| MUSIC REVIEWS (July 2006) |
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| ABYSMAL TORMENT - EPOCH OF METHODIC CARNAGE (10 track CD) BRUTAL BANDS Emerging from the island of Malta comes this very good Death Grind band. These guys play hyper fast & spastic sounding Death Grind music. I love the old school brutality taken from Death Metal smashed hed on with the intense sounding Grindcore music. This is the bands second studio release. There is a lot of fast paced blast beats & mile a minute drum hits. The guitars are super fast shreding & just destroy your ears. I loved every minute of this band. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl style with some occassional higher pitched Grindcore type growls & screams. This is any fan of Death Grinds wet dream!!! Get this disc!!! TAS-SEJJIEH 100 / TRIQ IL MEDITTERRAN / PEMBROKE STJ07 / MALTA, EUROPE info@ABYSMALTORMENT.net / www.ABYSMALTORMENT.net |
| BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - THE ANATOMY OF (14 track CD) VICTORY RECORDS This new disc from these guys out of North Carolina is a cover album. The band chose an array of bands that have influenced them growing up & in the music industry. There is a wide variety of bands. BETWEEN... does do all the songs in their own style, but try to do it mostly in the style of the band they are covering, but not trying to sound exactly like them. Some of the bands they cover include METALLICA, SOUNDGARDEN, PINK FLOYD, SEPULTURA, QUEEN, DEPECHE MODE, FAITH NO MORE, PANTERA, SMASHING PUMPKINS & a few more. Although this is not the bands best effort it's still a cool release & very interesting for fans of these guys! If you like this band then you will want this in your collection!!! |
| BLACK CANDLE - LEAD ME TO THE TOMBS (10 track CD) Self Released After 4 years BLACK CANDLE unleashes their best effort yet unto the underground scene. These guys play some sick old school Black Metal music. The music has a very cold & dark old school vibe with some crusty & errie new school sounds. The music is very cold feeling al through out as well. The vocals are done in a harsh groggy mid ranged Black Metal growl style. This is the best release from this great Black Metal band out of Luxemburg! All Black Metal hordes should have this disc in their collection!!! Get it now!!! 10 RUE HIERZIGSBERG / L-5536 REMICH / LUXEMBURG simonm@pt.lu |
| BLACK CRUCIFIXION - FAUSTIAN DREAM (9 track CD) PARAGON RECORDS BLACK CRUCIFIXION are back with a new disc & a slightly new sound as well. On this disc they have gotten rid of the raw Black Metal trademarks they were known for. Also gone are the former whispers & Black Metal type vocals, now replaced by some more emotional & powerful clean vocal styling. The band still is in the Metal range of music, but no longer have that Black metal sound. They are more of just a Dark Metal band. The music also has some Stoner Metal type sounds through out. Fans of their older stuff might not dig this as much, but their will surely help broading their fan base. Check out the new direction these guys are headed. The band also features some member of the great BEHERIT!!! |
| BLUDGEON - WORLD CONTROLLED (11 track CD) SPV / MAGIC CIRCLE MUSIC This is the first time I have ever heard this band. These guys play a great mix of old school & new school Thrash / Speed Metal. music. I really like the harsh rawness of the old school style in their sound. There are some cool change ups & break downs all with in their music too. They toss in lots of fast paced Tharsh Metal shredding, especially in the guitars. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Thrash Metal style that reminds me a little of SLAYER mixed with CROWBAR. This is a must for fans of this style & bands like PANTERA, CROWBAR, SLAYER, PRO-PAIN, ANTHRAX & BIOHAZARD!!! www.BLUDGEON.tv |
| CERBERUS - WHAT HAVE WE BECOME? (5 track CD) HELL AND DEATH RECORDS Hailing from sunny California comes this very good & intense Death/Thrash Metal crossover band. These guys have some old school Thrash Metal influences mixed with new school Death Metal. I liked the fast paced Thrash Metal riffing that was driving the band forward & in your face. The drums are really heavy & remind me of some of the better Death Metal bands out there today. They do add in some tempo changes & fast to slow parts in the drums as well. the vocals are done in a harsh mid ranged Death / Thrash crossover type scream growl. Watch out for these guys, fans of both Death & Thrash will dig this band!!! I know I did!!! www.CERBERUSmusic.com |
| DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY - UNSAVED (15 track CD) PURE RECORDS I don't really know anything about this band, all I got was the advanced promo & no information. The one thing I do know is that this band is extremely good. I really liked their sound a lot. They play a mix of Metal & Industrial type music. The music has a haunting dark sound all through out. There was a strong pissed off intensity in their music. This I liked a lot. The drums are a cold tight & hard hitting sound, while the guitars are really crunchy & even a little noisy at times. The vocals are done ina mid ranged Metal & Industrial crossover style. If you mixed SKATENIGS, MINISTRY, old MOTLEY CRUE, NAPALM DEATH, MARILYN MANSON & PRONG together you'd get these guys!!! This I like!!! |
| DIABOLIC POSSESSION - DARK SERAPHIM/RIPPED TO PIECES (8 track CD) ASSAULTER PRODUCTIONS DIABOLIC POSSESSION has returned & released a new CD. This disc contains 4 new tracks & the origimal 4 tracks from the "RIPPED TO PIECES" demo from 1993. These guys play old school Death Metal music with some progressive Death Metal influences. This is mostly in the guitar work. They have some really crunchy beats & many blasts as well. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl with some harsher more screaming Death growls. They remind me of a lot of the great underground bands from the early '90's like ANGELKILL, CATACLYSM, CORPSE VOMIT, REPUDILATION, REGURGITATION & INSATANITY. P.O. BOX 641734 / OMAHA, NE. 68164 DIABOLICPOSSESSION@cox.net / www.DIABOLICPOSSESION.com |
| DIMENTIANON - PROMO (4 track CD) PARAGON RECORDS This is just a promo copy of the bands CD. This band comes from New York & placed some really gore laced Death Metal music. The music is splattered with gore all through out. They have an old school Death Metal feel to their music, with some slight new school Death influences. The music is very fast, intense & highly aggressive. The vocals are done in a mid to low ranged Death growl with some gore type gurggle growls tossed in. This is one for fans of MORTICIAN, CANNIBAL CORPSE, COCK & BALL TORTURE & HAEMORRHAGE! 31 CEADER RIDGE DRIVE / NEW YORK, NY 11961 cultm@msn.com / www.DIMENTIANON.com |
| DRAGONLORD - BLACK WINGS OF DESTINY (10 track CD) ESCAPI MUSIC Last month I got a 2 song sampler, which i loved so I was glad to get this full length in my hands. These guys play some very well constructed Black Metal music. There are some Death Metal elements present all through as well, but they mostly stick to Black Metal. They have a very cold & Pagan like Black Metal sound. There are lots of change ups, tempo changes & switching back & forth between slow atmospheric to fast paced Black metal mayhem. The vocals are done in a few Black Metal styles. there are hars high pitched vocals, low end growls, mid ranged melodic & some more atmospheric almost chanting like vocals. These guys are one of the best new Black Metal bands I have heard in a long time!!! This one is highly recommended!!! www.entertheDRAGONLORD.com |
| EMETH - RETICULATED (9 track CD) BRUTAL BANDS EMETH emerges from Belgium & smacks the crap out of you with their second full length album. These guys play chaotic & extremely good Death Metal music. The music is psychotic sounding, fast paced, brutal as hell & played very well. There are some cool change ups & some fast to slow (but, not too slow & not for too long) parts. I loved the thick chugging sound they have that steam rolls you. The vocals are done ina mid ranged Death Metal growl/scream style. I haven't heard many bands from Belgium, but if this is what they have to offer I want to hear more. If you like your Death Metal to beat the hell out of you, then look no further! Your beating awaits! THIBAUTSTRAAT 36 / 3545 ZELEM-HALEN / BELGIUM info@EMETH.be / www.EMETH.be |
| IRON BITCHFACE - PULSE POUNDING CYBERSLAM (13 track CD) SLUT FACTORY RECORDS IRON BITCHFACE is from Canada & plays some weird experimental type music that blends in some other styles as well. There are some elements of Black Metal, Death Metal, Industrial, Techno & more. The music is chaotic sometimes & others it's just all out blasting. There are some sampling used through out the songs too. The vocals are done in mid to low ranged Metal vocals & Industrial vocals with some screaming Experimental Noise type vocals too. If you like your music to have some variety, but be spastic & heavy all at the same time then IRON BITCHFACE is the band for you!!! This is a one man project done by K-Rot! IRONBITCHFACE@yahoo.com / www.IRONBITCHFACE.com |
| LOCH VOSTOK - DESTRUCTION TIME AGAIN (11 track CD) ESCAPI MUSIC I was kind of surprised when I first heard this disc. These guys blend many Metal styles together to create their sound. there are elements of Death Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, Progressive Metal & Traditional Metal all present in their sound. They like to switch it up a lot all with in one song too. They will go from a straight out Death Metal slam jam to a more melodic Power or Progressive Metal style. The vocals also follow the same path. There are Death growls, Thrash vocals & high pitch melodic Power Metal vocals. These guys have everything just about any Metal fan would like!!! There's something for everyone here!!! www.LOCHVOSTOK.com |
| LUCA TURRILLI - THE INFINITE WONDERS OF CREATION (11 track CD) SPV / MAGIC CIRCLE RECORDS LUCA TURILLI plays some highly amazing & highly well structure Progressive Metal music. I wasn't sure what to expect with this band, but I was quite pleased with what i heard. The music has lots of depth & atmosphere all through out, while staying in a Progressive Metal style. I liked how each song had a different vibe or feel to it & still maintained the bands sound. The male vocals reminded me of a mix between David Bowie & Ronnie James Dio & the female vocals remineded me of LACUNA COIL & WICKED WISDOM. This band is extremely talented & deserves a lot of attention. You must experience this band if you haven't already!!! www.LUCATURILLI.net |
| LUCA TURILLI'S DREAMQUEST - LOST HORIZON (13 track CD) SPV / MAGIC CIRCLE RECORDS This band is a bit similar to the above band. That's because both bands were founded by LUCA TURILLI. This band is a little different though. This band has more Goth Metal & Progressive Metal music mixed together. This band also has only female vocals used. The music is very deep & well structured again & has a lot of different directions it takes you in, but all staying in the Goth Progressive style. There is a little more of a mystical sound happening here too. The vocals are done in a melodic female Goth style. This is a must experience band as well. If you like the above album you will love this album a lot! I know I did. This may be the best CD this month!!! I love it!!! www. DREAMQUEST.it / www.LUCATURILLI.net |
| MAGNUM CARNAGE - EVIL NEVER DIES (12 track CD) V2 MUSIC This is a first for me in my years of doing this. MAGNUM CARNAGE is a Black Metal band from Hawaii. This I never heard before. These guys play some some what weird American Black Metal music. The music is very cold & chaotic, but has a strange & different feel to it than most Black Metal bands. There is a haunting operatic & atmospheric sound in their music too. I liked the hard hitting & aggressiveness mixed in too. There are some super fast parts that pop up from time to time also. The vocals are done in a mid ranged harsh Black Metal growl/scream style found mostly in o9ld school Black Metal. I really dug this a lot & it's a bit different from most Black Metal!!! 1008 KAWAIAHAO STREET / HONOLULU, HI. 96814 kailaigo@hotmail.com / www.myspace.com/MAGNUMCARNAGE |
| MAGNUM CARNAGE - FLOWERS OF FLESH AND BLOOD (8 track CD) V2 MUSIC Here we have the newest release from this Hawaiian Black Metal band. These guys continue down the same path of not being your typical Black metal band. They have a different sound & I really like that they use samples & sound clips all through out their songs. The music is a bit heavier, more grooved & better structured than the last disc. They add more Thrash & Death Metal influences into their Black Metal sound this time. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death/Black Metal crossover style of growling & screaming. I enjoyed this disc a bit more than the last one & really can't wait to hear their next release. This band is going to make a name for themselves in the underground. Keep a watch out for these guys!!! 10008 KAWAIAHAO STREET / HONOLULU, HI. 96814 kailaigo@hotmail.com / www.myspace.com/MAGNUMCARNAGE |
| MANDATORY - CURSE OF THE UNDEAD (4 track CD) Self Released This is the newest release from this German Death Metal band. These guys have been in the scene for a little over 5 years & have been putting out some great old school styled Death Metal music. This new disc is their best effort so far. They have a very brutal, aggressive & fast paced Death sound. They do toss in some rythmic guitars riffs & a bit of fast grooved drums. The vocals are done in amid to low ranged Death growl style. Fans of old school greats like CANNIBAL CORPSE, SUFFOCATION, DEICIDE & NAPALM DEATH will surealy enjoy these guys!!! DOMWEIDE 7 / 53881 EUSKIRCHEN / GERMANY MANDATORY@web.de / MANDATORY@gmx.de / www.MANDATORY-death.de |
| MERENDINE ATOMICHE - RAW (11 track CD) MAUSOLEUM RECORDS I don't know anything really about this band, but I do know that they are really good. They play a combination of Death Metal mixed with Hard Rock. The music has a strong Hard Rock feel with Death Metal elements all mixed with in. The one band that kept coming to mind was ENTOMBED. The music has a great grooving & rocking Death Rock vibe all through out. The guitars sound is a low end crunchy thick sound, which I liked a lot. The vocals are done in a few styles, like melodic Hard Rock, mid ranged Traditional Heavy Metal & lower sounding Death growls. These guys could be the offspring of ENTOMBED & MOTLEY CRUE!!! info@MERENDINEATOMICHE.com / www.MERENDINEATOMICHE.com |
| MOORE - BLEED (10 track CD) NIGHTWING RECORDS MOORE plays some really good modern Heavy Metal type music. The music has a cool blend of old school influences with new school elements. The music has a great groove that makes youreally want to get into it. They have a bit of old school Thrash Metal influences tossed in as well. The music is a bit crunchy in places too. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Thrash/Heavy Metal vocals style. The bands that come to mind included VIO-LENCE, DROSS, OVERKILL, FORBIDDEN & a little bit of WRATHCHILD AMERICA!!! band@MOOREmetal.net / www.2MOORE.com |
| MORBID SACRIFICE - SEVERED DEATH (8 track CD) OPEN GRAVE / RED STATE RECORDS This album was originally to be released in 2002, but the band broke up before it could see the light of day. Now in 2006 the CD is getting a proper release. All the members have gone on to do other things, but this release is now getting released. These guys play a very involved style of Death Metal music, that incorporates some Thrash Metal & almost some Black Metal type elements into their sound. There is a cool old school Death Metal vibe happening here.The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl style. I really liked these guys a lot & hate the fact they are no longer together. Maybe with the release of this CD the band will reunite! This is a great piece of the Death Metal underground history & everyone should try to get a copy!!! www.MORBIDSACRIFICE.com |
| NACHTMYSTIUM - INSTINCT DECAY (10 track CD) SOUTHERN LORD / BATTLE KOMMAND RECORDS This is the newest offering from one of North America's best underground Black Metal bands. These guys incorporate lots of old school Black Metal influences with new school Black Metal. The music is highly involved & takes you on a extreme journey through Black Metal hell. The music goes from all out blasting mayhem to some slower more intricate & atmospheric passages. There is a lot of different types of Black metal mixed within their sound too. The vocals are done ina harsh mid ranged growl/scream style. This is a must for fans of LEVIATHAN, TWILIGHT & XASTHUR!!! |
| NECROTORTURE - BLOOD FEAST (6 track CD) BRUTAL BANDS RECORDS These sickos come from the darkness of Italy & play some ultra sick & psychotic sound Death Grind. The music is very fast paced, aggressive, brutla & spastic sounding Gore covered Death Grind. The music is hard hitting & very crunchy all through out. The drums are going 100 miles a hour & the vocals are some of the lowest gurggles I have ever heard. These guys are one of the best examples of what this style of music is all about. There is nothing for me to compare them to, but if you have ever been attacked by a million mental patients, who were pounding the shit out of you with bats, chainsaws & what ever else they could get their hands on, & you loved it, then this is the band for you. I loved these crazy bastards!!! VIA M. MENICHELLA 10/A / 71100 FOGGIA / ITALY NECROTORTURE@libero.it / www.NECROTORTURE.com |
| NIHILISTIKRYPT - REQUIRED SACRIFICES (9 track CD) Self Released I can't believe these guys are not signed! This band from Estonia plays some very technical sounding Death Metal music. The music is quite involved, but balances itself out with some really great blasting Death Metal, old school style. There are some very good tempo changes & guitar riffing all through out & it some what reminded me of some of the great Thrash bands from the early 90's. The vocals are done ina mid ranged Death Metal growl style. I think these guys could hold their own with some of the great legendary Death bands like MORBID ANGEL, DEATH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MALEVOLENT CREATION & DEICIDE. This is a CD well worth picking up if you are a Death head all the way. Highly recommended band. Someone sign this band!!! TAMMSAARE TEE 127-69 / 12917 TALLINN / ESTONIA info@NIHILISTIKRYPT.net / www.NIHILISTIKRYPT.net |
| NUCLEAR MASSACRE - HOLOCAUST (10 track CD) Self Released THis is the newest project from Bob Macabre. His original project is CHAINSAW DISSECTION, which is a Gore Grind band. This new project is more of a technical Death Metal band. This is a one man project & Bob does all guitar, bass, vocals, lyrics & drum programming himself. I liked this band a bit more than his other project. He blends together the best elements of old school & new school Death Metal together. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl style. This is agreat release & really showcases Bob's talent. Support this guys projects!!! CHAINSAWDISSECTION@yahoo.com / www.CHAINSAWDISSECTION.com |
| OBSCENE GESTURE - PROMO (7 track CD) Self Release This band has emerged from the gutters of Los Angeles California with a cool promo full of some great old school Thrash Metal & Punk music. This demo took me back to the mid 80's when Metal & Punk were crossing over in a big way. The music has a cool Thrash Metal vibe mixed with Punk groove & attitude. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Hardcore type style. If you took bands like AGNOSTIC FRONT, S.O.D., MADBALL, SLAYER, D.R.I. & mixed them together you'd get these guys!. The band features members of AGENT STEEL, BODY COUNT & STEEL PROPHET. THis is well worth checking out, especially now before they get signed & blow up!! chuck@OBSCENEGESTURE.net / george@OBSCENEGESTURE.net / guy@OBSCENEGESTURE.net / www.OBSCENEGESTURE.net |
| OMNIUM - PROMO (4 track CD) Self Release This is a promo sampler for the bands upcoming self titled full legnth album. This band used to be called OMNIUM GATHERUM, but with the new line up & new direction, plus a Finnish band of the same name have shortened their name to OMNIUM. The band hails from Australia & combines precise technical Death Metal music with abrasive Grindcore. The guys have gotten much better in the song structures & in their sound as well. There is a lot of intensity & aggression in this band. The vocal style is done in a blend of both Death Metal growls & Grindcore screams. This is by far the best work they have done yet. I look forward to the full legnth, these 4 tracks are not enough!!! P.O. BOX 79, KILKENNY / SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5009 OMNIUM@OMNIUM.name / www.OMNIUM.name |
| PILLOW - GOOF ROCK HIGH (10 track CD) LONG SHOT ENTERTAINMENT PILLOW has been a part of the Melbourne Australia scene for over ten years now. These guys dify any music boundry they can attack & they do a great job at it. There are elements of Metal, Heavy Rock, Punk, Salsa, Reggae & even Country all mingling together in their music. There isn't anything you can really say to describe these guys without listeming to them first. I loved how they hit you with fast pace Metal Punk & then stop & slow it down to a salsa or reggae style. The vocals follow the same path as the music all through out as well. If you were to blend together CLUTCH, MEATMEN, BLOOD DUSTER, FISHBONE & DOG FASHION DISCO with Salsa, Reggae & Country you would get PILLOW. This was a big refreshing sound that definately stood out from most of the stuff I get for review & that is only one reason why I loved this disc!!! mattyoung666@hotmail.com / rocknpole@yahoo.co.uk / www.myspace.com/goofrockhigh |
| QUIVIRA - 5 BRICKS (5 track CD) Self Release QUIVIRA play a different mix of Metal & Hardcore music than most. These guys have a really melodic & emotional sound to their style of this music. The guitars represent more of the Metal side, while the drums & bass represent more of the Hardcore side. I liked the thick bass sound they have through their music. The vocals are done in a more mid ranged & melodic Hardcore style with some higher Power Metal ones mixed in. They also toss in some lower Death/Hardcore type growls at times. The closest band that kept coming to mind was LIFE OF AGONY, just with out the Death influences. Not my favorite style in this genre, but the band does a great job with it!!! theQUIVIRA@gmail.com |
| SADAKO - BED TIME STORIES (17 track CD) TRANSWAVED I wasn't sure what to expect with this band, but I new it would be something different. It was! These guys play some very interesting sounding World Music that blends together elements of Techno, Metal, Goth, Industrial & more together. They add in some really cool dark atmospheric sounds & coat everything with Asian influences. The music plays on one style at times, but mostly blends them all together in the same songs. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Goth & Industrial style. I dug this a lot more than i was expecting to. If you had RAMSTEIN, NINE INCH NAILS, MINISTRY, MARILYN MANSON & PIGFACE all as one supergroup, you'd come close to waht SADAKO sounds like! Sounds good huh? Yes it does & it is, now get it!!! www.SADAKOmusic.com |
| SLAVE ZERO - THE PAIN REMITS (5 track CD) Self Release SLAVE ZERO is Irelands hardest working Metal bands & one of the best i have ever heard. These guys play a mix of old school Thrash Metal mixed with new school brutal Death Metal music. They have a very tight, technical sound that incorporates lost of cool change ups, aggressive riffing & some heavy thick bass lines, not to mention hard hitting pounding drum sounds. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death growl/scream style that reminds me of when Thrash & Death met head on back in the late 80's & early 90's. This is definately a band that is on the rise & will most likely be well know in the underground Death Metal scene if they keep going this way!!! info@SLAVEZERO.net / www.SLAVEZERO.net |
| STRIBORG - EMBITTERED DARKNESS / ISLES DE MORTS (16 track CD) SOUTHERN LORD RECORDINGS This is the first ever domestic release from this Tasmanian Black Metal band. This disc includes the new tracks as well as the very rare demo "ISLES DE MORTS" from 1997. The music is very bleak & blurry sounding Black metal music. The guitars are some what static sounding & noisy. There is some very dark & ghostly atmospheric parts all through out. The vocals are done in a low end hallowed out groggy ghost like Black Metal style. This is in no way your typical Black Metal band. This is one for fans of XASTHUR, HAEMOTH & TWILIGHT. If your Black Metal heart dwells in deep darkness & is cold as ice, then this is one disc for you!!! |
| THE DISTANCE - THE RISE THE FALL & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN (10 track CD) ABACUS RECORDINGS This band is fronted by Jay Reason from the band VOICE OF REASON. This band is a bit different from his previous band. These guys play mostly Punk meshed with Hardcore music, but done in a aggressive up beat pogo friendly style. There are a lot of good hooks & grooves that really pulls you into their music. I liked the intense & powerful driving drum & bass beats a lot. The vocals are done in a mid Pop Punk mixed with some gruffy Hardcore type vocals. These guys are really great sounding & mix these styles well together, but will most likely get lost in the sea of bands playing this style today. These guys will hopefully float to the top & stand out more than others. Check them out cause they are better than most bands in their genre!!! www.THEDISTANCE.net |
| THE FROZEN - BLUE VIRTUE (11 track CD) TRANSWAVED I was kind of expecting these guys to be an Industrial band, I don't know why, but I did. Guess what, they're not! These guys play some catchy Rock Metal & Pop all mixed together. The music has a balance of hard edged Rock & melodic almost romantic Metal all coated with Pop flavors. I enjoyed the faster more upbeat & aggressive songs better than the slower ones. The vocals are a blend of fast Pop Punk & melodic Metal sounds. If you took DANZIG, TYPE O NEGATIVE, MINISTRY & THE OFFSPRING, put them all together then you'd get something called THE FROZEN! If this is your thing then start feeling the frost!!! www.THEFROZEN.net |