Beastwars - IV

After over a year off for various reasons, we have returned solely because we wanted to review the new Beastwars album. I really wanted to review this as I was at this band's debut album release show in their hometown back in what now seems like many years ago.

If you're unfamiliar with the band common reference points are early Soundgarden (by that, forget Superunknown and anything afterwards),early Mastodon (pre-Crack the Skye) and High on Fire but as far as this listener can tell Beastwars have for the most part put their own spin on sludge. This is a reunion album of sorts which means it could easily be forgettable like the final Soundgarden album, what was it called again?

On this album, Beastwars initial call for attention is entitled "Raise the Sword", and they sound like a band ready for battle, which is fitting since frontman Matt Hyde was battling lymph node cancer before this album. The song is slow with an early Soundgarden dueling the Jesus Lizard sound and you have to give a New Zealand band huge props for using a very fitting Bruno Lawrence sample from the New Zealand dystopian movie, The Quiet Earth. "Wolves and Prey" is one of those songs that the word sludge was invented to describe. It sounds like the musical equivalent of a concrete mixer's end result before drying and it's the kind of heaviness you get stuck in and have difficulty escaping in a hurry. "Storms on Mars" shows that Matt Hyde can do much more than just roar although he also does that here, this song sees getting tuneful and able to carry a melody (although if you're familiar with their song, Iron Wolf you would have known that he possessed this ability). Beastwars really build an oppressing atmosphere and the entire band changes tempo a few times in this song using a quiet/loud soft/heavy dynamic combined with the sheer emotion conveyed vocally make it one of the highlights of the album.

The early Soundgarden worship is incredibly strong in "Omens". It runs a little too close to the original for my liking and detracts from Beastwars' own musical stamp on sludge. Hyde's vocals on "Sound of the Grave" evoke a haunting feel as he takes a much more melodic approach yet manages to sound like he has risen from the grave. A lot of death metal vocalists are going to go green with envy. At the beginning of "The Traveller", Matt howls over a guitar are reminiscent of blues players like Howlin' Wolf. The song is shortly pulled back into the modern world of music and the slow building tempo changes lend the tune motion.





The piano in "Like Dried Blood" will take a number of listeners by surprise as it takes nothing away from the musical heaviness and aids in weighing down the sheer heaviness of the subject matter of the song. Relax though, Beastwars haven't turned into Ben Folds Five as the heaviness is turned up more than a notch around the mid-point of the song where the guitars just about drown out the sound of the piano.

"IV" is not only a strong comeback album but a strong album overall. "Storms on Mars" is the song most likely to hook new listeners in and it is baffling that it wasn't released as a single rather than the early Soundgarden alike, "Omens". IV is definitely designed to be listened to as an album with three slower somber songs concluding the album you just know that thought went into putting the songs in order. I'm crossing my fingers that I get to see the band live the next time I'm in New Zealand.

3.5/5

Edit: A little over 12 hours of writing this and the band released this video for "Storms of Mars".


Release date: 28 June 2019


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Within The Giant's Reach - In the Beginning

Record Label: Self-release

In the beginning, there was no God. So God created one. Within the Giant's Reach looked at and listened the last twenty years of metal. And they saw and heard that it was good. So, it is written.


On the first song on "In The Beginning, which is called "The Summit" the band combine a furious Slipknot rhythm with Phil Anselmo style vocals although towards the end of the song the vocalist takes a much more death metal direction. "Faceless" has a digital sound that isn't miles away from Japanese band, Mad Capsule Markets. There's a similar vibe of controlled chaos due to the drummer, Evan Parigi's timekeeping.

After the nu-metal opening,there's a stomping feeling to "Rise". The vocals are definitely used as an instrument in this track and it's an effect that works well for Within The Giant's reach as the drums and the vocals seem to play off each other. This is a track that will have nu-metal fans wetting themselves. Collapse/Rebuild contains the ferocity of early Korn although, for most of the track, the vocals of Norman Lucas head in a more death metal direction. When the semi-rapped part comes in, it's difficult not to think of Biohazard and their melding of hardcore, metal and rap.

This EP is recommended to fans of Coal Chamber, early Korn, Slipknot and other bands mentioned in this review(Pantera don't really count).





3/5

Release Date: 11 May 2018



Within The Giant's Reach on bandcamp


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Destroyer of Light - Hopeless

Record Label: Heavy Friends Records


After releasing their second album in 2017 which we reviewed here. Texan doom merchants Destroyer of Light have returned to the fold and have released a "Hopeless" two song EP. In this day and age, it's becoming more and more questionable as to what exactly constitutes an album, a single or an EP. The lines are undeniably blurred when you consider "Dopesmoker" by Sleep and " Mirror Reaper" by Bell Witch.

On "Hopeless" slow crushing riffs accompanied with clean vocals are the order of the day. This time the vocals of Steve Colca don't remind me quite as much of Ozzy and are more often reminiscent of former Candlemass vocalist Messiah Marcolin. These songs remind me mostly of Candlemass although Destroyer of Light often head towards a more fuzzed out sound. Check out half of this release in the video below and judge for yourselves.




3.5/5

Release Date: 11 May 2018



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Against Evil - All Hail the King

Record Label: Transcending Obscurity

Indian band, Against Evil are a straight up traditional meat and heavy metal outfit. It's easy to hear the influence of eighties mainstream metal on the band. Don't think about the metal that the music television of the time was pushing or thrash metal but instead think Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Manowar. Against Evil have a pumped up metallic sound without sounding like a carbon copy of any of the before mentioned bands.

Against Evil have a beefy sounding vocalist or two(both the rhythm guitarist,Sravan and the bass guitarist, Siri are credited with vocal duties), who can carry a tune without needing to show off that he can do high-pitched screams. The groups songwriting is strong as is the riffing. Often an all-in chorus comes in where you'd expect there to be a scream which works in the band's favor The rhythm section has a muscular bass and is a solid unit throughout the album.






"Bad Luck" is reminiscent of early Motley Crue with a similar punchy guitar sound and its all-in chorus. There's a definite Manowar influence on "Gods of Metal" but Against Evil aren't delivering a facsimile as they have their own thing going and stamp their own identity into the tune. Against Evil aren't exactly reinventing the wheel but they deliver catchy and enjoyable head-nodding metal. Oh and by the way, Jeff Loomis from Nevermore and Arch Enemy provides a guest guitar solo on "Sentenced to Death", which could be a selling point for many although Against Evil are definitely all capable musicians. The music video for the song is below. While "All Hail the King" may not be an instant stand out album but it certainly is a solid metal album.



3/5

Release Date: 6 April 2018




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Witchcryer - Cry Witch

Label: Ripple Music

On paper Witch Cry sound awesome; a Texan doom metal band with both the classic heavy rock influences of the likes of Black Sabbath, Uriah Heap and Deep Purple and combine it with the slightly more modern doom influences of Trouble and Saint Vitus. The band have female vocals that are reminiscent of Janis Joplin. The band have their chops together and sound really tight.

So what's the problem? It's hard to shake off the feeling this is nothing but a nostalgia trip. The songs here just don't catch this listener's attention. Overworked and overused Sabbath riffs need catchy hooks. The catchiest song on "Cry Witch" is "Witchfinder General" although the album closer "Lapis Philosophorum" is an attention grabber where the band ditch the heaviness (unless you consider Jethro Tull heavy) and vocalist Suzy Bravo is gives her strongest performance. I'd bet these songs work well live but this album just leaves this listener flat.

2.5/5

Release Date: 19 January 2018

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Hysteria - The Moth

Record label: This Charming Man


First things first, I'm old enough to remember when Def Leppard released Hysteria. Some of my heavy metal buddies went nuts over it. A year or so later I was mainly listening to The Smiths and thrash metal. Oddly this sludgy doomy German metal band who go under the handle of The Moth are signed to a record label called "This Charming Man". I don't know anything about their roster and wouldn't be surprised if they've signed bands from many different genres but there's no mistaking The Moth for anything other than a metal band.


There's a very loose metallic muddy sound to the album's title track which recalls early Celtic Frost vocally and instrumentally. There's a similar murky rawness in both the vocals and the playing. "Brachial" opens with an opening that sucks you into the pits of hell then it's clear that the band clearly don't like the likes of you and mess with you with a nearly poppy melody sung over a metallic drone. There's a hypnotic quality to the chanting in "Slow Your Pace" and the drums are hit with a precise loudness. The doom is turned up on eleven on "This Life". If My Dying Bride went for a raw sludge sound, they'd sound a lot like The Moth do on this track. There's a more than slight gothic tinge to the vocals. On "Blackness", the vocals take a turn in another direction and the vocalist sounds like a caveman chewing on a boulder. The instruments are loud and there is a punkish experimental element to this track although The Moth have their feet firmly set in the metal zone. The male/female vocals take a cue from anarchopunk bands.



"Loose" is what happens when someone gives a bulldozer a guitar and says play pop music. It's a stubbornly metallic tune. "Shattered" is reminiscent of High on Fire but The Moth are much looser in delivery. "Fail" has a lot of early Soundgarden running through it especially vocally although there is definitely a similar guitar sound. I also hear some noise rock like Killdozer attempting to break its way out of the shadowy metal into the light of day. Drone, sludge doom and noise rock fans will all derive enjoyment from The Moth's latest release but they are likely to confuse a lot of metal fans with their refusal to have a cookie cutter sound. It's certainly not easy listening.

3/5

Release Date: 10 November 2017


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Sound Storm - Vertigo

Rockshots Records

The latest album from Italian symphonic metal band Soundstorm opens with a very short instrumental track, titled "Vertigo", which clocks in at 1 minute at 18 seconds. This song feels like it is over way too quickly. The second track, "The Dragonfly" opens with the operatic vocals of Fabio Privitera and chunky full on power metal but the tempo slows down at the mid-point of the song. The church choir style accompanying vocals lend the song a haunting atmosphere.






The choir accompaniment continues at the beginning of "Metamorphosis" although Sound Storm take a much more traditional metal approach even if they do utilize very noticeable keyboards. "Forsaken" opens with keyboards and is a fast moving track that brings both Queensryche and Kamelot to mind. "original Sin" is a bland symphonic metal track. I suspect the sin is sloth as the band have made sin sound really boring. "The Ocean" is thankfully a much more interesting track as it starts slowly and then transforms into a much heavier beast with pounding drums, operatic vocals and some blistering guitar work. The slow beginning to "Spiral" promises heavier music is on the way and the song does indeed get heavier as it proceeds with heavy distorted guitar and the choir adds a contrasting edge but the keyboard outro quietens proceedings and seems somewhat misplaced. Sound Storm get back on track with "Gemini", which starts out with keyboards but heavier guitars take over and the band pick up pace throughout this tune and the vocals go from near black metal style to operatic. The change in tempo and dynamics makes this a stand out track on "Vertigo".



One strong track isn't enough to grab this listener. Soundstorm don't offer much that Kamelot, Epica and Nightwish do a lot better. Now, where is that Alfred Hitchcock DVD?

2.5/5


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Release Date: North America – October 13, 2017 | Europe – December 2, 2016

Wheelfall - The Atrocity Reports

Apathia records


"The Atrocity Reports" is the third album from French band, Wheelfall. The band's music on their PR sheet is described as Industrial Post-Metal. What is industrial Post Metal? How does it differ from Industrial Metal? Why so many questions? Who cares?

The band sound a little like 90's Ministry on the album opener, "The Way to Every Crime is Ours". It's heavy, metallic and very much rhythm driven with a driven tempo. The nihilism is strong throughout the album and the second song "Nothing But Worms" reeks of despair as the title. The tempo is much slower and the vocals go from between death metal and hardcore at the start of the song to near spoken which sets a bleak haunting tone. "Violence is Seduction" is an angry industrial metal three minute and a half minute burst that will have shouting, "It's a guilt fucker".




"Impentinent" has a similar drum sound to Big Black's "Kerosene" which sets the song on fire. It sounds like Big Black, Ministry and Nailbomb combined and contained to single place, in that it is industrial and very pissed off with society. "There is No You" is lighter than most the previous tracks and is reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails although Wheelfall do sound much angrier and a little less interested in catchy sing-a-long hooks.



Wheelfall really know how to turn on the angrybutton and are much accessible than most modern hardcore punk bands while providing abrasive industrial metal. If you enjoy Ministry, Nailbomb, Big Black, "Demanufacture" era Fear Factory or Nine Inch Nails then Wheelfall's "The Atrocity Reports" album should be right up your alley.


3.5/5

Release Date: 6 October 2017


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Profetus - Coronation of the Sun

Record Label: Weird Truth





Although originally released in 2009, Japanese record label, Weird Truth Productions have re-released and remastered the debut album Finnish doom metal band, Profetus. Besides the four track which appeared on the original debut, the remastered version also features the two tracks from the band's demo and a live track. Just below is the track "Winter Solstice"from the band's demo




Profetus play funeral doom. With the exception of the track, "Saturnine Night", which has a running time of 3 minutes and 41 seconds, the songs are mostly lengthy slow plodding doom dirges which last for well over ten minutes. All the tracks convey a depressingly bleak and sorrowful atmosphere that would be envy of many goth bands. The slow doom notes and riffs are sparse. The drumbeats are at an incredibly slow tempo. The vocals are not often used but they are usually a gruff hoarse whisper. The shortest track "Saturnine Night" features a spoken part which lends this track a very dark and menacing underbelly.





The lengths of most of the tracks are the main weakness on this album and also there's a feeling of deja vu in each track following the opening track due to the similarity in sound. However those weaknesses are common in the style of music Profetus play and often considered strengths. As somebody who usually hates bonus tracks on re-releases, I actually feel that the record label, Weird Truth, made a good move in sandwiching the original four album tracks between the two demo tracks. However, I still find the inclusion of a live version of a track that is on the album a questionable move as the track is close to twenty minutes long and while it's well recorded, it's difficult to hear the audience so why not just include another studio track?

3/5

Release Date: 27 September 2017



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Howling Giant - Black Hole Space Wizard Part 2

Record Label: Self-release





The band's chosen handle, Howling Giant suggests a gargantuan blood-curling beast and their latest EP title, "Black Hole Space Wizard Part 2" and song titles like "The Forest Speaks", "Circle of Druids" and "Earth Wizard", leaves little doubt that these three guys from Nashville, Tennessee are not only music nerds but also sci-fi and fantasy nerds.

From the outset of the EP, Howling Giant let you know they aren't just messing around with sound, the album opener, "Henry Tate" is nearly all instrumental groove as their are haunting spoken parts. Howling Giant let you know through their psychedelic space rock that they're going on a trippy ride and want you to take a seat and strap yourself in alongside them for the journey.
"The Pioneer" begins as a radio-friendly rock tune. The vocals of Tom Polzine are reminiscent of Jon Toogood from Shihad and the first three minute of the song do remind me of that band's recent rockier tracks but Howling Giant take off into more fuzzed out territory than the long-running New Zealand band have dared to.



There's a warning of an onset of ominous doom to come in "Visions", due to some slowed but incredibly heavy Sabbath riffs. While the melodic clean and incredibly accessible vocals are at the forefront of the mix, the music carries a heavy sense of foreboding doom through the heavy fuzzed out riffs until around the five minute mark where the band veer further into space with a more psychedelic stoner sound with wailing guitar. "The Forest Speaks" is an instrumental track with aucoustic guitar, baritone sax and synth. This track will draw the band many comparisons to the progressive sound of Jethro Tull and the space rock of Hawkwind. Comparisons aside, "The Forest Speaks" is a beautiful and relaxing soundscape.

After lulling the listener in, with a tranquil piece, Howling Giant take a medieval twist with "Circle of Druids" and conjure up Black Sabbath era Ozzy vocals with an emphasis on percussion and chants to come together (intentional nod to The Beatles, that you'll get when you listen to the track) and ascend from Avalon. The fuzzed out guitar leads voyage all over the place searching for Excalibur.







Mammoth crushing doom riffs set the tone of "Earth Wizard". This is the type of song that slowly creeps up behind you and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as the band lay down breathtakingly heavy riffs.


To merely say that this EP is good would be understating a fact, the six songs on this release are fantastic and all fans of space rock, stoner rock and metal, psychedelic rock should listen to this Howling Giant. The whole album can be streamed and bought for name your price at the band's bandcamp page. You know what to do and if you want greater riff sensation do what the band tell you to on their bandcamp page and play these songs at maximum volume.

4.5/5

Release Date: 25 August 2017


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Mindkult - Lucifer's Dreams

Record Label:Transcending Obscurity


One Man band Mindkult hails from the USA and crosses doom metal with shoe gaze, which has lead to great results. There's a pop sensibility to the doom of "Nightmares", think the John Lennon sings for Black Sabbath sound of Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats meeting My Bloody Valentine. Check the tune out for yourself below.





Whilst the Sabbath riffs come out strong in the over nine minute track, "Behold the Wraith", the song veers into shoegaze territory. "Howling Witch"opens with with a horror movie sample then it's equal parts Jesus and Mary Chain and Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats. Mindkult mastermind, Fowst creates an otherworldly feeling in the album's title track combining the more psychedelic side of Pink Floyd with doom and stoner rock.

The bottom line is that much of "Lucifer's Dream"sounds like Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats gone shoegaze but not veering far from the template that makes Uncle Acid so listenable. Mindkult have discovered a winning formula.



3.5/5


Release Date: 20 September 2017


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War Cloud - War Cloud

Record Label : Ripple Music

Bay Area band War Cloud are a new band having only formed in 2014. The band are made up of Alex Wein on guitar and vocal duties, Joaquin Ridgell,on drums,Sean Nishi on bass and Tony Campos also handling guitar. War Cloud took their name from a song from the UK band Wicked Lady, which will inform some readers that the band are influenced by hard rock from the late 60's and 70's.


There's a definite 70's influence coming through the fuzzed up guitar that leaves little doubt that Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy and UFO feature prominently in the collective listening diet of War Cloud. There's a hard rock boogie feel to "Chopper Wired"that forces a listener to not just listen but to also move their buttocks. With the band based in the Bay Area and lyrics about four horsemen in "Divide and Conquer", it's impossible not to think that within their musical stew, War Cloud are not only taking in and spitting out early hard rock and traditional metal but also early speed metal. The suspicion of an early speed metal influence is confirmed in "Hurricane" as it harks back to the first couple of Metallica albums but the vocals are more in the hard rock singing style than than the near punkish shouting style of early James Hetfeild. Wein can really sing but doesn't venture outside his range, which helps give the band their sound.

The guitar leads on "No Man's Land" are attention grabbing as it's apparent that both Wein and Campos are highly accomplished musicians. "Red Witch" sounds like it would have been a hit on the radio if it had been released in the 70's. It's a really catchy number due to the chorus, tempo and distorted guitar all shining from the speakers. It's easy to imagine people hearing the song on the airwaves and then seeking out the 45 rpm vinyl. "Speed Demon" is so full of punk'n'roll grittiness, you'll need to wash your hands after hearing the track. The album closer, which you can listen to below, has a NWOBM but War Cloud manage to stamp their own identity on the track.









At first I didn't really think much of this album but after listening to it a number of times, there are many things to discover and like about War Cloud's debut. An obvious criticism could be that with their retro style War Cloud look too much to the past however it's clear that the band have a genuine passion for hard rock from the past and their passion boils over in their songwriting and musicianship. Standout songs are "Speed Demon", "Red Witch"and "No Man's Land" however no song on the album is weak.


Release Date: 8 September 2017

3.5/5





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Necromancers -Servants Of The Salem Girl

France's Necromancers appeared out of thin air and are blowing away a number of reviewers with their debut album, "Servant's of the Salem Girl". The band are signed to Ripple Music, who are knowledgeable people in the type of music that Necromancers play. So exactly what type of music do these young French guys play? Their sound is hard rock/heavy metal with a heavy touch of the 70's era. For those looking for band comparisons, the track, Lucifer's Kin had me thinking of Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats and Trouble so think psychedelic Black Sabbath.

Although some will insist it's pure Black Sabbath, "Black Marble House"is reminiscent of the softer side of early Stray and Wishbone Ash due to guitar sound and the harmonies. Check the video out.

Necromancers contains lyrics about voices from the past and takes in NWOBM plus a smidgen of early Danzig style blues/hard rock. There's a doomy side to Grand Orbitor but Necromancers combine the slow paced with chest-beating traditional metal and this elevates the doom and a very strong tune smacks the listener right in the face.

Servants of the Salem Girl is a great debut album and it's very easy to understand why Ripple Music signed them as they fit the sound the label has and the band are clearly high grade songwriters and musicians. If there is a complaint to be found, it's that due to the variety of styles in the six song on the album, it's not clear that Necromancers have stamped their own identifiable identity with their sound. I suspect that it will become easier to identify this band among the herd of soundalike bands in the hard rock/metal/stoner rock genre. Hear this album soon!

4/5


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Sinister - Gods of the Abyss

Dutch death metal band Sinister have been knocking around since the 1990's. The band have split then got back together a number of times. After their 2003 split they recorded the four song demo "Gods of the Abyss"which lead to a record deal with Nuclear Blast. In 2017 Dutch label Vic Records have released the demo for public consumption.

The songs are undeniably crushing death metal but Sinister intertwine elements of more traditional metal. Whilst the vocals are like a caveman chewing sandpaper, there's a strong Iron Maiden influence in the guitar riffs on a couple of these tracks which would pique the interest of more than just the casual death metal fanatic. Listening to these tracks, it's easy to understand why Nuclear Blast signed these. The opening track "The Grey Massacre" effortlessly chops from mid-paced crunch to full speed ahead death dealing.
'
All the tracks here are very good examples of early death metal however "Altruistic Suicide" and "Afterburner"are Sinister at their peak on this release.

3.5/5


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Destroyer of Light - Chamber of Horrors

Texas band Destroyer of Light are unmistakably doom metal merchants. On their second album, they start out with a instrumental entitled "Whispers Into the Threshold". "Chamber of Horrors" largely follows the doom metal blueprint although the songs short length informs the listener know that Destroyer of Light are not your run of the mill dime a dozen Black Sabbath wannabe doom metallers. The follow up track "Into the Smoke" confirms this although the riffing and drumming is slow and certainly does bring Sabbath to mind, the throaty vocals at the start of the song add an element of sludge style heaviness but further through the track they switch to the more traditional style of doom vocals without missing a beat (pun intended since the tempo is slow). A horror movie sample opens "The Virgin" which is followed with vocals sung in a near whisper over a musically quiet part which doesn't last for long as there is some short yelling before the vocals transform into Ozzy style. A shouted part over doom and sludgy is an interesting turn within the song to further convey the feeling of sheer terror, which was set up by the track's opening sample. Destroyer of Light look towards 70's psychedelia in the instrumental track "Twilight Procession". The vocal delivery on "Buried Alive" contains a desperation reminiscent of Life of Agony's on their "River Runs Red" and grunted spoken vocals kick in around the mid-part of the song and there's no escaping from the uneasiness of a nightmare.

The electronic press kit states that Destroyer of Light are influenced by Eyehategod, Electric Wizard, Mercyful Fate and Autopsy. Still, like every other doom band Sabbath worship is of the highest priority. Just check out the tracks "Lux Crusher", " and "Prisoner of Eternity", which are pure Black Sabbath. However, Destroyer of Light make it much more interesting and really hit the mark when they integrate their non-doom influences especially on "The Virgin" and "Buried Alive" however they don't utilize these influences enough on "Chambers of Horrors" to truly separate themselves from the pack of doomsters.

3/5


Release date: 14 July 2017


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Zaraza - Spasms of Rebirth

Dear Reader

I trust this day finds you well. I have a treasure for you but first you, dear reader, need to answer four questions before you will be eligible to receive this gift.

Do you like doom metal? Do you like wallowing in the pits of sludge? Does the mention of industrial music cause your mouth to froth? Would a combination of the three be of interest to you? If you answered no to any of these questions then stop reading this review right NOW and go and read the emails in your spam folder.

If you answered, yes to all four questions then Canadian and Ecuadorian duo, Zaraza's latest album "Spasm of Rebirth" will be of interest. The duo play a hybrid of sludge, doom and industrial. If band references are important to you then. dear reader, you should think of Godflesh colliding in the underworld with Eyehategod with samples the conjure up a sense of dread.



Now, dear reader, if you're still reading this and we're both still alive as I doubt either of us have much time left in this world then I implore you to get a copy of Zaraza's "Spasms of Rebirth" rather than give me your bank details.



Your sincerely



A near dead blogger



PS Check out this youtube video for their track "Church of Gravity.





PPS: Check out a number of tracks from the album on Zaraza's bandcamp page. "Maskwearer" is a highly recommended track. Oh, yeah. By the way, the physical format of this album will be available from 17 July 2017 until whenever it's not.


3.5/5

El Camino - Cursed Congregation

Sometimes it's a real headscratcher when it comes to describing a band and El Camino's press kit describes them as a black/thrash metal band. The only resemblance of thrash here are the vocals, which are reminiscent of Martin Walkyier of Sabbat(UK) who wouldn't sound out of place on many a black metal album. From the outset of "Cursed Congregation"Swedish metal band El Camino combine doom and gothic elements with black metal. Ïnto the Dark"doesn't race into the depths of hell ala thrash metal but plods along with evil intent. "Intent of Man's Heart"speeds up to nearly the walking pace of a live person but these guys do sound like they are living dead due to the dragging pace and the spitting goblin vocals. There's some traditional metal style in the soloing during the album's title track. There are near spoken parts in "Penance Pyre" that add another to the atmosphere deathly doom and once again Sabbat come to mind.

"Cursed Congregation"is close to how My Dying Bride would have sounded on their early albums if they'd added black metal to their doom laden metal tunes rather than death metal. Is this style doomed black metal or blackened doom metal? I'm uncertain but I know I like it much more than straight up black metal.

3.5/5

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Bloody Hammers - The Horrific Case of the Bloody Hammers

Peter Murphy, Sisters of Mercy, Type O Negative, The Mission, Paradise Lost If you're a fan of any of these bands then there's a good chance that Bloody Hammers are right up your alley.

The cover of the album suggests a horror theme and the write up in the electronic press kit describes Swedish duo Bloody Hammers as a Horror Sleaze Rock outfit which to this reviewer's way of thinking suggests either the horror punk style of The Misfits or the B-movie rockabilly celebratory sleaze of The Cramps however this is really just Gothic rock with keyboards. There's no denying that Anders Manga does indeed have a bombastic powerful voice but whilst listening to his crooning it's impossible not to think he borrows heavily from the Gothic books of Peter (that's Peter Murphy and Peter Steele if you hadn't already guessed. His wife Devalia provides the synthesizer sounds. The album's opener "Gates of Hell" has an industrial rock beat not far from Marilyn Manson's "Anti-Christ Superstar" album but the vocals have the witching quality of Andrew Eldritch. "The Beyond" sounds a lot like a Peter Murphy solo track as it has a poppy edge but the hooks aren't as instant or catchy although there is a sense of wondrous gloom. The strongest song on this six song release is the album closer, "The Bloodsucker Leads The Dance" with its organ opening reminding one of early horror movies and the slow foreboding beat that makes you ponder whether The Doors were vampires.o

While there are a number of great ideas of this EP, most listeners familiar with the artists mentioned at the start of this review are just going to want to listen to the artists the Hammers take their inspiration from. Now where is that Joy Division CD?



2.5/5




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Kamikazi - At the Age of Destruction

Kamikazi might have a Japanese sounding band moniker but these punk maniacs hail from Greece. On their bandcamp and in their email Kamikazi describe themselves as a punk/metal/hardcore band and their chosen style is definitely a hybrid of the three with some straight up rock 'n' roll added for good measure.

If you have any desire to sit down in a comfortable chair and just lay back while listening to this EP, you should reconsider and strap yourself in. There's no time to take in the scenery as Kamikazi hit full throttle along the punk 'n'roll highway with "Deathride". You shouldn't find your mind wandering then the metal tinge on "Crooked Path" but if you feel a little under the weather, there's no stopping or winding down the windows for fresh air, so stop your whining. "Cold Black Cells" features metallic guitar solos with a topping of punky shouting with gang choruses.



If Minor Threat had been a punk 'n roll band then they may well have penned tune close to the mark of "Fuck The World" although the metallic chug towards the end of the song would have been avoided but it propels Kamikazi along very nicely indeed.



The band have released 200 tapes of the EP.

3.5/5

Listen to the whole EP on Kamikazi's bandcamp

Sasquatch - Maneuvers

Soundgarden are history as are Kyuss but for those of us who were fans of both banging bands along come Sasquatch(actually they've been bubbling away for a while but they're recently risen to the brim). The opening track to Sasquatch's fifth album, "Rational Woman is pure Kyuss style desert rock fuzz but if that Chris Cornell guy was on vocals. Keith Gibbs vocals are really that close that's an amazing feat. Anyone that says Cornell was unique is proven wrong. Close your eyes and listen to "Destroyer" and there are a number parts where you could swear you were listening to Soundgarden at their peak. There are many moments where the instruments bind together in a similar hypnotic fashion as the first Queens of the Stone Age album.


Bottom line with this album is that you just need to imagine a top notch stoner rock band with Chris Cornell on vocals. This album deserves to be on a lot of end of year lists.

4.5/5

Sasquatch on facebook

Check out the opening track "Rational Woman" here.