| MUSIC REVIEWS April 2007 |
| AIRLINES OF TERROR - OUR PLANES ARE UNHIJACKABLE (4 track CD) Self Released Departing from Italy these guys really kick some ass. I loved the way they mixed up some styles here & there. They are mostly a Hardcore type band with some Metal & Punk mixed with in. The music has a kind of upbeat fun sound to it, which is where the Punk influences come into play. The Metal sounds are more in the guitars. The vocals blend together both Hardcore & metal styles together. They reminded me a lot of old M.O.D. mixed with LAWNMOWER DETH & a bit of SCATTERBRAIN, just a bit faster!. Check these guys out, cause it's well worth it!!! demian_k@yahoo.it / www.AIRLINESOFTERROR.com |
| BLOODY SIGN - EXPLOSION OF ELEMENTS (9 track CD) IBEX MOON RECORDS I was glad to see this release in my review pile. BLOODY SIGN has been in the scene for a while now & never let up. They play some really rough & dirty sounding Death Black Metal music. The music has an old school feel to it that is raw & brutal. The Death Metal influences dominate the sound, but there are some flavorings from Black Metal. I liked the fact they are fast, aggressive & heavy as hell, but still toss in some grooves from time to time. The vocals are done in a mid ranged harsh & groogy Death Metal growl style. If you haven't heard these guys before, you must get this disc, you won't be disappointed!!! These guys kill!!! |
| COUNTACH - AS THE CROW FLIES (10 track CD) ROCK MAFIA RECORDS Minneapolis based Northern Rock band COUNTACH has released their 4th CD with "AS THE CROW FLIES". These guys have a great crunchy Rock sound with touches of Metal threaded all within. They remind me of a lot of the Metal bands from Seattle, before they changed their sounds & became more Grunge. The music has some really cool grooves & rhythms all through out. The vocals are done in a dirty Rock/Metal crossover style. There is almost sometimes a vibe going on that reminded me of CLUTCH. If you mixed CLUTCH, old SOUNDGARDEN & old ALICE IN CHAINS together with a bit of FIREBALL MINISTRY, then you'd get these guys! Which is a very good thing!!! www.COUNTACHrocks.com |
| EMMURE - GOODBYE TO THE GALLOWS (11 track CD) VICTORY RECORDS Damn! I was very happy when this CD kicked in. EMMURE comes at you like a hit seeking missle of pure aggression & power. The music has a very hard, crushing Hardcore smashed together with Metal sound that never lets up. Well, maybe for a second, but that's it. There are lots of cool grooved chugging guitar parts mixed with some breakdowns & solid thick drum beats. I loved every second of this CD. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl style with some higher screaming Hardcore vocals. If you buy one VICTORY album this year, this must be it! One of the best debuts I've heard ina long time! A must for fans of HATEBREED, LAMB OF GOD, PANTERA & BETWEEN THE BURIED & ME! |
| ESTUARY - THE CRAFT OF CONTRADICTION (10 track CD) IBEX MOON RECORDS This is yet another great band on IBEX MOON RECORDS. ESTUARY play a very cool style of Death Metal music that has an almost space sound to it at times. The music has an old school Death Metal style with some slight touches of Black Metal in it at times. I like the way they good to an all out fast paced shred fest & then stop & hit you with some chugging grooved Death threats. The music is very tight & aggressive all through out too. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl style that also has an old school feel in the vein of CANNIBAL CORPSE or DEICIDE. This is a must for old school Death heads!!! www.ESTUARYmetal.com |
| H.A.R.E.M. - SHAKE ME (12 track CD) REDLED RECORDS / THE PLEASURE RECORDS This Italian Rock Metal band has been rocking out since 1994. These guys have an 80's Metal attitude mixed with an modern Metal/Rock sound. Their music is very tight, fast paced & fun sounding. They have a great Metal sound that reminds me of a bunch of the popular bands from the 80's of this style. The vocals are done in a mid ranged & higher pitched clean Metal style with soem touches of Glam mixed in. If you were to mutate FASTER PUSSYCAT, MOTLEY CRUE, POISON, THE NEW YOURK DOLLS, GREAT WHITE, DANGEROUS TOYS & AEROSMITH all into one band, then you'd have a great idea wht these guys sound like! info@HAREMband.com / www.HAREMband.com |
| LIFE IN YOUR WAY - WAKING GIANTS (11 track CD) SOLID STATE RECORDS This is the sophomore release from this melodic Hardcore band. These guys have a divers Hardcore sound that blends lots of slower melodic parts with all out balls to the wall fast paced aggressive parts. The music & vocals follow the same speed all through out. There are some good breakdowns, change ups, stop & starts & 2 steps all mixed with in their songs. The guitars have more of a classic Metal sound than a Hardcore one though. The vocals are done in a loud, yelling Hardcore style, mixed with some lower mid ranged Hardcore ones & then some more melodic & atmospheric Hardcore vocals. If you like your Hardcore well balanced then look no further!!! www.LIFEINYOURWAY.com |
| MANTICORE -SELF TITLED (8 track CD) DAMNED PRODUCTIONS Greenville, SC has given birth to one hell of a great Doom Metal band. These guys are not your typical Doom Metal band though. They blend in many elements of Goth, Death & Southern Metal into thier form of Doom Metal. There is a thick, thick sound that really reminded me of the great CROWBAR. There are some cool chugging grooves as well as faster paced ones. The vocals are mostly done in a thick groggy Doom Metal style with some Death & Black Metal vocals at times. If you like your Doom covered in much Sludge then you must have this CD!!! www.myspace.com/MANTICORE05 |
| MORGANA LEFAY - OVER AND OVER AGAIN (2 track CD) BLACK MARK This is a 2 song promo sampler taken from their upcoming album "ABERRATIONS OF THE MIND". These guys play some very tight & clean sounding Power Metal music. They blend in elements of Progressive & Traditional Heavy Metal as well. There is a modern Metal sound with some touches of old school Metal here & there. The vocals are done in a mid ranged melodic clean Power Metal style with some heavier & harsher Traditional Metal vocals. All that these two tracks did was left me wanting more! I can't wait for the full length album!!! |
| NINTH KINGDOM - THE DAWNING... (4 track CD) THE TEXAS DEATH SYNDICATE NINTH KINGDOM is a very impressive Black Death Metal band. They have a well balanced blend of old school & new school Death & Black Metal. I really dug the cool Death grooves they had in the songs then they hit you with crunchy & thick Black metal blast beats. There is a strong dirty war like Black Metal vibe that dominates their sound too. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl style with some higher Black metal growls & then some mid ranged clean Balck Metal vocals. This is sure to please fans of both Death & Balck Metal music! www.NINTHKINGDOM.com (Available through BEOWOLF PRODUCTIONS) |
| NOISECORE FREAK / ASK HEROIN SALLY - APATHETIC INFANT SKULL split (6 track CD) DEADSIX COMMUNICATIONS This is a split CD release by NOISECORE FREAK & ASK HEROIN SALLY. The first 3 tracks come from NOISECORE FREAK out of Canada. This is a one man band playing anarchic Industrial Grindcore music. The music is loud, spastic & out of control. The way it should be! The last 3 tracks are from ASK HEROIN SALLY, which is also a one man band. (Actually both are done by Chris Stepniewski). This music is dark experimental Industrial music. There are lots of noises, effects, soundscapes & eerie samples used through out! Open your mind & check this out! NOISECOREFREAK@hotmail.com / www.NOISECOREFREAK.com info@ASKHEROINSALLY.com / www.ASKHEROINSALLY.com |
| WASHED - PROMO (8 track CD) Self Released This is a Pennsylvania based Rock band. These guys have a foundation in Rock music, but do add in many elements of Metal music, 80's Metal that is. They have a very clean, tight & polished 80's Metal sound. The music is not really Glam, but does remind me of a lot of bands of that time. The guitar work is actually really good & has almost a strong Power Metal feel to it. The music also has a great ballad Rocking sounding all through out. The vocals are done in a mid to high ranged clean Metal style. They remind me of a mix between JUDAS PRIEST, SLAUGHTER, WINGER, DIO, SKID ROW, KISS & WHITE LION all mixed! If your an 80's Metal freak, heres your band. uwalkent@gmail.com / www.myspace.com/WASHEDpa |
| RANDOM EYES - PROMO (2 track CD) MAD MOUSE PRODUCTIONS RANDOM EYES play some really technical & tight Power Metal music. Their sound is a little different than most, because they add in lots of elemenst of Goth to their sound. The music is a dual vocal attack consisting of male & female vocals. The music reminded me a lot of NIGHTWISH & SINERGY. If your into bands of this style than you'd love this band!!! www.RANDOMEYES.net |
| SETTING FIRE TO YOURS TRULY - 4 SONG EP (4 track CD) Self Released Hailing from Akron, Ohio comes this new Metal Deathcore band. These guys have a more modern Death Metal sound which blends many elements of Hardcore into their sound. This is mostly in the grooves & breakdowns. There is a Thrash Metal like guitar sound too. These guys really blend in some great influences. The vocals are done in a mid to low ranged thick Death growl & a mid ranged harsh Hardcore scream/growl style. This would probably interest fans of bands like LAMB OF GOD, BETWEEN THE BURIED & ME, THE AUTUMN OFFERING & EMMURE! ejackson@wadsnet.com / www.myspace.com/SETTINGFIRETOYOURSTRULY |
| SHATTER POINT - DEAD PRECEDENCE (15 track CD) POWER PLAY RECORDS This is the bands debut full lenght CD release. These Canadian Metalers play a very tight & aggressive style of Thrash Metal music. They have a blend of old school Thrash elements with new school Thrash influences. I really dug the thick chugging sound they have all through out thier songs. There is some heavily based riffing as well as some grooves & breakdowns. The vocals are done in a thick Thrash Metal style which reminded me of the newer TESTAMENT albums a lot. If your a fan of the great Thrash bands TESTAMENT, EXODUS, ANTHRAX & FORBIDDEN then you'll love this band! So get the CD already!!! grogwright@hotmail.com / www.SHATTERPOINT.net |
| SLEEPING GIANT - DREAD CHAMPIONS OF THE LAST DAYS (14 track CD) FACEDOWN RECORDS SLEEPING GIANTS comes to us from Redlands, Ca through thier debut CD release on FACEDOWN RECORDS. They play a combine force of Metal & Hardcore music with lots of different flares. The music is strongly based in the Hardcore genre, but their sound is a bit different, by them adding some Doom laced thickness, chugging Metal riffs & some slight old school Punk too. They have a very full aggressive & powerful sound. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Hardcore/Metal crossover style. Keep an eye on these guys, because they are going to emerge to the top & push themselves in the face of everyone in the music scene!!! |
| SUN.HAS.CANCER - BURN! (9 track CD) Self Released Wow! I wasn't expecting this, but I'm glad I got it. These guys are definately something different in my review pile. These guys hail from Czech Republic & play some very cool Electro-Metal styled music. They reminded me a lot of BILE & RAMSTEIN, but with more Electro & less Industrial. I liked the cool grooves & elctronic noise samplings they have all through out their songs. They have a lot of cool switch ups in their sound too. The vocals are done in a mid ranged throaty Metal style with touches of Electro & Industrial added. These guys would be great for fans of HANZEL UND GRETYL! I know I loved this disc a lot!!! Can't wait to get more of their stuff!!! info@SUNHASCANCER.com / www.SUNHASCANCER.com |
| THE TOSSERS - AGONY (17 track CD) VICTORY RECORDS I was very happy to find this CD in my hands. THE TOSSERS play a blend of Irish Celtic Punk Rock music that just makes you want to chug back a pint & sing a long, even if you don't drink. They have a very cool thick Irish sound, but it is punched up with elements of Punk Rock & Hardcore. They have a very driving & grooving style that sucks you in with their tales of friendships & hardships in life! The vocals are done in a mid ranged Punk Rock style. If your a fan of the great DROPKICK MURPHYS then your probably gonna love these guys, I know I did!!! www.THETOSSERS.com |
| THORNAFIRE - EXACERBATED GNOSTIC MANIFESTATION (10 track CD) IBEX MOON RECORDS This is some highly intense & pissed off sounding Death Metal music to the core. They have a full solid old school Death Metal sound with some modern Death Metal elements tossed in the mix. There is a harsh brutalness to their sound as well with some atmospheric type sounds too. The guitars sometimes have a Black Thrash Metal vibe to them. The vocals are done in a mid ranged very thick deep Death metal growl style. This is sure to please fans of both old & new school Death Metal bands!!! www.THORNAFIRE.cl |
| ZHAIN - NO HAY CUCHARA (3 track CD) PURPLE PLUM I don't really know much about this band, except that they are from the U.K. & that they play some really good Power Rock Metal styled music. The music is done in more of a Rock style with elements of Power & Traditional Metal mixed within. They have a Classic Rock feel to the music too. The music is very tight & well structured. Some of the vocals are done in Englsi & some in Spanish. The vocals are also done in a mid ranged Classic Rock Metal style. Fans of 70's Rock & Metal bands are sure to eat this up!!! admin@ZHAIN.co.uk / www.ZHAIN.co.uk |
| FEEBLE MINDED - NOTHING BUT DEATH (5 track DVD) GRODHAISN PRODS. This is a DVD release from the sickos in FEEBLE MINDED out of Czech Republic. These guys play some very crunchy & aggressive style Death metal music. They add in lots of flavoring of Grindcore to their sound especially in the guitars. There are some crusty grooves & breakdowns in their music too. The vocals are done in a mid to low ranged Death Grind growl with some occassionally higher Death Grind screams added in. If your familiar with the Czech Republic scene & dig stuff from there, these guys will fit nicely in your collection!!! info@FEEBLEMINDED.cz / www.FEEBLEMINDED.cz |
| OBSCENE EXTREME 2005 - SILENCE SUCKS (2 DVD set) OBSCENE PRODUCTIONS This is a DVD compilation release for the 2005 OBSCENE EXTREME FESTIVAL in Czech Republic. There are 17 bands on the first DVD & 28 bands on the 2nd DVD. The music is all played in the vein of Death Metal & Grindcore styles with some other style here & there. There is live footage from the bands as well as other stuff too. Some bands include: PUNGENT STENCH, BLOOD DUSTER, HAEMORRHAGE, REGURGITATE, AVULSED, DISFIGURED CORPSE & more.This has always seemed like a great festival to attend & now us poor bastards that can't make it there can finally experience it a little. curby@OBSCENE.cz / www.OBSCENE.cz |