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Braindrill - Apocalyptic
Feasting (Metal Blade) Review by Metal Mark |
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This is a fairly manic display of death metal as far as the
overall pace and initial impressions are concerned. Upon
further examination I would say the guitars are actually far
more involved than they at first appeared to be. It’s just
that they thrust forward and are slapped together in such
chaotic manner that you have to focus in to really get a
handle on all that is taking place. I did eventually
appreciate what they were doing, yet after about six or seven
tracks the guitar parts all started to blend together and the
songs started to seem like the previous tracks. The drums were
far less effective as almost everything sounded the same and
it was just all speed without heaviness, rhythm or any sense
of depth. The drums |
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tended to click rather than pound and that really hurt the
overall aggressiveness of the album. The vocals were decent
enough, but fairly typical for this style. I was into it for a
few tracks, but this just all became a bit of a dull blur that
just seemed to be trying to blaze away to the end of the album
without a real goal in sight. There were aspects of this
release that I enjoyed, but for the most part I heard
everything they had to offer within the first three tracks.
www.metalblade.com |
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Brainstorm - Downburst
(Metal Blade) By: Joe Florez |
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It’s always good to know that a Brainstorm record is on the
horizon. One of the key reasons that I like them so much is
that they never make their fans wait an eternity for a new
product. While the band may not reinvent themselves or the
metal scene in general, you can always count on upbeat tracks
that will keep you satisfied for a long time to come. I think
after being around for ten plus years fans are starting to
realize who they are and what they dish out. Furthermore, the
extraordinary and under rated vocalist Andy B. Franck has a
voice like no other and he has more than paid his dues. You
see, in addition to this full time gig, he also fronts
Symphorce and got his start with the highly under rated German
prog |
| band Ivanhoe. I highly suggest checking their discs out.
Now, onto Downburst. “Falling Spiral Down” should come as no
shock as everything is in place perfectly. Aggressive riffage
is abundant here and the rhythm section is packed with power.
Andy’s voice is heard loud and clear and filled emotion as he
sings his heart and lungs out. The fuel in the bands tank is
full and it’s full throttle on here. “Fire Walk With Me”
throws down a wicked solo and while it may not cruise quite as
fast as the opener, it’s still packed with power and a little
bit of ambience is thrown in to keep things from being
repetitive. Even though some of the songs lose just a tad of
steam, they never, ever hit the ballad mode in any way. These
Germans have crafted another record that is dud free from top
to bottom and will captivate you if you are a fan of prog,
power, metal and true metal. Good work boys! Now, can you all
just make your way to North America?
www.metalblade.com |
www.truemetal.org/brainstorm/ |
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Countess - Blazing Flames
of War (Barbarian Wrath) Review by Crin |
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Limited to 666, this album is the latest in a long line of
raw, orthodox Black Metal outings from the Netherlands Black
Metal cult act Countess. When the Ed dropped this illusive
disc into my lap I felt like meeting an old friend. I have
interviewed main man Orlok [Countess driving force] twice in
the nineties for my rather ghastly Godreah Zine. So here we
are with album number eleven and not much has changed in the
basic deployment of rough and rugged Black Metal with a
leaning towards more classic acts like Venom and Celtic Frost,
than the more icy tones of Darkthrone. There is melody and
warmth imbued into the tracks that plod along harmlessly
enough. The faster tracks never becoming more frightening than |
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Venom at full throttle, and compared to today’s hyper
blasting, that’s no real threat to the nervous system. I am
basically trying to create the musical vision of Orlok, that
has always been tethered to the more musically stable
presentations of those classic Blackened thrash bands of the
eighties. This is by no means a retro tribute act or another
one of those numerous Thrash revival nonsense releases. Here
is a band that is genuinely making music as they have done
since their conception in 1992. The bizarre thing here is that
the album sounds like Sighs, Infidel Art album, in texture and
atmosphere. Both guitar and vocal deliver having an uncanny
familiarity with that release of 1995. I recall the 2000 album
[also a Barbarian Wrath release limited to 666] The Shinning
Swords of Hate, was a far more atmospheric album, having vast
lengthy Bathory style arrangements and a very deep pagan feel
to its pondering pounding rhythm’s. The blistering Bathory
cover, The Return, just crushes. I have some live tapes that
have similar renditions of this Bathory favourite, so it
wasn’t a surprise when it finally appeared on CD. This new
opus by contrast, is fast and loose, more Heavy Metal rooted
beast blasted though a dirty Blackened machine dripping in the
blood and leather
www.barbarianwrath.org |
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Dodsferd - Cursing Your
Will To Live (Moribund Cult) By: Dave Schalek |
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Fuck, yeah!! One-man Hellenic black metal/punk wrecking
machine Dodsferd, the sole creation of Wrath, returns on the
ungodly Moribund Cult Records with the third full-length,
entitled “Cursing Your Will To Live”. In point of fact, this
is Dodsferd second full-length of the year, coming hot on the
heels of “Fucking Your Creation”, along with a highly regarded
split with Ganzmord, as well. Indeed, Wrath has been busy this
year and the quality of the output has not diminished in the
slightest. In fact, “Cursing Your Will To Live” dramatically
raises the bar for the standard of punk-encrusted black metal.
Darkthrone may have sort of invented the whole “punkened”
black metal sub-genre, but, |
frankly, Dodsferd has perfected it
with “Cursing Your Will To Live”. Starting with an
exceptionally loud, powerful black metal base with absolutely
bludgeoning riffs, blazing speed, and a powerful, deep
production, Dodsferd also adds that oh so subtle dash of
snarled punk nihilism with just the right amount of
deceptively simple catchy riffs to produce a savage album
that, frankly, I can’t get enough of lately.
Really, though, the snarl and ballsy attitude is really the
only aspect of punk, in my opinion, that goes on in this
sub-genre. For my money, “Cursing Your Will To Live” is really
just excellent raw black metal with great songwriting,
powerful production, excellent tempo variation, and great
riffs. Just about the only negative aspect of this album is
that one or two of the tracks lose a bit of their
effectiveness by going on a bit too long. Dodsferd seems to be
a band that works well with relatively short blasts to the
head. Other than that, however, this is a minor quibble that
doesn’t detract from the release.
“Cursing Your Will To Live” is a fucking monstrous album (and
would’ve made my Top Ten list had I heard it sooner), and a
most putrid addition to the pantheon of black metal gems. Buy
or fucking die!
www.moribundcult.com |
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Ethereal Architect -
Dissension (Self Released) By: Joe Florez |
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The lone star state of Texas is where these four progsters
are from. While they may have no relations to the Norwegian
band Spiral Architect, these Americans dish out their own
brand of tech metal. “Phrygian” begins the show with strong
six string licks and intense drumming and also contains the
ethereal keyboards that is normally accustomed to this genre.
The one thing here that stood out was Adam’s vocals, but for a
different reason. He is rather softly spoken. There is very
little passion in his voice and not enough oomph! The musical
wizardry is there and it’s enticing. “Still Waiting” continues
to have a good balance between being heavy & melodic and
classy. The positive thing here are the harmony vocals used |
during the chorus. It only enhances the song, but it would
sound better if they were beefed up just a bit. The solo here
takes center stage as it’s beyond flashy. It’s grade A work.
“Driven” is one of the most complex songs on the album with
difficult time changes and it will simply have your jaw drop
if you like your music filled with head scratching
performances. Finally, Adam begins to show what he has in his
lungs via “Undone.” I guess it’s better later than never to
hear what he has to offer. While he slips back into his ultra
mellow ways on more than one occasion, he does show promise
and I just wish that he could have showcased it throughout the
disc and not just on one particular song. No prog disc is
complete without an epic eleven minute track that has plenty
of tempo changes that prevents boredom.
For a demo, there are some really solid performances. There
are a few things I would fix though. I think for starters that
just because you are in a “P” band, you don’t have to always
prove how good you are and how technical you can be. Scale
back a little and the songs could be tightened as well.
Simplify things at times as well to keep everyone happy. Adam
shows that he can sing, but he needs to add a little more
energy into his voice. Show some passion and desire when
belting it out. I think that with the right producer these
guys can do some serious damage. Each song on here gets better
and better. Remember, practice makes perfect.
www.myspace.com/etherealarchitect |
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Horna - Sotahuuto
(Moribund Cult) By: Dave Schalek |
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Finland’s Horna have been around for awhile now and are one of
those prolific black metal bands with who the Hell knows how
many full-lengths, splits, EPs, and live recordings to their
credit (well, Encyclopaedia Metallum knows, so check if you
must). I’ve sort of half paid attention to them over the
years, essentially deciding awhile ago that they’re a solid
second-tier raw black metal band; that is, competent,
enjoyable now and then, but nothing overly special.
Although released in 2007, Horna’s latest full-length, “Sotahuuto”,
was recorded in 2004 as a tribute to Quorthon before said
master’s untimely journey to the exalted gates of |
Valhalla. Speaking of Bathory, that’s just about the first thing that
came to mind with my initial listen of “Sotahuuto”. Usually,
Horna piles on the sloppily played blastbeats from album to
album, but here they slow down the pace a bit and ramp up the
songwriting to produce a well crafted example of mid
‘80s-style black metal that would fit right in between
Bathory’s self-titled debut and “The Return…”, albeit with a
bit more polish befitting that of a veteran band.
Raw, simple yet catchy riffs, some nice variations in tempo
ranging from a slow pace to a gallop, typical rasps, and
moments that sound as if they’re lifted from pre- “Into The
Pandemonium” Celtic Frost, not to mention Bathory’s first two
full-lengths, abound on “Sotahuuto”, an album that rapidly
rises towards the top of Horna’s discography in terms of
quality. I have to admit that I am somewhat surprised
regarding Horna’s high quality of songs on “Sotahuuto”, which
motivates me to go back and give a more serious look at “Aania
Yossa”, and “Envaatnags Eflos Solf Esgantaavne”, albums
recorded after “Sotahuuto”, but released in 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
Hmmm… maybe I was missing out on something after all.
“Sotahuuto” is released on Moribund Cult in the U.S.
www.moribundcult.com |
www.legion-horna.com
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| Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead (Serjical
Strike) Review by Steve Green |
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At the start of 2007, I had absolutely zero time for anything related
to System Of A Down. I saw them 10 years ago when they supported Slayer
and Sepultura at the Astoria in London and just plain hated them. After
being worn down by seeing repeated plays of a couple of videos on Scuzz
and Kerrang, (I blame the kids) I decided to invest in a album to see if
I'd been wrong about them, and lo and behold, I actually liked what I
heard. I've not really given Mezmerize enough spins, mainly due to time
restraints, but from what I've heard, I think the rest of their releases
will soon be in my collection.
Because I'm only a recent convert to SOAD, there'll be no comparisons with
this, Serj
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Tankian's solo work, with the band he made his name with.
Hopefully that'll help people make their minds up on this disc and it'll
be judged on its own merits. To me, this album is like a collection of
crazy fucked up nursery rhymes that ooze humour and every song works its
way into your brain and you'll end up singing them at all times of the day
and night. The opening trio of the single, Empty Walls, The
Unthinking Majority and Money are by far the best of the bunch and these
songs alone, are worth the purchase of this album. How can you not be
swayed with jolly ditty's about anti-depressants and taking a swipe at
George W at the same time? These are the best lyrics I've heard since Neil
Young's proclamation that "Welfare Mothers make better lovers". This is
pure genius.
After the barrage of the first three numbers, the pace does drop a bit,
but that's because the quality of these songs are unbelievably high and
are a tough act to follow. But the standard is still very high, although
not quite in the classic mould of the songs I've mentioned. But songs like
Sky Is Over, Baby and Lie Lie Lie are impossible not to enjoy as they are
so damn catchy. And that encapsulates what this album is all about, fun
and enjoyment.
I know this review is a little late, but hopefully it'll persuade the
stragglers who haven't yet got this to make the wise investment of buying
it. Do NOT steal this album.
www.serjtankian.com |
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Thrudvangar - Zwischen
Asgard Und Midgard (Einheit Productions) Review
by Steve Green |
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I said in a review last week that I need to learn more about
the whole Viking/Pagan scene, well here's another great
discovery, German warriors, Thrudvangar. Zwischen Asgard Und
Midgard is a stunning album chock full of blood and guts,
as well as sumptuous calming atmospherics. The pulverising
rhythms are kept in check by the sensible use of keyboards,
which, a la Dimmu Borgir, add depth to the songs rather than
detract from the bands aura, especially on the closing number
Frostland, which is a lush, yet superbly epic number.
Although hailing from Germany, apart from an obvious
Scandinavian theme, after all, that is the home of Vikings, I
get the same feeling as that from their brothers from the
Baltic states |
and the old Eastern Europe. The only time that theory is
thrown out of the window is on the more Pagan, I'm at odds to
add the words Battle and Metal, numbers. Runenstem
will definitely appeal to fans of Turisas and any other band
where crowd participation is a requirement. But whether you
want to simply raise a glass of mead, or a sword in a show of
respect or just to shout along with a thousand other nutters,
you're going to love this song. I think Amon Amarth fans will
love this too as it delivers one hell of a heavy punch.
Thrudvangar have the balance just right and shouldn't alienate
anyone because it's either too heavy or too soft. But middle
of the road this most definitely is not.
This is a truly majestic album, full of atmosphere and
grandeur and I can see it staying on heavy rotation for months
to come, as will the bands previous albums when I manage to
get hold of them.
www.thrudvangar.com |
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