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Claim the Throne - Only
the Brave Return (Self Release) review by Sam
Thomas |
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And only the foolhardy would attempt a debut project as
ambitious as this one! Western Australia’s Claim the Throne
have produced not just an album conceived on an epic scale,
but have written the fantasy novel to accompany it. We’re
becoming accustomed to seeing some very nice packages of work
here at Live4metal, but a CD and a book is a new one to us!
The book is a fairly standard swords-and-sorcery epic (think
AD&D and you’ll immediately be au fait with the terminology)
with each chapter bearing the same name as a track on the CD.
It’s such a neat idea that you end up wondering why it hasn’t
been done before, by Bal-Sagoth, for example…
The album is a bit messy, but shows promise as a debut
release. The band really need to decide which direction they
want to follow (their choices would appear to be power metal,
folk metal or possibly some unholy mixture probably including
thrash or melodic death). But the real thing that comes across
is the obvious delight that they take in their |
performance. Looking at their pictures on the album insert,
it’s clear that live they will be an absolute scream: chain
mail, swords, blood… And technically they are perfectly
competent as well, particularly as far as the guitars are
concerned. I think the only problem that they have here is
that the project was hugely ambitious (just compare it to
Turisas’ The Varangian Way for sheer scope) but there’s
nothing wrong with a bit of ambition. Unless of course, you’re
a lardarsed couch potato… In their more folksy moments there
are echoes of Finntroll which are extremely pleasant, mixed
with some lovely death metal vocals that could certainly
emanate from Sweden. And then there’s the melancholy guitar,
the battle cries…
Bottom line: Ambitious, doesn’t always come off but well worth
a listen nonetheless. And deserving to reach a wide audience
just for the sheer novelty value of having a book as part of
the package.
www.myspace.com/claimthethrone |
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Dark Illusion - Promo EP
(Battlefield Records) Review by Dave Baynham |
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After producing some demos and gigging in their native Sweden
in the 1980’s Dark Illusion split up only to reform in the
early 2000’s. They have already produced an album, ‘Beyond the
Shadows’ which can be bought as individual track downloads
from their website. The band has Thomas Vikstrom on vocals,
who has provided clean metal singing for Therion on tour.
There are two tracks on this disc, the fast ‘Running out of
time’ and the midpace ‘Only the strong will survive’. Both are
headbangingly good. On the former the bass sounds a lot like
Motorhead but overall the sound is a lot like Saxon at their
height. These days this would probably be classed as power
metal, but as far as I’m concerned it’s just bloody good
metal.
www.darkillusion.se |
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Dysfunctional By Choice - Travelling
In Travel (Drakkar Records/Sony BMG)
Review by Steve Green |
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The biog that came with this album was very long winded, so I think I'll
just give it to you in simpler terms. To these untrained ears, this one
throws together a bit of grunge, a bit of biker attitude, a few decent
melodies and a stack of off the wall shit. From sublime vocals melodies to
jump up and down punk-ish strains, this album does not want to stand still
for a minute. Sometimes it works and other times, it's kind of messy,
mainly because they like to change style so often. But I guess that kind
of ties in with the band name, because at the end of the day, this is
pretty much a dysfunctional album. But that's not to say that it isn't a
good album, it could just do with a bit of de-cluttering and a few tweaks
here and there. |
| So who's this going to appeal to? Well I hear everything from the Foo
Fighters, Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden and even a tiny
smidge of the Doors and a ton of eclectic moments which are loosely glued
together in a long drawn out riff-fest. So this is pretty much an album
for those that like their music to be on the quirky side of life.
www.dysby.com
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www.drakkar.de |
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Fiftywatthead - Fogcutter
(Signed by Force) Review by Metal Mark |
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On some occasions you can actually tell what a band will sound
like just by the band name and/or album title. Here we have
Fiftywatthead from Canada so the moniker sounds large and
heavy. The album title they chose is "Fogcutter" which to me
sounds powerful and even a little mysterious. All of the above
are definitely characteristic of this album, but that only
just begins to describe this massive monster that
Fiftywatthead have unleashed. The opener "Whiteout" came
flying out my speakers as it launched a battering assault on
my eardrums. It's a noisy, rambler of a song that makes no
apologies as just pushes and punches forward. It reminds me
some of Mastodon, but a little less chaotic. However the |
opener doesn't define the album because after that the pace
slows down, but it doesn't let up. They pull into heavy waters
and they begin a slow and rough journey that churns around
with steely precision. Fiftywatthead churn ahead cranking out
massive chunky riffs for us to take in. When I listen to many
of the songs served up here, I imagine being in a valley and
viewing rock slides coming down from mountains on both sides,
only in slow motion. This band manages to hit near deafening
levels of heaviness and have you begging for more. The final
track "Thunder" reminds me of a similar style to "Whiteout",
but most of the six tracks in between are far more doom based.
There is a lot to soak in on this album so when you do just
make sure you sit back, give it room and let the voyage begin.
www.myspace.com/fiftywatthead |
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One Man Army & The Undead
Quartet - Grim Tales (Massacre) Review by Ellis
Woolley |
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As I'm sure every man and his dog knows now, One Man Army &
The Undead Quartet (OMA from henceforth) is the band formed by
Johan Lindstrand upon the dissolution of The Crown back in
2004, which if 3rd album "Grim Tales" is anything to go by
sees Mr. Lindstrand move slightly away from the groove and
punch of The Crown to a more melodic, In Flames territory.
Those mega Gothenburgers are without doubt the main point of
reference for the twin-laden guitar rhythm of a number of
tracks here, but when one isn't instinctively picking up
signals of a fiery nature the tone is still very much
svenska, with At The Gates, The Haunted and the
aforementioned Crown all being referenced in the mid- |
paced attack that is "Grim Tales".
As if OMA wished one to know where they have derived greatest
personal inspiration, first track proper (following the
obligatory instrumental introduction which at least is worth
it's plastic) "Misfit With A Machinegun" features a chorus so
In Flames Anders Friden & co should consider patenting their
uniquely melodic style. When at times I remember I am infact
not listening to "Colony" or "Clayman" the more aggressive
Haunted and Crown give added kick to "Saint Lucifer" and my
album highlight "The Frisco Reaper". Depending on one's point
of view, the In Flames-obsession (thankfully) wanes during the
second half of the album across a number of songs like the
Slayer-ish "Bonebreaker Propaganda" and that most clearly
descended from The Crown, "Make Them Die Slowly", before OMA
close shop with an IF cover - "Bastards Of Monstrosity". What,
it's not a cover you say? My mistake.
In "Grim Tales" OMA have made a perfectly listenable metal
record that is indeed somewhere in the worryingly crowded
field of good-very good records which will garner a batch of
initial listens, before another similar sounding band creeps
into your record collection to push OMA out of favour. Such is
life for a band I would say still yet to find their true
identity - nothing plainly wrong at all yet nothing suggesting
a classic-in-the-making.
www.massacre-records.com |
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Outlaw Order - Dragging
Down The Enforcer (Season Of Mist) By: Dave
Schalek |
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Don’t kid yourself, Outlaw Order are Eyehategod playing under
a different moniker. Everyone in Outlaw Order is a member of
Eyehategod (and, apparently, on probation), or once was a
member, as well as being guilty of sharing time with who knows
how many other sludge bands (Hawg Jaw, Goatwhore, etc) from
the NOLA region of the United States.
So, why bother to release an album under a different name;
that is, why not just call “Dragging Down The Enforcer” the
latest full-length from Eyehategod? Frankly, I have no |
clue because it is not as if Outlaw Order are some radical
departure from Eyehategod’s patented, and much copied, sound.
Outlaw Order has Matt Williams’ tortured shrieks, the
heroin-laced riffs that drip out of your speakers, the trace
of a Southern drawl, you name it. Possibly the only difference
that I could really detect between Eyehategod and what Outlaw
Order are presenting on this debut full-length from Season Of
Mist is a bigger emphasis upon tempos changes and an overall
quicker pace than is typical of an Eyehategod record. A few
moments of guitar melody, usually not present on an Eyehategod
release, are thrown in as well, resulting in an album that
sounds like a less polished version of Soilent Green, but with
less emphasis upon thrash and a bit more explosive power. In
short, “Dragging Down The Enforcer” fucking rules.
What else is there to say?! What the Hell are you waiting
for!?
www.myspace.com/outlaworder |
www.season-of-mist.com |
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S-Core - Gust of Rage
(Drakkar Records/Sony BMG) reviewed by Robert
Cheesewright |
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France’s S-Core is portrayed as a Hardcore Metal band, but
they’re not. They are a Metal band with a strong hint of the
slightly heavier Nu-Metal bands- think the Machine Head albums
that no-one liked, or Mudvayne. Granted, there are hardcore
elements and the occasional breakdown, but S-Core’s sound is
pretty far removed from the likes of Throwdown or Hatebreed.
The tracks feel repetitive and tend to blend into one-another
to become one long and mediocre track. I have little doubt
that this album would have been a success in Britain in the
early part of this decade, but with the metal scene having
moved on since then, and |
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worse, the ascendancy of tedious Indie music, it is likely to
make very little head-way in 2008 and 2009. ...A Whole Life...
and In Memoriam provide a welcome break from the rest in that
they provide a change of step from the monotone nature of the
rest of the album and are definitely highlights of the album.
In essence, this is a well put together album with creditable
musicianship, but it’s not for me. Who knows, there may be
those out there who are hankering for the “glory days” of Nu-metal,
in which case, they’ll enjoy this album.
www.drakkar.de |
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Sikh - One More Piece
(Drakkar Records/Sony BMG) Review by Steve Green |
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I'd normally run a million miles from an album like this, but there's
something about Sikh that really draws you in. This does contain a small
amount of nu-metal, which is something I normally detest, but this is very
catchy shit. I think that's mainly caused by the "bounce factor". A couple
of the band members have dreadlocks and combine that with the bouncy
melodies which could be attributed to the likes of Clawfinger or Rage
Against The Machine, and it's pretty difficult to avoid getting caught up
in it all. Sikh also remind me, just a little, of a band who I've been
championing this year, Canobliss. That's probably down to the similarities
of the frontmen, with Sikh vocalist Kallaghan having an incredibly |
smooth set of pipes, as does Canobliss' Johan Maldonado. Mix that up with good
song writing and an overall sound, which is both melodic, yet still
remaining a brutal edge, and you are on to a sure fire winner, if Sikh get
the breaks in today's overcrowded scene.
This is another example of how good, and how diverse, the French scene is
these days. And with the internet allowing you to try before you buy, you
have no excuse to at least give them a few minutes of your time. My
recommended starting points are Psychotro and the title track, One More
Piece.
www.myspace.com/sikhmusic
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www.drakkar.de |
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Skull Hammer - Fear the
Truth (Self-produced) Review by Metal Mark |
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Skull Hammer hail from Framingham, Massachusetts and formed
just last year. This four song EP doesn't quite fall into just
one category. It has metal with elements of classic metal,
thrash and a few other sub-genres all stirred into the pot.
There is definitely a late 1980's feel to their approach due
to the raw stripped down sound. If this was 1987 then I could
definitely see Skull Hammer being on New Renaissance Records.
Something about their approach has me thinking of bands like
Kublai Khan, At War and some others. I hear |
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some early Anthrax and Nuclear Assault in Skull Hammer's sound
although they have as many mid-tempo parts as they do thrash
pieces. The sound is crunchy and I think the slightly dull
guitar actually helps give their sound that old school
underground metal sound. These guys are a little different
from the huge pack of retro-thrash bands that are out in
abundance today. Skull Hammer know how to vary the pace and
style more than many of those other bands. Even on just four
songs I can really hear the potential that they have. I do
have just two complaints about the disc. The first is that the
drums are at times too loud in the mix, particularly on the
first song. The other is just that the whole disc seemed to be
over too quickly. I liked every song, but they have the talent
to add more to their songs and we would all benefit from it.
If you liked underground metal from the late 1980's then this
disc might be right up your alley.
www.myspace.com/skullhammertheband |
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Untamed - Insanity Bound
(TMG) Review By Strawb |
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Peterborough. What a shithole. I know, I’ve lived in the area
for a long time. Two things were good about Peterborough; The
Park venue on its metal nights and the signs telling you that
finally you were leaving. As I have travelled far and wide,
the question ‘where do you come from?’ is often asked, and
giving the reply ‘Peterborough’ is a sure fire conversation
ender. Either that or there is a pause for the visual
inspection to check for a second head, or the surreptitious
look at your knuckles to check the depth of the scrape marks.
But as often is the case [see the origins of Black Sabbath],
from the least likely area, and in |
the face of adversity, good things can arrive. Enter stage
left, Untamed. This is the third line-up of a band formed in
2000. Originally a covers band, they had the talent and
ability to move on to their own compositions and continue in
this vein with the eight track Insanity Bound CD, recorded at
Pravda Studio, Leeds with Andy Hawkins, who is the bands
producer of choice.
The band are tagged as NWOBHM. I was there for it back in the
day and whilst the influences of its better bands are evident
here, the band are not limited to this niche, their music
deserves a wider metal audience. They are a band of the
twenty-first century; fresh, loud and fucking enjoyable. Power
chords abound, riffs highlight every track, heads bang to the
beat, and to be honest, I want more. Mrs S has a love-hate
relationship with my reviewing, often being forced to endure a
long car journey or a noisy evening in listening to music she
otherwise wouldn’t wipe her arse on [metaphorically,
obviously, no shiny disk will ever replace soft, strong and
long in this house]. But she has nothing but praise for this
album, no matter how often it has been played - and it has
been given a lot of airtime, the platitudes have flowed from
even this critic.
The opener, Blood Soldiers, begins with an almost comical
battle scene, weapons firing. It could be a rip from any bad
episode of the A Team. But this is the only criticism I have
to offer, and from the opening bars which follow it, I am
hooked, lined, sinkered. Jon’s vocals hit me where I live, not
the biggest range, but strong and not a duff note there.
Graham's bass drives each and every track, and for the purists
out there, the claim is to using an ‘ancient 1972 Marshall 100
watt bass stack (I love the sound of valves)’, so be it that
or just a love of doing it, it works. The other driving line
is provided by Paul on the drums. His biog, in the way of
drummers, is much briefer. He favours exercise and running.
Always have been a funny bunch, drummers. The twin guitar
attack of Darren and Colin be it in synch or in contrast is as
accomplished as I’ve heard recently.
The track Dorian Gray is readily available on the web, so give
it a listen and then fork out your hard earned for the full
monty, Insanity Bound deserves a place on your system. So, now
there are three good things about Peterborough.
An excellent informative website can be found at
www.untamedrock.co.uk |
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