| MUSIC REVIEWS (December 2001) |
| ABIGOR - IN MEMORY (5 song CD) NAPALM RECORDS This is a little 5 song CD release. This album is filled with unreleased tracks & cover songs. They do have a new album coming out this year sometime. They are covering songs by SLAYER & KREATOR & more tracks too. These guys are a very good Black Metal band, for those that don't know them - EMAIL: EXITUSNOX@NETWAY.AT / www.INFERNALHORDE.com (JENN) ANTI-SILENCE - SUFFER HITS (13 song CD) HAMMER MUZIK This is the 2nd full length release from this band out of Turkey. The band has changed their sound a little bit this time around. They have strayed a little from the full on Death Metal sound. Their music has gone more towards a crossover Metal style. There are some Death Metal vocals & influences present here, but there is more of a Hardcore type feel now as well. The music has a very strong & good grooving Hardcore sound now. The guitars have a lot of Death Metal sounds & riffs, but the rest of the band plows ahead in a Hardcore style. The grooves & breakdowns is what I enjoyed the most. Fans of both Metal & hardcore should check these guys out! - EMAIL: ANTI@ANTISILENCE.COM / www.ANTISILENCE.com / MUHURDER CAD. AKMAR PAS. 70/12 / KADIKOY 81300 ISTANBUL / TURKEY APRAXIA - IDEOLOGY (8 song cassette) METAL RECORDS This is a four piece band that plays extreme Black Metal. These guys have a lot of rawness in their sound & style. The music is almost like an old Thrash / Black Metal style that some what reminds me of old VENOM, especially in the guitars. There are some keyboard parts to add a bit of a majestic feeling at times. The vocals go through three styles, raw Black Metal type screams, deep Death Metal growls & some Gothic type vocals as well. There are some female vocals here too. True Black Metal fans will appreciate these guys! - P.O. BOX 74 / 211030 ORSHA 11 / BELARUS ARGENTUM - STIGMA MORTUORUM (7 song cassette) DANZA IPNOTICA RECORDS These guys formed back in 1989 under the name BURIAL. After a few years the name was then changed. This is the bands 4th releases & it was released in LP format. The band plays in a dark atmospheric style of Black / Death Metal. There is a lot of battle like haunting sounds coming from the keyboards, while the rest of the music is pure dark Black Metal. The vocals is where I hear a lot of the cross over between Death & Black Metal. The vocals go from deep Death growls to higher Black Metal ones. Fans of their older material are gonna love this more sinister & darker album a lot! - EMAIL: ASTRUM_ARGENTUM@HOTMAIL.COM / DI MORTO MUNDI HORDES / 7A AV. #574 CUMBRES / MONTERREY, NL 64610 / MEXICO ARSON - LESS PERFECT THAN DEATH (2 song CD) RESURRECTION A.D. RECORDS This is the 2nd release from this NJ based band. This is not a CD EP, but a 7" released on CD format for radio stations & magazines. These guys break down all boundaries of music & blend pure anger, devotion, love & hate together to form one emotion for the music they create. They have a solid & powerful structure of Hardcore & Metal mixed together to come up with their sound. They split it right down the middle of both styles. This is a great introduction to this band for fans of both styles! - www.ARSONISM.com / P.O. BOX 832 / SOUTH AMBOY, NJ. 08879 AXENIC - ERUPTION OF TIME (3 song CD) This is, I believe this bands second release. They play Death Metal music with influences of Thrash & Black Metal popping in & out. The vocals & music, both share influences of these styles. The guitars is where most of the Thrash sounds come in. The vocals go right through all styles from Thrash to Death to Black Metal. This may be because of the three vocalist they have. This release has gotten a lot better than their last release in all aspects! Check it out if you get a chance!!! BLACK KNIGHT - TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE (9 song CD) NIGHTMARE RECORDS This Amsterdam based band originated in the early 80's when Heavy Metal was at it's peak. These guys have stayed true to their roots & continue to play old school Heavy Metal. The band in no way sounds out dated, just more mature & advanced. Their sound leans more towards the Power Metal & Progressive Metal sounds. There is a lot of energy, speeding & flashing guitar riffs along with high pitched Metal vocals. This album is a must for all fans of old JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN & QUEENSRYCHE!!! - EMAIL: FAN.BKNIGHT@ROCKHAVEN-AGENCY.COM / www.ROCKHAVEN-AGENCY.com/BLACKKNIGHT BRUJERIA - BRUJERIZMO (13 song CD) ROADRUNNER RECORDS The Death Metal cults are back with their 3rd vicious master piece. These masked musicians from South of the border play extreme murderous Spanish Death Metal. This band has a huge following even though they never tour, use real names, take photos (without masking their identity) or do interviews. The band is rumored to feature members of FEAR FACTORY, NAPALM DEATH, CRADLE OF FILTH, FAITH NO MORE & DIMMU BORGIR. This band needs to be listened to, to fully be pulled into their brand of music! This album is better than their last 2 efforts put together!!! - www.BRUJERIA.com BURNING HEADS - ESCAPE (15 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS This is the 1st album release for this band in the U.S., but these guys have been in the music scene since 1988 in France. These guys play fast & furious Punk Rock with lots of New York Hardcore in the mix. BURNING HEADS could fit into the New York hardcore scene perfectly. They remind me of a little more aggressive version of H20. If your a Hardcore fan & you don't have this yet, go get it! You won't be disappointed! They cover an ADOLESCENTS song, plus a bonus track & 2 videos are also included here. Get this disc! - www.BURNINGHEADS.fr.st / DIDIER FILLOUX / 58 RUE DE LA BINOCHE / 45100 ORLEANS FRANCE CAIN'S ALIBI - SANCTIFIED (9 song CD) NIGHTMARE RECORDS This Rock band out of Minnesota formed back in the late 90's. This is the bands 2nd CD release of powerful Proggressive Rock / Metal music. Their music is very melodic, heavy & very solid in structure & sound. They have a good classic Metal sound of the late 80's, with a more updated twist. They remind me of old JUDAS PRIEST, DIO & some QUEENSRYCHE as well! Old school Metal fans will want this disc in their collection! - EMAIL: CAINS_ALIBI@YAHOO.COM / P.O. BOX 1152 / MAPLE GROVE, MN. 55311-6152 CATCHIN' 22 - CAN'T STEAL OUR SPIRIT... (11 song CD) NIGHTMARE RECORDS CATCHIN' 22 is a Rock Metal outfit from Canada. They play a really rocking style of Metal music with touches of other influences throughout. They have a good up beat sound, grooving beats & rocking guitars. The vocalist reminds me of Paul Stanely of KISS & the singer from FASTER PUSSYCAT together! If your a fan of good time Rock & Roll, then this disc is right up your alley! - EMAIL: CATCHIN22@USA.NET / www.CATCHIN22.com / P.O. BOX 5341 / STATION B MONTREAL, QC / CANADA H2K-3L4 CHEAP WINE - RUBY SHADE (12 song CD) Here is a band based out of Italy that plays some straight forward Rock music. At times I do hear some other influences like Jazz & maybe some Punk. The main structure of the band is Rock though. The guitars is where I hear almost a Jazz like sound coming through. The majority of the music has a melodic Alternative feel to it. The vocals are Rock, but the way he sings is like a Punk style & attitude. This release is better than their last one! - EMAIL: CHEAPWINE@CHEAPWINE.NET / www.CHEAPWINE.net / VIA GARGATTOLI / 8-61100 PESARO / ITALY |