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Fejd - Storm (Napalm
Records) Review by Steve Green |
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Away from the world of Metal, I'm actually a big fan of various types of Folk,
from the Southern twangs of Neil Young to the Nordic type, Hardanger
fiddle et al. And continuing my interest in the Nordic side of folk are
Sweden's Fejd, who have created one of the most exciting albums I've
heard in a long while. Forget your fun, festival friendly bunch, ie:
Korpiklaani and the usual suspects, this is authentic Folk
Music, with Swedish Bagpipes, Jews Harp, cow horn, pipes and whistles
and not forgetting the fiddle, and with the added weight of just enough
Metal to get the long-haired brigade dancing across a thousand muddy
fields. I think it's fair to say that Fejd are a
folkier version of label mates Tyr as they
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have a very similar structure with how the vocals are
presented. The respective vocalists, Fejd's
Patrik Rimmerfors and Tyr's Heri Joensen are also very similar in tone.
The biggest difference between the bands being the feel good factor Fejd
produce. This is equally as catchy as Korpiklaani, despite its more
serious overtones, with ample opportunities to jump around or bang your
head in time with the infectious fiddle playing. Everything about this
album is just about perfect.
Fejd's first couple of demos are available to download via their
website, something I've already done, although I've not had chance to
play them yet. So I strongly advise you to check these guys out asap as
I've a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more of them in the next year or
so, especially if they hit the live circuit with a vengeance.
This album comes very highly recommended to fans of Eluveitie, Tyr and
the suchlike. It's also arguably the best album I've heard so far this year.
www.fejd.se |
www.napalmrecords.com |
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Hellsaw - Cold
(Napalm Records) Review by Nathan Ward |
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Hellsaw are a 5 piece black metal band from Austria. ‘Cold’
is their third full length album, whilst it is a black metal
album they blend in a lot of melody and hints of other
genres of metal. It is a mixed album; some tracks have a lot
of melody, even a theatrical feel to them, whereas others
are just heavy and no-nonsense black metal.
As for the sound of the album, as I mentioned it’s a mixed
sound, sometimes it sounds like Emperor and others like
Satyricon. Although from the intro to ‘A Suicide Journey’,
the opening track, you wouldn’t think it was a black metal
album, instead it opens with an acoustic bit, some-what
reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.
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that comes to an abrupt end; the rest of the album is heavy
and thunderous. Most of the thunderous sound comes from the
drums, rather than sound like most black metal drums, that
sort of metallic clicking, the drums on ‘Cold’ have a nice
deep thumping quality. The guitars don’t always play the
lower notes, so there isn’t that ‘muddy’ sound of all the
instruments playing in the deep end. If anything it adds
more to the sound of the album. The bass adds to the thunder
of the drums, but still remains distinguishable. The vocals
are clear, so you can understand what’s being said without
consulting the lyrics sheet, but they have a raspy growl.
If you like black metal, but also like other styles of metal
mixed in ‘Cold’ is a good example of this; theatrical and
melodic, then just heavy and fast or a mix of all of these.
It is an enjoyable, doesn’t run for too long and it’s not
short either. I look forward to seeing these guys live when
they eventually come to the U.K.
www.hellsaw.com
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www.myspace.com/hellsawmusic |
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Hermh - Cold + Blood + Messiah
(Regain Records) Review by Crin |
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Formed in 1993, this is one of Poland’s oldest Black – Dark
Metal bands and one that has never been my cup of vampire
spittle. This is the bands 4th album so they aren’t the most
prolific of acts, and this release finds the band issuing
forth a sound culled from the likes of Dimmu Borgir, Samael
and Moonspell. The Gothic tempo of Moonspell is injected
into the more symphonic fluency of Dimmu, with the guitar
sound of Samael. So does that mean Hermh have a sound unique
to them selves, or a mixture of the aforementioned acts??
Well, the music’s theatrical, dynamic and at times
confusing. Its extremely well played, but not at all warm to
the ears and that means the compositions are relatively
lackluste to say |
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the least. To write complex arrangements and make them
accessible is never easy and these arrangements are complex
and very hard to follow without getting lost in their
strident tones. I suppose we must commend the band for
daring to create such a double sided beast, and I am sure
some of you will salivate at the challenge this album
offers. It befuddles me how labels like Regains pluck acts
from wherever to propel them into a wider market and
inevitably the masses will perceive the band to be worthy of
their attention. I for one can assure you this album is hard
work to absorb and at best a good listen on a cold
thundering evening. For those who are interested,
Behemoth’s, Nergal was a session member in this band back in
1995, on the "Crying Crown Of Trees’ demo. Now I bet you
never knew that???
www.hermh.pl
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Huron - Cheyne Stoking
(Rising Records) Review by Anthony
Deane |
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Huron hail from Plymouth in Devon. Usually when I think of Devon I
think of quaint countryside and cream teas, and if you’re
like me, then think again. Expect more booze, war and all-out
rock and roll from these guys. From the first song “Lust for
War”, the stoner groove hits you harder than a double shot
of Jack Daniels. The drums and bass set the pace for the
headbanging frenzy and the dirty grooves only improve as
the album progresses. The guitars have a warm fuzz which can
defiantly be felt, as well as heard, on tracks such as
“Snakes Down her Back.” Groove laden riffs aren’t the only
thing on the agenda; there are also complementary guitar
solos which will defiantly have you air |
guitaring. The
vocals are a constant mix of melodic passages that allow the
songs to flow; the music to breathe; and add a more dynamic
range. But don’t get too comfortable, because all too soon
you are faced with a bombardment of gut wrenching aggressive
screams.
With their debut album on “Rising Records” set for release
worldwide in May they are sure to make a suitable impact. If
Huron are able to convey this much aggression on CD then I’m
sure their live shows are set to destroy venues across the
UK. www.myspace.com/huronuk
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www.myspace.com/risingrecordsuk |
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Impellitterri - Wicked Maiden
(Metal Heaven) By: Julian
Handley |
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What we have here is a perfectly executed, genre defining,
thunderbolt of a release, encapsulating a band performing no
nonsense melodic metal as it’s meant to be: soaring vocals
rising to the heady pitch of whinnying, screaming guitars
ably assisted by a tight ass rhythm section of frenetic,
incendiary device drumming and chugging stabilising bass.
Wicked Maiden brings about the welcome return of power
vocalist Rob Rock back in the helm after a six year absence
and singing with such passion and emotion supplying the
killer ingredient for this molten cocktail. Chris
Impellitterri has put a lot of thought into this release and
with it taking a full three years from the writing stage
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mastering it can only be reflected in the finished product,
as to how classy this effort actually is. Co produced by
Greg Reely and mastered by
George Marino determining a slick, balanced, crystal clear
sound.
This is the ninth release of the band and ranking as their
best in my opinion, containing ten tracks kicking off with
the title track, opening with trademark guitar intro,
crashing drums and searing vocals, a twisting, turning head
charge, catapulting you into ‘Last of a Dying Breed’
relentless and drenched in brooding moodiness, ‘Weapons of
Mass Distortion’ continues the assault on a political level,
the rampage continues delivered with melody, harmony and
when required aggression, I think you will be getting the
picture by now.
Other standout tracks include the balladic anthem ‘Eyes of
an Angel’, ‘Wonderful Life’ and ‘Holyman’. The only
negative is the horribly cheesy ‘High School Revolution’,
which is more like a cringeworthy Glam track along the lines
of Madam X’s ‘High in High School’, a track not fitting
with the theme of an otherwise awesome effort.
www.myspace.com/impellitteriofficialsite |
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Kauan - Tietajan Laulu
(BadMoodMan Music) Review by Steve Green |
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You never know what to expect from a release on BadMoodMan, other than
usually, it's a bit different. Here we have a Russian band, who mix up,
quite beautifully, the ethereal with the miserable.
Kauan don't really follow any particular blueprint. At times this album is
minimalist and acoustic, a gentle enchanting listen and at others, well
it seems as if we are about to venture off in another direction, be it
tribal or other such delights, when the sound is pulled back very
quickly and reverts to the same gentle prose. Occasionally the mood
drops completely and we enter the dark depths of Doom, but this only
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numbers. The sound is also mixed up with a lot of
traditional instruments, such as bagpipes and violin, but
all are used in a melancholic way, rather than in an
uplifting way. This is aided by very dreamy piano playing
and the scene is set for a very mellow listen, with the
infrequent slices of Doom and other interludes keeping the
mix fresh and unpredictable.
Overall, it's a stunning album that just gets better with each listen.
www.solitude-prod.com |
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Luctus - Jaučiant Pabaigą Art
(Ledo Takas Records)
Review by Crin |
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Lithuanian Black Thrash of the highest quality is vomited
into your ears with relentless ease here, although never
trying to be too clever. It must be the Eastern European
time lapse that creates this unique take on the Thrash theme
as these lands seem years behind every one else [Behemoth
and Vader, being some of the rare exceptions] This is guitar
riff heaven, a place for those frets to splinter off the
neck and impale all who are listening. The production
affords a thick guitar sound not dissimilar to the Dark
Funeral Blackened attack. The whole concept derives from Kommander
L, also in Black crossover band, Fuck Off and Die!. It’s a
pretty caustic ride through that Thrashing deathly level of
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and one relatively lacking any world domination attributes.
The music is generally melodic, accessible and well
constructed, although never reaching the heights of orgasmic
Metal Heaven. This album is a conceptual work. The author
covers on subjects of how this world would look like just
few minutes before its very end, and musically it pretty
well covers the subject. So, if you favour crunchy thrashing
black metal with a punch and a smouldering old school
spirit, then look no further. If you are bored senseless
with this Thrashing re-awakening go and get the latest
Behemoth mcd.
www.ledotakas.net |
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