LES HURLEMENTS DE LA MEUTE Zine #1 (France)
2009
20 pages A4 – French written
The zine mania seems to still have its adepts, I regularly see new zines popping here and there from all around the world and France has its own paper addicts. This first issue headed by Gilles reminds me In Extremis Zine (what? It's not a zine?) for the lay-out look alike. It cames in a A4 format with cut and paste, the whole is clear and not overcharged with useless pictures or ads. I just don't like the vertical texts and beware some parts or words are missing, not comfortable to have to guess the answers...
In these pages are gathered 4 interviews of French UG soldiers: SUBCONSCIENCE (after such a reading I think I won't go into further investigation...), TUMOR NECROSIS, AFFLICTION GATE and Abel of Invasions Barbares Zine (probably an inspiration for Gilles). The editor tries to conduct his inties with a motivated state of mind and variated questions, a good point when you know how french bands are reluctant to talk about themselves.
A bunch of around 60 reviews are written about many stuff (demos, CD, zines...), with a lot of underground unknown bands from punk to black metal; the reviews are rather short and longer when the editor is really into the release, sometimes I think it lacks of a check point to really catch the band's style but as the raw black metal on tape got a laxative effect on me I guess I don't feel ashamed losing the point...
Not a bad start in the paper madness, things can be improved (a more critical approach, more content, less black metal crap, and maybe interviews of foreign bands?) but that's a cool beginning, good luck dude!
Contact: Gilles TORCOL – La Montain 58400 BULCY – FRANCE
gilles.torcol@yahoo.fr
dimanche 30 mai 2010
vendredi 28 mai 2010
INFERNAL DOMINION Salvation through infinite suffering Review
INFERNAL DOMINION (US) – Salvation through infinite sufferingCD 2009 – Burning Dogma Records
14 tracks - 65'18
Rated: 7/10
Originally released by TXDM Underground, this new version comes with the tracks from the split with OPHIOLATRY and a track from demo 99 (don't get mistaken by the so called tracks from 2004, in fact they are from the split, a printing mistake I guess). Once again prepare to face more than one hour of infernal Texas death metal. INFERNAL DOMINION plays this particular evil abrasive brutal death metal with low guttural vocals. Think about INCANTATION being native from Texas. Nevertheless, both bands don't share the same sound and ID got those heavy slamming pounding parts. The tracks from the album are quite good if you're into obscure brutal blasphemous death metal, you definitely won't waste your money. The highlight for me are the tracks from the split with OPHIOLATRY. I don't know why, but the tracks are more insane maybe because they add screamed vocals. Everything sounds more brutal and malevolent. The band also increases the speed and the tracks look like a flood of brutality right on you. The slower parts are more judiciously displayed between the fast ones so those tracks really have a catchy impact and you really have here a soundtrack for burning in hell in the death metal way (the track « By darkness blessed » kills!)! The last demo track is anecdotic but it will please any collectors (the CD also comes in a red as blood jewel case).
Contact: Burning Dogma Records c/o Ricky Lockett – 635 Astoria – Azle TX 76020 – USA
dogmaburning@aol.com
http://www.myspace.com/infernaldominion
MALARIAH The cult of devastation Review
MALARIAH (France) – The cult of devastation
MCD 2008 – Self released
5 tracks – 31'50
Rated: 2/10
Another young band from my homeland, created in 2007, MALARIAH released this MCD in 2008 though a demo would have been a better idea. So let's consider this MCD as a demo eventhough the production is quite powerful. I think MALARIAH has not a precise idea of their style yet, so these 5 tracks are lacking of coherence and craziness. The music here is of an absolute boredom, with predictable riffs and structures and no real atmospheres except while they used keyboards or clear guitars. The guys are competent, no doubt about that, but their music lacks of mindblowing moments. MALARIAH reminds me the Czech band KRABHATOR on « Orthodox » album (though I never really like this band very much) due to the pounding side of these awful triggered drums. The plastic drums take away the organic side of their death metal (yes, that seems contradictory, hu?). The lead guitar sound is also just horrible but not in the good way, they are just too common and doesn't make you feel anything coz they often don't fit the riff they're in. The heavy/death Gothenburp soundlike attemps on the last instrumental track are also clumsy and end the MCD in a strange if not saying in a bad manner for a death metal band!
MALARIAH should have taken their time to elaborate more efficient death metal. Let's consider this MCD as a try and let's wait for something better.
http://www.myspace.com/malariah
MCD 2008 – Self released
5 tracks – 31'50
Rated: 2/10
Another young band from my homeland, created in 2007, MALARIAH released this MCD in 2008 though a demo would have been a better idea. So let's consider this MCD as a demo eventhough the production is quite powerful. I think MALARIAH has not a precise idea of their style yet, so these 5 tracks are lacking of coherence and craziness. The music here is of an absolute boredom, with predictable riffs and structures and no real atmospheres except while they used keyboards or clear guitars. The guys are competent, no doubt about that, but their music lacks of mindblowing moments. MALARIAH reminds me the Czech band KRABHATOR on « Orthodox » album (though I never really like this band very much) due to the pounding side of these awful triggered drums. The plastic drums take away the organic side of their death metal (yes, that seems contradictory, hu?). The lead guitar sound is also just horrible but not in the good way, they are just too common and doesn't make you feel anything coz they often don't fit the riff they're in. The heavy/death Gothenburp soundlike attemps on the last instrumental track are also clumsy and end the MCD in a strange if not saying in a bad manner for a death metal band!
MALARIAH should have taken their time to elaborate more efficient death metal. Let's consider this MCD as a try and let's wait for something better.
http://www.myspace.com/malariah
NECROS / ABNORM split Review
NECROS / ABNORM (France/France) – S/TSplit Tape 2009 – Nihilistic Holocaust
8 tracks – 30'30
Rated: 6/10 - 6/10
You can count on Gab's deep interest on unknown bands to release some pestilential metal of death. This time, here are two french acts into old school death metal and death/black metal.
NECROS is the death metallic representative. They are into old school US inspired death metal, the early recordings of INCANTATION & IMMOLATION plus some pieces of AUTOPSY for the slower parts. NECROS add their personal touch through their death metal with more personal riff though.
The music isn't groundbreaking, but you can find enough satisfying catchiness and morbidity to quench your thirst of death metal from the 90's. Vocally, I can't help it, but it reminds me Hagend of BLOODY SIGN. Unconsciously they are probably influenced by their landmates, even if most people disagree with this, I guess it's due to common influences from both bands, ahah! They covered « Anoint the chosen » by the mighty INCANTATION, it differs a bit from the original, not an easy song to play, I know what I'm talking about.
ABNORM, the death/black challenger is also rooted in the 90's, with some fast and evil music. Fortunately, the death metallic side of ABNORM prevails in their music, and you can think about the Austrian BELPHEGOR in their mid-period (Necrodemon Terrorsatan) and their landmates of VORKREIST (first album). ABNORM mixes fast parts with slower, medium grunts with screamed ones, some SLAYER-esque guitar solos, black metal sounding riffs, etc... The last track « The dead end path passenger » is my favourite and where the bands is efficient when playing on slower pace with decadent and hauting riffs.
Two bands at the eve of their putrid and dark art, but it's some promising debut.
Contact: Nihilistic Holocaust c/o Gabriel S – 9 rue de la Scarpe – 59552 LAMBRES LEZ DOUAI – FRANCE
gabsk@wanadoo.fr
http://www.myspace.com/necrosband
http://www.myspace.com/thetrueabnormband
lundi 24 mai 2010
BLACK BLEEDING The great satan Review
BLACK BLEEDING (Belgium) – The great SatanMCD 2009 – Self Released
8 tracks – 26'37
Rated: 7/10
Great to hear new material by BLACK BLEEDING almost 4 years after « The awakening » demo. Probably not well known in the UG, BLACK BLEEDING is a blackened death metal band a bit apart from the usual black/death bands, mainly because of their freaky image, by this I mean they don't take them too seriously, not the basical spiked metal warriors if you see what I mean. But does this affect their music? Certainly not. BLACK BLEEDING's music has the impact and intensity of evil sounding bands. I found similarities with bands like old VITAL REMAINS, early DIABOLIC, even some black metal (some hints of MAYHEM) but here we have mostly death metal for my greatest pleasure. Here and there you can hear more heavy metal influences reminding old stuff by EDGE OF SANITY, it makes the whole listening quite pleasant and create some diversity.
I guess the band won't have much recognition and will remain underrated probably because of lack of curiosity or maybe the band's image, a real mistake as BLACK BLEEDING is worth your attention (as good as belgian beer!). You can get this MCD directly from the band or the most skeptical can download it from their website.
Contact: blackbleeding@hotmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/beerbleeding
HYPOKRAS / BY THE SWORD split LP review
HYPOKRAS (France) / BY THE SWORD (France) – Brutal, deadly, insane / Metal 'til death
Split LP 2008 – D.U.K.E
2 tracks / 3 tracks
Rated: 6/10 - 4/10
Great to hear new stuff by HYPOKRAS, coz' there was no news about them since their MCD « Dead & hungry » released on Warpath Records. If I remember well, this was some good death metal, quite brutal with a bunch a cool tracks, even if the band didn't get much attention. Two new tracks on black wax, with a rawer sound, probably a will to get back to the roots. The first track « Strategik grim murder » reminds me the same kind of old school atmosphere you can find on Blessed are the sick, this kind of old school death metal with evil vibe. On the second track « The death wish » HYPOKRAS goes a bit thrashier in the old SEPULTURA vein (Bestial devastation/morbid visions) and in the DESTRUCTION vein, with slower melodic parts and keeping the death metal vocals though. HYPOKRAS turns into some death/thrash, I miss the brutal side of the MCD, but the stuff here is quite decent for the old school freaks who loves their metal that stinks sweat, blood and beer.
The chainsaw on the first tracks of BY THE SWORD, reminds the butchering intents of BESTIAL MOCKERY, and musically speaking « Metal 'til death » contains all the thrash/black/death clichés of this kind of band. It' well done, nothing outstanding but just a good strike in the head.
The following track « Prat del cramats » came with a quite crappy and fuzzy sound. It's more a kind of epic or doomy track, in the BATHORY vein (Blood, fire, death) with choirs and dealing with Occitan land and its medieval religious conflicts (according to the info sheet). The last track « annihilation » is a instrumental track with a sound similar to the previous one, that is to say quite horrible. The BY THE SWORD side is really not my cup of beer, but here is a cool split LP of underground french hordes even if they remains studio projects.
Contact: DUKE Cidex 1010 – 39800 LE FIED – FRANCE
http://www.myspace.com/hypokras666
Split LP 2008 – D.U.K.E
2 tracks / 3 tracks
Rated: 6/10 - 4/10
Great to hear new stuff by HYPOKRAS, coz' there was no news about them since their MCD « Dead & hungry » released on Warpath Records. If I remember well, this was some good death metal, quite brutal with a bunch a cool tracks, even if the band didn't get much attention. Two new tracks on black wax, with a rawer sound, probably a will to get back to the roots. The first track « Strategik grim murder » reminds me the same kind of old school atmosphere you can find on Blessed are the sick, this kind of old school death metal with evil vibe. On the second track « The death wish » HYPOKRAS goes a bit thrashier in the old SEPULTURA vein (Bestial devastation/morbid visions) and in the DESTRUCTION vein, with slower melodic parts and keeping the death metal vocals though. HYPOKRAS turns into some death/thrash, I miss the brutal side of the MCD, but the stuff here is quite decent for the old school freaks who loves their metal that stinks sweat, blood and beer.
The chainsaw on the first tracks of BY THE SWORD, reminds the butchering intents of BESTIAL MOCKERY, and musically speaking « Metal 'til death » contains all the thrash/black/death clichés of this kind of band. It' well done, nothing outstanding but just a good strike in the head.
The following track « Prat del cramats » came with a quite crappy and fuzzy sound. It's more a kind of epic or doomy track, in the BATHORY vein (Blood, fire, death) with choirs and dealing with Occitan land and its medieval religious conflicts (according to the info sheet). The last track « annihilation » is a instrumental track with a sound similar to the previous one, that is to say quite horrible. The BY THE SWORD side is really not my cup of beer, but here is a cool split LP of underground french hordes even if they remains studio projects.
Contact: DUKE Cidex 1010 – 39800 LE FIED – FRANCE
http://www.myspace.com/hypokras666
ROT demo 2008 review
ROT (Poland) – Pedophile maniac + tracks from the split with MORTICUM
Demo tape 2008 – Demented Omen of masochism
13 tracks
Rated: 3/10
This release is the first production by Peter of DOOM Zine and with ROT you can expect something as dirty and ugly as Polish underground can spawn. The ROT entity is a primitive black/death fiend raping the actual crystal sounding productions coming from Poland. Here you a rehearsal-like sounding production, quite listenable though, even the drum programming sounds as ugly and basic drumming, in fact only the snare drum is perceived. Personally I didn't keep anything from this release, but probably spiked metal-headz could enjoy this gathering of VON, BEHERIT, BLASPHEMY, ARCHGOAT, DARKTHRONE influences with some thrashy parts à la 1st SLAYER album or even BATHORY. The bestial vocals used to get on my nerves as it lacks a bit of variation but this is how they wanted them to be I guess. The tracks from the split with MORTICUM are really weak and ridiculous, you can just hear the drums and the bass, the guitar is banished and the vocals sound more like an asthmatic dude than an evil fire-breathing demon Not the kind of stuff I enjoy, probably people into basic black/death may be interestedc by the « Pedophile maniac » tape, but forget the split part, it sucks!
http://www.myspace.com/rot666
Demo tape 2008 – Demented Omen of masochism
13 tracks
Rated: 3/10
This release is the first production by Peter of DOOM Zine and with ROT you can expect something as dirty and ugly as Polish underground can spawn. The ROT entity is a primitive black/death fiend raping the actual crystal sounding productions coming from Poland. Here you a rehearsal-like sounding production, quite listenable though, even the drum programming sounds as ugly and basic drumming, in fact only the snare drum is perceived. Personally I didn't keep anything from this release, but probably spiked metal-headz could enjoy this gathering of VON, BEHERIT, BLASPHEMY, ARCHGOAT, DARKTHRONE influences with some thrashy parts à la 1st SLAYER album or even BATHORY. The bestial vocals used to get on my nerves as it lacks a bit of variation but this is how they wanted them to be I guess. The tracks from the split with MORTICUM are really weak and ridiculous, you can just hear the drums and the bass, the guitar is banished and the vocals sound more like an asthmatic dude than an evil fire-breathing demon Not the kind of stuff I enjoy, probably people into basic black/death may be interestedc by the « Pedophile maniac » tape, but forget the split part, it sucks!
http://www.myspace.com/rot666
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