REVIEW: CRADLE OF FILTH - BITTER SUITES TO SUCCUBI

 

CRADLE OF FILTH - BITTER SUITES TO SUCCUBI (Spitfire Recs., 2001)

Produced by Doug Cook

Recorded at New Rising Studios

Artwork by John Coulthart

Tracks: 1- Sin Deep My Wicked Angel, 2- All Hope in Eclipse, 3- Born in a Burial Gown, 4- Summer Dying Fast, 5- No Time To Cry, 6- The Principle of Evil Made Flesh, 7- Suicide and Other Comforts, 8- Dinner at Deviant´s palce, 9- The Black Goddess Rises II, 10- Scorched Earth Erotica

Many people hate Cradle of Filth...I still don´t understand why. Despite liking or not their music, this band is really solvent in what they do. In fact their music is really atmospheric (despite some scream abuse made by Dani) and there is an interesting work in the keyboards arrangements.. I find this CD much more orchestrated than for example "Midian", and it has a really good sound that few bands can achieve. On this recording you can see the evolution that Cradle of Filth has gone through since the beginning because there are some old tracks here like "The Principle of Evil made Flesh", clearly rawer and with less orchestration.

Favorite tracks: "All Hope in Eclipse"; " Suicide and Other Comforts" and "The Principle of Evil made Flesh".

Contact: www.spitfirerecords.com

REVIEW: CIRCLE OF NERO - MASSIVE OBLISS

 

CIRCLE OF NERO - MASSIVE OBLISS (Independent, 1999)

Produced by Circle of Nero

Recorded at Walton Recording Studio

Artwork by Chad Michael Ward

Tracks: 1- Church of the Pagan God, 2- Mother Doom, 3- Massive Obliss, 4- Dark Side of Eternity, 5- Walls of Pain, 6- Million Miles Away, 7- Thorizine Dreams, 8- Moon Quake, 9- Hear My Cries, 10- The End

A beautiful intro with some chants and clean guitars open this CD, getting into the first track that is pure heavy metal, in fact it is really progressive heavy metal, with many changes and a vocalist that uses a medium range with some gothic reminiscences which I like more than many of the high pitched guys out there (I don´t know why I feel some Candlemass in some parts....great!!). There is a great guitar work here in the vein of guys like John Petrucci or Savatage with interesting solos (even using a whammy pedal on "Mother Doom"). The sound is really good (it can be a little better on the drums, and maybe it would be a good idea to add some bottom end to the guitar too). This guys have many ideas and they combine a lot of them on each track giving an atmosphere of complexity to the songs. If you like elaborated metal this is definitely for you.

Favorite tracks: "Dark Side of Eternity", "Moon Quake" and "Church of the Pagan God".

Contact: www.circleofnero.com

REVIEW: CATAMENIA - ETERNAL WINTER´S PROPHECY

 

CATAMENIA - ETERNAL WINTER´S PROPHECY (Massacre Recs., 2000)

Produced by Catamenia

Recorded in Tico Tico Studios

Tracks: 1- Gates of Anubis, 2- Soror Mystica, 3- Blackmension, 4- Kingdom of Legions, 5- Half Moons, Half Centuries, 6- Forever Night, 7- Dawn of the Chosen World, 8- Eternal Winter´s Prophecy, 9- In the Void, 10- The Darkening Sun, 11- In the Capricorn´s Cradle

I must say that I really like Catamenia. This band mixes perfectly their ultra raw black metal with the elegance and melody of the keyboards played by Heidi Riihinen. To give you an idea, is like listening to a much colder Dimmu Borgir with more melody and interesting passages and with a darker feeling. This guys know how to arrange their compositions in order to make them sound in a powerful way. The orchestrations are getting more relevant on each release of the band and on this one they are up in the fron contrasting a lot with the music that the rest of the band does (it is really interesting how in some parts Mika Tönning seems to follow the keyboards with his vocals). This album is a really must for lovers of dark metal. Favorite tracks: "Dawn of the Chosen World", "Gates of Anubis" and "Kingdom of Legions".

Contact: www.massacre-records.com

REVIEW: CATALEPSY - BASS METAL

 CATALEPSY - BASS METAL (Independent, 2002)

Produced by Alex Mastrocola

Recorded at Alex´s Home

Artwork by Alex Mastrocola

Tracks: 1- Intro, 2- the Murderer, 3- Rainbow Rising, 4- The Prophet, 5- Obsession in a Jail, 6- Shaman´s Dream, 7- Dream of Moon, 8- Androphoby, 9- Take The Power, 10- New Wave of Bass Metal

This is a weird CD. Alex Mastrocola has developed this musical experiment called Catalepsy....in fact the opnly instruments that can be listened on this recording are two bass guitars and the drums. The music is strange also because there are a lot of effects used in the vocals. The bass guitars are sometimes used as bottom end to keep the rhythm and sometimes like a guitar creating melodies. The experimentation is great here and you can listen Mastrocola´s skills with his bass. The drums are sampled and have a certain electronic feeling that makes the tracks even more weird. Mastrocola does all the vocals here in a certain heavy metal feeling. If you like unusual musicians here is one for you !!!

Favorite tracks: "Rainbow Rising", "Shaman´s Dream" and "Androphoby".

Contact: www.catalepsy.cjb.net

REVIEW: CARNIVORE - RETALIATION - REMASTERED EDITION

 

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

Produced by Alex Perialas

Recorded at Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY

Artwork by X Design

Tracks: 1- Jack Daniels and Pizza; 2- Angry Neurotic Catholics; 3- S.M.D.; 4- Ground Zero Brooklyn; 5- Race War; 6- Inner Conflict; 7- Jesus Hitler, 8- Technophobia; 9- Manic Depression; 10- U.S.A. for U.S.A.; 11- Five Billion Dead; 12- Sex and Violence; 13 - World Wars III and IV (demo); 14- Carnivore (demo); 15- The Subhuman )demo

This is the exact link between the first Carnivore album and the "Slow, Deep and Hard" Type O Negativa album. In fact this is a Remastered Edition of this classic with many bonus tracks and fully remastered sound. Here you can listen the band that launched Pete Steele to the underground fame. Tracks like "Technophobia" wouldn´t be out of place in any of the Type O Negative albums despite that Steele´s vocals are more screaming than what he des in that band. There is a certain hardcore and punk feeling in many of the tracks that make the material contained here rawer and more direct.

Favorite tracks: "Jack Daniels and Pizza", "Race War" and "Jesus Hitler".

Contact: www.roadrunnerrecords.com

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