sábado, 31 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ASHES TO ASHES - CARDINAL VII

 


ASHES TO ASHES - CARDINAL VII (DVS Recs., 2002)


Produced By: Michael Stenberg and Björn Luna


Tracks: 1- New World Obscure, 2- Embraced in Black, 3- Among Mortals, 4- Truth on Scaffold, 5- Iben, 6- Dualism, 7- Sic transit Gloria mundi, 8- Ravenous Unleashed, 9- Behind Closed Eyes, 10- Cardinal VII, 11- Iben pt. II


Cover Art by B.Torbo

Recorded at Earattack


We reviewed the previous album from this darker than hell band from Norway some issues ago. Here we have their new album and I have to say that if that album was really good, this is even better. The band sounds heavier this time but without forgetting the melodies and keyboards passages that are essential to their sound. Here we have multiple heavy guitar riffs supporting the melodies and being the basis for Kenneth Brastad´s amazing vocals. Kenneth´s voice gives a lot of power and atmosphere to the songs as also do the choruses that give darker than hell melodies to them. The arrangements of the compositions here are amazing (this time the choruses sound more ethereal, deeper and more powerful). There are heavy keyboards passages and the band uses also cello in some parts. A must for every metal lover

Favorite tracks: One of the albums of the month


Contact: www.atoa.net or www.dvsrecords.com



viernes, 30 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ASHEN LIGHT - CTAPbI BbIAHHbI

 


ASHEN LIGHT - CTAPbI BbIAHHbI (More Hate Productions, 2001)


Produced By: Ashen Light


Tracks: There are twelve tracks with song titles in russian


Cover Art by Ashen Light


This is a compilation of two recordings done in 2000 and 2001 by Ashen Light. Here we have twelve tracks whose main sound is really atmospheric with a lot of keyboards and good and spacey drumming. Here the dark melodies are enchanting and reflects the darkness and serenity of the woods and other arcane places that inspire Ashen Light´s music. The compositions are well developed and they transport the listener to their dark world also using forest sounds and nature sounds that closing your eyes can take your imagination far away. There are also some heavier parts like on the seventh track were the guitars enter leaving a lot of space to the drumming, and the keyboards. For lovers of the dark, here is Ashen Light !!!

Favorite tracks: All the CD


Contact: www.morehate.newmail.ru

jueves, 29 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ASBEEL - HOMO HOMINI LUPUS

 
ASBEEL - HOMO HOMINI LUPUS (Independent, 2002)


Produced By: Asbeel


Tracks: 1- Walczyc Nie Chce, 2- Condemantion, 3- Rotten Dreams, 4- Venom and Envy


Recorded at Checz Studio


Ultra heavu and weird kind of metal. This band comes directly from Poland and delivers here four tracks that are really heavy as hell and at the same time have elements that are not typical of the styles that we are used to listen. Here we have crushing guitars, an amazing contrast between Joanna´s vocals and other vocals that are more guttural (there are also amazing vocal harmonies done by Joanna herself). It is amazing how well Joanna interacts with the heavy guitars with her extremely powerful voice. The guitars here sound fat and heavy doing complex riffs,scales and phrases while the drums play heavy rhythms. I have to point out the good quality of the guitar players that deliver riff after riff and interesting solos through all the recording. If you like original metal with interesting musicianship then you should check Asbeel´s music. 

Favorite tracks: the four


Contact: www.asbeel.metal.pl

miércoles, 28 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ARTDISORDER - FALLEN

 

ARTDISORDER - FALLEN (Independent, 2002)


Produced By: Artdisorder and Andy Whitmore


Tracks: 1- Fallen


Cover Art by www.lethal-dose.com


Here is a single extracted from the "Sounding Colours". This is with no doubt one of the most aggressive tracks on that recording,and it has amazing melodies on the choruses with some processed vocals while having huge guitars doing rhythmic riffs and powerful drumming. Again I recommend this band to those lovers of heavy music with amny melodies and interesting compositional skills on their music.

 

Contact: www.artdisorder.net

martes, 27 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ARTDISORDER - SOUNDING COLOURS

 

ARTDISORDER - SOUNDING COLOURS (Independent, 2002)


Produced By: Artdisorder


Tracks: 1- Contrasting Shapes, 2- Fallen, 3- Abstract, 4- Virgo, 5- Fallen (UK Single Version)


Cover Art by www.lethal-dose.com

Recorded at Psychotic Reaction Studios


Here is a band that I am sure that with a good promotion could be one of the biggest name in the scene. Here we have a band with huge heavy guitar but with a pop feeling in the vocals that add a lot of hooks in each of the tracks on this album. Yes, each song here is memorable as hell while having heavy riffs and many changes. It really amazes me how well the songs are developed here and how you can sing them following the band . There is also heavy use of clean guitars in many parts and interesting drumming that add some progressive touches to the music here. I would recommend this to anyone that wants something new (and something that can go up in the charts really soon!)

Favorite tracks: The five


Contact: www.artdisorder.net

lunes, 26 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ANTARCTICA - ERASING MANKIND

 


ANTARCTICA - ERASING MANKIND (Sweet Nausea Promotions, 2002)


Produced By: Antarctica

Cover Art by Antarctica

Recorded at Mansion Studios


This release has two great features: first of all the music is brutal and powerful, and second the musicians here are really good and that means that they have a lot of creativity in their riffs making the songs really interesting and giving each second new twists to each of the compositions. Here we have a band that is not afraid of trying new riffs and drumming on each of the phrases, a band that finds new licks and riffs on each moment. All this ideas flow naturally from the band and is remarked by the good sound that this recording has. The vocals here can be brutal (in death metal or black metal styles, spoken and calm within the same composition as can be listened through all this recording. A must

Favorite tracks: All the CD


Contact: http://home.no/antarctica o www.sweetnausea.com

domingo, 25 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ALEPH - PROMO 2002

 


ALEPH - PROMO 2002 (Independent, 2002)


Produced By: Aleph


Tracks: 1- Hallowed Hatred, 2- Sins of the Fathers, 3- Crossroads


Cover Art by Aleph


Aleph is a band with complex songs that can be described as heavy metal with some speed metal / thrash metal feeling in many of them. Here we have twisted riffs with complex guitar lines and good drumming with a lot of variations. One of the main things here is the use of keyboards that contrast heavily with the guitar riffs playing chord progressions and melodies while the guitars do the heaviest riffs. The vocals are in the style of pure heavy metal with some thrash metal feeling on them. There are interesting breaks and changes of riff and rhythm. The band sounds really tight and they have achieved a lot of cohesion between the members that allows them to play perfectly the compositions. For lovers of pure metal with new ideas.

Favorite tracks: The three


Contact: www.alephmetal.com

sábado, 24 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ABSURD - ASGARDSREI

 


ABSURD - ASGARDSREI (Resistance Records, 2002)


Produced By: Absurd


Tracks: 1- Leben ist Krieg, Krieg ist leben, 2- Asgardsrei, 3- Für Germanien, 4- Tod vor Sonnenaufgang, 5- Crux Gammata, 6- Als die Alten Jung Noch Waren, 7- Germanien über Alles, 8- Sonnenritter


Cover Art by Nick Oxner

Recorded at Adlerskerbe Studio


Absurd plays a climatic raw as fuck pagan black metal with nationalist lyrics that are sung in german and interesting guitar melodies in some places. In fact this band delivers interesting riffs played with a primitive sound that gives an underground feeling to this recording. Here ther is a use of programmed drums thatare a little bit buried in the mix. The riffs are twisted in many palces, specially on "Für Germanien", an eerie track. I would like the band to mix louder the guitars and find a fatter sound in them to add more power to the compositions, plus the guitar melodies that are in many places here can be combined with a rhythm guitar in order to add more cohesion to the music. A good effort. 

Favorite tracks: "Crux Gamata", "Als die Alten..." and "Germanien Über Alles"


Contact: www.resistance.com

viernes, 23 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: ABHORRENCE - EVOKING THE ABOMINATION

 


ABHORRENCE - EVOKING THE ABOMINATION (Evil Vengeance Recs., 2002)


Produced By: Abhorrence


Tracks: 1- Abattoir, 2- Evoking the Abomination, 3- Sacrificial Offerings; 4- Hellish Annihilation, 5- Storming Warfare, 6- Abhorrer Existence, 7- Reborn To vengeance; 8- Triumph in Blasphemy


Cover Art Concept by Abhorrence


Abhorrence is an extremely brutal band that plays at full speed and with extreme bestiality through the eight tracks that we have on this album. Here we have a band that does everything to create good brutal as fuck songs and they have achieved this with this eight bestial tracks from hell. Here we have a band that makes riffs in the vein of bands like Suffocation with a guttural and bestial vocalist that adds a lot of power to the band while remarking the guitar riffs with his voice.  Here we have extremely fast guitar with a huge sound that delivers brutality on each composition and a drumming that plays from complex rhythms to blast beats all with the same power. I think that this is an album that is ideal for lovers of brutal death metal taken to its more bestial extreme.

Favorite tracks: "Sacrificial Offerings", "Storming Warfare" and "Reborn To Vengeance"


Contact: evil666vengeance@aol.com

jueves, 22 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: 4LYN - NEON

 


4LYN - NEON (Rodeostar Recs., 2002)


Produced By: Florian Sommer & Darren Grahn


Tracks: 1- Me Vs Me, 2- 2nd Round, 3- Deadnekk, 4- Pearls and Beauty, 5- Not like You, 6- Lil Indians, 7- Real cutties, 8- Angry Horns, 9- U know nothing (bonus), 10- None of Y All, 11- Brompton-City Anthem, 12- Husky, 13- Neon, 14- Shelltoes and Fatlaces;


Cover Art by Rouven Steinke

Recorded at Puk Studios


 4lyn´s music is powerful, heavy as fuck and at the same time weird because of some strange feeling that you can listen from the beginning of "Me Vs. Me" like the processed guitar sounds. The sound of the band is extremely modern but they prefer to follow their own path than the one of bands like Machine Head, Korn or others. In fact their trademark are the extremely heavy riffs and the catchy choruses that you can find on each of the tracks here. The recording has really huge sound and that makes 4Lyn much heavier than a ll the new metal bands out there. I would recommend this to all fans of new metal bands.


Favorite tracks: "None of Y All", " 2nd Round" and "Not Like You"


Contact: www.4lyn.de

miércoles, 21 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: WATAIN - PROMO

 


WATAIN - PROMO (Blazing Productions, 2002)


Produced By: Watain


Tracks: 1- On Horns Impaled, 2- The Limb Crucifix, 3- Rabid Death´s Curse, 4- My Fists are Him, 5- The Walls of Life Ruptured


Cover Art by Watain


This is unholy black metal in its fastest and rawest format. Here we have the fast guitar riffs that use a middle range of the guitars and the blast beats going all through the tracks. All the tracks here have been taken from CDs, 7" Eps and live tracks from this bestial musical project. The mix here is extremely raw,a dding to the wild sound that Watain has. The vocals are extremely tortured as the style demands and add a lot of the black metal feeling to each track. The sound of the recording changes dependeing of which track was taken from each of the releases of the band (the ones taken from "Rabid Deaths Curse" CD are the ones that sound better for my taste and I think that the guys in Watain should mix like this in the future or even louder). Here you have the most bestial black metal guaranteed.


Favorite tracks: "The Limb Crucifix" and "My Fists Are Him"


Contact: www.blazing.ws

martes, 20 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: WARLOUD - LEAVE THE HELL

 


WARLOUD - LEAVE THE HELL (Independent, 2001)

 

Produced By: Warloud


Tracks: 1- Intro, 2- Leave The Hell, 3- Brave Heart, 4- Mountain King


Cover Art by Claudio Bisca

Recorded at Rainbow Music 


Warloud´s music starts really climatic on this CD with clean guitars and haunting melodies that create the appropiate atmosphere to develope the first track "Leave the Hell". The band plays pure heavy metal with an epic feeling on the songs. This guys have created three good songs here that will leave you singing the choruses with no doubt ("Leave the Hell" has a memorable chorus!!!). There are many guitar riffs but everything here is done in order to fit the songs and creating the parts that each of them needs to be a well developed track. The singer is powerful and is in the vein of those singers that don´t use hyper high pitched vocals....instead he concentrates more in how to give more strength to the songs and uses a lot of middle range vocals. The sound is good but I would like them to mix a little bit lower the vocals and higher the bass drumming (the drummer does a lot of double bass drumming in some places). Good heavy metal directly from Italy.


Favorite tracks: "Leave the Hell" and "Brave Heart"


Contact: poldursgate@tiscalinet.it

lunes, 19 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: VINTERRIKET - ...UND DIE NACHT KAM SCHWEREN SCHRITTES

 


VINTERRIKET - ...UND DIE NACHT KAM SCHWEREN SCHRITTES (Parasite Recs., 2002 )


Produced By: Vinterriket


Tracks: 1- Boten Der Rückkehr, 2- Visionen Nächtlicher Fluten, 3- Im Sog Der Feuer Des Schicksals, 4- Kosmische Schattenspiele, 5- Raben Über Dem Grab Der Vollendung, 6- Die Ruinen Des Jenseits, 7-...Zuruck Blieb Nur die Einige Schwärze


I have reviewed many Vinterriket releases and I have to say that they are possibly the most climatic releases that I have ever reviewed. This new Vinterriket release is in the same style but maybe this time the tracks are more orchestrated and better developed. Each of the compositions here is a jewel for the listener. While listening to this recording I turned off the lights and I almost found myself in a dark wood or some spectral place, just like the ones that are on Vinterriket´s covers. Christopher Ziegler, the only mind and composer behind Vinterriket is getting better on each release and he is composing a lot (this is the fourth release that I review). On this recording (as well as on the other Vinterriket´s releases) you have darkness and beauty as well as good musicianship.

Favorite tracks: All. One of the recordings of the month.


Contact: www.parasiterecords.org or www.neodawn.de

domingo, 18 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: VALIS - VALIS

 


VALIS - VALIS (Abstract Recs., 2002)


Produced By: Van Conner and Wesley Weresch


Tracks: 1- Indian Giver, 2- Transmutor, 3- Universe, 4- Pass Me By, 5- Meatworm, 6- Yakima Preacher, 7- Kill the Ones You Love, 8- Universe 2, 9- All Phase, 10- Paper Doll, 11- Love Leader, 12- Pilots House


Cover Art by James Bender

Recorded at Uptone Recording Studio


This is pure rock and roll with a seventies feeling in the guitar sound. The music here is really direct and has a lot of guitar and vocal arrangements in the vein of some seventies band (there is some stoner rock sound in some parts too). I liek the way this recording sound because it is really direct and this guys have a sound that I had not listened for a long time. Each of the songs here have power and interesting melodies with some psychedelia in some parts. The mix of the album gives a modern touch to the band´s music that is really welcomed because the guitars sound really in the front and they donm´t have some muddy guitar sound that amny stoner rock bands use trying to sound like seventies band. Here you have pure rock with some heavy feeling and some interesting atmospheres.

Favorite tracks: "Transmutor", "Pass Me By" and "Paper Doll"


Contact: www.valisnet.com

sábado, 17 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: TWOTHIRTYEIGHT - YOU SHOULD BE LIVING

 


TWOTHIRTYEIGHT - YOU SHOULD BE LIVING (Tooth and Nail Recs., 2002)


Produced By: James Paul Wisner


Tracks: 1- Modern Day Prayer, 2- The Sticks are Woven in the Spokes, 3- Forty Hour Increments, 4- Romancing the Ghost, 5- That Sad and Holy Glow, 6- Step into the Light, 7- Sad Semester, 8- I pretend to Choke, 9- Rhythm and Blues, 10- The Bathroom is a Creepy Place for Pictures of your Friends


Recorded at Wisner Prods.


We reviewed the previous Twothirtyeight album some issues ago on Music Extreme and this one is a step forward for this band. As you may know Twothirtyeight plays rock with a pop attitude and some dark elements, specially on the vocal lines. This time the band has taken this dark elements and pushed them some more putting them on all the tracks, so you have that hooks that are typical from the band but this time with a certain feeling of sadness that are transmited through certain guitar arrangements and through the melodies and choruses. The singer gives a lot of personality to the band through his dark for of singing and the vocal melodies he creates. If you like rock with a lot of pop touches, clean guitars, a lot of melodies and a dark feeling then you should check Twothirtyeight

Favorite tracks: "The Sticks are Woven in the Spokes", "Sad Semester" and "The Bathroom..."


Contact: www.toothandnail.com


viernes, 16 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: TOXIC VIRGIN - CIRCLE OF POWER

 


TOXIC VIRGIN - CIRCLE OF POWER (Independent, 2001)


Produced By: Oliver Phillips and Christian Moos


Tracks: 1- Broken Wings, 2- Son of the Sun, 3- Restless Hearts, 4- Waiting for the Rain, 5- Rock Tonight, 6- Until The End, 7- Alien lovesong, 8- Our Only Hope, 9- Sailor, 10- Fireball, 11- Don´t Know What I Want, 12- Walk on Water, 13- All For One


Recorded at Spacelab Studios 


Here we have this german band whose music is hard rock with some metal touches and some metal influences. There are softer parts and heavier parts but everything here has an european sound and incredible melodies. The guys in Toxic Virgin sure know how to construct memorable songs with good guitar riffs and melodies and with an original singer that has a special voice really adequated to this music. My aboslute favourite here is the first track "Broken Wings with an amazing melody and epic hcoruses (this band g}has great catchy choruses that will leave you singing their songs.


Contact: www.toxicvirgin.de

jueves, 15 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: TOXIC POISON - NOTHING´S FOREVER

 


TOXIC POISON - NOTHING´S FOREVER (Independent, 2002 )


Produced By: HM Studios


Tracks: 1- In the Beginning (intro)/Far Away, 2- The Twin Towers, 3- Rebellion Song, 4- My Dear Friend, 5- Scream of War, 6- Mutant´s Tramps, 7- A Different Life, 8- The Day You´ll Stop To pray


Cover Art by Marco Cestagalli

Recorded at HM Studios 


Toxic Poison is one of those bands that can mix with no difficulty modern sounds with classic thrash or death metal, adding a different perspective to the style. Here we have a band with an excellent sound (the guitars are devastating) whose style is difficult to describe because it has elements of thrash metal (in some rhythms) of death metal in some of the vocals and in the guitar sound, of modern metal in some drum patterns and guitar phrases. One thing to point out is the versatility of the singer, Teo, who does all the different type of vocals in a really good way. Plus, the band has a stranger side in some parts doing some atmospheric passages or some modern style singing (check as an example the track "The Twin Towers" to see all the different styles and parts that this guys do within the same song). I have to remark again the excellent sound that this recording has (nothing to envy to the top bands of the style). A must

Favorite tracks: All. One of the CDs of the Month.


Contact: www.toxicpoison.com


miércoles, 14 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: TONY BIANCO & PAUL DUNMALL w/MARCIO MATTOS & PAUL ROGERS - HOUR GLASS

 


TONY BIANCO & PAUL DUNMALL w/MARCIO MATTOS & PAUL ROGERS - HOUR GLASS (Emanem Disc, 2002)


Produced By: Martin Davidson


Tracks: CD 1: 1- Hour Glass

CD 2: The tepees Dive Deeply


Cover Art by Mary Ramsay

Digital Recording by Jon Wilkinson


This recording consist on two improvisational sessions. One was recorded on February 2002 and it features Tony Bianco (percussion) and Paul Dunmall (tenor sax) along with Marcio Mattos on double bass and electronics. The other one features the duo along with Paul Rogers on bass. Here we have improvisation that while being extremely creative it retains some elements of whatn we are accustomed to listen in the free jazz context. Each of the two tracks on this 2 CD set is over an hour long and both feature incredible musicianship as well as many different parts, changes in moods, breaks and tempo changes. This guys know how to improvise being spontaneous and don´t becoming chaotic as sometimes happens. On the recording with Paul Rogers the feeling changes and Dunmall plays soprano sax in order to fit better this new trio. Ideas are really well developed and they have a beginning and a conclusion that can be listened clearly. Lovers of improvisation should check this one.

Favorite tracks: BOTH !!!!


Contact: www.emanemdisc.com

martes, 13 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THUNDER REIGNS - EVIL ONE

 


THUNDER REIGNS - EVIL ONE (Independent, 2001)


Produced By: Thunder Reigns


Tracks: 1- Evil One


Cover Art by Thunder Reigns


Here we have one track of pure metal with some thrashy touches. Here we have heavy guitars combined with some drumming that leaves space to the vocals and the guitars to make their melodies and arrangements. The song here is powerful and has interesting guitar work, specially on some of the solos and melodies. The vocals are really raw and seem more of a thrash metal band than to a band like Thunder Reign adding some raw feeling to the song. The recording has good sound, specially on the guitars. I hope to listen more from these guys soon


Contact: www.thunderreigns.com

lunes, 12 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THEMSELVES - ...IN THE LAST CHIMERA


THEMSELVES - ...IN THE LAST CHIMERA (Independent, 2001)


Produced By: Themselves


Tracks: 1- Within, 2- Time To Rise, 3- Fightin´against Myself, 4- Where, 5- Home, 6- Out of Control


Cover Art by Fabio

Recorded at TS Studio 


Themselves shows us how well they can play their metal style on this CD. Their music can be described as heavy metal with touches of bands like Black Sabbath (in certain slower riffs) and some influence of classical death metal (in the sound of the guitars). But the main thing here is the great combination of complex guitar riffs with melodies and the vocal harmonies (this is essential to the Themselves sound). One of the best things here is the amazing work of the guitars that go from playing heavy riffs to playing melodies and harmonizations (some aprts are really complex) but at the same time constructing each of the songs carefully. I think that Themselves is a good choice for people who is looking for metal with some classical features but at the same time with new elements that give the band their own identity.

Favorite tracks: The six !!


Contact: http://themselves.cjb.net

domingo, 11 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THEATRES DES VAMPIRES - SUICIDE VAMPIRE

 


THEATRES DES VAMPIRES - SUICIDE VAMPIRE (Blackend Records, 2002)


Produced By: Theatres des Vampires


Tracks: 1- Theatre of Horrors, 2- Lilith Master Inferorum, 3- La Danse Macabre Du Vampire, 4- Queen of the Damned, 5- Bloodlust, 6- Tenebra Deutro, 7- Suicide Vampire, 8- Il Vampiro, 9- Der Makabere Tanz des Vampires (german extended version), 10- Enthrone the Dark Angel (version 2002)


Cover Art by Giada Giusti

Recorded at Alfa Music Studio


Theatres Des Vampires have succesfully mixed black metal with gothic metal with many dark orchestrations creating their own sound and establishing themselves as one of the most interesting abnds in the genre. Here we have the combination of aggression and depression, the combination of fast guitars with extremely heavy sound with keyboards and orchestral arrangements, the combination of black metal vocals with female ones and magnificent choruses. Here we have interesting drumming with multiple changes and great double bass work on each of the tracks. And we have guitars that don´t hesitate in constructing the heaviest of riffs and the darkest of melodies. The mix of this album is great adding more power to each of the compositions and making them sound darker than hell. This is one of the darkest releases of the year.

Favorite tracks: "Il Vampiro", "Queen of the Damned" and "La Danse Macabre..."


Contact: www.blackendrecords.com

sábado, 10 de julio de 2004

INTERVIEW WITH KILL BY INCHES

 



Interview with Kev (bass/vocals) of the powerful Kill By Inches:


Is your new release ready? How can you describe the music on it?

Our last release, the 5th Kill By Inches cd, came out in 2002, which feels like a million years ago. The music on that cd was a real cross section of what we do as a band. It has 4 tracks on it, Nu-metal, Rap-core, Metal amd Hard Rock. It's done fairly well her in the underground scene and a few places abroad.

Since then, we've been playing our asses off. In January 2004, we decided to stop performing until we finished our next record, which still isn't done. Believe it or not, we ran out of money. The studio costs are crazy-$75 an hour. A few days in the studio can cost up to a months pay!


How would you compare your newer music to the one in for example "In the Flesh"?

"In The Flesh" was us as babys. We were just starting off. The record was basically metal/hardcore but even then, you could hear our style starting to grow. Now, our music has a very unique, very New York City sound. In NYC, you are exposed to so many different kinds of music, food and culture. I think KBI is a blend of all that is heavy in NYC.


How is the process of composing a Kill By Inches track?

Usually one of us comes in with an idea and then the other guys fuck it up! But seriously, we all build on everyones ideas so that the final product sounds like KBI.


How did you team with famous producer Jim Sabella?

Pete, the guitarist is very good at getting in touch with people. A year ago, he got in touch with porno star Brittany Andrews and had an interview with her in hotel room (very, fuckin' hot!) Anyway, we knew Jim Sabella had work with rap ground breakers "Public Enemy" and Death metal legends "Suffocation", so we felt he was our man.

How do you feel about songs like "Man With No country" going up in the metal charts?

We're very thankful to all of the music fans for voting for us and listening to the song. If you readers haven't heard it, they can download the song at www.killbyinches.com/noise and as always, please drop us a line to let us know what you think of the song at kbi@killbyinches.com


What are Kill By Inches lyrics about?

There usually coming from an angry perspective, but not in a self-destructive way, more like, I'm fuckin' pissed, but let's do something about it! The self titled cd touches on being away from home and feeling a little lost or ungrounded, trying to be the best at something so people will take notice and tearing shit up.


How would you describe a typical Kill By inches show?

Here in NY, it's tough to get a good crowd going. There are so many other things to do here in NYC, movies, dance clubs, restaurants or just staying at home and watching television that people don't always come out for local shows. We did open up for Cro Mags singer John Joseph's new band "Bloodclot" who has members of Biohazard, H2o and Sick Of It All, which was a good show. A lot of hardcore kids going crazy so it really pumps us up. A lot of jumping around and sweating!


Which is your live and studio equipment?

Live, our drummer Steve plays a monster Pearl kit, Guitarist Pete uses a Marshall set up specially made for his 7 string ESP guitar! (he's trying to get Les Paul to make him a custom 7 string!) I play out of a Harke bass rig and use a Wasburn bass.

Any final words?

I'd like to thank Music Extreme and all of your readers for keeping the underground music alive. Keep spreading the word of different bands and especially local bands in your area. Without you, we are nothing! Keep It Fuckin hard....kEv from KILL BY INCHES!


KILL BY INCHES WEBSITE: www.killbyinches.com

viernes, 9 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THE NEMESI - NEW DAWN

 


THE NEMESI - NEW DAWN (Independent, 2002 )


Produced By: The Nemesi


Tracks: 1- End of Time, 2- Free Rage, 3- Live For Myself, 4- New Dawn, 5- Eve of the New World


Cover Art by The Nemesi

Recorded by Andrea Garavaglia 


The Nemesi music can be described as pure metal. Yes, they have a lot of elements of styles like death metal (mainly in the screaming vocals and some riffs), black metal (in some of the vocals and the fast melodic riffs done at full speed) and classical heavy metal (in the guitar melodies and in many solos). But the band has mixed this styles and added a personal dark touch to the sound (this guys have a lot of technical skills too) and they have obtained the "The Nemesi Sound" that can be fully appreciated on the five tracks that we have here on this CD. The thing that I like a lot about this band´s music is that while being aggressive and brutal they have reatined a lot of melodies that helps them to establish their own personality. The problem is that this MCD leaves you wanting more from the Nemesi (they say that on february 2003 they will record their new demo) !!!!!!

Favorite tracks: The five !!


Contact: www.thenemesi.it

jueves, 8 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THE GREAT KAT - WAGNER´S WAR

 


THE GREAT KAT - WAGNER´S WAR (Independent, 2002 )


Produced By: The Great Kat


Tracks: 1- Wagner´s The Ride of the Valkyries for Symphony, Orchestra, Band and Opera Singers, 2- War, 3- Terror, 4- Punishment, 5- Humiliation, 6- Liszt´s Hungarian Rhapsody #2 for Symphony Orchestra and Band, 7- Sarasate´s "Zapateado" for violin, piano and Band


Mixed by Dug and The Great Kat

Engineered by Brian Harding


The Great Kat has been combining her two favorite styles (classical music and hyper wild metal) since the late eighties. The Great Kat here shows us again her hyper fast riffs and solos (and also her super speed on the violins that she plays with great skills). On this recording she has chosen to combine her own composition which are really wild and shredding with her adaptation of classics by Wagner ("Ride of the Valkyries"), Liszt (Hungarian Rhapsody #2) and Sarasate ("Zapateando"). The tracks are short and played at full speed, but The Great Kat doesn´t miss a note and plays the classics and her own compositions with total accuracy. The Great Kat´s compositions are played at full speed and are really wild, going from ultra fast thrash (with screaming and guttural vocals) and adding a lot of classical arrangements and parts. Drummer and bass player have done a big effort to follow the speed of this track without losing the timing. Lovers of guitar will surely have to check this album.

Favorite tracks: All the CD


Contact: www.greatkat.com

miércoles, 7 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THE CIRCLE´S END - LIGHTER THIEVES

 THE CIRCLE´S END - LIGHTER THIEVES (SAMPLER)(Independent, 2002)


Produced By: The Circle´s End


Tracks: 1- Kid Viejo, 2- What to Do, 3- Model Citizen, 4- Crazy


Photo by Brandy Ivins


Here we have a band that combines a lot of modern new metal sounds with hip hop and rapping giving some interesting climatic twists to their music using a lot of electronics in order to add a lot of different flavours to their music. Here we have three tracks from their forthcoming EP called "Light Thieves" that will be released really soon. There are some lyrics that are in Spanish, adding a latin feeling to tracks like "Kid Viejo". The tracks. The first track is the one that is more electronic, but the other three are more rocking (I would mix everything a little bit louder, with volume closer to the one on "Kid Viejo"). There are some guitars that give energy to the tracks and contrast with the electronic elements creating an interesting clash. This is an album for lovers of new tendencies in underground music .

Favorite tracks: "Kid Viejo" and "Model Citizen"


Contact: www.circlesendband.com

martes, 6 de julio de 2004

INTERVIEW WITH BENIGHTED



How has been "Insane Cephalic Production" received in the underground?

"ICP" is the third album of Benighted. It's available since last February on the label Adipocere Records and the reviews we could read are fantastic! We received lots of propositions of concerts and we could play with this album with bands like Dying Fetus, Impaled Nazarene, In Extremo, Soulfly, Fear Factory, Nasum, Slipknot... and we've done lots of interviews for mags, webzines, radios, fanzines... This album opened us several gates.

Since you are coming from different backgrounds such as black metal and death metal...how did you reach the sound that is characteristic of Benighted?

We worked for a long time to have the actual sound of Benighted, we want a sound which shall be powerful, heavy and crushing! As we recorded at the Kohlekeller studio in Germany, it helped us to find the best sound for each of our instruments.


How was the process of composing the music in "Insane Cephalic Production"?

The process of composition in Benighted is the same since the beginning. A guitarist comes with riffs and a beginning of structure for a track and we work together to make this track find its final version. It's the work of all the members which gave it's identity to the music of Benighted.

Are you satisfied with the deal with Adipocere?

Adipocere trusts in us since our first album, they always helped us to become well-known and gave the money for the recordings and the promotion. From album to album, they do more and more for us and we've got very good relations with all the team of Adipocere. We'll continue with them for the following releases.


How would you compare "Insane..." with "Psychose" or "Benighted"?

"ICP" is more direct and brutal than the other albums, the way of composition was more instinctive and the tracks are more powerful and easy to remember. These songs are the best tracks we've never composed. There's a big difference of sound too because the last album has the best production we never had before! It's our best album!

What are the lyrics in "Insane..." about?

The concept of Benighted is about psychiatric pathologies as I work in a psychiatric hospital in France. "Psychose" was about adult psychosis and persecution delirium and "ICP" is about mental madness of the child and the woman in pregnancy. All the lyrics are inspired by real facts and pathologies. I'm not talking about a fucking bad horror movie. Lots of bands talk about mental pathologies but many don't know what they're talking about.


Which is your equipment live and in studio?

In studio we're using our personal material as on stage as well. We play with guitars like Washburn or Jackson and the drummer use Pearl but as I'm just a vocalist, I can't tell you more! (laughts)


Which are your memories on your older bands such as Osgiliath and Darkness Fire?

We've got very good memories because it was for each of us the first band but when we decided to create Benighted together, we understood this band had a bigger potential. We had no time for the other bands any more and Benighted became for each of us the absolute priority!


Any final words?

I just want to thank you for this interview! I hope the people in your country will discover our music and enjoy it! I send you all our greetings from France!!! Stay brutal!!!


BENIGHTED WEBSITE: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/benighted/


lunes, 5 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THE BLOOD DIVINE - RISE PANTHEON DREAMS

 


THE BLOOD DIVINE - RISE PANTHEON DREAMS (Peaceville Records, 2002)


Produced By: The Blood Divine


Tracks: 1- Aureole, 2- Visions in Blue, 3- As Rapture Fades, 4- Revolt, 5- Wilderness, 6- Sensual Ecstasy, 7- Enhanced By Your Touch, 8- I will Bleed, 9- The Passion Reigns, 10- Leaving Me Helpless, 11- Forever Belongs, 12- So Serene, 13- Crazy Horses (live), 14- Aureole (live)


Taken from Mystica, Awaken and unreleased tracks


This band was like a selection of musicians from the underground that created great music. Here we had ex Anathema singer Darren White, three original Cradle of Filth members (Paul Ryan, Ben Ryan and Paul Allender) and an ex member of Extreme Noise Terror (Was Sarginson on drums). The music on thsi album is a selection of tracks from both The Blood Divine albums and there are also some unreleased and demo tracks that make this album essential for any collector. Here we have this rocking and climatic music created from this twisted minds. The songs here have been mixed and the sound is better than in their original versions adding a lot of energy to the compositions (Darren White is killer here with his powerful vocals combined with a total different music from the one he used to do with Anathema. Here we have fourteen tracks of essential listening for lovers of each of the bands mentioned before and dark powerful music in general.

Favorite tracks: "Aureole", "Visions in Blue" and "I will Bleed"


Contact: www.peaceville.com

domingo, 4 de julio de 2004

INTERVIEW WITH OMNISCIENT


Interview with Leslie Hargrave (keyboards), James Hargrave (drums) and Andy Hargrave (guitars) from the brutal Omniscient

Your music is extremely brutal...can we describe it as death metal with black metal elements or is this definition too narrow for you?

That is a pretty good definition. Being called strictly black metal would definately be too narrow. We have always considered ourselves to be brutal symphonic death metal. But we have several other elements that we regularly incorporate into our music such as thrash, speed metal, classical and shred.


How has been you album received in the underground?

The reaction so far has been very good. Considering we did all our own promotion, we have been very happy with the response. Our fan base has grown from national to international fairly rapidly.


How is the process of composing an Omniscient song?

None of our songs have been written in any set pattern. Some start on keyboards, others on guitar. Once we have several riffs that we like, we put them together in the way we feel works best. The lyrics are then written according to what inspires us from the song.

What are Omniscient lyrics about?

Our lyrics are mostly in reference to the idiocy of mankind, life, death, and brillance. Some of the lyrics are so deep and metaphoric that it is hard to describe them in just a few words.


Which element is more important in Omniscient´s music: aggression, rhythms, speed?

A combination of aggression and rhythms. But our intensity and technical, powerful writing is equally important to making memorable songs.


How would you describe an Omniscient show?

Intense. Very Intense. Full of energy that you dont get from just listening to the cd. A certain mixture of brutality and melody thats critical to Omniscient's message.


Which is the band´s live and studio equipment?

Andy uses Jackson guitars and Crate amps and speakers.

Steve uses Kramer and BC Rich guitars, and Peavey amps and speakers.

David uses Jackson professional basses, Carvin amps and speakers, and Shure wireless systems.

Bob uses Shure mics.

Leslie uses Korg keyboards.

James uses Tama rockstar drumset and Vic Firth drum sticks.


Which are the band´s main influences?

Jason Becker, Limbonic Art, Hirojoshi, Emperor, Chopin, Myrkskog, Old Mans Child, classical composers, Kitaro, Vangelis, and Dimmu Borgir.


Any final words?

The Omniscient has been unleashed.


OMNISCIENT´S WEB SITE: www.omniscientgods.com

sábado, 3 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THE ALL ANGELS CONCERT 1999-2001

 


THE ALL ANGELS CONCERT 1999-2001 (Emanem Disc, 2002)


Compiled by: Rhodri Davies and Mark Wastell


Tracks:

CD 1: 1- J´allume La Lumiére, 2- Your Guess is as Good as Mine, 3- Unquiet Night in Turnham Green, 4- Meteor of Birds, 5- Hardy Annuals Nº1 (Delphinium Consolida)

CD 2: 1- a) Knife, b) Fork, c) Spoon, 2- M&S At St Michel, 3- On the Point of a Needle, 4- Hommage, 5- Even Angels Die


Recorded by Tim Fletcher


The musical pieces contained on this 2 cd set were recorded in different concerts that were played in the St. Michael & All Angels Church, a place with incredible acoustic and resonance as one can listen on the music here. And here we have great musicians doing improvisations with total spontaneity. Some of the artists that played on this concerts have been reviewed by us before like for example John Butcher, Steve Beresfor, Roger Turner and Veryan Weston whose musical quality has been remarked in previews review. Also we have some surprises here that I would like to point out. First is Fabienne Audéoud who is doing the first track of this recording using only amazing vocals showing the incredible vocal range and technique that this artist has. Then Simon Vincent whose work I didn´t know until now. He plays electronics on the track "Hommage" adding special sounds to this concert series. And the grand finale is Veryan Weston playing the church organ with free imagination and extremely open mind (as ll his musical pieces are). One of the best experimental releases of all time.

Favorite tracks: A must


Contact: www.emanemdisc.com

viernes, 2 de julio de 2004

INTERVIEW WITH OPHIS


Interview with Philipp Kruppa, Ophis´ brain:


How was Ophis originally conceived?

Ophis wasn´t concieved really. I found myself writing material for Rain Of Ashes, that didn´t really fit to the style of that band, since it turned out to be more sinister and slow, Doom Metal style. I thought the material was pretty good, so I decided to create a project for it. I had always a deep feeling towards Doom Metal, ever since I hear Metal in general, so it´s no wonder that I felt Doom Metal the best way to express my emotions and thoughts. Thrash Metal is good for letting out aggressions, but Doom Metal goes deeper to the core of your negative emotions.


Which is the main ingredient in Ophis music: aggression, slow tempos or dark atmospheres?

That´s hard to say, because all these ingredients are very important to the Ophis-Style. If I had to decide, I'd chose the dark atmosphere, because without it (or even with a happy mood), Ophis is unconsiderable to me. The

aggression comes automatically, but it could be missing, as long as the song is dark and depressing. I mean, think of the "Breavement" pieces, they are´nt brutal at all, but still transport the atmosphere. Slow tempos are the best way to express this atmosphere in my opinion, but that won´t stop us from doing some fast parts once in a while, when it fits to the mood of the song.

Why did Ophis split up in 2001?

That had simple reasons. Our second guitar player Fred left the band, because he joined Rain Of Ashes, my other band, but had no time left to perform in both groups. He had no input to the songs anyway, but we were rehearsing in his garage at that time, so we lost our rehearsal room too. I wasn´t pleased with the remaining line-up combination anyway and we didn´t even manage to do some fucking gigs, so I decided to put Ophis to a rest for some time. I think we didn´t put enough energy into this band back then. Our drummer then joined Anguished because we could not find an able bass player, and after a long rest, I decided to resurrect Ophis all on my own in late 2002. Then I recorded "Empty, Silent And cold" all by myself. 


How did you decide to take care of all the instruments on your own for the recording?

When I made the very first Ophis recordings in the year 2000 (which never were released), I was still in an experimental phase and had no other musicians, so I did the first tests all on my own on a small 4-track recorder. I´m mainly a drummer, but I also wanted to test my guitar skills.

After the first Ophis line-up had split, I knew from my early experiences, that I was able to make a record all on my own. I had absolved an education as sound assistant, so I knew about the technical stuff, and it was no problem at all. Also, as I told, I wasn´t pleased with how things had turned out with the first line-up, so now I was able to put things up as I had imagined them. I felt enough motivation to push Ophis forward. I wanted to do something on my own to avoid frustrations and to express what I felt. I think that was important for me, although it´s much more fun now that Ophis is a band again.


Which is the concept behind Ophis lyrics?

Well, maybe "concept" is a too strict word, because there is no definite topic the lyrics cling to, but still, most of them deal with my personal disappointments in life, especially those caused by other people and/or myself. They are about inter-personal relationships that failed, about situations that hurt me and about people I lost. I never write about these situations directly, but I try to find metaphors and images for them, so that the listener, who might have experienced something familiar but still something different can identify with the song. Also, I try to express the inner pain I feel with the lyrics. I used to be a very depressive person in my teenage days, and nowadays I´m still oftimes sick of how people generally handle each other. I sometimes feel really misplaced in this world, so I express this within the songs. "Sledgehammer Assfuck" for example is about this situation: someone you love says something to you, just a word maybe, harmless in his or her ears, but it crusches your world to pieces. Just a little gesture maybe, but it shows you, that your thought about this person were just an illusion, and all crumbles to pieces.

How did you find your new bandmates for Ophis? Are you rewriting the old material to record it with the new lineup?

No, we are not rewriting the old stuff. Of course we changed some details in the arrangement here and there, but the songs stayed that way. We all thought the old stuff is great the way it is, and didn´t need an overhaul. Richard, our drummer changed some drumlines too, but we didn´t add new riffs or something. It wasn´t difficult to find a new line-up, because the line-up found me, haha. Richard was our drummer in the first Ophis line-up too, so when he listened "Empty, Silent And Cold", he was keen on a reunion. It was his idea to make Ophis a full band again, since I wanted to do everything alone at first. Of course I agreed, because he was always the best part in the old line-up. So he and myself are the only remains from the old line-up. Jan, our guitarist was a friend of mine who hadn´t played in a band for a long time, and as I told him that I was thinking about reforming

Ophis, he wanted to join us. As in the first line-up, I took over the vocals and the first guitar, because I wanted to do something different than drumming and since I write most of the material, it´s better that way. For bass, I asked our actual Rain Of Ashes bass player Chrille, because I knew that he had a preference for Doom Metal as well, so he joined. Shitty thing is that he left the band last week because of the often recited "musical differences", it´s not technical enough for him. But we have a new one in sight, I think it will work out well. Our plans for the near future won´t be delayed, I think.


How do you combine your work with Ophis with the one in your band Rain of Ashes?

That´s not too difficult, because Rain Of Ashes aren´t as active anymore as they were in the past. Sometimes it´s making me pretty busy, but yet Ophis isn´t big enough to harm Rain Of Ashes. Both bands play live as often as possible, but not every week or such, so it´s no coordination problem.

Richard still plays in Anguished as well, that´s far more difficult for him. As far as the songwriting goes, it's no problem either because in Rain Of Ashes, our guitarist there writes most of the music, so I can focus on writing stuff for Ophis.


Do you have plans for Ophis in the near future?

Yeah, becoming the most famous Rockstars of the world and earn so much money, that we can buy the fucking White House, haha. No, of course we shit on money. Seriously we are planning to enter a studio in late September and to record a new promo with three or four songs for open sale and for contacting record labels. We are hoping to get the ability of recording a full length album some time. After these recording sessions, we hope to make a small tour through Germany with Wytchcraft and Tortured Spirit, but this won´t be before November, so let´s see about that.


Any final words?

Yes, I want to ask everyone to boycot Nu Metal shit-crap, because it commercializes and infests the force and the spirit of any real Metal in the world. Beat them Motherfuckers up wherever you meat them. Let them celebrate their own shit and stay away from real Metal. Metal is religion!

I wanna thank everyone who supported Ophis this far and everyone who will in the future. Greetings to al ye South American Metalheads out there, stay the way you are and keep it moshing. To you, Federico, tanks a lot for the interview, it´s been an honoiur to us and it was fun too. Check out our website www.ophis.net

If you are interested in CDs and infos, just contact me under

rain-of-ashes@gmx.de

Stay Doom, thanks from Ophis!


OPHIS WEBSITE: www.ophis.net

jueves, 1 de julio de 2004

REVIEW: THE BEAST - FIXED BY THE DEVIL

 


THE BEAST - FIXED BY THE DEVIL (Painkiller Recs., 2002)


Produced By: Nornagest


Tracks: 1- Enter, 2- Fixed By the Devil, 3- Black Ritual, 4- Devil Pig, 5- Satanic Dominion, 6- Leave


Cover Art by Chris Moyen


Here we have this band that is a side project from Enthroned member Nornagest. This black metal beast is joined by Headfukker on drums (that has been replaced by Levithmong) in order to create this MCD of primitive black metal in its rawest form. The sound of this recording reminded me of early Beherit or early Mayhem (demos) where the drums are in the background and the guitars are in the front with a raw sound. The vocals are guttural and typical of early days black metal. Everything here is designed to give the listener the rawest type possible of black metal and with an old european feeling that fits really well this band. Maybe with a little bit better sound the results can be more effective. This album includes a cover of "Devil Pig" from classical band Von. Black metal lovers will like this one, specially those who loved Beherit, old Immortal and early Mayhem.

Favorite tracks: "Black Ritual" and "Satanic Dominion"


Contact: www.painkiller-records.com