ArticlesFeaturedReviews
Chris Forbes’s Metal Reviews #10
A couple weeks before sending this off, I had just gotten in the mail a book with all 9 issues of the fanzine "Canadien Assault" in book form. That was a mag that came out in the later 90's and was around when you would still writer letters and editor Dale was a tape trader even before he started up the mag. Well I'm onto issue # 2 as I type this and it just occurs to me how much the underground has changed since then. The internet had just started out and mags and printed zines and regular mail were still the norm. CD's were the rage and vinyl was a no-no. Now the big thing is limited copies and re-issues. Makes me realize how much of a old man I am as well ha ha. I had someone tell me the other night on the phone, "to keep doing what your doing and trash the bad bands, and praise the good and great ones" and that has been what I have done since day 1. Enjoy my interviews on here as I try and make them interesting as possible and my reviews below as well:
GENOCIDE PACT/Same (Relapse Records) Some decent hard-hitting death metal with a mix of slow crushing parts and then they break out into super fast parts, which I liked best. It’s the guitar crunch sound and breakneck speed that had me like this as well as the vocals. Production is superb and allows everything to flow rather smoothly. This is the way death metal needs and should sound. Easily one of the better death metal bands making the rounds these days for sure. Keep up the good work guys. Info:
————————————-
NERVOCHAOS/Dug Up (Diabolical Reincarnations) (XENOKORP) This is a re-release and a re-recording of the band’s release that came out 25 years ago. This is re-written and re-recorded stuff on this. I didn’t seem much the big fuss about this to be honest. All the singer does is just growl and growl some more with not much feeling. The music is mostly faster material, but again it is nothing to get super wild over I’m afraid. I’d rather have had the original album get a re-release actually. This is just faceless death metal that goes nowhere fast. Info:
Sample tune: https://youtu.be/y1dXe4IrIkU
————————————-
DISHELL/Teutonic Beat (Selfmadegod Records) 9 quick death metal tunes that crank in at about 20 minutes. The music is fast, no-frills tunes with some good death metal singing too. This just pounds you into the ground and stomps away and stomps away. No mercy on this damn release. There is a bonus track of Celtic Frost’s “Into Cryptic Rays”, but it’s not on my promo lol. The bastards. The good band here. Info:
Sample track: https://youtu.be/jwp-0KoRBbk
Label info: https://www.selfmadegod.com
————————————-
NULLIFICATION/Kingdoms to Hovel (Personal Records) Finally some death metal I can really sink my teeth into. This is just bone-crushing, destroying your last brain cells death metal. Martin from Pestilence like vocals had me shivering in my chair and the riffs had me playing my air guitar (yes at 56 I still damn do) and the production had me heading back to my years as a fanzine editor. A perfect mix of slower pounding parts and some wicked speed and perfect power. Death metal at its finest and yes I said it’s fuckin finest and trust me this will give you quite a fill of death metal big time. Info:
Label info: www.personal-records.com
————————————-
Thomas Carlsen’s/Transmission (Self Released) Solid EP of pure heavy metal in the vein of Judas Priest and a touch of Iron Maiden at times, but I’d say more J.P than Maiden. Now, this is not a rip-off and far from it. Solid chunky riffs and high powered riffs are your tickets on this and this is a ride you’ll like I can promise you. Great production and Thomas’s playing and guitar crunch are wicked and cool. Hopefully next time we get a full length and this was good stuff. Info:
————————————-
MORTAL VISION/Mind Manipulation (Redefining Darkness Records) A devastating slab of total old school thrash in the vein of old Sepultura (beneath the remains era). The label mentions Sodom, but I don’t hear that I also hear a bit of 1st album Nuclear Assault in this band music-wise, but the vocals are all Max. The production is perfect as it isn’t overproduced and keeps it old school and nasty and dirty the way underground death and thrash metal should be only. Give their YouTube video a listen right below:
————————————-
PAZUZU/Oath of Unholy Sacrilege Tape (Nihilistic Holocaust) Almost 30 minutes of chainsaw sounding death/doom metal that wasn’t bad, but it didn’t set my world on fire either. The music never got to the point where I was bored and I liked the nice speedier parts at times. The singer has a good solid voice for death metal and I liked the production on this as well as the guitar sound with its wicked, evil like crunch. Listen for yourself at the below link:
————————————-
THE OBSIDIAN RESURRECTION/Demo 2005 (Self Released) This band used to be called Obsidian and they recorded this stuff way back in 2005 then they broke up and now they decided to release it, it this and are in the process of recording some new stuff as well. Well, this material I found very boring and bland. Now a thing to keep in mind is, that this was from 2005, and I would imagine their new material will sound a whole lot different especially if they don’t have the original line-up or even if they do have the original line-up. This to me was a faceless death metal band and I hated the keyboard parts in this and I was like “yikes” when I heard them mixed in with the music. The singer I didn’t think was so great and he didn’t deliver the goods as saying Ross from Immolation of John from Incantation or Corpse Grinder from Cannibal Corpse. It’s only my opinion, but here is their Bandcamp page to check them out for yourself. Info:
————————————-
CREEPING DEATH/The Edge Of Existence (Entertainment One!) No this is not a thrash band haha, but a 110% death metal band. They aren’t anything great, just playing death metal that has been done to death and then some. Nothing here on this stood out to me and make me take notice. No crushing or outstanding riff or riffs that made my head want to bang at all. Just another death metal band making the rounds doing nothing exciting I’m afraid. Video and label info below:
Label info: http://eoneheavy.com
————————————-
SACRED OATH/Return of the Dragon (Self Released) Oh fuck this is some classic metal with touches of power metal in the mix. The singer blew me to pieces with his incredible and powerful vocals and he also didn’t sound like every other high pitched let me see how high can go singer. Totally into the lyrics, I could tell and I was sucked right in. Music is big-time catchy and fists will be up high with this. This band should be proud of this and the production is godly and easily one of my favourite albums of the year so far. Info:
————————————-
CHRONICLES/Chaos Cosmogony (Helldprod Records) Typical death metal that didn’t get me excited. Just sounds like early Death and it’s like, it has been done to death (no pun intended) and then some. The music is nothing to write home about and is just another nobody death metal band making the rounds and there is nothing new or exciting here I’m afraid. Sample track:
Label info: https://helldprod.com
————————————-
DECEREBRATION/Follow The Scars (Self-Release) Ha, these guys are a lot better than some sign bands I have heard lately. Low tuned, bone-crushing death metal with a mix of speed and mid-paced parts and a solid death metal singer who gets the job done. The production is good and solid and I like the guitar tone they also don’t sound like every other death metal band making the rounds these days either. Keep it up guys your doing well. Info:
————————————-
HELLBORNE/Panopticon (Self-Release) Mindless, horrible screechy death/thrashcore with those screechy vocals and let’s try to be technical guitar solos and riffs. This is a mess as it goes all over the place with no songs of value and the vocals totally ruin this for me also the band drive off into melodic parts with some keyboards thrown in the mix haha. This is not my cup of tea that’s for sure. Info:
————————————-
MALEFIC THRONE/Same (Hells Headbangers) This is a wicked 3 piece as you have guitarist Gene Palubicki, vocalist/bassist Steve Tucker (Morbid Angel, Warfather), and drummer John Longstretch. This is a mix of all the band member’s bands and churns them in a blender and you get this. A total speed attack of death metal that must and will be heard dammit. Just pound you into the ground until you bleed speed and vocals from the pits of hell itself you motherfuckers. This is not for the weak or the wimpy people who think they know death metal. Give this a serious listen and I hope more music follows in 2022. Info:
Sample track: https://youtu.be/Qy3JSWjRsKE
Label info: www.hellsheadbangers.com
————————————-
EVIL SHADE/Vandals (Chaos Records/Spookies Productions) Pretty speedy thrashy/power metal is the ticket on this along with a Running Wild cover tune. The band sort of reminds me in spots of a less fast Agent Steel at times. The music has that old school sound of the 80s as well as the production as well. The music is catchy and didn’t bore me on this either. A band that keeps the metal flag up there. Sample track:
Label info: www.chaos-records.com
————————————-
CHAOS PERVERSION/Petrified Against the Emanation (Sentient Ruin) Yes this is brutal low tuned death metal with low putrid vocals, but the band just nothing to excite me. They play a million miles an hour at times and the guitar sound is sick and low and the singer has the perfect vocal sound for death metal. Actually, after a 2nd and 3rd listen this band won me over this is some pretty unholy death metal and the band’s blast beats are crushing slabs that will smack, pound and destroy. They slow it down to have you catch your breath and then back to brutality. Get this. Info:
————————————-
VENATOR/Echoes from the Gutter By (Dying Victims Productions) I usually love everything on this label, but not this band. This was poorly sounding and done heavy metal that falls flat on its face with bad songs and lame vocals. The music just plods along with nothing catchy or memorable I’m afraid. This band needs to work on crafting better sounding tunes on their next one in my book. Info:
————————————-
TRENDKILL INC/Same (Self Released) Pretty neat heavy metal/thrash band here. I prefer when they get a bit more speedy and the singer has a solid voice as well. The band does have a bit of a more modern crunch in their music, but this isn’t bad for what it is and it’s their debut too. Video and other info below:
————————————-
VICIOUS KNIGHTS/Alteration Through Possession (Dying Victims Productions) Noisy early style thrash metal ala old Kreator. While I wouldn’t put this up there with Mille and the boys, this isn’t bad at all. To me, music is about feeling and I felt this and I liked the style and riffing this band used as well. Production is an old school affair as well. This is NOT for fans of Slipknot ha ha. An old school speed metal attack baby. Indo:
————————————-
MOTORHEAD/Everything Louder Forever (BMG Records) I was first introduced to this band way back in the early 80’s due to the “No Sleep Till Hammersmith” live album that came out and smoked my ass. I also saw the band live a few years later and damn did they blow me away. Now everything Lemmy and the boys released over the years didn’t blow me away, but I had tremendous respect for him and he did what he wanted and here we have a double CD, 4 LP set of their best tunes and who am I to argue with this set of tunes. Obviously “Ace of Spades” is on here, but the band is so much more than with “Bomber”, Killed By Death”, “We Are Motorhead” (this track sets it all), “Killed By Death”, etc. Whoever put together this together knew exactly what tracks belong on this. For someone who might have heard a tune or 2, this release will show you that Lemmy and the boys kicked some serious ass and took no prisoners and fuck that bass sound is second to none. Info:
————————————-
POLTERGEIST/The Demos (Vic Records) Vic Records do a tremendous job on their re-issues and this is no exception. This band released 3 albums back from 1989 till 1992 and then sadly broke up. What we have on this, is the 2 demos the band recorded prior to getting a deal with Century Media. This is prime time 80’s thrash metal all the way. The tunes have that classic gallop riffing sounds and violent vocals. I got a little Violence sound a bit in some of the tunes (the debut album by the band). Heck, this sounds better than a lot of the thrash bands nowadays ha ha. Sample song below:
Label info: https://www.vicrecords.com/
————————————-
TRAGIC DREAM/Fullmoon Mysterium (Self Released) This is a black metal band from Poland. This band play a more moody style of black metal almost ambient at times. The singer just growls and screams like most black metal bands. I’m not the biggest fan of the style, but they also don’t sound like every other band on the planet. If you wanna hear what they sound like the demo link is right up on You Tube:
————————————-
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING/F.E.A.R. (Gathering Storm Records) Ah a heavy metal that knows how to write memorable riffs and not just Hammerfall Jr 100 times over. This is big-time thick and chunky, full of classic metal riffs and powerful vocals. Think in the style of older Judas Priest with a mix of some metal bands of today like The Mob Rules. I love the singer his powerful pipes flow with the tunes and the production is right on the money and the guitar sounds flow right along as well. Metal lives on. Info:
————————————-
SACRIFIX/World Decay 19″ (Thrash Or Death Records) Oh wow this was a cool release. This band mixes thrash with an almost death metal/thrash metal style singer. I love it. Just riff after riff of classic thrash and that crunch just owns me. The singer just sounds so off the wall and I don’t mean that in a bad way, he just sounds like a copy of nobody else and he sings with a ton of passion and feeling as well. Crank up the speed and power and prepare to be crushed by this band and they bring it big time. Info:
————————————-
SERIOUS BLACK/Vengeance Is Mine (AFM Records) As you know by now I’m a sucker for a good riff and for me it has to be the hook to suck me in. No hook I won’t be a fan and then it’s the vocals. Well, this band has both. A crunchy metal band that has a touch of AOR rock to them as well and that comes from the great vocals on this. This even had me nodding my head in appreciation for what the music was doing. Those just into black and death metal won’t like this, but for those with an open mind, give them a listen. Sample song:
Label info: https://www.afm-records.de/en/
————————————-
BEASTIALITY/Sacrificial Chants (Invictus Productions) 4 blasting total old school tracks of some wicked sounding death/black metal and boy this doesn’t let up and will run you over like a truck. The music is furious and a speed attack that needs to be heard dammit. The vocals are deep growls from the depths of hell and I could feel the anger and pain in his voice. This is not for the weak or the faint of heart. This is the pure underground way and prepares for it. Sample track below:
Label info: www.invictusproductions.net
————————————-
DEATHGEIST/Possession Of Souls (Punishment 18 Records) Oh some classic thrash is your ticket on this ride. Vocals are sort of like a cross between Blitz and Zetro. The riffing is a pure classic thrash and the riffing and speed with having your head moving in seconds. The only minor complaint is guys, lose the keyboards in the background as you don’t need them and they don’t belong in thrash. The music I would say just lays in with that 80’s Bay Area thrash era, but not as violent and speedy, but this more than gets its point across. I like it a lot. Sample song:
Label info: http://www.
————————————-
MIDNITE HELLION/Kingdom Immortal (Power Chord Productions) My boys in Midnite Hellion are back with a new release and this one doesn’t disappoint. This is a mix of metal and power metal and fuck that bass sound, sounds like D.D from Overkill and MR. Forbes isn’t complaining one bit. I love the vocals on this as well as the singer just totally, oh you can feel the power and feeling in his voice is second to none and from the opening, tune talking about heavy metal to the last note this is all about metal and then some. This band is all about holding the flag of metal nice en high and they for sure did this on this. Great job guys. Sample tune:
Band info: http://midnitehellion.
Label: info: http://pcprocks.bandcamp.com
————————————-
DEATHCULT/Of Soil Unearthed (Invictus Productions) Just bone crushing no-frills, straightforward death metal that hits fast and hard. A pure death metal attack with plenty of speed and slow down parts to make you rest for a few seconds and then the speed and power and brutality start up again. A pure death metal delight on vocals I was loving life as this played on. That guitar crunch is beyond insane and yeah this band may not break any new ground, but when it’s done right and it’s great, I can dig it and this I dig and 2 horns up guys, you deserve it big time. Info:
Label info: www.invictusproductions.net
————————————-
SUPPRESSION/The Sorrow of Soul through Flesh (Unspeakable Axe Records) This isn’t bad, but it just sounds like a copy of the 1st two Death releases right down to the vocals, although this has a bit more blasting parts to it than Death. The guitar has that wicked, crunchy death metal sound and the singer can certainly growl with the best of them, but I just couldn’t get super excited as I have been down this path many times. Now in saying that, for someone who is newer to the death metal scene, they will do backflips over this I bet. Check out the sample track below to hear the band:
Label info: http://www.
————————————-
DEATHHAMMER/Electric Warfare (Hells Headbangers) This is the 5th release for this band, these 2 black/thrashers (Sadomancer and Sergeant Salsten) just deliver the goods again. Just a ripping release of total old school mayhem that will destroy your fuckin brain. I would say this is way more thrashy than black metal, it’s speedy and catchy as fuck riffing exploding in my headphones and me playing air drums and air guitar. These 2 guys bring it and no doubt they bring it 1 million hours. A masterpiece of the old school. Sample track below:
Label info: www.hellsheadbangers.com
————————————-
ETRE/I: Human’ (Self Released) This is not your typical band and it is more like a modern-sounding prog band, but OMG they are fuckin incredible. The music and the vocals just create such a vibe and it sucked me right in the music is just so spot on, they are simply brilliant. No other words can describe this. It is like a mix of prog meets NIN and it damn works. I don’t get blown away easily, but this band surely did to me. Wow. Listen for yourself: Info:
————————————-
EVIL SHADE/Vandals (Chaos Records /Spookies Productions) Awful terrible speed/thrash from Mexico. Nothing memorable the songs just fly by with nothing memorable about them. For me, it is all about riffs and vocals, and this had neither. It was like blah, blah, blah. You will remember nothing about this after it is done playing. The vocals aren’t any good as well as they just aren’t sung with any feeling or passion in my book. Just another faceless underground metal band I’m afraid. Sample track below:
Label info: www.chaos-records.com
————————————-
DISEMBODY/Reigniting Hellfire (Helldprod Records) A fast, crushing, display of some barbaric war death style of meral. This shit hits fast and hard and will knock you over like a freight train. Weak ones do not apply. This metal like it was in the 80’s, dark, furious, not stop pounding the senses. The vocals are an insane blast of a man singing from the very depths of the grave. This is a total whirl winning release from the souls of the earth. Check them out at all costs. Not for wimps ha ha. Info and sample track below:
Label info: https://helldprod.com/shop/
————————————-
MUTUAL HOSTILITY/Sacred Propaganda (Self Released) This isn’t bad, not at all. The music was a mix of death and black metal. I wish there was a bit more variety in the music and when I say that, I mean a bit more speed this was mostly played at a mid-paced speed. The EP is up on YouTube for you to decide:
————————————-
BLOODGATE/Solace In Mourning (Self Released) Horrible death metal with some of the worst vocals I have heard in the past year. All the guy goes is mindlessly growl and generic screams into the mic and then we throw in the low vocals as well. All for the typical generic death metal vocal book. Then you have thrown in the mix of some uninspiring death music that just doesn’t cut the mustard at all. It’s like going to dinner and getting a horrible steak. Info:
————————————-
EMBRYONIC AUTOPSY/Prophecies Of The Conjoined (Massacre Records) This features musicians from several older bands like Tim King from Oppressor for starters. This is down and dirty no-frills death metal played from the depths of a grave. Low, tuned death metal riffing that will have the neck moving in no time as these tunes are tunes that are memorable and crushing. A fantastic production allows everything to flow freely and if death metal is your thing, then this is something I think will be up your alley. Info:
————————————-
MORBID CRUELTY/Holodomor (Iron Bonehead) Holy crap is this a blasting display of death metal not far off from Angle Corpse and early Morbid Angel. Awesome songs and vocals from these 2 guys. The music just sets a mood and doesn’t let up one bit. It’s fast and unrelenting and doesn’t give you a chance to breathe ha ha. Well, maybe a bit. The tunes just reek out that old death metal feeling that can’t be faked. I love when music is fast and blasting, but when has feeling beyond it and just has that vibe behind too and these 2 guys deliver it and deliver it in a big way. Will try to get an interview too. Info:
————————————-
CHEMICIDE/Common Sense (Riptide Records) I am digging this as it’s speedy thrash metal with lots of catchy hooks and no tough guy like vocals insight. The guitar sound is insane and I was banging my head to this one big time. I have a sound of a speed metal style of Testament or Overkill and early Overkill at that. When they go into the all-out speed mode I was loving life. Air drums in my apartment ha ha. This is a mix of Bay Area thrash with a touch of East Coast thrash (not fuckin Anthrax) check out the sample tune below to hear what I am talking about:
Label info: https://ripriderecords.
————————————-
MUTILATRED/Determined to Rot (Redefining Darkness Records) This is the band’s 2nd full length and also a few Ep’s before this and after the debut. Now this band isn’t setting the world afire with anything I haven’t heard before, but in saying that, this is a pure, nice, death metal delight to my ears. Quick bursts, except for one tune, of sick, low tuned, speedy blasts of death metal in the vein of Incantation and Mortician. The band’s bio even calls them to be the modern-day Mortician and I won’t argue that. Low tuned down guitars and blasts of speed, the way I like it, and low vocals, but not super, stupid low, which to me is stupid. Great production and any young fan of death metal would love this and any old school veteran fan of death metal would give this band the horns up too.
Video: https://youtu.be/VS4xWvQymes
Label info: https://shop.
————————————-
MY OWN FEAR/Violence Made History (Music-Records) Oh I was not a fan of this. This is that happy groove thrashy style of music with plenty of those horrible moshy parts and the singer sings in a tough-guy style and then growls like a generic death metal singer. Well, he isn’t good at either style. Now when the band goes into a speedy approach it isn’t bad, but then they ruined it completely with clear vocal lines. Sorry, this was just a generic faceless band in my ears. Video:
Label info: https://music-records.fr/
————————————-
TWISTED TOWER DIRE/Crest Of The Martyrs (Nameless Grave Records) This release by Nameless Grave is the demo version of Twisted Tower Dire’s 3rd album, which is named above. From reading the bio that is included, these versions are the ones the band wanted on their 3rd album. This stuff was recorded back in 2002 and over the years I have read about the band, but never heard much of their music, even though they are based in VA and I am in NJ. only a few states away. So what do I think of this? OMG, it is utterly fantastic and is by far some of the best power metal I have heard in ages. Fantastic, catchy as hell tunes, brilliant vocals, and just the right amount of speed and power make this a power and heavy metal fans’ dream. Why this sat unreleased for so many years is a crime. But now that it is out, you must get this as it is a must for any and all metal fans young and old. Info:
————————————-
BASTARD/Rotten Blood (Distortion Music Group) This just had that sickening guitar sound that sucked me in along with the vocals as well. The music was like Motorhead on the speed at the time and damn if it doesn’t suck me and keep me there. As anybody that knows me, I’m a sucker for a good riff and this band has them. The production was fantastic as everything flowed perfectly. Vocals were a bit like Cronus from Venom and they weren’t bad at all. You can’t go wrong with this trust me. Info:
————————————-
INSINERATEHYMN/Disembodied (Blood Harvest/Rotted Life) This band are a bit different as they are classic death metal, but they mix the styles of early Death with Immolation and Incantation and it comes out in a weird way for sure. Thick splattering bloody death metal riffing with some speed, and some mid-paced stuff are also on your ticket on this ride. The vocals are low growls of death that are in the John’s vein for sure. Trust me this isn’t your typical death metal band that’s for sure, but they absolutely bring it and deliver. Sample track below:
Label info: www.bloodharvest.se
————————————-
HARKONIN/Havok Ritual (Necrotic Records) This is the 1st album in 11 years from these guys. The band mix up mid-paced with some fancy and wicked speedy parts that I liked a lot. This was also more of an old school sounding death metal as well. The singer has the throaty death metal growls down as well. This is death metal played from the heart and it is straightforward and nasty and yes you’ll like it if you like death metal. Info:
————————————-
LESCH-NYHAN/Self Titled I have a 7″ of this band, which originally came out in 2015 and it’s now it’s being re-issued and now they are on this 4 song 7″. The tunes are quick blasts of speedy death metal and growly vocals with bits of grindcore as well. This was decent but isn’t much different than hundreds of other death metal bands over say the past 10 years. I did like the singer a lot and blasts of speed were killers. This surely isn’t garbage and for fans of death metal that their death metal with grindcore mixed in, this is right up your alley. Info:
————————————-
EMISSARY/The Wretched Masquerade (Underground Power Records) Oh the riffs and the singer make this one not to miss. Classic, really solid power metal on here that is memorable big time. The singer has a clear, but powerful voice and sounds awesome on this. His vocals blend right along with the music. The music crosses over, at times, into a little speedier territory, which was fine by me as, of course, I love it fast. The great thing is, this isn’t Hammerfall Jr, this isn’t some generic power metal band, this is just ass-kicking, take no prisoners power metal, period. Info:
————————————-
SHADES OF GREY/House Of Fools (Thrashback Records) I used to write to these guys back in the days and even though all 4 of these guys’ demos were re-issued on CD, this is the 1st time demos 3 and 4 have been issued on vinyl. Oh does listening to these demos bring back some wicked memories of some kick-ass thrash. Real thrash, not that fake style either. They sort of had that Violence sound now that I am listening to this all these years later. This is fantastic thrash and looks for an interview with one of the band members soon on this very website as well. Info:
————————————-
SOOTHSAYER/We Came For Killing (Thrashback Records) No this is not the Soothsayer from Canada, but the one from Arizona. They play straight-up old school 80’s style thrash with a def old Death Angel sound to it. Included are all 3 of their demos and they sounded good to my old ears for sure. The band bang out the tunes with wicked speed and none of this tough guy crap. This was before thrash folded like a wet blanket and became wimpy sell-out thrash too. No ballads and slow stuff, just crunchy honest to goodness thrash the way it should be dammit. Hopefully, an interview will follow soon. Info:
————————————-
DAY OF DOOM/Doomed (3 Demons Records) Some crushing straightforward death metal is the ticket on this 10 song release. A nice mix of speed and slower parts as well. I like the singer a lot he belts/growls out the tunes and doesn’t sound generic in the process. I love it when the band goes into all-out speed like in the tune “Doomed” and then slows down the pace with some crushing neck spots and nifty solos and then blasts back into hyperspeed. The only little negative thing is, I don’t like the black metal screams they use on occasion, but that is just me. Otherwise solid. Info:
————————————-
DISEMBOWELED ROTTING CADAVER/Consuming Madness (Neurotic Records) This is the groovy death metal stuff that I am not a fan of. Sounds like trigger sounds on the drums and lots of groovy riffs and then tin can sounding blast beats. The singer wasn’t bad. Look if this is stuff you like, then the band is probably right up your alley, but not for me. Info:
————————————-
AMINION/Sanctum Devoid Part 1 & 2 (Neurotic Records) Now symphonic black metal is not my stronghold and I have not heard many bands from this genre, but I thought this was pretty cool. The singer doesn’t have an annoying or shrieky voice and the music really sets a mood and I was digging this. Now the 1st disc clocks in at almost an hour, which I feel is a bit too much, the 2nd CD is about 48 minutes and changes. There are lots of different things on these discs lots of moody parts and ups and downs, but I think the main plus, besides the music, is the singer he kicks ass on this for sure. Info:
