Ulceration - "Submerged In Gluttony"

(The Netherlands, Bizarre Leprous Production, Brutal Death Metal, 2004)

Recorded by Tim Bleske in May 2004 in Asylum Studio, and mastered in Mastermind Studio in June 2004 by Trevor Sadler, "Submerged In Gluttony" brings in front of us a 5 track MCD album into Brutal Death Metal way of playing!
This CD is a very brutal and intense one, band memebers being attracted by the U.S. Brutal Death Metal area. Singer's vocal register use a guttural score, an extremely grave one; the symbiosis between singer's voice and the musical instruments being an extremely inteligent one too. I supose that band's guitar is the most interesting musical instrument used by Ulceration; its attacks, riffs and solos showing us that John Lecher knows very well to handle his instrument. The rhythm changes are absolutelly brutish, the drums section being in a real search for the perfect rhythm to fit perfectly with this sound battle. We can frequently meet some Hardcore elements, the final result being a very good one for the headbangers around the world. Also, we can find some slower Metal phases, an idea that gives to "Submerged In Gluttony" another musical dimenssion, an interesting final concept.
Finaly I'd like to add that Ulceration prepares another album that probably will be recorded for Unmatched Brutality Records from U.S.A.

Uncreation's Dawn - "Lightninig Hammer Falls"

(Finland, Hammer Of Hate Records, Black Metal, 2004)

After many years of intense activity, the Finish Black Metal masters have finally succeeded to record their first full length effort called "Lightning Hammer Falls"! Honestly I've never expected to meet such a good band; I was very impressed from the first accords. This product contains 7 tracks into Raw Black Metal, although it's total running time is about 40 minutes. We have here more than a half an hour of intense Black Metal, near to Immortal, very well combined with a few Death Metal lines, even with some Thrash Metal elements too. CD songs are 5 minutes long each, very intense and raw, a decisive role having the rhythmical section and the guitar. Although I'm not a devoted Black Metal fan, it's obvious that Uncreation's Dawn is one of my favourite 10 Black Metal bands ever. An incredible vokills who passes very easy from screaming to growling, deadly guitar solos and a totally anti-Christian attitude and lyrical concept, compounds an unitary whole from which the Finnish been frequently compared with Destroyer 666 or Grand Belial's Key. The sound is a very good one and the production too; because these aren't bad elements, the final result is a very good one, genre fans will be enlighten by this material.

Ungraved - "A Life Elder"

(Russia, Backfire Productions, Symphonic Death/Doom Metal, 2006)

Well, the chapter of Ungraved have to me written apart from whole Russian Doom scene, where the came band from. This act shows us unbelievable art potential and non-standard approach to the question of song's composition! Ungraved, according the band's name, had a Death Metal past, and soon probably decided to find own way in music. What we have got? An eclectic mix of ferrous Death Metal riffs, spiced by emotional Doom elements and unique keyboard atmosphere. The voice is very deepest and certain, spreading a stench of death. Sometimes, it's strange to listen to "virgin" keyboards passages, sorrowful melody and this power growling! Songs are not ideal, but do not forget it's just a debut work and even here we can feel the great potential that band have! "A Life Elder" is full of surprises! You never been know what you may await, song's structure is broken and unpredictable and when I listen to this opus, I find the resemblance with great Russian masters of Doom/Death/Black Metal Psilocybe Larvae, which name is well-known to any cultural "doomster" inside of Russia. I think, it's a good deal for Backfire Productions to possess this material. No doubt, the band go onward and next album, as I suppose, will not be worse that current interesting debut work!

Urfaust - "Einsiedler"

(The Netherlands, Van Records, Black Metal, 2009)

The second material from Van Records is signed Urfaust, and it introduce us a so called Black Metal music. In the end this is a combination between so many elements that made me to label this release as Funeral Doom combined with experimental Black Metal and with slow moments and unusual chants! This album surprised me from the first of its accords; and in only 2 tracks it made me to travel into something I never got in before, a depressive work that can bring you in the 4th dimension of your own! I have to recognize that I never heard such things like this before, but I think I'll do from now on; a very good and intelligent material that speaks for itself and it needs no other introduction and some other shitty things like that! Honestly I really don't know what to say about such a great work, because it's so good that left me no space for some other comments. I'd like to end here because is useless to talk about such a brilliant album; but keep on eye on the interviews link because very soon you'll find an interview with this incredible combo! Incredible, excellent, impressive!!!

Urduk - "Pimedate Metsade Sügavustes"

(Estonia, Black Metal, Mahtra Records, 2006)

Listening to Urduk's debut demo, I am transported back 5 years in time to when I first heard Must Missa's demo "Sex Beyond The Grave". Not only do Urduk sound pretty much exactly like Missa used to, but they hail from the same town of Kilingi-Nõmme and this 4 song demo is released by an ex-member of Must Missa!
Urduk's music is generally up tempo, with fizzy, abrasive guitars playing evil sounding riffs, with an almost Punk-like simplicity. There are some slower parts that add a little variety, but for the most part this is fast, necro and uncompromising. Absolutely unoriginal, but Raw Black Metal is more about energy and intensity, two characteristics this demo has in spades.
You can find more info about Urduk at www.myspace.com/urduk. You can get the demo (CD-R with pro-cover) for 4 GBP or 6 EUR from Mahtra Records at the address below.

Urn - "Dawn Of The Devastation"

(Finland, No Sign Of Life, Thrash/Black Metal, 2006)

"Dawn Of The Devastation" is Urn's fifth release and second album after 2001's "666 Megatons". The style that they are playing is tributary to 80s Thrash Metal combined with primitive Black Metal and some old Heavy Metal. This album is more like a love or hate thing and for sure is not meant to be listened by the masses having in mind that for most Thrash Metal listeners of today it will be at least outdated having in mind that this mostly sounds as Venom or Hellhammer on speed.
After the intro "Introaarr From The Depths" hell unleashes, songs like "Possessed By Satan", "Rise Of Necromancy" or "Massgravedesecration" - this song has some great moments, great technical combinations between drums/guitars and some nice riffs - will for sure appeal to any true thrasher around. Their style is not progressive and quite minimal, mostly played in high speed. This release is very intense, the drumming is mind blowing, guitars are sounding harsh, the bass lines are very audible and the vocalist sounds possessed. Lyrically they deal with devastation, Satanic and occult topics, not mere poetry but good stuff. A minus would be the cover which is quite strange I may say, also the production is a bit thin but fortunately very clear.
Not bringing anything new to the scene this is a good addition to your collection if you like bands like Toxic Holocaust, Witchery, Front Beast or plain and simple good thrashing Black Metal.

Uruk Hai - "Barbarians - Orcish Battle Hymns"

(Austria, Chanteloup Creations, Ambient/Black Metal, 2000)

On this demo from Uruk-Hai is presented some kind of Tolkien influenced Ambient which from time to time is evolving into a soft kind of Black Metal. There are five songs here including two epics "Ea - The Secret Fire" and "The Dragonslayer". I didn't liked at all he strange computer generated drums and some of the vocals. There are also some samples here that make you feel you are near a river somewhere in a forest. The cover is b/w Xerox copied.

Uruk-Hai - "Darkness"

(Austria, Chanteloup Creations, Ambient/Black Metal, 2001)

On this tape album of Uruk-Hai is presented a mixture between Ambient and electronic Black Metal. There are some long songs like "Of Thingol And Melian" and "Then The Gloom Gathered, Darkness Growing". Lots of movie samples are to be found here. This is a step further into the process of creation for Uruk-Hai. I don't know if you knew but this is a project of Hugin from Hrossharsgrani. Also here you can find an unusual cover for Motörhead's "March Or Die". Album recommended to Tolkien fans.