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Scythe - Decay (Witches Brew)
Review by Steve Green |
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Are you ready for some old school
Death Metal? This one takes me back a good dozen years, around
about the time when Amorphis released Tales From The Thousand
Lakes. And with Scythes use of Eastern influences, the Death
Metal era of Amorphis is a pretty close comparison, that is
until clean vocals make an appearance towards the end of Years
Of Patience And Regret. Now I know clean vocals are
commonplace these days, but Scythe go from Death Metal, to
what I can only describe as a mixture of Hippy and Prog. Kind
of like Pink Floyd being dominated by Hawkwind. And although
it took me completely by surprise, it still rocks like a
bastard. Pretending Not To See takes me a good
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two minutes trying to work out where I'd heard this sound from
before. And then it hits home. Paradise Lost... when they were
good. Again the Hawkwind style clean vocals make an appearance to good
effect, as do the Eastern influences. As for trying to
describe, A Glimpse Of The Eastern Sunrise. After what I've
written about previous songs, I'll let your imagination work
this one out for all by yourself. Das Leben, Das Ich Selbst
Gewählt has the dirtiest DM groove and the wackiest "clean"
vocals and this album just gets better and better. Cogwheel is
a completely spaced out trip maan and reminds me of Syd
Barrett era Pink Floyd. As is While Everyone Sleeps, until it
kicks in after about 90 seconds and the Death Metal is back to
reclaim its crown. The same formula is used again on October,
except the Death metal vocals never materialize this time and
the album, unfortunately, finishes on a rather subdued note.
www.witches-brew.org |
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| Sinister – Prophecies
Denied (Metal Mind) Review by Steve Green |
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Metal Mind are very clever business
people. Invite 4 great bands to play a gig in Warsaw, film all
4 sets and then release them all as individual DVD’s. Way to
go. I’m not sure where Dutch veteran brutal death metallers
Sinister were on the bill that barmy day in August, which also
included Obituary, (who I’m guessing headlined) Grave and
Catemenia, but the crowd were already hot and sweaty before
Sinister hit the stage. And soon after, things were going to
get a lot hotter. By the time the seventh number, Men Down,
from last years Afterburner opus is aired, the Stodola Club,
is a sea of knackered, yet delirious Poles. Their set is well
balanced, with all seven of their studio albums being
represented at least once, with older numbers such as Cross
The Styx, Epoch of Denial, Enslave The Weak and Sadistic
Intent, all going down the proverbial storm.
The bonus material includes a documentary filmed by the band
about the build-up to the gig
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in Poland, which unfortunately is about
as interesting as watching paint dry. Naturals in front of the
camera, these guys are not. Infinitely more interesting are
a bunch of bootleg live shots which range from a small club in
Croatia to Germany’s Up From The Ground Festival, which are a
complete opposite to the high-tec
presentation of the Warsaw concert.
As expected with a Metal Mind dvd, the quality for the main
show is faultless, the direction sensible, with no 1 second,
blink or your miss them shots and the sound beefier than any
Grubby Kobieta * Warsaw had to offer that night. With 160
minutes worth of content on this DVD, if you are a fan, you
won’t be disappointed.
www.metalmind.com.pl
*Sorry if my Polish isn’t 100% correct |
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Slavior - Slavior (InsideOut Music)
By: Joe Florez |
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I was and still am a huge fan of Mark Zonder’s drumming from
the Fates Warning days. When he left, I was saddened, but what
could I do. When I heard that Slavior was his new band and a
debut disc would be put out, I couldn’t wait. I had all these
thoughts in my head as to what it would sound like. Would it
continue to be progressive and technical like FW or
simplistic. Either way, I anxiously awaited. Now, I have it
and must dive in. This is a three piece unit that is rounded
out by Tribe Of Gypsies/Seventhsign vocalist Gregg Analla and
Wayne Findley former member of M.S.G./Vinnie Moore on keys,
guitars and bass. So, what exactly do we have on our hands?
Let’s see here. “Origin” is a slice of modern |
rock/metal that combines up beat guitar riffs with a bit of a
more simplistic approach to drumming from Mark. There are some
drum rolls, quick double bass drumming and little technical
time changes thrown in, but you have to listen closely to
catch them. There’s some electronic vibes thrown in during a
breakdown, but doesn’t last long. As far as Gregg’s vocals are
concerned, he’s a crooner, but he is passionate about what he
does because it shows. It’s mean and right in your face during
some points of the songs. Overall, it’s definitely not what
you’re used to hearing coming from Mark, but then again he
wanted to do something completely different. “Shatter” shows
the voice to be a bit more tender than the opener. He’s not as
aggressive. The drums continue to pound away at different
styles. They are rhythmic in some parts while the can also be
challenging in other sections. Wayne puts plenty of muscle
into what he does with the axe, but it’s melodic. It hard,
heavy, melodic and even a touch sensitive. It’s rock/metal
with a pop edge definitely with an eye toward commercial radio
air play. “Swept Away” goes for the nu-metal/rock approach
with the low tuned guitars and tribal drum beatings. Not
something I care for, but it’s on here and it’s a bit
infectious, but the difference is that they try to smooth
things over in the chorus with pure clean vocals and sincere
and laidback musicianship. “Altar” combines Latin percussion
rhythms with signature quirky time changes from Mark and a
softer approach to songwriting that is somewhat in the classic
Fates Warning vein. “Dove” is very unusual because it dabbles
with the reggae genre. Mark said that this release would be
diverse and it is. There were a lot of styles on here that I
wasn’t quite expecting from him. I guess that’s what happens
when you are expecting another full-on prog disc. While this
isn’t a total disaster, I am not too sure what to make of it
in the end. There are some things on here that I like and
don’t care for. Perhaps I will have to give it several more
spins before I can confirm that I enjoy this or despise it.
Listeners beware, if you were/are a Fates fan and expect more
extreme prog, then go elsewhere because you will be let down.
I think that this is more for the experimentalist at best.
www.insideoutmusic.com
| www.templewithinmusic.com
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Sonic Reign - Raw, Dark, Pure (Metal
Blade) Review by Crin |
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Originally released last year though the bands own,
Sovereignty label, the pure quality of its contents have
rightly gained a deal with one of the bigger players involved
in extreme metal of this calibre.
Here we are pulverised with a high velocity collision of Black
Thrashing rage harnessed in a modern highly polished
production.
The dark essence of Satyricons, Now Diabolical, [the vocal
delivery evokes Satyr on numerous occasions, as does the
guitar tone] is set to a Slayer technicality, and a post Black
Metal atmosphere. The hammering snares drive the music onwards
into a furious aural tumult ignited by a fluency of guitar
riffs and precision drum beats, unfettered by any musical
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of individual ability.
Bands like, At The Gates, Dissection, The Haunted, all spring
to mind when accessing the barrage of hate drenched aural
chaos and technical proficiency, though accessible melancholy
of biting rhythmic metal music.
There is not much else to say, it’s nothing new, but the music
packs a mighty punch and a relentless streak set into its very
core.
Here we have a True extreme metal act, no props, no keyboards,
just a raging musical repertoire of well honed tracks played
with a vehemence, designed to blow your ears off.
www.metalblade.de |
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| Suckceed - Self Titled
(Self Release) Review by Steve Green |
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Why, oh fucking why? You know, I've
nothing bad to say about Suckceed, their name says everything
I don't need to. Suckceed are a pub rock band who have self
released an album and I bet they are so proud of this moment
and good luck to them. In their own community in Austria, I
bet a lot of others are pleased for them too. And for this
reason, I don't want to put the boot in. Yet I cannot think of
a polite way of putting this. There are 100's of bands around
the World that should stick to playing pubs and clubs and
should never leave that niche. Mainly because they will never
get a record deal, they'll never be taken seriously by the
press and they don't have the original material to make any
sort of impact. Suckceed
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are a perfect example of everything
I've just said. There is nothing wrong with this release, it's
just never going to set the World alight. Never in a million
fucking years. But for what it is, a solid collection of hard
rockin' Metal I like this. Even the rocktastic un-pc Bitch
Mobile, is impossible not to enjoy.
Harmless fun for all the family... except if you have a
daughter. www.suckceed.com |
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Sun Caged - Artemisia (Lion Music)
By: Joe Florez |
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Once again, here’s another band that I have constantly heard
of, but never had the opportunity to get a chance to listen to
their work. Marcel Coenen who is the founder and guitarist of
this Netherlands band is the only one left standing as the
group has taken new shape. Now, I have listened to Marcel’s
solo work and it’s more than quite impressive so I would only
guess that I am in good hands with this product. Or at least
one would hope. “Lyre’s Harmony” offers plenty of progressive
elements, but it’s calm and not as direct and in your face.
There’s a rhythmic and tribal beat that’s inserted in the
beginning before taking a consistent beat. The keyboard action
provides a nice atmosphere and only comes in when |
needed. The guitars are beefed up a bit, but never go over the
top. The one thing on here that was a wonderful treat was Paul
Villarreal’s passionate singing that remains pretty much
subtle and relaxed never hitting the extremely high notes that
so many do in this field. It’s just right as it’s for the most
part in the mid to low range. Dizzying guitar licks come in
during the breakdown which makes for a cool touch. The solo
section does get a little tricky and even spacey, but is
always in control. The pacing is perfect and even though it’s
a bit long, it jams and soothes the soul at the same time. “A
Fair Trade” proves to be a real gem with more jamming out and
beautifully layered progressive elements that are akin to
track one, but managing to be even more expressive than
before. The solos are bright and full of energy. “Unborn”
takes a turn for the heavier with meatier licks and a thicker
rhythm section that has bit more rage and muscle to them, but
never going over the top. Paul’s vocal ranges gets slightly
higher, but never in the Halford range. This one is
darker than the previous tracks, but still has a classy edge
to the material like the other tracks. The guys show that they
are very hip and current in the scene, but get down and go
70’s classic rock prog during “Bloodline.” It still has a
modern edge, but shows it’s roots and influence and does a
fine job of it. It’s a bit more technical than the other
tracks, but manages to always keep it more on the easy going
side so that it doesn’t exclude anyone. As with all prog
records, there’s at least one instrumental track and
“Engembert The Inchworm is it. These guys really throw down
and show what they have to offer. It’s a real heavy number
with even some extreme screams and growls toward the end.
This
is a wonderful disc that is enriched with luscious dynamics.
Beautiful singing and an all around environment that is
positive and bursting with energy. I was expecting nothing
more than another run of the mill prog disc that would be
decent, but not good enough to make it in my collections. What
I got was a pleasant surprise and something that I will be
spinning in my player for some time to come. A true prog
rock/metal essential.
www.lionmusic.com
| www.suncaged.com |
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| The Mirimar Disaster -
Self Titled (Undergroove) Review by Don Baird |
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Slightly left of centre is a good way to
describe my current mental state, it's also a fair description
of Sheffield's The Mirimar Disaster. Mixing cutting edge
modern traits ie: screaming and experimentation, with
shifting, epic soundscapes and a natty line in inventive
rhythms and you've got yourself an intriguing and intense
debut album.
Having used the word intense in the last sentence,
there lies the beauty in this album. Track after track of
brooding intensity, that digs into your cranium with startling
levels of distress. Not quite a complete mindfuck of an album,
there's enough here, provided the right/wrong medication
(legal or otherwise) is used in combination with repeated
listens, to really play
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havoc with your general wellbeing.
One word I have to use in conjunction with TMD is confident.
If Lockheeds Could Speak is nine minutes of pure genius that
defies the fact that this is a debut album. This is an audio
equivalent of darkness, controlled hatred and a massive punch
in the face. Shit! Have I mentioned brooding yet? Man this is
a cesspit of brooding anger just ready to explode. And when it
does explode, it's very unforgiving. With nine tracks clocking
in at about an hour, there's plenty of scope for each song to
develop and with the continual ebb and flow of the rhythm,
mixing well with the light and darkness of the mood, it's an
interesting journey throughout the entire length of the album
and not a second of filler is to be found.
A very confident and an extremely cool debut album from a band
who are, quite rightly, getting support slots with high
profile bands of the calibre of Mastodon. I expect The Mirimar
Disaster to have a very successful 2007 and beyond.
Impressive!
www.themirimardisaster.com |
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Threshold - Dead Reckoning (Nuclear Blast) review by Sam
Thomas |
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Threshold have been around since 1993 and the lads from Surrey
are generally considered to be one of the UK’s premier
progressive acts. I first encountered their music at ProgPower
last year in Cheltenham, and I have to say that I considered
them to be the find of the festival, racing out to buy their
Subsurface CD.
As soon as the first track “Slipstream” began to pound through
the house, I was struck again by an uncanny resemblance
between Mac’s vocals and those of Saxon’s Biff Byford. It’s
quite bizarre really, because it’s such a fleeting, ephemeral
thing that I’d completely forgotten that I’d had exactly the
same thought last year. I was also struck by just how |
good Threshold are – I really cannot see why they are not a
whole lot better known. I don’t normally listen to a great
deal of prog, but there are some things that are just so good that
they transcend narrow genres and just scream quality at you. I
would defy any metal fan of any description to be able to
honestly say that they don't like this. It's strong, pure
metal, without a trace of cheese. Every track on the album is
beautifully written and played with complete commitment and
passion. Unfortunately, most of them are also as catchy as
hell, and I’ve gone around for the last week or so with
various riffs and lyrics echoing through my brain.
There’s a lot of the kind of guitar work that you’d expect
from the genre, but it mercifully stops well short of being a
cheesy guitar wankfest. The other thing that truly sets this
album apart is the sheer quality of the lyrics, which are
thoughtful and insightful, a far cry from some of the dross
that’s out there. I’d already picked out that third track
“Elusive” featured some rather good distorted vocals, and a
quick check revealed that they are in fact courtesy of none
other than Dan Swanö (perhaps better known in Swedish death
metal circles)– does the man ever take a day off?
“Dead Reckoning” is a massive album in every sense. Everything
about it just seems to be on a grand scale: the drums, the
powerful vocals, the sheer strength of the guitar work. It’s
got massive scope too: the lads aren’t afraid to work and
develop a theme painstakingly through a track or two.
My favourite track “Pilot in the Sky of Dreams” (released as a
download single) moves through so many different forms,
speeding up, slowing down, becoming heavier, lightening up.
Then again, its attraction may be just that its opening
reminds me of “Eagle will Rise Again” from Alan Parson’s
Project’s “Pyramid” which has to be one of my favourite tracks
of all time. Or maybe it’s just that it’s the longest track on
the album! Either way, it’s perfect. (Except when I wake up
with it in my head at 4 am, obviously.)
It seems really weird to be saying this in March, but I think
I’ve just listened to my album of the year. It really is that
good – it oozes quality in every respect. And once again, I’m
left thinking that I should do some serious investigation of
Threshold’s back catalogue.
www.thresh.net
| www.nuclearblast.de |
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Within Temptation - The Heart Of Everything
(Roadrunner) Review by Steve Green |
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Another one bites
the dust! It seems a lot of my once favourite bands are
finding mass adulation and the mainstream and of course the
financial benefits that come with success. I wouldn't say The
Heart Of Everything is a bad album, or maybe I am, it just
sounds like The Silent Force part 2 to me and once again it's a million miles
away from their doomier roots of a decade ago.
Building from the success of Mother Earth, which I think will
always be one of my favourite albums of all time, Within
Temptation teamed up with producer Daniel Gibson and headed in
a more commercial direction, a sound that Evanescence hit the
big-time with. Have they
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sold out? Most probably, is the answer to that. The first
single What Have You Done, which features Life of Agony's
Keith Capulto on vocals being a prime
example of this. Comparisons with Amy Lee and co are
unavoidable, especially as the song has the same "winning"
formula as Bring Me To Life. Elsewhere, it's big orchestra's,
big ballads and it's all pretty predictable. Notable
exceptions are the jaw-dropping Our Solemn Hour, which harks
back to the Mother Earth era and the opening number The
Howling, which at least has some bite to it. The other nine
tracks are bog standard, heard it all before fodder for a
brainwashed generation who read Kerrang and believe Within
Temptation are a great new band. My 12 year-old step-daughter
is mad about them. I rest my case.
www.within-temptation.com |
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