WACO JESUS
Filth
(Morbid Records)
25:18min

I’m sick and tired of all those piggy bands! WACO JESUS even add the violence factor to their immature sex phantasies and seem to find that cool! Song titles such as ‘Punch You In The Cunt’, ‘I Hope He Beats You’ or ‘Fag Basher’ speak a clear language. The band just doesn’t get it that statements like these are neither cool nor fun. The pervert cover (cam shot up a closet) is in the same vein, whereas the back cover is rather inspired by Russ Meyer’s movies I guess. So apart from that, is the music worth to be bought? I don’t think so. It’s well executed Deathgrind, fast and precise with vocals at the edge to the frognoize camp, sometimes adding a few screams. Some grooves as well. Average stuff I might have bought without knowing about the lyrics and the cover - if there wasn’t a second negative aspect! In case Morbid Records charge the fans the full CD price for 25 minutes, I’d shove it up their ass! Really, there are so many talented young bands even in my neighborhood one has to doubt about the sanity of quite a few record companies! Go here to order yourself a copy.

Ramon Claassen

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WADGELMIR
Endzeit (Demo CD-R)
(self financed)
38:56min

It's really weird that it's often exactly the releases that I'm not too excited about in the first place that turn out way better than I expect them to be. Same story with Germany's WADGELMIR. When I received the promo pack from these guys, I wasn't that much interested in listening to the six song offering straight away for the simple fact that I thought of them as just another superfluous Viking Metal act. The bandname already suggested something like that, their lyrics deal with the old Teutons and they even label themselves a Viking / Death / Black Metal band... But musically WADGELMIR are luckily a lot more than that. It's actually DISSECTION that come to my mind straight away. There's a very cool, similar dark atmosphere surrounding the entire material, the vocals are aggressive, but not as faceless and uninspired as those of the majority of Melodic Death Metal acts these days and they are very skilled songwriters who managed to come up with very interesting and varied material. Their mix of brutality in combination with effective melodies and acoustical passages works out very good and they never speed things up too much just for the sake of it. "Endzeit" is a release that definitely deserves to be heard by a wider audience, so all companies who are interested in (re-)releasing this material should get in touch with the band (as they only made up a few CD-R copies of it so far). Don't know if it's already for sale in this format, but everyone who got curious already can easily ask the guys at the following address: Ingo Paulowicz, Kannenbäcker 1a, 53359 Wormersdorf, Germany, e-mail: mail@wadgelmir.de, www.wadgelmir.de

Frank Stöver

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WALDGEFLÜSTER
Herbstklagen
(Black Blood Records)
60:24min

To capture the essence of mother nature and combine it with the rough Black Metal cult is a basic idea since at least 15 years - but only a handful of bands really achieved their aim. Without a doubt ULVER or EMPYRIUM are bands which should not be introduced to any real Black Metal fan.The Austrian band WALDGEFLÜSTER is also heading into the same direction. The solo project of Winterherz - with some assistance during the recoding sessions and for possible live battles - recorded his first demo “Stimmen Im Wald” in 2006 and Black Blood Records just released the official debut “Herbstklagen”. But there is a major difference between the above mentioned bands and WALDGEFLÜSTER – whereas ULVER has tried to run down invisible borders (a development which is still not finalized) and enter new territory is this release a tribute to Winterherz own Black Metal roots. So you can find some nice acoustic intros or passages but the ‘soul’ of the release is traditional mid-tempo Black Metal with German lyrics. Can’t say that I’m deeply disappointed because the album is a good played and solid release but I fear that the late 90s offered so many ‘identical’ releases from bands like RIGER, GORBALROG; MENHIR, ANDRAS or SUIDAKRA that only the new Metal generation can find something really essential in this release. www.black-blood-records.de, www.waldgefluester-blackmetal.de.vu

Matthias Auch

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WALDSCHEIN
Verborgene Pfade
(Asatru Klangwerke)
41:55min

The expectations concerning this release had not been extremely high but you should first hunt down your prey before you can really judge about its qualities. WALDSCHEIN are a further young German band which is releasing their debut release via Asatru Klangwerke and any interested listener can find far more light than darkness on “Verborgene Pfade”. The youngsters are presenting 7 songs plus a short intro and the musical knowledge is there to justify an official release. Especially the guitars are in the position to create the necessary atmosphere and the band is trespassing the musical territory occupied by either melodic Black Metal and / or Pagan Metal. Some old demo tracks – taken from their demo 2007 – can also be found on this release but if you keep in mind that the band has been founded only two years ago this is no real point of criticism. For album number two WALDSCHEIN should try to give their drum parts a little bit more variety and a little bit more aggression would also harm nobody. In total a more than a solid debut – everybody who wants to check out this release should listen to the track 'Nebelweiten' – by far the best track of this album. www.waldschein.de.vu, www.myspace.com/waldschein, www.asatru-klangwerke.com

Matthias Auch

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WALL OF SLEEP
Overlook The All
(PsycheDOOMelic Records)
21:38min

From the ashes of the Hungarian band MOOD (about which I know nothing, except that they played Doom Metal), please welcome WALL OF SLEEP. I guess the band’s monicker tells the tale enough: yes, you’ve got it right, WALL OF SLEEP is about pure Heavy Doom in the way of BLACK SABBATH. This MCD is their very first effort revealed to an unsuspecting  world, and it is a very nice slab of gargantuan riffs and morose vocals, with a strong 70’s touch. Like in all the best records of the genre, the rhythm section will make your stereo shaking with infra sounds, while the guitar shines with an Iommesque aplomb.  Gabor Holdhampf’s voice reminds me of Victor Griffin’s one, a compliment coming from me. So no wonder if I tell you that a track like ‘Hands Of Dust' could have been included in the PLACE OF SKULLS fantastic debut. Of course, it is a little to soon to judge the full potential of the band, three originals and one cover being not enough to do just that. And the choice of the song to cover appears a little too safe: I don’t see the point to play 'The Wizard' by you know who one more time, complete with the infamous mouth organ (uh, how I hate this instrument).  A far less known Heavy Rock track from the 70’s would have done the job. Considering the extreme quality of WALL. OF SLEEP I see only  a very bright future for them, and I eagerly await for the first full length. For the moment, give full support to this band, they truly deserve it. Contact their label at: www.psycheDOOMelic.com and when on it, check the label’s mail order, a killer for any Doom Metal fan! On sale here.

Edouard Vergriete

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WALPURGISNACHT
Rehearsal Promo CD
(Midgardsorm Distributions)
27:59min

Despite the raw and unpolished sound quality of the rehearsal Dutch Black Metallers WALPURGISNACHT put out as their most recent promo CD one has to admit that it presents a band that certainly has potential!!! By blending elements from older MAYHEM, SATYRICON and Folk WALPURGISNACHT deliver an individual sounding mix with dark melodies, searing riffs, fierce aggression and extreme hatefulness. It’s cool the band chose to use their own tongue in the lyrics, because Black Metal with Dutch vocals is something one has not witnessed to often, right? Hopefully this band releases a real CD with a real production soon, although WALPURGISNACHT’s intensity and charme is obvious on this “Rehearsal Promo”, too. Visit their website check out the MP3 and order this CD for only 3 Euro, it is all here www.walpurgisnacht.tk.

Stefan Franke

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THE WANDERING MIDGET
The Serpent Coven
(Northern Silence / Eyes Like Snow)
54:26min

Doom Metal releases are sometimes not as easy to review as their Death / Black brothers and if the discussion comes to THE WANDERING MIDGET the status must be changed from easy to difficult. The Finnish band is another newcomer to the Doom family and after their 2007 MCD (“I Am The Gate”) via Eyes Like Snow they are presenting their official debut with “The Serpent Coven". What makes this release so difficult / enjoyable for the listener is the mixture of the traditional 70s influences with some experimental parts which gives this music more than one edge and several trap doors. The roots of the five songs (plus intro) can be found in the 70s, a fact which is applicable to nearly the whole new Doom generation. But the band is really trying to leave the wellknown territory and especially the vocals could be found in any Irish Pagan Metal band, for example MAEL MORDHA. So you must really get used to them before you can enjoy THE WANDERING MIDGET. Especially the first song ‘Taynia’ with a very dynamic end part is the highlight of the album but also the other songs can offer - with a big portion of patience - real dark moments. “The Serpent Coven” has definitely something to offer for all fans of the new growing Doom scene and the “normal” Metalheads because the band is also incorporating traditional Metal parts in their hyper long songs. But the record must be deeply discovered and you need more than five runs to find a key to the dark chambers of this Finnish combo. www.the-wandering-midget.tk, www.northern-silence.de

Matthias Auch

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WARDAEMONIC
Through The Dank Pale Gravelands
(Aussiebastard)
52:40min

Raw and furious Black Metal from Perth, Australia. That's what this fivesome called WARDAEMONIC offers us on their pitch-black plate, titled "Through The Dank Pale Gravelands". It always feels good when you come across with a new Black Metal band that has something in their sound that catches your interest from the very first steps - and then not letting you go, but kind of mesmerizing you by whatever ingredients it may have. WARDAEMONIC's debut album is such one. I can't explain precisely why I felt so - may I say, 'welcomed' to this release, but obviously it had something really special in it that I felt like being home right away. It's probably because "Through The Dank Pale Gravelands" brought a pile of some other classic Black Metal releases to my mind for some odd reason, like MAYHEM's "De Mysteriis Dom Satanas", some of those early IMMORTAL and BURZUM albums and a few others whose names are espacing from my lips right now. The band uses a lot of blastbeats in their songs, but I don't find it any disturbing thing since they can easily also switch off their blastbeat mode to calmer and more, frostbitten moody waters, and let their wickedness get spred that way - still sounding irresistible grim, vicious and ghoulish. WARDAEMONIC's sound is actually dominated by this certain type of sound that is kinda typical for many Black Metal acts coming from the Scandinavian countries. I mean, overall it sounds very cold and grim the way Black Metal should sound like, reaching a certain type of perfection as far as Black Metal arts are concerned. The occasional keyboard parts also add its own special, dark-ish vibe into this largely snow-melting wholeness, and I gotta admit I really love the bass' sound in their songs as it'´s really present there all the time, clearly sticking out from the other instruments. If my favorite track should be mentioned, then I would probably go with almost a 10-minute epic track 'Dead Winter's Serenade' as in that particular song WARDAEMONIC bring up both ends of their sound - from their chaotic parts to slower parts, loaded with more atmosphere. As my last confession I should add that WARDAEMONIC were indeed a very positive acquaintance to me from down under. Check the out at: www.aussiebastard.com

Luxi Lahtinen

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WARHAMMER
The Doom Messiah
(Grind Syndicate Media / NBR)
37:18min

You probably might ask yourselves whether it really makes sense to have the HELLHAMMER worshippers doing several albums with one and the same idea in songwriting?! I personally don't think it's as bad as that because WARHAMMER is actually getting better and better with each record. "The Doom Messiah" is their third full-length and of course it once again carries forth the obscure feel that HELLHAMMER used to create some long time ago into the pretty different musical scene we are facing these days, which gives WARHAMMER the big advantage of being a pretty outstanding and easily remarkable act. WARHAMMER deliver their best musicianship (still quite rough and primitive, but that's what their music demands after all!) and catchiest morbid songwriting here which additionally comes in the most powerful and most suitable production they managed to achieve so far. Outstanding tracks are the speedy 'Shadow Of The Decapitator', the bonecrushing midpaced 'Cries Of The Forsaken' and the straight forward attack 'The Skullcrusher'. I don't know if others will agree but I also discover a lot of early UK Crustcore, some CARNIVORE and old school Punk influence here, which is actually cool with me! The only thing that is rather annoying on this release is the pretty "arrogant" sounding liner-notes by the band themselves in the booklet... other than that a very enjoyable release of pure oldschool spirit, no technical bullshit at all and also really cool in packaging, so go grab a copy in case you wanna support a band that still fights for the early, evil days of extreme Metal! You may find it here.

Leif Jensen

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WARHAMMER
Curse Of The Absolute Eclipse
(Nuclear Blast Records)
46:56min

The total destruction of the earth Part IV... Our buddies of WARHAMMER are in the meantime also already a part of the underground Metal scene for quite some years and with "Curse Of The Absolute Eclipse", just released their fourth longplayer. Just as on their previous albums, WARHAMMER sticks to the apocalyptic Doom sound of cult-band HELLHAMMER and they do it with class. Sometimes it's really remarkable and astonishing how close they get to the sound of their beloved and worshipped band. WARHAMMER hardly changed anything in their approach and that's fine with me because why change anything when their approach works? When you listen to "Curse Of The Absolute Eclipse", you don't give a penny anymore about the future of mankind and that's probably also the intention. Very heavy and very morbid-sounding, WARHAMMER seek their way throughout this album. To my humble opinion, they are at their best when they play very slow and grind everything that crosses their way ('The Grave Hill...'). "Curse Of The Absolute Eclipse" has the best production so far, the album is by far the best sounding WARHAMMER album so far without losing their integrity or power, which is a good thign in my book. WARHAMMER Deathdoom forever! It is available here.

Steven Willems

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WARHAMMER
No Beast So Fierce
(self-financed)
48:17min

This is the reunion from Hell! Apparently singer Volker "Iron Lung" Frerich decided to dig WARHAMMER
back from the grave and give out another dose of Necro Doom Death Metal of Apocalypse to all oldschool maniacs out there. And you don't have to worry, new guitarist Kevin "Lord" Wittek doesn't mean a change in the WARHAMMER style, this is still pure HELLHAMMER worship with bits of UK crust like DISCHARGE and US Punk like CARNIVORE (CARNIVORE = Punk? - Frank) thrown in for a good measure. Starting with the promptly named intro 'The Slaughter' WARHAMMER launches into full battle mode with classic Speed Metal tinged 'Doomsday Inferno' and from there on there's no stopping and looking back! You get mid-paced to faster treatments like 'Flames Of Armageddon', one riff killer workout 'Total Maniac' and the quite varied 'Frozen Screams' (by WARHAMMER standarts, of course!). Then there're the usual doomish 'The Bloodstained Shadow' and my favourite track '30 Pieces Of Silver'! Basically, all those elements that made you to praise WARHAMMER are all there and intact. The production is solid and heavy, no complaints here! The closing track 'The Tunguska Riddle' is the most original thing this band has ever done, but I won't give out what it is, get this album and hear for yourself! It is also the first WARHAMMER album which was self-released, so you can buy it directly from the band and show them your support! I know there are a few bands carrying on the HELLHAMMER legacy, but none of them do it with such style and conviction like WARHAMMER, who in my opinion, transcended their mentors and became a much stronger force on their own! Hail to the Beast! Contact: www.myspace.com/warhammerdeathmetal

Mindaugas "Plix" Lapinskas

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WARMEN
Beyond Abilities
(Century Media)
46:32min

Oh God…do we really need this? I mean, the Metal market is already flooded by tons and tons of useless releases, and this one is a blatant example of such. As you may know, WARMEN is a solo side-project (read: ego trip) of Janne Warman, the CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboardist. I don't like CHILDREN OF BODOM at all, but at least they are a real band. WARMEN on the other hand are obviously just a temporary gathering of hired hands put in service of the talent of Janne Warman. The result? An artificial release, totally disjointed, without any definite style, from sub standard Hardrock to neoclassical extravaganza. The first track for instance is nothing less than a fingers warm up, just to prove that the man know how to play, I suppose we are well warned with this. Maybe you are familiar with the instrumental albums issued by Shrapnel Records back in the 80's, expect something similar with this, but worse. That doesn't mean you will not find vocals parts here, handled by "prestigious" guests as the STRATOVARIUS singer and the inevitable Kimberly Goss on two tracks. But the main bulk of the tracks are only keyboard demonstrations, boring and predictable. Janne Warman mixes up dexterity with feeling, a fatal error if you ask me. I would call "Beyond Abilities" a product rather than an album, and I suppose it will sell very well among the crowd of teenage "true" (but not real) Metal followers. To me this thing belongs to the neo-classical trend with occasional modern jazz touches, so I don't want to lose too much time reviewing it. Not relevant for any self respecting Metal fan, and even less to the ones only dedicated to extreme Metal music. Awful, and beyond my abilities! On sale here.

Edouard Vergriete

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WARMONGER
Rites Of Vengeance
(High Roller Records)

The coverpainting can be considered either as a great piece of art or total bullshit, haha. It’s up to your own interpretation, the music on the other hand can only be considered as fuckin’ killer Thrash Metal, played tight and impressive. “Rites Of Vengeance” is finally available on vinyl although recorded already in 2005 and remixed in 2006. I have no clue if a CD-version of this awesome recording is available, true Metal-lovers will crave for the vinyl version anyway. Well, some music is meant to be played on vinyl. The LP comes next to this cool coverartwork with an inlet including all the lyrics on one side and many band- and partypictures (as known from so many other old Thrash Metal records and not only those) and 11 songs including the FROST cover ‘Into The Crypts Of Rays’ (which is rather well-done, taken from a live recording, played tight and a bit faster than the original, with little of the gloomy atmosphere of the original left but with a certain Punk attitude which fits quite good to this song) and an old demotrack plus a short intro. I haven’t heard of this Italian band before, but after enjoying this recording a few times I can tell you that I will listen to it many times again and hope that WARMONGER’s way with “Rites Of Vengeance” is just the beginning and that a new output is in the pipe soon. Check out their great song ‘Possessed By Metal’ from www.myspace.com/warmongerthrash and you will fall in love immediately. Again strictly limited to 500 pcs and therefore hurry up and get in touch with High-Roller-Records (www.hho-records.de).

Thomas Ehrmann

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WASTEFORM
Ignorance Through Sovereignty
(Xtreem Music)
38:41min

Oh, a new DYING FETUS release!? No. But that's the first thought when listening to WASTEFORM, who can't deny certain parallels to the present spearhead of Hardcore-influenced Death / Grind, although their Hardcore influence is much more distinct. On eight songs (plus acoustic instrumental and outro) WASTEFORM frequently vary from extreme Death Metal blasts to vicious Hardcore breakdowns and the other way around, have brutal vocals and excellent musical performance, so if you're not allergic to Hardcore and like Death Metal you should risk an ear on this release. Band website: http://www.wasteform.com.

Christoph Göbel

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WATAIN
Promo
(Drakkar Productions / Blazing Productions)
22:11min

Although this 5-Track CD is not an official release you will be able to buy someday, it is still worth to be reviewed, because it draws attention on one of Sweden’s best Black Metal bands right now - WATAIN. The blackhearted four-piece was thrown out of the womb of Satan’s whore Babalon in 1998 and released a demo in the same year, afterwards a live tape and the excellent 7" EP "The Essence Of Black Purity" in 1999 followed. In 2000 WATAIN’s debut CD / LP "Rabid Death’s Curse" was unleashed upon the hordes and offered possessed Swedish Black Metal. In 2001 another live tape and a Split 7" with DIABOLICUM were released. The promo that I am writing about right now covers all releases of the band until now and confirms vehemently the impression that WATAIN are a fascinating Black Metal cult that is intentionally deeply rooted in the underground and musically absolute first-class: varied song structures, killing riffs that sometimes remind me of MARDUK’s "Those Of The Unlight" masterpiece, aggressive violent vocals and a surprisingly good sound. Besides acts like BESTIAL MOCKERY, NECROPLASMA or TERRORAMA this satanic horde from Stockholm is essential for every Black Metal fan who knows that this type of music has much more to offer than silly statements, BURZUM "Einsatzkommando" shirts and other infantile shit like this. WATAIN are certainly 100% serious about the dark art they create, but they are not kids or wannabes. If you are looking for a really excellent band you should support WATAIN and look out for their past and upcoming releases, they definitely won’t disappoint you. Check out some of their songs on http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/112/watain.html and have also a look at the following sites: www.grimrune.com/watain (obviously the band’s site, down at the moment, but maybe it returns), devoted.to/drakkar (label) and www.blazing.ws (promotion for various fascinating bands). Snail mail address: WATAIN, c/o Danielsson, Stralgatan 41, S-112 63, Stockholm, Sweden

WATAIN
Casus Luciferi
(Drakkar Productions / N.E.D.)
51:20min

It seems the Lord of Darkness himself has spoken through this unholy trio delivering a real masterpiece of Swedish Black Metal blending the epic melodies and riffing of DISSECTION, the raw aggression of DARKTHRONE / old MAYHEM with a unique talent in creating morbid, sacrilegious moods. Whereas a lot of Swedish bands abandoned the left hand path and turned either cheesy Melodic Death or the standard DARK FUNERAL / MARDUK-like “Black” Metal, WATAIN still possess the viciousness and dark hatred one today seldom finds in the mainstream of extreme Metal. WATAIN do not make the fault to go full speed all the time, but skilfully vary between fast parts and slower paced sections – ‘I Am The Earth’, ‘Puzzles Ov Flesh’ or ‘Casus Luciferi’ are good examples for that.  I’ve recently bought the LP version from N.E.D. and as soon as you take a look into the booklet and discover the sinister artwork it contains, you get a good impression of the special atmosphere WATAIN manage to implement in their music and lyrics. And speaking of the lyrics, WATAIN’s words are true sermons to the infernal one, written with passion and dark spirit that gives me the creeps each time I read some of those incredible lines. WATAIN’s newest work is musically not an album offering something new or original, but it takes the elements of the aforementioned paragons and fills them with pitch black devotion to the genre, its topics and ideals and thus offers an absorbing album with lyrical depth and musical feat. With bands like WATAIN, FUNERAL MIST, DÖDFÖDD, ARMAGEDDA, SVARTSYN even the Swedish scene has acts who still know which intensity and fascination Black Metal can put about and I can only hope that everyone into serious Black Metal music that does not sound like a guy, a drum PC, a badly played guitar and a cassette recorder supports these bands. WATAIN’s website can be found here www.grimrune.com/watain/ and the links to the labels Drakkar Productions for the CD version and Norma Evangelium Diaboli for the LP are there as well. Check it out! 

Stefan Franke

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WATAIN
Lawless Darkness
(Season Of Mist)
73:32min

Though I doubt that Black Metal has actually been reborn through WATAIN, their highly anticipated and stunning new album “Lawless Darkness” can easily be entitled the definition of Black Metal in 2010 and a sonic, lyrical and visual manifest of all that was, is and forever should be the essence of this genre. WATAIN have ever since merged obvious classic influences from BATHORY, MAYHEM, DISSECTION with a strong orthodox satanic imagery and what makes them stick out of the mass of stylistically similar bands is their unique intensity, fervour, passion and dedication on record and on stage. Their “spirit” is what keeps them miles above their peers! “Lawless Darkness” makes no exception from this rule and sees WATAIN refine and literally expand their vicious art as their new opus clocks at over 70 minutes and is filled with tons of bewitching details and an increased amount of diversity. Fortunately, that does not mean the band has turned progressive, maybe a little bulky at times yet their skilful, captivating and dynamic songwriting is still intact and results in such over-the-top, brilliant Black Metal hymns as 'Malfeitor', which includes almost cock-rock-in-hell-like guitar leads, the punishing, thrashing 'Reaping Death', the extremely oldschool 'Total Funeral' (feat. lyrics by the mighty Pete Helmkamp) and the closing epic 'Waters Of Ain', which - garnered with a certain occult rock vibe - is a track simply too good to be true. The only weaker tracks are the unremarkable opener 'Death’s Cold Dark' and the instrumental title-track yet this hardly affects the overall high quality of this album. WATAIN’s musical inventiveness might be somewhat limited in comparison to other acts yet by adding the flavour of old 80s Heavy Metal the band anno 2010 sounds bigger, better and darker than ever before and welcomes the listener to a morbid journey into the wild, uncompromising Black Metal maelstrom. WATAIN are the standard for Black Metal – on album and live - after the turn of the millennium and it delights me to see such a classicistic act ruling the genre instead of all this hipster Black Metal of late. Awesome album, awesome band, looking forward to the tour with D666 later this year, it’s going to be an orgy of blood, fire, death… www.templeofwatain.com, www.myspace.com/watainofficial, www.season-of-mist.com

Stefan Franke

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WATCHMAKER
Kill.Fucking.Everyone.
(Earache)
29:50min

On their second album (the first one was called “Kill.Fucking.Everything”, please notice the thoughtful difference!) WATCHMAKER deliver nineteen songs of straightforward Grind- / Noisecore which start off very energetic, but unfortunately lose drive after a few minutes. That is due to more or less aimless songwriting and a monotonous vocal performance, all good ideas go under in structureless riffs and hysterical screams. With a more inspired songwriting this album could have been an entertaining record of extreme music, but as a matter of fact, it can't stick out of the legions of average Grindcore releases. www.watchmaker666.com. You can order it here.

Christoph Göbel

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WATCHMAKER
Erased From The Memory Of Man
(Earache Records)
26:27min

The licensing deal with Willowtip Records is probably the best idea that Earache have come up with in recent years. With the latest outputs by WATCHMAKER and NEURAXIS we get two stunning examples of bands that keep on stretching the boundaries of extreme music while sporting almost diametrically opposed contents and ideas within their lyrics. Enter WATCHMAKER: the booklet contains only a quote by legendary German director Werner Herzog as a message of intent saying that ”the common denominator of the universe is not harmony but chaos, hostility and murder.” And the music on “Erased From The Memory Of Man” is nothing short of the aural equivalent of that thesis. Starting off with quite SLAYER-esque riffing and pretty straight uptempo-drumming it soon turns to the realms of the atonal and noisy. Especially the vocal performance belongs to some of the most extreme ever, no harmonizer, no effects, just sheer cries of anguish and despair. The whole recording has an ability to draw the listener down into an atavistic realm of turmoil and darkness which is only equalled by very few Black Metal acts. This is truly the scream of a dying civilisation. Not for the faint-hearted (see also NEURAXIS-review). www.earache.com. On sale here.

Torsten Gründig

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WAYLANDER
The Light, The Dark, And The Endless Know
(Blackened / Plastic Head)
58:25min

Back in our farewell (print) issue #10 I was still praising WAYLANDER's 1996 demo "Dawning Of A New Age" and considered them a really promising band. And as far as I can recall, the stuff that I heard from their "Reawakening Pride Once Lost" debut full length (which came out in 1998 on Century Media) didn't let me down either. WAYLANDER were quite effectively combining Irish folk with thrashy Metal and delivered something similar (if not better) to fellow country mates CRUACHAN at the time. But somehow fate seemed to be against this Irish bunch… Due to a whole lot of problems their follow up album "The Light, The Dark, And The Endless Know", which was supposed to be released by Ars Metalli, didn't see the light of day until now. Plastic Head's sub-division Blackened Records picked it up and probably made a big mistake in that department. Don't know whether I was totally deaf a couple of years back or if WAYLANDER had already reached their peak in creativitiy - fact is, that "The Light, The Dark, And The Endless" has become a totally annoying, yeah even quite amateurish sounding release. The musical abilities of the band are extremely low, the songwriting is simple and boring and the vocals suck big time! I hate to say this, but it was a really torturing experience to listen to this approx. one hour long release and apart from a few promising Irish folk elements and a great twin guitar middle section in one of the songs (can't remember in which I'm afraid…), the entire record doesn't even match the qualities of those type of bands that are playing their asses off in youth clubs across the country day by day. So, all in all this is nothing but a completely disappointing "comeback"…

Frank Stöver

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WEAK ASIDE
Fire At Will
(self-financed)
40:11min

Germany's Death Metal squadron FEARER unfortunately is no more, but mainman Tom Zorn (guitar / vocals) has already assembled a new line-up (partly of the disbanded BK49) and returns to the scene as WEAK ASIDE now. The band's previously released promo still came out under the SPEARHEAD banner, but from what I've understood the name had to be changed because of the British and / or Polish act of the same name. So, what we've got here is WEAK ASIDE's 9 song (plus intro) debut full length, featuring all of the 6 songs off the aforementioned promo (in re-recorded versions though) plus 3 brandnew cuts ('Calls For Fire', 'Fire At Will' and 'Observation'). In direct comparison to FEARER the music of WEAKASIDE is a lot more catchy and less blasting, yet still totally rooted in brutal Death Metal the oldschool way. BOLT THROWER-esque heaviness and grooves go hand in hand with a doublebass driven ("Leprosy"-era) DEATH type, simple songwriting, while lots of killer riffs and deep growled vocals in the vein of Kam Lee (MASSACRE) complete the picture. This mixture really works perfect in a live situation as I could already experience myself not too long ago when WEAK ASIDE played their very first (impressive!) show in my hometown. And even though I heard most of their stuff for the first time that particular night, it already stuck in my head so much that I immediately recognized several tunes again on "Fire At Will" now. So, I really appreciate the fact a lot that there's still bands like WEAK ASIDE around these days, that seem to value good songs over senseless blasting or ultra heaviness. For a self-financed release the packaging also deserves a mention here as it's really exceptional: "Fire At Will" gets delivered in a military styled DVD box, while the CD itself comes in a cool vinyl design (hey folks, how the hell shall I add that to my CD collection, huh????). You can order it  for ridiculously cheap 7,-Euro (ppd. in Germany) / 9,-Euro (ppd. rest of the world) at weakaside@web.de, so what are you still waiting for? More info you may find at www.myspace.com/weakaside

Frank Stöver

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WEAK ASIDE
Ghostleader
(Remission Records)
37:07min

Don't let yourself fool by the ridiculous band picture at Metal Archives: "Ghostleader", the second full length album by this four piece from the cozy East Friesian area of Northern Germany, easily blows away the majority of releases that came out the last couple of years! No, I'm definitely not exaggerating here, cause WEAK ASIDE most obviously still know what REAL Death Metal should be about in order to convince the die hards. Instead of over-the-top brutality, superfluous Black Metal influences or constant blasting, these guys concentrate on massive riffing, great vocals and an overall very oldschool atmosphere in general. Not even the production has this annoying modern digital sound to it, but completely crushes nevertheless! Like I already mentioned in my review for "Fire At Will" (WEAK ASIDE's debut full length from 2007), the band still mixes up the best elements of MASSACRE's "From Beyond", "Leprosy" - era DEATH and of course the devastating, yet simple structured heaviness of UK's Death Metal gods BOLT THROWER. Not even a line-up change in the drums- and guitar-department couldn't change that. WEAK ASIDE are still marching on, stronger than ever and mercilessly blow away everyone who's crossing their path. On top of all that you get additional vocals in the good old John Tardy style that perfectly fit to the brutal Kam Lee - type growling. What I also appreciate a lot is the fact that you hardly find any blast beats (if any at all) throughout the entire playing time of the record... Instead it's classic double bass stuff in the fast parts,  hell yeah! So, in times when every band seems to try to become even more dark, more brutal or faster than the speed of light, it's totally refreshing to listen to an album again that perfectly summarizes all those elements that once were big part of the reason why we all started to love this musical genre so much. Highly recommended!  www.myspace.com/weakaside, www.remissionrecords.de

Frank Stöver

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WEAPON 13
Weapon 13 (Demo)
(self-financed)
8:03min

Seems like there is always something happening at HIRAX (boot)camp...While Katon leads a revamped line-up and handles the back catalogue (Black Devil Records), Gary Monardo (who has been involved in musical projects with mister De Pena since day one, including LA CHAOS and Kids Gone Bad in 83 - 84) starts Cold Blood over. Let me explain: HIRAX split up once in 1987, Katon going to PHANTASM and Gary reuniting with former HIRAX drummer (the second) John Tabares, axeman Bob Savage (LA Chaos, KGB) to ground COLD BLOOD with ex WARGOD (former Gene Hoglan's home before Dark Angel) singer Rob Perkins and fellow guitar player Brian Kelly. Cold Blood will release a 5 track demo before Gary follows Katon back in HIRAX. And the rest is history. An abortive reunion happens in 1999, then Katon has driven the HIRAX vehicle alone since. As Scott Owens is still MIA, here comes the legendary rhythmic pair again, Cold Blood thawed way. Three short songs dealing with savage murder ('Monster Reborn'), unleashed destructive urges ('The Bleeding Never Stops'), gloomy vision of the world ('Empty'), and for the musical side, Weapon 13 delivers modern crossover, with a close to Hardcore singer, and South California Thrash (let's say end of 80s Slayer influenced) approach, 'Empty' carrying HIRAX spirit definitely. Early Cro Mags fans can also enjoy. Recommended!

Saul

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WEAPON 13
Monster Reborn
(Marquee Records)
20:55min

From the very first riff I could relate this to the early Hardcore / Thrash L.A. scene. And I was right when I found out that WEAPON 13 consists of people that have been into Metal for more than 20 years with bands as HIRAX and WARGOD. In fact this band is actually COLD BLOOD with a new name. The basic riffs sound like early SLAYER, although with more Hardcore orientated vocals. This is actually a compilation of two very well recorded demos, one under the COLD BLOOD name recorded in 1987 and a 2005 demo for WEAPON 13. Although almost 20 years separate these recordings, one can hardly notice it, as they have kept the same sound and style. That means fast bursts of speed, high pitched melodic-yet angry vocals, and a few more slowed down mosh-type riffs to keep the balance. Also most of the songs are under the 3 minutes mark, making this 8 song recording just above 20 minutes long. As an historical document it does have some interesting things, but I must also add that even with the nostalgia value, there were quite more bands doing it in a more interesting way. Also the vocals are way too much into the Punk / Hardcore territory and might find some more Metal rooted fans no liking that venture. Still, this is well played, well produced and played by some veteran musicians not afraid to give a fight. If you like that kind of Thrashcore / Punk style in the vein of early CRO MAGS or D.R.I. check the band out. www.weapon13.com, www.marquee.com.br

Julian Nuñez

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WEIRD FATE
Seelenmacht (Demo CD)
(self-financed)
28:55min

WEIRD FATE is a German Black / Dark Metal outfit formed in 2001 and is now presenting their first demo-CD called "Seelenmacht". This band is a good example that taking time for development is a very positive circumstance. This is really talented, as far as musicianship is concerned as well as in songwriting-matters. "Seelenmacht" offers 8 tracks, 4 of them in an atmospheric Black / Dark Metal vein rich of variety, the other 4 songs are calm acoustics. The strength of WEIRD FATE is definitely the creation of a gloomy atmosphere which unveils best in the slow parts with slowly played guitars (partly clean / just slightely distorted guitars), piano and keyboards, as well as in those 4 calm acoustic songs. The faster parts in contrary are neither really fish nor really flesh, because those lack of extremity, although this fact should not diminish the quality of "Seelenmacht" too much. I take this demo as a very good sign for what may come from the WEIRD FATE camp in the future, because as I said before, this is a talented band unlike many others. You should in every case have a listen to "Seelenmacht". www.weirdfate.de.vu

Andi Bauer

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WELTMACHT
And To Every Beast Its Prey
(No Colours Records)
37:22min

Although the band’s name might suggest a relation to NS-ideology, WELTMACHT are definitely not a bunch of Black Metal Nazis, at least as far as I know, because I can’t read minds, right? They obviously took their Nietzsche lessons, but do not consist of kids, that try their best to be provocative, but serious members of the Black Metal underground: Akhenaten of JUDAS ISCARIOT / SEEDS OF HATE / SARCOPHAGUS fame and the vocalist of KRIEG. Musically their second assault does not differ that much from JUDAS ISCARIOT, the same riffing, the same breaks, the same raw yet epic and triumphant feeling, the same rare and tolerable keyboards. Only the vocals are different, slightly distorted sometimes, but ok. Even the long song titles are comparable to JUDAS ISCARIOT and show Akhenaten’s dominant influence on “And To Every Beast Its Prey”, but that is not negative in any respect, his lyrical work is extraordinary and even the song titles sound like grim mini-poems, e.g. ‘Where Fog Milled In Miles Of Winter’, I love stuff like that. WELTMACHT radiate sinister, superior and hateful emotions that should capture KRIEG and JUDAS ISCARIOT fans alike and underlines once again with vehemence that the best northern Black Metal does not come from Scandinavia anymore! Especially the shorter songs on “And To Every Beast Its Prey”, e.g. ‘Burning Red In The Clouds’ or ‘Chained Beasts Are Strewn’ are excellent and do not bore after a while like the rather monotonous first two songs. If you can live with this small white spot on WELTMACHT’s blackened vest, be sure to get this album, it is a really solid and interesting raw Black Metal release, crowned by an excellent b/w cover photo. The album does not inject anything new into the pestilent veins of Black Metal, but continues tradition with skill and routine. Try to get the LP version, because it features a bonus song. Surf to www.no-colours-records.de to order “And To Every Beast Its Prey” and obtain more information on WELTMACHT.

Stefan Franke

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WHEEL
Wheel
(Northern Silence Productions / Eyes Like Snow)
53:42min

The wheel of time is turning and if it comes to the German newcomer WHEEL it’s turning heavily back in time to the good old times of traditional Doom Metal – yes the times when the one & only Metal god BLACK SABBATH was ruling the northern and southern hemisphere. Northern Silence including their sublabel Eyes Like Snow are quite busy these days releasing one interesting debut after another and this 8 track voyage back in time is no exception from the rule. The band was founded in 2006 under the name ETHEREAL SLEEP but changed their name in 2008 to the more memorizable name WHEEL. The band has found the perfect cover artwork for their self titled debut, a cover which every real Metalhead would like to see on vinyl to fully enjoy it - and Northern Silence will not disappoint any LP fanatic because the vinyl version is already planned!. Musically the band is heading into the 70s Doom direction, with 8 tracks full of old Doom vibes – the songs are passing by and with every additional round further layers are surfacing with an extreme focus on the vocals and the bass – perfect example is the track ‘Only God Knows’. You don’t have to be grown up with this style to become a fan of this extreme slow music – measured by 2010 standards when everybody is talking about songs with minimum 200 bpm – but if you give WHEEL a chance they will for sure not disappoint you. Maybe not a release for the majority of the current Metal fans but nevertheless a release which will make the small Doom community more than happy! www.myspace.com/wheeldoom, www.northern-silence.de

Matthias Auch

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Where Angels Fall
Illuminate
(Edgerunner Music)
56:11min

Be careful. This is not the well known German Gothic band as I thought before, but a band from Norway. After a short, not really impressing intro you get 08/15 Gothic Metal with female vocals. The songs have all the same kind of structure. Every song starts with a short piano / keyboard intro and some quiet voices before the guitars start. But my main problem is the voice. Instead of a clear and powerful voice with a mysterious flavour, it is more a purring and whispering. Also the melodies are mostly heard before. However real friends and fans of the genre are invoked to risk an ear on the website www.whereangelsfall.com.

Stefan Hagmayer

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WHILE HEAVEN WEPT
Vast Oceans Lachrymose
(Cruz Del Sur)
42:17min

Sometimes the exact musical definition is far away from being important and the terminus Metal is the most suitable one for such releases. One of these releases is the third album from the American band WHILE HEAVEN WEPT. After 20 years of existence they recorded an album which is tearing apart any kind of style borders and which will for sure end their underground dedication. After so many years in this scene I don’t care if the word beautiful is applicable for Metal releases because “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” could be so easily described with this simple world. The band is playing - in every sense of the word - Epic Metal with great moments of solitude and silence which are perfectly incorporated into their creation. The album starts with the nearly 16 minutes opus “The Furthest Shore “which is offering everything this bands stands for with great guitars parts plus a lot of epic and a singer which brings back the great times of the American Power Metal. Sometimes I start to wonder why bands like AGALLOCH or WHILE HEAVEN WEPT can offer such emotional music even if their American roots would normally lead to completely different shores. With this release the band is offering a late highlight of this Metal year with an album which so easily replaced aggression with musical passion without the impression that something is missing. www.myspace.com/whileheavenwept, www.cruzdelsurmusic.com

Matthias Auch

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WHIPLASH
Unborn Again
(Pulverised Records)
43:01min

WHIPLASH went through many problems in their rather long career, having started as a real promising Thrash act, then lost part of their momentum following the addition of a full part vocalist, then breaking up, reforming and releasing two albums that had almost nothing in common with WHIPLASH... And finally re-reforming again with the original line-up for a rather enjoyable short comeback. Now this is their third comeback featuring Tony Portaro and Joey Cangelosi plus Rich Day on bass (it’s interesting to know that Rich was also in DEATH CORPS back in the day with Joey). So, in these days (where Thrash makes a rather big return on the scene), one would have expected nothing but pure Power Thrashing Death à la “Power And Pain” for this record - but in the end, it’s nothing like this. Strangely enough, mainman T. Portaro has preferred to pen mid tempo tunes with some groove (oh that damn word!) incorporated… The result? A terrible lack of intensity, especially when it comes from a band like WHIPLASH! There’s almost like no songs that manage to catch the fury captured on their first three albums…'Feeding Frenzy' and 'Pitbulls In The Playground' being the only two quite raging tunes here yet it’s clear that 'Pitbulls…' is not a song that will become a long time classic... The main riff being not worked on deeply enough. Those damn insane rolls all over the place courtesy of Cangelosi are very few and Tony’s voice is really tame comparing to what it once was (I think it's pretty obvious that he isn't able to pull it off anymore in that aggressive old style these days and therefore the vocals completely ruin the whole album - Frank). Now the music itself - for the most part - is rather good (if you let the crushing element apart), like 'Swallow Slaughter', 'Fight Or Flight', 'Parade On Two Legs' (a rather interesting instrumental)… Even the 'I’ve Got The Fire' cover doesn’t move you that much compared to the MAIDEN version for example that they executed in the early ‘80s…it says quite a lot on how average some of the stuff on here is. So, there was a lot of hype surrounding this release before it got finally released, and it certainly didn’t deserve it. If you like real Thrash - or just intense Metal, then go for SACRIFICE or ARTILLERY anyday over this. www.myspace.com/whiplashusa, www.pulverised.net

Laurent Ramadier

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WHISPERING TEARS
Carmina Lacrimosa
(self financed)
47:49min

These guys are trying really hard to sound unique and even though I'm not exactly into their material myself, it definitely deserves a lot of respect! WHISPERING TEARS is a band from Paris, France that originally got together back in 1996, but nowadays consists of nine (!!) members. The actual band comprises of  three guitars, as well as bass, drums and vocals but in 1998 they also added Étienne (on violine), Jessica (on additional vocals) and Thierry (piano) to the line-up. Musically they are influenced by a very diverse collection of bands (Death, Pan-Thy-Monium, Cradle of Filth, King Diamond, Malevolent Creation, My Dying Bride, Elend and even Mozart) and the result sounds a little bit like CRADLE OF FILTH meets MY DYING BRIDE at a classical concert. The whole atmosphere of the music is mainly very depressive and melancholic, but sheer aggression and classical influences are mixed in here and there in order to come up with an interesting mixture. The whole songwriting and the arrangements in particular are often kinda weird, but never to the extend that WHISPERING TEARS seem to drift apart too drastically from their actual musical path. They label themselves as "Dark emotional Death Metal", with the intention to combine the aggression and brutality of Black Metal with the melancholy of Doom... Well, if that's their goal, I think they pretty much achieved that already. The most interesting song on the album is obviously their own interpretation of an old Mozart composition ('Die Versuchung der Tränen'), which Michael Harris of the American Power Metal act ARCH RIVAL also adopted on his first solo album several years ago (he entitled it 'Mozart Lives' though). So, all in all a very interesting release for those of you who are still on the lookout for something new. All further details you will find at the band's website: http://whisperingtears.multimania.com/

Frank Stöver

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WHORE
Doing It For The Kids
(Moribund Records)
46:52min

Well, this is definitely nothing for kids, but feminist’s and censor’s newest potential target. Whether it’s the comic-style artwork (front cover by Jake Karns, inside layout by Mike Diana) or the nasty lyrical atrocities this US-based three-piece comes up with, WHORE are the incarnation of tastelessness. Victims of their assaults are usually women and children, who get molested, tortured, raped, killed and excreted in the most disgusting ways imaginable and unimaginable to equal parts. I enjoy this form of twisted, utterly perverted humour and musically fortunately these verbal assaults are equally accompanied with straight and brutal oldschool Death / Grind, that is simply hellish entertaining! The debut by this 2003 - founded project of FORNICATOR, LORD GORE / FRIGHTMARE, ENGORGED members was already pretty cool, but was as stuffed with intro samples as a classical MORTICIAN record, “Doing It For The Kids” now offers more music, which is significantly more varied and still has the sick badass-attitude of the debut. The violent drumming, the straight political-correctness-grinding riffage, the mixture of low natural sounding growls, gurgles and screams reminds of the aforementioned bands kicks ass throughout the entire album and though definitely nothing all to new is offered here (just throw a look at the entire Razorback Records roster) WHORE do their thing damn good. Personally I find them even unusually diverse, with those groovier passages, furious Death Metal elements, rocking Grindcore and the excellent vokillz. In addition to that the angry, hateful spite that drips out of each of the 22 tunes (except ‘Shocker’ which is HAMMERFALL-kinda music crossed with rape-lyrics, pretty funny…) is very appealing in my opinion. WHORE are catchy, incredibly aggressive, crushingly heavy produced and just fucking insane. The G.G. Allin’s of Death Metal!

Stefan Franke

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WIGRID
Asche meines Lebens
(No Colours Records)
49:20min

"Die Asche meines Lebens“ is Wigrid’s second effort, but since I do not have their first album nor did I ever listen to it, I am not able to make any comparisons. This German band however draws a lot of influences from later BURZUM or other Black Metal, that nowadays would be labelled depressive. Four very long songs plus an ambient outro (also very similar to Vikernes’ ambient-efforts on his Metal-albums, but unfortunately not half as effective) is what we get on this album, and quite honestly they do grow with every spin one gives to “Asche meines Lebens”. But I must admit that I am still not impressed. This is all in all a solid album, and those who have a favour for depressive Black Metal might risk an ear, but in times where we have a lot of choice in this genre, Wigrid certainly do not finish on the podium but as runners-up. www.no-colours-records.de

Nhashi

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WINDIR
1184
(Head Not Found)
51:39min

Nice short title for a CD, but what does it mean? Probably it's the year 1184, the band comes from Norway... any ideas? I guess so, but let's look it up. In 1184, Sverrir became king of Norway by defeating Magnus V. He drove out the clergy and repudiated thereligious reforms and privileges. Therefore he was excommunicated. Yeah, I guess I'm interpreting the title correctly. So of course what WINDIR play is melodic, yet aggressive Pagan Black Metal. They're a real band by now as Valfar recruited the members of ULCUS for his formerly one-man-project. The first song 'Todeswalzer' is in German, don't ask me why, it's not a waltz, either... nevertheless, it's a good song, like most of the others, so if you're into Black Metal: check it out. By the way, great cover painting: a lake in the snowy mountains. As there probably won't be a vinyl, I'd suggest to sell this album with a big copy of this painting, it really looks majestic!

Ramon Claassen

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