Dol Amroth

Where in Honour the Elvinking Wars
[DEMO]

      By way of Greece comes Dol Amroth's first demo. This material is a mixture of keys, samples, narrative words and harsh black metal. This twelve track recording suffers from various audio blemishes and pops, which do not distract too much from the overall effect. The content of this work seems to draw much influence from J.R.R. Tolkien, as many bands of this type in the past. There is a lot of energy and work here, although things are a bit too chaotic at times. A promising demo.

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Dol Amroth

Back to Lands You Once Did Know
[DEMO]

      This is the second demo cassette from this Tolkien inspired greek band, and I might say, a much improved effort. This release is not only good, but shows great potential for future efforts. The material ranges from atmosphere produced by keys/samples with clean vocals to harsh black metal vocals. This band could greatly benefit from better equipment however. So then, with a better recording, this will be a band to watch for.

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Dawn of Azazel

Vita Est Militia Super Terram
[DEMO]

      From a land not usually known for black metal, New Zealand, come Dawn of Azazel. Although the recording of this demo suffers a bit, this is good, harsh and raw black metal. Primarily, this band seems to focus on speed and aggression, but melody finds its place as well. A very intense, militant and promising band. Reccomended.

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Battlehorns

Battlehorns
[DEMO]

      From France, Battlehorns are a very interesting black metal act. The music is melodic and grim, and captures the audio atmosphere of early 90's black metal very well. This CD contains work from their previous demos and is limited to 500 copies. A great CD. Injecting new blood into black metal for 2002.

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Speedealer

Second Sight
[Palm Pictures]

      Musically, this CD is rythmic, melodic and catchy. I don't get into too much new heavy metal anymore, but this is perhaps one of the more talented acts. This is their fourth effort, produced by Jason Newsted of Metallica... this also has thrash elements to it as well, which aren't done nearly as well. This CD starts out good, but it degrades as the songs go on. Not my style, maybe you'll enjoy this though.

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Cattle Decapitation

To Serve Man
[Metal Blade Records]

      Wow, this is some of the best death metal you've ever heard from Metal Blade. And a very welcome release to the genre. Very harsh sounding, guttural vocals, pounding drums and catchy guitars explode together in a great experience. Fans of old Broken Hope, Carcass and the like rejoice: This is a new leader in death metal for the new millennium. Fabulous and very recommended.

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Martyr

To Confirm When Destruction Comes
[Regimental Records]

      From Holland, Martyr proves to be a very promising black metal band. This is the first publicly available CD and limited to 1000 copies. While this doesn't really offer anything new, it provides a good listening experience and is done quite well. A welcome addition to your black metal library! A good solid band. Recommended.

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Art of Darkness

Mind Suicide
[self]

      Art of Darkness are melodic death metal from Italy. Not your typical death metal band, this CD manages to stay interesting, each song usually standing out in some way. The music is at times heavy and aggressive, sometimes with black metal type backing vocals, and yet other times melodic and atmospheric. A promising release with a lot of potential.

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Midnight Syndicate

Vampire: Symphonies from the Crypt
[Entity Productions]

      The masters of atmospheric horror return once again! It seems as if Midnight Syndicate can do no wrong. Symphonies from the Crypt contains masterful dark ambience. Some of the best in the genre. Another superb release. Recommended!

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Harkonin

Promo 2002
[self]

      A new force of black metal on the scene, Harkonin play fairly straight forward black metal. Not too fast, not too slow, they manage to capture a degree of melody in this three track promotional release. A promising new contender in the world of black metal.

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Widow

No Stone Unturned
[Burning Village Music]

      Self described as 'horror metal,' I seem to miss the point there, as they don't project any kind of horror. However, this is a very interesting band. Musically, they are akin to Iron Maiden, and are quite proficiant musicians. They really do capture that great 80's metal sound. Vocally, it could be a bit more powerful, have more depth. Overall, this is a good release, very interesting. I look forward to see their future efforts.

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Lacrimas Profundere

Fall, I will Follow
[Napalm Records]

      Described as "commercial melancholic Rock" and "songs that are sure to become radio hits" immediately fill me with dread. This is lame and boring gothic rock from beginning to end. I never did like this type of music, and I still don't. Enough said!

Devlin

Grand Death Opening
[Napalm Records]

      Featuring Marcus Ehlin of Siebenburgen, this is a long ways away from the first few Siebenburgen releases, which were great. Described as a cross between goth/dark wave and doom... well, Marcus' vocals were good, a black/death sort of style, but the female vocalist found throughout the CD only annoyed me, and ruined the positive elements of this CD. The press information claims she is the highlight, but it is rather the opposite. Musically, it is rather straightforward, maybe a bit on the boring side. Lastly, for all you Billy Idol fans out there in black metal! This CD includes a cover of "White Wedding!" I think I'll pass on this one. You should too.

Meatshits

Sniper at the Fag Parade
[Moribund Records]

      The 38 tracks of this CD range from 5 seconds to 9:14, and I guess this band is more comical than anything else. Some people might take grave offense to this band and its outrageous song titles and lyrics, but it seems more of a joke than anything. If you strip away everything but the music, this is actually quite good doom/death. Very grungy and filled with an assortment of samples, this is a lot better than I thought it would be. You might like this harsh sound, and if you're lucky you'll get a half-twisted smile while reading the outrageous song titles/lyrics. You decide. But the first track, "The Second Degree of Torture" among a few others, definitely has some great moments.

Genocide Kommando

Black Metal Supremacy
[Moribund Records]

      This black metal assault comes to you courtesy of Kommander Noktu (Celestia) and Kommander Horrendus (Corpus Christi), and what a grim assault it is. Raw and melodic, grim and full of rage, this is the formula of great black metal. The vocal duties are switched off, with Horrendus on three tracks and Noktu on the other five. I have to say I prefer Horrendus' vocals. He does a great job breathing that beloved and familiar tortured, hateful spirit into the songs. A great piece of black metal!

Summon

...And the Blood Runs Black
[Moribund Records]

      One of the longest standing US black metal bands, dating back to 1991, '...And the Blood Runs Black' is the culmination of eleven years of song writing, recording and touring. Their work has definitely paid off, because this is one of America's best black metal releases of 2003. This contains so many great elements... it is melodic, fast and coherent, with one of the most proficient vocalists I've heard in some time. The music is very driving and heavy, ever changing and always interesting. If you are looking to pick up a new black metal CD, look no further. A crushing, explosive release!

Ad Hominem

Planet Zog- The End
[CDR]

      ...wow. Ad Hominem, from France has succeeded in impressing me more than any black metal band in a long time. That distinct feeling of coldness and atmosphere is deeply captured here. You know the feeling, like you used to feel back in the day when black metal was still underground, with its mystery and dark allure. Track one is a superb work of black metal imbued with that addictive sound and atmosphere all true fans of black metal long for. Before receiving this CDR from the band I had never heard of this act. At the time of this writing I still know very little, but rest assured this will soon change. You must trust me and do yourself a favor and get this CD! I could not recommend it more. A superb creation!

Murderous Vision

The Times Without Gods
[Live Bait Recording Foundation]

      Stephen Petrus of Murderous Vision proves himself very proficient in creating dark and compelling soundscapes. A forbidding experience of dark and macabre atmosphere awaits your mind and spirit. The Times Without Gods takes you to haunted shores of sound and feeling, and is easily one of my favorite acts in the dark ambient genre. Feelings of solitude, ghostly cold and darkly bizarre sound are woven neatly into these nine tracks. Unique and recommended!

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the true Frost

Open the Portals to Darkness
[Millenium Metal Music]

      Once more Germany's Frost explode onto the scene with another ferocious CD! If you are like me, and were very impressed by their past releases, then you will definitely receive this release with open arms. All of the powerful, raw and ferocious black metal of the past is reborn in 'Open the Portals to Darkness.' This release is has very catchy guitar/drum work ranging from blazing fast to mid-paced, all executed very well. Combined with inhuman, harsh vocals, it is a very explosive experience. Another welcome release from this fabulous band.

Antique

Book One
[Trostlos Records]

      Described as combing elements of "classical/symphony, death metal and dark music," and I guess some of that fits loosely. Much of the vocals are spoken word, accompanied by piano or keys utilizing various sounds/instruments. The whole spoken word thing is pretty boring I found, and mostly it just doesn't do the music justice. Musically, this is pretty good, but the various styles of vocals steal from its charm. They just don't seem to fit well. There is certainly potential here, if only they could improve the vocal flaws.

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