REVIEW: CARNIVORE - CARNIVORE - REMASTERED EDITION

 

CARNIVORE - CARNIVORE - REMASTERED EDITION (Roadrunner Recs., 2000)

Produced by Norman Dunn

Recorded at Braille/East Sound, NYC

Artwork by X Design

Tracks: 1- Predator; 2- Carnivore; 3- Male Supremacy; 4- Armageddon; 5- Legion of Doom; 6- God is Dead; 7- Thermonuclear Warrior; 8- World Wars III and IV; 9 - U.S.A. for U.S.A. (demo); 10- S.M.D. (demo); 11- Sex and Violence (demo)

This is the Carnivore debut album in a completely remastered edition that contains interesting bonus tracks, mainly demos. For those who doesn´t know the band this is Pete Steele´s band previous to the creation of Type O Negative. In fact there are certain similitudes with the early Type O material. The album opens with "Predator", a track that wouldn´t be out of place in a Venom album!!! The music here is raw (despite having a better sound than in the original recording) and almost punk in some parts. There are slower parts that make some tracks more climatic. The lyrics are always ironic and sarcastic. A piece of metal history. Check it out.

Favorite tracks: "Male Supremacy"; Legion of Doom" and "Thermonuclear Warrior".

Contact: www.roadrunnerrecords.com

REVIEW: BRUJERIA - BRUJERIZMO

 

BRUJERIA - BRUJERIZMO ( Roadrunner Recs., 2001)

Produced by Güero Sin Fe, Asesino, Juan Brujo and Marijuano Machete

Recorded at Studio Dee

Artwork by Diseño Pe Dulce

Tracks: 1- Brujerizmo, 2- Vayan Sin Miedo, 3- La Traición, 4- Pititis, te invoco, 5- Laboratorio Cristalitos, 6- Division del Norte, 7- Marcha de Odio, 8- Anti Castro, 9- Cuiden a los Niños, 10- El Bajón, 11- Mecosario, 12- El Desmadre, 13- Sida de la Mente

Brujeria´s music has changed through the years...While their first track had riffs that were a cross between death metal and grind, on this new album you can listen much modern guitar riffs with a good sound (that was lacking "Matando Güeros" for example). The music now is closer to say, Fear Factory (specially in the guitar and drums sound)...what a coincidence!!! Yes, this time Dino Cazares and Raymond Herrera didn´t disguise their sound and their way of playing, and the similitude with their main band is more evident. Compositively the band has gotten better with time, comparing to their primitive debut. And the sound has really good quality.

Favorite tracks: "Vayan Sin Miedo", "Laboratorio Crisalitis" and "Anti Castro".

Contact: www.roadrunnerrecords.com

REVIEW: BLUDGEON - CRUCIFY THE PRIEST

 

BLUDGEON - CRUCIFY THE PRIEST (Metal Blade, 2002)

Produced by Joey De Maio

Recorded at Bludgeonville by Jason Walsh

Artwork by Ken Kelly

Tracks: 1- Smoke Screen; 2- Idle Distinction; 3- Tortured Through Lies; 4- Zero Tolerance; 5- Last Rites; 6- Voluntary Manslaughter; 7- Crucify the Priest; 8- Abandoned; 9- Bound; 10- Inner Hell; 11- Turmoil; 12- Stained In Blood

The music of this band could be defined as death/ black metal. I am saying this because they mix elements of both styles....there are a lot of death metal riffs with a crushing guitar sound typical of this style, while there are some vocals and fast riffs that would not be out of place in a black metal band. The main element in this recording is the great work that the guitarists do through all of it going from really direct riffs to hypertechnical ones and then going through very slow moments, all in one track (for example the opening track). I like a lot some rhythmic riffs that make the result extremely heavy in tracks like "Tortured Through Lies". The sound is devastating making all the instruments shine as they deserve. A bestial and brutal band that kick your ass through the whole release!!

Favorite tracks: "Tortured Through Lies", "Voluntary Manslaughter" and "Inner Hell".

Contact: www.metalblade.com

INTERVIEW WITH SEAR BLISS

1- How has been "Forsaken Symphony" received in the undergound? 

"Although Forsaken Symphony is out only for one or two months, it can be said that the responses are very good so far. We have received positive reviews mostly and quite a lot of metal radio stations play the songs. So, we are totally pleased."

2- The sound in "Forsaken Symphony" is raw but yet really effective...was this done on purpose?

"Definitely. In case of the previous album, Grand Destiny, we relied on the sound engineer, who wanted as clean sound as possible. Now the time has come for us to take the control on the sound. Our aim was to create a raw and unpolished sound because it fitted very well to the mood of the songs this time. We wanted to produce a really unique atmosphere and we succeeded in producing it. "

3- Do you consider Sear Bliss a black metal band or is that definition too narrow to describe your music?

"Basically, it is black metal but not in ist purest sense. The arrangement of the songs are for example not typical. It is enough to say that we have been using a brass section since the very beginning of the band. All in all, I would say that we play a black-metal-based music without limits. We believe that black metal is about originality. We don't see reason to copy the Norwegian bands, however we like and respect them. When black metal started in the 80´s, the bands tried to be as unique and original as possible. This is our aim too."

4- How importan are Zoltan´s trombones and barytones to Sear Bliss´ music?

"We have been using a brass section from the beginning, so it is a kind of trademark of the band. When somebody hears the name of Sear Bliss the first what comes to their mind is that "Oh, yes! The band with the brass section!". And musically they play a very significant role: these instruments give the music a real classical touch."

5- How are Sear Bliss songs composed? Do each member bring ideas or each member composes a complete song and then teaches the other ones ?

"We do not have any special way of composing songs. One of us brings an idea and if it is liked by the others, it inspires us to do our own parts. Usually the guitar players are those who compose the basic themes, but the keyboard player, Oliver had also a lot of ideas. We can compose music when we are in a certain mood. It´s definitely needed to be alone when composing. "

6- What are "Forsaken Symphony"´s lyrics about?

"We get our inspirations from inside. The lyrics on Forsaken Symphony are escapes from today´s rotten life and morals. In our lyrics and music we try to be as far from everydays life as possible. Our lyrics have got nothing to do with earth-bound things like politics or social problems, etc. They come from inside and born by our imagination. "

7- How do you see the evolution of the band from "Phantoms" to "Forsaken Symphony"?

"We have definitely improved a lot since then. At that time we were much younger and less experienced than we are now. But our attitude and enthusism towards playing our music is the same as that. We have been trying to make as great music as possible. Yet I think Forsaken Symphony is very much in the vein of Phantoms in its mood. It is a very similar album in my opinion.

8- You have toured with great bands like MArduk, Anathema, Tiamat, Dark Funeral and many others...which was your favorite gig?

"Well, all these gigs had great influence on us and it is really great to remember to them. But without doubt the most remarkable one was the European Tour with Marduk in 1997. It was very exhausting to travel 8200 kilometres in 12 days, but it was worth. We met a lot of exciting people and it was great to play to a different crowd each evening. And it was also great to get aquainted with the guys from Marduk. We had unforgettable parties together."

9- How important are the dark atmospheres and melodies to Sear Bliss´music?

"Two types of music characterize the music of Sear Bliss. On the one hand there is black metal on the other hand the atmospheric/melodic side. These two are the major constituents of the music of ours. But these two serve the same aim: to guide the listeners on the path of darkness."

10- Any final words?

"Thanks a lot for your support! Check out www.searbliss.hu for up-to- date information. We wish you and everyone in the scene of South America a metallic new year!!!"

REVIEW: BLOODFLOWERZ - DIABOLIC ANGEL

 

BLOODFLOWERZ - DIABOLIC ANGEL (Silverdust Recs., 2002)

Tracks: 1- Fatal Kiss; 2- Diabolic Angel; 3- Lovesick; 4-Ablaze; 5- Sadness; 6-One Second; 7- Mea Culpa; 8-Tears of the Night; 9-Cold Rain; 10- Season of Love

This is with no doubt one of the CDs of the Month. Mixing brutal guitars with a lot of melody and using one of the best female vocals that I have listened (Kirsten is great also harmonizing her own vocals). The music is extremely powerful and the band achieve this without having to use speed or guttural vocals. The compositions are really well crafted and each musical piece is a short story. The guitarists make really great riffs (many of them are really heavy ones) and they know how tuo use clean guitars in thew right context to create interesting harmonies and atmospheres. Despite being their debut album I must say that this band will be really big in the future.

Favorite tracks: The whole CD.

Contact: www.silverdust.de

REVIEW: BELINUS - BATTLECHANTS

 

BELINUS - BATTLECHANTS (Independent, 2001)

Produced by Belinus

Recorded at B.P.M. Studios Cork

Artwork by HuGarDarn

Tracks: 1- Croi Dorcha na Coille; 2- Stormgod; 3- Magtuired; 4- Cursus; 5- At Dusk We Rise

This is a really climatic and epic CD! The vocals are closer to black metal but the guitars prefer to play riffs with melodies than doing superfast one note riffs. This recording is powerful, and the main thing here are the great arrangements that the band makes on each song. I can feel some Emperor and Enslaved influences here and there but this guys play their music in a completely different way than this bands. The guitarists are extremely heavy contrasting with the vocalist that sometimes uses clean vocals in a really effective way. I would have mixed a little bit louder the snare drum and bass drum to make a little bit more crushing the result. The overall result is really good for those who love dark music.

Favorite tracks: "Stormgod" and "At Dusk We Rise".

Contact: www.belinus.cjb.net

REVIEW: BELFHEGOR - INFERNAL LIVE ORGASM

 

BELFHEGOR - INFERNAL LIVE ORGASM (Phallelujah Prods., 2002)

Tracks: 1- March of the Dead, 2- Purity Through Fire; 3- Necrodaemon Terrorsathan; 4- the Last Supper; 5- No resurrection; 6- Swarm of rats; 7-Diabolical Possession; 8- Blackest Ecstasy; 9- Requiem of Hell, 10-Der Untergang Pt. II, 11- Graves of Sorrow; 12- Hellbound; 13- Vomit Upon the Cross (video); 14- Purity Through Fire (video)

Black/de ath metal cult band Belfhegor delivers a live album full of raw music and brutality. The music here is extremely fast and the sound is good enough to make all the instruments really clear in the mix (I would have mixed a little bit louder the snare drum...more or less at the same level as the bass drum). The guitars are really cool full of interesting and crushing riffs. I prefer the parts where the drummer is not playing blast beats and where the band delivers their best and more powerful riffs. The live sound is great and the badn sounds more energetic than in the studio. A great live album from this extreme cult underground band.

Favorite tracks: "Purity Through Fire", " No Resurrection" and " Graves of Sorrow".

Contact: www.phallelujah.com

REVIEW: BARATHRUM - SAATANA

 

BARATHRUM - SAATANA (Spinefarm Recs., 1999)

Produced by Barathrum

Recorded at Tico Tico Studios

Artwork by Tom Harkonnen

Tracks: 1- Introitus, 2- Satanick alert, 3- Dark Sorceress 2; 4- Boundless Arts; 5- Beltane; 4-Helluva Agitator, 5- Melancholy, Infinity, Agony; 6- Regent of Damnation; 7- Countess Erzebeth nadasdy; 8- Sacrilegium; 9- Saatana; 10- Dark Sorceress (Autumn Siege); 11- Necromantical Ritual; 12- Salubele

Is Barathrum a black metal band? Of course ! But they have many elements that make them different from many of the bands of the same style that are nowadays in the underground. First of all their songs have many hooks (yes, I think that this is one of the main points of their music....check the choruses and bridges of their songs to see what I am talking about). The guitar riffs have many elements that they use very effectively instead of simple speed and aggression. The vocals are clearly black metal and they are clearly screamed adding a lot of atmosphere to the tracks. Many of the tracks here are mid tempos (check "Dark Sorceress 2" as an example). If you thought that black metal was running out of originality, check Barathrum´s music and realize that you have been mistaken!

Favorite tracks: "Statnick Alert", "Melancholy, Infinity, Agony" and "Regent of Damnation".

Contact: www.spinefarm.fi

REVIEW: APRIL ETHEREAL - ADVENT

 

APRIL ETHEREAL - ADVENT (Conquer Recs., 2001)

Produced by Jerzy

Recorded in Catacomb Studio, Warsaw

Artwork by April Ethereal

Tracks: 1- Her Silent Cry at Dawn; 2- The First Step into the Unknown; 3- Departure; 4- The Repose; 5- Hologram; 6- The Last Glance Into her eyes; 7- Truth; 8- Epilogue

Looking at the cover I was waiting a gothic band !! Wrong!!! April Ethereal is a band taht knows how to mix the most extreme brutality with a lot of changes and interesting arrangements (the short piano part in "Her Silent Cry at dawn" is amazing). There are some keyboards that contrast a lot with the brutal vocals making the music of this recording sound more weird. The drummer uses a lot of snare drum patterns combined with some double bass and speed fills. There are interesting acoustic guitar pparts that add the melody that the tracks deserve. This is one of the recordings ofd the month. For fans of brutality with an interesting twist.

Favorite tracks: "The First Step into the Unknown", "The Repose" and "Truth".

Contact: www.conquerec.com

REVIEW: APHASIA - ARCANE IN THALASSA

 

APHASIA - ARCANE IN THALASSA (Independent, 2002)

Produced by Aphasia, Jean Francois Dagenais and Jean Francois Girard

Recorded at Pierr Remilliard´s Studio, Quebec

Artwork by Yvon D´Anjou

Tracks: 1- Devastating Wind; 2- Merging Process; 3- Passion of Time; 4- Beyond the Infinite Horizon; 5- Learning From the Unknown Image; 6- Cries from Despair; 7- L´Absolu Ment; 8- Stormbound

Here is Aphasia´s newest offering. This is the succesor of their "Beyond the Infinite Horizon" MCD, and they have evolved a lot since then. They have not changed their approach to music (which is death metal with technical black metal influences), but they have improved a lot the technical side and the sound of the release. Specially the drums have a much better sound than on their previous effort. Steph´s guitar lines are brutal and at the same time capable of adding some subtle arrangements to the tracks, like on "Merging Process". It seems to me that the music of this band is ideal for a live show. Brutality with a lot of original ideas.

Favorite tracks: "Devastating Wind"; "Passion of Time" and "Cries from Despair".

Contact: http://listen.to/aphasia