Sooooooo... Something I've been wondering. What is Slam/Death metal? Seriously, I don't understand what makes a death metal band a slam one. Does it have more mosh parts? Is it the crossover/thrash of death metal? Will there be a timed poetry performance contest with a 1 minute limit in the middle of the record?!?! So many questions and too many subgenres!
So this is a record sent for me to review by a band called Bloodscribe from California. It was sent to me by their PR group, Fullblast. They refer to their style as Death metal/ slam on their Facebook page. From what I can tell is that means a lot of Suffocation worship with a few "pig squeal" vocals thrown in for effect.
Being a reviewer is interesting because I started this blog to get the word out on bands I like. In the back of my head, I have always wondered what would happen if I ran across a record that is not my cup of tea. Well, here it is.
I want to start by saying that this isn't a bad or poorly made record. It, in fact, showcases some very good musicianship and songwriting. Its just not something I would reach for when I want to hear death metal. I would rather do Bolt thrower or Incantation myself as I prefer a little more atmosphere.
Most of my quibbles are production. The mastering is too dry and crisp, rendering a lot of the power moot. The guitars are the selling point on this album as they are tuned down nicely and have a merciless crunch to them, but the production turns the snare into a tin can underneath them.
If you like fairly technical modern death metal, you could certainly do worse. I mean, you could spend your money on Willowtip releases instead. Its good at what it does and is very brutal about it. So check 'em out, fellas!
https://www.facebook.com/bloodscribe
Monday, February 9, 2015
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Monolith- Against the Wall of Forever
I like Heavy Metal! Pretty much all of it. Ever since the Hookers, there has been a small contingent that combine Heavy Metal with a southern groove that just adds to it! Not enough bands do this but the few that do really add something.
Monolith is such a band. I was contacted by their PR group to give the album a once over. So here it is, my thoughts about Against the Wall of Forever.
As I said this is an album that radiates with a sort of southern traditional metal feel. Obvious points of influence are the Hookers and Brothers of Conquest but there is more to this album. From the opening track "The Emperor(Suffering of Fools)" there is a classic rock feel that most of the bands of this stripe don't contain. The vocalist really shines and adds a Lane Staley feel to this song and the next one, "Against the wall of time". The music here is less heavy than, say, Brothers of Conquest but has a grunge aspect similar to early Soundgarden that is intriguing.
Another intriguing aspect is the lyrical concept. The lyrics are very Science Fiction oriented. To the point of feeling like mid period Monster Magnet or Slough Feg, though musically not quite as strong as either. But the lyrics are well written and add an interesting air to a fairly well created metal record.
Really, most metalheads would like this. Its riff oriented, fairly heavy and easy to head bang to. While its not my cup of tea, all the songs are good rockers and this is a lot of fun to listen to while drinking. So check them out! Stand out tracks: Against the Wall of Forever, Kindly Dr. Jest, The All-father and the Chaos Lord.
https://www.facebook.com/MonolithSD
Monolith is such a band. I was contacted by their PR group to give the album a once over. So here it is, my thoughts about Against the Wall of Forever.
As I said this is an album that radiates with a sort of southern traditional metal feel. Obvious points of influence are the Hookers and Brothers of Conquest but there is more to this album. From the opening track "The Emperor(Suffering of Fools)" there is a classic rock feel that most of the bands of this stripe don't contain. The vocalist really shines and adds a Lane Staley feel to this song and the next one, "Against the wall of time". The music here is less heavy than, say, Brothers of Conquest but has a grunge aspect similar to early Soundgarden that is intriguing.
Another intriguing aspect is the lyrical concept. The lyrics are very Science Fiction oriented. To the point of feeling like mid period Monster Magnet or Slough Feg, though musically not quite as strong as either. But the lyrics are well written and add an interesting air to a fairly well created metal record.
Really, most metalheads would like this. Its riff oriented, fairly heavy and easy to head bang to. While its not my cup of tea, all the songs are good rockers and this is a lot of fun to listen to while drinking. So check them out! Stand out tracks: Against the Wall of Forever, Kindly Dr. Jest, The All-father and the Chaos Lord.
https://www.facebook.com/MonolithSD
Wish list for 2015... Like a Christmas list, only better!
So here I am again... Dropping metal science on you! Hopefully introducing you to bands that you never heard of that will get your head to bang... and melt your face!
This post is going to be dedicated to records I want to see come out this year. Some of these I know for a fact will exist... Some I'm just hoping to see... All of them are excellent metal that we should be glad to have in our lives!
So here we go!
This post is going to be dedicated to records I want to see come out this year. Some of these I know for a fact will exist... Some I'm just hoping to see... All of them are excellent metal that we should be glad to have in our lives!
So here we go!
Wishlist 2015 edition!
1) Megiddo- the Holocaust Messiah:
This is one the albums I have been waiting, not so patiently for, for about 12 years now. Those of you who know Megiddo know they gave us 2 amazing records of 1st wave style black metal in 2001 and 2003 and then dropped off the face of the planet. Chorazaim joined Sepulchre which, while fine, just didn't scratch the itch for Megiddo. News of Megiddo's reactivation came in late 2013. If the metal gods are just and true, we should be visited with a fantastic slab of real black metal from Megiddo this year! If so, my life would only improve!
https://www.facebook.com/megiddo.ca
2) Obsequiae- Untitled:
I don't know the name of this record but if its as good as "Suspended..."; we are in for a treat. The 2011 debut was a massive atmospheric metal record that proved you could still be atmospheric without being watered down with melody and you could still be very original. Its a constant on any of my playlists and represents on of the best records of this decade. I cannot wait for this record!
https://www.facebook.com/epicuscastlecusmetallicus?ref=br_tf
3) Ranger- Where Evil Dwells:
A band I am truly not shy in my regard for. Excellent raw speed metal done totally correct. Been looking for this album ever since I heard Knights of Darkness!
https://www.facebook.com/rangerheavymetal
3) Ranger- Where Evil Dwells:
A band I am truly not shy in my regard for. Excellent raw speed metal done totally correct. Been looking for this album ever since I heard Knights of Darkness!
https://www.facebook.com/rangerheavymetal
4)Amon- Brana Do Pekla:
Anyone who knows me, knows my favorite schools of black metal are the Greek and Czech schools. These schools really understand what Black Metal is, in my humble opinion. It has the darkness that should be found in Black Metal but does not forsake the riffs!! I have heard one song and it already blows me away! Keep your eyes open for this one!
https://www.facebook.com/BarbarianWrath666
https://www.facebook.com/BarbarianWrath666
5) Wreodan Healh- No idea what title will be:
I reviewed their demo and really it is excellent. They are working on a full length that will hopefully be released this year! If so, its a blind buy for me... but so is all of this stuff!
https://www.facebook.com/wreodanhealh
https://www.facebook.com/wreodanhealh
6) Ares Kingdom- The Unburiable Dead:
If you don't know who Ares Kingdom is... Well, you just need to fix that! Seriously a magnificent old school Death/Thrash band featuring members of Order From Chaos! YOU HAD BETTER KNOW WHO THEY ARE! New record that I'm sure will blow my socks off... so it will with you!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ares-Kingdom/97935152280
7) Death Beast- The Onslaught:
You! Go check out Death Beast! Now! This is another record I've been waiting forever for. The Wakening was released on an unsuspecting world 10 years ago. According to Vic's Facebook page he's making slow progress. Here's hoping for a 2015 release!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Death-Beast/112420527743
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Death-Beast/112420527743
8) Planet Gemini- The Midnight Channel:
WHAT!?! These guys are still at it! NO WAY!!! Yep, expecting some great old school doom here! This guy specialize in HEAVY, SLOW, riffy doom. Great stuff! and I am so glad they are back!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Planet-Gemini/121085127938276
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Planet-Gemini/121085127938276
9) Iron Void- Doomsday:
Releasing the second best doom record of last year, we already get a full blast of amazing classic doom from this English camp. Seriously, we need more trad doom bands that rock like this and get albums out this fast! So looking forward to it!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iron-Void/52516312832?ref=br_tf
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iron-Void/52516312832?ref=br_tf
10) Goat of Mendes- No title yet:
I had no idea these guys were still around nor that they had developed such an original sound! This one will be excellent folks!
https://www.facebook.com/goatofmendes
Well, there you have it. My wish list for the year. As I said I have no idea if and when some of these are coming out, but if these all make it out this year, and barring a total surprise, this will also be my top list this year. Later today, there will be reviews for Monolith and Bloodscribe.
I had no idea these guys were still around nor that they had developed such an original sound! This one will be excellent folks!
https://www.facebook.com/goatofmendes
Well, there you have it. My wish list for the year. As I said I have no idea if and when some of these are coming out, but if these all make it out this year, and barring a total surprise, this will also be my top list this year. Later today, there will be reviews for Monolith and Bloodscribe.
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