Reviews
ANY BANDS/LABELS that want their releases reviewed can send me a
promo kit at the following address. Anything sent will be reviewed and posted
within 30 days.
METAL CORE ZINE c/o CHRIS FORBES PO BOX622 MARLTON, NJ 08053 USA
EKTOMORF/Redemption (AFM Records) Just another no name groove
metal band with the Pantera riffs and the tough guy/death core vocals. This
sounds the same and the million other bands doing this style and guess what,
they suck the same as the rest. Info:
www.afm-records.de
ONSLAUGHT/Sounds of Violence (AFM Records) Yes this is the Onslaught from way
back when and this isn’t bad as they keep some of that old school thrash sound
and have just a bit of the new thrash sound in with it, but thank god no tough
guy or death core vocals. The singer just has a solid aggressive voice and he
kills on this. Riffs that will have that head banging on this are a plenty.
Production is mind blowing and the guitar crunch on this is wicked. Think along
the newer Exodus stuff. Info:
www.afm-records.de
PAGAN RITES/Embrace The Torments Of Hell (Iron Blood & Death Corp) Some
wicked black metal is the ticket here. The band play with a lot of atmosphere
and feeling, which I thinks makes or breaks black metal bands. Very strong black
metal vocals sung with a ton of passion on here as well. Just rip roaring riffs
and the music doesn't sound generic, which was another plus. The band can mix
it slow or go into it fast as well and keep you on your toes as to what is next.
This was just old school black metal that was done well and didn't sound generic
to these ears and was a great listen. Info:
www.myspace.com/ibdcorplabel
MORTUARY DRAPE/Secret Sudaria (Iron Blood & Death Corp) This is released
under license from Reborn Records and again this is some serious solid black/death
metal that doesn't sound like every other generic black metal band out there.
This band has plenty of killer evil like riffs and the singing is something
Satan would be proud of trust me. This is balls to the wall death/black metal
with plenty of heavy and crushing riffs with some great death metal singing
and no high pitched screaming or tough guy vocals neither. From reading over
this, this I guess came out in 1996 and is a re-release. Well whether it is
or not, this is some great music that blows away many of today's so called death
or black metal bands. Includes a live track that crushes too. Excellent release.
Info:
www.myspace.com/ibdcorplabel
VUOHIVASARA/El Cult Revived (Iron Blood & Death Corp) Fast, crushing black
metal that totally blew me out of my seat when the first notes blasted out of
speakers. Oh the vocals are a black metal delight as the singer has such a true
evil voice and doesn't sound stupid or generic. His voice sounds natural and
he sings the songs the way black metal should be sung, full of evil and power.
The music is fast style black metal, but not the pick riffing style, this band
is way better than that as they just blast through song after song of pure 100%
black metal intensity. The band also use a bit of death metal, old school style
of course, and mix it in for quite the sound. This band doesn't sound like anybody
else and this is yet again another great release from this label. When black
metal is played the right way, it can be the most extreme form of music and
this band just has that down to a t, from the intensity, the atmosphere and
the playing. Just a crushing release that must be heard. Info:
www.myspace.com/ibdcorplabel
DELIRIUM/All These Years Of Dying (The Art Records) This is straight forward
death metal with none of that tough guy metal shit or groove. This is 100% straight
ahead death metal played with intensity and power. The riffs will have your
head and neck moving and I like the cool and different guitar sound the band
use and thank god they don't sound like 500 other bands. The band mix up the
speed with some slower parts to allow you to catch your breath ha ha. This band
will hit you like a ton of lead and doesn't stop until the last note. Vocals
are more in that screechy vein, but fit the music well and he has a cool voice
I think and I like it. This never bored me and I had never heard the band until
today and now they got a new fan, me. Info:
www.theartrecords.com
EVOKEN/Beneath The Frozen Soil (I Hate) Holy shit this is some intense doom/death
metal with some of the heaviest riffs this side of the Atlantic. Riffs that
will punish and hurt you and vocals that any fan of REAL death metal will love.
The guitar sound on this is as heavy as a ton of molten steel. Vocals from the
depths of hell itself. The band evoke such feeling, sadness, and atmosphere
it isn't funny. 4 songs just wasn't enough as I need more of this band. Absolutely
a release no fan of real underground fan should miss. This is how it is done.
Info:
www.ihate.se
MINOTAUR/Power Of Darkness (I Hate) This was originally released 22 years ago
and only came out as a bootleg on CD and now the label I Hate gives it a proper
release with some bonus tracks as well, which is new stuff the band recorded.
Well this is prime time German 80's thrash in the vein of Sodom, Kreator, Protector,
Darkness, etc and it pretty much kills. Such vicious riffs and atmosphere on
this. Just classic thrash German style is what this band delivers on this and
it sounds killer to these ears. The 2 new tracks are even more killer thrash
and this band delivers the goods. The production on this is raw as fuck, but
you know what, the band evoke such feeling and such power, I love the raw sounds
this band gets and they just have such feeling and atmosphere and hate (and
not that nu metal tough guy hate shit) that I was banging from note 1 till the
last riff. Buy this or be a loser. Info:
www.ihate.se
BLACK HORIZON/The Choice (Pervade/Gofannon Music) This is a decent heavy metal
band in the vein of say Judas Priest. The band aren't bad, but are just missing
that "wow" factor that would have blown me away. The riffs kinda just
bored me at times and it was kinda like a band going through the motions and
some of the songs didn't excite me or make my foot or neck take notice. The
vocals weren't bad as the singer has a solid voice, but the band need to work
on making the riffs a bit more catchy and maybe some more up tempo stuff would
help as well. Info:
www.myspace.com/blackhorizonmetal
BUTCHER/Welcome To The Night (Inferno Records) Now this is in the same vein
as the above band, but this band writes way better and catchier heavy metal
tunes that had my head banging in seconds. This is a pure heavy metal classic
with riffs that were both melodic, heavy and catchy as hell. Great female vocals
too as it almost sounds like she has a set of balls and I mean that in a good
way. Production is great and I love the guitar sound and just everything on
this is great. A pure heavy metal classic. Info:
www.inferno-records.net
or www.myspace.com/inferno-records
REVEAL/Same (Self Released) Just another of the way too many nu/jump metal bands
with the death tough guy growls and wow the totally original clean vocals too
boot. So many of these bands doing this that they are a dime a dozen. Nothing
original here at all as they sound like every other nu metal band I have reviewed
in the past year. Guys please lose the clean vocals and the jump metal riffs
and try and go create something original and not copy 10,000 other bands. Info:
www.myspace.com/severenth
SYMBOL SIX/Monsters II (Self Released) Some cool down n dirty punk rock, not
hardcore, but punk rock. Punk rock like it used to be with bands like DOA, Circle
Jerks, etc. I really liked this as not many bands this style and they rip out
some wicked punk rock with a fury. I love the singer he has a perfect punk rock
voice as he sings the songs in a raw sort of shouted way, the way punk rock
should be. Production is not over polished and keeps that raw sound. I looked
at the bands bio and they have been around since 82 so no wonder they sound
like they do. This is some great punk rock played the way punk rock was meant
to be played and if your old school then you'll love this as this is just great.
Info:
www.symbolsix.com
ELEVENKING/Red Silent Tides (AFM Records) The bands bio calls them power metal/folk
metal, but to me this is more hard rock than anything. This is some damn fine
hard rock too. Great, catchy riffs with some nice vocals make this band better
than 99% of other so called hard rock pretty boy bands. The bottom line with
me is riffs and this was just full of them. The tunes were catchy and the singer
had a great voice that fits the music and this was so good that they got a new
fan, me. Info:
www.afm-records.de
TANKARD/Volume 14 (AFM Records) This band has been around as long as Metal Core
and while I have not heard every release, this delivers the goods. Ripping thrash
riffs that will have your neck snapping and vocals that are not deathcore or
any of that screaming moshcore shit. Just a singer with a solid aggressive voice
singing in a aggressive way and not sounding like every other singer out there.
The production in this crushes and the guitar sound is a thrash lover’s dream
and just has that classic old school thrash riffing. This is an awesome release
of classic thrash metal. Info:
www.afm-records.de
MOONREIGH/Loi Martiale (De Tenebrarum Principio) This was some crushing black
metal in the vein of Dissection. Just wicked fast riffs and smash pounding drum
parts and also some killer black metal vocals made this a treat to listen too.
The music didn’t sound generic nor the vocals. Production is on the money and
the band also just don’t pound it out every second they slow it down now and
then and they also have some melody in their music too. A perfect example of
the way black metal should be. Info:
www.myspace.com/moonreichmusic
WOEBEGONE OBSCURED/ Deathstination (I Voidhanger Recordings) This to me was
some boring doom metal with boring riffs and just plain awful music. The singer
was decent, but the music just dragged along and had no power or anything with
it. The songs were flat and I do like some doom metal, but the riffs and stuff
weren’t there and this just bored me. Info:
www.myspace.com/woebegoneobscuredband
SVART CROWN/Witnessing The Fall (Listenable Records) This was just another case
of the same ole same. Another faceless death metal with some brutal riffs and
signing, but it has been done to death this style. The music sounds like a million
other faceless death metal bands and music wise it sounds like a bad version
of Immolation. The vocals aren’t bad, but they are just the standard death metal
style and the band never slows down and just blasts a million miles an hour.
Nothing special here. Info:
www.listenable.net
HEATHEN BEAST/EP (Self Released) 3 tunes of some decent black/death metal. The
3 tunes were decent slabs of death/black metal that didn’t sound generic or
sound awful. Strong vocals on this too. Production was solid and this band didn’t
try and out blast, and out evil every other band out there, which scored points
with me. The band played fast, but not too fast, good death/black metal and
3 songs made me want to hear more. Info:
www.myspace.com/heathenbeast
SECRET SPHERE/Heart & Anger (Metal Mind Productions) I have never heard
of this band before and they play a style of melodic power metal with a clear
voiced singer. The music is chunky power metal with some prog metal mixed in
here and there. The singer has a powerful voice and he fits the style of the
music. Sort of if you mix older Savatage with Dream Theatre. The tunes are catchy
numbers that fans of prog metal will eat up. I would say this is more prog metal
than power metal. This was a solid release of straight ahead metal mixed in
with prog and a touch of power metal. Info”
www.metalmind.com.pl or www.metalopolis.pl
ONE MAN ARMY AND THE DEAD QUARTET/21st Century Killing Machine (Metal Mind Productions)
Some decent death metal with a groove beat to it. This came out a few years
back and is now being re-released and it has one of the guys from The Crown
in it. The band play a groove death metal style that I am not a big fan of and
this I thought was OK, better than some of the other groove metal crap out there.
You get a couple bonus songs and clips on here too so if your into the groove
death metal thing, this is better than most. Info:
www.metalmind.com.pl or www.metalopolis.pl
SECRET SPHERE/Scent Of Human Desire (Metal Mind Productions) Now this is more
like power metal for sure. Faster tunes and more catchy stuff I think are on
this one. I love the more power metal approach and the tunes have a more aggressive
style and I was more into the disc that the other. Again great vocals and production
and the playing is outstanding. This was a wicked killer release and includes
a bonus track. A must have for power metal fans. Info:
www.metalmind.com.pl or www.metalopolis.pl
ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET/Error in Evolution (Metal Mind Productions)
More groove metal, but this like the above release, I liked this better than
the above release from this same band. Less groove and more death metal vocals
and less deathcore vocals and a bit more speed on this too. The band mixes in
more of a older death metal sound and this to me just sounded better to my ears.
Vocals are better and the songs are better. This is worth checking out. Info:
www.metalmind.com.pl or www.metalopolis.pl
SLITER THG/War By God (Self Released) I hate to rip on bands, I really do, but
this was some god awful music. The music is just a really bad mix of heavy metal
and some rock. The riffs are god awful and there is nothing there to grasp on
or even nod your head to. The music is all over the place and there is nothing
catchy at all within the songs or riffs. The band needs to work on their songs
and an identity as I have no idea what they are trying to do. Sorry maybe next
time If this is some combined 2 band disc I have no idea as no info was provided.
Info:
www.sliter.net
NECRONCLAST/Ashes (Moribund Records) To me this was just a wishy washy slab
of music that went nowhere fast. The vocals are just bad growls and screams
into a mic and the music isn’t much better. It is bad death metal that has nothing
of value to it at all. Want killer riffs, ha, you won’t find it on this and
the vocals just ruin any shot of this being any good at all. Info:
www.moribundcult.com
HATE/Erebos (Listenable Records) While this breaks no new ground, this is some
of the best stuff that Lisenable Records has put out as there is not of that
groove/deathcore shit on this. This is blasting death metal with some furious
riffs and blasting drums. The vocals are death metal vein none of that shitty
deathcore crap. The production is killer and I love the guitar sound the band
get and the smashing drums sound rules too. Think Morbid Angel around the “Blessed
Are The Sick” era. Good stuff. Info:
www.listenable.net
DRUGS OF FAITH/Corroded (Self Made God Records) Holy shit this blew me away.
I wouldn’t even know where to being to describe this. Think punk rock meets
grind. The music is wicked fast and raw with some punk rock style singing. The
3 piece sound like no other band I can think of can just let the raw music do
to the talking. Just rip roaring fast punk rock that will have pits a plenty.
Very cool and original band that is for sure. Worth checking out. Info:
www.selfmadegodrecords.com
DISPLIN/Radikale Randgruppe (ATMF) Just a wall of industrial noise with some
black metal thrown in. This is totally useless as the vocals are so buried in
the mix and the music is just a wall of noise that goes nowhere fast and this
was pretty much bad and awful.
GRONDHAAT/Humanity-The Flesh For Satan’s Pigs (Ketzer Records) Oh this is the
way black metal should be. This is raw, pounding black metal played with feeling,
emotion, atmosphere and vocals from hell. This is a side project from the band
Trollech and they know the way black metal needs to be. Vocals are of pure hate
and he sings such a vicious way and no trendy deathcore singing or nu metal
riffs or generic black metal screaming. A total black metal masterpiece I assure
you. Info:
www.ketzer-records.de
GHOST TOWER/Curse Of The Black Blood (Self Released) This band reminded me of
the sadly missed Sapphic Ode. They play metal music with a slight goth and dark
style to it. The band also have a female singer and she has a really good voice
for the style of music the band is playing. The guitars have a nice thick metal
crunch and the band don’t sound like anybody else I can think of any no deathcore
or nu metal shit to be found thank god. The band have a nice style that I enjoyed
and they also sent me a cassette (yes a tape ha ha) of some cool cover tunes
they play including Deceased, OZ, and Deadly Blessing and that was very cool
to hear. Check em out at:
www.myspace.com/ghosttowerband
UNDER THE FLOOD/Alive In The Fire (Self Released) This is another one of those
new modern groove rock bands that I FUCKIN HATE, but I must say, out of all
that I heard, and I have quite a few, this is about as good as I have heard
a band of this caliber. The singer has a great voice for the style of music
the band play and he really belts and gets into the songs. The songs are catchy
numbers and don’t sound generic or stupid and I enjoyed them for the most part.
Heck my wife likes the band ha ha. I will say for this style of music this band
is about as good as it gets and the songs and vocals finally won me over. Info:
www.undertheflood.com
TRAILER PARK SEX/Now Or Fuckin Never (Self Released) This band claims to have
jazz in their music, well I don’t hear Pat Methany or The Jazzmasters, what
my ears here is just another faceless deathcore band with those At The Gates
vocals along with nu metal death core crap with a few jazzy like riffs mixed
in. This sounds like any other faceless death metal band making the rounds these
days and the vocals and music are nothing new or different that I have not heard
at least 500 times before. This is just another band doing the same thing over
and over that I have heard way too many times before. Typical death metal. Info:
www.myspace.com/trailerparksex
LORD OF PAGATHORN/Msilihporcen (Self Released) This is just some crippling black
metal with some traces of real death metal thrown in the mix. This is fast,
heavy, and will blow you away. The band has that feeling and atmosphere down
and I could feel it as this played on. I have said before, when black metal
is done right, it can be deadly, and this is deadly I assure you. Great black
metal vocals, not that annoying screeching kind neither. Production on this
rules as does the bands guitar sound. Just wave after wave of brain crushing
black metal done the right way. Info:
www.myspace.com/lordofpagathorn
ANGIST/2010 Demo (Self Released) 2 tunes is hard to judge a band by, but this
I thought was OK. The music isn’t anything special, but it doesn’t suck neither.
The 2 tunes I heard are fast death metal numbers that are just kinda there in
the middle, not pulling me neither way in any direction. The production is good
and the singer isn’t bad, at least no deathcore on this. The band should slow
down just a tad and the female on drums wow she can blast with the best of them.
I gave this a couple more listens and I am gonna lean a bit more to the better
than average side, but the band should work on slowing down a bit and don’t
change the vocal style and just don’t follow trends. Not bad. Like to hear more.
Info:
www.myspace.com/angisttheband
NOCTURNAL TORMENT/Consecrated (Self Released) 3 tunes of well played death metal
in the vein of I would say Pestilence, which is a good thing in my book. Crushing,
thick riffs that will knock over a tall building and vocals that made me smile.
This is the way death metal should be played. Riffs that had my neck snapping
and the production on this is godly. Oh I could see a label snatching these
boys up soon if not they are fools. This is just balls to the wall death metal
with tons of feeling and atmosphere and riffs that will knock your head off.
Check these guys out for sure. Info:
www.myspace.com/eternalnocturnaltorment
STRATOVARIUS/Elysium (Armoury Records) Oh what a awesome release of melodic
power metal this is. Soaring vocals and just great tunes made this a winner
in my book. The guitar crunch kills and I was banging my heads within seconds.
Singer Timo has a great voice and he sings these songs with passion that few
can match. The tunes are both heavy and catchy and god I just loved this release.
This is the bands 13th album!!! Holy shit I will have to go back and check out
their other work, in the meantime pick up what I will say will be one of my
top releases in 2011. Info:
www.stratovarius.com
INVASION/Orchestrated Kill Maneuver (Rotting Corpse Records) This was some pretty
nice straight forward death metal with some crushing riffing and real death
metal vocals. Incantation meeting Autopsy was something that was going through
my mind as this played on. The band also have some of that killer Swedish death
metal sound to them that I friggin love. The production on this crushes as that
guitar sound melts me. Vocals are just a pure death metal delight and this is
a great release of death metal the way it should sound, no nu metal or deathcore
in site…thank god. Info:
www.rottingcorpserecords.com
THANATOPSIS/A View Of Death (Cursed Productions) This is a re-release of this
band’s demos and other goodies as this band was around in 1990 and that is when
I would actually write to one of these guys back and forth, yeah we actually
wrote letters back in the day. And now is he is in the above named band. Anyway
this is his old band and they rip through on this some wicked raw death/thrash
with crushing lighting fast riffs and real blasts beats with some Slayer mixed
in there. Vocals are shouted thrashy like, which was fine by me. Very cool hearing
this on Cd as the band still sound fresh as they did in 1990. This is more raw
than the above band and plus it was 1990 and only a demo. This is a treat for
all old school fans and for newer ones, heck this is a million times better
than that deathcore crap making the rounds. Cheers for Ray of Metal Curse for
putting this out. Info:
www.cursedproductions.com
STIGMA/The Undertaker EP (Pivotal Recordings) Wow 3 tracks of nu metal with
the same tired dance metal riffs and breakdowns (wow what a word huh) The producer
of this called this ‘a breath of fresh air”. What the fuck were you smoking
my man. This shit sounds the same as 2000 other nu metal, groove metal, deathcore
bands that all have the same deathcore vocals and nu metal dance riffs that
it is impossible to tell one from another. Breath of fresh air? Give me Dark
Angel, give me Deceased, give me Goreaphobia, give me Gama Bomb, but please
don’t give any of this fresh air. A complete waste of your time this band is.
Absolute fuckin garbage. Oh this is only available as a download too. Info:
www.pivotalalliance.com
PROCESS THROUGH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ONLY/Human Sacrifice Records) This to me is
just another modern groove metal band with those deathcore vocals and also they
throw in some clean vocals as well and to me the band just seem better than
that. The music is that happy thrash metal riffing that I am no fan of as give
me Violence any day. The vocals with the clean and deathcore style, just sound
like any other band doing this style and there was nothing new that perked my
ears up. I will say this though, as far as bands doing this style, which I am
no fan of, this is one of the better ones as at least some of the riffs had
my feet tapping. Not bad for what this is. Info:
www.myspace.com/processdenmark
HALO STEREO/The Invisible War (Self Released) This was an alternative modern
rock band and I must say a fuckin damn good one to boot. Great songs and great
vocals highlight this disc. The singer has a great voice and he really gets
into signing these songs on the disc and the music is both catchy and heavy
and would be something you would hear on any modern FM station nowadays. Again
to me what separates this band from others, is that the songs are catchy and
don’t sound generic or like a million other bands and that they have a singer
with some passion and a set of balls to boot. Great band here and to all those
people who think I just like brutal death metal and thrash metal and only older
bands and not any new bands, well here is a great new band and they are rock
n roll so fuck off. Info:
www.myspace.com/halostereo
ANIHILATED/Scorched Earth Policy (Killer Metal Records) Ah now this is a breath
of fresh air, pun intended. Killer old school thrash metal played the way it
should be played, with aggression, feeling and power and no fuckin no metal
or happy riffing to be found anywhere. Great production also on this and this
is just prime time thrash metal and oh those riffs brought a smile to my face
that lasted until the last riff was played. Great thrash metal release here
and this band is back baby. Info:
www.killermetalrecords.de
NEURONSPOLIER/No One’s Safe (Self Released) Wow this some excellent pure heavy
metal with lots of catchy riffs and vocals. The singer has a strong clear voice,
but he sings the songs with passion and a set of balls too. The music is old
school metal straight ahead metal like a band like Accept would play. I like
the guitar tone the band uses and the songs were solid tunes that didn’t sound
like any other band I could think of and they don’t mix in any modern metal
which was fine by me. This is headbanging metal that is about as good as it
gets. Not many bands of this around and I am glad to see a band like this holding
the metal flag nice and high. Info:
www.neuronspoiler.com
IGNITION CODE/Upgraded (Self Released) Same ole heard a million times groove
metal with the deathcore vocals and breakdown parts. Bands like this are a dime
a dozen and all sound the same to my ears and can’t tell one from the other.
Info:
www.myspace.com/ignitioncode
DARK MIRROR/Visions Of Pain (Killer Metal Records) This label delivers the goods
again with another solid release. This is a straight forward no frills heavy
metal band that hails the metal flag high and mighty. Heavy riffs of metal and
no nu metal or happy riffs to be found anywhere. No stupid singing or clean
vocals. Just a heavy metal fury that locked me and didn’t let go. This is the
way heavy metal was meant to be played and this band grab the metal banner and
don’t let go. Also 4 extra bonus demo tracks on this puppy too. Get it. Info:
www.killermetalrecords.de
VERITATE/The Chosen One (Killer Metal Records) This was another pure heavy/power
metal band with some keyboards, which I felt took away from some of the music.
The band kicks out some catchy metal riffs and chanting vocals that brought
me back to the days of the 80’s. The music has some melody to it, but it still
catchy and heavy nevertheless. I love the singer’s clean vocals and he as well
sings in an aggressive style, but not shouting deathcore crap. Except for the
few keyboard parts here and there, this is another great release from this label
that is putting out some quality metal releases. Info:
www.killermetalrecords.de
COLOSSUS/And The Rift Of The Pandimensional Under-Gods (Killer Metal Records)
This was a decent metal/rock band. This band I wouldn’t call a pure metal band
as they have some rock n roll in their music, but don’t let that fool ya, cause
this band delivers the goods and god do they write some catchy rock and metal
riffs. The label thrown out the name Saxon in the bands bio and yeah that wouldn’t
be far off, but theis band has a bit more rock to them, but yeah Saxon would
be a good start. Bottom line is I am a sucker for a good riff and this has a
million on them. I love the singer as he sings the songs with passion and feeling
and that is one trademark that win me over, that and a good riff. This label
has some great bands on it from what I have heard so far and now you can add
this to that list. Info:
www.killermetalrecords.de
BATON ROGUE MORGUE/High End Of The Season (Self Released) Some really excellent
heavy metal with tons of killer riffs and fist banging songs. There is also
a 5 song DVD on this too. This starts off with the song ‘Hellride” which got
my fist pumping and didn’t let up till the last note was sprung. The riffs on
this and song structures will make any head bang I assure you. Finally a metal
band that knows a great riff and this has more than a few great riffs. Awesome
singer too, he puts his heart in singing these tunes and if you like bands like
Accept, etc, you’ll love this. Killer band. Info:
www.batonroguemorgue.com
or www.myspace.com/batonroguemorgue.com
BORN OF SCARS/Self Titled (Self Released) This is a rock/metal band and actually
not a bad one neither. They have a female singer, who has a nice set of pipes
and she sings the songs with passion and emotion and doesn’t sound bad to my
ears. The music is more rock n roll with a metal edge, but not that shitty modern
rock sound, this band just writes solid tunes that are catchy. The 7 tunes I
got on this disc were all good to great tunes. The production is solid and I
think for the most part the band have their own sound. I could easily see this
band getting signed to a label and selling some serious units. Good stuff and
not many bands doing this style and glad to see this wasn’t some FM garbage
modern rock band. Info:
www.myspace.com/bornofscars
or www.bornofscars.com
LIGHTNING SOWRDS OF DEATH/The Extra Dimensional Wound (Metal Blade Records)
Holy shit did this knock me out of my chair. Just bone crushing speed/death
metal that blasted and beat me into oblivion. This is fast, powerful hit on
this puppy. Vocals that will make any underground fan proud. Riffs that had
my neck moving and playing air drums as well. The production is nice and solid
and I friggin love the guitar sound on here as well as the real blast beats.
Ah no groove or breakdown parts to be found. Info:
www.metalbladerecords.com
SACRARIUM/March To An Inviolable Death (De Tenebrarum Principio) Some decent
black metal here. The band use the same fast pic riffing style most use, but
the band play with such feeling and emotion that I could not help getting wrapped
up in this. The band also slow it down at times and I love the vocals, total
hate and power. The production on this is good as well. I am not a huge fan
of black metal, but like it when it is done right, and this is done right. Info:
www.atmf.net
SPELLBOUND DAZZLE/Unreal Fairy Tales (LA Records) This is a weird band, but
they have too much of the nu metal/breakdown style for my liking. They throw
in some weird prog parts and then some mellow parts and then go and play some
very generic nu groove metal with wow clean vocals. Oh if they got rid of that
stuff, they would fuckin rule. Those parts remind me of Linkin Park, and they
fuckin blow. This just has too many nu metal and generic parts for me to get
into it and just throwing a few odds and ends does not make a good bad. Info:
www.la-records.com
PRELUDIUM/Warfare (Diabolical Conquest Records) This is some decent death metal
played the old school way. No groove or nu metal shit and no deathcore vocals
thank god. This is just pure death metal with some slower riffs and then wicked
blast beats to boot. The only negative thing is that this style of death metal
has been done to death and it is far from original. That being said, I did enjoy
what the band is doing and it is better than a lot of the other stuff out there
and I do love the blast beats. Info:
www.diabolicalconquest.com
THE DEAD/Death Metal Suicide (Diabolical Conquest Records) Some crushing doom
this band plays. Riffs as heavy as steel drum and they just pounded me into
oblivion. This never got boring as some doom metal bands do. Just riff after
bone crushing riff and not a boring note can be heard on this. Production is
nice and thick and not over produced and sounds just about right. One of the
best doom bands around or at least that I have heard. Info:
www.diabolicalconquest.com
HAVOK/Time Is Up (Candlelight Records) Fuckin A some prime time thrash and not
any of this nu metal or happy groove style of thrash. No this is old school
Bay Area style thrash that totally crushes. God I couldn’t stop listening to
this puppy. Riffs that had my head spinning and also playing air drums like
there was no tomorrow. If I had to pick a band I would say Exodus from around
the Pleasure of the Flesh days, but this easily stands on its own. Great production
and thrash metal riffs out my ass. This was easily be in my top ten of 2011
and we are only in Feb. This FUCKIN CRUSHES!!! Info:
www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
ABACINATE/Genesis (Epitomite Productions) This band mix in some modern death
metal and some sounds of the old. Some of it I liked and some of course I didn’t,
but that is just me. The singer on this, unfor, has passed away, but he did
a hell of a job on this except for some of the deathcore stuff, which, just
me, I am not into it. The music on this is some brutal death metal and even
though it is far from original, it is enjoyable and the band can crank out some
killer riffs. The production on this is great and this band conducts a nice
mix of the old and new. Info:
www.epitomite.com
BALFOR/Barbaric Blood (Pulverised Records) Some really solid old school death
metal with some traces of older style black metal thrown in for good measure.
Vocals remind me of Cronos of Venom, which by no means is a bad thing. The band
just play with lots of feeling and aggression and no deathcore, no jump around
metal, just solid evil death metal the way this music was meant to be. Riffs
that will tear through your body and slice and dice you. Really cool band here
and they have their own style too and this is worthy of a purchase. Info:
www.pulverised.net
UNCANNY/MCMXCI-MCMCIV (Dark Descent Records) This band was around for a short
time in the early 90’s and put a few things out and then broke up. Well this
label is putting out all their material on a double disc and double horns up
for them as this is some crushing Swedish death metal played with tons of feeling
and aggression. Just listen to these riffs on this and vocals that are pure
death metal delight. This is pure Swedish death metal that will crush the weak
and even though this stuff is from the early 90’s it blows away so much of this
new crap that dares call its music death metal. The riffs on this will have
you head banging in seconds. Awesome re-release. Info:
www.darkdescent.net
AS LIKELY AS NOT/Stand Up And Nerve (TEK) Boring, heard a million times before
death metal with those shitty deathcore vocals and fake blast beats and happy
riffing. Please don’t even label this as thrash metal cause it will give thrash
metal a band name. Bands like this are a dime a dozen and just infest and pollute
the already overcrowded underground with more garbage bands. Info:
www.myspace.com/aslikelyasnot
HELSTAR/Glory Of Chaos (AFM Records) Some old timers, like me, ha ha, will remember
this band from the 80’s on Metal Blade Records. Well they are back and wow do
they sound great. Singer James Rivera absolutely smokes on this as he and his
band have put out one of the best power metal records this pair of ears has
heard in quite some time. Riffs that will have you head moving and toes tapping.
His voice never sounded better and the Saxon and Scorpions covers are godly.
Every song on this is an A plus song and if you’re a fan of real and classic
power metal, this is a must buy and this is the way power metal and heavy metal
should sound, not that nu metal happy riffing crap. Info:
www.helstarmetal.com
FLAME/March Into Firelands (Hells Headbangers) Just crushin old school thrash
metal with some elements of black metal thrown in the mix too. Vocals are total
old school black metal that don’t sound generic or stupid and the singer has
a hellish voice that adds an element to the band. The music is old school black
and thrash metal and when mixed together it packs quite wallop. Forget all these
new wanna be bands, stuff like this is where the underground should be. No happy
nu metal riffing or cheesy screeching vocals. Just pulverizing death and destruction
the way it was meant to be. Another awesome release from this great label. Info:
www.hellsheadbangers.com
RAVENCULT/Morbid Metal Primitivism (Hells Headbangers) Oh my god shoot me now.
This is such a crushing release it is beyond belief. Riffs from the depths of
hell and vocals that satan would love. This band mix in the best of old school
speed metal and black metal to spew out some of the most violent, vicious music
I have heard in years. This just took me on a ride that I never wanted to get
off. The guitar sound the band use on this is unholy and the sound, feeling
and power is unreal. This band sound as tight as a hot chick in tight ass jeans
let me tell you. The production also has that raw killer feel and this just
plain kills. Info:
www.hellsheadbangers.com
AUSTRALIS/Eidolon (Self Released) This was some decent death metal, but I have
mixed feeling on the singing. Some of the parts of the singing I didn't like
were when the singer or another member when into those generic deathcore parts.
Other than that this was some well played death metal with some nice riffs and
fast parts to boot. Nice guitar sound and production on this as well. The 4
songs on here are very good and if the band lose the deathcore singing they
would be that much better off and they are a good enough band not to resort
to the crap. Info:
www.myspace.com/australis