VOICE OF REVENGE
Mutilated Corpse (Demo CD)
(self-financed)
21:51min

It's always a pleasure for me to discover a good newcomer Death Metal band, even more if it is a German band. I always thought it's kinda strange that with the exception of MORGOTH Germany never ever had a big name in the Death Metal world. I'm not sure if this will change with VOICE OF REVENGE, after all I think it's nothing less than a hobby band and they most probably play for fun, but what they do is pretty good, at least for a first release. I got to know them on a small festival pretty close to where I live and sadly missed their live appearance as I entered the place too late. I heard that they did a very good gig though. Time will tell and I’m sure I’ll have the possibility to see them live in the close future. VOICE OF REVENGE stands for Death Metal, brutal Death Metal if you ask me. This bunch of young guys make a perfect start with ‘Bringer Of Death’, a Death Metal song with a riff BOLT THROWER won’t feel bad about. What I like about VOICE OF REVENGE is that they don’t exactly sound Scandinavian, American or whatever and the best, they have not one tiny Metalcore influence at all! Congratulations guys, that’s how it should be. Taking influences from bands as GRAVE, DISMEMBER, HYPOCRISY or BOLT THROWER you should know what to expect. It’s not about blastbeats, not about being technical as fuck, its Death Metal plain and simple. OK, we are not talking about the next German sensation, not another 2nd MORGOTH or finally another German Death Metal flagship, because VOICE OF REVENGE are at their very beginning. They created a pretty good demo CD, tight played with cool songs, now I hope they take the time to develop and create more cool songs like the 6 songs on this CD. A good start and as this is such a young band I hope to hear new creations which will satisfy my expectations, haha! Have a look on www.myspace.com/voiceofrevenge and ask for their demo at goreflesh@arcor.de. Price for this 6-track CD is 6 € in Germany, foreign countries should ask for postage at first.

Thomas Ehrmann

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VOID
Posthuman
(Nocturnal Art Productions)
48:44min

Fuck this is damn hard to review, because I’m not familiar with Electronic / Industrial Metal at all – I know MARILYN MANSON, but that’s it and I am forced to write about this release quite unprepared and impartial, because VOID do not sound like MARILYN MANSON. They were formed in 1999 and released three demos since then, which lead to a contract with Nocturnal Art in 2002. Their sound can be described as a blend of emotional and raw screams that are almost close to intense Black Metal with electronic elements and strange Metal riffs. The eight quite long songs are tied together by a constant bizarre, misanthropic, dark and twisted atmosphere fans of cold industrial music should find very appealing! I don’t know if anyone knows the movies "Dark City" and "Strange Days", if you do than you have a good idea of what VOID is about, because "Posthuman" would have been an excellent alternative soundtrack for those celluloid opuses. Check them out, if you are interested in the musical representation of blackened industrialised sickness. If you like to get more information about VOID surf to: www.nocturnalart.com

Stefan Franke

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VOIDS OF VOMIT
Rehearsal Vomit 2006 (Demo)
(The Threshold Creations)
11:20min

It seems that we are in the midst of a revival of brutal and dark Death Metal. For a moment it seemed that the strongest of the new breed of Death Metal acts were those playing the classic Swedish style. However, as of late much of the most promising Death Metal has been of a darker and more brooding variety. Perhaps the domination of Black Metal over the past 15 years or so has left a dark shadow across the entire Metal scene resulting in a bleaker and more melancholy sound overall. Whatever the cause, the morbid incantations of Italy's VOIDS OF VOMIT are certainly welcome to those who, like myself, have been longing for a return to the dismal and bleak Death Metal of the 1990s. VOIDS OF VOMIT's "Rehearsal Vomit 2006" is without question one of the most promising demos I have heard recently. First of all, the recording quality is exactly what one expects when listening to a demo. It does not sound polished or produced. Rather, the songs sound as if they were recorded live on primitive equipment. Such recordings are almost always inherently more brutal than multi-tracked and refined ProTools recordings. The songs themselves are evocative of the North American and Finnish Death Metal of the early 1990s. While VOIDS OF VOMIT are obviously influenced by bands such as early IMMOLATION and INCANTATION (more "Onward to Golgotha" and less "Mortal Throne of Nazarene" however), they also make stylistic references to ROTTREVORE, GOREAPHOBIA, CENOTAPH and DISGRACE's early recordings. While they demonstrate their ability to play at any pace on this demo, VOIDS OF VOMIT avoid relying too heavily on either the extremely fast or the extremely slow as do many other bands. Most of the parts are moderately paced and played with accuracy and precision. The vocals are deep and guttural and, being slightly louder but not detached from the music, are perfectly mixed among the instruments. Also, there is very little soloing on this demo. Instead, the band simply works as one massive unit to build devastating songs rather than showcase technique. All of this results in a solid demo that is most certainly a foreshadowing of the looming spectre of death that awaits the release of a more formal recording by these dirty and murderous maniacs. Contact: www.myspace.com/cultofvomit or email: obsession.eleven@virgilio.it

Jason Campbell

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VOLTURYON 
Blood Cure
(Obscure Domain Productions)
45:54min

Knowing Obscure Domain's dedication to real Death Metal, I was quite interested to listen to "Blood Cure", VOLTURYON's debut album. Our fellow Swedes perform a quite cool aggressive (yet "technical") Death Metal with some Thrash Metal touches. Don't expect anything exceptional or extraordinary here, but rather straight-forward and well-played Death Metal. I think originality is not a matter to be concerned (since you won't listen to anything new), but be sure that you'll get some solid-structured songs with cool riffs, some solos here and there, a tight rhythm section etc. But to be honest that's my only concern with "Blood Cure"; although it's quite a cool and enjoyable album, on the same time it's not memorable or ear-catching. At least it could have bit of more "identity" that would distinct VOLTURYON from the zillions of similar-sounding bands around. But don't get me wrong, "Blood Cure" is a good album that deserves a chance since the band surely knows how to deliver the goods (not to mention their really good technical skills), but at times you need more than that to establish yourself in an already saturated scene and persuade people that have already lost their fate in it. Ok, that's my own opinion. To sum up, "Blood Cure" is a decent debut album that shows a band with potential, thus should be given a chance, but - personally - I expect a bit more from VOLTURYON in the future. www.volturyon.se, www.obscuredomain.com

Manolis A.

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VOMEPOTRO
Zombie Gore Vomit
(Obscure Domain Productions)
30:51min

An eerie / atmospheric melody played by a pulsing analogue synthesizer as it is know from the scores of many certain Italian, Spanish and Brazilian movies, the album title, the band name… yes! Gore time! Cannibals are allowed as well, for that matter. These four putrid vomit zombies from Brazil have released their debut album after ten years of existence and several demos. Unlike many of their country mates, they do not sound a bit like KRISIUN. On the contrary, VOMEPOTRO walk the way of guts and gore in a way that resembles early DEEDS OF FLESH and Barnes era CANNIBAL CORPSE in the style of the relentless and catchy riffing. The great and harmonious leads are a perfect additional facet to the sound – thumbs up! The very deep vocals which verge on the ultra guttural are the most contemporary element one can find on “Zombie Gore Vomit”. Despite being not innovative a single bit (not that I care about that anyway) the album proved to grow on me as the songs are all well structured pieces of brutal mid-nineties Death Metal with so many catchy riffs, a fair bit of grinding which is not absurdly fast, headbang - provoking passages and breakdowns topped by skilled leads and solos so this shrivelled clump of filth oozes flair, definitely. Somehow I am reminded on the german GOMORRHA who go in a similar direction. Soundwise one can't complain as well. The production is relatively clear and on par with the “standards”. The cover of “Zombie Gore Vomit” will surely be appreciated by all fans of gory dark I might add…The song 'Aborted Fetus' as well as some tracks off their demos can be found on VOMEPOTRO's homapage at: www.vomepotro.com. Label website: www.obscuredomain.com

Ulrich Kreienbrink

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VOMEPOTRO
Liturgy Of Dissection
(Sevared Records)
36:54min

The putrid vomit zombies are back! The Brazilian VOMEPOTRO have returned with their second album titled “Liturgies Of Disscetion”, this time released by the American label Sevared Recods. Its predecessor “Zombie Gore Vomit” already showcased a load of great songs but this time, VOMEPOTRO have realized their potential to a even higher degree. The band still sticks to their mixture of brutal yet catchy riffing, spiced with some slams here and there, topped by sick and guttural grunts and some sparingly used screeching vocals, not unlike old CARCASS one might say. While the songwriting skills on “Zombie Gore Vomit” were already captivating, VOMEPOTRO have upped the ante here again to create a very brutal mixture that is at the same time very dynamic, jumping straight to the jugular, riffs leading to fast blasting climaxes or heavy passages and breaks. Fortunately the amazing lead guitars are again present, intesifying the brutality of the material as well as adding another dimension of musicality to the brutal Death Metal which is just not present in most modern ultra-gory bands. Played with lots drive and aggression and produced in a natural way, yet sounding thicker and more balanced than its predecesor, “Liturgy Of Dissection” proves to be a great album with staying power. The album closes with two cover versions, namely SEPULTURA's 'Mass Hypnosis' and MORBID ANGEL's 'Dominate', the latter in a demo version but at the end of the day both covers can convince. Thumbs up for this strong album which combines US brutality with South American sickness… and great soloing! www.vomepotro.com, www.sevared.com

Ulrich Kreienbrink

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VOMITOR
Devil's Poison
(Hell's Headbangers)
31:00min

After 8 fucking long years we finally get VOMITOR's second album "Devil's Poison" ! And it is still fuckin VOMITOR!! Whereas most bands progress and lose their vision, VOMITOR stays true all the fucking way! Well maybe the sound is a bit better than their debut "Bleeding The Priest" and you can tell they play their instruments better as well, but the fucking rawness and Australian dirt is most definitely still there! And of course where many bands sound like other bands (Dino Burger and Cradle of shit I'm looking at you ladies!) and let's face it, too many guys are copying Quorthon vocal wise, VOMITOR has their signature sound which I think lies in their vocals and guitar tone, plus their songwriting skills and performance of said songs, that really you cannot hear it and say this is some other band, only VOMITOR! Also some of you unfamiliar with VOMITOR's previous work might assume that they are from Australia so they will be like Destroyer 666, but get that shit right out of your head pronto! They sound nothing at all like D666!! This album is fuckin raw dirty, solid, you must get this! The guitar "leads" if you can call 'em that, remind me of the style of Repulsion's "Horrified" album as they jump in screeching like a bunch of cats being run over and then immediately fried alive, raping your ears and then leaving like a fucking lightning ripping headache! I love the album as a whole, even the slow songs if you can fuckin' believe that coz as some of you might know I am no fan of fucking slow songs! But when I listen to 'Saga Of The Rage' and 'Midnight Madness' I cannot help but bang me head and me fist (trying to speak a bit of Australian english there!). Now you have what could be a negative is that 'Beast Of Sodom', 'Midnight Madness' and the fuckin classic 'Neutron Hammer' are re-recordings of old demo and 7" songs but really, this is not a negative for me as the re recordings of the songs do the old ones justice and evilness and darkness prevails!! Frank will probably think this is too early, but this to me is one of the candidates for album of the year! To VOMITOR: please, pretty please with sugar on top, do not take another 8 fuckin years to release your next album!! Now you must excuse me, as I have to go back and listen to "Devil's Poison" again! Fuck yeah! www.myspace.com/thevomitor, www.hellsheadbangers.com

Luis M.L. Sallard 

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VOMITORY
Revelation Nausea
(Metal Blade Records)
39:19min

To most of you VOMITORY won't be strangers anymore as they are around already for quite some time. I just have their album "Raped In Their Own Blood" which got released on the small label Fadeless Records, but unfortunately I missed the follow-up "Redemption". With Metal Blade they finally found a record company which could help a lot to establish them in the Death Metal scene. "Revelation Nausea" got recorded at the Berno studios (THE CROWN, CARDINAL SIN...), offers some very solid oldschool moose Death and sounds as if it got released about ten years ago. Ideal food for all those who still love stuff like "Dark Recollections" or "Into The Grave".

Steven Willems

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VOMITORY
Blood Rapture
(Metal Blade Records) 
32:43min

The Forshaga Death machine returns with its already fourth full-length (the second one on Metal Blade). Every fan of this Swedish fourpiece won't be disappointed. "Blood Rapture" is an intense piece of Scandinavian Death Metal with great vocals. Yeah, bassist Erik did a fucking great job. His voice is fantastic, he grunts very deep and powerful but you always can understand him. He's way more brutal than all those US style frogs. There are only two things that have changed a little bit. VOMITORY put a few more of these simple crust core riffs (especially in 'Blessed And Forsaken') in the songs and you'll also find some more melodic parts than in the past. But as mentioned before they didn't change too much, it's still the ear crushing powerful Death Metal assault you've expected. My faves songs are 'Chaos Fury' and the title track.  Again they recorded in Berno Studio and again the production sounds excellent. Well done. Although "Redemption" is still my fave VOMITORY album, cause it's their most brutal and intense, I really recommend "Blood Rapture" to all the Death Metal Ghouls out there. Don't waste your time, get your fingers on "Blood Rapture".

Hacker

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VOMITORY
Carnage Euphoria
(Metal Blade Records)
35:58min

Consistency speaks volumes more than originality sometimes. We often forget that Metal is supposed to kick our asses, not necessarily change the way we think about the music as a whole. To that end, bands like DISMEMBER and VOMITORY have committed themselves, the latter probably more so than DISMEMBER. Though both from Sweden, VOMITORY has, much like HYPOCRISY in their early days, embraced the American Death Metal ethos and wedded it with Swedish sounds. The result has been throughout the years, very rewarding both for the band and their fans. "Carnage Euphoria", the most recent installment is a little more bass heavy than previous outputs, and the guitars sound much more as though they were lathered in gooey syrup, but it all works to the album's advantage. A limited digipack edition of the album is also available with an approximately 90 minutes bonus DVD enitled "Dead & Drunk For 20 Years". It contains "live clips from different shows during the '90s with different line-ups and drunk moments on the road and in the studio." This is a great record, with plenty of heart. www.vomitory.net, www.metalblade.de

Nat Shapiro

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VOODOO SHOCK
Voodoo Shock
(PsycheDOOMelic Records)
61:26min

This is the first release on a new label created by Mark Hegedus, editor of  the famous Psychedelic Fanzine. For those who don’t know, Psychedelic Zine is the Bible when it comes to 70s Heavy Rock, Doom Metal and Psychedelia. Alongside with Slayer and Snakepit, Mark’s zine is the only printed magazine worth to read these days, due to the dedication, integrity and knowledge of its writers. Needless to say, I waited for something very special from Mark for his first signing, but I was far to imagine getting an album of such a magnitude! VOODOO SHOCK was recently founded by guitarist / vocalist Uwe Groebel (of NAEVUS fame), with the help of two Swiss musicians, Christian Specker on drums and Michael Greiliger on bass. Together they  form a tight musical entity, and this debut is the shining proof of that. VOODOO SHOCK play Doom Metal by the book, and the shadow of the men in black from Birmingham glides over the entire records, even if VOODOO SHOCK musically cite other influences as WITCHFINDER GENERAL (perceptible on the chorus of ‘Tomorrow’s Bloom’) or early-era CATHEDRAL. The first track of the album (‘Fountain Of Freedom’) I call an instant classic, it is impossible to resist to the groove leveled here, this is the type of song you could listen to thirty times in a row without becoming tired of it! The rest of the tracks are of the same quality, nothing to reject! Sometimes the band take their inspiration from deep melancholia, like in ‘Rainbow Sky’, a song based almost on a single riff, or involve themselves in slow motion extravaganza, like in 'We Cry', a song very reminiscent of what you can find on “Forest Of Equilibrium" from you know who (and if you don’t, stop reading this at once!). Thanks to a warm and fleshy sound, VOODOO SHOCK present us a very humane and dare I say generous  music that fills the heart with joy and contentment, even if it sometimes express sadness. This release I can rank among masterpieces as the last PLACE OF SKULLS, PENTAGRAM and PALE DIVINE releases. Here is an album I am glad to say about it is absolutely essential, without a single afterthought. I only hope you will take the chance to get a release that will surely become a gem in your records collection. Breathtaking, awesome, brilliant. BUY, HEAR, BELIEVE! Visit VOODOOSHOCK at http://www.voodooshock.de and their label at http://www.psycheDOOMelic.com.

Edouard Vergriete

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VORACITY
Manipulation (MCD)
(self financed)
19:48min

Ever since the band's origin in 1996, Switzerland's VORACITY recorded one demo and appeared on two compilation albums. I suppose it took them this long to finally come up with a proper release because of their two line-up changes on the vocal front. But after all, here's a five track effort that might be of interest for all you old school Thrashers out there as VORACITY incorporate a lot of elements of good old 80's Thrash into their own sound. The riffing and the arrangements often bring older METALLICA to mind (even though VORACITY are not as tight yet and still lack their class), while the vocals are pretty much in the growled Thrash vein (they certainly need to be approved in order to get a more professional overall approach). The production is ok, the coverart / layout not too impressing, but the most annoying elements are probably the kinda immature sounding growled / shouted back-up vocals, which really suck big time. Musically the band is definitely on the right way, but I wouldn't really be surprised if there would be another vocalist change in the near future once again... Band contact: Tresch Thomas, Efibach 34, 6473 Silenen, Switzerland, phone: 0041 41 883 08 73, www.voracity.ch

Frank Stöver

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VORE
Lord Of Storms
(Frozen Solid Music)
50:36min

Some of you may still remember this band from the rather weak SEPULTURA tribute "World Of Pain" which came out on Dwell Records a couple of years ago. Well, even though that album mainly sucked pretty badly, VORE was an exception to the rule and definitely stood out. I still prefer their crushing version of 'Inner Self' over the original, which should already give you a little hint about the qualities of the Arkansas based four-piece. Unfortunately I neither got to hear their 1995 debut demo "To Devour" nor 1997's six track MCD "Dead Kings Eyes". But: guitarist / vocalist Page Townsley was nice enough to supply me with their brandnew offering, VORE's first full length CD "Lord Of Storms". So, what can I say other than that I still enjoy the band's rather unique way of writing. VORE plays a simple form of pure fuckin' Death Metal with little elements of good old Thrash here and there. Unlike the majority of bands in this genre they don't use any blast beats or total speed at all but prefer to write midpaced to slow material. There's a certain charme and atmosphere they deliver in their simplicity which I haven't heard before. VORE concentrate on brutal, yet groovy rhythms (not meant in the annoying modern NU Metal vein of course!) and obviously try to avoid guitar solos (at least I can't remember if there are any on the entire record)...(Hey man, there are however six guitar solos on the CD, not counting the acoustic piece of course - Page & VORE). In older reviews they partly got compared to OBITUARY, which I don't entirely understand. On the other hand, both bands are using a similar songstructure, which somehow has its roots in early CELTIC FROST. But to avoid misunderstandings - VORE are neither a CELTIC FROST nor OBITUARY soundalike, it's just that all three bands (did) write simple, but very effective brutal music. So, as you can see, it's kinda difficult to categorize them properly. VORE definitely created something original, but still didn't manage to keep me excited throughout the entire fifty minutes. Even though both guitarists are sharing the vocal duties some of the songs simply sound too much alike. For each song on its own their writing formular works out extremely good, but in total they have maybe limited themselves a little too much and therefore should consider to throw in something extra (like uptempo parts or acoustical stuff which they entirely used in the song 'Opaque'). That way they would easily manage to come up with an overall more varied result without betraying their own style too much. For further details you can contact the band at: VORE, P.O. Box 8425, Fayetteville, AR 72703-0008, U.S.A., http://www.vore.org, e-mail: vore@vore.org

Frank Stöver

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VORE
Maleficus
(self-financed)
34:33min

While other Death Metal acts more and more tend to focus on highspeed brutality or technical extravaganca, Arkansas based VORE still prefer to stick to their rather midpaced, rhythmic and simplistic style. Really a wise decision considering the big amount of releases that totally sound like HATE ETERNAL, KRISIUN or similar acts these days. "Maleficus" is already the band's third self-financed CD (following 2001's "Lord Of The Storms" MCD and 1997's "Dead Kings Eyes" full length) and features 6 songs as well as two instrumental pieces. The first one, 'Legions Of Martyrs', is kinda like a short intro to 'Misery Embrace', which is followed by an acoustical guitar piece named 'Ashes'. Just like its predecessor also this album was recorded at Buzzwo Studios in Tulsa, OK by Aaron Allen again, yet it sounds heavily improved. Blame it on an increased overall experience level or the completely new rhythm section (Remy Cameron and Jeremy Partin replaced former members Brian Marcinkiewicz and Glen Wheeler on drums and bass respectively)... Fact is that the new material comes across a lot tighter sounding and in terms of the precision and heaviness could only be compared to an act like BOLT THROWER. Both guitarists (Page Townsley and John Voelker) still share the vocal duties, but somehow I got the impression that the deep Death Metal voice has also become a lot stronger these days. The songs partly recall the doomier side of MORBID ANGEL mixed with the already mentioned intensity of BOLT THROWER, which means rather slow riffing backed with strong doublebass drumming. Because of that "controlled intensity" the whole album delivers an overall fascinating tension. So, without betraying their own musical roots, "Meleficus" turns out to be a big step forward for the band! Impressive! For further info or ordering details check out www.vore.org

Frank Stöver

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VORKREIST
Sabbathical Flesh Possession
(self financed)
36:27min

I postponed the review of this album for much too long, for reasons beyond my control. I regret it now, because VORKREIST have obviously a lot to offer to Death Metal devotees, and I am greatly surprised this fact still stays unsuspected until today. “Sabbathical Flesh Possession” is a very peculiar album as it was due to be out on a proper label, but unfortunately VORKREIST were left label less, and chose to spread out this release mainly as a promotion tool, while looking for a decent deal. And even if the production of this album needs great improvement in the mixing and mastering departments, VORKREIST show a lot of potential and appear right now as a leading force within the French scene and even beyond. Formed quite recently (in 1999) in the Paris area, VORKREIST issued only a four track demo before working on their debut. If you look for demonic Death Metal in the vein of DIABOLIC, I can only give the advice to seriously investigate the VORKREIST case without too much delay, because the music reaches the same level as a lot of American Death Metal “superstars”. The nine tracks on offer are all based on changing rhythms and sudden breaks, keeping the listeners attention intact at any time. The band don’t abuse on fast riffs only, they know to give a rich texture to their songs, all the compositions sound carefully crafted. Again, as it seems to be the rule now, the vocals are of two types: Death Metal growls mixed with Black Metal shrieks. Like I said before, VORKREIST could be seen as a French version of DIABOLIC (without being clones of the Floridian maniacs) because of their peculiar style of blackened Death. The musicians all handle their instrument very professionally, we are not dealing with jokers here. I think “Sabbathical Flesh Possession”, without being a landmark in the Death Metal field cannot be confused with the pile of joke releases that plague this music right now. An excellent album I am happy to have in my collection, but I would like to see a proper version emerging in a not too distant future! All interested parties should contact VORKREIST at: vorkreist@hotmail.com. To the records label owners: don’t let pass the chance to sign a sure winner!

Edouard Vergriete

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VORKREIST
Sabbathical Flesh Possession
(Xtreem Music)
36:49min

After a demo in 2001 called “Sermons Of Impurity“, VORKREIST from Paris now release their debut album “Sabbathical Flesh Possession“. VORKREIST unleash a straight assault of old-school Satanic Death / Black Metal, inspired by the likes of MORBID ANGEL, ANGEL CORPSE, IMPALED NAZARENE, early IMMORTAL etc., free from any experiments as female vocals or keyboards. They deal with all the typical trademarks of the genre but they do it off the beaten track. All of the nine songs are on a high level of composition but unfortunately the production turns out to be rather dull, which on one hand takes away some energy but on the other adds a raw and grim appeal. Anyway, worshippers of old-school Satanic Death / Black Metal and the aforementioned bands will definitely find another strong record for their collection with this release, so check it out, on http://www.evilness.com/vorkreist/ you can find a few mp3 files from the album and one from the demo.

Christoph Göbel

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VORKREIST
Sumblimation XXIA
(Xtreem Music)
43:35min

To me, the new longplayer by this French outfit is a perfect example of a record that can really oversaturate one's passion for extreme Metal. I'm so sick and tired of bands claiming to blend Black and Death Metal cause in 99% this simply means that they fail to come up with something that can live up to the standard of any of these genres. There is really not ONE memorable song on this record and the lack of passion, ideas and identity is so immense it almost hurts. And the dry and blurred production just adds to an above all dull and mind-numbing effort. I was actually quite curious about this since these guy seemed to have the right attitude but when listening to the music just makes me crave for nothing but silence there's something terribly going wrong for sure. I only wished that all the superfluous bands out there would question themselves a little bit more weather they really have something to say or if they simply add another average record to the trash-pile. Thanks and good night. www.evilness.com/vorkreist

Torsten Gründig

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VORTEX
Colours Out From The Emptiness
(Psychic Scream Entertainment)
46:45min

Wow, what a blast of a record!!! I had the lucky opportunity to listen to this Jananese act VORTEX for the first time in my life in some Tokyo restaurant when this record was still in an unmixed shape but I was already impressed by the great playing abilities and power created by these guys back then!!! However, "Colours Out From The Emptiness" is (as far as I'm aware of), the band's debut album and it's been released by Psychic Scream Entertainment from Malaysia. In case you are into bands like CYNIC, DEATH and early GORGUTS, you will just have to utterly check these guys out, because VORTEX deliver a fair mixture of the best elements of all those mentioned bands on this all the way great sounding album. Sure, some of you could miss the "easy listen" impression with some of the lengthy 8 songs on here, but I guess this style of extreme Metal is done exclusively for a certain part of the scene after all?! Some of the riffs and atmospheres clearly traces back to CYNIC at the pre-"Focus" demo period, whereas the vocals remind you a bit on PESTILENCE's "Testimony..." album and the overall vibe in sweet sounding and super clean played guitar passages is clearly influenced by Chuck Schuldiner and his boys ("Human", "Individual..." and "Symbolic") . All in all, an awesome record with plenty technical highlights and I suppose that if VORTEX would put some further effort into more direct and remarkable songwriting structures, they could develop into a really great leading force for the progressive Death Metal movements nowadays, seeing that all the bands that apparently influenced them have (sadly!) disappeared already! Very heavy start... Label Website: http://psychicscream.com, Band Website: http://members.tripod.co.jp/vortex_/

Leif Jensen

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VREDEHAMMER
4. September (MCD)
(Obscure Abhorrence Productions)
22:50min

The future of Norwegian Black Metal lies in the past and VREDEHAMMER – the soloproject of ELITE member Per Valla – is another band fully focused on the golden era of this style. But the influences are widely spread so don’t fear a further copykill monster. What gives me minor headaches is the missing connection between CD layout and EP title but for the first sign of life there are - especially musically - no reasons to complain. The debut starts with the slightly GORGOROTH influenced track ‘Kald’ before VREDEHAMMER are heading with full speed into the Viking Metal era and bands like KAMPFAR and the nowadays Prog–Rocker ENSLAVED are taking over the command. What make this release so interesting is the constant aggression and a focus on the Metal parts with some supporting choirs here and there without drowning the music with these parts. “4. September” is a release which is honoring the Norwegian Black Metal and its different styles and not another rusty nail to its coffin, so please support this underground band and check: www.myspace.com/vredehammer, www.obscure-abhorrence.com

Matthias Auch

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VTA
Vesuvian Thrashing Attack (Demo)
(self-financed)
15:45min

VTA come from Italy and play total oldschool Thrash Metal. Their line-up contains of members from Mephisto. The seven songs are all very simple, straight forward with not too much breaks or technical baubles. The band reminds of old Sodom and Sepultura in their earliest days. The sound is ok and I also think the roughness is wanted. The screaming of the vocalist is deep and raw. Sometimes you can hear inaccuracy in the timing between drums and guitar, but apart from all this and the little repetitive songs it’s fun to listen to this demo. So if you like oldschool Thrash Metal without finesse and a little Punk feeling get in touch with the guys. www.metalofdeath.com

Stefan Hagmayer

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VULPECULA
In Dusk Apparition
(Invictus Productions)
31:41min

Recorded in 1998 ''In Dusk Apparition'', the final chapter of Vulpecula's story (the fox, btw) gets closed. The band around ex - Order From Chaos man Charles Keller released some quite extraordinary music. I guess some of you can remember their "Fons Immortalis'' 10'' album, released back in 1997 by German label Merciless Records. Charles vision of combining Vangelis and Steve Roach styled "space music" with extreme Metal is probably not the taste of everyone, but if you can imagine something like this you can get the manifestation on ''In Dusk Apparition''. The final result sounds "spacey" and grim, sometimes monotonous and weird. The playing of the drums is not very technical but gives the music something of an own with many disharmonious sounding landscapes. Third song is a cover-version; what else than 'Major Tom (Coming Home)' was to be expected? Right! They did a really weird cover-version of that old German NDW hit. That song was already recorded in 1996 and previously only available on a limited edition compilation tape. Fourth track of that album seems to be my favourite as it is a very slow song based on atmosphere (but all songs on that album are slower than mid-tempo). 'Culmination' sounds monotonous but also hypnotic with the clean spoken vocals. I can imagine that this is not music for the masses out there, but some people will understand that album. Glad that I belong to those few. The get-up of that album is not special at all, but consists of the lyrics, some liner-notes and a short biography written by C. Keller. Listen to ''In Dusk Apparition'' and get wrapped in profound darkness… www.invictusproductions.net

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