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King’s X - XV (Inside Out)
Review by Metal Mark |
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I remember a time, oh back around 1988-1993 when King’s X
were a band that be both cutting edge and smooth as silk at
the same time. They were good enough at harmonies, melodies
and bringing heavy links all in the same track. They were also
bringing a rather different and reputable approach to their
form of hard rock at a time when a bunch of hair-sprayed
no-talents were flooding the market and making hard rock a
joke. So what has changed over time with King’s X? I think
their approach on this album is far more one-dimensional and I
mean that in a matter of fact way rather than a negative way.
The songs come, they stay, they go and that’s largely the
formula here. Now the positives are that |
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these guys, when they hit, are undeniably tight no matter what
the style in question may be. They still bring a groove at the
drop of a hat, and the production is stellar. Yet I couldn’t
pass the fact that they sound a little tired on XV and
repeated plays convinced me of that. I don’t how a band stays
motivated after two decades and I am sure it is difficult to
keep reaching and pushing. Although I can’t question the
musical ability on this album, I do think King’s X settled for
doing just decent songs rather than really taking any chances.
The end result is, although good, it’s not going to stand out
in their overall catalog.
www.kingsxrocks.com |
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Overheadspace - Beyond The Scope Of Days
(Iron Lion Records)
Review By Strawb |
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Detroit neo-classic rock metal - Neo-classic rock metal -
Heavy Detroit guitar rock. Are Overheadspace any or all of
these? I was hoping that this first release from this 2005
formed USA three piece may give me a clue into yet further
sub-genres of our excellent music of choice, and on
reflection, I suppose that they did. The music that they play
is not bad, but it just leaves me feeling uninspired and cold.
The subject matter of teenage angst may well reflect the
nearness to that age of the group, or in fact my own widening
gap from the experience, but it did nothing to warm me to the
cause. The music did, however cause impressions to form in my
mind, Use Yourself Wisely seemed to drudge along, like a male |
in loose-fitting pants which terminate horizontally half-way
across his arse cheeks scraping the soles of his expensive
de-rigueur trainers along the unyielding path of the local
High Street. Horsehead brought to mind the depressive attitude
of the recently education terminated, still in bed in the late
afternoon, having pulled one off and now thinking who they can
next upset, if they can actually be bothered. Yesterdays Blood
opens with a flavour of the stomping or clapping at a football
match before the home fans begin to chant. Americunt displays
crudity with its punk, no break style vocals and it does
carry a message, but then again so does the Daily Mail or
Government press releases…….
My sister listened to this album with me and liked Everything
is Happening, a slower track which she found suited the
vocalist. I think it is the one track in particular that the
targeted younger audience will revile.
There are parts, snippets, in all of the songs that make me
interested, but this cannot be maintained for a sufficient
period to make me want to become a frequent listener; however,
dear reader, as you are not me then it could well be that
Overheadspace will become regular aural assaulters upon you.
Whilst I fail in almost every way to get on board or manage to
wring the merest drop of enjoyment from this album, it is not
aimed at me and if it can connect with its target audience,
then it will certainly enjoy success beyond that which I feel
it warrants.
Internet connected at
www.overheadspace.com |
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Sacred Mother Tongue - Two Thousand Eight Hundred
(Transcend Records) Review by Steve Green |
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This one's a Scott Atkins produced two tracker, that's a statement of
intent for up and coming rockers, Sacred Mother Tongue. With their debut
album due for release in the early part of autumn, if this is a taster of
what's to come, then everyone better take cover. This is a very classy
piece of Metal, that mixes a more modern approach, with that of Metals
truly greats, with Metallica and Machine Head, probably the most obvious
points of reference.
What makes Sacred Mother Tongue stand out from a very crowded scene are
their use of melody, particularly with the vocals. Harsh and clean sit
very comfortably next to each other, and unlike so many bands, who seem to
wimp out at the slightest inclusion of clean
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vocals, SMT have got it spot
on. Also, I have to mention the guitars. Andy James rips
through the two tracks and I think the UK may have itself a new guitar
hero in the making.
Sacred Mother Tongue, along with the likes of Breedapart, are heading up a
new breed of Metal bands that will appeal to both the Kerrang generation
and older, less fickle, Metalheads, like myself. Sacred Mother Tongue are
an amazing prospect for
UK Metal, who I'm sure will grace the stage of Download in 2009.
www.myspace.com/sacredmothertongue
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Various Artists -
Norsk Svart Metall (Godreah Records)
By: Dave Schalek |
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So many black metal bands of all subgenres now proliferate
throughout the world from so many different countries that it
becomes all too easy to forget that the creative explosion of
black metal’s second wave began in Norway. Now more than
fifteen years past the seminal events of the early ‘90s that
led to such a creative outburst that far outstripped black
metal’s primitive beginnings from only a few bands in the mid
‘80s, Norwegian black metal still holds an exalted status in
the minds of many. Other countries’ scenes may be considered
to be more artistically vibrant nowadays (France, in
particular, and, I’ll get slammed for this, the U.S.), but
Norway’s classic acts are still considered to be the |
standard.
Unless you’re still really paying attention to the Norwegian
scene (other than just picking up the latest releases from
Gorgoroth, Mayhem, etc.), you may miss out on some lesser
known acts that are creatively constructing black metal and
pushing the genre forwards. Certainly, the good people at
Godreah Records have been paying attention and have put
together an album that is described as a compilation of
Norway’s third wave of black metal, a fresh look at the
creative underground of the country.
The twelve tracks compiled on “Norsk Svart Metall” have all
been released elsewhere, but may be quite difficult to find.
Some of the acts appearing here are probably familiar to most
serious black metal fans, such as Taake, Urgehal, and
Koldbrann, but, in addition to those bands, others such as LJA,
Hordagaard, Abomino Aetas, and the like have garnered less
notice. “Norsk Svart Metall” is the perfect opportunity to
explore Norwegian black metal horizons.
The vast majority of the tracks presented here are
concentrating upon the raw black metal subgenre typified by
such classic bands as Darkthrone, mid-period Burzum, and
Gorgoroth. Raw ferocity combined with mild atmospherics
through droning riffs, layered rasps, and simple drum patterns
with rolls and fills are the norm here, as the compilation is
devoid of the symphonic and dark ambient subgenres.
Track list:
1. Taake - Voldtekt
2. LJA - Et Barn Er Dodt I Bethlehem
3. Urgehal - Dødsmarsj Til
4. Forgotten Woods - A Land Mine Reprisal
5. Hordagaard - Pure Satanic Hate
6. Abomino Aetas - Nocturnal Legion
7. Beastcraft - Burnt At His Altar
8. Isarnheimr - Livlost
9. Koldbrann - Sions Fall
10 Mord - Opus V1
11. Deathcult - Anti Human - Anti Life
12. Krypt - I Am God
All of the tracks presented here are of excellent quality and
will, no doubt, motivate me to investigate further some of the
bands that I wasn’t familiar with prior to obtaining this
compilation. That, of course, is the whole point of a
compilation and “Norsk Svart Metall” comes highly recommended.
Buy or die.
www.godreah.com |
www.norsksvartmetall.com
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Violent Force - Malevolent
Assault Of Tomorrow Re-issue (Metal Mind) Review
by Metal Mark |
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Germany's Violent Force had a very short career as they formed
in 1984, but were gone by 1989. They did a few demos, then this
album in 1987 and recorded another album, but it was never
released. Having come from Germany at the peak of the thrash
movement one might expect them to have the typical German
speed metal sound that was largely defined by the big three of Kreator, Sodom and Destruction. However these guys obviously
drew more influences from both UK and American bands. In order
of influence I would say Slayer, Motorhead, Dark Angel and
even Punk bands like the Exploited inspired this particular
thrash act. The music is relentless, focusing more pure
adrenaline and a fair |
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amount of fire. The production is slightly low and fuzzy which
actually works to their advantage because it gives the music a
heavier feel. The biggest shortcoming might be that this
wasn't anything new by 1987 standards because it actually
sounds more like it could have been done around 1984-85. These
guys have somewhat of a following even today and although it's
good, solid thrash they did not nothing that hadn't already
been done in the overall thrash scene even if they were
slightly different than the thrash scene in their home
country. I never heard this one back in the day although I do
remember reading some good reviews on it. Once again Metal
Mind does a fine job as the album sounds great and the booklet
has lyrics and a band biography.
www.myspace.com/violentforce |
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Wonderfools - Too Late To Die Young
(Locomotive Records)
By: Joe Florez |
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From Norway comes a band that plays a brand of happy punk rock
that is equal parts Blink 182 and Germany’s sweethearts The Do
Nots. Lead cut “Thinking Something Mean To Say” is probably
their heaviest and best track. The riffs are clean, melodic
and catchy, but actually have some bite to them. The music is
simple and right to the point. By the time we hit the forth
song “Apples”, that’s where we start to hear the Blink
similarities. The vocals are whiney and I am more than sure
that the hip emo kids will eat this shit up. Damn, the
comparisons to bands doesn’t end there. “She’s So Easy” is
where you can hear lead vocalist Tom sound like a poor man’s
Hank Von Helvete from Turbonegro. The bottom |
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line here is this. I don’t quite understand why Locomotive
Records would have licensed this disc from another label. This
doesn’t fit their roster by any means. This actually belongs
on a major label cause they have such commercial potential.
The music is saccharine sweet and everything on here is super
slick. This could be good for the kids around the world that
are 14 and under. This should be a hit with the tweensters who shop at
the mall, Hot Topic and HMV’s. Sorry to sound so harsh, but
there is stuff out there in this field that plays the same
kind of material as this, but do it much better. Next!
www.locomotiverecords.com
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