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The French Underground Series
(Skull Fucked Prod.)
65:24min

In order to promote 15 French underground Death Metal bands, SKULL FUCKED PROD. released this free (!!!) compilation of which only 2000 copies were pressed. To keep it inexpensive, the whole packaging consists just of a paperboard cover. The sound quality of the featured contributions varies quite a lot (after all they are all underground bands), but the songwriting quality is continuously high. The featured bands are: ABSURDITY, ANOREXIA, DARC MUTCER, DEEP VEIN, DISLOCATION, GASTRIK BURST, HEMAFROST, HERESY, HERITIERS DE LA HAINE, HORRID FLESH, MANSLAUGHTER, PEACH HER, PSYCHOBOLIA, START OF THE END and TREPAN'DEAD. Since this is an excellent opportunity to investigate and support the French underground scene and since it's free, I can just recommend this compilation to all of you, it's as simple as that! More info on: http://skullfuckedprod.free.fr

Christoph Göbel

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From The Underground… For The Underground - A Tribute From The Hordes To Bathory
(Black Goat Productions)
100:12min

Aaaaaaaaaah, goose bumps! Does anyone of you remember how it was 15 years ago to unpack a packet and find a 7” EP like “Into Infinite Obscurity” of DISSECTION inside? If you can remember you will know how I felt when receiving this lovely piece of vinyl! This is like in the early nineties when vinyl was still law and order, when album covers were bigger than a postcard, when there were memories connected with each recording you bought, when everything was special! I can’t explain how pleased I am to own this double LP, because this is really something special, this is probably the most beautiful vinyl I have in my collection! What you get here are 24 coverversions of BATHORY songs played by mostly unknown underground bands from all over the world (ok, you have also bands like PRIMORDIAL or MY DARKEST HATE included), you get one yellow vinyl, one in blue colour (got the point? Colours of the Swedish flag…), a beautiful gatefold sleeve, a gloosy black/white booklet with 24 pages including linernotes of all bands included, plenty of pictures (band pictures as well as pictures of Quorthon (R.I.P.)), a review of the “Hole In The Sky” - Festival (remember the tribute show to BATHORY) and an 8-pages in-depth interview with Quorthon. Everything done and put together by one person: Jeanette Lohaus, most probably the biggest BATHORY fan alive! I still can’t believe how she managed everything here more or less alone? I could go on for ages praising this record but I think you got the point already and the point is: buy this tribute album as long as it is available – be fast because it’s strictly limited to 1.000 blood-numbered copies. Did I say anything about the quality of the songs included? No? Doesn’t matter because you won’t regret it anyway… If you are calling yourself a fan of the Metal underground be sure to buy this album. Check out www.blackgoatproductions.de for details.

Thomas Ehrmann

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Grind Madness At The BBC - The Earache Peel Sessions (3CD)
(Earache Records)
218:21min

John Robert Parker Ravenscroft died in October 2004 after serving as the longest serving BBC DJ. In 1967 he started working for their Radio 1 and set up his own show: The Peel Sessions. In those times there was limited time in airplay for bands. So to cleverly extend this time, John invited bands, he selected, to do a live session. Extended was also his musical taste and here we have the result. Earache Records was at that time THE most brutal record label in the UK (correct me if I'm wrong) with young, heavily talented bands as NAPALM DEATH, CARCASS, GODFLESH and BOLT THROWER. Earache owed a lot to John's taste for picking up these bands and hosting them for live sessions and so do we now! With a total of 218:21 min (!) with 118 songs (!!) you can experience the sheer brutality of quality live performances from well known bands in their most brutal shape! Featured bands are NAPALM DEATH / EXTREME NOISE TERROR (CD 1), CARCASS / BOLT THROWER (CD 2), GODFLESH / UNSEEN TERROR / HERESY / INTENSE DEGREE (CD 3). As you know, most of these sessions are already released as regular albums. Nevertheless, this is an EXCELLENT package containing some cult recordings and gives a nice view on different forms of Grindcore. Play it loud and you have yourself a three hour festival in your living room! Like real classics this hasn't lost power through time. Just listen to the opening first NAPALM DEATH session! The power and insanity unleashed here is mindblowing. I still just can't figure out how Michael Harris is able to perfectly back up Lee' s demonic growls by screaming while kicking the shit out of his drumkit. The second session with Barney still shreds and it's great to hear classics like 'Suffer The Children' and 'Mentally Murdered'. Same goes for the relentless violence from UNSEEN TERROR (with NAPALM DEATH - again! - bassplayer Shane Embury on drums!), HERESY, CARCASS and BOLT THROWER! I could write about each session in particular but the best is to get yourself a copy and experience the fury of traditional Grindcore and Hardcore by its UK pioneers! The package looks great with Sin City style artwork and liner notes by former NAPALM DEATH - again! - drummer Michael Harris. Different versions are available with shirt, novell so check www.earache.com for more info. This is essential and a historic document in honour of a historic man.

Michael Tak

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In The Eyes Of Death II
(Century Media)
76:44min

A full decade after the release of "In The Eyes Of Death I" Century Media finally managed to come up with a follow-up compilation and it's definitely one of the most recommendable ones. First of all, you get 77 minutes of extreme Metal extravaganza, plenty of unreleased material for only around five bucks and secondly a very good insight of Century Media's Death / Black Metal rooster. Especially the "Protector" digi-pack bonus track 'Exposure' of DARK TRANQUILLITY, the Brazilian extra songs of KRISIUN ('Seas Of Slime') and ROTTING CHRIST ('Phobia'), the old TIAMAT cover song ('The Malicious Paradise') performed by RUNEMAGICK as well as the demo versions of ASPHYX's 'Chaos In The Flesh' and GOD FORBID's 'Wicked' make "In The Eyes Of Death II" an essential item in your record collection for an extremely low price. Additionally there are already known and released tracks by OLD MAN'S CHILD, THE FORSAKEN, CRYPTOPSY, CARNAL FORGE, MORGUL, SHADOWS FALL, BLOODBATH, …AND OCEANS, BORKNAGAR, ARCH ENEMY, NOVEMBRE and EVENFALL. That's really value for money!

Schenk

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Fenriz Presents... The Best Of Old-School Black Metal
(Peaceville Records)
71:31min

With all respect to DARKTHRONE's Fenriz and his good taste in extreme music – where's the point in putting out a compilation of previously already released and mostly wellknown material? And why has Fenriz been asked to present / compile this disc? Well, because it wouldn't sell shit otherwise! As simple as that. But by adding a picture of the drummer in action on the sleeve, using some of his comments to compliment the booklet and going for the title "Fenriz presents..." at least all the DARKTHRONE diehards will go out and buy this... and there's quite many of them as you most certainly know. The music in itself is incredible of course, but hey - you can't really go wrong if you put together some of the most exceptional tracks by SARCOFAGO, CELTIC FROST, NATTEFROST, MERCYFUL FATE, SODOM, TORMENTOR, AURA NOIR, DESTRUCTION, SAMAEL, BULLDOZER, MAYHEM, HELLHAMMER, BURZUM, VENOM and BATHORY, right? It's actually pretty funny that BLASPHEMY is also mentioned in the regular tracklist of the album, for they are just featured with the intro ('Winds Of The Black Godz') to the 70min+ rollercoaster ride of music that touches every true (...) black soul in one way or another. Unfortunately also MAYHEM and BURZUM were both put together on here, which seems pretty tasteless considering their tragically connected past... "One can analyse a piece of music and deduct that it is Black Metal, but Black Metal is a FEELING. And that feeling cannot be analysed", Fenriz gets quoted in connection to this release... well, that obviously results in another question of mine: why does this compilation use the term "Black Metal" in its title then anyway? Figure it out for yourselves...

Frank Stöver

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Hellbangers - Metal Forces
(Iron Pegasus)
54:07min

"Hellbangers started in 1996 when the local Metalheads from the Mosel area met the guys (Desaster and friends) from the Koblenz area and we thought we could gather all the local Metalheads from all the small villages in the area under one flag. Originally it was only Hellbangers "Moselfranken" and around 10 years later some Finnish maniacs asked if they could open a "chapter" and most guys here said "ok". Who started it? Not really sure, but I think it was Okkulto (ex-Desaster) and myself. We wanted something in the vein of HMFC Velbert, you know". This short introduction was provided to me by Costa Stoios when I asked him some historical facts behind the "infamous" Hellbangers Metal fan club. Throughout the years I've read so many cool stories about this gathering of maniacs which contrary to most Metal clubs (I know), seems to be really interesting and active with some of its members being involved in bands, labels, fanzines etc. I guess it was about time that a release demonstrating the essence of this really cool Metal fanclub was released. It is not surprising that the task of putting everything together was undertaken by Costa Stoios who as you may already figured out is one of the masterminds behind the Hellbangers idea. Regarding the release now, this is a compilation with songs from: URN, DESASTER, HAR SHATAN, WITCHBURNER, ANGEL OF DAMNATION, MIDNIGHT RIDER, NOCTURNAL, FLAME, FERALIS, METALUCIFER, METAL INQUISITOR, EVIL WITCH and BRITISH STEEL. The first thing that strikes as a positive impression is the diversity among the bands included, from Thrash, Black to Heavy Metal it seems that all "Hellbangers" fight on the same side. Personally it sounds more like a big Metal party where every band shows its loyalty and dedication to Metal beyond genres, categorizations and that's what makes this release so damn cool! I really don't want to comment on each track separately because every band does some really good job in its sector and although I might have some "favorites" this is irrelevant to the presentation of this really interesting release. For vinyl maniacs it has been also released as a killer gatefold LP which pays justice to the really cool cover of the compilation and besides… vinyl is much cooler! Don't overlook this really cool compilation! www.iron-pegasus.de

Manolis A.

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Keep It True - The Underground Kodex Compilation Vol. I
(Iron Kodex Records)
45:43min

"Keep It True - The Underground Kodex Compilation Vol. I" presents us a selection of bands that raise the banner of good old Metal. Ranging from Heavy and Speed to Thrash executed by international acts across europe and Canada. Released through the German label Iron Kodex. What's really interesting is noticing this style is still embraced! Not only by the old well known (reanimated) stagers who used to fill magazines like Rock Hard and Metal Hammer but also quite new acts are STRIKER (CAN), TRACER (GER), SIGN OF THE JACKAL (ITA) and MIDNIGHT PRIEST (POR) but I can tell you everything and everyone sounds old and from the mid eighties. Here's a quick impression of all acts. STRIKER (CAN) starts off with 'White Knight' and performs energetic and galloping Speed Metal, really promising so check out their EP "Road Warrior". Next is REZET (GER) who unleash some great Speed / Thrash from the German golden days in 'Have Gun, Will Travel'. Also check their EP "Toxic Avenger". Italian BATTLE RAM follows with 'Smash The Gates'. Epic Heavy Metal with great riffs and vocals. Some MAIDEN hints (of course) but nevertheless awesome. More MAIDEN epical riffing with MIDNIGHT PRIEST from Portugal. Sung in Portugese with a production that suits their style second too none. After this we have the Italian SIGN OF THE JACKAL who shifts gear up a bit in 'Heavy Metal Demons'. Man, this sounds oldschool, with the tremolo picking and the arrangement that it sounds way longer than 4 minutes. Next comes the epic 'The Wizard Of The Alderley Edge' from DARK FOREST (UK). With twin vocal duty and man, is this epic! Needless note: former bassplayer Bill Clough plays in CRUCIAMENTUM nowadays and I can't imagine a bigger contrast! Swedish HITMAN shares their 'Lust For Battle'. Again with twin vocalwork and a heavy MAIDEN inspired riffing. Unfortunately I can't give you any more info about these guys but their chorus is one you can easily shout along to. Definitely heavier is ASOMVEL (UK) with 'Stone Cold Stare'. I guess this is the oldest band on this compilation. A bit too monotonous for my taste, still good, but missing something. TRACER (GER) blew me away with some DESTRUCTION like Thrash! These guys are young but very talented!! It wouldn't surprise me if Nuclear Blast would show interest in these killers. Best one for me and remarkably still unsigned! Unfortunatley for french HURLEMENT they couldn't impress me with 'Harvester'. I didn't get into their vocals and the leads. To be honoust, it took some sessions since I usually don't pick up this style, so sorry for not going deep into most contributions. Nevertheless it was able to get me out of my Death Metal isolation and turns out to be a really cool compilation with mostly unreleased tracks. I look forward to new offerings by STRIKER, REZET and especially new Thrash monster TRACER!! Check these bands because the quality is there! Go to www.ironkodex.de for more info.

Michael Tak

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King Diamond Tribute
(Necropolis Records)
47:42min 

Some bands shouldn't be covered at all and KING DIAMOND is certainly one of them! There's just too many aspects that made this band so special and that you simply can't recapture. Of course the main problem while trying to cover a KING DIAMOND song is the unique and unmistakable vocal delivery that no one else seems to be able to copy in a proper way (vocalists are either lacking in the possibility to hit the incredible high notes or they deliver it without the necessary feeling). The technical brilliance of the KING DIAMOND musicians is another factor and of course the overall atmosphere of each album, that you simply can't reproduce at all! So it shouldn't be a big surprise that none of the participating bands on this tribute release come any close to the original versions. It actually all sounds pretty pathetic to me. The cover art is very cool though and the list of bands probably more impressive than the actual results (DARK FUNERAL, DAMNATION, IN AETERNUM, EXHUMED, USURPER, DESTINY'S END, ANCIENT, AGGRESSOR – just to name the best known here). So, in case you either like KING DIAMOND or any of those bands – go for their original releases instead of wasting money on something like this here.

Frank Stöver

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Metal Message IV
(self-financed)
72:40min

Thinking about this sampler the word bravery is coming into my mind because in times before the light when there was no internet and no idea how it could affect our Metal community a sampler was the only idea to inform the dark hordes about the latest releases of your label. So if I check my  Black Metal collection there are so many great bands which I maybe never get my hands on without the connected sampler (Invasion Records compilation CD / MIDVINTER “At the Sight Of The Apocalypse Dragon”) but today everybody is depending on the internet and so this format seems like an artefact of former times. But the idea behind the Metal Message sampler is to present young and older bands in a proper way to the audience and it starts with the cover design and layout of the CD (by Jean Pascal Fournie and Kris Verwimp), a proof that not the idea of earning money but the idea of “Support the underground” is the maxim of this release. The 13 bands are, due to the fact that "Metal Message IV" had been released eight months ago, not all completely unknown GALAR, OAKENSHIELD and SLARTIBARTFASS has released their debut via different German labels and SKYFORGER is a band hailing to the Pagan cult since 1995 and definitely nothing more than a cult act. Don’t want to review every band song by song because this sampler is offering 13 different but also very unique Pagan / Black Metal songs which are showing that the cult is alive in more than one country and that not all good bands on this planet have a record deal with our wellknown friends from Donzdorf / Germany.Think that this bravery needs the support from every underground soul so it’s a questions of honour to get your copy. Hail to the artefacts of former times! www.metalmessage.de

Matthias Auch

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Metal Mania 2008 (DVD)
(Metal Mind Productions)
approx. 225:00min

Poland's Metal Mania Festival has a long history by now... Its first edition was setup way back in 1986 already and since then the festival took place ever fuckin' year! As far as I know this is the first time though that a DVD was released in support of it, and considering the great quality it has to offer, I wouldn't mind getting more of those in the years to come. "Metal Mania 2008" was the festival's 22nd edition, it took place on March 8, 2008 in Katowice, Poland and featured 12 bands on the main stage, of which eleven also found their way onto this DVD (only the rather unknown POISON THE WELL and the bands from the side stage got left out). Each of the bands is featured with 2-4 songs and a rather short (and also mostly very unispired and boring interview plus a written bandinfo). I'm not sure why the number of songs vary from band to band and would have prefered to get the same amount from each of them, but that's just my personal opinion of course. The DVD kicks off with Russia's INSIDE YOU, which were totally unknown to me previously. They deliver a very early TIAMAT influenced type of Dark Metal with keyboards and partly grunted, partly very melancholic sounding vocals. Even though I totally like old TIAMAT, these guys don't really do anything to me... Next up is Ireland's PRIMORDIAL that I unfortunately never really managed to check out properly (shame on me!)... I only read and heard lots of great things about them and their contribution to this DVD really proves all of those statements right! What a fantastic performance, from a really exciting, unique band that I definitely have to hear more of now! IMMOLATION hopefully won't need no further introduction to the readers of VOICES and as always they are impressive as hell! Pure unholy fuckin' Death Metal right from the pits of hell! I totally had lost sight with Arizona's Speed Metal merchants FLOTSAM AND JETSAM over the years, but still consider their first two albums as milestones of the genre. I was really surprised to see that the guys (especially original frontman Eric A.K.) still manage to pull it off very impressively after all those years. Their newer material may not be as good as their early stuff, but their performance is still killer! Denmark's ARTILLERY has always been a love / hate kinda band... I personally totally worship their first three albums and the power they still set free on stage these days is simply unbelievable. I'm not really a fan of their new vocalist's partly very Power Metal - ish voice, but at least the guy still does a really good job as a frontman on stage. It's been a loooong time for me that I last saw Sweden's MARDUK live, but considering the number of tours they had done over the years, I expected them to be highly professional, experienced and crushing from start to finish... Well, I hate to say this, but they weren't anything like that at all! To me it all looked totally boring and the material heavily lacks in memorable elements, so that I already had forgotten about their songs when VADER's contribution started. While I still enjoy MARDUK on CD, I am not really a fan of VADER's discs... But it's a totally different story with them when they hit a stage. The energy they set free is almost compareable to a MORBID ANGEL meets SLAYER performance with awesome riffing and lots of headbanging from the members. Totally great! SATYRICON is a quite strange band in my book... I like all of their releases, but somehow I never really saw a performance of those guys that fully managed to impress me. Same here... solid, but still a bit boring... Boring is a word you probably will never use when you try to describe a show by New York's legendary OVERKILL. Blitz and the guys are obviously born to go out and play live, cause even though I only listen to their old material, they still totally know to impress in a live situation! I better not talk too much about DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN here as I don't understand their "music" AT ALL... a hysterical screaming frontman, mixed with totally heavy grooving modern NU Metal and I even partly noticed trumpets (or something like that) in the background... Why got they booked on such a festival??? After that MEGADETH's set sounded totally polished and far too melodic for my ears. Even though they are probably more professional than ever before, they unfortunately never managed to regain the raw edge that made their early albums so enjoyable many years ago. Nevertheless, this DVD offers some really great material (perfect sound and lots of different, great camera shots) from all of the featured bands. You can either play it in its entirety (just the live songs, approx. 2 1/2 hours in total) or select a band directly (and there you get the aforementioned additional interview and band info). A high quality picture gallery and a couple of Metal Mania desktop images for your computer sum up a very cool release worth checking out. For more info go to www.metalmind.com.pl. Also available here.

Frank Stöver

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Metal Reigns Supreme
(Majestic Union)
61:53min

First I thought “Metal Reigns Supreme” is a fucking Power Metal sampler, because the cover art features a musclepacked barbarian holding up the torch of Metal, but the music counts... and here I see once again the problem most Metal sampler have: bands with extremely different styles (Power to Death and Black Metal), some real good acts meet some really awful bands. So “Metal Reigns Supreme” is one of those fifty-fifty affairs, there are some highlights like CREMATION (NL, great old school Death), MAELSTRÖM (Norway, good mid temp Death Metal), BÄD INFLUENCE (professional melodic Power Metal), CLAMOR (French groovy Death Metal), NOCTURNAL (GER, ultra-raw and primitive Black / Thrash / Rock à la MEGIDDO, ALASTOR) or ROYAL QUEST (Greece, who have a funny Folk / Classic / Power Metal style). On the other hand there are awful acts like KING (his ‘Metal Anthem’ is one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard), OSH, HORRESCO REFERENS (who even copy a MEGADETH riff), TEUTONIC or UNHOLY ARCHANGEL (shitty Black / Death). Well, it’s up to you if you like to support the underground by buying this sampler, I honor the attempt of Majestic Union Records to put out a valuable Metal compilation, but it could not convince me. Website: www.majesticunion.de or Email: mail@majesticunion.de

Stefan Franke

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Monsters Of Death (2 DVD)
(Nuclear Blast Records)
approx. 260:00min

This double DVD set gets promoted as "The ultimate Death Metal compilation"... and you know what? This is nothing but the truth for a change! Or do you know of any other Death Metal DVD that consists of no less than 59 video clips? See, me neither... So, all hail to Nuclear Blast for compiling this impressive release! The whole thing includes a fat, 36 pages booklet with additional info on each featured band, as well as an audio chapter with 7 tracks by SOILWORK, DISBELIEF, GRAVBWORM, WINTERSUN, OMNIUM GATHERUM, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and PUNGENT STENCH (they might be previously unreleased... can't tell you though as I'm not familiar with those bands' releases). As far as the video section is concerned, well where ever there's light there's also shadow and unfortunately quite a lot of bands (even more established ones!) delivered pretty ridiculous looking results, which you either might blame on their often pretty young age or the lack of good visual ideas... Too bad, really! I mean, if you spend a lot of money on the production of a promotional video, you better make sure it increases the interest in your band as opposed to turn people off... In my case it unfortunately was very often the latter (even if the music was good) and therefore resulted in my ongoing boycott of live shows of almost every new or reformed band... The disappointment factor simply is too high if you extremely worship a particular record! But anyway, I got carried away a little bit... I'm not going to mention any names here, so let me just say that I mostly liked those type of videos that are showing the band in an energetic live situation (as uninspired as it may come across from an artists point of view). On the other hand, a couple of positive surprises to me certainly were the videos from SOILWORK, FINNTROLL or DARKANE (bands that I usually couldn't care less about) – they really managed to get something across with their videos. Among the 59 videos, there's also 6 live performances by TIAMAT, NECROPHOBIC, MALEVOLENT CREATION, ALL SHALL PARISH, IMMOLATION and DEATH (the latter two from their home videos though). The rest is a solid mixture of brutal and grinding Death as well as the more melodic side of this genre. Many known acts / clips (from MTV / VIVA) go hand in hand with a whole bunch of pretty much unknown and obscure stuff. I am just wondering what went wrong with NAPALM DEATH's 'Greed Killing' (the music definitely not goes along correctly with the visual side AT ALL, which looks kinda strange, especially in the vocal department...). But all in all this is still a very cool release that you definitely should add to your collection (maybe right next to Osmose's "A Collection Of Noisymotions" DVD) and I hope that more volumes will follow (as there's still a whole bunch of clips available). Available here.

Frank Stöver

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Monsters Of Death Vol.2 (2 DVD)
(Nuclear Blast Records)
approx. 171:00min

As the title already reveals, this is the highly anticipated (at least by me) follow-up to last year's first "Monsters Of Death" compilation DVD. Just like its predecessor also Vol.2 comes as a fat double DVD set, yet lacks the same number of bands / clips or its playing time. While Vol.1 still had 59 videos on offer (and a total playing time of impressive 260 minutes!), the second "Monsters Of Death" edition "only" comes up with 42 clips and a playing time of approximately 171 minutes. The live stuff (still a seperate chapter on Vol.1) simply got included among the regular promo videos this time and the audio part got cancelled completely (which I don't have a problem with at all). Even tough there's a note on the disc saying that "these DVDs contain rare and old clips" and that therefore "the quality may not fullfil modern standards" I hardly noticed any material in that respect that seemed dated (well, except for UNLEASHED's classic 'Before The Creation Of Time' maybe). The whole"Monsters Of Death" concept remained the same ("The ultimate Death Metal compilation"), which means that you probably won't find any other Death Metal DVD that has so many old and new videos combined on offer. Personal highlights of mine this time include IMMOLATION's 'Harnessing Ruin', INCANTATION's 'Dying Divinity', DEATH BREATH's very cool zombie trash (not thrash!) movie for the song 'Death Breath', MERCILESS' 'Cold Eyes Of Grey' as well as better known stuff by AT THE GATES ('Blinded By Fear'), CARCASS ('Corporal Jigsore Quandary'), DEICIDE ('Hommage For Satan'), DISMEMBER ('Skinfather'), ENTOMBED ('Wolverine Blues') or MORBID ANGEL ('God Of Emptiness' - the only clip that already appeared on volume 1). Some of the included bands once again come across pretty ridiculous in the way they present themselves (MORTIFICATION, AMORAL, BELPHEGOR), while others are just completely sick (SEVERE TORTURE's 'Decree Of Darkness') or exciting to watch (ATHEIST live!!!). And with all respect to Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.) and what he musically had achieved for this scene: DEATH live was boring beyond belief! A 24-pages booklet with short (yet rather superfluous) info on every band included here and a cool Kristian Wahlin coverart complete the picture. I can end this review with the closing comment of my review for volume 1: I hope that more volumes will follow (as there's still a whole bunch of clips available). On sale here.

Frank Stöver

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No Colours Records - 15 Years Jubileum Metal Attack Vol.1
(No Colours Records)
78:55min

Compilations…some of those are legendary amongst Metal fans…"Grind Crusher", "In The Eyes Of Death", "Death Is Just The Beginning", "Metal Massacre"…you name it, but compilations are an important sign of labels that want to expose their bands in a form that only compilations can do. So, now after many years of formation, we have the first compilation of Germany’s No Colours Records, covering most of their catalogue, and a wide gamut of Metal styles in here. I suppose that most tracks were chosen to appear, be it because of their duration, or that they are representative of the band. Basically the label has been home of evil Black Metal bands, like in the case of SATANIC WARMASTER (the Finish goats of hate), IUVENES (BATHORY Epic Metal worshippers),  ALASTOR (good old fashioned Black Metal) and INQUISITION (fantastic brutal Black Metal), but they are also doing some good old fashioned Death Metal like THORON (very good by the way, oldschool Swedish Döds Metal!), MOONDARK (and old recording of an old band) DIABOLIC FORCE (more in the Deathrash vein) and THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE (more Döds Metal!), NEBIROS (bestial Death / Black). Of course there are more Black Metal bands, and some more into the more instrumental vein like the intro which is a track by INVICTUS or the outro performed by LORD WIND. A couple of bands really offer nothing at all (BE PERSECUTED although exotic for being a band from China, it is just quite generic) but this serves well as a presentation of what this label offers. Other bands featured are ORENDA, FORTID,  MURK, TYMAH, I SHALT BECOME, NETTLECARRIER. As a way to take a listen to the label, this is a great idea, as few underground labels take consideration of compilations nowadays. I am sure that many people will find great discoveries here. Support! www.no-colours-records.de

Julian Nuñez

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Obscene Extreme 2003 - The DVD
(Obscene Productions) 
219:00min

One of the coolest festivals for fans of the most extreme form of Metal is the annual OBSCENE EXTREME festival which takes place in Trutnov / Czech. Republic. Curby and the staff of this extreme underground label banned one of their festivals for the first time on DVD. What you get on this double DVD is nothing but relentless, brutal Death Metal and Grindcore of the most extreme form. All in all 43 bands are featured on these silver discs with their live performance with a total of 106 tracks! Within the 219 minutes playing time you can be a part of the madness of this sick event. Both cameramen were able to capture the full power of this meeting and its great atmosphere. Even though this is an amateur production the video quality is excellent. Also the sound quality is very good. Of course it differs from band to band as every outfit has its own way to tune their instruments. The DVDs are on PAL system and supports the localization / code 0. The menu is simple and effective. Some highlights of this live footage are CEREBRAL TURBULENCY (total insane grinding madness here, unfortunately just two tracks), the raging INHUMATE performance (the vocalist almost run amok there, hitting the micro on his forehead in the best Angry Anderson way, killer!) and solid stage acting from excellent extreme forces like CENTINEX (their stuff kills here much more than on their recordings), German OBSCENITY, DESECRATION, INTERNAL SUFFERING (brutality at its best), DEAD INFECTION (the Polish masters of Goregrind), the insane maniacs of CRIPPLE BASTARDS, INHUME and the cool MASTIC SCUM. This release is a cool underground production for people into ultra brutal stuff. Highly recommended for lunatics who visited the festival back then to refresh their memories and extremists who want to celebrate an almost 4 hours long party. This release is from fans for fans! So if you are into sick stuff then support this one! Check out also our news section as there will be another OBSCENE EXTREME festival this year. Get in touch with Curby and his staff at www.obscene.cz.

Michael Oelschlegel

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Overload 2 – Tribute To Metallica
(Dwell Records)
65:00min

I  missed part one of this METALLICA tribute compilation, so I can't really tell you whether this part two is any better or worse. But one thing's for sure: "Overload 2" is (despite a handful of interesting bands that are contributing) another waste of money. None of the twelve cover tunes is able to come any close to METALLICA's originals, nor does any band deliver something really unique (well, except for Netherlands SOLARISIS maybe who turned 'Nothing Else Matters' into something more brutal and powerful). NEW EDEN and LAST CHAPTER are holding the Power Metal flag high while the rest of the bands is rooted in the Death Metal underground exclusively. The biggest letdown in this department comes from Florida's blastmasters DIABOLIC, who not only have chosen a song from the infamous 'black album' ('The God That Failed'), they even decided NOT to DIABOLICalize it (which would certainly have been way more interesting)! Their usually very intense and brutal approach is unfortunately completely missing here... So, all in all this is just another faceless tribute among the dozens of already existing METALLICA tributes...

Frank Stöver

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Party.San Festival DVD 2006
(War Anthem)
approx. 170min

This DVD at least is the ultimate proof how serious VOICES FROM THE DARKSIDE - writers take their job, as one can watch Ramon in the photo pit taking pictures of a CRYPTOPSY - guitarist during his solo, haha. No, seriously, this DVD is a good way to look back on last year's Party.San festival. With the exception of SIX FEET UNDER (who did not give permission it seems) and for unknown reasons WATAIN and TANKARD, every band is included on this double-DVD set, KAAMOS and MARDUK are actually present with two songs, everyone else with one. Besides the live-performances, one can find impressions (the obvious - visitors making fools of themselves :D), interviews (which is a must already for the NIFELHEIM - part - I wish my mum would have told me to burn STRYPER - records!), preparations and a preview to the Kataklysm - DVD in the bonus-section (if that track is representative for that particular DVD, it is still a league above the Party.San - DVD). For the actual musical part, the overall impression is good as well, I have the impression that it is sometimes better (HATE, MARDUK), sometimes worse (HYPOCRISY, DESASTER) regarding the sound-quality (only stereo and not 5.1 though), the visual aspect is however good indeed. Perhaps some more time could have been spent on the menu and on the fact that if you already have the possibility to select single bands, why then does it continue to go on until the DVD is finished? And some tracking points are not set perfectly either, but then all these are minor points, I guess. For all those who attended Party.San last year, this is a good investment, and to some (at least if I look at those screaming, drinking et al in the impression - bonus section) it might actually be the only way to survive until this year's second weekend of August. Recommended. www.party-san.de, www.war-anthem.de

Nhashi

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The Plague / The First Cuts
(The Plague / Hammerheart Records)
53:06min

This is nothing really important, unless you have missed out on all the goodies that the Dutch label The Plague released throughout the last year. Thirteen tracks are featured on this compilation here, all taken from the band's latest releases, except for 'Taking Down The Descender' by SEVERE TORTURE, which is a previously unreleased track. The other appearing acts are LOWBROW, DIVINE EMPIRE, DIABOLIC, THORNSPAWN, MONSTROSITY, MANGLED, INVASION, VOMITORY, NECROPHAGIA, BROKEN HOPE, SUMMON and THRONEAEON. As the disc sells for cheap 10,-DM / $5, you can't consider this the usual easy cash in on wellknown stuff, but a very fan friendly offering. A good opportunity to check out some really promising bands.

Frank Stöver

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Rage Of Achilles - Conquest For The Empire
(Rage Of Achilles Records)
71:57min

A new label from the UK introduces themselves through this massive compilation CD. 18 signings are featured, with material from their already released (or upcoming) CD's / MCD's or split albums. Everyone of them is musically extreme in its own way, from Thrash to Black to Doom Metal and from Death Metal to rather noisy stuff. I didn't locate any particular standout acts throught the approx. 70 minutes playing time, except for Canada's UNDERLORD, which are also featured with a review of their own album somewhere else in our review section. So, all in all I'm not too much interested in all those upcoming Rage Of Achilles releases. But maybe you will see things differently. The list of bands goes like this (don't quote me in the correct spelling as the fonts that were used in the CD are kinda hard to read sometimes): RATAO (SWE), NATHAIR (FIN), MISTRESS (UK), FACEBREAKER (SWE), OMNIUM GATHERUM (FIN), TEEN CTHULHU (US), SEVEN GATES OF HELL (NOR), ANATOMI-71 (SWE), CULT OF LUNA (SWE), NEMO (US), THE FAREWELL ORDER (US), ALLFADER (NOR), PROCYON-X (NL), SHUBENO (SWE), GOATSBLOOD (CAN), UNDERLORD (CAN), CIRCLE SIX (SWE) and FOREST OF SHADOWS (SWE). All further info you may find here: www.rageofachilles.com

Frank Stöver

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The Reaper Comes III
(self-financed)
71:11min

The THE REAPER COMES series exclusively features underground bands without record contract, offering a wide range of Death, Black, Thrash, Power and traditional Heavy Metal. On this volume 14 bands, mostly from Germany, appear in alphabetical order: AARDVARKS, ETERNAL PAIN, FINAL CRY, GARMENHORD (Belgium), HATRED, MEMORIAL PARK, OPHIS, SANITY, SENGAYA, SLAINE (Switzerland), STEELPREACHER, TREMORS, UNLIGHT and WARMACHINE (Canada). The sampler is provided with a professionally layouted booklet and excellent artwork which shows that someone really invested time and money. Quite natural for underground samplers the sound and musical quality differs from band to band, from average to excellent, which again is a matter of taste but you can be sure that there is no crappy stuff featured here. If you want a broad overview of some underground bands this sampler is definitely a good choice and the notion of offering a platform for unknown bands is absolutely worth being supported, that's for sure. The price is satanic 6,66 Euros incl. p&p. Orders or applications for THE REAPER COMES IV to Markus Wedig, Zellerstr. 21, 78465 Konstanz, Germany or via http://www.thereapercomes.de.

Christoph Göbel

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Reflections From The Abyss Chapter 1
(Kthulu Productions)
73:56min

First time I have ever heard of this company Kthulu Productions from Bonita, California. In a nutshell I would say this compilation CD is okay, and yes it is worth your attention and hard earned cash. Professional layout and all the tracks on this sampler are either previously unreleased, or unreleased demo / rough mixes of quite a few acts herein you possibly may have heard about? Or mayhaps not, but a quality forum nonetheless to have a band presented in lies here in this disc. The CD is split into two parts, the first starting off with primarily Death and Black Metal bands. The second half is for those acts more into atmospheric and / or soundscapes that still have some connection to those into dark, heavy and Occult inspired works. Those dead souls featured are: NIBIRU, SABNACK, INFINITUM OBSCURE, NOSVROLOK, CRIMSON MOON, DAGON, XASTHUR, SCRYING PATTERN, HUNOK, TEMPLE OF THE DREAMING SERPENT, E.V.P. and SHYNUJA. My primary complaint is the fact so many Black Metal bands are included! If only they had more original, more interesting music and style than their band logos always allude too! Contact: P.O. Box 1182, Bonita, CA 91908 USA or www.kthuluproductions.com

Wes Rhodes

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Relapse Singles Series Vol.3
(Relapse Records)
36:11min

I know that volume 5 of this compilation series is already out by now and that we just had reviewed it yesterday, but as Gordon at Relapse was nice enough to send us a copy of this one as well, I think we shouldn't ignore it, no matter how "dated" it may be... And the material on offer already stood the test of time pretty easily as it comes from the EPs by 4 bands that are all alltime faves of mine: ROTTREVORE, REPULSION, MONSTROSITY and INCANTATION! So, I guess it's needless to say that I consider this as the best part of this great series. For those of you who haven't bought it yet, let me tell you that it has the following EPs on it: "Copulation Of The Virtuous And Vicious" (ROTTREVORE – 4 tracks), "Excruciation" (REPULSION – 2 tracks), "Burden Of Evil" (MONSTROSITY – 2 tracks) and "Deliverance Of Horrific Prophecies" (INCANTATION – 3 tracks). All of them originally came out on vinyl back in 1991, are of course completely sold out by now and therefore should be expensive collectors items. So, this is a cool opportunity to add them to your collection nevertheless, even though its in a different format now (hey, the good thing is, this way you can listen to them in your car or portable CD player everywhere now). Check out www.relapse.com for all further info and ordering details.

Frank Stöver

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Relapse Singles Series Vol. 4
(Relapse Records)
42:49min

There's not that many compilations around that I would personally consider as essential from an underground-fan's point of view. Well, "True Kings Of Norway", "Projections Of A Stained Mind" and the (infamous) "Seraphic Decay Compilation" come to my mind right away and then it's getting quite difficult already... But now I can definitely add this new series on Relapse Records to the list as well. The idea in itself may not be very original, but who cares as long as there's so much quality involved?! You may (or may not) remember that Relapse Records released a whole bunch of excellent vinyl 7" EPs in the past and they all get re-issued in chronological order on CD now - four of them on one disc! The already fourth edition features the label's back catalogue numbers RR013 to RR016, which are connected to EXIT 13, PHOBIA, GOREAPHOBIA and AMORPHIS. Listening to the band's material nowadays partly brings back some cool memories (the early AMORPHIS and GOREAPHOBIA songs definitely stood the test of time!), while my opinion on EXIT 13 has changed quite drastically ever since I heard "Spare The Wrench, Surrender The Earth" for the first time. Back then I didn't like these sickos at all... Thirteen years later I  really enjoy their crazy mixture of early CARCASS, late AUTOPSY and weird PRIMUS type stuff combined with a couple of freaky ATHEIST elements... and not even that describes them correctly. Totally unique shit (even after so many years!), which obviously got composed after the (ab)use of various "mindblowing substances"! Never heard any stuff by Huntington Beach's PHOBIA in the past, but I really enjoy their four songs on offer here. The band played a very crushing form of straight forward Death Metal, with some references to classic SLAYER in the riff-department (just a lot more brutal). They constantly sound totally intense and the only little letdown here is the vocalist's quite one-dimensional way of deep growling. So, all in all this is a great trip back in time for all Death Metal lunatics who missed out on the original vinyls or for those who played them to death throughout the years. In case you're interested, here's a list of what you're about to find on the other three discs: "Volume 1" features EPs by VELCRO OVERDOSE, FACE OF DECLINE (both of them totally unknown to me), APPARITION's "Eternally Forgotten" (later to become SORROW, one album on Roadrunner Records) and INCANTATION's classic "Entrantment Of Evil" 7". "Volume 2" has DECEASED's "Gut Wrench", GENERAL SURGERY's "Necrology", DESTROY's "Total Fucking Chaos" and DISRUPT's "Refuse Planet", while "Volume 3" (my personal fave, bandwise) offers classic stuff by ROTTREVORE ("Copulation Of The Virtuous And Vicious"), REPULSION ("Excruciation"), MONSTROSITY ("Burden Of Evil") and INCANTATION again ("Deliverance Of Horrific Prophecies"). As far as I know this whole series is limited, so make sure to go for 'em before it's too late! Label contact: www.relapse.com

Frank Stöver

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Relapse Singles Series Vol.5
(Relapse Records)
46:54min

The great Relapse Singles Series has already reached volume 5 by now, this time featuring the EPs by CANDIRU ("Disadvantage Of Surprise" - 2 tracks), MORTICIAN ("Mortal Massacre" - 3 tracks + intro and outro), AFFLICTED ("Wanderland" - 2 tracks) and MYTHIC ("Mourning In The Winter Solstice" - 3 tracks + intro). All of them originally got issued on 7" vinyl format via Relapse between 1992 and 1993 and at least three of the bands turned into quite known underground names ever since. I don't think I have to introduce the ultra brutal gory Death Metal by MORTICIAN to anyone reading this as the band put out serveral albums and EPs ever since, so let's focus on the other acts. Sweden's AFFLICTED originally started out in 1988 as AFFLICTED CONVULSION, recorded three demos under that name and shorted their name to AFFLICTED in 1990. Two more demos, as well as a 7" via Thrash Records and a full length on Nuclear Blast in 1992 ("Prodigal Sun") were about to follow before they switched styles from complex Death Metal to Power Metal (perfectly reflected on their second album "Dawn Of Glory", which came out via Massacre Records in 1995). The 2 songs on offer here still date back to their Death Metal period and were taken from the 4 song "Wanderland" demo (Nuclear Blast did release the other two songs on another 7" entitled "Rising To The Sun"). Their overall sound is based on the typical SweDeath from that time (Sunlight Studio), but like I already mentioned, as a whole way more technical and partly kinda weird. I suppose this lack of catchiness was probably one of the reasons why they never gained a similar status as many of their fellow country men. MYTHIC evolved out of the ashes of DERKETA, an all female, yet extremely brutal Death Metal band from the US. Musically there wasn't really a big difference between DERKETA and MYTHIC and therefore their material should easily please everyone into straight forward, honest, midpaced brutality... Feelingwise really close to the early 90s bands from the NY / NJ area, which they also pretty often shared the stage with back in those days. The least known act to me on this fifth edition is definitely CANDIRU. No surprise, cause musically they don't really appealed to my taste at all. Formed in the early 90s in Harrisburg, PA and influenced by Industrial acts such as GODFLESH, G.G.F.H., SKINNY PUPPY or COIL this two-piece consisted of Kipp A. Johnson (bass, drum programming, sampling and lyrics) and Patrick McCahan (guitar, vocals, sampling). Throughout their existence they put out one demo, a 7" EP, a split EP (with FAT HACKER) and a full length ("Unloved And Weeded Out"), to be followed by a compilation of unreleased material in 2004 (after the duo had already been history for a while). As I'm not into industrial sounds, I better not comment on their two songs on here. But I suppose that genre lovers might really like this... CANDIRU's Patrick is now the head of Red Stream Records (in case you're interested in some gossip). So, all in all also volume 5 of this sampler series offers some cool gems from the history of an extreme, yet very unique company again! For all further info check out www.relapse.com

Frank Stöver

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Requiems Of Revulsion - A Tribute To Carcass
(Deathvomit / Necropolis Records)
62:32min

Even though this tribute compilation was certainly a lot more justified than many of the other ones that are circulating these days, I still don't completely get into it. And my biggest problem is: I don't even exactly know why, cause everything seems to fit. From the totally CARCASS typical cover design, to the selection of bands and their interpretations of classic CARCASS songs. Seventeen bands in total, and among them such established underground heroes such as NASUM, GENERAL SURGERY, NECRONY, AVULSED, IMPALED, EXHUMED, ROTTEN SOUND, REGURGITATE (who are featured twice on here), HAEMORRHAGE, DISGORGE, DEAD INFECTION and a handful of less known names. And as you can probably imagine, with a few exceptions ('Corporeal Jigsore Quandary', 'Tools Of The Trade', 'Carneous Cacoffiny'...) all of them chose to cover stuff off the first two CARCASS records "Reek Of Putrefaction" and "Symphonies Of Sickness". Nothing wrong with that either, if they would at least have tried to come up with a better production instead of going for similar poorly recorded versions. I mean, who's really interested to hear classic CARCASS songs, that sound almost as noisy as the original (but without their charm), if you own the CARCASS albums and can listen to the real thing instead? Ok, to remain fair. Not all of them have weak production, there's a couple pretty good ones on here as well. It's just that I had probably hoped for something more crushing in the vein of ILLDISPOSED's great version of 'Reek Of Putrefaction' (not featured on here, but on their "Retro" album), which unfortunately isn't the case. So, in the end this remains nothing but a one hour long roller coaster ride through the legacy of CARCASS, without any outstanding moments.

Frank Stöver

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Resurrected In Festering Slime
(Soulseller Records)
55:47min

In these times where each magazine and many fanzines already offer free compilation CDs as bonus you might ask if it is really a necessary and wise decision to release a compilation as a regular label release. This question is understandable as selling records turned out to become a business which is everything else than easy… Here we have a little different situation as it is a "vinyl only" release and this vinyl includes only newcomers not familiar to the masses yet. Most of the songs are exclusive recordings for this release or at least recordings which were not released on other records so far (the only exception I know are RAPE PILLAGE & BURN with their song '1911' which is featured on the recently released debut MCD "Songs Of Death... Songs Of Hell") and because of this the sound quality is not all over up to date, which is not surprising as we are talking about a low budget release here and I guess the bands didn't get paid for the recording at all. Anyway, the sound quality on several tracks is stunningly good. "Resurrected In Festering Slime" - the name is part of the inscription of the tombstone on ENTOMBED's coverpainting of "Left Hand Path" - is an oldschool Death Metal compilation which includes 14 songs of 14 different newcomer acts. The spectrum, even talking only about oldschool Death Metal, is quite large and covers all different aspects Death Metal songs should deal with. Death Metal compilations made a huge impression on me in the early nineties ("A Projection Of A Stained Mind" as the most important one but also "Pantalgia" and others) and for sure I would like to compare this compilation with those old and classic ones. To be honest, and that's nothing surprising, "Resurrected In Festering Slime" can't beat "A Projection Of A Stained Mind" as this is simply impossible, but this release follows on seamlessly the other compilations and is already now something you shouldn't miss. I'm sure some of those bands will go their direction and will have a bright future; all in all I can say that these 14 songs are without exception very good songs and some of them are total killer tracks. It's up to you to figure out which are the most outstanding songs on it, I recognized some of them but I think it's rather unfair to point out one or another track as all of them are of high quality and as this is a non-profit release I can only advice all of you Death Metal lovers, supporters and underground maniacs to support a release like "Resurrected In Festering Slime" - the best Death Metal compilation since many years. Watch out for the bands included on here as some of them will surely go their way and will make us great times. By the way, the names of the bands included are BOMBS OF HADES, EVISCERATED, DARKCREED, RAPE PILLAGE & BURN, FERAL, MAIM, GRAVELESS, CRUCIFYRE, UNSPOKEN, MR. DEATH, STENCH, CHRONIC TORMENT, MORBUS CHRON and BONESAW. Available through www.soulsellerrecords.com. Check out this page for prices and additional information.

Thomas Ehrmann

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Revolution Calling! (CD+DVD)
(Listenable Records)
CD 72:52min
DVD approx. 59min

This combined CD / DVD compilation features 18 audio and 13 video tracks by exclusively French bands from the extreme Metal sector. Half of the the audio and most of the video tracks are previously unreleased. Featured audio tracks are by: HACRIDE, G.T.I., KEVORKIA, AENIMA, SUPERSTATIC REVOLUTION, ZUBROWSKA, GOJIRA, KLONE, NERV, AS WE BLEED, EYELESS, COMITY, HELLMOTEL, PITBULL IN THE NURSERY, SCARVE, “????“ [sic!] (this is actually a bandname, but I really wonder how it is pronounced!), MORGUE and INHATRED. Musically, you are offered a wide variety from the current French Metal underground, ranging from modern Death / Thrash Metal to Metalcore and everything in between. All bands are definitely keen to perform fresh and innovative music, which makes up a lot of the modern approach of this whole compilation. The combination of overall aggression, modern “noise“ and even a few mellow parts in some songs creates a colourful picture. As almost goes without saying, the production of all the songs is excellently heavy. As for the video tracks, the featured bands are: KEVORKIA, SCARVE, MORGUE, INHATRED, GOJIRA, NERV, AENIMA, THE ARRS, EYELESS, G.T.I., COMITY, “????“ (is it pronounced “FOUR QUESTION MARKS IN INVERTED COMMAS“ possibly?) and KLONE. The only band who is not featured with an audio track is THE ARRS. Fortunately, audio and video tracks by the remaining bands differ (except for the tracks by MORGUE, where the video corresponds to the audio track), so you get offered more tracks. Visually, the styles of the videos vary from hectic rehearsal room scenes to small stories and live performances with some wild crowd action. The quality of the footage is more than acceptable, but, except for the simple menu which leads directly to the videos, any further options or bonus material are missing. To put it in a nutshell, this compilation is not at all interesting for oldschool maniacs, but surely an aural and visual delight for open-minded fans of more modern sounds, especially those who are interested in what's going on in the French Metal scene nowadays. Check out the label's website with many mp3 files and some videos: www.listenable.net. The CD is on sale here.

Christoph Göbel

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Rising Of Yog-Sothoth – Tribute To Thergothon
(Solitude Productions)
115:18min

The terminus cult act is used for nearly every band these days even if it should be limited to bands that in some way changed and influenced their musical environment. One of these bands is the Finnish combo THERGOTHON, founded in 1990, which released only one single full album – “Stream From The Heavens” released in 1994 via Avantgarde Music – but with an immense impact on the underground scene. During their short carrier (1990-1995) the band recorded only 1 hour of musical material including official / unofficial demo releases but without exaggeration THERGOTHON are one of the first bands which played (maybe in some way invented) Funeral Doom and that nearly a decade before the style became so popular. The Russian Doom specialist Solitude Productions summoned 17 bands from around the world to pay tribute to this remarkable band and it’s not only the music but also the format which makes this release so interesting. Due to a “lack” of material the tribute is offering two sides of the same black mirror means every song – except the rehearsal track 'Dancing In The Realm Of Shades' performed by the US Doom act PERSISTENCE IN MOURNING - is presented by 2 bands and it’s quite interesting to listen to different versions of one and the same material. I was really looking forward to this tribute because the bands are mainly underground bands – maybe EVOKEN must be excluded due to the own cult status within the small Doom scene – with the aim of worship some of their own musical masters instead of earning money by recording a song for a further heartless major label tribute. In total “Rising Of Yog-Sothon” is a real tribute to one of the true cult acts of Finnish Death / Doom Metal with fantastic artwork, music and a lot of true underground dedication. www.solitude-prod.com

Matthias Auch

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Scream Forth Blasphemy - A Tribute To Morbid Angel
(Dwell Records)
58:04min

Another tribute album coming from Dwell Records. The featured band is MORBID ANGEL. And in my eyes "Scream Forth Blasphemy" is a really dignified and quality tribute album. On one hand we have one of the greatest and most influential Death Metal bands which created a lot of immortal hymns and on the other hand we have a whole bunch of excellent wild raging and brutal bands which pay homage to their influences. There are two groups of cover versions on this album, the good ones and the excellent ones. The excellent ones are performed by: HEADHUNTER D.C., DIABOLIC, INFAMY and COFFIN TEXTS. Believe me there is no weak or bad cover version. All the other bands (MANGLED, CENTURIAN, ANGEL CORPSE, WITHERED EARTH, MYSTIFIER, DRACONIS, BLACK WITCHERY, DAMNATION, THE CHASM, AURORA BOREALIS and EXMORTIS) also did a good job. I wouldn't call myself a fan of tribute albums but in this case I'm really enthusiastic.

Hacker

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Seven Gates Of Horror – A Tribute To Possessed
(Karmageddon Media)
48:19min

It’s f.i.n.a.l.l.y. done!!! I have no idea what actually caused all the delays of this tribute and why it’s not Immortal Records from Poland that put it out in the end, but I couldn’t care less! Luckily Holland’s Karmageddon Media (formerly Hammerheart Records) took care of the whole project and apart from some minor letdowns the result is definitely worth the long wait! 13 bands in total are praising the godfathers of Death Metal, all (!!) of them should be known to you and with a few exceptions their versions of POSSESSED’s musical legacy is mostly surprisingly cool. Some of the stuff is already known from the individual band’s own releases, but it’s generally still a cool thing to listen to those tracks again, and to worship "Seven Gates Of Horror“ in its entirety now. My personal letdowns come from VADER ('Death Metal’), a band which I really can’t stand at all anymore for quite a while already, as well as DIABOLIC ('No Will To Live’) and ABSU ('Swing Of The Axe’), both mainly because of a shitty production. The remaining songs by AMON AMARTH, HOUWITSER, KRABATHOR, ANGEL CORPSE, SINISTER, GOD DETHRONED, PENTACLE, IMPIOUS and especially CANNIBAL CORPSE (!!) and of course SADISTIC INTENT (featuring Jeff Becerra himself on vocals) were all done with dedication and should always please fans of early POSSESSED and the particular bands alike. I’m not quite sure (as I currently only own a promo version with no detailed info included), but from what Jeff Becerra told me a while ago, the tribute’s artwork could be based on the original cover design which was to appear on "Seven Churches“ (it at least it has several elements of it...). So, this is definitely one of the better tributes around and absolutely worth checking out!

Frank Stöver

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Speed Kills… Again
(Heavy Artillery Records)
41:26min

From the mouth of Bernard Doe / METAL FORCES “Who could have imagined back in the early 1980s when the foundations of Thrash were being laid just what an impact this new adrenaline charged phenomenon would have on the Metal scene? Initially shunned by the mainstream music media as a passing fad, Thrash was the sound for the new generation of Metalheads and simply could not be ignored and gave the stagnant scene a desperately kick up the backside. Its influence can not be understated.“ And with that Heavy Artillery Records from New York have upped the ante as they say with this blast from the past. Originally the “Speed Kills” compilation series, was put together and released by the UK music label Music For Nations (I happen to remember this like it was only last week! Ugh!). With the first record of this series had with it a core of Metal masters the likes of whom, all in the Speed and Metal world desperately tried to emulate and / or surpass for years. Those featured METALLICA, SLAYER, EXODUS, MEGADETH and VENOM! Now what seems like an entire life time later, the burgeoning Heavy Artillery Records has resurrected this long since dead forum and is here to introduce six of this company’s most acclaimed and / or soon to be roster mates. Featuring: MERCILESS DEATH (w/ two previously unreleased tracks), Las Vegas’ AVENGER OF BLOOD who play extremely rough German Thrash (and of whom I could swear nicked some riffs from my old band DEKAPITATOR, as their second song on here the track ‘Affliction’ sounds almost dead on at times to ‘Screams From The Holocaust‘ an old demo track of ours), next up is Sweden’s ENFORCER the closest act I have ever heard to ABATTOIR and ARMORED SAINT, followed by Florida’s one man wrecking crew - TOXIC HOLOCAUST, then Italy’s HATRED – All hail the beer can cross! Closing out this CD of Armageddon, the next Thrashing mob of bone breakers from L.A., WARBRINGER. A total of twelve sonic blasts to tear the lining out of your speakers with and assuredly have the cops called – just like in was 1985!! Contact: info@heavyartillery.us or www.heavyartillery.us or P.O. Box 916, Middle Island, NY 11953 U.S.A.

Wes Rhodes

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Spikefarm Sampler
(Spikefarm Records)
75:21min

I always wonder who is doing the packaging of those label-compilations. If I only had a look on the cover I would have never ever bought that CD when I saw it in a shop. And I also would declare it rather clever not to mention the last songs on the compilation on the backcover of this CD. But some things are obviuosly a matter of taste. This label-compilation features a song of most of the latest releases that were done on Spinefarm's more extreme sublabel Spikefarm Records. And like every compilation there are songs that one considers more positive and more negative. On the pro-side we have on this compilation the songs done by MOONSORROW, AJATTARA, THYRANE and especially the masters of Doom (one of my faves from 2001) SHAPE OF DESPAIR. On the con-side we have to mention THE SCARR, SHADOW and ENTWINE. To make the list complete, the other bands featured here are SILENTUM, FINNTROLL, KALMAH, RAM-ZET, THE DEAD BEGINNERS (ex-AUTUMN VERSES) and the not mentioned RAPTURE. Although I am not a friend of compilations, I must admit that the choice of the songs is quite representative - at least if I compare it to the albums that I owe myself. For people interested in one or the other of the Spikefarm-bands this might be a worthwhile investment as I doubt that this compilation will be that expensive.

Nhashi

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Svartmetall Compilation 2001
(NS Productions)
65:00min

Excuse me, but to me the musical sub genre once known as "Black Metal" is definitely no more! Ever since its worldwide acceptance way too many bands started to jump on the bandwaggon and delivered material that by no means still has something to do with the original ideology of Black Metal! You got the viking stuff, the avantgarde influences, the Folklore and Gothic bullshit and the melodic or Death Metal infected "Black" Metal releases... but only a handful of bands still deliver the rawness and the eerie, cold satanic atmosphere in their musical creations. The Norwegian label NS Productions (what a braindead, provoking name, no matter what it's really supposed to stand for...) compiled a disc of 13 Norwegian underground bands in order to do something about the ongoing misery in the scene. "We have grown tired of all the musical prostitution, the decadence and the cowardish behaviour in this scene..." is being mentioned in the enclosed info sheet. Well, strong words, but then they better should be backed up by promising new bands, that still know what this scene really needs. Unfortunately that isn't the case with this compilation. Apart from ROVMORD (who come up with a quite demonic and very original sounding vocalist), ENDSUM, LANDAWARIJAZ, CARNIFEX (who all deliver quite basic, yet ok sounding raw Black Metal) and the already quite famous 1349 (who are the most extreme act on here), all other 8 acts are just lame and exactly fit into any of those categories I mentioned in the beginning of this review. So, if this is supposed to be the next generation of Norway's once so hopeful underground, I could easily live without it. In case you're always interested in such compilations, especially if they are limited editions (only 500 copies are supposed to be available of this here) you should send 100KR (Scandinanvia) / 14$ (rest of the world) plus postage to: NSP, Arbins gt. 5, N - 0253, Oslo, Norway, email: kurto@mail.hf.uio.no, www.svartmetall.cjb.net

Frank Stöver

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Swedish Death Metal (3CD Set)
(Index Verlag)
217:48min

Svensk Döds Metal…Swedish Death Metal…the place where for some of us it started all into the most extreme sounds on earth. Yes, there is surely A LOT to be praised in many other regions…USA and South America had plenty of extreme Metal bands, and some even have an identity of their own. But for some strange reason, the massive sound of the Swedish bands soon took the world by storm. What was there in this European country with one of the highest levels of life where suddenly these young musicians started to churn such an evil and extreme form of music? Can it be related to some ancient evil spirit that has been released form an ancient slumber? Are those icy waters so damn chilling that they were meant to be fought with fire-invoking metal? This 3 CD compilation makes company to the recently released book by Daniel Ekeroth, a book I have just read a few parts, and while being entertaining, could be actually deeper or better written. But then again, I also think that this compilation complements the book and should have been released with it since the very beginning. The 3 CD compilation starts in a very exact chronological order. Although many years before this Swedish invasion was setting fire to the world, we had BATHORY, but then again that band has always been more related to the Black Metal scene than the Death Metal one, so probably that was the reason it was left out. So it all starts with bands like MEFISTO and OBSCURITY which in essence were proto Death Metal bands with a very harsh and aggressive form of Thrash Metal. It was not until 1988 that one band was doing its own form of music that which will mark the Swedish sound: NIHILIST. The main core and probably what can be related for many bands was a mixture of the American Thrash Metal sound of early SLAYER or KREATOR mixed with a more Hardcore extreme Thrash sound found in bands like IMPULSE MANSLAUGHTER or DOOM and also the Punk- deformed into a Death Metal sound by MASTER / DEATHSTRIKE. Back in the demo days, where the rehearsals and lousy produced studio-recordings were beginning, those influences were a point of reference with many of the bands like MORBID or PUTREFACTION. Disc 1 which is mainly about demo bands and ranges from 1986 to 1990 features many bands in its early incarnations and with still many performing mistakes. For those who were not Metal fans at that time, it will be a good way to discover what bands like THERION and DISMEMBER sounded like in an early stage. Yes, that same THERION that it still going on nowadays. Disc 1 should be approached as an historical testimony of the beginning of an era, which also means sometimes a really lousy, noisy sound. Disc 2 starts in 1989, but for a good reason: it showcases with the song of the band ENTOMBED (yes, formerly NIHILIST) what a few years later was going to give the Swedish sound an identity: the Sunlight Studio guitar sound. Producer Tomas Skögsberg directed most of the bands to have that low-tuned almost bass like distorted guitar sound, which was like a wall of guitars playing all at once. Many of the songs found on disc one were recorded in the same place by almost the same people, and we are also talking of many of the songs are from the debut albums of the bands. Highlights include bands like GENERAL SURGERY (which was more like an answer to UK’s CARCASS although still rooted in the Swedish sound), TIAMAT (which was more like a Black / Death Metal band back in those days…) or EDGE OF SANITY. Even in this similar sound, which was aimed by most Swedish bands (and some other non-Swedish, just ask DARKTHRONE, yes, that same DARKTHRONE back in those years) there was still room for some original bands like AFFLICTED, the very weird CARBONIZED (more Grind orientated but at the same more psychedelic) and the ultra technical LIERS IN WAIT. Meanwhile some others decanted for a more blackened sound like MARDUK (early releases were more Death Metal) and DISSECTION (with an unmistaken occult Heavy Metal approach).  CD 2 is based on what is probably the brightest (or darkest) period of the Swedish Metal attack. Their names were in tongues, they were a world apart in the Death Metal, compared to the American most popular bands of the time, the Swedish were brining a fresh (or rotten) air to what otherwise was a stagnant Death Metal scene in America. As not only an observer in that time, but as someone involved in many of the things happening I can tell you 3 things that were for me. The main difference: 1) the obvious low-tuned guitars 2) the growling vocals ALWAYS tried to articulate words, and very few just wanted to do frog-noise and 3) their way to use melody in their riffs; whereas the American contra parts were more thinking on adding melody in the solos and keep it all brutal, the Swedes used melody in a dark and convincing way in most of the songs and almost never abuse of the brutality for the sake of it. A special mention form disc 2 will be made to the fantastic and short-lived band NIRVANA 2002. I think that their name played a big part in the fact they were so short lived, but what an amazing band. Disc 3 offers us what can be called the last “wave” of Swedish Death Metal bands form 1990 to 2007. We have here some more obscure bands that released maybe a few albums but never reached the height of the bands that appear in Disc 2. Still, for my tastes, Disc 3 possesses more of great discoveries for the newer generations, with killer bands like CRYPT OF KERBEROS, UNCANNY, CREMATORY or TRAUMATIC. The inclusion of two newer bands like the killer REPUGNANT and the great KATALYSATOR to show that the Swedish Death Metal sound is still alive, is also a good point for this compilation. Obviously that many bands were left out which would have been like a nice addition (like DAWN, CONCRETE SLEEP, UTUMNO and many others) but this was made to spark again the flame for the newer generation to get out of their places and start searching for bands of those great era. Also there are many newer bands with that Swedish “crunchy” sound, so the tradition is still there. Notice that nothing is mentioned of the Gothenburg sound (i.e. IN FLAMES, AT THE GATES, DARK TRANQUILLITY) as they came later (and also was a big trend if you ask me) but this is more aimed to those years in the early 90s that marked Sweden in the Death Metal map. Some of those bands are still going on, many have changed their style (and for wrong most of the times…) some other are just memories…some other band members now deny their time when this was boiling…still the memories and the sounds are there. It was a magical time, a great time, and it all comes with great music. If you have not read the book, now it is your chance to grab it along this very nice compilation. For those of us that were there in one way or another, being it tape-trading, doing interviews or even releasing material from those shores, it was a joy to rediscover again why we were obsessed with that crunchy guitar sound. www.index-verlag.org

Julián Núñez

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Thrashing Holocaust
(Necropolis Records)
71:05min

Yeah, I know that this compilation already dates back to 1999 and therefore not necessarily is thaaat fresh anymore, but as Rick Cortez (of the mighty SADISTIC INTENT) was so kind to send me a copy of it the other day (thanx again, man!) I decided to give it a mention nevertheless. “Thrashing Holocaust” features 19 bands that are all trying very hard to breath new live into our beloved good old Thrash Metal… But except for a very few positive examples (more of them in a few seconds) they all basically fail on their mission and by no means do any justice to this musical genre at all! The majority of the bands should be more or less known in the underground already, so no need to mention any names here, but they deliver nothing but pathetic pseudo aggressive and wannabe old school noise. Their songwriting is weak, the production sucks, the riffing completely boring and the vocalists just scream their fuckin’ brains out. Listening to these approx. 70 minutes it’s no surprise to me that real Thrash Metal is still waiting for its second coming for quite some time now… At least a few contributions turned out very good – but they didn’t manage to save this record from being below average in the end either. I’m talking about DESASTER (who are featured with the exclusive ‘Burning Crosses’), DEATHWITCH (extremely cool song – it seems I always had a wrong impression about them in the past!), WITCHERY (‘Witchburner’), ABSU (who contribute the very good POSSESSED cover ‘Swing Of The Axe’!), DEKAPITATOR (‘Hell’s Metal” – different version, not as strong as on their album, but still far superior than the most of the material of the other bands on here!), USURPER (‘Prowling Death’) and of course SADISTIC INTENT (new version of their classic ‘Morbid Faith’) who all saved my day. But if you are out for classic, well done Thrash you better pick up the latest albums by NECRODEATH, DEW-SCENTED or THE CROWN (just to name but a few) to experience the real magic and quality of this music - or go for the individual releases of the bands I positively mentioned above.

Frank Stöver

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Tribute To REPULSION
(F.D.A. Rekotz)
43:48min

If you love REPULSION, you’ll definitely want to hear this. It’s chock-full of quality bands. What surprised me most about this, though, is that while these bands are no slouch in the speed and talent department (surpassing actual REPULSION BPMs on numerous occasions), few of them capture the vibe. For me, REPULSION’s radioactivity is the key element – that relentless guitar with insane screeching solos, drum blasts that actually sound like a ride cymbal exploding, out-of-control bass disintegration and those hateful, acidic, trashy vocals. Only four or five of these bands pull that off in a reasonably acceptable fashion. What you get from the rest is clear, well-produced drums and a low Death vocal or Goregrind vocal. Instead of creating a flesh-peeling miasma of total energy like REPULSION does, one of them (and it’s a big name to boot) actually sounds like they’re falling asleep (or do I mean they’re putting me to sleep with their lack of energy?). OK, I get it. They’re updating REPULSION, dusting off this way-old stuff and bringing it into the realm of today’s ‘ultra-brutal’ sound. Lame. None of these bands sound even remotely as wild as REPULSION did on “Horrified”. Hmmm. I’m beginning to suspect my expectations are unreasonable and these groups simply couldn’t recreate that intangible essence. While not a must listen, this is mandatory for the diehard REPULSION maniac who wants a refresher on why REPULSION still rules the world. Features GENERAL SURGERY, NECROMORPH, AFGRUND, FONDLECORPSE, COLDWORKER, IMPALED, MINDFLAIR, WORLD DOWNFALL, COLLISION, NASHGUL, GOREGAST, HAEMORRHAGE, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER, INHUME, BELCHING BEET, CRETIN, MACHETAZO, BLOCKHEADS, HAEMOPHAGUS and GRIND CRUSHER. www.fda-rekotz.com

Leonard Likas

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Unforgotten Past – In Memory Of Chuck Schuldiner
(Area Death Productions)
65:08min

A tribute to Chuck? Honestly: who thinks this might be equally moving as the original? I can think of just a handful of bands able to deliver a good performance of DEATH material. I remember NECROPHAGIST’s cover version of ‘Crystal Mountain’ at the Fuck The Commerce Festival a couple of years ago. That was good. IRREDEMPTION’s (Spain) version really isn’t. PERDITISM rape the MANTAS demo classic ‘Legion Of Doom’ with ridiculous effects on the vocals while HYONBLUD come up with something semi-original, namely with an almost froggy version of ‘Scream Bloody Gore’. But which oldschool DEATH fan wants something like that? TWO PAIN ORGANIZED deliver a totally MAIDEN-like version of ‘Overactive Imagination’. Finally, I’ll have to highlight my fave track by HYPONIC from Hong Kong (I guess HK stands for that city?): their extreme Doom version of ‘The Philosopher’ reminds me quite a bit of ESOTERIC and the likes. Cool! The only original song (= not a cover song) at the end of the sampler doesn’t have anything to do with Death Metal but rather with Gothic or something like that. Not too bad but I don’t see why it’s on this record. What I find particularly striking about “Unforgotten Past” is that so many bands come up with weak vocal performances or even use terrible vocal effects. Hey – Chuck was one of my fave Death Metal vocalists as well!!! Oh, yes, before I forget: the cover fuckin’ sucks! So try to keep HYPONIC in mind (if you’re into Doom) and – if interested – get the sampler via mailorder or directly from China: http://xmusick.areadeath.net

Ramon Claassen

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Vates Noctes Compilation Vol. I
(Supreme Chaos Records)
73:35min

If I am honest, I personally would never buy any compilation-CD again which is compiled by a magazine and where it is obvious that there is no real concept or something behind it. This compilation is, as the name already suggests, organized by the guys from the Vates Noctes-fanzine and what makes this one a bit different is that all earnings from the CD go the cancer aid, but this is, if at all, the only reason why someone might be interested in buying it. 16 bands are included on this compilation – and as always, their quality varies, although the sound-quality after all is never below average. But then there is the first point: Why do bands (in this case: ORDEN OGAN) put a live-track on a compilation? BANISHED REALITY, GOAT OF MENDES, DISSOCIATION (although I don’t know why bands are proud about having enough money to put a song on the Legacy-compilation – that’s all those compilations are about), THORNESBREED and BERSERK INC. are probably the better bands on this compilation, while GODMODE (please get a vocalist!), ASCENSION and RAVAGE were really poor. As an addition to those 16 bands (ranging from Death Metal to Thrash(?) Rock), you’ll find a multimedia booklet on the CD as well which although quite basic offers you all the information (biographies etc.) you need about the participating bands and the idea behind the CD. Might be interesting for all those who like to get an overview but then there are couple of compilations. I doubt that the selling point of a strictly limited edition of 1000 copies will make this being sold faster. http://www.nocte-obducta.de, http://www.s-c-r.de

Nhashi

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