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Past
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ANATHEMA
- Alternative 4 (Peaceville/PHD)
If you didn't like the direction Anathema took with Eternity then
stay away from this. But for myself, I'm a sucker for Anathema,
no matter what musical direction they take. There was this magic
that was cast with Eternity, with really catchy and classy tunes.
This time, Alternative 4 is even dreamier than Eternity, even less
catchy and this time even harder to grasp, but on the same path.
Their ivory key tappings, their use of strings, and acoustics create
great soothing passages as always. Induced melancholy to describe
this best. 'Fragile Dreams,' 'Feel,' and 'Destiny', are great tunes
and the title track is quite mystifying.
Chris Bruni
AVENGER - Shadows Of The Damned (Breath Of Night)
Oh my dark lord in hell. Bar none, this is the best
new black metal band of 1998. Not since Bathory have vocals actually
sounded like they came from the grave, sending a chill down your
spine. Avenger does it song in, song out. Every atmosphere from
dark to gloom, from doom to evil, are all touched by the this Czech
two piece, and all with just traditional instruments. No keyboards,
no effects. They even employ a Balkan guitar sound that adds a new
dimension to the music. See what can be accomplished when you have
a goal? The guys in Avenger apparently want to destroy everything
Christian and have dedicated Shadows... to that end. It's amazing
what you can do when you put your mind to it. There is not a bad
song on this seven track masterpiece with lyrics in English and
Czech. If you don't agree with their philosophies, that's OK, but
you'll be kicking yourself in the arse for missing some awesome
black metal artwork, painted masterfully on a canvass of souls.
Alex Ristic
CHILDREN OF BODOM -Something Wild (Nuclear Blast/PHD)
Dazzled by the work of Children Of Bodom from the
get go, I have been fascinated moreso with this band with repeated
listens. This is good shit. Managing to skillfully mix the darkened
heretics of black metal, the eerie ambiance of keyboards and shrieking
speed/thrash metal riffs, C.O.B. set sail through a powerful record
evoking true metal manner and at the same time dishing up a sinister
emotion with their material. With just 36-minutes/7-songs (plus
a mysterious 8th track I have yet to figure out) C.O.B. blistering
drums and well-executed song structures take shape into some of
the most memorable arrangements thus far this year. This is aggressive
black metal, fronted by searing guitar riffs and a maniacal attitude.
Songs like "In The Shadows," "Lake Bodom" and "Deadnight Warrior"
thrive in lush musical arrangements, showcasing a band easily experienced
in the art form known as metal. Wishing to be dazzled by something
a bit different in this day and age then look for C.O.B.
Adrian Bromley
CRADLE OF FILTH
Cruelty And The Beast (Music For Nations/PHD)
These black British bastards are known to have the
maiden controversy follow them whether it's for their lyrical content
album art or T-shirt designs. Now she's stalking them for redefined
boundaries of CoF's sound. From the first listen of Cruelty... there
is no mistaking that the CD is smothered in a black gothic shawl,
majestic and all encompassing. The shred of the guitars piercing
with speed, like the unkempt fingernails of a witch digging into
flesh, the keyboards that have the allure of the mythical sirens,
yes there are many elements that will still a fans heart. There
are also elements, however, that have brought a change to their
sound. First, and possibly the best, is the songwriting. Cruelty...
is a unique concept album with every song dealing with the history
and the legend of blood-bathing Countess Elizabeth Bathory (as if
you didn't know). Maybe because of the purpose or the focus of the
album, the songwriting has become more tight and focused. There's
rarely a lull and Dani's thoughts are now more coherent on paper,
but with ecstasy comes apathy. Said vocalist has also toned his
zombie-like-wail down to a minimum, employing it at least 50 per
cent less than on past efforts. There are way more clean, raspy
vocals than usual, and some (although not all) speed has been taken
out of the music. The drums are buried in a wall of sound, and even
what you can here has lost a step in its aggressive skin mutilation.
Fact is, this is going to be the best selling COF album to date
for many factors. Most importantly because of the quality of the
music, but you can't discount the changes reaching a newer audience
or the fact that Music For Nations will push them 10 times as much
as Candlelight could ever afford to. Some cynics will say this is
a sell-out, optimists will say the band is finally getting the recognition
they deserve. It's really for each individual to decide, but this
scribe has a reserved a special place for this work of art in his
collection.
Alex Ristic
EINHERJER - Odin Owns Ye All (Century Media/St. Clair)
Yikes!
Adam Wasylyk
INFAMY - The Blood Shall Flow (Repulse)
Oh yeah, that's the stuff! Drenched in blood and
laden with sick blasts, Infamy's debut CD does not disappoint. Picking
up where their 'Count The Dead' demo left off, Infamy's underground
roots surface, creating a harsh, yet enjoyable listen. Exquisitely
rich and thick guitars accompanied by varied tempos, from doom inspired
passages to frenzied chaos, ensures an alluring listen. Most commendable
is the approach Infamy undertake, with a brutal slant to just about
everything they spew out. Outstanding tracks include "Putrid Infestation",
"The Maggots Are In Me", "Mass Cremation and the title track made
even more interesting by the unique vocals only characteristic to
Infamy. All in all, this is a great debut from a unique band and
hopefully the tragic and sudden loss of their bass/vocalist earlier
this year will not close the chapter on Infamy. "Horns up!"
Steve Wasylyk
MOTORHEAD - Snake Bite Love (CMC/BMG)
What is the Motorhead mystique? Why is it Lemmy and
company are the only band that don't get criticized for every album
sounding the same, but AC/DC always gets slammed for it? Or does
anyone really care as long as these speed freaks keep churning out
albums? Snake Bite Love is vintage Motorhead, showing that Lemmy's
not losing his chops at 52 while churning out aggressive hard rock
that has endeared them to millions of fans around the globe. The
tongue and cheek lyrics and titles are still there along with buzzing
guitar of Phil Campbell and hurricane drumming of Mikkey Dee. Hell
some of the aspects of the band have even gotten better, with the
songwriting tightening up because they've been a three piece for
the last couple of albums and perhaps even turning up a notch heavier.
On a side note, this is probably the best album cover than band
has had since No Remorse. A good album that sounds like the rest,
but manages here and there to stand on its own.
Alex Ristic
SOLUS - s/t 3-song (Skinmask Productions)
If there was something that the band's debut disc
'Slave of Mind' needed, it was a fuller, richer sound. Everything
else tore at ya with some sinister results, it just lacked something
and finally the band has captured the missing piece. That one ingredient
makes it's way into the band's latest 3-song (in between relaxing
and recording) effort that truly brings the bands strengths to the
forefront. Laced with ultra-heavy growls, a monstrous rhythm section
and guitar licks to die for, Solus' 3-song EP showcases a band on
the move and in fine form. I'm digging the powerful opener "Quilt
Of Shame" and the varied vocals style of the epic-esque "Magadan"
big time. The EP ends with the blistering onslaught calling itself
"Tainted Slowly," a track that really runs up the momentum of the
band to tip-top shape. Strong grooves and full growls echo and shatter
things in it's wake. A Toronto band that is truly doing some dynamic
work and looking rather strong in the future if this keeps up. *Fingers
crossed*
Adrian Bromley
THOR'S HAMMER - Dommedogsnatt (Southern Lord Recordings)
If there ever was a need for a band reunion, then
it would be now. With this album serving as a tribute to the blonde
vixen who's growls emanated from the music (for those not in the
know, the band broke up due to the return of female growler Runhold
Gammelsaeter returned back to native Norway) Thor's Hammer is a
testimonial that variety and uniqueness does play a part in the
metal music scene. While Thor's Hammer did dwell within the similar
reaches of many band's, it was Runhild's vocals and the rhythmic
onslaught of the band -- not to mention overall mood of the band
- that set this band afire when needed be. It's a great 4-song effort
and a proving factor that her vocals and lyrics had blessed this
band with some uniqueness. Songs like "Troll" and the title track
rumble with ferocity, but elevate themselves with her delicate,
softened vocal tones when need be. This is definitely a gem to hold
onto. Will she return? I shall wait...
Adrian Bromley
Contact: P.O. Box 291967 Los Angeles, CA USA 90029
V/A - Fiesta Comes Alive! (Slap-A-Ham)
I've really taken a turn lately against compilations.
It seems as though when a band is chosen (example: Mayhem), it's
always either "Freezing Moon" or "Pagan Fears". Every time. Fiesta
Come Alive! not only offers me music by a genre I'm presently exploring
and getting into, but it's all live! If I remember correctly, there's
an annual show sponsored by the Slap-A-Ham label in California,
and this CD is the culmination of some of the fine bands that have
taken part during the last five years the festival has taken place.
The majority of artists featured have been labeled "power violence"
by the label, but otherwise it's crust/grindcore/crustcore or whatever
you want to call it. Fine bands such as Excruciating Terror, Discordance
Axis, Phobia, Enemy Soil, Man is the Bastard, His Hero is Gone,
Spazz, Benumb and Capitalist Casualties rock out; live, raw and
in your face! Damn fine shit, I'll certainly be investigating some
of these bands and seeking out their wares. One of the better compilations
to come my way, those into the early Napalm Death/Extreme Noise
Terror stuff should seek this out immediately.
Adam Wasylyk
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