REVIEW: SEYMINHOL - NORDIC TALES

 

SEYMINHOL - NORDIC TALES (Independent, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded, mixed at Kirk Prod. Studio by Gilles "Warrior" Kaufmann.

Cover: Gregory Lê

Track List: 1- Part 1: Immortal Lords, 2- Part 2: Berserker, 3- Part 3: Back of Thunder, 4- Part4: Into the winds of Chaos

A classical guitar introduction opens this CD from this French band of heavy metal, before getting into a slow part with some melodies that lead into a heavier segment. The singer Kevin Kazek shows here that he is a really clean vocalist (with this I meen that he can do some intrincate vocals without distorting his vocal range....in fact one of the main elements of Seyminhol´s music are the vocal harmonies). He is in the vein of singers like Timo Kotipelto from Stratovarius but with a vocal range that relies heavily on the middle range instead of the higher pitches. This MCD has four tracks and the lyrics are about Nordic Culture, really epic. Talking about epic...the tracks here have a lot of qualities that make them sound really epic, like the guitars that play melodies and the rhythms that are thought to sound very omnipotent (I like that the guitars have a really raw sound not typical for the style). Favorite tracks: "Part 1: Immortal Lords" and "Part 3: Back of thunder". Contact: www.chez.com/seyminhol

REVIEW: SEPTICEMIA - HOPELESS AGE

 

SEPTICEMIA - HOPELESS AGE (Independent, 2000):

Technical data:

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Michael Bösl, Thomas Löffler and Septicemia.

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Crossfade Studios, Vien.

Cover: Bobby Spiess

Track List: 1- Intro, 2- Enter Me, 3- Distress of Night, 4- Hopeless Age, 5- Coming of Chaos, 6- God Save The Queen, 7- Deeper, 8- Origin of This World, 9- Get through the Opposite, 10- Possessed by Bloodlust, 11- Morbid Cry, 12- The Arrival

Septicemia is a band that comes from Austria and they make an interesting blend of very technical black and death metal (also there are certain slow parts almost doom on "Hopeless Age"). I find since the beginning of "Enter Me" a band completely compenetrated in their riffs that are sometimes fast as hell and sometimes more mid paced adding a thrash flavor to the songs here (like some of the riffs that you can find in"Distress of the Night" for example). IT is interesting how this band changes rhythms very often within the same song, but that doesn´t mean that they play one riff two times and then they change it. No, they have a lot of ideas and they develope them into the tracks that we can listen here, that is they have a perfect connection among their ideas using a riff or drum pattern until they decide it has to be changed or transformed into another idea. The vocals here are guttural adding the perfect atmosphere to the tracks. I would like the band to mix the whole recording with a different drums sound that sometimes is a little bit opaque (I like the way the bass is mixed, you can listen it even in the fast parts). This is a good option for death metal fans looking for great ideas. Favorite tracks: "Hopeless Age", "Origin of this World" and "Possessed by Bloodlust" (killer opening riff). Contact: www.septicemia.start.at

REVIEW: SATANIC SLAUGHTER - THE EARLY DAYS: DAWN OF DARKNESS

 

SATANIC SLAUGHTER - THE EARLY DAYS: DAWN OF DARKNESS (Necropolis Recs, 2001):

Technical data:

Tracks 1-12 Recorded at Unisound Studios with Dan Swanö

Tracks 13,18-21, 24 recorded at Unsound Studios, 1995

Artwork by.José Montemayor

Track List: 1- Immortal Death, 2- Forever I Burn, 3- Dark Ritual, 4- Into the Catacombs, 5-Breath of the Serpent that Idles The Cold World, 6- On Black Wings, 7- Nocturnal presence, 8- Legion of Hades, 9- Divine Exorcism, 10- I´ll Await my Lord, 11- Embraced by Darkness, 12- Domine Lucipheros, 13- Intro, 14- Hatred of God, 15- Servant of Satan, 16- Satanic Queen, 17- Demons Feast, 18- Forever I burn, 19- Legions of Hades, 20- Breath of the Serpent, 21- Immortal Death, 22- Land of the Unholy Souls, 23- One Night In Hell, 24- Dark Ritual, 25- Forever I Burn

Satanic Slaughter is the band that eventually gave birth to what now is called as Witchery. Sounding as a more primitive version of that band, Satanic Slaughter made its huge impact on the Swedish underground. The music is at the same time similar but rawer than Witchery´s, with those great guitar riffs that the band has and a lot of the elements of death/thrash/black metal that we are accustomed to hear on their CDs. There are 25 tracks here from different eras of Satancic Slaughter ´s career. I prefer the newer ones better because they sound much better and they have more mature ideas. As always Richard Corpse and Jensen shine with their guitars which are the fundamental ingredient here. It is a cool decision by Necropolis Records to rerelease thios recording that is a fundamental aprt of the history of swedish death/black metal. Favorite tracks: "Into the Catacombs", "Breath of the Serpent...." and "I´ll Await My Lord". Contact: www.necropolisrec.com

REVIEW: RHYMES OF DESTRUCTION - A SUN REVOLUTION

 

RHYMES OF DESTRUCTION - A SUN REVOLUTION (Shiver Recs,, 1999):

Technical data:

Recorded and mixed by Jeroen Debonnet and Rhymes of Destruction

Recorded and Mixed at SAD Studios

Artwork by Grafische Technieken

Track List: 1- Prologos - Mobilmachung, 2- Onherbergzaamheid, 3- Intermezzo#1 - Obsessed by the Cruelty of Daylight, 4- Cynische Onsterfelijkheid, 5- Intermezzo #2 - Annoying Purity, 6- Leven in Het Teken Van Vooruitgang, 7- Intermezzo#3 - The Decline of Civilisation, 8- Terugkeer Naar Het Einde Van De Cirkel, 9- Intermezzo #4 - Destruktionstrieb, 10- Chaos and Disorder: A Sun Revolution, 11- Intermezzo #5 - Birth: A Disaster Theory, 12- Vreugde

Rhymes of Destruction is a band from Belgium that makes a strange kind of music. I can not label it relating it with some particular style such as black metal, death metal, etc. Rhymes of Destruction has certain black metal riffs but the vocals are completely different from those of this style and the guitars sound fatter and completely different too. There are interesting rhythm changes here and parts full of melodies, clean guitars and interludes with whispering vocals. Also, the use of a drum machine (really well mixed) contributes to the mechanical feeling of the tracks and to a certain industrial feeling (even if the music is completely differnet from this style too). I can feel that this guys have great musical skills because of the quality of the tracks which are sometimes very complicated. Favorite tracks: "Onherbergzaamheid...", "Leven In Het Teken..." and "Terugkeer Naar Het...". Contact: http://bewoner.dma.be/rhymes

REVIEW: SALACIOUS GODS - SUNNEVOT

 

SALACIOUS GODS - SUNNEVOT (Cold Blood Industries, 2001):

Technical data:

Engineered and Mixed by Berthus Westerhuys

Produced by The Satanic Twins

Artwork by.Jacek Msniewski

Track List: 1- Nebel (Intro), 2- Manifest of the Phantoms Fasade, 3- At The Sound of the Midwinterhorn, 4- Twaeduster Facht, 5- Spirits of the Eldergods Domain, 6- Soulbite, 7- Testify My Vanity, 8- Dead, Spectral Wolfmoon, 9- Prolongation, 10- Sunnevot

Well, many people mention countries like Norway or Sweden to mention countries whose scenes are full of black, death and many other metal styles. But they forget two countries: Holland and Sweden. In fact, Salacious God is a killer black metal band coming from The Netherlands. And they are crushing. Having all the characteristics that have made bands like Dimmu Borgir famous but retaining certain raw aspects in their sound, Salacious Gods have achieved with "Sunnevot" a great result. This is an album darker than death, totally blasphemic, and with great musicians working at full speed. One extra point is the excellen packaging that this album has containing all the lyrics plus excellent photographs of the members of the band. Can we call this epic black metal? I think so, because of the use of keyboards to accentuate the musical passages that add an extra flavor to the tracks. An interesting point are the guitars here which play some fast lines but also some more rhythmic riffs like in 2:43 "Twaeduster Facht". Lovers of black metal here is a new demon to keep the blasphemy alive!!!!. Favorite tracks: "Manifest of the Phantoms Fasade", " Twaeduster Facht" and "Testify My Vanity". Contact: www.coldbloodindustries.com

REVIEW: REFRACTORY - BLACK MAGIC FOREST

 

REFRACTORY - BLACK MAGIC FOREST (Independent, 2001):

Technical data:

Recorded at the Rape of Harmonies Studios

Produced by Ralf Müller

9-10 Recorded live at the Schloss / Freiberg

Track List: 1- Invasion, 2- Black Magic Forest, 3- Bloody Crack of Dawn, 4- Fucking Christ, 5- Deep In My Soul, 6- Hallucinations from Evil, 7- Visions of a Burning Sky, 8- History of War and Fire, 9- Black Hordes, 10- Execution

How peacefully starts this recording...with the sound of nature and an intro with acoustic guitars and keyboards. Then the keyboards volume goes up and you start listening a baby crying in the background and some voices. And then the band enters with its black metal.at half speed before getting in full speed. One important thing here are the melodies created by the guitars and the progressions that the keyboardist is doing in the background. There are two types of vocals here: one is more high pitched than the other that is similar to death metal bands. The tracks are very fast with a lot of blast beats but with original guitar riffs like the ones in "Black Magic Fores". There are great moments where the guitar plays some chords along with the keyboard with a more syncopated rhythm and the vocals adapt also that rhythmic structure ("Black magic Forest").The sound of this recording is in overall good but I would have mixed a little bit louder the snare drum and the bass drum (the cymbals and hihat are loud enough).Favorite tracks "Bloody Crack of Dawn", "Visions of a Burning Sky" and " Black Hordes (live)". Contact: refractory@gmx.de

REVIEW: RANDY COVEN - THE BEST OF RANDY COVEN

 

RANDY COVEN - THE BEST OF RANDY COVEN (Koch Recs,, 2000):

Technical data:

Produced by Randy Coven and John Stix

Produced for re-Issue by Dave Squillante

Artwork by Brad Wrolstad.

Track List: 1- Funk Me Tender, 2- Yesterday, 3- Tree, 4- Toronto Blues, 5- Manhattan Mama, 6- Great Necks, 7- Strange Cat, 8- 10000 Notes, 9- Au Privave, 10- Angry, 11- I Wish, 12- Two Girls, 13- S-Bass Secrets, 14- Minute Mouse, 15- E-11, 16- Monday

Everyone knows that Randy Coven is a great bass player...he has show this on his solo albums and in works with guys like Steve Vai or his band Holy Mother ...or even playing live with Yngwie Malmsteen. This time what we have here is a compilation of his best solo tracks...coming from his solo albums "Funk Me Tender" and "Sammy Says Ouch!". There are plenty of guest musicians here like Steve Vai ( "instantly recognizible on "Funk Me Tender"), Vito Bratta, Blues Saraceno or Al Pitrelli to name just a few. Randy shows all his skills through his compositions and through some covers like The Beatles "Yesterday" ...obviously played with bass (a great version). And he also shows that as every good musician should be, he is really open minded and knows how to play in many different styles (Check for example the acoustic and almost country "Tree"). This is music for lovers of virtuosos and instrumental music. Favorite tracks: "Funk Me Tender", "S-Bass Secrets" and "Manhattan Mama". Contact: www.randycovensite.com

REVIEW: POP MUSIC FAVORITES

 

POP MUSIC FAVORITES (Ubus Records, 2001):

Track List: 1- Live Snowbox (XV Parowek), 2- Signal Failure (Maximal), 3- Kill To Radio (Sickness), 4- Parenchyma Na Koniu (Rare Parts), 5- Somebody Put Something in My Soma (Dischotic Symphony), 6- New Tribal Warning (Hated principles), 7- Backstreet´s Back (Andy Kisaragi), 8- The Drying Foetus Mimics Me 2 (Careplace), 9- The Boy Who Lay Down and Died/ Happy Birthday Mary Bell (13RXTNLE), 10- Right Out There (Dichotic Symphony), 11- Landscape Negative (K:V:T Clocking), 12- Squid Camera (E.Victor C.), 13- Scald (D.S.A:), 14 - 4Rhodes (Andy Kisaragi), 15- Martha Ann Johnson (Mantichora), 16- Shadow of Air (Cesium), 17- Full Body Contact Sports (Robert Warner), 18- Higher Than You (13RXTNLE), 19- Flux (Telesmata), 20- Ring of Fire (Dichotic Symphony), 21 - Akty (Zenial), 22- Profound Lack of You (Andy Kisaragi), 23- Wild Flower (13RXTNLE), 24 - A View of Modern Industry (Humanextermination Project).

Here we have 24 tracks of totally experimental music, going from ambient to electronic, to noise...every style is represented here. All this compiled by Robert Kasch, the man behind Telesmata and Ubus Recs. Here we have different kinds of experimentation. I will describe some of them. Most of you know telesmata from the reviews that I did of the latest works of this project: well Telesmata focalizes its experiemntationa round some instrument (like the weird Bullshit Grinder). Here there are bands and projects that depart fropm that. For example Maximal is an almost ambient project with interesting atmospheres and some experimentation within this calm context. Other band that surprised me is Sickness with its noisy and industrial sounds pouring all over the track. Rare Parts is an almost ambient band but with some elctronic touches that are the main experimental device on this track. Dichotic Symphony is one of the projects contained here which is closer to noise doing hasrh sounds and experimenting twisting them up to when they are almost chaotic. Favorite tracks: "Backstreet´s Back", " Full Body Contact Sports" and "Right Out there". Contact: http://homestead.com/ubus/main.html

REVIEW: PERVERSIST - NECROPHILHARMONY

 

PERVERSIST - NECROPHILHARMONY (Grodhaisn Prods., 2001):

Track List: 1- Consequence of Malformation, 2- Body Devourer, 3- Genetic Code Eraser, 4- Bells of Insanity, 5- Natural defense System, 6- Viva la Corrida, 7- Necrophilharmony, 8- Waiting for Judgement Day, 9- Faceless Dead, 10- Suicidal Self immolation

What this band does is old school brutal death grind. They have the advantage of having a really good drummer among them who also has a very clear sound throughout the whole recording. The guitars here are really brutal and they use a lot of guitar riffs that are extremely heavy (the guitars have a lot of bottom end and the mid ranges totally cut), some of them at extreme speed. Also the guitarists love to throw some pinch harmonics here and there on their riffs to add some different taste to them obtaining more variations. The voclas are really guttural in the vein of the more bestial death metal. One thing that got my attention was the acceleration on the track "Necrophilharmony" because it goes from slow to fast very progressively, changin the tempo gradually and that is not very common. Total brutality on this recording!! Favorite tracks: Body Devourer", "Bells of Insanity" and "Necrophilharmony". Contact: grodhaisn@seznam.cz

REVIEW: OBSCENE EXTREME 2001

 

OBSCENE EXTREME 2001 (Obscene Productions, 2001):

Track List: 1- Decrepit Crescendo (Exhumedd), 2- Ruptured remains (Regurgitate), 3- Untitled (Groinchurn), 4- Ozing Molten Gristle (Haemorrhage), 5- Where´s Mine Resurrection (Fleshless), 6- To Give (Lykathea Aflame), 7- Skin N´Bones (Driller Killer), 8- Hyperspace Souls (Ingrowing), 9- Irrumatrix (Isacaarum), 10- Peeling Off The Epidermis (Sanity´s Dawn), 11- Sick, Sick I´m so sick (Sanity´s Dawn), 12- Morte de Tossico (Cripple Bastards), 13- Fields of Repulsion (Viu Drakh), 14- Asphyxiate on Blood ( Desecration), 15- Isolated Victim (Godless Truth), 16- God Faith prostitution (Pathology Stench), 17- Loss of Identity (Cerebral Turbulence), 18- Yes! Legitimate (Cerebral Turbulence), 19-Harsh Future (Cerebral Turbulence ), 20- Stop Viagra - Smoke Pot (Utopie), 21- Fucking Shit (Inhume), 22- The Seat of... (Imperial Foeticide), 23- I´m (Anasarca), 24- Permanentni Manikura ( Grind 6.4), 25- Putrid Autopsy (Maledictive Pigs), 26- Cunt Slime (Ahumado Granujo), 27 - Cold Turkey (Ahumado Granujo), 28- The Truth Hurts (Abortion), 29- Pneumothorax (Bizarre Embalming), 30- Postmortal Goreaphobia (Sanatorium), 31- The Postman (!T.O.O.H.!), 32- Buried Belief (Pigsty), 33- So Fuckin cool (Human Error), 34- Freeedom-Criminal Suicide (Needful Things), 35 - Project Terror (Irritate)

This is a compilation of many differetn artists from genres that go to death metal, to brutal death metal to black metal to grindcore. There are very well known bands here like Exhumed, Groinchurn and Cripple Bastards, some that I know for reviewing their material like Sanity´s Dawn, Ingrowing and some who I did not know like (Needful Things, or Maledictive Pigs. As on every compilation here you have different levels in all the bands and their music, some of them better than the others. The most known bands have better sounds than the less known ones but that does not mean that they are better in fact there are some almost unknown bands that have a lot of quality here and that I would like to listen with a better production (like the one bands like Exhumed or Ingrowing have). An excellent compilation of sick music with a total emphasis on brutality. Favorite tracks "To Give" (Lykathea Aflame), "Hyperspace Souls" (Ingrowing) and "Isolated Victims" (Godless Truth). Contact: www.obscene.cz