPods in sabertooth optic…It is maybe cool to play stuff like this when you are 15, have a cool Death Metal band an get drunk so much on a Saturday night that you simply want to make fun of Heavy Metal: your friends would love it, if they knew it WAS a joke. For all you ARCH ENEMY and EUCHARIST friends: for your own sake I try to avoid mentioning that Daniel Erlandson himself plays the drums here…Damn, I failed. www.revengia.se, www.metalfortress.com

Tim Klöcker

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REVEREND BIZARRE
In The Rectory Of The Bizarre Reverend
(Sinister Figure Records)
74:08min

I was first introduced to the REVEREND BIZARRE world around eight months ago, via their homepage. At that time, I understood (without having listened to a single note from this Finish band yet) that I had found something special. The pictures of this three piece in particular were good hints of what REVEREND BIZARRE were all about: pure Doom Metal, the classic way. And today, with the inception of their first full length, this early impression is fortunately confirmed. “In The Rectory Of The Bizarre Reverend” surges as a wonderful slice of fat, thick and slow doomy music, in the vein of what SAINT VITUS and early BLACK SABBATH are known for. Don’t look here for trendy Stoner music, because you couldn’t be more wrong. This album could be compared to a behemoth majestically emerging from a swamp of boiling mud only to reveal its inescapable power to an awestruck crowd. With only six tracks for a more than 70 minutes running time, I suppose you have already guessed that the overall pacing is on the slow side, with only a few “acceleration” from time to time. Yet, don’t get the idea that we are dealing here with a boring record, quite the contrary in fact. And the reason for this is simple: the passion of these Doom maniacs for their music is so palpable throughout this record that this could only trigger the same enthusiasm on the listener’s side. Each riff was obviously crafted with love and total dedication and flows like lava in the ears, you can’t find any filler here. The production sounds perfect and underlines the fantastic power each of the songs offers aplenty. The vocal performance of bassist Magister Albert must receive a special mention here, he sings with his own style, with lots a variations and modulations, always looking for expressing emotions by hitting the right notes. And the fact his voice remind sometimes Scott Reagers’s (of SAINT VITUS fame) should only indicate how much REVEREND BIZARRE are aware of their roots. I can’t point a single standout track on this, because all these hymns to sadness and melancholia are equally convincing and should not be severed from the others. But I invite you to take notice of the last song of this CD, an epic of more than 20 minutes length (!!!) inspired by the darker side of the “Lord Of The Rings” saga, or the song ‘Sodoma Sunrise’ where REVEREND BIZARRE sound a little more accessible at a first hearing. The band recently announced in a French Metal magazine that they plan a more NWOBHM approach for their sophomore release, meanwhile just read the “Deep Bow” section on the booklet of this one and you should realize these three guys are as much Metal fans as (talented) musicians. The question to know if you will buy this album or not is totally irrelevant here, because  if you can allow  yourself to remain estranged from such a splendid release,  you surely should have reached a level of supreme and inhumane indifference for the beauties of this life! I think I can’t add anything else myself, let the magic of the  music doing the rest! Contact REVEREND BIZARRE at reverendbizarre@hotmail.com and see them at http://www.reverend.shows.it.

Edouard Vergriete

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REVEREND KILL
His Blood, Our Victory
(Apollon Records)
38:51min

From the plains of Western Canada, comes one hell of a new band!  REVEREND KILL offers deep, calculated Death and raspy Black Metal vocals mixed with non-stop double bass drums, groovy guitars, and tons of melodic lead lines, some of which continue throughout the entire song. It’s got the melodic brutality of AMON AMARTH combined with a passion and performance that offers something unique. The lyrics are not Viking tales as I've come to expect from this type of Death Metal sound but considering this is the REVEREND’s first full length disc, it’s amazingly accomplished. The production is superb, the bass guitar is audible, and the band is tighter than SPINAL TAP's spandex. I’m in love with this disc! I can’t recommend this disc highly enough for every Metal head out there! www.myspace.com/reverendkill, www.apollonrecords.nl

Jesse Light

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REVIOLENCE
Modern Beast
(Marquee Records)
44:33min

Lately the Brazilian based Marquee Records has been releasing both, brutal albums from the classic 80s South American scene and some really good albums from recent bands. And REVIOLENCE (also from Brazil) is no exception. Their brand of modern Thrash Metal may appeal to both, the seasoned veteran Thrasher and the new fan alike. The lead guitar work is outstanding. The leads are tasteful and neatly placed. Bass and drum work provide a great backbone for some really good riffs. In my humble opinion, the drum sound is a bit too processed and a few vocal parts are a little out of tune but that's about it. This is Thrash Metal, isn't it? I can hear a clear influence from FORBIDDEN's "Green" album, since the mix of classic and modern Thrash is very present, specially on the vocals, that reminded me of Mr. Russ Anderson himself. But make no mistake. REVIOLENCE is no copycat and they will Thrash you around with a solid debut. www.myspace.com/reviolence, www.reviolencemetal.com, www.marquee.com.br

Alfonso Perez

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REVOLTING
Dreadful Pleasures
(Razorback Records)
30:42min

We must be living 1989-1992 again, there's no other explanation! The amount of great new Death Metal bands that keep on rising is staggering! Some people don't hesitate to consider this as the new big trend (hmm...) but as long as the music kills let's stick to the positive side of it, right? Unlike most trend followers I guess there are some bands that are deadly serious into it and their unmistaken sound cannot fool you! One of those is without a doubt REVOLTING from Sweden… a fantastic, brand new surprise as far as I am concerned! Having their roots in the good old Death Metal days with loads of DISMEMBER, CARNAGE, DEMIGOD, GRAVE, BOLT THROWER references, they manage to deliver a crushing debut that sounds perfect in every sense! The first thing that managed to impress me is the fact that although the production is huge, it is not over-produced and fits their sound perfectly. You can hear everything pretty clear and that's great cause REVOLTING's music is an unstoppable shredding. Great, sharp DEATH METAL riffs, bombarding drumming / rhythm sections and monstrous vocals! I don't have to mention the "beloved"(to all Swedeath freaks) unmistaken down tuning and the crushing rhythm section with loads of d-beat influenced outbursts. This album will become an instant classic in the years to come. Not much need to be added. Oh, I shouldn't forget to praise Putrid who prepared the cover artwork and logo of REVOLTING; this is some incredible, insane art and it fits the band perfectly giving them an extra horror edge. My only complaint is the duration, but who am I to judge such a godly act? If you consider yourself as a serious Swedish Death Metal you have no excuse but get it!! A vinyl release is mandatory!! www.razorbackrecords.com

Manolis A.

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REVOLTING
The Terror Threshold 
(Razorback Recordings)
52:30min

First off, I want to say "The Terror Threshold" is a major improvement since 2009's "Dreadful Pleasures". Most of the merit goes to Rogga Johansson and his never ending creativity in all his bands / projects. But Grotesque Tobias (bass) and Mutated Martin (drums) also add a lot to the album with their playing. There are no fillers here at all. You can listen to it non stop. Yeah, it is that good! It's got a muddy and heavy as hell production, full of great headbanging riffs. Although there is some eerie melody from time to time, the album is not based on it. And that is definitively a plus. "The Terror Threshold" sounds like the bastard child between IMPETIGO's "Horror Of The Zombies" and the underrated gods FESTERDAY. Most of the songs are medium-paced Death Metal, with some blast beat variations. The vocals are totally awesome, raging from deep growls to some really evil shrieks. The guitars and bass have a great chunky tone, even though the bass is somewhat buried in the mix. Maybe the drums are my only complaint. They sound a little plastic; maybe they were triggered but that is all. In an endless list of new bands paying homage to the early 90s Swedeath sound, REVOLTING scores high in every department. Go get this one now! You can also contact the band to let them know how awesome their new album is. I did! Contacts: www.myspace.com/revoltingdeath, www.razorbackrecords.com

Alfonso Perez

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RIBSPREADER
Bolted To The Cross
(New Aeon / Karmageddon Media)
30:41min 

It seems that after many albums full of progressive elements Dan Swanö finally re-discovered the good old Swedish Death Metal sound lately, cause RIBSPREADER is already the second band-project of his, and the logical follow-up to the two very cool BLOODBATH releases that came out on Century Media Records. According to a label's infosheet RIBSPREADER is far more than just a "project" though (even though it originally started out as one), consisting of current and former Paganizer members (plus Dan on drums / guitars) with the intention to record more material in the not too distant future and the urge even to go on the road in order to play out live. A fact which is more than welcome to me, considering the refreshing songs the band has on offer already at this point of time! "Bolted To The Cross" is a collection of eight tunes that should easily appeal to everyone into the classic Swedish oldschool Death Metal style that was so popular in the late 80s / early 90s, represented worldwide by such legendary acts such as GRAVE, NIHILIST / early ENTOMBED, UNLEASHED, CARNAGE, DISMEMBER and so on. In fact, the album's brilliant kick off tune 'Dead Forever' has a very 'Before The Creation Of Time' kinda feel to it (guitarsound, main riffing, rhythm), but due to vocalist Rogga's more brutal way of singing it comes across a lot more devastating! And if you listen carefully you will find small musical quotes like that more often on the record, but never to the extend that "Bolted To The Cross" sounds like a cheap copy of the originals. The band has enough own ideas in their style and in direct comparison to BLOODBATH I personally even prefer RIBSPREADER's material, for it is a lot more fresh and catchy (not wimpy though) sounding and comes up with the better production (done by Mr.Swanö himself of course). So, all in all this is an album that you shouldn't miss out on if you are a worshipper of the famous Sunlight / Montezuma era of Swedish Death Metal. Cool one! All further info you may find here: http://listen.to/ribspreader or www.karmageddonmedia.com

Frank Stöver

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RIBSPREADER
Vicar Mortis (7" EP) 
(Midnight Records)
9:19min

Up until some time ago I was under the false impression (due to the band’s name) that RIBSPREADER was another boring Gore Metal band. Hopefully, I was TOTALLY wrong! Contrary to my initial expectation, RIBSPREADER deliver a great piece of traditional Swedish Metal era 1991-1992. If they actually existed back then, then the “Vicar Mortis” 7’’ might have been considered as a classic of the genre by today. That is due to the fact that RIBSPREADER capture precisely the old Swedish breeze, from the guitar tuning and the groovy mid tempo parts (reminding me a lot of old ENTOMBED and UNLEASHED) to the grunting vocals and Dan Swanö’s involvement behind the mixing desk. It is impressive how faithful (musically) RIBSPREADER are to the ancient Swedish sound without being copycats or anything. And contrary to most contemporary bands, RIBSPREADER are able to come up with some great tunes as well! Still, in order for me to form a more objective opinion, I need to listen to their upcoming full-length (I guess it is not very safe to draw conclusions out of 3 songs only – plus an intro with total playing time of 9:20min) but this band looks promising (uhm Manolis... there's already 3 RIBSPREADER full lengths out - Frank). So in few words if you are into Swedish Death Metal and need some new stuff to reminisce the good old days then you should definitely buy this one: www.myspace.com/serenityinobscenity. Each 7" comes with a pro full colour jacket and has a special bonus within as an extra for the fans. They sell for $7 US, but make sure to contact the label for individual shipping costs: midnight666_records@yahoo.com

Manolis A.

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RIBSPREADER
The Monolith (7" EP)
(Blood Harvest Records) 

It seems that RIBSPREADER discovered the charm of vinyl and especially this tiny form of vinyl for them as this is actually the 2nd seven inch which they released in a short period of time. Unfortunately I haven’t heard the "Vicar Mortis“ 7“ EP yet so I can’t compare these two releases with each other, but as I know their “Congregating The Sick” and “Bolted To The Cross” CDs I can tell all the guys who know these recordings that RIBSPREADER are still playing fuckin’ pure Swedish Death Metal they way it was meant to be. The only negative point here could be that RIBSPREADER play typical Swedish Death Metal with no real own identity, but honestly I don’t give a fuck about it as this kind of Death Metal is played with a lot of passion and you easily discover that they love playing this brand of Death Metal without trying to be original at all. This here is nothing new, but it feels damned great to listen to and in my eyes an oldschool way of releasing music (=> 7”EP) requests an oldschool sound. This medium is just perfect for RIBSPREADER’s music. You’ll find 3 songs on this vinyl, 'The Monolith' and 'Trapped In Unhuman Flesh' are the more faster ones (well, actually midtempo…) in the more or less above mentioned common Swedish style, but the amazing 'Domes Of The Ancients' just kicks fuckin’ ass with its doomy riffs and slow drumming. A great song which is hard to beat. I’m really looking forward what RIBSPREADER will offer us next. My advice to you is to take the opportunity to get in touch with Blood Harvest directly to order this amazing piece of vinyl as long as it is available. Buy it here: www.bloodharvest.se!

Thomas Ehrmann

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RIBSPREADER
Opus Ribcage
(Vic Records)
33:42min

Hey ho, let’s headbang! After 2 EPs, a split with MACHETAZO and a compilation of early recordings, Sweden’s oldschool Death Metal sickos return with "Opus Ribcage". Unfortunately, Dan Swano didn’t play on this disc but the band does just fine without him. After the lilting, acoustic, self-titled intro, the RIBS blast into the charmingly titled 'Dying Dead Decomposed' and the intensity and speed don’t let up until after the disc ends with a cover of the RAMONES’ classic 'Blitzkrieg Bop' (here called 'Blitzkrieg Pop'). Trust me, there’s nothing pop at all about RIBSPREADER. Their music takes me back to the early 90s during the heyday of Sunlight Studios and bands such as ENTOMBED and DISMEMBER but the growled vocals are deeper and more gut-churning. Frontman Rogga even manages to mix in some eardrum piercing grunting during a few tracks. If you like your Metal short and unsweet with not an iota of filler, check out RIBSPREADER’s latest opus now! www.myspace.com/ribspreaderofficial, www.vicrecords.com

Jesse Light

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RIMFROST
A Frozen World Unknown
(No Colours Records)
37:43min

I have to admit that I’m pretty surprised by the quality of the last two recordings I got from No Colours Records. The first band which kinda blew me away was THORON, but this band, RIMFROST, is by no means worse than the other one. This Swedish horde plays some kind of extreme Black Metal with Thrash and Death Metal influences, that’s at least what their label claims them to be and I can only agree with them. It’s extreme Black Metal, not extreme in the way that they only play fast and brutal, they often play in midpaced speed, very groovy, varied and tight with great dark melody lines and from time to time remind me on slower IMMORTAL. Especially their vocalist makes me think on Abbath! But that’s nothing negative here as the brand of Metal they are playing is pretty original and I really can’t compare them so much to any other band at all. That’s nothing usual for the debut album of a band. So my advice is to check them out or at least listen to the song sample No Colours offers on their labelsite and make up your own picture! Now I will have a listen to their CD again while you should have a look on www.no-colours-records.de and support the frozen world unknown of RIMFROST.

Thomas Ehrmann

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RIMTHURS
Ur:Kaos (MCD)
(Temple Of Darkness Records)
20:33min

RIMTHURS is a one man band from Sweden playing Black Metal. Simple as it is! I don’t know what I should think of the idea of a one man band but this shouldn’t be my problem. This 5 track release offers Black Metal, mostly fast played with great melodies and impressive basslines. Honestly I hardly heard such a great sounding bass on any other Black Metal releases. Still this release don’t really convinces me completely at all. The songs are pretty good, but I would prefer to hear a full-length release to make my final decision about the quality of this band. For die-hard Black Metal fans this should be a release worth to support as it offers tight played and fast Black Metal in a great soundquality with interesting ideas. “Ur:Kaos” is all in all a quite good release of a talented musician, so check it out if you are a Black Metal maniac and all the others let’s wait and see how this band will progress, a huge potential is recognizable!! Make the choice for yourself and check out www.templeofdarknessrecords.com if you’re interested for further details or go to www.rimthurs.se!

Thomas Ehrmann

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RIOTOR
Death And Destruction (Demo 2007)
(self-financed)
21:00min

Years, I tell you! Years it has been since I have heard anything of worth, let alone any serious Thrash Metal barbarity rip from the earth out of Quebec, Canada. “Death And Destruction “, RIOTOR’s debut demo is one of the most promising, most proficient demo / CD recordings that I have had the pleasure to hear and to own! Any of you that read my reviews here in any regularity know that when I normally bitch about a new band who will waste my time by sending out a weak, unforgiving CDR of pure grade shit – this demo here is the exact audio benchmark equivalent that I hold those of inferiority up to and to judge against. A sonic barrier if you will, to what I get continually bombarded with on a daily basis, a shield of iron to deflect arrows of redundancy that those unworthy to be heralded perpetually make assault with upon these ears. Featuring six professional, semi-technical Speed / Thrash anthems, that I honestly believe not only will get them instantaneous recognition worldwide yet also in the same breath, it will only be a matter of time until you all are signed and most likely I’d wager to Heavy Artillery Records from New York! For fans of AVENGER OF BLOOD or Germany’s DESASTER, you can’t go wrong with these Canadian Speed merchants! Live for Steel – Die for Steel! Contact: riotor.metal@gmail.com or www.myspace.com/riotor or 80 Hermine #302, Quebec, QC, G1K 8L9, Canada

Wes Rhodes 

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R:I:P
…Out To R:I:P All Nations!!!
(Twilight Zone Records)
43:00min

Attention! Metalcore, mixed with modern, melodic Death and Thrash Metal, clean, even female vocals and of course keyboards. So, I guess 95% of the typical VOICES-readers already stopped reading any further. But that is a pity in my eyes, because this debut album is actually one of the best Metal albums in 2007 I have been listening to so far. Of course it is not within the boundaries of genuine Death, Black Metal or Grindcore and thus (more or less) beyond my personal realm and maybe not really something for VOICES, but if you are at least a little bit open-minded you must acknowledge the sheer energy and power, the dynamic and finespun song-structures, the ability to mix the above mentioned elements to a fine blend of Metal. Surely, every note of this album is breathing the term “modern”, so do not say you have not been warned. Maybe I am “too old, too cold”, but I can rarely remember a band combining Metalcore, Death and Thrash Metal in such a way. Most Metalcore bands I have been listening to are just simply adding some typical Death or Thrash riffs or even Black Metal like keyboards, but R:I:P created in fact an unique style, an interesting and highly enjoyable vision of modern Metal. The band name R:I:P means “Raw Intense Power” and the band labels their music as “German Premium Metal”, in my eyes a little exaggerated, like the three exclamation marks in the title. But nevertheless “…Out To R:I:P All Nations!!!” should definitely call the attention of everyone who is interested in the development of modern Metal or at least all people who want to bang their heads to this stunning debut. www.rawintensepower.com

Mirco Szymyslik

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RISING DUST
Demo 2002
11:31min

This two tracker was passed on to me by a good friend of mine, and I decided to review it right on the spot, due to the extreme quality of the material presented here. Older readers may remember the French band DARK WHITE who played Doom Metal at the beginning of the 90’s. Myself, I only remember a feature about them in a Metal Forces side-magazine (be it X-treem Noize or Thrash’n’Burn, I don’t know for sure). DARK WHITE disappeared without a trace around 1994, so imagine my surprise when I learned that RISING DUST featured two ex-DARK WHITE members. And what pleased me the most is that they had remained faithful to their Doom Metal roots, as their 2002 demo brings a shining confirmation of that. As I said above, only two tracks are featured here, but there is more talent showed in them than in 60 minutes long albums that infest the record bins of today. This three piece (David - guitars and vocals, Steff - bass and Malek - drums) deliver magnificent Doom played with passion,  well complimented by a great sound quality, considering they recorded this on eight tracks. RISING DUST don’t hesitate to add a little complexity to their compositions, as in ‘Son Of The Witch’, a track that could please a large audience (even the most extreme)  thanks to the guitar sound which combines traditional Doom overtones with regular Heavy Metal and Death Metal ones. David’s voice is certainly (to me at last) one of the highlights of this demo, in fact he sounds quite like the mighty Victor Griffin on the PLACE OF SKULLS debut masterpiece. And when I think about it, ‘Ride With The Dragon’, the second and sadly final track of this demo, could have been featured on that said Griffin’s album, that tells a lot about its high class and maturity I guess. Personally, I don’t see RISING DUST remaining in obscurity for much too long, I am pretty confident somebody with a brain will offer them a record deal; and be sure this one will not have to regret it, because a full length by RISING DUST can only be an instant classic album. Contact the band at info@risingdust.com in order to get their demo (another one is on its way, from what I understood), and note that if even  some sections of their homepage are still under construction, the page itself is worth a little visit: http://www.risingdust.com. Definitively one of the best traditional Doom Metal band around these days, trust me on that!

Edouard Vergriete

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RISING MOON
For The Remained Time
(Metal Fortress Entertainment)
55:05min

The fact that no one from the entire VOICES staff wanted to review the third album by Italy's RISING MOON should already be a good reflection of how bored everyone here already is by so-called "melodic Death Metal"! And I personally wasn't too excited to listen to it either as I gave up on that style a long time ago already and never really cared again... So, yeah - sometimes it really is a dirty job, but (as we all know) someone's gotta do it...;-) Anyway, for those of you who disagree with our narrowminded, fucked-up opinion, let me give you a little bit of background info on this Italian duo here. They were founded in 1997 as BODY GRINDER and a demo release quickly secured them a deal with Italy's Elegy Records, who released the band's debut album "Hate From Heaven" about a year later (already under the new moniker, RISING MOON). In 2000 disc numero duo saw the light of day (a concept album about aliens, entitled "Area 51") and in January 2001 Sweden's Metal Fortress Entertainment finally picked them up to release a mini CD ("European Aliens"). And now there's this new full length... "For The Remained Time" (shouldn't it be "For The Remaining Time"?) features 12 tracks, among them the title track off the band's debut album (don't know why it was included on here again). The overall sound is a little strange for a band of this kind as the guitars seem to be a little more downtuned than on other records of this genre. But the material really benefits from this, as well as from the mostly rawer-than-usual vocal delivery and additionally used clean vocal parts (to be found in '...For The Remained Time' for instance)... All this adds a little more uniqueness to their creations. I'm not sure though if the kinda weird (abrupt) endings of the already mentioned title track as well as 'Something Is About To Happen' were really supposed to be like that... This way it sounds more like a listening sample or technical damage rather than the ending of a real song... Apart from that, an album full of skillfully performed tunes, definitely of interest for melodic Death Metal lunatics that simply can't get enough of this style. For more info check out www.risingmoon.it or www.metalfortress.com

Frank Stöver

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RITES OF THY DEGRINGOLADE
Totality
(Pestifer)
43:45min

I can put this in a very short way: RITES OF THY DEGRINGOLADE from Canada play raw Black / Death Metal in the oldschool tradition. To extend this not very detailed description a bit, it is to say that RITES OF THY DEGRINGOLADE write songs which oscillate between brutal blasts and waltzing mid-tempo crowned with mangy vocals, like many other bands do, too. Unfortunately, the dull production is at best of average quality and absorbs some sublte details which could have offered a bit more identity. Fans of underground Black / Death Metal should give it a chance and check out this good but by far not outstanding band. Website: www.degringolade.com.

Christoph Göbel

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RITUAL CARNAGE
The Birth Of Tragedy
(Osmose Productions)
38:56min

There's no doubt in my mind that Thrash Metal music is much more devastating when played at fast pace rather than using slow paced material and it's obvious that RITUAL CARNAGE have understood that for "Every Nerve Alive" and on their new offering. Opening in a furious 80's Thrashing fashion with 'The Sixth Sense' followed by the title track, RITUAL CARNAGE confirms that they don't want to bury their roots unlike so many of their once great predecessors and deliver a mixture of "Beneath...", DARK ANGEL "Leave Scars" particularly evident with 'Burning Eyes Of Rage' (being very similar to 'The Death Of Innocence'), PESTILENCE (Las Vegas outfit) and similar devastating acts. I heard comparisons with the once killer Bay Area Thrash scene but I for one can't find much in common with those bands because the riffing approach is different, the solo work can't be compared either as their delivery is inferior and another point that separates RITUAL CARNAGE from the Bay Area are the vocals as Nasty Danny's singing is simply monotonous and certainly the weak point here (if there's one) as he simply doesn't sound convincing unlike Urbinati, Ronsdorf or Fisher were for example. This point and a few fillers such as 'Paradox Of Democracy', 'Sanity's Thinline' and 'Psycho-Sadistic Psychosis' are the only flaws that I can think of as the production is really excellent on the other way, delivering a sharp guitar sound and a powerful yet maybe too synthetic drum sound. Definitively one of the best Thrash releases for 2002 along with the untouchable new DEW-SCENTED album. Oh yeah, let's not forget the good but not killer (the vocals being not so adequate) cover of 'Infernal Death' in memery of Schuldiner. Die hard collectors will note that the digipack version has two extra tracks and the vinyl has a bonus 7" included. 

Laurent Ramadier

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RITUAL CARNAGE
I, Infidel
(Osmose Productions)
35:09min

On first hearing I was pretty enthusiastic about this album, but a new spin led me to mitigate my initial impression. “I, Infidel” first appears as a true scorcher, and actually it is, but yet I can’t give this one the royal treatment reserved to masterpieces. I didn’t hear a single note coming from the three previous RITUAL CARNAGE offerings before listening to this one, so I experienced the album without any preconception. Let’s say that the sound is phenomenal on this, and compliment very well the rabid American-styled Thrash attack delivered by the band. The strongest point on “I, Infidel” could be found in the vocal department, but beware, it is a love it / hate it situation, because Danny Carnage’s voice stays in the high pitched mode almost all the time, reminding me VIO-LENCE Sean Killian on more than one occasion. Also, the pair of guitarists here are obviously ultra-competent, some solos are truly blazing, and in fact even the rhythm section shines bright throughout the record. “So where is the problem?” I hear you say. Well, despite the undisputable qualities of “I, Infidel” and once the surprise effect vanished, an obvious monotony takes over, because all the tracks tend to sound the same way. I admit it is pretty normal when it comes to a Thrash release like this one, but the overall effect kills the excitement factor after a few minutes, and the record seems longer than the 35 min mark displayed by the CD deck. Maybe the best way to fully appreciate “I, Infidel” could be to listen to some tracks only, and keep the rest for another session, I don’t know. It is sure that RITUAL CARNAGE put a lot of efforts into this to offer the best album possible, and if you are in for a mid-way solution between SLAYER and VIO-LENCE, be sure to check “I, Infidel” out. I am myself pretty sceptical about this one, very cool stuff but not 100% convincing.

Edouard Vergriete

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RITUAL TORTURE
Rise Of The Fallen (Demo 2009)
(Zombie Ritual Tapes)
23:44min

San Diego’s RITUAL TORTURE can stand proud in front of all the other current newcomers of the rising oldschool Death Metal movement. That’s something I have to point out after a couple of listens to their debut demo “Rise Of The Fallen”. RITUAL TORTURE’s sound is American to the bone. I hear huge hints of my old favourites in REVENANT at their “Prophecies Of A Dying World” times. RITUAL TORTURE sound oldschool, but not fitting to the current oldschool revival that much as their brand of Death Metal has many elements of Thrash Metal, too. Especially the solos are not the typical Death Metal shrieks. Their weird elements are those parts which bring me to the conclusion that they are in a way linked to the early work of New Jersey’s REVENANT as mentioned above. And as REVENANT where influenced a lot by POSSESSED I can mention the influence of this band, too. The word “influence” might be wrong here for both bands as I don’t read these 2 bands in RITUAL TORTURE’s biography or any other kind of infosheet and hope that the band don’t mind that I bring them in connection with these bands. Never mind, there could be much worse comparison than this one, and I’m sure the band can live a good deal with it. “Rise Of The Fallen” is the first output of this new band and a great start if you ask me. Next to an atmospheric, almost Black Metal-like, intro this tape contains 5 songs including a coverversion of VADER’s ‘Vicious Circle’ from their “The Ultimate Incantation” debut album. Are VADER probably an influence, too? Might be possible… Well, as I already wrote, this demotape is a great start and I can only recommend it to each and every one of you who can stand the sound of the mentioned three bands and would like to support a new hopeful. A necessity is to own a tapeplayer as this recording is only available on tape so far. Get in touch with the band through www.myspace.com/ritualtorture. The tape is available from www.bloodharvest.se.

Thomas Ehrmann

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ROK
Burning Metal
(Modern Invasion Music)
50:42min

I never really cared for Australia's SADISTIK EXEKUTION (well, "The Magus" would probably be an exception to the rule here...), as I always considered them too chaotic and noisy, with too little highlight songs to remember. So, for obvious reasons I also didn't check out the first solo album by their crazy frontman ROK. Whether that was a mistake or not, I still can't tell you, but now I got to hear the follow up and at least that turned into a positive surprise for me. "Burning Metal" doesn't impress with brilliant musicianship or a high quality production, it's actually of very low standards – everything gets played in the most simple way, the lyrics are full of clichés (black, leather, Satan, fire, hell etc.), while the production comes across with a pretty authentic, basic and raw sound (but of very good quality!). While listening to the fifty minutes I often had the impression that I'm standing right in the middle of ROK's rehearsal room, which is quite a nice experience, hehe. Anyway, musically the songs combine influences from early BATHORY (especially the slower stuff, like 'Born In Fire' or 'Vampire'), VENOM (for its raspy and rough overall feel and partly also for the way the vocals get delivered) and straight ahead and dirty MOTÖRHEAD type Rock'n'Roll. Like I said, very simple, but very effective and definitely way more Metal than the majority of better produced / executed releases these days.

Frank Stöver

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RONDELLUS
Sabbatum
(Beg The Bug Records)
53:42min

We’ve all heard countless times that there is “nothing new under the sun”, and most of the time it is true. However we must also remember that there is an exception to every rule. The “Sabbatum” CD by Estonian medieval music group RONDELLUS is one of those exceptions. Heavy Metal is generally a very conservative form of music, yet paradoxically it can also be one of the most inclusive and broad-minded. In the same genre called “Metal” you can find lyrics and outlandish topics on any VOIVOD album standing right along side the simple and skullcrushingly effective SLAUGHTER LORD hymns of mayhem.  There is the utmost in simplistic musical brutality found in bands like HELLHAMMER standing along side a technically proficient metallion like YNGWIE MALMSTEEN - in my collection, anyway. In 1998 MALMSTEEN pushed the boundaries of Metal beyond anything previously known by composing an entire album for a symphony orchestra and masterfully soloing over the whole thing with his trademark classical style, Fender Strat and Marshalls. Heaven for me, Hell for others, I know.  Now comes another release that, judging by some of the reviews of it I’ve seen in the Metal and Hardrock press, has rocketed over many people’s heads like a space shuttle. RONDELLUS’ album consists of 12 BLACK SABBATH covers played on medieval instruments and sung entirely in Latin. 'Verres Militares' ('War Pigs'), 'Funambulus Domesticus' ('A National Acrobat'), 'Symptoma Mundi' ('Symptom Of The Universe'), 'Planetarum Vagatio' (do you really need a translation of this one?), among others, form the backbone of this highly memorable and most unmetal of Metal releases. SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has recently forwarded a stunned and appreciative note to project coordinator Mihkel Raud over the release. Copies have been forwarded to the other members of the original SABBATH in hope of some sort of feedback. But the fact is, Iommi, Osbourne and Butler would have to be mad not to see the honour done them by this.  I’d like to see RONDELLUS' next project be a similar album of IRON MAIDEN covers. In the meantime, BLACK SABBATH and true Heavy Metal fans take note, this is like nothing you’ve heard before; Nu-Metal fans and simpletons, take cover! www.sabbatum.com

Charles Keller

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ROSE TATTOO
Black-Eyed Bruiser (MCD)
(Armageddon Music)
16:44min

Anybody interested in CD singles or rather: EPs? Australian Rock titans ROSE TATTOO released this one in memory of Pete Wells. It contains one new song (the title track) and 3 live tracks: 'Rock'n'Roll Outlaw', 'Remedy' and 'Astra Wally'. Everything was recorded after Pete's death. I'm not quite sure if 'Black-Eyed Bruiser' can stand the test of time but we'll see because ROSE TATTOO will still be around, just as Pete had told them. It's both strange and comforting seeing the guys on stage without their lead guitarist but I always get high on Angry Anderson's voice anyway. So let's wait and see if there will be another full length. Die hard fans will need “Black-Eyed Bruiser” of course and everybody into energetic Rock music should think of getting this one as well. www.rosetattoo.com.au. You can order it here.

Ramon Claassen

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ROTTEN SOUND
Drain
(Repulse Records)
30:30min

This is a very cool bastard of Crust / Grind and Swedish old school Death Metal! ROTTEN SOUND hail from Suomi, their second longplayer "Drain" was recorded in Sunlight Studio and it abounds with unbelievable speed, aggression and extremity. Here you get 15 tracks in 30 minutes, so you should know that ROTTEN SOUND make no prisoners. If you think DELLAMORTE, DRILLER KILLER or the totally overrated all-star project LOCK UP are extreme, than take a listen into "Drain" and you'll know the real meaning of this adjective! By the way, short album – short review!

Schenk

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ROTTEN SOUND
Still Psycho (MCD)
(Deathvomit / Necropolis Records)
16:39min

Based on Schenk's review for the previously issued "Drain" album by these Finnish Grinders, this mini CD quite obviously must already be (at least) their third release. It's not only the first for the Necropolis sub label Deathvomit Records but also the first that I got my hands on. And you know what? I really like what I hear! It's indeed very fast grinding Death with some Crustcore elements, but never to the extent that pure Death Metal maniacs necessarily should avoid this. The band delivers five really intense and incredibly devastating own compositions and a well done cover of the old CARCASS classic 'Reek Of Putrefaction', everything's powerfully produced and always performed on a high musical level. If that's not enough to convince you, let me tell you that the disc comes up with nine additional video (!) live tracks, which I didn't like as much as the studio material due to the different sounding vocals which unfortunately have a slightly bigger Hard- / Crustcore approach. But as you can't play those on your regular CD player it shouldn't really be a problem and you can still immensely freak out on 'Perfection', 'Ignorance', Strong Man', 'Disinterest', 'Lack Of Awareness' and the aforementioned CARCASS cover! All in all an extremely cool, yet way too short release.

Frank Stöver

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ROTTEN SOUND
Murderworks
(Deathvomit / Necropolis Records)
28:31min

It seems to me that the previous "Still Psycho" MCD will most likely remain the only release from these Finnish sickos that I enjoyed quite a bit. Unfortunately their new full length "Murderworks" is way more Hardcore / Grind / Crust influenced again and in terms of the extremity and intensity partly reminds me on their countrymen IMPALED NAZARENE. What you get is 14 tracks, all of them with short one-word-titles exclusively, performed in less than 30 minutes... This should already give you an idea of what to expect here. Too bad that ROTTEN SOUND avoid to incorporate slower parts most of the time as they come across a lot more crushing than their usual highspeed erruptions. Just like the MCD, this new CD also comes with additional video footage. This time it's three tracks ('Targets', 'Seeds' and 'Strongman') that probably got filmed at one particular ROTTEN SOUND show as they look pretty similar. If you like it fast'n'furious and your musical taste is not limited to Death and Black Metal exclusively, this might be something for you to check out.     

Frank Stöver

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THE ROTTING
The Dead Won't Leave You Alone (Demo)
(Time Before Time Records)
11:25min

Listening to "The Dead Won't Leave You Alone", the 2nd demo (as far as I know) by Swedish THE ROTTING takes you on a trip to… Death Metal from around 1987! This demo is released by Polish Time Before Time Records and contain a 11 minute timewarp, wrapped in 4 tracks. The label described this releases as "raw, primitive and rotting Death Metal in the vein of AUTOPSY, GROTESQUE, NIHILIST and ROTTREVORE." Well, not much left for me to add here except that I didn't catch ROTTREVORE… Listening to the tracks 'Free From The Coffin', 'The Dead Won't Leave You Alone', 'Army Of Ghouls' and 'Food For Maggots' did bring same emotions as mentioned bands do, but also those when listening to TRIBULATION, MERCILESS. I guess from the thrashy edge in the riffing. This release is actually impressive, with very cool songs, the right spirit, maybe a bit too muddy production and very capable musicians who got the necessary experience from AWAKEN HORROR, EVISCERATED and ANTICHRIST. And enough variation to keep the rush going. Everything on "The Dead Won't Leave You Alone" is convicing and enjoyable enough for thou highly respected Swedeath addicts. And above all, it sounds quite more rotten and raw than a lot of these new incarnations of Swedish Death Metal popping up everywhere these days! Don't know any price, so best you can do is to check out www.myspace.com/therotting666, www.time-before-time.com. Nice one!

Michael Tak

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ROTTING CHRIST
In Domine Sathanas (DVD)
(Metal Mind Productions / Century Media)
190:00min

Just like the excellent ENSLAVED DVD, this one is built around a ROTTING CHRIST (headliner) gig from October 2002 in Krakow, Poland. Excellent photography and sound (Dolby Digital 5.1) in front of quite a big crowd (far bigger than the one in Osnabrück, Germany, I attended). Then there is an opening show from 1996 filmed at the same place with the same quality in front of an even bigger audience and considerably more action on and in front of the stage. Finally, there is a part of a bootleg show shot in Greece in 2003 where one can’t see much more than red and blue shadows. The sound is truly bootleg but the reactions of the legendary Greek fans are quite impressive. Then you have features like a biography, discography, photo gallery, desktop images, an art gallery, an interview from Poland and a feature about the band’s history shot in front of ancient Athens, both with band leader Sakis. Those two features drive me crazy, though, as his English can’t give you more than a limited quantity of information, let alone delivering any entertainment. Still, considering the good shows and the length of this DVD, I’d say it’s essential for fans.

Ramon Claassen

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ROYAL ANGUISH
A Journey Through The Shadows Of Time
(Fear Dark)
44:10min

''…again they bring a mix of extreme Death Metal and more commercial Gothic Metal in a very unique way, like they did on their previous release ''Tales Of Sullen Eyes''. Nice quotation, isn't it? Well, I really might not be the right person for this, but someone has to do this here, hrhr! ''A Journey Through The Shadows Of Time'' is split-up in two parts. The first part is sounding like a cheap mixture of Cradle of Filth, German Crematory and boring progressive Death Metal, combined with boring and more than monotonous Death Metal-like vocals. Variety should bring the use of the female voice, but it also fails, as it is sounding quite disturbing all the time. The second part of that album promises a lot, but after the well-sounding intro the same stuff will crush your nerves, too. I just can imagine small chubby girls with too tight velvet skirts and pimples who could like that kind (of) music. Probably for that species this could be ultra-evil and brutal. The best thing on that release might be the spoken intros between the songs of the last part (called 'The Battle Of Jericho And Enon'), as they remember of 'Defender', you should know that song of Manowar… www.royalanguish.com, www.fear-dark.com

Hurricane

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THE ROYAL ARCH BLASPHEME
The Royal Arch Blaspheme
(Hell's Headbangers)
39:00min

One might feel tempted to think THE ROYAL ARCH BLASPHEME is the first American Black Metal band to borrow directly from PROFANATICA in as pure a way as can be obtained; for they do sound eerily like Paul Ledney's legendary band. Tempting; but THE ROYAL ARCH BLASPHEME is a part of the PROFANATICA legend, not an inheritor of it (even the album cover was done by Paul Ledney - Frank). The band is a side project of J. Gelso (PROFANATICA) and Lord Imperial (KRIEG). J. Gelso's influence is so strong, though, that it's difficult to hear anything of Imperial except in the vocals, which sound quite a bit like Paul Ledney's. Strong too are the twisted, single-mindedly primitive Death Metal riffs and dry, Black Metal rasping; all that made, and continues to make PROFANATICA great. Burn your Bibles and invert your crosses; the time is nigh. More info at: www.myspace.com/unholyblackproductions, www.myspace.com/blackhousevoices, www.hellsheadbangers.com

Nat Shapiro

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RUDRA
Kurukshetra
(Trishul Music Productions)
41:58min

From the exotic place of Singapore emerge RUDRA, who perform a solid mixture of melodic Death and Thrash Metal. Skilled musicianship, original song structures and melodies that do not sound like copied Scandinavian shit are the trademarks of the four-piece. Especially the solos have a very individual and unique sound. The vocals are typical aggressive not too high screams interrupted by some spoken passages and have this funny pronunciation one either loves or hates about Asian bands. In terms of production “Kurukshetra” is absolutely first class, which is not a natural thing for acts from that part of the world, but RUDRA belong to the lucky ones who have powerful, transparent and yet not too polished sound. It’s a really good CD, so send an email to the Singapore department of Trishul Music and find out more about availability and price of “Kurukshetra”: drdeax@yahoo.com. The band’s website can be found here http://rudra.audioreload.com/, band email is rudra@singnet.com.sg. Be sure to check it out, ok?

Stefan Franke

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RUDRA
Brahmavidya: Primordial 1
(Demonzend Records)
46:14min

Singapore based Death Metal outfit RUDRA is back again with a new first class album and a new label. The new effort is entitled "Brahmavidya: Primordial 1" and features ten tracks of a very unique and original blend of steel. For those who are not familiar with this squad: the band saw the light of day already back in 1992 and the new album is the fourth longplayer in their career. The band labels their music as 'Vedic Metal'. In The Vedic age, Rudra was the god of storm and wind (some say he was the god of death as well). In later Hinduism, he became part of the trinity as Lord Shiva, the destroyer. So that's a short introduction what the name RUDRA stands for. The music of these guys is absolute brillant. They mix Death Metal together with some Thrash and Black elements which works out fantastic. But what makes this stuff so outstanding is the incorporation of traditional Hindu music / scales and the use of classical Hindu instruments as well. The result is quite impressive if you ask me. The songs are complex and performed with high technical skills, but still easy to listen to. The tracks have a very dense atmosphere and you can find here everything a good album needs. Aggressive riffs, a lot of variation in the speed department, great guitar harmonies, tight rhythms, pounding drums etc. The sound quality is impressive and can easily meet international standards. The powerful production compliments each song. It's hard to pick out one song as you have to listen to the entire album. Nevertheless tracks like 'Ananya Chatanya', 'Veil Of Maya' or 'In The Fourth Quarter: Turiya' are high quality anthems. The songs are presented with a strong lyrical concept and are packed in a noble digipack. Excellent stuff! Get in touch with them at www.rudraonline.org

Michael Oelschlegel

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RUDRA
Brahmavidya: Transcendental I
(Vic Records)
65:09min

“RUDRA is a god of storm and diseases, and a form of the God Shiva (Shankar). He is more destructive than Shankar himself.” With this explanation of the name of the band it is that I am exposed again to this monumental piece of blackened Death Metal from Singapore. They have called this unholy chants of destruction and desolation as Vedic Metal, a term used to pay tribute more than the music of their region, to what it is exposed through their lyrics to the history of their homeland. And so we are transported to a land of magic, of Vedic Warriors and domains of desolation, where the deserts are hopeless and where the vultures are there to devour the souls of those who dare to venture into this cursed, yet magical lands. If I have to describe their sound, I would say they are between the early Death Metal era of BEHEMOTH, with some touches of NILE and some early PESTILENCE is to be found in it, with a distinctive Speed / Thrash influence, and a blackened voice which loosely reminds of ANGELCORPSE. Making my memory to work, this is quite close in style to GOD DETHRONED, and with some technical aspects close to NECROPHAGIST, to give another point of reference. Blessed with a powerful modern production, yet not as synthetic as some producers think is necessary for Death Metal, the band delivers a very strong effort.  There are more than a few instrumental sections where they pay homage to their motherland music, but you can also actually feel some of that influence in their high speed terrorizing Metal of Death. At first glance they do remind you of someone, but then again, you can feel they are different… they invoke images in of warriors which lived by the sword and fought thousand headed serpents and multi-limb god-devil creatures while searching for revenge. The composition skill the band possesses is one of the strong points here. Add to that a masterful execution, with a very inventive guitar players and a solid rhythm section, where they dwell between a dark melody and a very aggressive yet mysterious aura like in the song 'Hymns From The Blazing Chariot' with a fantastic guitar soloing which fits perfect within the destructive and intense pace of the song.  Then they also spit fire from a calm start in a song like 'Advaitamrta' to enter then into a neck breaking riffage of the highest caliber I have heard in a long time. If there is a time when the word “epic” can be used in Death Metal, it does surely belong here. In the songs 'Immortality Roars' they try a weird mixture of Vedic sounds and some Death Metal growling /drumming which is actually interesting for a while, but tends to became tiring after a few seconds, so I would suggest the band to keep that kind of experimentation in a shorter level. And the last thing I found here is that maybe the album is a bit long, as the style is more set for probably shorter time in one listening. When I was becoming a bit tired of a similar style in a couple of consecutive songs, which were good but not outstanding, they throw up a killer hymn in the form of 'Avidya Nivrtti' that seems to be written in their native language. This song even proves them to be capable of creating technical complex songs, yet maintaining a very straightforward essence.  To end this masterpiece, they are throwing blades of fury with 'Majestic Ashtavakra'.  RUDRA will appeal to many Metal fans, not only those looking for a brutal blackened Death Metal band, but also looking for a more technical side of things and played with style, quality and conviction. I just hope that the final battle with the god of storm ends up in a chaos to be continued… www.rudraonline.org, www.vicrecords.com

Julián Núñez

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RUFFIANS
Desert Of Tears
(Old School Metal Records)
55:42min

Conventional – so what! Bay Area Power Metal veterans RUFFIANS have returned with new material – finally! They’re obviously not trying to re-invent the steel but they play their music with passion and I love the singer’s voice: not too high but powerfully rough. Typical powerful 80s US Metal. Some of the songs seem a little slow at times and several “unplugged” moments might seem a little much whereas the excellent sound really keeps me fixed to "Desert Of Tears". It’s really a record made to be played loud. RUFFIANS made a CD (I’d love to have this one on vinyl, by the way) for old farts. And young Metalheads who’d love to have been born one or two decades earlier. Just turn up the volume, have a beer (or two) with a couple of friends and raise your fist to the slow hymn ‘I Will Fly’, scream along the vocals of the title track and bang your head to ‘I Believe’. I don’t need much more for happiness. The video is a nice bonus with a rather weak sound combining video footage of several live performances of ‘Do Or Die’, for example at the Keep It True festival in Germany. I’m sure some of the old RUFFIANS fans might say this one can’t compete with the classics but that’s what they always say. I don’t care cause I like it and so does my air guitar! www.osmrecords.net. Also on sale here.

Ramon Claassen

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RUINS
Front The Final Foes
(Debemur Morti Productions)
44:42min

Recently Mr. BEHERIT stated in an interview that he has lost contact to the current Black Metal scene – a development which is more or less typical for nearly all first generation musicians – but this band from Australian / Tasmania is the exception to the rule. So let’s start with the obvious facts – RUINS was founded in 2004 and they’ve chosen the right MySpace account for their music because their third release “Front The Final Foes” fully deserves the title Black Metal. Their former release “Cauldron” was re-released by Debemur Morti earlier this year and even if the Australian scene has seen – within this unholy year - a lot of shadows and only a minor amount of light is this attack from Down Under a fully armed warhead. In some way the band reminds me of the German elite Black Metal combo SECRETS OF THE MOON mainly due to the fact that their music is extremely compact but nevertheless offers a slightly modern approach. Especially songs like ‘Annihilate' or 'The Sum Of Your Loss’ show the true essences of Black Metal but without to the possibility to categories RUINS into the Swedish and / or Norwegian style – their style is in some way different. “Front The Final Foes” is a release with edges and need several trips to hell to fully capture the given musical class. www.myspace.com/ruinsblackmetal, www.ruinsband.com, www.debemur-morti.com

Matthias Auch

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THE RUINS OF BEVERAST
Unlock The Shrine
(Wod - Van)
70:27min

"Unlock The Shrine" is the debut album of one of Germany's finest and best Black Metal projects / bands. Project, because the only man behind this is Alexander v. Meilenwald, probably known from NAGELFAR. But THE RUINS OF BEVERAST is something really different, it is much more oppressive and by far blacker. "Unlock The Shrine" brings forth 6 black metallic songs interrupted by 6 ambient based sound-buildings. Musically wide-ranging with slow, doom-like parts, pounding mid-tempo hymns and fast, aggressive attacks this album shows a lot of Black Metal's facets. And what's really magic, throughout the whole opus it reveals the same strong dose of black and oppressive atmospheres, from the first to the last second, without getting boring and without repeating itself. So, "Unlock The Shrine" is a real jewel and you should not miss this one, either on CD or on upcoming DLP at the WOD-VAN; www.wod-van.de

Andi Bauer

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RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER
Buried In The Front Yard
(Relapse)
34:22min

If there is something remarkable about Relapse Records then it is their huge amount of weird, inventive artists and their good hand in discovering new acts who offer innovative, fresh sounds that usually make the good ol’ oldschool maniac go postal (I know from experience)! Now we have a nice little record here by a band that seems to worship the Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales (fits to the start of the new movie “Brothers Grimm”, right?) at least guessing from the band name, of course that’s not the case. Founded in 2002 the quintet released a split 7” with JUMBO’S KILCRANE and a live album named “Raped By Bears” whose title underlines again that this band utilizes a lot of humoristic, at times macabre but mostly quite silly lyrics and titles. Musically diversified Thrash Metal with references to the old Teutonic school of KREATOR and aggressive, rhythmic innovators such as PANTERA is what you get offered on “Buried In The Frontyard”. In addition to that some twisted, slightly progressive guitar-passages, some excursions into Death Metal, acoustic guitar parts, catchy PANTERA-ian hooks and some decent melodies now and then spice up this highly individual sounding album. Tempo-wise RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER mostly concentrate on the typical, heavy “Vulgar Display Of Power” midtempo crunch, which together with the vocals adds also a certain Hardcore / Thrashcore-edge (like e.g. D.R.I., S.O.D.) to the bands’ variable sound. Of course you also get some up-tempo parts ranging from the double bass-driven shredding to a few blasted sections. The lead guitar performance is very “Metal”, so to speak - ripping, fast yet melodic - it accentuates the traditional elements the band integrates into its sound. Overall you should get the impression that this album definitely has a lot to offer though at a traditionalist-home base such as the Voices website it will be probably shunned by most readers. “Buried In The Front Yard” to me is well-done, variable Thrash Metal that fits the contemporary liability to crossover and is an entertaining, cool album that maybe lacks a real smasher, but should delight any open-minded Thrasher, who digs KREATOR, SLAYER as well as the godly PANTERA. www.relapse.com. The CD is available here.

Stefan Franke

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RUNAMOK
Back For Revenge
(Metal Axe Records)
41:03min

The history of RUNAMOK is a little bit confusing to me and I'm not quite sure whether "Back For Revenge" is really the band's debut album or not... There's also talk about another full length called "Make My Day" (also from 2004), but maybe that never got released officially?! Who knows?!  Anyway this German four-piece was founded in the summer of 2003 by guitarist / vocalist Fabian Schwarz (STORMWITCH / FALLEN 2 PIECES) and guitarist Olli Kaufmann (ex-TYRAN PACE, VINDER) in order to play some oldschool Speed / Thrash Metal. The line-up was completed by two more experienced people, namely FALLEN 2 PIECES drummer Mario Schmitt and APOKRYPHA bassplayer Freddy Schartl. After a rather quickly released demo CD (still in 2003) they constantly must have written material like crazy, cause apart from the aforementioned twelve "Make My Day" tunes, there's another ten own songs, as well as a cover of MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'Looks That Kill' (!!) on their newest offering "Back For Revenge" again. Musically RUNAMOK sound pretty dated (meant in a positive way here!) and might appeal to anyone who could imagine a nicely balanced mixture of older MEGADETH with some METALLICA overtones ("Black Album" period) – not completely convincing yet, but at least performed in a very skilled manner and produced very professionally. It may sound strange, but Fabian's vocals actually sound as close to Mr. Hetfield as to Mr. Mustaine, only depending on the mood of the particular song. Same goes for the music. Sometimes it's more technical structured, thus it sounds pretty much like MEGADETH, while the catchier riffing easily recalls METALLICA again. The rather silly coverart won't necessarily help the album's sales, but if you're in the mood for some oldschool Metal once in a while, you might check them out without any prejudices. For all further info check out www.runamok-rocks.de. Label contact: Metal Axe Records, Kortumstrasse 16, 44787 Bochum, Germany, info@metalaxerecords.com

Frank Stöver

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RUNEMAGICK
Requiem Of The Apocalypse
(Aftermath Music)
62:24min

Maybe I out myself as a pussy now, but yeah I like Doom / Death Metal. MY DYING BRIDE or MOURNING BELOVETH are great bands, that sometimes are the right relaxing music I need, when not listening to brutal stuff. RUNEMAGICK’s 2002 effort “Requiem Of The Apocalypse” is another perfect soundtrack for the candlelit moments of a Death Metal-fan, if one can say so. RUNEMAGICK mix BLACK SABBATH or traditional Doom Metal with typical Swedish Death Metal and intense growled vocals. Anyone who likes it a bit more slow sometimes, should be extremely satisfied with this release, especially ‘Funeral Caravan’ (great bells of Doom!!!), ‘On Chariots To Hades’ or ‘Dawn Of The Lava Aeon‘ are really good doomy Death Metal songs, that let sinister heaviness flow in blackenend rivers from your speakers. It is sad, that this band went a bit under after they left Century Media Records, because Nicklas Rudolfsson and the rest of RUNEMAGICK are without any doubt talented songwriters and musicians, who manifest their individual style with “Requiems Of The Apocalypse” once again. Be sure to give this underrated band a serious chance! Surf to www.aftermath-music.com or the band’s excellent website: www.runemagickonline.com for more information and free soundfiles.

Stefan Franke

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RUSTED CHAINS
In Nights Of Nemesis
(7Hard Rock & Metal Label)
42:56min

Having formed in 2003, RUSTED CHAINS is a relatively new band from Germany. A country known for its strong Metal history having produced bands like KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and SODOM with said bands becoming legends / massive influences to countless bands not just within their own homeland but all around the globe. These bands are a true testament to the glory of Germanic Metal. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for RUSTED CHAINS. In fact, they’re a band to be forgotten and discarded into the sea of the ever-growing and ever-stagnating Metalcore scene. Don’t let their Death / Thrash label fool you for it is nothing more than a musical euphemism given to bands of the bastard offspring of the crossover genre known as Metalcore who fear becoming the bane of real Metalheads everywhere upon the very mention of the genre’s name. If not evident through the band’s instrumentation (which, even to the most amateur of Metal fans who cannot even distinguish Power Metal from Deathgrind, is), the vocals are definitely a dead giveaway (yes, Mr. Gerlach, you’ve revealed your band’s horrible secret with your shitty vocal style that you try effortlessly to pass off as extreme! The angry hordes amass at your doorstep but you can still make it out the backdoor and catch the next train to Belgium! Go, now! Before they finish hacking away at the front door and spill through like a zombie plague ready to slaughter the weak that reside within!). Sure, the influence of Death / Thrash Metal is there but the music is predominately Metalcore… really bad Metalcore for that matter. The album occasionally employs some of the generic Metalcore clichés such as pseudo-AT THE GATES harmonies and melodies (what would this derivative genre be without every band ripping off “Slaughter Of The Soul” to some extent?) which makes listening to this album anything but pleasurable ad nauseum. There really is nothing good or spectacular about this album. It’s just another run-of-the-mill Metalcore album with songs that blend into each other which makes it hard to distinguish one track from another. Considering Metalcore bands with an “extreme” influence are a dime a dozen these days (not to mention ones that execute this style far better (DESPISED ICON immediately comes to mind), this band’s very existence couldn’t be anymore redundant. Sorry, boys…you’ve failed to impress me and make a significant (using this word may imply the band has some relevance in music and for that, I apologize) mark on the Metal world. Don’t fret, boys. I’m sure your legions (another euphemism for your worldwide fanbase consisting of only 10 people) of mop-top, hoodie and tight jeans-wearing transvestites who appear to be fighting invisible ninjas in moshpits and frequent MySpace to engage each other in discussions of what new bands of passive-aggressive music (ie. RUSTED CHAINS) are to be (or not to be (ie. RUSTED CHAINS)) listened to will provide you with some solace and bring a bittersweet smile to your faces as you realize these people are your only means of walking around with an undeserved sense of accomplishment until the day that the inevitable rebound effects of your hubris entangles and drags you down into the abyss never to be heard from again just as the mighty Cthulhu had done with Gustaf Johansen and his crew in Lovecraft’s epic tale “The Madness from the Sea”. One of you may live to retell the story, but the scars and horror of failure and losing it all is too great to recall anything. Maybe then you will have learned to never again toy around with the powers that be. So in conclusion, would I recommend this album? If the answer wasn’t painstakingly clear to you by now, then this is definitely the album for you. To those who got the jist of my feelings for this album (I assume it’s all of you, if not, humanity is doomed), be wise and go listen to some Metal that made German Metal great like KREATOR’s “Pleasure To Kill” and makes stuff like RUSTED CHAINS appear to be nothing more than a soon-to-be popped zit. Here are a couple links to the band and their “music”: www.chainnation.de (official homepage), www.myspace.com/chainnation (official MySpace), www.7hard.com (label)

Edward Zangeneh

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