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Abigail Williams -
Legend (Candlelight Records USA)
By: Dave Schalek |
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Phoenix’s Abigail Williams have been given a great deal of
notice in a very short time with the imminent release of their
debut EP, “Legend”, on Candlelight Records USA. Named after a
prominent figure in the Salem witch trials in the early 17th
century, Abigail Williams surprised me by playing a mature
sounding mix of melodic death metal and symphonic black metal
with the odd breakdown or two tossed in for good measure.
Original black metal giant Candlelight Records (based in the
UK) recently opened a US branch, and has immediately made
waves with the announcement of a major US tour featuring label
veterans Dark Funeral and Enslaved. Needless to say, I will be
attending the |
show’s
stop in Los Angeles on January 21, and Abigail Williams has
been given a real opportunity to reach a large audience by
being granted third billing on the tour.
At any rate, Abigail Williams seem to fall squarely in between
Arch Enemy and Dimmu Borgir with a dash of Cradle Of Filth,
and, just a hint, of metalcore. “Legend” starts off with a
heavy emphasis on melodic death metal with guitars reminiscent
of the Amott brothers, extensive use of keyboards, and
choruses with clean vocals. Drumming ranges from mid-pace to
blastbeats. However, as the EP progresses, the melodic death
metal influence begins to diminish, and the music takes on
more of a symphonic black metal style similar to the latter
work of Dimmu Borgir with vocals evocative of Dani Filth,
particularly in the last two songs. The shift is subtle, but
definitely adds a degree of freshness and originality while
still staying true to the obvious influences.
What immediately and noticeably sets Abigail Williams apart
from many other bands just starting out with a debut EP is the
obvious songwriting maturity combined with excellent
musicianship. This aspect of Abigail Williams is perhaps the
most exciting part of the band, as this hints at the potential
of greatness to come. Candlelight Records USA has obviously
recognized this potential with their placement on a major
tour, as well as the promo material labeling the band as a
development priority. This is a band to watch.
www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
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www.myspace.com/abigailwilliams |
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Achren - Blood Metal (Self Release) Review by Steve Green |
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Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of a wall in 112 AD, "to
separate Romans from Barbarians". Luckily for Hadrian, Achren
weren't about as I think it would take more than a bloody
great wall to hold back these Scottish invaders. The aptly
titled Blood Metal is a marauding slice of war soddened Black
and Death Metal. Opener Impaled suffers from a slightly
muffled mix, before it fights it's way free of the sound
restrictions and comes to a satisfying Slayer-esque
conclusion. It's on 2nd number Shock & Awe that this 4 tracker
springs into life. Scott Anderson's vocals rip through with
razor sharp ferocity and the lead guitars tear through the air
with menacing grace as the rhythm section pummels away with |
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hardened intensity. The majestic guitars continue their voyage
on Darkest Day, before Achren's blackened thrash roots
are displayed in all their glory. The onslaught continues on
Bastards (on the gallows or bastards on the rack) and things
just get heavier, faster and even more intense. Rhythmic Death
Metal vocals, which remind me of early Gorerotted fight the
higher pitched bark, which as the Missus says, reminds her of
Amon Amarth. And the winner is the listener, quite simply
because this is one of the best self releases I've ever heard.
I can't make my thoughts any clearer than that. Buy or die.
www.achren.com |
www.myspace.com/achrenmetal
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Dave Martone - When
The Aliens Come (Lion Music)
By: Joe Florez |
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Ok people, I am going to keep tabs as to how many
instrumentals I receive from Lion Music. Already for 2007,
this will be my second. Dave Martone is as far as I’m
concerned an unknown musician from Canada who has appeared on
comps and other releases as well and putting out some stuff on
his own. In the bio he says that he wants to create some sort
of space metal. Well, he succeeds at that because what I have
here is some truly bizarre material. “Starz Scarz” is a
fascinating blend of outer space vibes, metal and jazz riffs
and even some acoustic guitar work manages to find a way into
here for something that can’t be compared to. This is some
complicated stuff as the drumming on here is pretty tight and
the |
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changes are complex. I hope he can keep me interested for the
next 70 minutes. “Flatulation Farm” is somewhat more
commercialized than the opener with some hard rocking riffage
and groovy beats to jam to. Also there is what seems to be a
rockabilly vibe with a twangy twist. The out-there atmosphere
still exists and comes and goes when it pleases. “Really Now!”
just put a massive smile on my face because this track just
utilizes different type of rhythms and percussions such as the
Latin movement which adds a nice touch of class to the jam.
Dave still rocks out as if it was about to go out of style,
but injecting other style outside the realm of rock is always
welcomed as far as I’m concerned. One of the cool surprises on
here is a modified version of the classical number “Flight Of
The Bumble Bee” entitled “Techno Bee’z.” It’s got a dance beat
that may turn off some fans, but others like myself will
enjoy. This was something totally unexpected in the end as
opposed to most neo-classical/shred fest discs that I’m used
to. This is very dynamic and diverse. I think that some of the
techniques and approaches to song writing is comparable to
Steve Vai without replicating the seven string God. This is
definitely something refreshing and enjoyable. No pun
intended, but this disc is out of this world.
www.lionmusic.com
| www.davemartone.com |
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Demise - Torture Garden (Crash Music)
Review by Ryan Bartek |
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It's always a fine pleasure when you see a band that you
supported long ago finally get some international attention.
The last I saw of this Polish band was at The Michigan
Deathfest back in 2002 when they were still struggling to get
this out. They sound just as good on disc as they do live.
Although they now feature a different line-up, Torture Garden
is a glimpse into the rugged history of this Western European
titan. Like many of their fellow genre stalwarts, it is hard
to deviate a comparison from Vader or Behemoth. Yet Demise has
a thing all their own, and draws from those influences as well
as a plethora of varied DM acts from across the globe. They
are technically proficient and well-versed at adding |
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challenging parts and weird change-ups. The band is solid, and
so is this disc. Featuring a ruthless production by James
Murphy of Death fame, it will beat you senseless.
www.crashmusicinc.com |
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Fu Manchu - We Must
Obey (Liquor & Poker Records)
By: Joe Florez |
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Despite what the bio says and the critics/fans, but the band
has been on what I would like to call a downward spiral for
the past two records. The energy wasn’t there and the songs
seemed so repetitive. Quite honestly, I thought that they were
done. They could have thrown in the towel, but no! They hit us
with a newie and boy is it heavy. It seems that their
batteries have been recharged because the title track is just
nuts. The intro is mega noisy and in fact I had to double
check to see if I was playing the right disc. After the wall
of noise that nearly destroys my speakers, the boys start to
rock the house. The fuzzed out guitars are in full effect and
the drums slam away, but in a groovy way. It’s everything you |
| have
come to love the band for. Scott’s vocals are full of vitality
and I found myself air drumming, bassing
and riffing. That’s how you can tell that you have a strong
record on your hands. The solos on here are sick too. They
simply wail to the point of ridiculousness. For those of you
who love the sludginess that the guys always managed to inject
into their sound, fear not because jams like “Knew It All
Along”, “Let Me Out” and the new single “Hung Out To Dry”
contains elements of it as they continue to bring the house down.
After the band nearly wrecked my house with their enormous
vibes, things slow down just a smidge with “Lesson.” It’s real
groovy baby to the point where you can just kick back and fire
one up. But that all goes away after a few as they can’t help
themselves by getting all excited about their music. The one
jam that was a real trip was The Cars version of “Moving In
Stereo.” If you know this one, this is bad ass. Ok, for those
of you who can’t remember because your brain is fried out let
me refresh your memory. You know in Fast Times At Ridgemont
High where Phoebe Cates gets naked at the pool? That’s the
tune. This one is tripped out because it sounds nothing like
the original. It’s heavier, slower and more rocking. Dig it!
Basically, I don’t need to go into details about this band or
their music because it’s the same time after time, but done
well with the exception of the past two records. Bottom line,
I don’t know who lit their asses on fire, but they are back
and better than ever. If you love the genre or just the band
themselves, this is essential. Folks, I must leave now and pop
this one in my car and listen to this with the windows down
and cranked up to ten. The 70s are back and cooler than
ever.
www.liquorandpokermusic.com
| www.fu-manchu.com |
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Giant Squid -
Metridium Fields (The End Records) Review by
Ryan Bartek |
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Giant Squid’s 4 year old debut record is the perfect analogy
for The End Records. A little bit of everything and the
kitchen sink alongside the doom/ambient/sludge mire. Giant
Squid is a prog behemoth. Difficult and challenging,
mind-blowing and weird to the point where its tough to make it
through the entire program in one sitting. But I'd rather have
a thousand Giant Squids than another run of the mill death
metal blaster. Metridium Fields is really weird on the vocals
especially, bouncing between high-pitched wailing, dark
chants, pretty female breaks and gut-strong roars. All of this
weaves bizarrely through psychedelic experimentation. Follow
up with some George Harrison nightmares, strange brass, and |
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post-rock tangents and you'll have a better idea of where Metridium Fields is heading, if that's even possible. As the
rather stoned leather-jacketed death metal long-hair said,
"whoa dude, that's fuckin' art metal."
www.theendrecords.com |
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Kreator - Enemy Of God Revisited DVD
(SPV) Review by Marco Gaminara |
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I've always enjoyed
watching video clips for songs, especially when they are mini
movies, or self contained stories. The videos contained on
this DVD are exactly that. The little 11 year old girl in
"Enemy Of God" is extremely pretty and her demeanour makes the
things she does in the video all the more disturbing. It's
truly excellently done. The video for "Dystopia" is an
animated clip and also pretty cool. The video for "Impossible
Brutality" has Kreator playing in a bar with a pool table
where a patron watching the TV gets to foresee the things that
are about to happen to the others and then himself. The final
clip, "Dying Race Apocalypse" is actually a fan clip, where
the director won a competition to have the clip included on
the DVD. There's also an interesting little "Making of Enemy
Of God" featurette. Sadly all the above clips are only in
stereo sound, so they don't sound anywhere near as powerful as
they could. The 'Live at Wacken 2005' is however digital sound
and sounds superb when cranked up nice and loud. The visuals
are also pretty spectacular, it is |
Wacken after all, and the sea of people watching under a
cloudy evening sky is the perfect backdrop. But in complete
contrast, all the close-ups of the band are very intimate and
have a small club feel to them, even though the size of the
house stage is blatantly apparent. The set consists of a nice
mixture of old and new tracks, pretty much what they played
when in London on the same tour. During the hour long set the
sun sets too, emphasising the light show on stage and making
it as dynamic as it probably was when there. and to top it all
off "Flag Of Hate" sent shivers down my spine when played. And
in case you didn't get enough there's always the Bonus
Performances of 'Kreator live at the Rockpalast', which is an
extra 3 songs of Kreator doing their thing. Nice thing however
is that they are actually songs that aren't in the Wacken set
list, so it's not like there's any repeated material you have
to watch again. The 'Enemy Of God Propaganda 5.1 Mix' is
actually a 5.1 (DTS) remastering of the album which you get to
listen to and watch minimalist visuals, with the lyrics
flashed on screen as they are sung. I actually enjoyed it
thoroughly as I got to listen and be visually stimulated
simultaneously, but without it being overbearing and
distracting from the music itself. (If only the spelling were
always correct I wouldn't even have anything to complain
about.) The official release is accompanied by the "Enemy Of
God" CD containing 2 live bonus tracks recorded in Korea.
Definitely worth getting if you're a Kreator fan, and if
you're not, then get it anyway to see what all the fuss is
about. You shall not be disappointed.
www.kreator-terrorzone.de |
www.spv.de |
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McQueen - Break The
Silence (Demolition) Review by Steve Green |
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McQueen are most definitely a love 'em or hate 'em band. Why?
Because they are an all-girl Rock band, something that's never
been accepted in the UK. The numerous people I've spoken to
recently who saw them support The Almighty have all been very
vocal about them. And as you'd expect, the guys love them and
the girls... well I've never heard such vociferous protests of
hatred. Having not seen the band live, I can only read between
the lines and put it down to McQueen using their sexuality on
stage. Yeah I know, it's an age old argument that it's ok for
the guys to woo the girlies, but when it's the other way
around, it's wrong. Hey it's not my argument, I'm just
relaying what I've been told. |
So forgetting all the politics and the bitching, I guess the
music should be judged on it's own merits, whatever and
whoever the band are. And while the album isn't anything even
remotely close to groundbreaking, it ain't a bad listen at
all. For me it's the poppier/punkier anthems such as Running
Out Of Things To Say and The Line Went Dead that are more
enjoyable. The more modern approach of the title track sees
Leah Duors scream for all she's worth, which I can see
appealing more towards the Kerrang generation than more
seasoned music fans. I can also see the Kerrang girlies
accepting the band for what they are too.
As the album progresses, I do tend to lose interest as it's
too modern for my antiquated taste buds, but that's not to say
the music isn't good, it just isn't my thing. Exception to the
modern rule is Bitch, who's chorus nicks the melody, from all
things, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and I think the song Hot
Patootie-Bless My Soul. Originally performed by Meatloaf if my
anorak is working correctly. Anyway, this Sweet Transvestite
is going back to his Time Warp Over At The Frankenstein Place.
Make your own mind up about McQueen at
www.mcqueenmusic.com |
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Moonsorrow - Viides
Luku : Havitetty (Spikefarm Records) Review by
Crin |
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Consisting of two 30 odd minute tracks, namely, Jaasta
Syntynyt/Varjojen Virta, and the equally perplexing [if you're
not Finnish that is] Tuulen Ajettu Maa.
The previous album, 2005's Verisakeet was a four track
lesson in epic Viking inspired Metal the Moonsorrow way, and
as the releases prior to that, Moonsorrow continue this
totally individual slant on a genre defined at its core by
Bathory, and expanded upon by other noteworthy acts such as Enslaved, Borknagar, Falkenbach, Thyrfing etc.
Moonsorrow are an entity like no other, unique and endowed
with that rare quality of sounding like no other band on
earth. Bal Sagoth, also share that most enigmatic of gifts. |
Moonsorrow's sound is basically a choir like vocal delivery set
to immensely epic and lengthy arrangements. Especially evident
on this new album with the two tracks running at 30.10 and 26.39 minutes
respectively.
A brave move you would suspect, but the band has been slowly
threatening such over the last couple of albums, the last
split into four tracks, and prior to that six.
The confidence and charisma of this band is startling, and it
oozes through the music exuding class and majestic longevity.
Having to stretch a musical idea towards the half hour mark
demands exceptional musical ability and to actually compel you
to listen to it again, is proof enough of the capabilities of
this band.
The tracks slowly build upon their hypnotic harmonies like a
slow burning musical fuse that gradually picks up momentum,
evoking the likes of Opeth during the hypnotic guitar rhythms.
This is a momentous musical journey through much of what
Moonsorrow are about. Elegant Viking Metal set to mid-paced
arrangements, simple in their execution, yet masked by a
complexity and ingenuity seldom administered to the world of
extreme metal.
The harsh vocals interact with the choir like vocals and every
intense aggression is muted by the pure serenity of the music.
This album will literally take your breath away.
www.moonsorrow.com |
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Profundi - The Omega
Rising (Viva Hate Records) Review by Crin |
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One man bands and solo projects rarely make the individual worthy
of cult status, unless you are Bathory. There is little room
for projecting a band image and having to set the mind to
absorbing the music, knowing the instruments were played at
different times by the same person can gnaw at the impeccable
credentials of such offerings.
Profundi is the musical creation of Jens Ryden, [ex Naglfar
vocalist] and he makes a strong statement here of dragging the
Swedish Black/Death sound into a cement mixer and spitting
back out battlefield intensity set to prolific and brain
munching music.
Musically, Profundi set the blackened blasting metal to a
thick atmosphere of distortion and |
full
bodied tumult. If you think Anthems era Emperor colliding with
modern era Gorgoroth, then the manic, chaotic sound will become apparent.
Taking in the whole album is a task in itself, as the pure
adrenaline rush takes its toll via the numerous guitar riffs,
varied guitar harmonies, machine gun drum patterns, hate
fuelled guttural vocals and meandering arrangements are
compressed into their individual songs.
The speed the tracks fly at you is at such a velocity the
creative impressions buzz past without really impressing any
solid mark in the mind, you really need a few spins to absorb
what is going on.
Add the swirling distorted production and it can be a draining
factor on the whole listening experience.
The tracks roll into one another like a fuse spitting across
the aural maelstrom, each track exploding after one another and
hurling their 100mph blasts into the air.
The music is well performed, well written and there are some
great set pieces as the speed bleeds into the more melodic mid
sections, yet overall the songs are rather similar to each
other, albeit good, still stuck in a one dimensional maelstrom
of aggressive extremity.
www.vivahaterecords.com |
www.profundi.com |
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