METAL SIDE WEBZINE – reviews – November 2005
Among
The Decayed
„A
Perfect Day For Terror“
2005,
self-released
If
you think that Oregon’s scene has to offer only these bands that work with Razorback Records,
you are wrong. Among The Decayed isn’t as well known as Lord Gore, Engorged or Frightmare, but it would be difficult not to like „A
Perfect Day For Terror“, of course if you like Death Metal. This material
reminds of very old truth: when you want to play brutal music, the simple tools
are usually most effective. Among The Decayed don’t cross the boundaries of the
genre, don’t try to find new musical territories, and don’t mess hundreds
different ideas in one composition. The tracks from „A Perfect Day For Terror“ have simple structures. Among The Decayed keeps playing
fast and brutal. Such consequence is always a virtue. On „A Perfect Day For
Terror“ almost everything is low-tuned and it makes
this material very heavy. We’ll see if Among The
Decayed will repeat the success of Lord Gore or Engorged (of course, in the underground,
not on Billboard charts). The band will have to work hard to achieve such
position but everything is likely. No matter how it will be, “A Perfect Day For Terror” is a promise of the next interesting releases. www.myspace.com/amongthedecayed
Annihilator
„Schizo Deluxe”
2005,
AFM Records
When
I heard „Alice in Hell” and “Never, Neverland” I was
impressed. These great albums were the milestones of the genre and one of the
best Thrash Metal albums ever recorded. Unfortunately, most of the next
Annihilator’s albums were a disappointment. Even solid releases like “Criteria
for a Black Widow” and “Waking the Fury” were much worse than great debut album
and the follow-up. “Schizo Deluxe” has the same
failure. Although it isn’t bad material I always compare each new Annihilator
album with the old releases, and in such competition, the new CD always has
much lower notes. The reason is very prosaic. While on “Alice in Hell” and
“Never, Neverland” one can hear many absolutely
original and memorable riffs, on “Schizo Deluxe” many
riffs seem to be very standard since they repeat the ideas known from the
latest Annihilator’s releases. It doesn’t mean that it’s boring album. Such
compositions like “Maximum Satan” have good tempo and interesting parts that
don’t let you forget that Annihilator’s leader, Jeff Waters, is one of the most
talented Thrash Metal composers. But frankly, when I’m listening to “Schizo Deluxe” I don’t think that I hear something very special
what will be worth returning when I get old. That’s only solid, professional
material. When I’m listening to “Alice in Hell”, I have quite different impressions. That’s why I’m sure that
in ten years I’ll be still returning to Annihilator’s oldest albums. Such
releases like “Schizo Deluxe” will be in use very
rarely. www.afm-records.de
Apotheosys
“The
Fall And The Triumph”
2005,
Profane Records
That’s
the mixture of Death Metal and Black Metal that I really like. The band from North Carolina
went the same way which made Angel Corpse’s name famous in the underground.
Some Black Metal influences were added to classical US Death Metal traditions.
And like in Angel Corpse’s case, Death Metal-oriented elements are dominant in
the Apotheosys’ style. Black Metal ones play, at
least in my opinion, much less significant role although I can’t ignore them
analyzing this album. First of all, vocals have something in common with Black
Metal singing although fortunately they aren’t most typical Black Metal
shrieks. Vocals are aggressive and passionate – good choice for such music. Apotheosys plays usually fast. The comparison that I’m
suggesting here, Angel Corpse, is again a good way for you to imagine what you
should expect. However, Apotheosys plays a bit more
melodic music and first of all has original ideas. That’s why the differences
between these two bands exclude any accusations that “The Fall And The Triumph” imitates “Exterminate” or “The Inexorable”.
www.apotheosys.net
Avenger
of Blood
„Complete
Annihilation”
2005,
JCM Records
Very
good tempo, simple but effective riffs, and good track structures: these
features make „Complete Annihilation” one of the best Thrash/Death Metal albums
of the year. Avenger of Blood is one of these bands, which are very deeply
rooted in the traditions of Thrash/Death Metal scene from the 80’s and use the
old ideas very effectively. Although Avenger of Blood’s music will remind you
of some great acts from the past, perhaps you will think of Kreator
(vocals) or old Sepultura (riffs), but you won’t have
impression that it’s a clone. Las Vegas-located band recorded very good
material that makes its authors one of the leaders of traditional US Thrash/Death
Metal scene. www.jcmrecords.com,
www.avengerofblood.net
Averse Sevira
“Tetragrammatical Astygmata”
2005,
Evil Horde Records
If
you look for some good Black Metal music, it can be one of your first choices.
The group from Texas has the same advantages that have other most interesting US BM artists.
Instead of very melodic and atmospheric BM that dominates in Scandinavia, they play very
aggressive form of BM, closer to the most essential BM forms. Of course, US BM
doesn’t ignore the need to create hateful, dark atmosphere which is so
important for this genre, but uses different tools to achieve such result. The
material is full of hate when it’s fast and brutal – that’s the shortest, and obviously
simplifying, summary of that formula. “Tetragrammatical
Astygmata” is a good example of such method. Averse Sevira plays some slow and typically melodic parts but it
prefers first of all fast and furious riffing and drumming. That’s why such
material will be interesting also for many Death Metal fans, who
can’t stand typical Scandinavian BM. At the same time, Averse Sevira should please maniacs of classical BM. That’s a good
combination, isn’t it? www.evilhorderec.com
Between
The Buried And Me
“Alaska”
2005,
Victory Records
Don’t
you think that it is very good title for album? Definitely
easy to remember… But that’s only a detail not important when we want to
analyze first of all the music. I must confess that I haven’t heard Between The Buried And Me’s previous
albums, self-titled one and “The Silent Circus”. I’ve only read their reviews.
And frankly I don’t remember even one reviewer who would criticize North Carolina’s
band. Listening to “Alaska” I can imagine why those who have written about Between The Buried And Me complimented Victory Records artist. It’s
very interesting album. First of all, it’s not easy to classify. It’s a cross
of Death Metal and Metal-core with different influences, mixed very
intelligently. Between The Buried And Me compose
varied songs but their music never becomes incoherent. Already the opening
track, “All Bodies”, presents the variety of Between The Buried
And Me’s songwriting. Some melodic riffs, some
brutal riffs, numerous tempo changes, and some surprising additions: this music
won’t let you get bored. If you need more brutality, the next track “Alaska”
will please you immediately. The third song, “Croakies
and Boatshoes”, delivers not only fast drumming but
also massive, slow riffs that crush. The fourth song have opening riffs that
remind of technical Death and Atheist’s style so it’s another change of mood
and another surprise for the listener. The description of other tracks could be
similar: brutal, melodic and technical riffs are band’s trademark as well as
frequent tempo changes. It’s always very passionate music. I can forgive
Between The Buried And Me even clean vocals, which
aren’t in use too often but sometimes play important role in the track
structures (the parts with clean vocals over clean guitars aren’t the best
solution in my opinion). I haven’t to emphasize that leading brutal Death
Metal-oriented vocals are much better in my opinion. www.betweentheburiedandme.com,
www.victoryrecords.com
Blood
Of Christ
“Breeding
Chaos”
2003,
Skyscraper Music
Strange
music, really strange music... Very surprising... Technical
and varied.... Sometimes impressive but sometimes
annoying as well. Canada’s
artists decided to blend Death Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Metal-core,
Progressive Metal and many non Metal influences. That’s why you can be sure
that listening to “Breeding Chaos” you can’t be sure of anything. Everything
changes so suddenly that you never know what will happen in a second. After
great brutal and devastating parts with blast-beats and other typical DM
elements, Blood of Christ plays very melodic and soft almost Rock-like riffs.
After parts with clean singing, you can hear brutal vocals. And so on and it
never stops. The question is whether such mixture is good. I think that ten
listeners would have ten different answers and most of them would say ‘yes’ or
‘no’ with many conditions. Or even they wouldn’t dare give such conclusive
answer. You can always imagine how this album would have sounded without all
non Metal influences but it’s rather senseless question. “Breeding Chaos”
sounds exactly as it was to sound. I think that it’s very interesting material
even if you can’t accept the results of such experiments. When I heard this
album first time, I was skeptical. Then I found some serious reasons to
compliment it. These Canadians are really very good musicians and talented
composers. I’m not sure if it is a good comparison, but to some extent, they do
in Canada this what Edge of Sanity was doing in Sweden.
These bands pass the boundaries of the genre and go sometimes in very
interesting directions. www.breedofchaos.com
Bloodchurn
“Ravenous
Consumption”
2005,
Unmatched Brutality
Bloodchurn had the first review in
Metal Side four years ago when they released demo “A Cataclysmic Blessing”. Then
they signed a deal with Unmatched Brutality and the first result of this
cooperation is the full-length album “Ravenous Consumption”. When Unmatched
Brutality releases the album, one can be absolutely sure that it is very brutal
material. Bloodchurn isn't the exception. Don't try
to find any soft sounds. Bloodchurn understands very
well that Death Metal doesn't need them. That's why Mississippi's
band attacks violently and effectively. Brutality isn't the only advantage of “Ravenous
Consumption”. Also track structures will please brutal Death Metal maniacs. Listening to “Ravenous Consumption”, sometimes I think that
perhaps it shouldn't have so many tempo changes. Usually they are really good
but in some parts of the album I'd expect more consequence in playing some
brutal riffs. Anyway, that's not a problem at all. www.unmatchedbrutality.com,
www.bloodchurn.com
Circle
of Fear
"When
Dementia Sets In"
2005,
LITO Records
Circle
of Fear's newest effort was a real surprise for me. Previous CD "Pain...
Scars... Healing" was good and it was obvious reason to expect that their
next release would be at least equally interesting. However, "When
Dementia Sets In" is a very big step forward. First of all, this time
Circle of Fear has much better production. The sound is clear and heavy.
Another big change is the songwriting. It's the biggest difference comparing
old material and the new one. New songs are very varied. Circle of Fear changes
tempos and riffs very quickly but New Jersey's
musicians keep their music compact enough to avoid any incoherency. It's Death
Metal with strong Thrash Metal influences. You can also hear some sounds closer
to Metal-core but they aren’t the core of the material. It's important that
Circle of Fear managed to compose original songs and that's the value I always
want to emphasize. I guess that the deal with LITO
Records helps the band to have a good promotion. "When Dementia Sets In" is definitely worth supporting. www.circleoffear.com
Crematorium
“The
Process of Endtime”
2005,
Prosthetic Records
It’s
Crematorium’s third full-length album. The music of the California’s
group keeps evolving. Debut CD “Epicediums of the
Damned” was classically Death/Thrash Metal-influenced material. The follow-up
release “For All Our Sins”, recorded after 5 years of silence, was a turn
towards modern trends. Crematorium’s music became more varied although still it
was aggressive enough to please Death Metal fans. However, one could wonder in
what direction the Californians would go in the future. Their style had ‘open’
formula. Blending different influences, by the way really effectively, authors
of “For All Our Sins” weren’t the band easy to classify. Their newest effort,
“The Process of Endtime”, is their best release to
date. This material is more compact, heavier and more dynamic. The group
limited a bit mid-paced parts, playing more fast songs. Some of them are really
brutal. The riffing is again catchy in a good meaning of this word. Melodic
riffs have a lot of energy and technical edge. “The Process of Endtime” has very professionally production. All details of
the album present very high standards. www.crematoriummusic.com
Crimson
Massacre
“The
Luster of Pandemonium”
2005,
Deathgasm Records
When
I heard of Crimson Massacre, and it was about two years ago, I thought that
blending Death Metal and Black Metal this Texan band would be closer to BM
formulas. “The Luster of Pandemonium” presents different approach. It’s Death
Metal with some BM influences. It’s surprisingly long album: over 50 minutes of
brutal music without any silence, too long intros and outros.
Taking into consideration that the material is interesting from the beginning
to the end, it means that Crimson Massacre had many good ideas and knew how to
use them. Technical Death Metal – that’s probably the best label for their
music although that’s not technical DM akin to Atheist, Cynic or Sadus. Crimson Massacre’s members tried to create original
style and I think that they managed to do that. Their songwriting method puts
the emphasis on frequent tempo changes. That’s why the compositions have many
twists and turns. It’s important to add that Crimson Massacre’s vocalist on the
album is Peter Olen who is well known from Florida’s
Dark Faith. This collaboration of the musicians from the most brutal US
states is very successful. www.deathgasm.com
Desolation
“Crucifucked”
2005,
self-release
Desolation,
well-known from good album „Addicted to the Chair” (2001) returned in a very
good style confirming the position of one the leaders of Oregon’s
Death Metal scene. Other prominent representatives of Oregon’s
underground usually play Carcass- and Impetigo-inspired music. Desolation chose
another way. I emphasized that when I was reviewing “Addicted to the Chair”.
Now I can only repeat that Desolation is much closer to old Florida’s
school of technical Death Metal although it doesn’t copy it. Relatively short
tracks have good tempo and many really very good riffs. On “Crucifucked”
one can hear better musicianship than on previous CD. The production is good
but since the band worked with Juan Urteaga at his
Trident Studios you shouldn’t be surprised that the sound is perfect for such
Death Metal material. www.desolation.info
Engorged
“Where
Monster’s Dwell”
2004,
Razorback Records
Oregon’s
sick attack continues. If you know Engorged from the previous albums, “Death Metal
Attack 2” (1999) and “Engorged” (2002), you know what you should expect. Taking
some influences from Carcass and Impetigo’s heritage, Engorged creates powerful
and sick music. Previous albums made their music famous everywhere where true
Death Metal maniacs dwell. The only but significant difference is that the
material from the new CD is better. Riffs are more memorable, and
track-structures are more interesting. That’s very prosaic but also the best
proof that Engorged records better and better materials. Razorback Records can be
proud of such releases. www.engorged.net
Exulcerate
“Remnants
Of A Cannibalistic Debauchery”
2005,
Comatose Music
Those,
who like Texan Death Metal, couldn't wait to hear Exulcerate's
debut album. This band, formed after Putrilage's
demise, had a reputation of one of the most promising acts from the state where
Death Metal poisoned the air and the number of very good representatives of the
genre is amazing. If the band belongs to the best bands from Texas, it means that
it's one of the best bands of US
scene. If you see much enthusiasm in my words, you're absolutely right. I do
like Exulcerate. “Remnants Of A
Cannibalistic Debauchery” isn't a musical revolution. It's music rather for Death
Metal traditionalists. Any expectations to hear non-Death Metal influences are
senseless. It's pure brutality from the beginning to the end, and who dare to
question such good conception? www.comatosemusic.com, www.exulcerate.net
Skinned
“Spawn
of Insanity”
2005,
Dead World Syndicate Records
I
heard Skinned many years ago, in 1998, when Colorado’s
band released split CD with Mentally Murdered. At that time it seemed that they
would play a leading role in a local scene for years. However, Skinned didn’t
release a full-length album in the 90’s although there were such plans. In 2003
they released a compilation of all materials from their discography (“Grimoires”). It was next proof of their potential. But the
final and most striking proof that Skinned is very talented band is their debut
full-length album, released only in 2005, but definitely worth the long wait.
“Spawn of Insanity” is material that delivers ones of the best Grind/Death
Metal compositions I heard lately. Just listen to “Vomit on It”
or “These White Walls”, and you will feel the strength and fury of this great
music. These very well-structured, based on shredding riffs, tracks as well as
other Skinned’s compositions, are a sadistic display
of Death/Grind Metal power. Some tracks from the middle of the album aren’t
such fast as the opening ones, but playing them Skinned proves the abilities to
compose also interesting more mid-paced compositions. They are a bit closer to
old material from split while the fastest Skinned songs one can describe as a
cross of old Napalm Death, Terrorizer, Deicide and
Colorado’s band’s original ideas. That’s a killing mixture,
believe me... www.dwsrecords.us,
www.skinnedweb.com
Skitzo
“Heavy
Shit”
2005,
promo
Do
you have a record label? If you do, contact Lance Ozanix
at once and sign this great band. That’s definitely one of the best Metal albums
of the year. Skitzo has very long history and many
great materials in the discography. Previous CD, “Hellavator
Musick”, impressed me at once. Also when I was
listening to “Heavy Shit” first time, I realized at once that it was brilliant
material. Its length (over 50 minutes) and variety mean that Skitzo has many great ideas. Frankly, it’s difficult to
find bands that exist so long and after so many years still have so many new
ideas to offer. That’s a rare phenomenon and a next proof of Skitzo’s class. On “Heavy Shit” different Metal Style are
united to create killing Metal machine. Skitzo is
rooted in traditional Thrash/Speed Metal influences but uses also classical
Heavy Metal elements and fuses everything with strength typical for many Death
Metal artists. The results of such blend are outstanding. If you really need
more reasons to listen to “Heavy Shit”, just look at the list of guest
musicians. First of all, in “Metallic Tyrants” you will hear ... Jeff Becerra
(Possessed). Yes! He sings for Skitzo. Also John
Marshall (Metal Church, Blind Illusion) and Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, Machine Head) play on guitars in two tracks. I’m
not surprised that such well-known musicians wanted to appear on this album. I
guess that they knew that it would be a great release. www.skitzo.biz
Withered
“Memento
Mori”
2005,
Lifeforce Records
When
I heard Withered’s demo, I thought that this talented
band was worth a deal with a good record label. My best wishes wouldn’t be
enough to make it real, but fortunately managers of Lifeforce
Records had similar impressions and they signed Georgia’s band. They shouldn’t
regret such decision. “Memento Mori” is very good album and a candidate to have
high places on the lists of the best Death Metal releases of the year. The
tracks from demo and the new compositions are in similar vein. It’s dark,
atmospheric Death Metal with strong Doom Metal influences. Lifeforce
Records promote Withered as the band that continues the traditions of old
Scandinavian Death Metal styles. I think that it’s a good comparison. Think of
old Grave, old Darkthrone, perhaps old Amorphis, and you will have a general idea what Withered
plays. But such picture won’t be precise. Listening to “Memento Mori” you will
hear different influences. And the most important fact is, like always in such
cases, Withered’s unquestionable originality. That’s
musical vision that makes you deeply involved. You should not only listen to
this music but also feel it. That’s a feature of the best Death/Doom Metal
albums and in my opinion “Memento Mori” also has this rare advantage. Even if
you haven’t similar impressions, you should at least appreciate Withered’s good songwriting and technical skills as well as
a very good blend of atmospheric, majestic and brutal riffs. www.withered.net
Metal
Side Webzine: www.deathmetalside.com