1349’s brand of blackened death metal is a brutal assault to the senses. Hailing from the icy regions of Norway, the band has unleashed their second collection of aural artillery entitled Beyond The Apocalypse. Featuring the warp speed drumming of Frost, (also known for his work in the mighty Satyricon), 1349 has rapidly gained a good deal of fame and notoriety. There are no pleasant keyboard parts here, just old school black metal that will smash you upside the head. Compositions such as Internal Winter, Chasing Dragons, and Necronatalenheten are sure to bring pure devastation upon all who listen. One of the most promising extreme metal bands to emerge from Scandinavia in quite awhile, those into Darkthrone and Gorgoroth should check into what 1349 has to offer. Play Beyond The Apocalypse at an intensive volume and discover your own personal Armageddon.
Based out of the New York music scene, Another Breath is a promising band on the verge of success. Their Rival Records EP Not Now, Not Ever is a 15 minute sound explosion that should win over fans of deeply felt hardcore tunes. The eight tracks are melodic yet intensive, dealing with personal issues that many will easily relate with such as image and self-worth in a media manipulated society. Tunes such as Racing A Fading Image, 17 Minutes, and Truth In The Television are sure to be crowd pleasers when performed live. Recorded with skilled precision by Kurt Ballou of Converge at the famed God City Studios, Not Now, Not Ever by Another Breath is a fantastic introduction to a band we’ll be hearing a lot more from in the future. Expect more than just a fleeting 15 minutes of fame from these guys! Positive hardcore for fans of bands such as 7 Seconds, Champion, and the Comeback Kid.
And you thought the OC was known just for their pop punk bands? Think again as Blackheart Eulogy smash you in the face with their devastating brand of blackened hardcore metal. Inspired by bands such as At The Gates and Dimmu Borgir, Blackheart Eulogy could easily rank right up there with the groups who inspire them. Damned By The Grace is an independent release, but the recording is top notch. Opening with the threatening sounds of Beyond Tonight, the five songs presented are brutal and mesmerizing. To The Grave is a definite highlight, showing off the talents of all the band members. The title track is another standout, featuring a grinding chorus that will penetrate your soul.
James Moorcroft growls the chilling vocals with a commanding ferocity, mixing in the black and death metal styles. Axe men Alex Lopez and Mondo Rivera add a mighty wall of sound to the proceedings, coming up with highly compelling guitar parts. (Note: Since this recording, Mondo has been replaced by Ryan Nelson.) The rhythm section is first rate hitting the listener like a head on collision, featuring Paul Nelson on bass and Colby White on drums. At one time, any band with this intense of a sound originated from some Scandinavian country – we now have Blackheart Eulogy, and they will definitely help to place OC on the world metal map. Be sure to snag a copy of Damned By His Grace and support the local metal scene! One of the best independent metal EP’s to come out this year.
One of the most intense hardcore bands to come out of the East Coast hardcore scene, Bury Your Dead impressed many with their debut You Had Me At Hello. Incessant touring and appearances at Hellfest have served to prove that this band was lethal onstage, inspiring mosh pits and other acts of aggression wherever they would play. And with their Victory Records release entitled Cover Your Tracks, Bury Your Dead manage to become even heavier, combining influences such as Crowbar and Sevendust into the fold – and unleashing a sound that is more explosive than ever. Once you get past the fact that all 12 songs on the album are named after movies starring Tom Cruise, the music envelopes the listener with it’s amazingly heavy wall of sound. The performances all first rate and the breakdowns are brutal as hell! Living up to the promise of their first album, Cover Your Tracks is a mesmerizing effort that shows the band has aspirations far beyond what is generally expected in the hardcore scene. These guys have All The Right Moves and will certainly become a Top Gun in their field. Could The Color Of Money and Legend status be near? I could go on and on with the Risky Business of these puns – but I won’t. Just buy this record because if you are a fan of super intensive hardcore, it will be a Mission:Impossible to pry Cover Your Tracks away from the CD player. As Ebert and Roeper say: Two thumbs up!
Hear The Voice by Carved In Stone is a stunning album of mystical folk that will enchant the imagination of all who dare to encounter its unique artistry. The woman behind the music is Swawa, whose roots are firmly planted in the metal genre (Dark Intention and Paimon are amongst her previous projects). But Carved In Stone delves way beyond the head banging, taking the listener on a wondrous journey of epic, yet dark melancholic proportions. Swawa is involved with every aspect of the production, including vocals, guitar, pipe, keyboard, and harp. Most of the lyrics are in her native German language, but the aural tapestries found within Hear The Voice only prove that music is indeed a universal language. Songs such as Last Words, Boten Asgards, Die Garten Der Feen, and The Lady Of The Wood will dwell in your imagination long after the disc spins to its conclusion. Weaving vibrant stories of ancient warriors and days gone by, Swawa’s soothing voice and wistful musical interludes are filled with beauty, mystery and intrigue. The attractive layout was conceived by the artist HvemSkulle, adding optical significance to the already visionary compositions. Once you burn yourself out on the hardcore and death metal in your CD collection, give Hear The Voice by Carved In Stone a listen and prepare to be swept away by it’s majestic splendour.
There has been an onslaught of heavy bands coming out of the Richmond, VA area that possess a good deal of talent such as Lamb Of God and Strike Anywhere. Add Cast Aside to the list of East Coast acts ready to burst onto the national hardcore scene in a big and glorious way. Their debut release for Deathwish entitled The Struggle, features 11 anthems that will make you want to tear into the nearest mosh pit. Bringing their straight edge principals and mighty tunes into the forefront, songs such as Stand Up, Last Chance, and No Excuses are destined to become genre favorites. Vocalist Wes Vincil is a forceful presence, delivering the lyrics with a sense of pride and conviction. All musicians in the band are top notch, featuring a tremendously tight rhythm section and searing guitar work. There is a spirited intensity on The Struggle that easily renders this album a required listen for all hardcore enthusiasts. Expect to hear a lot more from this band in the future.
Originally from San Jose, power trio Chemical Burn is currently scorching the City of Angels with their dynamic brand of driving rock and roll. A sonic assault to the senses, the band is obviously influenced by the metal greats such as Sabbath, Motorhead, and Pantera – yet manage to come up with an their own identity and distinctive sound. Down tuned sludgy guitars are mixed with a driving rhythm section. The tracks featured on their 3 Song Demo are outstanding and show a good deal of promise. Mike Garnica presents the fiery vocals and sludgy bass rhythms with a creative flair. Imaginative guitar work and driving drum work are also showcased throughout this impressive demo. Chemical Burn will surely rock your world with their fierce old school sound. It will be exciting to see what this band comes up with next. Chemical Burn is currently recording their full length debut at Lavish Studios in Burbank – owned by the one and only Velvet Revolver. Info: www.chemicalburnmusic.com
Cold War feature members of veteran bands such as Throwdown and Welcome To Your Life, but they are sure to make a name for themselves with their intensive brand of metallic hardcore. From Russia With Love is their debut album, and it’s guaranteed to become a genre favorite. Based out of the OC and Inland Empire, Cold War has unleashed 10 tracks of sonic devastation, with tunes such as Love Betrays, Fuck The Game, and Bombs Away being highlights. Comparable to the intensive musical artistry of the revered At The Gates and Hatebreed, Cold War deliver their songs like artillery ready to explode right in your freakin’ face! Capturing the sheer essence and chaos of their live shows, From Russia With Love by Cold War is a powerful testament to perseverance that will resound throughout your head long after the disc spins to its brutal conclusion. An exciting new band that we’ll be hearing a lot from within the New Year! Highly recommended!
When it comes to Norwegian black metal bands, Darkthrone is one of the legends in their field. Never compromising to musical trends, the notorious group continues to record one excellent album after another. In the fine tradition of Hate Them and Ravishing Grimness comes a new album that is a genuine thrill to the senses. This current opus is Sardonic Wrath a hellish piece of musical art that will add significantly to their already mighty legacy. After a brief introduction entitled Order Of The Ominous, the disc goes into overdrive with the chilling Information Wants To Be Syndicated. Core members Nocturno Culto and Fenriz remain at the pinnacle of their craft, delivering the killer riffs, grueling vocals, and dynamic blast beats that they have become so famous for. Songs destined for greatness include Sjakk Matt Jesu Krist, Sacrificing To The God Of Doubt, and Hate Is The Law. Dedicated to the memory of Bathory’s fallen Quorthon, Sardonic Wrath by Darkthrone is required listening for all those who like their Black Metal primitive and brutal as hell!
Dividetheday is a band from the Riverside area whose unique sound mixes infectious melodies with post hardcore chaos. The five songs featured on Vegas Baby Vegas are true standouts and will definitely leave the listener wanting a whole lot more. The disc kicks off with the title track – a song whose creative energies recall such bands as Fear Before The March Of Flames and Zao. The wonderfully named You Want Space? You Could Have The Whole Galaxy! is a thoroughly catchy tune that could find play on the airwaves. Be sure to stay for the conclusion and listen to their acoustic track Life Isn’t Fair, But Fair Isn’t What I’m Here For to see just how diverse Dividetheday’s music can be. In recent news, Dividetheday just signed with Pluto Records, the label that unleashed As I Lay Dying and Horse The Band unto the world. All fans of post hardcore should take a gamble and check out Vegas Baby Vegas by Dividetheday – listening to their explosive music is like hitting the jackpot in Sin City!
I saw Sacramento’s Five Minute Ride several months ago at Sacred Grounds when they were on tour with Still Life Projector. They nearly blew the walls off the venue, and definitely impressed many in the crowd who were seeing them for the first time. Now signed to Rise Records, Five Minute Ride has a new EP The World Needs Convincing Of All That It’s Missing, produced by Kurt Ballou (Cave In, Converge) at the famed Godcity Studios. The seven songs featured are melodic hardcore anthems that fans of Alexisonfire and Underoath are sure to appreciate. Vocalist Kurt sings with passion and enthusiasm, bringing the thoughtful lyrics to ultra-vivid life. The musicianship in the band is first rate, featuring fine atmospheric guitar work and a super tight rhythm section. Songs such as Spread The Word and The Rapture Was Yesterday are superb – it will really be exciting to see what Five Minute Ride come up with next. Definitely music you’ll want to spend some extra time with. Be sure to check out Five Minute Ride’s new EP and prepare to meet your next favorite band.
Based out of the ever-burgeoning Orange County hardcore scene, Gone Without Trace has just released their first full-length CD for Thorp Records. Fans of Hatebreed and Scars Of Tomorrow should really enjoy the sonic blast of noise this band spews forth. Right from the tribal Intro and then delving into the explosive sounds of No One Will Remember, Gone Without Trace present the listener with nine unforgettable metallic hardcore anthems. Featuring mesmerizing vocals, driving instrumentations, and beats that will launch your ass well into the next State, their self-titled effort is bound to garner these local guys a good deal of notoriety. Standout tracks include Everything’s Bigger In Texas, Eight-Six-Four, and Power And Greed. An explosive debut from a band ready and willing to take on the hardcore scene by storm – check out the arsenal of tunes Gone Without Trace delivers and prepare for the aural assault.
The first time many outside of Central Pennsylvania had heard of Grandview was from their appearance at Furnacefest 2002. Certainly a likeable band, there was something about Grandview that won over many, in spite of the fact that they almost had nothing recorded. Two years later, their debut effort Life Under The Sun has now been released on their own January Records imprint, and the ten songs contained within are well worth the wait.
Life Under The Sun kicks off with the pop anthem Your Escape and continues on with the catchy yet thoughtful strains of The Battle In Your Mind. Listen carefully to the lyrics, and one finds a darker side of humanity and relationships. Hands is about looking beyond the circumstances of a dysfunctional relationship and daring to dream, and the powerful chorus soars. What He Knows is a potent track about finding that freedom, but realizing that it may all arrive at a tremendously emotional price. Until The World Dies is another fantastic song that will devastate the listener with its sheer intensity. The lyrics are extremely personal and compelling, driven by highly accessible music. Lead vocalist and guitarist Mitch Hood is a talented songwriter, and his expressive vocals and wistful guitar work makes the material come to vivid life. Easily the best independent CD to come out this year, it won’t be long before Grandview find themselves signed to the label of their choosing. Life Under The Sun is a powerful work that should thrill those to demand to be thoroughly moved by music of the heart. Info: www.cdbaby.com/grandview
It’s been three years since Hecate Enthroned has darkened the metal world with its atmospheric brand of blackened death. In their early days, the band was endlessly compared to Cradle Of Filth and even once had an ex-member of COF within their ranks. Those Black Metal purists who lamented on about the fact that Hecate Enthroned went a little too much toward the death metal side of things on Kings Of Chaos have plenty of rejoicing to do – for the latest Hecate Enthroned masterwork Redimus brings them soaring triumphantly back to their glory days. The keyboards supply the chilling atmospheric soundscapes, embellishing the album with a sense of doom and despair. The music is both brutal and beautiful, and the vocals, as supplied by Dean are as dynamic as ever. With bands such as COF and Dimmu Borgir making their way onto American shores, the time for Hecate Enthroned to assert their ruthless dominion onto the world scene is now. Hopefully the recent loss of their singer doesn’t hold them back. Tracks of note include Soil Of Sin, Headhunter, The Face Of Betrayal, and Choose Misanthropy.
With lyrics combining a straight edge lifestyle and a Christian perspective, The Hostage Heart delivers a genuine assault to the senses. The new EP Where There Is Despair, Hope; is a brutal disc of thrashing metalcore with a positive message. Fans of such intense bands as Premonition Of War and As I Lay Dying will surely want to mosh it up to the driving tunes The Hostage Heart has to offer. Based out of the Worcester, Massachusetts area, these guys are ready to bash some sense into your jaded skull with devastating tracks such as Dead Front Tooth and Armageddon Outta Here. A thrilling debut from a band guaranteed to make you think after the devastation comes to an end, Where There Is Despair, Hope; serves as an introduction to a band destined to be terribly important on the world hardcore scene. At press time, The Hostage Heart has been signed to United Edge Records. Produced and recorded by Ken Susi of Unearth!
Fans of bands such as Fintroll and In Extremo are sure to enjoy what the mighty Korpiklaani (Forest Clan) has to offer. Presenting an exciting brand of Finnish folk metal, Korpiklaani’s debut Spirit Of The Forest features 14 tracks of adventure and wonder. Combining gruff vocals, modern day guitars and drums with traditional instruments such as the flute, jouhilkko, and accordion, the overall sound is infectious and celebratory. Tunes such as Wooden Pints, Before The Morning Sun, and Shaman Drum lure the listener in with their stunning artistry. Hullunhumppa is a highlight, a frantic instrumental that leads into the folkish rap of Man Can Go Even Through The Grey Stone. When the disc spins to its conclusion with the haunting strains of Mother Earth, one feels as though they have been transported to a whole different place and time. Those who dare to venture out into the dark woods are sure to fall under Korpiklaani’s enchanting spell. So grab a beer, let the Spirit Of The Forest possess you, and get ready to do the polka in the pit!
Raging out of the USBM underground is the mighty Krieg, who continue on a path of trend obliteration with their latest masterwork. Entitled The Black House, the dozen tracks featured take the listener on a nightmarish journey through the mind where insanity and destructive behavior reign supreme. This is black metal in its rawest form, featuring tortured growls and chilling musical soundscapes that will ring through your psyche for an eternity. Just check out the unease felt within the chilling Fallen Princes Of Sightless Visions or the compelling bleak visions of Deviant and just try to leave the hostility and pure madness of The Black House unscathed. Sickening Voices Without Speech is another highlight, a tune you could bang your head to as you proceed to lose grip of your mental faculties. Adding immensely to the hatred and dementia is Krieg’s cover of the Velvet Underground classic Venus In Furs, showing that dark inspiration can creep in from even the most unlikely of sources. Relentless and uncompromising, The Black House by Krieg is a hellish adventure in sound that will leave the listener in complete anguish and wildly exhilarated beyond measure.
Starting out as a side project by members of the Black Dahlia Murder in 2003, Let It Die from Detroit, Michigan are now unleashing their mighty fury on a fulltime basis. Their full-length release Stick To Your Guns is an impressive debut, featuring metalcore anthems that you’ll want to commit to memory. Kicking the mosh into high gear with the ferocious Let’s Get Ready To Crumble, the intensity never lets up, with tunes such as Knuckle Sandwich and Hate’s No Fun When You Keep It To Yourself being highlights. Jo Meller from The Alliance (and owner of Vendetta Records) performs addition vocals on the powerful track Thick As Thieves. Produced with skilled precision by Bill Korecky (Integrity, Incantation, Premonitions Of War), Stick To Your Guns by Let It Die is a thrilling introduction to a band that definitely has a great future ahead of them. Place this disc in your CD player, and crank it up to ten for maximum impact! Fans of Hatebreed and Terror should check this one out!
Now in their 10th year of existence, Merrimack has unleashed three of their rare demos dating as far back as 1995 on a single disc. One of the first Black Metal bands to surface in their homeland of France, Merrimack has gained quite a bit of press for their quote “Freedom could only take place in a world blackened by ashes of purification.” As the Satanic elite await Merrimack’s next epic of darkened art, the early recordings are now available through the Moribund stronghold. Atmospheric yet filled with an impenetrable grimness, the 19 tracks featured on Obsecrations To The Horned serve as an introduction to a band that has always been on the verge of greatness. From their early atmospheric work in the mid 90’s to their sonic assaults recorded in 2001, Merrimack has presented unto the world artful symphonies of blackness and destruction that will reverberate through both your sound system and tortured mind. The introduction of the third demo features an assassin interrupting a church service, and much of the music featured on Obsecrations possesses the same foreboding effect. A thrilling release from the inner depths of the Black Metal underground!
After an ominous introduction, the latest opus from Mor Dagor comes lunging at your throat like a rapid dog and refuses to let go. Necropedophilia is the third release from this underground Swedish band, delivering extreme blackened metal at it’s most intensive. Featuring the hyper speed work of Belphegor drummer Torturer, Mor Dagor may be compared to the likes of Marduk and Deathwitch. The listeners will want to bang their heads into oblivion while listening to such cult compositions as Throne Of Flesh and Diabolical Inferno. Those who like their metal at a breakneck speed will really rejoice by what Mor Dagor is unleashing upon the world. In addition to the superb drum work, the guitars provide a searing atmosphere while the appropriately named vocalist Beast spews out the demonic lyrics with fiendish glee. Necropedophilia is the true soundtrack for the end of the world.
Vocalist Matthew Hastings makes for a commanding presence, expressing his spiritual lyrics in both spoken word and growled death metal-like passages. Kyle Ray and Corey Brandon shred at guitar, presenting the listener a mighty wall of mesmerizing sound. Rob Noneman on bass and Brian Hood on drums drive the rhythm section into high gear. Based out of Madison, AL, Mychildren Mybride has only been around for a year, but the music they perform is devastating and will certainly have an impact on all who encounter it. Note to Solid State and Facedown Records: Check these guys out!
Attention to the A&R geniuses of Relapse and Victory Records – sign Nights Like These! Based out Memphis, TN (a place overran by country stations and rednecks), Nights Like These assault your senses with an intensive mixture of hardcore, grind, and heavy ass metal. The first track Go Purify Yourself In The Cool Waters Of Lake Minnetonka starts off the EP with a monstrous brutality and then goes into an almost hypnotic guitar reverie before smashing you in the face again. With Love, Dorian Grey is another highlight with its intensive melodies and breakdowns. Another track of note is the humorously titled Rudy Huxtable’s Moustache that concludes the EP on a mesmerizing, mind numbing note. The devastating vocals are presenting by the charismatic Billy Bottom, screamed out with the fiercest of intensity. The musicianship is well on par with bands such as Today Is The Day and Converge. Memories Take A Lifetime To Forget is an EP you’ll want to commit to memory, especially when these guys finally do get signed. Info: www.nightslikethese.com
Pushing the boundaries of metallic hardcore to illogical limits much in the same way Zao and Converge have over the years, Orangeburg Massacre has unleashed a seven song EP that will overload your senses. Entitled The Chalice Above, The Blade Below, this CD is bound to garner the band a good deal of attention. The proceedings begin with They Always End Up Dying First Anyway, a song mixing in-your-face brutality with eloquent, quieter passages in the middle. Cold Colder Coldest is another slam in the head, guaranteed to ignite mosh pits all over this great land. Another track of note is Equilibrium, with its guitar hero passages and over the top beats. Be sure to hold out till the end, as final track Comfort shows off just how wildly diverse their musical range is. Based out of the OC, Orangeburg Massacre possesses an endless amount of talent and energy, whether it be their live shows or studio recordings. Be sure to play The Chalice Above, The Blade Below at a high volume for maximum impact. Info: www.orangeburgmassacre.com
First of all, this album has some of the coolest cover artwork I’ve seen in quite a while – featuring pissed off trees running down city streets attacking the masses. One tree is carrying the severed head of a victim and the rampage continues on the back cover with fiendish glee. The music of Phazm is another kind of sonic attack entirely – combining the Black Metal savagery of bands such as Darkthrone and Satyricon with the dirty groove stylings of a Motorhead or Pantera. The story of Hate At First Seed deals with a rebellion of the trees, seeking revenge on religion, the new technological age, and all of humankind. The soundtrack for the ensuing carnage is heavy and brutal and the musicianship is first rate. Muddy guitars, a driving low end, and super blast beats relentlessly weave through the entire recording. Hate At First Seed by Phazm would be the perfect album to play at Armageddon time – for the world will not end at the hand of demons but will be devastated by the wrath of the trees! Play this one loud for maximum impact!
The Revered is a band based out of Newport Beach who is making quite a name for themselves due to their impressive live shows and presence on My Space. Their current EP A Fire Burns Below clearly demonstrates why so many people like these guys – catchy, well-written songs abound with expert musicianship from all members involved. The CD was a recent pick hit at Tower Records in Tustin and it’s certain to become a favorite of all that like bands such as Thrice and The Starting Line. And did I mention that all of the members in this band are 15? And just what were you doing at 15 anyway?
A Fire Burns Below is an impressive effort for a band at any age, containing seven tracks that will remain in your head long after the disc spins to an end. Highlight songs include Whatever It Takes, Doesn’t Get Me Anywhere, and the title cut. Vocalist/guitarist Austin Highley is the driving force behind the band – with his passionate vocals and infectious song writing, Highley is definitely a talent to watch for in the future. Also notable in the band is Dan Mulroy, whose dynamic skills at playing the drums are well beyond his years. Currently in the process of recording new material, it is a safe to bet to say that we’ll all be hearing a lot more from The Revered in the future. Info: http://www.therevered.us
There is little doubt in my mind that RPM is quite a discovery – a talented singer/songwriter destined to cause waves within the jaded world of rock and roll. RPM and her band present powerful anthems that will completely shake up the world of anyone who dares to give a listen. Opening the A Young Person’s Guide To Being An American EP with Toy Soldiers, RPM transforms the familiar Martika tune into a protest song – complete with samples from President W himself! If you thought you knew Toy Soldiers as a piece of pop fluff, just wait until you hear how effectively RPM and her band interpret it! The band’s original compositions are particularly potent. The title track is a stand-out that delivers a scathing look at American youth culture and it’s desire to fit in to the status quo, no matter what the cost. Dedicating the EP to her father who is a soldier, RPM writes in the liner notes, “May no future president abuse the power and service of our troops.” With intelligence and dead on observations into the social ills of our fucked up world, RPM is one of the most compelling new acts whose voice will not be silenced. In four songs, RPM and her crew say more in 16 minutes than most artists express within their entire careers. An important new act with an impassioned message, RPM stands miles above the rock and roll starlets that infests My Space and the music scene in general.
The most well-known heavy metal band out of Germany has just unleashed their 20th big studio album onto the world. Entitled Unbreakable, the 13 tracks compare extremely well to their old classics. First track New Generation is an inspiring anthem that should become another staple in their illustrious career – complete with thoughtful lyrics and driving chorus. Another highlight on Unbreakable is Maybe I Maybe You, a dynamic power ballad featuring a dramatic vocal performance from Klaus Meinke. Other songs that attack the listener include Borderline, Deep And Dark, Love ‘Em Or Leave ‘Em, and She Said. Remember The Good Times (Retro Garage Mix) closes out the album on a wildly infectious note, rocking the masses into a blissful oblivion with its classic rock inflections. With a box set also being released this year, it’s good to see the Scorpions releasing all-new quality material that several generations of metal fans can bang their heads and shake their fists too. It’s been 35 years since the Scorpions first broke into the scene, and these guys still possess a deadly sting.
No matter what’s going to be written about this release in the more discriminating of metal circles, there is a lot to admire about the second edition of Graveyard Classics by Six Feet Under. Some may question the wisdom of remaking an entire album, especially one as famous as AC/DC’s Back In Black, but there is no denying that Chris Barnes (ex-Cannibal Corpse) and company stamp their own trademark on these highly familiar tunes. While Graveyard Classics 2 will probably not sell 20 times platinum like Back In Black did, the album will surely be a crowd pleaser at parties and rather effective cranked up to a maximum volume on the car stereo. Vocalist Barnes growls all songs in the mighty death metal style, while all musicians involved appear to be having a grand old time performing these legendary heavy metal gems. Songs such as Hells Bells, Givin The Dog A Bone, You Shook Me All Night Long, and Let Me Put My Love Into You are still dynamic after all this time, and Six Feet Under perform them all with a fierce intensity. With Graveyard Classic 2, a good time is guaranteed for all – even for the snobbiest of musical critic.
One of the most exciting extreme metal bands on the scene today, Tetsuo from Pennsylvania are not afraid to push musical boundaries to infinite limits. Much like Dillinger Escape Plan and the mighty Meshuggah, Tetsuo grind up the various genres and come up with a style that defies classification. It’s hard to believe that all of this sonic noise is being brought to you courtesy of just three talented musicians. Travis Weinland growls the relentless vocals with an unearthly passion, and keeps it down and sludgy on the bass. Axeman Jason Herrmann delivers mesmerizing guitar parts while Jason Strapec drives it all into oblivion on the drums. Songs such as Grunjir, Thick Norwegian Accent, and What About Jon Lovitz? are sure to drive mosh pits into frenzied action when played live. Check out Malmohrahking and get ready to be blasted into a whole new musical dimension.
When one thinks of Victorian, an age of elegance within the British Empire comes to mind. Refinement, God Save the Queen and all. If Victorian from Atlanta, GA ever crashed into a royal family party, chaos would be sure to ensue. Victorian is one of the few bands I’ve heard who possess the gifted musical creativity associated with acts such as Converge and Dillinger Escape Plan. Mix in a dash of Norma Jean, and the mosh party really begins!
Blasphemy Death To The Horses kicks at you right away like a startled mare, with intensive screamed vocals, blasting riffs, and tight drumming – not to mention the demented techno/rap found at the tail end of the track. The cleverly titled Charlie Brown Learns About Satan is another mighty barrage of sound that will put these guys on the post hardcore map. Man And His One Great Victor starts with a dreamy keyboard interlude before blasting off into the stratosphere. Predictability is certainly not within the Victorian vocabulary as the songs move from one style to another at a mind numbing pace. The musicianship in this band is first rate, featuring Christian on vocals, percussion and keys, David on drums and keys, Peter on bass and vocals, and Ryan on rhythm guitar and Irish penny whistle. Definitely another band that needs to be investigated by record labels and adventurous music fans alike.
Vinterriket is a one-man project from Germany whose prolific output from the underground has thrilled ambient fans from all over the world. Landschaften Ewiegr Einsamkeit is the latest offering, featuring six tracks of synthetic soundscapes that are presented as “a tribute to the dark side of nature.” Upon first listen, the comparisons of early Mortiis or latter day Burzum instantly arrive into the forefront. But with repeated studies of the current Vinterriket opus, one also thinks about Angelo Badalementi, the composer whose masterwork in various David Lynch films have both chilled and unsettled audiences for years. For best results, one must experience Landschaften alone within the deadness of night. Haunting and evocative, the aural tapestries will remain embedded in your memory long after the disc spins to its icy conclusion. Mastered by Tom Kvalsvoll (Darkthrone, Emperor) at Strype Audio Studio in Norway. At almost 70 minutes in length, Landschaften is a must to keep you company on those cold, lonely melancholic nights.
Voted Best Metal band by the folks at All Access Magazine, it’s easy to see why such honors were bestowed upon Los Angeles band XPELD. A power trio who deliver the goods and then some, their latest release Just Don’t Stop Me features 12 killer cuts of rock and roll. Opening with the mightily infectious Creep, the awesome tunes don’t let up. One of the best tracks is Why Try, a ballad showing just how versatile XPELD can be. Keep It Up is another stand-out track, a catchier than hell song featuring an acoustic guitar and groovin’ vocals. Jenny is a cool tune that will excite the listener with its haunting refrains. Give It Up is a radio friendly tune that would shine through on any classic rock station. Be sure to listen all the way to the end and rock out to the sounds of After Midnite. All musicians in XPELD are first rate, including Jeff Lenhart on vocals and guitar, Andy Sheer on bass, and Scott Karr on drums. Expect to be fired up by XPELD as their music is bound to become very familiar with your CD player.
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