I think it's my laziness which is causing this to become a fixture on Monday rather than the originally planned Sunday event. Ah well, here goes:
Desecration Rites - Hallowed Depravity [2009]
Blackened death metal is what you ask for with this, and blackened death metal is what you get. It's alright, and gets the blood pumping from time to time, but this is not prime sirloin - it feels all too derivative of Angelcorpse and the like to really do something special. The vocals are also all too often buried in the mix, which allows the distinctly average riffs to rear their head to far too great an extent. It's alright, but I wouldn't go searching it out unless you simply live for the genre. [5/10]
Endstille - Operation Wintersturm [2002]
It seems that the Germans do everything well - thrash metal, death metal, power metal, and a bourgeoning crust scene of late. Unfortunately, Endstille and their militaristic black metal always seem to be a band who miss the main event, and instead decided to play simply passable music. The fact that this was released in 2002, after 10 years of music like this, makes it simply inexcusable to produce an album of such mediocrity and tedium. [2/10]
Gnaw Their Tongues - My Womb Is Barren [2010]
Consisting of one sole 20 minute piece, this EP by Gnaw Their Tongues is somewhat reminiscent of Deathspell Omega's recent Diabolus Absconditus and Mass Grave Aesthetics EPs, in the sheer lack of relent in the chaos. This is certainly more noise-oriented than much GTT output, but it gains from that - riffs are hard to discern, which makes the listener really pay attention, and at times takes them into a whole other dimension. [7/10]
Horna - Kohti Yhdeksän Nousua [1998]
The Finnish black metal scene, along with all Finnish extreme music scenes, is perpetually forgotten under the weighted ominous shadow of happy, bouncy, folky shit. With the emphasis on the 'shit'. Which is a shame, since bands like Horna create dark, dank, varied pace, oppressive shit. With the emphasis on the 'awesome'. This might be a very well-known album by Finnish extreme metal's standards, but it is still perpetually underrated. Remember: it's all about the riffs, d00d, the riffs! [8/10]
Jacula - In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum [1969]
Famed, in the metal community at least, for producing a 'proto-funeral doom' song on this album in 1969 ('Triumphatus Sad', although really it just sounds like a slow version of Blue Cheer), it is often forgotten that these Italians were one of the better progressive bands in the world at their time. The cheesy keys really give this the feeling of a 40s horror soundtrack, but with natural progression to it, a feeling of structure and one of ritual. [7/10]
Oz - Fire In The Brain [1983]
Still got the chorus line to the title track bouncing around my head several days after listening to this last, I can say that this is a great album, and another album that I've been wrong to overlook for so long. I'll get the elephant out of the room: this sounds a lot like Maiden. At their prime. Really, although that seems to be barbed with accusations of being derivative (which isn't strictly true), what Oz do here is take the best bits of, say, Powerslave, remove the pointless 'progressive' parts (it's not progressive when it's been done before!), and generally make an album that could readily be called better than prime-era Maiden. It's that good. [9/10]
Parabellum - Mutacion Por Radiacion, Sacrilegio [1988, 1987]
South American extreme metal from around the first wave of black metal time is generally top quality, and this is no exception. These two EPs showcase two rather different facets of Parabellum's sound - the former is rather more slow and filthy, whilst the latter is fast, energetic, and aggressive. Both feature two tracks, and apart from some rehearsal tracks tacked on to the end of a compilation, these are all they released. Kvltasfvck, and generally awesome. [9/10]
********************************RELEASE OF THE WEEK**************************
Rotten Sound - Napalm [2010]
You all know what a massive Napalm Death fanboy I am, and considering I also love Rotten Sound, it may come as something of a surprise that it took me so long to listen to this release. Man, does it obliterate all expectations. The covers are nearly as good as the musical perfection of the originals, and the original songs are up to Rotten Sound's usual incredibly lofty standards. Get it, listen to it, adore it. That's all I have to say on the matter. [9/10]
Sabbat - Evoke [1992]
Yet another album that I probably should've listened to ages ago, this is based a whole lot more on extremity than Sabbat's more recent stuff (I should add here that this is the Japanese Sabbat). As per usual with Sabbat albums, the whole thing lags a bit towards the end, but every song is still great. It is distinctly Japanese - somehow the bands from there always manage to retain a whole lot of originality no matter how much they try to sound Western - and it seems that both black and thrash elements stay at the forefront of the music. Excellent album. [8/10]
S.O.B. - Osaka Mon Amour [1988]
This EP is a lot like the classic full-length Don't Be Swindle - distinctly Japanese proto-grind/crust which hits several spots all at once. I was once asked by someone, upon listening to a grindcore song, if the song was 'going anywhere'. This question was perhaps the most obvious example of simply missing the point of grindcore - this EP is an excellent example. It doesn't need to go anywhere, because it's already got there. The cover of 'Blitzkrieg Bop' is welcome too (and it sounds little like the original). [8/10]
War Pestilence - Godsfuck Black Attack [2010]
The riffs on this are stellar. For some people, this may blast too much, but the beauty of the riffs (or ugliness, as the case may be) is something to be beheld. Try not to blow your load when I describe this album as a mixture of I.N.R.I., Storm Of The Light's Bane, Fallen Angel Of Doom and Covenant. It's not on the same level as any of those individually, but what we have here is a very good album that wears its influences proudly on its sleeve. [8/10]
Listen to samples (11 tracks, 63 minutes)
Showing posts with label Weekly Album Analysis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekly Album Analysis. Show all posts
Monday, 19 December 2011
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Weekly album analysis, week eight
Will probably be another short one, as I don't think I've actually listened to much music this week. I may be mistaken though... Also, I'm going to start making 8tracks mixes of the stuff here to put on the end.
To listen to tracks off these albums, check out the mix here . Note that to fulfil the website's licensing requirements, I've added bonus tracks by Steven Wilson and Sol Invictus.
ACxDC - A Sign Of Impending Doom [2005]
Yeah, this is a 2-minute EP, so to be honest there isn't much to say about it. 2 tracks, one of which also appears on the excellent 'He Had It Coming' EP. ACxDC are one of the powerviolence bands who should definitely have released more. With this, however, one can't question the musical quality on display, but with ONE MINUTE of new music, you have to question whether it's really worth it. [6/10]
*********************ALBUM OF THE WEEK***************************************
Fuck On The Beach - Power Violence Forever [1998]
Power violence forever indeed. This Japanese band has long been one of the major purveyors of Japanese punk (along with the more obvious likes of S.O.B.), and this is probably their best-known album. And for good reason - it's an aural assault from start to finish, yet being varied enough in drum patterns and the like to keep things interesting. Probably falls just short of powerviolence 'classic' status, but it's on a par with many albums which are there. [9/10]
Magrudergrind - Religious Baffle [2003]
This is one of Magrudergrind's earlier releases, but you wouldn't be able to tell, such is the level of songwriting maturity on here. Sure, at 12 minutes long, one has to question whether so much 'going slowly' is necessary - and indeed, it sometimes drags - but this is still very worthwhile. As I said, 12 minutes - what have you got to lose? [7/10]
Mystic Force - Shipwrecked With The Wicked [1990]
Progressive power metal is a genre that I've only recently become better acquainted with, but I think I know enough of the genre to say that this is a little hit-and-miss to say the least. There are some absolute crackers on here ('Awakened By The Dawn', 'Silent But Deadly'), but the weaker tracks are really weak, often with nothing to draw the listener in whatsoever - and to pick two of the weaker ones to open and close your album is suicide. [5/10]
Slipknot - Slipknot [1990]
No, not the shitty nu-metal band, this Slipknot are a crossover thrash band who certainly play more than respectable crossover thrash. This was their only release - and it wouldn't be nearly so well-known, I bet, if it wasn't for the notoriety of the other Slipknot, but it's pretty good, and certainly for a time when thrash, and particularly crossover, was in the process of going down the drain for most of the 90s. [8/10]
Vicious Rumors - Soldiers Of The Night [1986]
Vicious Rumors are one of those USPM bands that it took me ages to check out due to my relative noobiness with regards to power metal. And of them? Well, they're good fun, but I can't afford this album the god-tier status that many seem to - they write a chorus, a hook really well, but when it comes to writing music of real substance, it's sadly lacking. Catchy, but often superficial. [6/10]
To listen to tracks off these albums, check out the mix here . Note that to fulfil the website's licensing requirements, I've added bonus tracks by Steven Wilson and Sol Invictus.
ACxDC - A Sign Of Impending Doom [2005]
Yeah, this is a 2-minute EP, so to be honest there isn't much to say about it. 2 tracks, one of which also appears on the excellent 'He Had It Coming' EP. ACxDC are one of the powerviolence bands who should definitely have released more. With this, however, one can't question the musical quality on display, but with ONE MINUTE of new music, you have to question whether it's really worth it. [6/10]
*********************ALBUM OF THE WEEK***************************************
Fuck On The Beach - Power Violence Forever [1998]
Power violence forever indeed. This Japanese band has long been one of the major purveyors of Japanese punk (along with the more obvious likes of S.O.B.), and this is probably their best-known album. And for good reason - it's an aural assault from start to finish, yet being varied enough in drum patterns and the like to keep things interesting. Probably falls just short of powerviolence 'classic' status, but it's on a par with many albums which are there. [9/10]
Magrudergrind - Religious Baffle [2003]
This is one of Magrudergrind's earlier releases, but you wouldn't be able to tell, such is the level of songwriting maturity on here. Sure, at 12 minutes long, one has to question whether so much 'going slowly' is necessary - and indeed, it sometimes drags - but this is still very worthwhile. As I said, 12 minutes - what have you got to lose? [7/10]
Mystic Force - Shipwrecked With The Wicked [1990]
Progressive power metal is a genre that I've only recently become better acquainted with, but I think I know enough of the genre to say that this is a little hit-and-miss to say the least. There are some absolute crackers on here ('Awakened By The Dawn', 'Silent But Deadly'), but the weaker tracks are really weak, often with nothing to draw the listener in whatsoever - and to pick two of the weaker ones to open and close your album is suicide. [5/10]
Slipknot - Slipknot [1990]
No, not the shitty nu-metal band, this Slipknot are a crossover thrash band who certainly play more than respectable crossover thrash. This was their only release - and it wouldn't be nearly so well-known, I bet, if it wasn't for the notoriety of the other Slipknot, but it's pretty good, and certainly for a time when thrash, and particularly crossover, was in the process of going down the drain for most of the 90s. [8/10]
Vicious Rumors - Soldiers Of The Night [1986]
Vicious Rumors are one of those USPM bands that it took me ages to check out due to my relative noobiness with regards to power metal. And of them? Well, they're good fun, but I can't afford this album the god-tier status that many seem to - they write a chorus, a hook really well, but when it comes to writing music of real substance, it's sadly lacking. Catchy, but often superficial. [6/10]
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Weekly album analysis, week seven
This one's a bit (read: very) late, and as such I have something to actually write about this week. Without further ado, let the skimming commence!
Asphyx/Hooded Menace - Split [2011]
You've probably gathered, if you've been reading my blog for a while, that I love the split format, and this is no different. Ultimately a combination of two similar but contrasting in essence bands, this displays the more martial approach of Asphyx well, whereas Hooded Menace's plodding style seems to fall a little flat afterwards - although maybe that's because I don't really like the main riff of their track. [6/10]
Dälek - Absence [2004]
I like to think of myself as quite open-minded about music, and I love this. Far from the 'bitch nigga' approach of most modern rap, this is a sociopolitical commentary done in an intelligent manner. It has a little bit of an industrial backdrop instrumentally too, which adds intrigue and ultimately aids the dystopia that I believe their metaphors warn against. [9/10]
Dead Head - Dream Deceiver [1993]
Can't believe it's taken me this long to hear Dead Head - bloody excellent is what this album is, and it shows that not all thrash released in the 90s is bollocks. It does have some variation on the usual thrash 'hit-fast-shout-loud' theme in its slower parts (most notably the main part of the opener). That said, the standout tracks, and in particular 'Unholy', are the faster numbers. [8/10]
Evile - All Hallows Eve [2004]
I like Evile, and this, one of their first releases, is a good example of why. Only one of these tracks ('Killer From The Deep') would make it on to their first full length Enter The Grave (since which their albums have not been as good), and to be fair, it is the standout track. That's not to say the rest isn't solid, and this EP set the Huddersfield lads up well for a good thrash career. [7/10]
Haus Arafna - Butterfly [2003]
Haus Arafna is a German extreme electronic act - I don't want to be more specific as the influence from various forms of electronic music is quite apparent - for most of it, it would seem that the most obvious point of reference is Throbbing Gristle, but there is also a lot of influence from digital and rhythmic noise, power electronics, and even some drum and bass. Vocals range from tortured to clean to an almost shamanistic Swans-like approach, although they are almost always semi-drowned in swathes of feedback. A wonderful and truly original release. [9/10]
Hellnation - Dynamite Up Your Ass [2002]
Hellnation are probably best described by one of the song titles on this 'ere disc - 'I Love Punk I Love Thrash'. Their brand of thrashcore, obviously influenced by all the legendary 625 bands, is just about right for a quick dose of the stuff. It's not exemplary, but what it is is a good (quick) bit of fun that is actually quite well-known by now. Give it a pop if you like that kind of thing. [7/10]
Iskra - Bureval [2009]
I'm a fan of crust, and a fan of black metal. However, often when the two are mixed, they lose some of the repressed, desolate feeling inherent to both - and that's exactly my problem with Iskra. They're well-received in both communities, but I just don't see the appeal, as their approach feels at best good but repetitive and at worst simply vapid. [4/10]
Joe Pesci - At Our Expense [2009]
Powerviolence is a genre I like quite a bit - the problem is that this is just an average example of it. Sure, the song titles and samples are often hilarious, and the addition of a little grind influence is much appreciated, but the production is often poor and at times Last-Days-Of-Humanity-impenetrable, which ruins what could have been a very strong release. [5/10]
King Crimson - Lark's Tongue In Aspic [1970]
Progressive rock is a favourite of many writers of this blog, but not one of mine. There are, however, some albums I love, and KC's In The Court Of The Crimson King is one of them. This disappoints a little - it's far from the quality of the above. However, that's not to say it has no redeeming factors - it does. Namely one, the opening 13 minute instrumental track 'Lark's Tongue In Aspic Part One', which is brilliant from start to finish. The rest of the album is unfortunately quite lame in comparison. [5/10]
Masonna - Frequency LSD [1998]
This is indeed some crazy shit. But what would one expect from Japanoise? This is a lot more chaotic than most noise - harsh it certainly is, but a wall of noise it is not. Masonna includes some... odd vocals (or at least that's what I think they are), and even some (gasp) quieter moments, in amongst the naturally deafening approach of the rest of the album. This is art of the truly avant-garde. [9/10]
Merzbow - Merzbeat [2002]
If there was an accessible Merzbow album, this is it. Ultimately it uses far more standard drum patterns than most of even his later work, and actually plenty of melody (although moreso in a droning sense than in a conventional sense). Naturally, there's still lots of deviation into harsh madness over the top, but it's done in a predictable way which actually accentuates its contribution to the album as a whole. I'm pleasantly surprised. [8/10]
Sancta Poenas - De Dekadentas Dikter [2008]
I was attracted to this after either Hyperborean Cake or Waves Explosions, I can't remember which, described it as 'depressive rock with a little black metal'. Yeah. Also known as 'essentially Konkurs-era Lifelover with a bit more rock thrown in it. It's good, but not great. Recommended obviously for fans of Lifelover, but also later Shining and LIK. [6/10]
Sheol - Painting Black On The Sun [2007]
Melodic death metal that's not half bad. Sure, it does nothing new - in fact, it's very similar stylistically to Dark Tranquillity's Fiction album - but what it does do is make the listener excited and happy like melodeath should. Remember those days when you were just getting into metal (assuming, like me, you're pretty much a newfag)? This is those days. [7/10]
Ultra//Negative - Finally, I'm At Peace [2011]
Ultra//Negative are another project from one of the members of one of my favourite discoveries of this year, Ramlord. Unlike the blackened crust of them, however, this EP is powerviolence in excelsis - it seems the man can do no wrong. Any fans of powerviolence should enjoy this, although I'd recommend it particularly to fans of the more guitar-based stuff than the likes of Man Is The Bastard. [8/10]
xBrainiax - Deprogrammed [2010]
Fuckin' 'ell, this is FAST. 31 tracks in 28 minutes, or 30 in 17 if you discount the 11-minute closer, and not once does it become unpleasant or overwhelming. That in itself is an achievement, but it is astounding when you consider just how little time the band have been honing their craft. This is fast powerviolence/thrashcore, and very good at its style too. [8/10]
Asphyx/Hooded Menace - Split [2011]
You've probably gathered, if you've been reading my blog for a while, that I love the split format, and this is no different. Ultimately a combination of two similar but contrasting in essence bands, this displays the more martial approach of Asphyx well, whereas Hooded Menace's plodding style seems to fall a little flat afterwards - although maybe that's because I don't really like the main riff of their track. [6/10]
Dälek - Absence [2004]
I like to think of myself as quite open-minded about music, and I love this. Far from the 'bitch nigga' approach of most modern rap, this is a sociopolitical commentary done in an intelligent manner. It has a little bit of an industrial backdrop instrumentally too, which adds intrigue and ultimately aids the dystopia that I believe their metaphors warn against. [9/10]
Dead Head - Dream Deceiver [1993]
Can't believe it's taken me this long to hear Dead Head - bloody excellent is what this album is, and it shows that not all thrash released in the 90s is bollocks. It does have some variation on the usual thrash 'hit-fast-shout-loud' theme in its slower parts (most notably the main part of the opener). That said, the standout tracks, and in particular 'Unholy', are the faster numbers. [8/10]
Evile - All Hallows Eve [2004]
I like Evile, and this, one of their first releases, is a good example of why. Only one of these tracks ('Killer From The Deep') would make it on to their first full length Enter The Grave (since which their albums have not been as good), and to be fair, it is the standout track. That's not to say the rest isn't solid, and this EP set the Huddersfield lads up well for a good thrash career. [7/10]
Haus Arafna - Butterfly [2003]
Haus Arafna is a German extreme electronic act - I don't want to be more specific as the influence from various forms of electronic music is quite apparent - for most of it, it would seem that the most obvious point of reference is Throbbing Gristle, but there is also a lot of influence from digital and rhythmic noise, power electronics, and even some drum and bass. Vocals range from tortured to clean to an almost shamanistic Swans-like approach, although they are almost always semi-drowned in swathes of feedback. A wonderful and truly original release. [9/10]
Hellnation - Dynamite Up Your Ass [2002]
Hellnation are probably best described by one of the song titles on this 'ere disc - 'I Love Punk I Love Thrash'. Their brand of thrashcore, obviously influenced by all the legendary 625 bands, is just about right for a quick dose of the stuff. It's not exemplary, but what it is is a good (quick) bit of fun that is actually quite well-known by now. Give it a pop if you like that kind of thing. [7/10]
Iskra - Bureval [2009]
I'm a fan of crust, and a fan of black metal. However, often when the two are mixed, they lose some of the repressed, desolate feeling inherent to both - and that's exactly my problem with Iskra. They're well-received in both communities, but I just don't see the appeal, as their approach feels at best good but repetitive and at worst simply vapid. [4/10]
Joe Pesci - At Our Expense [2009]
Powerviolence is a genre I like quite a bit - the problem is that this is just an average example of it. Sure, the song titles and samples are often hilarious, and the addition of a little grind influence is much appreciated, but the production is often poor and at times Last-Days-Of-Humanity-impenetrable, which ruins what could have been a very strong release. [5/10]
King Crimson - Lark's Tongue In Aspic [1970]
Progressive rock is a favourite of many writers of this blog, but not one of mine. There are, however, some albums I love, and KC's In The Court Of The Crimson King is one of them. This disappoints a little - it's far from the quality of the above. However, that's not to say it has no redeeming factors - it does. Namely one, the opening 13 minute instrumental track 'Lark's Tongue In Aspic Part One', which is brilliant from start to finish. The rest of the album is unfortunately quite lame in comparison. [5/10]
Masonna - Frequency LSD [1998]
This is indeed some crazy shit. But what would one expect from Japanoise? This is a lot more chaotic than most noise - harsh it certainly is, but a wall of noise it is not. Masonna includes some... odd vocals (or at least that's what I think they are), and even some (gasp) quieter moments, in amongst the naturally deafening approach of the rest of the album. This is art of the truly avant-garde. [9/10]
Merzbow - Merzbeat [2002]
If there was an accessible Merzbow album, this is it. Ultimately it uses far more standard drum patterns than most of even his later work, and actually plenty of melody (although moreso in a droning sense than in a conventional sense). Naturally, there's still lots of deviation into harsh madness over the top, but it's done in a predictable way which actually accentuates its contribution to the album as a whole. I'm pleasantly surprised. [8/10]
Sancta Poenas - De Dekadentas Dikter [2008]
I was attracted to this after either Hyperborean Cake or Waves Explosions, I can't remember which, described it as 'depressive rock with a little black metal'. Yeah. Also known as 'essentially Konkurs-era Lifelover with a bit more rock thrown in it. It's good, but not great. Recommended obviously for fans of Lifelover, but also later Shining and LIK. [6/10]
Sheol - Painting Black On The Sun [2007]
Melodic death metal that's not half bad. Sure, it does nothing new - in fact, it's very similar stylistically to Dark Tranquillity's Fiction album - but what it does do is make the listener excited and happy like melodeath should. Remember those days when you were just getting into metal (assuming, like me, you're pretty much a newfag)? This is those days. [7/10]
Ultra//Negative - Finally, I'm At Peace [2011]
Ultra//Negative are another project from one of the members of one of my favourite discoveries of this year, Ramlord. Unlike the blackened crust of them, however, this EP is powerviolence in excelsis - it seems the man can do no wrong. Any fans of powerviolence should enjoy this, although I'd recommend it particularly to fans of the more guitar-based stuff than the likes of Man Is The Bastard. [8/10]
xBrainiax - Deprogrammed [2010]
Fuckin' 'ell, this is FAST. 31 tracks in 28 minutes, or 30 in 17 if you discount the 11-minute closer, and not once does it become unpleasant or overwhelming. That in itself is an achievement, but it is astounding when you consider just how little time the band have been honing their craft. This is fast powerviolence/thrashcore, and very good at its style too. [8/10]
Monday, 7 November 2011
Weekly album analysis, week six
There's been some delays with this one due to recovering from Damnation Festival in Leeds (a review of which is yet to come), but I hope you'll all forgive me my insolence.
Appalachian Terror Unit/Oi Polloi - Profane Existence [2011]
Both of this bands really fucking get crustcore. Combining standard d-beats with non-standard patterns (y'know, just to mix shit up a little), they create one of the more exciting splits of this year so far. Oi Polloi I knew before - and enjoyed considerably, I must say, but as the more impressive band on this excellent split, I will certainly be looking into Apallachian Terror Unit some more. [9/10]
Ava Inferi - Onyx [2011]
I don't usually like much gothic metal, especially of the female fronted sort, but this, like To-Mera, is an exception. There is an added complexity and panache which is not annoying 'symphonic' elements, and that is what truly sets this album apart from the pack of shit. Whether this is in part due to the legend Rune 'Blasphemer' Eriksen's involvement is debatable - it is certain this sounds little like his other projects past or present. [7/10]
Devil - Time To Repent [2011]
Pure Sabbath worship on offer here - Devil really can craft a riff, and they do so with aplomb throughout this album, which, unlike much retro-rock stuff now, is a reasonable length at 36 minutes. The best track of the album is undoubtedly closer 'Howling (At The World)', in which all the riffs fit perfectly to create a wonderful reminder of just why Black Sabbath are so fucking great. [8/10]
Enslaved - Thorn [2011]
This is Enslaved's second EP of this year, and is supposedly a 'return to old Enslaved'. Is it fuck. Gone are still the epic semi-folky melodies, and to be honest, the whole things feels like a slightly cleaner produced version of 2001's awkward Monumension. [5/10]
Evo-Algy/Taake/Sigh/The Meads Of Asphodel/Thus Defiled - Swine Of Hades [2011]
Although some of these one wouldn't normally associate with black metal (namely Evo/Algy, the ex-Warfare duo), the five bands here fit together very well. It's apparent the varying levels of quality here - Sigh fall well below their usual standards and Thus Defiled are simply boring - but this is a split worth a download or purchase. [6/10]
Fifteen Dead - NecroCrust [2011]
Fifteen Dead play a kind of blackened crust which is quite common nowadays, perhaps its most famed practitioners being Iskra, but they do it in a slightly more aggressive way, including some blasts and the like without losing any of the desolate feel of the wonderful genre mash-up. This EP has three songs and is 13 minutes long, but should sound good to any fan of the style for its duration. [7/10]
Gnaw Their Tongues - Per Flagellum Sanguemque, Tenebras Veneramus [2011]
This is different to all the GTT I've heard so far - it's got far more of a creeping industrial/ambient vibe to it. I certainly feel this will be a grower, but it hasn't leaped out at me yet screaming 'This is a brilliant album!'. I hope repeated listens will reveal more of its mysteries. [6/10]
Hat - Vortex Of Death [2011]
Fairly standard black metal to tell the truth. Hat are certainly one of the less hallowed of the Norwegian black metal pantheon - probably due to their lack of a release back when 'this shit was real' when they formed in 1993. You get what you'd expect - harsh, but listenable production, raspy vocals, a buzzsaw guitar sound, and a mixture of faster and slower riffs. Sounds like a mix of A Blaze In The Northern Sky and Dark Medieval Times. [5/10]
Nuclear Torment - 8 Bit Death [2011]
Videogames are a topic that surprisingly haven't been touched on too much by thrash bands, but Nuclear Torment manage to mix well-written lyrics (at times laugh-out-loud funny) with well-written music here. Within the three songs spread across eight minutes, they showcase many different types of thrash from Sodom to Cryptic Slaughter, but the best part is how well they write a hook, best shown on the title track opener. [8/10]
Sólstafir - Svartir Sandar [2011]
I'm impressed. This is the most I've liked any new folk metal in a while, and it's a DOUBLE ALBUM, for fuck's sake. Solstafir, already well-known to many as one of the biggest metal bands from Iceland, really have excelled themselves here, defining 'epic' well without forgetting the definition of 'interesting'. Expect swathing melodies and shamanic vocals without sounding like Mr. Folk Metal from down the street. [8/10]
Terrordome - We'll Show You Mosh, Bitch! [2011]
Despite the woefully embarrassing title, this is actually a solid thrash album. Certainly ahead of a large number of more recent thrash bands by virtues of the neck-snapping speeds they hit alone, my one main gripe with this is that there aren't really any supernaturally good songs. Good effort from these Polish upstarts. [6/10]
Today Is The Day - Pain Is A Warning [2011]
I'll admit to being totally new to TITD, and this album didn't leave a great first impression. Sure, it's better than the vast majority of metalcore, due to more interesting riffing styles and more varied vocal attacks (I even sense some black metal in some of the tracks), but I see nothing which really sets the album alight. Maybe longtime fans will enjoy this; I'm afraid I certainly didn't. [4/10]
Vile Intent - Regression To The Mean [2011]
Short, fast, loud, powerviolence attack. It has the slower sections which make bands like Weekend Nachos and Spoonful Of Vicodin more interesting; that's not to say it's yet on the level of those two, but these six songs spread over ten minutes suggest that this band will be able to create violence miracles. [6/10]
Winterwolf/Disma - Split [2011]
Despite the underground pedigree of both of these bands, this split simply isn't all that good. The main problem is the wafer-thin production both sides of the split have, but neither band makes a large impression within their six-minute songs. Winterwolf are usually good, Disma usually great, but if it's recent Incantation worship you're looking for, get Towards The Megalith.
Appalachian Terror Unit/Oi Polloi - Profane Existence [2011]
Both of this bands really fucking get crustcore. Combining standard d-beats with non-standard patterns (y'know, just to mix shit up a little), they create one of the more exciting splits of this year so far. Oi Polloi I knew before - and enjoyed considerably, I must say, but as the more impressive band on this excellent split, I will certainly be looking into Apallachian Terror Unit some more. [9/10]
Ava Inferi - Onyx [2011]
I don't usually like much gothic metal, especially of the female fronted sort, but this, like To-Mera, is an exception. There is an added complexity and panache which is not annoying 'symphonic' elements, and that is what truly sets this album apart from the pack of shit. Whether this is in part due to the legend Rune 'Blasphemer' Eriksen's involvement is debatable - it is certain this sounds little like his other projects past or present. [7/10]
Devil - Time To Repent [2011]
Pure Sabbath worship on offer here - Devil really can craft a riff, and they do so with aplomb throughout this album, which, unlike much retro-rock stuff now, is a reasonable length at 36 minutes. The best track of the album is undoubtedly closer 'Howling (At The World)', in which all the riffs fit perfectly to create a wonderful reminder of just why Black Sabbath are so fucking great. [8/10]
Enslaved - Thorn [2011]
This is Enslaved's second EP of this year, and is supposedly a 'return to old Enslaved'. Is it fuck. Gone are still the epic semi-folky melodies, and to be honest, the whole things feels like a slightly cleaner produced version of 2001's awkward Monumension. [5/10]
Evo-Algy/Taake/Sigh/The Meads Of Asphodel/Thus Defiled - Swine Of Hades [2011]
Although some of these one wouldn't normally associate with black metal (namely Evo/Algy, the ex-Warfare duo), the five bands here fit together very well. It's apparent the varying levels of quality here - Sigh fall well below their usual standards and Thus Defiled are simply boring - but this is a split worth a download or purchase. [6/10]
Fifteen Dead - NecroCrust [2011]
Fifteen Dead play a kind of blackened crust which is quite common nowadays, perhaps its most famed practitioners being Iskra, but they do it in a slightly more aggressive way, including some blasts and the like without losing any of the desolate feel of the wonderful genre mash-up. This EP has three songs and is 13 minutes long, but should sound good to any fan of the style for its duration. [7/10]
Gnaw Their Tongues - Per Flagellum Sanguemque, Tenebras Veneramus [2011]
This is different to all the GTT I've heard so far - it's got far more of a creeping industrial/ambient vibe to it. I certainly feel this will be a grower, but it hasn't leaped out at me yet screaming 'This is a brilliant album!'. I hope repeated listens will reveal more of its mysteries. [6/10]
Hat - Vortex Of Death [2011]
Fairly standard black metal to tell the truth. Hat are certainly one of the less hallowed of the Norwegian black metal pantheon - probably due to their lack of a release back when 'this shit was real' when they formed in 1993. You get what you'd expect - harsh, but listenable production, raspy vocals, a buzzsaw guitar sound, and a mixture of faster and slower riffs. Sounds like a mix of A Blaze In The Northern Sky and Dark Medieval Times. [5/10]
Nuclear Torment - 8 Bit Death [2011]
Videogames are a topic that surprisingly haven't been touched on too much by thrash bands, but Nuclear Torment manage to mix well-written lyrics (at times laugh-out-loud funny) with well-written music here. Within the three songs spread across eight minutes, they showcase many different types of thrash from Sodom to Cryptic Slaughter, but the best part is how well they write a hook, best shown on the title track opener. [8/10]
Sólstafir - Svartir Sandar [2011]
I'm impressed. This is the most I've liked any new folk metal in a while, and it's a DOUBLE ALBUM, for fuck's sake. Solstafir, already well-known to many as one of the biggest metal bands from Iceland, really have excelled themselves here, defining 'epic' well without forgetting the definition of 'interesting'. Expect swathing melodies and shamanic vocals without sounding like Mr. Folk Metal from down the street. [8/10]
Terrordome - We'll Show You Mosh, Bitch! [2011]
Despite the woefully embarrassing title, this is actually a solid thrash album. Certainly ahead of a large number of more recent thrash bands by virtues of the neck-snapping speeds they hit alone, my one main gripe with this is that there aren't really any supernaturally good songs. Good effort from these Polish upstarts. [6/10]
Today Is The Day - Pain Is A Warning [2011]
I'll admit to being totally new to TITD, and this album didn't leave a great first impression. Sure, it's better than the vast majority of metalcore, due to more interesting riffing styles and more varied vocal attacks (I even sense some black metal in some of the tracks), but I see nothing which really sets the album alight. Maybe longtime fans will enjoy this; I'm afraid I certainly didn't. [4/10]
Vile Intent - Regression To The Mean [2011]
Short, fast, loud, powerviolence attack. It has the slower sections which make bands like Weekend Nachos and Spoonful Of Vicodin more interesting; that's not to say it's yet on the level of those two, but these six songs spread over ten minutes suggest that this band will be able to create violence miracles. [6/10]
Winterwolf/Disma - Split [2011]
Despite the underground pedigree of both of these bands, this split simply isn't all that good. The main problem is the wafer-thin production both sides of the split have, but neither band makes a large impression within their six-minute songs. Winterwolf are usually good, Disma usually great, but if it's recent Incantation worship you're looking for, get Towards The Megalith.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Friday, 21 October 2011
Weekly album analysis, week 4
This has been another week in which I haven't really been listening to new music, and mainly revisiting old favourites. Nonetheless, there are a couple of releases which have been new to my ears:
Anathema - Alternative 4 [1998]
I'd already heard individual tracks off this, Anathema's seminal release, which crossed the boundary between their doom metal of yore and the alt. rock of today, but had never heard the thing as a whole. I really enjoy it - it's not, for me, on the same level as The Silent Enigma (but that's probably just due to my genre preferences), but is certainly better than the shit many of their imitators spawn on a seemingly weekly basis. [8/10]
Masonna - Astro Harshtronism [1996]
Masonna is, aside from Merzbow, probably the best known Japanese noise artist, and thus noise artist full stop. This EP isn't the best introduction to his music (and as a part-time noise fan, I don't feel myself qualified to say what is), but is great when you want a brief blast of noise, but don't want to blow your head off with a full album. This comes from the more chaotic end of noise. [7/10]
V/A - Discharged: A Tribute To Discharge [1992]
Only a fool would complain about key hardcore/crossover/crust bands such as Extreme Noise Terror, Concrete Sox and Nausea covering the band which invented the d-beat style. Although there is very little deviation from the original, consider this as a 'bonus album' to Discharge's main catalogue. In other words, bloody awesome. [8/10]
Anathema - Alternative 4 [1998]
I'd already heard individual tracks off this, Anathema's seminal release, which crossed the boundary between their doom metal of yore and the alt. rock of today, but had never heard the thing as a whole. I really enjoy it - it's not, for me, on the same level as The Silent Enigma (but that's probably just due to my genre preferences), but is certainly better than the shit many of their imitators spawn on a seemingly weekly basis. [8/10]
Masonna - Astro Harshtronism [1996]
Masonna is, aside from Merzbow, probably the best known Japanese noise artist, and thus noise artist full stop. This EP isn't the best introduction to his music (and as a part-time noise fan, I don't feel myself qualified to say what is), but is great when you want a brief blast of noise, but don't want to blow your head off with a full album. This comes from the more chaotic end of noise. [7/10]
V/A - Discharged: A Tribute To Discharge [1992]
Only a fool would complain about key hardcore/crossover/crust bands such as Extreme Noise Terror, Concrete Sox and Nausea covering the band which invented the d-beat style. Although there is very little deviation from the original, consider this as a 'bonus album' to Discharge's main catalogue. In other words, bloody awesome. [8/10]
Monday, 10 October 2011
Weekly album analysis, week three
This week's edition will be quite short in comparison, as I forgot to take records of what I've been listening to.
N.B. This should've come out on Sunday but for a fuck-up with Blogger's scheduling system.
A.S.R.A./Defeatist/Triac - A.S.R.A./Defeatist/Triac split [2010]
GRIIIIIINNNNDCOOOOORRRRRREEEEEE! Who needs subtlety in 14 songs spread over 21 minutes? None of these bands miss the requirement for getting to the point within these time constraints - probably why they're all forerunners of the modern grindcore scene. [8/10]
Clandestine Blaze/Deathspell Omega - Clandestine Blaze/Deathspell Omega split [2001]
Clandestine Blaze, then a leading act in the black metal scene, combined with the then-up-and-coming Deathspell Omega to make this split, and I must say, Clandestine Blaze quite clearly show their experience here - their side is well-composed and interesting to listen to, whereas DsO's riffs on this border on naive, and the production used is taken a little bit too far in the 'raw' scale. [7/10, 5/10 respectively]
Destroyer 666 - To The Devil His Due [2011]
This is, as it comes across, just another D666 release. Fuck it, I'll put that properly. HOLD THE FRONT PAGE, THIS IS A D666 RELEASE! Although it's technically a combination of several EPs, this works as a singular release in its own right to the same extent. Listen, and remember why you think Australia's one of the greatest countries for extreme metal. [8/10]
Disgorge - Cranial Impalement [1999]
Disgorge from the USA are often credited with starting the whole 'brutal death by numbers' thing which is unfortunately prevalent in BDM now - that may be so, and one can certainly hear the similarities, but this has genuine energy to it; slower breakdowns are utilised well to create variety in the music (well, as much as you're ever likely to find in this sort of album). It hasn't changed my life, but I like it. [7/10]
Evile - Five Serpent's Teeth [2011]
Evile's first album, back in 2007, gave me quite a surprise with its sheer quality - I still hold the view today that it's one of the better albums of the new wave of thrash. Then came a mediocre follow-up, and now this. There isn't anything wrong with Five Serpent's Teeth per se, it's just... it's nothing more than a well-done 'AJFA'-era Metallica knock-off. Considering that said album is pretty worthless, the fact that this is a hundred miles better than the album it imitates says nothing in particular about its own quality. [6/10]
Fukpig - The Depth Of Humanity [2001]
When I saw this demo on one of my RSS feeds, I simultaneously shit and came (figuratively speaking, at least). Being a huge fan of Fukpig, this excited me to no end - and considering that this is only a demo, it's well constructed. Little presence of black metal influence here yet, but it's a strong effort, and many of these songs would find their way onto debut Spewings From A Selfish Nation. [7/10]
Glorior Belli - The Great Southern Darkness [2011]
Glorior Belli are often insulted for their movement into the influence of southern rock - not only do I feel this is unfair, but I also can't hear that much southern rock in this. Sure, some of the riffs may take a Down-esque approach, and there is the occasional banjo solo (if I remember rightly), but what this is in essence is a fair-to-middling black metal album with a few quirks. [6/10]
Goat Vulva - Crucifixions... [1989]
A demo from a pre-Beherit band? There was no way that this wasn't going to be 'kvlt as fvkk', and sure enough, it's plagued with almost impenetrable production that makes it very difficult to discern any melody whatsoever, and causes the different instruments to blend into one mashed-up mess. Normally, I am quite a patient person with production values, but this takes the piss. [2/10]
Krabathor - Cool Mortification [1993]
There are too many gems within old-school death metal for one person with other musical interests to possibly know them all, but this is one of them. Concentrated more on the slow pressure of building great riffs and centring songs around them than the more chaotic forms that were just beginning to get a stranglehold on death metal, this is highly recommended to anyone interested in OSDM. [9/10]
Mithras - Behind The Shadows Lie Madness [2007]
There are many attributes to brutal death metal, some of which sometimes subvert the need for good composition. But not here. This is certainly melodic for a BDM album, but it's also sufficiently varied to keep up one's interest for extended periods of time. Slightly behind Lykathea Aflame in the 'quirky' stakes, but a good effort nonetheless. [7/10]
Morzhol/Vortex Of End - Morzhol/Vortex Of End split [2011]
I quite enjoy this. Sure, it's nothing original (I'm going to get sick of saying that before long), but it flicks all the right switches for an underground black metal release. Both bands do their bit well, but if I were to pick a preferred side, it would be Morzhol's, just. Don't sell a kidney to get a first-press limited EP with the bands' semen, but this is worth a listen. [7/10]
My Dying Bride - Bring Me Victory [2009]
This EP is one of the best things that My Dying Bride have produced in recent history. Although I couldn't give two shits about the closing track, a live rendition of 'Vast Choirs', the other tracks, which are a typical MDB track, but condensed to four minutes to keep the good bits without getting boring, a heartfelt rendition of 'Scarborough Fair' (Scarborough hasn't had a proper fair in a long time), and a cover of 'Failure' by Swans, no less, make this a well-made, varied release. [8/10]
White Wizzard - Flying Tigers [2011]
I love good ol' heavy metal, don't get me wrong, but White Wizzard have repeatedly shown that they haven't a fucking clue how to make it properly. This is verily desecration - those who have been keeping up with this have probably figured that I don't hold much love for glam, and this takes a shit-dollop of influence from there, and mixes it in to this vile brew. [2/10]
N.B. This should've come out on Sunday but for a fuck-up with Blogger's scheduling system.
A.S.R.A./Defeatist/Triac - A.S.R.A./Defeatist/Triac split [2010]
GRIIIIIINNNNDCOOOOORRRRRREEEEEE! Who needs subtlety in 14 songs spread over 21 minutes? None of these bands miss the requirement for getting to the point within these time constraints - probably why they're all forerunners of the modern grindcore scene. [8/10]
Clandestine Blaze/Deathspell Omega - Clandestine Blaze/Deathspell Omega split [2001]
Clandestine Blaze, then a leading act in the black metal scene, combined with the then-up-and-coming Deathspell Omega to make this split, and I must say, Clandestine Blaze quite clearly show their experience here - their side is well-composed and interesting to listen to, whereas DsO's riffs on this border on naive, and the production used is taken a little bit too far in the 'raw' scale. [7/10, 5/10 respectively]
Destroyer 666 - To The Devil His Due [2011]
This is, as it comes across, just another D666 release. Fuck it, I'll put that properly. HOLD THE FRONT PAGE, THIS IS A D666 RELEASE! Although it's technically a combination of several EPs, this works as a singular release in its own right to the same extent. Listen, and remember why you think Australia's one of the greatest countries for extreme metal. [8/10]
Disgorge - Cranial Impalement [1999]
Disgorge from the USA are often credited with starting the whole 'brutal death by numbers' thing which is unfortunately prevalent in BDM now - that may be so, and one can certainly hear the similarities, but this has genuine energy to it; slower breakdowns are utilised well to create variety in the music (well, as much as you're ever likely to find in this sort of album). It hasn't changed my life, but I like it. [7/10]
Evile - Five Serpent's Teeth [2011]
Evile's first album, back in 2007, gave me quite a surprise with its sheer quality - I still hold the view today that it's one of the better albums of the new wave of thrash. Then came a mediocre follow-up, and now this. There isn't anything wrong with Five Serpent's Teeth per se, it's just... it's nothing more than a well-done 'AJFA'-era Metallica knock-off. Considering that said album is pretty worthless, the fact that this is a hundred miles better than the album it imitates says nothing in particular about its own quality. [6/10]
Fukpig - The Depth Of Humanity [2001]
When I saw this demo on one of my RSS feeds, I simultaneously shit and came (figuratively speaking, at least). Being a huge fan of Fukpig, this excited me to no end - and considering that this is only a demo, it's well constructed. Little presence of black metal influence here yet, but it's a strong effort, and many of these songs would find their way onto debut Spewings From A Selfish Nation. [7/10]
Glorior Belli - The Great Southern Darkness [2011]
Glorior Belli are often insulted for their movement into the influence of southern rock - not only do I feel this is unfair, but I also can't hear that much southern rock in this. Sure, some of the riffs may take a Down-esque approach, and there is the occasional banjo solo (if I remember rightly), but what this is in essence is a fair-to-middling black metal album with a few quirks. [6/10]
Goat Vulva - Crucifixions... [1989]
A demo from a pre-Beherit band? There was no way that this wasn't going to be 'kvlt as fvkk', and sure enough, it's plagued with almost impenetrable production that makes it very difficult to discern any melody whatsoever, and causes the different instruments to blend into one mashed-up mess. Normally, I am quite a patient person with production values, but this takes the piss. [2/10]
Krabathor - Cool Mortification [1993]
There are too many gems within old-school death metal for one person with other musical interests to possibly know them all, but this is one of them. Concentrated more on the slow pressure of building great riffs and centring songs around them than the more chaotic forms that were just beginning to get a stranglehold on death metal, this is highly recommended to anyone interested in OSDM. [9/10]
Mithras - Behind The Shadows Lie Madness [2007]
There are many attributes to brutal death metal, some of which sometimes subvert the need for good composition. But not here. This is certainly melodic for a BDM album, but it's also sufficiently varied to keep up one's interest for extended periods of time. Slightly behind Lykathea Aflame in the 'quirky' stakes, but a good effort nonetheless. [7/10]
Morzhol/Vortex Of End - Morzhol/Vortex Of End split [2011]
I quite enjoy this. Sure, it's nothing original (I'm going to get sick of saying that before long), but it flicks all the right switches for an underground black metal release. Both bands do their bit well, but if I were to pick a preferred side, it would be Morzhol's, just. Don't sell a kidney to get a first-press limited EP with the bands' semen, but this is worth a listen. [7/10]
My Dying Bride - Bring Me Victory [2009]
This EP is one of the best things that My Dying Bride have produced in recent history. Although I couldn't give two shits about the closing track, a live rendition of 'Vast Choirs', the other tracks, which are a typical MDB track, but condensed to four minutes to keep the good bits without getting boring, a heartfelt rendition of 'Scarborough Fair' (Scarborough hasn't had a proper fair in a long time), and a cover of 'Failure' by Swans, no less, make this a well-made, varied release. [8/10]
White Wizzard - Flying Tigers [2011]
I love good ol' heavy metal, don't get me wrong, but White Wizzard have repeatedly shown that they haven't a fucking clue how to make it properly. This is verily desecration - those who have been keeping up with this have probably figured that I don't hold much love for glam, and this takes a shit-dollop of influence from there, and mixes it in to this vile brew. [2/10]
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Weekly album analysis, week two
Continuing from last week's start. Once again, I'd like any feedback. I haven't actually heard very much at all new this week, and nearly all, if not all of it is new releases (or at least from this year), so you could treat this as sort of a 'buyer's/downloader's guide'.
Absu - Abzu [2011]
This, my friends, is a triumph. Having only listened to it for the first time yesterday, I have no hesitation in saying this - all the riffs are perfectly written, the blasts perfectly timed, the rasps perfectly placed, and even some French-like dissonance just ameliorating the album's overall feel. A contender for album of the year, and I'll listen to it again now in celebration.
[10/10]
Alcest - Le Secret [2011]
So this is the rerecording of Alcest's famous EP. As Alcest are far from my favourite band of the blackgaze thing (although I do enjoy them), I'm not best qualified to judge this; especially as I didn't hear it first time around. However, I'll say now: I do prefer the original tracks. Alcest's dreaminess over the years has extended to the point where it's pretty damaging to the overall effect of the music, much like constant blasting.
[5/10]
Anthrax - Worship Music [2011]
Oh dear. It would appear that Anthrax have released yet another poor-to-fair album. This is very 'modern' - its production is overly saccharine at times, in addition to what sound suspiciously like -core beatdowns (COMPLETELY out of place) - but the major thing lacking is speed. This is not a thrash album as we know thrash - I'll accept that thrash doesn't have to be blazing all the time, but this is midpaced. And midpaced is very difficult to pull off. Belladonna's usual annoying vocals don't help either.
[2/10]
Deiphago - XCIII [2011]
Before you listen to a new Deiphago release, you know what's coming, more-or-less. This three-track EP, however, is more like a one-track EP - after the pointless intro (it's an EP, for fuck's sake!), there is a track which is particularly boring - at least for me, it was just bland. However, closer 'Hail Mary Inanna' is a saving grace - it could fit quite comfortably on Satanik Eon, and dare I say it, is even catchy (but only in that cool, bestial black metal way). I wouldn't pay for this though.
[6/10]
Gripe - The Future Doesn't Need You [2011]
Highly promising start from this new powerviolence band - over eight tracks and ten minutes, it ripped me several new arseholes. I may have to upload this, as it's pleased me quite a lot. You heard it here first (unless you're an avid follower of several other blogs) - Gripe are going to be... well, not big - this is powerviolence - but well respected.
[9/10]
Machine Head - Unto The Locust [2011]
Machine Head were a favourite of mine, back when I was just starting to get really into metal and The Blackening had just been released. It's not so much anymore, but is still good for a bit of fun nostalgia. This, on the other hand, is weak. Opener 'I Am Hell' is promising (once their chugging at the start has made way to some solid thrashing), but the rest of the album gives way to thuggish, unwelcome grooves and sickly emopoppy choruses - the title(ish) track is a good example. They do know how to target a market.
[5/10]
Mastodon - The Hunter [2011]
Mastodon's clean vocals are frankly uninspiring. So why have they chosen to make them the focal point of the album? Technically, it's poor, but I've got to say, much like Kreator's Hordes Of Chaos, it sure is good at incorporating a catchy poppy hook into its runtime. Compositionally, Twisted Sister it fortuitously ain't, this is pop metal done right.
[7/10]
Morbus Chron - Sleepers In The Rift [2011]
So, this time last year we were sick of all the new wave thrash bands - and that effect is starting to happen with the OSDM revival. Not here though - this is surprisingly melodic (and thus reminiscent of Intestine Baalism), and is a solid effort. It won't change your life, but for a death metal fan, it's more than worth a listen or several.
[7/10]
Nicole 12 - Black Line [2011]
Terror Noise Audio said it was good. And it is. Italian power electronics, with paedophilic lyrical themes, is certainly an acquired taste - and a niche genre - but I like this. More than a hint of old-school industrial to it, I find little fault with the way this is done. Perhaps one for new contributor fpastilhas to check out; I think he'd like it.
[8/10]
Persecutor - Bestial Overkill [2011]
Wow. Many bands sound like this nowadays, but it's a fucking awesome sound. A favourite band of this blog is Vomitor. Well, spiritually and on record, this is essentially Vomitor's aspirational little brother. They don't quite have the razor-sharp edge yet, but Persecutor have served up a more than worthwhile offering of blackened thrash here.
[8/10]
Running Wild - The Final Jolly Roger [2011]
I can't get enough Running Wild. I rue that I missed the chance to see them in concert, but this release helps newfags like yours truly at least experience a little of that. This is, in sound and in songs, a perfect Running Wild gig; my one complaint is its length. Sure, it would be great to be there at a farewell gig, but any album which is spread over two CDs is pushing it - this falls into a melange after a while.
[8/10]
Taake - Noregs Vaapen [2011]
Controversy follows Hoest like ... I don't know what like, but rest assured that his very existence is somewhat controversial. Don't detract from his music though, and this seems to be his best effort yet - whilst past albums have suffered a little from bouts of monochromaticism, this blends melody and ice cold, almost recent Immortal-esque blackness to joyful levels.
[9/10]
Unkind - Harhakuvat [2011]
I was keen to get my hands on this after reading a very positive review in Zero Tolerance (something I trust now more than Terrorizer, my previous rag du choix), but I'm disappointed. This is pretty much crust by numbers - perhaps with the odd unusual structure or longer song, but there's little about this which makes it stand out.
[4/10]
Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder [2011]
Eh. Warbringer are a modern thrash band who have never clicked with me. I couldn't resist giving their new release a cheeky (heh) listen, and nothing's changed. It's fast, but not truly pacy. It's aggressive, but not violently so. Riffs are well-written, but less original than most modern thrash bands - a feat indeed. American thrash is seriously overrated, something for which this is apt testimony.
[5/10]
Weather Report - Black Market [1976]
Jazz fusion. With lots of rocky edge to it. This was popular in the 70s, and I quite like it. I'm unlikely to listen to it very often - it's simply not my genre - and I'm not knowledgeable about the style, so I can't say too much about it, but it's good. I'll give you that much information.
[6/10]
White Medal - Alone As Owt [2011]
'YAAAARKSHIRE black metal'. How could I resist? There's nothing particularly distinctive about this album, save for perhaps its short running time, but it keeps coming back to me (perhaps because of that title). Consider the sound of Winterfylleth mixed with a Mayhem demo. There, you've pretty much got White Medal down to a t.
[6/10]
Absu - Abzu [2011]
This, my friends, is a triumph. Having only listened to it for the first time yesterday, I have no hesitation in saying this - all the riffs are perfectly written, the blasts perfectly timed, the rasps perfectly placed, and even some French-like dissonance just ameliorating the album's overall feel. A contender for album of the year, and I'll listen to it again now in celebration.
[10/10]
Alcest - Le Secret [2011]
So this is the rerecording of Alcest's famous EP. As Alcest are far from my favourite band of the blackgaze thing (although I do enjoy them), I'm not best qualified to judge this; especially as I didn't hear it first time around. However, I'll say now: I do prefer the original tracks. Alcest's dreaminess over the years has extended to the point where it's pretty damaging to the overall effect of the music, much like constant blasting.
[5/10]
Anthrax - Worship Music [2011]
Oh dear. It would appear that Anthrax have released yet another poor-to-fair album. This is very 'modern' - its production is overly saccharine at times, in addition to what sound suspiciously like -core beatdowns (COMPLETELY out of place) - but the major thing lacking is speed. This is not a thrash album as we know thrash - I'll accept that thrash doesn't have to be blazing all the time, but this is midpaced. And midpaced is very difficult to pull off. Belladonna's usual annoying vocals don't help either.
[2/10]
Deiphago - XCIII [2011]
Before you listen to a new Deiphago release, you know what's coming, more-or-less. This three-track EP, however, is more like a one-track EP - after the pointless intro (it's an EP, for fuck's sake!), there is a track which is particularly boring - at least for me, it was just bland. However, closer 'Hail Mary Inanna' is a saving grace - it could fit quite comfortably on Satanik Eon, and dare I say it, is even catchy (but only in that cool, bestial black metal way). I wouldn't pay for this though.
[6/10]
Gripe - The Future Doesn't Need You [2011]
Highly promising start from this new powerviolence band - over eight tracks and ten minutes, it ripped me several new arseholes. I may have to upload this, as it's pleased me quite a lot. You heard it here first (unless you're an avid follower of several other blogs) - Gripe are going to be... well, not big - this is powerviolence - but well respected.
[9/10]
Machine Head - Unto The Locust [2011]
Machine Head were a favourite of mine, back when I was just starting to get really into metal and The Blackening had just been released. It's not so much anymore, but is still good for a bit of fun nostalgia. This, on the other hand, is weak. Opener 'I Am Hell' is promising (once their chugging at the start has made way to some solid thrashing), but the rest of the album gives way to thuggish, unwelcome grooves and sickly emopoppy choruses - the title(ish) track is a good example. They do know how to target a market.
[5/10]
Mastodon - The Hunter [2011]
Mastodon's clean vocals are frankly uninspiring. So why have they chosen to make them the focal point of the album? Technically, it's poor, but I've got to say, much like Kreator's Hordes Of Chaos, it sure is good at incorporating a catchy poppy hook into its runtime. Compositionally, Twisted Sister it fortuitously ain't, this is pop metal done right.
[7/10]
Morbus Chron - Sleepers In The Rift [2011]
So, this time last year we were sick of all the new wave thrash bands - and that effect is starting to happen with the OSDM revival. Not here though - this is surprisingly melodic (and thus reminiscent of Intestine Baalism), and is a solid effort. It won't change your life, but for a death metal fan, it's more than worth a listen or several.
[7/10]
Nicole 12 - Black Line [2011]
Terror Noise Audio said it was good. And it is. Italian power electronics, with paedophilic lyrical themes, is certainly an acquired taste - and a niche genre - but I like this. More than a hint of old-school industrial to it, I find little fault with the way this is done. Perhaps one for new contributor fpastilhas to check out; I think he'd like it.
[8/10]
Persecutor - Bestial Overkill [2011]
Wow. Many bands sound like this nowadays, but it's a fucking awesome sound. A favourite band of this blog is Vomitor. Well, spiritually and on record, this is essentially Vomitor's aspirational little brother. They don't quite have the razor-sharp edge yet, but Persecutor have served up a more than worthwhile offering of blackened thrash here.
[8/10]
Running Wild - The Final Jolly Roger [2011]
I can't get enough Running Wild. I rue that I missed the chance to see them in concert, but this release helps newfags like yours truly at least experience a little of that. This is, in sound and in songs, a perfect Running Wild gig; my one complaint is its length. Sure, it would be great to be there at a farewell gig, but any album which is spread over two CDs is pushing it - this falls into a melange after a while.
[8/10]
Taake - Noregs Vaapen [2011]
Controversy follows Hoest like ... I don't know what like, but rest assured that his very existence is somewhat controversial. Don't detract from his music though, and this seems to be his best effort yet - whilst past albums have suffered a little from bouts of monochromaticism, this blends melody and ice cold, almost recent Immortal-esque blackness to joyful levels.
[9/10]
Unkind - Harhakuvat [2011]
I was keen to get my hands on this after reading a very positive review in Zero Tolerance (something I trust now more than Terrorizer, my previous rag du choix), but I'm disappointed. This is pretty much crust by numbers - perhaps with the odd unusual structure or longer song, but there's little about this which makes it stand out.
[4/10]
Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder [2011]
Eh. Warbringer are a modern thrash band who have never clicked with me. I couldn't resist giving their new release a cheeky (heh) listen, and nothing's changed. It's fast, but not truly pacy. It's aggressive, but not violently so. Riffs are well-written, but less original than most modern thrash bands - a feat indeed. American thrash is seriously overrated, something for which this is apt testimony.
[5/10]
Weather Report - Black Market [1976]
Jazz fusion. With lots of rocky edge to it. This was popular in the 70s, and I quite like it. I'm unlikely to listen to it very often - it's simply not my genre - and I'm not knowledgeable about the style, so I can't say too much about it, but it's good. I'll give you that much information.
[6/10]
White Medal - Alone As Owt [2011]
'YAAAARKSHIRE black metal'. How could I resist? There's nothing particularly distinctive about this album, save for perhaps its short running time, but it keeps coming back to me (perhaps because of that title). Consider the sound of Winterfylleth mixed with a Mayhem demo. There, you've pretty much got White Medal down to a t.
[6/10]
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Weekly album analysis, week 1
I thought I'd start a new series on this 'ere blog. The idea will be to start a series of posts with no downloads, but including my initial thoughts on albums which I have heard for the very first (and possibly second and third times) in the preceding seven days. Let me know what you think of the idea.
Disease Process - Disease Process demo [2011]
This is good, solid grind. It's far from original, and the production is a bit lacking - but hey, it's a demo. It's also legally available on t'interwebs, but I forget where. Worth a listen or two, but don't worry if you never hear it, either. [7/10]
Enemy Soil - Ruin Of Eden [1997]
Despite these two coming up next to each other, I don't spend all my time listening to grindcore, honest! Ruin Of Eden is a classic of its genre, and to be honest, it's a little bit embarrassing that I've gone this far without listening to it before. That is something I shall be rectifying soon... with vigour! Ahem. Certainly a fantastic release. Recommended to anyone who likes their music fast, loud and simple. [9/10]
Gnaw Their Tongues - Dimlit Hate Cellar EP [2010]
This is one of GTT's less noisy, and thus more accessible releases, especially considering it's split into four tracks, each at around the five minute length. To be honest though, it's not particularly impressive, considering quite the amount of venom and hatred one can hear in their other releases, compared to which this is somewhat lacking. [5/10]
Gris - Il Était Une Forêt... [2007]
Although the DSBM subgenre may have got started back around the turn of the millenium, many of its most influential releases are more recent, this being one of them. I'm not the greatest fan of the genre, but I can recognize a quality album within it, and this is one of them. It's perhaps a little long, but that may just be me tiring of the style. [8/10]
Hades Archer - For The Diabolical Ages [2011]
I know that my fellow author HeySharpshooter is a great fan of this album, and I can see why - it's a great mixture of black and death metal, and it's done well. I don't treat it with quite the adulation that he does, but I can see it's an album which is well above average. Worth getting. [7/10]
Loudblast - Sensorial Treatment [1989]
Being pre-90s death metal, it could be guessed that for this to be a good album, it would probably be laden with hooks. And it is; although it's not quite on the same level as the Floridian scene of around the same time, the French have always hit well and hard within the metal spectrum, and this is no exception. [7/10]
Monks Of The Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery - Ritual Music Of Tibetan Buddhism And Tantric Hymns [1991]
This style of music is almost new to me - although I've enjoyed most of the ritual ambient I've heard, pure ritual music is something I have never in the past paid attention to. To be honest, I'm not going to much - I downloaded it on a whim after someone on a blog I follow (which one, I haven't a clue) compared it to drone. It's like bad drone, in that it bores me. [3/10]
Motley Crue - Girls, Girls, Girls [1987]
I won't pretend that I went into this one without preconceptions; to do so would be to lie to myself and you. Considering I've been avoiding listening to them for years, this was very unsurprising to me - it's a piss-poor album, no two ways about it. But then, that could be applied to most of glam, and on the flipside this does end up on the better end of that genre. [2/10]
Nekrofilth - Worship Destruction [2011]
After being impressed by them on this year's split with Nunslaughter (whose half was weak in comparison), I sought out this, their full-length, if you can call it that at around the 20 minute mark. It is what it is; solid thrashy death metal, which is full of hooks (in other words, done right for the genre). Certainly punching above their weight; good things should come to them. [9/10]
Nightbringer - Hierophany Of The Open Grave [2011]
Up until now, Nightbringer have seemed to be treading water with their raging Deathspell-isms - even on their previous best, 2010's Apocalypse Sun, they seemed to essentially create a mixture of Deathspell's Kenose and Fas.... On this, however, they've truly developed their own style - although their dissonant approach to black metal is still highly reminiscent of the French axis, they now play in such a way that it would be difficult to truly draw parallels with any of the major players in that scene. [9/10]
Opeth - Heritage [2011]
Weak 70s style prog. Want to hear more? See my review. [2/10]
Skeletal Earth - Eulogy For A Dying Fetus [1991]
This is about as subtle as its title would suggest. Thrashy death in the Ripping Corpse style, except it doesn't quite have the charm of that (divisive) band. Short song lengths help the album, but it would here suggest that the band were worried about keeping the listener's attention for longer. [5/10]
Supreme NTM - J'appuie Sur La Gachette [1993]
French rap. Heh. This is the group who became infamous with the release of the song 'Fuck Tha Police' for the film La Haine, but honestly, I prefer this - it has less of a dependence on that most unlistenable of techniques, 'scratching'. Catchy, and although my French is nowhere near good enough to keep up with most of this, the 'gangsta' style lyrical themes should be made obvious by the song titles. [7/10]
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out [1959]
When it comes to jazz, swing isn't exactly my favourite style, but this album is done so well, the pieces contained therein having such warmth to them, that I couldn't dislike it. Far from the usual extreme music posted and discussed on this blog, but very good nonetheless. [8/10]
Throbbing Gristle - D.O.A.: The Third And Final Report Of Throbbing Gristle [1978]
Although it took me ages to get around to listening to this, I now see why noise fans speak of it, and other 'old-school industrial', in such revered tones. At times, this is essentially Merzbow, although for most of it, it's somewhat more accessible, with recognizable vocal lines (of course, this is 1978, for fuck's sake!). I've got some catching up to do with this one. [8/10]
Warfare - Metal Anarchy [1985]
Very much similar to Motorhead in their approach to punked up NWOBHM, this is perhaps more to the d-beat end of the spectrum - indeed, they use that in most songs. Coupled with immensely catchy riffs and choruses to last a lifetime, I think I prefer this to Motorhead's classics. [10/10]
Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestial Lineage [2011]
WITTR are often unfortunately lumped in with the 'hipster BM' lot. To be honest, I quite like a lot of this 'hipster black metal', and this, WITTR's final album, is exemplary both of the style, and of their work up to this point - and unfortunately they have deemed this their final release. A great mixture of the more -gazey elements of Two Hunters and the raw aggression of Diadem Of Twelve Stars. [9/10]
Disease Process - Disease Process demo [2011]
This is good, solid grind. It's far from original, and the production is a bit lacking - but hey, it's a demo. It's also legally available on t'interwebs, but I forget where. Worth a listen or two, but don't worry if you never hear it, either. [7/10]
Enemy Soil - Ruin Of Eden [1997]
Despite these two coming up next to each other, I don't spend all my time listening to grindcore, honest! Ruin Of Eden is a classic of its genre, and to be honest, it's a little bit embarrassing that I've gone this far without listening to it before. That is something I shall be rectifying soon... with vigour! Ahem. Certainly a fantastic release. Recommended to anyone who likes their music fast, loud and simple. [9/10]
Gnaw Their Tongues - Dimlit Hate Cellar EP [2010]
This is one of GTT's less noisy, and thus more accessible releases, especially considering it's split into four tracks, each at around the five minute length. To be honest though, it's not particularly impressive, considering quite the amount of venom and hatred one can hear in their other releases, compared to which this is somewhat lacking. [5/10]
Gris - Il Était Une Forêt... [2007]
Although the DSBM subgenre may have got started back around the turn of the millenium, many of its most influential releases are more recent, this being one of them. I'm not the greatest fan of the genre, but I can recognize a quality album within it, and this is one of them. It's perhaps a little long, but that may just be me tiring of the style. [8/10]
Hades Archer - For The Diabolical Ages [2011]
I know that my fellow author HeySharpshooter is a great fan of this album, and I can see why - it's a great mixture of black and death metal, and it's done well. I don't treat it with quite the adulation that he does, but I can see it's an album which is well above average. Worth getting. [7/10]
Loudblast - Sensorial Treatment [1989]
Being pre-90s death metal, it could be guessed that for this to be a good album, it would probably be laden with hooks. And it is; although it's not quite on the same level as the Floridian scene of around the same time, the French have always hit well and hard within the metal spectrum, and this is no exception. [7/10]
Monks Of The Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery - Ritual Music Of Tibetan Buddhism And Tantric Hymns [1991]
This style of music is almost new to me - although I've enjoyed most of the ritual ambient I've heard, pure ritual music is something I have never in the past paid attention to. To be honest, I'm not going to much - I downloaded it on a whim after someone on a blog I follow (which one, I haven't a clue) compared it to drone. It's like bad drone, in that it bores me. [3/10]
Motley Crue - Girls, Girls, Girls [1987]
I won't pretend that I went into this one without preconceptions; to do so would be to lie to myself and you. Considering I've been avoiding listening to them for years, this was very unsurprising to me - it's a piss-poor album, no two ways about it. But then, that could be applied to most of glam, and on the flipside this does end up on the better end of that genre. [2/10]
Nekrofilth - Worship Destruction [2011]
After being impressed by them on this year's split with Nunslaughter (whose half was weak in comparison), I sought out this, their full-length, if you can call it that at around the 20 minute mark. It is what it is; solid thrashy death metal, which is full of hooks (in other words, done right for the genre). Certainly punching above their weight; good things should come to them. [9/10]
Nightbringer - Hierophany Of The Open Grave [2011]
Up until now, Nightbringer have seemed to be treading water with their raging Deathspell-isms - even on their previous best, 2010's Apocalypse Sun, they seemed to essentially create a mixture of Deathspell's Kenose and Fas.... On this, however, they've truly developed their own style - although their dissonant approach to black metal is still highly reminiscent of the French axis, they now play in such a way that it would be difficult to truly draw parallels with any of the major players in that scene. [9/10]
Opeth - Heritage [2011]
Weak 70s style prog. Want to hear more? See my review. [2/10]
Skeletal Earth - Eulogy For A Dying Fetus [1991]
This is about as subtle as its title would suggest. Thrashy death in the Ripping Corpse style, except it doesn't quite have the charm of that (divisive) band. Short song lengths help the album, but it would here suggest that the band were worried about keeping the listener's attention for longer. [5/10]
Supreme NTM - J'appuie Sur La Gachette [1993]
French rap. Heh. This is the group who became infamous with the release of the song 'Fuck Tha Police' for the film La Haine, but honestly, I prefer this - it has less of a dependence on that most unlistenable of techniques, 'scratching'. Catchy, and although my French is nowhere near good enough to keep up with most of this, the 'gangsta' style lyrical themes should be made obvious by the song titles. [7/10]
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out [1959]
When it comes to jazz, swing isn't exactly my favourite style, but this album is done so well, the pieces contained therein having such warmth to them, that I couldn't dislike it. Far from the usual extreme music posted and discussed on this blog, but very good nonetheless. [8/10]
Throbbing Gristle - D.O.A.: The Third And Final Report Of Throbbing Gristle [1978]
Although it took me ages to get around to listening to this, I now see why noise fans speak of it, and other 'old-school industrial', in such revered tones. At times, this is essentially Merzbow, although for most of it, it's somewhat more accessible, with recognizable vocal lines (of course, this is 1978, for fuck's sake!). I've got some catching up to do with this one. [8/10]
Warfare - Metal Anarchy [1985]
Very much similar to Motorhead in their approach to punked up NWOBHM, this is perhaps more to the d-beat end of the spectrum - indeed, they use that in most songs. Coupled with immensely catchy riffs and choruses to last a lifetime, I think I prefer this to Motorhead's classics. [10/10]
Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestial Lineage [2011]
WITTR are often unfortunately lumped in with the 'hipster BM' lot. To be honest, I quite like a lot of this 'hipster black metal', and this, WITTR's final album, is exemplary both of the style, and of their work up to this point - and unfortunately they have deemed this their final release. A great mixture of the more -gazey elements of Two Hunters and the raw aggression of Diadem Of Twelve Stars. [9/10]
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