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Past
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AETURNUS
...And So The Night Became (Pavement/PHD)
Not your typical black metal is this offering from Aeturnus as they
swirl many close genre's into their unique sound. Battery drumming,
Deicide type vocals (at times), Viking themes for lyrics and melodic
guitar work from the eighties all come together to weave Ares's
tales. At over 60 minutes with only eight songs, you're looking
at a lot of quantity as well. Thankfully, there's also some quality
to go along with as the marriage of the myriad of textures seems
to work for these guys. Need a cleaner production though.
Alex Ristic -7.5-
BURZUM - Hlidskjalf (Misanthropy/PHD)
The second album in Vikernes' keyboard trilogy about
the coming age of Ragnarok. With eight songs, forming eight chapters,
Hlidskjalf presents some of the best keyboard work that Vikernes
has ever executed. Again done on a keyboard and processor, there
are new elements that he has brought into his work this time, but
the minimalist structuring of his songs do create that depth and
saddened evocative atmosphere. It's a very alluring piece of work,
better than Daudi Balders and more cryptic. Other than that, there
are the basic fairy like ditties. But the bulk of this comes in
the form of four tracks; 'Tuistos Herz', 'Der Tod Wuotans', 'Ansuzgardaraivo',
and 'Die Kraft Des Mitgefuhls' which make this worthy to check out
for the Burzum purists. It's an addicting piece of work but on the
surface, many will just see this as the typical keyboard album with
an excellent presentation.
C. Bruni -7-
DICHOTIC - Collapse Into Despair (Discorporate Music)
Okay... my ass has been kicked. Holy mother from
hell, is this powerful stuff from Eastern Canada (Halifax, Nova
Scotia, to be exact). No remorse and no regret is etched in the
minds of all those taking part of the musical ways of impressive
outfit Dichotic. Slamming down a driving force equal to that of
a tornado, Dichotic lash out at the listener with fierce death metal
anguish, rallying behind killer riffing and a vocal style that could
peel paint off a wall. Are they this good? Yes. Many others I know
are praising the ways of this truly talented band and it's definitely
worthy of going ape-shit over. The band just totally delivers with
thunderous numbers like "Solely on Opposites", "Heed to Instincts"
and "Love Stained Splatter". Saviors of metal in Canada? Who knows...
but at least they're making their mark. Death metal fans who itch
for sheer power and a touch of variety, look no further. Canadian
bred, yet death metal led. Stunning record. Others should have their
asses kicked by Dichotic. What are you waiting for?
A. Bromley -9-
EM SINFONIA - In Mournings Symphony (Martyr Music)
To call this great would be an understatement. How
about amazing? Stunning? Unbelievable? The list could go on, and
it probably would for another 10 -12 adjectives, but the bottom
line here is that Em Sinfonia have stumbled upon something great
here. Fans of The Gathering, My Dying Bride and Moonspell take note,
there is a new kid in town and you better keep your chops up or
you could be dethroned. With masterful precision and some of the
best melding of doom/gloom sounds, strong guitar riffs, violins,
spoken word and choir-like chantings in the past few years, Em Sinfonia
glides its way into our hearts and minds with tales of love, darkness
and life. Powerful expressionism streams from this 4-song release,
basking in brilliant production (thanks to guitarist/producer Brian
Griffin) and showing off the talent of this well-rounded group of
musicians (eight in all). While all four songs are superb, the power
and passion of what the band is capable of is showcased strongly
within the title track. A prime example of musical creativity in
top form. Get a copy of this before all your friends have it. You
don't want to be the loser of the bunch now do you? Didn't think
so. Find it.
A. Bromley -9-
CONTACT: Em Sinfonia, c/o Brian Griffin, 12564 W. Dorothy St.,
Beach Park,IL 60087 USA.
E-mail: EmSinfonia@aol.com
HYPOCRISY
- Hypocrisy Destroys Wacken (Nuclear Blast/PHD)
Admit it. You thought it was over after the brilliant
The Fourth Dimension. I did. I was sure the band was packing it
in. But to much of our relief, the band regrouped and started writing
again. This live record recorded at last summer's Wacken Open Air
festival is the true testimony on how good this band is. Just listen
to the tightness of the band and the killer live sound. Such professionalism
rarely gets captured live. This is supreme my friends. And with
a fuckin' blistering new record out this month (Hypocrisy), it seems
as though Peter T. and Co. have hit us up with a double dose of
goodies to gnaw on. Let's hope the band (it looks pretty good my
friend) has attained a second wind and keep putting out good material
as we head into the Millennium. Hypocrisy slays with classic live
renditions of "Roswell 47," "Pleasure Of Molestation" and "Osculum
Obscenum" to name a few. Too good to pass up people. Go get it.
A.Bromley -9-
KRISIUN - Apocalyptic Revelation (BMG/GUN)
This really should carry a warning; the music is
that intense. A good 39 minutes of death metal mayhem and Kreator
worship await the unsuspecting listener. If there was such a thing
as a 'Pleasure to Kill for the 90s', this would be it. Krisiun are
fucking excellent musicians, not unoriginal and definitely worth
checking out if you like your death metal fast and brutal as all
hell.
P. Schwarz -9-
Contact: C.X. Postal - 13444 - 01059-970, SP-SP-BRAZIL
MOMENT
MANIACS - Two Fucking Pieces... (Distortion/PHD)
Don't let the silly names (both band name and album
title) fool you. Moment Maniacs have written the album that Entombed
should have put out between Clandestine and Wolverine Blues. Moment
Maniacs will definitely be called an Entombed Rip-off, from the
vocal delivery, to the drumming, to the guitar sound that the infamous
Swedes made popular oh so long ago. But in all honestly, fuck that.
Entombed are now nothing but a bunch of pussies, check out their
new album Same Difference if you don't agree. Two Fucking Pieces,
containing two members of Marduk and produced by Pete Tagtgren (Hypocrisy),
delivers ten tracks of crushing heaviness in epic proportions with
a little hardcore groove thrown in for good measure. Track five,
"My Loss", is better than anything Entombed have done in the last
5 years, and this is coming from someone who's like most of what
they've put out in that time. If you can find this album, you need
to pick this one up.
A. Wasylyk -9-
NAPALM DEATH - Words From The Exit Wound (Earache/St.
Clair)
I'll be the first to admit that I'm from the school
of thought that Napalm Death have sucked since Utopia Banished.
With a good amount of trepidation I put Words... on and to my surprise
it didn't suck. Well... slap a wig on me and call me your prison
bitch. I now realize that anything's possible. Maybe next Victory
Records will put out a record that isn't metal? Maybe next Cannibal
Corpse will write an innovative album? Anyhow, Napalm have perfectly
blended aggressive blasts with more toned-down, melodic moments.
Some would say that Napalm Death should never be about melody, and
I would regularly agree, but it works here. For those who have given
up on this influential band, it may be time to give them another
chance.
A. Wasylyk -7.5-
SPOCK'S BEARD - Day For Night (Metal Blade/Attic)
If this were actually Spock's beard, he would probably
say something like "Most illogical," grab a goddamn phaser and cut
the fucking thing off.
A. Ristic -1-
V/A - Possessed To Skate (Pessimiser)
Skateboarders to me represent the perfect enigma.
They act like hot shit, yet most of them couldn't land a trick if
their life depended on it. Maybe they'd get more respect if they
listened to bands like Charles Bronson, Spazz or Despise, just three
of the bands who appear on Possessed To Skate. Shit like Green Day
or Offspring have nothing on these bands. Powerviolence to shoot
up a school to.
A. Wasylyk
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