tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62970186353292770792024-03-13T07:33:51.196-07:00Putrefactive Effect ZineOnline interviews and reviews of past and upcoming issues.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.comBlogger304125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-72484275398148520662010-08-25T01:16:00.000-07:002010-08-25T01:20:31.849-07:00EXECRATION A feast for the wretched Review<strong>EXECRATION (US) – A feast for the wretched<br />CD 2008 – Comatose Music<br />9 tracks - 30'35<br />Rated: 6/10<br /></strong><em>Colorado-based deathsters released their first record of brutal death metal following the typical rules of US brutal death metal, and I ain't surprised the band is now signed on Unique Leader Records. After a promising demo, repressed on CD on Comatose Music, EXECRATION twisted the knife almost one year after.<br />If you're into poets like GORGASM, LIVIDITY (more the recent records), LUST OF DECAY, INHERIT DISEASE, etc... you'll probably find a morbid excitement with "A feast...". EXECRATION is very brutal and can play really fast but they had the intelligence to vary their music a bit (listen to the excellent "penetration butchery"!) with slowdowns or unusual breaks, but don't worry, this is not progressive music!<br />The most significative thing for me is the guitar sound of EXECRATION which really helps the band to create a malignant vibe, especially during some riffs or harmonies. It reminds me the morbid sound of "Tomb of the mutilated". Unfortunately, the band didn't reach the same atmosphere on stage taking in account the videos I checked on You Tube: the band is as brutal as a common brutal death metal band is. </em><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/execrationbrutality">http://www.myspace.com/execrationbrutality</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-59901064793406019802010-07-29T02:21:00.000-07:002010-07-29T02:35:54.395-07:00GRAVEYARD interview (July 29th 2010)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TFFJdzj3dyI/AAAAAAAAAfY/LA2s_B8SAro/s1600/graveyard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499257396401764130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TFFJdzj3dyI/AAAAAAAAAfY/LA2s_B8SAro/s320/graveyard.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Here's a small interview with Javi of GRAVEYARD, I love their first record "One with the dead", a blend of finnish and swedish old school death metal with a pretty good songwriting. I send him the questions yesterday and get them back this morning...</em></strong><br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-Morbid greetings Javi & 666 thanks for answering this fucking interview. You know it's quite a pain in the ass to get my inties back sometimes!! I don't know whether my questions suck or the guys are too lazy, ahaha. So first, let me know what's in your player while answering these questions?<br /></span></strong><br />Hey Jim, what’s up? Right now I’m listening to one of my favorite bands of all times: CORONER, and their “RIP” album, one of the best Thrash albums ever made. Then I will go for something older maybe… As usual, I always start with Thrash and Death and then move to Rock’n Roll and Hard Rock… What about some good old WITCHFYNDE? Mmm, sounds good to me!. I know what you’re talking about, I run my own zine Hellspawn Mag and I agree with you, lazy musicians suck, especially when they show interest for the interview and then disappear…<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-Then here's a non-musical question but I'd like to ask it, are you proud of your country winning the World Cup, I think Spain totally deserved it as it's the best team for some years now! But maybe you don't care about it, ahahah?</span></strong><br /><br />I fucking love soccer. The same with Sbe, GRAVEYARD’s other guitar player. The other 2 guys in the band hate it… We won the World Cup because we have the best team so justice was made this time, hehehe. Sorry for France, it was hilarious, I couldn’t believe what was happening with the once loyal and winner French team... You know what? 8 players out of the 11 main soccer players in Spain were from F.C. Barcelona and that fucking rules.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-So now let's come back to our main interest, which is your band GRAVEYARD. I discovered the band with the EP tape version of "Into the mausoleum" where you play some old skull raw death metal, a kind of mixture of influences like INCANTATION, AUTOPSY, ABHORRENCE, FUNEBRE, etc... I guess the response has been more than positive as it has been released several times in different formats. Do you still have good feedback about this material? What's your opinion about it almost three years after its recording/releasing?</span></strong><br /><br />Well, I prefer to refer to “Into the Mausoleum” as a demo released on several formats, more than EP or MCD or any other “professional” format, I mean, it was recorded as a demo and released originally as a demo. It has demo sound, demo ideas, demo approach… Its pretty weird because everybody saw a lot of finnish influences on that demo and the truth is that we’re not that much into Finnish death metal. Of course we know and love some of those bands you mention like ABHORRENCE or FUNEBRE, but I would never consider them as our main influence. “Into the Mausoleum” sounds similar to those bands not because of the music, but the sound itself which is pretty bad (in underground terms “bad” is referred as “dark”, “creepy” or “atmospheric”, you know!). I mean, people consider it Finnish because of the sound, not the songs. For me, those songs are a mix of Finnish, Swedish, American, British, Dutch, German… Death Metal!. By the way, I would never change anything on that demo, I like it the way it is, with the pros and cons. It was released in MCD, tape and vinyl 10” format.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-If I was asking about your EP in the previous questions, it's because your first album comes with the same morbid death metal, but with a more powerful sound, a better songwriting where the swedish & finnish influences are put forward. "One with the dead" combines the massive sound of swedish bands like DISMEMBER or ENTOMBED with the haunting cold melodies of FUNEBRE or DEMIGOD for example. What is a conscious change? I mean the American influence has disappeared according to me?</span></strong><br /><br />For me, “One with the Dead” has the same songs that made “Into the Mausoleum”. Actually, most of the riffs and ideas came from the same period of time. The only difference comes from the sound which is ten times bigger and better on “One with the Dead”, of course. I don’t think American influences have disappeared, I can see some MORBID ANGEL, OBITUARY or AUTOPSY influences here and there, but you know, when you use that fat guitar sound, it seems like only Sweden existed within the Death Metal map, haha!. As I told you, we don’t write “Finnish” or “Swedish” or “American” riffs, we write Death Metal riffs that sometimes sound similar to DEMIGOD, sometimes to MORBID ANGEL, sometimes to MORGOTH, sometimes to ENTOMBED or sometimes to BOLT THROWER, that’s how it goes, Death Fucking Metal!. That’s what is all about…<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TFFKkS6nV8I/AAAAAAAAAfo/6s2TuoSV4KQ/s1600/live!.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499258607409518530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TFFKkS6nV8I/AAAAAAAAAfo/6s2TuoSV4KQ/s320/live!.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-In the instrumental track "Abandoned churches" we can hear typical heavy metal harmonies reminding IRON MAIDEN, but with the GRAVEYARD touch! Still a fan of the band and their actual music? Are you eagerly waiting their new record "the final frontier"?<br /></span></strong><br />We always state that; we’re a bunch of Metalheads raised on Heavy Metal music above everything. So Heavy Metal is the beginning and the end. In the middle you can find some Thrash, Death or whatever, but its always Heavy Metal, don’t forget that. We’re living a weird and crazy times where Heavy Metal isn’t getting the recognition it deserves so a song like “Abandoned Churches” is kind of a tribute to that particular music, style and way of living. We respect punk and hardcore, but we come from Heavy Metal and we needed to make it clear to our listeners. “Abandoned Churches” is a prove of that. IRON MAIDEN are the biggest band playing those twin guitar melodies, but they weren’t the first one, remember SCORPIONS, RAINBOW or THIN LIZZY!. So we can say that the song wasn’t inspired directly by IRON MAIDEN but the whole hard rock / heavy metal movement from the 70’s and 80’s. To be honest, I lost my interest in IRON MAIDEN back in the mid 90’s, actually, I haven’t heard any of their last 6 or 7 albums, only a few songs and for me it will never be the same. Of course it is Heavy Metal and it’s still well done, and that’s why I respect it, but the songs themselves lost the catchiness from the 80’s and that’s a fact.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-Your material has been released on different formats. The tape format is released by french label Ars Funebris Record. I guess you're satisfied by their job, but how comes the cooperation with them? It's quite surprising as they mostly release black metal. Which format do you praise the most? </span></strong><br /><br />We only wanted to release our material on CD and vinyl if possible, but the guy from Ars Funebris offered us to release it on tape so we accepted. For me, the main formats are CD and vinyl so I don’t care that much about the tape. Of course it’s cool to see your music on tape again! But it is a minor format compared to CD and vinyl. “Into the Mausoleum” could have been better, you know, it was released on a Maxell tape with printed booklet, but “One with the Dead” looks quite better and more professional. It won’t sound too “underground” to your ears, but 90% of records in my collection are CD’s. I have something like 3 or 4 hundred vinyls and some other hundred tapes, but thousands of CD’s. To be brutally honest, I think it’s quite snob and freaky to see all those 18 years old dudes worshipping tapes or vinyls and hating CD’s, that’s a stupid trend. I’m sure they ALL listen to CD’s or mp3 when they’re alone at home, let’s face it!. I listened to tapes and vinyls when I was a teenager in the early / mid 90’s because CD’s were pretty expensive and I didn’t have a CD player, that’s the truth…<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-On a gig matter, do you manage to play with GRAVEYARD as much as you want to? Do you easily find places to hit the stage with GRAVEYARD? What are your conditions for doing a gig in and even outside Spain?<br /></span></strong><br />We have done something like 30 shows with GRAVEYARD since early 2008 which is quite good if you have in mind that our singer/bass player Julkarn lives 400 km far away from us. That distance is a handicap so we can not rehearse with him as much as we wanted. Besides, he’s unemployed so everything is more difficult now. Anyway, we have played a lot of shows here in Spain with bands like DEAD CONGREGATION, MACHETAZO, AVULSED, TORMENTED, PROCLAMATION, NOMINON, LIE IN RUINS, HAIL OF BULLETS, ASPHYX, ARTILLERY, NECRODEATH… And some other shows outside Spain in countries like France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Sweden… with bands like KORGULL THE EXTERMINATOR, HORRID, NECROS CHRISTOS, KAAMOS, MORBOSIDAD, NIFELHEIM, NOMINON, TORMENTED… Conditions? We don’t usually ask for money, just 4 flight tickets, 4 beds (hotel, your home, a dirty garage… whatever!) and shitloads of cheap beer. Remember the last condition, that’s the most important one.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-Let's talk about the spanish scene, cause without being the most over-swarming metal scene, it owns maybe good bands in different styles: AVULSED, UNNATURAL, FERMENTO, CEREBRAL EFFUSION, GODÜS, SCENT OF DEATH, MACHETAZO, WORMED, and many others, but these bands have some years of existence. Which more recent bands (or maybe less known bands) would you suggest to someone interested by the Spanish scene?</span></strong><br /><br />LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER, DISHAMMER, BALMOG, WOLFHEAD, MOHO, BANISHED FROM INFERNO, FOSCOR, LUX DIVINA, KORGULL THE EXTERMINATOR, ATARAXY, MORBID FLESH, LORDS OF BUKKAKE, DECAPITATED CHRIST, PROFUNDIS TENEBRARUM, REDIMONI, OBSCURE, ERED, INSULTERS, AKERBELTZ, ABORIORTH, XERION, DOMAINS, WARCHETYPE, SPELLCRAFT, PRIMIGENIUM… Those are all worth checking. Maybe I forgot someone, sorry.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-Again about your musical scene, do you consider Spain having a solid underground and supportive metalheads? Even if not the most known scene, you have dedicated bands and labels? What are the most awful trends happening actually? Do you have also to face these emo/deathcore bands or these bedroom black metal bands?<br /></span></strong><br />Well, its difficult to consider Spanish scene as a “scene”, you know, here 1 metalhead out of 500 does something, the rest are spending money on beers, cocaine or stupid Dani Filth homo clothes… We have some cool bands, labels, distros or promoters, of course, but remember that Spain is almost a 50 million people country, I mean, probably smaller countries like Portugal, Greece, Holland or Sweden have 10 times more people involved in the scene than here. Spain is the sun & party country, and it affects Metalheads that don’t want to pay for CD’s or shows because its better to “drink and sniff” that money. Fortunately, lately there’s more people involved in zines, labels, bands, distros… And that’s cool!. Trends here? Well, for me one of the most stupid trend here is “to be Underground”. Of course the emo/core trend is bigger, but I don’t care since I don’t see myself into the same “league” as those emo bands / assholes. That’s why the “Underground” trend worries me the most, you know, it’s happening in my “real metal” world!. I’m fucking sick and tired of some undergrounders, honestly, fucking fake, a fraud! You know, that stupid “competition” to make people realize who knows more obscure and Underground acts, even if those bands were FUCKING CRAP. I hate that kind of “if it’s from the 80’s and has raw sound, it’s cool” approach. Go and use your “demo from 1987 (downloaded on mp3 from the Internet, of course) from X megatruekvlt underground unknown act” as a dildo, jerks!. Honesty is really missed those days Jim, it seems it is all about forums, myspace and other platforms to show how “Underground” you are. And it sucks big time.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TFFJlXqy2EI/AAAAAAAAAfg/XVWhQPiAUME/s1600/line+up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499257526353582146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TFFJlXqy2EI/AAAAAAAAAfg/XVWhQPiAUME/s320/line+up.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-We can clearly make a difference between some death metal "school". I mean it's easy to recognize the Swedish sound (ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER, UNLEASHED, etc...), a Dutch sound (PESTILENCE, ASPHYX, SINISTER, etc...) as well as the American sound (DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, OBITUARY, etc...). Would you say the Spanish sound does exist? For example AVULSED is quite a particular band with its own sound & vocals. Do you see any other bands with their own sound? On the other hand, some bands manage to mistake you like the German FLESHCRAWL who totally sound swedish-like...or the Swedish IMMERSED IN BLOOD who totally sounds American brutal death metal....after all it's just a matter of influences! </span></strong><br /><br />Unfortunately, in my opinion Spain never had a “Death Metal” trademark sound if you know what I mean. Spain was always the land of copycats, I mean, most of the Spanish Death Metal bands never tried to do something “different”. Besides, you have to know that none of the Spanish bands got a respectable success outside the country (Maybe AVULSED, HAEMORRHAGE and MACHETAZO but nobody else). If you check out Spanish Death Metal demos from 89 to 92 or so, you will always find copycats of CANNIBAL CORPSE, SUFFOCATION, CARCASS or UNLEASHED. I’m not complaining, I mean, GRAVEYARD isn’t an original band, but that’s the truth. Even in France you had some bands trying to do something original like AGRESSOR, LOUDBLAST, MISANTHROPE or SUPURATION. Nowadays, Spain is basically known for his Crust/Grind/Death bands like MACHETAZO, HAEMORRHAGE, NASHGUL or LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER which is pretty cool because finally we have something “typical Spanish”, hahaha! (In Spain, that “typical Spanish” sentence always makes reference to bad things…). I think AVULSED is OK and they have been playing for ages, so all my sincere respect for them, but I don’t see that band as an “original” band (Sorry Dave!), I mean, they play standard Death Metal with more brutal vocals, but nothing new on the Death Metal’s horizon!. ASPHYX created an style, BOLT THROWER created an style, DEATH created an style, SUFFOCATION created an style… That’s the difference. But you know, it is just my opinion, probably Mr. Dave Rotten won’t agree, I’m sure of that! J<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-What comes to your mind when I mention my country France? Do you know any good bands/labels from there? Have you ever been to the Hellfest who happened every years in Clisson?<br /></span></strong><br />Good old bands like AGRESSOR, SHAKIN’ STREET, LOUDBLAST, TRUST, MASSACRA, ADX, MISANTHROPE… Good labels like Adipocere, Holy Records (Cult label for me), Osmose… I’m basically into the 90’s stuff made on your country, I don’t know what’s going on nowadays in terms of Underground bands or labels. I know BLOODY SIGN, Ars Funebris Records, ZOLDIER NOIZ, the guys from the Pyrenean Metal and my friend Morgan from Rock Hard France!!!. But that’s all… I never went to Hellfest, but I would love to!. Now, I’m addicted to Party San in Germany, best festival ever!.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-Javi, you and your mates play (or have played) in many bands like OF DARKNESS, THE BLEEDING SUN, LUX DIVINA, TERRORSPAWN, etc... It's really impressive how involved you are in metal music. What so many projects bring to you as a musician? What are your favourite musical styles and and your all-time favourite bands? I know that you're an ultimate MÖTÖRHEAD fan (or is it Julkarn?). Have you ever think of doing a cover band??<br /></span></strong><br />Over the years, we have played in several bands but most of them were just alcohol-related projects, not real bands. I’m also running my zine Hellspawn, I’m working now on issue #7. I run my own studio as well Moontower Studios which is my job actually, so I can say I live Metal 24 hours a day, haha. I consider my self pretty open minded, I mean, I enjoy music from Rock’n Roll and Hard Rock to the most extreme Black/Death stuff. I like a band as long as they are honest and deliver good music, I’m not that worried if they play the “right” kind of music for the Underground standards or not. My personal favorite style has always been Hard/Heavy Metal and Thrash music from the 80’s. But you can also find some crap on those genres, just look at the Under one Flag roster and you will find tons of third division thrash stuff there!. Both me and Julkarn worship MOTORHEAD all night and day long. But it isn’t a stupid blind following, I mean, I like THIN LIZZY, SODOM, SCORPIONS, UFO, early DEF LEPPARD, TANK, ANGEL WITCH, JAGUAR, VENOM a lot and also other bands related to MOTORHEAD’s style. Mmmm, it would be cool to do a cover band, but I’m sure we would be too drunk and wasted even before the show to play the right way, that’s what happens when you listen to MOTORHEAD before going on stage. For instance, we’re rehearsing “Deaf Forever” which should be featured on an upcoming 10”.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-What's your future plans with GRAVEYARD, you have a new track on myspace in the same vein as the album, maybe heavier, where did you record it? Are you still working on the next record? A split EP with WINTERWOLF is also planned? How did you get in touch with them?</span></strong><br /><br />There’s a lot of shit going on. Antichristian Front should have sent “One with the Dead” to the press plant so the vinyl edition will be available very soon. Psychedelic Lotus Order from China is working on an official GRAVEYARD Bootleg called “Death After Live”, scheduled for somewhere this 2010. We have some minor releases prepared like a 7” with Finnish masters WINTERWOLF (Julkarn contacted them or they contacted us, don’t remember!. They’re also in a Spanish label, Xtreem Music…). All the stuff is in the label’s hands (Doomentia Records) so expect it after summer. There’s also a 10” released by a new label managed by some legendary guys on the making, we will announce it very soon!. The new song “Deathcrowned” that you heard on our myspace belongs to that 10” and I think it is GRAVEYARD 100%, a little bit more “original” than our previous songs maybe. We record ALL our stuff (except “Into the Mausoleum”) on my studios Moontower Studios. I guess after summer we will start working on our new album which should be recorded around early 2011.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">-The interview is over Javi, thank you for your time, keep on playing metal of death, you can end it with anything you want to add.<br />Keep it morbid, death metal eternal!</span></strong><br /><br />Hey Jim, thank you very much for the interview, hope to meet you someday with some beers and ugly, outdated and unfashioned Metal records around!, Cheers!<br /><br />Javi<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/graveyardofdoom">http://www.myspace.com/graveyardofdoom</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-22617573383841192652010-07-20T06:29:00.000-07:002010-07-20T06:32:10.870-07:00DIKTAT demo 2008 review<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TEWlLYz9j6I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/aCGJI5e2dNs/s1600/Cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495980535333097378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TEWlLYz9j6I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/aCGJI5e2dNs/s320/Cover.jpg" /></a> <strong>DIKTAT (France) – II<br />Demo 2008 – Self released<br />7 tracks - 31'08<br />Rated: 7/10<br /></strong><em>DIKTAT is a french undeground band created in 1997, that people may know without listening to their music in fact. They released a demo tape in 2000, some brutal death metal reminding a mix of old CANNIBAL CORPSE (Butchered at birth), early DISGORGE (demos era) & early DEEDS OF FLESH. The whole sounded quite brutal and technical, however sometimes quite a nonsense in terms of strucures and the sound wasn't very good. Some obvious potential but also some improvement was expected.<br />Eight years later, here is this 2nd demo, and as I almost expected, DIKTAT becomes more technical and brutal. The sound of this 2nd demo is also better and the tracks gain in coherence. DIKTAT remains in the brutal death metal creed, got higher in the technical level and mastery. They also took the opportunity to record again two tracks from the previous demo and the lifting is impressive.<br />The new musicians and the years of work set an obvious progression, now DIKTAT are more in the stream of bands like ORIGIN, SEVERED SAVIOR, DEEDS OF FLESH, maybe not as brutal but surely less linear and with a great malignant touch in some harmonies. Hope we won't wait for ages until their next assault... </em><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/diktatdeathmetal">http://www.myspace.com/diktatdeathmetal</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-80122427796963177882010-07-15T01:33:00.000-07:002010-07-15T01:34:10.884-07:00Zinophrenia Zine #6 review<strong>ZINOPHRENIA Zine #6 (France)<br />November 2009<br />54 pages A4 – French written</strong><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Doing a zine, most people have influences and usually at the beginning you copy a bit what others do around. On the case of Zinophrenia, I must say that Yves the editor has a personal way of doing a zine. When you quickly look through the pages you feel like this has been done in a hurry without care. In fact Zinophrenia zine is made of a particular care: the set-up is ultra basic (done through Words software of something alike) with very few images. Then the lay-out, sine cover, logo and everything's is done handwritten. His draws are very amateurish plus he adds several sentences & jokes here and there. Firstly he can seems completely childish but then it gives a particular tone to the rag, something off style.<br />About the zine content, Yves deals with different musical styles and featured cool interviews with RESISTANCE or SOL (a doom/death metal band from Denmark, not the nazi crap from Australia) and inties with average (not to say mediocre) bands like EMBRYONIC CELLS, JEFF/EMMOS /etc... and SEARING SKULL. Yves asks interesting questions or at least tries to deepen them and usually the bands play the game...you just have to be into their music I guess!<br />There are also a good bunch of reviews with demos, CD, tapes, vynils and zines covering many styles as well from death to black metal, maybe too much black metal stuff whose best fate is ending in the trash, but then again it's a matter of taste. Yves reviews a lot of underground releases and describes them straight to the essential.<br />The zine got a personal artcle dealing with love! Yeah I guess it's a pretty unusual theme in our hateful and intolerant underground. Yves dare to ask about love to Lord Azmoth, Jeff (EMMOS...), Mrikk (from FAZ), Kurgan & Luna from DUKE records (those freaks are definitely crazy!), Carl Warslaughter from BESTIAL MOCKERY, etc... some answers are really surprising.<br />To sum up, Zinophrenia Zine is a rather cool bunch of paper, not the kind of zine for everyone, but a personal one without great ambition: a FANzine!<br />The zine available for 2 euros.<br /></span><strong>Contact:</strong> Yves BLOUMENTZWEIG – 37 rue des Vosges 67540 OSTWALD – FRANCE<br />raspoutitsatan@wanadoo.frJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-5499575599437850502010-07-15T01:31:00.000-07:002010-07-15T01:32:19.616-07:00BATTALION Welcome to the warzone Review<strong>BATTALION (Belgium) – Welcome to the warzone<br />CD 2008 – Shiver Records<br />10 tracks - 42'16<br />Rated: 4/10<br /></strong><em>Second album for these death metal soldiers I didn' t know before and whose musical battleground is war! The production is massive and clean, a bit like a brand new tank just getting out of the army plants. First it looks impressive and shiny but on a musical point of view that's not so lethal. The riffing is quite common even if held by the bonecrushing sound. They can remind a tasteless and basic version of MALEVOLENT CREATION mixed with some ABORTED in their deathcore period, so not the kind of stuff I'm fond of... BATTALION mixes deathcore with some thrash/death stuff, the whole produced with a clinical sound that doesn't prevent the record to be boring. I guess the band may be more entertaining in a live situation. BATTALION certainly got a killing capacity, but on the warfield, you're stained with blood, mud, shit and you're under a relentless fire... and I don't feel this fury while I'm listening to this record.<br /></em><a href="http://www.myspace.com/battalionsquadcamp">http://www.myspace.com/battalionsquadcamp</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-64645406564172760552010-07-09T04:19:00.000-07:002010-07-09T04:20:31.367-07:00HERPES demo 2010 review<strong>HERPES (France) – Doomsday<br />Demo 2010 – Nihilistic Holocaust<br />5 tracks - 22'41<br />Rated: 6/10</strong><br /><em>A new act from North-West France into the arts of old skull deaf metal! Would I say that the stream is growing bigger (a bit like in Sweden), after AFFLICTION GATE, NECROS, NECROWRETCH, HERPES seems to be the latest graveyard spawn into old school death metal. The influences are obvious, nothing new from that side, but is that decently played and before, do they have the vibe that makes you shake the head, dig the grave and feast upon the corpse?<br />Well, for a first demo that's a satisfying start, the sound is crude (especially the drums) but good when it comes to other instruments. HERPES combines influences from the old releases of bands like DEATH, NIHILIST/ENTOMBED, AUTOPSY plus recent bands like DEATH BREATH (probably the most obvious approach) or even TRIBULATION (for the horrific side).<br />The tunes are good but hardly demarcate with the influences, HERPES shall found the personal touch to avoid being a vulgar tasteless clone. They have a cool rocking touch, and unleash great solos and other lead-guitars in the AUTOPSY (deep) vein, a good point though, dig it deeper in that ways you freaks!!<br />Tape version available through Carbonized Cells Recs.<br /></em><a href="http://www.myspace.com/cockmincer">http://www.myspace.com/cockmincer</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-1011056409899005012010-06-30T01:52:00.000-07:002010-06-30T01:57:51.993-07:00PUTREVORE Morphed from deadbreath Review<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TCsGzysUNeI/AAAAAAAAAfI/-ViGkOxUKx8/s1600/putrevore_morphed_400.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488488057731823074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TCsGzysUNeI/AAAAAAAAAfI/-ViGkOxUKx8/s320/putrevore_morphed_400.jpg" /></a> <strong>PUTREVORE (Spain/Sweden) – Morphed from deadbreath<br />CD 2008 – Xtreem Music<br />8 tracks - 32'29<br />Rated: 7,5/10<br /></strong>Dave Rotten and Rogga Johansson who teamed up into a death metal band, that sounds juicely putrid to my ears. The result is some pretty decent low-tuned death metal, closer to the US old school death metal scene (old MORTICIAN, old INCANTATION and ROTTREVORE), and with Finnish death metal remnants (ABHORRENCE, DEMIGOD, ...). The whole is damned heavy as fuck, and sometimes you even have some deadly groove like on "the skies vomit sulphur", a kind of march of the dead, PUTREVORE manages to create some catchy tunes. Some tracks get slower, reminding doom/death metal, and kept an horrific mood strenghtened by the ultra low guttural vocals of Dave Rotten, this guy's amazing and doesn't use any effect!<br />"Morphed..." is the perfect soundtrack for any zombie movies, one can't only reproach the absence of guitar solos, maybe some variation in vocals like screams, but that's a pretty decent death metal release. This projects differs from what Rogga usually creates, I mean different from stuff like PAGANIZER, RIBSPREADER and their small swedish brothers.<br />If you're looking for horror-filled death metal to accompany your wandering nights in cemeteries, you have here the best tunes to rock your flesh eating comrades.<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/putrevore">http://www.myspace.com/putrevore</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-975238678845101202010-06-23T09:46:00.000-07:002010-06-23T09:49:46.475-07:00AVICULARIA Born to be vile Review<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TCI7Hk-JNzI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Xhxm8ij7i5M/s1600/born+to+be+vile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486012297460135730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TCI7Hk-JNzI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Xhxm8ij7i5M/s320/born+to+be+vile.jpg" /></a> <strong>AVICULARIA (Croatia) – Born to be vile<br />CD 2009 – Self released<br />8 tracks - 41'31<br />Rated: 7/10<br /></strong><em>Not easy to dissect this first AVICULARIA's release, there is a huge amount of work behind this "Born to be vile" and listening to it is exactly like being entangled in a web. AVICULARIA's technical death metal needs several listening for sure so if you're not into elaborated music please don't read further.<br />The musicians are skilful and create a complex blend of extreme metal, but death metal it is mainly: hard to not think about NILE in the beginning with the Egyptian atmospheres, epic occult parts similar to MITHRAS or MORBID ANGEL for some leads. AVICULARIA uses technical parts, sometimes it's a bit hard to understand the rhythms changes or the crazy breaks in the songs, that's probably the main reproach towards their music. This confusing side of the band can recall a band like SHADOWS LAND. AVICULARIA doesn't stop here when it comes to influences as you can detect riffing close to IMMOLATION or even GORGUTS and hard to not think about ATHEIST when they go into free-jazz alike parts.<br />But these elements written above shall not prevent you to listen to it, cause AVICULARIA mixed all these elements with pure death metal moments like these pounding riffs with great soloing that give a melodic side and help to appreciate the whole release. "Born to be vile" need an effort of listening but there are really good parts that make you forget the too much technical aspect. If you're looking for some exotical death metal form the Eastern Europe and if you're not repulsed by technical stuff, check it out. </em><br /><a href="http://myspace.com/aviculariaband">http://myspace.com/aviculariaband</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-29452673086702162252010-06-13T02:10:00.000-07:002011-06-11T03:53:41.857-07:00NERLICH Innards EP Review<strong>NERLICH (Finland) – Innards<br />Tape 2009 – Nihilistic Holocaust<br />5 tracks – 17'58<br />Rated: 5,5/10<br /></strong><em>NERLICH after a bunch of cool demos and a quite brilliant album "Defabricated process", unleashed this EP in 2008 as an ultimate dirge before split up. A sad decision but why keeping up doing things if the guys aren't anymore into what they're doing. However, NERLICH got a good approach of death metal, rooted in the 90's era of the genre, with such influences as old SUFFOCATION, old GORGUTS, old MORBID ANGEL, etc... The tracks from "Innards" are in the continuation process of the album (especially the first two tracks), the musicianship is still good, the weak point being the drum sound (where's the kick-drum? Is it this awful click?) but you could find again these particular atmospheres from the album, you know these kinda occult ones reminding PESTILENCE on "Testimony...". The two following tracks are less captivating, more brutal they are just filling space in my opinion. There is a 5th track, and I don't know if that's a cover or a sick jam, a kinda punk/rock song, a MISFITS coversong? Anyway, this EP has a strange taste, a bit like an unfinished business, not bad but after a great album I probably expected more...<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> Gabriel S – 9 rue de la Scarpe – 59 552 LAMBRES LEZ DOUAI – FRANCE <a href="mailto:gabsk@wanadoo.fr">gabsk@wanadoo.fr</a> <a href="http://site.voila.fr/NIHILISTIC">http://site.voila.fr/NIHILISTIC</a><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/nerlichband">http://www.myspace.com/nerlichband</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-51878565916567131732010-06-05T06:12:00.000-07:002010-06-05T06:14:43.898-07:00YOGTH SOTHOTH Abominations of the Nebulah Mortiis Review<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TApNjVWpd5I/AAAAAAAAAe4/NDa6H0atUWI/s1600/Cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479277166072526738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TApNjVWpd5I/AAAAAAAAAe4/NDa6H0atUWI/s320/Cover.jpg" /></a> <strong>YOGTH SOTHOTH (Colombia) – Abominations of the Nebulah Mortiis<br />CD 2008 – Sevared Records<br />10 tracks - 36'43<br />Rated: 7/10<br /></strong><em>This incarnation of the great old one comes from the Colombian hell and was invoked in 2003 with ex-members of PLANTA CADAVER. The conglomeration of glowing spheres is no less than a fucking death metal cosmic entity paying tribute to the Lovecraftian myth. Usually you expect some kind of atmospheres when writing music about Cthulhu and his minions, and does YOGTH SOTHOTH manage to create some? Well, with an old school brutal death style performed by YOGTH SOTHOTH you could have doubts but the band is able to surprise by playing with slow and very heavy paces. The riffing without being absolutely genuine displays some really dark tracks. In a way they can remind the brutality of bands like KRISIUN or INTERNAL SUFFERING but with more variations and slowdowns.<br />The music itself is pretty efficient with no innovation in terms of technical aspect, but some tracks definitely stay stuck in your brain. Some instants of linearity can also be felt and the lack of guitar solos is a mistake according to me coz they could break the linear times mentioned before.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> Sevared Records c/o Barrett Amiss II – 19 East Main St. - Leroy, NY 14482 – USA<br /><a href="http://sevared.com/">http://sevared.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/yogthsothoth">http://www.myspace.com/yogthsothoth</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-48287680813615180932010-06-05T06:10:00.000-07:002010-06-05T06:11:25.300-07:00GRAVELESS demo 2007 review<strong>GRAVELESS (Brazil) – S/T<br />Demo CD 2007 – Self released<br />4 tracks - 17'49<br />Rated: 4/10</strong><br /><em>First demo for this brazilian outfit, and I'm surprised that they didn't sound like a KRISIUN clone. GRAVELESS is an old school death metal disciple into the late 80's/early 90's death metal. Almost no blast-beats here, just good old chuka-chuka drums mixed with thrash/death riffing. Think about stuff like POSSESSED, early MORBID ANGEL and UNLEASHED but less inspired.<br />This demo lacks of highlights, you listen to it but nothing really remains because it's mostly common death metal without stench of the deceased, it lacks of intensity because of tracks' linearity. I usually moans for the absence of guitar solos, there are some here, but they often sound wrong or don't fit the riff they're in. GRAVELESS has to work harder to propose something more gut wrenching coz I don't want to put this demo in my player again.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> graveless_death@hotmail.comJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-60379904559663608322010-06-05T06:08:00.000-07:002010-06-05T06:10:02.040-07:00NOMAD The independance of observation choice Review<strong>NOMAD (Poland) – The independence of observation choice <br />CD 2007 – Empire Records<br />12 tracks - 44'29<br />Rated: 6,5/10<br /></strong><em>NOMAD has been active in the UG since 1994 but their name rarely comes to our frontiers, probably due to the small label that released their records and it won't evolve with Empire whose distribution is pretty weak. Fortunately, fellow traders are here to progagate the plague of death metal.<br />NOMAD is a death metal band that is completely in the stream of bands like VADER, DIES IRAE, DEVILYN, not they just follow these bands but they belong to the same sphere with similar influences (MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE, CARCASS...). NOMAD's style is rather powerful death metal with old school elements and don't denies melodies and injects guitar solos for my greatest pleasure (and the guys are fucking skilled!).<br />The album is pretty intense due to the fast drumming but lightened by MORBID ANGEL alike dark parts. In fact some tracks could have been shortened for a matter of efficiency I think. The band also puts small intrumental pieces between the tracks and that gaves a time of rest until the next assault. In fact, you have here a good death metal band that may remain in the shadow of his great brothers VADER, HATE or BEHEMOTH to name a few. Good stuff if you're usually into extreme metal from Poland, they close the album with a death metallic version of « IX » of Italian thrashers BULLDOZER a longer version, don't know how they arrange it), this band is absolutely worth the listening for some good moments.<br /></em><strong>Info:</strong> <a href="http://www.nomad-band.com/">www.nomad-band.com</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-77034441147841843232010-06-05T06:06:00.000-07:002010-06-05T06:08:16.911-07:00CONSPIRACY Concordat Review<strong>CONSPIRACY (Netherlands) – Concordat<br />CD 2009 – Pulverised Records<br />8 tracks – 43'04<br />Rated: 4,5/10</strong><br /><em>Not the most inspired moniker with the numerous CONSPIRACY existing, this one comes from Holland and is the beast of lonesome musician Al' Hazred (ex-MELECHESH) taking all instruments duty. So here is a large amount of work for a result which is a bit disappointing. Don't get me wrong, everything is well played, everything's tight, nope in fact what annoys me the most with this 2nd album of CONSPIRACY is its lack of personality. At first, you feel like listening to a bad copy of ABSU. This black/death/thrash metal reminds me a lot of ABSU with a less sharp sound and with similar vocals. CONSPIRACY is far more melodic and has the bad idea to add Swedish heavy/death alike harmonies. On the fifth track « faith » CONSPIRACY reminds a pagan metal band with choirs and keyboards, clean guitars..., a bit surprising it hardly fits the previous tracks' mood in my opinion but I guess the guy plays what he wants after all. Then on track 7 « Courage », you get a death/doom piece, quite melodic with guttural vocals, still different from previous stuff again, don't know where the mad arab wants to go...and that goes on with the last melodic instrumental closing the album. There are good moments but there are also many moments of boredom that prevent this album being just average.</em><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/metalconspiracy">http://www.myspace.com/metalconspiracy</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-81066708028277098082010-06-05T04:59:00.000-07:002010-06-05T05:01:20.385-07:00CELESTE Nihiliste(s) Review<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAo8g7dy0AI/AAAAAAAAAew/TtVJVTebI3w/s1600/Celeste.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479258433065766914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAo8g7dy0AI/AAAAAAAAAew/TtVJVTebI3w/s320/Celeste.jpg" /></a> <strong>CELESTE (France) – Nihiliste(s)<br />CD 2008 – Denovali Records<br />10 tracks - 44'56<br />Rated: 7,5/10<br /></strong><em>Some people would probably choke on their vomit if they saw CELESTE's name in these pages, sorry folks but the reason for this band being reviewed here is that I loved their fucking record!<br />I can hardly give you an exact style to describe CELESTE. I read many shits everywhere like postcore, blackcore, hardcore/black metal, sludge black metal, etc... Something sure about this album is that you feel uncomfortable and oppressed while listening to it. CELESTE creates a suffocating cocoon of dissonant tracks, very heavy and so yes similarities with black metal atmospheres are true. But mentioning black metal would probably gave our elitists a heart attack, but even if CELESTE doesn't belong to this stupid inner circle, they are able to create sticky and dark parts worthy of any actual black metal release, if not worthier. The vocals are medium screams and they can hardly be belonging to hardcore or black metal exclusively as they fit both style in my opinion. The French lyrics would also please any worshipper of Lautreamont by their sick and sadisitc side.<br />On a rhythm matter, CELESTE has more in common with the hardcore or sludge style, it's mostly mid tempo parts, sometimes double bass drums, slow parts and even if that fits to the whole mood of the album there is a certain violence, but a psychological one than a physical. And to avoid deception about it you can download this album on the label's webpage, so at least you can't be too much disappointed.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> <a href="http://www.denovali.com/">http://www.denovali.com/</a> <a href="mailto:order@denovali.com">order@denovali.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/unhiverdeplus">http://www.myspace.com/unhiverdeplus</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-55676811371876291372010-06-05T04:57:00.000-07:002010-06-05T04:58:01.027-07:00DISCOSHIT / DISLAYNÖM split 2009 review<strong>DISCOSHIT (Indonesia) / DISLAYNÖM (France) – Split<br />Split CDR 2009 – La Topographie des Erreurs<br />10 tracks - 18'43<br />Rated: 2/10 – 0,5/10</strong><br /><em>Here's is one of the first release by this young DIY label ready to offer you the most marginal stuff ever and let's star with Indonesian DISCOSHIT and their awful thrash/punk metal. If the music is tight rhythmically, one can't say the same thing about the instruments and especially the guitars (the bass probably was fucked up during the mix, or the guy was too drunk to record his basslines, who knows...) because they sound terribly wrong as if the guys didn't tuned them. What people know about melody and harmony is blasphemed here due to tuning problem. The solos, leads and harmonies would make a goat puke its guts through its ass, it's just unbearable. Imagine a wasted version of VENOM and you're probably far from the truth about this band's non-potential.<br />DISLAYNÖM shall be probably proud to give its contribution to the UG but UG isn't synonym of garbage. I got this impression with DISLAYNÖM and their noisy stuff with bass guitar, fake drums and above this, the shouted and horrible vocals. Luckily, their part of the split is short and my torture ends quickly. I can't give you any comparison coz DISLAYNÖM plays nonsense shit to me, probably it could please the most crack-addict punk out there but I don't think they read my rag which is the wrong publication for this kind of crap.<br /></em><strong>Contact anf hatemail:</strong> dislaynom@live.frJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-6639861549423849312010-06-05T04:54:00.000-07:002010-06-05T04:56:36.293-07:00EMBALMED SOULS Six rites of possession demo 2009 Review<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAo7aH7o9xI/AAAAAAAAAeo/8S4WjUqqqoE/s1600/embalmed+souls+demo+2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479257216641464082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAo7aH7o9xI/AAAAAAAAAeo/8S4WjUqqqoE/s320/embalmed+souls+demo+2009.jpg" /></a> <strong>EMBALMED SOULS (Brazil) – Six rites of possession<br />Demo 2009 – Self released<br />11 tracks - 57'54<br />Rated: 7/10<br /></strong><em>EMBALMED SOULS the death metal band that plays with their souls without thinking about what others say. Created in 1990, the band slowly and quietly do what they will, defending a certain idea of what is their own death metal. Here you have 6 new tracks (+5 tracks from their good demo 2005 « The Temple of bizarre cult » that I can only but recommend) recorded in their rehearsal room. When talking about rehearsal recordings people usually have a forced smile thinking the sound may be crappy. Surely the sound on « Six rites... » isn't the most perfect but that is merely acceptable. It's a bit crude with some feedback here and there but that definitely gives an idea of what the band is able. If you already know the band before you'll be pleased to hear they still play their occult old school death metal with haunting and dark melodies. I always enjoy their slow parts not far from death/doom metal reminding stuff like early KATATONIA or GOREMENT. But they don't forget to play more extreme parts, always in the old school way, with an early GRAVE touch and the usual low guttural vocals. If you like their previous recordings, this one is for you.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> Paulo – Caixa Postal 8062 – Sudoeste Brasilia – DF 70 673 970 – BRAZIL<br />souls666@terra.com.br embalmedsouls@gmail.comJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-60894425873444255472010-06-05T04:52:00.000-07:002011-09-03T13:26:33.896-07:00KRUPSKAYA / BLACK SISTER split EP 2009 review<strong>KRUPSKAYA (UK) / BLACK SISTER (Scotland) – Thrash until you puke
<br />Split EP 2009 – Ignore This / Problem? Records
<br />3 tracks
<br />Rated: 5/10 - 6/10
<br /></strong><em>I'm not familiar with KRUPSKAYA (whose name comes from Lenin's wife Nadezhda Krupskaya) which usually performs a kind of psychotic grindcore, and who here pays tribute to KREATOR's « Flag of hate ». Musically that's a pretty good restitution of the original (where is the fucking solo?), except that the vocals are in the KRUPSKAYA style: screaming sick vocals, but that's ok if you can bear this kind of vocals. Nothing astonishing but it allows me to discover KRUPSKAYA's music, intriguing band, I shall check more about them.
<br />BLACK SISTER is not unknow to you if you regularly the previous issue of PEZ. BLACK SISTER still got a thrash metal basis but always had a vile pleasure to mix it with punk, hardcore or whatever they feel the will to puzzle or piss you off! They offer a new thrash metal track with a cool lead (heavy metal is the law!) but it's damn short! They also pay tribute to a German legend but they chose SODOM and their « Ausgebombt », it's well played, close to the original (and they play the guitar solo here ;).
<br />A cool split EP for vynil eaters but that's not mandatory and certainly not the best stuff to discover these two bands.
<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong>
<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/problemrecordsuk">http://www.myspace.com/problemrecordsuk</a>
<br />dirty_little_punk@hotmail.comJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-7430745464665639242010-06-05T02:28:00.000-07:002010-06-05T02:33:06.771-07:00THE BOTTLE DOOM LAZY BAND Blood for the bloodking Review<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAoZdoqBK5I/AAAAAAAAAeg/_b7eZAkkTsw/s1600/blood+for+theBK.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479219893570186130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAoZdoqBK5I/AAAAAAAAAeg/_b7eZAkkTsw/s320/blood+for+theBK.jpg" /></a> <strong>THE BOTTLE DOOM LAZY BAND (France) – Blood for the Bloodking<br />CD 2008 – Emanes Mëtal Records<br />7 tracks - 47'06<br />Rated: 7,5/10</strong><br /><em>The French doomsters return with their first album. The band despite its many line-up changes, keep on its slow ascension towards the throne of doom metal, heavier than ever with a massive sound (Echoes Studio). TBDLB reached another step and offers a more mature music where the bass guitar got an important place, when lead guitars appear here and there.<br />The first CATHEDRAL is still the milestone, as well as BLACK SABBATH and its bastard son PENTAGRAM. The music gets darker and even has a melancholic touch (not depressive shit) but something nice though. It immediately reminds me the approach of a band like RUNEMAGICK.<br />BottleBen vocals kept the way they were on the demo, but are more mastered (no more compliments coz' I know he doesn't give a shit about that!); still a mix between singing and declaiming (Father BottleBen, pray for us!). The vocals are here used parcimoniously, as there are instrumental tracks, here vocals are used as an instrument. It's why you get a track with vocals, then an instrumental, then another tracks with vocals, and so on... This build a kind of funeral in several parts, quite a good idea, even if at the end you only got 4 tracks with vocals, it makes « Blood for the Bloodking » an enjoyable album without being boring like a REVEREND BIZARRE release with more than hour of doom preaching.<br />A first convincing release showing TBDLB has at least something to say about doom metal with a band like RISING DUST. Better get the LP version for a different but darker artwork.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> emanesmetalrecords@orange.fr<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thebottledoomlazyband">http://www.myspace.com/thebottledoomlazyband</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-64564167150725962832010-06-04T01:20:00.000-07:002010-06-04T01:22:03.406-07:00GRAVES OF VALOR Salarian gate Review<strong>GRAVES OF VALOR (US) – Salarian gate<br />CD 2009 – Relapse Records<br />11 tracks - 35'33<br />Rated: 4/10<br /></strong><em>Never heard of this band before, the info behind the CD says these guys are ex-THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD, never heard of them either, but a wind of suspicion blows. The label put forward many shining statements (what won't they do to sell their bands?), for fans of C.CORPSE, BEHEMOTH, DYING FETUS, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ... is written, hu?<br />I put the CD in the player and woaw! I was really impressed! GRAVES OF VALOR are brutal, they can play fast, the sound is like a full-speed train smashing your body, they are competent with their instruments... You guess well, this is brutal deathcore the US way, and no, they have nothing in common with C.CORPSE or DEICIDE. They belong to this wave of deathcore I don't really know and I don't want to. The obvious influence is the AT THE GATES way of playing guitar harmonies for the melodic touch, apart from this, they can remind NEURAXIS or ABORTED (during their deathcore period). Not that it's badly played, I just don't feel anything while listening to GRAVES OF VALOR, I just don't feel concerned by this sterile music. There are no mood, dark vibe or anything malignant. Next please!</em><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/fromgravesofvalor">http://www.myspace.com/fromgravesofvalor</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-32568043077931709362010-06-04T01:15:00.000-07:002010-06-04T01:18:17.067-07:00TRIMEGISTO Subterranean streams Review<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAi2oE9ZYBI/AAAAAAAAAeY/tKT2PBOeK_c/s1600/trimegisto.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478829746338488338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAi2oE9ZYBI/AAAAAAAAAeY/tKT2PBOeK_c/s320/trimegisto.jpg" /></a> <strong>TRIMEGISTO (Chile) – Subterranean streams<br />CD 2008 – Obscure Domain<br />9 tracks - 39'23<br />Rated: 7,5/10<br /></strong><em>Another spawn from the Chilean death metal mafia with names like THORNAFIRE, SHEOLGENNA, DOMINUS XUL and MELEKTAUS, some members of TRIMEGISTO also play or have played in the bands previously mentioned. Something good with a band like TRIMEGISTO is that they know how to play death metal with a dark mood. Of course, there's nothing outstanding coz they didn't create something new neither reach inhuman speed nor reinvent guitar scales, or whatever...<br />TRIMEGISTO « simply » unleashes some occult death metal the old school and obscure way. Their roots surely came from the old masters like IMMOLATION, INCANTATION, INFAMY for the way they create evil riffs, but they also add guitar leads and harmonies typical from heavy metal and it helps to create dark and esoterical atmospheres, a bit like PESTILENCE did on « Testimony... » or ESQARIAL on their first album. They also have this occult vibe like the Ancient Ones worship reminding the brazialian band SANCTIFIER.<br />The album loses a bit of catchiness sometimes but that's a serious and solid death metal release for anyone into exotical or dark death metal with skillful musicians.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> <a href="http://www.obscuredomain.com/">http://www.obscuredomain.com/</a><br />Hacker – Grosser Buechel 6 – 53619 RHEINBREITBACH – GERMANY<br /><a href="http://myspace.com/trimegisto">http://myspace.com/trimegisto</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-53643745970027168842010-06-04T01:12:00.000-07:002010-06-04T01:14:31.137-07:00RITUALIZATION demo 2009 Review<strong>RITUALIZATION (France) – The abduction mass<br />Demo tape 2009 – Zombie Ritual Tapes<br />5 tracks<br />Rated: 6/10</strong><br /><em>This kind of stuff couldn't have been released by a French label except a very underground one like NH, but which label would release a demo tape inthere in our death metal supporting country? In a demo tape way, without the great sound from Denmark or Poland?<br />Blood Harvest did (in fact Zombie Ritual Tapes) and released this demo probably seduced by the evil death metal sound of RITUALIZATION. The death practiced here is in the fast and savage way, helped (or not) by the chaotic sound, reminding the most impious band, some specialists would even mention black/death metal, and they wouldn't be completely wrong. The early works of MORBID ANGEL , ANGEL CORPSE and KRISIUN can be a starting point but that's certainly more into the aussie burning ground that you can detect influences by ABOMINATOR or DESKRUTOR (especially for the drums style). The whole demo is a fire rain of murderous and fast riffs, drums machine gunning and bestial eructations against the way of christ. Some slowdowns appears here and there, and really create evil moods but they are too few according to me.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> Zombie Ritual Tapes – BOX 7092 – 20042 MALMO – SWEDEN<br />info@bloodharvest.se <a href="http://www.bloodharvest.se/">http://www.bloodharvest.se/</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-80528593164528993982010-06-01T01:13:00.000-07:002010-06-01T01:17:17.634-07:00TRIBULATION the horror Review<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TATCA2jB6-I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/caS1eY1EUsc/s1600/LP_tribulation_the_horror.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477716366687595490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TATCA2jB6-I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/caS1eY1EUsc/s320/LP_tribulation_the_horror.gif" /></a> <strong>TRIBULATION (Sweden) – The horror<br />CD 2008 – Pulverised Records<br />9 tracks - 32'47<br />Rated: 7/10<br /></strong><em>TRIBULATION has been spreading disease for some years now, and here is their first album. Another spawn of the Swedish death metal mafia. These last years many bands appear to keep the cult of death remaining. One must admit that most of these new bands know decently how to create unholy and graveyardssmelling atmospheres. TRIBULATION is among them with their « The horror » LP who definitely got the right name as the album bathes in sheer darkness and horror. If you would mention ENTOMBED or DISMEMBER as fuel of filth creation, you better think of DEATH BREATH and especially the incredible REPUGNANT as obvious lethal checkpoint. The way they used the reverberized vocals and thrashy riffing immediately reminds REPUGNANT. TRIBULATION didn't reach the same horrific atmosphere REPUGNANT created on their « Epitome of darkness », but if you dig that record, TRIBULATION is the right morgue to visit.<br />On the other hand, TRIBULATION uses parcimonious keyboards to create an horror-filled mood or some dissonant arpeggios (close to some black metal riffs sometimes). Some melodies are displayed but more in a gloomy lead guitars way, close to some heavy metal à la KING DIAMOND.<br />A good debut album, sometimes I feel the band is able to make something more personal to be something more than an additional new « old school » death metal band.<br /></em><a href="http://www.myspace.com/soultribulation">http://www.myspace.com/soultribulation</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-42712067239188858372010-06-01T01:08:00.000-07:002010-06-01T01:09:31.017-07:00EMMOS Vol.1 & Vol.2 Reviews<strong>EMMOS (Fr) – Vol.1 Emmos Kratos & Vol.2 The meaning of death<br />Demo CD 2009 – Self released<br />12 tracks - 53'04/ 7 tracks - 39'09<br />Rated: 3/10 - 5/10</strong><br /><em>So much material to review at a time, Jeff wants me dead!! This one man project with two CD is a gathering of Jeff's multiple musical tastes. EMMOS is a crossover of thrash/black and various raw metallic remnants. This lack of unity is the main problem with so much stuff compiled. I don't know where Jeff wants to go, probably he needs to create all this music in a cathartic goal but I must say I hardly get into his stuff. Musically and rhythmically speaking that's ok eventhough when he plays some leads or solos I can't prevent to grimace as it doesn't sound good to my ears. Vocally he also used a wide panel between black metal screams, clear vocals, crossover singing, more guttural ones, and once again it's sometimes a matter of tastes to bear them all. Think about some old SLAYER mixed with DARKTHRONE, VENOM, THE EXPLOITED and many hangovers. The use of drum machine isn't scandalous as it's back mixed so you don't really care about it while listening.<br />Vol. 2 follows the same path of multiple influences with a try in heavy metal voice. The thrash influence is stronger here (SLAYER « South... » and « Season... ») and one riff on « Fighting each other » seemed to be taken from « Silent scream ». To end on a positive note, I particularily enjoyed the last track, a long doom/thrash instrumental with clear-sounding guitars, not bad at all except some lead guitars that suck but that's demo stuff after all. I think it would have been better to keep the best track to release a single demo instead of all this stuff for the sake of releasing 19 tracks. Half of them could have been sufficient.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> jeffboss07@hotmail.com<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/jeffboss">http://www.myspace.com/jeffboss</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-73520959554620098272010-06-01T01:04:00.000-07:002010-06-01T01:07:09.670-07:00VASAELETH demo 2009 Review<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAS_pIVhwMI/AAAAAAAAAeI/nWYKiVNHt7g/s1600/vasaeleth_logo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477713760122683586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAS_pIVhwMI/AAAAAAAAAeI/nWYKiVNHt7g/s320/vasaeleth_logo.jpg" /></a> <strong>VASAELETH (US) – Demo MMIX<br />Promo 2009 – Self released<br />2 tracks – 7'22<br />Rated: 6/10</strong><br /><em>It's always good to discover a new band like VASAELETH who plays some traditional obscure death metal. Ultra low guttural vocals and low tuned hellsounding guitar, you can bet they abused of their INCANTATION and AUTOPSY records. The drums are buried under vocals and guitars but it enforces the chaotic and evil intents. They know how to create darkening moods by the use of simple riffs and heavy parts. These two tracks are repressed on an EP on Blood Harvest with an additional track, so you're advised to get it in you're into any kind of dark death metal. They can remind FATHER BEFOULED but without the artificial harmonic use. Promising stuff, an album shall be out while you're reading this.<br /></em><strong>Contact:</strong> vasaelethdeathkult@hotmail.com<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/vasaeleth">http://www.myspace.com/vasaeleth</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297018635329277079.post-88283941514301599952010-06-01T00:55:00.000-07:002010-06-01T00:58:23.606-07:00DEATH HEAVEN Viral apocalypse Review<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAS9aoq9_OI/AAAAAAAAAeA/eSaZRKzxX0g/s1600/album.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477711312081255650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tS4LlvhnUzA/TAS9aoq9_OI/AAAAAAAAAeA/eSaZRKzxX0g/s320/album.jpg" /></a> <strong>DEATH HEAVEN (Italy) – Viral apocalypse<br />CD 2007 – Punishment 18 Records<br />11 tracks - 72'01<br />Rated: 8/10<br /></strong><em>I reviewed a three-promo-track on PEZ#4, and later BRN sent me a promo of the full album. I had a positive opinion back then and listening to the whole album I must say I'm still impressed by these guys' skills (and that's why you can read a cool intie elsewhere in these pages!).<br />But one must know about DEATH HEAVEN that this band plays modern, technical and brutal death metal and that they are not afraid to experiment and give diversity to their music.<br />The intro itself can give you a chill with the female vocals (reminding OBSCENITY on the « Third Chapter ») but as the following track can prove, this is really death metal inside, ahah!!<br />The album is more than one hour long, so you will need several listenings to absorb and get fully infected by this viral load of death metal. If you like complex death metal with brutal parts and some nice atmospheres, you will find some worthy substance in there. Hard to give you a perfect description but think about a meeting between DEATH (« the sound of perseverance » for the technical aspect), NEURAXIS and CRYPTOPSY (for the modern and brutal aspect), OPETH (for the use of acoustic parts), NILE (for creating similar atmospheres, especially on the track « Sacrificial ritual of the Ugarit dead ») and many more depending on your tastes...but really DEATH HEAVEN is worth to be check out. Surely sometimes you felt oppressed by so many things at a time and the tracks' length, but the slower and more atmospheric parts really create majestic and mind catching moments. DEATH HEAVEN shows that it's still possible to create interesting and solid death metal without bastardizing it with wimpy elements.<br /></em><strong>Info:</strong> <a href="http://www.punishment18records.com/">http://www.punishment18records.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/deathheavenofficial">http://www.myspace.com/deathheavenofficial</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975772793236064608noreply@blogger.com0