Jaw

Jaw
[Jaw Entertainment]

      From Canada, Jaw summons forth some tightly spun brutality. Well-played and ferociously sung, broken up by some clean vocals, which I could do without. Minus the clean vocals, this would be so better, but the mixture ruins it for me... there is no denying these guys edge in crafting music though.

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Fuckpot

Fuckpot
[self release]

      From Michigan, the bio for this band is more interesting than their music (i.e. one instance, apparently holding a local show in someone's basement, attracting nine people, the band never showing up, locking the people in the basement and blaring their static and screams release from hidden speakers, until some time after the 'audience' broke through the door... well, who knows if this is true, but it would have been an interesting idea, nonetheless). Fuckpot is a blend of samples, starting from Rosemary's Baby, and electronic beats and sounds. They've released various things in the past, maybe of note would be some seven inches of static and screaming (?)... it seems much of the motivation of this band is to irritate people. If you like to be irritated, or perhaps locked in a basement, on say a rainy Michigan night, look these guys up!

St. Madness

We Make Evil Fun!
[Nasty Prick Records]

      We Make Evil Fun is a combination of three previous albums, 14 songs, plus six never released tracks. This band is a mixture of heavy metal and rough sounding vocals. The music is well-played, catchy, but obviously from the title of the album, not very serious, imagery-lyric wise. Fans of old metal will probably appreciate this, there isn't a lot of bands which sound like this anymore.

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Syntho-Maggot

Syntho-Maggot
[Self release CDR]

      Three tracks of quite strange sounding tracks... The first track is pretty dark sounding, lots of sounds, black metal'ish vocals... this changes fast, track two is cleanly sung with melodic backdrop, not bad either. Track three is sort of a combination of the two first tracks... this is a very strange self release. It's quite unique and well done. It would be interesting to hear a full release.

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Sadogoat

CDR compilation
[CDR sampler]

      Ahh... the harsh and trend-killing darkness of Sadogoat. This CDR is a review sampler containing 20 very raw although often melodic tracks derived from four releases: "Suicidal Satanic Death" demo 2002, Sadogoat/Black Jehovah "Demo #6/Terror Cult", Black Jehovah "Terror Cult" and "Virgin Mary Scorned." Some of Sadogoat's dark magic lies in the fact that it would seem they don't strive to impress anyone, more so than perhaps any other band. Their music and sounds are extremely raw and dark, an unpolished stone. Yet, lying beneath the chaos of their recordings, is a dark melody and vibe of an all but forgotten root of black metal. If you haven't heard them, and can lay your hands on one of their releases, do so! Enjoy the beautiful and ugly sounds of chaos unleashed...

Sadorass

Sunwheel Soldiers of the Aquaryan Age
[self, cassette]

      It is always a pleasure to see and hear another of this obscure German band's releases. This release was originally planned to be a MCD out on Christhunt Records, but was decided to be a limited release, only sent to a few people whom the person behind this knows will appreciate it as it was meant. The inlay explains that, S.H. (the person responsible for this release) has grown fed up with the direction of the scene, as have many, myself included. The over-popularity, the over-produced recordings, the trends, etc... It's too bad this wasn't a full release though, as it is a great work, one that the scene will never hear.

The Victim's Shudder

Sonic Torture Methods-Promo 2004
[CDR]

      Here are six songs of dark ambience done very well. Eerie, dark and atmospheric, I really enjoyed this release, and if you like dark ambience, you most likely will too. Very well done.

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Teratism

The Blessing of Death
[The Root of All Evil]

      Teratism return with a full length release at last, and it was worth the wait. This CD really impressed me. It is full of quality and energy. While it is intense, straight forward black metal, they have expertly woven in melody and feeling. It is bands like this that keep the flame of black metal alive. True contenders in this dead world. I couldn't recommend this more to you.

Pactum

Staining the White Veils of Chrisianity with the Blood of Decapitated Lamb
[Somber Music]

      Wow, now that is a long name for a release, isn't it? Anyway, Pactum are from Brazil. The music here is very good, full of interesting changes and sounds. The vocals, kind of a screechy black metal style, also compliment things well. It really is a shame that South American black metal, as this from Brazil, and the next few reviews, find little or no distribution. So typically, I find bands from this region very talented and full of energy. Pactum are another great band that hopefully, with the help of Somber Music, you'll be able to hear soon.

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Evilwar

Evilwar
[Somber Music]

      Another black/death metal assault from Brazil. Evilwar are former members of the band Murder Rape. And once again a worthy effort. Melodic, dark, intense, and like many bands from the region, they sound very old school. A very good release, I was really impressed with this. Recommended!

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Miasthenia

Batalha Ritual
[Somber Music]

      Wow, this is some really killer stuff! Again, Somber Records brings more great music to the world through another Brazilian band. Miasthenia play very atmospheric, melodic music, with great black metal vocals. 2004 marks this bands ten year anniversary, and I'm just now hearing them, but what a super release to celebrate it with. This CD is enormously good. You must hear it, I couldn't recommend it more.

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Crux Caelifera

Ad Lucifer Aeternam Gloriam
[Somber Music]

      Formed in 1996, Crux Caelifera is another worthy entry into Brazilian black metal. The line-up includes members of the great band Mythilogical Cold Towers. There is a lot going on here, soundwise, maybe too much, since it can get kind of chaotic at times. Despite that, it's melodic and fairly raw, and has a good feeling to it. Overall, it is quite a decent release, and I look forward to the next offering.

Folklord

Resistance
[Somber Music]

      The last of the bunch from Somber music, and the end seems no less great than the beginning. Folklord play a sort of grungy yet melodic, heavy style of music crowned by thrashy sounding vocals, everything coming together extremely good. Some songs sound very pagan, with flutes and drums, and vocals in their native tongue. Perhaps what stands up the highest here is Folklord's uniqueness. Once again, I am impressed. Another high recommendation. I'd also like to note the quality of Somber Music's releases, all of the paper is glossy and bright, some coming with CD slipcovers. Great to see care and quality in such a sloppy and rushed day and age!

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Leaves Eyes

Lovelorn
[Napalm Records]

      This release, a cd-rom, upon being inserted into your pc, uses quicktime to open an interactive display which plays the songs, displays lyrics and pics, etc.. Leaves Eyes is fronted by ex-Theatre of Tragedy vocalist Liv Kristine, as well as the current Atrocity line-up. As to the music, it sounds a little more like her solo work previous, then say her work with T.oT., is that bad? No, her skill as a vocalist shines here well, and although a bit more upbit sounding than I usually prefer, it's not bad at all. Also doing some vocals here is Alexander from Atrocity.

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Vinterriket

Landschaftsmalerische Klangwelten Synthetischer Tonkunst 1996-2002
[Parasite Records/Dead Souls Productions]

      Whew, now that is a long name for a CD title. This CD is a re-release by Parasite Records out of the UK. Basically, this is collected early recordings, the demo '...Gjennom Takete Skogen' as well as early EP's and a re-recorded bonus track. Now, to the music, this is dark ambience, and well done, yet some tracks can get boring at times, but not often. The songs are very rich, and well executed. If you like dark ambience, you should definately give this a try.

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Necessary Evil

Juggernott
[self-release]

      This self-released CD looks more like a video game than a heavy metal CD, with its rather uninspired cover of a skull and nuclear explosion... but, it is the music that's important. Well, this is heavy metal, with a vocalist whose voice is on the harsher side, and music which is pretty heavy. With a little refinement, they would be a lot better. We'll see.

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Craft

Terror Propaganda
[Moribund Records]

      Here we have some very good black metal reminiscent of the good old days. From Sweden, Craft return with a vengeance. Cold, raw and melodic, the best ingredients to black metal... Highly recommended.

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Belphegor

Lucifer Incestus
[Moribund Records]

      Despite even their kick ass cover for this album (which I've enlarged for your perverse viewing pleasure)... this CD fucking hammers! These Austrians know how to play brutal death metal here. Relentless from beginning to end! Top notch stuff here. Get this!

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