| MUSIC REVIEWS (March 2009) |
ABSU - ABSU
CANDLELIGHT RECORDS USA
ABSU are still going strong & still consisting of only 3 members has unleashed one of the bands
best albums to date. This 3 piece is a lot stronger, advanced & more intense than most out there
with more members. They continue on with material consisting of Sumerian, Mesopotarnian,
Celtic Mythology, Goetic, Chaos Enochain Magick themes. The full on intensity of their Black
Death Metal sound just floors you. There are even some fast chugging riffing Thrash Metal
parts mixed in as well. This is one of the best bands out there doing the old school Black Metal
style & one of the most respected!
www.ABSU.us
CANDLELIGHT RECORDS USA
ABSU are still going strong & still consisting of only 3 members has unleashed one of the bands
best albums to date. This 3 piece is a lot stronger, advanced & more intense than most out there
with more members. They continue on with material consisting of Sumerian, Mesopotarnian,
Celtic Mythology, Goetic, Chaos Enochain Magick themes. The full on intensity of their Black
Death Metal sound just floors you. There are even some fast chugging riffing Thrash Metal
parts mixed in as well. This is one of the best bands out there doing the old school Black Metal
style & one of the most respected!
www.ABSU.us
BUILDING CHAOS - PROMO 2009
SELF RELEASED
Hailing from Greece & playing a very popular style that has been resurrected again in the past
few influences mixed in. There are crunchy guitars with some killer thrashing grooves running
all through out their songs. The drums are thick & pounding. The vocals are a blend of old &
new styles of EXODUS, ANTHRAX, DESTRUCTION, TESTAMENT, then you'll love
these guys! Fans of new schoolers MUNICIPAL WASTE will dig them as well.
www.BUILDINGCHAOS.com
SELF RELEASED
Hailing from Greece & playing a very popular style that has been resurrected again in the past
few influences mixed in. There are crunchy guitars with some killer thrashing grooves running
all through out their songs. The drums are thick & pounding. The vocals are a blend of old &
new styles of EXODUS, ANTHRAX, DESTRUCTION, TESTAMENT, then you'll love
these guys! Fans of new schoolers MUNICIPAL WASTE will dig them as well.
www.BUILDINGCHAOS.com
DECEIVER - THRASHING HEAVY METAL
PULVERISED RECORDS
DECEIVER has decided to call it quits & put the band to rest. This is the bands swan song
album & probably their best material they have written. These guys have been creating strong
tight & crushing Thrash / Death Metal music since 2004. They sound like a Thrash version of
CARCASS most of the time, but have that old school European Death Metal flavor as well.
There's lots of shredding & grooving guitar riffs all through out with harsh throaty grunty vocals
to accompany the music. If the band is going to go out, this is the way to go, with some killer,
well written & powerful "THRASHING HEAVY METAL"!
www.myspace.com/DECEIVERswe
PULVERISED RECORDS
DECEIVER has decided to call it quits & put the band to rest. This is the bands swan song
album & probably their best material they have written. These guys have been creating strong
tight & crushing Thrash / Death Metal music since 2004. They sound like a Thrash version of
CARCASS most of the time, but have that old school European Death Metal flavor as well.
There's lots of shredding & grooving guitar riffs all through out with harsh throaty grunty vocals
to accompany the music. If the band is going to go out, this is the way to go, with some killer,
well written & powerful "THRASHING HEAVY METAL"!
www.myspace.com/DECEIVERswe
DEREK SHERINIAN - MOLECULAR HEINOSITY
INSIDE OUT MUSIC / SPV
Derek Sherinian is best know for his work in DREAM THEATER, but he has also worked with
KISS, BILLY IDOL & ALICE COOPER. "MOLECULAR HEINOSITY" is the 6th solo
release for this international keyboardist & composer. On this album he takes his sound a bit of
a different direction incorporating more Progressive Metal influences, then Jazz Fusion in past
releases. There are new guest musicians that course DREAM THEATER will surely enjoy this
new offering!
INSIDE OUT MUSIC / SPV
Derek Sherinian is best know for his work in DREAM THEATER, but he has also worked with
KISS, BILLY IDOL & ALICE COOPER. "MOLECULAR HEINOSITY" is the 6th solo
release for this international keyboardist & composer. On this album he takes his sound a bit of
a different direction incorporating more Progressive Metal influences, then Jazz Fusion in past
releases. There are new guest musicians that course DREAM THEATER will surely enjoy this
new offering!
DIMENSION ZERO - HE WHO SHALL NOT BLEED
CANDLELIGHT RECORDS USA
DIMENSION ZERO formed back in 1995 by Jesper & Glenn of IN FLAMES. They are
currently DIABOLIQUE, LORD BELIAL & more. This mega side project is an extremely
amazing Death are some all out fast paced aggressive Death parts mixed with some melodic
Thrash Metal. The vocals are right down the middle of Thrash & Death with some slightly
Black Metal sounding ones.
www.DIMESNSIONZERO.se
CANDLELIGHT RECORDS USA
DIMENSION ZERO formed back in 1995 by Jesper & Glenn of IN FLAMES. They are
currently DIABOLIQUE, LORD BELIAL & more. This mega side project is an extremely
amazing Death are some all out fast paced aggressive Death parts mixed with some melodic
Thrash Metal. The vocals are right down the middle of Thrash & Death with some slightly
Black Metal sounding ones.
www.DIMESNSIONZERO.se
EGOIST - ULTRA SELFISH REVOLUTION
SELF MADE GOD RECORDS
EGOIST is a one man project that consist of Stanislaw Wolonciej who does all guitars, bass,
drums, vocals, synthesizers, production & artwork. Stan has been in several bands & projects
over the years playing a wide range of music. In this project he combines a lot of his influences
& elements of many styles. The music has a strong Electronica or Technical Industrial sound
mixed with lots of Metal elements & consist of progressive, rhythmic, arrhythmic & melodic
passages. I really like the way he combines all these elements together to flow quite easily into
one another. The melodic & dark vocals Stan has just adds to the bands over all sound. Check
out this amazing talent!
www.myspace.com/EGOISTpoland
SELF MADE GOD RECORDS
EGOIST is a one man project that consist of Stanislaw Wolonciej who does all guitars, bass,
drums, vocals, synthesizers, production & artwork. Stan has been in several bands & projects
over the years playing a wide range of music. In this project he combines a lot of his influences
& elements of many styles. The music has a strong Electronica or Technical Industrial sound
mixed with lots of Metal elements & consist of progressive, rhythmic, arrhythmic & melodic
passages. I really like the way he combines all these elements together to flow quite easily into
one another. The melodic & dark vocals Stan has just adds to the bands over all sound. Check
out this amazing talent!
www.myspace.com/EGOISTpoland
F.O.B. - THE DICE
I.F.A. RECORDS
F.O.B. hails from Czech Republic & has been one of my favorite underground bands for many
years. These guys just surpass themselves with each new release. Their music just evolves &
gets better every time. They play a very unique & technical sounding Death Metal style. They
combine fast paced Death beats with some chugging & harsh Thrash Metal guitar riffs. Along the
way your hit with some low ended guttural Grindcore vocals & music then you head back into a
mid paced Hardcore groove with melodic vocals. This band is definitely on of the best bands to
emerge from Czech Republic & the underground scene in general. This album is a must
www.FOB.cz
I.F.A. RECORDS
F.O.B. hails from Czech Republic & has been one of my favorite underground bands for many
years. These guys just surpass themselves with each new release. Their music just evolves &
gets better every time. They play a very unique & technical sounding Death Metal style. They
combine fast paced Death beats with some chugging & harsh Thrash Metal guitar riffs. Along the
way your hit with some low ended guttural Grindcore vocals & music then you head back into a
mid paced Hardcore groove with melodic vocals. This band is definitely on of the best bands to
emerge from Czech Republic & the underground scene in general. This album is a must
www.FOB.cz
KYLESA - STATIC TENSIONS
PROSTHETIC RECORDS
"STATIC TENSIONS" is the fourth release from KYLESA & probably the best thing they have
created thus far. This band is known for blurring every boundary they can when developing
their sound & they have done it once again. They snag different things from Avantgarde,
Experimental, Sludge, Doom, Stoner, Psychedelic Rock, Metal, Punk & so on, then incorporate
them all together to create their unique sound. KYLESA just puts in what they want regardless
if they fit into any category. The closest thing they could fit in would be the Stoner & Doom
Metal genres, but they are much more than that. This band needs to be experienced in order to
truly appreciate them!
www.KYLESA.com
PROSTHETIC RECORDS
"STATIC TENSIONS" is the fourth release from KYLESA & probably the best thing they have
created thus far. This band is known for blurring every boundary they can when developing
their sound & they have done it once again. They snag different things from Avantgarde,
Experimental, Sludge, Doom, Stoner, Psychedelic Rock, Metal, Punk & so on, then incorporate
them all together to create their unique sound. KYLESA just puts in what they want regardless
if they fit into any category. The closest thing they could fit in would be the Stoner & Doom
Metal genres, but they are much more than that. This band needs to be experienced in order to
truly appreciate them!
www.KYLESA.com
LEGIONS OF FIRE - THE MARK OF POWER
TURKEY VULTURE RECORDS
LEGIONS OF FIRE is a 3 piece from Ohio & play some Classic Thrash metal music. They
have the old school vibe that flows through their sound, but they add in some Heavy Metal flare
too. There are even some really cool solo parts, that have been missing from a lot of the Metal
scene for a long time. The vocals are in a more Traditional Thrash or Heavy Metal style thats
harsh & throaty at times. They remind me of the band ST. MADNESS on my distro label. If
you like your Thrash circa mid to late 80's then your gonna love these guys!
www.myspace.com/LEGIONSOFFIRE2
TURKEY VULTURE RECORDS
LEGIONS OF FIRE is a 3 piece from Ohio & play some Classic Thrash metal music. They
have the old school vibe that flows through their sound, but they add in some Heavy Metal flare
too. There are even some really cool solo parts, that have been missing from a lot of the Metal
scene for a long time. The vocals are in a more Traditional Thrash or Heavy Metal style thats
harsh & throaty at times. They remind me of the band ST. MADNESS on my distro label. If
you like your Thrash circa mid to late 80's then your gonna love these guys!
www.myspace.com/LEGIONSOFFIRE2
LETHAL AGGRESSION - AD NAUSEUM
HORROR PAIN GORE DEATH PRODUCTIONS
present day. There is tons of shredding intense madness going on through out all their songs.
Harsh screaming Thrash vocals with a Hardcore attitude top off this bands extreme sound. This
is a must for all those people who remember the original days when Crossover was born. A must
for fans of more. An incredible blast from the past when music was intense, pissed off, angry &
great!
www.myspace.com/LETHALAGGRESSION
HORROR PAIN GORE DEATH PRODUCTIONS
present day. There is tons of shredding intense madness going on through out all their songs.
Harsh screaming Thrash vocals with a Hardcore attitude top off this bands extreme sound. This
is a must for all those people who remember the original days when Crossover was born. A must
for fans of more. An incredible blast from the past when music was intense, pissed off, angry &
great!
www.myspace.com/LETHALAGGRESSION
MAN MADE MAN - YOUR PUNISHMENT BEGINS
TURKEY VULTURE RECORDS
Straight out of the midwest comes MAN MADE MAN with their debut CD release. These guys
play a new school style of Death Metal that has been flooding the scene lately. There are many
out there that try & fail, but these guys have succeeded in pulling it off big time. They have a
very tight technical sound filled with heaviness, melody & tons of grooves. I really dig the doses
of Thrash & Hardcore that are scattered through out their sound. The vocals have that Deathcore
mid ranged style with some lower ended growls intermixed. This band can hold their own with
any of the bigger bands playing this style , because they are better than most of them!. Keep a
watch on these guys!
www.myspace.com/MANMADEMAN
TURKEY VULTURE RECORDS
Straight out of the midwest comes MAN MADE MAN with their debut CD release. These guys
play a new school style of Death Metal that has been flooding the scene lately. There are many
out there that try & fail, but these guys have succeeded in pulling it off big time. They have a
very tight technical sound filled with heaviness, melody & tons of grooves. I really dig the doses
of Thrash & Hardcore that are scattered through out their sound. The vocals have that Deathcore
mid ranged style with some lower ended growls intermixed. This band can hold their own with
any of the bigger bands playing this style , because they are better than most of them!. Keep a
watch on these guys!
www.myspace.com/MANMADEMAN
MOTHRA - DYES
SELF MADE GOD RECORDS
MOTHRA is not anything what I expected them to be from looks of the cover. I was expecting
some Stoner or Doom Rock band. These guys hit me full blast & I was hooked. They play a
spastic sounding style of Mathcore in the likes of the great DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN.
I was highly impressed by the technicality & depth of this bands sound . They hit you in one
direction & then your thrown back in another. The music is harsh, loud & just keeps smashing
away at you in a frenzy. The vocals add right into this with harsh Death / Hardcore crossover
styled screaming & growling. If your a Mathcore fan, this must be in your collection for it to be
complete!
www.myspace.com/MOTHRA
SELF MADE GOD RECORDS
MOTHRA is not anything what I expected them to be from looks of the cover. I was expecting
some Stoner or Doom Rock band. These guys hit me full blast & I was hooked. They play a
spastic sounding style of Mathcore in the likes of the great DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN.
I was highly impressed by the technicality & depth of this bands sound . They hit you in one
direction & then your thrown back in another. The music is harsh, loud & just keeps smashing
away at you in a frenzy. The vocals add right into this with harsh Death / Hardcore crossover
styled screaming & growling. If your a Mathcore fan, this must be in your collection for it to be
complete!
www.myspace.com/MOTHRA
PERSONA NON GRATA - SHADE IN THE LIGHT
SENSORY RECORDS
This is the debut CD release from this Progressive Metal band out of Greece. These guys have
been together for a little while now, but needed to perfect their sound before putting out a
release. They are based in Progressive Metal, but they do add some flavoring of Power,
Traditional Metal & even some Classic Rock type elements. There is a lot of depth, variety &
more all intertwined within their guys fit in perfectly with the rest of the bands on the
SENSORY roster! For fans of CIRCUS MAXIMUS, LUCA TURILI & RHAPSODY!
www.PERSONANONGRATA.info
SENSORY RECORDS
This is the debut CD release from this Progressive Metal band out of Greece. These guys have
been together for a little while now, but needed to perfect their sound before putting out a
release. They are based in Progressive Metal, but they do add some flavoring of Power,
Traditional Metal & even some Classic Rock type elements. There is a lot of depth, variety &
more all intertwined within their guys fit in perfectly with the rest of the bands on the
SENSORY roster! For fans of CIRCUS MAXIMUS, LUCA TURILI & RHAPSODY!
www.PERSONANONGRATA.info
ROSS BYRON - SELF TITLED
SELF RELEASED
Ross Byron is the ex bass player from SPIN DOCTORS & KAOS FROM ORDER. He has
Ross Byron is the ex bass player from has a strong 80's vibe, especially in the Metal sounding
songs. The songs are more of a 70's Rock SPIN DOCTORS &style. The music reminds me of a
bit of KAOS FROM ORDER& JOURNEY. While the RUSH, . He has vocals are a mix of
Paul Stanley from vocals are a mix of Paul Stanley from with Eddie Money & Kip Winger. This
is not really with Eddie Money & Kip Winger. This is not really KISSKISSmy style of music,
but if your into any of the above bands or singers than you'll enjoy this release.
www.myspace.com/ROSSBYRONsmusic
SELF RELEASED
Ross Byron is the ex bass player from SPIN DOCTORS & KAOS FROM ORDER. He has
Ross Byron is the ex bass player from has a strong 80's vibe, especially in the Metal sounding
songs. The songs are more of a 70's Rock SPIN DOCTORS &style. The music reminds me of a
bit of KAOS FROM ORDER& JOURNEY. While the RUSH, . He has vocals are a mix of
Paul Stanley from vocals are a mix of Paul Stanley from with Eddie Money & Kip Winger. This
is not really with Eddie Money & Kip Winger. This is not really KISSKISSmy style of music,
but if your into any of the above bands or singers than you'll enjoy this release.
www.myspace.com/ROSSBYRONsmusic
SEANCE - AWAKENING OF THE GODS
PULVERISED RECORDS
Hailing from Sweden comes one of the best & most underrated Death Metal bands, SEANCE.
These guys have been churning out their form of technical Death Metal for some time. This they
bring it full force & pound it into your face & never stop through out the whole album. The
vocals are mid ranged thick Death growls that pierce your brain. This band should be bigger than
a lot of bands out there just after one listen you can hear why! The band consist of past &
current members of WITCHERY! This is sonic violence at it's best!!!
www.myspace.com/SEANCEseance
PULVERISED RECORDS
Hailing from Sweden comes one of the best & most underrated Death Metal bands, SEANCE.
These guys have been churning out their form of technical Death Metal for some time. This they
bring it full force & pound it into your face & never stop through out the whole album. The
vocals are mid ranged thick Death growls that pierce your brain. This band should be bigger than
a lot of bands out there just after one listen you can hear why! The band consist of past &
current members of WITCHERY! This is sonic violence at it's best!!!
www.myspace.com/SEANCEseance
SEIZURE CRYPT - UNDER THE GUN
BAD ELEPHANT PRODUCTIONS
SIEZURE CRYPT comes from the bowels of New York City & plays spastic Hardcore. The
music has a bit of a Crossover style to it, cause I can hear many aspects of Metal music through
out their sound. There are a lot of fast paced aggressive & intense blasts, bursts & more in their
sound. The vocals are a mixture of angry Hardcore & pissed off Punk. If you took old school
Hardcore from the early 80's & smashed it together with new school Hardcore you'd get a great
idea of what these guys sound like. This ones for fans of THE SPUDMONSTERS,
AGNOSTIC FRONT, SHEER TERROR, MADBALL, BLACK FLAG & THE MEATMEN.
www.SEIZURECRYPT.com
BAD ELEPHANT PRODUCTIONS
SIEZURE CRYPT comes from the bowels of New York City & plays spastic Hardcore. The
music has a bit of a Crossover style to it, cause I can hear many aspects of Metal music through
out their sound. There are a lot of fast paced aggressive & intense blasts, bursts & more in their
sound. The vocals are a mixture of angry Hardcore & pissed off Punk. If you took old school
Hardcore from the early 80's & smashed it together with new school Hardcore you'd get a great
idea of what these guys sound like. This ones for fans of THE SPUDMONSTERS,
AGNOSTIC FRONT, SHEER TERROR, MADBALL, BLACK FLAG & THE MEATMEN.
www.SEIZURECRYPT.com
STEEL KINGDOM - REFORGED REFINED
PRISM BREAK RECORDS
STEEL KINGDOM play a mixture of Metal styles. They are mostly based in the Traditional or
Heavy Metal genre, but they add more to their sound. The guitar work has a Power Metal or
Thrash Metal vibe to it, while the keyboards give the band that Progressive & Power Metal feel.
The drums are a blend of Heavy Metal, Thrash & in the double bass kicks they boarder on
Death Metal. The vocals are combination of Power, Traditional & Heavy Metal styles that are
clean & melodic. I didn't feel the vocals quite meshed with the music properly, maybe it's just
me. This is one for most Modern Metal fans to check out.
www.STEELKINGDOM.net
PRISM BREAK RECORDS
STEEL KINGDOM play a mixture of Metal styles. They are mostly based in the Traditional or
Heavy Metal genre, but they add more to their sound. The guitar work has a Power Metal or
Thrash Metal vibe to it, while the keyboards give the band that Progressive & Power Metal feel.
The drums are a blend of Heavy Metal, Thrash & in the double bass kicks they boarder on
Death Metal. The vocals are combination of Power, Traditional & Heavy Metal styles that are
clean & melodic. I didn't feel the vocals quite meshed with the music properly, maybe it's just
me. This is one for most Modern Metal fans to check out.
www.STEELKINGDOM.net
TARDY BROTHERS - BLOODLINE
CANDLELIGHT RECORDS USA
THE TARDY BROTHERS consists of John & Donald Tardy who many of you older Metal
heads will remember from XECUTIONER which later evolved into OBITUARY. This is a side
project the guys have been wanting to do for a long time. They wanted to put out some music
they have created themselves. The music is a combination of old school Death Metal with
mixtures of Thrash Metal through out. They have brought in new OBITUARY guitarist &
EXECUTIONER guitarist to play on the album as well. This is a very cool side project that we
will hopefully see more releases from in the future. It's like a less Deathy version of
OBITUARY!
www.TARDYBROTHERS.com
CANDLELIGHT RECORDS USA
THE TARDY BROTHERS consists of John & Donald Tardy who many of you older Metal
heads will remember from XECUTIONER which later evolved into OBITUARY. This is a side
project the guys have been wanting to do for a long time. They wanted to put out some music
they have created themselves. The music is a combination of old school Death Metal with
mixtures of Thrash Metal through out. They have brought in new OBITUARY guitarist &
EXECUTIONER guitarist to play on the album as well. This is a very cool side project that we
will hopefully see more releases from in the future. It's like a less Deathy version of
OBITUARY!
www.TARDYBROTHERS.com
TRIBULATION - THE HORROR
PULVERISED RECORDS
Here we have another great Death Metal band from Sweden as well as another one on
PULVERISED RECORDS. These guys play pure evil & fast Death Metal in an old school
style. The music is hyper intense, pissed off & aggressive as hell. They have a Florida Death feel
meets a vocals are done in a mid to low ended Death growl range. If your a fan of old school
Death sound. The music is very technical sounding & brutal all at once. The MORBID
ANGEL, DEICIDE, AUTOPSY & CANNIBAL CORPSE then this is definitely something
you want to pick up! Death Metal that's sick, fast, evil & extremely good! Horns up!
www.TRIBULATION.se
PULVERISED RECORDS
Here we have another great Death Metal band from Sweden as well as another one on
PULVERISED RECORDS. These guys play pure evil & fast Death Metal in an old school
style. The music is hyper intense, pissed off & aggressive as hell. They have a Florida Death feel
meets a vocals are done in a mid to low ended Death growl range. If your a fan of old school
Death sound. The music is very technical sounding & brutal all at once. The MORBID
ANGEL, DEICIDE, AUTOPSY & CANNIBAL CORPSE then this is definitely something
you want to pick up! Death Metal that's sick, fast, evil & extremely good! Horns up!
www.TRIBULATION.se
WITHIN A MIND - ISOLATE
SELF RELEASED
WITHIN A MIND is a studio project by two members of the band MONGOLOID
WITCHCRAFT. This project consists of Jason Aldrich doing guitars & backing vocals &Ian
Heran doing drums, bass & vocals. This is the second batch of original songs from these guys.
They combine classic Death Metal with new school Grindcore. The guys posses much talent
with their 10 plus years of writing together. The vocals are a mid ranged Death growl style with a
groggier sounding one mixed in. I am a fan of their other band, but I actually think I liked
WITHIN A MIND much better. Support these talented Death heads!
www.myspace.com/WITHINAMIND
SELF RELEASED
WITHIN A MIND is a studio project by two members of the band MONGOLOID
WITCHCRAFT. This project consists of Jason Aldrich doing guitars & backing vocals &Ian
Heran doing drums, bass & vocals. This is the second batch of original songs from these guys.
They combine classic Death Metal with new school Grindcore. The guys posses much talent
with their 10 plus years of writing together. The vocals are a mid ranged Death growl style with a
groggier sounding one mixed in. I am a fan of their other band, but I actually think I liked
WITHIN A MIND much better. Support these talented Death heads!
www.myspace.com/WITHINAMIND
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