REVIEW: MITTERNACHT - THE DESOLATION OF BLENDENSTEIN

 

MITTERNACHT - THE DESOLATION OF BLENDENSTEIN (Furias Records, 2002)

Produced by Eduardo Mallada and Pablo De Luca

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Sergio E. Nuñez Stolles

Cover by Friedrich Curwenius

Tracks: 1- the Desolation of Blendenstein; 2- The Pain of Uncertainty; 3- The Crushing of Blendenstein; 4- Mist of Ravens; 5- A Tribute to the Void; 6- The Unveiling; 7- The Dawn of Uprising; 8- War Against the Void; 9- Last Battle in the Fields of Blendenstein; 10- The Desert beside Blendenstein

This is a really climatic release from this project coming from the dark mind of Friedrich Curwenius who is here in charge of all the compositions and plays all the instruments and programming. The music is certainly climatic and has a lot of melodies while reminding you to black metal style. So it is a great mix between heavy and fast rhythms and intense keyboards that make melodies through all the CD making you imagine the story that Curwenius is telling us here. The keyboards chord progression are interesting and Curwenius plays original and sad melodies over them that are the core of the tracks contained on this CD: Also there are a lot of sound effects and voices that transports you directly to Blendenstein. A must for people who likes original music done in a really professional way.

Favorite tracks: The whole CD. One of the CDs of the month

Contact: http://listen.to/mitternacht or www.orionmusic-furias.com.ar

REVIEW: METALUCIFER - HEAVY METAL CHAINSAW

 

METALUCIFER - HEAVY METAL CHAINSAW (R.I.P. Records, 2002)

Produced by Geniezoluzifer

Recorded at Overhead Project Koblenz

Tracks: 1- Heavy Metal Chainsaw; 2- Flight of Iron Pegasus; 3- Warriors Ride on the Chariots; 4- My Way is Heavy Metal; 5- Heavy Metal Samurai; 6- Dracula; 7- Metalucifer (Part II); 8- Lost Sanctuary

Pure heavy metal!! Yes, here we have heavy metal as it was in the early eighties, full of rocking riffs, choruses full of heavy metal hooks. The most notorius influences here are Accept, Saxon and Judas Priest. The sound of the recording is very eighties, giving us a complete picture of how heavy metal sounded in that time. But Metalucifer is also adding a twist to the music making it sound their own way. There are many guitar solos with a lot of power and melody combined with great riffs and simple drum beats that make the music really powerful !! If you like classic metal in the vein of the bands that I mentioned before then you will like Metalucifer. There are a lot of heavy metal tricks in the guitar riffs which I like a lot , check for example "Heavy Metal Samurai" and feel pure heavy metal music !!!

Favorite tracks: "My Way is Heavy Metal"; "Flight of Iron Pegasus" and "Lost Sanctuary"

Contact: www.restinpeacerecords.com

REVIEW: MENTAL AMPUTATION - MASS CRISIS

 

MENTAL AMPUTATION - MASS CRISIS (Independent, 2001)

Produced by Mental Amputation and Albrecht Felsestein

Recorded at Brickhouse Studios

Cover by Jaczek Wisniewski

Tracks: 1- Intro; 2- Mass Crisis; 3- The Inexorable; 4- Equinox; 5- Visions of Demise; 6- Hybrid Nation

Mental Amputation rules!! Their music is death metal with technical riffs and a grerat sound. The main thing here is that the songs are really well composed and there are many great arrangements that make things really interesting and add a lot of variation to the tracks. Here we have musicians that have a lot of technical skills.The recording has a great sound and there are a lot of things that shine like the keyboards in "The Inexorable", the clean guitars and the drum patterns which feature a lot of hi hat and ride cymbal that are mixed perfectly. This band deserves a recording deal now to be one of the main bands in the death metal scene. As I said before....Mental Amputation rules !!!!

Favorite tracks: All the CD. The tracks are really well composed and have many ideas going on !!

Contact: mentalamputation@gmx.de

REVIEW: MANIAS / SALÉ SANGRE - IDENTITY CRISIS

 

MANIAS / SALÉ SANGRE - IDENTITY CRISIS (Deadworld Syndicate Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Manias

Recorded in Santa Fe, NM USA

Cover by Leo Gonzalez

Tracks: 1- Abacination ; 2- Domain of Forever; 3- Trapped in a Cage; 4- Homisight; 5- Ojos Sangrientos; 6- Recuerdas; 7- Blood Covered; 8- 97 Fiends; 9- Baila Sin Piel; 10- D.I. - Avulsion; 11- La Llorona; 12- D.O.M.; 13- Hijos; 14- Growth; 15- A.O.R. - A Team Theme; 16 - Unimagined Figure

This CD starts in a great way with parts of Slayer´s "Hell Awaits" before getting into Manias / Salé Sangre´s own material. Here we have ultrabrutal death metal with a lot of rhythm variations and excellent riffs that sometimes are death, sometimes are more hardcore and sometimes sound even like black metal. The vocals are guttural in some tracks and in others are more screaming ones giving a lot of variation to the tracks. The sound is ultra raw and it gives the tracks a great raw feeling adding some darkness to the tracks. There are songs that are longer than others and I prefer the ones that have more riffs and rhythm changes. This is a good sample of what this guys are capable of doing. This CD was released originally in year 2000 so I am anxious to see what Andrew Manias and company are doing now. I hope to listen more from them soon.

Favorite tracks: "Domain of Forever"; "Recuerdas" and "La Llorona"

Contact: dead1@victimas-dth.com

REVIEW: LOST SOUL´S CRY - AGE OF FORTHCOMING CHAOS

 

LOST SOUL´S CRY - AGE OF FORTHCOMING CHAOS ( Independent , 2001)

Produced by Lost Souls Cry

Recorded at studio Postelflat

Cover by Danielle Van Deuveren

Tracks: 1-Diary of Darkness; 2- Tragedies of Existence; 3- Piece of Mind; 4- Age of Forthcoming Chaos; 5- Infinity of Nothingness

I would call Lost Soul´s Cry symphonic black death metal. Itt is symphonic because of the heavy use of keybaords and the arrangements which are epic, melodi cand at the same time really dark and sad. The tracks are fast as hell in some places giving you the idea of a black or death metal bands and the vocals are similar to those used by some black metal bands. The strange thing is that there is only one mind behind Lost Soul´s Cry and that is Frank Klein Douwel who plays all guitars and has done all the vocals and programming here. And he has done a good job, specially in the more climatic parts with excelent guitar riffs and keybvoards that create the darkest of all atmospheres. The sound is a little bit muddy but that is due mostly tothe programmed drums cymbals that give a strange effect. I think he has to do more tracks like the excellent "Piece of Mind", a really memorable tune with original melodies and sound.

Favorite tracks: "Piece of Mind";"Tragedies of Existence" and "Age of Forthcoming Chaos"

Contact: lostsoulscry@dolfijn.nl

REVIEW: LORD GORE - THE AUTOPHAGOUS ORGY

 

LORD GORE - THE AUTOPHAGOUS ORGY (Razorback Records, 2002)

Mastered by Rudy

Recorded in the Ruptured Bowels of the Vomitorium

Cover art by Walta Uziga

Tracks: 1-Intro; 2- Morgue Whore; 3- Krash Kourse in Psychopathology; 4- Rape Camp; 5- The Forgotten Flesh; 6- Last Supper (The Aurophagous); 7- Involuntary Vaginal Vermin Slut; 8- Post Coital Eruption; 9- Nekro-Erotik Art; 10- Zombie Molestation (Raped by the Dead); 11- Lord Gore; 12- Breakfast at the Manchester Morgue

Here are the new masters of gore music!!! Yes, Lord Gore is one of the best known names in the underground together with Impaled and Disgorge. This band has certain influences from the classic Autopsy (in the slower parts that were typical of that band). One of the things that are really welcome on this CD is the great sound that it has....really clear guitars focusing on strength and powerful riffs. Another excellent feature here are the solos which are really well mixed and they are based on good taste instead of being based on simple speed. We have several types of vocals here....some are more guttural than other and some brought to my mind classics like "Symphonies of Sickness". I liked a lot the drummer who does not abuse the use of blast beats....he prefers playing more interesting stuff that fits the music better. A great extreme release.

Favorite tracks: "Rape Camp"; " Lord Gore" and "Post Coital Eruption"

Contact: www.razorbackrecords.com

REVIEW: KOTIPELTO - WAITING FOR THE DAWN

 

KOTIPELTO - WAITING FOR THE DAWN (Century Media Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Timo Kotipelto

Cover by Derek Riggs

Tracks: 1- Intro; 2- Travel Through Time; 3- Beginning; 4- Lord of Eternity; 5- Knowledge and Wisdom; 6- Battle of the Gods; 7- Beauty Has Come; 8- Vizier; 9- Chosen by Re; 10- Waiting for the Dawn; 11- Arise; 12- The Monument of the Nile

Here we have the first solo album by Stratovarius frontman Timo Kotipelto. And here we have many famous musicians helping him on this recording. Jari Kainulainen (Stratovarius) on bass, Michael Rome (Symphony X) on guitars; Roland Grapow (ex Helloween) on guitars; Janne Wirman (Children of Bodom, Warmen) on Keyboards and many more. Here Kotipelto and company have developed a great album with many Stratovarius elements but with really strong songs and a great sound. I like specailly the way in which Kotipelto uses his voice because he has much more variations than many of the top singers of the style. Here we have also acoustic parts where he can sing and make harmonized choruses. If you like Stratovarius you will surely like this CD a lot. Also if you like heavy metal with European sound here you have a great release.

Favorite tracks: "Travel Through Time", "Chosen by Re" and "Arise"

Contact: In Southamerica: www.centurymedia.com . In Europe: www.centurymedia.de

REVIEW: KATAGORY V - PRESENT DAY

 

KATAGORY V - PRESENT DAY ( Independent, 2001)

Produced by Curtis Morrell and Katagory V

Recorded at Streamline Sound

Cover by Chris Maggio

Tracks: 1- I live On; 2- Evil Princess; 3- The Call of Midnight; 4- The Beginning of our End; 5- Steel Dungeon; 6- Morning Light; 7- The Forsaken; 8- Negative Attraction; 9- Present Day; 10- One Second Warning

Katagory V plays pure heavy metal and they have achieved their own identity while doing this. I can feel some speed metal and thrash metal influences (specially in the vocals and vocal harmonization which I liked a lot) well mixed here with classic heavy metal in order to obtain Katagory V´s own sound. And that is what is special here....while most of the bands try to copy a certain band that is more famous, Katagory V prefers to develope their own identity and play it heavier than most of this bands. I like a lot the guitar players here which are really technical and do many solos (I would like more solos !!!) and amazingly heavy riffs such as the ones in "I Live On" (this track is really powerful and deserves to be a classic metal track in the future). Here we have many changes on each track and an excellent sound that makes the results better and more clear. Katagory V rules!!!

Favorite tracks: "I Live On"; "The Call of Midnight" and "Morning Light"

Contact: www.katagory5.com

REVIEWS: KAOS RISING - WELCOME TO THE VIOLENCE

 

KAOS RISING - WELCOME TO THE VIOLENCE (Independent , 2002)

Produced by Kaos Rising

I have reviewed previously the demo from this powerful band called "Wiped Away" and I have to say that they have progressed a lot since then. First of all the sound is much better on this, their debut full length album. Their music is extremely powerful and instead of using hyper fast riffs to achieve this they use a lot of rhythmic ones which gives us a much more brutal result. From the first explosion of sound in "" we get into a nigtmare of ultraheavy riffs with amazing drum rhythms that takes us into a world of pure heaviness and brutality. This is a ten track CD designed to blow your brain into pieces with brutality. Kaos Rising rules in the brutal music world !!

Favorite tracks: Tracks number 5, 8 and 9

Contact: www.kaosrising.com

REVIEW: JOHN RUSSELL - FROM NEXT TO LAST

 

JOHN RUSSELL - FROM NEXT TO LAST (Emanem Disc, 2002)

Produced by Martin Davidson

Recorded by Martin Davidson

Cover by Martin Davidson

Tracks: 1- Jambridge; 2- Back Seat Witch; 3- Truckinge; 4- Psiotic; 5- Bye; 6- Mopomoso 2002

This CD presents us some improvised acoustic guitar solos from guitar master John Russell. The recordings here are from December 2001 to February 2002 and are a showcase of spontaneity in Russell´s playing. Here Russell shows us many different aspects of his musicl personality: from the softer side in many places of " Jambridge" to the more frenetic one in places of "Truckinge". This man knows how to extract millions of different sounds from his guitar : from noises, to soundsthat are almost imposible to discern and to melodies that are really dissonant. The last track, "Mopomoso 2002" is from a concert where Rusell improvised his music and you can listen how does his music changes in different environments (the first tracks where recorded at Martin Davidson´s house). This is an album with plenty of improvisation and experimentation.

Favorite tracks: "Mopomoso 2002"; "Truckinge" and "Jambridge"

Contact: www.emanemdisc.com

REVIEW: JACK FROST - SELF ABUSING UGLYSEX UNGOD

 

JACK FROST - SELF ABUSING UGLYSEX UNGOD (W.A.B.Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Boban Milunovic

Recorded at Boom Room Studios

Tracks: 1- Mother Mary Sleeps With Me; 2- One Hundred Percent Pain; 3- Unseen Insane I; 4- The Dance; 5- Some You; 6- Last Monday; 7 It All Means Nothing To Me; 8- El Funeral del Dictator

Here we have Jack Frost´s latest offering and I must say that is an excellent album that shows us all the elments that are main features of this band´s music. Here we have the dense guitar riffs combined with one guitar melodies in the vein of "Icon" era Paradise Lost. The music is incredibly darka nd full of deppressive melodies that fill all the tracks. Darkness arise on each of the songs contained here, specially when the depressive vocals enter. The recording has a really good sound that makes the music very direct and very effective when transmiting the feelings to the listener. Jack Forst are very tight as a band and that is shown through all the tracks on this recording. I think that fans of dark music with a big metal sound will be delighted by this CD.

Favorite tracks: "Mother Mary Sleeps With Me"; "The Dance" and "Some You"

Contact: www.wabrecords.org

REVIEW: INTERNAL SUFFERING - CHAOTIC MATRIX

 

INTERNAL SUFFERING - CHAOTIC MATRIX (DispleasedRecs. , 200)

Recorded at Sirio Productions Studios

Cover by Sho

Tracks: 1- Intro; 2- Chaotic Matrix; 3- Colossal Vortex; 4- Lurking Monstrosity; 5- Cosmic Ancient Mountain; 6- Reborn in Victory; 7- Cataclysmic Origin; 8- Vatican Bombardment; 9- Destroyer Entity; 10- The Antiquary Horror; 11- Decapitation of the Weak

Speed and brutality are the two main ingredients here. Here you have this guys hailing from Colombia and playing the most hyperfast death/grind. The vocals are extremely guttural as in grindcore bands and there are different types of them. The guitars play interesting riffs that are more in the death metal vein while the drummer makes blast beats in many places (there are places where he seems a drum machine playing hyper fast double bass patterns with a really tight sound). This guys really devastate the listener in the faster parts having no mercy through all the recording. One thing that I would like them to change is some effects that they use in the vocals which makes them less clear and I think that beeing clearer they will gain a lot in brutality. Internal Suffering is brutality guaranteed for the listener.

Favorite tracks: "Colossal Vortex", "Reborn in Victory" and "The Antiquary Horror"

Contact: www.displeasedrecords.nl

REVIEW: ILLOGICIST - POLYMORPHISM OF DEATH

 

ILLOGICIST - POLYMORPHISM OF DEATH (Independent , 2002)

Produced by Illogicist

Recorded in Nov. 2001

Tracks: 1- Warped, 2- Visions of Decay; 3- Grimaces

Illogicist is a death metal band from Italia. And they play really good death metal with certain thrash elements in their riffs. Also there are some influences from old school death metal which I think fits this band perfectly. The rhythms are really fast and they are devastating for the listener . Combined with the deathly vocals here we have a really powerful band. The sound of the three tracks contained here is really good despite being an independent production. Also the drummer is a deadly machine, specially when he enters in the faster parts with the ride cymbal or when he uses a lot the hihat making the songs even heavier. Check this underground act, I think we will know more from them in the future.

Favorite tracks: The three tracks are really good

Contact: www.illogicist.com

REVIEW: HOLY MOSES - DISORDER OF THE ORDER

 

HOLY MOSES - DISORDER OF THE ORDER (Century Media Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Andy Classen

Recorded at Stage One Studio

Cover by Stephan Hagenow

Tracks: 1- Intro; 2- We Are At War; 3- Disorder of the Order; 4- Break the Evil; 5- Deeper; 6- Hell on Earth; 7- I Bleed, 8- Blood Bond; 9- 1.000 Lies, 10- Princess of Hell; 11- Verfolgungswahn; 12- Heaven vs. Hell

Here is Holy Moses new album!!!! After last year´s "Master of Disaster" MCD which marked the return of Sabinna Classen´s band to the arena !! Now we have this "Disorder of the Order" With twelve brutal tracks with many ideas going on through each of the songs this another Holy Moses masterpiece ("the track "Disorder of the Order" is a new classic!!). This new era of Holy Moses has an interesting change in the guitar sound that has become more brutal. Sabina´s vocals are as brutal as ever and this time he changes it a lot through all the track (in some of them she seems to be in real pain and in anothers she is full of anger and hate !!!). I liked a lot Julien Schmidt´s work on drums which is really brutal and has a great sound through all the recording. Also a welcome addition is Andreas Libera on bass who supports in a great way the bottom end sound of the band. A devastating release from this crushing band !!!

Favorite tracks: All this CD is an extreme experience of brutality. One of the records of the month.

Contact: www.holymoses.de or in Southamerica www.centurymedia.com in Europe www.centurymedia.de

REVIEW: HIDDEN - SPECTRAL MAGNITUDE

 

HIDDEN - SPECTRAL MAGNITUDE (Red Stream Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Hidden

Tracks: 1- Hidden (Unknown and Nameless); 2- Formation of the Universe; 3- Ice Crust of Wek; 4- Geochemical primates; 5-Time As Eternity IN the Cosmos; 6- A Bounded Span of Time; 7- Macronucleus Chromosome; 8- Spectral Magnitude; 9- Supercluster

Here we have a band with a lot of changes (each tracks is completely different from the other going from extremely fast death metal to slower and calm passages almost doom in some places). Hidden seems to be obsessed with outer space as they show it on the lyrics of this CD and in all the artwork contained on the booklet. The guitars are complex and play from faster one note riffs to clean arpeggios that are the key feature on this CD and construct the different atmospheres that the listener can feel within each of the songs. The singer is brutal and gives a deathly feeling to all the songs with his screaming and whispering vocals. The mix is a little bit low for my taste and I think that this guys should mix the guitars a little bit louder and have the snare drum sound a little bit more fat in order to achieve a better result. The rhythm part of the band is really solid and helps the rest of the band to develope their style which is a great combination of brutality and good arrangements.

Favorite tracks: All the CD is amazing because of the change of atmospheres and feelings.

Contact: www.redstream.org

REVIEW: HELLION COLLECTION VOL. 3

 

HELLION COLLECTION VOL. 3 (Hellion Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Hellion Recs.

Tracks: CD1: 1- ENSLAVEMENT OF BEAUTY - Dainty Delusive Doll; 2- SINS OF THY BELOVED - Forever; 3- THRESHOLD - Light and Space; 4- ERIK NORLANDER - Rome is Burning; 5- SEVENTH KEY - Only the Brave; 6- REPTILIAN - Steel of the Dagger; 7- HELLOISE - Children of the Night; 8- RING OF FIRE - Face the Fire; 9- NIGHTMARE - Cosmovision; 10- AKASHIC - The Fire of Temptation; 11- BEFORE EDEN - Fallen Angel; 12- STEEL WARRIOR - Your Majesty´s Return; 13- INSANIA - The Right to Be Free; 14- SKYCLAD - The Wickest Man in the World; 15- DARK FUNERAL - The Arrival of Satan´s Empire

CD 2: AFTER FOREVER - Ex Cathedra; 2- AFTER FOREVER - Monolith of Death; 3- LACRIMOSA - Liebespiel; 4- WITHIN TEMPTATION - Ice Queen; 5- LOVE LIKE BLOOD - Injustice; 6- LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE - Morning...Grey; 7- CENTURY - Lost; 8- LANA LANE - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; 9- CHANDEEN - Ginger; 10- AMBEON - Ashes; 11- RPWL - Cymbaline; 12- EVERON - Fine With ME; 13- ALEX MASI - Blue Morning Blue Day; 14- SYRENS CALL - Storm; 15- EDENBRIDGE - Starlight Reverie; 16- TRISTANIA - The Modern End

CD 3: Video tracks: 1- PAIN OF SALVATION - Ashes ; 2-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY - Cassandra (live)

Here we have a compilation that is composed of three CDs...two of them are full with audio tracks from amny differnt bands and the third one has two videos. I like the way this compilation is done because they have chosen bands from many different styles going from power / heavy metal as Helloise or Steel Warrior, to more symphonic artists like Erik Norlander or Lana Lane, also balck metal with bands like Dark Funeral and Enslavement of Beauty and gothic like Century or Chandeen. Tyhe overall result is really good and I think it is a good sample of the catalog that Hellion Record has. If you want to have a taste of which is the sound of each of the bands mentioned above then I strongly recommend tcompilation.

Favorite Bands here: Sins of Thy Beloved, After Forever, Tristania, Dark Funeral, Lacrimas Profundere, Within Temptation, Erik Norlander, Century, Chandeen, Pain of Salvation

Contact: www.hellionrecords.com

REVIEW: HAGALAZ RUNEDANCE - FRIGGA´S WEB

 

HAGALAZ RUNEDANCE - FRIGGA´S WEB (Hammerheart Records, 2002)

Produced by Andrea Nebel Haugen and Thorbjørn Akkerhaugen

Recorded at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio

Cover by Division 731 Studio

Tracks: 1- The Crossing; 2- Hel Goddess of the Underworld; 3- Frigga´s Web; 4- Labyrinth; 5- Little Light; 6- Raven Night; 7- Albion Autumn; 8- Where the Lonely Souls Go; 9- The Home that I will Never See; 10- The Soul of a Hound

This is Hagalaz Runedance new album (the third full length) and the follow up to "Volven". This time the music continues to be climatic and atmospheric but on this album I think it is more introspective. The compositions are kind of darker this time and I like them a lot. Also Andrea Nebel Haugen continues to write the lyrics about nordic culture and pagan myths, focusing on the mysteries of birth and death and the relationship between the goddeses Hel (goddess of death) and Frigga (patroness of women and children). The use of ancient instruments is a really attractive feature of Hagalaz Runedance and they reach their climax here: lute, bagpipe, Lyre, Harp, every one of this instruments is played here (the help is of the multifacetic Kristian Nordeide from Corona Borealis). Hagalaz Runedance continues developing their amazingly introspective music and exploring ancient paths.

Favorite tracks: All the CD. As always Andrea delivers the best.

Contact: www.hammerheart.com

REVIEW: FURY - SLAVEKIND

 

FURY - SLAVEKIND (Independent, 2001)

Produced by Fury

Recorded by Tony Nesci

Cover by Lord Tim

Tracks: 1-Shapes of Three; 2- Slavekind; 3- One Thousand Pasts; 4- Forsaken; 5- Denying Fear; 6- The Serpent´s Kiss; 7- Lies; 8- Of This Insanity

Fury´s music is really difficult to describe due to its originality. In fact I would say that it is a mix of the following styles: pure heavy metal; thrash metal (in some riffs and drums patterns); death metal (because of some heavy fast parts and the most guttural vocals); hardcore (some vocals in the beginning of "Shapes of Three" reminded me of this style). I liked a lot this band and specially their versatile vocalist that goes from extremely heavy to creating incredible melodies. There are many changes in all the songs which I liked a lot and that make each song a unique and extremely interesting musical piece. The guitars are devastating doing all the great riffs that can be listened on this CD and playing amazing solos (I would like more of them...this guys rule). Check the riffs in "One Thousand Pasts" sincerely crushing!!! Fury is a really heavy as hell band which I would like to listen more in the future (and obviously seeing them perform live!!!).

Favorite tracks: All the CD is great !!

Contact: http://fury.musicpage.com

REVIEW: FUNEBRARUM - TOMBS OF SLEEPING DARKNESS

 

FUNEBRARUM - TOMBS OF SLEEPING DARKNESS (Necroharmonic Records, 2002)

Produced by Funebrarum

Tracks: 1- Tombs of Sleeping Darkness; 2- Adoration of Abscessed Cadavers; 3- Miasma of Pestilence; 4- Dormant Hallucination; 5- Depths of Misery

Here we have Funebrarum (the band that has members of Evoken on its lineup)latest release. This is a five track release and the music contained here is really a mix of death metal and doom. I mean, this guys love the heavy riffs and vocals of death metal but they also like to do some slow riffs like the one in the begining of "Tombs of Sleeping Darkness". I think that the main characteristic here is the oppressive and dark feeling that Funebrarum´s songs have. The guitar sound is really dense and this is really helpful for the dark atmosphere that this guys create through all the tracks of this album. There are some blast beats in some parts of the songs but speed is not the main ingredient here. The five tracks a re long enough and allows the band to develope the ideas that they want to transmit to the listener without missing the point. There are many changes within each song and this makes the tracks even more interesting. Lovers of death and doom will love Funebrarum.

Favorite tracks: The five tracks

Contact: http://www.necroharmonic.com

REVIEW: FREUND HEIN - SUBVERSIVE REVOLUTION

 

FREUND HEIN - SUBVERSIVE REVOLUTION ( Independent , 2002)

Produced by Freund Kein

Recorded by Hannes Kukla

Cover by Thomas Reitnayer

Tracks: 1- To Be - What a Shame; 2- The Brute in Him; 3- ....Against the Establishment and Burgeoisie; 4- Vicious Circle; 5- Subversive Revolution on All Fronts

Freund Hein are really original and they have that strange flavor that some bands from Austria have. Due to their lyrics I would call Freund Hein´s music revolutionary metal. And their music is revolutionary too because they are mixing extremely heavy music with a .lot of keyboard and piano parts and operistics vocals that are combined in a great way with the heavier and screaming ones. The guitars are heavy as hell and make a great contrast with the keyboards (also there is some use of clean guitars in some places. The drummer has a really huge sound and he makes a lot of interesting things with his double bass drumming. But the main instrument here are the keyboards which play interesting melodies and chord progressions through all the tracks but in a different way than most of the bands would do (starting with the sound which is completely different). A must for music lovers !!

Favorite tracks: All the tracks contained on this MCD. One of the CDs of the month

Contact: www.freundhein.com

REVIEW: FREEDOM CALL - CRYSTAL EMPIRE

 

FREEDOM CALL - CRYSTAL EMPIRE (Century Media Recs. , 2001)

Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, Dan Zimmermann and Chris Bay

Recorded at Hansen Studio

Cover by Paul Raymond Gregory

Tracks: 1- The King of the Crystal Empire; 2- Freedom Call; 3- Rise Up; 4- Farewell; 5- Pharao; 6- Call of Fame; 7- Heart of the Rainbow; 8- The Quest; 9- Ocean; 10- Palace of Fantasy; 11- The Wanderer

Here we have a conceptual album by this german band whose main man is Dan Zimmerman, drummer in Gamma Ray . And the music here is pure german heavy metal with all its pros and cons., The pros are that the music is powerful and melodic with strong riffs and choruses. The cons are a certain lack of originality and a similarity to the main bands of the style being Helloween, Gamma Ray or Stratovarius. I think the key of the band is to follow the style that they have achieved in tracks like "Pharao" or "The Quest" with more dense riffs and melodies that are not so epic. The sound of this recording is really good putting a lot of relevance to the keyboards which are essential in the best tracks.. I feel that this band has some elements to be in the top of the metal world and I think the path goes along tracks as then one that I mentioned before and the grandiloquence of "Palace of Fantasy" with its minor tonalities and melodies.

Favorite tracks: "Rise Up", "Pharao" and "The Quest"

Contact: In Southamerica www.centurymedia.com in Europe www.centurymedia.de

REVIEW: EXTOL - UNDECEIVED

 

EXTOL - UNDECEIVED (Century Media Recs. , 2002)

Cover by Durling Inc

Tracks: 1- Undeceived; 2- Inferno; 3- Time Stands Still; 4- Ember; 5- Meadows of Silence; 6- Shelter; 7- A Structure of Souls; 8- Of Light and Shade; 9- Where Sleep is Rest; 10- Renewal; 11- Abandoned; 12- And I Watch. Bonus tracks: 13- Human Frailtie´s Grave; 14- Shadow of Death

I have listened Extol´s music before in a compilation and I remember that my attention was caught because of the combination of technical riffs and melodies within a death metal context. This is the first Extol CD that I have on my hands and I must say that this guys are amazing. The combination of technical riffs, clean guitars, heavy metal and death metal vocals (check the track "Renewal" to listen this in all its splendour). The guitarists have a lot of ideas here and there and sometimes in the choruses they let the guitars breath throwing power chords and letting Ole Børud sing his melodies over them. The drummer and bassist are a killer duo with extreme technical skills and a knowledge of differnt time signatures that help the rest of the band to construct the tracks. And one thing more....they play all this technical music with a lot of brutality and power !! A must !!!!

Favorite tracks: All the CD...amazing !!!

Contact: In Southamerica www.centurymedia.com in Europe www.centurymedia.de

REVIEW: EXTERMINATOR - MIRROR IMAGES

 

EXTERMINATOR - MIRROR IMAGES (Independent , 2002)

Produced by Exterminator and I.M.F.

Recorded at Hautregard Studios

Cover Artwork by Baruch

Tracks: 1- ...:Birth...(intro); 2- Liberty....Death; 3- Circle of Violence; 4- Mirror Images; 5- Church of Chaos; 6- Bitter End; 7- Night Music (The Dark Caress); 8- The Kill; 9- Tragedy....Rejoice

Here we have a really brutal band with a lot of technique in the guitar riffs. Yes, the riffs here seem really difficult to play, specially the ones that the band plays in the fastest parts. Also they know how to change riffs suddenly like it happens in 1:22 from "Circle of Violence" (they change to a crushing and rhythmic riff) a great song that goes from riff to riff in an excellent way. And one of the main things here is the combination of the brutal vocals with riffs that are not typical of death metal (check for example "The Kill" to see that what they play is not common favoring metal riffs with more originality). Also here they have a very technical drummer who follows all the changes with complete precission giving a lot of variations and rhythms to each track. Any musician would love this CD because of the technical skills an excellent tracks.

Favorite tracks: "Liberty...Death"; "Mirror Images" and "Bitter End"

Contact: exterminator_e@hotmail.com

REVIEW: EVENFALL - CUMBERSOME

 

EVENFALL - CUMBERSOME (Century Media Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Boban Milunovic

Recorded at Boom Room Studios

Cover by Carlos del Olmo Holmberg

Tracks: 1- Rawish; 2- Frontloader; 3- Dogma; 4- Entre Dos Tierras; 5- In Absentia Christi; 6- Overcast Sky; 7- Cumbersome; 8- Vangelis Mundi; 9- Unworshipped; 10- Conspectu Mortis II

Here is the follow up to "Still In the Grey Dying" and Evenfall has become really soon in one of my favorite bands. Why? Because of the quality of their songs. First of all I love Roberta Staccuneddu´s vocals which contrast with the more deathly ones by Ansgar Zöschg. Roberta has an angelical voice and has a lot of inflexions in her vocal range which allows her to sing the more difficult melodies in a great way. Thumbs up also for Max Boi who plays the keyboards that are essential to Evenfall´s music: He makes excellent chord progressions and amazing melodies through all this album. The music atmosphere is really dark and the main risponsibles here are the guitarists who play dark melodies through all the tracks and also play heavy rhythms that make Evenfall´s music completely original when combined with keyboard calm melodies. A must for everybody!!!!

Favorite tracks: The whole CD os amazing !!!!

Contact: In Southamerica www.centurymedia.com in Europe www.centurymedia.de

REVIEW: ENTWINE - TIME OF DESPAIR

 

ENTWINE - TIME OF DESPAIR ( Century Media Recs. , 2002)

Cover by Janne Pitkänen

Tracks: 1- Stream of Life; 2- The Pit; 3- Nothing Left to Say; 4- Safe In a Dream; 5- Burden; 6- Falling Apart; 7- Until the End; 8- Learn To Let Go; 9- Time of Despair

This CD opens powerfully with the track"Time of Despair" and after listening a couple of times it seems to me that this is a more powerful release than their previous album "Gone" which was released last year. For those who don´t know, Entwined is a Finnish band that plays a music that I would Call heavy gothic metal. It is heavier than most of the bands that are out there (particullarly on this release) but with all the dark melodies that gothic music has. One thing that is similar to the previous album is the sound oif the release which has a great quality, specially on the changes from heavy guitar to clean ones. This sound quality helps a lot to show the lsitener the arrangements and melodies that Entwine´s music has. Also, on this release, singer Mika Tauriainen is more deppressive than ever singing with a very dark voice full of sadness and pain. There are violins in tracks like "Safe In a Dream" (one of the most deppressive) and a lot of keyboards on each song. A must for fans of depressive music.

Favorite tracks: "Stream of Life"; "Safe In a Dream" and "Time of Despair"

Contact: In Southamerica www.centurymedia.com in Europe www.centurymedia.de

REVIEW: ELFMAN - COMMON SKY

 

ELFMAN - COMMON SKY (W.A.B. Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Peter Böhm

Tracks: 1- Why don´t you say; 2- Drive; 3- For You; 4- Glory D, 5- By Myself; 6- Hold Out; 7- Sail Away; 8- Inside; 9- Raggedy Ann; 10- Entertainment; 11- Common Sky

Elfman plays modern metal with a lot of new metal influences in the sound and in some guitar riffs. Also here we have a vocalist that knows how to do the melodies that are recquired by this style. I would say that the most notable influence is Korn but here you have many more influences that gives more variations to the final release. The sound of the recording is excellent making the guitar shine (being heavier when they are heavy and extremely clean when they are clean as in the beginning of "Drive"). Here we have a fundamental role of the bass player and the drummer which construct the syncopated rhythms that are the main structure of Elfman´s songs. Also we have heavier than hell guitars which give the metalic edge to the music contained here through orifginal riffs (I like specailly the ones where they throw some harmonics here and there and sound almost mechanical. Fans of modern metal will surely like this.

Favorite tracks: "Drive", "For you" and "Inside"

Contact: www.wabrecords.org

REVIEW: DISTRAUGHT - INFINITE ABYSSAL

 

DISTRAUGHT - INFINITE ABYSSAL (Encore Recs. , 2002)

Produced by Distraught

Recorded at Estudio Live

Cover by Rodrigo Cruz

Tracks: 1- Infinite Abyssal; 2- Removing the Rubbish; 3- Umbral; 4- Antibiotic Tendence; 5- Spiritual Reward; 6- The Cut; 7- Science, Philosophy and Religion; 8- Tufao; 9- Dusty Land; 10- Slaves of Creed

Directly from Brazil we have this band that plays modern death metal with many changes and millions of interesting ideas floating on each track. The first thing that amazed me is the combination of heavy riffs and vocals with some melodies achieved through the guitar that turns each song into a unique musical piece. Also we have in Distraught a great lead guitarist in Ricardo Silveira who plays a lot of interesting and melodic solos with a warm guitar tone that reminded me of James Murphy. The music here is really powerful and Distraught have no mercy with their drum beats and crushing rhythms throgh all this recording. Andre Meyer´s vocals are really versatile and he knows how to use his voice to fit better each part of a track....sometimes more guttural, sometimes more screaming. The release has a good mix specially on drums and guitars that are fuindamental for Distraught´s music. This is a really intense recording.

Favorite tracks: "Removing the Rubbish"; "Spiritual Reward" and "Dusty Land"

Contact: www.distraught.cjb.net and www.encorerecords.com.br

REVIEW: DEVOLVED - TECHNOLOGIES

 

DEVOLVED - TECHNOLOGIES (Casket Music , 2002)

Produced by Dave Leonard and Devolved

Recorded at Modern Music Studio

Cover by Devolved, Konrad P.K. and Damien Lange

Tracks: 1- Distorted; 2- Supremacy; 3- Progress; 4- Second Face; 5- Adapt; 6- Fallen Cities; 7- Aversive Control; 8- Functional Conflict; 9- Emergence

Here we have a great brutal release with an awesome sound....here is Devolved "Technologies" and the sound here is pure brutal deth mertl with a sound that can remind you of bandsw like Fear Factory "Demanufacture" era (that means that this guys have achieved a great sound, specially on the drums and the guitars that are crushing). The vocals are really powerful and fit the music really well adding more agression, if possible, to the tracks. The good thing about Devolved is that they change mood often in their songs going from total aggression and violence to more melancholic mood (like the ones in "Second Face") using cleaner guitars and changing the sound of the recording. A must for lovers of agression with imagination!

Favorite tracks: "Progress", "Fallen Cities" and "Aversive Control"

Contact: www.coprorecords.co.uk

REVIEW: DESIRE - LOCUS HORRENDUS, THE NIGHT CRIES OF A SULLEN SOUL...

 

DESIRE - LOCUS HORRENDUS, THE NIGHT CRIES OF A SULLEN SOUL... (Recs., 200)

Produced by Desire

Recorded at L´Enfant Terrible Studios, mastered at Finnvox Studios

Cover Art by Desire and Corvus Dark Creations

Tracks: 1- Preludium; 2- Frozen heart....Lonely Soul; 3- Cries of Despair; 4- The Weep of a Mournful Dusk; 5- An Autumnal Night Passion - Movement I ; 6- Movement II; 7-Drama; 8- Dark Angel Bird ( A Poet of tragedies; 9- Torn Apart; 10- (Love Is) Suicide; 11- Postludium

Here we have this amazing band coming directly from Portugal. Their music is dark metal with certain shades of black metal, death metal and doom metal. There is the dark feeling of black metal plus a lot of keyboards arrangements that make the music almost symphonic (the keyboards parts are fantastically composed). Also we have some death metal vocals that contrast with screaming ones more in the black metal vein. Also they have a lot of slow tempos that could be from a band in the style of Evoken but with more dark melodies. In fact one of the best things about Desire´s music are their guitar melodies combined with the keyboards that are a combination made for darkness. Thumbs up for this amazing band. This is a CD to show pwople that Portugal has much more to offer us than Moonspell ....here is Desire !!!

Favorite tracks: All the CD is amazingly climatic and has a lot of dark feelings on the tracks. Excellent album

Contact: http://thecrowshelter.desire.planetaclix.pt

REVIEW: DEFORMITY - SUPERIOR

 

DEFORMITY - SUPERIOR (Displeased Recs., 2002)

Produced by Hans Pieters

Recorded atExcess Studios

Cover Art by David de Graef

Tracks: 1- Dawn of Omega; 2- Samlaysman; 3- 7 Fathers I; 4- Raven; 5- Time (the Avenger); 6- Daylight Bleeding; 7- Vassago; 8- Eden is burning; 9- Shadowcross; 10- L´ame des immortels; 11- Godwind

Here we have a classic brutal detha metal band from Belgium. Formed in 1995, Deformity has released a couple of albums to show their brutality to the world. Now, this new one "Superior" is clearly their most brutal affort to date. Here we have the crushing guitars that are a trademark of the band plus the hyper fast drums that don´t stop for breathing through all the recording. There are a lot of climatic elements like the acoustic guitars in "Time (the Avenger)" that are really good for taking a deep breath and preper for the next assault that is "Daylight Bleeding". The production of this CD is really good and makes all the music better because it gives the power that the sound of this band needs to devastate the listeners. One of the best things here are the guitar riffs that require a lot of good musicanship to be played correctly without making mistakes throuigh all the changes. If you like brutality with a lot of musicianship then Deformity can satisfy your urge for it !!

Favorite tracks: "Raven"; "Daylight Bleeding" and "Eden is Burning"

Contact: www.displeasedrecords.nl

REVIEW: DECOMPOSING SERENITY - LET US SHOW YOU HOW TO DRAW BLOOD

 

DECOMPOSING SERENITY - LET US SHOW YOU HOW TO DRAW BLOOD (Deepsend Recs., 2002)

Produced by Decomposing Serenity

Cover Art by Decomposing Serenity

Tracks: Here we have 40 tracks of extreme grind gore !!!!!! Brutality guaranteed!!!!!

Favorite tracks: "May I use your teddy bear for the blood?"; "Suspended by a Hook" and "Explain the Screams and bucket of blood"

Here we have in one CD 40 tracks from this grind maniacs!! This recording range from early 1995 sessions to their newest 2002 tracks. Obviously the latest ones have a better sound and are better constructed. This guys are really speed freaks and they push the accelerator and don´t loose it till the end of the recording. I like a lot of parts where this guys achieve a crushing sound like the one in the first tracks which are also the newer ones because I think that this makes Decomposing Serenity more effective. This is a recording that has been completely designed to crush the listener brain and give him a good dose of brutality at hyper speed. Grindcore freaks will surely love this album!!

Contact: www.deepsendrecords.com