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Past
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ALASTIS
- Revenge (Century Media/St. Clair)
Admittedly not being a huge fan of their past efforts, it would
be an understatement to say that this actually is pretty impressive.
And rightfully so, as now Alastis can be added to that dark metal
circle that involves Rotting Christ, Moonspell, and Samael. Samael
comparisons have been the main focus for a while but now, Alastis
have carved their identity with Revenge. Vocally it's still not
many miles away from Samael style, but musically they are separate
entities. Revenge is much more complete than The Other Side. 'Just
Hate' is an appropriate opener while with 'Eternal Cycle', and 'Like
A Dream', the band show their strength. The music is not too complex
here, just straightforward, melodic, emotional dark metal of a high
order.
Chris Bruni
BLACK SABBATH - Reunion - Live (Sony)
I dunno people, I had my doubts about this record
for a long time. A live Black Sabbath record? Could it be happening?
Legions of fans over the past few decades have cherished their raw,
vintage recordings of the band on vinyl, cassette and finally on
CD. They've worshipped the band and what they did in the studio.
The mystique, the darkened feel of what they were doing and what
they were about. Will it be ruined? How would Sabbath sound live?
The answer: Fucking amazing. From 'Iron Man' to 'Paranoid' to other
vintage Sabbath like 'Children of The Grave' and 'Fairies Wear Boots'
this is as good as it gets people. Take it from me, a fan of live
recordings, Sabbath goes the extra mile here with this double-live
CD. Even two new studio tracks ('Psycho Man' and "Selling My Soul')
flow with clever and masterful orchestration. The masters of metal
return with one of the best live recordings in years. Reformed and
ready to conquer the world. Long live Black Sabbath.
Adrian Bromley
CARPATHIAN FORES - Black Shining Leather
(Avantgarde/PHD)
Apparently these guys are total cult. They have been
around since the days of Mayhem, Burzum, Immortal and Emperor, but
this is their first official release, and it definitely should stand
alongside such notable Norwegian acts. Totally killer with some
of the blackest attitude heard from Norway this year. Very cold,
grim, piercing, and powerful, this duo that make up Carpathian Forest
execute their songs in such a violent array of attacking guitars,
deadly vocals, with a cool atmosphere created as keyboards serve
as the wallpaper. It may not sound wholly original but it does sounds
fresh and it does sound relieving which proves that this is a year
for quality releases coming out of Norway. Not including the Old
Man's Child of course.
Chris Bruni
CRYPTOPSY - Whisper Supremacy
(Century Media/St. Clair)
I have been waiting for this with anxiousness for
a year, I caught on to 'None So Vile' late. I fell in love with
Cryptopsy's 'None So Vile' and expected great things for the future.
The departure of Lord Worm worried me, my cynicism bestowed upon
me visions of impending doom. But, like the geniuses that they are,
Crytopsy have actually topped themselves with 'Whisper Supremacy'.
In some respects it is more intense, there is more stopping and
starting and some interesting drum patterns. Some of it is catchy,
in the crushingly brutal way Malevolent Creation can be, and some
of it is melodically catchy. Guitars bend, vocalists howl and growl
with astounding power and sincerity. "Cold Hate, Warm Blood" goes
from shredding technical death to acoustic guitar and back as if
the feat were nothing. You can hear grooves but no posturing. Cryptopsy
have long been, quite rightly, thought of as the most brutal band
on the planet by many and though it is somehow more accessible because
of the way the ryhthms come out 'Whisper Supremacy' really does
seem to be even more brutal than before: it has to be heard. In
my years Top 3 and a definite No.1 candidate. Truly awesome.
Paul Schwarz
DYING FETUS - Killing on Adrenaline (Morbid)
Re-defining themselves as one of the exceptional
forerunners of brutal death metal with every release, DF continue
to pummel and maim with each successive opus. Just cresting the
30 minute mark, DF have packed all of the violence and murder they
can muster onto one impressive offensive. Their trademark dizzying
technicality and dual vocal onslaught ensures this to be a captivating
listen each time. Choice cuts are 'Procreate The Malformed', 'We
Are Your Enemy' and 'Absolute Defiance'. The uncompromising drumming,
the guitar wizardry and the 'fuck you' attitude all culminate into
this being their best release to date. It all here!
Steve Wasylyk
FEAR FACTORY - Obsolete (Roadrunner/Attic)
I, like a few writers, felt that Obsolete, Fear Factory's
follow-up to 1995's highly successful Demanufacture was a huge let-down.
But I've recently re-examined this position, I went back and gave
Obsolete a few more listens. And guess what? God damn it, it rocks!
Very rarely do I reverse an opinion on any chosen album, but Fear
Factory are worthy of this exception to the rule. Yes, Obsolete
is different than Demanufacture, there are more electronic influences
this time around, along with other types of experimentation. But
you still get the same Fear Factory edge and fury. The first three
tracks, "Shock," "Edgecrusher" and "Smasher/Devourer" are typical
Fear Factory fodder; relentless, uncompromising and full of pent
up anger. However, Obsolete does have its flaws. There are a couple
of throw-away tracks, particularly "Timelessness" which just doesn't
fit into the scope of what Fear Factory are about. Experimentation
can be a bad thing as well. "Resurrection" is a good example of
how far Fear Factory have come, showing new influences while maintaining
their core sound. Those who have judged Obsolete a bad record, I
urge you to put it on again and give it a spin. Who knows, it may
be a contender for one of the year's best.
Adam Wasylyk
GORGASM - Stabwound Intercourse (Self-Released)
Blasting deathgrind that drives gore metal to new
levels of sickness! After almost 6 years of existence, Gorgasm brings
forth their debut mini CD and displays their expertise at this kind
of music. I first came across them only last year at a local show
and was immediately taken. I have been awaiting this release since
talking to Tom T. (guitars) about it then, and it has been well
worth the wait! 6 songs of very tight, fast, catchy rhythms and
vocal assaults from every corner. Gorgasm utilizes three "frontmen",
comprised of both guitarists Tom Tangalos and Tom Leski, and bassist
Russ Powell. They are all over the place on their instruments, and
drummer Derek Hoffman possesses a sinister stamina for constant
grind-speed blasts and never-ending double bass. The production
is awesome - not too polished and possessing a raw enough edge to
add some extra heaviness in the guitar sound. My favorites include
"Horrendous Rebirth", "Disembodied" and "Coprophiliac", but every
song on here kicks my ass. Another "nice" thing about this release
is the lyrical element - this really does get fucking disgusting,
some of the lines are just too classic to pass up as "seen that
before". When is the last time you had a Clitoral Circumcision?
Deathgrind fans, this band will leave a mark in your collection.
Avoid being a fucking poser and go get this.
LL
Contact: P.O. Box 5653
River Forest, IL
60305-5653
USA
IN
RUINS - For Seasons Of Grey (Metal Blade/Attic)
The thing that works for me with this record is the
harsh vocals and the violent overtones emitted from the rampaging
music. Very much old school metal sounding (i.e. Venom) at times,
In Ruins manages to also break away from a stereotypical (and sometimes
boring) metal mood and break out, capturing a very solid metal sound,
placing high interest in flamboyant guitar riffs and a heart-pounding
groove. Throw in medieval times' ideals and this is a powerhouse
to contend with. While many metal fans out there might give this
LP a listen for the sake of it, only fans that appreciate hard work
and sweat will understand what kind of effort has been put into
this LP. Great songs, including "Nocturne" and "Black Thorns." Another
solid release from Metal Blade this year along with Beseech, King
Diamond, God Dethroned and Amon Amarth. Gotta love it.
Adrian Bromley
MUNDANUS IMPERIUM
The Spectral Spheres Coronation (Nuclear Blast/PHD)
Shame on you Nuclear Blast! Wasting your time and
resources on a band like this while Macabre are pushed to the wayside.
This truly disgusts me.
Adam Wasylyk
VOIVOD - Kronik (Hypnotic/St. Clair)
Remixed Voivod? I was *very* apprehensive about this
release and so I should. Voivod was always about being one-step
ahead of the metal genre community. Always a bit out there and exploring
the realms of metal, but this was Voivod fused with electronic music.
Remixed versions of some of their heavy and most memorable numbers
are found here ("Nanoman" and "Forlorn" ), not to mention previously
unreleased numbers ("Vortex" and "Erosion") and a slew of live version
numbers like "Astronomy Domine" and "Nuclear War." Voivod continues
on in the trend of many metal acts who have decided to go along
and remix their records/material (i.e. Fear Factory, Avulsed, Pantera,
etc...) and done it reasonably well. The Fear Factory Remanufacture
LP was sounded great and so does the three numbers Voivod worked
on. As for the unreleased material here, it's still heavily experimental
and definitely Voivod sounding. Fans will not be disappointed. And
the live material from Germany? Stunning. This band is both a strong
studio and live act, thrilling fans for more than a decade and still
going strong. If this LP had been more of a remix record rather
than a remix/unreleased/live effort I would have more concern with
what they did. But enough said, this compilation of material from
Voivod rules. It has enough variety to keep fans happy.
Adrian Bromley
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