Frank Stöver

BACK


SOILS OF FATE
Crime Syndicate
(Forensick Music)
28:42min

Already in August 2002 Swedish brutal Death Metal outfit SOILS OF FATE recorded “Crime Syndicate”, their second full-length CD after the highly acclaimed “Sandstorm” album in 2001. After the departure of drummer Jocke the drum beast many will know from his work with DYING FETUS or MISERY INDEX Kevin Talley joined SOILS OF FATE and he did not have to change his style... not at all! FETUS plus INTERNAL BLEEDING, SUFFOCATION and Texas brutalizers like PROPHECY, DEVOURMENT (Ruben Rosas even does some additional vocals on one song on the album) are the obvious inspirations for the Swedish trio. Low bellowed growls, violent blasting and heavy, groovy breakdowns are the essential elements of SOILS’ sound and especially the production and the dominant drum sound make me think of the good old NY Death Metal style and is something one does not hear too often these days. “Crime Syndicate” isn’t very original but it is a solid piece of brutal Death Metal exercised by people who at least know musically what is essential to this sound. Unfortunately the lame Hardcore, Hip Hop-like “gangsta” lyrics (Quote: “Crazy motherfucker, I’m crazy to the bone”), the shitty cover of SUFFOCATION’s ‘Devoid Of Truth’ and the pretty one-dimensional vocals are significant drawbacks, but fans of the aforementioned bands / styles and previous SOILS OF FATE material should not be pissed of by this. For additional infos visit www.forensickmusic.com since the official band website seems to be down.

Stefan Franke

BACK


SOILWORK
A Predator's Portrait
(Nuclear Blast Records)
45:50min

This new generation of Swedish Death Metal with acts like DARKANE, GARDENIAN, THE FORSAKEN, CARNAL FORGE, TERROR 2000 and SOILWORK is seriously coming up with impressive quality releases lately! This six-piece act from the Southern part of the country has done quite some vast step forwards lately and now already comes up with their strong third studio album entitled "A Predator's Portrait" for their new label Nuclear Blast after their deal with Listenable Records ran out. Once again, SOILWORK manage to capture the savage aggression of bands like AT THE GATES in crystal clear, pounding production and mix it with a very astonishing instrumental performance (yeah, some of the fantastic guitarwork in riffs and leads indeed still reminds you on Mr. Amott & ARCH ENEMY) as well as a quite massive modern wall of sound that could be inspired by the likes of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD. The impressive thing about SOILWORK is that the huge amount of technical elements nevertheless never leads the catchy songwriting astray and especially in terms of vocals, this must be their best album to date: The range between wild screams, outstanding hooklines, some groovy clean vocals as well melancholic passages supported by constant but still quite suitable keyboard playing is pretty impressive and makes each of the 10 featured songs to a special adventure for the listener. Chances for SOILWORK to finally establish in today's scene couldn't be better with such a monster of an album as "A Predator's Portrait"!!! An excellent release that deserves your full attention in case you are into the melodic new breed of Death Metal...

Leif Jensen

BACK


SOL
Let There Be A Massacre
(Ván)
57:35min

Well, never chanced to hear of SOL before this album, so I cannot tell you if there has been any release prior to this album. Emil Brahe, the man behind this one man project SOL, plays an extreme kind of blackened / deathlike Doom Metal, he is eager to create a very own black as well as dead atmosphere which is a bit hard to describe. It fits a hard walk through endless ice-fields on which your thoughts tend to cross the border to insane regions as well as just standing somewhere between the tombs of the ancient pharaohs in the sandy deserts which are about to fill your throat completely. A really "dry" album which has its own charme but is in no way easy to cope with, but I guess it was not meant to be. Death will come anyway... Give this at least a try... www.van-gbr.de

Andi Bauer

BACK


SOLAR DAWN
Frost-Work (MCD)
(Mighty Music)
11:32min

I'm not sure if it makes a lot of sense to spend money on a rather short, only eleven minutes lasting mini CD by a Swedish newcomer act. SOLAR DAWN already put out the featured three songs as a promo CD in early 2000 (back then it was still entitled "Desideratum"), but as it was exclusively meant for record labels, not many of you might have heard it yet. Danish Mighty Music, who signed the band straight away because of this recording, decided to make it available officially, in order to promote the band's upcoming first full length "Equinoctium" a bit better (which is scheduled for release in August / September 2001). Whether that was a clever move or not is up to you to decide... But anyway, let's throw in some facts here as well. SOLAR DAWN were formed in 1997 (back then still being called JARAWYNJA) and nowadays their line-up consists of members of UNMOORED, THY PRIMORDIAL and DAWN. They have dedicated themselves to the currently very fashionable modern, groovy type of Scandinavian Death Metal, which means that their very well executed material is certainly very heavy and has a lot of power, but I just can't get into it anyway. All those bands of the New Wave Of Scandinavian Death Metal (for instance CARNAL FORGE, ARCH ENEMY, THE FORSAKEN, DARKANE etc. etc.) have drifted too far away from the original Death Metal roots in my opinion and either became too melodic or are lacking in the real dark brutality that the forerunners of this genre made so enjoyable. This is a new form of brutal music, maybe appealing to a different crowd, but not necessarily a must for oldschool Death Metal maniacs. 

Frank Stöver

BACK


SOLAR DAWN
Equinoctium
(Mighty Music)
34:41min

SweDEATHrash with a slight scent of Black Metal. SOLAR DAWN's first full length (well... 35 minutes) turns out to be quite enjoyable. Of course many people will ask themselves: why yet another IN FLAMES clone? Well, it's not that bad at all! Christian Älvestam's vocals are a little more extreme than what we usually get within this genre's borders and the melodies don't sound like MAIDEN anyway. Instead, the band's style is quite a bit darker, almost strange. SOLAR DAWN obviously triy to find an approach of their own and to some extend they succeed. "Equinoctium" was produced by Tommy Tägtgren and it features a short solo by Peter. All in all the music isn't that spectacular but it's good fun and IN FLAMES or HYPOCRISY fans waiting for their heroes' new outputs might check out SOLAR DAWN in case you consider 35 minutes to be enough stuff for one album. Available through Candlelight Records in America.

Ramon Claassen

BACK


SOLEFALD
Pills Against The Ageless Ills
(Century Media Records)
46:16min

"Spartanic" is an understatement when it comes to Century Media promo albums: just a plain CD is usually all you get, so I can't give you any information about this band, sorry. SOLEFALD offer a fresh approach to extreme music: first of all there is Black Metal, then we have melancholic Metal songs I can't really put into a drawer and finally there are strong rock elements with piano, hammond and spacy synthe sounds. On one hand this makes "Pills..." a somewhat confusing album that probably won't attract too many fans. On the other hand, SOLEFALD are surely not gonna start boring you. Good album but try to listen to it in advance. Not my cup of tea.

Ramon Claassen

BACK


SOLEKAHN
Suffering Winds (MCD)
(Imperial Maze)
18:04min

I don't know why, but after having been a really strong force in traditional Heavy Metal back in the 80's (with lots of killer acts such as H-BOMB, SORTILÈGE, BLASPHEME, ADX etc.etc.), France nowadays still suffers from a rather weak Death & Black Metal underground scene. The only band I personally ever really freaked out on was the sadly defunct MUTILATED (which later became ABYSSALS). Apart from them, I can't recall any real hopefuls (no: I never really was into the "big boys" LOUDBLAST, AGGRESSOR, MASSACRA and the likes either). Luckily SOLEKAHN is an exception to that rule as this three piece performs technically very well executed, brutal Death Metal in the vein of early VADER and even adding their unique own note to it already. The production on this MCD is still a little thin (especially the guitar department could've been more powerfully produced and the drumming sounds rather clinical), but their writing skills easily shine through nevertheless. The aforementioned "own note" is added by certain guitar melodies as well as clean, heroic vocal parts that are usually more known from bands out of the Norwegian Viking Metal genre. And this combination surprisingly works out very well. Considering the fact that "Suffering Winds" is only their first "real" band release (following the "Profaned Nights" demo from '99), these guys might evolve into something really special in the years to come. Band contact: www.solekahn.maxximum.org, Label contact: Imperial Maze, 7 rue Leclerc, 67300 Schiltigheim, France, email: imperial.maze@evc.net

Frank Stöver

BACK

SOLITAIRE
Rising To The Challenge
(Iron Glory Records)
35:59min

I can almost hear the complaints: “Sounds like we had this 15 years ago” and they’re right! But I don’t give a damn! People buying CDs with the Iron Glory logo know what to expect: home of the gods MANILLA ROAD, re-releases of early HELSTAR demos, etc. – old school Power and Thrash Metal is the law! SOLITAIRE from Finland are one of their new signings. They’re thrashing in the old EXCITER style – not innovative but full of passion. SOLITAIRE obviously dig their own sound a lot as I can almost see the band performing this on stage going absolutely crazy with a fanatic moshpit in front of them. Most of the songs are full speed ahead (talking in old school Thrash Metal terms), the solos are well executed and singer Mika is screaming out his lungs like a maniac. Passionately, but surely not everybody’s taste. The sound is good, but you can realize the low budget Iron Glory are working with. Check out my personal favorite, ‘Eye Of The Needle’ and if you’re into bands like EXCITER, EXODUS, AGENT STEEL or even MOTÖRHEAD you’ll be pleased to hear there are still young bands around killing in the old style. www.solitairemetal.com

Ramon Claassen

BACK

SOMBER SERENITY
Singular
(Medusa Productions)
61:37min

Sadness, depression, melancholy… if that’s the type of mood you musically feel most comfortable in, you definitely should check out SOMBER SERENITY’s debut full length album “Singular”. This four piece from the southern part of Germany has been active since 1995 already and released a couple of demos previously, but – apart from a bunch of compilation contributions - never really made it on record until now. A flyer labels them as “Epic Dark Metal” which is indeed really what they’re all about. Influences from the Gothic and Doom Metal scene are obvious as well… Most parts of their often quite long songs come up with clean vocals, but every once in a while the moody atmosphere gets interrupted by Black or Death Metal style aggression, which I personally enjoyed the most, for obvious reasons...;-) All in all the entire material on “Singular” is not exactly my personal cup of coffee, but lovers of the aforementioned genres might as well check them out as there’s quite a lot of diversity on offer throughout the approx. one hour playing time. For further info check out SOMBER SERENITY’s website at: http://www.ofdarkness.de

Frank Stöver

BACK


SOMBRE FORETS
Quintessence
(Sepulchral Productions)
52:10min

How to spot one of the most influential bands within a specific genre? Well, I guess if more than 15 years after the release of the debut there are still groups taking the music of this band as a blueprint for their own debut. So, leaving any political discussion aside, the early BURZUM releases are still an inspiration for new bands, a recurring aspect in the musical development. SOMBRE FORETS present us their debut, featuring desperate, despondent, dark Black Metal. The atmosphere on "Quintessence“ is so intense and concentrated that the audience really is implicated, the atmosphere is taking in the listener in a way just a few bands manage to do, for example the above mentioned BURZUM. The tempo on this first release of SOMBRE FORETS is more slow, a few mid-paced, but no fast blasting parts. Main instruments are the classical Metal-tools, namely guitar, bass and drums, some keyboard and acoustic elements are added, but very sparingly. The songs develop very slowly, and therefore the atmosphere is growing slowly, but constantly. Since I guess only fans of the extreme Metal genre are going to listen to this output, I suppose there is no one wondering about the desperate, sick and screaming vocals, they just fit perfectly, underlining the whole atmosphere. If there is a point to criticize, then it is the lack of any own ideas or inspiration. All on this release has been done before by BURZUM and a few other bands. But there are really just a few other bands which convince the listener by creating such a passionate and extreme atmosphere, and with "Quintessence“ SOMBRE FORTES did manage to be a part of this very exclusive circle. www.myspace.com/sombresforets9

Mirco Szymyslik

BACK

SONIC REIGN
The Decline Portrait (MCD)
(Supreme Chaos Records)
30:32min

This is SONIC REIGN’s debut-mini with four songs that are the actual recordings plus a song from the upcoming full-length, to be released in 2005 on Supreme Chaos as well. And if I am totally honest I must say that there are albums I’d rather look forward to than the full-length of SONIC REIGN. This mini with just a bit more than half an hour playing-time already bores me to say the least. The first song starts off with some 3rd rate EMPEROR - “Prometheus” - era riffing and is hardly bearable, the second song ‘End Of Rebellion’ (and by far the best) sound like the latest SATYRICON and thus fullfils at least one of the selling points of the label. The third song again is mediocre new school Black Metal, with the fourth song only getting partially better at the end, but this band simply has not the capacity to write songs of ten minutes length. And as the songs itself, the artwork hardly convinces me at all, looking very modern but well-designed as well; and to be harmfully direct: where does the label get the label “Black Metal” from for this band? Just the fact that one member of MENHIR – no offense against them since they are without doubt one of the more serious Pagan bands in Germany – is involved does hardly make SONIC REIGN Black Metal, despite the fact that I cannot understand that the label mentions this as a selling point at all? I mean, come on, Sebastian Schneider is not Frost nor Trym or however?!???!!! People who are very keen in modern-era EMPEROR or SATYRICON might try to check out this mini, and if it is sold as mid-priced mini-CD, it does not hurt much, I assume, since there are obviously releases from certain German labels that are far worse. I am however not sure if I need a release like this one. www.sonicreign.de; www.s-c-r.de

Nhashi

BACK


SONIC RITUAL / SANCTUARY IN BLASPHEMY
Split LP
(High-Roller-Records)

Another fine gatefold LP, a split LP this time with the 2 participants SONIC RITUAL and SANCTUARY IN BLASPHEMY. Both Swedish bands, both related to the Doom Metal genre, in a way at least. SONIC RITUAL offer a mighty powerful and atmospheric carpet with great riffs in the old BLACK SABBATH vein during the Ozzy-days (well, hard to describe, but that’s what came to my mind…). All in all this is, as usual for High-Roller-Records, a fuckin’ outdated musical experience, haha. Anyway, everything in SONIC RITUAL is played authentic and the guys surely know how to play that type of music. Well, did I say Doom Metal? If you consider Doom Metal to be slow all the time, than SONIC RITUAL is not your average Doom Metal band, just listen to ‘Take The Edge Off’ which is a fast midtempo rocker. Next to the music with its hints of BLACK SABBATH here you have vocals which are clear and high, but far away from being as intense as Ozzy’s. The vocals are mixed more in the background and fit to the overall musical experience really well. The 70s are obvious in SONIC RITUAL, in sound, riffs and in their logo. Well done. Side B offers 6 tracks from SANCTUARY IN BLASPHEMY (SIB). ‘Integrity Of Evil’ starts with a melody played on a hammondorgan before the guitars begin. Cool start. The vocals are this time the hoarse version. SIB equal to SONIC RITUAL are a Doom band, too, in the common sense of this musical genre, but whereas SONIC RITUAL are the more traditional 70s band, SIB are sludgier, less melodic, more groovy and dark. ENTOMBED at their rockin’ days come to my mind… Hm, SIB might hate me for that, haha. Little improvement can be requested from their singer as he’s just growling hoarse. For a first release still quite good. Musically I like both bands a lot as they play significant music which can’t be expected on every release nowadays. As SONIC RITUAL make more points with their singer I’d say that they are my favourites on this release. This is a recommendable release for all Doom maniacs and vinyl junkies in their rows as I’m not sure if a CD release is and will be available. Once more limited to 500 pieces and available through www.hho-records.de. Band contacts www.myspace.com/sonicritualofficial,  www.myspace.com/sanctuaryinblasphemy.

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK

SONS OF CHAOS
Redwork
(Bloodsoaked Records)
31:23min

The Death Metal brutality and technical approach of bands in the CANNIBAL CORPSE / MORBID ANGEL vein, mixed with the twisted vocal sickness of early CARCASS and a couple of disharmonic elements à la old VOIVOD ('Path Of Disgrace', 'Redwork') - that's kinda what you get from SONS OF CHAOS, another rather brutal outfit from California. "Redwork" is already their second album (following the release of a demo and a self financed / self released debut offering) and delivers approx. half an hour of technically impressive executed and fairly well produced US-style Death Metal. The album kicks off very promising and energetic, but unfortunately looses a little of this freshness towards the end. But generally the raw overall attitude and varied vocal delivery (deep grunts vs. aggressive screaming) works out pretty good. So all in all this is still a fine offering from a hungry three piece certainly to keep an eye on. Quite ridiculous is the obvious paranoia of their label Bloodsoaked Records though - in order to prevent fanzine / magazine editors from re-selling their (un)holy product they not only cut off a big part of the CD inlay card, they also handwrote "promo" in big letters on the front and (!) backside of this release... Well, at least they forgot to put something on the disk itself and I can sell that without the packaging now ;-) You can get in touch with the label at: http://www.bloodsoaked.net. Band contact: http://www.sonsofchaos.net

Frank Stöver

BACK


SONS OF SLAUGHTER
The Extermination Strain
(Retribute Records)
33:05min

Formed in 2003 after the demise of SEEDS OF DESOLATION this Scottish quintet already released a first demo entitled “Bloodblind” only one year later and now has its first full-length ready to rip via Retribute Records. This slab of conventional brutal, contemporary Death Metal easily comparable to the sound of SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE or VILE does not contain any huge surprises for anyone familiar with this US-styled, driving and crushingly heavy form of Death Metal. From slow, slamming breakdowns to maniacal oldschool drive, low natural growls to aggressive screams, precise riffs to rapid leads, powerful (unfortunately a bit too much triggered sounding) drumming and so on and so forth, SONS OF SLAUGHTER utilize a quite popular formula for Death Metal. Nothing special yet nothing that will make you run out of the room hysterically screaming for someone to turn this album off. Slight musical references to the Thrash genre during songs like ‘Lead Us Not’ or some well placed melodies in ‘Purify Through Sin’, ‘Unmarked Grave’ or ‘Bloodblind’ plus the constantly high level of musical variety and musicianship make SONS OF SLAUGHTER ready to enter the competition with the numerous comparable acts from overseas. “The Extermination Strain” is a very good yet not outstanding debut and except for a more natural sounding bass drum and more individuality in the vocal department there is nothing to complain about here. Welcome this promising newcomer! www.retributerecords.com

Stefan Franke

BACK

SORDID
Armed To Their Grinning Teeth
(Forensick Music)
28:09min

"Armed To Their Grinning Teeth" is the debut album by this young brutal Swedish Death Metal outfit which was formed in early 1999. After having released a 7"EP called "Death" in 2001 and a selftitled CD-R EP in 2002 the masters of Forensick Music took care of these youngsters and offered them a contract to unleash their brutality upon mankind. And it was a good choice as this album totally convinces me. These four Northmen deliver us a lethal dose of brutal and fast Death Metal. They don't make the mistake to be the fastest band in the universe. Yeah, they are fast (not for the sake of being fast) but the keyword for them is variation to make the whole thing not monotonous. SORDID mixes oldschool Death Metal together with some old CARCASS ("Necroticism" - era) influences and add the technical perfection, sickness, sewing machine like blastbeats and some heavy midpaced parts (brutal US-style Death) to a lethal cocktail. If you take these first choice ingredients and wrap it into a heavy and powerful sound then you get as result "Armed To Their Grinning Teeth" which is nothing else than a fresh sounding and enjoyable brutal Death Metal album. The musicians are competent and the ten songs are tight and well executed and everything is out of one piece. With bands like INSISION, IMMERSED IN BLOOD, VISCERAL BLEEDING, DERANGED, STRANGULATION, KAAMOS, IMPERIOUS etc. the Swedish scene proofed its high potential already in the past. Without any doubt Sweden has one of the best Death Metal scenes on this rotten planet (like in the early 90s) with killer bands around and SORDID are amongst them! So check out your local record dealer or mailorder and get hold of this album. Contact the band by email info@sordid-online.com or for more info check out their web site under www.sordid-online.com. For label contact check out www.forensickmusic.com. Well done boys!!

Michael Oelschlegel

BACK

SORE
Gruesome Pillowbook Tales
(Suffer Productions)
29:58min

Here it is, finally, the first album of this NRW (Germany) underground all-star band, created by members of KADAVERFICKER (Goreminister, vocals), DEPRESSION (Marc, bass), REMAIN (Swobo, guitar) and two members of INSIGNIUM, which abandoned the band, so Andy (BEREAVED) took over the drums. After a presentation promo which came from the same recording sessions, but without mix, they directly jump to a full-length CD released by the label of Marc and Ron of DEPRESSION, Suffer Productions. After having seen them three times live (with really good shows, by the way) and having listened the CD quite some times, I must say it's still hard to find a clear definition of their style, and I think this is the best point they have, as, without leaving the oldschool Death Metal flavour, the mix of influences has done quite an original result, or at least not that usual. If we start with guitars, we could say that mostly they focus on deep and heavy riffs (the tuning is low), as well as some pickings in the pure Swedish vein too, and, especially, groovy rhythms (the best example is 'Crags To The Infinite'), which are even more effective live; but on the other side are the drum parts, which give a more modern and brutal approach, with the presence of blastbeats and playing with a lot of differents rythms (without any doubt Andy did a great job on this recording, despite his young age). Then, on the vocal side we have really low registers, almost guttural, but which are not too froggy-styled nor remain on a Swedish or Tampa styled stuff; it's hard to define, but it's deeper and more stomachal, except for one track or two, where he does some piggy stuff. Let's just say that the whole stuff together doesn't sound like one thing or the other, they are not a brutal Death band, nor a Swedish oldschool one, nor, in any case, an American influenced one; they just take all the influences and fuse them in a really good way. The production was done by Skaldir (known for his project, HEL), at Sunset Studios, and it is another positive point, as it is really appropiate for SORE's music, deep and powerful, and not too dirty, better clear, and at the same tame the bass and the guitars sound low, and the drums are up enough to listen to them clearly, which sometimes is not so easy when a production is so low, but it would be a pitty in this case. What else can you ask for? Well, the artwork is really cool too, and in agreement with the CD, with an impressive cover (and, as far as I know, done by a guy which had never done any before nor knew anything about this kind of music, which is quite an achievement), a bit similar to the ones of Dan Seagrave or something like that, and the CD comes with a vinyl-like printing. Anything else? Well, they include a video too, of the 'Crags To The Infinite' track, really well done, and happening between some catacombs and a forest, really dark and sinister. I wouldn't give them the highest scoring because I know they can finish putting all their influences together and create something even more compact on their next work if they work hard, but don't let this CD pass if you like heavy, groovy and oldstyled Death Metal, because you'll find original stuff here. Oh, I forgot to say they include a great 'Boneyard' cover from IMPETIGO and 'The Exorcist' from DEPRESSION, slightly rearranged into SORE's style, which means a bit more brutality. www.suffer-prod.de.vu

Jeroni Sancho

BACK

SORGSVART
Vikingtid Og Anarki
(Einheit Produktionen)
60:00min

"Some music means something" are only four letters - but for our cult more important than everything else. Black Metal is more than music and during the last years a lot of old and new bands seem to forgotten the true essence of our art. But sometimes new bands with spirit, power and soul in their music are still hungry enough to release a powerful manifest to remind all of us about the right way to the dark places of our hearts. SORGSVART's second release "Vikingtid Og Anarki" is honestly speaking an album which will catch your Metal heart right from the start. All parts are well known (Black Metal, Folk and Viking Metal fragments) but you can feel the heartblood in every song and I can only compare this album with one band which died away 4 years ago through a Blizzard which took away Valfar the Windir. Hopefully this album will find his audience not only in the pure Viking Metal scene because such Black Metal diamonds had became really rare these days. What Vreid couldn’t accomplish during the last years had finally achieved by SORGSVART – the resurrection of the almighty WINDIR. Get this album and bow your head to the fires which are still burning in the dark woods of Norway. www.einheit-produktionen.de, www.sorgsvart.net

Matthias Auch

BACK

SOTAJUMALA
Death Metal Finland
(Woodcut Records)
33:35min

And the Finnish Death Metal invasion continues... "Death Metal Finland" as the title of SOTAJUMALA's debut full-length hammer, obviously doesn't need any introduction of these death troopers' musical approach on the album... or does it, ha! While I have been listening to "Death Metal Finland"  with my damn curious ears, I guess it's not even lame to say that such words as "brutal Death Metal" or "crushingly mind-corrosive Death Metal" or "ass-burning Death Metal" and such 'quality' words (!) comes to my mind almost indelibly and the longer you let this torture continue (having said this in a positive sense of the word, 'of curses'!!), the sooner you start believing an arousing potentiality of them, not taking them for granted by any means as far as their very American sounding Death Metal is concerned, but kind of accepting what they do on their kind of the late MORBID ANGEL - flavored debut album. Yes, this sounds quite heavily "morbidangelish" stuff on "Death Metal Finland" all the way through, with hints taken from both CANNIBAL CORPSE's and SUFFOCATION's direction as well. It's certain that the guys in SOTAJUMALA have well learned their lessons when it comes to series of furious and merciless blast beats, never-ending stream of blitzkrieg-like riffages, sharp and totally killer leads into Trey Azathoth - vein, guttural Death growls and all those things in general that can be considered as the most essential things in downright heavy, tight and brutal modern Death Metal that also reaches a rather technical level as far as songs structures are concerned. Even if SOTAJUMALA uses their own native language Finnish to get their message through amongst Death Metal communion which is somewhat greatly fascinated by anything related to World War II or war topics generally, I believe the language isn't any restrictive thing for them. Their well-executed Death Metal will surely be loved and enjoyed over the language borders inside the circle of Death Metal - fans around the world as it's still the music that matters after all. 'Syyttömien Veri' ('Blood Of The Innocents'), 'Kuolleeet' ('The Dead') and 'Pommitus' ('Bombardment') are all very vicious and mean tour de forces of a well-executed Death Metal that don't offer anything particularly unique or original musically, but certainly put a listener to suck a sack of dust into his / her lungs and vomit blood and guts right on the battlefield of SOTAJUMALA's crossfire. "Death Metal Finland" takes no prisoners... it grinds you down 'til you are no more. Check out the band's website at www.sotajumala.com for all further info. Label contact: www.woodcutrecords.com

Luxi Lahtinen

BACK

SOTAJUMALA
Teloitus
(Woodcut Records)
38:58min

Now this really caught me off-guard. Having never heard of this outfit hailing from the land of Hummppa, Eurovision-Hardrock and Teen-Metal before, I was quite surprised to experience such a first class Death Metal offering. SOTAJUMALA are not exactly following the path laid down by all the legendary finish acts back in the early nineties but perform a style comparable to newer MORBID ANGEL, ca. "Gateways..." era. Massive grooves, catchy yet brutal, not really dark but dominating never the less. Of special note are the carefully crafted solos, certainly a lot of effort put in there, which sadly enough has become rather exceptional. They’re not stuck in one-dimensional blast-beat monotony and at the same time avoid the cheap rehash of past days glories by sticking to worn out formulas of yore. The sound is crushing, powerful and refreshing like few have delivered in recent time. And although there are no real standout tracks the overall level is way above average. Death Metal Supremacy! www.sotajumala.com

Torsten Gründig

BACK

SOTHIS
De Oppresso Liber
(Candlelight Records)
48:31min

The DIMMU BORGIR virus has been spreading throughout the galaxy and the SOTHIS debut is the proof that also our dear friends from America are not immune against this evil illness. I was really looking forward for a further tough American band like MARTRIDEN or ABIGAIL WILLIAMS but this time the score is zero. The band from Los Angeles had released a highly praised demo in 2004 and finally after several years of hard work they are presenting their debut “De Oppresso Liber”. Due to the fact that all below mentioned bands are part of the Candlelight family I was not expecting this typical Black Metal clone. SOTHIS major problem is not the musical parallels with the big brother from Norway but the overall structure of their songs. All songs are following the same scheme, meaning one basic guitar idea, a nice dominating keyboard melody plus some aggressive vocals. SOTHIS are following their golden rule during the whole album without any exception; they added no further elements to their music (accoustic guitar, clean vocals etc.)  Next to this I can’t avoid to mention that a handful of SOTHIS ‘ideas’ are more than well known (especially the title track) so at the end “De Oppresso Liber” is a further completely unnecessary release and an additional nail to the coffin of traditional Black Metal. www.candlelightrecords.co.uk, www.sothis.us

Matthias Auch

BACK

SOULCUT
...And Killed For Nothing
(self-financed)
35:43min

This German five-piece (originally founded in 1997 under the moniker ORANGE LIQUID) offers eight dark yet melodic Death Metal Songs on their first self-financed CD that remind me a lot of old Swedish Death Metal as well as ancient British Death. Unfortunately the sound quality of the whole CD is extremely bad and ruins a lot of the musical potential SOULCUT undoubtedly have. The whole thing simply sounds too mushy, all instruments are drowned in a sea of bassy rumblings and so “...And Killed For Nothing” remains far away from today’s standards in terms of production and soundscape. And that’s a damn shame, because the riffs, vocals and rhythms are absolutely ok, SOULCUT have interesting socio-critical lyrics and an overall convincing and individual songwriting. I think this band should save each penny for the production of their next release and maybe then SOULCUT’s heavy, original and moody Death Metal will be able to enter competition with the hordes of demo / underground bands, that sound miles better than them. And SOULCUT guys... don’t get discouraged by what I just said, but you should be aware of the fact that today newcomer bands do not sound like garage recordings anymore! For additional info check out SOULCUT’s website www.soulcut.de, send an email to info@soulcut.de or write to: Walter Weichbrodt, c/o SOULCUT, Vereinsstr. 69, 48599, Germany

Stefan Franke

BACK   

SOUL DEMISE
Acts Of Hate
(Remission Records)
42:45min

Speaking critically on a purely instrumental register, SOUL DEMISE are alright; they know their AT THE GATES, their IN FLAMES, their SOILWORK. All well and good if you like your Death Metal with a nice pink bow. One could tolerate a listen or two if the album were only instrumental all the way through. Sadly, the vocals make their histrionic appearance all too early. Obviously if the world at large wasn't head-over-heels-in-love with this style, I wouldn't be bitching about it; but bitching I am. First, the whine-scream starts off sharply punctuated, as usual, with milisecond pauses to let it coast along with the melody of the guitars. Then, the backup voice chimes in, promoting the song to a diaper duo. Melodic Death Metal has its good points; in fact, it can be excellent. However, when pushed into absurdity as this band has done, the Death Metal is subtracted from the equation altogether, and we are left with a yelling mass of melody; poorly arranged at that. Buy it if you like it, though. www.myspace.com/souldemise, www.souldemise.de, www.remissionrecords.de

Nat Shapiro

BACK 

SOULDRAINER
Reborn
(Macot Records)
47:01min

Östersund is a small countryside town in the north east of Sweden which you actually don’t have to know? The only thing I remember from travelling there is the fucking camping place. Well looking through my Swedish music collection I rush into names like SETHERIAL, AEON, DEFACED CREATION (R.I.P.), SANCTIFICATION or IN BATTLE heading from that area. Well, SOULDRAINER is basically also an incest band from members of those located bands, but instead of speed orgies it seems that “Reborn” is their attempt to follow the path already conquered succesfully by Peter Tägtgren and HYPOCRISY. Well, imagine the slow, depressive and bombastic tracks from HYPOCRISY and you’ll have a clue where SOULDRAINER will guide you. In some way the Östersund five piece sounds like HYPO’s little brother, not original, not unqiue, not special, but qualitywise well done. They manage to create a really depressive, threatening and edge driven atmosphere – darker than some Black Metal bands will ever be. I remember that they already went into the direction on their demo CD, which you could download on their HP a few years ago, but compared to that I appreciated the pure Death Metal growls more back then. Those on “Reborn” have some more screamy elements and atmospheric ones going hand in hand, but in some way they sound a bit clinic and studio constructed. Well, you get used to them after a few more listenings and songwritingwise this already 2005 recorded album is solid as fuck. I would wish that this band had a bit more own personal touch, cause it’s quite hard to avoid those HYPOCRISY comparisons. Cover and layout is done by Progart (EVERGREY etc.) and soundwise this product is pure Swedish Metal quality, which means “Reborn” shows potential, but SOULDRAINER should take care much more about an individual sounding output instead of having the shadow layer of being a copycat above their art. Have a listen at: www.myspace.com/souldrainer

Ralf Hauber

BACK 

SOUL EATER
Satanic Discharge
(Mayko’s Records / Non Serviam Records)
37:38min

I can tell you I’m in huge love with the Mexican Death and Thrash Metal scene. The last albums of bands as INFINITUM OBSCURE, RAPED GOD 666, THE CHASM or DENIAL were fuckin’ killer and I’m sure I forgot one or another record in this list here. The 7” EP from OMINOUS CRUCIFIX is an outstanding killer, too, and brought them the deal with German FDA Rekotz. A new discovery from Mexico are the youngsters in SOUL EATER and their killer “Satanic Discharge” album. Already with the first listen I was blown away by the intensity this foursome (now only three of them are left) offers. It’s Death-Thrashing brutality mixed with the straightness and Punkish brutality of EXPLOITED’s “Beat The Bastards” (just listen to ‘Aim And Kill’). Strange comparison, I know, but I think it fits perfect to them as this is not the ordinary SLAYER-rip off or something comparable. Emerging from almost nowhere this band convinces with solid musicianship and a great songwriting which makes them even original at times, which is quite rare these days, especially not for a first album. Even the sound is killer, each instrument is listenable and kicks ass. I’m highly impressed here with “Satanic Discharge” as it is full of original ideas and talented playing. The vocalist is great, too, though I have the impression that he hasn’t reached his borders if I consider the awesome “Power Metal” - scream at the end of ‘Thrash Metal Dogs’. What’s left to say? Simply try to get this album as it is worth your money and an album you will keep listening to for a while – my promise! The only negative thing is that this band seems to have a rather bad distribution for “Satanic Discharge”. You can order a copy for US $14 (Europe & South America), US $13 (USA) and US $15 (rest of the world) from reborn25@hotmail.com. All prices include registered airmail. More info on the band can be found at www.myspace.com/souleaterband.

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK

SOULLESS
Agony´s Lament
(Worldchaos Production)
33:54min

Weren't it for NUNSLAUGHTER's Jim Sadist I wouldn't know about this band, I guess. Why? Well, he was wearing a SOULLESS shirt on the picture on one of their numerous split EP's. So I ordered “Agony's Lament” which is already the second album by these Thrashheads. The line-up consists of members from ALL THAT IS EVIL, DECREPIT and ASCENSION / DESCENSION (never heard of the latter, though) who have gathered under the flag of Thrash, hehe! Clad in a clear, well balanced modern but fortunately not sterile sounding production the listener is offered ten catchy and memorable Thrash Metal grenades that are faithful to the classic founding fathers of that genre while keeping a contemporary edge. In most reviews I found online this five-piece from Cleeveland is compared with THE HAUNTED but I have to disagree slightly. The melodies may remind on that Scandinavian act as well as Jim Lipucci aggressive shouting although he sounds a bit deeper and more powerful. If I can trust my ears there is much more classic Bay Area power riffing present… I'd say EXODUS, DARK ANGEL and RAZOR (I know they are from Canada) have been important influences besides the Scandinavian touch. The band plays absolutely tight with flawless virtuosity in every respect and should appeal to Thrashers old and young. Whether you like the oldschool or are hooked by DARKANE and late AT THE GATES: This is for you! The yellowish cover also rules as it looks similar to the original cover of AUTOPSY's “Severed Survival”. So now lets thank their Japanese label (also responsible for TERROR SQUAD, by the way) for releasing this jewel of a kind of Metal that has become rare. SOULLESS contact: PO Box 347417, Parma, Ohio 44134 USA, website: http://www.soullessdomain.com, email: soulless@soullessdomain.com.  Label contact: WorldChaos Production 406 New Light Bld., 2-25-6 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 113-0033, website: www.world-chaos.com, email: worldkdm@syd.odn.ne.jp

Ulrich Kreienbrink

BACK

SOULREAPER
Life Erazer
(Hammerheart Records)
50:15min

I didn’t recall SOULREAPER sounding that American… actually, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about their debut in 2000 anyway. Somehow I didn’t get access. This time, the band obviously wants their album to get into my mind by any means I guess: the mixture of DISSECTION and MORBID ANGEL has shifted towards the latter direction even more, especially the first 5 tracks. But most of all: after the short intro singer Christoffer takes my head, shouts: "Crush!", hammers it on the table and the band starts blasting. Well, Christoffer doesn’t have to continue crushing my skull, at that point I’m already banging it off myself! The point I’m trying to make here is: SOULREAPER anno 2003 is much more demanding, showing more self-confidence. One just can’t remain seated, pricking your nose on the sofa. No matter if a song highlights SOULREAPER’s American Death Metal spirit like on ‘Godless Reaper Of Souls’ or if their Swedish roots are showing like on ‘The Slow Fall Of Death’: the band has written fucking brutal Death Metal HITS! One should mention the production (Andy LaRocque / Los Angered Studios) as well. Not so much for name-dropping’s sake but because it’s rough, dirty and mean, yet crystal clear. This is what guitars should sound like in my opinion. I just can’t find anything wrong with this CD and if SOULREAPER can deliver the energy unleashed on ‘Life Erazer’ on stage as well, I shall be addicted to them from that day on! And get your hands on the digi pack as the bonus track ‘Fall From Grace’ is a killer as well!

Ramon Claassen

BACK


SPACE EATER
Merciful Angel
(I Hate Records)
39:28min

The band name is really weird if you ask me. I even found it was taken from a GAMMA RAY song! Ugh! I mean, I only like very little Power Metal, as most is way too sweet for my ears. But no, after the first riff starts, I knew this was no Power Metal. This is Bay Area Speed / Thrash Metal with a semi-melodic vocalist which almost borders in a high-pitched shouter. This comes packed with a heavy production, which actually fits the style quite well. The cover art might be also weird for the band, it actually looks more suitable to a Black or Death Metal band (an angel with a scary white-eyes look and yielding a sword in what seems to be a ruined city). So it can be a retro Thrash thing, more influenced by old METALLICA, old MEGADETH, old ANTHRAX and even some old NUCLEAR ASSAULT. Now, to the country of origin. I would have expected this from an American band, but no, this is actually a band from Serbia! To be brutally honest, this Bay Area sound was never a fave of mine, because one band sounds almost like all of them. I mean at a time you couldn’t tell a difference between bands like TOXIK, DEFIANCE, SACRILEGE B.C. and others besides the vocalist (well, TOXIK were not from the Bay Area - Ed.). There are some good riffs here and there, and while the vocalist is competent, he just passes as ok and nothing more. Probably for a new generation of fans this will be something fresh, as most Bay Area Thrash bands in a similar style were never that big, but after fully listening to the album, I had really no desire in playing it again. By no means this is a bad album, and while not a blatant copy, as some arrangements are truly different and their own, it all ends sounding with some lack of power and similar between songs. Die hard oldschool Bay Area Thrash / Speed fans have something to listen here. For the more picky ones (like me) it is just good for a listen every once in a while. http://ihate.se

Julian Nuñez

BACK

SPAWN
Systems Full Of Victims
(Bruchstein Records)
34:08min

And yet another no-mercy death metal act from Berlin that worships the "untrendy" US-brutality! I still recall the band's early demo material and I must admit that these 5 guys made a huge step forward musically and in terms of songwriting for this 10-track debut (s)platter. Sure, you can always figure out that Spawn truly dig acts like Cannibal Corpse or Dying Fetus, but I wouldn't know what's wrong with that!? Their compositions are all the way catchy, straight forward with nice guttural vocals and a very punchy modern production, so that all in all this should be one of the hottest national newcomers to keep in mind if this is your favourite style of music. Spawn have just finished a quite successful first German mini-tour together with Krisiun and Damnation where they proved that they actually also manage to deliver the guts, eh, goods in a stage performance as well, so... if it wasn't for the pretty uncool cover artwork (well, then again that's only my personal taste and opinion!), this would be a complete killer-release. A young band determined to blast its way up in the underground! Label contact: Bruchstein Records, Kadiner Str. 15, D - 10243 Berlin, Germany. http://www.bruchstein-records.de Band-Website at: www.spawn666.de

Leif Jensen

BACK


SPAWN
Human Toxin
(Morbid Records)
32:26min

The new SPAWN album sounds more professional than “Systems Full Of Victims”. Absolutely solid but also kind of unspectacular. The beginning of the opener ‘Fear The Just Revenge’ reminds me quite a lot of mighty BOLT THROWER, the rest of the album bows to CANNIBAL CORPSE a lot. Didn’t they even cover CORPSE live on stage? I’m not quite sure and on the other hand: who doesn’t? In a way, ‘Human Toxin’ also sounds pretty German I think. Oldschool with quite some Thrash influences and a deeep vocalist – not froggy at all, though. The biggest difference to CORPSE is that in my view SPAWN don’t exactly write “smash” hits. Nice record for addicts of traditional Death but certainly not a must have. They’re more fun live I have to say. www.spawn666.de

Ramon Claassen

BACK

SPAWN OF POSSESSION
Cabinet
(Unique Leader Records)
38:02min

Most technical Death Metal bands that recently came up with new efforts (e.g. HATE ETERNAL, INTERNECINE...) had one major problem: the complex musical arrangements simply destroyed the songs! Especially “King Of All Kings” was definitely a disappointment, at least to me. The album was totally brutal, but there were no songs - everything went down in an chaotic onslaught of technical excess. Now Swedish SPAWN OF POSSESSION unleash their first official full-length CD strike and well, it is a lethal one!!! Although the guitar work is of almost maximum technicality, one does not get the impression, that it is too much or even worse, that the songs get unmemorable and all recognizable elements are lost. It is a bit like on masterpieces like DEATH’s “Human” or ATHEIST’s “Piece Of Time”. There are technical riffs, complex yet melodic leads en masse, but there is still the traditional verse-chorus-verse principle plus one or two breaks in the song’s middle. SPAWN OF POSSESSION’s material continues this tradition, except an often increased varied tempo and deeper vocals in the classic US Death-style like CANNIBAL CORPSE, MONSTROSITY. It is great that the Swedish four-piece does not follow this frog-noise trend shit, like many of the other so called “brutal” bands do. Songs like the opener ‘Swarm Of The Formless’, the fast bandhymn ‘Spawn Of Possession’ (with a cool & evil intro sample) or their demo track ‘Dirty Priest’ are fantastic technical US-inspired Death Metal, that is dominated by an astounding guitar work that skilfully mixes brutality, melody and technical finesse (two thumbs up, Jonas-Duo!!!). The production came out delicious as well, transparent, powerful and heavy. A compliment also to the cover artist – it reminds me a lot of classic Dan Seagrave! “Cabinet” is a great start into the Death Metal year 2003 and you should be damned, if you miss this excellent release. Band: www.spawnofpossession.com Label: www.uniqueleader-europe.com

Stefan Franke

BACK

SPAWN OF POSSESSION
Noctambulant
(Neurotic Records)
41:30min

“1.400 promos send to all media” (printed as “sales point” on the info sheet of the promo-CD) – fuck, is that normal today? I have no clue how many promos a label has to send to all kind of magazines but I wonder where Neurotic Records sent these promos to, because I haven’t read one single review of this record so far. Hm, well, perhaps I’m reading the wrong magazines… Let’s talk about the music and this is indeed the far more interesting topic here. This is the 2nd CD of SPAWN OF POSSESSION and, friends, this one kicks ass. The first band which came into my mind while listening to them was Germany’s NECROPHAGIST and I wonder which one of them is more technical? The musicians of SPAWN OF POSSESSION are totally skilled and the positive thing is, that besides this technical ability they also write great songs which are fun to listen to. Many of these technical Death Metal outfits just play technical and the listener asks himself where the songs are, but that’s not the case here! All Death Metal Maniacs into technical Death grinding Metal should risk an ear on this CD, you won’t regret it!!! www.spawnofpossession.com

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK

SPAWN OF SATAN / BLOODSICK
Split CD
(Hell’s Headbangers Records)
35:04min

Damn, this is an excellent example of what a split CD should be – two bands, two individual styles sworn together by the same attitude – to be evil as hell!!! SPAWN OF SATAN fronted by NUNSLAUGHTER member Jim Sadist / Satanic attack with diversified Death / Thrash musically influenced by Thrash legends like old PESTILENCE, DESTRUCTION, old SLAYER, KREATOR etc. What I recognized as a positive surprise were the vocals, which remind me a lot of "The Tyrant" Kam Lee on MASSACRE’s first demo, excellent!!! The five songs on this split CD have the primitive evil feeling I love about 80’s extreme Metal and SPAWN OF SATAN manage to recreate this unique unholy oldschool intensity in perfection. BLOODSICK are not worse than their partners in crime, but have a slightly different approach to evil Death / Thrash than SPAWN OF SATAN. The vocals are a bit more classic Thrash-screaming like NUCLEAR ASSAULT, early DEMOLITION HAMMER and the music has the drive of Death / Thrash, but the heavy sound of Swedish legends like GRAVE, NIHILIST. Sounds interesting, huh? Well, it definitely is! Although BLOODSICK’s five songs were recorded around 1997 they still sound extremely fresh, full of energy and kick fuckin’ ass!!! I guess when you like the bands I mentioned above you won’t be disappointed by this great CD, check your mailorders to get it or visit www.hellsheadbangers.com to purchase it from the label, which has a nice distrolist itself. Also watch out for the LP version which will be released this summer!

Stefan Franke

BACK


SPAZMOSITY
Storm Metal
(self financed)
17:42min

We can make it short here: fans of DISSECTION and like–minded acts can add the name SPAZMOSITY to their list. "Storm Metal" is the third demo of this Stockholm – based fourpiece, released as a MCD. What you find on this recording is dark Swedish Black / Death Metal with some dramatic melody lines, partly melancholic, partly cold. The best tracks for me are the accoustic intro track 'The Curse Of Blood' and the following song – 'Enter The Storm'. This is definitely not new but played in quite a decent way with a really good and powerful although natural production. Some riffs are a bit too standard – but that is the problem with almost all bands in this genre nowadays (including the signed ones, haha!). Good song writing qualities topped by an occasional Heavy Metal solo, fast riffing crushed by mighty midtempo double bass parts plus vocals varying between deep grunts and midranged screams with delay and echo. Hmmm, the more I listen too it the more I like it! I guess these guys could manage to impress in live situation. As I said before: if you are into melodic Black / Death Metal which is not too cheesy and "happy" this lot is definitely worth to be checked out. And now I will listen to some SHUB NIGGURATH, hehehe! Spazmosity contact: M. Lamming, Västmannag. 103 A, 11343 Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail: spazmosity@hotmail.com, website: http://www.spazmosity.com.

SPEARHEAD
Deathless Steel Command
(Invictus Productions)
31:37min

"Deathless Steel Command", the first album of this British act, is a recording dating from 2005, but for some different reasons it didn't see the light of day until September 2006 on Invictus Productions. I had heard these guys were quite violent (musically speaking) and the cover reflecting an empty battlefield gives you an idea they take no prisoners. Their sound is a harsh mix of War Death Metal, some norwegian Black Metal riffs, good malignant thrashy riffs and solos and a lot of blastbeats. So, yes, speed is primary here, you have lots of it, and the overall sound can remind something between the great aussie sound of first Destroyer 666 and Bestial Warlust and some old Immortal / Darkthrone stuff (even fastest Marduk), but I think the already mentioned blastbeats are the difference with these bands; hopefully there are some heavier dark midpaced parts, which are great to arrive between the rest and are a good idea not to have a monotonous album with only speed. And one of the best things here are the hateful vocals of mr. Barghest, simply making you feel the rage, reminding again the aussie style, and vomiting the war-inspired (with some antichristian subjects too) lyrics. So, in just a bit more than half an hour these guys deliver all the brutality you need to forget about this fucked up world for some hours (or perhaps to increase your hatred, hehe). www.invictusproductions.net

Jeroni Sancho

BACK

SPEARHEAD
Decrowning The Irenarch
(Invictus Productions)
36:12min

Solid band name, good logo and with these attributes the fire of relentless Death Metal played throughout that makes me proud to now know of this UK four piece, for sure England’s answer to ANGELCORPSE! Of Jeroni Sancho’s review of SPEARHEAD’s previous album “Deathless Steel Command“ within these pages I was expecting something more akin to the hell warriors of Aussie hordes that have been clawing their way from that accursed isle in recent years. Nothing though could be further from the truth, from that review given any how whilst this CD here spins before me today. Obviously SPEARHEAD has made a tremendous leap from their debut CD or decided to change directions altogether as clearly what is wrought now is a hail of vicious audio bombardment that includes tight, effectual guitar riffs, Azagthoth-styled leadwork, Helmkamp-ish vocals and blasting technical drum work reminiscent of Pete Sandoval in his prime. Honestly it's not every day you hear a band of this much inherent skill, that can execute their ideas with such determination and acute providence, and of whom also hail from England’s shores. Very promising. www.spearhead.cjb.net, www.myspace.com/spearheadofficial, www.invictusproductions.net

Wes Rhodes

BACK

PAUL SPECKMANN
Masterpieces
(Twilight Vertrieb)
55:40min

Yeah, I know that this compilation is not the freshest anymore, but as we just asked for a promo of it, we'd like to introduce it to you nevertheless (better late, than never). "Masterpieces" is a collection of songs from various bands / projects that Paul Speckmann was involved in throughout the years, so all in all a good overview for all those of you who aren't familiar with Paul's musical activities as a whole. So, what do we have here in detail then? The first two tracks ('The Line Too Kill' and 'He'll Probably Win') are both taken from MASTER's 1994 "Four More Years of Terror" full length, while 'Fatso' (probably the shortest song that Paul ever did) originally appeared on the MASTER / EXCISION split 7" EP that got released via Moonstorm Records in 1996. Unfortunately the version that appears on "Masterpieces" here seems to be from the self-titled SOLUTIONS MCD though... By the way: my biggest complain with this album is the lack of info that you're getting. The booklet only consists of a bunch of historical pictures of various line-ups and that's it. Not even the releases that the material originally appeared on get a mention… So, reason enough for me to continue on with the results of my personal investigations here: 'Blood For Oil' and 'Pull The Plug' are from ABOMINATION's second full length "Tragedy Strikes" (released through Nuclear Blast back in 1991) and I'm a bit insecure where the MASTER classics 'Funeral Bitch' and 'Mangled Dehumanization' were taken from… the CD says 1989, but the self-titled MASTER album was from 1990, so I guess it's from that one. 'Kill With Me' and 'Crooked Teeth' are from the MARTYR album "Murder X: The End Of The Game", that came out on System Shock Records in 2000. 'Follow Your Saviour' is the title track of the MASTER mini CD from 2002, while 'The Truth' and 'Re-Entry And Destruction' are from DEATH STRIKE's legendary 1985 "Fuckin' Death" demo (respectively 1991's "Fuckin' Death" CD on Nuclear Blast). 'Cut Through The Filth' (which also appears as a demo bonus-track on MASTER's "Unreleased 1985 Album") is featured on here from the "Death Is Just The Beginning II" compilation while 'Remorseless Poison' is from 1991's the SPECKMANN PROJECT album. And last but not least there's the two tracks off "On The Seventh Day God Created… Master" album, 'Heathen' and 'Latitudinarian', that close this disc. So, not really an essential album if you already own the complete Paul Speckmann catalogue, but an interesting overview on all the cool stuff that is around by the man. Next time a rarities compilation please! For more info check out www.master-speckmetal.com or www.twilight-vertrieb.de

Frank Stöver

BACK
 

SPEEDFREAKS
Out For Kicks
(Mondongo Canibale Records)
33:55min
 
Right from the very first opening riff of the album's title track, something akin to a riff I believe nicked from METALLICA's 'I Disappear' single featured on the "Mission: Impossible II" movie soundtrack. Straight into a MOTÖRHEAD-ish rock section, I knew this band was going to suck. By the second song, another homage to MOTÖRHEAD called 'Somebody To Roll', I still felt this 4 piece from Gothenburg, Sweden was a waste of time and completely not ready for an album deal. Then the third song, or should I say the turd song begins and all I want to do is kick my foot right through my speaker! Honestly folks, I could literally go on for days about how awful these songs are, about how painful it is to sit here and actually listen to these ten cuts over and over again. However, what really is the point? SPEEDFREAKS are a bar band and not a very good bar band at that, and more importantly they should stay a bar band! The title track alone on this disc was enough for me, so you can imagine what nine more lame attempts from a fourth rate MOTÖRHEAD-wanna-be act that has a singer by the name of Tomas Modig, who is obviously and completely tone deaf, would do to your soul! I have seen and heard better MOTÖRHEAD cover bands that would not even allow SPEEDFREAKS to haul their gear, let alone open for 'em. Avoid this CD! Contact: www.speedfreaks.se or www.mondongocanibale.com or Mondongo Canibale Records, P.O. Box 27106, 28080 Madrid, Spain.

Wes Rhodes

BACK

/SPEED\KILL/HATE\
Acts Of Insanity
(Listenable Records)
36:28min

I didn’t seem to get access to his side project of OVERKILLers Dave Linsk (g) and Tim Mallore (d) until – today! That’s mainly because of the vocals delivered by Linsk’s former ANGER ON ANGER singer Mario. Pretty aggressive and – yes – skilled vocalist. But for quite some time I simply hated his voice. Additionally, I’m not a big fan of those hardcore style backing shouts, either. Apart from that we get some excellent Thrash with deep roots in the 80s but also picking up elements such as sound, speed, groove and technicality of today. Finally, the band doesn’t avoid certain parallels to OVERKILL as long as it serves the song. They’re working on a tour in spring 2005 and that’s what their music was made for. Don’t play “Acts Of Insanity” in your car as long as you wanna avoid trouble with the police! Check out soundfiles at www.speedkillhate.com or www.listenable.net

Ramon Claassen

BACK
 

SPEEDTRAP
Raw Deal (MLP)
(High-Roller-Records)
22:02min

I used this phrase already a few times before and will use it again now as it fits this recording, too: some music is meant to be on vinyl! That's the case for "Raw Deal" from SPEEDTRAP and I assume that this release would sound kinda outdated to listen to on CD (the CD-version was released through a label called Thunderknights Records as far as I know). Perhaps this is only my humble opinion, nevertheless I have the impression that some music only works on vinyl (or works better on vinyl) and SPEEDTRAP's brand of Metal is such a kind. When I opened the package from High-Roller-Records and saw the cover of this MLP I immediately had to think on EXCITER's "Heavy Metal Maniac" as this cover is some kind of homage to this Metal-classic. "Raw Deal" - I don't know in which situation the guys from SPEEDTRAP got a raw deal, somehow they probably saw the necessity to express this unfairness in the title of their first official release. Perhaps they feel kinda mistreated because this release was only printed on 500 copies so far, haha! Well, that's the way High-Roller-Records is handling their business. Anyway, “Raw Deal” is for sure not meant to be a topseller as the music is outdated as hell but that's the case for most of the High-Roller-Records and that's the charm around it. SPEEDTRAP's brand of music is, although expecting an EXCITER-type of music (which is only partially the case) mostly influenced by NWOBHM. The sound, the riffs, the vocals, everything sounds authentic and as it was recorded back around 82 - 85 and I'm sure there are a lot of maniacs out there who would give their left nut for releases like this. I can only recommend this release to any fan of the NWOBHM-genre (especially to fans of DIAMOND HEAD, JAGUAR and RAVEN) to check this release out,. Well, we haven't the next IRON MAIDEN here, nevertheless a great breath of air for fans of NWOBHM. As I wrote before it’s again limited to 500 pieces so better be fast. www.hho-records.de, www.myspace.com/speedtrapmetal.

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK

SPEKTR
No Longer Human Senses
(Appease Me Records)
47:22min

I don’t want to give wrong impressions here, because this album demands all your attention and I can’t spoil this review because of a bad choice of words. For example, if I tell you that this French two-piece offers experimental music, I am sure a lot of you will flee away from this album thinking it is pretentious and boring. So for the moment, let’s simply say that SPEKTR play Black Metal with a great concern for rich and textured morbid atmospheres, a little in the way LEVIATHAN (US) have accustomed us to. Do you feel more at ease then? Well, now it is time to tell you that SPEKTR crush all the boundaries of the Black Metal genre to reach never heard before sonic kingdoms. They subvert the Black Metal frame and distort it in order to come up with one the most original albums I listened to for the last five years. You will find here a true symphony of bizarre effects and samples, cleverly intertwined together to produce pure music. I could be difficult to believe at first, but this very abstract music is absolutely captivating, especially because SPEKTR inject to their sick aural universe familiar traditional Black Metal sounds (harsh vocals, acidic guitars and thundering drums) to tie together disparate elements. What you get then is a very intense (and tense) record, you could feel the process of creation streaming while the music flows. I read somewhere comparisons with abstract contemporaneous music of the 20th century, and it is very relevant I think. Be warned that “No Longer Human Senses” is a bleak album, but here the bleakness becomes beauty. It is obvious this album is a work of love and passion for the artistic creation, but at no moment the listener is left behind like a dumbfuck. SPEKTR invite us to discover their music, and not to contemplate their superior intelligence in awe (even if intelligence is a key word to tag this record). Twenty years ago, CELTIC FROST paved the way when they recorded their famous experimental pieces (‘Dance Macabre’ and ‘Tears In A Prophet’s Dream’), so mix that with the aforementioned LEVIATHAN and some Industrial music and you will begin to get a faint idea of what you could find into this album. I think I made myself perfectly clear about the greatness of “No Longer Human Senses”. It is a stellar record composed by great artists. And believe me: I reviewed enough average albums recently to say that! Absolutely essential, unique and memorable! www.appeaseme.fr.st.

Edouard Vergriete

BACK

SPEKTR
Mescalyne
(Debemur Morti Productions)
22:58min

SPEKTR hails from France amd quite frankly I approached this release with no expectations at all given my lack of knowledge on their catalogue. After a few listens I can safely say I'm not really compelled to cross paths with this band in the near future. Their music is just not terribly bad but to my ears it is just boring and definitely not among what I can stand. This band relies around 90% of what they do on a computer so you might expect that the results of such bedroom Black Metal outfits will suffer with a sterile / plastic sound. Random guitar attacks, drummachine fills, ambient noise and occasional raspy voice. I don't see any valuable songwriting or even decent arrangments to catch any listener attention. This is something that anyone could easily put together with a laptop, recording / effects software and definitely nothing better to do on a weekend. Better off get a girlfriend guys! Additional info at: http://www.debemur-morti.com/horde_detail.php?aARTI_ID=26.

Mario Cubero

BACK

SPELLCRAFT
Stirpe Obscura
(Grotesque Productions)
46:18min

I had good references from SPELLCRAFT, a band from Aragon that features one ex-member of OUIJA, as I had read positive reviews of them, so my expectations were partly positive, even if one negative one could be that I'm not a big fan of OUIJA and the most typical Swedish Black Metal. But the best is to forget all those expectations and to listen to the music, before anything else. So I took the album heading to see what these five Black Metal warriors could offer to us. I must say I found something quite different than what I expected. I had made an image in my mind that their sound would be more influenced by the Swedish scene, and I see less, and slighter, influences of that kind, more because of the dark melody,  worthy of DISSECTION or SACRAMENTUM (fifth and sixth tracks and the only ones purely on that path, and the ones I liked the less of the CD), as well as some WATAIN remnants. But from that on their sound it's not that easy to define their sound basing it on precise similarities, which is good. To start with it, it is raw and sharp, even if the production is not dirty, but at the same time it has quite a proper sound. It combines the rawness and melody with a not negligible power. Even if they have a nordic Black Metal base (I think as much from Norway as Sweden), there's an eighties base in their sound too, where some specters of Thrash and even Heavy Metal appear, not for the resources they use but for the ideas and ways of writing the songs; they know how to find the rage with simplicity. On another side we have the atmosphere of this album, something basic for this style, and which is for me what keeps them away the most of the nordic sound. Some examples come to my mind, but basically I would say they achieve to transmit a really necro and mortuary atmosphere, perfectly evocating the deepest wells of hell. The fourth song is the one that gave me those kind of feelings the most, and which reminds me of CELESTIA, even if this is just an example as lots I could use. I could add to that the length of the tracks, which helps a lot, as it gives enough space to create a good ambience without leaving the variety. But there's one detail to raise as it has a big weight on their sound. They are not limited to one typical voice, nor only the lower choirs, as it goes from one clear and low voice to others like whispers, which give a phantasmagorical touch. Again Spanish Black Metal surprises me, even if I thought this year it wouldn't happen. They can create stronger tracks and polish some details, but this is already a good first album. www.myspace.com/spellcrafthell

Jeroni Sancho

BACK

SPELLCRAFT
Stirpe Obscura
(Grotesque Productions)
46:21min

The gloomy intro would suggest that a whopper of an album is moments away from taking off. Not so. Not only is this bland Black Metal, it's Black Metal with even blander corpse-paint. Once upon a time, corpse-paint almost guaranteed at least an interesting record. The only bands who can get away with the dated make-up are few and far between. This album has all the trappings of banality: a paper thin production, melodies performed on the tremolo, and one beat drumming. It makes little sense for a band of any kind of ambition to go for this approach. They look decent enough, but as the last decade has taught us, books can indeed be judged by their covers. www.myspace.com/spellcrafthell, www.grotesquemusic.com

Nat Shapiro

BACK

SPETALSK
Spetalsk
(Unexploded Records)
35:02min

Ripping out of the earth from Norrkoping, Sweden hail LEPROSY or the Swedish language equivalent of this ungodly disease, SPETALSK. Recorded at Pure Dechristianizing Studios, Winter 2006, mixed and mastered by Magnus “Devo“ Andersson of MARDUK fame, at Endarker Studios. This CD of the same title much to this listener’s disappointment, has the Metallers who fly this moniker’s banner, engaged in the traditions of Norway rather than those of South Florida. SPETALSK is Black Metal of course. Hungry, Christ hating, and unique enough in skill alone; as these musicians indeed are quite well versed with their instruments. However this is where the compliments end. The seven “songs” on this outing are all of the same tried and true (and nothing new…) brand of blitz fired clamour that I hate. Not to mention in the least bit, what lead guitar work there is here, all of it is so fucking helplessly buried in the final mix, makes me wonder if “Devo” was paying any real attention to this alleged mastering at all! The real travesty though, with SPETALSK, is the fact they bring nothing solely identifiable to the table. What is played here, again, is what any of you who listen to this genre have heard a million and one times over. This of course as you know easily chalks this band up as just another Black Metal act, instead of something special. So much so that SPETALSK honestly can be slotted next to any of the innumerous hordes, from anywhere across the globe, that call this style their own and you’d be hard pressed to tell one from another audibly. The songs presented here although played with more expertise than many in their scene, truly have no other redeeming qualities. No distinct value. No soul. Contact: www.myspace.com/spetalsk or info@unexplodedrecords.com or www.unexplodedrecords.com or Unexploded Records, Slattarodsvagan 18, 28020 Bjarnum Sweden.

Wes Rhodes

BACK

SPIRE
Spire
(Art Of Propaganda / Obscure Abhorrence Productions)
31:14min

The year 2010 has shown that the Australian underground is still in the position to give birth to countless new and interesting Ambient / Black Metal projects  – so the Australian “cult act” STRIBORG is for sure no influence here. The latest release from Down Under is the SPIRE debut – the band has been founded in 2007 - and even if the band can’t invent the wheel once more is the release in the position to offer 30 minutes of true underground Black Metal supported by a handful of great songs and ideas. The band is strictly following the principle of less is more and songs like the opener are offering a simple but effective riff which is supporting the song over the whole playing time. The ambient influences are mainly incorporated in the Black Metal songs so don’t fear 15 minutes of white noise. What gives this album a minor negative touch is the layout which for sure hides a secrete message to an unknown species out there (the booklet is illustrated by pictures of black holes and star systems) because neither the song title nor the lyrics can be identified by any living species on this planet. I’m for sure not a fan of 24 colored pages with a thanks list to all living friends of the band but what is the reason of a booklet without a real message? So coming back to the pure music is the SPIRE debut again the prove for the potential within the Australian Black Metal scene, so please be invited to check out this combo via following links. www.myspace.com/sspiree, www.art-of-propaganda.de, www.obscure-abhorrence.com

Matthias Auch

BACK

SPIRITUS MORTIS
Spiritus Mortis (DoLP)
(High-Roller-Records)

Funny, really funny. 2 weeks ago I received a package from the cool vinyl label High-Roller-Records including (amongst others) a fabulous looking gatefold double LP from Finnish Doomsters SPIRITUS MORTIS. A week later I visited Vienna together with my lady for 5 days and guess which event took place in the Metal pub Escape Metalcorner (nice and recommendable pub, by the way)? A gig from SPIRITUS MORTIS. Great surprise! I snapped at the chance and had a look at their live appearance and have to admit I enjoyed it a lot. Nevertheless it’s the LP I should write about and it’s an easy task. First up, as mentioned above, the gatefold cover for this double vinyl looks amazing. It includes the lyrics for all the songs and additionally another 4-page insert with weird bandpictures and recording information of the included songs. Included on this double LP is the selftitled full-length release from 2004 (originally released through Rage Of Achilles), the 3 songs from their demo 2000, a TROUBLE cover (‘At The End Of My Daze’) and the livetrack called ‘Wasteland’. Plenty of stuff to listen to. SPIRITUS MORTUS play Doom Metal, from time to time Doooooooom Metal, but sometimes also kinda psychedelic Hardrock (just listen to the solopart in ‘Forbidden Arts’), though mostly I hear Doom Metal with reminiscence to BLACK SABBATH, TROUBLE and at the melancholic moments CANDLEMASS. What you get are 19 songs with a playing time of far more than one hour of great Doom Metal played with a lot of heart by talented musicians – which I can definitely say after their live gig in Vienna. Vinyl supporter should have a look out for this release as it is limited to 500 copies. Judging from the merchandise at the live gig I saw some CD-releases in their repertoire so have a look out for these, too. Nevertheless I have to say that this is a well-done release offered by SPIRITUS MORTIS in cooperation with the rising High-Roller-Records and the right choice for music lovers. To tell the truth, some music is meant to be played on vinyl. Doom Metal is such a music… Visit www.hho-records.de and www.spiritusmortis.com.

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK

UnfortunateIy I missed out on SPIRIT WEB’s self-titled debut album, but still got really curious how these guys would actually sound like as they got praised quite intensively in various major magazines already. And the fact that the band was originally founded by three veterans of Chicagos Metal scene (guitarist Paul Speredes [ex-SYRIS], Tony Rios [ex-WINTERKILL] and Brent Sullivan [ex-SLAUGHTER XTROYES / WINTERKILL] made things even more exciting to me. For personal reasons Rios is no longer with them these days, but got replaced by another skilled maniac, named Michael Angelo (formerly of NITRO). If you’re aware of the aforementioned acts (which are all rooted in the Heavy Power Metal genre), you’ll already know that SPIRIT WEB ain’t Death nor Black Metal, but that shouldn’t generally be a problem here, if the quality’s there, right? A way bigger problem (at least to me) is their current musical direction. Even though the old traditional Metal roots are still shining through on the entire record, it’s pretty obvious that SPIRIT WEB are longing for a much more diverse audience. And that unfortunately causes a lot of twists and turns in their writing formular. While the heavier (and to me way better) tunes partly remind me on MEGADETH in their "Rust In Piece" period (‚Slave‘, ‚Skies R Grey‘, ‚Hellbound Train‘), mainly due to Randy Barron’s Mustain-like vocal delivery, they often drastically switch direction and incorporate annoying NU Metal riffing / growling (‚The Game‘), almost alternative like stuff (‚Fame And Glory‘, which could easily have been a JANE’S ADDICTION tune) and cheesy Hardrock elements (‚Miss Behaven‘). Don’t know what they’re trying to proof with that as their top notch musical skills are also shining through pretty clearly in the more traditional / heavier stuff (just check out the amazing bass work!). So, all in all this could have been a way more convincing and heavier record if the band would have decided for one musical direction exclusively. All further info at: www.mausoleum-records.com

Frank Stöver

BACK

SPLATTERHOUSE
The House That Dead Built
(Razorback Records)
34:04min

From the rather cheesy moniker this 2002 founded band from the city of Portland, Oregon chose I did not expect something too good, but how much better do I know now..."The House That Dead Built", the trio's debut is simply a fantastic, straight and fresh sounding piece of oldschool Death / Grind in the vein of CARCASS, EXHUMED, IMPALED, GHOUL with a good dose of traditional Thrash Metal and a catchy melodic feel now and then that definitely rocks the morgue! Vocal wise you get a typical growl / scream / gurgle mix, tempos vary from blasting violence to groovier passages and total thrashing drive. The production was done by a guy called Jesse O'Donnell and turns out to be excellent, too! Everything sounds unpolished, raw and powerful, in no way as sterile as the last EXHUMED. What I personally really enjoyed was that the guitar sound is a little reminiscient of old Skogsberg-produced Swedish Death Metal with its characteristic filthy, dark and heavy tone (just check 'Coffin Birth' or 'Night Of The Creeps' and you'll agree). If you should like any of the aforementioned bands and are interested in varied, ripping grinding Death Metal get this album, it's hereby highly recommended to all you gorehounds! At www.razorbackrecords.com you find additional infos, including mp3 files, the band itself can be found at http://geocities.com/rottenabode/

Stefan Franke

BACK

SPLITTER
En Sorglig Histeria (MCD)
(Obscene Productions)
27:10min

The Swedish Metal scene is amazing. Sweden has approx. 9.000.000 inhabitants, but probably 1.000.000 Metal bands and at least 1.000 of them are great. On one side you have a band like KATATONIA with their great melancholy, LAKE OF TEARS with their great melodies, OPETH for being just unique, then you have bands like NECROPHOBIC which show you their side of musical darkness, MARDUK for playing Black Metal in its fastest form, DISMEMBER for still being what they were at the beginning of the 90s and at the end of heaviness and for being one of the fastest you can find a band like NASUM. But NASUM are no more… But now there are SPLITTER! I won't say that SPLITTER are the successor of NASUM, but for the fans of “Human 2.0” and “Helvete” SPLITTER are a band more than worth to check out. In the first half of this 27 minutes on this MCD they offer you 11 songs of Swedish Grindcore with a fantastic sound (recorded live at Studio Fredman), in the 2nd half you get their demo “Stundens Chockerande Intryck” including 7 songs with a sound by far not as good as the first half for sure. SPLITTER’s type of Grindcore also includes a huge influence of Crustcore so at the end I can only give the advice to all of you out there who are looking for a bastard out of NASUM and SKITSYSTEM to check this band out immediately. They are worth your support!! Take a look at www.splitter.se for more details!

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK

STARGAZER / INVOCATION
Harbringer / H.A.S.T.U.R. (Split CD)
(Dies Irae Productions)
36:08min

Even though I'm usually not the type of guy who likes split releases too much, this one by the two Australian underdogs STARGAZER and INVOCATION is definitely a worthy investment. I still remember the name STARGAZER from a feature in TALES OF THE MACABRE zine and with that Costa once more had proved his good taste. I originally thought they would be some kind of 70's Hardrock act, inspired by the awesome RAINBOW classic of the same name. But I was completely wrong!!! STARGAZER play an extremely raw, savage and uncompromising mixture of aggressive Death / Thrash with sinister and really grim Black Metal vocals and definitely know to convince with it. It's more than obvious that they are doing it from the heart, as they deliver their songs with the right feeling – a fact that most of today's bands unfortunately are heavily lacking in. The drumming is partly really chaotic and the sound raw as fuck (but not bad because of that). 6 songs in total that you should really check out. INVOCATION, the other band on this disk, is also pretty good, but not as spectacular as STARGAZER though. Their 4 songs (+ intro) are pretty much in the vein of early MORBID ANGEL combined with the brutality of acts like INCANTATION. In other words: pure Death Metal brutality here! Nevertheless, good stuff. Available probably from various mailorders or directly from: Dies Irae Productions, P.O. Box 337, Yishun Central Post Office, Singapore 917612, e-mail: dayofwrath@mailcity.com, website: http://www.members.tripod.com/rickvasp/Main.html

Frank Stöver

BACK


STARGAZER
The Scream That Tore The Sky
(Agonia Records)
41:56min

At last, something that makes sense... Australia’s very own STARGAZER managed to impress with their split CD with INVOCATION some years ago, but after that, and until this year (2005), no news at all from this band (even their website moved), to the point I thought STARGAZER capsized for good. Fortunately, here is the time of their return, with a fantastic album. If “Harbringer” was good enough, you better forget it now, because “The Scream…” presents the REAL stuff, and the band at their full potential. First, the production does well this time to maximize the deadly effect of the STARGAZER music. It was precisely the point that hampered the full impact of the STARGAZER of old, now the problem is fortunately solved! Regarding the music: perfect is the right word to describe it. Like Frank said in his “Harbringer” review, these guys play from the heart, even if they deliver a rather complex form of Death Metal. I read comparisons with reputed outfits like ATHEIST and CYNIC, but it is only partially true. STARGAZER's music is a little less adventurous and leaves room for extreme brutality. Add to this that the two musicians forming STARGAZER are not here to show their “considerable” abilities like so many others do. The result breaks down the overall mediocrity that plagues this scene nowadays with an overdose of class and remarkable inspiration. Some jazzy overtones could be heard here and there, the bass parts in particular are especially adventurous in that regard, some passages evokes progressive music, but “The Scream…” is first and foremost a very imaginative Death Metal record. Despite the complexity of the music, it never occurs that the listener is left clueless of what it is going on, each track has a clearly definite thread, easy to follow. If the lyrical and visual STARGAZER inspirations come from the most abstract aspects of the Asiatic religions, the comparison with let’s say CYNIC stops there. No ethereal and angelic choirs, no “spacey” ambiances (well, except for an enigmatic short instrumental, ‘Tongues’, which offers a relaxing moment amidst a cyclone of insanity), only a frantic deluge of tortured riffs like some warped MORBID ANGEL ones. No wonder that the two STARGAZER musicians (The Great Righteous Destroyer and The Serpent Inquisitor, yeah, even the pseudonyms are cool as Hell!) are involved in some other class Australian bands like MARTIRE and CAULDRON BLACK RAM -- to cite only two of them – because their talent is so huge that it can’t be constrained even by a class act like STARGAZER. “The Scream…” is a miraculous album and I strongly suggest you don’t ignore it any longer, unless you want to make fools of yourselves. Check their website at: www.stargazer.hm, some mp3 are displayed. An album that tore my mind…

Edouard Vergriete

BACK

STENCH
Stench (7” EP)
(Soulseller Records)
12:32min

Soulseller Records have some mighty bands in their repertoire right now and I like the way they handle all different kind of releases from regular CD releases (e.g. MAIM, THORNIUM or ALVERG), vinyl releases (e.g. the compilation “Resurrected In Festering Slime” or the re-release of the OPHTHALAMIA back catalogue on vinyl) to 7” EPs. This here is the 7” EP from Swedish band STENCH which is their first official release as far as I know. A good start if you ask me, from nothing to vinyl, haha. OK, I forgot to mention that STENCH are featured on the marvellous compilation “Resurrected In Festering Slime” with their song ‘Stench Of Death’. However, this single contains 4 songs of Swedish Death Metal with some influences / similarities to EUCHARIST (e.g. the fantastic beginning harmonies of ‘Through The Crypts Of Ghostland’) and GROTESQUE and this is meant in a strictly positive way. I recognized the quality of STENCH (what a sentence, haha) already on the mentioned compilation, nevertheless listening to a whole recording, 4 songs so to speak in with a playing time of more than 12 minutes showed them in an even brighter light. Despite the bandname, which I think is neither original nor good, I like this recording so much that I would promise that their next release will become a real outstanding killer recording. Right now they are huge hopefull for me and I use to listen to this seven-inch on an almost daily base. What’s left to say? Just buy this release from either www.soulsellerrecords.com or www.myspace.com/swedenstench.

Thomas Ehrmann

BACK

STENCH OF DECAY
Where Death And Decay Reign (Demo)
(Detest Records)
23:51min 

STENCH OF DECAY’s second demo tape, “Where Death And Decay Reign” is the third demo released on the excellent Detest Records label (after the SWALLOWED and MIASMAL tapes) - one of the few labels that seems to be unearthing important new talent in the Death Metal underground. This new Finnish band is certainly on the appropriate path toward a well-deserved recognition in the Death Metal scene. The band adheres to the roots of the classic Finnish Death Metal style (e.g. DEMIGOD, ABHORRENCE, FUNEBRE, etc.), but also incorporates elements of the more modern Death Metal sound emanating from Germany and elsewhere. In particular, one can hear the definite influence of DROWNED and NECROS CHRISTOS among others. Finnish Death Metal has long been revered for its adherence to darker riffs and imagery, and STENCH OF DECAY, like many newer Death Metal bands are descending deeper into the brooding aspect of the music relying on depressive and atmospheric chord progressions and melodies, but delivered with demonic intensity. The songs are well-written and powerfully executed. Furthermore, the production is crisp suggesting that the band spent considerable time in a studio recording this tape. Ultimately, however, what makes this demo worthwhile is that it bears all of the hallmarks of ambition. It is not a perfect demo, but the flaws present in the demo are forgivable because you can hear that the band is striving to define its sound and direction (and ultimately that is the purpose of releasing demo tapes after all, isn’t it?). Really, the only distasteful elements of the recording are perhaps the sterile and mechanical sound of the kick drum (whether this is due to drum triggers or simply an over-produced sound, I am not sure) and occasionally ineffective guitar solos. The solos are never bad, but for the most part they do not enhance the recording either. Still, I think this merely represents the band’s ambitious struggle rather than any negligence on the part of the musicians. Finally, it should be noted that the band pays homage to classic and obscure Finnish Death Metal pioneers, ABHORRENCE with a cover of their track 'Vulgar Necrolatry' (featuring original ABHORRENCE vocalist Jukka Kolehmainen - Frank). As with nearly every cover song, it falls short of capturing the essence of the original recording. That said, it is an adequate rendition and serves to simultaneously define both the influences and future direction of the band. This tape was only made in limited quantities and should be obtained by anyone who wants to capture this band in its primordial state. I suspect that soon they will have channeled their energies into an even more effective form and will be praised accordingly. http://detestrecords.com

Jason Campbell

BACK


STERBEND
Dwelling Lifeless
(No Colours Records)
74:51min

The debut album of Germany’s STERBEND will definitely be a case of those like-it or hate-it albums. If you liked BURZUM ca. “Det Som Engang Var” / ”Hvis Lyset…” - era or the fantastic SILENCER album, this will most likely appeal to you, as really everything reminds of those two bands: those very long depressive and repetitive songs (the album includes eight of them plus intro and outro), the successful yet never dominant use of keyboards and especially the very screamy vocals, which just lack a bit of the madness that Nattramn’s vocals had. All songs from STERBEND’s 2001 demo were re-recorded for this album, and four further songs added and – while I have heard people saying that the vocals were better on that particular demo – there’s not much too grumble from my side, the sound fits the aimed mood of the record, the guitars sound very cold but always distinguishable, the drums are recorded and performed perfectly, enriching the songs totally, and the overall impression is a very sad and thick one without becoming noisy for just one second. Those to whom STERBEND might appeal have probably already decided to give them a chance, and right so, with the absence of originality, there is nothing to complain here, especially since both, BURZUM and SILENCER, have ceased to exist. www.no-colours-records.de

Nhashi

BACK

STERNENSTAUB
Destination: Infinity
(Black Attakk)
40:03min

This is how I like my symphonic Black Metal. The keyboards are actually supporting the songs! If I had to compare Austria’s STERNENSTAUB with one of the bigger Black Metal acts, I’d probably say DIMMU BORGIR but this doesn’t really hit the nail on its head. STERNENSTAUB have a lighter, more fragile structure and they sound less bombastic. For my drawers they sound less space than medieval but I’m a jerk anyway. Actually, they remind me a little of one of my favorite German Black Metal bands, HIDDEN IN THE FOG, because of their use of the synthesizers. STERNENSTAUB’s (stardust) compositions are more accessible, though, less complex, less evil and less EMPEROR. They actually have their very own delightful taste of unique beauty This might not be the right thing for Mr Stöver but I’d give it a try if you’re into well-executed symphonic Black Metal. http://www.sternenstaub.org/

Ramon Claassen

BACK


STIGMATIZED
Becoming Unique
(Remission Records)
40:25min

From what I remember, the last record by this German outfit received some pretty positive reviews which often compared them to “Testimony …” - era PESTILENCE. Which clearly marked the prime of these fine young (well, back then at least) Dutchmen for yours truly. And since I don’t have too high hopes for their reunion (or however ego-monster Mameli may label it) I thought that this could be worth a try. I know it’s not exactly fair to confront a quite new band with such expectations, but let’s face it: with a title like "Becoming Unique" you better be sure to come up with something to live up to such a bold statement. Talking about wishful thinking... I could more or less copy-and-paste the review of DETONATION’s last record here. Quite technical Death / Thrash, without the clean hooks but with far more savage vocals instead. Their vocalist comes pretty close to master van Drunen. But regardless of all the obvious effort put into this the result once more bores the living hell out of me. Really all of the songs sound more or less the same and lack rawness, dirt, - well, actually everything that makes Metal exciting to these ears. Sorry guys, there are dozens of bands out there that are not half as talented as you are but "average" is simply not enough anymore… www.remissionrecords.de 

Torsten Gründig

BACK


STILLBIRTH
Plakative Aggression
(Rotten Roll Rex)
30:26min

"Plakative Aggression" is the skull crushingly heavy first full length release from STILLBIRTH, a German band which combines all the best elements of old and new school Grindcore and Death Metal with a hint of 80s Thrash thrown in once in a while. From the roar of “are you ready for a riot?!” in the albums opener, ‘Riot Over Buhne’ to the devastating, and not so subtlety named closer ‘Kick The Shit Outta Your Face’ , STILLBIRTH deliver a steady stream of pure aural brutality that is never pretty but always effective.  Each of the 15 songs are full of pounding riffs and breakdowns that leave the listener with the urge to smash everything in the room and will no doubt become pit favourites sooner rather than later. ‘Steuerklasse 1 Und Keiner Sagt Danke’ has a riff that could easily have featured on an early DEICIDE record, while the short and sweet  ‘You Look Like Your Parents Were Siblings’ and ‘Talkshow  Brawl’ almost seem like homages to classic NAPALM DEATH. The band also shows a flare for moving swiftly from face melting blast beats to crushing, instant headbanging breakdowns. However it is when they are blasting that they are at their best, as heard in ‘Individual Related’. The musicianship is of the highest quality throughout the album. Drummer Andree Kress impresses with his rapid fire double kick and blast beats, which are especially impressive in ‘Individual Related’. He and bassist Dominik König do a fine job of keeping the surrounding chaos on track and in order, and Dominik bass also provides the songs with a few touches that grab the listeners attention, particularly his eastern sounding bass line in ‘Kick The Shit Outta Your Face’. Guitarists Lukas Swiaczny and Sebastian Stolaczyk also prove their worth with a fine array of riffs that are sure to go down a treat in pits in the coming years, particularly in ‘Kick The Shit Outta Your Face'. Lukas and Dominik provide the extremely powerful vocals that often reminded me of Matt Heafys vocal work with CAPHARNAUM. The addition of samples and techno beats in ‘Schmand An Der Hand’ and ‘Individual Related’ works really well, adding some originality to the proceedings and helping them stand out from other Grind / Death Metal bands out there. The production of the album is also of the highest quality as each riff as the recording never sounds like mush, a problem which is common on many Grindcore releases, and each instrument can be heard clearly. However, I feel the album would have benefited if two or three songs had been left out as, after a while, some of the breakdown riffs do begin to sound very similar. Overall, this is a great debut release from STILLBIRTH, which combines the best elements of modern and oldschool Grindcore and Death Metal that is sure to please fans of NAPLAM DEATH, JOB FOR A COWBOY and ALL SHALL PERISH. A highly recommended release. For more on STILLBIRTH check out: www.myspace.com/stillbirthparty or www.stillbirthparty.de

Norman McCann

BACK