Abigail - "Diabolical Nights Of Infernal Destruction"

(Japan, Misanthropic Propaganda Productions, Thrash/Black, 2003)

The fact that Abigail is a cult band is undeniable, starting their activity back in 1992 when they've released their first demo tape, called simply "Demo I", and from then until now, the hell has been unleashed, their discography counting more than 30 releases, on tape, vinyl and CD! Notable being their album from 1997 "Intercourse and Lust", a hellish release of pure and black Thrash blasphemy played as in the 80s with influences from Bulldozer, Bathory, Sodom, Kreator etc., many have been the releases since then. Lots of split releases, live bootlegs, rehearsal tapes and albums, the latest being "Ultimate Unholy Death" from 2005, with a more punkish orientation and a feeling of Rock'n'Roll all over it (Motorhead like)!
"Diabolical Nights Of Infernal Destruction" comprises on side A "Unholy Sabbat In Tokyo (23.12.1997)" and side B "Diabolical Rehearsal Session, February 1998". The sound on this tape is raw as hell, and the music is so pure that will make any maniac worship their cult!
Side A contains: "Intro/Violence, Kill And Destruction", "Ilona The Very Best", "The Bonehunter", "Shooting Master", "Hail Yakuza/Confound Eternal". Side B contains: "Intro/Confound Eternal", "The Ultimate Fight", "Ilona The Very Best", "Hellfire And Damnation", "Violence, Kill And Destruction". The set is almost identical on the both sides of the tape, the difference being that one is live material and the other is rehearsal, the sound on the rehearsal side is even rawer than on the live side. A release for pure cult worshipers and underground maniacs, and definitely not for trendy ears! If you don't know this band I advice you better to start from their 1997 album, and then come to this release, and if you have enough time and dedication, try to collect all their material, it will be a hell of a job!

Acheron - "Tribute To Devil's Music"

(U.S.A., Black Lotus Records, Death Metal, 2003)

What's new to tell about Crowley and the rest of Acheron? Maybe not much but now it's my turn to review the cover collection entitled "Tribute To Devil's Music". It features 11 covers from big names of Rock/Metal scene like: Black Sabbath, Death, Kreator, Bathory, Venom and many more and as an extra song you will find an unreleased version of the classic "Ave Sathanas", maybe one of the best and well known songs of Acheron. On this release they adopt a large variety of styles from Doom to Thrash and Black or Death Metal. Almost every song has different line-ups (the songs being recorded in different moments of Acheron's existence). The best covers are in my opinion "Flag Of Hate" and "Raise The Dead". So there's nothing new here, just a very good collection of cover songs.

Adamanter - "The Shadow Mirror"

(Italy, Black Lotus Records, Symphonic Progressive Metal, 2003)

Well, If you look at the artwork of this CD you would think that the music will sound at least as good as the cover is (actually, one of the best booklets that I've ever seen) but is a pity that is not. This kind of music has been played hundred and hundred times before in better ways. The production is demo-like, the sound is not that well polished and I think that if you're playing this kind of music and you think that you should put your compositions on a CD at least you should try to enter a proper studio or talk with a good sound engineer, this kind of production may work to underground Black Metal bands but this music wants to be more "complicated". Passing over that you'll find a Heavy/Progressive Metal with lots of keyboard driven melodies. Also the voice is not that good, and in the melodies you can easily find playing mistakes. Maybe on a future release they will make it...

Agankast - "Welcome To Insanitarium"

(United Kingdom, Self released, Thrash Metal, 2006)

"Welcome To Insanitarium" is the second album of Agankast, newborn British horde, ruling by Rob Matthew Redhead, well-known for legendary Atomkraft. In the previous debut album, the band has demonstrated big potential, a special way which they follow on: be sure, it is quality old-school Thrash Metal, fulfilled by the spirit of "those" days and with using all inherent to such a style canons. And now we have the second coming. Agankast was continuing to dig out old-school riffs and incarnate onto harsh hymns, dedicated to the warfare in the name of own freedom. Track's names tell for themselves clearly. Especially, the song called "Slaves" narrates of a spiritual enslavement called Christianity and resistance against it: "Slaves... I won't be your fucking slave!!!" - a short example of what Allan, a singer, grimly yells about.
What a strange word, "insanitarium", used in album's name? Maybe it's a derivative from words "insane" and "sanatorium"? Unfortunately, I haven't all song's texts in dictation, but I dare to intend that the main album's idea is continuity of human beings existence and accompanying to them battles, wars, terror, slavery and other typical things, and the main man's aim to be independent from the system, to keep up a honour and not be a puppet-like blind follower of someone/somewhat, against all odds.
Musically, Agankast got much Heavy Metal influences, with typical melodic accents, which might be determined close to the end of album. "The Battle Of Bannockburn", for example, sounds epically and maybe patriotically, in middle tempo and I liked it so!!! Despite of such "decorative" touches, the sound still is harsh and raw, as Thrash Metal should be. And if debut album was more explosive and fulfilled with unleashed riffs, here we may get more unhurried and bombastic music, which amateurs of old-school will like. Feels, that musician's experience has grew up and became more professional. A ship, which old captain Rob led on, follow on a right course.
Ultimately, to fans of evil good old-school Thrash music I may advice to take a look at this newest album and taste the steel of Scottish smiths.

Agonize - "When Memory Dies..."

(Bosnia & Herzegovina, Walk Records, Melodic Death Metal, 2004)

Agonize are from the town of Tuzla in Bosnia and play technical Melodic Death Metal, much in the vein of At The Gates or early Dark Tranquility. The songs are well crafted with quite catchy melodies, yet with enough energy and aggression to keep this just within the Death Metal genre, though there are some other influences which keep the music interesting. Technically, this is very well played stuff, even the guitar solos are refreshing and original, the lead breaks really add to the songs as opposed to just being there for the sake of it. The production, however, is a little fuzzy and the drums sound like a drum computer, even if it states that a human is playing them - maybe he is a robot :) Other than that the sound is satisfactory, especially when you consider the fact it must be harder to find a good studio in Bosnia than Sweden, for example.
This is a very enjoyable and accessible release that presents Agonize well for a first release. Fans who like their Metal to be intense, yet well played and melodic would fare well to check this band out.

Agony - "Call The Rain"

(Czech Republic, I.F.A. Records, Doom, 2003)

The cover artwork, the first thing that you see when you buy a CD, is very doomy, sculptures of angels and crucifixes. The name of the band is also predestinated for a Gothic or Death Metal band. When it comes to music they don't prove to be of such a great quality. They have "happy" rhythms and childish lyrics about their unsatisfied love, but they are not written in that good manner and they look like a bad joke to me. I believe that there will be fans to their music, and there are some good melodies like "From Dusk Till Dawn" and "Winter Flower" which are starting in a good manner but then they are evolving in not so inspired melodies. As a bonus you'll get a video from one of their songs from the CD.

Aggression - "Moshpirit"

(Spain, Xtreem Music Records, Thrash Metal, 2009)

I don't know if you observed, but in the latest years the Thrash Metal scene arose from its own ashes, starting with the most important bands that started to spread the virus many years ago! Although there are a lot of persons who think that Thrash Metal means: Kreator, Sadus, Destruction, Slayer and too many more to be mentioned here, sorry guys, the present scene reveal us a lot of very good combos influenced by this extreme Metal way of playing! Aggression is one of these bands, and "Moshpirit" the proof that everything goes in the fuckin' right direction as I stated before!
Consisting of 11 songs, Moshpirit tries to introduce us a very technical Thrash Metal style, filled as usual with interesting guitar solos and slow/core moments in Metallica's way of playing! I could say too much into Metallica's Thrash Metal manner, but without being something unpleasant! The vocal score present us a hysterical voice, frequently accompanied by choruses in different registers. Still from the beginning the musical line goes fast, being filled with many rhythm changes and with skilled guitar solos; all in all, the musical chapter being very well interpreted by bands constituents! The cover artwork fits perfectly with the whole lyrical and musical contents, and I could say that this is the perfect image to represent such an album extremely well called "Moshpirit"! So everyone into Thrash Metal, and not only, should take into consideration this material because this is for sure one of the most important bands in the present day of Thrash Metal scene!

A Gruesome Find - "The Fire That Burns In Hell"

(U.S.A., Vile Art Records, Black/Death, 2003)

This is the first album of the demons from the states. Stylistically this is a mixture of early Absu and Emperor. Of course they have also some personal elements, the songs are all over four minutes and they have a progressive touch such as in "Summoning The Nocturnal Spirit" that starts with a piano melody that later evolves into a Black Metal song but the initial melody it is kept and appears later in the song, and there are also again some progressive combinations in the rhythm and not many Black Metal bands dare to play in such manner. The only pure Black Metal song is "Blasphemous Blood Storms". There are some passages in the song "Devoid Of Humanity" that are making me shiver at so much anger developed, such high seed that interrupted by slow breaks and that the holocaust is unleashed again! One of my favourite songs also is "...As The Wind Blows In Darkness" another song influenced by Black Metal that has some high speed passages, a pity that the speed in not kept on the entire song. This is an album to check out!

Ahumado Granujo - "Splatter-Tekk"

(Czech Republic, Bizarre Leprous Production, Grindcore, 2006)

This album was recorded in only four days in 2001 and was first released on Downfall Records in 2002. A year later it was re-mastered and some new loop arrangements were added to three of the songs. Bizarre Leprous Production have re-released it in 2006.
I don't know if there are bonus songs on this one but I suppose the artwork is a new one.
This is the fourth BLP CD I'm trying to review and somehow I knew what to expect before I even heard the first beat. I've heard bands like this a hundred times before (in the Eastern Europe they seem to be most numerous)! Goregrind with extremely distorted/pitch-shifted vocals, blast beat attacks and the typical groovy riffs are the ingredients for these 18 short songs.
The music itself is pretty good executed and well produced, but I just can't stand these "vocals". I suppose it's intended to sound a little funny, humor has always been a part of this music genre, but Ahumado Granujo (should be English for smoked crook I think, but it's spelled wrong, Ahumado Granuja would be the right term) are carrying it too far! Sounds like Donald Duck on acid to me!
The name "Splatter-Tekk" refers to the electronic parts on this album. Almost every song has an introduction, some Techno/Hardcore beats mixed with distorted samples. Sounds not too bad, though a little cheap, but I think it would be better to embed this sounds in the songs.
Beside Regurgitate's "Desensitized" there's also a cover of "Dead Body Love", a Pungent Stench classic from the older days, where you can hear Ahumado Granujo's influences (almost every riff on this album could have been on Pungent Stench's release from 1989), all in all a good cover but the vocals destroy it completely! A funny (self produced) video clip for "Cold Turkey" is also included here.
I don't think this release is really essential for any collection but form your own opinion on it, if you're into this kind of music!

Ailanthus - "Ailanthus" + "V3"

(U.S.A., Self released, Experimental Rock/Metal, 2005/2006)

I've received a big envelope from Ailanthus these days, it's the first I've received from a band in my short "career" as a journalist, and it came all the way from New York, you can imagine how happy I was to see this thing in my mailbox ;) It contained a sticker, a flyer for the next gig in New York, a press info and the two 3-track demos they have recorded so far, "Ailanthus", released in 2005, still available for purchase and "V3", released some weeks ago, which is only sold at the shows.
The band is from Brooklyn and consist of a female vocalist (very cute... may I say this?... is it important?) and, as far as I can see, a second (male) member... it's all the photo shows and the info says, I don't know how they perform live...
Ailanthus was formed in 2005, can't say which month, but they seem to be a good team, the tracks are very well structured. I'm not in "female-voice-Metal", I like it but somehow I don't know too many names except Kittie, Otep and things like that, but this is another style, maybe Dominion and Left Hand Solution, if anybody can remember them...
The voice is great, self-confident, not this "fairy"-shit, clean but not cheesy, the music is a sort of... I don't know... it's very emotional but still heavy and a little sick, sad lyrics and some electronic parts (including the drums, which are pretty perfect, I like computer drums, and if this should be a drummer, sorry and respect... but it is not)
There are some passages that I don't like that much (Lacuna Coil?) but nevertheless well done, especially the production... I love track 3 ("Malum") on the self titled demo, which is as well on "V3" for some reason, I think they know the power of this one... reminds me of a Bruce Dickinson song (from Accident of Birth), some double bass, great riffs, and the voice gives me the creeps!!! Definitely my favourite!
So, in conclusion, if this band would have the money and possibilities Nightwish had for recording an album, it would top them by far! (I don't like Nightwish but I know what they are/were)... The only thing I don't like is the artwork (except for the cool logo!) but it's not that important to date...

Finally, the band's description in the press info: "Guitars that go from angry, menacing, lightning fast, & crunchy, to flowing, ethereal, blues influenced riffs combined with thundering bass riffs & vocals that are powerful, angry, sweet, sexy and angelic - Ailanthus. A sound that pulls you in, rips you up and spits you out. Songs that make you yell, scream, cry, & fuck - sometimes all at once. This is Ailanthus."

...OK!

Allerjen - "Resurrection"

(U.K., Self released, Death/Thrash, 2002)

The information about Allerjen that is to be found over the internet is quite minimal, even their own website does not say much about them. This 2005 demo CD-R features three mid tempo technical Metal songs having influences from the Death, Thrash and Groove HC Metal sphere.
"Resurrection", the opener is the most HC oriented song on the release, has a strong anthem-like feel to it. Short classical guitar opener followed by a down-tuned guitar riff, slow mid-paced but powerful, great chorus and even greater ending part, the vocals are somewhere between grunts and high pitched screams, both of good quality, this song left me with the same impression as after listening to a Crowbar song. The second song "Beyond The Promised Land" starts with the words "Surrender Or Be Destroyed" which is the name of Allerjen's 2007 album, the song seems a little more faster than its predecessor in the beginning but it breaks down to pit friendly groovy riffs short after, not a furious song but a good one. "Courage Will Find You", the third and final song on this release is the best one, while compressing elements that are to be found on the other two songs, here they do it straight to the point. If you are into modern Metal and if you want to check yet another band this might appeal to you.

Amber Tears - "Revelations Of Renounced"

(Russia, Stygian Crypt, Doom Metal, 2006)

Huh, Russia, definitely became a very interesting place to dig out archaic masterpieces of Metal music, when mother Europe rot of a mainstream bullshit, which invaded all the scene everywhere (trend followers and so on). All these Gothic influences, making the music tearful and snudgeful just cause only nagative feelings and we wish to turn the time back, to remember old Anathema's time... Doom Metal can't be perfomed by cardboard, self-named "Satanists" just because you have to achieve enough skill to play intelligent, not only impress the noise, but to impress inner, dainty emotions, which the kitchen or bedroom can not afford or just there is a real problem to find a "proper" people around ex. Soviet area, who will be dedicated and have a musical talent simultaneously (hard to explain to Europeans why, greyness of masses is just a heritage of totalitarian past). Well, Amber Tears bring us something really special, really devoted, they are masters of their instruments and they do their best, which is no doubt! Honesty, when I saw their photos, first opinion was: "what a goth-pederasts with dyed eyes there?". But, clearly, it was just a damn wrong opinion, because Amber Tears is not a Gothic snuts, it's a powerful and mighty Doom Metal! Yeah, not without influences from described above style, but performed perfectly and really as it should be. Riffs are intensive and fulfilled of emotions, sometimes solo-guitar wails, which set the accents and I like it very much. Lyrics are all on our native Russian, and I hail guys for being patriotic in cause it's a rarely thing when any Doom Metal band from our area use cyrillic written name (originally, band's name is Янтарные Слёзы and translated as Amber Tears) and all the lyrics, performed on native tongue. The quality of recorded stuff also was made smart and powerful as well as other decorative things with cover. Back to the songs, I'd like to add that they give us a very special atmosphere of depressiveness, despair, hope and autumn's sorrow. The dream is dead, but Amber Tears are here to write the emotions into the tablet of eternity. Well... I am rarely gives the release so high estimation, as this release got... It's not a flattery, I really couldn't find any defect there; moreover I was getting enchanted of the work which Russian doomsters boiled. No more words – a must have!!!

Amon Din - "Diamoneyezed"

(Serbia & Montenegro, Walk Records, Melodic Death Metal, 2006)

This is the debut album from Amon Din, recorded in 1999 and re-released on CD-R format by Walk Records. Musically, this can't be classed as anything other than Melodic Death Metal; it's got the uptempo beats, the fast melodic guitar work and the coarse vocals. There's also plenty of keyboards and Amon Din really do make an effort to put atmosphere into their music... However, there is really something missing here for me. The different elements don't seem to blend particularly well, so the music sounds kind of fractured. Also I would say that the band lean too much on traditional Heavy Metal for my tastes – nothing wrong with that, just a personal thing.
The bonus track on this disc is called "Nebeska Srbija" and it's a new track from the band. It's showing a lot more cohesion that the previous tracks here. I think Amon Din can still show some potential in the future!

Anaal Nathrakh - "In The Constellation Of The Black Widow"

(U.K., Candlelight Records, Death Metal, 2009)

The band's 5th studio material seems to be the most important one from Anaal Nathrakh's career; and it represents in my point of view a new musically provocation for almost all the present Death Metal combos, even for the most popular ones!
Released on June 29 on mighty Candlelight, "In The Constellation Of The Black Widow" its for sure the sound track for the Armageddon; the perfect combination between all gang's previous materials filed with hatred and violence like never before, a musical ferocity that spreads sharp intelligence all along the whole content of this new opus!
Extremely fast and technical, Anaal Nathrakh's Death Metal playing manner is something I was looking for since many years right now; and it represents the answer gave to almost all its illustrious collaborators such as the most important attraction point of this material is firstly the vocal score, a combination never seen before on some other bands; the use of the guttural score being in a perfect "contradiction" with the normal voices and a tonality frequently meet on some Black/Grind Metal combos! The technical level reminds me from time to time about mighty At The Gates on its "Slaughter Of The Soul" album. The screaming vocal score has an Industrial touch, and I must admit that it fits perfectly with the whole content of this material! Although the whole music offered by this gang is very raw and brutal, the Technical Metal lines show us that we deal with very skilled and talented musicians!
In the end I like to add that "In The Constellation Of The Black Widow" is one of the most impressive albums I ever heard; probably the occasion to become one of the leading lights in the extreme Metal area this days! Merciless, deranged and schizophrenic "Merciless" is for sure that kind of material you could listen many times without be bored in the end.
If you want my advice, get this material as soon as possible and you'll see what all is about with this trip: Atilla Csihar (Mayhem), Shane Embury (Napalm Death), Nick Barker (Testament/Dimmu Borgir) and too many others which joined the roster in the latest years!

Andralls - "Andralls"

(Brazil, Xtreem Music Records, Thrash Metal, 2009)

This Brazilian band was born 11 years ago with the aim to play one of the most aggressive Thrash Metal music ever; and I'd say that the beginning was a very promising one because just 1 year later they recorded the first opus called "Massacre, Corruption, Destruction...", an album that brought the occasion to open for one of the most important acts ever: Judas Priest! Signing a record deal with Marquee Records in 2002 Andralls released the second album called "Force Against Mind", an official material released just one year later, 2003, by Mausoleum Records for the European lands too! Because the response on this material was awesome, Marquee Records decided to release a MCD album with 8 tracks recorded live, and they called it "Fasthrash Live 2003"! During the recording process of their 3rd studio album Andralls was invited to join the roster of Bonded by Blood Thrash Fest which featured Exodus too; and soon after that "Inner Trauma" was released! Soon after that the live activity increased and the band did a European Tour in 2006, playing in: Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Austria and Poland. One year later Andralls started to work on its 4th studio materials called "Andralls", but they decided to play a national tour called "NoiséThrash Brazilian Tour 2007"; the feedback was great and they were supported damn good everywhere. Soon after that, Sodom and Asesino toured Brazil and Andralls was there to open the acts in its own manner. At the end of the year 2008, the album was finished but the line-up knew some changes because Alex Coelho (v/g), former member, lefts the band and Cleber Orsioli joined the roster very soon as substitute. The release of this album was entrusted to Freeman Records from their country, but to Xtreem Music from Spain for the European territories too! Right now Andralls plays "Let's Kill Again Tour" in Brazil, but a second part of this tour should probably be allocate to Europe!
Musically speaking this band has almost all the attributes to gain all Thrash Metal fans from all over the world; mostly through its aggressive playing manner that reminds me the early days of this genre, going frequently into some Death Metal lines mostly thanks to its vocal register. The rhythm changes are so cool that left me speechless, being in a perfect contradiction with some slow or mid-tempo Core Metal phases; a whole musical content that surprised me in a very pleasant way! The cover artwork reflects damn good what is going on inside the jewel box; an image that speaks for itself for the whole content of this material signed Andralls! In the end I'd like to add that Xtreem Music surprised me with their bands quality; and this thing shows how professional this label is! Thanks a lot Dave and keep the burning flame alive!

Anoxia - "Manufacturing The End"

(United Kingdom, Self released, Death Metal, 2007)

Anoxia were formed in 2006 and "Manufacturing The End" is the bands first recording. And for a first effort, what a great recording it is! Basically, we have old school Death Metal with some Grindcore elements, not played really fast, but with plenty of variety and crushing heaviness. Opener "R.S.I" opens at a high tempo which continues throughout the song; the high energy aggression and intensity in the playing is instantly engaging, as well as the fact the guitarist has got that guitar sound (as featured on Entombed, Grave, Carnage etc.!). I thought I'd put on my copy of "Clandestine" by mistake! Vocalist Marianne has a style which is somewhere between a Death Metal growl and a Hardcore bellow, which sounds genuinely aggressive (something which lacks from a lot of Death Metal vocals these days) and suits the music perfectly. Second track "Anomalous" is a bit slower, but the tempo picks up again for the excellent "In The Shadow Of Wolves" with those great Swedish DM riffs. Another highlight for me is the final track "The Great Manipulator" which throws in a killer "Left Hand Path" style atmospheric section towards the end. Not really a weak song here, this 6 track demo clatters away with vigour from beginning to end. In a Death Metal scene that is becoming clinical and over technical, Anoxia's back-to-the-roots approach is a real breath of fresh (or should that be rotten?!) air. Check out the bands MySpace page for more details and be sure to order this demo for the meagre price of 2GBP. If you like your Metal raw, archaic with lots of attitude, Anoxia are bound to appeal. Keep up the great work!

Aphonic - "Why It Sometimes Feels Good"

(U.S.A., Self released, Post Rock Alternative, 2005)

Quite rare a release of this kind arrives to me for review... I saw a link on a website describing this as a follower of Psychedelic Rock inspired by Pink Floyd and being a great fan of this band I didn't hesitated to contact them, they replied and sent me the CD, and surprise, this is much more than a copycat and to be sincere there aren't to many similarities to the above mentioned band. I can find similarities to Radiohead, Mare, and even U2, but they are much more than this. The music of Aphonic is very intimate; if you'll ever get into it you'll find yourself listening to it over and over again. The structure of the songs is not that complicated and they don't want to impress you with over exaggerated techniques, but this does not mean that their music is simple, not at all! A word that can describe best the mood that you'll get after listening to this album is melancholy, is somehow like a walk in the fog, like a walk to a land that you don't know, wanting to find something that you'll never get! This album was recorded in an analogue manner and you can feel that, and you can feel the difference between this and other releases of our time sound wise! I recommend this album to all of you who like melancholic, soft Rock.

Apriaca - "The Philosophers Legacy"

(Austria, Stonehenge Records, Heavy/Thrash Metal, 2007)

Apriaca was formed in 2005 in Carinthia/Austria and after some success at band contests, the deal with the strange label Stonehenge Records was signed. The debut "The Philosophers Legacy" was released in November 2007 and it seems that, for some reason, the critiques were pretty positive until now...
At a small underground festival one of the members asked me to buy the CD. This was very funny because it was in the lavatory and he literally beg me to do it! Unfortunately I said I'll write a review if I can have one for free... so I had to struggle a lot with this album afterwards!
An acoustic guitar intro, which is more than inspired by Metallica's "Battery", leads into the riff oriented "Land Of Corpse", the best song here, by the way. Actually I thought it's a Metallica cover, I just didn't know where it could be from. After listening to the rest of the songs more carefully, I came to the conclusion that this is a Metallica album that never appeared, a mix between the "Black Album" and some of the older stuff, just a little softer and much more melodic. Also some Punk Rock attitude can be found in the compositions, for example in "Gone Mad" or "Violent Youth", which could have been on Metallica's "Garage Days" as well.
All in all it's not a bad album, the songs seem to have some good structures, the instruments are played well (especially the guitar solos) and the production is also OK (though the sound is a little too neat), but there could be much more!
What I really don't like is the singer's voice. Though he was 24 when he recorded this, it sometimes sounds like he was still waiting for his puberty vocal change. Also the lyrics could be more elaborated. Looks like they've only translated the German lyrics word by word... what is "Land Of Corpse" supposed to mean anyway???
I don't know what more to say about an album like this one, normally I'd push the stop button after 20 seconds. I'd recommend them to improve the style a little and add some (or better a lot of) originality because I really think that there's potential in this band, especially because of the fact that this is their debut album! I think for now only their friends and families and maybe some patriots or Metallica maniacs will be interested in this CD. Check out their MySpace site, listen to some songs and form your own opinion but to be honest, I'd like to remain spared from all the clones and knockoffs, especially from the ones of the most overrated Metal band on Earth!

Arallu - "The Demon From The Ancient World"

Israel, Epidemie Records, Black Metal, 2005)

Arallu hail from from Israel and if there ever was a more appropriate setting for a Black Metal band, I really can't think of it. Such chaos and aggression coupled with the religious sectarianism creates the musically powder keg that is Arallu's music. Here we have little compromise from barbarianism and bloodshed, which is real Black Metal played the old way, as in Sarcofago, Morbid, Mutilator, Blasphemy etc. There is also a strong trace of early Slayer in the music. Mainman Butchered's voice is a harsh, dry mid-range snarl; think Nocturno Culto on "Panzerfaust" and you're almost there. The production is very dry sounding, the guitars sound paper thin and you can't really hear the bass at all. Strangely though, this seems to suit the music rather well, as I believe this makes the sound more "authentic", much like the bands from the late 80s and early 90s. I would rather listen to a band with a bad but pure analogue sound than a perfect digital computer recording; the latter lacks the energy and spirit this music requires. In several parts we also have some Middle Eastern influences with darbuka and some flute type instruments I don't recognise. It sounds great and really adds to the music. For me, the best songs on here are "War Spirit" and "Sierra Nevada" which have great riffs and a really warlike atmosphere. Fans of old school Black Metal with an original edge should really check out Arallu's music!

Arcanar - "Pylnyj Vladyka"

(Russia, Stygian Crypt, Dark/Doom/Death, 2006)

Well, well, Arcanar is a new born project of ex. Autumn members, saluting from Ekaterinburg city, Russian Federation. Musicians went deeply into their searching and got a weird result of such experiment. Huh, it even very hard to describe what the band perform, but no doubt, it is a kind of Dark/Doom Metal, diluted by Rock and Jazz influences as well. The main Doom Metal peg often transforms into very light form (as early Doom Metal founders did), and then turns into Dark Metal. I can't say it's a delight to listen to album, subsequently it's vice versa. Light acoustic parties and sad vocalist's bleating getting bored a lot and even powerful support of Death Metal-like riffs can't save the situation. Ah, pass out one funny moment: in the booklet Alexander Zernov (bass, vocals) looks like a real drug addicted person, gotten a dose, sitting on the chair between damaged flat and thinking how the life terribly.
Maybe this disc will find own lovers, especially who prefer to taste oldmen Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and things like that with weird atmosphere, but from height of our days Arcanar's album sounds very tedious and despite of its good recorded quality and musical experiments not caused a desire to listen to it again, at least for me.

Arcanum - "What If You Die Tomorrow..."

(Austria, Noisehead Records, Melodic Death Metal/Core, 2007)

Arcanum was founded in the summer of 2004. After some line-up changes and intensive rehearsals they've played their first gig at the Black Lagoon Battle band contest in 2005 where they won every round including the final one. In April 2005 the demo "Chaos Arise" was finished, which brought them a deal with Noisehead Records (Perishing Mankind, Ars Moriendi, Before The Fall...)
This debut album was recorded only two and a half years after the band was founded, and it's a very strong one, not only when considering this fact!
In the main it sounds like Morbid Angel (especially the vocals remind me of an angry David Vincent) mixed with Disbelief and some hardcore influences (some of the members played in the hardcore band Injection before). Old school meets Death'n'Roll, something like that...
Check out "Behind The Paradise" (mp3 on the website!) and you'll love them if you're into this kind of Metal. This outstanding song combines all the trademarks of Arcanum: modern sharp riffs, great melodies & rhythms, well played (subltle) solos and a interesting voice - between screaming and growling (here and there a little distorted) - opened by an evil whispered intro, (great idea - I've only heard this kind of vocals from Toxodeth, a very strange band from Mexico). The sound is in general powerfull though clean, very well produced. The artwork is pretty simple except for the front cover (which is a damn good eyecatcher), there are even some obvious ortographic mistakes in the lyrics, a fact which I can't understand...
Well, for my taste it's a little monotone. There's not very much happening, it could be more and the lyrical themes (war, apocalypse, proud warriors and stuff like that...) also don't fit with my ideas, but I like this CD for what it is: A promising new beginning from a young band! Be sure to check them out!

Archgoat - "Whore Of Bethlehem"

(Finland, Hammer Of Hate Records, Black Grind, 2006)

Pure underground! Pure blasphemy! Pure brutal art! I guess this can sum up what you can find on this release! Who would have expected the revival of this horde? Who can still accept this kind of art now? Reading reviews of this album I saw that this is a not so praised release, lots of the reviewers saying they would have better remained buried and forgotten...
Coming to the music, they play in the vein of the old school Black Grind, or proto black à la Blasphemy, Belial, Beherit (and bands with which they have released a posthumous split CD under Necropolis Records in 1999). The production is down tuned and the atmosphere created is very subterranean. Ranging from blast beats to slower parts you have enough here to satisfy your needs if you are a fanatic of this kind of music. (Read Blasphemy - "Fallen Angel of Doom") There is no song here that I can say is the best, since I believe the purpose of this release was not to have hit singles but to give to the true "bangers" a release to worship.
"Whore Of Bethlehem" is a release that you will either love or hate, there are no other alternatives. Words are useless; you got to have this in your collection!

Argus - "Obscur Și Etern"

(Romania, Self released, Raw Black Metal, 2000)

This is the fourth demo by this band and you can see evolution here! Starting from the sound quality to the manner of composition. Mainly here you can find slow atmospheric Black Metal, followed by lots of Raw Black Metal passages. Everything sounds good here with an extra point for the vocals and the keys a little bit influenced by Negură Bunget. Favourite songs: "Evocând Lumina Lunii" (this song also appears on the "Tribute to the Mighty" promo) & "Iarna Neagră". I recommend this to all Dark Throne fans. This is true Black Metal in the Norse way!

Argus Megere - "Solitar În Straniu"

(Romania, Banatian Darkness/Domina, Atmospheric Black Metal, 2006)

Argus Megere is not a new name in the Romanian Black Metal Scene, Argus Megere is the name that the band Argus took some time ago when they've realized that another band with this name existed and funny as it is a brand of sun seed oil in Romania. They and Negură Bunget are the oldest Black Metal bands around here, on their first release "Diabolical Risen To The Nocturnal Sky", Hupogrammos Disciple's, the vocalist and guitar player from Negură Bunget did the bass lines! After this followed the demo "Castelul Nopții", raw medieval Black Metal which features Tammuz (Popovici Sergiu) on guitar/bass and vocals, who later founded the hardest bands from Timișoara, Stone Fixion (Modern Metal). "Tribute To The Mighty" followed next, a rehearsal demo with raw sound, very hard, if not impossible to find nowadays, "Obscur Și Etern", their first "demo album" was the first pro demo of the band and almost gave them a contract with the Romanian shit label Pro Music Productions which ripped them off!
In their 10th year of activity they released "Solitar În Straniu" their first album, released on pro duplicated CD-R. As sound they've improved again but the atmosphere on "Obscur Și Etern" is lost, only few hints appear from time to time. Asking Fulmineos on one of our discussions why did they changed the style he said that we are living other times and they've improved, I can't deny that but they've lost the raw atmosphere too. Well, something lost but new things appeared: better structured songs, and diversity...
I don't know a band that sounds like this; they surely have something of their own now, as weird as it seems you can find influences by The Cure (!!!) in one of their songs "În Cripta Solitudinii Eterne" (listen carefully to the clean guitar lines), also going further on the album you will find some other unusual things as in "Din Toamne Cimerice", they are using a Romanian traditional instrument called alpenhorn, which is a type of bugle used by the mountain shepherds called "Moții" for signaling different things in the Apușeni Mountains. In the past the alpenhorn was used for signaling the Turkish invasions. "Noaptea Arcanelor" literally Arcana Noctis in Romanian (hehe) is somehow reminiscent of the atmosphere from "Castelul Nopții", not being on that demo, ("Misticile Poteci Ale Eternitații" and "Triumful Hoardelor Păgâne" being on that demo, the later with another name). All in all a promising release (it was the time for it I may say).
One of the best things, they didn't turned into a technical band; I hate technical Black Metal (one exception: Immortal!)

Ars Moriendi - "Your Soul On Our Screen"

(Austria, Self released, Thrash/Death Metal, 2005)

This band from Graz/Styria was active for many years in the Austrian Metal underground. I saw them live two or three times, but it didn't really hit me, maybe because of the sound most of the bands have at these underground shows... I got this EP at a gig where they played together with Bloodfeast and Perishing Mankind. It's an appetizer for the new forthcoming album (I believe it should be out in autumn 2006 on Black Lagoon Records).
I didn't expect much, but I'm really surprized. They call it Thrash Metal, but fortunately it's more than this, there's more to discover... a courageous sound. The first band that came to my mind when I've heard this was In Flames (since the "Reroute" album, but without the clean vocals). I'm refering to the compositions and the production, it's not a copy... not to forget some Pungent Stench and early Disastrous Murmur influences, I think most Austrian Metal bands are "doomed" to have them... but is it bad? In no case! ...sometimes they remind me of Scarve too, and this is a great compliment!
There are short but nice passages from other genres that fit perfectly (I'm getting bored very quickly with an "old school-whatever" CD... there are certainly some good ones, but you can't record an 15 year old album nowadays) for example some violins at the end of "Cold Heart" (real ones or keyboards, who cares?) or the Korn-like intro of "Frustration", my favourite song here... Heavy, melodic and modern! The way it should be...
The first half of "Tell Me Mirror" is dark, more keyboards and some effects but it transforms into an uptempo song with great screams! The vocalist is pretty good (he should try to sing clean now and then maybe), I can't find any lack of skills in the way the are playing their music anyway... good job! All in all a very good EP that makes you look forward to the full length CD. Each of the three tracks has it's own feeling, the socially critical lyrics also fit well in the sound.
Though it's self released, it's a professional made CD (booklet, jewelcase) and it's sealed! I personally hate unsealed CDs ;) There are still some left, for only 4 Euros, so check it out!
I wonder how many above average bands exist and they hardly find a proper record deal. If I count the labels that are releasing Neo Thrash/Metalcore/N.W.O.A.H.M. I can find at least hundreds with lots of shitty releases. Bands that are mixing good old Metal with stupid Pop Punk Rock clichés à la Blink 182 and pretend that they are evil and aggressive and their main goal is to get loads of cash and chicks... Well this is not the case here, Ars Moriendi play modern Thrash Metal with Melodic Death Metal influences but they do not mix in their sound "girlie" passages and this is a big plus I can say. "Your Soul On Our Screen" is the first release of theirs that I listen to and if this is their official debut then I must bow my head to them for not sending a big shit to review but a powerful release, definitely not recorded in bedroom - a new trend in Metal world, this release is just "a taste of things to come" because they promise to release a new album in 2006 so keep an eye on them, they are worthy!

Ars Moriendi - "Journey To Your Agony"

(Austria, Noisehead Records, Thrash/Death Metal, 2006)

Ars Moriendi's debut album is finally finished, it took pretty long to record this one but it was worthwhile! They used the time to build up an (more or less) orriginal style of modern Thrash/Death Metal, that really kicks ass!
The ten (new) tracks on "Journey To Your Agony" are full of details, from the great intro that's leading into a blastbeat attack with some of the most intense screams I've heard recently ("Shot you down") to the last (very untypical) song, there are a lot of things to discover! The quality is not constantly high, but it's not a 70 minutes long album, so you can listen to it without getting bored... again and again!
The main structures are the enduring In Flames-like leads and modern riffs mixed with Michael's strong and peculiar voice, which he uses to create some really creepy feelings sometimes (like the desperate dirty and unpolished screams and growls in "A Weak Moment", a great one with not so common structures). "My Worst Enemy" starts smoothly, a little strange (sort of "Nothing Else Matters" in soap opera style, hope it's intended, hehe) and changes suddenly into a monster, and the last song is even a pure ballad (which is quite short and ends abruptly for some reason)... I don't know why they didn't listed it on the tracklist of the CD, only on the website... Well, I think this kind of songs performed by Metal bands almost always have the feeling of Extreme's cheesy "More Than Words", but it's definitely courageous and it's OK!
The compositions are held varied by continually returning interesting programming/keyboard sounds and arrangements, like orchestral parts for example, which fit very well with the whole! Especially the opener "Shot You Down", my favourite here, combines all the above mentioned ingredients. Also check out "Breathless" and "Retrospect"! All in all this album can keep up with international standards, and together with the nice booklet, it's the 14 Euros worth!

Arsebreed - "Munching The Rotten"

(The Netherlands, Neurotic Records, Brutal Death Metal, 2005)

When you got a band with a line-up formed by much known musicians from the Dutch Brutal Death Metal scene, such as: Loris from Mangled, Robbe K from Disavowed, Joel and Frank from Pyaemia, you could say that the final result is an excessively good one from the start. Although Arsebreed is a band formed too recently, they succeeded to impress many headbangers who were attracted by its ultra Brutal Death Metal music in the vein of Deeds Of Flesh or Deicide. Still from the first hearing of "Munching The Rotten", a devoted fan of Brutal Death Metal could find some similarities between Arsebreed and U.S. Brutal Death Metal masters called Fleshgrind; especially between singers vocal score, Rich Lipscomb and Joel being frequently compared one from another. Also, we can hear very technical lines who approach bands musical way of playing, something you can hear on "Holy Pedophile" demo. Another band that could be compared to Arsebreed is Lividity, especially on "...'Til Only The Sick Remain" album. I'd like to tell you that "Munching The Rotten" fascinated me still from the first playing of this CD; Arsebreed way of playing being 100% on my taste. Generally speaking, this product reveals an intelligent combination between brutal and very technical and complex Metal phases. Arsebreed showing us that its constituent's skills afford any kind of improvisations. Band very technical Brutal Death Metal breaks any boundaries in the extreme Metal area, although Arsebreed remains a band with a certain dose of Groove Metal lines. Concerning band technical details, you should notice that Arsebreed vocal score is a very good one thanks to its 2 incredible singers Joel and Robbe K; both of them combining incredible well tonalities into screaming or very guttural scores. Floris drums are in a ceaseless rhythm changing, his musical instrument being the main attraction point of this album. A high mark is taken by band guitar section, where Daniel and Pranger, band former members, succeeded to find the perfect balance between brutality and aggressive and melodic/technical parts. Rizzo, band bass guitar player, seem to be a little bit disadvantaged by his mates, but his bass guitar riffs or hard breaks show us a very technical instrumentalist. All Arsebreed 6 players make an incredible team, ready to perform probably the sickest music on Earth. "Munching The Rotten" band bastard, will surely attract you through its musical and lyrical content, something very well played who remind to old head bangers about Cannibal Corpse or Carcass way of writing. So beware of Arsebreed because the Dutch really kicks asses.

Arvinger - "Helgards Fall"

(Norway, Self released, Viking Black Metal, 2003)

The Norseman's from Arvinger offer on their first self-released album a mixture of old school Black Metal and Viking Metal, they are sounding like a combination between Satyricon, Enslaved and Helheim. The compositions are diverse on this release; they have almost everything a fan of the genre can crave for: those powerful Viking riffs, high speed parts, slow parts, choirs, and lyrics written in Norse language, heroic keyboard lines, a bit comparable with the ones Enslaved used in the beginning and even some female vocals but they are not over abusing of them. An interesting thing is that they say that they are Christians (at least they thank in the booklet of the CD to "Our lord and savior Jesus Christ"). I can't find the connection between Vikings and Christianity, but anyway... I can't talk about the concept of the lyrics because I can't understand their native language. The front cover is not that great the drawing is a little bit childish, the inside cover shows some trees covered with snow (the image is better than the one from the front page).
If you are a fan of the Norse Black Metal this CD will satisfy you. Favourite songs: "Ut Fra Havn", "Mørkets Dal", and the best one in my opinion from this CD "Endetiden".

Atomtrakt - "Verwüstung"

(Germany, Self released, Industrial/Dark Ambient, 2003)

Debut MCD from this German Industrial project. Sparse and minimal in the extreme, the dark, foreboding Industrial sounds meld seamlessly with Neoclassical keyboard lines creating a deep effect of sadness, decay and neglect. Aesthetically describing a war torn, industrial landscapes, Atomtrakt summons feelings off loss, confusion and woe. "K.A.I.E" is highlight, and sums up Atomtrakt's manifesto in a nutshell. Driving Industrial tempos, wistful flowing synthesizer melodies, distorted, oratory style vocals... Introspective and reflective, powerful yet graceful; Atomtrakt have impressed me greatly with their doom-laden (yet inspiring) debut offering. I look forward to hearing more from this sublime project.

Atrox - "Binocular"

(Norway, Season Of Mist, Experimental Rock/Metal, 2008)

The story of Atrox began in 1988 (!!!) under the name Suffication. During the first 8 years they played several gigs and recorded some demos which received good reviews.
The first official release (a 7" entitled "Silence The Echoes") was out in 1996 on Danza Ipnotica Records, the debut album "Mesmerised" was released on Head Not Found Records in 1997. At that time Atrox played epic Death/Doom Metal.
The (first) deal with Season Of Mist came in 1998. The band experimented a lot with their sound and the result can be heard on the second full length "Contentum" (1999). "This album was a milestone for Atrox; finally they got to show what they were going for" says the info. In 2001 "Terrestrials" was released (also on SOM). These two albums got the attention of the press around the world and were either totally praised or slagged, but in any case they've pushed the listener's limits.
A new deal with Code666 brought the fourth album "Orgasm" in 2003, which was a mix of Meshuggah and The Gathering with some atmospheric electronic synths, and achieved the best reviews in the band's history so far.
In 2007 Atrox returned to Season Of Mist and recorded this album, the best one so far, in my opinion. From the beginning there were a lot of line-up changes, the most important change this time are the vocals. For the first time there's a male vocalist behind the microphone and they chose a real good one! Monika's vocals on the previous albums were not bad at all, but I prefer the kind which reflects some more self confidence and strength... Rune Folgerø's eccentric vocals are giving the songs the dose of freakiness they need. His smoky voice is really diverse, it sounds like there are at least four vocalists on this album! I especially like the fact that he also has the balls to show some feelings with a more fragile voice here and there!
Some of the Atrox members have already spiced up one of my favourite bands, Manes. The best example is Rune Sørgård. He is responsible for the programming, which loom large on this album and makes the songs much more interesting and intense. In the main, this record sounds like Manes' last album "How The World Came To An End", just not that dramatic but more cool and easygoing.
Every song is different and still there's a leitmotif. It would take a whole novel to describe all the details! It's so full of fresh ideas, sounds and arrangements! Things like distorted accordion sounds, subtle placed choirs, piano and string elements and the great (movie?) samples are making the songs comparable to a David Lynch movie... you think you understand what's going on but in fact it will always remain a mysterious riddle!
My favourite songs are "Retroglazed" and "Castle For Clowns" which has been available online before (as demo versions). Not without reasons! The opening track is "Retroglazed", which is full of (very well posted) strange samples and electronic parts. It consistently changes between Trip Hop-like sounds and hard "Pop Metal". And the ingenious synthesizer solo will give you the creeps for sure! "Castle For Clowns" begins with an eerie melody and could be described as a power ballad, but with a lot of style, not the cheesy kind! At the end it increases to a dramatic monumental song which makes no prisoners! I just love the uncommon way they arrange their songs. In fact every song here is a favourite! A favourite compared to the pre-programmed common bullshit you get everyday from the Metal scene.
As I've expected, the lyrics are also perfect! Pretty strange and very smart: "Reaching for the black coal / Waiting for the diamond ... Make me one more ladder / I'm going up"...
I really hope that they'll continue this way, especially after Manes "died"! This is a big shining star in the underground sky! The music Atrox are playing is not for everyone - the self description is Schizo Metal. :) But if you're open minded you'll discover some incredible structures and ideas here!
I'd give this album 12 points out of 10 if I could!

Avenging Angels - "Fragmentary Reailty"

(Austria, Self released, Melodic Death/Thrash Metal, 2006)

For two years now the line-up has been stable, so Avenging Angels decided to record and produce their debut by themselves, though (again) I don't understand why they don't have a deal... More than five years of rehearshals and live activity have elapsed, till they recorded "Fragmentary Reailty" (except for two older songs that were released on different local compilations) ...and it was worthwhile! You can hear it in the detailed structures of the eight powerfull songs.
OK, (in my opinion) it starts a little... common, but it gets more and more interesting. Edge of Sanity, In Flames and Kreator are listed as some of the influences in the info, and it's a little more than this (I can also hear a little of the old Hypocrisy spirit)... A good mix of old school combined with some cool "new" sounds and effects. I love the (sometimes very innovative) riffs... talented gutarists! The production is also great, in any case for a self produced album!
The songs differ from each other, it doesn't really get boring... In some cases I would even call it progressive, due to the many breaks and changes and also here and there some acoustic parts that are built in perfectly ...Mentionable are the Neurosis-like parts in "Time Will Arrive", the distorted vocals bridge in "Business Solution" that leads into an awesome blastbeat chorus and the melancholic melody at the beginning of "Who Do You Think You Are"! What I also like is the fact that there are two vocalists ...reminds me of Scarve. From deepest growls to sharpest screams you can enjoy all kinds of (in)human noises ...and (at least one of them) can even sing! ;)
I really enjoy this release, though it could be even more "modern" for me (the info says they've played straight Death with Nu Metal influences at the beginning...) but I think there are a lot of people who like it more simple, if I may say so...
My favourites are "Business Solution" (the first song they have recorded in their carreer, I think) and "Time Will Arrive". I hope there'll be an evolution on the next album, but they won't remain a sleeper, I can feel this... I'll stay tuned for sure! Check out the mp3's on their website, and buy the CD or some cool merchandise, if you like them!

Avulsed - "Nullo (The Pleasures Of Self-Mutilation)"

(Spain, Xtreem Music Records, Death Metal, 2009)

What I got here is the latest release of probably the most important Death Metal band hailing from Spain; a name that you know very good, a band that needs so presentation. In one word, Avulsed! "Nullo (The Pleasures Of Self-Mutilation)" is a combination between all band's materials, starting with the early days demos; an opus that brings in front of us a Death Metal musical content, heavy, skilled and with a lot of core lines, all these improved by a lyrical and visual contents that left me speechless! From time to time the album gets a slow Core Metal attitude, very well combined with many rhythm changes and with a technical level extremely well played by its constituents. The vocal score is one of the main attraction points of this CD, Dave, band's leader and the owner of Xtreem Music Records, being as always on top! I very much liked the drums section, with its blasts and beats, I'd say in a total communion with the other instruments, mostly with the 2 guitars; a very competent one although the man behind the sticks isn't much known in the main stream! All in all, Avulsed's new opus is for sure band's best material ever; being for sure a step forward for this Spanish combo. If you want to learn much more things about this band keep on eye on our interviews link and you'll find very soon the latest statements coming from Avulsed's camp!

Azarath - "Diabolic Impious"

(Poland, Pagan Records, Black/Death Metal, 2007)

Well, when I saw the cover first, I though that it's no doubt, really underground and raw kind of fucking Black Metal pest, which was keeping up all canons, since BW engraving which musicians took onto cover looks so. In fact, it's an impious mix of Black/Death Metal with strong influence of the last genre – Azarath sounds very similar to modern Behemoth's stuff. Ferrous, very fast and brutal in the best traditions of their Polish countrymen from Gdansk city. The atmosphere oozing out of icon's pus and Orthodox anti-Christian statement which band declare. Just take a look at their photos and it's enough to understand that we have a deal with old school narrowminded Metallers who have no compromises. It's definitely a talent to incarnate the sense of devil's coming into musical riffs, which blasphemously beat your ears and fill your mind by low demons of the lust, sickness and filth. Except, the wall of brutal storm, Azarath could keep melodic ways as well, since we may determine rare solo parts, emphasizing and setting the accents. Moreover, the tunes are fulfilled by drive and let you express all the hidden fucking hatred! The best kind for boozy headbangers, not for taciturn home listeners. Here is no innovation. Really I can't say even after dozens of listening, that Azarath have own original way, but... they make everything as it should be, in the best traditions of such an unholy mix of Black fucking Death Metal pestilence. Only semen, blood and blasphemy might be found here. In nomine Satanas!