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Enthroned - Tetra Karcist (Napalm Records) Review by Crin |
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Belgian Black Metal isn’t a phrase that rolls sweetly off the
tongue like the Norwegian variety. Can you name more than
three Belgian Black Metal bands??
Ancient Rites spring instantly to mind, then it gets a bit
hazy, oh, how about, Agathocles?, nah, they don’t count as
they are cult head shredding Grindcore Gods.
So unless you are a professor of Belgian Black Metal, only
chocolate and buns will spring to mind.
Formed in 1993, Enthroned surfed the second wave of Norwegian
Black Metal with the rest of the up and coming Black Metal
bands across the globe. Tetra Karcists, the bands
seventh album, [and the band are still very much the corpse
painted goat worshiping Black |
Metal upstarts they always were] is an absolute marvel to
behold. Precise, beautifully violent and teeming with more
memorable moments than a festival full of your favourite bands
playing at their best.
From the exquisite intro, the ram fisting Pray, hammers the
senses into the withering twilight of oblivions darkest cleft.
Hence forth the head is pounded by enraged guitars, maniacal
drum work and a murderous vocal storm. It is not the sheer
velocity of which the music hurtles towards the ear that is
frightening; it is the ease in which the music seeps into the
mind. To play with all the hatred of Satan is one thing, but
to make it sound so easy, so natural is quite another.
Guitar leads, solos and intricate fretwork litter the
material, thus alleviating from the chaos any thoughts of a
band treading water or just making a noise for the sake of it.
This album has the bite of a sabre tooth water buffalo with
iron dentures, and yet your flesh will cut like butter, and
the meat shall melt into the controlled chaos of the music’s
bile.
Like Marduk and Dark Funeral, Enthroned are still pretty much
true to their roots, corpse paint and goats heads all still
playing a vital roll in the music’s evolution.
www.napalmrecords.com |
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Gutworm -
Disfigurednarcissus (Anticulture) Review by
Steve Green |
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I think the UK Underground
went through quite a barren spell and went years without
producing any decent bands. With the amount of riches heading
this way from overseas, it was a tad embarrassing when
comparing our fellow countrymen with their foreign
counterparts. Then of late, it seems these shores are
producing an embarrassment of riches, and in many different
genres of Metal. Heading up the extreme end of the spectrum
are Gutworm. And while I'll openly admit they are not a band
I'd normally listen to, I have to admit that this album ain't
half good.
With a full and chunky production, with a great job in
particular on Wayne Minney's drum
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sound, Disfigurednarcissus
is surprisingly accessible, especially considering the
heaviosity of their Deathly Grind. It's a good old fashioned
kick to the bollocks, with a full-on headbutt thrown in for
measure. With Neil Hudson's razor sharp screaming vocals and
the barrage of sound that follows him, Gutworm are not likely
to invite you around for a picnic, they're more likely to come
around to your house and raid your fridge and run off with
your beer, and your Mother too if you are lucky enough. Ok,
that was just a guess, but judging by the photo on the back of
the promo cd and from the pictures on their myspace page, I
think these boys like to party hard. And they like to play
hard too, if this collection of bruisers is anything to go by.
www.myspace.com/gutworm |
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Jessica Vale -
Brand New Disease (Explicit Records) Review by
Steve Green |
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My liking of this album is
most definitely dictated to by my mood. Every time I play the
album, I love the first two numbers, but after that, when it
comes to the remainder of the album, I'm either loving it to
death, or trying to decide if Jessica Vale can actually sing.
Let me explain.
Tracks one and two, Black And Blue and Lonely Life are both as
dark as it gets. Both songs are drenched in 80s Gothdom and
I'm taken back to the days of Bauhaus circa 1979, particularly
in the music department, as the drums, bass and guitar all
scream Bauhaus at me. Lonely Life takes on a slightly lighter
air, but it's still harking back to the
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dreary side of nearly 30 years ago. Vocally, Jessica Vale is
either "acting" the unhappy victim, or she really is as morose
as it gets. She sounds as if life could not get any worse. And
that's where my problems with this album begin. At times I'd
like a bit more in terms of texture when it comes to the
vocals. It's ok getting moody and melancholic, but please add
a bit of light and shade to the proceedings. Down and gloomy
all the time just reminds me of moody teenagers and has me
wondering if it's also because of Ms Vales vocal limitations.
It's hard to explain, but the best way I can describe her
vocal style is that at times she sounds as if she can't be
bothered to put any effort in. Kind of like a minimalist
approach to singing. Enigmatic would be a good alternative
too.
When this album is played and my mood is in sync with it, I'm
lapping it up and I've not got a single complaint, especially
with title track which is one for savouring, especially in a
candlelit room and a nice bottle of red. Fuck, I'm beginning
to sound like a Goth. Oh well, better than being an Emo I
suppose. I guess all of this is good because the music is
provoking a reaction from me, which all good music should do.
If you are still not sure if this album is for you, imagine
the Velvet Underground on downers, Bauhaus at their creative
peak and a combination of an off-kilter Roxy Music having a
shag with Depeche Mode, whilst having an affair with the
bassist of the Fine Young Cannibals. Think that about sums it
up. www.jessicavale.com
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Naglfar - Vittra + Diabolical Re-issues
(Regain Records)
By: Dave Schalek |
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Although Swedish melodic black metal band Naglfar has been a
part of Century Media’s roster since “Ex Inferis”, Regain
Records (formerly Wrong Again Records) apparently still owns
the rights to Naglfar’s first two full-lengths, “Vittra” and
“Diabolical”. Regain Records now re-issues both albums with
new, re-mastered versions.
Given Naglfar’s increased popularity and their upcoming U.S.
tour with an opening slot for Dark Funeral, those with at
least a passing familiarity with melodic black metal are
probably familiar with the band. However, their early releases
may have previously been hard to find, and Regain’s re-issues
now allow fans to easily pick up these albums.
Naglfar has largely been compared to Dissection throughout
their career, and unjustly so. Although playing a similar
style, Naglfar’s releases are differentiated such that even
their first two full-lengths are quite different from one
another. “Vittra” has a very melodic take on black metal, with
a very restrained sound that sounds more like early Dimmu
Borgir than Dissection. Some restrained riffing is combined
with high-pitched vocals and the use of keyboard and
acoustical string melodies. Though at times quite fast, the
music does not simply blast away. In comparison, the
re-mastered sound seems to give the music a bit more weight,
and the re-issue contains an original bonus track plus two
covers (Iron |
Maiden and Kreator).
“Diabolical” shows Naglfar shifting gears by quickening the
pace, shredding the guitars, and ramping up the power with a
much harder hitting album. In addition, the production on the
original was excellent, and really shines through on the
re-release. Some melodic touches are still present, but are
somewhat muted compared to “Vittra”. In addition, the
songwriting is better, ultimately resulting in an excellent
album. Incidentally, there are no bonus tracks on the
re-issue.
“Diabolical” was released in 1998. However, five years would
pass until the band’s next full-length and, in the interim,
the band had to somewhat re-establish themselves with the “Ex
Inferis” EP. Even with a tumultuous band history, Naglfar
stands poised at making a leap into the top tier and newer
fans of the band would do well to pick up these excellent
re-issues. Highly recommended.
www.naglfar.net |
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Quodia - The Arrow : A Story In Seven Parts
(7D Media)
Review by Strawb |
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Quodia are another two person group comprising Trey Gunn and
Joe Mendelson, and again, this numerically challenged line up
leads to a large number of guest artists, including Pat
Mastelotto. Because Quodia are not just sound artists, but
include the use of images, then package contains the standard
CD and a DVD with 5.1 audio. The latter improves the
experience if you have the equipment to fully appreciate this
standard. This presentation is a continuing story across the
tracks. The credits state that When The Fire Was Slow is based
on a story told by Geronimo. The whole story may be based on
native American stories, |
but my knowledge in this area is severely limited, so I am
unable to confirm this. It certainly takes the main character
on a journey.
The musical content did not inspire me in any way. The
instrumental contributions were repetitive and the vocal input
mainly spoken. This album left me totally cold and wondering
how many minutes of my life had passed that I could never get
back. To sum up in simile, I am a British Museum man and this
album is the Tate Modern. I can stretch as far as Dali - in
fact I adore some of his work - but am left cold by Emin and
Hirst. If you are a fan of them, give this a try.
www.quodia.com |
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Satanic Funeral - Night Of The Goat
(Non Compos Mentis Records)
By: Dave Schalek |
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Simply put, USBM band Satanic Funeral pays homage to the first
wave of black metal with their debut full-length, “Night Of
The Goat”, on Non Compos Mentis Records. Comprised of members
of the raw black metal band Mord (the American version) with
some rotations from Lugubre and other connections to The
Netherlands, Satanic Funeral comes across as a mix of the old
days of Bathory, Sodom, and Hellhammer with more than a nod
being made to Beherit (“Unholy Pagan Fire” is covered, as
well).
Primitive riffs supported with a generally mid-paced tempo, a
few simple blasts, and Beherit-like vocals that sound like a
mixture of puke and gargled glass and sand typify the |
sound of “Night Of The Goat”. In addition, adding to the
overall primitive atmosphere is a terribly lo-fi production with a
very muddy sound that is heavy in bass tones; a few dissonant
solos that are seemingly lifted from Quorthon’s early playbook
thrown in for good measure, and a thin buzz in the background.
All of these elements sort of gel together to produce a horrid
mess that anyone with a fondness for the early days of black
metal will appreciate. All of the signature elements of the
very early days of black metal are present here and are pulled
off in an interesting manner.
There are only a few bands out there playing in this style
that are garnering any notice, and most of them seem to be
dismissed as a mere homage to past glories, and nothing more.
However, old hands such as myself and a few other fans of this
niche genre do greatly appreciate the efforts of some of these
bands and, like Cult Of Daath, Satanic Funeral are able to
stand up on their own as a fine example of primitive, first
wave black metal. Buy or die.
www.sf.lugubre.nl/sf.html
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The Blackout Argument - Decisions (Lifeforce)
Review by Robert Beeton |
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Munich based hardcore/rock quintet “The Blackout Argument”
finally release their debut album “Decisions” after a chain of eps including “Munich
Angst” and “Munich Valor” both released
in 2007 through Bastardized. A combination of flying shards of
brutal guitar, (delivered by Chris Zehetleitner and Chris
Lochmann) with the passionate and emotional vocals of Sinan
Akilli, create a stronghold in this piece of work. Not
forgetting the rollercoaster ride of flickering drums and
stomach curdling bass that Philip Seidi and Sascha Laumann
produce as the backbone for this album. With tons of
variation, a pile high of sinister breakdowns and a dozen or
so power grids worth of power, this gives you all that a |
hardcore heart may need. The album starts of slow with vocals
that could be annoying after a while but picks up leaving that
a blur. Highlights start at halfway through the album with
tracks like “The Die Song.” You just have to imagine a
snarling evil beast marching through a city blackout with the
odd light flickering to know what this track is like. Moving
on is the punch in the face “Overdose Narcotics” a track with
guitars swinging all over the place like they couldn’t care or
less and drums that tumble like a Jenga tower. Then finally the
savage “Trial and Error, Error Error.” Take a breathe as it
will jump out at you driving you into a blast of fiery kick
drums, vicious guitars all twisting around you like your about
to be squeezed to death by a giant snake.
Don't miss this album
if you’re a hardcore fan as you’ll regret having that gap in
your collection. “Decisions” is out on September the 7th (Gos/Se)
and September the 10th (Eu) Don’t avoid the blackout!
www.lifeforcerecords.com |
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Tuner - Pole (Unsung Records)
Review by Strawb |
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I do not have a clue where Tuner figure in the metal world,
nor what category their music falls in to. It is one I have
not visited. In their day, Devo had a similar effect, as did
Kraftwerk, but they are as unalike each other as they are
Tuner. This is the sort of music the ‘arty’ crowd used to
listen to. Improvisation is a word that springs to mind. The
CD case is unique and the graphics on the sleeve are thought
provoking and weird.
Proficiency is there. There are no routine tracks; each one is
unique and something of a journey. The final format and
version of one of them, 11-11 was decided upon by fans voting
on a website. As Tuner consists of two people, Pat Mastelotto
and Markus Reuter, |
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the list of guest artists is considerable. This is their
second album, a follow up to the 2005 release, Totem. Mrs. S
has come in a few times while I have been reviewing this disk
and her opinion is “that is crap, switch it off”. The album
may invoke that in people looking for more mainstream music,
but to endorse those comments would be unfair. I may have
found the second track Black Well Monotony aptly named – it
was one and made me feel like I was staring into another, but
this was the only track which made me feel this way. Not my
sort of album, but it may well be yours.
Tuner are on the internet at
www.tunerband.com |
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