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Addiction Crew - Lethal
(Aural Music) Review by Strawb |
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I must be honest here and admit that I have never seen a
frog in a liquidiser, either before or after the switch is
pressed. I have, however, seen a simile on a couple of
occasions when Mrs S. does the lawns and our Flymo has a brief
and one-sided contest against a slower moving member [soon to
be ex-member] of Rana Temporaria. So there are occasions when
I will do some gardening, if only to prevent the neighbourhood
losing all wildlife. I hate gardening. If faced with a choice
then I would be in the queue for un-anaesthetised genital
surgery, no contest. In order to make it bearable, some
pleasurable element has to be introduced and on the last
occasion it was bright sunlight and the chance |
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to listen to this offering from Addiction Crew. I suspect that
I might not be the target audience for any band with ‘Crew’ as
an integral part of their moniker, and this view is furthered
as the music begins to be forced into my ears – mower on you
see so it has to be LOUD. These four Italian artists describe
their music as Modern Metal, and modern is not an adjective I
ever recall being applied to myself. However, it isn’t
something I immediately want to switch off, so we must be
making contact somewhere. Something during it reminded me of
the sounds my darling daughter used to blast out when she
lived at home, so when she visited it made sense to seek her
opinion. Not immediately dismissive either, on first listening
she stated: ‘They sound like a Europop version of Evanescence
but with Tia Carrere singing over the top. [Back to me here] I
find the bands output very easy on the ears. The production is
accomplished and the result is crisp and clear at all times.
The twelve tracks are short and punchy, boredom is not an
option here, and each member seems competent in their own
field. My research has found that this is their fourth album
[with a previous two as Addiction, and two as Addiction Crew]
and their first for Aural Music. Being modern, they feel that
the physical medium of the CD is on the way out, so have also
made these tracks available on all of the main download sites.
They seem to be biggest in the Japanese market, but I see no
reason why their success cannot be transferred to other areas.
They also have a website which provides a taster of their
offerings at
http://www.addictioncrew.com/2008/ They couldn’t convert
me to a liking of gardening, though... |
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Bonded By Blood - Feed
The Beast (Earache) Review by Metal Mark |
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To some extent I was anticipating this release from southern
California thrash outfit Bonded by Blood, despite the fact
that I have not been overly impressed by many of the other new
wave of retro thrash acts recently. After several spins I can
safely that this band isn't doing a whole lot that wasn't
already accomplished twenty years ago. However, I do feel that
they have done enough to establish themselves as one of the
leaders of the current thrash revival. The style presented
here reminds me of a mixture of Steve Souza-era Exodus,
Testament and even Anthrax. What really got me about these
guys wasn't as much what they played, but rather how they went
at it or rather how they attacked their |
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material. They were not as consistent as I was hoping, but
when they got on a roll they just plowed ahead with some hyper
blasts of thrash and power. There in lies the difference
because I have heard too many younger thrash acts sound so
cautious and planned out and the results are so-so when you
approach this style of music in that way. Bonded by Blood know
how to build up a good head of steam and then explode with
some nasty, bone crushing parts. Now if they could just get a
better grip on it and maintain in for longer periods of time
then they might be on to something that's beyond just being
part of a limited retro movement. What didn't work for me was
the group chorus chants that dragged some of the songs down to
a rather typical style. The group vocals chimed in and it was
like slapping a stamp on the CD that said "made in 1989". Not
that '89 was a bad year at all, but rather that this really
limited their progress in my mind. I think that despite a few
time capsule like inclusions that these guys are on or at
least near the right track. If they can bring it around and
move into their own on their next album than might on their
way to really emerging from the pack.
www.myspace.com/bondedbyblood |
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Eminence - The God Of All
Mistakes (Locomotive) Review by Metal Mark |
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These guys formed in Brazil back in 1995 and included former
Sepultura guitarist Jairo Guedz. They have gone through some
line-up changes over the years, but appear to be rather
certain on their direction for now. They play a rather
straight forward blend of modern thrash somewhat similar to
Lamb of God. What Eminence are doing here isn’t all that
unique, but it’s a fairly catchy display of thrash with a good
helping or fire and steam driving behind it. They charge
forward sounding like they are 100% sure of where they are
going plus they will drag you along for the ride as well. It’s
rather tight and chunky in the right places and they know to
propel things along well enough. I wish it were a little
heavier |
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and they maybe they made some of their hooks a bit more
distinct, but that’s rather minor considering all they have
accomplished on this disc.
www.locomotiverecords.com |
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Folkvang/Wodensthrone -
Over The Binding Of The Waves split CD (Ancient
Nation)
Review by Crin |
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Two pagan inspired bands of the lowest underground credentials
unite in one of the many magnificent splits littering the
European NSBM scene at the moment.
Folkvang are a raw yet melodic entity and issue forth that
guitar heavy strum style of fellow guardians of the ancient
heritage, Branikald, Walknut, Graveland and other acts of
likewise sublime musical awakenings. The rasping vocal intent
is ear lacerating and yet completely woven into the music’s
integrity. This really is rousing primitive black metal, high
in melody and lengthy hypnotic musical movements. The sound is
simple yet very effective and you really need to understand
this shunned black metal style to appreciate just how moving
it is. |
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Again, I fully believe in freedom of speech and to ignore or
distain this form of music is to become the very beast one is
condemning. Black Metals anti Christian ethos is far more
damaging than this small strain of Black Metal, and yet do we
pour scorn on it? We mock Christian acts more readily than
Black Metal acts. A strange mind view indeed. The following
band, Wodensthrone is a welcome surprise. Firstly they are
English, a rare combination to behold with a Belarus band.
Secondly if I hadn't known they were English, I would have
never have guessed as the music transcends your mind view of
the English style. This is far more in tune with the likes of
Wood Temple. After a yawning intro, [I suppose this is
obligatory in the genre] the first track proper, Scinleca,
fumbles into action. A lumbering pagan arrangement that bursts
into aggressive speed and back again. The melody factor is
driven into the scathing guitar strums and dark age
atmospheres. Nine minutes later the aural tumult subsides into
silence. The following, The Scouring, burst into warp speed
and drags you into the storm blenched mechanics of the track.
Harsh vocal snarls and rousing power chords decimate the air,
crushing the senses with at times irresistible guitar
melodies. The final track, These Isolated Lands, is a more
refined structural composition, more inclined to make your
ears bleed with fervent pagan barbarity. The band merge well
with Folkvang, and serve the English scene [or lack of it]
with honour and truly wonderful music. A fine unseen release
in the murk of the underground. This can be obtained in the UK
from
www.godreah.com |
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Grenouer - Life Long Days
(Locomotive) Review by Metal Mark |
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This Russian act have been going at it for over fifteen years
yet they started out as a thrash band which is a far cry from
what they have transformed into today. They dip into a rather
haphazard style or styles here on this outing. It’s almost as
if they subscribe to an approach that includes both structure
and lack of structure. That method could work if there were
enough going on to sustain interest and keep some variety of
flow going, but that never really happens here or at least it
doesn’t happen enough. Grenouer bring forth some light
industrial elements and even some odd tones at times, but I
never get a sense that they really mean what they are doing.
There are just too many instances where they feel like |
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they are killing time and plugging holes rather than truly
constructing anything in particular. They hit a few moments
every now and then, but never truly follow up on anything. The
production is good enough and a few heavy bits kept me there
for a while, but Life Long Days is as much about so-so filler
as it is about anything genuine.
www.locomotiverecords.com |
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Hittegods - Flower Power (Demo)
Review by Steve Green |
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This is basic, rock n roll influenced hard rock from Finland. Hittegods
don't claim to be anything else either. They know they are a hard working
pub/bar band and do all of this because of their love of music. Which is
exactly how Live 4 Metal works as well, we do it because we love music.
Simple as.
Of the four tracks, one is an absolute gem. Flower Power, as the title
suggests is all about Woodstock, flowers in your hair, naked people on LSD
going groovy man and all that kind of thing. The lyrics are superb, as is
the feelgood factor of the song. Musically, it reminds me of Golden
Earring's Radar Love and very early, Uli Jon Roth era, Scorpions. All in
all, it's a great track. Unfortunately the other three songs aren't as
strong as the title track, but you wouldn't expect them to be after such a
strong beginning. The only other song that sticks in your head is Eye For
Eye, so at least it shows the band are capable of a writing a decent track
or two.
There's nothing groundbreaking going on here, but it's still a
competent release all the same.
www.hittegods.net |
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H20 - Nothing To Prove (Bridge Nine)
Review by Steve Green |
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I've only a passing interest in Hardcore. My heart is in another musical
camp altogether and the two sides don't really mix, but that doesn't stop me
appreciating some of the scenes better bands and of course their united
spirit. Here we have the first new H20 album in 7 years, and their first
for Bridge Nine, a label that rarely disappoints.
First impressions were very good. Opening number 1995 and follow up track,
Nothing To Prove are both driving hardcore, gang-shout led anthems. And
boy, are these fuckers catchy! Great sing (shout) a-long potential and the
choruses are as infectious as Twisted Sister in their absolute prime. I
know we are talking completely different styles of music |
here, but just think of the bubblegum rock of I Am (I'm Me)
and We're Not Going To Take It, then this is the Hardcore
equivalent. After these fantastic opening gambits, it then
goes a little poppy for a few numbers, which doesn't have the
same level of impact. It takes until the sixth number, Still
Here, for the aggressive, but melodic as yell vibe to return.
Overall, there's plenty to like here, but it does get a little too poppy
at times. There's no faulting the album's energy or spirit though,
especially with the album closer What Happened? which slams the scenes
fashion brigade. I like the little vignettes at the end too.
www.h2ogo.com |
www.bridge9.com
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