| MUSIC REVIEWS November 2008 |
| APOCALYPTIC VISIONS - LEAVE NONE LIVING (18 track CD) Self Released their music right in your face & never back down. Thier form of Death Metal incorporates aspect of This is the second offering from this Atlanta Georgia based Death Metal band. These guys shove other forms of Metal music. There is a strong dark vibe that blankets their music that pulls from the Black Metal styles. A lot of the guitar work is influenced from Thrash Metal era early 90's when it growl that is a combination of DEATH & DEICIDE with some occasional Thrash & Black Metal vocals mixed in. If you liked their last release you'll love this one! It crushes! www.myspace.com/APOCALYPTICVISIONS |
| BETTER LEFT UNSAID - THE FIGHT WITHIN (11 track CD) STILLBORN RECORDS "THE FIGHT WITHIN" is the debut full length release from this California based band. These guys deliver some very different sounding Metalcore than is out there right now. They definately fit in the genre, but add some more variety than most. There is a strong struggling between Death Metal & Hardcore all through out. At times there are some slower more melodic parts with clean vocals to accompany. The majority of the vocals are done in a Death/Hardcore growl/scream crossover style. There are thick & catchy grooves that flow from fast paced spastic & aggressive parets. Add in some breakdowns & tempo changes too. This is the future of Metalcore right here! www.myspace.com/BLUmusic |
| (4 track CD) Self Released Hailing from Athens Greece comes this 2 piece melodic Metal band. The band consists of Minas (guitars) & Anthony (drums) with guest musicians doing vocals, guitars, keys & piano. The band Goth in the sound as well, probably because of the keys & piano. They do add in some Traditional Metal elements in the guitar work & song arrangements too. The vocals are very Melodic, clean & have a bit of a Goth vibe to them that reminds me of a lot of the New Wave bands out of England from the 80's. If your into Classic, Heavy or Traditional Metal give these guys a listen! www.BLACKSUN.gr |
| The Death Metal super group from Sweden is back with a new studio album. This band features always set new standards for the Death Metal genere. Once again they have produced one amazingly crushing & brutal Death Metal release. It's filled with pure anger & aggression all through out. They take us back to the glory days of Death Metal & ram it down our throats. This is by far one of the best Death Metal releases ever! Old school Death Metal fans will be wetting themselves with joy after hearing this masterpiece! Just by the damn album already! www.peaceville.com/BLOODBATH |
| CESSATION OF LIFE - PATH OF TOTALITY (12 track CD) Self Released CESSATION OF LIFE is a five piece out of California, playing a form of Speed Metal that they like to call "High Velocity". The music is very, very cool & takes me back to when Metal was about Metal. They have that great mid 80's - early 90's Thrash metal sound that is starting to make a comback. These guys have been doing it for over 10 years now, so they aren't jumping on the band wagaon. The music has lots of great shredding, speed & groove all through out. The vocals are done in a mid ranged rough Thrash Metal style. This is a must for any fan of greats like FORBIDDEN, VIO-LENCE, OVERKILL & DESTRUCTION! www.myspace.com/CESSATIONOFLIFE |
| create their sound. The foundation is Death Metal, but elements of Hardcore, Thrash & Speed are all present at times. There is a great Thrash Metal groove that is in their songs that just helps keep the music driving at high speeds. They add in some all out shredding mix with faster & slower more melodic parts too. The thick Hardcore bass sound just adds more push to the music. The vocals are done in a cross over style of Death Metal & Hardcore screams & growls. At times there are some PULVERISED RECORDS has given us! |
| DEATHCYCLE - PRELUDE TO TYRANNY (11 track CD) LIFELINE RECORDS These guys are exactly what I love about Hardcore, gritty, aggressive, pissed off & right in your face. Their sound is reminescent of old school Hardcore bands from the 80's that were coming out of the "PRELUDE TO TYRANNY" is the 2nd release from this New York City based Hardcore band. east coast scenes. Thier music adds in flares of Punk Rock & Metal all through out. Their music is politically based on living in a post 9/11 world. There is a fast paced adrenaline filled anger shooting out of this band. This is the style of Punk/Hardcore I grew up on & I'm glad to see bands still doing it & doing it well. What would you expect from a band that features members of KILL YOUR IDOLS, SHEER TERROR, MADBALL, NONE MORE BALCK & NEGLECT! |
| (22 track 2 CD set) SPV USA This 2 CD set (also a 2 DVD set) captures GAMMARAY at their best, in a live performance. This recording was done on the bands first North American tour from their night in Montreal Canada. The peromance consists of 18 tracks through out the bands impressive history & over 120 minutes long. GAMMARAY play some of the best Power/Thrash Metal ever. They add in lots of Progressive Metal elements as well. The release also includes 4 bonus tracks on the 2nd CD. If you haven't been lucky enough to catch these guys live, this is next best thing to experience one of the most talented & amazing bands playing this style! www.GAMMARAY.org |
| (12 track CD) PULVERISED RECORDS GUILLOTINE is a band playing Thrash Metal that reminescent of the great times of the mid 80's - early 90's era of Thrash. I grew up on this style of music & have always favored it over others. These guys are extremely tight, fast & shred all through out. The music has a great Thrash Metal groove that runs through out most of their songs. The lyrics are mostly of political topics, which which was one of my favorite bands back then. If you dig bands like FORBIDDEN, FAITH OR FEAR, WRATHCHILD AMERICA, EXODUS, OVERKILL & DESTRUCTION you'll want to jump in a circle pit & mosh it up! Thrash on! This rips! |
| HELLVETO - NEOHERESY (6 track CD) PULVERISED RECORDS HELLVETO is a band I have followed for a while now in the underground scene. These guys have better in all aspects. The song structures, sound & writing is all better than anything they have released in the past. They play a slow dark style of Death Metal music. There are many elements of Black Metal present through out, along with some somber sounding Doom Metal. The music has slower grittier & cold feel through out. The vocals follow the same formula as the music. This is by far the most advanced & impressive album the band has release to date! There is a bonus multimedia video included as well! |
| This Southern California 5 piece play some crushing groove Metal music. The music is a combination of a lot of heavier forms of Metal. There is a strong Metalcore sound present with injections of Thrash, Power, Progressive & Death Metal music all round in one. The Thrashing groove is the main staple that defines the bands sound through out most of the album. The vocals are done mostly in a mid ranged throaty Metalcore scream & growl style. There are some cleaner vocals in areas at times. This is an amazing band & I can't believe they haven't been signed yet. A must for fans of LAMB OF GOD, MACHINE HEAD, PANTERA & THE FACELESS. www.JAMESONtheband.com |
| KOTTONMOUTH KINGS - THE GREEN ALBUM (20 track CD) SUBURBAN NOIZE RECORDS I was very happy to find this album in my hands. I have been a huge fan of KOTTONMOUTH KINGS for a while now. I'm not big into Rap, but these guys have such a cool an original sound that that they call "Rip-Hop". This is the bands 10th album to date & really showcases every aspect of the KOTTONMOUTH KINGS 12 years in existence. Even if your not a fan of this style of music you must check these guys out, cause you will soon find yourself jamming out to this amazing band! KOTTONMOUTH KINGS rule! www.KOTTONMOUTHKINGS.com |
| (2 DVD set) REGAIN RECORDS The Black Metal legends have returned with this second DVD that features the bands live performances from their worldwide tour for "ATTERE TOTUS SANCTUS". As the last DVD focused on the bands European tour dates, this one features on the bands South American tour dates. These guys are truly outstanding live & put on a very enetrtaining & impresive live show! Disc 1 has a live show from Buenos Aires filmed professionally with 5 cameras, as well as unreleased amateur footage from 1997-2007. Disc 2 is live in Sao Paulo filmed professionally with 6 cameras, plus unreleased amateur footage from 2003-2006. A must have for fans! www.DARKFUNERAL.se |
| (10 track CD) Self Released MORTIFEROUS SCORN is a one man Metal project from Iowa. The project was formed in 2006 by Alexander Oden. Oden played in several other Metal bands over 10 years before starting his own project. The music is all written, performed & produced by Oden. He plays Death Metal in an old school way that has touches of Black Metal flowing through it. The music has an almost viking or war like vibe to it. The one band that kept coming to mind a lot was AMON AMARTH, especially talented musician that deserves lots of support! www.myspace.com/MORTSCORN |
| PRO-PAIN - NO END IN SIGHT (11 track CD) REGAIN RECORDS Sixteen years & still going strong, comes one of the best & most underated bands to ever emerge from New York City. PRO-PAIN has not lost any of the anger, integrity or talent since thier first album "FOUL TASTE OF FREEDOM". They have this thick, pissed off groove that is in everyone of their songs & is the reason these guys have always been one of my favorite bands. There is a bit more variety here, as they have taken heaviness in a different direction. PRO-PAIN is one of those bands that for some reason should be way bigger than they are, but their not. If you never heard this great band before, than start with this album & then go back to the begiinning! www.PRO-PAIN.com |
| SAW V - MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK (15 track CD) ARTISTS ADDICTION This is the soundtrack that contains music from & inspired by the SAW V movie. This is a great soundtrack with great bands to go along with a killer film. (See November 2008 Horror Movie Reviews section). The bands all have a creepy dark vibe to them that fits in with the films concept. Some of the bands include TESTAMENT, MINISTRY, FILTER, PRONG, DIE KRUPPS, CLUTCH, SKINNY PUPPY, THE REVOLTING COCKS & more. If you dig this films, then you'll dig this very cool soundtrack, even if your not into the bands featured! www.SAW5.com |
| SLANK - ANTHEM FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED SLANK is a Hard Rock band that add in lots of elements from other genres to make up their sound. They have a mostly upbeat sound on their songs, except for a few slower & more melodic ones. Sometimes the songs are faster & done in a Pop Punk Rock style, while others have a Traditional Metal sound. Some of the tracks have a Classic Rock 70's sound happening. The vocals ahev a tendency to follow the same path as the music. It almost felt like it was a couple of different bands playing on on album instead of the same bands. I prefered the faster more Punk like songs over the others. They are a good band, just not really my style! www.SLANK.com |
| STIFF DONUT -LIKE CAKE ONA PLATE (8 track CD) Self Released STIFF DONUT is a one man project by the sick, twisted & insnae Mike Hymson. Mike is a totally do it yourself guy, who writes, performs & produces all of the stuff his three bands put out. The other two bands being ESTROGENOCIDE & TOTALLY FUCKING GAY. Mike is hated by most, but he has done something original, he created Indie-Comedy-Thrash music. The music does have a bit of Industrial feel at times too. He plays music to make you laugh & Rock all at the same time. Songs include "Gene Simmons Is Right About Everything", "Im A Sexy Goth Girl", Pre Teen Priest Penis Party" & "It's Great To Be A Gynocologist". Now you know what to expect. Or Do you? |
| STIFF DONUT - ONCE YOU GO CHOCOLATE YOU NEVER GO BACK (8 track CD) Self Released This is the 3rd release from the sick minded psycho name Mike Hymson's STIFF DONUT. Mike continues his quest to annoy, piss off & make everyone laugh that he can. You may fit in one of these already. He continues to play his brand of music called Indie-Comedy-Thrash. This album seems a little bit heavier & faster than previous releases. The music still has the same pace & rythym though. Songs this time include: "A Wolly Mammoths Asshole", Circumcision Sandwich", "Be Extra Gentle When You Go Muff Diving". You know you want to check this out now, don't you. Search it out if you dare! |
| STREETCULT STREET SAMPLER - VOLUME 9 (11 track CD) STREETCULT This is the 9th installment in the STREETCULT SAMPLER series. The sampler features 11 bands with 1 song each. Some of the bands have been featured on previous volumes, like DEAD BY WEDNESDAY, SCUM OF THE EARTH, MEGAHERZ & ALEV. This being that these are put out by Chris Poland of ECLIPSE RECORDS & those are bands from his label. tThe other bands are FALLBACK, SEASONS AFTER, PULSE 8, CETHKYN, DISINTEGRATED, OPTIC & (UN)SAID. The bands play styles from Death, Metalcore, Hardcore, Punk, Thrash & more. This is a very cool sampler to let you hear some great bands from the underground scene! www.STREETCULT.com |
| WRATH PASSION - CAREFUL SAINT (7 track CD) INFEST RECORDS WRATH PASSION hail from Norway & play a very raw & cold sounding style of Black metal music. They have a strong old school Black Metal vibe through out their music. There is a lower tuned & noizy, static style with fast paced drum beats & blasts. The music has a dark satanic warlike feel that blankets the entire album. The vocals are a groggy low end Black/Death growl style. The evil hordes of old school Black Metal will come out of the darkness to get this album! www.myspace.com/WRATHPASSION |