Reviews page 19

Civil Unrest

Civil Unrest
[Self-release CDR]

From sunny Oceanside, California come this death metal outfit... the music is pretty good, traditional death metal. The vocals also follow this vein, reminding me of Suffocation, with some screeches thrown in occasionally. Personally, I could do with out the screeches, sometimes the mix of styles only subtracts from the music, and with such a strong main vocalist, they should stick to what works best. Not a bad five song release. A lot of promise here.

Promo 2003/Flesh, Blood & Lust
[Self-release CDR]

A double CDR from this dark ambient underground band from Germany. This disc starts out forboding and dark, an eerie ambience seeps through this work. In a genre of so many boring bands, Namtar is truly a dark gem. Very unique, dark and interesting stuff! Recommended!

S.J.P.
Am Hang 14
35096 Weimar/Lahn
Germany

Solace in the Shadows

The Screaming to Survive EP
[Red Candle Records]

From Philadelphia, Solace in the Shadows play some very energetic and quality black metal. The guitars stand out the most perhaps, very melodic and catchy, while the vocalist has a powerful voice as well. Very quality stuff here, my only complaint being sometimes the music turns extremely fast, and it loses a lot of the intensity and verges on chaos. Luckily this doesn't happen too often. Solace in the Shadows are currently seeking label support for a full length release, and no doubt, they'll get it. A very worthy contender.

Of Infinity

The Essense of Infinity
[Self-release]

From Texas come this female fronted melodic metal band. The first song of this three track release, The Voice Without, showcases a lot of talent in the vocalist and melody in the band. Unfortunately, the next two songs lose their appeal for me. What was captured in the first track doesn't carry over nearly as nicely. Nonetheless, undeniable talent and energy here, and I look forward to a full length release.

Martial Barrage

Hail the Valkelion
[Self-release CDR]

From Winnipeg Canada, Martial Barrage know the meaning of death metal. Nothing pretty here. Low growls and doomy to fast and violent... This is what makes death metal great. Intense and in your face, I have no criticism. A great release!

Death of Beauty
[Self-release CDR]

Aside from the 'whorid' cover art, this is actually a fairly interesting release. Gurgled, droning speaking, raw simplistic music and strange tones... it is definitely some unique noise. S T R A N G E.

Requiem Aeternam

Philosopher
[ICorp]

Requiem Aeternam, coming from Uruguay, are the first band from this country I've heard, although the frontman now lives in New York, where this was done. There is a mix of styles here... the musical side ranges from very fast to melodic, very accomplished musicians, are they. The vocals range from clean to violent screams. There is too much speaking in this for my tastes, but quite good otherwise, especially musically, their talent and accomplishment shines.

A Final Dissolution
[New Addition Media]

"Drawing as much influence from cheap wine, that familiar desolate worldview, and poor senses of self-worth as it does from a bloated collection of "prog" "free jazz" and "thrash metal" records..." Such is the bio description of this band. There is nothing here for me. Although the music is heavy, this sounds too hardcore thrashy for my tastes....

Paramount Evil
[Paragon Records]

I've heard some good things about Impiety in the past, but this was my first time hearing them. Well, the rumors proved true, Impiety are a killer outfit for sure! Fast, tight and aggressive, with an ambience of violence and energy that never stops. Top notch black metal you will thank yourself for checking out. Recommended!

I am the Enemy
[Self-release CDR]

Dol Amroth return from the land of Hellas! And a great return it is. The recordings are a lot better sounding this time around as well. There are many interesting mixes in this relatively unknown band. Aggressive, violent sounding black metal. Keys and ambience. Spoken word and marches... once again dealing with Middle Earth and Tolkien's creations. A cool and interesting band that seems to be getting better and better!

Dol Amroth

Elven Tears
[Self-release CDR]

Dol Amroth has been very busy indeed. This five song CD begins with a fabulous acoustic track 'Elven Tears' (reprise 2003 by Antistita Lacrimae) with a superb female vocalist. Wow. Personally, this is as good as it gets. This track is followed by another Elven Tears remix, equally superb. The 3rd track, another version, is the original. It seems someone liked this as much as I, to do three versions, no complaints here. It is amazing to hear such talent amongst the pops and noise of a low-budget recording. The underground never fails to impress me. The flaws only add to its beautiful charm. Not sure about how you could obtain this release, but if you enjoy female vocals in this setting of music, check out the webpage below and inquire about hearing this track. Very Recommended!

Midnight Syndicate

The 13th Hour
[Entity Productions]

The 13th hour has finally struck. I've waited quite a while for this new effort by one of the greatest ambient bands of all time... and was it ever worth it. They continue to impress me every work. The 13th Hour is a beautiful and haunting sea of sounds and emotions. The music, delicate and sinister is top notch. Instantly a classic, this CD puts Midnight Syndicate in a class all their own. One listen and you'll agree, this is a superb creation, the talent of Edward and Douglas (the two minds behind this) is truly outstanding. What more can I say... do yourself a favor, get this!

Mike Comfort

Free
[Arete Multimedia]

Well, I'm not surprised I had never heard of this band before, and I could tell without even hearing it that is wasn't something I'd be interested in. If you like extreme music with Hootie and the Blowfish on the side then maybe this is for you. Sarcasm aside, mainstream America would definitely enjoy this, as it's proffesional and sounds very radio-friendly, but it's obviously just not my style.

Fair and Desperate
[CDR]

Another great and interesting release from this obscure and relatively unknown greek band. It is a shame they haven't signed to a label in all these years and many releases (all done on cassette or CDR). Whether that's by their choice I'm not sure, but they are certainly more worthy than many bands today. It would be nice to see a more proffesional release (i.e. better packaging vs photo copied b/w, CD vs CDR, some studio time/better recording equipment, distrobution, etc. etc.). But in the end none of that matters much to me. What we have here is some very unique and melodic, yet raw black metal, sometimes with keys and some female vocals.

Chainsaw Dissection

Blood, Gore and Grindcore
[CDR]

Now here is some old school sounding death/grind. This is some grungy and very brutal stuff that will take you back to the blood soaked glory days of the genre. Chainsaw Dissection was born in 2003, and is a one person creation. I deem this to be the first effort, and it is one hell of a good one. Brutal vocals, blasting drums and grinding guitar melodies... This fucking kills! Some of the coolest sounding death metal I've heard in ages.

The Burden of Sin
[Peace or Die Records]

From Cincinnati comes Pain Link. This CD starts out with a somber violin track and goes into a more thrashy sound as the tracks progress. Their influences are very apparent in their music... Iron Maiden.... Pantera... with a fairly old school sound, but heavier. Sometimes I think it sounds too much like Pantera, especially the vocals. Overall this is real heavy, and it is very obvious they are accomplished musicians, but it didn't excite me. My only real complaint would be the backing vocals... they are the worst I've heard in a long time. Absolutely weak. Good thing they aren't too often or it would have ruined the CD. You decide.

Extreme Loneliness - Fragments
[Paragon Records]

OK, here is another band called FROST, obviously a very coveted and fought for name in the world of black metal. There is a Frost from the USA, a Frost from Germany which stole another band named Frost's name, forcing them to change their name to 'the true Frost.' Let's see, there is an Enslaved CD called Frost. Quite a few members of black metal bands over the years have even called themselves frost. This Frost is from Hungary. Do you have a Frost in your city, state, province or country? I bet ya do... OK, humor aside, this Frost plays fairly straight-forward black metal. Fast, screechy, fairly melodic and not bad at all.

Dimentianon

promo 2005
[Paragon Records CDR]

This four song effort is a fair slab of raw sounding black metal. Broad ranging grungy and raw melodies that manage to capture some good intensity and mood. Very traditional, promising stuff, no complaints here.

Among the Decayed

A Perfect Day for Terror EP
[Death Hatchet Records]

From Portland Oregon, Among the Decayed play harsh and brutal death metal. Gutteral vocals, melodic brutality and unrelenting pounding. Some violent sounding stuff here, everything that traditional death metal should be.

Mater Machina

Compendium Machinery Vibrates
[CDR]

Aside from the strange name of this CD, this Italian band are fairly impressive. Brutal and technical, they have a sort of thrashy, sometimes atmospheric black/death sound. Each song is a realm of its own, unlike so many bands these days where the tracks just bleed together, all sounding alike. An interesting listen, from a band still in its infancy, yet certainly emerging to something great. Recommended!

Inner Voices
[CDR]

Last Souls, hailing from Italy, was formed in 2001, this CD being their second mini-cd. The vocals are pretty typical black metal, but the guitars are what makes this stand out. Melodic and very catchy, they make the band. Although they use a drum machine due to a lack of a real drummer it doesn't distract. Interesting and great potential.

Raping the Ancient
[White Legends]

From Northern Ontario, Bloodaxe is a previously unknown band to me. Certain black metal bands manage to capture a certain energy, especially back in the golden era, early to mid-90's. So it isn't often you feel and hear that in today's commercial metal atmosphere. Bloodaxe captures that iron spirit of yesterday. This is truly up there with the best. Music you have to hear to appreciate. But, nonetheless, I'll try to describe... The music is both rich and raw, dark and cold, with a continuous vibe. The vocals, gritty and hoarse, are done at a pace slower than usual, fitting perfectly and very powerful. One the best black metal bands I've heard in a long, long time. Extremely recommended! (Although recorded in February 2002, Raping the Ancient was not released until November 2004, due to setbacks)

Bloodthrone
[White Legends]

Recorded in 2001, this didn't do for me what the later Raping the Ancient did. It is almost like a different band. This is chaotic and very fast and the vocals are drowned out. Maybe I'm just spoiled after hearing the later work, but this no where compares to the greatness of their later work. Still, it is not without its merits, and has some interesting tracks nonetheless.

Necrophilia Mon Amour
[Freebird Records]

Wow, this is a twelve song slab of ferocity and aggression. Brutal and technical death metal from beginning to end. This will tear your speakers apart, a relentless barrage of violence. Beware, you are not worthy.

Malicious Damage

Scorched Earth Policy
[Self-released]

From Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Malicious Damage start out this CD with a heavy assault of thrashy death metal, unfortunately, the next track, with its clean vocals, ruins the mood the first track set, sounding like something commercial. They partially return to the style of the first track next, but it is still marred by some backing vocals. Track four, back on track, brutal and very catchy death metal. This band shines with potential, if only they would stick to what they did best, which is brutal death metal, and can the other elements that just distract.

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