Wow! Two posts in one day! Aren't you guys just so lucky? What can I say? I'm feeling productive today.
So the last three reviews (including this one) are catch up reviews for last year. I said that in the first one but did not mention it during the last one so i wanted to make that clear... because I like clarity... yeah...
Have I mentioned that I love thrash? Yes? What about my fondness for Witches Brew? Oh, okay... Well, than this review will come as no surprise to anyone...
My first impression after listening to this is, "What the hell did I just listen to?" I know that sounds negative but I mean that in the best way possible. There is something so over-the-top, so bizarrely ridiculous, so wonderfully gonzo about this thrash record that it can't help to put a smile on your face even as its shredding it...
Anyone who knows me or has read this blog knows my disdain for "party thrash". I personally prefer something a bit darker, heavier and, honestly, more evil sounding. There are, however, exceptions to every rule... Gama Bomb being the only one, really. But now there is a second! Acid Age!
From the start this album slows down maybe once in "F.T.P.L.(Fuck The Poor Legislation)". Its a rip ride through serial killers, female antichrists, drone sharks and robot archers(1000 of them, in fact) that keeps the speed on til the records ends in a tasteless(in the best way possible) cover of Elvis Presley's "Hound dog". Every second of this bizarro crossover masterpiece is full throttle and makes you want to get up and mosh something to death... a fellow metaller, a poser, a kitten... you know, whatever's in reach...
It splays through these 13 tracks never letting up, never letting anyone take a breath until, in a blink of an eye, its over and you're a little sad and thirsting for blood. You need to hear this to believe it. Its the fastest record I've ever heard and that's saying something. The only (very minor) quibble is that I feel some of the songs are a hair too long therefore killing some of the immediacy of the speed riffing. Still, past that its a rip ride of amazing thrash!
Highlights: Hyper Thrash, Drone Shark Ethics, Hound Dog
http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/shop/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/witchesbrew.org/
Friday, June 5, 2015
Pyoveli- Still Underground
Thrash!!! I love thrash! I've listened to Thrash since I was a young metaller in the late 1980's... Whoah! That's a bit of time. I have not stopped listening to thrash this whole time. No matter what you young'uns from 2008 onward seem to think. Thrash never went anywhere. It changed a little here and there. Took on some death here and some black there. A little power on the side. But it never actually disappeared. It just kept moving forward.
Another person who understands this is the brewmistress at Witches Brew, While we both agree that thrash never went anywhere we also agree that it has been largely ignored until just recently. She was so into it that she formed a label and started releasing fantastic thrash albums from the start. Just so you young'uns know, this is the label that gave you Toxic Holocaust, Gama Bomb and Deathhammer. Without her I doubt any of those bands would have rose in prominence. You should really check out the label if you call yourself a thrasher... really...
Another band that she has released several albums before is Pyoveli a Finnish speed/thrash beast. Like Gama Bomb and Deathhammer, I knew from the first sample I was going to love these guys... apparently in this case I was alone or close to it.
If you call yourself a self respecting thrasher you need to check out this album. The best way to describe this album is imagine Razor, Exciter and Iron Angel had a drunken and crazed child that somehow grew up in Finland... That's all you need to know... This is a fantastic violent, nuts, fast and turbulent thrash experience. This is what thrash should sound like. Too many of the more upper "underground" bands have no idea how to play thrash... This gets it... every time!
Highlights: Speed Metal Attack, Rebel Racer and Heavy Thrasher... but this whole record is spectacular from start to finish...
http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/shop/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/witchesbrew.org/
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Warhorde- Kiss The Goat
Yo! Four written pieces in as many days?!?! What the hell is wrong with me?!?! I don't know but I... MUST... REVIEW...
The next couple of releases are from last year but they are really great records and I want to make sure they get heard... So, without further adieu, HERE WE GO!
Warhorde gained a special place in my heart after their first album. Their jagged rough and tumble style was just what the doctor ordered at the time. I reveled in the fluid combo of black/death/thrash metal. It was a great and terrible mess of razor edged violence. Death Rattle came next and upped the ante by smoothing out some of the rough edges in songwriting but added a desperate punk nihilism to the whole thing.
How does "Kiss the Goat" measure up? Do they go dubstep? No and Hell No!!! This mess of drunken violence is dripping with all the threat of a obviously mentally ill homeless person following you down the street on a cold, dark night. You never know what's going to happen next but your sure it can't end well. This bum has a broken bottle of Jack and a spiked maul and hates you for... well, being.
This record tears off your face and laughs as you try to pick the remaining flesh off the ground. It drunkenly laughs as you beg for mercy. It hits you again and again, never enough to end the pain but just enough to make you want more.
Normally I would go into highlights, but there are only seven songs listed on the sleeve. There are 13 tracks on the record. It is a glorious ride through nasty black metal, rough and tumble speed/thrash and pissed as hell punk rock. Enjoy!
http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/shop/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbarianwrath/
The next couple of releases are from last year but they are really great records and I want to make sure they get heard... So, without further adieu, HERE WE GO!
Warhorde gained a special place in my heart after their first album. Their jagged rough and tumble style was just what the doctor ordered at the time. I reveled in the fluid combo of black/death/thrash metal. It was a great and terrible mess of razor edged violence. Death Rattle came next and upped the ante by smoothing out some of the rough edges in songwriting but added a desperate punk nihilism to the whole thing.
How does "Kiss the Goat" measure up? Do they go dubstep? No and Hell No!!! This mess of drunken violence is dripping with all the threat of a obviously mentally ill homeless person following you down the street on a cold, dark night. You never know what's going to happen next but your sure it can't end well. This bum has a broken bottle of Jack and a spiked maul and hates you for... well, being.
This record tears off your face and laughs as you try to pick the remaining flesh off the ground. It drunkenly laughs as you beg for mercy. It hits you again and again, never enough to end the pain but just enough to make you want more.
Normally I would go into highlights, but there are only seven songs listed on the sleeve. There are 13 tracks on the record. It is a glorious ride through nasty black metal, rough and tumble speed/thrash and pissed as hell punk rock. Enjoy!
http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/shop/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbarianwrath/
Monday, June 1, 2015
Deathhammer- Evil Power
Sometimes a band "progresses" and all that that really means is they start to suck. Did I say sometimes? I meant 99% of the time. Its really hard to keep that fire in your belly as you "mature" or "grow up" but its so important to hold onto for metal that it can ruin later albums if you lose it. Almost every time you hear a band talk about "progression", that means they've lost it. They've become "better than metal". As far as I'm concerned those bands can go die in a fire.
Once in a while a band quietly progresses their sound and still holds on to that thing that made the earlier albums so special. When you find a band that can do both... Well, you've got something special! You need to hold onto those bands tightly, for they are the actual future of our metal music.
And so we come to Deathhammer. If any of you remember this blog from a few years ago, you might remember the glowing review I gave these guys. In fact, They made it to the end of the year list that year. So here we are again. Time to thrash my brains!
The first thing to notice about this album is the introduction of more melody to the formula. Some of the melody reminds me of golden age Judas Priest or mid period Accept. The melody adds more to the formula helping Deathhammer stand on their own two feet even more than they did before. Allowing them to progress their sound. Now I know... The next question is, "Does it suck?"
MOST ASSUREDLY NOT! They have kept their speed at fever pitch. They sound ready to burn the world with a lopsided grin. From "Warriors of Evil" to "Omen of the Beast", They sound like the heralds of the Apocalypse, come to bring the fall of man, the four horsemen and the fire at the end. The end has come... FOR YOU!
This album allows additions to an amazing formula only to make it stronger and more ferocious! Ladies and gentlemen, Deathhammer has caught lightning in a bottle and they know how to distill it into violent metal madness... And we are all the luckier to have them in our genre!
HIghlights: Total Metal, Satan's Back, Omen of the Beast
Once in a while a band quietly progresses their sound and still holds on to that thing that made the earlier albums so special. When you find a band that can do both... Well, you've got something special! You need to hold onto those bands tightly, for they are the actual future of our metal music.
And so we come to Deathhammer. If any of you remember this blog from a few years ago, you might remember the glowing review I gave these guys. In fact, They made it to the end of the year list that year. So here we are again. Time to thrash my brains!
The first thing to notice about this album is the introduction of more melody to the formula. Some of the melody reminds me of golden age Judas Priest or mid period Accept. The melody adds more to the formula helping Deathhammer stand on their own two feet even more than they did before. Allowing them to progress their sound. Now I know... The next question is, "Does it suck?"
MOST ASSUREDLY NOT! They have kept their speed at fever pitch. They sound ready to burn the world with a lopsided grin. From "Warriors of Evil" to "Omen of the Beast", They sound like the heralds of the Apocalypse, come to bring the fall of man, the four horsemen and the fire at the end. The end has come... FOR YOU!
This album allows additions to an amazing formula only to make it stronger and more ferocious! Ladies and gentlemen, Deathhammer has caught lightning in a bottle and they know how to distill it into violent metal madness... And we are all the luckier to have them in our genre!
HIghlights: Total Metal, Satan's Back, Omen of the Beast
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Bulldozing Bastard- Under the Ram
See... I told you I was back...
2015 is shaping up to be a better year for metal than 2014 and that's saying something. Lots of great stuff slated to come out and some of it already out. This album is already going to be in my top ten! Let's take a look...
Bulldozing Bastard burst into my life with 2013's Bulldozing the Vatican a satanic mix of Venom and Warfare. I really enjoyed it and blared it all the time to the neighbor's chagrin. While I absolutely loved it, I could see it as being described as one dimensional. It definitely did a few things very well.
When I got a hold of the new one I did not expect the monster I got. From the burning "Queen of the NIght" to the melodic sledge hammer of "Once the Dust has Settled", this record burns a whole through reality like the proverbial "Brassknuckle Deathstrike". It is a true combo of NWOBHM me;ody and power and punk rock nihilism. It cleans your clock from start to finish. One thing that makes this album so distinctive is the use melody throughout giving it a slightly more rock n roll sound.
This is a record to grab a few beers, a few friends and burn down your neighbors' houses to. Its the perfect soundtrack for a Mad Max film. Actually it was oddly timed, releasing it just before the new movie. Serendipity or planning? You decide.
Great record from start to finish that I have listened to at least 10 times since I got it. All headbangers should totally check this record out! Highlights: Mayhem Without Mercy, Brassknuckle Deathstrike, Once the Dust has Settled.
2015 is shaping up to be a better year for metal than 2014 and that's saying something. Lots of great stuff slated to come out and some of it already out. This album is already going to be in my top ten! Let's take a look...
Bulldozing Bastard burst into my life with 2013's Bulldozing the Vatican a satanic mix of Venom and Warfare. I really enjoyed it and blared it all the time to the neighbor's chagrin. While I absolutely loved it, I could see it as being described as one dimensional. It definitely did a few things very well.
When I got a hold of the new one I did not expect the monster I got. From the burning "Queen of the NIght" to the melodic sledge hammer of "Once the Dust has Settled", this record burns a whole through reality like the proverbial "Brassknuckle Deathstrike". It is a true combo of NWOBHM me;ody and power and punk rock nihilism. It cleans your clock from start to finish. One thing that makes this album so distinctive is the use melody throughout giving it a slightly more rock n roll sound.
This is a record to grab a few beers, a few friends and burn down your neighbors' houses to. Its the perfect soundtrack for a Mad Max film. Actually it was oddly timed, releasing it just before the new movie. Serendipity or planning? You decide.
Great record from start to finish that I have listened to at least 10 times since I got it. All headbangers should totally check this record out! Highlights: Mayhem Without Mercy, Brassknuckle Deathstrike, Once the Dust has Settled.
Well, Spring has been nuts- (a confessional)
So, I want to start this post off by saying that, you, may faithful readers have made my day...
I went today to see how the old blog was doing after my INSANE Spring to find some of you had actually been checking up on the site occasionally... That's awful nice of you... :D
With that in mind, I decided I owed my audience an explanation and a schedule for upcoming reviews and a few other things I have planned for the upcoming months.
First, my Spring has been crazy. As some of you may know or have figured out, this blog is not my job. I have been in a weird place as far as employment goes. So the good news of the Spring is in July I will be gainfully employed! That made me happy.
The bad news was my mother went into the hospital three time for three major operations. She had a rough time and required my attention as often as I could give it. Good news is now she is doing well and things seem like they are going back to normal... for now!
So all that to say I am back for, again, the foreseeable future. I am going to start reviewing fairly underground releases again starting tonight! First up, Bulldozing Bastard and Deathhammer! After I will be talking about Obsequiae and Megiddo (the latter of which is going to be amazing judging by the samples... Hell, they're both going to be amazing!).
And finally I have some ideas for a few different posts I am going to be working on. I may try to do some interviews. If you're in a band and interested, drop me a line! And I will be posting some opinions about the state of "underground metal" (cue old man bitching!)
That's all for now, but watch this space!
I went today to see how the old blog was doing after my INSANE Spring to find some of you had actually been checking up on the site occasionally... That's awful nice of you... :D
With that in mind, I decided I owed my audience an explanation and a schedule for upcoming reviews and a few other things I have planned for the upcoming months.
First, my Spring has been crazy. As some of you may know or have figured out, this blog is not my job. I have been in a weird place as far as employment goes. So the good news of the Spring is in July I will be gainfully employed! That made me happy.
The bad news was my mother went into the hospital three time for three major operations. She had a rough time and required my attention as often as I could give it. Good news is now she is doing well and things seem like they are going back to normal... for now!
So all that to say I am back for, again, the foreseeable future. I am going to start reviewing fairly underground releases again starting tonight! First up, Bulldozing Bastard and Deathhammer! After I will be talking about Obsequiae and Megiddo (the latter of which is going to be amazing judging by the samples... Hell, they're both going to be amazing!).
And finally I have some ideas for a few different posts I am going to be working on. I may try to do some interviews. If you're in a band and interested, drop me a line! And I will be posting some opinions about the state of "underground metal" (cue old man bitching!)
That's all for now, but watch this space!
Monday, February 9, 2015
Bloodscribe- Prologue to the Apocolypse
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
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
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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