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Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors |
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Written by Chris Slack
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Saturday, 14 June 2008 22:12 |
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As evidenced by their last full length, “La Masquerade Infernale", Norway’s Arcturus has never been a band to follow current underground musical trends. It seems as though they always endeavor to stay one step ahead of the crowd in the design and execution of their art and are not in the least bit afraid to try something new. “The Sham Mirrors” is not an exception to that but is not as much of a radical departure from the style heard on their last album as “La Masquerade Infernale" was from “Aspera Hiems Symfonia”.
The album opens with “Kinetic”, a track that flows like water and is very pleasing on the ears. This (as well as most of the CD is very non-threatening and could (or should) easily make it into rotation on mainstream radio. Some might be a taken a bit back by Garm’s vocals, which are very clean and melodic and even venture into some falsetto parts. Things get a little more extreme on “Collapse Generation” where Hellhammer’s double bass gets a little bit of a workout. “Star Crossed” would make a perfect soundtrack to an out-of-body experience, while listening it I can close my eyes and envision floating above the world looking down on both peaceful scenes and the horrors of war. This is some very visual music folks! The ten and a half minute closer “For to End Yet Again” perfectly wraps up the album, its multilayered production and thick atmosphere make it very memorable.
The songs on this album, unlike “La Masquerade Infernale", actually seem to fit together as if they really belong there. If you’re looking for something grim and extreme you’ll want to avoid this one like the plague. If you’re looking for something that transcends the black metal genre, actually the metal genre as a whole, check this sucker out.
1. Kinetic
2. Nightmare Heaven
3. Ad Absurdum
4. Collapse Generation
5. Star Crossed
6. Radical Cut
7. For to End Yet Again
(Voices of Wonder/The End Records) Rating: 9 /10 |
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My Dying Bride - Voice of the Wretched |
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Written by Chris Slack
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Saturday, 14 June 2008 22:10 |
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After a decade or so on top of the doom/gothic metal scene England’s My Dying Bride have finally released a live album. This album features live recordings of My Dying Bride's performance at the 013 Club in Tilburg, Holland, that took place on March 1 2001 as part of the Peacefest shows.
Tracks on this album run through many of the best songs throughout My Dying Bride’s long career. The production is clean, yet not so clean that it reeks of post-production work and overdubs like so many other live albums. It actually seems more like a live Greatest Hits CD than a normal live album. “Voice of the Wretched” gives you a nice 51 minute taste of the melancholic sound of My Dying Bride. I only wish they could have put more tracks on it to fill the extra twenty minutes the format allows.
While I’m not the biggest fan of live albums I am a huge fan of My Dying Bride. Since they’ve never made it to my part of the US it gives me a good taste of what to expect should they ever make it out this way. As far as live albums go this is one of the best I have heard. If you’re a fan of the band buy this CD!
1. She Is The Dark
2. Turn Loose The Swans
3. The Cry Of Mankind
4. The Snow In My Hand
5. A Cruel Taste Of Winter
6. Under Your Wings And Into Your Arms
7. A Kiss To Remember
8. Your River
9. The Fever Sea
10. Symphonaire Infernus Et Spera Empyrium
(Peaceville) Rating: 8 /10 |
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Machetazo - Trona De Huesos |
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Written by Insane Wayne
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Saturday, 14 June 2008 22:10 |
I found something that some of the true die-hard death metal heads I think will enjoy. Machetazo is a two-piece band that hails from Spain. I'll have to admit, I wasn't expecting very much from this CD, but to my suprise it grew on me after a couple listens. The lyrics are mostly in Spanish, so I can't even tell what the hell they're saying. Who cares though, the music is pretty badass. Reminds me a lot of an early Incantation and Autopsy with a Carcass overtone. The riffs are very dark and the vocals go from boiler room low, to a gurgling high, not to mention some pitch shifted vocals here and there. The only downside in my opinion is the cover of Ace Of Spades. Now don't get me wrong, all the songs are good, but I'm just not a person who digs cover songs; however, the good of this CD far outweighs the bad. Machetazo also has a split 10" with the legendary Abscess. If you dig this CD, the EP is definately worth checking out. Another band to watch for in the future. Gracias amigos.
(Razorback Records) Rating: 8 /10 |
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Beheaded - Recounts Of Disembowelment |
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Written by Clark Chaos
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Saturday, 14 June 2008 22:09 |
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Now this band is just sick as all hell. Just smacks you with a sledge hammer right out of the gates. Vocals remind me of Steve-O from Impetigo but backed by some vicious finger works from the guitars. There are some fast riffs on this CD; they remind me of Cannibal Corpse which has to be an influence for this band. The drummer whips up quit the frenzy from behind that kit; never relenting barrage of double bass always makes for a great Death Metal band. Any fan of Cannibal Corpse has to get this disc. These guys could slip right into Cannibal Corpse shoes if they ever decide to call it a day. Beheaded are a band that can fill that void with ease. Get out there, find this disc and head out for some fresh kill!!!
01. Broken Thoughts of Righteousness 04:23
02. Horde of the Stolen Sun 04:16
03. Recounts of Disembodiment 03:47
04. Consecrated Absurdities 04:55
05. Compelling Derangement 04:30
06. Inherited Plague 03:58
07. Fed Upon Odium 04:06
08. Disdain 04:34
09. Spreading Contagion 03:13
10. Unbound 04:34
(Mighty Music) Rating: 9 /10 |
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Bane Of Existence - Self Titled MCD |
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Written by Clark Chaos
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Saturday, 14 June 2008 22:09 |
Some heavy brutal Death Metal with the usual anti-Christian theme for lyrics. This isn’t a great demo but it isn’t all that bad either. Pretty standard Death Metal with plenty of blast beats and double bass. The vocals range from the high screech to low guttural, I always like that combo, makes for great atmosphere in the song. Because the songs are pretty much textbook Death Metal, I didn’t feel inspired to kill but just maim and seriously abuse the unfortunate. The main weak point to this band is there drummer. He seems to loose steam here and there on the blast beats and the fast double bass parts. This is some pretty cool stuff but it needs work, I think most Grind style Death Metal fans will enjoy Bane of Existence. They just need to tighten up their music and this material will crush. Not bad for a demo but plenty of room for improvements.
Track Listing:
1)Denouned
2)Art Of Fisting
3)Evisceration
4)Iconoclast
5)Cankerous
http://www.baneofexistence.com
(SelfRelease) Rating: 6 /10 |
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