REVIEW: AYDRA - ICON OF SIN

 

AYDRA - ICON OF SIN (Independent, 1999):

Technical data:

Recorded and Mixed at Sound Machine Rec. By David Lenel, Andreas Venetis and Aydra.

Mastered by Antonio Piazza and Aydra.

Cover Artwork by Eugenio Morganti.

Track List: 1- Icon of Sin, 2- Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, 3- Reflect and Desist, 4- Pleasure Dome, 5- The Day of the Weddings, 6- Xavier´s Dream, 7- Lost Time Fury, 8- Night Drive, 9- No R.M.X.

This guys are really technical !! I have the personal opinion that this bands that make the most technical versions of death metal are the ones that push the style one step forward and the ones that make the style evolve in the right direction. Aydra is an italian band and the musicians here extract all the sounds that are possible from their instruments (a special mention to Francesco Olivi who is a killer and original guitarist doing incredible solos with legatos and fusion phrases). Some parts here reminded me of bands like Cynic or Pestilence ("Testimony of the Ancients" or "Spheres" era) or maybe to Atheist. But this band has its own identity. Two words here to describe their music: Original, Extreme Musicianship. Since this album is from 1999 I am really awaiting a new effort really soon !!. One of the albums of the month. Favorite tracks: The whole CD. Contact: http://digilander.iol.it/aydra

REVIEW: ANATHEMA - RESONANCE I

 

ANATHEMA - RESONANCE 1 (Peaceville Recs., 2001):

Track List: 1- Scars of the Old Stream, 2- Everwake, 3- J´Fait une promesse, 4- Alone, 5- Far Away (acoustic), 6- Eternity (part 2), 7- Eternity (Part 3) (acoustic), 8- Better Off Dead, 9- One of the Few, 10- Inner Silence, 11- Goodbye Cruel World, 12- Destiny, 13- The Silent Enigma (Orchestral), 14- Angelica (live in Budapest 1997), 15- Horses, Video enhanced track - Hope

This is a must for Anathema fans...a compilation of the band´s more climatic moments...the ambient side of Anathema, including some rarities like the acoustic version of "Far Away" or "Eternity (Part 3)" also in an excellent acoustic version or the orchestral version of "The Silent Enigma" that were previously available only in Germany and Japan (six tracks of rarities). Also this CD includes a live version of "Angelica" recorded live in Budapest in 1997. This is a CD to lay down and listen with your eyes shut letting the music transport you to Anathema´s ethereal world. Plus you have here the Pink Floyd covers "Goodbye Cruel World" and "One of the Few", plus another cover "Better Off Dead". Relax, lost soul, and let Anathema embrace you with their dark wings. Favorite tracks: "The Silent Enigma", J´Fait Une Promesse" and "Destiny". Contact: www.peaceville.com

REVIEW: AKERCOCKE - THE GOAT OF MENDES

 

AKERCOCKE - THE GOAT OF MENDES (Peaceville Recs., 2001):

Track List: 1- Of Menstrual Blood and Semen, 2- A Skin For Dancing In, 3- Betwixt The Iniquitatis and the Prostigiators, 4- Horns of Baphomet, 5- Masks of God, 6- The Serpent, 7- Fortune My Foe, 8- Infernal Rites, 9- He Is Risen, 10- Breaking Silence, 11- Initiation, 12- Ceremony of Nine Angles, Video Enhancement for "Infernal Rites".

Akercocke is a really original band...in fact I could not have said this by listening to the first track, but it is a completely different band from the second track until the end of the CD. And they are really powerful !! Is it correct to call them industrial melodic brutal death metal? (what a name!...I hate labels). They have elements of each of this styles: The guttural vocals like the ones used in death metal bands, a lot of electronic elements (courtesy of Martin Bonsoir), and a lot of melodies in many of the parts (and in the vocals too in some choruses). I think that this two last elements are what make the Akercocke sound really original...killer guitar riffs with natural harmonics thrown here and there...electronics and keyboards used to enhance the power of the tracks, original melodies, extremely fast solos, some more calm moments like "Fortune My Foe"... And this guys are going on tour with Katatonia...what a team !!!! A must. Favorite tracks: "Horns of Baphomet", "Masks of God", "Infernal Rites". Contact: www.peaceville.co.uk or www.akercocke.com

REVIEW: ABOMINATTION- RITES OF THE ETERNAL HATE

 

ABOMINATTION- RITES OF THE ETERNAL HATE (Destroyer Recs., 2000):

Technical data:

Recorded at Da Triba Studios - Sao Paulo, Feb. 2000

Engineered and Mixed by Tchelo Martins. Mastered at Estudio Zappa.

Cover Artwork by Marcello Possa.

Track List: 1- Rites of the Eternal Hate, 2- Abominattion...of Creation, 3- Real Glory Revealed, 4- Diabolical Redemption, 5- Burn on Behalf of God, 6- Hated by the Flames, 7- the Emptiness of the Flesh, 8- Smell of Death

Black/death metal from Brazil with some good ideas (like for example the riff and changes at 0:47 in "Abominattion...of Creation") and a poor sound quality, specially on drums and guitars. This is raw and extreme black metal with some death influences in some of the riffs and some slower parts like the one in the break at 1:20 of "Real Glory Revealed" ( I think this guys should do more parts like this one because I think is where they can find their own identity). There are extremely fast guitar solos and an anguished vocalist who contributes to the dark feeling of the whole CD. I find interesting some thrash metal parts that are here and there in a lot of the tracks here and which I think should be more used. A good overall result. Favorite tracks: "Diabolical Redemption" (with some odd tempos), "Hated by the Flames". Contact: www.destroyer.com.br

REVIEW: VII ARCANO - INNER DEATHSCAPES

 

VII ARCANO - INNER DEATHSCAPES (Warlord Records, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded at outer Studios, Rome by Giuseppe Orlando - Nov. 2000

Recorded, Mixed and Edited by Giuseppe Orlando and Max Pagliuso.

Logo, Artwork and Layout by Morbid.

Track List: 1- Intruding, 2- Anticlockwise Cycle of Dying, 3- Of Suicidal Age, 4- The Inner Deathscape, 5- Echo Calling, 6- Fog path, 7- Release Into Anguish, 8- Necrotica Art - The Performance, 9- Streams of Paranoia, 10- Descending

Interesting technical death metal band from Italy, in the vein of In Flames and Samael. This is a band with a lot of melodies and ideas going on. In fact the main thing here is the combination between this guitar melodies and some thrash metal rhythms with a vocalist reminiscent of Slayer´s Tom Araya (obviously more growling and with more variations). There is a really good double bass drumming work here and there are also a lot of tempo changes that give the band a lot of personality. I think that this is one of the bands that creates the missing link between modern death metal and old school thrash metal (there are a lot of old school riffs that were sorely missing in the metal scene of this days...and here they are). The vinyl version includes a cover of Kiss "Love Gun". Favorite tracks: "Of Suicidal Age", "Echo Calling" (with catchy riff), "Necrotica Art..." (again killer opening riff). Contact: www.warlordrecords.com and www.viiarcano.com

REVIEW: ZA FRUMI - ZA SHUM USHATAR UGLAKH

 

ZA FRUMI - ZA SHUM USHATAR UGLAKH (Independent, 2000):

Technical data:

Recorded and Mixed in Stockholm 2000.

Engineered by Za Frumi.

Track list:   1- Intro, 2- Dushatar, 3- Za Kala, 4- Za Shulg, 5- Nudertogat, 6- Albai, 7- Vrapogat, 8- Interludium, 9 - Za Ismael Kala (Act I), 10 - Za Ismael Kala (Act. II), 11- Knish Requiem (Outro).

This is a conceptual album narrating an epic story about the orc leader Uglakh and his compatriots. Much in the vein of Lord of The Rings or the "Planet of Adventure" saga. The curious thing here is that the lyrics are in a strange language (in fact they are not lyrics, they are dialogues between the creatures that are the protagonists of this history), the one used by the characters and the booklet has the translation to english. The music here has something tribal (like on "Dushatar" with tribal percussion), something atmospheric (there is heavy use of keyboards and clean guitars and also female vocals like on "Albai"). It is like listening to the soundtrack to a science fiction movie. It is an interesting concept to create a history and then put music on it in order to make the listener see an imaginary movie. I have never before listened something like this, full of battle noises and all the sounds that you would hear in the cinema, plus the voices of this creatures. Favorite tracks: "Nudertogat" and "Albai". Contact: zafrumi@hotmail.com

REVIEW: WARMTH IN THE WILDERNESS : A TRIBUTE TO JASON BECKER

 

WARMTH IN THE WILDERNESS : A TRIBUTE TO JASON BECKER (Lion Music, 2001):

Track list:  CD 1: 1- A little ain´t enough, 2- Altitudes, 3- Eleven Blue Egyptians, 4- A Jam for Jason, 5- Higher, 6- Becker Ola, 7- Dogtown Shuffle, 8- Go Off, 9- Hammerhead Shark, 10- Jasin Street, 11- If you have to shoot…, 12- Baby´s on Fire, 13- Sensible Shoes, 14- ESP, 15- Air. CD 2: 1- Opus Pocus, 2- Mandy´s Little Throbbing Heart, 3- Blue, 4- It´s Showtime, 5- Becker´s Bolero, 6- Lydiás House, 7- Drop in the Bucket, 8- Forcefield, 9- Urmila, 10- Black Station Jam, 11- Hawking, 12- Primal, 13- Rain, 14- Concerto, 15- Tell the Truth, 16-Outro Jam.

This is for me (and because of my love for Jason Becker´s music) one of the album of the year. Hear there are, 31 tracks cellebrating the music of Jason Becker, the great guitarist, the great composer, the great man. This album is full of great musicians and it would be unfair to mention some of them and not mention them all, but because of the lack of space I will mention some of the contributors to this great recording: , Chris Poland, Vinnie Moore, Marty Friedman, Steve Morse, Phantom Blue, Carina Alfie, Rolf Munkes, Torben Enevoldsen, Paul Nelson. And there are many many more playing through the songs here. The material is based basically on the "Perpetual Burn" and "Perspectives" solo albums, on the two ecellent albums that he did with Cacophony and on the album Jason did with David Lee Roth, plus there is some original material here too!!! This is a must for every guitar freak !!!. Favorite tracks: The whole 2 CD set !!!.Contact: www.lionmusic.com

REVIEW: VEIL OF SORROW - DARK RIVERS OF THE HEART

 

VEIL OF SORROW - DARK RIVERS OF THE HEART (Demolition Recs., 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded, mastered and mixed at Studio Soundcreation, May 2000.

Engineered by Per Ryberg.

Produced by Veil of Sorrow

Layout by Lars Jamne / Oskorei Graphics: mail@oskorei.com

Track List: 1- In The Midnight Hour, 2- Soulcaptive, 3- The Dark Within, 4- Scars, 5- Shades of grey, 6- Remnants of a Dying Sun, 7- Well of Broken Wishes, 8- Silent Fall, 9 - Disconnected, 10- Words mean nothing

I have only read about this band and I had not listened to them before. It is a pity because they are a great band ! Melodic gothic metal with melancholic vocals and original guitar riffs. What is more important about this band is that they create SONGS without loosing their power. The influences here come from the side of Amorphis, My Dying Bride, the heaviest Anathema (also I find something of Katatonia in there too). In fact is an excelent mix of influences that all together makea great recording. One thing to point out is the excelent work of the guitarists…the leads have enchanting melodies and the rhythms are crushing !! I hope to listen more from them soon. Favorite tracks: "The Dark Within", "Shades of grey" and "Remnants of a dying sun". Contact: veilofsorrow@hotmail.com

REVIEW: VALHALLA - BEYOND THE UNDERWORLD

 

VALHALLA - BEYOND THE UNDERWORLD (Laute Records, 2000):

Technical data:

Recorded in Power Jevosound Turbo 2000 3D Plus Studios - Sept.99-Abr.2000.

Recorde, produced and mixed by Valhalla.

Artwork: Iñigo Martínez.

Track list: 1- Aliens, 2-Rohirrim, 3- Eclipse, 4- Shadow of the King (Part I), 5- Medieval Feast, 6- Guardians of Metal (Re-Edited), 7- Metalopolis (orc. Version)

It is quite funny to have two different bands with the same name in the same issue and so different in musical style…this is Valhalla from Spain and their style is progressive power/heavy metal with abundance of keyboards and in the vein of bands like Rhapsody (with less barroquism) , Helloween or Stratovarius. Here we have two excellent guitarists, Mikel Martinez and Ignacio Garamendi who are the basis of the band, and great musicians on the bass, keyboards (there are excellent passages of unison between guitar and keyboards) and drums. All the elements that you like or hate of this style are here: speed with drumming galloping, clean vocals, melodies, etc. etc. I would like them to get a little bit away from their influences and I think they are going to achieve this through time. I recommend this album to fans of the style. Favorite tracks: "Rohirrim", "Shadow of the King" and "Metalopolis". Contact: valhalla@guardiansofmetal.com

REVIEW: VALHALLA - NORTHMAN

 

VALHALLA - NORTHMAN (Independent, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded in an eight track demo machine, April 2001. Produced by Valthor.

Design by Martin Kainbrecht

Track list: 1- Phönix Aus der Asche, 2- Undead Life, 3- In the Shadows, 4- Northman, 5- Of Mortals and Gods, 6- The Legacy, 7- Where the Soul was Given, 8- Runes of Death, 9- A……r, 10- Remember your ancestors, 11- The Sword of My Father, 12- Die Heerscharen Meines Volkes, 13- Der Wed des Nordmannes, 14- Thunderbay, 15- Victory.

From Austria comes this trio that makes a music reminiscent of eighties thrash (in fact the three bands that came into my mind were Celtic Frost, Sodom and Coroner…what a great mix!!!) but with some keyboards on it and diverse atmospheres….some of the tracks are heavier, shorter and more concise like "Undead Life" with screaming choruses, some of them are more climatic, like the instrumental "Northman" (based almost in its entirety in keyboards with some epic melodies) or "The Legacy" (with acoustic guitar and keyboard and vocals that are really adequate) that is one of the most interesting tracks here. The sound is not so good but it is because the CD was recorded in an eight track demo machine, and I think that the result would have been better in a studio. I hope they get a deal with a label to solve this point. This is an album for people that like memorable songs and variety. Favorite tracks: "Phönix Aus der Asche", "Of Mortals and Gods" and "The Legacy". Contact: valhalla-metal@gmx.at

REVIEW: ULFHETHNAR - BEYOND THEIR MORTAL BOUNDARIES

 

ULFHETHNAR - BEYOND THEIR MORTAL BOUNDARIES (Dark Hidden Prods., 2000):

Technical data:

Recorded during Ulfhethnar´s 13th moon, with total contempt and hate.

Track list: 1- Ave Satani, 2- Cold Fields, 3- A Call for the Rising Mists, 4-Fenriz Stamm, 5- Winter Darkness, 6- the Eternal Silence, 7-Epilogue.

This is black metal directly from Argentina !!!!!!!!! The music here is inspired by bands like Dark Throne, Gorgoroth and Ulver ("Natten Madrigal" era), that is the most raw and full of hate kind of black metal. Speed. Raw guitar, hyperfast blastbeats and screaming vocals are here all over the place. The guitars sound is quite thin and they play fast one note riffs in the tradition of say "Panzerfaust" (that is fast, raw and primordial riffs), maybe the band with a better mix can make them sound fatter to enhance the final result. There are some interesting breaks like at the end of "Cold Fields" (2:06) and I think that this guys should use more things like this in the future or things like tempo changes for example. For black metal fans. Favorite tracks: "A Call for the rising Mists" and "Fenriz Stamm". Contact: ulfhethnar88@hotmail.com

REVIEW: THE FALLEN - THE TONES IN WHICH WE SPEAK

 

THE FALLEN - THE TONES IN WHICH WE SPEAK (Independent, 2001):

Track List: 1- Suffer With It, 2- The Tones in Which We Speak, 3- All for None, 4- Harbinger, 5- Turning Hollow, 6- A Sunken Ploy, 7- To Dust, 8- Descend from Heaven, 9- Bound in Thorns, 10- Bloodwash.

This CD starts with a crushing explosion of guitars and drums before leading us into this metal opus with fast guitars and drums and strong vocals. "Suffer With It" is the first track and it kicks you in the face with this wall of sound in the vein of thrash metal bands with a modern edge (specially on the vocals that are closer to, say, Sepultura or death metal and certain rhythms that are not so common in the style) and modern sound. We have here an interesting drummer that is the main reason that the bands sound so powerful…I think he is putting all his strength on this release. Also the guitars are really full and there are interesting guitar solos that give more quality to the songs. Tracks like "All for None", "Suffer with It" or "Turning Hollow" are pure strength and aggression like all the material contained here !!. Favorite tracks: "Turning Hollow", "To Dust" (killer atmosphere!!) and "Bound In Thorns". Contact: www.thefallen.net

REVIEW: THEATRE OF TRAGEDY - CLOSURE: LIVE + INPERSPECTIVE

 

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY - CLOSURE: LIVE + INPERSPECTIVE (NEMS Enterprises, 2001):

Technical data:

Closure:live recorded live at the Metal Mania festival in Katowice 2000. Mixed at Woodhouse Studios by Siggi Bemm and Matthias Klinkmann.

Inperspective produced by Pete Coleman

Design by Øyvind Dreyer Stuestøl.

Track list: Closure:Live: 1- Intro/And when he falleth, 2- Der Spiegel, 3- Cassandra, 4- Venus, 5- Black as the devil painteth (rmx v2), 6- Siren, 7- Poppæa, 8- Bacchante, 9- A distance there is, 10-Der Tanz der Schatten, 11- Cassandra (CD Rom Video), 12- Der Tanz der Schatten (CD Rom Video). Inperspective: 1- Samantha, 2- Virago, 3- Lorelei (icon of coil remix), 4- The masquerader and Phoenix (phoenix mix), 5- ON Whom the Moon Doth Shine (unhum mix), 6- Der Tanz der Schatten (Club mix).

Well, this is a two CD set done by NEMS Enterprises consisting on two albums: one is a live concert recorded last year at the Metal Mania Festival and the other one is an EP of rarities and remixes by this great norwegian band. The live recording opens with the classic "And when he falleth" showing all that this outfit is capable of: dark moods, heavy riffing and the vocals of Liv Kristine shinning in all its magnitude and contrasting with the male vocals that are more of the growling type (or spoken in the new tracks). In fact I think this songs sound sometimes better live than in studio. The tracks in Inperspective can be divided into two: the rarities: "Cassandra" (really in the vein of Paradise Lost´s "Host") and "Virago" (heavier and slower) recorded in 1998 and the remixes which are almost dance in the case of "Lorelei" and "On Whom the Moon doth Shine" or "The Masquerader and Phoenix" (quite funny) or closer to the original version in "Der Tanz der Schatten". Favorite tracks: "Der Tanz der Schatten (live)", "Black as the Devil Painteth" and "Samantha". Contact: nems@nems.com.ar

REVIEW: TERRORIST - COLLISION

 

TERRORIST - COLLISION (Comando Santa Brigida Zine Prods., 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded, mixed and mastered at La Nave de Oseberg Studio.

Produced by Comando Santa Brigida.

Track list: 1- Collision, 2- Situación Extreme, 3- Terroristas, 4- Horror, 5- Perfil Atroz, 6-Per-viviendo, 7-Impronta, 8- Convaleciente, 9- Grito Final, 10- S.B.M.F., 11- Silencio de Eclusión, 12-Terrorific.

From Grand Bourg, Argentina comes Terrorist with their potent death metal. The intro called "Collision" takes us directly to their fast realm of chaos in "Situación Extrema". Speed, riffs in the vein of bands like Morbid Angel and two types of vocals (a growling type and a screaming one) are the main carachteristics of this band. There is a good work of drums and bass in there that help the band to comunicate their musical message with solvency, it is no mere speed but a lot of rhythms done by this killer drummer (check "Perfil Atroz" to see this). Death metal fans will be delighted. Favorite tracks: "Horror" (extremely fast), "Perfil Atroz" and "Impronta" (with wah wah and some elements not so common in death metal). Contact: terrorist_band@yahoo.com.ar or comando_zine@hotmail.com

REVIEW: STRETCH ARM STRONG - A REVOLUTION TRANSMISSION

 

STRETCH ARM STRONG - A REVOLUTION TRANSMISSION (Solid State Recs., 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded at the Jam Room - Feb-Mar, 2001.

Engineered by Jay Matheson and Matthew Jones.

Mastered by Brian Gardner

Track List:  1- Means to an end, 2- Worst Case Scenario, 3- The Truth about Iowa, 4- For the Record, 5- Take Back Control, 6- When Words Escape, 7- Kill the Light, 8- Still believe, part II, 9- Dreams Away, 10- Positive Aspects of Negativity, 11- Transmission Demolition, 12 - Parasite Complex, 13- Angels of the Silences.

This is an Enhanced CD. Yes, a CD with music and a lot more things to see with your computer (really cool things). The music presented here is crude punk and hardcore with modern sound. With a vocalist that has a voice that sometimes is similar to the one of Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against the Machine) and guitars that sound really saturated, this band has also a side more melodic in the choruses (for example "Means To an End" (1:48)) and in the use in same places of clean guitars. But the main thing here is power that is what the songs contained here show, like on tracks with full speed like "Worst Case Scenario" (where the melody is played and singed over a thrash beat). Favorite tracks: "Worst Case Scenario", "For The Record" and "Still Believe, Part II". Contact: www.solidstaterecords.com

REVIEW: SOUL EROSION - FURIOUS MIND DEGENERATION

 

SOUL EROSION - FURIOUS MIND DEGENERATION (Warpath Recs., 2001):

Technical Data:

Recorded and mixed at LB Lab, France, July 2000.

Produced by Stephane Buriez and Soul Erosion,

Mastered by Benoit Roux at Master Lab.

Logo and Cover: Michael Schindler / Dragon Design

Track list:   1- Furious Mind Degeneration, 2- Kraniotomy, 3- Christ Militia, 4- El Gran Mazel

The most brutal death/grind metal is coming to us with this band from France. Really fast tracks are the four contained here (a terrible amount of double bass drumming appears on this release…killer drummer !). Brutality is the main thing here but we must not forget technique…this guys are like a death metal machine, sounding some times really like a clockwork mechanism, specially because of the drumming sound. Lovers of good death metal rejoice, here is Soul Erosion !!! Favorite tracks: 1- Furious Mind Degeneration" and Kraniotomy". Contact: warpath@wanadoo.fr

REVIEW: SIDE WALK SLAM - PAST REMAINS

 

SIDE WALK SLAM - PAST REMAINS (Tooth and Nail Recs., 2001):

Track list:   1- Yesterday, 2- No need to apologize, 3- Yesterday´s actions, today´s regrets, 4- Heartache, 5- Hopes and Dreams, 6- Another Day, 7- Princess, 8- Not getting off, 9- Gone with the wind, 10- Eve, 11- I´ll be waiting at the southside tracks, 12- Ode to dispossession, 13- Love Letters, 14- Circumstances, 15- Holy Matrimony, 16- Past Remains, 17- Everyday

Total modern punk rock…nothing more and nothing less. Fans of the style will love it and detractors will hate it with the same intensity. In fact this is the kind of punk that is not so aggressive and is melodic. In fact some things here reminded me of Green Day or Blink 182. Those who like those bands will surely enjoy this recording. Contact: www.toothandnail.com

REVIEW: SABAISM - THE UNBORN DAWN

 

SABAISM - THE UNBORN DAWN (Independent, 1996):

Technical data:

Recorded, mixed and mastered at ARTAG Studio, Zurich.

Produced by Sabaism. Engineered by Voco Faux-pas

Artwork and Logo by Marco Gemmet.

Track list: 1- Intro, 2- Einsamkeir, 3- The Unborn Dawn, 4- Fateful Sophism.

Great black/death metal band from Switzerland. Their sound is at the same time fast but full of changes, melodies and atmospheres. There are some dissonances in there that I loved (the ones in the clean interlude of "Einsamkeit" (3:14) or in the fast part of "Fateful Sophism" (0:28)) and some Sabbath like riffs (on "Einsamkeit"). I like this band because they are using elements that are not so common in this style of music and they have obtained a sound that is able to distinguish this band, not resting only on speed and blast beats, but using excellent stuff like for example the change at 2:46 of "Fateful Sophism" with good drumming work. This is a recording from 1996 and I would love to see what this band is doing now and how they have evolved. Favorite tracks: "Einsamkeit" and "Fateful Sophism". Contact: sabaism@hotmail.com

REVIEW: RAINSPAWN - MESSENGER OF DEATH

 

RAINSPAWN - MESSENGER OF DEATH (Independent / Kick Promotion Agency, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded , Mixed in October 2000 at Temple of Noise Studios.

Produced by Rainspawn

Cover painting by Roberto Vallati.

Track list:   1- Reign of Pain, 2- Power of the Wind, 3- Awake, 4- Legion of Chaos, 5- Shade off from grace, 6- Ride The Storm

This is power metal but not in the vein of bands like for example Symphony X. The guys in Rainspawn have much more influences from thrash metal bands and their riffs are heavier than most of the bands in the scene (not mere the galloping that most of power metal copycats bands do nowadays). Shades of bands like old Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth or Testament can be heard here. Riffs done with certain complexity and drums using a lot of snare and cymbals. The overall sound is good (in fact I would like the snare drum a little bit more dry) and the result is a good thrash metal album. Favorite tracks: "Reign of Pain", "Power of the Wind" and "Ride the Storm". Contact: www.rainspawn.go.to or madfucker@libero.it

REVIEW: PUTREFACTOR - SYMPTOMS OF SOCIETAL ROT

 

PUTREFACTOR - SYMPTOMS OF SOCIETAL ROT (Independent, 1999):

Technical data:

Recorded , Mixed and Mastered at Vortex Studios, Lindenwood, N.J.

Engineered and Mixed by Jim Forbes and Putrefactor. Produced by Putrefactor.

Track list:  1- Disemboweled, 2- Eternal Sleep, 3- Climax, 4- Nightmare, 5- 13, 6- The Dying

Pure hatred death metal !! Violent, agressive, raw, crushing are some adjectives that come to my mind when listening to this band´s recording. The music here is death metal in its purest form with some thrash touches in certain guitar riffs and drum patterns (check for example "Disemboweled" at 1:20 to see that double bass nightmare). I like the overall sound here but I would have mixed differently the guitars (a little bit higher on the riffs) that are in some places obscured by the cymbals. Also there is a good drum sound, specially on the bass drum that is not so "electronic-sounding" as most bands like to do. I think that this guys must explore certain interesting rhythms that they have here and develope their sound full of brutality. Favorite tracks: "Disemboweled, "Nightmare" and "The Dying". Contact: it_lives_@webtv.net

REVIEW: POLIMETRO - METROPOLIS

 

POLIMETRO - METROPOLIS (NEMS Enterprises, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded, mastered and mixed by Andrés Godoy and Kike Yorio at Procor Studios, Santiago de Chile

Produced by Andrés Godoy

Concept, Art and Design: Aldo Robledo / Leandro Ibañez

Track list:  1- Intro, 2- Laberintos, 3- Dioses Negros, 4- Fábulas, 5-Hijos del Temor, 6- Sola, 7- Finjo ser Fuerte, 8- Guerras Eternas, 9- Luz y Sombra, 10- La Traición, 11- Episodios, 12- Instru Mental.

A keyboard introduction sends us directly to "Laberintos", in the more pure tradition of progressive heavy metal of the kind that bands like Dream Theater have made famous. There are a lot of changes within the tracks of this album. Despite being a progressive band here there are not extensive tracks (the longest one is 6:27 minutes long). This guys are obviously influenced by the main bands of the style and specially by Dream Theater (I think they should depart a little bit from them to gain more originality in their music). Interesting musicians here that are in total control of their instruments, and they show it through short solos and multiple changes. A positive point for this record is that they have achieved a great studio sound, specially on keyboards and guitars. Favorite tracks: "Laberintos", "Fábulas" and "Hijos del Temor". Contact: nems@nems.com.ar

REVIEW: OSSIAN - PROMOTAPE 00

 

OSSIAN - PROMOTAPE 00 (Independent / Kick Promotion Agency, 2000):

Technical data:

Recorded at Blu Velvet Studios Modena - Jan/Feb 00.

Produced by Ossian. Mixed by Marco de Bartolomeo and Ossian at master Recording Studio

Ossian is a heavy thrash band from Italy and this is a three track promo CD. The music of the band is really heavy, take as an example a mix of Machine Head, Sepultura, and some hardcore band (Cro-Mags I would suggest…) with some melodic touches in the vocals on some bridges and choruses. There are some modern sounds like in the second track here that sounds like Korn meet death metal. It seems that the band has participated in some festivals with great response from the audience. If I had to resume the whole album in one world: strength. Contact: www.ossian.3000.it or madfucker@libero.it

REVIEW: OCCULT - VIOLENCE AND HATRED

 

OCCULT - VIOLENCE AND HATRED (Painkiller Recs., 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded, mixed and engineered by Peter Gardian with Dream World Studios.

Mastered by John Korsten and Peter Gardian.

Produced by Occult and Peter Gardian.

Track list:  1-Violence and Hatred, 2- Killing for Recreation

This band has become heavier !! This CD single presents two tracks recorded last year by this death metal band. The music here is pure death metal but with riffs that are more close to heavy metal or eighties thrash metal, obviously with a more modern sound (the riffs brought to my mind Sodom´s "Agent Orange"). I have not heard in a long time rhythms like the one that opens "Killing for recreation", really Kreator / Destruction-like. There are two types of vocals here that sometimes make unison phrases (one is more guttural and the other one is more of the Carcass-type). The next full length of this band will be out in a couple of months through Painkiller Recs. and I would like them to emphasize this path they are walking on nowadays.Contact: painkiller@infonie.be

REVIEW: NIGHTSIDE - SHADOWS WEAVER

 

NIGHTSIDE - SHADOWS WEAVER (Independent, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded and mixed at Litle Fox Studios September 2000/January 2001 by Simo, Dany and Nightside.

Produced by Nightside.

Booklet and cover design: Valentina and Davide S.

Track list: 1- Abyss, 2- Illusion, 3- Darkness, 4- The line, 5- Only one, 6- Rain dance.

This is with no doubt one of the albums of the month ! It is a pity that Italy is now known because of its power metal bands and this is like a tree that does not let people to see the forest that is behind. Extremely technical death metal is what this italian band does with shades in some aspects of norwegian bands like In The Woods or Enthrall (in the clean voices). Interesting drum patterns are what Matteo C. Does, in the vein of maybe Sean Reinert to give you an idea. There are a lot of interesting guitar moments here, including complex riffs, clean interludes and two guitar games (for example one clean and another heavily distorted) or for example clean guitars while the bass does some interesting arrangements. This is recommended for those who love extremely professional bands with excelent musicianship. Favorite tracks: the whole album. Contact: tompa@virgilio.it

REVIEW: MYTH - DEMO CD 2001

 

MYTH - PROMO CD 2001 (Independent, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded at Dream State Studios on December 7th, 2000.

Mixed on June 8th, 2001 by Brandon Youngs and Myth.

Track list: 1- Through The Mist of Time, 2- The Shadow Beyond, 3- The last Feast of Marketh,

What a surprise this promo CD was !! This is melodic black metal directly from the USA, with the use of female vocals, flutes and viola with a great emphasis on melodies. The first track "Through the Mist of Time" is the slowest track here with the use of female choruses and a lot of keyboards. In fact, I find interesting the heavy use of keyboards, specially in the track "The Shadow Beyond" (interesting lines at the end of the track). "The Last Feast of Marketh" is a rhythmic instrumental track that opens with the flute playing some medieval-type melody before the band enters playing this heavy rhythmic phrase (interesting work of the bassist here, alla Steve Harris). I wonder if this band will get a recording deal soon so we can listen a full length release from them. Keyword: originality. Contact: stormdrums@aol.com

REVIEW: MYSTICA - BLINDED BY MY BLOOD

 

MYSTICA - BLINDED BY MY BLOOD (Painkiller Recs., 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded in february 2001 by Xavier Carion (Channel Zero).

Mastered by Attie Bauw / Amsterdam.

Cover Artwork by Kris Verwimp.

Track list: 1- My Malediction, 2- Blinded by My Blood, 3- Mystica, 4- Follow your God to the grave, 5- Illusion, 6- Betrayal 666, 7- For the Love of God, 8- White Princess

This is agressive music with lot of melodies ! A mix of speed and slower riffs and temos is the main charachteristic here along with the groovy type rhythms like on "My Malediction" (0:32). One thing that caught my attention is the drums sound here that is really good, specially on the double bass parts where you can listen this arrangements that are interesting for Mystica´s music. (check"Blinded by My Blood" to see what I am talking about). Another thing omniprescent here are the two type of vocals (one growling and the other one more of a screamer). If I had to describe this release I would say that is pure energy, aggression but with some subtle elements (specially on the guitars, whose riffs are really special). Favorite tracks: " "Mystica", "Illusion" and "For The Love of God". Contact: painkiller@infonie.be

REVIEW: MOURNING BELOVETH - DUST

 

MOURNING BELOVETH - DUST (Independent, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded and mixed from 29 may to 4 june, 2001 at Academy Studios.

Mixed, recorded and produced by Mags

Artwork by Sofía: lopezsofia@yahoo.com .

Track List: 1- The Mountains are Mine. 2- In Mourning my Days, 3- Dust, 4- Autumnal Fires, 5- All Hope is Pleading

Dooom!!!!! Here is Ireland´s main exponent of this style. There are shades of Paradise Lost, Saint Vitus, The Obsessed and Trouble here. Anguish, despair and sadness is the general feeling here, and the music is the best way to communicate it. Slow riffs and melodies, anguished vocals (Darren is a killer vocalist, I think he is the one with the anguished voice and Frank, the guitarist is who provides the death growling) are the key elements here. Nothing here shows happiness, all hope is lost. All five tracks here are long and they totalize more than sixty minutes of obscure feelings. Favorite tracks: "Autumnal Fires", "All Hope is Pleading". Contact: mourningbeloveth@ireland.com

REVIEW: MOTHERCARE - FUSOKU NO KIGEN

 

MOTHERCARE - FUSOKU NO KIGEN (Independent/ Kick Promotion Agency, 2000):

Technical data:

Recorded at No Brain Studios (drums) and Bunkker Studios (everything else).

Edited and Mastered by Mike at Bunkker Studios

Produced by Mirko and Mothercare.

Track list: 1- Mugon, 2- Deceit, 3- Dog, 4- Onslaught, 5- Elucidation, 6- Deceit (live), 8- Game Over (live)

This is extremely agressive music that this italian band describes as being somewhere in between Napalm Death and Slipknot (I think that this is a fair description (the sound is closer to Slipknot, specially the drums) and some riffs are closer to Napalm Death or some other death metal bands. The first thing that got my atention is the mix on this album…it is really good and has nothing to envy to those of the bands that are more recognized. The drums are up in the front (they sound almost electronic, almost industrial) and there are some interesting double bass patterns and the bass is really tight with the rhythmic parts. Good guitarists in the vein of Andreas Kisser, Dino Cazares or Robb Flynn and extremely agressive vocals. This MCD contains two live tracks that are really showing what this guys can do live and that is kicking your ass with all their power (eventhough the sound here is not good at all compared to what they achieve in the studio). Favorite tracks: "Deceit", "Dog" and "Elucidation". Contact: mauro.z@easynet.it or madfucker@libero.it

REVIEW: M.D.U. / SALE HOPE - SPLIT CD

 

M.D.U. / SALE HOPE - SPLIT CD (Trouduc Recs., 2001):

Technical Data:

Recorded and Mixed at Pourrisound Studio Tampax by Scotch Burne.

This is a split CD consisting on 24 tracks by M.D.U. that conform the "Les Bijoux de la Castafionstormofzenorth" and seventeen tracks of Sale Hope called "J´ai les kros". The music here is the most brutal death/grind (despite the cover art that seems from a band of a total different style). All the tracks presented here are short and full of bursts of energy and blast beats and also full of a somewhat special sense of humor. The sound is fairly good, specially on the M.D.U. part of the split (to say something, the sound is not like in the last Gorerotted album but it is not bad either because you can distinguish really well all the instruments). Obviously the better part here is when both bands play that are not as fast as the blast beats as in the beginning of "Troudball King". Favorite tracks: M.D.U. "Paco Rabanne dans ma ligne mire", "8 questions psycho-test pour savoir si tu es un gros PD". Sale Hope: "Groove Gars groove gay", "Oh, une trace de pneu sur la grande Bleu!". Contact: mdu66@netcourrier.com

REVIEW: MAJESTY - KEEP IT TRUE

 

MAJESTY - KEEP IT TRUE (Independent, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded by Jochen Weyer. Mixed and Mastered by Jochen Sachse at House of Audio Studios.

Produced by Majesty.

Cover Artwork by Ingo Zadravec.

Track list: 1 - Keep it True, 2- Strong as Steel, 3- Hail to Majesty, 4- Son of Metal, 5- Into the Night, 6- Metal Force, 7- We will ride, 8- Last Revolution

I though that Majesty was going to be a band similar to Hammerfall when I looked at the cover and read some song titles, but in fact this is different: in fact I think that this guys have a different background: while most power/heavy metal bands seem to be influenced by Iron Maiden or Helloween, I find the sound here closer to Raven, Anvil or Manowar (in fact, part of the responsibility lies on singer / guitarist/ Tarek "Metal Son" Maghary, whose vocals are in the middle range explored by the bands mentioned before, instead of the Michael Kiske-type of high-pitched vocals). The difference with those bands is the use of keyboards that make chord progressions in a more modern way. The guitar riffs are totally influenced by eighties metal as it is shown in "Strong as Steel". In fact, I would recommend this to heavy/power metal fans who are searching metal in its purest form regardless of originality, but don´t expect high pitched vocals here (some people criticize it). Favorite tracks: "Son of Metal", "Into the Night". Contact: Monarchs@gmx.de or www.clik.to/Majesty

REVIEW: LUCIFUGUM- INSTINCT PREVELANCE

 

LUCIFUGUM- INSTINCT PREVELANCE (Dark Horizon Records., 2001):

Track List:   1- On Search of My Soul, 2- Bringing by Rain, 3- The Mysterious Garden, 4- The Sabbat, 5- Wolves, 6- (Songtitle in Russian), 7-  (Songtitle in Russian), 8- (Songtitle in Russian), 9- (Songtitle in Russian), 10- 7:06

This is raw, primitive black metal from the dark lands of Ukraine. This CD released by Dark Horizon records is a collection of two of Lucifugum´s early demos "Path of Wolf" and "Fire of Hatred for Sky". The music contained here is pure holochaust in the vein of Dark Throne but embellished with some keyboards and acoustic guitars that help Lucifugum to show the feeling of darkness that they are evoking here. The sound here is quite primitive and I think is better on "Path of Wolf" (I think that they are using a programmed drum on the tracks in "Fire of Hatred for Sky" and that is not so evident on the tracks in "Path of Wolf"). I find interesting the mix of extremely raw parts at full speed and screaming with the more atmospheric passages of keyboards and guitar melodies (and slower parts that sometimes are more effective). For fans of Lucifugum and black metal this is a must. Favorite tracks: " Bringing by Rain", "The Sabbat " (excellent keyboards in the background) and "Track number 7". Contact: www.geocities.com/darkhorizon666